The invention relates to a container for an oxygen generating and/or carbon dioxide- absorbing substance in a respiratory protection apparatus having the features of Claim 1. The invention further relates to a mobile respiratory protection apparatus having the features of Claim 20, to a stationary respiratory protection apparatus having the features of Claim 21, and to a method for producing a container for a respiratory protection apparatus having the characteristics of Claim 22.

In the field of respiratory protection apparatuses, apparatuses are known wherein the exhalation air is regenerated, so that, in the case of a mobile respiratory protection apparatus, no reservoir with breathing air or oxygen has to be taken along by a user.

In the so-called regeneration apparatuses (see, for example, DIN 58652), the exhaled carbon dioxide and the exhaled moisture (i.e., water) are brought in contact with an oxygen generating substance (for example, K0 ₂ , peroxides and hyperoxides of the alkali and alkaline earth metals). The carbon dioxide and the water react with the oxygen generating substance releasing oxygen. In the process, potassium hydrogen carbonate is formed, for example, by binding carbon dioxide. The released oxygen can be inhaled again via a breathing bag by the bearer of the regeneration apparatus. The regeneration of the exhalation air can occur by pendulum breathing or closed circuit breathing.

In the reactions, in addition to the reaction products, a considerable reaction heat is also generated, which has to be removed efficiently. Here, it is known to surround the reaction area with a phase change agent, so that the released heat is absorbed by the phase change.

However, the problem of heat removal arises not only with mobile respiratory protection apparatuses, but also with stationary respiratory protection apparatuses, as used, for example, in mines or in tunnel systems.

Here, in connection with the respiratory protection apparatuses, alternative or additional carbon dioxide absorbing substances can be used.

For these purposes, suitable containers, devices using these containers, and methods for the efficient production of such containers have to be provided.

This aim has been achieved by a container for a respiratory protection apparatus having the features of Claim 1.

A particularly efficient operation is possible, if a chamber for the oxygen generating and/or carbon dioxide absorbing substance is thermally coupled in a respiratory protection apparatus, particularly in a regeneration apparatus, at least partially to a convective and/or radiating heat transfer device. The container can be cooled efficiently by convection and by heat radiation.

A particularly satisfactory heat removal is possible, if the heat transfer device comprises a means for the release of thermal energy into the environment, in particular ribs on the outside of the container. Ribs increase the area of the container, so that a larger heat radiating area for radiative heat transport and/or a larger heat exchange area for convective heat transport is/are available.

In addition or alternatively, in an embodiment, the heat transfer device can be coupled thermally to at least one coolant chamber, wherein the at least one coolant chamber is formed in particular as a channel for supplying a coolant, in particular cooling air, or for the removal of heated air. In an additional embodiment, the at least one heat transfer device forms a single piece with the base body of the container. Such a heat transfer device can be produced, for example, by a strand pressing method.

However, the at least one heat transfer device can also be formed as a separate component which is thermally coupled to the base body of the container. This separate part itself can in turn be produced, for example, by an extrusion process.

Furthermore, in an embodiment, a profiling can be arranged on the inside of the chamber, in particular in the form of grooves that are open toward the chamber, in the wall of the container. The grooves can, for example, increase the heat transfer area and/or they can be used to allow a coolant to pass through. In order to keep the profiling, for example, the grooves, free of the grainy, oxygen generating substance and/or carbon dioxide absorbing substance, it is advantageous to form the opening of the profiling that points toward the chamber to be smaller than the mean grain size of the oxygen generating substance and/or the mean grain size of the carbon dioxide absorbing substance. Thus, in the profiling itself, a current can exist, which contributes to the improved heat transfer from the inside to the outside.

A supporting frame can also be arranged in the chamber, in which the oxygen generating substance can be arranged at least partially after assembly. This supporting frame ensures an inner stability for the oxygen generating substance located in the chamber, for example, in bulk form. In the process, in an embodiment, the supporting frame can comprise at least one heat-resistant plastic part, ceramic component, composite component, profiled metal plate, perforated metal plate, solid metal plate and/or a wire mesh, wherein the at least one plastic part, ceramic component, composite component, profiled metal plate, perforated metal plate, solid metal plate and/or the at least one wire mesh can be formed in particular from at least partially planar parts. However, in principle, the components do not have to be formed as planar components. Several or all of the components can, for example, be also adapted to the shape of the base body.

Such elements are particularly easy to handle. In the chamber, a holding device for the supporting frame can also be arranged, so that the oxygen generating substance maintains its shape even when the container is moved.

In an additional embodiment, the supporting frame can be connected by a positive connection to the grooves, so that the grooves can assume a double function. On the one hand, they are used for the heat transfer, and, on the other hand, they are used for the mechanical holding of the supporting frame.

Moreover, in the supporting frame, in particular in the center, an area can be kept clear, which is not filled with the oxygen generating substance after assembly. This area which is kept clear allows an efficient flow of breathing air through the container.

In addition, in an embodiment, the chamber can also be coupled to a cooling device with a coolant, in particular with a phase change agent.

In an additional embodiment, the container and/or the chamber has/have a circular, an elliptic or polygonal cross section, so that a base body of the container has a hollow cylindrical shape. Such shapes can be produced efficiently.

In particular, for an improved economic efficiency, it is useful that the container can be refilled with fresh oxygen generating and/or carbon dioxide absorbing substance.

If the chamber can be closed in a detachable manner, the chamber can comprise at least one seal made of a base-resistant, moisture-resistant, temperature- and oxygen-resistant material, in particular a seal made of metal or of a polymer, in particular silicone. The seal can also be formed by sealing elements preformed on the base body.

An embodiment of the container can be arranged and formed in particular for a training apparatus of a regeneration apparatus. In a further embodiment the outside of the container, the inside of the chamber and / or the support frame comprise at least partially an inert coating, in particular an enamel coating, a ceramic coating, a passivation layer and / or an anodized coating. The coated surfaces are thus protected from chemical reaction, in particular with the oxygen generating substance or the carbon dioxide absorbing substance or cool out. The outer surface can thus be protected against environmental influences.

The aim is also achieved by a mobile respiratory protection apparatus, in particular a regeneration apparatus, with at least one of the containers according to at least one of Claims 1 to 19.

The aim is also achieved by a method for producing a container according to at least one of Claims 1 to 19.

Here, the base body for the container is produced at least partially by a casting method, 3D printing, from a metal foam, by strand pressing or extrusion, in particular by preforming a profiling inside the chamber, in particular grooves, channels, and/or ribs located on the outside.

Strand pressing or extrusion allows the simple contouring of the inside and/or of the outside of the base body, into which the oxygen generating and/or the carbon dioxide absorbing substance is filled during operation.

Embodiment examples are shown in the following figures.

Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic representation of a regeneration apparatus which in itself is known;

Figure 2 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a container;

Figure 3 shows a view of an embodiment of a container, filled with an oxygen generating substance; Figures 4A-D show views of an embodiment of a supporting frame, which is inserted into a base body of the container;

Figure 5 shows a sectional view of an additional embodiment of a container;

Figure 6 shows a sectional view of an additional embodiment of a container;

Figure 7 shows a sectional view of an additional embodiment of a container;

Figure 8 shows a sectional view of an additional embodiment of a container;

Figure 9 shows a sectional view of an additional embodiment of a container;

Figure 10 shows a sectional view of an additional embodiment of a container;

Figure 11 shows a sectional view of an additional embodiment of a container;

Figure 11A shows a perspective view of the embodiment according to Figure 11 ;

Figure 12 shows a sectional view of an additional embodiment of a container;

Figure 13 shows a sectional view of an additional embodiment of a container;

Figure 13A shows a perspective view of an embodiment according to Figure 13;

Figure 14 shows a sectional view of an additional embodiment of a container;

Figure 14A shows a perspective view of an embodiment according to Figure 14.

In Figure 1, a regeneration apparatus 100 as a mobile respiratory protection apparatus is represented in a diagrammatic representation. Typically, essential portions of the regeneration apparatus 100 are arranged in a housing 50, which is supported by a bearer— not shown here— on the back.

For the sake of clarity, in Figure 1, only the lines 60, 61 for the inhalation and exhalation air are represented, so that breathing connections or other portions of the regeneration apparatus 100 are not represented.

In principle, the regeneration apparatus 100 can also be worn on the front side of the body. The housing 50 of the regeneration apparatus 100 can also be formed differently than shown in Figure 1. The exhalation air coming from the support of the regeneration apparatus 100 reaches, through the exhalation tube 61, a first portion of a breathing bag 51, wherein this moist (i.e., water-containing) exhalation air (including carbon dioxide) is then led subsequently onto two containers 10 with an oxygen generating substance 2, arranged in parallel. In the represented embodiment example, the flow guidance through the containers 10 occurs from top to bottom, wherein, in principle, other flow guidances are also conceivable. In the represented embodiment, two containers 10 are shown in parallel connection. In principle, one container 10 or more than two containers 10 or other connection possibilities (for example, a series connection) are also conceivable.

In the present embodiment example, K0 ₂ is used as oxygen generating substance 2.

In the container 10, the following exothermic reaction of the moist breathing air takes place with the KO2:

4 K0 ₂ + 2 C0 ₂ + 2 H ₂ 0 -> 2 K2CO3 + 3 0 ₂ + 2 H ₂ 0

In alternative embodiments, peroxides and hyperoxides of alkali and alkaline earth metals can also be used as oxygen generating substance 2. Mixtures are also possible.

The gas flowing out of the containers 10 is substantially pure oxygen, which is led via a second portion of the breathing bag 52 and the inhalation line 60 back to the bearer of the regeneration apparatus 100. The quality of the KO2 used is determined depending on the inner surface, the grain size distribution, and the hardness of the granules.

Since the above indicated reaction is strongly exothermic, the heat produced in the containers 10 has to be removed. This can be realized by means of a container 10 which is represented in Figure 2 in the form of an exploded view. The base body 20 of the container 10, in which the oxygen generating substance 2 is arranged (see Figure 3), here has substantially a circular cylindrical cross section, wherein, in the interior of the base body 20, a chamber 1 as hollow space is arranged, into which the oxygen releasing substance is filled. The chamber 1 in the base body 20 of the container 10 also has a circular cross section, so that the base body 20 has substantially a hollow cylindrical shape.

Alternatively, the base body 20 of the container 10 could also have another shape, for example, a cylindrical shape with any curve pattern as cross section, an elliptic cross section, or a polygonal cross section, wherein it can be advantageous in each case to leave the wall thickness constant in the cross section. The base body 20 of the container 10 can also be box- shaped or it can have a complex shape.

As a protection against chemical reactions the inside of the chamber 1 can be provided voith an inert coating, in particular an enamel coating, a ceramic coating, a passivation layer and / or an anodized coating.

In the design of the base body 20 of the container 10 as a straight cylinder— here a circular cylinder— a strand pressing method or extrusion method can be used effectively for the manufacture. Here it is possible, for example, to deform aluminum so that a hollow cylinder is produced, which is profiled or contoured on the outside and on the inside. It is also possible to use, for example, plastics, composite materials, steel, nonferrous metals or stainless steel optionally in other manufacturing methods.

In the embodiment represented in Figure 2, outside on the hollow cylindrical portion of the base body 20, ribs 3 are arranged as convective and/or radiating heat transfer device. In principle, other shapes of heat transfer means 3 on the base body 20 are conceivable. In Figure 2 (and also in the following representations), straight longitudinal ribs are arranged on the outside. For example, circular ribs, rectangular ribs, polygonal ribs, spiral ribs, corrugated spiral ribs and/or needle ribs can also be used.

In principle, it is always possible to remove some of the heat convectively and some by radiation during operation. It is possible that there are temperature ranges in which one heat transfer mechanism predominates entirely. In this embodiment, the heat transfer takes place in each case without intercalation of a phase change agent which is evaporated, for example. In addition, heat conduction plays a secondary role compared to convection or radiation.

As a result of the described manufacturing method, the ribs 3 are arranged axially parallel on the outside of the base body 20. Due to the single-piece preforming of the ribs 3, a particularly close coupling of the heat transfer device 3 to the chamber 1 of the container 10 is achieved. In the represented embodiment, the ribs extend as a heat transfer device 3 along the entire length of the hollow cylindrical base body 20. However, it is also possible, in principle, for only one portion of the base body 20 to be coupled to the heat transfer device 3. In Figures 5-14, additional embodiments of the heat transfer device 3 are also described.

In principle, the heat transfer devices 3 can be formed either as a single piece (for example as, a preformed rib) with the base body 20 or as separate components (see, for example, the embodiment according to Figure 9). In each case, the heat transfer device 3 is used for the improved convective and/or radiative heat transfer.

In alternative embodiments, it is also possible to use differently shaped heat transfer devices 3 or heat transfer devices 3 consisting of several parts, such as, for example, a kind of honeycomb structure in the wall of the hollow cylinder of the container 10. A coolant, for example, cooling air can flow through this honey comb structure or the honey comb structure can be filled with, or an additional phase change agent for absorbing the phase change enthalpy, can then also be filled into this honeycomb structure. On the inside of the hollow cylindrical base body 20 according to Figure 2 of the container 10, as profiling, axial parallel channels 5 in the form of grooves forming a single piece are incorporated. As also explained in connection with Figure 3, these channels 5 are used particularly as flow guide means for improving the flow conditions in the interior of the container 10. They also increase the heat transfer area.

In the exploded view of Figure 2, on the two ends of the base body 20 of the container 10, covers 21, 22 are arranged, which can be connected detachably via screw connections to the base body 20. By unscrewing the cover(s) 21, 22, consumed oxygen generating substance 2 can be removed from the chamber 1 of the container 10, so that refilling can take place.

Between covers 21, 22 and base body 20, seals 27 are arranged. They consist of a base-, moisture- and temperature- and oxygen-resistant material, in particular of a metal, such as, for example, copper or a polymer, such as, for example, silicone. The seals 27 can also be preformed directly on the base body 20.

In Figure 3, a view of the base body 20 of the container 10 without covers 21, 22 fitted thereon is represented, wherein the chamber 1 is filled with the oxygen generating substance 2, here K0 ₂ . The oxygen releasing substance 2 has a clumpy, granular shape. Alternatively, the oxygen releasing substance 2 can also have a ring shape, a cylinder shape or tablet shape. Mixtures of different shapes are also possible.

On the outside of the base body 20, ribs 3 are preformed as a heat transfer device forming a single piece, by extrusion or strand pressing, as described in connection with Figure 2.

On the inside of the base body 20, axial, parallel channels 5 in the form of grooves are arranged. The grooves 5 have a width of 1-3 mm, which in this case is clearly smaller than the mean grain size of the oxygen generating substance 2. As a result, on the inner circumference of the base body 20, a free space is formed, which can be used by the gas flowing through. Since, over time, the oxygen generating substance 2 as a result of melting processes becomes increasingly more compact and less permeable to air, continued flow through the chamber 1 can be maintained by means of the flow guidance through the free areas (channels 5) on the inner circumference. The loaded exhalation air can thus come in contact with as yet unconsumed (i.e., completely reacted) areas of the oxygen generating substance.

The reaction heat in the bulk of the oxygen generating substance 2 can be transferred effectively to the inner wall of the base body 20 and to the heat exchange means 3 coupled to it.

The regenerated inhalation air exiting the container 10 thus becomes cooler and consequently more tolerable to the bearer of the respiratory protection apparatus.

In an embodiment not shown here the heat can also be transferred, in addition, to a phase change agent, in order to remove even more heat.

In Figure 3, one can see that the core holes 26 for the screw connections of the covers 21, 22 can be produced at the time of the production of the base body 20 directly with the ribs 5 in a single piece.

In Figures 1-3, reference is made to an embodiment in which an oxygen releasing substance has been used. Alternatively or additionally, a carbon dioxide absorbing substance can also be used.

In Figure 4A, a supporting frame 6 is represented, which is constructed from perforated metal plates 23, 24 with planar elements. This supporting frame 6— as shown in Figures 4B-4D— is inserted in the base body 20 of the container 10. The walls of the perforated metal plates 23, 24 here have substantially a flat form, so that eight chambers 25 are formed (for reasons pertaining to the drawing, only two of the chambers 25 are provided with reference numerals), into which the oxygen generating substance 2 can be filled in the assembled state.

These chambers 25 surround the area 7 which has been kept clear (see Figure 4D), and which is closed at the top by means of at least one piece of an air-permeable material, for example, a perforated metal plate or a fabric. During operation, air flows freely through the area 7 which has been kept clear, and which has a square cross section here.

In principle, the supporting frame 6 can also have another shape, for example, by being formed from a series of tubes made of perforated material.

The flat perforated metal plates 23, 24 used here, in association with the grooves 5 arranged on the inside of the base body 20, allow a particularly easy mounting.

In Figure 4B, one can see that two flat perforated metal plates 23', 23" are arranged in parallel in the chamber 1, wherein the grooves 5 are used to stabilize the perforated metal plates 23', 23" in the interior of the chamber 1. The perforated metal plates 23', 23" have slits in the axial direction, into which correspondingly slit perforated metal plates 24', 24" can be inserted. One of the second perforated metal plates 24' is also inserted at the edge into the grooves 5. This is represented in Figure 4C.

In this manner, the supporting frame 6 is anchored in a stable manner by positive connection in the interior of the chamber 1, optionally also by frictional connection, without the need for additional mounting work or attachment elements. The grooves 5, as an embodiment of a profiling, thus have a dual function as a flow guidance means and as an attachment means for the supporting frame. In the represented embodiment, the perforated metal plates 23, 24 are held in the interior of the chamber 1 by the grooves 5.

In Figure 4D, the final state during assembly of the supporting frame 6 is represented, wherein the open end of the supporting frame 6 is closed for the area which has been kept clear, by means of a piece of perforated metal plate. For reasons pertaining to the drawing, not all the chambers 25 are provided with a reference numeral. The closure can be achieved, for example, by a bending by bending over a piece of the perforated metal plate 23, 24, or by putting on a cover.

The sequence of the steps according to Figures 4B-4D can represent one possibility for arranging the supporting frame 6 in the chamber 1. In principle, however, other possibilities are also conceivable, for production or use of the supporting frame 6.

It is therefore not compulsory to form the supporting frame 6 from planar elements. In alternative embodiments, the supporting frame can also be formed from other elements which are adapted, for example, to the shape of the chamber 1 or of the base body 10.

The represented embodiment shows profilings which form a single piece with the base body 20. This does not necessarily have to be the case. It is also possible to arrange separate profiling elements in the chamber 1 for the formation of the profiling.

In an additional embodiment for a training apparatus, the containers 10 are filled with K0 ₂ as oxygen generating substance. The respiratory resistance, the inhalation temperature, and the quality of the breathing air (oxygen content, carbon dioxide content, and air humidity) can thus be simulated. Using such a training apparatus, it is also possible to train independently of the environmental air, i.e., in a closed system.

In the embodiment examples, KO2 has been used as oxygen generating substance 2. In addition, or alternatively, a carbon dioxide absorbing substance can also be filled into a container 10. An example of such a substance is sodium hydroxide, which reacts as follows with carbon dioxide:

2 NaOH + C0 ₂ -> Na ₂ C0 ₃ + H ₂ 0

Alternatively, other alkali and/or alkaline earth hydroxides can also be used. In connection with the above figures, embodiments of mobile respiratory protection apparatuses have been described, such as regeneration breathing apparatuses, for example.

However, in principle, it is also possible to use the containers 10 in stationary respiratory protection systems. Such systems are used, for example, in protected spaces (also referred to as "safe haven") in mining or tunnel construction. For example, it is possible to provide rooms for persons who need to be supplied for a longer duration with oxygen, without each person having to carry an apparatus with himself/herself.

In Figures 5-14, in sectional views through the base body 20 of the container 10, different heat transfer devices 3 are represented, which are used for convective and/or radiating heat removal. In addition to these heat transport mechanisms, heat conduction to a phase change agent (solid or in the form of a fluid) can also occur.

The thermal coupling to the chamber 1 here occurs in a different manner depending on the shape of the base body 20.

In Figure 5, an embodiment is represented, in which the chamber 1 of the base body 20 has a circular cross section. The wall of the chamber 1 is divided into two sections. A chamber wall 27 is designed as a circular cylindrical tube section. This tube section seals the content of chamber 1 from the outside, so that no substance exchange with the environment can occur.

This chamber wall 27 is connected to two heat transfer means 3A, 3B. In Figure 5, between the heat transfer devices 3A, 3B, a slit is represented, to simplify the drawing. After assembly, the heat transfer devices 3A, 3B are applied tightly against the chamber wall 27, i.e., they can be connected directly or also indirectly via a heat conduction means (heat conducting pad).

Toward the outside, ribs 4 are arranged on the two heat transfer devices 3A, 3B, so that the heat removed from the chamber 1 can be removed effectively by convection and/or by radiation into the environment. The removal of the heat produced in the interior of the chamber 1 is also improved by channels located, as coolant chambers 8, in the interior of the heat transfer devices 3 A, 3B, through which channels a coolant, for example, air, flows. The coolant chambers 8 extend here with relatively flat cross section in each case over a quarter of a circle cross section in the heat transfer devices 3A, 3B.

In this embodiment, the ribs 4 are not preformed to form a single piece on the base body, as, for example, in the embodiment according to Figure 2; instead, they are preformed on separate heat transfer elements 3A, 3B which are thermally coupled to the base body 20 of the container 10. In both cases, however, the heat transfer element 3, 3A, 3B ensures that heat generated in the chamber 1 can be removed efficiently from the interior of the chamber 1 to the environment.

The shell-shaped heat transfer devices 3A, 3B can be produced, for example, by strand pressing or extrusion.

In Figure 6, in a sectional view, an embodiment of a base body 20 is represented, in which coolant chambers 8 that are also flat are arranged on the circumference and, toward the outside, ribs 4 are arranged for heat removal. However, the coolant chambers 8 and the ribs 4 are designed to form a single piece with the base body 20. The heat transfer device 3 is thus integrated in the wall of the chamber 1. Otherwise, the function of this embodiment is similar to that of the embodiment represented in Figure 5.

Figure 7 shows a variant of the embodiment represented in Figure 6. As in the latter case, the coolant chambers 8 form a single piece with the base body 20 of the container 10. However, here, there are no ribs 4 arranged on the outside. The cooling of the chamber 1 thus occurs by means of the coolant which flows through the coolant chambers 8. As in the other embodiments, there is a thermal coupling of the chamber 1 with the heat transfer device 3, which, in this embodiment, is represented by the wall with the integrated coolant chambers 8. In Figure 8, a variant of the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3 is represented. The heat transfer device 3 is here again integrated in the wall of the base body 20. The outside of the base body 20 here has no ribs. Flat coolant chambers 8 are integrated into the wall itself, similar to the embodiment according to Figure 7.

On the inside toward the chamber, a profiling 5 is arranged, which is formed in such a manner that, also in the case of a chamber 1 filled with granulate, the groove-like channels of the profiling 5 are kept clear, so that convective heat transfer and improved through flow can occur here as well. In addition— as described in connection with Figures 2-4— the profiling 5 can be used to position a supporting frame 23, 24 in the chamber 1, which is not represented here.

The heat transfer device 3 thus comprises two elements that are used for improved heat transport, namely coolant chambers 8 in the interior of the wall and grooves of a profiling 5. The two elements form a single piece with the base body 20.

Figure 9 shows a heat transfer device 3 which can be coupled to a base body 20 of a container 10. The base body 20 here does not have a circular cross section; instead it has an elongate shape with rounded ends. The heat transfer device 3 here comprises integrated coolant chambers 8 for a coolant to flow through. Toward the outside, ribs 4 are arranged. Such a heat transfer device 3 can be produced, for example, by strand pressing.

In the embodiment according to Figure 10, there are no ribs arranged on the outside. The heat transfer device 3 is here formed from the flat coolant chambers 8, which are arranged on the circumference of the base body 20. On the inside, a profiling 5 is arranged, by means of which— in a manner similar to that of the embodiment according to Figure 2— open channels are formed on the inside of the chamber 1. Here, in the profiling 5 itself, coolant chambers 8A are arranged, through which also a coolant can flow. Here too, the profiling 5 can be used to attach a supporting frame 23, 24— not shown— in the chamber 1 of the base body 20.

Figures 11 and 11 A show an additional embodiment of a heat transfer device 3, which is formed so that it can surround two chambers 1 each having a circular cross section. In order to completely enclose the chambers 1, an additional mirror-image heat transfer device 3 is used.

The heat transfer device 3 here comprises coolant chambers 8, which are arranged in the area of the outer wall. The cross sections of the coolant chambers 8 are adapted in such a manner that they are arranged toward the interior around the chambers 1, and, toward the exterior, in accordance with the contour of the outer shape of the heat transfer device 3. There are no ribs arranged on the outside here.

Figure 12 shows an additional embodiment of a heat transfer device 3, whose cross section is substantially elongated with rounded ends. In order to improve the heat exchange, the heat transfer device 3 comprises ribs 4. In an embodiment not shown here the wall also comprises coolant chambers 8.

Figures 13 and 13A show views of a first portion of a heat transfer device 3 A, with which a corresponding second portion of the heat transfer device 3B (not shown here) belongs. After the assembly of the two portions 3A, 3B, a chamber 1 is enclosed. Inside the wall of the heat transfer device 3, coolant chambers 8 are arranged. The outside of the heat transfer device 3, which can be assembled from the two portions 3A, 3B, has a substantially planar flat structure, as can be seen easily in the perspective view of Figure 13 A.

In an embodiment not shown here, ribs 4 can be arranged on the outside.

The embodiment shown in Figures 14 and 14A represents an additional embodiment. The first portion of the heat transfer device 3A (the complementary second portion 3B is not shown here), in cross section, has two round recesses, in which the chamber 1 is arranged. The outer wall, which has substantially the same wall thickness, contains coolant chambers 8 for a coolant to flow through.

In Figures 9-14, only the embodiments represented in Figures 8 and 10 have a profiling 5 on the inside. In principle, it is also possible to provide, in addition, such a profiling 5 in the other embodiments as well. It is also clear that the shapes and the details of individual elements, such as, for example, of the ribs 4, the coolant chambers 8, and the profiling 5 can be adapted within broad limits to the shapes of the base body 20. For the person skilled in the art, it is clear that the elements can be combined with each other.

If coolant chambers 8 are arranged in the embodiments, it is also possible to provide, instead of them, closed chambers in which a phase change agent is arranged, can be provided. This phase change agent melts or evaporates due to the heat generated in the chamber 1. The heat removal here occurs as a result of the absorption of the phase change enthalpy in the chamber. In addition, in these embodiments, ribs 4 are arranged on the outside of the heat transfer device 3.

List of reference numerals

1 Chamber

2 Oxygen generating substance

3 Heat transfer device

3A First portion of the heat transfer device

3B Second portion of the heat transfer device

4 Rib on a heat transfer device

5 Profiling, ribs

6 Supporting frame

7 Area that is kept clear

8 Coolant chamber coupled to a heat transfer device 10 Container

20 Base body of the container

21 Cover of the container

22 Cover of the container

23 Perforated metal plates of the supporting frame

24 Perforated metal plates of the supporting frame

25 Chambers of the supporting frame

26 Core hole for screw connection

27 Chamber wall

50 Housing Breathing bag

Inhalation air line Exhalation air line

Regeneration apparatus