LINER FOR USE WITH FLEXIBLE CONTAINERS

• US 20110182532A1
• Filed: 01/26/2011
• Published: 07/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Igloo Products Corporation (Dometic Group AB)
• Original Assignee: Igloo Products Corporation (Dometic Group AB)
• Inventors: Baltus, Linda
• Application Number:
  US13/014,627
• Publication Number:
  US 20110182532A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 383/109
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/20 Lunch or picnic boxes or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/008 for making water- or air-tight
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/02 Interior fittings; Means, e.g. inserts, for holding and packing articles
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/10 Arrangement of fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/36 Reinforcements for edges, corners, or other parts
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 3/001 Flexible materials therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 7/0059 Flexible luggage; Hand bags

Abstract

A flexible liner has a planar base and multiple sides extending up from the planar base. The base and sides of the flexible liner define a cavity for receiving foodstuffs or other items. The flexible liner is generally dimensioned to fit within a cavity of a flexible container bag, such as a soft-sided cooler, duffle bag, gym bag or reusable grocery tote bag. The flexible liner provides increased rigidity and durability for the flexible container bag. While manual force deforms the flexible liner from its original shape, the liner is elastic and has shape memory such than when the force is removed, the liner will return to its original shape. The liner is made from a viscoelastic polymer material. Further, the liner can be attached to or configured to be removable from the flexible container bag.

Claims

1. A container system comprising:

a flexible housing defining a cavity; and

a flexible, semi-rigid liner positioned within the cavity, wherein the liner comprises at least one opening for housing an item therein, wherein the liner deforms from an original shape to a deformed shape when a force is applied to the liner, and wherein the liner returns to the original shape when the force is removed.

2. The container system of claim 1, wherein the liner comprises a viscoelastic polymer.

3. The container system of claim 1, wherein the liner comprises one of a thermoplastic and a thermoset material.

4. The container system of claim 1, wherein the liner comprises an insulating material.

5. The container system of claim 1, wherein the liner comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of styrenic block copolymers, polyolefin blends, elastomeric alloys, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic copolyesters, thermoplastic polyamides, silicone, latex, nitrile butadiene rubber, ethylene-propylene terapolymers, fluorosilicone, and polychloroprene.

6. The container system of claim 1, wherein the liner has a size and shape substantially similar to a size and shape of the flexible housing.

7. The container system of claim 1, wherein the flexible housing comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyester, polychloroprene, nylon, cotton, polyethylene terephthalate, leather, polyethylene, polyurethane, and canvas.

8. The container system of claim 1, wherein the liner comprises a planar base having a perimeter, and one or more sidewalls extending from the perimeter of the planar base, wherein the planar base and the one or more sidewalls define the at least one opening.

9. The container system of claim 8, wherein the planar base is rectangular, and the one or more sidewalls comprises four sidewalls extending from the planar base in a direction substantially orthogonal to the planar base.

10. The container system of claim 8, wherein the planar base is circular, and the one or more sidewalls comprises one sidewall extending from the planar base in a direction substantially orthogonal to the planar base to form a substantially cylindrical liner.

11. The container system of claim 8, wherein the liner comprises a semi-rigid partition positioned within the at least one opening and coupled to at least one of the planar base and one or more sidewalls.

12. The container system of claim 1, wherein the liner is secured to the flexible housing by at least one selected from the group consisting of stitches, snaps, clips, and Velcro®

.

13. The container system of claim 1, further comprising an insulation layer between the liner and the flexible housing.

14. A container bag comprising:

a flexible housing comprising

a planar base having a first perimeter,

at least one sidewall having a first end and a second end, the first end of the at least one sidewall coupled to the first perimeter of the planar base,

a cover having a second perimeter, the second end of the at least one sidewall coupled to the second perimeter of the cover,

wherein the planar base, at least one sidewall, and cover define a cavity; and

a flexible liner positioned within the cavity, wherein the liner comprises at least one opening for housing an item therein, wherein the liner deforms from an original shape to a deformed shape when a force is applied to the liner without damage to the liner, and wherein the liner returns to the original shape when the force is removed.

15. The container bag of claim 14, wherein the liner comprises a viscoelastic polymer.

16. The container bag of claim 14, wherein the liner comprises one of a thermoplastic and a thermoset material.

17. The container bag of claim 14, wherein the first perimeter is substantially equal to the second perimeter.

18. A container bag comprising:

a flexible housing comprising

a planar base having a first perimeter,

at least one sidewall having a first end and a second end, the first end of the at least one sidewall coupled to the first perimeter of the planar base,

a cover having a second perimeter, the second end of the at least one

sidewall coupled to the second perimeter of the cover, wherein the planar base, at least one sidewall, and cover define a cavity; and

a flexible, semi-rigid liner positioned within the cavity, the liner comprising

a liner base having a liner base perimeter,

at least one liner sidewall coupled to the liner base perimeter, wherein the liner base and the at least one liner sidewall define an opening for housing an item therein,

wherein the liner deforms from an original shape to a deformed shape when a force is applied without damage to the liner, and wherein the liner returns to the original shape when the force is removed.

19. The container bag of claim 18, wherein the liner comprises a flexible, semi-rigid partition positioned within the opening to form two compartments within the liner.

20. The container bag of claim 18, wherein the liner is secured to the flexible housing by at least one selected from the group consisting of stitches, snaps, clips, and Velcro®

.