US20230182987A1

US20230182987A1 - Holding and temperature regulation device

Info

Publication number: US20230182987A1
Application number: US18/079,343
Authority: US
Inventors: Parker Sullivan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-12-10
Filing date: 2022-12-12
Publication date: 2023-06-15

Abstract

A portable, handheld, storage device for holding and organizing perishable goods. The storage device includes an upper assembly having a cap connected to a working lid, a main body having a removable insert that can hold perishable goods in the removable insert or within the interior cavity of the main body. The main body is connected to a lower assembly that includes a removable thermal pack and thermal conductor rod. The thermal conductor rod conducts heat through the main body by making contact with an exterior underside of the main body to provide a suitable temperature within an interior of the main body or the removable insert. A removable pack is freezable or can be heated to provide a desired temperature as conducted from a bottom cup holding the removable pack to the interior of the main body and the items stored inside the main body or the removable insert.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional application which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/288,205 filed on Dec. 10, 2021, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The overall field of this invention generally pertains to a portable, handheld, storage device for storage and temperature regulation of potentially perishable materials and related accessories and, more specifically, to a container for storing and maintaining the temperature of perishable organic material, cartridges, batteries, and other related items.

BACKGROUND

Maintaining the freshness of many types of perishable, organic material requires the perishable, organic material be stored in a cool and dry place, but not made too cold or frozen. However, people often transport perishable, organic material (e.g., cannabis) with them when attending events, going outside, and generally having it on their person. As such, the perishable, organic material can be subjected to variable temperatures and humidities often exceeding those associated with maintaining optimal freshness. When the temperature and/or humidity exceed specified thresholds, perishable, organic material can degrade. For example, cannabis may be subjected to these varying, and potentially higher, temperatures and humidities when transported and/or held for recreational use, thereby degrading freshness, potency, and overall quality. Degradation due to higher temperature and/or humidity can usually be mitigated by storing the perishable, organic material in an area or container with reduced temperature and humidity variation.
Accordingly, several solutions have been implemented to solve problems associated with regulating temperature and humidity when transporting material. These solutions implement different approaches to facilitating a cool and dry atmosphere. However, these solutions often use complicated mechanisms that do not meet the needs for perishable, organic materials, and do not contemplate cooling accessories such as battery and cartridge cooling. The storage device described herein may advantageously address such deficiencies.

SUMMARY

A material storing and temperature regulating device is presented herein comprising a cap and a working lid, wherein the cap covers the working lid and includes a functional work surface. The storage device further comprises a main body having an interior cavity, wherein the working lid can detachably attach to a top of the main body, and a removable insert configured to be stored within the interior cavity of the main body, wherein the removable insert is partially enclosed and comprises an interior cavity adapted to hold items. The storage device further comprises a bottom cup coupled to or otherwise attached to a lower end of the main body, wherein the bottom cup further comprises a removable pack adapted to be held with an interior cavity of the bottom cup, wherein the removable pack is adapted to be made cold including frozen or heated, wherein the removable pack comprises a conductor rod opening. The storage device further comprises a conductor rod, wherein the conductor rod is configured to be inserted within the conductor rod opening of the removable pack, wherein the conductor rod is configured to transfer heat from a main body and/or removable insert through the conductor rod to towards a removable pack or from the conductor rod to the main body and/or removable insert to preserve the items at a suitable temperature relative to an ambient temperature of external surroundings to the material storing and temperature regulating device. The removable pack may be a solid object that has a width that is narrower than a width of the bottom cup so as to fit inside of the interior cavity of the bottom cup. In a non-limiting embodiment, the cap is hingedly attached to the working lid, wherein the cap is attached to the working lid facilitating closure of the working lid. In a non-limiting embodiment, the working lid is threaded and configured to threadably attach and detach from the main body. In a non-limiting embodiment, the removable insert comprises a substantially vertical body comprising walls that have a recessed neck area and a cylindrical top surface, and the interior cavity is exposed from either a side or a top of the removable insert. Further, the removable insert may be flexible. In one non-limiting embodiment, the removable insert is made of silicone. In other embodiments, the removable insert is made of an insulating material comprising polystyrenes, polyisocyanurates, and ceramics.
In a non-limiting embodiment, the bottom cup comprises a thread on a top interior rim of the bottom cup. Further, there may be a threaded interface that is connectable to the bottom cup. Further, the bottom cup and the threaded interface may be coupled to a bottom of the main body.
In another aspect, the present description includes a method for using a material storing and temperature regulating device in accordance with one or more non-limiting embodiments. The method may include providing a material storing and temperature regulating device. The method may further include removing the bottom cup and removing the removable pack from the interior cavity of the bottom cup and removing the conductor rod. The method may further include cooling or heating the removable pack for a desired period of time. After the desired period of time has lapsed, the method may include returning the cooled or heated removable pack to the interior cavity of the bottom cap. The method of use may further include returning and inserting the conductor rod to the conductor rod opening of the removable cap and coupling the bottom cup to the main body to reattach the bottom cup with the stored removable cap to the main body. If the removable pack was made cold and/or frozen, then the interior temperature of the main body is lowered including the interior cavity of the main body and/or the removable insert by transferring heat from the main body and/or removable insert through the conductor rod through the removable pack. If the removable pack was heated, the method may include raising the interior temperature of the main body including the interior cavity of the main body and/or the removable insert by transferring heat from the removable pack by virtue of the conductor rod conducting heat from the removable pack to the main body and/or removable insert.
The method may further include adding perishable items to the interior cavity of the removable insert or adding separate containers containing perishable items to the interior cavity of the removable insert. The method may further include removing the removable insert and solely adding perishable items to the interior cavity of the main body without using the removable insert but still being able to heat or cool the perishable items contained within the interior cavity of the main body by virtue of the conductor rod creating a cold or hot temperature by virtue of transferring heat due to the cold or hot temperature of the removable pack.
The method may further include raising the cap to expose the functional working surface of the working lid, wherein neither the cap nor the working lid includes a drink opening. The method may further include threadably unscrewing the working lid from the main body to access the interior cavity of the main body and to access the removable insert.
Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of the storage device.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled storage device.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the assembled storage device shown in FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cap of the storage device.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the working lid of the storage device.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cap attached to the working lid of the storage device.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the removable insert.

