U.S. patent application number 14/004668 was filed with the patent office on 2015-06-25 for rigid collapsible liner for insulated container.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Coleman Company. The applicant listed for this patent is Yiyun Culp, David B. Gibson, Lisa A Gronau, Justin W. Holt, Ashleigh Perry DeBrunner, Michael W. Peterson, Amy E Vogel. Invention is credited to Yiyun Culp, David B. Gibson, Lisa A Gronau, Justin W. Holt, Ashleigh Perry DeBrunner, Michael W. Peterson, Amy E Vogel.
Application Number | 20150175338 14/004668 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45932492 |
Filed Date | 2015-06-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150175338 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Culp; Yiyun ; et
al. |
June 25, 2015 |
RIGID COLLAPSIBLE LINER FOR INSULATED CONTAINER
Abstract
A soft-sided cooler having a rigid liner configured to removably
fit within said cooler, wherein said liner comprises panels of
rigid material that are collapsible and foldable along seams of
flexible material located between the rigid panels to maintain the
waterproof condition of the liner and allow for folding, said liner
further comprising a drain element for fluid communication with the
exterior of the cooler.
Inventors: |
Culp; Yiyun; (Wichita,
KS) ; Gronau; Lisa A; (Newton, KS) ; Vogel;
Amy E; (Wichita, KS) ; Perry DeBrunner; Ashleigh;
(Wichita, KS) ; Peterson; Michael W.; (Park City,
KS) ; Gibson; David B.; (Wichita, KS) ; Holt;
Justin W.; (Wichita, KS) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Culp; Yiyun
Gronau; Lisa A
Vogel; Amy E
Perry DeBrunner; Ashleigh
Peterson; Michael W.
Gibson; David B.
Holt; Justin W. |
Wichita
Newton
Wichita
Wichita
Park City
Wichita
Wichita |
KS
KS
KS
KS
KS
KS
KS |
US
US
US
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
The Coleman Company
Wichita
KS
|
Family ID: |
45932492 |
Appl. No.: |
14/004668 |
Filed: |
March 7, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
March 7, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US12/28130 |
371 Date: |
February 5, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61537736 |
Sep 22, 2011 |
|
|
|
61451973 |
Mar 11, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/592.24 ;
220/495.03; 220/6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 7/0077 20130101;
B65D 81/3876 20130101; A45C 13/02 20130101; A45C 13/008 20130101;
B65D 81/3897 20130101; B65D 11/18 20130101; A45C 5/143 20130101;
A45C 2013/026 20130101; A45C 11/20 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/38 20060101
B65D081/38; B65D 6/16 20060101 B65D006/16 |
Claims
1. An insulated cooler, comprising: at least one flexible side
panel and a flexible bottom panel defining a cavity therein, said
panels comprising an interior layer of fabric adjacent a first side
of a layer of insulating fabric and an exterior layer of fabric
adjacent a second side of the layer of insulating fabric; a
flexible top panel hingedly connected to the at least one flexible
side panel, said top panel configured to removably cover said
cavity; a removable liner having rigid sides and flexible seams
connecting said rigid sides; said liner configured to fit within
said cavity and said liner further configured to be collapsible
along said flexible seams from a first expanded configuration to a
second folded configuration.
2. The cooler of claim 1, wherein said liner further comprises: a
first side panel having first and second ends and top and bottom
ends; a second side panel having first and second ends and top and
bottom ends located opposite said first side panel; a first end
panel having a top end and a bottom end and connected by a first
flexible seam to the first end of said first side panel and by a
second flexible seam to the first end of said second side panel; a
second end panel having a top end and a bottom end and connected by
a third flexible seam to the second end of said first side panel
and by a fourth flexible seam to the second end of said second side
panel; and a bottom panel connected by a flexible fifth seam to the
bottom end of said first side panel and by a sixth flexible seam to
the bottom end of said second side panel.
3. The cooler of claim 2, wherein said bottom panel comprises two
pieces of rigid material connected to each other by a seventh
flexible seam running from a central point of the first end panel
to a central point of the second end panel; and wherein said first
and second end panels each further comprise a center end seam
extending from the top end to the bottom end and further comprise
first and second angled seams extending from each corner
intersection of end panel, side panel and bottom panel to a point
located on said center end seam.
