Abstract:
A container assembly that is adapted to retain an amount of dry ice therein and be disposed within a cooler as a cooling source is provided. The container assembly includes a base and a lid assembly that seal together to provide an inner space to receive the dry ice. The container also includes an attached valve assembly and an outlet hose. The valve assembly is disposed on a side surface of the container to allow for an outflow of carbon dioxide gas produced by the dry ice within the container assembly. The hose is attached to the valve and fastened at its end to an inside surface of the cooler providing a flow of cold carbon dioxide gas to the interior of the cooler as the dry ice sublimates.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/902,478, filed Nov. 11, 2013, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a container particularly suited to retain an amount of dry ice having a compartment with a valve assembly and a vent hose and configured for placement in a cooler as the cooling source. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Spending time in the great outdoors is among the most popular fair weather leisure time activities. Whether it is fishing, camping, at a picnic or having a cookout, a great deal of time is spent preparing and consuming a meal. A common piece of equipment common to all of these activities is an insulated cooler that keeps food and beverages cold in the same manner a refrigerator does. While these coolers do an admirable job of keeping food cold, they do require periodic replenishment of ice on a very frequent basis. Many people turn to the use of dry ice to allow for longer time periods between ice replenishment, and to provide for colder temperatures. However, such ice needs to be separated or insulated from the cooler as well as the stored food, or damage to either as a result of the very cold temperatures will result. Additionally, since the dry ice “melts” directly into carbon dioxide, it must be provided with a way to leave the cooler, or an over pressurization condition can result. Further, an excessive build-up of carbon dioxide gas within the cooler may affect the taste of the foods stored within. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which dry ice can be used in a cooler to keep food cold, but without the disadvantages as described above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention in providing a container assembly that is adapted to retain an amount of dry ice therein and be disposed within a cooler as a cooling source. The container assembly includes a base and a lid assembly that seal together to provide an inner space to receive the dry ice. The container also includes an attached valve assembly and a vent hose. The valve assembly is disposed on a side surface of the container to allow for an outflow of carbon dioxide gas produced by the dry ice within the container assembly. The hose is attached to the valve and fastened at its end to an inside surface of the cooler providing a flow of cold carbon dioxide gas to the interior of the cooler as the dry ice sublimates. The use of the present invention provides the ability to utilize dry ice as a means to keep food cold, but without any of the conventional problems normally associated with dry ice use. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a left side perspective view of a dry ice container  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a right side perspective view of a dry ice container  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an environmental view of the dry ice container  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a first alternate embodiment  200  of the invention depicting a detachable lid portion  250 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a second alternate embodiment  300  of the invention depicting an auxiliary hose connector portion  326 ; and, 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a second alternate embodiment  300  being connected to another unit  300  via the auxiliary port  324  of each unit  300 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  dry ice container 
               20  base assembly 
               22  base enclosure 
               23  base inner space 
               24  insulation 
               28  dam structure 
               30  hinge 
               40  outlet tube 
               42  check valve 
               44  hose connector 
               45  carbon dioxide (CO2) gas 
               46  cold CO2 output hose 
               48   a  fastener 
               48   b  fastener 
               50  lid assembly 
               52  lid enclosure 
               53  lid inner space 
               54  latch 
               56  catch 
               100  dry ice 
               105  ice chest 
               200  first alternate embodiment 
               220  base assembly 
               222  base enclosure 
               224  latch 
               226  latch pivot feature 
               250  lid assembly 
               252  lid enclosure 
               254  catch 
               300  third alternate embodiment 
               320  base assembly 
               322  base enclosure 
               324  auxiliary port 
               326  auxiliary hose connector 
               328  auxiliary hose 
               330  cap 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 3 , and in terms of alternate embodiments, herein depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . However, the invention is not limited to the specifically described embodiment. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention. Any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. While only one particular configuration is shown and described that is for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The present invention describes a dry ice container (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides an enclosure that holds dry ice  100  to provide improved cooling within a portable cooler  105 . The apparatus  10  includes a plastic insulated enclosure being both airtight and watertight and having a outlet hose  46  which delivers cold carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) gas  45  to an interior space within the cooler  105  to keep foodstuffs cold as the dry ice  100  sublimates. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , perspective views of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The apparatus  10  includes of a two-part plastic enclosure made up of a base assembly  20  and a lid assembly  50 . The base assembly  20  includes a bottom and four (4) enclosing sidewalls to form a base enclosure  22  about a base interior space  23 . The lid assembly  50  also having four enclosing sidewalls to form a lid enclosure  52  about a lid inner space  53 . The base enclosure  22  and lid enclosure  52  are formed to have cooperative mating upper and lower edge portions, respectively, and seal to each other when the lid assembly  50  is closed. The base assembly  20  and lid assembly  50  are connected to each other along one (1) edge via a pair of hinges  30 . Opposite the hinges  30 , a pair of latches  54  and corresponding catches  56  are utilized to close and secure the lid assembly  50  to the base assembly  20 . The hinges  30  are preferably a pair of integrally-molded members spanning a gap between the base assembly  20  and a first lid assembly  50  portions. It should be appreciated however, that without limitation, other types of hinges  30  may be utilized, such as axial type, or a slidable pin type that would allow the lid assembly  50  to be detached from the base assembly  20  without deviating from the teachings of the invention. 
