GB2504667A

GB2504667A - Cooler container

Info

Publication number: GB2504667A
Application number: GB201213049A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Susan House
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-07-21
Filing date: 2012-07-21
Publication date: 2014-02-12
Also published as: GB201213049D0

Abstract

A container for keeping food cool is adapted to contain food in trays such as preÂpackaged food, for example dips, and comprises a cavity for receiving a coolant gel or a gel-pack sealed within the device. In some embodiments the device comprises a lid detachably mounted on the device. The inner wall of the container may include a support such as a ledge or rim to support the tray, and the lid and base may include insulation layers. The lid may be hinged to the container and may be mounted to the container by using magnetic means. The inner wall of the base may have a lower insulation value than the outer wall of the cavity. The container may also include an inlet and sealing port through which gel may be loaded into the coolant cavity within the base.

Description

A Cooler Tray for Food

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for cooling food and keeping food cool, more particularly to portable apparatus that may be chilled and then used to keep food cooled for an extended period of time.

Background

Apparatus such as insulated cool boxes and cooler tray are known in which coolant such as ice or chillable or freezable gel packs are placed within the box or tray to create a cold environment for food. Trays are known in which coolant may be used to keep food cold while readily act essible or on display. Many prior art device are adapted to contain ice, which is messy and leaves liquid for disposal, or to be freezable, in which case there is the likelihood of foodstuffs being frozen by contact with over-cold coolant, or to have several separable components which are awkward to assemble and clean. Recently pre-packect food items such as dips have been available which contain food items in pre-moulded packaging, typically relatively shallow compared with a horizontal dimension of the package, and which should be kept cool until being eaten, but should not be frozen. In some cases the packaging contains multiple compartments, each holding a different foodstuff, and frequently such foodstuffs might be eaten gradually over an extended period of time. A utensil that keeps such foodstuffs cool while present in the pre-packaged containers, while keeping the food attractively presented and readily accessible for eating, would have utility.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: US2008021 6507 discloses a tray comprising a shaped gel member' comprising a chillable/freezable gel that is a loose removable fit within an outer container, a food tray being provided that fits within the cavity within the gel member. This device comprises several separable components and it is intended that the gel member be frozen separately from the remainder. It is not suited to use with present pre-packaged foodstuffs, and risks freezing liquid foodstuffs that are in close contact with it.

US2O0718O850 discloses a series of nested bowls, the space between two of which is filled with freezable gel. It is large, adapted for use in chilling liquids or salad, not adapted for low cost production and not suitable for use with the kind of pre-packaged food that is common tod?y, and again risks freezing the foodstuffs within it.

U37427001 discloses a bowl shaped utensil having a freezable gel within it, which can be placed in the freezer to chill/freeze the gel. This design is suitable for a semi liquid content, and may be separated into a number of portions which maybe frozen separately, but again does not meet the design need for adaptation to use with pre-packed foods.

US5701 757 discloses a utensil comprising separable pans defining a space for a conventional gel pack with them. This has the disadvantage that such gel packs when frozen often distort, meaning that the space needs to be larger than the gel pack in order to accommodate bulging, which in turn will lead to unappealing loose movement of the gel pack. Additionally, the gel pack will deliver cooling only to a portion of the pan, which is not insulated, so will be less effective than is desirable.

The devices of the prior art all have missing desirable features or are poorly suited for use in the intended manner.

In contrast the present invention provides a self-contained, easy to use cooling tray adapted for use with pre-packaged chilled foods.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a device for cooling foodstuffs comprising: A device for containing foodstuffs comprising a housing comprising a base and a lid, the base comprising a coolant cavity within it adapted to be filled with a chillable or freezable gel; A gel within the coolant cavity; Sealing means to contain the gel within the coolant cavity; An inner wall defining a food cavity, the food cavity being closable by the lid; The food cavity being shaped and dimensioned to receive pre-packaged food packages comprising a food compartment and a substantially flat rim.

In a preferred embodiment the device further comprises in use a food tray that fits within the food cavity and is separable from the base, the food tray comprising one or more compartments for food. In a preferred embodiment the food tray comprises a pre-packaged food container. In an embodiment such a tray is provided as part of the device, being removable and replaceable by a pre-packaged food tray as required.

In a preferred embodiment the inner wall comprises support means to support the edge of a food tray, located on the inside of the inner wall near the perimeter of the food cavity, such as a rim which may be continuous or discontinuous or comprise two or more projections, adapted to support the food tray such that the base of the compartments lies above the bottom of the food compartment. Such an arrangement leaves an air gap between the bottom wall -closest to the coolant -and the food tray. Such as air gap may function in use to reduce the risk of freezing of the foodstuff.

In a further preferred embodiment the device is sized around existing known pre-packaged foodstuff tray sizes. It is an advantage of the device that it may be produced at low cost, and so is adaptable in some embodiments to specific sizes of packaging. Such sizing may comprise choice of dimensions and shape, and the device may be tailored for specific food types, packaging types, or even specific products.

In a further preferred embodiment, the device further comprises an insert having a cut-out or recess shaped to accommodate a food package, the insert being adapted to be mounted within the device, so defining a space within the food cavity into which the food package may fit snugly. Such an insert allows the device to be adaptable to a range of different packaging sizes or products. In a preferred embodiment the insert is mounted on the rim or ledge, and in some embodiments is adapted to be a push or snap fit to the inside of the device in order to form a neat and complete surround to the food package tray.

In preferred embodiments the coolant cavity lies within the base and extends a distance upwards within the side walls of the base, so providing cooling capability to the sides of the food cavity also. In further embodiments the lid further comprises a coolant cavity adapted to contain gel and to be sealed to seal gel within it.

In preferred embodiments the inner wall of the base has a lower insulation value than the outer wall between the gel cavity and the outside world, so as to allow efficient cooling of the food cavity while limiting heat flow inwards from ambient. In one embodiment the inner wall is of the same material as the outer wall but is thinner. In a further embodiment the outer wall comprises an insulation layer, for example an air cavity or a further insulation material enclosed within the wall. In preferred embodiments the insulation values of the. walls are chosen so as to allow rapid cooling of the device in the freezer or fridge by means of heat loss through the inner wall, and slow influx of heat from the outside via the outer wall.

Gels suitable for use in the device are well known in the art. Preferably the deviqe is filled so that the coolant cavity contains an air gap to allow for expansion of the gel on freezing. Sealing devices are known in the art and may comprise heat seals, screw caps, crimped seals and the like.

In a further preferred embodiment the lid comprises an insulation layer, such as a relatively thick structural material, an air cavity or a further layer of insulation material within the lid.

In a preferred embodiment the lid is attachable and detachable from the base, being held onto the base by means of mounting means from which the lid may be detached. Such means may comprise demountable hinges or press fit or snap-in features. In a preferred embodiment the lid is held in place on the base by magnetic means, with the lid and the base comprising a pair of magnetic materials in order to hold them together. By This is meant that the lid may comprise a permanent magnetic material and the base a magnetisable material, or vice versa, or both may comprise permanent magnetic materials. In a particularly preferred embodiment the lid further comprises a hinge within it, parallel to the edge by which the lid is mounted on the base, the hinge allowing the lid to be bent back up itself to wrap around a corner of the base, so as to close the food compartment. Preferably the lid may then be removed and remounted in the reverse sense, and the hinge may then be used to in the opposite sense to allow the lid to rest on a surface next to the device to form a tray for other, non-cooled foodstuffs. In preferred embodiments the lid may have a living hinge' within it, so having the ability to hinge through a large angular range.

The device may be formed from any material suitable to be chilled in a freezer or fridge and then brought out into the ambient. Preferably the material will be waterproof to prevent absorption of condensation. In some embodiments the tray is adapted to be reusable, in which case the materials are preferably washable and robust. In alternative embodiments the tray is intended to be for single use, for example as a disposable item for use on picnics, and might be sold alongside or part of the food package itself. In this case materials such as plastic-coated cardboard might be used for the base and lid, the rate of water ingress being slow enough for a short term use, and a pre-formed sealed gel pack might be used within the cavity, the sealing means of the invention in this embodiment being the gel pack wall itself.

In preferred embodiments the base is formed from moulded plastic, the material chosen to be durable for repeated use. In one embodiment the lid may be formed from moulded rubber, Preferably the lid is recessed into the base when closed to give a smooth, stackable appearance. Preferably the device is adapted such that the lid can be removed, or folded under the base, when the device is being chilled, to speed the rate of chilling by allowing heat transfer through the inner walls.

The device may be any shape, dimension or colour as suits the market requirement and maybe the nature of the food to be served. Typical dimensions of the food cavity may lie in the range from 10cm to 50cm wide and/or long, and from 2cm to 20cm deep, though in preferred embodiments in the range 5cm to 10cm deep. Typical depth of the gel cavity may be in the range 0.5cm to 4cm, more preferably 1cm to 2cm.

Different shapes of device might be different colours, and devices may have a common base colour, for example white, and a range of lid colours.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a top view of a first embodiment of the invention Figure 2 shows a bottom view of a first embodiment of the invention Figure 3 shows an exploded view of a first embodiment of the invention Figure 4 shows an isometric top view of a first embodiment of the invention Figure 5 shows an isometric bottom view of a first embodiment of the invention

Detailed Description of Figures

A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in figures ito 7.

Figure 1 shows a top view of a first embodiment of the invention, showing a base unit and a lid mounted on the base, the lid comprising an internal hinge such as a living hinge and wrapping round and fitting closely to an edge of the upper face of the base unit, having means for lifting such as a finger recess. The lid preferably fits sungly into a recess provided in the upper profile of the base.

Figure 2 shows a bottom view of a first embodiment of the invention, showing an inlet and sealing port through which gel may be loaded in to the coolant cavity within the base.

Figure 3 shows an exploded view of a first embodiment of the invention, showing the lid removed from the base, a food tray adapted to fit within the food compartment, the inner wall of the base and a recess provided in the upper face of the base into which the lid may fit flush or under4lush with the upper edges of the base. The recess may also act to support the edges of the food tray in preferred embodiments, or in some embodiments the inner wall may be provided with a ledge or rim for that purpose as described before. Figure 3 illustrates components and location of the lid hinge. A first hinge component has cylindrical pivots extending from it that may inter-fit with recesses in the lid. A second hinge component is shown that is mounted in or bonded to the base unit. In preferred embodiments the first and second hinge components comprise a pair of mutually attractive magnetic materials as described previously allowing the lid to be attached magnetically to the base, so allowing the lid to be removed readily, for example for cleaning.

Figure 4 shows an isometric top view of a first embodiment of the invention with the lid in place.

Figure 5 shows an isometric bottom view of a first embodiment of the invention, showing the lid hinge when assembly and the inlet /sealing port for the coolant gel.

Claims

Claims 1. A device for containing foodstuffs comprising a housing comprising: a base and a lid, the base including a coolant cavity adapted to be ruled with a chullable or freezable gel; sealing means to contain the gel within the coolant cavity; an inner wall defining at least one food cavity, the food cavity being closable by the lid; the food cavity being shaped and dimensioned to receive pre-packaged food packages.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bottom of the food compartment has a region that is substantially flat and the device further comprises in use a food tray that fits within the food cavity in use and is separable from the base, the food tray comprising one or more compartments for food and a substantially fiat rim.
3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the tray comprises a pre-packaged food container.
4. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inner wall comprises support means to support the edge of a food tray, located on the inside of the inner wail near the perimeter of the food cavity.
5. A device as claimed in any previous claim, further comprising a removable insert having a cut-out or recess shaped to accommodate a pre-packaged food package, the insert being adapted to be mounted within the device.
6. A device as claimed in any previous claim wherein the coolant cavity extends a distance upwards within the side walls of the base.
7. A device as claimed in any previous claim wherein the inner wall of the base has a lower insulation value than the outer wall of the gel cavity.
8. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the lid or base comprises an insulation layer.
9. A device as claimed in any previous claim wherein the lid is mounted on the base using magnetic materials.