US5056589A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Supercooled liquid thermal generator and improved triggering device
Assignee: HETTEL Corp
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Filing: 1989-12-19
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Granted: 1991-10-15
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Expires: 2009-12-19
Abstract
Abstract A self-contained manually triggerable thermal energy pack includes a flexible enclosure containing a supercooled solution capable of being triggered to begin crystallization and a triggering structure including a single close turn helical metallic spring having sufficient stiffness to maintain its cylindrical shape and sufficient resiliency to allow bending by the application of manual pressure normal to its axis.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernd R. Hettel
- 👤 Jay E. Philippbar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:33
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28D; F28D20/00; F28D20/02; F28D20/028; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A self contained manually triggerable thermal energy pack comprising: a flexible enclosure; a material within said flexible enclosure exhibiting the properties of remaining in a liquid state until triggered to being crystallization; trigger means within said enclosure; said trigger means comprising a unitary close turn helical metallic spring having sufficient stiffness to maintain its generally cylindrical shape and sufficient resiliency to allow bending by the application of manual pressure normal to its axis to spaced portions along its length through the flexible container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
A self contained manually triggerable thermal energy pack comprising: a flexible enclosure; a material within said flexible enclosure exhibiting the properties of remaining in a liquid state until triggered to being crystallization; trigger means within said enclosure; said trigger means comprising a unitary close turn helical metallic spring having sufficient stiffness to maintain its generally cylindrical shape and sufficient resiliency to allow bending by the application of manual pressure normal to its axis to spaced portions along its length through the flexible container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A self contained manually triggerable thermal energy pack in accordance with claim 1 wherein said trigger means is of ferrous metal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A self contained manually triggerable thermal energy pack in accordance with claim 1 wherein said trigger means is of stainless steel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A self contained manually triggerable thermal energy pack in accordance with claim 1 wherein said trigger means is of titanium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
A self contained manually triggerable thermal energy pack in accordance with claim 1 including an enclosure for said spring; said enclosure including portions therein engagable with spaced sections of said spring to distort said spring upon the application of manual pressure to said spring through the flexible enclosure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A self contained manually triggerable thermal energy pack in accordance with claim 5 wherein said enclosure includes at least one manually deflectable wall.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A self contained manually triggerable thermal energy pack in accordance with claim 5 wherein said enclosure includes a pair of nestable parts and wherein said parts are relatively movable to apply distorting pressure to said spring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
A self contained manually triggerable thermal energy pack in accordance with claim 7 wherein one of said nestable parts includes a skirt portion extending beyond the other of said nestable parts and protects the other of said nestable parts from movement except for pressure applied within said skirt portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A self contained manually triggerable thermal energy pack in accordance with claim 5 wherein said engagable portions of said enclosure comprise a plurality of spaced internal bosses adjacent to said spring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A self contained manually triggerable thermal energy pack in accordance with claim 8 wherein said trigger enclosure bosses include at least one boss on opposite sides of said spring.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A self contained manually triggerable thermal energy pack in accordance with claim 5 wherein said spring comprises a plurality of springs.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
A self contained manually triggerable thermal energy pack in accordance with claim 5 wherein said enclosure includes at least one opening therein for the movement of said material into said enclosure in contact with said spring.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4532110A
Cited
US4829980A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-10-14 | 1995-04-15 | 1995-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-10-14 | 1999-04-15 | 1999-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-10-14 | 2003-04-15 | 2003-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |