Food Ice Pack

Abstract

An improved ice pack and method of manufacture for reducing leaking and condensation while providing increased comfort to a user. The ice pack includes at least an outer container and an inner container, the inner container provided inside the outer container and enclosing a freezable agent. A planar bonded portion of the outer and/or the inner container defines at least one rounded corner.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The disclosure pertains generally to ice or cooling packs, such as for chilling food or other items.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Ice packs are extensively used in areas with a relatively warm climate for keeping food stuffs, drinks, and other perishables cool. Such ice packs, in general, comprise a container containing a freezable fluid, such as water with additives which reduce the freezing point of the water. Ice packs are commonly handled during use and are often in close contact with various items, for example when placed in a cooler, ice chest, or lunch bag.

[0003] Unfortunately, known ice packs suffer from a number of disadvantages. For example, they are prone to breaking, causing the contents to spill and potentially damage surrounding items. They are also prone to sweating due to condensation, and often include sharp corners that are known to poke people or surrounding items (shown in FIG. 1), causing injury or discomfort, and/or to cut surrounding items or the lunch bag carrying the ice packs.

[0004] While multiple variations of ice packs have been created to address some of these difficulties, prior art modifications sacrifice preferred features of ice packs and increase the cost and complexity of the same. For example, ice packs have been introduced with rigid materials to prevent leaks, or with more expensive materials that better resist some of the drawbacks described above. However, these modifications are not preferred, as ice packs may be used only a small number of times or may otherwise not be considered worth the resulting increase in cost.

[0005] Accordingly, there is a need for an ice pack that incorporates certain improvements for safer and more effective use, while being inexpensive and simple to produce.

SUMMARY

[0006] Embodiments of an ice pack and related methods of manufacture are described herein, the various embodiments being configured to overcome the drawbacks of conventional ice packs described above.

[0007] Embodiments of the ice pack may include a container enclosing a freezable agent, the container creating a substantially sealed first interior volume for preventing the freezable agent from leaking or dispersing out of the container. The freezable agent may comprise any suitable material, such as a freezable liquid including water, gel, additives, or combinations thereof.

[0008] In one aspect, the container may generally comprise a flexible plastic material, such as a polyethylene material, and may be sealed at an edge or a seam using an adhesive, plastic welding, or another suitable bonding operation. The container may be configured with a particular shape suitable for a specific use, and may similarly be configured with a particular volume or size suitable for an intended use.

[0009] According to embodiments, the container may be an inner container and the ice pack may include both the inner container and an outer container. The outer container may enclose the inner container, the outer container creating a substantially sealed second interior volume for containing the inner container. The outer container may be arranged to interact with an area external to the ice pack, while the inner container is arranged to interact with the freezable agent and separate the outer container from the freezable agent, advantageously allowing for each container to be configured separately to form an ice pack better suited to interacting with its environment while also preventing leaks.

[0010] Embodiments of the outer container may generally comprise a flexible plastic material and may comprise a different material or a greater thickness than the inner container, for advantageously protecting the inner container from damage due to being crushed, pierced, or cut. According to an embodiment, the inner container may comprise a plastic material having a greater flexibility than the material of the outer container for accommodating the expansion or movement of the freezable agent. While known ice packs are prone to burst or break, the combination of a greater thickness of plastic material forming the outer container and a greater flexibility of material forming the inner container in some embodiments may allow ice packs of the current disclosure to better prevent leaking, by realizing both a greater resistance to external forces and a greater flexibility for accommodating the freezable agent.

[0011] In varying embodiments, the second interior volume is greater than the first interior volume and an excess size of the second interior volume may advantageously define or create a gap or space between the inner container and the outer container. The gap may be configured to prevent condensation and sweating on the ice pack, or to improve insulation of the inner container from external conditions by the introduction of an insulating material or air. In another embodiment, the inner container and/or the outer container may be configured with a textured interior and/or exterior surface. The textured surface may advantageously maintain the gap between the inner container and the outer container. In a variation, a textured surface may be provided on the exterior surface of the outer container to further reduce the effects of condensation or sweating, and to provide a unique shape or feel.

