Abstract: A soft-sided insulated container assembly includes a collapsible cooler body made of insulated panels. The body is to be carried by lifting apparatus that includes asymmetrically arranged fittings. Those fittings may be an inboard shoulder strap or a handle located on an outboard portion of a face of the container body, and may be at a height for engagement by the hand of the user. The assembly may have a liner to contain liquids and an easy access lid. The insulated container may be collapsed, and secured. In one embodiment the asymmetric lifting arrangement includes a shoulder strap attached to the sides of the container in a manner that distributes the load into the sides of the container, and includes a grip or handle located on the lower portion of the front side of the container to pull up on the bottom of the container when used by a person.

Abstract: A soft sided insulated container assembly includes a first portion having an insulated, soft sided external wall structure, and an internal, substantially rigid molded plastic receptacle mounted therein. It has a cover structure that includes a reinforcement member for engaging a land region of the molded receptacle, thereby tending to yield an interface tending to have a sealing relationship. The container may also include a thermal storage element, and the container may have an accommodation for receiving the thermal storage element.

Abstract: A soft sided insulated container assembly has a first insulated container portion and a second insulated container portion. The second insulated container portion can be collapsed to a flat position, and secured in place. Either of the container portions may have a liner. The liner in the first container portion may be a substantially rigid liner. The assembly may have a lifting member. In one example the second portion may be hingedly mounted to the first portion, and the lifting member may be mounted such that when the assembly is lifted, the hinge is in an up-and-down orientation. In another embodiment, the lifting member may be eccentrically mounted, such that the assembly may possibly sit more comfortably against a carrier's hip. The first container portion may have an auxiliary opening or door, and that door may be more easily opened than the main access of the first insulated container portion.

Abstract: A soft-sided insulated container assembly includes a collapsible cooler body made of insulated panels. The body is to be carried by lifting apparatus that includes asymmetrically arranged fittings. Those fittings may be an inboard shoulder strap or a handle located on an outboard portion of a face of the container body, and may be at a height for engagement by the hand of the user. The assembly may have a liner to contain liquids and an easy access lid. The insulated container may be collapsed, and secured. In one embodiment the asymmetric lifting arrangement includes a shoulder strap attached to the sides of the container in a manner that distributes the load into the sides of the container, and includes a grip or handle located on the lower portion of the front side of the container to pull up on the bottom of the container when used by a person.

Abstract: A soft sided insulated container assembly has a first insulated container portion and a second insulated container portion. The second insulated container portion can be collapsed to a flat position, and secured in place. Either of the container portions may have a liner. The liner in the first container portion may be a substantially rigid liner. The assembly may have a lifting member. In one example the second portion may be hingedly mounted to the first portion, and the lifting member may be mounted such that when the assembly is lifted, the hinge is in an up-and-down orientation. In another embodiment, the lifting member may be eccentrically mounted, such that the assembly may possibly sit more comfortably against a carrier's hip. The first container portion may have an auxiliary opening or door, and that door may be more easily opened than the main access of the first insulated container portion.

Abstract: A soft-sided insulated container assembly includes a collapsible cooler body made of insulated panels. The body is to be carried by an arrangement of lifting apparatus that includes asymmetrically arranged fittings. One lifting fitting may be an inboard shoulder strap. Another fitting may an handle located on an outboard portion of face of the container body, and may be at a height for engagement by the hand of the user. The soft-sided insulated container assembly may have a liner to contain liquids. The soft-sided insulated container assembly may have an easy access lid. The insulated container may be collapsed to a flat position, and secured in place. In one embodiment the asymmetric lifting arrangement includes a shoulder strap attached to the sides of the container in a manner that distributes the load into the sides of the container, and a grip, such as a handle, located on the lower portion of the front side of the container.

Abstract: A portable, foldable, soft-sided insulated container has an a lid mounted carrier, or seat, for a substantially rigid container of a thermal storage medium, such as water. The container assembly may be free of any rigid tub, and may thus retain the ability to fold. The carrier is a substantially rigid plate or panel, or array, that mounts to an otherwise soft panel. The panel, or portion of a panel, to which the rigid carrier mounts is a panel that may tend to stay substantially flat (or curved) when the container assembly is folded. The mounting is such that the substantially rigid thermal storage medium container can slide in and out of the seat. When not in use the entire assembly can be folded into a collapsed position for storage.

Abstract: A soft sided insulated container assembly includes a first portion having an insulated, soft sided external wall structure, and an internal, substantially rigid molded plastic receptacle mounted therein. It has a cover structure that includes a reinforcement member for engaging a land region of the molded receptacle, thereby tending to yield an interface tending to have a sealing relationship. The container may also include a thermal storage element, and the container may have an accommodation for receiving the thermal storage element.

Abstract: A soft-sided insulated container assembly with a removable thermal storage member mounted therein. The container has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion forms a body and the second portion forms a lid movable between a first position obstructing access to a chamber defined in the first portion and a second position permitting access. The lid has a structural frame having members defining a seat for the thermal storage member when the lid is in the first position. The storage member has portions operable matingly to engage the frame members.

Abstract: A soft sided insulated container assembly has a first insulated container portion and a second insulated container portion. The second insulated container portion can be collapsed to a flat position, and secured in place. Either of the container portions may have a liner. The liner in the first container portion may be a substantially rigid liner. The assembly may have a lifting member. In one example the second portion may be hingedly mounted to the first portion, and the lifting member may be mounted such that when the assembly is lifted, the hinge is in an up-and-down orientation. In another embodiment, the lifting member may be eccentrically mounted, such that the assembly may possibly sit more comfortably against a carrier's hip. The first container portion may have an auxiliary opening or door, and that door may be more easily opened than the main access of the first insulated container portion.

Abstract: A soft-sided insulated container assembly with a removable thermal storage member mounted therein. The container has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion forms a body and the second portion forms a lid movable between a first position obstructing access to a chamber defined in the first portion and a second position permitting access. The lid has a structural frame having members defining a seat for the thermal storage member when the lid is in the first position. The storage member has portions operable matingly to engage the frame members.

Abstract: A soft sided insulated container assembly includes a first portion having an insulated, soft sided external wall structure, and an internal, substantially rigid molded plastic receptacle mounted therein. It has a cover structure that includes a reinforcement member for engaging a land region of the molded receptacle, thereby tending to yield an interface tending to have a sealing relationship. The container may also include a thermal storage element, and the container may have an accommodation for receiving the thermal storage element.

Abstract: A soft-sided insulated container assembly with a removable thermal storage member mounted therein. The container has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion forms a body and the second portion forms a lid movable between a first position obstructing access to a chamber defined in the first portion and a second position permitting access. The lid has a structural frame having members defining a seat for the thermal storage member when the lid is in the first position. The storage member has portions operable matingly to engage the frame members.

Abstract: A soft sided insulated container assembly includes a first portion having an insulated, soft sided external wall structure, and an internal, substantially rigid molded plastic receptacle mounted therein. It has a cover structure that includes a reinforcement member for engaging a land region of the molded receptacle, thereby tending to yield an interface tending to have a sealing relationship. The container may also include a thermal storage element, and the container may have an accommodation for receiving the thermal storage element.

Abstract: A soft sided insulated cooler bag has a base and side panels. The base includes a rigid or semi-rigid reinforcement or batten that serve to provide a relatively hard or stiff edge about which the bag can be panel folded over on itself. The upper edge of the bag has a length that is as great as half the periphery of the bottom panel. The bag can be collapsed to a flat position and then panel folded to a storage position. Retainers are provided to keep the bag in the storage position.

Abstract: A soft sided insulated container assembly includes a first portion having an insulated, soft sided external wall structure, and an internal, substantially rigid molded plastic receptacle mounted therein. It has a cover structure that includes a reinforcement member for engaging a land region of the molded receptacle, thereby tending to yield an interface tending to have a sealing relationship. Both the receptacle and the engaging seal member of the lid may be outwardly splayed. The container may also include a thermal storage element, and the container may have an accommodation for receiving the thermal storage element.