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US20030131967A1 - Planar thermal-insulating device, in particular for the human body - Google Patents

Planar thermal-insulating device, in particular for the human body Download PDF

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Publication number
US20030131967A1
US20030131967A1 US10/275,678 US27567802A US2003131967A1 US 20030131967 A1 US20030131967 A1 US 20030131967A1 US 27567802 A US27567802 A US 27567802A US 2003131967 A1 US2003131967 A1 US 2003131967A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
heat
transfer control
control article
article according
sheath
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US10/275,678
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English (en)
Inventor
Markus Weder
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Eidgenoessische Materialpruefungs und Forschungsanstalt
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Assigned to EMPA EIDGENOSSISCHE MATERIALPRUFUNGS-UND FORSCHUNGSANSTALT reassignment EMPA EIDGENOSSISCHE MATERIALPRUFUNGS-UND FORSCHUNGSANSTALT ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: WEDER, MARKUS
Publication of US20030131967A1 publication Critical patent/US20030131967A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G9/00—Bed-covers; Counterpanes; Travelling rugs; Sleeping rugs; Sleeping bags; Pillows
    • A47G9/02—Bed linen; Blankets; Counterpanes
    • A47G9/0207—Blankets; Duvets
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D31/00—Materials specially adapted for outerwear
    • A41D31/04—Materials specially adapted for outerwear characterised by special function or use
    • A41D31/06—Thermally protective, e.g. insulating
    • A41D31/065—Thermally protective, e.g. insulating using layered materials
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D2400/00—Functions or special features of garments
    • A41D2400/10—Heat retention or warming
    • A41D2400/14—Heat retention or warming inflatable
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G9/00—Bed-covers; Counterpanes; Travelling rugs; Sleeping rugs; Sleeping bags; Pillows
    • A47G2009/003—Bed-covers; Counterpanes; Travelling rugs; Sleeping rugs; Sleeping bags; Pillows with inflatable members

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a sheetlike heat-transfer control article, especially a garment or a blanket for the human body, having a sheath which is filled with a thermally insulating material.
  • Further examples of such heat-transfer control articles are sleeping bags, helmets, medical wound dressings, clothing for motorcyclists or athletes.
  • Such articles are known for example from U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,237. It is general prior art, not only in relation to garments but also in relation to blankets, to construct these to have a sheath which forms the outer or inner skin and can be for example water impervious. In this context, it is also known to use breathable sheaths.
  • a blanket or garment will be filled with an insulating material which can be for example down feathers or synthetic materials.
  • DE 94 18 527 U discloses a garment of the type mentioned at the beginning, wherein the sheath shall be subjected to an underpressure. This leads to a thinning of the gas in the sheath and to an increase in the thermal insulation.
  • the sucking out of gas (generally ambient air) filling the heat-transfer control article reduces the thickness of the heat-transfer control article.
  • the sheath internally and externally, can consist for example of air-and water-impervious film, for example PVC, and the filling is a bulkable material.
  • the sheaths are breathable and consist of polyester, PTFE, hydrophilic or microporous PU and the filler is a bulky, advantageously nonhygroscopic, material which is reducible in volume by the action of pressing forces.
  • This filler can be a nonwoven, consist of hollow fibers and/or be realized using down feathers.
  • the result is that the thermal insulation is reduced to such an extent that the largest part of the heat can be given off via convection and radiation, so that the user has to correspondingly sweat less and he or she will also feel more comfortable.
  • the degree of thermal insulation is variable over a relatively wide range.
  • the inventive technique of air-filling a cushion makes it possible to vary the degree of thermal insulation over a wide range (1:4).
  • the breathable air-impervious membrane ensures that the moisture will pass through the layers of clothing nonetheless.
  • the throughlet is a valve, especially a one-way valve.
  • the sheath can be subdivided into individual chambers, for example by quilting off.
  • FIG. 1 shows part of a corresponding sheetlike element which comprises a preadjustable thermal insulation module and is in the air-filled state
  • FIG. 2 shows the element of FIG. 1 in the evacuated state
  • FIG. 3 shows an element similar to that of FIG. 1, filled with a manufactured fiber material
  • FIG. 4 shows the element of FIG. 3 in the evacuated state
  • FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a blanket featuring an electronic control unit for automatic adjustment of the degree of thermal insulation.
  • FIG. 1 shows an element having an external sheath 2 and an internal sheath 12 , between which down feathers 3 have been installed. Between the loosely installed down feathers 3 are air chambers 4 , since the thermally insulating element is in an air-filled state. This state is signified by reference numeral 1 .
  • the air-filled state and the combination with the down feathers 3 are responsible for the thermal insulation of the element being high. This high thermal insulation is particularly due to the thermally insulating effect of the down feathers 3 in conjunction with the air regions 4 included between the down feathers 3 .
  • the sheaths 2 and 12 can be in particular breathable sheaths, for example of polyester, PTFE or hydrophilic or microporous PU. These sheaths 2 and 12 are airtightly joined to each other at their edges. The way they are connected together can be by adhering, welding or some other form of joining. To allow the contents to be cleaned, this joint can be detachable over a predetermined length at one or more locations, for example via a labyrinth seal.
  • FIG. 2 shows the same element as in FIG. 1 after an apparatus not depicted in this drawing has withdrawn a substantial portion of the air 4 from the region between the sheaths 2 and 12 .
  • the same reference numerals refer to the same features in all the figures.
  • the amount of down filling in the heat-transfer control article has not changed between the states 1 and 11 in FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • the appreciably thinner element 11 identifiable through the difference in the thicknesses 5 and 15 , the number of air pockets 4 and hence the total volume of the air included between the sheaths 2 and 12 has been substantially reduced. This has accordingly likewise reduced the insulating capacity of the insulating element.
  • the applicant company has experimentally determined that the insulating capacity of the insulating element can be reduced up to, for example, a factor of 8 by an appreciable reduction in volume. Other, higher reductions in insulating capacity are possible as well, depending on the settings for the fill level and the degree of evacuation.
  • the volume reduction can be effected by letting off air 4 via valve 32 . This can be accomplished manually by exerting pressure on the material or by means of a pump. Instead of the air 4 it is also possible to fill some other predetermined gas or gas mixture in between the sheaths 2 , 12 , which is then not let off into the ambient air but captured in a separate reservoir, for example in a pressure vessel which is fillable by the pump mentioned.
  • the reservoir can be sized, especially oversized, so that it can absorb diffusive and other losses over prolonged periods and provide the heat-transfer control article with a long use life.
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 show a further heat-transfer control article in the air-filled state 1 and in the evacuated state 11 , the filling of the insulating element being formed in this case by an elongate and sheetlike nonwoven material 13 .
  • removal of the air which is situated between the layers 2 and 12 makes it possible to substantially reduce the insulating material in its thickness 15 .
  • a corresponding pressure outlet 32 can be a valve which is constructed as an adjustable one-way valve.
  • the user opens it and presses the air out of the heat-transfer control article. This can be accomplished in the case of a blanket by rolling it up, folding or by using one's own body weight to apply a load. In the case of a garment, a jacket for example, this can be accomplished by the action of the user's own hands and arms on the external sheath while the internal sheath is buttressed against the body. The same procedure is possible in the case of clothing elements covering the arms or the legs.
  • useful fillings further include for example self-relaxing material and/or a loop-formingly knitted or woven spacer fabric.
  • FIG. 5 finally shows an illustrative embodiment of the invention, comprising a blanket 28 to which a pump 31 is connected.
  • the blanket 28 possesses in the previously described manner an enveloping top layer 2 and a bottom layer 12 , which is not discernible in the figure.
  • the layers 2 and 12 are welded or otherwise sealingly joined together at the edges 22 .
  • the blanket 28 has three throughlets 32 which, through hoses 33 , lead to a valve block 34 .
  • the valve block provides a communication 35 to the aforementioned pump 31 , which, depending on the valve position, pumps air into the blanket 28 or withdraws it therefrom, through the hoses 33 .
  • a control line 36 is provided for this purpose.
  • the blanket 28 consists of three chambers 41 , 42 , 43 .
  • any other number of chambers is conceivable as well. These chambers need not be of equal size either, as will be apparent from the description which follows.
  • the advantage of separate chambers 41 , 42 , 43 , between which there are separating seams 44 is that the user can set a different degree of insulation for particular regions of the body. It is therefore clear that this can be separate for example for the foot region, the leg region, the lower part of the trunk and the upper part of the trunk. Given a sufficiently wide blanket for two people, it is also possible to set different insulating levels for the two people through appropriate transverse division of the chambers.
  • pumped-up chambers 41 , 42 , 43 are taken as a starting point and an appropriate air volume is pumped out via a flow meter or a timer. Filters on the outlets 32 ensure that no fillers (down feathers 3 or nonwoven material 13 ) can escape from the chambers.
  • a particularly comfortable and automatically working embodiment provides a temperature and/or humidity sensor 37 which is connected via control line 38 or wirelessly to the pump 31 and its control instrument.
  • a temperature and/or humidity sensor 37 which is connected via control line 38 or wirelessly to the pump 31 and its control instrument.
  • an appropriate air volume can be automatically withdrawn from the chambers in accordance with the preset calibrating curve in order to adjust the degree of insulation provided by the blanket according to the outdoor temperature, the room temperature, the atmospheric humidity or other parameters.
  • This heat-transfer control article provides in particular a cover which is suitable for allergics and especially impervious to mite feces.
  • the heat-transfer control article When used as clothing for motorcyclists, it provides additional crash protection in the event of accidents.
  • active components can be additionally included in a blanket or clothing.
  • These active components can be plant-based additives, vitamins, drugs or else perfume materials. They can be mixed in via the valve 32 and/or the aforementioned reservoir can be used.
  • a blanket is advantageously provided with an electronic controller by means of which the air quantity to be removed is determined via a flow meter and/or a thickness meter between the sheaths 2 and 12 and/or a timer.
  • the gas quantity to be removed is predeterminable by means of a temperature sensor and/or a hygrometer.
  • a cycle takes as its starting point the complete evacuation of the air from the blanket.
  • the blanket is between for example 5 and 7 millimeters in thickness and is suitable for an indoor temperature in the summer, for example 28 degrees Celsius.
  • the amount of air blown into the blanket is controlled as a function of the abovementioned parameters, including especially calibrating curves.
  • the filling material for example down feathers, will then swell up in the process and occupy a larger volume. Given a blanket measuring 1.6 by 2.4 meters, for example, a maximum thickness is achieved when the amount of air introduced is about 0.3 cubic meters.
  • This maximum thickness of about 8 centimeters provides a thermal insulation of 1 m 2 K/W and is suitable for a room temperature of 13 to 15 degrees Celsius.
  • the sleeper will choose and manually set a progressive or degressive or linear curve for the air volume over the parameter.
  • the fill volume is determined via the running time of the pump.
  • a self-actuatedly calibrating function makes it possible to evacuate the blanket at regular intervals, for example twice a week or just once a week, during the (selectable) unused time (during the day, for example) in a defined manner, whereby the blanket is brought from a minimum fill level, for example 0.015 cubic meters of air, to the requisite air volume indicated by the sensors.
  • Useful pumps include in particular membrane pumps, which can suck as well as pump.
  • a sensible cycle (deflating and inflating) will take 10 to 15 minutes for the aforementioned 0.3 cubic meters.
  • Electric valves are advantageously provided between the blanket and the pump in order that the suction and pressure side of the pump may be sealed off airtight with regard to the blanket when the pump is not in operation.
  • the evacuating operation has the function to remove moisture from the blanket. This complete airing can also be accomplished by a repeated cycle of inflating and deflating.
  • this control system can also be integrated in garments.
  • the simplest case is for the same parameters to be used of the abovementioned room climate (ambient temperature and humidity), which are both parameters which relate to an air volume which, with regard to the user, is on the other side of the “blanket”.
  • Another crucial factor is the degree of physical exertion of the user.
  • the user's physical activity which determines whether one feels warm or cold, can be manually adjustable as a switch in a few stages from low to medium to high. It is preferable to use measured parameters which relate to the region between the user and the garment and capture the temperature and humidity level of that region. It is also possible to couple the parameters of the two regions (inside and outside the garment).

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Bedding Items (AREA)
  • Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)
  • Thermotherapy And Cooling Therapy Devices (AREA)
  • External Artificial Organs (AREA)
  • Finger-Pressure Massage (AREA)
  • Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)
  • Prostheses (AREA)
  • Mattresses And Other Support Structures For Chairs And Beds (AREA)
US10/275,678 2000-05-11 2001-05-09 Planar thermal-insulating device, in particular for the human body Abandoned US20030131967A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH923/00 2000-05-11
CH9232000 2000-05-11

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20030131967A1 true US20030131967A1 (en) 2003-07-17

Family

ID=4548279

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/275,678 Abandoned US20030131967A1 (en) 2000-05-11 2001-05-09 Planar thermal-insulating device, in particular for the human body

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US20030131967A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1280440B8 (fr)
JP (1) JP2003532469A (fr)
AT (1) ATE422317T1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2001252089A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE50114701D1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2001084989A1 (fr)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2005023029A1 (fr) * 2003-09-11 2005-03-17 Dubravko Rogale Article de vêtement intelligent à protection thermique active
US20070209114A1 (en) * 2006-03-10 2007-09-13 Young Chu Sleeping bag with air pockets
US20080307822A1 (en) * 2007-06-13 2008-12-18 Richardson Michael P Scalable and portable human remains cold storage system
US20090308975A1 (en) * 2008-06-11 2009-12-17 Airbus Uk Limited Apparatus for providing variable thermal insulation for an aircraft
US20110004984A1 (en) * 2008-03-17 2011-01-13 Snjezana First Rogale Controllable ribbed thermoinsulative chamber of continually adjustable thickness and its application
US20110061839A1 (en) * 2009-09-17 2011-03-17 Munson Ryan R Portable Heating Pad
CN103478943A (zh) * 2012-06-15 2014-01-01 高邮市润和制衣有限公司 一种保温发热羽绒服
CN103892633A (zh) * 2014-03-04 2014-07-02 成都科创佳思科技有限公司 防辐射电热毯
US20140272255A1 (en) * 2013-03-14 2014-09-18 Kun-Hai Wu Elastic Feather Product
GB2556325A (en) * 2016-08-19 2018-05-30 Ersal Mehmet Ahmet Duvet and bedding

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6910229B2 (en) 2001-12-06 2005-06-28 Gore Enterprise Holdings, Inc. Inflatable insulation incorporating pressure relief means
US6796865B2 (en) 2001-12-06 2004-09-28 Ingo Raithel Inflatable insulation incorporating pressure relief means
US6910235B2 (en) * 2002-08-29 2005-06-28 Core Enterprise Holdings, Inc. Adjustably insulative construct
KR101818333B1 (ko) 2016-04-08 2018-01-12 하상균 소방용 방열복
CN109770644A (zh) * 2019-03-21 2019-05-21 翁文灏 一种带充气囊和囊内填充物的服饰鞋被
IL268998B2 (en) * 2019-08-29 2023-02-01 Ofer Nidam Inflatable item

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4167604A (en) * 1978-06-30 1979-09-11 Warnaco Inc. Thermal insulation material comprising a mixture of down and synthetic fiber staple
US5003654A (en) * 1986-09-09 1991-04-02 Kinetic Concepts, Inc. Method and apparatus for alternating pressure of a low air loss patient support system
US5005236A (en) * 1986-01-10 1991-04-09 Mountain Equipment Limited Inflatable products
US5716199A (en) * 1997-02-07 1998-02-10 Shan-Chieh; Wu Air pump with adiabatic warming means
US6156058A (en) * 1994-01-26 2000-12-05 Mallinckrodt Inc. Warming blanket for pediatric use

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1535316A (en) * 1975-02-12 1978-12-13 Ca Minister Nat Defence Heat-insulating material and inflatable sleeping bag including same
JPS6332092Y2 (fr) * 1985-02-22 1988-08-26
JPH0749014B2 (ja) * 1988-04-21 1995-05-31 松下電器産業株式会社 エアーマット
IT1236889B (it) * 1989-12-19 1993-04-26 Claudio Zarotti Casco con imbottitura gonfiabile
JP2630733B2 (ja) 1993-12-20 1997-07-16 裕子 鈴木 エアーコントロールふとん
DE9418527U1 (de) * 1994-11-19 1995-01-19 Heidinger, Florian, 83627 Warngau Körperbedeckung, insbesondere Bettdecke
GB2323015A (en) * 1997-03-08 1998-09-16 Secr Defence Variable thermal insulation material

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4167604A (en) * 1978-06-30 1979-09-11 Warnaco Inc. Thermal insulation material comprising a mixture of down and synthetic fiber staple
US5005236A (en) * 1986-01-10 1991-04-09 Mountain Equipment Limited Inflatable products
US5003654A (en) * 1986-09-09 1991-04-02 Kinetic Concepts, Inc. Method and apparatus for alternating pressure of a low air loss patient support system
US6156058A (en) * 1994-01-26 2000-12-05 Mallinckrodt Inc. Warming blanket for pediatric use
US5716199A (en) * 1997-02-07 1998-02-10 Shan-Chieh; Wu Air pump with adiabatic warming means

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2005023029A1 (fr) * 2003-09-11 2005-03-17 Dubravko Rogale Article de vêtement intelligent à protection thermique active
US20070209114A1 (en) * 2006-03-10 2007-09-13 Young Chu Sleeping bag with air pockets
US20080307822A1 (en) * 2007-06-13 2008-12-18 Richardson Michael P Scalable and portable human remains cold storage system
US9044371B2 (en) * 2007-06-13 2015-06-02 Trailerlogic, Llc Scalable and portable human remains cold storage system
US20110004984A1 (en) * 2008-03-17 2011-01-13 Snjezana First Rogale Controllable ribbed thermoinsulative chamber of continually adjustable thickness and its application
US8336822B2 (en) 2008-06-11 2012-12-25 Airbus Operations Limited Apparatus for providing variable thermal insulation for an aircraft
US20090308975A1 (en) * 2008-06-11 2009-12-17 Airbus Uk Limited Apparatus for providing variable thermal insulation for an aircraft
US20110061839A1 (en) * 2009-09-17 2011-03-17 Munson Ryan R Portable Heating Pad
US8528833B2 (en) * 2009-09-17 2013-09-10 Ryan R. Munson Portable heating pad
CN103478943A (zh) * 2012-06-15 2014-01-01 高邮市润和制衣有限公司 一种保温发热羽绒服
US20140272255A1 (en) * 2013-03-14 2014-09-18 Kun-Hai Wu Elastic Feather Product
CN103892633A (zh) * 2014-03-04 2014-07-02 成都科创佳思科技有限公司 防辐射电热毯
GB2556325A (en) * 2016-08-19 2018-05-30 Ersal Mehmet Ahmet Duvet and bedding

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2003532469A (ja) 2003-11-05
ATE422317T1 (de) 2009-02-15
AU2001252089A1 (en) 2001-11-20
WO2001084989A1 (fr) 2001-11-15
EP1280440B1 (fr) 2009-02-11
DE50114701D1 (de) 2009-03-26
EP1280440A1 (fr) 2003-02-05
EP1280440B8 (fr) 2009-04-08

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Owner name: EMPA EIDGENOSSISCHE MATERIALPRUFUNGS-UND FORSCHUNG

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:WEDER, MARKUS;REEL/FRAME:013817/0375

Effective date: 20021030

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION