U.S. patent application number 10/997123 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-18 for insulated carrier.
This patent application is currently assigned to Fashion Production. Invention is credited to Markus Wulf.
Application Number | 20060102497 10/997123 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31725308 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060102497 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wulf; Markus |
May 18, 2006 |
Insulated carrier
Abstract
An insulated carrier for transporting items such as bottles and
the like, and retaining them at a predetermined temperature. The
carrier is made of a flexible material and includes a pocket-like
interior capable of conforming, in a form fitting manner, to the
shape of the object to be transported. A flexible insulating film
is applied to the pocket-like interior. The insulating layer may be
comprised two layers, a first metallic foil layer, facing the item
to be transported, and a second, preferably foamed layer.
Inventors: |
Wulf; Markus; (Dusseldorf,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RYAN KROMHOLZ & MANION, S.C.
POST OFFICE BOX 26618
MILWAUKEE
WI
53226
US
|
Assignee: |
Fashion Production
|
Family ID: |
31725308 |
Appl. No.: |
10/997123 |
Filed: |
November 24, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/145 ;
220/592.2; 220/739; 62/457.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/3846
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/145 ;
062/457.1; 220/739; 220/592.2 |
International
Class: |
B65D 75/00 20060101
B65D075/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 27, 2003 |
DE |
203 18 379.7 |
Claims
1. An insulated carrier for bottles, the carrier being made of a
flexible carrier material, the carrier material forming a
pocket-like inside which takes up a bottle shape in an
approximately form-fitting manner, wherein the inside is provided
with a flexible insulating film.
2. The insulated carrier as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
insulating film comprises a first layer and a second layer, the
first layer facing the bottle shape and comprising a metallic foil
of aluminum.
3. The insulated carrier as set forth in claim 2, wherein the
second layer is comprises a foam, and wherein the second layer is
arranged between the first layer and the carrier material.
4. The insulated carrier as set forth in claim 3, wherein the
second layer has a thickness of approximately 1 mm.
5. The insulated carrier as set forth in claim 1, wherein a
marginal edge of the carrier material is bent over onto the
insulating film, and wherein the marginal edge is fastened firmly
to the insulating film by means of sewing.
6. The insulated carrier as set forth in claim 1 wherein, the
carrier material is a polyester.
7. The insulated carrier as set forth in claim 6, wherein the
polyester material is a 600 D nylon polyester.
8. An insulated carrier for the transport of several bottles, the
carrier comprising an outside wall made a flexible carrier
material, the carrier material forming several compartments
separated by partitions, each of the compartments having a
pocket-like shape with an inside, wherein the inside of each of the
compartment takes up a bottle shape in an approximately
form-fitting manner, wherein a flexible insulating film is applied
on the inside of each of the compartments.
9. The insulated carrier as set forth in claim 8, wherein the
insulating film is applied on both sides of the each of the
partitions.
10. The insulated carrier as set forth in claim 8, wherein the
insulating film comprises a first layer and a second layer, the
first layer facing a bottle taken up in the respective compartment,
the first layer being formed by a metallic foil made of
aluminum.
11. The insulated carrier as set forth in claim 10, wherein the
second layer comprises a foam, and wherein the second layer is
arranged between the first layer and the carrier material.
12. The insulated carrier as set forth in claim 11, wherein the
second layer has a thickness of approximately 1 mm.
13. The insulated carrier as set forth in claim 8, wherein a
marginal edge of the carrier material is bent onto the insulating
film, and wherein the marginal edge is fastened firmly to the
insulating film by means of sewing.
14. The insulated carrier as set forth in claim 8, wherein one of
the partitions has have a bend on the outside wall, and wherein the
bend is fastened to the outside wall by means of sewing.
15. The insulated carrier as set forth in claim 8, wherein at least
of the partitions of at least one of the compartments is fastened
to an other of the partitions by means of sewing.
16. The insulated carrier as set forth in claim 8, wherein the
partitions and the outside wall consist of the same material.
