THERMALLY PROTECTIVE CARRIER

Abstract

A temperature regulating carrier to create ambient environment to negate negative effects of thermal environmental factors. The carrier is suitable for backpacking and other outdoor activities and can easily fit inside of a backpack or be clipped onto a harness, sled, or any other object. The carrier is formed of a multi-layer thermal blanket material having an outer fabric layer, an inner liner, and a thermal insulation layer formed of a synthetic amorphous silica on a non-woven, needled batting that is disposed between the outer fabric layer and the inner liner to provide a thermally insulated interior chamber.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/659,498, filed Apr. 18, 2018, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to thermally protective carriers, and more particularly to thermally protective carriers for use in outdoor sporting activities.

Hot and cold temperatures have a negative effect on articles such as food, water, fuel, batteries, and electronics. Issues such as freezing or melting food, freezing water or water that gets warm and unpleasant, batteries die in the cold or overheat and shut down in extreme heat, and isobutane/propane fuel in the cold turns into liquid.

Hard sided insulated coolers can do many things that my product does. However, they are large and bulky and do not fit very well inside of a backpack, pocket, or be clipped onto something else.

As can be seen, there is a need for an apparatus and method for a thermally protective enclosure that is lightweight and easily transported.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention a thermally protective carrier is disclosed. The thermally protective carrier includes a multi-layer thermal blanket material having an outer fabric layer, an inner liner, and a thermal insulation layer formed of a synthetic amorphous silica on a non-woven, needled batting that is disposed between the outer fabric layer and the inner liner. The multi-layer thermal blanket is formed into a carrier having at least one sidewall defining an interior chamber adapted to contain an article. An opening is defined into the interior chamber. A closure is operable between an open condition, to receive the article within the interior chamber, and a closed condition, to retain the article within the interior chamber.

In some embodiments, the outer fabric layer is a waterproof rip-stop nylon. The liner may include a soft, non-abrasive cloth. In other embodiments, the liner includes a non-absorbent material. The non-absorbent material may also bean anti-bacterial material.

In some embodiments, the closure includes one or more of a magnetic closure, a zipper, or a hook and loop fastener. In yet other embodiments, a handle loop is disposed about the opening. Preferably, the handle is disposed on opposed sides of the opening.

In yet other embodiments, the thermally protective carrier includes a hydration bladder contained within the interior chamber. In these embodiments, the opening is dimensioned to receive the hydration bladder when the hydration bladder is full of a hydration fluid. Preferably, the closure is a hook and loop material.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a closed embodiment of the temperature regulating product with magnetic closure.

FIG. 1B is an in-use embodiment of the thermal protective carrier with magnetic closure.

FIG. 1C is an open embodiment of the thermal protective carrier with magnetic closure.

FIG. 2A is a closed embodiment of the thermal protective carrier with zipper closure.

FIG. 2B is an in-use embodiment of the thermal protective carrier with zipper closure.

FIG. 2C is an open embodiment of the thermal protective carrier with zipper closure.

FIG. 3A is a closed embodiment of the thermal protective carrier with hook and loop closure.

FIG. 3B is an in-use embodiment of the thermal protective carrier with hook and loop closure.

FIG. 3C is an open embodiment of the thermal protective carrier with hook and loop closure.

FIG. 4 is a cross section view of the thermal protective carrier with zipper closure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide a light weight, soft sided thermally protective material that is adapted to be formed into a thermally protective carrier for various products.

A seen in reference to the drawings of FIGS. 1-5, the thermally protective material according to aspects of the invention includes a multi-layer thermal blanket material that may be readily formed into a carrier. In the non-limiting embodiments shown, the carrier may, for example, be one or more of a portable electronics carrier, a food storage carrier, a hydration bladder carrier, and the like. The carrier is provided with an opening through which the carried item is inserted into the carrier. The opening is provided with a closure mechanism, which may be one of a magnetic closure, a zipper closure, and a cooperating hook and loop material.

The multi-layer thermal blanket material includes an outer fabric layer 20, an inner liner 30, and a thermal insulation layer 10. The outer fabric layer 20 may be formed of a waterproof rip-stop nylon. The liner material 30 may be selected based on the intended use of the carrier. For an electronics carrier, the liner material 30 may include a soft, non-abrasive cloth, such as silk, or other synthetic materials. For a food storage carrier, the liner layer 30 may include a non-absorbent, readily cleanable material anti-bacterial material. For a hydration carrier, the inner layer 30 may include a waterproof material. The thermal insulation layer 10 is formed of a synthetic amorphous silica (SAS) 10 on a non-woven, needled batting comprised of either E-glass fibers or a blend of polyester (PET) fibers and E-glass fibers. The outer fabric layer 20 and the liner material 30 may be bonded or stitched together.

As seen in reference to FIGS. 1A-1C, the carrier includes the outer layer 20, the inner liner 30, with an opening. The carrier may be dimensioned to contain a cell phone 90 within an interior chamber of the carrier. The opening may be equipped with a magnetic closure 50 that is received within the liner layer 30. The thermal insulation layer 10 is disposed between the outer layer 20 and the liner 30.

The carrier may also be provided with one or more handle loops 80, preferably opposed loops 80 disposed on opposite sides of the opening. The loops 80 allow the carrier to be secured to an item of outdoor gear worn or carried by the user with a cord, such as 550 parachute cord. The opposed configuration of the loops 80 facilitates retaining the opening in a closed condition while the carrier is suspended on the cord.

As seen in reference to FIGS. 2A-2C, the carrier may also be formed as a kit bag having a large interior chamber for holding a variety of items. In this instance, the carrier has an opening defined along a longitudinal length of the carrier. The opening is provided with a closure, such as a zipper 60. The waterproof outer layer 20 provides protection to the contents from moisture, while the thermal insulation layer 10 protects the contents of the carrier from adverse thermal effects. The liner 30 is selected based on the contents that intended to be contained within the carrier.

As seen in reference to FIGS. 3A-3C, a carrier for a hydration bladder 100 is shown. The carrier has an elongate body having an interior chamber dimensioned to receive the hydration bladder 100. The hydration carrier is provided with a wide opening or mouth that is dimensioned to receive the hydration bladder 100 when it is full of a hydration fluid. This wide opening permits the user to fill the hydration carrier with the hydration bladder 100 having a the liquid in either a cold condition or a hot condition, as the environmental conditions would demand, such that the hydration fluid is insulated within the carrier. The opening has a cooperating hook and loop closure 70 so as to avoid puncturing the hydration bladder 100.

The preferably, the hydration carrier is also be provided with one or more handle loops 80, preferably opposed loops 80 disposed on opposite sides of the opening. The loops 80 allow the carrier to be secured to an item of outdoor gear worn or carried by the user with a cord, such as 550 parachute cord. The opposed configuration of the loops 80 facilitates retaining the opening in a closed condition while the hydration carrier is suspended on the cord or carried by the handles 80.

When items are placed inside of the present invention and the carrier is closed, the interior chamber is able to provide an internal environment that remains unaffected by the external thermal environment. The unique thermal insulation 10 has such a high insulating factor shields the carried item from the negative effects of temperature extremes. Accordingly, batteries, food, water, fuel, and electronics become unaffected by thermal environmental factors.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A thermally protective carrier comprising:

a multi-layer thermal blanket material having an outer fabric layer, an inner liner, and a thermal insulation layer formed of a synthetic amorphous silica on a non-woven, needled batting that is disposed between the outer fabric layer and the inner liner;

the multi-layer thermal blanket formed into a carrier having at least one sidewall defining an interior chamber adapted to contain an article;

an opening into the interior chamber; and

a closure that is operable between an open condition to receive the article within the interior chamber and a closed condition to retain the article within the interior chamber.

2. The thermally protective carrier of claim 1, wherein the outer fabric layer comprises:

a waterproof rip-stop nylon.

3. The thermally protective carrier of claim 1, wherein the liner comprises:

a soft, non-abrasive cloth.

4. The thermally protective carrier of claim 2, wherein the liner comprises:

a non-absorbent material.

5. The thermally protective carrier of claim 4, wherein the non-absorbent material further comprises:

an anti-bacterial material.

6. The thermally protective carrier of claim 1, wherein the closure comprises one or more of a magnetic closure, a zipper, or a hook and loop fastener.

7. The thermally protective carrier of claim 6, further comprising:

a handle loop disposed about the opening.

8. The thermally protective carrier of claim 7, further comprising:

the handle disposed on opposed sides of the opening.

9. The thermally protective carrier of claim 1, further comprising:

a hydration bladder contained within the interior chamber.

10. The thermally protective carrier of claim 9, wherein the opening is dimensioned to receive the hydration bladder when the hydration bladder is full of a hydration fluid.

11. The thermally protective carrier of claim 10, wherein the closure is a hook and loop material.