Multi-purpose thermally insulated container

Abstract

The invention relates to a multi-purpose, thermally insulated container (1) comprising a receptacle (2) and a lid (3) delimiting a storage volume (4) for at least one object (5), characterized in that the receptacle (2) is provided with at least one first element (6) for securing the thermally insulated container (1) to a support (7) provided with a second securing element (8), complementary to the first securing element (6), the first and second complementary elements (6, 8) being adapted to cooperate with each other and to form a rigid and reversible connection. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: Multi-purpose thermally insulated container technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a multi-purpose, thermally insulated container. The invention relates in particular, but not exclusively, to such a multi-purpose, thermally insulated container for at least one use in a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle equipped with such a multi-purpose, thermally insulated container.

[0002] During summer and winter periods, depending on the climatic conditions, the ambient temperature—particularly the ambient temperature inside a motor vehicle—can be excessively high or excessively low, respectively. In these extreme climatic conditions, it must be possible to offer food—particularly beverages—to be consumed at a temperature appropriate to each of these situations. The invention aims to meet this need. Furthermore, with regard to the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, a waste receptacle and / or storage for items useful to the driver may be lacking. The invention aims to remedy this deficiency. Previous technique

[0003] GB2025593 is known as a container for keeping a beverage cool, comprising an external casing with a lid and an insert disposed within the casing and filling its internal volume. The insert is made of an insulating expanded material covered by a plastic surface layer. The insert has two recesses, each for a sleeve, each sleeve being sized to hold the beverage. Each sleeve is formed of a casing whose interior space is filled with a refrigerant mixture. The GB2025593 container is equipped with hooks for suspending the container.

[0004] The GB2025593 enclosure is limited in its use to the passive maintenance of a beverage at a low temperature.

[0005] In addition, the GB2025593 enclosure, when suspended by the hooks in the vehicle, is liable to be caused to pivot relative to the hooks, and to spill its contents by tipping over.

[0006] The invention aims to overcome these drawbacks.

[0007] US7007494 is also known as a portable food storage device heated and cooled by a vehicle's heating or air conditioning system. The device of US7007494 comprises a rigid, protective polyethylene outer structure, an internal metal container, and an intermediate insulating structure, all nested within each other. The device of US7007494 includes a rigid lid made of the same material as the outer structure and mounted to pivot relative to the outer structure. The outer structure, the internal metal container, and the intermediate insulating structure each have an opening forming an air inlet into the metal container, the air inlet being connected to one end of a flexible duct, the other end of the flexible duct being adapted to be connected to a vehicle air vent.

[0008] The device of US7007494 is limited in its uses to maintaining food at a temperature that can be provided by the heating or air conditioning system of the motor vehicle.

[0009] Furthermore, the US7007494 device is intended to be placed on the vehicle floor. It is therefore cumbersome for the passengers.

[0010] The invention aims to overcome these drawbacks.

[0011] KR20190000092 is also known as a portable food storage container for keeping food chilled, frozen, or hot. The KR20190000092 portable container comprises a container open at its top, a hinged lid for covering the top of the container, and an internal temperature control unit for the container, mounted on the bottom of the container and designed to rest on a support. The temperature control unit comprises a thermoelectric module for heat absorption and generation, means for controlling the thermoelectric module, and a rechargeable battery for power supply. The temperature control unit of the KR20190000092 container is equipped with a household power plug and a vehicle power plug for connection to a vehicle's cigarette lighter socket.Due to its configuration in which the thermoelectric module, temperature control unit, and rechargeable battery are mounted in the lower part of the transportable storage container, the center of gravity of the transportable container is lowered and the transportable storage container is maintained in a stable position during transport in the vehicle.

[0012] Furthermore, the KR20190000092 device is intended solely for food storage. It is designed to be placed on the vehicle floor. It is therefore cumbersome for passengers.

[0013] The invention aims to overcome these drawbacks.

[0014] The invention therefore aims to provide a multi-purpose thermo-insulated container, in particular but not exclusively intended to be placed in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.

[0015] The invention aims in particular to provide such a multi-purpose thermo-insulated container adapted to be reversibly fixed on a suitable support.

