Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
COOLER WITH OPEN VOLUME CON __________ fROL AND CON __ fENTS SECUREMENT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to enclosed or semi-enclosed containers. More
specifically,
the present invention relates to a cooler with adjustable open volume control
and contents
stabilization.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Generally, enclosed or semi-enclosed thermally insulated containers are used
to
transport, among other items, food and beverage for consumption at a user's
convenience. The
thermal properties of such containers allow for a target temperature to be
maintained for an item
for durations significantly longer than if no such container were implemented.
These containers
are often referred to as coolers, portable fridges, frigerators,
refrigerators, fridge-freezers,
portable refrigerators, cold-storage boxes, iceboxes, chillers, cold storage,
or thermally insulated
containers.
These aforementioned coolers are typically filled at the beginning of use with
an
allotment of contents of the cooler, which can include but is not limited to
any combination of
food stuff(s), beverage(s), or other items that a user may want to keep at a
preferred temperature
then later filled with an appropriate cooling medium(s), i.e. ice-block(s),
ice-cube(s), ice-pack(s),
or the like.
Furthermore, with the growing popularity of personal recreational vehicles
such
as the industry leading POLARIS RZR sold by Polaris Inc., long distance road
trips, overland
expeditions, and the ever-rising demand for taking a boat out on a lake, there
is a further demand
for coolers adapted to these vehicles and usages.
Furthermore, during extreme temperatures, it is important for a user's comfort
and
pleasure that their cooler maintains an appropriate temperature and
containment so that they can
enjoy, at their leisure, the food, beverage, or chilled item. With recent
improvements in cooler
technology, such as coolers like POLARIS NORTHSTARO COOLER sold by Polaris
Inc.,
maintaining a proper temperature within a cooler is easier than ever.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The inventor has recognized that if a cooler is not filled to an appropriate
volume,
or once the contents of the cooler; food(s), beverage(s), other item(s), or
ice, other cooling
material(s) have been depleted and/or melted, there is unoccupied volume,
extra room, within the
cooler interior above the contents, so that the contents of the cooler can
move, slosh, or
otherwise thump around when the cooler is in motion. Particularly in the
context of off-roading
vehicles, the inventor has recognized this is highly undesirable to have a
high open volume to
contents volume in the interior of a cooler as it may cause beverage or food
spillage, dented cans,
broken bottles, or water-soaked Wagyu A5 steak. Moreover, in many conventional
coolers, the
violent movement of the contents with respect to the cooler can cause opening
of the cooler lid
and ejection of contents. Moreover, in cases where the cooler is large with
respect to the vehicle,
and carried in an open region, such as the back cargo area of a side by side
recreational vehicle,
or on a motorcycle, even where the cooler is well secured to the vehicle, the
handling
characteristics of the combination vehicle and cooler can be affected with
shifting of the contents
in the cooler. Where a cooler is form fit to the cargo area of a vehicle, it
may be maximally sized
for contents for an extending camping trip. Where the user wants to have
simple beverages or
food for a day trip, the ratio of open volume to contents volume may be
excessively high creating
a significant undesirable "sloshing" condition. The inventor has also
recognized that the shifting
of, sloshing of, contents in a cooler that is not well secured in a vehicle
can increase the
probability of the cooler shifting, moving, dislocating, and potentially
exiting the vehicle. The
inventor has recognized that a solution would be desirable to address these
issues, in particular
providing a cooler with a means to minimize the ratio of open volume to
contents volume in the
interior of the cooler accommodating variable contents volumes. Further, said
means will ideally
restrain the contents of the cooler and can accommodate variable and changing
contents volume.
The inventor has devised such means that renders the cooler contents generally
motionless with
respect to the cooler minimizing potential damage to the cooler contents and
minimizing the
shifting, moving, and/or potential dislocating the cooler with respect to an
off road vehicle.
In embodiments, specific means are provided to minimize the open volume in a
cooler above the contents and to restrain cooler contents, the means may be
variable in size,
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
easily or automatically adjustable, so that with a change in the volume of the
stored contents
during use and/or transportation, securement of the contents is continually
maintained.
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system for minimizing open
volume in a rigid walled transportable cooler, that is, the non-contents open
area above the
contents in the storage area of the cooler, effectively minimizing the ratio
of open volume to
stored contents volume. The contents generally includes the beverages, food,
ice, ice packs, and
the like. Ice may be constantly melting during use/storage reducing the
volumetric size of the
contents. In embodiments, the cooler has a container portion formed of a rigid
bottom and rigid
side walls defining an open top. A hinged cover closes the open top. The
bottom and sidewalls
of the container portion generally being unitary, that is with an exterior and
interior polymer
surface walls and with insulating material between the exterior and interior
polymer surface
walls. In embodiments, the system for minimizing open volume comprises an
expandable and
retractable volume occupying system. In embodiments, the system for minimizing
open volume
comprises an inflatable and deflatable volume occupying system, for example
one or more
inflatable bladders or sacks. In embodiments, portions of the system are
integrated with the
cover and extend adjustably downward from the cover. In embodiments, the
system may have
an extending and retracting portion, such as a plate that is operable from
exterior the closed
cooler or that automatically extends as contents volume decreases. In
embodiments, the inflated
bladders are maintained in contact with the contents by the lid, which is
securely latched utilizing
elastomeric latch straps, secured under tension. In embodiments, alternate
latches that do not
release without operator actuation may also be utilized.
In embodiments, the cooler is specifically adapted to be used in high shock
loading environments, such as in off-roading applications where the cooler is
readily securable to
a cargo area in a recreational vehicle, such as a RZR all-terrain vehicle or a
Ranger utility
vehicle. The cooler container portion may have a flange formed at the upper
margins of the side
walls and the lid conformingly shaped to the flanged open top. The flange
and/or lid having
attachment locations for tie downs or bungees for securement to the
recreational vehicle. The lid
latchable to the container portion with elastomeric straps which operate to
maintain to the lid
closed with the added lid opening forces provided by the system for
maintaining minimal open
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
volume. The container portion of the cooler having side wall recesses with
which may receive
pneumatic or fluid pumps and/or control means.
In embodiments, the means for minimizing open volume may be a bladder system
with an expandable bladder providing minimal open volume in the cooler. The
bladder system
includes at least one material filled or fillable bladder, wherein at least a
portion of the at least
one material filled or fillable bladder remains either in contact with, or
generally close to, the
contents of the cooler in order to prevent unwanted motion of said contents.
In embodiments, the
expandable bladder system includes at least one material valve system allowing
a flow of
material into the material fillable bladder to expand the material fillable
bladder to the
appropriate size. In another embodiment of the invention, the means for
minimizing open
volume in the cooler is provided by a movable plate or panel member that
allows a user to secure
the contents of the cooler by applying a compressive pressure on the contents
between the plate
or panel member and the base, lid, or one of the sidewalls of the cooler. In
embodiments the
movable plate or panel member is combined with an expandable bladder.
In embodiments, the interior cavity of the cooler is defined interior walls
that are
movable inwardly and retractable. The side walls and bottom wall may be joined
by flexible
water impermeable sheet material that is closed at the top wall margins and
the bottom wall. The
interior is defined by a continuous wall of the flexible material but one or
more walls have
flexible portions that accommodate the inward and outward movement of the
walls provide a
reduction in the open volume of the container portion.
In embodiments, the material used within the expandable bladder system may be
flowable material, such as fluid, such as air, or generally incompressible
fluid, such as liquids, or
a granular or beaded material, or a combination of these. The material may be
a coolant
provided at a below ambient temperature, an insulator with low heat
conductivity or other
flowable materials. In embodiments, the expandable bladder system may include
a plurality of
material fillable bladders. In embodiments, a material filling system allows a
user to pass
material through the material valve system into the material bladder thereby
expanding the
volume of the bladder. The material filling system can either be manually,
electrically,
hydraulically, or pneumatically operated to move the specified material from
outside of the
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
material fillable bladder to inside the material fillable bladder. The
material filling system may
be by operator actuation or by automatic means.
In embodiments, the expandable bladder or bladder system may be integrated
into
the lid, one or a plurality of the side walls, or the base of the cooler
within the cooler cavity, or
any combinations thereof. In embodiments, the expandable bladder system
comprises a movable
divider configured to divide the cavity into a plurality of compartments, for
example a contents
compartment and a compartment occupied by a filled bladder. Additionally, a
bladder may be
added above the contents in the contents compartment. The lid securely
latchable to the container
portion with elastomeric straps for tightly constraining the bladder system
and contents in the
cooler.
In embodiments, the rigid cooler can have rigid exterior walls and have an
interior
or cavity defined in part by one or more movable interior walls that can
minimize the non-
contents volume of the cooler. The movable walls can be the side walls or a
wall movable from
the top of the cooler, as part of the lid. In embodiments, the fillable
bladders may have open cell
compressible foam as a material or other compressible material such that
evacuating the air in
the bladder reduces the volumetric size of the bladder. Such bladders then can
be "inflated by
reducing the vacuum on the bladder, for example allowing the air pressure in
the foam to return
to atmospheric air pressure in the previously compressed material thereby
allowing the
compressed material to expand filling the non-contents volume of the cooler.
Rather than using a
compressor to inflate the fillable bladders, a suction or vacuum pump is
utilized to deflate the
fillable bladders.
In embodiments, the expandable bladder system includes a means to allow for
continuously monitoring and pressurizing the material fillable bladder during
use or operation
which may allow the minimization of open volume to occur automatically as the
volume of the
contents diminishes, for example as ice melts. In embodiments, as the contents
volume contracts
and the open volume increases, a bladder with a specific fixed volume that
fills the otherwise
open volume above the contents,
In embodiments, the open volume minimization system is one or more plate-like
members. The plate like member applies a compressive force between the plate-
like member and
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
one or a plurality of the sidewalls, lid, or base of the cooler. In such an
embodiment, a translation
member may be utilized to help direct the motion of such a plate-like member
to move in a
desired fashion. The plate like member may seat on the contents thereby
minimizing the open
space above the contents. In embodiments, the positioning of the plate like
member and
downward movement may be facilitated by gravity. The plate like member may be
placed at the
top of the cooler contents when it is filled and as the volume of the contents
decreases, such as
from ice melting, the plate like member may move downward by gravity such as
by sliding or by
linkages. The mechanisms supporting the plate like member can have a
impediment to the
retraction of the plate, such as a ratchet mechanism, that upward movement of
the plate like
member during transport is precluded or inhibited. The mechanism may be
configured such that
the rough ride of the vehicle into which the cooler is placed and/or mounted,
facilitates the
downward movement of the plate towards the bottom of the cooler.
In embodiments, an open volume minimization system is an expandable bladder
system capable of being used in many instances outside of coolers, in uses
such as shipping and
receiving, use in semi-trucks refrigerated or otherwise, or any situation
where you do not want
items to move within a cavity.
A feature and advantage of embodiments of the invention is that the open
volume
above the contents of the cooler as the contents are reduced in volume by
usage, ice melting,
compacting of the contents, is minimized, securing the contents therein,
minimizing sloshing and
movement, protecting the contents from damage.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is that with the minimization of the
open
volume above the contents, particularly with air bladders, the efficiency of
the cooler is
improved by minimizing air flow and conduction between the chilled contents
and the lid and
sidewall interior surfaces.
A feature and advantage of the invention is that coolers with the means for
securing the contents are highly suitable for use in coolers anchored within
off road vehicles.
Moreover, such coolers typically have high integrity latching systems, for
example, coolers that
are "bear proof" due to the strength of the cooler walls and the robust
latching systems with
elastomeric strap latches. These are highly suitable for using open volume
minimization
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
systems, such as inflatable bladders, in that bladders may be inflated in the
latched cooler and
even where there is force being exerted on the inside surface of the lid of
the cooler, due to
inflation of the bladder, the cooler remains closed and the cooler contents
secured. In
embodiments, systems providing open volume minimization systems may utilize
subsystems of
the off road vehicle for providing power for operating the open volume
minimization systems.
In embodiments, a cooler having open volume minimization means comprises a
container portion and a hinged lid with a latch, the container portion having
sidewalls with an
interior polymer wall and an exterior polymer wall and foam insulation
therebetween and having
an empty open volume from 12 quarts (11.4 liters) to over 400 quarts (378.6
liters). In
embodiments, the cooler having an empty open volume of 30 quarts (28.4 liters)
to 100 quarts
(94.6 liters). In embodiments, the cooler having an empty open volume of from
40 quarts (37.9
liters) to 55 quarts (52.0 liters). In embodiments, the cooler having an empty
open volume of less
than to 55 quarts (52.0 liters). "Empty open volume" when used herein means
with the cover or
lid closed and the cooler empty. In embodiments, the open volume minimization
means may
reduce the open volume of the cooler by at least 50%. In embodiments, the open
volume
minimization means may reduce the open volume of the cooler by at least 70%.
In
embodiments, the open volume minimization means may reduce the open volume of
the cooler
by at least 80%. In embodiments, the open volume minimization means may reduce
the open
volume of the cooler by at least 90%.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side by side off road or utility vehicle with a cooler adapted for
same
in accord with embodiments.
FIG. 2A is a cooler suitable for such off road or utility vehicles with
components
of embodiments of the invention illustrated schematically.
FIG. 2B is a cooler suitable for such off road or utility vehicles show in
cross-
section and schematically.
FIG. 2C is a cross sectional view of the wall of a cooler such as illustrated
in
FIGS. 2A-2B.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
FIG. 3A is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a prior art cooler.
FIG. 3B is a side cross sectional view of embodiment of a prior art cooler
containing items.
FIG. 4A is cooler with the lid open that is suitable for such off road or
utility
vehicles with components of embodiments illustrated by dashed lines.
FIG. 4B is the cooler of FIG. 4A with the lid closed.
FIG. 5A is a front elevation view of an expandable bladder system.
FIG. 5B is a cross section of the expandable bladder system of FIG. 5A in a
filled
or inflated state.
FIG. 5C is a front elevation view of another expandable bladder system with
the
bladder deflated.
FIG. 5D is a cross section of the expandable bladder system of FIG. 5C with
the
bladder in an inflated state.
FIG. 6A is a perspective view of another expandable bladder within a bladder.
FIG. 6B is a cross sectional view of the bladder within a bladder of FIG. 6A.
FIG. 6C is a perspective view of the bladder of FIG. 6A further inflated.
FIG. 6D is a cross sectional view of the bladder of FIG. 6C.
FIGS. 7A-7D are partial cross sections of embodiments of expandable bladder
systems with an inflatable bladder and a valve system.
FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a cooler with an open volume minimization
system.
FIG. 8B is a cross sectional view of the cooler of FIG. 8A with the open
volume
minimization system actuated constraining the contents of the cooler.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
FIG. 9A is a perspective view of an open cooler with a open volume
minimization
system attached to the lid.
FIG. 9B is a cross sectional view of the cooler of FIG. 9A with the lid
closed.
FIG. 9C is the cross sectional view of FIG. 9B with the open volume
minimization system actuated.
FIG. 10A is a cross sectional view of a cooler with an embodiment of an open
volume minimization system.
FIG. 10B is the cross sectional view of FIG. 10A with the open volume
minimization system actuated.
FIG. 11A is a cross sectional view of a cooler with an open volume
minimization
system attached to the container portion.
FIG. 11B is the cross sectional view of FIG. 11A with the open volume
minimization system actuated.
FIG. 11C is a perspective view of a cooler with the open volume minimization
system such as illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B.
FIG. 11D is the cooler of FIG. 11C with the open volume minimization system
actuated.
FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view of a cooler with an open volume
minimization
system shown schematically.
FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view of a cooler with an open volume
minimization
system.
FIG. 12C is a cross-sectional view of a cooler with an open volume
minimization
system.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
FIG. 12D is a cross-sectional view of a cooler with an open volume
minimization
system shown schematically.
FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of a cooler with a hand operated
pump
integrated into the cooler lid.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIGS. 3A and 3B depict a generic prior art cooler 100 in which a user may
transport among other items, food and beverages for consumption at a user's
convenience within
the cooler's cavity 101. The cooler generally has a container portion 102 that
has four insulated
side walls 103 unitary with a base configured as an insulated bottom wall 105.
The container
portion having an open top 106. An insulated cover or lid 107 closes the open
top and is hinged
to the container portion with hinges 110. The cooler 100 has a total volume
111 with the lid
closed and no contents. Contents 113 in the cooler occupies a contents volume
115. Above the
contents and below the lid is an open space 117 that defines an open volume or
non-contents
volume 118. The contents 113 of the cooler, can include but is not limited to
any combination
of food stuff(s), beverage(s), or other items that a user may want to keep at
a preferred chilled
state and includes cooling medium(s), i.e. ice-block(s), ice-cube(s), ice-
pack(s), or the like. This
open volume 118 may be caused by a user not filling the entire volume of the
cavity 101 with
contents 113 or a removal and/or using some of the contents 113 within the
cavity 101. The
open volume can change as ice melts and portions of the contents are removed.
Referring to FIGS. 1 ¨ 2B a cooler 120 has an open volume minimization system
which is also a contents constraint system 126 that is particularly suited to
environments where
cooler is subjected to harsh conditions and severe motion, such as when
attached to an off road
vehicle 122. The cooler generally has a cooler housing 129 which includes has
a container
portion 130 and top cover or lid 131. The container portion comprising
sidewalls 132 and a
bottom wall 133. The top cover 131 having latches 138, 140. Attachment
structure 141 on the
cooler may receive straps, bungee cords, brackets, or tie downs 143 for
securing the cooler to the
vehicle 122. The open volume minimization system and contents restraint system
126 is
illustrated generally and schematically on the cooler 120 with dashed lines
and has a lower
engagement portion 146 in a solid line that is extendable to contact contents
148. The
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
engagement portion is moved by way of an actuation portion 150. A power and/or
control unit
151 may be operatively connected to the actuation portion. The system is
actuated to minimize
the open volume 152 above the contents 148. Specifically, the volume defined
from the contents
to the inner surface of the lid when no open volume minimization system is
present, and from the
contents to the contents engagement portion when a volume minimization system
is provided.
The contents 148 may be canned beverages, food, ice, ice packs, coolant packs
and the like. The actuation portion 150 may be a pneumatic or fluid pump, or
other material
pump as described below, or may be a mechanical mechanism powered by a motor
or manually
operated, that extends and retracts the engagement portion 146. The actuation
portion may be
exteriorly mounted on the cooler, may be within the lid, or sidewalls, or may
be in the interior.
The power and/or control unit 151 may be an air pump, have control and
processing circuitry,
may have a user interface, and have batteries or connection means for external
power. A sensor
153 or sensors may be positioned in the interior of the cooler, for example in
association with the
actuation portion, to detect the status of the contents restraint system
and/or status of the
contents, for example the position of the engagement member 146, the
pressurization of an
actuator portion configured as a pressurized bladder, the existence of motion
in the cooler
interior, and/or temperature. The sensor 153 may have a connection, such as by
wiring 154, to
the power and/or control unit to provide data to display, cause a response
such as further
actuation of the actuator portion and movement of the contents engagement
portion 146. The
lower engagement portion 146 can be part of a bladder, a plate, a movable wall
or a combination
of same as described below. Also, connection means 160 may be provided for
connecting to
vehicle power or other external power and means 164 for connecting to vehicle
compressed air
or other source of air pressure or other media, including orally blown-in air,
may be provided.
See, in particular, FIGS. 2A and 2B. A user interface may include an actuation
switch 167, such
as an electric switch, which may be installed and exteriorly exposed on the
cooler housing 129 or
elsewhere on the vehicle 122.
Referring to FIGS. 2B and 2C, such coolers typically have rigid insulated side
walls 132, an insulated bottom wall, and an insulated lid, each formed by a
thin generally rigid
interior layer 172 of a polymer and exterior layer 174 of the polymer, such as
polyethylene or
polypropylene, and a polymer foam 176 in between the interior and exterior
layers, such as a
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
polyurethane foam or expanded polystyrene, for example. Also, see U.S. Patent
Application and
Patent Nos. 2018/0153151; 7,140,507; and 10,676,267, illustrating coolers with
features suitable
for off road or harsh use, all of which are incorporated by reference herein
for all purposes.
FIGS. 4A and 4B depict another configuration of a cooler 200 illustrating
embodiments of the invention and adapted for harsh environments. The cooler
has a housing 210
comprising a container portion 212 and lid 214. The container portion having
sidewalls 216, a
bottom wall 218, an open top 220, a flange 221 surrounding the open top 220.
Structure 221,
such as apertures formed in the flange, may be used for securement to an off
road or utility
vehicle. Elastomeric latches 223 are utilized to secure the lid to the
container portion 212. An
open volume minimization system 226 is shown schematically by the dashed lines
where
components of the system may be positioned. Recesses 230 defined on the
exterior of the cooler
may be utilized for components 231 of the open volume minimization system.
Similarly,
recesses on interior surfaces of the side walls, not shown in these views, may
also be utilized for
the components of the open volume minimization system. In embodiments,
attachment means,
such as hook and loop material pads 240, may be attached to the interior
surfaces of the side
walls to receive the components of the open volume minimization system, such
as bladders or
extendable panels.
FIGS. 5A and 5B depict an open volume minimization system 300 that includes a
volumetrically expandable bladder 301 with tubing 302 extending therefrom
suitable for use in a
cooler. A valve 305 may be on the end of the tubing. The material fillable
bladder 301 may be a
configured as a bag, pouch, balloon, or similar device capable of retaining a
volume filling
material. The bladder 301 may be made from any material such that the bladder
expands as the
volume of the fill material 303 is added to it and the bladder relaxes back to
its original shape
after the fill material 303 is removed. Suitable materials for the material
fillable bladder 301
include rubber, EDPM, Silicone, Flexible PVC, neoprene, SBR, nitrile rubber,
butyl rubber,
sulfide rubber, methyl rubber, silicone rubber, or other elastomers with
similar properties. In
embodiments, the material is configured as a flexible film or flexible sheet
material. In
embodiments the surface area of the bladder may significantly increase as the
material stretches
under the fill pressure. The material fillable bladder 301 is preferably made
of a material and
thickness that is both durable and puncture resistant, yet pliable enough to
fill a variety of shapes
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
and sizes. Preferably, the material fillable bladder 301 is made from an
impermeable liquid tight
and airtight material. The material fillable bladder 301 is filled with a fill
material 301, such as
air, that allows the material fillable bladder 301 to expand in volume so that
when it is placed
with the cavity 101 of a cooler 100 and is filled with fill material 301, the
material fillable
bladder 301 fills the open space between the cooler's lid and/or sidewalls and
the contents of the
cooler 100.
Referring to FIGS. 5C and 5D, in embodiments, the bladder 320 may be formed
from the flexible polymer sheet material that has minimal stretch under
pressurization. Deflated,
the bladder is compact and can be flat, with pressurization it transforms into
a non-spherical
geometric shape such as a rectangular prism with rounded corners. With
substantially non-
stretching material, once full the volume of the bladder stays approximately
the same under
increasing pressure. Additional polymers that may be suitable for bladders
include thermoplastic
polyurethane (TPU), thylenevinylacetate/polyethylene copolymer, polyester
elastomer (e.g.
Hytrel0 material available from DuPont), polypropylene, polyethylene,
dacron/polyester,
polyvinylchloride, polyvinyl acetate, Buna-N, Buna-S, polystyrene, ethylene
propylene,
polybutadiene, chlorfulfonated polythylene, nylon, polyester, or biaxially-
oriented polyethylene
terephthalate (e.g., Mylar0 film), and others. Fabrics may be coated or
impregnated with
polymers for providing impermeable bladder material that does not
significantly stretch under
pressurization.
The material fillable bladder 320, particularly when filled, such as by
inflation
with air, may be of any shape and size suitable to fill the open space 201
with the cooler. The
material fillable bladder 301 may be circular, spherical, rectangular prism,
cuboid, cylindrical,
pyramid, or any other three-dimensional shape. Ideally the material fillable
bladder 320, when
filled, would have a shape similar to that of the cooler cavity 101 in which
it is to be used. It is
also contemplated that the material fillable bladder 301 is able to expand to
at least the volume
within the cooler 101 when no contents 203 are in the cooler 100.
FIG. 6A-6D shows an expandable bladder system 360 that includes a bladder 366
in a bladder 368. The first or inner bladder 366 includes a valve system 370
which is used in
expanding the volume of the first inner bladder 366. The second outer bladder
368 includes a
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
second valve system 376 which is used in filling or expanding the volume of
the second outer
bladder 603. This multi-bladder 360 system allows an operator to fill the
first inner bladder 366
with a first fill material 369 and then fill the second outer bladder 368 with
a second fill material
303. The first and second materials may be the same or different depending on
the user's needs.
One example, the first inner bladder 366 may be a pneumatic bladder fillable
with air. The
second outer bladder may be filled with a dry flowable material such as
polystyrene beads. The
second material valve system may be a simple threaded cap 382 that screws onto
a wide mouth
threaded nipple 383 joined to the bladder material. The deflated reduced
volume form of FIGS.
6A and 6B can be transformed into the greater volume inflated form of FIGS. 6C
and 6D. With
the flowable dry material in the second bladder, the bladder system can be
form fit to uneven
contents structure. The bladders may have hook and loop material pads 387
attached thereto to
facilitate attachment to inside surfaces of the cooler. See FIGS. 5C and 5D.
In embodiments,
the polymer or other material forming the first inner bladder may be
relatively more stretchable
than the polymer or other material forming the second bladder.
This multi-bladder 360 system allows a user to make minute adjustments to the
first 366 or second bladders 368 as the contents within the cooler changes. In
embodiments, if
the multi-bladder 600 system was placed inside a portable powered refrigerator
which were to be
fitted and wired in the back of a user's off road vehicle, the system could
allow for a transfer of
circulated coolant through one or the other of the first or second material
bladders 601, 603 via
the coolant system already existing within the refrigerator.
The bladders of FIGS. 5A-6D can be loosely positioned in cooler interiors or
may
be attached to cooler walls such as with hook and loop material.
FIGS. 7A ¨ 7D show embodiments of portions of an expandable bladder system
400 with a material fillable bladder 401 and a material valve system 405. The
material valve
system 405 may include any valve capable of retaining and releasing the type
of fill material 410
placed within the material fillable bladder 401. This material valve system
405 may be as simple
a synching rope 412 used to contain solid fill material 410 within the
material fillable bladder
401, as illustrated in FIG. 7A. Referring to FIG. 7C, the valve system 425 may
include a
common automotive style valve 429 such a Schrader, Presta, Woods, or Dunlop
valve. These
14
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
valves 429 would allow use the use of a readily available automotive, or bike
pump to inflate the
material fillable bladder 401 with an air 435 as the fill material. Referring
to FIG. 7B, similarly,
it may be desirable to use a ball, butterfly, diaphragm, gate, globe, pinch,
or other fluid
regulating valve 440 with a connector 441 in the material valve system 405 as
it would allow the
material fillable bladder 401 of the expandable bladder system 400 to be
filled with a fluid fill
material 410 such as water, coolant, or otherwise flowable liquid that may
retain temperature at a
higher insulative R-Value than a simple gas. Referring to FIG. 7D, the valve
system may be an
oral inflation valve such as those used in most swim toys and beach balls,
which can be used to
inflate an object via an operator's lung power or via an air pump.
FIGS. 8A and 8B depict a cooler 500 having a container portion 501, and a
hinged lid 502. The cooler has an open volume minimization system 504
comprising an
expandable bladder system 506 that includes multiple material fillable
bladders 510, 512, 514,
516. The bladders can be adjustably positioned utilizing cooperating hook and
loop pads or
surfaces 520 on the interior wall surfaces 523 of the cooler. In embodiments,
each of the
multiple material fillable bladders 510, 512, 514, 516 can be independently
filled through
respective valve systems 525 with, for example, air 535 as the fill material.
The lower bladders
512, 514, 516 may be first filled, and then the upper bladder 510 attached to
the inside surface
523 of the cooler lid can be filled sufficiently to snuggly fill the open
space and push the lower
bladders to contact and secure the contents 548 as the lid 502 is shut and
latched to the container
portion 501with the elastomeric latches 543.
In another embodiment, the multiple material fillable bladders 510, 512, 514,
516
can be connected to an air pressure source, which may either be part of a
vehicle which is
carrying the cooler or can be an accessory. In embodiments, the air pressure
source may be
attached to the cooler or an integral part of the cooler. See FIG. 8B with an
air pump unit 550
mounted to the lid 502. Air lines 556, illustrated by dashed lines, may
connect the bladders to
the air pump unit 550. The air pump unit may have its own power source 558,
such as batteries,
or may be connectable to vehicle power. The lines may be interconnected, and
the bladder
pressure monitored by way of the lines connecting to the air pump unit. A
sensor system 560 in
the air pump unit can activate pressurization of the air pump upon sensing a
drop in the bladder
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
air pressures indicating the bladders need to be expanded to compensate for a
reduction of the
contents volume by, for example, settling of contents 548 and/or melting of
the ice.
FIGS. 9A-9C illustrates a cooler 600 having a container portion 601 with a
hinged
lid 602, and further having an expandable bladder system 608 for open volume
minimization and
contents securement that includes a fillable bladder 610 that is incorporated
into the lid 602 of
the cooler 600. The material fillable bladder 610, when filled with air 635 as
the fill material
expands in a direction away from the inside surface 641 of the lid 602 into
the open volume 645
and toward the bottom wall 643 of the cooler 600 until a lower engagement
portion 646 of the
bladder contacts and secures the contents 648 of the cooler minimizing the
open volume 645
above the contents and securing the contents. Incorporating the material
fillable bladder 610
into the lid 602 of the cooler 600 allows for the material valve system 652 to
be placed on the top
655 or any side 657 of the cooler lid 602 allowing an operator to fill the
material fillable bladder
610 while the cooler lid 603 is closed. In such an embodiment, it may be
desired to include a
second, one way pressure relief valve 661, opposite the material valve system
652 to regulate the
pressure within the material fillable bladder 610 to a maximum desired
pressure. It is further
contemplated that the material fillable bladder 610, when not filled with air
would recess back
into the cooler lid 603 and be retained there such as by bands or belts 667.
