Patent Application
20160166070
The disclosure is generally directed to a cooler, and more specifically to a cooler with improved features.
Coolers are designed to contain and insulate consumables have been enjoyed by tailgaters, beachgoers, campers and other recreation minded people for decades. Over the years, the cooler has become a staple for those who wish to partake in outdoor or group activities, and wish to transport food and beverage with their group.
Indeed, it could be said that the cooler acts as a center of gravity for a group enjoying a recreational activity, as it is the one area that all members of the group must at least occasionally visit the cooler if they wish to obtain a beverage or snack. In light of this importance, enhancements to conventional coolers that merely contain and insulate would be desirable.
Disclosed is a cooler including a cooler housing, at least one cooler cavity defined by the cooler housing, a first area of access to the cooler cavity, the first area of access being at least partially defined by the cooler housing and selectively configurable between an open condition and closed condition, a second area of access to the cooler cavity, the second area of access being at least partially defined by the cooler housing and selectively configurable between an open condition and closed condition, wherein the second area of access is positioned to be configured into the open condition when the first area of access is in the open condition and the closed condition.
Also disclosed is a cooler including a cooler housing, at least one cooler cavity defined by the cooler housing, at least one cooler access point disposed to provide access to the cooler cavity, a seating arrangement that is at least one of slidably and rotatably associated with the cooler housing, wherein the at least one cooler cavity access point s accessible via at least one of a sliding and rotating of the seating arrangement.
Additionally disclosed is a cooler including a cooler housing, at least one cooler cavity defined by the cooler housing, at least one cooler access point disposed to provide access to the cooler cavity, and a table arrangement that is extendably associated with the cooler housing, wherein the at least one cooler cavity access point is accessible via an extending of the table arrangement.
With reference to
Referring first to
In each of the exemplary coolers 10 shown in
As shown in
Referring next to
In each of the exemplary coolers 100 shown in
As shown in
Notably, the areas of access or openings 20, 24, 120 of
Referring now to
The two seats 230, 232 may be maintained and perhaps licked together when the cooler is being transported or stowed, such that the lid 208 is covered and prevented from being opened by the seats 230, 232. When a user wishes to access the cooler cavity, the seats 230, 232 are slid away from each other in a manner that exposes the area of access 206 or lid 208, which may be opened and closed to selectively provide access to the cooler cavity. Alternatively, the seats 230, 232 may themselves act as a lid, whereby separation of the seats 230, 232 provides direct access to the cooler cavity via the area of access or opening 206.
The above described sliding of the seats 230, 232 may be achieved by associating of the seats 230, 232 with the cooler housing 202 via any known slidable system (such as but not limited to a guide rail or pair of guide rails). In addition, and similar to the above discussed embodiments of
Similarly once again to the above discussed embodiments, the slidable seats 230, 232 allow a user(s) to relax in one or both seats 230, 232 and not have to stand up in order to allow access to the cooler cavity (and beverages therein) to another user (or the actual user(s) sitting in the seats). Provision of access in this manner is obviously of great convenience to user(s) in one or both seats 230, 232, as well as other users who might wish to retrieve and item from the cooler 200. It also allows for a cooler design that actually encourages users to sit on coolers, which would be unexpected and a drawback for traditional coolers in light of the fact that a sitting user blocks access to other users.
Referring next to
The rotatable seating arrangement 328 may be maintained and perhaps locked in a closed position when the cooler is being transported or stowed, such that the lid 308 is covered and prevented from being opened by the rotatable seating arrangement 328. As shown in
When a user wishes to access the cooler cavity, the seating arrangement 328 may be folded away from the lid 308 as shown in
The above described rotation of the seating arrangement 328 may be achieved by associating of the seating arrangement 328 with the cooler housing 302 via any known rotatable system (such as but not limited to a hinge system). In addition, and similar to the above discussed embodiments of
Similarly once again to the above discussed embodiments, the rotatable seating arrangement 328 allow a user(s) to relax in the seating arrangement 328 and not have to stand up in order to allow access to the cooler cavity (and beverages therein) to at least another user. Provision of access in this manner is obviously of great convenience to user(s) in the seating arrangement 328, as well as other users who might wish to retrieve and item from the cooler 300. It also allows for a cooler design that actually encourages users to sit on coolers, which would be unexpected and a drawback for traditional coolers in light of the fact that a sitting user blocks access to other users.
Referring now to
The table arrangement 410 may be maintained and perhaps locked in a closed position when the cooler system 400 is being transported or stowed, such that the lid 208 is covered and prevented from being opened by the table arrangement 410. Optionally, the chair 412 may also be secured between the table arrangement 412 and lid 408 or cooler housing 402 when the system is in a closed position. When a user wishes to access the cooler cavity, the table arrangement 410 may be extended away from the area of access 406 or lid 408, which may be opened and closed to selectively provide access to the cooler cavity. Alternatively, the table arrangement 410 itself may act as a lid, whereby extension thereof provides direct access to the cooler cavity via the area of access or opening 406. If the optional chair 412 is included in the system 400, the chair will obviously be removed from blocking the area of access 406 when the table arrangement 410 is extended. In addition the table arrangement 412 may be removably associated with the housing (removability allowing the seat to be taken from the cooler and used in another environment).
The extended table arrangement 410 may be locked into an open position at a desirable extension point(s) from the housing 402. This may be accomplished via any known extending system (such as but not limited to an extendable pole and slot or telescoping system). The system 400 as disclosed allows for an enhanced user experience by providing both a table station and seating configured to prevent interference with access to the cooler cavity. Similarly once again to the above discussed embodiments, the system 400 allow a user(s) to use the cooler 401 as a table (via the table arrangement 410) and/or relax in the chair 412, while not having to remove items from a top of the cooler and/or to stand up in order to allow access to the cooler cavity (and beverages therein) to at least another user. Provision of access in this manner is obviously of great convenience to user(s) in the chair 412 and using the table arrangement 410, as well as other users who might wish to retrieve and item from the cooler 401. It also allows for a cooler design that actually encourages users to sit on elements of a cooler system and use portion of the cooler as a table, which would be unexpected and a drawback for traditional coolers in light of the fact that a sitting user blocks access to other users.
It should be appreciated that all of the above discussed coolers 10, 100, 200, 300, and 401 (or chair 412) may include additional features intended to enhance user experience. For example, enhancement features such as but not limited to bottle openers, cutting boards, and drainage spouts are all contemplated by this disclosure. Any of these features (particularly the bottle opener) may be placed in any desirable area of the coolers, such as but limited to the seating arrangements, housings or portions of the housings proximate or defining the various areas of access.
All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising”, “having”, “including”, and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to”,) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are 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 can 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.
Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
This application is a 371 of International Application No. PCT/US2014/046132, filed Jul. 10, 2014, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/844,719, filed Jul. 10, 2013, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US14/46132 | 7/10/2014 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61844719 | Jul 2013 | US |
