GB2618590A

GB2618590A - Improvements relating to insulation

Info

Publication number: GB2618590A
Application number: GB2206914.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Woodbridge Timothy; Hunt Thomas
Original assignee: Hunt Technology Ltd
Current assignee: Hunt Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2022-05-11
Filing date: 2022-05-11
Publication date: 2023-11-15

Abstract

An insulation device for insulating a consumable, the insulation device in the form of a flexible insulating wrap 10 comprising, an insulation core 20, the core comprising a porous medium defining a pore volume, and a phase change material (PCM) within the pore volume; and a fastener 22 (Fig 1) configured to wrap around the consumable. The fastening means may be hook and loop fasteners that may be integral with the wrap and may be located on elastic straps 24 (Fig 3). The transition in the PCM is preferably from solid to liquid with a temperature range between 3-15°C, and the PCM may take up 30-95% of the porous core. The core may be encased in laminate outer layers 12, 14, and the wrap may further comprise layers that reflect UV, absorb liquid, or be impermeable to liquids. Methods for wrapping the device around consumables or as a cold compress are also disclosed.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO INSULATION

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an insulation device for insulating or cooling a consumable or other item. In particularly, though not exclusively, this invention relates to an insulation device for insulating or cooling a fridge-or freezer-chilled consumable.

BACKGROUND

It is desirable to keep food consumables, which include for example food and beverages, cool to reduce spoilage or to enhance enjoyment.

Fridges and freezers are used to keep food and beverages at optimum temperatures to prevent spoilage and it may be desirable to keep a consumable at said optimum temperature when removed from the fridge or freezer.

A known method of keeping consumables cool is the use of an insulated container to contain the consumable in combination with a freezer block to cool the inside of the insulated container. The freezer block contains a liquid, such as water, which is frozen prior to being placed inside the insulated container. The freezer block cools the interior of the insulated container, whilst the insulated container has thermal insulation which reduces heat transfer by providing a barrier which mitigates against one or more of conduction, convection and radiation of heat. This system has the disadvantage that the insulated container is bulky and the freezer block must be frozen prior to use.

Alternatively, it is known to use a sleeve containing a gel or liquid to cool beverages such as wine bottles. The sleeve is frozen prior to use, to provide cooling when placed over the bottle. This has the disadvantage that performance can suffer depending on the shape of the consumable to be cooled. To be effective, the sleeve also typically needs to be frozen separately from the bottle.

There remains a need in the art for improved insulation to keep consumables cool when removed from a fridge or freezer. It is an object of the invention to address at least one of the above problems or another problem associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

From a first aspect, the invention provides an insulation device for insulating or cooling a consumable, the insulation device comprising: a flexible insulating wrap for wrapping around a consumable, the flexible insulating wrap comprising an insulation core comprising a porous medium defining a pore volume, and a phase change material (PCM) within the pore volume; and a fastener configured to fasten the flexible insulating wrap in position around the consumable.

The consumable may be of any desired type. In various embodiments, the consumable may comprise a food or beverage item, medicine, or any other item storable in a fridge. Suitably, the consumable may comprise a bottle, can or container. In some embodiments, the consumable may have an irregular, e.g. non-symmetrical, shape.

While the insulation device is suitable for insulating or cooling a consumable, it may also be useful for insulating or cooling other items, or even a human or animal body part. Suitably, the insulation device may be utilised as a cold compress.

The phase change material (PCM) acts as a temperature moderator in the insulation device.

In particular, the PCM absorbs latent heat at a phase transition, which prevents this heat reaching the consumable.

The phase transition may suitably be from solid to liquid. However, the phase transition may also be between non-classical states of matter, such as the conformity of crystals, where the material goes from conforming to one crystalline structure to conforming to another, which may be at a higher or lower energy state.

