US5637389A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermally enhanced foam insulation
Assignee: BAYCHAR
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Filing: 1996-03-19
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Granted: 1997-06-10
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Expires: 2016-03-19
Abstract
Abstract A thermal barrier in the form of a base material with a plurality of microcapsules containing a phase change material forms an insulative pad, such as a shoe insole. The microcapsules are surroundingly encapsulated and embedded within the base material. In addition, substantially all of the microcapsules are spaced apart from each other, the space between neighboring adjacent microcapsules containing a phase change material. The microcapsules may be anisotropically distributed to further reduce thermal conductivity of heat through the thermal barrier.
Inventors
- 👤 David P. Colvin
- 👤 Yvonne G. Bryant
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 12:30
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08J; C08J9/00; C08J9/32; A; A41; A41D; A41D31/00; A41D31/04; A41D31/06; A41D31/065; A43; A43B; A43B13/00; A43B13/38; A43B17/00; A43B17/14; A43B7/00; A43B7/34; B; B65; B65D; B65D81/00; B65D81/38; B65D81/3813; B65D81/3823; C08J9/0004; C08J9/0009; F; F28; F28D; F28D20/00; F28D20/02; F28D20/023; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/14; Y10; Y10S; Y10S220/00; Y10S220/902; Y10S297/00; Y10S297/01; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/23; Y10T428/233; Y10T428/23907; Y10T428/23979; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249953; Y10T428/249955; Y10T428/249958; Y10T428/249986; Y10T428/249994
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A thermal control material having thermal energy storage and insulative properties for use as a thermal barrier when placed between a heat source and a heat sink, and comprising: a foam base material forming an insulative pad, and a plurality of microcapsules integral with and dispersed throughout said insulative pad and wherein said microcapsules are individually surroundingly encapsulated an embedded within said base material, and further wherein substantially all of said microcapsules are spaced apart from each other, the space between neighboring adjacent microcapsules containing base material, said microcapsules containing a phase change material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A thermal control material having thermal energy storage and insulative properties for use as a thermal barrier when placed between a heat source and a heat sink, and comprising: a foam base material forming an insulative pad, and a plurality of microcapsules integral with and dispersed throughout said insulative pad and wherein said microcapsules are individually surroundingly encapsulated an embedded within said base material, and further wherein substantially all of said microcapsules are spaced apart from each other, the space between neighboring adjacent microcapsules containing base material, said microcapsules containing a phase change material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A thermal control material according to claim 1 wherein said phase change material is selected from the group consisting of paraffinic hydrocarbons.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A thermal control material according to claim 1 wherein said base material is selected from the group consisting of open cell foams, closed cell foams and hydrophilic foams.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The thermal control material according to claim 3 further including a planar layer substantially covering one of the respective surfaces of said insulative pad.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The thermal control material according to claim 3 further including a planar layer substantially covering the exterior surfaces of said insulative pad.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The thermal control material according to claim 4 wherein said planar layer comprises a fabric.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The thermal control material according to claim 4 wherein said planar layer comprises one wall of a shipping container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
108 words
A container characterized by its ability to insulate the contents placed therein from an external environment comprising: first and second walls in substantially co-planar spaced relation; a foam base material forming an insulative pad positioned between said first and second walls; a plurality of microcapsules integral with and dispersed throughout said base material, and wherein said microcapsules are individually surroundingly encapsulated and embedded within said base material, and further wherein substantially all of said microcapsules are spaced apart from each other, the space between neighboring adjacent microcapsules comprising base material, said microcapsules containing a phase change material; whereby the container exhibits enhanced thermal stability and thermal insulation properties.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
108 words
A container characterized by its ability to insulate the contents placed therein from an external environment comprising: first and second walls in substantially co-planar spaced relation; a foam base material forming an insulative pad positioned between said first and second walls; a plurality of microcapsules integral with and dispersed throughout said base material, and wherein said microcapsules are individually surroundingly encapsulated and embedded within said base material, and further wherein substantially all of said microcapsules are spaced apart from each other, the space between neighboring adjacent microcapsules comprising base material, said microcapsules containing a phase change material; whereby the container exhibits enhanced thermal stability and thermal insulation properties.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The container according to claim 8 wherein the respective first and second walls comprise a paper board.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The container according to claim 8 wherein the respective first and second walls comprise cardboard.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The container according to claim 8 wherein the respective first and second walls comprise the walls of a metal shipping container.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The container according to claim 11 wherein the metal shipping container is selected from the group consisting of railroad cars, truck trailers, and sea board containers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The container according to claim 8 wherein the respective first and second walls comprise plastic.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
110 words
A thermal wrap having thermal energy storage and insulative properties for use as a thermal barrier between a heat source and a heat sink, and comprising: a flexible, resilient foam base material forming an insulative pad; a plurality of microcapsules integral with and dispersed throughout said insulative pad and wherein said microcapsules are individually surroundingly encapsulated and embedded within said base material, and further wherein substantially all of said microcapsules are spaced apart from each other, the space between neighboring adjacent microcapsules containing base material, said microcapsules containing a phase change material; whereby the thermal wrap assists in maintaining a thermal barrier between the heat source and the heat sink.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
110 words
A thermal wrap having thermal energy storage and insulative properties for use as a thermal barrier between a heat source and a heat sink, and comprising: a flexible, resilient foam base material forming an insulative pad; a plurality of microcapsules integral with and dispersed throughout said insulative pad and wherein said microcapsules are individually surroundingly encapsulated and embedded within said base material, and further wherein substantially all of said microcapsules are spaced apart from each other, the space between neighboring adjacent microcapsules containing base material, said microcapsules containing a phase change material; whereby the thermal wrap assists in maintaining a thermal barrier between the heat source and the heat sink.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The thermal wrap according to claim 14 wherein said phase change material is selected from the group consisting of paraffinic hydrocarbons.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The thermal wrap according to claim 15 wherein said microcapsules are anisotropically distributed longitudinally within said base material.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of stabilizing the temperature of an item comprising the steps of: (a) thermally charging a foam of the type having a base material and a plurality of microcapsules containing a phase change material distributed within the base material in a manner so that the microcapsules are surroundingly encapsulated and embedded within the base material and further wherein substantially all of the microcapsules are spaced apart from each other, the space between neighboring adjacent microcapsules comprising base material, to a temperature where the phase change material melts; (b) surrounding the item with the thermally charged foam whereby the foam forms a barrier between the item and the external environment and extended thermal protection is provided thereto.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of stabilizing the temperature of an item comprising the steps of: (a) thermally charging a foam of the type having a base material and a plurality of microcapsules containing a phase change material distributed within the base material in a manner so that the microcapsules are surroundingly encapsulated and embedded within the base material and further wherein substantially all of the microcapsules are spaced apart from each other, the space between neighboring adjacent microcapsules comprising base material, to a temperature where the phase change material melts; (b) surrounding the item with the thermally charged foam whereby the foam forms a barrier between the item and the external environment and extended thermal protection is provided thereto.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 17 wherein said microcapsules are anisotropically distributed so that they are concentrated in the upper portion of the foam in a plane substantially parallel to the item.
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) | 2000-06-09 | 2000-12-09 | 2001-06-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-06-09 | 2004-12-09 | 2005-06-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-06-09 | 2008-12-09 | 2009-06-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |