AU727723B1 - A multi-purpose thermal insulating jacket for a food or beverage container - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: A MULTI-PURPOSE THERMAL INSULATING JACKET FOR A FOOD OR BEVERAGE CONTAINER Name of Applicant: BONNIE MAY FRASER The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me.

Field of Invention This invention relates to a multi-purpose thermal insulating jacket, having enhanced thermal performance, for food and beverage containers; and more particularly, an insulating cover that functions to maintain the contents of the container at the desired temperature within a narrow temperature range for a longer period of time whether said temperature be warm or cold.

The invention incorporates a moulded organic polymeric thermoplastic transparent window which in its application with a transparent container permits the visual inspection of the contents of the container.

This invention can also be incorporated with other insulating vessels or containers as an external insulating casement surrounding said vessels or containers such as those required for the purpose of warm or cold storage of substances during transit.

Background of the Invention Many new parents choose to bottle feed their babies at some stage as a result of medical problems, high demands placed on working mothers or simply choice. I bottle fed both my children from 3 months of age. In doing so I became aware of some significant problems associated with this: the formula would go cold before the end of the feed.

This upset the baby because the taste of the formula changed and was not as palatable the time taken to reheat the bottle and sometimes cool it down again because it had became.too hot increased the time required to feed the baby; and as a result she became more unsettled and cranky as my babies' level of alertness increased it became increasingly difficult to get them back to sleep; particularly in the early hours of the morning. This increased stress levels for the myself and the baby and subsequently lead to the loss of important sleep.

The present invention relates to a multi-purpose insulating jacket designed to maintain the contents of the bottle or container at the desired temperature for a longer period of time thus allowing feed times for bottle fed babies to more closelysimulate that of breast feeding.

Maintaining the temperature of the formula at the desired temperature throughout the feed would enable feed times to be more relaxed with less fuss. This will assist in keeping baby settled and more easily put back to sleep. Continuous body contact without being moved or having the babies feed time unnecessarily interrupted and prolonged helps to create quality time for both the parent and the baby and may facilitate bonding. It may also mean that both the parent and baby can get plenty of rest at the right time.

The object of the invention was then to produce a thermal insulating jacket that was soft to touch, lightweight and flexible, fitted snugly around the bottle, designed to removably fit about the bottle or container and could adapt to slight changes in shape and size for any stated fluid volume of the bottle or other container.

A second object of the invention was to incorporate a transparent window which in its application with a transparent container would permit visual inspection of the contents of the container.

The moulded transparent window is constructed from an organic polymeric thermoplastic material such as PVC or silicone rubber.

A third object of the invention was to improve the thermal performance of the insulating material by the addition of an inorganic IR or heat reflective metallic oxide coating or lining that could be easily bonded to the insulating material and/or the outer fabric layer. This coating could be placed on the internal and/or external surface of said material or outer fabric layer.

The object of improving the thermal performance was to produce a multi-purpose thermal insulating jacket that would maintain the contents of the bottle or other container within a narrow temperature range for a longer period of time whether the desired temperature be warm or cold.

This invention is not limited to baby bottles and the thermal insulating jacket can be used on a variety of other food or beverage containers not limited to but including sport and water bottles, soft drink bottles and bottles containing alcoholic beverages.

Not wanting to limit the potential of said jacket, a further object of this invention was to produce a thermal insulating jacket that could be incorporated with other insulating vessels or containers as an external insulating casement that either completely or partially encloses the vessel. Said insulating vessel or container being typically used for the purpose of warm or cold storage of substances during transit.

Design Problems Associated with the Thermal Insulating Jacket The Transparent Window The moulded polymeric thermoplastic window represented in Figs i, 2 3 was created as a result of a number of design problems with the transparent window mentioned in the original patent.

These problems were as follows: Originally the window was attached to the inner surface of the insulating jacket. This created problems in that the material used in the construction of the window distorted the jacket when placed onto the bottle or container. The PVC also stuck to the container making it difficult to put the jacket on and take it off. It was also very difficult to rotate the container inside the jacket.

When the window was applied to the insulating jacket in this fashion the upper surface of the jacket looked untidy and was difficult to finish the cut out edges of the insulating material comprising the jacket. There was also no guarantee that the binding finish around the cut-out edges of the insulating material would be consistent from one item to the next.

Next a binding was sewn around the outer edge of the transparent window and then attached to the upper or outer surface of the jacket over the inspection opening. This created problems in that it was difficult to control the placement of the window during the stitching stage and the window was inevitably crooked after permanent attachment. Other problems arose as a result of attaching the window in this fashion: Firstly, there had to be an overlap of the insulating material cut-out to improve the stability of the window placement while stitching. This caused the cut-out edge for the window in the jacket to be readily seen through the Transparent Window.

(ii) Secondly, it was difficult to remove this exposed edging and consequently left the inner surface around the window uneven and unsightly. This was also very time consuming.

These problems led to the concept of using a moulded window. Polymeric thermoplastic materials such as PVC or silicone rubber were both suitable as they possessed the required characteristics. The moulded window had to have the following design features: be transparent permitting visual inspection had to be raised in order to reduce the surface area of the said window in contact with the bottle or container.

(ii) provide means for the easy attachment of the window onto the insulating material.

(iii) The window had to incorporate a section that would accommodate the receipt of the insulating material or other material so as to cover any exposed edges of the material.

(iv) The window had to be attached on the upper surface of the insulating material.

The window had to sit securely in place during the stitching or gluing process to ensure its correct placement.

(vi) The material used had to be firm but flexible, non-toxic and transparent; both chemically inert and thermally stable and exhibit good insulating properties.

(vii) The window had to be easily made and the process of mass production well controlled to ensure minimal variation in its design, appearance and required specifications.

2. Silicon vs PVC In consideration of the type of material to use for the moulded transparent window a number of organic thermoplastic polymers or plastics could possibly be used. Polypropylene, Polythene and Polyvinyl chloride were all possibilities. Silicone Rubber was also a possibility. Because of the particular properties of each of the plastics ie there tensile strength, hardness, thermal insulating properties and flexibility; PVC and/or silicone rubber are the best materials to use in this instance. This does not limit the use of other organic polymeric thermoplastic material in the manufacture of the window according to the required function and conditions of use.

PVC has high thermal stability within the temperature range of its anticipated use, is chemically inert, moulds very easily and is transparent or clear. PVC can be made in any thickness and hardness producing a strong but flexible window. While PVC can be coloured with dyes and pigments, isolated colours, for example a coloured pin stripe or border, could not be added.

Silicon Rubber also has very stable thermal performance within the temperature range in its anticipated use and is generally resistant to chemical attacks. Silicon rubber has good insulating properties and heat conduction is slow preventing the material from becoming too hot. This material can be moulded into any shape and a variety of colours can be used in isolation within the same mould to create a variety of coordinated fashion colour designs.

While it is not 100% transparent silicone rubber still presents with an acceptable appearance and has an advantage over the PVC in that it produces a slight magnifying effect. This would make it easier to read numbers and see the contents inside the bottle or container.

The concept of adding a border stripe or other border patterns around the window was a design feature that produced a more attractive appearance and added a more professional finish. Any colour can be used and it allows the window to be colour co-ordinated to match any other finishing touches to the thermal insulating jacket.

As a result I decided to use silicone rubber for the window but this does not exclude PVC or a other types of organic polymeric thermoplastic materials from being used for the construction of the window.

Design Solution The resulting window design is illustrated by figures 1 2. As noted the window itself can be any shape as illustrated by Figure 1. The dimensions can also vary according to the specific use and required function of the window, its positional placement and overall desired appearance.

Figure 2 also illustrates the design features of the window while Figure 3 details the method of attachment of the window to the main body of the jacket.

Thermal Performance of the Insulating Material Problems associated with the thermal performance of the insulating material were that on its own, the neoprene would not keep the contents of the bottle or container within the required narrow temperature range for a specified period of time.

To illustrate this by example, one function of the thermal insulating jacket is to maintain the temperature of baby formula within a narrow temperature band for at least 30-40 minutes around 37-34 degrees Celsius. This would eliminate the need to reheat the baby bottle during the feed and avoid unnecessary interruptions that might result in over stimulation of the baby during feed time.

The addition of an inorganic IR reflective metallic oxide coating or lining, such as TiO 2 meant that the rate of heat conduction across the bottle and through the insulating material and vice versa may be sufficiently slowed (to compensate for heat loss from other exposed surfaces) to maintain a more even temperature of the container contents for a longer period of time. Thus the contents of the container could be kept warmer or colder longer.

Material Testing Laboratory tests were designed to compare the thermal insulating capacity of neoprene by itself and as a composite polymeric/inorganic IR reflective metal oxide material.

A number of laboratory tests were conducted, at ambient temperature and pressure, to ascertain the percentage of inorganic IR reflective material required to achieve the optimal thermal requirements of the insulating jacket.

Once the correct percentage of inorganic IR reflective material was applied to the neoprene results obtained showed the thermal performance of the insulating jacket made from the composite material to be sufficiently enhanced to solve the specific problem outlined in the illustrated example previously described herein.

In addition, the contents of the container were kept cooler for a period of time over and above that achieved by a similar jacket absent of the inorganic IR radiation reflective metal oxide coating.

Solution to the Stated Problem of Thermal Performance The resulting product was a soft covered, multi-purpose thermal insulating jacket made from a composite neoprene/inorganic

IR

reflective metallic oxide/textile material and comprising a moulded polymeric thermoplastic transparent window.

The polymeric thermoplastic transparent window, in its application with a transparent container permits visual inspection of the contents of the container.

The insulating jacket is tailored to removably fit about the container and is complimentary to the shape of the container.

The multi-purpose function of the jacket is that it will reduce the rate of heat transfer to maintain the temperature of the container contents within a narrow temperature range for a specified period of time thus keeping the contents of the container warmer or cooler for a period of time over and above that obtained by a similar jacket, of the same material thickness, without the inorganic IR reflective metal oxide coating.

Brief Description of Drawings A number of drawings accompany the disclosure and the various views thereof are listed as follows: Fig i. Moulded Polymeric Thermoplastic Window- Front View Fig 2. Design Features of Window Longitudinal Section Fig 3. Method of attachment of Window to Jacket Body Fig 4. General design of the thermal Insulating Jacket Fig 5. Longitudinal section through the composite insulating material Fig 6. External Insulating Casement for existing Insulating Vessels.

Referring to the drawings Figure 1 shows a frontal view of transparent window and a variation on its shape Figure 2 and Figure 3 illustrates the design features of the window and its method of attachment to the said jacket as detailed herein. The border stripe clearly defines the window section and places a barrier between said window section and the stitching groove The border stripe can conceivably be any colour and can be any design or pattern. The recessed groove allows the easy insertion of the cut-out edge of the neoprene or other material into said groove and secures it in place to facilitate easy permanent attachment. Permanent attachment can be achieved either by gluing or stitching along the stitching groove or both (Note that on materials that do not have thermal insulation the window may be heat sealed). The buttressed edge solves the problem of untidy, unfinished and exposed material edges on the inner surface of the jacket.

The design of the window ensures said window section itself is raised and will not come into contact with the bottle or container The small areas of contact between the container (15) and the moulded window at the recessed grooves does not create a significant problem. The stitching groove makes it easier to attach the window by reducing the overall thickness the needle has to penetrate and adds significantly to the overall presentation.

The tapering of the window from the border stripe to the outside edge ensures the window sits nicely on the material and adds to the overall professional appearance. The degree to which the tapering, and the shape of the tapering, occurs may also vary depending on the manner of placement of the window, its specification requirements and use.

Figure 4 shows the various components required in the fabrication of the thermal insulating jacket The jacket (14) is configured to removably fit about the container (15) which in this example is a baby's feeding bottle The thermal insulating jacket (14) is constructed of a polymeric material which can be organic or synthetic in origin and in particular commercially available under the trade name NEOPRENE.

Various types of neoprene are suitable for use in the fabrication of said jacket include but are not limited to CR all grades, super CR-A, NS (30% Cr 70 SBR) all grades, SBR, CS, EDPM, (50% Cr 50% SBR), Ruba TexR-200 Sea TEX (100% CR), 3-DIS NEOPRENE and Stomatex.

The thermal insulating jacket (14) being constructed of a composite polymeric material as illustrated by Figure 5, said material coated on its inner and/or outer surface with an inorganic IR radiation reflective metal oxide (10) and intervened by an outer fabric layer (11).

The inorganic IR radiation reflective metal oxide (10) is not limited to but may include Ti0 2 or other suitable metal oxide such as Mn, Al, Fe, SiO 2 or mixture thereof or any other suitable metallic oxide.

Typically the jacket (14) is shaped complimentary to the container so as to fit snugly about the container, said jacket includes a container opening (16) through which the container (15) is received.

Preferably the jacket (14) also includes a means which permit enlargement of the container opening (17) to accommodate receipt of the container More typically said means is in the form of a zipper or VELCRO-type fastener which extends from the container opening (16).

Preferably the jacket (14) includes professional finishes (19) to both improve the appearance of; and decorate the jacket (14).

Preferably the jacket also includes a bottom panel (20) which can be sewn and/or glued onto the body of said jacket (14).

Preferably the jacket(14) includes an inspection opening (18) which in its application with a transparent container permits the visual inspection of the contents of the container More preferably a transparent window (21) is provided over the inspection opening, said window being a moulded structure and constructed of a polymeric thermoplastic material such as PVC or silicone rubber.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of attachment of the said window (21) as detailed in Figure 3 and previously described herein.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a means to allow the complete enclosure of another insulating vessel (22) as depicted in Figure 6. Preferably said means incorporates an upper panel (25) which is attached to the main body of the insulating encasement (23) and completely closes the casement by means of a zipper, VELCRO-type fastener or adjustable pull tight straps This external insulating casement preferably has a carry strap attached (26).

