Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Stackable Portable Cooler System
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[00011 The present disclosure relates to a portable insulated container,
namely, a portable
cooler, and more particularly to a system for stacking a plurality of portable
coolers,
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[00021 A portable cooler typically has an insulated body presenting an open
interior space
in which ice and one or more articles to be cooled are stored. A lid, which
can be hinged, and
is also formed of insulative material, is provided on the cooler for closing
the interior space in
order to maintain the temperature of the articles in the cooler. Handles are
usually secured to
or formed in the cooler for facilitating transportation thereof, and a drain
may be fitted in the
body for draining water and other liquids from the cooler without opening the
cover. The lid
is provided with a flat top surface.
100031 During transport and storage portable coolers can be stacked on top of
one another.
However, as these coolers are available is a variety of shapes and sizes, it
can. be difficult to
optimally stack different shape and size coolers in a stable arrangement. The
height and
physical structure of conventional coolers also makes it difficult to stack.
such coolers in a
stable arrangement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
100041 The present disclosure provides a portable cooler stacking system,
where portable
coolers of different shapes and sizes can be optimally and stably stacked. The
cooler system
can include a first cooler having a first size and a second cooler having a
second size, where
the first and second sizes are different.
[00051 Each of the coolers includes an insulated body with a lower portion
extending from
the bottom thereof. The lower portion has a length less then the length of the
insulated body,
1.
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and a width less then the width of the insulated body, such that the edge of
the lower portion
is indented in from the bottom. edge of the insulated body. Preferably, at
least one of the
coolers has a low profile.
[0006] The top surface of the insulated lid includes a raised outer edge
having a height and
thickness, such that the top surface has an inner length and an inner width
less then the length
and width of the lid. A curved surface extends between the raised outer edge
and the top
surface of the lid,
[0007] The raised outer edge of the lid is configured such that the lower
portion of the
insulated body can be fitted within the raised portion. in. this manner, the
inner length of the
top surface of the lid is slightly greater then the length of the lower
portion of the insulated
body. Similarly, the inner width of the top surface of the lid is slightly
greater then the width
of the lower portion of the insulated body.
[0008] In an embodiment a pair of second coolers can be stacked on the first
cooler, where
the second coolers are positioned widthwise along the length of the lid of the
first cooler. In.
this manner, an inner length of the top surface of the lid of the first cooler
is slightly greater
then the width of a lower portion of the insulated body of the second coolers
and the inner
width of the top surface of the lid of the first cooler greater then two times
the width of the
lower portion of the insulated body second. As such, two second coolers can be
positioned
widthwise along the length of the lid of the first cooler.
[0009] The edge of the lower portion of the insulated body of the second
cooler can have a
curved shape, which is substantially opposite to the curved surface extending
between the
raised outer edge and the top surface of the lid of the first cooler. When the
insulated body of
a first second cooler is stacked, positioned, on top of the insulated lid of
the first cooler, these
surfaces mate, interlock, to substantially limit the widthwise horizontal
movement of the
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second cooler on the lid of the first cooler. When a second insulated body of
a second second
cooler is stacked, positioned, on top of the insulated lid of the first
cooler, adjacent to the first
second cooler, the adjacent position of the second coolers and the
interlocking surfaces
substantially limit the lengthwise horizontal movement of the pair of second
cooler on the lid
of the first cooler.
BRIEF .DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00101 A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the
attendant
advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference
to the
following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the
accompanying
drawings wherein:
[00111 FIG. I depicts a front view a stacked cooler according to the present
disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a first cooler of the present
disclosure;
[00131 FIG. 3 depicts a front view of the first cooler of FICA. 2;
[00141 FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the first cooler of FIG. 2;
[00151 FIG. 5 depicts a top view of an insulated lid of the cooler of FIG. 2;
[00161 F1G.6 depicts a front sectional view of the lid of FIG. 5;
[00171 FIG. 7. depicts a partial sectional view of the lid of FIG. 5;
[00181 FIG. 8 depicts a side view of a second cooler of the present
disclosure;
[00191 FIG. 9 depicts a front view of the second cooler of FIG. 8;
[00201 FIG. 10 depicts a top view of an insulated lid of the cooler of FIG. 8;
100211 FIG. I I depicts a front sectional view of the lid of FIG.. 8;
[00221 FIG. I I. depicts a partial sectional view of the lid of FIG. 8;
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[00231 FIG. 12 depicts a sectional front view a stacked first and second
coolers of FIGS. 2
and 8;
[00241 FIG. 13 depicts a perspective view of a first cooler of the present
invention;
[00251 FIG. 14 depicts an exploded view of the cooler of FIG. 13;
[00261 FIG. 15 depicts a cut away view of the lid attachment of the cooler of
FIG. 13;
[00271 FIG. 1.6 depicts a perspective view of a first cooler of the present
invention
residing on a cart of the present invention;
[00281 FIG. 17 depicts a front section view of the cart and cooler of FIG. 16;
[00291 FIG. 18 depicts a perspective view of the cart of FIG. 16, wherein the
latch is
locked;
[00301 FIG. 19 depicts a perspective view of the cart of FIG. 16, wherein the
latch is
unlocked;
[00311 FIG. 20 depicts a perspective view of the cart of FIG. 16, in its
folded
configuration;
[00321 FIG. 21 depicts a perspective view of the cart of FIG. 16, in its
folded
configuration and residing within a first cooler;
[00331 FIG. 22 depicts a top plan view of the cart and cooler of FIG. 21; and
[00341 FIG. 23 depicts a stacked cooler system and cart of the present
invention.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0035[ The present disclosure provides a system for stacking a plurality of
insulated
coolers, where the coolers can be the same size, or different sizes. Referring
now to the
drawing figures in which like reference designators refer to like elements,
there is shown in
FIG. I an exemplary stacking 10 of coolers of the present disclosure. The
stacking 1.0
includes two different sized coolers vertically stacked. The base of the stack
includes a first
cooler 12 having a first size. A second cooler 14, equal in size to the first
cooler 12 is
positioned thereon. A third and forth cooler 16 and 18 are adjacently
positioned on the
second cooler 14, where the third and forth coolers 16 and 18 are sized to
adjacently fit on
top of the second cooler 14. A. fifth and sixth cooler 20 and 22 are one each
positioned on top
of the third and forth coolers 16 and 18, where the fifth and sixth coolers 20
and 22 have a
size equal to the third and forth coolers 16 and 18.
[00361 Referring to FIGS. 2-4 a first cooler 12 of the present invention is
provided. The
first cooler 12 has an. insulated body 30 with a removable insulated lid 32.
The insulated
body 30 and removable insulated lid 32 each have a length IL and a width wr.,
and combine to
give the first cooler 12 a body height of hL,. The insulated body 30 can be
rectangular in
shape having front, back, bottom, and opposite side surfaces defining an
interior cavity. A
top of the insulating body 30 is open, providing access to the interior
cavity.
[00371 The insulated body 30 further includes a lower portion 34 extending
from a bottom
36 of the insulated body 30 a distance hb. The lower portion 34 has a length
Ii, which is less
than the length lr. of the insulated body30, and a width wr, which is less
then the width WL of
the insulated body 30, such that the edge 36 of the lower portion 34 is
indented in. from the
bottom edge 40 of the insulated body 30.
[00381 The insulated lid 32 is removably positionable on an open top end 42 of
the
insulated body 30 to seal an interior cavity of the insulating body 30.
Referring to FIGS. 5-7
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and 15 and as noted above, the insulated lid 32 has length 1L, width wL, and
height h1,,. The
insulated lid 32 further includes a lower portion 44 extending from a bottom
surface 46 of the
insulated lid 32. The lower portion 44 is sized to fit within the open end 42
of the insulated
body 30.
[0039] The top surface 48 of the insulated lid 32 includes a raised outer edge
50 having a
height he, and a thickness t, such. that the top surface 48 has an inner
length 12 and an inner
width w-,. A. curved surface 52 extends between the raised outer edge 50 and
the top surface
48 of the lid 32.
100401 The raised outer edge 50 of the lid 32 is configured such that the
lower portion 34
of the insulated body 30 can be fitted within the raised outer edge 50. In
this manner, the
inner length 12 of the top surface 48 of the lid 32 is slightly greater then
the length 11 of the
lower portion 34 of the insulated body 30. Similarly, the inner width w2 of
the top surface 48
of the lid 32 is slightly greater then the width. w, of the lower portion 34
of the insulated body
30.
[0041] The edge 38 of the lower portion 34 of the insulated body 30 can. have
a curved
shape, which is substantially opposite to the curved surface 52 extending
between the raised
outer edge 50 and the top surface 48 of the lid 32. When the insulated body 30
is stacked,
positioned, on top of the insulated lid 32, these surfaces mate, interlock, to
substantially limit
horizontal movement between the stacked insulated body 30 and insulated lid
32. While the
curved shape of the edge 38 of the lower portion 34 of the insulated body 30
and the curved
surface 52 extending between the raised outer edge 50 and the top surface 48
of the lid 32 are
depicted and described as being curved, any shape and configuration can be
utilized which
would interlock the surfaces to resist horizontal movement there between.
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[00421 The lower portion 34 of the insulated body can further include a
plurality of feet
54. The feet 54 can be spaced on opposite sides of the lower portion 34,
extending along the
length If of the lower portion 34. The feet can be used to provide an
increased stability to the
cooler 14. While only two feet are depicted, it is envision that the cooler 14
can include two
or more feet positioned about the lower portion 34, to provide and increase
stability. For
example, the cooler 14 can include: three feet evenly spaced on the lower
portion 34, and
extending along either the length 11 or width we of the lower portion 34; four
feet, one each
positioned at each corner of the lower portion. 34; five feet, one each
positioned at each
corner and the center of the lower portion 34; etc.
[0043] The first cooler 14 is shown having a height hi., which can be selected
depending
on the proposed use of the first cooler 14. For example, the cooler 14 can be
a low profile
cooler, where the height ha., is selected to fit a beverage can or two
conventional-sized baking
dishes horizontally positioned on top of each other within the interior
cavity. Alternatively,
the height h, can be selected such that a 2-liter beverage bottle, a wine
bottle, or a bottled
beverage can be vertically positioned within the interior cavity of the cooler
14. The
examples are only exemplary in nature and are not intended to limit the height
hL
[0044] Referring to FIGS. 8-9, a second cooler 16 of the present invention is
provided.
The second cooler 16 has an insulated body 60 with a removable insulated lid
62. The
insulated body 60 and removable insulated lid 62 each have length 1, and width
w, and
combine to give the second cooler 16 a body height of hs. The insulating body
60 can be
rectangular in shape having front, back, bottom, and opposite side surfaces
defining an
interior cavity. A top of the insulating body 60 is open, providing access to
the interior
cavity.
[0045] The insulated body 60 further includes a lower portion 64 extending
from a bottom
66 of the insulated body 60 a distance hh. The lower portion 64 has a length
13, which is less
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then the length 1, of the insulated body 60, and a width w3, which is less
then the width w, of
the insulated body 60, such that the edge 66 of the lower portion 64 is
indented in from the
bottom edge 70 of the insulated. body 60. The insulated body 60 can further
include a
rotatable handle 71, which can be used to carry the second cooler 16.
[0046] The insulated lid 62 is removably positionable on an open top end 42 of
the
insulating body 60 to seal the interior cavity of the insulating body 60.
Referring to FIGS.
10-11 and as noted above, the insulated lid 62 has length Is, width w,, and
height ho. The
insulated lid 62 further includes a lower portion 74 extending from a bottom
surface 76 of the
insulated lid 62. The lower portion 74 is sized to fit within the open end 72
of the insulated
body 60.