FIG. 7B is a view of a back side of the removable insert.

FIG. 7C is a view of the removable insert holding containers having perishable items inside the containers.

FIG. 8 provides a perspective view of a main body of the assembled storage device.

FIG. 9 provides a perspective view of the threaded interface of the assembled storage device.

FIG. 10 provides a view of the conductor rod.

FIG. 11A provides a view of the removable pack.

FIG. 11B provides a view of the conductor rod inserted into an upper opening of the removable pack.

FIG. 12 provides a view of a bottom cup adapted to hold the removable pack and conductor rod.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention facilitates improved, economical, simple, and effective techniques that prolong the integrity of cannabis and other perishable, organic materials (including but not limited to food or drink items) by creating a temperature and humidity controlled atmosphere within a partially enclosed chamber. The present invention provides easily configurable storage capable of accommodating cannabis related or other types of items, including but not limited to, perishable organic goods such as herbal concentrates, food, batteries, etc. Furthermore, the present invention regulates temperatures within a storage chamber, either cooling or heating as appropriate.
Aspects of the invention as disclosed in one or more non-limiting embodiments herein include easy to use, improved, more economical, and effective techniques for keeping materials at or near a desired temperature and/or humidity to maintain freshness, effectiveness, and quality for longer periods of time. Aspects include a device for storing material. Interchangeable packs containing temperature adjusting substances (e.g., for cooling or heating) can be used to maintain a chamber of the device at or near a desired temperature or within a desired temperature range. A desired temperature or temperature range can be higher or lower than the temperature external to the device. The chamber can also be maintained at or near a desired humidity level or within a desired humidity level range. A desired humidity level or temperature humidity level range can be higher or lower than the humidity external to the device.
FIG. 1 shows an exploded, perspective view of storage device 100. Storage device 100 may be a portable climate-controlled storage device for containing a wide variety of perishable goods. Such perishable goods may include, but are not limited to, cannabis or other herbal substances, food and drink products, batteries, and any type of items. In a non-limiting embodiment, the storage device 100 includes stainless steel components and has a removable pack 102, as shown in FIG. 1 , a work surface lid 114, and custom inserts for storing a variety of goods, in the partially enclosed removable insert 103 that is housed within the main body 101 of the portable storage device 100.
FIG. 1 provides an exploded view of the storage device 100 according to one or more non-limiting embodiments. FIG. 2 provides a view of an assembled storage device 100 made up of the components shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 illustrates the assembled storage device 100 with a partial cross-sectional view taken along lines A-A shown in FIG. 2 .
As shown in FIG. 1 -FIG. 3 , the portable storage device 100 includes a number of components. In a non-limiting embodiment, the portable storage device 100 may be divided into an upper assembly 150 and a lower assembly 152 as shown in FIG. 1 . In a non-limiting embodiment, the upper assembly 150 comprises a cap 114, a working lid 112, a first seal 113 a, a removable insert 103, and a main body 101. In a non-limiting embodiment, the lower assembly 152 may comprise the second seal 113 b, the thread interface 108, the conductor rod 107, a removable temperature pack 102, and a bottom cup 104. It is further noted that the term “removable temperature pack” as used herein may be interchangeably used with “removable pack.”
In a non-limiting embodiment, the cap 114 is hingedly connected at 121 as shown in in the FIG. 3 and in FIG. 6 to the working lid 112. FIG. 1 further depicts that the removable pack 102 may additionally have a cylindrical indentation 1106 as shown in FIG. 11A. Conductor rod 107 makes contact with removable insert 103, facilitating thermal transfer between removable pack 102 and any contents stored within the partially enclosed chamber 704 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 7A and in FIG. 7C) of removable insert 103. Furthermore, bottom cup 104 may attach or only make contact to main body 101 at the bottom rim 109 shown in FIG. 1 . As shown in FIG. 1 , thread interface 108 facilitates the connection of bottom cup 104 to main body 101 at open bottom rim 109 by screwably attaching to open top rim 110 of bottom cup 104. Additionally, seal 113 b sits between thread interface 108 and open top rim 110 to maintain fit, reduce thermal transfer loss, and create friction tightening. In a non-limiting embodiment, there may be a first seal 113 a and a second seal 113 b as shown in FIG. 1 included in the storage device 100. The first seal 113 a may be positioned between the threaded bottom rim 120 of the working lid 112 and the top of the removable insert 103 as shown in FIG. 1 . The second seal 113 b may be positioned between the bottom 802 of the main body 101 and the top surface of the thread interface 108 as shown in FIG. 1 . In a non-limiting embodiment, the first and second seals 113 a and 113 b may be ring shaped as shown in FIG. 1 . Further, in a non-limiting embodiment, the first and second seals 113 a and 113 b may be made of or incorporate silicone and/or rubber in one or more non-limiting embodiments.
