Thermal enclosure and method

A thermal enclosure comprising:

• wall means defining a container, said container having a compartment therein;
• said wall means including a wall section;
• said wall section including a frame having inner and outer ends and a passage extending through said frame from said inner end to said outer end;
• said frame being integrally molded from an insulating material and including a peripheral wall and a ledge exposed within the peripheral wall, said ledge being inwardly of said outer end;
• an inner wall in said passage and supported by said ledge against movement inwardly beyond said ledge, said inner wall facing the compartment;
• an outer wall affixed to the frame and closing the passage at a location spaced axially outwardly from said inner wall, said walls at least partially defining a cavity;
• first means in said cavity for adding or removing heat;
• and
• the physical characteristics of the inner and outer walls being such that more heat transfer occurs across the inner wall to said compartment than across the outer wall.

A thermal enclosure comprising:

• a container section having an open top and being constructed of a material having relatively low thermal conductivity;
• a removable cover for closing said open top;
• said cover including a frame having inner and outer ends and a passage extending through said frame from said inner end to said outer end;
• said frame being integrally molded from an insulating material and including a peripheral wall and a ledge exposed within the peripheral wall, said ledge being axially inwardly of said outer end;
• said cover including an inner wall in said passage and supported by said ledge against movement inwardly beyond said ledge;
• said cover including an outer wall affixed to the frame and closing the passage at a location spaced axially outwardly from said inner wall, said walls at least partially defining a cavity;
• freezable and reusable refrigerant gel in said cavity;
• container means in said cavity for containing said gel;
• and
• the physical characteristics of the inner and outer walls being such that more heat transfer occurs across the inner wall to said compartment than across the outer wall.

A wall section for a thermal enclosure comprising:

• a frame having inner and outer ends and a passage extending into said frame in a generally axial direction from said outer end toward said inner end;
• said frame including a peripheral wall and a ledge exposed within the peripheral wall, said ledge being axially inwardly of said outer end;
• an inner wall having an edge portion, said edge portion being supported by said ledge and being intermediate the ledge and the outer end of said frame;
• an outer wall affixed to the frame and closing the passage at a location spaced axially outwardly from said inner wall;
• first means in said passage at least partially between the outer wall and the inner wall for adding heat or removing heat;
• the physical characteristics of the inner wall and the outer wall being such that more heat transfer occurs across the inner wall than across the outer wall;
• and
• said inner wall being a separate member and said first means including a container and refrigerant gel in said container, said inner wall being thinner than said outer wall and being free of adhesive attachment to said frame, said ledge extending substantially continuously and substantially completely around said passage, said wall section including protrusions on said frame for locating said inner wall on said frame.