[0012] In another aspect, the inner container or the outer container may include a sealed edge or a seam defining one or more corners having a rounded or radiused configuration for reducing the possibility of the one or more corners harming users, receptacles or other items, in contrast to pointed corners of known ice packs, such as corners forming sharp or defined angles. The sealed edge or seam may have a greater rigidity and/or thickness relative to the remainder of the inner or the outer containers, such as due to a fold, an adhesive, or a change in material properties due to heat or other conditions of the bonding operation, such that the rounded edges provide an improvement that cannot be obtained by only changing to a softer material.

[0013] The ice pack of the current disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described, and additional elements may be added to various embodiments. In one example, the outer container may be provided with a cover, such as in the form of a textile container or sleeve. In another example, the contents of the inner container may be configured to perform an endothermic reaction, such as upon a mixing through a breakable membrane therein.

[0014] In a method for manufacturing an ice pack according to the current disclosure, the containers may be formed by obtaining a planar sheet material including a perimeter edge, folding the planar sheet material to define an interior volume, and bonding the perimeter edge to form a planar bonded portion. A freezable agent or an inner container may be provided in the interior volume of the container prior to completing the bonding of the perimeter edge, such as during bonding of the perimeter edge or between multiple steps of bonding the perimeter edge, or by another means for introducing a freezable agent and subsequently sealing the container. An insulating material or air may also be added in the interior volume of the container prior to sealing.

[0015] Rounded corners may be formed on the planar bonded portion of one or both of an outer container and the inner container by cutting or otherwise removing material from the planar bonded portion to form a rounded or radiused profile during manufacture. For instance, the rounded corners can be cut or formed on the planar bonded portions during manufacture of the ice pack, e.g. prior to receiving the freezable agent in the inner container or prior to receiving the inner container in the outer container.

[0016] In varying embodiments, the rounded corners may be formed by cutting or forming a concave indentation in the planar sheet material prior to folding the planar sheet material and/or prior to bonding the perimeter edge. In these embodiments, bonding the perimeter edge forms a planar bonded portion having rounded corners.

[0017] In another embodiment of the method, containers may be formed from an inline process, where a tube-shaped plastic is extruded and separated by planar bonded portions. Individual containers may be separated by cutting the planar bonded portions and the cutting may follow a curved profile for simultaneously forming rounded corners on the planar bonded portions.

[0018] Exemplary embodiments of the ice pack and the related method of manufacture according to the current disclosure enable a more convenient, safer, and more effective cooling of perishables and other items by reducing the likelihood of leaking, sweating, and poking in use. The prior art difficulties associated with ice packs are thus overcome by the embodiments of the current disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood regarding the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a top view of a prior art ice pack.

[0021] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an ice pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 3a shows an embodiment of an ice pack from a cross-section view along line A of the ice pack in FIG. 2.

[0023] FIG. 3b shows an embodiment of an ice pack from a cross-section view along line A of the ice pack in FIG. 2.

[0024] FIG. 3c shows an embodiment of an ice pack from a cross-section view along line A of the ice pack in FIG. 2.

[0025] FIG. 3d shows an embodiment of an ice pack from a cross-section view along line A of the ice pack in FIG. 2.

[0026] FIG. 4 shows top view of an inner container and an outer container for use in an ice pack according to an embodiment.

[0027] FIG. 5a shows a schematic of tooling for manufacturing an ice pack according to an embodiment.

[0028] FIG. 5b shows a schematic of tooling for manufacturing an ice pack according to an embodiment.

[0029] The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, but instead are drawn to provide a better understanding of the various features of embodiments of the disclosure, and are not intended to be limiting in scope, but to provide exemplary illustrations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

[0030] A better understanding of different embodiments of the disclosure may be had from the following description read with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to like elements.

[0031] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrative embodiments are in the drawings and are described below. It should be understood, however, there is no intention to limit the disclosure to the specific embodiments disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention covers all modifications, alternative constructions, combinations, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

[0032] It will be understood that unless a term is expressly defined in this application to possess a described meaning, there is no intent to limit the meaning of such term, either expressly or indirectly, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning. Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state "means for" performing a specified function, or "step for" performing a specific function is not to be interpreted as a "means" or "step" clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112(f).

[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates an ice pack according to the prior art, including generally a container 1 for enclosing a freezable agent. The container 1 may be formed from a plastic sheet, such that an edge or seam forms a planar bonded portion 2 having sharp or angled corners 4. When in use, the prior art ice pack is prone to sweating and the sharp or angled corners 4 present a hazard to users and surrounding items. Further, the container 1 may generally be formed from either a flexible material susceptible to damage from exterior forces or a more rigid material susceptible to bursting due to potential expansion of the freezable agent, such that the container 1 may be prone to leaking.

[0034] Embodiments of an ice pack and a related method of manufacture according to the present disclosure advantageously overcome the drawbacks of the prior art, by decreasing the likelihood of leaks or pokes during use.

[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of an ice pack 10 according to the present disclosure. In the embodiment, the ice pack 10 comprises an outer container 12 and an inner container 14 located inside the outer container 12. The outside container 12 is arranged to interact with an area external to the ice pack 10, and the inner container 14 is arranged to interact with a freezable fluid inside the ice pack 10 and separate the outer container 12 from the freezable fluid.

[0036] As shown in the cross-section views of FIGS. 3a-3d, the inner container 14 may generally comprise a flexible plastic material, such as a polyethylene material, and may be sealed at an edge or a seam using an adhesive, plastic welding, or another suitable bonding operation for creating a first interior volume 18 that is substantially sealed for preventing the freezable agent from leaking or dispersing out of the inner container 14. The inner container 14 can comprise polyethylene plastic. The inner container 14 may be formed by a single planar sheet of material that is folded to form a bag as shown in the illustrated embodiments, however, variations having several layers of joined materials or being formed by molding or alternative procedures are envisioned. In embodiments having several layers of material, the material of each layer may be selected for combining specific material properties, such as strength, permeability, thermal conductivity, density, or other desired properties. For example, the inner container 14 may be formed of a composite material including layers or coatings of polymers, waxes, papers, textiles, or metal foils.

[0037] The freezable agent is provided within the first interior volume 18 and may comprise any suitable material, such as a freezable liquid including water, gel, additives, combinations thereof. The freezable agent can comprise a freezable gel. For example, water may be combined with various additives to lower the freezing temperature of the water, such as a mixture of water, glycerin and sodium carboxymethylcellulose, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the present disclosure. In alternative embodiments, the freezable agent may be provided in separate compartments within the first interior volume, such as in the form of beads or compartments separated by membranes. The membranes may be breakable, such as for mixing freezable agent materials suitable for creating an endothermic reaction. According to an alternative, membranes may be provided to separate the freezable agent into particular shapes or dimensions when frozen for creating a unique shape or texture.

[0038] The inner container 14 may itself be configured with a particular shape suitable for a specific use, such as generally forming a quadrilateral, cylinder, spheroid, ellipsoid, or similar shapes, with at least one sealed edge or seam. According to embodiments, the shape of the inner container 14 may be arranged to fit to a particular item or into a particular receptacle, such as for wrapping at least partly around said item or for filling a particular volume of said receptacle. In like manner, the inner container 14 may be configured with a first interior volume 18 or size suitable for an intended use, for example 200 ml, 300 ml, 400 ml, 500 ml, 1000 ml, greater than 100 ml, or greater than 1000 ml, etc.

