Outer surface of a container

Abstract

The present invention relates to an outer surface of a container having a lid and a receptacle. The outer surface includes one or more substantially non-deformable recesses. The recesses are adapted to accommodate at least a portion of one or more items of sporting, cooking or barbeque equipment.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an outer surface of a container suitable for transportation of a number of items. The invention relates to an outer surface of, particularly but not necessarily exclusively, a lid for an ice cooler particularly for use in outdoor events or activities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Containers with insulated walls, generally referred to as ice boxes, ice coolers or Eskis™ (hereafter ‘ice coolers’), are commonly used to hold and/or transport cold beverages or food which are required to be kept in a cool condition for a prolonged period of time. They are particularly useful and popular for outdoor activities or gatherings such as picnics and barbeques.

During the course of the above outdoor activities or gatherings, children and others often play sports games involving a number of items. Carrying and transporting these items individually is generally recognised to be a cumbersome and burdensome exercise.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface of a container which may overcome the above inconvenience or which will at least provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It should be noted that although a surface of the present invention is adapted to be provided on an ice cooler with insulation capability, it may also be adapted to be provided on other types of containers or carriers.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an outer surface of a container having a lid and a receptacle, the surface including one or more substantially non-deformable recesses adapted to accommodate at least a portion of one or more items of sporting, cooking or barbeque equipment.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container having a lid and a receptacle, the container having an outer surface including one or more substantially non-deformable recesses adapted to accommodate at least a portion of one or more items of sporting, cooking or barbeque equipment.

Preferably, the surface includes an outer part of the lid. Alternatively, the surface includes an outer part of a first external wall of the receptacle.

In a preferred embodiment, each recess is adapted to receive at least a portion of one of the items. The received portion of each item is preferred to constitute substantially 60% to 70% of the overall volume of the item. It is preferred that each recess is adapted to conform to the shape of the received portion of the item. Preferably, each recess is associated with a cavity for facilitating retrieval of the item from the recess.

Preferably, one or more of the recesses include one or more lugs adapted to secure the items within the recesses, respectively. More preferably, each lug is made of a resilient material which facilitates retention of the items in the respective recesses.

In one preferred embodiment, the sporting equipment is for a game of cricket, in which case the items include one or more of the following: a cricket ball, three stumps, a bail, and a cricket bat. In another embodiment, the sporting equipment is for a game of baseball, in which case the items include one or more of the following: markers for first, second, third and home bases, a baseball and a baseball bat. In yet another embodiment, the sporting equipment is for a game of tennis, in which case the items include one or more of the following: a tennis ball and two racquets. The items may include other parts, components or equipment for other sports games and additional objects or playthings such as a flying disc.

The cooking or barbeque equipment may include cooking or barbecue utensils. The utensils may include one or more of the following: a pair of tongs, a food turner or flipper, a spatula, a basting brush and an ice-cream scoop.

Preferably, the lid is removably mounted to the receptacle. Alternatively, the lid is pivotally hinged to the receptacle.

The container may include a collapsible seat at one end, the seat being movable between an operable position and a collapsed position. When disposed in the collapsed position, the seat may be folded to abut a second wall of the receptacle. When disposed in the operable position, the seat may be disposed in a generally horizontal orientation and supported by a strut movably connected to one or more extendable legs. The legs may be telescopically retractable. Preferably, the container includes another seat at an opposite end.

