U.S. patent application number 11/001398 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-01 for liner for portable food storage container.
Invention is credited to Ross D. Goulette.
Application Number | 20060113307 11/001398 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36566428 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060113307 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goulette; Ross D. |
June 1, 2006 |
Liner for portable food storage container
Abstract
A liner having adhesive attached to areas of its outer surfaces
for preventing contamination of portable food storage containers.
In one embodiment, the liner may be made of an antimicrobial
material.
Inventors: |
Goulette; Ross D.; (Hudson,
WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ross D. Goulette
4189 Lakewood Avenue
White Bear Lake
MN
55110-3925
US
|
Family ID: |
36566428 |
Appl. No.: |
11/001398 |
Filed: |
December 1, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/495.06 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 11/20 20130101;
A45C 13/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/495.06 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/14 20060101
B65D025/14 |
Claims
1. A liner for use inside a portable food storage device,
comprising: a. a pliable container defining an open end, a floor,
lateral sides, the lateral sides having a top edge and a lower
edge, the lower edge of the lateral sides and floor are attached
and sealed to each other to define an inner space and an outer
surface; and b. attachment means on at least one portion of the
outer surface of the container proximate the open end.
2. The liner of claim 1 wherein the pliable container defines at
least three lateral sides attached to the floor.
3. The liner of claim 1 wherein the pliable container defines four
lateral sides attached to the floor.
4. The liner of claim 3 wherein the liner has a front side, a back
side, a left side and a right side.
5. The liner of claim 4 wherein the front side and back side define
a length and a width and are approximately equal to each other in
length and the left side and right side define a length and a width
and are approximately equal to each other in length.
6. The liner of claim 3 wherein at least two attachment means are
attached to separate locations on the outer surface of the
container.
7. The liner of claim 6 wherein one of the at least two attachment
means is attached to the outer surface of the container proximate
the open end and another of the at least two adhesive sections is
attached to an opposite side of the open end.
8. The liner of claim 1 wherein the attachment means further
comprise an adhesive.
9. The liner of claim 6 wherein the attachment means further
comprise adhesive.
10. The liner of claim 1 wherein the pliable container is made of
antimicrobial plastic.
11. The liner of claim 1 wherein the pliable container is made of
plastic coated with an antimicrobial agent.
12. The liner of claim 5 wherein the pliable container is
approximately proportioned so the front side and back side are
twice as long as the left side and right side.
13. The liner of claim 8 wherein the adhesive is pressure sensitive
adhesive covered with a release liner to protect the adhesive prior
to application of the liner.
14. A liner for use inside a portable food storage device,
comprising: a. a pliable container defining an open end, a floor,
lateral sides, the lateral sides having a top end and a lower end,
the lower end of the sides and floor being attached and sealed to
define an inner space and an outer surface; b. a flange attached to
at least a portion of the outer surface and c. attachment means
attached to at least a portion of the flange.
15. The liner of claim 14 wherein the pliable container defines at
least three sides attached to the floor.
16. The liner of claim 14 wherein the pliable container defines
four sides attached to the floor.
17. The liner of claim 16 wherein the liner has a front side, a
back side, a left side and a right side.
18. The liner of claim 17 wherein the front side and back side are
approximately equal to each other in length and the left side and
right side are approximately equal to each other in length.
19. The liner of claim 18 wherein at least two attachment means are
attached to separate locations on the flange.
20. The liner of claim 19 wherein one of the at least two
attachment means is attached to the outer surface of the container
proximate the open end and another of the at least two adhesive
sections is attached to the opposite side of the open end.
21. The liner of claim 14 wherein the pliable container is made of
antimicrobial plastic.
22. The liner of claim 18 wherein the pliable container is
approximately proportioned so the front side and back side are
twice as long as the left side and right side.
23. The liner of claim 14 wherein the attachment means further
comprise adhesive.
24. The liner of claim 23 wherein the adhesive is pressure
sensitive adhesive covered with a release liner to protect the
adhesive prior to application of the liner.
25. The liner of claim 14 wherein the flange is attached to the top
end of the lateral sides.
26. The liner of claim 25 wherein the flange is integrally attached
to the lateral sides.
27. The liner of claim 14 wherein the flange is attached to and
extends around the entire perimeter of the top end of the lateral
sides.
28. The liner of claim 14 wherein the flange extends around less
than the entire perimeter of the top end of the lateral sides.
29. The liner of claim 14 wherein the pliable container is made of
plastic coated with an antimicrobial agent.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to devices used to maintain a portable
food storage container in a clean and relatively microbial-free
condition.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Portable food storage devices, such as picnic coolers and
smaller, individual-sized coolers, are in widespread use by persons
wanting to transport food and other perishables in and around
environments where relatively extreme temperatures may affect the
viability of the transported items. In most instances the portable
food storage devices are insulated against the ambient temperature
conditions; in some cases, additional cooling or heating elements
may be present to enhance the stability of the desired internal
temperature conditions.
[0003] A problem that is known to exist when using portable food
storage devices involves contamination of the interior surface of
the devices by microbial (bacterial, fungal and/or other microbial)
growth that is inherent with transporting such items. An additional
problem sometimes involves non-biological contamination of the
interior surface. It is possible human users could become ill from
exposure to such contamination. It is also true that devices
primarily intended for the storage and transportation of food are
frequently used for storage and transportation of other items such
as transfusible blood and transplantable human organs. Thus, what
is clearly needed is a method or device that makes the portable
food storage device easier to keep clean, will reduce the
likelihood of contamination, is inexpensive and is also easy to
use.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present invention is directed to a liner for use inside
a portable food storage device. The liner defines a pliable
container defining an open end, a floor, lateral sides, the lateral
sides having a top edge and a lower edge and the lower edge of the
lateral sides and floor are attached and sealed to each other to
define an inner space and an outer surface. Attachment means are
provided on the liner on at least one portion of its outer surface
of the container proximate the open end.
[0005] In another embodiment the present invention is directed to a
liner for use inside a portable food storage device. The liner
defines a pliable container defining an open end, a floor, lateral
sides, the lateral sides having a top end and a lower end, the
lower end of the sides and floor are attached and sealed to define
an inner space and an outer surface. A flange is attached to at
least a portion of the outer surface and attachment means are
affixed to at least a portion of the flange.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 shows a portable food storage device with liner
inserted.
[0007] FIG. 2 shows a liner for a portable food storage device.
[0008] FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of a liner for a portable
food storage device.
[0009] FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of a liner for a
portable food storage device with one corner of the flange raised
to show the attached adhesive on the underside.
[0010] FIG. 5 shows a further alternative embodiment of a liner for
a portable food storage device with one tab raised to show the
attached adhesive on the underside.
[0011] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an adhesive strip and
partially removed release liner.
[0012] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an adhesive strip and
partially removed release liner.
[0013] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an adhesive strip and
partially removed release liner.
[0014] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of an adhesive strip and
partially removed release liner.
[0015] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of an adhesive strip and
partially removed release liner.
[0016] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of an adhesive strip and
partially removed release liner.
[0017] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of an adhesive strip and
partially removed release liner.
[0018] FIG. 13 shows a cross sectional view of plastic coated with
an antimicrobial coating.
