U.S. patent application number 13/270129 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-07 for cool bags systems.
Invention is credited to Brenda Gillis.
Application Number | 20120137637 13/270129 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46160909 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120137637 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gillis; Brenda |
June 7, 2012 |
COOL BAGS SYSTEMS
Abstract
A reusable insulated flexible cooler bag comprising: a front
wall having a first inner layer, at least one first insulating
layer, and a first outer layer of plastic material; a rear wall
having a second inner layer, at least one second insulating layer,
and a second outer layer of plastic material; and a closure
element. The front wall and the rear wall are joined together at
their peripheral edges so as to create a pocket-like configuration
with an inner volume. The closure element is able to close the
pocket-like configuration to substantially ensure an airtight and
watertight seal of the inner volume of the reusable insulated
flexible cooler bag and is located adjacent a top side of the
reusable insulated flexible cooler bag in order to provide access
to contents of the reusable insulated flexible cooler bag.
Inventors: |
Gillis; Brenda; (Woodland
Hills, CA) |
Family ID: |
46160909 |
Appl. No.: |
13/270129 |
Filed: |
October 10, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61392087 |
Oct 12, 2010 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
53/468 ; 383/110;
383/6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/3897 20130101;
B65D 33/2591 20130101; Y02W 30/80 20150501; Y02W 30/807 20150501;
B65D 33/105 20130101; B65D 31/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/468 ; 383/110;
383/6 |
International
Class: |
B65B 5/00 20060101
B65B005/00; B65D 33/06 20060101 B65D033/06; B65D 30/00 20060101
B65D030/00 |
Claims
1. A reusable insulated flexible cooler bag comprising: a front
wall having a first inner layer, at least one first insulating
layer, and a first outer layer of plastic material; a rear wall
having a second inner layer, at least one second insulating layer,
and a second outer layer of plastic material; and a closure
element; wherein said front wall and said rear wall are joined
together at their peripheral edges at a left side, a right side and
a bottom of said reusable insulated flexible cooler bag so as to
create a pocket-like configuration with an inner volume; wherein
said first inner layer, said first insulating layer and said first
outer layer of plastic material are attached to each other; wherein
said second inner layer, said second insulating layer and said
second outer layer of plastic material are attached to each other;
wherein said closure element is able to close said pocket-like
configuration to substantially ensure an airtight and watertight
seal of said inner volume of said reusable insulated flexible
cooler bag; and wherein said closure element is located adjacent a
top side of said reusable insulated flexible cooler bag in order to
provide access to contents of said reusable insulated flexible
cooler bag, said contents being insulated and stored within
confines of said reusable insulated flexible cooler bag.
2. The reusable insulated flexible cooler bag of claim 1 wherein
said first and said second inner layer comprise flexible,
waterproof, air-impermeable plastic material permitting easy
cleaning of said inner volume of said reusable insulated flexible
cooler bag.
3. The reusable insulated flexible cooler bag of claim 1 wherein
said first and said second insulating layer comprise at least one
material having low thermal conductivity.
4. The reusable insulated flexible cooler bag of claim 3 wherein
said material having low thermal conductivity comprises an
insulating foam.
5. The reusable insulated flexible cooler bag of claim 4 wherein
said insulating foam comprises a polyethylene foam sheet.
6. The reusable insulated flexible cooler bag of claim 1 wherein
said front wall and said rear wall are flexible to accommodate
insertion of different shaped products into said inner volume of
said reusable insulated flexible cooler bag.
7. The reusable insulated flexible cooler bag of claim 1 wherein
said first and said second outer layer of plastic material comprise
carrying straps.
8. The reusable insulated flexible cooler bag of claim 1 wherein
said first and said second outer layer of plastic material comprise
durable, puncture-proof, waterproof, air-impermeable and flexible
plastic material.
9. The reusable insulated flexible cooler bag of claim 1 wherein
said first and said second outer layer of plastic material are
colored.
10. The reusable insulated flexible cooler bag of claim 1 wherein
said front wall and said rear wall comprise a square shape.
11. The reusable insulated flexible cooler bag of claim 1 wherein
said front wall and said rear wall comprise a rectangular
shape.
12. The reusable insulated flexible cooler bag of claim 1 wherein
said closure element comprises a plastic sliding zipper.
13. The reusable insulated flexible cooler bag of claim 1 wherein
said closure element comprises a continuous mating plastic tongue
and groove.
14. The reusable insulated flexible cooler bag of claim 1 wherein
said front wall and said rear wall in combination with said closure
element form an airtight, watertight and insulated inner space
comprising said inner volume.
15. A reusable insulated flexible cooler bag comprising: a front
wall having a first inner layer, at least one first insulating
layer, and a first outer layer of plastic material; a rear wall
having a second inner layer, at least one second insulating layer,
and a second outer layer of plastic material; said front wall and
said rear wall being joined together at their peripheral edges at a
left side, a right side and a bottom of said reusable insulated
flexible cooler bag so as to create a pocket-like configuration
with an inner volume, said front wall and said rear wall being
flexible to accommodate insertion of different shaped products into
said inner volume of said reusable insulated flexible cooler bag,
said first inner layer, said first insulating layer and said first
outer layer of plastic material being attached to each other, said
second inner layer, said second insulating layer and said second
outer layer of plastic material being attached to each other, said
first and said second inner layer comprising flexible, waterproof,
air-impermeable plastic material permitting easy cleaning of said
inner volume of said reusable insulated flexible cooler bag, and
said first and said second outer layer of plastic material
comprising durable, puncture-proof, waterproof, air-impermeable and
flexible plastic material; and a closure element; said closure
element comprising a plastic sliding zipper and being able to close
said pocket-like configuration to substantially ensure an airtight
and watertight seal of said inner volume of said reusable insulated
flexible cooler bag, said closure element being located adjacent a
top side of said reusable insulated flexible cooler bag in order to
provide access to contents of said reusable insulated flexible
cooler bag, said contents being insulated and stored within
confines of said reusable insulated flexible cooler bag; wherein
said front wall and said rear wall in combination with said plastic
sliding zipper form an airtight, watertight and insulated inner
space comprising said inner volume.
16. The reusable insulated flexible cooler bag of claim 15 further
comprising a kit comprising various reusable insulated flexible
cooler bags in various shapes, sizes, and colors with various said
closure elements.
17. A method of using a reusable insulated flexible cooler bag
comprising the steps of: providing a reusable insulated flexible
cooler bag comprising a front wall, a rear wall, and a closure
element; opening said closure element of said reusable insulated
flexible cooler bag; placing contents into said reusable insulated
flexible cooler bag; and closing said closure element of said
reusable insulated flexible cooler bag and thereby forming said
airtight, watertight and insulated inner volume for use in
insulating and storing contents.
18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the steps of: placing
said reusable insulated flexible cooler bag into an ice/water
filled cooler box and thereby; preventing said contents placed into
said reusable insulated flexible cooler bag from becoming wet and
contaminated by said ice situated in said cooler box.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is related to and claims priority
from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/392,087, filed Oct.
12, 2010 which application is incorporated herein by reference.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of
the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the
Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise
reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The following includes information that may be useful in
understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that
any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material,
to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any
publication or document that is specifically or implicitly
referenced is prior art.
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention relates generally to the field of
portable insulating containers and more specifically relates to an
airtight and watertight sealable cooler bag for keeping perishable
items cool while storing or transporting them.
[0006] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0007] A portable ice chest or cooler box is most commonly an
insulated box used to keep food or drinks cool. Unfortunately,
cooler boxes often are quite bulky and not easy to transport or it
is difficult to place them into a car, etc. On the other hand,
smaller more compact cooler boxes tend to be too small for larger
food or drink items, such as large bottles or plates. There are
many items that individuals wish to keep cold, but are unable to
find a suitable way to store and transport them in a convenient
manner.
[0008] Therefore a need exist for a flexible cooler bag which may
be used for various differently sized and shaped items, which is
not bulky, but rather lean and flexible and easy to transport and
store. A need exists for a reusable flexible cooler bag which may
be used to keep a variety of items cold during outdoor activities,
such as sporting events, picnics, camping and fishing, or during
long drives.
[0009] Ice cubes are most commonly placed in cooler boxes to help
the items inside stay cool. Therefore, another problem which is
often encountered when it comes to storing items in cooler boxes is
that the food and the ice are often stored in the same compartment.
