HEAT DEVICE HAVING A LATENT-HEAT STORAGE MEANS

According to claim 1 and claim 2, this invention relates to a heating device, in particular to a hot water bottle or a heat cushion, which at the very least has indirect contact with a living being, according to claims 9 and 10, to a manufacturing method for the manufacture of a heating device, according to claims 11 and 12, to a latent heat storage means, in particular for use in a heating device, and according to claim 14, to a set.

Heating devices, such as hot water bottles and grain pillows, have been around for many years. These types of heating devices however all have the same problem in that they can be filled by users with water that is too hot or are heated up too much by a heating device, such as an oven. The extreme heat can result in burns to the skin. To avoid burns, the “Hot Water Bottles Safety Standard BS 1970” was introduced, which was replaced by the “Hot Water Bottles Safety Standard BS 1970:2012” in 2012. According to this standard, hot water bottles must be manufactured with a certain wall thickness, to limit the heat transfer. Furthermore, according to this standard, hot water bottles must have a warning label attached to them stating that they cannot be filled with boiling water.

There are also property law reports in which inventors have addressed the problem of burns occurring. For example, German utility model specification DE 77 07 739 reveals the different configuration of the walls of the hot water bottle, causing varying degrees of heat to be transferred. Document DE 85 04 306 U1 also reveals a hot water bottle, which has an insulating layer on one side. Document DE 691 01 711 T2 also reveals a hot water bottle, where both sides of the hot water bottle have different flocking.

All approaches so far have not been very successful as the majority of users still use a kettle to heat the water for the hot water bottle. As kettles generally only turn off when the water is boiling, most people use this boiling water to fill the hot water bottle, which is why it can be dangerously hot.

Many users also use very hot water because they hope to keep the hot water bottle warmer for longer with hotter water. This practice reveals another problem relating to known hot water bottles. Current hot water bottles have a substantial continuous cooling rate, which means that the hot water bottle is either too hot or too cold for most of the time it is being used.

The objective of this invention is thus the provision of a heating device that limits the aforementioned problems and that also provides more comfort during the use of said heating device.

According to the invention, the aforementioned objective is achieved via a heating device, more specifically a hot water bottle or a heat cushion, which at the very least can be brought into indirect contact with a living being,

in particular a person and/or an animal. The heating device here preferably comprises at least one receiving space for holding material that is able to flow, wherein the receiving space is partially sectioned off with a flexible wall and the flexible wall can be brought into indirect contact with the living being. According to the invention, at least one or exactly one latent heat storage means is provided, respectively the heating device comprises at least one or exactly a latent heat storage means, wherein the latent heat storage means is arranged in such a manner to ensure for at least some of the time that there is temperature control of the material that is able to flow, wherein the latent heat storage means has a phase change material, in particular sodium acetate, wherein the phase change material absorbs energy during an endothermic change of state due to warming and releases energy during an exothermic change of state in the form of heat.

This solution is beneficial because on the one hand, excess heat is removed from the material that is able to flow for later use, thereby reducing the risk of burns and on the other hand, the later release of stored heat provides more comfort. The phase change material causes the material that is able to flow to cool through the partial or complete endothermic change of state, thereby allowing the heat to be released at a later time in a preferably constant or substantially constant manner to the material that is able to flow and/or to the wall. It has been demonstrated in experiments that due to the heating device according to the invention not only a significantly more homogeneous heat, but also that the duration of the heat, particularly in an optimal heat range between 38° C. and 48° C., is longer. The heating device according to the invention is therefore, when compared to an identical heating device, in particular a hot water bottle without a latent heat storage means, warmer for longer under the same circumstances, in particular the temperature of the material that is able to flow, the amount of the material that is able to flow and the ambient temperature, and particularly warmer for longer in an optimal temperature range. This is explained by a strong reduction in the heat output in the first few minutes which is due to the heat absorption by the latent heat storage means. The higher the temperature difference between the surroundings and the heating device, the greater the heat output to the surroundings. As there is a substantial cooling of the material that is able to flow at first through the storing of a portion of the heat quantity from the material that is able to flow in the latent heat storage means, the heating device according to the invention causes the heat output to the surroundings to be reduced every second, which allows the heat to be released over a longer period.

The temperature control of the material that is able to flow can be understood as a cooling of the material that is able to flow or take place during the cooling of the material that is able to flow, whereby the temperature control of the material that is able to flow or substance, which can be a mixture of materials or substances, preferably means the supply of heat to the material that is able to flow, wherein the heat preferably causes the heating of the material that is able to flow, the maintenance of the temperature of the material that is able to flow or the reduction in the cooling speed of the material that is able to flow.

In other words, the latent heat storage means preferably comprises a phase change material, in particular sodium acetate, wherein the phase change material first absorbs energy as a result of heating and then releases energy in the form of heat after a second change of state. Phase change materials should preferably contain sodium acetate trihydrate or sodium acetate or paraffins or a mixture of these materials. Sodium acetate trihydrate preferably has a melting temperature of substantially or exactly 58° C. while, paraffin, in particular paraffin wax, has a melting temperature of approx. or exactly 60° C. The phase change material preferably has a melting temperature of higher than 36° C., in particular of higher than 40° C., in particular of higher than 42° C., in particular of higher than 45° C., in particular of higher than 47° C., in particular of higher than 50° C., in particular of higher than 52° C., in particular of higher than 55° C., in particular of higher than 56° C., going up to, for example 60° C. or up to 65° C. or up to 70° C. or up to 80° C. Thus according to the present invention, a phase change material is preferably used that has a melting temperature of between 30° C. and 80° C. and preferably between 36° C. and 70° C. and more preferably between 40° C. and 65° C., in particular between 45° C. and 63° C. The phase change material preferably comprises salt constituents and in particular, preferably comprise one or more salts in mass proportions.

