IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO THERMALLY INSULATED

CONTAINERS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to thermally insulated containers. Particularly, although not solely, the present invention relates to a portable thermally insulated container for carrying food and/or beverage receptacles.

Background of the Invention

Thermally insulated containers are well known in the art . Such containers are used to house food and/or beverage receptacles in order to keep the contents either heated or chilled.

It will be clearly understood that, although prior art use and publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these form a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or in any other country.

Summary of the Invention

In the description of the invention and the claims, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the words "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features, but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Accordingly, in a first aspect there is provided a portable thermally insulated container having a lid moveable between an open position in which the container is open and a closed position in which the container is closed, said container configured to contain at least one open mouth receptacle, the container comprising: at least one baffle, the or each baffle being moveable between a first position allowing the cup to be placed inside the container and a second position overlying and in close proximity to the mouth of one or more cups .

In a first embodiment a first of the baffles is formed integrally with or carried by the lid. In a second embodiment a first of the baffles is formed integrally with or carried by the lid and a second of the baffles is freely locatable within the container. In a third embodiment at least one of the baffles is freely locatable within the container.

In each of the embodiments the lid may be formed as a hinged component of the container or alternatively as a detachable component .

The container may be configured so that the lid closes or seals the container with an interference fit . In the same or an alternate embodiment the container may be configured so that the lid inter-engages an opening of the container when the lid is in the closed position.

In the second or third embodiments the or each freely locatable baffle portion comprises a surface configured to

receive the base of at least one beverage receptacle.

In all of the embodiments the container may comprise a base configured to receive the base of at least one beverage receptacle.

The container may be rectangular and/or comprise at least four side walls and a base. It may be appreciated that the container may be integrally moulded using any moulding process known in the art. The container may be constructed from any material that possesses sufficient thermal properties to isolate the internal contents of the container from ambient conditions. The container may be constructed from polystyrene™ or similar insulating material.

The container may be housed within a satchel for transportation purposes. The container may comprise a locking means for locking said lid to said container when in the closed condition. The locking means may comprise a first portion attached to the lid and second portion attached to the container, said second portion is configured to be releasably engagable with said first portion when in a closed position.

The locking means comprise a simple securing means including, for example, any one of the following, either separately or in combination: a Velcro™ engagement system; a press stud arrangement; a tether and post; elasticated member and hook or post.

It will be appreciated that other securing means known in the art may be used.

The lid may comprise at least one sealing member to seal the internal environment of the container from ambient conditions when the lid is in a closed condition.

In a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for transporting and temporary storage of food or drink held in an open mouth receptacle comprising: i. providing an insulated container, ii. placing the receptacle within said container; iii. placing a baffle, in a position overlying and in close proximity to the mouth of said beverage receptacles .

Brief Description of the Drawings

Preferred embodiments, incorporating all aspects of the invention, will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure IA shows a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure IB shows a schematic perspective view of yet a further embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 1C shows a perspective view of still a further embodiment of the present invention; Figure ID shows a perspective view of yet a further embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of a beverage receptacle;

Figure 3A shows a schematic cutaway view of a further embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3B shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 3A; Figure 4 shows a detailed cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5A shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the present invention; and,

Figure 5B shows a perspective view of yet a further embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

Before the preferred embodiment of the present apparatus is described, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular materials described, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing the particular embodiment only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. It must be noted that as used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs .

With reference to Figures 1 through Figure 5 it may be seen that an embodiment of the thermally insulated container 2 has a lid 26 moveable between an open position and a closed position. The container 2 is configured to contain at least one beverage receptacle in the form of a

cup 6 having an open mouth 30. In one embodiment, the container 2 comprises at least one baffle 8 that is moveable between a first position, allowing the cup(s) 6 to be placed inside the container 2, and a second position overlying, and in close proximity, to the mouth 30 of one or more cup(s) 6. The baffle 8 acts to substantially minimise spillage of the contents of the cups 6 during transportation of the container 2. In this embodiment the baffle 8 is formed integrally with or carried by the lid 26.

The container 2 is shown in an open condition in Figure IA and comprises at least four walls 32 and a base 34 to define an internal space 10 into which foodstuffs and/or beverage cups 6 may be placed. The lid 26 is shown as being hingedly attached to one of the walls 32 using at least one hinge 44 so that internal space 10 may be thermally insulated from external ambient environmental conditions when the lid 26 is in a closed condition. However, in an alternate embodiment the lid 26 can be formed as a separate component of the container 2. In either embodiment the lid will close the container with an interference fit. In any event, when the lid is closed the baffle 8 overlies and is in close proximity to, and indeed may abut, the mouth 30 of the cups 6.

The walls 32 and base 34 of container 2 may be made from thermal insulating material (s) such as polystyrene, and/or suitable like materials. Further, the walls 32 and the base 34 may be integrally molded to form a single unit, or made 'from individual components and assembled together.

Figure IB shows a further embodiment of the present

invention in which the container 2 is placed inside a satchel 14. Generally, for convenience, container 2 may be placed into satchel 14 so as to be conveniently transported. The satchel 14 may comprise a shoulder strap 16 so that the container 2 may be easily and conveniently transportable. Alternatively, the container 2 may comprise a handle 42, as shown in the embodiments presented in Figures 1C and ID. The handle 42 may be directly attached to the lid portion 26, as shown in Figure 1C, by any mechanical or adhesive fastening means known in the art. Furthermore, the handle portion 42 may be configured to be rotatable, as shown in Figure ID.

Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a typical beverage cup(s) 6 that can be held in the container 2. The beverage cup(s) 6 is in the form of a cup having an open mouth 30 and a base 36. Typically the cup 6 is made from a plastics material . Such cups are in common use for providing beer and soft drinks to spectators at sporting grounds.

A further embodiment of the container 2 is shown in Figure 3A and Figure 3B having two baffles 4 and 8. The baffle 4 is formed integrally with the lid 26 whereas the baffle 8 is freely located and movable within internal space 10. The container 2 is shown in a loaded condition whereby four beverage cup(s) 6 are located within internal space 10. The baffle 8 effectively divides the internal space 10 into a lower section 20 and an upper section 22, with two cups placed in each section. Two cups 6 are in the lower section 20 with the baffle 8 overlying and in close proximity to, in fact abutting the mouth 30 of these cups 6. The two further beverage cup(s) 6 placed within the upper section 22 sit on the baffle 8. It will be

appreciated, however, that by appropriate dimensioning of the container 2 and baffle 8, when the lid 26 is closed, the baffle 8 will overlie and be in close proximity to the open mouths 30 of the cups 6 in the upper section 22.

The baffles 4 and 8 function to substantially seal the open mouth 30 of each beverage cup(s) 6 so that spillage of the liquid 28 contained, or held within the beverage cup(s) 6, is minimized. Furthermore, the baffles 4 and 8 provide a degree of stability to each beverage cup(s) 6 to restrain any movement when the container 2 is in motion or being transported.

The base 34 and the uppermost surface of baffle 8 are each provided with recesses 24A through 24D ("recesses 24") to locate the base 36 of each beverage cup(s) 6.

A further embodiment of container 2 is shown in Figure 4 in which the lowermost portion of baffle 4 may be configured with suitable protrusions 38 locatable within the open mouths 30 of beverage cup(s) 6 so as to afford additional stability and sealing capability to the beverage cup(s) 6 when the lid portion 26 is in a closed condition. Furthermore, protrusions 38 may also be configured within baffle 8 so as to fit neatly within the open mouths 30 of beverage cup(s) 6 in the manner shown. Additionally, the embodiment shown in Figure 4 comprises recesses 24 into which the base portions 36 of the beverage cup(s) 6 are placed. It will be appreciable to one skilled in the art that the use of the recesses 24, in combination with the protrusions 38, will afford extra stability and sealing capability to each beverage cup(s) 6 housed within each division of internal space 10 of the

container 2. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the height of the protrusions 38 and depth of the recess 24 may be varied depending upon the size of the beverage cup(s) 6. The recesses 24 and protrusions 38 may be either used in combination or independently.

In all embodiments of the present invention described herein, the lid 26 may comprise a locking means 40 that allows the lid 26 to be securably and releasably coupled to any of the walls 32. Figure 5A shows the apparatus of Figure IA having at least one locking means 40 located about container 2 so as to allow the lid 26 to close and suitably seal the internal space 10. When the lid 26 is in a closed condition, an engagable portion 12 of the locking means 40 may be received by a receiving portion 18 that is located or attached to one of the walls 32. The locking means 40 may also comprise an engagable portion 12 to be received by a receiving portion 18 such as in a Velcro™ fastening system. Alternatively, a press-stud system may be used to releasably secure the lid 26 in a closed condition. The locking means 40 may also comprise a tether and post system or an elasticated member with a hook or post .

In a further embodiment of the present invention, it may be appreciated that additional layers of beverage cup (s) may be provided for. Accordingly, additional baffles 8 may be provided so as to increase the number of beverage cup(s) 6 that may be catered for and located within internal space 10. Similarly, each baffle 8 may be configured with appropriate protrusions 38 and recesses 24 as previously described.

A second aspect of the present invention comprises a method of loading a container 2 as described herein and shown in Figures 1, 3-5 with at least one beverage cup 6 so as to transport, and or store, the beverage cups(s) 6 in a stable manner so the liquid 28 contents is not spilled and remains in a substantially thermally insulated environment .

Numerous variations and modifications will suggest themselves to persons skilled in the relevant art, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts. All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope of the present invention, the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.