COOLER DEVICE WITH PLATFORM

Abstract

A cooler device configured to hold and organize a plurality of tailgating equipment and supplies. The device comprises one or more foldable platforms. In a closed configuration, any platforms are configured to lie generally flat against the device. In a deployed configuration, platforms are configured to unfold into one or more table surfaces.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/019,553, filed Jul. 1, 2014 entitled DISPOSABLE COOLER APPARATUS WITH PLATFORM, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.

FIELD OF RELATED ART

Described are embodiments for coolers and, more particularly, for cooler devices configured to facilitate cooking, eating and drinking at tailgate parties and barbeques.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Tailgating is a cultural phenomenon in the United States where people spend hours in parking lots prior to sporting events, eating and drinking as a pre-party to a game or event. The current method of tailgating involves bringing grills, coolers, and numerous other tailgating items to the parking lot in a vehicle. However, this method requires tailgate participants to spend hours packing, prepping, setting up, and cleaning up tailgate equipment.

Conventional equipment typically is bulky and requires time to pack, set up, and clean. Important supplies at a tailgate party generally comprise a grill, a cooler, spatula, tongs, and a BBQ fork, plates, cups, utensils, napkins, and disposal bags. Tailgaters typically obtain each of these items separately and then pack them in their vehicles that they drive to the event. Tailgaters typically arrive several hours before the event starts. When they reach the parking lot, tailgaters typically spend a significant amount of time setting up all tailgating equipment. After the tailgate party is over, all equipment must then be packed up and put back in the vehicle before tailgaters can proceed to enter the event.

Since all items must be sourced separately, it becomes laborious and time consuming to prepare for a tailgate. It is common for one or two items to be forgotten, such as cups or plates. Time needed to source all equipment necessary to tailgate, pack all equipment in the vehicle, set up the equipment upon arrival to the parking lot of the event, pack up all the equipment after use, and clean the equipment after use makes tailgating a very labor-intensive and time consuming activity. Tailgaters could conceivably spend more time sourcing, prepping, packing, assembling, and cleaning tailgate equipment than actually enjoying the tailgate party.

Accordingly, there is a need for a device configured to accommodate equipment that users need to have a tailgating or barbecuing experience, and that is easy and convenient.

SUMMARY

According to embodiments, disclosed is a device comprising a container configured to insulate against heat, and at least one foldable platform connected to the container via a hinged edge. The platform in configured such that in a closed configuration the platform lies flat against the container, and in a deployed configuration, the platform unfolds about the hinged edge to serve as a substantially horizontal table surface.

According to embodiments, the platform is additionally connected to a foldable support via a second hinged edge, the support configured to fold and unfold about the second hinged edge. In the deployed configuration, the support is configured to extend between the platform and a ground surface in order to provide support for the platform.

In embodiments, the container comprises an interior space configured to provide storage and optional organization for tailgating supplies. In embodiments, the interior space is configured to hold at least one of a cooking grill, a removable tray, and a removable grill stand.

In embodiments, the container comprises a closable lid configured to releasably secure cooking utensils.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments are illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings, which are meant to be exemplary and not limiting, and in which like references are intended to refer to like or corresponding things.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the device;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view thereof, showing the platform element partially unfolded;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view thereof, showing the platform element further unfolded;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view thereof, showing the platform element fully unfolded;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the interior of an embodiment of the device;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the device, with lid open and showing compartmentalized tray and tailgating/barbecuing supplies;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view thereof, further showing the platform fully deployed;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the device, shown with lid open, platform deployed, and compartmentalized tray with tailgating supplies;

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of the device;

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view thereof.

FIG. 11 is a detail view of an embodiment of the device, showing a stand holder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. The embodiments may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the embodiments to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “herein” refers to the specification, claims, and drawings associated with the current application. The phrase “in one embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, though it may. Furthermore, the phrase “in another embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to a different embodiment, although it may. Thus, as described below, various embodiments of the invention may be readily combined, without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

In addition, as used herein, the term “or” is an inclusive “or” operator, and is equivalent to the term “and/or,” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “based on” is not exclusive and allows for being based on additional factors not described, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, throughout the specification, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references. The meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.”

