US20040104232A1 - Insulated carrier - Google Patents

Insulated carrier Download PDF

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Publication number
US20040104232A1
US20040104232A1 US10/640,574 US64057403A US2004104232A1 US 20040104232 A1 US20040104232 A1 US 20040104232A1 US 64057403 A US64057403 A US 64057403A US 2004104232 A1 US2004104232 A1 US 2004104232A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
insulated carrier
substantially rigid
rigid frame
members
insulating material
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US10/640,574
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jason Market
Dale Maza
Robert Linney
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC
Original Assignee
Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC filed Critical Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC
Priority to US10/640,574 priority Critical patent/US20040104232A1/en
Publication of US20040104232A1 publication Critical patent/US20040104232A1/en
Assigned to RUBBERMAID COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS LLC reassignment RUBBERMAID COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS LLC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: MARKET, JASON A., MR., LINNEY, ROBERT J., MR., MAZA, DALE T., MR.
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/38—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation
    • B65D81/3825—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation rigid container being in the form of a box, tray or like container with one or more containers located inside the external container
    • B65D81/3834—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation rigid container being in the form of a box, tray or like container with one or more containers located inside the external container the external tray being formed of different materials, e.g. laminated or foam filling between walls
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J47/00—Kitchen containers, stands or the like, not provided for in other groups of this subclass; Cutting-boards, e.g. for bread
    • A47J47/14—Carriers for prepared human food

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an insulated carrier and, more particularly, to an insulated carrier for holding containers.
  • These insulated carriers may be soft-sided products.
  • the insulated carriers may have internal support structure, such as a wire frame, placed within the soft-sided portion of the insulated carrier to provide added rigidity.
  • the insulated carrier often becomes heavy and difficult to move. Even if an internal structure, such as a wire frame, is used the insertion, retention, and removal of containers from the wire frame can be difficult. Moreover, at least one of the wire frame and the container may be damaged when a container is inserted into, or removed from, the wire frame.
  • An aspect of the present invention relates to an insulated carrier for holding containers.
  • the insulated carrier includes a substantially rigid frame including an insulating material, and a plurality of members supported on the substantially rigid frame.
  • the substantially rigid frame is configured to at least partially insulate containers held by the insulated carrier from ambient conditions.
  • the plurality of members supported on the substantially rigid frame are configured to contact containers held by the insulated carrier. At least one of a heat dissipating characteristic and an abrasion resisting characteristic of the members is greater than a corresponding characteristic of the insulating material of the substantially rigid frame.
  • an insulated carrier for holding containers which includes a substantially rigid frame for receiving the containers, and a flexible cover for receiving the substantially rigid frame.
  • the substantially rigid frame includes an insulating material and is configured to at least partially insulate the containers from ambient conditions.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of an insulated carrier according to the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a flexible cover of the insulated carrier of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an underside of the flexible cover of the insulated carrier of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the flexible cover of the insulated carrier of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a substantially rigid frame of the insulated carrier of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 6 is an end view of a member of the insulated carrier of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the insulated carrier of FIG. 1 showing a member projecting from a slot in the frame;
  • FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the substantially rigid frame of the insulated carrier of FIG. 1 having a plurality of members within slots.
  • FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of an insulated carrier according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a substantially rigid frame of the insulated carrier of FIG. 9;
  • FIG. 11 is an end view of a member of the insulated carrier of FIG. 9;
  • FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of the insulated carrier of FIG. 9 showing a member projecting from a slot in the frame;
  • FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the substantially rigid frame of the insulated carrier of FIG. 9 having a plurality of members within slots.
  • FIGS. 1 to 8 show a first preferred embodiment of an insulated carrier 10 according to the present invention.
  • the insulated carrier 10 preferably includes a substantially rigid frame 50 and a plurality of members 60 supported on the substantially rigid frame 50 .
  • the substantially rigid frame 50 preferably has a rigidity that provides support for containers 70 .
  • the substantially rigid frame can support not only its weight and a plurality of containers 70 held by it, it can also withstand a load of up to about 150 lbs placed on a top wall 51 thereof.
  • the substantially rigid frame 50 also preferably has a bottom wall 52 , two sidewalls 53 , 54 , a rear wall 55 , and a removable front wall (not shown).
  • the front wall may rest in a space behind ridges 34 formed in the front wall 26 of the cover 20 .
  • Preferably at least the top wall 51 , bottom wall 52 , and two sidewalls 53 , 54 are integral members.
  • the substantially rigid frame 50 can be, for example, between about 19′′ and about 29′′ long, between about 11′′ and 19′′ wide, and between about 11′′ and 14′′ tall. More preferably, the substantially rigid frame 50 is 22′′ long, 15.125′′ wide, and 12.5′′ tall.
  • the sidewalls 53 , 54 of the substantially rigid frame 50 preferably are configured to facilitate the support of the containers 70 .
  • the sidewalls 53 , 54 contain slots 56 (shown in FIG. 5) for accommodating edges 71 of containers 70 , as shown in FIG. 8.
  • the slots 56 can be prescribed distances apart, thereby permitting the substantially rigid frame 50 to receive multiple containers 70 and/or a variety of sizes of containers 70 .
  • the slots 56 can include receiving grooves 57 (see FIG. 5).
  • the substantially rigid frame 50 also preferably at least partially insulates containers 70 held by the insulated carrier 10 from ambient conditions.
  • the substantially rigid frame 50 can include a substantially insulating material.
  • the insulating material preferably has an insulating value of at least R-Value of one.
  • the substantially rigid frame 50 can be made entirely of the substantially insulating material.
  • the insulating material can be, for example, a plastic such as polymeric foam or expanded polypropylene.
  • Members 60 are supported on the substantially rigid frame 50 .
  • the members 60 each can form a channel for receiving a portion of a container 70 .
  • the members 60 can be disposed within the slots 56 in the sidewalls 53 , 54 , as shown in FIG. 8.
  • the members 60 are preferably formed as runners which are adapted to slide into and out of the slots 56 , as shown in FIG. 7.
  • the members 60 can include flanges 59 that slide tightly into receiving grooves 57 (shown in FIG. 5) formed in the back side of the slots 56 in the sidewalls 53 , 54 .
  • the members 60 also may be shaped such that they will not become accidentally dislodged or bent due to the weight of the containers 70 they support. For example, the width W (shown in FIG.
  • the portion of the members 60 that supports containers 70 may rest substantially against the upper and lower walls defining the slots 56 , as shown in FIG. 8.
  • the containers 70 will be supported by both the members 60 and by the upper and lower walls of the slots 56 .
  • the rigid members 60 enhance the support provided to the containers 70 by the slots 56 .
  • the members 60 can be constructed of a material that will dissipate heat, such as metal.
  • the members 60 may be formed of extruded aluminum, stainless steel, other metals, polymers, etc.
