Patent ID: 6799434
Filing Date: 2004-10-05
Classification: F25D

Abstract:
A portable cooler, for selectively maintaining a variety of food and beverage items at a low temperature, comprising:an insulated container having a storage compartment, a lid, and at least one hinge which pivotally attaches the lid to the storage compartment, the storage compartment having at least one wall, a bottom, a top, and an opening in proximity to the top, said at least one wall, the bottom, and the lid together defining an interior volume off the portable cooler, each of said at least one wall having an externally oriented surface facing onto the exterior of the portable cooler, and an internally oriented surface facing onto the interior of the portable cooler, the insulated container having an open position wherein the lid has been swiveled upon the at least one hinge away from the storage compartment, and a closed position wherein the lid has been swiveled upon the at least one hinge toward the storage compartment in order to seal the opening at the top of the storage compartment; a cooling device for cooling the interior volume of the insulated container, having an associated air outlet vent extending through one of the at least one walls for dissipating heat extracted from the interior volume of the insulated container during operation of the cooling device; a display panel positioned upon the insulated container, for enabling the user to control the operation of the cooling device, having an activation button for selectively powering the cooling device, a thermistor for sensing the temperature within the interior volume of the insulated container, a temperature display in electrical communication with the thermistor of the cooling device for displaying the temperature as sensed by the thermistor, and a temperature control knob for varying the temperature at which the cooling device is selectively activated, said temperature control knob capable of rotating in two opposing directions; and a battery compartment for selective containment therein of at least one battery for selectively powering the cooling device.