[0019] FIG. 14 shows a cross section view of antimicrobial
plastic.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Nomenclature
[0020] 10 Liner [0021] 12 Front Side [0022] 12a Top Edge (Front
Side) [0023] 12b Lower Edge (Front Side) [0024] 14 Back Side [0025]
14a Top Edge (Back Side) [0026] 14b Lower Edge (Back Side) [0027]
16 Left Side [0028] 16a Top Edge (Left Side) [0029] 16b Lower Edge
(Left Side) [0030] 18 Right Side [0031] 18a Top Edge (Right Side)
[0032] 18b Lower Edge (Right Side) [0033] 20 Floor [0034] 22 Open
End [0035] 24 Adhesive [0036] 24a Adhesive (High Tack Side) [0037]
24b Adhesive (Medium Tack Side) [0038] 27 Plastic [0039] 28 Release
Liner [0040] 29 Antimicrobial Coating [0041] 30 Antimicrobial
Compound [0042] 32 Plastic [0043] 50 Cooler [0044] 52 Internal
Space [0045] 54 Length [0046] 56 Width [0047] 58 Depth [0048] 100
Liner [0049] 112 Front Side [0050] 112a Top Edge (Front Side)
[0051] 112b Lower Edge (Front Side) [0052] 114 Back Side [0053]
114a Top Edge (Back Side) [0054] 114b Lower Edge (Back Side) [0055]
116 Left Side [0056] 116a Top Edge (Left Side) [0057] 116b Lower
Edge (Left Side) [0058] 118 Right Side [0059] 118a Top Edge (Right
Side) [0060] 118b Lower Edge (Right Side) [0061] 120 Floor [0062]
122 Open End [0063] 124 Flange [0064] 125 Adhesive (High Tack Side)
[0065] 126a Adhesive (Attached to Flange) [0066] 126b Adhesive
(Attached to Side) [0067] 127 Adhesive (Medium Tack Side) [0068]
200 Liner [0069] 212 Front Side [0070] 212a Top Edge (Front Side)
[0071] 212b Lower Edge (Front Side) [0072] 214 Back Side [0073]
214a Top Edge (Back Side) [0074] 214b Lower Edge (Back Side) [0075]
216 Left Side [0076] 216a Top Edge (Left Side) [0077] 216b Lower
Edge (Left Side) [0078] 218 Right Side [0079] 218a Top Edge (Right
Side) [0080] 218b Lower Edge (Right Side) [0081] 220 Floor [0082]
224a Flange [0083] 224b Flange [0084] 224c Flange [0085] 224d
Flange [0086] 225 Adhesive (High Tack Side) [0087] 226a Adhesive
(Attached to Flange) [0088] 226b Adhesive (Attached to Side) [0089]
227 Adhesive (Medium Tack Side) [0090] 300 Liner [0091] 312 Front
Side [0092] 312a Top Edge (Front Side) [0093] 312b Lower Edge
(Front Side) [0094] 314 Back Side [0095] 314a Top Edge (Back Side)
[0096] 314b Lower Edge (Back Side) [0097] 316 Left Side [0098] 316a
Top Edge (Left Side) [0099] 316b Lower Edge (Left Side) [0100] 318
Right Side [0101] 318a Top Edge (Right Side) [0102] 318b Lower Edge
(Right Side) [0103] 320 Floor [0104] 324 Tab [0105] 325 Adhesive
(High Tack Side) [0106] 326a Adhesive (Attached to Tab) [0107] 326b
Adhesive Strip (Attached to Side) [0108] 327 Adhesive (Medium Tack
Side) Definitions "Antimicrobial" refers to materials having an
inhibiting effect on microbial growth. "Flange" refers to a rim
extending at an angle from the top end of the liner. "Lateral
Sides" refers to container portions extending from and attached to
the floor of the liner. "Microbial" is used in its broad sense and
refers to bacteria, protozoa, fungi, viruses and any other form of
microbiological growth. "Mil" refers to a thickness of 1/1000 of an
inch. Construction
[0109] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a cooler 50 with an
embodiment of the liner 100 of the present invention,
installed.
