Cooling system with reusable cooling modules

Description

SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to storage containers, and more specifically, to a system that utilizes reusable cooling modules to same space, reduce the cast of supplying a cooling medium, and for convenient and efficient temperature control in a portable cooling container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portable cooling containers are used to store food items, biological materials, and other items which require refrigerated transport. Such containers usually employ the intrinsic temperature in conjunction with insulated container walls to control the internal temperature. Some container manufacturers suggest placement of ice or other cooling materials within the cooler or between the stored items. Other containers provide a central compartment for retaining a cooling pack, which helps control the internal temperature. However, such cooling pack placement requires interior cavity space as well as interrupts the continuous interior space, making placement of large items cumbersome or even impossible. Additionally, such existing cooling containers do not allow for convenient temperature modulation by increasing or decreasing the number of cooling packs. Moreover, the use of ice in the cavity not only decreases space, it adds cost as the ice must be replaced after each use. Therefore, there is a need for a cooling container that allows for increased interior space and temperature control.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides a cooling container which accommodates various numbers of cooling modules to provide temperature modulation, without interrupting the internal container space. The present invention also provides for a large cooling container cavity space. In one embodiment, the container includes a plurality of wall cavities for receiving cooling modules. The wall cavities are provided in spaces between internal and exterior faces of the container walls. This frees up the entire interior cavity of the container for storage. Also, by varying the number of cooling modules placed within the wall cavities, a user is able to control the temperature modulation affecting the container interior. The cooling modules can be manufactured with a reusable cooling material for repeated use. Although the invention is described herein as relating to cooling, it is equally applicable to warming.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a container system of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a wall cavity and a cooling module of a container system of the invention; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a pair of cooling modules which are formed so as to interconnect for placement in a cavity of a cooling container of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a portable cooling container of the invention. The container has a base and peripheral walls 1, which define an interior space 2 formed between the peripheral wall 1, extending from an end of the peripheral walls 1 to the base. The peripheral walls 1 preferably extend perpendicular from the entire circumference of the base. In the illustrated embodiment, the base is rectangular and each peripheral wall is rectangular as well. A top cover 3 is preferably provided by a hinge mechanism that is attached to the end of the peripheral walls to aid in sealing the interior space and prevent heat from entering the container. The top cover 3 is preferably dimensioned so as to form a seal with an outer edge of the peripheral walls, or have a portion 8 (FIG. 3) that is dimensional so as to sealingly engage the interior space 2 defined by the inner edges of the walls 1. The outer edge 4 defines an exterior face of the peripheral walls. An inner edge 5 defines an inner face of the peripheral walls 1. A cavity 6 is provided in at least one peripheral wall between its exterior face and interior face. The cavity 6 can be adapted to hold reusable cooling material that can be chilled or warmed repeatedly. Such materials are commercially available and well-known in the art, an example being products sold by Tech-Pak. The interior face may includes a plurality of openings 7 so as to allow for airflow between a cooling module 8 (FIG. 2) and the container interior. To increase airflow in one embodiment, small solar panels can be mounted on the top side of the cover 3 and used to power a small fan 21 mounted on the bottom side of the cover 3. In some embodiments, each cavity is configured to retain several cooling modules which are arranged in a planar fashion. FIG. 3 illustrates the structure of two such cooling modules 9, 10 which are adapted to mate and form a unitary module.

FIG. 2 illustrates a wall cavity 6 and a corresponding cooling module 8 adapted for placement within the cavity. The cavity 6 is preferably shaped to allow for inserting a module by sliding the module 8 into the cavity through an opening provided on a top face of the peripheral wall. In one embodiment, the cavity has a uniform cross section area which is shaped as the opening cross-section. In some embodiments, the cavity also includes a lip to help retain the module 8 in place. In one embodiment, the retaining lip is formed to push open when force is applied from the outside and resist movement when force is applied from inside the cavity 6. Preferably, to remove the module 8, a user applies pressure to the periphery of the lip to move it to an open position.

FIG. 3 illustrates a pair of cooling modules 9, 10 adapted to link together for common positioning with a cavity. A first module 10 includes linking elements 11, 12 on at least a first edge and a second edge. A second module 10 includes linking elements 13, 14 on at least a first and a second edge, as with the first module. The male linking element 12 on the first edge of the first module 9 is adapted to couple to the female linking element on the second edge of the second module 10. Similarly, the male linking element 14 on the first edge of the second module 10 is adapted to couple to the female linking element 11 on the second edge of the first module 9. In this fashion, the two modules 9, 10 are arranged in planer fashion so as to most efficiently occupy the wall cavity space.

In other embodiments, the cooling modules are provided with linking element on all peripheral edges. As may be appreciated, in some embodiments the container is provided with a sufficiently large cavity space so as to accommodate several modules. A user may choose to employ some or all such modules in a cavity, depending on intended container use. As may be appreciated, different linking elements may be used with the cooling modules of the invention, depending on the corresponding module size and shape. In one embodiment, a cavity is additionally provided in the lid between an interior face and an exterior face. A cooling module is adapted for insertion into the lid cavity. Preferably the lid cavity included the retaining mechanism discussed above with respect to FIG. 1 to prevent dislodging of the cooling module from the cavity. Accordingly, cooling modules can be provided so as to almost completely surround the container contents.

In another embodiment, the cooling modules do not include linking elements but instead each cavity includes tracks for retaining each module in a planar orientation with respect to an adjacent module.