During a phase transition from solid to liquid, the latent heat of fusion (i.e. change in enthalpy of a substance on change of state, such as from solid to liquid) is generally much higher than the sensible heat (i.e. energy moving from one system to another that changes its temperature rather than its phase). By melting at the phase change temperature (PCT), a PCM can absorb heat when it changes from solid to liquid (or when the internal structure of the material changes). PCMs are therefore able to slow the process of heat gain.

The PCM comprises material that will transition phase in a temperature range between an anticipated chilling temperature and an anticipated maximum temperature to be controlled by the insulation device. Depending on intended use, the phase change material may suitably change phase at a temperature in the range of from -20°C to 30°C.

Suitably, depending on the intended manner of chilling the device, the PCM may have a phase transition temperature in °C of at least -20, at least -15, at least -10, at least -5, at least 0, at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 10, or at least 12.

Suitably, depending on the intended maximum temperature to be controlled by the device, the PCM may have a phase transition temperature in °C of at most 30, at most 25, at most 20, at most 15, at most 12, at most 10, at most 8, at most 7, at most 6, at most 5, at most 3, at most 2, at most 0, at most -2, or at most -5.

For example, in some embodiments, the device may comprise a PCM having a phase transition temperature in °C of at most 25, at most 20 or even at most 15 or at most 10.

This may be suitable, for example, for insulating or cooling fridge-chilled consumables.

The phase transition temperature in °C of the PCM may advantageously be at least 1, at least 2 or even at least 3 or at least 5 to allow the phase change material to adopt a lower enthalpy state at fridge temperature. This allows the device to be chilled together with a fridge-chilled consumable. For example, the PCM may be brought into a frozen state, whereas the consumable remains in a liquid or unfrozen state.

Advantageously, the phase transition in °C of the PCM may be above zero. This aids freezing the PCM at higher temperatures. Additionally, this can have the advantage of mitigating the risk of ice burns when the device is brought into contact with human skin, for example if it is being used as a cold compress.

Advantageously, the phase transition temperature may be such that the PCM is liquid at ambient temperature, e.g. 21°C, but solid at fridge temperature, e.g. 2 to 5°C. When the PCM is in a liquid state this may allow the wrap to be fastened in position more conformally with the consumable. On freezing the PCM, the conformal shape may be retained.

In an embodiment, the phase change material has a phase transition temperature in the range of from 3 to 15°C, optionally in the range of from 5 to 10°C.

In some embodiments, the device may comprise a PCM having a phase transition temperature in °C of at most 5, at most -2 or even at most -5. This may be suitable, for example for insulating or cooling consumables at a lower temperature.

In embodiments where freezer chilling is intended, the phase transition temperature in °C of the PCM may conveniently be at least -20, at least -15 or even at least -10.

It has been found that, advantageously, an insulation device according to the invention can significantly slow the freezing of wrapped liquids in a freezer environment.

Conveniently, the phase transition may be a solid-liquid phase transition.

The PCM may be of any suitable type. A wide range of PCMs are known in the art. Such materials can advantageously act as a temperature moderator. In particular, such materials can be used to store heat by causing a change in the "state" or "phase" of the materials, for example from a solid to a liquid.

By way of illustration, in a solid/liquid PCM, the heat applied to the PCM in a solid state is absorbed by the PCM resulting in an increase in the temperature of the PCM. As the temperature of the PCM reaches its phase change temperature, that is the temperature at which the PCM changes from a solid state to a liquid, the PCM stops increasing in temperature and substantially maintains a constant temperature at its phase change temperature, "consuming" the heat being applied thereto and storing it as latent heat. In reverse, as the PCM drops in temperature, the sensible heat which was consumed by the change to a liquid phase and stored as latent heat is released at the phase change temperature of the PCM as the PCM changes into its solid state. As before, the PCM maintains a substantially constant temperature at its phase change temperature while giving up the stored latent heat of liquefaction as it turns into its solid state.

Latent heat is the heat gained by a substance without any accompanying rise in temperature during a change of state. In essence, it is the amount of heat necessary to change a substance from one physical phase to another (more dis-ordered), for example, the solid state to the liquid state. Once the phase change material has completely changed to the more dis-ordered phase, for example a liquid state, the temperature of the PCM begins to rise again as the applied heat is now absorbed as sensible heat.

The PCM may optionally be organic. However, inorganic PCMs are also known and could suitably be used.

An organic PCM may, for example, comprise paraffin or a paraffin-derived hydrocarbon, a carbohydrate, a lipid, or a mixture thereof. Non-limiting examples of organic PCMs include n-tetradecane (C-14), n-hexadecane (C-16), and n-octadecane (C-18) and olefin.

Alternatively or additionally, the PCM may comprise an inorganic PCM such as an inorganic salt hydrate or eutectic material. Non-limiting examples of inorganic PCMs include calcium chloride hexahydrate, Glauber's salt, Na2504.10H20, CaC12.6H20, NaHPO4.12H20, Na25203.5H20 and NaCO3.10H200. Heat and Cold Storage with PCM, Mehling, H; Cabeza, L.F, ISBN: 978-3-540-68556-2 provides information on various PCMs and phase change temperatures.

In various embodiments, the PCM is hydrophobic. For example, the PCM may comprise compounds having carbon chains of at least eight, ten or twelve carbon atoms.

Commercially, a range of PCMs are available, for example from CrodaTM under the brand CrodalhermTM.

Optionally a PCM component including a plurality of PCM materials may be within the pore volume. Alternatively, the PCM component may consist of a single PCM.

The PCM is in the pore volume of the porous medium of the insulation core.

The porous medium may optionally comprise a layer. Suitably, the layer may have a thickness in the range of from 0.5 to 20 mm, such as in the range of from 1 to 5 mm, e.g. in the range of from 1.5 to 3 mm.

The insulation core may comprise one or more layers of the porous medium. In various embodiment, the insulation core may comprise a single layer of the porous medium.

Incorporation of the PCM into the pore volume of the porous medium may have the advantage of enabling flexing where the PCM is in a solid state and would otherwise break. At the same time, such an arrangement can provide for a high level of flexing, particularly when the PCM is in a liquid state.

Advantageously, the porous medium or insulation core as a whole may retain some flexibility in all states of the PCM. For example, the porous medium or insulation core may be flexible when the PCM is in a liquid state and when the PCM is in a solid state. Typically, different degrees of flexibility will be achieved in different PCM states.

To enhance flexibility the PCM may advantageously fill only part of the pore volume, with a remaining part of the pore volume comprising air. Suitably, at least 100k or at least 20°k or at least 3 0 % or at least 4 0 % or even at least 5 0 % of the pore volume may be filled with PCM. Optionally, up to about 95%, up to 90%, up to 85% or up to 8 0 % of the pore volume may be filled with PCM.

In various embodiments, the PCM may fill in the range of from 30 to 95% of the pore volume, in particular in the range of from 40 to 90% of the pore volume, such as in the range of from 50 to 85% of the pore volume. Optionally the remainder of the pore volume may be filled with air.

Suitably, to preserve air in the pore volume, the porous medium may be substantially uncompressed.

Conveniently, the porous medium may be air and/or vapour permeable. This has the advantage of minimising condensation. It has been found that an air-open insulation core in which only part of the pore volume is filled by PCM can provide for both advantageous flexibility and permeability.

The porous medium or insulation core as a whole may show air permeability in the sense that when the porous medium or insulation core is subjected to a hydrostatic head of water and when an air pressure in the region of 9 to 13 kPa is applied to the underside, bubbles can be seen in the water above the porous medium or insulation core.

Optionally, the porous medium may have a density (basis weight) greater than about 190 g/m2, or of greater than about 200 g/m2, or of greater than about 250 g/m2, or of greater than about 270 g/m2. The porous medium may have a density in the range of from 100 g/m2 to 2500 g/m2, such as in the range of from 100 g/m2 to 2000 9/m2, or in the range of from 150 g/m2 to 1500 g/m2, or in the range of from 150 g/m2 to 1000 g/m2, or in the range of from 150 g/m2 to 750 g/m2, or in the range of from 190 g/m2 to 500 g/m2, or in the range of from 190 g/m2 to 350 g/m2, or in the range of from 200 g/m2 to 300 g/m2, or in the range of from 250 g/m2 to 300 g/m2.

Advantageously, the porous medium may be fibrous and comprise fibres. To enhance absorption capacity, the fibres of the porous medium may have a relatively small diameter. Suitably the mean fibre diameter of the fibres may be the range of from 1 to 10 pm, or in the range of from 1 to 8 pm, or in the range of from 1 to 4 pm, or in the range of from 1 to 3 pm, for example such as about 1 pm, or about 2 pm, or about 3 pm.

The amount of phase change material able to be absorbed and held within a fibrous porous medium is dependent on the total fibre surface area, which in turn is dependent on the mean fibre diameter of the fibres and the density of the porous medium. The greater the total fibre surface area, the greater the amount of phase change material that can be held within the fibrous porous medium.

The porous medium may in principle be made of any suitable material but may conveniently comprise a synthetic material. Conveniently, the porous medium may be polymeric, i.e. comprise or consist of one or more polymers (or copolymers).

In various embodiments, the porous medium comprises a polyolefin, optionally polypropylene.

Suitably, the porous medium may comprise a non-woven material. A variety of such materials are known. In various embodiments, melt-blown material has been found to provide particularly effective absorption of PCMs.

The fastener of the device may optionally be affixed to the insulating wrap.

Suitably, at least a part of the fastener may be integral with the insulating wrap.

Conveniently, the the fastener may comprise hook and loop fastening parts. The fastener may comprise a plurality of hook and/or a plurality of loop fastening parts.

To aid fastening of the insulating wrap, the fastener may optionally comprise an optionally elastic strapping portion for strapping the wrap in position.

In various embodiments, the fastener may comprise first and second cooperating parts, such that, in use, the insulation core can be held in a position wrapped around a consumable by cooperation between the first and second cooperating parts.

Suitably, at least one of the cooperating parts may be located on or integral with the insulating wrap.

In some embodiments, the first and second cooperating parts are respectively located on or integral with opposite sides of the insulating wrap.

Where the fastener comprises an optionally elastic strapping portion, optionally one or both of the cooperating parts may be on the strapping portion. Suitably, the strapping portion may be affixed at one end to the insulating wrap and comprises a free end bearing one or both of the cooperating parts.

The first and second cooperating parts comprise hook and loop fastening parts respectively.

Optionally, the insulating wrap may comprise a hook receptive outer layer constituting a loop fastening part.

In some embodiments, the wrap may comprise an overhang of an outer layer overhanging the insulation core, the overhang bearing a hook fastening part.

Suitably, the fastener may comprise a strapping portion affixed to the insulating wrap and comprising a free end bearing a hook fastening part.

In some embodiments, the wrap may comprise first and second elastic straps affixed to the insulating wrap each comprising a free end bearing a hook fastening part.

The flexible insulating wrap may advantageously comprise a laminate including first and second outer layers sandwiching the insulation core therebetween.

Suitably, the first and second outer layers may be sealed together at one or more edges thereof to define a cavity for the insulation core.

For example, the first and second outer layers may be sealed to form a pocket having an opening for insertion of the insulation core. At least one of the outer layers may form an overhang for covering the opening. Advantageously, the overhang may bear or be integral with a fastening part of the fastener.

Suitably, the first outer layer may comprise a fabric with a hook receptive outer surface, which in use acts as loops in a hook and loop fastening mechanism. The first outer layer may, for example, be selected from hook receptive polyester, nylon, fleece, wool or velvet.

