GB2282874A

GB2282874A - Thermally insulated rucksacks

Info

Publication number: GB2282874A
Application number: GB9321137A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Marshall Guy Bowers
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-10-13
Filing date: 1993-10-13
Publication date: 1995-04-19
Also published as: GB9321137D0

Abstract

A thermally insulated container (10) comprises outer and inner layers (12) and (14) of sheet plastics material, and a layer of thermally insulating material (16) between the outer and inner layers. Shoulder straps (26) enable a person to carry, for example, cold beverages while leaving both hands of the person free. The container has a lid (22) which can be closed by means of a sliding clasp fasten or (24). A cushion (36) can be secured to the container by means of fasteners (32), (34). A carry handle (40) is also provided. <IMAGE>

Description

THIS INVENTION relates to thermally insulated containers for products which are to be maintained at temperatures above or below ambient.

So-called cooler bags are well-known and freely available on a commercial basis. Some are constructed of relatively rigid sheet plastics material and have an inner shell and an outer shell with thermal insulation between the shells. Others are made of moulded polystyrene. Tne two types just described quite often do not have carrying handles and must either be carried under one arm or, if fairly large, by using both arms.

Another form of cooler bag comprises inner and outer sheets of flexible synthetic plastics material with thermal insulation between the two sheets. This type generally has a lid with a sliding clasp fastener for closing the lid. Because such containers are "soft" and do not maintain their shape very well when picked up by putting one or both arms underneath them, carrying handles are almost always provided so that the container, when lifted by the handles, hangs down from them. In all forms one or both arms, or at least one hand, is needed to carry them.

Rucksacks and backpacks are also well-known and comprise sheet canvas or other material which may be waterproof. The sheet material is, in some forms, stretched over a frame but in other forms the rucksack is "soft" in the sense that, when empty, it can be squashed substantially flat. Shoulder straps to enable the rucksack or backpack to be worn on the back are provided.

According to the present invention there is provided a thermally insulated container comprising an inner layer of sheet synthetic plastics material, an outer layer of sheet synthetic plastics material, thermally insulating material between said layers, and shoulder straps to enable the container to be worn on the back thereby leaving the hands free.

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which the single Figure is a pictorial view, partly broken away, of a thermally insulating container, with an optional cushion, in accordance with the present invention.

The container illustrated is generally designated 10 and comprises an outer layer 12 of sheet plastics material, an inner layer 14 of sheet plastics material and a layer of thermally insulating material 16 between the layers 12 and 14.

The container comprises two side walls, a front wall, a rear wall, a base wall and a lid. The visible side wall is designated 18, the rear wall is designated 20 and the lid is designated 22. The front wall, the other side wall and the base wall are not visible in the drawing. The lid 22 is integral with the rear wall 20 and a sliding clasp fastener 24 has its stringers connected one to the lid 22 and the other to the side walls and front wall of the container.

Shoulder straps 26 are secured at their upper and lower ends to the side walling by stitching in the areas designated 28 and 30. The shoulder straps 26 are padded for comfort.

Pieces of the material which is known

commercially as "Velcro" are secured to the rear wall 20 and are designated 32. The pieces 32 are strip-like and are secured so that they lie vertically. If "Velcro".pieces with hooks are attached to the wall 20 then "Velcro"ieces 34 with loops are attached to a cushion designated 36. The pieces 28 are also strip-like and are arranged horizontally.

The cushion 36 can thus be secured to the rear wall 20 and carried on the back with the container 10.

Whilst shown secured to the wall 20, the cushion 36 can be secured to the diametrically opposed front wall.

In an alternative form, a third layer of material of generally rectangular shape is secured to the remainder of the container as indicated by the chain dotted line 38. The third layer is attached along its bottom edge and its side edges to the rear wall 20 but not along its top edge. It thus forms, with the rear wall 20 of the container, an upwardly open pocket for receiving a cushion. In this form the Velcro pieces 32 and 34 are omitted. The pocket can be on the front wall of the container.

The cushion can comprise a cover of sheet synthetic plastics material and an insert of foamed synthetic plastics material.

-further handle 40 is provided for carrying the container at times when it is not desired that the container be on the back.

The container according to the present invention is primarily intended to receive cold beverages in cans or bottles with the addition, if desired, of frozen ice packs.

The container makes it possible for the person to transport the beverages to the beach or any other recreational area whilst leaving his or her hands free to carry other items.

Claims

1. A thermally insulated container comprising an inner layer of sheet synthetic plastics material, an outer layer of sheet synthetic plastics material, thermally insulating material between said layers, and shoulder straps enabling the container to be worn on the back thereby leaving the hands free.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1 and which is upwardly open, there being a lid and a sliding clasp fastener for closing the lid.

3. The combination of a container as claimed in claim 1 or 2 and a cushion, there being means for releasably securing the cushion to an outer face of the container.

4. The combination of a container as claimed in claim 1 or 2 and a cushion, the container including an upwardly open pocket for receiving the cushion.

5. A thermally insulated container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.