U.S. patent application number 11/172483 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-04 for apparatus for enhancing temperature stabilization of a cooler.
Invention is credited to Frank Fredrick Cron, Marilyn Ann Cron.
Application Number | 20070000932 11/172483 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37588248 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070000932 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cron; Frank Fredrick ; et
al. |
January 4, 2007 |
Apparatus for enhancing temperature stabilization of a cooler
Abstract
An apparatus for enhancing the temperature stabilization of a
cooler comprises a composite material being formed from a
predetermined material. Such composite material includes a bottom
panel sized to fit under a bottom portion of such cooler. A
generally rectangular back panel is sized to fit over a back wall
of such cooler. A substantially rectangular top panel is sized to
fit over a top portion of such cooler. Such apparatus has a
generally rectangular front panel sized to fit over a front wall of
such cooler and a pair of side panels engageable with the back
panel and the front panel. A flap member is integrally formed with
the top member and is releasingly engageable with the front panel
and there is a means for securing the flap member to the front
panel when the apparatus is in a closed position.
Inventors: |
Cron; Frank Fredrick; (Great
Falls, MT) ; Cron; Marilyn Ann; (Great Falls,
MT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JAMES RAY & ASSOCIATES
2640 PITCAIRN ROAD
MONROEVILLE
PA
15146
US
|
Family ID: |
37588248 |
Appl. No.: |
11/172483 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/592.24 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/3897
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/592.24 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/38 20060101
B65D081/38 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for enhancing the temperature stabilization of a
cooler, said apparatus comprising: (a) a composite material having
a predetermined configuration and being formed from a predetermined
material, said composite material including; (i) a bottom panel
sized to fit under a bottom portion of such cooler; (ii) a
generally rectangular back panel sized to fit over a back wall of
such cooler; (iii) a substantially rectangular top panel sized to
fit over a top portion of such cooler; (iv) a generally rectangular
front panel sized to fit over a front wall of such cooler; (v) a
pair of side panels engageable with said back panel and said front
panel; (vi) a flap member integrally formed with said top panel and
releasingly engageable with said front panel; and (vii) a means for
securing said flap member to said front panel when said apparatus
is in a closed position.
2. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein each of said panels
and said flap member are formed as a single piece.
3. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein each of said pair
of side panels has an aperture disposed in a predetermined location
to accommodate handles from such cooler.
4. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein each of said side
walls is sewn to said back panel and said front panel.
5. The apparatus, according to claim 4, wherein outer edges of each
of said side walls is sewn to an outer edge of said back panel and
an outer edge of said front panel by means of monofilament
thread.
6. The apparatus, according to claim 4, wherein a seam formed by
sewing said each of said side walls to said back panel and said
front panel is further protected by webbing.
7. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein each of outer edges
of said top panel and said flap member and top edge of said side
panels are protected by webbing.
8. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said means for
securing said flap member to said front panel is selected from at
least one of hook and loop fastener and snaps.
9. The apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein said means for
securing said flap member to said front panel is hook and loop
fasteners.
10. The apparatus, according to claim 3, wherein said aperture
disposed in a predetermined location in each of said side panels is
protected by reflective aluminum foil tape.
11. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said composite
material further includes a pair of additional flap members
integrally formed on each side of said top panel, said pair of
additional flap members being releasingly engageable with each of
said pair of side panels.
12. The apparatus, according to claim 11, wherein said apparatus
further includes a second means for securing each of said pair of
additional flap members with each of said pair of side panels when
said apparatus is in a closed position.
13. The apparatus, according to claim 12, wherein said second means
for securing each of said pair of additional flap members to each
of said pair of side panels is selected from at least one of hook
and loop fasteners and snaps.
14. The apparatus, according to claim 13, wherein said second means
for securing each of said pair of additional flap members to each
of said pair of side panels is hook and loop fasteners.
15. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined
material includes: (a) an exterior foil layer disposed on both
sides of said composite material; and (b) a means disposed between
an inner surface of each of said exterior foil layer for forming a
dead air space between said exterior foil layers.
16. The apparatus, according to claim 15, wherein said dead air
space is formed by bubble wrap.
17. The apparatus, according to claim 15, wherein said exterior
foil layer is a reflective aluminum foil.