The general steps involved in the fabrication of a thermal insulating jacket such as (14) are as follows: the composite polymeric insulating material is cut out in accordance with the required pattern (ii) art work, if required, such as screen prints, logos etc are added to the appropriate position on the body panels at this point (iii) the moulded transparent window is inserted around the inspection opening of the front or rear panel and permanently attached.

(iv) the top edges of the front and rear panels are finished with a suitable binding material, said binding continuing around the edges of the zipper or VELCRO-type fastener opening the zipper or VELCRO-type fastener is inserted in the rear panel (vi) the front and rear panels are either butted together and stitched along the seam or joined together by the addition of a binding material attached to the top of the material edges (vii) the bottom edges of the jacket body may be finished with a suitable binding material (viii) the base is attached to the jacket either by stitching or alternatively gluing.

More generally the container is a drink or food container not limited to but including a baby bottle, sport and water bottle, soft drink bottle, thermos flask, army water bottle, bottles for alcoholic beverages and other containers suitable for storing food or other substances required to be kept warm or cool during transit.

It will be appreciated that the thermal insulating jacket described herein has many variations in order to accommodate the range of shapes and sizes of various food and drink containers commercially available.

It will further be appreciated that the thermal insulating jacket described herein has at least the following advantages: enhanced thermal insulating properties due to the addition of an inorganic IR radiation reflective metal oxide coating or lining to the polymeric insulating material on its inner and/or outer surface.

(ii) is multi purpose in its function, namely to maintain the temperature of the container contents within a narrow temperature range through either: the retention of IR radiation or heat by reducing the rate of its conduction from the contents of the bottle across the container wall, thereby functioning to keep the contents of the container at a more even temperature within a specified temperature range hence keeping the container contents warmer for longer, or the reflection of IR radiation or heat from the container surroundings hence reducing the rate of conduction of heat from the surroundings into the container thereby functioning to keep the contents of the container cooler for a longer period of time (iii) the moulded transparent window in its application with a transparent container allows the visual inspection of the contents of the container (iv) can function to augment the thermal performance of other insulating vessels or containers through its incorporation as an external insulating casement surrounding and enclosing said insulating vessels or containers.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. For example, the insulating material collectively termed Neoprene, from which the jacket is constructed, may be of practically any thickness depending on the thermal requirements or substituted with other organic or synthetic thermosetting or polymeric thermoplastic materials such as polyurethane or polystyrene or other suitable insulating materials.

It can also be appreciated that a number of construction methods may be used in the manufacture of said jacket. For example welding or gluing of the panels may be preferred to stitching or a combination of methods may be preferably used.

It can also be appreciated that the said jacket may incorporate any number of professional finishes including bindings and decorations such as, stitched, screen printed and heat sealed art works.

It can also be appreciated that the transparent window can be constructed from a range of polymeric thermoplastic materials and has a considerable and desirable functional advantage for incorporation with other items requiring such a component but not defined within the context of this invention including but not limited to windows for tents, boats, caravans, toys, hot houses and the like.

It can further be appreciated that the thermal insulating jacket in its function as an external insulating casement can conceivably be any shape and size and is complimentary to the shape of the insulating vessel or container so as to fit snugly about the container.

All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.

Claims (4)

1. A multi-purpose thermal insulating jacket for a food or beverage container, said jacket being constructed of a composite synthetic or organic polymeric material which is coated or layered on its inner and/or outer surface with an inorganic IR radiation reflective metal oxide and intervened by an outer textile or fabric layer.

2. A thermal insulating jacket as defined in claim 1 wherein the insulating jacket: is shaped complimentary to the container so as to fit snugly about the container has means which permit enlargement of the container opening to accommodate receipt and removal of the container has means which permit closure of the jacket about the container, said closure mechanism preferably being that of a zipper or VELCRO-type fastener, and has means for the attachment of a detachable carry strap.

3. The thermal insulating jacket as defined in any one of the preceding claims may also comprise a moulded polymeric thermoplastic transparent window which in its application with a transparent container permits the visual inspection of the contents of the container, said window: can be made to any specification, size and shape can be constructed from a range of polymeric thermoplastic and thermosetting plastics not limited to but including PVC or silicone rubber can incorporate decorative borders and patterns, said borders being any colour or combination of colours. can be incorporated into other items requiring such a component not limited to but including tents, boats, toys and caravans.

4. The thermal insulating jacket as defined in any one of the preceding claims may be incorporated as an external insulating casement surrounding and enclosing other insulating vessels or containers used as insulation for the purpose of either warm or cold storage of substances during transit. Dated this 15th day of December 1999 BONNIE MAY FRASER