Cooler bag

A cooler bag is a must-have in the spring and summer season for those who like to get out into the countryside. On a hike, on the beach, on a picnic, this useful invention keeps food fresh and tasty, and drinks cool.

The name of portable refrigerators firmly attached to the thermo bags is, strictly speaking, not entirely correct. Cooler bags imply the presence of a cooling system, therefore it is fair to refer to them only automotive cooling devices that operate on a battery, and all other camping accessories for keeping food fresh are called isothermal containers or thermal containers.

Isothermal tanks operate on the principle of maintaining low temperature at the same level for a long time. This ability is provided by a special bag design and additional cooling elements. At its core, it resembles a thermos flask: thick walls of reflective material, between which there is a layer of insulating foam and the space for cold accumulators.

The food placed inside is protected from the environment by a layer of material that does not conduct heat well, so the low temperature is maintained for a long time. In the thermo bag you can also move hot foods.

All thermo bags are divided into:

• isothermal (tissue);
• thermal containers (hard plastic);
• car refrigerators.

On long trips, the temperature inside the car, even if the air conditioner is working, does not at all contribute to keeping the picnic products as they were taken from the refrigerator. The heated trunk space is also not suitable for the safe transportation of provisions, so a car refrigerator is the best solution.

The device is powered by a car cigarette lighter. Turns on and off by pressing the button, the temperature inside the refrigerator compartment is regulated by a toggle switch.

There are three types of car refrigerators:

The majority of them, since it is the most compact, lightweight and budget devices. The principle of operation is based on the so-called "Peltier Effect": a current passes through the metal plates, during which one of them heats up and the other cools. That is, the cold comes in, and the heat is taken out. If you change the direction of the current process will be reversed and refrigeration equipment will begin to work as a heated container.

Electrical thermal capacity has a drawback - the dependence of the temperature inside on the ambient temperature. The device is able to maintain a difference of no more than 30 degrees. That is, if on the street plus 30, the temperature in the container will not be below 0.

A miniature portable version of a domestic refrigerator that works with a refrigerant. Environmental conditions do not have any impact on the operation of the device, so it will be effective even in the conditions of the Black Sea resort. Compression refrigeration units are capable of not only cooling, but also freezing products, while they are quite economical.

The disadvantages include large size and high cost of devices.

By the principle of operation they are similar to thermoelectric models, but the source of energy can be the electric network from the cigarette lighter and liquefied bottled gas. Able to maintain a difference of 30 degrees with the temperature outside the refrigerator compartment, quickly adapt to changes in ambient temperature.

Isothermal tanks and thermal containers that do not have the capabilities of a refrigerator, but that only maintain the desired temperature can also be of different types.

Must-keV for students, office workers, summer residents, fishermen and travelers. Food containers come in compact sizes (sandwich makers, lunch boxes, one-serving thermal containers), medium and large (bags, backpacks).

In a small volume, they are able to keep fresh snacks during the day, so they are convenient to use for those who take food to work, study, or bike ride. In a large format, cooler bags will ensure the safety of a full meal for the whole family who has chosen a picnic or a beach. They will also come to the rescue on a long car trip or a journey to the sea by train.

You can transport any food in bags for food that you can pre-hold in the refrigerator for several hours, be it sandwiches, cottage cheese, yogurt, or grandmother okroshka on kefir. Most of the thermobags due to the fact that in their design they resemble a thermos, they are able to keep food not only cooled but also hot.

This is a convenient option for exploring the winter park, going to the skating rink, fishing and other activities during the cold season. Hot sandwiches or patties will stay that way for several hours while the owner skates, plays snowballs or sits with a fishing rod over the hole in the ice.

There are a lot of vital moments when you need to take extra liquid on the trip, whether it be drinking water, juice, dairy or alcohol. For this purpose there are cooler bags of a special format with compartments that repeat the shape of a standard bottle up to 15 centimeters in diameter.

As a rule, such bags have 6 compartments, 3 on each side and handles for convenient transportation.