The bands or belts
may be elastomeric and manually secured, for example at tabs 669 extending
from the lower
inside surface 641 of the lid 602, such that the retracted bladder does not
occupy any significant
interior volume of the cooler's cavity open interior 670 if a user does not
desire to use the open
volume minimization system. As described with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B, an
air pump unit
650 may be incorporated into the cooler 600, the pump unit 650 air outlet 651
may be connected
directly to the bladder 610 through the lid wall, see FIG. 9B. The pump unit
650 may be
integrated into the cooler by attachment in recesses on the exterior wall,
either on the exterior of
the lid 602 or in a recess 678 on the container portion. The lower engagement
portion 646 of the
bladder may have integral panels 681 attached to the interior or the bladder,
or the exterior or the
bladder, or embedded in the bladder forming material. In embodiments, the
panels may be a
thickening of the bladder forming material, the thickening providing rigidity
to the thickened
portions.
16
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, in an embodiment, a cooler 700 with a
container
portion 701 and a lid 702, includes an open volume minimization means 706
configured as
bladder system 707 with a rigid panel 709 that translates from the lid toward
the bottom wall
driven by an extendable and retractable portion, in this case configured as a
fillable bladder 710.
The bladder 710 may be provided air for extension through the tubing and
valve. The bladder
710 may be separated from the open interior 722 of the cooler by a flexible
sheet material 727
that is impermeable to liquids and is sealingly attached to or unitary with
the interior wall surface
of the lid 702 of the cooler 700. The flexible sheet material 727 may in
embodiments be of a low
stretch polymeric material that has an extendable wall portion 728 that has a
folded or billowed
portion 731 when the panel is retracted, and the extendable-retractable
portion is retracted. The
lower engagement portion 746 of the bladder system is the panel 709. Springs
or elastic
members 749 may be provided to urge the panel 709 to a retracted position as
shown in FIG.
10A. In embodiments the extendable wall portion may be elastic to urge the
panel to the
retracted position. In embodiments, more than one rigid panel may be provided
which may
allow the lower engagement portion of the open volume minimization means to
better conform
to the shape of the upper margin of the contents. In embodiments, the bladder
may be inflated by
the valve system 752 as described previously or an air pump unit 750 may be
utilized. In
embodiments a plurality of bladders may be provided attached to the lid and
the extend
downward and retract. In embodiments, each of a plurality panels may have a
dedicated bladder.
Referring to FIGS 11A-11D, in embodiments, a cooler 800 having a container
portion 801 and a hinged lid 802, has an open interior 822 defined at least in
part by interior
movable side panels 829 that are extendable from the rigid sidewalls 832 of
the container portion
801. The movable side panels 829 may be extendable by actuation means 836 such
as by an
inflatable bladder system 840, with inflatable bladders 841. A flexible sheet
material 843 may
connect the movable side panels to the cooler's rigid sidewalls 832. In
embodiments, the upper
portion of the panel 847may extend in further than the lower portion 848 as
best illustrated in
FIGS. 11B and 11D providing a tapered open interior 822 wider at the bottom
855 of the interior
than the upper interior 856. This may be effectuated by more of the flexible
sheet material at the
top ends 861 of the movable side panels 829 than at the bottom ends 862 as
well as a bladder
shaped to inflate as illustrated best in FIG. 11B. This better constrains the
contents and
minimizes sloshing of the contents under shock and rough conditions when
compared to a
17
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
conventional cooler that is wider at the top of the interior than the bottom.
In embodiments, all
four sides may be extendable inwardly. In embodiments only one or two of the
four sides may
be extendable inwardly. In embodiments, each side may have a dedicated
inflatable bladder. In
embodiments, a single bladder may extend around two, three, or four sides of
the interior sides of
the cooler.
Material fillable bladders of the expandable bladder systems 400, 506, 608,
707,
841, may be filled with fill material through a variety of methods depending
upon the
configuration of the material valve system. The expandable bladder system's
material valve
system 305 may include an oral inflation valve, which allows a user to blow
air directly into the
bladder through a user's lungs, or through use of a pump. Fig. 7C illustrates
the use of an
automotive style valve, such as a Schrader valve, this would allow a user to
fill the expandable
bladder system with bike pump, or air compressor. Such expandable bladder
systems may be
connected to a vehicle's on-board compressor. Typically, a vehicle would have
an onboard
compressor if it included a Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS). In this
embodiment the
expandable bladder system 300 would include a pressure sensor inside the
material fillable
bladder 301 and self-regulate the pressure to a specific PSI in which the
material fillable bladder
301 is applying the appropriate amount of pressure on the contents 203 of the
cooler 100 such
that they do not shift while the user's vehicle is in motion. The pressure
sensor may continually
monitor the pressure and adjust fill the material fillable bladder as
necessary. For example,
should the volume of the cooler cavity alter in some way, such as by ice
melting, the change in
pressure can cause the pump to inflate or deflate the bladder system as
appropriate to limit
movement of the cooler contents. In embodiments, the pressure may be regulated
to be a few psi.
See U.S. pat. Nos. 9,884,522; 9,415,645; 9,387,731. Said patents are
incorporated by reference
herein for all purposes.
FIGS. 12A-12C illustrates a cooler 900 having a container portion 901 and a
hinged lid 902 that also has a securement system and an open volume
minimization system 910
integrated with the cooler 900 utilizing a manual power receiving portion 925
connecting to a
translation mechanism 927 attached to a plate or panel member 930 positioned
in the interior 931
of the cooler to extend and retract and to engage and secure the contents 948
of the cooler 900.
