DE102020120807A1 - Cold pack, method for producing a cold pack, and transport box for transporting temperature-sensitive goods with a cold pack - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a cool pack with an outer shell (11) enclosing a cavity (12) and separating it from an environment (U), preferably designed as a blow-moulded part (10), with at least one lower limit temperature PCM ( L) and at least one upper limit temperature PCM (H) are arranged, the lower limit temperature PCM (L) having a lower phase change temperature range and the upper limit temperature PCM (H) having an upper phase change temperature range which is higher than the lower phase change temperature range , and wherein the lower limit temperature PCM (L) and the upper limit temperature PCM (H) are arranged in direct contact with each other in the cavity (12) such that one of the lower limit temperature PCM (L) and the upper limit temperature PCM (H ) mutually delimiting interface (20) is formed. The invention further relates to a method for producing a cold pack, wherein an outer shell (11) having a cavity (12) and separating the cavity (12) from an environment (U) is provided, preferably by means of blow molding, wherein for filling the cavity ( 12) at least both a lower limit temperature PCM (L) and an upper limit temperature PCM (H) are introduced into the cavity (12) via at least one filling opening (13), and the at least one filling opening (13) of the outer shell (11) , preferably by means of a closure element (14) is closed.

Description

The invention relates to a cold pack with the features of the preamble of claim 1 and a method for producing a cold pack with the features of the preamble of claim 9. The invention also relates to a transport box for transporting temperature-sensitive goods with a cold pack, and the use of a cold pack for Transport of temperature-sensitive goods.

In the field of logistics, cold packs are used as containers filled with a medium that stores heat or cold, in order to keep temperature-sensitive goods that need to be cooled (also known as chilled goods) cool for a limited time outside of a refrigerator or freezer that is actively operated with energy. Such refrigerated goods are, for example, foodstuffs, medicines and the like, the storage and thus also the transport of which requires compliance with an uninterrupted cold chain so that the refrigerated goods do not spoil.

Cooling packs can be produced, for example, from a plastic as a blow-moulded part, with the blow-moulded part providing the outer shell of an internal cavity for accommodating the heat-storing or cold-storing media. The outer shell regularly has at least one filling opening, via which the heat-storing or cold-storing medium/media is/are supplied to the cavity and which is then closed. The heat-storing or cold-storing medium filled into the cavity is thus encapsulated by the outer shell and separated from the environment.

Conventionally, such cold packs can be stored in a refrigeration appliance (e.g. refrigerator or freezer) in order to charge them, i. H. periodically cooling them down to a certain temperature lower than an ambient temperature. It is known to use so-called latent heat storage (also called phase change or PCM storage) as the heat or cold storage medium of the cold pack.

These types of thermal storage media store a large part of the thermal energy supplied to them in the form of latent heat, for example for a phase change from solid to liquid. As long as the phase transformation is not fully completed, the temperature of the medium does not continue to rise despite the addition of heat. Latent heat storage can therefore store very large amounts of heat in a small temperature range around the phase change. The use of cold packs with a phase change material (referred to below as PCM for short) is known from the prior art.

It is a challenge when the temperature-sensitive goods have to be kept cool, which, on the one hand, should not exceed an upper limit temperature and, on the other hand, should not be cooled below a minimum limit temperature. It must therefore be ensured that a specified temperature interval is observed.

A solution of the prior art for this is to use different cold packs in a transport box. Accordingly, different PCMs, which have different specific phase change temperatures or different phase change temperature ranges, can be used in a transport box to maintain the specified temperature interval.

A PCM responsible for maintaining the lower limit temperature, which is referred to below as the lower limit temperature PCM, can have a first, lower phase change temperature range. The second PCM, on the other hand, which is responsible for maintaining the upper limit temperature and is referred to below as the upper limit temperature PCM, then has a second, higher phase change temperature range. Due to the different specific phase change temperatures, the lower limit temperature PCM protects the adjacent storage space of the transport box for the refrigerated goods from falling below the lower limit temperature of the specified temperature interval. Because before the actual temperature in the receiving space falls to or below the lower limit temperature, the receiving space temperature first reaches the specific phase change temperature of the lower limit temperature PCM. The consequence of this is that this lower limit temperature PCM completes its intended phase change while maintaining a substantially constant temperature in the receiving space. In this way, the recording space is protected by the lower limit temperature PCM from low outside temperatures below the lower limit temperature to be maintained. Conversely, the upper limit temperature PCM, with its higher phase change temperature range, protects the storage space from outside temperatures that are higher than the upper limit temperature to be maintained, in that when heat is supplied from outside, the upper limit temperature PCM first carries out its intended phase change while maintaining a substantially constant temperature in the storage space of the transport box.

In the prior art, PCMs that differ from one another (lower limit temperature PCM and upper limit temperature PCM) are regularly provided separately from one another, so that they do not form a mixture and, for example, a type of third, new PCM with homogeneous properties, in particular a single phase change temperature range, form. To this end, the prior art proposes providing the two different PCMs in physically separate rooms. For example, two different cold packs, each filled with one of the two different PCMs, can be provided separately from one another in a transport box. Cooling packs with different chambers can also be provided, or the respective different PCMs can be encased, for example with a polymer film, and thus physically separated from one another.

From the EP 2 146 162 A1, on which the present invention is based, is also known to have a cold pack with both a lower limit temperature PCM and an upper limit temperature PCM, each with different phase change temperatures. These two PCMs are provided in a common cavity of the cold pack, where they are in direct contact with one another. In this case, the two PCMs are formed in a boundary surface which delimits one another, this being according to the EP 2 146 162 A1 is achieved by providing both PCMs as fluids in the cavity forming segregating phases. A disadvantage of this prior art is that the choice of PCMs that can be used is severely restricted, since the two PCMs that are in direct contact with one another must not mix. For example, the two PCMs can have a lack of chemical affinity to one another because they are present as polar/non-polar liquids in the relevant temperature range.

