JP2002540015A - Thermal insulation package for thermosensitive products - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract: An accessible package having one or more insulating walls surrounding a thermosensitive product (P) comprising an envelope (2) made from an open cell type of flexible foamed polymer or copolymer. Consisting of a body (1), said envelope being bounded by an impermeable inner layer or fabric (3) and an impermeable outer layer or fabric (4), for diffusion exchange of gas and / or liquid through the envelope (2). At least one container (5) for the cooling element (6) forms an enclosure for the heat-sensitive product (P). All the elements forming part of the package have a flat, non-bulky profile, which are arranged separately for transport and storage when not in use. They are mounted and assembled for use by the user when desired.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an insulated package for heat-sensitive products, such as pharmaceuticals, vaccines, laboratory reagents, etc., and generally comprises a convenient casing having one or more insulating walls surrounding said heat-sensitive product in the presence of a cooling element. Of the containing type, the walls of which define a barrier as the flowable substance passes through.

[0002]

[Prior art]

For a long time, for the transportation of thermosensitive products like pharmaceuticals, vaccines, laboratory reagents etc.
There were different disadvantages for utilizing different devices or packages. One method that has been used very often is to use conventional types of refrigerators used in those fields. However, in one aspect, such refrigerators are not designed to keep cool for many hours, including several days, without replacing the cooling elements placed inside with the heat-sensitive products in transit, In another aspect, its stiffness and high volume require the use of large, large spaces during transport and storage when not in use, resulting in a general increase in cost. Another method that has been used heavily is to turn dry solids into a gas directly from the solid state without going through a liquid, i.e., sublimate dry ice without wetting the package or the contents of the product, and transport dry ice nearby with the heat-sensitive product. It is to be used for a package that does not require waterproofness. Without sealing, dry ice has a short lifetime and sublimation produces undesirable gases, which has been banned by many transportation companies, including airlines. Currently well-known packages consist of insulated boxes made of rigid foamed polyurethane. Such materials are closed cell thermoplastic foams which exhibit very good thermal and water resistance properties at very low densities. The main drawback of such a package lies in the hardness of the material, in which the entire box structure occupies a large volume. This is particularly inappropriate and, for example, during the transportation and storage of empty packages between the production site and the point of use, until the production site and the user Boxes are not used with other places.

[0003]

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

Accordingly, there is a significant need for an insulative package that allows for reduced capacity, and thus cost, during the transport and storage operations of the package while not in use. It is an object of the present invention to provide such a package. This object is obtained according to the invention by providing an insulated package for heat-sensitive products formed by various elements, each of which is provided for transport and storage when the package is not in use. The elements can be placed separately employing a flat compact configuration, and the elements are prepared, assembled and mounted by the user for use when desired. In order to minimize the volume when not in use, and thus reduce the cost of transport and storage in such circumstances, the flexible material, which can be folded or unfolded, of the element, in general, especially the insulation element Obtained by using. The reduction in volume is achieved by using the foam of isocyanate polymer or urethane copolymer as the material of the insulating element in a flexible open cell. Said material flexibility allows the formation of an envelope from a variety of flat panels, which are folded by the tear lines of the bond forming at least one flat part. The panels and / or flat parts are folded to take up limited space during storage and transport. The insulating properties of these materials of the foamed polymer are due to the presence of small compartments of very low thermal conductivity in said materials, bounded by material walls. In closed cell foam, gases are generated from the inherent chemical reactions that take place while the product stays for a long time trapped inside the cell. Conversely, in the open foam material,
The gas is constantly being diffused and mixed by fresh ambient air. This is because the thermal insulation properties of the open polymer foam are inferior to the closed foam. Thus, to prevent the diffusion of gases and / or liquids through such materials, with the aim of taking advantage of providing the flexibility of the open foam by the possibility of reducing the volume of the package when not in use. Additional equipment is required. To this end, according to the invention, there is an impermeable inner layer or fabric and an impervious outer layer or fabric, with two faces completing the envelope wall and defining the boundary. Determine. The layer or fabric adopts the shape of each layer of the flexible inner bag and the flexible outer bag, and when assembled, adjusts the shape and size respectively for the inside and outside size of the insulating envelope To do. By known common methods of providing a sufficient seal, such as hot welding, by multiple edges of the entrance, by the edges of the part of the entrance, by the fastener ring or by the closing part of the seam of the entrance, the bag is: Once placed, they are trapped. The material of the bag is made of a metal-plated plastic flake, and is composed of a layer of polyethylene and a layer of rolled aluminum. The thickness of the polyethylene layer of the outer bag is larger than that of the inner bag. The aluminum layer protects against the diffusion of gases while the polyethylene layer forms a barrier against accidental spillage of cooling components or transport products inside, and also from accidental penetration of liquid from the outside. Ensures good sealing.
In addition, polyethylene and aluminum sheets show very good properties of mechanical resistance. In this arrangement, when assembling the foam envelope, and in the arranged and confined inner and outer flexible bags, together with the cooling element, constitute an insulating wall partition that defines an interior to contain a heat sensitive product, There are typically additives to lower the freezing temperature. Such cooling elements include at least a flexible flat plastic bag.
It has opposing walls interconnected by points of joint, with partially sealed joint lines defining joint lines of different panels that are enclosed and filled in one container. The bag includes a workable lid, empties the water and contains a sufficient amount of the additive, and occupies limited space between storage and transport when not in use. When ready for use, the bag can be filled with water for use, agitating to dissolve the additives, cooling and freezing the contents, and later folding by the line of bonding, The said partition for cooling is formed for a heat-sensitive product. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the package comprises the same two said cooling bags, each of whose connection line defines three said panels to be inflated, and both bags which can be folded in a U-shape are between them. Is of a size suitable to penetrate the interior enclosed by the previously insulated envelope to form the partitions together according to the structure of a square prism. The heat-sensitive product is placed inside the cooling bulkhead for transportation. All connections are protected by an outer casing formed by a conventional cardboard box, such as corrugated cardboard to be assembled. Desirably, the outer surface of the cardboard box is light and colorable to allow for writing and drawing and to minimize absorption of thermal radiation from the outside.

