COLLAPSIBLE HARD-SIDED COOLER

Abstract

A hard-sided collapsible cooler includes a cooler body and a lid rotatably attached to the cooler body. The cooler body includes a frame, a base, and multiple panels. First one or more panels of the multiple panels are rotatably attached to the frame, and second one or more panels of the multiple panels are rotatably attached to the base. The multiple panels and the base define a cavity of the cooler body when the hard-sided collapsible cooler is un-collapsed.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/960,489, entitled “Collapsible Hard-Sided Cooler”, filed on Jan. 13, 2020, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to coolers, and more particularly, to a collapsible hard-sided cooler.

BACKGROUND

Coolers, ice chests, ice boxes, or the like are commonly used to store contents (e.g., food, beverages, etc.) and keep the contents cool. Some coolers are hard-sided and may provide the performance and durability desired by a user. However, because hard-sided coolers are typically rigid, such coolers tend to take up more space than desired the coolers are not in use. Such hard-sided coolers can be inconvenient to store and to transport when not in use. While soft-sided coolers are collapsible, and thus, and may be convenient to store and transport, soft-sided coolers may lack the performance and durability that may be desired by a user. Thus, a hard-sided cooler that is collapsible into a smaller size may be desirable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments herein may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate identically or functionally similar elements, of which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective front view of a hard-sided collapsible cooler according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows another perspective front view of the hard-sided collapsible cooler of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows an attachment mechanism for rotatably attaching structures of the hard-sided collapsible cooler of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective side view of the hard-sided collapsible cooler of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows the hard-sided collapsible cooler of FIG. 1 partially collapsed according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows the hard-sided collapsible cooler of FIG. 1 fully collapsed according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 7 shows a stack of multiple hard-sided collapsible coolers that are fully collapsed according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective front view of a hard-sided collapsible cooler according to another example embodiment;

FIG. 9 shows an attachment mechanism for rotatably attaching some structures of the hard-sided collapsible cooler of FIG. 8 according to an example embodiment;

FIGS. 10 and 11 shows attachment rods that may be used with the attachment mechanism of FIG. 9 according to an example embodiment;

FIGS. 12A-12C show different views of a hard-sided collapsible cooler 1200 according to another example embodiment; and

FIGS. 13-20 show partial views of hard-sided collapsible coolers with different levels of insulation according to example embodiments.

It should be understood that the above-referenced drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various preferred features illustrative of the basic principles of the disclosure. The specific design features of the present disclosure, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Further, throughout the specification, like reference numerals refer to like elements.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Referring now to embodiments of the present disclosure, the biodegradable cooler discussed herein can be made of a biodegradable material, such as a pulp-based material, or made from paper, sugar cane, hemp, bamboo, or the like. Because the pulp-based material, or other similar type material, is compostable, recyclable, and/or biodegradable, the cooler can be disposed in an environmentally friendly manner in which the cooler degrades rapidly relative to conventional polystyrene coolers and without toxic residues.

The accompanying figures illustrate various embodiments of the disclosed biodegradable cooler. As described in detail hereinbelow, FIG. 1 shows a perspective front view of a hard-sided collapsible cooler according to an example embodiment; FIG. 2 shows another perspective front view of the hard-sided collapsible cooler of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment; FIG. 3 shows an attachment mechanism for rotatably attaching structures of the hard-sided collapsible cooler of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment; FIG. 4 shows a perspective side view of the hard-sided collapsible cooler of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment; FIG. 5 shows the hard-sided collapsible cooler of FIG. 1 partially collapsed according to an example embodiment; FIG. 6 shows the hard-sided collapsible cooler of FIG. 1 fully collapsed according to an example embodiment; FIG. 7 shows a stack of multiple hard-sided collapsible coolers that are fully collapsed according to an example embodiment; FIG. 8 shows a perspective front view of a hard-sided collapsible cooler according to another example embodiment; FIG. 9 shows an attachment mechanism for rotatably attaching some structures of the hard-sided collapsible cooler of FIG. 8 according to an example embodiment; FIGS. 10 and 11 shows attachment rods that may be used with the attachment mechanism of FIG. 9 according to an example embodiment; FIG. 12 shows a perspective top view of a hard-sided collapsible cooler according to another example embodiment; FIGS. 12A-12C show different views of a hard-sided collapsible cooler 1200 according to another example embodiment; and FIGS. 13-20 show partial views of hard-sided collapsible coolers with different levels of insulation according to example embodiments

