U.S. patent application number 10/642211 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-26 for divided insulated container.
Invention is credited to Mogil, Mevin S..
Application Number | 20040035143 10/642211 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31890885 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040035143 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mogil, Mevin S. |
February 26, 2004 |
Divided insulated container
Abstract
A portable soft sided insulated container has an impermeable
liner that provides a liquid holding barrier. The liner is folded
from a single monolithic plastic sheet to reduce or eliminate the
need for heat welded seams. The liner seats within the container
and has a releasable attachment around its lip for mating with the
rim of the container. The container has an insulated lid so that
the entire assembly may be closed. The liner can be removed for
cleaning, or replacement if punctured. When not in use the entire
assembly can be folded into a collapsed position for storage. The
container has two storage chambers that share a common insulated
dividing wall.
Inventors: |
Mogil, Mevin S.; (Toronto,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ARENT FOX KINTNER PLOTKIN & KAHN, PLLC
SUITE 400
1050 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20036-5339
US
|
Family ID: |
31890885 |
Appl. No.: |
10/642211 |
Filed: |
August 18, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10642211 |
Aug 18, 2003 |
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09323202 |
Jun 1, 1999 |
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6234677 |
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09323202 |
Jun 1, 1999 |
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09199287 |
Nov 25, 1998 |
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6238091 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
62/457.2 ;
383/110; 383/6; 62/457.7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 7/0077 20130101;
F25D 2331/801 20130101; A45C 11/20 20130101; A45C 3/00 20130101;
A45C 13/02 20130101; F25D 3/08 20130101; F25D 2201/126
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/457.2 ;
383/110; 383/6; 62/457.7 |
International
Class: |
B65D 033/06; B65D
030/08; B65D 081/38; F25D 003/08 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A soft-sided insulated container assembly comprising: a lower
portion having a rectangular base having a pair of long edges and a
pair of short edges; soft-sided insulated front and rear walls
attached to, and extending upwardly from, said long edges,
soft-sided insulated end walls attached to, and extending upwardly
from, said short sides, said front and rear walls and said end
walls co-operating with said base to define said lower portion; an
upper portion mounted above said lower portion, said upper portion
having a pair of end walls, each of said end walls having a lower
margin mounted adjacent to one of said end walls of said lower
portion, and an upper edge, said upper edge having a downwardly
concave arcuate profile, and a soft-sided insulated spanning wall
extending between said end walls of said upper portion, said
spanning wall conforming to said concave arcuate profile.
2. The soft-sided insulated container assembly of claim 1 wherein:
said front, rear and end walls of said lower portion have
respective upper margins; said spanning wall of said upper portion
has front and rear lower margins; and said lower portion is joined
to said upper portion by a hinge, said hinge being connected to
said upper margin of said rear wall of said lower portion and to
said rear lower margin of said spanning wall of said upper
portion.
3. The soft-sided insulated container assembly of claim 1 wherein
said container has a center of gravity and has a suspension member
attached thereto at a location above said center of gravity
whereby, when carried by said suspension member, said lower portion
will hang below said upper portion.
4. The soft-sided, insulated container assembly of claim 1 wherein
said spanning wall has a crest, and said container has a handle
mounted along said crest, whereby, when carried by said handle said
lower portion is below said upper portion.
5. A soft sided insulated container assembly comprising: a first
insulated container portion, a second insulated container portion
and a common wall shared between said first and second container
portions; said first container portion having a first insulated
wall structure and a first chamber defined therewithin; said second
container portion having a second insulated wall structure and a
second chamber defined therewithin; said common wall being a
partition member segregating said first and second chambers from
each other, said partition member having a first closure member
mounted thereto operable to control access to said first chamber,
and having a second closure member mounted thereto operable to
control access to said second chamber; said common wall having an
edge and a hinge mounted along said edge, said hinge permitting
said first container portion to move relative to said second
container portion; and said first chamber being maintainable at a
different environmental condition from that of said second
chamber.
6. The soft sided collapsible container of claim 5 wherein one of
said insulated container portions has a liner for containing
liquids mounted within its respective chamber.
7. The soft sided container of claim 5 wherein said common wall has
a receptacle mounted thereto, said receptacle having an interior
for receiving a thermal energy storage element, said receptacle
having a vented portion to permit air from one of said chambers to
communicate with said interior.
8. The soft sided container of claim 5 wherein said container has a
receptacle for receiving a thermal energy storage element, said
receptacle being mounted within one of said chambers, and a thermal
energy storage element mounted therein.
9. The soft-sided container of claim 8 wherein said receptacle is
mounted to said common wall.
10. The soft-sided container of claim 5 wherein said first wall
structure has an opening defined therein to give access to said
first chamber, and said common wall is moveable from a first
position closing said opening of said first chamber, to a second
position permitting access to said first chamber, said common wall
having a periphery corresponding to said opening of said first
chamber, said first closure member being mounted to at least a
portion of said periphery and to said first wall structure about at
least a portion of said opening of said first chamber, said closure
member being operable to control opening of said common wall
relative to said first chamber.
11. The soft-sided container of claim 5 wherein said partition
includes a thermally insulative layer for discouraging heat
transfer through said partition.
12. The soft-sided container of claim 11 wherein said partition has
a receptacle mounted thereto for receiving a thermal energy storage
element, said receptacle has venting wall oriented toward one of
said first and second chambers, and, when a thermal storage element
is mounted in said receptacle, air from said one chamber can
communicate therewith through said venting.
13. The soft-sided container of claim 5 wherein: said first chamber
is a lower chamber, said second chamber is an upper chamber, and
said partition is located above said first chamber, said partition
being moveable to open and close said first chamber; said partition
is located below said second chamber, said partition being moveable
to open and close said second chamber, said partition has an upper
face upon which, in use, objects can rest; said receptacle has a
lower face, and a receptacle mounted adjacent to said lower face,
said receptacle being exposed to said first chamber; and said
partition has a peripheral wall extending about said upper face for
discouraging said objects from being displaced from said upper face
in use.
14. The soft-sided, insulated container of claim 5 wherein: said
first insulated wall structure has a bottom wall, a front wall, a
rear wall and first and second end walls co-operating to form a
five sided, open topped rectangular box; said second insulated wall
structure has a pair of end walls, each of said end walls having a
downwardly concave profile, and a spanning wall extending between
said end walls and conforming to said downwardly concave
profile.
15. A soft-sided container assembly comprising: a first insulated
wall structure having a primary chamber defined therewithin; a
second insulated wall structure having a secondary chamber defined
therewithin; said second insulated structure being removably
locatable within said first insulated wall structure; said primary
structure having a receptacle mounted therewithin for containing a
thermal energy storage element, said receptacle being vented to
permit air exchange between said first chamber and said
receptacle.
16. The soft-sided container assembly of claim 15 wherein said
primary structure has a first portion, a second portion, and a
closure member operable to permit said first portion to be
displaced relative to said second portion, thereby giving access to
a first volume defined within said first portion, and a second
volume defined within said second portion, and said primary
structure has a divider mounted between said first and second
portions.
17. The soft-sided container assembly of claim 16 wherein said
divider is suspended between said first and second volumes, and has
a receptacle mounted thereto for receiving a thermal energy storage
element.
18. The soft-sided container assembly of claim 16 wherein said
divider is releasably attachable to said primary structure along at
least a portion thereof, said divider being moveable between an
open position for facilitating access to said second volume.
19. The soft-sided container assembly of claim 16 wherein: said
first portion is a lower portion of said structure having a
rectangular base wall and an upstanding wall having front, rear,
left and right hand side portions extending upwardly of said base;
said second portion is an upper portion having a pair of ends and a
longitudinal member extending between said ends, said longitudinal
member having a lower rear edge; said upper portion being hingedly
attached to an upper edge of said rear side portion and to said
lower rear edge of said longitudinal member; said primary structure
includes a divider suspended between said first and second
portions, said divider being moveable to facilitate access to said
first portion; and said divider having said receptacle mounted in a
suspended position relative thereto.
20. The soft sided container of claim 15 wherein said first and
second insulated wall structures are attachable to each other to
discourage relative movement therebetween in use.
21. A soft-sided insulated container assembly, comprising: an first
soft-sided insulated wall structure having a rectangular base, and
rectangular sides extending upwardly from said rectangular base,
said first insulated wall structure having a first insulated
chamber defined therewithin, a second soft-sided insulated wall
structure having a pair of end walls, said end walls having upper
margins defining a lid contour, and a longitudinal wall extending
between said end walls and conforming to said lid contour, said
second insulated wall structure defining a second insulated chamber
therewithin; said second insulated wall structure being locatable
above said first insulated wall structure; and an insulated divider
mounted between said first and second insulated wall structures to
segregate said first chamber from said second chamber.
22. The soft-sided insulated container assembly of claim 21 wherein
said second soft-sided insulated wall structure is pivotally
mounted relative to said first soft-sided insulated wall
structure.
23. The soft-sided insulated container assembly of claim 21
wherein: said end walls have respective first and second lower
margins; said longitudinal panel has a front lower margin and a
rear lower margin; and said first, second, front and rear margins
define an opening of said second chamber.
24. The soft-sided insulated container assembly of claim 23
wherein: said assembly has a hinge mounted to said rear lower
margin and a closure mounted to said divider and to said first,
second and front margins; and said closure member is operable to
permit said second chamber to be opened relative to said
divider.
25. The soft-sided insulated container assembly of claim 21 wherein
said divider has a receptacle mounted thereto, and a thermal energy
storage element mounted therein.
26. The soft sided receptacle of claim 21 wherein said divider has
an upwardly facing surface and a peripheral retainer mounted to
said upwardly facing surface.
