Hot cold diaper bag

Abstract

A 3-in-1 diaper bag/cooler/bottle warmer or baby food warmer has three separate compartments. Two outside zip closed pockets each have insulated foil lining and sewn in mesh pockets. One compartment on one side of the bag has cooling packs such as ice packs in the compartment to keep milk and baby food cold. Another compartment on another side of the bag also has wrap around heating packs that can warm up a chilled bottle or jar of baby food. The center compartment between the two outside compartments holds a baby's essentials that will be needed while away from home, such as diapers, wipes, clothes, and blankets and serves as in insulating layer between the other two compartments.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This utility patent application claims the benefit of provisional application No. 60/595,250, filed Jun. 17, 2005.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to carrying bags and in particular to soft-sided hot cold diaper bag having a carrying strap and three zippered compartments, a first insulated warming compartment, a second insulated cooler compartment and a third storage compartment located between the cooler and warming compartments for items such as diapers, clothing and toys; the bag is provided with heating packs and cooling packs to be wrapped about a container such as a baby bottle.

2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

A number of diaper bags are known. Most attempt to address the issue of carrying the numerous items that may assist those involved in the diaper changing process, such as food, clothing and toys. Few address the need to warm a baby bottle or maintain the coolness of a bottle.

One Step Ahead advertises a travel baby bottle warming device which uses a hydrated salt solution heating pad to wrap and warm the bottle. The pack may be reused and is recharged by boiling and cooling the heating pad.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,107, issued Jun. 7, 1994 to Bell, shows a carrying bag that has a frame of rigid pieces secured together in three-dimensional shape, and panels are secured thereto forming a bottom side wall, end wall, and a pair of top closure panels, the latter being angled forming a gable roof type top. The panels are of limited flexibility enabling them to be bent about long radii. A bottle cooler and an electric warmer are provided, a large central space accommodating a large quantity of diapers forming great heat insulation between the bottle cooler and bottle warmer. The bottle warmer includes and electric cord normally held in a pocket and extendible to the exterior for plugging into a house socket or cigar heater socket in an automobile. The top panels have small sections that can be opened without opening the complete top panels enabling the bottles to be withdrawn and inserted vertically. A changing pad made up of hinged panels is secured to the interior, and is operable to a spread position for lying on a supporting surface, and foldable into a pack that is positionable flat against a side panel and normally held there.

U.S. Patent Application #20040118718, published Jun. 24, 2004 by Karlsson, claims a substantially tubular carrying case, wherein the tube is sectioned into multiple substantially separated transverse compartments for carrying personal items. In one embodiment, the carrying case looks like a golf bag. In another embodiment, the carrying case is a diaper bag. One or more portions of the main body may optionally comprise an insulating material so that the contents of one or more compartments can insulated from undesirable temperatures. In the case where a cool temperature is desired, a cooling pack may be added to the insulated compartments. When warm temperatures are desired, a hot pack may be added to the insulated compartments.

Three U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,705,108 issued Mar. 16, 2004, No. 6,505,479 issued Jan. 14, 2003, and No. 6,427,475 issued to Aug. 6, 2002 all to Defelice, are for a nested cooler system for temporary storage of perishable food stuffs and more particularly to articles for convenient, temporary storage of human breast milk and infant formulas. The inner and outer coolers jointly or independently receive the perishable foodstuffs and freezable gel packs for cooling the perishable foodstuffs. The gel packs can be frozen and thawed several times and temporarily keep containers of milk within an acceptable temperature range to prevent spoilage. The gel packs fit within pockets in the coolers to maintain proper positioning of the gel packs relative to the bottles.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,164, issued Jan. 27, 1998 to Slack, provides a portable cooler including a plastic bag or container with inflatable sidewalls into which are placed items for cooling, such as infant feeding bottles, food, soft drinks, etc. Prior to using these items, the sidewalls of the bag are inflated with CO.sub.2 gas, which upon expansion, sufficiently cools the interior of the bag, and chills the food. The plastic bag may also contain a frozen gel package to provide temporary cooling prior to use, and augment cooling by the CO.sub.2. In a similar manner, cooling may be provided using a relatively stiff container having hollow sidewalls and/or a bottom into which may be expanded CO.sub.2 gas to provide cooling prior to use. A frozen gel package may be placed inside the container or in the top portion of the container to augment CO.sub.2 gas cooling. The same technique of cooling may also be accomplished using the expansion of CO.sub.2 gas into the sidewalls of a thermos container. Another embodiment of this invention comprises a diaper bag having a rigid or resilient foam plastic container portion providing diaper bag's baby bottle outer pockets which are used to contain baby bottles. An intake valve leads into the dead air spaces adjacent the pockets, and enables CO.sub.2 gas to be fed therethrough, expand and cool bottles held in the pockets. A top flap is secured to the container and is closed by VELCRO.™. strips; the flap closure will secure and insulate the bottles; a carrying strap is also provided.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,143, issued Aug. 10, 1993 to Mahvi, indicates a multipurpose traveling bag for carrying personal items and/or infant care supplies comprising a primary bag section and a removable auxiliary bag section. The primary bag section can be hand carried or worn as a backpack with or without the removable auxiliary bag section. The primary bag section has a fold down seat that can be used as a booster seat by infants in a first or infant care bag embodiment of the present invention and can be used as a seat for adults in a second or backpack embodiment of the present invention. In a third embodiment, the present invention is adapted to be mounted upon a bicycle to additionally provide an infant bicycle seat. In all three embodiments a cooler compartment provides for the storage of perishable food items. The multipurpose traveling bag is constructed of a vinyl or nylon covered extruded plastic framework or can be fabricated from vacuum formed plastic. It is therefore lightweight and easy to clean.

Two U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,230,450 issued Jul. 27, 1993 and No. 5,062,557 issued Nov. 5, 1991 both to Mahvi, put forth an infant care bag for storing bottles, diapers, Wet Wipes, and other infant care supplies which comprises a primary bag section and a removable auxiliary bag section. The primary bag section can be worn as a backpack with or without the removable auxiliary bag section. The primary bag cooler section stores a variety of infant care supplies and perishable food items and can be used as a booster chair for dining. The removable auxiliary section provides additional storage space and has a compartment for storing a changing pad. The infant care bag is constructed of a fabric coated extruded plastic framework. A second embodiment disclosed in the infant care bag is fabricated from vacuum formed plastic. The infant care bag is therefore lightweight and easy to clean.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,077,390, issued Mar. 7, 1978 to Stanley, claims a reusable heat pack containing supercooled solution and means for activating same. The heat pack is made by enclosing supercoolable aqueous sodium acetate solution together with a metallic activator strip in a sealed, flexible container. The activator strip is a flexible metal strip having one or more fissures or slits extending therethrough. To prepare the heat pack for activation, its contents are first heated to a temperature above the melting point of sodium acetate to completely melt it. Thereafter, the sodium acetate solution is supercooled. Activation or crystallization of the sodium acetate (with evolution of heat) is produced by bending the activator strip.

Two U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,339,796 issued Aug. 23, 1994 and No. 5,058,563 issued Oct. 22, 1991 both to Manker, describe reusable warmers of the supersaturated solution type that are substantially free of saddlebagging. The warmers also exhibit a more sustained period of time during which the heat pack remains within a therapeutically useful temperature range. The reusable warmers of the present invention also maintain a substantial degree of flexibility during their useful heat cycle. The reusable warmers comprise a flexible container, and located within said container, a supercooled salt solution, an activator for initiating crystallization of said supercooled salt solution, and a gelling agent, said gelling agent being present in sufficient quantity to convert said salt solution to a gel.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,082, issued Apr. 14, 1998 to Page, discloses a portable baby wipes warmer and carrier comprising a container with a plurality of compartments including minimally a heating unit storage compartment, a baby wipes storage compartment and a means for carrying the container. The invention utilizes a portable heating unit positioned within a heating unit storage compartment to warm the subject baby wipes and maintain the warmth of the baby wipes for a substantial period of time. The portable heating unit is selected from the group consisting of microwavable gel pack, exothermic gel boil pack and dry heat organic oxidation pack.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,537,309, issued Mar. 25, 2003 to Sharma to, concerns a reusable heat pack, method of manufacture thereof, mixture for use in a reusable heatpack and process for the preparation thereof. The reusable heat pack comprising a soft sealed plastic bag containing a mixture of supercooled supersaturated recrystalizable solution of inorganic substance, alcohol, chemical compound additives, and means to trigger recrystallization of supercooled supersaturated recrystalizable solution of inorganic substance.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,825,208, issued Mar. 4, 1958 to Anderson, illustrates a single-compartment portable refrigerated carrier, in particular a traveling bag having pockets for bottles of milk, baby food, and formula along with pockets for a refrigerant on the inner surface of the cover. Diapers, baby clothes and the like may be stored in the body of the bag.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,844,141, issued Jul. 22, 1958 to Daugherty, is for is for a baby travel diner which comprises a baby bottle heating apparatus with a tote-like housing having at least two compartments. A bottle is warmed by heating pads positioned around the bottle which are chemically treated to become hot when wetted. A sponge device is provided to wet the heating pad.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,733,710, issued Feb. 7, 1956 to Zibell, provides a portable thermal receptacle for a baby bottle which comprises a zippered insulated baby bottle container having a compartment for a bottle and a second compartment for holding a heat exchange device, such as a chemical heat-producing or refrigerant-producing element therein. If desired the features of the portable receptacle may be employed to advantage in a kit of the handbag type, which can also be used for transporting extra clothing, diapers, foods, etc. such as are ordinarily used in the care of infants, particularly while traveling.

What is needed is a three compartment diaper carrying bag with a cooling compartment utilizing a portable self-contained cooling means, a warming compartment utilizing a portable self-contained heating means, and a storage compartment therebetween for a simple inexpensive totally portable multifunction diaper bag.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a three compartment diaper carrying bag with a cooling compartment utilizing a portable self-contained cooling means, a warming compartment utilizing a portable self-contained heating means, and a storage compartment therebetween for a simple, inexpensive, totally portable, multifunction diaper bag.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a three compartment diaper carrying bag with a self-contained cooling means that is removable and reusable.

One more object of the present invention is to provide a three compartment diaper carrying bag with a self-contained heating means that is removable and reusable.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a three compartment diaper carrying bag with a storage compartment that separates and insulates a cooling compartment and a warming compartment.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a three compartment diaper carrying bag with a cooling compartment that refrigerates food and baby bottles, a warming compartment that heats food and baby bottles, and a storage compartment therebetween that stores clothing, diapers, blankets, and other baby needs.

In brief, a 3-in-1 diaper bag/cooler/bottle warmer or baby food warmer has three separate compartments. The center compartment is for holding and transporting baby's essentials that will be needed while away from home, such as diapers, wipes, clothes, and blankets. On one side of the center compartment is a cooling compartment. It has insulated foil lining and sewn in mesh pockets and an ice pack to keep milk and baby food cold. On the other side of the center compartment is a bottle warming compartment. It also has insulated foil lining and mesh pockets and comes with heating packs that can warm up a chilled bottle or food.

An advantage of the present invention is that is requires less baggage on outings because it eliminates the need of a separate diaper bag, cooler, and bottle warmer or thermos.

Another advantage of the present invention is it keeps mile from spoiling.

One more advantage of the present invention is it eliminates the nuisance of finding other sources for hot water or microwaves such as restaurants.

An additional advantage of the present invention is that it solves the problem of how to warm a bottle when no other sources are available as when away from buildings in a park, while camping, picnicking, in a car, etc.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it allows a user to discretely warm a bottle in the privacy of the user's bag rather then floating a bottle in a Styrofoam cup for everyone to watch.

A contributory advantage of the present invention is that the cooler section can also hold a mother's snack, or an older child's snack, such as juice, yogurt, sandwich, etc., eliminating the need for a separate bag for these items.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the cooler section can transport medications that need to stay refrigerated (e.g. penicillin).

Still another advantage of the present invention is that it is a simple, efficient, inexpensive solution for carrying all of a baby's needs in one bag.

One more advantage of the present invention is that the heating pack can also be used for added body warmth on a cold day, or for therapeutic heat for an injury.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other details of my invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are furnished only by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention, and in which drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the hot cold diaper bag of the present invention shown with the three compartments open and the baby related items aligned for insertion in the compartments;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of two cold packs used in the cooling compartment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the two cold packs of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the two cold packs of the present invention positioned adjacent to a baby bottle in the cooling compartment;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of an elongated hot pack with snaps used to snap around items in the warming compartment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is an end elevational view of the elongated hot pack of FIG. 6;

FIG. 6B is an end elevational view of a pair of shorter hot packs;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a strap used to secure the shorter hot packs of FIG. 6B around a baby bottle or baby food jar;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the elongated hot pack of FIG. 5 snapped around a baby bottle;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the pair of short hot packs of FIG. 6B strapped to a baby bottle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIG. 1, a multifunction diaper storage bag 20 comprises a carrying bag 21 that has an outer casing housing three separate compartments 22, 23, 24 therein with a separate access opening for each compartment and a closure means for each opening, preferably a zipper 26 across the entire length of each opening, and a means for carrying the bag, preferably a shoulder strap 25 attached to two opposing ends of the carrying bag.

The first compartment 22 of the three compartments is located on one side of the storage bag. It comprises a cooling compartment that has thermal insulation in at least an outer wall 11 of the cooling compartment and at least one cooling pack 27 or cold pack positioned in the cooling compartment 22. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the cooling pack 27 contains a quantity of pre-cooled liquid 14 so that the cooling pack cools items including baby food and drink containers, such as a baby bottle 30 or jar of baby food stored within the cooling compartment without the need for an external power source.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the cooling pack 27 comprises at least one pair of cooling packs positioned with one on each side of an item to be cooled, such as a baby bottle 30 or jar of baby food inside the cooling compartment 22.

The second compartment 24 of the three compartments is located on the opposite side of the storage bag 21 from the cooling compartment 22. The second compartment comprises a warming compartment with thermal insulation in at least an outer wall of the warming compartment similar to the cooling compartment and at least one heating pack 29 or 29A positioned in the warming compartment. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the heating packs contain a quantity of a super saturated solution 16 of sodium acetate and a stainless steel disc 17 so that bending the stainless steel disc activates a chain reaction to crystallize the sodium acetate solution to generate heat so that the heating pack heats items including baby food and drink containers stored within the heating compartment without a need for an external power source.

In FIGS. 5, 6A and 8, the heating pack 29 comprises at least one elongated heating pack encircling an item to be heated, such as a baby bottle 30, and a means for securing the elongated heating pack around the item to be heated, preferably snaps 18 placed on end flaps 15 of the heating pack 29. In FIGS. 6B, 7, and 9, a pair of heating packs 29A are secured around an item such as a baby bottle 30 or baby food jars preferably by a strap 28 with mating hook and loop fastener tabs 19A and 19B at each end.

In FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment, the outer wall 11 of the cooling compartment 22 and the outer wall 11 of the warming compartment 24 each comprise an insulated foil lining for thermal insulation, and the inner walls 12 between the third compartment 23 and the first and second compartments 22 and 24 may each comprise an insulated foil lining for thermal insulation.

The third compartment 23 of the three compartments is positioned between the first compartment 22 and the second compartment 24 and separated by an inner wall 12 between the third compartment and each of the other compartments. The third compartment comprises a storage compartment for storing an assortment of baby-related items including diapers 40 and baby clothing items 41, wipes 42, and a blanket 43. The third compartment and the stored assortment of baby-related items therein creates a thermal insulation barrier between the first compartment and the second compartment.

In use, bottles of milk or baby food jars can be kept cool for hours with the use of cooling packs. The cooling packs are placed along with a bottle of milk or baby food jar inside the insulated cooling compartment on one side of the bag. The insulated cooling compartment helps keep the cooling pack and the food and drink containers cold. The cooling packs contain a frozen liquid 14 which melts during usage and can be refrozen in a freezer and reused repeatedly.

A bottle of milk or baby food jar can be warmed up by securing the heating packs around the bottle or baby food jar with the snaps 18 on the end tabs 15 of the elongated heating pack 29 or the pair of shorter heating packs secured by a strap 28. The heating packs are activated by flexing the stainless steel disc 17. Flexing the disk causes a chain reaction that forces the liquid to begin to crystallize, which produces heat. The temperature of the solidifying liquid quickly reaches 130 degrees Fahrenheit or 54 degrees Centigrade. Once activated, the heating packs that are wrapped around the bottle or jar of baby food will immediately begin to heat up. The user places the heating pack wrapped bottle inside the warming compartment for 10-30 minutes. The pack will be very hot for the first 30 minutes and then will gradually cool down.

Once the heating pack has given off all of its heat it will remain in its crystallized state until it is recharged. To recharge the heating pack, the user places the crystallized pack in boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes, depending upon the size of the pack, until all of the crystals are melted. Once completely liquefied, the user removes the pack from the water and store it until it is needed. The pack should remain liquid as it cools. If crystals form as the pad cools, it has not been boiled long enough and should be placed in boiling water again until all the crystals have dissolved and the pack is completely clear. There is no limit as to the number of times a pack can be used. The heating pack can also be used for added body warmth on a cold day, or for therapeutic heat for an injury.

Between the cooling compartment and the heating compartment, the center storage compartment of the bag holds items such as diapers, wipes, clothes, and blankets, which act as insulation between the cooling compartment and the heating compartment.

It is understood that the preceding description is given merely by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention and that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Claims

1. A multifunction diaper storage bag comprises:

a carrying bag comprising an outer casing housing three separate compartments therein with a separate access opening for each compartment and a closure means for each opening and a means for carrying the carrying bag;

a first compartment of the three compartments located on one first side of the storage bag, the first compartment comprising a cooling compartment with thermal insulation in at least an outer wall of the cooling compartment and at least one cooling pack positioned in the cooling compartment, the cooling pack containing a quantity of pre-cooled liquid therein so that the cooling pack cools items including baby food and drink containers stored within the cooling compartment without a need for an external power source;

a second compartment of the three compartments located on an opposite side of the storage bag, the second compartment comprising a warming compartment with thermal insulation in at least an outer wall of the warming compartment and at least one heating pack positioned in the warming compartment, the heating pack containing a quantity of a super saturated solution of sodium acetate and a stainless steel disc so that bending the stainless steel disc activates a chain reaction to crystallize the sodium acetate solution and generate heat so that the heating pack heats items including baby food and drink containers stored within the heating compartment without a need for an external power source; and

a third compartment of the three compartments positioned between the first compartment and the second compartment and separated by an inner wall between the third compartment and each of the other compartments, the third compartment comprising a storage compartment for storing an assortment of baby related items including diapers and baby clothing items, wipes, and a blanket, the third compartment and a stored assortment of baby related items therein thereby creating a thermal insulation barrier between the first compartment and the second compartment.

2. The storage bag of claim 1 wherein the outer wall of the cooling compartment and outer wall of the warming compartment each comprise an insulated foil lining for thermal insulation.

3. The storage bag of claim 1 wherein the inner walls between the third compartment and the first and second compartments each comprise an insulated foil lining for thermal insulation.

4. The storage bag of claim 1 wherein the closure means for each opening comprises a zipper across an entire length of each opening.

5. The storage bag of claim 1 wherein the at least one cooling pack comprises at least one pair of cooling packs and further comprising a means for securing the at least one pair of cooling packs around an item to be cooled.

6. The storage bag of claim 1 wherein the at least one heating pack comprises at least one elongated heating pack encircling an item to be heated and further comprising a means for securing the at least one elongated heating pack around the item to be heated.

7. The storage bag of claim 1 wherein the means for carrying the carrying bag comprises a shoulder strap attached to two opposing ends of the carrying bag.