Abstract:
Insulated portable carrier cover to be used by individuals engaging in recreational activities, e.g., boating trips, camping trips, trips to the beach, and trips to the desert. The insulated cover is made using materials having superior insulating and reflective properties to provide for superior sun blockage. The cover comprises one or more layers of thin, lightweight, flexible polyester fabric insulating material, or the like. The exterior surface of the insulating material is covered by a layer of reflective metal and may also have a protective film coating. The reflective metal may thus be composed of a metalized film laminated to polyethylene or plastic film (e.g. Mylar). Because the materials serve as a thermal barrier and protect against ultraviolet radiation of the sun, the cover is able to significantly extend the period of time that a portable carrier can maintain the temperature of its contents, even in extreme temperatures.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The field of the present invention is improved insulated portable carrier covers to be used by individuals engaging in recreational activities, e.g., boating trips, camping trips, trips to the beach, and trips to the desert.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Each year millions of people enjoy the pleasures of various recreational activities, such as boating trips, camping trips, trips to the beach, and trips to the desert. When people leave home to engage in such activities, they usually take beverages and/or food items along with them and they rely upon various portable carriers to store and keep the items at a desired temperature. Typically, the beverages and food items are placed in the carrier just prior to departure and the carrier is filled with ice or frozen ice packs so that the carrier maintains the temperature of the contents during transport and, if possible, for the entire duration of the recreational activity.  
         [0003]     There are a variety of commercially available rigid and soft-sided insulated carriers of varying sizes known and used by those engaging in such recreational activities. The size and insulative characteristics of these carriers are such that the carriers have certain limitations as to the maximum length of time they are able to maintain the desired temperature of their contents. As such, the user is faced with the problem of trying to preserve the beverages and food items for the intended duration of the activity. In some instances, the user may be able to transport an extra carrier (or carriers) containing additional bags of ice which can be added as needed to maintain the temperatures of the beverages and food items. This, of course, relies upon the ability of the extra carriers to maintain the extra bags of ice at a temperature sufficient to prevent the ice from melting. In other instances, e.g., where the user is camping at a campground or boating from a slip at a commercial boat dock, the user may have relatively easy access to additional ice which can be added to the carrier as needed to maintain the temperatures of the beverages and food items. For the most part, the commercially available portable carriers are suitable for meeting the needs of those engaging in half day or even some full day recreational activities, depending upon the location of the activity.  
         [0004]     However, there are certain recreational activities where the individuals engaging in such activities desire to be on extended trips in remote areas where the ability to bring additional ice is extremely limited and the ability to purchase additional ice is inconvenient or impractical. Such activities include trips to the desert to ride motorcycles or ATVs, or boating trips to remote islands out in the ocean. Such trips force the individuals to either limit the length of time they engage in the activity, or be prepared to engage in the activity without having chilled beverages and food items for the entire duration of the activity. Modifications to existing portable carriers and/or new and improved portable carriers are thus desirable and needed.  
         [0005]     There are continual efforts to improve the insulative characteristics of portable carriers as well as efforts to develop new and improved portable carriers. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,574,983 describes a portable ice chest which includes an insulated cover. The insulated cover is designed to fit upon the top opening of the container and is capable of holding a refrigerant coolant, such as dry ice, which helps to extend the period of time that the container can maintain the contents of the ice chest in a frozen state or a cooled state. U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,579 describes an insulated container assembly comprising a container and an insulating cover which helps to extend the time that the container can maintain the temperature of the contents in the container. U.S. Pat. No. 6,751,963 describes an insulated container which utilizes technology capable of providing a controlled and regulated cooling to the inside of the insulated container. The described technology requires a portable power source, such as a battery, a fuel cell, or a solar panel to provide the regulated cooling to the container. In addition, there are commercially available portable fiberglass ice boxes designed and manufactured to withstand and operate in the harsh conditions, e.g., EvaKool®.  
