U.S. patent application number 15/365921 was filed with the patent office on 2018-05-31 for four-piece nestable cooler.
The applicant listed for this patent is GOOGLE INC.. Invention is credited to Rohit Aggarwal, Abhijeet Dudi, Prateek Khanna, Mayank Roy.
Application Number | 20180148245 15/365921 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62192699 |
Filed Date | 2018-05-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180148245 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Aggarwal; Rohit ; et
al. |
May 31, 2018 |
FOUR-PIECE NESTABLE COOLER
Abstract
An insulated shipping container comprising box housing two
identical L-shaped pieces attached at first and second junctions to
form a right rectangular prism with a top open side and a bottom
open side of identical dimensions to the top open side, a bottom
piece aligned with the bottom open side of the right rectangular
prism, and a top piece aligned with the top open side of the right
rectangular prism. A merchant agent may assemble and pack the
insulated shipping container with ice or other coolant material and
one or more perishable items for shipment to a customer. The
merchant agent may secure the insulated shipping container with
tape and ship the one or more perishable items to a customer.
Inventors: |
Aggarwal; Rohit; (San
Francisco, CA) ; Dudi; Abhijeet; (San Jose, CA)
; Khanna; Prateek; (Santa Clara, CA) ; Roy;
Mayank; (Santa Clara, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GOOGLE INC. |
Mountain View |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
62192699 |
Appl. No.: |
15/365921 |
Filed: |
November 30, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/3823
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/38 20060101
B65D081/38 |
Claims
1. An insulated container, comprising: two identical L-shaped
pieces connected at a first and second junction that form four
sides of a right rectangular prism, wherein a top face and a bottom
face of the right rectangular prism comprise first and second open
faces; a bottom piece upon which the first open face of the right
rectangular prism comprising the connected two identical L-shaped
pieces rests; and a top piece, resting on top of the second open
face of the right rectangular prism comprising the connected two
identical L-shaped pieces.
2. The insulated container of claim 1, wherein the two identical
L-shaped pieces, the bottom piece, and the top piece are comprised
of foam and are of equal thickness.
3. The insulated container of claim 2, wherein the foam comprises
Styrofoam.
4. The insulated container of claim 1, further comprising a box,
wherein the bottom piece, two identical L-shaped pieces, and the
top piece are housed within the box.
5. The insulated container of claim 4, wherein the box comprises a
cardboard box.
6. The insulated container of claim 4, wherein the box is taped
shut with tape.
7. The insulated container of claim 1, wherein the right
rectangular prism comprises a cube.
8. The insulated container of claim 1, wherein the first and second
junctions are at corners of the right rectangular prism.
9. The insulated container of claim 1, wherein the first and second
junctions are within opposite faces of the right rectangular
prism.
10. The insulated container of claim 1, wherein each of the
L-shaped piece comprises a protruding edge and an indented edge,
wherein the protruding edge of one of the L-shaped pieces fits into
the indented edge of the other one of the L-shaped pieces at the
first junction, and wherein the protruding edge of the other one of
the L-shaped pieces fits into the indented edge of the one of the
L-shaped pieces at the second junction.
11. The insulated container of claim 1, wherein the first L-shaped
piece comprises a first flat edge of the first L-shaped piece that
is aligned with a second flat edge of the second L-shaped piece at
the first junction and wherein the first L-shaped piece comprises a
second flat edge that aligns with a first flat edge of the second
L-shaped piece at the second junction.
12. A method to assemble an insulated shipping container,
comprising: laying a first bottom container piece along a bottom of
an inside of a box; connecting a first edge of a first L-shaped
container piece to a second edge of a second L-shaped container
piece at a first junction, wherein the second L-shaped piece is
identical to the first L-shaped piece and connecting a second edge
of the first L-shaped container piece to a first edge of the second
L-shaped container piece at a second junction to form four adjacent
sides of a right rectangular prism comprising a top open side and a
bottom open side; placing the connected first and second L-shaped
container pieces on top of the bottom container piece in the box to
align the bottom container piece with the bottom open side of the
right rectangular prism and aligning the first and second L-shaped
container pieces along sides of the inside of the box; placing a
top container piece on top of the top open side of the right
rectangular prism to form an assembled container inside the box;
and closing the box around the assembled container.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the two identical L-shaped
container pieces, the bottom container piece, and the top container
piece are made of foam and are of equal thickness.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the box comprises a cardboard
box.
