Pack for heating and cooling

Abstract

A thermal pack holding a pair of mixable components, one of which is flowable, to produce a desired exothermic or endothermic reaction is disclosed. The pack is formed of a flexible sheet having two compartments, one for each of the components, separated by a frangible barrier arranged to be broken to enable the components to mix. In one embodiment the pack includes a pair of pull tabs to enable the user to break the frangible barrier. In another embodiment the pack is folded, with the compartments juxtaposed with respect to each other, whereupon the application of pressure to the pack causes the flowable material to apply pressure to the frangible barrier to cause it to rupture.

1 . A thermal pack holding a pair of mixable components, one of which is flowable, said pair of mixable components being arranged when mixed to produce either an exothermic or endothermic reaction for heating or cooling, respectively, said thermal pack being formed of a flexible sheet material having a first panel, a second panel, and a pair of pull tabs, one of said pair of pull tabs being connected to said first panel, the other of said pair of pull tabs being connected to said second panel, said first panel being secured to said second panel to form a first compartment and a second compartment located between said panels, said first compartment being isolated from said second compartment by a frangible barrier located between said panels, said first compartment being arranged for holding a first one of said pair of mixable components, said second compartment being arranged for holding a second one of said pair of mixable components, said pair of pull tabs being coupled to said frangible barrier and being arranged to be grasped and pulled apart to break said frangible barrier, whereupon said mixable components can be mixed together to produce the desired exothermic or endothermic reaction. 
     
     
         2 . The thermal pack of  claim 1  wherein said second one of said mixable components is flowable and wherein said package is arranged to be oriented is a desired orientation so that when said frangible barrier is broken and said pack is in said desired orientation said second one of said mixable components flows into engagement with said first one of said mixable components. 
     
     
         3 . The thermal pack of  claim 1  wherein said sheet material forming said first and second panels is heat sealable, and wherein said first and second panels are heat sealed together to form said first and second compartments. 
     
     
         4 . The thermal pack of  claim 1  wherein said pack additionally comprises an insert having plural pockets, each of said pockets holding a respective portion of said first one of said mixable components therein. 
     
     
         5 . The thermal pack of  claim 4  wherein said insert comprises a first panel and a second panel secured together to form said pockets. 
     
     
         6 . The thermal pack of  claim 5  wherein said first and second panels of said insert are formed of flexible sheet material. 
     
     
         7 . The thermal pack of  claim 6  wherein said flexible sheet material of said insert is porous. 
     
     
         8 . The thermal pack of  claim 7  wherein said flexible sheet material of said insert is heat sealable. 
     
     
         9 . The thermal pack of  claim 1  wherein said pack is normally folded so that said first and second compartments are disposed overlying each other, with one of said pull tabs being disposed between said overlying compartments, and with the other of said pull tabs extending outward from the overlying compartments. 
     
     
         10 . The thermal pack of  claim 1  wherein said frangible barrier is formed by a peelable heat seal coating, 
     
     
         11 . A thermal pack for holding a pair of mixable components, said pair of mixable components being arranged when mixed to produce either an exothermic or endothermic reaction for heating or cooling, respectively, said package being formed of a flexible sheet material having a first panel and a second panel, said first panel being secured to said second panel to form a first compartment and a second compartment, said first compartment being isolated from said second compartment by a frangible barrier located between said panels, said first compartment being arranged for holding a first one of said pair of mixable components, said second compartment being arranged for holding a second one of said pair of mixable components, said second one of said pair of mixable components being flowable, said pack being folded so that said first and second compartments are disposed overlying each other, whereupon the application of pressure to either said first or second compartment causes said second one of said mixable components to apply pressure to said frangible barrier to cause said frangible barrier to rupture, whereupon said second one of said mixable components engages and mixes with said first one of said mixable components to produce the desired exothermic or endothermic reaction. 
     
     
         12 . The thermal pack of  claim 11  wherein said sheet material forming said first and second panels is heat sealable, and wherein said first and second panels are heat sealed together to form said first and second compartments. 
     
     
         13 . The thermal pack of  claim 11  wherein said pack additionally comprises an insert having plural pockets, each of said pockets holding a respective portion of said first one of said mixable components therein. 
     
     
         14 . The thermal pack of  claim 13  wherein said insert comprises a first panel and a second panel secured together to form said pockets. 
     
     
         15 . The thermal pack of  claim 14  wherein said first and second panels of said insert are formed of flexible sheet material. 
     
     
         16 . The thermal pack of  claim 15  wherein said flexible sheet material of said insert is porous. 
     
     
         17 . The thermal pack of  claim 16  wherein said flexible sheet material of said insert is heat sealable. 
     
     
         18 . The thermal pack of  claim 11  wherein said frangible barrier is of a generally tapering shape, tapering in the direction from said second compartment to said first compartment. 
     
     
         19 . The thermal pack of  claim 18  wherein said frangible barrier is generally V-shaped. 
     
     
         20 . The thermal pack of  claim 19  wherein said frangible barrier is formed by a peelable heat seal coating.