ILLUMINATED COOLER RECEPTACLE

Abstract

An illuminated cooler including: a base receptacle; a lid; a series of lights in the interior of the base receptacle; and a solar panel across a top surface of the lid. The series of lights may be place along a top perimeter of an interior of the base receptacle and placed on a lighting track. The series of lights may be placed on at least one side of an interior of the base receptacle. In one particular embodiment, the base receptacle includes a battery as an alternative power source.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/662,805 filed on Jun. 21, 2012.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to an illuminated cooler receptacle.

2. Description of Related Art

Coolers are used to enjoy beverages and other food products in a portable manner. Normally coolers are used at cookouts, tailgating, picnics, beach activities or while traveling on the road. Occasionally coolers may be used at night because some of these activities may carry on into the evening hours. As a consequence light may become limited and the ability to see in the cooler may be limited. Therefore it would be advantageous to have a cooler that was equipped with some type of lighting device or fixture in order to provide adequate lighting within the cooler during use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an illuminated cooler comprising: a base receptacle; a lid; a plurality of lights in the interior of the base receptacle; and a solar panel across a top surface of the lid. The plurality of lights may be place along a top perimeter of an interior of the base receptacle and placed on a lighting track. The plurality of lights may be placed on at least one side of an interior of the base receptacle. In one particular embodiment, the base receptacle includes a battery as an alternative power source.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a front view of an illuminated cooler receptacle in a closed position in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1B illustrates a front view of an illuminated cooler receptacle in an open position in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides a cooler, which is illuminated by interior lighting for the cooling compartment. The present invention includes a series of lights around the lid opening of the cooler that illuminate the interior of the cooler during use. In this particular embodiment, the lights are installed as LED lights that are powered by a solar panel that is installed on the top surface of the lid of the cooler. The cooler lid provides an exposed surface for the installation of the solar panel. During the daylight hours the interior lights are inactive and during the night a sensor provides an automatic illumination of the lights once the lid is open. A battery is installed in the cooler that connects directly to the lighting and provides an alternative energy source for the lights. The cooler receptacle may be made of plastic or other suitable insulated materials to provide a cool environment for items within the interior of the cooler.

In reference to FIG. 1A, an illuminated cooler 100 is depicted in accordance with the present invention. The cooler 100 includes a base receptacle 110 and a lid 105. The base receptacle 110 provides an interior as shown in FIG. 1B for the placement of items to be stored in the cooler 100. The cooler 100 in a closed position exposes a solar panel 120 that is placed along the top surface of the lid 105. In an open position as shown in FIG. 1B, the lid exposes a series of lights 140 along the top perimeter of the interior of the receptacle 110. The lights 140 are placed on a lighting track and in this particular embodiment extend around the entire interior perimeter of the base receptacle 110. Alternative arrangements may be contemplated for the series of lights 140 such as placement on a particular side or sides of the interior surface.

The base receptacle 110 further may include a battery 130 as a backup or alternative battery for use in situations where the solar power is not in a position properly charge the lights 140. An activation switch 150 may also be installed on the interior of the base receptacle 110. The switch 150 may be on the interior or alternatively exterior of the base receptacle 110. Further in another alterative embodiment the base receptacle 110 includes a plug outlet 108 to allow the user to connect to the power sources provided in the base receptacle 110.

The illuminated cooler 100 may be made of plastic or other suitable insulation material that provides a cool environment on the interior of the base receptacle 110. As stated above the lights 140 may remain inactive during the day and activated at night by depression of the activation button 150 or alternatively a sensor 115 may be available within the interior of the base receptacle 110 that detects darkness and activates the lights 140 into an on position while the lid 105 is open. The backup battery 130 ensures that the lights remain ready to use under any weather conditions or drop of solar powered energy. Use of the illuminated cooler in accordance with the present invention provides an effective device for retrieving items in a cooler during nighttime hours. The instant invention has been shown and described in what it considers to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made there from within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An illuminated cooler comprising:

a. a base receptacle;

b. a lid;

c. a plurality of lights in the interior of the base receptacle; and

d. a solar panel across a top surface of the lid.

2. The illuminated cooler according to claim 1, where the plurality of lights is place along a top perimeter of an interior of the base receptacle.

3. The illuminated cooler according to claim 2, where the plurality of lights is place on a lighting track.

4. The illuminated cooler according to claim 1, where the plurality of lights is place on at least one side of an interior of the base receptacle.

5. The illuminated cooler according to claim 1, where the base receptacle includes a battery as an alternative power source.

6. The illuminated cooler according to claim 1, where an activation switch is installed on the interior of the base receptacle.

7. The illuminated cooler according to claim 1, where the base receptacle includes a plug outlet as a power source for other devices.