INSULATING INSERT FOR A PERSONAL AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE MODIFICATION DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an insulating insert suitable for providing insulation within a lid of a container. In particular, the present invention relates to an insulating insert that is removably and replaceably inserted within a lid to provide temperature, sound, vibration, etc., insulation. Additionally, the insulating insert of the present invention is configured such that when inserted within a lid having airflow ports, a controlled airflow can flow through predetermined portions of the insulated lid while still maintaining the insulating properties in other areas of the insulating insert. An air filter can be coupled with the insulating insert to filter or purify air passing therethrough.

BACKGROUND

Generally, insulated parts for containers are created as part of the container object itself and are not intended to be removable. Additionally, conventional insulated parts for containers form a barrier around the object entirely or a portion of the object in which they are insulating, such that they are not designed to enable airflow to pass through the insulating body to an interior of the insulated object. These conventional designs limit the functionality of the insulators to permanent insulating barriers as part of the container object when the object has airflow ports for exhausting air from the container.

SUMMARY

There is a need for improved insulation for lids of containers that address the above shortcomings. The present invention is directed toward further solutions to address these needs, in addition to having other desirable characteristics. Specifically, the present invention is directed to an insulating insert that is removably attached as an insert into a lid for a container. The insulating insert of the present invention also provides an air channel to allow an internal airflow mechanism to pull air through and exhaust out the lid in which the insulating insert resides.

In accordance with example embodiments of the present invention, an insulating insert is provided. The insulating insert includes an insulating body having a top end, a bottom end, a perimeter wall therebetween, and a center point, wherein the insulating body comprises a thermally insulating material and a central aperture disposed completely through the insulating body from the top end to the bottom end and at the center point. The insulating insert also includes a first air intake channel disposed in the perimeter wall of the insulating body, the first air intake channel structurally configured as an air flow pathway from the perimeter wall down and out through the bottom end of the insulating body. The insulating body includes a thermally insulating material.

In accordance with aspects of the present invention, the insulating insert further includes a second air intake channel disposed in the perimeter wall of the insulating body, the second air intake channel structurally configured as an air flow pathway from the perimeter wall down and out through the bottom end of the insulating body. The second air intake channel can be disposed in the perimeter wall at a location substantially opposite the first air intake channel.

In accordance with aspects of the present invention, the insulating insert is sized, dimensioned, and configured structurally as a mate with a lid of a container, the lid having a lid perimeter wall defining an interior volume within which the insulating insert is received. The lid can include a return port disposed through the lid perimeter wall, an air inlet disposed through the lid perimeter wall, and a motorized air movement mechanism disposed inside the lid that draws air through the air inlet and exhausts return air through the return port to an external environment external to the container and the lid. The insulating insert can further include a rabbet disposed in the top end of the insulating body and sized, dimensioned, and configured to match and receive a housing of the motorized air movement mechanism of the lid when the insulating body is positioned within the interior volume of the lid. The insulating body can also include a structure configured for removable and replaceable mounting within the lid.

In accordance with aspects of the present invention, the insulating body includes a vibration dampening structure. In accordance with further aspects of the present invention, an air filter is provided in conjunction with the insulating body, as either a part of the body or coupled with the body in airflow paths.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

These and other characteristics of the present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a known lid and a thermal energy concentrator of a personal ambient air temperature modification device;

FIG. 2 is a left side view of the lid and thermal energy concentrator of the personal ambient air temperature modification device;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the lid and thermal energy concentrator of the personal ambient air temperature modification device;

FIG. 4 is a right side view of the lid and thermal energy concentrator of the personal ambient air temperature modification device;

FIG. 5 is a front view of an insulating insert of the personal ambient air temperature modification device;

FIG. 6 is a left side view of the insulating insert of the personal ambient air temperature modification device;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the insulating insert of the personal ambient air temperature modification device;

FIG. 8 is a right side view of the insulating insert of the personal ambient air temperature modification device;

FIG. 9 is a front isometric view of the insulating insert of the personal ambient air temperature modification device;

FIG. 10 is a front exploded view of the lid, the insulating insert, and the thermal energy concentrator of the personal ambient air temperature modification device;

FIG. 11 is a left side exploded view of the lid, the insulating insert, and the thermal energy concentrator of the personal ambient air temperature modification device;

FIG. 12 is a rear exploded view of the lid, the insulating insert, and the thermal energy concentrator of the personal ambient air temperature modification device;

