Patent Application
20230138297
The present invention relates to the technical field of medical apparatus and, in particular, to a cold and hot compress pack and a manufacturing method therefor, and a cold and hot compress circulation system.
In the current medical practice, a cold and hot compress pack is often used to treat part of the body of a patient. However, the manufacturing of existing cold and hot compress packs is complicated, tedious and inefficient because it involves many steps in which multiple copper molds are used for welding.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome the problem of complicated, tedious and inefficient manufacturing of conventional cold and hot compress packs by presenting a cold and hot compress pack, a manufacturing method therefor, and a cold and hot compress circulation system.
To this end, according to one aspect of the present invention, a cold and hot compress pack is provided, which comprises a first sheet, a second sheet, a third sheet, a first weld seam, a second weld seam, a gas port and at least two liquid ports,
the first sheet, the second sheet and the third sheet sequentially stacked one above another,
the first weld seam joining the first sheet, the second sheet and the third sheet at a same planimetric position,
the second weld seam surrounding the first sheet, the second sheet and the third sheet and joining them together at a same planimetric position, the second weld seam joined to one end of the first weld seam so that a first cavity is formed between the first sheet and the second sheet and a second cavity is formed between the second sheet and the third sheet,
the gas port arranged between any two of the liquid ports so as to be spaced apart from both, the at least two liquid ports in communication with the second cavity, the gas port in communication with the first cavity,
the first weld seam having an end that is joined to the second weld seam and extends between the gas port and any one of the liquid ports so as to be spaced apart from both.
Optionally, the cold and hot compress pack may further comprise a plurality of welding spots which are formed spaced apart from one another between the second sheet and the third sheet.
Optionally, the second weld seam may be corrugated in a direction in which the first sheet, the second sheet and the third sheet are stacked one above another.
Optionally, the cold and hot compress pack may further comprise a jacket arranged on a side of the first sheet away from the third sheet and/or on a side of the third sheet away from the first sheet.
Optionally, the cold and hot compress pack may further comprise a hook-and-loop fastener having hook and loop portions provided respectively to any two of the first sheet, the third sheet and the jacket.
Optionally, the jacket may be formed of a fabric coated with a waterproof coating or an antibacterial coating.
Optionally, the cold and hot compress pack may further a strap extending from the second weld seam in a plane.
Optionally, the jacket may be provided with a through hole allowing passage of the strap therethrough.
Optionally, the cold and hot compress pack may further a strap extending from the second weld seam in a plane.
Optionally, the strap may be made of a flexible non-stretchable material.
Optionally, the flexible non-stretchable material may include a woven material or a non-woven fabric.
Optionally, the first sheet, the second sheet and the third sheet may be made of flexible polymer material.
Optionally, the polymer material may include nylon or polyurethane.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a method of making a cold and hot compress pack, which comprises:
arranging a gas port and at least two liquid ports so that the gas port is located between any two of the liquid ports and spaced apart therefrom;
welding a first sheet, a second sheet, and a third sheet at a same planimetric position to form a first weld seam; and
welding the first sheet, the second sheet and the third sheet at a same planimetric position, which surrounds all of the first sheet, the second sheet and the third sheet so as to form a second weld seam, forming a first cavity between the first sheet and the second sheet and a second cavity between the second sheet and the third sheet, and bringing the first cavity into communication with the gas port and bringing the second cavity into communication with the at least two liquid ports,
wherein the first weld seam and the second weld seam are configured so that an end of the second weld seam intersects with an end of the first weld seam and that the end of the first weld seam joined to the second weld seam extends between the gas port and any one of the liquid ports so as to be spaced apart from both.
Optionally, the method may further comprise, prior to the formation of the first weld seam, welding the second sheet and the third sheet to form a plurality of welding spots.
Optionally, the formation of the second weld seam may comprise welding the first sheet, the second sheet and the third sheet using a mold that is corrugated in a direction in which the first sheet, the second sheet and the third sheet are stacked so that the formed second weld seam is corrugated.
Optionally, the method may further comprise providing a jacket for the cold and hot compress pack so that the jacket is arranged on a side of the first sheet away from the third sheet and/or on a side of the third sheet away from the first sheet.
Optionally, the first weld seam and the second weld seam may be formed in a single pressing process using a single mold.
Optionally, the first weld seam and the second weld seam may be formed in a single process by ultrasonic welding with high-frequency ultrasonic acoustic vibrations.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a cold and hot compress circulation system comprising the cold and hot compress pack as defined above, a connecting pipe and a cold and hot compress circulation device. The cold and hot compress pack is connected to the cold and hot compress circulation device by the connecting pipe configured for liquid and gas circulation.
In summary, the present invention provides a cold and hot compress pack, a manufacturing method therefor, and a cold and hot compress circulation system. The cold and hot compress pack includes a first sheet, a second sheet, a third sheet, a first weld seam, a second weld seam, a gas port and at least two liquid ports. The first sheet, the second sheet and the third sheet are sequentially stacked one above another. The first weld seam joins the first sheet, the second sheet and the third sheet at a same planimetric position. The second weld seam surrounds the first sheet, the second sheet and the third sheet and joins them together at a same planimetric position. The second weld seam is joined to one end of the first weld seam, thereby forming a first cavity between the first and second sheets and a second cavity between the second and third sheets. The gas port is arranged between any two of the liquid ports so as to be spaced apart from both. The at least two liquid ports are in communication with the second cavity, and the gas port is in communication with the first cavity. An end of the first weld seam joined to the second weld seam extends between the gas port and any one of the liquid ports while being spaced apart from both. With this arrangement, the first weld seam can be formed in a single welding process, resulting in the formation of the first and second cavities. In this way, the two liquid ports are isolated and a fluid path is formed. In addition, expansion of the first cavity is limited, and a simple fabrication process, increased productivity and lower fabrication cost are achieved.
Those of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the following drawings are presented merely to enable a better understanding of the present invention rather than to limit the scope thereof in any sense. In the drawings:
110: First Sheet; 120: Second Sheet; 130: Third Sheet; 141: First Cavity; 142: Second Cavity; 200: Welding Spots; 210: First Weld Seam; 220: Second Weld Seam; 300: Cold and hot compress circulation device; 310: Gas Port; 320: Liquid Ports; 400: Strap; 410: Hook-and-loop Fastener; 500: Connecting Pipe.
Objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following more detailed description of the present invention, which is set forth by way of particular embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the figures are provided in a very simplified form not necessarily drawn to exact scale and for the only purpose of facilitating easy and clear despription of the embodiments. In addition, the structures shown in the figures are usually partially representations of their actual counterparts. In particular, as the figures would have different emphases, they are sometimes drawn to different scales.
As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, the term “or” is generally employed in the sense of “and/or”, and “several” of “at least one”, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
The present invention seeks primarily to solve the problem of complicated, tedious and inefficient manufacturing of conventional cold and hot compress packs by providing a cold and hot compress pack, a manufacturing method therefor, and a cold and hot compress circulation system.
The following description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Reference will now be made to
As shown in
In the cold and hot compress pack, a heat exchange liquid is usually circulated. Accordingly, it is necessary to provide a cavity for accommodating the circulation of the heat exchange liquid (the second cavity 142, in this embodiment). Moreover, during use, the second cavity 142 is oriented to face the part of the body being treated. Further, in this embodiment, the first cavity 141 is provided on the side of the second cavity 142 away from the body and serves as a pressurization cavity during use. The first cavity 141 can be inflated and expanded to exert a pressure via the second cavity 142 to the part of the body being treated, which results in a better fit between the second cavity 142 and the part of the body being treated and slows down the flow of the heat exchange liquid in the second cavity 142, thereby allowing its adequate heat exchange with the part of the body being treated. In addition, the pressure applied by the first cavity 141 to the part of the body being treated can reduce the occurrence of edema or the like. Conventionally, the first cavity 141 and the second cavity 142 were typically separately formed and then integrated into one piece using a pressing process. A cold and hot compress pack produced in this way requires the use of four sheets and multiple welding processes.
Further, conventionally, although one sheet could be omitted from the common sheets between the first cavity 141 and the second cavity 142 for the purpose of saving material, multiple welding processes were still necessary. Specifically, in some conventional designs, there was no weld seam arranged in the first cavity 141. This led to an isotropic gas pressure, which in turn often led to uncontrolled expansion and an undesirable fit of the second cavity 142. In order to mitigate uncontrolled expansion of the first cavity 141 and enable better pressure transfer therefrom to the second cavity 142, several weld seams A were usually arranged within the first cavity 141. Moreover, in order to slow down the flow of a heat exchange liquid within the second cavity 142 and thus enable adequate heat exchange between the heat exchange liquid and part of a patient's body being treated, several weld seams B were usually also provided to create a zigzag flow path consisting of several turns in the second cavity 142. In particular, since the first cavity 141 and the second cavity 142 shared a common sheet, after a certain location had been subject to a welding process for one cavity, it was difficult to perform another welding process for the other cavity at the same location. Therefore, it was often necessary to form the weld seams A in the first cavity 141 and the weld seams B in the second cavity 142 at different locations in a plane using two welding processes. As a consequence, the manufacturing may involve many steps and require the use of at least two molds (for A and B), which makes it expensive. In contrast to this, according to embodiments of the present invention, the weld seams A and B are brought into coincidence with each other to form the first weld seam 210. The first weld seam 210 can be formed by a single welding process using only one mold. In this way, the manufacturing can be accomplished in a simpler manner at lower cost with higher efficiency. Furthermore, the first weld seam 210 and the second weld seam 220 can be formed by a sing pressing process using the same mold and, for example, ultrasonic welding with high-frequency ultrasonic acoustic vibrations.
In order to enable the first weld seam 210 to create a flow path for the heat exchange liquid within the second cavity 142, which can avoid the heat exchange liquid from flowing out of the second cavity 142 immediately after it entered the second cavity 142 and thus leading to a thermal short circuit, an end of the first weld seam 210 where it is joined to the second weld seam 220 is configured to extend between the gas port 310 and any one of the liquid ports 320 while being spaced apart from both. With this arrangement, the two liquid ports 320 are located on opposite sides of the first weld seam 210, avoiding the occurrence of a thermal short circuit. In this way, the first weld seam 210 not only delimits different flow path portions for the two liquid ports 320 but also enables control expansion of the first cavity 141.
Preferably, the cold and hot compress pack further includes a plurality of welding spots 200 which are spaced apart from one another and formed between the second sheet 120 and the third sheet 130. If the second cavity 142 has a relative large fluid path width, when the pack is wrapped around the part of the body being treated, folding or twisting tends to occur, which may lead to an uneven distribution of the heat exchange liquid when it is flowing within the second cavity 142. Arranging the plurality of welding spots 200 can make the heat exchange liquid more evenly distributed within the second cavity 142, thus avoiding the problem of an uneven distribution of the heat exchange liquid caused by a shape change of the second cavity 142.
As shown in
Optionally, the cold and hot compress pack may further include a jacket (not shown) disposed on the side of the first sheet 110 away from the third sheet 130 and/or the side of the third sheet 130 away from the first sheet 110. In order to improve comfort when the cold and hot compress pack is fitted against the part of the body being treated, the jacket may be disposed on the side of the third sheet 130 away from the first sheet 110, or on the side of the first sheet 110 away from the third sheet 130. Of course, it may be disposed on both the sides. Further, in order to enable more reliable hygienic disposal of the cold and hot compress pack, the jacket is preferred to overall cover the first sheet 110, the second sheet 120 and the third sheet 130. With this arrangement, when the jacket is soiled or worn, it can be replaced without having to discard the entire cold and hot compress pack.
In some embodiments, the first sheet 110, the second sheet 120 and the third sheet 130 may be made of flexible polymer materials, such as nylon or polyurethane materials. The jacket may be made of a fabric, which may be coated with a waterproof coating, antibacterial coating or the like. The cold and hot compress pack further includes a strap 400 extending from the second weld seam 220 in a plane. Alternatively, the strap 400 may extend from an edge of the jacket in a plane. The strap 400 may be attached to any one of the first sheet 110, the second sheet 120 and the third sheet 130 so as to extend outward from the second weld seam 220, as shown in
Optionally, the cold and hot compress pack may further include a hook-and-loop fastener 410 with hook and loop portions, which are disposed respectively on any two of the first sheet 110, the third sheet 130 and the jacket. Preferably, the hook-and-loop fastener 410 is disposed at one end of the strap 400 and adapted to secure the cold and hot compress pack. In the example of
In order to solve the above problem, embodiments of the present invention further provide a method for manufacturing a cold and hot compress pack, which includes the steps as follows:
Step S1: Arranging a gas port 310 and at least two liquid ports 320 in such a manner that the gas port 310 is located between any two of the liquid ports 320 while being spaced apart therefrom.
