U.S. patent application number 17/113298 was filed with the patent office on 2021-07-15 for collapsible hard-sided cooler.
The applicant listed for this patent is Igloo Products Corp.. Invention is credited to Roque Barros, Vasanthi Iyer, John Maldonado.
Application Number | 20210214123 17/113298 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005266161 |
Filed Date | 2021-07-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210214123 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Iyer; Vasanthi ; et
al. |
July 15, 2021 |
COLLAPSIBLE HARD-SIDED COOLER
Abstract
A hard-sided collapsible cooler includes a cooler body and a lid
rotatably attached to the cooler body. The cooler body includes a
frame, a base, and multiple panels. First one or more panels of the
multiple panels are rotatably attached to the frame, and second one
or more panels of the multiple panels are rotatably attached to the
base. The multiple panels and the base define a cavity of the
cooler body when the hard-sided collapsible cooler is
un-collapsed.
Inventors: |
Iyer; Vasanthi; (Wilmington,
DE) ; Maldonado; John; (Katy, TX) ; Barros;
Roque; (Katy, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Igloo Products Corp. |
Katy |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005266161 |
Appl. No.: |
17/113298 |
Filed: |
December 7, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62960489 |
Jan 13, 2020 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 21/086 20130101;
B65D 25/2852 20130101; B65D 81/3818 20130101; B65D 81/3816
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 21/08 20060101
B65D021/08; B65D 81/38 20060101 B65D081/38; B65D 25/28 20060101
B65D025/28 |
Claims
1. A hard-sided collapsible cooler, comprising: a cooler body; and
a lid rotatably attached to the cooler body, wherein the cooler
body comprises a frame, a base, and multiple panels, wherein a
first one or more panels of the multiple panels are rotatably
attached to the frame, wherein a second one or more panels of the
multiple panels are rotatably attached to the base, and wherein the
multiple panels and the base define a cavity of the cooler body
when the hard-sided collapsible cooler is un-collapsed.
2. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 1, wherein the
multiple panels are insulated panels.
3. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 2, wherein the
multiple panels are foamed panels.
4. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 2, wherein the
multiple panels are air filled panels.
5. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 2, wherein the lid
and the base are insulated.
6. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 1, further comprising
a soft-sided liner positioned in the cavity of the cooler body.
7. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 6, wherein the
soft-sided liner is leak-proof liner and insulated.
8. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 6, further comprising
an insulated bag liner between the soft-sided liner and the
multiple panels.
9. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 1, wherein the first
one or more panels the multiple panels comprise a first end panel
and a second end panel, wherein the first end panel is rotatably
attached to the frame, and wherein the second end panel is
rotatably attached to the frame across from the first end panel,
wherein the first end panel and the second end panel extend between
the frame and the base when the hard-sided collapsible cooler is
un-collapsed.
10. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 9, wherein the first
and panel and the second end panel are rotatable inward toward each
other and wherein the first end panel and the second end panel
remain attached to the frame when the hard-sided collapsible cooler
is collapsed.
11. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 9, wherein the
multiple panels further comprise an upper front panel, a lower
front panel, an upper back panel, and a lower back panel, wherein
the upper front panel is rotatably attached to the lower front
panel and to the frame, and wherein the upper back panel is
rotatably attached to the lower back panel and to the frame across
from the upper front panel.
12. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 11, wherein the
lower front panel is rotatably attached to the base and wherein the
lower back panel is rotatably attached to the base across from the
lower front panel.
13. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 12, wherein, when
the hard-sided collapsible cooler is collapsed, the lower front
panel and the lower back panel remain attached to the base.
14. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 11, wherein, when
the hard-sided collapsible cooler is collapsed, the upper front
panel remains attached to the lower front panel and to the frame,
and wherein, when the hard-sided collapsible cooler is collapsed,
the upper back panel remains attached to the lower back panel and
to the frame.
15. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 1, further
comprising a handle attached to the cooler body.
16. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 15, wherein the
handle comprises slots.
17. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 15, wherein the
handle is rotatably attached to the frame.
18. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 15, wherein the
handle extends around the base of the cooler body.
19. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 1, wherein the
multiple panels are made from polyurethane and wherein the frame
and the base are made from polyurethane or polyethylene.
20. A hard-sided collapsible cooler, comprising: a cooler body; and
a lid rotatably attached to the cooler body, wherein the cooler
body comprises a frame, a base, and multiple panels, wherein the
multiple panels, the base, and the lid are insulated, wherein a
first one or more panels of the multiple panels are rotatably
attached to the frame, wherein a second one or more panels of the
multiple panels are rotatably attached to the base, and wherein the
multiple panels and the base define a cavity of the cooler body
when the hard-sided collapsible cooler is un-collapsed.
21. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 20, further
comprising a soft-sided liner positioned in the cavity of the
cooler body.
22. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 21, further
comprising an insulated bag liner between the soft-sided liner and
the multiple panels.
23. The hard-sided collapsible cooler of claim 22, further
comprising a handle attached to the cooler body.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn. 119 to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/960,489, entitled
"Collapsible Hard-Sided Cooler", filed on Jan. 13, 2020, the
entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to coolers, and
more particularly, to a collapsible hard-sided cooler.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Coolers, ice chests, ice boxes, or the like are commonly
used to store contents (e.g., food, beverages, etc.) and keep the
contents cool. Some coolers are hard-sided and may provide the
performance and durability desired by a user. However, because
hard-sided coolers are typically rigid, such coolers tend to take
up more space than desired the coolers are not in use. Such
hard-sided coolers can be inconvenient to store and to transport
when not in use. While soft-sided coolers are collapsible, and
thus, and may be convenient to store and transport, soft-sided
coolers may lack the performance and durability that may be desired
by a user. Thus, a hard-sided cooler that is collapsible into a
smaller size may be desirable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The embodiments herein may be better understood by referring
to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings in which like reference numerals indicate identically or
functionally similar elements, of which:
[0005] FIG. 1 shows a perspective front view of a hard-sided
collapsible cooler according to an example embodiment;
[0006] FIG. 2 shows another perspective front view of the
hard-sided collapsible cooler of FIG. 1 according to an example
embodiment;
[0007] FIG. 3 shows an attachment mechanism for rotatably attaching
structures of the hard-sided collapsible cooler of FIG. 1 according
to an example embodiment;
[0008] FIG. 4 shows a perspective side view of the hard-sided
collapsible cooler of FIG. 1 according to an example
embodiment;
[0009] FIG. 5 shows the hard-sided collapsible cooler of FIG. 1
partially collapsed according to an example embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 6 shows the hard-sided collapsible cooler of FIG. 1
fully collapsed according to an example embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 7 shows a stack of multiple hard-sided collapsible
coolers that are fully collapsed according to an example
embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 8 shows a perspective front view of a hard-sided
collapsible cooler according to another example embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 9 shows an attachment mechanism for rotatably attaching
some structures of the hard-sided collapsible cooler of FIG. 8
according to an example embodiment;
[0014] FIGS. 10 and 11 shows attachment rods that may be used with
the attachment mechanism of FIG. 9 according to an example
embodiment;
[0015] FIGS. 12A-12C show different views of a hard-sided
collapsible cooler 1200 according to another example embodiment;
and
[0016] FIGS. 13-20 show partial views of hard-sided collapsible
coolers with different levels of insulation according to example
embodiments.
[0017] It should be understood that the above-referenced drawings
are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified
representation of various preferred features illustrative of the
basic principles of the disclosure. The specific design features of
the present disclosure, including, for example, specific
dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes, will be determined
in part by the particular intended application and use
environment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. As
those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments
may be modified in various different ways, all without departing
from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Further,
throughout the specification, like reference numerals refer to like
elements.
[0019] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As
used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of
one or more of the associated listed items.
[0020] Referring now to embodiments of the present disclosure, the
biodegradable cooler discussed herein can be made of a
biodegradable material, such as a pulp-based material, or made from
paper, sugar cane, hemp, bamboo, or the like. Because the
pulp-based material, or other similar type material, is
compostable, recyclable, and/or biodegradable, the cooler can be
disposed in an environmentally friendly manner in which the cooler
degrades rapidly relative to conventional polystyrene coolers and
without toxic residues.
[0021] The accompanying figures illustrate various embodiments of
the disclosed biodegradable cooler. As described in detail
hereinbelow, FIG. 1 shows a perspective front view of a hard-sided
collapsible cooler according to an example embodiment; FIG. 2 shows
another perspective front view of the hard-sided collapsible cooler
of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment; FIG. 3 shows an
attachment mechanism for rotatably attaching structures of the
hard-sided collapsible cooler of FIG. 1 according to an example
embodiment; FIG. 4 shows a perspective side view of the hard-sided
collapsible cooler of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment;
FIG. 5 shows the hard-sided collapsible cooler of FIG. 1 partially
collapsed according to an example embodiment; FIG. 6 shows the
hard-sided collapsible cooler of FIG. 1 fully collapsed according
to an example embodiment; FIG. 7 shows a stack of multiple
hard-sided collapsible coolers that are fully collapsed according
to an example embodiment; FIG. 8 shows a perspective front view of
a hard-sided collapsible cooler according to another example
embodiment; FIG. 9 shows an attachment mechanism for rotatably
attaching some structures of the hard-sided collapsible cooler of
FIG. 8 according to an example embodiment; FIGS. 10 and 11 shows
attachment rods that may be used with the attachment mechanism of
FIG. 9 according to an example embodiment; FIG. 12 shows a
perspective top view of a hard-sided collapsible cooler according
to another example embodiment; FIGS. 12A-12C show different views
of a hard-sided collapsible cooler 1200 according to another
example embodiment; and FIGS. 13-20 show partial views of
hard-sided collapsible coolers with different levels of insulation
according to example embodiments
[0022] It is understood that the aforementioned embodiments and
features associated therewith are not mutually exclusive of each
other. Any of the features shown to be associated with an
embodiment described herein may be adopted in another embodiment
described herein. Therefore, the description herein of various
embodiments does not imply that any features associated with a
particular embodiment are limited solely to said embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a perspective front view of a hard-sided
collapsible cooler 100 according to an example embodiment. FIG. 2
shows another perspective front view of the hard-sided collapsible
cooler 100 of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment. The
hard-sided collapsible cooler 100 is shown un-collapsed in FIGS. 1
and 2. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in some example embodiments, in
some example embodiments, the cooler 100 includes a cooler body
102, a lid 104, and a handle 122 attached to the cooler body 102.
The cooler 100 may further include a liner 200 that is positioned
in a cavity of the cooler body 102. After the liner 200 is inserted
in the cavity of the cooler body 102, some items (e.g., ice,
bottled drinks, etc.) may be placed in the liner 200. The cooler
body 102 includes a base 108, a frame 110, and multiple panels that
are rotatably attached to the base 108 or the frame 110. The base
108 serves as a bottom wall of the cooler 100, and the multiple
panels serve as walls that extend between the base 108 and the
frame 110 when the cooler 100 is un-collapsed. The multiple panels
and the base 108 define a cavity of the cooler body 102 when the
cooler 100 is un-collapsed.
[0024] In some example embodiments, the multiple panels include an
upper front panel 112, a lower front panel 114, and an end panel
106 as more clearly shown in FIG. 1. The multiple panels further
include an upper back panel 202 and a lower back panel 204 that are
across from the upper front panel 112 and the lower front panel
114. The multiple panels also include an end panel 206 that is
across from the end panel 106.
[0025] In some example embodiments, some panels of the multiple
panels are rotatably attached to the base 108, and other panels of
the multiple panels are rotatably attached to the frame 110. For
example, the lower front panel 114 and the lower back panel 204 are
rotatably attached to the base 108, and the upper front panel 112,
the upper back panel 202, and the end panels 106, 206 are rotatably
attached to the frame 110. The end panel is rotatably attached to a
section 120 of the frame 110, and the end panel 206 is rotatably
attached to a section 208 of the frame 110.
[0026] In some example embodiments, an attachment section 222 of
the upper front panel 112 may be attached to attachment sections
216, 218 of the frame 110. The attachment section 216 may be at one
end of a front section 118 of the frame 110, and the attachment
section 218 may be at an opposite end of the front section 118 of
the frame 110 from the attachment section 216. The attachment
section 222 of the upper front panel 112 may be positioned between
and rotatably attached to the attachment sections 216, 218 of the
frame 110. A snap-on hinge similar to the snap-on hinge attachment
mechanism shown in FIG. 3 may be used to rotatably attach the
attachment section 222 to the attachment sections 216, 218.
Alternatively, an attachment mechanism that uses one or more rods
may be used to rotatably attach the upper front panel 112 to the
frame 110. The upper back panel 202 may be rotatably attached to
the frame 110 in a similar manner as the upper front panel 112 to
the frame 110.
[0027] In some example embodiments, an attachment section 220 of
the lower front panel 114 may be attached to attachment sections
210, 212 of the base 108. The attachment section 210 may be at one
end of a front section 134 of the base 108, and the attachment
section 212 may be at an opposite end of the front section 134 of
the base 108 from the attachment section 210. The attachment
section 220 of the lower front panel 114 may be positioned between
and rotatably attached to the attachment sections 210, 212 of the
base 108. A snap-on hinge similar to the snap-on hinge attachment
mechanism shown in FIG. 3 may be used to rotatably attach the
attachment section 220 to the attachment sections 210, 212.
[0028] Alternatively, an attachment mechanism that uses one or more
rods may be used to rotatably attach the lower front panel 114 to
the base 108. In some alternative embodiments, other rotatable
attachment means may be used. The lower back panel 204 may be
rotatably attached to the base 108 in a similar manner as the lower
front panel 114 is attached to the base 108.
[0029] In some example embodiments, the upper front panel 112 is
rotatably attached to the lower front panel 114, and the upper back
panel 202 is rotatably attached to the lower back panel 204. To
illustrate, an attachment section 226 of the upper front panel 112
may be attached to attachment sections 228, 230 of the lower front
panel 114. For example, the attachment section 228 may be at one
end of a perimeter of the frame 110, and the attachment section 230
may be at an opposite end of the lower front panel 114 from the
attachment section 228. The attachment section 226 of the upper
front panel 112 may be positioned between and rotatably attached to
the attachment sections 228, 230 of the lower front panel 114. In
some alternative embodiments, the upper front panel 112 may include
attachment sections 228, 230, and the lower front panel 114 may
include the attachment section 226. A snap-on hinge similar to the
snap-on hinge attachment mechanism shown in FIG. 3 may be used to
rotatably attach the attachment section 226 to the attachment
sections 228, 230. Alternatively, an attachment mechanism that uses
one or more rods may be used to rotatably attach the upper front
panel 112 to the frame 110. In some alternative embodiments, other
rotatable attachment means may be used. In some alternative
embodiments, the base 108, the frame 110, and the panels of the
cooler 100 may have more or fewer attachment sections or structures
without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The upper back
panel 202 may be rotatably attached to the to the lower back panel
204 in a similar manner as the upper front panel 112 is attached to
the lower front panel 114.
[0030] FIG. 3 shows an attachment mechanism for rotatably attaching
structures of the hard-sided collapsible cooler 100 of FIG. 1
according to an example embodiment. In some example embodiments,
the attachment mechanism may include a protruding structure 308
that extends out from an attachment section 306 of a panel 302. The
attachment mechanism further includes an attachment hole 312 that
is formed in an attachment section 310 of a panel 304. The
protruding structure 308 is designed to snap into the attachment
hole 312 such that the panel 302 and the panel 304 are rotatable
with respect to each other.
[0031] In some example embodiments, the panel 302 may include a
second attachment section at an opposite end from the attachment
section 306, where a second protruding structure similar to the
protruding structure 308 protrudes out from the second attachment
section. The attachment section 310 of the panel 304 may also
include another attachment hole at an opposite end from the
attachment hole 312, where the second protruding structure of the
panel 302 can get snapped into the second attachment hole such that
the panel 302 and the panel 304 are rotatable with respect to each
other.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, in some example embodiments, the end
panels 106, 206, the upper front panel 112, and the upper back
panel 202 may be rotatably attached to the frame 110 using the
attachment mechanism shown in FIG. 3. The lower front panel 114 and
the lower back panel 204 may also be rotatably attached to the base
108 using the attachment mechanism shown in FIG. 3. The upper front
panel 112 may be rotatably attached to the lower front panel 114
using the attachment mechanism shown in FIG. 3. The upper back
panel 202 may be rotatably attached to the lower back panel 204
using the attachment mechanism shown in FIG. 3. In some alternative
embodiments, the locations of the protruding structure 308 and the
attachment hole 312 may be reversed.
[0033] In some example embodiments, the lid 104 may be rotatably
attached to the frame 110. For example, the frame 110 may include
an attachment section 232 that gets inserted or snapped in a space
between attachment sections 234, 236 of the lid 104. For example,
the attachment section 232 may be attached to the attachment
sections 234, 236 using the rotatable attachment mechanism shown in
FIG. 3.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in some example embodiments, the
handle 122 may include a strap 124 that passes through strap
retainers 126, 128, 130, 132 as well as through similar strap
retainers at the back side of the cooler 100. For example, the
strap retainers 126, 128 may be formed at a front perimeter surface
134 of the base 108, and the strap retainers 130, 132 may be formed
at the front section 118 of the frame 110. Similar retainer straps
may be formed at a back perimeter of the base 108 and at the back
section of the frame 110.
[0035] In some example embodiments, the strap 124 may extend around
the cooler body 102 including around the base 108. For example, the
strap 124 may extend around the cooler body 102 twice. To
illustrate, some sections of the strap 124 may be on the front side
of the cooler 100 and some sections of the strap 124 may be on the
back side of the cooler 100. The sections of the strap 124 that
extend above the cooler body 102 from the opposite sides of the
cooler 100 may be held together, for example, with one hand to
carry the cooler 100. For example, a strap cover, such as a strap
cover 138, may be attached to each section of the strap 124 is used
for carrying the cooler 100. In some alternative embodiments, the
cooler 100 may include a different type of handle without departing
from the scope of this disclosure.
[0036] In some example embodiments, the liner 200 may be positioned
in the cavity of the cooler body 102. For example, liner 200 may be
placed in the cooler body 102 such that a top perimeter rim 238 of
the liner 200 snaps in place on the frame 110. The liner 200 may be
a soft sided liner that can collapse along with the cooler body 102
without the need to remove the liner 200 from the cooler body 102.
For example, the liner 200 may be a flexible welded liner. The
liner 200 may also be a leak-proof liner to enable the use of the
cooler 100 for holding items, such as ice, cold drink bottles,
etc., that be result in a liquid inside the liner 200. For example,
ice may be placed inside the liner 200 after the liner 200 is
positioned in the cavity of the cooler body 100. The liner 200 may
be made from expanded polypropylene (EPPE), ethylene-butylacrylate
copolymer (EBA), and/or from another suitable material using
methods know to those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit
of this disclosure. In some alternative embodiments, the liner 200
may be removed from the cooler body 102 before collapsing the
cooler 100.
[0037] FIG. 4 shows a perspective side view of the hard-sided
collapsible cooler 100 of FIG. 1 according to an example
embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 1-4, in some example embodiments,
the end panel 106 may be attached to the section 120 of the frame
110, and the end panel 206 may be attached to the section 208 of
the frame 110. For example, an attachment tab 404 of the end panel
206 may be inserted or snapped in a notch 408 in the section 208 of
the frame 110, and an attachment tab 406 of the end panel 206 may
also be inserted or snapped in a notch 410 in the section 208 of
the frame 110. The attachment tabs 404, 406 may be attached to the
section 208 using the snap-on attachment mechanism shown in FIG. 3
such that the panel 206 is rotatably attached to the frame 110. In
some alternative embodiments, other rotatable attachment means such
as one or more rods that end through the frame 110 and the end
panel 206, may be used. In some alternative embodiments, the end
panel 206 may include a single attachment tab or more than two
attachment tabs for attaching the panel 206 to the frame 110. In
some alternative embodiments, the end panel 106 may be attached to
the frame in a similar manner as the upper front panel 112 is
attached to the frame 110.
[0038] In some example embodiments, the end panel 106 may be
rotatably attached to the section 120 of the frame 110 in a similar
manner as the end panel 206. To illustrate, the attachment tab 412
of the end panel 106 may be inserted or snapped in a notch 414 of
the section 120 of the frame 110, and a second attachment tab of
the end panel 106 may be inserted or snapped in a second notch in
the section 120 of the frame 110. The attachment tabs of the end
panel 106 may be attached to the section 120 using the snap-on
attachment mechanism shown in FIG. 3 such that the panel 106 is
rotatably attached to the frame 110. In some alternative
embodiments, other rotatable attachment means, such as one or more
rods that end through the frame 110 and the end panel 106, may be
used. In some alternative embodiments, the end panel 106 may
include a single attachment tab or more than two attachment tabs
for attaching the panel 106 to the frame 110. In some alternative
embodiments, the end panel 106 may be attached to the frame 110 in
a similar manner as the upper front panel 112 is attached to the
frame 110.
[0039] In some example embodiments, the end panels 106, 206 are in
contact with the base 108 when the cooler 100 is un-collapsed as
shown in FIGS. 1-4. For example, the end panel 106 may be rotated
with respect to the frame 110 to a vertical position as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 4 and held in place by friction between the end panel
106 and the base 110. The end panel 206 may be rotated with respect
to the frame 110 to a vertical position as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and
4 and held in place by friction between the end panel 106 and the
base 108. To rotate the end panels 106, 206 toward the cavity 402,
a person may push each panel 106, 206 inward with enough force to
overcome the friction between the end panel 106, 206 and the base
108.
[0040] In some example embodiments, the upper front panel 112, the
lower front panel 114, the upper back panel 202, the lower back
panel 204, and the end panel 106, 206 define the cavity 402 of the
cooler body 102 when the cooler 100 is un-collapsed as shown in
FIGS. 1-4. When the liner 200 is inserted in the cavity 402 of the
cooler body 102, a perimeter 416 of the liner 200 may snap on to
the frame 110 retaining the liner 200 in the cavity 402 while
allowing the lid 104 to fully cover the cavity 402 when the lid 104
is closed as more clearly shown in FIG. 1.
[0041] In some example embodiments, the strap 124 may be made from
a fabric or another suitable material as can be readily understood
by those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this
disclosure. In some example embodiments, the base 108 and the frame
110 may be made from polyurethane and/or polyethylene or from
another suitable material as can be readily understood by those of
ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure. The
base 108 and the frame 110 may be made using blow molding or
injection molding methods. In some example embodiments, the panels
110, 114, 202, 204, 106, 206 may be made from polyurethane and/or
from another suitable material as can be readily understood by
those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this
disclosure. The panels 110, 114, 202, 204, 106, 206 may be made
using blow molding and may be foamed or air filled.
[0042] FIG. 5 shows the hard-sided collapsible cooler 100 of FIG. 1
partially collapsed according to an example embodiment, and FIG. 6
shows the hard-sided collapsible cooler 100 of FIG. 1 fully
collapsed according to an example embodiment. Referring to FIS.
1-6, in some example embodiments, the cooler 100 may be fully
collapsed as shown in FIG. 6. For example, starting from the
un-collapsed configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a person may
rotate the end panels 106, 206 inward toward each other by pushing
on the panels 106, 206 closer to the base 108 than the frame 110.
The end panels 106, 206 remain attached to the frame 110 as the end
panels 106, 206 are rotated. Each end panel 106, 206 may be rotated
to a substantially horizontal position below the lid 104. For
example, the end panels 106, 206 may be rotated into a horizontal
plane that is substantially perpendicular to the un-collapsed
positions of the end panels 106, 206. When the end panels 106, 206
are being rotated inward to collapse the cooler 100, the end panels
106, 206 may the liner 200 push inward and upward such that the
liner 200 becomes positioned between the end panels 106, 206 and
the lid 104.
[0043] In some example embodiments, after rotating the end panels
106, 206 inward such that the end panels 106, 206 are substantially
in horizontal positions, the user may collapse the upper front
panel 112 and the lower front panel 114 as well as the upper back
panel 202 and the lower back panel 204, for example, by pushing the
panels inward. For example, the user may collapse the upper front
panel 112 and the lower front panel 114 by pushing inward on the
upper front panel 112 and/or the lower front panel 114 close to
attachment sections of the upper front panel 112 and/or the lower
front panel 114. The user may collapse the upper back panel 202 and
the lower back panel 204 by pushing inward on the upper back panel
202 and/or the lower back panel 204 close to attachment sections of
the upper back panel 202 and the lower back panel 204.
[0044] In some example embodiments, the upper front panel 112 may
remain attached to the frame 110 and to the lower front panel 114
while the cooler 100 is being collapsed and after the cooler 100 is
collapsed. The upper back panel 202 may remain attached to the
frame 110 and to the lower back panel 204 while the cooler 100 is
being collapsed and after the cooler 100 is collapsed. The lower
front panel 114 may remain attached to the base 108 and to the
upper front panel 112 while the cooler 100 is being collapsed and
after the cooler 100 is collapsed. The lower back panel 204 may
remain attached to the base 108 and to the upper back panel 202
while the cooler 100 is being collapsed and after the cooler 100 is
collapsed. The cooler 100 may be transformed from the partially
collapsed configuration shown in FIG. 5 to the fully collapsed
configuration shown in FIG. 6 by pushing down on the lid 104 of the
cooler 100.
[0045] In some example embodiments, the steps of collapsing the
cooler 100 may be performed in the reverse order to un-collapse the
cooler 100 from the collapsed configuration shown in FIG. 6. For
example, lid 104 may be pulled upward, and the upper front panel
112 and the lower front panel 114 as well as the upper back panel
202 and the lower back panel 204 may be stretched out to the
vertical positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The end panels 106, 206
may be rotated out until the end panels 106, 206 are stopped by the
base 110 at the vertical positions of the end panels 106, 206 shown
in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0046] By using the base 108 as well as the panels 106, 206, 112,
114, 202, 204 that serve as hard-sided walls, the hard-sided
collapsible cooler 100 can provide the performance and durability
of a hard-side cooler while providing the collapsibility of a
soft-side cooler. In some example embodiments, the height of the
collapsed hard-sided collapsible cooler 100 as shown in FIG. 6 may
be less than 50 percent the height of the un-collapsed hard-sided
collapsible cooler 100 as shown in FIG. 1.
[0047] FIG. 7 shows a stack of multiple hard-sided collapsible
coolers 702-706 that are fully collapsed according to an example
embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 1-7, in some example embodiments,
each cooler of the hard-sided collapsible coolers 702-706 may
correspond to the hard-sided collapsible cooler 100 that is in a
fully collapsed configuration in FIG. 6. The hard-sided collapsible
cooler 100 may be designed to be stackable as shown with respect to
the hard-sided collapsible coolers 702-706. The collapsibility of
the hard-sided collapsible coolers 702-706 may result in
significant space saving during storage and transportation of the
hard-sided collapsible coolers 702-706.
[0048] FIG. 8 shows a perspective front view of a hard-sided
collapsible cooler 800 according to another example embodiment. In
some example embodiments, the cooler 800 is substantially similar
to the cooler 100. For example, the cooler 800 includes the end
panels 106, 206, the upper front panel 112, the lower front panel
114, the upper back panel 202, and the lower back panel 204. The
end panels 106, 206 of the cooler 800 may be attached to the frame
110 in a similar manner as described with respect to the cooler
100.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 8, in some example embodiments, one or
more rods, such as a rod 802, that extend through the attachment
sections 216, 218 of the frame 110 and through the attachment
section 222 of the upper front panel 112 may be used to rotatably
attach the upper front panel 112 to the frame 110. For example, a
rod 802 may extend through One or more rods, such as a rod 806,
that extend through the attachment sections 210, 212 of the base
108 and through the attachment section 220 of the lower front panel
114 may be used to rotatably attach the lower front panel 114 to
the base 108. One or more rods, such as a rod 804, that extend
through the attachment sections 228, 230 of the lower front panel
114 and through the attachment section 226 of the upper front panel
112 may be used to rotatably attach upper front panel 112 to the
lower front panel 114.
[0050] In some example embodiments, the upper back panel 202 may be
rotatably attached to the frame 110 using one or more rods, such as
a rod 808, in a similar manner as the upper front panel 212. The
lower back panel 204 may be rotatably attached to the frame 110
using one or more rods, such as a rod 812, in a similar manner as
the lower front panel 214. The upper back panel 202 may be
rotatably attached to the lower back panel 204 using one or more
rods, such as a rod 810.
[0051] In some example embodiments, the lid 104 may be rotatably
attached to the frame 110 using one or more rods that extend
through sections of the lid 104 and the attachment section 232 of
the frame 110.
[0052] FIG. 9 shows an attachment mechanism for rotatably attaching
some structures of the hard-sided collapsible cooler 800 of FIG. 8
according to an example embodiment, and FIGS. 10 and 11 shows
attachment rods 1000, 1100 that may be used with the attachment
mechanism of FIG. 9 according to an example embodiment. In some
example embodiments, the rod 1000 may be a metal (e.g., steel) rod,
and the rod 1100 may be a plastic rod.
[0053] Referring to FIGS. 9-11, in some example embodiments, a
panel 902 may include an attachment section 906 that includes a
hole that extends through a portion or the entire length of the
attachment section 906. A panel 904 may include attachment sections
910, 912 that each have a respective hole 918 or 920.
