Patent Publication Number: US-6336342-B1

Title: Collapsible cooling pack

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to storage containers and more particularly pertains to a new collapsible cooling pack for cooling items placed in the pack. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of storage containers is known in the prior art. More specifically, storage containers heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
     Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,23 1,850; U.S. Pat. No. 4,498,312; U.S. Pat. No. 5,562,228; U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,234; U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,022; and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 391 ,121. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new collapsible cooling pack. The inventive device includes a plurality of walls defining an interior. The plurality of walls has a collapsed configuration for being stored and a deployed configuration for receiving items. The plurality of walls comprises a bottom wall, a pair of spaced end walls, and a pair of spaced said walls. The bottom wall has an edge region mounted to an edge region of a first one of the side walls. A first one of the end walls has an edge region mounted to another edge region of the first side wall. A second one of the end walls has an edge region mounted to another edge region of the first side wall. A second one of the side walls has an edge region mounted on another edge region of the second end wall. 
     In these respects, the collapsible cooling pack according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of for cooling items placed in the pack. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of storage containers now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new collapsible cooling pack construction wherein the same can be utilized for cooling items placed in the pack. 
     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new collapsible cooling pack apparatus which has many of the advantages of the storage containers mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new collapsible cooling pack which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art storage containers, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a plurality of walls defining an interior. The plurality of walls has a collapsed configuration for being stored and a deployed configuration for receiving items. The plurality of walls comprises a bottom wall, a pair of spaced end walls, and a pair of spaced said walls. The bottom wall has an edge region mounted to an edge region of a first one of the side walls. A first one of the end walls has an edge region mounted to another edge region of the first side wall. A second one of the end walls has an edge region mounted to another edge region of the first side wall. A second one of the side walls has an edge region mounted on another edge region of the second end wall. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new collapsible cooling pack apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the storage containers mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new collapsible cooling pack which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art storage containers, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new collapsible cooling pack, which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new collapsible cooling pack, which is of a durable and reliable construction. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new collapsible cooling pack which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such collapsible cooling pack economically available to the buying public. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new collapsible cooling pack which provides in the apparatuses of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new collapsible cooling pack for cooling items placed in the pack. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new collapsible cooling pack which includes a plurality of walls defining an interior. The plurality of walls has a collapsed configuration for being stored and a deployed configuration for receiving items. The plurality of walls comprises a bottom wall, a pair of spaced end walls, and a pair of spaced said walls. The bottom wall has an edge region mounted to an edge region of a first one of the side walls. A first one of the end walls has an edge region mounted to another edge region of the first side wall. A second one of the end walls has an edge region mounted to another edge region of the first side wall. A second one of the side walls has an edge region mounted on another edge region of the second end wall. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new collapsible cooling pack that permits a person to store her perishable items in the collapsible cooling pack while shopping minimizing the possibility of the items spoiling or melting. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new collapsible cooling pack that permits the collapsible pack to be attached to a shopping cart or other vehicle while storing items in the pack. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying, drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the new collapsible cooling pack according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the present invention shown in its stored configuration and in two stages of expansion. 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view taken along line  3 — 3  of the present invention showing an optional wall structure. 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the present invention particularly illustrating an optional top wall and a carrying strap and securing loop. 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of the present invention in an unfolded condition. 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the plurality of frames of the present invention shown in condition for use. 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the plurality of frames shown in a stored configuration. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 7 thereof, a new collapsible cooling pack embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7, the collapsible cooling pack  10  generally comprises a plurality of walls  11  defining an interior  13 . The plurality of walls  11  has a collapsed configuration for being stored and a deployed configuration for receiving items. The plurality of walls  11  comprises a bottom wall  15 , a pair of spaced end walls  22 ,  23 , and a pair of spaced side walls  24 ,  25 . 
     The bottom wall  15  has an edge region mounted to an edge region of a first one of the side walls  24 . A first one of the end walls  22  has an edge region mounted to another edge region of the first side wall  24 . A second one  23  of the end walls has an edge region mounted to another edge region of the first side wall. A second one  25  of the side walls has an edge region mounted on another edge region of the second end wall  23 . 
     A bend line  18  is formed between the end regions of the walls mounted together. The bend line  18  is designed to allow bending at the bend line  18  for permitting adjacent walls  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25  on opposite sides of the bend line  18  to be folded into an adjacent condition. The second end wall  23  has a bend line  19  formed therein for permitting portions on opposing sides of the bend line to be folded into an adjacent condition. 
     Each of the walls  11  may comprise a layer of a thermal-retentive material  30 . The thermal-retentive material  30  may comprise a flowable gel material. Each of the walls  11  may comprise a substantially rigid panel  31  positioned adjacent to the thermal-retentive material  30 . 
     A first securing tab  32  is mounted on the first end wall  22 . The first securing tab  32  is designed to overlap a portion of the second side wall  25 . The first securing tab  32  has a first component  34  of a hook and loop fastener for releasably mounting on a second component  35  of a hook and loop fastener. The second component  35  of a hook and loop fastener is mounted on the second side wall  25 . 
     A second securing tab  36  is mounted on the bottom wall  15 . The second securing tab  36  is adapted to overlap a portion of the second side wall  25 . The second securing tab  36  has a first component  38  of a hook and loop fastener for releasably mounting on a second component  39  of a hook and loop fastener. The second component of a hook and loop  39  fastener is mounted on the second side wall  25 . 
     The plurality of walls  11  includes a top wall  40 . The top wall  40  has an edge region mounted on another edge region of the first side wall  24 . The top wall  40  has a closing tab  43  mounted thereon. The closing tab  43  is adapted to overlap a portion of the second side wall  25 . The closing tab  43  has a first component  44  of a hook and loop fastener for releasably mounting on a second component  45  of a hook and loop fastener. The second component  45  of a hook and loop fastener is mounted on the second side wall  25 . 
     A first one  22  of the end walls may include a carrying strap  46  for carrying the plurality of walls  11 . The carrying strap  46  may be mounted on the first end wall  22 . The carrying strap  46  may include a strap member  47 . The strap member  47  has opposite ends  48 ,  49 . 
     Each of the opposite ends  48 ,  49  may be mounted on an exterior surface  50  of the end wall  22 . Each of the opposite ends  48 ,  49  has a first component  51  of a connector structure and a second component  52  of the connector structure. The second component  52  of the connector structure may be mounted on the end wall  22 . 
     A second carrying strap  76  may be mounted on a second one  23  of the end walls. In one embodiment of the invention, the connector structures  51 ,  52  may comprise snap connectors. 
     A first one  22  of the end walls may include a securing loop  53  for securing the end wall  22  to a bar of a shopping cart. The securing loop  53  includes a loop member  54 . The loop member  54  has opposite ends  55 ,  56 . One of the  55  opposite ends of the loop may be mounted on the first end wall  22 . 
     The loop member  54  has first  57  and second  58  components of a fastener structure. The first  57  and second  58  components of a fastener structure are mounted on spaced portions of the loop member  54  such that connection of the first  57  and second  58  components form the loop member  54  into a loop configuration. The securing loop  53  may be mounted on a second one  23  of the end walls. 
     A frame  60  may be provides as a supportive structure for the plurality of walls  11 . The frame  60  is adapted to fit in the interior  13  of the plurality of walls  11  when the side  24 ,  25  and end  22 ,  23  walls are oriented perpendicular to the bottom wall  15 . The frame  60  may comprise a plurality of frame panels  61 . The plurality of frame panels  61  may include a bottom frame panel  62 , opposite end frame panels  63 ,  64  and opposite side frame panels  65 ,  66 . The end  63 ,  64  and side  65 ,  66  frame panels each have an edge  67 ,  68 ,  69 ,  70  pivotally mounted on an edge  71  of the bottom frame panel  62 . Each of the frame panels  61  may include a perimeter member  72  defining an opening. 
     In use, the plurality of walls are arranged in their deployed configuration. Ideally, the plurality of walls may be stored in a cool location, such as a refrigerator or freezer, prior to being used. The user attaches the hook and loop components on each of the end walls to the appropriate components located on the side wall. The user may then place the plurality of panels inside the interior of walls to provide a rigid structure for the cooling pack. 
     The user may attach the cooling pack to a shopping cart using the loop structure or may carry the pack using the carrying straps. Perishable items such as milk or ice cream may be placed in the pack while the user shops for other items. After use, the user may return the pack to its stored configuration. 
     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.