It is noted that in this disclosure and particularly in the claims and/or paragraphs, terms such as “comprises,” “comprised,” “comprising,” and the like can have the meaning attributed to them in U.S. patent law; that is, they can mean “includes,” “included,” “including,” “including, but not limited to” and the like, and allow for elements not explicitly recited. Terms such as “consisting essentially of” and “consists essentially of” have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. patent law; that is, they allow for elements not explicitly recited, but exclude elements that are found in the prior art or that affect a basic or novel characteristic of the invention. These and other embodiments are disclosed or are apparent from and encompassed by, the following description.

The use of the terms “a,” “an,” “at least one,” “one or more,” and similar terms indicate one of a feature or element as well as more than one of a feature. The use of the term “the” to refer to the feature does not imply only one of the feature and element.

When an ordinal number (such as “first,” “second,” “third,” and so on) is used as an adjective before a term, that ordinal number is used (unless expressly or clearly specified otherwise) merely to indicate a particular feature, such as to distinguish that particular feature from another feature that is described by the same term or by a similar term.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-11 show embodiments of a cooler device. Reference numerals have been assigned to generally refer as follows:

• • 10—the device, generally
  • 12—container
  • 14—platform
  • 16—lid
  • 18—first hinged edge
  • 20—handle
  • 22—second hinged edge
  • 24—interior
  • 26—insulation
  • 28—tailgating supplies
  • 30—grilling utensils
  • 32—tray
  • 34—grill
  • 36—stand
  • 40—leg brace
  • 42—support
  • 44—stand holder

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a cooler device with fold out platform 10 in a closed configuration. The device comprises a heat insulated container 12 and at least one platform 14 that is foldable such that when the apparatus is in closed configuration, the platform 14 generally lies flat against the container 12.

The device 10 is configured to transform into a deployed configuration. FIG. 2 shows the device 10 partially deployed. In this figure, the platform 14 has been partially unfolded. In the embodiment, the platform 14 is connected to the container 12 via a first hinged edge 18 and is unfolded about that edge. In the embodiment shown, the platform 14 is integrally connected to the container 12 such that the hinge element is formed by a simple fold. However, in embodiments, the platform 14 is a separately manufactured component that attaches to the container 12 via attachment means. In these embodiments, the hinge element can comprise hardware, or any other means that allows the platform 14 the range of motion described herein.

In the embodiment shown, the container 12 comprises a closable lid 16. As the platform 14 is deployed, the lid 16 of the device is revealed. When closed, the lid can aid to insulate the container, and keep debris from entering the container. In embodiments, the device 10 comprises handles 20. FIG. 2 shows a pair of handles 20 attached to opposite sides of the container 12, which function to help a user to lift or move the device 10. In embodiments, the handles 20 comprise die-cut handle holes or other carrying mechanism.

FIG. 3 shows the platform 14 further deployed. In this figure, the platform 14 has been unfolded along a second hinged edge 22 to reveal support 42. Similar to first hinged edge 18, in the embodiment shown, second hinged edge 22 comprises a hinge fold. However, in other embodiments the hinge element can comprise hardware, or any other means that allows the support 42 the range of motion described herein.

FIG. 4 shows the platform 14 fully deployed. In this configuration, support 42 extends between the platform 14 and the ground surface and provides structural support to the platform. In this way, the platform 14 can be used as a shelf or table surface on which to place a grill, cups, plates, or other tailgating supplies. In the embodiment shown, support 42 is shown as a rectangular panel. In other embodiments, the support 42 can be a variety of forms or shapes. For example, in an embodiment, the support 42 comprises legs, attached to the platform 14 via at least one hinge.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the device 10 with the lid 16 partially open such that the interior 24 of the container 12 is visible. In the embodiment, the lid 16 and interior 24 are shown to have a layer of insulating material 26 such as corrugated cardboard coated with water proofing material, or any other insulating material, which helps to maintain a constant temperature within the interior 24. The interior 24 provides waterproof storage for food, beverages, a grill 34, utensils and other tailgating supplies 28.

