WO1995004248A1 - Cooler container - Google Patents
Cooler container Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1995004248A1 WO1995004248A1 PCT/US1993/007145 US9307145W WO9504248A1 WO 1995004248 A1 WO1995004248 A1 WO 1995004248A1 US 9307145 W US9307145 W US 9307145W WO 9504248 A1 WO9504248 A1 WO 9504248A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- container
- lid
- wall
- skins
- lip
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D3/00—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies
- F25D3/02—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies using ice, e.g. ice-boxes
- F25D3/06—Movable containers
- F25D3/08—Movable containers portable, i.e. adapted to be carried personally
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G23/00—Other table equipment
- A47G23/04—Containers with means for keeping food cool or hot
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2303/00—Details of devices using other cold materials; Details of devices using cold-storage bodies
- F25D2303/08—Devices using cold storage material, i.e. ice or other freezable liquid
- F25D2303/083—Devices using cold storage material, i.e. ice or other freezable liquid using cold storage material disposed in closed wall forming part of a container for products to be cooled
- F25D2303/0831—Devices using cold storage material, i.e. ice or other freezable liquid using cold storage material disposed in closed wall forming part of a container for products to be cooled the liquid is disposed in the space between the walls of the container
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2331/00—Details or arrangements of other cooling or freezing apparatus not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- F25D2331/80—Type of cooled receptacles
- F25D2331/804—Boxes
Definitions
- This invention relates to a container and more particularly to a container which is adapted to be placed in a freezer so that liquid gel comprising the walls is cooled so that, subsequently, material in the container may be maintained in a chilled condition.
- U.S. Letters Patent No. 4,377,075 is of a styrofoam container in which a self- contained refrigerant package for a perishable product is positioned in an insulated container with dry ice while the product itself is contained in a wrap in which the refrigerant is contained.
- U.S. Letters Patent No. 2,496,296 illustrates a portable refrigerated container, in which various sections of a wall may be removed, refrigerated, and replaced. The refrigerating walls of this reference are in effect lined with refrigerant in separate packages.
- Figure 1 is a side elevation view in cross- section of the lid.
- Figure 2 is a view of the container in cross- section.
- Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the lid seen in Figure 1.
- the container generally designated in Figure 2 of the drawings by the numeral 12 is composed of a cooler, the purpose of which is to preserve perishables.
- the container includes an airtight lid 14 and may be square, rectangular, oval, round or bowl-shaped.
- the material of which it is made is clear or light blue and is preferably made of plastic.
- the container includes a floor as well as the wall and lid.
- the container floor and wall are composed of a thin inner and spaced, rigid, outer plastic skin 22, 24 which defines the floor and the upstanding wall and defining a cavity 26 between the inner and outer skins.
- a center post 28 may be provided to maintain the skins in spaced relation during the assembly.
- the upper end of the inner and outer skins define an annular opening 28' and through this opening refrigerant gel is introduced into the cavity 26 or space between the inner wall and outer wall.
- the upstanding terminal end of the wall is closed by a ring member 30 which may have three upstanding annular ridges, see 32.
- the lid similarly has three mating downwardly extending annular ridges, see 34, on its peripheral zone. These ridges are sized and spaced to interdigitate when the lid is positioned as shown in the drawings in covering relation of the container. Thus, a labyrinth seal is formed.
- the lid is preferably provided with a recess opening, not shown, through which gel 37 may be introduced in any suitable manner in the manufacture of the lid.
- the lid includes a downwardly extending skirt 39 which fits within the inner skin or inner wall of the container thus providing an additional seal surface when it is pressed down to mate with the perimeter of the container. It is thus seen that the three rings about the peripheral zone of the lid and the perimeter of the container provide a highly effective seal.
- the terminal ends of the ridges or rings will have a contrasting color, such as red, while the bowl may be transparent without color so that the red can be seen through the lid from the outside of the container.
- the container shape is square, round, rectangular, or oval, it has a plastic exterior wall or skin that follows the design of the interior plastic wall or skin of the container so that the area between the interior and exterior skins is hollow.
- This cavity is filled with a refrigeratable gel or liquid which surrounds the entire container, top, sides and bottom.
- the gel is to be frozen when the container is placed in the freezer and thereafter when in use, the contents of the container will remain chilled. It will be apparent that the refrigerating gel never touches the contents of the container and that the gel is completely sealed within the hollow wall of the container.
- lift tabs or handles 15 may be provided for lifting the lid from the container and if desired, handles may be provided on the container also.
- the outer wall may be out-turned to form a peripheral flange 9 and the lid may also be out-turned as at 9• to overlay and rest on the flange 9.
- the lid whether round, rectangular, square, or oval, has the labyrinth seal for the entire perimeter of the lid which when placed on top of the container provides a very effective seal.