[0110] FIG. 2 shows another embodiment the liner 10 prior to being
installed in a cooler 50. The liner 10 defines a front side 12,
back side 14, left side 16 and right side 18, each of which further
respectively defines a top edge 12a, 14a, 16a, 18a and a lower edge
12b, 14b, 16b, 18b. A floor 20 is also defined which has a number
of sides (unnumbered) corresponding to the sides 12, 14, 16, 18
which further correspond which further correspond to the length
(unnumbered) of the lower edges 12b, 14b, 16b, 18b of the lower
edges of the front side 12, back side 14, left side 16 and right
side 18. The edges (unnumbered) of the floor 20 are attached and
sealed to the lower edges 12b, 14b, 16b, 18b of the front side 12,
back side 14, left side 16 and right side 18. Sealing the lower
edges 12b, 14b, 16b, 18b to the floor 20 can be accomplished by
well known heat sealing methods (not shown), sonic welding or by an
extrusion or other molding process that results in a seamless,
integrated structure (not shown). It should be mentioned that
specialty needs may exist requiring the shape of the liner 10 to be
other than four-sided (not shown) and other than symmetrical (not
shown) and thus within the scope of the invention. An adhesive 24
is attached to the liner 10 in at least one location to secure the
liner 10 to the inside of the cooler 50. In a preferred embodiment,
the adhesive 24 is attached to at least one of the top edges 12a,
14a, 16a, 18a. As is shown in FIG. 2, the adhesive 24 can also be
attached to at least one of the lower edges 12b, 14b, 16b, 18b.
[0111] Portable food storage devices such as coolers 50 have an
internal space 52 defining a length 54, a width 56 and a depth 58.
It has been shown that the internal space 52 of most coolers have a
configuration wherein the length 54 is generally of a greater
dimension than the width 56 and the depth measurement 58 is
generally intermediate the length dimension 54 and the width
dimension 56. In some coolers 50 this can work out to display a
ratio of length 54 to width 56 to depth 58 as 2:1:1.5. In other
cases the ratio of length 54 to width 56 to depth 58 is closer to
2:1:1. Still other ratios of length 54 to width 56 to depth 58 are
known. Thus, the liner 10 can be made in several sizes and ratios
to fit most cooler 50 sizes. It is not critical that the liner 10
be sized to exactly and tightly fit the internal space 52 of the
cooler 50 it is intended for.
[0112] The liner 10 shown in FIG. 2 can be made of a variety of
materials, including polyethylene having a thickness between 0.10
mil and 3.7 mil, with a preferable thickness of approximately 2.7
mil. In another embodiment, additional plastic materials such as
polypropylene could also be used. In yet another embodiment, as
shown in FIG. 13, the liner 10 is coated with an antimicrobial
agent 29 such as Microban.RTM. manufactured by Microban
International, Ltd., NY, N.Y., to resist the growth of undesirable
biological organisms such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa and other
organisms. In a further embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the liner
10 could be made from an antimicrobial plastic such as Westlake
Plastic Silveron.RTM. (UHMW) to resist the growth of undesirable
biological organisms such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa and other
organisms. As shown in FIG. 14, the plastic 32 contains an
antimicrobial compound 30.
[0113] The adhesive 24 used to attach the liner 10 to the cooler 50
can be any adhesive having a high tack 24a on one side and a medium
tack 24b characteristic on the opposite side. As shown in FIG. 6 a
release liner 28 is affixed to the medium tack side 24b of the
adhesive 24 until immediately prior to lining the inside of the
cooler 50 when it is removed. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the high
tack side 24a of the adhesive is affixed to the liner 10 which
results in the adhesive 24 remaining affixed to the liner 10
following the eventual removal from the cooler 50 and disposal of
the liner 10. The 3M.RTM. Company of St. Paul, Minn. manufactures
an adhesive known as Scotch.RTM. Hi Tack/Medium Tack 9425 that is
suitable for the present invention. It should be mentioned,
however, that additional commercially available adhesives such as
3M.RTM. 9415 PC Double Sided tape would also be effective for the
uses disclosed herein. As shown in FIG. 2, the adhesive 24 can be
affixed to several locations on the outer surface(s) (unnumbered)
of the liner 10 to accomplish attaching the liner 10 to the inside
of the cooler 50. Several locations for adhesive 24 attachment are
shown in FIG. 2, however, other locations (not shown) would also be
effective for further securing the liner 10 to the cooler 50 and
are therefore also within the scope of the invention.