According to another preferred embodiment of this invention, the latent heat storage means is configured in such a way that for a defined amount of defined temperature controlled material that is able to flow, the phase change material completely undergoes an endothermic change of state, whereby the cooling rate of the material that is able to flow is also preferably defined. The benefit of this embodiment is that a stable state is reached through the complete change of state, in which the absorbed heat is stored and always available.

According to another preferred embodiment of this invention, the latent heat storage means comprises an actuating means, in particular a clicker comprising at least one metal to trigger the exothermic change of state.

If, for example, the temperature of the material that is able to flow falls below the temperature resulting from the phase transition or the exothermic change of state, to room temperature, for example, the actuating means can trigger the change of state of the phase change material which leads to a warming up of the material that is able to flow.

The actuating means is preferably partially or completely surrounded by the phase change material and is preferably in direct contact with it.

According to another preferred embodiment of this invention, the latent heat storage means is preferably configured in such a way that for a defined amount of defined temperature controlled material that is able to flow, the phase change material partially undergoes an endothermic change of state, whereby the cooling rate of the material that is able to flow is also preferably defined.

With an amount A of material that is able to flow, particularly water, a temperature T of the material that is able to flow and preferably a cooling rate of R of the material that is able to flow, the latent heat storage means thus preferably takes on a three-dimensional outer shape and thus preferably has a defined amount of phase change material arranged therein, wherein the amount of phase change material is chosen depending on the three-dimensional outer shape of the latent heat storage means, so that the phase change material only partially undergoes the endothermic change of state. Preference here is preferably given to the rule, that for the same amount A of material that is able to flow, the same temperature T and preferably the same cooling rate of R, the increasing surface area of the three-dimensional outer shape of the latent heat storage means also leads to an increase in the amount of phase change material.

When the material that is able to flow cools off and falls e.g. below the temperature at which the phase change material changes its phase or state, that phase change material releases heat and thus reverses the partial endothermic change of state. The phase change material releases the previously absorbed energy during the reversal, preferably substantially or completely in the form of heat to the material that is able to flow.

Phase change material that has not completely changed the phase, helps to reverse the partially completed phase change whereby the phase change material gives off heat. On the other hand, phase change material that has completely changed the phase, only changes the phase or the state reached after a triggering effect that can be created or initiated by the actuating means. This embodiment thus provides a kind of thermal buffer benefit.

In the case of a heating device, which is being filled with temperature controlled material that is able to flow, such as, for example, in the case of a hot water bottle, the phase change material first absorbs the heat from the material that is able to flow which cools down the material that is able to flow. Injuries or burns of the skin are more likely to occur because the temperature of the heated material that is able to flow is often not brought to an ideal temperature (e.g. 50°-60° C.) by the users of the heating device, but is often a lot hotter (e.g. 95° C.). By cooling down the temperature of the material that is able to flow via the phase change material, excess heat is stored. The stored heat is then released by the phase change material as soon as the temperature of the material that is able to flow drops below a threshold temperature. The heat released by the phase change material then preferably causes the temperature of the material that is able to flow to be constant or substantially constant in the range of the threshold temperature or the heat released by the phase change material causes, at the very least, a slower cooling off of the material that is able to flow.

According to another preferred embodiment of this invention, the receiving space has a closable filling and emptying opening for the supply of the in particularly heat material that is able to flow to the receiving space and for the discharge of the particularly cooled material that is able to flow from the receiving space.

This embodiment has the benefit that the material that is able to flow can be heated or temperature controlled outside the heating device.

According to another preferred embodiment of this invention, the receiving space is encapsulated in such a manner that the material that is able to flow remains permanently in the receiving space. This in effect means particular preferably that the material that is able to flow can only be removed from the receiving space if the receiving space is damaged or destroyed. There is in particularly no filling and/or emptying opening in this embodiment of the invention. This embodiment has the benefit that the latent heat storage means and the material that is able to flow can be heated at the same time by the same heat source such as an oven, a microwave oven, a pan etc. This avoids having to do time consuming exchange activities and as there is no closure device, there is no risk of it being closed incorrectly, making the use of the heating device safer.

According to another preferred embodiment of this invention, the at least or exactly one latent heat storage means is/are placed inside the receiving space or on the wall of the receiving space or form part of the wall.

Having the latent heat storage means in the area of the wall or on the wall is preferred, particularly if in the receiving space or outside of the receiving space.

According to another preferred embodiment of this invention, the ratio between the amount or mass of material that is able to flow receivable from the receiving space and the amount or mass of the phase change material lies between 2:1 and 7:1, preferably between 2.5:1 and 5.5:1 and best between 2.5:1 and 4.5:1. Thus preferably the ratio between the amount of material that is able to flow receivable from the receiving space and the amount of the phase change material lies between 2:1 and 6:1, preferably between 2.5:1 and 5.5:1 and best between 2.5:1 and 4.5:1 or the ratio between the mass of material that is able to flows receivable from the receiving space and the mass of phase change material lies between 2:1 and 6:1, preferably between 2.5:1 and 5.5:1 and best between 2.5:1 and 4.5:1. For the purposes of this invention, the ratio between the amount or mass of material that is able to flow received in the receiving space and the amount or mass of the phase change material can lie between 2.5:1 and 4:1, but lies preferably between 2.5:1 and 3.5:1 and best between 2:1 and 4:1.

According to another preferred embodiment of this invention, the walls of the heating device must have different insulating capacities. The wall that will be in contact with the body of a living being is preferably less insulated than the spaced wall in the receiving space. This embodiment has the benefit that the heat which is released into the surroundings is reduced and thus leads to an extension of the duration during which heat is released to the living being and during which heat can be absorbed by the material that is able to flow latent heat storage from the material that is able to flow.

This invention also relates to a heating device, in particular a hot water bottle or a heat cushion, which is to be brought into indirect contact with a living being, which preferably comprises at least a receiving space to hold material that is able to flows, wherein the receiving space is separated at least by a partially flexible wall, wherein the flexible wall is able to come into at least indirect contact with a living being, and which has been equipped with a latent heat storage means, wherein the latent heat storage means is set up so that the latent heat storage means can at least temporarily control the temperature of the material that is able to flow and wherein the latent heat storage means is designed as a thermochemical heat accumulator.

This invention further relates to a manufacturing method for the manufacture of a heating device, in particular a hot water bottle or a heat cushion, for, at the very least, indirect contacting with a living being. The manufacturing method preferably includes at least the steps of providing two blank plates, which together form the wall of the hot water bottle, arranging of at least one latent heat storage means between the blank plates, wherein the latent heat storage means comprises a phase change material, wherein the phase change material absorbs energy during an endothermic change of state and releases energy in the form of heat during an exothermic change of state, and the joining of the blank plates to each other, in particular by means of vulcanisation. It is also, however, conceivable that the manufacturing process preferably comprises at least the steps of inserting a thermoplastic blank in a blow mould, the forming of the hot water bottle by means of the introduction of air into the blank, the insertion of a latent heat storage means in the interior of the produced form through an opening of the hot water bottle, wherein the latent heat storage means comprises a phase change material, wherein the phase change material absorbs energy during an endothermic change of state and releases energy in the form of heat during an exothermic change of state, the insertion of a threaded inlet and outlet means in the opening of the hot water bottle and the connecting of the inlet and outlet means to the hot water bottle.

This manufacturing method has the benefit that it provides for the manufacture of a hot water bottle with an integrated latent heat storage means for the first time.

Furthermore, this invention relates to a latent heat storage means for use as a retrofit element for hot water bottles or a hot water bottle latent heat storage means for insertion in a existing hot water bottle at least partially and preferably mainly made of rubber or plastic, in particular PVC, existing hot water bottle, whereby the hot water bottle has an opening with an opening diameter of less than or equal to 30 mm, in particular smaller or equal to 29 mm, in particular smaller or equal to 28 mm, in particular smaller or equal to 27 mm, in particular smaller or equal to 26 mm, in particular smaller or equal to 25 mm, and which holds at least 0.4 litres of material that is able to flow, in particular water, in particular at least 0.5 litres, in particular at least 0.75 litres, in particular at least 1 litre, in particular at least 1.2 litres, in particular at least 1.5 litres, in particular at least 1.75 litres, in particular at least 2 litres, and has a wall thickness of at least 1 mm, in particular of at least 1.1 mm, in particular of at least 1.2 mm, in particular of at least 1.3 mm, in particular of at least 1.4 mm, in particular of at least 1.5 mm. The hot water bottle latent heat storage means has at least one wall, that forms or defines an outer three-dimensional shape of the hot water bottle latent heat storage means, with the wall acting as a boundary to a retention space in which a phase change material is located, wherein the phase change material absorbs energy during an endothermic change of state and releases energy in the form of heat during an exothermic change of state, wherein the phase change material has a melting temperature of more than 36° C., in particular of more than 40° C., in particular of more than 42° C., in particular of more than 45° C., in particular of more than 47° C., in particular of more than 50° C., in particular of more than 52° C., in particular of more than 55° C., in particular of more than 56° C., for example up to 60° C. or up to 65° C. or up to 70° C., and which is provided in a quantity or mass which allows the phase change material, with the hot water bottle preferably at ⅔ full, and in particular when completely full, with phase change material heated above a melting temperature, in particular of 80° C., in particular of 95° C. heated hot material that is able to flow, particularly water, with an ambient temperature of 20° C. or of 30° C. or of 36° C. or of 40° C. to only partially undergo an endothermic change of state. The hot water bottle is preferably made from a polymer or elastomer material, in particular rubber, PVC or latex. It is preferable if the exothermic change of state happens immediately or to the most part immediately after the endothermic change of state.

The hot water bottle latent heat storage means or the latent heat storage means preferably has a film-like housing or sleeve, which means that the wall of the hot water bottle latent heat storage means is preferably flexible. The wall or housing of the latent heat storage means or the hot water bottle latent heat storage means particularly preferably consists of a polymer material, in particular a waterproof, in particular at least with ambient pressure, and temperature stable polymeric material up to at least 100° C., preferably or substantially up to 110° C., preferably or substantially up to 120° C., preferably or substantially up to 130° C., preferably or substantially up to 140° C., preferably or substantially up to 150° C., preferably or substantially up to 160° C., preferably or substantially up to 170° C., preferably or substantially up to 200° C., preferably or substantially up to 250° C., preferably or substantially up to 300° C., preferably or substantially up to 350° C.

The hot water bottle latent heat storage means can also be formed from a number of individual physically separate or interconnected receiving spaces, each filled with a phase change material and preferably in a film-like housing. In this case it is preferred that the entire phase change material does not get transferred to a stable state through an endothermic reaction caused by a heating carried out by the hot material that is able to flow, in particular water, and the resulting complete change of state, but rather that it preferably goes always back to its initial state before the heating, automatically, by means of an exothermic reaction. If the phase change material were to experience a complete change of state through the endothermic reaction, then the phase change material could not be caused to undergo an exothermic change of state without an external triggering. The hot water bottle latent heat storage means must thus preferably be designed in such a way that it can be inserted in its initial state in which an endothermic reaction is possible or still possible, into a hot water bottle. As a phase change material in this state normally takes a solid form, the insertion into the hot water bottle requires certain geometric conditions, in particular the hot water bottle latent heat storage means must fit through the opening of the hot water bottle. Due to the limited opening size of a hot water bottle, the hot water bottle latent heat storage means must have a minimum length or a minimum amount of phase change material to change, not completely, through the hot material that is able to flow, in particular water, into the discussed stable state after an endothermic reaction. There is, for example, a hot water bottle latent heat storage means that has sodium acetate as its phase change material. The phase change material must be at least partially in a crystallised form before being inserted into the hot water bottle, so that the exothermic reaction can occur or be completed. If the phase change material is in a fully liquid state, i.e. it has fully completed the endothermic change of state, then a triggering of the exothermic change of state could no longer take place once the hot water bottle latent heat storage means has been inserted into the hot water bottle. The hot water bottle latent heat storage means with the partially and preferable completely crystallised phase change material is inserted into the hot water bottle through the opening of the hot water bottle. Due to the hot water supply or the supply of the temperature controlled material that is able to flow in the hot water bottle, the phase change material partially melts by absorbing heat (heat of fusion). It is important that the phase change material does not melt completely and that the latent heat storage means has therefore the appropriate form, in particular the appropriate thickness and/or that the phase change material is present in the appropriate amount or mass. By absorbing the heat of fusion, the temperature of the supplied material that is able to flow, in particular water, is cooled. If the temperature of the supplied material that is able to flow, in particular water, falls below a certain threshold temperature, in particular the solidification temperature of the phase change material, then the phase change material will automatically start to solidify and thereby releases heat to the material that is able to flow, in particular water, or to the hot water bottle wall.

Furthermore, the thread of the hot water bottle preferably extends in an axial direction by at least 3 mm and more preferably by at least 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm or more than 10 mm. The hot water bottle latent heat storage means is also preferably designed in such a way that it cannot be removed from the hot water bottle without the use of a tool or without it being destroyed.

The hot water bottle latent heat storage means is particularly preferably suited as a retrofit means for retrofitting hot water bottles. Preferably the hot water bottle latent heat storage means is shaped in a tubular form. The tubular shaped hot water bottle latent heat storage means preferably has sectionally in a cross section, orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the tubular shaped hot water bottle latent heat storage means, in particularly a round shape. The diameter of the hot water bottle latent heat storage means is preferably smaller or equal to 30 mm, in particularly smaller or equal to 29 mm, in particularly smaller or equal to 28 mm, in particularly smaller or equal to 27 mm, in particularly smaller or equal to 26 mm, in particularly smaller or equal to 25 mm, in particularly smaller or equal to 24 mm, in particularly smaller or equal to 23 mm, in particularly smaller or equal to 22 mm, in particularly smaller or equal to 21 mm, in particularly smaller or equal to 20 mm. The tubular shaped hot water bottle latent heat storage means extends in its axial direction or in its longitudinal direction preferably exactly, at least, or maximally 50 mm, to exactly, maximally, or more than 60 mm, to exactly, maximally, or more than 70 mm, to exactly, maximally, or more than 80 mm, to exactly, maximally, or more than 90 mm, to exactly, maximally, or more than 100 mm, to exactly, maximally, or more than 110 mm, to exactly, maximally, or more than 120 mm, to exactly, maximally, or more than 130 mm, to exactly, maximally, or more than 140 mm, to exactly, maximally, or more than 150 mm, to exactly, maximally, or more than 160 mm, to exactly, maximally, or more than 170 mm, to exactly, maximally, or more than 180 mm, to exactly, maximally, or more than 190 mm, to exactly, maximally, or more than 200 mm, to exactly, maximally, or more than 210 mm, to exactly, maximally, or more than 250 mm, to exactly, maximally, or more than 300 mm, to exactly, maximally, or more than 3500 mm, to exactly, maximally, or more than 4000 mm.

The invention may also relate to a hot water bottle with at least one hot water bottle latent heat storage means.

For the purposes of this invention, the material that is able to flow is preferably a fluid, in particular a liquid, a bulk material or a mixture of bulk material and fluid. A preferred fluid in this case is water, but alternatively oil or other liquids or gels or fats or creams can be used. Furthermore, the bulk material should preferably be understood as kernels or seeds. Kernels, in this case, could for example be

cherry stones, grape seeds, kernel mixtures etc. Seeds could be flax seeds, for example. Sand, soil, stones, mud etc. are also considered as materials that are able to flow in the light of this present invention.

This invention relates furthermore to a set of a previously described heating device and an exchangeable cover, in particular a textile cover, with the cover enclosing the flexible wall of the heating device at the very least sectionally. The set particularly preferably has a closure to open and close the heating device. The cover is preferably made of a material selected from the following group at least consisting of fleece, polymer material such as neoprene, cotton, wool, terry cloth e.g. etc. Particularly preferably if the cover features two parts which vary in their heat insulation, wherein the two parts are different heat insulating when the cover covers the heating device. The cover is designed to be in the shape of a shell, into which the heating device could be inserted. It is possible for one part of the cover to be thinner than the other. The parts of the cover are designed in such a way that they are located on opposite and spaced apart wall parts of the heating device and preferably completely cover it or lie on top of it. It has been demonstrated that the effects of the heating device invention, particularly the hot water bottle, are emphasised by the use of a cover.

The use of the word “substantially” is defined preferably in all cases in which this word is used in the context of this invention with a deviation in the range of 1%-30%, in particular of 1%-20%, in particular of 1%40%, in particular of 1%-5%, in particular of 1%-2%, from the definition that would be understood without the use of this word. Individual or all illustrations of the figures described hereinafter are preferably to be regarded as design drawings, i.e. the dimensions, proportions, functional relationships and/or arrangements shown by the figures preferably correspond exactly or preferably substantially to those of this invention device or invented product. Additional benefits, objectives and properties of this invention will become apparent from the description below attached to the drawings, in which heating devices according to the invention are illustrated for exemplary purposes. Elements relating to the means and methods of the invention, which in the figures at least substantially match their function, may in this case be identified by the same reference numerals, while these components or elements may not necessarily be quantified or described in all figures. In the following the invention will be described on the basis of the attached figures.

Shown here:

FIG. 1 a sectional view of a heating device according to a preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2a a sectional view of a heating device according to another preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIGS. 2b and 2c sectional views of various heating devices according to a preferred embodiment of this invention, wherein the individual heating devices have different latent heat storage means or different quantities of latent heat storage means;

FIGS. 3a and 3b sectional views of various heating devices according to a preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 4a a sectional view of a heating device according to another preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 4b a top view of the heating device shown in FIG. 4a;

FIG. 4c a sectional view of a heating device according to another preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 4d a top view of the heating device shown in FIG. 4c;

FIGS. 5a and 5b sectional views of various heating devices according to another preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 5c a top view of the heating device shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b;

FIG. 5d a rear view of the heating devices shown in FIGS. 5a to 5c,

FIG. 6 a top view of an at least partially transparent heating device according to another preferred embodiment of this invention,

FIG. 7 a normal cooling curve and a cooling curve in the sense of this invention,

FIGS. 8a and 8b another preferred embodiment of this invention, according to which the latent heat storage means is preferably fixed to a wall limiting the receiving space,

FIGS. 9a and 9b each showing a further preferred embodiment of this invention, with the latent heat storage means showing a large surface area in both illustrations,

FIG. 10 a diagram showing the cooling curves of the different hot water bottle configurations, and

FIG. 11a, 11b, 11c three different views of an exemplary latent heat storage means, in particular for use in a hot water bottle.

FIG. 1 shows a heating device invention 1. The heating device 1 is preferably designed as a heat cushion. The heating device 1 has a receiving space 2, which is surrounded or limited by a wall 6. The wall 6 can be made of rubber, a polymer, in particular PVC, or of a textile material, particularly a knitted fabric. The receiving space 2 is at least partially filled with a material that is able to flow 4. The material that is able to flow 4 is preferably a bulk material such as sand, kernels, stones, or a fluid such as water, mud or a gel etc. One can conclude in this case that the wall of the heating device 1 has been designed/selected in such a way that it can hold the selected material that is able to flow 4 substantially without loss or without any loss. In the receiving space 2 next to the material that is able to flow 4 or surrounded by the material that is able to flow 4 is at least one latent heat storage means 8 provided. The at least one latent heat storage means 8 can be sitting or placed loosely in the receiving space 2 or it can be fixed by means of a fixing with respect to the wall 6 or fixed or placed onto the wall 6. Reference numeral 9 schematically indicates the interior of the latent heat storage means which is preferably delimited by a film-like wall. In the interior space 9 of the latent heat storage means, there is a phase change material.

In FIG. 2a a sectional view of the heating device 1 is shown in its preferred form as a hot water bottle. The heating device 1 here has at least or exactly one filling and emptying opening 12. The filling and emptying opening 12 can preferably be closed by a closure 14. The closure 14, depending on the configuration of the filling and emptying opening 12 can have an external thread or an internal thread or be designed with any other sealing closure concept.

FIGS. 2b and 2c show sectional views with the sections guided along the Y-Z plane. Illustration 2b shows a latent heat storage means 8 within a receiving space 2. Illustration 2c shows several latent heat storage means 8 are arranged within the receiving space. One can deduce from this that the latent heat storage means 8 shown in FIG. 2c together have a larger surface area than the latent heat storage means 8 shown in FIG. 2b, which the latent heat storage means 8 shown in FIG. 2b at an equal length extending in the X direction or in the longitudinal direction of the heating device 1, being able to host or hosting a larger amount of phase change material.

In the illustrations shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, the heating devices 1 have a funnel 15 for the easier filling with a substance that is able to flow. It is however also possible in this case that the illustrated heating devices 1 are also designed without such a funnel 15. Furthermore, it is conceivable that all heating devices 1 shown in all the following figures, which have a filling and emptying opening 12 or an inlet and outlet means 12, may have such a funnel 15. Furthermore, the individual illustrated filling and emptying openings 12 that are shown in the various versions, are simply examples.

From FIG. 3a it is evident that several latent heat storage means 8 are located within the receiving space 2. It is thus conceivable that within a receiving space 2 at least or exactly two, at least or exactly three, at least or exactly four, at least or exactly five, at least or exactly six, at least or exactly seven latent heat storage means 8 can be provided or inserted or arranged.

FIG. 3b shows an embodiment in which the latent heat storage means 8 is shaped spherical or substantially spherical, in particular disc or ball shaped.

FIG. 4a shows a heating device 1 that is preferably designed as a hot water bottle. The heating device 1 here has at least one latent heat storage means 8. The latent heat storage means 8 has an actuating means 10, in particular a metal spring or a clicker, for triggering the exothermic change of state of the phase change material. Preferably, in this embodiment, the actuating means 10 and/or the latent heat storage means 8 is always located in a defined manner with respect to a wall portion 6 of the heating device 1, in particular opposite a marking (compare FIG. 4b) made with respect to or planned on the wall portion 6.

It is also conceivable that a or at least one latent heat storage means 8 with an actuating means 10 is located within a heating device 1 designed as a heat cushion. In this case the actuating means 10 is preferably also located in a defined manner with respect to a wall portion 6 of the heating device 1.

FIG. 4b shows a top view of a heating device 1. Visible on this illustration, that wall 6 has a marking 16. The marking 16 here preferably shows the position or substantially the position of the actuating means 10.

FIGS. 4c and 4d show a similar example to FIGS. 4a and 4b, with FIGS. 4c and 4d showing more latent heat storage means 8 and therefore more markings 16. It is preferably conceivable here, that the number of markings 16 correlates to the number of actuating means 10.

FIG. 5a shows a sectional view of an embodiment, in which a part of the latent heat storage means 8 is located outside of the receiving space 2. In the area outside of the receiving space 2 where the latent heat storage means 8 is located, there is preferably also an actuating means 10 arranged. The part of the latent heat storage means 8 outside the receiving space 2 is preferably separated from the part of the latent heat storage means 8 within the receiving space 2 so that the actuating means 10 is preferably exclusively located outside the receiving space 2. It is preferable that at least the part of the latent heat storage means 8, in which the actuating means 10 is arranged, is partially or completely transparent. Furthermore, the part of the latent heat storage means 8 located outside the receiving space 2 is separated from the part of the latent heat storage means 8 located within the receiving space 2 in such a way that the exothermic change of state and the endothermic change of state of the phase change material located in the interior space 9 of the latent heat storage means 8 can preferably happen completely. Furthermore, reference numeral 18 depicts a separation which can appear as e.g. a gap as shown in FIG. 5a or—as shown in FIG. 5b—e.g. through a kind of perforation.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that a heating device 1 may have several latent heat storage means 8, that are arranged in such a way that they are contactable by a user while the heating device 1 is closed. Preferably, a heating device 1 designed in particular as a hot water bottle, has several, in particular at least, exactly or no more than 2, at least, exactly or no more than 3, at least, exactly or no more than 4, at least, exactly or no more than 5, at least, exactly or no more than 6 latent heat storage means 8, which are contactable by a user while the heating device 1 is closed or which extend beyond the receiving space 2.

FIG. 5c shows a top view of a heating device 1 according to the invention, which preferably has a marking 16 in the area of the latent heat storage means 8 or preferably on the latent heat storage means 8, marking the position of the actuating means 10. It is, however, also conceivable that no marking 16 is necessary as the spatial differentiation of the area in which the actuating means 10 is located makes it obvious where the actuating means 10 is located. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the latent heat storage means 8 is at least partially transparent or transparent in such a way that it is recognisable where he actuating means 10 is located.

FIG. 5d shows a rear view of the heating device 1 shown in FIGS. 5a to 5c. Reference numeral 20 here shows a seam, preferably surrounding, that was created during the manufacture of the heating device, in particular through a blow mould or during vulcanisation.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of a, at least one-sided, and preferably two-sided, at least partially and preferably substantially, or more preferably completely, transparent heating device 1. Due to the transparency of the wall, it is visible where the latent heat storage means 8 and the actuating means 10 in it, are located. The latent heat storage means 8 is preferably also at least one-sided and preferably two-sided at least partially and preferably substantially or more preferably completely, transparent.

FIG. 7 shows two different schematic temperature profiles 20 and 22. The temperature profile 20 substantially shows a cooling down of a state of the art known heating device and the temperature profile 22 substantially shows a cooling down of the heating device according to the invention. According to both curves, the heating device 1 is temperature controlled to a starting temperature a, in particular a temperature between 60° C. and 100° C. and preferably 95° C. or substantially 95° C. The heating can take place by filling the heating device 1 with a material that is able to flow 4, in particular water. In contrast to a normal temperature profile 20, the material that is able to flow cools off faster at first in this invention. The faster cooling down is caused by the transfer of heat from the material that is able to flow 4 to the latent heat storage means 8, which is located inside the receiving space 2 or at the receiving space 2 or on the wall 6 of the receiving space 2, in the heating device 1. Due to the heat transfer, the phase change material, located in the latent heat storage means 8, undergoes a partial endothermic change of state. When the material that is able to flow cools off to or below a threshold temperature of the phase change material, there is a reversal of the endothermic change of state takes place through an exothermic change of state. The phase change material continues to release the energy absorbed during the endothermic change of state, in the form of heat, until it returns to its original state, in particular as a solid body. Through the heat release of the phase change material, the cooling curve is modified or the material that is able to flow is temperature controlled, which means that it maintains a constant or substantially constant temperature for a certain period of time. Both curves 20, 22 cool down to an ambient temperature c, in particular 20° C. The latent heat storage means 8 is therefore preferably designed in such a manner that with a defined amount, in particular a complete filling of the receiving space 2, with defined temperature controlled, in particular at 95° C., material that is able to flow, in particular water, the phase change material only undergoes a partial endothermic change of state, and that in particular the change of state is automatically reversed to its original state before the change of state.

The temperature profile described in FIG. 7 occurs particularly preferably in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2a-2c and 3a-3b.

FIG. 8a shows a cross-sectional view of a heating device 1 according to the invention with a modified latent heat storage means 8. The hot water bottle latent heat storage means or the latent heat storage means 8 has several chambers 24 and 26 in which phase change material is located. The chambers 24, 26 are functionally or physically connected to each other in such a way that an exothermic change of state triggered in the main chamber 24 passes to the other chamber(s), i.e. the secondary chamber(s) 26. This embodiment has the advantage that one or several secondary chambers 26 can be provided, for example in a cooling fin manner, to create the largest possible heat transfer surface. However, the main chamber 24 is preferably designed in such a way that the phase change material contained within it, during a maximum heat supply, through the supply of temperature controlled material that is able to flow, only partially undergoes an endothermic change of state. The phase change material located in the secondary chamber(s) can, however, undergo a complete change of state. The secondary chamber(s) 26 preferably have a different “surface to phase change material amount” ratio compared to the main chamber 24, with the main chamber 24

preferably having a smaller surface area with the same amount of phase change material. It is, however, conceivable that all the secondary chambers 26 together have more phase change material and together have a larger surface area than the main chamber 25.

The reference numeral 28 identifies a preferably flexible fixation element. The fixation element 28 is preferably used to attach the latent heat storage means 8 to the wall 6 of the heating device 1.

The fixation element 28 preferably comprises plastic. Particularly preferable the fixation element 28 is a component of the latent heat storage means 8. It must be expressly pointed out that the fixation element 28 has only been attached to a latent heat storage means 8 which has a secondary chamber 26, as an example. It is also conceivable that it is attached to a latent heat storage means 8 or materialized on a latent heat storage means 8 that has no or several secondary chambers 26. Preferably, the fixation element 28 is connected to the wall 6 of the heating device 1 during the manufacture of the heating device 1 in the preferable form of a hot water bottle. The benefit of the fixation element 28 is that it preferably prevents the clogging of the outlet of the latent heat storage means 8, when the material that is able to flow of the heating device 1 preferably embodied as a hot water bottle is poured out.

Merely as an example, FIG. 8b shows a side view of the sectional view of the heating device 1 shown in FIG. 8a.

FIG. 9a shows a cross-sectional view of a heating device 1. The latent heat storage means 8 shown can extend in a different plane, for example in the same way as the latent heat storage means 8 shown in FIG. 2a or in FIG. 6. The latent heat storage means 8 is characterised in that its surface area compared to its volume is relatively large. Preferably, the latent heat storage means 8 has two or more, in particular three or more, four or more, 5 or more retention areas which overlap each other and at least partially extend on parallel planes, in which a phase change material is located. Preferably at least two and preferably at least three and particularly preferably at least 4,5,6, or more or all retention areas that overlap each other or are communicatively interconnected.

Communicatively interconnected in this case means preferably that a crystallisation or solidification or hardening or phase change (from liquid to solid) happening in one retention area, can transfer or transfers to another retention area 32. Communicatively interconnected means particularly preferably that the phase change material is in a state where the material is able to flow and is partially transferable or conductible from one retention area 32 into another retention areas 32. The wall of the latent heat storage means 8 is thus preferably the wall of the retention area 32. The wall of the latent heat storage means 8 is preferably flexible, and the wall is preferably made of a polymer.

The latent heat storage means 8 particularly preferably has spacing elements 28 that are located or that are arrangeable between the individual retention areas 32 of the latent heat storage means 8.

The spacing elements 28 are preferably stuck to the wall of the latent heat storage means 8. It is however also conceivable that the spacing elements 28 form part of the wall of the latent heat storage means 8. Furthermore, it is conceivable that through at least one spacing means 28 at least two retention areas are communicatively connected to each other.

It is furthermore conceivable that individual wall parts of the latent heat storage means 8, in particular of the individual retention areas 32, are connected to each other via form holding elements 33 or form retaining elements 33, with a form holding element 33 or one form retaining element preferably limiting an expansion of the volume, locally limited by the walls. The form holding elements 33 therefore preferably prevent the phase change material, which is able to flow, from being conductible from one retention area to another retention area which would result in a significant increase of the amount of phase change material in one retention area and a significant decrease in another retention area. The form holding elements 33, which may be locally stuck in weldings of the limiting wall parts of a retention area, thus ensure that each retention area substantially holds the desired amount of phase change material. Furthermore, FIG. 9a shows that the spacing elements 28 create a heat transfer area 30 which is located within the outer perimeter of the latent heat storage means 8. The heat transfer area 30 when used is at least partially filled with the temperature controlled material that is able to flow.

FIG. 9b shows another conceivable embodiment of the latent heat storage means 8. According to this embodiment, the latent heat storage means 8 can have several uniform and preferably also several therefore differently formed chambers 24, 26, with preferably all chambers 24, 26 being communicatively connected to each other. Furthermore, FIG. 9b shows that the heat transfer area 30 between the individual retention areas 32 is formed by the form of the individual chambers 24, 26. Wherein the volume of the interior space of the latent heat storage means 8 should thus preferably consist of the volumes limited by the retention areas 32.

The latent heat storage means 8 shown in FIGS. 9a and 9b are ideally shown located in the centre of the heating device 1. In one state of use, they are however preferably located at a section of the wall 6 limiting the receiving space 2. It is furthermore conceivable that the latent heat storage means 8 shown in FIGS. 9a and 9b are combined with each other or that two or more different latent heat storage means 8 are used in one heating device or that at least one latent heat storage means 8 is created that has the properties of many (not only those shown in FIGS. 9a and 9b) of the latent heat storage means described here.

FIGS. 9a and 9b thus each show one latent heat storage means 8, that can be used in a heating device 1, in particular a hot water bottle. The latent heat storage means 8 here preferably comprises of at least an interior space limited by a flexible wall for holding a phase change material, wherein the phase change material absorbs energy during an endothermic change of state and releases energy in the form of heat during an exothermic change of state, whereby the flexible wall is designed in such a way, that a first part of the interior space extends in one plane and the second part of the interior space extends at least partially and preferably fully in a second plane, whereby the first plane and second plane are parallel to each other, and wherein a heat transfer area is formed or formable between the first part of the interior space and the second part of the interior space, through which heat is transferable to the phase change material from the temperature controlled material that is able to flow. The wall of the latent heat storage means 8 preferably consists partially and preferably completely of a waterproof material, in particular a polymer and/or a membrane.

FIG. 10 shows a diagram in which the time in minutes is displayed on the X-axis 35, and the temperature in ° C. is displayed on the Y-axis 36. Line 37, furthermore, indicates a lower limit of an optimal heat range and line 38 the upper limit of an optimal heat range. The lower limit of the optimal heat range is 38° C. in this illustration and the upper limit of the optimal heat range in this illustration is 48° C. The reference numerals 40, 41, 42, 43 indicate the cooling curves of various hot water bottle configurations, wherein the boundary conditions are identical or at least comparable, i.e. the same hot water bottle shape, the same hot water bottle material, the same room temperature, the same measurement method and an equal heating of the water poured into the hot water bottle (poured into the hot water bottle at 80° C.). The diagram shows that the classic hot water bottle without a cover (cooling curve 40) has a surface temperature which compared to the invented hot water bottle without a cover (cooling curve 42) is about twice as long above the upper limit 38 of the optimal heat range. With a classic hot water bottle with a cover (cooling curve 41), such as a neoprene and/or fleece cover, the surface temperature of the hot water bottle is even longer above the upper limit 38 of the optimal temperature range. It can thus be seen that there is a great risk of burns with hot water bottles cooling according to curves 40 and 41. Furthermore, the diagram shows that the heating device according to the invention, in particular the hot water bottle, with a cover, in particular a neoprene and/or fleece cover, is in the optimal heat range for the longest time, particularly by at least a factor of 2 longer in the optimal heat range compared to the other tested variants.

FIG. 11a shows a cross-section of a latent heat storage means 8. The cross-section corresponds to the section marked with the letter A in FIG. 11b. Reference numeral 32 here indicates the retention area in which the phase change material is received or retained. Reference numeral 33 here indicates a form holding element which in this illustration causes a strut-like configuration of the latent heat storage means 8. The form holding element 33 prevents the latent heat storage means 8 from deforming so that the latent heat storage means 8 does not bulge out locally as a result of moved phase change material. The form holding elements 33 also ensure that the surface area of the latent heat storage means which is delimited by the retention area 32 is larger than without these form holding elements 33.

