U.S. patent application number 14/451419 was filed with the patent office on 2016-02-04 for insulating vessel.
This patent application is currently assigned to True Fabrications, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is True Fabrications, Inc.. Invention is credited to Dhruv Agrawal, Erin M. Malaspino.
Application Number | 20160031630 14/451419 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55179265 |
Filed Date | 2016-02-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160031630 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Malaspino; Erin M. ; et
al. |
February 4, 2016 |
Insulating Vessel
Abstract
A self-contained insulated vessel having a storage area defined
by an inner wall and an outer wall which are spaced apart and dosed
off to define a cavity therebetween. An insulating substance is
contained within at least part of the cavity in order to maintain a
stored item at a predetermined temperature for an extended period
of time or cool a stored item with a temperature higher than the
predetermined temperature of the insulating substance. The
insulating vessel can include a user engagement interface for
shielding a user from at least part of an exterior surface of said
vessel.
Inventors: |
Malaspino; Erin M.;
(Seattle, WA) ; Agrawal; Dhruv; (Seattle,
WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
True Fabrications, Inc. |
Seattle |
WA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
True Fabrications, Inc.
Seattle
WA
|
Family ID: |
55179265 |
Appl. No.: |
14/451419 |
Filed: |
August 4, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/574.2 ;
220/592.16; 220/592.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 19/027 20130101;
B65D 81/3872 20130101; A47G 19/2288 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/38 20060101
B65D081/38; A47G 19/22 20060101 A47G019/22; B65D 43/00 20060101
B65D043/00; A47G 19/02 20060101 A47G019/02 |
Claims
1. A self-contained insulated vessel comprising: a storage area
defined by an inner wall and an outer wall, wherein said walls are
spatially related to each other and closed off to define a cavity
therebetween; an insulating substance contained within at least
part of said cavity; and a user engagement interface for shielding
a user from at least part of an exterior surface of said
vessel.
2. The vessel of claim 1 wherein said user engagement interface
comprises an engagement wall exteriorly adjacent to said outer
wall; wherein said engagement wall and said outer wall are radially
separated and closed off to define an outer cavity.
3. The vessel of claim 1 wherein said user engagement interface
comprises a shielding material superficially integrated to at least
part of said outer surface.
4. The vessel of claim 3 wherein said shielding material is
substantially comprised of elastomer.
5. The vessel of claim 2 wherein said user engagement interface
comprises a substantially horizontal band of material superficial
to an an exterior surface of said vessel.
6. The vessel of claim 1 wherein said vessel is adapted to engage
with a lid.
7. The vessel of claim 1 wherein said container is a beverage
vessel.
8. The vessel of claim 1 wherein said container is a bowl.
9. A method of insulating an item over an extended storage period
in said self-contained insulated vessel according to claim 1, said
method comprising: lowering said insulating substance temperature
to attain a first insulating temperature of at most ambient, so as
to attain a first storage area temperature of said storage area;
and placing said item in said storage area, said item having a
predetermined temperature lower than said first insulating
temperature.
10. A method of cooling an item stored in said self-contained
insulated vessel according to claim 1, said method comprising:
lowering said insulating substance temperature to attain a first
insulating temperature lower than ambient, so as to attain a first
storage temperature of said storage area; and placing said item in
said storage area, said item having a predetermined temperature
higher than said first insulating temperature.
11. A self-contained insulated vessel comprising: an inner wall; an
outer wall having an upper edge; wherein said wall are spaced apart
from each other; a lip radially protruding from a substantially
horizontal exterior surface of said inner wall; wherein said upper
edge of said outer wall tangentially engages along said lip to
define a cavity between said walls; and an insulating substance
contained in said cavity.
12. The vessel of claim 11 further compromising a user engagement
interface for shielding a user from at least of an exterior surface
of said outer wall.
13. The vessel of claim 12 wherein said user engagement interface
comprises an engagement wall exteriorly adjacent to said outer
wall; wherein said engagement wall and said outer wall are radially
separated and closed off to define an outer cavity.
14. The vessel of claim 12 wherein said user engagement interface
comprises a shielding material superficially integrated to at least
part of said outer surface.
15. The vessel of claim 14 wherein said shielding material is
substantially comprised of elastomer.
16. The vessel of claim 12 wherein said user engagement interface
comprises a substantially horizontal band of material superficial
to an an exterior surface of said vessel.
17. The vessel of claim 11 wherein said vessel is adapted to engage
with a lid.
