US20200031563A1

US20200031563A1 - Reusable sealable pouch holding ice for food coolers

Info

Publication number: US20200031563A1
Application number: US16/450,979
Authority: US
Inventors: Elizabeth Dahnken
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-06-23
Filing date: 2019-06-24
Publication date: 2020-01-30

Abstract

The present invention is a reusable, sealable pouch to hold ice, which is used in food coolers and other applications. The core components of the invention are a waterproof pouch, channels directing the ice cubes, and a zipper, or snaps, or button, or any other method used to couple and uncouple the fabric for purposes of closure, which, generally speaking, are configured as follows: a waterproof material is configured into a pouch for the purpose of holding ice or water, with a waterproof zipper, snaps, buttons, roll top or any other method used to couple and uncouple the opening where the ice or water is poured into; and channels are stitched, sewn, welded or any other method used to couple two pieces of fabric for purposes of guiding the ice; or a pouch with no channels. The invention can be used to hold ice for purposes of use in a cooler, ice chest or any other container used to keep objects cool into which ice cubes are traditionally poured; or to be used to hold ice for other purposes of cooling or reducing inflammation, such as for a health or wellness related need; or to hold water to be then frozen directly into the pouch for the purposes stated above. Furthermore, it should be noted that any and all methods of coupling and uncoupling the material for the purpose of containing the ice or water are covered in this, as well as any other purpose where ice or water would be used in addition to cooling items or wellness/physical related needs.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/689,132 filed Jun. 23, 2018.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This invention is an improvement to the current offerings on the market for the cooler industry. More specifically, this is an improvement to the offerings on the market that keep food or other items cool in food coolers.

2. Background

Currently there are a number of solutions for keeping items cold in a cooler or container used for food or other items. Some of these solutions attempt to keep items cold without the use of actual ice or ice cubes, but these solutions fail to meet the needs of the industry because once unfrozen or melted, there is no option to replenish the source of cold as needed without being returned to a cold location such as a freezer or refrigerator for several hours. Other solutions attempt to provide a container for ice, but these solutions are similarly unable to meet the needs of the industry because they lack the design, flexibility, size, shape, and adequately sized-opening and method of closure needed to easily and quickly fill and close a pouch with a larger quantity of ice. They also lack any design to address the use of varying quantities of ice, addressing the use of both smaller and larger quantities, and to evenly distribute ice throughout. Still other solutions seek to create a barrier between food or items in a cooler and the melted ice that pools at the bottom of the cooler or other container, but these solutions also fail to meet industry needs because the size is not adjustable, and only works with a limited cross section of hard coolers of a limited variance of size, and not designed to fit into soft or hard coolers in the broader scope of shapes or sizes of which those containers are made.