17. The insulated carrier as set forth in claim 8, the carrier
material is a polyester.
18. The insulated carrier as set forth in claim 17, wherein the
polyester is a 600 D nylon polyester.
19. The insulated carrier as set forth in claim 8, wherein the
carrier comprises six compartments, and wherein the compartments
are arranged in two rows.
20. The insulated carrier as set forth in claim 8, wherein the
carrier comprises two compartments.
21. The insulated carrier as set forth in claim 8, wherein the
carrier comprises four compartments, the compartments being
arranged in two rows.
22. The insulated carrier as set forth in claim 8, wherein the
carrier comprises eight compartments, the eight compartments being
arranged in two rows.
23. The insulated carrier as set forth in claim 8, wherein the
carrier comprises an even number of compartments.
24. The insulated carrier as set forth in claim 8, wherein the
compartments are arranged in at least two rows, with each of the
rows comprising the same number of compartments.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention pertains to insulated carrier in general and
specifically to insulated carriers for one bottle or for several
bottles, respectively.
PRIOR ART
[0002] In practice, the problem is known that bottles--especially
beverage bottles which are cooled--are to be transported in such a
manner that they are still as cool as possible when they arrive. In
this respect, it is known in particular to suppress warming up by
thermal insulation of the cooled bottles and to thus delay the
warming up of the bottles at least by a period of time which is
significantly longer than the transport period of the cooled
bottles. Conversely, the problem is known to transport hot bottles
in a cool environment such that they will not cool down too much
during transportation.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 3,031,121 A describes an insulated carrier
which is collapsible from an upright position to an approximately
flat condition. In its upright position, the insulated carrier
comprises a nearly rectangular volume. The insulated carrier is
multi-layered in design and comprises an outer layer, a supporting
layer, an insulating layer and an inside layer. The outer layer and
the inner layer are made of a synthetic thermoplastic material such
as, for example, polyethylene or the like. The supporting layer is
part of an essentially rigid supporting part and preferably
consists of cardboard. The insulating layer consists of a
heat-insulating material such as, for example, foamed light-weight
polystyrene or polyurethane. The outer layer, the inner layer and
the insulating layer are connected to the supporting part by means
of heat welding. It is a disadvantage that the insulated carrier
has a pre-defined, rectangular form due to the supporting part so
that the carrier does not have an attractive appearance. It is
furthermore disadvantageous that the insulated carrier is suitable
only for such bottles which have specific dimensions, defined by
the supporting part, so that bottles with deviating dimensions will
not be well insulated. The minimum three layer design of the
insulated carrier with its outer, inner and supporting layer is
complex in its manufacture and will only provide a rigid, barely
pliable insulated carrier. It is also disadvantageous that the
outer layer and the inner layer are each fastened to the supporting
part in a complex and time consuming manner by heat welding. It is
furthermore disadvantageous that cardboard as the material for the
supporting part will lose its rigid mechanical properties with
prolonged use so that the insulated carrier cannot be used over a
long period of time.
[0004] DE 42 19 033 A1 describes an insulated carrier which is
intended for use as a carrier or transport receptacle, especially
for drivers' bags. In its outer design, the insulated carrier is
adjusted to the receiving carrier or, respectively, transport
receptacle, for example a bicycle bag. The insulated carrier is
multi-layer in design and comprises an outer layer of a plastic
outer shell made of PVC, as well as an inner layer made of a clear
plastic film, wherein an insulating material is provided between
the outer layer and the inner layer, especially of aluminum foil or
a foamed polyurethane film. It is a disadvantage that the insulated
carrier is not designed such that it can accept bottles of
different dimensions but that it has--already independent of the
bottles to be taken up--a defined outside appearance, for example,
essentially rectangular and thus of little pleasing design. It is
furthermore a disadvantage that the three-layer structure of the
insulated carrier is expensive to manufacture.
[0005] WO 96/13 447 A1 describes three embodiments of a portable
insulated carrier for temperature-sensitive goods. The first
embodiment shows a band of two films with one of the films being
made of polyethylene and the other film comprising a polyethylene
foam. At least one of the two films has an aluminum coating. Both
films comprise two pockets into which coolants can be inserted. The
pockets can be placed one on top of the other such that an
insulated carrier will be formed which will essentially
homogeneously cool an element accepted the pockets, i.e. the
temperature-sensitive goods. In the second embodiment, an envelope
is arranged in a rectangular pocket, wherein a coolant is provided
in the rectangular pocket but outside of the envelope, so that the
temperature-sensitive goods arranged in the envelope will be
largely homogeneously cooled by the coolant. The third embodiment
shows a deformation-resistant receptacle having an inside part
which is surrounded on both sides by coolants. Disadvantageous in
all three embodiments is that a coolant is to be provided to be
included in the insulated carrier, thus giving it great weight. It
is furthermore disadvantageous that there is little space provided
for the temperature-sensitive goods if the goods have the shape of
a bottle. It is moreover disadvantageous that the insulated carrier
is only effective for as long as the coolant is present. It is
furthermore disadvantageous that the insulated carrier must first
be assembled in a complex manner if a bottle is to be
transported.
[0006] DE 295 12 942 U1 describes a cooler bag comprising several
flexible layers of plastic wherein one plastic layer is designed as
a heat-insulating layer having for further insulation grip parts
made of thin and flexible plastic loops, as well as closing strips
which can be brought into effective connection for closing the
cooler bag. The cooler bag of the type of a closable plastic bag is
generally designed for the transport of cooled goods and thus
little suitable to transport bottles especially. The volume of the
cooler bag is either insufficiently used when transporting one or
several bottles or it is possibly too small. When transporting
bottles, the cooler bag does not provide an esthetic appearance,
especially if several bottles are being transported which are
randomly placed in the cooler bag and, during movement, cause
jangling and thus irritating noises. There is furthermore the risk
that the bottles collide and break.
[0007] DE 78 20 558 U1 describes a cooler bag with an insert
comprising formed recesses to take up bottles. The insert shape is
here provided with a cooling device, for example a cooling unit. A
sleeve is inserted in the recesses which encloses the side walls of
the bottle at least partially tightly. As an alternative to this,
the insert body has a comparatively small volume and is filled with
a coolant mixture. It is here disadvantageous that the insert body
is rigid and thus cannot be stored in a space-saving manner when
the cooler bag is not in use. The recesses matched to the
dimensions of the bottles to be taken can either not take up
bottles with slightly varying dimensions at all or will insulate
them badly. An additional disadvantage of this cooler bag is the
irritating noise especially when the bottles bang against the
recesses. If a coolant mixture is provided, the described cooler
bag will moreover become very heavy.
[0008] It is an aim of the invention to provide an insulated
carrier which will take up little space without the bottles.
[0009] It is an additional or an alternative aim of the invention
to provide an insulated carrier with a visually attractive
appearance when bottles are transported.
[0010] It is an additional or an alternative aim of the invention
to provide an insulated carrier which is easy to manufacture.
[0011] It is an additional or an alternative aim of the invention
to provide an insulated carrier with a reduced weight.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] According to the invention, these aims are achieved by an
insulated carrier for bottles, the carrier being made of a flexible
carrier material, the carrier material forming a pocket-like inside
which takes up a bottle shape in an approximately form-fitting
manner, wherein the inside is provided with a flexible insulating
film.
[0013] According to the invention, these aims are achieved by an
insulated carrier for the transport of several bottles, the carrier
comprising an outside wall made a flexible carrier material, the
carrier material forming several compartments separated by
partitions, each of the compartments having a pocket-like shape
with an inside, wherein the inside of each of the compartment takes
up a bottle shape in an approximately form-fitting manner, wherein
a flexible insulating film is applied on the inside of each of the
compartments.
[0014] The invention provides for applying a flexible insulating
film for thermal insulation on the flexible carrier material of the
insulated carrier on the pocket-type inside or, respectively,
insides which will receive one or several bottle shapes in a
form-fitting manner. The flexible insulating film together with the
flexible carrier material offers the advantage of flexibly forming
the insulating carrier overall and, when not in use, to fold it and
thus store it in a space-saving manner.
[0015] The flexible insulating film is designed thinly and thus
will provide only a minimal gain of weight of the insulated carrier
which is insignificant in comparison with the filled bottles which
are to be transported.
[0016] Since the pocket-type inside which takes up the
corresponding bottle shape is flexibly designed, it will follow the
form of the bottle taken up and will thus provide an esthetically
pleasing appearance according to the dimensions of the bottles
shapes taken up. It is furthermore advantageous if the inside is
dimensioned such that it takes up the bottle shape such that the
bottle shape contacts at least in parts the inside and thus the
insulating film which will provide for good thermal insulation and
avoids developing noises, such as for example irritating jangling.
It is additionally advantageous that bottle shapes of slightly
variable dimensions can be transported as long as they are
approximately form-fittingly received by the inside of the cooling
carrier, with the flexible design of the inside of the insulated
carrier allowing an adjustment to the corresponding dimension of
the bottle shapes to be transported.
[0017] Preferably, the insulating layer is made of two layers, with
a first layer--facing the bottle shape--being designed as a
metallic foil, preferably a foil made of aluminum. The second layer
is preferably made of a foamed material. Such insulating layers are
easy to manufacture and easy to cut to size. The metallic foil,
especially, lets condensation water run off and not enter into the
foam layer where condensation water might significantly reduce
thermal insulation.
[0018] Preferably, the marginal edge of the carrier material is
bent toward the inside and fastened to the insulating film, for
example by sewing so that the passage between carrier material and
insulating film will be visually attractive. It is furthermore
advantageous that the edge of the insulating film is hidden--in
view of the frequent use and the constant introduction of
bottles--and will thus be safe from wear such as abrasion etc. so
that the service life of the insulated carrier will be
increased.
[0019] Preferably, the carrier material is a polyester which is
cheap and can easily be processed. Polyester is impermeable to
water and does not absorb any developing condensation water so that
the insulated carrier cannot become saturated or, respectively,
lose its thermal insulation. Polyester can be processed such that
there will be the impression of a cloth-type fabric with a
corresponding fabric-type pattern which provides a visually
attractive appearance of the insulated carrier as a whole.
[0020] Preferably, the insulated carrier consists of several
individual sections which are fastened such to each other that the
sides having the insulating film are facing the corresponding
bottle shape. Together with a bottom which need not necessarily
also have a thermal insulating film, an insulated carrier can thus
be easily and quickly manufactured in view of series
production.
[0021] If the bottom of the insulated carrier is not provided with
the insulating film, it will not be burdened by the weight of the
transported bottles and thus not damaged in the long run.
Furthermore, some of the material of the insulating film can be
saved, resulting in the additional advantage that condensation
water cannot collect on the bottom. Another advantage is that the
bottom without insulating film will be thinner than the side walls
of the insides and thus can be folded easier than the insides so
that the insulated carrier can be folded altogether in a
space-saving manner. Alternatively or additionally, the bottom can
be designed of a thinner carrier material than the side walls.
[0022] Preferably, one inside is surrounded by four individual
sections fastened to each other for example by sewing so that the
received bottle shapes can be taken up even over a greater section
of their respective circumference in an at least approximately
form-fitting manner, and thus at the same time providing an
insulated carrier which is easy and fast to create. In this
respect, it has become apparent in practice that more than four
individual sections delimiting the inside will provide
insignificantly better approximately form-fitting acceptance of the
bottle shapes and thus an only slightly improved thermal
insulation, but would be expensive in manufacture due to the
numerous seams. With insides being formed of only two or three
individual sections, the bottle shape only contacts the insulating
film with a partial section of the outer circumference which is
insufficient for good thermal insulation.
[0023] Preferably, if the insulated carrier is to transport several
bottles simultaneously, it may be provided with several
compartments, each of which will take up one bottle each in an
approximately form-fitting manner so that the above specified
advantages will also result in this case.
[0024] On partitions which separate adjacent compartments, the
insulating film is preferably fastened on both sides of the carrier
material. This arrangement offers the benefit of material and time
savings as compared to a variant wherein the insulating film is
applied only on one side and wherein the sides facing away from the
insulating film and used for making the partition must yet be
fastened with each other. The partitions may be fastened in simple
ways, for example by sewing, and will prevent the adjacent bottles
from abutting with a correspondingly irritating noise.
[0025] Inasmuch a reference has been made above to fastening the
individual sections or, respectively, the partitions by means of
sewing, it is to be understood that other ways of fastening are
also taken into account. Separable fastenings--such as zippers or
Velcro closures--instead of a seam offer the advantage that, in
case of non-use, the fastening can be loosened and the insulated
carrier can largely folded apart and be stowed away in an
especially space-saving manner.
[0026] It is furthermore to be understood that means for carrying
the insulated carrier may be provided and may be fastened on the
insulated carrier--such as grips or handles. The grips or handles
may preferably consist of the same material as the insulated
carrier, for example of polyester, and thus advantageously may
offer a visually harmonic appearance with regard to the actual
insulated carrier.
[0027] Additional advantages and features may become apparent from
the following description of preferable embodiments of insulating
carriers according to the invention, as well as from the appending
dependent claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0028] The invention is described below in more detail and
explained with reference to the enclosed drawing based on the
embodiments of insulated carriers.
[0029] FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic cross-section through a first
embodiment of an insulated carrier according to the invention which
is designed for taking up a bottle shape.
[0030] FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic top view of the insulated
carrier of FIG. 1.
[0031] FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic top view of a second embodiment
of an insulated carrier according to the invention which is
designed for taking up six bottle shapes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0032] FIG. 1 shows an insulated carrier 1 for taking up a bottle
shape not shown here between pocket-like insides 2. A bottom 3
supports the bottle shape.
[0033] The insides 2 are provided with an insulating film 5 on
their inner side, i.e. the respective side 4 facing the bottle
shape. The insulating film 5 is formed of two parts and comprises a
first layer 6 of aluminum foil facing the bottle shape and a second
layer 7 of a foam material. The insulating film 5 is designed as
being cut to size and is fastened on the inside 2 by gluing.
[0034] The carrier material 8 of the insulated carrier 1 is a
polyester, in the presented embodiment a 600 D nylon polyester. At
the opening of the pocket-like inside 2, the carrier material 8
protrudes somewhat over the insulating film 5 so that the carrier
material 8 is bent over on the inside and fastened to the
insulating film 5 by means of seams 9. Near the bottom 3, the
insulating film 5 is additionally fastened to the carrier material
8 by means of additional seams 10. The bottom 3 is designed as one
piece with the carrier material 8.
[0035] The top view of FIG. 2 shows that the inside 2 of the
insulated carrier 1 comprises four individual sections 10, 11, 12
and 13 of which the individual sections 10 and 12 are also shown in
the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1. Each of the individual sections
10 to 13 features the two-layered insulating film 5 applied on the
inside and shown in FIG. 1. Each individual section 10 to 13 is
bent over on one end, with the bend being fastened on the adjacent
individual section by one seam each 14 to 17. The individual
sections 10 and 12 are designed as one piece and will form, in
particular, the bottom 3 shown in FIG. 1 to which the other
individual sections 11 and 13 are fastened by additional seams
which are not depicted.
[0036] FIG. 3 presents a second embodiment where, as compared to
the first embodiment presented in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 respectively,
the equivalent or comparable components are identified by the same
reference numerals. The following description intends in particular
to emphasize the differences to the first embodiment.
