U.S. patent application number 16/032275 was filed with the patent office on 2019-01-17 for cold pack assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is CONTI-BROS, INC.. Invention is credited to Brian Vincent Conti.
Application Number | 20190016514 16/032275 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65000607 |
Filed Date | 2019-01-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190016514 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Conti; Brian Vincent |
January 17, 2019 |
COLD PACK ASSEMBLY
Abstract
An example cold pack assembly may include a pack and a band. The
pack may include an internal cavity with a substance disposed
within the internal cavity. The pack may also include a first
recessed surface and a second recessed surface. The band may be
disposed around the pack such that the band engages a first item
and generates a first force to urge the first item into pressed
engagement with the first recessed surface and the band engages a
second item and generates a second force to urge the second item
into pressed engagement with the second recessed surface. The band
may be elastic.
Inventors: |
Conti; Brian Vincent;
(Matthews, NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CONTI-BROS, INC. |
Greenville |
SC |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
65000607 |
Appl. No.: |
16/032275 |
Filed: |
July 11, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62531026 |
Jul 11, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 71/50 20130101;
B65D 63/109 20130101; F25D 3/08 20130101; F25D 2303/0843 20130101;
F25D 2303/0841 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 71/50 20060101
B65D071/50; B65D 63/10 20060101 B65D063/10 |
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising: a pack comprising: an internal cavity,
wherein a substance is disposed in the cavity; a first recessed
surface and a second recessed surface, the first recessed surface
being disposed on a first engagement side of the pack and the
second recessed surface being disposed on a second engagement side
of the pack, the first engagement side of the pack being disposed
opposite the second engagement side of the pack; and a band
disposed around the pack such that the band engages a first item
and generates a first force to urge the first item into pressed
engagement with the first recessed surface and the band engages a
second item and generates a second force to urge the second item
into pressed engagement with the second recessed surface, wherein
the band is elastic.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pack further comprises a
first cutout disposed on a front side of the pack, wherein the band
is disposed in the first cutout and the first cutout is configured
to maintain the band in a vertical position relative to the
pack.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first cutout includes an
upper lip and a lower lip, and wherein a portion of the band is
disposed behind the upper lip and the lower lip to maintain the
band within the first cutout.
4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the pack further comprises a
second cutout disposed on a back side of the pack, the back side of
the pack being disposed opposite the front side of the pack, the
band being disposed in the second cutout.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pack further comprises a
protrusion; wherein the band further comprises an opening, and
wherein the opening of the band is disposed on the protrusion.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the band further comprises
raised features on an interior surface of the band that engages
with the first or second item.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first recessed surface is
shaped as an arc.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first recessed surface is
shaped as an arc, wherein the arc is a portion of a circle.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first recessed surface is
shaped as an arc, wherein the arc is a portion of a circle having a
radius, and wherein the first item includes a cylindrical portion
having a radius that is substantially the same as the radius of the
first recessed surface such that the first force applied by the
band causes the first item to contact the first recessed surface
along the arc.
10. An apparatus comprising: a pack comprising: an internal cavity,
wherein a substance is disposed in the cavity; a first recessed
surface and a second recessed surface; and a band disposed around
the pack such that the band engages a first item and generates a
first force to urge the first item into pressed engagement with the
first recessed surface and the band engages a second item and
generates a second force to urge the second item into pressed
engagement with the second recessed surface, wherein the band is
elastic.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the pack further comprises a
first cutout, wherein the band is disposed in the first cutout and
the first cutout is configured to maintain the band in a vertical
position relative to the pack.
12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first cutout includes an
upper lip and a lower lip, and wherein a portion of the band is
disposed behind the upper lip and the lower lip to maintain the
band within the first cutout.
13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the pack further comprises a
second cutout, the band being disposed in the second cutout.
14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the pack further comprises a
protrusion; wherein the band further comprises an opening, and
wherein the opening of the band is disposed on the protrusion.
15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the band further comprises
raised features on an interior surface of the band that engage with
the first or second item.
16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first recessed surface is
shaped as an arc.
17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first recessed surface is
shaped as an arc, wherein the arc is a portion of a circle.
18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first recessed surface is
shaped as an arc, wherein the arc is a portion of a circle having a
radius, and wherein the first item includes a cylindrical portion
having a radius that is substantially the same as the radius of the
first recessed surface such that the first force applied by the
band causes the first item to contact the first recessed surface
along the arc.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/531,026 filed on Jul. 11, 2017, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Example embodiments generally relate to refrigeration
technology, and more particularly, relate to a apparatuses for
passive temperature maintenance.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Powered refrigeration can maintain beverages and other
temperature-sensitive goods at desired temperatures. In the absence
of powered refrigeration, insulated coolers filled with melting ice
is the typical solution for maintaining goods at desired
temperatures as long as possible.
SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES
[0004] An example cold pack assembly is provided that may include a
pack and a band. An example cold pack assembly may include a pack
and a band. The pack may include an internal cavity with a
substance disposed within the internal cavity. The pack may also
include a first recessed surface and a second recessed surface. The
band may be disposed around the pack such that the band engages a
first item and generates a first force to urge the first item into
pressed engagement with the first recessed surface and the band
engages a second item and generates a second force to urge the
second item into pressed engagement with the second recessed
surface. The band may be elastic.
[0005] Another example cold pack assembly may include a pack and a
band. The pack may comprise an internal cavity and a substance may
be disposed in the internal cavity. The pack may further comprise a
first recessed surface and a second recessed surface. The first
recessed surface may be disposed on a first engagement side of the
pack and the second recessed surface may be disposed on a second
engagement side of the pack. The first engagement side of the pack
may be disposed opposite the second engagement side of the pack.
The band may be disposed around the pack such that the band engages
a first item and generates a first force to urge the first item
into pressed engagement with the first recessed surface and the
band engages a second item and generates a second force to urge the
second item into pressed engagement with the second recessed
surface. The band may be elastic.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Having thus described some example cold pack assemblies in
general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying
drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and
wherein:
[0007] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an example cold pack
assembly securing cans in accordance with an example
embodiment;
[0008] FIG. 2 shows top view of an example cold pack assembly
securing cans in accordance with an example embodiment;
[0009] FIG. 3 shows a top view of a portion of an example pack
securing a can in accordance with an example embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an example pack in
accordance with an example embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 5 shows an top view of a recessed surface of an example
pack and the associated geometry in accordance with an example
embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 6 shows an example band engagement cutout in accordance
with an example embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 7 shows another example band engagement cutout in
accordance with an example embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 8 shows an example band in accordance with an example
embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of an example cold pack
assembly in accordance with an example embodiment; and
[0016] FIG. 10 shows a side view of an example cold pack assembly
in accordance with an example embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Some example embodiments now will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
some, but not all example embodiments are shown. Indeed, the
examples described and pictured herein should not be construed as
being limiting as to the scope, applicability or configuration of
the present disclosure. Rather, these example embodiments are
provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal
requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements
throughout. As used herein, operable coupling should be understood
to relate to direct or indirect connection that, in either case,
enables functional interconnection of components that are operably
coupled to each other.
[0018] According to some example embodiments, an example cold pack
assembly is provided. According to some example embodiments, an
example cold pack assembly may include a pack and a band. The pack
may include an internal sealed cavity with a substance disposed in
the cavity. The substance may exhibit thermal properties. The pack
may also include at least a first recessed surface and a second
recessed surface. The first recessed surface may be disposed on a
first side of the pack and the second recessed surface may be
disposed on a second side of the pack. The first side of the pack
may be opposite the second side of the pack. The pack may further
include a cutout disposed on a third side of the pack. The band may
be disposed around the pack such that the band engages a first item
to urge the first item into pressed engagement with the first
recess and the band engages a second item to urge the second item
into pressed engagement with the second recess. The band may also
be disposed in the within the cutout on the third side of the
pack.
[0019] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an example cold pack
assembly 100 securing cans 500 in accordance with an example
embodiment. The cold pack assembly 100 may include a pack 200 and a
band 300. As shown in FIG. 1, the band 300 may wrap around the pack
200 in, for example, a substantially horizontal direction to secure
the cans 500 to the pack 200. The pack may have a top 250, a bottom
251, a front side 252, a back side 253, a first engagement side
254, and a second engagement side 255. Note that the surfaces of
the pack 200 are merely provided for ease of explanation regarding
spatial references. As such, the band 300 may wrap around the front
side 252, the first engagement side 254, the back side 253, and the
second engagement side 255 of the pack 200. While the example
embodiment herein is shown with cans 500, it is understood that any
type of product or good that may need to be kept cold may be used
in conjunction with the cold pack assembly 100--the cans 500 being
just one example. The pack 200 may be a sealed or closed surface
(e.g., plastic) container with an internal cavity 201. According to
some example embodiments, the pack 200 may include a removable cap.
The internal cavity 201 may have a substance 202 disposed therein.
The substance 202 may be a refrigerant gel or liquid. The substance
202 may have properties that cause the substance 202 to maintain a
temperature for relatively long periods of time including when
there is a difference between the ambient temperature and the
temperature of the substance 202. In this regard, the substance 202
may, after being subjected to a cold temperature for a sufficient
duration of time, remain cold for relatively long periods of time
after being removed from the cold environment and introduced into a
warmer environment. In some example embodiments, the substance 202
may be water, hyroxyethyl cellulose, sodium polyacrylate, or
vinyl-coated silica gel.
[0020] The pack 200 may have recessed surfaces 220 (see FIGS. 2 and
3), on opposite sides (i.e., first side 254 and second side 255).
The recessed surfaces 220 may be concave in shape and may be
designed to contour into the shape of a standard can or bottle to
maximize surface contact and thermal transfer between the items
loaded into the cold pack assembly 100. In this regard, the
recessed surfaces 220 may have a profile of that is a portion of a
circle or otherwise be arcuate, where, for example, an arc of the
recessed surfaces 220 has a length that is less than the
circumference of a semi-circle having the same radius. According to
some example embodiments, the recessed surfaces 220 may be
scalloped in shape.
[0021] The band 300 may be elastic and wrapped around the pack 200.
The band 300 may be sized such that, at rest, the band 300 is
shorter than the length around the cans 500 and the pack 200. As
such, due to elastic tension supplied by the band 300 being
stretched and the length being expanded, the band 300 may tend to
urge the cans 500 into the recessed surfaces 220 to maximize
surface contact and thermal transfer. According to some example
embodiments, the band 300 may have an opening 310 that may be
seated on a protrusion 210 of the pack 200, which may assist in
maintaining the position of the band 300 and prevent the band from
shifting when, for example, a can is slid out the cold pack
assembly 100 or when no cans are installed in the cold pack
assembly 100.
[0022] FIG. 2 shows top view of the example cold pack assembly 100
securing cans 500 in accordance with an example embodiment. Here,
according to some example embodiments, the engagement between
recessed surfaces 220 of the pack 200 and the cans 500 can be seen,
with the band 300 providing in a pressing force against the cans
towards the recessed surfaces 220.
[0023] FIG. 3 shows a portion of the cold pack assembly 100 with a
can 500. As shown in FIG. 3, the band 300 may be sized to apply a
force 501 (indicated by the arrow) onto the can 500, which in turn
applies a force that urges the can 500 against the contact surface
502 of the recessed surface 220 of either the first engaging side
254 or the second engaging side 255. This force 501 may operate to
cause surface area contact (which may be shaped as a partial
cylinder) between the can 500 and the recessed surface 220 to
maximize thermal conduction between the surface of the can 500 and
the recessed surface 220.
[0024] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the example pack 200 in
accordance with an example embodiment. As described above, the pack
200 may include recessed surfaces 220 and a protrusion 210. The
protrusion 210 may be disposed on the front side 252 or the back
side 253. The pack 200 may also include a front side band
engagement cutout 230 and a back side band engagement cutout 240.
Note that the directional terms are merely provided for ease of
explanation and are not limiting. According to some example
embodiments, the pack 200 may have only one or no band engagement
cutouts. The cutouts 230 and 240 may be configured to maintain the
band 300 in a desired vertical position with respect to the pack
200. In this regard, the cutouts 230 and 240 may be configured to
hold the band 300 in the desired vertical position even during
installation of cans 500 which may tend to cause the band 300 to
move vertically in the direction of the installation (e.g.,
downward when the cans 500 are being installed from the top).
