U.S. patent application number 11/402547 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-19 for insulating/protective covering for a container.
This patent application is currently assigned to Manning Environment, Inc.. Invention is credited to Dean M. Carroll.
Application Number | 20060231562 11/402547 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37107515 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060231562 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Carroll; Dean M. |
October 19, 2006 |
Insulating/protective covering for a container
Abstract
An insulating wrap for adding to containers to prevent heat
adsorbsion or heat loss is composed of conductive insulation
material as well as radian barrier material. The insulating wrap
conforms to the container shape and has multiple attachment
elements for closing and retaining the insulating wrap to the
container. The insulating wrap may also have attachment elements
for adding a top and/or a bottom insulating cover also comprising
conductive insulation material as well as radian barrier material.
The insulating wrap may employ insulating tape on the top and
bottom edges to protect the edges as well as to further improve
heat transfer at the interface between the top or bottom covers and
the insulating wrap. In one embodiment the top cover may have an
integrated handle piece where the top and bottom cover attachments
have sufficient strength to allow a container to be lifted. This
embodiment facilitates lifting of a insulated container.
Inventors: |
Carroll; Dean M.;
(Georgetown, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WINSTEAD SECHREST & MINICK P.C.
P.O. BOX 50784
DALLAS
TX
75201
US
|
Assignee: |
Manning Environment, Inc.
Georgetown
TX
|
Family ID: |
37107515 |
Appl. No.: |
11/402547 |
Filed: |
April 12, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60671372 |
Apr 14, 2005 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/737 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/3879 20130101;
B65D 2313/02 20130101; B65D 2313/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/737 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/00 20060101
B65D025/00 |
Claims
1. A thermally insulating covering assembly for an enclosed
container comprising; a flexible thermally insulating material
piece, wherein the flexible thermally insulating material piece has
two or more first attachments elements for retaining the flexible
thermally insulating material piece in contact with sides of the
enclosed container; and an insulating top cover for coupling to the
flexible thermally insulating material piece, wherein the
insulating top cover has attachments elements for retaining the
insulating top cover on and in contact with a top of the enclosed
container.
2. The covering assembly of claim 1 further comprising an
insulating bottom cover for coupling to the flexible thermally
insulating material piece, wherein the insulating bottom cover has
attachments elements for retaining the insulating top cover in
contact with a bottom of the enclosed container.
3. The covering assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible thermally
insulating material piece comprises a first layer of thermal
conductive insulation coupled to a second layer of thermal
radiation insulation.
4. The covering assembly of claim 3, wherein the insulating top
cover comprises a first layer of thermal conductive insulation
coupled to a second layer of thermal radiation insulation.
5. The covering assembly of claim 4, wherein the insulating bottom
cover comprises a first layer of thermal conductive insulation
coupled to a second layer of thermal radiation insulation.
6. The covering assembly of claim 1, wherein the first attachment
features are mating elements selected from a group consisting of a
hook and loop attachment system, a magnetic attachment system, a
plug and socket connector attachment system, and a selective,
separable adhesive based attachment system.
7. The covering assembly of claim 2, wherein the insulating top
cover comprises three or more tab elements that extend radially
beyond the flexible thermally insulating material piece when it is
wrapped around and in contact with the sides of the container, the
tab elements having tab attachment features that couple to mating
cover attachment features on the flexible thermally insulating
material piece thus retaining the insulating top cover on and in
contact with the top of the enclosed container.
8. The covering assembly of claim 7, wherein the insulating bottom
cover comprises three or more tab elements that extend radially
beyond the flexible thermally insulating material piece when it is
wrapped around and in contact with the sides of the container, the
tab elements having tab attachment features that couple to mating
cover attachment features on the flexible thermally insulating
material piece thus holding the insulating bottom cover on and in
contact with the bottom of the enclosed container.
