Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DIVIDED INSULATED CONTAINER
Field of Invention
This invention relates to the field of soft sided insulated containers. In
particular it relates to soft sided insulated containers having a division
between zones
to permit different environments to be established in the different zones.
Background of the Invention
In recent times, soft sided insulated containers have become popular for
carrying either articles that may best be served cool, such as beverages or
salads, or
warm, such as appetizers, hot dogs, and so on. Such containers are frequently
used to
carry liquids, whether hot liquids, such as soup containers, coffee or tea, or
cold
liquids such as beer, pop, juices and milk. The containers are typically made
in a
generally cube like shape, whether of sides of equal length or not, having a
base, four
upstanding walls, and a top. The top is generally a lid which opens to permit
articles
to be placed in, or retrieved from, the container.
It may also be that, along with objects to be carried in a chamber at one
temperature, another type of food may also be desired, requiring a different
environmental condition. For example, it may be inconvenient for persons going
to a
picnic to carry a different insulated container for each type of food. They
may prefer
a single container that permits more than one type of food to be camed. That
is, it
may be preferable to have one zone in the insulated container for a cold, or
very cold
item, such as ice cream, and another zone for cool items, such as fruit or
drinks.
Alternatively, one zone may contain canned drinks in ice, while another zone
contains
warm or hot foods such as pizza or hamburgers. Temperature is not the only
determining factor. For example, while an ice filled zone may be damp inside,
other
objects, such as bread or some fruits and vegetables, may need a less moist
environment.
It is not necessary that segregated containers for maintaining materials in a
generally warm, hot, cool, or cold condition be placed side-by-side, but could
be
placed one above the other. Hard shell metal lunch boxes have a roughly semi-
cylindrical upper portion that can be equipped with a clip to hold a flask in
place. The
lower portion of the hard shell metal container is then used to carry
sandwiches or
other food. Such a structure may tend not to have a partition to segregate
temperature
zones, and may tend to employ a relatively hard, sharp cornered enclosure that
is not
easily squeezed or collapsed, as may be desirable, and may tend not to have
insulated
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walls.
In typical use, the upper portion of a metal lunch bucket is adapted to carry
a
drink container, such as a canned drink or cylindrical bottle, and the lower
portion of
the lunch bucket is used for carrying food, generally a sandwich, some fruit
such as an
apple, a banana or an orange, and possibly a container for a food such as
apple sauce
or pudding. An advantage of a lunch box having a lower portion, and upper
portion,
and a handle on the top of the upper portion, is that the food inside the
lunch bucket
may tend to be carried in the same orientation as it is packed. Carriage of a
container
of apple sauce (or soup) on its side may tend to lead to unhappy results if
the lid of the
soup container leaks.
In metal lunch boxes, the physical strength of the lunch box is far beyond
that
required merely to carry a sandwich and a drink. Some metal lunch boxes have
sufficient strength to support the weight of a person sitting on them. An
advantage of
such strength at a construction, mining, or forestry site, is that the metal
lunch box
may tend to resist being dented, and may provide protection for the kinds of
insulated
containers in which coffee, hot chocolate, soup or other liquid may be
carried, as well
as for sandwiches. This strength is well beyond the level of strength
generally
required for a school lunch box for students.
By contrast to metal lunch boxes, soft-sided, insulated lunch boxes tend to be
sufficiently compliant to be crushed to a small size when empty, and are not
intended
to resist heavy blows from external objects. They are, moreover, clearly not
intended
to have the strength to support any significant portion of a person's weight.
Some
types of soft-sided food carrying cases tend to have box-like rectangular
sides. These
cases are placed on their largest side for loading and unloading. The opposite
side is
opened to permit food or other objects to be loaded, and once loaded, the case
is lifted
by a carrying strap attached to a pair of sides. When carried in this way, the
food
placed inside is immediately tipped over. This may tend to yield squashed
sandwiches and crushed cookies. Placement of the handle on the large, or top,
side
tends to be cumbersome, and the top panel may tend not to have the body to
resist
bending, resulting in the vertical sides being pulled inward.
It is advantageous to have a lunch carrying sack or container having a pair of
segregated chambers lying one above the other, such that the food may be
carried in
the same general orientation in which it is packed, and yet to employ
insulated soft
sides such that the container will tend not to damage objects it contacts, and
may tend
to keep food warm or cool as desired. A typical insulated panel has an inner
skin, an
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outer skin, and a closed cell foam middle layer. Insulated panels tend to be
able to
retain their shape under modest loads. Rather than having the relatively
cumbersome
rectangular shape, a bucket having a lower portion, an upper, domed portion,
and a
handle running along the crest of the dome tends to have a tall, rather than
wide or flat
profile, and tends to reduce the width of the top panel. Further, forming the
longitudinal member of the top panel on a pair of curved ends may tend to
yield a
structure that is stiffer than a flat panel, only modest strength being
required for
carrying a lunch.
Summarv of the Invention
In an aspect of the invention, there is a soft-sided insulated container
assembly. It has a lower portion having a rectangular base having a pair of
long edges
and a pair of short edges. It has soft-sided insulated front and rear walls
attached to,
and extending upwardly from, the long edges, and soft-sided insulated end
walls
attached to, and extending upwardly from, the short sides. The front and rear
walls
and the end walls co-operate with the base to define the lower portion. An
upper
portion is mounted above the lower portion. The upper portion has a pair of
end
walls. Each of the end walls has a lower margin mounted adjacent to one of the
end
walls of the lower portion, and an upper edge. The upper edge has a downwardly
concave arcuate profile, and a soft-sided insulated spanning wall extending
between
the end walls of the upper portion. The spanning wall conforms to the concave
arcuate profile.
In an additional feature of that aspect of the invention, the front, rear and
end
walls of the lower portion have respective upper margins. The spanning wall of
the
upper portion has front and rear lower margins. The lower portion is joined to
the
upper portion by a hinge. The hinge is connected to the upper margin of the
rear wall
of the lower portion and to the rear lower margin of the spanning wall of the
upper
portion.
In another additional feature of that aspect of the invention, the container
has a
center of gravity and has a suspension member attached thereto at a location
above the
center of gravity whereby, when carried by the suspension member, the lower
portion
will hang below the upper portion.
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In still another additional feature of that aspect of the invention, the
spanning
wall has a crest, and the container has a handle mounted along the crest,
whereby,.
when carried by the handle, the lower portion is below the upper portion.
In an aspect of the invention, there is a soft sided, collapsible, insulated
container assembly. It has a first soft-sided insulated container portion, a
second soft
sided container portion and a common wall shared between those first and
second
portions. The first container portion has an insulated wall structure and a
first
chamber defined therewithin. The second container portion has an insulated
wall
structure and a second chamber defined therewithin. The common wall segregates
the
first and second chambers from each other. The first chamber is maintainable
at a
different environmental condition from the second chamber.
In an additional feature of that aspect of the invention, one of the insulated
container portions has a liner for containing liquids mounted within its
respective
chamber. In another additional feature, both of the insulated container
portions have
liners for containing liquids therein. In a further additional feature, the
liner has a
lowest extremity and an upper lip, and the liner is seamless to a depth of at
least half
the height from the lowest extremity to the upper lip. In a further additional
feature,
the liner is removable from its respective chamber. In a still further
additional feature,
the container has a partition member mounted within the liner. In an
additional
feature of that additional feature, the partition member includes a stiffening
element.
In another additional feature of that additional feature, the partition
includes a
thermally insulative layer for discouraging heat transfer through the
partition. In still
another additional feature, the liner has a fitting for engaging the
partition, and the
partition is movable to a plurality of positions in engagement with the
fitting. In still
yet another additional feature, the respective chamber has a plan form
section, the
partition is moveable to lie in a horizontal orientation relative to the
chamber, and, in
that horizontal position, the partition has a shape to match the plan form
section.
In another aspect of the invention there is a soft sided insulated container
assembly comprising a first insulated container portion, a second insulated
container
portion and a common wall shared between the first and second container
portions.
The first container portion has an insulated wall structure and a first
chamber defined
therewithin. The second container portion has an insulated wall structure and
a
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second chamber defined therewithin. The common wall is located to segregate
the
first and second chambers from each other. The common wall has a hinge mounted
along an edge thereof. The hinge permits the first container portion to move
relative
to the second container portion. The first chamber is maintainable at a
different
environmental condition from that of the second chamber.
