US3709169A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fireproof container
Assignee: Babcock International Ltd
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Filing: 1970-01-16
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Granted: 1973-01-09
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Expires: 1990-01-16
Abstract
Abstract A container for protecting valuable items such as papers from exposure to fire or intense heat comprising an outer frame, an inner container, and a closure means or a lid. Between the outer frame and inner container, and within the lid, there are heat protection means, each comprising an outer portion of a heat resistant material such as ceramic fiber and an inner portion of an absorbent material such as glass paper which is soaked in water and encased in a water-impermeable jacket made of, for example, polyethylene, which is rupturable upon exposure to elevated temperatures. Typically, vents permit steam which is generated in the presence of intense heat in the inner portions of the heat protection means to pass into the interior of the container to further slow any rise in temperature therein by absorbing heat, and the vents also permit steam to slowly pass out of the container through the channel defined between the closure means and the container itself, thereby inhibiting the inward flow of heat through this channel. In a preferred embodiment, a water-soaked, elongated, fibrous, absorbent material, encased in an elongated water-impermeable jacket, is disposed between the outer frame and inner container at a location subject to high heat transfer rates, such as along the jamb between the outer frame and the inner container.
Inventors
- 👤 E Gauger
- 👤 W Brown
- 👤 W Gartner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 01:55
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05G; E05G1/00; E05G1/02; E05G1/024
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A container assembly which comprises: an outer frame enclosing a major portion of the assembly; an iNner container; a jamb bridging said outer frame and said inner container; heat protection means between said outer frame and said inner container, an outer portion of said heat protection means comprising fibrous material having high temperature resistance and an inner portion of said means comprising at least one porous carrier containing liquid water interspersed throughout the pores of said carrier, said carrier being enclosed in a water-impermeable casing which casing ruptures upon exposure of the inner portion to an elevated temperature, from 10 to 50 percent of the volume of said heat protection means being occupied by said inner portion, closure means adapted for mating relationship with said jamb, and vents to provide access through said jamb to the channel which leads to the exterior of said container assembly defined between said jamb and the closure means, whereby steam which is generated in said heat protection means passes by way of said channel to the exterior of said container assembly, inhibiting the inflow of heat by way of said channel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
270 words
A container assembly which comprises: an outer frame enclosing a major portion or the assembly; an inner container; a jamb bridging said outer frame and said inner container; first heat protection means between said outer frame and said inner container, an outer portion of said first heat protection means comprising fibrous material having high temperature resistance and an inner portion of said means comprising at least one porous carrier containing liquid water interspersed throughout the pores of said carrier, said carrier being enclosed in a water-impermeable casing, which casing ruptures upon exposure of the inner portion to a temperature of about 100* - 120* C., from 10 to 50 percent of the volume of said first heat protection means being occupied by said inner portion; closure means adapted for mating relationship with said jamb, said closure means comprising an outer frame, an undersurface portion for mating with the jamb, an underframe, and second heat protection means interposed between said closure outer frame and said underframe, said latter means comprising an outer portion and an inner portion of types identical to said outer portion and inner portion of the first heat protection means, from 10 to 50 percent of the volume of said second heat protection means being occupied by said inner portion and vents to provide access from said first heat protection means through said jamb to the channel between said mated undersurface portion and jamb, whereby steam which is generated in said first heat protection means passes by way of said channel to the exterior of said container assembly, inhibiting the inflow of heat by way of said channel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
An insulating envelope suitable for use in fireproof containers comprising at least one porous carrier containing a liquid aqueous solution of a calcium chloride humectant in sufficient concentration to essentially eliminate evaporation of water from said solution, said carrier being enclosed in a water-impermeable casing, which casing ruptures upon exposure to an elevated temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
73 words
An insulating envelope suitable for use in fireproof containers comprising at least one porous carrier containing a liquid aqueous solution of calcium chloride humectant in sufficient concentration to essentially eliminate evaporation of water from said solution, said carrier being enclosed in a water-impermeable casing, which casing ruptures upon exposure to an elevated temperature, said casing being made from a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, poly(vinyl chloride-vinylidene chloride), and combinations thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
214 words
A container assembly which comprises: an outer frame enclosing a major portion of the assembly; an inner container; a jamb bridging said outer frame and said inner container; first heat protection means between said outer frame and said inner container, an outer portion of said first heat protection mEans comprising fibrous ceramic cloth having high temperature resistance and an inner portion of said means comprising fibrous glass paper containing liquid water interspersed throughout the pores of said paper, said paper being enclosed in a water-impermeable casing made of a thermoplastic film, which casing ruptures upon exposure of the inner portion to a temperature of about 100*-120* C., from 10 to 50 percent of the volume of said first heat protection means being occupied by said inner portion; closure means adapted for mating relationship with said jamb, said closure means comprising an outer frame, an undersurface portion for mating with the jamb, an underframe, and second heat protection means interposed between said closure outer frame and said underframe, said latter means comprising an outer portion and an inner portion of types identical to said outer portion and inner portion of the first heat protection means, from 10 to 50 percent of the volume of said second heat protection means being occupied by said inner portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
An insulating envelope suitable for use in fireproof containers comprising at least one porous carrier containing a liquid aqueous solution of a humectant in sufficient concentration to essentially eliminate evaporation of water from said solution, said carrier being enclosed in a water-impermeable casing carrying aluminum foil upon its outer surface which casing ruptures upon exposure to an elevated temperature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
104 words
A container assembly which comprises: an outer frame enclosing a major portion of the assembly; an inner container; a jamb bridging said outer frame and said inner container; heat protection means between said outer frame and said inner container, said heat protection means comprising an elongated heat absorbent envelope comprising an elongated, water-impermeable casing having its long dimension adjacent to and parallel to the long dimension of said jamb, said casing being rupturable on exposure to elevated temperatures and an elongated porous carrier containing liquid water interspersed throughout its pores sealed within said casing; and closure means adapted for mating relationship with said jamb.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
The container assembly of claim 8 wherein said closure means is hollow and contains within it at a location which mates with said jamb an elongated heat absorbent envelope comprising an elongated, water-impermeable casing having its long dimension parallel to an edge of said closure means, said casing being rupturable on exposure to elevated temperature and an elongated porous carrier containing liquid water interspersed throughout its pores sealed within said casing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
An insulating envelope suitable for use in fireproof containers comprising at least one porous carrier containing liquid water in gelled form interspersed throughout the pores of said carrier, said carrier being enclosed in a water-impermeable casing, which casing ruptures upon exposure to an elevated temperature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The envelope of claim 10 in which the water-impermeable casing is made from a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, poly(vinyl chloride-vinylidene chloride), and combinations thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The envelope of claim 10 in which the water-impermeable casing carries aluminum foil upon its outer surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The envelope of claim 10 which has dispersed therein at least one gelling agent selected from the group consisting of methylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, and water-soluble vinylic polymers containing carboxylic acid groups.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-09 | 1976-07-10 | 1977-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-09 | 1980-07-10 | 1981-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-09 | 1984-07-10 | 1985-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |