ILLUMINATED COOLER RECEPTACLE

An illuminated cooler including: a base receptacle; a lid; a series of lights in the interior of the base receptacle; and a solar panel across a top surface of the lid. The series of lights may be place along a top perimeter of an interior of the base receptacle and placed on a lighting track. The series of lights may be placed on at least one side of an interior of the base receptacle. In one particular embodiment, the base receptacle includes a battery as an alternative power source.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides a cooler, which is illuminated by interior lighting for the cooling compartment. The present invention includes a series of lights around the lid opening of the cooler that illuminate the interior of the cooler during use. In this particular embodiment, the lights are installed as LED lights that are powered by a solar panel that is installed on the top surface of the lid of the cooler. The cooler lid provides an exposed surface for the installation of the solar panel. During the daylight hours the interior lights are inactive and during the night a sensor provides an automatic illumination of the lights once the lid is open. A battery is installed in the cooler that connects directly to the lighting and provides an alternative energy source for the lights. The cooler receptacle may be made of plastic or other suitable insulated materials to provide a cool environment for items within the interior of the cooler.

In reference toFIG. 1A, an illuminated cooler100is depicted in accordance with the present invention. The cooler100includes a base receptacle110and a lid105. The base receptacle110provides an interior as shown inFIG. 1Bfor the placement of items to be stored in the cooler100. The cooler100in a closed position exposes a solar panel120that is placed along the top surface of the lid105. In an open position as shown inFIG. 1B, the lid exposes a series of lights140along the top perimeter of the interior of the receptacle110. The lights140are placed on a lighting track and in this particular embodiment extend around the entire interior perimeter of the base receptacle110. Alternative arrangements may be contemplated for the series of lights140such as placement on a particular side or sides of the interior surface.

The base receptacle110further may include a battery130as a backup or alternative battery for use in situations where the solar power is not in a position properly charge the lights140. An activation switch150may also be installed on the interior of the base receptacle110. The switch150may be on the interior or alternatively exterior of the base receptacle110. Further in another alterative embodiment the base receptacle110includes a plug outlet108to allow the user to connect to the power sources provided in the base receptacle110.

The illuminated cooler100may be made of plastic or other suitable insulation material that provides a cool environment on the interior of the base receptacle110. As stated above the lights140may remain inactive during the day and activated at night by depression of the activation button150or alternatively a sensor115may be available within the interior of the base receptacle110that detects darkness and activates the lights140into an on position while the lid105is open. The backup battery130ensures that the lights remain ready to use under any weather conditions or drop of solar powered energy. Use of the illuminated cooler in accordance with the present invention provides an effective device for retrieving items in a cooler during nighttime hours. The instant invention has been shown and described in what it considers to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made there from within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.