US3892060A

US3892060A - Hot or cold pack and apparatus for and method of making same

Info

Publication number: US3892060A
Application number: US290003A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr Joseph Stanley
Original assignee: Kay Laboratories Inc
Current assignee: Baxter International Inc; Kay Laboratories Inc
Priority date: 1970-03-30
Filing date: 1972-09-18
Publication date: 1975-07-01
Anticipated expiration: 1992-07-01

Abstract

A hot or cold pack including a rupturable container having a first chemical therein and a second container having a second chemical therein sealed from the first chemical and reactive therewith to absorb or give off heat. The rupturable container is completely filled with the first chemical to facilitate rupture thereof in response to an impact blow. The rupturable container can be made from heat sealable sheet material in a process which involves heat sealing through a column of the first chemical which extends above the location at which the heat seal is formed to thereby assure complete filling of the container.

Description

United States Patent Stanley, Jr. 1 1 July 1, 1975 [54] HOT OR COLD PACK AND APPARATUS 3.036.415 5/1962 Ayres 53/170 FOR AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME g igggl lf g 21151 21 iazze 1 1 en J ph S y, Jr-, p g Calif- 3.522.689 8 1970 Wylie 53/182 M 3,608,709 9/1971 Pike 1 206/219 [73] Ass'gnee San 3.629.987 12/1971 Klopfenstein 53/182 M [22] Filed: Sept. 18, 1972 Primary Examiner-Travis S. McGehee Assistant ExaminerJohn Sipos l. [211 App No 290 003 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Ellsworth R. Roston Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 23,598, March 30. 1970. [57] ABSTRACT abandoned A hot or cold pack including a rupturable container 52 us. c1. 53/127; 53/173; 53/182; :l first g a l e a 32 53/239 aving asecgn c emlca t ereriln seae romte irsft 51 1111.0 B65b 41/18 chem'cal react've 9 absmb 0 f heat. The rupturable container is completely filled [58] Field of Search 62/4; 206/47 219; with the first chemical to facilitate rupture thereof in response to an impact blow. The rupturable container 173,174,180 M, 182 M. 239

can be made from heat scalable sheet matenal in a process which involves heat sealing through a column [56] References Cited of the first chemical which extends above the location UNITED STATES PATENTS at which the heat sea] is fonned to thereby assure 2.917,878 12/1959 Carnarius 53/112 B X complete filling of the container. 2.918.770 12 1959 Stocker.... 2.925.719 2 1960 Robbins 53/239 x 17 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures SHEET 63 En kw 1 HOT OR COLD PACK AND APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME This is a division, of application Ser. No. 23,598, filed Mar. 30, I970 now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A hot or cold pack typically includes a rupturable container having a first chemical therein. A second chemical is positioned adjacent the rupturable container with the rupturable container preventing contact between the two chemicals. Upon rupturing of the rupturable container, the first and second chemicals mix and react to give off heat or to absorb heat to thereby produce the desired heating or cooling effect.

Hot and cold packs often use water within the rupturable container as the first chemical. When the pack is subjected to below freezing temperatures for a period of time, the water therein freezes. This can occur, for example, during transport of the pack or when a hot pack is to be used, for example, as a hand warmer in a cold environment. If the water freezes completely, the pack is not usable as little or no reaction will occur. With only partial freezing of the water of a hot pack, the exothermic reaction can be begun; however, much of the heat produced by the reaction is used to convert the ice to water without causing any temperature rise in the water, i.e., much of the heat of the reaction is necessary to overcome the latent heat of fusion of the ice.

It is also desirable to control the rate of heat emission of the hot pack. Heretofore, the reaction causes the pack temperature to increase and drop off relatively rapidly thereby reducing the length of time during which the pack gives off heat.

One problem which relates to both hot and cold packs is the rupturing of the rupturable container. The rupturable container must not fracture during normal handling and storage but must fracture easily when struck with an intentional blow for the purpose of rupturing the same. Heretofore attempts to control or facilitate the rupture of the rupturable container have been directed to the construction of the rupturable container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a hot or cold pack which solves the above noted problems. First, to facilitate and/or control rupture of the rupturable container, the rupturable container should be completely filled with a first flowable, substantially noncompressible chemical and all compressible components such as air should be excluded from the rupturable container. Preferably the flowable chemical in the rupturable container is under some pressure greater than atmospheric. With the container completely filled, rupture thereof in response to an impact blow is more easily obtained. Furthermore, if the flowable chemical within the container is actually under some pressure, the rupture of the container is made still easier.

To reduce the freezing point of the water which is typically used as the flowable chemical in the rupturable container, salt such as calcium chloride (CaClcan be added in varying quantities to the water depending upon the amount of freezing protection desired. In addition to providing freezing protection, calcium chloride can also be used to prolong the period of time during which a hot pack is maintained at an elevated temperature. This latter advantage is obtainable by using calcium chloride as a second chemical outside of the rupturable container and as an ingredient of the flowable chemical.