[0114] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment the liner 100 prior to being
installed in a cooler 50. The liner 100 defines a front side 112,
back side 114, left side 116 and right side 118, each of which
further respectively defines a top edge 112a, 114a, 116a, 118a and
a lower edge 112b, 114b, 116b, 118b. A floor 120 is also defined
which has a number of sides (unnumbered) corresponding to the sides
112, 114, 116, 118 which further correspond to the length
(unnumbered) of the lower edges 112b, 114b, 116b, 118b of the lower
edges of the front side 112, back side 114, left side 116 and right
side 118. The edges (unnumbered) of the floor 120 are attached and
sealed to the lower edges 112b, 114b, 116b, 118b of the front side
112, back side 114, left side 116 and right side 118. Sealing the
lower edges 112b, 114b, 116b, 118b to the floor 120 can be
accomplished by well known heat sealing methods (not shown), sonic
welding or by an extrusion or other molding process that results in
a seamless, integrated (not shown) liner 100. It should be
mentioned that specialty needs may exist requiring the shape of the
liner 100 to be other than four-sided (not shown) and other than
symmetrical (not shown) and thus within the scope of the invention.
A flange 124 is attached to the top edges 112a, 114a, 116a, 118a of
the sides 112, 114, 116, 118 and extends around the perimeter of
the top edges 112a, 114a, 116a, 118a to form an unbroken,
integrated surface extending at an angle away from the top edges
112a, 114a, 116a, 118a. The flange 124 can be attached to the top
edges 112a, 114a, 116a, 118a by well known heat sealing methods
(not shown), sonic welding (not shown) or by an extrusion or other
molding process that results in a seamless, integrated attachment.
The outer surface (unnumbered) of the flange 124 is intended to
contact the upper edges (unnumbered) of the cooler 50 to simplify
inserting the liner 100.
[0115] Portable food storage devices such as coolers 50 have an
internal space 52 defining a length 54, a width 56 and a depth 58.
It has been shown that the internal space 52 of most coolers have a
configuration wherein the length 54 is generally of a greater
dimension than the width 56 and the depth measurement 58 is
generally intermediate the length dimension 54 and the width
dimension 56. In some coolers 50 this can work out to display a
ratio of length 54 to width 56 to depth 58 as 2:1:1.5. In other
cases the ratio of length 54 to width 56 to depth 58 is closer to
2:1:1. Still other ratios of length 54 to width 56 to depth 58 are
known. Thus, the liner 100 can be made in several sizes and ratios
to fit most cooler 50 sizes. It is not critical that the liner 100
be sized to exactly and tightly fit the internal space 52 of the
cooler 50 it is intended for.
[0116] The liner 100 shown in FIG. 3 can be made of a variety of
materials, including polyethylene having a thickness between 0.010
mil and 3.7 mil, with a preferable thickness of approximately 2.7
mil. In another embodiment, additional plastic materials such as
polypropylene could also be used. In another embodiment, as shown
in FIG. 13, the liner 100 is coated with an antimicrobial agent 29
such as Microban.RTM. to resist the growth of undesirable
biological organisms such as bacteria, fingi, protozoa and other
organisms. As shown in FIG. 14, in a further embodiment, the liner
100 could be made from an antimicrobial plastic such as Westlake
Plastic Silveron.RTM. to resist the growth of undesirable
biological organisms such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa and other
organisms. As shown in FIG. 14, the plastic 32 contains an
antimicrobial compound 30.
[0117] Adhesive 126a, 126b is attached to the liner 100 at least to
the flange 124. In a preferred embodiment and as shown in FIG. 3,
the adhesive 126a is attached to the outer surface (unnumbered) of
the flange 124. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the
adhesive 126a could be attached to the inner surface (unnumbered)
of the flange 124. To improve securing of the liner 100 within the
cooler 50 additional sections of adhesive 126b could be attached to
the outer surfaces (unnumbered) of the sides 112, 114, 116, 118, as
shown in FIG. 3. Several locations for adhesive 126b attachment are
shown in FIG. 3, however, other locations (not shown) would also be
effective for further securing the liner 100 to the cooler 50 and
are therefore also within the scope of the invention.
