WO2023073490A1 - Improved freezer pack - Google Patents

Improved freezer pack Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2023073490A1
WO2023073490A1 PCT/IB2022/059904 IB2022059904W WO2023073490A1 WO 2023073490 A1 WO2023073490 A1 WO 2023073490A1 IB 2022059904 W IB2022059904 W IB 2022059904W WO 2023073490 A1 WO2023073490 A1 WO 2023073490A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
freezer
container
pack
sponge
packs
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2022/059904
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Ian Robert Brownlee
Original Assignee
Alpha Laminating Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Alpha Laminating Limited filed Critical Alpha Laminating Limited
Publication of WO2023073490A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023073490A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D3/00—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies
    • F25D3/02—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies using ice, e.g. ice-boxes
    • F25D3/06—Movable containers
    • F25D3/08—Movable containers portable, i.e. adapted to be carried personally
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/28—Articles or materials wholly enclosed in composite wrappers, i.e. wrappers formed by associating or interconnecting two or more sheets or blanks
    • B65D75/30—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding
    • B65D75/32—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents
    • B65D75/321—Both sheets being recessed
    • B65D75/322—Both sheets being recessed and forming one compartment
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/18—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • C09K5/00—Heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials, e.g. refrigerants; Materials for the production of heat or cold by chemical reactions other than by combustion
    • C09K5/02—Materials undergoing a change of physical state when used
    • C09K5/06—Materials undergoing a change of physical state when used the change of state being from liquid to solid or vice versa
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • C09K5/00—Heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials, e.g. refrigerants; Materials for the production of heat or cold by chemical reactions other than by combustion
    • C09K5/02—Materials undergoing a change of physical state when used
    • C09K5/06—Materials undergoing a change of physical state when used the change of state being from liquid to solid or vice versa
    • C09K5/066—Cooling mixtures; De-icing compositions
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2303/00—Details of devices using other cold materials; Details of devices using cold-storage bodies
    • F25D2303/08—Devices using cold storage material, i.e. ice or other freezable liquid
    • F25D2303/082—Devices using cold storage material, i.e. ice or other freezable liquid disposed in a cold storage element not forming part of a container for products to be cooled, e.g. ice pack or gel accumulator
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2303/00—Details of devices using other cold materials; Details of devices using cold-storage bodies
    • F25D2303/08—Devices using cold storage material, i.e. ice or other freezable liquid
    • F25D2303/085—Compositions of cold storage materials
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2331/00—Details or arrangements of other cooling or freezing apparatus not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2331/80—Type of cooled receptacles
    • F25D2331/804—Boxes

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a freezer pack, used for keeping perishable products cold during transport or short-term storage, where refrigerated transport or storage is not available.
  • freezer packs made of ice or a gel material contained in a waterproof container, generally a plastic bottle or flexible plastic film.
  • Plastic bottles are strong and secure, but add considerable weight to the package, and will not mould to the contours of the product being refrigerated.
  • Many of the freezer packs which use a flexible plastic film are relatively fragile and are easily damaged.
  • An object of the present invention is the provision of a freezer pack which can be produced inexpensively, will not leak under normal usage, and which can be handled when frozen without the risk of freezer burns.
  • the present invention provides a freezer pack which includes a sponge saturated with a liquid or gel and a liquid tight container which completely encloses the sponge.
  • the sponge is a cellulose sponge.
  • the liquid tight container is formed from a flexible laminated film which consists of a layer of aluminium foil, one side of which is laminated to a polyester film and the other side of which is laminated to a low density polyethylene film.
  • Figure 1 is a plan view of a freezer pack in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 2 shows a cross-section through the freezer pack of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 shows a cross section (exploded for clarity) through one side of the liquid tight container.
  • a freezer pack 9 in accordance with the present invention includes a sponge 10 which is completely encapsulated within a liquid tight container 11.
  • the sponge 10 may be any of a range of sponges, but preferably is made of a very absorbent material e.g.a cellulose sponge.
  • the liquid tight container 11 preferably is made of one or more sheets of laminated film, sealed together along the edges to form a liquid tight container.
  • the laminated film 12 consists of a core of sheet aluminium foil 13 which has a polyester film 14 laminated to one side, and a low density polyethylene film 15 laminated to the other side.
  • Low density polyethylene is strong, both along the length of the film and across the width of the film, and is easily sealed by heat sealing; when sealed it forms a strong waterproof bond.
  • the foil is approximately 0.0015 mm thick, and the polyethylene and polyester films each are approximately 0.002 mm thick.
  • the foil and polyethylene and polyester films are commercially available, but the laminate is manufactured specifically for this application.
  • the aluminium foil 13 in the laminate has a very high resistance to water vapour transmission - higher than the majority of plastic films.
  • the aluminium foil 13 is easily torn, but it is protected by the polyester film 14, which is strong, heat resistant and also resistant to oxygen and air transmission.
  • the laminated film 12 provides a low-cost, lightweight, and reliably leakproof container.
  • the length and width of the sponge 10 is selected to match the size of the container which will be used with the freezer pack, although of course more than one freezer pack can be used for the larger containers.
  • the width of the sponge also may be varied as necessary, depending upon the length of time the freezer pack is needed to supply refrigeration.
  • the sponge would be at least 25 mm thick.
  • the above described freezer pack is made as follows: the sponge 10 is saturated in a suitable liquid, and then inserted into the container 11 , and the container 11 sealed e.g. by heat sealing. More than one container 11 may be used to encapsulate the sponge 10 if preferred, but it is envisaged that a single container 11 will be reliably leakproof.
  • the liquid used to saturate the sponge 10 may be any suitable non-toxic liquid, but preferably is water, since water has a very high specific heat.
  • a gelling agent such as gelatine, or a water-soluble cellulose resin, or an acrylic resin powder can be used to pre-treat the sponge before the water is added or can be added to the water. Any gelling agent should be non-toxic. The purpose of adding a gelling agent is to ensure that, even if the container 11 is punctured, the liquid will not leak out and contaminate the product with which the freezer pack is being used.
  • the freezer pack 9 prepared as above may then be stored until needed. When the pack is required, it is pre-frozen, typically to a temperature in the range -10°C — 3°C. However, the pack may be prefrozen to very much lower temperatures (e.g. -80° C) if required.
  • the product to be stored or transported is then arranged in a suitable container (e.g. laminated cardboard) with one or more freezer packs 9, and the container closed.
  • a suitable container e.g. laminated cardboard
  • one or more freezer packs 9 are used to cover the base of the container, the product to be refrigerated is inserted in the container and one or more freezer packs may be layered throughout the product and/or placed on top of the product. One or more freezer packs may be arranged to cover the side(s) of the container. The container is then closed in the usual way.
  • the container may be any of a range of suitable containers e.g. a polystyrene box or a laminated cardboard container.
  • the length of time that the product remains frozen/chilled depends upon the number of freezer packs used, the volume of the product, the starting temperature of the product, the type of container and the ambient temperature.
  • the freezer packs of the present invention are highly effective in maintaining an acceptably low temperature for a long period.
  • a vial containing a gel was frozen to -3.3°C and placed between two freezer pads in accordance with the present invention which had also been frozen to -3.3°C.
  • the temperature of the vial was taken after 479 minutes, the temperature was -0.1°C.
  • freezer pack of the present invention can be handled safely even when it has been frozen to temperatures as low as -80°C:- it was found that a freezer pack frozen to this temperature could be handled with bare hands without incurring a freezer burn. This is an advantage not only when handling the freezer packs, but also in their use, because it follows that they will not “burn” products touching the freezer packs.
  • the freezer pack can be re-used multiple times.

Abstract

A freezer pack which includes a sponge saturated with a liquid or gel and a liquid tight container which completely encloses the sponge.

Description

IMPROVED FREEZER PACK
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a freezer pack, used for keeping perishable products cold during transport or short-term storage, where refrigerated transport or storage is not available.
Background Art
It is known to pack ice around perishable products to keep them at an acceptable temperature during transport or short-term storage. However, the ice gradually melts, and can leak out of the containers or, in the case of cardboard containers, soak into the containers and cause them to collapse. The melting ice also can contaminate the products.
It also is known to use freezer packs made of ice or a gel material contained in a waterproof container, generally a plastic bottle or flexible plastic film. Plastic bottles are strong and secure, but add considerable weight to the package, and will not mould to the contours of the product being refrigerated. Many of the freezer packs which use a flexible plastic film are relatively fragile and are easily damaged.
Disclosure of Invention
An object of the present invention is the provision of a freezer pack which can be produced inexpensively, will not leak under normal usage, and which can be handled when frozen without the risk of freezer burns.
The present invention provides a freezer pack which includes a sponge saturated with a liquid or gel and a liquid tight container which completely encloses the sponge.
Preferably, the sponge is a cellulose sponge.
Preferably also, the liquid tight container is formed from a flexible laminated film which consists of a layer of aluminium foil, one side of which is laminated to a polyester film and the other side of which is laminated to a low density polyethylene film. Brief Description of Drawings
By way of example only, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a plan view of a freezer pack in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a cross-section through the freezer pack of Figure 1 ;
Figure 3 shows a cross section (exploded for clarity) through one side of the liquid tight container.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
Referring to the drawings, a freezer pack 9 in accordance with the present invention includes a sponge 10 which is completely encapsulated within a liquid tight container 11.
The sponge 10 may be any of a range of sponges, but preferably is made of a very absorbent material e.g.a cellulose sponge. The liquid tight container 11 preferably is made of one or more sheets of laminated film, sealed together along the edges to form a liquid tight container.
As shown in Figure 3, the laminated film 12 consists of a core of sheet aluminium foil 13 which has a polyester film 14 laminated to one side, and a low density polyethylene film 15 laminated to the other side. Low density polyethylene is strong, both along the length of the film and across the width of the film, and is easily sealed by heat sealing; when sealed it forms a strong waterproof bond.
Typically, the foil is approximately 0.0015 mm thick, and the polyethylene and polyester films each are approximately 0.002 mm thick. The foil and polyethylene and polyester films are commercially available, but the laminate is manufactured specifically for this application.
The aluminium foil 13 in the laminate has a very high resistance to water vapour transmission - higher than the majority of plastic films. The aluminium foil 13 is easily torn, but it is protected by the polyester film 14, which is strong, heat resistant and also resistant to oxygen and air transmission.
The laminated film 12 provides a low-cost, lightweight, and reliably leakproof container.
The length and width of the sponge 10 is selected to match the size of the container which will be used with the freezer pack, although of course more than one freezer pack can be used for the larger containers. The width of the sponge also may be varied as necessary, depending upon the length of time the freezer pack is needed to supply refrigeration. Typically, the sponge would be at least 25 mm thick.
The above described freezer pack is made as follows: the sponge 10 is saturated in a suitable liquid, and then inserted into the container 11 , and the container 11 sealed e.g. by heat sealing. More than one container 11 may be used to encapsulate the sponge 10 if preferred, but it is envisaged that a single container 11 will be reliably leakproof.
The liquid used to saturate the sponge 10 may be any suitable non-toxic liquid, but preferably is water, since water has a very high specific heat. A gelling agent such as gelatine, or a water-soluble cellulose resin, or an acrylic resin powder can be used to pre-treat the sponge before the water is added or can be added to the water. Any gelling agent should be non-toxic. The purpose of adding a gelling agent is to ensure that, even if the container 11 is punctured, the liquid will not leak out and contaminate the product with which the freezer pack is being used.
The freezer pack 9 prepared as above may then be stored until needed. When the pack is required, it is pre-frozen, typically to a temperature in the range -10°C — 3°C. However, the pack may be prefrozen to very much lower temperatures (e.g. -80° C) if required.
The product to be stored or transported is then arranged in a suitable container (e.g. laminated cardboard) with one or more freezer packs 9, and the container closed.
In general, one or more freezer packs 9 are used to cover the base of the container, the product to be refrigerated is inserted in the container and one or more freezer packs may be layered throughout the product and/or placed on top of the product. One or more freezer packs may be arranged to cover the side(s) of the container. The container is then closed in the usual way. The container may be any of a range of suitable containers e.g. a polystyrene box or a laminated cardboard container.
It will be appreciated that the length of time that the product remains frozen/chilled depends upon the number of freezer packs used, the volume of the product, the starting temperature of the product, the type of container and the ambient temperature. However, it has been found that the freezer packs of the present invention are highly effective in maintaining an acceptably low temperature for a long period.
In one experiment which was conducted, a vial containing a gel was frozen to -3.3°C and placed between two freezer pads in accordance with the present invention which had also been frozen to -3.3°C. When the temperature of the vial was taken after 479 minutes, the temperature was -0.1°C.
An unexpected feature of the freezer pack of the present invention is that it can be handled safely even when it has been frozen to temperatures as low as -80°C:- it was found that a freezer pack frozen to this temperature could be handled with bare hands without incurring a freezer burn. This is an advantage not only when handling the freezer packs, but also in their use, because it follows that they will not “burn” products touching the freezer packs.
The freezer pack can be re-used multiple times.

Claims

5 Claims
1. A freezer pack which includes a sponge saturated with a liquid or gel and a liquid tight container which completely encloses the sponge.
2. The freezer pack as claimed in claim 1 wherein the liquid tight container is formed from a flexible laminated film which consists of a layer of aluminium foil, one side of which is laminated to a polyester film and the other side of which is laminated to a low density polyethylene film.
3. The freezer pack as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the sponge is a cellulose sponge.
4. The freezer pack as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid or gel which saturates the sponge is selected from the group consisting of: water; a solution of gelatine; a water-soluble cellulose resin; a solution of an acrylic resin powder.
5. The combination of a container and a freezer pack as claimed in any one of claims 1—4, wherein the freezer pack is sized so as to occupy a major portion of the base of the container.
6. The combination of a container and a plurality of freezer packs each as claimed in any one of claims 1—4, wherein said plurality of separate freezer packs are arranged to occupy a major portion of the base of the container.
7. The combination of a container and a plurality of freezer packs each as claimed in any one of claims 1—4, wherein some of said freezer packs are arranged to occupy a major portion of the base of the container, and the remainder of said freezer pack are sandwiched between the contents of the container.
PCT/IB2022/059904 2021-10-26 2022-10-17 Improved freezer pack WO2023073490A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NZ78166121 2021-10-26
NZ781661 2021-10-26

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2023073490A1 true WO2023073490A1 (en) 2023-05-04

Family

ID=86159635

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2022/059904 WO2023073490A1 (en) 2021-10-26 2022-10-17 Improved freezer pack

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2023073490A1 (en)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR100758655B1 (en) * 2005-11-02 2007-09-14 주식회사 탭스인터내셔널 Ice pack
JP2009131486A (en) * 2007-11-30 2009-06-18 Ooshin Mlp:Kk Sheet for cooling or heating
US20110151740A1 (en) * 2008-06-09 2011-06-23 Lisotherme Wrapper for refrigerating material and refrigerating device using this wrapper
US20140039584A1 (en) * 2012-08-06 2014-02-06 Medical Thermodynamics Llc Portable self contained chemically activated cooling therapy blanket
KR20210049432A (en) * 2019-10-25 2021-05-06 주식회사 포맨코리아 Ice pack

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR100758655B1 (en) * 2005-11-02 2007-09-14 주식회사 탭스인터내셔널 Ice pack
JP2009131486A (en) * 2007-11-30 2009-06-18 Ooshin Mlp:Kk Sheet for cooling or heating
US20110151740A1 (en) * 2008-06-09 2011-06-23 Lisotherme Wrapper for refrigerating material and refrigerating device using this wrapper
US20140039584A1 (en) * 2012-08-06 2014-02-06 Medical Thermodynamics Llc Portable self contained chemically activated cooling therapy blanket
KR20210049432A (en) * 2019-10-25 2021-05-06 주식회사 포맨코리아 Ice pack

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