Insulated Container and Drain Plug with Valve Aspect

Abstract

A valve assembly is mounted on a cooler wall comprising a valve opening, the valve opening comprising a seat, the cooler comprising a plurality of walls, a top, and a base. The valve comprises a stem and a valve member, the valve member being adapted for sealing engagement with the seat. When comprising a cooler drain plug, the device comprises a cylindrical main body comprising a threaded post, the main body and threaded post sharing a central longitudinal axis. The threaded post is cylindrical and comprises a through opening concentrically arranged along the longitudinal axis. The threaded post is adapted to be threaded into a cooperatively threaded cooler plug opening of a cooler. The threaded post opening is in fluid communication with a main body opening. The main body opening is adapted to receive the valve assembly.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to pressure relief valves and specifically to an insulated container and drain plug with a valve aspect.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Insulated containers, popularly known as portable coolers or “ice chests” are used by millions of people to keep food and beverages chilled on a temporary basis. Such coolers are taken to picnics, barbecues, fishing and hunting outings, and other outdoor events where it is desirable to keep perishable items fresh and to refrigerate drinks, such as water and soft drinks. The first portable cooler is believed to have been introduced in the 1950's and rapidly became popular thereafter. Although the materials and technology has changed over the years, early portable coolers shared many common characteristics with those manufactured today. Portable coolers generally comprise an insulated storage compartment and a lid. The lid is often hingedly attached to the storage compartment and, when in a closed position, adapted to be latched with latching arrangements. A certain segment of the cooler using public desires to keep coolers cool for extended periods of time. For example, outdoorsmen may be in a remote location for five days or more. In such locations, ice is often unavailable. Therefore, many modern coolers are very well insulated such that ice placed within the storage compartment helps maintain a relatively low temperature for extended periods of time. As a result of a very good seal between the lid and storage compartment and other insulation qualities, ice placed within such coolers melts very slowly.

The ice, of course, cools the air within the cooler. As the air within the cooler cools, the pressure within the cooler is reduced. This drop in pressure may result in a pressure that is below atmospheric pressure. When the pressure within the cooler is less than atmospheric pressure, a vacuum is created, and the cooler lid is pressed against the seal. This vacuum may result in the lid being difficult to open. The insulated container and drain plug of the present invention comprise a valve aspect which permits the user to generally equalize, or at least narrow the differential between, the respective inside and outside cooler pressures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides a pressure relief valve for an insulated container (cooler). In the preferred embodiment, the relief valve is positioned within a drain plug such that the drain plug comprises a valve aspect. This valve permits the user to generally equalize or narrow the differential between the respective inside and outside cooler pressures so that the cooler lid may be more easily opened.

The cooler drain plug assembly generally comprises a cylindrical main body comprising a threaded post, the main body and threaded post sharing a central longitudinal axis. The threaded post is cylindrical and comprises a through opening concentrically arranged along the longitudinal axis. The threaded post is adapted to be threaded into a cooperatively threaded cooler drain plug opening of a cooler. The threaded post opening is in fluid communication with a main body opening. The main body opening is adapted to receive valve assembly

In the preferred embodiment, the valve assembly comprises inner valve plate, inner cylinder, spring element, outer cylinder, and outer valve plate. The outer valve plate of the preferred embodiment comprises a disc comprising a flat surface and opposing convex surface. The outer valve plate is perpendicularly coupled to outer cylinder such that the outer cylinder extends from the approximate center of the flat surface of outer valve plate. The inner valve plate of the preferred embodiment comprises a disc comprising a flat surface and opposing convex surface. The inner valve plate is perpendicularly coupled to inner cylinder such that the inner cylinder extends from the approximate center of the flat surface of inner valve plate. The inner valve plate convex surface further comprises a transverse slot adapted to receive a head of a flat head screw driver.

Inner cylinder and outer cylinder are cooperatively threaded such that they may be coupled to one another. In the preferred embodiment, outer cylinder is internally threaded with female threading and inner cylinder is externally threaded with male threading.

Inner valve plate comprises a diameter that is slightly larger than the main body opening and narrower than the threaded post through opening. Positioned between inner valve plate and a main body interior surface is an inner O-ring. Positioned between outer valve plate and a main body exterior surface is a spring element. The spring element is biased to maintain the valve assembly in a closed position such that the inner valve plate is pulled against the O-ring which, in turn, is pulled against the main body interior surface. A washer surrounds the threaded post and is positioned against a ledge portion of main body. When the cooler drain plug is fully inserted within a cooler opening, the washer is pressed between a cooler outside surface and the main body ledge portion, thus creating a seal.

A user desiring to increase the inside air pressure of the cooler may do so by pressing the outer valve plate towards the cooler such that the inner valve plate and O-Ring move away from the main body interior surface. In this position, the main body opening becomes unobstructed by O-ring and inner valve plate, and the cooler inner pressure is increased.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the valve assembly is mounted on a cooler wall comprising a valve opening. In such embodiment, the valve assembly comprises inner valve plate, inner cylinder, spring element, outer cylinder, and outer valve plate. The outer valve plate of this embodiment comprises a disc comprising a flat surface and opposing convex surface. The outer valve plate is perpendicularly coupled to outer cylinder such that the outer cylinder extends from the approximate center of the flat surface of outer valve plate. The inner valve plate of this embodiment comprises a disc comprising a flat surface and opposing convex surface. The inner valve plate is perpendicularly coupled to inner cylinder such that the inner cylinder extends from the approximate center of the flat surface of inner valve plate. The inner valve plate convex surface further comprises a transverse slot adapted to receive a head of a flat head screw driver.

Inner cylinder and outer cylinder are cooperatively threaded such that they may be coupled to one another. In this embodiment, outer cylinder is internally threaded with female threading and inner cylinder is externally threaded with male threading. Inner valve plate comprises a diameter that is slightly larger than the diameter of the valve opening in cooler wall and narrower than a threaded post through opening diameter. Positioned between inner valve plate and an interior cooler wall valve mounting surface is the O-ring. The interior cooler wall valve mounting surfaces form a seat with which the O-ring is sealingly arranged such that the O-ring may be sealing engaged with the seat. Positioned between outer valve plate and an exterior cooler wall valve mounting surface is a spring element. The spring element is biased to maintain the valve assembly in a closed position such that the inner valve plate is pulled against the O-ring which, in turn, is pulled against the interior cooler wall valve mounting surface such that the valve opening becomes closed. A user desiring to increase the inside air pressure of the cooler may do so by pressing the outer valve plate towards the cooler such that the inner valve plate and O-Ring move away from the interior cooler wall valve mounting surface. In this position, the valve opening becomes unobstructed by O-ring and inner valve plate, and the cooler inner pressure is increased.

In other embodiments, the cooler comprises a valve and a plurality of walls, a top, and a base. The cooler further comprises a cooler opening comprising a seat. In such embodiment, the valve comprises a stem and a valve member, the valve member being adapted for sealing engagement with the seat.

In other embodiments, the valve further comprises a spring element for biasing the valve member against the seat.

In other embodiments, the stem further comprises outer and inner valve plates.

In other embodiments, the spring element is positioned around the valve stem between said seat and the outer valve plate.

In other embodiments, the drain plug comprises a valve comprising a stem, a seat, and a valve member. The valve member of this embodiment is adapted for sealing engagement with the seat. In other embodiments, the valve further comprises a spring element for biasing the valve member against said seat. In other embodiments, the drain plug is adapted to be sealingly coupled to a cooler drain plug opening.

A method of bringing an interior pressure of a cooler to a level approximating or nearing that of an atmospheric pressure external to the cooler is also provided. In some embodiments, the method comprises the steps of providing a cooler comprising a valve, the valve comprising a stem, a seat, and a valve member; the valve member being adapted for sealing engagement with the seat; and moving the valve member away from the seat such that atmospheric air external to the cooler is in fluid communication with the air within said cooler.

In other embodiments of the method, the valve stem comprises a spring element for biasing the valve member against the seat. In other embodiments of the method, the stem further comprises outer and inner valve plates. In other embodiments of the method, the spring element is positioned around the valve stem between the seat and the outer valve plate.

In other embodiments of the method, the cooler comprises a drain plug comprising the valve.

In other embodiments, the cooler drain plug main body comprises a central recessed portion and the concave portion of the outer valve plate is approximately flush with an exterior face of the main body.

In other embodiments, the cooler drain plug main body comprises radial notches.

In other embodiments, the valve assembly comprises an inner spring.

In some embodiments, the main body and threaded post are formed from aluminum. In other embodiments, the main body and threaded post are formed from plastic.

In other embodiments of the method, the method comprises the steps of providing a cooler sealingly coupled to a cooler plug; said cooler plug comprising a valve; activating the valve such that atmospheric air external to the cooler is in fluid communication with the air within said cooler.

In one embodiment of the method, the cooler plug valve comprises an inner valve plate, inner cylinder, outer cylinder, spring, and outer valve plate.

In one embodiment of the method, the cooler plug comprises a through opening, such that an interior compartment of said cooler is in fluid communication with an exterior of said cooler; the valve being adapted to open and obstruct this opening in accordance with the desires of a user.

In one embodiment of the method, the valve comprises a spring

In one embodiment of the method, the valve comprises an O-Ring.

In one embodiment of the method, the cooler plug comprises a washer.

In one embodiment of the method, a side of the cooler is lifted or tilted to a level higher than another side.

In one embodiment of the method, the method further comprises the step of lifting or tilting a side or portion of the cooler to a position or level higher than a position or level of another side or portion of the cooler.

In one embodiment of the method, the cooler plug comprises a main body and a threaded post, said main body and threaded post being formed from aluminum, said threaded post being adapted to be coupled to a cooler opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded elevation view of the cooler drain plug, in accordance with a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded elevation view of the cooler drain plug valve, in accordance with a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 3 is top view of the cooler drain plug, in accordance with a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 4 is cutaway view of the cooler drain plug, in accordance with a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a left, front, and top isometric view of a conventional, prior art, cooler and depicting a cooler drain plug opening.

FIG. 6 is cross-sectional view of a valve positioned through a wall of a cooler, in accordance with another preferred embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A preferred embodiment of the device 14 is presented in the figures referenced above. In describing the embodiments of the invention, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, it being understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents operating in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. It is understood that the drawings are not drawn exactly to scale. In the drawings, similar reference numbers are used for designating similar elements throughout the several drawings.

This specification describes particular embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood, based on this disclosure, that the invention is not limited to the embodiments detailed herein. As used herein, the terms “a” or “an” shall mean one or more than one unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The term “plurality” shall mean two or more than two. The term “another” is defined as a second or more The terms “including” and/or “having” are open ended (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “or” as used herein is to be interpreted as inclusive or meaning any one or any combination Therefore, “A, B or C” means “any of the following: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C”. An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive. Recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein may be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment,” “certain embodiments,” “an embodiment,” or similar term means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearances of such phrases in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner on one or more embodiments without limitation. The detailed description illustrates by way of example, not by way of limitation, the principles of the invention. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, aspects, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention.

The examples and illustrations of an insulated container comprising a valve aspect and a cooler drain plug comprising a valve aspect are described herein with respect to a valve and a cooler drain plug for use with portable coolers. However, the device is equally applicable for use with other containers capable of being partially pressurized and the relief valve may be incorporated in other areas of the cooler other than a cooler plug opening. Moreover, while certain materials are discussed herein with respect to various components of the various embodiments, the embodiments are not limited to such materials. For example, in a preferred embodiment, certain components are formed from machined 6061-T6 aluminum (solutionized and artificially aged aluminum). However, as will be discussed in more detail below, the components of the device may comprise any suitable materials formed by different methods without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5 in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device 14 generally comprises a cylindrical main body 16 comprising a threaded post 18, the main body 16 and threaded post 18 sharing a central longitudinal axis 20. The threaded post 18 is cylindrical and comprises a through opening 22 concentrically arranged along the longitudinal axis 20. The threaded post 18 is adapted to be threaded into a cooperatively threaded cooler plug opening 24 of a cooler 26 (FIG. 5). Referring to FIG. 4, the threaded post opening 22 is in fluid communication with a main body opening 28. The main body opening 28 is adapted to receive valve assembly 30. Referring to FIG. 6, in another embodiment of the present invention, the valve assembly 30 is mounted on a cooler wall 78 comprising a valve opening 80. In the preferred embodiment, the cooler 26 comprises a portable cooler comprising one or more walls 78, a top/lid 86 and a base. The cooler 26 is adapted to comprise a very good seal when the lid is closed. Because the walls 78 are well insulated and the seal very tight, a vacuum may result when cold items such as ice, an ice pack, refrigerant gel, beverages, frozen foods, and the like are placed within the cooler 26. When items are placed with the cooler 26, the cooler lid 86 may be difficult to open in the absence of the features presented in this disclosure. The cold items, of course, cool air within the cooler 26. As the air within the cooler 26 cools, pressure within the cooler 26 is reduced. This drop in pressure may result in a pressure that is below atmospheric pressure. When the pressure within the cooler 26 is less than atmospheric pressure, a vacuum is created, and the cooler lid 86 is pressed against the seal. This vacuum may result in the lid 86 being difficult to open. The insulated container 26 and drain plug 14 of the present invention comprise a valve 30 which permits the user to generally equalize, or at least narrow the differential between, the respective inside and outside cooler 26 pressures.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 in the preferred embodiment, the valve assembly 30 comprises a stem 34, 38 comprising inner cylinder 34 and outer cylinder 38. The valve assembly 30 further comprises inner valve plate 32, spring element 36, and outer valve plate 40. The outer valve plate 40 of the preferred embodiment comprises a disc comprising a flat surface 42 and opposing convex surface 44. The outer valve plate 40 is perpendicularly coupled to outer cylinder 38 such that the outer cylinder 38 extends from the approximate center of the flat surface 42 of outer valve plate 40. The inner valve plate 32 of the preferred embodiment comprises a disc comprising a flat surface 46 and opposing convex surface 48. The inner valve plate 32 is perpendicularly coupled to inner cylinder 34 such that the inner cylinder 34 extends from the approximate center of the flat surface 46 of inner valve plate 32. The inner valve plate 32 convex surface 48 further comprises a transverse slot 50 adapted to receive a head of a flat head screw driver.

Inner cylinder 34 and outer cylinder 38 are cooperatively threaded such that they may be coupled to one another 34, 38. In the preferred embodiment, outer cylinder 38 is internally threaded with female threading 52 and inner cylinder 34 is externally threaded with male threading 54. Inner valve plate 32 comprises a diameter 32D that is slightly larger than a main body opening diameter 28D (FIG. 4) and narrower than a threaded post through opening diameter 22D. Positioned between inner valve plate and a main body interior surface 62 is an O-ring 60. Positioned between outer valve plate 40 and a main body exterior surface 56 is the spring element 36. The spring element 36 is biased to maintain the valve assembly 30 in a closed position such that the inner valve plate 32 is pulled against the O-ring 60 which, in turn, is pulled against the main body interior surface 62 (FIG. 4) such that main body opening 28 becomes closed. The main body interior surface 62, thus arranged forms a seat against which the O-ring 60 valve member may sealingly engage. A washer 64 surrounds the threaded post 18 and is positioned against a ledge portion 66 of main body 16. When the cooler drain plug 14 is fully inserted within a cooler opening 24, the washer 64 is pressed between a cooler 26 outside surface 68 and the main body ledge portion 66, thus creating a seal. A user desiring to increase/change the inside air pressure of the cooler 26 may do so by pressing the outer valve plate 40 towards the cooler 26 such that the inner valve plate 32 and O-Ring 60 move away from the main body interior surface 62. In this position, the main body opening 28 becomes unobstructed by O-ring 60 and inner valve plate 32, and the cooler 26 inner pressure is increased/changed.

Referring to FIG. 6, in another embodiment of the present invention, the valve assembly 30 is mounted on a cooler wall 78 comprising a valve opening 80. In such embodiment, the valve assembly 30 comprises inner valve plate 32, inner cylinder 34, spring element 36, outer cylinder 38, and outer valve plate 40. The outer valve plate 40 of this embodiment comprises the disc comprising the flat surface 42 and opposing convex surface 44. The outer valve plate 40 is perpendicularly coupled to outer cylinder 38 such that the outer cylinder 38 extends from the approximate center of the flat surface 42 of outer valve plate 40. The inner valve plate 32 of this embodiment comprises the disc comprising a flat surface 46 and opposing convex surface 48. The inner valve plate 32 is perpendicularly coupled to inner cylinder 34 such that the inner cylinder 34 extends from the approximate center of the flat surface 46 of inner valve plate 32. The inner valve plate 32 convex surface 48 further comprises a transverse slot 50 adapted to receive a head of a flat head screw driver. Inner cylinder 34 and outer cylinder 38 are cooperatively threaded such that they may be coupled to one another 34, 38. In this embodiment, outer cylinder 38 is internally threaded with female threading 52 and inner cylinder 34 is externally threaded with male threading 54. Inner valve plate 32 comprises the diameter 32D that is slightly larger than the diameter of the valve opening 80 in cooler wall 78

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, positioned between inner valve plate 32 and an interior cooler wall valve mounting surface 82 is the O-ring 60. The interior cooler wall valve mounting surfaces 82 forms a seat with which the O-ring 60 is sealingly arranged such that the O-ring 60 may be sealing engaged with the seat. Positioned between outer valve plate 40 and an exterior cooler wall valve mounting surface 84 is the spring element 36. The spring element 36 is biased to maintain the valve assembly 30 in a closed position such that the inner valve plate 32 is pulled against the O-ring 60 which, in turn, is pulled against the interior cooler wall valve mounting surface 82 such that the valve opening 80 becomes closed. A user desiring to increase/change the inside air pressure of the cooler 26 may do so by pressing the outer valve plate 40 towards the cooler 26 such that the inner valve plate 32 and O-Ring 60 move away from the interior cooler wall valve mounting surface 82. In this position, the valve opening 80 becomes unobstructed by O-ring 60 and inner valve plate 32, and the cooler 26 inner pressure is increased/changed.

Referring to FIG. 3, in other embodiments, the cooler drain plug 14 main body 16 comprises a central recessed portion 70 and the convex 48 portion of the outer valve plate 40 is approximately flush with an exterior face 72 of the main body 16. Referring to FIG. 4, in the preferred embodiment, the cooler drain plug 14 main body 16 comprises a side hole 76. Referring to FIG. 3, in the preferred embodiment, the cooler drain plug 14 main body 16 comprises radial notches 74.

In other embodiments, the valve assembly comprises an inner spring 36

In some embodiments, the main body 16 and threaded post 18 are formed from aluminum. In other embodiments, the main body 16 and threaded post 18 are formed from plastic. In the preferred embodiment, inner valve plate 32, inner cylinder 34, outer cylinder 38, and outer valve plate 40 are elements of a conventional and commercially available aluminum screw post 32, 34, 38, 40. Spring 36 of the preferred embodiment is a conventional and commercially available 0.028×1¼ inch steel coil compression spring. Washer 64 is a 1.5″ OD×0.9″ ID×0.175″ thick conventional and commercially available rubber washer 64. The O-ring 60 is a #009 Buna-N-70 O-Ring 60. However, the device and component parts 14 need not be formed from such materials. Rather, other materials such as iron, copper, carbon steel, stainless steel, brass, and natural and/or synthetic plastics, thermoplastics, thermosetting polymers, glass, rubber, elastomeric material, and the like may be used to form the main body 16 and threaded post 18, spring 36, and relief valve 30. Additionally, the components may be formed from materials that are UV resistant. The device 14 can be modified to be used in other containers as well as other variations. Also, the device 14 need not be limited to a cylindrical shape. Rather, the apparatus 14 may have a variety of shapes, including, but not limited to a round, square, oval, polygonal, or other geometric shape and/or configuration. Additionally, the components may be formed by different manufacturing techniques. For example, in the preferred embodiment, the main body 16 and threaded post 18 are machined from 6061-T6 aluminum. However, the main body 16 and threaded post 18 need not be machined from aluminum. Rather, the main body 16 and threaded post 18 may be shaped with other conventional manufacturing techniques such as extrusion or casting, using, as discussed above, a variety of suitable materials.

A method of bringing an interior pressure of a cooler 26 to a level approximating or nearing that of an atmospheric pressure external to the cooler 26 is also provided. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises the steps of providing a cooler sealingly coupled to a cooler plug 14; said cooler plug 14 comprising a relief valve 30; activating the valve 30 such that atmospheric air external to the cooler 26 is in fluid communication with the air within said cooler 26.

In one embodiment of the method, the cooler plug 14 relief valve 30 comprises an inner valve plate 32, inner cylinder 34, outer cylinder 38, spring, and outer valve plate 40.

In one embodiment of the method, the cooler plug 14 comprises a through opening 22, 28 such that an interior compartment of said cooler 26 is in fluid communication with an exterior of said cooler 26; the relief valve 30 being adapted to open and obstruct this opening 22, 28 in accordance with the desires of a user.

In one embodiment of the method, the relief valve 30 comprises a spring 36.

In one embodiment of the method, the relief valve 30 comprises an O-Ring 60.

In one embodiment of the method, the cooler plug 14 comprises a washer 64.

In one embodiment of the method, the cooler plug 14 comprises a main body 16 and a threaded post 18, said main body 16 and threaded post 18 being formed from aluminum, said threaded post 18 being adapted to be coupled to a cooler opening 24.

The foregoing disclosure and showings made in the drawing are merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and are not to be interpreted in a limiting sense. While the invention is shown in only a few forms, it is not just limited to the forms shown, but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The invention may be adapted for use in a number of environments.

The embodiments were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention in accordance with the breadth of this disclosure and the appended claims, to which are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled to be interpreted.

Claims

1. An insulated container comprising a valve;

said insulated container comprising one or more walls, a top, and a base;

said insulated container further comprising an opening comprising a seat;

said valve comprising a stem and a valve member, said valve member being adapted for sealing engagement with said seat;

said valve further comprising a spring element for biasing said valve member against said seat;

said stem further comprising outer and inner valve plates; and

said spring element being positioned around the valve stem between said seat and said outer valve plate.

2. The insulated container of claim 1, the insulated container comprising one or more cold items and a pressure differential between a pressure within the insulated container and a pressure outside the insulated container.

3. A drain plug comprising a valve;

said valve comprising a stem, a seat, and a valve member, said valve member being adapted for sealing engagement with said seat;

said drain plug adapted for removable coupling with a container.

4. The drain plug of claim 3, said valve further comprising a spring element for biasing said valve member against said seat.

5. The drain plug of claim 4, said container being an insulated container, said insulated container comprising a drain plug opening adapted to be sealingly coupled to said drain plug.

6. The drain plug of claim 5, said drain plug and drain plug opening being cooperatively threaded.

7. A method for bringing an interior pressure of an insulated container to a level approximating or nearing that of an atmospheric pressure external to the insulated container method comprising the steps of:

providing an insulated container comprising a valve;

said valve comprising a stem, a seat, and a valve member;

said valve member being adapted for sealing engagement with said seat; and

moving said valve member away from said seat such that atmospheric air external to the cooler is in fluid communication with the air within said insulated container.

8. The method for bringing an interior pressure of an insulated container to a level approximating or nearing that of an atmospheric pressure external to the insulated container of claim 7, said valve stem comprising a spring element for biasing said valve member against said seat.

9. The method for bringing an interior pressure of an insulated container to a level approximating or nearing that of an atmospheric pressure external to the insulated container of claim 8, said stem further comprising outer and inner valve plates.

10. The method for bringing an interior pressure of an insulated container to a level approximating or nearing that of an atmospheric pressure external to the insulated container of claim 9, said spring element being positioned around the valve stem between said seat and said outer valve plate, such that said spring element and said valve stem share a common longitudinal axis.

11. The method for bringing an interior pressure of an insulated container to a level approximating or nearing that of an atmospheric pressure external to the insulated container of claim 8, said insulated container comprising a drain plug, said drain plug comprising said valve.

12. The method for bringing an interior pressure of an insulated container to a level approximating or nearing that of an atmospheric pressure external to the insulated container of claim 11, said drain plug and insulated container comprising threading, said drain plug threading and said insulated container threading being adapted for cooperative coupling of said drain plug to said insulated container.

13. The method for bringing an interior pressure of an insulated container to a level approximating or nearing that of an atmospheric pressure external to the insulated container of claim 11, said insulated container comprising one or more cold items.