Based on this prior art, the object of the invention is therefore to further develop and improve the known cold pack so that the selection of PCMs for use in the cold pack is not disadvantageously limited and that desired temperature intervals for compliance with limit temperatures the storage or transport of temperature-sensitive goods can be observed as easily as possible. A further object of the invention is to provide a method for producing such a cold pack.

The object is achieved by a cold pack having the features of the characterizing part of claim 1 and also by a method for producing a cold pack having the features of the characterizing part of claim 9 . In addition, the object is achieved by a transport box with the features of claim 8 and by using a cold pack with the features of claim 15.

Essential to the invention is the finding that the described disadvantages of the prior art can be avoided in that at least two PCMs with different phase change temperature ranges, but otherwise very similar properties, can be arranged together in direct contact in a cold pack by one of the two PCMs is embedded in a polymer solid. Such an immobilization of the PCMs in a polymeric solid body allows, in principle, two PCMs to be introduced simultaneously into just a single chamber, even if these PCMs would otherwise be in direct contact with one another and form a homogeneous mixture. In contrast to the prior art, there are therefore no longer any limitations when selecting the PCMs. A further advantage over the prior art is that, in order to provide different PCMs, it is no longer necessary to use separate chambers or multiple separate cold packs in a transport box in order to physically separate the different PCMs from one another. It is also advantageously possible to dispense with any encapsulation of a PCM, for example in a protective polymer film, before one PCM is brought into contact with another PCM.

For this purpose, the proposed cool pack has an outer shell which encloses a cavity and separates this cavity from the environment and is preferably designed as a blow-moulded part. By means of blow molding (e.g. extrusion blow molding), the entire outer shell, including the interior cavity, which gives the cool pack its structure, can be produced using a simple manufacturing process. Various surface structures, for example on the outside of the outer surface of the outer shell, can also be easily implemented. In this case, the cool pack is blow-moulded from a plastic material, in particular a thermoplastic material. Alternatively, the cool pack or the outer shell can also be manufactured by deep-drawing or, for example, as a tubular bag. A preferably coated or laminated cardboard box can also be used as a cold pack, with the cardboard box or outer packaging forming a chamber for accommodating the PCMs.

According to the proposal, at least one lower limit temperature PCM and at least one upper limit temperature PCM are arranged in the cavity. At this time, the lower limit temperature PCM a lower phase change temperature range and the upper limit temperature PCM has an upper phase change temperature range. The upper phase change temperature range is higher than the lower phase change temperature range. This means that at least the upper limit of the upper phase change temperature range is formed by a higher temperature than the upper limit of the lower phase change temperature range. In principle, a wide variety of PCMs can advantageously be used. Examples are, on the one hand, inorganic PCMs, such as salt hydrates. However, preference is given to using organic PCMs, in particular alcohols, ethers, esters or alkanes, particularly preferably paraffins, since these provide correspondingly high enthalpies of fusion and above all relatively sharp and reproducible melting and solidification points and thus sharp limits of the phase change temperature range. The lower phase change temperature range can for example be between 0°C and 5°C, in particular about 3°C. The upper phase change temperature range can, for example, be between 5°C and 10°C, in particular around 7°C. The formulation of a lower or upper phase change temperature range refers to the fact that a PCM introduced into a cold pack usually does not have a very uniform, sharp melting point. In this respect, a phase change temperature range of about X°C is used here, or a PCM with a melting point of about X°C. Ultimately, the phase change temperature ranges are responsible for maintaining a specified temperature interval, for example for refrigerated goods to be transported. With the given example of a lower phase change temperature range of approximately 3°C and an upper phase change temperature range of approximately 7°C, a typical, specified temperature interval of 2°C to 8°C can be effectively maintained. An alternative typical predetermined temperature interval is 15°C to 25°C, which the temperature-sensitive refrigerated goods must not leave, for example during transport. Such a temperature interval can be set by the present invention in that the lower phase change temperature range is between 15°C and 20°C, in particular about 18°C, and the upper phase change temperature range is between 20°C and 25°C , in particular about 22°C.

According to the proposal, the lower limit temperature PCM and the upper limit temperature PCM are arranged in direct contact with one another in the cavity in such a way that an interface is formed that separates the lower limit temperature PCM and the upper limit temperature PCM from one another. The at least two PCMs introduced into the cavity are therefore in principle in direct contact with one another and are not physically separated from one another by a partition or protective cover or, for example, by the provision of different chambers in the cold pack.

The proposed cool pack is characterized in that at least the lower limit temperature PCM or the upper limit temperature PCM is embedded in a polymer solid. By embedding at least one of the two PCMs in a polymer solid, this PCM is present in a material composite with the polymer as a solid in a solid phase in the cavity throughout the use of the cold pack. This prevents the PCM, which in itself can assume the different intended states including a liquid phase, from mixing with the second filled PCM to form a homogeneous mixture. The PCM embedded in the polymer is, so to speak, immobilized in the material composite with the polymer solid. As a result, the embedded PCM in the composite material with the polymer is present as a solid in the entire relevant temperature interval to be maintained for the refrigerated goods to be transported later. This solid forms a sharp interface with the other PCM that is filled in. If that were a PCM, as in the previous example, such as a paraffin and not embedded in the polymer solid before it came into direct contact in the cavity with the other PCM, according to the previous example also a paraffin, but with at least a slightly different phase change temperature range occurs, a mixture would form which would have a substantially uniform phase change temperature range. Then the advantages of the proposed cool pack for maintaining a predetermined temperature interval with an upper and also a lower limit temperature would not be achievable. The embedding of one PCM in a polymeric solid is therefore advantageous for the direct contact of the two different PCMs without, as in the prior art, the concrete formation of segregating phases of two fluid PCMs or the separate encapsulation of at least one of the PCMs required for physical separation. Unlike in the prior art, a multi-chamber solution does not have to be used or non-mixing substance classes selected as PCMs, i.e. an inorganic PCM and an organic PCM (e.g. a water/salt mixture and a paraffin). will.