In an additional feature of that aspect of the invention, one of the insulated
container portions has a liner for containing liquids mounted within its
respective
chamber. In another additional feature of that aspect of the invention, the
common
wall has a receptacle mounted thereto. The receptacle has an interior for
receiving a
thermal energy storage element. The receptacle has a vented portion to permit
air
from one of the chambers to communicate with the interior. In still another
additional
feature of that aspect of the invention, the container has a receptacle for
receiving a
thermal energy storage element. The receptacle is mounted within one of the
chambers, and a thermal energy storage element is mounted therein. In yet
another
additional feature of that aspect of the invention, the receptacle is mounted
to the
common wall.
In a further additional feature of that aspect of the invention the first
chamber
has an opening and the common wall is moveable from a first position closing
the
first chamber, to a second position permitting access to the chamber. The
common
wall has a periphery and a closure member mounted to at least a portion of the
periphery and at least a portion of the opening of the first chamber. The
closure
member controls the opening of the common wall relative to the first chamber.
In a still further additional feature of that aspect of the invention the
common
wall is a partition member lying between the first and second chambers. The
partition
member has a closure member mounted thereto for controlling opening of the
partition member relative to the second chamber. In yet another additional
feature of
that aspect of the invention the partition includes a thermally insulative
layer for
discouraging heat transfer through the partition. In a further additional
feature of that
aspect of the invention the partition has a receptacle mounted thereto for
receiving a
thermal energy storage element. The receptacle has venting oriented toward one
of
the first and second chambers, and, when a thermal storage element is mounted
in the
receptacle, air from the one chamber can communicate therewith through the
venting.
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In a still further additional feature of that aspect of the invention the
first
chamber is a lower chamber, the second chamber is an upper chamber, and the
common wall is a partition located above the first chamber. The partition is
moveable
to open and close the first chamber. The common wall is a partition located
below the
second chamber. The partition is moveable to open and close the second
chamber.
The partition has an upper face upon which, in use, objects can rest. The
receptacle
has a lower face, and a receptacle mounted adjacent to the lower face. The
receptacle
is exposed to the first chamber. The partition has a peripheral wall extending
about
the upper face for discouraging the objects from being displaced from the
upper face
in use.
In another aspect of the invention there is a soft-sided container assembly. A
first insulated wall structure has a primary chamber defined therewithin. A
second
insulated wall structure has a secondary chamber defined therewithin. The
second
insulated structure is removably locatable within the first insulated wall
structure.
The primary structure has a receptacle mounted therewithin for containing a
thermal
energy storage element. The receptacle is vented to permit air exchange
between the
first chamber and the receptacle.
In an additional feature of that aspect of the invention, the primary
structure
has a first portion, a second portion, and a closure member operable to pennit
the first
portion to be displaced relative to the second portion, thereby giving access
to a first
volume defined within the first portion, and a second volume defined within
the
second portion. The primary structure has a divider mounted between the first
and
second portions. In a further additional feature of that aspect of the
invention the
divider is suspended between the first and second volumes, and has a
receptacle
mounted thereto for receiving a thermal energy storage element. In a still
further
additional feature of that aspect of the invention, the divider is releasably
attachable to
the primary structure along at least a portion thereof. The divider is
moveable
between an open position for facilitating access to the second volume.
In yet another additional feature of that aspect of the invention, the first
portion is a lower portion of the structure having a rectangular base wall and
an
upstanding wall having front, rear, left and right hand side portions
extending
upwardly of the base. The second portion is an upper portion having a pair of
ends
and a longitudinal member extending between the ends. The longitudinal member
has
a lower rear edge. The upper portion is hingedly attached to an upper edge of
the rear
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side portion and to the lower rear edge of the longitudinal member. The
primary
structure includes a divider suspended between the first and second portions.
The
divider is moveable to facilitate access to the first portion. The divider has
the
receptacle mounted in a suspended position relative thereto.
In another additional feature of that aspect of the invention the first and
second
insulated wall structures are attachable to each other to discourage relative
movement
therebetween in use.
In another aspect of the invention there is a soft sided insulated container
assembly. A first sofl-sided insulated wall structure has a rectangular base,
and
rectangular sides extending upwardly from the rectangular base. The first
insulated
wall structure has a first insulated chamber defined therewithin. A second
soft-sided
insulated wall structure has a pair of end walls. The end walls have upper
margins
defining a lid contour, and a longitudinal wall extending between the end
walls and
conforming to the lid contour. The second insulated wall structure defines a
second
insulated chamber therewithin. The second insulated wall structure is
locatable above
the first insulated wall structure. An insulated divider is mounted between
the first
and second insulated wall structures to segregate the first chamber from the
second
chamber.
In an additional feature of that aspect of the invention the second soft-sided
insulated wall structure is pivotally mounted relative to the first soft-sided
insulated
wall structure. In another additional feature of that aspect of the invention
the end
walls have respective first and second lower margins. The longitudinal panel
has a
front lower margin and a rear lower margin. The first, second, front and rear
margins
define an opening of the second chamber. In still another additional feature
of that
aspect of the invention the assembly has a hinge mounted to the rear lower
margin
and a closure mounted to the divider and to the first, second and front
margins. The
closure member is operable to permit the second chamber to be opened relative
to the
divider. In still yet another additional feature of that aspect of the
invention the
divider has a receptacle mounted thereto, and a thermal energy storage element
mounted therein. In a further additional feature of that aspect of the
invention the
divider has an upwardly facing surface and a peripheral retainer mounted to
the
upwardly facing surface.
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In another aspect of the invention, there is a soft sided insulated container
assembly. There is a first soft-sided insulated wall structure. A second soft-
sided
insulated wall structure has a pair of end walls. The end walls have upper
margins
defining a lid contour, and a longitudinal wall extending between the end
walls and
conforming to the lid contour. The second soft-sided insulated wall structure
is
locatable above the first soft-sided insulated wall structure. The first and
second soft-
sided insulated wall structures co-operate to define a first chamber
therewithin. A
closure member is mounted to the first and second soft-sided insulated wall
structures.
The closure member is operable to permit displacement of the first soft-sided
insulated wall structure relative to the second soft-sided insulated wall
structure to
give access to the first chamber. A third soft-sided insulated wall structure
defines a
second chamber therewithin. The third soft-sided insulated wall structure has
a
closure member operable to give access to the second chamber. The third soft-
sided
insulated wall structure is locatable within the first chamber. The third soft-
sided
insulated wall structure is removable from within the first chamber.
In an additional feature of that aspect of the invention, the first soft-sided
insulated wall structure has a rectangular base, and rectangular sides
extending
upwardly from the rectangular base. The longitudinal wall has a crest along
the
uppermost portion thereof. The assembly has a suspension member mounted
thereto
by which the assembly can be carried, and, when carried by the suspension
member,
the crest is above the base.
In another additional feature of that aspect of the invention, the suspension
member is chosen from the set of suspension members consisting of a handle
mounted to the longitudinal member and a carrying strap mounted to the second
soft-
sided insulated wall structure. In a further additional feature of that aspect
of the
invention, the third soft-sided insulated structure has a releasable
attachment element
operable to discourage motion of the third soft-sided insulated wall structure
relative
to the chamber when mounted therewithin. In still another additional feature
of that
aspect of the invention, the releasable attachment element is a hook-and-eye
fabric
strip. The chamber has an internal wall, and the internal wall has a mating
hook-and-
eye fabric strip mounted thereto.
In yet another additional feature of that aspect of the invention, the first
soft-
sided insulated wall structure defines a first portion of the first chamber,
and the
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second soft-sided insulated wall structure defines a second portion of the
first
chamber, and the third soft-sided insulated wall structure is mountable within
the first
portion of the first chamber.
In another additional feature of that aspect of the invention, the first soft-
sided
insulated wall structure has an upper peripheral margin. The second soft-sided
insulated wall structure has a lower peripheral margin. The first and second
soft-sided
insulated wall structures are joined by a hinge mounted along respective
portions of
the upper peripheral margin and the lower peripheral margin. The hinge is
operable
to permit pivotal motion of the second soft-sided insulated wall structure
relative to
the first soft-sided insulated wall structure in the manner of a hinged lid.
The closure
member is mounted to other respective portions of the upper and lower
peripheral
margins.
In still another additional feature of that aspect of the invention, the first
chamber includes a first portion defined within the first soft-sided insulated
wall
structure, and a second portion defined within the second soft-sided insulated
wall
structure. A flap is suspended between the first and second portions. The flap
is
moveable to facilitate access to at least one of the portions. In yet another
additional
feature of that aspect of the invention, the flap has a pocket mounted thereto
and a
thermal energy storage element contained therein.
Brief Description of the Drawings
These aspects and other features of the invention can be understood with the
aid of the following illustrations of a number of exemplary, and non-limiting,
embodiments of the principles of the invention in which:
Figure 1 is a three quarter view, general arrangement drawing of an insulated
container and liner assembly according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a view of the liner of Figure 1 taken on an opposite angle;
Figure 3 is a developed view of an assembly for use in the assembly of
Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a developed view of an alternative liner for an assembly analogous
to the assembly of Figure 1 in which two sides are tapered;
Figure 5 is a developed view of an alternative liner for an assembly analogous
to the assembly of Figure 1 in which four sides are tapered;
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Figure 6 is a developed view of an alternative liner for an assembly analogous
to the assembly of Figure 1 in which the forward side of the assembly
is wider than the rearward side;
Figure 7 is a front view of the assembly of Figure 1 in a collapsed position;
Figure 8 is a rear view of the assembly of Figure 1 in a collapsed position;
Figure 9 is a side view of the assembly of Figure 1 in a collapsed position;
Figure 10 shows the construction of a wall section of the assembly of Figure
1;
Figure 11 is a view of an alternative liner for the assembly of Figure 1;
Figure 12 is an isometric view of an alternative insulated container for an
assembly similar to that of Figure 1, but being of greater depth;
Figure 13 shows a liner for the insulated container of Figure 12 with an
internal divider in a vertical orientation;
Figure 14 shows a liner for the insulated container of Figure 12 with an
internal divider in a horizontal orientation;
Figure 15 shows an isometric view of a further alternative assembly to the
assembly of Figure 1;
Figure 16 shows an isometric view of the assembly of Figure 15 taken from
the diagonally opposite corner;
Figure 17 shows the assembly of Figure 15 with a lid to one chamber open;
Figure 18 shows the assembly of Figure 15 with its opposite chamber open;
Figure 19 shows the assembly of Figure 15 with its liners removed;
Figure 20 shows the assembly of Figure 15 in a collapsed position;
Figure 21 shows the assembly of Figure 15 in the collapsed position taken
from the diagonally opposite corner to Figure 20;
Figure 22 shows a left-hand side elevation of the assembly of Figure 15;
Figure 23 shows a right-hand side elevation of the assembly of Figure 15;
Figure 24 shows a near end view of the assembly of Figure 15;
Figure 25 shows a far end view of the assembly of Figure 15;
Figure 26 shows a plan view of the assembly of Figure 15;
Figure 27 shows a right-hand side elevation of the assembly of Figure 20;
Figure 28 shows a left-hand side elevation of the assembly of Figure 20;
Figure 29 shows a near end view of the assembly of Figure 20;
Figure 30 shows a far end view of the assembly of Figure 20;
Figure 31 shows a plan view of the assembly of Figure 20;
Figure 32 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an
assembly to that of Figure 15;
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Figure 33 shows a perspective view of the assembly of Figure 32 taken from a
view diagonally opposite to that of Figure 32;
Figure 34 shows a front view of the assembly of Figure 32;
Figure 35 shows a rear view of the assembly of Figure 32;
Figure 36 shows a left hand view of the assembly of Figure 32;
Figure 37 shows a right hand view of the assembly of Figure 32;
Figure 38 shows a top view of the assembly of Figure 32;
Figure 39 shows a bottom view of the assembly of Figure 32;
Figure 40 shows a perspective view of the assembly of Figure 32 in a first
open position in which an upper chamber is open;
Figure 41 shows a perspective view of the assembly of Figure 32 in another
open position in which a lower chamber is open;
Figure 42 shows a front view of a container assembly providing an alternative
configuration to the assembly of Figure 32;
Figure 43 is a perspective view of part of the container assembly of Figure 42
in an open position with a liner drawn out for cleaning;
Figure 44 is a perspective view of the container assembly of Figure 42 with
primary and secondary chambers ready for loading;
Figure 45 is a perspective view of the container assembly of Figure 42 with a
secondary enclosure nested inside a primary enclosure;
Figure 46 is a rear perspective view of the secondary enclosure of Figure 44;
Figure 47 is a perspective view of the primary chamber of Figure 44 in an
open position with an upper sling in a released condition;
Figure 48 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of assembly to
the assembly of Figure 32 with a lower chamber open; and
Figure 49 is a perspective view of the assembly of Figure 48 with an upper
chamber open.
Detailed Description of the Invention
The description which follows, and the embodiments described therein, are
provided by way of illustration of an example of a particular embodiment, or
examples of particular embodiments, of the principles of the present
invention. These
examples are provided for the purposes of explanation, and not of limitation,
of those
principles and of the invention. In the description which follows, like parts
are
marked throughout the specification and the drawings with the same respective
reference numerals. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and in some
instances
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proportions may have been exaggerated in order more clearly to depict certain
features of the invention.
Referring to the general arrangement illustrations of Figures 1 and 2, an
example of an embodiment of an insulated container and liner assembly is
indicated
generally as 20. It has two major elements, those being an outer casing in the
nature
of a soft-sided insulated container 22, and a removable, impermeable liner 24
for
placement inside container 22. An optional moveable bulkhead, or baffle, in
the
nature of a partition wall 25 seats within liner 24 for dividing the interior
space into
two sub-compartments 27, 29.
Looking at these major elements in detail, it can be seen that container 22
has
a bottom 26, a front panel 28, a rear panel 30, and a pair of left and right
hand side
panels 32 and 34. In this embodiment the choice of front and rear, left and
right,
orientations is arbitrary. Each of front panel 28, rear panel 30, and left and
right hand
side panels 32 and 34 is joined at sewn seams to bottom 26 at bottom vertices
36, 37,
38, or 39 respectively. Similarly, front panel 28 and side panels 32 and 34
have top
edges 40, 41 and 42, distant from their base edges. Rear panel 30 is joined by
a
folded hinge 44 at its top edge to a top panel in the nature of a lid 46. Lid
46 has a
closure member in the nature of a zipper 48 extending in a U-shape around the
three
free edge portions of its periphery to mate with the other portions of zipper
48
positioned about the three top edges 40, 41 and 42 of panels 28, 32 and 34.
Lid 46 is
moveable between a closed position, in which zipper 48 may be zipped closed,
and an
open position in which lid 46 is folded back to permit entry and exit of
objects to and
from an internal cavity 50 defined between bottom 26 and panels 28, 30, 32 and
34.
A generally rectangular insulated auxiliary pouch 52 is mounted to the front
face of
front panel 28.
In the preferred embodiment, lid 46 has an extent substantially equal to that
of
bottom panel 26. This need not be the case. Lid 26 could be a small opening
set in a
larger top panel, or could be an opening of half, or some other portion of the
panel.
The opening need not extend fully along three sides of lid 26, but could
extend along
part of one or two sides as may be found suitable in a particular use.
Top edges 40, 41, and 42 form the rim 54 of cavity 50. On the inside of rim
54 is a liner securing means, or liner attachment mounting, in the nature of a
zipper
56, which, in the embodiment illustrated, includes portions 57, 58, and 59
mounted
respectively to panels 28, 32, and 34 near their upper margins, and a hook and
eye
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fabric fastener strip 60 mounted to pane130. In an alternative embodiment all
of strip
portions 57, 58, 59 and 60 (or some other combination of them) could be hook-
and-
eye fabric fasteners. Other types of mounting could be used, in addition to
zippers,
such as interlocking seal strips, snaps, clips, grommets or other means.
Container 22, with liner 24 installed, can be folded to a collapsed position,
as
shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9. In this collapsed, or storage position, side
panels 32 and
34 fold inward, and bottom 26 folds upward. This permits front panel 28 to
move
toward rear panel 30. Lid 46 is then drawn forward and downward in front of
front
pane128 and auxiliary pouch 52. Lid 46 has, on its inner face, spaced inwardly
from
zipper 48, a retainer in the nature of another hook and eye fastener strip 62
that
engages a mating hook and eye fastener strip 64 located on a lower portion of
the
front face of auxiliary pouch 52. In addition, left and right hand side
retainers 66 and
68 mounted to the left and right hand edges of auxiliary pouch 52 of front
panel 28
are drawn around to fasten to fastening strips 70 and 721ocated on the outer,
rearward
face of rear panel 30. (When container 22 is in its open position, side
retainers 66 and
68 engage storage strips 74 and 761ocated on side panels 32 and 34
respectively).
Other features of container 22 are visible in Figures 1 and 2. Front and rear
carrying handles 78 and 80 with reinforced bails are attached to both front
panel 28
and rear panel 30 to permit two people to carry assembly 20 between them.
Assembly
20 has a maximum capacity of 24 quarts. Smaller embodiments include a twelve
quart container. A single shoulder strap 79 is attached to side panels 32 and
34. An
elasticized retaining matrix 82 permits other materials, such as cups, plates,
serving
utensils or other objects to be carried on top of assembly 20. Above strip 64,
auxiliary
pouch 52 has a see-through mesh pocket 84, such as may be convenient for
carrying
knives, forks, spoons or other objects.
Figure 10 shows a cross section of front panel 28 with liner 24 in place. A
scab section of panel 34 is also shown to reveal its layers of construction.
With the
exception of auxiliary pouch 52, this section is typical not only of front
panel 28 but
also, generally, of rear panel 30, side panels 32 and 34, bottom 26 and lid
46. The
outer facing layer of front panel 28 is a canvas covering layer 88 for
resisting
abrasion. It overlays a closed cell foam insulation layer 90. The inner face
of
insulation layer 90 is covered by flexible plasticised metallic foil sheeting
92 that is
shiny and reflective. The material is sold under the name Therma-Flect (T.M.).
Liner
24 lies inside sheeting 92, and is pressed against it by the objects it
contains. The
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inside of pouch 52 is lined with white vinyl sheeting, 93 on its forward and
bottom
sides.
Liner 24 is shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. It is made from a membrane, or web,
in the nature of a sheet 100 of flexible, transparent plastic stock, in
particular, static
cling vinyl. The shiny, reflective surface of sheeting 92 is visible through
liner 24 in
use. Liner 24 has a base 102 and four sides, front, rear, left hand and right
hand
respectively, 104, 106, 108, and 110 extending upwardly from base 102. Each of
sides 104, 106, 108 and 110 is joined to base 102 at a base edge, 112, 114,
116 or 118,
as indicated, and each has an opposite, distal edge 120, 122, 124 or 126
distant from
its respective base edge. The sides meet at respective upstanding corners 128,
130,
132 and 134. A chamber 136 is defined between base 102 and sides 104, 106, 108
and 110. Chamber 136 has an opening 138 defined by the peripheral lip 140
formed
collectively by the distal edges 120, 122, 124 and 126 of sides 104, 106, 108
and 110.
Immediately below lip 140 liner support fasteners, in the nature of hook and
eye
strips, are mounted to sheet 100. This mounting may be by heat welding or by
use of
a bonding agent or adhesive. In the preferred embodiment lip 140 is folded
over to
form a hem, and fasteners 141, 144, 143 are of the nature of a continuous
zipper
around three sides of lip 140, and a fastener 142 in the nature of a fabric
hook-and-
eye strip are sewn in place with stitching 145 that is at a height relative to
base 102
that is expected to be well above the liquid level in liner 24.
In an altemate embodiment, fasteners 141, 144, and 143 are all fabric hook and
eye fasteners each mounted on one side of lip 140, and which mate with
corresponding hook-and-eye fastener strips mounted to container 22. These
fastener
strips are commonly sold under the name Velcro (T.M.). Optional partition 25
is
variably positionable. About the upper portion of its periphery it has a strip
engaging
material 146 that catches on mating strips 147 and 148 located on the inner
face of
liner 24. These strips can be hook and eye fastener strips. The range of the
strips
permits the division of sub compartments 27 and 29 of chamber 136 into equal,
half-
and half portions, or into some other portions, such as 1/4 to 3/4, 1/3 to
2/3, 2/5 to 3/5
and so forth as may be desirable given the objects to be contained in chamber
136.
In Figure 3 sheet 100 is shown in developed view, as it would be before being
folded to form liner 24. A first pair of parallel fold lines 150 and 152
extend across
sheet 100, and a second pair of parallel fold lines 154 and 156, perpendicular
to lines
150 and 152 extend along sheet 100, thus dividing it into nine portions within
the
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rectangular periphery, 158, of sheet 100. It will also be noted that each of
lines 150,
152, 154 and 156 has two intersections, and is thus divided into a central
sector
between the parallel lines it intersects, and a pair of end sectors between
each of the
parallel lines it intersects and the line's termination at periphery 158.
The central portion of sheet 100, bounded by the central sector of each of
lines
150, 152, 154 and 156, defines base 102, each of those sectors defining one of
base
edges 112, 114, 116 and 118. Front side 104 is defined between the central
sector
160 of line 150, two parallel forward end sectors 162 and 164 of lines 154 and
156,
and a mid-edge sector 166 of periphery 158. Rear side 106 is defined by the
central
sector 168 of line 152, two parallel rearward end sectors 170 and 172 of lines
154 and
156, and a mid edge sector 174 of periphery 158. Left hand side 108 is defined
by
central sector 176 of line 154, two left end sectors 178 and 180 of lines 150
and 152,
and a mid-edge sector 182 of periphery 158. Right hand side 110 is defined by
central sector 184 of line 156, two right end sectors 186 and 188 of lines 150
and 152,
and a mid-edge sector 190 of periphery 158.
The remaining four portions of sheet 100 are corner portions 192, 194, 196
and 198 defined by a pair of adjacent end sectors of a pair of perpendicular
lines, and
a corner sector of periphery 158, indicated respectively as 202, 204, 206 and
208.
Corner portions 192, 194, 196 and 198 are bisected by diagonal bisectors 212,
214,
216 and 218 which extend from the intersection of the respective perpendicular
lines
to periphery 158.
Having thus defined the geometry of sheet 100, liner 24 is formed by folding
sides 104, 106, 108 and 110 upwardly such that sectors 162 and 178, 164 and
186,
170 and 180, and 172 and 1881ie adjacent to each other to form corners 128,
130, 132
and 134 respectively. This folding necessitates folding of corner portions
192, 194,
196 and 198, and this is done along their respective diagonal bisectors.
When folded along bisectors 212, 214, 216, and 218 corner portions 192, 194,
196 and 198 form triangular flaps 220, 222, 224 and 226. In the preferred
embodiment flaps 220 and 222 are folded to lie against the outside face of
front side
104, the corner of flap 220 lying most distant from corner 128 overlapping the
corner
of flap 222 lying most distant from corner 130. Similarly flaps 224 and 226
are
folded to lie against the outside face of rear side 106 the most distant
corner of flap
224 overlapping the most distant corner of flap 226. One edge of each flap
lies
roughly flush with lip 140, which is folded over and the entire periphery of
opening
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138 of chamber 136 sewn as a hem 228 having a double row of stitches. In this
way
liner 24 is formed from sheet 100 such that it is not only free of welded
seams, but
free of any seams below hem 228 of lip 140.
In the preferred embodiment the folding process is purely mechanical, and can
be performed relatively quickly, in contradistinction to heat welding or
adhesive
bonding processes which require a time interval for heating and cooling or for
adhesive curing. Inasmuch as the preferred embodiment uses a relatively thick
static
cling vinyl, sheet 100 can be folded over a cube form of the desired
dimensions, and
held in place by its own clinging properties in preparation for the sewing of
hem 228.
The overlap of the tips of flaps 220 and 222, and flaps 224 and 226, and
subsequent
sewing makes it doubly improbable that liner 24 will unfold.
Liner 24 is formed from a single integral sheet, and, absent punctures of that
sheet, is not intended to leak below the level of the sewn seam at lip 140.
The body of
base 102 and sides 104, 106, 108 and 110 is seamless, being free of heat welds
or
other joints. In general use the liquid level in chamber 136 is not expected
to be
greater than one half of the height of the sides, and still less commonly to
be more
than three quarters of the height. There are no seams below either of these
levels, heat
welded or otherwise.
Liner 24 is also thin enough that it can be folded inside container 22 when
container 22 is compressed to its collapsed position as illustrated in Figures
7, 8, and
9. Liner 24 need not be transparent, but could be translucent or opaque. A
transparent liner is preferred since it permits the reflection of sheeting 92
to be seen.
In an optional embodiment, a liner 224 can have its own closure, or lid, 230,
to
provide a double closure with lid 46 of container 22 in Figure 11. As shown in
Figure
11, optional lid 230 extends on a folding plastic hinge 232 that is an
integral part of
sheet 234 from rear side 236 of sheet 234, and mates at front, left hand and
right hand
side edges 238, 240 and 242 along a U-shaped closure interface such as may be
held
closed by a closure member in the nature of a seal, a zipper, a hook and eye
fabric
fastener, or a similar device. It is not necessary that the opening of the
container, or
the liner, form a parallel plane to the respective base or bottom sides. The
opening
could be in a skewed plane, or could be something other than a plane.
In alternative embodiments, one of each of corner flaps 220, 222, 224 and 226
can be folded against each of sides 104, 106, 108 and 110, or a pair (220,
224) can be
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folded against left hand side 108 and another pair (222, 226) against right
hand side
110, rather than against front and rear sides 104 and 106 as illustrated in
Figure 11. It
is not necessary that the corner portions have one edge lying flush with lip
140.
However, if the corner portions are cut down, the height at which a liquid
tight barrier
is provided may not necessarily be as high as shown in the preferred
embodiment of
Figure 1. It is also not necessary that corner portions 192, 194, 196, and 198
be
folded against the outside faces of the sides, but could be folded to lie
along the inside
faces. It would also be possible to fold each flap to lie partially against
one side and
partially against another side by using more than one fold line and by cutting
the
periphery of the corner portions differently. There is simplicity in using a
single fold
and to fold the flaps against the outside of one side of the liner, as shown
in the
preferred embodiment of Figure 1.
As shown in the developed views of the alternate embodiments of Figures 4,
5, and 6, the liner need not be a cube or cuboid, but could be a tapered,
trapezoidal, or
truncated pyramidal shape. In the embodiment of Figure 4 a developed sheet 250
has
fold lines for forming a liner having a pair of opposed trapezoidal sides 254
and 256
which rise at right angles from a base 258, and a pair of opposed rectangular
sides that
are folded upward at an angle corresponding to the rake angle * of trapezoidal
sides
254 and 256. It can be seen that there is one pair of parallel fold lines 260
and 262,
each line having a central sector 264, 266 and a pair of left and right end
sectors 268,
270 or 272, 274. There is also a pair of fold line sectors 276 and 278 which
define the
remaining two sides of base 258 (perpendicular to sectors 264 and 266). The
intersections of sectors 276, 264, 278, and 266 define the corners of base
258.
Extending away from those corners to periphery 280 are left and right hand
canted
trapezoidal side sectors 282, 284, 286, and 288 to define the remaining
vertices of
trapezoidal sides 254 and 256. At the angular bisector of the included angle
between
adjacent pairs of rectangular side lateral sectors and trapezoidal side
sectors, as, for
example between sectors 268 and 282, are corner portion fold lines 290, 292,
294, and
296. Corner portions 298, 300, 302 and 304, each defined between one
trapezoidal
side end sector, one rectangular side end sector and periphery 280, have been
trimmed
along periphery 280 to lie flush with the resulting lip. When sheet 250 is
folded in a
manner analogous to the folding of sheet 100, a cradle shaped liner will
result, for
mating use with a similarly cradle shaped container analogous to container 22.
In the embodiment of Figure 5 a developed sheet 310 has fold lines for
forming a liner 312 having a first pair of opposed trapezoidal sides 314 and
316 which
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rise at a non-perpendicular angle cp from a base 318, and a second pair of
opposed
trapezoidal sides 320, 322 that are folded upward at a rake angle 'If of the
first pair of
trapezoidal sides 314 and 316. It can be seen that there is one pair of fold
line sectors
324, 326 and a perpendicular pair of fold line sectors 336 and 338 which
define the
remaining two sides of base 318. The intersections of sectors 328, 324, 338,
and 336
define the corners of base 318. Extending away from those corners to periphery
340
are left and right hand trapezoidal side lateral sectors 332, 334, 336 and
338.
Similarly, left and right hand canted trapezoidal side sectors 342, 344, 346,
and 348
extend from those intersections toward periphery 340 to define the remaining
vertices
of the trapezoidal sides. At the angular bisector of the included angle
between
adjacent pairs of rectangular side lateral sectors and trapezoidal side
sectors, as, for
example between sectors 328 and 342, are corner portion fold lines 350, 352,
354, and
356 of corner portions 358, 360, 362 and 364.
Sectors 332, 334, 328, 330, 342, 344, 346 and 348 all have the same true
length, indicated as 1. The distance that sectors 332, 334, 336 and 338 are
splayed
outward from square is indicated as s. The distance that sections 342, 344,
346 and
348 are splayed outward from square is indicated as S.
When folded in a manner analogous to the folding of sheet 100, sheet 310 will
form a truncated, inverted rectangular shaped pyramid. It should be noted that
the
pairs of opposed slanted pyramid sides need not rise at the same angle, but
could be at
different angles. In the most general case, each side could rise at a
different angle,
and to a different height. The upper edges of the sides need not be level, but
could
have a slant, or, alternatively, need not be linear but could be curved as may
suit the
desired geometry. However, it is expected that the sides will, most often,
have
straight and level edges.
In the embodiment of Figure 6, a developed sheet 360 has fold lines for
forming a liner 362 having a trapezoidal base 364 such as might be desired in
a
knapsack having a large rearward face for placement against a person's back,
and a
narrower outer or forward face. A pair of parallel lines of unequal length,
being a
short front fold line 366 and a longer rear fold line 368, define the parallel
sides of the
trapezoidal base 364. A pair of left and right hand side fold lines 370 and
372 extend
between lines 366 and 368 at angles to define the splayed sides of trapezoidal
base
364. Front side 374, rear side 376, left side 378 and right side 380 are all
hinged
along respective fold lines 366, 368, 370 and 372 to base 364. Corner portions
382,
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384, 386 and 388 are defined between the periphery 390 and respective pairs of
side
sectors 392 and 394, 396 and 398, 400 and 402, and 404 and 406. Each of
portions
382, 384, 386 and 388 has a fold line 408, 410, 412 or 414 on which the
respective
corner portion is folded, those portions being trimmed along their peripheral
edges to
lie flush with the peripheral edges of the respective sides against which they
are
folded, similar to the manner described above in for the preferred embodiment.
Referring to the general arrangement illustrations of Figures 12 and 13, an
alternative embodiment of an insulated container and liner assembly is
indicated
generally as 420. It has two major elements, those being an outer casing in
the nature
of a soft-sided insulated container 422, and a removable, impermeable liner
424 for
placement inside container 422. An optional moveable bulkhead, or baffle, in
the
nature of an insulated, partition wall 425 seats within liner 424 for dividing
the
interior space into two chambers, or sub-compartments 427, and 429.
Looking at these major elements in detail, it can be seen that container 422
is
of generally similar construction to container 22. Container 422 has a bottom
426, a
front panel 428, a rear pane1430, and a pair of left and right hand side
panels 432 and
434. Each of front pane1428, rear pane1430, and left and right hand side
panels 432
and 434 is joined at sewn seams to bottom 426 at bottom vertices. Rear panel
430 is
joined by a folded hinge 436 at its top edge to a top panel in the nature of a
lid 438.
Lid 438 has a closure member in the nature of a zipper 440 extending in a U-
shape
around the three free edge portions of its periphery to mate with the other
portions of
zipper 440 positioned about the top edges of panels 428, 432 and 434. Lid 438
is
moveable between a closed position, in which zipper 440 may be zipped closed,
and
an open position in which lid 438 is folded back to permit entry and exit of
objects to
and from an internal cavity 442 defined between bottom 426 and panels 428,
430, 432
and 434. A generally rectangular insulated auxiliary pouch 444 is mounted to
the
front face of front pane1428.
On the inside of rim 446 is a liner securing means, or liner attachment
mounting, in the nature of a zipper 448, which includes portions mounted
respectively
to panels 428, 432, and 434 near their upper margins, and a hook and eye
fabric
fastener strip 449 mounted to panel 430. In an alternative embodiment the
strip
portions (or some other combination of them) could be hook-and-eye fabric
fasteners.
Other types of mounting could be used, in addition to zippers, such as
interlocking
seal strips, snaps, clips, grommets or other means.
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Container 422, with liner 424 installed, can be folded to a collapsed position
in
a similar manner to that of container 22, as shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9 and
described
above. Container 422 also has the other feature of container 22 noted above
such as
shoulder straps, carrying handles, an elasticized retaining matrix, and a see-
through
mesh pocket. Aside from greater depth, container 422 has the same construction
as
container 22 described above with reference to Figure 10.
Liner 424 is shown in Figures 13 and 14. It is made from a membrane, or
web, in the nature of a sheet 450 of flexible, transparent plastic stock, in
particular,
static cling vinyl. Liner 424 has a base 462 and four sides, front, rear, left
hand and
right hand respectively, 454, 456, 458, and 460 extending upwardly from base
462.
Each of sides 454, 456, 458 and 460 is joined to base 462 at a base edge, and
each has
an opposite, distal edge distant from its respective base edge. The sides meet
at
respective upstanding corners 478, 480, 482 and 484. A chamber 486 is defined
between base 462 and sides 454, 456, 458 and 460. Chamber 486 has an opening
488
defined by the peripheral lip 490 formed collectively by the distal edges 470,
472, 474
and 476 of sides 454, 456, 458 and 460. Immediately below lip 490 liner
support
fasteners, in the nature of hook and eye strips, are mounted to sheet 450.
This
mounting may be by heat welding or by use of a bonding agent or adhesive. Lip
490
is folded over to form a hem, and a continuous zipper around three sides of
lip 490,
and a fastener 492 in the nature of a fabric hook-and-eye strip are sewn in
place with
stitching 494 that is at a height relative to base 462 that is expected to be
well above
the liquid level in liner 424. It will be appreciated that liner 424 could,
alternatively,
and with appropriate geometric adjustments, be formed in any of the shapes
described
above in the context of Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6. It will also be appreciated
that liner 424
could be formed in a shape having a lid, as illustrated in Figure 11.
In Figure 13, partition 425 is shown in a vertical orientation, and, just as
in the
manner of partition 25, partition 425 is variably positionable. About the
upper portion
of its periphery it has a strip engaging materia1496 that catches on mating
strips 497
and 498 located on the inner face of liner 424. These strips can be hook and
eye
fastener strips. The range of the strips permits the division of sub-
compartments 427
and 429 of chamber 486 into equal, half-and half zones or portions, or into
some other
proportion of zones or portions, such as 1/4 to 3/4, 1/3 to 2/3, 2/5 to 3/5
and so forth
as may be found desirable given the objects to be contained in chamber 486.
In Figure 14, liner 424 is shown with partition 425 in a horizontal
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arrangement. Container 422 and liner 424 have been illustrated as having the
same,
or roughly the same, width and height, so that partition 425 can be used, as
in Figure
13, to divide chamber 486 into two zones separated by a vertical bulkhead or
divider.
Alternatively partition 425 can be used to divide chamber 486 into two zones
separated by a horizontal, or roughly horizontal, floor or divider, or
partition. In the
latter case, the materials below the partition, such as cans, bottles or
boxes, (not
shown) support the partition, and the materials above rest upon the partition.
Partition
425 is a relatively stiff panel, having a stiffener element that is insulated
on both
planar faces, and encased in a substantially water impermeable, and washable,
external skin. The insulation material is a closed cell foam, generally
similar to that
used in the body of container 422. The plan form of partition 425 is generally
rectangular, with rounded corners, to fit within the projected opening shape
of liner
424 in close fitting relationship either in the vertical orientation of Figure
13 or the
horizontal orientation of Figure 14.
While partition 425 is water impermeable, its fit within liner 424 is not
water-
tight. It is, however, a sufficient fit to tend to permit a measure of
isolation, or
environmental segregation, between the zones on either side of the partition
from each
other. When partition 425 is oriented to lie generally horizontally it may
tend to
permit cool materials to be carried in that portion of chamber 486 below
partition 425,
and warm or hot materials above. It may also tend to permit wet, or moist
materials
to be carried below partition 425 and relatively dry materials, such as bread
or buns to
be carried above. A vertical orientation of partition 425 may also tend to
permit
segregation into different zones of hot and cool for dry materials. In either
orientation, the stiffness of partition 425 may tend to serve to provide
softer materials,
such as bread or fruit, with some protection from harder materials, such as
bottles or
cans that might otherwise crush them during the jostling of transportation.
Although only one partition 425 is illustrated, it would be possible to
provide
more than one such partition to permit division of the internal volume of the
container
into 3, 4 or more sub-compartments. It is also possible to provide a divider,
or
partition that, in generally horizontal orientation, only covers, or occludes,
a portion
of the chamber, in the manner of a partial shelf, or set of shelves. Such a
partial
divider may not tend to provide as effective a thermal barrier as a large
partition that
more closely matches the plan form of vertical section of the container.
Notably, each
of partitions 25 and 425, as illustrated and described, is mounted within its
respective
liner, 24 or 424.
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Figures 15 to 31 show an alternative type of soft-sided, insulated wall,
collapsible container assembly, indicated generally as 500. In Figure 15, a
first
container portion is indicated generally as 502, and a second container
portion is
indicated generally as 504. As illustrated, first portion 502 is the same
width and
height as second portion 504, but is of lesser length. In the embodiment
illustrated
this difference is in the ratio of approximately 2:1, but could be greater or
lesser,
typically in the range of 1:1 to 5:1.
The basic lid, bottom, and sidewall construction of each of the first and
second
portions is the same as described above in the context of containers 22 and
422. Each
has the general form of six-sided softwalled box, with portions 502 and 504
being
joined at a common insulated wall 506 that is silvered on both sides. As with
containers 22 and 422, a pair of left and right hand carrying handles 508 and
510 are
provided, being mounted to main sidewall portions 512 and 514 of second
portion
504. The front and rear faces each have a ring mounting 515, 516 to which a
carrying
strap, such as a shoulder strap, (not shown) can be attached. A top ring
fitting 518 is
mounted to the lid portion 520 of second portion 504, and is rooted in the
joint
between first and second portions 502 and 504.
End face 522 of first portion 502 has a peripheral strap 524, and a see
through
mesh pocket 526 in the manner of pocket 84 described above. A hook and eye
fastener strip 528 is mounted laterally to pocket 526 adjacent to, and below
its lip to
provide an anchoring location for a mating fastener strap 530 mounted to the
inner lip
531 of the inside face of lid portion 532 of first portion 502. First portion
502 also
has a pair of storage fastening straps, in the nature of left and right hand
side retainers
534 and 536 rooted in the main junction, that extend to engage either
fastening strips
538 and 540 (similar to items 70 and 72, above) when in the collapsed position
described above, or storage strips 542 and 544 ( similar to items 74 and 76)
when the
cooler is in its expanded position.
Second portion 504 also has a peripheral strap, 550, side retainers 552 and
554, and collapsed and open position hook and eye fastener patches 556, 558,
560 and
562. End face 564 of second portion 504 does not have a lateral strip similar
to strip
528. Instead, the outer end tang 566 of each of retainers 552 and 554 has a
hook and
eye fabric fastener patch on both inside and outside faces. In that way, when
second
portion 504 is collapsed, retainers 552 and 554 engage patches 560 and 562.
Then lid
portion 520 is drawn downwardly over end face 564 and a fastening strip 570
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mounted inside the lip of lid portion 520 engages the outside face patches of
tangs
566, and is retained in place by them.
Each of portions 502 and 504 is provided with a liner, 572 and 576
respectively, either or both of which can be provided with an insulated
partition
analogous to partition 425, as described above in the context of Figures 12,
13 and 14.
It is not necessary that both portions 502 and 504 have a water-tight liner,
since it may
be that only one chamber is required for containing a wet object or objects.
The
double-cooler arrangement illustrated provides a fixed, water-tight barrier
between
one environment, that prevailing in chamber 580 of first portion 502, and
another
environment, that prevailing in chamber 582 of second portion 504. In the
event that
partitions are provided, those chamber can themselves be further divided.
Although
the relative sizes of chambers 580 and 582 are fixed, wall 506 provides a more
substantial thermal barrier than the moveable partitions. Further, lid
portions 520 and
532 provide separate access to the respective compartments, that is, chambers
580 and
582. Assembly 500, like assemblies 20 and 420 provides the combination of a
liquid
containment barrier for discouraging unwanted escape of liquid, and an
environment
segregation barrier by which to separate cool and cold, cold and hot, wet and
dry, or
soft and hard. However, in the former two cases, the physical segregation
barrier, that
is, partition 25 or 425, is mounted within the moisture contairunent barrier,
that is
either liner 28 or 428. In the latter instance whether or not there is also a
moveable
partition provided, the moisture containment barrier lies to one side of the
dividing
wall, in the nature of common wal1506.
Figures 32 to 41 show a soft-sided insulated container assembly, indicated
generally as 600. It has a first, or lower portion, indicated generally as
602, a second,
or upper portion, indicated generally as 604, and an insulated partition 606
segregating the interior of lower portion 602 from the interior of upper
portion 604.
As with collapsible container assembly 500, container assembly 600 has two
separate
enclosures, or chambers, 608 and 610, defined within respective portions 602
and
604, each of which can be used to encourage the contents thereof to be
maintained at
a different temperature. For example, one chamber, be it 608 or 610, can be
used to
keep one type of food or other object warm, while the other is used to keep
another
food or object cool. In contrast to assembly 500, in which the two chambers
580 and
582 are side by side, container assembly 600 is intended to place chambers 608
and
610 one above the other, as in the manner of a lunch bucket. As with container
portions 502 and 504, lower portion 602 and upper portion 604 each have an
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CA 02291299 2003-11-21
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independent closure member, in the nature of zippers 612 and 614,
respectively.
However, while portions 502 and 504 have separate opening panels, namely lid
portions 520 and 532, in the case of container assembly 600, portions 602 and
604
share a common wall, or enclosing member, namely partition 606. When zipper
612
(or zipper 614) is moved to an open position, the remainder of container
assembly 600
is displaceable relative to lower portion 602. That is, the remainder of
container
assembly 600 is able to move pivotally about a flexible fabric hinge 616 away
from
lower portion 602 (or, in the case of upper portion 604, the remainder pivots
away
from portion 604 about a flexible fabric hinge 618), generally in the manner
of a
pivotable lunch bucket lid. In the case of use of container assembly 600 as a
lunch
container, such as a student may take to school, or such as may be used for a
similar
purpose, it is possible to place food in the lower chamber, 608, in the same
orientation
as it will be carried when container assembly 600 is lifted either by its
handle or by its
carrying strap. In this way, food carried in container assembly 600 may have
less
tendency to be squashed of to spill than if packed in a container that is then
subsequently carried in a sideways orientation.
Describing this structure in detail, lower portion 602 is a soft-sided
insulated
wall structure that has a rectangular bottom wall, 622, a left hand side wall
624, a
right hand side wall 626, a front wall 628 and a rear wall 630. Walls 624,
626, 628
and 630 are joined in a rectilinear shape about bottom wall 622. The lower
margins
of walls 624, 626, 628 and 630 mate with the margins of bottom wall 622 to
form an
upwardly opening, open top box, those walls defining therewithin lower chamber
608.
Bottom wall 622 has a reinforced wear resistant outer surface, and rounded
corners so
that container assembly 600 has corners that are not sharp, but slightly
rounded. This
tends to facilitate packing of container assembly 600 into larger containers,
such as a
child's knapsack, and also facilitates use of closure members in the nature of
zippers
612 and 614, as zippers tend to follow a radiused curve with relatively
greater ease
than a sharp corner, even a small radius providing relatively smooth
operation.
As shown in Figure 41, chamber 608 has a vinyl lining 632 that is secured
about the open edges 633, 634, 635, and 636 of walls 624, 626, 628, and 630
and is
not otherwise secured, such that lining 632 can be partially inverted to
facilitate
washing and drying. The upper peripheral margin of lower portion 602, being
made
up of the upper margins of each of the sides, namely edges 633, 634, 635 and
636,
define the lip, or rim, of an opening 637 of chamber 608. At the upper margin
of rear
wa11630, namely edge 636, rear wa11630 is joined by hinge 616 to a rearward
margin,
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or edge, of partition 606. One set of teeth of lower zipper 612 is mounted
about the
upper margins of the remaining three sides, namely to edges 633, 634 and 635,
and
mates with an opposed set of zipper teeth mounted to side and front edges 638,
639
and 640 of partition 606. Movement of the zipper car of zipper 612 allows
zipper 612
to be opened and closed, thus controlling access to chamber 608.
The insulated construction of lower portion 602 is the same as that shown in
Figure 10. Lower portion 602 does not, as shown, have an internal, removable
clear
vinyl liner such as liner 24. Such a liner, whether seamed or seamless, is
optional.
Lower portion 602 has an open mesh pocket 641 mounted to front wall 628 for
carrying loose items, pocket 641 being opened and closed by a closure member
in the
nature of a zipper 643.
As shown in Figure 40, upper portion 604 is an upper, or second, soft-sided
insulated wall structure. It has a pair of flexible, insulated end walls 642
and 644 that
have a shape similar to a D' placed on its side, or a rounded, inverted 'U',
such as to
give upper portion 604 a profile when seen from an end view as in Figure 36 or
37
that defines a container lid contour similar to the end view of a rounded top
of a lunch
bucket. While a generally semi-circular profile is shown, alternative
embodiments
need not be precisely semi-circular, but could include an arc describing less
than 180
degrees, could include straight portions adjoining radiused portions, or could
include
a parabolic or elliptic curve, or an arbitrarily chosen curve giving a
generally arch-
like, domed profile.
A flexible, insulated top panel 646 extends between end panels 642 and 644
and is joined to them at sewn end seams such that panel 646 has a curved form
to
follow the end profile described in a rounded, generally semi-cylindrical, or
partially
cylindrical manner, the lower margins of each of end walls 642 and 644 forming
a
chord of the curved shape. When formed on an arc in this way, top panel 646
may
tend, in co-operation with end panels 642 and 644, to form a stiffer section
than if
panel 646 were replaced by a planar top panel. The cover, or lid structure,
indicated
generally as 645, that is formed by the co-operation of panel 646 and end
walls 642,
644 defines within it upper chamber 610. Lid structure 645 has the general
appearance of the top of a lunch bucket, although it is soft-sided and
relatively
flexible, rather than rigid in the manner of a metal structure. The lower
margin of lid
structure 645, namely the lower front and rear edges of longitudinal pane1646
and the
lower edges of the left and right hand end panels, 642 and 644, is of a size
and shape
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that corresponds to the upper margin of lower portion 602 such that the one
soft-sided
insulated wall structure can sit upon the other in an aligned manner, the
respective
lengths and widths corresponding one to another.
Pane1646 is joined along its rearward lower margin, or edge, to partition 606
by flexible hinge 618. One set of teeth of zipper 614 is mounted along the
lower
margins of end walls 642, 644 and the front lower margin of panel 646, with
the
corresponding set of mating teeth being mounted to adjacent edges of partition
606
such that zipper 614 has a three-sided U-shape, and is moveable between open
and
closed positions to govern access to chamber 610 defined within panel 646 and
end
walls 642 and 644. Chamber 610 has a generally rectangular opening 650 defined
by
the lower margins, or edges of panel 646 and end walls 642 and 644 as
described
above. Objects can be introduced into chamber 610 through opening 650 when
zipper
618 is in its open position.
The construction of panel 646 and end walls 642 and 644 is generally as
described above, incorporating an external skin of a flexible, wear resistant
material
such as a woven nylon; a medial, closed cell insulation layer; and a
reflective inner
skin such that inside surfaces 651, 652 and 653 of panel 646 and end walls 642
and
644 respectively, have a shiny finish.
A suspension member, in the nature of a carrying handle 654, is mounted
centrally on panel 646, with its bail and reinforcement webbing oriented to
run
longitudinally, that is, parallel to the crest of pane1646. Another suspension
member,
in the nature of a carrying strap 656, is connected by releasable clasps to
mounting
rings lying adjacent to the apices of either end wall, 642 or 646. In
alternative
embodiments, a suspension member, whether in the nature of handle 654 or in
the
nature of carrying strap 656 or another suspension means, need not be mounted
precisely at the crest of panel 646, or at the respective apices of end panels
642 and
644, but can be mounted in such a manner that the center of lift of the
suspension
member is at a level, measured relative to the base side, lying above the
level of the
center of gravity of the container when packed. It is preferable that the
center of lift
lie directly above the center of gravity such that an axis intersecting both
the center of
lift and the center of gravity is perpendicular to the base side.
Partition 606 is a flexible insulated structure, including a panel 660 having
a
closed cell foam insulation layer such as shown in Figure 10, captured between
reflective skins 661 and 662 that define lower and upper surfaces thereof
respectively.
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Zippers 612 and 614, and flexible hinges 616 and 618 are mounted about the
peripheral edges of pane1660 as described above. In addition, a retainer in
the nature
of an upstanding peripheral wall member, identified as a rim, or lip, 664
having front,
rear, left hand and right hand side portions, is mounted continuously about
the outer
edges of panel 660. Lip 664 extends away from, or, in the orientation shown,
upwardly relative to, pane1660 to an altitude that, in the embodiment
illustrated is 1.5
inches, or slightly more than half the height of end walls 642 and 644. This
generous
lip acts as a retainer to urge an object, such as a round cylindrical beverage
tin, not to
roll away, or a smooth object, such as a plastic soup container not to slide,
but to
remain in place while the top, or lid structure 645 is being opened or closed.
