Cooler with automatic product height adjustment mechanism

Info

Publication number: 20130048648
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 22, 2011
Publication Date: Feb 28, 2013
Inventors: James David Robertson (Atlanta, GA), Jason Walesh (Austell, GA)
Application Number: 13/199,165

Abstract

A cooler has an upright housing with a sidewall. A product compartment disposed in the housing has a floor and a sidewall that is attached to the floor forming a watertight compartment and to the housing sidewall. Disposed in the product compartment is a product platform that is movable vertically relative to the floor and adapted to hold a plurality of product containers disposed within the product compartment. A telescoping pole has upper and lower end portions and is disposed in the product compartment between the product platform and the floor. A spring coiled about the telescoping pole and disposed between the floor and the product platform exerts an upward force on the product platform to maintain product containers on the product platform at a constant height as product containers are removed from the platform.

Description

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains generally to coolers, and, more particularly, to a product height adjustment mechanism for a cooler for food and beverage containers and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Both stationary and movable coolers are widely used for cooling food items and beverages. Ice is often used in movable coolers because ice is readily available, cools effectively and allows the cooler to be used at almost any location. Being useable at almost any location is an attribute because space is almost always at a premium in a retail environment. A problem when cooling beverages in a movable cooler with ice, however, is that the ice melts creating liquid water, which causes ice it, contacts to melt faster and allows some containers to sink into water. Ice in contact with water can melt twice as fast as ice in contact with air requiring the ice to need attending more often which is not desirable.

When containers sink into the water, consumers often get a wet hand trying to retrieve a beverage container from the icy mixture, which is unpleasant to say the least. Also, in some localities, health codes may not permit such standing water. A solution to the wet hand problem is a drain to remove water as the ice melts. While a drain solves the standing water and wet hand problems, it creates a problem with the height of the product in the cooler. As water is removed, the height of ice and beverage containers in the cooler drops causing the consumer to work harder to retrieve a product container. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that it would be highly desirable to have an ice filled cooler wherein the height of the product containers does not drop as the ice melts.

Another problem with ice filled coolers is that as beverage containers are removed, the fluid level drops causing remaining containers to sit lower in the cooler. When the height of the beverage containers in the cooler drops, a consumer has to reach farther into the cooler to retrieve a product container. It is desirable to have a cooler that keeps the product containers at the same height in the cooler as product is removed from the cooler to thereby minimize consumer effort to retrieve a container.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,232 which issued Oct. 17, 1995 to Novak et. al. discloses an article lifting container, which includes an outer housing within an interior thereof supporting a shelf. The lift automatically adjusts a position of the shelf vertically depending on a weight of articles placed upon the shelf.

The lift includes a base supported by the housing and which in turn supports a spring between the base and the shelf. An alignment post aligns the shelf to motion only vertically away from a toward the base. A sleeve is fixedly attached to the shelf and surrounds the alignment post. The sleeve prevents the shelf from pivoting due to uneven loads or articles upon the shelf.

U.S. Patent Publication No. US-2010-0011798-A1 to Robertson, an inventor named herein, was published Jan. 21, 2010 and discloses a cooler with an automatic product height adjustment mechanism. The cooler has an upright housing and a product compartment mounted within the housing. The product compartment has a floor. A product platform is disposed in the housing and moveable vertically relative to the floor. The product platform is adapted to hold product containers disposed within the product compartment. A constant force spring disposed between the floor and product platform exerts an upward force on the product platform to maintain the containers on the product platform at a constant height as product containers are removed.

Both U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,232 and U.S. Patent Publication No. US-2010-0011798-A1 have a post or pole that extends into the area where the beverage containers reside in the ice. The protruding post or pole reduces the space available for product, which is unfortunate, since product space is at a premium. Additionally, a protruding pole or post interfere with the arrangement of the ice and containers. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that it would be highly desirable to have a cooler with an automatic product height adjustment mechanism that does not have a pole or post in the product compartment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above. Briefly summarized, according to one aspect of the present invention, a cooler comprises an upright housing having a sidewall, and a product compartment disposed in the housing with the product compartment having a floor and a sidewall attached to the floor forming a water tight compartment. The housing sidewall and the product compartment sidewall are connected to one another. A product platform, adapted to hold a plurality of product containers disposed within the product compartment, is disposed in the product compartment and movable vertically relative to the floor. A telescoping pole is disposed in the product compartment between the product platform and the floor. A first spring is coiled about the telescoping pole and disposed between the floor and the product platform and exerts an upward force on the product platform to maintain product containers on the product platform at a constant height as product containers are removed from the platform.

The first coil spring maintains the height of the product platform and thereby keeps the product containers at a constant height as ice melts and as containers are removed. Draining water from the product platform as the ice melts keeps containers on the ice instead of in an icy mixture of ice and water. Because the containers are kept at a constant height, a consumer does not get a wet, drippy hand when removing a container from the cooler.

The telescoping pole includes a hollow upper pole section and a hollow lower pole section with the lower pole section adapted to fit inside the upper pole section and slide therein. The first coil spring is coiled about the outside of the upper and lower pole sections and the pole sections slide along each other as the spring extends and retracts. The pole adds rigidity to prevent the product platform from tilting when unevenly loaded with ice or containers.

When more, or perhaps taller, containers are to be cooled, the telescoping pole includes an intermediate pole section slidably disposed inside the upper and lower pole sections. A second coil spring inside the lower pole section exerts an upward force on the intermediate pole section to urge the intermediate pole section upward as product containers are removed from the platform and the upper pole section moves upward. The pole sections add rigidity to prevent the product platform from tilting when unevenly loaded.

A floor plate can be attached to the bottom end of the lower pole section forming a complete unit with the pole sections, springs and product platform. The complete unit can be installed in a cooler, such as a portable upright cooler or barrel cooler.

According to another aspect of the invention an automatic product height adjustment mechanism for a cooler comprises a product platform adapted to hold a plurality of product containers, and a telescoping pole having hollow upper and lower pole sections with one of the upper and lower pole sections adapted to fit inside the other of the upper and lower pole sections and slide therein. The upper pole section is attached to the product platform and a floor plate is attached to the lower pole section. A first spring coiled about the telescoping pole and disposed between the floor plate and the product platform exerts an upward force on the product platform to maintain product containers on the product platform at a constant height as product containers are removed from the platform.

When desired, the telescoping pole includes an intermediate pole section slidably disposed inside the upper and lower pole sections, and a second spring coiled inside the lower pole section exerting an upward force on the intermediate pole section to urge the intermediate pole section upward as product containers are removed from the platform and the upper pole section moves upward with the product platform. The intermediate sections make the unit more compact thereby saving space in the cooler which is highly desirable.

According to another aspect of the invention, an automatic product height adjustment for a cooler, comprises a product platform adapted to hold a plurality of product containers; and a telescoping pole having a hollow lower pole section and an upper pole section with the upper pole section adapted to fit inside lower pole section and slide therein. The upper pole section is attached to the product platform. A floor plate is attached to the lower pole section. A spring coiled about the telescoping pole and disposed between the floor plate and the product platform exerts an upward force on the product platform to maintain product containers on the product platform at a constant height as product containers are removed from the platform.

The pole has an upper pole section and a hollow lower pole section. The upper pole section fits inside the lower pole section and slides therein while the spring is coiled about the upper and lower pole sections. When desired there is a hollow intermediate pole section slidably disposed inside the lower pole section with the upper pole section being slidably disposed in the intermediate pole section. The lower and intermediate pole sections define slots for receiving pins attached to the intermediate and upper pole sections, respectively. The pins travel in the slots and limit upward vertical extension travel of the pole sections. The telescoping pole sections extend and retract following the action of the spring to maintain product at a constant height.

These and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and appended claims, and by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference numerals have been used to designate similar or identical features that are common to the drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a portable cooler with an automatic product height adjustment mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, similar to FIG. 1, but with product and ice removed to reveal the height adjustment mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic longitudinal sectional view revealing the height adjustment mechanism.

FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates the height adjustment mechanism in an unloaded condition with telescoping pole sections expanded to lift the product platform.

FIG. 5 diagrammatically illustrates the height adjustment mechanism in a loaded condition with telescoping pole sections compressed to lower the product platform.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic longitudinal sectional view, similar to FIG. 3, but illustrating another preferred embodiment.

FIG. 7 is similar to FIGS. 4 and 7 but diagrammatically illustrates another preferred embodiment of a height adjustment mechanism in an unloaded condition with telescoping pole sections expanded to lift a product platform.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic longitudinal sectional view of the telescoping pole of FIG. 7 in an unloaded or extended condition.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic longitudinal sectional view of the telescoping pole of FIG. 7 in a loaded or retracted condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, a cooler 10 displays and dispenses containers 12, such as containers of food or beverage. Cooler 10, as illustrated, is a barrel cooler that has a housing 14 with a generally upright sidewall 16 extending upward from base member 18, and has wheels 20 attached to base 18 for mobility. A circular rim 22 is disposed atop sidewall 16 and has a top surface and an opposed bottom surface or underside with a circular groove 24 therein. The groove 24 receives a top end portion of sidewall 16 and rests thereon. A lid 26 is attached to the top surface of rim 22 and is preferably transparent or has a transparent window so that containers are visible on and in the ice while the lid is closed.

A product compartment 28 is disposed in the housing 14, preferably suspended from the rim 22. Product compartment 28 has a floor 30 and a sidewall 32 attached to the floor forming a watertight compartment that is preferably equipped with a drain to remove water produced by the melting ice. Alternatively, floor 30 may have openings to allow water to flow from product compartment 28 to the housing 14, which would then be made watertight. The rim is attached to the product compartment with the product compartment suspending from the rim so that the rim forms a means for connecting the housing sidewall 16 and the product compartment sidewall 32. Preferably, rim 22 and product compartment 32 are integrally formed.

A product platform 34 is disposed in product compartment 28 and is movable vertically relative to the floor 30. It is adapted to hold a plurality of product containers disposed within the product compartment for displaying and dispensing. Platform 34 preferably has a plurality of openings 36 that allow water from melting ice to pass through toward the floor 30. While openings 36 are preferred, they may be omitted, in which case, water from melting ice flows off the edge of the platform and through a drip space between platform 34 and sidewall 32. As illustrated, sidewall 32 is not perfectly vertical but is slanted so that it has a larger diameter near its top than its bottom making the drip space larger near the bottom than near the top. A slanted sidewall requires less material thereby reducing cost and promotes manufacturing efficiency by being simpler to mold and eject.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 3-5, product platform 34 is supported by a telescoping pole 38 and coil spring 40. Telescoping pole 38 has a hollow upper end section or portion 42 and a lower end section or portion 44 and is disposed in the product compartment between the product platform 34 and the floor 30. Upper end portion 42 is fixed to product platform 34 and may be integrally formed therewith while lower end portion 44 is attached to a base member or floor plate 46. Where there are only upper and lower telescoping sections 42, 44, the lower section slidably fits inside the upper section and need not be hollow.

The first spring 40 is coiled about the telescoping pole sections 42, 44 and disposed between the floor 30 and the product platform 34. Preferably, coil spring 40 is positioned between product platform 34 and floor plate 46 and touches floor plate 46. Coil spring 40 is a constant force spring exerting an upward force on the product platform to maintain product containers on the product platform at a constant height as product containers are removed from the platform.

The upper and lower telescoping pole sections are configured for the upper section to fit over the lower section so that the lower section slides inside the upper section to raise and lower the product platform as beverage containers and ice are added and removed. The pole functions to stiffen the spring against lateral movement, which could be caused by uneven loading of the product platform. The pole provides maximum lateral stability when there is maximum nesting of the pole sections (FIG. 5) and the spring is compressed as is the case when the platform holds the more product and ice and the drip space between sidewall 32 and platform 34 is greatest. The pole provides less than maximum lateral stability when there is maximum extension of the pole sections (FIG. 4) and the spring, as is the case when the platform holds a lesser amount of product and ice and the drip space between sidewall 32 and platform 34 is minimum.

While two telescoping pole sections are sufficient for raising and lowering containers in a portable cooler, space is sometimes a problem. Where vertical space is limited, lower pole section 44 can be hollow and telescoping pole 38 can have an intermediate section 48 disposed inside lower section 44. Intermediate pole section 48 is slidably disposed inside the upper and lower pole sections 42, 44 and is preferably hollow. A second coil spring 50 inside the lower pole section 44 exerts an upward force on the intermediate pole section 48 to urge the intermediate pole section upward as product containers are removed from the platform and the upper pole section moves upward. Spring 50 preferably engages the bottom of the sidewall of intermediate pole section 48 to bias it upward but an end cap may be used on intermediate pole section 48 for spring contact. Three pole sections can have the same or lower vertical profile as two pole sections when retracted, yet have a greater vertical profile when extended to raise the product platform.

