US2174455A - Ice pack - Google Patents

Description

p 1939- J. D. BATES I 2,174,455

' ICE PACK Filed Feb. 12, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet l J. D. BATES Sept. 26, 1939.

ICE PACK Filed Feb. 12, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s H m N s s s s s Patented Sept. 26, 1939 UNITED STATES, PATENT orrlcs 2,174,455 f Joseph D. Bffifn si ri rfleld, Mall.

Application February 12, 1937, Serial No. 125,509

Claims.

This application is a continuation in part of my co-pending application. Ser. No. 85,455, now Patent No. 2,120,013.

This invention relates broadly to devices for 5 use in heating or cooling any body member or article to which heat is to be applied or from which heat is to be withdrawn. In the more usual use of the devices forming the subject of the invention, the same are intended to be employed to .10 cool parts of the human body or any other member or article, and the construction of the devices according to the invention is particularly adapted for such use. v By the present invention it is proposed to prol5 vide a hollow receptacle or container formed of impervious material and having a substantial quantity of a liquid sealed therein, which container may be'placed in a refrigerator or other cooling apparatus to cause the entrapped liquid to be frozen. The container may then be applied to the part or article to be cooled and will effectively do so by absorption of heat from the part or article by the frozen liquid within the container or receptacle.

It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a device of the character described which will be so formed as to prevent the formation of large masses of ice therein, whereby a cooling device formed according to the in- QQ vention may be easily bent or formed to any desired shape to fit any part or article to which it is to be applied.

Another object is to provide acooling device of .the type described which will be provided interiorly with means which extend into the liquid entrapped therein and about which such liquid may be frozen, to thereby prevent the formation of large, regular masses of ice therein.

A further object is to provide a cooling device 4@ of the character described, in which the means provided for preventing the formation of large masses of ice within the device will consist of an insert member disposed within the device and being so formed as to provide regular or irregular openings within the device within which the liquid therein may be frozen in small separated masses of ice.

A still further object is to provide a cooling device of the type described which will consist in a hollow impervious container having a quantity of a liquid sealed therein and having a separate insert member therein which is adapted to prevent the formation of large masses of ice within the container, whereby the container may be bent to a desired shape.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a cooling device of the type described which may be easily and cheaply manufactured and which will be strong and rugged in construction.

Other objects and features of novelty will be I apparent from the following description and the annexed drawings, it being clearly understood. however, that the invention is not limited in any way by such description and drawings or otherwise than by the appended claims. 10

Referring to the drawings, in which similar reference numerals refer to like parts:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cooling appliance which is formed according to the present invention; ll

' Fig. 2 is a partial sectional view taken on the line A-A of Fig. 1 and showing one form which the invention may take;

Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of P18. 2; 20

Fig. 4 is a partial sectional view, similar to Fig. 3, and showing a further form which the invention may take;

Fig. 5 is a partial sectional view, similar to Fig. 1 3, and showing a further form which the inveng5 tlon may take;

Fig. 6 is a partial sectional view taken on the line AA of Fig. 1 and showings. further form which the invention may take;

Fig. '7 is a partial sectional view taken on the line I'I of Fig. 6;

.Fig. 8 is a partial sectional view taken on the line A-A of Fig. l'and showing a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 9 is a partial sectional view taken on the 35 line 99 of Fig. 8;

' Fig. 10 is a partial sectional view taken on the line A-A of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 11 is a partial sectional view taken on the line H-ll of Fig. 10.

According to this invention, I proposetoprovide a sealed container which is preferably formed of some flexible impervious material such as rubber, and in which is sealed a quantity of a liquid, such as water, which may be frozen in such an ordi- 46 narily-available cooling device as a refrigerator,- in order to provide a unitary, sealed, easily-handled device which may be applied to a body part or other article or member in order to cool the same. Such a device is disclosed generally in 50 Fig. l and it will be seen that the same comprises an elongated, flat receptacle I which is generally rectangular in shape andwhich is preferably formed of some" flexible impervious material, such as rubber. This container is hollow and is. u

preferably formed by a core molding process as a unitary member having the opposed flat faces 2, 3. A medial flange 4 may be formed about the periphery of the receptacle and this flange may, if desired, be extended at the ends of the container to provide elongated tabs or attaching and handling flanges 5, one or more of which may be provided with spaced holes 6 therein by which one device may be connected to another, or whereby the device may be hung when not in use.

After the molding or other formation of the described device and the subsequent withdrawal of the core, a quantity of a liquid, such as water, is put into the container, the volume of the liquid being preferably less than the internal volume of the container in order to prevent rupture of the container when the liquid is frozen. The container, with the liquid therein, and also having therein an insert formed according to the present invention, is then hermetically sealed. In the use of the device, when it is desired to cool some body member or other article, the described device may be placed in a refrigerator or other cooling apparatus in order to freeze the liquid entrapped within the container, after which the device, with the ice formed therein, may be applied to the body member or article to be cooled.

It will be apparent that it may be desirable to bend the cooling, device in order to make it conform to the shape of a body member or other article which is to be cooled. It will also be seen that if ,a solid mass of iceis formed within the container, it will be virtually impossible to bend the cooling device. Means are, thenefore, provided by the present invention for preventing the formation of large solid masses of ice within the container and, according to the present invention, such means comprise an insert member which is disposed within the container and which is so" formed as to cause the liquid which surrounds it within the container to be divided into a number of smaller bodies whereby, when such liquid is frozen, a number of relatively small, separated masses of ice will be formed, which can be easily broken apart or moved relatively to each other to thereby permit the cooling device to be easily bent. Preferably, this insert device is formed of flexible or resilient material in order to facilitate the bending of the ice pack.

One form which the invention may take is illustrated in Fig. 2 of, the drawings and, referring to 'this figure, it will be seen that the ice pack I has disposed therein an insert member denoted generally by numeral ID. This insert member is preferably intended to be of such extent as to substantially fill the hollow container I and is so formed as to provide separated receptacles or openings in which the liquid within the ice pack is adapted to be frozen. In this particular form of the invention the insert l comprises a generally rectangular member having side wall portions II and 12, which extend longitudinally of the ice pack and which are preferably of such a height as to extend substantially from one fiat face 2 to the other flat face 3, and end wall portions l3 which extend laterally of the ice pack. Only one of theend wall portions 13 is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. Extending between the side wall portions ll, l2 and being preferably disposed-at right angles to the flat faces 2, 3 of. the ice pack and parallel with the end portions l3 of the insert ID are arranged a plurality of spaced parallel wall members M. The side members ll, l2, the end members l3 and the wall members I are preferably formed, by a simple molding process, as a unitary member and are preferably formed of rubber or other flexible or resilient material.

It will be apparent that any liquid within the container I will be received within the compartments defined between the Walls l4, and that when such liquid is frozen adjacent masses of ice will be separated by the flexible wall member therebetween and will be connected only by very thin layers of ice which may be formed adjacent the upper andv lower edges of the wall members. It will be seen that the ice which will be formed within the container will be formed as separated, elongated masses of ice which extend transversely of the ice pack and which are separated by resilient flexible walls. If, it is desired to bend the ice pack, this may be done very easily because of the fact that the ice masses are not connected and may be moved or bent relatively to each other by reason of the flexible or resilient separating means between adjacent ice masses.

In Fig. 4 of the drawings there is disclosed a modified form of the insert member. In this form of the invention the insert is formed of flexible or resilient material and is provided with end members 20 and spaced side members 2|, 22, these members being substantially identical with the similar members disclosed in Figs. 2 and 3. Extending between the side wall members 2|, 22 are arranged two series of wall members which extend transversely of the ice pack and at acute angles to the side wall members. One series of transverse members are parallel to each other and extend at one angle t0 the side wall members while the second series of wall members are also parallel to each other and extend at an opposite angle to the side wall members. This arrangement provides an insert member having a grid construction, and it will be seen that, in this form of the invention, a larger number of ice masses will be formed, which ice masses will be separated by the flexible or resilient transverse and angularly-arranged wall members, thereby permitting the ice pack to be easily bent.

A further form which the invention may take is disclosed in Fig. 5 of the drawings. In this modification the insert member comprises the end members 25 and the spaced side wall members 2B, 21 which are connected bv laterally extending wall members 28. The wall members 28 preferably extend at right angles to the side Wall members 26, 21 and are parallel with the end wall 25, while the end walls 25 are connected by a longitudinally-extending wall 29 which is preferably disposed midway between the side walls 26, 21. It will be apparent that the transverse walls 28 and the longitudinal wall 29 will provide two longitudinally extending series of separated receptacles or compartments within which the liquid within the ice pack will be contained. It will also be seen that, by reason of the provision of the longitudinal dividing wall 29, some transverse bending of the ice pack may be secured and, by reason of this feature, the insert member disclosed in Fig. 5 is preferred over that disclosed in Figs. 2 and 3.

In Figs. 6 and 7 there is disclosed a further form which the invention may take. As in these forms of the invention heretofore described, the ice pack I is formed as a hollow container having a quantity of a liquid sealed therein and Within which container there is disposed a separate insert member which is adapted to cause the liquid within the container to be divided into a plurality of small separated masses which may terial and which is intended to be disposed approximately midway between the flat side faces 2, loftheicepackandtobeofsuchareaasto substantially cover the interior opening in the ice pack. Extending from each of the side faces of this sheet 3| are a plurality of spaced parallel ridges 82 which extend transversely of the ice pack and which define therebetween on each side of the medial sheet 31 a plurality of spaced parallei elongated receptacles which extend transversely of the ice pack and within which the liquid within the apparent that when the liquid is frozen within the receptacles 33 the ice masses so formed will be separated by the resilient or flexible ridges I! and that the ice pack may therefore be bent as desired. It will be apparent that a longitudinalwalLsimilartowalllOasdisclosedinFig. 5, may be added to the insert disclosed in Figs. 6 and 7 if improved lateral bending of the ice pack is desired. E,

