Roll-top dry bag

Abstract

A roll-top dry bag comprises an insulating insert (201, figure 3. The insulating insert (201) is located within the roll-top dry bag and configured to receive a dehydrated food pouch. The insert (201)

Description

Technical Field The present invention relates to modified dry bags. Background Long distance hikers, wild campers and others who enjoy pursuits in remote and inhospitable places, regularly use dehydrated food pouches as a means of safely and conveniently enjoying hot and nutritious food. Such dehydrated food pouches are well established and popular products and sold by a wide number of specialist vendors. The pouches themselves are designed to be initially opened (typically by tearing off a perforated strip), have hot or boiling water added, and then resealed (typically by virtue of an integrated press seal strip). The food within then rehydrates. After a short period of time, typically around 10 minutes, the food is rehydrated and ready to consume. Typically, the rehydrated food is eaten straight from the pouch. Whilst being very convenient, eating from dehydrated food pouches in this way does suffer from a number of well-known drawbacks. Firstly, when the food is rehydrated and ready to eat, the pouch itself may still be very hot and uncomfortable to hold without gloves or other suitable protection. Further, in colder settings, the water added to the pouch will cool more rapidly, typically meaning the food takes longer to rehydrate. In particularly cold environments, the food fails to completely rehydrate making it less pleasant to eat. Further still, the pouches typically become limp and less rigid when warmed often resulting in some of the food being spilled. This can be particularly undesirable in confined spaces, such as tents, where it is important to keep equipment such as sleeping bags clean and dry. It is an aim of certain embodiments of the invention to address at least some of these drawbacks. Summary of the Invention In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a roll-top dry bag comprising an insulating insert. The insulating insert is located within the roll-top dry bag and forms an insulating pocket which is sized and dimensioned to receive a dehydrated food pouch such that, in use, a dehydrated food pouch placed in the insulating pocket is securely contained and insulated by the insulating pocket during rehydration and whilst food is eaten from the pouch. The roll-top dry bag comprises an inner wall and an outer wall, and the insulating insert is positioned between the inner wall and the outer wall. The insulating insert comprises a first wall extending from the base and a second wall extending from the base opposite the first wall. The insulating insert comprises a base portion, wherein the first wall and second wall are attached to the base portion and the base portion of the insulating insert and the base of the roll-top dry bag are of a complementary shape and planar configuration. The base portion of the insulating insert and the base of the roll-top dry bag are secured together such that the roll-top dry bag is free-standing on the base of the roll-top dry bag, and the insulating insert comprises a single piece of insulating material. Typically, the insulating insert is fixed in place inside the roll-top dry bag. Optionally, the insulating insert extends from a base of the roll-top dry bag towards an opening of the roll-top dry bag a distance which is less than the distance from the base to the opening. Optionally, the insulating insert comprises foil. Optionally, the insulating insert comprises two adjacent layers of metallic foil bubble wrap. Optionally, the insulating insert comprises metallic bubble wrap. In accordance with embodiments of the invention, it has been recognised that with a small and uncomplicated modification, a well-known item of equipment used in outdoor and adventure settings, namely the roll-top dry bag, can be modified by the provision of a simple insulating insert, to greatly reduce the drawbacks associated with eating rehydrated food from a pouch. In particular, by incorporating a suitable insulating insert into a roll-top dry bag, a means is provided that securely contains and insulates a food pouch during the rehydrating phase of food preparation. Further, once the food in the pouch is rehydrated, such a modified roll-top dry bag can be opened, and the food eaten from the pouch whilst the pouch is still partially contained within the modified roll-top dry bag. In this way, the modified roll-top dry bag insulates the hands of the person eating the food from the heated food pouch, minimising or eliminating the likelihood of the heated food pouch scalding them. The use of a modified roll-top dry bag in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention ensures that liquid, moisture, and any dehydrated food that has escaped the pouch, are largely or completely contained within the dry bag during rehydration. To this end, the fluid-tight roll-top provides an extremely effective, familiar, and easy to operate sealing mechanism. In certain embodiments, the insulating insert extends from the base of the roll-top dry bag towards an opening of the roll-top dry bag a distance which is less than the total distance from the base to the opening. In other words, an uninsulated gap is formed between a top edge of the insert and the opening