[0039] The outer container 12 may enclose the inner container 14, the outer container 12 creating a second interior volume 20 that is substantially sealed for containing the inner container 14. The outer container 12 may be arranged to interact with an area external to the ice pack 10, while the inner container 14 is arranged to interact with the freezable agent and separate the outer container from the freezable agent.

[0040] The outer container 12 may generally comprise a flexible plastic material and may comprise the same material, a different material and/or a greater material thickness than the inner container 14, for advantageously protecting the inner container from damage due to being crushed, pierced, or cut. The outer container 12 may be formed by a single planar sheet of material that is folded to form a bag or may comprise several layers of joined materials having varying properties as discussed above with respect to the inner container 14. For example, the outer container 12 may be formed of a composite material including layers or coatings of polymers, waxes, papers, textiles, or metal foils. In some examples, the outer container 12 may have a total layer thickness at least 5% greater than a total layer thickness of the inner container 14, or at least 10% greater, at least 25% greater, at least 50% greater, or at least 100% greater.

[0041] In an exemplary embodiment, the outer container 12 and the inner container 14 may each be formed of a polyethylene nylon blend. The outer container 12 may have a total layer thickness greater than the inner container 14, such that the outer container 12 is more rigid than the inner container.

[0042] According to an embodiment, the inner container 14 may comprise a plastic material having a greater flexibility or softness than the material of the outer container 12 for accommodating the expansion or movement of the freezable agent. While known ice packs are prone to burst or break, the combination of a greater thickness of plastic material forming the outer container 12 and a greater flexibility of material forming the inner container 14 in some embodiments may allow ice packs of the current disclosure to better prevent leaking, by realizing both a greater resistance to external forces and a greater flexibility for accommodating expansion of the freezable agent.

[0043] As illustrated in cross-section for the embodiment of FIG. 3a, the second interior volume 20 is greater than the first interior volume and an excess size of the second interior volume may advantageously define or create a gap or space 22 between the inner container and the outer container. In some embodiments, the second interior volume 20 may be up to 200 ml greater than the first interior volume 18, or up to 300 ml greater, up to 400 ml greater, up to 500 ml greater, etc.

[0044] The gap 22 may be provided with an insulating material, such as beads, gel, textile, air, or other insulating means. Adding material to the gap 22 may be configured for improving insulation of the inner container from external conditions and/or for preventing condensation and sweating on the ice pack 10, such as by ensuring a minimum size of the gap 22 or through the addition of advantageous properties of the insulating material. For instance, when the gap 22 fills with air, the air alone or in combination with the material forming the outer container 12 and the inner container 14 can help insulate the freezable material, which, in turn, can help keep the freezable liquid frozen between about 5% and about 30% longer, or between about 10% and about 20% longer. In an embodiment, the gap 22 may be filled with air at a predetermined pressure and sealed from conditions external to the ice pack 10, such as by forming a vacuum in the gap 22.

[0045] In some embodiments, the inner container 14 may be secured to the outer container 12, such as for creating a colder side of the ice pack 10 or for ensuring that the gap 22 has a minimum size in a particular area. In the example of FIG. 3b, the inner container 14 may be attached to the outer container 12 using an adhesive or another suitable bonding operation, the attached area 30 forming a cold side and an area 32 opposite the attached area forming a less cold side.

[0046] Embodiments of the inner container 14 and/or the outer container 12 may be configured with a textured interior and/or exterior surface. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3d, an interior surface of the outer container 12 facing the inner container 14 may be ribbed or provided with a plurality of protrusions 34 configured to maintain a size of the gap 22 between the outer container 12 and the inner container 14, or for maintaining a minimum size of the gap 22. The textured surface may advantageously allow for control of a temperature at a surface of the outer container 12 by adjusting the distance from the freezable agent to the surface of the outer container 12 or otherwise contributing to insulating the inner container 14. In a variation, a textured surface provided on the exterior surface of the outer container 12 may further reduce the effects of condensation or sweating, while contributing to a unique shape and feel of the ice pack 10. The addition of insulated beads to the second interior volume 20 may be configured for achieving a similar effect as the textured surface.

