Abstract:
A combination insulated container and multipurpose mat and, in particular, a flexible, impermeable multipurpose mat that can be folded and secured to create an insulated bag.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    There are many activities, such as trips to the beach, outings to parks or other outdoor venues, attendance at or participation in sporting events, and camping trips, that require an individual to bring specialized equipment and comestibles to and from remote locations. These same activities also often present situations in which individuals may become wet and may involve locations in which individuals would desire a mat or other item upon which to rest. 
         [0002]    Trips to the beach, for example, often involve the use and transport of sunscreen, towels, picnic supplies, and assorted water toys and floats. While at the beach, many individuals will get wet by venturing into adjacent water for a swim or simply to cool off. Some individuals enjoy sleeping or reclining while at the beach and will bring a blanket or mat on which to relax without becoming sandy. During a trip home from the beach, individuals are often wet, sandy, or both and many who travel by automobile will sit on a towel in an attempt to protect the underlying seat. As a result, trips to the beach often require a bag to transport needed items and a blanket on which to rest. 
         [0003]    Outings to parks and other outdoor venues present equipment requirements, as well. For example, many individuals will bring reading material or picnic supplies to these locations. Some individuals will choose to enjoy nature by sitting or napping under shady trees or in a field. Still others will listen to a concert or watch a play. These activities often lend themselves to resting upon a blanket or mat spread out to protect individuals from unwanted contact with dew or dirt commonly encountered in outdoor settings. 
         [0004]    Camping trips require similar preparation, and in addition to all of the necessary equipment, food has to be transported to the campsite. In particular, hot food and cold beverages would be most conveniently transported in an insulated container that maintains their temperature. It would be better if that insulated container could double as a multipurpose mat after the comestibles have been consumed. 
         [0005]    Several devices exist to help meet the needs of individuals who pursue these types of activities. U.S. Pat. No. 5,843,556, for example, discloses a multipurpose beach towel, tote bag, and chair cover device. The &#39;556 device is convertible between a beach towel, a tote bag, a deck chair cover, and an automobile seat cover. U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,199 discloses a combination backpack and chair cover. The &#39;199 device includes a collection of strategically hinged panels and interlocks that allow the device to alternately adopt an open, seat-covering orientation and a closed, backpack-forming orientation. U.S. Pat. No. 4,725,094 discloses an expandable terry cloth sand or lawn chair cover having integrated pockets. The &#39;094 device will cover several types of chairs and includes pockets to hold small items. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention provides a transformable insulated container and multipurpose mat that has four strap lengths in a cruciform arrangement with which to efficiently and simply bundle an object. 
         [0007]    The present invention provides a transformable insulated container and multipurpose mat that fully encloses contained object, folding first one way and then at ninety degrees to the first fold. 
         [0008]    The present invention provides a transformable insulated container and multipurpose mat that has four straight sides with strap lengths midway along each side for secure closure. The strap lengths are preferably attached to the outer surface and two are joined to each other to create a long strap that can be used as a carrying handle. 
         [0009]    The present invention provides a transformable insulated container and multipurpose mat is particularly well suited to enclosing a three-dimensional rectangle, the most common shape of packaged goods. 
         [0010]    The present invention provides a transformable insulated container and multipurpose mat is securely closed with two pairs of releasable buckles for convenient securing and releasing. 
         [0011]    The present invention provides a transformable insulated container and multipurpose mat is formed from two outer impermeable layers and an inner insulating core for efficient insulation and water blocking. The inner insulating core is formed from a compressible material that presses the folds of the transformable insulated container and multipurpose mat together to create a tight seal without additional fastening. 
         [0012]    The present invention provides a transformable insulated container and multipurpose mat with an outer surface that is reflective, to retain heat or to reflect light and heat away, acting as an efficient sun shield or signaling device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the outer surface of the insulated container and multipurpose mat of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of the inner, reflective surface of the insulated container and multipurpose mat of the present invention, with a representative object superimposed. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the insulated container and multipurpose mat of the present invention, with a representative object superimposed, showing the first and second edge portions of the insulated container and multipurpose mat being turned up. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2C  is a perspective view of the insulated container and multipurpose mat of the present invention, with a representative object superimposed, showing the first and second strap lengths releasably connected over the top of the object. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2D  is a perspective view of the insulated container and multipurpose mat of the present invention, with a representative object superimposed, showing the third and fourth edge portions of the insulated container and multipurpose mat being turned up. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2E  is a perspective view of the insulated container and multipurpose mat of the present invention, with a representative object superimposed, showing the third and fourth edge portions overlapping and the third and fourth strap lengths releasably connected over the top of the object. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3A  is a long side elevation view of the object of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3B  is a short side elevation view of the object of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3C  is a cross-sectional view of the combination of the insulated container and multipurpose mat and an object. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the insulated container and multipurpose mat of the present invention taken along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0023]    It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification. 
