Insulating Container

Abstract

Disclosed herein are examples of an insulating container with a housing constructed at least partially of a fiber reinforced composite material. The composite material may at least partially include a continuous fiber reinforced composite such as continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic. The composite material may allow for a decrease in the weight of the insulating container, while maintaining or increasing durability. An insulator such as foam or vacuum may be located between a first and second housing of the insulating container to increase the thermal resistance thereof.

1 . An insulating container comprising:
 a first housing;   a second housing coupled to the first housing and defining an insulation compartment therebetween; and   an insulating material disposed in the insulation compartment, wherein one of the first housing or the second housing defines an internal compartment and is constructed at least partially of a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic including a reinforcing fiber.   
     
     
         2 . The insulating container of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing fiber comprises at least one of a carbon fiber, a glass fiber, or an aramid fiber. 
     
     
         3 . The insulating container of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing fiber is continuous. 
     
     
         4 . The insulating container of claim, wherein the reinforcing fiber is non-continuous. 
     
     
         5 . The insulating container of  claim 4 , wherein the non-continuous reinforcing fiber comprises a chopped fiber bulk molding compound. 
     
     
         6 .- 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The insulating container of  claim 1 , wherein one of the first housing or the second housing comprises a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite and the other of the first housing or the second housing comprises a non-fiber reinforced material. 
     
     
         15 . The insulating container of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second housings comprise a fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite. 
     
     
         16 . The insulating container of  claim 15 , wherein the fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite is a continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic comprising a continuous fiber. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The insulating container of  claim 14 , wherein the non-fiber reinforced material comprises a thermoplastic. 
     
     
         19 . The insulating container of  claim 14 , wherein the non-fiber reinforced material is a metal. 
     
     
         20 . The insulating container of  claim 1 , wherein one of the first housing or the second housing comprises a plurality of joined pre-formed fiber reinforced thermoplastic sub-structures. 
     
     
         21 .- 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The insulating container of  claim 1 , wherein the insulating material comprises a foam. 
     
     
         24 . The insulating container of  claim 1 , wherein the insulating material comprises a vacuum. 
     
     
         25 .- 54 . (canceled) 
     
     
         55 . An insulating container comprising:
 a housing forming an insulation compartment therein and configured to enclose a vacuum, wherein the housing is constructed at least partially of a fiber reinforced thermoplastic.   
     
     
         56 .- 57 . (canceled) 
     
     
         58 . A method of forming a housing of an insulating container comprising:
 molding a first housing of the insulating container;   removing the first housing from a first mold; and   remolding the first housing in a second mold to reduce a draft of the housing.   
     
     
         59 .- 68 . (canceled) 
     
     
         69 . An insulating container comprising:
 an interlocking portion including an inner wall and an outer wall coupled to, and spaced apart from, the inner wall, wherein a first insulation chamber is formed between the inner wall and the outer wall; and   a rim portion coupled to respective upper edges of the inner wall and the outer wall.   
     
     
         70 .- 73 . (canceled) 
     
     
         74 . The insulating container of claim  71 , wherein at least one of the interlocking portion, the rim portion, the base portion, or the lid portion are constructed at least partially of a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic including a reinforcing fiber. 
     
     
         75 . The insulating container of  claim 74 , wherein at least one of the interlocking portion, the rim portion, the base portion, or the lid portion is formed of a plurality of overlapping prepreg portions, wherein each of the prepreg portions includes a fiber with a longitudinal direction aligned with a normal direction of a perimeter of the respective portion. 
     
     
         76 . The insulating container of  claim 74 , wherein at least one of the interlocking portion, the rim portion, the base portion, or the lid portion is formed of a single prepreg portion. 
     
     
         77 . (canceled) 
     
     
         78 . The insulating container of  claim 74 , wherein at least one of the interlocking portion, the rim portion, the base portion, or the lid portion defines a hoop direction and one or more reinforcing fibers are aligned with the hoop direction. 
     
     
         79 . The insulating container of  claim 55  wherein the housing includes a spacer between an inner and outer boundary shells so as to resist an external force of the atmosphere. 
     
     
         80 . The insulating container of  claim 69 , further comprising:
 a base portion including an inner portion and an outer portion spaced apart from the inner portion, wherein:
 the inner wall and the inner portion form an internal compartment, 
 a second insulation chamber is formed between the inner portion and the outer portion, 
 the inner portion and the outer portion are coupled to the respective lower edges of the respective inner wall and outer wall, and 
 the first insulation chamber and the second insulation chamber are in fluid communication with one another to form a third insulation chamber.