An insulating device can include an aperture having a waterproof closure which allows access to the chamber within the insulating device. The closure can help prevent any fluid leakage into and out of the insulating device if the insulating device is overturned or in any configuration other than upright. The closure also prevents any fluid from permeating into the chamber if the insulating device is exposed to precipitation, other fluid, or submersed under water. This construction results in an insulating chamber impervious to water and other liquids when the closure is sealed.

A portable container (100, 200) includes an insulative body (102) to hold a food item. The insulative body (102) may include an inner wall and an outer wall. Further, the portable container (100, 200) includes a temperature regulator (110) disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall of the insulative body (102). The portable container (100, 200) also includes a plurality of temperature sensors (202) disposed within the inner wall of the insulative body (102). The plurality of temperature sensors (202) being operably coupled to the temperature regulator (110). Further, the portable container (100, 200) includes a controller (210) communicatively coupled to the temperature regulator (110) to regulate the temperature of the food item based on a user input.

A cooler for breast milk or other liquids is disclosed. The cooler comprehends an interior pocket adapted to receive lactation accessories that a user wishes to be cooled. The interior pocket can be adapted to be positioned in a variety of locations within the cooler to enhance or restrict the efficiency of thermal transmission between the contents of the pocket and a cooling element located within the cooler. Also disclosed is a sensor that can be associated with the pocket. The sensor can provide a temperature output to an external device or a display in or on the container delineating a temperature within the cooler.

An insulating device can include an aperture having a waterproof closure which allows access to the chamber within the insulating device. The closure can help prevent any fluid leakage into and out of the insulating device if the insulating device is overturned or in any configuration other than upright. The closure may also prevent any fluid from permeating into the chamber if the insulating device is exposed to precipitation, other fluid, or submersed under water. This construction results in an insulating chamber that is substantially impervious to water and other liquids when the closure is sealed.

The present application generally relates to devices and methods for transporting items, and it more specifically relates to insulated carriers for use in delivering temperature-controlled items such as perishable food.

A merchandiser for storing a product for purchase by a customer is provided. The merchandiser includes: a housing that defines a cavity for storing the product; and a controller for facilitating a transaction for the product at the merchandiser. The controller includes one or more processors coupled to one or more memory devices. The one or more memory devices have instructions stored therein that are executable by the one or more processors to cause the controller to: receive an input to initiate the transaction for the product; unlock a door of the merchandiser to enable a removal of the product based on receiving the input; initiate a timer that defines an unlock time duration for the door; override the unlock time duration based on a received input; lock the door of the merchandiser based on the override; and charge the customer for the product of the transaction.

A method and apparatus for freezing the contents of a freezer storage bag are disclosed. A cooling duct is mounted with or without spacers inside of a freezer storage bag that contains a liquid that can be frozen. A liquid coolant is first fed to a heat exchanger thereby forming a gaseous coolant. The gaseous coolant is fed to a manifold and from the manifold to at least one cooling duct present in the freezer storage bag. The gaseous coolant is circulated through the cooling duct thereby imparting freezing to the liquid in the freezer storage bag.

An ice bagging and dispensing apparatus has at least one ice making machine; an ice hopper for receiving ice from the at least one ice making machine; an ice bagging machine for bagging ice from the ice hopper; an ice bag conveyor for conveying bagged ice from the ice bagging machine to an ice storage chamber, the ice bag conveyor positioned below the ice storage chamber; a carriage for moving and lifting the bag of ice into the ice storage chamber; one or more supports for supporting one or more bags of ice in the ice storage chamber above the ice bag conveyor; and, one or more consumer access doors to the ice storage chamber. This maintains first-in, first out (FIFO) principles.

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for transporting sets of items at different temperatures using a modular system, which comprises a cooler, a detachable tote, and a means of securely affixing the tote to the top of the cooler for facilitating compact portability. In more detail, the Modular Cooler Apparatus and System invention comprises a soft-sided cooler comprising an insulated base and an insulated lid that connect together in a sealable fashion using a water proof zipper, lower strap connection points, and connecting support straps with connectors; a detachable soft-sided tote comprising a waterproof polyester exterior, a pocket, handle straps, upper strap connection points; and connecting straps comprising webbing, stitched loops, and tension locks with gates, which securely bind the detachable tote pack to the top of the cooler in a well-balanced fashion.

A merchandiser for storing a product for purchase by a customer is disclosed. The merchandiser includes a housing defining a cavity; a door coupled to the housing; a platform located in the cavity for holding the product; a load cell structured to measure a mass of the product; and a controller communicably coupled to the load cell. The controller is structured to unlock the door based on a validation of payment information of the customer, determine a weight of product removed during a transaction for the product, determine a type of the product removed from the ice merchandiser based on the determined weight, and determine an amount of currency required for the transaction for the product based on the determined type of product removed.