The telescoping pole sections are configured for the upper section to fit over the lower section and for the intermediate section to fit inside the lower section which means that inside diameter of upper pole section 42 is greater than the outside diameter of intermediate pole section 48. An upper end cap 52 fills the gap between the inside diameter of upper pole section 42 and the outside diameter of intermediate pole section 48. Lower section slides 44 inside upper section 42 and intermediate pole section 48 slides in both sections 42, 44 to raise and lower the product platform as beverage containers and ice are added and removed. The pole stiffens spring 40 against lateral movement, which could be caused by uneven loading of the product platform. The pole provides maximum lateral stability when there is maximum nesting of the pole sections (FIG. 5) and the springs are compressed as is the case when the platform holds the more product and ice and the drip space between sidewall 32 and platform 34 is greatest. The pole provides less than maximum lateral stability when there is maximum extension of the pole sections (FIG. 4) and springs, as is the case when the platform holds a lesser amount of product and ice and the drip space between sidewall 32 and platform 34 is minimum.

Referring to FIG. 6, another preferred embodiment of a cooler according to the present invention is shown that is identical to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 except for the elimination of the floor plate (element 46 in FIG. 3). Briefly, product platform 134 is supported by a telescoping pole 138 and coil spring 140. Telescoping pole 138 has a hollow upper end portion 142 and a lower end portion 144 and is disposed in the product compartment between the product platform 134 and the floor 130. Upper end portion 142 is fixed to product platform 134 and may be integrally formed therewith while lower end portion 144 is attached to floor 130. Where there are only upper and lower telescoping sections 142, 144, the lower section slidably fits inside the upper section and need not be hollow.

The first spring 140 is coiled about the telescoping pole sections 142, 144 and disposed between the floor 130 and the product platform 134. Coil spring 140 is a constant force spring exerting an upward force on the product platform to maintain product containers on the product platform at a constant height as product containers are removed from the platform.

Where vertical space is limited, lower pole section 144 can be hollow and telescoping pole 138 can have an intermediate section 148 disposed inside lower section 144. Intermediate pole section 148 is slidably disposed inside the upper and lower pole sections 142, 144 and is preferably hollow. A second coil spring (not shown) inside the lower pole section 144 exerts an upward force on the intermediate pole section 148 to urge the intermediate pole section upward as product containers are removed from the platform and the upper pole section moves upward. The second coil spring preferably engages the bottom of the sidewall of intermediate pole section 148 to bias it upward but an end cap (not shown) may be used on intermediate pole section 148 for spring contact.

It can now be appreciated that a cooler with an automatic product height adjustment mechanism has been presented. The cooler has an upright housing with a sidewall. A product compartment disposed in the housing has a floor and a sidewall attached to the floor forming a watertight compartment. A connecting rim provides a means for connecting the housing sidewall and the product compartment sidewall. The automatic height adjustment mechanism includes a product platform, adapted to hold a plurality of product containers disposed within the product compartment, disposed in the product compartment and movable vertically relative to the floor. The mechanism also includes a telescoping pole and a spring. The pole has an upper end attached to the product platform and a lower end preferably attached to a floor plate resting on the floor of the product compartment. The spring is coiled about the telescoping pole and disposed between the floor plate and the product platform exerting an upward force on the product platform to maintain product containers on the product platform at a constant height as product containers are removed from the platform and as ice melts.

The automatic product height adjustment mechanism does not have a support pole or post extending above the product platform or otherwise using space on the platform in the product compartment. Because the product platform is free of protruding support poles, not only is the maximum platform area available for the product, but product can be creatively displayed in the ice to increase appeal. The ice will be longer lasting because the water drips away from the ice to a watertight compartment for disposal. This is so because temperature is the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance, whereas heat is the total energy of all the particles. Air and water may have particles moving at the same speeds, but the water contains more heat because there are more particles. The ice melts as fast moving particles slam into the slow moving ice particles. As in any collision, some of the energy is transferred to the ice particle, and with its new energy it can break out of the crystal and flow as a liquid water molecule. To make the ice melt faster, you can use hotter (faster moving) particles to slam into it. This is why the ice melts faster on a hot day than a cold one. Alternatively, you can just use more collisions. The water is much more dense than the air, with many more particles per cubic millimeter. Thus even though the water molecules have the same kinetic energy as the air particles, there are many more of them to melt the ice. Thus, removing the water slows the melting.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, product platform 234 is supported by a telescoping pole 238 and coil spring 240. Telescoping pole 238 has an upper end section or portion 242 and a hollow lower end section or portion 244 and is disposed in the product compartment between the product platform 234 and the floor. Upper end portion 242 is attached to product platform 234 while lower end portion 244 is attached to a base member or floor plate 246. Where there are only upper and lower telescoping sections 242, 244, the upper section slidably fits inside the lower section.

A spring 240 is coiled about the telescoping pole sections 242, 244 and disposed between the floor and the product platform 234. Preferably, coil spring 240 is positioned between product platform 234 and floor plate 246 and touches floor plate 246. Coil spring 240 is a constant force spring exerting an upward force on the product platform to maintain product containers on the product platform at a constant height as product containers are removed from the platform and as the ice melts.

The upper and lower telescoping pole sections are configured for the upper section to fit inside the lower section so that the upper section slides inside the lower section to raise and lower the product platform as beverage containers and ice are added and removed. The pole functions to stiffen the spring against lateral movement, which could be caused by uneven loading of the product platform. The pole provides maximum lateral stability when there is maximum nesting of the pole sections (FIG. 8) and the spring is compressed as is the case when the platform holds the more product and ice and the drip space between sidewall and platform is greatest. The pole provides less than maximum lateral stability when there is maximum extension of the pole sections (FIG. 9) and the spring, as is the case when the platform holds a lesser amount of product and ice and the drip space between sidewall and platform is minimum.

While two telescoping pole sections are sufficient for raising and lowering containers in a portable cooler, space is sometimes a problem. Where vertical space is limited, lower pole section 244 and telescoping pole 238 can have an intermediate section 248 disposed inside lower section 244. Intermediate pole section 48 is slidably disposed inside upper pole section 244 and is preferably hollow to slidably receive upper pole section 242 therein.

Telescoping section 244 is preferably cylindrical with a longitudinal slot therein terminating near the top end of the section. A pin 254 attached to intermediate section 248 rides in groove or slot 252 and limits upward extension travel of intermediate section 248 as pin 254 abuts the top of longitudinal slot 252. Similarly, intermediate pole section 248 has a longitudinal slot 256 terminating near its top end. A pin 258 attached to upper pole section 242 rides in slot 252 and limits upward extension travel of upper pole section 242. While the pole sections are telescopic, they need not be perfectly circular in cross section. It is preferred that the sections have a flat side or other structure to limit rotation while maintaining lateral stability.

As product or ice is added to the product platform 234, spring 240 compressed allowing upper pole section 242 to slide downward into intermediate pole section 248. Pin 258 moves from the top of slot 256 toward the bottom of slot 256. As more product or ice is added, pin 258 abuts the bottom of intermediate slot 256 causing intermediate pole section 248 to slide down into bottom pole section 244. Pin 254 moves from the top of slot 252 toward the bottom of slot 252. When fully loaded with product and ice, product platform rests at a predetermined height in the cooler. As product is removed and as ice melts, constant force spring 240 works to maintain product at the same predetermined height for easy access. As product is removed or ice melts, the pole sections expand. When expanding pin 258 will travel in its associated slot 256 moving from the bottom of the slot towards the top. When the top is reached, pin 258 cab raise intermediate section 244 until pin 254 abuts the top of slot 252. Although the pole sections are capable of movement that causes the pins to traverse the entire length of their slots, such extreme movement is not always required. However, the extreme movement will allow the unit to be compressed to save space for storage or transport.

