Insulated carrier for temperature-controlled items
AssigneePackit, LLC
InventorsMelissa Kieling, Roland Ecarma, Kenneth Arthur Gross
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present application generally relates to devices and methods for transporting, delivering, and storing items, and it more specifically relates to insulated carriers for use in transporting, delivering, and storing temperature controlled items such as perishable food and beverage items. The containers are collapsible and insulated to allow for the efficient storage and transport of the containers while empty.
Claims20
A collapsible container comprising:
- a plurality of panels cooperatively assembled to define an interior cavity accessible via an opening, the plurality of panels comprising at least a base panel, a front panel opposing a rear panel, and a pair of opposing side panels with each of said opposing side panels having an upper portion and a lower portion;
- a lid movably connected to the rear panel and configured to move between an open position proximate the rear panel and a closed position whereby the opening is obstructed;
- wherein the container is configured to fold into a collapsed configuration by placing said lid in the open position, folding the upper portion of each of the pair of side panels into the interior cavity, and folding the base panel towards the opening;
- wherein at least one of the plurality of panels comprises an interior layer proximate the cavity and an exterior layer, and wherein a layer of insulation, a freezable gel, and a stiffener are located between at least a first portion of said interior layer and a second portion of said exterior layer of said at least one of the plurality of panels.
A collapsible container comprising:
- a base panel with a horizontal crease;
- a front wall extending from the base panel;
- a rear wall extending from the base panel opposite the front wall;
- a pair of opposing side walls extending from the base panel between the front wall and the rear wall, each of the pair of opposing side walls comprising an upper portion having a vertical crease that is orthogonal to the base panel;
- wherein the base panel, the front wall, the rear wall, and the pair of opposite side walls define a cavity therebetween;
- wherein the container is configured to fold into a collapsed configuration by folding the base panel about the horizontal crease and folding the upper portion of each of the pair of opposing side walls about the vertical creases thereon;
- and
- wherein at least one of the base panel, the front wall, the rear wall, and the pair of opposing side walls comprises an interior layer proximate the cavity and an exterior layer, and wherein a layer of insulation, a freezable gel, and a stiffener are located between said interior layer and said exterior layer.
A method of collapsing a container comprising a base panel with a horizontal crease and a peripheral wall comprising a pair of opposing side walls;
- each with an upper portion having a vertical crease, the peripheral wall extending in a direction from the base panel to form a cavity and wherein at least a portion of the peripheral wall comprises an interior layer proximate the cavity and an exterior layer, with a layer of insulation, a freezable gel, and a stiffener located between said interior layer and said exterior layer, the method comprising the steps of:
- folding the base panel along the horizontal crease;
- and
- folding the upper portion of each of the pair of opposing side walls into the cavity along the vertical creases.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.