Cooler Sleeve Assembly

Abstract

A cooler sleeve assembly includes a cooler that has an outer wall and a lid. The cooler is comprised of a thermally insulating material for storing temperature sensitive materials. A sleeve is positionable around the cooler and the sleeve is comprised of a thermally insulating material for increasing thermal insulation properties of the cooler. A cover is hingedly coupled to the sleeve and the cover is positionable between a first position and a second position. The cover is comprised of a thermally insulating material and the cover lies on the lid of the cooler when the sleeve is positioned around the cooler and the cover is positioned in the first position. The cover extends upwardly from the cooler when the sleeve is positioned around the cooler and the cover is positioned in the second position for opening the lid to access an interior of the cooler.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The disclosure and prior art relates to sleeve devices and more particularly pertains to a new sleeve device for PURPOSE.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a cooler that has an outer wall and a lid. The cooler is comprised of a thermally insulating material for storing temperature sensitive materials. A sleeve is positionable around the cooler and the sleeve is comprised of a thermally insulating material for increasing thermal insulation properties of the cooler. A cover is hingedly coupled to the sleeve and the cover is positionable between a first position and a second position. The cover is comprised of a thermally insulating material and the cover lies on the lid of the cooler when the sleeve is positioned around the cooler and the cover is positioned in the first position. The cover extends upwardly from the cooler when the sleeve is positioned around the cooler and the cover is positioned in the second position for opening the lid to access an interior of the cooler.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooler sleeve assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a right side exploded view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a front side exploded view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a back view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2 of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 5 thereof, a new sleeve device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, the cooler sleeve assembly 10 generally comprises a cooler 12 that has an outer wall 14 and a lid 16. The cooler 12 is comprised of a thermally insulating material for storing temperature sensitive materials, such as frozen food, cold beverages and any other items commonly stored in a cooler 12. Additionally, the cooler 12 may be an insulated cooler of any conventional design.

A sleeve 18 is provided and the sleeve 18 is positionable around the cooler 12. The sleeve 18 is comprised of a thermally insulating material for increasing thermal insulation properties of the cooler 12. In this way the performance of any a cooler 12 can be improved with respect to how long ice will remain frozen in the cooler 12. The sleeve 18 has a top end 20, a bottom end 22 and an outer wall 24 extending therebetween. The outer wall 24 has a front side 26, a back side 28, a first lateral side 30 and a second lateral side 32.

The outer wall 24 of the sleeve 18 is comprised of a first layer 34, a second layer 36 and a third layer 38. The first layer 34 is comprised of a fluid impermeable material and the first layer 34 of the outer wall 24 of the sleeve 18 abuts the outer wall 14 of the cooler 12 when the sleeve 18 is positioned around the cooler 12. The second layer 36 is comprised of a thermally insulating material and the second layer 36 is positioned between the first layer 34 and the third layer 38. The third layer 38 is comprised of a light reflecting material such that the third layer 38 reflects sunlight. In this way the third layer 38 reduces heat from solar energy that is transferred to the outer wall 14 of the cooler 12.

The front side 26 has a pair of first pleated sections 40 that each extend between the top end 20 and the bottom end 22. The first pleated sections 40 are spaced apart from each other and each of the first pleated sections 40 is expandable and contractible. The back side 28 has a pair of second pleated sections 42 that each extend between the top end 20 and the bottom end 22. The second pleated sections 42 are spaced apart from each other and each of the second pleated sections 42 is expandable and contractible. The first 40 and second 42 pleated sections facilitate the first 30 and second 32 lateral sides of the outer wall 14 of the sleeve 18 to be spaced a selected distance apart from each other. In this way the sleeve 18 can accommodate a variety of cooler 12 sizes.

The first lateral side 30 has a first aperture 44 extending therethrough. The second lateral side 32 has a second aperture 46 extending therethrough. Each of the first aperture 44 and the second aperture 46 is aligned with a respective one of a pair of handles 48 on the cooler 12 when the sleeve 18 is positioned around the cooler 12 for gripping the handles 48. A first mating member 50 is coupled to the front side 26 of the outer wall 14 of the sleeve 18.

A cover 52 is hingedly coupled to the sleeve 18 and the cover 52 is positionable between a first position and a second position. The cover 52 is comprised of a thermally insulating material. The cover 52 lies on the lid 16 of the cooler 12 when the sleeve 18 is positioned around the cooler 12 and the cover 52 is positioned in the first position. In this way the cover 52 increases thermal insulating properties of the lid 16. The cover 52 extends upwardly from the cooler 12 when the sleeve 18 is positioned around the cooler 12 and the cover 52 is positioned in the second position. Thus, the lid 16 is exposed for opening to access an interior of the cooler 12.

The cover 52 comprises a panel 54 that has a first surface 56 and a peripheral edge 58, and the peripheral edge 58 has a front side 60, a back side 62, a first lateral side 64 and a second lateral side 66. The back side 62 of the peripheral edge 58 of the panel 54 is hingedly coupled to the back side 28 of the outer wall 14 of the sleeve 18. Each of the first 64 and second 66 lateral sides of the peripheral edge 58 of the panel 54 angles inwardly toward the front side 60 of the peripheral edge 58 of the panel 54 to define a flap 68 on the panel 54. The flap 68 extends downwardly along the front side 26 of the outer wall 14 of the sleeve 18 when the cover 52 is positioned in the first position. The panel 54 may be comprised of a light reflecting material to reflect sunlight away from the lid 16.

The cover 52 includes a pair of insulators 70 and each of the insulators 70 is coupled to the first surface 56 of the panel 54. Each of the insulators 70 extends outwardly beyond a respective one of the first lateral side 64 and the second lateral side 66 of the peripheral edge 58 of the panel 54. Each of the insulators 70 is comprised of a thermally insulating material and each of the insulators 70 lies on the lid 16 of the cooler 12 when the cover 52 is in the first position. Additionally, each of the insulators 70 extends partially downwardly along the outer wall 14 of the cooler 12 toward a respective one of the handles 48 on the cooler 12.

A second mating member 72 is coupled to the first surface 56 of the panel 54 and the second mating member 72 is positioned on the flap. The second mating member 72 releasably engages the first mating member 50 when the cover 52 is positioned in the first position. In this way the cover 52 is retained in the first position. Each of the first mating member 50 and the second mating member 72 may comprise magnets or other mating member that is not affected by temperature or moisture.

In use, the sleeve 18 is positioned around the cooler 12 to enhance the thermal insulating qualities of the cooler 12. In this way the cooler 12 will keep ice frozen for an extended period of time compared to when the sleeve 18 is not positioned around the cooler 12. The cover 52 is positioned in the first position when the lid 16 is closed to further enhance the thermal insulating qualities of the cooler 12. The cover 52 is positioned in the second position to facilitate the lid 16 to be opened for accessing the interior of the cooler 12. Thus, the sleeve 18 and the cover 52 improve the thermal performance of existing coolers 12 and the sleeve 18 and the cover 52 can be transferred from one cooler 12 to another cooler 12. In this way a single sleeve 18 and cover 52 can be employed to improve performance of multiple, existing coolers 12 that are owned by a user.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

Claims

1. A cooler sleeve assembly being removably positioned around a cooler for enhancing thermal insulation of said cooler, said assembly comprising:

a cooler having an outer wall and a lid, said cooler being comprised of a thermally insulating material wherein said cooler is configured to store temperature sensitive materials;

a sleeve being positionable around said cooler, said sleeve being comprised of a thermally insulating material for increasing thermal insulation properties of said cooler; and

a cover being hingedly coupled to said sleeve, said cover being positionable between a first position and a second position, said cover being comprised of a thermally insulating material, said cover lying on said lid of said cooler when said sleeve is positioned around said cooler and said cover is positioned in said first position wherein said cover increases thermal insulating properties of said lid, said cover extending upwardly from said cooler when said sleeve is positioned around said cooler and said cover is positioned in said second position wherein said lid is exposed for opening to access an interior of said cooler.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said sleeve has a top end, a bottom end and an outer wall extending therebetween, said outer wall having a front side, a back side, a first lateral side and a second lateral side, said front side having a pair of first pleated sections each extending between said top end and said bottom end, said first pleated sections being spaced apart from each other, each of said first pleated sections being expandable and contractible to accommodate a variety of cooler sizes, said back side having a pair of second pleated sections each extending between said top end and said bottom end, said second pleated sections being spaced apart from each other, each of said second pleated sections being expandable and contractible to accommodate a variety of cooler sizes.

3. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein said first lateral side has a first aperture extending therethrough, said second lateral side having a second aperture extending therethrough, each of said first aperture and said second aperture being aligned with a respective one of a pair of handles on said cooler when said sleeve is positioned around said cooler for gripping said handles.

4. The assembly according to claim 2, further comprising a first mating member being coupled to said front side of said outer wall of said sleeve.

5. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein said cover comprises a panel having a first surface and a peripheral edge, said peripheral edge having a front side, a back side, a first lateral side and a second lateral side, said back side of said peripheral edge of said panel being hingedly coupled to said back side of said outer wall of said sleeve.

6. The assembly according to claim 5, wherein each of said first lateral side and said second lateral side of said peripheral edge of said panel angle inwardly toward said front side of said peripheral edge of said panel to define a flap on said panel, said flap extending downwardly along said front side of said outer wall of said sleeve when said cover is positioned in said first position.

7. The assembly according to claim 5, further comprising a pair of insulators, each of said insulators being coupled to said first surface of said panel, each of said insulators extending outwardly beyond a respective one of said first lateral side and said second lateral side of said peripheral edge of said panel, each of said insulators being comprised of a thermally insulating material.

8. The assembly according to claim 7, wherein each of said insulators lies on said lid of said cooler when said cover is in said first position having each of said insulators extending partially downwardly along said outer wall of said cooler toward a respective one of said handles on said cooler.

9. The assembly according to claim 6, further comprising:

a first mating member being coupled to said sleeve; and

a second mating member being coupled to said first surface of said panel, said second mating member being positioned on said flap, said second mating member releasably engaging said first mating member when said cover is positioned in said first position.

10. A cooler sleeve assembly being removably positioned around a cooler for enhancing thermal insulation of said cooler, said assembly comprising:

a cooler having an outer wall and a lid, said cooler being comprised of a thermally insulating material wherein said cooler is configured to store temperature sensitive materials;

a sleeve being positionable around said cooler, said sleeve being comprised of a thermally insulating material for increasing thermal insulation properties of said cooler, said sleeve having a top end, a bottom end and an outer wall extending therebetween, said outer wall having a front side, a back side, a first lateral side and a second lateral side, said front side having a pair of first pleated sections each extending between said top end and said bottom end, said first pleated sections being spaced apart from each other, each of said first pleated sections being expandable and contractible to accommodate a variety of cooler sizes, said back side having a pair of second pleated sections each extending between said top end and said bottom end, said second pleated sections being spaced apart from each other, each of said second pleated sections being expandable and contractible to accommodate a variety of cooler sizes, said first lateral side having a first aperture extending therethrough, said second lateral side having a second aperture extending therethrough, each of said first aperture and said second aperture being aligned with a respective one of a pair of handles on said cooler when said sleeve is positioned around said cooler for gripping said handles;

a first mating member being coupled to said front side of said outer wall of said sleeve;

a cover being hingedly coupled to said sleeve, said cover being positionable between a first position and a second position, said cover being comprised of a thermally insulating material, said cover lying on said lid of said cooler when said sleeve is positioned around said cooler and said cover is positioned in said first position wherein said cover increases thermal insulating properties of said lid, said cover extending upwardly from said cooler when said sleeve is positioned around said cooler and said cover is positioned in said second position wherein said lid is exposed for opening to access an interior of said cooler, said cover comprising: a panel having a first surface and a peripheral edge, said peripheral edge having a front side, a back side, a first lateral side and a second lateral side, said back side of said peripheral edge of said panel being hingedly coupled to said back side of said outer wall of said sleeve, each of said first lateral side and said second lateral side of said peripheral edge of said panel angling inwardly toward said front side of said peripheral edge of said panel to define a flap on said panel, said flap extending downwardly along said front side of said outer wall of said sleeve when said cover is positioned in said first position; a pair of insulators, each of said insulators being coupled to said first surface of said panel, each of said insulators extending outwardly beyond a respective one of said first lateral side and said second lateral side of said peripheral edge of said panel, each of said insulators being comprised of a thermally insulating material, each of said insulators lying on said lid of said cooler when said cover is in said first position having each of said insulators extending partially downwardly along said outer wall of said cooler toward a respective one of said handles on said cooler; and a second mating member being coupled to said first surface of said panel, said second mating member being positioned on said flap, said second mating member releasably engaging said first mating member when said cover is positioned in said first position.