         [0024]    As best seen in  FIGS. 2A-2E , the present invention is a transforming insulated container and multipurpose mat  1 . As best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the main part of the insulated container and multipurpose mat  1  is a flexible panel  2 . The flexible panel  2  has a first outer surface  3 , a second outer surface  4 , and an edge  5  joining the first and second outer surfaces  3  and  4 . A first strap length  6  is attached to the flexible panel  2  such that a portion of the first strap length  6  is adjacent a first portion  7  of the edge  5 . A second strap length  8  attached to the flexible panel  2  such that a portion of the second strap length  8  is adjacent a second portion  9  of the edge  5 . A third strap length  10  attached to the flexible panel  2  such that a portion of the third strap length  10  is adjacent a third portion  11  of the edge  5 . A fourth strap length  12  attached to the flexible panel  2  such that a portion of the fourth strap length  12  is adjacent a fourth portion  13  of the edge  5 . 
         [0025]    The first strap length  6  is substantially diametrically opposed to the second strap length  8  across the flexible panel  2  on a first diametrical axis  14 , and the third strap length  10  is substantially diametrically opposed to the fourth strap  12  length across the flexible panel  2  on a second diametrical axis  15 . The first diametrical axis  14  is orthogonal to the second diametrical axis  15 . 
         [0026]    Preferably, the present invention is a combination  23  of the insulated container and multipurpose mat  1  and an object  16 . 
         [0027]    The object  16  preferably has a first circumference  17  and a second circumference  18  orthogonal to the first circumference  17 , a maximum height  21  and a maximum width  22 . The first diametrical axis  14  is preferably parallel and proximate a first diameter  19  of the insulated container and multipurpose mat  1 . Preferably, the second diametrical axis  15  is parallel and proximate a second diameter  20  of the insulated container and multipurpose mat  1 . The object  16  is shown as a six-pack of 12-ounce cans  16 . For references, standard 12-ounce cans are 4.5 inches tall, 2.375 inches in diameter and 8 inches in circumference. The maximum height  21  of a standard six-pack  16  is 4.5 inches and the maximum width  22  is approximately 7.125 inches. 
         [0028]    The first diameter  19  and the second diameter  20  of the object  16  preferably are mutually orthogonal. Preferably, the first circumference  17  is longer than the first diameter  19  of the object  16 , and the second circumference  18  is shorter than the second diameter  20  of the object  16 . The first diameter  19  is preferably aligned with the first circumference  17 . 
         [0029]    The first and second edge portions  7  and  9  of the edge  5  at opposite ends of the first diameter  19  preferably are turned up so that the flexible panel  2  extends more than halfway up the maximum height  21  of the object  16  until the first and second edge portions  7  and  9  are separated by less than the maximum width  22  of the object  16 . Preferably, the first strap length  6  is releasably connected to the second strap length  8 . 
         [0030]    The second diameter  20  is preferably aligned with the second circumference  18 . Preferably, the third and fourth portions  11  and  13  of the edge  5  at opposite ends of the second diameter  20  are turned up so that a third area  26  of the flexible panel  2  adjacent the third portion  11  of the edge  5  is over a fourth area  27  of the flexible panel  2  adjacent the fourth portion  13  of the edge  5 . The third strap length  10  preferably is releasably connected to the fourth strap length  12 . 
         [0031]    Preferably, a first area  24  of the flexible panel  2  adjacent the first portion  7  of the edge  5  is under the third and fourth areas  26  and  27  of the flexible panel  2 . A second area  25  of the flexible panel  2  adjacent the second portion  9  of the edge  5  preferably is under the third and fourth areas  26  and  27  of the flexible panel  2 . Preferably, a portion of the flexible panel  2  is between the object  16  and any portion of the edge  5  not in contact with the object  16 . A portion of the flexible panel  2  preferably covers any portion of the edge  5  that is in contact with the object  16 . The object  16  is thereby completely enclosed by the flexible panel  2 . 
