U.S. patent application number 11/513252 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-08 for bag attachment for cooler.
Invention is credited to Rockey J. Plouff.
Application Number | 20070053616 11/513252 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37830106 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070053616 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Plouff; Rockey J. |
March 8, 2007 |
Bag attachment for cooler
Abstract
The bag attachment for a cooler includes a pouch defining a bag
having a frame disposed about the mouth of the bag. The frame is
releasably attached to an external wall of a cooler and maintains
the mouth of the pouch in an open state, allowing for the storage
of waste, such as empty cans and bottles, in the receptacle. When
the pouch is full, the frame may be detached from the cooler and
closed to seal the mouth of the bag for transport to a waste
depository.
Inventors: |
Plouff; Rockey J.;
(Gladstone, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LITMAN LAW OFFICES, LTD
PO BOX 15035
CRYSTAL CITY STATION
ARLINGTON
VA
22215
US
|
Family ID: |
37830106 |
Appl. No.: |
11/513252 |
Filed: |
August 31, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60713358 |
Sep 2, 2005 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
383/22 ; 383/11;
383/2; 383/33; 383/34 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 11/20 20130101;
A45C 13/001 20130101; A45C 13/1084 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/022 ;
383/034; 383/011; 383/002; 383/033 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/14 20060101
B65D033/14; B65D 30/00 20060101 B65D030/00; B65D 33/00 20060101
B65D033/00; B65D 33/02 20060101 B65D033/02 |
Claims
1. A bag attachment for a cooler, comprising: a pouch having an
open mouth; a frame attached around the open mouth of the pouch,
the frame having a releasable closure for closing the mouth of the
pouch; and means for releasably attaching the frame to the
cooler.
2. The bag attachment according to claim 1, wherein said frame
further comprises: first and second frame members; and at least one
hinge pivotally connecting the first and second frame members.
3. The bag attachment according to claim 1, wherein said means for
attaching comprises a strip of hook and loop fastening material
attached to the frame, the strip of hook and loop fastening
material being adapted for attachment to a mating strip of hook and
loop fastening material attached to the cooler.
4. The attachable bag for a cooler as recited in claim 1, further
comprising at least one handle attached to said frame.
5. The attachable bag for a cooler as recited in claim 1, further
comprising at least one support mounted on said frame, said at
least one support contacting a wall of the cooler when said frame
is mounted on the cooler, said at least one support preventing
rotation of said frame with respect to the wall of the cooler.
6. The attachable bag for a cooler as recited in claim 1, wherein
said frame further comprises: first and second frame members; at
least one hinge pivotally connecting the first and second frame
members; and means for selectively and releasably securing the
first frame member to the second frame member when said frame is in
a folded state.
7. The attachable bag for a cooler as recited in claim 6, wherein
said means for selectively and releasably securing said first frame
member to said second frame member comprises a clasp.
8. The attachable bag for a cooler as recited in claim 1, further
comprising a releasable fastener mounted on an outer surface of
said pouch, the releasable fastener releasably maintaining said
pouch in a collapsed and compact state for transport.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Serial No. 60/713,358, filed Sep. 2, 2005.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a bag attachment for a
cooler for storing and transporting empty cans, bottles and other
waste.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Coolers and ice chests for transporting, storing and
chilling beverages are common accessories for picnics, outdoors
parties and other activities where cold beverages and food are
desired. Food wrappers and empty bottles and cans are often
returned to the cooler for later transport and disposal. Placing
waste back into the cooler, however, is unsanitary, raises the
temperature inside the cooler, both through thermal conduction and
the introduction of warm air each time the cooler lid is opened,
and also requires the user to carry a heavy cooler full of ice and
waste to a waste repository. It is desirable to have a separate
receptacle for the waste generated by users of the cooler or ice
chest.
[0006] Garbage cans often are not conveniently located for the
disposal of waste at a picnic or party, and are not easily
transported. Although garbage bags may be transported along with
the cooler, loose bags are difficult to hold open without a garbage
can, and may easily rupture or spill their contents.
[0007] Thus, a bag attachment for a cooler solving the
aforementioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The bag attachment for a cooler includes a sack or pouch
defining a bag having a reclosable frame disposed around the mouth
of the bag for supporting the bag and selectively closing the bag.
The frame is releasably attached to an external wall of a cooler
through use of a suitable fastener, such as a hook-and-loop type
fastener, and maintains the mouth of the pouch in an open state,
allowing for the storage of waste, such as empty cans and bottles,
in the pouch. The bag may be formed from any flexible material,
particularly cloth or fabric, and preferably of mesh or netting,
which allows for the free passage of air, preventing the build-up
of unpleasant odors from waste material deposited in the bag.
[0009] When the bag is full, the frame may be detached from the
cooler, and the frame may be folded and clasped shut to close the
mouth of the receptacle for transport to a waste depository. A pair
of handles are fixed to the frame, allowing the user to easily
carry the bag when it is in the folded state.
[0010] These and other features of the present invention will
become readily apparent upon further review of the following
specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is an environmental perspective view of a bag
attachment for a cooler according to the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is an environmental perspective view of the bag
attachment of the present invention exploded from a cooler to show
the selective detachment of the bag to the cooler.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bag attachment for a
cooler according to the present invention as seen from the rear
with the mouth of the bag open.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a front view of the bag attachment for a cooler
according to the present invention with the mouth of the bag
closed.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a bag
attachment for a cooler according to the present invention.
[0016] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] The present invention relates to a bag which forms an
attachment that is selectively attachable to a cooler. The bag 10,
as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, is selectively and
detachably mounted to an external wall of cooler 12 for receiving
waste, such as empty cans and bottles 34. The bag 10 allows for
both the collection of waste materials and for the easy transport
of the waste to a trash repository.
[0018] As best shown in FIG. 2, the bag 10 includes a sack or pouch
26 forming a bag having a mouth that has a reclosable frame 42
disposed around the perimeter of the mouth. Pouch 26 is formed from
flexible material, particularly cloth (although plastic or any
other suitable material may be used), and is preferably formed of
mesh or netting, and is further dimensioned for the storage of
empty beverage cans and bottles 34, or other waste. The mouth of
the pouch 26 is fixed to frame 42 through the use of rivets, bolts,
heat sealing, stitching, or through any other suitable method.
[0019] In the preferred embodiment, pouch. 26 is formed from mesh,
netting or any other suitable open material allowing for the free
passage of air therethrough in order to prevent the build-up of
unpleasant odors generated by waste 34. An open material, such as
mesh or netting, further allow liquids to drain through the
material, rather than pooling in the closed, lower end of pouch 26.
The frame 42 includes first and second frame members 16, 18, which
may be pivotally joined to one another by a pair of hinges 20 so
that the frame folds or pivots to close the mouth of the pouch 26,
similar to the closure members of a purse. It should be understood
that frame members 16, 18 may be pivotally joined, each to the
other, through any suitable means for pivotal attachment.
[0020] First and second frame members 16, 18 are formed from
plastic or any other suitable resilient material that is strong
enough to support pouch 26 and selectively maintain pouch 26 in an
open state for receiving waste. First and second frame members 16
and 18 are preferably formed of relatively lightweight material,
allowing for the easy transport of attachable bag 10. First and
second frame members 16, 18 may be formed of plastic tubing and,
alternatively, may include telescoping tubing in order to provide
an adjustable length for foldable frame 42, allowing the frame 42
to be adapted for use with multiple coolers.
[0021] Frame 42 is selectively and releasably secured to an
external wall of cooler 12 by a releasable fastener. Any suitable
releasable fastener may be utilized. However, in a preferred
embodiment, a first strip of fastening material 32 is mounted on
cooler 12, and a second strip of fastening material 36 (shown in
FIG. 3) is mounted on frame 42, to form mating hook and loop
fasteners. Strips 32, 36 may be mounted on cooler 12 and frame 14,
respectively, through adhesive, heat sealing, or any other suitable
mounting and securement process.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, in the preferred embodiment, first strip
32 is mounted beneath hinges 14 of cooler 12, and extends the
length of cooler 12. Alternatively, a shorter strip of fastening
material may be mounted between hinges 14. However, it is desirable
that the position of frame 42 not impede the opening of the lid of
cooler 12.
[0023] As best shown in the rear view of FIG. 3, a pair of supports
22 are mounted on second frame member 18, with the second strip of
fastening material 36 being positioned therebetween. Supports 22
are secured to second frame member 18 and project downwardly
therefrom. Supports 22 are formed of a plastic material or any
other suitable resilient material, and contact cooler 12 when
attachable bag 10 is mounted to cooler 12. Supports 22 are secured
to second frame member 18 through rivets, bolts or any other
suitable method of attachment.
[0024] As best shown in FIG. 1, supports 22 prevent rotation of bag
10 about the longitudinal axis of second frame member 18, caused by
the weight of waste 34. The downward rotation of frame 42 under the
weight of waste 34 could cause the bag 10 to accidentally disengage
from cooler 12. However, supports 22 prevent unwanted rotation of
frame 42, thus maintaining the frame 42 in a stable position
substantially parallel to the lid of cooler 12.
[0025] First and second releasable clasps or locking elements 28,
30 are secured, respectively, to first and second frame members 16,
18. As shown in FIG. 4, when attachable bag 10 is detached from
cooler 12, first and second frame members 16, 18 may be folded
together, pivoting with respect to one another about hinges 20, and
may be releasably locked together by engagement of releasable
locking elements 28 and 30. Locking elements 28 and 30 preferably
form a clasp. However, any other suitable locking structure may be
used, such as a hook, a belt and buckle, a hook-and-loop type
fastener, or any other suitable releasable locking device.
[0026] Additionally, each frame member 16, 18 has a handle 24
attached thereto, allowing a user to easily carry bag 10 when the
bag 10 is closed and fastened by clasps 28 and 30, as shown in FIG.
4. Handles 24 may be pivotally mounted to frame members 16, 18 in
order to provide adjustable, ergonomic gripping for the user, and
also to aid in the collapsing of bag 10 for storage.
[0027] Alternatively, bag 10 may include a second set of fasteners,
shown as hook and loop fastening strips 38, 40 in FIG. 5, allowing
the bag 10 to be rolled up and secured during transport. The bag 10
may be collapsed and rolled up when bag 10 is either attached to
cooler 12 or when bag 10 is in a detached state. Although shown as
hook and loop strips 38, 40, it should be understood that this is
for exemplary purposes only, and any suitable releasable fastening
mechanism may be used.
[0028] In use, cooler 12 is transported to any desired site, such
as a picnic or baseball game, and frame 42 is attached to cooler 12
through the engagement of fastening strip 36 with fastening strip
32. Second frame member 18 is positioned beneath hinges 14 of
cooler 12 so that the opening of the lid of cooler 12 is not
prevented or impeded. Empty cans and bottles 34 are deposited in
pouch 26, which is supported by, and held open by, frame 42. The
weight of cooler 12 maintains frame 42 in a stable position, thus
providing solid and stable support for pouch 26.
[0029] As bag 10 fills up with waste 34, frame 42 is prevented from
rotating under the weight of pouch 26 and waste 34 through the
contact and engagement of supports 22 with the external wall of
cooler 12.
[0030] When pouch 26 is filled with waste 34, frame 42 is detached
from cooler 12 and the frame 42 may be closed, as shown in FIG. 4,
for easy transport. When first and second frame members 16, 18 are
folded together about hinges 20, locking elements 28, 30, forming a
clasp, may be secured to one another to maintain frame 42 in a
closed position, similar to closure of a purse. The user carries
the bag 10, through the use of handles 24, to a waste repository
for emptying of waste 34. The attachment of the frame 42 to pouch
26, along with the carrying handles 24, provides the user with a
system for easily storing and transporting waste, and reduces the
possibility of strain on the user due to the weight of the waste.
The construction of bag 10 further provides the user with a system
preventing direct contact with the waste.
[0031] Through the use of second hook-and-loop strips 38, 40,
secured to the exterior of receptacle 26, as shown in FIG. 5, the
pouch 26 may be collapsed and rolled-up for storage. The bag 10 may
be reattached to cooler 12 for storage of both, or cooler 12 and
bag 10 may be stored and transported separately.
[0032] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and
all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
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