US 12,145,791 B2
Method for reducing heat transfer into an enclosure of a cooler
Eric Newland Wooldridge, Stanford, KY (US); and Daniel Bailey Jacobs, Stanford, KY (US)
Assigned to H-E-B, LP, San Antonio, TX (US)
Filed by H-E-B, LP, San Antonio, TX (US)
Filed on Jan. 3, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/149,648.
Application 18/149,648 is a continuation of application No. 17/657,346, filed on Mar. 30, 2022, granted, now 11,554,907.
Application 17/657,346 is a continuation of application No. 17/374,883, filed on Jul. 13, 2021, granted, now 11,319,137, issued on May 3, 2022.
Application 17/374,883 is a continuation of application No. 16/691,522, filed on Nov. 21, 2019, granted, now 11,390,449, issued on Jul. 19, 2022.
Application 16/691,522 is a continuation of application No. 16/392,438, filed on Apr. 23, 2019, granted, now 10,486,887, issued on Nov. 26, 2019.
Application 16/392,438 is a continuation of application No. 15/897,348, filed on Feb. 15, 2018, granted, now 10,464,734, issued on Nov. 5, 2019.
Application 15/897,348 is a continuation of application No. 15/046,919, filed on Feb. 18, 2016, granted, now 9,932,165, issued on Apr. 3, 2018.
Application 15/046,919 is a continuation of application No. 13/562,828, filed on Jul. 31, 2012, granted, now 9,296,543, issued on Mar. 29, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2023/0249895 A1, Aug. 10, 2023
Int. Cl. B65B 31/04 (2006.01); A45C 11/20 (2006.01); B65B 31/00 (2006.01); B65D 81/20 (2006.01); B65D 81/30 (2006.01); B65D 81/38 (2006.01); F25D 3/08 (2006.01)
CPC B65D 81/3813 (2013.01) [A45C 11/20 (2013.01); B65B 31/00 (2013.01); B65D 81/2038 (2013.01); B65D 81/30 (2013.01); B65D 81/3818 (2013.01); F25D 3/08 (2013.01); B65B 31/04 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for reducing heat transfer into an enclosure of a cooler, the enclosure comprising a plurality of walls and a lid that surround a product storage area within the enclosure, the lid and each wall of the plurality of walls are insulated, the method comprising:
receiving contact at a contact surface region on the plurality of walls from the lid when the lid is placed in a closed position, wherein the received contact encloses the product storage area within the enclosure from an outside environment of the cooler;
creating a vacuum between the plurality of walls and the lid when the lid is in the closed position by removing air within the enclosure, wherein the vacuum is created by a vacuum pump assembly disposed in one wall of the plurality of walls of the enclosure; and
forming a seal between the plurality of walls and the lid at the first surface based on the vacuum after the contact is received,
whereby the enclosure is capable of reducing transfer of heat between the product storage area inside of the enclosure and the outside environment outside of the cooler,
wherein the cooler includes a reinforcement member disposed in a space between an interior wall and an exterior wall of the enclosure, the reinforcement member configured to provide resistance to deformation or rupture of the enclosure as a result of a load applied upon the cooler, and wherein the vacuum pump assembly is rigidly connected to the reinforcement member.