BACKGROUND
The present invention relates to cold packs and storage containers for perishables.
Cold packs are indispensable in todays world. They have numerous commercial and non commercial uses, such as cooling food, medical materials, or chemicals. Traditionally cold packs have an exterior shell that is either hard or soft. The hard shell cold packs are useful in many applications but suffer from drawbacks including lack of flexibility, and thickness due to the shell material. Many soft shell cold packs suffer from drawbacks including inability to hold consistent thickness or shape. A cold pack that is flexible, thin, and consistent in thickness and shape would be very useful in many applications.
At social events, or in kitchens, two containers or other shaped containers are often stacked together, the bottom container holds a small amount of ice, the top container is placed on the ice and contains perishables. The ice in the bottom container keeps the contents in the top container fresh for an extended period of time. The two container cooling system is problematic. One problem is that the ice melts into water. As the ice dissipates, the top container sinks into the bottom container, potentially displacing the water which may spill. Even if there is no spillage, it is often messy to clean up. Also, the ice is consistently cooling the base of the top container, but not the sides. This leads to inconsistent cooling. Another problem is that there must be ice available. A two container system would benefit from consistent, reliable and clean cooling system.
Cold packs are often used medically, to cool certain areas of the body, such as the shoulder, elbow, heel, or head. The problem with medical cold packs is that they aren't shaped to fit efficiently on curved body parts. The medical cold packs are often bulky, have poor flexing capability, and are expensive. The medical industry would benefit from flexible and inexpensive cold packs.
SUMMARY
The present invention relates to cold packs for cold therapy, and cooling perishables.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a cold pack includes a sack with a first sheet, a second sheet, each sheet having an outer perimeter, the sack having first edge, a second edge, a top edge and a bottom edge, the first sheet and second sheet are substantially the same size, and shape, the first and second sheet are sealed together along the outer perimeter of each sheet whereby a water tight sack is formed. The cold pack further includes a plurality of pockets integral to the sack, the first sheet and the second sheet are fused together at one or more points whereby resulting in pockets, each pocket having a fused perimeter portion and an unfused perimeter portion whereby a broken line boarder bounds each pocket. The cold pack further includes a substance with a high heat of fusion fills the sack including each pocket whereby each pocket holds a substantially equal amount of the substance according to the pockets relative size and the substance with a high heat of fusion is substantially uniformly distributed throughout the plurality of pockets.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a storage container includes an outer container with an interior surface, an exterior surface, an open top and a base. The storage container further includes, an inner container with an interior surface, an exterior surface, an open top and a base, the inner container is substantially the same shape as the outer container and having a volume smaller than the outer container such that it fits in the outer container. The storage container further includes one or more spacers connecting the inner container with the outer container whereby forming a substantially uniform space between the interior surface of the outer container and exterior surface of the inner container. The storage container further includes a cold pack for fitting within the space between the inner surface and the outer surface such that the cold pack substantially fills the space, with a portion to accommodate the one or more spacers.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a storage container includes an outer container with an interior surface, an exterior surface, an open top and a base. The storage container further includes, an inner container with an interior surface, an exterior surface, an open top and a base, the inner container is substantially the same shape as the outer container and having a volume smaller than the outer container such that it fits in the outer container. The storage container further includes one or more spacers connecting the inner container with the outer container whereby forming a substantially uniform space between the interior surface of the outer container and exterior surface of the inner container. The storage container further includes a cold pack for fitting within the space between the inner surface and the outer surface such that the cold pack substantially fills the space, with a portion to accommodate the one or more spacers. The storage container further includes a cold pack with a sack with a first sheet, a second sheet, each sheet having an outer perimeter, the sack having first edge, a second edge, a top edge and a bottom edge, the first sheet and second sheet are substantially the same size, and shape, the first and second sheet are sealed together along the outer perimeter of each sheet whereby a water tight sack is formed. The storage container further includes a cold pack with a plurality of pockets integral to the sack, the first sheet and the second sheet are fused together at one or more points whereby resulting in pockets, each pocket having a fused perimeter portion and an unfused perimeter portion whereby a broken line boarder bounds each pocket. The storage container further includes a cold pack with a substance with a high heat of fusion fills the sack including each pocket whereby each pocket holds a substantially equal amount of the substance according to the pockets relative size and the substance with a high heat of fusion is substantially uniformly distributed throughout the plurality of pockets.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The drawings illustrate, by way of example only, embodiments of the present invention
FIG. 1a is a diagram of an embodiment of a cold pack with substantially hexagon shaped pockets.
FIG. 1b is a diagram of an embodiment of a cold pack showing substantially hexagon shaped pockets.
FIG. 1c is a diagram of an embodiment of a cold pack showing substantially circle shaped pockets.
FIG. 1d is a diagram of an embodiment of a cold pack showing substantially square shaped pockets.
FIG. 1e is a diagram of an embodiment of a cold pack showing substantially diamond shaped pockets.
FIG. 2 is a diagram shows a plan view of an embodiment of a cold pack with a top edge arc and bottom edge arc.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cold pack configured for medical uses.
FIG. 4a is a side view of an embodiment of a cold pack configured for medical use, shown strapped to a shoulder.
FIG. 4b is a side view of an embodiment of a cold pack configured for medical use, shown strapped to a knee.
FIG. 4c is a side view of an embodiment of a cold pack configured for medical use, shown strapped to an elbow.
FIG. 4d is a side view of an embodiment of a cold pack configured for medical use, shown strapped to a head.
FIG. 4e is a side view of an embodiment of a cold pack configured for medical use shown strapped to a heel.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cold pack.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cold pack configured to fit in a storage container such as a bowl.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cold pack filled with gel refrigerant, shown in a storage container shaped like a bowl.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a storage container showing a stacked inner and outer container and a lid.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a storage container showing the stacked inner and outer container, the cold pack, and a lid.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a storage container showing an outer container, and lid.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a storage container showing a stacked inner and outer container and a lid.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a storage container showing the stacked inner and outer container, the cold pack, and a lid.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The term cold pack 1 is used in the specification to describe embodiments of the invention. FIGS. 1a-1e depict varying embodiments of a cold pack 1, specifically each with a different pocket 3 pattern. As shown in FIG. 1a, each pocket 3 is similar to a hexagon, or partial hexagon shape. The boarder 36 of the pocket 3 includes a fused portion 4 and an unfused portion 5. The fused portion 4 and unfused portion 5 alternate, creating the pocket 3. The pocket boarder 36 holds a substance with a high heat of fusion 3a (shown in FIG. 7), such as gel refrigerant or water, but also allows the substance 3a to migrate between the pockets 3. The Substance with a high heat of fusion 3a will simply be referred to as “gel refrigerant,” though note that the gel refrigerant 3a is exchangeable with other substances commonly used in cold packs. The ability for the gel refrigerant 3a to migrate is important when the cold pack 1 is filled from an opening 35 (as shown in FIG. 1e). The gel refrigerant 3a must be able to migrate from the point of entrance or filling point, the opening 35 into each pocket 3. Once the cold pack 1 is filled with gel refrigerant 3a the opening 35 is heat sealed closed. The broken boarder 36 of the pocket which includes the fused portion 4 and the unfused portion 5 fulfils two purposes: to allow the gel refrigerant 35 to migrate from the filling point 35 throughout the cold pack 1 and to support the gel refrigerant 3a so that it maintains a substantially uniform distribution throughout the cold pack 1. This purpose can be achieved through any number of configurations. For example, FIG. 1b shows the pockets 3 in a form similar to a hexagon. It is different than the shape in FIG. 1a; the hexagon like shape is of a different character, but it functions similarly in that it allows for the gel refrigerant 3a to migrate but also supports the gel refrigerant 3a and contains a portion of within the pocket 3. FIG. 1c shows off-set circle pockets 3 and FIG. 1e shows diamond shape pockets, both having the same functions. The shape of the pocket 3 also affects the flexibility.
As shown in FIG. 3, the cold pack 1 includes a first sheet 11 and a second sheet 12 heat sealed together at each sheets outer perimeter 2. As shown in FIG. 1d, the result of heat sealing results in a sac 14 shown with pockets 3. The pocket boarder 36 is formed by heat sealing the first sheet 11 and second sheet 12 together at the fused portion 4. For example, in FIG. 1e the ‘x’ pattern is heat fused and the boarder 2 is formed by heat fusing the first sheet 11 and second sheet 12 together. This is the same for all of the cold packs 1 illustrated. For further example in FIG. 1c, the half circle pattern is heat fused. An opening 35 is unfused until the cold pack 1 is filled with gel refrigerant 3a. Once the cold pack 1 is filled, the first sheet 11 and second sheet 12 are heat sealed together at the cold pack opening 35 to create a water-tight-sealed sack 14.
The sheets 11 and 12 may be of any suitable polymer, such as polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene, nylon, poly-vinyl chloride, and combinations of these materials, such as laminates of multiple materials. The sheet material may be selected to be free of latex and other allergenic materials. The cold pack 1 can have a fiber texture on the exterior of the sheets 11 or 12 for comfortable contact with skin of the body.