4. A container, comprising: a first rigid side panel having first
and second ends and top and bottom ends; a second rigid side panel
having first and second ends and top and bottom ends located
opposite said first side panel; a first rigid end panel having a
top end and a bottom end and connected by a first flexible seam to
the first end of said first rigid side panel and by a second
flexible seam to the first end of said second rigid side panel; a
second rigid end panel having a top end and a bottom end and
connected by a third flexible seam to the second end of said first
rigid side panel and by a fourth flexible seam to the second end of
said second rigid side panel; a rigid bottom panel connected by a
flexible fifth seam to the bottom end of said first rigid side
panel and by a sixth flexible seam to the bottom end of said second
rigid side panel; said container collapsible along said flexible
seams.
5. The container of claim 4, wherein said rigid bottom panel
comprises two pieces of rigid material connected to each other by a
seventh flexible seam running from a central point of the first end
panel to a central point of the second end panel; and wherein said
first and second end panels each further comprise a center end seam
extending from the top end to the bottom end and further comprise
first and second angled seams extending from each corner
intersection of end panel, side panel and bottom panel to a point
located on said center end seam.
6. The container of claim 5, wherein in said second configuration,
said first and second ends collapse and fold inward.
7. The container of claim 5, wherein in said second configuration,
said first and second ends collapse and fold outward.
8. The container of claim 5, wherein said first end panel and said
second end panel each further comprise first and second rigid lower
triangular panels connected to said first and second angled seams,
respectively.
9. An insulated cooler, comprising: at least one flexible side
panel and a flexible bottom panel defining a cavity therein, said
panels comprising an interior layer of fabric adjacent a first side
of a layer of insulating fabric and an exterior layer of fabric
adjacent a second side of the layer of insulating fabric; a cover
for said cavity; a removable liner having rigid sides and flexible
seams connecting said rigid sides; said liner configured to fit
within said cavity and said liner further configured to be
collapsible along said flexible seams from a first expanded
configuration to a second folded configuration.
10. An insulated cooler, comprising: at least one flexible side
panel and a flexible bottom panel defining a cavity therein, said
panels comprising an interior layer of fabric adjacent a first side
of a layer of insulating fabric and an exterior layer of fabric
adjacent a second side of the layer of insulating fabric; a cover
for said cavity; a removable liner having rigid sides and flexible
seams connecting said rigid sides; said liner configured to fit
within said cavity and said liner further configured to be
collapsible along said flexible seams from a first expanded
configuration to a second folded configuration; and an integral
drain element providing fluid communication between the interior of
liner and the exterior of liner.
11. The cooler of claim 10, wherein said liner further comprises a
lock mechanism to allow for selective movement between the first
expanded configuration and the second folded configuration.
12. The cooler of claim 10, wherein at least one of the flexible
panels comprises an aperture sized and aligned to cooperate with
said integral drain element.
13. An insulated cooler, comprising: at least one flexible side
panel and a flexible bottom panel defining a cavity therein, said
panels comprising an interior layer of fabric adjacent a first side
of a layer of insulating fabric and an exterior layer of fabric
adjacent a second side of the layer of insulating fabric; a cover
for said cavity; a removable liner having rigid sides and flexible
seams connecting said rigid sides; said liner configured to fit
within said cavity and said liner further configured to be
collapsible along said flexible seams from a first expanded
configuration to a second folded configuration; and an adjustable
securing mechanism for securing said cooler to a wheeled cart.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/451,973, entitled "Rigid Collapsible Liner for
Insulated Container," filed Mar. 11, 2011 (Attorney Docket No.
Orgpls-2-6386); and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/537,736,
entitled "Rigid Collapsible Liner for Insulated Container With
Drain," filed Sep. 22, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. Orgpls-2-6543),
the entire disclosure of each is hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Insulated containers, sometimes called "coolers" are quite
popular, and are used in numerous activities. Large coolers are
often used for picnics and other social gatherings, and individual
users may utilize smaller coolers to keep a fewer number of items
at a desired temperature.