[0054] In some example embodiments, to rotatably attach the panel
902 to the panel 904, the attachment section 906 may be placed in a
space 914 between the attachment sections 910, 912, and the rod
1000 or the rod 1100 may be inserted and extended through holes
920, 908, 918 as well as a hole at an opposite end of the
attachment section 906 from the hole 908. Alternatively, one rod
1000 or 1100 may be inserted through the hole 920 and the hole 908
to extend partially into the attachment section 906 and another rod
1000 or 1100 may be inserted through the attachment structure 910
such that the rod extends entirely through attachment structure 910
and partially through the attachment section 906.
[0055] In general, the rod-based attachment mechanism described
with respect FIGS. 9-11 may be used to attach the panels of the
cooler 800 to the base 108, the frame 110, and/or to each
other.
[0056] FIGS. 12A-12C show different views of a hard-sided
collapsible cooler 1200 according to another example embodiment. In
some example embodiments, the cooler 1200 is substantially similar
to the coolers 100, 800. FIG. 12A shows the cooler 1200
un-collapsed and with a closed lid, FIG. 12B shows the cooler 1200
un-collapsed and with an open lid, and FIG. 12C shows the cooler
1200 collapsed. In some example embodiments, the cooler 1200
includes a cooler body 1202, a lid 1204, and a frame 1206. The
cooler 1200 may also include a base 1214 and multiple panels that
respectively correspond to the base 108 and panels of the cooler
100, 800. In general, the panels of the cooler 1200 may be attached
to the frame 1206 and/or to the base 1214 in the same manner as the
panels of the cooler 100, 800 are attached to the frame 110 and/or
the base 108 of the cooler 100, 800.
[0057] In contrast to the frame 110 of the cooler 100, the frame
1206 of the cooler 1200 may extend down further relative to the
panels such that the attachment areas between the panels and the
frame 1206 are hidden from view by the frame 1206. Further, in
contrast to the handle 122 of the cooler 100, a handle 1208 of the
cooler 1200 is rotatably attached directly to the frame 1206 on
opposite sides of the cooler 1200. For example, a first end portion
1210 of the handle 1208 may be attached to the frame 1206 on one
side of the frame 1206, and a second end portion 1212 of the handle
1208 may be attached to the frame 1206 on an opposite side of the
frame 1206 such that the handle 1208 can extend over and across the
lid 1204. The handle 1208 may include one or more slots 1216.
[0058] In some example embodiments, the handle 1208 may be rotated
to a position such that the handle 1208 is flush or below the frame
1206 as shown in FIGS. 12B and 12C. For example, the handle 1208
may be positioned on a ledge 1222 of the frame 1206 to open the lid
1204 or to stack multiple hard-sided collapsible coolers 1200 in a
similar manner as shown in FIG. 7. In general, the handle 1208
enables a person to carry the cooler 1200 with one hand and to
conveniently move the handle to 1208 to open the lid 1204 or to
stack up multiple coolers. The hard-sided collapsible cooler 1200
can provide the performance and durability of a hard-side cooler
while providing the collapsibility of a soft-side cooler to save
storage space.
[0059] FIGS. 13-20 show partial views of hard-sided collapsible
coolers with different levels of insulation according to example
embodiments. Referring to FIG. 13, a hard-sided collapsible cooler
1300 includes a cooler body 1302, a lid 1304, a frame 1306, and a
base 1308. For example, the cooler 1300 may correspond to the
cooler 100, 800, 1200.
[0060] In some example embodiments, panels 1310, 1312 of the cooler
body 1302 may be foamed. For example, the upper panel 1310 may
include foam 1314, and the lower panel 1312 may include foam 1316.
The lid 1304 and the base 1306 may also be foamed, where the lid
1304 includes foam 1318, and the base 1308 includes foam 1320. The
panels, the lid 1304, and the base 1308 may be made using methods,
such as blow molding, as can be readily understood by those of
ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure.
[0061] In some example embodiments, the cooler 1300 may also
include a liner 1322. For example, the liner 1322 may correspond to
the liner 200 shown in FIG. 2, which may be a soft-sided leak-proof
liner.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 14, a hard-sided collapsible cooler 1400
includes a cooler body 1402, a lid 1404, a frame 1406, and a base
1408. For example, the cooler 1400 may correspond to the cooler
100, 800, 1200.
[0063] In some example embodiments, panels 1410, 1412 of the cooler
body 1402 may be air filled. The panels, the lid 1404, and the base
1408 may be made using methods, such as blow molding, as can be
readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art with the
benefit of this disclosure.
[0064] In some example embodiments, the cooler 1400 may also
include a liner 1422. For example, the liner 1422 may correspond to
the liner 200 shown in FIG. 2, which may be a soft-sided leak-proof
liner.
[0065] Referring to FIG. 15, a hard-sided collapsible cooler 1500
includes a cooler body 1502, a lid 1504, a frame 1506, and a base
1508. For example, the cooler 1500 may correspond to the cooler
100, 800, 1200.
[0066] In some example embodiments, panels 1510, 1512 of the cooler
body 1502 and the base 1508 may be single-walled, and thus, may not
be foamed or air filled. The lid 1504 may be air filled. The
panels, the lid 1504, and the base 1508 may be made using methods,
such as injection molding, as can be readily understood by those of
ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure.
[0067] In some example embodiments, the cooler 1500 may include an
insulated bag liner 1514 that is insulated using foam 1516
contained in the liner 1514. For example, the liner 1514 may be
used instead of the liner 200 shown in FIG. 2. The liner 1514 may
be a leak-proof liner. The liner 1514 may be removed before
collapsing the cooler 1500. Alternatively, the liner 1514 may be
collapsible along with the cooler body 1502.
[0068] Referring to FIG. 16, a hard-sided collapsible cooler 1600
includes the hard-sided collapsible cooler 1500 of FIG. 15 and a
liner 1602. For example, the liner 1602 may correspond to the liner
200 shown in FIG. 2, which may be a soft-sided leak-proof
liner.
[0069] Referring to FIG. 17, a hard-sided collapsible cooler 1700
includes a cooler body 1702, a lid 1704, a frame 1706, and a base
1708. For example, the cooler 1700 may correspond to the cooler
100, 800, 1200.
[0070] In some example embodiments, panels 1710, 1712 of the cooler
body 1702 may be foamed. For example, the upper panel 1710 may
include foam 1714, and the lower panel 1712 may include foam 1716.
The lid 1704 and the base 1706 may also be foamed, where the lid
1704 includes foam 1718, and the base 1708 includes foam 1720. The
panels, the lid 1704, and the base 1708 may be made using methods,
such as blow molding, as can be readily understood by those of
ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure.
[0071] In some example embodiments, the cooler 1700 may also
include an insulated bag liner 1718 that is insulated using foam
1720 contained in the liner 1718. For example, the liner 1718 may
be used instead of the liner 200 shown in FIG. 2. The liner 1718
may be a leak-proof liner. The liner 1718 may be removed before
collapsing the cooler 1700. Alternatively, the liner 1718 may be
collapsible along with the cooler body 1702.
[0072] Referring to FIG. 18, a hard-sided collapsible cooler 1800
includes a cooler body 1802, a lid 1804, a frame 1806, and a base
1808. For example, the cooler 1800 may correspond to the cooler
100, 800, 1200.
[0073] In some example embodiments, panels 1810, 1812 of the cooler
body 1802 may be air filled. The lid 1804 and the base 1806 may
also be air filled. The panels, the lid 1804, and the base 1808 may
be made using methods, such as blow molding, as can be readily
understood by those of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit
of this disclosure.
[0074] In some example embodiments, the cooler 1800 may also
include an insulated bag liner 1814 that is insulated using foam
1816 contained in the liner 1814. For example, the liner 1814 may
be used instead of the liner 200 shown in FIG. 2. The liner 1814
may be a leak-proof liner. The liner 1814 may be removed before
collapsing the cooler 1800. Alternatively, the liner 1814 may be
collapsible along with the cooler body 1802.
[0075] Referring to FIG. 19, a hard-sided collapsible cooler 1900
includes a cooler body 1902, a lid 1904, a frame 1906, and a base
1908. For example, the cooler 1900 may correspond to the cooler
100, 800, 1200.
[0076] In some example embodiments, panels 1910, 1912 of the cooler
body 1902 and the base 1908 may be single-walled, and thus, may not
be foamed or air filled. The lid 1904 may also be foamed, where the
lid 1904 includes foam 1914. The panels, the lid 1904, and the base
1908 may be made using one or more methods, such as injection
molding, blow molding, etc., as can be readily understood by those
of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this
disclosure.
[0077] In some example embodiments, the cooler 1900 may include an
insulated bag liner 1916 that is insulated using foam 1918
contained in the liner 1916. For example, the liner 1916 may be
used instead of the liner 200 shown in FIG. 2. The liner 1916 may
be a leak-proof liner. The liner 1916 may be removed before
collapsing the cooler 1900. Alternatively, the liner 1916 may be
collapsible along with the cooler body 1902.
[0078] Referring to FIG. 20, a hard-sided collapsible cooler 2000
includes a cooler body 2002, a lid 2004, a frame 2006, and a base
2008. For example, the cooler 2000 may correspond to the cooler
100, 800, 1200.
[0079] In some example embodiments, panels 2010, 2012 of the cooler
body 2002 and the base 2008 may be single-walled, and thus, may not
be foamed or air filled. The lid 2004 may also air filled. The
panels, the lid 2004, and the base 2008 may be made using one or
more methods, such as injection molding, blow molding, etc., as can
be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art with
the benefit of this disclosure.
[0080] In some example embodiments, the cooler 2000 may also
include a liner 2014. For example, the liner 2014 may correspond to
the liner 200 shown in FIG. 2, which may be a soft-sided leak-proof
liner. The liner 2014 may be removed before collapsing the cooler
2000. Alternatively, the liner 2014 may be collapsible along with
the cooler body 2002. The foregoing description has been directed
to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be
apparent, however, that other variations and modifications may be
made to the described embodiments, with the attainment of some or
all of their advantages. Accordingly, this description is to be
taken only by way of example and not to otherwise limit the scope
of the embodiments herein. Therefore, it is the object of the
appended claims to cover all such variations and modifications as
come within the true spirit and scope of the embodiments
herein.
* * * * *