With regard to the possibility of embedding PCMs in a polymeric material, reference is made to the prior art in the form of the US patent application US 5,718,835 A from Mitsubishi Cable Industries. The person skilled in the art knows how the PCMs described there, for example also the paraffins addressed by the present invention, can be embedded in a polymeric solid. In this respect, reference is also regularly made to the compounding of a PCM or, as a result, to a compounded PCM. Mono-, di-, tri-block polymers or mixtures are preferably used as polymers.

It should be pointed out that the features listed individually in the claims can be combined with one another in any technically sensible way (even across category boundaries, for example between method and device) and show further refinements of the invention. The description additionally characterizes and specifies the invention, in particular in connection with the figures.

It should also be pointed out that a conjunction "and/or" used herein, standing between two features and linking them to one another, must always be interpreted in such a way that in a first embodiment of the subject matter according to the invention only the first feature can be present, in a second embodiment only the second feature may be present and in a third embodiment both the first and the second feature may be present.

The proposed method for producing an ice pack can be used in particular for producing an above-described proposed ice pack or an ice pack according to the further description below. According to the proposal, the proposed method provides an outer shell which has a cavity and separates this cavity from the environment and which is preferably produced by means of blow molding. By means of blow molding (e.g. extrusion blow molding), the entire outer shell that gives the cool pack its structure, including the interior cavity, can be produced in a simple manufacturing process. Various surface structures, for example on the outside of the outer surface of the outer shell, can also be easily implemented. In this case, the cool pack is blow-moulded from a plastic material, in particular a thermoplastic material. Alternatively, the cool pack or the outer shell can also be manufactured by deep-drawing or, for example, as a tubular bag. A preferably coated or laminated cardboard box can also be used as a cold pack, with the cardboard box or outer packaging forming a chamber for accommodating the PCMs.

According to the proposal, in the method for filling the cavity, at least both a lower limit temperature PCM and an upper limit temperature PCM are introduced into the cavity via at least one filling opening. In principle, the previously discussed examples of PCMs can be used, with the lower limit temperature PCM having a lower phase change temperature range and the upper limit temperature PCM having an upper phase change temperature range. The upper phase change temperature range is preferably higher than the lower phase change temperature range. Examples of the PCMs used in fundamentally different ways are, on the one hand, inorganic PCMs, such as salt hydrates, but preferably organic PCMs, in particular alcohols, ethers, esters or alkanes, particularly preferably paraffins. In line with the ranges described above, the lower phase change temperature range is preferably between 0°C and 5°C, in particular about 3°C, and the upper phase change temperature range is preferably between 5°C and 10°C, in particular about 7°C , amount. Alternatively, the lower phase change temperature range can be between 15°C and 20°C, in particular approximately 18°C, and the upper phase change temperature range can be between 20°C and 25°C, in particular approximately 22°C. In principle, there can also be more than just the at least one filling opening, so that the two PCMs can also be supplied to the cavity via two different openings, for example.

According to the proposal, the at least one filling opening of the outer casing is finally closed in the method, preferably by means of a closure element. If there are a number of filling openings, a number of closure elements are preferably also provided. In the case of, for example, coated or laminated cardboard as the outer shell for the cold pack, the closure element can also be formed, for example, from one of the side elements or a component of a wall element of the outer shell, which fills the filling opening designed as an opening in a wall element after the cavity has been filled capped with PCMs. Means that support the closure, such as adhesive connections, can also be used.

The proposed method for producing a cold pack is characterized in that at least the lower limit temperature PCM or at least the upper limit temperature PCM is present as a PCM embedded in a polymer solid and is heated to a flow temperature before the cavity is filled in order to prevent the PCM embedded in the polymer solid PCM from a solid state to a flowable, vis to bring kos condition. Furthermore, the method is characterized in that the PCM embedded in the polymeric solid is cooled in the cavity in a cooling step, so that the PCM embedded in the polymeric solid in the cavity is converted from its flowable, viscous state into an at least partially solid state. With regard to the features and advantages of a PCM embedded in a polymer solid and the technology for producing such a composite material (or also compounding of PCMs), reference is made to the above statements in the context of the proposed cold pack.

In the heating step, the PCM embedded in the polymeric solid is heated in such a way that the composite material made of polymer with embedded PCM is in a flowable, viscous form and can thus be inserted into the cavity of the cold pack via the insertion opening. Thus, the material composite made of polymer with embedded PCM is regularly heated to a flow temperature, typically in the range of about 80°C to 120°C or else to 50°C to 150°C. The flow temperature is regularly well above the ambient temperature.

In the cooling step, the material composite made of polymer with embedded PCM, which was previously heated and brought into a flowable form, is then cooled again, so that this material composite at least partially solidifies again. The PCM embedded in the polymeric solid is thus converted back into its at least partially solid state. An at least partially solid state is to be understood here as meaning that the composite material made of polymer with PCM, which is initially introduced in a flowable, viscous form, should solidify at least on its exposed surface in the cavity before the additional PCM is filled into the cavity. Because this uncovered surface represents the contact surface to the additional PCM to be filled in and should later also form the boundary surface that sharply separates the two filled in PCMs. Other areas of the PCM embedded in the polymeric solid, which is already filled into the cavity, other than this exposed surface, can also still be in a flowable, viscous form as long as at least the exposed surface has solidified.

Advantageously, the proposed method enables the production of a cold pack in which several PCMs can be arranged in direct contact with each other in a common cavity, without the separate provision of separating protective covers or chambers or the provision of very different, segregating phases forming PCMs would be necessary.

Advantageous configurations of the proposed cold pack are described in the dependent claims, namely in claims 2 to 7. Advantageous refinements of the proposed method for producing a cold pack are also described in the dependent claims, namely in claims 10 to 14.

A preferred embodiment of the proposed cool pack is characterized in that the lower limit temperature PCM is embedded in the polymer solid and the upper limit temperature PCM is designed as a fluid. Alternatively, it can be provided that the upper limit temperature PCM is embedded in the polymer solid and the lower limit temperature PCM is designed as a fluid. Alternatively, both the lower limit temperature PCM in the polymeric solid and the upper limit temperature PCM can be embedded in a further polymeric solid.