FIG. 11b shows a top view of the latent heat storage means 8 and FIG. 11c shows a perspective view of the latent heat storage means 8.

According to individual embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 11c, the latent heat storage means 8 can be designed additionally or preferably alternatively in such a way that with a defined amount, in particular a full filling of the receiving area 2 with a defined temperature controlled material that is able to flow, in particular at 95° C., in particular water, the phase change material undergoes a complete endothermic change of state, material that is able to flow.

According to individual embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 11c, the latent heat storage means 8 can have additionally and alternatively preferably an actuating means 10, in particular a clicker comprising preferably at least one metal, to trigger the exothermic change of state.

According to individual embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 11c, the latent heat storage means 8 can have additionally or alternatively preferably, an actuating means 10, in particular a metal device containing preferably at least two metals, in particular a bimetallic device, such as a bimetallic strip, to trigger the automatic exothermic change of state. The actuating means 10 is preferably designed in such a way that it deforms in dependency of the temperature. This is beneficial as the actuating means 10 automatically triggers, during the cooling of a phase change material which has been transformed into a liquid form to a temperature below the solidification temperature of the phase change material, through a form change, a phase change of the phase change material, in particular by nucleation or through a nucleus release.

According to individual embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 11c, the latent heat storage means 8 can be designed additionally or alternatively in such a way that with a defined amount, in particular a full filling of the receiving area 2, with a defined temperature controlled material that is able to flow, in particular at 95° C., in particular water the phase change material only undergoes a partial endothermic change of state, material that is able to flow.

The invention therefore relates to a heating device 1, in particular a hot water bottle or a heat cushion, which at the very least will have indirect contact with a living being. The heating device comprises at least one receiving space 2 for holding material that is able to flow 4, wherein the receiving space 2 is at least partially sectioned off with a flexible wall 6 and the flexible wall 6, at the very least can be brought into, indirect contact with the living being. According to the invention, a latent heat storage means 8 is provided, wherein the latent heat storage means 8 is arranged in such a manner that at least some of the time a temperature control of the material that is able to flow 4 therewith, wherein the latent heat storage means 8 has a phase change material, in particular sodium acetate, wherein the phase change material to absorb energy during an endothermic change of state due to warming and release energy during an exothermic change of state in the form of heat. Thereby, material that is able to flow is preferably added to the heating device at a temperature higher than 60° C., 70° C., 80° C., 90° C. and up to 95° C., in particular with a temperature between 60° C. and 100° C. or between 70° C. and 100° C. or between 80° C. and 100° C. or between 90° C. and 100° C. or brought to this temperature within it. The filling of the heating device with the substance that is able to flow should preferably lies between 40% and 100%, in particular between 50% and 100% or 60% and 100% or 70% and 100% or 80% and 100% or 90% and 100%. With the latent heat storage means being designed in such a way or having so much phase change material, that the phase change material at the previously mentioned temperature of the substance that is able to flow and the previously mentioned filling amount of water and preferably at an ambient temperature of 20° C. or of 25° C. or of 30° C. or of 40° C. does not completely or only partially transformable from its first stable state, in which the phase change material is preferably solid-like or solid, to a second state, in which the phase change material is liquid.

The phase change material is preferably an inorganic material, in particular a salt based material. The phase change material is particularly preferably a material that is convertible from an original stable physical state (solid) to a second meta-stable physical state (liquid).

The latent heat storage means is preferably designed in such a way, in particular when it does not comprise an actuating means, that the phase change material parts contained within it, interact functionally, and in particular causes a nucleus present in a material part of the phase change material to trigger an exothermic phase change of the whole phase change material. The latent heat storage means is particularly preferably designed in such a way that the phase change material parts contained within it, interact functionally, wherein nucleus present in the material part of the phase change material triggers an exothermic phase change of the whole phase change material, when the temperature of the material that is able to flow falls below the solidification temperature or melting temperature of the phase change material. The amount or mass of phase change material is preferably such that in an embodiment without an actuating means, and wherein the receiving space is filled to at least ⅔ with a material that is able to flow that is at a temperature above the melting point of the phase change material, the endothermic change of state of the phase change material at an ambient temperature of 20° C. only occurs partially. In other words: The amount or mass of the phase change material is such that an endothermic change of state of the phase change material only occurs partially, if the receiving space with an ambient temperature of 20° C. is at least ⅔ filled with a temperature controlled material that is able to flow and if the material that is able to flow is heated to a temperature above the melting point of the phase change material.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1 Heating device

2 Receiving space

4 Material that is able to flow

6 Flexible wall

8 Latent heat storage means

9 Interior space of the latent heat storage means

10 Actuating means

12 Filling and emptying opening

14 Closure

15 Funnel

16 Marking

18 Delimiting device

20 Normal cooling curve

22 Modified cooling curve

24 Main chamber

26 Secondary chamber

28 Spacing element

30 Heat transfer area

32 Retention area

33 Form holding element

35 X-axis to show the time

36 Y-axis to show the temperature

37 Lower temperature limit of the optimum temperature range

38 Upper temperature limit of the optimum temperature range

40 Cooling curve of a classic hot water bottle filled with water

41 Cooling curve of a classic hot water bottle with neoprene cover

42 Cooling curve of the hot water bottle invention

43 Cooling curve of the hot water bottle invention with neoprene cover

A Section

T Temperature

X first direction/length

Y second direction/depth

Z third direction/height

a Starting temperature

b Constant temperature

c End temperature

g Gravity

t Time

Number	Date	Country	Kind
10 2014 000 941.6	Jan 2014	DE	national
10 2014 000 799.5	Jan 2014	DE	national
10 2014 005 167.6	Apr 2014	DE	national
10 2014 007 514.1	May 2014	DE	national

HEAT DEVICE HAVING A LATENT-HEAT STORAGE MEANS

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