Cooler

Abstract

A compartmentalized cooler is provided. The cooler may have partitions capable of isolating different compartments of the cooler from the other. These partitions may have additional functions such as acting as a cutting board or ice pack. The cooler may further have a lock box contained within one of the partitions.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to cooler devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a compartmentalized cooler device.

2. Description of Related Art

Anyone who has used a conventional cooler or ice chest knows how rapidly things placed within it become wet. Over time, ice placed in the chest melts and tends to submerge all of food items that accompany it. This is not a significant problem if the items are packed in cans, bottles or heavy, sealed containers. However, it is a significant problem if the food items are more lightly packed as sandwiches and chips typically are, or if items have been opened but not fully consumed. In the latter case, it is possible that the affected items will be completely ruined when wetted.

Some have proposed the positioning of shelves or other partitioning devices in coolers to separate food items from melting ice. Unfortunately, these proposals have not been entirely satisfactory since the partitions are not easily stowed away when their use is not required. Furthermore, a significant portion of the cargo-carrying capacity of the ice chest is lost while toting around the temporarily unneeded partition. Moreover, many of these cooler partitions are not water resistant enough to do their job.

Therefore, what is needed is a cooler capable of being partitioned and compartmentalized, along with additional mechanisms to secure items therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of this application may involve, in some cases, interrelated products, alternative solutions to a particular problem, and/or a plurality of different uses of a single system or article.

In one aspect, a partitioned cooler is provided. The cooler comprises an open topped body defining an interior portion having insulated side walls. A top is attached to the open topped body, and configured such that the top may seal the interior portion in a first closed position, and expose the interior portion in a second open position. The top is movable between the two positions by a hinge or similar. A removable partition is slideably fitted within the interior portion by being slid into at least one (generally two on the side, an optional bottom, and an optional top) groove of the interior portion. The partition serving to compartmentalize the cooler interior portion. The top may also comprise a groove that may receive the partition top edge when the top is in the closed position. In a particular aspect, the partition may comprise an ice pack. In another aspect, the cooler may further comprise a lock box removably lockable to the cooler and slideably mountable to at least one of the plurality of grooves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an embodiment of the cooler.

FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of another embodiment of the cooler.

FIG. 3 provides a top elevation view of another embodiment of the cooler.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and does not represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments.

Generally, the present invention concerns a compartmentalized cooler comprising various compartments and elements providing a versatile and useful cooler device. These compartments may be water-tight, and may be adjustable depending on application.

Turning now to FIG. 1, a view of one embodiment of the cooler is provided. The cooler is formed by an open-topped body 10 that defines an interior portion within it, and has insulated walls to aid in keeping contents in the interior portion cool. The body 10 has a top 14 hingedly attached thereto. The top is movable from a first closed position, covering the interior, to a second open position, exposing the interior. The top may be latched to the body when in a closed position. The body 10 and/or top may be formed by any technique known in the art, such as intrusion, extrusion, molding, and the like.

In one embodiment, the body 10 may be decorated by hydro graphic coating water transfer printing. This may allow the body to be decorated in detail such as a camouflage print, American flag print, and the like. However, it should be noted that the body may be decorated by any process.

A plurality of groves 13 are formed in the body. These grooves 13 may be formed at various positions along the interior walls. The spacings may vary and in some embodiments may be uniform, while other embodiments may have non-uniformly spaced grooves 13. Similarly, a plurality of grooves 12 are formed in the top 14 which align with the body grooves 13. These grooves are formed to slideably receive and close over a partition. The partition may then compartmentalize the cooler, and in some embodiments may provide a water-proof, or substantially water resistant, seal between compartments. In substantially water resistant embodiments, the partition may prevent any substantial transfer of water across its seal, for example no more than 5 ml/hour. The body 10 further defines a spout 11 that allows draining of the interior of the body 10. In one embodiment, a plurality of spouts may be aligned with the various compartment areas, allowing one compartment to be drained at a time. In this embodiment, a first spout may drain a first compartment, a second spout may drain a second compartment, and so on. The number of spouts may depend on the number of potential compartments.

The partitions of the present invention may vary depending on embodiment. In the embodiment shown, first partition 16 may double as a cutting board, and be formed out of a durable material capable of being cut on, such as plastic, wood, metal, or glass. The partition 16 may be removable from the cooler for use during food preparation, and the like. The partition 16 is sized such that upon closing, the top groove 12 seals it from its adjacent compartments. In another embodiment, the partitions may be formed of a material that efficiently transfers heat, such as a metal or heat conducting plastic, ceramic, composite or the like. In this embodiment, ice and chilled material separated by the partition may still act to cool adjacent materials via conduction through the partition.

In another embodiment, the cooler may have an ice pack partition 15. The ice pack partition 15 comprises an integrated or removable ice pack that may aid in cooling the contents within the interior. The ice pack partition 15 is sized to slideably mount within the grooves 13 and such that, upon closing, the top groove 12 at least partially seals it from its adjacent compartments. The ice pack may be any device capable of storing cooled material. For example, the ice pack may be a chilled gel pack, a pack of frozen water, or water based fluid, or may be any similar chilled material capable of cooling items around it. The ice pack may contain the chilled material by a thin plastic, metal, or the like. In one embodiment, the material may efficiently transfer heat. The ice pack may be any size and shape capable of slideably fitting within the grooves 13. The ice pack may make up a small portion of the partition, or a substantial portion thereof. In a compartment formed by the ice pack partition having the ice pack on an opposite side, the ice pack may act to cool materials in the compartment via conduction through the partition.

In a particular embodiment, the ice pack may be only on one side of the ice pack partition. In this embodiment a user may choose to orient the ice pack away from a “dry” compartment, creating a wet compartment, this configuration may prevent condensation from wetting the items in the dry side. The contents in the dry side may still be cooled via conduction and the cold air transferred between the wet and dry compartments

It should be understood however that the partition may be any material or device capable of slideably fitting in between the grooves.

These compartments formed by the partition(s) may be used to store various items within the cooler. For example, one compartment may store wet foods, one dry foods, and one may store trash or packaging. Other uses for the compartments may be for a towel, wet clothing, and/or personal items such as wallet, keys, sunscreen, cellular telephone, and so on.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the cooler. In this embodiment, a lock box 17 is slideable into the interior of the body 10. The lock box 17 may comprise tabs that extend outward to mate with grooves 13 and/or top grooves 12. As such, the lock box 17 may act as a partition and compartment. The lock box 17 may be lockable into the cooler body 10. The lock box 17 may be used to store various items such as a wallet, jewelry, watch, keys, phone and similar valuables.

Body 10 further comprises handles 22 allowing easy carrying of the cooler. In one embodiment, handle 22 may be extendable in a telescoping fashion. Further, cup holders 18 may be permanently or removably attached to the exterior of the body. A light 19, such as a fluorescent or LED lamp, may be positioned on the top 14 to provide illumination to the interior when open. The light 19 in most embodiments may be battery operated.

FIG. 3 provides a top view of another embodiment of the cooler. In this view, lock box 17 is positioned in the interior and slid into grooves 13. A locking tab 20 extends into the lock box 17 and secures it in place to the body 10 so that it and the contents therein cannot be removed without authorization. The locking tabs 20 are controllable to secure and release the lock box 17 by keypad 21. It should be understood that the control of the locking tabs or other locking mechanism to the cooler may be controlled by any locking configuration such as a rotary lock, key lock, number selection lock, fingerprint scanner, and the like.

In other embodiments, the cooler may comprise additional elements. For example, in one embodiment, the cooler may further comprise a padded seat on the top. In another embodiment, the body may further comprise an iPod or other music source dock or connection. This connection may charge the device and may also be connectable to speakers to play music. The music source dock/connection, in most embodiments, may have a battery powered charging and music playing element. However, in other embodiments, power from the device may be used to power the speakers. In further embodiments, the cooler may contain tray holders which may be used as partitions in one embodiment, or may be separate in another embodiment. The tray holders may fit into a slot in the body or top. The cooler may be wheeled or stationary. In some embodiment, the cooler may have three wheels, and at least one of these wheels may be removable. In yet another embodiment, a cooler compartment may have an elevated tray configured to elevate any food above ice, water or other wet items.

The present invention may be used in any number of ways to utilize its many unique features. In one embodiment of use, one ice pack partition may be inserted into grooves to create two compartments. A lock box may be slid into other grooves and secured to the body. In a first compartment, ice and sealed containers of canned drinks and food may be positioned. In the second compartment, lightly packaged food such as cardboard boxed food, bread, chips, and the like may be stored. The ice pack partition prevents melted ice from transferring from the ice compartment to the adjacent compartment, thereby keeping the lightly packaged food dry. In another embodiment of use, only ice may be stored in one compartment, while all other food items are stored in an adjacent dry compartment. In this embodiment, chilled air from the ice, along with conduction across the partition may keep the contents cool.

In another embodiment of use, items may be separated into packaged items capable of getting wet, and unpackaged items that may be ruined if wetted. These items may be placed into separated wet and try compartments as separated by at least one partition. Further, in an embodiment having more than one wet compartment, a user may open a first spout to drain a fluid from one wet compartment, and may open a different second spout to drain a second fluid from the second wet compartment.

While several variations of the present invention have been illustrated by way of example in preferred or particular embodiments, it is apparent that further embodiments could be developed within the spirit and scope of the present invention, or the inventive concept thereof. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and are inclusive, but not limited to the following appended claims as set forth.

Claims

1. A cooler, comprising:

an open-topped body defining an interior portion therein, the interior portion being constructed with insulated material;

a top attached to the open-topped body, wherein the top is sized to seal the interior portion in a first closed position, and configured to expose the interior portion in a second open position, the top being moveable between the first closed position and the second open position;

a removable partition slideably fitted within the interior portion by one of a plurality of grooves formed on the interior portion, the removable partition compartmentalizing the interior portion; and

the top further comprising a groove aligned with at least one of the plurality of grooves of the open-topped body, such that the removable partition mates with the groove to compartmentalize the interior portion substantially water-tightly on all edges of the partition at the top in the first closed position, the removable partition further comprising an ice pack.

2. The cooler of claim 1, wherein the removable partition compartmentalizes the interior portion into a plurality of compartments, one of the plurality of compartments being substantially dry, wherein the one of the plurality of compartments is formed without being exposed to the ice pack, such that it prevents fluid created by condensation on the ice pack from accumulating in the one of the plurality of compartments.

3. The cooler of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of spouts, the removable partition compartmentalizing the interior portion into a plurality of compartments, the plurality of spouts being positioned to drain fluid from each of the plurality of compartments.

4. The cooler of claim 1, wherein the removable partition is a cutting board.

5. The cooler of claim 1, wherein the ice pack is removable from the removable partition.

6. The cooler of claim 5, wherein the ice pack comprises a material selected from the group consisting of gel, water, and water-based fluid.

7. The cooler of claim 1, further comprising a handle, the handle being formed on the open-topped body.

8. The cooler of claim 7, wherein the handle is extendable in a telescoping fashion.

9. The cooler of claim 1, further comprising a cup holder formed on the open-topped body.

10. The cooler of claim 1, further comprising a battery operated light placed on the top.

11. The cooler of claim 1, further comprising a padded seat, the padded seat formed on a top surface of the top.

12. The cooler of claim 1, further comprising a battery powered music source dock formed on the open-topped body.

13. The cooler of claim 1, further comprising a tray holder, the tray holder being releasably fitted in a slot, wherein the slot is formed within one of the open-topped body and the top.

14. The cooler of claim 1, wherein the open-topped body further comprises a removable wheel, the removable wheel being formed on the open-topped body, and placed to contact the ground when being transported.

15. A cooler, comprising:

an open-topped body defining an interior portion therein, the interior portion being constructed with insulated material;

a top attached to the open-topped body, wherein the top is sized to seal the interior portion in a first closed position, and configured to expose the interior portion in a second open position, the top being moveable between the first closed position and the second open position;

a removable partition slideably fitted within the interior portion by one of a plurality of grooves formed on the interior portion, the removable partition compartmentalizing the interior portion;

the top further comprising a groove aligned with at least one of the plurality of grooves of the open-topped body, such that the removable partition mates with the groove to compartmentalize the interior portion substantially water-tightly on all edges of the partition at the top in the first closed position; and

a lockbox slideably fitted by one of the plurality of grooves into the interior portion, wherein the lockbox comprises a tab that extends outwardly away from its body mating with another of the plurality of grooves.

16. The cooler of claim 15, wherein the lockbox is securely latched to the body by the tab, the tab configured locking the lockbox in place with the interior portion.

17. A method for compartmentalizing the cooler of claim 1, comprising the steps of:

placing the removable partition into one of the plurality of grooves, thereby dividing the interior portion into a plurality of compartments;

sealing each of the plurality of compartments from each other, such that minimal fluid communication is allowed across each of the plurality of compartments;

separating a packaged item and an unpackaged item;

placing the packaged item and the unpackaged item into a separate one of the plurality of compartments; and

draining out fluid from the plurality of compartments, wherein a plurality of spouts are formed on the open-topped body, each of the plurality of spouts being positioned to drain a fluid from one of the plurality of compartments.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of locking a lockbox inside the interior portion, wherein the lockbox is slideably fitted by at least one of the plurality of grooves, and the lockbox comprises a tab that extends outwardly away from its body mating with the at least one of the plurality of grooves.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of placing the packaged item and the unpackaged item into a separate one of the plurality of compartments comprises placing the unpackaged item into a substantially dry one of the plurality of compartments, wherein the substantially dry one of the plurality of compartments is formed without being exposed to the ice pack.

20. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of closing the top such that the removable partition mates with the groove to compartmentalize the interior portion substantially water-tightly on all edges of the partition at the top in the first closed position.