Collapsible cooling insert

The cooling insert provides an aperture for cooling or warming items within the aperture. The insert collapses to a collapsed position and expands to a use position. The insert stores a heat transfer material to provide a cooling or warming effect depending on the needs of the user. Adjustable walls pivot toward a central wall to collapse to a storage position. The adjustable walls pivot outward from the central wall to expand to the use position to form compartments for placement of items to be cooled or warmed.

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

RESERVATION OF RIGHTS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a collapsible cooling insert, more particularly, to a collapsible, reusable heat transfer unit that is capable of alternating between a collapsed position and an expanded position. People use coolers to retain the temperature of food, beverages, and other items stored within. People either heat or cool their items to a desired temperature. Placing an item within a cooler allows the user to maintain the item's desired temperature.

Typically, a user must place ice or gel packs in their coolers. Ice melts quickly. When ice melts and turns into water, the liquid can ruin or spoil items inside the cooler. Water may also leak from the cooler. Gel packs can freeze into inconvenient configurations. The inconvenient configurations can increase the difficulty of using the gel packs.

A contained cooling device such as a cooling insert can help alleviate these issues. The present invention provides a cooling substance within the walls of a collapsible cooling insert. The formulation of gel contained within the collapsible cooling insert of one embodiment of the present invention also cools items for a longer amount of time than ice and many other gel packs.

Certain problems exist with the some of the aforesaid known insert devices. Some inserts require the insert to be assembled while being heated and cooled, which occupies a large amount of space. Other types of inserts may collapse to a certain point, but do not lay completely flat. Other inserts may be disassembled. However, disassembly of the insert increases the likelihood that a portion of the insert will be lost.

II. Description of the Known Art

Patents and patent applications disclosing information relevant to beverage systems are disclosed below. These patents and patent applications are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0307824 to Botich on Dec. 18, 2008 (“the '824 Publication”) teaches a cooling insert for a container. The '824 Publication teaches a cooling insert inserted into a regular cooling chest as a unit. The cooling insert taught by the '824 Publication consists of multiple of hollow panels that are hinged together at their edges by adhesive tapes or extruded layers on panels that are continued between adjacent panels. The hollow panels are constructed of thin walled plastic materials. The '824 Publication teaches that a freezable substance is inserted into the hollow panels constituting a cooling medium that will permeate through the thin walls of the hollow panels to keep food and/or drinks in a cooled state.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,900,816 issued to Kastanek et al. on Mar. 8, 2011 (“the '816 Patent”) teaches a collapsible cooler pack with barrier film. The '816 Patent teaches that the collapsible cooler pack carton includes a barrier film on the cooler pack interior capable of retaining liquids in the cooler pack. The blank used to form the cooler pack can be provided with the barrier film and shipped or displayed as a flat partially assembled cooler pack article. The '816 Patent teaches that a consumer or other user can assemble the cooler pack from the article. After use, the user can disassemble or collapse the cooler pack back into the partially assembled or collapsed cooler pack article.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,514,651 issued to Kornfeld et al, on Jul. 11, 1950 (“the '651 Patent”) teaches a portable bottle refrigerator carton. The '651 patent relates to a collapsible carton and assembly for carrying bottles and more particularly to a portable carton which in assembled and set-up condition serves as a refrigerator for bottled products during transportation or storage. In instances where bottled products are to be carried by an individual when traveling the '651 Patent teaches that it is often necessary to keep the bottled products cool to prevent spoilage or it may be desirable to keep the products cool for other reasons.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0024004 to Kouyoumdjian et al. on Feb. 2, 2012 (“the '004 Publication”) teaches a beverage cooler. A beverage cooler taught by the '004 Publication is configured for retaining a plurality of beverage containers. The beverage cooler taught by the '004 Publication includes a rigid body defining a plurality of recessed surfaces that are each sized to receive at least a portion of a side surface of a beverage container. A cooling chamber taught by the '004 Publication is defined within at least a portion of the body for cooling the beverage containers. A collapsible beverage housing taught by the '004 Publication is mounted to the body that defines a plurality of separate compartments that are each sized to contain a beverage container. The beverage housing taught by the '004 Publication is movable between a collapsed position and a deployed position in which each discrete compartment is oriented to readily receive a beverage container.

