Description:TECHNICAL FIELD

[01] The present invention, here in, relates to hot and cold packs, and more particularly in the form of an interlocking pack. The pack finds application as a treatment bag for swelling and muscle pain, hot and cold therapy for skin care, cooling or warming food items or creating temporary hot and cold storages for them.

BACKGROUND

[02] Existing hot and cold packs or water-based packs and reusable ice cubes in the market serve specific purposes such as therapeutic devices or ice cube replacements respectively. Diverse in shapes, sizes, and functionalities, existing hot and cold gel packs and reusable ice cubes exhibit limitations in adaptability and coverage. Designs vary in rigidity, flexibility, microwavability, and attachment methods like Velcro. Some electrical devices are also available that perform similar functions.

[03] However, these variations present drawbacks: a lack of adequate flexibility impacting usability on body contours and joint areas, and limited coverage in application areas. Inconsistencies in size often lead to discomfort—larger packs may exceed coverage needs, and smaller ones fall short in functionality. Recognizing these flaws underscores the necessity for an innovative gel pack design that addresses flexibility and coverage limitations for enhanced user comfort and efficacy.

[04] For example, the prior art - US10172738B2 discloses a thermotherapeutic pad for applying heat or cold to a body part. It features a thermally conductive envelope with substantially free-flowing grains of cereal for heat release or absorption. The pad includes a holder on one face for a removable cold pack and optionally a hook-and-loop fastener to close the pocket. A sleeve on the opposite face accommodates the user's hand, providing stability during application. The invention offers versatility by allowing both heating the material and using a cooled cold pack for thermotherapeutic purposes.

[05] The invention US20090048650A1 pertains to an apparatus and system designed for improved alleviation of minor pain. This innovative apparatus conforms to specific body areas, providing tension to secure it in place. It allows for the use of various filler materials, enabling both heat and cooling therapy based on user preferences. The design incorporates a interlocking mechanism and may have a flexible outer portion, utilizing materials like flexible silicone rubber. Filler materials range from refrigerant gel to rice, beans, and more. The apparatus aims to enhance user mobility during application and may have indicators for temperature control. This invention addresses the limitations of existing pain relief devices, offering versatility and customizable solutions.

[06] The invention US11701250B2 relates to a wearable thermal adjustment device for manipulating skin temperature, particularly on the neck or wrist. The device employs a thermoelectric material generating heating or cooling pulses, controlled by a user-selectable mode (heating or cooling). Thermal pulses cycle between specified temperatures with an average rate of change of 0.5°C/sec to 3.0°C/sec. Parameters like pulse duration, temperature change, and user-adjustable settings enhance flexibility. The device addresses limitations in existing designs, offering a dynamic solution for temperature management, particularly for treating hot flashes. The method involves generating controlled thermal pulses on the skin, responding to wearer preferences and physiological feedback.

[07] When seeking hot and cold packs or reusable ice cubes, users often prioritize considerations such as bulkiness, conformability, microwavability, coverage area, shape, and the effectiveness of the interlocking mechanism. Unfortunately, the prior art inventions fall short in comprehensively addressing all these requirements within a single package. This underscores the pressing need for a more versatile and well-rounded design that can seamlessly cater to users' preferences, offering a holistic solution that encompasses convenience, adaptability, and optimal functionality.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[08] The main object of the invention is to provide for a flexible or semi-flexible interlocking mechanism for hot and cold packs where one pack can be locked to another of the same kind. Here, a flexible or semi-flexible interlocking means a temporary lock between two packs with provision for some degree of angular or linear freedom.

[09] Another object of the invention is to provide for a variable coverage area using the hot and cold packs. The option of change in surface coverage area also caters to change in its bulkiness.

[10] Another object of the invention is to make an ergonomic design such that the packs could be used as replacements for hot and cold ice cubes, hot and cold therapy for skin care and temporary food preservation and storage.

[11] Yet another object of this invention is to make the pack food safe and temperature resilient. This means that the pack when it comes in contact with food, it doesn’t contaminate the food.

SUMMARY

[12] The present invention discloses a new and improved hot and cold pack which can attach to or detach from packs of the same kind. A flexible interlocking mechanism is provided on the pack to achieve this functionality. The interlocking mechanism is a means to create a temporary joint between two packs of the same kind.

[13] The ability to attach and detach the hot and cold packs helps in changing the surface area of application according to the users’ requirement and helps keep unnecessary bulk away. The flexible or semi-flexible interlocking mechanism helps the pack to conform to the users’ desired shape thus, further increasing its adaptability and utility.