SUMMARY

It would be desirable to have a waterproof or water resistant pouch, that may be either independent or affixed to the inside of a container, made of but not limited to nylon, polyester, PVC, or any other material that is inherently waterproof or using a water-resistant or water-repellent application which/that can hold ice cubes or water, or anything else cold, for the purposes or keeping food cold and dry in a cooler or ice chest, and/or be used to keep anything else cold and/or dry for the purposes of physical-related wellness, including but not limited to reducing inflammation, swelling and/or pain in the body, or in any other capacity as needed. Furthermore, it would also be desirable to have a waterproof or water resistant/repellant pouch, pocket or sack holding ice or water that has a closure by way of zipper, buttons, snaps and/or any other method used to couple and uncouple one or more pieces of fabric, for the purposes of containing ice or water, or any material in a solid or liquid state, without leakage, and to also dispose of ice or water, or any material in a solid or liquid state as needed. Still further, it would be desirable to have one or more seams in the pouch, by way of stitching, sewing or welding, or any other method used to couple and/or uncouple two pieces of material, for the purpose of guiding the cubes or liquid to evenly disperse throughout the pouch, or to have no channel. Still further, it would be desirable to absorb moisture on the exterior layer resulting from condensation. Therefore, there currently exists a need in the industry for a waterproof or water-resistant pouch that is reusable, resealable, and that can be frozen, unfrozen and re-frozen, to be used to hold ice cubes and/or water, or any other liquid or substance for the purpose of keeping food or other items cold and dry in a food cooler or ice chest, or any other container in which ice is traditionally poured, and for the additional purpose of, but not limited to, the use of a pouch that is reusable and re-freezable and used for the purposes of physical wellness.
It is still further an objective of the present invention to create a device that advantageously fills the aforementioned deficiencies by providing a reusable, sealable pouch holding ice and/or water, or any other substance intending to keep items both cold and dry in a cooler.
Disclosed is a waterproof container, pouch, bag or sack for ice and/or water, which is made up of the following components: a waterproof and/or water-resistant material; an opening to allow the ice and/or water or other substance to enter, a closure to seal in the ice and/or water or other liquid; and a device that also allows to empty the contents of the pouch; and a method to channel the contents in a way that evenly distributes the contents in the container. These components are connected as follows: the ice, water, and/or other liquid enters the opening of the bag, pouch, sack or container and is channeled throughout by a method to distribute the contents evenly; it is sealed in for the purpose of being placed into a cooler or any container where cooling is needed; the ice and/or liquid can then be removed as needed, from the pouch or container via the same opening or via any other location or method.
The device may also have one or more of the following snaps, buttons or any other method used to fasten the pouch for secondary closure, after primary closure or sealing, for added safeguarding of liquids in the pouch, sack or container. It may also have seams, stitching or welding to create channels guiding the ice or water into the bag for purposes of even dispersal. The device may also be made of any flexible, woven or non-woven, material, such as but not limited to, polyester, nylon, acrylic, microfiber, vinyl, wool, wool gabardine, cotton, rubber; any material that is or is not inherently waterproof/liquid proof or water/liquid repellent, on one or both sides, including but not limited to: nylon, polyester, tarpaulin, rubber, latex, microfiber, acrylic, silicone, Hypalon, Neoprene, Cordura™, Gore-tex™, pyridinium or melamine complexes, polyurethane, acrylic, fluorine or Teflon™. Any of these materials may also use a waterproof/liquid proof or water/liquid repellent coating and/or laminating, including but not limited to Filium™, Aquagard™, or WaterSeal™. The device may also have an additional layer of material, or multiple layers, for purposes of temperature regulation, facilitating condensation, absorbing condensation, or extending or increasing duration of time that ice, or any other frozen mixture, uses to melt or return to liquid state. The device may also be any other shape than a rectangle, as well as any other size. The device may also have a different opening/closure than a zipper, snaps, buttons or anything used to couple and uncouple layers of material together. The device may also contain no stitching, seams, threading or welding to create channels to evenly disperse the ice, water, or any other frozen material or liquid material, meaning that the ice or liquid could enter the device without channels for even dispersion. The device may also be constructed in or affixed to the interior of a container.
The disclosed device is unique when compared with other known devices and solutions because it provides: ample space to fit 10-25 lbs of ice cubes or a similar volume of liquid, while it also can be modified for the use of less ice as needed; channels to guide the cubes or liquid for even dispersion; and a large opening to fill and empty with ease and efficiency; the materials stated provide a soft, flexible encasing for the ice. It is also unique as it can fit most sizes of hard- or soft-shell coolers. It is also unique in its ability to facilitate and/or absorb moisture on the exterior. It is also unique in its ability to be constructed in or affixed to the interior of another container.
The disclosed device is unique in that it is structurally different from other known devices or solutions. More specifically, the device is unique due to the presence of: its casing, which allows for ice to be inserted and removed, making it reusable and refillable; it contains channels that guide the ice cubes for even dispersion; it has a large and/or funnel shaped opening that allows for easy filling and emptying of ice or liquid. The device is also unique because of its opening; the opening seals the device to prevent leakage, and can be reopened. Also unique is the casing. It is flexible and waterproof, using the materials stated, making it adaptive to multiple sizes of both soft-shell and hard-shell coolers.
This disclosure will now provide a more detailed and specific description that will make reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings and specific descriptions of the drawings, as well as any specific or alternative embodiments discussed, are intended to be read in conjunction with the entirety of this disclosure. The reusable sealable pouch holding ice for food coolers may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and fully convey understanding to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment that illustrates a roll-top closure and channels.

FIG. 2. is a cross-sectional view of a second exemplary embodiment that illustrates an extra large opening and coupled materials that define channels.

FIG. 3. is an exploded view of a third exemplary embodiment that illustrates two material layers in a device.

FIG. 4. is a cross-sectional view of a fourth exemplary embodiment that illustrates a device with coupled materials creating two channels for guiding the ice for even dispersion and a smaller opening than the second embodiment.

FIG. 5. is a perspective view of fifth embodiment showing a device constructed in or affixed to the interior of a container.

FIG. 6. illustrates a close up view of a sixth exemplary embodiment highlighting loading ice a device including a zippered closure, and channels guiding the ice for even dispersion.

FIG. 7. is a perspective view of a exemplary device, which can correspond to several embodiments, being placed into a cooler.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to reusable sealable pouch holding ice for food coolers.
As shown in FIG. 1, the device 10 is made of the following components: a bag, pouch or sack 20 that is made of but not limited to: any flexible, woven or non woven, material 25, such as but not limited to, polyester, nylon, acrylic, microfiber, vinyl, wool, wool gabardine, cotton, silicone, rubber; any material that is or is not inherently waterproof/liquid proof or water/liquid repellent, on one or both sides, including but not limited to: nylon, polyester, tarpaulin, rubber, latex, microfiber, acrylic, silicone, Hypalon™, Neoprene™, Cordura™, Gore-tex™, pyridinium or melamine complexes, polyurethane, acrylic, fluorine or Teflon. Any of these materials may also use a waterproof/liquid proof or water/liquid repellent coating and/or laminating, including but not limited to Filium™, Aquagard™, or WaterSeal™.
As shown in FIG. 3, the device 10 can also have an additional layer of material 30, or multiple layers, for purposes of retaining water, ice or liquids; temperature regulation, facilitating and/or absorbing condensation, or extending or increasing duration of time that ice, or any other frozen mixture, uses to melt or return to liquid state. The device 10 is also in additional shapes besides a rectangle, as well as any other size. The device 10 also has a different opening/closure other than a zipper 12, snaps 14, buttons or anything used to couple and uncouple layers of material together.
The device 10 (closure not shown), as shown in FIG. 5, may be affixed to or constructed in the interior of a container 70, with the purpose of facilitating a cold environment in the container while containing the ice or frozen liquid, or liquid, separately from the contents of the container.
The device has one or more of the following: snaps 14, buttons or any other method used to fasten the pouch for secondary closure, after primary closure or sealing, for added safeguarding of liquids in the pouch, sack or container. It does or does not have seams, stitching, welding or any other method that couples and/or uncouples two or more pieces of material together to create channels 50 guiding the ice 60 or water into the bag 20 for purposes of even dispersion.
The full device also may include channels 50. Channels can vary from 0 to infinite, intended to guide the cubes or liquids through the bag for even distribution.
As shown in FIG. 7, the device going into a cooler 80 is an example of its use. It can be used in a variety sizes of coolers, due to its flexibility and ability to be compressed in size. The bag, filled with ice or liquid, is laid on top of the food or other items, allowing the cold to travel downward while keeping the food/items dry from ice melt.
FIG. 6 illustrates the ice 60 being poured out of a bag and into the device. The amount of ice or liquids going into the device can be adjusted as needed, and the device can be compressed into a smaller size if needed.
The opening 40 of the device is large for ease of filling. As shown in FIG. 2, the opening may be funnel shaped, widening at the opening to guide the entry of ice, frozen liquid or liquid. The device can be closed by one of more of the following methods: waterproof zipper 12, roll top closure 16 in which the two pieces of material are pressed together and rolled downward 3 or more times, then fastened by buttons, magnets and/or snaps 14 (as shown in FIG. 1), or any other method to seal/unseal the device to contain the ice or liquids.
FIG. 2 shows a variation of the device of FIG. 2 with 1 coupled area and 2 similarly sized channels shown. The device can also have zero channels (i.e., a single interior volume). The device can also have more than one channel 50. The channel can be created through stitching, welding or any other method used to couple and uncouple the material together to create channels guiding the ice or liquids through the bag, for even dispersion.
Different features, variations and multiple different embodiments have been shown and described with various details. What has been described in this application at times in terms of specific embodiments is done for illustrative purposes only and without the intent to limit or suggest that what has been conceived is only one particular embodiment or specific embodiments. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to any single specific embodiments or enumerated variations. Many modifications, variations and other embodiments will come to mind of those skilled in the art, and which are intended to be and are in fact covered by both this disclosure. It is indeed intended that the scope of this disclosure should be determined by a proper legal interpretation and construction of the disclosure, including equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the complete disclosure present at the time of filing.