of the modified roll-top dry bag. 31 01 25 Typically, the length of this uninsulated gap is selected so that the roll-top of the dry bag can be folded over enough times to form a reliable fluid tight seal (for example three times) without the folded roll-top folding into the insulated insert. Accordingly, in 5 such embodiments, the additional thickness of the insulated insert does not hinder or compromise the integrity of the fluid- tight seal formed by the roll-top. This uninsulated gap also more easily allows the top of the roll-top dry bag to be partially folded down to expose the opening of the food pouch when the rehydrated 10 food is being eaten. In certain embodiments, a base of the bag and a base portion of the insulating insert are of substantially corresponding planar shape and are secured together, thereby forming a free-standing base on which the roll-top dry bag can be placed. 15 Advantageously, in certain embodiments, the insulating insert is located between an outer and inner wall of the modified roll-top dry bag. Such a configuration protects the insulation from, for example, spilled water and food, and means the inside of the modified roll-top dry bag has a substantially continuous inner surface without any 20 edges against which food pouches might catch when being inserted. Advantageously, whilst not being used for food preparation, roll-top dry bags arranged in accordance with embodiments of the invention can be used for other purposes such as storing temperature sensitive items such as electronics. In settings where 25 dehydrated food pouches are frequently used, for example long distance trail walking and wild camping, it is often desirable to minimise weight. Therefore, having equipment that can be used for more than one purpose is often a particular advantage. Various further features and aspects of the invention are defined in the claims. Brief Description of the Drawings Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings where like parts are provided with corresponding reference numerals and in which: Figure 1 provides a simplified schematic diagram of a modified roll-top dry bag arranged in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention; Figure 2 provides a simplified schematic diagram of an insulating insert arranged in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention and incorporated in the modified roll-top dry bag depicted in Figure 1; Figure 3 provides a simplified schematic diagram depicting a cross-sectional view of the modified roll-top dry bag shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 provides a simplified schematic diagram showing a view of the base of the modified roll-top dry bag shown in Figure 1, and Figures 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d and 5e provide a sequence of drawings depicting an example use of a modified roll-top dry bag arranged in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention. Detailed Description Figure 1 provides a simplified schematic diagram depicting a roll-top dry bag 101 arranged in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention. The bag comprises an enclosed bag portion 102 with an opening 103 at one end. The opening 103 comprises a roll-top which substantially corresponds to, and operates in accordance with, roll-tops of conventional roll-top dry bags. Specifically, a peripheral region of the opening 103 is reinforced by a collar 104, typically formed from webbing stitched into the edge of the bag portion 102 at the opening 103. The reinforced collar substantially extends around the periphery of the opening 103. One half of the collar has attached thereto a further webbing 105 on either ends of which are secured a first clip 106a, and a second complementary clip 106b. The collar 104 stiffens the peripheral region of the opening 103 so that opposite edges of the collar can be readily brought together to close the opening 103. The collar 104, thus closed forms a Toll-top” that is then folded over, typically two or three times to seal the bag 101. Every time the collar 104 is folded over, the integrity of the seal that is formed is improved. To secure the folded roll-top in place so that is does not unfold, the clips 106a, 106b are brought together and engaged. Folding over of the collar 104 in this way forms a substantially fluid-tight seal that acts to prevent liquid and moisture from entering (or leaving) the inside of the bag portion 102. The bag 101 has a substantially flat and planar base 107. The bag portion 102 is typically formed from a single planar piece which is folded about the two edges of the base 107 (thereby forming the flat base 107) and fixed together at a first side seam 108a and second side seam 108b. The bag portion 102 is typically made from a waterproof fabric such as nylon or a similar material. Advantageously, in certain embodiments, the waterproof fabric is made from “rip-stop” material, such as a “rip-stop” nylon. Fixed within the bag 101 is an insert which forms an insulating pocket. The insert is fixed to the base 106 and has first and second walls which extend up from the base 106 towards the opening 103. The top of the first and second walls is depicted by the broken line 107 shown in Figure 1. As can be seen from Figure 1, the walls extend a distance which is less than the distance from the base 106 to the opening 103 thereby forming an uninsulated gap 109. Typically, the length of this uninsulated gap 109 is selected so that the roll-top of the dry bag can be folded over at least enough times to form a reliable fluid tight seal (for example three times) without the folded roll-top folding into the insulated insert. Figure 2 provides a simplified schematic diagram depicting an insert 201 which forms an insulating pocket that can be fixed within modified roll-top dry bag of the type depicted in Figure 1. The width of the insert 201 substantially matches the width w of the bag portion 102 of the bag 101. As can be seen from Figure 2, the insert 201 comprises a first wall 202 and a matching second wall 203. The first wall 202 and the second wall 203 face each other and are connected to, and extend from, a base 204 of the insert 201. As can be seen from Figure 2, the walls 202, 203 and the base 204 of the insert 201 form an insulating pocket. Typically, the insert 201 is formed from a single piece of insulating material such as a suitable metallic foil that is folded at two fold lines at the edge of the base 204. As will be appreciated, the height of the first wall 202 and the second wall 203 relative to the base 204 of the insert 201 corresponds to the distance between the base 106 of the bag 101 and the broken line 107 shown in Figure 1. In a typical example, the distance h between the base 107 and opening 103 of the bag 101 is approximately 260mm. The width w of the base 107 of the bag and, correspondingly, the width of the base 204 and walls 202, 203 of the insert 201 is approximately 210mm. The distance d that the first wall 202 and second wall 203 of the insert 201 extend from the base 204 of the insert 201 is approximately 140mm. The depth of the base 1107 of the bag 101, and correspondingly the depth of the insert 204 is approximately 60mm. In this way, the insulating pocket formed by the insert 201 is shaped and dimensioned to receive partially or completely, typical pouches of dehydrated food. Figure 3 provides a simplified schematic diagram depicting a partial cross section of the roll-top dry bag 101 along section line A shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 shows in more detail how the insert 201 is fixed in place within the bag 101. As can be seen, from Figure 3, the planar piece from which the bag is formed comprises an inner wall 301 and an outer wall 302. The insert 201 is located in a gap formed between the inner wall 301 and the outer wall 302 in the lower half of the bag 101. Typically, the insert 201 is stitched in place. Typically, the base 204 of the insert 201 and the base 107 of the bag portion 102 are of complimentary (e.g. substantially the same shape). Further, they are typically fixed together with a reinforced fixing, for example with reinforced stitching (e.g. by double or triple stitching and / or by using a thread with greater thickness then other thread used). In this way, due to a combination of the adjacent thickness of the bag portion material and the insert material, and the reinforced stitching, a free-standing bag base is formed. This free-standing base, due to its relative stiffness and weight compared to other parts of the bag, results in a base on which the bag can be freely stood when set down and in particular when the bag contains a rehydrating food pouch. Figure 4 provides a simplified schematic diagram depicting a view of the free-standing base formed from the bag portion base and the inert base and showing in particular reinforced stitching 401 around the periphery of the base which fixes together the bag portion base and the inert base. Figures 5a to 5e provide a sequence of drawings depicting how a roll-top dry bag arranged in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention can be used. At a first step shown in Figure 5a, a food pouch containing dehydrated food is obtained. At a second step shown in Figure 5b, the food pouch is opened, and hot water is poured in. At a third step shown in Figure 5c, the pouch of food, now rehydrating due to the addition of hot water, is placed in the roll-top dry bag. At a fourth step shown in Figure 5d, the roll-top dry bag is sealed in the conventional way by closing the opening by bringing together the opposite sides of the collar, rolling the collar over a number of times, and connecting the clips. Because the insulating pocket formed by the insert extends only partially up the height of the bag, the added thickness of the insulation does not hinder the bag from being sealed in the conventional way. The insulating pocket formed by the insert insulates the food pouch as it rehydrates. At a fifth step shown in Figure 5e, once enough time has passed for the food to rehydrate, the roll-top dry bag is opened, and the collar can be rolled down (for example to the top of the insulating pocket). The food pouch is then unsealed, and the food eaten. The insulating pocket makes holding the food pouch more comfortable as it insulates the hand of the person eating the food from the heat of the pouch. Moreover, the provision of the free-standing base means that the roll-top dry bag containing the pouch of food can be readily set down for example on a camping table. The skilled person will understand that the modified roll-top dry bag described above is just one possible implementation of the invention and alternative configurations can be implemented in different ways. For example, in certain embodiments, the insulating insert may extend the entire height of the dry bag. in such embodiments, the thickness of the insulating material, may be selected so that it has a minimised effect on the integrity of the seal formed by the roll-top. In certain embodiments, the insulating insert may be made with two or more discrete pieces of insulating material that are not directly attached to each other. Typically, modified roll-top dry bags in accordance with embodiments of the invention will be constructed in such a way that joins are secured together by suitable stitching. However, it is possible that some or all of these joins are secured by other fixing means such as by gluing or heat welding. The insulating material of which the insulating insert is formed is advantageously formed from metallic bubble wrap, in particular bubble wrap aluminium foil. Advantageously, as well as having suitable insulating properties, bubble wrap aluminium foil is sufficiently flexible such that during sealing of the modified dry bag the closing of the opening and the folding down of the roll-top is not resisted, whilst also being providing sufficient rigidity (stiffness) to assist in the modified roll-top dry bag free-standing when containing, for example, a rehydrating food pouch. An insulating insert formed from two adjacent layers of bubble wrap aluminium foil has been found to provide an optimised degree of insulation and rigidity to support freestanding operation whilst not substantially adding to the overall weight and bulk of the bag and readily allowing a typical rehydrating food pouch to be received in the insulating pocket formed by the insert. Advantageously, use of bubble wrap aluminium foil acts to cushion the contents of the bag which is useful if the bag is also used to store delicate items such as electronics. The skilled person will understand, however, that in alternative embodiments, the insulating insert can be formed from any suitable insulating material or combination of insulating materials. In the embodiment described above, the modified roll-top dry bag has a substantially flat base. However, modified roll-top dry bags arranged in accordance with embodiments of the invention can take any suitable configuration in which a suitable insulating insert can be received. For example, alternative embodiments can comprise configurations absent a flat base in which, for example, the bag is formed from two planar portions formed by folding a single planar piece about a single fold line at the end opposite the bag opening. In such embodiments, the insulating insert may be correspondingly configured and formed, for example, from a single piece of insulating material folded about a single fold line. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and / or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent, or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed. With respect to the use of substantially any plural and / or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and / or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and / or application. The various singular / plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., “a” and / or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). It will be appreciated that various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the various embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. A roll-top dry bag comprising an insulating insert, said insulating insert located within the roll-top dry bag and forming an insulating pocket sized and dimensioned to receive a dehydrated food pouch such that, in use, a dehydrated food pouch placed in the insulating pocket is securely contained and insulated by the insulating pocket during rehydration and whilst food is eaten from the pouch, whereinthe roll-top dry bag comprises an inner wall and an outer wall, and the insulating insert is positioned between the inner wall and the outer wall, andthe insulating insert comprises a first wall extending from a base of the roll-top dry bag and a second wall extending from the base opposite the first wall and the insulating insert comprises a base portion, wherein the first wall and second wall are attached to the base portion, wherein the base portion of the insulating insert and the base of the roll-top dry bag are of a complementary shape and planar configuration, and the base portion of the insulating insert and the base of the roll-top dry bag are secured together such that the roll-top dry bag is free-standing on the base of the roll-top dry bag, andthe insulating insert comprises a single piece of insulating material.

2. A roll-top dry bag according to claim 1, wherein the insulating insert is fixed in place inside the roll-top dry bag.

3. A roll-top dry bag according to claim 2, wherein the insulating insert extends from a base of the roll-top dry bag towards an opening of the roll-top dry bag a distance which is less than the distance from the base to the opening.

4. A roll-top dry bag according to any previous claim, wherein the insulating insert comprises foil.

5. A roll-top dry bag according to claim 4, wherein the insulating insert comprises metallic foil bubble wrap.CM6. A roll-top dry bag according to claim 5, wherein the insulating insert comprises two adjacent layers of metallic foil bubble wrap.

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