The melting ice may come into contact with the food when the food
is not properly sealed and may contaminate the food and/or make the
food soggy. Some of the food items may thus be rendered inedible if
they happen to get wet. Therefore, a more efficient and hygienic
method to store items inside a cooler box is needed. A need exists
for an effective method for keeping food and drink items stored in
a cooler box, while at the same time effectively isolating the food
and drink items from the surrounding ice via a water- and
air-impermeable sealable bag.
[0010] Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned
problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,371,643,
5,988,879, 2008/0066491 A1, 5,265,960, 5,078,508, and 6,874,938.
This prior art is representative of portable insulating containers.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in
combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed.
[0011] Ideally, an airtight and watertight sealable cooler bag for
keeping perishable items cool during storage or transportation
should be easy to use, could be used in combination with or without
a cooler box, should operate reliably and be manufactured at a
modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable airtight and
watertight sealable cooler bag for keeping perishable items cool
while storing or transporting them, to avoid the above-mentioned
problems.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known
portable insulating containers art, the present invention provides
a novel airtight and watertight sealable cooler bag. The general
purpose of the present invention, which will be described
subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an airtight and
watertight sealable cooler bag for keeping perishable items cool
while storing or transporting them.
[0013] A reusable insulated flexible cooler bag is disclosed herein
comprising: a front wall having a first inner layer, at least one
first insulating layer, and a first outer layer of plastic
material; a rear wall having a second inner layer, at least one
second insulating layer, and a second outer layer of plastic
material; and a closure element. The front wall and the rear wall
are joined together at their peripheral edges at a left side, a
right side, and a bottom of the reusable insulated flexible cooler
bag so as to create a pocket-like configuration with an inner
volume.
[0014] The first inner layer, the first insulating layer and the
first outer layer of plastic material are attached to each other.
The second inner layer, the second insulating layer and the second
outer layer of plastic material are attached to each other. The
closure element is able to close the pocket-like configuration to
substantially ensure an airtight and watertight seal of the inner
volume of the reusable insulated flexible cooler bag and is located
adjacent a top side of the reusable insulated flexible cooler bag
in order to provide access to contents of the reusable insulated
flexible cooler bag, the contents being insulated and stored within
confines of the reusable insulated flexible cooler bag.
[0015] A kit is also described herein including various reusable
insulated flexible cooler bags in various shapes, sizes, and colors
with various closure elements.
[0016] A preferred method of using a reusable insulated flexible
cooler bag is further disclosed herein comprising the following
steps: providing a reusable insulated flexible cooler bag
comprising a front wall, a rear wall, and a closure element;
opening the closure element of the reusable insulated flexible
cooler bag; placing contents into the reusable insulated flexible
cooler bag; closing the closure element of the reusable insulated
flexible cooler bag and thereby forming an airtight, watertight and
insulated inner volume for use in insulating and storing contents;
placing the reusable insulated flexible cooler bag into an
ice/water filled cooler box and thereby preventing the contents
placed into the reusable insulated flexible cooler bag from
becoming wet and contaminated by the ice situated in the cooler
box.
[0017] The present invention holds significant improvements and
serves as a reusable insulated flexible cooler bag. For purposes of
summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel
features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be
understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved
in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention.
Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that
achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as
taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may
be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which
are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and
distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present
invention will become better understood with reference to the
following drawings and detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The figures which accompany the written portion of this
specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the
present invention, Cool Bags Systems, constructed and operative
according to the teachings of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 1 shows a side view illustrating a reusable insulated
flexible cooler bag according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating the reusable insulated
flexible cooler bag according to an embodiment of the present
invention of FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating the reusable insulated
flexible cooler bag in an in-use condition according to an
embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the reusable
insulated flexible cooler bag in an in-use condition according to
an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of using the
reusable insulated flexible cooler bag according to an embodiment
of the present invention of FIG. 1.
[0024] The various embodiments of the present invention will
hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings,
wherein like designations denote like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention
relate to a portable insulating container and more particularly to
an airtight and watertight sealable cooler bag for keeping
perishable items cool while storing or transporting them.
[0026] Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is
shown in FIG. 1, a side view illustrating reusable insulated
flexible cooler bag 110 according to an embodiment of the present
invention, and FIG. 3, a side view illustrating reusable insulated
flexible cooler bag 110 in an in-use condition 350.