  • the members 60 preferably have a heat dissipating characteristic that is greater than a corresponding characteristic of the insulating material of the substantially rigid frame 50 which as, previously mentioned, is preferably formed of polymeric foam.
  • the members 60 allow the insulated carrier 10 to handle containers 70 having high temperatures, while reducing the likelihood of damage to the insulating material of the substantially rigid frame 50 .
  • the members 60 protect the sidewalls 53 , 54 of the substantially rigid frame 50 from direct contact with the elevated temperatures of the containers 70 .
  • Each of the members 60 is adapted to spread throughout its length the heat absorbed from a container 70 . As a result, the members 60 inhibit concentrated areas of heat from damaging the substantially rigid frame 50 .
  • the members 60 preferably being harder than the substantially rigid frame, the members 60 preferably have an abrasion resisting characteristic that is greater than a corresponding characteristic of the insulating material of the substantially rigid frame 50 .
  • This enhanced abrasion-resisting characteristic of the members 60 protects the sidewalls 53 , 54 of the substantially rigid frame 50 from abrasion.
  • the members 60 act as a protective liner within the slots 56 used to support the hot or cold containers 70 .
  • the members 60 also can facilitate sliding the containers 70 into and out of the frame 50 .
  • This preferred embodiment also can include a flexible cover 20 to receive the substantially rigid frame 50 . More preferably, the flexible cover surrounds the substantially rigid frame 50 .
  • the flexible cover 20 is preferably a soft-sided product and preferably includes an insulating material that at least partially insulates the substantially rigid frame 50 from ambient conditions.
  • the flexible cover 20 can have an outer layer that could be formed of a combination of waterproof 1000 denier Cordra Plus or 1050 ballistic Nylon and an insulating layer of non woven polyester. Other materials could be used for the outer layer such as, for example, vinyl or woven materials (e.g., fabric).
  • the flexible cover 20 also can have an inner layer, such as a reflective vapor barrier, e.g., a reflective polyester liner.
  • the flexible cover 20 includes a top wall 21 , a bottom wall 22 (shown in FIG. 2), two sidewalls 23 , 24 (shown in FIG. 4), a rear wall 25 (also shown in FIG. 4), and a front wall 26 .
  • the front wall 26 may have side flaps 27 , 28 and a top flap 29 .
  • the flaps 27 , 28 , 29 may include, for example, one portion of a Velcro connector that connects with another corresponding portion 127 , 128 , 129 of a Velcro connector affixed to a respective one of the walls 23 , 24 , 21 .
  • each of the walls (and associated flaps) of the cover 20 may be integrally formed as one continuous piece.
  • each of the walls and flaps could be individual pieces connected by any conventional means, e.g., sewing.
  • the flexible cover 20 is between about 20′′ and about 30′′ long, between about 10′′ and about 20′′ wide, and between about 10′′ and 15 ′′ tall. More preferably, the cover is about 24′′ inches long, 16′′ inches wide, and 13.5′′ inches tall.
  • a clasp may also be provided to ensure closure of the carrier 10 .
  • the clasp may have two mating portions, one affixed to the front wall 26 and another on the top wall 21 .
  • a buckle 30 may be connected to the front wall 26 and a corresponding belt (containing holes) 130 may be provided on the top wall 21 .
  • the belt 130 may include a nylon strap sewn to the top of the cover 20 and having a half of a conventional snap and a nylon strap sewn to the front of the cover 20 and having the other half of the snap (not shown).
  • the front wall 26 may also include inner ridges 34 that will rest against a front side 35 of the substantially rigid frame 50 when the carrier 10 is closed.
  • the ridges 34 may be used to house an additional insulated sheet (not shown).
  • One or more handles 31 may be provided on the flexible cover 20 .
  • the handles 31 may include straps 32 that are affixed to, or circumscribe, the flexible cover 20 , as shown in FIG. 3.
  • the handles 31 extend substantially in a direction of a longitudinal length of the flexible cover 20 .
  • Rubber wear feet 33 may be affixed (e.g., by sewing, glue, etc.) to the bottom wall 22 of the flexible cover 20 . Moreover, the feet 33 may be provided on the straps 32 (as shown) or on another portion of the bottom wall 22 .
  • FIGS. 9 - 13 show a second preferred embodiment of an insulated container according to the present invention.
  • the substantially rigid frame 150 of the this embodiment is designed to fit within the cover 20 shown in FIGS. 2 - 4 .
  • this embodiment may also include a clasp (e.g., buckle 30 and belt 130 ) to maintain the container 110 in a closed state.
  • the container 110 may also contain feet 33 and handles 31 which may serve the same purpose as in the previously described embodiment.
  • the substantially rigid frame 150 may be formed of the same materials as the previously described frame 50 .
  • the substantially rigid frame 150 similarly has a top wall 151 , bottom wall 151 , and sidewalls 153 , 154 .
  • the sidewalls 153 , 154 (and associated members 160 ) of the frame 150 of this embodiment may be shaped differently, i.e., to have generally curved exterior surfaces which facilitate inserting the substantially rigid frame 150 into the cover 20 .
  • the slots 156 of this embodiment do not contain grooves 57 . Rather, the slots are formed to have a substantially c-shaped cross-section.
  • the peaks of the “C” in c-shaped shaped cross-section define receiving portions 157 .
  • members 160 are formed with substantially c-shaped cross-sections which are sized slide into the slots 156 , as shown in FIG. 12. As the peaks of the “C” in the c-shaped cross-section are wider than the cut-out portion thereof, the members 160 can only be removed from the frame 150 by sliding them along their length.
  • the cut-out portion of the c-shaped cross-section of the members 160 enable the members to have a rim receiving area of width W′.
  • the width W′ of this embodiment is adapted to receive a rim 71 of a container 70 such that the member 160 can support the container 70 in the carrier 110 while providing a gap 72 between the container 70 and the frame 150 , as shown in FIG. 13.
  • the present invention can provide lightweight, but rigid, food transportation carriers that allow individuals to transport food more easily. Moreover, as a result of the insulating aspects of the carriers, food placed in the carrier may be kept hot (or cold) while it is being transported.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
US10/640,574 2002-08-14 2003-08-14 Insulated carrier Abandoned US20040104232A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/640,574 US20040104232A1 (en) 2002-08-14 2003-08-14 Insulated carrier

