Refrigeration – Cooled enclosure – Portable receptacle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-07
2001-07-03
Tapolcai, William E. (Department: 3744)
Refrigeration
Cooled enclosure
Portable receptacle
C224S921000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253569
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to hunting accessories and, more particularly, to a portable storage unit for storing and/or carrying a harvested game animal.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
Hunting deer, elk, and other game animals is extremely popular. Generally speaking, the most productive hunting areas for game such as deer are remote from storage facilities that are adequate for preserving the game meat of a harvested animal. Furthermore, particularly in the Southern regions of the United States, a portion of the deer hunting season occurs when the temperatures are frequently mild and not infrequently warm. These warm temperatures, together with insects, can quickly spoil, or at least deleteriously affect the quality of, the meat and hide of the harvested animal.
Various techniques for preserving the meat and hide of a harvested game animal have been advanced, as set forth more fully in U.S. Pat. No. 5,761,992, incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Thus, the carcass of the animal can be wrapped in cheesecloth to keep away insects, but that technique does not solve the problem of keeping the game meat at a proper temperature. Accordingly, it is frequently necessary for the harvested game to be transferred as soon as possible to cold storage facilities.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,761,992, there is disclosed a portable unit adapted for use in preserving harvested deer or the like, the unit including refrigeration means to cool the interior of the storage unit to maintain the meat of the animal within a desired temperature range for aging and preservation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved storage unit for harvested game animals.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a storage unit for game animals that includes a source of cold to keep the meat of the animal in a desired temperature range.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a flexible, insulated storage unit for harvested game animals that, when not in use, can be folded, rolled, or otherwise compacted for storage.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a storage unit for harvested game animals that protects the carcass of the game animal from insects.
The above and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the drawings, the description given herein, and the appended claims.
According to the present invention, there is provided a storage unit for harvested game animals or the like comprising a pliable, foldable panel that has an inner facing, an outer facing, a first side edge, a second side edge, a top edge, and a bottom edge. The inner facing and outer facing define therebetween an insulating space, the inner facing being formed of a water-impervious material, the insulation space containing a thermal insulating material. A sack is attached to the inner facing, the sack having an openable end, and being made of a material that permits heat transfer. The storage unit further includes a closure for holding the first side edge and the second side edge together when the panel is folded such that the first side edge and the second side edge substantially overlie one another.
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Browning Bushman
Tapolcai William E.
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