9. The covering assembly of claim 8, wherein the tab attachment
features and cover attachment features are mating elements selected
from a group consisting of a hook and loop attachment system, a
magnetic attachment system, a plug and socket connector attachment
system, and a selective, separable adhesive based attachment
system.
10. The covering assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible
thermally insulating material piece extends a lip distance above
the top of the enclosed container forming a top recess when wrapped
around and in contact with the sides of the container.
11. The covering assembly of claim 10, wherein the insulating top
cover has a thickness corresponding to the lip distance and the
insulating top cover sets in the top recess thus protecting the
edge of the insulating top cover from mechanical damage and heat
loss.
12. The covering assembly of claim 2, wherein the flexible
thermally insulating material piece extends a lip distance above a
bottom of the enclosed container forming a bottom recess when
wrapped around and in contact with the sides of the container.
13. The covering assembly of claim 12, wherein the insulating
bottom cover has a thickness corresponding to the lip distance and
the insulating bottom cover sets in the bottom recess thus
protecting the edge of the insulating top cover from mechanical
damage and heat loss.
14. The covering assembly of claim 1, wherein the insulating top
cover has a resealable closure for providing access to a sealable
fill opening in the enclosed container.
15. The covering assembly of claim 1, wherein the enclosed
container is substantially cylindrical in shape.
16. The covering assembly of claim 15, wherein the flexible
thermally insulating material piece is substantially rectangular in
shape with a top edge, a bottom edge and opposing first and second
joining edges.
17. The covering assembly of claim 16, wherein the first attachment
features comprise a two or more first elements disposed along the
first joining and two or more mating second elements disposed along
the second joining edge.
18. The covering assembly of claim 2, wherein the insulating top
cover has an integrated handle suitable for lifting the enclosed
container when the insulating top cover is coupled to the flexible
thermally insulating material piece with the tab elements and the
insulating bottom cover is coupled to the flexible thermally
insulating material piece with tab elements.
19. The covering assembly of claim 5, wherein the thermal
conductive layer is made of a foam material.
20. The covering assembly of claim 5, wherein the thermal radiation
layer is made of a reflective metalized fabric material.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to the following commonly owned
co-pending U.S. Patent Application:
[0002] Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/671,372,
"Insulating/Protective Covering for a Container," filed Apr. 14,
2005, and claims the benefit of its earlier filing date under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119(e).
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] The present invention relates in general to insulating
and/or protective coverings.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0004] Equipment used in many applications can be exposed to
adverse conditions. The conditions can vary from sunlight exposure
to corrosive gases. The condition that is being protected against
determines what method is best for protection.
[0005] Sunlight as radiant energy can be destructive to materials
as well as an unwanted heat source. A device that would protect
against sunlight brings the advantage of reducing the affects of
radiant energy in the form of heat and material breakdown. A device
that further insulated would increase the utility of thermal
transfer.
[0006] There is, therefore, a need for a protective covering that
insulates.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] An insulating wrap to inhibit heat transfer to or from a
container comprises conduction insulating material as well as
material to prevent radiant heat transfer. The insulating wrap
conforms to the shape of the container and has attachment elements
for closing the insulating wrap and retaining it against the
container. The insulating wrap may have additional attachment
features for coupling an insulating top cover and an insulating
bottom cover. The top and bottom covers also have material for
preventing conductive as well as radiant heat transfer. The
attachment elements may include hook and loop, magnetic, mechanical
snaps, straps with latches, etc. If the attachment elements provide
sufficient strength for lifting a loaded container, the insulating
top cover may be fitted with a handle element to allow the
container to be lifter without providing an opening to a container
handle further preventing heat transfer. Insulating tape may be
used on the top and bottom edges to protect the edges and to
further reduce heat transfer.