[0025] FIG. 5 shows a portion of the pack 200, and in particular,
an enlarged view of a recessed surface 220. It can be seen that,
according to some example embodiments, the recessed surface 220 may
have an arcuate shape as a portion of a circle 261. The circle 261
may have a center at 262 and may thus define the recessed surface
220 with respect to a radius 263. The perimeter of the circle 261
may have the same shape as a perimeter of an object to be engaged
with the recessed surface 220 to maximize surface area contact
between the recessed surface 220 and the object.
[0026] FIG. 6 shows the front side band engagement cutout 230 in
accordance with an example embodiment. In this regard, the cutout
230 may be a recessed area on a front side of the pack 200 that is
configured to receive a portion of the band 300. The cutout 230 may
have a height 232 and a depth 233. Further, the cutout 230 may,
according to some example embodiments, include an upper lip 234 and
a lower lip 236 that extend into the cutout 230 to form, for
example, a C-shaped cutout area. In this regard, the upper lip 234
may have a lip height 235. The lower lip 236 may have the same or a
similar height. According to some example embodiments, however, the
cutout 230 may only have a single lip or no lips (e.g., making the
cutout area a U-shape). The cutout 230 and the lips 235, 236, may
operate to hold the band 300 in position on the pack 200.
[0027] FIG. 7 shows the back side band engagement cutout 240 in
accordance with an example embodiment. In this regard, the cutout
240 may be a recessed area on the back side of the pack 200 that is
configured to receive a portion of the band 300. The cutout 240 may
have a height 242 and a depth 243. Further, the cutout 240 may,
according to some example embodiments, include an upper lip 244 and
a lower lip 246 that extend into the cutout 240 to form, for
example, a C-shaped cutout area. In this regard, the upper lip 244
may have a lip height 245. The lower lip 246 may have the same or a
similar height. According to some example embodiments, however, the
cutout 240 may only have a single lip or no lips (e.g., making the
cutout area a U-shape). The cutout 240 and the lips 245, 246, may
operate to hold the band 300 in position on the pack 200.
[0028] FIG. 8 shows the example band 300 in accordance with an
example embodiment. As mentioned above, the band 300 may be an
elastic band. As shown in FIG. 8, the band 300 may include raised
features 320 (e.g., bars, elongated domes, or the like) disposed on
an internal surface of the band 300. The raised features 320 may,
according to some example embodiments, be disposed on the band 300
at positions where the band 300 may engage with an item to loaded
in the cold pack assembly 100. The raised features 320 may operate
to decrease friction between the loaded item and the band 300 to
allow for easier removal of the loaded item by sliding the item in
along a length of the raised features 320. Also, as mentioned
above, the band 300 may include an opening 310 that may be
configured to engage with a protrusion of the pack 200 to secure
the band 300 to the pack 200. As shown in FIG. 8, opening 310 may
be circular, but according to some example embodiments the opening
310 may be any type of hole in the band 300, such as a slit.
According to some example embodiments, the band 300 may have a
plurality of openings along the band 300's length. According to
some example embodiments, the band 300 may be a strip (rather than
a loop) where the ends of the band 300 have openings for affixing
the band 300 to a protrusion of the pack 200. In this regard, the
band 300, in the form of a strip, may be adjustable by selecting
one of a plurality of openings in the band 300 for engagement with
a protrusion (e.g., protrusion 210) on the pack 200.
[0029] Further, in some example embodiments, the band 300 may be
uniform in height. However, according to some example embodiments,
as shown in FIG. 8, the band 300 may increase in height at region
330 surrounding an opening 310. The increased amount of material
around the openings may operate to strengthen the band 300 in those
locations to prevent tearing.
[0030] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the example cold pack
assembly 100 in accordance with an example embodiment. As shown in
FIG. 9, no items are loaded into the cold pack assembly 100. The
band 300 may be wrapped around the pack 200 and the opening 310 in
the band 300 may be engaged with the protrusion 210 of the pack
200.
[0031] FIG. 10 shows a view of the first engaging side 254 of the
example cold pack assembly 100 in accordance with an example
embodiment. Cutouts 230, 240 may be disposed at the front side 252
and the back side 253 of the pack 200 for engagement with the band
300 as described above. Additionally, pack 200 may include
protruding feet 290 on a bottom side of the pack 200.