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US40295002P 2002-08-14 2002-08-14
US10/640,574 US20040104232A1 (en) 2002-08-14 2003-08-14 Insulated carrier

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20040104232A1 true US20040104232A1 (en) 2004-06-03

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ID=31888213

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/640,574 Abandoned US20040104232A1 (en) 2002-08-14 2003-08-14 Insulated carrier

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US20040104232A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2003259856A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2004016520A2 (fr)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050279123A1 (en) * 2004-06-17 2005-12-22 John Maldonado Hardside cooler with soft cover
US20060231453A1 (en) * 2005-04-06 2006-10-19 Bradford Grant Device and method for packaging and merchandising personal healthcare products
US20070007291A1 (en) * 2005-07-01 2007-01-11 Jennifer Gunn Container for carrying and transporting cupcakes and other pastry items
JP2010120666A (ja) * 2008-11-18 2010-06-03 Sekisui Plastics Co Ltd カバー体付き保冷容器
US20130161224A1 (en) * 2010-09-08 2013-06-27 Jungmi Lee Spice storage container having a lattice structure
USD1063557S1 (en) * 2022-02-28 2025-02-25 ThermoPod, LLC Insulated box

Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2197982A (en) * 1938-07-11 1940-04-23 L A Young Spring & Wire Corp Shelf or rack
US4026351A (en) * 1975-08-13 1977-05-31 Bruno Biava Thermal retention food storage containers
US4376558A (en) * 1981-03-25 1983-03-15 Beverly Bandar Thermal retention container
US4578814A (en) * 1984-02-01 1986-03-25 Thermal Bags By Ingrid, Inc. Thermally insulated food bag
US4730748A (en) * 1986-03-11 1988-03-15 William Bane Reusable insulated box
US4771907A (en) * 1987-12-30 1988-09-20 Christopher Torney Food storage container
US4796758A (en) * 1987-09-02 1989-01-10 David Hauk Assembly for storage, transportation and chilling of expressed human milk
US4802233A (en) * 1984-02-01 1989-01-31 Thermal Bags By Ingrid, Inc. Thermally insulated food bag
US4954384A (en) * 1988-12-27 1990-09-04 Carol Hartwell Food rack cover
US5454471A (en) * 1993-03-24 1995-10-03 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. Insulative food container employing breathable polymer laminate
US5501338A (en) * 1994-02-18 1996-03-26 Preston; Paul E. Food carrier system
US6027249A (en) * 1999-01-11 2000-02-22 Bielinski; George H. Ice cooler jacket

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1903182U (de) * 1964-03-12 1964-10-29 Siemens Ag Fuer den portionsweisen essentransport auf tabletts bestimmter thermoskasten, insbesondere fuer foerderanlagen.
DE9407334U1 (de) * 1994-05-03 1994-07-07 Klaus Rehahn Gmbh & Co Kg, 63303 Dreieich Speisentransportbehälter
AUPO469397A0 (en) * 1997-01-21 1997-02-13 Food & Packaging Centre Management Limited Insulated transport container
DE29705921U1 (de) * 1997-04-03 1997-07-03 Klein, Hans-Dieter, 42655 Solingen Transportbehälter für warme Fertiggerichte
PL202440B1 (pl) * 2000-04-29 2009-06-30 Elżbieta Arseniuk Osłona izolacyjna butelki

Patent Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2197982A (en) * 1938-07-11 1940-04-23 L A Young Spring & Wire Corp Shelf or rack
US4026351A (en) * 1975-08-13 1977-05-31 Bruno Biava Thermal retention food storage containers
US4376558A (en) * 1981-03-25 1983-03-15 Beverly Bandar Thermal retention container
US4578814A (en) * 1984-02-01 1986-03-25 Thermal Bags By Ingrid, Inc. Thermally insulated food bag
US4802233A (en) * 1984-02-01 1989-01-31 Thermal Bags By Ingrid, Inc. Thermally insulated food bag
US4730748A (en) * 1986-03-11 1988-03-15 William Bane Reusable insulated box
US4796758A (en) * 1987-09-02 1989-01-10 David Hauk Assembly for storage, transportation and chilling of expressed human milk
US4771907A (en) * 1987-12-30 1988-09-20 Christopher Torney Food storage container
US4954384A (en) * 1988-12-27 1990-09-04 Carol Hartwell Food rack cover
US5454471A (en) * 1993-03-24 1995-10-03 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. Insulative food container employing breathable polymer laminate
US5501338A (en) * 1994-02-18 1996-03-26 Preston; Paul E. Food carrier system
US6027249A (en) * 1999-01-11 2000-02-22 Bielinski; George H. Ice cooler jacket

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050279123A1 (en) * 2004-06-17 2005-12-22 John Maldonado Hardside cooler with soft cover
US20060231453A1 (en) * 2005-04-06 2006-10-19 Bradford Grant Device and method for packaging and merchandising personal healthcare products
US7942279B2 (en) * 2005-04-06 2011-05-17 Mcneill-Ppc, Inc. Device and method for packaging and merchandising personal healthcare products
US20070007291A1 (en) * 2005-07-01 2007-01-11 Jennifer Gunn Container for carrying and transporting cupcakes and other pastry items
JP2010120666A (ja) * 2008-11-18 2010-06-03 Sekisui Plastics Co Ltd カバー体付き保冷容器
US20130161224A1 (en) * 2010-09-08 2013-06-27 Jungmi Lee Spice storage container having a lattice structure
USD1063557S1 (en) * 2022-02-28 2025-02-25 ThermoPod, LLC Insulated box

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2004016520A3 (fr) 2004-05-13
AU2003259856A1 (en) 2004-03-03
WO2004016520A2 (fr) 2004-02-26

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: RUBBERMAID COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS LLC, VIRGINIA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MARKET, JASON A., MR.;MAZA, DALE T., MR.;LINNEY, ROBERT J., MR.;REEL/FRAME:018265/0973;SIGNING DATES FROM 20040205 TO 20060612

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION