Refreezable container
View Patent ↗A refreezable container for storage of perishable and/or temperature-sensitive items is described herein. A bottom surface, contiguous with one or more side surfaces is provided, each surface having an interior cavity at least partially filled with refreezable material, usable to retain contents within the container at a temperature less than ambient temperature. The bottom surface includes a lower groove therein. The side surfaces include a lip adapted for secure engagement for an upper object, which can include a top cover having a complementary groove, or the lower groove of an adjacent refreezable container, allowing multiple containers, with or without top covers, to be nested for storage or transport, and allowing multiple covered containers, or top covers independent of containers, to be stacked and nested.
1. A refreezable container comprising:
a bottom surface comprising a bottom interior cavity and a lower ridge and a lower groove, wherein said lower ridge and said lower groove are adapted for engagement with a lower adjacent object, wherein the bottom interior cavity is at least partially filled with refreezable material;
at least one side surface contiguous with the bottom surface, wherein each at least one side surface comprises a side interior cavity separate from the bottom interior cavity and a top comprising a lip adapted for secure engagement with an upper adjacent object, and wherein the side interior cavity is at least partially filled with refreezable material, such that when the refreezable container is cooled, the refreezable material within the cavities retains contents of the refreezable container at a temperature lower than ambient temperature; and
a top cover having a side cover surface, wherein the top cover comprises a lower cover groove adapted for secure engagement with the lip of the at least one side surface, an upper cover groove adapted for secure engagement with the lower ridge, and an upper cover ridge adapted for secure engagement with the lower groove, wherein the upper cover groove is positioned between the upper cover ridge and the side cover surface, and wherein the top cover comprises an upper interior cavity at least partially filled with refreezable material for enclosing contents of the refreezable container with refreezable material,
wherein the lower groove of the bottom surface is adapted to engage the upper cover ridge of an adjacent top cover engaged with an adjacent refreezable container, thereby enabling multiple refreezable containers having top covers securely engaged thereon to be stacked for storage or transport or to provide additional refreezable material between the refreezable containers, and
wherein the lower cover groove of the top cover is adapted to engage the upper cover ridge of the adjacent top cover, thereby enabling multiple top covers to be stacked for storage or transport or to provide additional refreezable material between the refreezable containers.
2. The refreezable container of claim 1 , wherein the bottom surface, the at least one side surface, or combinations thereof are configured for entry within the adjacent refreezable container, and wherein the refreezable container and the adjacent refreezable container are substantially the same size, thereby enabling multiple refreezable containers to be nested for storage.
3. The refreezable container of claim 1 , wherein the bottom surface and the at least one side surface define a cylindrical shape, a cubical prismatic shape, or a rectangular prismatic shape.
4. The refreezable container of claim 1 , wherein the bottom surface and the at least one side surface define a bowl shape.
5. The refreezable container of claim 1 , wherein the refreezable material comprises a gel material.
6. The refreezable container of claim 1 , wherein the bottom surface, the at least one side surface, or combinations thereof, are at least partially transparent for enabling visualization of the refreezable material.
7. The refreezable container of claim 1 , wherein the refreezable material comprises a selected color, a selected additional material, or combinations thereof, for visualization through transparent surfaces.
8. The refreezable container of claim 1 , wherein the bottom interior cavity and the side interior cavity comprise a space sized to enable expansion of refreezable material when the refreezable material freezes.
9. The refreezable container of claim 1 , wherein the at least one side surface comprises a first flange, wherein the top cover comprises a second flange, and wherein engagement between the at least one side surface and the top cover causes the first flange and the second flange to abut.
10. The refreezable container of claim 1 , further comprising a temperature indicator for indicating the temperature of an interior of the refreezable container.
11. The refreezable container of claim 1 , wherein the refreezable material comprises a material that changes color responsive to temperature.
12. The refreezable container of claim 1 , wherein an upper boundary of the lower cover groove is located below a lower boundary of the upper cover ridge.