[0118] The adhesive 126a, 126b used to attach the liner 100 to the
cooler 50 can be any adhesive having a high tack 125 on one side
and a medium tack 127 characteristic on the opposite side. As shown
in FIGS. 7 and 8 a release liner 28 is affixed to the medium tack
side 127 of the adhesive 126a, 126b until immediately prior to
lining the inside of the cooler 50 when it is removed. The high
tack side 125 of the adhesive 126a, 126b is affixed to the liner 10
which results in the adhesive 126a, 126b remaining affixed to the
liner 100 following the eventual removal from the cooler 50 and
disposal of the liner 100. The 3M.RTM. Company of St. Paul, Minn.
manufactures an adhesive known as Scotch.RTM. Hi Tack/Medium Tack
9425 that is suitable for the present invention. It should be
mentioned, however, that additional commercially available
adhesives such as 3M.RTM. 9415PC Double Sided tape would also be
effective for the uses disclosed herein.
[0119] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment the liner 200 prior to being
installed in a cooler 50. The liner 200 defines a front side 212,
back side 214, left side 216 and right side 218, each of which
further respectively defines a top edge 212a, 214a, 216a, 218a and
a lower edge 212b, 214b, 216b, 218b. A floor 220 is also defined
which has a number of sides (unnumbered) corresponding to the sides
212, 214, 216, 218 which further correspond to the length
(unnumbered) of the lower edges 212b, 214b, 216b, 218b of the lower
edges of the front side 212, back side 214, left side 216 and right
side 218. The edges (unnumbered) of the floor 220 are attached and
sealed to the lower edges 212b, 214b, 216b, 218b of the front side
212, back side 214, left side 216 and right side 218. Sealing the
lower edges 212b, 214b, 216b, 218b to the floor 220 can be
accomplished by well known heat sealing methods (not shown), sonic
welding or by an extrusion or other molding process that results in
a seamless, integrated (not shown) liner 200. It should be
mentioned that specialty needs may exist requiring the shape of the
liner 200 to be other than four-sided (not shown) and other than
symmetrical (not shown) and thus within the scope of the invention.
At least one flange 224a, 224b, 224c, 224d is attached to one top
edge 212a, 214a, 216a, 218a of the sides 212, 214, 216, 218. In a
preferred embodiment, all four top edges 212a, 214a, 216a, 218a
will have flanges 224a, 224b, 224c, 224d attached. The flanges
224a, 224b, 224c, 224d can be attached to the top edges 212a, 214a,
216a, 218a by well known heat sealing methods (not shown), sonic
welding (not shown) or by an extrusion or other molding process
that results in a seamless, integrated attachment. It is further
contemplated to have the flanges 224a, 224b, 224c, 224d attached to
less than all of the top edges 212a, 214a, 216a, 218a (not shown),
and is thus in the scope of the invention. The flanges 224a, 224b,
224c, 224d are intended to contact the upper edges (unnumbered) of
the cooler 50 to simplify inserting the liner 200.
[0120] Portable food storage devices such as coolers 50 have an
internal space 52 defining a length 54, a width 56 and a depth 58.
It has been shown that the internal space 52 of most coolers have a
configuration wherein the length 54 is generally of a greater
dimension than the width 56 and the depth measurement 58 is
generally intermediate the length dimension 54 and the width
dimension 56. In some coolers 50 this can work out to display a
ratio of length 54 to width 56 to depth 58 as 2:1:1.5. In other
cases the ratio of length 54 to width 56 to depth 58 is closer to
2:1:1. Still other ratios of length 54 to width 56 to depth 58 are
known. Thus, the liner 200 can be made in several sizes and ratios
to fit most cooler 50 sizes. It is not critical that the liner 200
be sized to exactly and tightly fit the internal space 52 of the
cooler 50 it is intended for.
