TOWEL COOLER ASSEMBLY

A towel cooler assembly includes a container body with removable lid that is configured to seal an interior volume. Within the volume is stored a cooling medium and a fabric divided by a removable divider. The assembly is configured to internally house an absorbent fabric and locate such fabric adjacent to a cooling medium such as water in a liquid or solid state. The assembly is configured to include a divider which selectively allows passage between the cooling medium and the fabric. The fabric remains at a cool temperature similar to the cooling medium.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present application relates to a cooler, and more particularly to a personal use cooler for the cooling of a towel or other object.

2. Description of Related Art

People often get warm and need to cool down in the heat. A common method is to pour cool water on the skin in an effort to lower body temperature. A disadvantage to this method is the water quickly falls away from the skin thereby providing limited effect for the user. Another method is where the user can use a towel or other fabric to absorb cool water and apply it to their skin as a method of cooling down. A cooling bath used is often just poured water over a cloth. For example, often a water bottle is used to carry cooled water. The water bottle is cooled previously in a fridge or ice chest and then used to spill the water on the cloth. The cloth holds the water over the skin better than strait pouring it on the user. However, this method still involves pouring water out of a container to reach the absorbing fabric. A good portion of cooled water is lost in this process. This necessitates the use of multiple water bottles. No recovery of excess water is permitted and the water once absorbed by the fabric instantly begins to heat up. Another disadvantage is that the fabric is often stored away from the cooled temperatures of the water bottle. An equalizing temperature gradient begins to occur the moment the water hits the fabric.

Although strides have been made, shortcomings remain. It is desired that an assembly be provided that allows a dedicated cooler for both the fabric that is self-contained and reusable and the cooled water within the water bottle.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present application to provide a towel cooler assembly configured to store both cooled water and an absorbing cloth fabric internally. The assembly is configured to include a divider so as to solid or frozen portions of the cooled medium (i.e. water) from the absorbing fabric while allowing the cooled water to contact the absorbing fabric. It is also an object of the present application to accept cooled water in both solid and liquid form. Usage of the towel cooler assembly allows the absorbing fabric to remain saturated with the cooled water. Thereby the temperature of the fabric and the cooled water remain equalized.

Ultimately the invention may take many embodiments. In these ways, the present invention overcomes the disadvantages inherent in the prior art. The more important features have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and to ensure that the present contribution to the art is appreciated. Additional features will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow.

Many objects of the present application will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments are capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the various purposes of the present design. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments and method in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with the prior art discussed previously. In particular, the towel cooler assembly of the present application is configured to internally house an absorbent fabric and locate such fabric adjacent to a cooling medium such as water in a liquid or solid state. The assembly is configured to include a divider which selectively allows passage between the cooling medium and the fabric. The fabric remains at a cool temperature similar to the cooling medium. Additionally the assembly minimizes wasted cooling medium as saturation of the fabric occurs internally within a sealed container. These and other unique features are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The embodiments and method of the present application is illustrated in the associated drawings. The Towel cooler assembly includes a container body with removable lid that is configured to seal an interior volume. Within the volume is stored a cooling medium and a fabric divided by a removable divider. Additional features and functions are illustrated and discussed below.

Referring now to the Figures wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements in form and function throughout the several views. The following Figures describe embodiments of the present application and its associated features. With reference now to the Figures, embodiments of the present application are herein described. It should be noted that the articles “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

The assembly of the present application is configured to provide a self contained and portable cooler for the storage of cloth or other absorbent flexible material or fabric, such as a towel. An object of the present cooler is to provide an internal compartment or space within a central body to keep or store the fabric. A divider is used as a screen or grate to provide to create a separation between the fabric and the cooling medium. The cloth is able to become fully saturated with the cooling liquid over time and be ready for use by the user. A user may then access the cloth without spilling the cooling liquid via an exterior opening.

Referring now toFIG.1in the drawings, a perspective view of a towel cooler assembly101is provided. The towel cooler assembly101includes a container body103having an opening at one end. As illustrated body103is cylindrical in form and is configured to define an internal volume. Assembly101further includes a removable lid105configured to selectively seal the opening of the container body103. Body103may include one or more formed features to enhance functionality for a user. An example of such feature may include a formed aperture107extending externally from body103. This may be used to pass a rope, hook, or clip so as to attach it to another object. It is understood that the exact external form and shape of body103is not limited to that form illustrated in the figures. Various different shapes and forms may be desired and are considered amenable to the present application.

Referring now also toFIG.2in the drawings, an exploded view of the towel cooler assembly101is provided. Figure two is useful to illustrate divider109that is configured to reside within the interior volume of container body103. Divider109is configured to slide adjacent the interior walls of body103and create an interior pocket for locating the fabric108(seeFIG.3). Removable lid105includes a seal111configured to contact a rim of body103so as to prevent the spillage or leakage of cooling medium120(seeFIG.3) from the internal volume of body103.

Referring now also to figure three in the drawings, a section view of assembly101is shown. The section view is taken along the length of body103and is useful in locating divider109within the internal volume. Assembly101is configured to suspend or locate divider109in a manner that prevents divider109from falling through the interior volume to a base surface in container103. This may be done in various different ways.

One such method is shown inFIG.3wherein the interior surface of the container body103includes a ridge or lip115. In the illustrated embodiment the wall thickness of body103below divider109is thicker than the wall thickness of body103adjacent to divider109. The change in wall thickness creates an internal ledge that supports divider109. It is desired that the location of the ridge or lip115be located so as to be sufficient to secure lid105two body103when divider109is located therein. In other embodiments body103may include a lip115which may be no more than an internal extending ridge at a certain location down from the opening of body103. It is important to note that all that is required is successfully locating divider109adjacent the opening of container body103.

Divider109is formed in a similar shape to that of container body103. Within its interior volume116would be the storage of the absorbent fabric. Below divider109within the interior volume of container body103is a lower interior volume118for the storage of the cooling medium. As seen inFIG.3a series of apertures117is located along bottom surface119of divider109. Apertures117may include any shape or be of any size. A purpose of apertures117is to allow the passage of cooling medium from a lower interior volume to an interior volume of divider109.

Referring now also toFIGS.4-5in the drawings, views of an alternate embodiment of divider109are illustrated. Divider121is similar in form and function to that of divider109shown inFIGS.1-3. Divider121differs from divider109as described herein. Whereas divider109includes apertures along a base surface opposite its main opening, divider121also includes slots or slits123extending along its sides. Slits123may extend partially into the base surface of divider121. The size and length of slits123are not limited to that depicted in the Figures. Slits123allow extra volume of cooling medium to pass between the lower internal volume118and the internal volume116of divider109/121. Of note is the use of cut outs125adjacent the opening of divider109and divider121for the purpose of allowing a user to remove divider109and divider121from body103.

In operation a user locates a cooling medium within body103. The cooling medium is ideally located so as to remain below lip115, or within the lower internal volume118of body103. A selected divider may be located above the cooling medium so as to rest adjacent to the opening of body103. A fabric may be selected and placed within internal volume116wherein its temperature will equalize with the temperature of the cooling medium so as to maintain a consistent cooled temperature. A user may shake or reorient container body103so as to mix the cooling medium with the fabric wherein the cooling medium passes through the apertures and/or slots of the divider. This allows for saturation of the fabric internally and avoids leakages or spilling of the cooling medium. A user may then open and remove lid105to gain access to the absorbent fabric which is then saturated and ready for cooling of the user. A user may then reinsert relocate the absorbent fabric back into body103for re-saturation and subsequent cooling.

It is understood that container body103may include thermal insulating properties to resist heat transfer between the exterior environment and any internal volume. Materials for container103and dividers109and121are selected from rigid sturdy materials allowing for personal preference and design constraints. It is also understood that the cooling media may be a solid or liquid such as ice or chilled water. The purpose of the Towel Cooler assembly101is to allow users to have potable and easy access to a cool/cold wet towel to cool down in hot climates and/or after strenuous exercise. The Towel Cooler provides the ability for people to have a cool/cold wet towel anywhere they need one with exceptional portability.