In a preferred embodiment, the container includes one or more wheels. It is preferred that the container also includes a retractable handle. The receptacle may include a compartment for receiving the handle when it is in a retracted position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be better understood from the following non-limiting description of preferred embodiments, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of one embodiment of the invention showing a container having a lid mounted on a receptacle, the lid having a surface in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the surface of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention, showing a lid mounted on a receptacle;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the lid of FIG. 4 showing cooking utensils received in recesses provided in the lid;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention showing a lid;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the lid of FIG. 6 showing baseball equipment received in recesses provided in the lid;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a yet further embodiment of the invention, showing a lid; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the lid of FIG. 8 showing tennis equipment received in recesses provided in the lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It should be noted that although an outer surface of the present invention is intended to be provided on an ice cooler, it may be customised so as to be applicable to any other types of portable containers or carriers.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a container 12 has a lid 14 and a receptacle 16. The lid has an upper surface 10 with substantially non-deformable recesses 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 which are provided to accommodate various items. Each substantially non-deformable recess 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 is designed to be sufficient resilient to receive and hold an item of sporting equipment. The upper surface 10 is an outer part of the lid 14 which is detachable from the receptacle 16. It is however contemplated that the lid 14 may be pivotally hinged to the receptacle 16.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the recesses 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 are in different shapes and configurations. Each of the recesses 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 is configured to receive part of a portion of a piece of a set of cricket equipment, namely three stumps 28, 30 and 32, a cricket ball 34 and a bat 36.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the received portion of each of the pieces 28, 30, 32, 34 and 36 constitutes substantially 60% to 70% of the volume of the relevant piece. Also, each recess 18, 20, 22, 24 or 26 is configured to conform to the shape of the relevant received portion. As such, the pieces 28, 30, 32, 36 and 34 sit firmly within the respective recesses 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 without wobbling, which is particularly advantageous when the container 12 is in motion.

Additionally, as best shown in FIG. 2, each of the recesses 18, 20 and 22 include six lugs 84 spaced about its upper edge (only some of lugs 84 are labelled). The lugs 84 are made of a resilient material which facilitates placement of the stumps 28, 30 and 32 into the respective recesses 18, 20 and 22. The lugs 84 flex back into their original position after placement of the stumps 28, 30 and 32 thereby retaining and securing the stumps 28, 30 and 32 within the respective recesses 18, 20 and 22.

Each of the recesses 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 is associated with a small cavity 38, 40, 42, 44 or 46. Each cavity 38, 40, 42, 44 or 46 provides space for insertion of a user's finger to retrieve the relevant piece from the associated recess 18, 20, 22, 24 or 26.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the container 12 shows two optional collapsible seats 48 and 50 located at front and rear ends, respectively. Each of the seats 48 and 50 is movable between an operable position (refer to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) and a collapsed position (not shown). When disposed in the collapsed position, the seats 48 and 50 are folded onto the respective front and rear walls 52 and 54 of the receptacle 16 resulting in the undersides 56 and 58 of the seats 48 and 50 abutting the front and rear walls 52 and 54, respectively. When disposed in the operable position, the seats 48 and 50 are generally horizontal. Each of the seats 48 and 50 is supported by a strut 60, 62. Each of the struts 60 and 62 is slidably connected to a pair of extendable legs 66 and 70 (not visible), and 64 and 68, respectively. Each of the legs 64, 66, 68 or 70 is telescopically retractable such that when not in use, it can be received within a hollow (not visible) provided in the underside 56, 58 of the seat 48, 50. The struts 60 and 62 may each possess a locking mechanism which securely binds the seats 48 and 50 to the front and rear walls 52 and 54, respectively, so as to prevent the seats 48 and 50 from flapping when the container 12 is in motion.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the container 12 has two front wheels 72 and 74 which enable the container 12 to be easily pushed or dragged in a desired direction when the rear end of the container 12 is lifted off the ground. Two legs 80 and 82 are provided towards the rear end of the receptacle 16 to bring the rear end of the container 12 to the same level as the front end which is elevated by the wheels 72 and 74.

The container 12 also has a retractable handle 76 (FIGS. 1 and 2) which may be grasped by the user for moving the container 12 around. The handle 76 is retractable such that, when not in use, it can be pushed down to be hidden in a compartment 78 (FIG. 2) provided in the receptacle 16.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a container 12A is covered by another embodiment of a lid 14A having recesses 90 and 92. The recesses 90 and 92 are designed to receive a pair of tongs 94 and a spatula 96, respectively. The recesses 90 and 92 are shaped such that the tongs 94 and spatula 96 are received snugly.

It is contemplated that additional or replacement recesses of other shapes and/or forms may be provided in the lid to accommodate other cooking or barbecue equipment such a food turner or flipper, a basting brush and an ice-cream scoop.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a further embodiment of a lid 14B has recesses 96, 98, 100, 102, 104 and 106 configured to receive baseball game equipment having markers 108, 110, 112 and 114 for first, second, third and home bases, a baseball 116 and a baseball bat 118, respectively. The recesses 96, 98, 100, 102, 104 and 106 are configured such that they conform to the shape of the respective items such that a snug fit is achieved. This offers the advantage of preventing the items from wobbling within or accidentally falling out of the recesses without requiring the assistance of fastening means such as straps or clips.

Turning to FIGS. 8 and 9, a yet further embodiment of a lid 14C has recesses 120, 122, 124 and 126 configured to receive tennis equipment including racquets 128 and 130, a tennis ball 132 and a flying disc 134. Similar to the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7, the recesses 120, 122, 124 and 126 conform to the shape of the respective items so as to achieve a snug fit. The depth of the recesses 120, 122, 124 and 126 are designed such that the items do not easily fall out during transportation.

Although not shown in FIGS. 4 to 9, each of the recesses 96, 98, 100, 102, 104 and 106 may include a small cavity like cavity 38, 40, 42, 44 or 46 described above in connection with FIGS. 1 to 3, to facilitate removal of relevant items.

Now that preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in some detail, it will be apparent to a skilled person in the art that the surface of the present invention may offer at least the following advantages:

• 1. it enables carrying and/or transporting of a number of items in a convenient way;
• 2. it is neat and aesthetically pleasing; and
• 3. it minimises the likelihood of one or more items of a set of equipment being inadvertently left behind in outings due to the items and/or the receptacle and/or their receptacles being readily visible.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. For instance, the surface may include an outer part of a side wall of the receptacle. The side wall may be slanted or include some reinforcing means to firmly secure the items within the recesses. Also, additional recesses may be provided to accommodate a bail and a spare stump. Furthermore, the items may include any other parts or equipment for other sports games. All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope and spirit of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.

Claims

1. An outer surface of a container having a lid and a receptacle, the surface including one or more substantially non-deformable recesses adapted to accommodate at least a portion of one or more items of sporting, cooking or barbeque equipment.

2. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, which forms an outer part of the lid.

3. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, which includes an outer part of a first wall of the receptacle.

4. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein each recess is adapted to receive at least a portion of one of the items.

5. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein the received portion of each item constitutes substantially 60% to 70% of the overall volume of the item.

6. The outer surface of a container of claim 4, wherein each recess is adapted to conform to the shape of the received portion of the item.

7. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein each recess is associated with a cavity for facilitating retrieval of the item from the recess.

8. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein one or more of the recesses include one or more lugs adapted to secure the items within the recesses, respectively.

9. The outer surface of a container of claim 8, wherein each lug is made of a resilient material which facilitates retention of the items in the respective recesses.

10. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein when the sporting equipment is for a game of cricket, the items include one or more of the following: a cricket ball, three stumps, a bail, and a cricket bat.

11. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein when the sporting equipment is for a game of baseball, the items include one or more of the following: markers for first, second, third and home bases, a baseball and a baseball bat.

12. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein when the sporting equipment is for a game of tennis, the items include one or more of the following: a tennis ball and two racquets.

13. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein at least one of the recesses is configured to receive a flying disc.

14. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein the cooking or barbeque equipment includes cooking or barbecue utensils.

15. The outer surface of a container of claim 14, wherein the utensils include one or more of the following: a pair of tongs, a food turner or flipper, a spatula, a basting brush and an ice-cream scoop.

16. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein the lid is removably mounted to the receptacle.

17. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein the lid is pivotally hinged to the receptacle.

18. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein the container includes a collapsible seat at one end, the seat being movable between an operable position and a collapsed position.

19. The outer surface of a container of claim 18, wherein when disposed in the collapsed position, the seat is foldable to abut a second wall of the receptacle.

20. The outer surface of a container of claim 18, wherein when disposed in the operable position, the seat is disposable in a generally horizontal orientation and supported by a strut movably connected to one or more extendable legs.

21. The outer surface of a container of claim 20, wherein each leg is telescopically retractable.

22. The outer surface of a container of claim 18, wherein the container includes another seat at an opposite end.

23. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein the container includes one or more wheels.

24. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein the container also includes a retractable handle.

25. The outer surface of a container of claim 1, wherein the receptacle includes a compartment for receiving the handle when it is in a retracted position.

26. A container with a lid and a receptacle, the lid or receptacle having an outer surface including one or more substantially non-deformable recesses adapted to accommodate at least a portion of one or more items of sporting, cooking or barbeque equipment.

27-28. (canceled)