Freezable container for a cooler
A freezable container includes a base portion and may include a lid. The base portion may include a cold-retaining medium layer and be configured to be freezable to maintain a chilled environment for stored content. The freezable container may be configured to fit inside an insulated container such as a cooler.
It is known in the art to provide container trays that fit within an insulated container such as a cooler. Trays are generally rectangular or square-shaped with a hollow container region. In general, the trays are made out of a single layer of plastic or other material. Some trays lack a lid or a cover. Such trays do not always effectively separate their contents from the remainder of the insulated container, nor do the trays have insulating properties or keep their contents chilled.
It is also known in the art to provide container liners which provide insulation and structural support for a soft, flexible container. An example of such a liner is disclosed in Melk, U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,095. The liner provides an added degree of waterproofing and insulation. Liners in general, however, do not permit different levels of chilling of the contents, or organization of the contents, within a container.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREIn general, a freezable container in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure keeps its contents chilled or heated and separates the content from the insulated container into which the freezable container is placed. The freezable container has a base portion that may include a bottom wall and side walls, and a lid engaged to a side wall to cover the base portion. The lid may be attached to the side wall by a hinge or other means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
With reference to
As seen in
The cold-retaining medium layer 88 may be composed of a liquid such as a water/glycol mixture. The layer 88 may also be a gel such as the compound commonly known as “Blue Ice” or a similar mixture. Such a medium is more commonly found in reusable cold compresses and permits the compresses to be repeatedly frozen or heated. Alternatively, as seen in
Alternatively, the flexible sealed bag 98, rather than being encased within the base portion 10, may be separate from the remainder of the base portion 10 and may be placed upon the inner surface 92 to rest within the interior of base portion 10. The bag 98 may be cooled or heated and subsequently disposed within the base portion 10. Contents stored in the freezable container 8 may be placed within the bag 98, upon the bag 98, adjacent to the bag 98, or below the bag 98.
As best seen in
Alternatively,
The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the disclosure is applicable to freezable containers made from other materials, such as, for example, metal.
Claims
1. A first enclosure removably disposed within a second enclosure, wherein the first enclosure includes:
- a lid; and
- a base portion operatively coupled to the lid, the base portion comprising a bottom portion integrally coupled to a sidewall portion wherein the bottom portion, sidewall portion, and lid together define a compartment, the base portion further comprising at least one layer formed from a cold-retaining medium adapted to be freezable.
2. The first enclosure according to claim 1 wherein the base portion comprises:
- a first peripheral layer composed of a polymer;
- a second peripheral layer composed of a polymer;
- a third layer composed of a cold-retaining medium disposed between the first and the second peripheral layers; and
- a bonding layer composed of an adhesive material disposed between the first and the second peripheral layers.
3. The first enclosure according to claim 1 wherein the base portion comprises:
- a first peripheral layer composed of a polymer;
- a second peripheral layer composed of a polymer;
- a bonding layer composed of an adhesive material disposed between the first and the second peripheral layers;
- a separate cold-retaining medium layer positioned adjacent to the first peripheral layer within the compartment.
4. The first enclosure according to claim 1 wherein the lid comprises:
- a first peripheral layer composed of a polymer;
- a second peripheral layer composed of a polymer;
- a third layer composed of a cold-retaining medium disposed between the first and the second peripheral layers; and
- a bonding layer composed of an adhesive material disposed between the first and the second peripheral layers.
5. The first enclosure of claim 2, wherein the first polymer layer is formed from a thermoplastic material.
6. A freezable enclosure comprising a lid and a base portion operatively coupled to the lid, the base portion comprising a bottom portion integrally coupled to a sidewall portion wherein the bottom portion, sidewall portion, and lid together define a compartment, the base portion further comprising at least one layer formed from a cold-retaining medium adapted to be freezable.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 13, 2003
Publication Date: Feb 17, 2005
Inventors: Kenneth Hull (Wooster, OH), Sean O'Brien (Wooster, OH), Fred Reber (Shreve, OH), David Sander (Wooster, OH), Thomas Scherer (Mansfield, OH), Stephanie Schneider (Wooster, OH)
Application Number: 10/639,994