27. A soft sided insulated container assembly, comprising: a first
soft-sided insulated wall structure; a second soft-sided insulated
wall structure having a pair of end walls, said end walls having
upper margins defining a lid contour, and a longitudinal wall
extending between said end walls and conforming to said lid
contour; said second soft-sided insulated wall structure being
locatable above said first soft-sided insulated wall structure,
said first and second soft-sided insulated wall structures
co-operating to define a first chamber therewithin; a closure
member mounted to said first and second soft-sided insulated wall
structures, said closure member being operable to permit
displacement of said first soft-sided insulated wall structure
relative to said second soft-sided insulated wall structure to give
access to said first chamber; and a third soft-sided insulated wall
structure defining a second chamber therewithin, said third
soft-sided insulated wall structure having a closure member
operable to give access to said second chamber; said third
soft-sided insulated wall structure being locatable within said
first chamber; and said third soft-sided insulated wall structure
being removable from within said first chamber.
28. The soft-sided insulated container assembly of claim 27
wherein: said first soft-sided insulated wall structure has a
rectangular base, and rectangular sides extending upwardly from
said rectangular base; said longitudinal wall has a crest along the
uppermost portion thereof; and said assembly has a suspension
member mounted thereto by which said assembly can be carried, and,
when carried by said suspension member, said crest is above said
base.
29. The soft-sided insulated container assembly of claim 28 wherein
said suspension member is chosen from the set of suspension members
consisting of: (a) a handle mounted to said longitudinal member;
and (b) a carrying strap mounted to said second soft-sided
insulated wall structure.
30. The soft-sided insulated container assembly of claim 27 wherein
said third soft-sided insulated structure has a releasable
attachment element operable to discourage motion of said third
soft-sided insulated wall structure relative to said chamber when
mounted therewithin.
31. The soft-sided insulated container assembly of claim 30 wherein
said releasable attachment element is a hook-and-eye fabric strip,
said chamber has an internal wall, and said internal wall has a
mating hook-and-eye fabric strip mounted thereto.
32. The soft-sided insulated container assembly of claim 27 wherein
said first soft-sided insulated wall structure defines a first
portion of said first chamber, and said second soft-sided insulated
wall structure defines a second portion of said first chamber, and
said third soft-sided insulated wall structure is mountable within
said first portion of said first chamber.
33. The soft-sided container assembly of claim 27 wherein: said
first soft-sided insulated wall structure has an upper peripheral
margin; said second soft-sided insulated wall structure has a lower
peripheral margin; said first and second soft-sided insulated wall
structures are joined by a hinge mounted along respective portions
of said upper peripheral margin and said lower peripheral margin,
said hinge being operable to permit pivotal motion of said second
soft-sided insulated wall structure relative to said first
soft-sided insulated wall structure in the manner of a hinged lid;
and said closure member being mounted to other respective portions
of said upper and lower peripheral margins.
34. The soft-sided insulated container assembly of claim 33
wherein: said first chamber includes a first portion defined within
said first soft-sided insulated wall structure, and a second
portion defined within said second soft-sided insulated wall
structure, a flap is suspended between said first and second
portions, said flap being moveable to facilitate access to at least
one of said portions.
35. The soft-sided insulated container assembly of claim 34 wherein
said flap has a pocket mounted thereto and a thermal energy storage
element contained therein.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/323,202 filed Jun. 1, 1999, which was
itself a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09 /199,287 filed Nov. 25, 1998.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to the field of soft sided insulated
containers. In particular it relates to soft sided insulated
containers having a division between zones to permit different
environments to be established in the different zones.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In recent times, soft sided insulated containers have become
popular for carrying either articles that may best be served cool,
such as beverages or salads, or warm, such as appetizers, hot dogs,
and so on. Such containers are frequently used to carry liquids,
whether hot liquids, such as soup containers, coffee or tea, or
cold liquids such as beer, pop, juices and milk. The containers are
typically made in a generally cube like shape, whether of sides of
equal length or not, having a base, four upstanding walls, and a
top. The top is generally a lid which opens to permit articles to
be placed in, or retrieved from, the container.
[0004] It may also be that, along with objects to be carried in a
chamber at one temperature, another type of food may also be
desired, requiring a different environmental condition. For
example, it may be inconvenient for persons going to a picnic to
carry a different insulated container for each type of food. They
may prefer a single container that permits more than one type of
food to be carried. That is, it may be preferable to have one zone
in the insulated container for a cold, or very cold item, such as
ice cream, and another zone for cool items, such as fruit or
drinks. Alternatively, one zone may contain canned drinks in ice,
while another zone contains warm or hot foods such as pizza or
hamburgers. Temperature is not the only determining factor. For
example, while an ice filled zone may be damp inside, other
objects, such as bread or some fruits and vegetables, may need a
less moist environment.
[0005] It is not necessary that segregated containers for
maintaining materials in a generally warm, hot, cool, or cold
condition be placed side-by-side, but could be placed one above the
other. Hard shell metal lunch boxes have a roughly semi-cylindrical
upper portion that can be equipped with a clip to hold a flask in
place. The lower portion of the hard shell metal container is then
used to carry sandwiches or other food. Such a structure may tend
not to have a partition to segregate temperature zones, and may
tend to employ a relatively hard, sharp cornered enclosure that is
not easily squeezed or collapsed, as may be desirable, and may tend
not to have insulated walls.
[0006] In typical use, the upper portion of a metal lunch bucket is
adapted to carry a drink container, such as a canned drink or
cylindrical bottle, and the lower portion of the lunch bucket is
used for carrying food, generally a sandwich, some fruit such as an
apple, a banana or an orange, and possibly a container for a food
such as apple sauce or pudding. An advantage of a lunch box having
a lower portion, and upper portion, and a handle on the top of the
upper portion, is that the food inside the lunch bucket may tend to
be carried in the same orientation as it is packed. Carriage of a
container of apple sauce (or soup) on its side may tend to lead to
unhappy results if the lid of the soup container leaks.
[0007] In metal lunch boxes, the physical strength of the lunch box
is far beyond that required merely to carry a sandwich and a drink.
Some metal lunch boxes have sufficient strength to support the
weight of a person sitting on them. An advantage of such strength
at a construction, mining, or forestry site, is that the metal
lunch box may tend to resist being dented, and may provide
protection for the kinds of insulated containers in which coffee,
hot chocolate, soup or other liquid may be carried, as well as for
sandwiches. This strength is well beyond the level of strength
generally required for a school lunch box for students.
[0008] By contrast to metal lunch boxes, soft-sided, insulated
lunch boxes tend to be sufficiently compliant to be crushed to a
small size when empty, and are not intended to resist heavy blows
from external objects. They are, moreover, clearly not intended to
have the strength to support any significant portion of a person's
weight. Some types of soft-sided food carrying cases tend to have
box-like rectangular sides. These cases are placed on their largest
side for loading and unloading. The opposite side is opened to
permit food or other objects to be loaded, and once loaded, the
case is lifted by a carrying strap attached to a pair of sides.
When carried in this way, the food placed inside is immediately
tipped over. This may tend to yield squashed sandwiches and crushed
cookies. Placement of the handle on the large, or top, side tends
to be cumbersome, and the top panel may tend not to have the body
to resist bending, resulting in the vertical sides being pulled
inward.
[0009] It is advantageous to have a lunch carrying sack or
container having a pair of segregated chambers lying one above the
other, such that the food may be carried in the same general
orientation in which it is packed, and yet to employ insulated soft
sides such that the container will tend not to damage objects it
contacts, and may tend to keep food warm or cool as desired. A
typical insulated panel has an inner skin, an outer skin, and a
closed cell foam middle layer. Insulated panels tend to be able to
retain their shape under modest loads. Rather than having the
relatively cumbersome rectangular shape, a bucket having a lower
portion, an upper, domed portion, and a handle running along the
crest of the dome tends to have a tall, rather than wide or flat
profile, and tends to reduce the width of the top panel. Further,
forming the longitudinal member of the top panel on a pair of
curved ends may tend to yield a structure that is stiffer than a
flat panel, only modest strength being required for carrying a
lunch.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In an aspect of the invention, there is a soft-sided
insulated container assembly. It has a lower portion having a
rectangular base having a pair of long edges and a pair of short
edges. It has soft-sided insulated front and rear walls attached
to, and extending upwardly from, the long edges, and soft-sided
insulated end walls attached to, and extending upwardly from, the
short sides. The front and rear walls and the end walls co-operate
with the base to define the lower portion. An upper portion is
mounted above the lower portion. The upper portion has a pair of
end walls. Each of the end walls has a lower margin mounted
adjacent to one of the end walls of the lower portion, and an upper
edge. The upper edge has a downwardly concave arcuate profile, and
a soft-sided insulated spanning wall extending between the end
walls of the upper portion. The spanning wall conforms to the
concave arcuate profile.
[0011] In an additional feature of that aspect of the invention,
the front, rear and end walls of the lower portion have respective
upper margins. The spanning wall of the upper portion has front and
rear lower margins. The lower portion is joined to the upper
portion by a hinge. The hinge is connected to the upper margin of
the rear wall of the lower portion and to the rear lower margin of
the spanning wall of the upper portion.
[0012] In another additional feature of that aspect of the
invention, the container has a center of gravity and has a
suspension member attached thereto at a location above the center
of gravity whereby, when carried by the suspension member, the
lower portion will hang below the upper portion.
[0013] In still another additional feature of that aspect of the
invention, the spanning wall has a crest, and the container has a
handle mounted along the crest, whereby, when carried by the
handle, the lower portion is below the upper portion.
[0014] In an aspect of the invention, there is a soft sided,
collapsible, insulated container assembly. It has a first
soft-sided insulated container portion, a second soft sided
container portion and a common wall shared between those first and
second portions. The first container portion has an insulated wall
structure and a first chamber defined therewithin. The second
container portion has an insulated wall structure and a second
chamber defined therewithin. The common wall segregates the first
and second chambers from each other. The first chamber is
maintainable at a different environmental condition from the second
chamber.
[0015] In an additional feature of that aspect of the invention,
one of the insulated container portions has a liner for containing
liquids mounted within its respective chamber. In another
additional feature, both of the insulated container portions have
liners for containing liquids therein. In a further additional
feature, the liner has a lowest extremity and an upper lip, and the
liner is seamless to a depth of at least half the height from the
lowest extremity to the upper lip. In a further additional feature,
the liner is removable from its respective chamber. In a still
further additional feature, the container has a partition member
mounted within the liner. In an additional feature of that
additional feature, the partition member includes a stiffening
element. In another additional feature of that additional feature,
the partition includes a thermally insulative layer for
discouraging heat transfer through the partition. In still another
additional feature, the liner has a fitting for engaging the
partition, and the partition is movable to a plurality of positions
in engagement with the fitting. In still yet another additional
feature, the respective chamber has a plan form section, the
partition is moveable to lie in a horizontal orientation relative
to the chamber, and, in that horizontal position, the partition has
a shape to match the plan form section.
[0016] In another aspect of the invention there is a soft sided
insulated container assembly comprising a first insulated container
portion, a second insulated container portion and a common wall
shared between the first and second container portions. The first
container portion has an insulated wall structure and a first
chamber defined therewithin. The second container portion has an
insulated wall structure and a second chamber defined therewithin.
The common wall is located to segregate the first and second
chambers from each other. The common wall has a hinge mounted along
an edge thereof. The hinge permits the first container portion to
move relative to the second container portion. The first chamber is
maintainable at a different environmental condition from that of
the second chamber.
[0017] In an additional feature of that aspect of the invention,
one of the insulated container portions has a liner for containing
liquids mounted within its respective chamber. In another
additional feature of that aspect of the invention, the common wall
has a receptacle mounted thereto. The receptacle has an interior
for receiving a thermal energy storage element. The receptacle has
a vented portion to permit air from one of the chambers to
communicate with the interior. In still another additional feature
of that aspect of the invention, the container has a receptacle for
receiving a thermal energy storage element. The receptacle is
mounted within one of the chambers, and a thermal energy storage
element is mounted therein. In yet another additional feature of
that aspect of the invention, the receptacle is mounted to the
common wall.
[0018] In a further additional feature of that aspect of the
invention the first chamber has an opening and the common wall is
moveable from a first position closing the first chamber, to a
second position permitting access to the chamber. The common wall
has a periphery and a closure member mounted to at least a portion
of the periphery and at least a portion of the opening of the first
chamber. The closure member controls the opening of the common wall
relative to the first chamber.
[0019] In a still further additional feature of that aspect of the
invention the common wall is a partition member lying between the
first and second chambers. The partition member has a closure
member mounted thereto for controlling opening of the partition
member relative to the second chamber. In yet another additional
feature of that aspect of the invention the partition includes a
thermally insulative layer for discouraging heat transfer through
the partition. In a further additional feature of that aspect of
the invention the partition has a receptacle mounted thereto for
receiving a thermal energy storage element. The receptacle has
venting wall oriented toward one of the first and second chambers,
and, when a thermal storage element is mounted in the receptacle,
air from the one chamber can communicate therewith through the
venting.
[0020] In a still further additional feature of that aspect of the
invention the first chamber is a lower chamber, the second chamber
is an upper chamber, and the common wall is a partition located
above the first chamber. The partition is moveable to open and
close the first chamber. The common wall is a partition located
below the second chamber. The partition is moveable to open and
close the second chamber. The partition has an upper face upon
which, in use, objects can rest. The receptacle has a lower face,
and a receptacle mounted adjacent to the lower face. The receptacle
is exposed to the first chamber. The partition has a peripheral
wall extending about the upper face for discouraging the objects
from being displaced from the upper face in use.
[0021] In another aspect of the invention there is a soft-sided
container assembly. A first insulated wall structure has a primary
chamber defined therewithin. A second insulated wall structure has
a secondary chamber defined therewithin. The second insulated
structure is removably locatable within the first insulated wall
structure. The primary structure has a receptacle mounted
therewithin for containing a thermal energy storage element. The
receptacle is vented to permit air exchange between the first
chamber and the receptacle.
[0022] In an additional feature of that aspect of the invention,
the primary structure has a first portion, a second portion, and a
closure member operable to permit the first portion to be displaced
relative to the second portion, thereby giving access to a first
volume defined within the first portion, and a second volume
defined within the second portion. The primary structure has a
divider mounted between the first and second portions. In a further
additional feature of that aspect of the invention the divider is
suspended between the first and second volumes, and has a
receptacle mounted thereto for receiving a thermal energy storage
element. In a still further additional feature of that aspect of
the invention, the divider is releasably attachable to the primary
structure along at least a portion thereof. The divider is moveable
between an open position for facilitating access to the second
volume.
[0023] In yet another additional feature of that aspect of the
invention, the first portion is a lower portion of the structure
having a rectangular base wall and an upstanding wall having front,
rear, left and right hand side portions extending upwardly of the
base. The second portion is an upper portion having a pair of ends
and a longitudinal member extending between the ends. The
longitudinal member has a lower rear edge. The upper portion is
hingedly attached to an upper edge of the rear side portion and to
the lower rear edge of the longitudinal member. The primary
structure includes a divider suspended between the first and second
portions. The divider is moveable to facilitate access to the first
portion. The divider has the receptacle mounted in a suspended
position relative thereto.
[0024] In another additional feature of that aspect of the
invention the first and second insulated wall structures are
attachable to each other to discourage relative movement
therebetween in use.
[0025] In another aspect of the invention there is a soft sided
insulated container assembly. A first soft-sided insulated wall
structure has a rectangular base, and rectangular sides extending
upwardly from the rectangular base. The first insulated wall
structure has a first insulated chamber defined therewithin. A
second soft-sided insulated wall structure has a pair of end walls.
The end walls have upper margins defining a lid contour, and a
longitudinal wall extending between the end walls and conforming to
the lid contour. The second insulated wall structure defines a
second insulated chamber therewithin. The second insulated wall
structure is locatable above the first insulated wall structure. An
insulated divider is mounted between the first and second insulated
wall structures to segregate the first chamber from the second
chamber.
[0026] In an additional feature of that aspect of the invention the
second soft-sided insulated wall structure is pivotally mounted
relative to the first soft-sided insulated wall structure. In
another additional feature of that aspect of the invention the end
walls have respective first and second lower margins. The
longitudinal panel has a front lower margin and a rear lower
margin. The first, second, front and rear margins define an opening
of the second chamber. In still another additional feature of that
aspect of the invention the assembly has a hinge mounted to the
rear lower margin and a closure mounted to the divider and to the
first, second and front margins. The closure member is operable to
permit the second chamber to be opened relative to the divider. In
still yet another additional feature of that aspect of the
invention the divider has a receptacle mounted thereto, and a
thermal energy storage element mounted therein. In a further
additional feature of that aspect of the invention the divider has
an upwardly facing surface and a peripheral retainer mounted to the
upwardly facing surface.
[0027] In another aspect of the invention, there is a soft sided
insulated container assembly. There is a first soft-sided insulated
wall structure. A second soft-sided insulated wall structure has a
pair of end walls. The end walls have upper margins defining a lid
contour, and a longitudinal wall extending between the end walls
and conforming to the lid contour. The second soft-sided insulated
wall structure is locatable above the first soft-sided insulated
wall structure. The first and second soft-sided insulated wall
structures co-operate to define a first chamber therewithin. A
closure member is mounted to the first and second soft-sided
insulated wall structures. The closure member is operable to permit
displacement of the first soft-sided insulated wall structure
relative to the second soft-sided insulated wall structure to give
access to the first chamber. A third soft-sided insulated wall
structure defines a second chamber therewithin. The third
soft-sided insulated wall structure has a closure member operable
to give access to the second chamber. The third soft-sided
insulated wall structure is locatable within the first chamber. The
third soft-sided insulated wall structure is removable from within
the first chamber.
[0028] In an additional feature of that aspect of the invention,
the first soft-sided insulated wall structure has a rectangular
base, and rectangular sides extending upwardly from the rectangular
base. The longitudinal wall has a crest along the uppermost portion
thereof. The assembly has a suspension member mounted thereto by
which the assembly can be carried, and, when carried by the
suspension member, the crest is above the base.
[0029] In another additional feature of that aspect of the
invention, the suspension member is chosen from the set of
suspension members consisting of a handle mounted to the
longitudinal member and a carrying strap mounted to the second
soft-sided insulated wall structure. In a further additional
feature of that aspect of the invention, the third soft-sided
insulated structure has a releasable attachment element operable to
discourage motion of the third soft-sided insulated wall structure
relative to the chamber when mounted therewithin. In still another
additional feature of that aspect of the invention, the releasable
attachment element is a hook-and-eye fabric strip. The chamber has
an internal wall, and the internal wall has a mating hook-and-eye
fabric strip mounted thereto.
[0030] In yet another additional feature of that aspect of the
invention, the first soft-sided insulated wall structure defines a
first portion of the first chamber, and the second soft-sided
insulated wall structure defines a second portion of the first
chamber, and the third soft-sided insulated wall structure is
mountable within the first portion of the first chamber.
[0031] In another additional feature of that aspect of the
invention, the first soft-sided insulated wall structure has an
upper peripheral margin. The second soft-sided insulated wall
structure has a lower peripheral margin. The first and second
soft-sided insulated wall structures are joined by a hinge mounted
along respective portions of the upper peripheral margin and the
lower peripheral margin. The hinge is operable to permit pivotal
motion of the second soft-sided insulated wall structure relative
to the first soft-sided insulated wall structure in the manner of a
hinged lid. The closure member is mounted to other respective
portions of the upper and lower peripheral margins.
[0032] In still another additional feature of that aspect of the
invention, the first chamber includes a first portion defined
within the first soft-sided insulated wall structure, and a second
portion defined within the second soft-sided insulated wall
structure. A flap is suspended between the first and second
portions. The flap is moveable to facilitate access to at least one
of the portions. In yet another additional feature of that aspect
of the invention, the flap has a pocket mounted thereto and a
thermal energy storage element contained therein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] These aspects and other features of the invention can be
understood with the aid of the following illustrations of a number
of exemplary, and non-limiting, embodiments of the principles of
the invention in which:
[0034] FIG. 1 is a three quarter view, general arrangement drawing
of an insulated container and liner assembly according to the
present invention;
[0035] FIG. 2 is a view of the liner of FIG. 1 taken on an opposite
angle;
[0036] FIG. 3 is a developed view of a liner for use in the
assembly of FIG. 1;
[0037] FIG. 4 is a developed view of an alternative liner for an
assembly analogous to the liner of assembly of FIG. 1 in which two
sides are tapered;
[0038] FIG. 5 is a developed view of an alternative liner for an
assembly analogous to the liner of assembly of FIG. 1 in which four
sides are tapered;
[0039] FIG. 6 is a developed view of an alternative liner for an
assembly analogous to the liner of assembly of FIG. 1 in which the
forward side of the assembly is wider than the rearward side;
[0040] FIG. 7 is a front view of the assembly of FIG. 1, in a
collapsed position;
[0041] FIG. 8 is a rear view of the assembly of FIG. 1 in a
collapsed position;
[0042] FIG. 9 is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 1 in a
collapsed position;
[0043] FIG. 10 shows the construction of a wall section of the
assembly of FIG. 1;
[0044] FIG. 11 is a view of an alternative liner for the assembly
of FIG. 1;
[0045] FIG. 12 is an isometric view of an alternative insulated
container and liner assembly similar to that of FIG. 1, but being
of greater depth;
[0046] FIG. 13 shows a liner for the insulated container of FIG. 12
with an internal divider in a vertical orientation;
[0047] FIG. 14 shows a liner for the insulated container of FIG. 12
with an internal divider in a horizontal configuration;
[0048] FIG. 15 shows an isometric view of a further alternative
insulated container to the container of FIG. 1;
[0049] FIG. 16 shows an isometric view of the insulated container
of FIG. 15 taken from the diagonally opposite corner;
[0050] FIG. 17 shows the container of FIG. 15 with a lid to one
chamber open;
[0051] FIG. 18 shows the container of FIG. 15 with its opposite
chamber open;
[0052] FIG. 19 shows the container of FIG. 15 with its liners
removed;
[0053] FIG. 20 shows the container of FIG. 15 in a collapsed
position;
[0054] FIG. 21 shows the container of FIG. 15 in the collapsed
position taken from the diagonally opposite corner to FIG. 20;
[0055] FIG. 22 shows a left-hand side elevation of the container of
FIG. 15;
[0056] FIG. 23 shows a right-hand side elevation of the container
of FIG. 15;
[0057] FIG. 24 shows a near end view of the container of FIG.
15;
[0058] FIG. 25 shows a far end view of the container of FIG.
15;
[0059] FIG. 26 shows a plan view of the container of FIG. 15;
[0060] FIG. 27 shows a right-hand side elevation of the container
of FIG. 20;
[0061] FIG. 28 shows a left-hand side elevation of the container of
FIG. 20;
[0062] FIG. 29 shows a near end view of the container of FIG.
20;
[0063] FIG. 30 shows a far end view of the container of FIG. 20;
and
[0064] FIG. 31 shows a plan view of the container of FIG. 20;
[0065] FIG. 32 shows a perspective view of an alternative
embodiment of insulated container to that of FIG. 15;
[0066] FIG. 33 shows a perspective view of the container of FIG. 32
taken from a view diagonally opposite to that of FIG. 32;
[0067] FIG. 34 shows a front view of the insulated container of
FIG. 32;
[0068] FIG. 35 shows a rear view of the insulated container of FIG.
32;
[0069] FIG. 36 shows a left hand view of the container of FIG.
32;
[0070] FIG. 37 shows a right hand view of the container of FIG.
32;
[0071] FIG. 38 shows a top view of the container of FIG. 32;
[0072] FIG. 39 shows a bottom view of the container of FIG. 32;
[0073] FIG. 40 shows a perspective view of the container of FIG. 32
in a first open position in which an upper chamber is open;
[0074] FIG. 41 shows a perspective view of the container of FIG. 32
in another open position in which a lower chamber is open;
[0075] FIG. 42 shows a front view of a container assembly providing
an alternative configuration to the container of FIG. 32;
[0076] FIG. 43 is a perspective view of part of the container
assembly of FIG. 42 in an open position with a liner drawn out for
cleaning;
[0077] FIG. 44 is a perspective view of the container assembly of
FIG. 42 with primary and secondary chambers ready for loading;
[0078] FIG. 45 is a perspective view of the container assembly of
FIG. 42 with a secondary enclosure nested inside a primary
enclosure;
[0079] FIG. 46 is a rear perspective view of the secondary
enclosure of FIG. 44;
[0080] FIG. 47 is a perspective view of the primary chamber of FIG.
44 in an open position with an upper sling in a released
condition;
[0081] FIG. 48 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of container to the container of FIG. 32 with a lower chamber open;
and
[0082] FIG. 49 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 48
with an upper chamber open.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0083] The description which follows, and the embodiments described
therein, are provided by way of illustration of an example of a
particular embodiment, or examples of particular embodiments, of
the principles of the present invention. These examples are
provided for the purposes of explanation, and not of limitation, of
those principles and of the invention. In the description which
follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and the
drawings with the same respective reference numerals. The drawings
are not necessarily to scale and in some instances proportions may
have been exaggerated in order more clearly to depict certain
features of the invention.
[0084] Referring to the general arrangement illustrations of FIGS.
1 and 2, an example of an embodiment of an insulated container and
liner assembly is indicated generally as 20. It has two major
elements, those being an outer casing in the nature of a soft-sided
insulated container 22, and a removable, impermeable liner 24 for
placement inside container 22. An optional moveable bulkhead, or
baffle, in the nature of a partition wall 25 seats within liner 24
for dividing the interior space into two sub-compartments 27,
29.
[0085] Looking at these major elements in detail, it can be seen
that container 22 has a bottom 26, a front panel 28, a rear panel
30, and a pair of left and right hand side panels 32 and 34. In
this embodiment the choice of front and rear, left and right,
orientations is arbitrary. Each of front panel 28, rear panel 30,
and left and right hand side panels 32 and 34 is joined at sewn
seams to bottom 26 at bottom vertices 36, 37, 38, or 39
respectively. Similarly, front panel 28 and side panels 32 and 34
have top edges 40, 41 and 42, distant from their base edges. Rear
panel 30 is joined by a folded hinge 44 at its top edge to a top
panel in the nature of a lid 46. Lid 46 has a closure member in the
nature of a zipper 48 extending in a U-shape around the three free
edge portions of its periphery to mate with the other portions of
zipper 48 positioned about the three top edges 40, 41 and 42 of
panels 28, 32 and 34. Lid 46 is moveable between a closed position,
in which zipper 48 may be zipped closed, and an open position in
which lid 46 is folded back to permit entry and exit of objects to
and from an internal cavity 50 defined between bottom 26 and panels
28, 30, 32 and 34. A generally rectangular insulated auxiliary
pouch 52 is mounted to the front face of front panel 28.
[0086] In the preferred embodiment, lid 46 has an extent
substantially equal to that of bottom panel 26. This need not be
the case. Lid 26 could be a small opening set in a larger top
panel, or could be an opening of half, or some other portion of the
panel. The opening need not extend fully along three sides of lid
26, but could extend along part of one or two sides as may be found
suitable in a particular use.
[0087] Top edges 40, 41, and 42 form the rim 54 of cavity 50. On
the inside of rim 54 is a liner securing means, or liner attachment
mounting, in the nature of a zipper 56, which, in the embodiment
illustrated, includes portions 57, 58, and 59 mounted respectively
to panels 28, 32, and 34 near their upper margins, and a hook and
eye fabric fastener strip 60 mounted to panel 30. In an alternative
embodiment all of strip portions 57, 58, 59 and 60 (or some other
combination of them) could be hook-and-eye fabric fasteners. Other
types of mounting could be used, in addition to zippers, such as
interlocking seal strips, snaps, clips, grommets or other
means.
[0088] Container 22, with liner 24 installed, can be folded to a
collapsed position, as shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. In this
collapsed, or storage position, side panels 32 and 34 fold inward,
and bottom 26 folds upward. This permits front panel 28 to move
toward rear panel 30. Lid 46 is then drawn forward and downward in
front of front panel 28 and auxiliary pouch 52. Lid 46 has, on its
inner face, spaced inwardly from zipper 48, a retainer in the
nature of another hook and eye fastener strip 62 that engages a
mating hook and eye fastener strip 64 located on a lower portion of
the front face of auxiliary pouch 52. In addition, left and right
hand side retainers 66 and 68 mounted to the left and right hand
edges of auxiliary pouch 52 of front panel 28 are drawn around to
fasten to fastening strips 70 and 72 located on the outer, rearward
face of rear panel 30. (When container 22 is in its open position,
strips 66 and 68 engage storage strips 74 and 76 located on side
panels 32 and 34 respectively).
[0089] Other features of container 22 are visible in FIGS. 1 and 2.
Front and rear carrying handles 78 and 80 with reinforced bails are
attached to both front panel 28 and rear panel 30 to permit two
people to carry assembly 20 between them. Assembly 20 has a maximum
capacity of 24 quarts. Smaller embodiments include a twelve quart
container. A single shoulder strap 79 is attached to side panels 32
and 34. An elasticized retaining matrix 82 permits other materials,
such as cups, plates, serving utensils or other objects to be
carried on top of assembly 20. Above strip 64, auxiliary pouch 52
has a see-through mesh pocket 84, such as may be convenient for
carrying knives, forks, spoons or other objects.
[0090] FIG. 10 shows a cross section of front panel 28 with liner
24 in place. A scab section of panel 34 is also shown to reveal its
layers of construction. With the exception of auxiliary pouch 52,
this section is typical not only of front panel 28 but also,
generally, of rear panel 30, side panels 32 and 34, bottom panel 26
and lid 46. The outer facing layer of front panel 28 is a canvas
covering layer 88 for resisting abrasion. It overlays a closed cell
foam insulation layer 90. The inner face of insulation layer 90 is
covered by flexible plasticised metallic foil sheeting 92 that is
shiny and reflective. The material is sold under the name
Therma-Flect (T.M.). Liner 24 lies inside sheeting 92, and is
pressed against it by the objects it contains. The inside of pouch
52 is lined with white vinyl sheeting, 93 on its forward and bottom
sides.
