PCM containing liquid saturated foam device
First Claim
1. A thermal regulating cushioning support device containing an active medium for regulating the temperature of the device comprising:
- (a) a flexible, deformable liquid impervious outer membrane being adapted to sealably receive a liquid therein;
(b) a foam core, encased within and in intimate contact with, but not bonded to, the flexible, deformable liquid impervious sealed outer membrane wherein the foam core has a dimension substantially coincident with the outer membrane;
(c) a device liquid being sealably contained and in contact with the flexible, deformable liquid impervious sealed outer membrane and saturating the foam core, the device liquid being at least partially circulatable through the foam core;
(d) a phase change material contained within a thermally transferring, liquid impenetrable flexible structure, disposed within the flexible, deformable liquid impervious sealed outer membrane and in contact with the device liquid such that the circulation of the device liquid is effective to transfer heat between the flexible, deformable liquid impervious sealed outer membrane and the phase change material; and
wherein the saturated foam core in cooperation with the sealable flexible membrane provides structural support and a substantially uniform, thermal regulating medium such that the device is readily, uniformly deformable when the load is applied to said deformable liquid impervious sealed outer membrane.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A self-contained active thermal regulating device includes a flexible, deformable outer membrane; a liquid saturated foam core contained therein having a dimension substantially coincident with the outer membrane wherein the liquid is at least partially circulable throughout the foam core; and, a phase change material being in intimate contact with the circulable liquid. The circulation of the liquid is effective to transfer heat between the flexible, deformable outer membrane and the phase change material to cool (or heat) the device without use of external power and the saturated foam core in cooperation with the sealable flexible membrane providing a substantially uniform, thermal regulating medium and structural support such that the device is readily, uniformly deformable when a load is applied thereto.
51 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A thermal regulating cushioning support device containing an active medium for regulating the temperature of the device comprising:
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(a) a flexible, deformable liquid impervious outer membrane being adapted to sealably receive a liquid therein; (b) a foam core, encased within and in intimate contact with, but not bonded to, the flexible, deformable liquid impervious sealed outer membrane wherein the foam core has a dimension substantially coincident with the outer membrane; (c) a device liquid being sealably contained and in contact with the flexible, deformable liquid impervious sealed outer membrane and saturating the foam core, the device liquid being at least partially circulatable through the foam core; (d) a phase change material contained within a thermally transferring, liquid impenetrable flexible structure, disposed within the flexible, deformable liquid impervious sealed outer membrane and in contact with the device liquid such that the circulation of the device liquid is effective to transfer heat between the flexible, deformable liquid impervious sealed outer membrane and the phase change material; and
wherein the saturated foam core in cooperation with the sealable flexible membrane provides structural support and a substantially uniform, thermal regulating medium such that the device is readily, uniformly deformable when the load is applied to said deformable liquid impervious sealed outer membrane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A thermal regulating cushioning support device containing an active medium for regulating the temperature of the device in the absence of an external energy source comprising:
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(a) a flexible, deformable liquid impervious outer membrane being adapted to sealably receive a liquid therein and retain a load thereon; (b) a foam core, encased within and in intimate contact with, but not bonded to, the flexible, deformable liquid impervious sealed outer membrane wherein the foam core has a dimension substantially coincident with the outer membrane; (c) a device liquid being sealably contained and in contact with the flexible, deformable liquid impervious sealed outer membrane and saturating the foam core, the device liquid being at least partially circulatable through the foam core; (d) a phase change material contained within a thermally transferring, liquid impenetrable flexible structure situated within the flexible, deformable liquid impervious sealed outer membrane and disposed proximate the foam core and in contact with the device liquid such that the circulation of the device liquid is effective to transfer heat between the flexible, deformable liquid impervious sealed outer membrane and the phase change material contained within a thermally transferring, liquid impenetrable flexible structure; and
, wherein the saturated foam core in cooperation with the sealable flexible membrane provides structural support and a substantially uniform, thermal regulating medium in the absence of external energy such that the device is readily, uniformly deformable when a load is applied to the deformable liquid impervious sealed outer membrane. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A thermal regulating cushioning support device having an active medium for regulating the temperature of the device comprising:
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(a) a flexible, deformable liquid impermeable outer membrane being adapted to sealably receive a liquid therein; (b) a foam core, encased within and in intimate contact with, but not bonded to, the flexible, deformable liquid impervious sealed outer membrane wherein the foam core has a dimension substantially coincident with the outer membrane; (c) a device liquid being sealably contained and in contact with the flexible, deformable liquid impervious sealed outer membrane and saturating the foam core, the device liquid being at least partially circulatable through the foam core; (d) a phase change material retained in a vessel which is at least partially a mole sieve membrane in contact with the circulating device liquid and the foam core wherein the mole sieve is effective in allowing the device liquid to flow through the membrane, while retaining the phase change material in its liquid state within the vessel, wherein the circulation of the device liquid is effective to transfer heat between the flexible, deformable outer membrane and the phase change material; and
, wherein the saturated foam core in cooperation with the sealable flexible membrane provides a substantially uniform, thermal regulating medium and structural support such that the device is readily, uniformly deformable when a load is applied thereto. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification