Insulating container made from rectangular panels of compressible material strapped together

Abstract

Disclosed is a sealed container formed from six rectangular foam insulating panels. The edges of two of the panels forming opposing sides are positioned to face the inner sides of the panels forming the two other opposing sides. The upper side of the bottom panel of the container is positioned to face the lower edges of all the sides. The sides are then strapped together under tension (one or more straps around the outer side of the sides; and, one strap around the edges of each of the two of the opposing sides and the lower surface of the bottom panel, to hold the bottom panel in place). The compressibility of the foam allows the panel edges to compress into the area of the panel sides contacted, thereby bonding the structure firmly together. The cargo is placed inside the container, atop the panel forming the bottom. Alternatively, the bottom panel is not strapped, but the container is placed inside a box, and sealing the box holds the bottom (and top) panels in place. A top panel for the container is positioned in the appropriate place relative to the edges of the side panels, and then fixed into place, optionally with strapping, or otherwise. Generally, the container is placed inside a corrugated box for shipment of cargo.

1 . A container formed from six rectangular foam panels which are strapped together comprising:
 two opposing edges of two of the panels forming opposing sides positioned to contact the inward facing sides of the panels forming the two other opposing sides;   inward facing sides of the panels forming the bottom of the container and the panel forming the top of the container positioned to respectively contact the lower and upper edges of the panels forming the sides;   at least one strap under tension and positioned around the outer side of the panels forming the sides; and   two straps under tension, each surrounding the edges of a respective opposing side and passing around the outward facing side of the panel forming the bottom.   
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1  further including one or more additional straps under tension positioned around the outer side of the panels forming the sides. 
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the panels are expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS), Urethane foam, or vacuum insulated panels. 
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1  further including a cargo inside. 
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1  wherein said container is placed inside a corrugated box which is then sealed, strapped, banded or taped closed. 
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the panels are square. 
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 1  wherein at least one strap passes around the outward facing sides of the panels forming the bottom and the top. 
   
   
       8 . A container formed from six rectangular foam panels placed inside a box comprising:
 two opposing edges of two of the panels forming opposing sides positioned to contact the inward facing sides of the panels forming the two other opposing sides;   inward facing sides of the panels forming the bottom of the container and the panel forming the top of the container positioned to respectively contact the lower and upper edges of the panels forming the sides; and   at least one strap under tension and positioned around the outer side of the panels forming the sides.   
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 8  wherein the box is sealed, banded, strapped or taped closed to hold panels forming the bottom and top of the container in place. 
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 8  wherein at least one strap passes around the outward facing sides of the panels forming the bottom and the top. 
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 8  further including one or more additional straps under tension positioned around the outer side of the panels forming the sides. 
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 8  wherein the panels are expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS), Urethane foam, or vacuum insulated panels. 
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 8  further including a cargo inside. 
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 8  wherein the panels are square. 
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 8  wherein the box is corrugated cardboard. 
   
   
       16 . A method of assembling a container formed from six rectangular foam panels comprising:
 providing two panels forming opposing sides wherein two opposing edges are positioned to contact the inward facing sides of panels forming the two other opposing sides;   positioning the inward facing sides of the panels provided to form the bottom of the container and the top of the container to respectively contact the lower and upper edges of the panels provided to form the sides;   passing at least one strap around the outer side of the panels forming the sides and tensioning said strap; and   passing a strap around each of the edges of a respective opposing side and around the outward facing side of the panel forming the bottom and tensioning said straps.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  further including passing one or more additional straps around the outer side of the panels forming the sides and tensioning said straps. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  further including passing one or more additional straps around the outer side of the panels forming the top and bottom of the container and tensioning said straps. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16  further including placing a cargo inside before placing the top panel in position. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said container formed after the last step is placed inside a corrugated box which is then sealed, strapped, banded or taped closed. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 16  further including passing at least one strap around the outward facing sides of the panels forming the bottom and the top and tensioning said strap.