[0004]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

These and other features will become more apparent from the following detailed description of an example of implementing an insulating envelope according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings: FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional partial view of a thermosensitive product according to the present invention. Shows the corners of the thermal insulation envelope for Such thermosensitive products can be, for example, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, laboratory reagents, and the like. This package comprises an accessible casing 1, an insulating wall constituting an envelope 2 realized with a polymer or copolymer of flexible foam, an inner impermeable layer or cloth 3 defining the envelope 2 and an outer impervious layer. Each layer or fabric 3, 4 has a permeable layer or fabric 4, each of which has a respective metallic coated plastic flake that forms a front barrier when exchanging heat by diffusion of gas and / or liquid through the envelope 2. The layers or fabrics 3, 4 are of standard construction. The envelope 2 defines an enclosed area on the inside which is suitable for placing the heat-sensitive product P for transport, with a general cooling element 6 enclosed in a container 5 nearby. The accessible casing 1, the envelope 2, the inner and outer layers or fabrics 3, 4 and the container 5 for the cooling element 6 are arranged and separated during transport and storage when not in use. It is easy to assemble, assemble and place in the order of use for the user when desired, in a flat and compact shape. Preferably, the flexible foam polymer or copolymer is an isocyanate polymer or an open cell type urethane copolymer foam. In order to eliminate the undesired consequences of an open-cell type foam with respect to the very insulation, the flakes of metallic coated insulation plastic applied on both sides are placed on the wall of the envelope 2. Said slices 3 and 4 consist of a polyethylene layer and an aluminum sheet layer,
It prevents gas entering the foamed polymer material from being swept away by the surrounding air, each time forming a sealed barrier towards the liquid. Outer flake polyethylene layer 4
Is thicker than the inner flake 3. Said envelope 2 of foam copolymer is formed by a panel 8 of beveled edges 9 which are easy to join together to form a square prism delimiting a place surrounded by an inner perimeter.
Less than 6. FIGS. 2 and 3 show an example of an envelope 2 formed by two of said parts 12 which are identical and flat, each integrating two joined panels 8 and another two parts of only one panel. I do. The flat panel 11 includes a line 10 breaking the joint separating the two panels 8 and is easy to fold by the joint 10 adopting an L-shape, and the only part of the panel 12 to form the square prism. To the head between. As can be seen, even if the example follows the prism by two parts of a double panel and two parts of a single panel, and can also be formed from parts of another configuration, by way of example of three panel parts: The same is true of four panel parts and two parts of only one panel, and even the only parts of six combined panels. Without closure, a common feature of all is the flat shape, so that the flat part 11,
The 12 reduces space during storage and transport when not in use, and facilitates assembly for use by using when desired. In order to realize a practical method, limiting the area inside and outside of the envelope 2, said layer or cloth 3 of impermeable inside and said layer or cloth 4 of impermeable outside
The layers or fabrics 3, 4 are assembled and arranged to surround the envelope 2 with inner and outer dimensions, which are respectively sized according to the inner and outer dimensions. (See FIGS. 4 and 5). Of course, the bags can be transported and stored, and folded to occupy a minimum space when not in use. The closing of the inner and outer bags 13, 14 can be achieved, for example, by thermal welding, by multiple folds of the inlet, by folding and clips of the inlet, by mortise closures of the inlet, or by a clasp. FIGS. 6 and 7 show the said container 5 of the element 6 of general coolant, comprising a flat, flexible plastic bag 15, which can join and fill the opposite walls by welding points 16. A partially sealed joint line 17 defining the joining line of the panel 18 of FIG. The cooling element 6 used contains ordinary water and additives 7 to reduce the freezing temperature. Salts such as sodium chloride are typically used as additives. The bag 5 actually contains a lid 19, containing the additives but draining, to reduce the space between storage and transport when not in use, to shake and cool for the user to freeze the contents. There is room to fill with water, and the joint line 17 is folded to form a cooling partition for the heat-sensitive product P when desired. In the embodiment shown in the figures, two bags 15 are used, but similarly, two joining lines 17 defining three fillable panels 18 are used, respectively, to facilitate folding and connection in a U-shape to make a square. The partition wall is formed by the prism structure described above. Said construction can be achieved with another number of bags forming a whole different from the number of panels that can be filled in a similar manner as previously shown for the envelope 2. Finally, any of the above elements are loaded and assembled accordingly and placed inside the casing 1 (especially in the cross-section of FIG. 1), preferably in the form of ordinary cardboard, all other elements. It can be transported and stored separately when not in use so that it occupies a minimum amount of space. In order to determine the capacity of the package, according to the present invention, a series of tests for maintaining a low temperature in the inner surrounding area were conducted. Testing was performed on different packages. That is, type I, -20 ° C (-4
Maintain at a temperature of 0 ° F .; Type II, maintain at a temperature of 0 ° C. (32 ° F.).

[0005]

[Table 1]

The test used a normalized coolant element EKS21 and the container described previously for its design. Thus, the size of the enclosed area refers to the size of the enclosed area inside the insulating envelope. Test conditions for Type I packages: Typical: Type I: -20 ° C (-4 ° F) temperature Coolant: 22 element coolant EKS21 Temperature: about -21.1 ° C (-6 ° F) Cooling energy : 2600kJ Sample: Test tube filled with ice (diameter: 24mm, length: 90mm, capacity: about 40cm ³ Transducer: thermocouple Fe-Co temperature about 23 ° C (73 ° F) Temperature rise as a function of time The results are shown in Table 2. Table 2 Temperature rise as a function of time with type I package

[0007]

[Table 2]

Test Conditions for Type II Package: Representative: Type II: 0 ° C. (32 ° F.) Coolant: 8 Element Coolant EKS21 Temperature: Approx. 0 ° C. (32 ° F.) Cooling Energy: 1340kJ Sample: Test tube filled with ice (diameter: 24mm, length: 90mm, capacity: about 40cm ³ Transducer: thermocouple Fe-Co temperature about 23 ° C (73 ° F) Result of temperature rise as a function of time Is shown in Table 3. Table 3 Temperature rise as a function of time with Type II package