[0016] The invention aims in particular to provide such a multi-purpose thermo-insulated container adapted to be able to be supplied with electrical energy and to be able to control the temperature of object(s) placed in the container. Description of the invention

[0017] The invention relates to a multi-purpose thermo-insulated container comprising a receptacle and a lid delimiting a storage volume for at least one object, characterized in that the receptacle is provided with at least one first element for securing the thermo-insulated container and a support provided with a second element for securing, complementary to the first element for securing, the first and second complementary elements for securing being adapted to be able to cooperate with each other and to form between them a rigid and reversible connection.

[0018] Throughout the text: - unless explicitly stated otherwise, the terms "front", "rear", "up" and "down" are to be understood in relation to a vehicle in normal moving condition. - the XYZ coordinate system refers to a direct orthonormal coordinate system XYZ classically used in automotive design ([Fig.9]), in which the X axis designates the front-to-rear longitudinal direction of the vehicle, oriented towards the rear, the Y axis designates the transverse direction and is oriented towards the right of the vehicle, the Z axis designates the vertical direction, and is oriented upwards, - the term "substantially" and the expression "at least substantially" usually indicate that a structural or functional characteristic should not be taken as marking an abrupt discontinuity, which would have no physical meaning, but covers not only that structure or function, but also slight variations of that structure or function which produce, in the technical context considered, an effect of the same nature, if not of the same degree.

[0019] According to some embodiments, the multi-purpose thermo-insulated container is intended for a particular but not exclusive use in a motor vehicle.

[0020] The multi-purpose insulated container is an accessory that can be useful both inside and outside a motor vehicle. The multi-purpose insulated container is therefore a multi-use insulated container. The multi-purpose insulated container according to the invention allows for the storage of food, beverages, or any other object or foodstuff that may be useful inside or outside the vehicle. According to certain embodiments, the multi-purpose insulated container according to the invention is adapted to be secured to a belt—in particular, a belt worn by an individual—and equipped with a second fastening device, or to a backpack—in particular, a backpack worn by an individual—and equipped with a second fastening device, or to a bicycle equipped with a second fastening device, or any other vehicle such as a boat, train, or aircraft equipped with a second fastening device. In the case of a multi-purpose, thermally insulated container according to the invention secured to a support in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle having a second fastening device, the multi-purpose, thermally insulated container can be secured to a side panel of the front center console of the vehicle, in particular such a side panel extending from the passenger side. It can be secured to a side or rear end panel of the center console of the vehicle. It can be secured to the rear face of a front seat backrest of the vehicle. It can also be secured to a side panel of a luggage compartment of the vehicle. More generally, the multi-purpose, thermally insulated container can be secured to any wall of the vehicle's passenger compartment, provided that it is equipped with a second fastening device..

[0021] According to the invention, the first fastening element of the heat-insulated container and the support is fixedly mounted on the receptacle. The first fastening element of the heat-insulated container can be mounted by gluing it to the receptacle, by heat fusion between the receptacle and the first fastening element, or by welding the first fastening element to the receptacle. Any other fixed mounting method may be used.

[0022] According to the invention, the rigid and reversible connection established between the first and second connecting elements is a connection that immobilizes the first connecting element and the receptacle supporting the first connecting element, relative to the second connecting element and to the support. The rigid and reversible connection established between the first and second connecting elements is, in particular, a connection that does not allow rotation of the first connecting element relative to the second connecting element. However, according to the invention, the rigid, immobilizing, and non-rotating connection is reversible in that it can be broken by a specific displacement of the first connecting element relative to the second connecting element.

[0023] According to the invention, the multi-purpose, heat-insulated container can be mounted securely to a support—in particular, a solid support—by means of a rigid connection. This limits the risk of accidental tipping of the multi-purpose, heat-insulated container. Furthermore, because of this rigid and reversible connection, the multi-purpose, heat-insulated container can be moved to be secured to a support equipped with a second fastening element.

[0024] According to certain embodiments, the first and second complementary members are adapted to be able to cooperate with each other by translational guidance of the first securing member relative to the second member of bonding and to form the rigid reversible connection due to the translational guidance of the first and second bonding elements.

[0025] The first and second complementary fastening elements are distinct from complementary fastening elements of the loop and hook type.

[0026] According to certain embodiments, the first and second complementary elements are adapted to cooperate with each other by guiding the first connecting element in translation relative to the second connecting element along a substantially vertical axis. However, nothing prevents the first and second complementary elements from being arranged and oriented so that they can cooperate with each other by guiding the first connecting element in translation relative to the second connecting element along a substantially horizontal or oblique axis.