[0047] In another aspect, the inner container 14 and/or the outer container 12 may include a sealed edge or a seam forming a planar bonded portion 16 defining one or more corners 36 having a rounded or radiused configuration. The planar bonded portion 16 may have a greater rigidity and/or thickness relative to the remainder of the inner or the outer containers 14, 12, such as due to the presence of a fold, an adhesive, or a change in material properties due to heat or other conditions of the bonding operation. In an embodiment, the outer container 12 can have a lower rigidity than the inner container 14, improving user comfort and conformance during use.

[0048] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, the planar bonded portion 16 of at least the outer container 12 defines an extension from the outer container 12 including corners 36 having a rounded or radiused configuration. The rounded or radiused configuration of the corners 36 may advantageously reduce the possibility of the one or more corners 36 harming users, receptacles or other items, in contrast to pointed corners of known ice packs, such as corners 4 forming sharp or defined angles as shown in FIG. 1. In an embodiment, the planar bonded portion 16 of at least the outer container 12 defines an arcuate extension. The corners 36 may be provided with varying degrees of curvature, radius and size. For example, the planar bonded portion 16 may be provided with two distinct rounded corners 36 separating a flat portion with a curvature of zero 38, as shown in FIG. 4. In another example, the planar bonded portion 16 may form a single arc-shaped portion extending from the outer container 12 or the inner container 14. Further, the rounded corners 36 can have any suitable radius and the rounded corners 36 can have the same or different radii. In other embodiments, the rounded corners 36 can have a radius that varies along a length of the planar bonded portion 16.

[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the outer container 12 may define a profile forming a rectangle with four rounded corners 36. Alternative embodiments may include different shapes or numbers of planar bonded portions 16, and rounded corners 36 may be provided on one or all of the bonded portions 16. For example, the outer container may include three planar bonded portions 16, a first and a second planar bonded portion defining a first and a second end of the outer container 12 and a third planar portion extending perpendicular to the first and the second planar bonded portions and connecting the first end to the second end. The third planar bonded portion may be configured to fold flat against the outer container 12, such that the third planar portion does not disrupt a smooth profile of the container. In some embodiments, the third planar portion may be configured to cover a label when folded, and/or may be printed on at least one side for presenting a continuous decorative pattern on the outer container 12 when in a folded configuration.

[0050] In a variation of the embodiments of FIGS. 3a and 3b, the inner container 14 may be secured to the outer container 12 by attaching the planar bonded portion 16 of each container to one another, as illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 3c.

[0051] It is noted that while described for use together for achieving advantages of the present disclosure, advantages of some features may be realized in the use of the outer container 12 and the inner container 14 individually. Similarly, the ice pack 10 according to the present disclosure may be configured to be single use, reusable, or customizable. For example, the outer container 12 and/or the inner container may configured to be opened and resealed, such as for changing or replacing the freezable agent or insulating material therein. Embodiments of the ice pack 10 are not limited to the features of the detailed embodiments described herein, and may further include a further covering or attachment means provided around the outer container 12, such as a textile cover, bag or case with straps etc., as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0052] Outer and inner containers 12, 14 according to varying embodiments of the ice pack 10 may be configured to be transparent or colored, either by use of transparent or colored materials or by the addition of printing or other design features thereon.

[0053] In a method for manufacturing an ice pack 10 according to the current disclosure, a flexible inner container 14 may be formed by obtaining a first planar sheet material including a perimeter edge, folding the first planar sheet material to define a first interior volume 18, such as in a tube shape, and bonding the perimeter edge to form a planar bonded portion 16. The first planar sheet material can enclose and seal the first interior volume 18. A freezable agent may be provided in the first interior volume 18 of the inner container 14 prior to completing the bonding of the perimeter edge, such as during bonding of the perimeter edge or between multiple steps of bonding the perimeter edge, or by another means for introducing a freezable agent and subsequently sealing the inner container 14.

[0054] A flexible outer container 12 may be formed by obtaining a second planar sheet material including a perimeter edge, folding the second planar sheet material to define a second interior volume 20, such as in a tube shape, and bonding the perimeter edge to form a planar bonded portion 16. The second planar sheet material can enclose and seal the second interior volume 20. The inner container 14 may be provided in the second interior volume 20 of the outer container 12 prior to completing the bonding of the perimeter edge, such as during bonding of the perimeter edge or between multiple steps of bonding the perimeter edge, or by another means for introducing the inner container 14 and subsequently sealing the outer container 12. According to a variation, an insulating material or air may be provided in the second interior volume 20 of the outer container 12 with the inner container 14. The first planar sheet material and/or the second planar sheet material can be impermeable to water. The first planar sheet material and/or the second planar sheet material can be impermeable to air.

[0055] Rounded corners 36 may be formed on the planar bonded portion 16 of one or both of the outer container 12 and the inner container 14 by cutting or otherwise removing material from the planar bonded portion 16 to form a rounded or radiused profile. For instance, the rounded corners 36 can be cut or formed on the planar bonded portions 16 during manufacture of the ice pack 10, e.g. prior to receiving the freezable agent in the inner container or prior to receiving the inner container in the outer container, or after. In one example, the rounded corners 36 may be formed when the containers 12, 14 are cut from the planar sheet material.

[0056] In varying embodiments, the outer and inner containers 12, 14 may be formed from an inline process, where a tube-shaped plastic is extruded in place of a planar sheet material 52 or where a planar sheet material 52 is folded into a tube shape on a machine roll. The tube-shaped material may be separated by planar bonded portions 16 formed by application of an adhesive or application of heat, etc., resulting in a plurality of containers 56 connected by planar bonded portions 16. Individual containers may be separated by cutting the planar bonded portions 16. For forming rounded corners 36, the tooling may form or follow a curved cutting profile 58 as shown in FIG. 5b, such that the resulting containers 56 include planar bonded portions 16 with rounded corners 36.

[0057] In an alternative, the tube-shaped material may be cut prior to the formation of planar bonded portions 16. Subsequently, a first side may be sealed with a planar bonding portion 16, the interior volume may be filled, and a second side may be sealed with a planar bonding portion 16.

[0058] In other embodiments, the rounded corners 36 may be formed by cutting or forming a concave indentation 50 in a planar extruded sheet 52 or a tube-shaped material, as shown in FIG. 5a. In this embodiment, prior to folding the planar sheet material 52 and/or prior to bonding a perimeter edge 54 of the planar sheet material 52, rounded edges are cut into the extruded sheet or tube in the form of concave indentations along the dashed cutting path. The planar sheet material 52 may then be folded or otherwise sealed as described above, bonding the perimeter edge 54 and/or along the dashed cutting path to form a planar bonded portion 16 having rounded corners 36.

[0059] In another aspect, the rounded corners 36 may be formed or cut after the containers 12, 14 are formed, filled and sealed. The cutting may be performed by any suitable means, such as by a curved blade on a press or by a blade or other cutting device following a curved path along the planar bonded portion 16. According to some embodiments, the cutting or forming of the planar bonded portion 16 with rounded corners 36 may be performed by or simultaneous to the bonding operation. For example, the planar bonded portion 16 may be heat sealed and rounded edges may be formed by removing or molding the corners using the same heat operation, or the planar bonded portion 16 may be sealed using a press and rounded edges may be formed by removing or molding the corners using the same press operation.

[0060] The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. Additionally, the words "including," "having," and variants thereof (e.g., "includes" and "has") as used herein, including the claims, shall be open ended and have the same meaning as the word "comprising" and variants thereof (e.g., "comprise" and "comprises").

