A self-heating or self-cooling pack

Abstract

 The present invention refers to an adaptable device comprising a plurality of elements, each element comprising a first containing means which is delimited by a first surface, and contains a first one or more reagent, in contact with or connected to a second containing means which is delimited by a second surface, and contains a second one or more reagent, wherein said first surface, said second surface or both, comprise rupturable means configured to, while maintaining the integrity of the rest of at least one of said surfaces, break upon pressure so as to produce a temperature changing reaction through contact between said first one or more reagent and said second one or more reagent, characterized in that said device comprises two or more elements and each element is separated by non-rupturable separating means configured to maintain integrity upon said pressure.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of self-heating and self-cooling devices, specially directed to provide heating or cooling means for solid and/or liquids such as, for example, cosmetics, injured tissue, beverages and food.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Self-heating and self-cooling devices, commonly known as "hot pack" or "cold pack", respectively, are useful when no heating or cooling sources are available. They typically act by exerting their heating or cooling capacity through exothermic or endothermic reactions, respectively. In their most general configuration, they include a cavity with a liquid, usually water, separated from another cavity that contains chemical products. When squeezing both cavities they break and the liquid and chemical products are mixed reacting in an endothermic or exothermic reaction. Further additives such as gels, phase exchangers or anti-freezers are used, which stabilize temperature or provide longer heating times. Some examples of such cold packs are described in US 3,977,202 A, US 3,874,504 A, US 6,644,383 B2, US 3,804,077 A. A further example is represented by US 5,984,953, which describes a heating pack with two reagent systems separated in two zones by rupturable separators. Several pairs of zones may be provided, but they are always separated by rupturable separators, all contents of the pack being mixed upon operation, potentially resulting in messy operation, lack of adaptability and heterogeneous heating.

[0003] Current cold packs still require improvement. They comprise rigid structures with a single reaction cavity, usually specifically designed for a specific product, which are not adaptable enough and/or entail complicated systems which are expensive to manufacture. For example, some efforts have been directed to improve the efficiency of heat exchange by integrating the heating or cooling system within the object (WO 2012/113,479 A1, DE 102008015677 A1). These systems are however expensive and lack versatility, as they are specifically design for each product.

[0004] Recent products using this philosophy are characterized by defining an inner rigid cavity configured to receive the content of the container, and defining a further external cavity separated from the internal cavity and extending inside the peripheral wall and having a second element comprising activating means (DE 1986/0944 A1, US 8,001,959 B2, US 4,895,135 A, ES 2 183 784). These rigid containers typically use heat conducting materials, such as aluminum or other metals and thus lack flexibility.

Brief Description of the Invention

[0005] In the search of an improved design for hot and cold packs the inventor has arrived to an adaptable device which overcomes the problems of existing products. The adaptable device of the invention provides a surprisingly fast and efficient heat exchange, while significantly reducing production costs.

[0006] According to a first aspect, the present invention refers to an adaptable device comprising a plurality elements, each element comprising a first containing means which is delimited by a first surface, and contains a first one or more reagent, in contact with or connected to a second containing means which is delimited by a second surface, and contains a second one or more reagent, wherein said first surface, said second surface or both, comprise rupturable means configured to, while maintaining the integrity of the rest of at least one of said surfaces, break upon pressure so as to produce a temperature changing reaction through contact between said first one or more reagent and said second one or more reagent, characterized in that said device comprises two or more elements and each element is separated by non-rupturable separating means configured to maintain integrity upon said pressure.

[0007] Thus, each of the plurality of elements acts independently, the content of each first containing means mixing only with the contents of the corresponding second containing means separated by the rupturable means; each element being separated from other elements by non-rupturable separating means. The division of the reacting liquids or chemical products in a plurality of independent first and second containing means provide flexibility for a better fit to the shape of the product, requiring the use of less product and leads to a faster and more homogeneous reaction. Further, such flexibility and better fit provides a greater contact surface, and thus heat or chill with greater efficiency. Even further, said plurality of elements provide shorter mixing times between the first and second one or more reagent. Such effects synergistically provide a far more efficient device in terms of heating/cooling time, energy transfer and manufacturing costs.