The present invention provides a method of advantageously filling the rupturable container. With this method complete filling of the rupturable container is assured. In addition, the flowable chemical in the rupturable container is pressurized by a column of the flowable chemical which extends above the container. The upper end of the container is then sealed by heat sealing directly through the column of flowable chemical. This assures complete filling of the rupturable container and pressurizes, to some degree, the flowable chemical in the rupturable container.

This method can be rapidly carried out in an apparatus which continuously forms and severs rupturable containers from a strip of sheet material. Preferably the apparatus seals portions of the strip to form a container having an open upper end and this container is filled or partially filled with flowable chemical. Predetermined regions of the container which are spaced upwardly from the bottom of the container which lie beneath the level of flowable chemical are then sealed. The sealing operation is carried out through the column of flowable chemical with a quantity of the flowable chemical extending above such predetermined regions to thereby pressurize the flowable chemical sealed within the container.

The operation which seals the container is preferably a heat sealing operation. Because this heat sealing operation is carried out through a column of flowable chemical, it is necessary to heat the heat sealing members or jaws to a higher temperature than would be necessary if the water were not present. This is necessary because of the additional heat absorbed by the column of flowable chemical from the jaws thereby resulting in a greater temperature drop in the jaws than if the heat sealing operation were not carried out through the first chemical. Thus, the first chemical has a cooling effect on the jaws.

With the present invention, the jaws are preferably heated to a temperature which is sufficiently high to rupture the container if the heat sealing operation were not carried out without the cooling effect of the flowable chemical. Accordingly, if the apparatus for supplying the first chemical should malfunction and fail to adequately fill the container, the heat sealing jaws will not be cooled and will rupture the sheet material of the container thereby failing to seal the container. Thus, this aspect of the present invention provides an inherent quality control feature which prevents the production of only partially filled containers.

Another feature of the present invention involves the heating of the flowable chemical prior to the heat sealing operation which seals the container. In this heat sealing operation, the heat sealing jaws must be reheated between each sealing operation and the time re quired to reheat the jaws can be the limiting factor in the speed of making the containers. With the present invention, the water in the containers is preferably heated to a temperature above ambient so that the jaws will transfer less heat as a result of the heat sealing operation and thereby suffer a smaller temperature drop. Thus, reheating of the jaws can be accomplished much more quickly than if the water in the containers were not heated.

Although the heating of the water can be accomplished in many different ways, it can advantageously be provided by using water and calcium chloride as the flowable chemical. Thus, the salt not only provides protection against freezing and a more desirable heat emis sion curve but is also of substantial value in carrying out the method of this invention.

It is often desirable to place the rupturable container and a second chemical reactive with the flowable chemical within an outer container. According to the present invention this can advantageously be accomplished by making the rupturable container and the outer container in two substantially similar machines and by conveying the rupturable container to the ma chine forming the outer container in a predetermined timed relationship. In this manner, the rupturable container and the second chemical can be deposited within the outer container just prior to sealing of the outer container.

One kind of machine for making sealed plastic containers includes first and second rotors having first and second jaws thereon for forming the end seals on the containers. Following the sealing operation performed by these jaws, a knife automatically cuts the sealed container from the remainder of the sheet material and such container is allowed to fall by gravity to an appropriate location such as a conveyor. The heat sealing jaws must be pivotally mounted on their respective rotors and spring biased in the direction of rotation of their respective rotors in order to assure proper orien tation of the jaws at the beginning of the heat sealing operation. As the jaws separate following the heat sealing operation, their respective springs thereof quickly snap the jaws toward the severed container. This can result in the jaws slapping the container and causing it to fall to a location spaced from the desired location. The present invention provides means for preventing slapping of the container by the jaws. Specifically, the

present invention delays movement of the jaws in response to the forces directed thereagainst by their respective springs at the completion of the heat sealing operation.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation together with further features and advantages thereof. may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention and adapted to carry out the method of this invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the heat sealing jaws and the means for delaying the abrupt movement of the jaws at the termination of the heat sealing operation.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing how the apparatus of Fig. 1 heat seals the plastic sheet material to form a container.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a rupturable container of the type utilized in a hot or cold pack.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing typical sidewall construction of the rupturable container of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view partially in section of a hot or cold pack constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention.

FIG. 8 is a representative plot of pack temperature versus time for a typical prior art hot pack and a hot pack constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 4 of the drawings, reference numeral 11 designates a rupturable container constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention. Although the container 11 may take many forms, in the embodiment illustrated the opposite ends of the container 11 are sealed by

seams

13 and 15 and the container is sealed longitudinally between the

seams

13 and 15 by a back or side seam 17. The

seams

13, 15 and 17 are preferably the result of heat sealing operations. As used herein, heat sealing means the formation of a seal through the application of heat and/or pressure to the regions to be sealed. The container 11 is adapted to contain a flowable, substantially noncompressible chemical 19 which may be in liquid form such as water.

The chemical I9 completely fills the container 11 so that substantially all compressible gases such as air are excluded from the container 11. Preferably, the chemical 19 is under some pressure greater than atmospheric.

The container 11 is a rupturable container and the complete filling thereof as well as the pressurization of the chemical l9 facilitates rupture of the container. The container 11 may be made rupturable in any desired manner such as by scoring or controlling the heat sealing operations to provide a weakened joint. Preferably, however, the container 11 is made rupturable in the manner described in common assignees copending application No. 19,202 filed Mar. 13, 1970 entitled Rupturable Container" now US. Pat. No. 3,674,134 issued July 4, 1972.

The container 11 is constructed of thin flexible sheet material which is preferably heat scalable. Although the particular details of construction can be varied within the teachings of the present invention, it is preferred to utilize laminated plastic sheet material. In the embodiment illustrated, the laminate includes an outer layer 21 (FIG. 5) of a polyester film made from polyethylene terephthalate (commonly designated by the trademark Mylar) and an inner layer 23 of low density polyethylene film. For example, the outer layer 21 may be 50 gauge seran coated polyester such as Dupont M24 Mylar. The two layers may be bonded together with a suitable adhesive 25 such as a polyurethane adhesive compound.

FIG. 6 shows the seam 17 with the illustrated construction being simplified so that the seam appears as a two'layer structure. The seam 17 is preferably a flip or French seal and is folded over substantially as illustrated. The seam 17 may be formed in the manner disclosed in common assignees copending application Ser. No. 19,202 filed Mar. 13, 1970, entitled Rupturable Container now U.S. Pat. No. 3,674,134 issued July 4, 1972.

FIG. 7 illustrates a pack 29 which includes an outer container 31 having the rupturable container 11 and a chemical 33 sealed therein. The container 29 may be made from one or more suitable layers of material to provide the desired properties for the container. For example, the container 29 may have an inner layer 35 of a polyethylene composition to allow the inner surfaces of the container to be sealed as by the application of heat and pressure to form end seams 37. The container 29 may also include an outer layer 39 of a suitable material such as polyethylene terethphalate to impart strength to the container. The container 31 may also have a side seam (not shown) similar to the side seam 17 (FIG. 4).

The chemical 33 in the embodiment illustrated is a solid granular material and is sealed within the container 29. If the pack 29 is intended to apply heat to an object, the chemical 33 may be anhydrous calcium chloride (CaCl When the pack is to remove heat from an object, the chemical 33 may be ammonium nitrate (NH NO The ammonium nitrate may be commercial grade particles which may be partially ground before they are placed in the container. Commercial grade ammonium nitrate generally includes particles or pellets having a clay coating. By partially grinding the particles or pellets, the clay coating becomes ruptured to expose the ammonium nitrate.

The rupturable container 11 in the embodiment illustrated is disposed within the container 29 and is sealed so that the chemical 19 therein is sealed from the chemical 33. If the pack 29 is a hot pack, the chemical 19 may be a solution of water and a salt such as calcium chloride (CaCI The calcium chloride lowers the freezing point of the water an amount dependent upon the relative proportions of the water and calcium chloride. For example, a solution containing 18% by weight calcium chloride and 82% by weight water can be expected to protect the water against freezing down to a temperature of zero degrees F.

Another advantage of adding the calcium chloride to the water within the rupturable container 11 is illustrated in FIG. 8. Curves A and B represent typical plots of prior art hot packs and a hot pack constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention, respectively. It can be seen that the typical prior art hot pack produces a higher temperature initially and that the temperature of the prior art hot pack drops to ambient more rapidly. Thus, with the present invention, the hot pack provided elevated temperatures for a longer period of time.

In use of the pack 29, the user strikes the pack with an impact blow thereby rupturing the rupturable container 11 to allow mixing of the

chemicals

19 and 33. The mixing of the

chemicals

19 and 33 can be speeded up by shaking or kneading of the pack 29.

FIG. 1 shows an apparatus 51 which is particularly adapted for constructing hot or cold packs such as the pack 29 (FIG. 7). Generally, the apparatus 51 includes two substantially similar

container forming machines

53 and 55 for making the containers 11 and 31, respectively. The machine 53 is elevated by support 57 to a higher elevation than the machine 55. Each of the

machines

53 and 55 may be of conventional construction except to the extent expressly noted herein and for this reason these machines are not described in intimate detail. For example. each of the machines may be of the type manufactured by Econ-o-Line Manufacturing Company of Houston, Tex.

The machine 53 includes

rotors

59 and 61 suitably mounted for rotation about parallel horizontal axes with each of the axes being at the same elevation. Suitable means (not shown) are provided for adjusting the distance between the axes of the

rotors

59 and 61. A plurality of

heat sealing jaws

63 and 65 are pivotally mounted on the

rotors

59 and 61, respectively. Although five of the jaws are mounted on each of the

rotors

59 and 61, any number of jaws may be utilized; however, the number of jaws 63 should equal the num ber of jaws 65. The

rotors

59 and 61 are synchronized so that each of the jaws 63 can cooperate with one of the jaws 65 to perform a heat sealing operation. The

rotors

59 and 61 rotate continuously at the same angular velocity.

The construction and coaction of the

jaws

63 and 65 can best be understood from FIG. 2 which shows a typical pair of the

jaws

63 and 65. The

jaws

63 and 65 are suitably mounted for limited pivotal movement on base members 67 and 69, respectively, by pins 71. The base members 67 and 69 are suitably rigidly mounted on the

rotors

59 and 61, respectively.

Springs

73 and 75 tend to pivot the

jaws

63 and 65, respectively, in the direction of the arrows in FIG. 2. When the

jaws

63 and 65 are unrestrained as shown in FIG. 1, their

respective springs

73 and 75 bias them to a predetermined inclined position shown in FIG. 1. Suitable stops (not shown) hold the jaws in the inclined positions shown in FIG. 1. However, cooperation of a pair of

jaws

63 and 65 causes the cooperating jaws to pivot to a generally radial position as shown in FIG. 2.

Each of the

jaws

63 and 65 are suitably electrically heated in a conventional manner. Each of the

jaws

63 and 65 have cooperating faces 76 which confront each other during the heat sealing operation performed thereby as shown in FIG. 2. Each of the jaws 63 has a knife 76a mounted in a conventional manner in a recess in the face 76. The machine 53 as described hereinabove in the Description of the Preferred Embodiment is conventional.

Delaying means in the form of

angle members

77 and 79 are mounted on the upper ends of the

jaws

63 and 65 as shown in FIG. 2. Each of the

angle members

77 and 79 includes a base 81 for fixedly mounting the angle member on its respective jaw and an upright leg 83.

A roll 85 of heat sealable flexible plastic sheet material 86 is mounted for rotation on a spindle 87. The sheet material 86 may be of the type shown in FIG. 5. The sheet material 86 is run over a number of rollers 89 to a sealing and forming device 91 which forms the sheet material into a generally tubular configuration and which forms a longitudinal heat seal such as the seam 17 of the rupturable container 11 (FIG. 4). In the embodiment illustrated, the sheet material 86 is pulled through the machine by the

jaws

63 and 65.

The device 91 is also of conventional construction and some of the details thereof can best be understood from reference to FIG. 3. Many different kinds of the device 91 can be utilized and the form shown in FIG. 3 is merely illustrative.

The device 91 includes a plate member 93 having a generally circular forming orifice 95 therein. A finger element 97 projects through the forming orifice 95 in spaced relationship to the wall of the orifice. The finger element 97 extends radially inwardly as it extends downwardly as shown in FIG. 3. The finger element 97 is arcuate in transverse cross section with the curvature thereof generally conforming to the curvature of the adjacent portion of the wall of the orifice 95. The finger element 97 and the plate member 93 are suitably rigidly affixed to the machine 53 and form a portion thereof.

A side sealing element 99 is pivotally mounted by a pin 101 on a support arm 103 which is in turn pivotally mounted on the plate member 93 by a shaft 105. The support arm 103 can be pivoted to move the side sealing element 99 toward the finger element 97 to form a side seal for the container. The side sealing element 99 is suitably electrically heated.

In operation of the portion of the device shown in FIG. 3, the

jaws

63 and 65 pull the sheet material 86 through the forming orifice 95 and between the finger element 97 and the wall of the forming orifice 95. This forms the sheet material 86 into a generally tubular column. The support arm 103 is pivoted to move the side sealing element 99 into cooperative engagement with the finger element 97 to continuously form a side or back seal such as the seam 17 (FIG. 4) as the sheet material 86 is pulled past the element 99. The lower end of the sheet material 86 is heat sealed by the

lowermost jaws

63 and 65 visible in FIG. 3 to form the end seal 13. Accordingly, the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 forms the sheet material into an elongated container 107 having an open upper end.

The container 107 is supplied with the flowable chemical 19 from a tank 108 (FIG. 1) through a supply tube 109 by a pump 110 (FIG. 1) with the flow rate being adjustable by a valve 1100. The supply tube 109 has a lower end 111 which lies below the upper surface of the flowable chemical 19. The flowable chemical is preferably continuously supplied through the supply tube 109 at a rate which will cause the lower end 111 thereof to always be maintained beneath the upper level of the flowable chemical. This significantly reduces the likelihood of the introduction of air bubbles into the flowable chemical 19.

As shown in FIG. 3, predetermined opposed regions 113 of the container 107 are being forcibly moved together by an upper set of cooperating jaws 63' and 65.

The regions 113 are spaced upwardly from the bottom of the container 107 which is defined by the seam 13. Continued rotation of the

rotors

59 and 61 moves the jaws 63' and 65' downwardly and closer together to apply heat and pressure to the regions 113 to thereby heat seal these regions of the container 107 and form the end seal 15. During this operation, a column of the flowable chemical 19 has been maintained above the regions 113 so that the flowable chemical beneath the regions 113 is under a predetermined static head. The static head assures that the container will be completely filled by the flowable chemical and that such flowable chemical sealed within the sealed container will be at a pressure greater than atmospheric.

The sealed filled container is severed by the knife 76a from the remainder of the sheet material 86 automatically at the completion of the heat seal which joins the regions 113. The regions 113 are cut approximately in half longitudinally so that the lower half of the regions 113 forms the end seal 15 of a lower container while the upper half of the regions 113 form the end seal 13 of an upper container. As the

rotors

59 and 61 rotate continuously, containers 11 will be continuously formed with each of the containers having the chemical 19 therein. The length of the rupturable container 11 can be varied by varying the distance between the axes of rotation of

rotors

59 and 61.

The

jaws

63 and 65 are heated to a temperature higher than that required for heat sealing of the regions 113 and to a temperature sufficient to at least partially rupture or destroy the sheet material 86 of the container 107 through melting thereof. However, the flowable chemical 19 is supplied to the container 107 at a temperature significantly less than the temperature of the

jaws

63 and 65. As the contact between the jaws 63 and 6S and the regions 113 occurs for a period of time during which the regions are also in contact with the flowable chemical 19, heat transfer between the jaws and the flowable chemical occurs. Such heat transfer results in a temperature reduction of the

jaws

63 and 65 sufficient to prevent rupture of the container 107 and to allow the heat sealing operation to be carried out.

Should the apparatus for supplying the flowable chemical to the container 107 malfunction so that the upper level of the flowable chemical 19 lies beneath the regions 113, then little or no heat from the

jaws

63 and 65 would be absorbed by the flowable chemical. In this event, the

jaws

63 and 65 would be sufficiently hot to rupture the regions 113 and no heat seal would occur. By this arrangement an automatic quality control feature is provided which assures that each of the containers produced by the apparatus will be completely full of the flowable chemical.

After each set of

jaws

63 and 65 have been utilized to form a heat seal, they must be reheated to the necessary temperature before they can be utilized again. One factor effecting the speed of rotation of the rotors S9 and 61 is the rate at which the

jaws

63 and 65 can be reheated. According to the present invention, excessive cooling of the

jaws

63 and 65 by the flowable chemical 19 is prevented by heating the flowable chemical. Although the amount which the flowable chemical is heated will vary depending upon the heat sealing temperature range of the sheet material 86, a temperature of F. has been found satisfactory when the heat sealable sheet material 86 is low density polyethylene.

The flowable chemical 19 can be heated by any suitable means. However, it is preferred to heat the flowable chemical 19 by adding a substance which will produce an exothermic reaction. In the embodiment illustrated, the flowable chemical 19 is a mixture of water and calcium chloride with sufficientcalcium chloride having been added to obtain a temperature in the neighborhood of 130 F. within a few minutes after the calcium chloride is added to the water.

As the containers 11 are severed by the knives 760, they fall on conveyor 121 mounted on, and extending between, the machines 51 and S3. The conveyor 121 runs continuously at a predetermined speed and lies beneath the region between the rotors S9 and 61 so that it can receive the rupturable containers 11 as they are dropped thereon. The conveyor 121 extends upwardly to a location just above a forming and sealing device 123 of the machine 55. The forming and sealing device 123 can be identical to the device 91 (FIG. 3) described hereinabove.

The chemical 33 is stored in a hopper 125. A suitable metering device 127 such as a volumetric filler supplies metered quantities of the chemical 33 through a tube 128 to a location just above the forming and sealing device 123.

Plastic sheet material 129 is wound on a roll 131 and rotatably supported by a spindle 133. The sheet mate- The machine 55 also includes

rotors

137 and 139 carrying heat sealing jaws 141 and 143, respectively. The jaws 141 and 143 and the

rotors

137 and 139 are preferably identical to the corresponding parts of the machine 51 except that the

rotors

137 and 139 have sponges 145 mounted adjacent each of the jaws carried thereby.

The jaws 141 and 143 cooperate in the same manner as the corresponding

jaws

63 and 65 of the machine 51 to form end seals for the containers 31. The sponges 145 compress the zone of the container 31 beneath the jaws 141 and 143 just prior to the heat sealing operation carried out by such jaws to remove the air from within the container. Each of the jaws 141 and 143 also includes a blade for severing the sealed container 31 from the plastic sheet material 129. The severed container 31 falls on a conveyor 147.

The

rotors

59, 61, 137 and 139, the conveyor 121 and the metering device 127 are synchronized so that one of the rupturable containers 11 and a metered quantity of the chemical 33 will be supplied to each container 31 just after or while the bottom end seal thereof is being formed and before such container is completely sealed through the formation of the upper end seal. By so doing, the entire process can be carried out rapidly and automatically.

Although an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that many changes, modifications, and substitutions may be made without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

1 claim:

1. A machine for making a pack for adding heat to, or removing heat from, an object comprising:

a supporting structure;

means for mounting a first elongated strip of heat scalable plastic material on said supporting strucmm;

a first heat sealing station on said supporting structure;

means for feeding said first strip of heat scalable ma terial to said first heat sealing station to form a plurality of first containers; means on said supporting structure for depositing a quantity of a first chemical in each of the first containers as each of said first containers is formed;

means at said first heat sealing station for heat sealing said first containers to seal the latter with a quantity of said first chemical therein, said first containers being rupturable;

means for preheating said first chemical to a particular temperature above ambient prior to the sealing and cutting of the first strip to form the plurality of first containers;

means for heating the heat sealing means to a particular temperature above the temperature for heat sealing the first containers to provide for the absorption of heat by the first chemical during the sealing operation;

means for mounting a second elongated strip of heat sealable plastic material on said supporting structure;

a second heat sealing station on said supporting structure; means for feeding said second strip of heat scalable material to said second heat sealing station to form a plurality of second containers;

means on said supporting structure for depositing a quantity of a second chemical in each of said second containers prior to any sealing of the second containers, said first and second chemicals being chemically reactive to absorb or give off heat;

conveyor means for converging said first containers to said second heat sealing station in timed relationship with the rate of formation of said second containers and for depositing at least one of said first containers in each of said second containers prior to any sealing of the second containers; and

means for heat sealing each of said second containers with each of said second containers having said quantity of said second chemical and at least one of said first containers therein whereby each of said second containers and the contents thereof at least partially forms a pack.

2. In a machine for continuously making containers from an elongated strip of heat scalable sheet material including a supporting structure, means for folding the strip and forming a side seal, first and second rotors mounted on said supporting structure, drive means for synchronously rotating said rotors, first and second heat sealing jaws carried by said first and second rotors, respectively, for forming end seals on the containers, means for severing the containers from the strip following formation of the last end seal therefor by said jaws, said first and second jaws being mounted for limited pivotal movement relative to the first and second rotors, respectively, first and second springs for biasing the first and second jaws, respectively, in the direction of rotation of their respective rotors and toward a predetermined position relative to their respective rotors, said jaws cooperating to squeeze preselected regions of the strip together to form said end seals while said rotors rotate, said jaws pivoting relative to their respective rotors and against the biasing force of their respective springs while they squeeze said preselected regions of the strip together whereby upon formation of an end sea] by such jaws, the jaws are biased to their respective predetermined positions, the improvement to prevent the first and second jaws from slapping the severed container as they are biased to their predetermined positions comprising:

first and second detainer members mounted on the first and second jaw members, respectively, said detainer members being engageable for a period of time after the jaws disengage to delay the return of the jaws to their predetermined positions under the influence of their respective springs.

3. An apparatus for making a pack for adding heat to, or removing heat from, an object by a reaction between a flowable chemical and a second chemical, including:

means for forming a first container having a bottom wall and side walls spaced upwardly from the bottom wall, the side walls defining predetermined heat scalable regions;

means for filling the first container with a flowable chemical to a level above a particular level so that the flowable chemical above the particular level pressurizes the flowable chemical below the particular level;

means for sealing the first container at the particular level while the flowable chemical below the particular level is pressurized by the flowable chemical above the particular level, the sealed container having characteristics for rupturing upon impact; means for preheating the flowable chemical to a particular temperature above ambient temperature to facilitate the sealing of the first container;

means for preheating the sealing means to a temperature above the temperature providing for a sealing of the first container so that heat from the sealing means can be transferred to the flowable chemical and sealing of the first container can be obtained even with this transfer of heat;

means for forming a second container having a bottom wall and side walls spaced upwardly from the bottom wall;

means for simultaneously depositing the second chemical and the filled first container in the second container so that the first chemical is separated from the second chemical by the first container; and

means for thereafter sealing the second container so that upon rupture of the first container the first and second chemicals mix and react to give off or absorb heat.

4. The apparatus set forth in claim 3 further comprising means cooperative with the sealing means for the first container for inhibiting any slapping of the first container by the heat sealing means after the sealing of the first container by the heat sealing means.

5. The apparatus set forth in claim 3 wherein the flowable chemical comprises water and the heating means for the flowable chemical includes means for adding calcium chloride to the water to initiate a heat generating reaction so that the flowable chemical is heated to a temperature above the ambient temperature to facilitate the sealing of the first container and so that the flowable chemical cannot freeze thereafter.

6. The apparatus recited in claim 3 wherein the means for sealing the first container includes:

at least a pair of heated jaws for engaging the predetermined regions of the first container at the particular level to heat seal the first container;

means for biasing the heated jaws to provide for a movement of the pairs of heated jaws from the sealing position; and

means associated with the heated pairs for inhibiting any slapping of the first container by the heated jaws after the heat sealing of the first container by the heated jaws.

7. A machine as set forth in claim 1, including,

detainer means cooperative with the heat sealing means at the first station to inhibit any slapping of the first container by the heat sealing means after the sealing of the first container by the heat sealing means.

8. A machine as set forth in claim 7, wherein the first chemical constitutes water and wherein the heat sealing means for the water includes means for adding a second chemical to the water to heat the water during the heat sealing of the first containers and to prevent the water from thereafter freezing. 9. A machine as set forth in claim 7, wherein the heat sealing means from the first container includes a pair of jaws movable into position to seal the first container by the application of heat and pressure and wherein the means for inhibiting the slapping of the first container includes detainer means cooperative with the jaws for delaying the movement of the jaws after the sealing of the first container by the jaws.

10. In a machine for forming a pack for applying heat to an object or withdrawing heat from the object:

a heat sealing station;

means for feeding a strip of heat scalable material to the heat sealing station to form a plurality of containers;

means at the heat sealing station for depositing a particular quantity of a chemical into each of the first containers in the plurality;

means for preheating the chemical to a particular temperature above ambient but below the sealing temperature of the strip prior to the formation of the containers in the plurality;

means at the heat sealing station for heat sealing the first containers with the heated chemical in the containers; and

means for heating the heat sealing means to a particular temperature above the sealing temperature of the strip to provide for the transfer of heat from the heat sealing means to the chemical during the sealing of the strip to form the containers.

11. In a machine as set forth in claim 10,

detainer means cooperative with the heat sealing means at the station to inhibit any slapping of the containers by the heat sealing means after the sealing of the containers by the heat sealing means.

12. In a machine as set forth in claim 10, wherein the first chemical constitutes water and the heat sealing means includes means for adding a second chemical to the water to heat the water during the heat sealing of the containers and to prevent the water from freezing.

13. A machine as set forth in claim 10, wherein the heat sealing means for the containers includes a pair of jaws movable into position to seal the containers by the application of heat and pressure to the containers and wherein the means for inhibiting the slapping of the first containers includes detainer means cooperative with the jaws for delaying the movement of the jaws after the sealing of the containers by the jaws.

14. In apparatus for forming a pack for applying heat to an object or withdrawing heat from the object:

means for forming a container having a bottom wall and side walls spaced upwardly from the bottom wall;

means for filling the container with a flowable chemical to a level above a particular level so that the flowable chemical above the particular level pressurizes the flowable chemical below the particular level;

means for sealing the container at the particular level while the flowable chemical below the particular level is pressurized by the flowable chemical above the particular level;

means for preheating the flowable chemical to a particular temperature above ambient but below the heat sealing temperature of the container to facilitate the heat sealing of the container; and

means for preheating the sealing means to a temperature above the heat sealing temperature of the first container so that heat from the sealing means can be transferred to the flowable chemical and sealing of the container can be obtained even with this transfer of heat.

15. In apparatus as set forth in claim 14, wherein the flowable chemical constitutes water and the preheating means for the water constitutes means for adding a particular amount of a second chemical to the water in the container to heat the water and to prevent the water from thereafter freezing.

16. In a machine as set forth in claim l5,

of the container.

=1 i I! t

Claims

1. A machine for making a pack for adding heat to, or removing heat from, an object comprising: a supporting structure; means for mounting a first elongated strip of heat sealable plastic material on said supporting structure; a first heat sealing station on said supporting structure; means for feeding said first strip of heat sealable material to said first heat sealing station to form a plurality of first containers; means on said supporting structure for depositing a quantity of a first chemical in each of the first containers as each of said first containers is formed; means at said first heat sealing station for heat sealing said first containers to seal the latter with a quantity of said first chemical therein, said first containers being rupturable; means for preheating said first chemical to a particular temperature above ambient prior to the sealing and cutting of the first strip to form the plurality of first containers; means for heating the heat sealing means to a particular temperature above the temperature for heat sealing the first containers to provide for the absorption of heat by the first chemical during the sealing operation; means for mounting a second elongated strip of heat sealable plastic material on said supporting structure; a second heat sealing Station on said supporting structure; means for feeding said second strip of heat sealable material to said second heat sealing station to form a plurality of second containers; means on said supporting structure for depositing a quantity of a second chemical in each of said second containers prior to any sealing of the second containers, said first and second chemicals being chemically reactive to absorb or give off heat; conveyor means for converging said first containers to said second heat sealing station in timed relationship with the rate of formation of said second containers and for depositing at least one of said first containers in each of said second containers prior to any sealing of the second containers; and means for heat sealing each of said second containers with each of said second containers having said quantity of said second chemical and at least one of said first containers therein whereby each of said second containers and the contents thereof at least partially forms a pack.

2. In a machine for continuously making containers from an elongated strip of heat sealable sheet material including a supporting structure, means for folding the strip and forming a side seal, first and second rotors mounted on said supporting structure, drive means for synchronously rotating said rotors, first and second heat sealing jaws carried by said first and second rotors, respectively, for forming end seals on the containers, means for severing the containers from the strip following formation of the last end seal therefor by said jaws, said first and second jaws being mounted for limited pivotal movement relative to the first and second rotors, respectively, first and second springs for biasing the first and second jaws, respectively, in the direction of rotation of their respective rotors and toward a predetermined position relative to their respective rotors, said jaws cooperating to squeeze preselected regions of the strip together to form said end seals while said rotors rotate, said jaws pivoting relative to their respective rotors and against the biasing force of their respective springs while they squeeze said preselected regions of the strip together whereby upon formation of an end seal by such jaws, the jaws are biased to their respective predetermined positions, the improvement to prevent the first and second jaws from slapping the severed container as they are biased to their predetermined positions comprising: first and second detainer members mounted on the first and second jaw members, respectively, said detainer members being engageable for a period of time after the jaws disengage to delay the return of the jaws to their predetermined positions under the influence of their respective springs.

3. An apparatus for making a pack for adding heat to, or removing heat from, an object by a reaction between a flowable chemical and a second chemical, including: means for forming a first container having a bottom wall and side walls spaced upwardly from the bottom wall, the side walls defining predetermined heat sealable regions; means for filling the first container with a flowable chemical to a level above a particular level so that the flowable chemical above the particular level pressurizes the flowable chemical below the particular level; means for sealing the first container at the particular level while the flowable chemical below the particular level is pressurized by the flowable chemical above the particular level, the sealed container having characteristics for rupturing upon impact; means for preheating the flowable chemical to a particular temperature above ambient temperature to facilitate the sealing of the first container; means for preheating the sealing means to a temperature above the temperature providing for a sealing of the first container so that heat from the sealing means can be transferred to the flowable chemical and sealing of the first container can be obtained even with thIs transfer of heat; means for forming a second container having a bottom wall and side walls spaced upwardly from the bottom wall; means for simultaneously depositing the second chemical and the filled first container in the second container so that the first chemical is separated from the second chemical by the first container; and means for thereafter sealing the second container so that upon rupture of the first container the first and second chemicals mix and react to give off or absorb heat.

6. The apparatus recited in claim 3 wherein the means for sealing the first container includes: at least a pair of heated jaws for engaging the predetermined regions of the first container at the particular level to heat seal the first container; means for biasing the heated jaws to provide for a movement of the pairs of heated jaws from the sealing position; and means associated with the heated pairs for inhibiting any slapping of the first container by the heated jaws after the heat sealing of the first container by the heated jaws.

7. A machine as set forth in claim 1, including, detainer means cooperative with the heat sealing means at the first station to inhibit any slapping of the first container by the heat sealing means after the sealing of the first container by the heat sealing means.

8. A machine as set forth in claim 7, wherein the first chemical constitutes water and wherein the heat sealing means for the water includes means for adding a second chemical to the water to heat the water during the heat sealing of the first containers and to prevent the water from thereafter freezing.

9. A machine as set forth in claim 7, wherein the heat sealing means from the first container includes a pair of jaws movable into position to seal the first container by the application of heat and pressure and wherein the means for inhibiting the slapping of the first container includes detainer means cooperative with the jaws for delaying the movement of the jaws after the sealing of the first container by the jaws.

10. In a machine for forming a pack for applying heat to an object or withdrawing heat from the object: a heat sealing station; means for feeding a strip of heat sealable material to the heat sealing station to form a plurality of containers; means at the heat sealing station for depositing a particular quantity of a chemical into each of the first containers in the plurality; means for preheating the chemical to a particular temperature above ambient but below the sealing temperature of the strip prior to the formation of the containers in the plurality; means at the heat sealing station for heat sealing the first containers with the heated chemical in the containers; and means for heating the heat sealing means to a particular temperature above the sealing temperature of the strip to provide for the transfer of heat from the heat sealing means to the chemical during the sealing of the strip to form the containers.

11. In a machine as set forth in claim 10, detainer means cooperative with the heat sealing means at the station to inhibit any slapping of the containers by the heat sealing means after the sealing of the containers by the heat sealing means.

14. In apparatus for forming a pack for applying heat to an object or withdrawing heat from the object: means for forming a container having a bottom wall and side walls spaced upwardly from the bottom wall; means for filling the container with a flowable chemical to a level above a particular level so that the flowable chemical above the particular level pressurizes the flowable chemical below the particular level; means for sealing the container at the particular level while the flowable chemical below the particular level is pressurized by the flowable chemical above the particular level; means for preheating the flowable chemical to a particular temperature above ambient but below the heat sealing temperature of the container to facilitate the heat sealing of the container; and means for preheating the sealing means to a temperature above the heat sealing temperature of the first container so that heat from the sealing means can be transferred to the flowable chemical and sealing of the container can be obtained even with this transfer of heat.

16. In a machine as set forth in claim 15, means cooperative with the heat sealing means for preventing the heat sealing means from slapping the container after the heat sealing of the container.

17. In a machine as set forth in claim 16, the heat sealing means including a pair of jaws movable to the particular level to apply heat and pressure to the container to seal the container; and the means for inhibiting slapping of the container including means for detaining the movement of the jaws from the particular level after the heat sealing of the container.