Abstract:
An electrically illuminated cooler having a temperature insulated general storage chamber and at least one illumination source. The illumination source may comprise a single lighting element such as for example a light emitting diode, which may flash, or a plurality of lighting elements which may be directed to different areas, which may be of different colors, and which may be independently controlled. The cooler may comprise circuitry including switches, flasher, and power storage such as battery cells. The cooler may comprise a fold out tray which itself may be illuminated by the illumination source, or may alternatively or in addition may be internally illuminated. The cover of the cooler may have a compartment which communicates with the general storage chamber but which stores articles out of contact with contents of the general storage chamber.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/164,311 filed Mar. 27, 2009, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to insulated containers of the type popularly known as coolers, and more particularly to a cooler featuring built-in illumination. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Coolers have become popular devices for storing and carrying foods, beverages, and other substances which must be maintained at temperatures which may be below ambient temperatures. One widespread use for coolers is to contain foods and beverages for outdoor activities such as picnics and camping. Such activities may last into the night. When daylight fades, visibility becomes a problem which affects both retrieval of objects from coolers and also performing tasks which may be either related or unrelated to objects retrieved from coolers. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention addresses the above stated problems by providing illumination within portable coolers. Illumination may be provided for revealing contents of the cooler, which may include contents supported on trays and the like which may be part of a cooler, and also for illuminating the immediate vicinity of the cooler. At night, it may become difficult to identify contents of a cooler, such as discriminating among different types of beverage cans. As regards the immediate vicinity of the cooler, illumination in dark conditions, such as at night, may solve a problem which may exist in darkened surroundings such as the interiors of wheeled vehicles, buildings, and tunnels, among others, which may not be provided with sufficient illumination to discern contents of a cooler. 
         [0006]    Also, tasks which may or may not be related to a cooler may be aided by supplementary light sources provided by the cooler. For example, bait stored for fishing activities may require preparation and mounting on fishing hooks. It would be highly convenient to have illumination for a cooler used for fishing purposes, so that selection, cutting, mounting of bait and related tasks may be conducted under conditions of ambient darkness in close proximity to the stored bait. 
         [0007]    Further uses for illumination of coolers include identification and location of the user. Lighting may be used to identify a particular cooler or the location of the cooler and the person using that cooler. 
         [0008]    In still another use, lighting may pertain to personal expression. Illumination may express personal sentiments such as affiliations with organizations. For example, a cooler brought to the scene of a sports event may be caused to emit light of colors associated with one of the teams performing in the event. 
         [0009]    The present invention provides implementation of at least one purpose for illumination capability in a portable cooler. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Various features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an illuminated cooler according to at least one aspect of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of  FIG. 1 , but taken from the opposite side, and shown with a tray extending from the illuminated cooler. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a detail view of a part of a tray such as the tray of  FIG. 2 , showing a container retention feature which has been omitted from  FIG. 2  for clarity of the view. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic representation of an electrical circuit which may be provided in an illuminated cooler according to further aspects of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective detail view of the tray of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the cooler of  FIG. 1 , additionally showing lighting elements not shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an illuminated cooler according to another aspect of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic representation of an electrical circuit which introduces flashing to at least one light of an illuminated cooler according to at least one further aspect of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a diagrammatic representation of an electrical circuit which introduces different colors to at least some lights of an illuminated cooler according to at least one further aspect of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a side cross sectional view of an illuminated cooler according to a still further aspect of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 11A-C  show a table of reference numerals used in the Detailed description of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]      FIG. 1  shows an illuminated cooler  100  which may comprise a receptacle  120  having an exterior surface  140 , an interior surface  160 , and a general storage chamber  180  defined within the interior surface  160 . The receptacle  120  may further comprise a lateral wall  200  defining a first open end and an opposed second end. In the position of normal use, and as depicted in  FIG. 1 , the open end is the upper end, and is open to afford access to contents of the cooler  100 . The second end is the lower end, which is closed by a bottom wall  220  which spans at least some sections of the lateral wall  200  so as to substantially close the second or bottom end. A lid or closure  240  may be hinged or otherwise movably secured to the lateral wall  200  so as to removably engage the lateral wall  200  at the first open end. 