18. The apparatus, according to claim 15, wherein said dead air
space is between about 1/4 inch and about 3/8 inch in
thickness.
19. The apparatus, according to claim 18, wherein said dead air
space is about 5/16 inch thick.
20. The apparatus, according to claim 16, wherein said bubble wrap
material forming said dead air space has a double layer of bubbles.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates, in general, to a jacket for
an ice chest, and more specifically the present invention relates
to an insulation system for extending the length of time contents
in an ice chest will remain cool.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Keeping food safe has been a concern of persons in food
handling areas, medical and health related institutions and with
just people in general. One problem that is encountered with
individuals is keeping food safe for relatively short periods of
time such as the time required for a picnic or other such family
affairs. For these uses ice chests have been used routinely to
protect the food from preparation time to the time it is eaten.
Generally these affairs occur more frequently in the summer,
although tailgating at football games is also a concern.
[0003] Coolers and ice chests have been in use for a considerable
length of time. Ice chests have been used for many years by adding
ice to an insulated chest in order to protect the contents by
keeping them cold. Coolers with better insulation and utilizing
various coolants encased, generally, in a plastic container have in
some instances replaced the original ice chests. However, ice is
still used quite frequently at picnics and many outdoor family
gatherings. Various designs and configurations have been devised
through the years for the purpose of increasing the efficiency of
these ice chests and, thus, prolong the useful life of such ice
used in coolers.
[0004] One such example is U.S. Pat. No. 6,027,249 to Bielinski
wherein is disclosed ice cooler jacket system including a one piece
composite material formed with an interior flexible fabric and an
exterior flexible fabric with thermal insulation therebetween.
Another example is U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,778 to Ells who discloses a
collapsible thermal insulating container including a bottom wall,
side wall, and integral lid. The side wall is formed from hinged
panels including fastener strips.
[0005] There is a continuing need for new and improved ice cooler
jackets which can be used for extending the length of time the
contents of such ice cooler remain cold in the cooler or chest.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Thus, the present invention provides an apparatus for
enhancing the temperature stabilization of a cooler. The apparatus
comprises a composite material having a predetermined configuration
and being formed from a predetermined material. Such composite
material includes a bottom panel sized to fit under a bottom
portion of such cooler. There is a generally rectangular back panel
sized to fit over a back wall of such cooler and a substantially
rectangular top panel sized fit over a top portion of such cooler.
Such apparatus has a generally rectangular front panel sized to fit
over a front wall of such cooler and a pair of side panels
engageable with the back panel and the front panel. There is also a
flap member integrally formed with the top member, such flap member
is releasingly engageable with the front panel and a means for
securing the flap member to the front panel when the apparatus is
in a closed position.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present
invention to provide an insulating medium which will increase the
efficiency of ice chests and thus prolong the useful life of such
ice used in coolers.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
insulating medium which will reduce the frequency at which ice has
to be replaced in an ice chest.
[0009] Yet, another object of the present invention is to provide
an insulating medium which will use reflective aluminum foil
sandwiched around bubble wrap material to form dead air space to
provide insulation.
[0010] Still, another object of the present invention is to provide
an insulating medium which can be made in various sizes to fit the
different sizes of commercial coolers.
[0011] These and various other objects and advantages of this
invention will become apparent after a full reading of the
following detailed description, particularly, when read in
conjunction with the attached drawings as described below and the
appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a open cut away view of an unassembled ice cooler
insulating apparatus according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the assembled ice
cooler insulating apparatus that was shown unassembled in FIG.
1.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a open cut away view of an unassembled ice cooler
insulating apparatus according to an alternate embodiment of the
invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the assembled ice
cooler insulating apparatus that was shown unassembled in FIG.
3.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a open cut away view of an unassembled ice cooler
insulating apparatus according to yet another embodiment of the
invention.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the assembled ice
cooler insulating apparatus that was shown unassembled in FIG.
5.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the ice cooler insulating
apparatus that was shown unassembled in FIG. 5.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the insulation used
in the ice cooler insulating apparatus.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the insulation used in
the ice cooler insulating apparatus shown in FIG. 8.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE
EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Prior to proceeding with the more detailed description of
the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of
clarity, identical components which have identical functions have
been designated by identical reference numerals throughout the
several views illustrated in the drawings.
