Method and apparatus for packaging perishable goods

A method of forming an insulating inner container having opposing side ends and a bottom from a flat sheet of flexible material having a metalized surface to be inserted into and closely follow the dimensions of a selected outer container having opposing side ends and a bottom from a flat sheet of flexible material having a metalized surface, comprising the steps of:

• cutting the sheet of flexible material to a rectangular configuration having first, second, third and fourth corners whereby a first dimension of the cut sheet is equal to or greater than the sum of twice the width of the bottom and the height of each of the opposing sides of said inner container and the second opposite dimension is greater than the length of the bottom of said outer container;
• folding said first corner inwardly over the remainder of the sheet to the mid-point of said first dimension of said sheet to for a first flap;
• folding said second corner inwardly over said sheet so that it meets said first corner at said mid-point of said first dimension to form a second flap that partially abuts said first flap;
• sealing said first flap to said second flap along the area where they abut to form a first gusseted pouch;
• raising said first gusseted pouch at its center above said sheet until it is substantially perpendicular to said sheet and a portion of which forms one end of said second container;
• folding said third corner inwardly over the sheet to said mid-point of said first dimension of said sheet to form a third flap;
• folding said fourth corner inwardly over the sheet so that it meets said third corner at said mid-point of said first dimension to form a fourth flap that partially abuts said third flap;
• sealing said third flap to said fourth flap where they abut to form a second gusseted pouch;
• and
• raising said first gusseted pouch at its center until it is substantially perpendicular to said sheet and a portion of which forms an opposite end of said inner container and the remainder of said pouch forms a portion of the opposing sides of said inner container and said sides are substantially perpendicular to said opposite end.

A method of storing a constructed insulating inner container designed to be inserted into an outer container comprising the steps of:

• providing a bottom, integral first and second upwardly extending sides and integral first and second upwardly extending ends disposed between said first and second sides;
• folding said first end down so that its entire inner surface contacts the bottom of said container and thereby beginning folds in each of said sides;
• folding said second end down until its entire inner surface contacts either said bottom or the outer surface of said first end thereby completing folds in each of said sides to form first and second flaps that extend outwardly away from said bottom;
• folding said first flap on top of said second end;
• and
• folding said second flap on top of said folded first flap to thereby completely collapse the container into a configuration that has a length and a width no greater than the bottom of said container.