Enclosure for cold and heat storage elements, and cold and heat storage elements

Abstract

The invention relates to an enclosure (1) for cold and heat storage elements for receiving a phase-change material, which enclosure (1) comprises a wall (2) which completely encloses an interior space for receiving the phase-change material, apart from a filling opening (3), wherein the wall (2) comprises two surface sections (21, 22) which are connected by a peripheral side wall section (23), wherein the side wall section (23) comprises a first latching projection (24) for engagement with a first latching projection (24) of a further identically designed enclosure (1).

Description

[0001] Cover for cold and heat storage elements as well as cold and heat storage elements

[0002] The invention relates to a casing for cold and heat storage elements, as well as to cold and heat storage elements with a casing according to the independent claim. The invention lies in the field of safe, temperature-controlled transport of temperature-sensitive products and is suitable, for example, for logistical transport in clinical and pharmaceutical environments.

[0003] In such transport solutions, it is known to keep insulated transport containers within a predetermined temperature range actively using a refrigeration unit or passively using "electricity-free" heating or cooling. Passive temperature-controlled transport uses dry ice, for example. Dry ice has the disadvantage that its production requires a lot of energy. During cooling, the dry ice is consumed and is therefore not reusable. Furthermore, the use of dry ice requires compliance with safety regulations that involve increased effort.

[0004] It is known to use cold and heat storage elements for temperature-controlled transport. These consist of a plastic shell, such as polyethylene (HDPE). A phase-change material in liquid form, such as a gel, is poured into the shell, and the filling opening is sealed with a sealing element.

[0005] The shell contains a phase-change material (PCM) that can be adapted to all seasons and climate zones depending on the application and is specifically designed for, for example, the temperature control of pharmaceuticals, biotech products, blood products, etc. With the help of the phase-change material, also called latent heat storage material, a required storage temperature can be maintained for the duration of the transport.

[0006] For refrigerated transport, the latent heat storage material can be tempered prior to transport. During melting during transport, heat is absorbed, thereby cooling the surrounding area. Upon refreezing, the heat is released during crystallization. Heat or cold penetrating the transport container is absorbed by the PCM during the phase transition from solid to liquid and vice versa.

[0007] The casing for cold and heat storage elements can be customized to suit their specific application. The stored energy can be influenced primarily by the volume. However, the casing must be selected so that it is easy to handle. When used in a transport container, the standard design usually includes support rails designed to position the cold and heat storage elements in the transport container during transport.

[0008] A disadvantage of removing the cold and heat storage elements is that they have to be removed individually from the transport container by pulling them out one by one along the receiving strips.

[0009] The object of the invention is to provide a casing for cold and heat storage elements and cold and heat storage elements that overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and, in particular, ensure rapid removal from a transport container. This object is achieved by a casing for cold and heat storage elements according to the independent claim. Advantageous aspects form the subject matter of the respective subclaims.

[0010] The invention comprises a casing for cold and heat storage elements for accommodating a phase-change material. The casing comprises a wall that completely encloses an interior space for accommodating the phase-change material, except for a filling opening. The wall comprises two surface sections connected by a circumferential side wall section, wherein the side wall section comprises a first locking projection for engagement with a first locking projection of another identically designed casing. Due to the locking projection, several mutually engaging casings can be moved together. Thus, several cold and heat storage elements can be pulled simultaneously from the receiving strips of a transport container.

[0011] According to an advantageous technical aspect, the first locking projection comprises a first locking surface inclined relative to a center plane XX located between the two surface sections for engagement with a first locking projection of another identically designed casing. The inclined locking surface engages a complementarily formed inclined locking surface of another casing. The inclined locking surface is preferably flat.

[0012] Advantageously, the wall comprises a second locking projection on a side wall section for engagement with a second locking projection of another identically designed casing. The second locking projection is designed such that it engages with a second locking projection of another identically designed casing when the first locking surface abuts the first locking projection of the other casing.

[0013] According to an advantageous aspect, the second locking projection comprises a second locking surface aligned parallel to the center plane XX for engagement with a second locking projection of another identically designed casing 1. For example, the second locking surface can be designed such that it lies in the center plane (i.e., coincides with part of the center plane). Advantageously, the wall comprises, on a surface section, a support projection facing the interior, wherein the support projection has a height selected such that the support projection comes into engagement with another support projection arranged opposite. Support projections designed in this way prevent the interior from being crushed under external pressure.

[0014] Particularly preferably, the support projection has a height corresponding to half the distance between the surface sections.

[0015] It is further preferred that the wall comprises at least one pyramid-shaped projection on a side surface section. This shape has proven advantageous with regard to the crystallization of the latent heat storage material during freezing. The pyramid-shaped section can extend over the entire wall. This allows for easy volume adjustment during production.

[0016] Preferably, opposite surface sections are not formed parallel.

[0017] Furthermore, the thickness of the side surface section and the opposite surface sections is preferably different.

[0018] Another aspect relates to a cold and heat storage element in which the shell (described above) is filled with a phase change material.

[0019] In the following, the invention is explained in more detail using an example shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0020] They show:

[0021] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a casing according to the invention for cold and heat storage elements; Fig. 2 shows a top view of a casing according to the invention for cold and heat storage elements;

[0022] Fig. 3 shows a casing according to the invention for cold and heat storage elements from below; and

[0023] Fig. 4a-4d a cover according to the invention for cold and heat storage elements from all four sides.

[0024] In Fig. 1, a casing 1 according to the invention for cold and heat storage elements is shown in a perspective view.

[0025] The casing 1 for cold and heat storage elements serves to accommodate a phase-change material (not shown). The casing 1 has a wall 2 that completely encloses a hollow interior space for accommodating the phase-change material, except for a filling opening 3. The phase-change material, which is usually liquid or gel-like, can be easily poured into the interior space through the filling opening 3 to produce a cold and heat storage element with a sealed filling opening 3.

[0026] The wall 2 comprises two surface sections, with an upper surface section 21 visible on the upper side in this illustration. The upper surface section 21 and the lower surface section (not visible in this perspective) are connected by a circumferential side wall section 23 consisting of four parts.

[0027] Each side wall section 23 has a first locking projection 24 for engagement with a first locking projection 24 of another, identically designed, laterally arranged cover (the combination is not shown). Due to the locking projection 24, several interlocking covers 1 can be moved together. This allows several cold and heat storage elements to be pulled simultaneously from receiving strips of a transport container (not shown). All side wall sections 23 are designed to be connected to other covers 1. The first locking projection 24 has a first locking surface 241 inclined to a center plane XX lying between the two surface sections (21 in Fig. 2, 22 in Fig. 3) for engagement with a first locking projection 24 of another, identically designed cover 1.

[0028] The wall 2 comprises on a side wall section 23 a second locking projection 22 for engagement with a second locking projection 22 of another identically designed casing 1.

[0029] The second locking projection 22 comprises a second locking surface 221 aligned parallel to the center plane XX for engagement with a second locking projection 22 of another identically designed casing 1.

[0030] The wall 2 comprises, on a surface section 21, a support projection 4 located in the direction of the interior. The support projection 4 has a height which is selected such that the support projection 4 comes into contact with another support projection 4 arranged opposite.

[0031] In the example shown, the support projection 4 has a height equal to half the distance between the surface sections 21. This allows for the creation of symmetrical wall sections.

[0032] Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 show the casing 1 for cold and heat storage elements from Fig. 1 in a top view from above and from below, respectively. Fig. 2 shows the surface section 21 visible in the perspective of Fig. 1, while Fig. 3 shows the surface section 22 not visible there. This illustration also shows the interlocking capability of various casings.

[0033] Fig. 4 ad shows the cover 1 from Fig. 1 in all side views. Each side wall section 23 has a first locking projection 24 for engagement with a first locking projection 24 of another, identically designed cover arranged laterally (the combination is not shown). Due to the locking projection 24, several interlocking covers 1 can be moved together. This allows several cold and heat storage elements to be pulled simultaneously from receiving strips of a transport container (not shown). All side wall sections 23 are designed to be connected to further covers 1.

Claims

Claims 1. A casing (1) for cold and heat storage elements for accommodating a phase change material, said casing (1) comprising a wall (2) which completely encloses an interior space for accommodating the phase change material except for a filling opening (3), said wall (2) comprising two surface sections (21, 22) which are connected by a circumferential side wall section (23), said side wall section (23) comprising a first locking projection (24) for engagement with a first locking projection (24) of a further identically designed casing (1).

2. Cover (1) for cold and heat storage elements according to claim 1, wherein the first locking projection (24) comprises a first locking surface (241) inclined to a center plane (XX) lying between the two surface sections (21, 22) for engagement with a first locking projection (24) of a further identically designed cover (1).

3. Cover (1) for cold and heat storage elements according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the wall (2) comprises on a side wall section (23) a second locking projection (26) for engagement with a second locking projection (22) of another identically designed cover (1).

4. Cover (1) for cold and heat storage elements according to claim 3, wherein the second locking projection (22) comprises a second locking surface (221) aligned parallel to the center plane (XX) for engagement with a second locking projection (22) of a further identically designed cover (1).

5. Cover (1) for cold and heat storage elements according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall (2) comprises on a surface section (21, 22) a support projection (4) lying in the direction of the interior, wherein the support projection has a height which is selected such that the support projection comes into contact with another support projection arranged opposite.

6. Cover (1) for cold and heat storage elements according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall (2) is provided at a surface section (21, 22) comprises a support projection (4) lying in the direction of the interior, wherein the support projection (4) has a height which is selected such that the support projection (4) comes into contact with a further support projection (4) arranged on the opposite surface section (2).

7. Cover (1) for cold and heat storage elements according to the preceding, wherein the support projection (4) has a height which corresponds to half the distance between the surface sections (21, 22).

8. Cover (1) for cold and heat storage elements, wherein the wall comprises at least one pyramid-shaped projection on a side surface section (2).

9. Cold and heat storage elements with a casing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein opposite surface sections (21, 22) are not formed parallel.

10. Cold and heat storage elements with a casing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the side surface section (2) and opposite surface sections (21, 22) is different.

11. Cold and heat storage elements with a casing (1) according to one of the preceding claims into which a phase change material is filled.

Images