- the distance from the outside to the inside of the lid lock is preferably 1/2".
Abstract
A portable container (12) which may be refrigerated is provided which is composed of a floor and wall (16) composed of an inner (24) and outer (22) wall with refrigerant (26) captivated between these walls and a lid (14) to close the container which also contains a charge of refrigerant (37) in a recess therein. A labyrinth seal (18) is provided between the lid (14) and the wall (16) composed of interdigitated ridges (34).
Description
Description
COOLER CONTAINER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a container and more particularly to a container which is adapted to be placed in a freezer so that liquid gel comprising the walls is cooled so that, subsequently, material in the container may be maintained in a chilled condition.
Summary of the Invention
There has long been a need for a container in which materials can be positioned which are chilled and which will remain cooled. For example, potato salad would be chilled placed in the container and, thereafter, maintained in the chilled condition for use, for example, at a picnic.
In the past, there have been numerous types of containers for maintaining items in a cooled condition. For example, U.S. Letters Patent No. 4,377,075 is of a styrofoam container in which a self- contained refrigerant package for a perishable product is positioned in an insulated container with dry ice while the product itself is contained in a wrap in which the refrigerant is contained. U.S. Letters Patent No. 2,496,296 illustrates a portable refrigerated container, in which various sections of a wall may be removed, refrigerated, and replaced. The refrigerating walls of this reference are in effect lined with refrigerant in separate packages.
It is an object of this invention to provide a refrigerant container, the walls and floor of which
are completely filled with a refrigerant and closed and wherein the lid is similarly provided with refrigerant and the lid and the container are adapted to be connected together defining a labyrinth seal means at their zone of juncture so that materials in the container remain chilled for an extended period of time.
Brief Description of the Drawings
In accordance with this general invention, the disclosure follows herein wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a side elevation view in cross- section of the lid.
Figure 2 is a view of the container in cross- section.
Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the lid seen in Figure 1.
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment
The container generally designated in Figure 2 of the drawings by the numeral 12 is composed of a cooler, the purpose of which is to preserve perishables. The container includes an airtight lid 14 and may be square, rectangular, oval, round or bowl-shaped. The material of which it is made is clear or light blue and is preferably made of plastic. There is a labyrinth seal means 14• at the top of the container wall 16 which mates with the peripheral zone 18 of the lid. The container includes a floor as well as the wall and lid. The container floor and wall are composed of a thin inner and spaced, rigid, outer plastic skin 22, 24 which defines the floor and the
upstanding wall and defining a cavity 26 between the inner and outer skins. A center post 28 may be provided to maintain the skins in spaced relation during the assembly. The upper end of the inner and outer skins define an annular opening 28' and through this opening refrigerant gel is introduced into the cavity 26 or space between the inner wall and outer wall. The upstanding terminal end of the wall is closed by a ring member 30 which may have three upstanding annular ridges, see 32. In/ such a case, the lid similarly has three mating downwardly extending annular ridges, see 34, on its peripheral zone. These ridges are sized and spaced to interdigitate when the lid is positioned as shown in the drawings in covering relation of the container. Thus, a labyrinth seal is formed. The lid is preferably provided with a recess opening, not shown, through which gel 37 may be introduced in any suitable manner in the manufacture of the lid. Preferably, the lid includes a downwardly extending skirt 39 which fits within the inner skin or inner wall of the container thus providing an additional seal surface when it is pressed down to mate with the perimeter of the container. It is thus seen that the three rings about the peripheral zone of the lid and the perimeter of the container provide a highly effective seal. In a preferred embodiment the terminal ends of the ridges or rings will have a contrasting color, such as red, while the bowl may be transparent without color so that the red can be seen through the lid from the outside of the container. Whether the container shape is square, round, rectangular, or oval, it has a plastic exterior wall or skin that follows the design of the interior plastic wall or skin of the container so that the area between the interior and exterior
skins is hollow. This cavity is filled with a refrigeratable gel or liquid which surrounds the entire container, top, sides and bottom. The gel is to be frozen when the container is placed in the freezer and thereafter when in use, the contents of the container will remain chilled. It will be apparent that the refrigerating gel never touches the contents of the container and that the gel is completely sealed within the hollow wall of the container. In the embodiment shown in ^Figure 3, on the corners of the lid, for example, lift tabs or handles 15 may be provided for lifting the lid from the container and if desired, handles may be provided on the container also. In a preferred embodiment, the outer wall may be out-turned to form a peripheral flange 9 and the lid may also be out-turned as at 9• to overlay and rest on the flange 9.
The lid, whether round, rectangular, square, or oval, has the labyrinth seal for the entire perimeter of the lid which when placed on top of the container provides a very effective seal. The distance from the outside to the inside of the lid lock is preferably 1/2".
While this invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be a practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention which should, therefore, not be limited except as set forth in the following claims and within the doctrine of equivalents.
Claims
Claims 1. A cooler container comprising a floor, wall, and lid, said wall having an upper end surface and said container including: an outer liquid impervious rigid plastic skin defining the outer surface of the floor and wall, an inner skin of liquid impervious rigid plastic material spaced from said outer skin defining a container chamber between the skins, 0 spacer means to hold the skins in spaced relation from one another in chamber defining relation, liquid impervious material closing the chamber at the upper end surface between the inner and outer skins and comprising an annular lip with an 5 upwardly facing surface, a lid sized to span the lip and close said container, said lid comprising a peripheral zone with a downwardly facing surface, said lip upwardly facing surface and said 0 peripheral zone downwardly facing surface each including extending mutually intercooperating annular ridge means sized to interdigitate when covering the container to form a labyrinth seal between the lip and lid, 5 said lid having a recess bounded by said peripheral zone, said lid including a downwardly extending skirt portion devised for a snug receipt within the container and in abutting engagement with the inner o skins, and a gel means in the container chamber and in the lid recess to be cooled to maintain the interior of the container in a cool condition.
2. The container as set forth in claim 1 wherein said ridge means comprises six interdigitated ridges.
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US07/802,562 US5231850A (en) | 1991-12-05 | 1991-12-05 | Cooler container |
AU47924/93A AU4792493A (en) | 1991-12-05 | 1993-07-29 | Cooler container |
PCT/US1993/007145 WO1995004248A1 (en) | 1991-12-05 | 1993-07-29 | Cooler container |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US07/802,562 US5231850A (en) | 1991-12-05 | 1991-12-05 | Cooler container |
PCT/US1993/007145 WO1995004248A1 (en) | 1991-12-05 | 1993-07-29 | Cooler container |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1995004248A1 true WO1995004248A1 (en) | 1995-02-09 |
Family
ID=26786919
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1993/007145 WO1995004248A1 (en) | 1991-12-05 | 1993-07-29 | Cooler container |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
WO (1) | WO1995004248A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2844343A1 (en) * | 2002-09-09 | 2004-03-12 | Ali Nicolas Menault | Double-walled thermally insulated drinks container used in shops to preserve the temperature of beverages, has inside container, outer envelope with a insulating paste between them |
FR2857944A1 (en) * | 2003-07-22 | 2005-01-28 | Jean Francois Bodenreider | Cold or hot food product storing plastic box, has double wall cover containing frost to maintain hot or cold temperature of food product, and heat sensible dial with color indicator to indicate interior temperature of box |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2215274A (en) * | 1938-12-09 | 1940-09-17 | Ezra M Peterson | Food receptacle |
US4182405A (en) * | 1976-08-09 | 1980-01-08 | Hysen P Paul | Food holder temperature maintenance system |
US4498312A (en) * | 1983-11-23 | 1985-02-12 | Schlosser Edward P | Method and apparatus for maintaining products at selected temperatures |
US4981234A (en) * | 1989-02-06 | 1991-01-01 | Kreme Kool, Inc. | Food container |
US5088301A (en) * | 1990-12-21 | 1992-02-18 | Piepenbrink Joseph J | Nestable cooling bowl |
-
1993
- 1993-07-29 WO PCT/US1993/007145 patent/WO1995004248A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2215274A (en) * | 1938-12-09 | 1940-09-17 | Ezra M Peterson | Food receptacle |
US4182405A (en) * | 1976-08-09 | 1980-01-08 | Hysen P Paul | Food holder temperature maintenance system |
US4498312A (en) * | 1983-11-23 | 1985-02-12 | Schlosser Edward P | Method and apparatus for maintaining products at selected temperatures |
US4981234A (en) * | 1989-02-06 | 1991-01-01 | Kreme Kool, Inc. | Food container |
US5088301A (en) * | 1990-12-21 | 1992-02-18 | Piepenbrink Joseph J | Nestable cooling bowl |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2844343A1 (en) * | 2002-09-09 | 2004-03-12 | Ali Nicolas Menault | Double-walled thermally insulated drinks container used in shops to preserve the temperature of beverages, has inside container, outer envelope with a insulating paste between them |
EP1398583A3 (en) * | 2002-09-09 | 2005-12-21 | Ali Nicholas Menault | Double-walled heat insulating device |
FR2857944A1 (en) * | 2003-07-22 | 2005-01-28 | Jean Francois Bodenreider | Cold or hot food product storing plastic box, has double wall cover containing frost to maintain hot or cold temperature of food product, and heat sensible dial with color indicator to indicate interior temperature of box |
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