[14] The ergonomic design, the material used and the interlocking mechanism all together also allow the users to use the pack as a replacement for reusable ice cubes, hot and cold therapy packs for skin care and temporary food preservation and storage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[15] A more detailed exposition of the invention, briefly outlined earlier, is provided through various embodiments, some of which are depicted in the appended drawings. The detailed understanding of the features described above is elucidated in the attached drawings. It is crucial to emphasize that the drawings presented herein illustrate only exemplary embodiments of the invention. Consequently, these illustrations should not impose limitations on the scope of the invention, as it may encompass other equally effective embodiments. Therefore, a thorough comprehension of the apparatus and methodology of the present invention can be achieved by referencing the accompanying drawings:

[16] Figure 1: Structure of the pack

[17] Figure 2: Assembly of multiple pieces of the pack locked together

[18] Figure 3: An example of one of the applications of the pack

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[19] The accompanying drawings illustrate detailed embodiments of the disclosure, providing a comprehensive understanding of its features. While these descriptions offer depth, they are not meant to restrict the potential variations of embodiments. Rather, they aim to encompass all possible modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that align with the essence and extent of the present disclosure, as defined by the appended claims.

[20] The drawings accompanying this specification depict an embodiment of the invention and are an integral part of the document. Together with the description provided, these illustrations serve to elucidate the underlying concepts behind the innovations.

[21] The definitions of terms and phrases used in the subsequent description and claims are not confined to their conventional meanings but are chosen by the inventor to enhance understanding of the disclosure. It should be evident to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments serves for illustrative purposes and does not restrict the scope of the disclosure defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[22] The present invention discloses an interlocking hot and cold pack. The features include the ability to form a temporary lock between two or more of the same kind, an ergonomic design which makes it usable in multiple applications, a food-safe and temperature resilient material. To give a deeper insight into the invention, figures 1 through 3 have been provided.

[23] In the preferred embodiment, the hot and cold pack can be explained in four parts (refer figure 1). The denotations 1 and 4 refer to male and female parts of a snap fit button which serves the purpose of the interlocking mechanism. The denotation 2 refers to the area which forms the seal for the pack and the denotation 3 refers to the hollow pouch which will hold the material capable of retaining both heat and cold.

[24] The side and isometric views of the pack can also be seen in figure 1. A thicker sealing area is provided so that the pack doesn’t leak easily. Flap like extensions are provided to accommodate for the snap fit buttons and to also provide for flexibility at the joint between two individual packs.

[25] Figure 1 shows the pack as an individual element and figure 2 showcases how these individual elements can be interlocked to incorporate changes to the bulkiness of the pack, surface area of contact and to conform the pack to the desired shape. The individual pack as visible in figure 1, can be made from food safe and temperature resilient materials like polypropylene, high density polyethylene (HDPE), silicone, etc. The same is applicable for the snap fit buttons. For the pack to be food safe, only the surface of the pack that comes in contact with food material needs to be food grade. Any material enclosed within need not necessarily be food safe. The present invention uses polypropylene to make the pack and stainless-steel snap fit buttons for the interlocking mechanism. A combination of iso-propyl alcohol and water was used as the filler material.

[26] The filler material that goes into the pouch can be hydroxyethyl cellulose, sodium polyacrylate, vinyl-coated silica gel, etc. The filler material must have fluid or semi fluid properties, it must be good at retaining heat or cold, it must be non-toxic and must have a long shelf life.

[27] In the present embodiment as visible in figure 1, each pack consists of four halves of the snap fit buttons (two male and two female). These halves lock onto their other halves on corresponding pack of the same kind. Figure 2 shows one of the many shapes and sizes that can be achieved using the invention. A belt or a bracelet are a couple of examples of the other assemblies that can be made using the invention. For colder applications, the pack can be stored in a cold environment like a refrigerator and for hotter applications, the pack can be microwaved or boiled.

[28] Figure 3 (side view and back view) shows an example of the proposed invention being used as a device for hot and cold therapy. As depicted in the image, the individual pieces of pack when joined together conform very well to the shape of the foot. Also, only the area necessary to be covered is covered using the pack. There is no excess bulk.

[29] The flap like extensions which serve to accommodate the snap fit buttons and the snap fit buttons together, provide a certain degree of angular freedom along all three axes at the joint between two packs. This angular freedom allows the pack assembly to conform to numerous shapes as required. The importance of this freedom of movement is visible in the example shown in figure 3.

[30] There is potential for further improvement in the embodiment based on the extent of understanding and research required to identify the initial requirements. , C , Claims:1. An interlocking hot and cold pack comprising:

A flexible or semi-flexible interlocking mechanism (denoted by 1 and 4 in figure 1) for connecting two packs of the same kind.

A hollow flexible or semi-flexible segment (denoted by 3 in figure 1) that holds the filler material.

A seal (denoted by 2 in figure 1) to enclose the filler material in the pack.

2. The interlocking hot and cold pack as claimed in claim 1, is food safe and made from temperature resilient material.

3. The hot and cold pack as claimed in claim 1, contains a filler material which is good at retaining heat or cold, has fluid or semi fluid properties, is non-toxic and has a long shelf life.

4. The hot and cold pack as claimed in claim 1, has an interlocking mechanism which allows the pack to form a temporary lock with a pack of the same kind.

5. The hot and cold pack as claimed in claim 1, brings about a change in temperature of the surface it comes in contact with.