U.S. patent application number 09/769235 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-25 for reusable cooler bag.
Invention is credited to Greene, Gary Keith.
Application Number | 20020095946 09/769235 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25084873 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020095946 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Greene, Gary Keith |
July 25, 2002 |
REUSABLE COOLER BAG
Abstract
A reusable, multi-walled cooler bag for maintaining a cool
temperature within the bag includes: (a) a front portion comprised
of at least one front layer; (b) a rear portion comprised of at
least one rear layer, the layers being identical to one another,
the front portion being sealed to the rear portion along at least
two of its edges, the bag having a closable opening at its upper
end; and (c) a reclosable fastener mechanism for opening and
closing the opening in the bag; wherein the front or rear portions
hold nontoxic coolant material between the front and/or rear
layers; and the bag has a water-tight interior for storing items to
be kept cool.
Inventors: |
Greene, Gary Keith; (Ladson,
SC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KATHLEEN M HARLESTON
THE HARLESTON LAW FIRM
909 TALL PINE ROAD
MT PLEASANT
SC
29464
|
Family ID: |
25084873 |
Appl. No.: |
09/769235 |
Filed: |
January 24, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/457.2 ;
62/371; 62/530 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 3/08 20130101; F25D
2303/0831 20130101; F25D 2331/801 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/457.2 ;
62/371; 62/530 |
International
Class: |
F25D 003/08 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A reusable, multi-layered cooler bag for maintaining a cool
temperature within the bag, the bag comprising: (a) a front portion
comprised of at least one front layer, the front layers being
identical to one another; (b) a rear portion comprised of at least
one rear layer, the rear layers being identical to one another, the
front portion being sealed to the rear portion along at least two
of its edges, the bag having a closable opening at its upper end;
and (c) a reclosable fastener mechanism for opening and closing the
opening in the bag; and wherein the front or rear portions further
comprise nontoxic coolant material between at least two of the
front or rear layers; and wherein the bag has a water-tight
interior for storing items to be kept cool.
2. A bag according to claim 1, wherein the front and rear portions
are rectangular in shape, and each comprise two of the layers: an
inner layer bordering the interior of the bag, and an outer layer
on the exterior of the bag, each portion comprising the coolant
material between the layers.
3. A bag according to claim 2, wherein two or more
rectangular-shaped compartments are formed in the front or rear
portions of the bag by quilting the inner and outer layers
together.
4. A bag according to claim 3, wherein the front and rear portions
are mirror images of each other; each portion comprising two
same-sized compartments; and at least one of the compartments
holding the coolant material.
5. A bag according to claim 1, further comprising a flexible third,
bottom portion, which is sealed around its periphery to the front
and rear portions.
6. A bag according to claim 5, further comprising one or two carry
straps, each carry strap being attached at its opposite ends to the
bag, the bag being comprised of a plastic material.
7. A bag according to claim 3, wherein the bag further comprises a
removable fabric outer covering, which fits closely over the
exterior of the bag.
8. A bag according to claim 3, wherein the interior of the bag is
divided into two sections by an interior wall between the front and
rear portions.
9. A bag according to claim 8, wherein one interior section is
bordered by front and rear portion compartments containing the
coolant material, and an adjacent interior section is bordered by
front and rear portion compartments that are not filled with
coolant material.
10. A bag according to claim 3, wherein each compartment is formed
by a pocket, each pocket holding a removable packet containing the
coolant material.
11. A bag according to claim 10, wherein each pocket comprises a
second reclosable fastener mechanism for fastening the opening of
the pocket once the coolant packet has been inserted in the
pocket.
12. A bag according to claim 2, wherein the bag comprises a
plurality of compartments, each at least partially filled with the
coolant material; and further comprises reinforcing seams along
each edge, and a handle at the top for carrying the bag.
13. A bag according to claim 12, wherein the bag is made of a clear
or opaque plastic material, the coolant material is clear or
opaque, and the bag further comprises a plurality of decorative
figures or shapes suspended in the coolant material.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present device is a reusable, multi-walled cooler bag,
with a reclosable fastener mechanism, for storing and keeping items
cool.
[0003] 2. Background Information
[0004] Each weekday morning, parents all over America are inserting
frozen packs of coolant into their children's lunch boxes to keep
their sandwiches and drinks cool until lunch time at school.
Unfortunately, these packs of coolant seem to disappear in the
recesses of the freezer or on the trip home from school. Also, they
often will not fit into the lunch box, or do not properly cover the
desired item, or they cool one side of the lunch, but not the
other. The coolant packs are often soiled from contact with food
items or spilled beverages. The same is true of packing beverages
for ball games, snacks for long car trips, etc.
[0005] These problems and others have been solved by the
inexpensive, reusable cooler bag of the present invention. This
easy to use, double-lined cooler bag for storing items and keeping
them cool has a thin layer of coolant between each double liner on
the front and rear portions of the bag. A user places the bag in a
conventional freezer prior to using it. The bag ensures that items
inside are stored at an appropriate cool temperature for hours. A
reclosable fastener mechanism at the top of the bag keeps items in
place inside, and also helps maintain a cool temperature inside the
bag.
[0006] With the present invention, there is no need to locate
separate, ill-fitting commercially available packs of frozen
coolant, or to try to fit oddly shaped frozen packs of coolant into
a small, packed lunch box. Since the bag and coolant are in one
unit, a step in packing lunches/beverages is saved. The cooler bag
of the present invention maintains an even, cool temperature across
the entire inside of the bag. This cooler bag can easily be cleaned
and reused. Since it is inexpensive, it can easily be disposed of
if it becomes worn or overly soiled.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is a reusable, multi-walled cooler bag
for maintaining a cool temperature within the bag. The bag
includes:
[0008] (a) a front portion comprised of at least one front layer,
the front layers being identical to one another;
[0009] (b) a rear portion comprised of at least one rear layer, the
rear layers being identical to one another, the front portion being
sealed to the rear portion along at least two of its edges, the bag
having a closable opening at its upper end; and
[0010] (c) a reclosable fastener mechanism for opening and closing
the opening in the bag; and
[0011] wherein the front or rear portions further comprise nontoxic
coolant material between at least two of the front or rear layers;
and wherein the bag has a water-tight interior for storing items to
be kept cool.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] A more complete understanding of the invention and its
advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein
examples of the invention are shown, and wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooler bag according to
the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second, alternate
embodiment of a cooler bag according to the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 shows a cross section of the cooler bag of FIG.
2;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the cooler bag of FIG.
2;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the cooler bag of FIG.
2;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the cooler bag of FIG.
2, the opposite side being a mirror image of the side shown in FIG.
6;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a third, alternate
embodiment of a cooler bag according to the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a fourth, alternate
embodiment of a cooler bag according to the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a fifth, alternate
embodiment of a cooler bag according to the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 10 is an elevational view of a coolant packet for the
cooler bag of FIG. 9;
[0023] FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the cooler bag of FIG.
9;
[0024] FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of a sixth, alternative
embodiment of a cooler bag according to the present invention;
and
[0025] FIG. 13 is a top plan view of a seventh, alternative
embodiment of a cooler bag according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] In the following description, like reference characters
designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views.
Also, in the following description, it is to be understood that
such terms as "front," "rear," "within," and the like are words of
convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms.
Referring in more detail to the drawings, the invention will now be
described.
[0027] Turning first to FIG. 1, a deformable, reusable bag,
generally referred to as 10, is usable as a sealable container for
holding one or several items and keeping them cool. Although it can
be used for other items, it is primarily intended to contain food
or beverage containers, such as 12 ounce soda cans or baby bottles.
The bag may be made in various sizes, so it will accommodate, for
example, a lunch, a six pack of beer, a dozen brownies, or a baby
bottle and baby food. The front portion 11 of the bag 10 shown in
FIG. 1 is divided into an upper quadrant 12 and a lower quadrant
13. The rear portion 14 of the bag 10 mirrors the front of the bag.
The front portion 11 of the bag 10 is sealed to the rear portion 14
of the bag along both opposite sides. The bag 10 folds relatively
flat when not in use.
[0028] Continuing with FIG. 1, the bag comprises a resealable
fastener mechanism 15 at the top. The fastener mechanism 15 is
preferably two complementary strips of lock and loop material, with
a first strip 16 of lock and loop material attached to the front
portion 11 of the bag along its top edge, and a second,
complementary strip 17 attached to the rear portion 14 of the bag
along its top edge. To fasten the bag after inserting items in it,
a user holds the bag with one hand and runs a thumb and forefinger
along the outside of the lock and loop strips, beginning at one end
of the bag and finishing at the opposite end. To unfasten the bag,
the user can grasp the front of the bag at the top with one hand
and the rear of the bag at the top with the other hand, and pull
the two strips of lock and loop material apart.
[0029] To use the cooler bag of the present invention, a user
places it inside a conventional freezer for a period of time
sufficient to cool the coolant material in the bag, for example,
overnight. The bag may be stored flat or upright in the freezer.
After removing the bag 10 from the freezer, the user places the
desired items in the bag, and seals the fastener mechanism 15 at
the top of the bag. The sealed bag will normally maintain a cool
internal environment for a number of hours, especially if the items
are already cool when they are placed in the bag. Also, freezable
items can be placed inside the bag prior to its placement in the
freezer, and frozen with the bag. These items would stay cool even
longer at room temperature. If desired, an item, e.g., a can of
soda, may be removed from the bag, and the bag may be resealed for
continued cooling of the remaining items in the bag.
[0030] FIGS. 2 through 6 illustrate a second, alternate embodiment
of a resealable bag according to the present invention. In this
embodiment, each upper and lower quadrant 12, 13 of the bag is
divided into fourths. As shown in the latitudinal cross section of
the bag shown in FIG. 3, the front portion 11 comprises two front
walls 18, 19, and the rear portion 14 of the bag comprises two rear
walls 20, 21. All four walls are most preferably identical to one
another in size. In between the front walls 18, 19 is a
conventional, freezable coolant, and likewise for the rear walls
20, 21. Two of the walls 19, 21 face inwards towards the inside of
the bag, and two of the walls 18, 20 face outward. The front walls
are sealed to each other on all four sides, and the same is true of
the two rear walls. Thus, outer front wall 18 is attached to inner
front wall 19 on all four side edges, with a coolant in between.
Similarly, outer rear wall 20 is attached to inner rear wall 21 on
all four side edges, with coolant in between the two layers.
[0031] Continuing with FIGS. 4-6, the bag 10 may be folded along a
front center seam 22 when it is not in use for easier storage (see
FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 5, the bottom of the bag has a bottom
central seam 23, where the front portion 11 is seamed to the rear
portion 14. In constructing the bag, some of the layers may be
formed from a single piece of material which is folded along one
edge and then sealed along two opposite side edges. Once the thin
layer of coolant is inserted between the inner and outer layers,
the fourth side is sealed. This forms the front, or rear, portion
of the bag. A side seam 24 is shown in FIG. 6.
[0032] It is preferred that all four layers be made of the same
material, most preferably plastic. The bag 10 may further comprise
an inner liner (e.g., rubber) for reinforcement, and/or an outer
material (e.g., fabric). These additional layers would cushion the
contents of the bag, and protect the double layers from inadvertent
punctures from inside or outside the bag.
[0033] The embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-6 has a total of sixteen
compartments 25. The compartments hold the coolant in place, so
that, for example, the coolant does not leak down to the lower part
of the bag when the bag is upended. The compartments 25 keep the
coolant evenly distributed over the bag, so that the bag's contents
are evenly cooled. Since it is evenly distributed, a thin layer of
coolant is sufficient, depending on the particular coolant being
employed. The bag is therefore lightweight and yet effective in
cooling the bag's contents. This "quilted" bag, where the quilt
seams form multiple compartments (e.g., 8-64 compartments), is
preferred where the bag 10 is large in size. The compartments 25
keep the coolant evenly distributed, and the whole bag is not
ruined if one compartment is accidentally punctured. The
compartments can be formed, for example, by seaming the outer front
wall 18 to the inner front wall 19, or the outer rear wall 20 to
the inner rear wall 21, along the "quilt" lines before the coolant
is added. Seams can be made, for example, by gluing or heat
treating the plastic.
[0034] Thus, the bag 10 includes: (a) a front portion 11 comprised
of at least one front layer, the front layers, or walls 18, 19,
being identical to one another; (b) a rear portion 14 comprised of
at least one rear layer, the rear layers, or walls 20, 21, being
identical to one another, the front portion 11 being sealed to the
rear portion along at least two of its edges, the bag 10 having a
closable opening at its upper end; and (c) a reclosable fastener
mechanism 15 for opening and closing the opening in the bag. The
front or rear portions 11, 14 further comprise nontoxic coolant
material between at least two of the front 18, 19 or rear layers
20, 21; and the bag has a water-tight interior for storing items to
be kept cool. The front and rear portions are preferably generally
rectangular in shape, and each comprise two of the layers: an inner
layer, or wall 19, 21 bordering the interior of the bag, and an
outer layer, or wall 18, 20, on the exterior of the bag, each
portion comprising the coolant material between the layers.
Preferably, two or more rectangular-shaped compartments 25 are
formed in the front or rear portions of the bag by quilting the
inner and outer layers together. Preferably, the front and rear
portions are mirror images of each other; each portion 11, 14
comprising two same-sized compartments 25; with at least one, most
preferably about half, of the compartments 25 holding the coolant
material.
[0035] Suitable coolants for use herein are liquid or gel at room
temperature and freeze when placed in a conventional household-type
freezer at between about 25 and 31 degrees Fahrenheit for several
hours. The coolant need not freeze rigid, but should maintain a
temperature of between about 30 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit for
several hours at room temperature after being removed from the
freezer. The bag of the present invention may be made of a
material, or comprise one or more layers of material, which
insulates the coolant and prolongs the maintenance of cool
temperatures over time. Suitable coolants, which are also called
ice substitutes or cooler retention substances, are nontoxic. Water
with an antimicrobial substance dissolved in it is suitable, though
less preferred. Gel coolant material is preferred.
[0036] The cooler bag of the present invention can be carried as
is, or it can be placed inside another container, such as a
backpack, bookbag, tote bag, briefcase, diaper bag, or larger
cooler, for transport. If need be, the present bag can be used to
cool items inside a large ice chest, and can later be taken out and
used to store a few items previously stored in the large ice chest.
This is useful, for example, on a long road trip, where food items
from the ice chest are being consumed along the way. Towards the
end of the trip, there is no need to try to keep the large ice
chest cool when the few remaining items can be stored within the
bag of the present invention. This cooler bag can be brought to the
races, to ball games, hiking, camping, fishing, and to school. It
can be used to store cans, bottles, various containers, food items,
or medicines, for example.
[0037] The bag 10 may fit into an outer sleeve of a material,
preferably a fabric, which insulates the coolant and absorbs or
prevents sweat on the outside of the bag from wetting the user's
hands, clothing, purse, briefcase, etc. The outer sleeve may also
provide cushioning of the bag's contents against impact, and
protection from inadvertent puncture. An outer sleeve with a flat
bottom is preferred to hold the bag erect when it is placed on a
flat surface. The outer sleeve may have attached carry straps and
be used as a carry bag, such as a soft cooler, diaper bag, or lunch
bag.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 7, an alternate embodiment of the bag has
eight vertical compartments 25, four in the front portion 11 and
four in the rear portion 14, and a lock and loop fastener mechanism
15. In the multiple compartment embodiments of the present
invention (see, e.g., FIGS. 2 and 7), if one compartment is
accidentally punctured and the nontoxic coolant leaks out, other
compartments will continue to cool the bag, and the bag need not be
discarded. Different degrees of cooling can also be achieved by
varying the number and arrangement of compartments carrying the
coolant.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 8, an alternate embodiment is shown with a
flap closure 26 rather than a lock and loop closure, and a handle
27. The flap closure may have a snap closure attached, or a short
strip of lock and loop on the inside of the flap, with a
corresponding strip of lock and loop material on the outside of the
front of the bag (not shown). To access the contents of the bag, a
user pulls back the flap closure 26. The front portion of the bag
may be slightly wider than the rear portion of the bag to allow the
front to be pulled further away once the flap is open. This makes
the contents more accessible. The handle 27 is attached to the top
of the flap/bag. The handle 27 makes it easy to carry the bag on
its own. This embodiment is especially useful as a lightweight
child's lunch bag.
[0040] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 11, an alternate embodiment of the
cooler bag 10 has a carry strap 28. The bag preferably has one or
two carry straps 28, each one being attached at its opposite ends
to the bag 10. This embodiment has a flat bottom, which is
preferably plastic, which resembles a child's wading pool. The
bottom is a flexible third portion 29 attached to the front portion
11 and the rear portion 14 of the bag, as shown in FIG. 11. Rather
than being two pieces sealed at the side edges, the front and rear
portions may be one continuous doubled piece of plastic-type
material sealed along one edge. This edge forms either the left or
right side of the bag. As shown in FIG. 11, the bottom portion 29
is generally oval in shape and is preferably sealed around its
periphery to the bottom edges of the front and rear portions 11,
14. The bottom portion 29 is preferably not a double layer with
coolant in between the layers, like the front and rear portions.
