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WO2018144092A2 - Récipient modulaire - Google Patents

Récipient modulaire Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2018144092A2
WO2018144092A2 PCT/US2017/059913 US2017059913W WO2018144092A2 WO 2018144092 A2 WO2018144092 A2 WO 2018144092A2 US 2017059913 W US2017059913 W US 2017059913W WO 2018144092 A2 WO2018144092 A2 WO 2018144092A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
module
modules
container
channel
modular container
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2017/059913
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2018144092A3 (fr
Inventor
Christopher Jackson CRAWFORD
Original Assignee
OutSol, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by OutSol, Inc. filed Critical OutSol, Inc.
Publication of WO2018144092A2 publication Critical patent/WO2018144092A2/fr
Publication of WO2018144092A3 publication Critical patent/WO2018144092A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
    • B65D21/08—Containers of variable capacity
    • B65D21/083—Containers of variable capacity by means of additional elements, e.g. modular
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D25/00—Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D25/02—Internal fittings
    • B65D25/04—Partitions
    • B65D25/06—Partitions adapted to be fitted in two or more alternative positions
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/24—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants
    • B65D81/26—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with provision for draining away, or absorbing, or removing by ventilation, fluids, e.g. exuded by contents; Applications of corrosion inhibitors or desiccators
    • B65D81/261—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with provision for draining away, or absorbing, or removing by ventilation, fluids, e.g. exuded by contents; Applications of corrosion inhibitors or desiccators for draining or collecting liquids without absorbing them

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the general field of containers, and more specifically toward a modular container, such as a cooler or ice chest, for storing items.
  • the modular container includes two rigid end modules with, optionally, one or more rigid inner modules. Each module attaches to an adjacent module along mated channels with seals. A locking system engages between each module to resist the separation of one module from another.
  • the mated modules provide for a water tight container sufficient for use as a cooler or ice chest.
  • the size of the container is increased or decreased by adding or removing inner modules, respectively.
  • Coolers are an important tool in preserving foods and keeping drinks cold when away from powered refrigeration. Items are stored with ice to keep them cool within a container. The more insulated the container, the longer the container will keep stored items cold. In addition to insulation, keeping the container sealed as much as possible reduces the transfer of heat into the container through convection. Thus, having a sealed container is beneficial when using it as a cooler to store cold items. [0004] Over time, even with a tightly sealed system and significant insulation, heat may transfer into the container causing any ice or other frozen items to melt. The melted ice will pool at the bottom of the container. If the container is not appropriately sealed, water will leak out, which in many instances, is undesirable. For example, if the container is in a vehicle, water leaking out of the container could damage the upholstery. Therefore, when storing frozen items, a sealed container, at least at or around the bottom, is important.
  • Hard coolers that is, coolers that have a rigid body, often provide better insulation and sealed properties compared to soft coolers.
  • hard coolers are generally unable to collapse when not in use, or when the full volume of the container is not required.
  • space is at a premium, such as when camping or on road trips, having a hard cooler unnecessarily using up that valuable space is undesirable.
  • the current invention provides just such a solution by having a modular container, such as a cooler or ice chest, for storing items.
  • the modular container includes two rigid end modules with, optionally, one or more rigid inner modules. Each module attaches to an adjacent module along mated channels with seals. A locking system engages between each module to resist the separation of one module from another.
  • the mated modules provide for a water tight container sufficient for use as a cooler or ice chest.
  • the size of the container is increased or decreased by adding or removing inner modules, respectively.
  • coolinger and “ice chest” are interchangeable, and refer to a container for storing items at a temperature that is different than the surrounding, environmental temperature.
  • ice chest refers to a container for storing items at a temperature that is different than the surrounding, environmental temperature.
  • Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a modular container according to selected embodiments of the current disclosure.
  • Fig. 2 is a partial side view of channels from two modules of a modular container according to selected embodiments of the current disclosure.
  • Fig. 3 is a partial side view of mated channels from two modules of a modular container according to selected embodiments of the current disclosure.
  • Fig. 4 is a side view of a locking system according to selected embodiments of the current disclosure.
  • Fig. 5 is a side view of a module mating with a second module of a modular container according to selected embodiments of the current disclosure.
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a modular container according to selected embodiments of the current disclosure. Detailed Description of the Invention
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a modular container according to selected embodiments of the current disclosure.
  • a modular container 10 has two end modules 11.
  • Each end module 11 includes a base 15, two side walls 14, an end wall 12, and a lid 13.
  • a channel extends along the sides of the side walls 14, lid 13, and base 15 opposite from the end wall 12.
  • the channel of one of the end modules is an upward channel 16, that is, the channel faces towards the inside of the container.
  • the channel of the other end module is a downward channel 17, that is, the channel faces away from the inside of the container.
  • the base 15, two side walls 14, and end wall 12 are rigidly secured to each other as shown in this Fig. 1.
  • the lid 13 of each end module is secured to one of the side walls 14 by a hinge 26.
  • the modular container 10 of Fig. 1 also includes an inner module 19.
  • the inner module includes a base 15, two side walls 14, and a lid 13. Furthermore, the inner module includes channels extending along each of its sides. A downward channel 17 extends along one side of the side walls 14, lid 13, and base 15, and an upward channel 16 extends along another side of the side walls 14, lid 13, and base 15.
  • One of the two end modules 11 as well as each inner module 19 include a locking system 22.
  • the locking systems are shown as being affixed to a side wall of the module.
  • An alternative embodiment provides for the locking systems being affixed to the base of the module.
  • the modular container is a sealed vessel that can retain a liquid, such as water.
  • a drain 20 is provided in a least one of the modules to drain water from the container. In Fig. 1, the drain extends through an end wall 12 of one of the end modules 11.
  • a drain plug 21 is provided to releasably seal the drain 20 such that fluid does not flow therethrough.
  • Fig. 2 is a partial side view of channels from two modules of a modular container according to selected embodiments of the current disclosure.
  • Fig. 3 is a partial side view of mated channels from two modules of a modular container according to selected embodiments of the current disclosure.
  • the base 15 of one module has an upward channel 16.
  • the base 15 of another module has a downward channel 17.
  • the upward channel and downward channel mate together as shown in Fig. 3.
  • the upward channel 16 and downward channel 17 each have a seal 18.
  • each seal 18 comes in contact with the lip 27 of the opposing channel. This creates a fluid tight seal that resists fluids and gases (such as water and air) from passing between the two modules.
  • Such configuration applies equally to the mating of two end modules, mating of an end module to an inner module, or the mating of two inner modules.
  • this channel configuration applies not only to the base, but to the side walls and lid as well.
  • Figs. 2 and 3 show both the upward channel 16 and downward channel 17 having their own seals
  • the current disclosure also contemplates having a seal in the upward channel 16 only, or the downward channel 17 only.
  • a seal may be included in a location other than within the upward channel or downward channel.
  • a seal may be placed on one or both of the lips adjacent to each channel, or on another edge of each module, so long as the seal comes in contact with the opposing module when the channels of the modules are mated together.
  • Fig. 4 is a side view of a locking system according to selected embodiments of the current disclosure.
  • a locking system is used to restrict one module from dislodging from the other module.
  • the locking system 22 includes a pin 23 the extends from one module, referred to as the supporting module, through an opening 25 in the mated module.
  • a spring 24 provides a restoring force that pushes the pin outward from the supporting module.
  • a user pulls on the pin 22 with a force sufficient to overcome the force of the spring 24, thereby causing the pin 23 to withdraw from the opening 25 of the mated module.
  • the modules may then be dislodged from each other.
  • Fig. 5 is a side view of a module mating with a second module of a modular container according to selected embodiments of the current disclosure.
  • the inner module 19 is moved downward towards the end module 11 until the channels of each module mate with the other and are sealed together.
  • the lids 13 of each module also mate together in a similar fashion; however, the lids must be in an open position while the modules are being mated together.
  • Also shown in this figure is the shape of each module. More specifically, the side walls 14 and end wall (if it is an end module) angle away from the inside of the container. This not only provides for a wedge functionality when mating modules together, it also allows unused modules to be stacked beneath the container. For example, an unused inner module may be placed beneath two end modules that are mated together, where the lid of the inner module is rotated completed around such that it is near or adjacent to the side wall of the inner module.
  • the end module that includes the upward channel has a lid that may be opened and closed without forcing the other lids to be opened or closed.
  • the end module that includes the downward channel has a lid that may only be opened if the other lids of the other modules are opened as well.
  • the modular container discussed herein can be used as a cooler of varying capacity.
  • a family may go on a camping trip and pack supplies for its three-day trip. Because of the large storage requirements for their provisions, a modular container with two end modules and two inner modules is selected. The modules are mated and secured together to form a cooler to store food items with ice to keep everything cold. Through their camping trip, the family consumes the food stored within the cooler. By the end of the trip, most, but not all, of the provisions stored within the cooler have been consumed. On the return trip, the two inner modules are removed, and the two end modules are mated and secured together. The lids of the unused inner modules are fully opened, and the inner modules are stored beneath the container formed by the two end modules.
  • Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a modular container according to selected embodiments of the current disclosure.
  • the modular container 10 is shown with three sections, one inner module and to two end modules 11.
  • Each the inner module 19 is secured to each end module 11 by locking systems 22 that are integrated into the walls of each module.
  • These locking systems are similar to those shown in Fig. 4; however, the locking system is integrated within the wall such that a user may slide a latch that is flush with the side wall 14 of the module.
  • the side walls 14 also include protruding strips 31 or tongues that run vertically from the top to the bottom of the module.
  • a wall 29 has a groove running along at least its outer side edges. The groove mates with the protruding strips 31 in the side walls and separate the internal compartment of the modular container 10.
  • a water tight sub-compartment within the modular container is created that may hold liquids such as water, while the other compartment does not.
  • dry items may be stored on one side of the modular container, and wet items stored on the other side.
  • the position of the wall, and thus the size of each sub-compartment may be varied.
  • multiple walls may be used with each modular container to create multiple sub- compartments.
  • the modular container in Fig. 6 also shows a pump 32.
  • the pump is secured to the side wall 14 of a module along one of its protruding strips 31.
  • the pump 32 has a hose 33 connected thereto such that a liquid within the sub-compartment can be pumped out of the modular container through the hose via the pump.
  • Wheels 28 are secured to one of the end modules of the module container 10.
  • the lid 13 of the end module 11 on the opposite end of the modular container 10 includes a handle 30, whereby a user may grasp and lift the handle 30 and pull the modular container 10 on its wheels 28 when the lid is latched shut.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un récipient modulaire, tel qu'un refroidisseur ou une glacière, destiné à stocker des articles. Le récipient modulaire comprend deux modules d'extrémité rigides comprenant éventuellement un ou plusieurs modules internes rigides. Chaque module se fixe à un module adjacent le long de canaux accouplés au moyen de joints. Un système de verrouillage vient en prise entre chaque module pour résister à la séparation d'un module vis-à-vis d'un autre. Les modules accouplés fournissent un récipient étanche à l'eau suffisant pour être utilisé en tant que refroidisseur ou glacière. La taille du récipient est augmentée ou diminuée par ajout ou retrait de modules internes, respectivement.
PCT/US2017/059913 2016-11-04 2017-11-03 Récipient modulaire WO2018144092A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201662417960P 2016-11-04 2016-11-04
US62/417,960 2016-11-04

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2018144092A2 true WO2018144092A2 (fr) 2018-08-09
WO2018144092A3 WO2018144092A3 (fr) 2018-09-13

Family

ID=63041000

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2017/059913 WO2018144092A2 (fr) 2016-11-04 2017-11-03 Récipient modulaire

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2018144092A2 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD910385S1 (en) 2019-03-13 2021-02-16 Packit, Llc Storage container
US11319135B2 (en) 2017-09-29 2022-05-03 Packit, Llc Food storage container

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1586572B1 (de) * 1967-01-14 1970-07-16 Drescher & Kiefer Inh Georg Re Behaelter mit Klappdeckel
US5890613A (en) * 1997-07-21 1999-04-06 Williams; Warren Bret Modular cooler construction
ITPD20020089U1 (it) * 2002-12-30 2004-06-30 Abm Italia Spa Struttura di cassone modulare componibile
US7748554B2 (en) * 2004-04-02 2010-07-06 John J Murphy Interlocking storage units
US20060024566A1 (en) * 2004-07-27 2006-02-02 Lew Plummer Modular battery container
US7434410B2 (en) * 2006-01-10 2008-10-14 Ford Robert G Reversible ice chest
US20140166665A1 (en) * 2011-07-14 2014-06-19 Bernard McNamara Method of assembly of modular reservoir with integral compressible sealing strips and expansion joint

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11319135B2 (en) 2017-09-29 2022-05-03 Packit, Llc Food storage container
USD910385S1 (en) 2019-03-13 2021-02-16 Packit, Llc Storage container

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2018144092A3 (fr) 2018-09-13

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