WRAPPER FOR DRINKING COOLER

Abstract

A wrapper is provided for a drinking cooler. The drinking cooler includes a cooler frame, a water dispense point, a drain for receiving water, and at least one component supported within an interior portion of the cooler frame. The wrapper includes a cover, a first securing feature, and a second securing feature. The cover is movable between an open position and a closed position. The cover is supported for pivoting movement relative to the cooler frame. The cover permits access to the interior portion of the cooler frame in the open position, and the cover inhibits access to the interior portion of the cooler frame in the closed position. The second securing feature is releasably engageable with the first securing feature to secure the cover in the closed position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to a drinking cooler, and particularly to a drinking cooler having a wrapper with a hinged panel.

BACKGROUND

Drinking coolers dispense liquid (e.g., water) and may include a filter that is enclosed by a wrapper. Typically, the wrapper must be removed to change the filter or service other parts of the cooler.

SUMMARY

In one independent aspect, a drinking cooler includes a water dispense point, a drain for receiving water, a cooler frame having an interior portion, a wrapper coupled to the cooler frame, a first securing feature, and a second securing feature. The wrapper includes a wrapper frame and a cover movable between an open position and a closed position. The cover is supported for pivoting movement relative to the wrapper frame, the cover permitting access to the interior portion of the cooler frame in the open position, the cover inhibiting access to the interior portion in the closed position. The first securing feature is coupled to one of the cover and the wrapper frame, and the second securing feature is coupled to the other of the cover and the wrapper frame. The second securing feature is releasably engageable with the first securing feature to secure the cover in the closed position.

In some aspects, the first securing feature is a plunger and the second securing feature is a receiver for engaging the plunger.

In some aspects, the first securing feature is a tab and the second securing feature is a slot for receiving the tab, engagement of the tab in the slot biasing the tab against removal from the slot.

In some aspects, the wrapper frame includes a first tab and the cover includes a second tab, the first tab and the second tab being connected by a fastener, the first tab being pivotable relative to the second tab about the fastener.

In some aspects, one of the first tab and the second tab includes a slot configured to allow the fastener to be removed from engagement with the first tab or second tab by sliding the cover away from the wrapper frame.

In some aspects, the cover is supported relative to the wrapper frame by a spring-loaded hinge.

In some aspects, the cover includes a deboss positioned proximate an outer edge, the deboss located such that the deboss contacts a portion of the cooler frame when the cover is in the closed position.

In some aspects, the wrapper frame includes an opening that corresponds to a shape of the cover, and wherein the wrapper frame includes a recessed portion proximate the opening to contact an inner surface of the cover in the closed position.

In another independent aspect, a drinking cooler includes a water dispense point, a drain for receiving water, a frame having an interior portion, and a wrapper including a cover supported for pivoting movement relative to the frame between a first position and a second position. The cover encloses the interior portion of the frame in the first position, and the cover permits access to the interior portion of the frame in the second position.

In some aspects, the drinking cooler further includes a first tab coupled to the frame, a second tab coupled to the cover, and a fastener engaging the first tab and the second tab, the cover pivoting relative to the frame about the fastener.

In some aspects, one of the first tab and the second tab includes a slot, the fastener positioned within the slot, wherein the fastener is removable from the slot in response to sliding the cover away from the frame.

In some aspects, the cover is supported for pivoting movement by a spring-loaded hinge.

In some aspects, the cover includes a deboss proximate an outer edge, the deboss selectively engaging a portion of the frame to retain the cover in the closed position.

In some aspects, one of the cover and the frame includes a tab and the other of the cover and the frame includes a slot for receiving the tab, and wherein engagement of the bent tab in the slot retains the cover in the closed position.

In some aspects, a recessed surface is supported on the frame and contacts the cover in the closed position.

In yet another independent aspect, a wrapper is provided for a drinking cooler. The drinking cooler includes a cooler frame, a water dispense point, a drain for receiving water, and at least one component supported within an interior portion of the cooler frame. The wrapper includes a cover, a first securing feature, and a second securing feature. The cover is movable between an open position and a closed position. The cover is supported for pivoting movement relative to the cooler frame. The cover is configured to permit access to the interior portion of the cooler frame in the open position, and the cover is configured to inhibit access to the interior portion of the cooler frame in the closed position. The second securing feature is releasably engageable with the first securing feature to secure the cover in the closed position.

In some aspects, the first securing feature is a plunger and the second securing feature is a receiver for engaging the plunger.

In some aspects, the first securing feature is a tab and the second securing feature is a slot for receiving the tab, engagement of the tab in the slot biasing the tab against removal from the slot.