[0008] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and
technical advantages of the present invention in order that the
detailed description of the invention that follows may be better
understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention
will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims
of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,
and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following
descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
in which:
[0010] FIG. 1A illustrates one embodiment of the insulating wrap
according to embodiments of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 1B illustrates another embodiment of the insulating
wrap according to embodiments of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2A illustrates the insulating wrap of FIG. 1A with an
insulating top component;
[0013] FIG. 2B illustrates the insulating wrap of FIG. 1A assembled
with an added insulating top and an insulating bottom
component;
[0014] FIG. 3A is a side view and a top view of an insulating top
or bottom component according to one embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0015] FIG. 3B is a side view and a top view of an insulating top
or bottom component according to another embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] In the following description, numerous specific details are
set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present
invention. However, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art
that the present invention may be practiced without such specific
details. In other instances, well-known elements may be shown in
block diagram form in order not to obscure the present invention in
unnecessary detail. For the most part, details concerning detailed
dimensions and the like have been omitted inasmuch as such details
are not necessary to obtain a complete understanding of the present
invention and are within the skills of persons of ordinary skill in
the relevant art.
[0017] Refer now to the drawings wherein depicted elements are not
necessarily shown to scale and wherein like or similar elements are
designated by the same reference numeral through the several views.
The following refers to the invention insulating wrap for
simplicity. It is understood that the present invention may be used
to protect equipment other than fluid sampling equipment and is not
limited to sampling equipment.
[0018] FIG. 1A illustrates the insulating wrap 100 according to
embodiment of the present invention. The insulating wrap 100
comprises a radiant barrier material 103, a hook and loop
attachment system 101 (e.g., Velcro.RTM.), and radiant barrier tape
104 for protection of the edge. In this embodiment four tabs are
shown, however, the present invention is not limited to four tabs
and the number may vary depending on the closure strength and size
of the insulating wrap 100. It is understood that attachment system
101 may use other attachment technologies (e.g., mechanical snaps,
magnetic elements, etc.) and still be within the scope of the
present invention.
[0019] FIG. 1B illustrates another embodiment of an insulating wrap
110 according to embodiments of the present invention. The
insulating wrap 100 comprises a radiant barrier material 103, a
plurality of straps 106 with latching elements 107, and radiant
barrier tap 104 for protection of the edge. In this embodiment
three sets of straps 106 are shown, however, the present invention
is not limited to three sets of straps 106 and the number may vary
depending on the closure strength and size of the insulating wrap
110.
[0020] FIG. 2A illustrates the insulating wrap 200 according to
embodiments of the present invention that has added attachment
elements 203 for incorporation of an insulating lid 206. Insulating
wrap 200 is comprised of a radiant barrier material 201, hook and
loop attachment systems 202, 203 and 204 (e.g., Velcro.RTM.), and
radiant barrier tape 205 for protection of the edge. Velcro.RTM.
rectangles 202 provide latching closure for the insulating wrap
200. Additionally, Velcro.RTM. rectangles 203 provide a means to
secure the top cover 206 to insulating wrap 200. Velcro rectangles
204 provide a means to attach a bottom cover 206 (not shown) to
insulating wrap 200.
[0021] FIG. 2B illustrates insulating wrap 200 in an assembled
state with top and bottom covers 206. An exemplary tab 209 is shown
latched and an exemplary tab 209 with Velcro.RTM. elements is shown
in an open position. Exemplary Velcro.RTM. elements 202 are shown
latched.
[0022] FIG. 3A illustrates a top view and a side view of a top or
bottom cover lid 206. In this embodiment, an additional insulating
material 302 (e.g., foam) is shown attached to radiant barrier
material 301, however the present invention may have or may not
have this additional insulation. Velcro.RTM. elements 203 and tabs
209 are shown in the top view.
[0023] FIG. 3B illustrates another embodiment of top or bottom
cover 206 according to embodiments of the present invention. An
insulating material 302 (e.g., foam) is shown attached to radiant
barrier material 301. Velcro.RTM. elements 203 and tabs 209 are
shown in the top view. Handle 303 allows a means of lifting the
entirety of the assembly.
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