System and method for rapidly freezing flat cold packs

Abstract

A system and method for freezing cold packs. The system includes two or more plates containing a low-temperature refrigerant and a mechanical refrigeration system. The system is configured to receive a cold pack between two of the plates and simultaneously freeze the cold pack on two faces of the cold pack.

1 . A system for freezing a cold pack comprising:
 two or more plates containing a low-temperature refrigerant; and   a mechanical refrigeration system, wherein the system is configured to receive a cold pack between two of the plates and simultaneously freeze the cold pack on two faces of the cold pack.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the simultaneous freezing of the cold pack produces at least two major flat surfaces and an ice grain boundary along a bisecting horizontal plane. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 a system to press the plates together.   
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the low temperature refrigerant is selected from the group consisting of ammonia, carbon dioxide, freon, chlorofluorocarbons, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the plates are made from a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum or aluminum alloys, stainless steel or steel alloys, copper or copper alloys, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the system to press the plates together is selected from the group consisting of a hydraulic system, a pneumatic system, and a servo actuated system. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein a thermally conductive tray is used to convey the cold pack onto and off the plates. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to claim  14 , wherein the thermally conductive tray is made from a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, copper, stainless steel, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein an evaporator temperature setting for the refrigeration system is less than 0° C. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the cold pack is a water-based cold pack, comprising >50% water. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the cold pack is encapsulated in a flexible plastic material or flexible paper material. 
     
     
         12 . A method for freezing a cold pack, the method comprising:
 placing a cold pack between two or more plates, wherein the plates contain a low-temperature refrigerant; and   simultaneously freezing the cold pack on two faces by the two or more plates.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the simultaneous freezing of the cold pack produces at least two major flat surfaces and an ice grain boundary along a bisecting horizontal plane. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising pressing the two or more plates together around the cold pack. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising placing the cold pack within a tray prior to placing the cold pack between the two or more plates.