Insulated container utilizing non-contact cooling

Abstract

An insulated container that provides non-contact cooling. A cooling medium is maintained in a reservoir or pocket that is separate from a food compartment. In an embodiment, the insulated container includes a tube or manifold for moving cold water around the food compartment. A battery powered, solar powered, or hand operated pump may be provided for moving the fluids around the food compartment. A liner for the food compartment may be formed of a highly thermally conducted material, such as aluminum, to maximize heat transfer between reservoir, and/or the tube or manifold system and the liner.

1 . An insulated container, comprising:
 an insulated housing configured and designed to be transported by a user;   a dry compartment in the housing; and   a cold medium reservoir in the housing, separated from the dry compartment, and for receiving a cold medium.   
   
   
       2 . The insulated container of  claim 1 , further comprising a thermally conductive liner material extending between the cold medium reservoir and the dry compartment. 
   
   
       3 . The insulated container of  claim 2 , wherein the thermally conductive liner extends around a substantial portion of the dry compartment. 
   
   
       4 . The insulated container of  claim 1 , further comprising a conduit extending from the cold medium reservoir against at least a portion of the dry compartment. 
   
   
       5 . The insulated container of  claim 1 , further comprising a thermally conductive liner material extending between the conduit and the dry compartment. 
   
   
       6 . The insulated container of  claim 5 , wherein the conduit and the liner extend substantially around the dry compartment. 
   
   
       7 . The insulated container of  claim 6 , further comprising a pump for circulating fluid between the cold medium reservoir and the conduit. 
   
   
       8 . The insulated container of  claim 5 , further comprising a pump for circulating fluid between the cold medium reservoir and the conduit. 
   
   
       9 . The insulated container of  claim 4 , further comprising a pump for circulating fluid between the cold medium reservoir and the conduit. 
   
   
       10 . The insulated container of  claim 9 , wherein the pump comprises a hand pump that is pumped from an outside of the housing. 
   
   
       11 . The insulated container of  claim 9 , further comprising a drain for the conduit. 
   
   
       12 . The insulated container of  claim 4 , further comprising a drain for the conduit. 
   
   
       13 . The insulated container of  claim 1 , further comprising a drain for the reservoir. 
   
   
       14 . The insulated container of  claim 1 , further comprising a lid for fitting over the housing, and wherein the lid comprises a seal for closing the reservoir when the lid is closed over the housing. 
   
   
       15 . The insulated container of  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir extends under the dry compartment. 
   
   
       16 . The insulated container of  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir extends along two sides of the dry compartment.