[0121] The liner 200 shown in FIG. 4 can be made of a variety of
materials, including polyethylene having a thickness between 0.010
mil and 3.7 mil, with a preferable thickness of approximately 2.7
mil. In another embodiment, additional plastic materials such as
polypropylene could also be used. In another embodiment, as shown
in FIG. 13, the liner 200 is coated with an antimicrobial agent 29
such as Microban.RTM. to resist the growth of undesirable
biological organisms such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa and other
organisms. As shown in FIG. 14, in a further embodiment, the liner
200 could be made from an antimicrobial plastic such as Westlake
Plastic Silveron.RTM. to resist the growth of undesirable
biological organisms such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa and other
organisms. As shown in FIG. 14, the plastic 32 contains an
antimicrobial compound 30.
[0122] Adhesive 226a, 226b is attached to the liner 200 at least to
the flanges 224. In a preferred embodiment and as shown in FIG. 4,
the adhesive 226a is attached to the outer surface (unnumbered) of
the flange 224. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the
adhesive 226a could be attached to the inner surface (unnumbered)
of the flange 224. To improve securing of the liner 200 within the
cooler 50 additional sections of adhesive 226b could be attached to
the outer surfaces (unnumbered) of the sides 212, 214, 216, 218, as
shown in FIG. 4. Several locations for adhesive 226b attachment are
shown in FIG. 4, however, other locations (not shown) would also be
effective for further securing the liner 200 to the cooler 50 and
are therefore also within the scope of the invention.
[0123] The adhesive 226a, 226b used to attach the liner 200 to the
cooler 50 can be any adhesive having a high tack 225 on one side
and a medium tack 227 characteristic on the opposite side. As shown
in FIGS. 9 and 10 a release liner 28 is affixed to the medium tack
side 227 of the adhesive 226a, 226b until immediately prior to
lining the inside of the cooler 50 when it is removed. The high
tack side of the adhesive is affixed to the liner 10 which results
in the adhesive 226a, 226b remaining affixed to the liner 200
following the eventual removal from the cooler 50 and disposal of
the liner 200. The 3M.RTM. Company of St. Paul, Minn. manufactures
an adhesive known as Scotch.RTM. Hi Tack/Medium Tack 9425 that is
suitable for the present invention. It should be mentioned,
however, that additional commercially available adhesives such as
3M.RTM. 9415PC Double Sided tape would also be effective for the
uses disclosed herein.
[0124] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment the liner 300 prior to being
installed in a cooler 50. The liner 300 defines a front side 312,
back side 314, left side 316 and right side 318, each of which
further respectively defines a top edge 312a, 314a, 316a, 318a and
a lower edge 312b, 314b, 316b, 318b. A floor 320 is also defined
which has a number of sides (unnumbered) corresponding to the sides
312, 314, 316, 318 which further correspond to the length
(unnumbered) of the lower edges 312b, 314b, 316b, 318b of the lower
edges of the front side 312, back side 314, left side 316 and right
side 318. The edges (unnumbered) of the floor 320 are attached and
sealed to the lower edges 312b, 314b, 316b, 318b of the front side
312, back side 314, left side 316 and right side 318. Sealing the
lower edges 312b, 314b, 316b, 318b to the floor 320 can be
accomplished by well known heat sealing methods (not shown), sonic
welding or by an extrusion or other molding process that results in
a seamless, integrated (not shown) liner 300. It should be
mentioned that specialty needs may exist requiring the shape of the
liner 300 to be other than four-sided (not shown) and other than
symmetrical (not shown) and thus within the scope of the invention.
At least one tab 324 is attached to one top edge 312a, 314a, 316a,
318a of the sides 312, 314, 316, 318. In a preferred embodiment,
all four top edges 312a, 314a, 316a, 318a will have tabs 324
attached. The tabs 324 can be attached to the top edges 312a, 314a,
316a, 318a by well known heat sealing methods (not shown), sonic
welding (not shown) or by an extrusion or other molding process
that results in a seamless, integrated attachment. It is further
contemplated to have tabs 324 attached to less than all of the top
edges 312a, 314a, 316a, 318a (not shown), and is thus in the scope
of the invention. The tabs 324 are intended to contact the upper
edges (unnumbered) of the cooler 50 to simplify inserting the liner
300.
[0125] Portable food storage devices such as coolers 50 have an
internal space 52 defining a length 54, a width 56 and a depth 58.
It has been shown that the internal space 52 of most coolers have a
configuration wherein the length 54 is generally of a greater
dimension than the width 56 and the depth measurement 58 is
generally intermediate the length dimension 54 and the width
dimension 56. In some coolers 50 this can work out to display a
ratio of length 54 to width 56 to depth 58 as 2:1:1.5. In other
cases the ratio of length 54 to width 56 to depth 58 is closer to
2:1:1. Still other ratios of length 54 to width 56 to depth 58 are
known. Thus, the liner 300 can be made in several sizes and ratios
to fit most cooler 50 sizes. It is not critical that the liner 300
be sized to exactly and tightly fit the internal space 52 of the
cooler 50 it is intended for.
[0126] The liner 300 shown in FIG. 5 can be made of a variety of
materials, including polyethylene having a thickness between 0.010
mil and 3.7 mil, with a preferable thickness of approximately 2.7
mil. In another embodiment, additional plastic materials such as
polypropylene could also be used. In another embodiment, as shown
in FIG. 13, the liner 300 is coated with an antimicrobial agent 29
such as Microban.RTM. to resist the growth of undesirable
biological organisms such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa and other
organisms. As shown in FIG. 14, in a further embodiment, the liner
300 could be made from an antimicrobial plastic such as Westlake
Plastic Silveron.RTM. to resist the growth of undesirable
biological organisms such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa and other
organisms. As shown in FIG. 14, the plastic 32 contains an
antimicrobial compound 30.
[0127] Adhesive 326a, 326b is attached to the liner 300 at least to
the tabs 324. In a preferred embodiment and as shown in FIG. 5, the
adhesive 326a is attached to the outer surface (unnumbered) of each
tab 324. In an alternative embodiment the adhesive 326a could be
attached to the inner surface (unnumbered) of the tab 324. To
improve securing of the liner 300 within the cooler 50 additional
sections of adhesive 326b could be attached to the outer surfaces
(unnumbered) of the sides 312, 314, 316, 318, as shown in FIG. 5.
Several locations for adhesive 326b attachment are shown in FIG. 5,
however, other locations (not shown) would also be effective for
further securing the liner 300 to the cooler 50 and are therefore
also within the scope of the invention.
[0128] The adhesive 326a, 326b used to attach the liner 300 to the
cooler 50 can be any adhesive having a high tack 325 on one side
and a medium tack 327 characteristic on the opposite side. As shown
in FIGS. 11 and 12 a release liner 28 is affixed to the medium tack
side (unnumbered) of the adhesive 326a, 326b until immediately
prior to lining the inside of the cooler 50 when it is removed. The
high tack side 325 of the adhesive 326a, 326b is affixed to the
liner 300 which results in the adhesive 326a, 326b remaining
affixed to the liner 300 following the eventual removal from the
cooler 50 and disposal of the liner 300. The 3M.RTM. Company of St.
Paul, Minn. manufactures an adhesive known as Scotch.RTM. Hi
Tack/Medium Tack 9425 that is suitable for the present invention.
It should be mentioned, however, that additional commercially
available adhesives such as 3M.RTM. 9415PC Double Sided tape would
also be effective for the uses disclosed herein.
Use
[0129] Using the liner 10, 100, 200, 300 involves initially
removing an individual liner 10, 100, 200, 300 from its packaging.
The cooler 50 intended to be lined is then opened to expose the
internal space 52. Following this, the liner 10, 100, 200, 300 is
unfolded and inserted into the internal space 52. The release
liner(s) 28 is (are) removed from the adhesive 24, 126a, 126b,
226a, 226b, 326a, 326b and adhered to the corresponding areas of
the internal space 52. Upon the expiration of a sufficient length
of time or earlier under circumstances of heavy or frequent use,
the liner 10, 100, 200, 300 is removed from the cooler 50 and a new
liner 10, 100, 200, 300 inserted, and the procedure repeated.
* * * * *