Customizable, modular thermal insulator

Abstract

A novel modular thermal insulator is disclosed. The insulator comprises a pliable, thermally insulated container and a one-piece, self-standing, pliable shell. The container includes a front wall, rear wall, left wall, right wall, and bottom wall defining an interior compartment preferably lined with a thermoplastic polyurethane coated nylon. The container also includes a top cover pivotally connected to the rear wall. Each wall and top cover of the container is preferably thermally insulated using high-density open-cell foam insulation. Each wall of the shell defines a form-fitting receptacle for frictionally receiving the container. The shell is preferably comprised of a fabric material capable of being embroidered with, for example, a logo, name, or other indicia. The front wall, rear wall, left wall, right wall, and bottom wall of the container are slid into the receptacle of the shell and held in place by frictional engagement. Thus, with this invention, a user may have multiple, personalized shells, and choose which shell to use depending on the occasion. The result is a high-performance, soft-shelled, customizable thermal insulator with different looks.

1 . A customizable, modular thermal insulator comprising:
 a pliable, thermally insulated container having a front wall, rear wall, left wall, right wall, bottom wall, and top cover; and   a one-piece, self-standing, pliable shell having a front wall, rear wall, left wall, and right wall, each wall of the shell defining a form-fitting receptacle for frictionally receiving the front wall, rear wall, left wall, and right wall of the container,   wherein the shell is comprised of a fabric material capable of being embroidered,   whereby the front wall, rear wall, left wall, right wall, and bottom wall of the container may be slid into the receptacle of the shell and held in place by frictional engagement.   
     
     
         2 . The insulator of  claim 1 , wherein the top cover is pivotally connected to the rear wall of the container via a hinge. 
     
     
         3 . The insulator of  claim 2 , wherein the front wall, rear wall, left wall, right wall, and bottom wall of the container define an interior compartment, wherein the top cover may be pivoted about the hinge to open or close the interior compartment. 
     
     
         4 . The insulator of  claim 3 , further comprising a zipper disposed substantially about the rear wall and the top cover near the hinge for maintaining the top cover in a closed position over the interior compartment. 
     
     
         5 . The insulator of  claim 4 , further comprising a D-ring opener disposed about one end of the zipper. 
     
     
         6 . The insulator of  claim 3 , further comprising a liner disposed about the interior compartment of the container, wherein the liner of the container is made of thermoplastic polyurethane coated nylon fabric. 
     
     
         7 . The insulator of  claim 1 , wherein the top cover has a bottom side and an opposing top side, wherein the bottom side of the top cover has a liner disposed thereon, and wherein the liner of the top cover is made of thermoplastic polyurethane coated nylon fabric. 
     
     
         8 . The insulator of  claim 7 , wherein the top side of the top cover has a drawstring for retaining one or more items. 
     
     
         9 . The insulator of  claim 1 , wherein the front wall of the shell includes a logo, name, or indicia embroidered thereon. 
     
     
         10 . The insulator of  claim 1 , wherein the shell has an embroidered front wall, wherein the front wall, rear wall, left wall, right wall, and bottom wall of the container are slid into the receptacle of the embroidered shell and form-fitted therein for use by a user. 
     
     
         11 . The insulator of  claim 1 , wherein the container is thermally insulated using high-density open-cell foam insulation. 
     
     
         12 . The insulator of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric material is 1680D ballistic nylon. 
     
     
         13 . The insulator of  claim 1 , wherein the shell further comprises a bottom wall.