More than just two PCMs can also be provided in the cold pack. According to the proposal, it is crucial that the PCMs that are in direct contact with one another cannot mix with one another because a sharp boundary surface is formed between them, since at least one of two PCMs that are in direct contact with one another in the cavity is embedded in a polymer solid in a at least partially solid state is present as a material composite.

A further preferred embodiment of the cool pack is characterized in that the outer shell has at least one recess to reduce the interface in the cavity. In particular, the cutout can be designed as a through-opening extending through the cool pack or as a recess made in the outer shell. As a result of the cutout, the internal volume of the cavity of the cool pack, which is available for accommodating the PCMs, is reduced in a targeted manner in the area of the cutout. If the PCMs form their interface to each other in the area of this cutout, then the interface is advantageously reduced precisely in this area, compared to a cold pack whose outer shell does not have such a proposed cutout. In this way, undesired diffusion processes at the interface of the PCMs that are in direct contact with one another there can advantageously be reduced.

A further preferred embodiment of the cold pack is characterized in that the outer shell is formed from one of the materials polyethylene, polypropylene and/or a coex film material. In this way, the cold pack in particular can be advantageously and inexpensively produced as a blow-moulded part.

A preferred embodiment of the proposed method for producing an ice pack is characterized in that in the cooling step, the PCM embedded in the polymer solid is cooled in the cavity in such a way that it solidifies at least along its surface adjoining an unfilled region of the cavity before the further PCM of the two PCMs lower limit temperature PCM and upper limit temperature PCM is filled into the cavity. This ensures that the two filled PCMs, although they are in direct contact with one another in the cavity of the cold pack, do not mix and provide their different properties as intended when the cold pack is used.

As mentioned above in the context of the proposed cold pack, more than two PCMs can also be provided in the cold pack. For example, when three PCMs are provided, a first PCM as a PCM embedded in a polymer solid is then first heated to its flow temperature and then introduced into the cavity. This first material composite of polymer and PCM is then cooled in the cavity until it has solidified at least along its surface that is exposed in the cavity. The second PCM, for example a PCM embedded in a polymer solid again, can then be heated to its flow temperature and also introduced into the cavity in its flowable state. There it then comes into direct contact with the first PCM, which is already at least partially present as a solidified body. The second composite material made of polymer with an embedded second PCM is then also cooled until it solidifies at least on its exposed surface, before finally the third PCM, for example a fluid, is introduced into the cavity. After a final closing of the filling opening or openings, the finished cool pack is then present with three different PCMs that are, however, in direct contact with one another.

A further preferred embodiment of the method for producing a cold pack is characterized in that the cooling step is carried out by means of active cooling. In this case, for active cooling, a preferably cooled fluid flow, in particular from ambient air, can be directed from the outside from the environment onto the outer casing of the cold pack. Alternatively or additionally, for active cooling, a preferably cooled fluid flow, in particular from ambient air, can also be conducted from the outside from the environment through the at least one filling opening into the cavity of the cold pack. Such a directly introduced cooling flow can effectively and quickly cool the exposed surface of the PCM still in the free-flowing, viscous state in the cavity, until at least the exposed surface solidifies and the next PCM can thus be filled in. Uncooled or cooled ambient air can be used as the cooling medium, or compressed air can be used, since compressed air is usually present in the industrial processes in the area. The compressed air can, for example, be cooled by a compressed air cooler, i.e. by expanding the compressed air.

A further preferred embodiment of the method for producing a cold pack is characterized in that, after the cavity has been filled with the PCM embedded in the polymer solid and before this PCM solidifies to the at least partially solid state, the cold pack is pivoted into an orientation, preferably on a side surface or a front or back surface, is turned. The subsequent cooling step is then carried out in this pivoted orientation before the other PCM of the two PCMs, the lower temperature limit PCM and the upper temperature limit PCM, are filled into the cavity. In this way, different arrangements of the several PCMs provided in the cool pack and in particular different profiles of the boundary surfaces between adjacent PCMs can advantageously be implemented. After the cooling step and before filling with the additional PCM, the cold pack is preferably pivoted back from the pivoted orientation to its initial orientation.

Advantageously, insulating air layers, for example adjacent to a side surface of the cold pack, can also be formed in the cavity of the cold pack, for example by targeted curing by cooling the first filled PCM or several filled PCMs in a pivoted orientation of the cold pack. However, if desired, such insulating layers can also be avoided by filling the cavity in a targeted manner.

According to the proposal, the object is also achieved by a transport box for transporting temperature-sensitive goods with a cold pack as described above, in particular with a cold pack according to one of claims 1 to 7, more preferably with a cold pack produced according to a method described above, in particular according to one of claims 9 to 14. The cool pack is integrated into a wall area of the transport box that is adjacent to a receiving space for the temperature-sensitive goods.

Furthermore, the object is achieved by using an above-described cold pack, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 7, preferably produced by means of an above-described method, in particular according to one of claims 9 to 14, for transporting temperature-sensitive goods, in particular medicines, blood or human or animal organs, dissolved. Such transport preferably takes place in a transport box according to claim 8.

• 1 eine Vorderansicht eines vorschlagsgemäßen Kühlakkus mit einem schematischen Einblick in den Hohlraum des Kühlakkus,
• 2 alternative Ausführungen eines vorschlagsgemäßen Kühlakkus, in den Darstellungen a) und b) in einer Vorderansicht mit einem schematischen Einblick in den Hohlraum des jeweiligen Kühlakkus, sowie in Darstellung c) in einer Schnittansicht entsprechend der Schnittlinie A-A in 1,
• 3 alternative Ausführungen eines vorschlagsgemäßen Kühlakkus gemäß den Darstellungen a) und b) jeweils in einer Vorderansicht mit einem schematischen Einblick in den Hohlraum des jeweiligen Kühlakkus,
• 4 eine alternative Ausführung eines vorschlagsgemäßen Kühlakkus gemäß Darstellung a) in einer Vorderansicht mit einem Teilschnitt, sowie gemäß Darstellung b) in der Schnittansicht entsprechend der Schnittlinien B-B in der Darstellung gemäß 4a), und
• 5 eine alternative Ausführung eines vorschlagsgemäßen Kühlakkus gemäß Darstellung a) in einer Vorderansicht, sowie gemäß Darstellung b) in der Schnittansicht entsprechend der Schnittlinien C-C in der 5a).