The cold pack 1 shown in FIG. 2, includes the pockets 3, a top edge 6 and a bottom edge 7, a first edge 8 and a second edge 9. The cold pack 1 is cut to form a top edge 6 with an arc shape of a substantially uniform radius. The cold pack 1 is further cut to form the bottom edge 7 with an arc shape of a substantially uniform radius. The arc of the bottom edge 7 has a smaller radius than the arc of the top edge 6. If the first edge 8 and the second edge 9 are heat sealed together the resulting cold pack 1 is shaped similar to a cone without an apex. Though a cold pack 1 in the form of a cone with an apex is possible. The cold pack 1 is configurable.
As shown in FIG. 3, the gel pack 1 is heat seamed together at the first edge 8 and the second edge 9 (both shown in FIG. 2) resulting in seam 10 and a curved shape that can be used for medical purposes. Multiple cold packs 1 varying in sizes and shapes may be heat fused together to create a shape needed for the application. The pocket 3 allows the cold pack 1 to curve while maintaining a substantially consistent shape. The curvature is efficiently obtained because the fused portions 4 of the pocket 3 is absent of gel and depressed. When the gel pack curves, the pocket 3, which bulges because of the gel refrigerant 3a, assumes the space to the inside of the curve, and to the outside of the fused portion 4. The smaller the size of the pocket 3 the greater the curvature the gel pack 1 can maintain. The larger the size of the pocket 3 the greater volume of gel refrigerant the pocket can hold, but the less curve it can maintain.
As shown in FIG. 4a-e, the gel pack 1 can include a strap 13. The strap 13 is connected to the gel pack 1 and wraps around one or more body parts for hands free application of the cold pack 1 to the body. The depictions in FIG. 4a—e are illustrative. The shape and form of the cold pack 1 is configurable to have more or less curvature by changing the size and shape of the pocket 3, the number of seams 10 or shape of the sack 14. FIG. 5 shows how multiple cold packs 1 are seamed together (seams 10 are shown) to form a square or rectangle shape.
As shown in FIG. 7, a cold pack 1 as described in FIG. 6 is contained in an outer container (here depicted as a bowl) 17. When the cold pack 1 is placed in the outer container 17, the elongated chambers 15 compress into the elongated cutouts 16 to form a smaller radius but maintain a substantially consisted gel refrigerant 3a layer. The cold pack 1 rests substantially flush in the outer container 17. The gel refrigerant 3a is shown giving each pocket a three dimensional shape. The outer container 17 includes a spacer 18 shaped like a cylinder and integral with the bowl. The spacer 18 is hollow inside for receiving another spacer 18.
As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, a cold pack 1 includes a plurality of elongated chambers 15 integral to the gel pack 1 and located at the bottom edge of the cold pack 1, the elongated chambers 15 are created by elongated cutouts 16 starting at the bottom edge 7 of the cold pack 1 and extending toward the top edge 6 of the gel pack 1. As shown in FIG. 7, the portion of the cold pack 1 with elongated chambers 15 and elongated cutouts 16 decreases in diameter and flex under pressure. When the gel pack 1 is place in a bowl-like container 17, and oriented such that the elongated chambers 15 are located near the base 19, as shown in FIG. 7, the decreasing diameter of the bowl 17 puts pressure on the elongated chambers 15. The pressure causes the elongated chambers 15 to merge into the elongated cutout 16 space, essentially creating a solid area of gel pack with no elongated cutout space 16. This allows for substantially even cooling across all surfaces except where the spacer 18 is located. The perimeter of the elongated chambers 15 are heat sealed whereby the chambers are for holding the gel refrigerant 3a. The gel refrigerant 3a moves freely from the pockets 3 in the cold pack 1 into the elongated chambers. Though, it is possible that the elongated chambers 15 are separate from the remainder of the cold pack 1, it would make filling the cold pack 1 with gel possibly more time consuming.
As shown in FIG. 7, the gel refrigerant 3a fills the pocket 3 so that the surface of the gel pack 1 is slightly wavy. The peak of the wave is approximately at the center of the pocket 3 and the trough is at the fused portion 4. The difference between the height of the peak and the trough depends on the size of the pocket 3. The larger the pocket 3, the greater the difference. Thus, smaller pockets 3 curve better and larger pockets 3 have a greater cooling potential. The cold pack 1 is configurable to balance cooling potential with flexibility by changing the size and shape of the pockets 3.