Claims

1. An ice pouch for holding ice, the pouch comprising:

a flexible and water-resistant casing material surrounding an interior compartment with a user-adjustable interior volume;

a resealable opening at one end of the casing having a width that is wider than the casing; and

a waterproof closure that seals the resealable opening to retains the contents in the interior volume in solid or liquid phase,

wherein the user adjusts the interior volume by rolling or folding the casing in a closing area proximate to the opening to adjust the interior volume to have a capacity that is a maximum capacity or a smaller capacity.

2. The ice pouch of claim 1, wherein the resealable opening is funnel shaped.

3. The ice pouch of claim 1, wherein the water-resistant casing material is at least one of a waterproof material, liquid proof material, liquid repellent coating or laminating.

4. The ice pouch of claim 3, wherein the water-resistant casing material is at least one of Filium™, Aquagard™, or WaterSeal™.

5. An ice pouch for holding ice, the pouch comprising:

a waterproof closure configured to receive ice into the ice pouch through an opening and seal the ice pouch by closing the opening;

a water-resistant layer of the ice pouch extending from the waterproof closure and enclosing an interior of the ice pouch; and

an absorbent layer outside the water-resistant layer from the interior that absorbs condensate forming outside of the ice pouch;

6. The ice pouch of claim 5, wherein at least one channel is defined by nonadjacent areas of the first outer layer coupled together.

7. The ice pouch of claim 5, wherein the opening of the pouch is wider than a width of the interior of the ice pouch.

8. The ice pouch of claim 5, wherein the ice pouch is sized to hold up to 25 pounds of ice.

9. The ice pouch of claim 5, further comprising a temperature regulating layer between the water-resistant layer and the absorbent layer for controlling the rate at which the temperature difference between the interior and absorbent layer permeates the ice pouch.

10. A bag or a cooler containing at least one ice pouch of claim 5 integral with or affixed thereto.

11. The ice pouch of claim 6, where in the coupling is formed by sewing, seams, stitching or welding.

12. The ice pouch of claim 5, where the waterproof closure comprises a roll-top closure configured to be rolled multiple times and fastened using at least one of buttons, magnets or snaps.

13. A kit containing the ice pouch of claim 5 and a cooler or a bag for holding food or drinks.

14. The ice pouch of claim 5, where the absorbent layer comprises Cordura™, cotton or microfiber.

15. A method of using an ice pouch for holding ice in a cooler apart from the cooler contents, the pouch comprising:

filling the ice pouch with ice, the step of filling including dispersing the ice into at least two channels in the ice pouch;

rolling closed the ice pouch to adjust its volume;

sealing the ice pouch;

placing the ice pouch in a cooler.

16. The method of claim 15, the step of sealing comprising snapping ends of rolled area to at least two snaps on the ice pouch so that the rolled area stays rolled and lays flat.