[0027] Reusable insulated flexible cooler bag 110 preferably
comprises front wall 120 having first inner layer 130, first
insulating layer 140, and first outer layer of plastic material
150, rear wall 160 having second inner layer 170, second insulating
layer 180, and second outer layer of plastic material 190, and
closure element 200.
[0028] First inner layer 130 and second inner layer 170 preferably
comprise flexible, waterproof, air-impermeable plastic material
permitting easy cleaning of inner volume 260 of reusable insulated
flexible cooler bag 110. First inner layer 130 and second inner
layer 170 may preferably be made of a thin flexible sheet of
waterproof plastic material, such as polyethylene, vinyl, or nylon.
Plastic is easy to clean and leak proof and therefore provides a
preferable material and surface for first inner layer 130 and
second inner layer 170 which surround inner volume 260 and
therefore come into contact with food items that have been placed
into reusable insulated flexible cooler bag 110. First inner layer
130 and second inner layer 170 preferably have a thickness of no
more than 0.3-1.0 mm
[0029] First insulating layer 140 and second insulating layer 180
comprise at least one material having low thermal conductivity,
such as an insulating foam sheet. First insulating layer 140 and
second insulating layer 180 preferably comprise a polyethylene foam
sheet. However, first insulating layer 140 and second insulating
layer 180 may comprise any material having low thermal
conductivity, such as polyethylene foam, polyurethane foam,
open-cell foam, closed-cell foam, foam in combination with foil
reflectors, etc. First insulating layer 140 and second insulating
layer 180 may further comprise a multitude of sheets or layers,
such as a foam layer encapsulated by plastic material, or a foam
layer in combination with an aluminum layer, etc. First insulating
layer 140 and second insulating layer 180 preferably have a
thickness of no more than 1.0-5.0 mm
[0030] First outer layer of plastic material 150 and second outer
layer of plastic material 190 preferably comprise durable,
puncture-proof, waterproof, air-impermeable and flexible plastic
material, such as such as polyethylene or vinyl. However, first
outer layer of plastic material 150 and second outer layer of
plastic material 190 may comprise any suitable, durable and
puncture proof plastic material. First outer layer of plastic
material 150 and second outer layer of plastic material 190 may be
variably colored or may bear decorative indicia. First outer layer
of plastic material 150 and second outer layer of plastic material
190 preferably have a thickness of no more than 1.0-3.0 mm
[0031] First inner layer 130, first insulating layer 140, and first
outer layer of plastic material 150 comprise the same length and
the same width and are welded or otherwise joined to each other and
thereby form front wall 120. Second inner layer 170, second
insulating layer 180, and second outer layer of plastic material
190 comprise the same length and width and are welded or otherwise
joined to each other and thereby form rear wall 160.
[0032] Front wall 120 and rear wall 160 thereby preferably each
have a thickness of no more than 9.0 mm
[0033] Front wall 120 and rear wall 160 are joined together at
their peripheral edges 210 at left side 220, right side 230 and
bottom 240 of reusable insulated flexible cooler bag 110 so as to
create pocket-like configuration 250 with inner volume 260. Front
wall 120 and rear wall 160 may be joined together by heat-welding.
Since front wall 120 and rear wall 160 preferably each have a
thickness of no more than 9.0 mm and are made of thin, bendable
sheets of material, front wall 120 and rear wall 160 are flexible
to accommodate insertion of different shaped products into inner
volume 260 of reusable insulated flexible cooler bag 110.
[0034] Front wall 120 and rear wall 160 preferably comprise
rectangular shape 330 or square shape 340 so as to facilitate
filling reusable insulated flexible cooler bag 110 with items, or
to make it easy for user 310 to place and stabilize reusable
insulated flexible cooler bag 110 inside a cooler box. Since front
wall 120 and rear wall 160 are joined together so as to form
reusable insulated flexible cooler bag 110, inner volume 260 is
surrounded by front wall 120 and rear wall 160 and varies with the
condition of reusable insulated flexible cooler bag 110. When
reusable insulated flexible cooler bag 110 is empty, inner volume
260 is zero or close to zero, and when reusable insulated flexible
cooler bag 110 contains items it may tend to take on a shape so as
to best accommodate objects placed within inner volume 260.