         [0006]     These improvements and alternatives, while effective in given situations, still fail to fully meet the needs of those wishing to engage in activities where it is necessary or desired to keep beverages and food items cold for extended periods of times in extreme temperatures.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention provides for improved insulated portable carrier covers to be used by individuals engaging in recreational activities; in particular, individuals desiring to engage in extended trips to remote areas, or areas having extreme temperatures.  
         [0008]     The insulated portable carrier covers of the present invention are manufactured using materials having superior insulating and reflective properties to provide for superior sun blockage. The covers comprise one or more layers of thin, lightweight, flexible polyester fabric insulating material, or the like. The insulating material serves to significantly reduce the amount of heat transferred by the sun rays to the portable carrier. The exterior surface of the insulating material is covered by a layer of reflective metal and may also have a protective film coating. The reflective metal may thus be composed of a metalized film laminated to polyethylene or plastic film (e.g. Mylar). Advantageously, the Mylar sheet material is strong and durable and is adapted to reflect ultraviolet light thereby reducing the amount of ultraviolet light that reaches the portable carrier. It is to be appreciated that any flexible radar reflective material such as aluminum foil, metalized Tedlar or metalized cloth, or similarly flexible, reflective substances may be used in place of the metalized Mylar. Because the materials serve as a thermal barrier and protect against ultraviolet radiation of the sun, the covers are able to significantly extend the period of time that a portable carrier can maintain the temperature of its contents, even in extreme temperatures.  
         [0009]     Due to the lightweight and flexible characteristics of the material used to manufacture the portable carrier covers of present invention, the covers can be adapted to provide a relatively snug fit on any commercially available handheld portable carrier, e.g., Igloo® ice chests and other manufactured portable ice chests. Moreover, the covers can be easily removed from the carrier without a great deal of pulling or tugging on the carrier, and with no damage or stress on the cover.  
         [0010]     The portable covers of the present invention are designed such that the cover comprise a central portion that can be wrapped around a carrier and then secured at opposing ends to fit snugly around the carrier, and further comprise a top panel for overlying the top opening of the carrier. In one embodiment, the cover has a plurality of creases which provide means for facilitating the folding of the cover around the portable carrier and/or folding of the cover for storage.  
         [0011]     In an alternative embodiment, the portable covers can be manufactured to a specific size configuration to accommodate a portable carrier of specific size and shape. In this embodiment, the portable covers comprise a front wall, rear wall and first and second side wall portions which together define a cavity capable of receiving a carrier, and further comprise a top panel secured to the rear wall panel for overlying the top opening of the carrier.  
         [0012]     The portable covers of the present invention are very durable and can be easily cleaned and stored due to their flexibility. And, importantly, the portable carrier covers of the present invention are more effective, more convenient, and more commercially practical than the covers and/or alternative carriers currently available. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective side view of a portable carrier representative of those contemplated for use in accordance with the covers of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention, a portable carrier cover.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a portable carrier cover manufactured to a specific size configuration. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]     As those in the art will appreciate, the foregoing detailed description describes certain preferred embodiments of the invention in detail, and is thus only representative and does not depict the actual scope of the invention. Before describing the present invention in detail, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the particular aspects and embodiments described, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.  
         [0017]     Referring now in more detail to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portable carrier ( 100 ) representative of those contemplated for use in accordance with the present invention. Carrier ( 100 ) has a rectangular configuration and comprises a bottom compartment ( 110 ) and a hinged top opening ( 200 ). The carrier ( 100 ) further comprises grip structures ( 105 ,  115 ) to be used for transport of the carrier ( 100 ) and a capped port ( 120 ) to be used to drain water or other liquids from the carrier ( 100 ) as necessary. It is to be understood that the present invention can be easily adapted to be used in accordance with any commercially available carriers of various sizes, shapes and configurations.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention, a portable carrier cover ( 300 ) to be used to significantly extend the period of time that the carrier ( 100 ) can maintain the temperature of its contents, even in extreme temperatures.  