         [0023]    The receptacle  120  is substantially insulated in any suitable way. As employed herein, the term “insulated” will be understood to mean that any component of the cooler  100  which is described as insulated comprises a constituent material known to retard transmission of heat therethrough, or alternatively, comprises an arrangement of materials known to retard transmission of heat. For example, closed cell polymeric materials used conventionally to insulate coolers, refrigerators, freezers, and the like may serve as insulation material. Examples of materials which themselves may not be insulating in nature but which may be formed or arranged to be insulating include glass, which as a solid may be heat transmissive, but when formed for example as fiberglass becomes insulating in nature. Other substances in fiber form may be regarded as insulating. Another example is polymeric materials which are formed to enclose voids, such as so-called bubble wrap, which comprises sheets of plastic arranged to contain voids or to contain pockets of air or other gasses. Void containing assemblies may be partially evacuated to produce vacuum or partial vacuum. Both insulated and non-insulated portions of the receptacle  120  may comprise a non-pourous, liquid impermeable resin capable of being injection molded for example. 
         [0024]    The cooler  100  may comprise a tray  260  which is movable between a stowed position ( FIG. 1 ) and a deployed position ( FIG. 2 ). In the stowed position, the tray  260  may be held compactly to the receptacle  120 . As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the tray  260  may be received within a recess formed within the lateral wall  200  so as to be substantially flush with the lateral wall  200  in the stowed position. In the deployed position, the tray  260  projects from the receptacle  120  so as to present a horizontal support surface. 
         [0025]    The cooler  100  may comprise a plurality of wheels  280  which are rotatably fixed thereto and one or more handles  300 . The handles  300  may be hinged to swing to an exposed position, as shown in  FIG. 2 , may be slidably mounted within the cooler to move to a deployed position corresponding to the exposed position shown in  FIG. 2 , may comprise grips or recesses molded or otherwise formed in the cooler  100 , or may be disposed in any other suitable way. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the tray  260  may comprise openings  320  for receiving containers such as cups, cans, glasses and the like (none shown). Each opening  320  may be provided with a generally U-shaped wire  340  or the like which may be pivotally mounted in gimbal fashion within the tray  260  to swing down from its associated opening  320  to serve as a floor or equivalent interfering member which prevents a cup, can, or glass from falling through the opening  320  when the tray  260  is in the deployed position of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0027]    The cooler  100  comprises an illumination source which further comprise one or more individual lighting elements. For purposes of description of the present invention, a lighting element is any element having sufficient structure to emit light on its own. Lighting elements may comprise incandescent lamps, neon lamps, fluorescent lamps, light emitting diodes, electric arc electrodes, electroluminescent substances, and others. In any and all of its forms, the illumination source is supportably engaged with the receptacle  120  and is disposed to project light from the receptacle  120 . The illumination source may comprise, in addition to at least one lighting element, circuitry disposed to conduct electrical power to each lighting element where the latter is of the type using electrical power, and a switch disposed to control electrical power supplied to at least one lighting element. 
         [0028]    An exemplary circuit arrangement for powering and controlling individual lighting elements  360 ,  380 ,  400  is described with reference to  FIG. 4 . It should be understood that the circuit arrangement of  FIG. 4  is shown only in representative capacity, and may be modified to accommodate any desired variation. For example, although the three individual lighting elements  360 ,  380 ,  400  are shown in  FIG. 4 , fewer or more lighting elements may be accommodated. Connection logic and switching may be varied from  FIG. 4  as desired. 
         [0029]    An electrical storage device such as a battery  420  may provide electrical power which is distributed by circuitry  440 . As employed herein, the term “circuitry” will be understood to encompass all individual conductors, electrical insulation, connections, and auxiliary devices required to accomplish the described functions regardless of whether such items are explicitly shown or described. Also, the term “battery” is used only in a representative sense and will be understood to encompass single electrochemical cells, plural electrochemical cells, capacitors, supercapacitors, and other electrical storage devices in any combination. It would also be possible to omit an electrical storage device for example by providing a cooler such as the cooler  100  with a plug and cord assembly (not shown) or with a receptacle for receiving an extension cord or the like. The battery  420  and the circuitry  440  may be carried aboard the receptacle  120 , for example being supported within the lateral wall  200 , the closure  240 , and other structure of the receptacle  120  where necessary. 
         [0030]    The circuitry  440  may comprise a manual master switch  460  disposed to control all of the lighting elements  360 ,  380 ,  400 , as well as individual switches  480 ,  500 ,  520  arranged to control only one lighting element, such as the lighting elements  360 ,  380 ,  400 . Switches such as the switches  460 ,  480 ,  500 ,  520  may be located at any convenient exterior location on the receptacle  120 . Switches may utilize exposed operators such as toggles, axially moved knobs, rotary dials, or operators which are covered by a liquid resistant switch cover such as an elastomeric sheet and which may be actuated for example by pressing on the liquid resistant sheet. These are known switch control arrangements and need not be further detailed herein. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the illumination source may comprise a tray illuminator  540  which is disposed to project light directly onto the tray  560  so as to illuminate objects (not shown) placed on the tray  560 . The tray  560  may be functionally and structurally similar to the tray  260 , for example. 
         [0032]    Referring also to  FIG. 6 , the illumination source may also comprise additional lighting elements which may include for example, first lighting elements or receptacle illuminators  580  located on the underside of the closure  240  and which are disposed to project light into the general storage chamber  180 . In the absence of contents within the general storage chamber  180 , light from the receptacle illuminators  580  would project light against the interior surface  160  of the receptacle  120 . A second lighting element may be disposed to project light outside the general storage chamber  180 . The second lighting element may be for example the tray illuminator  540 , or may comprise an environment illuminator  600  disposed to project light proximate the receptacle  120 , near the receptacle  120  yet not directly onto a tray such as the tray  260 . The environment illuminator  600  may be focussed such that light projected therefrom, indicated as broken lines  620 , passes over the tray  260  to project away from the receptacle  120 , thereby illuminating the area proximate the cooler  100 . 
         [0033]    The circuitry  440  (see  FIG. 4 ) may be modified such that a switch such as one of the switches  480 ,  500  or  520  may serve as an environmental illuminator switch disposed to control only the environmental illuminator  600 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  shows an arrangement wherein a tray  640  is at least partially translucent in a direction extending away from an associated receptacle  660  when the tray  640  is in the deployed position. Other than being translucent, the tray  640  may be for example a structural and functional equivalent of the tray  260 . Similarly, the receptacle  660  may be the structural and functional equivalent of the receptacle  120 . In the arrangement of  FIG. 5 , the illumination source may further comprise a tray accent illuminator disposed to project light through the tray  640  in a direction away from the receptacle  660 . The tray accent illuminator may comprise one or more lighting elements  680  which are disposed to project light through the tray  640  in a direction away from the receptacle  660 , as indicated by broken lines  700 . 
         [0035]    The circuitry  440  (see  FIG. 4 ) may be modified such that a switch such as one of the switches  480 ,  500  or  520  may serve as a tray accent illuminator switch disposed to control only the lighting elements  680  of the tray accent illuminator. 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  shows a cooler  720  which comprises an illuminator stand  740  which is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the stowed position, the illuminator stand  740  may be held compactly to the receptacle  760 . For example, the illuminator stand  740  may be slidably received within the receptacle  760  so that it can be retracted substantially thereinto. The illuminator stand  740 , shown in the deployed position in  FIG. 7 , may have a proximal end which is movably mounted to the receptacle  760 . For example, the proximal end, which may bear at lest one lighting element  800 , can be manually moved vertically, as indicated by the arrow  780 , so as to be movable to project outside the receptacle  760  in the deployed position. 
         [0037]    The circuitry  440  (see  FIG. 4 ) may be modified such that a switch such as one of the switches  480 ,  500  or  520  may serve as an illuminator stand switch disposed to control only the lighting element  800  of the illuminator stand  740 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 8  shows an arrangement wherein a flasher  820  has been incorporated into circuitry  840  serving lighting elements  860  which may be incorporated into a cooler (not shown) such as the cooler  100 . Each lighting element  860  may be controlled by an individually dedicated set  880  of normally open contacts which may be integral with or controlled by the flasher  820 . The flasher  820  may be an electronic relay or any other device or devices which individually or collectively cause the circuitry  840  to provide power to and illuminate the lighting elements  860  automatically and intermittently. 
         [0039]    The flasher  820  may comprise a manual controller  900  which initiates and terminates flashing of the lighting elements  860 . The manual controller  900  may comprise a switch for manually switching power to the flasher  820 , or may be an indirect controller such as a keypad where for example the flasher  820  comprises a programmable or programmed controller. A programmable controller will be understood to comprise a controller wherein the output or control sequence produced thereby may be arranged for subsequent implementation by a person using the programmable controller. A programmed controller will be understood to comprise a predetermined output or control sequence which may be initiated but not modified by a person using the programmed controller. 
