U.S. patent application number 10/639994 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-17 for freezable container for a cooler.
Invention is credited to Hull, Kenneth W., O'Brien, Sean Michael, Reber, Fred, Sander, David R., Scherer, Thomas W., Schneider, Stephanie Killion.
Application Number | 20050035120 10/639994 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34135994 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050035120 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hull, Kenneth W. ; et
al. |
February 17, 2005 |
Freezable container for a cooler
Abstract
A freezable container includes a base portion and may include a
lid. The base portion may include a cold-retaining medium layer and
be configured to be freezable to maintain a chilled environment for
stored content. The freezable container may be configured to fit
inside an insulated container such as a cooler.
Inventors: |
Hull, Kenneth W.; (Wooster,
OH) ; O'Brien, Sean Michael; (Wooster, OH) ;
Reber, Fred; (Shreve, OH) ; Sander, David R.;
(Wooster, OH) ; Scherer, Thomas W.; (Mansfield,
OH) ; Schneider, Stephanie Killion; (Wooster,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSHALL, GERSTEIN & BORUN LLP
6300 SEARS TOWER
233 S. WACKER DRIVE
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
34135994 |
Appl. No.: |
10/639994 |
Filed: |
August 13, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/23.87 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 3/06 20130101; F25D
2303/0832 20130101; A45C 2013/026 20130101; A45C 11/20 20130101;
F25D 2331/804 20130101; B65D 81/382 20130101; F25D 2303/082
20130101; B65D 81/3825 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/023.87 |
International
Class: |
B65D 021/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A first enclosure removably disposed within a second enclosure,
wherein the first enclosure includes: a lid; and a base portion
operatively coupled to the lid, the base portion comprising a
bottom portion integrally coupled to a sidewall portion wherein the
bottom portion, sidewall portion, and lid together define a
compartment, the base portion further comprising at least one layer
formed from a cold-retaining medium adapted to be freezable.
2. The first enclosure according to claim 1 wherein the base
portion comprises: a first peripheral layer composed of a polymer;
a second peripheral layer composed of a polymer; a third layer
composed of a cold-retaining medium disposed between the first and
the second peripheral layers; and a bonding layer composed of an
adhesive material disposed between the first and the second
peripheral layers.
3. The first enclosure according to claim 1 wherein the base
portion comprises: a first peripheral layer composed of a polymer;
a second peripheral layer composed of a polymer; a bonding layer
composed of an adhesive material disposed between the first and the
second peripheral layers; a separate cold-retaining medium layer
positioned adjacent to the first peripheral layer within the
compartment.
4. The first enclosure according to claim 1 wherein the lid
comprises: a first peripheral layer composed of a polymer; a second
peripheral layer composed of a polymer; a third layer composed of a
cold-retaining medium disposed between the first and the second
peripheral layers; and a bonding layer composed of an adhesive
material disposed between the first and the second peripheral
layers.
5. The first enclosure of claim 2, wherein the first polymer layer
is formed from a thermoplastic material.
6. A freezable enclosure comprising a lid and a base portion
operatively coupled to the lid, the base portion comprising a
bottom portion integrally coupled to a sidewall portion wherein the
bottom portion, sidewall portion, and lid together define a
compartment, the base portion further comprising at least one layer
formed from a cold-retaining medium adapted to be freezable.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] It is known in the art to provide container trays that fit
within an insulated container such as a cooler. Trays are generally
rectangular or square-shaped with a hollow container region. In
general, the trays are made out of a single layer of plastic or
other material. Some trays lack a lid or a cover. Such trays do not
always effectively separate their contents from the remainder of
the insulated container, nor do the trays have insulating
properties or keep their contents chilled.
[0002] It is also known in the art to provide container liners
which provide insulation and structural support for a soft,
flexible container. An example of such a liner is disclosed in
Melk, U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,095. The liner provides an added degree
of waterproofing and insulation. Liners in general, however, do not
permit different levels of chilling of the contents, or
organization of the contents, within a container.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] In general, a freezable container in accordance with the
teachings of the disclosure keeps its contents chilled or heated
and separates the content from the insulated container into which
the freezable container is placed. The freezable container has a
base portion that may include a bottom wall and side walls, and a
lid engaged to a side wall to cover the base portion. The lid may
be attached to the side wall by a hinge or other means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a freezable container
for an insulated cooler;
[0005] FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the freezable container;
[0006] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the freezable container
disposed within an insulated cooler;
[0007] FIG. 4a depicts a cross-sectional view along line 3 of FIG.