[0091] Liner 24, is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. It is made from a
membrane, or web, in the nature of a sheet 100 of flexible,
transparent plastic stock, in particular, static cling vinyl. The
shiny, reflective surface of sheeting 92 is visible through liner
24 in use. Liner 24 has a base 102 and four sides, front, rear,
left hand and right hand respectively, 104, 106, 108, and 110
extending upwardly from base 102. Each of sides 104, 106, 108 and
110 is joined to base 102 at a base edge, 112, 114, 116 or 118, as
indicated, and each has an opposite, distal edge 120, 122, 124 or
126 distant from its respective base edge. The sides meet at
respective upstanding corners 128, 130, 132 and 134. A chamber 136
is defined between base 102 and sides 104, 106, 108 and 110.
Chamber 136 has an opening 138 defined by the peripheral lip 140
formed collectively by the distal edges 120, 122, 124 and 126 of
sides 104, 106, 108 and 110. Immediately below lip 140 liner
support fasteners, in the nature of hook and eye strips, are
mounted to sheet 100. This mounting may be by heat welding or by
use of a bonding agent or adhesive. In the preferred embodiment lip
140 is folded over to form a hem, and fasteners 141, 144, 143 are
of the nature of a continuous zipper around three sides of lip 140,
and a fastener 142 in the nature of a fabric hook-and-eye strip are
sewn in place with stitching 145 that is at a height relative to
base 102 that is expected to be well above the liquid level in
liner 24.
[0092] In an alternate embodiment, fasteners 141, 142, and 143 are
all fabric hook and eye fasteners each mounted on one side of lip
140, and which mate with corresponding hook-and-eye fastener strips
mounted to container 22. These fastener strips are commonly sold
under the name Velcro (T.M.). Optional partition 25 is variably
positionable. About the upper portion of its periphery it has a
strip engaging material 146 that catches on mating strips 147 and
148 located on the inner face of liner 24. These strips can be hook
and eye fastener strips. The range of the strips permits the
division of sub compartments 27 and 29 of chamber 136 into equal,
half-and half portions, or into some other portions, such as 1/4 to
3/4, 1/3 to 2/3, 2/5 to 3/5 and so forth as may be desirable given
the objects to be contained in chamber 136.
[0093] In FIG. 3 sheet 100 is shown in developed view, as it would
be before being folded to form liner 24. A first pair of parallel
fold lines 150 and 152 extend across sheet 100, and a second pair
of parallel fold lines 154 and 156, perpendicular to lines 150 and
152 extend along sheet 100, thus dividing it into nine portions
within the rectangular periphery, 158, of sheet 100. It will also
be noted that each of lines 150, 152, 154 and 156 has two
intersections, and is thus divided into a central sector between
the parallel lines it intersects, and a pair of end sectors between
each of the parallel lines it intersects and the line's termination
at periphery 158.
[0094] The central portion of sheet 100, bounded by the central
sector of each of lines 150, 152, 154 and 156, defines base 102,
each of those sectors defining one of base edges 112, 114, 116 and
118. Front side 104 is defined between the central sector 160 of
line 150, two parallel forward end sectors 162 and 164 of lines 154
and 156, and a mid-edge sector 166 of periphery 158. Rear side 106
is defined by the central sector 168 of line 152, two parallel
rearward end sectors 170 and 172 of lines 154 and 156, and a mid
edge sector 174 of periphery 158. Left hand side 108 is defined by
central sector 176 of line 154, two left end sectors 178 and 180 of
lines 150 and 152, and a mid-edge sector 182 of periphery 158.
Right hand side 110 is defined by central sector 184 of line 156,
two right end sectors 186 and 188 of lines 150 and 152, and a
mid-edge sector 190 of periphery 158.
[0095] The remaining four portions of sheet 100 are corner portions
192, 194, 196 and 198 defined by a pair of adjacent end sectors of
a pair of perpendicular lines, and a corner sector of periphery
158, indicated respectively as 202, 204, 206 and 208. Corner
portions 192, 194, 196 and 198 are bisected by diagonal bisectors
212, 214, 216 and 218 which extend from the intersection of the
respective perpendicular lines to periphery 158.
[0096] Having thus defined the geometry of sheet 100, liner 24 is
formed by folding sides 104, 106, 108 and 110 upwardly such that
sectors 162 and 178, 164 and 186, 170 and 180, and 172 and 186 lie
adjacent to each other to form corners 128, 130, 132 and 134
respectively. This folding necessitates folding of corner portions
192, 194, 196 and 198, and this is done along their respective
diagonal bisectors.
[0097] When folded along bisectors 202, 204, 206, and 208 corner
portions 192, 194, 196 and 198 form triangular flaps 220, 222, 224
and 226. In the preferred embodiment flaps 220 and 222 are folded
to lie against the outside face of front side 104, the corner of
flap 220 lying most distant from cornier 128 overlapping the corner
of flap 204 lying most distant from corner 130. Similarly flaps 224
and 226 are folded to lie against the outside face of rear side 106
the most distant corner of flap 224 overlapping the most distant
corner of flap 226. One edge of each flap lies roughly flush with
lip 140, which is folded over and the entire periphery of opening
of chamber 136 sewn as a hem 228 having a double row of stitches.
In this way liner 24 is formed from sheet 100 such that it is not
only free of welded seams, but free of any seams below hem 228 of
lip 140.
[0098] In the preferred embodiment the folding process is purely
mechanical, and can be performed relatively quickly, in
contradistinction to heat welding or adhesive bonding processes
which require a time interval for heating and cooling or for
adhesive curing. Inasmuch as the preferred embodiment uses a
relatively thick static cling vinyl, sheet 100 can be folded over a
cube form of the desired dimensions, and held in place by its own
clinging properties in preparation for the sewing of hem 228. The
overlap of the tips of flaps 202 and 204, and flaps 206 and 208,
and subsequent sewing makes it doubly improbable that liner 24 will
unfold.
[0099] Liner 24 is formed from a single integral sheet, and, absent
punctures of that sheet, is not intended to leak below the level of
the sewn seam at lip 140. The body of base 102 and sides 104, 106,
108 and 110 is seamless, being free of heat welds or other joints.
In general use the liquid level in chamber 136 is not expected to
be greater than one half of the height of the sides, and still less
commonly to be more than three quarters of the height. There are no
seams below either of these levels, heat welded or otherwise.
[0100] Liner 24 is also thin enough that it can be folded inside
container 22 when container 22 is compressed to its collapsed
position as illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9. Liner 24 need not be
transparent, but could be translucent or opaque. A transparent
liner is preferred since it permits the reflection of sheeting 92
to be seen.
[0101] In an optional embodiment, a liner 224 can have its own
closure, or lid, 230, to provide a double closure with lid 46 of
container 22 in FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 11, optional lid 230
extends on a folding plastic hinge 232 that is an integral part of
sheet 234 from rear side 236 of sheet 234, and mates at front, left
hand and right hand side edges 238, 240 and 242 along a U-shaped
closure interface such as may be held closed by a closure member in
the nature of a seal, a zipper, a hook and eye fabric fastener, or
a similar device. It is not necessary that the opening of the
container, or the liner, form a parallel plane to the respective
base or bottom sides. The opening could be in a skewed plane, or
could be something other than a plane.
[0102] In alternative embodiments, one of each of corner flaps 220,
222, 224 and 226 can be folded against each of sides 104, 106, 108
and 110, or a pair (220, 224) can be folded against left hand side
108 and another pair (222, 226) against right hand side 110, rather
than against front and rear sides 104 and 106 as illustrated in
FIG. 11. It is not necessary that the corner portions have one edge
lying flush with lip 146. However, if the corner portions are cut
down, the height at which a liquid tight barrier is provided may
not necessarily be as high as shown in the preferred embodiment of
FIG. 1. It is also not necessary that corner portions 192, 194,
196, and 198 be folded against the outside faces of the sides, but
could be folded to lie along the inside faces. It would also be
possible to fold each flap to lie partially against one side and
partially against another side by using more than one fold line and
by cutting the periphery of the corner portions differently. There
is simplicity in using a single fold and to fold the flaps against
the outside of one side of the liner, as shown in the preferred
embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0103] As shown in the developed views of the alternate embodiments
of FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the liner need not be a cube or cuboid, but
could be a tapered, trapezoidal, or truncated pyramidal shape. In
the embodiment of FIG. 4 a developed sheet 250 has fold lines for
forming a liner having a pair of opposed trapezoidal sides 254 and
256 which rise at right angles from a base 258, and a pair of
opposed rectangular sides that are folded upward at an angle
corresponding to the rake angle .psi. of trapezoidal sides 254 and
256. It can be seen that there is one pair of parallel fold lines
260 and 262, each line having a central sector 264, 266 and a pair
of left and right end sectors 268, 270 or 272, 274. There is also a
pair of fold line sectors 276 and 278 which define the remaining
two sides of base 258 (perpendicular to sectors 264 and 266). The
intersections of sectors 276, 264, 278, and 266 define the corners
of base 258. Extending away from those corners to periphery 280 are
left and right hand canted trapezoidal side sectors 282, 284, 286,
and 288 to define the remaining vertices of trapezoidal sides 254
and 256. At the angular bisector of the included angle between
adjacent pairs of rectangular side lateral sectors and trapezoidal
side sectors, as, for example between sectors 268 and 282, are
corner portion fold lines 290, 292, 294, and 296. Corner portions
298, 300, 302 and 304, each defined between one trapezoidal side
end sector, one rectangular side end sector and periphery 280, have
been trimmed along periphery 280 to lie flush with the resulting
lip. When sheet 250 is folded in a manner analogous to the folding
of sheet 100, a cradle shaped liner will result, for mating use
with a similarly cradle shaped container analogous to container
22.
[0104] In the embodiment of FIG. 5 a developed sheet 310 has fold
lines for forming a liner 312 having a first pair of opposed
trapezoidal sides 314 and 316 which rise at a non-perpendicular
angle .phi. from a base 318, and a second pair of opposed
trapezoidal sides 320, 322 that are folded upward at a rake angle
.beta. of the first pair of trapezoidal sides 314 and 316. It can
be seen that there is one pair of fold line sector 324, 326 pairs
of left and right hand end sectors 328, 330 or 332, 334 and a
perpendicular pair of fold line sectors 328 and 330 which define
the remaining two sides of base 318. The intersections of sectors
328, 324, 330, and 336 define the corners of base 318. Extending
away from those corners to periphery 340 are left and right hand
trapezoidal side lateral sectors 332, 334, 336 and 338. Similarly,
left and right hand canted trapezoidal side sectors 342, 344, 346,
and 348 extend from those intersections toward periphery 340 to
define the remaining vertices of the trapezoidal sides. At the
angular bisector of the included angle between adjacent pairs of
rectangular side lateral sectors and trapezoidal side sectors, as,
for example between sectors 328 and 342, are corner portion fold
lines 350, 352, 354, and 356 of corner portions 358, 360, 362 and
364.
[0105] Sectors 332, 334, 336, 338, 342, 344, 346 and 348 all have
the same true length, indicated as l. The distance that sectors
332, 334, 336 and 338 are splayed outward from square is indicated
as .epsilon.. The distance that sections 342, 344, 346 and 348 are
splayed outward from square is indicated as .delta..
[0106] When folded in a manner analogous to the folding of sheet
100, sheet 310 will form a truncated, inverted rectangular shaped
pyramid. It should be noted that the pairs of opposed slanted
pyramid sides need not rise at the same angle, but could be at
different angles. In the most general case, each side could rise at
a different angle, and to a different height. The upper edges of
the sides need not be level, but could have a slant, or,
alternatively, need not be linear but could be curved as may suit
the desired geometry. However, it is expected that the sides will,
most often, have straight and level edges.
[0107] In the embodiment of FIG. 6, a developed sheet 360 has fold
lines for forming a liner 362 having a trapezoidal base 364 such as
might be desired in a knapsack having a large rearward face for
placement against a person's back, and a narrower outer or forward
face. A pair of parallel lines of unequal length, being a short
front fold line 366 and a longer rear fold line 368, define the
parallel sides of the trapezoidal base 364. A pair of left and
right hand side fold lines 370 and 372 extend between lines 366 and
368 at angles to define the splayed sides of trapezoidal base 364.
Front side 374, rear side 376, left side 378 and right side 380 are
all hinged along respective fold lines 366, 368, 370 and 372 to
base 364. Corner portions 382, 384, 386 and 388 are defined between
the periphery 390 and respective pairs of side sectors 392 and 394,
396 and 398, 400 and 402, and 404 and 406. Each of portions 382,
392, 386 and 388 has a fold line 408, 410, 412 or 414 on which the
respective corner portion is folded, those portions being trimmed
along their peripheral edges to lie flush with the peripheral edges
of the respective sides against which they are folded, similar to
the manner described above in for the preferred embodiment.
[0108] Referring to the general arrangement illustration of FIG.
12, an alternative embodiment of an insulated container and liner
assembly is indicated generally as 420. It has two major elements,
those being an outer casing in the nature of a soft-sided insulated
container 422, and a removable, impermeable liner 424 for placement
inside container 422. An optional moveable bulkhead, or baffle, in
the nature of an insulated, partition wall 425 seats within liner
424 for dividing the interior space into two chambers, or
sub-compartments 427, and 429.
[0109] Looking at these major elements in detail, it can be seen
that container 422 is of generally similar construction to
container 22. Container 422 has a bottom 426, a front panel 428, a
rear panel 430, and a pair of left and right hand side panels 432
and 434. Each of front panel 428, rear panel 430, and left and
right hand side panels 432 and 434 is joined at sewn seams to
bottom 426 at bottom vertices. Rear panel 430 is joined by a folded
hinge 436 at its top edge to a top panel in the nature of a lid
438. Lid 438 has a closure member in the nature of a zipper 440
extending in a U-shape around the three free edge portions of its
periphery to mate with the other portions of zipper 440 positioned
about the top edges of panels 428, 432 and 434. Lid 438 is moveable
between a closed position, in which zipper 440 may be zipped
closed, and an open position in which lid 438 is folded back to
permit entry and exit of objects to and from an internal cavity 442
defined between bottom 426 and panels 428, 430, 432 and 434. A
generally rectangular insulated auxiliary pouch 444 is mounted to
the front face of front panel 428.
[0110] On the inside of rim 446 is a liner securing means, or liner
attachment mounting, in the nature of a zipper 448, which includes
portions mounted respectively to panels 428, 432, and 434 near
their upper margins, and a hook and eye fabric fastener strip 449
mounted to panel 430. In an alternative embodiment the strip
portions (or some other combination of them) could be hook-and-eye
fabric fasteners. Other types of mounting could be used, in
addition to zippers, such as interlocking seal strips, snaps,
clips, grommets or other means.
[0111] Container 422, with liner 424 installed, can be folded to a
collapsed position in a similar manner to that of container 22, as
shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 and described above. Container 422 also
has the other feature of container 22 noted above such as shoulder
straps, carrying handles, an elasticized retaining matrix, and a
see-through mesh pocket. Aside from greater depth, container 422
has the same construction as container 22 described above with
reference to FIG. 10.
[0112] Liner 424, is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. It is made from a
membrane, or web, in the nature of a sheet 450 of flexible,
transparent plastic stock, in particular, static cling vinyl. Liner
424 has a base 462 and four sides, front, rear, left hand and right
hand respectively, 454, 456, 458, and 460 extending upwardly from
base 452. Each of sides 454, 456, 458 and 460 is joined to base 452
at a base edge, and each has an opposite, distal edge distant from
its respective base edge. The sides meet at respective upstanding
corners 478, 480, 482 and 484. A chamber 486 is defined between
base 452 and sides 454, 456, 458 and 460. Chamber 486 has an
opening 488 defined by the peripheral lip 490 formed collectively
by the distal edges 470, 472, 474 and 476 of sides 454, 456, 458
and 460. Immediately below lip 490 liner support fasteners, in the
nature of hook and eye strips, are mounted to sheet 450. This
mounting may be by heat welding or by use of a bonding agent or
adhesive. Lip 490 is folded over to form a hem, and a continuous
zipper around three sides of lip 490, and a fastener 492 in the
nature of a fabric hook-and-eye strip are sewn in place with
stitching 494 that is at a height relative to base 452 that is
expected to be well above the liquid level in liner 424. It will be
appreciated that liner 424 could, alternatively, and with
appropriate geometric adjustments, be formed in any of the shapes
described above in the context of FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6. It will also
be appreciated that liner 424 could be formed in a shape having a
lid, as illustrated in FIG. 11.
[0113] In FIG. 13, partition 425 is shown in a vertical
orientation, and, just as in the manner of partition 25, partition
425 is variably positionable. About the upper portion of its
periphery it has a strip engaging material 496 that catches on
mating strips 497 and 498 located on the inner face of liner 424.
These strips can be hook and eye fastener strips. The range of the
strips permits the division of sub-compartments 427 and 429 of
chamber 486 into equal, half-and half zones or portions, or into
some other proportion of zones or portions, such as 1/4 to 3/4, 1/3
to 2/3, 2/5 to 3/5 and so forth as may be found desirable given the
objects to be contained in chamber 486.
[0114] In FIG. 14, liner 424 is shown with partition 425 in a
horizontal arrangement. Container 422 and liner 424 have been
illustrated as having the same, or roughly the same, width and
height, so that partition 425 can be used, as in FIG. 13, to divide
chamber 486 into two zones separated by a vertical bulkhead or
divider. Alternatively partition 425 can be used to divided chamber
486 into two zones separated by a horizontal, or roughly
horizontal, floor or divider, or partition. In the latter case, the
materials below the partition, such as cans, bottles or boxes, (not
shown) support the partition, and the materials above rest upon the
partition. Partition 425 is a relatively stiff panel, having a
stiffener element that is insulated on both planar faces, and
encased in a substantially water impermeable, and washable,
external skin. The insulation material is a closed cell foam,
generally similar to that used in the body of container 422. The
plan form of partition 425 is generally rectangular, with rounded
corners, to fit within the projected opening shape of liner 424 in
close fitting relationship either in the vertical orientation of
FIG. 13 or the horizontal configuration of FIG. 14.
[0115] While partition 425 is water impermeable, its fit within
liner 424 is not watertight. It is, however, a sufficient fit to
tend to permit a measure of isolation, or environmental
segregation, between the zones on either side of the partition from
each other. When partition 425 is oriented to lie generally
horizontally it may tend to permit cool materials to be carried in
that portion of chamber 486 below partition 425, and warm or hot
materials above. It may also tend to permit wet, or moist materials
to be carried below partition 425 and relatively dry materials,
such as bread or buns to be carried above. A vertical orientation
of partition 425 may also tend to permit segregation into different
zones of hot and cool for dry materials. In either orientation, the
stiffness of partition 425 may tend to serve to provide softer
materials, such as bread or fruit, with some protection from harder
materials, such as bottles or cans that might otherwise crush them
during the jostling of transportation.
[0116] Although only one partition 425 is illustrated, it would be
possible to provide more than one such partition to permit division
of the internal volume of the container into 3, 4 or more
sub-compartments. It is also possible to provide a divider, or
partition that, in generally horizontal orientation, only covers,
or occludes, a portion of the chamber, in the manner of a partial
shelf, or set of shelves. Such a partial divider may not tend to
provide as effective a thermal barrier as a large partition that
more closely matches the plan form of vertical section of the
container. Notably, each of partitions 25 and 425, as illustrated
and described, is mounted within its respective liner, 24 or
424.
[0117] FIGS. 15 to 31 show an alternative type of soft-sided,
insulated wall, collapsible container assembly, indicated generally
as 500. In FIG. 15, a first container portion is indicated
generally as 502, and a second container portion is indicated
generally as 504. As illustrated, first portion 502 is the same
width and height as second portion 504, but is of lesser length. In
the embodiment illustrated this difference is in the ratio of
approximately 2:1, but could be greater or lesser, typically in the
range of 1:1 to 5:1.
[0118] The basic lid, bottom, and sidewall construction of each of
the first and second portions is the same as described above in the
context of containers 22 and 422. Each has the general form of
six-sided softwalled box, with portions 502 and 504 being joined at
a common insulated wall 506 that is silvered on both sides. As with
containers 22 and 422, a pair of left and right hand carrying
handles 508 and 510 are provided, being mounted to main sidewall
portions 512 and 514 of second portion 504. The front and rear
faces each have a ring mounting 514, 516 to which a carrying strap,
such as a shoulder strap, (not shown) can be attached. A top ring
fitting 518 is mounted to the lid portion 520 of second portion
504, and is rooted in the join between first and second portions
502 and 504.
[0119] End face 522 of first portion 502 has a peripheral strap
524, and a see through mesh pocket 526 in the manner of pocket 84
described above. A hook and eye fastener strip 528 is mounted
laterally to pocket 526 adjacent to, and below its lip to provide
an anchoring location for a mating fastener strap 530 mounted to
the inner lip 532 of the inside face of lid portion 532 of first
portion 502. First portion 502 also has a pair of storage fastening
straps, in the nature of left and right hand side retainers 534 and
536 rooted in the main junction, that extend to engage either
fastening strips 538 and 540 (similar to items 70 and 72, above)
when in the collapsed position described above, or storage strips
542 and 544 (similar to items 74 and 76) when the cooler is in its
expanded position.
[0120] Second portion 504 also has a peripheral strap, 550, side
retainers 552 and 554, and collapsed and open position hook and eye
fastener patches 556, 558, 560 and 562. End face 564 of second
portion 504 does not have a lateral strip similar to strip 528.
Instead, the outer end tang 566 of each of retainers 552 and 554
has a hook and eye fabric fastener patch on both inside and outside
faces. In that way, when second portion 504 is collapsed, retainers
552 and 554 engage patches 560 and 562. Then lid portion 520 is
drawn downwardly over end face 564 and a fastening strip 570
mounted inside the lip of lid portion 520 engages the outside face
patches of tangs 564 and 566, and is retained in place by them.
[0121] Each of portions 502 and 504 is provided with a liner, 572
and 576 respectively, either or both of which can be provided with
an insulated partition analogous to partition 425, as described
above in the context of FIGS. 12, 13 and 14. It is not necessary
that both portions 502 and 504 have a water-tight liner, since it
may be that only one chamber is required for containing a wet
object or objects. The double-cooler arrangement illustrated
provides a fixed, water-tight barrier between one environment, that
prevailing in chamber 580 of first portion 502, and another
environment, that prevailing in chamber 582 of second portion 504.
In the event that partitions are provided, those chamber can
themselves be further divided. Although the relative sizes of
chambers 580 and 582 are fixed, wall 506 provides a more
substantial thermal barrier than the moveable partitions. Further,
lid portions 520 and 532 provide separate access to the respective
compartments, that is, chambers 580 and 582. Assembly 500, like
assemblies 20 and 420 provides the combination of a liquid
containment barrier for discouraging unwanted escape of liquid, and
an environment segregation barrier by which to separate cool and
cold, cold and hot, wet and dry, or soft and hard. However, in the
former two cases, the physical segregation barrier, that is,
partition 25 or 425, is mounted within the moisture containment
barrier, that is either liner 28 or 428. In the latter instance
whether or not there is also a moveable partition provided, the
moisture containment barrier lies to one side of the dividing wall,
in the nature of common wall 506.
[0122] FIGS. 32 to 41 show a soft-sided insulated container,
indicated generally as 600. It has a first, or lower portion,
indicated generally as 602, a second, or upper portion, indicated
generally as 604, and an insulated partition 606 segregating the
interior of lower portion 602 from the interior of upper portion
604. As with collapsible container assembly 500, container 600 has
two separate enclosures, or chambers, 608 and 610, defined within
respective portions 602 and 604, each of which can be used to
encourage the contents thereof to be maintained at a different
temperature. For example, one chamber, be it 608 or 610, can be
used to keep one type of food or other object warm, while the other
is used to keep another food or object cool. In contrast to
assembly 500, in which the two chambers 580 and. 582 are side by
side, container 600 is intended to place chambers 608 and 610 one
above the other, as in the manner of a lunch bucket. As with
container portions 502 and 504, lower portion 602 and upper portion
604 each have an independent closure member, in the nature of
zippers 612 and 614, respectively. However, while portions 502 and
504 have separate opening panels, namely lid portions 520 and 532,
in the case of container 600, portions 602 and 604 share a common
wall, or enclosing member, namely partition 606. When zipper 612
(or zipper 614) is moved to an open position, the remainder of
container 600 is displaceable relative to lower portion 602. That
is, the remainder of container 600 is able to move pivotally about
a flexible fabric hinge 616 away from lower portion 602 (or, in the
case of upper portion 604, the remainder pivots away from portion
604 about a flexible fabric hinge 618), generally in the manner of
a pivotable lunch bucket lid. In the case of use of container 600
as a lunch container, such as a student may take to school, or such
as may be used for a similar purpose, it is possible to place food
in the lower chamber, 608, in the same orientation as it will be
carried when container 600 is lifted either by its handle or by its
carrying strap. In this way, food carried in container 600 may have
less tendency to be squashed of to spill than if packed in a
container that is then subsequently carried in a sideways
orientation.
[0123] Describing this structure in detail, lower portion 602 is a
soft-sided insulated wall structure that has a rectangular bottom
wall, 622, a left hand side wall 624, a right hand side wall 626, a
front wall 628 and a rear wall 630. Walls 624, 626, 628 and 630 are
joined in a rectilinear shape about bottom wall 622. The lower
margins of walls 624, 626, 628 and 630 mate with the margins of
bottom wall 622 to form an upwardly opening, open top box, those
walls defining therewithin lower chamber 608. Bottom wall 622 has a
reinforced wear resistant outer surface, and rounded corners so
that container 600 has corners that are not sharp, but slightly
rounded. This tends to facilitate packing of container 600 into
larger containers, such Is a child's knapsack, and also facilitates
use of closure members in the nature of zippers 612 and 614, as
zippers tend to follow a radiused curve with relatively greater
ease than a sharp corner, even a small radius providing relatively
smooth operation.
[0124] As shown in FIG. 41, chamber 608 has a vinyl lining 632 that
is secured about the open edges 633, 634, 635, and 636 of walls
624, 626, 628, and 630 and is not otherwise secured, such that
lining 632 can be partially inverted to facilitate washing and
drying. The upper peripheral margin of lower portion 602, being
made up of the upper margins of each of the sides, namely edges
633, 634, 635 and 636, define the lip, or rim, of an opening 637 of
chamber 608. At the upper margin of rear wall 630, namely edge 636,
rear wall 630 is joined by hinge 616 to a rearward margin, or edge,
of partition 606. One set of teeth of lower zipper 612 is mounted
about the upper margins of the remaining three sides, namely to
edges 633, 634 and 635, and mates with an opposed set of zipper
teeth mounted to side and front edges 638, 639 and 640 of partition
606. Movement of the zipper car of zipper 612 allows zipper 612 to
be opened and closed, thus controlling access to chamber 608.
[0125] The insulated construction of lower portion 602 is the same
as that shown in FIG. 10. Lower portion 602 does not, as shown,
have an internal, removable clear vinyl liner such as liner 24.
Such a liner, whether seamed or seamless, is optional. Lower
portion 602 has an open mesh pocket 641 mounted to front wall 628
for carrying loose items, pocket 641 being opened and closed by a
closure member in the nature of a zipper 643.
[0126] As shown in FIG. 40, upper portion 604 is an upper, or
second, soft-sided insulated wall structure. It has a pair of
flexible, insulated end walls 642 and 644 that have a shape similar
to a `D` placed on its side, or a rounded, inverted `U`, such as to
give upper portion 604 a profile when seen from an end view as in
FIG. 36 or 37 that defines a container lid contour similar to the
end view of a rounded top of a lunch bucket. While a generally
semi-circular profile is shown, alternative embodiments need not be
precisely semi-circular, but could include an arc describing less
than 180 degrees, could include straight portions adjoining
radiused portions, or could include a parabolic or elliptic curve,
or an arbitrarily chosen curve giving a generally arch-like, domed
profile.
[0127] A flexible, insulated top panel 646 extends between end
panels 642 and 644 and is joined to them at sewn end seams such
that panel 646 has a curved form to follow the end profile
described in a rounded, generally semi-cylindrical, or partially
cylindrical manner, the lower margins of each of end walls 642 and
644 forming a chord of the curved shape. When formed on an arc in
this way, top panel 646 may tend, in co-operation with end panels
642 and 644, to form a stiffer section than if panel 646 were
replaced by a planar top panel. The cover, or lid structure,
indicated generally as 645, that is formed by the co-operation of
panel 646 and end walls 642, 644 defines within it upper chamber
610. Lid structure 645 has the general appearance of the top of a
lunch bucket, although it is soft-sided and relatively flexible,
rather than rigid in the manner of a metal structure. The lower
margin of lid structure 645, namely the lower front and rear edges
of longitudinal panel 646 and the lower edges of the left and right
hand end panels, 642 and 644, is of a size and shape that
corresponds to the upper margin of lower portion 602 such that the
one soft-sided insulated wall structure can sit upon the other in
an aligned manner, the respective lengths and widths corresponding
one to another.
[0128] Panel 646 is joined along its rearward lower margin, or
edge, to partition 606 by flexible hinge 618. One set of teeth of
zipper 614 is mounted along the lower margins of end walls 642, 644
and the front lower margin of panel 646, with the corresponding set
of mating teeth being mounted to adjacent edges of partition 606
such that zipper 614 has a three-sided U-shape, and is moveable
between open and closed positions to govern access to chamber 610
defined within panel 646 and end walls 642 and 644. Chamber 610 has
a generally rectangular opening 650 defined by the lower margins,
or edges of panel 646 and end walls 642 and 644 as described above.
Objects can be introduced into chamber 610 through opening 650 when
zipper 618 is in its open position.
[0129] The construction of panel 646 and end walls 642 and 644 is
generally as described above, incorporating an external skin of a
flexible, wear resistant material such as a woven nylon, a medial,
closed cell insulation layer, and a reflective inner skin such that
inside surfaces 651, 652 and 653 of panel 646 and end walls 642 and
644 respectively, have a shiny finish.