The system allows an operator to translate the plate or panel member 930 from
a stowed position
18
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
at the lid 902 into a securing position engaging the contents. The translation
mechanism 927
translates the motion provided to the manual power receiving portion into a
linear motion for
lowering and raising the manual actuation of the plate or panel member 930
within the cooler
900. As shown in Fig. 12B, the translation member 927 may be nut and screw
mechanism 956,
and the power receiving portion 925 may be configured as a hand crank 958.
Rotation of the
crank lowers and raises the plate or panel member 930. Multi-tiered screw and
nut mechanisms
that take up less vertical space would also be suitable. The translation
mechanism 927 is
contemplated to be any mechanical mechanism that translates a manual motion at
the power
receiving portion 925 into movement of the plate or panel member 930. Scissor
mechanisms,
rack and pinion mechanisms, linkages of various types, and other mechanisms
may be utilized.
Manually operated ratchet mechanisms may be utilized to move the plate or
panel member. The
downward motion of the plate or panel member may be facilitated or caused by
gravity, with a
one-way mechanism precluding or inhibiting upward movement of the plate during
transport.
FIG. 12C illustrates a manual air pump 970 mounted on the lid 902 that may
inflate a bladder
974 that may extend and retract the plate or panel member 930.
FIG. 12D depicts the cooler 900 of FIGS. 12A-12C but utilizes an electric
motor
drive motor 962 rather than the manual power receiving portion 925. The drive
motor connected
directly or through gearing to the translation mechanism 927. The drive motor
may be powered
by vehicle power, a separate battery, or a battery pack 979 mounted on the
cooler.
The plate or panel member 930 of FIGS. 12A to 12D may be constructed out of a
variety of different materials and made to be interchangeable with alternate
depending on the
operator's needs. It is contemplated that the plate or panel member 930 be
made out of the same
material as the cooler 900, this material could range from a soft plastic to
stainless steel. In
embodiments, when in the stowed position, the plate or panel member 930 could
be recessed into
the cooler lid 903 so that it does not occupy any interior volume of cooler
cavity 931 when in the
retracted position. The plate or panel member may also be constructed out of a
more pliable
material, such as an elastic or foam-like material, that can deform slightly
to accommodate
contents 948 of various shapes within cooler interior 931when the plate or
panel member 930 is
in the contents securing position. Similar to the material fillable bladders,
the plate or panel
member 930 is contemplated to be shaped in a variety of different shapes and
sizes. It may be
19
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
desired that the plate or panel member be circular, or hemispherical, or even
spherical in certain
situations. In embodiments, when the plate or panel member 930 is recessed
into the cooler lid,
the plate member 930 could include a sealing member around the periphery of
the plate member
and generally similar in shape and size to the interior of cooler interior
931, so that it would
maintain a liquid tight seal around the perimeter of the plate member 930 when
in the secured
position. The plate like member may also be contained within a compartment
defined by water
impermeable flexible sheet material that extends to wall portions or the lid
such that the
translation portion is not exposed to water or the contents of the cooler,
similar to the
embodiments of FIGS. 10A-11B.
Referring to FIG. 13, in an embodiment, a hand operated air pump 1060 may be
integrated with the cooler lid 1062. The bladder 1066 formed of flexible
polymeric sheet
material. Robust latches, such as elastomeric latches 1068 may secure the lid
to the container
portion 1071 such that the pressurization of the bladder will not push open
the lid from the
inside. The container portion having a foam insulation layer 1073 sandwiched
between an inner
polymeric wall 1075 and an outer polymeric wall 1076. An indicator 1074 may be
present on
the top of the lid indicating pressurization level. Also, a pressure release
lever, switch or button
1076 may be present to relieve the pressure before opening the lid. The
bladder has a lowermost
engagement portion 1080 that is conforming to the contents 1084 in the cooler
as illustrated by
the dashed lines. Example of inflation systems, inflatable bladders, other
components,
mechanisms, component materials, and control systems relevant to the systems
and disclosures
here and that may be suitable for use with same are found in U.S. Patent. Nos.
and Publication
Nos. 7,290,761; 7,306,212; 7,996,940; 9,440,695; 2020/0078254; 9,884,522;
9,415,645;
9,387,731.
All of the above patents and patent publications are incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety for all purposes, except for express definitions
and patent claims
contained therein.
The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment
(s). The
invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features
disclosed in this
specification (including any incorporated by reference references, any
accompanying claims,
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the
steps of any
method or process so disclosed. The above references in all sections of this
application are
herein incorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes.
While the aforementioned particular embodiments of the present invention have
been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that,
based upon the
teachings herein, that changes and modifications may be made without departing
from this
invention and its broader aspects. Therefore, the appended claims are to
encompass within their
scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and
scope of this invention.
It will be understood by those with skill in the art that if a specific number
of an introduced claim
element is intended, such intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and
in the absence of such
recitation no such limitation is present. For non-limiting example, as an aid
to understanding, the
following appended claims contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least
one" and "one or
more" to introduce claim elements. However, the use of such phrases should not
be construed to
imply that the introduction of a claim element by the indefinite articles "a"
or "an" limits any
particular claim containing such introduced claim element to inventions
containing only one such
element, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or
more" or "at least
one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an"; the same holds true for the
use in the claims of
definite articles.
21
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