         [0019]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the portable carrier cover ( 300 ) is cut so as to be sized and shaped to be wrapped around a handheld portable carrier, e.g., a manufactured portable ice chest. The portable cover ( 300 ) is formed from a flexible sheet material such as a metalized film laminated to polyethylene or plastic film. Advantageously, the sheet material is adapted to reflect ultraviolet light thereby serving as a thermal barrier and protecting against ultraviolet radiation of the sun, allowing the covers to reduce the amount of ultraviolet light that reaches the portable carrier and significantly extending the period of time that a portable carrier can maintain the temperature of its contents, even in extreme temperatures. The portable cover ( 300 ) of  FIG. 2  has a central portion ( 310 ) and comprises, at opposite ends ( 320 ,  330 ) of said central portion ( 310 ), a first and second closure structures ( 325 ,  335 ). The first closure structure ( 325 ) at one end ( 320 ) of said central portion ( 310 ) is provided on an undersurface thereof, and the second closure ( 335 ) at the opposite end ( 330 ) of said central portion ( 310 ) has a connector structure complementary to said first closure structure ( 325 ) for detachably engaging the opposite end ( 320 ) of said central portion ( 310 ) to secure said central portion ( 310 ) in a wrap-around relation to the carrier ( 100 ). The central portion ( 310 ) further comprises a top panel ( 340 ) for overlying the top opening of the carrier ( 100 ). The top panel ( 340 ) comprises a first end secured to the central portion ( 310 ) adjacent an upper peripheral edge thereof so that the top panel ( 340 ) can be selectively pivoted relative to the central portion ( 310 ) to selectively overlie the top opening of the carrier. The top panel ( 340 ) includes a first portion ( 350 ) for overlying the top wall of the carrier ( 100 ) and a second tab portion ( 360 ) for overlying a portion of the central portion ( 310 ), the tab portion ( 360 ) having a closure structure ( 365 ) provided on an undersurface thereof, and the central portion ( 310 ) having a connector structures ( 370 ,  380 ) complementary to the tab portion closure structure ( 365 ) for detachably engaging the tab portion ( 360 ) of the top panel ( 340 ) to secure the top panel ( 340 ) in overlying relation to the carrier ( 100 ).  
         [0020]     When using this embodiment, the central portion ( 310 ) of the cover ( 300 ) is positioned such that the top panel ( 340 ) is aligned with the top opening ( 200 ) of the carrier ( 100 ) and then the opposing ends ( 320 ,  330 ) of the central portion ( 310 ) are wrapped tightly around the bottom compartment ( 110 ) of the carrier ( 100 ) and secured using the closure structures ( 325 ,  335 ) located on each end ( 320 ,  330 ) of the central portion ( 310 ). The top panel ( 340 ) of the central portion ( 310 ) is then pulled tightly over the top opening ( 200 ) of the carrier ( 100 ) and secured using the closure structure ( 365 ) on the second tab portion ( 360 ) of the top panel ( 340 ) and the connector structures ( 370 ,  380 ) located on the central portion ( 310 ).  
         [0021]     In  FIG. 3 , a portable carrier cover ( 400 ) is illustrated as comprising a front wall portion ( 410 ), rear wall portion ( 420 ), first side wall portion ( 430 ), and second side wall portion ( 440 ), the wall portions ( 410 ,  420 ,  430 ,  440 ) together defining a cavity ( 500 ) capable of receiving a carrier ( 100 ), and connected to a top panel ( 450 ) for overlying the top opening of a carrier ( 100 ) contained within the cavity ( 500 ). The top panel ( 450 ) has a first end secured to the rear wall portion ( 420 ) adjacent an upper peripheral edge thereof so that the top panel ( 450 ) can be selectively pivoted relative to the rear wall portion ( 420 ) to selectively overlie the top opening of a carrier ( 100 ) disposed in the cavity ( 500 ). The top panel ( 450 ) further includes a first portion ( 460 ) for overlying the top wall of the carrier ( 100 ), a second tab portion ( 470 ) for overlying a portion of the front wall portion ( 410 ), and third and fourth tab portions ( 480 ,  490 ) for overlying a portion of the first side wall portion ( 430 ) and second side wall portions ( 440 ), respectively, the second tab portion ( 470 ) and third tab portion ( 480 ) and fourth tab portion ( 490 ) each having a closure structure ( 475 ,  485 ,  495 ) provided on an undersurface thereof, and the front wall portion ( 410 ) first side wall portion ( 430 ) and second side wall portion ( 440 ) each having a connector structure ( 415 ,  435 ,  445 ) complementary to the closure structures ( 475 ,  485 ,  495 ) for detachably engaging the tab portion ( 470 ) of the top panel ( 450 ) to secure the top panel ( 450 ) in overlying relation to the carrier ( 100 ) disposed in the cavity ( 500 ). The first side wall portion ( 430 ) and second side wall portion ( 440 ) further comprise openings ( 438 ,  448 ) to accommodate the grip structures ( 105 ,  115 ) of the carrier ( 100 ) to allow for transport of the carrier ( 100 ) using the grip structures ( 105 ,  115 ) of the carrier ( 100 ).  
         [0022]     When using this embodiment, a carrier ( 100 ) is placed in the cavity ( 500 ) of the cover ( 400 ). The top panel ( 450 ) of the cover ( 400 ) is then pulled tightly over the top opening ( 200 ) of the carrier ( 100 ) and secured using the closure structures ( 475 ,  485 ,  495 ) located on the tab portions ( 470 ,  480 ,  490 ) of the top panel ( 450 ) and the connector structures ( 415 ,  435 ,  445 ) located on the wall portions The top panel ( 340 ) of the central portion ( 310 ) is then pulled tightly over the top opening ( 200 ) of the carrier ( 100 ) and secured using the closure structure ( 365 ) on the second tab portion ( 360 ) of the top panel ( 340 ) and the connector structures ( 370 ,  380 ) located on the central portion ( 310 ) of the cover The top panel ( 340 ) of the central portion ( 310 ) is then pulled tightly over the top opening ( 200 ) of the carrier ( 100 ) and secured using the closure structure ( 365 ) on the second tab portion ( 360 ) of the top panel ( 340 ) and the connector structures ( 415 ,  435 ,  445 ) located on the central portion ( 410 ,  430 ,  440 ).  
         [0023]     Importantly, the closure structures ( 325 ,  335 ,  365 ,  370 ,  415 ,  535 ,  445 ,  475 ,  485 ,  495 ) contemplated for use on the portable covers ( 300 ,  400 ) of the present invention are Velcro-type fastening material which provide for quick and easy detachment or unfastening of the top panel ( 340 ,  450 ) of the portable cover ( 300 ,  400 ) from the carrier ( 100 ) to allow easy access to the contents of the carrier ( 100 ) while still allowing for the carrier ( 100 ) to be contained within the cover ( 300 ,  400 ), as well as providing for quick and easy removal of the entire portable cover ( 300 ,  400 ) from the carrier ( 100 ).  
         [0024]     The closure structures of the portable covers of the present invention are designed to accommodate different sizes of carriers and still provide for a snug fit around the carrier regardless of the size and shape. Moreover, due to the fact that the covers of the present invention do not comprise a bottom portion, the cover can be easily removed from the carrier without a great deal of pulling or tugging on the carrier, and with no damage or stress on the cover.  
         [0025]     All of the articles and methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the articles and methods of this invention have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the articles and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such variations and equivalents apparent to those skilled in the art, whether now existing or later developed, are deemed to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.  
         [0026]     All patents, patent applications, and publications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the levels of those of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents, patent applications, and publications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes and to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety for any and all purposes.  
         [0027]     The invention illustratively described herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element(s) not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, for example, in each instance herein any of the terms “comprising”, “consisting essentially of”, and “consisting of” may be replaced with either of the other two terms. The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention that in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of the concepts herein disclosed may be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.