Gel Pillowette Cooling Device with Insulating Fabric Casing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling devices fail to provide effective and long-lasting relief from heat-related distress, such as hot flashes and anxiety, particularly for women experiencing menopausal symptoms or post-surgical discomfort, as they often do not maintain a consistent cooling effect for an extended period and may not be designed for personal or localized use.
Innovation Solution
The development of a series of body cooling devices, including gel pillowettes, hand-held gel pads, and gel neck wraps, featuring a polymer and water gel pack enclosed in a fabric casing with insulating properties, designed to be frozen and applied directly to the body for extended relief from heat and anxiety, incorporating aromatic fillings and decorative elements for comfort and aesthetic appeal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If gel packs are used without insulating fabric casing, then the device structure is simpler, but the cooling duration is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines gel material (for cooling function) with fabric casing (for insulation) to create a composite structure. The fabric layer acts as thermal insulation, reducing heat transfer from the environment to the gel pack, thereby extending the cooling duration without significantly complicating the device structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If gel crystals are deposited loosely into fabric sections, then the device is easier to manufacture, but the device becomes moldy and sour
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a sealed plastic wrapper (thin film) to enclose the gel material, preventing direct contact between the gel and the fabric casing. This barrier prevents moisture from the gel from causing mold growth in the fabric while maintaining ease of manufacture through simple encapsulation.
3Device complexity
If gel packs are made without plastic wrapper encasement, then the device is simpler and cheaper, but the gel becomes wet and deposits crystals
Solution Approach 1:
The sealed plastic wrapper encasement maintains gel consistency by preventing leakage and crystal deposition. The flexible plastic film contains the gel material securely while allowing the overall device structure to remain simple and cost-effective.
4Adaptability or versatility
If cooling devices are designed for general use, then the device has broader applicability, but the cooling effect is not localized or personal enough
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the cooling function into a portable, hand-held device that can be applied to specific body locations. The compact design with integrated handle allows users to target specific areas needing cooling, providing personalized relief while maintaining broad applicability across different use cases.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
These devices provide sustained cooling and anxiety relief for up to an hour, are reusable, and can be applied to various body regions, effectively addressing heat-related issues and discomfort through their design and materials, enhancing well-being and reducing stress.
Implementation Method 1
a gel pack comprising an oblong sealed plastic wrapper encasement filled with gel material, the gel pack enclosed within the oblong fabric casing
Implementation Method 2
The gel material is made of a polymer and water and is prepackaged in a plastic wrapper so it is not wet. Because it is not wet and the gel crystals are not deposited loosely into the fabric sections, it does not get moldy and sour. The gel packs easily refreeze over and over and never wear out. The freeze point is −2C and the freezer set-up temperature is −9C.
Implementation Method 3
The cotton fabric covering insulates the gel pack and keeps it from burning the skin
Data Source
AI summary
This invention is directed to the application of portable and reusable cooling devices that comprise fabric covered pillowettes filled with either an herbal blend or a self-contained gel pack designed to be frozen before application directly to the skin of hot or bruised humans and animals to relieve heat distress or swelling.