Compartmentalized refrigerant wrap

Abstract

An elongated sheet having repeating compartments and intermittent sections placed after any repeating compartment. The repeating compartments are closed membranes encasing refrigerant therein. Alternatively, the repeating compartments may be disposed with pockets for releasably retaining the refrigerant. The intermittent sections are flat in cross section and provide holes along its sides for creating a passageway therethrough. The holes may be strengthened using a grommet or the like. In use, one elongate sheet is secured to other elongated sheets in any various end-to-end and/or side-to-side combinations for creating a modular blanket of refrigerant. The sheets are secured to one another by hooks or other known means in which holes in one sheet are connected to various holes in another sheet. The refrigerant blanket may then be placed around the exterior of a large quantity of perishable goods for maintaining the temperature of the sensitive goods.

Description

I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to refrigerant or cooling devices and, more particularly, to a compartmentalized refrigerant device that provides a unique modular construction for creating a blanket of refrigerant for maintaining the temperature of a large quantity of perishable goods.

II. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

In the food and pharmaceutical industry, products comprising various foods and pharmacy supplies are packaged and shipped all around the world. The problem presented to the industry is that some food and pharmaceutical products must be maintained at specific temperatures during the transport or the products will be become spoiled or tainted.

Currently, there exists many devices in the marketplace for controlling the temperature of sensitive goods during transportation. While these devices are useful for specific packaging, they do not solve the problem of maintaining the temperature of large quantities of goods being transported using a skid or pallet.

For example, the prior art devices used to wrap around the product disclose at least two categories: (1) devices that are used to wrap or cover a desired item such as keg, cooler, and other types of containers in order to maintain a hot or cold temperature for the desired item; or (2) devices that are used to wrap or cover the anatomy of a human or animal for the treatment of various types of injuries.

With respect to category (1), the prior art includes U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,223,551; 6,128,915; 6,036,047; 5,595,069; 5,361,605; 5,361,603; 5,313,809; 5,237,838; 4,989,418; 986,089: 4,892,226; 4,413,481; 4,399,668; 4,324,111; and 4,311,022. Each of these patents disclose devices which consist of wraps that contain hot or cold packs and are designed to be wrapped around or encase items such as a keg, cooler, or other food and beverage container. These devices also retain items such as drugs, sensitive cosmetics, and the like. The devices are attached to the desired item using hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro, adhesive, belt (e.g., the U.S. Pat. No. 4,413,481 Patent), or button and hole, snaps, zippers, ziplocks, and the like (e.g., the U.S. Pat. No. 4,399,668 Patent or the U.S. Pat. No. 4,311,022 Patent).

Also, U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,164 ('164 Patent) discloses an ice chest wrap that is used with a pre-existing ice chest for providing increased insulation in a manner which reduces ice melt time. The ice chest wrap is of a shape and size to be wrapped completely around the exterior surface of four side walls of the ice chest. The ice chest wrap further includes at least one pocket 34 for storing an article such as eating utensils and the like or a pocket or compartment 36 which may be used for containment of frozen gel inserts such as are well known in the art.

Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,100 ('100 Patent) discloses a beverage keg cooling jacket or apparatus for encasing and cooling various sized beverage kegs. The cooling jacket is adapted to retain refrigerateable gel packs in receptacles or pockets 30 which are integrally embodied in the jacket and form two rows of parallel pockets positioned substantially symmetrical about the longitudinal central axis of the jacket. The two symmetrical rows of paired parallel vertical pockets extend from the bottom and the top of the beverage keg. The cooling jacket wraps around the keg and is held in place by fasteners at the end of the jacket.

None of the above patents, however, discloses or teaches the devices being used in any combination(s) to form a blanket or cover lying over a pallet containing a large quantity of perishable goods. Even in the '164 Patent and the '100 Patent, the disclosed wraps would be rendered useless in an orientation over the top of the container as this would prohibit access to the goods being wrapped and cooled (i.e., the ice chest is opened through the top and the beverage keg is tapped through the top).

With respect to category (2), the prior art includes U.S. Patents and Patent Applications US2004/0244413; US2003/0163182; US2002/0043218; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,887,437; 5,840,080; 5,641,325; 5,409,500; 5,304,216; 5,020,711; 5,005,374; H759; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,846,176; 4,700,706; 4,688,572; and 4,585,003. Each of these patents discloses devices which consists of holders that contain hot or cold packs and are designed to be applied to various muscles and limbs of the human or animal anatomy. The devices are wrapped around a desired muscle or limb (i.e., treatment area) using hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro or adhesive. If the hot or cold pack holder is not able to completely wrap around the treatment area, multiple holders can be attached together using elastic bands of greater length which have hook and loop fasteners on their ends. An example is illustrated in U.S. Patent 5,020,711.

