Liquid container cover, liquid container cover set, liquid container cover mounting set, and liquid container covering method
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- 川口 浩康
- Filing Date
- 2026-04-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-03
Smart Images
Figure 0007898795000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid container cover, a liquid container cover set, a set for attaching a liquid container cover, and a method for covering a liquid container, and particularly relates to a freezing prevention technique for pipes and the like through which liquid circulates inside.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, electric heaters and heat insulating materials have been used as means for preventing freezing of pipes. Naturally, an electric heater requires a power source, and there is a problem of performance degradation when it gets wet. Also, both electric heaters and heat insulating materials have a problem of difficulty in construction for complex shapes such as valves and flanges.
[0003] Regarding the freezing prevention technique for pipes and the like, patent applications and the like have been made conventionally. For example, in Patent Document 1 cited below, as a heat insulating cover excellent in durability and heat insulating effect, a cylindrical shape is formed by combining cover bodies which are paired half members, each cover body has a recess for covering a pipe, and a five-layer structure of an inner coating layer, an inner heat insulating layer, an intermediate heat insulating layer, an outer heat insulating layer, and an outer coating layer is formed from there toward the outside. It is described that both the inner and outer heat insulating layers are paper heat insulating materials, the intermediate heat insulating layer is a ceramic paint filling layer, and the inner and outer coating layers are ceramic coating layers.
[0004] Also, in Patent Document 2, as a freezing prevention pipe unit capable of improving the construction efficiency of pipes and facilitating transportation, it is disclosed that a freezing prevention structure is composed of a flexible pipe piped according to a route, a heat insulating material surrounding the periphery thereof over substantially the entire length of the flexible pipe, and an electric heater installed inside thereof to constitute a pipe unit.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0005]
Patent Document 1
Patent Document 2
[0006] As mentioned above, conventional pipe freeze prevention methods such as electric heaters and insulation materials have problems such as the need for a power source, performance degradation when wet, and difficulty in installation on complex shapes such as valves and flanges. Furthermore, these freeze prevention methods must be removed once the season for freeze prevention has passed, which is time-consuming. There is a need for a method that eliminates these problems, does not require a special power source, does not cause performance degradation when wet, resolves the difficulty of installation on complex shapes, and allows for good, gap-free installation without requiring skilled labor. Moreover, there is a desire for a durable method that can withstand high-temperature environments and does not need to be removed even in summer.
[0007] Therefore, the problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a pipe freeze prevention technology that eliminates the problems of the conventional technology, does not require a special power supply, does not cause performance degradation when wet, resolves the difficulty of installation on complex shapes such as valves and flanges, and enables good, gap-free installation without requiring skilled personnel.
[0008] Furthermore, an objective of the present invention is to provide a durable pipe freeze prevention technology that can withstand high-temperature environments and does not require removal even during the summer months.
[0009] Furthermore, the application of the antifreeze effect targeted by these problems of the present invention is not limited to piping. The present invention broadly applies to liquid containers that hold liquid inside, including piping, and encompasses the overall objective of obtaining an antifreeze effect on the liquid inside. [Means for solving the problem]
[0010] The inventors of the present invention have considered the above-mentioned problems. As a result, they have conceived of a four-layer covering sheet for covering pipes and the like. This sheet consists of, from the inside out, an inner reflective layer that reflects heat radiated from the surface of the pipe, a moisture-retaining layer that retains moisture and mitigates temperature changes in the pipe through latent heat associated with its phase change, a heat-insulating layer that suppresses heat conduction with still air, and a surface structure layer that can capture snowfall and form a snow accumulation with heat-insulating properties.
[0011] Furthermore, it was confirmed that by combining a cap-shaped cap that accommodates irregularly shaped parts such as complex shapes and a special belt for fastening, seamless installation can be easily performed without requiring skilled labor, and based on these findings, the present invention was completed. In other words, the invention claimed in this application, or at least disclosed, as a means of solving the above problems is as follows.
[0012] [1] A single-layer or multi-layered covering used to cover liquid-containing containers such as pipes to prevent the liquid inside from freezing, A liquid container cover characterized by having the following element [L4]. [L4] Surface structure capable of capturing snowfall and forming a snow accumulation body with insulating effect. [2] A multi-layered covering used to cover liquid containers such as pipes to prevent the liquid inside from freezing, A liquid container cover characterized by comprising the following two elements [L4] and [L3]. [L4] Surface structure located on the outermost surface, capable of capturing snowfall and forming a snow accumulation body with insulating properties. [L3] An insulating structure disposed inside the surface structure, which suppresses heat conduction with still air. [3] A multi-layered covering used to cover liquid-containing containers such as pipes to prevent the liquid inside from freezing, A liquid container cover characterized by comprising the following three elements: [L4], [L3], and [L2]. [L4] Surface structure located on the outermost surface, capable of capturing snowfall and forming a snow accumulation body with insulating properties. [L3] An insulating structure disposed inside the surface structure, which suppresses heat conduction with still air. [L2] A moisture-retaining section located inside the heat-insulating structure, which retains moisture and mitigates temperature changes in the liquid container due to the latent heat associated with its phase change.
[0013] [4] A multi-layered covering used to cover liquid-containing containers such as pipes to prevent the liquid inside from freezing, A liquid container cover characterized by comprising the following four elements: [L4], [L3], [L2], and [L1]. [L4] Surface structure located on the outermost surface, capable of capturing snowfall and forming a snow accumulation body with insulating properties. [L3] An insulating structure disposed inside the surface structure, which suppresses heat conduction with still air. [L2] A moisture-retaining section located inside the heat-insulating structure, which retains moisture and mitigates temperature changes in the liquid container due to the latent heat associated with its phase change. [L1] An inner reflecting part, which is positioned inside the moisture-retaining part and reflects the heat radiated from the surface of the liquid container. [5] A liquid container covering according to any one of [1], [2], [3], or [4] having a multilayer structure, characterized in that each element constituting it is a separate structure and they are formed by stacking them. [6] The liquid container covering according to [5], characterized in that the surface structure is a mesh-like body capable of capturing snowfall. [7] The liquid container covering according to [5], wherein the insulating structure described in [L3] below is included as an element, and the insulating structure comprises an air-retaining portion that holds still air and an air-permeable portion that allows moisture to pass through. [L3] An insulating structure disposed inside the surface structure, which suppresses heat conduction with still air.
[0014] 〔8〕The liquid container covering according to 〔5〕, comprising a water retention part of the following 〔L2〕 as an element, wherein the water retention part is a fiber sheet. 〔L2〕A water retention part that is disposed inside the heat insulation structure part, retains moisture, and moderates the temperature change of the liquid container by latent heat accompanying its phase change. 〔9〕The liquid container covering according to any one of 〔1〕, 〔2〕, 〔3〕, and 〔4〕, which is formed in a planar shape that can be wound around a pipe body constituting a pipe. 〔10〕A liquid container covering set, comprising the planar liquid container covering according to 〔9〕 and a liquid container covering for covering a deformed part such as a flange constituting a pipe. 〔11〕A liquid container covering attachment set, comprising the liquid container covering according to any one of 〔1〕, 〔2〕, 〔3〕, and 〔4〕 and a fixing member for fixing this to a liquid container. 〔12〕A liquid container covering method, comprising covering a liquid container with the liquid container covering according to any one of 〔1〕, 〔2〕, 〔3〕, and 〔4〕 and fixing the liquid container covering with a fixing member from above.
Advantages of the Invention
[0015] Since the liquid container covering, the liquid container covering set, the liquid container covering attachment set, and the liquid container covering method of the present invention are configured as described above, according to these, a special power source is not required, performance degradation during wetting is not caused, and the difficulty of construction for complex shapes such as valves and flanges due to high stress resistance to deformed parts is eliminated, and a pipe freezing prevention technology capable of performing good construction without gaps without requiring skill can be provided. Further, a durable pipe freezing prevention technology capable of coping with a high-temperature environment and not requiring removal even in summer can be provided.
[0016] Note that the application targets of the liquid container coating of the present invention, the liquid container coating set, the liquid container coating attachment set, and the liquid container coating method are not limited to only pipes. It can be widely applied as a freezing prevention technology for the stored liquid in a liquid container that stores liquid, such as pipes including industrial steam pipes, etc., and the above-described various effects can be obtained. can be obtained.
[0017] The present invention has a particularly inventive feature in that it utilizes the precipitation phenomenon of rain and snow (especially snowfall), which is a phenomenon to be avoided in conventional freezing prevention technologies, as an ally to improve the heat insulation effect and obtain a freezing prevention effect. The present invention can also be said to be a passive type temperature control technology, or a multi-layer structure interface sheet technology with a self-temperature restraint function, and a temperature control method for fluid transportation facilities using the same.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0018] [Figure 1] It is a cross-sectional view of the main part conceptually showing the basic configuration of a plurality of patterns of the liquid container coating of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing the operation of the liquid container coating of the present invention by way of the example of (a') in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing an example of the layer structure of the liquid container coating of the present invention by way of the example of (b) in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a perspective explanatory view conceptually showing a configuration example of the surface structure part related to the liquid container coating of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view of the main part conceptually showing a configuration example of the heat insulation structure part related to the liquid container coating of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a perspective explanatory view conceptually showing a configuration example of the moisture retention part related to the liquid container coating of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing a configuration example of the liquid container coating set of the present invention. [Figure 8]This is a conceptual cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the configuration of the liquid-containing covering set of the present invention, which includes fixing members. [Figure 9] This is a flowchart showing the basic configuration of the liquid-containing coating method of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0019] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a conceptual cross-sectional view illustrating the basic configuration of several patterns of the liquid-containing coating of the present invention, with (a), (a'), (b), (c), and (d) showing the respective patterns. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the liquid container covering of the present invention, using the example shown in (a') in Figure 1. First, as shown in (a), the liquid container covering 10a is a covering used to cover a liquid container P such as a pipe to prevent the liquid L inside from freezing, and its most basic configuration is that it is equipped with a surface structure part 4 as an element. This surface structure part 4 is made of a material that can capture snow when it is subjected to snowfall from above and form a snow accumulation body with an insulating effect. The liquid container covering 10a is a single-layer structure consisting only of the surface structure part 4, but the liquid container covering 10a' shown in (a') has a lower layer part 5 below the surface structure part 4. This lower layer part 5 is included in the present invention whether it is a single layer itself or a multi-layer structure consisting of multiple elements. The multi-layer structure includes the configurations shown in (b), (c), and (d) which will be explained later, as well as other configurations.
[0020] The basic operation of the liquid-containing coating of the present invention will be explained using Figure 2. The surface structure 4 of the liquid container cover 10a' captures snow when it falls from above, forming a snow cover S with insulating properties. This snow cover S has the same insulating effect as the "kamakura" (snow huts) that are sometimes built in snow-covered areas during winter. Since the snow cover S covers the liquid container P, such as pipes, on the outermost surface, excessive cooling of the liquid L inside the liquid container P is prevented or reduced, which is effective in preventing freezing. Patterns 10b, 10c, and 10d, described later, are equipped with an insulating structure 3, and in these, the surface structure 4 can be said to function as an additional insulating layer against the outside air.
[0021] As shown in Figure 1(b), the liquid container cover 10b of the present invention has a configuration that, in addition to the configuration of the liquid container cover 10a, includes an insulating structure 3 which is located inside the surface structure 4 and suppresses heat conduction and convection by still air. With this configuration of the liquid container cover 10b, in addition to preventing or reducing external cooling through the insulating effect of the surface structure 4, it is also possible to obtain the effect of suppressing heat conduction and convection by the still air in the insulating structure 3, further enhancing the freeze prevention effect of the liquid L inside the liquid container P.
[0022] As shown in Figure 1(c), the liquid container cover 10c of the present invention has a configuration that, in addition to the configuration of the liquid container cover 10b described above, includes a moisture-retaining part 2 which is arranged inside the heat-insulating structure 3 and retains moisture, mitigating temperature changes in the liquid container P through the latent heat associated with its phase change. With this configuration of the liquid container cover 10c, in addition to the heat-insulating effect of the surface structure 4 which can prevent or reduce cooling from the outside, and the heat-insulating structure 3 which suppresses heat conduction by still air, it is also possible to obtain a moisture-retaining effect from the moisture-retaining part 2 and an effect of mitigating temperature changes in the liquid container P through the latent heat associated with the phase change of the retained moisture, thereby further enhancing the freeze prevention effect of the liquid L inside the liquid container P.
[0023] As shown in Figure 1(d), the liquid container cover 10d of the present invention has a configuration that, in addition to the configuration of the liquid container cover 10c described above, includes an inner reflecting part 1 which is positioned inside the moisture-retaining part 2 and reflects heat radiated from the surface of the liquid container P. With this configuration of the liquid container cover 10d, in addition to the heat insulation effect of the surface structure part 4 which can prevent or reduce cooling from the outside, the heat insulation structure part 3 which suppresses heat conduction by still air, the moisture-retaining effect of the moisture-retaining part 2, and the effect of mitigating temperature changes in the liquid container P by the latent heat associated with the phase change of the retained moisture, it is also possible to obtain the effect of reflecting heat radiated from the surface of the liquid container P by the inner reflecting part 1, thereby further enhancing the antifreezing effect of the liquid L inside the liquid container P.
[0024] Each of the liquid-containing cover bodies 10a, etc., shown in patterns (a) to (d) in Figure 1, has an effect that achieves the intended purpose of the present invention. The basis for this is the thermal insulation effect of the liquid-containing cover bodies 10a and 10a' explained using Figure 2, that is, the thermal insulation effect of the surface structure 4 that captures snow and forms a snow accumulation body S with thermal insulation effect. Furthermore, by adding components in the order of liquid-containing cover bodies 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d, a liquid-containing cover body can be obtained in which the effects of each component are added.
[0025] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the layer structure of the liquid-containing coating of the present invention, using the example shown in Figure 1(b). The liquid-containing coating 10b of the present invention can be configured to have a multilayer structure, but as shown in Figure (b), each component such as the surface structure part 4 and the heat insulating structure part 3 can be made into separate structures and formed by stacking them.
[0026] However, it is not limited to this, and as shown in Figure (b') of the liquid container cover 10b, it is also possible to have a configuration in which each component and function, such as the surface structure and the heat insulating structure, exists in a single structure, that is, a configuration in which the surface structure and heat insulating structure 34 are combined. This applies when the surface structure and heat insulating structure are made of a single material.
[0027] Although liquid container covers 10b and 10b' have been used as examples in this explanation, the same applies to other liquid container covers 10a', 10c, and 10d. Configurations in which each component is a separate structure, or configurations in which multiple appropriate components exist within a single structure, are both within the scope of the present invention.
[0028] Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the configuration of the surface structure of the liquid-containing coating of the present invention. As shown in the figure, a mesh-like body (44) capable of capturing snowfall can be suitably used as the surface structure 44 constituting this liquid-containing coating. In the mesh-like body 44, a continuous network of voids of a certain shape and size is formed on the surface by a mesh-like linear structure, making it easy to capture falling snow. As a result, the snow-capturing function, snow accumulation function, and heat insulation effect of the surface structure 44 can be obtained well. In addition, other suitable configurations for the surface structure include those using materials having a fibrous or hook-like structure.
[0029] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of the heat insulating structure part of the liquid-containing cover of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the liquid-containing cover can be configured to include a heat insulating structure part 53 having an air-retaining part 53C that retains still air and an air-permeable part 53T that allows moisture to pass through. As described above, the main effect of the heat insulating structure part 53 is the suppression of heat conduction and convection by still air, and this is carried out by the air-retaining part 53C. As a structure having an air-retaining part 53C, for example, an air cap or the like can be suitably used.
[0030] On the other hand, it is desirable in this invention that the thermal insulation structure 53 is not a completely waterproof structure, but rather has water permeability or breathability that allows moisture to be supplied from the external environment. The ventilation portion 53T fulfills this role. The ventilation portion 53T can be a hole that connects to both sides of the thermal insulation structure 53 by an opening.
[0031] Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the configuration of the moisture-retaining portion of the liquid-container covering according to the present invention. In the liquid-container covering 10c and the like, which are equipped with a moisture-retaining portion, a fibrous sheet (62) can be suitably used as the moisture-retaining portion 62. As described above, the moisture-retaining portion 62 is responsible for retaining moisture and mitigating the temperature change of the liquid-container P with the latent heat associated with its phase change, and a fibrous sheet is a material that can adequately achieve this effect. For example, a cloth such as felt, a nonwoven fabric, or any other suitable material can be used.
[0032] The liquid-containing cover 10a and the like of the present invention, as described above, can be formed in a planar shape that can be wrapped around the pipes constituting the piping. Being planar allows for smooth wrapping around cylindrical pipes. The shape of the liquid-containing cover 10a and the like can be based on a rectangle, and the product form can be designed as appropriate, such as a single sheet or roll capable of locally covering a pipe. However, the present invention is not limited to such a planar configuration. An example will be described below.
[0033] Figure 7 is a conceptual cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the configuration of the liquid container covering set of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the liquid container covering set 720 consists of a flat liquid container covering 710F and a liquid container covering 710G for covering irregularly shaped parts such as flanges that constitute piping. By using this set 720, for example, the flat liquid container covering 710F can be wrapped around cylindrical pipes that constitute piping, and the liquid container covering 710G for covering irregularly shaped parts such as flanges that constitute piping can be placed over them.
[0034] Thus, by using this liquid containment covering set 720, it is possible to meticulously cover the necessary parts of complex piping configurations, thereby achieving freeze protection for the entire piping system. The specific shape of the liquid containment covering 710G for covering irregularly shaped parts should be designed to match the shape of each individual irregularly shaped part that requires freeze protection.
[0035] Figure 8 is a conceptual cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the configuration of the liquid container covering set of the present invention, which includes a fixing member. As shown in the figure, the liquid container covering mounting set 830 consists of a liquid container covering 810 having one of the configurations described above, and a fixing member 88 for fixing it to a liquid container. By using the liquid container covering mounting set 830 with such a configuration, a liquid container such as a pipe can be covered with the liquid container covering 810, and then the liquid container covering 810 can be reliably and stably fixed onto the liquid container using the fixing member 88.
[0036] The fixing member 88 can preferably be a fastening means such as a cable tie or a fastening means such as hook-and-loop fasteners, but is not limited to these. In short, it is sufficient if it can reliably and stably fix the liquid container cover 810 onto the liquid container. The liquid container cover 810 shown in the figure is exemplified by a configuration in which a surface structure part 84, a heat insulating structure part 63, a moisture retaining part 82, and an inner reflective part 81 are laminated in order from the outside.
[0037] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the basic configuration of the liquid container coating method of the present invention. As shown in the figure, this liquid container coating method consists of a coating process Q10 in which the liquid container P is coated with a liquid container coating body 10 or the like having one of the above-described configurations, and a fixing process Q20 in which the liquid container coating body 10 or the like used for coating is fixed from above with a fixing member 8 or the like.
[0038] According to this method of coating a liquid container, first in the coating process Q10, the liquid container P is coated with a liquid container coating body 10, etc., and then in the fixing process Q20, the liquid container coating body 10, etc. used for coating is fixed onto the liquid container P using fixing members 8, etc., and the completed coating form R is obtained.
[0039] It should be noted that the present invention can also be understood and described as follows, from a different perspective and including more specific details. = = = = = = = = = = = = This invention relates to a self-temperature-constrained interface sheet that actively utilizes the external environment to suppress temperature changes in the internal fluid, and to a system that protects the entire piping system, including irregularly shaped sections. The key points are as follows.
[0040] Key points 1 A self-temperature-constrained interface sheet (liquid-container covering) that is attached to the outer circumference of fluid transport equipment such as pipes, valves, and flanges, and is characterized by having the following layers i) to iv) sequentially from the inside to the outside: i) Inner reflective layer (inner reflective section): A layer that contacts the outer surface of an object and reflects heat radiated from the inside back into the interior. ii) Intermediate retention layer (moisture retention section): A layer located outside the inner reflective layer, consisting of a fibrous material, foam, or a combination thereof capable of retaining moisture, which mitigates temperature changes by utilizing the latent heat associated with the phase change of moisture. iii) Insulation layer (insulation structure): A layer located on the outside of the intermediate holding layer, which forms a layer of still air and suppresses heat conduction and convection. iv) Surface structure layer (surface structure portion): A layer arranged as the outermost layer, having a mesh-like, fibrous, or hook-like structure that physically captures and retains solid precipitation or moisture from the external environment.
[0041] Key point 2 The sheet according to point 1, characterized in that the surface structure layer captures snow during snowfall and fixes it to the sheet surface, and the snow functions as an additional insulating layer against the outside air. Key point 3 The sheet according to point 1 or 2, characterized in that the intermediate retaining layer suppresses the rate of temperature decrease of the equipment by releasing latent heat associated with the phase change of the retained water when the ambient temperature reaches near the freezing point of water. Key point 4 The sheet according to any one of points 1 to 3, characterized in that the thermal insulation layer and surface structure layer are not a completely waterproof structure, but have water permeability or breathability that allows moisture supply from the external environment.
[0042] Key point 5 The sheet according to any one of the gist 1 to 4, further comprising a specially molded cap member with an uneven or cap-like shape for covering irregularly shaped parts such as pipe connection parts (flanges) or operating parts (valves), wherein the cap member has a multilayer structure similar to that of claim 1. Key point 6 The sheet according to any one of points 1 to 5, further comprising a dedicated fastening member (such as a binding belt or band) for fixing the sheet or the cap member to an object, characterized in that the sheet can be compressed from the outside by the fastening member to improve its ability to conform to the three-dimensional shape of the object. Key point 7 The sheet according to any one of points 1 to 6, further comprising a base member for holding the aforementioned pipes, etc., at a distance from the support surface, or a base cover for covering an existing base.
[0043] Key point 8 The sheet according to any one of points 1 to 7, characterized in that the inner reflective layer is aluminum foil or aluminum vapor-deposited film, the intermediate retaining layer is fibrous felt or heat-resistant fiber, the heat insulating layer is a porous material, and the surface structure layer is a mesh resin structure or metal mesh, and a combination of heat-resistant materials capable of withstanding high-temperature environments of 100°C or higher can be selected depending on the application. Key point 9 The sheet according to any one of points 1 to 8, characterized in that the thickness of the intermediate retaining layer is 3 mm or more and 10 mm or less, and the thickness of the heat insulating layer is 2 mm or more and 8 mm or less. = = = = = = = = = = = = [Examples]
[0044] Examples of the present invention will be described below, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. The overview of the experiments that led to the completion of the present invention and other descriptions will serve as a substitute for the description of the examples. Furthermore, the terms used in points 1 to 9 above will also be used in the description of the examples. [I. Overview of Examples] <Example 1> Basic Configuration The basic configuration and usage method involves a sheet made of four layers: an inner reflective layer (aluminum foil), an intermediate holding layer (felt), an insulating layer (bubble sheet), and a surface structure layer (mesh net). This sheet is then wrapped around the pipe and secured with cable ties. <Example 2> Performance evaluation experiment (with snow) In a 12-hour experiment at -5°C, the sheet-equipped product completely prevented the internal fluid from freezing. It was confirmed that the heat insulation effect was maintained by the function of capturing and retaining snow. <Example 3> Performance evaluation experiment (without snow) Even in snow-free environments, the latent heat release of the intermediate retention layer and the multi-layer insulation structure demonstrated a significant freeze-delaying effect, i.e., a liquid retention effect in the center, compared to products without the layer or felt alone.
[0045] [II. Specific Structure] The cross-sectional structure of the present invention in its installed state will be described. <Upward> Outdoor air / snowfall environment | The trapped layer of snow and ice ← Environmentally derived insulating layer (known as the igloo effect) │ Surface structure layer ← Net-like, fibrous, hook structure (Snow-trapping effect) Thickness: Approximately 1 mm │ Insulation layer ← Closed-cell (air layer) (Convection and conduction suppression effect) Thickness: Approximately 3mm │ Intermediate holding layer ← Felt fabric, etc. (Effect due to moisture retention and latent heat) Thickness: Approximately 5mm │ Inner reflective layer ← Aluminum vapor-deposited sheet, etc. (Radiative heat reflection effect) Thickness: Approximately 0.1 mm │ Piping / container body (structure) ← Holds fluid inside <Downward>
[0046] The functions and operations of each layer constituting the sheet of this invention are as follows: The inner reflective layer reflects heat radiated from the structure and retains it inside. The intermediate retention layer retains moisture and mitigates the temperature drop by utilizing the latent heat of phase change when the ambient temperature decreases. The insulating layer contains an air layer, which suppresses heat conduction and convection. The surface structure layer traps snowfall and moisture, forming an insulating layer derived from the external environment. The sheet of the present invention is basically a flat shape that is convenient for wrapping around a pipe, but for irregularly shaped parts of piping such as flanges, the sheet of the present invention formed in a cap shape can be used.
[0047] [III. Efficacy Verification Experiment] To verify the effectiveness of the sheet of the present invention, a confidential experiment was conducted during a period of severe winter and snowfall. Experiment period: January 14-20, 2026 • Experiment location: The inventor's home in Oirase Town, Aomori Prefecture. Experimenter, Inventor • Experimental materials: Small-sized sheets of the present invention fabricated; various layer structures. Aluminum beverage cans (aluminum cans) Water to put in an aluminum can • Experimental method 1) Wrap the sheet of the present invention around a can container filled with water to cover it. 2) Leave it as is for the specified time, 3) Check for water freezing, measure water temperature changes, etc. In the following description, the sheet of the present invention may also be referred to as a "multilayer temperature-restrained sheet," "restrained sheet," or "multilayer structure."
[0048] III.-1 First Experiment 1. Experiment Overview <Date and Time> January 14th, 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM (2 hours) <the purpose> We will compare a multilayer temperature-restrained sheet (A) with a single material (B) and an uncoated material (C) to determine how effectively heat transfer can be suppressed. 2. Test Conditions A (Simplified restraint sheet) It consists of four layers from the inside out: aluminum foil sheet (inner reflective layer) + felt cloth (intermediate holding layer) + air cap (insulation layer) + anti-slip net (surface structural layer). However, the bottom of the aluminum can is made of felt cloth only. B (Felt fabric only) Wrapped in a wet felt cloth C (uncoated) Aluminum can as is <environment> The starting ambient temperature is 2°C, the water used is 50°C hot water, with a capacity of 450ml, and the aluminum can is placed directly on a concrete floor.
[0049] 3. Experimental results (temperature after 2 hours) The water temperature measurements taken after two hours were as follows: A 15℃ B 5℃ C 9℃
[0050] 4. Discussion • The wet felt alone (B) is thought to have cooled more rapidly than the uncovered felt (C) due to evaporative cooling. • The multilayer temperature-restrained sheet (A) was confirmed to exhibit heat retention performance exceeding theoretical and expected values by restraining the felt layer to the intermediate layer, thus negating its drawbacks.
[0051] III.-2 Second Experiment 1. Experiment Overview <Date and Time> January 14th, 22:00 ~ January 15th, 17:00 (19 hours) <Contents> The first sample was left outdoors for a total of 19 hours continuously until the following day, and its condition after 19 hours was compared. <Environment> Average outside temperature: 2°C
[0052] 2. Experimental Results The water temperature measurements taken 19 hours later were as follows: A 0℃ (maintains liquid state) B 0℃ (20% of the interior is frozen into a slushy state) C 0℃ (maintains liquid state)
[0053] 3. Discussion and Conclusion Demonstration of the shortcomings of felt alone (B) • When left for an extended period, only sample B began to freeze. This is thought to be because the water-absorbing felt became a "cold, clinging material," continuously drawing heat away from the object. Demonstration of the antifreeze performance of the multi-layer structure (A) Despite using the same felt as B, A did not freeze. This suggests that the outer insulating layer (air cap) and surface structure layer (net) isolated the felt layer from the external environment, preventing it from becoming a "coolant." The structural superiority of the present invention was confirmed.
[0054] III.-3 Third Experiment 1. Experiment Overview <Date and Time> January 18th, 18:30 - 6:00 the following day (approximately 11.5 hours) <Objective> To verify the freezing delay effect in the sub-zero temperature range. <Environment> Ambient temperature -5 to 0°C. Experiment conducted with 450ml of 50°C hot water. <Improvements since last time> • Where the bottom covering of A was only felt, an air cap and net were added to the outside of the felt to prevent low-temperature absorption from the bottom. Previously, the cans were placed directly on the concrete floor, but this time, a 47mm high wooden slatted platform will be placed, and each can will be placed on top of it at a certain distance from each other. • Previously, the mouthpiece of the aluminum can was sealed with duct tape, but this time, a multi-layer temperature-restrained sheet is placed over it like a cap, and the cap is "loosely tightened" with a cable tie to prevent it from coming off. This method is used for A, B, and C.
[0055] 2. Experimental Results • Measured on January 18th at 8:30 PM (Outside temperature -2°C, cf. Previous measurement was 2°C) The water temperature measurement results were as follows: A 12℃ (cf. last time it was 15℃) B 3℃ (same as 5℃) C 6℃ (9℃)
[0056] • Measured on January 18th at 22:40 (outside temperature -3℃) The water temperature measurement results were as follows: A 2℃ Maintains internal liquid state B 0℃ or less (visual measurement -2℃) From the outside of the can, it becomes semi-sherb-like. C below 0℃ (visual measurement -2℃) The top of the can is soft and semi-sherb-like.
[0057] 3. Discussion Control of the freezing process • In cases A and B, an "ice tube" formed inside the aluminum can. It was thought that the latent heat of the felt layer delayed the freezing of the center. 《Suppression of freezing rate》 Only A was able to maintain a positive temperature after 4 hours, demonstrating a clear effectiveness in the practical purpose of gaining time before freezing.
[0058] 4. Additional observation • Measured at 6:00 AM on January 19th (outside temperature -5℃) Since A, B, and C were all frozen and could not be measured with a thermometer, we relied on visual inspection of their condition and the feel of their weight after draining the water.
[0059] 5. Results of Additional Observations - Part 1: Overview ·A At first, almost no water came out even when I turned it upside down. Then, when I lightly poked the opening, water started to come out. After draining the water, I found that a 5mm thick outer film had formed inside, creating a tube of ice within the can. ·B When I turned it upside down, water immediately came out. After draining the water, a 10mm thick outer layer had formed inside, creating a tube of ice within the can. ·C When I turned it upside down, water immediately started to come out. After draining the water, I found that no tube had formed, and the whole thing was frozen. In other words, it seemed that the water had leaked out through the gap between the top of the can and the ice.
[0060] 6. Results of Additional Observations - Part 2: Summary • The force of the water when it is turned upside down C was the strongest, followed by B, and A was the weakest. A had a thin film on top, so no water came out at first, but when poked with a finger, it came out forcefully. • Amount of water drained A was the most abundant, followed by B, and C was the least abundant. • Shape of the ice inside A and B were frozen in a cylindrical shape. C was frozen completely.
[0061] 7. Discussion Control of the freezing process A and B formed an "ice tube." It was thought that the latent heat of the felt layer delayed the freezing of the center. 《Suppression of freezing rate》 Only sample A maintained a positive temperature after 4 hours, demonstrating a clear effectiveness in the practical purpose of gaining time before freezing.
[0062] III.-4 4th Experiment 1. Experiment Overview <Date and Time> January 19th, 11:30 AM - 5:30 PM (6 hours) <Environment> Outside temperature -2 to 0°C, with natural snowfall. Experiment conducted with 450ml of 50°C hot water. <Objective> To confirm the difference between a wet aluminum surface (C) and a restraint sheet (A) when exposed to snow. To observe thermal behavior under natural snowfall. Note that B is predicted to freeze quickly.
[0063] 2. Experimental Results The water temperature measurement results were as follows: A 2℃ B -1℃ C 0℃ All samples showed no signs of internal freezing.
[0064] 3. Hypothesis Despite the outside temperature being below freezing, the aluminum can did not freeze. We hypothesized that the snow accumulating around the can formed a "wall of snow," and that this "igloo effect" blocked out the cold outside air. To test this hypothesis, we conducted the following experiment.
[0065] III.-5 Fifth Experiment 1. Experiment Overview <Date and Time> January 19th, 18:30 - January 20th, 6:30 (12 hours) <Environment> Outside temperature -5℃ <Objective> To artificially create snowy conditions and verify the presence or absence of the "igloo effect". <Method> All three cans, A, B, and C, were intentionally covered completely with snow and left buried. <Conditions> The experiment was conducted using 450ml of water at room temperature (9°C) in an aluminum can.
[0066] 2. Experimental Results Internal freezing was virtually absent in all samples (A, B, and C). However, internal freezing occurred only in the area where some of the snow had peeled off in sample C (uncovered). The water temperature measurements taken 12 hours later were as follows: A below 0℃ (visual measurement -2℃) B 0℃ or less (visual measurement -2℃) C below 0℃ (visual measurement -2℃) Because the thermometer used could only measure down to 0°C, it was not possible to determine a clear difference between each sample. Based on how the samples felt to the touch, there was almost no temperature difference between the three cans.
[0067] [IV. Conclusion] 《Insulation effect using snow》 A series of experiments demonstrated that being covered in snow does not act as a source of cold, but rather as a strong insulator (maintaining a temperature around 0°C). Structural advantages Compared to the uncoated surface (C), which has a slippery surface, the restraining sheet (A) was able to naturally catch snow and form a "snow armor" due to the net structure of its outer layer. It has been demonstrated that covering with felt alone results in a significant temperature drop when moisture is absorbed. In comparison, this experiment has demonstrated that the sheet of the present invention has structural advantages. 《Environment-friendly design》 This sheet, in addition to its own thermal insulation performance, acts as an interface that incorporates snow as an "active insulator," and we were able to confirm that it is extremely rational for outdoor protection during winter.
[0068] [V. Speculation: Mechanism of the present invention sheet] V.-1 Freezing Mechanism The mechanism of freezing in the sheet of the present invention is presumed to be as follows. When the outside temperature drops near freezing, moisture in the air forms frost using felt or netting as a medium. Wetting it beforehand will further enhance this effect. If left as is, the felt (net) will begin to freeze due to frost. When felt freezes, heat is released due to the latent heat effect. The released heat is prevented from escaping to the outside air by the air cap (layer of air), and is therefore released towards the aluminum sheet. • Heat is transferred through the aluminum to the inside of the object (pipe, etc.), delaying the freezing of the inside of the object.
[0069] Rain and snow, which are factors that promote temperature drops, form layers of ice and snow on the net through frost (moisture) that adheres to it, causing them to bulge outwards. The larger the "layer of ice and snow" formed on the net, the more it obstructs "heat exchange by wind (air) energy," thus preventing cooling. Even when freezing begins inside the object, it is presumed that the freezing proceeds from the frozen felt layer side (outside), and the latent heat of fusion energy released during this process is recovered to the center, thereby slowing down the freezing rate.
[0070] V.-1 Thawing Mechanism Next, the thawing mechanism in the sheet of the present invention is presumed to be as follows. As daytime temperatures rise, the internal freezing of an object begins to melt from the inside out due to the temperature of the liquid in the center and the energy friction during its flow. On the other hand, the more peripheral areas of internal freezing begin to thaw from the outside in due to heat from sunlight, etc. In other words, sunlight (short wavelengths) passes through the transparent bubble wrap and heats the aluminum or felt inside. This effect is amplified if the felt is black. The heat (long wavelengths) released from the heated interior is trapped by the air cap (greenhouse effect). As a result, it is presumed that the internal temperature will rise above the external temperature.
[0071] [VI. Addendum: Regarding use during summer] Incidentally, the sheet of this invention was conceived and completed as a measure to prevent freezing inside pipes, etc., in winter. It would be convenient if the sheet could be left in place even in summer, without needing to be removed or re-covered once it has been applied to the pipes, etc. However, in this case, there is a concern that the internal temperature may rise due to the room effect during warm summers. However, this concern is theoretically unnecessary. The reason is as follows.
[0072] • Heat shielding of the aluminum layer: The aluminum layer reflects the incoming radiant heat, preventing direct heating of the object. • The overwhelming advantage of evaporative cooling: In summer, the water retention in the felt generates "latent heat of vaporization (approximately 2256 kJ / kg)." This can be described as the "cooling effect of sprinkling water," but it acts as cooling energy that far exceeds the heat input due to the greenhouse effect, offsetting and consuming the incoming heat as vaporization energy.
[0073] • While regular hydration of the felt is necessary, if the inside of the object is cold, the heat inside the bubble wrap will condense onto the felt, resulting in a constant supply of moisture to the felt. Even if the felt is dry, it acts as insulation, preventing the temperature from rising more effectively than if it were left exposed to sunlight. Based on the above, the sheet of the present invention can be used year-round, even while covered and attached to pipes, etc.
[0074] Since it can be used year-round, including during the summer months, the liquid-containing coating of the present invention, if described in terms of its function, can be appropriately described as a "temperature-controlling coating" or a "heat transfer-suppressing coating," going beyond just a "freeze-preventing coating." [Industrial applicability]
[0075] The present invention provides a liquid-containing container cover, liquid-containing container cover set, liquid-containing container cover mounting set, and liquid-containing container covering method that do not require a special power supply, do not cause performance degradation when wet, and eliminate the difficulty of installation on complex shapes, providing a pipe freeze prevention technology that allows for good, gap-free installation without requiring skilled personnel. Therefore, it can be widely used for freeze prevention and heat retention of household water pipes, steam pipes in factories in cold regions, and is not limited to these applications, making it a highly applicable invention in all related industrial and technological fields. [Explanation of symbols]
[0076] 1, 81...Inner reflection section 2, 82...Moisture retention section 3. 83... Insulated structural part 4, 84...Surface structure part 5…Lower part 8, 88... Fixing components 10a, 10a', 10b, 10b', 10c, 10d, 810... Liquid container covering 34…Surface structure and thermal insulation structure 44…Surface structure (network) 53…Insulated structural parts 53C…Air retention area 53T... Ventilation area 62…Moisture-retaining section (fiber sheet) 710F... Planar liquid-containing cover (planar liquid-containing cover) 710G...Liquid container covering for irregularly shaped parts (Liquid container covering for irregularly shaped parts) 720... Liquid container covering set 830...Set for attaching liquid container coverings P...Liquid containers such as pipes L... Internal liquid Q10...Coating process Q20…Fixing process R…Coating complete form S...Snow body
Claims
1. A single-layer or multi-layered covering used to cover liquid-containing containers such as pipes to prevent the liquid inside from freezing, A liquid container cover characterized by having the following element [L4]. [L4] Surface structure capable of capturing snow when it falls and forming a snow accumulation body with an insulating effect.
2. A multi-layered covering used to cover liquid-containing containers such as pipes to prevent the liquid inside from freezing, A liquid container cover characterized by comprising the following two elements [L4] and [L3]. [L4] Surface structure located on the outermost surface, capable of capturing snowfall and forming a snow accumulation body with insulating properties. [L3] An insulating structure disposed inside the surface structure, which suppresses heat conduction with still air.
3. A multi-layered covering used to cover liquid-containing containers such as pipes to prevent the liquid inside from freezing, A liquid container cover characterized by comprising the following three elements: [L4], [L3], and [L2]. [L4] Surface structure located on the outermost surface, capable of capturing snowfall and forming a snow accumulation body with insulating properties. [L3] An insulating structure disposed inside the surface structure, which suppresses heat conduction with still air. [L2] A moisture-retaining section, which is placed inside the heat-insulating structure and retains moisture, thereby mitigating temperature changes in the liquid container due to the latent heat associated with its phase change.
4. A multi-layered covering used to cover liquid-containing containers such as pipes to prevent the liquid inside from freezing, A liquid container cover characterized by comprising the following four elements: [L4], [L3], [L2], and [L1]. [L4] Surface structure located on the outermost surface, capable of capturing snowfall and forming a snow accumulation body with insulating properties. [L3] An insulating structure disposed inside the surface structure, which suppresses heat conduction with still air. [L2] A moisture-retaining section, which is placed inside the heat-insulating structure and retains moisture, thereby mitigating temperature changes in the liquid container due to the latent heat associated with its phase change. [L1] An inner reflecting part, which is positioned inside the moisture-retaining part and reflects the heat radiated from the surface of the liquid container.
5. A liquid container covering according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, or 4, having a multilayer structure, characterized in that each element constituting the covering is a separate structure, and these are stacked to form the covering.
6. The liquid-containing covering according to claim 5, characterized in that the surface structure is a mesh-like body capable of capturing snowfall.
7. The liquid container covering according to claim 5, comprising the thermal insulation structure described in [L3] below as an element, wherein the thermal insulation structure comprises an air-retaining portion that holds still air and an air-permeable portion that allows moisture to pass through. [L3] An insulating structure disposed inside the surface structure, which suppresses heat conduction with still air.
8. The liquid-containing covering according to claim 5, comprising the moisture-retaining portion described below [L2] as an element, wherein the moisture-retaining portion is a fibrous sheet. [L2] A moisture-retaining section, which is placed inside the heat-insulating structure and retains moisture, thereby mitigating temperature changes in the liquid container due to the latent heat associated with its phase change.
9. A liquid container covering according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, or 4, characterized in that it is formed in a planar shape that can be wrapped around a pipe constituting a piping.
10. A liquid container covering set characterized by comprising a planar liquid container covering as described in claim 9, and a liquid container covering for covering irregularly shaped parts such as flanges that constitute piping.
11. A liquid container cover mounting set characterized by comprising a liquid container cover according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, or 4, and a fixing member for fixing the cover to a liquid container.
12. A method for covering a liquid container, characterized by covering the liquid container with a liquid container covering according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, or 4, and then fixing the liquid container covering with a fixing member.