[0035] Closure element 200 is located at top side 270 of reusable
insulated flexible cooler bag 110 in order to provide access to
contents 280 of reusable insulated flexible cooler bag 110.
Contents 280 are insulated and stored within confines of reusable
insulated flexible cooler bag 110. Front wall 120 and rear wall 160
in combination with closure element 200 form an airtight,
watertight and insulated inner space comprising inner volume 260.
Inner volume 260 may thus be filled with food and drink items as to
keep them cool.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 2, a top view illustrating reusable
insulated flexible cooler bag 110 according to an embodiment of the
present invention of FIG. 1.
[0037] Closure element 200 may close pocket-like configuration 250
to substantially ensure an airtight and watertight seal of inner
volume 260 of reusable insulated flexible cooler bag 110. Closure
element 200 is located at top side 270 of reusable insulated
flexible cooler bag 110 so as to provide access to contents 280 of
reusable insulated flexible cooler bag 110. Closure element 200 is
welded to, or otherwise attached along, the length of top side 270
of reusable insulated flexible cooler bag 110. Closure element 200
preferably comprises plastic sliding zipper 300. Alternatively
closure element 200 may comprise a continuous mating plastic tongue
and groove which may be manually pressed against each other so as
to seal reusable insulated flexible cooler bag 110 in a watertight
and airtight manner.
[0038] Referring now to FIG. 4, a perspective view illustrating
reusable insulated flexible cooler bag 110 in an in-use condition
350 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG.
1.
[0039] Closure element 200 of reusable insulated flexible cooler
bag 110 may be opened and contents 280 may be placed into reusable
insulated flexible cooler bag 110. Subsequently closure element 200
of reusable insulated flexible cooler bag 110 may be closed and
airtight, watertight and insulated inner volume 260 is created.
Reusable insulated flexible cooler bag 110 may be placed into an
ice/water filled cooler box 320 and contents 280 placed into
reusable insulated flexible cooler bag 110 are thereby prevented
from becoming wet and contaminated by the ice located within cooler
box 320. Alternatively, Reusable insulated flexible cooler bag 110
may be used without cooler box 320.
[0040] Carrying straps 290 may be attached to first outer layer of
plastic material 150 and second outer layer of plastic material
190. Carrying straps 290 may preferably be made of plastic material
and may be welded to the upper region of the outside surface of
first outer layer of plastic material 150 and second outer layer of
plastic material 190
[0041] Cool Bags Systems 100 may be sold as kit 400 comprising the
following parts: various reusable insulated flexible cooler bags
110 in various shapes, sizes, and colors with various closure
elements 200, and at least one set of user instructions. Cool Bags
Systems 100 may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide
variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications.
Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that,
under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design
preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost,
structural requirements, available materials, technological
advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for
example, including more or less components, customized parts,
different color combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc.,
may be sufficient.
[0042] Referring now to FIG. 5, a flowchart 550 illustrating method
500 of using reusable insulated flexible cooler bag 110 according
to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.
[0043] In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention
a preferred method of use 500 is disclosed herein comprising: step
one 501 providing reusable insulated flexible cooler bag 110
comprising front wall 120, rear wall 160, and closure element 200;
step two 502 opening closure element 200 of reusable insulated
flexible cooler bag 110; step three 503 placing contents 280 into
reusable insulated flexible cooler bag 110; step four 504 closing
closure element 200 of reusable insulated flexible cooler bag 110
and thereby forming airtight, watertight and insulated inner volume
260 for use in insulating and storing contents 280; step five 505
placing reusable insulated flexible cooler bag 110 into an
ice/water filled cooler box 320 and thereby; step six 506
preventing contents 280 placed into reusable insulated flexible
cooler bag 110 from becoming wet and contaminated by ice situated
within cooler box 320.
[0044] It should be noted that step five 505 and step six 506 are
optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional
steps of method 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so
as to distinguish them from the other steps of method 500.
[0045] It should be noted that the steps described in the method of
use 500 can be carried out in many different orders according to
user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be
appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such
issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing
preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials,
technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements
such as different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination
or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain
maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient.
[0046] The embodiments of the invention described herein are
exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements
can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent
results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit
and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing
abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the
public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and
practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal
terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory
inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of
the application.
* * * * *