Liner for portable food storage container

Abstract

A liner having adhesive attached to areas of its outer surfaces for preventing contamination of portable food storage containers. In one embodiment, the liner may be made of an antimicrobial material.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to devices used to maintain a portable food storage container in a clean and relatively microbial-free condition.

BACKGROUND

Portable food storage devices, such as picnic coolers and smaller, individual-sized coolers, are in widespread use by persons wanting to transport food and other perishables in and around environments where relatively extreme temperatures may affect the viability of the transported items. In most instances the portable food storage devices are insulated against the ambient temperature conditions; in some cases, additional cooling or heating elements may be present to enhance the stability of the desired internal temperature conditions.

A problem that is known to exist when using portable food storage devices involves contamination of the interior surface of the devices by microbial (bacterial, fungal and/or other microbial) growth that is inherent with transporting such items. An additional problem sometimes involves non-biological contamination of the interior surface. It is possible human users could become ill from exposure to such contamination. It is also true that devices primarily intended for the storage and transportation of food are frequently used for storage and transportation of other items such as transfusible blood and transplantable human organs. Thus, what is clearly needed is a method or device that makes the portable food storage device easier to keep clean, will reduce the likelihood of contamination, is inexpensive and is also easy to use.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a liner for use inside a portable food storage device. The liner defines a pliable container defining an open end, a floor, lateral sides, the lateral sides having a top edge and a lower edge and the lower edge of the lateral sides and floor are attached and sealed to each other to define an inner space and an outer surface. Attachment means are provided on the liner on at least one portion of its outer surface of the container proximate the open end.

In another embodiment the present invention is directed to a liner for use inside a portable food storage device. The liner defines a pliable container defining an open end, a floor, lateral sides, the lateral sides having a top end and a lower end, the lower end of the sides and floor are attached and sealed to define an inner space and an outer surface. A flange is attached to at least a portion of the outer surface and attachment means are affixed to at least a portion of the flange.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a portable food storage device with liner inserted.

FIG. 2 shows a liner for a portable food storage device.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of a liner for a portable food storage device.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of a liner for a portable food storage device with one corner of the flange raised to show the attached adhesive on the underside.

FIG. 5 shows a further alternative embodiment of a liner for a portable food storage device with one tab raised to show the attached adhesive on the underside.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an adhesive strip and partially removed release liner.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an adhesive strip and partially removed release liner.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an adhesive strip and partially removed release liner.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of an adhesive strip and partially removed release liner.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of an adhesive strip and partially removed release liner.

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of an adhesive strip and partially removed release liner.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of an adhesive strip and partially removed release liner.

FIG. 13 shows a cross sectional view of plastic coated with an antimicrobial coating.

FIG. 14 shows a cross section view of antimicrobial plastic.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Nomenclature

• 10 Liner
• 12 Front Side
• 12a Top Edge (Front Side)
• 12b Lower Edge (Front Side)
• 14 Back Side
• 14a Top Edge (Back Side)
• 14b Lower Edge (Back Side)
• 16 Left Side
• 16a Top Edge (Left Side)
• 16b Lower Edge (Left Side)
• 18 Right Side
• 18a Top Edge (Right Side)
• 18b Lower Edge (Right Side)
• 20 Floor
• 22 Open End
• 24 Adhesive
• 24a Adhesive (High Tack Side)
• 24b Adhesive (Medium Tack Side)
• 27 Plastic
• 28 Release Liner
• 29 Antimicrobial Coating
• 30 Antimicrobial Compound
• 32 Plastic
• 50 Cooler
• 52 Internal Space
• 54 Length
• 56 Width
• 58 Depth
• 100 Liner
• 112 Front Side
• 112a Top Edge (Front Side)
• 112b Lower Edge (Front Side)
• 114 Back Side
• 114a Top Edge (Back Side)
• 114b Lower Edge (Back Side)
• 116 Left Side
• 116a Top Edge (Left Side)
• 116b Lower Edge (Left Side)
• 118 Right Side
• 118a Top Edge (Right Side)
• 118b Lower Edge (Right Side)
• 120 Floor
• 122 Open End
• 124 Flange
• 125 Adhesive (High Tack Side)
• 126a Adhesive (Attached to Flange)
• 126b Adhesive (Attached to Side)
• 127 Adhesive (Medium Tack Side)
• 200 Liner
• 212 Front Side
• 212a Top Edge (Front Side)
• 212b Lower Edge (Front Side)
• 214 Back Side
• 214a Top Edge (Back Side)
• 214b Lower Edge (Back Side)
• 216 Left Side
• 216a Top Edge (Left Side)
• 216b Lower Edge (Left Side)
• 218 Right Side
• 218a Top Edge (Right Side)
• 218b Lower Edge (Right Side)
• 220 Floor
• 224a Flange
• 224b Flange
• 224c Flange
• 224d Flange
• 225 Adhesive (High Tack Side)
• 226a Adhesive (Attached to Flange)
• 226b Adhesive (Attached to Side)
• 227 Adhesive (Medium Tack Side)
• 300 Liner
• 312 Front Side
• 312a Top Edge (Front Side)
• 312b Lower Edge (Front Side)
• 314 Back Side
• 314a Top Edge (Back Side)
• 314b Lower Edge (Back Side)
• 316 Left Side
• 316a Top Edge (Left Side)
• 316b Lower Edge (Left Side)
• 318 Right Side
• 318a Top Edge (Right Side)
• 318b Lower Edge (Right Side)
• 320 Floor
• 324 Tab
• 325 Adhesive (High Tack Side)
• 326a Adhesive (Attached to Tab)
• 326b Adhesive Strip (Attached to Side)
• 327 Adhesive (Medium Tack Side)
  Definitions
  “Antimicrobial” refers to materials having an inhibiting effect on microbial growth.
  “Flange” refers to a rim extending at an angle from the top end of the liner.
  “Lateral Sides” refers to container portions extending from and attached to the floor of the liner.
  “Microbial” is used in its broad sense and refers to bacteria, protozoa, fungi, viruses and any other form of microbiological growth.
  “Mil” refers to a thickness of 1/1000 of an inch.
  Construction

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a cooler 50 with an embodiment of the liner 100 of the present invention, installed.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment the liner 10 prior to being installed in a cooler 50. The liner 10 defines a front side 12, back side 14, left side 16 and right side 18, each of which further respectively defines a top edge 12a, 14a, 16a, 18a and a lower edge 12b, 14b, 16b, 18b. A floor 20 is also defined which has a number of sides (unnumbered) corresponding to the sides 12, 14, 16, 18 which further correspond which further correspond to the length (unnumbered) of the lower edges 12b, 14b, 16b, 18b of the lower edges of the front side 12, back side 14, left side 16 and right side 18. The edges (unnumbered) of the floor 20 are attached and sealed to the lower edges 12b, 14b, 16b, 18b of the front side 12, back side 14, left side 16 and right side 18. Sealing the lower edges 12b, 14b, 16b, 18b to the floor 20 can be accomplished by well known heat sealing methods (not shown), sonic welding or by an extrusion or other molding process that results in a seamless, integrated structure (not shown). It should be mentioned that specialty needs may exist requiring the shape of the liner 10 to be other than four-sided (not shown) and other than symmetrical (not shown) and thus within the scope of the invention. An adhesive 24 is attached to the liner 10 in at least one location to secure the liner 10 to the inside of the cooler 50. In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive 24 is attached to at least one of the top edges 12a, 14a, 16a, 18a. As is shown in FIG. 2, the adhesive 24 can also be attached to at least one of the lower edges 12b, 14b, 16b, 18b.

Portable food storage devices such as coolers 50 have an internal space 52 defining a length 54, a width 56 and a depth 58. It has been shown that the internal space 52 of most coolers have a configuration wherein the length 54 is generally of a greater dimension than the width 56 and the depth measurement 58 is generally intermediate the length dimension 54 and the width dimension 56. In some coolers 50 this can work out to display a ratio of length 54 to width 56 to depth 58 as 2:1:1.5. In other cases the ratio of length 54 to width 56 to depth 58 is closer to 2:1:1. Still other ratios of length 54 to width 56 to depth 58 are known. Thus, the liner 10 can be made in several sizes and ratios to fit most cooler 50 sizes. It is not critical that the liner 10 be sized to exactly and tightly fit the internal space 52 of the cooler 50 it is intended for.