Therefore, the present invention is needed to improve the ability to heat or cool beverages and to maintain the desired temperature of a beverage. The present invention is also needed to allow a user to collapse the cooling insert and reduce the area taken up by the cooling insert when heating or cooling the insert. The present invention is also needed to allow the user to assemble and disassemble the insert without the need for additional parts to hold the insert in the desired shape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a collapsible cooling insert that serves as a divider and a heat transfer unit. The collapsible cooling insert is designed to adjust between a collapsed position and an expanded position. A collapsible housing of the cooling insert stores a fluid, gel, phase change material, or other suitable substance to be heated or cooled depending upon the desired use. In one embodiment, the present invention cools item(s) such that the collapsible housing stores a coolant, such as water, a gel, phase change material, or a chemical that will cause an endothermic reaction. In another embodiment, the present invention heats item(s) such that the collapsible housing stores a heat supplying material, gel, phase change material, or a chemical that will cause an exothermic reaction.

When the cooling insert is in the collapsed position, the walls pivot to close compartments and reduce the size of the collapsible cooling insert. This allows the user to easily heat or cool the collapsible cooling insert. When the collapsible cooling insert is collapsed, it is easier to fit the insert in the location to heat or cool the insert, such as a freezer or microwave. The user may also utilize the collapsible cooling insert in the collapsed position to heat or cool items as needed. Adjusting the cooling insert to the collapsed position compacts the device for storage.

To adjust the collapsible cooling insert from the collapsed position to the expanded position, the user pivots the insert walls along hinge points. The insert pivots the walls outward to form compartments suitable for holding items such as beverages inside a cooler. Different embodiments of the present invention are intended to provide different numbers of compartments when in the expanded position.

It is an object of the present invention to alter the temperature of an item by either heating or cooling the item as desired by the user.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a collapsible cooling insert that collapses flat to allow the user to more easily heat and cool the collapsible cooling insert prior to use.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a collapsible cooling insert to maintain the temperature of an item.

It is another object of the present invention to reduce the need for substances such as ice inside a cooler.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a collapsible housing that maintains contact with an item or is in close proximity of the item to heat or cool the item.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a collapsible cooling insert that can be replaced with a different collapsible cooling insert to control the temperature of the item within the insert.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a collapsible cooling insert that heats or cools to allow for a wide temperature range to be applied to an item.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a reusable collapsible cooling insert that can placed within a cooler.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention, along with features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear or become apparent by reviewing the following detailed description of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS. 1a-1d, the present invention relates to a collapsible cooling insert for holding items in a cooler generally shown as100.FIGS. 1a-1dshow one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, cooling insert100provides two compartments106a,106b. Cooling insert100cools or heats items placed near the insert100.

The insert100stores a heat transfer material104within the walls. The heat transfer material within the insert100provides cooling or warming effects to an item placed within a compartment of cooling insert100. The heat transfer material may be a liquid, gel, phase change material, or other suitable material. The user heats or cools cooling insert100depending on the user's needs.

The walls connect to a central wall. The walls pivot outward and inward from the central wall. The walls pivot inward toward the central wall for a closed position. The walls pivot outward from the central wall to a use position. The walls connect via pivots, such as hinges or other pivotal connections. The insert utilizes three main types of walls, a central wall, connecting walls, and terminal walls. The walls store the heat transfer material to provide a cooling or heating effect.

FIGS. 1d, 2d, and 3dshow the structure of the central wall108. The central wall provides the core and main frame of the insert. The central wall connects with the terminal walls and connecting walls. The walls connect to the central wall at connection joints located throughout the central wall. The connection joints vary between inner joints and outer joints. Terminal walls attach to the central wall at pivots located at the outer joints. Connecting walls attach to the central wall at pivots located at the inner joints.

The central wall forms an I shape along a longitudinal axis to form each pair of compartments. The ends of the central wall extend laterally outward from a longitudinal portion98of the I shape of the central wall108. The central wall108provides two ends, a short end109and a long end107. The terminal walls connect at the outer joints of long end107and the outer joints that extend laterally outward from the longitudinal portion98of the central wall108. The connecting walls connect at the inner joints of short end109and the inner joints that extend laterally outward from the longitudinal portion98of the central wall108. The outer joints and inner joints extend laterally outward from the longitudinal portion98. The outer joints are located laterally outward from the inner joints as shown at pivots112a,112b,112c,112d,112e,112fat outer joints and pivots116a,116b,116c,116d,116e,116fat inner joints.