Advantageously, the colour of the outer surface of the first and second layers may be selected to contrast with the colour of the PCM. This has the advantage that any leaking of the PCM from the insulation layer will show up on the outer layers.

The wrap may comprise further layers as may be required.

For example, the wrap may comprise an absorbent layer to aid the absorption of condensation.

Suitably, the second outer layer may comprise a liquid absorbent material. Additionally or alternatively, the wrap may comprise a liquid impermeable layer.

The wrap may comprise a UV reflective material. For example, a UV reflective colour, such as white, may be selected.

It has further been found that the insulating performance of the device can be enhanced by providing a convection-reducing structure for reducing convection around the wrap. This may take the form, for example, of a blanket, belt, or bag, optionally a fabric bag.

Surprisingly, it has been found that a convection-reducing structure with a relatively low R value still offers considerable benefits. Optionally the convention-reducing structure may be formed of a material with an R value of less than 1 m2K/W, optionally less than 0.5 m2K/W, or even less than 0.1 m2K/W.

Conveniently, the convection-reducing structure may comprise a fabric bag.

From a second aspect, there is provided a method of insulating or chilling an item, for example a consumable, the method comprising wrapping a flexible insulating wrap around the item, the flexible insulating wrap comprising an insulation core comprising a porous medium defining a pore volume, and a phase change material (PCM) within the pore volume; and fastening the flexible insulating wrap in position around the item.

Optionally, the method may comprise chilling the wrap and item together to a cooling temperature that freezes the PCM.

The method may advantageously comprise chilling the wrap (and optionally the item) by bringing it to a temperature greater than 0°C, such as a fridge temperature. Alternatively, chilling the wrap (and optionally the item) may comprise bringing it to a temperature of 0°C or below, for example a freezer temperature.

Optionally, the item may comprise a liquid that has a melting point below the cooling temperature.

Advantageously, the wrap may be wrapped to conformally adopt a shape of the item. This can be achieved, for example, by pushing the wrap into one or more indentations or generally concave parts of the item. Optionally, the method may comprise strapping the wrap around the item.

Suitably, the method may comprise wrapping the flexible insulating wrap around the item while the wrap is in a relatively more resilient state, e.g. with the PCM in a liquid state, and subsequently chilling the wrap to bring the wrap into a relatively less resilient but still pliable state, e.g. with the PCM in a solid state. The method may comprise improving the conformal adoption by the wrap of a shape of the item in the relatively less resilient state.

Advantageously, the wrap may be wrapped around the item in a plurality of layers. It has been found that this can further enhance insulating or chilling of the item to a surprising degree. Such layering of the wrap may form a structure of porous medium with PCM interleaved with separating layers, which is highly effective.

The consumable and insulating wrap may be as described in respect of the first aspect of the invention.

The flexible insulating wrap may form part of an insulation device as described in relation to the first aspect of the invention. Fastening the flexible insulating wrap may comprise fastening the fastener of such an insulating device. Optionally, the method may comprise covering or surrounding the wrapped item with a convection-reducing structure, optionally as described in respect of the first aspect of the invention.

From a third aspect, there is provided a method of forming a multi-layered cooling member for use as a cold compress, the method comprising bringing a flexible insulation wrap into a folded configuration, the flexible insulating wrap comprising an insulation core comprising a porous medium defining a pore volume, and a phase change material (PCM) within the pore volume; and fastening the flexible insulating wrap in the folded configuration.

Suitably, the folded configuration may comprise a plurality of superimposed layers of the insulation wrap, optionally at least four layers.

