Abstract:
An insulated housing assembly for the transport and storage of food items while maintaining the temperature of the food items. The invention provides lower and upper assembly portions which when mated define a compartment for the storage of stackable food containers. The upper and lower asemblies are surrounded by a layer of insulating material to prevent the loss of heat from the food items contained within the compartment. The insulated housing assembly also incudes a swivable handle in a recess for facilitating carrying the insulated assembly. Also included in another recess is a handle for manipulating the containers disposed within the compartent, which have catches for attchment of the handle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a completion application of a co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/099,408 entitled “Insulated Food Storage Housing Assembly” filed Sep. 8, 1998, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention pertains to food storage devices. More particularly, the present invention pertains to insulated food storage devices. With even more particularity, the present invention pertains to insulated housing for transporting storable food storage containers. 
     2. Prior Art 
     There exist in today&#39;s fast paced and mobile society the need for an easily carried portable device for transporting food stuff that allows for maintaining the temperature and freshness of the food items. It is to this purpose that the present invention is directed. 
     The present invention does not maintain the temperature of food items by introduction of ice or a heat source, as is commonly known in the art for “coolers.” The present invention is directed at maintaining the temperature of the food items by preventing absorption of the ambient heat of the food items, by providing a sealable container layered with an insulating material to prevent heat loss. 
     It is also a purpose of the present invention to provide for an insulating housing assembly that can carry multiple food containers for different food items, but still can be easily carried or transported. To this effect the present invention provides for the stackability of individual containers within the housing assembly to facilitate transportation of different foods while economizing the space requirements of the housing assembly. 
     Thermally insulated metal containers, commonly known as thermos or vacuum bottles, are commonly known in the art. U.S. Pat., Ser. No. 5,153,977 entitled method for making double walled insulating metal container which discloses a method for making a thermos bottle; the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 5,153,977 teaches a method for manufacturing a vacuum sealed insulating container without substantial defects and by an automated process. The above referenced U.S. Patent does not directly address the needs as outlined in the previous paragraphs for a stackable, easily portable device for carrying food stuff. It should be noted that the above referenced U.S. Patent utilizes a hollow vacuous space for providing insulation in the container formed by the patented process. The present invention does not utilize an air gap to provide insulation, but rather an insulative material is housed between opposing layers to prevent heat absorption by the environment. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore, the purpose of the present invention to cure those deficiencies outlined above by providing an insulated housing assembly for the easy storage and transportation of food items. Thus, in accordance with the present invention there is provided an insulated housing assembly comprising: 
     (a) a lower assembly, the lower assembly including a cup, insulating material disposed thereabout, and a receptor for receiving the insulated material; 
     (b) an upper assembly, the upper assembly being mateable with the lower assembly, the upper assembly including a cover, an insulating material disposed thereabout, and an outer shell in which the insulating material and cover is seated; 
     (c) a compartment defined by the interior space formed by the mating of the lower and upper assemblies, for removable storage or a plurality of stackable food containers, and means for sealingly, releasably locking the upper and lower assemblies, and; 
     (d) at least one food storage container removably stackable in the compartment. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an insulated housing assembly in accordance herewith; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a food container of the assembly hereof, 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the assembly hereof, 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a lower assembly of the insulated housing assembly hereof, 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an upper assembly of the insulated material of the lower assembly, 
     FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the lower assembly, and 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fastening means of the assembly hereof 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawing, there is depicted therein an insulated housing assembly for transporting food storage containers in accordance with a preferred embodiment hereof and which is generally depicted at  10 . The insulated housing assembly  10  hereof, generally, comprises: 
     (a) a lower assembly  11 , the lower assembly  11  including a cup  12 , an insulated material  26  disposed thereabout, and a receptor  28  for receiving the insulated material  26  and the cup; 
     (b) an upper assembly  13 , the upper assembly  13  being mateable with the lower assembly, the upper assembly  13  including a cover  42 , an insulating material  54  disposed thereabout, and an outer shell  56  in which the insulating material  54  and the cover  42  is seated; 
     (c) a compartment  70  defined by the interior space formed by the mating of the lower and upper assemblies  11 , 13 , for removable storage of a plurality of stackable food containers  72   a,    72   b,    72   c,  and means  29  for sealingly, releasably locking the upper and lower assemblies  11  and  13 , and 
     (d) at least one food storage container  72   a  removably stackable in the compartment  70 . 
     As noted, the insulated housing assembly  10  is particularly adapted for storage and storing, in particular, for a plurality of containers for foodstuffs. 
