US20110155621A1

US20110155621A1 - Multiple Walled Primary Package with Phase Change Material

Info

Publication number: US20110155621A1
Application number: US12/983,287
Authority: US
Inventors: Eric Lindquist; Luke Haun; Preston Williams
Original assignee: Entropy Solutions Inc
Current assignee: Entropy Solutions Inc
Priority date: 2009-12-31
Filing date: 2010-12-31
Publication date: 2011-06-30

Abstract

A container for a temperature sensitive product, such as a pharmaceutical compound, includes an inner vessel and an outer shell. When the inner vessel is contained in the outer shell, a chamber adapted to receive a phase change material is defined between an inner vessel wall and an outer shell wall. A container may also include multiple chambers defined by multiple walls, with different phase change materials disposed in different chambers. A cap, such as a child-proof cap, may be used to secure the contents of the container.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/291,707 filed Dec. 31, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention relates generally to primary packages, receptacles or containers and more specifically to a receptacle that cools or heats a payload to a temperature range and then maintains the payload in a desired temperature range for an extended period.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is generally held as desirable to consume or administer certain pharmaceutical compounds (“pharma-compounds”), when they are cold, i.e., below a predetermined upper temperature. Refrigerating the compounds is the common way of maintaining a desired temperature range. While reasonably effective for keeping the compounds cool, refrigeration remains expensive and generally non-portable.
In the absence of active refrigeration means, the consumer may rely on insulated containers to limit heat loss from the pharma-compounds. Passive refrigeration, such as via dry ice, has been used during transport of thermally sensitive pharma-compounds. Loss of pharma-compounds or decreased efficacy of the compounds often results when the pharma-compound temperature exceeds a predetermined upper limit.
Thermal receptacles incorporating phase change materials (PCMs) for storage or transport of temperature sensitive payloads are well known. Examples include various containers having PCMs for producing cold foods and beverages such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,634,417 and 5,721,244, incorporated by reference herein.
A phase change material (PCM) is a substance with a high heat of fusion which, upon melting and solidifying at certain temperatures, is capable of storing or releasing large amounts of energy. Initially, solid-liquid PCMs perform somewhat like conventional storage materials: their temperature rises as they absorb heat. Unlike conventional storage materials, however, when such PCMs reach their phase change temperatures (i.e., melting point temperature) they absorb large amounts of heat without a significant rise in temperature. When the ambient temperature around a liquid material falls, the PCM solidifies, releasing its stored latent heat. Certain PCMs store 5 to 14 times more heat per unit volume than conventional storage materials such as iron, masonry, or rock. This property can be harnessed to regulate the temperature of an environment or object for an extended time. The use of ice as a thermal storage material for food is an example of this principle. Water is charged by freezing to remove energy from the water and form ice. As heat energy is transferred to the ice, such as by placing the ice in a warm liquid, each unit of heat energy transferred to the ice is absorbed by the water molecules. Not until sufficient energy has been transferred to the water molecules is the ice able to melt. The temperature of the ice stays constant until the phase change from solid to liquid is complete. The melted ice, or water, then increases in temperature as more energy is transferred to the water.
In many PCMs, the phase changes are reversible so that the latent heat storage can be used for either heating or cooling. That is, the PCMs release energy as the material changes from a liquid to a solid. Thus, the latent heat stored or released during the phase change can be used for cooling or heating, depending on how the PCM is charged and the temperature of the surrounding environment.
Prior known devices have employed phase change materials in liquid form to encase a payload to protect materials from colder ambient temperatures and phase change materials in solid form to encase a payload to protect materials from hotter ambient temperatures. PCMs can be broadly grouped into two categories: “Organic Compounds” (such as polyethylene glycol) and “Salt-based Products” (such as Glauber's salt). The most commonly used PCMs are salt hydrides, fatty acids and esters, and various paraffins (such as octadecane). Ionic liquids have also been investigated as novel PCMs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the invention are a pharma-compound cooler, self-equipped to cool a compound contained therein to any desired temperature, within the range of compound consumption, without the use of ice or active refrigeration of the compound. Various pills and liquids can be sustained at their low temperature for hours.
In general, the invention provides techniques for using a recyclable phase change material to regulate the temperature of an object or a body. The recyclable phase change material can act as a heat sink to absorb heat of a body or a heat source to provide heat to the body.
The phase change material may, for example, include a fatty acid, fatty-acid derivative or triglyceride. The phase change material may be derived from various sources including, for example, soybean, palm, coconut, sunflower, rapeseed, cottonseed, linseed, caster, peanut, olive, safflower, evening primrose, borage, carboseed or animal products. The phase change material may be substantially free of salts or hydrocarbons.
A method of forming a temperature regulating container in accordance with the present invention includes selecting one or more phase change materials. The phase change materials may, for example, be derived from one or more agricultural products. The phase change material or materials are then placed between walls of the temperature regulating container, which define cavities in the container. The cavities may be sealed so that the phase change materials do not escape from the filled cavities. The phase change material or materials may be preconditioned prior to placing a temperature sensitive payload into the container.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a pill bottle having multiple walls and a sealing cap is provided with a PCM between one or more of the multiple walls. In one embodiment, a double walled pill bottle includes an inner container surrounded by a PCM contained within an outer container. A cap, such as a child-proof cap, can be provided to secure the container contents.
In another embodiment a multiple wall syringe sleeve is provided, with a syringe contained within an inner container and with a PCM and the inner container held within an outer container.
An embodiment of the present invention is a container for a temperature sensitive product including an inner vessel having an inner vessel wall connecting an open upper end of the inner vessel and a closed lower end of the inner vessel. The container also includes an outer shell having an outer shell wall connecting an open upper end of the outer shell and a closed lower end of the outer shell. The outer shell is adapted to receive the inner vessel such that, when the inner vessel is contained in the outer shell, a chamber adapted to receive a PCM is defined between the inner vessel wall and the outer shell wall. The container further includes a cap adapted to be placed over the open upper end of the inner vessel and the open upper end of the outer shell, when the inner vessel is contained in the outer shell.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a container for a temperature sensitive product including an inner vessel having a hollow inner vessel wall connecting an open upper end of the inner vessel and a closed lower end of the inner vessel. The container also includes an outer shell having a hollow outer shell wall connecting a closed upper end of the outer shell and an open lower end of the outer shell. The outer shell is adapted to receive the inner vessel such that, when the inner vessel is contained in the outer shell, the open upper end of the inner vessel is adjacent to the closed upper end of the outer shell. The hollow inner vessel wall contains a first PCM, while the hollow outer shell wall contains a second PCM.
When an embodiment of the present invention includes two PCMs, a temperature sensitive compound may be maintained between a minimum temperature and a maximum temperature. The first PCM may be selected because it has a first phase change temperature sufficiently above the minimum temperature in the range to ensure the payload does not fall below the minimum temperature in the range, and a second PCM may be selected because it has a second phase change temperature sufficiently below the maximum temperature in the range to ensure the payload does not rise above the maximum temperature in the range. In one embodiment, the first PCM exists as a liquid within the target temperature range, and the second PCM as a solid. The first PCM changes from its liquid phase to its solid phase at a temperature sufficiently above the minimum temperature in the range to ensure the payload does not fall below the minimum temperature in the range, and the second PCM changes from its solid phase to its liquid phase at a temperature sufficiently below the maximum temperature in the range to ensure the payload does not rise above the maximum temperature in the range. In this manner, the latent heats associated with the respective phase changes assist in maintaining the temperature of the payload within the range. Virtually any desired target temperature range may be accommodated by appropriate selection of the first and second PCMs.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a container for a temperature sensitive product including a syringe barrel and an outer sleeve, or thermal sleeve, adapted to receive the syringe barrel. A PCM is contained within the hollow wall of the outer sleeve.
Implementations of the present invention may include none, one or more of the following advantages. Renewable PCMs (RPCMs) may be used in some embodiments of the present invention. RPCMs may be more environmentally friendly than traditional PCMs. RPCMs are typically non-toxic to animals, including human beings. Because RPCMs are typically non-toxic, the RPCMs may be a source of food. RPCMs can be biodegradable and non-carcinogenic. RPCMs may be safer to work with. The temperature of the phase transition of an RPCM may be easier to control than the phase transition temperature of a traditional PCM. An RPCM with a relatively high phase change temperature may be capable of absorbing or radiating more heat energy than a traditional PCM with a similar phase change temperature. An RPCM may be charged, i.e., cooled or heated, more quickly than a traditional PCM. An RPCM may have a longer working lifespan per gram weight as compared to a traditional PCM. RPCMs can be safe to microwave. Manufacture and disposal of the RPCM can be simpler than that of a traditional PCM. The raw materials for RPCMs are readily available from agricultural sources.
Other purposes will appear in the ensuing specification, drawings and claims. The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a container in accordance with the present invention, including a receptacle and cover.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the receptacle shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the inner vessel of the receptacle shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the receptacle shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an inner vessel of a second embodiment of a container in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an outer shell used in conjunction with the inner vessel of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the inner vessel of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the outer shell of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a partially disassembled container including the inner vessel of FIG. 5 and the outer shell of FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a syringe of a third embodiment of a container in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the syringe of FIG. 10 and a thermal sleeve used in conjunction with the syringe.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the assembled syringe and thermal sleeve of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-4 depict an embodiment of a container of the present invention. In FIGS. 1-4, a pharma-compound receptacle is generally indicated at 10. FIGS. 1-2 show the assembled receptacle, which includes an inner vessel 12 and an outer shell 18. As shown in FIG. 3, the inner vessel 12 includes an open upper end 13 and a closed lower end 14. A rim 15 extends around the open upper end 13. An inner vessel wall 16 connects the upper end 13 and lower end 14. As shown in FIG. 4, which depicts a partially disassembled receptacle 10, the outer shell 18 includes an open upper end 17 and a closed lower end 19. An outer shell wall 21 connects the upper end 17 and the lower end 19.
In the assembled receptacle 10, the inner vessel 12 is contained in the outer shell 18, such that the rim 15 of the inner vessel 12 is in direct contact with the outer shell 18. The outer shell wall 21 is spaced from the inner vessel wall 16, defining an interstitial chamber 20 therebetween. Phase change material (PCM) is disposed within the chamber 20.
The payload, which may be a pharma-compound or another temperature sensitive product, is contained within inner vessel 12. A cap 22 can be provided to secure the payload within receptacle 10. The cap 22 may be a child-proof cap.
The receptacle 10 may include insulation layers which are not shown in FIGS. 1-4. For example, an insulation layer may be adjacent to either the outer shell wall 21 or the inner vessel wall 16. The performance of the receptacle 10 is greatly enhanced by an insulated outer shell 18. The insulation slows the transfer of thermal energy from the phase change material thereby greatly extending the period that the payload can be maintained within a desired temperature range.
The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4 is a double walled receptacle including one chamber 20. In another embodiment, such as that shown in FIGS. 5-9, discussed below, multiple chambers can be defined by multiple walls with different PCMs disposed in different chambers. Through proper selection of PCMs within the chamber, the receptacle 10 can offer protection against both heat and cold.
Preferably, the inner vessel 12 is either wholly or partially formed of a material having a high thermal conductivity. As should be obvious to one skilled in the art, a variety of materials meet this requirement. A material with a lower thermal conductivity may also be used but the performance of the invention will be reduced accordingly. The inner vessel 12 and/or outer shell 18 may be treated in order to improve the appearance, resistance to oxidation or resistance to ultraviolet radiation of the receptacle 10. The inner vessel 12 and outer shell 18 may be formed from two or more different materials. A two-material receptacle 10 may be beneficial for cost, manufacturing, or appearance reasons.
To use the receptacle 10, a consumer removes the cap 22 and inserts pills, compounds and/or liquids into the inner vessel 12 of the receptacle 10, which is initially at a predetermined temperature. If the inner vessel 12 is formed of a thermally conductive material, the chamber 20 is in thermally conductive communication with the contents of the inner vessel 12. The receptacle 10 may be thermally preconditioned to extend the period of thermal protection of the contents. Both the contents and the receptacle can be thermally preconditioned depending on the application and environment.
The contents may be warmer or cooler than the PCM within chamber 20. If the contents are warmer than the PCM within chamber 20, the thermally conductive material of the inner vessel 12 begins conducting the thermal energy of the contents into the chamber 20 where it is absorbed by the phase change material. As the phase change material absorbs the thermal energy, the temperature of the phase change material rises.
FIGS. 5-9 depict a second embodiment of a container of the present invention. In this embodiment, two double-walled vessels, an inner vessel 32 and an outer shell 34, contain PCM. These two double-walled vessels together form container 30. FIG. 5 shows a perspective view, and FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view, of inner vessel 32. Inner vessel 32 includes an open upper end 36 and a closed lower end 38 connected by a hollow inner vessel wall 40. A rim 39 extends around the closed lower end 38. A PCM 42 is contained within the hollow inner vessel wall 40. Closed lower end 38 may also be comprised of a hollow panel containing a PCM.
FIG. 6 shows a perspective view, and FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view, of outer shell 34. Outer shell 34 includes a closed upper end 44 and an open lower end 46 connected by a hollow outer shell wall 48. A PCM 50 is contained within the hollow outer shell wall 48. Closed upper end 44 may also be comprised of a hollow panel containing a PCM. In this embodiment, PCM 42 in the hollow inner vessel wall 40 is a PCM to protect against cold temperatures, while PCM 50 in the hollow outer shell wall 48 is a PCM to protect against warm temperatures.
FIG. 9 depicts a partially assembled container 30. In a fully assembled container 30, inner vessel 32 is contained in the outer shell 34, such that the open upper end 36 of the inner vessel 32 is adjacent to the closed upper end 44 of the outer shell 34. The rim 39 of the inner vessel 32 is in direct contact with the open lower end 46 of the outer shell 34. The space between hollow inner vessel wall 40 and hollow outer shell wall 48 is preferably minimal in the assembled container 30, such that the inner vessel 32 and the outer shell 34 fit closely together, in order to minimize temperature fluctuations. The hollow inner vessel wall 40 and hollow outer shell wall 48 may be in direct contact in the assembled container 30. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 5-9, the inner vessel 32 and outer shell 34 are substantially equal in length in order to promote a close fit between them. This embodiment provides an interlocking container design including two PCMs for universal temperature protection of the payload. Specifically, through proper selection of PCMs within the hollow inner vessel wall 40 and the hollow outer shell wall 48, the container 30 can offer protection of the payload against both heat and cold. For example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 5-9, PCM 42 contained in hollow inner vessel wall 40 is a PCM to protect against cold, while PCM 50 contained in hollow outer shell wall 48 is a PCM to protect against heat. The payload, which may be a pharma-compound or another temperature sensitive product, is contained within inner vessel 32.
The container 30 may include insulation layers which are not shown in FIGS. 5-9. For example, an insulation layer may be adjacent to either the hollow outer shell wall 48 or the hollow inner vessel wall 40. Insulation slows the transfer of thermal energy from the phase change material thereby greatly extending the period that the payload can be maintained within a desired temperature range.
Preferably, the inner surface 52 of the hollow inner vessel wall 40 is either wholly or partially formed of a material having a high thermal conductivity. As should be obvious to one skilled in the art, a variety of materials meet this requirement. A material with a lower thermal conductivity may also be used but the performance of the invention will be reduced accordingly. The inner vessel 32 and/or outer shell 34 may be treated in order to improve the appearance, resistance to oxidation or resistance to ultraviolet radiation of the container 30. The inner vessel 32 and/or outer shell 34 may be formed from two or more different materials. A container 30 made from more than one material may be beneficial for cost, manufacturing, or appearance reasons.
To use the container 30, a consumer removes the outer shell 34 from the inner vessel 32 and inserts pills, compounds and/or liquids into the inner vessel 32 of the container 30, which is initially at a predetermined temperature. If the inner surface 52 of the hollow inner vessel wall 40 is formed of a thermally conductive material, the interior of the hollow inner vessel wall 40 is in thermally conductive communication with the contents of the inner vessel 32. The container 30 may be thermally preconditioned to extend the period of thermal protection of the contents. Both the contents and the container can be thermally preconditioned depending on the application and environment.
FIGS. 10-12 depict a third embodiment of a container of the present invention. FIG. 12 depicts the assembled container 60, while FIG. 11 depicts a disassembled container 60. Container 60 includes a syringe 62 and an outer sleeve 64. As shown in FIG. 10, syringe 62 includes barrel 66, plunger 68, and needle 70. As shown in FIG. 11, the outer sleeve 64 includes an open upper end 72 and an open lower end 74 connected by a hollow outer sleeve wall 76. PCM 78 is contained within the hollow outer sleeve wall 76.
In the assembled container 60, the outer sleeve 64 surrounds the syringe barrel 66, such that the hollow outer sleeve wall 76 is in direct contact with the syringe barrel 66. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10-12, both ends of the outer sleeve 64 are open, enabling the syringe 62 to be used while contained within the outer sleeve 64. However, in other embodiments, the outer sleeve 64 may include a closed end. If the outer sleeve 64 includes a closed end, the syringe barrel 66 can be stored in the outer sleeve 64, and removed from the outer sleeve prior to the attachment of the needle. The payload, which may be an injectable pharma-compound or another thermally sensitive compound, is contained within syringe barrel 66.
The container 60 may include insulation layers which are not shown in FIGS. 10-12. For example, an insulation layer may be adjacent to either the hollow outer sleeve wall 76 or the syringe barrel 66. Insulation slows the transfer of thermal energy from PCM 78, thereby greatly extending the period that the payload can be maintained within a desired temperature range.
Preferably, the inner surface 80 of the hollow outer sleeve wall 76 is either wholly or partially formed of a material having a high thermal conductivity. As should be obvious to one skilled in the art, a variety of materials meet this requirement. A material with a lower thermal conductivity may also be used but the performance of the invention will be reduced accordingly. The syringe 62 and/or outer sleeve 64 may be treated in order to improve the appearance, resistance to oxidation or resistance to ultraviolet radiation of the container 60. The outer sleeve 64 may be formed from two or more different materials. A two-material outer sleeve 64 may be beneficial for cost, manufacturing, or appearance reasons.
To use the container 60, a consumer draws a liquid into syringe 62, which is located within outer sleeve 64. PCM 78 may be thermally preconditioned prior to use. If the inner surface 80 of the hollow outer sleeve wall 76 is formed of a thermally conductive material, the interior of the hollow outer sleeve wall 76 is in thermally conductive communication with the syringe 62. The container 60 may be thermally preconditioned to extend the period of thermal protection of the contents. Both the contents and the container 60 can be thermally preconditioned depending on the application and environment.
The contents may be warmer or cooler than PCM 78. If the contents are warmer than PCM 78, the thermally conductive material of the inner surface 80 of the hollow outer sleeve wall 76 begins conducting the thermal energy of the contents into the interior of the hollow outer sleeve wall 76 where it is absorbed by PCM 78. As PCM 78 absorbs the thermal energy, the temperature of PCM 78 rises.
One acceptable PCM is palmitic acid. Many other phase change materials are also available with acceptable phase change temperatures. One class of phase change materials includes a set of naturally occurring fatty acids (soaps). These materials are advantageous due to their non-toxic and relatively innocuous characteristics. The performance of these materials is enhanced if they are of relatively high purity (95% or better). Examples are stearic, palmitic, and myristic acids. Other possibilities for the phase change material include heavy alcohols, such as cetyl alcohol. As will be clear to one of skill in the art, many materials are available which can be used as phase change materials. However, to be useful for thermal management, a material must change phases at a temperature close to the temperature range desired to be maintained. Also, it is desirable that the material be non-toxic and be readily available at a reasonable price.
Once the phase change material reaches its melting point, the temperature of the phase change material will no longer rise as the thermal energy is absorbed causing the material to melt (change phases). As the phase change material absorbs thermal energy from the contents, the temperature of the contents will fall. The temperature of the contents will continue to fall until the contents and the phase change material are in thermal equilibrium; e.g., they are at the same temperature. The quantity of the phase change material is chosen so that during its phase change it can absorb enough thermal energy to heat or cool the contents.
Embodiments of the present invention may include two or more different phase change materials. In one embodiment, a water-based phase change material is utilized along with a 2^nd, non-water-based phase change material. In one embodiment, a temperature sensitive product is protected against thermal damage from the water-based phase change material by an intermediate phase change material. Depending on the desired temperature range, a variety of different phase change materials may be utilized to keep a temperature sensitive product warm or cold during shipment or storage. Prior to shipment or storage, one or both of the phase change materials can be preconditioned so that phase change material is in liquid form or solid form. The temperature maintaining containers in accordance with the present invention may include phase change materials that are preconditioned to be solid, liquid, or both solid and liquid. Depending on the anticipated ambient temperature profile, the most effective combination of solid and liquid phase change material can be selected. If additional protection is needed, auxiliary phase change material in solid, liquid, or solid and liquid phase can be added to augment the thermal capabilities of the container.
Containers in accordance with the present invention may include phase change materials that have been preconditioned separately to be solid and liquid by adding heat energy to phase change material containers until the phase change material is completely liquid and conditioning the liquid phase change material to be at an acceptable temperature for packaging; or removing heat energy from phase change material containers until the phase change material is completely solid and conditioning the solid phase change material to be at an acceptable temperature for packaging.
Selection of the phase change materials may include consideration of multiple factors including, but not limited to, the desired protected temperature range, anticipated ambient temperatures during shipment or storage, thermal properties of the different phase change materials, thermal properties of the container and/or insulation layers, and thermal properties of the temperature sensitive product stored or shipped in the container. The design and sizing of containers for the phase change material and the insulation layers could vary depending on these factors as well.
More than one phase change material may be used to fill a cavity of a container of the present invention. If two phase change materials used to fill a cavity have different phase change temperatures, the combined material in the cavity can change phase at two temperatures. A cavity can be filled so that no air is present inside the cavity. To facilitate filling the cavities, the phase change material can be heated above the phase change temperature to liquefy the phase change materials.
Renewable PCMs (RPCMs) may be used in some embodiments of the present invention. Each cavity of the container, other than the cavity which receives the payload, may be filled with RPCMs. RPCM is produced from agricultural products, such as biomass, including animal products and plants. The agricultural products from which RPCM can be derived include, but are not limited to, soybean, palm, coconut, sunflower, rapeseed, cottonseed, linseed, caster, peanut, olive, safflower, evening primrose, borage, carboseed and animal products, such as animal tallow. The RPCMs can include the oils, fats, fatty acids or fatty-acid derivatives of the agricultural starting material. The RCPMs can be formed by mixing desired agricultural materials, causing reversible ester bond chemistry to occur and separating fractions with the desired latent heat properties. The agricultural materials can include triglycerides, such as fatty acid glycerides, hydrates of acids of triglycerides, esters of fatty acids of naturally occurring triglycerides, esters of fatty acids created by alcoholyis and hydrolysis, followed by esterification, synthesized triglycerides, such as products produced by fractionation and transesterification, hydrogenation and fractionation or cis-trans isomerization and fractionation.
Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention.

Claims

1. A container for a temperature sensitive product comprising:

an inner vessel having an inner vessel wall connecting an open upper end of the inner vessel and a closed lower end of the inner vessel;

an outer shell having an outer shell wall connecting an open upper end of the outer shell and a closed lower end of the outer shell, wherein the outer shell is adapted to receive the inner vessel such that, when the inner vessel is contained in the outer shell, a chamber adapted to receive a phase change material is defined between the inner vessel wall and the outer shell wall; and

a cap adapted to be placed over the open upper end of the inner vessel and the open upper end of the outer shell, when the inner vessel is contained in the outer shell.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein an insulation layer is adjacent to the outer shell wall.

3. The container of claim 1 wherein an insulation layer is adjacent to the inner vessel wall.

4. The container of claim 1 wherein the outer shell is formed from a first material and the inner vessel is formed from a second material.

5. The container of claim 1 wherein the inner vessel is formed from a thermally conductive material.

6. The container of claim 1 wherein a rim extends around the open upper end of the inner vessel, such that the rim is in direct contact with the outer shell when the inner vessel is contained in the outer shell.

7. A container for a temperature sensitive product comprising:

an inner vessel having a hollow inner vessel wall connecting an open upper end of the inner vessel and a closed lower end of the inner vessel;

an outer shell having a hollow outer shell wall connecting a closed upper end of the outer shell and an open lower end of the outer shell, wherein the outer shell is adapted to receive the inner vessel such that, when the inner vessel is contained in the outer shell, the open upper end of the inner vessel is adjacent to the closed upper end of the outer shell;

a first phase change material contained within the hollow inner vessel wall; and

a second phase change material contained within the hollow outer shell wall.

8. The container of claim 7 wherein an insulation layer is adjacent to the hollow outer shell wall.

9. The container of claim 7 wherein an insulation layer is adjacent to the hollow inner vessel wall.

10. The container of claim 7 wherein the outer shell is formed from a first material and the inner vessel is formed from a second material.

11. The container of claim 7 wherein the inner vessel is formed from a thermally conductive material.

12. The container of claim 7 wherein a rim extends around the closed lower end of the inner vessel, such that the rim is in direct contact with the open lower end of the outer shell when the inner vessel is contained in the outer shell.

13. The container of claim 7 wherein the inner vessel and the outer shell are of substantially equal lengths.

14. The container of claim 7 wherein the hollow inner vessel wall and the hollow outer vessel wall are in direct contact when the inner vessel is contained in the outer shell.

15. The container of claim 7 wherein the closed lower end of the inner vessel comprises a hollow panel containing the first phase change material.

16. The container of claim 7 wherein the closed upper end of the outer shell comprises a hollow panel containing the second phase change material.

17. A container for a temperature sensitive product comprising:

a syringe barrel;

an outer sleeve having a hollow outer sleeve wall, wherein the outer sleeve is adapted to receive the syringe barrel; and

a phase change material contained within the hollow outer sleeve wall.

18. The container of claim 15 wherein an insulation layer is adjacent to the hollow outer sleeve wall.

19. The container of claim 15 wherein an insulation layer is adjacent to the syringe barrel.

20. The container of claim 15 wherein the outer sleeve includes a closed end.