Abstract: An expandable and collapsible cooler includes: a base defining a bottom portion of the cooler; an upper rim defining an upper portion of the cooler; a collapsible cooler wall extending between and attached to said base and said upper rim and surrounding an interior storage space of the cooler, the cooler wall comprising a flexible elastomeric membrane that includes a plurality of hinge lines at which the membrane is configured to bend such that the membrane is transitional between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; and a drain conduit comprising a passageway providing fluid communication between an exterior of the cooler and the interior storage space or the intermediate space. The cooler is transitional between an expanded configuration for use of the cooler, and a collapsed configuration during nonuse of the cooler, by bending along the hinge lines, each configuration corresponding to a stable configuration of the cooler.

Abstract: An expandable and collapsible cooler includes: a cooler wall defining an interior storage space of the cooler, the cooler wall comprising an inner collapsible wall and an outer collapsible wall; and a bottom wall to which the collapsible inner and outer walls are joined and from which the collapsible inner and outer walls extend. The inner and outer collapsible walls define an intermediate space therebetween. Each collapsible wall includes flexible elastomeric membranes joined together by rigid portions, each membrane including hinge lines at which the membrane is configured to bend such that the collapsible wall is transitional between a respective collapsed configuration and a respective expanded configuration by bending along the hinge lines. Each configuration corresponds to a stable configuration of the cooler.

Abstract: An expandable and collapsible cooler includes: a base defining a bottom portion of the cooler; an upper rim defining an upper portion of the cooler; and a collapsible cooler wall extending between and attached to the base and the upper rim and surrounding an interior storage space of the cooler. The cooler wall includes a flexible elastomeric membrane that includes a plurality of hinge lines at which the membrane is configured to bend such that the membrane is transitional between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The cooler is transitional between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration by bending of the membrane along the hinge lines. Each configuration is a stable configuration of the cooler. The collapsible cooler wall includes peripheral portions thereof that nest within each other when the collapsible cooler wall is fully collapsed. The collapsible cooler wall tapers in extending from the upper rim.

Abstract: An expandable and collapsible cooler includes: a base defining a bottom portion of the cooler; an upper rim defining an upper portion of the cooler; and a cooler wall extending between the base and the upper rim and surrounding an interior storage space of the cooler. The cooler wall includes inner and outer collapsible walls each extending between and being attached to the base and the upper rim. Each collapsible wall includes flexible elastomeric membranes joined together by rigid portions, each membrane including a plurality of hinge lines at which the membrane is configured to bend such that the collapsible wall is transitional between a respective collapsed configuration and a respective expanded configuration by bending along the hinge lines.

Abstract: An expandable and collapsible cooler includes: a base defining a bottom portion of the cooler; an upper rim defining an upper portion of the cooler; and a cooler wall extending between said base and said upper rim and surrounding an interior storage space of the cooler. The cooler wall includes inner and outer collapsible walls that extend from the upper rim and a common bottom wall. Each collapsible wall includes a flexible elastomeric membrane having hinge lines at which the membrane is configured to bend such that the membrane is transitional between collapsed and expanded configurations. The membrane preferably is formed from silicone rubber.

Abstract: An expandable and collapsible cooler includes: a base defining a bottom portion of the cooler; an upper rim defining an upper portion of the cooler; a collapsible cooler wall extending between and attached to said base and said upper rim and surrounding an interior storage space of the cooler, the cooler wall including a flexible elastomeric membrane that includes hinge lines at which the membrane is configured to bend such that the membrane is transitional between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; and one or more bracket members selectively positionable to extend between and interconnect the base and the upper rim for conveying tensional forces between the base and the upper rim upon lifting of the cooler from a location above the cooler wall. The rim preferably includes one or more handles for lifting of the cooler.

Abstract: A portable cooler assembly includes sidewalls connected by a bottom wall. The sidewalls and bottom wall collectively define an interior space. A rim is attached to a top of the collapsible side walls, and a lid is supported on the rim and encloses the interior space. A base defines a container receiving recess within which the bottom wall is received and supported. A drain conduit defines a passageway in fluid communication with a lower portion of the interior space.

Abstract: A cooler includes a base; an upper rim; and a collapsible wall extending between the base and the upper rim. The cooler wall is capable of transitioning between a fully collapsed configuration and a fully expanded configuration and is stable in each configuration. Additionally, in transitioning between the fully collapsed and fully expanded configurations, the cooler transitions to at least one intermediate configuration in which the cooler is in a stable state and may be used. The collapsible wall preferably comprises a flexible membrane that is configured to be collapsible between three or more stable states, and preferably is formed from silicone.

Abstract: A portable cooler assembly includes sidewalls connected by a bottom wall. The sidewalls and bottom wall collectively define an interior space. A rim is attached to a top of the collapsible side walls, and a lid is supported on the rim and encloses the interior space. A base defines a container receiving recess within which the bottom wall is received and supported. A drain conduit defines a passageway in fluid communication with a lower portion of the interior space. When the portable cooler assembly is in a first configuration, the collapsible sidewalls extend outwardly from the container receiving recess. When the portable cooler assembly is in a second configuration, the collapsible sidewalls are completely received within the container receiving recess in a collapsed condition, and an outer peripheral edge portion of the rim is at least partially received within the container receiving recess.

