Cooling receptacle for vaccine bottles

Abstract

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

I claim: 
     
         1 . A cooling receptacle for vaccine bottles, comprising:
 a lower portion having a lower wall, a first annular sidewall extending from the lower wall, and an open upper end, the lower wall and the first annular sidewall each being hollow and defining open interior regions in fluid communication with one another;   an upper portion having an open lower end, an upper end having a central opening formed therethrough and a second annular sidewall, the upper end and the second annular sidewall each being hollow and defining open interior regions in fluid communication with one another, the upper portion being releasably attached to the lower portion to define a receptacle adapted for receiving a vaccine bottle; and   a refreezable material disposed in the hollow interior regions of the upper portion and the lower portion of the cooling receptacle;   whereby the cooling receptacle maintains the vaccine bottle and its contents at a cool temperature after chilling.   
     
     
         2 . The cooling receptacle for vaccine bottles as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first annular sidewall of the lower portion is substantially cylindrical. 
     
     
         3 . The cooling receptacle for vaccine bottles as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the second annular sidewall of the upper portion is substantially dome-shaped, the upper portion being adapted for receiving an upper portion of the vaccine bottle. 
     
     
         4 . The cooling receptacle for vaccine bottles as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the upper end of the upper portion of the cooling receptacle is spout-shaped. 
     
     
         5 . The cooling receptacle for vaccine bottles as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the refreezable material is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyethyl cellulose solution and vinyl-coated silica gel solution. 
     
     
         6 . The cooling receptacle for vaccine bottles as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the lower end of the upper portion defines a cylindrical internally threaded recess and the upper end of the lower portion has a cylindrical externally threaded neck, the upper portion being threaded onto the lower portion to define a receptacle dimensioned and configured for receiving the vaccine bottle, the vaccine bottle having an upper end partially extending through the central opening and above the upper portion of the cooling receptacle.