To form additional compartments, the insert provides additional I shapes extending along the longitudinal axis. Increasing the number of lateral extensions that extend laterally outward from the longitudinal portion increases the number of compartments. The terminal walls pivotally attach to the outer joints. The connector walls pivotally attach to the inner joints. The inner joints and outer joints alternate longitudinally along the longitudinal portion.

For example, an insert forming four compartments will have two I shape frames extending longitudinally as shown inFIG. 2d. Such an insert provides four inner joints and four outer joints as shown at the long end, the lateral extension, and the short end.

An insert forming six compartments will have three I shape frames extending longitudinally as shown inFIG. 3d. Such an insert provides six inner joints and six outer joints as shown at the long end, the lateral extension, and the short end.

Terminal walls connect at one end of the terminal wall. The second end remains free from connections. The terminal walls connect to the central wall at pivots located at the outer joints. The terminal walls may also connect to connecting walls. The terminal walls form a straight piece with a parallelepiped shape.

Connecting walls connect at both ends of the connecting wall. A first end of the connecting wall connects to the central wall at a pivot located at the inner joint. A second end of the connecting wall connects to a terminal wall. The connecting walls are L shaped.

The cooling insert100shown inFIGS. 1a-1dprovides compartments106a, compartment106b.FIG. 1ashows the cooling insert100in the collapsed position.FIGS. 1band 1cshow the process of adjusting cooling insert100from the collapsed position to the expanded position.FIG. 1dshows the cooling insert100in the expanded position.

Terminal walls110a,110bconnect via pivots to the central wall108at hinges112a,112blocated at the outer joints. The user pivots terminal walls110a,110boutward from the central wall108. The terminal walls110a,110bconnect to the central wall at connection end of the terminal walls110a,110b. Pivots, such as hinges112a,112b, located at outer joints of the long end107secure the terminal walls110a,110bwith the outer wall108. The opposite end, the free end, of the terminal walls110a,110bremain free from connections.FIG. 1bshows pivoting terminal walls110a,110boutward.

Connecting walls114a,114bpivotally attach to the central wall108. Pivots, such as hinges116a,116blocated at inner joints of the short end109secure the connecting walls114a,114bwith the central wall108. The user pivots connecting walls114a,114boutward from the central wall108. The result of this adjustment is shown inFIG. 1c.

Terminal walls118a,118bpivotally attach to the connecting wall114a,114b. Pivots, such as hinges120a,120b, secure the terminal walls118a,118bto the connecting walls114a,114b. The user pivots terminal walls118a,118boutward from the central wall108and the connecting walls114a,114b. The terminal walls118,118bpivot outward from the central wall108and the connecting walls114a,114b. Terminal wall120ameets terminal wall110a. Terminal wall120bmeets terminal wall110b. This pivoting of the walls creates compartments106aand compartment106b, as shown inFIG. 1d.

The adjacent terminal walls such as walls110a,118aand walls110b,118bmay secure to each other to maintain the positioning of the walls of the insert. In one embodiment the adjacent terminal walls releasably attach to each other. Fasteners, such as clasps, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, or snaps, may secure the adjacent terminal walls to teach other. The adjacent terminal walls of another embodiment do not secure to each other. The adjacent terminal walls contact and support each other. Adjusting the cooling insert100to the configuration shown inFIG. 1dexpands the insert100to the use position. The cooling insert100is ready for use.

FIGS. 2a-2dshow another embodiment of the insert100that provides four compartments106a,106b,106c,106d.FIG. 2ashows the cooling insert100in the collapsed position.FIGS. 2band 2cshow the process of adjusting cooling insert100from the collapsed position to the expanded position.FIG. 2dshows the cooling insert100in the use position.

The central wall108forms an I shape along a longitudinal axis to form each pair of compartments106a,106b,106c,106dlaterally along the I. The ends107,109extend laterally outward from a middle portion of the I shape.

To form additional compartments, the insert provides additional I shapes extending along the longitudinal axis. Central wall108of an insert forming four compartments forms two I shape frames extending longitudinally as shown inFIG. 2d. Such a central wall108provides a lateral extension111that has an inner joint113and an outer joint115. Such an insert provides four inner joints and four outer joints as shown at the long end107, the lateral extension111, and the short end109. The inner joints are shown at pivots116a,116b,116c,116d. The outer joints are shown at pivots112a,112b,112c,112d.