Removable insert 103 is housed within main body 101 in FIG. 1 . Open top rim 111 of main body 101 has thread 119 which screwably attaches to the bottom rim 120 of the working lid 112 in one or more non-limiting embodiments. Bottom rim 120 is a part of working lid 112 and facilitates the connection between working lid 112 and main body 101. Additionally, seal 113 a is disposed between open top rim 111 and bottom rim 120. Working lid 112 has lower receiver 115 which facilitates a rotatable connection to upper receiver 116 which is located on cap 114 and facilitates the connection between cap 114 and working lid 112.
Hinge 121 is formed by the connection between lower receiver 115 and upper receiver 116 as shown in FIG. 3 and in FIG. 6 . Additionally, as shown in the partial cross-sectional view in FIG. 3 taken along the lines A-A shown in FIG. 2 , the vacuum double wall 122 of main body 101 sits between main body 101 and removable insert 103. Vacuum double wall 122 facilitates temperature and humidity regulation between partially enclosed chamber 704 and an external environment. Vacuum double wall 122 may also provide insulation so that the storage device 100 is adapted to act as an insulated storage device to house and protect perishable items contained therein.
As shown in FIGS. 1-3 , bottom cup 104 houses removable pack 102 which is further connected to conductor rod 107. The conductor rod 107 acts as a thermal conductor to transfer a temperature of the removable pack 102 to the interior cavity 804 of the main body 101 and to the interior cavity 704 of the removable insert 103. The removable pack 102 may comprise a temperature adjustable material. The removable pack 102 may be used for cooling or heating. In a non-limiting embodiment, the removable temperature pack 102 may be made from a high-density freezable foam in one or more non-limiting embodiments. Other materials may alternatively be used for the removable temperature pack 102. Notably, the removable pack 102 may be a solid object such as that shown in FIGS. 1-12 , and in particular shown in FIG. 11A and in FIG. 11B.
Turning to FIGS. 4-12 , FIGS. 4-12 provide various close-up views of individual components of the storage device 100. FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of the cap 114 according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown, the cap 114 includes a closed upper surface and a ridge 402 encircling the closed upper surface. In a non-limiting embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 , there may also be a finger friendly lip 406 for a user to flip easily the cap 114 up or down over the working lid 112.
FIG. 5 shows a non-limiting example of the working lid 112 of the storage device 100. FIG. 6 shows a non-limiting example of the cap 114 connected to the working lid 112 at hinge 121. As noted above, the upper receiver 116, as shown in FIG. 4 , may connect to the lower receiver 115 of the working lid 112 via one or more fasteners 140 as shown in FIG. 1 in order to make the hinge 121. It is noted that in one or more non-limiting embodiments, the cap 114 and the working lid 112 may be made of injection-molded ABS.
Working lid 112 is intended to provide a working surface for user to position one or more perishable goods or items stored either within the interior cavity 804 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 8 ) of the main body 101 and/or within the partially interior enclosed interior cavity 704 of the removable insert 103 as shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7C.
The working lid 112 may include one or more receptacles 502 a, 502 b, 502 c, 502 d, and 502 e as shown in a non-limiting example in FIG. 5 . The receptacles 502 a, 502 b, 502 c, 502 d, and 502 e may be distributed around the top surface 504 of the working lid 112. There may be a ridge 506 encircling the top surface 504 of the working lid 112 and one or more recessed lower surfaces in the working lid 112. In a non-limiting embodiment, the receptacles 502 a, 502 b, 502 c, 502 d, and 502 e may be formed into the top surface 504 of the working lid 112 and formed in the same of enclosed or partially enclosed cylinders. It may be particularly useful to store cannabis cartridges of various sizes in the varying sized receptacles 502 a, 502 b, 502 c, 502 d, and 502 e in the top surface 504 of the working lid 112. As shown in FIG. 5 , receptacles 502 a and 502 e have a much smaller diameter than the diameters of receptacles 502 b, 502 c, and 502 d.
As such, the different diameters and sizes of the receptacles 502 a-502 e in the working lid 112 may vary to accommodate holding cannabis cartridges and/or vape pens of varying sizes which should preferably be kept upright which the receptacles 502 a-502 e in the working lid 112 are adapted to allow such cartridges to remain in an upright position on top of the working lid 112. The user may place the cartridges in the receptacles 502 a-502 e as needed after extracting a desired amount of cannabis that may be stored within an interior 804 of the main body 101 and/or within an interior 704 of the removable insert 103. The cap 114 is configured to close over the top surface of the working lid 112. The bottom surface of the working lid 112 includes a bottom rim 120 as shown in FIG. 6 (and in FIG. 1 ) enabled to attach to the top rim 119 of the main body 101. In a non-limiting embodiment, the bottom rim 120 of the working lid 112 includes threads that can threadably and screwably mate with the top rim 119 of the main body 101 in order to fit together.
In a non-limiting embodiment, neither the cap 114 nor the working lid 112 is a drinking lid. Rather, the cap 114 serves as a protective cover to the working lid 112, and the working lid 112 provides a functional work surface that includes receptacles 502 a-502 e which can hold various items that fit within those receptacles and/or the indented center groove on the top surface of the working lid 112.
As shown in FIG. 1 and in FIGS. 7A-7C, the storage device 100 is enabled to include an optional removable insert 103. The removable insert 103 acts as an inner holder. Notably, the user may choose to keep removable insert 103 inside of the interior cavity 804 of the main body 101 to store one or more perishable items or goods. Alternatively, the user may choose to remove the removable insert 103 and solely store the perishable items or goods directly within the interior cavity 804 of the main body 101 and store the removable insert 103 elsewhere until the removable insert 103 is needed for a future use.
As shown in FIG. 7A, the removable insert 103 may have a horizontal top surface 701 coupled to a body having one or more vertical walls that define an opening to an interior cavity 704 of the removable insert 103 as shown in FIGS. 7A-7C. As shown in FIG. 7A, the top surface 702 may include a central opening 710. Further, there may be a ridge 703 encircling the top surface 701 of the removable insert 103. The neck area 705 of the removable insert 103 may be recessed and concave inwards with respect to the remaining portion of the walls 702 of the removable insert 103. In one or more non-limiting embodiments, the upper portion of ridge 703 of the removable insert 103 may be integrally formed or otherwise connected to the lower portion 707 of the removable insert 103. The interior cavity 704 may have a width narrower than the width W1 of the removable insert 103 in one or more non-limiting embodiments. As shown in FIG. 7B, the walls 702 may be partially recessed.
FIG. 7C shows that the removable insert 103 may include one or more containers 712 a, 712 b that can hold perishable organic goods (e.g., cannabis or tobacco or other types of goods). The containers 712 a, 712 b are sized to fit within the interior cavity 704 of the removable insert 103. In a non-limiting embodiment, the containers 712 a, 712 b may be stacked over each other as within the interior cavity 704 of the removable insert 103 as shown in FIG. 7C. Alternatively, a user may omit using the containers 712 a, 712 b and store goods directly within the interior cavity 704 of the removable insert 103 or directly within the interior cavity 804 of the main body 101, as shown in FIG. 8 , without using the removable insert 103 to store goods. Advantageously, the user has the option to include the removable insert 103 to store goods or not as the interior cavity 804 of the main body 101 is a storage space also.
The width W1 of the removable insert 103 may be narrower than the width of the main body 101 so as to be able to fit the removable insert 103 within the interior cavity 804 of the main body 101 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1 in the exploded view). In a non-limiting embodiment, the width of the main body 101 may be approximately 2.83 inches wide and the width W1 of the removable insert 103 may be approximately 2.2 inches wide. The width of the interior cavity 704 of the removable insert 103 may be approximately 1.58 inches. One of ordinary skill in the art may understand these are exemplary dimensions and other dimensions may alternatively be used. Further, it is noted that the removable insert 103 may be advantageously flexible so that the removable insert 103 is not overly rigid and can stretch to accommodate any items contained inside of the removable insert 103, including but not limited to items being contained in one or more rigid containers 712 a,712 b as shown in FIG. 7C. Accordingly, the removable insert 103 may be made of silicone in one or more non-limiting embodiments so as to be made of a flexible material. Alternatively, the removable insert 103 may be made of a rigid material other than silicone, including being made from plastic or metal material. Alternatively, or additionally, removable insert 103 may be made from insulative materials including polystyrenes, polyisocyanurates, and ceramics.
Turning to FIG. 8 , the main body 101 includes a recessed bottom surface 802 and/or ridge that is intended to couple with the top surface of the threaded interface 108 shown in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 9 , and also with the top rim 110 of the bottom cup 104 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 12 ). The threaded interface 108 may be made of injection-molded ABS in one or more non-limiting embodiments.
FIG. 9 shows that the threaded interface 108 may include a ring like shape with a body 902 defining a wide interior cavity 904. There may be a threaded bottom rim 906 formed with the thread interface 108 as shown in FIG. 9 .
FIG. 10 shows a close-up view of a conductor rod 107. In a non-limiting embodiment, the conductor rod 107 may include a cylindrical element having a substantially flat top surface 1002 and a ridge 1004 encircling the top surface 1002, with a longer vertical cylindrical part 1006 extending from the bottom surface of the ridge 1004. There may be a pointed or blunt end 1008 at the lower end of the long vertical cylindrical part 1006 as shown in FIG. 10 . In a non-limiting embodiment, the conductor rod may be made of a cold or heat conducting metal, including, but not limited to, aluminum. Other metals may alternatively be used to make conductor rod 107.
FIG. 11A shows a close-up view of an exemplary removable pack 102. The removable pack 102 may also include a cylindrical shaped body 1104 as shown in FIG. 11A. In a non-limiting embodiment, the cylindrical shaped body 1104 may be coupled to a top surface having a recessed area 1106 with a central opening 1102. FIG. 11B shows that the conductor rod 107 is configured to fit snugly and well within the recessed area 1106 and central opening 1102 of the removable pack 102. Accordingly, the central opening 1102 extends into the body 1104 of the removable pack 102 a sufficient distance to fully encircle and contain the longer vertical cylindrical part 1006 of the conductor rod 107.
FIG. 12 shows a close-up view of the bottom cup 104 that is also cylindrical shaped and includes an interior cavity 1202. In a non-limiting embodiment, the user is intended to place the removable pack 102 in a freezer in order to make the removable pack 102 as cold as possible. Then, once the removable pack 102 has been frozen or rendered sufficiently cold, the user may place the removable pack 102 into the interior cavity 1202 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 12 ) of the bottom cup 104. In a non-limiting embodiment, the bottom cup 104 may be approximately 2.2 inches wide. It is noted that in a non-limiting embodiment, both the main body 101 and the bottom cup 104 may be made of vacuum sealed stainless steel. In a non-limiting embodiment, the user may choose to remove the conductor rod 107 before freezing or making cold the removable pack 102 or may keep the conductor rod 107 in the removable pack 102 when placing the removable pack in a freezer, refrigerator, or other cooling unit. If the user is heating the removable pack 102, it may be necessary to remove the conductor rod 107 when heating the removable pack 102 in particular if the conductor rod 107 is made of metal. Notably, the material of the removable pack 102 may enable it to be safely frozen, cooled, and/or heated and to retain the imparted temperature from the cooling or heating.
In a non-limiting embodiment, the bottom surface 802 fits into the interior cavity 904 of the threaded interface 108 as shown in the exploded view of FIG. 1 . Further, the conductor rod 107 is configured to make physical contact with an exterior of the underside of the bottom surface 802 of the main body 101. In a non-limiting embodiment, there may even be a designated indentation formed on an underside of the bottom surface 802 configured to receive the top surface 1002 of the conductor rod 107 while the conductor rod 107 is housed within the removable pack 102 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 11B).
In a non-limiting embodiment, conductor rod 107 mechanically connects removable pack 102 to a portion of the removable insert 103. Conductor rod 107 acts as a thermal conductor to transfer the temperature of the removable pack 102 to the main body 101 and/or the removable insert 103. The conductor rod 107 acts as a thermal conductor and attempts to create an equilibrium between the temperature of the removable pack 102 and the temperature of the main body 101 that the conductor rod 107 is touching. More specifically, the conductor rod 107 transfers heat between removable insert 103 and the frozen temperature or the hot temperature of the removable pack 102 depending on whether the removable pack 102 is at a freezing cold temperature or a very high heat temperature. The transfer of heat compensates for a difference between a temperature within the partially enclosed chamber 704 of the removable insert 103, and/or the interior cavity 804 of the main body 101, and another temperature of the removable pack 102. The transfer of heat also maintains partially enclosed chamber 704 of the removable insert, and/or the interior cavity 804 of the main body 101 at a reduced temperature relative to a further ambient temperature external to the storage device 100 so as to keep the contents of the main body 101 cooler if the removable pack 102 retains a very cold temperature or warmer if the removable pack 102 retains a very hot temperature.
Notably, a user may want the goods contained within the interior cavity 804 of the main body 101 and/or within the interior cavity 704 of the removable insert 103 to remain at a lower temperature than the ambient outside temperature to preserve the integrity of the perishable goods that may be transported inside the main body 101 and/or the removable insert 103 of the storage device 100. For example, with respect to cannabis, it is preferable that cannabis is stored at 63 degrees Fahrenheit or below so as to preserve its freshness. If the temperature of the interior cavity 804 of the main body 101, and/or the temperature of the interior cavity 704 of the removable insert 103 exceeds 63, any cannabis stored therein may begin to deteriorate at an exponential rate as the temperature increases. Accordingly, it is desirable to the user that the temperature of the interior cavity 804 of the main body 101 and the interior cavity 704 of the removable insert 103 be ideally at least 63 degrees or less when the removable pack 102 is inserted within the bottom cup 104 and the conductor rod 107 located within the opening 1102 (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 11A-11B) if any cannabis is stored within the interior of the main body 101 (including with or without the removable insert 103).
Accordingly, the removable pack 102 may be frozen and kept in the freezer so as to impart coldness to the storage device 100 or the removable pack 102 may be heated in a microwave or other heating element so as to impart heat to the contents stored within the storage device 100.
It is noted that in an alternative non-limiting embodiment, removable pack 102 contains a freezable substance such as but not limited to water, polymer, cellulose, refrigerant gel, or another type of freezable substance. Furthermore, in another aspect of the storage device 100, the removable pack 102 may contain a separately heatable substance. Heatable substance may create heat including use of chemical reactions, thermal mass storage (e.g., temperature adjustable foam), and electronic heat generation. In one or more non-limiting embodiments, conductor rod 107 mechanically connects removable pack 102 to the main body 101 that houses the removable insert 103. Conductor rod 107 transfers heat or cold provided by the removable pack 102, including by the freezable substance or heatable substance. The transfer of cold or heat from the re movable pack 102 via the conductor rod 107 may act to compensates for a difference between a temperature within the partially enclosed chamber 704 of the removable insert 103, the interior cavity 804 of the main body 101, and another temperature of the removable pack 102. The transfer of the thermal capabilities of the removal pack 102 also maintains and regulates the temperatures of the interior cavity 804 of the main body 101 and the interior cavity 704 of the removable insert 103 at an increased or decreased temperature relative to a further ambient temperature external to the storage device 100.
Notably, conductor rod 107 sits above and in contact with removable pack 102 and conductor rod 107 sits below and in contact with removable insert 103. Conductor rod 107 facilitates heat transfer between removable pack 102 and removable insert 103. Furthermore, removable insert 103 facilitates heat transfer to partially enclosed chamber 704. Main body 101 includes vacuum double wall 122 mitigating heat transfer between the main body 101 and its interior cavity 804, the removable insert 103 and its partially enclosed chamber 704, and the external environment.
Advantageously, where the removable insert 103 can be replaced, the storage device 100 can maintain chamber 704 at or near a desired temperature or temperature range with minimal interruption. Additionally, the removability of numerous components of device 100 serves to allow for effective cleaning of each component. Furthermore, removable insert 103 may be made of insulative materials to further improve the efficacy of the thermal regulation of the device 100. By supplying a relatively constant thermal transfer, the device 100 preserves the quality, freshness, and effectiveness of the materials that it contains. Such contained materials should not be construed to only be organic, perishable materials. The device 100 may serve to store all manner of things both liquid or not, organic or not, and perishable or not. Nothing in this application should be construed as limiting the applicability of device 100. Additionally, device 100 may also be used for heating purposes and thus should not be construed as being limited.
In order to use the storage device 100 according to one or more non-limiting embodiments, the user may unfasten and/or lift or otherwise remove the cap 114 and working lid 112 from the main body 101. As shown in the Figures and described above, in one or more non-limiting embodiments, the working lid can be threadably unscrewed from the main body 101. Removing the hingedly connected cap 114 and working lid 112 from the main body 101, the user gains access to the interior cavity 804 of the main body 101 and/or to the removable insert 103 which is stored and kept within the interior cavity 804 of the main body 101. If the user wants to keep the removable insert 103, the user may choose to add any perishable goods directly into the interior cavity 704 of the removable insert 103 by placing or otherwise positioning the goods inside the interior cavity 704 of the removable insert 103. Alternatively, the user may add goods to one or more containers, such as containers 712 a, 712 b as shown in FIG. 7C, and stack or otherwise place the containers 712 a, 712 b to the interior cavity 704 of the removable insert 103. The user may then take hold of the body of the removable insert 103 and place the entire removable insert 103 within the interior cavity 804 of the main body 101 to store the contents inside of the main body 101. Alternatively, the user may omit the removable insert 103 and place any perishable goods directly inside the interior cavity 804 of the main body 101.
Next, or at any point in time, the user may need to add either a cold or hot removable pack 102 and conductor rod 107 assembled together (e.g., as shown in FIG. 11B) to the interior 1202 of the bottom cup 104. The bottom cup 104 may then be screwably attached to the threaded interface 108. In a non-limiting embodiment, the threaded interface 108 fits within the top perimeter of the bottom cup 104 and both the threaded interface 108 and the bottom cup 104 are either attached or otherwise coupled to the bottom edge 109 of the main body 101. In one or more non-limiting embodiments, the bottom cup 104 may be removable from the threaded interface so that the removable pack 102 may be removed as needed to cool and/or heat the removable pack 102.
In one or more non-limiting embodiments, the top surface 1002 of the conductor rod 107 makes contact with the flat underside of the bottom surface 802 of the main body 101. Thus, the conductor rod 107 is able to conduct the heat of the removable pack 102 to the main body 101 via actual heat transfer from the metal of the conductor rod 107 to the metal body of the main body 101 or vice versa and in turn, affect the internal temperature of an interior of the main body 101 to be either colder or hotter as needed to reach a suitable temperature. If for example, the temperature of the main body 101 and/or the removable insert 103 is hotter than the temperature of a cooler conductor rod 107 receiving the cold temperature of a cold removable pack 102, then the excess heat from the main body 101 and/or removable insert 103 will transfer towards the conductor rod 107, thereby cooling down the interior temperature of the main body 101 and the removable insert 103. However, if the conductor rod 107 is hot due to the higher temperature of the removable pack 102 being heated, then the heat from the hotter removable pack 102 transfers towards the conductor rod 107 towards the main body 101 and/or the removable insert 103 stored therein.
Accordingly, the storage device 100 may act as a single unit, insulated, transportable, storage unit that can act as a cooler to the perishable items held within the storage device 100 or as a heating unit to keep the perishable items held inside at a heated temperature if so desired. Accordingly, the present description provides for various embodiments for the device 100 utilizing a removable pack 102 with thermal capabilities. The storage device 100 as presented herein in one or more non-limiting embodiments may be a type of beneficial article which elevates an end user's experience as well as provides storage solutions for transportation of perishable goods. The storage device 100 provided herein is able to keep perishable goods in a controlled environment to retain their intrinsic value, which is an advantage over standard food containers which are not suitable to withstand influence from the temperature of the ambident environment and the result is the premature spoilage or loss of value of the perishable goods. There are many uses and advantages offered for the device 100 as described above in one or more non-limiting embodiments in the present description.
In this Detailed Description, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference may be made to particular features of the invention. It may be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature may be disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.
Where reference may be made herein to a method comprising two or more defined acts, the defined acts can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other acts which are carried out before any of the defined acts, between two of the defined acts, or after all the defined acts (except where the context excludes that possibility).
“Exemplary” may be used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described in this document as “exemplary” may not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects.
Throughout the drawings, like reference characters are used to designate like elements. As used herein, the term “coupled” or “coupling” may indicate a connection. The connection may be a direct or an indirect (e.g., mechanical) connection between one or more items. Further, the term “set” as used herein may denote one or more of any items, so a “set of items” may indicate the presence of only one item or may indicate more items. Thus, the term “set” may be equivalent to “one or more” as used herein.
The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of any means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The present invention, according to one or more embodiments described in the present description, may be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive of the present invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A material storing and temperature regulating device comprising:

a cap;

a working lid, wherein the cap covers the working lid and includes a functional work surface;

a main body having an interior cavity, wherein the working lid can detachably attach to a top of the main body;

a removable insert configured to be stored within the interior cavity of the main body, wherein the removable insert is partially enclosed and comprises an interior cavity adapted to hold items;

a bottom cup coupled to or otherwise attached to a lower end of the main body, wherein the bottom cup further comprises:

a removable pack adapted to be held within an interior cavity of the bottom cup, wherein the removable pack is adapted to be made cold including frozen or heated, wherein the removable pack comprises a conductor rod opening;

a conductor rod, wherein the conductor rod is configured to be inserted within the conductor rod opening of the removable pack, wherein the conductor rod is configured to transfer heat to preserve the items at a suitable temperature relative to an ambient temperature of external surroundings to the material storing and temperature regulating device.

2. The material storing and temperature regulating device of claim 1, wherein the removable pack has a width that is narrower than a width of the bottom cup so as to fit inside of the interior cavity of the bottom cup.

3. The material storing and temperature regulating device of claim 1, wherein the cap is hingedly attached to the working lid, wherein the cap is attached to the working lid facilitating closure of the working lid.

4. The material storing and temperature regulating device of claim 1, wherein the working lid is threaded and configured to threadably attach and detach from the main body.

5. The material storing and temperature regulating device of claim 1, wherein the removable insert comprises a substantially vertical body comprising walls that have a recessed neck area and a cylindrical top surface, and the interior cavity is exposed from either a side or a top of the removable insert.

6. The material storing and temperature regulating device of claim 1, wherein the removable insert is flexible.

7. The material storing and temperature regulating device of claim 6, wherein the removable insert is made of silicone.

8. The material storing and temperature regulating device of claim 1, wherein the removable insert is made of an insulating material comprising polystyrenes, polyisocyanurates, and ceramics

9. The material storing and temperature regulating device of claim 1, wherein the bottom cup comprises a thread on a top interior rim of the bottom cup.

10. The material storing and temperature regulating device of claim 9, wherein the material storing and temperature regulating device further comprises a threaded interface that is connectable to the bottom cup.

11. The material storing and temperature regulating device of claim 10, wherein the bottom cup and the threaded interface are coupled to a bottom of the main body.

12. A method of using a material storing and temperature regulating device, comprising:

providing a material storing and temperature regulating device, the material storing and temperature regulating device comprising:

a cap;

a conductor rod, wherein the conductor rod is configured to be inserted within the conductor rod opening of the removable pack, wherein the conductor rod transfers heat to preserve the items at a suitable temperature relative to an ambient temperature of external surroundings to the material storing and temperature regulating device;

removing the bottom cup;

removing the removable pack from the interior cavity of the bottom cup and removing the conductor rod;

cooling or heating the removable pack for a desired period of time;

after the desired period of time has lapsed, returning the cooled or heated removable pack to the interior cavity of the bottom cap;

returning and inserting the conductor rod to the conductor rod opening of the removable cap;

coupling the bottom cup to the main body;

if the removable pack was made cold and/or frozen, lowering an interior temperature of the main body including the interior cavity of the main body and/or the removable insert by transferring heat from the main body through the conductor rod to the bottom cup housing the removable pack; and

if the removable pack was heated, raising the interior temperature of the main body including the interior cavity of the main body and/or the removable insert by transferring the heat from the removable pack by virtue of the conductor rod transferring heat from the removable pack to the main body.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising adding perishable items to the interior cavity of the removable insert.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising, adding separate containers containing perishable items to the interior cavity of the removable insert.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising, removing the removable insert and adding perishable items to the interior cavity of the main body.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising, raising the cap to expose the functional working surface of the working lid.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein neither the cap nor the working lid includes a drink opening.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising, unscrewing the working lid from the main body to access the interior cavity of the main body and to access the removable insert.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the removable insert comprises a substantially vertical body comprising walls that have a recessed neck area and a cylindrical top surface, and the interior cavity is exposed from either a side or a top of the removable insert.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the removable insert is made of silicone.