GB2249717A - Flexible insulating container - Google Patents

Abstract

A container for keeping cool cans of beer and the like, comprises a tubular skin 11. Ends of the tube are closed by means of respective end caps 12, 13 at least one of which is releasably closed e.g. by means of a zip fastener 14. The skin may have an outer fabric layer (17, fig 2), which may be of waterproof woven nylon, an inner foil layer (18, fig 2), which may consist of a metallized plastic, and an intermediate layer (19, fig 2) which may be a foam, wadding or particulate thermally insulating material. The end caps may be retained on the container when removed by connecting portions 15. The container may be carried by means of a flexible strip 16, or by a handle, clips or hooks. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Container This invention relates to a container.

It was devised particularly for transporting cans or bottles of beverages which require to be kept cool.

However, it can have other uses.

Conventional soft drinks cans are of relatively standard sizes but are difficult to carry, especially where the cans are single and unconnected with each other. The metal skin of a beverage can is a relatively good conductor of heat, so the contents rapidly warm up when removed from a refrigerator and become unpalatable.

There is a need for a form of container which will permit drinks cans and bottles to be handled more easily and transported at a cool temperature.

According to the present invention there is provided a container comprising a tubular skin of flexible, waterproof insulating material; closure means for both ends of the tube; and carrying means.

Preferably, the tubular skin has an outer woven fabric layer, an inner plastics foil layer and an intermediate insulation layer.

The insulation layer may comprise a foam, wadding or woven insulation, or may be provided by particulate insulating material.

The closure means may comprise flexible or rigid end caps, one of which may be secured permanently in position.

However, preferably, both closure means are releasably closed, for example, by sliding clasp fasteners, touch and close strip fasteners, press studs, buckles or clips.

Where the closure means are releasable, it is preferred that they are retained captive to the tubular skin even when released.

The carrying means may comprise a wrist strap or shoulder strap or a handle. Alternatively, they may comprise a clip, hook or shackle.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container embodying the invention; and Figure 2 is a scrap sectional view of a portion of the container skin.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 of the drawings, a container generally indicated at 10 is formed from a flexible skin 11 in the form of a cylindrical tube, having integral end closure caps 12, 13. The closure caps 12, 13 are releasably secured to the main body of the container by sliding clasp fasteners 14 surrounding most of the periphery of the tube. A small integral connecting portion of fabric 15 remains to retain the end cap 12, 13 to the main cylindrical body of the container.

A flexible carrying strap 16 of strong woven nylon material is stitched or otherwise fastened to the container 10. The strap 16 can be of adjustable length with at least one of its end portions being looped through a ring (not shown) on the container 10.

The skin made up as illustrated in more detail in Figure 2.

It comprises an outer waterproof woven nylon layer 17, an inner plastics film layer 18 which may be metalised or of a light colour for the best insulation properties. An inter-layer 19 of synthetic plastics foam of a relatively flexible type is provided between the inner and outer layers 18 and 17 of the skin 11.

Various modifications can be made to the container 10 shown in the drawings. For example, one of the end closures 12, 13 may be permanently secured in position, for example, by being stitched in place. The end closures, instead of being of flexible or sheet material 11, may be of rigid material. The sliding clasp fasteners 14 may be substituted by other fastening means such as touch and close fasteners, press fasteners, buckles or clips.

The shoulder strap 16 may be replaced by a wrist strap or may be repositioned. Alternatively, the carrying means may comprise a hook, clip or shackle, so that the container can be hooked to a fixed structure, for example, for use in outdoor drinks kiosks, caravans or the like.

The proportions of the tubular body may be varied from those illustrated by way of example in the drawings. It is preferred that the container should be approximately one metre in length, having a diameter sufficient to take a standard size drinks can or bottle and, in this case, may take between three and seven cans or a similar number of bottles or some combination of beverage containers.

Although primarily designed for keeping drinks cool, the container may find usefulness in other contexts, for example, in keeping tennis balls cool or as a lunch pack.

Claims (13)

Claims

1. A container comprising a tubular skin of flexible, waterproof insulating material, closure means for both ends of the tube, and carrying means.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tubular skin has an outer fabric layer, an inner foil layer and an intermediate insulation layer.

3. A container as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fabric layer is made of woven fabric.

4. A container as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the foil layer is made of plastics foil.

5. A container as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the insulation layer comprises a foam, wadding or woven insulation.

6. A container as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the insulation layer is provided by particulate insulating material.

7. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the closure means comprises flexible or rigid end caps.

8. A container as claimed in claim 7, wherein one of the end caps is secured permanently in position and the other is releasably closed.

9. A container as claimed in claim 7, wherein both of the end caps are releasably closed.

10. A container as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the or each releasably closed end cap is retained captive to the tubular skin even when released.

11. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the carrying means comprises a wrist strap or a shoulder strap or a handle.

12. A container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the carrying means comprises a clip, hook or shackle.

13. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.