Patent Description:
Many different types of medical products used to treat patients need to be kept at specific temperatures that are below or above ambient temperatures. As such, they cooled or refrigerated prior to being administered. For example, the medical products may include medications, such as insulin and vaccines, and blood products, such as blood for transfusions, or blood plasma. Typically, the medical products are kept cooled and insulated from ambient temperatures by electrically powered refrigeration or cool boxes containing cold items that have been refrigerated or frozen.

Electrically powered refrigeration is preferred for the storage of medical products, as it actively cools its interior and the contents stored therein. However, electrically powered refrigeration has the significant drawback that it requires an adequate and reliable power supply to produce any cooling effect. In remote, outlying or less developed areas supplying sufficient and reliable power may not be achievable or viable and this is particularly true during transit. As such, electrically powered refrigeration can often not be relied upon in such areas for the transportation of temperature-sensitive medical products.

Often, cool boxes are used in transportation of temperature-sensitive medical products in remote, outlying or less developed areas as they do not require a constant power supply. However, cool boxes have the drawback of not being actively cooled. Thus, during long transits that are often required to reach such areas, the cold items placed within the cool boxes may warm up such that they no longer provide adequate cooling of the cool box and its stored contents. Furthermore, a cool box is typically cooled by items that have been frozen or refrigerated in electrically powered freezers or fridges. In remote, hard-to-reach or outlying areas supplying the power and equipment required to freeze or refrigerate such items prior to transit is often challenging. Additionally, since the cool box is not actively cooled, the contents stored within the cool box may warm up if the cool box is opened up multiple times to dispense the medical products stored within.

Objects and aspects of the present invention seek to alleviate at least these problems with the prior art.

<CIT> discloses a cooling implement which can cool an object to be cooled such as a beverage stored in a PET bottle or the like.

<CIT> concerns a refrigerating package for transporting heat-sensitive elements, comprising several parts independent from one another, including an external container with at least heat insulation capacity capable of receiving several preservation cases, and a plurality of preservation cases having internal walls with at least refrigerating capacity, based on polymer with cooling effect, designed to contain each an element and to be placed in the container.

<CIT> discloses beverage and liquid containers that use pervaporation to cool a liquid or material residing in the container.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a portable cooling unit according to claim <NUM>, for cooling and insulating a vessel containing packages, bottles or bags of blood, blood plasma and medication during transit, the portable cooling unit comprising: a thermally insulating envelope that is arranged to house and thermally insulate the vessel, said thermally insulating envelope comprising a breathable reflective layer, a breathable waterproof layer and an opening for accessing the vessel; a cooling envelope that is arranged to cool and house the thermally insulating envelope and the vessel, said cooling envelope comprising two water-permeable layers and an opening for accessing the vessel; and a housing envelope that is arranged to house the vessel, the cooling envelope and the thermally insulating envelope, said housing envelope comprising an opening for accessing the vessel and a breathable water-permeable layer that allows moisture and/or water to cross the envelope; wherein the two water-permeable layers of the cooling layer are arranged to bound an enclosure containing an absorbent and moisture-wicking material, and further wherein the absorbent and moisture-wicking material is arranged to cool the vessel via evaporation of water.

The portable cooling unit achieves its cooling and insulating that is suitable for blood products and medications, even during temperature fluctuations, through the combination and interplay of the thermally insulating envelope, the cooling envelope and the housing envelope. Typically, the medical products need to be kept within of temperature range of <NUM>° to <NUM>° when ambient temperature is in the range of <NUM>° to <NUM>°. The term "envelope" is understood to mean a bag, box, casing, container, pocket, pouch, covering, receptacle, sheath, shell or the like and the term "house" is understood to mean accept, accommodate, retain, hold, store, enclose, encase, sheathe or the like.

