Abstract:
The present disclosure concerns a container for heating textiles. The container is insulated and constructed of flexible materials so as to be collapsible. One or more heating elements inside the container provide heat for warming the textiles.

Description:
This application is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 29/030,018, filed Sep. 23, 1994, now DES. 365,728. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     a) Field of the Invention 
     The present invention concerns a container for heating textiles. In particular the present invention concerns a so-called &#34;soft-sided&#34; container including a heating element for warming towels, garments, etc. 
     b) Description of Related Art 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,505,405 (Jarboe) discloses an electrically heated lunch box having separate compartments for warm food, cool food, and a beverage. The Jarboe invention is constructed of rigid, i.e. not collapsible, sides with a hinge connecting the cover to the body of the lunch box. The heating unit 13 of Jarboe is in a separate compartment 11 underneath the warm food compartment. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,577,870 (Aston) discloses an electrically heated lunch kit constructed of &#34;stainless steel or other material suitable for food containing utensils&#34; (column 2, lines 15-17). Further, a hinge (i.e. not a similar type of connection as that between the sides of the lunch kit) connects the top closure part 12 to the box-like container part 11. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,381,115 (Welch) discloses a &#34;molded plastic&#34; (column 1, line 10), electrically heated container &#34;preferably made entirely of synthetic resin in which a heating element is embedded or sealed&#34; (column 1, lines 25-27). The open top tray of Welch does not include collapsible surfaces. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,805,018 (Luong et al.) discloses a portable food storage and warming carrying case. The Luong et al. case uses a heating fluid to transfer heat from heating element 18 to a food container 44 having several compartments 46-52. The Luong et al. &#34;cover 12 and carrier 14 are preferably comprised of an insulative, shock-resistant material, e.g., a thermoplastic&#34; (column 2, lines 6-8). 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,537,313 (Workman) discloses a flexible insulated container which is not capable of heating its contents. Instead, the Workman container benignly insulates the contents of the container. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,630,671 (Sherman et al.) discloses a lunch box for keeping its contents cool during hot weather to prevent spoiling of food, and heating its contents if desired. In particular, Sherman et al. disclose a rigid lunch box which includes both a vessel 8 retaining a cooling fluid and a heating element 16. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,376 (Book) discloses a collapsible, portable, multiple use insulated bag with a second, attachable, multiple use bag. The primary bag is a cooler and the secondary bag is merely for transporting and storing articles. There is no suggestion of providing a heating element within either bag. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In many instances it is desirable to have warmed towels (e.g. after bathing) or warmed garments (e.g. when dressing an infant). An objective of the present invention is to provide a flexible, insulated container which includes a heating element for warming textiles such as towels or garments. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is a front elevation illustrating the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a right-side elevation illustrating the present invention shown in FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 3 is a back elevation illustrating a modified version of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a left-side elevation illustrating the modified version of the present invention shown in FIG. 3. 
     FIG. 5 is a top view illustrating the modified version of the present invention shown in FIG. 3. 
     FIG. 6 is a bottom view illustrating an alternate version of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the present invention illustrating the interior. 
     FIGS. 8a and 8b provide side views illustrating the invention in various collapsed states. 
     FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the container of FIG. 3 shown along section line IX--IX. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 show the present invention wherein a container 10 includes access to the interior of the container 10 through an aperture in the top of the container 10. A first closure 12 covers the aperture and includes a forward facing flap 14 adapted to secure the first closure 12 to one of a plurality of collapsible surfaces 16. A textile (not shown) is placed within, and removed from, a first enclosure 17 within the interior of the container 10 via the aperture. A handle 18 is provided for ease of carrying the container 10. 
     At least one heating element 20 is located inside the interior of the container 10 for warming the textile. The heating element 20 is in the form of a flexible sheet covering a majority of at least one surface 16 and/or the first closure 12. In FIGS. 1 and 2, a single heating element 20 is shown covering a majority of both the forward surface 16 and the bottom surface 16. 
     A partition 22 is shown extending upward from the bottom surface 16 so as to partially divide the interior of the container 10. The heating element 20 in FIG. 1 and 2 is shown extending up one side of the partition 22, over the top of the partition 22, and down the opposite side of the partition 22. 
     Temperature and/or operating time of the heating element is regulated by a control switch 24 located on the exterior of the container 10. A power cord 26 extends out of the container 10 and provides electrical energy to the heating element 20 via the control switch 24. The power cord 26 is stored within a second enclosure 27 inside the container 10. A second closure 28 includes a rearward facing flap 30 covering the second enclosure 27 and secured to one of the plurality of collapsible surfaces 16. 
     FIGS. 3-5 show a modified version of the present invention having two heating elements 20&#39;,20&#34; separated by the partition 22. All other elements are similar to those described and indicated with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. It is also envisioned that the arrangement of the heating elements 20&#39;,20&#34; could divide the interior 17 without a separate partition 22 as described above. The control switch 24 may control both heating elements 20&#39;,20&#34; or separate controls may be provided for the respective heating elements 20&#39;,20&#34;. 
     FIG. 6 shows an alternate version of the present invention wherein a single heating element 20 covers the bottom of the container 10 and also extends upward over a majority of two opposed surfaces 16 which are adjacent to the bottom of the container 10. In the alternate version illustrated in FIG. 6, no partition is present to divide the interior 17. 
     In each version of the present invention, it is envisioned that the plurality of collapsible surfaces 16, as well as the first closure 12 could be insulated so as to avoid the transfer of heat from the interior 17 to outside the container 10. FIGS. 7 and 9 illustrate the insulation 16a provided on the collapsible surfaces 16 and the closure 12. FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrate the container of this invention in various collapsed states. 
     By virtue of the design of the present invention a large contact surface between the heating element(s) 20,20&#34;,20&#34; and a textile provide relatively uniform heat transfer to the textile. Inasmuch as the partition 22 may only partially divide the interior 17, the textile may be folded over the partition to further enhance heat transfer. 
     Manufacture of the container 10 is preferably accomplished with flexible sheet goods such as fabric or plastics such that connections between the surfaces 16, as well as the connection between the first and second closures 12,28, may be similarly effected by sewing or thermoelectric welding, respectively.