Insulated bag and sleeve for carrying groceries and other objects

Abstract

Provided herein are products, methods, and kits, for use in regulating the temperature of an object. The present invention relates to insulated enclosures for regulating the temperature of perishable goods or temperature sensitive products. The insulated enclosures may be quickly collapsed and reconstructed to diminish the amount of space required to store the insulated enclosures prior to use.

1 - 173 . (canceled) 
     
     
         174 . An insulated bag having a bottom portion, side walls extending upwardly from the bottom portion, and an opening generally opposite the bottom portion, the bag comprising:
 a first inner layer;   a first outer layer;   a first insulation layer disposed between the first inner layer and first outer layer;   a planar reinforcing material, wherein the planar reinforcing material shapes the bottom portion and provides structural load bearing capability along its planar direction; and   wherein the insulated bag maintains an internal temperature below 4.4° C. for at least 15 hours when stored at ambient temperature with a cooling agent.   
     
     
         175 . The insulated bag of  claim 174 , wherein 80%-100% of the insulated bag biodegrades within 26 weeks after being placed in conditions of temperature and humidity of a compost. 
     
     
         176 . The insulated bag of  claim 175 , wherein the compost is a municipal or household compost. 
     
     
         177 . The insulated bag of  claim 174 , wherein at least one of the first inner layer and first outer layer are hydrophobic. 
     
     
         178 . The insulated bag of  claim 174 , wherein at least one of the first inner layer and first outer layer comprises kraft paper. 
     
     
         179 . The insulated bag of  claim 174 , wherein at least one of the first inner layer, first insulation layer and first outer layer comprises recycled materials. 
     
     
         180 . The insulated bag of  claim 179 , wherein the recycled materials comprise post-consumer recycled materials. 
     
     
         181 . The insulated bag of  claim 174 , wherein the first insulation layer comprises a nonwoven fibrous material. 
     
     
         182 . The insulated bag of  claim 181 , wherein the nonwoven fibrous material comprises a bast fiber. 
     
     
         183 . The insulated bag of  claim 174 , wherein the first insulation layer comprises expanded cornstarch. 
     
     
         184 . The insulated bag of  claim 183 , wherein the first insulation layer comprises expanded cornstarch in a single continuous layer. 
     
     
         185 . The insulated bag of  claim 174 , further comprising a second insulation layer disposed between the first inner layer and first outer layer. 
     
     
         186 . The insulated bag of  claim 174 , further comprising an element for closing the insulated bag. 
     
     
         187 . The insulated bag of  claim 174 , wherein the first inner layer extends above a top edge of the first outer layer to form a first flap and second flap configured to fold over the top edge of the first outer layer to enclose the first insulation layer between the first inner layer and the first outer layer. 
     
     
         188 . The insulated bag of  claim 187 , wherein the first flap and second flap comprise a closing means selected from at least one of an adhesive, a pressure sensitive adhesive, tape, a zipper, a zip-lock, a hook, a button, or a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         189 . An insulated bag having a bottom portion, side walls extending upwardly from the bottom portion, and an opening generally opposite the bottom portion, the bag comprising:
 a first outer layer;   a first inner layer extending above a top edge of the first outer layer to form a first flap and second flap;   a plurality of stacked insulation layers disposed between the first inner layer and first outer layer, and enclosable by the first flap and second flap; and   a planar reinforcing material, wherein the planar reinforcing material shapes the bottom portion and provides structural load bearing capability along its planar direction.   
     
     
         190 . The insulated bag of  claim 189 , wherein the plurality of stacked insulation layers comprises expanded cornstarch. 
     
     
         191 . An insulated sleeve, said insulated sleeve comprising:
 an insulation layer comprising a continuous layer of nonwoven fibrous material, wherein the continuous layer of nonwoven fibrous material comprises a bast fiber, the continuous layer of nonwoven fibrous material comprising a first side portion, a second side portion, and a middle portion separating the first and second side portions;   an inner layer, wherein the inner layer covers an inner surface of the insulation layer and   an outer layer, wherein the outer layer covers an outer surface of the insulation layer.   
     
     
         192 . The insulated sleeve of  claim 191 , wherein the insulated sleeve maintains an internal temperature below 4.4° C. for at least 25 hours when stored at ambient temperature with a cooling agent. 
     
     
         193 . The insulated sleeve of  claim 191 , further comprising a barrier comprised of a biodegradable polymer, copolymer or blends thereof.