U.S. patent application number 11/894822 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-28 for party cooler.
Invention is credited to Jeffrey Helmer.
Application Number | 20080047296 11/894822 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39112087 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080047296 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Helmer; Jeffrey |
February 28, 2008 |
Party cooler
Abstract
The invention is an insulated cooler designed to keep salads and
other foods and beverages cold and fresh while also providing a
convenient means to serve these foods and beverages. A first insert
liner capable of supporting bowls or other serving dishes is
positioned near the top opening of the cooler. A second insert
liner is optionally placed below the first insert liner, creating a
compartment for ice or other coolants. The size of the
ice-containing compartment is adjusted by vertically adjusting the
second insert liner. The second insert liner is designed to drain
melted ice to the base of the cooler, and the cooler itself is
equipped with a drain to the exterior. The cooler includes one or
two lids that can serve as serving surfaces when locked in an open
position.
Inventors: |
Helmer; Jeffrey; (Clayton,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JAMES RAY & ASSOCIATES
2640 PITCAIRN ROAD
MONROEVILLE
PA
15146
US
|
Family ID: |
39112087 |
Appl. No.: |
11/894822 |
Filed: |
August 22, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60823164 |
Aug 22, 2006 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
62/457.7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 3/08 20130101; F25D
2303/0845 20130101; F25D 2303/082 20130101; F25D 2331/804 20130101;
F25D 2303/081 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/457.7 |
International
Class: |
F25D 3/08 20060101
F25D003/08 |
Claims
1. An insulated container for food and beverages comprising: (a) a
rigid base wall, two side walls attached to said base wall, two end
walls attached to said base wall, a top opening defined by said two
side walls and said two end walls, and a main hollow compartment
defined by said base wall and said side and end walls; (b) at least
one lid, capable of covering said top opening; (c) a removable
first insert liner, positioned within said main hollow compartment,
with openings suitable to support food and beverage containers; and
(d) a drain, positioned in and extending through one said end
wall.
2. The insulated container of claim 1, wherein each said end wall
includes a ridge along an interior surface of each said wall, said
ridges positioned below said top opening.
3. The insulated container of claim 2, wherein said first insert
liner is positioned on said ridges within said main hollow
compartment.
4. The insulated container of claim 3, further including a
removable second insert liner, positioned above said base wall but
below said first insert liner, and containing means to drain fluid
to said base wall of the cooler.
5. The insulated container of claim 4, wherein said second insert
liner is positioned within said main hollow compartment by means of
at least one stop mounted on the interior surface of each opposing
end wall.
6. The insulated container of claim 5, wherein said stops upon
which said second insert liner is positioned extend a greater
horizontal distance into said main hollow compartment than said
ridges upon which said first insert liner is positioned extend into
said main hollow compartment.
7. The insulated container of claim 6, wherein said second insert
liner is of shorter length than said first insert liner.
8. The insulated container of claim 4, wherein said second insert
liner is positioned within said main hollow compartment by
adjustable means.
9. The insulated container of claim 1, wherein a single lid capable
of covering said top opening is attached to one side wall by at
least one hinge.
10. The insulated container of claim 1, wherein two lids, each
attached to opposite side walls by at least one hinge, cover said
top opening.
11. The insulated container of claim 1, wherein at least one lid is
removable.
12. The insulated container of claim 1, wherein at least one lid,
in an open position, provides a level surface parallel to a plane
defined by said base wall.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This patent application is related to and claims priority
from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/823,164, filed
Aug. 22, 2006.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates, in general, to food and
beverage coolers and, more particularly, this invention relates to
an insulated food and beverage cooler adapted to hold round or
rectangular serving dishes in an adjustably-sized cooling
compartment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Food-borne illnesses caused by bacteria such as Salmonella
pose a serious health risk, especially during the summer picnic
season. Public health experts emphasize the importance of keeping
cold food cold, at temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit if
possible, so as to minimize bacterial growth. Food items including
eggs or dairy products, salads with mayonnaise bases (such as
potato or macaroni salads), and fresh fruit such as cut melon are
especially susceptible to bacterial contamination. It is especially
critical for items like these to be kept cold, covered and out of
the sun as much as possible. The risk factors for food-borne
illness detailed above were considered in the conception and
creation of the present invention.
[0004] Food and beverage coolers are generally well known in the
prior art. There are numerous examples of coolers adapted for
various sizes of food or beverage containers that include inserts
to hold the containers, as well as examples disclosing means to
divide the interior of the cooler into compartments.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,350,081 to Graham discloses a beverage
container holder including openings in the top surface that form
receptacles for receiving beverage containers. The invention of
Graham is designed to receive two beverage cans, which are
positioned in the top of the cooler. Additional food or beverage
items can be stored in the cooler compartment below the top
surface.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,329,787 to Friday discloses a combination
food and beverage cooler in which a cooler pack separates food and
beverage compartments. The beverage compartment is designed to
store and directly dispense an otherwise non-contained beverage
from a dispenser spout. The separation of food and beverage
compartments exists in essence to facilitate the dispensing of
beverages.