FIG. 9 shows a storage container 39 including an outer container 17 and cold pack 1 that includes all of the elements and details as shown and described in FIG. 7. The cold pack 1 is shown without the details illustrated in FIG. 7. However, the cold pack 1 shown in FIG. 7 is ideal for integrating with the storage container 39 as shown in FIG. 9. In addition, storage container 39 includes the inner container 24 which is stacked in the outer container 17 to create the space 38 (as shown in FIG. 8). The inner container 24 includes a spacer portion 18 or 31. As shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 11, and 12, the female portion of the spacer 31 is integral to the inner container base 27 and the male portion of the spacer 18 is integral to the outer container base 19. The female portion 31 is configured to fit securely in the male portion 18. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the spacers 18 and 31, are square. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the spacers 18 and 31, are circles or ovals. The spacers 18 and 31 could conceivably be any shape or located anywhere between the inner container 24 and outer container 17 so long as the resulting space 38 housed the cold pack 1. As shown, the spacers 18 and 31 are substantially the same height and shape and consisting of a hollow ridge shape. The female portion 31 could be solid, instead of a hollow ridge as shown.
FIGS. 9 and 12 are essentially the same except for their shape and the configuration of the elements that the shape dictates. As shown in FIG. 12, the storage container 39 is a square or rectangle. The resulting cold pack 1 is therefore square or rectangle. The cold pack 1 is configured essentially as shown in FIG. 5. The cold pack 1 is created by heat sealing four cold packs 1 to the edges of a cold pack 1 that forms a base, the four cold packs 1 are seamed creating approximately right angles with the base cold pack 1, all extending in the same direction, and heat seamed at the corners to create an open box structure. The resulting seams 10 are shown in FIG. 5. One of the cold packs 1 will contain an area that allows for the spacer 18 & 31 to support the inner container 24. Ideally the area will be a cutout the same shape substantially and the same size as the spacer 18 such that the perimeter of the cold pack cutout rests against the spacer 18 base to stabilize the cold pack 1 from shifting and optimizing the cooling potential. The could pack 1, ideally, should be substantially the same height and width as the walls of the container it is configured to. It however could be of a height that is shorter.
The storage container 39 also includes a chamber 26 for receiving perishables and a space 38 for receiving one or more cold packs 1. The perishable chamber 26 is the inner cavity of the inner container 24. The inner container 24 has an interior surface 32 and an exterior surface 37. The interior surface 32 is the surface that will support perishables. The space 38 for receiving the cold pack 1 is bounded by the inner container exterior surface 25 and the outer container interior surface 37. The space 38 is substantially uniform with a substantially consistent width. The space 38 has a consisted slope create by the slope the inner container exterior surface 25 and the outer container interior surface 37. If the space 38 was irregular, multiple cold packs 1 with pockets of varying size could conceivably be fused together to meet this need.
Unless, a user would like to put the whole storage container 39 in the freezer, the inner container 24 is removable. The inner container 24 is removed so that the cold pack may be removed and chilled or frozen separate from the storage container 39. This benefit saves freezer space. The cold pack is then placed back into the space 36 and the inner container 24 is placed back inside the outer container such that the female spacer 31 fits substantially snug in the outer containers 33 male spacer 18. The inner container 24 and outer container 33 can be made of a variety of materials such as plastic, metal or wood.
The lid 22 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 12, include a chamber 23 for holding water 3a. The chamber 23 also has a raised portion, an air chamber 30. The air chamber 30 allows for water to expand as it changes state from liquid to solid. The lid 22 includes an opening 28 and a reusable closure cap lid 29. The chamber 23 can be filled and emptied as needed. The opening 28 and a reusable closure cap lid 29 are position such that the when a user fills the chamber 23 with water or similar substance the air chamber 30 will not fill with water. The chamber 23 may be configured as to size including depth. However, the heat transfer increases as the surface area of the chamber 23 exterior that is exposed to the perishable chamber 26 increases. To maximize heat transfer the chamber 23 should have an area only slightly less than the surface area of the inner container's opening and it should extend into the inner container's opening.
FIGS. 8 and 11 show two variations of a storage container 39. The essential difference between FIGS. 8 and 11 is the shape of the storage container 39, the difference in how the cold pack 1 is configured which is discuss above and the lid. The lid 22 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, is similar to the lid FIGS. 9 and 12 in but it is designed to receive gel refrigerant 3a in chamber 23. The gel refrigerant can 3a be permanently sealed in the lid 22. In this case, the lid 22 is removed and placed in a freezer to chill. In the alternative, a gel pack is placed in the chamber 23 and can be removed for freezing.
The storage container 39 can be packed in a cooler (not shown) alleviating the need for adding ice or ice packs. The storage container 39 are stacked to save space in the cooler.
An embodiment of the cold pack 1 for medical uses would have pockets 3 of varying size. An area with relatively large pockets 3 and an area with relatively small pockets 3 for flexing around a body curvature.
Patent Application
20180085250