[0061] It is to be understood that not necessarily all objects or advantages may be achieved under any embodiment of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosed ice pack and related methods may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught without achieving other objects or advantages as taught or suggested.

[0062] The skilled artisan will recognize the interchangeability of various disclosed features. Besides the variations described, other known equivalents for various features can be mixed and matched by one of ordinary skill in this art to make or use an ice pack and related methods under principles of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An ice pack comprising: a flexible inner container, including: a first planar sheet material enclosing and sealing a first volume; a freezable agent provided in the first volume; and a flexible outer container, including: a second planar sheet material enclosing and sealing a second volume, said second volume being greater than the first volume, wherein the inner container is provided in the second volume of the outer container.

2. The ice pack according to claim 1, the outer container defining a gap between the first planar sheet material of the inner container and the second planar sheet material of the outer container.

3. The ice pack according to claim 2, including an insulating material in the gap between the first planar sheet material and the second planar sheet material.

4. The ice pack according to claim 3, the insulating material comprising air.

5. The ice pack according to claim 3, the insulating material comprising beads or a gel.

6. The ice pack according to claim 2, wherein the gap includes a vacuum.

7. The ice pack according to claim 1, wherein the freezable agent comprises water or a freezable gel.

8. The ice pack according to claim 1, the first planar sheet material having a first thickness and the second planar sheet material having a second thickness, wherein the first thickness is less than the second thickness.

9. The ice pack according to claim 1, the second planar sheet material including an interior surface facing the second volume, the interior surface provided with a plurality of ribs or protrusions extending therefrom.

10. The ice pack according to claim 1, the second planar sheet material including at least one planar bonded portion, the at least one planar bonded portion forming an extension from the outer container having rounded corners.

11. The ice pack according to claim 10, wherein the second planar sheet material is folded on itself in the at least one planar bonded portion, the at least one planar bonded portion including an adhesive in a fold of the second planar sheet material.

12. The ice pack according to claim 10, wherein the second planar sheet material is folded on itself in the at least one planar bonded portion, the at least one planar bonded portion including a plastic weld of the second planar sheet material.

13. The ice pack according to claim 1, the second planar sheet material including at least one planar bonded portion, the at least one planar bonded portion forming an arcuate extension from the outer container.

14. The ice pack according to claim 1, the first planar sheet material including a polyethylene plastic.

15. The ice pack according to claim 1, wherein the second planar sheet material has a lower rigidity than the first planar sheet material.

16. The ice pack according to claim 1, wherein the first planar sheet material and the second planar sheet material are impermeable to water.

17. The ice pack according to claim 1, wherein the first planar sheet material and the second planar sheet material are impermeable to air.

18. The ice pack according to claim 1, including a textile cover surrounding the flexible outer container.

19. A method of manufacturing an ice pack, the method comprising: obtaining a flexible inner container, including: a first planar sheet material enclosing and sealing a first volume; a freezable agent provided in the first volume; obtaining a second planar sheet material on a machine roll, the second planar sheet material provided in a tube-shaped configuration; cutting the second planar sheet material to form a rounded perimeter edge; and providing the inner container within the second planar sheet material and bonding the perimeter edge for forming a flexible outer container having at least one planar bonded portion, the at least one planar bonded portion forming an extension from the outer container having rounded corners.

20. A method of manufacturing an ice pack, the method comprising: obtaining a flexible inner container, including: a first planar sheet material enclosing and sealing a first volume; a freezable agent provided in the first volume; obtaining a second planar sheet material on a machine roll, the second planar sheet material provided in a tube-shaped configuration; forming at least one concave indentation in the second planar sheet material; and providing the inner container within the second planar sheet material and bonding the second planar sheet material to form a flexible outer container having at least one planar bonded portion, the at least one planar bonded portion forming an extension from the outer container having a rounded corner defined by the at least one concave indentation.