Insulated container for keeping lunch food

Abstract

An insulated food container has a container part and a detachable cover part having a handle. The cover part connectable to the container part by at least one clip on each of four sides of the container. The container part and cover part each comprising an outer shell of non-heat conducting material and an inner shell of food-grade non-heat conducting material. A vacuum gap between the outer shell and inner shell providing insulation. A silicone coating applied to an exterior face of the inner shell, the silicone coating separated from the inner shell by a perimeter hem creating a small gap between the silicone coating and inner shell. Wherein the silicone withstands hot or cold temperatures without damage, providing exceptional thermal insulation over extended time periods.

Claims

1. An insulated food container, comprising: a container part and a detachable cover part having a handle; the cover part connectable to the container part by at least one clip on each of four sides of the container; the container part and cover part each comprising an outer shell of non-heat conducting material and an inner shell of food-grade non-heat conducting material; a vacuum gap between the outer shell and inner shell providing insulation; a silicone coating applied to an exterior face of the inner shell, the silicone coating separated from the inner shell by a perimeter hem creating a small gap between the silicone coating and inner shell; wherein the silicone withstands hot or cold temperatures without damage, providing exceptional thermal insulation over extended time periods.

2. The insulated food container of claim 1, further comprising a grid pattern of ribs providing structural integrity to the outer shells of the container part and cover part.

3. The insulated food container of claim 1, wherein the gap is a vacuumed space between the outer shell and inner shell.

4. The insulated food container of claim 1, wherein the container maintains a temperature above 140 F. for over 3 hours.

5. The insulated food container of claim 1, wherein the container maintains a temperature below 40 F. for over 5 hours.

6. The insulated food container of claim 1, wherein the outer shells are made of polypropylene.

7. The insulated food container of claim 1, wherein the silicone withstands hot and cold temperatures without degradation over time.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] FIG. 1 1 Isometric view of two sizes of the invention.

[0019] FIG. 2 Cutaway side view of the invention.

[0020] FIG. 3 Exploded cutaway side view of the invention.

[0021] FIGS. 4A-D Top, side, bottom, and front, respectively, of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0022] The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the general principles of the present invention have been defined herein.

[0023] It is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms a or an, as used herein, are defined as to mean at least one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term coupled, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, not necessarily mechanically, and not permanent. The term providing is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g., bringing/coming into physical existence, making available, and/or supplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period of time. As used herein, the terms about, generally, or approximately apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider near the stated amount by about 0%, 5%, or 10%, including increments therein. In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure.

[0024] Referring now to any of the accompanying FIGURES, there is provided an insulated container 10 for keeping lunch food which is comprised of a container part 12, and detachable cover part 14 having a handle 16. The cover part 14 connects to the container part 12 by way of at least one clip 18 on each of the container's 10 four sides.

[0025] Both parts 12, 14 have an outer shell 20 made of non-heat conducting material like polypropylene, and an inner food-grade non-conducting shell 22. The outer shells 20 define inner air vacuumed spaces 24 so as to provide insulation. To prevent deformation, a grid pattern of ribs 32 provides structural integrity for both the cover part 14 and the container part 12.

[0026] Critically, the exterior face of the inner shell 22 has a silicone coating 26, separated from the inner shell which is itself separated by a small gap 28 from the interior shell 22 by way of a perimeter hem 30. The cover part 14 is made of the same construction e.g. exterior and interior shells 20, 22, with a silicone layer 26.

[0027] The silicone withstands hot or cold temperatures without damage. The composite construction provides exceptional thermal insulation over extended periods.

[0028] Although the invention has been described in considerable detail in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as exemplary preferred forms of implementing the claimed invention. Stated otherwise, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Therefore, while exemplary illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Such variations and alternate embodiments are contemplated, and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0029] It should further be noted that throughout the entire disclosure, the labels such as left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise, counter clockwise, up, down, or other similar terms such as upper, lower, aft, fore, vertical, horizontal, oblique, proximal, distal, parallel, perpendicular, transverse, longitudinal, etc. have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction or orientation. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions/orientations between various portions of an object.

[0030] In addition, reference to first, second, third, and etc. members throughout the disclosure (and in particular, claims) are not used to show a serial or numerical limitation but instead are used to distinguish or identify the various members of the group.