[0027] According to certain embodiments, the multi-purpose thermally insulated container has at least two first fastening elements. Adjusting the position of the multi-purpose thermally insulated container on the support having the second fastening element is therefore facilitated.

[0028] According to certain embodiments, the first securing element forms a receiving volume for the second securing element and presents: - two guide grooves, with longitudinal axes parallel to each other, the two guide grooves being open-ended opposite each other, and - a stop groove, with a longitudinal axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axes of the guide grooves - in particular with a longitudinal axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axes of the guide grooves and coplanar with each other-, the two guide grooves being adapted to cooperate with two ribs of the second fastening element, the two ribs forming two guide rails with longitudinal axes parallel to each other, and the stop groove being adapted to be able to receive a stop rib of the second fastening element by forming the rigid reversible connection, the stop groove being supported on the stop rib of the second fastening element.

[0029] In this embodiment, the stop groove of the first fastening member is adapted to bear against the stop rib of the second fastening member. In this embodiment, the stop groove of the first fastening member is an upper groove (along the +Z axis) of the first fastening member. In this embodiment, the stop rib of the second fastening member is an upper rib (along the +Z axis) of the second fastening member.

[0030] According to certain other embodiments, however, nothing prevents the second securing element from forming the receiving volume of the first securing element and presenting: - two guide grooves, with longitudinal axes parallel to each other, the two guide grooves being open-ended opposite each other, and - a stop groove, with a longitudinal axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axes of the guide grooves - in particular with a longitudinal axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axes of the guide grooves and coplanar with each other-, the two guide grooves being adapted to cooperate with two ribs of the first fastening element, the two ribs forming two guide rails with longitudinal axes parallel to each other, and the stop groove being adapted to be able to receive in support a stop rib of the first fastening element by forming the rigid reversible connection.

[0031] In this embodiment, the stop rib of the first fastening member is adapted to bear against the stop groove of the second fastening member. In this embodiment, the stop groove of the second fastening member is a lower groove (along the -Z axis) of the second fastening member. In this embodiment, the stop rib of the first fastening member is a lower rib (along the -Z axis) of the first fastening member.

[0032] The rigid connection facilitates the joining of the multi-purpose, heat-insulated container and the support. However, the reversible rigid connection also facilitates the voluntary separation of the multi-purpose, heat-insulated container and the support.

[0033] According to certain embodiments, the reversible rigid connection is a reversible rigid connection achieved by clipping. According to certain embodiments, the reversible rigid connection is a reversible rigid connection achieved by clipping the stop groove and the third edge of the second fastening member relative to each other.

[0034] According to certain embodiments, the multi-purpose thermo-insulated container according to the invention - in particular the receptacle of the multi-purpose thermo-insulated container - has an opening leading into the storage volume adapted to be able to receive one longitudinal end of an air duct, the other longitudinal end of the air duct being in communication with air conditioning supplied by an air conditioning (AC) system of a motor vehicle in which the multi-purpose thermo-insulated container is carried.

[0035] According to these embodiments, the multi-purpose thermo-insulated container according to the invention is provided with a lid intended to be able to obstruct the perforation when the multi-purpose thermo-insulated container according to the invention does not receive a longitudinal end of the air duct.

[0036] In some embodiments, the multi-purpose thermally insulated container includes an electrical system for regulating the temperature of the storage volume. The electrical temperature regulation system may be an electrical system for heating and / or cooling the storage volume and the objects contained within it. In some embodiments, the electrical temperature regulation system is a Peltier-effect electrical regulation system.

[0037] According to these embodiments, the multi-purpose thermo-insulated container is an accessory which can be useful in a motor vehicle, but also outside of this vehicle to be able to cool or heat up a drink or any other food which may be useful in the vehicle or outside the vehicle.

[0038] In some embodiments, the multi-purpose, thermally insulated container includes a battery that supplies electrical energy to the temperature control system. In some embodiments, the power supply battery is rechargeable. In these embodiments, the multi-purpose, thermally insulated container is self-contained.

[0039] In some embodiments, the electrical temperature control system includes a connection element for connecting the electrical temperature control system to the vehicle's electrical power supply system. The connection element may be of any type. In these embodiments, the electrical temperature control system is connected to the vehicle's electrical power supply system by means of an electrical cable. In some embodiments, the connection element is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector.

[0040] According to some embodiments, the first fastening element is a first fastening element adapted to be able to establish, by reason of the reversible rigid connection, an electrical connection with a second complementary fastening element adapted.