         [0032]    Preferably, the edge  5  has four straight sides  28 , each corresponding to one of the first, second, third and fourth portions  7 ,  9 ,  11  and  13  of the edge  5 . The flexible panel  2  is preferably generally rectangular, with rounded corners, measuring approximately 21.75 inches from the first portion  7  to the second portion  9  and 25.25 inches from the third portion  11  to the fourth portion  13 . Preferably, the first diameter  19  bisects the second diameter  20  and the second diameter  20  bisects the first diameter  19 . 
         [0033]    The object  16  is preferably generally bounded by a right-angled parallelepiped  29  or three-dimensional rectangle. Preferably, the right-angled parallelepiped  29  has a length  30 , a height  21 , a width  22 , a bottom  31 , first and second long sides  32 , first and second short sides  33 , and a top  34 . The first circumference  17  of the object  16  preferably is equal to the sum of twice the height  21  and twice the width  22 . Preferably, the second circumference  18  of the object  16  is equal to the sum of twice the height  21  and twice the length  30 . The first diameter  19  of the insulated container and multipurpose mat  1  preferably is greater than the sum of the width  22  and twice the height  21  of the right-angled parallelepiped  16 , and less than the sum of twice the width  22  and twice the height  21  of the right-angled parallelepiped  16 . The flexible panel  2  wraps under the object  16  but does not meet, much less overlap. 
         [0034]    Preferably, a first buckle  35  is joined to the flexible panel  2  by the first strap length  6 , a second buckle  35  is joined to the flexible panel  2  by the second strap length  8 , a third buckle  35  is joined to the flexible panel  2  by the third strap length  10 , and a fourth buckle  35  is joined to the flexible panel  2  by the fourth strap length  12 . The first, second, third and fourth buckles  35  preferably are first, second, third and fourth plastic slide release buckles  35 . 
         [0035]    Preferably, the flexible panel  2  is formed from three layers, a first outer layer  36  the exterior of which is the first outer surface  3  of the flexible panel  2 , a second outer layer  37  the exterior of which is the second outer surface  4  of the flexible panel  2 , and a first inner layer  38  between the first and second outer layers  36  and  37 . 
         [0036]    Preferably, the first inner layer  38  is formed from an insulating material substantially more temperature insulating than the first and second outer layers  36  and  37 . The first inner layer  38  is preferably formed from polyethylene foam. Preferably, the first inner layer  38  is formed from a compressible insulating material that, after being compressed, expands to press the overlapping portions of the flexible panel  2  together. This helps to form a relatively tight seal and improves the overall insulation of the flexible panel  2 . 
         [0037]    The first and second outer layers  36  and  37  of the flexible panel  2  preferably are substantially impermeable to water and other liquids. Most preferably, the first and second outer layers  36  and  37  are formed from thin layers of plastic film, aluminum, fabric and a second layer of plastic film. 
         [0038]    The second outer surface  4  of the flexible panel  2  is preferably reflective, reflecting both heat and light. This improves heat retention and makes the flexible panel  2  useable as a sun shield, signaling device, and the like. 
         [0039]    Preferably, the first, second, third and fourth strap lengths  6 ,  8 ,  10  and  12  interface with and are attached to the first outer surface  3  of the flexible panel  2 . The third and fourth strap lengths  10  and  12  preferably are joined to each other as one continuous strap. The first, second and third strap lengths  6 ,  8  and  10  are all preferably attached near the edge  5  of the flexible panel  2 . The fourth strap length  12  is preferably attached approximately 18 inches from the fourth portion  13  of the edge  5 . Preferably, the first, second, third and fourth strap lengths  6 ,  8 ,  10  and  12  are formed from polymer webbing. 
         [0040]    The insulated container and multipurpose mat  1  is preferably adapted for containing an object  16  having a first circumference  17  and a second circumference  18  orthogonal to the first circumference  17 , a maximum height  21  and a maximum width  22 . Preferably, the first diametrical axis  14  is parallel and proximate a first diameter  19  of the insulated container and multipurpose mat  1 . The second diametrical axis  15  is preferably parallel and proximate a second diameter  20  of the insulated container and multipurpose mat  1 . 
