Insulated container

Abstract

A container includes a rigid insulated body-portion that defines a first enclosed space, a base lid adapted to be reattachably fastened to an edge of the sides that is proximal to the opening, thereby covering the opening so as to at least substantially prevent fluid communication between the first enclosed space and the area outside the container, a contents-container, a contents-container lid that is adapted to be reattachably fastened to edges of the contents container that are proximal to the opening of the contents container, thereby substantially preventing fluid communication between the second enclosed space of the contents container and the space outside the contents container, the first enclosed space including an interior portion adapted to receive the contents container and a coolant portion adapted to receive at least one coolant container.

1 . A container comprising;
 a rigid insulated body-portion comprising a base-portion and sides that extend from the base-portion, wherein inside surfaces of the sides and the base-portion together define a first enclosed space and an opening between the first enclosed space and an area outside the body-portion, the opening is at an end of the sides that is distal from the base-portion,   a base lid adapted to be reattachably fastened to an edge of the sides that is proximal to the opening, thereby covering the opening so as to at least substantially prevent fluid communication between the first enclosed space and the area outside the container,   a contents-container defines a second enclosed space and an opening between the second enclosed space and an area outside the contents-container,   a contents-container lid that is adapted to be reattachably fastened to edges of the contents container that are proximal to the opening of the contents container, thereby substantially preventing fluid communication between the second enclosed space of the contents container and the space outside the contents container,   the first enclosed space including an interior portion adapted to receive the contents container and a coolant portion surrounding the interior portion and adapted to receive at least one coolant container,   the coolant container has at least a first side-wall and a second side-wall that together define a containment space for containing coolant material, the at least one coolant container being adapted to fit inside the coolant portion between the contents container and the inside surfaces of the sides of the body-portion.   
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the inside surface of the base-portion comprises a first and a second level, the first level is on the inside of the second level and is recessed with regard to the second level thereby providing a step up to the second level, and the interior portion is defined by the first level and the coolant portion is defined by the second level. 
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 2 , further comprising a pressure-plate that is adapted to fit between and rest against the base of the contents-container and the first level of the inside surface of the base-portion. 
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 3 , further comprising a shock-spacer of shock absorbing material, the shock-spacer being adapted to fit between and rest against the contents-container lid and the base-lid. 
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the outside surface of the base-portion has eight flat surfaces thereby forming an octagonal cross section in the vertical direction. 
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the base-portion and the base lid include fastener elements that together fasten the lid onto the base portion thereby covering the opening. 
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein the fastener elements comprise a recessed opening in the peripheral edge of the lid, a tension member attached between the base-portion and an object having a diameter that is larger than a largest diameter of the recessed openings. 
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a support device adapted to fit below and support the container, the support device having wheels. 
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 4 , wherein the shock-spacer is cylindrical in shape. 
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the pressure-plate is circular in shape. 
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the coolant container has handles for being gripped by a user. 
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 8 , further comprising support legs that extend from the base in a direction opposite the vertical direction and are adapted to fit with recesses in the support device. 
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the body-portion is a seamless part that is rotationally molded of rigid polyethylene. 
   
   
       14 . A method for transporting refrigerated contents in a container comprising a body-portion, the body-portion comprising a base-portion and sides that extend from the base-portion in a vertical direction, the inside surfaces of the sides and the base-portion together define an enclosed space and an opening between the enclosed space and an area outside the body-portion, the opening is at an end of the sides that is distal from the base-portion, a lid is adapted to be fastened to an edge of the sides that is proximal to the opening, thereby covering the opening so as to at least substantially prevent fluid communication between the enclosed space and the area outside the container, a contents-container that defines an enclosed space and an opening between the enclosed space and an area outside the contents-container, a contents-container lid that is adapted to be fastened to edges of the contents container that are proximal to the opening of the contents container thereby substantially preventing fluid communication between the enclosed space of the contents container and the space outside the contents container, the method comprising the steps of:
 placing a pressure-plate on and against the inside surface of the base of the body-portion,   placing the base of the contents-container on and against the pressure-plate,   placing a shock-spacer on and against the top of the contents-container lid,   placing coolant on and against the base of the body-portion and the inside surface of the walls of the body-portion, the, and   fastening the base-lid adjacent the sides thereby covering the opening.   
   
   
       15 . A container comprising:
 a rotationally molded thermally insulated body-portion, the body-portion comprising a base-portion and sides that extend vertically from the base-portion, the inside surfaces of the sides and the base-portion define an enclosed space and an opening between the enclosed space and an area outside the container, the opening is at an end of the sides that is distal to the base-portion,   a lid that is adapted to be fastened to an edge of the sides adjacent to the opening thereby covering the opening so as to at least substantially prevent fluid communication between the enclosed space and the area outside the container,   a thermally insulated contents-container that defines an enclosed space and an opening between the enclosed space and an area outside the contents-container,   a contents-container lid that is adapted to be fastened adjacent edges of the contents-container defining the opening of the contents-container thereby at least substantially preventing fluid communication between the enclosed space of the contents-container and the space outside the contents-container,   at least one coolant container comprising a coolant, the coolant container is adapted to fit inside the body portion so as to rest against the inside surface of the sides of the body-portion.