The I shape of the central wall108provides two ends, a short end109and a long end107. Long end107extends laterally outward from the I further than the short end109. The terminal walls110a,110bconnect at the outer joint of long end107. The terminal walls110c,110dconnect at the outer joint115of lateral extension111. The connecting walls114c,114dconnect at the inner joint of short end109. Connecting walls114a,114bconnect at the inner joint113of lateral extension111.

Terminal walls110a,110b,110c,110dconnect via pivots to the central wall108at hinges112a,112b,112c,112dlocated at the outer joints. The user pivots terminal walls110a,110b,110c,110doutward from the central wall108. The terminal walls110a,110b110c,110dconnect to the central wall108at connection end of the terminal walls110a,110b,110c,110d. Pivots, such as hinges112a,112b,112c,112d, located at outer joints of the long end107and lateral extension111secure the terminal walls110a,110b,110c,110dwith the outer wall108. The opposite end, the free end, of the terminal walls110a,110b,110c,110dremain free from connections.FIG. 2bshows pivoting terminal walls110a,110b,110c,110doutward.

Connecting walls114a,114b,114c,114dpivotally attach to the central wall108. Pivots, such as hinges116a,116b,116c,116dlocated at inner joints of the short end109and the lateral extension111secure the connecting walls114a,114b,114c,114dwith the central wall108. The user pivots connecting walls114a,114b,114c,114doutward from the central wall108. The result of this adjustment is shown inFIG. 2c.

Terminal walls118a,118b,118c,118dpivotally attach to the connecting walls114a,114b,114c,114d. Pivots, such as hinges120a,120b,120c,120d, secure the terminal walls118a,118b,118c,118dto the connecting walls114a,114b,114c,114d. The user pivots terminal walls118a,118b,118c,118doutward from the central wall108and the connecting walls114a,114b,114c,114d. The terminal walls118a,118b,118c,118dpivot outward from the central wall108and the connecting walls114a,114b,114c,114d. Terminal wall118ameets terminal wall110a. Terminal wall118bmeets terminal wall110b. Terminal wall118cmeets terminal wall110c. Terminal wall118dmeets terminal wall110d. This pivoting of the walls creates compartments106a,106b,106c,106das shown inFIG. 2d.

The adjacent terminal walls may secure to each other to maintain the positioning of the walls of the insert as discussed above. In one embodiment the adjacent terminal walls releasably attach to each other. Fasteners, such as clasps, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, or snaps, may secure the adjacent terminal walls to teach other. The adjacent terminal walls of another embodiment do not secure to each other. The adjacent terminal walls contact and support each other. Adjusting the cooling insert100to the configuration shown inFIG. 2dexpands the insert100to the use position. The cooling insert100is ready for use.

FIGS. 3a-3dshow another embodiment of the insert100that provides six compartments106a,106b,106c,106d,106e,106f.FIG. 3ashows the cooling insert100in the collapsed position.FIGS. 3band 3cshow the process of adjusting cooling insert100from the collapsed position to the expanded position.FIG. 3dshows the cooling insert100expanded to the use position.

The central wall108forms an I shape along a longitudinal axis to form each pair of compartments106a,106b,106c,106d,106e,106flaterally along the I. The ends107,109extend laterally outward from a middle portion of the I shape.

To form additional compartments, the insert provides additional I shapes extending along the longitudinal axis. Central wall108of an insert100forming six compartments forms three I shape frames extending longitudinally as shown inFIG. 3d. Such a central wall108provides lateral extensions111,117having inner joints113,119and outer joints115,121. Such an insert100provides six inner joints and six outer joints as shown at the long end107, the lateral extensions111,117, and the short end109. The inner joints are shown at pivots116a,116b,116c,116d,116e,116fThe outer joints are shown at pivots112a,112b,112c,112d,112e,112f.

The I shape of the central wall108provides two ends, a short end109and a long end107. Long end107extends laterally outward from the I further than the short end109. The terminal walls110a,110bconnect at the outer joints of long end107. The terminal walls110c,110d,110e,110fconnect at the outer joints115,121of lateral extensions111,117. The connecting walls114e,114fconnect at the inner joints of short end109. Connecting walls114a,114b,114c,114dconnect at the inner joints113,119of lateral extensions111,117.