It is understood that the aforementioned embodiments and features associated therewith are not mutually exclusive of each other. Any of the features shown to be associated with an embodiment described herein may be adopted in another embodiment described herein. Therefore, the description herein of various embodiments does not imply that any features associated with a particular embodiment are limited solely to said embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective front view of a hard-sided collapsible cooler 100 according to an example embodiment. FIG. 2 shows another perspective front view of the hard-sided collapsible cooler 100 of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment. The hard-sided collapsible cooler 100 is shown un-collapsed in FIGS. 1 and 2. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in some example embodiments, in some example embodiments, the cooler 100 includes a cooler body 102, a lid 104, and a handle 122 attached to the cooler body 102. The cooler 100 may further include a liner 200 that is positioned in a cavity of the cooler body 102. After the liner 200 is inserted in the cavity of the cooler body 102, some items (e.g., ice, bottled drinks, etc.) may be placed in the liner 200. The cooler body 102 includes a base 108, a frame 110, and multiple panels that are rotatably attached to the base 108 or the frame 110. The base 108 serves as a bottom wall of the cooler 100, and the multiple panels serve as walls that extend between the base 108 and the frame 110 when the cooler 100 is un-collapsed. The multiple panels and the base 108 define a cavity of the cooler body 102 when the cooler 100 is un-collapsed.

In some example embodiments, the multiple panels include an upper front panel 112, a lower front panel 114, and an end panel 106 as more clearly shown in FIG. 1. The multiple panels further include an upper back panel 202 and a lower back panel 204 that are across from the upper front panel 112 and the lower front panel 114. The multiple panels also include an end panel 206 that is across from the end panel 106.

In some example embodiments, some panels of the multiple panels are rotatably attached to the base 108, and other panels of the multiple panels are rotatably attached to the frame 110. For example, the lower front panel 114 and the lower back panel 204 are rotatably attached to the base 108, and the upper front panel 112, the upper back panel 202, and the end panels 106, 206 are rotatably attached to the frame 110. The end panel is rotatably attached to a section 120 of the frame 110, and the end panel 206 is rotatably attached to a section 208 of the frame 110.

In some example embodiments, an attachment section 222 of the upper front panel 112 may be attached to attachment sections 216, 218 of the frame 110. The attachment section 216 may be at one end of a front section 118 of the frame 110, and the attachment section 218 may be at an opposite end of the front section 118 of the frame 110 from the attachment section 216. The attachment section 222 of the upper front panel 112 may be positioned between and rotatably attached to the attachment sections 216, 218 of the frame 110. A snap-on hinge similar to the snap-on hinge attachment mechanism shown in FIG. 3 may be used to rotatably attach the attachment section 222 to the attachment sections 216, 218. Alternatively, an attachment mechanism that uses one or more rods may be used to rotatably attach the upper front panel 112 to the frame 110. The upper back panel 202 may be rotatably attached to the frame 110 in a similar manner as the upper front panel 112 to the frame 110.

In some example embodiments, an attachment section 220 of the lower front panel 114 may be attached to attachment sections 210, 212 of the base 108. The attachment section 210 may be at one end of a front section 134 of the base 108, and the attachment section 212 may be at an opposite end of the front section 134 of the base 108 from the attachment section 210. The attachment section 220 of the lower front panel 114 may be positioned between and rotatably attached to the attachment sections 210, 212 of the base 108. A snap-on hinge similar to the snap-on hinge attachment mechanism shown in FIG. 3 may be used to rotatably attach the attachment section 220 to the attachment sections 210, 212.

Alternatively, an attachment mechanism that uses one or more rods may be used to rotatably attach the lower front panel 114 to the base 108. In some alternative embodiments, other rotatable attachment means may be used. The lower back panel 204 may be rotatably attached to the base 108 in a similar manner as the lower front panel 114 is attached to the base 108.

In some example embodiments, the upper front panel 112 is rotatably attached to the lower front panel 114, and the upper back panel 202 is rotatably attached to the lower back panel 204. To illustrate, an attachment section 226 of the upper front panel 112 may be attached to attachment sections 228, 230 of the lower front panel 114. For example, the attachment section 228 may be at one end of a perimeter of the frame 110, and the attachment section 230 may be at an opposite end of the lower front panel 114 from the attachment section 228. The attachment section 226 of the upper front panel 112 may be positioned between and rotatably attached to the attachment sections 228, 230 of the lower front panel 114. In some alternative embodiments, the upper front panel 112 may include attachment sections 228, 230, and the lower front panel 114 may include the attachment section 226. A snap-on hinge similar to the snap-on hinge attachment mechanism shown in FIG. 3 may be used to rotatably attach the attachment section 226 to the attachment sections 228, 230. Alternatively, an attachment mechanism that uses one or more rods may be used to rotatably attach the upper front panel 112 to the frame 110. In some alternative embodiments, other rotatable attachment means may be used. In some alternative embodiments, the base 108, the frame 110, and the panels of the cooler 100 may have more or fewer attachment sections or structures without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The upper back panel 202 may be rotatably attached to the to the lower back panel 204 in a similar manner as the upper front panel 112 is attached to the lower front panel 114.