It can now be appreciated that an automatic product height adjustment for a cooler has been presented that has a product platform adapted to hold a plurality of product containers. A telescoping pole has a hollow lower pole section and an upper pole section with the upper pole section adapted to fit inside lower pole section and slide therein. The upper pole section being attached to the product platform and the lower pole section is attached to a floor plate. A spring coiled about the telescoping pole and disposed between the floor plate and the product platform exerts an upward force on the product platform to maintain product containers on the product platform at a constant height as product containers are removed from the platform.

The pole includes an upper pole section and a hollow lower pole section with the upper pole section adapted to fit inside the lower pole section and slide therein. The pole may also contain a hollow intermediate pole section slidably disposed inside the lower pole section with'the upper pole section being slidably disposed in the intermediate pole section. The lower pole section defines a longitudinal groove terminating near a top end portion of the lower pole section and the intermediate pole section defines a longitudinal groove terminating near a top end portion of the intermediate pole section. An upper pin protruding from the upper pole section into the longitudinal groove of the intermediate pole section is adapted to limit upward travel of the upper pole section, and an intermediate pin protruding from the intermediate pole section into the longitudinal groove of the lower pole section is adapted to limit upward travel of the intermediate pole section.

The pole adds rigidity to prevent the product platform from tilting when unevenly loaded with ice or containers. When constructed with a flat side or other anti-rotation feature, the pole also resists rotation. Attaching the floor plate to the bottom end of the lower pole section forms a complete unit with the pole sections, springs and product platform that can be installed in a portable cooler. The pins travel in the slots and limit upward vertical extension travel of the pole sections. The telescoping pole sections extend and retract following the action of the spring to maintain product at a constant height. The intermediate sections make the unit more compact thereby saving vertical space in the cooler which can be used for product which is highly desirable.

While the invention has been described with particular reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements of the preferred embodiments without departing from invention. For example, except for the constant force spring which is metal, the cooler may be constructed of metal, plastic or composite materials.

As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the invention are not limited to the particular details of the examples illustrated, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications will occur to those skilled in the art. For example, the bottom pole section may have a flared bottom portion to retain the coil spring thereon in which case a separate floor plate is not needed to retain the spring. Or, a hub may be attached to the floor or protrude through the floor to engage and retain the spring and fit inside the lower pole section. It is accordingly intended that the claims shall cover all such modifications and applications as do not depart from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

ELEMENT LIST

10 cooler
12 containers
14 housing
16 sidewall
18 base member
20 wheels
22 rim
24 groove
26 lid
28 product compartment
30 floor
32 sidewall
34 product platform
36 openings
38 telescoping pole
40 first coil spring
42 upper end portion
44 lower end portion
46 floor plate
48 intermediate section
50 second coil spring
52 upper end cap
134 product platform
138 telescoping pole
140 coil spring
142 upper end portion
144 lower end portion
148 intermediate section
234 product platform
238 telescoping pole
240 coil spring
242 upper end section or portion
244 hollow lower end section or portion
246 floor plate
248 intermediate section
252 longitudinal slot
254 pin
256 longitudinal slot
258 pin

Claims

1. A cooler, comprising:

an upright housing having a sidewall;

a product compartment disposed in said housing, said product compartment having a floor and a sidewall attached to said floor forming a water tight compartment;

connecting means for connecting said housing sidewall and said product compartment sidewall to one another, said connecting means including a rim having a top surface and an underside with a groove therein and being disposed atop said sidewall, said groove receiving a top end portion of said sidewall, said rim being attached to said product compartment and said product compartment suspending from said rim;

a lid attached to said top surface of said rim;

a product platform disposed in said product compartment and automatically movable vertically relative to said floor, said product platform adapted to hold a plurality of product containers disposed within said product compartment;

a telescoping pole having an upper end portion and a lower end portion and being disposed in said product compartment between said product platform and said floor, said upper and lower end portions being slidably movable relative to one another, said telescoping pole adapted to add rigidity to prevent said product platform from tilting when unevenly loaded; and

a constant force spring coiled about said telescoping pole and disposed between said floor and said product platform exerting an upward force on said product platform to automatically maintain product containers on said product platform at a constant height as product containers are removed from said platform.