[0130] A suspension member, in the nature of a carrying handle 654,
is mounted centrally on panel 646, with its bail and reinforcement
webbing oriented to run longitudinally, that is, parallel to the
crest of panel 646. Another suspension member, in the nature of a
carrying strap 656, is connected by releasable clasps to mounting
rings lying adjacent to the apices of either end wall, 642 or 646.
In alternative embodiments, a suspension member, whether in the
nature of handle 654 or in the nature of carrying strap 656 or
another suspension means, need not be mounted precisely at the
crest of panel 646, or at the respective apices of end panels 642
and 644, but can be mounted in such a manner that the center of
lift of the suspension member is at a level, measured relative to
the base side, lying above the level of the center of gravity of
the container when packed. It is preferable that the center of lift
lie directly above the center of gravity such that an axis
intersecting both the center of lift and the center of gravity is
perpendicular to the base side.
[0131] Partition 606 is a flexible insulated structure, including a
panel 660 having a closed cell foam insulation layer such as shown
in FIG. 10, captured between reflective skins 661 and 662 that
define lower and upper surfaces thereof respectively. Zippers 612
and 614, and flexible hinges 616 and 618 are mounted about the
peripheral edges of panel 660 as described above. In addition, a
retainer in the nature of an upstanding peripheral wall member,
identified as a rim, or lip, 664 having front, rear, left hand and
right hand side portions, is mounted continuously about the outer
edges of panel 660. Lip 664 extends away from, or, in the
orientation shown, upwardly relative to, panel 660 to an altitude
that, in the embodiment illustrated is 1.5 inches, or slightly more
than half the height of end walls 642 and 644. This generous lip
acts as a retainer to urge an object, such as a round cylindrical
beverage tin, not to roll away, or a smooth object, such as a
plastic soup container not to slide, but to remain in place while
the top, or lid structure 645 is being opened or closed. In the
alternative, lip 664 could be of lesser height, such as a height
between 3/8 inches and 11/2 inches, or a proportion of the internal
height of chamber 610 that is less than 1/2, whether lying in the
range of 1/5 to 1/2 at a height such as 1/4, 1/3, or 2/5 of the
height of chamber 610. Lip 662 tends to lean inward relative to the
periphery of panel 660, such that lip 662 seats inside the lower
margins of lid structure 645 as lid structure 645 closes.
[0132] A peripheral rim or lip 668 depends from the underside of
panel 660, and extends fully about the front, rear, left hand and
right hand margins thereof inside hinge 616 and zipper 612, and,
when zipper 612 is closed, lip 668 engages the lip formed about
opening 637 tending thereby to form an insulating seal. A
ventilated panel, in the nature of a mesh web 670 is attached to
the underside of panel 660 by having its edges sewn into the same
seam as three sides of lip 668, such that a receptacle in the
nature of a pocket 672 is defined between web 670 and lower surface
662 of panel 660. Pocket 672 has a lip 674, and immediately inside
lip 674 there is a pocket closure, or fastener, in the nature of a
fabric hook and eye strip closure 676. Pocket 672 is of a size to
enclose a thermal energy storage element 678, such as an ice pack
or heating pack, such that the temperature in chamber 608, and of
objects therein, can be influenced to have a warmed or cooled
condition relative to external ambient. In an alternative
embodiment, lid structure 645 can also be provided with a similar
pocket and thermal energy storage element.
[0133] Another, preferred embodiment of a two chamber, soft-sided
insulated container assembly is shown in FIGS. 42 to 47 as 700.
Container assembly 700 has an appearance similar to container 600,
but differs from it, and from container 500, insofar as while it
has two segregated insulated chambers, rather than having one
chamber beside the other, as in container 500, and rather than
having one insulated chamber atop the other, as in container 600,
container assembly 700 has one chamber that fits removably inside
the other. Although assembly 700 is preferred by the inventor, it
has been observed that some users prefer item 600 and some prefer
item 700 according to their own needs or tastes.
[0134] In greater detail, container assembly 760 has a primary
enclosure structure, or container, 701 having a first soft-sided
insulated wall structure in the nature of a lower portion 702, and
a second soft-sided insulated wall structure in the nature of an
upper portion 704. Lower portion 702 has the same construction as
lower portion 602 of container 600, and upper portion 704 has the
same shape and construction as upper portion 604 of container 600.
Lower portion 702 differs from lower portion 602 insofar as its
component bottom, front, rear, left hand and right hand walls
present a reflective inner surface. A clear plastic liner 706 made
of vinyl, is mounted within lower chamber 708 and is sewn into rim
710 formed about opening 712 of chamber 708. Rim 710 defines the
upper peripheral margin of lower portion 702, that upper margin
including the upper margins of each of the front, rear, left hand
and right hand sides of lower portion 702. As also noted in the
context of other liners described herein, liner 706 can be inverted
to facilitate washing and drying, as shown in FIG. 43. One strip of
a hook-and-eye fabric fastening is indicated as 711. The purpose of
strip 711 is described below.
[0135] Upper portion 704 has the same structure as lid structure
645, but is deeper due to the use of only a single closure member,
in the nature of zipper 714, rather than the double closure member
arrangement of zippers 612 and 614. The volume of upper portion 704
can be defined as that volume lying within upper portion 704 above
the level of zipper 714, while the volume of lower portion 702 can
similarly be defined as the volume lying within the walls of
portion 702 below the level of zipper 714. Zipper 714 and flexible
fabric hinge 716 running along the back of container 701 at the
level of zipper 714, define openings 712 and 720 of lower and upper
portions 702 and 704 respectively. As described, lower portion 702
and upper portion 704 of container assembly 700 co-operate to
define an internal chamber 715, having the combined volumes of a
first chamber portion, namely the volume of lower portion 702, and
of a second chamber portion, namely the volume of upper portion
704. As noted, the second soft-sided insulated wall structure,
namely upper portion 704, is displaceable relative to the first
soft-sided insulated wall structure, namely lower portion 702, the
one being pivotable relative to the other between open and closed
positions, thereby giving access to the chamber defined
therein.
[0136] Unlike container 600, container 701 has a flap, divider,
partition or suspension member, in the nature of a sling 722
mounted as a suspended span across opening 720, one side being
attached to hinge 716 by a continuous fabric hinge, the other side
being connected to the opposed inner lip, or rim, of upper portion
704 by a pair of spaced apart snaps 723, 724. Sling 722 permits
circulation of air between the upper and lower volumes from each
other, and is not insulated. Sling 722 has, on the underside
thereof, a pocket 726 having an open mesh flap. Pocket 726 is
opened and closed by a zipper 727 lying along the outer, or distal
edge, that is, the edge lying next to snaps 723 and 724. An energy
storage element, in the nature of a heating or cooling pack,
indicated as 728, can be placed in pocket 726 to influence the
temperature in container 701. As shown in FIG. 44, a beverage such
as a canned drink, 729, can be placed, typically longitudinally,
between sling 722 and the lid structure of upper portion 704. When
the lid portion, that is, upper portion 704, is closed, the
beverage is carried above lower portion 702 by sling 722. As such,
the beverage is in a position to be influenced directly by
conduction heat transfer to or from pack 728. An address label
pouch, attached to sling 722, is shown as item 721.
[0137] In contrast to container 600, container assembly 700 does
not have a partition segregating the volumes of lower portion 702
and upper portion 704 from each other, and hence has only a single
peripheral zipper. Rather, a third soft-sided, insulated wall
structure is provided, in the nature of secondary soft-sided
insulated container 730. Container 730 is has a generally
rectangular bottom wall 732 with rounded corners, and a single
upstanding peripheral wall 734 mating with the margins of bottom
wall 732 to stand upright with four generally rectangular
upstanding side wall portions 736, 737, 738 and 739. A hinged lid
740 is connected to the upper, or distal margin of side wall
portion 736, and has a zipper 742 that is drawn about the remaining
upper, or distal, edges of side wall portions 737, 738 and 739.
Container 730 is of a size for holding commonly available plastic
dishware 741 with sealable lids, of a kind suitable for holding hot
soup. Lid 740 is pivotally moveable on its hinge between a closed
position, as shown in FIG. 45, and an open position as shown in
FIG. 44.
[0138] As shown in FIG. 46, the rearward side of container 730 has
a strip of hook-and-eye fastening material, indicated as 742,
placed to mate with strip 711 when container 730 is mounted in
place within container 701. In this way a releasable attachment
fitting is provided that permits container 730 to be removed or
installed, and, when installed, the releasable attachment fitting,
by the co-operation of items 742 and 711 , discourages relative
motion of container 730 within lower portion 702. When a relatively
dense, and heavy, object, such as a canned beverage, or a container
of soup, is carried in a lunch box, and the lunch box is placed in
a knap sack, or the lunch box is slung about, any adjacent soft
object, such as a jam sandwich, for example, may tend to become
deformed. The result is that by the time a child opens his or her
lunch box, the soft food may no longer be in an overly appetizing
condition. The use of an attachment means, whether a fitting in the
nature of a hook-and-eye fabric fastener, as shown, or a zipper, or
snaps, or an elasticized retainer cord, may tend to immobilize the
heavier object, while still permitting the removal of the secondary
container, 730, for packing, unpacking, or cleaning.
[0139] A further embodiment of container, generally similar to
container 600, is shown in FIGS. 48 and 49 as 750. Container 750
differs from container 600 in having a clear vinyl liner, similar
to liner 706, overlying a reflective metallic inner surface of
lower chamber 752, and in having a partition 754 whose upper
peripheral lip 756 is more modest than that of container 600, lip
756 being rough 3/8 inches high, rather than 1.5 inches high, and
having a more rounded bead profile as opposed to a taller wall
profile.
[0140] A preferred embodiment has been described in detail and a
number of alternatives have been considered. As changes in or
additions to the above described embodiments may be made without
departing from the nature, spirit or scope of the invention, the
invention is not to be limited by or to those details, but only by
the appended claims.
* * * * *