Further advantageous and preferred configurations result from the following description with reference to the figures. In the drawing, which only shows exemplary embodiments,

• 1 a front view of a proposed cold pack with a schematic view of the cavity of the cold pack,
• 2 alternative designs of a proposed cold pack, in representations a) and b) in a front view with a schematic view of the cavity of the respective cold pack, and in representation c) in a sectional view according to section line AA in 1 ,
• 3 alternative designs of a proposed cold pack according to illustrations a) and b) each in a front view with a schematic view of the cavity of the respective cold pack,
• 4 an alternative embodiment of a proposed cold pack according to representation a) in a front view with a partial section, and according to representation b) in the sectional view according to the section lines BB in the representation according to FIG 4a) , and
• 5 an alternative embodiment of a proposed cold pack according to representation a) in a front view, and according to representation b) in the sectional view according to the section lines CC in FIG 5a) .

In the different figures, parts that are equivalent in terms of their function are always provided with the same reference symbols, so that they are usually only described once.

In 1 a cold pack in the form of a blow molded part 10 is shown. The blow molded part 10 has an outer shell 11 which corresponds to the interior and in the representation 1 visible cavity 12 against the designated by the reference numeral U environment protects. The cavity 12 is filled with two different PCMs, both a low-temperature PCM marked L and another high-temperature PCM marked H.

According to the proposal, the lower limit temperature PCM L is present as a PCM embedded in a polymer solid 30 , while the upper limit temperature PCM H is in the form of a fluid 40 . The appearance of a PCM as embedded in a polymeric solid is indicated herein by oblique hatching, while the fluid 40 is indicated by dashed horizontals.

As an alternative to the in 1 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the upper limit temperature PCM H could also be embedded in a polymer solid body 30 and the lower limit temperature PCM L as a fluid 40, or even both PCMs, upper limit temperature PCM H and lower limit temperature PCM L, could be embedded in polymer solid bodies 30, 50 ( 3a) ).

Both the lower limit temperature PCM L and the upper limit temperature PCM H are alkanes with at least slightly different phase change temperature ranges in the presently illustrated and to this extent preferred exemplary embodiment.

As a result, the cold pack can be used in an advantageous manner in a transport box, not shown, in order to effectively keep temperature-sensitive goods to be transported within a predetermined, desired temperature interval. One area of application is, for example, medicines, where it is not only important to store the goods to be cooled as cool as possible, but also to ensure that the goods to be cooled do not cool down too much. The PCM with the lower phase change temperature range, ie the lower limit temperature PCM L, which is embedded in the polymer solid 30 in the exemplary embodiment presented here, ensures that the product does not cool down too much. The other PCM, in this case the upper limit temperature PCM H designed as a fluid 40, with the higher phase change temperature range, on the other hand, ensures that the product does not heat up too much.

The challenge on which the invention is based is that the two PCMs, which differ at least slightly from one another in terms of their properties at least in relation to the phase change temperature ranges, upper limit temperature PCM H and lower limit temperature PCM L, are not in the cavity 12 of the cold pack mix together and thus form a mixture and exist as a kind of new, homogeneous PCM with only one phase change temperature range.

According to the proposal, this is achieved in that at least one of the two PCMs, here the lower limit temperature PCM L, is embedded in the polymeric solid body 30 and is thus clearly separated from the other PCM, here the upper limit temperature PCM H embodied as fluid 40 . According to the proposal, a clearly defined interface 20 is formed between the two PCMs, upper limit temperature PCM H and lower limit temperature PCM L. In 1 the interface 20 is characterized by the slightly wavy dash-dot line.

In the later application, the PCMs used in the exemplary embodiment shown and in this respect preferred are intended to ensure that refrigerated goods to be transported maintain a predetermined temperature interval of 15° C. to 25° C. Higher alkanes are used for this purpose, on the one hand hexadecanes with a melting point of approx. 18°C as lower limit temperature PCM L, and on the other hand heptadecanes with a melting point of approx. 22°C as upper limit temperature PCM H. The lower phase change temperature range is accordingly at about 18°C, while the upper phase change temperature range is at about 22°C. If these two PCMs were introduced as fluids into a common cavity 12 of a cold pack, they would mix directly with one another in this common cavity 12 while being in direct contact with one another. The result would be a binary mixture with a completely new melting point between 18°C and 22°C, which could not advantageously use the originally different phase change temperature ranges of the two alkanes to maintain the specified temperature interval for the chilled goods. With the proposed cool pack it is therefore possible in a simple manner to even implement two PCMs of the same substance class, ie for example the two alkanes C ₁₆ and C ₁₇ , in a cool pack with only one common cavity. According to the proposal, it is also possible to use different substance classes, such as a PCM as an alkane and another PCM as an ester.

Accordingly, on the one hand, the individually used PCMs do not have to be encapsulated in a complex manner and wrapped in a protective film, for example, before they are placed in a cold pack or in a common accommodation space with other PCMs. On the other hand, the PCMs brought into a receiving space or cold pack do not have to be selected carefully and in a restrictive manner, for example, because they would have properties that differ from one another in a particular way, in order not to mix them up. In particular, the two PCMs advantageously do not have to have different densities, for example, in order not to be able to mix in this way. Rather, such mixing is prevented by providing the PCM as embedded in a polymeric solid 30,50.

• Zunächst wird der Kühlakku mit dem Hohlraum 12, der Außenhülle 11 und der zumindest einen Einfüllöffnung 13, beispielsweise mittels Blasformen, bereitgestellt.