2-4. (canceled)

5. A cooler, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pole includes:

a hollow upper pole section;

a hollow lower pole section, said lower pole section adapted to fit inside said upper pole section and slide freely therein, said first spring being coiled about said upper and lower pole sections;

an intermediate pole section disposed inside said upper and lower pole sections and freely slidable therein; and

a coil spring inside said lower pole section exerting an upward force on said intermediate pole section to urge said intermediate pole section upward as product containers are removed from said platform and said upper pole section moves upward.

6. (canceled)

7. A cooler, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said upper end portion of said telescoping pole is attached to said product platform.

8. A cooler, as set forth in claim 7, wherein said lower end portion of said telescoping pole is attached to said floor.

9. A cooler, as set forth in claim 7, including a floor plate disposed on said floor, said lower end portion of said telescoping pole being attached to said floor plate.

10. A cooler, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pole includes:

an upper pole section;

a hollow lower pole section, said upper pole section adapted to fit inside said lower pole section and slide therein, said constant force spring being coiled about said upper and lower pole sections;

a hollow intermediate pole section slidably disposed inside said lower pole section, said upper pole section being slidably disposed in said intermediate pole section, said lower pole section defining a longitudinal groove terminating near a top end portion of said lower pole section, said intermediate pole section defining a longitudinal groove terminating near a top end portion of said intermediate pole section;

an upper pin protruding from said upper pole section into said longitudinal groove of said intermediate pole section adapted to limit upward travel of said upper pole section, said upper pole section being freely slidable along the length of said longitudinal groove of said intermediate pole section; and

an intermediate pin protruding from said intermediate pole section into said longitudinal groove of said lower pole section adapted to limit upward travel of said intermediate pole section, said intermediate pole section being freely slidable along the length of said longitudinal groove of said lower pole section.

11-12. (canceled)

13. An automatic product height adjustment mechanism for a cooler, comprising:

a product platform adapted to hold a plurality of product containers;

a telescoping pole having hollow upper and lower pole sections, one of said upper and lower pole sections adapted to fit inside the other of said upper and lower pole sections and slide freely therein, said upper pole section being attached to said product platform, said telescoping pole adapted to add rigidity to prevent said product platform from tilting when unevenly loaded;

a floor plate attached to said lower pole section;

a constant force spring coiled about said telescoping pole and disposed between said floor plate and said product platform exerting an upward force on said product platform to automatically maintain product containers on said product platform at a constant height as product containers are removed from said platform.

14. A mechanism, as set forth in claim 13, including:

an intermediate pole section slidably disposed inside said upper and lower pole sections; and

a second spring coiled inside said lower pole section exerting an upward force on said intermediate pole section to urge said intermediate pole section upward as product containers are removed from said platform and said upper pole section moves upward with said product platform.

15. An automatic product height adjustment mechanism for a cooler, comprising:

a product platform adapted to hold a plurality of product containers;

a floor plate;

a telescoping pole having a hollow lower pole section and an upper pole section, said lower pole section being attached to said floor plate, said upper pole section adapted to fit inside lower pole section and slide freely therein, said upper pole section being attached to said product platform, said telescoping pole adapted to add rigidity to prevent said product platform from tilting when unevenly loaded;

a constant force spring coiled about said telescoping pole and disposed between said floor plate and said product platform exerting an upward force on said product platform to automatically maintain product containers on said product platform at a constant height as product containers are removed from said platform.

16. A mechanism, as set forth in claim 15, wherein said pole includes:

an upper pole pole section;

a hollow lower pole section, said upper pole section adapted to fit inside said lower pole section and slide freely therein, said constant force spring being coiled about said upper and lower pole sections;

a hollow intermediate pole section disposed inside said lower pole section and slidable therein, said upper pole section being disposed in said intermediate pole section and slidable therein, said lower pole section defining a longitudinal groove terminating near a top end portion of said lower pole section said intermediate pole section defining a longitudinal groove terminating near a top end portion of said intermediate pole section;

an upper pin protruding from said upper pole section into said longitudinal groove of said intermediate pole section adapted to limit upward travel of said upper pole section, said upper pole section being freely slidable along the length of said longitudinal groove of said intermediate pole section; and

an intermediate pin protruding from said intermediate pole section into said longitudinal groove of said lower pole section adapted to limit upward travel of said intermediate pole section, said intermediate pole section being freely slidable along the length of said longitudinal groove of said lower pole section.

17-18. (canceled)