The housing envelope comprises a water permeable layer and allows water and/or moisture to cross from its surrounding towards the adjacent cooling envelope. Water and/moisture can also cross the cooling envelope as it comprises two water permeable layers housing the absorbent and moisture-wicking material. The water and/or moisture can then be absorbed by the absorbent and moisture-wicking material in the cooling envelope. Water and/moisture that is absorbed can then evaporate from the absorbent and moisture-wicking material over time and cool the cooling envelope. In turn, the cooling envelope can cool the vessel and its stored medical products. This active cooling of the cooling envelope and vessel is vital in the function of the portable cooling unit and assists in protecting the stored medical products from fluctuations in the ambient temperature.

The active cooling action of this portable cooling unit is provided solely by the evaporation of water from the absorbent and moisture-wicking material. That is, the cooling action is not provided by an electrically powered cooling system. This allows the portable cooling unit to be truly portable and used in remote, outlying or hard-to-reach places as no power supply needs to be transported alongside the portable cooling unit. In use, the active cooling action of this portable cooling unit may be augmented by passive cooling such as providing ice surrounding or within the portable cooling unit. However, this passive cooling is not required to ensure the performance of the portable cooling unit.

Adjacent to the cooling envelope is the thermally insulating envelope. The thermally insulating envelope is located between the cooling envelope and the vessel in use and is cooled by the cooling envelope. The thermally insulating envelope comprises two breathable layers and thus allows the circulation of cooled air from the cooling envelope through the thermally insulating envelope and toward the vessel in use. The thermally insulating envelope comprises a breathable reflective layer that allows the cold air from the cooling envelope to permeate through it and reflects incoming heat and light radiation. Additionally, the thermally insulating envelope comprises a waterproof breathable envelope. The waterproof breathable envelope is arranged to discourage water and/or moisture from the environment or that has been evaporated from the cooling envelope from crossing it towards the vessel. Both of the layers of the thermally insulating envelope act as a thermal shield to protect the vessel housed in use from temperature fluctuations.

The layers of the thermally insulating envelope, cooling envelope and housing envelope may each individually be described as membranes, webs, web membranes, or web members. That is, the layers may be described as membranes as they are selectively permeable, for example, the water permeable layer is arranged to allow water and air to cross but most solid materials cannot cross the layer.

Preferably, the cooling envelope comprises a base section that is arranged to cool a base of the vessel and a sidewall section that is arranged to cool a sidewall of the vessel, and wherein each of said base section and said side section comprise separate enclosures for housing the absorbent and moisture-wicking material. It is preferred that the cooling envelope comprises a base section and a sidewall section as this prevents the absorbent and moisture-wicking material from sagging under gravity in the enclosure and reducing the efficiency of cooling around some parts of the cooling envelope. Additionally, forming the cooling envelope from two sections improves the ease with which it can be manufactured and shaped.

Preferably, the two water-permeable layers of the cooling layer are arranged to bound the enclosure by attaching the two layers together. The term "attaching" together is understood to mean adhering, connecting, bonding, joining, laminating, fastening, fixing, affixing, linking, securing or coupling together. Likewise, the same applies for the other forms of "attaching together", for example, "attached together". Furthermore, it is understood that when the two layers are attached together they may be directly attached to one, or indirectly attached to one another via a spacer member or intermediate layer. It is preferable that the two water permeable layers are attached together by one selected from the range of: stitches; heat welds; adhesive.

The cooling envelope comprises at least two water-permeable layers. Preferably, the two water-permeable layers of the cooling envelope are attached together such that the enclosure comprises multiple, or a plurality of, compartments that each house a portion of the absorbent and moisture-wicking material.

Preferably, the multiple compartments of the enclosure are arranged within the cooling envelope as a set of rows, a set of columns or in a chequered pattern. More preferably, the multiple compartments of the enclosure are arranged with the cooling envelope as a set of columns.

The multiple compartments being arranged as a set of columns should be interpreted as that each of the compartments extends in a direction from the top to the bottom of the cooling envelope and in a direction substantial parallel to one another. For example, when the cooling envelope has a substantially cylindrical profile, the each of the compartments will extend in a direction perpendicular to the planar faces of the cylinder and parallel with the curved sidewalls of the cylinder. Typically, when the multiple compartments are arranged in a set of columns they will extend in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis of the cooling envelope. The multiple compartments being arranged as a set of rows should be interpreted as that each of the compartments extends in a direction around the circumference of the cooling envelope and in a direction substantial parallel direction to one another. Typically, when the multiple compartments are arranged in a set of rows they will extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cooling envelope. For example, when the cooling envelope has a substantially cylindrical profile, each of the compartments will be substantially annular or toroidal and substantially parallel with the planar faces of the cylinder.

Preferably, the cooling envelope is shaped or configured to be complementary to the vessel. More preferably, the cooling envelope is shaped or configured to be complementary to the vessel such that, in use, the majority of an inner surface of the cooling envelope and the majority of an outer surface of the vessel abut. More preferably, the cooling envelope is shaped or configured by the attachment between the two water-permeable layers. Namely, the stitches, the heat welds or the adhesive attaching the two water permeable layers are configured to shape the cooling envelope to be complementary to the vessel in use.

Preferably, the two water-permeable layers of the cooling envelope comprise a woven material.

Preferably, the absorbent and moisture-wicking material of the cooling envelope is granular. Preferably, the absorbent and moisture-wicking material of the cooling envelope is a gel. More preferably, the absorbent and moisture-wicking material of the cooling envelope is a granular gel.

Preferably, the opening of the cooling envelope is resealable. More preferably, the opening of the cooling envelope comprises a draw rope or a zip fastening for resealing the opening.

Preferably, the breathable reflective layer of the thermally insulating envelope is arranged to reflect heat outwardly and away from the vessel.

Preferably, the breathable reflective layer is laminated to the breathable waterproof layer. Preferably, the breathable reflective layer and the breathable waterproof layer of the thermally insulating envelope are attached together by one selected from the range: stitches; heat welds; adhesive.

Preferably, the thermally insulating envelope is shaped or configured to be complementary to the cooling envelope. More preferably, the thermally insulating envelope is shaped or configured to be complementary to the cooling envelope such that, in use, the majority of an inner surface of the thermally insulating envelope and the majority of an outer surface of the cooling envelope abut. More preferably, the thermally insulating envelope is shaped or configured by the attachment between the breathable reflective layer and the breathable waterproof layer. Namely, the stitches, the heat welds or the adhesive attaching the breathable reflective layer and the breathable waterproof layer are configured to shape the thermally insulating envelope to be complementary to the cooling envelope.

Preferably, the breathable waterproof layer of the thermally insulating envelope comprises channels that are arranged to encourage airflow across a face of the breathable waterproof layer.

Preferably, the breathable waterproof layer of the thermally insulating envelope comprises a non-woven material. More preferably, the non-woven material of the breathable waterproof layer is a polymer. Even more preferably, the non-woven material of the breathable waterproof layer is polypropylene.

Preferably, the breathable reflective layer of the thermally insulating envelope comprises a micro perforated foil.

Preferably, the thermally insulating envelope comprises two breathable reflective layers. More preferably, the first of the two breathable reflective layers is arranged to reflect heat outwardly and away the vessel, and further wherein the second of the two breathable reflective layers is arranged to reflect heat inwardly and towards the vessel. The inward and outward directions are relative to the vessel when contained within the portable cooling unit.

Preferably the layers of the thermally insulating envelope are attached together by one selected from the range: stitches, heat welds or adhesive.

Preferably, the thermally insulating envelope comprises a mechanism for reversibly closing its opening. More preferably, the resealable opening of the thermally insulating envelope comprises a draw rope or a zip fastening.

Preferably, the housing envelope comprises a resealable lid for closing its opening.

Preferably, the breathable water-permeable layer of the housing envelope comprises a non-woven material.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable storage unit for cooling and insulating packages, bottles or bags of blood, blood plasma and medication during transit, said portable storage unit comprising a vessel for storing packages, bottles or bags of blood, blood plasma or medication, said vessel comprising a resealable opening for accessing the contents stored with the vessel, and the portable cooling unit in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention; wherein said vessel is enclosed by said portable cooling unit and accessible by the openings in the thermally insulating envelope; cooling envelope, and the housing envelope.

The portable cooling unit included in the second aspect of the present invention may comprises any of the optional or preferred features of the first aspect of the present invention.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

<FIG> and <FIG> of the drawings depicts a portable storage unit <NUM> in accordance with the present invention. The portable storage unit <NUM> comprises a portable cooling unit <NUM> that is arranged to cool and insulate a vessel <NUM> and <FIG> depict component parts of the portable cooling unit <NUM>.

The vessel <NUM> is suitable for storing medical products, such as blood, blood plasma and medications, and is known in the art. The medical products stored within the vessel <NUM> are typically packaged within plastic or glass bottles, bags, ampoules, or the like.

In this embodiment, the vessel <NUM> is substantially cylindrical and comprises a resealable opening for accessing the medical products stored within. The resealable opening is located at the one of planar ends of the substantially cylindrical vessel <NUM>.

The portable cooling unit <NUM> is arranged to cool and insulate the vessel <NUM> and comprises three envelopes to achieve this function: a thermally insulating envelope <NUM>, a cooling envelope <NUM> and a housing envelope <NUM>. As can be seen from <FIG>, both the thermally insulating envelope <NUM> and the cooling envelope <NUM> comprise multiple layers to achieve their respective functions as is discussed below.

In the portable storage unit <NUM>, the thermally insulating envelope <NUM> is adjacent to and surrounds the vessel <NUM>. That is, the thermally insulating envelope <NUM> is large enough to house the vessel <NUM> and the thermally insulating envelope <NUM> is arranged to insulate the vessel <NUM> by limiting heat from the ambient surroundings warming the vessel <NUM>.

Typically, the thermally insulating envelope <NUM> is shaped and configured to be complementary to the vessel <NUM>. Or, in other words, the thermally insulating envelope <NUM> is typically designed and manufactured to be complementary to a certain vessel <NUM>. This helps to ensure good insulation of the vessel <NUM> by the thermally insulating envelope <NUM> due to their complementary shape and close proximity.

In this embodiment, the majority of the inner surface of thermally insulating envelope <NUM> engages and abuts the majority of the outer surface of the vessel <NUM>, as the thermally insulating envelope <NUM> is substantially cylindrical and complementary to the cylindrical vessel <NUM>. The thermally insulating envelope <NUM> also comprises an opening at one of its planar ends that allows access to the vessel <NUM>. It is preferable, that the opening can be occluded such that the thermally insulating envelope <NUM> can be completely bound, enclose or encapsulate the vessel <NUM> as this is advantageous for insulating the vessel <NUM>. In this embodiment, the opening of the thermally insulating envelope <NUM> is open. In other embodiments, the opening of the thermally insulating envelope <NUM> is resealable and such that the opening can be occluded and opened via a draw rope.

The thermally insulating envelope <NUM> comprises a plurality of layers to provide effective insulation and thermal shielding of the vessel <NUM>. In particular, the thermally insulating envelope <NUM> comprises a first breathable reflective layer <NUM> that is attached to a first breathable waterproof layer <NUM> and a second breathable reflective layer <NUM> that is attached to a second breathable waterproof layer <NUM>.

Both the first breathable reflective layer <NUM> and the second breathable reflective layer <NUM> are micro-perforated foils. The foil aspect of the breathable reflective layers <NUM>, <NUM> reflects heat radiation and assists in thermally insulating the vessel <NUM>. In particular, the first breathable reflective layer <NUM> and the second breathable reflective layer <NUM> are arranged such that they form a two-way reflecting thermal shield. In this embodiment, the first breathable reflective layer <NUM> is arranged to reflect heat outwardly and away from the vessel <NUM>, and the second breathable reflective layer <NUM> is arranged to reflect heat inwardly and towards the vessel <NUM>. The micro-perforations in the breathable reflective layers <NUM>, <NUM> help make them breathable such that air that is cooled by the cooling envelope <NUM> is allowed to cross the breathable reflective layers <NUM>, <NUM> and thereby cool the vessel <NUM>.