[0009]

[Table 3]

Sample Test Results Type I packages, such as Type II packages, have desirable limited temperatures of -20 ° C. (−4 ° F.) and 0 ° C. (32 ° F.), respectively. It did not rise more than 4 days after the beginning of the experiment. The total heat transfer coefficient (value k) of the package is calculated as the index between the refrigeration power and the product of the average table geometrical area and the temperature difference between the outer and inner surface area. The refrigeration power is an index between the used refrigeration energy and the maintenance time of the coolant temperature and the used refrigeration energy. Table 4 Heat transmission coefficient (value k)

[0011]

[Table 4]

Knowledge of the heat transmission coefficient calculates the required refrigeration power, indicates the number and type of cooling elements, and also maintains the desired temperature for each type of package.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial schematic diagram of a wide cross section showing the arrangement of the various components that make up the envelope of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a part surface of a part of the heat insulating enclosure of FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the heat insulating enclosure of FIG. FIG. 4 shows the outer flexible pouch comprising each impermeable layer or fabric of FIG. FIG. 5 shows the inner flexible pouch comprising each impermeable layer or fabric of FIG.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a container of the cooling element of FIG. 1; FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the refrigeration partition of FIG. 1 realized by a container like FIG.

[Procedure for Amendment] Submission of translation of Article 19 Amendment of the Patent Cooperation Treaty

[Submission date] April 14, 2000 (2000.4.14)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Contents of correction]

[Claims]

2. The closure of the inner and outer bags (13, 14) arranged is heat-bonded by a number of edges of the entrance, by folding and pinching of the entrance part, by a splice closure of the entrance or 2. The heat insulation package according to claim 1 , wherein the heat insulation package is realized by a fastener.

Wherein at least one of said container cold却剤element (6) (5),
Flexible flat plastic bag comprises (15), junction lines joining opposite wall by welding points (16), a plurality of which can meet the panel (18) (1
7) with an intermittent welding line limiting the latter, folding back by said joining line (17) to form a common coolant bulkhead for heat-sensitive products, and cooling to freeze the contents. The heat insulation package according to claim 1, wherein:

[Claim 43 that can be filled with two said bags (15) equal to each other
U-shaped fold using a joint line (17) defining one of the panels (18)
The two bags (15) can be connected to the panel of the bag (15).For a square prism structure
Accordingly, the partition is formed.3Insulation package as described.

Wherein wherein said bag (15) is feasible lid (19), excluding water but the additive (7) moistened with, reducing the space between the transport and storage when not in use, heat insulating package of water and shake to full and chilled claim 3, wherein the ability to freeze the contents to the user at a desired time.

[Claim 613. The method according to claim 12, wherein said additive is sodium chloride. 5 Insulation package as described.

7. An angled cutting edge (9) that can be paired with one another to form a square prism defining a place where the flexible foamed copolymer envelope (2) is surrounded by an inner perimeter. And at least two panels (8) are joined by a split line of joint (10) forming at least one flat part (11). Parts (11)
2. The device of claim 1, occupying reduced space during transport and storage when not in use, having a separately arranged flat, non-bulky profile, and easy to assemble for use by a user when desired. Insulation package as described.

Wherein said envelope (2) comprises two said flat part (11),
Similarly, the panel (8), respectively joined, and the other two parts (12) of the sole panel are defined, the flat part (11) being the only part of the panel (11) to form the rectangular prism. The heat insulation package according to claim 7 , characterized in that it is easy to fold it into an L-shape with the head between (12) and (12).

Wherein said casing (1) is normal cardboard, for example, any one heat insulating package according of the preceding claims, characterized by being formed by a box of corrugated cardboard. Di.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Saban, Gasan e-08034 Barcelona, Planta 11, Pedro Ipons, 9-11 (72) Inventor Hill, Tim E-08034 Barcelona, Planta 11, Spain Pedro Ipons, 9-11 F term (reference) 3E067 AB81 AB96 AB99 BA01A BB24A BC06A CA07 CA18 FC01 GA01 GD01

Claims (13)

[Claims] The invention comprises an accessible casing (1) having one or more insulating walls surrounding a thermosensitive product (P), such as medicines, vaccines, laboratory reagents, etc., in the vicinity of a common coolant ( 6) In an insulating package for heat-sensitive products, such as medicines, vaccines, laboratory reagents, etc., wherein the element of 6) and a wall delimiting the barrier for the passage of a free-flowing substance, said insulating wall comprises: Consisting of an envelope (2) made of an open-cell flexible foamed polymer or copolymer, said envelope (2) is bounded by an impermeable inner layer or fabric (3) and an impermeable outer layer or fabric (4). Said layer or fabric is covered by a metallized plastic sheet which forms a barrier against diffusion exchange of gas and / or liquid through the envelope (2). And at least one container (5) for said envelope-like accessible casing (1), said inner and outer layers or fabrics (3, 4) and said common coolant element (6). ) Has a flat, non-bulky profile, placed separately for transport and storage when not in use,
An insulation package characterized by being mounted, assembled and arranged for use by a user when desired. 2. The heat insulating package according to claim 1, wherein the flexible foamed polymer or copolymer is a foamed polymer of isocyanate or a foamed copolymer of urethane. 3. The thermal insulation package of claim 1 wherein said metallized plastic sheet comprises a layer of polystyrene and a layer of aluminum sheet. 4. An insulated package according to claim 1, wherein said element of common coolant comprises water and an additive for lowering the freezing temperature. 5. An oblique cutting edge (9) which can be paired with one another to form a square prism defining a place where the flexible foamed copolymer envelope (2) is surrounded by an inner perimeter. And at least two panels (8) are joined by a split line of joint (10) forming at least one flat part (11). Parts (11
) Occupies a reduced space during transport and storage when not in use, has a separate, flat, non-bulky profile, and is easy to assemble for use by the user when desired. 2. The heat insulating package according to 1. 6. The envelope (2) comprises two said flat parts (11), similarly defining a joined panel (8), and the other two parts (12) of only one panel. 6. An insulation package according to claim 5, characterized in that the flat part (11) is easy to fold into an L-shape with the head between the part (12) of the only panel to form the square prism. . 7. An impermeable inner layer or fabric (3) and an impermeable outer layer or fabric (3).
4) are respectively formed by an inner flexible bag (13) and an outer flexible bag (14) sized to adjust the inner and outer dimensions of the envelope (2) to be placed and assembled for easy containment. 7. The heat insulation package according to claim 5, wherein 8. The closure of said arranged inner and outer bags (13, 14) is effected by means of heat bonding by means of a number of edges of the entrance and by folding and pinching of the part of the entrance, by means of a splice closure of the entrance or The thermal insulation package according to claim 7, wherein the thermal insulation package is realized by a fastener. 9. A container (6) for a common coolant element (6).
5) includes a flexible flat plastic bag (15), defining said joining line (17) of a plurality of panels (18) that can join and fill opposite walls by welding points (16) Intermittent welding lines that fold back by said joining line (17) to form a common coolant bulkhead for heat-sensitive products, and are cooled to freeze the contents. Item 4. The heat insulating package according to Item 4. 10. A quadrangular prismatic structure which is easy to fold and connect in a U-shape by means of a joint line (17) containing two said bags (15) which are equal to each other and defining three said panels (18) which can be filled. The heat insulation package according to claim 11, wherein the partition wall is formed by: 11. The bag (15) includes a workable lid (19), excluding water but containing the additive (7), to reduce the space between storage and transport when not in use. The heat insulation package according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the user is filled with water and shaken when desired, to cool the contents and easily freeze the contents. 12. The thermal insulation package according to claim 11, wherein said additive (7) is sodium chloride. 13. The heat insulation package according to claim 1, wherein the casing is formed by a box of ordinary cardboard, for example corrugated cardboard.