Constant temperature device

Claim 2

A portable combination for generating and retaining heat or cold and imparting said heat or cold to an object at a constant temperature comprising: first means for generating heat or cold at temperatures having absolute magnitudes greater than the constant temperature; seCond means for retaining the heat or cold generated by said first means, said second means having characteristics for imparting said heat or cold to the object at the constant temperature for extended periods of time, the second means having properties of being recycled; a first container enclosing said first means, said first container having a first wall capable of readily passing heat; a second container enclosing said second means, said second container having first and second walls, said first wall of said second container being disposed in juxtaposition to the first wall of said first container, the first wall of the second container having properties of readily passing heat; the second wall of the second container having properties of being disposed in juxtaposition to the object to maintain the object at the constant temperature; whereby the heat or cold generated by said first means passes through the first walls of said first and second containers and is retained by said second means.

Claim 3

The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein: said first walls of said first and second containers are heat sealable and said first walls of said first and second containers are sealed at their peripheries; whereby said heat sealed walls are in contact substantially throughout their entire surface thereby facilitating the transfer of heat between said first and second containers.

Claim 4

The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein the second means comprises at least one chemical having a latent heat of fusion greater than 150 joules per gram.

Claim 5

A combination as defined in claim 1 further comprising: an insulating material in juxtaposition to said second wall of said second container, said insulating material being capable of moderating the temperature constant to a temperature of reduced magnitude for application to said object.

Claim 6

The combination as defined in claim 4 wherein said chemical comprises disodium monohydrogen phosphate dodecahydrate and said latent heat of fusion is absorbed substantially at a temperature of 36.1*C.

Claim 7

The combination as defined in claim 1 further comprising: at least one seal extending between the edges of said second container to form a plurality of compartments capable of containing said second means whereby the rupture of a single compartment does not result in the release of said second means from the remaining compartments; and said second means comprising at least one chemical having characteristics for undergoing a reversible change of state between the temperatures of 25*C and 45*C.

Claim 8

The combination as defined in claim 6 wherein said second means comprises at least one chemical having a latent heat of fusion greater than 150 joules per gram.

Claim 9

A reusable portable combination for transferring heat between an exterior source and an object at a substantially constant temperature comprising: chemical means having properties transferring heat between the exterior source and the object at the constant temperature over an extended period of time; a compartmentalized container for retaining said absorbing means in said compartments, said container being constructed of a material having a relatively high coefficient of heat transfer whereby transfer of heat or cold will readily occur between the exterior source and the object; a disposable non-allergenic covering capable of readily transferring heat between the exterior source and the object and substantially enclosing said container, said covering contacting said object whereby the heat transferred between said absorbing means and the object is readily imparted to said object through said container; at least one chemical stable in the presence of oxygen, a portion of said chemical being in solid form prior to the absorption of the heat; at least a portion of said solid chemical being capable of undergoing a first transformation to a liquid stAte at the contant temperature as the heat is absorbed; at least a portion of said liquefied chemical capable of undergoing a second transformation to a solid state at the constant temperature as the heat is imparted to said object; whereby said first and second transformation can be accomplished repeatedly whereby said combination is reusable, said transformations being accomplished within a temperature range of 25*C to 45*C.

Claim 10

A reusable portable combination for transferring heat between an exterior source and an object at a substantially constant temperature comprising: chemical means having properties transferring heat between the exterior source and the object at the constant temperature over an extended period of time; a compartmentalized container for retaining said absorbing means in said compartments, said container being constructed of a material having a relatively high coefficient of heat transfer whereby transfer of heat or cold will readily occur between the exterior source and the object; a disposable non-allergenic covering capable of readily transferring heat between the exterior source and the object and substantially enclosing said container, said covering contacting said object whereby the heat transferred between said absorbing means and the object is readily imparted to said object through said container; at least one chemical stable in the presence of oxygen, a portion of said chemical being in solid form prior to the absorption of the heat; at least a portion of said solid chemical being capable of undergoing a first transformation to a liquid stAte at the contant temperature as the heat is absorbed; at least a portion of said liquefied chemical capable of undergoing a second transformation to a solid state at the constant temperature as the heat is imparted to said object; whereby said first and second transformation can be accomplished repeatedly whereby said combination is reusable, said transformations being accomplished within a temperature range of 25*C to 45*C.

Claim 11

A combination as defined in claim 8 wherein said transformations are accomplished within a temperature range of 0*C to -10*C.

Claim 12

A combination as defined in claim 8 wherein the amount of heat absorbed during the first transformation exceeds 150 joules per gram.

Claim 13

A combination as defined in claim 9 wherein the amount of heat absorbed during the first transformation exceeds 150 joules per gram.