Isothermal bag for baby food, small in size, shaped like a tube or rectangular, slows down the cooling of food.

Most often in such bags one or more compartments for storing baby food for several servings. To keep the temperature stable bag can up to 3 hours. Then the temperature will start to fall or rise, depending on whether the food is hot or cold. The rate of loss depends on the environmental conditions.

No mother will forget to take on the nature of a first aid kit with medicines for all occasions. The cooler bag for drugs is the only correct way to transport medicines that require special storage conditions. Of course, it is not necessary if you take only aspirin and a plaster with you, but most other means are afraid of light, direct sunlight and high temperatures.

These include: all types of eye drops, some otic, suppositories, ointments, vaccines, drugs with bifidocultures and interferon, insulin, antiseptics and other drugs, instructions for which are assigned to keep them in a dry cool place.

The optimum temperature for storage is from 2 to 5 degrees above 0. Individual protection against condensation will be provided by individual plastic packaging.

Medical containers have a capacity from 2 to 50 liters. They differ not only in weight, size and useful volume, but also in operational capabilities. Thus, bags up to 6 liters are able to keep the cold up to 12 hours, medium-sized - up to 18, large-sized - up to 20.

For transportation over long distances of up to 3 days, professional medical equipment is used.

It differs from a travel bag for food, in addition to a thermal compartment for storing products, it has a set of dishes for a group of 4-6 people. The dishes are not disposable, made of high-quality plastic, which does not absorb odors, does not fade, and is perfectly washed both in the dishwasher and in the traditional way.

A thermo bag on wheels is built on the same principle as a travel case. It is convenient during long walks, because it does not need to be dragged, and even a child can roll along.

Empty cooler bag to transport even easier than the wheel. Any model larger than a sandwich maker and a lunch box folds into a fairly small rectangle that takes up very little space in a hiking backpack or trunk of a car.

Cooler bag with columns or thermal bar is designed for those who like cold drinks and hot summer hits. Fans of outdoor recreation and real music lovers will appreciate the convenient combination of the functions of this item, because with small dimensions it effectively solves the problem of perishable foods and provides picnic participants not only soft drinks, but also a great mood.

The presence of a slot for a flash card and built-in radio allows you to choose any repertoire to taste the rest.

For convenience of operation, a strap over the shoulder and attachment to the handlebar is provided. The necessary trivia can be additionally placed in mesh pockets on the sides of the product.

Small containers are designed to store food for one person. Their average weight is 400-500 grams, quite enough for a school breakfast or a working snack. It is most convenient to store sandwiches or sandwiches, fruit, casseroles, fritters, small jars with drinks in lunch boxes.

Bags of average size are calculated on 10-15 kg. They can be in the form of a backpack, which is placed behind his shoulders, bags on his shoulder or in his hand. After transportation, it is convenient to fold up to a small envelope.

Large bags and containers are designed for volumes up to 35-120 liters, depending on the size, car refrigerators - up to 220. As a rule, these are models with castors. They can also be folded after operation, if they are not plastic thermal containers.

The outer layer of the refrigerator bag is made of very dense, durable and elastic materials that are easy to wash and repel water: nylon, polyester, bolonevye and polyvinyl chloride fabrics. Inside the product must be sheathed with reflective PVC film or foil. Between these two layers is a frame made of foam, and the insulation is provided by a polyethylene or polyurethane foam layer, and in some models - a special gel.

Gel thermo bags - a patented technology, the essence of which lies in the fact that a substance is injected into the walls of the product, keeping the temperature low for a long time and capable of cooling products of room temperature placed inside.

Before use, such a bag must be placed in the refrigerator for 12-14 hours.

Gel bags can not be washed and dried in the dryer. Hygienic care of them is carried out manually, with a sponge and soapy water.

Thermal containers are arranged according to the same principle as isothermal, however, the walls are made not of fabric, but of dense polymers. Plastic walls provide additional protection for products, as they do not deform and conduct heat worse.