In Figs. 8 and 9 there is disclosed a form of the invention in which the insert comprises a sheet of flexible or resilient material which is preferably intended to be disposed approximately midway, between the side wall members 2, 3. On each of the opposite faces of the sheet 40 there are formed intersecting walls or partition members which preferably extend at right angles to the sheet ll. One series of these partition members Ii, on each side of sheet ll, extends transversely to the ice pack, while another series thereof 42 extends longitudinally of the ice pack. By reason of this construction and arrangement there is provided, on each face of the ice pack, a plurality of receptacles or compartments which are relatively small in volume and within which the liquid within the ice pack is received. Obviously, when such liquid is frozen, a large number of small, separated masses of ice will be formed. These ice masses will be separated by flexible or resilient walls and the entire ice pack may therefore be easily bent either longitudinally or laterally. If desired, end and side marginal walls may be provided, although these are not required for proper operation of the device.

A further modification of the invention is disclosed in Figs. 10 and 11 of the drawings and, referring to these figures, it will be seen that this modification comprises a sheet which is formed. of flexible or resilient material and which is pr eferably intended to be disposed approximately midway between the opposed side walls 2, 3 of the ice pack. Extending from each face of the sheet 50 and at any desired angle thereto are a plurality of free-ended posts 5|, wliich may be of any desired length and thickness and which are preferably formed, integrally with the sheet 50, of a flexible or resilient material such as rubber. It will be apparent that the posts or studs II and the sheet 50 will be disposed within any ice which may be formed within the ice pack I and will effectively prevent the formation of any large mass of ice which could only be broken with difliculty.

By the various modifications, and others, according to the present invention it will be seen that I have provided an ice pack having a preferably separate insert disposed therein, which insert is so formed as to divide any liquid within (s the ice pack into a large number of separated ice pack is received. It will be portions which are separated by flexible or resilient members, whereby the ice pack may be easily bent to any desired shape. Although certaln modifications of my invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that further modifications and improvements may be made without departing in any way from the scope of the invention. for the limits of which reference must be had to the appended claims.

I claim;

l. A therapeuticai-device comprising a hollow, sealed container formed of flexible material and having a quantity of a liquid sealed directly ,therein and adapted to be frozen therein, and means for preventing the formation of large masses of ice within said container, whereby said container may be easily bent when the liquid therein is frozen, said means comprising an insert member sealed within said container and being separate therefrom and comprising a sheet of flexible material having a plurality of spaced ridges extending from at least one of the faces thereof and defining therebetween a'piurality of of spaced receptacles which are open to the interior of said container and within which the liquid within said container is adapted to be received.

2. A cooling device comprising a hollow, sealed container formed of flexible material and having a quantity of a liquid sealed directly therein and adapted to be frozen therein, and means for preventing the formation ,of large masses of ice within said container, whereby said container may be easily bent when the liquid therein is frozen, said means comprising an insert member sealed within said container and being separate therefrom and comprising sheet of flexible material having a plurality of spaced ridges extending from both faces thereof and supporting said sheet between the side walls of said container, said ridges defining therebetween on both sides of said sheet a plurality of spaced receptacles which are open to the interior of the container and within which receptacles the liquid within said container is adapted to be retained.

3. A cooling device comprising a hollow, sealed container formed of flexible material and having a quantity of a liquid sealed directly therein and adapted to be frozen therein, and means for preventing the formation of large masses of ice within said container, whereby said container may be easily bent when the liquid therein is frozen, said means comprising an insert member sealed within said container and being separate therefrom and comprising a sheet of flexible material having a plurality of spaced transversely extending wall members and a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending wall members on at least one of the faces thereof, said wall members defining a plurality of receptacles which are open to the interior of said container and within which the liquid within said container is adapted to be received.

' 4. A cooling device comprising a hollow, sealed container formed of flexible material and having a quantity of a liquid sealed directly therein and adapted to be frozen therein, and means for preventing the formation of large masses of ice within said container, whereby said container may be easily bent when the liquid therein is frozen, said means comprising an insert member sealed within said container and being separate therefrom and comprising a sheet of flexible material having a plurality of spaced lateral wall within. said container, whereby said container may be easily bent when the liquid therein is frozen, said means comprising an insert member sealed within said container and being separate therefrom and comprising a sheet of flexible ma- 7 terial adapted to be supported between the 0pposite interior faces of the walls of said container and having spaced means formed thereon which extend into the interior of said container and into! the liquid therein and which support the sheet in position between the spaced side walls of the 10 container.

JOSEPH D. BATES.

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