FIG. 3 shows an attachment mechanism for rotatably attaching structures of the hard-sided collapsible cooler 100 of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment. In some example embodiments, the attachment mechanism may include a protruding structure 308 that extends out from an attachment section 306 of a panel 302. The attachment mechanism further includes an attachment hole 312 that is formed in an attachment section 310 of a panel 304. The protruding structure 308 is designed to snap into the attachment hole 312 such that the panel 302 and the panel 304 are rotatable with respect to each other.

In some example embodiments, the panel 302 may include a second attachment section at an opposite end from the attachment section 306, where a second protruding structure similar to the protruding structure 308 protrudes out from the second attachment section. The attachment section 310 of the panel 304 may also include another attachment hole at an opposite end from the attachment hole 312, where the second protruding structure of the panel 302 can get snapped into the second attachment hole such that the panel 302 and the panel 304 are rotatable with respect to each other.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, in some example embodiments, the end panels 106, 206, the upper front panel 112, and the upper back panel 202 may be rotatably attached to the frame 110 using the attachment mechanism shown in FIG. 3. The lower front panel 114 and the lower back panel 204 may also be rotatably attached to the base 108 using the attachment mechanism shown in FIG. 3. The upper front panel 112 may be rotatably attached to the lower front panel 114 using the attachment mechanism shown in FIG. 3. The upper back panel 202 may be rotatably attached to the lower back panel 204 using the attachment mechanism shown in FIG. 3. In some alternative embodiments, the locations of the protruding structure 308 and the attachment hole 312 may be reversed.

In some example embodiments, the lid 104 may be rotatably attached to the frame 110. For example, the frame 110 may include an attachment section 232 that gets inserted or snapped in a space between attachment sections 234, 236 of the lid 104. For example, the attachment section 232 may be attached to the attachment sections 234, 236 using the rotatable attachment mechanism shown in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in some example embodiments, the handle 122 may include a strap 124 that passes through strap retainers 126, 128, 130, 132 as well as through similar strap retainers at the back side of the cooler 100. For example, the strap retainers 126, 128 may be formed at a front perimeter surface 134 of the base 108, and the strap retainers 130, 132 may be formed at the front section 118 of the frame 110. Similar retainer straps may be formed at a back perimeter of the base 108 and at the back section of the frame 110.

In some example embodiments, the strap 124 may extend around the cooler body 102 including around the base 108. For example, the strap 124 may extend around the cooler body 102 twice. To illustrate, some sections of the strap 124 may be on the front side of the cooler 100 and some sections of the strap 124 may be on the back side of the cooler 100. The sections of the strap 124 that extend above the cooler body 102 from the opposite sides of the cooler 100 may be held together, for example, with one hand to carry the cooler 100. For example, a strap cover, such as a strap cover 138, may be attached to each section of the strap 124 is used for carrying the cooler 100. In some alternative embodiments, the cooler 100 may include a different type of handle without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

In some example embodiments, the liner 200 may be positioned in the cavity of the cooler body 102. For example, liner 200 may be placed in the cooler body 102 such that a top perimeter rim 238 of the liner 200 snaps in place on the frame 110. The liner 200 may be a soft sided liner that can collapse along with the cooler body 102 without the need to remove the liner 200 from the cooler body 102. For example, the liner 200 may be a flexible welded liner. The liner 200 may also be a leak-proof liner to enable the use of the cooler 100 for holding items, such as ice, cold drink bottles, etc., that be result in a liquid inside the liner 200. For example, ice may be placed inside the liner 200 after the liner 200 is positioned in the cavity of the cooler body 100. The liner 200 may be made from expanded polypropylene (EPPE), ethylene-butylacrylate copolymer (EBA), and/or from another suitable material using methods know to those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the liner 200 may be removed from the cooler body 102 before collapsing the cooler 100.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective side view of the hard-sided collapsible cooler 100 of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 1-4, in some example embodiments, the end panel 106 may be attached to the section 120 of the frame 110, and the end panel 206 may be attached to the section 208 of the frame 110. For example, an attachment tab 404 of the end panel 206 may be inserted or snapped in a notch 408 in the section 208 of the frame 110, and an attachment tab 406 of the end panel 206 may also be inserted or snapped in a notch 410 in the section 208 of the frame 110. The attachment tabs 404, 406 may be attached to the section 208 using the snap-on attachment mechanism shown in FIG. 3 such that the panel 206 is rotatably attached to the frame 110. In some alternative embodiments, other rotatable attachment means such as one or more rods that end through the frame 110 and the end panel 206, may be used. In some alternative embodiments, the end panel 206 may include a single attachment tab or more than two attachment tabs for attaching the panel 206 to the frame 110. In some alternative embodiments, the end panel 106 may be attached to the frame in a similar manner as the upper front panel 112 is attached to the frame 110.

In some example embodiments, the end panel 106 may be rotatably attached to the section 120 of the frame 110 in a similar manner as the end panel 206. To illustrate, the attachment tab 412 of the end panel 106 may be inserted or snapped in a notch 414 of the section 120 of the frame 110, and a second attachment tab of the end panel 106 may be inserted or snapped in a second notch in the section 120 of the frame 110. The attachment tabs of the end panel 106 may be attached to the section 120 using the snap-on attachment mechanism shown in FIG. 3 such that the panel 106 is rotatably attached to the frame 110. In some alternative embodiments, other rotatable attachment means, such as one or more rods that end through the frame 110 and the end panel 106, may be used. In some alternative embodiments, the end panel 106 may include a single attachment tab or more than two attachment tabs for attaching the panel 106 to the frame 110. In some alternative embodiments, the end panel 106 may be attached to the frame 110 in a similar manner as the upper front panel 112 is attached to the frame 110.

In some example embodiments, the end panels 106, 206 are in contact with the base 108 when the cooler 100 is un-collapsed as shown in FIGS. 1-4. For example, the end panel 106 may be rotated with respect to the frame 110 to a vertical position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 and held in place by friction between the end panel 106 and the base 110. The end panel 206 may be rotated with respect to the frame 110 to a vertical position as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 and held in place by friction between the end panel 106 and the base 108. To rotate the end panels 106, 206 toward the cavity 402, a person may push each panel 106, 206 inward with enough force to overcome the friction between the end panel 106, 206 and the base 108.

In some example embodiments, the upper front panel 112, the lower front panel 114, the upper back panel 202, the lower back panel 204, and the end panel 106, 206 define the cavity 402 of the cooler body 102 when the cooler 100 is un-collapsed as shown in FIGS. 1-4. When the liner 200 is inserted in the cavity 402 of the cooler body 102, a perimeter 416 of the liner 200 may snap on to the frame 110 retaining the liner 200 in the cavity 402 while allowing the lid 104 to fully cover the cavity 402 when the lid 104 is closed as more clearly shown in FIG. 1.

In some example embodiments, the strap 124 may be made from a fabric or another suitable material as can be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure. In some example embodiments, the base 108 and the frame 110 may be made from polyurethane and/or polyethylene or from another suitable material as can be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure. The base 108 and the frame 110 may be made using blow molding or injection molding methods. In some example embodiments, the panels 110, 114, 202, 204, 106, 206 may be made from polyurethane and/or from another suitable material as can be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure. The panels 110, 114, 202, 204, 106, 206 may be made using blow molding and may be foamed or air filled.

FIG. 5 shows the hard-sided collapsible cooler 100 of FIG. 1 partially collapsed according to an example embodiment, and FIG. 6 shows the hard-sided collapsible cooler 100 of FIG. 1 fully collapsed according to an example embodiment. Referring to FIS. 1-6, in some example embodiments, the cooler 100 may be fully collapsed as shown in FIG. 6. For example, starting from the un-collapsed configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a person may rotate the end panels 106, 206 inward toward each other by pushing on the panels 106, 206 closer to the base 108 than the frame 110. The end panels 106, 206 remain attached to the frame 110 as the end panels 106, 206 are rotated. Each end panel 106, 206 may be rotated to a substantially horizontal position below the lid 104. For example, the end panels 106, 206 may be rotated into a horizontal plane that is substantially perpendicular to the un-collapsed positions of the end panels 106, 206. When the end panels 106, 206 are being rotated inward to collapse the cooler 100, the end panels 106, 206 may the liner 200 push inward and upward such that the liner 200 becomes positioned between the end panels 106, 206 and the lid 104.

In some example embodiments, after rotating the end panels 106, 206 inward such that the end panels 106, 206 are substantially in horizontal positions, the user may collapse the upper front panel 112 and the lower front panel 114 as well as the upper back panel 202 and the lower back panel 204, for example, by pushing the panels inward. For example, the user may collapse the upper front panel 112 and the lower front panel 114 by pushing inward on the upper front panel 112 and/or the lower front panel 114 close to attachment sections of the upper front panel 112 and/or the lower front panel 114. The user may collapse the upper back panel 202 and the lower back panel 204 by pushing inward on the upper back panel 202 and/or the lower back panel 204 close to attachment sections of the upper back panel 202 and the lower back panel 204.

In some example embodiments, the upper front panel 112 may remain attached to the frame 110 and to the lower front panel 114 while the cooler 100 is being collapsed and after the cooler 100 is collapsed. The upper back panel 202 may remain attached to the frame 110 and to the lower back panel 204 while the cooler 100 is being collapsed and after the cooler 100 is collapsed. The lower front panel 114 may remain attached to the base 108 and to the upper front panel 112 while the cooler 100 is being collapsed and after the cooler 100 is collapsed. The lower back panel 204 may remain attached to the base 108 and to the upper back panel 202 while the cooler 100 is being collapsed and after the cooler 100 is collapsed. The cooler 100 may be transformed from the partially collapsed configuration shown in FIG. 5 to the fully collapsed configuration shown in FIG. 6 by pushing down on the lid 104 of the cooler 100.

In some example embodiments, the steps of collapsing the cooler 100 may be performed in the reverse order to un-collapse the cooler 100 from the collapsed configuration shown in FIG. 6. For example, lid 104 may be pulled upward, and the upper front panel 112 and the lower front panel 114 as well as the upper back panel 202 and the lower back panel 204 may be stretched out to the vertical positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The end panels 106, 206 may be rotated out until the end panels 106, 206 are stopped by the base 110 at the vertical positions of the end panels 106, 206 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

By using the base 108 as well as the panels 106, 206, 112, 114, 202, 204 that serve as hard-sided walls, the hard-sided collapsible cooler 100 can provide the performance and durability of a hard-side cooler while providing the collapsibility of a soft-side cooler. In some example embodiments, the height of the collapsed hard-sided collapsible cooler 100 as shown in FIG. 6 may be less than 50 percent the height of the un-collapsed hard-sided collapsible cooler 100 as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 shows a stack of multiple hard-sided collapsible coolers 702-706 that are fully collapsed according to an example embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 1-7, in some example embodiments, each cooler of the hard-sided collapsible coolers 702-706 may correspond to the hard-sided collapsible cooler 100 that is in a fully collapsed configuration in FIG. 6. The hard-sided collapsible cooler 100 may be designed to be stackable as shown with respect to the hard-sided collapsible coolers 702-706. The collapsibility of the hard-sided collapsible coolers 702-706 may result in significant space saving during storage and transportation of the hard-sided collapsible coolers 702-706.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective front view of a hard-sided collapsible cooler 800 according to another example embodiment. In some example embodiments, the cooler 800 is substantially similar to the cooler 100. For example, the cooler 800 includes the end panels 106, 206, the upper front panel 112, the lower front panel 114, the upper back panel 202, and the lower back panel 204. The end panels 106, 206 of the cooler 800 may be attached to the frame 110 in a similar manner as described with respect to the cooler 100.

Referring to FIG. 8, in some example embodiments, one or more rods, such as a rod 802, that extend through the attachment sections 216, 218 of the frame 110 and through the attachment section 222 of the upper front panel 112 may be used to rotatably attach the upper front panel 112 to the frame 110. For example, a rod 802 may extend through One or more rods, such as a rod 806, that extend through the attachment sections 210, 212 of the base 108 and through the attachment section 220 of the lower front panel 114 may be used to rotatably attach the lower front panel 114 to the base 108. One or more rods, such as a rod 804, that extend through the attachment sections 228, 230 of the lower front panel 114 and through the attachment section 226 of the upper front panel 112 may be used to rotatably attach upper front panel 112 to the lower front panel 114.

In some example embodiments, the upper back panel 202 may be rotatably attached to the frame 110 using one or more rods, such as a rod 808, in a similar manner as the upper front panel 212. The lower back panel 204 may be rotatably attached to the frame 110 using one or more rods, such as a rod 812, in a similar manner as the lower front panel 214. The upper back panel 202 may be rotatably attached to the lower back panel 204 using one or more rods, such as a rod 810.

In some example embodiments, the lid 104 may be rotatably attached to the frame 110 using one or more rods that extend through sections of the lid 104 and the attachment section 232 of the frame 110.

FIG. 9 shows an attachment mechanism for rotatably attaching some structures of the hard-sided collapsible cooler 800 of FIG. 8 according to an example embodiment, and FIGS. 10 and 11 shows attachment rods 1000, 1100 that may be used with the attachment mechanism of FIG. 9 according to an example embodiment. In some example embodiments, the rod 1000 may be a metal (e.g., steel) rod, and the rod 1100 may be a plastic rod.

Referring to FIGS. 9-11, in some example embodiments, a panel 902 may include an attachment section 906 that includes a hole that extends through a portion or the entire length of the attachment section 906. A panel 904 may include attachment sections 910, 912 that each have a respective hole 918 or 920.

In some example embodiments, to rotatably attach the panel 902 to the panel 904, the attachment section 906 may be placed in a space 914 between the attachment sections 910, 912, and the rod 1000 or the rod 1100 may be inserted and extended through holes 920, 908, 918 as well as a hole at an opposite end of the attachment section 906 from the hole 908. Alternatively, one rod 1000 or 1100 may be inserted through the hole 920 and the hole 908 to extend partially into the attachment section 906 and another rod 1000 or 1100 may be inserted through the attachment structure 910 such that the rod extends entirely through attachment structure 910 and partially through the attachment section 906.

In general, the rod-based attachment mechanism described with respect FIGS. 9-11 may be used to attach the panels of the cooler 800 to the base 108, the frame 110, and/or to each other.

FIGS. 12A-12C show different views of a hard-sided collapsible cooler 1200 according to another example embodiment. In some example embodiments, the cooler 1200 is substantially similar to the coolers 100, 800. FIG. 12A shows the cooler 1200 un-collapsed and with a closed lid, FIG. 12B shows the cooler 1200 un-collapsed and with an open lid, and FIG. 12C shows the cooler 1200 collapsed. In some example embodiments, the cooler 1200 includes a cooler body 1202, a lid 1204, and a frame 1206. The cooler 1200 may also include a base 1214 and multiple panels that respectively correspond to the base 108 and panels of the cooler 100, 800. In general, the panels of the cooler 1200 may be attached to the frame 1206 and/or to the base 1214 in the same manner as the panels of the cooler 100, 800 are attached to the frame 110 and/or the base 108 of the cooler 100, 800.

In contrast to the frame 110 of the cooler 100, the frame 1206 of the cooler 1200 may extend down further relative to the panels such that the attachment areas between the panels and the frame 1206 are hidden from view by the frame 1206. Further, in contrast to the handle 122 of the cooler 100, a handle 1208 of the cooler 1200 is rotatably attached directly to the frame 1206 on opposite sides of the cooler 1200. For example, a first end portion 1210 of the handle 1208 may be attached to the frame 1206 on one side of the frame 1206, and a second end portion 1212 of the handle 1208 may be attached to the frame 1206 on an opposite side of the frame 1206 such that the handle 1208 can extend over and across the lid 1204. The handle 1208 may include one or more slots 1216.

In some example embodiments, the handle 1208 may be rotated to a position such that the handle 1208 is flush or below the frame 1206 as shown in FIGS. 12B and 12C. For example, the handle 1208 may be positioned on a ledge 1222 of the frame 1206 to open the lid 1204 or to stack multiple hard-sided collapsible coolers 1200 in a similar manner as shown in FIG. 7. In general, the handle 1208 enables a person to carry the cooler 1200 with one hand and to conveniently move the handle to 1208 to open the lid 1204 or to stack up multiple coolers. The hard-sided collapsible cooler 1200 can provide the performance and durability of a hard-side cooler while providing the collapsibility of a soft-side cooler to save storage space.

FIGS. 13-20 show partial views of hard-sided collapsible coolers with different levels of insulation according to example embodiments. Referring to FIG. 13, a hard-sided collapsible cooler 1300 includes a cooler body 1302, a lid 1304, a frame 1306, and a base 1308. For example, the cooler 1300 may correspond to the cooler 100, 800, 1200.

In some example embodiments, panels 1310, 1312 of the cooler body 1302 may be foamed. For example, the upper panel 1310 may include foam 1314, and the lower panel 1312 may include foam 1316. The lid 1304 and the base 1306 may also be foamed, where the lid 1304 includes foam 1318, and the base 1308 includes foam 1320. The panels, the lid 1304, and the base 1308 may be made using methods, such as blow molding, as can be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure.

In some example embodiments, the cooler 1300 may also include a liner 1322. For example, the liner 1322 may correspond to the liner 200 shown in FIG. 2, which may be a soft-sided leak-proof liner.

Referring to FIG. 14, a hard-sided collapsible cooler 1400 includes a cooler body 1402, a lid 1404, a frame 1406, and a base 1408. For example, the cooler 1400 may correspond to the cooler 100, 800, 1200.

In some example embodiments, panels 1410, 1412 of the cooler body 1402 may be air filled. The panels, the lid 1404, and the base 1408 may be made using methods, such as blow molding, as can be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure.

In some example embodiments, the cooler 1400 may also include a liner 1422. For example, the liner 1422 may correspond to the liner 200 shown in FIG. 2, which may be a soft-sided leak-proof liner.

Referring to FIG. 15, a hard-sided collapsible cooler 1500 includes a cooler body 1502, a lid 1504, a frame 1506, and a base 1508. For example, the cooler 1500 may correspond to the cooler 100, 800, 1200.

In some example embodiments, panels 1510, 1512 of the cooler body 1502 and the base 1508 may be single-walled, and thus, may not be foamed or air filled. The lid 1504 may be air filled. The panels, the lid 1504, and the base 1508 may be made using methods, such as injection molding, as can be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure.

In some example embodiments, the cooler 1500 may include an insulated bag liner 1514 that is insulated using foam 1516 contained in the liner 1514. For example, the liner 1514 may be used instead of the liner 200 shown in FIG. 2. The liner 1514 may be a leak-proof liner. The liner 1514 may be removed before collapsing the cooler 1500. Alternatively, the liner 1514 may be collapsible along with the cooler body 1502.

Referring to FIG. 16, a hard-sided collapsible cooler 1600 includes the hard-sided collapsible cooler 1500 of FIG. 15 and a liner 1602. For example, the liner 1602 may correspond to the liner 200 shown in FIG. 2, which may be a soft-sided leak-proof liner.

Referring to FIG. 17, a hard-sided collapsible cooler 1700 includes a cooler body 1702, a lid 1704, a frame 1706, and a base 1708. For example, the cooler 1700 may correspond to the cooler 100, 800, 1200.

In some example embodiments, panels 1710, 1712 of the cooler body 1702 may be foamed. For example, the upper panel 1710 may include foam 1714, and the lower panel 1712 may include foam 1716. The lid 1704 and the base 1706 may also be foamed, where the lid 1704 includes foam 1718, and the base 1708 includes foam 1720. The panels, the lid 1704, and the base 1708 may be made using methods, such as blow molding, as can be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure.

In some example embodiments, the cooler 1700 may also include an insulated bag liner 1718 that is insulated using foam 1720 contained in the liner 1718. For example, the liner 1718 may be used instead of the liner 200 shown in FIG. 2. The liner 1718 may be a leak-proof liner. The liner 1718 may be removed before collapsing the cooler 1700. Alternatively, the liner 1718 may be collapsible along with the cooler body 1702.

Referring to FIG. 18, a hard-sided collapsible cooler 1800 includes a cooler body 1802, a lid 1804, a frame 1806, and a base 1808. For example, the cooler 1800 may correspond to the cooler 100, 800, 1200.

In some example embodiments, panels 1810, 1812 of the cooler body 1802 may be air filled. The lid 1804 and the base 1806 may also be air filled. The panels, the lid 1804, and the base 1808 may be made using methods, such as blow molding, as can be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure.

In some example embodiments, the cooler 1800 may also include an insulated bag liner 1814 that is insulated using foam 1816 contained in the liner 1814. For example, the liner 1814 may be used instead of the liner 200 shown in FIG. 2. The liner 1814 may be a leak-proof liner. The liner 1814 may be removed before collapsing the cooler 1800. Alternatively, the liner 1814 may be collapsible along with the cooler body 1802.

Referring to FIG. 19, a hard-sided collapsible cooler 1900 includes a cooler body 1902, a lid 1904, a frame 1906, and a base 1908. For example, the cooler 1900 may correspond to the cooler 100, 800, 1200.

In some example embodiments, panels 1910, 1912 of the cooler body 1902 and the base 1908 may be single-walled, and thus, may not be foamed or air filled. The lid 1904 may also be foamed, where the lid 1904 includes foam 1914. The panels, the lid 1904, and the base 1908 may be made using one or more methods, such as injection molding, blow molding, etc., as can be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure.

In some example embodiments, the cooler 1900 may include an insulated bag liner 1916 that is insulated using foam 1918 contained in the liner 1916. For example, the liner 1916 may be used instead of the liner 200 shown in FIG. 2. The liner 1916 may be a leak-proof liner. The liner 1916 may be removed before collapsing the cooler 1900. Alternatively, the liner 1916 may be collapsible along with the cooler body 1902.

Referring to FIG. 20, a hard-sided collapsible cooler 2000 includes a cooler body 2002, a lid 2004, a frame 2006, and a base 2008. For example, the cooler 2000 may correspond to the cooler 100, 800, 1200.

In some example embodiments, panels 2010, 2012 of the cooler body 2002 and the base 2008 may be single-walled, and thus, may not be foamed or air filled. The lid 2004 may also air filled. The panels, the lid 2004, and the base 2008 may be made using one or more methods, such as injection molding, blow molding, etc., as can be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure.

In some example embodiments, the cooler 2000 may also include a liner 2014. For example, the liner 2014 may correspond to the liner 200 shown in FIG. 2, which may be a soft-sided leak-proof liner. The liner 2014 may be removed before collapsing the cooler 2000. Alternatively, the liner 2014 may be collapsible along with the cooler body 2002. The foregoing description has been directed to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, that other variations and modifications may be made to the described embodiments, with the attainment of some or all of their advantages. Accordingly, this description is to be taken only by way of example and not to otherwise limit the scope of the embodiments herein. Therefore, it is the object of the appended claims to cover all such variations and modifications as come within the true spirit and scope of the embodiments herein.

Claims

1. A hard-sided collapsible cooler, comprising:

a cooler body; and

a lid rotatably attached to the cooler body, wherein the cooler body comprises a frame, a base, and multiple panels, wherein a first one or more panels of the multiple panels are rotatably attached to the frame, wherein a second one or more panels of the multiple panels are rotatably attached to the base, and wherein the multiple panels and the base define a cavity of the cooler body when the hard-sided collapsible cooler is un-collapsed.

2. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 1, wherein the multiple panels are insulated panels.

3. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 2, wherein the multiple panels are foamed panels.

4. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 2, wherein the multiple panels are air filled panels.

5. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 2, wherein the lid and the base are insulated.

6. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 1, further comprising a soft-sided liner positioned in the cavity of the cooler body.

7. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 6, wherein the soft-sided liner is leak-proof liner and insulated.

8. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 6, further comprising an insulated bag liner between the soft-sided liner and the multiple panels.

9. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 1, wherein the first one or more panels the multiple panels comprise a first end panel and a second end panel, wherein the first end panel is rotatably attached to the frame, and wherein the second end panel is rotatably attached to the frame across from the first end panel, wherein the first end panel and the second end panel extend between the frame and the base when the hard-sided collapsible cooler is un-collapsed.

10. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 9, wherein the first and panel and the second end panel are rotatable inward toward each other and wherein the first end panel and the second end panel remain attached to the frame when the hard-sided collapsible cooler is collapsed.

11. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 9, wherein the multiple panels further comprise an upper front panel, a lower front panel, an upper back panel, and a lower back panel, wherein the upper front panel is rotatably attached to the lower front panel and to the frame, and wherein the upper back panel is rotatably attached to the lower back panel and to the frame across from the upper front panel.

12. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 11, wherein the lower front panel is rotatably attached to the base and wherein the lower back panel is rotatably attached to the base across from the lower front panel.

13. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 12, wherein, when the hard-sided collapsible cooler is collapsed, the lower front panel and the lower back panel remain attached to the base.

14. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 11, wherein, when the hard-sided collapsible cooler is collapsed, the upper front panel remains attached to the lower front panel and to the frame, and wherein, when the hard-sided collapsible cooler is collapsed, the upper back panel remains attached to the lower back panel and to the frame.

15. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 1, further comprising a handle attached to the cooler body.

16. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 15, wherein the handle comprises slots.

17. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 15, wherein the handle is rotatably attached to the frame.

18. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 15, wherein the handle extends around the base of the cooler body.

19. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 1, wherein the multiple panels are made from polyurethane and wherein the frame and the base are made from polyurethane or polyethylene.

20. A hard-sided collapsible cooler, comprising:

a cooler body; and

a lid rotatably attached to the cooler body, wherein the cooler body comprises a frame, a base, and multiple panels, wherein the multiple panels, the base, and the lid are insulated, wherein a first one or more panels of the multiple panels are rotatably attached to the frame, wherein a second one or more panels of the multiple panels are rotatably attached to the base, and wherein the multiple panels and the base define a cavity of the cooler body when the hard-sided collapsible cooler is un-collapsed.

21. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 20, further comprising a soft-sided liner positioned in the cavity of the cooler body.

22. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 21, further comprising an insulated bag liner between the soft-sided liner and the multiple panels.

23. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 22, further comprising a handle attached to the cooler body.