FIG. 5 also shows tailgating supplies 28, such as cups, plates, and recycling bags stored inside the interior 24. In some embodiments, tailgating supplies 28 can be disposable, and can additionally be reusable, recyclable and/or compostable. In embodiments, grilling utensils 30 are releasably secured to the portion of the lid 16 disposed toward the interior 24 such that when the lid is closed the utensils are positioned inside the interior 24. In embodiments, the interior 24 comprises compartments or shelving configured to organize tailgating supplies 28, food, or beverages.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the device 10 with the lid 16 open. This figure additionally shows a removable tray 32. The tray 32 has compartments configured to hold tailgating supplies 28 such as plates, utensils, napkins and condiments. The tray 32 dimensions are such that it fits inside the interior 24 of the container 12. FIG. 6 also shows a grill 34 that fits inside the inner compartment. The container 12 and the grill 34 are sized in relation to each other so the grill 34 fits snugly into the interior 24 of the container 12. In embodiments, the grill 34 is configured to be stored on or attached to a grill stand 36. In other embodiments, the grill 34 can be stored beneath or on top of other tailgating supplies 28, the stand 36, or the tray 32. In embodiments, the grill 34 is made of recyclable aluminum material, steel, iron, or any other suitable material. In embodiments, the grill 34 contains all natural, biodegradable charcoal.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the device 10 in deployed configuration. In this configuration, the lid 16 is closed and the platform 14 and support 42 are fully deployed. The grill 34 is shown positioned on the platform 14 and the tray 32 is positioned on the closed lid 16, which acts as an additional table surface.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the device 10 in deployed configuration. In this figure, the grill 32 is shown positioned on top of a stand 36 that is configured to fit inside the interior 24 of the container 12. The stand 36 is configured to serve as an additional table surface. The stand 36 can be removed and used separately from the cooler device, or can be placed on top of the platform 14 or lid 16 for space conservation. In this figure, the stand 36 is shown placed on top of the platform 14, which raises the grill 34 above the device 10 leaves space for the tray 32 to rest on the platform 14 as well. In embodiments, the grill stand 36 can also be used as a standalone element apart from the device 10. In embodiments, the stand 36 is made out of aluminum or steel, and can optionally be recyclable.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the device with two platforms 14a, 14b. Both platforms are foldable such that they can be collapsed onto or into the container 12 for easy storage. Other embodiments can contain platforms 14 of different sizes, and may contain a plurality of platform 14 elements, not limited to two. The platforms 14 provide additional useful space on which to place items such as the tray 32, food and drink, or other items. Also shown in this figure are leg braces 40, which provide structural support to the deployed platform 14 and support 42. In the embodiment shown, braces 40 extend from the container 12 to the support 42 to provide stability. In embodiments, braces 40 can be of any suitable size, shape or configuration. The size, shape, and placement shown are meant as examples only, and alternative support means are intended to come within the scope of the present invention.

In embodiments, additional platforms 14 are configured to be attached to the device 10 such that a user may deploy them by unfolding them. In embodiments, platforms 14 extend from any side of the container 12. In embodiments, alternative means to deploy or secure platforms 14 or to open the device are used. It will be appreciated that the present invention comprehends all possible size and shape configurations reasonably within the scope of the invention.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the device 10 with two platforms 14a, 14b. In this view, both the platforms 14a and 14b have been deployed, and the lid 16 of the device is open, showing the interior tray 32 containing tailgating supplies 28.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of the device 10 wherein the platform 14 comprises a stand holder 44. The stand holder 44 is shown in the embodiment as cut-out flaps configured to stabilize and prevent undesirable movement of the stand 36 when the stand 36 is placed on top of the platform 14. In embodiments, stand holders 44 are not limited to the semicircular shape shown in the figure; rather, variations in size, shape, and number of cut-outs are intended to fall within the present scope. Additionally, in embodiments, stand holders 44 are manufactured separately from the platform 14 and subsequently attached to the platform 14 by either permanent or removable means.

In some embodiments, the device 10 is made from recyclable materials, such as corrugated cardboard. Disposable or recyclable embodiments can save users from the time, labor, and hassle associated with storage and cleaning needs of the device. Additionally, tailgating typically involves cooking and storing raw food, so the ability to simply discard the device after use may be an advantage in some instances for convenience and health reasons. In this way, by using a disposable or recyclable embodiment of the device 10, a user can avoid leaving a dirty grill and cooler in his vehicle, avoiding possibly unpleasant odors or health concerns.

A possible method of manufacturing the device 10 is a corrugated manufacturing process that includes specialized tooling devices designed to manufacture the specific cuts of material desired for the apparatus. Once the cuts are performed, the resulting pieces are assembled to form the complete apparatus.