[0037] The insulated carrier 1' shown in FIG. 3 can be conceived to
have been created from the insulated carrier 1 presented in FIG. 2
in such a way that the individual sections 10 and 12 which are of
one piece with the bottom 3 in FIG. 2 will maintain their
longitudinal dimension, while the individual sections 11 and 13 are
stretched by approx. half of the longitudinal dimension,
wherein--in the then rectangular insulated carrier 1' seen in a top
view--partitions 18 to 24 are inserted which separate six
compartments 26 to 31 arranged in two rows of three, with each
partition 18 to 24 separating precisely two of the compartments 26
to 31. Each of the compartments 26 to 31 is equivalent to a
pocket-like inside such as the inside 2 in the first embodiment of
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, respectively, and will each retain a bottle
shape, not depicted here. Each of the compartments 26 to 31 is
lined on the inside by the two-layered insulating film 5 shown in
FIG. 1. Each of the partitions 18 to 24 is provided with the
insulating film 5 on both sides.
[0038] The outside wall is formed by the short individual sections
10' and 12' formed as one part with the bottom 3' which are
fastened with the longer individual sections 11' and 13' by seams
32, 33, 34 and 35 such that--on each corner--no section of the
adjoining individual sections will project. To this end, with each
of the sections 11', 10', 13' and 12', the insulating film 5 is
offset from the edge of section 11', 10', 13' and 12' respectively
such that the corresponding carrier material protrudes slightly. In
parallel with the corresponding edge, the edge of the insulating
film 5 will be fastened to the carrier material by means of one
seam each, not depicted in FIG. 3. A section of the corresponding
protrusion of the carrier material--the section being parallel with
the edge--is bent to the inside onto the insulating film 5. For
connecting the sections 11', 10', 13' and 12' with each other, one
seam each of 33, 32, 35 and 34, respectively penetrates the
sections of the corresponding protrusions and fastens the adjacent
sections 11', 10', 13' and 12' with each other. The corresponding
seam 33, 32, 35 and 34 respectively does not pass through the
insulating film 5 so that seam 33, 32, 35 and 34, respectively, can
be easily applied without passing through a fabric which is too
thick.
[0039] The partitions 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 feature each a
joint edge with the respective outside walls 11', 12', 10' and 13'
on which the partitions 18 to 23 are bent over with the respective
bend being fastened on the corresponding outside wall 10' to 13' by
means of seams 43 to 48.
[0040] The edges of partitions 18 to 24 which are not fastened on
outside walls 10' to 13' are brought together and fastened to each
other by sewing as a quadruple layer at 36 (partitions 18, 24, 22
and 23) or, respectively, at 37 (partitions 19, 20, 21 5 and 24).
The partitions 18 to 24 are not fastened to the bottom 3'. The
bottom 3' does not feature any insulating film 5 and is, for
example, easily collapsible along a line formed by the partitions
23, 24 and 20 so that the insulated carrier V can overall be simply
folded in a space-saving manner.
[0041] Reference numerals 38 and 39 designate each a point of
application of a first carrying grip--not presented in detail--on
the outside wall 11', whereas reference numerals 41 and 42 each
indicate a point of application of a second, additional carrying
grip provided on the outside wall 13'.
[0042] Both carrying grips can be combined to one joint grip which
is arranged in FIG. 3 approximately above partition 24, and which
grips are fastened to each other by means of Velcro fasteners. The
carrying grips consist of 600 D nylon polyester and thus are of the
same material as the carrier material.
[0043] The invention has been described above on the basis of a
second embodiment of an insulated carrier for six bottles wherein
the six compartments 26 to 31 had been arranged in two rows with
three compartments each. It is here to be understood that insulated
carriers can also be provided for only two bottles, as well as
insulated carriers for four or, respectively, eight bottles,
wherein the four or, respectively, eight compartments can be
especially arranged each in two rows of two or, respectively, four
compartments each.
* * * * *