When the frozen bag 10 is placed upright, it stands erect on its
bottom. This makes the contents of the bag easier to access. With
this flat bottom portion 29, the bag 10 will not fall over when it
is put down on a flat surface, like the floor. The bag may have a
removable outer fabric covering, which fits closely over the
exterior of the bag. The covering improves the appearance of the
bag, and cushions and protects the contents of the bag from impact
and puncturing. The bag is preferably detachable from the covering,
so the covering need not be placed in the freezer with the bag. An
insulative cover fabric is preferred to help maintain a cool
interior environment. This embodiment is particularly useful as a
convenient baby bottle/food bag.
[0041] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, coolant for use herein may be
as described above, or it may be enclosed in removable packages. A
coolant packet 30 can be removed, for example, from one or two
quadrants (see also FIG. 1) where cooling is not desired. Thus, the
bag may be divided into a cooled portion, (e.g., for holding a baby
bottle) and an uncooled portion (e.g., for holding unopened jars of
baby food). Here, the compartments 25 on the outer front wall 18,
and the outer rear wall 20, are open at the top to form pockets 31,
as shown in FIG. 9. The coolant packets 30, or bricks, are slightly
smaller than, and shaped like, the compartments, as illustrated in
FIG. 10. The coolant packets 30 fit closely into the pockets 31. To
use the coolant bricks, a user freezes them for several hours, and
then places them in the desired compartments of the cooler bag.
This allows the user to customize the bag. In this embodiment, the
coolant can be placed only where it is needed.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 9, then, each compartment 25 can be formed
by a pocket 31, and each pocket holds a removable packet 30
containing the coolant material. Each pocket 31 preferably
comprises a second reclosable fastener mechanism 32 for fastening
the opening of the pocket once the coolant packet 30 has been
inserted in the pocket. After use, the fastening mechanism 32,
preferably corresponding strips of lock and loop material on the
inside front and rear of the pocket, can be opened and the coolant
packet can be removed to clean the bag, or to freeze the coolant
packet apart from the bag. FIG. 9 shows a bag 10 in an open
position with eight pockets 31, with four in front. One or more
pockets can have second reclosable fastener mechanisms 32.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 12, the upper, and/or lower, edge of the
front, and/or rear, portions may have double seams 33 for
reinforcement. The sides of each portion, front and rear, may also
have double seams 33 for reinforcement, and also to provide
flexibility, which is especially important where both portions are
filled with coolant material. In this case, there would be no
coolant between the inner and outer seams along all four edges. A
preferred embodiment of the bag 10 comprises a plurality of
compartments 25, each at least partially filled with the coolant
material, as shown in FIG. 12. It further comprises these
reinforcing seams 33 along each edge, and a handle 27 at the top
for carrying the bag. This preferred embodiment is made of a clear
or opaque plastic material, and the coolant material is clear or
opaque. The bag further comprises a plurality of decorative FIGS.
34 or shapes, which can be seen floating in the coolant material,
as shown in FIG. 12. The FIGS. 34 can be, for example, animals,
plants, such as flowers, designs, such as hearts, or cartoon
characters, such as a mermaid. This embodiment appeals to
children.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 13, the interior of the bag is divided into
two sections 35 by an interior wall 36 between the front and rear
portions 11, 14. One interior section (either the left or right
section, as shown in FIG. 13) is bordered by front and rear portion
compartments 25 containing the coolant material, and an adjacent
interior section 35 is bordered by front and rear portion
compartments 25 that are not filled with coolant material. Food
items or beverages that require cooling can be stored in the cooled
section, and other items that do not require cooling can be stored
in the section on the other side of the bag.
[0045] With testing to assure a desired internal temperature, bags
according to the present invention could also be used by medical
personnel to transport human organs or tissues from one hospital to
another. Cooler bags 10 can be used as an ice pack normally would
be used. For example, a user could place an injured hand or foot in
a frozen bag of the present invention to reduce swelling and/or
blood flow.
[0046] From the foregoing it can be realized that the described
device of the present invention may be easily and conveniently
utilized as a cooler bag. It is to be understood that any
dimensions given herein are illustrative, and are not meant to be
limiting.
[0047] While preferred embodiments of the invention have been
described using specific terms, this description is for
illustrative purposes only. It will be apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art that various modifications,
substitutions, omissions, and changes may be made without departing
from the spirit or scope of the invention, and that such are
intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined
by the following claims. It is intended that the doctrine of
equivalents be relied upon to determine the fair scope of these
claims in connection with any other person's product which fall
outside the literal wording of these claims, but which in reality
do not materially depart from this invention.
[0048] Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal
the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying
current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications
without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art,
fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or
specific aspects of this invention.
* * * * *