[0032] Having described some example embodiments of cold pack
assemblies above, some additional example embodiments are now
described that are related to or based on various features and
combinations of features described above. In this regard, an
example cold pack assembly is provided that may include a pack and
a band. An example cold pack assembly may include a pack and a
band. The pack may include an internal cavity with a substance
disposed within the internal cavity. The pack may also include a
first recessed surface and a second recessed surface. The band may
be disposed around the pack such that the band engages a first item
and generates a first force to urge the first item into pressed
engagement with the first recessed surface and the band engages a
second item and generates a second force to urge the second item
into pressed engagement with the second recessed surface. The band
may be elastic.
[0033] Another example cold pack assembly may include a pack and a
band. The pack may comprise an internal cavity and a substance may
be disposed in the internal cavity. The pack may further comprise a
first recessed surface and a second recessed surface. The first
recessed surface may be disposed on a first engagement side of the
pack and the second recessed surface may be disposed on a second
engagement side of the pack. The first engagement side of the pack
may be disposed opposite the second engagement side of the pack.
The band may be disposed around the pack such that the band engages
a first item and generates a first force to urge the first item
into pressed engagement with the first recessed surface and the
band engages a second item and generates a second force to urge the
second item into pressed engagement with the second recessed
surface. The band may be elastic.
[0034] Additionally, according to some example embodiments, the
pack may further comprise a first cutout disposed on a front side
of the pack. The band may be disposed in the first cutout and the
first cutout may be configured to maintain the band in a vertical
position relative to the pack. Additionally or alternatively, the
first cutout may include an upper lip and a lower lip. Further, a
portion of the band may be disposed behind the upper lip and the
lower lip to maintain the band within the first cutout.
Additionally or alternatively, the pack may further comprise a
second cutout, for example, disposed on a back side of the pack.
The second cutout may include an upper lip and a lower lip.
Further, a portion of the band may be disposed behind the upper lip
and the lower lip to maintain the band within the first cutout. The
back side of the pack may, according to some example embodiments,
be disposed opposite the front side of the pack. Additionally or
alternatively, the pack may further comprise a protrusion. The band
may further comprise an opening. The opening of the band may be
disposed on the protrusion. Additionally or alternatively, the band
may further comprise raised features on an interior surface of the
band that engage with the first or second item and operate to
reduce the friction with the first or second item (i.e., reduce the
surface area of engagement between the first or second item and the
band) during removal of the same from the cold pack assembly.
Additionally or alternatively, the first or second recessed surface
may be shaped as an arc. According to some example embodiments, the
arc may take the shape of a portion of a circle. Further, because
the recessed surfaces have a height, the recessed surfaces, in
three dimensions, may take the shape of a partial cylinder where
the arc is a cross-section. Additionally or alternatively, the
first or second recessed surface is shaped as an arc, wherein the
arc is a portion of a circle having a radius. The first item may
include a cylindrical portion (e.g., central portion of the can
500) having a radius that is substantially the same as the radius
of the first recessed surface such that the first force applied by
the band causes the first item to contact the first recessed
surface along the arc. The second item may include a cylindrical
portion (e.g., central portion of the can 500) having a radius that
is substantially the same as the radius of the second recessed
surface such that the second force applied by the band causes the
second item to contact the second recessed surface along the
arc.
[0035] Many modifications and other embodiments according to those
set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to
which these embodiments pertain having the benefit of the teachings
presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated
drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that embodiments are
not to be limited to the specific ones disclosed and that
modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included
within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the
foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe
exemplary embodiments in the context of certain exemplary
combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated
that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be
provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the
scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example,
different combinations of elements and/or functions than those
explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set
forth in some of the appended claims. In cases where advantages,
benefits or solutions to problems are described herein, it should
be appreciated that such advantages, benefits and/or solutions may
be applicable to some example embodiments, but not necessarily all
example embodiments. Thus, any advantages, benefits or solutions
described herein should not be thought of as being critical,
required or essential to all embodiments or to that which is
claimed herein. Although specific terms are employed herein, they
are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for
purposes of limitation.
* * * * *