US6319599B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Phase change thermal control materials, method and apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1998-03-02
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Granted: 2001-11-20
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Expires: 2018-03-02
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for metabolic cooling and insulation of a user in a cold environment. In its preferred embodiment the apparatus is a highly flexible composite material having a flexible matrix containing a phase change thermal storage material. The apparatus can be made to heat or cool the body or to act as a thermal buffer to protect the wearer from changing environmental conditions. The apparatus may also include an external thermal insulation layer and/or an internal thermal control layer to regulate the rate of heat exchange between the composite and the skin of the wearer. Other embodiments of the apparatus also provide 1) a path for evaporation or direct absorption of perspiration from the skin of the wearer for improved comfort and thermal control, 2) heat conductive pathways within the material for thermal equalization, 3) surface treatments for improved absorption or rejection of heat by the material, and 4) means for quickly regenerating the thermal storage capacity for reuse of the material. Applications of the composite materials are also described which take advantage of the composite's thermal characteristics. The examples described include a diver's wet suit, ski boot liners, thermal socks, gloves and a face mask for cold weather activities, and a metabolic heating or cooling blanket useful for treating hypothermia or fever patients in a medical setting and therapeutic heating or cooling orthopedic joint supports.
Inventors
- 👤 Theresa M. Buckley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:16
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F7/00; A61F7/02; A41; A41D; A41D31/00; A41D31/04; A41D31/06; A41D31/065; B; B32; B32B; B32B5/00; B32B5/18; C; C08; C08K; C08K5/00; C08K5/0008; C09; C09K; C09K5/00; C09K5/02; C09K5/06; C09K5/063; F; F28; F28D; F28D20/00; F28D20/02; F28D20/023; A41D13/00; A41D13/002; A41D13/005; A41D13/0053; A41D13/0056; A61F2007/0098; A61F2007/0203; A61F2007/0206; A61F2007/0209; A61F2007/0214; A61F2007/0244; A61F2007/0246; A61F2007/0249; A61F2007/026; A61F2007/0292; A61F7/03; A61F7/032; A61F7/034; F24; F24V; F24V30/00; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/14; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249953; Y10T428/249955; Y10T428/249958; Y10T428/249962; Y10T428/249964; Y10T428/249971; Y10T428/249972; Y10T428/249981; Y10T428/249986; Y10T428/249987; Y10T428/249994; Y10T428/249995; Y10T428/249997; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/3154; Y10T428/31544; Y10T428/31971
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A thermal storage composite material, comprising a superabsorbent material and a thermal storage material absorbed into said superabsorbent material, said thermal storage material being capable of storing thermal energy as latent heat of phase change, said superabsorbent material being capable of absorbing more than twenty times its own weight of said thermal storage material and holding said thermal storage material to prevent migration of said thermal storage material within said thermal storage composite material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
A thermal storage composite material, comprising a superabsorbent material and a thermal storage material absorbed into said superabsorbent material, said thermal storage material being capable of storing thermal energy as latent heat of phase change, said superabsorbent material being capable of absorbing more than twenty times its own weight of said thermal storage material and holding said thermal storage material to prevent migration of said thermal storage material within said thermal storage composite material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The composite material of claim 1 , further comprising a matrix material enclosing said superabsorbent material and said thermal storage material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The composite material of claim 2 , further comprising: at least one additional layer bonded to said matrix material, said at least one additional layer comprising a thermally conductive material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The composite material of claim 2 , wherein said matrix material is a thermoplastic polymer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process for making the composite material of claim 2 comprising the step of making a layer of said matrix material containing said superabsorbent material having said thermal storage material absorbed therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 5 , wherein said matrix material is a polymer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 5 , wherein said matrix material is an elastomer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The composite material of claim 2 further comprising: at least one additional layer bonded to said matrix material, said at least one additional layer formed from a thermally insulative material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The composite material of claim 2 further comprising: at least one additional layer bonded to said matrix material, said at least one additional layer comprising a thermal absorption material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The composite material of claim 2 further comprising: at least one additional layer bonded to said matrix material, said at least one additional layer comprising a semipermeable membrane of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The composite material of claim 2 further comprising: at least one additional layer bonded to said matrix material, said at least one additional layer comprising a semipermeable membrane of cellulose acetate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The composite material of claim 2 , wherein said matrix material is a polymer foam.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The composite material of claim 1 , wherein said superabsorbent material is crosslinked polyethylene oxide.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
The material of claim 1 wherein said material is fashioned into a garment selected from the group consisting of a wetsuit, a boot, a facial mask, a hat, a gaiter, an ear muff, a liner, a shoe insert, a shoe insole, a seating article, a jacket, trousers, a thermal undergarment and biking shorts.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The material of claim 1 wherein said material is fashioned into an article selected from the group consisting of a blanket, a bed, a mattress, and a comforter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
295 words
