1.Definition of Gel Ice Packs
Gel ice packs are a type of biologically synthesized high-energy storage ice, an upgraded version of ordinary ice packs. Compared to ordinary ice packs, they have increased cold storage capacity and release cold more evenly, effectively extending the cooling duration. In their normal state, gel ice packs are transparent gel blocks resembling jelly. During the freezing energy storage process, they do not easily deform or bulge, maintaining good regularity. There is no risk of leaking and contaminating low-temperature items. Even if the packaging is completely damaged, the gel remains in its jelly-like state, not flowing or leaking, and will not soak low-temperature pharmaceuticals.
2.Usage Scenarios and Freezing of Gel Ice Packs
The usage method of gel ice packs is the same as that of ordinary ice packs. First, place the gel ice pack in a low-temperature environment to freeze it completely. Then, take out the gel ice pack and place it in a sealed insulation box or insulation bag along with the items to be shipped. (Note: The ice pack itself is not cold and needs to be frozen before it can be effective in keeping things cool!)
2.1 How to Freeze Gel Ice Packs for Home Use
For home use, you can place the gel ice pack flat in the freezer compartment of a refrigerator. Freeze it thoroughly for more than 12 hours until it becomes completely solid (when pressed by hand, the ice pack should not deform). Only then can it be used for cold chain packaging and transportation of food or pharmaceuticals.
2.2 How to Freeze Gel Ice Packs at Distribution Points
For use at distribution points, gel ice packs can be frozen by placing entire boxes of them in a horizontal freezer. They need to be thoroughly frozen for more than 14 days until they become completely solid (when pressed by hand, the ice pack should not deform). Only then can they be used for cold chain packaging and transportation of food or pharmaceuticals.
To speed up the freezing process, you can reduce the quantity being frozen and lay the gel ice packs flat in the freezer. Freeze them thoroughly for more than 12 hours until they become completely solid (when pressed by hand, the ice pack should not deform). Alternatively, gel ice packs can be transferred to special freezing racks for ice packs and ice boxes, placed in the freezer, and frozen thoroughly for more than 10 hours until they become completely solid (when pressed by hand, the ice pack should not deform).
2.3 How to Freeze Ice Packs at Terminal Warehouses
For use in large terminal warehouses, gel ice packs can be packaged in perforated cardboard boxes and placed on pallets for freezing in a cold storage room with a temperature below -10°C. This method ensures that the gel ice packs will be completely frozen in 25 to 30 days. Alternatively, perforated plastic turnover boxes can be used to package the gel ice packs, and placed on pallets in the cold storage room with a temperature below -10°C. This method ensures that the gel ice packs will be completely frozen in 17 to 22 days.
Additionally, a low-temperature quick-freezing room can be used to freeze gel ice packs. These rooms have lower temperatures and higher cooling capacity, typically between -35°C and -28°C. In a low-temperature quick-freezing room, gel ice packs packaged in perforated cardboard boxes can be completely frozen in just 7 days, and those packaged in perforated plastic turnover boxes can be completely frozen in just 5 days.
Shanghai Huizhou Industrial Co., Ltd. has optimized these freezing methods and achieved significant results: In a cold storage room with a temperature below -10°C, gel ice packs packaged in perforated cardboard boxes can be completely frozen in just 4 days, and those packaged in perforated plastic turnover boxes can be completely frozen in just 3 days. In a low-temperature quick-freezing room with temperatures between -35°C and -28°C, gel ice packs packaged in perforated cardboard boxes can be completely frozen in just 16 hours, and those packaged in perforated plastic turnover boxes can be completely frozen in just 14 hours.
3.Types and Applicable Scenarios of Huizhou’s Gel Ice Packs
Shanghai Huizhou Industrial Co., Ltd. is a high-tech enterprise in the cold chain industry, established on April 19, 2011. The company is dedicated to providing professional cold chain temperature control packaging solutions for food and fresh products (fresh fruits and vegetables, beef, lamb, poultry, seafood, frozen foods, baked goods, chilled dairy) and pharmaceutical cold chain customers (biopharmaceuticals, blood products, vaccines, biological samples, in vitro diagnostic reagents, animal health). Our products include insulation products (foam boxes, insulation boxes, insulation bags) and refrigerants (ice packs, ice boxes).
We produce a wide range of gel ice packs:
By weight:
– 65g gel ice packs
– 100g gel ice packs
– 200g gel ice packs
– 250g gel ice packs
– 500g gel ice packs
– 650g gel ice packs
By material:
– PE/PET composite film
– PE/PA composite film
– 30% PCR composite film
– PE/PET/non-woven fabric composite film
– PE/PA/non-woven fabric composite film
Gel ice packs made with PE/PET composite film and PE/PA composite film are mainly used for the cold chain transportation of animal health vaccines. The 30% PCR composite film is primarily exported to countries such as the UK. Gel ice packs made with PE/PET/non-woven fabric and PE/PA/non-woven fabric are mainly used for the cold chain transportation of lychees and pharmaceutical vaccines.
By packaging shape:
– Back seal
– Three-side seal
– Four-side seal
– M-shaped bags
By phase change point:
– -12°C gel ice packs
– -5°C gel ice packs
– 0°C gel ice packs
– 5°C gel ice packs
– 10°C gel ice packs
– 18°C gel ice packs
– 22°C gel ice packs
– 27°C gel ice packs
The -12°C and -5°C gel ice packs are mainly used for the cold chain transportation of frozen foods and pharmaceuticals. The 0°C gel ice packs are primarily used for the cold chain transportation of refrigerated fruits and vegetables. The 5°C, 10°C, 18°C, 22°C, and 27°C gel ice packs are mainly used for the cold chain transportation of pharmaceuticals.