Terminal walls110a,110b,110c,110d,110e,110fconnect via pivots to the central wall108at hinges112a,112b,112c,112d,112e,112flocated at the outer joints. The user pivots terminal walls110a,110b,110c,110d,110e,110foutward from the central wall108. The terminal walls110a,110b110c,110d,110e,110fconnect to the central wall108at connection end of the terminal walls110a,110b,110c,110d,110e,110f. Pivots, such as hinges112a,112b,112c,112d,112e,112f, located at outer joints of the long end107and lateral extensions111,117secure the terminal walls110a,110b,110c,110d,110e,110fwith the outer wall108. The opposite end, the free end, of the terminal walls110a,110b,110c,110d,110e,110fremain free from connections.FIG. 3bshows pivoting terminal walls110a,110b,110c,110d,110e,110foutward.

Connecting walls114a,114b,114c,114d,114e,114fpivotally attach to the central wall108. Pivots, such as hinges116a,116b,116c,116d,116e,116flocated at inner joints of the short end109and lateral extensions111,117secure the connecting walls114a,114b,114c,114d,114e,114fwith the central wall108. The user pivots connecting walls114a,114b,114c,114d,114e,114foutward from the central wall108. The result of this adjustment is shown inFIG. 3c.

Terminal walls118a,118b,118c,118d,118e,118fpivotally attach to the connecting walls114a,114b,114c,114d,114e,114f. Pivots, such as hinges120a,120b,120c,120d,120e,120fsecure the terminal walls118a,118b,118c,118d,118e,118fto the connecting walls114a,114b,114c,114d,114e,114fThe user pivots terminal walls118a,118b,118c,118d,118e,118foutward from the central wall108and the connecting walls114a,114b,114c,114d,114e,114f. The terminal walls118a,118b,118c,118d,118e,118fpivot outward from the central wall108and the connecting walls114a,114b,114c,114d,114e,114fTerminal wall118ameets terminal wall110a. Terminal wall118bmeets terminal wall110b. Terminal wall118cmeets terminal wall110c. Terminal wall118dmeets terminal wall110d. Terminal wall118emeets terminal wall110e. Terminal wall118fmeets terminal wall110f. This pivoting of the walls creates compartments106a,106b,106c,106d,106e,106fas shown inFIG. 3d.

The adjacent terminal walls may secure to each other to maintain the positioning of the walls of the insert as discussed above. In one embodiment the adjacent terminal walls releasably attach to each other. Fasteners, such as clasps, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, or snaps, may secure the adjacent terminal walls to teach other. The adjacent terminal walls of another embodiment do not secure to each other. The adjacent terminal walls contact and support each other. Adjusting the cooling insert100to the configuration shown inFIG. 3dexpands the insert100to the use position. The cooling insert100is ready for use.

The insert100provides terminal walls110a,110b,110c,110d,110e,110f,118a,118b,118c,118d,118e,118f. The terminal walls connect to the central wall or lateral extension with a pivot located at a connection end. The terminal walls remain free on the second end without a connection to the central wall. The terminal walls are constructed from a rigid/semi-rigid material to form a parallelepiped shape.

The terminal walls differ due to the connection at the connection end. The different types of terminal walls include lateral terminal walls and side terminal walls. Lateral terminal walls secure directly to the central wall. Side terminal walls secure to the connecting walls.

Lateral terminal walls110a,110b,110c,110d,110e,110fpivotally attach directly with the central wall108. Lateral terminal walls110a,110b,110c,110d,110e,110fextend laterally from the central wall108to form a compartment terminal wall.

Side terminal walls118a,118b,118c,118d,118e,118fpivotally attach to the connecting walls114a,114b,114c,114d,114e,114f. The side terminal walls pivot outward to extend along the longitudinal axis when the walls are pivoted to the use position.

FIG. 4shows an environmental view of the insert100installed within a cooler122. The cooling insert100expands to the use position. The insert100has six compartments configured to receive an item, such as a beverage. An item124, such as a beverage, is placed within each compartment of the insert100. The cooling insert100is sized to fit the cooler122.

FIG. 5shows an environmental view of the insert100installed within a cooler122. The cooling insert100expands to the use position for placement within a cooler122. The insert100has six compartments configured to receive an item, such as a beverage. An item124, such as a beverage, is placed within each compartment of the insert100. The cooling insert100is sized to fit the cooler122. The cooling insert100of the embodiment shown inFIG. 5is sized smaller than the cooler122. The smaller size of the insert100provides additional space for storage of items within the cooler122.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention is one well adapted to obtain all the ends and objects herein set forth, together with other advantages which are inherent to the structure.