Again, the flexible insulating wrap may form part of an insulation device as described in relation to the first aspect of the invention. The wrap may be folded rather than wrapped around a consumable. Fastening the flexible insulating wrap may comprise fastening the fastener of such an insulating device. Optionally, the method may comprise covering or surrounding the folded wrap with a convection-reducing structure, optionally as described in respect of the first aspect of the invention.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of the words, for example "comprising" and "comprises", mean "including but not limited to", and do not exclude other components, integers or steps. Moreover the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires: in particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Preferred features of each aspect of the invention may be as described in connection with any of the other aspects. Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of an insulation device according to an embodiment; Figure 2 is a cross-section view of the insulation device of Fig 1; and Figure 3 is a plan view of an insulation device according to an alternative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A first embodiment of the insulation device is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. The insulation device has a flexible insulating wrap 10 which in use wraps around a consumable. The flexible insulating wrap 10 has a first layer 12 and a second layer 14, which are joined around their edges to form an internal cavity 18. The first and second layers are not joined at one end so as to form an opening 16 into the internal cavity 18. An insulating material 20 is housed within the internal cavity 18. The insulating material comprises a flexible porous medium of meltblown polymeric fibres with a phase change material within its pores. The phase change material has a melting point of about 9.5°C. An example of such a phase change material is available from CrodaTM under the brand CrodaThermTm 9.5.

A strapping portion is provided by an overhang or flap 20 of the second layer 14 at a location adjacent the opening 16.

A fastening means is provided in the form of a hook and loop fastening fastener. The first and second layers 12 and 14 are provided with a hook receptive surface on their outer surfaces, thereby forming the loop component of a hook and loop fastening. A hook component 22 of a hook and loop fastening is provided on the flap 20.

In use, the insulating wrap is wrapped around a consumable and secured in place by the hook component 22 on the flap 20 engaging with the hook receptive surface of the first or second side 12, 14. When the insulating wrap is not in use, the flap may be positioned over the opening to secure the insulating material within the cavity. The flap 20 is held in this position by the hook and loop fastening.

A second embodiment of the insulation device is illustrated in Figure 3, which has the same features as the embodiment of Figs 1 and 2 apart from the flap.

The embodiment of Fig 3 uses two elastic straps 24 instead of a flap to secure the insulating wrap around the food and/or beverage container. As with the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, a hook component of a hook and loop fastening means is attached to the straps to enable the wrap to be secured into position around the container.

Alternatively, the insulating wrap may be folded once or twice at its halfway point into a folded configuration. This allows the wrap to function as a cooling member, for example to be used as a cold compress.

Each of the embodiments may advantageously be wrapped around a consumable to conform in shape to the consumable. This is facilitated by the structure of the insulating wrap. On chilling at fridge temperature or a brief period in a freezer, the insulating wrap becomes less resilient but retains some pliability, which can be further utilised to move it into a conformal shape.

Example 1

Each of the embodiments may benefit from a convection-reducing structure. To illustrate this, the following study was carried out on the second embodiment: * Wrap a chilled bottle of the relevant liquid in a room temperature device according to the second embodiment and place in a freezer for two hours, monitoring the temperature of the liquid with a data logger.

* Take the system out of the freezer, place in a fleece bag (R-value of about 0.012) and measure the temperature of the liquid until it reaches room temperature.

* Control against identical bottle and wrap without a fleece bag.

Table 1 shows the time that the liquid stays below 12°C for after being taken out of the freezer.

Table 1

Liquid Wrap alone Wrap with fleece Increase Beer 255 mins (4 hours 15 mins) 435 mins (7 hours 15 mins) + 180 mins (3 hours) +71% Wine 255 mins (4 hours 15 mins) 345 mins (5 hours 45 mins) + 90 mins (1 hour 30 mins) +35°/0 Water (plastic) 295 mins (4 hours 55 mins) 400 mins (6 hours 40 mins) +105 mins (1 hour 45 mins) +36% Water (glass) 295 mins (4 hours 55 mins) 375 mins (6 hours 15 mins) + 80 mins (1 hour 20 mins) +27% The increase in time below 12°C from just adding a fleece bag is quite dramatic considering the only difference is a small piece of fabric with very minimal insulating properties.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An insulation device for insulating a consumable, the insulation device comprising: a flexible insulating wrap for wrapping around a consumable, the flexible insulating wrap comprising an insulation core comprising a porous medium defining a pore volume, and a phase change material (PCM) within the pore volume; and a fastener configured to fasten the flexible insulating wrap in position around the consumable.
2. An insulation device according to claim 1, wherein the phase change material has a phase transition temperature in the range of from 3 to 15°C, optionally in the range of from to 10°C.
3. An insulation device according to claim 2, wherein the phase transition is a solid-liquid phase transition.
4. An insulation device according to any preceding claim, wherein the PCM fills in the range 15 of from 30 to 95% of the pore volume.
5. An insulation device according to any preceding claim, wherein the fastener is affixed to the insulating wrap.
6. An insulation device according to any preceding claim, wherein at least a part of the fastener is integral with the insulating wrap.
7. An insulation device according to any preceding claim, wherein the fastener comprises hook and loop fastening parts.
8. An insulation device according to any preceding claim, wherein the fastener comprises an optionally elastic strapping portion for strapping the wrap in position.
9. An insulation device according to any preceding claim, wherein the fastener comprises first and second cooperating parts, such that, in use, the insulation core can be held in a position wrapped around a consumable by cooperation between the first and second cooperating parts.
10. An insulation device according to claim 9 wherein the fastener comprises an optionally elastic strapping portion and one or both of the cooperating parts is on the strapping portion.
11. An insulation device according to claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the insulating wrap comprises a hook receptive outer layer constituting a loop fastening part.
12. An insulation device according to any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein the fastener comprises a strapping portion affixed to the insulating wrap and comprising a free end bearing a hook fastening part.
13. An insulation device according to any one of claims 9 to 12 wherein the wrap comprises first and second elastic straps affixed to the insulating wrap each comprising a free end bearing a hook fastening part.
14. An insulation device according to any preceding claim, wherein the flexible insulating wrap comprises a laminate including first and second outer layers sandwiching the insulation core therebetween.
15. An insulation device according to claim 14, wherein the first and second outer layers are sealed to form a pocket having an opening for insertion of the insulation core.
16. An insulation device according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the first outer layer comprises a fabric with a hook receptive outer surface, which in use acts as loops in a hook and loop fastening mechanism.
17. An insulation device according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the colour of the outer surface of the first and second layers is selected to contrast with the colour of the PCM.
18. An insulation device according to any preceding claim, wherein the wrap comprises one or more of an absorbent layer, a liquid impermeable layer, and a UV reflective layer.
19. A method of chilling an item, the method comprising wrapping a flexible insulating wrap around the item, the flexible insulating wrap comprising an insulation core comprising a porous medium defining a pore volume, and a phase change material (PCM) within the pore volume; and fastening the flexible insulating wrap in position around the item.
20. The method of claim 19 comprising chilling the wrap and item together to a cooling temperature that freezes the PCM.
21. The method of claim 19 or claim 20 comprising chilling the wrap by bringing it to a temperature greater than 0°C, such as a fridge temperature.
22. A method according to any one of claims 19 to 21, comprising wrapping the wrap to conformally adopt a shape of the item, optionally by pushing the wrap into one or more indentations of the item and/or by strapping the wrap around the item.
23. The method of any one of claims 19 to 22, comprising wrapping the wrap around the item in a plurality of layers.
24. A method of forming a multi-layered cooling member for use as a cold compress, the method comprising bringing a flexible insulation wrap into a folded configuration, the flexible insulating wrap comprising an insulation core comprising a porous medium defining a pore volume, and a phase change material (PCM) within the pore volume; and fastening the flexible insulating wrap in the folded configuration.
25. A method according to any one of claims 19 to 24, wherein the wrap is as defined in or forms part of an insulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 18.