Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02460597 2004-03-10
. . a.,_
ICE CHEST
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
i~" I " ' .r' ~ : ' '".1"!) ~" ' ~ r..; a ~~".11""~~ ~u _:::
L. ~i ..-u 3"".~ ..i~ n 1~"d ... ~:* ~" .i:~
[0001) The present invention relates to a portable
container, more particularly an ice chest or cooler for
food and beverages.
[0002) Conventional coolers or ice chests are typically
in the form of an insulated container body defined by
four walls upstanding from a base to define a top opening
to which a removable or pivotable lid is mounted. Such
conventional coolers are typically rectangular with two
elongated side malls and two end walls, with pivotable
handles mounted to each end wall for carrying the cooler.
Such ice chests have a number of disadvantages. For
example, the elongated shape of conventional large, e.g.,
36 or 48 quart, coolers means that the consumer must
spread his arms and wrists wide to be able to grab at
both handles to lift and move the cooler. This awkward
stance makes lifting the cooler difficult and often the
consumer will solicit aid from another indi idual so that
C't7ol...F iZ
one person carries each end of the ,e~e~e. ~S~nd, the
elongated footprint of conventional cool ca~n~make it
difficult to store and transport, particularly in compact
cars, while accommodating the consumer's other luggage or
belongings. The footprint of the product is also of
concern as it impacts the space required to display the
product for sale. '
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is an object of the invention to provide a
cooler or ice chest that is uniquely shaped to be more
1
CA 02460597 2004-03-10
. ; 's.
ergonomic so that the consumer does not need to spread
his arms and wrists as wide to pick up the ice chest. It
is also an object of the invention to provide a cooler
having a smaller footprint to facilitate storage and
efficient retail display.
[0004) The foregoing objects are realized in accordance
with the invention by providing an ice chest that is of
generally cubical shape having a generally square
transverse cross-section.
[0005) It is further object of the invention to provide
an ice chest that may be more conveniently and easily
picked up irrespective of the direction from which it is
approached and carried. The foregoing object is realized
by providing a handle on each side face of the cooler so
that handles can be readily located and grasped
irrespective of the orientation of the cooler with
respect to the approaching consumer.
[0006] It is a further object of the invention to
provide for built in storage to accommodate goods or
accessories that the consumer may wan t transport or
store with the ice chest, but which t~\~ require
cooling. The foregoing object is achieved ,~~y''/~pJr~oviding a
cooler or ice chest having at least one covered storage
compartment in its lid.
[000?) It is yet a further object of the invention to
provide a cooler tray within the cooler in a manner such
that the tray can be placed and retained in any one of
several lateral positions within the ice chest interior.
I This object is achieved by providing a cooler tray having
a lip defined peripherally thereof for engaging
2
CA 02460597 2004-03-10
r
r
~j ~ ~n ~ m, , .~I
. i~. :~ .....U 1~~~~ ~~::N ~ ~~~ ~:~ ~~:;:~: c: ~i..:% ~:i'.~~., u.... ~~.a~
~..::i~
corresponding tray tabs provided in the ice chest
interior, for supporting the tray and holding the tray in
position, so that it does not slide once positioned in
the ice chest.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] These and other objects and advantages of this
invention will be more completely understood and
appreciated by careful study of the following more
detailed description of the presently preferred exemplary
embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0009] FIGURE 1 is a perspective view from the front
right and top of an ice chest provided in accordance with
a presently preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0010) FIGURE 2 is a .view similar to FIGURE 1 showing
the two side handles pivoted to an exemplary lift
position;
(0011) FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 showing
the lid storage compartment cover in an open disposition;
[0012) FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 showing
the ice chest lid in its open position;
[0013] FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of the ice chest of
FIGURE 1;
[0014) FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the lid
compartment cover;
3
CA 02460597 2004-03-10
..~u.!!..~ ~,: ;x°j; ~:a~'~.~~d ~~:Jt ~~ '~y~ ~ ..:~.. u::.~ lr~ .: '.,
' .1 n '81 m An.m.?I
[0015] FIGURE 7 is a front elevational view, partly
broken along lines 7-7 of FIGURE 8 of an ice chest
embodying the invention;
[OOIb] FIGURE 8 is a side elevational view of the ice
chest, partly broken away along line 8-8 of FIGURE 7;
[0017] FIGURE 9 is a bottom plan view of the ice chest
of FIGURE 1 in an exemplary embodiment of the invention;
[0018] FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of the ice chest
liner of the invention illustrating the tray tabs for
supportina the cooler tray;
[0019] FIGURE .l is a perspective view of a cooler tra;r
provided in accordance with the invention; and
[0020] FIGURE 12 is an elevational view, partly in
cross-section of the cooler tray of FIGURE 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[00?lJ An ice chest provided in accordance with the
present invention is of generally cubical shape so that
the ice chest has a smaller footprint than a conventional
ice chest and is easier to grasp and lift.
[002?) In the illustrated embodiment, the ice chest 10
is in the form of an insulated container body 12 which
has walls 14,16,18,20 upstanding from a base 22 to define
a top opening 24. For ease of~.description and reference,
the ice chest may be characterized as having front and
rear side walls 14,16 and right and left side walls
18, 20. The right and left side walls are mirror images
of one another and the front and rear side walls as
4
CA 02460597 2004-03-10
~. ~~.~1 a:'.s ,''.~' tE°~a ~,.~i tk;J) i;~ ,~~ '~~~..:'..n .~(
~':'''~"~~;'~
~ ,, il..~. , r ._,:~~
defined by the shell of the cooler are mirror images of
one another but the top edge of the front and rear side
walls as defined by the liner 28 differ to accommodate
the openable lid of the cooler as described in greater
detail hereinbelow. The container body 12, as best seen
in FIGURES 7 and 8, is comprised of an outer shell 26 arid
an inner liner 28 with a suitable insulating material 30
provided therebetween.
[0023] To define the generally cubical shape of the ice
chest, the ice chest lid 32 and base 22 are generally
square and each of the upstanding walls is generally
square having a width generally equal to its height. -n
the illustrated emi~odiment, the ice chest is generally
cube shaped, but not necessarily a perfect cube, as the
height of the ice chest in this embodiment is slightly
greater than the dimensions of each of the sides. Thus,
by way of example, for a 48 quart ice chest, the
dimensions of the ice chest may be I7 1/4 X I7 1/4 X 17
5/16 inches. The corners and peripheral edges of the ice
chest are generally curved or rounded to facilitate
molding, to give the product a modern aesthetically
pleasing appearance, and for user comfort.
[0024) unlike conventional ice chests, in the presently
preferred embodiment, the ice chest includes four handles
34,36,38,40, one handle defined on or mounted to each
side wall of the ice chest. This permits the consumer to
more conveniently and easily pick up and carry the ice
chest from any direction in which it is approached. The
cubic shape in conjunction with the handles makes this
possible. In the illustrated embodiment, the handles
34,36 provided on the front and rear side walls are
CA 02460597 2004-03-10
r
.~i .....~ n~~~h ~ ,' . ;i"." ,~~, ~,~ y::.i' -~ ";:i ' .. , ,.....~i N .i'
.....;
_J~ F J a:3~ y;;:u ,C.:n ,i__~ t :,,-,: m r, ,~ .....U ...I..: -n.... -~ ...1.
.....,
molded in the outer shell 26 of the ice chest. On the
other hand, the handles 38,40 provided in the right and
left side walls 18,20 are pivotally mounted to a suitable
receptacle 42,44 defined in the liner 28 for being
pivoted from a storage position, as shown in FIGURE 1, to
a lift and carry position, as shown in FIGURE 2. In the
illustrated embodiment, the liner and shell of the ice
chest are molded to define a raised perimeter 46,48 for
the right and left side handles 38,40, e.g., to shield
the handles from potentially damaging contact with other
objec~s when stowed. As also illustrated, e.g., in
Figures i-4, the cross bars of the pivotabie handles
38,40 include finger recesses 50,52 to facilitate
graspiag of the handle and for user comfort.
[0025) In the illustrated embodiment, an integrally
formed handle 34,36 is provided on the front and rear
side walls 14,16, e.g., so as not to interfere with
opening the lid and/or the hinge mounting of the ice
chest lid. It is to be understood Lhat if the lid is
mounted without a hinge structure or is hinged to one of
the side walls, then the front and rear handles may be
configured as pivotal handles such as shown for the right
and left sides and/or may be another pivotal or
nonpivotal handle configuration as deemed necessary or
desirable. Likewise, while pivotal handles that project
upwardly above the lid of the ice chest are provided on
the right and left sides to- facilitate grasping and
lifting of the ice cooler and/or for dragging the ice
chest, e.g., in the sand, the handles provided on the
right and left sides of the ice chest need not be
provided as pivotal handles but may be vertically sliding
G
CA 02460597 2004-03-10
' ,,," '"li .C.'! '~ ' i!°~i""d' yli __~ ;;.~~ _.:
...~..-;~1 ,;.,u: n :..~i: 8..: ~ '-;.".l: in n a .., n :: n...il..... .n.:.J
...,.
handles or integrally formed handles as deemed necessary
or desirable.
[0026] An insulating cover or lid 32 is provided to
close the top opening 24 of the ice chest. In the
illustrated embodiment, the lid is hingedly attached to
the liner 28 of the ice chest main body 12 as at 54 to
pivot from a closed position as shown in FIGURE 1 to an
open position, as shown in FIGURE 4, to provide easy
access to the ice chest interior. It is to be
appreciated, however, that as an alternative to the
pivotal connection sho~~rn, a fully removable lid may be
provided. Also, the lid could be hingedly attached to
one oz the other sides of the cooler without deoartincr
from this invention.
(0027] To secure the lid in its closed position as
depicted in FIGURE l, in the illustrated embodiment
locking tabs 56 are defined adjacent the upper peripheral
edge of the container main body liner to engage
corresponding recesses 58 defined in each side of the
cooler lid 32. Such a friction type locking closure is
not required, however, and may be omitted. In addition,
or in the alternative, other more affirmative locking
structures may be provided to secure and retain the lid
in its closed position, such as pivotally mounted locking
carrying handles to selectively engage and hold the lid
on the container, during lifting and transport, or
pivoting or rotating locks provided specifically for
retaining the lid in its closed position. In the
illustrated embodiment, because the lid is secured in its
I
closed position by the locking tabs 56 and corresponding
recesses 58, no locking interface is provided between the
7
CA 02460597 2004-03-10
..~.. ~~1 ..'~ '~~~' :1:::H ~G..~~ '~.-.:4 :i'~.~ ~: !~.~i ..; ; ~.~~ ~--~i
~.~ii
H..A~
.. ;r-.. ~~..;, .._
,i
pivotal handles and the lid. Rather, a cutout 60,62 is
' defined on the right and left side edges of the lid to
facilitate rotation of the handles to a vertical
disposition as shown in FIGURE 2. To facilitate lifting
and opening of the lid, particularly to overcome the
friction locking force of the locking tabs and
corresponding recesses, a lid lifting recess 64 is
defined in the lid front edge. In the illustrated
embodiment, a corresponding recess 66 is defined in the
top edge of the liner 28 of the main body 12 to
facilitate opening of the lid and for aesthetics.
[00?SJ The ice cooler lid 32 in the presently preferred
er~bodimer.t or: the invention also defines compartments for
product storage. In the illustrated embodiment, first
and second compartments 68,70 are provided as receptacles
for a beverage can, glass or bottle. Additionally, a
pivotal cover 72 is mounted to the lid 32 which may be
selectively pivoted from a closed position as shown in
FIGURE 1 to an open position as shown in FIGURE 3 to
reveal interior compartments in the cooler lid. In the
illustrated embodiment, first and second compartments
74,76 are defined in the lid which may receive cellular
phones, car '.keys, change and the like. The compartments
may be defined in a removable tray insert or may be
integrally formed in the ice chest lid.
[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, the lid or cover
for the compartment pivots to 'slightly beyond 90°- such as
100 or 110y so that the cover will stay open while the
compartments) are accessed, without precluding placement
of a bottle, can or glass in the beverage receptacles
68,70. In the illustrated embodiment, the compartment
8
CA 02460597 2004-03-10
:'~J.. ir.:i: .... ~ ~"k ii~a"i..'i; 'e '~ ;~ ~~ ~i:~!! _~~~ .::lL..a~~ !I;'li
....'.w
w
cover is snapped shut by the engagement of cover tabs 78
and corresponding receptacles (not shown). A recess 80
is defined in the lid 72 and a projecting tongue 82 in
the cover 72 to facilitate gripping and lifting of the
lid so as to overcome the snap-lock frictional closure
afforded by the container cover tabs 78.
[0030] A recess 84 is also defined peripherally of a
compartments 74,76 so that when the compartment cover 72
is in its closed position, the peripheral surface 86 of
the compartment tray engages or is closely adjacent the
inner surface of the compartment cover 72 so as to close
and isolate each of the compartments 74,76. Because the
cover snaps shut, it will retain contens in the
respective compartments even when the ice chest lid is
disposed in its open orientation as shown in FIGURE 4.
As illustrated in FIGURE 4, a recess or pocket 90 is
defined in the ice chest lid 32 inner surface which
provides added height to the storage compartment of the
ice chest. As will be appreciated, such a pocket or
recess is not provided in the forward section of the lid
due to the presence of the accessory compartments 74,76.
[0031] As illustrated in particular in FIGURES 3, 7, 8
and 9, the bottom 22 of the ice chest 10 has a flared
foot 92,94,96,98 at each of its four corners. The flared
feet provide greater stability and more cold retention
capability for the ice chest. In this regard, the flared
feet effectively define a recess in the bottom wall of
the ice chest as they space the bottom surface of the ice
chest main body 12 from the support surface on which the
ice chest is disposed.
i
9
CA 02460597 2004-03-10
i [003?] In addition to the ergonomic advantages,
E
facilitated by the new handle configuration, the cube
i shape of the ice chest also reduces the foot print of the
product which facilitates storage, and placement in
compact vehicles, e.g., smaller, deeper compact vehicle ~~
i trunks. The reduced product footprint is also of importA~
to retailers. In that regard, for example, for a 48
quart cooler, a cubic ice chest as provided in accordance
with the invention has a 25$ smaller footprint on a
retail shelf then does a 48 quart ice chest of standard
rectangular configuration. The reduced footprint is a
desirable =eat_.re to retailers who can display more
products fo- resale.
[0033] In accordance with a further feature or the
invention, a unique cooler tray 100 is accommodated and
held within the liner 28 of the ice chest main body 12
such that -t will not slide back and forth within the ice
chest. rlore specifically, with reference to FIGURE 10,
the liner 28 of the illustrated ice chest is formed to
include raised panels 102,104 in the interior surface of
the four side walls. The liner is correspondingly
recessed as at 106,108 in the outer surface of the liner
structure. The panel projections 102,104 define an
upward facing ledge 110,112 for seating a tray. In the
illustrated embodiment, tray tabs 114,116 are defined to
project upwardly from the inner most face of the
protruding panels, beyond the 'respective ledge 110, 112.
These tabs hold the cooler 'tray 100 in position as
described in greater detail below.
[0034] An ice cooler tray 100 in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
CA 02460597 2004-03-10
~~ 1~..;i ,.~ ., .: .. ~ ,F.," ~ y :s;;w ~ .~~ ~ ~' ..::a ~. v' 4..~ .::5-
.,x .,:i; 1..~ ~y~ . , ' ,fir :., L_»
i .
~ FIGURES 4, I1 and 12_ As illustrated, the tray is
generally rectangular having curved corners. The bottom
118 of the tray is perforated as at 120 so that any
fluids such as from melted ice will not be retained in
the tray and the contents of the tray can remain
relatively dry, suspended above the lower portion of the
ice chest interior. The curvature of the corners of the
tray and its length are such that the curved corners can
be accommodated in the curved interior corners of the ice
chest as shown in FIGURE 4. The rectangular tray is
constructed and arranged so that it will fit within the
liner 28 either front to rear or side to side (as shown
in FIGURE 4) This is possible due to the square shape of
the ice chest vnterior. Meanwhile, as illustrated in
FIGURE 12, the upper peripheral edge of the tray defines
a peripheral surface 122 and a downwardly depending lip
or flange 124,126.
[0035j The lip or flange 124, 126 is sized so as to be
received between the tray tabs 114,116 of the ice chest
liner and the respective side wall of the liner- Thus,
for example, when the tray is seated within the main body
12 of the ice chest, as shown in FIGURE 4, the lip 126 of
the long side of the tray 100 will be seated on the ledge
112 of the liner and the tray tabs 116 will be limit the
amount by which the tray may shift towards the front side
14 of the ice chest. Similarly, the lip or flange 124
provided along the short side.of the tray will engage one
of the two tray tabs 114 defined on the right and left
side faces of the liner to support and hold the tray in
position in a like manner. In the same way, the tray can
be mounted to extend front to back along either the right
or left sides 18,20 of the ice chest. Furthermore, in
11
CA 02460597 2004-03-10
,:»i~'~ "~,ct~:~~~; ~'~i,1~ ~'e ; ~",~':, -:n ;~'-=I'.
...h,. .1. K.Y 3lNn II V ~Y .,y. -~.... I~ A w~Y
the illustrated embodiment, the tray tabs 114 provided on
the right and left side walls are provided and spaced.,
apart so that they can both be received under the
peripheral lip 124 of the tray so that the tray can
straddle rhP ~~~~~-°r °~ the right to left side walls.
Tabs 116 are similarly spaced so the tray can straddle
the ice chest front to rear, so that
~OU'~
ultimately the tray has e-ix possible positions within the
cooler: G~ree front to back positions and tie right to
left or left to right positions. Thus, an advantage of
I
providing a cooler tray and tray tabs, as illustrated and
described hereinabove, is that a variety of tray
positions can be accommodated while unintended lateral
shifting of the tray will not occur.
[0036] While the invention has been described in
connection with what is presently considered to be the
most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be
understood that the invention is not to be limited to the
disclosed embouiment, but on the contrary, is intended to
cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements
included within the spirit and scope of the appended
claims.
12
