FR3110221A1 - HEATING DEVICE WITH AT LEAST ONE POCKET OF LIQUID INTENDED TO HEAT A LIVING BEING OR AN OBJECT, AND ASSEMBLY INCLUDING SUCH A DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (4) for heating at least one pocket of liquid (2), the pocket of liquid (2) being intended to heat a living being or an object, the device (4) comprising a housing ( 6) for receiving and heating said at least one pocket of liquid (2), said housing (6) comprising a bottom (18) and several side walls (20A, 20B), the device (4) further comprising means for power supply and at least one heating element fixed on at least one of the side walls (20A, 20B) and / or on the bottom (18) of the housing (6), said at least one heating element being connected to the supply means electric and being configured to heat the pocket of liquid (2). Abstract figure: Fig. 1

Description

DEVICE FOR HEATING AT LEAST ONE BAG OF LIQUID INTENDED TO WARM A LIVING BEING OR AN OBJECT, AND ASSEMBLY COMPRISING SUCH A DEVICE

The present invention relates to a device for heating at least one pocket of liquid. The technical field of the invention is in particular that of hot water bottles and other heaters intended to heat a living being or an object.

State of the art

In the field of hot water bottles and heaters intended to heat a living being or an object, it is known to have portable products in the form of flexible pockets containing liquid. In this way, a user of the hot water bottle or heater can easily transport the latter to its destination of use. More precisely, the pocket of liquid, generally a pocket of water, generally contains an electrical resistance immersed in water and surrounded by a protective envelope, for example made of bakelite or of plastic material of the poly(vinyl chloride) type as well. called PVC. The liquid bag also has an electrical connector opening onto the outside of the bag, and connected to the electrical resistance. The electrical connector is configured to be connected to an electrical charging station itself intended to be connected to an electrical network. The liquid bag also contains two temperature sensors, and the electric charging station is equipped with a circuit breaker to cut off the electric current when the temperature measured by the sensors reaches a predetermined maximum temperature. In this way, when the temperature of the water within the pocket reaches, for example, a value substantially equal to 60° C., a probe point provided on an external face of the pocket and connected to the temperature sensor provides the station with charging this measured temperature value, and the circuit breaker within the station automatically cuts off the supply electric current, thus stopping the load of the resistor and consequently preventing overheating of the pocket. An indicator light can also go out on the station to warn the user. The user can then unplug the pocket of liquid and transport it to the place of his choice, thus having several hours of heat provided by the pocket.

However, during such an electrical charging process, the temperature of the resistor itself can reach values greater than or equal to 100°C. However, such temperatures are likely to cause micro-evaporation of water inside the pocket. This is detrimental to the service life of the system. In fact, after a certain number of heating cycles, the air present within the pouch is likely to cause deterioration of the product and/or greater difficulty in properly heating the water contained in the pouch, because the air gradually replaces the water in the latter. In some extreme cases, such a phenomenon can even go so far as to cause the bag inflated with air to explode, thus creating a danger for the user.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a device for heating at least one pocket of liquid intended to heat a living being or an object, making it possible to improve the life of the pocket while being easy to use and guaranteeing maximum safety of use for the user.

To this end, the invention relates to a device for heating at least one pocket of liquid, the pocket of liquid being intended to heat a living being or an object, the device comprising a housing for receiving and heating said at least one liquid pocket, said casing comprising a bottom and several side walls, the device further comprising electrical power supply means and at least one heating element fixed to at least one of the side walls and/or to the bottom of the casing, said at least one heating element being connected to the electrical power supply means and being configured to heat the pocket of liquid.

Such a heating device according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to heat the pocket of liquid from the outside thereof, and no longer from the inside as is the case in all the devices of the prior art. Such heating by thermal conduction from the outside implements a larger heat exchange surface than with a small resistor placed inside the liquid pocket. The heating process is thus much faster, without rising to temperatures causing boiling and therefore a change of state from water to air. This guarantees reliability and extended life for the liquid bag, since the absence of any heating element inside the bag means that no micro-evaporation of air occurs inside it. -this. In addition, the fact that there is no heating element inside the pocket of liquid provides greater comfort to the user, unlike the devices of the prior art for which the presence of a part hard (the heating element) inside the pocket can bother the user. Finally, such a heating device is particularly easy to use. Indeed, to heat the pocket of liquid, the user must simply place the latter in the box, and connect the supply means to the electrical network. The housing of the device according to the invention is thus very easy to use and ensures optimum safety for the user.