15. The method of claim 12, further comprising securing the box
with tape.
16. The insulated container of claim 1, wherein the first and
second junctions are at corners of the right rectangular prism.
17. The insulated container of claim 1, wherein the first and
second junctions are within opposite faces of the right rectangular
prism.
18. The method of claim 12, wherein the right rectangular prism
comprises a cube.
19. The method of claim 12, wherein the first L-shaped container
piece comprises a first protruding edge and a second indented edge,
wherein the second L-shaped container piece comprises a first
protruding edge and a second indented edge, wherein connecting the
first edge of the first L-shaped container piece to the second edge
of the second L-shaped container piece at the first junction
comprises inserting the first protruding edge of the first L-shaped
container piece into the second indented edge of the second
L-shaped container piece at the first junction, and wherein
connecting the second edge of the first L-shaped container piece to
the first edge of the second L-shaped container piece at the second
junction comprises inserting the second indented edge of the first
L-shaped container piece into the first protruding edge of the
second L-shaped container piece at the second junction.
20. The method of claim 12, wherein the first L-shaped piece
comprises a first flat edge and a second flat edge, wherein the
second L-shaped piece comprises a first flat edge and a second flat
edge, wherein connecting the first edge of the first L-shaped piece
to the second edge of the second L-shaped piece at the first
junction comprises aligning the first flat edge of the first
L-shaped piece to the second flat edge of the second L-shaped piece
at the first junction, and wherein connecting the second edge of
the first L-shaped piece to the first edge of the second L-shaped
piece at the second junction comprises aligning the second flat
edge of the first L-shaped piece to the first flat edge of the
second L-shaped piece at the second junction.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to insulated shipping
containers, and more particularly to insulated shipping containers
assembled from component pieces.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Merchants conventionally ship perishable products in
insulated containers to maintain a desired temperature for the
products, to protect the products, and/or to prevent the contents
from spoiling during shipping. A foam cooler within a cardboard box
is an effective option for an insulated shipping container.
However, storing traditional two-piece foam coolers comprising a
five-sided cooler piece (bottom and four side walls) and a lid
piece results in increased volume requirement for shipping and
storing the two-piece coolers prior to use. Accordingly, a foam
cooler comprising component pieces that may be assembled to form
the cooler provides for more efficient storage because the pieces
may be stacked. However, coolers that are capable of being
assembled may be confusing to assemble rapidly when the pieces are
of differing sizes or there are too many pieces to assemble.
SUMMARY
[0003] Techniques herein provide an insulated shipping container
comprising a cardboard box housing a four-piece cooler that is
assembled from two identical interlocking L-shaped pieces that form
the side walls of the cooler, a bottom piece for the cooler, and a
top lid piece for the cooler that is identical to the bottom piece.
In an example, the cooler comprises a foam cooler assembled from
two L-shaped foam pieces and two top/bottom foam pieces. An example
L-shaped piece comprises a portion of a cooler comprising two
adjacent, perpendicular faces of a cooler comprising a joined
corner, a first edge comprising an indention, and a second edge
comprising a protrusion. In another example, the first and second
edges comprises flat edges. In this example, two L-shaped pieces
may be joined by connecting a first edge of a first L-shaped piece
with a second edge of a second L-shaped piece and also connecting a
second edge of the first L-shaped piece with a first edge of the
second L-shaped piece. In an example, the first edge of the first
L-shaped piece is joined to the second edge of the second L-shaped
piece at a first corner and the second edge of the first L-shaped
piece is joined to the first edge of the second L-shaped piece at a
second corner opposite the first corner, the two connected L-shaped
pieces forming four adjacent sides of a right rectangular prism
with an open top side and an open bottom side, the open top face
and the open bottom face comprising the same dimensions. In another
example, the first edge of the first L-shaped piece is joined to
the second edge of the second L-shaped piece within a first face
and the second edge of the first L-shaped piece is joined to the
first edge of the second L-shaped piece within a second face
opposite the first face, the two connected L-shaped pieces forming
four adjacent sides of a right rectangular prism with an open top
side and an open bottom side, the open top face and the open bottom
face comprising the same dimensions. In an example, the right
rectangular prism comprises a cube. In an example, a top/bottom
piece comprises dimensions including the open bottom face of the
connected two identical L-shaped pieces plus the width of the four
edges circumscribing the open bottom face of the connected two
identical L-shaped pieces.
[0004] In an example, a merchant assembles two identical top/bottom
pieces and two identical L-shaped pieces to form a cooler within a
cardboard box, the cardboard box comprising a right rectangular
prism comprising dimensions equal to or greater than the dimensions
of the cooler such that the cardboard box may house the cooler. In
an example, a merchant prepares an insulated shipping container by
resting a first top/bottom piece in the bottom of the open
cardboard box. Next, the merchant may connect two identical
L-shaped pieces by joining the first edge of the first L-shaped
piece is joined to the second edge of the second L-shaped piece and
the second edge of the first L-shaped piece is joined to the first
edge of the second L-shaped piece, the two connected L-shaped
pieces forming four adjacent sides of a right rectangular prism
with an open top side and an open bottom side having the same
dimensions as the open top side. The merchant may place the
connected two identical L-shaped pieces forming the four adjacent
sides on top of the first top/bottom piece such that either the
open bottom side or the open top side of the connected L-shaped
pieces is perpendicular to the top/bottom piece resting at the
bottom of the box. The merchant may place one or more perishable
products resting on top of the top/bottom piece within the four
adjacent sides of the assembled two identical L-shaped pieces. The
merchant may place a second top/bottom piece on top of the
remaining open side of the right rectangular prism formed by the
connected two identical L-shaped pieces that are resting on top of
the first top/bottom piece, the second top/bottom piece comprising
the same dimensions as the first top/bottom piece. In this example,
the merchant forms an insulated shipping container comprising one
or more perishable products, the insulated shipping container
comprising a cardboard box comprising a cooler comprising the two
connected identical L-shaped pieces and the two identical
top/bottom pieces covering the open faces resulting from the
joining of the two identical L-shaped pieces. The merchant may
close the cardboard box to secure the assembled cooler comprising
the one or more perishable products and ship the cardboard box to a
desired destination.
[0005] These and other aspects, objects, features, and advantages
of the example embodiments will become apparent to those having
ordinary skill in the art upon consideration of the following
detailed description of illustrated example embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is an illustration depicting components of an
insulated shipping container comprising a cardboard box, two
identical L-shaped pieces, and two identical top/bottom pieces, in
accordance with certain example embodiments.
[0007] FIG. 2 is an illustration depicting identical L-shaped
pieces stacked together for storage, in accordance with certain
example embodiments.
[0008] FIG. 3 is an illustration depicting two identical L-shaped
pieces aligned for connection at connecting edges, in accordance
with certain example embodiments.
[0009] FIG. 4 is an illustration depicting two identical L-shaped
pieces connected at connecting edges, in accordance with certain
example embodiments.
[0010] FIG. 5 is an illustration depicting an open cardboard box
comprising a top/bottom piece in the bottom of the box upon which
rests two identical L-shaped pieces connected at connecting edges
within the box, in accordance with certain example embodiments.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a block flow diagram depicting a method for
packing, by a merchant an insulated shipping container comprising a
cooler assembled from two identical L-shaped pieces and two
identical top/bottom pieces.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
Overview
[0012] The example embodiments described herein provide a
description of an insulated shipping container comprising a
cardboard box, two identical L-shaped pieces, and two identical
top-bottom pieces and a process for packing an insulated shipping
container. Current applications for insulated containers do not
provide for a four-piece cooler packable within a cardboard box
that is assembled from two identical interlocking L-shaped pieces
that form the side walls of the cooler, a bottom piece for the
cooler, and a top lid piece for the cooler that is identical to the
bottom piece.
[0013] In an example, an insulated shipping container comprises a
cardboard box housing a four-piece cooler that is assembled from
two identical interlocking L-shaped pieces that form the side walls
of the cooler, a bottom piece for the cooler, and a top piece for
the cooler that is identical to the bottom piece. A merchant
assembles the four-piece cooler within the cardboard box with one
or more perishable items within the cooler. The merchant may seal
the cardboard box with the four-piece cooler within to produce the
insulated shipping container. The merchant may ship the insulated
shipping container to an address of a customer that ordered the one
or more perishable items from the merchant.