The cavity 12 of the cold pack is filled via a filling opening 13 provided in the outer shell 11 . Several filling openings 13, 13' could also be provided ( 3b) ), via which, for example, the different PCMs could be filled. In this respect, the at least one filling opening 13 is regularly referred to below. The filling of the blow molded part 10 and thus the production of the cold pack takes place as follows:

• First, the cold pack with the cavity 12, the outer shell 11 and the at least one filling opening 13, for example by means of blow molding, is provided.

Likewise, at least both a lower limit temperature PCM L and an upper limit temperature PCM H are provided, with at least the lower limit temperature PCM L or the upper limit temperature PCM H being fundamentally embedded in a polymer solid 30, 50. Different substances can be used as the polymer in the material composite of polymer and PCM, for example mono-, di-, tri-block polymer, or mixtures thereof. The composite material made of polymeric solid 30, 50 and PCM embedded in it can also be referred to as a compound or compounded PCM. Depending on the type of polymer (mono-, di-, tri-block polymer, or mixtures thereof) and concentration of the PCM in the polymer, the compound, which is solid at room temperature, must be brought into a flowable, viscous state for filling.

For this purpose, according to the present embodiment 1 , in which the lower limit temperature PCM L is present as a PCM embedded in the polymeric solid body 30, heated to a flow temperature T1 before the cavity 12 of the cold pack is filled, in order to be brought into a flowable, viscous state. The flow temperature T1 is significantly above the ambient temperature and is between 80°C and 120°C in the present case. Depending on the materials used in the material composite made of polymer with embedded PCM, it can also be between 50° C. and 150° C., for example. This heating step and placing the first PCM in a flowable state occurs outside of the cold pack.

Once filled into the cavity 12 of the blow molded part 10, the PCM embedded in the polymeric solid 30, i.e. the lower limit temperature PCM L in the present case, is cooled in the cavity 12 and in this way from its flowable, viscous state to an at least partially solid state transferred. At least partially solid state is to be understood here as meaning that the lower limit temperature PCM L solidifies in the cavity 12 at the exposed surface. This represents the prerequisite that the next PCM, in this case the upper-limit-temperature PCM H, can be filled into the cavity 12 without the two PCMs mixing with one another. In the blow molded part 10 and thus in the resulting cold pack, the lower limit temperature PCM L is finally present as a type of solid in the entire predetermined temperature interval due to its embedding in the polymer solid body 30 .

The mentioned cooling step can take place actively or passively. The cooling step is preferably supported in that a cooled fluid flow, for example cooled ambient air or compressed air that is regularly available in the production environment, is guided from the outside onto the outer shell 11 of the blow molded part 10 . Uncooled or cooled ambient air can be used as the cooling medium, or compressed air can be used, since compressed air is usually present in the industrial processes in the area. The compressed air can, for example, be cooled by a compressed air cooler, i.e. by expanding the compressed air. It is also possible to feed a cooling stream into the cavity 12, for example via the at least one filling opening 13, in order to convert the first PCM, which is initially in a flowable viscous state, into an at least partially solidified, solid state. For this purpose, at least the upper layer of the lower-limit-temperature PCM L has to harden in the present case. This also forms the boundary layer 20, which later represents a clear boundary between the two PCMs after the cavity 12 has been filled with the additional PCM, that is to say the upper-limit-temperature PCM H.

In the present case, the lower limit temperature PCM L in the cavity 12 is therefore cooled in the cooling step in such a way that it solidifies at least along its surface adjoining the still unfilled region of the cavity 12 . Then the further PCM, namely the upper limit temperature PCM H present as fluid 40 in the present case, is filled into cavity 12 . Finally, the at least one filling opening 13 is closed with a closure element 14 .

In this way, the in 1 illustrated cooling pack can be produced, in which below, i.e. assigned to an underside 15 of the blow molded part 10, there is the lower limit temperature PCM L embedded in the polymer solid body 30 and above, assigned to an upper side 16 of the blow molded part 10, the upper limit temperature PCM H configured as a fluid 40 is arranged.

Such an arrangement of the two PCMs, upper limit temperature PCM H and lower limit temperature PCM L, as in 1 shown can also be varied, as shown by the 2a) until 2c ) can be seen.

For example, after the step of filling with the lower limit temperature PCM L embedded in the polymeric solid 30 in the flowable, viscous state, the blow molded part 10 can be pivoted onto one of the two side surfaces 17 . In this pivoted orientation, the lower limit temperature PCM L flows downwards in accordance with the force of gravity and fills the cavity 12 from the corresponding side surface 17 lying below. The cooling step described is then carried out. As soon as the lower limit temperature PCM L embedded in the polymeric solid 30 has then at least partially cured and the boundary surface 20 has essentially been formed, the blow molded part 10 can return to its starting position, as also shown in FIG 2a) is shown to be swung back. The additional PCM, in this case the upper-limit-temperature PCM H configured as fluid 40, can then be filled in via the at least one filling opening 13. In this way, finally, the in 2a) illustrated blow molding 10 can be achieved as a cold pack.

A displacement into a pivoted orientation, in which a lower corner lying between the underside 15 and a side surface 17 represents the lowest point of the blow molded part 10, is also possible. The lower limit temperature PCM L then flows into this lower corner following the force of gravity and from there fills the cavity 12 . After cavity 12 has been filled with the first PCM, the lower-limit-temperature PCM L, and its at least partial curing as a polymer solid 30, the blow-molded part 10 can be pivoted back again and filled with the second PCM, designed as fluid 40, i.e. the upper-limit temperature in this case -PCM H, take place. In this way, finally, as in 2 B) shown, a cold pack can be achieved in which there is a boundary surface 20 running obliquely through the cavity 12 between the two PCMs, upper limit temperature PCM H and lower limit temperature PCM L.

