WRAPPER FOR DRINKING COOLER

Abstract

A drinking cooler may include a filter that is enclosed by a wrapper. The wrapper may be removed to change the filter or service other parts of the cooler. A drinking cooler includes a frame, a wrapper supported on the frame and enclosing an interior portion of the drinking cooler, a first feature disposed on one of the wrapper and the frame, and a second feature disposed on the other of the wrapper and the frame, the second feature engaging the first feature to support the wrapper for pivoting movement relative to the frame.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to a drinking cooler, and particularly to a drinking cooler having a removable wrapper.

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 frame, a wrapper supported on the frame and enclosing an interior portion of the drinking cooler, a first feature disposed on one of the wrapper and the frame, and a second feature disposed on the other of the wrapper and the frame. The second feature engages the first feature to support the wrapper for pivoting movement relative to the frame.

In some aspects, the first feature is a slot and the second feature is a protruding member positioned within the slot, movement of the protruding member relative to the slot causing the wrapper to pivot relative to the frame.

In some aspects, the slot includes an open portion, and wherein the protruding member can be removed from the slot through the open portion.

In some aspects, the slot includes a ramp portion that prevents inadvertent removal of the protruding member from the slot.

In some aspects, the slot includes a first horizontal portion and a second horizontal portion vertically offset from the first horizontal portion, and wherein the protruding member rests in the second horizontal portion when the wrapper is in a closed position on the frame.

In some aspects, the slot includes a vertical portion connecting the first horizontal portion and the second horizontal portion.

In some aspects, the protruding member is attached to the one of the wrapper and the frame at a first end of the protruding member, and wherein the protruding member includes an enlarged portion at a second end of the protruding member.

In some aspects, the wrapper includes an angled edge at a lower end of the wrapper.

In some aspects, the drinking cooler is configured to mount to a wall, and wherein the angled edge is configured to partially support the wrapper against the wall when the wrapper is in an open position.

In another independent aspect, a drinking cooler includes a frame, a wrapper supported on the frame and enclosing an interior portion of the drinking cooler, a protrusion disposed on one of the wrapper and the frame, and a slot disposed on the other of the wrapper and the frame. The slot engages the protrusion to support the wrapper for movement relative to the frame, and the protrusion is movable in a lateral motion within the slot and movable in a pivoting motion within the slot.

In some aspects, the frame includes a bracket, and wherein the wrapper includes a lower end and an upper end distal from lower end, the protrusion positioned adjacent the lower end, wherein the upper end of the wrapper is releasably secured to the bracket while the wrapper is in a closed position.

In some aspects, the bracket includes a hole and the wrapper includes a hole, and wherein a fastener extends through the hole of the bracket and the hole of the wrapper to couple the upper end of the wrapper to the bracket.

In some aspects, the protrusion is a first protrusion positioned on a first side of the wrapper and the slot is a first slot positioned on a first side of the frame, further comprising a second protrusion positioned on a second side of the wrapper opposite the first side of the wrapper, and a second slot positioned on a second side of the frame opposite the second side of the frame.

In some aspects, the slot includes an open end through which the protrusion can be removed from the slot, wherein the slot includes a horizontal portion and an inclined portion.

In yet another independent aspect, a drinking cooler includes a frame, a wrapper supported on the frame and enclosing an interior portion of the drinking cooler, a protruding member coupled to the wrapper, and a bracket coupled to the frame. The bracket including a slot for receiving the protruding member, the protruding member engaging the slot to support the wrapper for pivoting movement relative to the frame.

In some aspects, the bracket includes an aperture, and wherein the bracket is coupled to the frame using a fastener extending through the aperture.

In some aspects, the slot includes an open portion, and wherein the protruding member can be removed from the slot through the open portion.

In some aspects, the slot includes a ramp portion that prevents inadvertent removal of the protruding member from the slot.

In some aspects, the slot includes a first horizontal portion and a second horizontal portion vertically offset from the first horizontal portion, and wherein the protruding member rests in the second horizontal portion when the wrapper is in a closed position on the frame.

In some aspects, the protruding member includes an enlarged portion at an end of the protruding member spaced apart from the wrapper.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooler.

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the cooler of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a cooler according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of a portion of the cooler of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cooler according to another embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a bracket of a cooler according to another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cooler with the bracket according to the embodiment of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of a cooler with the bracket according to the embodiment of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a bracket of a cooler according to another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a bracket of a cooler according to another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a bracket of a cooler according to another embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a bracket of a cooler according to another embodiment.

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 100 that includes an upper shroud 104, a drinking spout 108, and actuator (e.g., user-operated push button) 112. The cooler 100 further includes components below the upper shroud 104 that are enclosed by a wrapper 116.

Referring to FIG. 2, the upper shroud 104 and wrapper 116 can be removed from a main frame 120. As illustrated, several components may be positioned within an interior portion 124 of the frame 120. One or more of the components may require periodic service (e.g., changing a filter). To access the interior portion 124 to, for example, change the filter, the wrapper 116 can be removed. In some embodiments, a wrapper 116 is coupled to the frame 120 by one or more fasteners (e.g., screws 128). The fasteners may couple the wrapper 116 to the frame 120 at both a front portion 132 and side portions 136 of the wrapper 116.

FIG. 3A illustrates a cooler 200 according to another embodiment. Features that are similar to the cooler 100 shown in FIG. 1 are identified with similar reference numbers, plus 100. Some similarities and differences between the cooler 200 and the cooler 100 are described herein.

The cooler 200 includes a wrapper 216 coupled to a frame 220, and side portions 236 of the wrapper 216 may be coupled to the frame 220 in a pivotable manner. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, each side portion 236 may include a stud or pivot 240 that protrudes laterally inwardly. For example, the pivot 240 may be a 2-piece nylon flange sleeve bushing that is attached to the wrapper 216. The frame 220 may include a corresponding slot or notch 244 configured to receive the pivot 240 and permit the pivot 240 to move within at least a portion of the notch 244. The notch 244 may further be configured to retain the pivot 240 and at least partially support the wrapper 216. Accordingly, the wrapper 216 may be removed from its fully attached state to the frame 220 and pivoted downwardly to a position in which the wrapper 216 is secured at least partially by the interaction between the pivot 240 and the notch 244. The pivot 240 may ideally be configured to have a round or circular profile for ease of pivoting or may be configured to have a rectilinear profile to secure the wrapper 216 in a particular orientation. The pivot 240 can be an integral part of the wrapper 216 or may be an attachment such as a rivet or other device. In some embodiments, movement of the pivot 240 in a first portion of the notch 244 causes the wrapper 216 to move away from a wall (not shown), thereby creating space and avoiding the wall interfering with pivoting movement of the wrapper 216. Continued movement of the pivot 240 through a second portion of the notch 244 causes the wrapper 216 to pivot downwardly.

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.

The wrapper 216 may further be supported by contact with a wall or other surface the cooler 200 is mounted onto. For example, the wrapper 216 may also include an angled edge 248 (preferably angled between 30° and) 60° at a lower end of the side portions 236. The angled cut may optimally rest against the wall or other mounting surface when the wrapper 216 is pivoted to its downward most position. In some embodiments, the notch 244 may include an open portion 252 (FIG. 3B) to permit the pivot 240 to be removed from the notch 244 so that the wrapper 216 optionally can be detached from the frame 220. The open portion 252 may include filleted or rounded edges or may otherwise widen at the opening to allow for easier removal or insertion of the pivot 240 when removing or installing the wrapper 216. The pivot 240 may include a head or end larger than the notch 244 such that the pivot 240 can only be removed by sliding a narrower body of the pivot 240 out of the open portion 252.

The wrapper 216 may be selectively made from a variety of materials to provide ideal strength, sanitation, and weight characteristics. For example, the material of the wrapper 216 may be varying grades of stainless steel, vinyl-clad steel, plastics, composites, or a combination of such materials. The wrapper 216 may include hemmed or rolled edges to provide additional strength to the wrapper 216. These hemmed or rolled edges may provide better clearance for the wrapper 216 to be adjusted compared to other types of stiffeners such as flanges. Additionally, the hemmed or rolled edges may reduce sharp edges, which may make handling the wrapper 216 safer and easier. Similarly, the wrapper 216 may include handles (not shown) for handling.

When the pivots 240 are inserted into the notches 244, the wrapper 216 may be pivoted back up to reattach an upper portion to the frame 220. In some embodiments, fasteners (e.g., screws 228, which may be security screws or captive hardware, for example) may secure the front portion 232 of the wrapper 216 to the frame 220. The wrapper 216 may require fewer screws 228 than the wrapper 116, and the screws 228 may be easier to access. Weld nuts may be used on the frame 220 to receive and secure screws 228. In other embodiments, one or more spring-loaded plungers may releasably secure the upper portion of the wrapper 216. For example, a spring-loaded plunger may be coupled to either the wrapper 216 or an underside of the upper shroud 204 and a hook device may be coupled to the other, and the spring-loaded plunger can engage or “grab” the hook device and secure the wrapper 216 to the frame 220 when the spring-loaded plunger is closed. Similarly, tabs that require a minor degree of force to lock or unlock may be used to secure the front portion 232 to the frame 220 (or push button locks, magnets, or other similar devices known in the art).

