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US 11,248,810 B2Granted
Portable apparatus and methods using phase change materials for creating a temperature stabilized environment
AssigneeFruition LLC
InventorsJames H. Goldie, Stephen Macomber
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A carrying case utilizes a layer of phase change materials and a thermal insulation layer in order to provide a temperature-stabilized environment for enclosed payloads such as musical instruments during transport through an environment in which temperatures differ greatly from those to which they are normally exposed. In one aspect, the phase change materials and thermal insulation provide an extended period of temperature constancy, without the addition of either active thermal control or excessively bulky insulation.
Claims7
A portable carrying case, comprising:
- a first layer containing phase change material (PCM) with a phase change temperature between 50° F. and 95° F.;
- a second layer comprising an insulation layer and a low emissivity layer, said first layer and second layer arranged to form an enclosure defining at least one closable opening with said first layer inside said second layer;
- and
- a carrying implement,
- wherein said portable carrying case comprises a front panel and a back panel that meet at at least one edge and define said opening to said enclosure, and said front panel and said back panel define respective openings for receiving said first layer containing PCM and for removal of said first layer containing PCM from between said insulation layer and said low emissivity layer, said first layer containing PCM extending substantially the entire length and width of said front panel and said back panel, side flaps extending from at least one of said front panel and said back panel and having mating fastening elements such that in one configuration said side flaps are folded over one of said front panel and said back panel and cause said front panel and back panel to form said enclosure, and a closure flap coupled to one of said front panel and said back panel and movable from a first position where said enclosure is open to a second position where said flap covers said opening, said front panel and said back panel each comprised of said first layer and second layer.
2 more elements
A portable carrying case, comprising:
- a first layer containing phase change material (PCM) having a phase change temperature between 50° F. and 95° F.;
- a second layer comprising insulation;
- a closure element;
- and
- a carrying implement, wherein
- said first layer and said second layer are arranged and sized to form a case or pouch sized to receive a string instrument at least as large as a violin, with at least a front panel and a back panel forming an enclosure with a curvilinear portion and an opening sized to receive the stringed instrument or a stringed instrument case for the stringed instrument, said opening closable by said closure element, and said carrying implement extending from said case or pouch, wherein said first layer containing PCM covering substantially the entire surface area of said case or pouch.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.