FIG. 13 is a right side exploded view of the lid, the insulating insert, and the thermal energy concentrator of the personal ambient air temperature modification device;

FIG. 14 is a front isometric exploded view of the lid, the insulating insert, and thermal energy concentrator of the personal ambient air temperature modification device;

FIG. 15 is a left side exploded view of the lid, the insulating insert, the thermal energy concentrator, and an air filter of the personal ambient air temperature modification device;

FIG. 16 is a rear exploded view of the lid, the insulating insert, the thermal energy concentrator, and an air filter of the personal ambient air temperature modification device;

FIG. 17 is a right side exploded view of the lid, the insulating insert, the thermal energy concentrator, and an air filter of the personal ambient air temperature modification device;

FIG. 18 is a front isometric exploded view of the lid, the insulating insert, the thermal energy concentrator, and an air filter of the personal ambient air temperature modification device;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional side view of the lid, the insulating insert, the thermal energy concentrator, and the personal ambient air temperature modification device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An illustrative embodiment of the present invention relates to a physically removable insulating insert. The insulating insert is designed to be inserted into a lid for a container to provide insulating properties. Additionally, the insulating insert is designed to be removable for ease of cleaning both itself and the lid. Further, the insulating insert is designed to allow directed airflow to pass by/through the insulating insert while inserted within the lid. The directed airflow allows for customizable temperature control of air within and external to the container in which the insulating insert and the lid are installed. One or more air filters can be provided in conjunction with the insulating insert to filter or purify air passing through the insulating insert along an airflow path.

FIGS. 1 through 19, wherein like parts are designated by like reference numerals throughout, illustrate an example embodiment or embodiments for an improved insulating insert for a lid of a container, such as an insulated container, according to the present invention. Although the present invention will be described with reference to the example embodiment or embodiments illustrated in the figures, it should be understood that many alternative forms can embody the present invention. One of skill in the art will additionally appreciate different ways to alter the parameters of the embodiment(s) disclosed, such as the size, shape, or type of elements or materials, in a manner still in keeping with the spirit and scope of the present invention.

FIGS. 1-4 depict an example lid 102 device that can be configured to include the insulating insert 106 of the present invention. In particular, FIGS. 1-4 depict a personal ambient air temperature modification device 100 that can be configured to fit into an opening of a container 120 (see FIG. 19) and receive the insulating insert 106 of the present invention for an improved operation. More specifically, the exemplary personal ambient air temperature modification device 100 depicted in FIGS. 1-4 includes a lid 102 configured to insert on/within an open top of a container 120 (e.g., a tumbler) attached to a thermal energy concentrator 104. FIG. 1 is a front view of the lid 102 and a thermal energy concentrator of the personal ambient air temperature modification device 100. FIG. 2 is a left side view of the lid 102 and thermal energy concentrator 104 of the personal ambient air temperature modification device 100. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the lid 102 and thermal energy concentrator 104 of the personal ambient air temperature modification device 100. FIG. 4 is a right side view of the lid 102 and thermal energy concentrator 104 of the personal ambient air temperature modification device 100. The personal ambient air temperature modification device 100 is sized and dimensioned to be utilized as a handheld device. A detailed description of the exemplary personal ambient air temperature modification device 100 (including the lid 102 and the thermal energy concentrator 104) is provided within U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/699,472, which is incorporated herein by reference. As would be appreciated by on skilled in the art, the insulating insert 106 can be configured for use with any lid device without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the insulating insert can be configured for use with a basic lid for a tumbler container 120.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, the personal ambient air temperature modification device 100 includes an insulating insert 106 configured to be removable inserted within/between the lid 102 and the thermal energy concentrator 104, as depicted in FIGS. 10-15. In particular, the insulating insert 106 can be sized, dimensioned, shaped, to be removably inserted within a lid 102 that can be inserted on/within a container 120. For example, the insulating insert 106 can be molded with to fit into a rigid geometry so the insulating insert 106 stays in place within the lid 102 but is removable for cleaning, replacement, etc. FIGS. 5-9 depict exemplary examples of the insulating insert 106. FIG. 5 is a front view of the insulating insert 106 of the personal ambient air temperature modification device 100. FIG. 6 is a left side view of the insulating insert 106 of the personal ambient air temperature modification device 100. FIG. 7 is a rear view of the insulating insert 106 of the personal ambient air temperature modification device 100. FIG. 8 is a right side view of the insulating insert 106 of the personal ambient air temperature modification device 100. FIG. 9 is a front isometric view of the insulating insert 106 of the personal ambient air temperature modification device 100.

The insulating insert 106, as depicted in FIGS. 5-15 includes a generally donut shaped structure configured to fit within the lid 102 and receive the thermal energy concentrator 104. In particular, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, the insulating insert 106 includes an insulating body having a top end 108, a bottom end 110, a perimeter wall therebetween 112, and a center point 114. At the center point 114 exists a central aperture disposed completely through the insulating body of the insulating insert 106 from the top end 108 to the bottom end 110. The central aperture is sized and shaped to receive the thermal energy concentrator 104 and allow a portion of the thermal energy concentrator 104 to extend through the insulating insert 106, as depicted in FIGS. 10-14. In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, the insulating insert 106 also includes a rabbet 111 disposed in the top end of the insulating body and sized, dimensioned, and configured to match and receive a housing for the motorized air movement mechanism of the lid 102 when the insulating insert 106 is positioned within the interior volume of the lid 102, as depicted in FIGS. 10-15. As would be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the size and shape of the insulating insert 106 will vary depending on the specific application and device in which the insulating insert 106 is being utilized within. For example, in basic lid designs that do not have a thermal energy concentrator 104 or motorized air movement mechanism, the insulating insert may be a puck, disc, cylinder, etc. shape without a central aperture.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, the insulating insert 106 can be constructed from any combination of materials and shapes that that provides insulating properties. For example, the insulating insert 106 can be constructed from a foam material, it can be a shell with a hollow cavity (e.g., a vacuum), a shell with a cavity filled with an insulating material (e.g., water). For example, the insulating insert 106 can be made of insulating materials that are structurally suitable insulation foam materials capable of being molded, formed or shaped into a preferred structural configuration, and having a structure where weight and size not affected by extreme temperature conditions (such as below 30° F., or above 120° F.), including but not limited to Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE), or Polyurethane (PU) materials. Hence, the insulated foam material when configured into the desired form, shape and size is not affected by extreme cold or warm air temperatures. The choice of insulated foam material can further be made from a food grade material. Furthermore, preferably, the foam does not off-gas toxic gases given the airflow past through and out the insert to be supplied to the user. The insulting properties can include thermal insulation for controlling temperature between an interior volume and an exterior volume (e.g., ambient air), insulation for vibration, insulation for sound, etc.

In an illustrative embodiment, in addition to providing insulating properties, the insulating insert 106 is configured to provide air intake and exhaust channels (e.g., channels 114, 116a, 116b) to allow an airflow to pass over/around the insulating insert 106 into and out of the container 120 that the insulating insert 106 (and the lid 102) is included within. The insulating insert 106 includes a first air intake channel 116a disposed in the perimeter wall of the insulating body, the first air intake channel 116a structurally configured as an air flow pathway from the perimeter wall 112 down and out through the bottom end 110 of the insulating body. The insulating insert 106 includes a second air intake channel 116b disposed in the perimeter wall 112 of the insulating body, the second air intake channel 116b structurally configured as an air flow pathway from the perimeter wall down 112 and out through the bottom end of the insulating body of the insulating insert 106. In an example embodiment, the second air intake channel 116b is disposed in the perimeter wall 112 at a location substantially opposite the first air intake channel 116a. The air intake and exhaust channels (e.g., channels 114, 116a, 116b) can also be configured to provide a guide for water removed from an internal volume of a container 120 out through the exhaust vent/channels of the insulating insert 106 and the lid 102. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that there can be a plurality of air intake channels, and that the present invention is not limited to only one or only two as depicted.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, the insulating insert 106 is sized, dimensioned, and configured structurally as a mate with a lid 102 of a container 120, the lid 102 having a perimeter wall defining an interior volume within which the insulating insert 106 is received. In particular, as depicted in FIGS. 10-15, the insulating insert 106 is configured to removably fit up inside the lid 102 of the personal ambient air temperature modification device 100 to insulate the underside of the lid 102, the opening of a container 120 that the lid 102 covers, and the thermal energy concentrator 104. In one example, the lid 102 includes a return port disposed through the lid perimeter wall, an air inlet disposed through the lid perimeter wall, and a motorized air movement mechanism disposed inside the lid that draws air through the air inlet and exhausts return air through the return port to an external environment external to the container 120 and the lid 102, as discussed in greater detail with respect to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/699,472. In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, the alignment of the air intake channels 116a, 116b of the insulating insert 106 are oriented to line up with the air inlet and exhaust vents of the lid 102 when the insulating insert 106 is placed within the lid 102. This alignment helps minimize the ambient air from effecting the center core air post and interior chamber of the container 120.

FIGS. 10-14 depict exemplary exploded views of the lid 102, the insulating insert 106, the thermal energy concentrator 104, and how they fit together to form the personal ambient air temperature modification device 100. FIG. 10 is a front exploded view of the lid 102, the insulating insert 106, and the thermal energy concentrator 104 of the personal ambient air temperature modification device 100. FIG. 11 is a left side exploded view of the lid 102, the insulating insert 106, and the thermal energy concentrator 104 of the personal ambient air temperature modification device 100. FIG. 12 is a rear exploded view of the lid 102, the insulating insert 106, and the thermal energy concentrator 104 of the personal ambient air temperature modification device 100. FIG. 13 is a right side exploded view of the lid 102, the insulating insert 106, and the thermal energy concentrator 104 of the personal ambient air temperature modification device 100. FIG. 14 is a front isometric exploded view of the lid 102, the insulating insert 106, and the thermal energy concentrator 104 of the personal ambient air temperature modification device 100.

As would be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the insulating insert 106 can be configured to fit a variety of containers, lids, and container/lid types such that it is not intended to be limited for use as provided in the examples herein. In particular, FIGS. 1-4 and 10-14 are intended to provide illustrative examples for how the insulating insert 106 can be implemented with a lid 102, but is not intended to limit the use of the insulating insert 106 with the lid 102 as depicted in these exemplary examples. For example, the insulating insert 106 can be configured to be provided within a basic container 120 (e.g., tumble, mug, thermos, etc.) lid without a thermal energy concentrator 104 or other mechanical/electrical components provided within the example lid 102.

In certain embodiments, a filter, such as an air filter, can further be provided. FIGS. 15 to 18 depict exemplary exploded views of the lid 102, the insulating insert 106, the thermal energy concentrator 104, an air filter 118, and how they fit together to form the personal ambient air temperature modification device 100. FIG. 15 is a left side exploded view of the lid 102, the insulating insert 106, the air filter 118, and the thermal energy concentrator 104 of the personal ambient air temperature modification device 100. FIG. 16 is a rear exploded view of the lid 102, the insulating insert 106, the air filter 118, and the thermal energy concentrator 104 of the personal ambient air temperature modification device 100. FIG. 17 is a right side exploded view of the lid 102, the insulating insert 106, the air filter 118, and the thermal energy concentrator 104 of the personal ambient air temperature modification device 100. FIG. 18 is a front isometric exploded view of the lid 102, the insulating insert 106, the air filter 118, and the thermal energy concentrator 104 of the personal ambient air temperature modification device 100.

The air filter 118 can take a number of different forms and be made of different materials, as would be understood by those of skill in the art. For example, the air filter 118 can be a fiberglass filter, a polyester filter, a carbon filter, or a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, or alternatively an air ionizing and purifying technology. The air filter 118 as shown is removable and replaceable. It mates with the air channels 116a, 116b, and is removably and replaceably coupled with the insulating insert 106. Other structures that place the air filter in the path of airflow A are considered to be anticipated as equivalent to the structure described herein. The air filter 118 can additionally be formed as part of the insulating insert 106, or can be a separate component. The air filter can be made available in different colors to readily indicate to a user the type of particulate that is being filtered (e.g., black for smoke, yellow for pollen, etc.). An LED indicator 119 (see FIG. 15) can be provided to indicate the status of the air filter based on predetermined parameters, such as operating time of a motorized air movement mechanism, such as a fan, that causes movement of air through the device. Air passing through the air filter 118 is filtered and/or purified depending on the structure of the air filter 118. Likewise, referencing FIG. 15, an LED or other light source 121 can be provided positioned and configured to illuminate the air channels 116a, 116b (shown in FIG. 6 with respect to air channel 116b, but can be implemented in a number of different arrangements and configurations as would be understood by those of skill in the art). The light source 121 can be single color or multi-colored, and can be powered by the same power source as a personal ambient air temperature modification device 100 in which it is mounted.

FIG. 19 depicts an example personal ambient air temperature modification device 100 formed from the assembly of the lid 102, the thermal energy concentrator 104, and the insulating insert 106 being installed on a container 120. In particular, FIG. 19 depicts the lid 102 threaded into the opening of the container 120 with the thermal energy concentrator 104 located within the interior volume of the container 120. Note that intake airflow A comes into the lid 102, travels down the interior side of the container 120 and back up through the thermal energy concentrator 104 as exhausted return airflow B as depicted and described below, without the intake airflow A pooling or otherwise interacting with the exhausted return airflow B.

In operation, the insulating insert 106 enables the container 120 that it is attached thereto/therein (e.g., the personal ambient air temperature modification device 100) to be significantly more efficient in maintaining an internal temperature in either hot or cold weather for extended periods of time. In the example embodiment of the personal ambient air temperature modification device 100, the insulating insert 106 provides an insulated intake air flow channel to isolate core air flow channel from ambient temperature. The insulated body of the insulating insert 106 isolates container 120 space from exterior lid 102 components (e.g., fan) to maximize insulation properties of a motorized lid 102 constructed with a motorized fan air intake opening within a closed personal ambient air temperature modification device 100.

FIGS. 2, 4, 14, and 19 depict example airflows and how the airflow intake and airflow exhaust are separated by the insulating insert 106. In particular, an intake airflow A is pulled into the lid 102 through vents 122 by a motorized fan within the lid 102, as discussed in greater detail with respect to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/699,472. From the vent 122 intakes, air channels 116a, 116b drive the air down into the side of the container 120. The combination of the channels 116a, 116b, and the forces provided by a motorized fan within the lid 102 prevents air from lingering at the top of the container 120. Instead, the airflow A flows down along the wall of the container 120 into an interior of the container 120. Driving the air down the inside walls of the container 120 makes a significant difference because it thermally isolates the ambient air within the container 120 away from the modified air exhausting from the container 120 (e.g., airflow B through exhaust port). It is beneficial to keep the ambient air intake and modified air exhaust as separate and thermally isolated as possible in order to prevent heat transfer between the two (if the ambient air heats up the exhaust port because there is insufficient insulation between the two, then the output air is not as cold or as hot as it otherwise could be). For example, if there is cold thermal material within the interior volume of the container 120, as ambient air is pulled in through the vents 122/channels 116a, 116b and along the sidewalls of the container 120 (e.g., airflow A) the ambient air is being cooled by the cold thermal material in the interior volume. Thereafter the temperature modified air is exhausted out toward a user (e.g., airflow B). Again, as the air flows along airflow A, when an air filter 118 is in position as depicted herein, the air passing therethrough is filtered and/or purified based on the structure of the air filter 118.

As utilized herein, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” are intended to be construed as being inclusive, not exclusive. As utilized herein, the terms “exemplary”, “example”, and “illustrative”, are intended to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration” and should not be construed as indicating, or not indicating, a preferred or advantageous configuration relative to other configurations. As utilized herein, the terms “about”, “generally”, and “approximately” are intended to cover variations that may existing in the upper and lower limits of the ranges of subjective or objective values, such as variations in properties, parameters, sizes, and dimensions. In one non-limiting example, the terms “about”, “generally”, and “approximately” mean at, or plus 10 percent or less, or minus 10 percent or less. In one non-limiting example, the terms “about”, “generally”, and “approximately” mean sufficiently close to be deemed by one of skill in the art in the relevant field to be included. As utilized herein, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extend or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result, as would be appreciated by one of skill in the art. For example, an object that is “substantially” circular would mean that the object is either completely a circle to mathematically determinable limits, or nearly a circle as would be recognized or understood by one of skill in the art. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some instances depend on the specific context. However, in general, the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were achieved or obtained. The use of “substantially” is equally applicable when utilized in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result, as would be appreciated by one of skill in the art.

Numerous modifications and alternative embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode for carrying out the present invention. Details of the structure may vary substantially without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and exclusive use of all modifications that come within the scope of the appended claims is reserved. Within this specification embodiments have been described in a way which enables a clear and concise specification to be written, but it is intended and will be appreciated that embodiments may be variously combined or separated without parting from the invention. It is intended that the present invention be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims and the applicable rules of law.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are to cover all generic and specific features of the invention described herein, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

	Number	Date	Country
	62655392	Apr 2018	US
	62637348	Mar 2018	US

INSULATING INSERT FOR A PERSONAL AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE MODIFICATION DEVICE

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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

Provisional Applications (2)