The liner 10 shown in FIG. 2 can be made of a variety of materials, including polyethylene having a thickness between 0.10 mil and 3.7 mil, with a preferable thickness of approximately 2.7 mil. In another embodiment, additional plastic materials such as polypropylene could also be used. In yet another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the liner 10 is coated with an antimicrobial agent 29 such as Microban® manufactured by Microban International, Ltd., NY, N.Y., to resist the growth of undesirable biological organisms such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa and other organisms. In a further embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the liner 10 could be made from an antimicrobial plastic such as Westlake Plastic Silveron® (UHMW) to resist the growth of undesirable biological organisms such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa and other organisms. As shown in FIG. 14, the plastic 32 contains an antimicrobial compound 30.

The adhesive 24 used to attach the liner 10 to the cooler 50 can be any adhesive having a high tack 24a on one side and a medium tack 24b characteristic on the opposite side. As shown in FIG. 6 a release liner 28 is affixed to the medium tack side 24b of the adhesive 24 until immediately prior to lining the inside of the cooler 50 when it is removed. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the high tack side 24a of the adhesive is affixed to the liner 10 which results in the adhesive 24 remaining affixed to the liner 10 following the eventual removal from the cooler 50 and disposal of the liner 10. The 3M® Company of St. Paul, Minn. manufactures an adhesive known as Scotch® Hi Tack/Medium Tack 9425 that is suitable for the present invention. It should be mentioned, however, that additional commercially available adhesives such as 3M® 9415 PC Double Sided tape would also be effective for the uses disclosed herein. As shown in FIG. 2, the adhesive 24 can be affixed to several locations on the outer surface(s) (unnumbered) of the liner 10 to accomplish attaching the liner 10 to the inside of the cooler 50. Several locations for adhesive 24 attachment are shown in FIG. 2, however, other locations (not shown) would also be effective for further securing the liner 10 to the cooler 50 and are therefore also within the scope of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment the liner 100 prior to being installed in a cooler 50. The liner 100 defines a front side 112, back side 114, left side 116 and right side 118, each of which further respectively defines a top edge 112a, 114a, 116a, 118a and a lower edge 112b, 114b, 116b, 118b. A floor 120 is also defined which has a number of sides (unnumbered) corresponding to the sides 112, 114, 116, 118 which further correspond to the length (unnumbered) of the lower edges 112b, 114b, 116b, 118b of the lower edges of the front side 112, back side 114, left side 116 and right side 118. The edges (unnumbered) of the floor 120 are attached and sealed to the lower edges 112b, 114b, 116b, 118b of the front side 112, back side 114, left side 116 and right side 118. Sealing the lower edges 112b, 114b, 116b, 118b to the floor 120 can be accomplished by well known heat sealing methods (not shown), sonic welding or by an extrusion or other molding process that results in a seamless, integrated (not shown) liner 100. It should be mentioned that specialty needs may exist requiring the shape of the liner 100 to be other than four-sided (not shown) and other than symmetrical (not shown) and thus within the scope of the invention. A flange 124 is attached to the top edges 112a, 114a, 116a, 118a of the sides 112, 114, 116, 118 and extends around the perimeter of the top edges 112a, 114a, 116a, 118a to form an unbroken, integrated surface extending at an angle away from the top edges 112a, 114a, 116a, 118a. The flange 124 can be attached to the top edges 112a, 114a, 116a, 118a by well known heat sealing methods (not shown), sonic welding (not shown) or by an extrusion or other molding process that results in a seamless, integrated attachment. The outer surface (unnumbered) of the flange 124 is intended to contact the upper edges (unnumbered) of the cooler 50 to simplify inserting the liner 100.

