US4407133A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-contained portable temperature-controlled chamber for medications and the like
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1981-08-10
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Granted: 1983-10-04
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Expires: 2001-08-10
Abstract
Abstract A temperature-controlled chamber comprises a portable, insulated housing with an internal cavity shaped to receive a container of temperature-sensitive material therein, such as insulin, antibiotics, or the like. A thermoelectric element, or heat pump, has one face in heat-transfer relation with the housing cavity, and the other face connected with a heat exchanger having an exterior portion exposed to the atmosphere. A source of electric power is coupled to the thermoelectric element through a thermostat control which energizes the thermoelectric element in response to temperature fluctuations in the housing cavity. The thermostat control includes switching means to reverse the polarity of the power supplied to the thermoelectric element as a function of whether the sensed temperature in the housing cavity is too high or too low, to alternatively heat or cool the housing cavity as required to maintain the cavity at a generally constant temperature.
Inventors
- 👤 Glenn V. Edmonson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 04:13
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61J; A61J1/00; A61J1/14; A61J1/16; A61J1/165; F; F25; F25B; F25B21/00; F25B21/02; F25B2321/00; F25B2321/02; F25B2321/021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
229 words
A personal, self-contained, manually portable temperature-controlled chamber for medications and the like, comprising: an insulated housing having a cavity shaped to receive a receptacle of temperature-sensitive material therein; a thermoelectric element mounted in said housing, and having first and second heat-transfer faces; one of said faces being in heat-transfer relation with said housing cavity, for transferring heat therebetween; a heat exchanger connected with said housing, having a first portion thereof in heat-transfer relation with the other of said thermoelectric element heat-transfer faces, and a second portion thereof communicating with ambient atmosphere for exchanging heat therewith; a source of portable electric power mounted in said housing to provide a self-contained unit that can be hand-held and manually transported; said electrical power source being electrically connected with said thermoelectric element; means for reversing the polarity of the electric power applied to said thermoelectric element, whereby said thermoelectric element can selectively heat or cool said housing cavity to maintain the receptacle of temperature-sensitive material therein at a desired temperature range; and a multiple-set-point temperature controller apparatus mounted on said housing, including means for sensing the temperature in said housing cavity; said temperature controller apparatus having portions electrically connected between said electric power and said thermoelectric element to control electric current flow therebetween, and thereby automatically maintain the temperature within said housing cavity at the desired temperature range by selective heating and/or cooling.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
229 words
A personal, self-contained, manually portable temperature-controlled chamber for medications and the like, comprising: an insulated housing having a cavity shaped to receive a receptacle of temperature-sensitive material therein; a thermoelectric element mounted in said housing, and having first and second heat-transfer faces; one of said faces being in heat-transfer relation with said housing cavity, for transferring heat therebetween; a heat exchanger connected with said housing, having a first portion thereof in heat-transfer relation with the other of said thermoelectric element heat-transfer faces, and a second portion thereof communicating with ambient atmosphere for exchanging heat therewith; a source of portable electric power mounted in said housing to provide a self-contained unit that can be hand-held and manually transported; said electrical power source being electrically connected with said thermoelectric element; means for reversing the polarity of the electric power applied to said thermoelectric element, whereby said thermoelectric element can selectively heat or cool said housing cavity to maintain the receptacle of temperature-sensitive material therein at a desired temperature range; and a multiple-set-point temperature controller apparatus mounted on said housing, including means for sensing the temperature in said housing cavity; said temperature controller apparatus having portions electrically connected between said electric power and said thermoelectric element to control electric current flow therebetween, and thereby automatically maintain the temperature within said housing cavity at the desired temperature range by selective heating and/or cooling.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A temperature-controlled chamber as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said polarity reversing means comprises electrical switching means associated with said temperature controller, such that the heating and cooling functions of said thermoelectric element are automatically actuated in response to sensed temperature conditions in said housing cavity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
109 words
A temperature-controlled chamber as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said housing has a two-piece construction with first and second members which sealingly adjoin one another, and means for detachably connecting the first and second members together; said first housing member having said thermoelectric element, said heat exchanger, said electric power source, said temperature controller, and said polarity reversing means mounted thereupon; said second housing member having said receptacle-receiving cavity therein; and including: an alternate housing member having a cavity shaped to receive a different size of receptacle therein, and including means for detachable connection with said first housing member to adpat said chamber for use with differently-sized receptacles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A temperature-controlled chamber as set forth in claim 3, wherein: said temperature-sensing means is mounted in said housing first member in a position disposed adjacent said cavity of the second member when the two such members are interconnected.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A temperature-controlled chamber as set forth in claim 4, including: a second temperarture-sensing means mounted in said heat exchanger, and connected with said temperature-controller for interrupting electrical power supplied to said thermoelectric element when the temperature of said heat exchanger exceeds a predetermined limit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
A temperature-controlled chamber as set forth in claim 1, including: a receptacle for connecting onto an outside source of electrical power, to provide power from said outside source to said temperature-controlled chamber; and a switch electrically connected between said thermoelectric element and each said power source for connecting said thermoelectric element with a selected one of said power sources.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A temperature-controlled chamber as set forth in claims 1 or 3 wherein: said heat exchanger comprises a cylindrical member having fins positioned upon the exterior thereof, said heat exchanger comprising a radiator in a cavity-refrigeration mode and a heat absorber in a cavity-heating mode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A temperature-controlled chamber as set forth in claim 7, including: a heat sink connected with a base of said heat exchanger.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A temperature-controlled chamber as set forth in claim 8, wherein: said heat sink is molded in said housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A temperature-controlled chamber as set forth in claim 1, including: a conductive diaphragm mounted in an aperture communicating with said cavity; and means mounting said one heat transfer face in a position abutting said conductive diaphragm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A temperature-controlled chamber as set forth in claim 10, including: a heat sink connected to said heat exchanger for thermal transfer therebetween; and means supporting said other heat-transfer face in a position abutting said heat sink.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A temperature-controlled chamber as set forth in claim 11, wherein: said one heat transfer face is fused to said diaphragm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
A temperature-controlled chamber as set forth in claim 12, wherein: said diaphragm is in the nature of a leaf spring, and resiliently retains said other heat-transfer face of said thermoelectric element in abutment with said heat sink to define said supporting means.
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) | 1986-10-03 | 1987-04-04 | 1987-10-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-10-03 | 1991-04-04 | 1991-10-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-10-03 | 1995-04-04 | 1995-10-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |