Insulated Container and Platter

Abstract

An insulated food container and platter are provided, The device includes a base having a perimeter wail extending upwardly therefrom and an open upper end defining an interior volume for storing food. The perimeter wail includes an interior layer and an exterior layer defining an interior channel. The perimeter wall further includes an aperture with a removable plug, such that the interior channel can be filled with a freezable gel material. The perimeter wall extends upwardly and inwardly to form an upper region that receives air bubbles that escape the freezable gel. in use, the device can be stored in the freezer and then used to keep food at a lower temperature.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a container and a platter. More specifically, the present invention provides an insulated container and platter that includes a freezable gel that allows for food to be placed therein or thereon to retain the desired temperature.

During times of the year when the weather is warmer, individuals enjoy eating outside with family and friends. When eating at a picnic or another outdoor party, the individuals will regularly have their food spread out on a table. Certain foods that are served must maintain a temperature that allows them to remain edible to be consumed safely. When those types of food are not properly stored, the outside temperature can raise the temperature of the food and result in the food becoming inedible. When it does become inedible, the food will have to be discarded to prevent anyone from consuming the food and ultimately becoming sick. Specifically, certain foods that do not have their temperature closely monitored may result in the growth of potential pathogens. These pathogens will cause bacteria to grow on the food. Such bacteria can cause food poisoning or other illnesses, which can vary in intensity, including debilitating symptoms over the course of several days.

To prevent the food temperature from rising and ultimately becoming inedible, the individual will have to closely manage the food. Specifically, the food that requires a cooler temperature may have to remain in a cooler or another temperature control device for an extended period prior to being served. Moreover, the food may need to be placed back into the cooler or any other temperature control device after it has been served in order to maintain a desired temperature for safety. Frequent opening and closing of a temperature-controlled environment inhibits the ability for that environment to remain at the desired temperature. Temperatures would skew towards the external temperature as it equalizes from frequent opening. Constantly opening and dosing a cooler or any other temperature control device to access the desired food could ultimately damage the cooler or any other temperature control device. Individuals will constantly open the cooler to retrieve the food within and close the cooler to prevent the food from being exposed to the temperature outside the cooler. This repetitive action may lead to the cooler becoming damage and rendered ineffective for controlling temperature.

Therefore, there is a defined need amongst the known prior art references for an insulated container and an insulated platter that has allows food to maintain a temperature that keeps the food enjoyable and safe for individuals to consume.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of containers and platters now present in the known art, the present invention provides new insulated containers and insulated platters wherein a freezable gel material is embedded in the containers and platters allows the food placed within or upon the container or platter to retain its cool temperature.

The present invention includes a container or a platter with an internal area that can be filled with a freezable gel material. Prior to a user wanting to utilize the container or platter, they will place the container or platter into a freezer. While in the freezer, heat transfer will occur with the freezable gel material in the container that will allow the freezable gel material to freeze and retain the cold temperature. When the user wants to use the container or platter, they can remove the container from the freezer and place food items therein or thereon, respectively. The food items that are placed in or on the container or platter will remain cool and at a consumable temperature for a prolong period. Moreover, having the food maintain the consumable temperature will prevent, any bacteria from developing and growing on the food which may lead to serious illness if consumed.

The present invention comprises an aperture that provides access to the freezable gel material and a removable plug that prevents the freezable gel material from seeping out of the container. Over time the freezable gel material's ability to maintain a cold temperature may diminish. In order to ensure the container or the platter can be used repeatedly, the freezable gel material can be replaced with fresh freezable gel material. The freshly inserted freezable gel material will prolong the functional lifetime of the container or the platter and provide longer cold temperatures for food storage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the insulated container.

FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the insulated container.

FIG. 1C shows a close-up, cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the insulated container.

FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the insulated container.

FIG. 2B shows a cutaway view of an alternative embodiment of the insulated container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the insulated container. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be limiting in any respect.

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an insulated container. The insulated container 11 includes an external base 12 and an external perimeter wall 13. The external perimeter wall 13 extends upwardly from the external base 12. The external perimeter wall 13 includes an upper external end 14. The insulated container 11 further includes an internal base (as shown in FIG. 1B, 23) and an internal perimeter wall 15. The internal perimeter wall 15 extends upwardly from the internal base. The internal perimeter wall 15 forms an upper region that receives air bubbles that escape a freezable gel. The internal perimeter wall 15 includes an open upper internal end 16 defining an internal volume 17.

The internal base and the internal perimeter wall 15 are placed within the external base 12 and the external perimeter wall 13, such that an internal channel 19 is formed between the internal base and the internal perimeter wall 15 and the external base 12 and the external perimeter wall 13. The upper external end 14 connects to the open upper internal end 16 via an upper rim 18. The upper rim 18 encloses the internal channel 19.

An aperture 21 is disposed through the external perimeter wall 13 towards upper rim 18. The aperture 21 provides access to the internal channel 19. The aperture 21 is on the external perimeter wall 13 to prevent any item within the internal volume 17 from being contaminated from a material within the internal channel 19. Moreover, the aperture 21 will allow for material to be placed within the internal channel 19. A removable plug 22 selectively engages with the aperture 21. The removable plug 22 is designed to prevent any material within the internal channel 19 from passing through the aperture 21. In one embodiment, the removable plug 22 includes a threaded interface. The threaded interface disposed on the removable plug 22 engages with a corresponding threaded interface disposed along the aperture 21. In another embodiment, the removable plug 22 is secured to the aperture 21 via frictional engagement to form an airtight seal.

FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an insulated container. The internal channel 19 is sandwiched between the internal base 23 and the internal perimeter wall 15 and the external base 12 and the external perimeter wall 13. The external base 12 is parallel with the internal base 23. The external perimeter wall 13 is parallel with the internal perimeter 15. The internal channel 19 is filled with a freezable gel 25. The freezable gel 25 retains the cooled temperature that allows the insulated container 11 to keep the food placed in the internal volume at a cooler temperature. The freezable gel 25 provides insulation to the food placed in the internal volume. The freezable gel 25 will freeze when placed into a freezer. Additional freezable gel 25 can be inserted through the aperture, if necessary. A build-up of air bubbles within the freezable gel 25 will escape the internal channel 19 through the aperture when the removable plug is disengaged with the aperture. The removable plug needs to be disengaged with the aperture to relieve the pressure the released bubbles. In one embodiment, the freezable gel 25 is composed of sodium polyacrylate.

A plurality of protuberances 24 are disposed on the external base 12. The plurality of protuberances 24 extend outwardly from the external base 12. The plurality of protuberances 24 provide the insulated container 11 with support to prevent the insulated container 11 from any undesired movement. Each protuberance of the plurality of protuberances 24 are independent structures. Moreover, the plurality of perturbances 24 elevate the insulated container 11 to limit the contact the insulated container 11 has with the surface it is placed upon. While elevated, the limited contact between the insulated container 11 has with the surface will prolong the time the freezable gel 25 remains frozen. The longer period that the freezable gel 25 remains frozen, the longer the food placed within the interior volume will remain at 3 cool and desired temperature.

FIG. 1C shows a close-up, cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an insulated container. The freezable gel 25 is placed within the internal channel 19. The upper rim 18 will enclose the internal channel 19. The freezable gel 25 will remain in direct contact with the internal base, the internal perimeter wall 15, the external base, and the external perimeter wall 13. The thermodynamic principal of conduction will occur between the freezable gel 25 and the internal base and the internal perimeter wall 15. While food is placed within the internal volume, the heat from the food will transfer away from the food and towards the freezable gel 25. The freezable gel 25 will then transfer the heat through the external base, and the external perimeter wall 13. This thermodynamic process will allow the food to maintain its cool temperature.

FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an insulated container. The insulated container 26 includes an internal base 27, a perimeter wall 28, and an external base. The perimeter wall 28 extends outwardly and upwardly from the internal base 27. The perimeter wall 28 includes a plurality of outer edges 36. The plurality of outer edges 36 is distal on the external perimeter wall 28 with respect to the internal base 27. An outer rim 29 extends downwardly from the plurality of outer edges 36 to the external base. The outer rim 29 is perpendicular to the internal base 27. The outer rim 29, the internal base 27, the perimeter wall 28, and the external base define an internal channel 32. The internal channel 32 is filled with a freezable gel 33.

At least one aperture 34 is disposed through the perimeter wall 28. The at least one aperture 34 provides access to the internal channel 32. The at least one aperture 34 is to prevent any item placed upon the internal base 27 from being contaminated from a material within the internal channel 32. Moreover, the at least one aperture 34 will allow for material to be placed within the internal channel 32. The at least one aperture 34 also will allow for air bubbles to escape the internal channel 32. A removable plug 31 selectively engages with the at least one aperture 34. The removable plug 31 is designed to prevent any material or item from passing through the at least one aperture 34. In one embodiment, the removable plug 31 includes a threaded interface. The threaded interface disposed on the removable plug 31 engages with a corresponding threaded interface disposed along the at least one aperture 34. In another embodiment, the removable plug 31 is secured to the at least one aperture 34 via frictional engagement to form an airtight seal.

FIG. 2B shows a cutaway view of an alternative embodiment of the insulated container. The internal channel 32 is sandwiched between the internal base 27, the perimeter wall 28 and the external base. The internal channel 32 is filled with a freezable gel 33. The freezable gel 33 retains the cooled temperature that allows the insulated container 26 to keep the food placed upon the internal base 27 at a cooler temperature. The freezable gel 33 provides insulation to the food placed upon the internal base 27. The freezable gel 33 will freeze when placed into a freezer for a period. Additional freezable gel 33 is inserted through the aperture, if necessary. A build up of air bubbles within the freezable gel 33 will escape the internal channel 32 through the aperture. In one embodiment, the freezable gel 33 is composed of sodium polyacrylate.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and ail equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An insulated container, comprising: an external base;an external perimeter wall extending upwardly from the external base;the external perimeter wall includes an upper external end,an internal base;an internal perimeter wall extending upwardly from the internal base;the internal perimeter wail includes an open upper internal end defining an interior volume;wherein the internal base and the internal perimeter wall are placed within the external base and the external perimeter wail;whereby an internal channel is formed between the internal base and the internal perimeter wall and the external base and the external perimeter wall;an upper rim connects the upper external end and the open upper internal end;an aperture disposed through the external perimeter wall;whereby a removable plug engages the aperture; anda freezable gel placed within the internal channel.

2. The insulated container of claim 1, wherein a plurality of protuberances extending outwardly from the external base.

3. The insulated container of claim 1, wherein the upper rim encloses the internal channel.

4. The insulated container of claim 1, wherein the internal perimeter wall forms an upper region that receives air bubbles that escape the freezable gel.

5. The insulated container of claim 1, wherein the freezable gel comprises a composition including sodium polyacrylate.

6. The insulated container of claim 1, wherein the external base is parallel with the internal base.

7. The insulated container of claim 1, wherein the external perimeter wall is parallel with the internal perimeter.

8. The insulated container of claim 1, wherein the aperture provides access to the internal channel to adjust the amount of freezable gel placed therein.

9. An insulated container, comprising: an internal base;a perimeter wall extending outwardly and upwardly from the internal base;the perimeter wall includes a plurality of outer edges;whereby the plurality of outer edges is distal on the perimeter wall with respect to the internal base;an external base;an outer nm extends downwardly from plurality of outer edges;the outer rim connects the internal base with the external base, defining an internal channel;at least one aperture disposed on the perimeter wall;a removable plug covers the aperture; anda freezable gel placed within the internal channel.

10. The insulated container of claim 9, wherein the freezable gel comprises a composition including sodium polyacrylate.

11. The insulated container of claim 9, wherein the at least one aperture provides access to the internal channel to adjust the amount of freezable gel placed therein.

12. The insulated container of claim 9, wherein the external base is parallel with the internal base.