Alternatively, the blow molded part 10 can also be pivoted onto its front or rear side 18 after filling with the first PCM and before the at least partial curing of this first PCM embedded in the polymeric solid body 30 . After the lower-temperature PCM L embedded in the polymeric solid 30 has at least partially cured in this pivoted orientation of the blow-moulded part 10, the upper-limit-temperature PCM H configured as fluid 40 can again be poured through the at least one filling opening 13 into the Cavity 12 are filled. In this way, the in 2c ) cooling pack shown can be manufactured. According to the view 2c ) is a sectional view taken along section lines AA in 1 , wherein the blow molded part 10 according to 2c ) in the manner previously described, differing from that pursuant to 1 was filled with PCMs and therefore has the configuration shown and described differently in relation to the content of the cold pack.

By purposefully pivoting the blow molded part 10 or the cold pack in general, and in particular by using several PCMs embedded in polymeric solid bodies 30, 50, air layers can advantageously also be provided as insulation layers inside the cavity 12.

The in the 2a) until 2c ) shown boundary surfaces 20 are straight or flat, while in the embodiment according to 1 the interface 20 runs slightly wavy or uneven. Both configurations are possible, with a straight, planar interface 20 being able to be achieved in particular by the fact that the blow molded part 10 is stored at rest during the cooling process of the first PCM to its at least partially solid state. Various other configurations or arrangements of the two PCMs, upper limit temperature PCM H and lower limit temperature PCM L, in the blow molded part 10 are also possible.

As exemplified in 3a) As can be seen, a PCM embedded in a polymer solid 50 can also be used as the second or additional PCM, in the exemplary embodiment shown thus as the upper limit temperature PCM H, in the blow molded part 10 instead of the PCM embodied as a fluid 40 discussed above.

The use of three or even more PCMs is also possible, as exemplified in 3b) implied. The two PCMs first filled into the blow molded part 10, that is to say in the present case the lower limit temperature PCM L and the medium limit temperature PCM M, are present as PCMs embedded in polymeric solid bodies 30 and 50. In the exemplary embodiment, the first PCM, the lower limit temperature PCM L, was first filled in via the filling opening 13 assigned to the upper side. After this first PCM, the lower limit temperature PCM L, has at least partially cured, the second PCM, the medium limit temperature PCM M, can either also be filled in via the filling opening 13 assigned to the upper side and then the blow molded part 10 can be pivoted into the orientation shown on the left Side surface 17 are offset for the cooling step. Alternatively, an additional filling opening 13′ provided in the side surface 17 and arranged near the upper side 16 can be used to fill in the second PCM, in this case the middle limit temperature PCM M. After this PCM, which was filled in second, has also at least partially hardened to the solid state, the third PCM, in this case the upper limit temperature PCM H, can finally be filled in via one of the two filling openings 13 or 13', preferably via the filling opening provided in the side surface 17 13', to be filled. The filling opening 13' provided in the side surface 17 is also closed by a closure element 14'.

As in accordance with the embodiment 3b) As can be seen, several filling openings 13, 13′ provided on different sides of the blow mold 10 or the cold pack can advantageously be used to utilize and fill the cavity 12 of the blow mold 10 as much as possible. The filling opening 13, 13' that is not used in a filling process can or must be closed beforehand, depending on the orientation of the blow molded part 10.

In an embodiment with more than two PCMs, for example as in 3b) with three PCMs, a plurality of boundary surfaces 20 and 20' are formed in the cold pack, which sharply separate the adjoining PCMs from one another.

If more than just two PCMs are used in this way, according to the invention at least one of the several PCMs is present as a PCM embedded in a polymer solid 30, 50. The additional PCMs can be at least partially present as fluids 40 . However, it is also possible for several or all of the PCMs to be embedded in a polymer solid 30, 50. In any case, each PCM embedded in a polymer solid 30, 50 provides a solid, clear interface 20, 20' within the one common cavity 12 of the cold pack in the at least partially solidified, solid state, so that the next PCM can be filled in. In the finally manufactured state, the boundary surfaces 20, 20', once formed, change at least as in a polymer solid body 30, 50 embedded PCMs to the adjacent other PCMs no longer. In this way, the various PCMs with different properties, such as the different phase change temperature ranges, can be advantageously adapted to the intended use and arranged where the various PCMs are later desired and where they develop their intended effect, for example in a transport box according to the invention for temperature-sensitive goods should.

The essential advantage of the cooling pack according to the invention is that the boundary surfaces 20, 20′ essentially no longer change after production is complete or after the intermediate step of cooling the first filled PCM embedded in a polymer solid 30, 50 has been completed. The orientation of the at least two PCMs to each other in the cool pack always remains essentially the same and can be adapted to the intended use, for example in the later transport container. At most, individual PCMs that may be present as a fluid 40 can still move in the cold pack according to their fluid phase.

In the 4 and 5 two further exemplary embodiments of cold packs are shown, the respective outer shell 11 of the respective blow molded part 10 having a recess 19 in contrast to the previous exemplary embodiments. The blow mold parts 10 are shown in the views according to FIG 4a) and 5a) in a front view looking towards the front side 18, while the view in 4b) the sectional view according to section line BB in 4a) shows and the view in 5b) the sectional view according to section line CC in 5a) indicates.

The recess 19 serves to reduce the boundary surface 20 that delimits the two PCMs arranged in the cavity 12. The recess 19 is arranged in the outer shell 11 in such a way that the volume of the cavity 12 in the area of the recess 19 is reduced compared to a Variant of the blow molded part 10 of the same dimensions but without a corresponding recess 19.

In the embodiment according to 4 the recess 19 is designed as a through opening. The recess 19 in the form of the through opening extends from the front to the back 18 of the cold pack. This is particularly evident from the synopsis of view a) of 4 with the corresponding sectional view b).

In the alternative embodiment according to 5 the recess 19 is not in the form of a through opening but in the form of a depression or trough. Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, there are two opposing recesses 19 in the form of depressions in the outer shell 11, as shown in the sectional view in FIG 5b) becomes evident.

