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US 11,272,767 B2Granted
Flexible insulative container with valve
AssigneeIcemule Company, Inc.
InventorJames E. Collie
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a high-performance, portable, flexible, collapsible, inflatable, insulative container with increased carrying capacity and the portability of a backpack. The container of the present disclosure is both collapsible as well as inflatable via the use of a non-leaking, substantially waterproof valve that facilitates air flow into and out of an insulative space of the container.
Claims16
A method with a container, wherein:
- the container comprises:
- a body portion having a top end, a bottom end, a flexible, waterproof interior liner, and a flexible, waterproof exterior shell, wherein the interior liner and the exterior shell are sealed together at the top end of the body portion, forming an interior insulative space therebetween, and forming a storage space lined by the interior liner and having an opening at the top end of the body portion;
- a flexible insulative material disposed within the interior insulative space;
- and
- at least one valve disposed through and secured to the exterior shell, wherein:
- the valve comprises a body, a cap, and a washer arranged between the body and the cap;
- the cap comprises a body, a central disc portion, and at least one aperture formed through the central disc portion;
- and
- the body of the valve comprises at least one air shaft, a first shoulder welded to the exterior shell, a second shoulder within which the air shaft opens into the interior insulative space, and a disc piece spaced apart from the second shoulder to create a clearance between the air shaft and the flexible insulative material;
- and
- the method comprises:
- opening the valve;
- allowing air through the valve and into the interior insulative space between the interior liner and the exterior shell to inflate the container and protect and insulate any article stored in the storage space of the container;
- and
- closing the valve to hold the air in the interior insulative space, wherein:
- the valve comprises a substantially air and water-tight seal when the cap is manually rotated relative to the body of the valve in a first rotational direction to a closed position where the at least one aperture is obstructed;
- and
- closing the valve comprises rotating the cap in the first rotational direction.
15 more elements
A method with a container, wherein:
- the container comprises:
- a body portion having a top end, a bottom end, a flexible, waterproof interior liner, and a flexible, waterproof exterior shell, wherein the interior liner and the exterior shell are sealed together at the top end of the body portion, forming an interior insulative space therebetween, and forming a storage space lined by the interior liner and having an opening at the top end of the body portion;
- a flexible insulative material disposed within the interior insulative space and being sealed therein;
- and
- at least one valve disposed through and secured to the exterior shell, wherein:
- the valve comprises a body and a cap;
- the cap comprises at least one aperture;
- and
- the body of the valve comprises at least one air shaft, a first shoulder welded to the exterior shell, a second shoulder within which the air shaft opens into the interior insulative space, and a disc piece spaced apart from the second shoulder to create a clearance between the air shaft and the flexible insulative material;
- and
- the method comprises:
- opening the valve;
- pressing on the container to push air through the valve and out of the interior insulative space;
- and
- closing the valve, wherein:
- the valve comprises a substantially air and water tight seal when the cap is manually rotated relative to the body of the valve in a first rotational direction to a closed position where the at least one aperture is obstructed;
- and
- closing the valve comprises rotating the cap in the first rotational direction.
15 more elements
A method with a container, wherein:
- the container comprises:
- a body portion having a top end, a bottom end, a flexible, waterproof interior liner, and a flexible, waterproof exterior shell, wherein the interior liner and the exterior shell are sealed together at the top end of the body portion, forming an interior insulative space therebetween, and forming a storage space lined by the interior liner and having an opening at the top end of the body portion;
- a flexible insulative material disposed within the interior insulative space and being sealed therein;
- and
- at least one valve disposed through and secured to the exterior shell to control air flow into and out of the interior insulative space between the interior liner and the exterior shell, wherein:
- the valve comprises a body and a cap;
- the cap comprises at least one aperture;
- and
- the body comprises at least one air shaft, a first shoulder welded to the exterior shell, a second shoulder within which the air shaft opens into the interior insulative space, and a disc piece spaced apart from the second shoulder to create a clearance between the air shaft and the flexible insulative material;
- and
- the method comprises:
- opening the valve;
- at least one of allowing air through the valve and into the interior insulative space to inflate the container or pushing air through the valve and out of the interior insulative space to deflate the container;
- and
- closing the valve, wherein:
- the valve comprises a substantially air and water tight seal when the cap is manually rotated relative to the body of the valve in a first rotational direction to a closed position where the at least one aperture is obstructed;
- and
- closing the valve comprises rotating the cap in the first rotational direction.
15 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.