[0008] A further aspect of the invention includes a method of heating or cooling an object comprising contacting said object with an adaptable device of the invention, and then exercising pressure so as to break at least one of said rupturable separating means.

[0009] A further aspect of the invention is the use of the adaptable device of the invention to cool or to heat an object.

Brief Description of the Figures

[0010] 

Figure 1A displays a plurality of elements (1) prior to their activation according to an embodiment wherein the first containing means (4) delimited by a first surface (11) and the second containing means (5) delimited by a second surface (10), share rupturable means (6).

Figure 1B displays a plurality of elements (1) prior to their activation according to an embodiment wherein the first containing means (4) delimited by a first surface (11) completely contains the second containing means (5) delimited by a second surface (10).

Figure 1C displays the plurality of elements (1) of figures 1A or 1B after activation, where the non-rupturable separation means (3) are unchanged and the rupturable separating means have broken allowing the contents of the first containing means (4) and the contents of the second containing means (5) to mix.

Figure 2A displays the cross-section view of the same plurality of elements (1) of figure 1A.

Figure 2B displays the cross-section view of the same plurality of elements (1) of figure 2B.

Figure 2C displays the cross-section view of the same plurality of elements (1) of figure 2C.

Figure 3 represents one of the elements of figure 1A.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0011] The device of the present invention allows different configurations of said first and second containing means. For example, the first containing means and the second containing means may share the rupturable means (6) as shown in figures 1A, 2A, 1C, 2C and 3, which upon pressure breaks and allows contact between said first one or more reagent (7) and said second one or more reagent (8), and thus initiating the endothermic or exothermic reaction. Upon breakage of the rupturable means(6), the first (11) and second surface (10), as well as the non-rupturable separating means (3), maintain their integrity and form a new containing means (9) resulting from the combination of the first and second surfaces. Thus, according to an alternative embodiment, the present invention is an adaptable device comprising a plurality of elements (1), each element comprising a first containing means (4) which is delimited by a first surface (11), and contains a first one or more reagent (7), and a second containing means (5) which is delimited by a second surface (10), and contains a second one or more reagent (8), said first (11) and second (10) surfaces sharing rupturable means (6) configured to, while maintaining the integrity of the rest of said first (11) and second (10) surfaces, break upon pressure and allow contact between said first one or more reagent (7) and said second one or more reagent (8) so as to produce a temperature changing reaction, characterized in that said device comprises two or more elements (1) and each element is separated by non-rupturable separating means (3) configured to maintain integrity upon said pressure.

[0012] In a further alternative embodiment represented in figures (1B, 2B, 1C and 2C), the first containing means (4) of each element contains said second containing means (5). According to this embodiment the second containing means (5) breaks upon pressure through the rupturable means (6). In this case the first contain means (4) maintain their integrity in order to host the temperature changing reaction between the first (7) and second one or more reactants and/or liquids (8). Thus, in this embodiment the rupturable means (6) can extend through the second surface (10) as long as the first surface (11) and the non-rupturable separating means (3) that separate each of the elements (1) do not break. The present invention also refers to an adaptable device comprising a plurality of elements (1), each element (1) comprising a first containing means (4) which is delimited by a first surface (11), and contains (i) a first one or more reagent, (7) and also contains (ii) a second containing means (5) which is delimited by a second surface (10), and contains a second one or more reagent (8), said second surface (10) comprising rupturable means (6) upon pressure while maintaining the integrity of said first surface (11) and the rest of said second surface (10) so as to produce a temperature changing reaction through contact between said first one or more reagent (7) and said second one or more reagent (8), characterized in that said device comprises two or more elements (1) and each element is separated by non-rupturable separating means (3) configured to maintain integrity upon said pressure.