         [0040]    As employed herein, terms such as “flasher” and “flashing” do not necessarily imply a regular sequence. Both the time interval during which any light or lamp such as the lighting elements  860  may be illuminated and the time interval during which any light or lamp may be extinguished may be varied according to a regular sequence or an irregular sequence. For example, where many lamps are provided, certain lamps may be selectively illuminated to form letters, symbols and words. Words and other illuminated entities may be subjected to selective illumination and extinguishing such that, for example, the word or other illuminated entities appear to travel along the matrix of lamps. This may be referred to as a scrolling message (not shown). Programmed and programmable controllers for producing scrolling messages are known. The lighting elements  860  may be illuminated in tandem or may be staggered. 
         [0041]    The circuitry  840  may be integrated with circuitry such as the circuitry  440  of  FIG. 4 . 
         [0042]    The circuitry  840  may be modified to include a master switch  920  arranged to control power to the flasher  820  and lighting elements  860  flashably controlled thereby. 
         [0043]      FIG. 9  shows an arrangement wherein an illumination source may comprise lighting elements  940 ,  960 ,  980 ,  1000  of different colors, which may be incorporated into a cooler (not shown) such as the cooler  100 . Each of the lighting elements  940 ,  960 ,  980 ,  1000  may take one of the colors red, green, blue, and yellow for example. The illumination source of  FIG. 9  is disposed to project light selectively of different colors from the receptacle (not shown) of the cooler with which the lighting elements  940 ,  960 ,  980 ,  1000  may be associated. 
         [0044]    A lighting actuator  1020  may be disposed to illuminate the lighting elements selectively according to color. The lighting actuator  1020  may be a programmable controller or a programmed controller of the type described with regard to the flasher  820  of  FIG. 8  for example. Such a programmable controller or programmed controller may have sets  1040  of normally open contacts which close supply circuitry  1060  to the lighting elements  940 ,  960 ,  980 ,  1000 . Of course, manual switches (not shown) may be provided in place of the lighting actuator  1020  to enable a person to illuminate the lighting elements  940 ,  960 ,  980 ,  1000  manually in place of an automated controller such as the flasher  820  if desired. 
         [0045]    The circuitry  1060  may be integrated with circuitry such as the circuitry  440  of  FIG. 4 . 
         [0046]    The circuitry  1060  may be modified to include a master switch  1080  arranged to control power to the lighting actuator  1020  and lighting elements  940 ,  960 ,  980 ,  1000 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 10  shows an illuminated cooler  1100  which may comprise a dry cover storage compartment  1120  for storing articles (not shown) according to a further aspect of the invention. The illuminated cooler  1100  in other respects may be the functional and structural equivalent of an illuminated cooler such as the illuminated cooler  100  of  FIG. 1 . Therefore, electrical details such as those pertaining to illumination will be omitted from the description of the illuminated cooler  1100 , it being understood that any illumination scheme according to the present invention may be incorporated thereinto. 
         [0048]    The illuminated cooler  1100  may comprise a receptacle  1140  having a lateral wall  1160  and a closure  1180 . The closure  1180  may have a cavity which establishes the dry storage compartment  1120  which is separate from yet in communication with the general storage chamber  1200  of the receptacle  1140 . Articles (not shown) contained within the cover storage compartment  1120  may be subjected to temperatures prevailing within the general storage chamber  1200  yet isolated from contact with contents thereof. A cooling influence prevailing within the general storage chamber  1200  may be communicated to the dry storage compartment  1120  through slots  1220 ,  1240  which may be formed in a door  1260 . The door  1260  may be pivotally mounted to a wall  1280  formed in the closure  1180  to define the dry storage compartment  1120 . Pivotal mounting may be provided by a hinge  1300  for example such that the door  1260  may pivot or swing as indicated by the arrow  1320 . The door  1260  may engage the closure  1180  by frictional engagement of a bump or projection  1340 . 
         [0049]    The door  1260  may if desired be fully removable from the closure  1180 , or may alternatively be mounted to the closure  1180  or open relative to the closure  1180  in ways other than that shown and described herein. It will be appreciated that the dry storage compartment  1120  may be incorporated into the closure such as the closure  1180  of an illuminated cooler according to any aspect of the present invention. 
         [0050]    Although discussion herein is generally directed to maintaining foods and other substances at temperatures below ambient temperatures, it will be appreciated that a cooler according to the present invention may be thought of as an insulated receptacle which may be employed if desired to maintain foods and other substances at temperatures above ambient temperatures.