[0014] An example insulated shipping computer is comprised of two
identical L-shaped pieces, two identical top-bottom pieces, and a
cardboard box. An example L-shaped piece comprises a portion of a
cooler comprising two adjacent, perpendicular faces of a cooler
comprising a joined corner, a first edge comprising an indention,
and a second edge comprising a protrusion. In this example, the
protrusion inversely corresponds to the indention such that two
L-shaped pieces may interlock or otherwise align at a first
junction comprising the interlocking or aligning of a protruding
edge of a first L-shaped piece with an indention edge of a second
L-shaped piece and at a second junction comprising the interlocking
or aligning of an indention edge of the first L-shaped piece with a
protruding edge of the second L-shaped piece. In an example,
identical L-shaped pieces each comprise eight faces, wherein all
faces of each L-shaped piece are either oriented parallel or
perpendicular to all other faces.
[0015] In an example, a protruding edge of a first L-shaped piece
interlocks with an indention edge of a second L-shaped piece via a
lock-and-key junction, similarly to two pieces of a puzzle. In this
example, two L-shaped pieces may be joined by connecting a first
edge of a first L-shaped piece with a second edge of a second
L-shaped piece at a first junction and also connecting a second
edge of the first L-shaped piece with a first edge of the second
L-shaped piece at a second junction. In an example, the first edge
of the first L-shaped piece is joined to the second edge of the
second L-shaped piece at a first corner and the second edge of the
first L-shaped piece is joined to the first edge of the second
L-shaped piece at a second corner opposite the first corner, the
two connected L-shaped pieces forming four adjacent sides of a
right rectangular prism with an open top side and an open bottom
side, the open top face and the open bottom face comprising the
same dimensions. In another example, the first edge of the first
L-shaped piece is joined to the second edge of the second L-shaped
piece within a first face and the second edge of the first L-shaped
piece is joined to the first edge of the second L-shaped piece
within a second face opposite the first face, the two connected
L-shaped pieces forming four adjacent sides of a right rectangular
prism with an open top side and an open bottom side, the open top
face and the open bottom face comprising the same dimensions. In an
example, the right rectangular prism comprises a cube. In an
example, a top/bottom foam piece comprises dimensions including the
open bottom face of the connected two identical L-shaped pieces
plus the width of the four edges circumscribing the open bottom
face of the connected two identical L-shaped pieces.
[0016] In an example, a merchant assembles two identical top/bottom
foam pieces and two identical L-shaped pieces to form a cooler
within a cardboard box, the cardboard box comprising a right
rectangular prism comprising dimensions equal to or greater than
the dimensions of the cooler such that the cardboard box may house
the cooler. In an example, a merchant prepares an insulated
shipping container by resting a first top/bottom foam piece in the
bottom of the open cardboard box. Next, the merchant may connect
two identical L-shaped pieces by joining the first edge of the
first L-shaped piece is joined to the second edge of the second
L-shaped piece and the second edge of the first L-shaped piece is
joined to the first edge of the second L-shaped piece, the two
connected L-shaped pieces forming four adjacent sides of a right
rectangular prism with an open top side and an open bottom side
having the same dimensions as the open top side. The merchant may
place the connected two identical L-shaped pieces forming the four
adjacent sides on top of the first top/bottom foam piece such that
either the open bottom side or the open top side of the connected
L-shaped pieces is perpendicular to the top/bottom foam piece
resting at the bottom of the box.
[0017] The merchant may place one or more perishable products
resting on top of the top/bottom foam piece within the four
adjacent sides of the assembled two identical L-shaped pieces. The
merchant may place a second top/bottom foam piece on top of the
remaining open side of the right rectangular prism formed by the
connected two identical L-shaped foam pieces that are resting on
top of the first top/bottom foam piece, the second top/bottom foam
piece comprising the same dimensions as the first top/bottom foam
piece. In this example, the merchant forms an insulated shipping
container comprising one or more perishable products, the insulated
shipping container comprising a cardboard box comprising a cooler
comprising the two connected identical L-shaped foam pieces and the
two identical top/bottom foam pieces covering the open faces
resulting from the joining of the two identical L-shaped foam
pieces. The merchant may close the cardboard box to secure the
assembled cooler comprising the one or more perishable products and
ship the cardboard box to a desired destination.
[0018] By using and relying on the methods and systems described
herein, the merchant may create and pack an insulated shipping
container comprising a cardboard box, two identical L-shaped foam
pieces, and two identical top-bottom foam pieces and a process for
packing an insulated shipping container. As such, the systems and
methods described herein may reduce the storage space necessary for
storage of components of insulated shipping containers and increase
the ease at which insulated shipping containers may be assembled.
For example, the L-shaped pieces may be stacked and efficiently
stored according to the example embodiments provided herein.
Further, the L-shaped ideas, being identical, are easily assembled
by merchant agents by locking or otherwise aligning two L-shaped
pieces along interlocking or inverse flat edges.
Example System Architecture
[0019] Turning now to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate
like (but not necessarily identical) elements throughout the
figures, example embodiments are described in detail.
[0020] FIG. 1 is an illustration depicting example components of an
example insulated shipping container comprising a cardboard box,
two identical L-shaped pieces, and two identical top/bottom pieces,
in accordance with certain example embodiments.
[0021] In an example, the components of an example insulated
shipping container comprise two identical L-shaped pieces 101 and
102, two identical top/bottom pieces 103 and 104, and a cardboard
box 105.
[0022] An example L-shaped piece 101 or 102 comprises An example
L-shaped piece 101 comprises a portion of a cooler comprising two
adjacent, perpendicular faces of a cooler comprising a joined
corner 101c, a first edge 101a comprising an indention, and a
second edge 101b comprising a protrusion. In this example, the
protrusion edge 101b of the L-shaped piece 101 inversely
corresponds to the indention edge 101a such that the L-shaped piece
101 may interlock or otherwise align with an identical L-shaped
piece 102 at a first junction comprising the interlocking or
aligning of the protruding edge 101b of the first L-shaped piece
101 with an indention edge 102a of a second L-shaped piece 102 and
at a second junction comprising the interlocking or aligning of an
indention edge 101a of the first L-shaped piece 101 with a
protruding edge 102b of the second L-shaped piece 102. In an
example, ignoring the protruding and/or indented nature of the
edges 101a, 101b, 102a, and 102b, identical L-shaped pieces 101 and
102 each comprise eight faces.
[0023] In an example, a protruding edge 101b of a first L-shaped
piece 101 may interlock with an indention edge 102a of a second
L-shaped piece 102 via a lock-and-key junction and an indented edge
101a of the first L-shaped piece 101 may interlock with a
protruding edge 102b of the second L-shaped piece 102, similarly to
puzzle pieces. In this example, two L-shaped pieces may be joined
by connecting a first edge of a first L-shaped piece 101 with a
second edge of a second L-shaped piece 102 at a first junction and
also connecting a second edge of the first L-shaped piece 101 with
a first edge of the second L-shaped piece 102 at a second junction.
In an example, the first edge of the first L-shaped piece 101 is
joined to the second edge of the second L-shaped piece 102 at a
first corner and the second edge of the first L-shaped piece 101 is
joined to the first edge of the second L-shaped piece 102 at a
second corner opposite the first corner, the two connected L-shaped
pieces forming four adjacent sides of a right rectangular prism
with an open top side and an open bottom side, the open top face
and the open bottom face comprising the same dimensions. In another
example, the first edge of the first L-shaped piece 101 is joined
to the second edge of the second L-shaped piece 102 within a first
face and not at a corner and the second edge of the first L-shaped
piece 101 is joined to the first edge of the second L-shaped piece
102 within a second face opposite the first face also not at a
corner, the two connected L-shaped pieces 101 and 102 forming four
adjacent sides of a right rectangular prism with an open top side
and an open bottom side, the open top face and the open bottom face
comprising the same dimensions. In an example, the right
rectangular prism comprises a cube. In an example, a top/bottom
foam piece comprises dimensions including the open bottom face of
the connected two identical L-shaped pieces 101 and 102 plus the
width of the four edges circumscribing the open bottom face of the
connected two identical L-shaped pieces 101 and 102.
[0024] In an example, two identical top/bottom pieces 103 and 104
each comprise dimensions including the open bottom face of the
connected two identical L-shaped pieces 101 and 102 plus the width
of the four edges circumscribing the open bottom face of the
connected two identical L-shaped pieces 101 and 102. In an example,
the two identical top/bottom pieces 103 and 104 comprise the same
width as each of the L-shaped pieces 101 and 102. In an example
embodiment, each of the top/bottom pieces 103 and 104 is able to
fit flat bottom of the box.
[0025] In an example the cardboard box 105 comprises a standard box
made of cardboard used for shipping purposes. However, in certain
examples, the cardboard box 105 may be made of a material other
than cardboard. The cardboard box 105 may comprise dimensions such
that the cooler comprising the connected identical L-shaped pieces
101 and 102 and the top/bottom pieces 103 and 104 fits within the
cardboard box 105. For example, the cardboard box 105 may comprise
dimensions that are an eighth of an inch wider in each dimension
than the dimensions of the cooler so that the assembled cooler can
fit within the cardboard box 105 and so that the cardboard box 105
can be closed around the cooler for shipping.
Example Processes
[0026] The example method illustrated in FIG. 6 is described
hereinafter with respect to the components illustrated in FIGS.
1-5. The example method of FIG. 6 may also be performed with other
systems and in other environments.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a block diagram depicting a method 600 for
packing, by a merchant, an insulated shipping container comprising
a cardboard box 105 housing a cooler assembled from two identical
L-shaped pieces 101 and 102 and two identical top/bottom pieces 103
and 104, in accordance with certain example embodiments. The method
600 is described with reference to the components illustrated in
FIG. 1.
[0028] In block 610, a merchant agent connects two identical
L-shaped pieces 101 and 102.
[0029] FIG. 2 is an illustration depicting identical L-shaped
pieces stacked together for storage, in accordance with certain
example embodiments. In this example illustration, six L-shaped
pieces 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, and 206 are nested together for
storage. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the L-shaped pieces may be
stacked such that wasted storage space is minimized. In an example,
the merchant agent retrieves two identical L-shaped pieces 101 and
102 from the stored identical L-shaped pieces.
[0030] In an example, a protruding edge 101b of a first L-shaped
piece 101 may interlock with an indention edge 102a of a second
L-shaped piece 102 via a lock-and-key junction and an indented edge
101a of the first L-shaped piece 101 may interlock with a
protruding edge 102b of the second L-shaped piece 102, similarly to
puzzle pieces. In this example, two L-shaped pieces may be joined
by connecting a first edge of a first L-shaped piece 101 with a
second edge of a second L-shaped piece 102 at a first junction and
also connecting a second edge of the first L-shaped piece 101 with
a first edge of the second L-shaped piece 102 at a second junction.
In an example, the first edge of the first L-shaped piece 101 is
joined to the second edge of the second L-shaped piece 102 at a
first corner and the second edge of the first L-shaped piece 101 is
joined to the first edge of the second L-shaped piece 102 at a
second corner opposite the first corner, the two connected L-shaped
pieces forming four adjacent sides of a right rectangular prism
with an open top side and an open bottom side, the open top face
and the open bottom face comprising the same dimensions.
[0031] FIG. 3 is an illustration depicting two identical L-shaped
pieces 101 and 102 aligned for connection at connecting edges 301
and 302, in accordance with certain example embodiments. FIG. 3
illustrates two L-shaped pieces 101 and 102 that may be joined by
connecting a first protruding edge 101b of a first L-shaped piece
101 with a second indented edge 102a of a second L-shaped piece 102
at a first corner junction 301 and also connecting a second
indented edge 101a of the first L-shaped piece 101 with a first
protruding edge 102b of the second L-shaped piece 102 at a second
corner junction 302 opposite the first corner junction 301.
[0032] In another example, the first edge of the first L-shaped
piece 101 is joined to the second edge of the second L-shaped piece
102 within a first face and not at a corner and the second edge of
the first L-shaped piece 101 is joined to the first edge of the
second L-shaped piece 102 within a second face opposite the first
face also not at a corner, the two connected L-shaped pieces 101
and 102 forming four adjacent sides of a right rectangular prism
with an open top side and an open bottom side, the open top face
and the open bottom face comprising the same dimensions. In an
example, the right rectangular prism comprises a cube. In an
example, a top/bottom foam piece comprises dimensions including the
open bottom face of the connected two identical L-shaped pieces 101
and 102 plus the width of the four edges circumscribing the open
bottom face of the connected two identical L-shaped pieces 101 and
102.
[0033] FIG. 4 is an illustration depicting two identical L-shaped
pieces 101 and 102 connected at connecting edges 301 and 302, in
accordance with certain example embodiments. In this illustration,
the two connected L-shaped pieces 101 and 102 are joined at edges
101a to 102b and 101b to 102a to form four adjacent sides 401 of a
right rectangular prism connected at two connecting edges 301 and
302 with an open top side and an open bottom side, the open top
face and the open bottom face comprising the same dimensions. In
the example illustration of FIG. 4, the right rectangular prism
comprises a cube. However, in other examples, the right rectangular
prism does not comprise a cube.