[0013] The element (1) is designed so that said rupturable means (6) break solely by the pressure applied, without requiring any further breaking means. No further puncturing means are required, allowing for a clean and simple way to manufacture the adaptable device of the invention which can adapt to virtually any surface. Thus, the same device is suitable for any kind of product to be heated or cooled, taking advantage of scale economies in its manufacture. The device of the invention is especially advantageous due to the close fit it provides, without the need of special configurations.

[0014] The first (11) and second (10) surfaces can be made of any material that can maintain integrity upon pressure, and the skilled person can provide different configurations depending on the final use given to the elements (1) of the device of the invention. It is always advantageous to provide materials with optimal heat transfer properties and which allow the best fit to objects. It also preferable that the mixture formed between said first one or more reagent (7) and said second one or more reagent (8) when activating the device is as close and fit to the product as possible. This may be achieved by providing a configuration which maximizes the content of the new containing means (9) formed, and minimizes formation of air bags, which dissipate heat or cold and reduce heat transfer between the device of the invention and the object. In order to achieve this objective the first (4) and second containing (5) means will be usually filled to their maximum capacity. In this way, the heat transfer is optimized while maintaining adaptability to the object. According to an embodiment of the invention, said first (11) and second (10) surfaces are made of plastic, which provides an economic and convenient alternative. Examples of suitable plastics can be selected from the group consisting of polyehtylene, polypropylene, polyamides, polyesters, aluminum, other metallized materials, and mixtures thereof. The material used is flexible so as to fit the surface of the product to be heated or cooled and thus maximize the contact surface. It should also be considered that heat transfer is improved with increasing intrinsic heat conductivity of the material of the first (11) and second (10) surface and with diminishing thickness. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the adaptable device of the invention comprises an inner face, for contact with the object, and an opposite outer face. According to such embodiment, both faces can be made of different materials with different conductivities so as to favor the energy exchange with the object, while isolating from the exterior, and thus improving the overall efficiency of the device. For example, the inner face can be made of a highly conductive material, such as aluminum or a metallized material, and the opposite outer face of a less conducting material, such as polyethylene or polyethylene. A similar effect may be achieved by using the same material on both faces, but with different thicknesses, i.e. with a thinner inner face.

[0015] Different chemical systems are known which provide and appropriate endothermic or exothermic reaction and the present invention may use any of them. The term "reaction" should be understood, not only as a process by which new chemical products are created by breakage and formation of bonds, but also as any processes which involves changes in said first and second one or more reagent. Non limiting examples are redox or acid base reactions, as well as mixing processes, dilution, solution, phase changes, absorption, adsorption, changes in electronic states, or changes in crystal structures. Said first and second reagent can be independently chosen from any physical state as long as they can both sufficiently mix upon activation. Such physical states can be, but are not limited to, fluids such as liquids, gels or gases, or solids whether amorphous or crystalline, and also include slurries and suspensions. According to an embodiment of the invention, said first one or more reagent (7) comprises is selected from the group consisting of urea, ammonium chloride, ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, sodium chloride, starch, calcium chloride, trihydrate sodium acetate, calcium oxide, hexadecan, vegetable oils and mixtures thereof, while said second one or more reagent (8) comprises a liquid selected from the group consisting of water, poliethylenglycol, ethylenglycol, diluted acids, such as hydrochloric acid, and diluted bases, such as sodium hydroxide. Preferred combinations of the invention are those wherein said first one or more reagent (7) comprises ammonium chloride and/or urea and said second one or more reagent (8) comprises water. The chemical system of the invention may additionally comprise chemicals such as gel forming reagents, phase transfer exchangers, anti-freezers, chemo-luminescent reagents or colorants.

[0016] It is preferred that said first containing means (4) and/or said second containing means (5) are completely full with their respective one or more reagent. This provides a more efficient use of the volumes and heat transfer.