Also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,487 ('487 Patent) discloses a body wrap with pockets for pliable frozen composition which maintains a thermal pack in heat transfer to the human anatomy. Each pocket in the thermal pack contains a quantity of liquid and filler particles which, when the liquid is frozen solid, produces a pliable thermal pack which conforms to contoured surfaces of the human body. The flexible wrap is held in place by Velcro fasteners.

Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,247 ('247 Patent) discloses a multi-pocket therapeutic anatomical wrap which includes pockets disposed on the inner side of the wrap for receiving gel packs. The width of the pockets are dimensioned such that the outermost pockets are disposed adjacent the medial and lateral sides of a knee of an average adult. Again, Velcro type fasteners hold the wrap in place.

With respect to the second category of patents, the disclosed wraps are limited for use with the human anatomy and, therefore, are not adaptable for use with a skid, pallet, or other larger shipping forms for perishable goods.

Accordingly, none of these patents disclose or teach a compartmentalized wrap having a plurality of refrigerant sections along with isolated sections which provide means for enabling multiple compartmentalized wraps to be attached to one another in various combinations, thereby, creating a blanket of refrigerant for maintaining the temperature of a skid, pallet, or other large quantity of sensitive perishables.

Thus, there is a need and there has never been disclosed Applicant's unique compartmentalized wrap for use with pallets containing temperature sensitive products.

III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an elongated sheet having repeating compartments and intermittent sections placed after any repeating compartment. In the first embodiment, the repeating compartments are closed membranes encasing refrigerant therein. In the second embodiment, the repeating compartments may be disposed with pockets for releasably retaining the refrigerant. The intermittent sections are flat in cross section and have holes disposed along its sides for creating a passageway therethrough. The holes may be strengthened using a grommet or the like. In use, one elongated sheet is secured to other elongated sheets in any various end-to-end and/or side-to-side combinations for creating a modular blanket of refrigerant. The sheets are secured to one another by hooks or other known means connecting holes in one sheet to various holes in another sheet. The refrigerant blanket may then be placed around the exterior of a large quantity of perishable goods for maintaining the temperature of the sensitive goods.

IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The Description of the Preferred Embodiment will be better understood with reference to the following figures:

FIG. 1 is a top view of the compartmentalized wrap as depicted in a single sheet.

FIG. 1a is a cross sectional view, taken along line 1a-1a of FIG. 1, of the compartmentalized wrap.

FIG. 1b is a cross sectional view, taken along line 1b-1b of FIG. 1a, of an individual compartment.

FIG. 2 is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the compartmentalized wrap as depicted in a single sheet.

FIG. 3 is a top view of another alternate embodiment of the compartmentalized wrap as depicted in a double sheet.

FIG. 4 is a top view of another alternate embodiment of the compartmentalized wrap in which the individual compartments may be selectively filled with a refrigerant pack.

FIG. 4a is a cross sectional view, taken along line 4a-4a of FIG. 4, of the compartmentalized wrap.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a single pocket construction for the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view, taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4, of a double pocket construction for the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a quadruple pocket construction for the concept illustrated in FIG. 4 of the compartmentalized wrap.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the various embodiments coacting with one another to form a blanket of refrigerant for a pallet.

FIG. 9 is a top and side view of the various embodiments for creating a modular construction of a blanket of refrigerant.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the further embodiments for creating a modular construction of a blanket of refrigerant.

V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning first to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a compartmentalized wrap 20. The compartmentalized wrap 20 is an elongated sheet of repeating compartments 22 with intermittent empty sections 24. In this embodiment, the intermittent empty sections 24 are spaced after each third successive repeating compartment 22. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the intermittent empty sections 24 may be spaced after each and every compartment 22. Preferably, the top view and the bottom view of the compartmentalized wrap 20 are a mirror image of one another. The compartmentalized wrap 20 is preferably made of a durable plastic or rubber. Alternatively, the compartmentalized wrap 20 may be made of any flexible material that has thermal insulating properties.

The compartments 22 have a top surface 26, a bottom surface 28, and an exterior perimeter defined by sides 30, 32, 34 and 36. The sides 30, 32, 34, and 36 integrally mold the top surface 26 to the bottom surface 28 along their perimeter, thereby, forming an enclosed membrane 38, as illustrated in FIG. 1a.