Turning to FIG. 10, the upper portion of the frame 220 may include an attachment bracket 600 configured for the wrapper 216 to attach to. The attachment bracket 600 may include a main plate body 604 which may include holes or other features for receiving the wrapper 216. The attachment bracket 600 may include weld nuts (not shown) located on and attached to a back side of the main plate body 604 at weld nut holes 608 to receive screws 228 or the like. In some instances, it may be desirable to locate the attachment screws 228 of the wrapper 216 at a location offset from the main plate body 604. The main plate body 604 may include bushing holes 612 configured to receive a bushing, such as plastic snap-in bushings. As illustrated in FIG. 11, a secondary bracket 616 may include holes 620 configured to overlap the bushing holes 612. Screws, such as plastic cutting screws, may be inserted through the holes 620 and into the bushings retained in the bushing holes 612 to couple the secondary bracket 616 to the attachment bracket 600. The secondary bracket 616 may also include PEM nuts or swage nuts (not shown) located on and attached to a back side of the secondary bracket 616 at PEM holes 624 for receiving screws 228 or the like to secure the wrapper 216 to the frame 220.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cooler 300 including a wrapper 316 according to another embodiment. Features that are similar to the cooler 200 shown in FIG. 3A are identified with similar reference numbers, plus 100. Some similarities and differences between the cooler 300 and the cooler 200 are described herein.

In the illustrated embodiment, a notch 344 may be positioned on the wrapper 316 and a pivot 340 may be attached to the frame 320. The notch 344 and pivot 340 interact similarly as described above to allow the wrapper 316 to pivot with respect to the frame 320.

In other embodiments, it may be desirable to retrofit existing coolers 100 to allow for the wrapper 116 to be pivotably detached from the frame 220. As shown in FIG. 5, an existing cooler may be retrofitted with a bracket 456 that includes a notch 444 for receiving a pivot 440. The bracket 456 may include an aperture 460 to assist in fastening the bracket 456 to the cooler 100. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the bracket 456 may be fixed to a lower portion of the frame 120. A screw or bolt 472 may pass through the aperture 460 to fasten the bracket 456 to the frame 120. In other embodiments, the bracket 456 may be secured to the frame 120 in another manner (e.g., welding or adhesives).

Further, a pivot 440 may be attached to the wrapper 116 (e.g., by welding, riveting, screwing, using an adhesive, or any other fastening means). As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the pivot 440 interacts the with the notch 444 of the bracket 456 to at least partially support the wrapper 116 on the frame 120 and allow it to pivot relative to the frame 120. The pivot 440 may optionally extend through both sides of the wrapper 116. The pivot 440 may provide a visual indicator to a user that the wrapper 116 is capable of pivoting relative to the frame and may assist user in knowing where the pivot 440 is located as a user maneuvers the wrapper 116.

Returning to FIG. 5, in some embodiments the notch 444 may include a first portion (e.g., a horizontal portion 464) and a second portion (e.g., a ramp portion 468) in addition to an open portion 452. The pivot 440 may slide and pivotably rotate in the horizontal portion 464. The ramp portion 468 may be at an angle (e.g., approximately 30°) to help prevent the pivot from inadvertently moving out of the notch 444 via the open portion 452 without overcoming some amount of vertical lifting of the pivot 440. Transitions between the horizontal portion 464 and the ramp portion 468 may be rounded or filleted so that the pivot 440 may more smoothly move between the two when removing or installing the wrapper 116. Likewise, the open portion 456 may have rounded or filleted edges and even a widening opening to assist a user in aligning the pivots 440 when installing the wrapper 116.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a bracket 556 with additional features in its notch 544. The notch 544 may additionally include a seating portion 576 (FIG. 8) configured for the pivot 440 to rest on when the wrapper 116 is secured to the frame 120. The notch 544 may additionally include a vertical portion 580 that connects the seating portion 576 to the horizontal portion 564. The vertical portion 580 may be configured to allow the pivot 440 to be moved from the seating portion 576 to the vertical portion 580 to allow the pivot 440 and wrapper 116 to drop down to a lower horizontal portion 564 so that the wrapper 116 has additional space between it and the upper shroud 404 for better maneuverability. It may be easier to move the pivot 440 and rotate the wrapper 116 in the horizontal portion 564 with this additional space. As shown in FIG. 9, the bracket 556 may include the vertical portion 580 without the seating portion 576 shown in FIG. 8. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, the pivot 440 may still be laterally retained by the vertical portion 580 while the wrapper 116 can generally be vertically retained by attachment of an upper portion of the wrapper 116 to the frame 120 as described above, The notch 544 may further include a ramp portion 568 and an open portion 552, and transitions between all these portions may be rounded or filleted for easier maneuverability of the pivot 440 and wrapper 116 throughout the notch 544.

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 frame;a wrapper supported on the frame and enclosing an interior portion of the drinking cooler;a first feature disposed on one of the wrapper and the frame; anda second feature disposed on the other of the wrapper and the frame, the second feature engaging the first feature to support the wrapper for pivoting movement relative to the frame.

2. The drinking cooler of claim 1, wherein the first feature is a slot and the second feature is a protruding member positioned within the slot, movement of the protruding member relative to the slot causing the wrapper to pivot relative to the frame.

3. The drinking cooler of claim 2, wherein the slot includes an open portion, and wherein the protruding member can be removed from the slot through the open portion.

4. The drinking cooler of claim 3, wherein the slot includes a ramp portion that prevents inadvertent removal of the protruding member from the slot.

5. The drinking cooler of claim 2, wherein the slot includes a first horizontal portion and a second horizontal portion vertically offset from the first horizontal portion, and wherein the protruding member rests in the second horizontal portion when the wrapper is in a closed position on the frame.

6. The drinking cooler of claim 5, wherein the slot includes a vertical portion connecting the first horizontal portion and the second horizontal portion.

7. The drinking cooler of claim 2, wherein the protruding member is attached to the one of the wrapper and the frame at a first end of the protruding member, and wherein the protruding member includes an enlarged portion at a second end of the protruding member.

8. The drinking cooler of claim 1, wherein the wrapper includes an angled edge at a lower end of the wrapper.

9. The drinking cooler of claim 8, wherein the drinking cooler is configured to mount to a wall, and wherein the angled edge is configured to partially support the wrapper against the wall when the wrapper is in an open position.

10. A drinking cooler comprising: a frame;a wrapper supported on the frame and enclosing an interior portion of the drinking cooler;a protrusion disposed on one of the wrapper and the frame; anda slot disposed on the other of the wrapper and the frame, the slot engaging the protrusion to support the wrapper for movement relative to the frame, the protrusion movable in a lateral motion within the slot and movable in a pivoting motion within the slot.

11. The drinking cooler of claim 10, wherein the frame includes a bracket, and wherein the wrapper includes a lower end and an upper end distal from lower end, the protrusion positioned adjacent the lower end, wherein the upper end of the wrapper is releasably secured to the bracket while the wrapper is in a closed position.

12. The drinking cooler of claim 11, wherein the bracket includes a hole and the wrapper includes a hole, and wherein a fastener extends through the hole of the bracket and the hole of the wrapper to couple the upper end of the wrapper to the bracket.

13. The drinking cooler of claim 10, wherein the protrusion is a first protrusion positioned on a first side of the wrapper and the slot is a first slot positioned on a first side of the frame, further comprising a second protrusion positioned on a second side of the wrapper opposite the first side of the wrapper, and a second slot positioned on a second side of the frame opposite the second side of the frame.

14. The drinking cooler of claim 10, wherein the slot includes an open end through which the protrusion can be removed from the slot, wherein the slot includes a horizontal portion and an inclined portion.

15. A drinking cooler comprising: a frame;a wrapper supported on the frame and enclosing an interior portion of the drinking cooler;a protruding member coupled to the wrapper; anda bracket coupled to the frame, the bracket including a slot for receiving the protruding member, the protruding member engaging the slot to support the wrapper for pivoting movement relative to the frame.

16. The drinking cooler of claim 15, wherein the bracket includes an aperture, and wherein the bracket is coupled to the frame using a fastener extending through the aperture.

17. The drinking cooler of claim 15, wherein the slot includes an open portion, and wherein the protruding member can be removed from the slot through the open portion.

18. The drinking cooler of claim 17, wherein the slot includes a ramp portion that prevents inadvertent removal of the protruding member from the slot.

19. The drinking cooler of claim 15, wherein the slot includes a first horizontal portion and a second horizontal portion vertically offset from the first horizontal portion, and wherein the protruding member rests in the second horizontal portion when the wrapper is in a closed position on the frame.

20. The drinking cooler of claim 15, wherein the protruding member includes an enlarged portion at an end of the protruding member spaced apart from the wrapper.