In some aspects, the wrapper further includes a wrapper frame configured to be secured to the cooler frame, the wrapper frame supporting the cover for pivoting movement, the wrapper frame including an opening that corresponds to a shape of the cover, the cover having an L-shaped profile and configured to cover a front of the interior portion and a side of the interior portion.

In some aspects, the cover includes a deboss positioned proximate an outer edge, the deboss selectively engaging a portion of the cooler frame to retain the cover in the closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooler including a wrapper assembly.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cooler and wrapper assembly of FIG. 1, with a wrapper in an open position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the wrapper assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the wrapper assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the wrapper assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the wrapper assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a spring-loaded hinge according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the wrapper assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a wrapper assembly according to another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is another perspective view of the wrapper assembly of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is another perspective view of a portion of the wrapper assembly of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is another perspective view of the wrapper assembly of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of the configuration and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a drinking cooler 200 that includes an upper shroud 204, a water dispense point (e.g., a bubbler or spout 208), a drain 210, and an actuator (e.g., user-operated push button) 212. The cooler 200 further includes components positioned below the upper shroud 204 that are enclosed by a wrapper 216. The upper shroud 204 and wrapper 216 can be removed from a main frame 218 (FIG. 2). In the illustrated embodiment, several components may be positioned within an interior portion 224 of the frame 218, and the components may include a filter, water supply lines, drain lines, and/or a refrigeration system for cooling the water to be dispensed. One or more of the components may require periodic service (e.g., changing the filter). To access the interior portion 224 to, for example, change the filter, a portion of the wrapper 216 can be opened to provide access to the interior portion, unlike conventional drinking coolers that require a wrapper to be completely removed from a frame (e.g., by removing one or more fasteners that couple the wrapper to the frame at a front portion and/or side portions of the wrapper).

As shown in FIG. 2, the wrapper 216 of the cooler 200 may include a cover panel 240 that is pivotably attached to the wrapper frame 220 or wrapper 216 of the cooler 200. The wrapper frame 220 may be secured to the main frame 218 or other portion of the cooler 200. In some embodiments, the cover panel 240 may have a hinged-type connection at a front portion of the wrapper frame 220 and may swing generally horizontally away from the wrapper frame 220 to expose the interior 224. In some embodiments, the panel 240 may have an L-shaped profile, such that the panel wraps around a corner of the main frame 218 and covers both a front portion and a side portion of the main frame 218.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the cover panel 240 may include one or more tabs (e.g., upper and lower panel tabs 244), and the tabs may protrude or extend outwardly relative to the cover panel 240. The wrapper frame 220 may include corresponding upper and lower frame tabs 248 that extend generally perpendicular to the wrapper frame 220 and that align with the panel tabs 244. In some embodiments, each of the panel tabs 244 and frame tabs 248 may have a hole for receiving a device that can align the tabs, 244, 248 and allow the cover panel 240 to pivot about a central axis of the hole. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a fastener (e.g., bolt 252) may extend through the holes of the tabs 244, 248 and may engage a nut 256 to hold the cover panel 240 in place. The bolt 252 and nut 256 may be only partially tightened such that cover panel 240 can still be pivoted about the bolt 252 relative to the wrapper frame 220.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, an upper frame tab 248 may include a stud 260 that protrudes perpendicularly relative to the frame tab 248 to pass through the upper panel tab 244. Similar to the bolt 252 and nut 256 configuration, the stud 260 may secure the end of the cover panel 240 laterally in place while still allowing the cover panel 240 to pivot about the stud 260 relative to the wrapper frame 220. If the stud 260 is included on only one of the upper or lower frame tabs 248 and the bolt 252 and nut 256 is used on the other frame tab 248, the cover panel 240 may be removed once the single bolt 252 and nut 256 is unfastened by then sliding the cover panel 240 vertically up or down so that the hole of the panel tab 244 slides off of the stud 260.

As shown in FIG. 6, a slot 264 or similar feature may be positioned in the panel tab 244 and may correspond to the frame tab 248 with the stud 260. The slot 264 may allow a user to slide the cover panel 240 and corresponding panel tab 244 generally horizontally away from the stud 260 to detach the cover panel 240 completely from the wrapper frame 220 without the need to slide the cover panel 240 vertically. The slot 264 may be shaped and configured to require manipulation of the cover panel 240 to slide it away from the stud 260 that is not possible when the complimentary panel tab 244 and frame tab 248 are fastened together by the bolt 252 and nut 256. Alternatively, the stud 260 may be attached to the panel tab 244 instead of the frame tab 248 and may be attached to a lowermost feature (e.g., whichever one of the panel tab 244 or frame tab 248 is lower). Similarly, the slot 264 may be incorporated into any of the corresponding tabs 244, 248.

Conventional coolers may require removing numerous fasteners on multiple sides, and this complicates servicing the cooler because it increases service time and may be difficult if the cooler is positioned in a small space and/or close to a wall. The wrapper 216 facilitates easier servicing.

Referring to FIG. 7, in some embodiments a spring-loaded hinge 268 may extend through the holes of the tabs 244, 248. In other embodiment, another type of device may be used, such as another pin-type member or fastening devices that extends through the holes of the tabs 244, 248.

As shown in FIG. 8, a door plunger 272 may be positioned adjacent an end of the cover panel 240 that is opposite an end on which the tabs 244 are positioned. The wrapper frame 220 may include a corresponding receiver 276 for receiving and holding the door plunger 272. Engagement between the door plunger 272 and the receiver 276 biases the cover panel 240 against pivoting movement (e.g., inhibits opening). However, a user may overcome this resistance or retaining force by applying a force greater than the retaining force to disengage the door plunger 272 and receiver 276 to pivot the cover panel 240. Similarly, brackets 280 may be fastened or attached to the main frame 218. The brackets 280 may include an overhanging portion 284 that overlaps the cover panel 240. The overhanging portion 284 may include a weld nut, PEM nut, or similar that can receive a corresponding fastener that is attached to the cover panel 240. Thus, when the cover panel 240 is properly aligned and closed, the fastener of the cover panel 240 may engage with the bracket 280 similar to the door plunger 272, such that a force may be applied to secure or disengage the cover panel 240. In some embodiments, the cover panel 240 may include a hole that aligns with the weld nut or similar of the bracket 280 and a separate fastener may be manually inserted from the front of the cover panel 240 to secure the engagement.

In other embodiments, the cover panel 240 may be inhibited from inadvertently opening in another manner (e.g., by another type of resistance or locking feature. For example, captive hardware or simple fasteners may be used to secure an end of the cover panel 240 to the wrapper frame 220.

FIGS. 9-12 illustrate a wrapper 316 according to another embodiment. Features that are similar to the wrapper 216 shown in FIG. 1 are identified with similar reference numbers, plus 100. Some similarities and differences between the wrapper 316 and wrapper 216 are described herein.

The wrapper 316 may include a cover panel 340 that is completely removable from the wrapper 316 or wrapper frame 320. In some embodiments, the panel 340 may be L-shaped.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the cover panel 340 may include a sheet metal underlap feature 344 that can catch and support the cover panel 340. The underlap feature 344 can be recessed from the rest of the wrapper 316 such that when the cover panel 340 abuts the underlap feature 344, the cover panel 340 is substantially flush with the rest of the exterior portion of the wrapper 316 that is adjacent the cover panel 340. The underlap feature 344 can act as a stop for the cover panel 340 so that a user does not insert the cover panel 340 into the interior 324. A number of underlap features 344 may be used to support different edges of the cover panel 340 to provide additional rigidity and support when mounted.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the wrapper frame 320 (or the wrapper 316) can include slots 348 for receiving locating tabs 352 of the cover panel 340. As best shown in FIG. 11, the tabs 352 can be oriented at an angle (e.g., bent out of plane) such that engagement between the tab and the respective slot provides a biasing force or retaining force to inhibit the tab from being removed. A force greater than the retaining force may be required to insert the tabs 352 into the slots 348 or to remove the tabs 352 from the slots 348. A user may overcome the resistance provided by the engagement between the tabs 352 and the slots 348 by applying force in a direction substantially perpendicular to an opening of the slots 348, thereby removing (or replacing) the panel 340. Other portions of the cover panel 340 may include brackets 356 similar to the brackets 280 described above.

As best illustrated in FIG. 12, the cover panel 340 may include standoffs or debosses 360 that can act as backing support for the cover panel 340 against the main frame (not shown). The interference or contact of the debosses 360 with the main frame can prevent the cover panel 340 from being pushed or flexing inwards beyond the closed position where the cover panel 340 is substantially flush with wrapper frame 320. As such, the debosses 360 can act as an anti-pinch feature by preventing deflection or flexing of the cover panel 340, which could form a potential gap or pinch point between the cover panel 340 and main frame or wrapper frame 320.

The foregoing has been described in relation to a drinking cooler. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the embodiments described could likewise be used on bottle filling stations or other similar machines that require panels or wrappers to be removed for service.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the disclosure is adapted to attain the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are inherent to the structure and method. It will be understood that certain features and sub combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub combinations. Features described and illustrated with respect to certain embodiments may also be implemented in other embodiments. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since many possible embodiments of the disclosure may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is also to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting.

The constructions described above and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts and principles of the present disclosure. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present disclosure are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and the accompanying drawings.

Claims

1. A drinking cooler comprising: a water dispense point;a drain for receiving water;a cooler frame having an interior portion;a wrapper coupled to the cooler frame, the wrapper including a wrapper frame and a cover movable between an open position and a closed position, the cover supported for pivoting movement relative to the wrapper frame, the cover permitting access to the interior portion of the cooler frame in the open position, the cover inhibiting access to the interior portion in the closed position;a first securing feature coupled to one of the cover and the wrapper frame; anda second securing feature coupled to the other of the cover and the wrapper frame, the second securing feature being releasably engageable with the first securing feature to secure the cover in the closed position.

2. The drinking cooler of claim 1, wherein the first securing feature is a plunger and the second securing feature is a receiver for engaging the plunger.

3. The drinking cooler of claim 1, wherein the first securing feature is a tab and the second securing feature is a slot for receiving the tab, engagement of the tab in the slot biasing the tab against removal from the slot.

4. The drinking cooler of claim 1, wherein the wrapper frame includes a first tab and the cover includes a second tab, the first tab and the second tab being connected by a fastener, the first tab being pivotable relative to the second tab about the fastener.

5. The drinking cooler of claim 4, wherein one of the first tab and the second tab includes a slot configured to allow the fastener to be removed from engagement with the first tab or second tab by sliding the cover away from the wrapper frame.

6. The drinking cooler of claim 1, wherein the cover is supported relative to the wrapper frame by a spring-loaded hinge.

7. The drinking cooler of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a deboss positioned proximate an outer edge, the deboss located such that the deboss contacts a portion of the cooler frame when the cover is in the closed position.

8. The drinking cooler of claim 1, wherein the wrapper frame includes an opening that corresponds to a shape of the cover, and wherein the wrapper frame includes a recessed portion proximate the opening to contact an inner surface of the cover in the closed position.

9. A drinking cooler comprising: a water dispense point;a drain for receiving water;a frame having an interior portion; anda wrapper including a cover supported for pivoting movement relative to the frame between a first position and a second position, the cover enclosing the interior portion of the frame in the first position, the cover permitting access to the interior portion of the frame in the second position.

10. The drinking cooler of claim 9, further comprising a first tab coupled to the frame;a second tab coupled to the cover; anda fastener engaging the first tab and the second tab, the cover pivoting relative to the frame about the fastener.

11. The drinking cooler of claim 10, wherein one of the first tab and the second tab includes a slot, the fastener positioned within the slot, wherein the fastener is removable from the slot in response to sliding the cover away from the frame.

12. The drinking cooler of claim 9, wherein the cover is supported for pivoting movement by a spring-loaded hinge.

13. The drinking cooler of claim 9, wherein the cover includes a deboss proximate an outer edge, the deboss selectively engaging a portion of the frame to retain the cover in the closed position.

14. The drinking cooler of claim 9, wherein one of the cover and the frame includes a tab and the other of the cover and the frame includes a slot for receiving the tab, and wherein engagement of the bent tab in the slot retains the cover in the closed position.

15. The drinking cooler of claim 9, wherein a recessed surface is supported on the frame and contacts the cover in the closed position.

16. A wrapper for a drinking cooler, the drinking cooler including a cooler frame, a water dispense point, a drain for receiving water, and at least one component supported within an interior portion of the cooler frame, the wrapper comprising: a cover movable between an open position and a closed position, the cover supported for pivoting movement relative to the cooler frame, the cover configured to permit access to the interior portion of the cooler frame in the open position, the cover configured to inhibit access to the interior portion of the cooler frame in the closed position;a first securing feature; anda second securing feature releasably engageable with the first securing feature to secure the cover in the closed position.

17. The wrapper of claim 16, wherein the first securing feature is a plunger and the second securing feature is a receiver for engaging the plunger.

18. The wrapper of claim 16, wherein the first securing feature is a tab and the second securing feature is a slot for receiving the tab, engagement of the tab in the slot biasing the tab against removal from the slot.

19. The wrapper of claim 16, further comprising a wrapper frame configured to be secured to the cooler frame, the wrapper frame supporting the cover for pivoting movement, the wrapper frame including an opening that corresponds to a shape of the cover, the cover having an L-shaped profile and configured to cover a front of the interior portion and a side of the interior portion.

20. The wrapper of claim 16, wherein the cover includes a deboss positioned proximate an outer edge, the deboss selectively engaging a portion of the cooler frame to retain the cover in the closed position.