Located within the enclosed membrane 38 is a refrigerant 40, as illustrated in FIG. 1b. In the preferred embodiment, the refrigerant 40 is a specially formulated leak-proof, viscous gel refrigerant which is made of non-toxic, non-caustic materials and hermetically sealed in a heavy-duty plastic pouch. The preferred refrigerant product is made by Polar Tech Industries located in Genoa, Ill. under the ICE-BRIX trademarks. Alternatively, it is contemplated that, if desired, not all of the compartments 22 need to be filled with refrigerant 40 as only the total number as necessary to maintain the required temperature are filled.

Prior to using the refrigerant 40, the gel is conditioned to the desired temperature (i.e. hot, warm, cold, or frozen) to maintain the perishable goods at its desired temperature and parameters. For example, to provide a refrigerant 40 that is frozen, the refrigerant 40 must be placed into a freezer to convert the liquid gel into a frozen gel that will be used to absorb the heat which will enter or surround the perishable goods.

The empty sections 24 are preferably flat in cross section and extend outwardly from the side 36 of the last successive repeating compartment 22 to the side 32 of the next adjacent or beginning compartment 22 for the next repeating group of compartments 22.

Situated along opposite edges in each empty section 24 along the exterior perimeter of the compartmentalized wrap 20 are holes 42. In the preferred embodiment the holes 42 may be formed using a punch through the empty section 24, a grommet, or any other means known to one skilled in the art such that the holes 42 provide a clear unobstructed passageway through the empty section 24.

Referring to FIG. 3, the alternate embodiment of the compartmentalized scrap 20 is illustrated in a double sheet configuration. In this embodiment, the compartments 22, refrigerant 40, empty sections 24, and the holes 42 remain the same as in the original embodiment. The difference is that, in this embodiment, the compartmentalized wrap 20 is formed from a double sheet configuration using a bridging section 44. In essence, the bridging section 44 is a seal that attaches one single sheet to a second single sheet.

Referring to FIG. 4, another alternate embodiment of the compartmentalized wrap 20 is illustrated and referred to as the compartmentalized wrap 45. In this embodiment, the holes 42 and bridging section 44 remain the same as in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3. Also, while the compartmentalized wrap 45 is depicted in an elongated double sheet, it is contemplated that it may likewise be used in a single sheet configuration, triple sheet configuration, or any other configuration available to one skilled in the art. The additional features of this embodiment are enumerated below.

The compartmentalized wrap 45 consists of repeating pocket sections 46. The repeating pocket sections 46 have a pocket top surface 48, a pocket bottom surface 50 (FIG. 4a), and an exterior perimeter defined by sides 52, 54, 56, and 58. The sides 54, 56, and 58 integrally mold the pocket top surface 48 to the pocket bottom surface 50 along this perimeter, thereby, forming an enclosure along these sides. This construction is discussed in greater detail later in the specification in reference to FIGS. 5-7. As illustrated in FIG. 4a, the pocket top surface 48 and pocket bottom surface 50 remain separated along side 52 (FIG. 4), thereby, forming an opening 60 accessible from side 52 between the overlap as described herein. The combination of the enclosure formed by sides 54, 56, 58 and the opening 60 create the means of the pocket section 46 for receiving and releasably retaining refrigerant 40 within the compartmentalized wrap 45. If desired, the entire sheet of pocket sections 46 of the compartmentalized wrap 45 may contain refrigerant 40. Alternatively, it is contemplated that, if desired, not all of the pocket sections 46 need to be filled with refrigerant 40 as only the total number as necessary to maintain the required temperature are filled. In alternate embodiments, however, the opening 60 may be accessible using slits 79 adjacent to and parallel sides 56 or 54, as illustrated in FIG. 8; or side 52 may remain open or utilize a ziploc means to access the opening 60.

As illustrated, each sheet of compartmentalized wrap 45 is formed of pocket sections 46 that are preferably one-hundred and forty-four inches (144″) in length by twenty-four inches (24″) in width with each pocket section 46 being substantially identical to one another at approximately 9.6″×12″ inches. Alternatively, it is contemplated that one skilled in the art may utilize any variation in size of the compartmentalized wrap 45 to accomplish the intended use of this invention.