Cold batteries are plastic containers that are filled with refrigerant in the form of a solution or gel. When freezing, this substance absorbs the cold and cools to minus temperatures, keeping the cold for a long time. For every 3-5 liters of usable bag volume, a battery of at least 200 grams is required.

The portable cooler bag can be any preferred color. Manufacturers are trying to produce products less branded colors, which at the same time reflect, rather than absorb the sun's rays. Red, blue, gray, orange models are common. There are options in bicolor from various color combinations. Bags for baby food have a particularly bright spectrum and additional decorations in the form of animals, flowers, cartoon characters, patterns.

The principle of operation of the product is simple and intuitive from its design. Each of the layers is made of materials that are able to absorb and keep cold, practically do not conduct heat. It is important to bear in mind that the duration of keeping food fresh and cold depends not only on materials and batteries, which should be spent in the freezer for about 10 hours, but also on the temperature of the products themselves. They, too, should be pre-held in the refrigerator, like a bag.

Also take into account the ambient temperature - the higher the degree, the faster the products will heat up. In the case of hot products - cool.

Thermobags are distinguished by ease of operation:

• To achieve the maximum effect, all its components and products must first be cooled;
• Choosing which products to put inside, you can use the elementary rule, which says that on a larger surface the heat transfer is slower. For example, one liter bottle will cool longer than two half a liter;
• The farther the bag is from heat and direct sunlight, the longer it will keep cold; You should not save on batteries, their number significantly extends the shelf life of products fresh;
• If there are no batteries at hand, they can be replaced for a short time by a heating pad or plastic containers with saline solution, kept in the freezer;
• If you need to keep food warm, you do not need to use batteries;
• In addition to warm the container with a hot lunch will help kitchen terry towel. Pre it can be ironed.

The ability to maintain a stable temperature inside the container depends on the size of the bag, the materials from which it is made, the number of batteries, the external temperature, the time that products and cold elements spent in the refrigerator.

Children's bags, which are often used as a thermos and not as a refrigerator, keep the temperature at the same level for up to 3 hours, bags without a battery - up to 4 hours, with batteries - up to 13. Gel bags can stay cold for up to 10 hours.

When choosing a thermo bag, you should pay attention to the following parameters:

• Dimensions. It is not necessary to purchase a bag in which the snack for a football team will fit, if it is supposed to take provisions for a picnic of 4 people;
• Material. The outer layer must be dense, the plastic must be strong, and the inner space is lined with PVC film, and not with colored oilcloth;
• Stitches. There should not be protruding threads, weak and curved stitches;
• Wall thickness. For the preservation of products requires a thickness of not less than 0.8 mm. The wider they are, the longer the product will maintain its temperature;
• Fittings. Velcro and locks also play an important role - they provide a dense preservation of products inside the container, preventing warm air from entering;
• Belts, wheels, handles. It is necessary to foresee in advance exactly how it is planned to carry the bag, especially if its volume is 120 liters. Pens should be firmly sewn, the wheels are preferably gel rather than plastic;
• Warranty period. As with any product, an insulated bag can be of inadequate quality. Without a warranty card, this purchase will be money thrown to the wind.

When purchasing a bag for the first time, you should take a closer look at the models that have already won the position of customers, having proved themselves to be high-quality and convenient products.These include the following brands: Arctic, Ezetil, Decathlon, Igloo, Coolfort, Nordway.

Thermobag - a purchase available to anyone. The smallest model will cost about a thousand rubles, the average - 3-5 thousand, roomy - from 9000. The average cost of a thermal container is from 7000 rubles, a car refrigerator - from 10,000.

The upper price limit depends only on financial capabilities and can reach amounts in excess of 50,000.

Cold batteries are usually not included. The cost of one piece - from 200 rubles.

According to numerous reviews of the owners, the thermo bag performs its functions as “excellent”.

The product is praised for quality, durability, ease of use, and how well it maintains the desired temperature.

Notice the spaciousness, even the smallest model and ease of transportation.

Thermal bags for baby food deserve special attention. They are ideally suited for carrying milk and mixtures in a warm condition during trips and walks - the babies are full and the mothers are happy!