[0007] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,671,611 to Quigley and 5,568,735 to Newkirk
et al. disclose examples of coolant-surrounded food compartments.
Quigley discloses a relatively narrow coolant compartment
immediately within the side walls of the cooler. The coolant
compartment surrounds a food and beverage compartment. Ice or other
coolants may be disposed in the coolant compartment, defined by the
space between the food and beverage compartment and the cooler side
walls. Newkirk likewise discloses a food and beverage container
composed of two layers, with refrigerant material disposed between
the two layers. Food and beverages are contained in an interior
receptacle.
[0008] The disclosures detailed above do not include means to
adjust the size of the coolant-containing compartment, nor do they
disclose means to store food or beverages in a refrigerated state
immediately accessible for serving. It was in an effort to combine
these features, and to improve upon them, that the present
invention was created.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention provides an insulated cooler for food
and beverages that is adaptable to a variety of shapes and sizes of
food or beverage containers, includes an adjustable compartment for
coolant material, and stores food or beverages in a refrigerated
state immediately accessible for serving.
[0010] The cooler comprises a rectangular insulated box defined by
a base wall, two side walls attached to said base wall and facing
opposite one another, two end walls, likewise attached to said base
wall and facing opposite one another, and at least one lid, which
may be attached to a side wall by a hinge or other appropriate
means. Said lid or lids may alternatively be removable. The
rectangular box described above defines a main hollow compartment
with capacity for food and beverage containers, as well as coolant
materials such as ice cubes, ice blocks, or frozen gel packs. The
cooler further includes a drain positioned in and extending through
one of said end walls, near the bottom of the main hollow
compartment. The drain is selected from ones well-known in the art
of food and beverage cooler design.
[0011] The insulated cooler further includes a removable first
insert liner positioned inside said main hollow compartment, just
below the top opening of the cooler. The first insert liner can be
positioned by appropriate means known in the art. In a preferred
embodiment, a narrow ridge is molded along the interior surface of
each of the end walls of the cooler, creating two ledges recessed
from the top opening of the cooler, upon which the first insert
liner rests.
[0012] The first insert liner can be adapted to support a variety
of containers. For example, round bowls or rectangular serving
dishes or combinations of the two could be accommodated by
appropriately shaped and sized apertures cut into the insert. Bowls
or other serving dishes designed for use in this invention could be
manufactured with an extended lip or rim to stably and snugly fit
into the apertures of the first insert liner.
[0013] The cooler of the present invention may further include a
removable and adjustable second insert liner, positioned below the
first inert liner and above the base wall. The second insert liner
divides the main hollow compartment into two smaller compartments.
The second insert liner would further include sieve means to allow
water from melting ice to drain to the base of the cooler. In a
preferred embodiment, the upper compartment would hold food and
beverage containers as well as coolant material, and the lower
compartment would hold any water collected from melting ice, which
could then be drained to the exterior of the cooler.
[0014] The second insert liner may be fixed in position within the
main hollow compartment. A ledge or stops molded along the interior
surface of the oppositely-facing end walls provides a ledge upon
which the second insert liner is positioned. In a preferred
embodiment, the second insert liner is vertically adjustable,
permitting the depth and capacity of the upper portion of the main
hollow compartment to be adjusted as well. There are various means
available in the art to vertically adjust a shelf-like member such
as the second insert liner. In a preferred embodiment, each end
wall includes two vertical parallel tracks spaced an appropriate
distance from one another, said tracks having means to receive a
stop manufactured from thermoplastic or the like. The four stops
are placed in position on said tracks, and the second insert liner
is subsequently positioned upon the stops. Alternatively, a single
elongated stop, with means at proximal and distal ends to engage
the vertical parallel tracks, could provide support for the second
insert liner.
[0015] Both the first insert liner and the second insert liner are
positioned on ledges which are molded or otherwise disposed along
the interior surfaces of the two end walls. The ledges that support
the second insert liner extend farther into the interior of the
main hollow compartment than do the ledges which support the first
insert liner. Likewise, the length of the second insert liner is
chosen to be shorter than the length of the first insert liner.
This arrangement allows the second insert liner to easily pass by
the ledges near the top of the compartment which are intended to
support the first insert liner, and be positioned upon the lower
second set of ledges.