18. The vessel of claim 11 wherein said container is a beverage
vessel.
19. The vessel of claim 11 wherein said container is a bowl.
20. A method of insulating a self-contained for an extended period
of time; said vessel having an inner wall and an outer wall, said
walls being spaced apart from each other; said method comprising:
integrating a lip protruding seamlessly from a substantially
horizontal exterior surface of said inner wall; engaging an upper
edge of said outer wall along said lip to define a cavity; and
storing an insulating substance in said cavity.
21. The method of claim 20 further comprising: integrating a user
engagement interface in to an external surface of said vessel.
22. A portable container comprising: a storage area comprised of an
inner wall and a lip radially protruding from a substantially
horizontal outer surface of said inner wall; and an outer surface
comprised of a base portion to stabilized said container upon a
horizontal surface and an outer wall having an upper edge; wherein
said outer wall upper edge tangentially engages along said lip
creating a cavity between said inner wall and said outer wall; an
insulating substance contained within at least part of said cavity;
and a shielding material superficial to at least part of an
exterior surface of said container.
23. The container of claim 22 wherein said shielding material is
substantially comprised of elastomer.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to a sell-contained
vessel and the like, and more particularly, to a vessel for
maintaining a stored item at a cool temperature therein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The need exists for self-contained methods for storing
consumable or perishable items. Ice is the most obvious solution;
however melted ice leaves an undesirable effect of residual water
mixing with the stored items thereby diluting the contents.
Further, certain beverages or foods are not customarily served with
ice. Standard containers permit excessive heat transfer through the
container wall and the stored items rapidly rise to the ambient
temperature, leaving the stored item in an undesirable state for
consumption or other use.
[0003] Inventors acknowledge that use of an insulating substance is
an up and coming solution for cooling stored items. However,
products incorporating an insulating substance leave significant
room for improvement. For example, other cooling containers are
sealed in a location, such that any potential leakage of the
insulating substance may interact with the stored item. In
instances where the stored item is a consumable, this potential
leakage could go undetected until after the consumable is ingested
by the user. Further such seals could house bacteria that may seep
into the stored item creating potential health risks.
[0004] An additional problem is that a container storing a cold
item can be uncomfortable for a user to grip. A few inadequate
designs offer to address this issue by attaching a protruding
handle to the container, creating a bulky device that is difficult
to store and making manufacturing difficult by raising costs for
molds, skill to manufacture, and time required. Further, certain
containers are needed where handles are not customary, e.g.
bowls.
[0005] Alternatively, a user may directly grip a cold container
wall, therein causing the user to minimize their hold time due to
discomfort thereby making the container less portable. An analogous
but opposite situation can occur when body heat from a user's hand
is dissipated to the container, rapidly raising the temperature of
the cold item.
[0006] Thus, a need exists for a portable container which cools a
stored item or maintains its temperature without the risk of
interacting with the item, and being further capable of easy
manufactured, comfortable use, and effective storage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention overcomes the shortcomings associated
with old devices and methods, and achieves other advantages not
realized by conventional devices and methods.
[0008] In view of the foregoing disadvantages in the known types of
cooling containers, an objective of this present invention provides
a novel container system construction for facilitating storage of
consumables with minimal temperature change over a period of time,
wherein the same can be utilized for cooling an item inside a
container without a need for any external pieces or contact between
the item and an insulating substance. The container can be used to
store and maintain the internal temperature for an extended period
of an item that is either pre-cooled, susceptible to heating due to
the external environment, or desirable at a cooled temperature,
including perishables, consumables, medical specimens, etc.
[0009] Described herein is a self-contained insulated vessel having
a storage area defined by an inner wall and an outer wall which are
spaced apart and closed off to define a cavity therebetween. An
insulating substance is contained within at least part of the
cavity in order to maintain a stored item at a predetermined
temperature for an extended period of time or cool a stored item
when its temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature
of the insulating substance. In some examples, the vessel may
include a user engagement interface for shielding a user from at
least part of an exterior surface of said vessel.
[0010] The invention features various embodiments for cooling,
wherein the vessel is configured such that the insulting substance
substantially surrounds the storage area in entirety.
[0011] The discussed container can be comprised of plastic, metal,
glass or any material that is not materially compromised when
stored at a low ambient temperature, e.g. in a refrigerator or
freezer.
