Self-absorbent ice pack
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice packs suffer from issues such as water permeability leading to freezing and adhesion, low water inflow efficiency, and absorbent granules oozing out due to porous surfaces and inadequate micropores.
Innovation Solution
A novel self-absorbent ice pack design featuring a composite plastic layer and a semi-composite plastic strip integrated with a non-woven fabric surface, with a heat-sealed edge to facilitate directional water and air flow, and a multi-cell structure to prevent granule leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a non-woven fabric surface is used for water permeability, then water can enter the ice pack, but the surface protrudes and causes freezing adhesion between adjacent ice packs
Solution Approach 1:
The ice pack surface is segmented into multiple independent protruding particles instead of a continuous non-woven fabric surface. Each particle is surrounded by a hydrophobic coating layer, creating isolated water absorption zones that prevent continuous water films and freezing adhesion between adjacent ice packs.
Solution Approach 2:
A hydrophobic coating layer is introduced as an intermediary between the hydrophilic absorbent resin granules and the external environment. This coating allows water to be absorbed by the granules while preventing the formation of continuous water films on the surface, thereby eliminating freezing adhesion.
2Productivity
If water permeability is increased through porous surfaces, then water inflow is enabled, but absorbent resin granules can ooze out
Solution Approach 1:
Each absorbent resin granule is encapsulated in a flexible hydrophobic coating shell with controlled permeability. The coating allows water vapor and small molecules to pass through while physically containing the granule material, preventing leakage during handling and transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The ice pack combines hydrophilic absorbent resin granules with a hydrophobic coating material to create a composite structure. The composite material exhibits dual properties: water absorption capability from the hydrophilic core and water repellency/granule containment from the hydrophobic shell.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a semi-composite plastic strip is used to prevent adhesion, then sticking is reduced, but water inflow efficiency decreases due to blocked pathways
Solution Approach 1:
The ice pack uses porous absorbent resin granules as the primary water intake mechanism instead of relying on macroscopic channels that would be blocked by plastic strips. The porous structure of the granules allows efficient water absorption through capillary action while the hydrophobic coating prevents surface water accumulation.
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
Enhances water inflow efficiency, prevents freezing and sticking, and ensures absorbent granules remain contained within the ice pack.
Implementation Method 1
an edge of the water-permeable layer and an edge of the composite plastic layer being hot-pressed to form a heat-sealed edge I
Implementation Method 2
The water comes into contact with the absorbent resin granules 4, and the absorbent resin granules 4 absorb the water and swell
Implementation Method 3
a joint between the semi-composite plastic strip and the non-woven fabric surface is hot-pressed to form a heat-sealed edge II
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention belongs to the technical field of ice packs, and in particular to a novel self-absorbent ice pack, including: an outer bag body and absorbent resin granules filling an inside of the outer bag body. The outer bag body includes a composite plastic layer and a water-permeable layer. An edge of the water-permeable layer and an edge of the composite plastic layer are hot-pressed to form a heat-sealed edge I. The water-permeable layer includes a non-woven fabric surface and a semi-composite plastic strip arranged in a middle part of the non-woven fabric surface. A joint between the semi-composite plastic strip and the non-woven fabric surface is hot-pressed to form a heat-sealed edge II. In this solution, the semi-composite plastic strip is arranged in the middle part of the water-permeable layer, the non-woven fabric surfaces on the two sides of the semi-composite plastic strip are respectively used for water inflowing and air evacuation, or water inflowing and air evacuation are carried out through the non-woven fabric surfaces on the two sides at the same time, which improves the water inflowing efficiency and prevents the absorbent resin granules inside from oozing out. When water enters the inside of the ice pack and the ice pack swells, the semi-composite plastic strip protrudes. The ice packs contact mainly at the protruding semi-composite plastic strips. Thus, the surface is less likely to retain water or freeze and stick.