Insulated carrier

Abstract

An insulated carrier includes a substantially rigid frame and a plurality of members supported on the substantially rigid frame. The substantially rigid frame includes an insulating material and is configured to at least partially insulate containers held by the insulated carrier from ambient conditions. The plurality of members supported on the substantially rigid frame is configured to contact and support containers held by the insulated carrier. At least one of a heat dissipating characteristic and an abrasion resisting characteristic of the members is greater than a corresponding characteristic of the insulating material of the substantially rigid frame. An insulating cover may also be provided to receive the substantially rigid frame.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An insulated carrier for holding containers, the carrier comprising: 
 a substantially rigid frame including an insulating material, the substantially rigid frame being configured to at least partially insulate containers held by the insulated carrier from ambient conditions; and    a plurality of members supported on the substantially rigid frame and being configured to contact containers held by the insulated carrier, wherein at least one of a heat dissipating characteristic and an abrasion resisting characteristic of the members is greater than a corresponding characteristic of the insulating material of the substantially rigid frame.    
     
     
         2 . The insulated carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the insulating material has an insulating value of at least R-Value of one.  
     
     
         3 . The insulated carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the insulating material includes polymeric foam.  
     
     
         4 . The insulated carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the substantially rigid frame includes a top wall, two sidewalls, and a bottom wall, and wherein the top wall, two sidewalls, and bottom wall are integral.  
     
     
         5 . The insulated carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the substantially rigid frame includes two opposing sidewalls configured to receive the members.  
     
     
         6 . The insulated carrier of  claim 5 , wherein the two opposing sidewalls have slots configured to receive portions of containers, and wherein the members are disposed on at least bottom portions of the slots.  
     
     
         7 . The insulated carrier of  claim 5 , wherein the two opposing sidewalls have receiving grooves, and wherein the members have flanges that are received within the receiving grooves to connect the members to the sidewalls.  
     
     
         8 . The insulated carrier of  claim 5 , wherein the two opposing sidewalls have slots configured to receive portions of containers, wherein the slots are substantially c-shaped in cross-section, wherein the slots comprise receiving portions, and wherein the members have cross-sections which are sized to releaseably engage the receiving portions.  
     
     
         9 . The insulated carrier of  claim 5 , wherein each member forms a channel for receiving a portion of a container.  
     
     
         10 . The insulated carrier of  claim 9 , wherein each channel shields the two opposing sidewalls from the portions of the containers.  
     
     
         11 . The insulated carrier of  claim 1 , wherein each member is an elongated runner.  
     
     
         12 . The insulated carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the insulating material includes polymers and each member is formed of metal.  
     
     
         13 . The insulated carrier of  claim 12 , wherein each member is formed of extruded aluminum or stainless steel.  
     
     
         14 . The insulated carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the insulating material includes polymers and each member is formed of polymers.  
     
     
         15 . The insulated carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the heat dissipating characteristic of the members is greater that of the of the insulating material that supports the members.  
     
     
         16 . The insulated carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the abrasion resisting characteristic of the members is greater than that of the insulating material that supports the members.  
     
     
         17 . The insulated carrier of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a flexible cover for receiving the substantially rigid frame and members.    
     
     
         18 . The insulated carrier of  claim 17 , wherein the flexible cover is configured to surround the substantially rigid frame and members.  
     
     
         19 . The insulated carrier of  claim 17 , wherein the flexible cover includes an insulating material that at least partially insulates the substantially rigid frame from ambient conditions.  
     
     
         20 . The insulated carrier of  claim 17 , wherein the flexible cover includes handles extending from the flexible cover.  
     
     
         21 . The insulated carrier of  claim 17 , wherein the flexible cover includes an interior reflective vapor barrier.  
     
     
         22 . An insulated carrier for holding containers, comprising: 
 a substantially rigid frame for receiving the containers, the substantially rigid frame including an insulating material and being configured to at least partially insulate the containers from ambient conditions; and    a flexible cover for receiving the substantially rigid frame.    
     
     
         23 . The insulated carrier of  claim 22 , wherein the flexible cover is configured to surround the substantially rigid frame.  
     
     
         24 . The insulated carrier of  claim 22 , wherein the flexible cover includes an insulating material that at least partially insulates the substantially rigid frame from ambient conditions.  
     
     
         25 . The insulated carrier of  claim 22 , wherein the flexible cover includes handles extending substantially in a direction of a longitudinal length of the flexible cover.  
     
     
         26 . The insulated carrier of  claim 22 , wherein the flexible cover includes an interior reflective vapor barrier.