[0012] It is an aspect of the invention to provide a method of
insulating a storage area that isolates the insulating substance,
thereby diminishing accidental leakage or contamination and eases
the production and manufacture process. These and other aspects of
the invention are accomplished by sealing the cavity on an exterior
surface of the container located in a position providing ease of
assembly.
[0013] It is an advantage of the invention to provide a container
causing less discomfort to the user, thereby resulting in a longer
hold time. These and other advantages of the invention are
accomplished by integrating a user engagement interface for the
user to grip such as a material layer on at least a portion of the
exterior surface. Yet another way of accomplishing user comfort and
further slowing heat transfer by double walling the external
cavity. So long as the insulating substance is adjacent to the
inner wall, the invention will maintain its inherent cooling
ability. The user engagement interface has the benefit of further
shielding the stored item from external temperatures.
[0014] The present invention can take a number of different shapes
with accompanying functional and/or aesthetic benefits. For
example, the vessel can be a glass, shot glass, pitcher, cocktail
shaker, or bowl. The component parts of the container can be
adapted, configured, or customized to meet particular functional or
aesthetic needs of particular users or to adapt a lid. One may also
contemplate the use of this container as a shell surrounding
another container.
[0015] Other independent features and advantages of the invention
will become apparent from following detailed description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way
of example, the principles of the invention. Various changes and
modifications within the spirit of the invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art.
[0016] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment
of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited in its application to the details of
construction set forth in the following description or illustrated
in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and
of being practiced and carried out in various ways or with various
materials. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and
terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and
should not be regarded as limiting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1A is a diagrammatic perspective sectional view of an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 1B is a diagrammatic perspective sectional view of the
embodiment of FIG. 1 A depicting an insulating substance.
[0019] FIG. 2 is an exploded sectional side view of the embodiment
of FIG. 1A and 1B.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective sectional view of an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention featuring an
alternative configuration.
[0021] FIG. 4 is an exploded sectional side view of the embodiment
of FIG. 3.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective sectional view of an
alternate exemplary embodiment of the present invention depicting
an alternative storage area configuration.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic perspective sectional view of a
further alternate exemplary embodiment of the present invention
depicting an alternative configuration defining an engagement
cavity.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of the embodiment of FIG.
6.
[0025] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a still further
alternate exemplary embodiment of the present invention including a
layer of shielding material.
[0026] FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a still further
alternate exemplary embodiment of the present invention including
an alternative position of a layer of shielding material.
[0027] FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic perspective sectional view of a
still further alternate exemplary embodiment of the present
invention depicting a martini glass configuration featuring a layer
of shielding material.
[0028] FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic perspective sectional view of a
still further alternate exemplary embodiment of the present
invention depicting a bowl configuration featuring a layer of
shielding material.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] The present invention is directed towards a self-contained
insulating vessel and a method of insulating a self-contained
vessel utilizing an insulating substance 7 contained within cavity
4 walls of the vessel. With reference to the annexed drawings, the
preferred embodiments of the present invention are herein described
for indicative purposes and by no means as a limitation.
[0030] FIG. 1A is a sectional view of an embodiment according to
the present invention. The vessel includes a storage area 1 having
an inner wall 2 and a lip 3 and an outer wall 5. A cavity 4 is
formed between the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 5 when the upper
edge 6 of the outer wall 5 engages with the lip 3.
[0031] FIGS. 1B and 2 are a sectional view and exploded side view,
respectively, of the embodiment of FIG. 1A further depicting an
insulating substance 7 contained in the cavity 4. The composition
of the insulating substance 7 is not a claimed feature of the
present invention. The insulating substance 7 in the present
invention can be any non-toxic non-flammable substance that is
capable of attaining a lowered temperature. Differing compositions
of the insulating substance 7 will have varying properties. Common
insulating substance 7s are hydroxyethyl cellulose, polymer gel,
silica gel, etc. Other exemplary insulating substance 7s that are
known to those in the art include a mixture of rubbing alcohol or a
mixture of sodium chloride, water, and glycol. Some insulating
substance 7s will change to a solid phase when frozen, others will
remain malleable.
[0032] A preferred insulating substance 7 would have a lower
freezing point than water, providing for a phase-change of the
insulating substance 7 for enhanced absorption of heat over an
extended period thereby maintaining a low temperature and a slower
rate at which the insulating substance 7 temperature raises to
ambient temperature. Freezing points between 32 degrees and 10
degrees Fahrenheit are preferred.
[0033] One skilled in the art may enhance features of the
insulating substance 7 with sodium chloride, minerals, water, or
other additives. For aesthetic purposes, visual appearance of the
insulating substance 7 can be enhanced, for example with dye or
other decorations.
[0034] The vessel can be used in one of two primary ways to store
an item that is preferred at a predetermined temperature. One use
involves storing a pre-cooled item that is to be maintained at a
cool temperature for an extended period of time. An embodiment of
the present invention achieves this by slowing down the rate at
which heat is transferred between the storage area 1 and the
ambient. The vessel is first placed in a refrigerator, freezer, or
other cooling area for a predetermined period of time to achieve a
desired insulating temperature. This cooling period is a user
determined variable dependent on the composition of the insulating
substance 7, the ambient temperature, and the desired temperature
of the pre-cooled item. For example, a porter style beer may
require the vessel to be pre-cooled in a refrigerator while ice
cream would require the vessel to be pre-cooled in a freezer for a
longer amount of time. After this cooling period, the pre-cooled
item is placed in the storage area 1 of the vessel. The insulating
substance 7 absorbs heat from the storage area 1 and insulates the
pre-cooled item against excessive warming and thereby maintains the
temperature by slowing the rate at which the pre-cooled item rises
to the ambient temperature.
[0035] A second and similar use involves an item that is preferably
served cold, yet has not been pre-cooled. Such use is achieved by
placing an item in the storage area 1 of a pre-cooled vessel that
has preferably reached a minimum cooling temperature. The item will
slowly fall to a desirable temperature due to the adjacent
proximity of the storage area 1 to the cavity 4 containing the
insulating substance 7. The temperature of the insulating substance
7 rises slowly to ambient temperature influenced both by the heat
the item surrenders to the insulating substance 7 and the heat of
the ambient. The item is cooled while keeping the insulating
substance 7 in an isolated cavity 4 chemically separated from the
item. Therefore, the item will be cooled as the heat from the item
is absorbed by the insulating substance 7, but the insulating
substance 7 will not otherwise interfere with the item. Certain
embodiments of this invention provide a lip 3 that seals the cavity
4 containing the insulating substance 7 on an external surface of
the vessel, thereby eliminating the risk of the insulating
substance 7 leaking through the vessel wall into the storage area 1
and retaining the integrity of the stored item.
[0036] FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2 depict embodiments of the vessel
featuring transparent material. FIGS. 3 through 11 are several
exemplary embodiments constructed of either plastic or metal
materials. The vessels may be constructed of various and multiple
materials. The vessel can be made from any non-porous material that
is resistant to deformation and are not compromised when stored in
frigid and wet conditions for extended periods of time, including
plastic, metal, or glass. The vessel can be enhanced by using any
material that minimizes heat exchange from the surroundings to the
insulating substance 7. One possible embodiment of the vessel can
feature a storage area 1 comprising material less permeable to heat
transfer than the outer wall 5 material.
[0037] FIGS. 3 and 4 are a sectional view and exploded side view,
respectively, of an embodiment of the present invention depicting
an alternative configuration in which the lip 3 extends downwardly
from the exterior of the inner wall 2 such that a gap is created
between a portion of the inner wall 2 and the lip 3. In this
embodiment, when the upper edge 6 of the outer wall 5 engages with
the lip 3, the cavity 4 extends above the upper edge 6 of the outer
wall 5. This configuration may be optimal for any composition of
insulating substance 7 that expands when its temperature is
lowered.
[0038] One skilled in the art will recognize that due to
manufacturing and/or design constraints, the storage area 1 may not
be completely surrounded by the cavity 4 containing the insulating
substance 7. A cavity 4 substantially filled with the insulating
substance 7 is optimal for maximal cooling; however a cavity 4 at
least partially filled with insulating substance 7 can provide
adequate cooling benefits. Further, FIGS. 1A through 4 are
exemplary embodiments of a preferred configuration for cooling
wherein the cavity 4 entirely surrounds the storage area 1. These
non-limiting exemplary embodiments are configured such that the
outer wall 5 is spatially separated from the storage area 1 in its
entirety. FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an exemplary alternate
configuration in which the storage area 1 is created by the inner
wall 2 and a base portion of the outer wall 5 used to stabilize the
vessel on a horizontal surface. Therefore the insulating substance
7 does not surround the bottom of the storage area 1 once the
cavity 4 is formed between the outer wall 5 and the inner wall
2.
[0039] Similarly, FIGS. 1A through 11 depict several embodiments of
the invention featuring a configuration in which the lip 3 is
located along the upper edge 6 of the inner wall 2. However,
alternate embodiments of the invention may include a configuration
featuring an alternative lip 3 placement, wherein the lip 3 may
protrude from any generally horizontal surface of the inner wall
2.
[0040] FIGS. 6 and 7 are a sectional view and exploded side view,
respectively, of a further exemplary embodiment of the present
invention depicting an alternate configuration wherein an
engagement wall 9 is spatially related to the outer wall 5 defining
an engagement cavity 10 4 between the engagement wall 9 and the
outer wall 5. The engagement cavity 10 4 is exteriorly adjacent to
the cavity 4 containing the insulating substance 7. Because the
user's hand and the ambient are not directly adjacent to the cavity
4 containing the insulating substance 7, this exemplary embodiment
insulates the insulating substance 7 from heat of the outer wall 5
that could cause the insulating substance 7 to rise in temperature.
Additionally, this exemplary embodiment further insulates the
storage area 1 and prevents the insulating substance 7 from
absorbing heat from a user's hand alleviating any user discomfort
associated with holding a pre-cooled vessel. A user may, otherwise,
have to limit their hold time if required to grip a wall containing
the insulating substance 7 without this insulating quality.
Preferred embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1A through 5 may,
optionally, entail a vessel comprised of material less permeable to
transfer of heat from the ambient.
[0041] FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective views of an alternate
preferred embodiment of the present invention depicting a shielding
material 8 contiguous to the exterior surface of the vessel as a
preferred solution to user comfort. Shielding material 8 is defined
as any material which possesses a high insulating capability
(R-value). In thermal engineering, other important properties of
insulating materials are product density (p) and specific heat
capacity (c). Materials selected in accord with the objects of this
invention as shielding material 8 will be selected to balance these
important attributes with other design factors but insulating
capacity of the material enables the invention.
[0042] The embodiments depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9, feature a
shielding material 8 wrapping at least a portion of the exterior
surface of the vessel and, in use, interposed between the user's
hand and the exterior surface. In preferred embodiments, the
shielding material 8 is selected to be resilient, elastic,
insulating, and resistant to deformation in cold to freezing and
wet conditions. As selected, the shielding material 8 may
optionally facilitate comfort and gripping of the container in use.
For example, an overmolded insulating handle of a suitable
shielding material 8 would meet the objects of the present
invention. Other desired characteristics of the shielding material
8 are strength, durability, capable of imprinting for aesthetic
purposes. An elastomer layer provides a preferred shielding
material 8 due to its elastic properties and its ability to be
manipulated for aesthetic customization, such as dying or
imprinting. However, the shielding material 8 can comprise of any
of a number of versatile materials selected to be capable of
shielding a user from a cold surface, including thermoplastic,
elastomers, foam resin, thermoset rubber, silicone, treated
leather, polyurethane, neoprene, or synthetic polyester and nylon
materials.
[0043] While the shielding material 8 is depicted as a solid band,
alternate embodiments need only provide partial layering on
opposing sides of the vessel placed where a user's hand might
contact the vessel. Interruptions in the shielding material 8 still
provide an insulating air gap between the user's hand and the outer
surface. The selection of a pattern for arrangement of the
shielding material 8 depends on the vessel type and design
selections by a designer. For example, FIG. 9 depicts an alternate
elastomer layer placement wherein the base of the outer surface is
at least partially covered for an embodiment in which a user may
grip the base portion of the vessel, e.g. an ice cream bowl, a
whiskey glass, etc.
[0044] FIGS. 10 and 11 are sectional views of exemplary embodiments
of the present invention featuring alternative vessel
configurations. FIG. 11 depicts a vessel shaped as a martini glass
in which the outer surface having an outer wall 5 that extends past
the base. FIG. 12 depicts a vessel shaped as a bowl. As shown the
vessel opening is annular. Other embodiments may comprise of any
other shape, including rectangular, square, oval, etc.
[0045] Yet another embodiment features a vessel adapted for a lid.
Such lid may be screwed on, plugged in, snapped on, or otherwise
engaged to the vessel through internal or external pressure or
fastened to the vessel.
[0046] Combinations of the above listed types of arrangement could
be used within a vessel depending on the specific needs and/or
requirements for the vessel. The exterior surface of the vessel can
be printed or embossed with advertising, marketing, branding logos,
etc.
[0047] It is understood that the present invention is not limited
to the embodiments described within the scope of the following
claims.
* * * * *