[0022] Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrated therein
is an apparatus, generally designated 10, for enhancing temperature
stabilization of a cooler. Such apparatus 10 is shown in FIG. 1 as
open cut away view of the apparatus 10 showing the unassembled
version of the apparatus 10. Shown are openings 2 on the left side
4 and right side 6 for handles on the cooler. Additionally as is
evident in FIG. 1 there is a front panel 8, a bottom panel 12, a
back panel 14, a top panel 16 and a flap 18. All of the panels
listed above have a substantially rectangular shape. In a presently
preferred embodiment of the invention such panels are formed as a
single piece. As such the back panel 14 is integrally formed with
the bottom panel 12, the top panel 16 is integrally formed with the
back panel 14, the front panel 8 is integrally formed with the
bottom panel 12 and the pair of side panels 4,6 are integrally
formed with the bottom panel 12.
[0023] Illustrated in FIG. 2 is the closed version of the apparatus
10 as it fits over a cooler. The closed version is formed by simply
folding in the sides 4,6 and folding up the front panel 8 and the
back panel 14. Then the top panel 16 is folded down and the flap 18
is sealed to the front panel 8. Such flap 18 is secured by means of
snaps or Velcro (hook and loop fasteners) 32. It is presently
preferred that the top flap 18 is secured to the front panel 8 by
means of the hook and loop fasteners 32.
[0024] Seamed areas 26 such as the jointures of the right side 6
and the front panel 8 and the back panel 14; and also between the
jointures of the left side 4 with the front panel 8 and the back
panel 14 are sewn together. It is presently preferred that these
edges are sewn be a machine.
[0025] Webbing 28 is provided on these sewn or seamed edges 26 for
protection. Webbing 28 is also provided on the edges between the
top panel 16 and the right side 6 and the left side 4 for
protection. Webbing 28 is also provided on the edge between the
flap 18 and the front panel 8.
[0026] Such apparatus 10 can be made in various sizes to
accommodate the different sizes of coolers that are available.
[0027] Illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 is an alternate embodiment of
the apparatus 10 for enhancing temperature stabilization of a
cooler. This embodiment is very similar to that described
previously with regard to FIGS. 1 and 2. The difference in this
embodiment is that there are a pair of side flaps 22 that are
integrally formed on the outer edges of such top panel 16. These
side flaps 22 engage side panels 4 and 6 to form a seal when the
apparatus 10 is in a closed position. Similar to the top flap 18
these side flaps 22 are secured to the side panels 4,6 by means of
hook and loop fasteners 32 or snaps.
[0028] In yet another embodiment of the invention, illustrated in
FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, there is an apparatus 10 which is similar to the
other embodiments. However, this embodiment provides for feet 24
which protrude from the bottom panel 12 so that the apparatus rests
on the feet 24 rather than on the unit itself. This embodiment is
designed to prevent the air bubbles that are in the insulating
material from being crushed through usage. However, in extensive
tests with the apparatus 10 filled with ice and beverages and with
the ice chest resting on the bottom panel 12 there was no evidence
that the air bubbles in the insulating material of the bottom panel
12 were crushed but the air bubbles remained intact.
[0029] Illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 is the insulating material,
generally designated 20, of the present invention. Such insulating
material 20 is a one piece composite material. Such one piece
composite material is a commercially available product called
"Reflectix".RTM. that is marketed by Reflectix Inc. The insulating
material 20 has an exterior foil layer 42 that is disposed on both
sides of the one piece composite material 20. There is a dead air
space 44 in the form of bubble wrap material 46 that is adhered to
the inner surface foil lining 42. In a preferred embodiment of the
invention such dead air space 44 is in the form of a double layer
of bubbles in the bubble wrap 46 material. It is preferred that
such dead air space 44 be between about 1/4 inch and about 3/8
inch. In a most preferred embodiment of the invention such dead air
space 44 is about 5/16 inch.
[0030] While both the presently preferred and a number of
alternative embodiments of the present invention have been
described in detail above it should be understood that various
other adaptations and modifications of the present invention can be
envisioned by those persons who are skilled in the relevant art
without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the
scope of the appended claims.
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