     Each of the cup  12 , the receptor  28 , the cover  42 , and the outer shell  56  may comprise high-density plastic, metal, or any other suitable material. The insulating materials  26 ,  54  may comprise insulative foam, a coated glass, or any other type of insulating material, which is known in the art. Preferably, the insulative material is a foam. The type of foam is not critical hereto only that it is insulative. 
     With more particularity and as shown in the drawing, the cup  12  comprises a base  14  for supporting a food storage container component and a side wall  16  integral with the base  14  and extending upwardly from a junction  18  between the base  14  and the wall  16 . The wall  16  terminates at an upper end  20 . The side wall  16  includes opposed embossments  69   a,    69   b  integrally, formed thereon and placed proximate the upper end  20 , as will be further described hereinbelow. 
     A lip or flange  21  is integral with the side wall  16  and extends radially outwardly from the upper end  20  and is substantially parallel to the base  14 . The base  14  is, preferably, a circular base, but may be of any suitable shape. The cup  12  has an inside surface  22  and an outside surface  24 . 
     The insulating material  26 , preferably, includes an inner first surface  25  and a outer second surface  27 , the first surface  25  abutting against and surrounding the exterior outside surface  24  of the cup  12 . The insulating material  26  is of a thickness as to substantially minimize the rate of heat absorption to the assembly or heat loss therefrom, as will be described in greater detail hereinbelow. 
     The outer second surface  27  of the insulating material  26  abuts against the interior inside surface  38  of the receptor  28 . 
     The receptor  28  comprises a bottom wall  30  to support the weight of the assembly  10 . The bottom wall  30  is, preferably, a circular base, although it can have any other desired configuration so long as the entire geometry of the assembly  10  is uniform and consistent. A recess  39  is formed in the bottom wall  30 . A handle  41  such as a strap extends across the recess  39  to aid in transport of the assembly  10 . The handle  41  is disposed within a plane just below the plane of the bottom  30  to allow standing of the assembly when in use. 
     The receptor  28  further comprises an upstanding side wall  32  extending upwardly from and integral with the bottom  30  and terminates at an upper end  36 . The upstanding side wall  32  terminates at an outer or free edge  37 . The outer edge of the lip  21  abuts against the edge  37 , as shown. 
     The receptor has an inside surface  38  and an outside surface  40 . The inside surface  38  of the receptor  28  has dimensions substantially equal to those of the outer or second surface  27  of the insulation material  26  and is contiguous therewith. The inside surface  38  receives and is disposed about the second surface  27 . 
     Thus, preferably the outside surface  24  of the cup  12  is in abutment with the first surface  25  of the insulating material  26 , and the second surface  27  of the insulating material  26  is in abutment with the inside surface  38  of the receptor  28 . Thus, the cup,  12 , the insulation material  26  and the receptor hereof cooperate to define the lower assembly  11 . 
     The lower assembly  11  further includes means  29  for fastening the upper assembly  13  to the lower assembly  11 . In a preferred embodiment, the means  29  includes at least one and, preferably, a plurality of clamps  29   a,    29   b,  etc. (two being shown). The clamps  29   a,    29   b  are swivelably attached to the wall  32 . The clamps  29   a,    29   b  nest in associated recesses  29   c  and  29   d,  respectively, formed in the side wall  32  of the receptor  28 , as shown. Hooks in the recesses  29   c  and  29   d  receive the at least one clamp  29   a  and  29   b,  respectively. 
     Each clamp  29   a  or  29   b  has a first side  33  and a second side  35 , comprises a tongue  45  including a snag or tang  47 , a pivot frame  49  and a pair of side flanges  51 . The snag  47  is integrally attached to an end of the tongue  45  and extends outwardly from the first side  33 . The side flanges  51  are integrally formed with and disposed about the midpoint of the tongue  45  and extend outwardly from the first side  33 . Each flange  51  has an aperture  51   a.    
     The pivot frame  49  includes a pin  61 , a pair of arms  63   a,    63   b,  and a cross bar  65 . The pin  61  extends between the pair of side flanges  51 , and has its opposite ends mounted in the apertures  51   a  in the side flanges. The arms  63   a  and  63   b  are swivelably connected to the pin  61  and extend outwardly, respectively, from each end of the pin  6 l, the arms receiving the cross bar  65 , the cross bar  65  being substantially parallel to the pin  61 . 
     The hooks in the recesses  29   c  and  29   d  are laterally and oppositely disposed on the lower assembly  11  and receive the cross bar  65  of the at least one clamp  29  to fasten the upper assembly  13  thereto. While the illustrated embodiment utilizes the clamping system outlined above, it is to be understood that there exists other means for fastening the upper assembly to the lower assembly. For example, screw-type fasteners, latches, elastic fasteners, velcro, snaps or other alternative clamping mechanisms can alternatively be utilized by the present invention. 