The composite material of claim 1 wherein said thermal storage material is a material selected from the group consisting of Glycerol, Acetic Acid, Polyethylene Glycol 600, Camphene, Oxasoline Wax, d-Lactic Acid, formic acid, acrylic acid, p-Xylene, caprylic acid, Jojoba Wax, Cotton Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, Almond Oil, Beechnut Oil, Black Mustard Oil, Candlenut Oil, Castor Oil, Corn Oil, Cotton Seed Stearin, Esparto, Poppy Seed Oil, Rape Seed (Canola) Oil, Pumpkin Seed Oil, Soy Bean Oil, Sunflower Oil, Walnut Oil, White Mustard Seed Oil, Beeswax, NH 4 Cl.Na 2 SO 4 .10H 2 O, NaCl.NH 4 Cl.2NaSO 4 .20H 2 O, NaCl.Na 2 .SO 4 .10H 2 O, n-tetradecane, n-pentadecane, n-hexadecane, n-heptadecane, n-octadecane, n-nanodecane, n-eicosane, n-heneicosane, n-decosane, n-tricosane, Trimethlyolethane, Neopentyl Glycol, lithium chloride, Phase Change Material, calcium chloride hydrate, 1-decanol octadecane, C-16 to C-22 alkyl hydroc, natural rubber, polychloropropene, Witco 45A, Witco K-61, Witco K-51, Witco 85010-1, pentaerythritol, polyhydric alcohols, acrylate and methacrylate polymers, CaBr 2 .6H 2 O/NaCl, Na 2 SO 4 .10H 2 O/NaCl, CaCl 2 .6H 2 O, Na 2 SO 4 .10H 2 O, CaBr 2 .6H 2 O, Na 2 HPO 4 .12H 2 O, Parafin Wax, Xylene, Banana Oil, Olive Oil, Anise Oil, Atherosperma Mosechatum, Bay Oil, Bergamot Oil, Bergamot Florence Oil, Birch Bark Oil, Cejeput Oil, Calamus Oil, Caraway Oil, Cascarilla Oil, Cassia Oil, Cedar Oil, Cedrat Oil, Citronella Oil, Clove Oil, Coriander Oil, Cubebs Oil, Dill Oil, Elder Oil, Eucalyptus Oil, Indian Geranium Oil, Lavender Oil, Lemon Oil, Lemon Grass Oil, Melaleuea Oil, Mint Oil, Myrtle Oil, Myrrh Oil, Neroli Oil, Nutmeg Oil, Orange Peel Oil, Parsley Oil, Patchouli Oil, Peppermint Oil, Petit Grain Oil, Rose Oil, Rosemary Oil, Rosewood Oil, Santalwood Oil, Thyme Oil, Turpentine Oil, Verbena Oil, Wintergreen Oil, Wormwood Oil, Gallium Alloy, Sodium, and Naphthol.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composite material of claim 1 , wherein said superabsorbent material is polyacrylate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composite material of claim 1 , wherein said superabsorbent material is carboxy-methyl-cellulose.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The composite material of claim 1 , wherein said superabsorbent material is in the form of superabsorbent particles within a foam matrix.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The composite material of claim 19 , wherein said superabsorbent particles are swollen by absorption of said thermal storage material to lock said superabsorbent particles within said foam matrix.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The composite material of claim 1 , wherein said superabsorbent material is in the form of superabsorbent particles within a fibrous matrix.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The composite material of claim 21 , wherein said superabsorbent particles are swollen by absorption of said thermal storage material to lock said superabsorbent particles within said fibrous matrix.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The composite material of claim 1 , wherein said superabsorbent material is in the form of an open cell foam.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The composite material of claim 1 , wherein said superabsorbent material is in the form of superabsorbent fibers.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The composite material of claim 1 , wherein said superabsorbent material is in the form of a superabsorbent film.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
90 words
A multilayer thermal storage composite material comprising: a first layer of material, a second layer including a superabsorbent material and a thermal storage material absorbed into said superabsorbent material, said thermal storage material being capable of storing thermal energy as latent heat of phase change, said superabsorbent material being capable of absorbing more than twenty times its own weight of said thermal storage material and holding said thermal storage material to prevent migration of said thermal storage material within said thermal storage composite material, and a third layer of material.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
90 words
A multilayer thermal storage composite material comprising: a first layer of material, a second layer including a superabsorbent material and a thermal storage material absorbed into said superabsorbent material, said thermal storage material being capable of storing thermal energy as latent heat of phase change, said superabsorbent material being capable of absorbing more than twenty times its own weight of said thermal storage material and holding said thermal storage material to prevent migration of said thermal storage material within said thermal storage composite material, and a third layer of material.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The multilayer thermal storage composite material of claim 26 , wherein said first layer, said second layer and said third layer are bonded to one another.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
51 words
The multilayer thermal storage composite material of claim 26 , wherein said second layer is formed with internal spaces within said second layer, and said superabsorbent material is in the form of as superabsorbent particles with said thermal storage material absorbed therein contained within said internal spaces in said second layer.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
31 words
The multilayer thermal storage composite material of claim 28 , wherein said superabsorbent particles are swollen within said internal spaces in said second layer by absorption of said thermal storage material.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The multilayer thermal storage composite material of claim 26 , wherein said second layer contains fibers of said superabsorbent material.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The multilayer thermal storage composite material of claim 26 , wherein said second layer contains particles of said superabsorbent material within a foam matrix.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
The multilayer thermal storage composite material of claim 26 , wherein said second layer contains particles of said superabsorbent material within a fibrous matrix.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
46 words
The multilayer thermal storage composite material of claim 26 , wherein said first layer, said second layer and said third layer comprise a matrix material, and said superabsorbent material with said thermal storage material absorbed therein is contained within said matrix material within said second layer.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
The multilayer thermal storage composite material of claim 33 , wherein said matrix material comprises a polymer foam.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
The multilayer thermal storage composite material of claim 33 , wherein said matrix material comprises a thermoplastic polymer.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
The multilayer thermal storage composite material of claim 33 , wherein said matrix material comprises an elastomer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-11-19 | 2005-05-21 | 2005-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-11-19 | 2009-05-21 | 2009-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-11-19 | 2013-05-21 | 2013-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |