Insulated container with thermal storage liner

Abstract

A container assembly has a soft-sided insulated wall structure. It has an internal chamber in which to place objects, such as foodstuffs, to be kept cool or warm. There is a removable liner that is sized to nest snuggly within the outside wall structure. The liner and the outside wall structure have mating mountings. The liner is foldable in a paper bag style to facilitate compact placement in a refrigerator. The liner has thermal storage elements. The bottom wall panel may have two thermal storage elements, and a fold between them. The side walls may be bi-folding, and may have thermal storage elements to either side of the fold. The liner may be waterproof. The liner may be self-folding when placed on its rear face or on its front face, as may be.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to the field of portable insulated containers.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Insulated containers have become popular for carrying either articles that may best be served cool, such as beverages or salads, or warm, such as appetizers, and so on. Often such containers are used for carrying children's lunches, as when at school.[0003]Soft-sided insulated containers have the advantage of being relatively light, and so therefore relatively easily carried, and relatively forgiving in terms of imparting damage to the objects placed within them. However, it may be desirable to obtain the insulative benefit of a soft-sided insulated container, in combination with a thermal storage member, such as an ice pack or gel pack, or heating pack, as may be. Sometimes these containers may by used to carry lunches, which may include a sandwich, fruit, carrot and celery sticks, a drink, cookies, and so on. However, cooling packs (as they most normall...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a container assembly with a removable liner that can be folded and collapsed. The liner has a thermal storage element and is opaque. The liner can be mounted within the container using mating mountings. The container and liner can be folded together in a paper bag folding pattern. The liner has a base wall, front wall, rear wall, and side walls that are foldable. The liner can be folded from a deployed position to a folded position. The liner and container can be collapsible when empty. The liner bottom wall has a fold line and each side wall has a fold line. The front wall has a thermal storage member and the rear wall has a thermal storage member. The invention allows for easy storage and preservation of objects.

Problems solved by technology

However, cooling packs (as they most normally may be) tend to present a number of convenience and use issues.

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