Thermally insulated containers

Abstract

A thermally insulated container includes a base having a bottom wall and sidewalls, and a lid. A liquid-impermeable and moisture-resistant film overlays the outer surface of the base and sidewalls and can extend inside of the base. The film can be plastic shrink wrap film. The sidewalls of the base can be tapered to allow the containers to be nested in a stacked arrangement.

1 . An insulated container system, comprising: 
 a rigid foam container having a bottom wall including an outer surface, a plurality of sidewalls each including an outer surface and an inner surface; and    a film which overlays the outer surface of the bottom wall and of each of the sidewalls and which forms an outer surface of the base; and    a lid configured to cover an open end of the rigid foam container opposite the bottom wall.    
   
   
       2 . The container system of  claim 1 , wherein the film is disposed between the lid and an upper surface of each of the sidewalls when the lid closes the open end.  
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewalls, bottom wall and lid are composed of a rigid, thermally insulated material.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewalls, bottom wall and lid are composed of expanded polystyrene.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewalls are each tapered.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewalls are each perpendicular to the bottom wall.  
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the outer surfaces of the sidewalls are contoured.  
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the film is a liquid impermeable and moisture-resistant film.  
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein the film is a plastic shrink-wrap film.  
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the film includes indicia at the outer surface of each of the sidewalls.  
   
   
       11 . A rigid, thermally insulated container, comprising: 
 a base comprising: 
 a bottom wall including an outer surface;  
 a plurality of tapered sidewalls each including an outer surface and an inner surface; and  
 a film overlaying at least the outer surface of the bottom wall and of each of the sidewalls and forming an outer surface of the base; and  
   a lid configured to cover an open end of the base opposite the bottom wall.    
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the film is a liquid-impermeable and moisture-resistant film.  
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the film is disposed between the lid and an upper surface of each of the sidewalls when the lid closes the open end.  
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the film overlays an upper surface of each of the sidewalls.  
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the sidewalls, bottom wall and lid are composed of a rigid, thermally insulated material.  
   
   
       16 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the sidewalls, bottom wall and lid are composed of a rigid, foamed plastic material.  
   
   
       17 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the film is a plastic shrink-wrap film.  
   
   
       18 . A rigid, thermally insulated container system, comprising: 
 a rigid styrofoam container having a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls integrally connected to the bottom wall; 
 a liquid-impermeable and moisture-resistant film overlaying an outer surface of the bottom wall and each of the sidewalls and providing an outer surface of the base; and  
 indicia on the film at the outer surface of at least one of the sidewalls; and  
   a lid configured to cover an open end of the base opposite the bottom wall.    
   
   
       19 . A method of making a thermally insulated container, comprising: 
 providing a container comprising: 
 a bottom wall including an outer surface and an inner surface; and  
 a plurality of sidewalls each including an outer surface and an inner surface; and  
   applying a film on the container such that the film (i) overlays the outer surface of the bottom wall, (ii) overlays the outer surface and inner surface of each of the sidewalls, and (iii) forms an outer surface of the base.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the film is a liquid impermeable and moisture-resistant film.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the film is a plastic shrink-wrap film, and the applying comprises heating the film so as to shrink the film onto the container.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising printing indicia on the film prior to heating the film.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the sidewalls of the container are tapered.