[0016] The cooler of the present invention is provided with at
least one lid, which may be attached to a side wall by a hinge or
hinges, or may alternatively be removable. In one embodiment, the
cooler includes a single lid, attached to a side wall by a hinge
extending substantially along the length of the lid and the side
wall. Alternatively, two smaller hinges may be positioned an
appropriate distance apart from one another, along the respective
edges of the lid and side walls. In another embodiment, the cooler
includes two lids, each attached to oppositely facing side walls by
hinge means as described above. The two lids close toward each
other to completely cover the top opening of the container.
[0017] The lid or lids of the present invention may be designed to
provide a horizontal surface, substantially parallel to a
horizontal plane defined by the base wall, said horizontal surface
suitable for storage or to facilitate service of food or beverage
items. The lid or lids are locked in horizontal position to provide
a shelf-like extension of the cooler. Means to lock such a shelf in
a horizontal position are known in the art, and include props,
stops, hinges and the like. In a preferred embodiment, a lid is
fixed in horizontal position by a locking hinge, comprising a
tether or similar means connected to anchors on the lid and on the
cooler side walls. When the tether is engaged with both anchors,
the lid is restrained from opening past the horizontally planar
position and is held in place at that position. When the tether is
disengaged from one anchor, the lid can be opened in a full range
of motion, such that in fully open position the lid would rest
against the outer surface of a cooler side wall.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0018] It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present
invention to provide an insulated cooler for food and beverages
that keeps items cold, shaded and covered to minimize the risk of
food-borne illness.
[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
cooler adaptable to multiple sizes and shapes of serving
containers.
[0020] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a cooler from which food items can be directly served to multiple
diners in, for example, a picnic or buffet line setting.
[0021] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
cooler with an adjustably-sized ice compartment, reducing the cost
of ice necessary to sufficiently cool food or beverage items.
[0022] A final object of the present invention is to provide a
cooler with means to drain melted ice, eliminating the usually
inevitable messy result of food and beverage containers floating in
melted ice at the end of a picnic or party.
[0023] In addition to the various objects and advantages of the
present invention described with some degree of specificity above
it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the
present invention will become more readily apparent to those
persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more
detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such
description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing
figures and with the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention in which two
lids are illustrated, with one lid in the fully open position and
one lid partially opened.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a side view of the invention, with food containers
and both first and second insert liners in place.
[0026] FIG. 3 is an end view of the invention, with food containers
and both first and second insert liners in place.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first insert liner, and
a representation of the relationship of the first insert liner, the
ridge that fixes the liner in position, and the food or beverage
containers the liner supports.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE
EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0028] Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the
present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity
and understanding, identical components which have identical
functions have been identified with identical reference numerals
throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing
figures.
[0029] Reference is now made, more particularly, to FIG. 1, which
is a perspective view of the cooler 10 of the present invention. A
base wall 11 (not shown in this figure), two side walls 12 attached
to said base wall, two end walls 13 likewise attached to said base
wall and at least one lid 14 combine to form a rectangular box
which defines a main hollow compartment (not shown in this figure).
The representation of FIG. 1 includes two lids; one lid is in a
partially open position and one lid is opened to provide an
essentially horizontally planar surface. The lid 14 is attached to
side wall 12 by means of a hinge 17 which extends substantially
along the respective edges of the lid and the side wall. A single
or multiple hinges may be positioned along the common edge of the
lid and side wall in any manner desirable to one skilled in the
art. A locking hinge 18 is utilized to lock lid 14 in a
horizontally planar position, as will be detailed below. The cooler
further includes handles 15 disposed on the external surface of
each end wall 13. A drain 16 is positioned in and extends through
one of said end walls.
[0030] FIG. 1 further illustrates first insert liner 30, which is
positioned near, but slightly recessed from, the top opening of the
cooler. The first insert liner 30, as illustrated in this figure,
is designed to hold three round bowls 24. The bowls 24 are
illustrated with and without bowl lids 26. In alternative
embodiments, the first insert liner may be designed to accommodate
containers of other shapes and sizes.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 2, the first insert liner 30 is positioned
in the main hollow compartment of the cooler by placing it on top
of a ridge 22, which is molded along the interior surface of each
of the end walls of the cooler. In one embodiment, ridge 22 would
be recessed 3 inches from the top opening of the cooler, and
measure approximately one inch in height by one inch in depth,
extending in width substantially along the width of each end wall.
The ridge 22 would define a shelf-like projection upon which the
first insert liner 20 would rest. The dimensions presented here may
be adjusted by one skilled in the art.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of first insert liner 20,
illustrating the relationship of liner 20 with ridge element 22.
FIG. 2 further illustrates apertures 29 designed in the first
insert liner 20 to accommodate food or beverage containers. In the
illustrated embodiment, said containers are round bowls 24 with
bowl lids 26. The insert liner 20 may be designed to accommodate
containers of alternate shapes and sizes. Bowl lids 26 serve to
keep perishable foods such as potato salad and the like covered and
shaded. Bowl 24 is manufactured with a lip 28 or rim around the
perimeter of the top opening of the bowl, such that the bowl is
seated and stably supported in the first insert liner 20 when the
cooler is in use. Alternately shaped and sized containers suitable
for use in the present invention would be designed with analogous
lip structures.
[0033] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of cooler 10 viewed through
side wall 12. Base wall 11 is shown, as well as the two attached
end walls 13, lid 14, handles 15, and the drain to the exterior 16.
This view illustrates first insert liner 20 seated upon ridge 22,
and further accommodating two round bowls 24.
[0034] FIG. 3 further illustrates a second insert liner 30,
positioned below first insert liner 20 and above base wall 11.
Second insert liner 30 further includes sieve means 32 to allow
water from melting ice to pass through said liner. Second insert
liner 30 divides the main hollow compartment into an upper portion
and a lower portion. The upper portion of the hollow compartment
accommodates food or beverage containers and cooling materials such
as ice cubes, ice blocks, dry ice, or frozen gel packs. The lower
portion of the hollow compartment serves as a reservoir for water
from melted ice, which may be trained to the exterior of the cooler
through drain 16.
[0035] The second insert liner 30 can be positioned within the main
hollow compartment in a manner analogous to that utilized for the
first insert liner 20. A stop 34 is molded along the interior
surface of each end wall, and second insert liner is seated on top
of the platform provided by the two oppositely-facing stops. An
appropriately-sized stop would measure approximately one inch in
height by two inches in depth, and could extend in width up to the
width of the end wall. Alternatively, two stops of a substantially
smaller width and spaced an appropriate distance apart from one
another can be substituted for the single elongate stop described
above.
[0036] Stops 34, which support the second insert liner 30, should
project farther into the main hollow compartment than the ridges 22
which support the first insert liner 20. In this arrangement, the
second insert liner can be easily passed through the aperture near
the top of the cooler upon which the first insert cooler is to be
seated. For additional ease in positioning the inserts, the second
insert liner should be shorter in length that the first insert
liner.
[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the position of second insert
liner 30 is vertically adjustable. In this embodiment, the volume
of the upper portion of the hollow compartment can be adjusted to
accommodate a range of food and beverage containers and a range of
quantities of coolant material. FIG. 4 is an end view cross-section
through the side wall 12 which illustrates a vertically adjustable
second insert means. In a fixed position, as described above,
second insert liner 30 is seated upon stops 34 molded on to the
interior surface of end wall 13. In an adjustable embodiment,
second insert liner 30 still is seated upon stops 34, but the
position of the stops is vertically adjustable. Two vertical and
parallel tracks 36 are molded on the surface of end wall 13. Said
tracks include a series of female slots 37 which are engaged by
male tabs (not shown) on stops 34. Stop 34 can be positioned at any
appropriate height along track 36. Each of four stops 34 is
positioned in each of four corresponding slots 37 along four tracks
36 creating a scaffold upon which to seat second insert liner
30.
[0038] As detailed above, the present invention includes at least
one lid 14. Said lid or lids may be removable or alternatively said
lid or lids may be attached to a side wall 12 by at least one
hinge. In a preferred embodiment, said lid 14 is opened and locked
into place such that the lid provides a horizontally planar
extension of the cooler, which may be used as a shelf for plates,
utensils, condiments and the like, or to facilitate the serving of
food or beverages in a manner analogous to a cafeteria serving
line. In this embodiment a second hinge, locking hinge 18, is
utilized to lock lid 14 in a horizontally planar position. FIG. 1
illustrates lid 14 in a substantially horizontally planar position.
Hinge 18 is connected to anchor elements on the underside of lid 14
and on the interior surface of end wall 13. A tether or similar
connector is attached at each end to the anchors on the end wall
and the lid. The length of the tether is chosen such that lid 14 is
restrained from opening to a position beyond that of the
horizontally planar position illustrated in FIG. 1. The tether is
permanently attached to at least one of said anchors. If the tether
is permanently attached to both anchors, the maximum range of
motion of lid 14 is to the horizontally planar position. If the
tether is permitted to be disconnected from at least one anchor,
the lid can rotate in a full range of motion, whereby lid 14 can
rest along and parallel to side wall 12.
[0039] While a presently preferred and various alternative
embodiments of the present invention have been described in
sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant
art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various
other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those
persons skilled in such art without departing from either the
spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *