Ice pack
It has been suggested that Instant cold pack be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since August 2014. |
An ice pack or gel pack is a portable plastic sac filled with water, or refrigerant gel or liquid. For use the contents are frozen in a freezer. Both ice and other non-toxic refrigerants (mostly water) can absorb a considerable amount of heat before they warm above 0 °C, due to the high latent heat of fusion of water. These packs are commonly used to keep food cool in portable coolers, or as a cold compress to alleviate the pain of minor injuries; or in insulated shipping containers to keep products cool during transport.
Ice packs are used in coolers to keep perishable foods (especially meats, dairy products, eggs, etc.) below the 5–75 °C (41–167 °F) danger zone when outside a refrigerator or freezer, and to keep drinks pleasantly cool. The amount of ice needed varies with the amount of food, its initial temperature, the thermal insulation of the cooler, and the ambient temperature and exposure to direct sunlight. Ice initially well below freezing temperature will last a little longer.
Water has a much higher latent heat of fusion than most substances, and a melting temperature which is convenient and easily attained with, for example, a household freezer. Additives to improve the properties of water are often used. For example, substances can be added to prevent bacterial growth in the pack, or to prevent the water from solidifying so it remains a thick gel throughout use.
Gel packs are often made of non-toxic materials that will remain a slow-flowing gel, and therefore will not spill easily or cause contamination if the container breaks. Gel packs may be made by adding hydroxyethyl cellulose (Cellusize),[1][2] Sodium polyacrylate, or vinyl-coated silica gel.[3]
Instant ice packs
Instant cold packs use an endothermic reaction to cool down quickly. They are stored at room temperature, without needing to be cooled before use. When the pack is manipulated to break a tube in it, two chemicals mix or react, and cool by absorbing thermal energy. Common types include solid ammonium nitrate dissolving in water and urea dissolving in water.[4][5]
Hot-or-cold packs
The first hot and cold pack was introduced in 1948 with the name Hot-R-Cold-Pak and could be chilled in a refrigerator or heated in hot water.[6]
The first reusable hot cold pack that could be heated in boiling water or heated in a microwave was first patented[7] by Jacob Spencer of Nortech Labs in 1973 (Patent No. 3,780,537). Reusable hot cold packs differ from instant cold packs in that they can be either frozen or microwaved.
Safety concerns
Gel packs have been made with diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol both of which can cause illness if ingested in large amounts,[8] making them unsuitable for use with food. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled such packs.[8]
See also
Notes
- ^ "Versa-Pac™ Reusable Heavy Duty Cold Pack" (PDF). Unipatch: Material Safety Data Sheet. Tyco. February 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 30, 2006. Retrieved 2009-06-01.
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suggested) (help) - ^ "CELLOSIZE Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (HEC)". UCAR Emulsion System Products. Dow. Archived from the original on September 14, 2008. Retrieved 2009-06-01.
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suggested) (help) - ^ Niss, Jan (September 26, 2008). "Ice pack or cold pack". Healthwise. MSN health & fitness. Retrieved 2009-06-01.
- ^ "#7 – Hot Pack / Cold Pack". Science Activity. Howard Debeck Elementary School. Retrieved 2009-06-01.
- ^ "How Refrigerators Work: Cold Packs". Retrieved 2010-06-28.
- ^ "To Warm or Cool You." Popular Science, August 1948, p. 138.
- ^ Nortech Labs History - Patent of Reusable Hot Cold Pack, Dec. 25, 1973, Patent No. 3,780,537 [Nortech Labs History | http://www.nortechlabs.com/nortech-history.html]
- ^ a b "California Innovations Expands Recall of Freezer Gel Packs Due to Ingestion Hazard". CPSC.gov. Retrieved 2014-08-06.