[0003] Typically, the walls of contemporary coolers include hard
outer and inner shells, and an insulating central layer. The
central layer is usually a product having a high insulation value,
or R value. While hard-sided coolers are useful and popular, they
can be heavy and awkward to carry and, once the contents have been
consumed, the empty hard-sided cooler can be inconvenient to
transport and store. As such, the use of soft-sided coolers has
become popular. Soft-sided coolers are known and may be formed from
an insulating material, such as expanded polyethylene foam, that is
surrounded by a flexible fabric, such as polyester, nylon or the
like. Such coolers may be produced by covering one or more pieces
of insulating material with a flexible material and stitching the
pieces or portions of the pieces together so as to form a
container. These containers are lighter in weight than hard sided
coolers and can be folded up for ease of storage when not in
use.
[0004] While soft-sided coolers have beneficial aspects, users
still desire an insulated container which will retain ice and, more
importantly, melted ice (e.g. water) without leaking through the
container seams. As such, it is desirable for soft-sided insulated
containers to have a water-tight liner which fits inside the
container compartment. Users may also desire a certain level of
protection for the contents they will put within the soft-sided
cooler from damage which can be sustained by deformation of the
soft-sided cooler such as by having heavy items place on top of the
cooler, someone accidentally stepping on the cooler and the like.
Hard liners which are made of molded plastic are known. While these
liners are water-tight and can additionally provide desired
structure to a soft-sided cooler, they are not easy to store when
not in use and must be removed and stored separately from the
soft-sided insulated container if the user wishes to fold up the
soft-sided cooler. Hard liners have the additional benefit of being
easy to clean.
[0005] Soft liners are known which include sewn-in liners typically
made of flexible poly vinyl chloride or polyethylene vinyl acetate.
While these liners do fold up for easy storage, the seams are not
water-tight and the liners do not provide much structure to the
soft-sided cooler. The absence of a water-tight liner restricts a
user to utilization of freezable ice substitutes instead of actual
ice to avoid leakage through the seams.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The following presents a simplified summary of some
embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic
understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive
overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify
key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of
the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of
the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more
detailed description of some embodiments that are presented
later.
[0007] In accordance with an embodiment, a soft-sided insulated
container is provided that comprises a collapsible and water-tight
liner having rigid walls, more specifically, comprising at least
one flexible side panel and a flexible bottom panel defining a
cavity therein, said panels comprising an interior layer of fabric
adjacent a first side of a layer of insulating fabric and an
exterior layer of fabric adjacent a second side of the layer of
insulating fabric; a flexible top panel hingedly connected to the
at least one flexible side panel, said top panel configured to
removably cover said cavity; a removable liner having rigid sides
and flexible seams connecting said rigid sides; said liner
configured to fit within said cavity and said liner further
configured to be collapsible along said flexible seams from a first
expanded configuration to a second folded configuration; and
wherein said liner further comprises a first side panel having
first and second ends and top and bottom ends, a second side panel
having first and second ends and top and bottom ends located
opposite said first side panel; a first end panel having a top end
and a bottom end and connected by a first flexible seam to the
first end of said first side panel and by a second flexible seam to
the first end of said second side panel; a second end panel having
a top end and a bottom end and connected by a third flexible seam
to the second end of said first side panel and by a fourth flexible
seam to the second end of said second side panel; a bottom panel
connected by a flexible fifth seam to the bottom end of said first
side panel and by a sixth flexible seam to the bottom end of said
second side panel; wherein said bottom panel comprises two pieces
of rigid material connected to each other by a seventh flexible
seam running from a central point of the first end panel to a
central point of the second end panel; and wherein said first and
second end panels each further comprise a center end seam extending
from the top end to the bottom end and further comprise first and
second angles seams extending from each corner intersection of enc
panel, side panel and bottom panel to a point located on said
center end seam.
[0008] In accordance with an embodiment, a container is provided
having a first side panel having first and second ends and top and
bottom ends; a second side panel having first and second ends and
top and bottom ends located opposite said first side panel; a first
end panel having a top end and a bottom end and connected by a
first flexible seam to the first end of said first side panel and
by a second flexible seam to the first end of said second side
panel; a second end panel having a top end and a bottom end and
connected by a third flexible seam to the second end of said first
side panel and by a fourth flexible seam to the second end of said
second side panel; a bottom panel connected by a flexible fifth
seam to the bottom end of said first side panel and by a sixth
flexible seam to the bottom end of said second side panel; said
container collapsible along said flexible seams; wherein said
bottom panel comprises two pieces of rigid material connected to
each other by a seventh flexible seam running from a central point
of panel; and wherein said first and second end panels each further
comprise a center end seam extending from the top end to the bottom
end and further comprise first and second angled seams extending
from each corner intersection of end panel, side panel and bottom
panel to a point located on said center end seam; wherein in said
second configuration, said first and second ends collapse and fold
either inward or outward.
[0009] In accordance with an embodiment, a soft-sided insulated
container is provided that comprises a collapsible and water-tight
liner having rigid walls, more specifically, comprising at least
one flexible side panel and a flexible bottom panel defining a
cavity therein, said panels comprising an interior layer of fabric
adjacent a first side of a layer of insulating fabric and an
exterior layer of fabric adjacent a second side of the layer of
insulating fabric; a flexible top panel preferably hingedly
connected to the at least one flexible side panel, said top panel
configured to removably cover said cavity; a removable liner having
rigid sides and flexible seams connecting said rigid sides; said
liner configured to fit within said cavity and said liner further
configured to be collapsible along said flexible seams from a first
expanded configuration to a second folded configuration; and
wherein said liner further comprises a selectively closable drain
element providing for fluid communication between the interior of
the liner and the exterior of the soft cooler; further comprising a
foldable and separate wheeled cart for transporting the soft, the
cart having wheels, a retractable handle and being foldable or
compactable for storage, the soft cooler being releasably securable
to the wheeled cart.
[0010] Other features of the invention will become apparent from
the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with
the drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a liner in accordance
with an embodiment, in the expanded configuration;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a cooler having the
liner of FIG. 1 partially inserted therein;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a liner in accordance
with an embodiment, in the expanded configuration;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a liner in accordance
with an embodiment, in the expanded configuration;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a top view of a flat pattern die cut of the liner
of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the liner of FIG. 1 in
a partially collapsed configuration;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the liner of FIG. 1 in
an alternate partially collapse configuration;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of a liner in accordance
with an embodiment, in the expanded configuration;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of a liner in accordance
with an embodiment, in the expanded configuration;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of a cooler releasably
secured to a wheeled cart;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a back perspective view of the cooler of FIG.
10;
[0022] FIG. 12a-c is a front perspective view of a wheeled
cart;
[0023] FIG. 13a-c is a front view of a the collapsible cooler of
FIG. 10, shown in various states of collapsibility between the
fully expanded and fully collapsed configurations;
[0024] FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of the liner of FIG. 9,
showing the drain in exploded view' and
[0025] FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of the liner of FIG.
10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] In the following description, various embodiments of the
present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation,
specific configurations and details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it
will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present
invention may be practiced without the specific details.
Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in
order not to obscure the embodiment being described.
[0027] Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference
numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 2
shows a container 10 in accordance with an embodiment. The
container 10 includes front panel 12, back panel 14, first end
panel 16, second end panel 18, bottom panel 20 and mouth 22 which
define an interior compartment 24. Cooler 10 also preferably
comprises top panel 26 which serves as a lid for the container
10.
[0028] Each of the panels 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 26 preferably
includes a piece of insulating material, such as expanded
polyethylene foam, enclosed in a flexible fabric, such as vinyl,
polyester, nylon or similar fabric. In this manner, the container
10 is deemed a soft-sided cooler.
[0029] Container 10 may comprise exterior and interior pockets (not
shown) as well as carrying handle 30 which may be attached at
various locations. For purposes of illustration only, handle 30 is
depicted as a side handle, but can be of other constructions known
and used in the industry. Additionally, although a rectangular
shaped container is shown in the figures, it is within the scope of
the present invention for container 10 to have other shapes such as
cubic, oval, elliptical, cylindrical and the like.
[0030] The top panel 26, bottom panel 20, and back panel 14 are
connected together along their edges to form a box-like shape. In
particular, the top panel 26 may have an elongated rectangular
shape and may be connected along an edge to three consecutive edges
of the back panel 14. Top panel 26 may comprises a zipper or other
closure mechanism 28 for connecting the three consecutive edges fop
top panel 34a-c to the three consecutive upper periphery edges of
compartment 36a-c. In the alternative, top panel 26 may comprise a
zipper or other closure mechanism 28 for securing the top panel 26
to one or more of the front or side panels to securely retain items
located inside the cavity formed within container 10.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, liner 38 is constructed to fit within
interior compartment 24 of insulated container 10. Liner 38 is
preferably the same general shape as container 10 and slightly
smaller in dimension to ensure a secure fit of liner 38 within
compartment 24. It is also within the scope of the present
invention, however, for liner 38 to be a different shape than
container 10, provided liner 38 still fits within the compartment
24.
[0032] Liner 38 is adapted for insertion and removal from
compartment 24. As shown in FIG. 1, liner 38 comprises front panel
40, back panel 42, first end panel 44, second end panel 46, bottom
panel 48 and an open top 50 forming a cavity 52 within the
liner.
[0033] Panels 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 of liner are made of rigid plastic
and are connected to each other at seams Sx located at corners and
mid-points of panels to allow for the collapse and folding of liner
along seam lines. First and second end panels 44, 46 of liner may
be collapsed inwardly as shown in FIG. 6 or outwardly as shown in
FIG. 7.
[0034] In a first embodiment, shown in FIG. 1, seams S.sub.1-15
comprise living hinges made of the same material as liner panels
40, 42, 44, 46, 48, but of a smaller thickness.
[0035] In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, seams S.sub.1-15 are
made of a second material different from that of liner panels 40,
42, 44, 46, 48. The second material is flexible and waterproof and
is preferably thermoplastic rubber, thermoplastic polyurethane,
silicone, or the like. It is also within the scope of the present
invention for seams S.sub.1-15 to be of a wider thickness (as shown
in FIG. 4) to allow for easier collapsibility of the liner 38.
[0036] While various configurations of panels and seams are
possible, a preferred pattern (shown in FIG. 1) includes two large
rectangular panels (front panel 40 and back panel 42) located
opposite each other and forming the sides of the receptacle. The
bottom portion 48 comprises 2 rectangular panels 48a, 48b hingedly
attached to each other along a center line seam S.sub.1. The
exterior edge of each bottom panel 48a, 48b is hingedly attached to
the lower edge of the front panel 40 and back panel 42,
respectively, along seams S.sub.2 and S.sub.3. Two triangular
shaped panels 44a, 44b connect to a first end of bottom panels 48a,
48b and two triangular shaped panels 46a, 46b connect to second end
of bottom panels 48a, 48b along seams S.sub.4 and S.sub.5,
respectively, located along a first side of the triangular shaped
panels. Panels 44a, 44b are hingedly connected to each other along
a portion of seam S.sub.6, and panels 46a, 46b are hingedly
connected to each other along a portion of seam S.sub.7. As shown
in FIG. 1, the hypotenuses of the panels 44a, 44b, 46a, 46b are
hingedly attached to two upper quadrilateral panels 44c, 44d and
46c, 46d to complete first end panel 44 and first end panel 46
along flexible seams S.sub.8, S.sub.9, S.sub.10 and S.sub.11. Upper
quadrilateral panels 44c and 44d are similarly connected to each
other along a portion of flexible seam S.sub.6 located along the
shorted side edge and upper quadrilateral panels 46c and 46d are
connected to each other along a portion of flexible seam S.sub.7 in
a similar manner. The longer side edges of 44c, 44d, 46c and 46c
are connected to the respective edges of front panel 40 and back
panel 42 by seams S.sub.12, S.sub.13, S.sub.14, and S.sub.15.
[0037] As noted above, seams Sx preferably comprise living hinges
made of the same material as liner panels, but of a smaller
thickness. Seams may also, however, be made of a second material
different from that of liner panels. The second material is
flexible and waterproof and is preferably thermoplastic rubber,
thermoplastic polyurethane, silicone, or the like. It is also
within the scope of the present invention for seams to be of a
wider thickness to allow for easier collapsibility of the liner
38.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 10-13, cart 50 may be provided for ease of
transport of container 10 and its contents. Cart 50 is preferably
of a construction generally known in the industry for use with
luggage, bags and various containers. Cart 50 comprises at least 2
wheels 52 which may be connected along an axis which passes through
frame 54. Frame 54 is preferably foldable along at least one axis
point to enable compact storage when not in use. As shown in FIG.
12a-c, lower frame portion 56 supports container 10 along the
horizontal plane and may be rotated around a hinge or axis point
for vertical-plane storage of frame 54 when not in use. Cart 50
also preferably comprises a retractable handle 58 for use in
transport of container 10 and its contents. Container 10 comprises
a releasable securing mechanism 60 for secure yet selectively
releasable retention onto cart 50. As shown in FIG. 11, the
preferred securing mechanism 60 comprises a set of adjustable
webbing straps having buckles. It is also within the scope of this
invention to utilize straps having hook and loop mechanisms or
other securing means known and used in the industry.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 9 and FIGS. 14 and 15, liner 38 comprises
an integral drain element 70 which provides fluid communication
between the interior of liner and the exterior of liner. Drain
element 70 allows for melted ice, spilled liquids and other
materials to be easily removed from the interior of liner 38
without the need for lift and tipping the entire liner or
container, thus avoiding spilling the contents thereof. As shown in
FIG. 10, aperture 72 is located on a corresponding panel of
container 10 to properly align with drain element 70 located on
liner 38. The alignment thereof allows for fluid communication
between the interior of liner and the exterior of container 10.
Aperture 72 is sized and shaped to accommodate drain spout 74.
Although drain element 70 and aperture 72 are shown located on the
front panel of liner and container, they can easily be located on
the back panel, either end panel or on the bottom panel, provided
both are in proper alignment with each other. As shown in FIGS. 14
and 15, drain element 70 is of standard construction, but
preferably comprises removable cover 76 to allow for selective
access to drain and for selective elimination of fluids from the
interior of liner. Cover 76 is releasably secured to drain spout
74, preferably through the use of a threaded member, but other
means known in the industry are within the scope of the present
invention. It is also within the scope of the present invention for
spout 74 to comprise a liquid dispenser known in the industry.
[0040] As also shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, liner 38 may comprise a
sliding lock mechanism 80 to assist it retaining liner in its fully
expanded configuration when in use and prevent unintentionally
folding or collapse of the side walls of liner 38. The top side of
liner 39 may comprise a detent to retain sliding lock in place and
require the exertion of a set amount of force to "unlock" the
sliding lock and enable the liner to fold or collapse when
desired.
[0041] FIG. 13a-c depicts the collapsibility of container 10 and
liner 38 in connection with drain element 70 and further shows the
functionality of drain element 70 as a retaining means for
retaining the container 10 in its collapsed and folded
configuration. In operation, all contents of the liner and
container (with the exception of the liner itself) are removed and
any remaining liquid is eliminated, preferably through drain
element 70. The sliding lock mechanism 80 is slid to one corner of
each liner top side 39 to allow the liner 30 to be collapsed. The
container 10 is thereafter collapsed upon itself in a front/back
matter (e.g. in a horizontal manner and not vertically) as shown in
FIG. 13a. Cover 76 is removed from spout 74 to expose the end of
the spout. Once the container 10 is mostly in its collapsed
configuration, top panel 26 is folded over the front panel of
container. Top panel 26 may comprise an additional lip 27, but such
it not required. Lip 27, if present, or if lip 27 is not present,
then the front edge of top panel 26 comprises an aperture 78 sized
and shaped to accommodate drain spout 74. Aperture 78 is located
over spout 74 and cover 76 is replaced onto spout 74, thereby
securing container in a collapsed configuration. Of course, it is
within the scope of the present invention for other securing means
other than aperture 78 to operate to retain container in its
collapsed configuration.
[0042] When folding and collapsing the liner 38 between the fully
expanded and fully collapsed configurations, the first and second
end panels 44, 46 may be folded inward as shown in FIG. 6 or
outward as shown in FIG. 7 to allow the bottom panel 48 to collapse
upward (or downward) and the front and back panels 40, 42 to move
closer towards each other in relation to where they were in the
expanded configuration.
[0043] A preferred method of manufacture comprises using a die-cut
piece of rigid plastic material. The material is preferably cut in
a single sheet of material in the pattern shown in FIG. 5. If a
living hinge is to be utilized, the material located along seams
S.sub.1-15 is cut thinner than the remaining panels. The sheet is
then folded and assembled into the expanded liner 38 and the open
seams are welded together to form the completed liner 38.
[0044] If the flexible hinge configuration is to be utilized, the
individual panels are cut apart from the sheet and each panel is
placed into a separate die wherein a second more flexible material
is added to the rigid panels and allowed to cure such that the
rigid panels are connected to each other along seams S to form
expanded liner 38 in the desired configuration wherein the flexible
material is located at each seam, thereby resulting in a flexible
hinge. In the alternative, it is also within the scope of the
present invention to utilize the flexible hinge configuration but
to keep at least the end panel pieces as a single piece wherein
tabs of material connect end panel pieces to each other. The tabs
are made of the same material as end panels, but in a thinner
construction. Tabs (not shown) assist in keeping end panel pieces
in the proper location and orientation during the application and
curing of the flexible material.
[0045] Container 10 may have additional features, many of which may
be common to coolers. For example, container 10 may include
additional features, such as pockets, carabineers, additional
handles and the like. As another example, while the above
description refers to soft-sided coolers, the above coolers may be
made to have hard sides. Fasteners other than zippers may also be
used. For instance, a hook and loop fastener may be used instead of
a zipper. Moreover, the container 10 may include more than one
zipper or other fasteners.
[0046] In an alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the
container has the same general construction as described above
utilizing flexible material at the seams. The seams, however, are
wider in relation to the rigid material sections. Additionally,
seams S.sub.6 and S.sub.7 extend only partially on end panels 44
and 46, extending only between end panels 44c and 44d and also
between end panels 46c and 46d, as shown. In this embodiment,
triangular end panel pieces 44a, 44b, 46a and 46b are not present.
The area consumed by 44a, 44b, 46a, and 46b in FIGS. 1 and 5 is
consumed by the flexible material in FIG. 8. As can be seen, seams
S.sub.8, S.sub.9, S.sub.10, and S.sub.11 have been eliminated and
seams S.sub.4 and S.sub.5 comprise more of a triangular shape and
consume the spaces filled by 44a, 44b and 46a, 46b in FIGS. 1 and
5.
[0047] Other variations are within the spirit of the present
invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various
modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated
embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described
above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no
intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms
disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all
modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling
within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the
appended claims. For example, container 10 can function as a
collapsible liner for removable insertion in a soft-sided cooler,
but container 10 can be utilized on its own as a stand-alone
container or used in outer containers other than soft-sided
coolers.
[0048] All references, including publications, patent applications,
and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to
the same extent as if each reference were individually and
specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set
forth in its entirety herein.
[0049] The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar
referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in
the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover
both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein
or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising,"
"having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as
open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,")
unless otherwise noted. The term "connected" is to be construed as
partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together,
even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of
values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of
referring individually to each separate value falling within the
range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value
is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually
recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in
any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise
clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples,
or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is
intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention
and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless
otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be
construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the
practice of the invention.
[0050] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described
herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying
out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may
become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading
the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to
employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for
the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically
described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all
modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the
claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover,
any combination of the above-described elements in all possible
variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise
indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
* * * * *