Abstract:
A storage sleeve comprised of a plurality of side panels defining and open-ended hollow box-like structure appropriately sized for placement in a conventional cooler container and surrounded by a coolant. At least one of the plurality of side panels includes a mesh-like section to readily facilitate heat transfer therethrough. When the storage sleeve is placed within the cooler container and at least partially surrounded by a solid coolant such as ice, the box-like structure as defined by the plurality of side panels prevents the coolant from occupying the storage area. At the same time, the mesh-like section accommodates heat transfer between the storage area and the coolant itself.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of and hereby expressly incorporates by reference U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/345,147, filed on Jan. 3, 2002. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    This invention relates to containers for storing food and beverage type articles in a manner which facilitates ready access thereto. More particularly, the invention relates to a storage sleeve for defining a storage region within a cooler or ice chest for accommodating selective removal and replacement of articles to be cooled. The invention is particularly applicable to an ice chest wherein ice cubes or chips are used to maintain a reduced temperature within the ice chest. The storage sleeve is positioned within the ice chest in a manner such that the interior of the sleeve defines a storage region. The walls of the storage sleeve prevent the ice cubes or chips from entering and occupying this defined storage region while at the same time permitting the desired heat transfer between the storage region and the ice. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention may be adapted to effective use in other environments and applications.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    Thermally-insulated containers, such as coolers, ice chests and the like are generally known in the prior art to provide a storage area for food and/or beverage articles that are to be maintained at a relatively constant temperature. The food articles typically include, for example, sandwiches, meat, condiments, side dishes, and the like. The beverage articles may include, for example, wine bottles, carbonated beverage cans or bottles, milk containers, and the like. Normally, the food and beverage articles are placed in the thermally insulated container and a cooling agent, such as an ice block, a supply of ice cubes or chips, or the like, is placed in the thermally insulated container. The cooling agent maintains the food and beverage articles at a relatively constant temperature in an effort to maintain the items at a desired temperature and prevent spoilage. A conventional ice chest or cooler container typically defines only a single storage chamber, and the cooling agent is generally permitted to loosely intermingle with the food and beverage articles. The close proximity between the food and beverage articles and the cooling agent allows for sufficient heat transfer for maintaining the food and beverage articles at a relatively constant temperature.  
           [0006]    More specifically, an individual typically first places the food and beverage articles as desired within the storage chamber and then places the cooling agent, such as ice cubes or chips, over and around the food and beverage articles. The ice cubes or chips easily fall loosely above, between, and around the food and beverage articles. The close proximity of the ice cubes to many surfaces of the food and beverage articles provides ample heat transfer for maintaining the articles at the relatively constant temperature.  
           [0007]    One common problem occurs when the articles are allowed to loosely intermingle with the cooling agent, particularly when the cooling agent comprises ice cubes or chips of a relatively small size. The problem resides in that the loose intermingling of the ice cubes with the articles deters an individual from temporarily removing any particular article with the expectation that the article can thereafter be replaced into the same location to achieve effective cooling. For example, a beverage container that has been placed within the cooler container and substantially surrounded by ice cubes will not be permitted to return to its original location after being removed from the cooler. Upon removal, the ice cubes fall freely into the space previously occupied by the beverage container. This is particularly troublesome when the article is of the type designed for repeated use, e.g., a bottle of wine, juice, milk, soda pop or the like. Thus, it has been considered desirable to provide a means or device for allowing articles stored in a cooler to be selectively removed from a particular location in the cooler and later replaced in substantially the same location.  
           [0008]    The foregoing problem of removing and replacing articles housed in a portable ice chest has been previously recognized in U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,654 issued to Martel. In this patent, a cooling insert is provided which includes five panel sections for dividing the cooler into four storage compartments. Each panel section is of a mesh-type that allows air to freely pass therethrough. This permits the cooling agent to effectively cool food and beverage articles in any of the four compartments regardless of where the cooling agent itself is located.  
           [0009]    One of the drawbacks of this prior device is that it is not adapted for optimal use with a food or beverage articles of a particular size. Thus, it has been considered desirable to provide a storage sleeve of a specific size for use with particularly sized food or beverage articles. Moreover, it is considered generally desirable to provide a storage sleeve that is smaller, lighter and more compact than any of the devices suggested by the prior art. Likewise, it is considered generally desirable to provide a product that is relatively simple and/or inexpensive to manufacture and assemble. The present invention is deemed to meet these needs and provide a new and improved storage sleeve particularly suited for use in portable coolers and ice chests.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a storage sleeve for use in a cooler or ice chest is advantageously provided. The storage sleeve generally has a polygonal conformation. The side walls of the sleeve include mesh-like sections for allowing heat exchange or transfer therethrough. The storage sleeve can be operatively positioned within a cooler or the like for reserving a defined area of storage space therein. When the storage sleeve is positioned in the cooler, food and beverage articles can be placed in, removed from, and then replaced in the same area to achieve effective cooling. The storage sleeve prevents coolant, such as ice cubes or chips, from occupying the defined area of storage space while allowing heat transfer to occur therethrough.  
           [0011]    In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the storage sleeve has plural side panels defining a generally rectangular confirmation.  
           [0012]    According to another aspect of the invention, the storage sleeve includes at least one selectively openable end for receiving an article to be stored.  
           [0013]    According to a further aspect of the invention, the storage sleeve is open ended and has four side wall portions selectively movable between a collapsed storage condition and an assembled condition.  
           [0014]    According to yet another aspect of the invention, the storage sleeve includes a first rectangular panel member having first and second side edges and at least one slot defined along the first side edge. A second rectangular panel member has first and second side edges. The first side edge of the second panel member is flexibly connected to the second side edge of the first panel member. A third panel member has first and second side edges. The first side edge of the third panel member is flexibly connected to the second side edge of the second panel member. A fourth rectangular panel member has first and second side edges. The first side edge of the fourth panel member is flexibly connected to the second side edge of the third panel member. The second side edge of the fourth panel includes at least one tab receivable within the slot in the first side edge of the first panel to form an open-ended rectangular storage sleeve structure.  
           [0015]    A principal advantage of the present invention in the provision of a storage sleeve that is optimally adapted to receive a food or beverage article that has a complimentary shape and/or size compared to the storage sleeve.  
           [0016]    Another advantage of the present invention resides in the provision of a storage sleeve that is relatively small, lightweight and compact.  
           [0017]    Still yet another advantage of the invention is found in a storage sleeve that is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.  
           [0018]    Still another advantage of the invention is the provision of a removable storage sleeve that can be easily positioned wherever desired within an associated cooler or ice chest.  
           [0019]    Still other advantages and benefits of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art and upon reading and understanding the following detailed description.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]    The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, preferred embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled storage sleeve formed according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 is a preassembled perspective view of the storage sleeve of FIG. 1;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the storage sleeve of FIG. 1 as operatively positioned within an associated ice chest;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an assembled storage sleeve formed according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 5 is a preassembled perspective view of the storage sleeve of FIG. 4;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6 is a plan view of the storage sleeve of FIG. 4 showing a pair of overlapped connecting flanges used to assemble the device; and,  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of one possible rivet-type fastener used for securing together the overlapping flanges of FIG. 6. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0028]    Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 shows a storage sleeve as including an open-ended rectangular box frame or body  10  defined by a plurality of interconnected rectangular panel members  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 . These panel members are flexibly connected to one another at hinge areas, also referred to herein as living hinges, extending along their respective longitudinal sides.  
         [0029]    Generally, the panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  are similarly constructed and, therefore, only panel  16  will be described in specific detail. It is to be appreciated that panels  12 ,  14  and  18  are identical in most respects to the panel  16  unless otherwise specifically noted. The panel  16  includes opposed first or top and second or bottom edges  20 ,  22 , and opposed side edges  24 ,  26 . The side edge  24  connects to a similar side edge (not shown) of the panel  12 , and the side edge  26  connects to a similar side edge  28  of the panel  18 . Together, the top and bottom edges  20 ,  22  and the side edges  24 ,  26  form a rectangular frame having a mesh-like area  30  disposed therein. The mesh  30  is shown in some detail only on a bottom portion of the panel  16  that is separated by broken lines. However, it is to be appreciated that the mesh  30  is disposed throughout panel  16  as indicated by the representative grid of centerlines shown thereon. Similarly, a single vertical and a single horizontal centerline are used to represent like mesh  30  on the other panels  14 ,  16 ,  18 .  