Abstract: A travel cooler includes a wheeled platform and an insulated container configured to be selectively coupled to, and uncoupled from, the wheeled platform. The wheeled platform includes a base, a plurality of wheels mounted to the base for rolling movement of the platform and a first coupling component fixedly disposed on the base. The insulated container includes a second coupling component fixedly disposed on the container. The first and second coupling components are disengaged from one another when the insulated container is uncoupled from the wheeled platform. The first and second coupling components are disposed in interlocking engagement when the insulated container is coupled to the wheeled platform, whereby the insulated container is securely coupled to the wheeled platform in fixed disposition relative thereto for safe transportation on the wheeled platform.

Abstract: A travel cooler includes a base, a plurality of wheels mounted to the base for rolling movement of the base and an insulated container having sidewalls supported by the base and defining an interior, insulated space for receiving and preserving perishable food items. The base includes a portion that extends beyond at least one of the sidewalls to define a cargo receiving area for receiving items for transport. Additionally, or alternatively, an arm member is mounted to the base and configured to move between a retracted position to define a cargo receiving area and a protracted position substantially eliminating the cargo receiving area. Alternatively, a travel cooler includes a bracket removably mounted to an insulated container. The bracket defines the cargo receiving area for receiving items for transport exterior to the insulated container.

Abstract: A travel cooler includes a base, an insulated container having an interior, insulated space for receiving and preserving perishable food items, and an air pump. A lid of the insulated container and, specifically, an exterior surface of the lid of the insulated container defines an air pump receiving area for receiving and retaining the air pump.

Abstract: A travel cooler includes a base, a handle attached to the base at a first location, a plurality of wheels mounted to the base for rolling movement of the base by the handle, and an insulated container having sidewalls supported by the base and defining an interior, insulated space for receiving and preserving perishable food items. The handle is removably attached to the base such that the handle is detachable and removable from the base. The base is configured to receive and retain the handle at a second location when the handle is detached from the base at the first location. The handle generally extends upwardly from the base when attached to the base at the first location and generally extends horizontally relative to the base when attached at the second location.

Abstract: A cooler assembly includes: a rigid platform; a rigid lid; and an inflatable wall interconnecting the rigid platform and the rigid lid so as to define an insulated interior space therebetween for receiving food and ice. The deflated wall is received within, and does not protrude from, the rigid platform when the cooler assembly is in a storage configuration. The rigid lid is received within the rigid platform when the cooler assembly is in the storage configuration. The rigid lid may be received within, and partially protrude from, the rigid platform when the cooler assembly is in the storage configuration.

Abstract: A portable cooler assembly includes sidewalls connected by a bottom wall. The sidewalls and bottom wall collectively define an interior space. A rim is attached to a top of the collapsible side walls, and a lid is supported on the rim and encloses the interior space. A base defines a container receiving recess within which the bottom wall is received and supported. A drain conduit defines a passageway in fluid communication with a lower portion of the interior space. When the portable cooler assembly is in a first configuration, the collapsible sidewalls extend outwardly from the container receiving recess. When the portable cooler assembly is in a second configuration, the collapsible sidewalls are completely received within the container receiving recess in a collapsed condition, and an outer peripheral edge portion of the rim is at least partially received within the container receiving recess.

Abstract: A stacked arrangement of travel coolers including a plurality of travel coolers arranged in a series of stacking pairs and a method of stacking the travel coolers. Each travel cooler includes a base with a bottom surface, a pair of wheels mounted to the base, an insulated container, a front end of the base and a rear end of the base. Each stacking pair includes an upper travel cooler disposed on top of a lower travel cooler. The bottom surface of the base of the upper travel cooler rests upon the bottom surface of the base of the lower travel cooler. Alternatively, a surface of a lid of the upper travel cooler rests upon a surface of a lid of the lower travel cooler. The front end of the upper travel cooler is disposed over and generally aligned with the rear end of the lower travel cooler.

Abstract: A portable cooler assembly comprises a base and an insulated container defining a cooler. The container includes an inflatable wall and a valve for inflating of the wall. The insulated container is removably coupled to the base, and the base defines a container receiving recess within which a bottom portion of the insulated container is received. When the portable cooler assembly is in a first configuration, the inflatable wall is inflated and extends outwardly from the container receiving space. When the portable cooler assembly is in a second configuration, the inflatable wall is deflated and is completely received within the container receiving space in a collapsed condition.

Abstract: A portable cooler assembly comprises a base and a collapsible container defining a cooler. The collapsible container includes collapsible walls. The base defines a container receiving recess within which a bottom portion of the collapsible container is received, whereby the collapsible container is removably coupled to the base. When the portable cooler assembly is in a first configuration, the collapsible walls extend outwardly from the container receiving space. When the portable cooler assembly is in a second configuration, the collapsible walls are completely received within the container receiving space in a collapsed condition.

Abstract: A portable cooler assembly comprises a base and a collapsible container defining a cooler. The collapsible container includes collapsible walls. The base defines a container receiving recess within which a bottom portion of the collapsible container is received, whereby the collapsible container is removably coupled to the base. When the portable cooler assembly is in a first configuration, the collapsible walls extend outwardly from the container receiving space. When the portable cooler assembly is in a second configuration, the collapsible walls are completely received within the container receiving space in a collapsed condition.

Abstract: A portable cooler assembly comprises a base and an insulated container defining a cooler. The container includes an inflatable wall and a valve for inflating of the wall. The insulated container is removably coupled to the base, and the base defines a container receiving recess within which a bottom portion of the insulated container is received. When the portable cooler assembly is in a first configuration, the inflatable wall is inflated and extends outwardly from the container receiving space. When the portable cooler assembly is in a second configuration, the inflatable wall is deflated and is completely received within the container receiving space in a collapsed condition.