According to a particular technical characteristic of the invention, said at least one heating element is configured to heat the pocket of liquid by thermal conduction. More precisely, the casing and the pocket of liquid have for example dimensions and/or a shape such that the pocket of liquid is in direct contact with the or each heating element when it is inserted into the casing.

Advantageously, said at least one heating element is a heating resistant sheet. The use of such heating resistant sheets has the advantage of allowing optimal heating for the liquid pocket, while being very compact and having a reduced production cost.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the casing comprises two resistive heating sheets, each resistive heating sheet being fixed inside the casing on a respective side wall of the latter.

Advantageously, each side wall and/or the bottom of the case consists of an internal face, an external face typically made of a metallic material, and an intermediate insulating layer separating the internal and external faces. This significantly improves the thermal insulation within the housing and thus facilitates the heating of the liquid pocket by the heating element. In addition, thanks to this particular configuration, the case is not hot on its external face, thus avoiding any risk of burns for the user through contact with the walls of the case.

According to a particular technical characteristic of the invention, the or each heating resistant sheet is fixed to the internal face of at least one of the side walls and/or of the bottom of the case.

Advantageously, the device further comprises a cover mounted to move on the housing, between an open position and a closed position of the housing; and an automatic lid opening system. This makes it possible to further simplify the use of the system, by providing simple visual information for the user to indicate to him, when the lid is open, that the bag of liquid is ready to be used.

Advantageously, the automatic lid opening system comprises at least one temperature sensor and a thermal switch connected on the one hand to the temperature sensor, and connected on the other hand between the heating element and the electrical supply means; said thermal switch being configured, when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor reaches a predetermined value, to cut off the power supply to the heating element, and to cause the automatic opening of the cover. Such a configuration allows automatic opening of the lid when the temperature of the liquid pocket reaches a predetermined value, for example a value of the order of 60° C., while cutting off the electrical power supply when this temperature is reached, thus guaranteeing safety of use. The user is thus visually informed that the bag of liquid has reached the predetermined maximum value, and can remove the bag from the housing in complete safety.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the housing further comprises at least one interior partition wall mounted in the interior volume of the housing, the partition wall(s) defining at least two separate compartments within the housing , each compartment being intended to receive a separate pocket of liquid. This makes it possible to receive and heat several pockets of liquid simultaneously within the same box.

To this end, the invention also relates to an assembly comprising at least one pocket of liquid intended to heat a living being or an object, and a device for heating said at least one pocket of liquid as described above.

According to a particular technical characteristic of the invention, the pocket of liquid is a hot water bottle or a heater containing water.

Advantageously, the liquid bag is provided on its periphery with a gripping strap. This makes it easier for the user to grip and transport the bag of liquid, while preventing him from the risk of burns by too rapid direct contact with the hot part of the bag.

Advantageously, a side wall and/or the bottom of the case is provided on its internal face with an electrical contact pin connected to the thermal switch, at least one of the temperature sensors is arranged within the pocket of liquid, and the pocket of liquid is provided on its outer face with at least one probe point connected to said temperature sensor, the position of the probe point on the pocket of liquid being such that the probe point is in contact with the lug when the pocket of liquid is inserted into the housing. This configuration provides a particularly simple and ergonomic solution to allow access of the housing, and in particular of the thermal switch, to the internal temperature of the liquid within the pocket. Preferably, the electrical contact pin is positioned on the internal face of the bottom of the case, and is centered on this bottom. In this way, the direction of introduction of the pocket of liquid into the housing has no effect on the operation of the assembly.

According to a particular technical characteristic of the invention, the casing and the pocket of liquid have dimensions and/or a shape such that the pocket of liquid is in direct contact with the or each heating element when it is inserted into the casing.

According to another particular technical characteristic of the invention, the assembly further comprises at least one protective cover for the liquid pocket.

Brief description of figures

The aims, advantages and characteristics of the device for heating at least one pocket of liquid according to the invention will appear better in the following description on the basis of at least one non-limiting embodiment illustrated by the drawings in which:

is a schematic perspective view of an assembly comprising a pocket of liquid intended to heat a living being or an object, and a device for heating the pocket of liquid according to the invention;

is a side view of the liquid bag of Figure 1;

is a perspective view of the heating device of FIG. 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device comprising two resistive heating sheets;

is an enlarged perspective view of a detail of the heating device of FIG. 3; And

is a front view of one of the heating resistor sheets of Figure 3.

Detailed description of the invention

FIG. 1 represents an assembly 1 comprising a pocket of liquid 2 intended to heat a living being or an object (not represented), and a device 4 for heating the pocket of liquid 2. The pocket of liquid 2 is preferably a hot water bottle or a heater, typically a hand warmer; but can alternatively be a pocket intended for any other type of use for heating a living being or an object. The liquid contained in pocket 2 is preferably water, typically distilled water; but may alternatively consist of any other suitable liquid. Preferably, the assembly 1 also includes a protective cover for the liquid bag (not shown in the figures).

As illustrated in Figure 2, the liquid bag 2 is a flexible bag. To this end, the liquid bag 2 is made of a flexible waterproof material, such as for example silicone or even a plastic material of the poly(vinyl chloride) type also called PVC or even rubber. The waterproof flexible material is formed from one or more layers of material. The pocket of liquid 2 has for example a height of between 200 mm and 300 mm, the height being measured along the main direction of extension D1 of the pocket 2. The pocket of liquid 2 has for example a thickness of between 40 mm and 50 mm, the thickness being measured along a direction D2 perpendicular to the main direction of extension D1 of the pocket 2. The liquid pocket 2 has for example a width substantially equal to 200 mm, the width being measured along the perpendicular direction to directions D1 and D2.

The liquid pocket 2 contains at least one temperature sensor (not shown in the figures) immersed in the liquid. Preferably, the liquid bag 2 is provided on its outer face 7 with at least one probe point 9 connected to the temperature sensor. In the particular embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the liquid pocket 2 is provided on its lower outer face 7 with at least one probe point 9 connected to one or more of the temperature sensor(s).

Preferably, the liquid pocket 2 comprises a gripping strap 8 on its periphery. In a variant not shown, the strap 8 can be placed at any other location of the pocket 2 distinct from its periphery. As visible in Figure 2, the strap 8 forms for example a grip handle 10 allowing the manual transport of the pocket 2 by a user, and facilitating its insertion into the device 4. The strap 8 is typically made of the same material as the liquid pocket 2, typically a plastic material such as for example PVC. The grip handle 10 has for example a height substantially equal to 40 mm. The strap 8 has for example a width substantially equal to 20 mm, the width of the strap 8 being measured in the direction D2.

It should be noted that the liquid bag 2 does not contain a heating element of the heating resistor type.

The heating device 4 comprises a casing 6 for receiving and heating the pocket of liquid 2, electrical power supply means 12 and at least one heating element 14. Preferably, and as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the device 4 also includes a lid 16 for closing the box 6. Preferably again, the device 4 also includes a system for automatically opening the lid 16 (not shown in the figures).

The box 6 comprises a bottom 18 and several side walls 20A, 20B. In the particular embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, the housing 6 comprises a first pair of side walls 20A substantially parallel, and a second pair of side walls 20B substantially parallel and perpendicular to the side walls 20A of the first pair. According to this particular embodiment, the box 6 has a substantially parallelepipedic shape. The bottom 18 and the side walls 20A, 20B define an interior volume 22 within the housing 6. Preferably, as shown in Figure 4, each side wall 20A, 20B and / or the bottom 18 consists of an internal face 23, an outer face 25 typically made of a metallic material, and an intermediate insulating layer 27 separating the inner 23 and outer 25 faces. / or a shape such that the pocket of liquid 2 is in direct contact with the or each heating element 14 when it is inserted into the housing 6.

The power supply means 12 include, for example, means of connection to a domestic or non-domestic electrical network. As a variant or in addition, the electrical power supply means 12 may comprise an electrical current source installed in the housing 6. For example, in addition to the means of connection to an electrical network, the electrical power supply means 12 may comprise a battery or other rechargeable electric battery. This makes it possible to carry out several consecutive heatings of the liquid pocket 2, without necessarily having to connect to an electrical network. The means of connection to an electrical network comprise for example a plug 24 for connection to an electrical network (visible in FIG. 3), intended to be inserted into a corresponding electrical outlet connected to the network. Without this being limiting in the context of the present invention, the connection means 24 are for example compatible with a domestic electrical network supplying an alternating current which has a nominal effective voltage of 220 V or even 110 V. Alternatively, the connection means 24 can also be compatible with an electrical network supplying a direct current which has a nominal voltage of 12 V or even 24 V. This particular variant of embodiment has the advantage of allowing use of the heating device 4 in a vehicle equipped with such an electrical network, for example a boat or even a rolling vehicle of the bus or camper type. This allows great flexibility of use for the heating device 4. According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, not shown in the figures, the electrical power supply means 12 may comprise a connection port conforming to the USB standard (from the English Universal Serial Bus). This makes it possible to connect the box 6 for example to a computer or to any other mobile electronic device provided with a USB socket.

The or each heating element 14 is fixed on at least one of the side walls 20A, 20B and/or on the bottom 18 of the box 6. The or each heating element 14 is connected to the electrical supply means 12 and is configured to heat the pocket of liquid 2. Preferably, the or each heating element 14 is configured to heat the pocket of liquid 2 by thermal conduction. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the heating device 4 comprises two heating elements, in the form of two resistive heating sheets 14. The two resistive heating sheets 14 are for example fixed to the opposite side walls 20A of the same pair of side walls 20A, in the interior volume 22 of the casing 6. More specifically, each heating resistant sheet 14 is fixed on the internal face 23 of one of the side walls 20A. This configuration of the heating resistance sheets 14 as well as the dimensions and/or the shape of the casing 6 and of the liquid pocket 2 cause the heating resistance sheets 14 to be in direct contact with the liquid pocket 2 when the latter is inserted into the housing 6, allowing heating by thermal conduction. As seen in Figure 5, each heating resistant sheet 14 is in the form of a flexible sheet provided with a layer of adhesive applied to the face of the sheet 14 opposite to the face comprising the heating part 26. Each sheet heating resistor 14 may for example comprise a coating consisting of silicone or of a polyimide film applied to one or both sides of the sheet 14, in order to isolate the heating sheet 14 from the liquid pocket 2 or from the internal face 23 of the casing 6. Each heating resistant sheet 14 can thus be inserted into an insulating “sandwich” covering.

In a variant not shown, the heating device 4 comprises a single heating element in the form of a heating resistant sheet. The heating resistant sheet is for example fixed on the bottom 18 and on at least one of the side walls 20A, 20B of the casing 6, being folded at the corners of the latter. The heating resistant sheet then has a substantially “L” or “U” shape. As a further variant (not shown in the figures), the heating device 4 comprises one or more heating element(s) in the form of a resistive wire or even an electrical resistance.

The lid 16 is mounted on the housing 6, between an open position of the housing 6 shown in Figures 1 and 2, and a closed position of the housing 6 (not shown in the figures). The lid 16 is for example mounted on the box 6 by means of a thrust spring, the latter being mechanically constrained by an element (not shown) belonging to the automatic lid opening system. The thrust spring is releasable via a movement of said element belonging to the automatic lid opening system.

The automatic lid opening system includes at least one temperature sensor and one thermal switch (not shown in the figures). Among the temperature sensors used, at least one of these sensors is the sensor(s) immersed inside the liquid pocket 2. The thermal switch is connected on the one hand to the or to each temperature sensor, and is connected on the other hand between the or each heating element 14 and the power supply means 12. The thermal switch is configured, when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor of the pocket 2 reaches a predetermined value , typically a value between 50° C. and 60° C., to cut off the electrical supply to the or each heating element 14, and to cause the lid 16 to open automatically. pocket 2 overheats and thus protect users against possible skin burns while preventing water evaporation.

Another temperature sensor can be provided on one of the side walls 20A, 20B of the casing 6 in order to measure the peak temperature reached by this side wall. The heating device 4 then comprises a temperature regulator connected to this temperature sensor. The temperature regulator is configured to regulate the temperature of the side wall 20A, 20B measured by the sensor, in order to prevent the latter from exceeding a predetermined temperature value, typically a value substantially equal to 90° C. This provides an additional safety means which makes it possible to prevent a rise in temperature of the case 6 which could cause a risk of burns and which above all would cause the water inside the pocket 2 to boil, which would cause a change of state. water into air and therefore evaporation.

Preferably, a side wall 20A, 20B and/or the bottom 18 of the casing 6 is provided on its internal face 23 with at least one electrical contact stud (not shown in the figures) connected to the thermal switch. The position of each probe point 9 on the pocket of liquid 2 is such that the probe point 9 is in contact with one of the lugs of the casing 6 when the pocket of liquid 2 is inserted into the casing 6. Preferably, the electrical contact pin is positioned on the internal face 23 of the bottom 18 of the case 6, and is centered on the bottom 18. of the operation of the assembly 1. Thus, between the presence of the handle 10 on the pocket 2 and the centering of the lug on the bottom 18 of the housing 6, the positioning of the liquid pocket 2 in the housing 6 becomes obvious and easy for the user.

The operation of assembly 1 according to the invention will now be briefly described. A user wishing to heat a pocket of liquid 2 places the latter in the housing 6 of the heating device 4. In doing so, the or each probe point 9 provided on the pocket of liquid 2 comes into contact with an electrical contact lug corresponding provided on a side face 20A, 20B and/or on the bottom 18 of the box 6. The user connects the power supply means 12 to the power supply if necessary, and closes the cover 16. When the temperature measured by the temperature sensor arranged within the liquid pocket 2 reaches a predetermined value, typically a value between 50° C. and 60° C., the thermal switch cuts off the electrical supply to the or each heating element 14, and causes the automatic opening of the lid 16. The user is thus visually informed that the liquid bag 2 is at the appropriate temperature, and can take the bag 2 out of the box 6 in complete safety.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to a device 4 configured to receive and heat a single pocket of liquid 2, it applies in the same way to any device configured to receive and heat several pockets of liquid 2 in same time. In this case, the casing 6 of the device 4 comprises for example at least one interior partition wall (not shown in the figures) mounted in the interior volume of the casing 6. The partition wall(s) define at least two compartments separate within the housing 6, each compartment being intended to receive a separate pocket of liquid 2.

Claims (15)

Device (4) for heating at least one pocket of liquid (2), the pocket of liquid (2) being intended to heat a living being or an object, the device (4) comprising a casing (6) for receiving and heating said at least one pocket of liquid (2), said casing (6) comprising a bottom (18) and several side walls (20A, 20B), the device (4) further comprising electrical supply means (12 ) and at least one heating element (14) fixed to at least one of the side walls (20A, 20B) and/or to the bottom (18) of the casing (6), said at least one heating element (14) being connected to the power supply means (12) and being configured to heat the liquid bag (2). Device (4) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said at least one heating element (14) is configured to heat the liquid pocket (2) by thermal conduction. Device (4) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the said at least one heating element (14) is a heating resistance sheet. Device (4) according to Claim 3, characterized in that it comprises two resistive heating sheets (14), each resistive heating sheet (14) being fixed inside the casing (6) on a respective side wall (20A, 20B) of the latter. Device (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each side wall (20A, 20B) and/or the bottom (18) of the casing (6) consists of an internal face (23), an outer face (25) typically made of a metallic material, and an intermediate insulating layer (27) separating the inner (23) and outer (25) faces. Device (4) according to Claim 5 when dependent on Claim 3, characterized in that the or each heating resistant sheet (14) is fixed to the internal face (23) of at least one of the side walls (20A, 20B) and/or the bottom (18) of the housing (6). Device (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a cover (16) movably mounted on the casing (6), between an open position and a closed position of the casing ( 6); and an automatic lid opening system. Device (4) according to Claim 7, characterized in that the automatic lid opening system comprises at least one temperature sensor and a thermal switch connected on the one hand to the temperature sensor, and connected on the other hand between the the heating element (14) and the electrical supply means (12); said thermal switch being configured, when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor reaches a predetermined value, to cut off the power supply to the heating element (14), and to cause the automatic opening of the cover (16). Device (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the casing (6) further comprises at least one interior partition wall mounted in the interior volume (22) of the casing (6), the wall or walls (S) separation defining at least two separate compartments within the housing (6), each compartment being intended to receive a separate pocket of liquid (2). Assembly (1) comprising at least one pocket of liquid (2) intended to heat a living being or an object, and a device (4) for heating the said at least one pocket of liquid (2), characterized in that the device (4) is as claimed in any preceding claim. Assembly (1) according to Claim 10, characterized in that the pocket of liquid (2) is a hot water bottle or a heater containing water. Assembly (1) according to Claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the liquid pocket (2) is provided on its periphery with a gripping strap (8). Assembly (1) according to one of Claims 10 to 12 when the device (4) depends on Claim 8, characterized in that a side wall (20A, 20B) and/or the bottom (18) of the casing (6 ) is provided on its internal face (23) with an electrical contact pin connected to the thermal switch, in that at least one of the temperature sensors is arranged within the liquid pocket (2), and in that the liquid pocket (2) is provided on its outer face (7) with at least one probe point (9) connected to said temperature sensor, the position of the probe point (9) on the liquid pocket (2) being such that the probe point (9) is in contact with the lug when the liquid bag (2) is inserted into the housing (6). Assembly (1) according to one of Claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the housing (6) and the pocket of liquid (2) have dimensions and/or a shape such that the pocket of liquid (2) is direct contact with the or each heating element (14) when inserted into the housing (6). Assembly (1) according to one of Claims 10 to 14, characterized in that it also comprises at least one protective cover for the liquid bag (2).