[0017] The activation of the element (1) to produce heat or cold takes place when pressure is exerted over the first containing means (4) and/or the second containing means (5) by which the rupturable means (6) is broken allowing the first one or more reagent (7) to mix with the second one or more reagent (8), while maintaining the integrity of the first (11) and second (10) surfaces. Pressure may be exerted by a person in the need to heat or cool and object or by any other means, such as torsion, compression, distortion or vacuum.

[0018] Two or more elements (1) are used simultaneously in association so as to generate a heating or cooling device according to the invention. According to an alternative embodiment, the device of the invention comprises three or more elements (1), alternatively four or more. In an alternative embodiment, the device of the invention comprises five or more elements (1) or six or more elements (1). According to an alternative example, the device comprises between 3 and 20 elements (1). The elements (1) forming the device may have different sizes and shapes depending on the use to be given. When pressure is exerted, the plurality of rupturable means (6) present in the device break, allowing each of the plurality of first one or more reagent (7) to mix with its corresponding second one or more reagent (8), while maintaining the integrity of the first (11) and second surfaces (10). Under these operating conditions, each of the non-rupturable separating means (3) maintains its integrity isolating each element (1) and preventing the containing means with the same content (and thus not producing exothermic or endothermic reaction) to mix. In this way fast and homogeneous reaction is obtained throughout the surface of the object. Such objects can be plates, plastic food containers, bottles, glasses, jars or cans.

[0019] In order to facilitate simultaneous breakage of the plurality of the rupturable means (6), the device of the invention may comprise support means or jacket. Said support means can be smooth or textured and extends to part of the plurality of elements (1) or completely extends over the totality of said plurality of elements (1). When pressure is exerted upon the device, said support means evenly distributes said pressure and facilitates breakage of all or part of the plurality of rupturable means (6). According to a preferred embodiment, said support means is selected from the group consisting of plastic, neoprene, paper, cardboard, wood, metallized plastic, metallized films or combinations thereof.

[0020] The support means is further advantageous because it thermally isolates the object-device system while heat transfer takes place. This heats or cools more efficiently the object for a longer time. Further, the support prevents contact between the device and the skin, making the usage experience more pleasant. An even further advantage of the support means is preventing accidental activation of the device before it is used.

[0021] At least one of the plurality of elements (1) which constitute the device of the invention may contain attachment means in order to better fix it to the object. In an alternative embodiment, the elements (1) may comprise attachment means between the object and the support means. Thus, according to an embodiment, the device comprises attachment means between one or more elements (1) and said support means. Attachment to the support means helps preventing collapse of the adaptable device when contacted with the object, thus acting as guide when the adaptable device of the invention is contacted with the object to be cooled or heated. This is especially useful when the adaptable device of the invention provides a cavity in which the object (e.g. a bottle or a can) is inserted. Such attachment means may comprise adhesive means for better adherence to the object to be heated or cooled. Thus, according to an embodiment of the invention, at least one of said first (11) and second (10) surfaces comprise adhesive means. At least one of said first (11) and second (10) surfaces is partially or totally covered by an adhesive material, preferably an adhesive film. In an alternative embodiment, the device is totally or partially covered by an adhesive film in one or both faces thereof. In a further embodiment, said first and/or second surfaces are made of an adhesive material. Due to ease of manufacture it is preferred to use non-adhesive materials in the manufacture of said first and second containing means and then apply an adhesive film.

[0022] The device of the invention is easy to manufacture and to transport. The device, and support means or jacket, if any, can be folded after manufacture in order to facilitate its transport, and can be unfolded by exerting an appropriate pressure when ready to use, creating a cavity wherein the object can be placed. Thus, the device can be given different shapes depending on the final use. For example, it can form a rectangular shape which can be wrapped around the object either when manufactured or before use. Also the elements (1) can have different shapes. In a preferred embodiment they have are longitudinal bars with elliptic or substantially flat cross-section once filled. Said longitudinal elements are according to an alternative embodiment sealed thereby creating non-rupturable separating means (3) to form rectangular pouches, in a mosaic which can be thereafter be cut to the appropriate shape.