Each of the breathable reflective layers <NUM>, <NUM> are attached to their respective breathable waterproof layer <NUM>, <NUM>, and, in this embodiment, the breathable reflective layers <NUM>, <NUM> are laminated to their respective breathable waterproof layer <NUM>, <NUM>. The laminated first breathable reflective layer <NUM> and first breathable waterproof layer <NUM> are then attached to the laminated second breathable reflective layer <NUM> and second breathable waterproof layer <NUM> by a stitches, welds or an adhesive. The attachment between the four layers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the thermally insulating envelope is used to shape and configure the thermally insulating envelope <NUM> to be complementary to the vessel <NUM> as discussed above.

The first breathable waterproof layer <NUM> and the second breathable waterproof layer <NUM> are both formed from a non-woven polypropylene layer. This non-woven polypropylene layer is typically a web or web membrane as this renders the non-woven polypropylene as a breathable layer but also one that can be laminated to the breathable reflective layers <NUM>, <NUM>. The waterproof breathable layers <NUM>, <NUM> discourage water and/or moisture from the environment or that has been evaporated from the cooling envelope <NUM> from crossing it towards the vessel <NUM> but allows cool air to circulate. Furthermore, each of the breathable waterproof layers <NUM>,<NUM> comprises channels raised or etched within their surface for encouraging airflow across their surfaces.

In the portable cooling unit <NUM>, the cooling envelope <NUM> is adjacent to and surrounds the thermally insulating envelope <NUM>. That is, the cooling envelope <NUM> is large enough to house the thermally insulating envelope <NUM>. The cooling envelope <NUM> is arranged to cool the thermally insulating envelope <NUM> and vessel <NUM> housed within the thermally insulating envelope <NUM> via the evaporation of water as discussed below.

Typically, the cooling envelope <NUM> is shaped and configured to be complementary to the thermally insulating envelope <NUM>. Or, in other words, the cooling envelope <NUM> is typically designed and manufactured to be complementary to a certain thermally insulating envelope <NUM> and vessel <NUM>. This helps to ensure that the cooling action provided by the cooling envelope <NUM> is spatially proximate to the thermally insulating envelope <NUM> and the vessel <NUM> as the majority of the inner surface of cooling envelope <NUM> engages and abuts the majority of the outer surface of the thermally insulating envelope <NUM>. In this way, air that is cooled by the cooling envelope <NUM> is proximate to the vessel <NUM> and can effectively cool it.

In this embodiment, the cooling envelope <NUM> is substantially cylindrical such that it is complementary to the cylindrical vessel <NUM> and cylindrical thermally insulating envelope <NUM>. The cylindrical cooling envelope <NUM> additionally comprises an opening at one of its planar ends that allows access to the opening in the thermally insulating envelope <NUM> and the vessel <NUM>. It is preferable, that the opening can be occluded such that the cooling envelope <NUM> can completely bound, enclose or encapsulate the thermally insulating envelope <NUM> and vessel <NUM>, as this is advantageous for cooling the vessel <NUM>. In this embodiment, the opening of the cooling envelope <NUM> is resealable can be occluded and opened via a draw rope.

The cooling envelope <NUM> comprises a plurality of layers to provide effective cooling of the vessel <NUM>. The cooling envelope <NUM> comprises a first water permeable layer <NUM> that is attached to a second water-permeable layer <NUM> to bound an enclosure <NUM> and the enclosure <NUM> contains an absorbent and moisture-wicking material <NUM>. The attachment of the first water permeable layer <NUM> to the second water permeable layer <NUM> shapes and configures the cooling envelope <NUM> as discussed above. The first water permeable layer <NUM> and the second water permeable layer <NUM> may be attached together by stitches, welds or adhesive to configure the shape of the cooling envelope <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the cooling envelope <NUM> comprises a base section <NUM> that is attached to a sidewall section <NUM> as can be seen in <FIG>. The base section <NUM> is located at the opposing end of the cylindrical cooling envelope <NUM> to its opening and sidewall section <NUM> extends between the base section <NUM> and the opening in the cooling envelope <NUM>. Both the base section <NUM> and the sidewall section <NUM> comprise the first water permeable layer <NUM> and the second water-permeable layer <NUM>. The two sections <NUM>, <NUM> are separate and this separates the enclosure <NUM> and its contained absorbent and moisture-wicking material <NUM> into two compartments <NUM>, one in the base section <NUM> and one in the sidewall section <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the first water permeable layer <NUM> is attached to the second water-permeable layer <NUM> in the multiple locations such that the portion of the enclosure <NUM> located in the sidewall section <NUM> further comprises a plurality of compartments <NUM> containing the absorbent and moisture-wicking material <NUM>, as can be seen in <FIG>. In this embodiment, the plurality of compartments <NUM> within the sidewall section <NUM> are a set of columns that extend longitudinally between the two planar faces of the substantially cylindrical cooling envelope <NUM>. Other arrangements of the multiple compartments <NUM> are envisaged, such as a set of rows or a chequered pattern. Each of the compartments in the plurality of compartments <NUM> has an air channel located between it that encourages airflow across the surface of the cooling envelope.

Both the first water permeable layer <NUM> and the second water permeable layer <NUM> are woven-water-permeable materials, such as a mix of polyester and cotton fabric. The water-permeable aspect of the water permeable layers <NUM>, <NUM> allows water and/or moisture to cross the layers towards and away from the absorbent and moisture-wicking material <NUM>, such that it can cool the vessel via evaporation.

The absorbent and moisture-wicking material <NUM> comprises a granular or gel material, such as water-soluble polymers, that can absorb and then evaporate water and/moisture thereby cooling itself, the portable cooling unit <NUM> and the vessel <NUM>.

In the portable storage unit <NUM> and the portable cooling unit <NUM>, the cooling envelope <NUM> is housed within the housing envelope <NUM>.

The shape of the housing envelope <NUM> is typically configured to be complementary to the cooling envelope <NUM>. Or, in other words, the majority of the inner surface of the housing envelope <NUM> engages and abuts the majority of the outer surface of the cooling envelope <NUM>. In this embodiment, the housing envelope <NUM> is substantially cylindrical and larger than the cooling envelope <NUM>. The housing envelope <NUM> further comprises an opening at one end of the cylinder through which the cooling envelope <NUM>, thermally insulating envelope <NUM> and vessel <NUM> can be accessed. The opening of the housing envelope <NUM> can be occluded by a resealable lid <NUM> as is known in the art.

The housing envelope <NUM> comprises a breathable water-permeable layer <NUM> such as a web of non-woven polypropylene. The main purpose of the housing envelope <NUM> is to provide a protective housing of the cooling envelope <NUM>, thermally insulating envelope <NUM> and vessel <NUM> while simultaneously allow water and/moisture to cross the housing envelope <NUM> such that it does not impair the functioning of the cooling envelope <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A portable cooling unit (<NUM>) for cooling and insulating a vessel (<NUM>) containing packages, bottles or bags of blood, blood plasma and medication during transit, the portable cooling unit (<NUM>) comprising:
a thermally insulating envelope (<NUM>) that is arranged to house and thermally insulate the vessel (<NUM>), said thermally insulating envelope (<NUM>) comprising a breathable reflective layer (<NUM>, <NUM>), a breathable waterproof layer (<NUM>, <NUM>) and an opening for accessing the vessel (<NUM>),
a cooling envelope (<NUM>) that is arranged to cool and house the thermally insulating envelope (<NUM>) and the vessel (<NUM>), said cooling envelope (<NUM>) comprising two water-permeable layers (<NUM>, <NUM>) and an opening for accessing the vessel (<NUM>), and
a housing envelope (<NUM>) that is arranged to house the vessel (<NUM>), the cooling envelope (<NUM>) and the thermally insulating envelope (<NUM>), said housing envelope (<NUM>) comprising an opening for accessing the vessel (<NUM>) and a breathable water-permeable layer (<NUM>) that allows moisture and/or water to cross the envelope;
wherein the two water-permeable layers (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the cooling layer are arranged to bound an enclosure (<NUM>) containing an absorbent and moisture-wicking material (<NUM>), and further wherein the absorbent and moisture-wicking material (<NUM>) is arranged to cool the vessel (<NUM>) via evaporation of water.