         [0041]    Preferably, the first diameter  19  and the second diameter  20  are mutually orthogonal. The first diameter  19  is preferably adapted to be shorter than the first circumference  17 . Preferably, the second diameter  20  is adapted to be longer than the second circumference  18 . The first diameter  19  is preferably adapted to be aligned with the first circumference  17 . Preferably, the first and second portions  7  and  9  of the edge  5  at opposite ends of the first diameter  19  are adapted to be turned up so that the flexible panel  2  can extend more than halfway up the maximum height  21  of the object  16  until the first and second edge portions  7  and  9  can be separated by less than the maximum width  22  of the object  16 . The first strap length  6  preferably can be releasably connected to the second strap length  8 . 
         [0042]    Preferably, the second diameter  20  is adapted to be aligned with the second circumference  18 . The third and fourth portions  11  and  13  of the edge  5  at opposite ends of the second diameter  20  preferably are adapted to be turned up so that a third area  26  of the flexible panel  2  adjacent the third portion  11  of the edge  5  can be over a fourth area  27  of the flexible panel  2  adjacent the fourth portion  13  of the edge  5 . Preferably, the third strap length  10  can be releasably connected to the fourth strap length  12 . A first area  24  of the flexible panel  2  adjacent the first portion  7  of the edge  5  preferably can be under the third and fourth areas  26  and  27  of the flexible panel  2 . Preferably, a second area  25  of the flexible panel  2  adjacent the second portion  9  of the edge  5  can be under the third and fourth areas  26  and  27  of the flexible panel  2 . A portion of the flexible panel  2  preferably can be between the object  16  and any portion of the edge  5  not in contact with the object  16 . Preferably, a portion of the flexible panel  2  can cover any portion of the edge  5  that is in contact with the object  16 . 
         [0043]    The edge  5  preferably has four straight sides  28 , each corresponding to one of the first, second, third and fourth portions  7 ,  9 ,  11  and  13  of the edge  5 . Preferably, the first diameter  19  bisects the second diameter  20 , and the second diameter  20  preferably bisects the first diameter  19 . 
         [0044]    The object  16  is preferably generally bounded by a right-angled parallelepiped  29 , the right-angled parallelepiped  29  having a length  30 , a height  21 , a width  22 , a bottom  31 , first and second long sides  32 , first and second short sides  33 , and a top  34 . Preferably, the first circumference  17  of the object  16  is equal to the sum of twice the height  21  and twice the width  22 . The second circumference  18  of the object  16  is preferably equal to the sum of twice the height  21  and twice the length  30 . Preferably, the first diameter  19  of the insulated container and multipurpose mat  1  is greater than the sum of the width  22  and twice the height  21  of the right-angled parallelepiped  16 , and less than the sum of twice the width  22  and twice the height  21  of the right-angled parallelepiped  16 . 
         [0045]    Preferably, a first buckle  35  is joined to the flexible panel  2  by the first strap length  6 , a second buckle  35  is joined to the flexible panel  2  by the second strap length  8 , a third buckle  35  is joined to the flexible panel  2  by the third strap length  10 , and a fourth buckle  35  is joined to the flexible panel  2  by the fourth strap length  12 . 
         [0046]    The flexible panel  2  is preferably formed from three layers, a first outer layer  36  the exterior of which is the first outer surface  3  of the flexible panel  2 , a second outer layer  37  the exterior of which is the second outer surface  4  of the flexible panel  2 , and a first inner layer  38  between the first and second outer layers  36  and  37 . Preferably, the first inner layer  38  is formed from an insulating material substantially more temperature insulating than the first and second outer layers  36  and  37 . The first inner layer  38  is preferably formed from a compressible insulating material that, after being compressed, expands to press the overlapping portions of the flexible panel  2  together. Preferably, the first and second outer layers  36  and  37  of the flexible panel  2  are substantially impermeable. The second outer surface  4  of the flexible panel  2  is preferably reflective. 
         [0047]    Preferably, the first, second, third and fourth strap lengths  6 ,  8 ,  10  and  12  interface with and are attached to the first outer surface  3  of the flexible panel  2 . The third and fourth strap lengths  10  and  12  preferably are joined to each other. 
         [0048]    Although the invention has been described in terms of a specific embodiment, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art that various modifications, rearrangements and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims appended hereto.