Strapless Thermal Pack Using Deformable Rods for Body Contouring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal treatment devices for pain or soreness, such as ice and heat packs, often require straps for secure attachment, which can be inconvenient and may not accommodate active individuals or those with limited mobility.
Innovation Solution
A flexible thermal pack using parallel deformable, bendable rods to maintain shape and securely hold a thermal source against the body without straps, allowing for adjustable compression and ease of use on various body parts, including arms, legs, and shoulders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If straps are used to hold the thermal pack to the body, then the pack can be securely attached, but the device becomes inconvenient and difficult to use for active individuals or those with limited mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes straps entirely from the thermal pack design. Instead of using straps to attach the pack to the body, the invention uses the body's own contours to hold the pack in place through proper positioning and shaping of the pack itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal pack is designed to be self-retaining on the body without external fastening mechanisms. The pack's shape and positioning allow it to stay in place through its own structure, using the body's anatomy to maintain attachment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the thermal pack is made flexible to accommodate various body parts, then it can fit arms, legs, and shoulders, but it may not provide sufficient compression or stability
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal pack is designed with different zones or regions that have different properties. Certain areas provide greater compression or structural support where needed, while other areas remain more flexible to conform to body contours, allowing both adaptability and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pack uses composite construction combining materials with different properties - some materials provide flexibility and conformability while others provide structural integrity and compression stability, achieving both adaptability and reliability.
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
Provides effective thermal treatment for pain or soreness without the need for straps, accommodating both active and inactive individuals, and can be adjusted for better compression, making it suitable for a wide range of users including baby boomers and the elderly.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal source or pouch (12) therein
Implementation Method 2
A pouch (12) for holding a thermal pack or being the thermal pack itself is held between parallel deformable, bendable rods (14) that remain in that position to which bent
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal pack including: a pouch containing a thermal source; and a bendable and deformable support one of attached to or disposed within the pouch, the support being configured such that the pouch is deformed into a shape matching a contour of a body part and the pouch is maintained in the shape while applied to the body part by the support. The support can include one or more deformable elongated members extending in at least one direction of the pouch.