As illustrated, each pocket section 46 of the compartmentalized wrap 45 may utilize a single pocket, as illustrated in FIG. 5; a double pocket, as illustrated in FIG. 6; and/or a four pocket, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

In forming the construction of the single pocket, the pocket top surface 48 is divided into a cover section 62 and a flap 64. The planar area of the cover section 62 of the pocket top surface 48 is aligned over a slightly larger planar area of the pocket bottom surface 50. In this alignment, the cover section 62 and pocket bottom surface 50 begin to form sides 54. 56, and 58. Once properly aligned, these sides of the cover section 62 are ultrasonically welded, glued, or otherwise sealed to the respective sides of the pocket bottom surface 50. The planar area of the flap 64 is likewise aligned over a portion of the cover section 62. opposite side 56, where it creates an overlap 76 (FIG. 4) with the cover section 62. The flap 64 is ultrasonically welded, glued, or otherwise sealed to the respective sides of the pocket bottom surface 50 for completing the formation of sides 52, 54, and 58. As a result, the cover section 62, the flap 64, and the bottom section 50 are entirely glued or fused to one another along the sides 52,54, 56, and 58 of the pocket section 46. This combination is what creates opening 60 and the single pocket construction. The overlap 76 between the flap 64 and cover section 62 creates a spacing 78 (FIG. 5) between them for access into the opening 60 and to provide the means for inserting or removing the refrigerant 40 from the pocket sections 46. The holes 42 are then created as previously described. In this configuration, the pocket section 46 generally ranges from a width of eight inches (8″) to twenty-four inches (24″) in increments of four inches.

Alternatively, the single pocket may be constructed in any other means or combination as would be known to one skilled in the art provided that one side of the pocket section 46 remains open and the other three adjoining sides form a sealed enclosure.

In forming the construction of the double pocket, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the pocket section 46 is formed using two flaps 64 located at opposite ends of the cover section 62 in relation to the pocket bottom surface 50. Using the same means as describe above, the flaps 64 and the cover section 62 are affixed to the pocket bottom surface 50 for creating two pockets 60. In this configuration, the pocket section 46 has a width of substantially eighteen inches (18″).

Likewise, in forming the construction of the quadruple pocket, as illustrated in FIG. 7, four pockets 60 are created using two cover sections 62, three flaps 64, and a pocket bottom surface 50. In this configuration, the pocket section 46 is formed having preferably a width of thirty-two inches (32″), forty-eight inches (48″), or sixty inches (60″).

Alternatively, it is contemplated that the pocket section 46 may be any width to accomplish the intended purpose of this invention and as used by one of ordinary skill in the art. The dimensions provided herein are the most convenient given the sizes of typical skids, pallets, or other large quantities of perishable goods.

In use and as illustrated in FIG. 8, the single sheet, the double sheet, and the compartmentalized wrap 45 may be used in any end-to-end and/or side-to-side combination with one another to form a modular refrigerant blanket for covering an entire quantity of perishable goods. As depicted, the single sheets are identified by references 68; the double bag sheets are identified by references 70; and the compartmentalized wrap 45 are identified by references 72.

Each of the single sheets, the double sheets, and the compartmentalized wrap 45 are secured to one another using any means known to one skilled in the art. As shown, the sheets are secured by ties 74. Alternatively, the sheets could be secured using bungee cords rope, hooks, velcro, etc. In this manner, upon placing any refrigerant sheet adjacent a second refrigerant sheet, a tie 74 can be inserted through the hole 42 of the first refrigerant sheet and routed back up and through the hole 42 of the second refrigerant sheet such that the ends of the tie 74 can be twisted in relation to one another, thereby, securing the refrigerant sheets together. In the preferred embodiment, the refrigerant sheets will be secured to one another when sufficient ties 74 have been used.

Depending upon the required temperature to be maintained for the perishable goods, a strategy may be used in the combination of sheets to form the modular refrigerant blanket. For example, refrigerant 40 may be used in each and every compartment 22 or pocket 60 or only used in a sufficient number of compartments 22 or pockets 60 as determined to maintain the required temperature of the perishable goods.

Alternatively, it is contemplated that any other means known to one skilled in the art may be used instead of holes for securing the single sheets, double sheets, and/or compartmentalized wraps together for forming the various combinations of the device. In a non-limiting example using adjacent panels #1 and #2, as illustrated in FIG. 9, this includes using buttons 80 as secured within button slots 81, male snaps 83 as secured within female snaps 82, hooks 85 as secured to loop fasteners 84 such as Velcro, male locking fasteners 86 as secured to female locking fasteners 87 in a Ziploc style fastening; and as illustrated in FIG. 10, stitching, stapling 89, and/or heat fusing 88 the overlapping ends of the panels of the device.

Thus, there has been provided a unique modular refrigerant blanket created by,connecting a combination of sheets that provide a plurality of having flexibility for receiving increased amounts of refrigerant for maintaining the temperature of various sized quantities of perishable goods. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it in intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device for maintaining the temperature of perishable goods, comprising:

an elongated sheet having repeating compartments with an intermittent section placed at one end of any successive number of repeating compartments, the elongated sheet defining a length and having opposed sides;

refrigerant secured within at least one of the repeating compartments;

a plurality of holes formed through the intermittent section; and

means for connecting at least one of the plurality of holes from a first elongated sheet to at least one of a plurality of holes from a second elongated sheet placed adjacent to the first elongated sheet.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the compartments are closed pockets for retaining the refrigerant therein.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the intermittent section has a width with opposed sides aligned with the opposed sides of the elongated sheet.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the plurality of holes are disposed on each of the opposed sides of the intermittent section.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the intermittent sections are substantially flat along their cross section.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the elongated sheet is made of a durable plastic.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the elongated sheet is made of rubber.

8. The device of claim 1 and further comprising a grommet placed in the plurality of holes for increased strength.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the successive number of repeating compartments is in the range of one to five.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the device further comprises a second elongated sheet having a length and opposed sides integrally formed with the elongated sheet along one of the opposed sides of the elongated sheet.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the second elongated sheet is created by a bridging seal along the corresponding sides of the elongated sheet and second elongated sheet.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for connecting at least one of the plurality of holes from a first elongated sheet to at least one of a plurality of holes from a second elongated sheet placed adjacent to the elongated sheet is selected from the group consisting of a tie, bungee cord, rope, hooks, and fasteners.

13. A device for maintaining the temperature of perishable goods, comprising:

an elongated sheet having repeating compartments, the elongated sheet having a length and having opposed sides;

an opening formed in at least one of the repeating compartments;

refrigerant releasably retained within at least one of the repeating compartments, the refrigerant deposited into or removed from the repeating compartments through the opening;

a plurality of holes formed through the opposed sides of the elongated sheet;

means for connecting at least one of the plurality of holes from the elongated sheet to at least one of a plurality of holes from a second elongated sheet which is placed adjacent to the elongated sheet.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein the compartments have four sides and are integrally molded along three of the four sides.

15. The device of claim 13 and further comprising a grommet placed in the plurality of holes for increased strength.

16. The device of claim 13 and further comprising a flap covering the opening.

17. The device of claim 13 wherein the device further comprises a second elongated sheet having a length and opposed sides integrally formed with the elongated sheet along one of the opposed sides of the elongated sheet.

18. The device of claim 13 wherein the means for connecting at least one of the plurality of holes from the elongated sheet to at least one of a plurality of holes from a second elongated sheet placed adjacent to the elongated sheet is selected from the group consisting of a tie, bungee cord, rope, hooks, and fasteners.

19. The device of claim 13 wherein the elongated sheet is made of a flexible plastic material.

20. A device for maintaining the temperature of perishable goods, comprising:

an elongated sheet having repeating compartments, each compartment having a top surface and a bottom surface, the exterior of the top surface affixed to the exterior of the bottom surface for forming an enclosure and defining a spacing within the enclosure;

an opening formed into the enclosure for accessing the spacing;

refrigerant inserted through the opening for being releasably retained within the spacing of the enclosure;

a plurality of holes formed in the elongated sheet; and

means for connecting at least one of the plurality of holes from the elongated sheet to at least one of a plurality of holes in a second substantially identical elongated sheet which is placed adjacent to the elongated sheet.

21. A device for creating a blanket from a modular construction of sheets for covering an entire quantity of perishable goods and maintaining the temperature of the perishable goods, comprising:

an elongated sheet having at least one compartment, the compartment having a top surface and a bottom surface, the exterior of the top surface affixed to the exterior of the bottom surface for forming an enclosure and defining a spacing within the enclosure;

means for regulating the temperature of the perishable goods;

means for retaining the means for regulating the temperature of the perishable goods within the spacing of the enclosure; and

means for connecting the elongated sheet to a second substantially identical elongated sheet which is placed adjacent to the elongated sheet for creating the blanket.

22. The device of claim 21 wherein the means for connecting the elongated sheet to a second substantially identical elongated sheet which is placed adjacent to the elongated sheet is selected from the group consisting of holes that are connected using fasteners, buttons and button slots, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, locking fasteners, stitches, staples, and heat fusion.