         [0030]    The mesh  30  may take a variety of different forms and is designed to prevent a cooling agent, e.g., ice cubes or chips, of a conventional conformation and/or size from passing therethrough. However, the mesh  30  allows generally unrestricted airflow therethrough, thus, permitting heat transfer to occur through panel  16 . In addition, the mesh  30  allows liquefied cooling agent, which may be formed as the cooling agent absorbs heat from its surroundings, to pass therethrough. In the embodiment illustrated, the mesh  30  is integrally formed as part of the panel  16 , although it is to be appreciated that use of other mesh-types is also feasible within the spirit and intent of the invention.  
         [0031]    With reference to FIG. 2, the storage sleeve is shown in an unassembled state  32 . In this state, the panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  are relatively flat and define a single plane. The first and second panels  12 ,  14  are centrally located and flanked on either side by the third and fourth panels  16 ,  18 .  
         [0032]    A plurality of score lines or areas of reduced thickness  34  divide the panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  from each other and function to form living hinge areas. The connections between the panels  12 - 18  along hinge areas  34  is such that until elastically deformed, they rigidly retain the panels together in the manner shown in FIG. 2. Once the panels  12 - 18  are folded along the hinges  34 , such as when forming the body  10  as shown in FIG. 1, the hinges are elastically deformed.  
         [0033]    The panel section  16  includes a plurality of through slots  36  at longitudinally spaced intervals adjacent side edge  26 . The panel section  18  includes a plurality of corresponding outwardly extending tabs  38  at longitudinally spaced intervals adjacent side edge  28 . The tabs  38  are selectively receivable, in the slots  36  for selectively connecting the panel section  16  and the panel section  18 . Additionally, with reference to FIG. 1, the connecting tabs  38  each includes a tapered protrusion  40  for releaseably locking the tabs  38  in their corresponding slots  36 .  
         [0034]    To manufacture the storage sleeve, the unassembled sleeve  32  of FIG. 2 is formed of a suitable plastic material through conventional means such as injection molding or the like. In the first preferred embodiment here under discussion, the score lines or areas of reduced thickness  34  are created during the molding process itself. However, it is to be appreciated that these areas could be added during a separate machining or like process after the unassembled sleeve  32  is formed. In either case, as described above, the unassembled storage sleeve  32  is generally planar and is defined by distinct panels  12 - 18 .  
         [0035]    To assemble the storage sleeve, the panels are folded, along the hinge areas  34  to form the storage sleeve body  10  shown in FIG. 1. Upon folding of the panel sections, the plastic material at the hinge areas is deformed and no longer maintains its initial rigid form. The side edge  28  of the panel section  18  is brought into contact with the side edge  26  of the panel section  16 . The connecting tabs  38  are inserted into the slots  36  such that the protrusions  40  slightly deform to also pass through the slots  36 , thereby locking the tabs  38  in the slots  36 .  
         [0036]    The assembled storage sleeve  10  of the FIG. 1 can be used in a cooler or portable ice chest. For example, with reference to FIG. 3, the storage sleeve  10  can be operatively positioned within an ice chest or cooler  60  to receive a food or beverage article. A coolant such as ice cubes or chips  62  may then be placed in the ice chest around the storage sleeve. Regardless of whether a food or beverage article is contained within the storage sleeve, it can be seen that the mesh  30  of the sleeve will advantageously prevent the coolant from penetrating and occupying the storage space defined within the sleeve  10 . While restricting movement of coolant, the mesh  30  allows desirable heat transfer to occur between the coolant and the storage space defined by sleeve  10 .  
         [0037]    As also can be seen in FIG. 3, a plurality of storage sleeves  10  may be placed within a single ice chest  60 . The compact rectangular body of the sleeves permits multiple sleeves to be positioned adjacent to one another in the ice chest  60 . More specifically, because the panels  12 - 18  are substantially flat, any of the panels  12 - 18  may be positioned adjacent in close proximity to another substantially flat surface, such as the wall  64  of the cooler  60  or a panel of another storage sleeve.  