[0047] The top surface 78 of the insulated lid 62 includes a raised outer edge
80 having a
height he, and a thickness t, such that the top surface 78 has an inner length
4 and an inner
width w4. A curved. surface 82 extends between the raised outer edge 80 and
the top surface
78 of the lid 62.
[0048] The raised outer edge 80 of the lid 62 is configured such that the
lower portion 64
of the insulated body 60 can be fitted within the raised outer edge 80. in
this manner, the
inner length 14 of the top surface 78 of the lid 62 is slightly greater then
the length 13 of the
lower portion 64 of the insulated body 60. Similarly, the inner width w4 of
the top surface 78
of the lid 62 is slightly greater then the width w3 of the lower portion 64 of
the insulated body
60.
[0049] The edge 68 of the lower portion 64 of the insulated body can have a
curved shape,
which substantially opposite to the curved surface 82 extending between the
raised outer edge
80 and the top surface 78 of the lid 72. When an insulated body 60 is stacked,
positioned, on
top of the insulated lid 62, these surfaces mate, interlock, to substantially
limit the horizontal
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movement between the stacked insulated body 60 and insulated lid 62. While the
curved
shape of the edge 68 of the lower portion 64 of the insulated. body 60 and the
curved surface
82 extending between the raised outer edge 80 and the top surface 78 of the
lid 62 are
depicted and described as being curved, any shape and configuration can be
utilized which
would. interlock the surfaces to resist horizontal movement there between.
100501 The lower portion 64 of the insulated body can further include a
plurality of feet
64. The feet 84 can be spaced on opposite sided of the lower portion 64,.
extending along the
length 13 of the lower portion 64. The feet can be used to provide an
increased stability to the
cooler 16. While only two feet are depicted, it is envisioned that the cooler
16 can include
two or more feet positioned about the lower portion, to provide an increased
stability. For
example, the cooler can include: three feet evenly spaced on the lower portion
64, and
extending along either the length 13 or width w3 of the lower portion 64; four
feet, one each
positioned at each corner of the lower portion 64, five feet, one each
positioned at each
corner and the center of the lower portion 64, etc.
[00511 The second cooler 16 is shown having a height h, which can be selected
depending on the proposed use of the second cooler 16. For example, the cooler
16 can be a
low profile cooler, where the height h, is selected to fit a beverage can. or
two conventional-
sized baking dishes horizontally positioned on top of each other within the
interior cavity.
Alternatively, the height h, can be selected such that a 2-liter beverage
bottle, a wine bottle,
or a bottled beverage can be vertically positioned within the interior cavity
of the cooler 1.6.
The examples are only exemplary in nature and are not intended to limit the
height h.
[00521 Referring to FIGS. I and 12, a pair of second coolers 16, 18 can be
stacked on a
first cooler 14. In the stacking of the second coolers 16, 18 on the first
cooler 14, the second
coolers 16, 18 are positioned widthwise along the length of the lid 32 of the
first cooler 14.
In. this manner, the inner length 12 of the top surface 38 of the lid 32 of
the first cooler 14 is
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slightly greater then the width w3 of the lower portion 64 of the insulated
body 60 of the
second coolers 16, 18. The inner width 12 of the top surface 38 of the lid 32
is greater then
two times the width w3 of the lower portion 64 of the insulated body 60. As
such, two second
coolers 16, 18 can be adjacently positioned widthwise along the length of the
lid 32 of the
first cooler 14.
100531 The edge 68 of the lower portion 64 of the insulated body 60 of the
second cooler
16 or 18 can have a curved share, which is substantially opposite to the
curved surface 52
extending between the raised outer edge 50 and the top surface 48 of the lid
32 of the first
cooler 14. When insulated body 60 of a fast second cooler 16 is stacked,
positioned, on top
of the insulated lid 32 of the first cooler 14, these surfaces mate,
interlock, to substantially
limit the widthwise horizontal movement of the second cooler 16 on the lid 32
of the first
coolerl4. When a second insulated body 60 of a second second cooler 18 is
stacked,
positioned, on top of the insulated lid 32 of the first cooler 14, adjacent to
the first second
cooler 16, the adjacent position of the second coolers 16 and, 28 and the
interlocking surfaces
substantially limit the lengthwise horizontal movement of the pair of second
cooler 16, 1.8 on
the lid 32 of the first gaoler 14.
[00541 In the alternative, the lids of any of the coolers could be hingedly
attached to the
body of the cooler, provided that such hinges are positioned in a manner so as
not to interfere
with the stacking aspect of the coolers. Coolers having different handle
configurations other
than those shown, for example molded-in handles having a different shape or
side, sliding or
folding handles tubular handles, as well as pivotable over-the-cooler handles
and other
conventionally-known handles, to fall within the scope of the present
invention. It is
similarly within the scope of the present invention for any of the coolers to
comprise
additional aspects and features such as wheels or additional storage
compartments. It should
also be understood that coolers of the present invention may be of different
shapes and sizes
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than shown herein, but having a similar stacking lid structure to enable
stacking of more than
one cooler in a stable position.
[0055] In the stacking of the second coolers 16 and 18 on. the first cooler
14, it is noted
that the outside facing side surfaces and the front and back surfaces of the
second coolers 16,
18 and the side surfaces, front, and back surfaces of the first cooler are
substantially aligned.
[0056] Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, insulated cooler 30 is preferably
comprised of outer
shell 30a and insulated liner 30b which fits inside of outer shell 30a.
Insulated cooler 30 also
preferably comprises handle 30c which forms an integral part of outer shell
30a.
[0057] Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a folding card
for use with
one or more stackable coolers. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, a cooler 12 may be
placed on a
cart 100 for easy transport. Cart 100 is preferably generally "1I" shaped to
facilitate stability
of the cart while using a minimum amount of material and to enable the cart
100 to fold on
top of itself in half. The corners of the cooler 100 are supported and held in
place on top of
the cart by lips 104.. Preferably, four lips 104 are provided on cart 100 -
one at each corner.
It is also within the scope of the present invention, however, for cart 100 to
comprise lips
extending the length of each end. Preferably, cart 100 comprises a pair of
rugged wheels 1.06
located at the rear of the cart as well as a pair of pivotable wheels 108
located at the front of
the cart to enable the cart 100 to be easily turned. As shown in. FIG. 23, a
telescoping handle
110 may be inserted into handle mount 112 located at the front of the cart for
pulling the cart
100 and cooler 30 and facilitating transport. As shown in FIGS. 18-20, the
cart 100 is
preferably made in at least two pieces 114, 116 which are connected near the
center bar 118
by a lockable latch 120. The cart 100 is preferably made of plastic for
durability and weight
considerations.
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100581 When in use, cart pieces 1. 14, 116 are unfolded and. placed in a
linear relationship
and the latch 120 is locked to stabilize cart 100. When not in use, as shown
in FIGS. 21-22,
the latch 120 is unlocked and the cart 1.00 is folded onto itself for storage-
The "H" shape of
the cart 100 facilitates the folding by allowing the center bar 118 to fit
between the front
wheels 108 such that the two pieces 114, 116 lay adjacent each other in an
abutted
relationship. Although as depicted, cart pieces 114, 116 are separate pieces
which are
connected by latch 120 which is pivotally connect to front piece 114 and
lockably connected
to rear piece 116, it is also within the scope of the present invention for
the front and rear
pieces 114, 116 to be connected by a hinge (not shown) or thin amount of
material such that
unlocking the latch 120 does not allow the two pieces 114, 116 to be separated
entirely, but
merely separated on one side so that the pieces may be folded on top of each
other. As
shown in FIGS. 21-22, when in its folded configuration, the cart 100 fits
inside the cooler 30
for transport or storage. The cart 100 can be used with one or a plurality of
cooler for
transport, as shown in FIG. 23.
[00591 All references cited herein are expressly incorporated by reference in
their entirety.
[00601 It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present
invention is not
limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In
addition, unless
mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the
accompanying
drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are
possible in light of
the above teachings without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention, which is
limited only by the following claims.
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