[0034] Returning to FIG. 6, in block 620, the merchant agent places
a first top/bottom piece 103 in the bottom of a cardboard box 105.
In an example embodiment, the bottom of the cardboard box 105
comprises the same dimensions or slightly larger dimensions than
the first top/bottom piece 103. In an example, slightly larger
comprises one eighth of an inch, one sixteenth of an inch, or three
millimeters larger than the length and width of top/bottom piece to
allow placement of the first top/bottom piece 103 in the bottom of
the cardboard box 105. In an example, the top/bottom piece 103
comprises the same length and width as either of the two open faces
of the right rectangular prism formed by the connection of the two
identical L-shaped pieces 101 and 102.
[0035] In block 630, the merchant agent places the connected two
identical L-shaped pieces 101 and 102 on top of the first
top/bottom piece 103 within the cardboard box 105 to form a cooler
with an open face. In an example, the shape of the cooler formed by
the positioning of the connected two identical L-shaped pieces 101
and 102 placed on top of the first top/bottom piece 103 forms a
right rectangular prism with a single open face, the single open
face of the right rectangular prism being the top face of the right
rectangular prism. In an example, the right rectangular prism
comprises a cube wherein all faces of the cube comprise the same
dimensions. In an example, the first top/bottom piece 103 may
comprise a protruding edge along the side upon which is affixed an
open face of the right rectangular prism formed as a result of
connecting the two identical L-shaped pieces 101 and 102. In this
example, the protruding edge allows the first top/bottom piece 103
to form a seal with the connected two identical L-shaped pieces 101
and 102 which are placed on top of the first top/bottom piece
103.
[0036] FIG. 5 is an illustration depicting an almost assembled
cooler 501 comprising an open cardboard box housing a first
top/bottom piece 103 in the bottom of the box upon which rests two
identical L-shaped pieces 101 and 102 connected at connecting edges
301 and 302 within the cardboard box 105, in accordance with
certain example embodiments. For example, the merchant takes the
four adjacent sides 401 of the right rectangular prism with open
top and bottom faces, as illustrated in FIG. 4, and places the four
adjacent sides on top of the first top/bottom piece 103 within the
cardboard box 105 such that one of the open face of the right
rectangular prism is covered by the first top/bottom piece 103
within the cardboard box 105, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The example
almost assembled cooler 501 illustrated in FIG. 5 comprises enough
space to insert a second top/bottom piece 104 on top of the
remaining open face of the right rectangular prism formed by the
connection of the two L-shaped pieces 101 and 102. The example
almost assembled cooler 501 illustrated in FIG. 5 comprises space
in which the merchant agent may place one or more perishable goods
for shipment.
[0037] Returning to FIG. 6, in block 640, the merchant agent places
one or more perishable goods within the cooler space formed by the
connected two identical L-shaped pieces 101 and 102 and the first
top/bottom piece 103 within the cardboard box 105. In an example
embodiment, a perishable good comprises a good that must be
refrigerated in ice. For example, the merchant agent may place ice
or other coolant material in the almost assembled cooler 501
illustrated in FIG. 5 along with one or more perishable
products.
[0038] In block 650, the merchant agent places a second top/bottom
piece 104 on top of the open face of the cooler formed by the
connected two identical L-shaped pieces 101 and 102 and the first
top/bottom piece 103 within the cardboard box 105 to form a closed
cooler. In an example, the second top/bottom piece 104 may comprise
a protruding edge along the side the fits into the remaining open
face of the right rectangular prism formed as a result of
connecting the two identical L-shaped pieces 101 and 102. In this
example, the protruding edge allows the top/bottom piece 104 to
form a seal with the connected two identical L-shaped pieces 101
and 102.
[0039] In block 660, the merchant agent seals the closed cooler
within the cardboard box 105 to create an insulated shipping
container. For example, the merchant agent closes the top of the
cardboard box 105 to form the insulated shipping container
comprising the one or more perishable goods. In this example, the
merchant agent may apply packing tape to the cardboard box 105 to
secure the cardboard box 105 for shipment. In an example, the
merchant agent affixes and address to the insulated shipping
container comprising the one or more perishable goods and ships the
insulated shipping container to an address.
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