[0023] Many different manufacturing means are possible for the adaptable device of the invention. An essentially rectangular configuration such as that shown in the figures of the present invention is especially advantageous because its ease of manufacture. The mosaic of elements (1) which make the adaptable device of the invention can be manufactured with a vertical multi lane packaging machine by appropriate sealing in each case with rupturable and non-rupturable closures.

Claims

1. An adaptable device comprising a plurality of elements, each element comprising a first containing means which is delimited by a first surface, and contains a first one or more reagent, in contact with or connected to a second containing means which is delimited by a second surface, and contains a second one or more reagent, wherein said first surface, said second surface or both, comprise rupturable means configured to, while maintaining the integrity of the rest of at least one of said surfaces, break upon pressure so as to produce a temperature changing reaction through contact between said first one or more reagent and said second one or more reagent, characterized in that said device comprises two or more elements and each element is separated by non-rupturable separating means configured to maintain integrity upon said pressure.

2. The adaptable device according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of elements, each element comprising a first containing means which is delimited by a first surface, and contains a first one or more reagent, and a second containing means which is delimited by a second surface, and contains a second one or more reagent, said first and second surfaces sharing rupturable means configured to, while maintaining the integrity of the rest of said first and second surfaces, break upon pressure and allow contact between said first one or more reagent and said second one or more reagent so as to produce a temperature changing reaction, characterized in that said device comprises two or more elements and each element is separated by non-rupturable separating means configured to maintain integrity upon said pressure.

3. The adaptable device according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of elements, each element comprising a first containing means which is delimited by a first surface, and contains (i) a first one or more reagent, and also contains (ii) a second containing means which is delimited by a second surface, and contains a second one or more reagent, said second surface comprising rupturable means upon pressure while maintaining the integrity of said first surface and the rest of said second surface so as to produce a temperature changing reaction through contact between said first one or more reagent and said second one or more reagent, characterized in that said device comprises two or more elements and each element is separated by non-rupturable separating means configured to maintain integrity upon said pressure.

4. The adaptable device according to any of claims 1 to 3 comprising support means.

5. The adaptable device according to claim 4, wherein said support means is selected from the group consisting of plastic, neoprene, paper, cardboard, metallized plastic, metallized films or combinations thereof.

6. The adaptable device according any of claims 4 or 5 comprising attachment means between one or more of said elements and said support means.

7. The adaptable device according to claim 6 wherein at least one of said first and second surfaces comprise adhesive means.

8. The adaptable device according any of claims 1 to 3 wherein at least one element comprises attachment means.

9. The adaptable device according to any of the previous claims, wherein said rupturable separating means are designed to rupture solely by the pressure applied without requiring any further breaking means.

10. The adaptable device according to any of the previous claims, wherein said first and second surfaces are made of plastic.

11. The adaptable device according to claim 9, wherein said first and second surfaces are made of a plastic selected from the group consisting of polyehtylene, polypropylene, polyamides, polyesters and mixtures thereof.

12. The adaptable device according to any of the previous claims, wherein said first one or more reagent is selected from the group consisting of urea, ammonium chloride, ammonium nitrate, potasium nitrate, sodium chloride, starch, calcium chloride, trihydrate sodium acetate, calcium oxide, hexadecan, vegetable oils and mixtures thereof, while said second one or more reagent comprises a liquid selected from the group consisting of water, poliethylenglycol, ethylenglycol, diluted acids and diluted bases.

13. Method for cooling or heating an object comprising contacting said object with an adaptable device as defined in any of claims 1 to 12, and then exercising pressure so as to break at least one of said rupturable separating means.

14. Method according to claim 13, wherein said solid is selected from the group consisting of plates, plastic food containers, bottles, glasses, jars and cans.

15. Use of the adaptable device as defined in any of claims 1 to 12 to cool or to heat a solid or liquid.

Drawing