COOLING RECEPTACLE FOR VACCINE BOTTLES

The cooling receptacle for vaccine bottles has a lower portion and an upper portion removably attached to the lower portion. The lower portion has a lower wall, a first annular sidewall and an open upper end. The lower wall and the first annular sidewall of the lower portion are each hollow. The open interior regions of the lower portion are in fluid communication with one another and are at least partially filled with a refreezable material. The upper portion has an open lower end, an upper end having a central opening formed therethrough and a second annular sidewall. The upper end and the second annular sidewall are each hollow. The open interior regions of the upper portion are in fluid communication with one another and are at least partially filled with the refreezable material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to containers and receptacles, and particularly to a portable, cooling receptacle for vaccine bottles. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the cooling receptacle10includes a lower portion14and an upper portion12that are threaded together to form the receptacle. The lower portion14has a lower wall22, a first annular sidewall20and an open upper end26. The first annular sidewall20is preferably substantially cylindrical and is adapted for receiving a lower portion of a vaccine bottle40(shown in phantom lines inFIG. 2). The lower end of the vaccine bottle40rests on the interior face of the lower wall22.

The lower wall22and the first annular sidewall20of the lower portion14are each hollow. The open interior regions of the lower portion14are in fluid communication with one another and are at least partially filled with a refreezable material24. The refreezable material24may be any suitable material having a high enthalpy of fusion, such as the non-toxic materials commonly used in ice and gel packs. Although ice water has an unusually high enthalpy of fusion and a convenient melting temperature (one accessible by household freezers), ice water is not ideal for ice packs for various reasons. Thus, additives to improve the properties of water are often used. For example, substances can be added to prevent bacterial growth in the pack, as can additives that cause the water to remain a thick gel throughout use, instead of transitioning between a solid and a free-flowing liquid like plain water. These gel packs are often made of non-toxic materials that will not liquefy, and therefore will not spill easily or cause contamination if the container breaks. Gel packs may be made by adding hydroxyethyl cellulose or vinyl-coated silica gel to water to form the refreezable material. It should be understood that any suitable type of refreezable material24may be utilized.

The receptacle10has an upper portion12having an open lower end28, an upper end30having a spout-shaped central opening32formed therethrough and a second annular sidewall16. The second annular sidewall16preferably is substantially arcuate in vertical cross section, the upper portion being generally dome-shaped so that an upper portion of the vaccine bottle40may be received therein. The upper end42of the vaccine bottle40at least partially projects through the spout-shaped central opening32. Preferably, in use, only about one centimeter (including the cover or cap) of the vaccine bottle40will extend beyond the cooling confines of receptacle10, thus allowing for aspiration of the vaccine solution.

The upper end30and the second annular sidewall16are each hollow. The open interior regions of the upper portion are in fluid communication with one another and are at least partially filled with the refreezable material24. As with conventional ice and gel packs, the cooling receptacle10is chilled before use by placing the cooling receptacle10in a freezer or other cooling system to lower its temperature. The cooling receptacle10is then used to keep the vaccine bottle40refrigerated. The walls of cooling receptacle10may be formed from any suitable material, such as plastic or the like.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the lower end28of the upper portion12defines an internally threaded cylindrical recess44. The upper end of the lower portion14defines a cylindrical externally threaded neck46. The upper portion12and the lower portion14define a receptacle cavity for receiving a vaccine bottle40. The vaccine bottle40may be placed in the lower portion14, and the upper portion12may then be threaded onto the lower portion14to encase the vaccine bottle40in the cooling receptacle10, except for the small portion of the upper end42of the bottle40that projects from the central opening32. It should be understood that upper portion12and lower portion14are dimensioned and configured according to the size of the vaccine bottle40stored therein. Thus, the cooling receptacle10keeps the vaccine chilled after refrigeration or cooling by ice in a cooler, the vaccine being maintained at a cool temperature during storage, transport, and during the process of administering the vaccine to animals. It will also be understood that the upper portion may be releasably attached to the lower portion in any other manner known in the art, e.g., the upper and lower portions may be releasably attached by a snap fit.

As opposed to conventional coolers and the like, the present cooling receptacle10is not only designed to hold only a single bottle of vaccine40, but is also used to maintain a cool temperature of the vaccine during the injection process, rather than only in transport and storage.