Portable food storage devices such as coolers 50 have an internal space 52 defining a length 54, a width 56 and a depth 58. It has been shown that the internal space 52 of most coolers have a configuration wherein the length 54 is generally of a greater dimension than the width 56 and the depth measurement 58 is generally intermediate the length dimension 54 and the width dimension 56. In some coolers 50 this can work out to display a ratio of length 54 to width 56 to depth 58 as 2:1:1.5. In other cases the ratio of length 54 to width 56 to depth 58 is closer to 2:1:1. Still other ratios of length 54 to width 56 to depth 58 are known. Thus, the liner 100 can be made in several sizes and ratios to fit most cooler 50 sizes. It is not critical that the liner 100 be sized to exactly and tightly fit the internal space 52 of the cooler 50 it is intended for.

The liner 100 shown in FIG. 3 can be made of a variety of materials, including polyethylene having a thickness between 0.010 mil and 3.7 mil, with a preferable thickness of approximately 2.7 mil. In another embodiment, additional plastic materials such as polypropylene could also be used. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the liner 100 is coated with an antimicrobial agent 29 such as Microban® to resist the growth of undesirable biological organisms such as bacteria, fingi, protozoa and other organisms. As shown in FIG. 14, in a further embodiment, the liner 100 could be made from an antimicrobial plastic such as Westlake Plastic Silveron® to resist the growth of undesirable biological organisms such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa and other organisms. As shown in FIG. 14, the plastic 32 contains an antimicrobial compound 30.

Adhesive 126a, 126b is attached to the liner 100 at least to the flange 124. In a preferred embodiment and as shown in FIG. 3, the adhesive 126a is attached to the outer surface (unnumbered) of the flange 124. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the adhesive 126a could be attached to the inner surface (unnumbered) of the flange 124. To improve securing of the liner 100 within the cooler 50 additional sections of adhesive 126b could be attached to the outer surfaces (unnumbered) of the sides 112, 114, 116, 118, as shown in FIG. 3. Several locations for adhesive 126b attachment are shown in FIG. 3, however, other locations (not shown) would also be effective for further securing the liner 100 to the cooler 50 and are therefore also within the scope of the invention.

The adhesive 126a, 126b used to attach the liner 100 to the cooler 50 can be any adhesive having a high tack 125 on one side and a medium tack 127 characteristic on the opposite side. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 a release liner 28 is affixed to the medium tack side 127 of the adhesive 126a, 126b until immediately prior to lining the inside of the cooler 50 when it is removed. The high tack side 125 of the adhesive 126a, 126b is affixed to the liner 10 which results in the adhesive 126a, 126b remaining affixed to the liner 100 following the eventual removal from the cooler 50 and disposal of the liner 100. The 3M® Company of St. Paul, Minn. manufactures an adhesive known as Scotch® Hi Tack/Medium Tack 9425 that is suitable for the present invention. It should be mentioned, however, that additional commercially available adhesives such as 3M® 9415PC Double Sided tape would also be effective for the uses disclosed herein.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment the liner 200 prior to being installed in a cooler 50. The liner 200 defines a front side 212, back side 214, left side 216 and right side 218, each of which further respectively defines a top edge 212a, 214a, 216a, 218a and a lower edge 212b, 214b, 216b, 218b. A floor 220 is also defined which has a number of sides (unnumbered) corresponding to the sides 212, 214, 216, 218 which further correspond to the length (unnumbered) of the lower edges 212b, 214b, 216b, 218b of the lower edges of the front side 212, back side 214, left side 216 and right side 218. The edges (unnumbered) of the floor 220 are attached and sealed to the lower edges 212b, 214b, 216b, 218b of the front side 212, back side 214, left side 216 and right side 218. Sealing the lower edges 212b, 214b, 216b, 218b to the floor 220 can be accomplished by well known heat sealing methods (not shown), sonic welding or by an extrusion or other molding process that results in a seamless, integrated (not shown) liner 200. It should be mentioned that specialty needs may exist requiring the shape of the liner 200 to be other than four-sided (not shown) and other than symmetrical (not shown) and thus within the scope of the invention. At least one flange 224a, 224b, 224c, 224d is attached to one top edge 212a, 214a, 216a, 218a of the sides 212, 214, 216, 218. In a preferred embodiment, all four top edges 212a, 214a, 216a, 218a will have flanges 224a, 224b, 224c, 224d attached. The flanges 224a, 224b, 224c, 224d can be attached to the top edges 212a, 214a, 216a, 218a by well known heat sealing methods (not shown), sonic welding (not shown) or by an extrusion or other molding process that results in a seamless, integrated attachment. It is further contemplated to have the flanges 224a, 224b, 224c, 224d attached to less than all of the top edges 212a, 214a, 216a, 218a (not shown), and is thus in the scope of the invention. The flanges 224a, 224b, 224c, 224d are intended to contact the upper edges (unnumbered) of the cooler 50 to simplify inserting the liner 200.

Portable food storage devices such as coolers 50 have an internal space 52 defining a length 54, a width 56 and a depth 58. It has been shown that the internal space 52 of most coolers have a configuration wherein the length 54 is generally of a greater dimension than the width 56 and the depth measurement 58 is generally intermediate the length dimension 54 and the width dimension 56. In some coolers 50 this can work out to display a ratio of length 54 to width 56 to depth 58 as 2:1:1.5. In other cases the ratio of length 54 to width 56 to depth 58 is closer to 2:1:1. Still other ratios of length 54 to width 56 to depth 58 are known. Thus, the liner 200 can be made in several sizes and ratios to fit most cooler 50 sizes. It is not critical that the liner 200 be sized to exactly and tightly fit the internal space 52 of the cooler 50 it is intended for.

The liner 200 shown in FIG. 4 can be made of a variety of materials, including polyethylene having a thickness between 0.010 mil and 3.7 mil, with a preferable thickness of approximately 2.7 mil. In another embodiment, additional plastic materials such as polypropylene could also be used. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the liner 200 is coated with an antimicrobial agent 29 such as Microban® to resist the growth of undesirable biological organisms such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa and other organisms. As shown in FIG. 14, in a further embodiment, the liner 200 could be made from an antimicrobial plastic such as Westlake Plastic Silveron® to resist the growth of undesirable biological organisms such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa and other organisms. As shown in FIG. 14, the plastic 32 contains an antimicrobial compound 30.

Adhesive 226a, 226b is attached to the liner 200 at least to the flanges 224. In a preferred embodiment and as shown in FIG. 4, the adhesive 226a is attached to the outer surface (unnumbered) of the flange 224. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the adhesive 226a could be attached to the inner surface (unnumbered) of the flange 224. To improve securing of the liner 200 within the cooler 50 additional sections of adhesive 226b could be attached to the outer surfaces (unnumbered) of the sides 212, 214, 216, 218, as shown in FIG. 4. Several locations for adhesive 226b attachment are shown in FIG. 4, however, other locations (not shown) would also be effective for further securing the liner 200 to the cooler 50 and are therefore also within the scope of the invention.

The adhesive 226a, 226b used to attach the liner 200 to the cooler 50 can be any adhesive having a high tack 225 on one side and a medium tack 227 characteristic on the opposite side. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 a release liner 28 is affixed to the medium tack side 227 of the adhesive 226a, 226b until immediately prior to lining the inside of the cooler 50 when it is removed. The high tack side of the adhesive is affixed to the liner 10 which results in the adhesive 226a, 226b remaining affixed to the liner 200 following the eventual removal from the cooler 50 and disposal of the liner 200. The 3M® Company of St. Paul, Minn. manufactures an adhesive known as Scotch® Hi Tack/Medium Tack 9425 that is suitable for the present invention. It should be mentioned, however, that additional commercially available adhesives such as 3M® 9415PC Double Sided tape would also be effective for the uses disclosed herein.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment the liner 300 prior to being installed in a cooler 50. The liner 300 defines a front side 312, back side 314, left side 316 and right side 318, each of which further respectively defines a top edge 312a, 314a, 316a, 318a and a lower edge 312b, 314b, 316b, 318b. A floor 320 is also defined which has a number of sides (unnumbered) corresponding to the sides 312, 314, 316, 318 which further correspond to the length (unnumbered) of the lower edges 312b, 314b, 316b, 318b of the lower edges of the front side 312, back side 314, left side 316 and right side 318. The edges (unnumbered) of the floor 320 are attached and sealed to the lower edges 312b, 314b, 316b, 318b of the front side 312, back side 314, left side 316 and right side 318. Sealing the lower edges 312b, 314b, 316b, 318b to the floor 320 can be accomplished by well known heat sealing methods (not shown), sonic welding or by an extrusion or other molding process that results in a seamless, integrated (not shown) liner 300. It should be mentioned that specialty needs may exist requiring the shape of the liner 300 to be other than four-sided (not shown) and other than symmetrical (not shown) and thus within the scope of the invention. At least one tab 324 is attached to one top edge 312a, 314a, 316a, 318a of the sides 312, 314, 316, 318. In a preferred embodiment, all four top edges 312a, 314a, 316a, 318a will have tabs 324 attached. The tabs 324 can be attached to the top edges 312a, 314a, 316a, 318a by well known heat sealing methods (not shown), sonic welding (not shown) or by an extrusion or other molding process that results in a seamless, integrated attachment. It is further contemplated to have tabs 324 attached to less than all of the top edges 312a, 314a, 316a, 318a (not shown), and is thus in the scope of the invention. The tabs 324 are intended to contact the upper edges (unnumbered) of the cooler 50 to simplify inserting the liner 300.

Portable food storage devices such as coolers 50 have an internal space 52 defining a length 54, a width 56 and a depth 58. It has been shown that the internal space 52 of most coolers have a configuration wherein the length 54 is generally of a greater dimension than the width 56 and the depth measurement 58 is generally intermediate the length dimension 54 and the width dimension 56. In some coolers 50 this can work out to display a ratio of length 54 to width 56 to depth 58 as 2:1:1.5. In other cases the ratio of length 54 to width 56 to depth 58 is closer to 2:1:1. Still other ratios of length 54 to width 56 to depth 58 are known. Thus, the liner 300 can be made in several sizes and ratios to fit most cooler 50 sizes. It is not critical that the liner 300 be sized to exactly and tightly fit the internal space 52 of the cooler 50 it is intended for.

The liner 300 shown in FIG. 5 can be made of a variety of materials, including polyethylene having a thickness between 0.010 mil and 3.7 mil, with a preferable thickness of approximately 2.7 mil. In another embodiment, additional plastic materials such as polypropylene could also be used. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the liner 300 is coated with an antimicrobial agent 29 such as Microban® to resist the growth of undesirable biological organisms such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa and other organisms. As shown in FIG. 14, in a further embodiment, the liner 300 could be made from an antimicrobial plastic such as Westlake Plastic Silveron® to resist the growth of undesirable biological organisms such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa and other organisms. As shown in FIG. 14, the plastic 32 contains an antimicrobial compound 30.

Adhesive 326a, 326b is attached to the liner 300 at least to the tabs 324. In a preferred embodiment and as shown in FIG. 5, the adhesive 326a is attached to the outer surface (unnumbered) of each tab 324. In an alternative embodiment the adhesive 326a could be attached to the inner surface (unnumbered) of the tab 324. To improve securing of the liner 300 within the cooler 50 additional sections of adhesive 326b could be attached to the outer surfaces (unnumbered) of the sides 312, 314, 316, 318, as shown in FIG. 5. Several locations for adhesive 326b attachment are shown in FIG. 5, however, other locations (not shown) would also be effective for further securing the liner 300 to the cooler 50 and are therefore also within the scope of the invention.

The adhesive 326a, 326b used to attach the liner 300 to the cooler 50 can be any adhesive having a high tack 325 on one side and a medium tack 327 characteristic on the opposite side. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 a release liner 28 is affixed to the medium tack side (unnumbered) of the adhesive 326a, 326b until immediately prior to lining the inside of the cooler 50 when it is removed. The high tack side 325 of the adhesive 326a, 326b is affixed to the liner 300 which results in the adhesive 326a, 326b remaining affixed to the liner 300 following the eventual removal from the cooler 50 and disposal of the liner 300. The 3M® Company of St. Paul, Minn. manufactures an adhesive known as Scotch® Hi Tack/Medium Tack 9425 that is suitable for the present invention. It should be mentioned, however, that additional commercially available adhesives such as 3M® 9415PC Double Sided tape would also be effective for the uses disclosed herein.

Use

Using the liner 10, 100, 200, 300 involves initially removing an individual liner 10, 100, 200, 300 from its packaging. The cooler 50 intended to be lined is then opened to expose the internal space 52. Following this, the liner 10, 100, 200, 300 is unfolded and inserted into the internal space 52. The release liner(s) 28 is (are) removed from the adhesive 24, 126a, 126b, 226a, 226b, 326a, 326b and adhered to the corresponding areas of the internal space 52. Upon the expiration of a sufficient length of time or earlier under circumstances of heavy or frequent use, the liner 10, 100, 200, 300 is removed from the cooler 50 and a new liner 10, 100, 200, 300 inserted, and the procedure repeated.

Claims

1. A liner for use inside a portable food storage device, comprising:

a. a pliable container defining an open end, a floor, lateral sides, the lateral sides having a top edge and a lower edge, the lower edge of the lateral sides and floor are attached and sealed to each other to define an inner space and an outer surface; and

b. attachment means on at least one portion of the outer surface of the container proximate the open end.

2. The liner of claim 1 wherein the pliable container defines at least three lateral sides attached to the floor.

3. The liner of claim 1 wherein the pliable container defines four lateral sides attached to the floor.

4. The liner of claim 3 wherein the liner has a front side, a back side, a left side and a right side.

5. The liner of claim 4 wherein the front side and back side define a length and a width and are approximately equal to each other in length and the left side and right side define a length and a width and are approximately equal to each other in length.

6. The liner of claim 3 wherein at least two attachment means are attached to separate locations on the outer surface of the container.

7. The liner of claim 6 wherein one of the at least two attachment means is attached to the outer surface of the container proximate the open end and another of the at least two adhesive sections is attached to an opposite side of the open end.

8. The liner of claim 1 wherein the attachment means further comprise an adhesive.

9. The liner of claim 6 wherein the attachment means further comprise adhesive.

10. The liner of claim 1 wherein the pliable container is made of antimicrobial plastic.

11. The liner of claim 1 wherein the pliable container is made of plastic coated with an antimicrobial agent.

12. The liner of claim 5 wherein the pliable container is approximately proportioned so the front side and back side are twice as long as the left side and right side.

13. The liner of claim 8 wherein the adhesive is pressure sensitive adhesive covered with a release liner to protect the adhesive prior to application of the liner.

14. A liner for use inside a portable food storage device, comprising:

a. a pliable container defining an open end, a floor, lateral sides, the lateral sides having a top end and a lower end, the lower end of the sides and floor being attached and sealed to define an inner space and an outer surface;

b. a flange attached to at least a portion of the outer surface and

c. attachment means attached to at least a portion of the flange.

15. The liner of claim 14 wherein the pliable container defines at least three sides attached to the floor.

16. The liner of claim 14 wherein the pliable container defines four sides attached to the floor.

17. The liner of claim 16 wherein the liner has a front side, a back side, a left side and a right side.

18. The liner of claim 17 wherein the front side and back side are approximately equal to each other in length and the left side and right side are approximately equal to each other in length.

19. The liner of claim 18 wherein at least two attachment means are attached to separate locations on the flange.

20. The liner of claim 19 wherein one of the at least two attachment means is attached to the outer surface of the container proximate the open end and another of the at least two adhesive sections is attached to the opposite side of the open end.

21. The liner of claim 14 wherein the pliable container is made of antimicrobial plastic.

22. The liner of claim 18 wherein the pliable container is approximately proportioned so the front side and back side are twice as long as the left side and right side.

23. The liner of claim 14 wherein the attachment means further comprise adhesive.

24. The liner of claim 23 wherein the adhesive is pressure sensitive adhesive covered with a release liner to protect the adhesive prior to application of the liner.

25. The liner of claim 14 wherein the flange is attached to the top end of the lateral sides.

26. The liner of claim 25 wherein the flange is integrally attached to the lateral sides.

27. The liner of claim 14 wherein the flange is attached to and extends around the entire perimeter of the top end of the lateral sides.

28. The liner of claim 14 wherein the flange extends around less than the entire perimeter of the top end of the lateral sides.

29. The liner of claim 14 wherein the pliable container is made of plastic coated with an antimicrobial agent.