         [0038]    With continuing reference to FIG. 3, the storage sleeve  10  is relatively small compared to the overall size of the portable cooler  60 . Notably, the size of the sleeve body is ideally suited for defining a storage area in the cooler for one of many conventionally sized beverage containers, such as a bottle of wine or a carton of milk. Each sleeve  10  reserves a relatively small area in the cooler while not obstructing the remaining available or overall storage area. The sleeve thus preserves occupation of a precisely defined area of the cooler for storage of food or beverage items that may be selectively removed and then replaced in a cooler or ice chest. Also, because the sleeve is small and relatively compact, and because it is preferably comprised of a plastic material, it is relatively lightweight. In addition, the size, plastic material, and efficient design allow the sleeve to be manufactured in a relatively inexpensive manner and facilitate ease of assembly.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 4 shows a storage sleeve according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention where the components are identified by like numerals with a primed (′) suffix and new components are defined by new numerals. The storage sleeve of FIG. 4 comprises an open-ended rectangular box frame or body  10 ′ defined by a plurality of interconnected rectangular panel members  12 ′,  14 ′,  16 ′,  18 ′, similar to the first preferred embodiment.  
         [0040]    One difference between the storage sleeve of the second preferred embodiment and that of the first preferred embodiment resides in the panel  18 ′ which is formed of a pair of panel sections  18   a  and  18   b  which are connectable to each other to form a central seam  18   c.  In most other respects, the panel  18 ′ resembles panels  12 ′,  14 ′,  16 ′. That is, panel  18 ′ includes a mesh-like area  30 ′, again represented by centerlines, disposed on either side of the central seam  18   c  and is connected along its side edges  28 ′,  42  to the adjacent panels  14 ′,  16 ′, respectively.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 5 shows the storage sleeve in an unassembled state  32 ′. In this state, the panels  12 ′,  14 ′,  16 ′,  18 ′ are relatively flat and define a single plane. The panel  12 ′ is centrally located and is flanked by panels  14 ′ and  16 ′. The pair of panel sections  18   a  and  18   b,  in turn, flank the opposing side edges of panels  14 ′ and  16 ′ in the manner shown.  
         [0042]    Like the first preferred embodiment, a plurality of score lines or areas of reduced thickness  34 ′ divide panels  12 ′,  14 ′,  16 ′and panel sections  18   a,    18   b  from each other and function to form living hinge areas. The connections between the panels  12 ′,  14 ′,  16 ′ and panel sections  18   a,    18   b  along hinge areas  34 ′ is such that until elastically deformed, they rigidly retain the panels together. Once the panels  12 ′,  14 ′,  16 ′ and sections  18   a,    18   b  are folded along hinges  34 ′, such as when forming body  10 ′ as shown in FIG. 4, the hinges are elastically deformed.  
         [0043]    The panel section  18   a  includes a recessed fastening edge or rabbit  44  located distally relative to the other of panels  12 ′,  14 ′,  16 ′. The fastening edge also includes a plurality of apertures  46  at spaced intervals therealong. Similarly, the panel section  18   b  includes a recessed fastening edge or rabbit  48  distally located relative to the other panel sections  12 ′,  14 ′,  16 ′, and similarly includes a plurality of spaced apart apertures  50 . As best shown in FIG. 6, edges  44 ,  48  are configured so that in an assembled condition of sleeve body  10 ′, the edges overlap with each other in the manner shown with apertures  46 ,  50  in registry with each other (FIG. 4). As shown, the edges  44 ,  48  are recessed on opposite surfaces  52 ,  54  of the panel  18 ′, i.e., edge  44  is recessed in panel section  18   a  relative to the rear surface  52  and edge  48  is recessed in panel  18   b  relative to the front surface  52 . The storage sleeve of the second embodiment is manufactured in generally the same manner as described above in reference to the first preferred embodiment.  
         [0044]    To assemble the storage sleeve of the second embodiment, the panels and panel sections are folded along the hinge areas  32 ′ to form the storage sleeve body  10 ′ as shown in FIG. 4. Upon folding of the panel sections, the plastic material at the hinge areas is deformed and no longer maintains its initial rigid form. The fastening edges  44 ,  48  of panel sections  18   a,    18   b  are thus overlapped as shown in FIG. 6 so that apertures  46 ,  50  are disposed in registry with each other. Convenient connecting means or fasteners are then used to interconnect the panel sections  18   a,    18   b.    
         [0045]    With reference to FIG. 7, the connecting means may comprise, for example, a conventional plastic rivet-type fastener  56  received through each pair of aligned apertures  46 ,  50 . Alternately, rivet or snap type fasteners could be formed integrally as part of one of the rabbitted edges  44 ,  48  in place of the apertures  46  or  50 . Still, other connecting means may be satisfactorily employed such as threaded connectors, adhesives, press fit connections, etc.  
         [0046]    The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.