In the
alternative, lip 664 could be of lesser height, such as a height between 3/8
inches and
1 - 1/2 inches, or a proportion of the internal height of chamber 610 that is
less than
1/2, whether lying in the range of 1/5 to 1/2 at a height such as 1/4, 1/3, or
2/5 of the
height of chamber 610. Lip 664 tends to lean inward relative to the periphery
of panel
660, such that 664 seats inside the lower margins of lid structure 645 as lid
structure
645 closes.
A peripheral rim or lip 668 depends from the underside of panel 660, and
extends fully about the front, rear, left hand and right hand margins thereof
inside
hinge 616 and zipper 612, and, when zipper 612 is closed, lip 668 engages the
lip
formed about opening 637 tending thereby to form an insulating seal. A
ventilated
panel, in the nature of a mesh web 670 is attached to the underside of panel
660 by
having its edges sewn into the same seam as three sides of lip 668, such that
a
receptacle in the nature of a pocket 672 is defined between web 670 and lower
surface
661 of pane1660. Pocket 672 has a lip 674, and immediately inside lip 674
there is a
pocket closure, or fastener, in the nature of a fabric hook and eye strip
closure 676.
Pocket 672 is of a size to enclose a thermal energy storage element 678, such
as an ice
pack or heating pack, such that the temperature in chamber 608, and of objects
therein, can be influenced to have a warmed or cooled condition relative to
external
ambient. In an alternative embodiment, lid structure 645 can also be provided
with a
similar pocket and thermal energy storage element.
Another, preferred embodiment of a two chamber, soft-sided insulated
container assembly is shown in Figures 42 to 47 as 700. Container assembly 700
has
an appearance similar to container assembly 600, but differs from it, and from
container assembly 500, insofar as while it has two segregated insulated
chambers,
rather than having one chamber beside the other, as in container assembly 500,
and
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rather than having one insulated chamber atop the other, as in container
assembly 600,
container assembly 700 has one chamber that fits removably inside the other.
Although assembly 700 is preferred by the inventor, it has been observed that
some
users prefer item 600 and some prefer item 700 according to their own needs or
tastes.
In greater detail, container assembly 700 has a primary enclosure structure,
or
container, 701 having a first soft-sided insulated wall structure in the
nature of a lower
portion 702, and a second soft-sided insulated wall structure in the nature of
an upper
portion 704. Lower portion 702 has the same construction as lower portion 602
of
container 600, and upper portion 704 has the same shape and construction as
upper
portion 604 of container assembly 600. Lower portion 702 differs from lower
portion
602 insofar as its component bottom, front, rear, left hand and right hand
walls
present a reflective inner surface. A clear plastic liner 706 made of vinyl,
is mounted
within lower chamber 708 and is sewn into rim 710 formed about opening 712 of
chamber 708. Rim 710 defines the upper peripheral margin of lower portion 702,
that
upper margin including the upper margins of each of the front, rear, left hand
and
right hand sides of lower portion 702. As also noted in the context of other
liners
described herein, liner 706 can be inverted to facilitate washing and drying,
as shown
in Figure 43. One strip of a hook-and-eye fabric fastening is indicated as
711. The
purpose of strip 711 is described below.
Upper portion 704 has the same structure as lid structure 645, but is deeper
due to the use of only a single closure member, in the nature of zipper 714,
rather than
the double closure member arrangement of zippers 612 and 614. The volume of
upper portion 704 can be defined as that volume lying within upper portion 704
above
the level of zipper 714, while the volume of lower portion 702 can similarly
be
defined as the volume lying within the walls of portion 702 below the level of
zipper
714. Zipper 714 and flexible fabric hinge 716 running along the back of
container
701 at the level of zipper 714, define openings 712 and 720 of lower and upper
portions 702 and 704 respectively. As described, lower portion 702 and upper
portion
704 of container assembly 700 co-operate to define an internal chamber 715,
having
the combined volumes of a first chamber portion, namely the volume of lower
portion
702, and of a second chamber portion, namely the volume of upper portion 704.
As
noted, the second soft-sided insulated wall structure, namely upper portion
704, is
displaceable relative to the first soft-sided insulated wall structure, namely
lower
portion 702, the one being pivotable relative to the other between open and
closed
positions, thereby giving access to the chamber defined therein.
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Unlike container assembly 600, container 701 has a flap, divider, partition or
suspension member, in the nature of a sling 722 mounted as a suspended span
across
opening 720, one side being attached to hinge 716 by a continuous fabric
hinge, the
other side being connected to the opposed inner lip, or rim, of upper portion
704 by a
pair of spaced apart snaps 723, 724. Sling 722 permits circulation of air
between the
upper and lower volumes from each other, and is not insulated. Sling 722 has,
on the
underside thereof, a pocket 726 having an open mesh flap. Pocket 726 is opened
and
closed by a zipper 727 lying along the outer, or distal edge, that is, the
edge lying next
to snaps 723 and 724. An energy storage element, in the nature of a heating or
cooling pack, indicated as 728, can be placed in pocket 726 to influence the
temperature in container 701. As shown in Figure 44, a beverage such as a
canned
drink, 729, can be placed, typically longitudinally, between sling 722 and the
lid
structure of upper portion 704. When the lid portion, that is, upper portion
704, is
closed, the beverage is carried above lower portion 702 by sling 722. As such,
the
beverage is in a position to be influenced directly by conduction heat
transfer to or
from pack 728. An address label pouch, attached to sling 722, is shown as item
721.
In contrast to container assembly 600, container assembly 700 does not have a
partition segregating the volumes of lower portion 702 and upper portion 704
from
each other, and hence has only a single peripheral zipper. Rather, a third
soft-sided,
insulated wall structure is provided, in the nature of secondary soft-sided
insulated
container 730. Container 730 is has a generally rectangular bottom wall 732
with
rounded corners, and a single upstanding peripheral wall 734 mating with the
margins
of bottom wall 732 to stand upright with four generally rectangular upstanding
side
wall portions 736, 737, 738 and 739. A hinged lid 740 is connected to the
upper, or
distal margin of side wall portion 736, and has a zipper 742 that is drawn
about the
remaining upper, or distal, edges of side wall portions 737, 738 and 739.
Container
730 is of a size for holding commonly available plastic dishware 741 with
sealable
lids, of a kind suitable for holding hot soup. Lid 740 is pivotally moveable
on its
hinge between a closed position, as shown in Figure 45, and an open position
as
shown in Figure 44.
As shown in Figure 46, the rearward side of container 730 has a strip of hook-
and-eye fastening material, indicated as 742, placed to mate with strip 711
when
container 730 is mounted in place within container 701. In this way a
releasable
attachment fitting is provided that permits container 730 to be removed or
installed,
and, when installed, the releasable attachment fitting, by the co-operation of
items 742
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and 711 , discourages relative motion of container 730 within lower portion
702.
When a relatively dense, and heavy, object, such as a canned beverage, or a
container
of soup, is carried in a lunch box, and the lunch box is placed in a knap
sack, or the
lunch box is slung about, any adjacent soft object, such as a jam sandwich,
for
example, may tend to become deformed. The result is that by the time a child
opens
his or her lunch box, the soft food may no longer be in an overly appetizing
condition.
The use of an attachment means, whether a fitting in the nature of a hook-and-
eye
fabric fastener, as shown, or a zipper, or snaps, or an elasticized retainer
cord, may
tend to immobilize the heavier object, while still permitting the removal of
the
secondary container, 730, for packing, unpacking, or cleaning.
A further embodiment of container, generally similar to container assembly
600, is shown in Figures 48 and 49 as 750. Container assembly 750 differs from
container assembly 600 in having a clear vinyl liner, similar to liner 706,
overlying a
reflective metallic inner surface of lower chamber 752, and in having a
partition 754
whose upper peripheral lip 756 is more modest than that of container assembly
600,
lip 756 being rough 3/8 inches high, rather than 1.5 inches high, and having a
more
rounded bead profile as opposed to a taller wall profile.
A preferred embodiment has been described in detail and a number of
alternatives have been considered. As changes in or additions to the above
described
embodiments may be made without departing from the nature, spirit or scope of
the
invention, the invention is not to be limited by or to those details, but only
by the
appended claims.
21215168.2