[0041] According to some of these embodiments, the electrical connection is a contact electrical connection. According to other embodiments, the electrical connection is an induction electrical connection.

[0042] According to some other embodiments, nothing prevents the multi-purpose thermo-insulated container from being provided for to be free of any means of connection to the electrical power supply system of the motor vehicle.

[0043] According to some embodiments, the receptacle of the multi-purpose heat-insulated container is made of at least one rigid material. According to some embodiments, the lid of the multi-purpose heat-insulated container is made of at least one rigid material. According to some embodiments, the seal of the multi-purpose heat-insulated container is made of at least one rigid material. According to some In these embodiments, the receptacle, the lid, and the seal of the multi-purpose insulated container are made of at least one of the same rigid material. According to these embodiments, the rigid material is chosen for its protective properties, particularly against physical and / or chemical damage. The rigid material is chosen from among other options, including a metallic rigid material, a polymer rigid material, and a composite rigid material. Throughout this text, "rigid material" means a material that does not deform under its own weight plus the weight of the objects contained in the receptacle.

[0044] According to some other embodiments, the receptacle of the multi-purpose insulated container is at least partially foldable / unfoldable like an accordion. In some embodiments, the receptacle of the multi-purpose insulated container has two parallel, opposing main faces and three contiguous faces that fold / unfold like an accordion. The overall size of the receptacle and the multi-purpose insulated container when empty and folded like an accordion is reduced. Storage is facilitated.

[0045] According to some other embodiments, the multi-purpose thermally insulated container includes an inner lining made of at least one suitable thermal insulating material to maintain a temperature within the storage volume. According to some other embodiments, the inner lining extends along the entire length of one inner face of the container, one inner face of the lid, and, where applicable, one inner face of the seal. According to some other embodiments, the inner lining is formed in one piece. According to some other embodiments, the inner lining is removable. Any thermal insulating material may be used.

[0046] According to the invention, the receptacle has an opening only on the upper face of the receptacle. Throughout the text, the terms "lower", "bottom", "upper" and "top" qualifying the multi-purpose thermally insulated container and / or its constituent elements, are understood to mean a multi-purpose thermally insulated container in its functional position for storing objects, that is to say in which the objects are held in the lower part of the receptacle and the multi-purpose thermally insulated container.

[0047] In some embodiments, the receptacle has a through opening with an edge extending in an opening plane, the lid being pivotally mounted relative to the receptacle about a pivot axis parallel to the opening plane. In some embodiments, the edge of the through opening is rectangular, the lid is rectangular and superimposes on the through opening, and the pivot axis is parallel to one side of the rectangular through opening.

[0048] According to certain embodiments, the lid has a mechanism for holding the lid in a position that obstructs the storage volume of the container Multi-purpose thermal insulation. According to some embodiments, the element holding the lid in an obstruction position is a magnetic holding element.

[0049] According to certain embodiments, the multi-purpose thermally insulated container has a height extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the opening plane of the receptacle, with a dimension greater than each of two dimensions of the multi-purpose thermally insulated container, extending in two directions parallel to the opening plane and orthogonal to each other. The multi-purpose thermally insulated container therefore has a principal axis of elongation that is substantially vertical.

[0050] In some embodiments, the multi-purpose thermally insulated container includes at least one temperature indicator for the storage volume. Advantageously, the indicator is visible on the external face of the multi-purpose thermally insulated container. In some embodiments, the indicator may be a colored indicator, in particular one that turns blue when the temperature is low in the storage volume and red when the temperature is high in the storage volume.

[0051] The invention also extends to a motor vehicle comprising a multi-purpose, thermally insulated container according to the invention. In particular, the invention extends to a motor vehicle equipped with at least one second fastening element and at least one multi-purpose, thermally insulated container according to the invention, equipped with a first fastening element complementary to the second fastening element. Brief description of the drawings

[0052] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description. This description is purely illustrative and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0053] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] is a general perspective view along the visible face of a first embodiment of a multi-purpose thermo-insulated container according to the invention,

[0054] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a detail of a multi-purpose thermo-insulated container according to a second particular embodiment of the invention,

[0055] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of a first securing element of a multi-purpose thermo-insulated container according to the invention and of a second securing element complementary to the first securing element,

[0056] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective view along two opposite lateral faces (Figure 4a and Figure 4b) of a third particular embodiment of a multi-purpose thermo-insulated container according to the invention,

[0057] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of a multi-purpose thermo-insulated container according to the second particular embodiment of the invention,

[0058] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of a multi-purpose thermo-insulated container according to the first particular embodiment of the invention, in two distinct positions (Figure 6a and Figure 6b) of the lid and the cap,

[0059] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a perspective and transparent view of a container multi-purpose thermally insulated product according to the second particular embodiment of the invention, and

[0060] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a top view of a motor vehicle according to the invention, and

[0061] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a schematic representation of the direct orthonormal coordinate system XYZ is classically used in automotive design. Description of the implementation methods

[0062] The multi-purpose, thermally insulated container 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention, shown in [Fig. 1], comprises a receptacle 2 delimiting a storage space 4 for objects. The receptacle 2 shown is rectangular in shape. However, any other shape is possible. The receptacle 2 shown forms a wall 30 extending upwards (along the +Z axis of the direct orthonormal XYZ coordinate system) from a base 27. The wall 30 forms two parallel principal faces 31 and two parallel lateral faces 32. One of the two main faces 31, called face 34 of the support, is intended to be placed opposite a support 4 when the container 1 forms a rigid connection with the support 4, the other of the two main faces 31, called visible face 33, opposite said face 34 of the support, is the main visible face of the container 1 connected to the support 4.In the embodiment shown, the receptacle 2 of the multi-purpose thermally insulated container 1 is made of a rigid material. The rigid material is chosen for its protection against physical and / or chemical attack. It may be chosen from, among other things, a rigid metallic material, a rigid polymer material, or a rigid composite material. In the embodiment shown, the receptacle 2 of the multi-purpose thermally insulated container 1 is made of a fluid-tight material, in particular one that is liquid-tight. In the embodiment shown, the container 1 is equipped with a temperature indicator 19 for the storage volume 4, extending across the visible face 33. The temperature indicator 19 is externally visible to users of the container 1. The temperature indicator 19 may be of any type.In the embodiment shown, the temperature indicator 19 is a colored indicator, of the type that turns blue when the temperature is low in the storage volume 4 and red when the temperature is high in the storage volume 4. In the embodiment shown, one of the two lateral faces 32 has a hole 15, in particular a circular opening 15, adapted to receive one end of a conduit 26. air opening into the storage volume 4. In the first embodiment shown, in the absence of one end of an air duct 26 opening into the storage volume 4, the opening 15 is closed by a cover 23. The thermal insulation of the container 1 is thus ensured. In the embodiment shown, said face 34 of the support has an upper extension 22 stabilizing the rigid connection of the container 1 to the support 7. The multi-purpose thermally insulated container 1 according to the invention includes a lid 3 adapted to extend and cover an opening 28 opening into the receptacle 2. In the embodiment shown, the lid 3 is mounted pivotally relative to the receptacle 2 along a pivot axis 21 parallel to an edge 29 of the opening 28. In the embodiment shown, the opening edge 29 is rectangular in shape and the cover 3 is generally rectangular in shape and superimposed on the opening 28.For improved thermal insulation, the cover 3 forms a flap 36 supporting a magnetic element 24 that holds the cover 3 in a position that obstructs the opening 28. Any other means of reversibly holding the cover 3 in a position that obstructs the opening 28 are possible.

[0063] A detail of a multi-purpose thermally insulated container 1 according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown in [Fig. 2]. In this embodiment, one end of an air duct 26 is engaged in the opening 15 of the receptacle 2. The other end of the air duct 26 can be arranged so as to receive a flow 37 of conditioned air supplied by an air conditioning (AC) system (not shown) of a motor vehicle 20 in which the multi-purpose thermally insulated container 1 is carried. Advantageously, the air duct 26 is a flexible duct. Said face 34 of the support of the receptacle 2 has two first elements 6 for securing the multi-purpose thermally insulated container 1 to a support 7 (not shown in [Fig. 2].2]), including a first fastening element 6 mounted on the upper extension 22 of said face 34 of the support and another first fastening element 6 mounted in a lower position relative to the first fastening element 6 of the upper extension 22. According to some embodiments, only one of the first two fastening elements 6 cooperates with a second fastening element 8 of the container 1 and the support 7. According to some other embodiments, nothing prevents each first fastening element 6 from cooperating with a second fastening element 8. The rigid and reversible connection is reinforced.

[0064] A detail of a first fastening member 6, adapted to cooperate with a second fastening member 8, is shown in [Fig. 3]. The first fastening member 6 is fixedly mounted on said face 34 of the support for the receptacle 2 and forms two grooves 10 for guiding parallel longitudinal axes 11. The two Guide grooves 10 define a receiving volume 9 for the second fastening member 8 and open into the volume 9, opposite each other so that each can cooperate with and be guided by a rib 13 formed by a second fastening member 8, complementary to the first fastening member 6 and fixedly mounted on a support 7. The two ribs 13 of the second fastening member 8 extend along two axes 38 parallel to each other and at a distance from each other so that the ribs 13 of the second fastening member 8 can cooperate with the guide grooves 10 by engagement and downward translational guidance 25 of the guide grooves 10 by the ribs 13 of the second fastening member 8.The first fastening member 6 also forms a stop groove 12 adapted to receive a stop rib 14 of the second fastening member 8 and to reversibly lock the first fastening member 6 in the guide stroke 25 in translation relative to the second fastening member 8, the multi-purpose thermally insulated container 1 being thus connected to the support by said rigid connection. According to some embodiments, the groove 12 can be elastically deformable so as to be able to receive the stop rib 14 by deforming elastically and reversibly locking the first fastening member 6 connected to the second fastening member 8 and reversibly locking the multi-purpose thermally insulated container 1 and the support 7. In this locked state, the groove 12 bears against the stop rib 14.In the embodiment shown, due to the orientation of the ribs 13 along a substantially vertical axis (Z), the translational guidance 25 for forming the reversible rigid connection occurs downwards along a substantially vertical axis, and the multi-purpose thermally insulated container 1 cannot be separated from the support 7 by moving the multi-purpose thermally insulated container 1 upwards along a substantially vertical axis. Furthermore, due to the parallel grooves 10, 12 and parallel ribs 13, 14, no rotation of the first securing element 6 relative to the second securing element 8 and the multi-purpose thermally insulated container 1 engaged on the support 7 is possible along an axis orthogonal to the plane defined by the ribs 13, 14. The rigid (and reversible) connection of the multi-purpose thermally insulated container 1 to the support is thus established.

[0065] A third embodiment of a multi-purpose, thermally insulated container 1 according to the invention is shown in [Fig. 4] along the two opposite lateral faces 32 (Figure 4a and Figure 4b). The multi-purpose, thermally insulated container 1 includes an electrical temperature control system 16 in the storage volume 4. The electrical temperature control system 16 can be of any type. According to some embodiments, the electrical temperature control system 16 can be a Peltier effect electrical system. The electrical system 16 can include A battery (not shown) provides electrical power to the system. The multi-purpose, thermally insulated container 1 is then self-contained. The multi-purpose, thermally insulated container 1 may include a connection device 17 for connecting the electrical system 16 to an electrical power source in the vehicle 30 in which it is installed. The connection device 17 may be of any type. It may be a purely electrical connection device. It may also be a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector.

[0066] A multi-purpose, thermally insulated container 1 according to the second embodiment of the invention is shown in [Fig. 5]. In this embodiment, one end of an air duct 26 is engaged in the opening 15 of the receptacle 2. The other end of the air duct 26 can be arranged to receive a flow 37 of conditioned air supplied by an air conditioning (AC) system (not shown) of a motor vehicle 20 in which the multi-purpose, thermally insulated container 1 is carried. Advantageously, the air duct 26 is a flexible duct.

[0067] A multi-purpose, thermally insulated container 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention is shown in [Fig. 6]. In Figure 6a, the lid 3 of the multi-purpose, thermally insulated container 1 is raised and the storage volume 4 is open. The multi-purpose, thermally insulated container 1 includes a lining 18 covering the inner face of the receptacle 2 and the inner face of the lid 3. The lining 18 is made of at least one material with low thermal conductivity. Any thermally insulating material can be used, provided that it is inherently compatible with the objects 5 stored in the storage volume 4 of the container 1. For example, it could be a foam made of at least one polymer. In the first embodiment shown in Figure 6a, the opening 15 is closed by a lid 23 which itself has an inner lining made of thermally insulating material.The thermal insulation of the multi-purpose thermally insulated container 1 is ensured when the lid is folded down to obstruct the storage volume 4. In Figure 6b, the lid 3 of the multi-purpose thermally insulated container 1 is folded down and the flap 23 is moved so as to allow the opening 15 to receive one end of an air duct 26, the other end of the air duct 26 being arranged to collect a flow 37 of conditioned air supplied by the air conditioning (AC) system (not shown) of the motor vehicle 20 in which the multi-purpose thermally insulated container 1 is mounted.