     As noted the upper assembly  13  includes an internally disposed cover  42 . The cover  42  comprises a top or top wall  43  and an integrally formed side wall  44  depending upwardly from a junction  46  and terminating at free or second end  48 . The cover  42  has an inside surface  50  and an outside surface  52 . The side wall  44  of the cover  42  extends further downward than the other members of the upper assembly  13  such that when the two assemblies  11  and  13  are united, a portion of the side wall  44  extends into the cup  12 . 
     Proximate the second end  48  of the side wall  44  are two opposed cuts  71   a,    71   b  which align with the opposed embossments  69   a,    69   b,  provided on the cup  12 . The embossments provide a guide for interengagement between the side wall  44  of the upper assembly  13  and the side wall  16  of the cup  12  of the lower assembly  11 . Such interengagement between the walls  44  and  16  allows for substantial sealing and proper alignment of the clamps  29   a,    29   b  to respective receiving clamping bases  59   a,    59   b,  as described below. 
     The insulation material or layer  54 , preferably, includes a first surface  53  and a second surface  55 , the insulation material  54  being a layer of insulation for insulating food containers and the contents stowed therein within the assembly  13 . The layer  54  is disposed about the outside surface  52  of the cover  42  and is in contact therewith at the first surface  53 . The insulation material  54  is of a thickness as to minimize the rate of heat absorption to the assembly  10  or heat loss therefrom, as will be further described in greater detail below. 
     The outer shell  56  has an interior or inside surface  73 , which is in contact with the second surface  55  of the insulation material  54 . The inside surface  73  surrounds the second surface  55  and the side wall  44  of the cover  42 . 
     The outer shell  56  further comprises a top wall  57 . The top wall  57  is preferably a circular member. The shell  56  has a cylindrical wall  58  integrally formed with and downwardly depending from the top wall  57  and terminating at a second end  62 . The outer shell  56  includes an outer surface  60  and an inner surface  66 . An upper lip  67  extends radially outward from the second end  48  of the cover  42  an engages the second end  62  of the outer shell  56 . Upon interengagement between the upper and lower assemblies  11  and  13 , the lips  21  and  67  abut. The top wall  57  preferably has at least one niche  94  formed therein in which is stowed a swivelabley attached handle  95 . 
     A second niche or recess  96  is also formed in the top wall  57  in which is removably seated a handle  87  for use with food containers, as detailed below. 
     As noted above the upper assembly  13  further includes means  59  for receiving the fastening means  29  of the lower assembly  11 . In the preferred embodiment, the upper assembly  13  includes at least one receiving duct  59 , two of which are shown at  59   a  and  59   b,  the receiving duct  59  cooperating with the fastening means  29  to fasten the upper assembly  13  to the lower assembly  11 . In the preferred embodiment, the at least one receiving duct  59  is disposed laterally on the outer closure, the receiving duct being an upward protrusion which receives the snag  47  of the at least one clamp  29 . 
     It is to be appreciated that the lower assembly  11  and the upper assembly  13  cooperate to define a compartment  70  for removable storage of, preferably, a plurality of stackable food containers shown at  72   a,    72   b,    73   c,  etc. Each food container has substantially equal dimensions to one another. Each food container is dimensioned to seat within the compartment  70  and includes a base  74  and a wall  76  integral therewith and extending upwardly from a junction  78  therebetween to a free end  80   a.  The wall  76  has an outer surface  84   a  and an inner surface  82   a.  A catch  85  is secured to the wall  76  for removably attaching the handle  87  to the food container  72   a.  The catch  85  provides a space between its interior surface and the wall  76  for insertion of the handle. 
     Preferably, each food container further includes a removable cover member  86 . The upper surface of the cover  86  is dimensioned such that a base of another food container may snugly fit thereon for stackability. 
     The containers  72   a,    72   b,    72   c  cooperate together to be snugly disposed within the inner compartment  70  of the assembly  10  without substantial shifting therein. The food containers may be arbitrarily stacked onto one another. 
     In use, foodstuffs may be stored in the containers  72   a,    72   b,    72   c.  Particularly, heated or cooled food may be stored in the containers  72   a,    72   b,    72   c.  As noted above, the containers cooperate together to be disposed within the inner compartment  70 . When disposed in the inner compartment  70 , the containers having food therein are insulated to substantially minimize the rate of heat absorption or heat loss therefrom.