Thermal insulation unit

Abstract

A container has contained therein a phase change material (PCM). An article or product comprises an insulation unit and the container, which may be in close proximity to the insulation unit. The container can be produced from a film or sheet containing a barrier layer and, optimally, a sealant layer, to prevent the PCM from leaking out of the container.

1 . An article comprising a container and a phase change material wherein
 the container includes a pouch or a bag;   the container has contained therein at least one phase change material;   the container comprises or is produced from a film or sheet;   the film or sheet includes single layer or multilayer structure comprises at least one barrier layer;   the multilayer structure comprises at least one sealant layer and at least one barrier layer;   the sealant layer include copolymer of ethylene (meth)acrylic acid, ionomer derived from copolymer of ethylene (meth)acrylic acid, or combinations thereof;   the barrier layer includes ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, polyamide, polyester, polyvinylidene chloride, polycarbonate, or combinations of two or more thereof; and   
     
     
         2 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the film or sheet is permeable to the phase change material at less than 0.2 g/m 2 /24 hr. 
     
     
         3 . The article of  claim 2  wherein the multilayer structure is permeable to the phase change material at less than 0.3 g/m 2 /24 hr. 
     
     
         4 . The article of  claim 3  wherein the multilayer structure is permeable to the phase change material at less than 0.5 g/m 2 /24 hr. 
     
     
         5 . The article of  claim 4  wherein the container is a sealed pouch. 
     
     
         6 . The article of  claim 5  wherein the phase change material is the paraffin; the sealant layer is the ionomer; and the barrier layer is polyamide. 
     
     
         7 . The article of  claim 4  wherein the phase change material is a polymer matrix containing the paraffin. 
     
     
         8 . The article of  claim 7  wherein the container is a sealed pouch; the sealant layer is the ionomer; and the barrier layer is polyamide. 
     
     
         9 . The article of  claim 6  wherein the (meth)acrylic acid is partially or completely neutralized with Zn ions and the insulation layer is the expanded polystyrene foam. 
     
     
         10 . The article of  claim 8  wherein the (meth)acrylic acid is partially or completely neutralized with Zn ions and the insulation layer is the expanded polystyrene foam. 
     
     
         11 . The article of  claim 2  wherein the container is a component of a thermal insulation unit comprising at least one insulation layer and at least one container wherein the insulation layer includes expanded polystyrene foam, mineral wool, foamed polyurethane, vermiculite, fiber-cement board, plaster walls, compressed wheat straw, foamed epoxy, drywall, wood based insulting materials, blankets, loose-fill, or rigid systems with materials such as rock wool, fiber glass, cellulose, polyurethane foam, extruded polystyrene foam, polyurethane foam, polyisocyanurate foam, or combinations of two or more thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The article of  claim 11  wherein the multilayer structure is permeable to the phase change material at less than 0.3 g/m 2 /24 hr. 
     
     
         13 . The article of  claim 12  wherein the multilayer structure is permeable to the phase change material at less than 0.5 g/m 2 /24 hr. 
     
     
         14 . The article of  claim 13  wherein the container is a sealed pouch; the phase change material is paraffin; the sealant layer is the ionomer; and the barrier layer is polyamide. 
     
     
         15 . The article of  claim 13  wherein the phase change material is a polymer matrix containing the paraffin; the sealant layer is the ionomer; and the barrier layer is polyamide. 
     
     
         16 . The article of  claim 14  wherein the (meth)acrylic acid is partially or completely neutralized with Zn ions and the insulation layer is the expanded polystyrene foam. 
     
     
         17 . The article of  claim 15  wherein the (meth)acrylic acid is partially or completely neutralized with Zn ions and the insulation layer is the expanded polystyrene foam. 
     
     
         18 . The article of  claim 11  wherein the article comprises at least one additional insulating layer positioned adjacent to the container or to the insulation layer. 
     
     
         19 . The article of  claim 11  wherein
 the article is a component of cloth, shoe, glove, sock, sleeping bag, tent, food container, beverage container, or combinations of two or more thereof; and 
 the article is thermal insulation unit comprising at least one insulation layer and at least one container wherein the insulation layer includes expanded polystyrene foam, mineral wool, foamed polyurethane, vermiculite, fiber-cement board, plaster walls, compressed wheat straw, foamed epoxy, drywall, wood based insulting materials, blankets, loose-fill, or rigid systems with materials such as rock wool, fiber glass, cellulose, polyurethane foam, extruded polystyrene foam, polyurethane foam, polyisocyanurate foam, or combinations of two or more thereof. 
 
     
     
         20 . The article of  claim 11  wherein the article is a personal protection.