[0068] A multi-purpose, thermally insulated container 1 according to the second embodiment is shown in transparency in [Fig. 7]. In this embodiment, the container 1 according to the invention has two first fastening members 6 aligned vertically on said support face 34. The first two fastening members 6 can be used alternatively to fix the container 1 to a support 7 at the desired height. However, nothing prevents the provision that the Two initial fastening elements 6 cooperate with two complementary secondary fastening elements 8 to secure the multi-purpose, heat-insulated container 1.

[0069] Figure 8 illustrates, in a non-limiting manner, possible positions of a container 1 multi-purpose thermo-insulated container according to the invention in a motor vehicle 20. A multi-purpose thermo-insulated container 1 according to the invention can be placed and fixed by a rigid and reversible connection in a luggage compartment of the vehicle 20. Other positions on a support 7 and equipped with a second fastening element 8 are of course possible, for example between the front seats and the rear seats, on a side wall of the front center console of the vehicle, in particular such a side wall extending from the passenger side, or on a rear end wall of the center console of the vehicle, or on a rear face of a front seat back of the vehicle.

Claims

Demands

1. Multi-purpose thermo-insulated container (1) comprising a receptacle (2) and a lid (3) delimiting a storage volume (4) for at least one object (5), characterized in that the receptacle (2) is provided with at least one first element (6) for securing the thermo-insulated container (1) and a support (7) provided with a second element (8) for securing, complementary to the first element (6) for securing, the first and second complementary elements (6,8) for securing being adapted to be able to cooperate with each other and to form between them a rigid and reversible connection.

2. Container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first fastening member (6) forms a receiving volume (9) for the second fastening member (8) and has: - two guide grooves (10) with longitudinal axes (11) parallel to each other, the two guide grooves (10) being open opposite each other, and - a stop groove (12) with a longitudinal axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axes (11) of the guide grooves (10), the two guide grooves (10) being adapted to cooperate with two ribs (13) of the second fastening member (8), the two ribs (13) forming two rails with longitudinal axes parallel to each other, and the stop groove (12) being adapted to receive a stop rib (14) of the second joining element (8) by forming the rigid reversible connection,the stop groove (12) bearing against the stop rib (14) of the second fastening element (8).

3. Container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second securing member (8) forms a receiving volume (9) for the first securing member (6) and has: - two guide grooves (10) with longitudinal axes parallel to each other, the two guide grooves (10) being open opposite each other, and - a stop groove with a longitudinal axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axes of the guide grooves, the two guide grooves (10) being adapted to be able to cooperate with two ribs (13) of the first joining element (6), the two ribs (13) forming two guide rails with longitudinal axes parallel to each other, and the stop groove being adapted to be able to receive in support a stop rib of the first joining element (6) by forming the rigid reversible connection.

4. Containing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the reversible rigid connection is a reversible rigid connection by clipping.

5. Container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it has an opening (15) leading into the storage volume (4) adapted to receive one longitudinal end of an air duct, the other longitudinal end of the air duct being in communication with conditioned air supplied by an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle in which the multi-purpose thermo-insulated container is mounted.

6. Container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises an electrical temperature control system (16) for the storage volume (4).

7. Container (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a power supply battery for the electrical temperature regulation system (16) in electrical energy.

8. Containing (1) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the electrical temperature control system (16) comprises a connecting element (17) of the electrical temperature control system (16) to the electrical power supply system of a motor vehicle (20).

9. Container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the first joining element (6) is a first joining element adapted to be able to establish, by reason of the reversible rigid connection, an electrical connection with a second complementary joining element adapted.

10. Container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises an internal lining (18) of at least one thermally insulating material suitable for maintaining a temperature in the storage volume (4).

11. Container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the lid (3) has a member (19) for holding the lid (3) in a position of obstruction of the storage volume (4) of the multi-purpose thermo-insulated container.

12. Container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises at least one indicator (19) of the temperature prevailing in the storage volume (4).

13. Motor vehicle (20) comprising a multi-purpose thermo-insulated container according to any one of claims 1 to 12.