Protective packaging for thermolabile goods using compounds with melting points slightly below thermosensitive temperature of the goods

• Main Authors: SHAH; HASMUKH, HOF; CRAIG R
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 17.01.1984
• Subjects: ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; BLASTING; COLD ROOMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS,e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES,DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; CONVEYING; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT COVERED BY ANY OTHERSUBCLASS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; HEATING; ICE-BOXES; LIGHTING; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; PACKAGES; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; REFRIGERATORS; STORING; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ARTCOLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; TRANSPORTING; WEAPONS

There is disclosed a method for protecting thermolabile goods from degradation or destruction from high temperatures by surrounding the goods with a compound having a melting point about 3 DEG to about 5 DEG C. lower than the thermosensitive temperature of the goods and a heat capacity sufficient to protect the goods when the temperature of the environment exceeds the temperature of the goods. A representative compound is sodium sulfate decahydrate also known as Glauber's salt. In a preferred embodiment, the compound prior to use is melted, absorbed in a bibulous material, and then sealed in a plastic bag. In still another preferred embodiment, the method surrounds the compound with a layer of outer insulation which is adjacent to the outside container, which is made of cardboard, paper, and/or wood.