Outer surface of a container
The present invention relates to an outer surface of a container having a lid and a receptacle. The outer surface includes one or more substantially non-deformable recesses. The recesses are adapted to accommodate at least a portion of one or more items of sporting, cooking or barbeque equipment.
This invention relates to an outer surface of a container suitable for transportation of a number of items. The invention relates to an outer surface of, particularly but not necessarily exclusively, a lid for an ice cooler particularly for use in outdoor events or activities.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONContainers with insulated walls, generally referred to as ice boxes, ice coolers or Eskis™ (hereafter ‘ice coolers’), are commonly used to hold and/or transport cold beverages or food which are required to be kept in a cool condition for a prolonged period of time. They are particularly useful and popular for outdoor activities or gatherings such as picnics and barbeques.
During the course of the above outdoor activities or gatherings, children and others often play sports games involving a number of items. Carrying and transporting these items individually is generally recognised to be a cumbersome and burdensome exercise.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface of a container which may overcome the above inconvenience or which will at least provide a useful alternative.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt should be noted that although a surface of the present invention is adapted to be provided on an ice cooler with insulation capability, it may also be adapted to be provided on other types of containers or carriers.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an outer surface of a container having a lid and a receptacle, the surface including one or more substantially non-deformable recesses adapted to accommodate at least a portion of one or more items of sporting, cooking or barbeque equipment.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container having a lid and a receptacle, the container having an outer surface including one or more substantially non-deformable recesses adapted to accommodate at least a portion of one or more items of sporting, cooking or barbeque equipment.
Preferably, the surface includes an outer part of the lid. Alternatively, the surface includes an outer part of a first external wall of the receptacle.
In a preferred embodiment, each recess is adapted to receive at least a portion of one of the items. The received portion of each item is preferred to constitute substantially 60% to 70% of the overall volume of the item. It is preferred that each recess is adapted to conform to the shape of the received portion of the item. Preferably, each recess is associated with a cavity for facilitating retrieval of the item from the recess.
Preferably, one or more of the recesses include one or more lugs adapted to secure the items within the recesses, respectively. More preferably, each lug is made of a resilient material which facilitates retention of the items in the respective recesses.
In one preferred embodiment, the sporting equipment is for a game of cricket, in which case the items include one or more of the following: a cricket ball, three stumps, a bail, and a cricket bat. In another embodiment, the sporting equipment is for a game of baseball, in which case the items include one or more of the following: markers for first, second, third and home bases, a baseball and a baseball bat. In yet another embodiment, the sporting equipment is for a game of tennis, in which case the items include one or more of the following: a tennis ball and two racquets. The items may include other parts, components or equipment for other sports games and additional objects or playthings such as a flying disc.
The cooking or barbeque equipment may include cooking or barbecue utensils. The utensils may include one or more of the following: a pair of tongs, a food turner or flipper, a spatula, a basting brush and an ice-cream scoop.
Preferably, the lid is removably mounted to the receptacle. Alternatively, the lid is pivotally hinged to the receptacle.
The container may include a collapsible seat at one end, the seat being movable between an operable position and a collapsed position. When disposed in the collapsed position, the seat may be folded to abut a second wall of the receptacle. When disposed in the operable position, the seat may be disposed in a generally horizontal orientation and supported by a strut movably connected to one or more extendable legs. The legs may be telescopically retractable. Preferably, the container includes another seat at an opposite end.
In a preferred embodiment, the container includes one or more wheels. It is preferred that the container also includes a retractable handle. The receptacle may include a compartment for receiving the handle when it is in a retracted position.
The invention may be better understood from the following non-limiting description of preferred embodiments, in which:
It should be noted that although an outer surface of the present invention is intended to be provided on an ice cooler, it may be customised so as to be applicable to any other types of portable containers or carriers.
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Each of the recesses 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 is associated with a small cavity 38, 40, 42, 44 or 46. Each cavity 38, 40, 42, 44 or 46 provides space for insertion of a user's finger to retrieve the relevant piece from the associated recess 18, 20, 22, 24 or 26.
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The container 12 also has a retractable handle 76 (
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It is contemplated that additional or replacement recesses of other shapes and/or forms may be provided in the lid to accommodate other cooking or barbecue equipment such a food turner or flipper, a basting brush and an ice-cream scoop.
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Now that preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in some detail, it will be apparent to a skilled person in the art that the surface of the present invention may offer at least the following advantages:
- 1. it enables carrying and/or transporting of a number of items in a convenient way;
- 2. it is neat and aesthetically pleasing; and
- 3. it minimises the likelihood of one or more items of a set of equipment being inadvertently left behind in outings due to the items and/or the receptacle and/or their receptacles being readily visible.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. For instance, the surface may include an outer part of a side wall of the receptacle. The side wall may be slanted or include some reinforcing means to firmly secure the items within the recesses. Also, additional recesses may be provided to accommodate a bail and a spare stump. Furthermore, the items may include any other parts or equipment for other sports games. All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope and spirit of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.
Claims
1. An outer surface of a container having a lid and a receptacle, the surface including one or more substantially non-deformable recesses adapted to accommodate at least a portion of one or more items of sporting, cooking or barbeque equipment.
2. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, which forms an outer part of the lid.
3. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, which includes an outer part of a first wall of the receptacle.
4. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein each recess is adapted to receive at least a portion of one of the items.
5. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein the received portion of each item constitutes substantially 60% to 70% of the overall volume of the item.
6. The outer surface of a container of claim 4, wherein each recess is adapted to conform to the shape of the received portion of the item.
7. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein each recess is associated with a cavity for facilitating retrieval of the item from the recess.
8. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein one or more of the recesses include one or more lugs adapted to secure the items within the recesses, respectively.
9. The outer surface of a container of claim 8, wherein each lug is made of a resilient material which facilitates retention of the items in the respective recesses.
10. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein when the sporting equipment is for a game of cricket, the items include one or more of the following: a cricket ball, three stumps, a bail, and a cricket bat.
11. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein when the sporting equipment is for a game of baseball, the items include one or more of the following: markers for first, second, third and home bases, a baseball and a baseball bat.
12. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein when the sporting equipment is for a game of tennis, the items include one or more of the following: a tennis ball and two racquets.
13. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein at least one of the recesses is configured to receive a flying disc.
14. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein the cooking or barbeque equipment includes cooking or barbecue utensils.
15. The outer surface of a container of claim 14, wherein the utensils include one or more of the following: a pair of tongs, a food turner or flipper, a spatula, a basting brush and an ice-cream scoop.
16. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein the lid is removably mounted to the receptacle.
17. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein the lid is pivotally hinged to the receptacle.
18. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein the container includes a collapsible seat at one end, the seat being movable between an operable position and a collapsed position.
19. The outer surface of a container of claim 18, wherein when disposed in the collapsed position, the seat is foldable to abut a second wall of the receptacle.
20. The outer surface of a container of claim 18, wherein when disposed in the operable position, the seat is disposable in a generally horizontal orientation and supported by a strut movably connected to one or more extendable legs.
21. The outer surface of a container of claim 20, wherein each leg is telescopically retractable.
22. The outer surface of a container of claim 18, wherein the container includes another seat at an opposite end.
23. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein the container includes one or more wheels.
24. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein the container also includes a retractable handle.
25. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein the receptacle includes a compartment for receiving the handle when it is in a retracted position.
26. A container with a lid and a receptacle, the lid or receptacle having an outer surface including one or more substantially non-deformable recesses adapted to accommodate at least a portion of one or more items of sporting, cooking or barbeque equipment.
27-28. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 15, 2010
Publication Date: Mar 31, 2011
Inventor: Mark John Adderton (Newport)
Application Number: 12/807,930
International Classification: B65D 51/00 (20060101);