Insulated container

Abstract

An insulated container may include a rigid container surrounding an insulation layer formed from a post-industrial, pre-consumer card waste. The insulation layer may include a natural fiber lamination layer on an outer surface of the insulation layer or may be housed in a biodegradable plastic. The insulated layer may be manufactured in a capital “T” shape such that it may be folded for compact transportation prior to end use. The folded insulation layer may bound by a separable band. The separable band may be removed when folded insulation layer is placed in the rigid container. The insulation layer and the band may be biodegradable in an anaerobic environment.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a Continuation application claiming priority to International Application No. PCT / US18 / 32101, filed on May 10, 2018, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 609,102, filed on Dec. 21, 2017. This application also claims priority as a continuation-in-part of Hague Design Application No. 35 / 001,472, filed on Dec. 22, 2017. This application also claims priority to U.S. Divisional patent application Ser. No. 15 / 959,801 filed on Apr. 23, 2018, which claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 436,417, filed on Feb. 17, 2017 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 338,136, filed on May 18, 2016. This application is also a Continuation-in-Part of PCT / US2017 / 018461, filed on Feb. 17, 2017, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 338,136, filed on May 18, 2016. The contents of each application are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.TECHNI...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is an insulated shipping container that is lightweight, efficient, and economical. It is designed to safely transport temperature-sensitive products. The invention eliminates the use of polyethylene film wrapped around pads, reducing the risk of cross contamination. The insulation layer is made from pre-consumer cotton waste, which is biodegradable in anaerobic environments. The container also includes a rigid cardboard container and a natural fiber lamination layer on the contact surface of the insulation layer. The invention maintains a constant internal temperature for a period of time and minimizes negative impacts on the environment.

Problems solved by technology

However, many of these packages and devices are expensive and heavy (as with the refrigeration and heat sinks) or are harmful to the environment (as with some refrigeration and also the foams and plastics) or both.

However, these products may be prone to contamination from yarn dies, applied chemicals, and other contaminants which the clothing may have acquired during the period of use.

The post-consumer material must be cleaned and shredded ahead of reprocessing, however, this process does not eliminate yarn dies and the possibility of contaminants.

Therefore, because of the contamination and residual colorization issues these products require that any insulation manufactured from post-consumer cotton be wrapped in another material such as plastic.

This use of plastic and other barriers undermines the environmental incentive for using a recycled product by posing additional environmental concerns.

It may also further add to the manufacturing costs.

Another problem in the art is that insulated containers are often manufactured by a different company than a packager who sends products.

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