Step S2: Welding a first sheet 110, a second sheet 120 and a third sheet 130 at a same planimetric position to form a first weld seam 210. Preferably, the first weld seam 210 extends from its peripheral end S that is distant from a center line R of the cold and hot compress pack along a curve that gradually approaches and then comes into coincidence with the center line R.
Step S3: Welding the first sheet 110, the second sheet 120 and the third sheet 130 at a same planimetric position, which surrounds all of the first sheet 110, the second sheet 120 and the third sheet 130, thereby forming a second weld seam 220. As a result, a first cavity 141 is formed between the first sheet 110 and the second sheet 120, and a second cavity 142 is formed between the second sheet 120 and the third sheet 130. The first cavity 141 is brought into communication with the gas port 310, and the second cavity 142 is brought into communication with all the liquid ports 320.
The first weld seam 210 and the second weld seam 220 are so formed that the second weld seam 220 is joined at one end thereof to the first weld seam 210. An end of the first weld seam 210 where it is joined to the second weld seam 220 extends between the gas port 310 and any one of the liquid ports 320 while being spaced apart from both.
It is to be noted that steps S2 and step S3 are not limited to being performed separately. In some embodiments, a single pressing process using a single mold is performed, i.e., steps S2 and step S3 are carried out simultaneously. In this way, the first weld seam 210 and the second weld seam 220 can be formed in the same process using ultrasonic welding with high-frequency ultrasonic acoustic vibrations.
Additionally, prior to the formation of the first weld seam 210, the method may further include welding the second sheet 120 and the third sheet 130 to form a plurality of Welding spots 200. The plurality of Welding spots 200 may be formed in case of a relatively large fluid path width of the second cavity 142. Preferably, the welding spots 200 are formed prior to the formation of the first weld seam 210.
Preferably, the formation of the second weld seam 220 may include welding the first sheet, the second sheet and the third sheet using a mold that is corrugated in a stacking direction of the first sheet 110, the second sheet 120 and the third sheet 130 so that the formed second weld seam 220 is also corrugated. The method may further include providing a jacket for the cold and hot compress pack. The jacket may be disposed on the side of the first sheet 110 away from the third sheet 130 and/or on the side of the third sheet 130 away from the first sheet 110. Reference can be made to the above description for details in the arrangements and structures of the second weld seam 220 and the jacket, and a duplicate description thereof will be omitted.
As shown in
In summary, the present invention provides a cold and hot compress pack, a manufacturing method therefor and a cold and hot compress circulation system. The cold and hot compress pack includes a first sheet, a second sheet, a third sheet, a first weld seam, a second weld seam, a gas port and at least two liquid ports. The first sheet, the second sheet and the third sheet are sequentially stacked one above another. The first weld seam joins the first sheet, the second sheet and the third sheet at a same planimetric position. The second weld seam surrounds the first sheet, the second sheet and the third sheet and joins them together at a same planimetric position. The second weld seam is joined to one end of the first weld seam. In this way, a first cavity is formed between the first and second sheets, and a second cavity between the second and third sheets. The gas port is arranged between any two of the liquid ports so as to be spaced apart from both. The at least two liquid ports are in communication with the second cavity, and the gas port is in communication with the first cavity. An end of the first weld seam where it is joined to the second weld seam extends between the gas port and any one of the liquid ports while being spaced apart from both, thereby isolating the two liquid ports and forming a fluid path. In addition, expansion of the first cavity is limited, and a simple manufacturing process, increased productivity and lower fabrication cost are achieved.
The description presented above is merely that of a few preferred embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope thereof in any sense. Any and all changes and modifications made by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the above teachings fall within the scope as defined in the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 202010192947.2 | Mar 2020 | CN | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/CN2020/139176 | 12/24/2020 | WO |
