Skip to main content
edited tags
Link
Micah Siegel
  • 3.1k
  • 1
  • 22
  • 45
Tweeted twitter.com/#!/AskPatents/status/248678551564464128
Source Link
Robert Cartaino
  • 613
  • 1
  • 12
  • 22

Prior art for ice cream maker insulated with inflatable cushion

US Patent Application US20120207901: INFLATABLE CUSHION

Claim #1 describes an ice cream maker assembly comprising of an inflatable cushion to insulate a an ice cream maker apparatus inside. The rest of the claims generally describe the shape and construction of the air-filled insulator.

This type of air-filled cushion is used commonly as a portable "cooler" for applications from keeping ice from melting to keeping drinks cold. See: Amazon: Inflatable Cooler.

Substituting more conventional insulators with the air-filled cushion may be unique in this application, but anyone reasonable knowledgeable about insulating methods would already be familiar with this option. Would simply substituting one material for another well-known material in this application be considered prior art?

Can someone find an inflatable cooler that uses these pentagonal sections?