Extended life thermal pack

• US 6,393,843 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2001
• Issued: 05/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Allegiance Corporation (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Allegiance Corporation (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kohout, Daniel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): DOERRLER, WILLIAM CHARLES
• Application Number:
  US09/769,218
• Publication Number:
  US 20010008072A1
• Time in Patent Office: 489 Days
• Field of Search: 62/4 252/70 126/263.01,263.08,263.09
• US Class Current: 62/4
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0276 with separate compartments connectable by rupturing a wall or membrane
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0292 using latent heat produced or absorbed during phase change of materials, e.g. of super-cooled solutions
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/106 self-cooling, e.g. using a chemical reaction
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 5/18 Non-reversible chemical reactions
• CPC Class Codes: F24V 30/00 Apparatus or devices using heat produced by exothermal chemical reactions other than combustion
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 5/02 portable, i.e. adapted to be carried personally

Abstract

The invention relates to extended life thermal packs. In one embodiment, the thermal pack comprises a container having a first thermally reactive chemical solute therein, a rupturable solvent packet containing a solvent, and a rupturable solute packet containing a second thermally reactive chemical solute in the solute packet. The solutes are chemically separated until time of use and are different from one another. The chemical separation of solutes until time of use in combination with the structure of the thermal pack structure afford both extended duration of thermal effect by the pack and afford the user with increased control by permitting optional sequential combination of the reactants. The thermal reaction produced by the combination of solute and solvent can be either endothermic or exothermic and therefore can be used to apply cold or hot therapy, respectively.

Claims

1. A thermal pack adapted to extend the duration of thermal effect comprising:

a container sealed to the atmosphere;

a first thermally reactive chemical solute disposed within said container;

a rupturable solvent packet disposed within said container;

a solvent disposed within said solvent packet;

a rupturable solute packet disposed within said container;

a second thermally reactive chemical solute disposed within said solute packet;

wherein each of the solvent, first and second thermally reactive solutes are chemically separated and wherein the first thermally reactive solute is different from the second thermally reactive solute.

2. A thermal pack according to claim 1 wherein the first thermally reactive solute is present in an amount in which the solvent is unsaturated following the combination therewith.

3. A thermal pack according to claim 1 which is a cold pack.

4. A thermal pack according to claim 3 wherein the first thermally reactive solute is an endotherm-producing chemical and the second thermally reactive solute is an endotherm-producing chemical.

5. A thermal pack according to claim 4 wherein each of the endotherm-producing chemicals is selected from the group consisting of ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfamate, ammonium nitrite, ammonium iodide, ammonium bromide, sodium chloride, sodium nitrate, sodium nitrite, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium nitrate, potassium nitrite, urea, methylurea,, SnCl₂—

2H₂O, Co(NH₂)₂, CoCl₂—

6H₂O, Ni(NO₃)₂—

6H₂O, and combinations thereof.

6. A thermal pack according to claim 4 wherein the combination of one or more of the endotherm-producing chemicals with the solvent produces a reduced temperature of greater than about 10°

F. (−

12°

C.).

7. The thermal pack of claim 1 wherein the solvent is a solvent adapted to dissolve and react with thermally reactive solutes to result in a thermal reaction within a therapeutically useful temperature range.

8. The thermal pack of claim 7 wherein the solvent is water.

9. A thermal pack according to claim 1 which is a hot pack.

10. A thermal pack according to claim 9 wherein the first thermally reactive solute is an exotherm-producing chemical and the second thermally reactive solute is an exotherm-producing chemical.

11. A thermal pack according to claim 10 wherein each of the exotherm-producing chemicals provides a negative heat of solution and is selected from the group consisting of calcium chloride, calcium bromide, sodium acetate, potassium permanganate, calcium klesserite, magnesium sulfate, aluminum chloride, magnesium bromide, magnesium chloride, manganese chloride, manganese nitrate, nickel chloride, zinc chloride, ferric chloride, and combinations thereof.

12. A thermal pack according to claim 10 wherein the combination of one or more of the exotherm-producing chemicals with the solvent produces an elevated temperature of greater than about 104°

F. (40°

C.).

13. A thermal pack adapted to extend the duration of thermal effect comprising:

a container sealed to the atmosphere;

a first thermally reactive chemical solute disposed within said container;

a rupturable solvent packet disposed within said container;

a solvent disposed within said solvent packet;

a first rupturable solute packet disposed within said container;

a second thermally reactive chemical solute disposed within said first rupturable solute packet;

a second rupturable solute packet disposed within said container;

a third thermally reactive chemical solute disposed within said second rupturable solute packet;

wherein each of the solvent, first, second and third thermally reactive solutes are chemically separated and wherein at least two of the first, second and third thermally reactive solutes are different from each other.

14. A thermal pack according to claim 13 wherein the first and second thermally reactive solutes are present in an amount in which the solvent is unsaturated following combination therewith.

15. A thermal pack according to claim 13 which is a cold pack.

16. A thermal pack according to claim 13 wherein the first thermally reactive solute is an endotherm-producing chemical, the second thermally reactive solute is an endotherm-producing chemical, and the third thermally reactive solute is an endotherm-producing chemical.

17. A thermal pack according to claim 16 wherein each of the endotherm-producing chemicals is selected from the group consisting of ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfamate, ammonium nitrite, ammonium iodide, ammonium bromide, sodium chloride, sodium nitrate, sodium nitrite, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium nitrate, potassium nitrite, urea, methylurea, SnCl₂—

2H₂O, Co(NH₂)₂, CoCl₂—

6H₂O, Ni(NO₃)₂—

6H₂O, and combinations thereof.

18. A thermal pack according to claim 16 wherein the combination of one or more of the endotherm-producing chemicals with the solvent produces a reduced temperature of greater than about 10°

F. (−

12°

C.).

19. The thermal pack of claim 13 wherein the solvent is a solvent adapted to dissolve and react with the thermally reactive solutes to result in a thermal reaction within a therapeutically useful temperature range.

20. The thermal pack of claim 19 wherein the solvent is water.

21. A thermal pack according to claim 13 which is a hot pack.

22. A thermal pack according to claim 21 wherein the first thermally reactive solute is an exotherm-producing chemical, the second thermally reactive solute is an exotherm-producing chemical, and the third thermally reactive solute is an endotherm-producing chemical.

23. A thermal pack according to claim 22 wherein each of the exotherm-producing chemicals is selected from the group consisting of calcium chloride, calcium bromide, sodium acetate, potassium permanganate, calcium klesserite, magnesium sulfate, aluminum chloride, magnesium bromide, magnesium chloride, manganese chloride, manganese nitrate, nickel chloride, zinc chloride, ferric chloride, and combinations thereof.

24. A thermal pack according to claim 22 wherein the combination of one or more of the exotherm-producing chemicals with the solvent produces an elevated temperature of greater than about 104°

F. (40°

C.).

25. A thermal pack adapted to extend the duration of thermal effect comprising:

a container sealed to the atmosphere;

a first thermally reactive chemical solute disposed within said container;

a first rupturable solvent packet disposed within said container;

a first solvent disposed within said first solvent packet;

a second rupturable solvent packet disposed within said container;

a second solvent disposed within said second solvent packet;

a first rupturable solute packet disposed within said container;

a second thermally reactive chemical solute disposed within said first solute packet;

a second rupturable solute packet disposed within said container;

a third chemically reactive solute disposed within said second rupturable solute packet;

wherein each of the first and second solvents, first, second and third thermally reactive solutes are chemically separated, and wherein at least two of the first, second and third thermally reactive solutes are different from each other.

26. A thermal pack according to claim 25 wherein the first thermally reactive solute is present in an amount in which the first solvent is unsaturated following combination therewith.

27. A thermal pack according to claim 25 which is a cold pack.

28. A thermal pack according to claim 27 wherein the first thermally reactive solute is an endotherm-producing chemical, the second thermally reactive solute is an endotherm-producing chemical, and the third thermally reactive solute is an endotherm-producing chemical.

29. A thermal pack according to claim 28 wherein each of the endotherm-producing chemicals is selected from the group consisting of ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfamate, ammonium nitrite, ammonium iodide, ammonium bromide, sodium chloride, sodium nitrate, sodium nitrite, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium nitrate, potassium nitrite, urea, methylurea, SnCl₂—

2H₂O, Co(NH₂)₂, CoCl₂—

6H₂O, Ni(NO₃)₂—

6H₂O, and combinations thereof.

30. A thermal pack according to claim 28 wherein the combination of one or more of the endotherm-producing chemicals with the solvent produces a reduced temperature of greater than about 10°

F. (−

12°

C.).

31. The thermal pack of claim 25 wherein the solvent is a solvent adapted to dissolve and react with the thermally reactive solutes to result in a thermal reaction within a therapeutically useful temperature range.

32. The thermal pack of claim 31 wherein the solvent is water.

33. A thermal pack according to claim 25 which is a hot pack.

34. A thermal pack according to claim 33 wherein the first thermally reactive solute is an exotherm-producing chemical, the second thermally reactive solute is an exotherm-producing chemical, and the third thermally reactive solute is an exotherm-producing chemical.

35. A thermal pack according to claim 34 wherein each of the exotherm-producing chemicals is selected from the group consisting of calcium chloride, calcium bromide, sodium acetate, potassium permanganate, calcium klesserite, magnesium sulfate, aluminum chloride, magnesium bromide, magnesium chloride, manganese chloride, manganese nitrate, nickel chloride, zinc chloride, ferric chloride, and combinations thereof.

36. A thermal pack according to claim 34 wherein the combination of one or more of the exotherm-producing chemicals with the solvent produces an elevated temperature of greater than about 104°

F. (40°

C.).

37. The thermal pack of claim 25 wherein the solvent is a solvent adapted to dissolve and react with the thermally reactive solutes to result in a thermal reaction within a therapeutically useful temperature range.

38. The thermal pack of claim 37 wherein the solvent is water.

39. A thermal pack adapted to extent the duration of thermal effect having first and second containers each sealed to the atmosphere and from the other, each of said first and second containers comprising:

a first thermally reactive chemical solute disposed within said container;

a rupturable solvent packet disposed within said container;

a solvent disposed within said solvent packet;

a rupturable solute packet disposed within said container;

a second thermally reactive chemical solute disposed within said rupturable solute packet;

wherein each of the solvent, first and second thermally reactive solutes are chemically separated and wherein the first thermally reactive solute is different from the second thermally reactive solute.

40. The thermal pack of claim 39, wherein the first thermally reactive solute is present in a concentration and quantity in which the solvent is unsaturated following combination therewith.

41. The thermal pack of claim 39 which is a cold pack.

42. The thermal pack of claim 41 wherein the first thermally reactive solute is an endotherm-producing chemical and the second thermally reactive solute is an endotherm-producing chemical.

43. The thermal pack of claim 42 wherein each of the endotherm-producing chemicals is selected from the group consisting of ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfamate, ammonium nitrite, ammonium iodide, ammonium bromide, sodium chloride, sodium nitrate, sodium nitrite, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium nitrate, potassium nitrite, urea, methylurea, SnCl₂—

2H₂O, Co(NH₂)₂, CoCl₂—

6H₂O, Ni(NO₃)₂—

6H₂O, and combinations thereof.

44. The thermal pack of claim 42 wherein the combination of one or more of the endotherm-producing chemicals with the solvent produces a reduced temperature of greater than about 10°

F. (−

12°

C.).

45. The thermal pack of claim 39 wherein the solvent is a solvent adapted to dissolve and react with the thermally reactive solutes to result in a thermal reaction within a therapeutically useful temperature range.

46. The thermal pack of claim 45 wherein the solvent is water.

47. The thermal pack of claim 39 which is a hot pack.

48. The thermal pack of claim 47 wherein the first thermally reactive solute is an exotherm-producing chemical and the second thermally reactive solute is an exotherm-producing chemical.

49. The thermal pack of claim 48 wherein each of the exotherm-producing chemicals is selected from the group consisting of calcium chloride, calcium bromide, sodium acetate, potassium permanganate, calcium klesserite, magnesium sulfate, aluminum chloride, magnesium bromide, magnesium chloride, manganese chloride, manganese nitrate, nickel chloride, zinc chloride, ferric chloride, and combinations thereof.

50. The thermal pack of claim 48 wherein the combination of one or more of the exotherm-producing chemicals with the solvent produces an elevated temperature of greater than about 104°

F. (40°

C.).

51. A method of applying thermal treatment to a body comprising:

selecting a thermal pack adapted to extend the duration of thermal effect comprising;

a container sealed to the atmosphere;

a first thermally reactive chemical solute disposed within said container;

a rupturable solvent packet disposed within said container;

a solvent disposed within said solvent packet;

a rupturable solute packet disposed within said container;

a second thermally reactive chemical solute disposed within said solute packet;

wherein each of the solvent, first and second thermally reactive solutes are chemically separated and wherein the first thermally reactive solute is different from the second thermally reactive solute;

rupturing solvent packet so as to combine with first solute;

rupturing the solute packet thereby combining the second solute with the solvent; and

applying the thermal pack to the body.

52. The method of claim 51 wherein said thermal treatment is cold therapy.

53. The method of claim 51 wherein said thermal treatment is heat therapy.

54. A method of applying thermal treatment to a body comprising:

selecting a thermal pack adapted to extend the duration of thermal effect comprising;

a container sealed to the atmosphere;

a first thermally reactive chemical solute disposed within said container;

a rupturable solvent packet disposed within said container;

a solvent disposed within said solvent packet;

a first rupturable solute packet disposed within said container;

a second thermally reactive chemical solute disposed within said first rupturable solute packet;

a second rupturable solute packet disposed within said container;

a third thermally reactive chemical solute disposed within said second rupturable solute packet;

wherein each of the solvent, first, second and third thermally reactive solutes are chemically separated and wherein at least two of the first, second and third thermally reactive solutes are different from each other;

rupturing solvent packet so as to combine with first solute;

rupturing the first solute packet thereby combining the second solute with the solvent;

rupturing the second solute packet thereby combining a third solute with the solvent; and

applying the thermal pack to the body.

55. The method of claim 54 wherein said thermal treatment is cold therapy.

56. The method of claim 54 wherein said thermal treatment is heat therapy.

57. A method of applying thermal treatment to a body comprising:

selecting a thermal pack adapted to extend the duration of thermal effect comprising;

a container sealed to the atmosphere;

a first thermally reactive chemical solute disposed within said container;

a first rupturable solvent packet disposed within said container;

a first solvent disposed within said first solvent packet;

a second rupturable solvent packet disposed within said container;

a second solvent disposed within said second solvent packet;

a first rupturable solute packet disposed within said container;

a second thermally reactive chemical solute disposed within said first solute packet;

a second rupturable solute packet disposed within said container;

a third chemically reactive solute disposed within said second rupturable solute packet;

wherein each of the first and second solvents, first, second and third thermally reactive solutes are chemically separated, and wherein at least two of the first, second and third thermally reactive solutes are different from each other;

rupturing the first solvent packet so as to combine with first solute;

rupturing the first solute packet thereby combining the second solute with the first solvent;

rupturing the second solvent packet thereby combining the second solvent with the first and second solutes;

rupturing the second solute packet thereby combining a third solute with the first and second solvent; and

applying the thermal pack to the body.

58. The method of claim 57 wherein said thermal treatment is cold therapy.

59. The method of claim 57 wherein said thermal treatment is heat therapy.

60. A method of applying thermal treatment to a body comprising:

selecting a thermal pack adapted to extend the duration of thermal effect having first and second containers each sealed to the atmosphere and from the other, each of said first and second containers comprising;

a first thermally reactive chemical solute disposed within said container;

a rupturable solvent packet disposed within said container;

a solvent disposed within said solvent packet;

a rupturable solute packet disposed within said container;

a second thermally reactive chemical solute disposed within said rupturable solute packet;

wherein each of the solvent, first and second thermally reactive solutes are chemically separated and wherein the first thermally reactive solute is different from the second thermally reactive solute;

rupturing solvent packet in the first container so as to combine with first solute;

rupturing the solute packet in the first container thereby combining the second solute with the solvent;

applying the thermal pack to the body;

rupturing the solvent packet in the second container so as to combine with first solute;

rupturing the solute packet in the second container thereby combining the second solute with the solvent; and

reapplying the thermal pack to the body.

61. The method of claim 60 wherein said thermal treatment is cold therapy.

62. The method of claim 60 wherein said thermal treatment is heat therapy.