Eutectic Plate

Abstract

An eutectic plate comprising: a housing containing a coolant, and a thermochromic material that undergoes a thermochromic transition at a predefined temperature.

1 . An eutectic plate comprising:
 a housing containing a coolant, and a thermo chromic material that undergoes a thermo chromic transition at a predefined temperature.   
   
   
       2 . A plate as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the coolant is an anti-freeze or an eutectic liquid. 
   
   
       3 . A plate as claimed in  claim 1 , which provides a visual indication of whether the eutectic plate is:
 a) within a target temperature or target temperature range,   b) above the a target temperature or target temperature range, and   c) below the a target temperature or target temperature range.   
   
   
       4 . A plate as claimed in  claim 3 , which comprises a first thermo-chromic material and a second thermochromic material, wherein the first thermochromic material undergoes a thermochromic transition at a first predefined temperature and the second thermochromic material undergoes a thermochromic transition at a second predefined temperature. 
   
   
       5 . A plate as claimed in  claim 3 , which comprises a thermo-chromic material that undergoes a first thermochromic transition at a first predefined temperature and a second thermochromic transition at a second predefined temperature. 
   
   
       6 . A plate as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the housing is provided with an outer layer comprising the thermochromic material. 
   
   
       7 . A plate as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the outer layer is applied by printing, painting or dip-coating. 
   
   
       8 . A plate as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the outer layer takes the form of a jacket or sheath. 
   
   
       9 . A plate as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the housing is moulded from a material comprising the thermochromic material. 
   
   
       10 . A plate as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the housing is formed from a moulding composition comprising the thermochromic material and a polymer. 
   
   
       11 . A plate as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the thermochromic material is incorporated into the coolant. 
   
   
       12 . A plate as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the housing is provided with a transparent region through which the coolant may be viewed. 
   
   
       13 . A plate as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the thermochromic material is provided in the form of crystals, a paint or an ink. 
   
   
       14 . A plate as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the thermochromic material is microencapsulated. 
   
   
       15 . A plate as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a non-thermochromic background pigment is used in combination with the thermochromic material. 
   
   
       16 . A cold storage apparatus comprising an insulated container and an eutectic plate as claimed in  claim 1 . 
   
   
       17 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , which provides a controlled temperature environment within −40 to +40° C. 
   
   
       18 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , which comprises more than one eutectic plate. 
   
   
       19 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the insulated container contains a temperature-sensitive product selected from a food product, a beverage, a cosmetic product and a pharmaceutical product. 
   
   
       20 . A method of maintaining a temperature-sensitive product within a target temperature range, said method comprising:
 providing an eutectic plate which includes a housing containing a coolant and a thermochromic material that undergoes a thermochromic transition at a predefined temperature,   placing the eutectic plate in a controlled temperature environment, determining whether the eutectic plate is at a desired temperature or within a desired temperature range by visual inspection, and   placing the cooling eutectic plate in an insulated container with the temperature-sensitive product.   
   
   
       21 . A method as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the eutectic plate is refrigerated or frozen prior to use. 
   
   
       22 . A method as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the eutectic plate is placed in a controlled temperature environment and chilled to a lower temperature than desired and then allowed to heat up to the desired temperature or temperature range by exposing the plate to the ambient temperature.