Small ice packs and method of manufacturing the same

Claim 1

A closure member for an ice pack comprising: a substantially planar elongate blade-like member having inwardly tapered end surfaces and a rib extending substantially the length thereof along the base, one of said tapered end surfaces having a notch formed internally thereof and having a cut formed in the base thereof proximate said notched end surface such that said end surface is flexible inwardly of the blade member; a sheath member, dimensioned to receive the blade member, having two substantially parallel sidewalls connected by a roof portion, said sidewalls having a plurality of longitudinal ribs extending the length thereof and integral therewith, said sidewalls having open, outwardly tapered end surfaces dimensioned to conform substantially to the end surfaces of said blade-like member, the length of said sheath member being slightly less than said blade-like member; a flexible member connecting one end surface of said sheath member to the unnotched end surface of said blade-like member, said hinge dimensioned to permit said blade-like member to be selectively moved into and out of registration with said sheath member; and said sheath member having a flange disposed along the base thereof extending outwardly of said end surfaces and dimensioned to engage said notched end surface of said blade-like member such that the notched end surface of said blade-like member is compressed inwardly of the blade member when said blade member is forced into said sheath member to lock said blade-like member into registration with said sheath member.