In the opposite recesses 19 according to 5 between the sections of the outer shell 11 in the area of the recesses 19 there is also a cavity 12 of the blow molded part 10 which has the two PCMs (lower limit temperature PCM L and upper limit temperature PCM H). In the recess 19 designed as a through-opening according to FIG 4 On the other hand, there is no cavity 12 of the blow molded part 10 in the area of the recess 19 and therefore no PCMs are present in the area of the recess 19 ( 4b) ). In both cases, the recesses 19 advantageously cause the interface 20 between the PCMs to be reduced. The two different PCMs are therefore in contact with one another over a smaller area. In this way, undesired diffusion processes between the different materials can advantageously be reduced.

An alternative, not shown embodiment of a recess 19 is that the two basically 5b) corresponding wells coincide, so that between the opposite portions of the outer shell 11 in the region of the recess 19 in contrast to 5 there is no longer any cavity 12 for receiving PCMs. In principle, such a configuration corresponds to the exemplary embodiment in FIG 4 , with the difference that no through opening is provided, but rather this is closed with material in the form of the outer shell 11 .

Reference List

10

blow molded part

11

outer shell

12

cavity

13, 13'

filling hole

14, 14'

closure element

15

underside (of the cold pack)

16

top (of the cold pack)

17

Side surfaces (of the cold pack)

18

Front or back (of the cold pack)

19

recess

20, 20'

interface

30

polymeric solid (with embedded PCM)

40

Fluid (PCM)

50

polymeric solid (with embedded PCM)

u

Surroundings

L

Lower Temperature PCM

H

High Limit PCM

M

Mid Limit Temperature PCM

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• EP 2146162 [0010]
• EP 2146162 A1 [0010]
• US5718835A [0018]

Claims (15)

Cooling pack with an outer shell (11) enclosing a cavity (12) and separating it from an environment (U), preferably designed as a blow molded part (10), wherein in the cavity (12) at least one lower limit temperature PCM (L) and at least one upper limit temperature -PCM (H) are arranged, wherein the lower limit temperature PCM (L) has a lower phase change temperature range and the upper limit temperature PCM (H) has an upper phase change temperature range which is higher than the lower phase change temperature range, and wherein the The lower limit temperature PCM (L) and the upper limit temperature PCM (H) are arranged in direct contact with one another in the cavity (12) in such a way that an interface (20 ) is formed, characterized in that at least the lower limit temperature PCM (L) or the upper limit temperature PCM (H) is embedded in a polymer solid (30, 50). cold pack after claim 1 characterized in that the lower limit temperature PCM (L) is embedded in the polymer solid (30, 50) and the upper limit temperature PCM (H) is designed as a fluid (40). cold pack after claim 1 characterized in that the upper limit temperature PCM (H) is embedded in the polymer solid (30, 50) and the lower limit temperature PCM (L) is designed as a fluid (40). cold pack after claim 1 characterized in that both the lower limit temperature PCM (L) in the polymeric solid (30) and the upper limit temperature PCM (H) are embedded in a further polymeric solid (50). Cold pack after one of Claims 1 until 4 characterized in that the outer shell (11) has at least one recess (19) for reducing the interface (20) in the cavity (12). cold pack after claim 5 characterized in that the at least one recess (19) is designed as a through-opening extending through the cool pack (11) or as a recess made in the outer casing (11). Cold pack after one of Claims 1 until 6 characterized in that the outer shell (11) is formed from one of the materials polyethylene, polypropylene and/or a coex film material. Transport box for transporting temperature-sensitive goods with a cold pack according to one of Claims 1 until 7 , wherein the cool pack is integrated into a wall area of the transport box adjoining a receiving space for the temperature-sensitive goods. Method for producing a cold pack, in particular according to one of Claims 1 until 7 , wherein an outer shell (11) having a cavity (12) and separating the cavity (12) from an environment (U) is provided, preferably by means of blow molding, wherein for filling the cavity (12) at least both a lower limit temperature PCM (L ) and an upper limit temperature PCM (H) are introduced into the cavity (12) via at least one filling opening (13), and the at least one filling opening (13) of the outer shell (11) is closed, preferably by means of a closure element (14). is characterized in that at least the lower limit temperature PCM (L) or at least the upper limit temperature PCM (H) is present as a PCM embedded in a polymer solid (30, 50) and is heated to a flow temperature (T1 ) is heated to bring the PCM embedded in the polymeric solid (30, 50) from a solid state to a flowable, viscous state, and that in a cooling step the in the polymeric solid (30, 50) embedded PCM in the cavity (12) is cooled, so that the PCM embedded in the polymeric solid (30, 50) in the cavity (12) is converted from its flowable, viscous state into an at least partially solid state. procedure after claim 9 characterized in that in the cooling step the PCM embedded in the polymeric solid (30, 50) is cooled in the cavity (12) in such a way that the PCM embedded in the polymeric solid (30, 50) at least along its edge is in an unfilled area the surface adjoining the cavity (12) solidifies before the other PCM of the two PCMs lower limit temperature PCM (L) and upper limit temperature PCM (H) is filled into the cavity (12). procedure after claim 9 or 10 characterized in that the cooling step is carried out by means of active cooling. procedure after claim 11 characterized in that for active cooling, a preferably cooled fluid flow, in particular from ambient air, is conducted from the outside from the environment (U) onto the outer shell (11) of the cold pack. procedure after claim 10 or 11 characterized in that for active cooling, a preferably cooled fluid flow, in particular from ambient air, is conducted from the outside from the environment (U) through the at least one filling opening (13) into the cavity (12) of the cold pack. Procedure according to one of claims 9 until 13 characterized in that after the cavity (12) has been filled with the PCM embedded in the solid polymer body (30, 50) and before the PCM embedded in the solid polymer body (30, 50) solidifies to the at least partially solid state, the cold pack is turned into a pivoted orientation, preferably on a side surface (17) or a front or rear side (18), and the cooling step is carried out in this pivoted orientation before the further PCM of the two PCMs lower limit temperature PCM (L) and upper limit temperature PCM (H) is filled into the cavity (12). Use of an ice pack according to one of Claims 1 until 7 , preferably in a transport box claim 8 , for the transport of temperature-sensitive goods, in particular medicines, blood or human or animal organs.

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