1 showing the walls of the freezable container being composed of
multiple layers;
[0008] FIG. 4b depicts a cross-sectional view along line 3 of FIG.
1 showing the walls of the freezable container being composed of
multiple layers and a flexible sealed bag composing one of the
layers;
[0009] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the freezable container
having a hinged lid covering the interior of the freezable
container; and
[0010] FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of the freezable container
having a separate lid designed to engage the freezable
container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a freezable container 8
includes a base portion 10 and a lid 50. In particular, the base
portion has side walls 20, a bottom wall 60, a bottom peripheral
edge 30, an opening edge 40 upon which the lid 50 rests, and a
hinge portion 70 that attaches the lid 50 to the base portion
10.
[0012] As seen in FIG. 3, the freezable container 8 may be disposed
within a larger container such as an insulated cooler 100. The
freezable container 8 is preferably sufficiently large so that
while it is disposed within the insulated cooler 100, a pair of
opposing side walls 20 rests adjacent to a pair of opposing wall
surfaces 110 of the insulated cooler 100 to reduce unintended
shifting of the freezable container 8. In addition, the bottom wall
60 of the freezable container 8 may rest upon a bottom surface 120
of the insulated cooler 100.
[0013] FIGS. 4a and 4b show cross-sectional view of the base
portion 10 of the freezable container 8 having the side walls 20
and the bottom wall 60. In particular, the side walls 20 and the
bottom wall 60 may be composed of four distinct layers. The first
layer, an outer surface 80, may form the exterior of the base
portion 10. An inner surface 92 may form the interior of the base
portion 10. Both the outer surface 80 and the inner surface 92 may
be composed of a thermoplastic material, such as a polycarbonate or
polyethylene terephthalate. As shown in FIG. 4a, a cold-retaining
medium layer 88 may be disposed adjacent to the inner surface 92.
The cold-retaining medium layer 88 may be configured to be frozen
and remain cold for an extended duration of time, or may also be
heated in a microwave.
[0014] The cold-retaining medium layer 88 may be composed of a
liquid such as a water/glycol mixture. The layer 88 may also be a
gel such as the compound commonly known as "Blue Ice" or a similar
mixture. Such a medium is more commonly found in reusable cold
compresses and permits the compresses to be repeatedly frozen or
heated. Alternatively, as seen in FIG. 4b, if the layer 88 is
composed of a gel, the gel may be encased within a flexible sealed
bag 98 that may be composed of a polymer. This bag 98 would form
the cold-retaining medium layer 88. The cold-retaining medium layer
88 may serve to keep an interior cavity 96 of the freezable
container 8 in a chilled or heated state. A tie layer 84, composed
of an adhesive that secures the cold-retaining medium layer 88 with
the outer surface 80, may be disposed between the cold-retaining
medium layer 88 and the outer surface 80.
[0015] Alternatively, the flexible sealed bag 98, rather than being
encased within the base portion 10, may be separate from the
remainder of the base portion 10 and may be placed upon the inner
surface 92 to rest within the interior of base portion 10. The bag
98 may be cooled or heated and subsequently disposed within the
base portion 10. Contents stored in the freezable container 8 may
be placed within the bag 98, upon the bag 98, adjacent to the bag
98, or below the bag 98.
[0016] As best seen in FIG. 5, the freezable container 8 may have a
lid 50 attached to the base portion 10 along a hinge portion 70.
Similarly to the base portion 10, the lid 50 may also be composed
of four distinct layers: an outer surface 80, an inner surface 92,
a cold-retaining medium layer 88 disposed adjacent to the inner
surface 92, and a tie layer 84 disposed between the cold-retaining
medium layer 88 and the outer surface 80. The hinge portion 70 may
engage the lid 50 so as to permanently attach the lid 50 to the
base portion 10 (i.e., a live hinge configuration). Alternatively,
the hinge portion 70 may be formed so as to allow the lid 50 to
disengage the hinge portion 70 and detach from the base portion 10
for easier cleaning of the base portion 10 and the lid 50. As a
further alternative, the lid 50 may be a completely separate
component.
[0017] Alternatively, FIG. 6 shows a freezable container 8 that
lacks a hinge portion. The lid 55 is unattached but may engage the
base portion 10 by resting upon the opening edge 40 of the base
portion 10.
[0018] The foregoing detailed description has been given for
clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations
should be understood therefrom, as modifications will be apparent
to those skilled in the art. For example, the disclosure is
applicable to freezable containers made from other materials, such
as, for example, metal.
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