In embodiments, the device is manufactured to be shippable as is, where the entire kit is shippable “as is” through US mail without having to put exterior shipping material around it, other than shipping tape. There can be enough room in the interior 24 for the user to put beverages such as cans and bottles as well as food, along with items that come with the kit. In doing so, the user can have all items needed to tailgate, including food and beverage all in the one easy to carry or ship device 10. In embodiments, the device 10 can also be shipped with proper insulation, such as a biodegradable insulated box liner.

One exemplary method of use of one embodiment of the device is as follows. When ready to use the device 10, the user opens the lid 16 or a platform 14. The interior 24 can also have a lid of its own configured to insulate and separate the interior 24, which is used to store beverages. Within the interior 24, the user can find tailgating supplies 28, grilling utensils 30, tray 32, grill 34, and grill stand 36. The user removes items from the interior 24, and can place them on the shelving/storage units. The user can then put ice, beverages, and food in the cooler device 10 and still have storage for any items that were originally in the interior 24 on the platforms. The grill stand 36 can be placed on one platform 14 while the tray 32, tailgating supplies 28, and grilling utensils 30 may all be placed on others. The grill 24 can be placed on the stand 36 which can also be placed on one of the platforms 14 to raise the height of the grill 24 to a more reasonable grilling height for the user. After using the device 10, the user can then place items in disposable bags. Any recyclable materials such as the grill 34, grilling utensils 30, tray 32, stand 36, appropriate tailgating supplies 28 and the cooler device 10 may be placed in a bag designated for recycling. They may also be further divided into bags designated by the recyclable material such as corrugated cardboard, aluminum, and steel. Compostable and biodegradable materials such as utensils, napkins, cups, and food may be placed in the bag designated for compost or biodegradables and then may be discarded in the appropriate means for compostable or biodegradable materials. This process saves the user time in regards to prepping, packing, setting up, taking down, and cleaning tailgate/barbecue supplies and makes tailgating and barbecuing on the go an easier activity in which to participate, and may also serve goals of environmental responsibility.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the preceding description, this is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It should be understood that only certain embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected. Having thus described the invention with particular reference to the preferred forms thereof, it will be obvious that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a container configured to insulate against heat, and

at least one foldable platform having a first edge and an opposite second edge, the first edge connected to the container via a first hinge.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the platform is configured such that in a closed configuration, the platform lies flat against the container, and in a deployed configuration, the platform is unfolded via the first hinge of the first edge to serve as a substantially horizontal table surface.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the second edge is configured to be connected to a foldable support via a second hinge,

the support configured to fold and unfold via the second hinge of the second edge such that, when the device is in the deployed configuration, the support is able to extend between the second edge and a ground surface to provide support for the platform.

4. The device of claim 2, the container further comprising an interior space configured to provide storage, the interior space configured to hold a cooking grill.

5. The device of claim 4, the interior space further configured to receive a removable tray.

6. The device of claim 5, the tray comprising organizational compartments.

7. The device of claim 4, the interior space further configured to receive a removable grill stand.

8. The device of claim 1, the container further comprising a closable lid, the lid being configured to releasably secure cooking utensils.

9. The device of claim 2, wherein the device entirely comprises recyclable materials.

10. The device of claim 2, wherein the device comprises a plurality of platforms.

11. The device of claim 2, further comprises carrying handles.

12. A device comprising:

a container configured to insulate against heat, the container comprising a closable lid, the lid configured to releasably secure cooking utensils, and at least one foldable platform having a first edge and an opposite second edge, the first edge connected to the container via a first hinge, the platform configured such that in a closed configuration, the platform lies flat against the body of the device, and in a deployed configuration, the platform is unfolded via the first hinge of the first edge to serve as a substantially horizontal table surface, the second edge configured to be connected to a foldable support via a second hinge, the support configured to fold and unfold via the second hinge of the second edge such that, when the device is in the deployed configuration, the support is able to extend between the second edge and a ground surface to provide support for the platform.

13. The device of claim 12, the container further comprising an interior space configured to provide storage,

the interior space configured to receive a cooking grill, a removable tray, and a removable grill stand,

the tray comprising organizational compartments.