     The base assembly  20  and lid assembly  50  are to provide an airtight and watertight structure when closed and latched and having respective base inner space  23  and lid inner space  53  portions to contain the dry ice  100 . The base enclosure  22  and base enclosure  52  portions are to be made using a durable plastic material such as polypropylene, high impact polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, or the like, capable of sub-zero temperatures, envisioned to be made in an injection molding process. Said inner spaces  23 ,  53  are to be lined along side and bottom surfaces with an insulation material  24  such as polystyrene or equivalent insulating material, being adhesively affixed thereto and being approximately one-eighth of an inch (½ in.) in thickness. The insulation  24  is envisioned to provide thermal protection to food stuffs within the cooler  105 , and the enclosure portions  22 ,  52 . The insulation  24  acts to prolong the vaporizing processes of the dry ice  100 , thereby enabling the apparatus  10  to cool the cooler  105  for an extended period of time without the use of conventional ice or ice packs. 
     It is understood that the exact size of the apparatus  10  may vary based upon a correspond size of the cooler  105  into which the apparatus  10  is to be inserted, but is envisioned to be generally rectangular in shape. It is further envisioned that an embodiment of the apparatus  10  may be used to transport and deliver medical materials which require refrigeration, in which case the aforementioned base enclosure  22  and lid enclosure  52  portions are envisioned being made using a polished metal material such as stainless steel or equivalent, being suitable for associated disinfecting processes. 
     The apparatus  10  is provided with a gas outlet tube  40  having an in-line gas check valve  42  to protect the interior portions of the apparatus  10  from contamination while providing a one-way outward flow of CO 2  gas  45  from the apparatus  10  as the dry ice  100  sublimates over time. The gas outlet tube  40  protrudes slightly into the base inner space  23  and is protected from possible clogging by a pair of interior barrier dam structures  28  being rectangular in shape and integrally-molded into the base enclosure  22 . The barrier dam structures  28  are positioned adjacent to and at either side of the gas outlet tube  40 . The gas outlet tube  40  and integral gas check valve  42  are envisioned to be integrally-molded into a side wall portion of the first base enclosure  22 , or otherwise fastened and sealed thereto. The gas check valve  42  further includes an integral barbed hose connector  44  which provides removable attachment of a proximal end of a cold CO2 outlet hose  46 . The cold CO2 outlet hose  46  is to comprise a section of one-quarter inch (¼ in.) diameter rubber hose having a distal end which includes an adhesively affixed first fastener  48   a . The fastener  48   a  is envisioned to be a hook-and-loop fastening means such as VELCRO®. When installed within the cooler  105 , the distal end of the outlet hose  46  and the securing fastener  48   a  are positioned at an upper edge portion of the cooler  105  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an environmental view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  is envisioned being placed within a cooler  105  preferably below subsequently loaded food stuffs to provide extended cooling. The cold CO 2  hose  46  is affixed to the hose connector  44  and protrudes from a side surface of the apparatus  10 , being routed upwardly along an adjacent side surface of the cooler  105  via the fastener  48   a  and a fastener  48   b . The fasteners  48   a ,  48   b  are envisioned to be hook-and-loop type devices such as VELCRO®, or the like. The fastener portion  48   a  is envisioned to be adhesively affixed to the cold CO2 hose  46  and is to be secured to an inner wall portion of the cooler  105  via attachment to the corresponding fastener  48   b , having been pre-applied to the inner wall of the cooler  105 . The described arrangement of the cold CO 2  hose  46  prevents any possible blockage of an open end portion of the cold CO 2  hose  46  by food stuffs, melted ice, or other items within the cooler  105  which may interfere with the flow of the CO 2  gas  45 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of a first alternate embodiment  200  of the invention depicting a detachable lid portion  250 , is disclosed. The invention may be introduced having an alternate second base assembly  220  having features which provide removable attachment of a second lid assembly  250 . The first alternate embodiment  200  comprises similar materials, overall shape and size, as well as airtight and watertight sealing of the dry ice  100  within, as the previously described preferred embodiment of the apparatus  10 . Additionally, the base assembly  220  and lid assembly  250  include respective latch  224  and catch  254  portions along opposing short side portions to seal the base assembly  220  and lid assembly  250  together. The second latches  224  comprise “U”-shaped members being rotatingly secured to the base assembly  220  via respective latch pivot features  226 . The latch pivot features  226  are envisioned being integrally-molded into the base enclosure  222 . The latches  224  provide engaging entrapment of the molded-in and stationary catches  254  of the corresponding lid assembly  250 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , a perspective view of a second alternate embodiment  300  of the invention depicting attachment of an auxiliary hose connector portion  326  and a perspective view of a second alternate embodiment  300  being connected to another unit  300  via the auxiliary port  324  of each unit  300 , are disclosed. The second alternate embodiment  300  comprises similar materials, construction, and function as the preferred embodiment of the apparatus  10 ; however, the second alternate provides a means to establish fluid communication between a plurality of dry ice container embodiments  10 ,  300  via an auxiliary port  324  preferably located along a side surface opposite the outlet tube  40 . The auxiliary port  324  comprises a fluid conduit means being integrated into the side portion of the second alternate embodiment  300  further comprising an integral barbed auxiliary hose connector  326  which provides attachment of an auxiliary hose  328 . In use, the auxiliary hose  328  is routed and connected to a hose connector portion  44  of a unit of the preferred apparatus  10 , or to another second alternate embodiment  300 , thereby joining a desired number of adjacent units  10 ,  300  together. By combining a plurality of dry ice containers  10 ,  300  together, a user can direct an increased and variable flow of cold CO 2  gas  45  into the cooler  105  based upon a size of the cooler  105 , or to obtain a colder temperature within the cooler  105 . 
     The second alternate embodiment  300  includes a cap  330  to plug the auxiliary hose connector  326  when not in use, thereby enabling the second alternate embodiment  300  to function in a similar manner as the preferred embodiment of the apparatus  10 , if desired. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 3 . The method of installing and utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring the apparatus  10 ; placing the container assembly  10  within the cooler  105 ; attaching the outlet hose  46  (by way of the fasteners  48   a  and  48   b ) to an inner surface of the cooler  105 ; opening the lid assembly  50  of the container assembly  10 ; placing a appropriate portion of dry ice into the base inner space  23 ; closing and sealing the lid assembly  50  by fastening the latches  50  to the catches  56  thereby directing an outflow of CO 2  gas from the valve  42  and the hose  46  into the cooler  105 ; loading any number or quantity of food stuff items and other items in the cooler  105  as desired; and, benefiting from a flow of cold CO 2  gas  45  from the apparatus  10  into the cooler  105  for an extended period of time to keep food stuffs within an cooler  105  cold. 
     The first alternate embodiment  200  would be utilized in a similar manner as the preferred apparatus  10  while allowing complete detachment of the removable second lid assembly  250  during loading of the dry ice  100  within. The method of configuring and utilizing a combination of preferred embodiments  10  and second alternate embodiments  300  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring a desired number of preferred embodiments  10  and second alternate embodiments  300  based upon a particularly sized cooler  105  and/or a desired internal temperature to be obtained within the cooler  105 ; connecting the embodiments  10 ,  300  together in a series manner using the auxiliary hoses  328 , the auxiliary ports  324 , and, as needed, a cap  330  upon any unused auxiliary hose connector  326 ; arranging the connected embodiments of the invention  10 ,  300  as desired along a bottom surface of the cooler  105 ; loading food stuffs into the cooler  105 ; and, utilizing the cooler  105  as previously described for the preferred apparatus  10 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.