Abstract:
A portable beverage cooler comprises an automobile tire and a bottom membrane attached thereto. Optionally, a drain valve may be inserted in the side wall of the tire to facilitate draining liquid from inside the beverage cooler. Additionally, a pair of handles may be attached to the cooler to enhance its portability. Also, a base may be attached to the tire and/or rollers may be attached to the base or to the tire to increase the portability and point-of-sale functionality of the cooler.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present application claims benefit of U.S. Design application Ser. No. 29/209,779, filed Jul. 21, 2004, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to coolers and a method for making coolers. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Coolers for holding beverages or other food items desired to be kept cool are well known. Coolers come in a variety of sizes and shapes and are made out of various sorts of insulting materials such as foam or resilient polystyrene plastic, e.g., STYROFOAM®. Coolers are commonly filled with ice in order to cool beverages or other items or to maintain the cool temperature of those items. Coolers filled with ice are used at quick stop gasoline stations to display cool beverages and allow patrons convenient access to the beverages on sale. In such applications, the size, shape, and style of the cooler may have an effect on attracting a potential customer&#39;s attention and furthering a sale. 
   Coolers filled with ice are also commonly brought to sporting events, particularly outdoor summer sporting events such as auto races. Coolers are used for tailgate parties before and after sporting events or on the sidelines or pit stops during the events. Coolers specifically adapted for a particular sports genre would be desirous. 
   During a typical automobile race, the tires on the race cars are periodically changed. Race car tires and tires in general have a limited tread life. When they become worn, to improve performance and/or safety, they are replaced. During a typical auto race, one race car may use 3-5 sets of tires. Replaced race car tires are typically shredded and their disposal may be costly and environmentally unfriendly. Occasionally, used tires may be used around traffic cones or on loading docks. 
   It would be desirous to have a cooler with increased marketing appeal at quick stop gasoline stations. It would also be desirous to have a cooler that would be unique to the auto racing industry. Finally, it would be desirous to create another use for worn tires, particular worn tires that have a particular significance, e.g., the tires from a winning race car. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention addresses these desires by using a rubber automobile tire to create a portable beverage cooler. Specifically, a membrane or bottom wall is attached to an automobile tire, e.g., a racing slick tire from a race car. This creates a container which can hold ice and cool beverages or other items. Optionally, a drain valve may be inserted in the side wall of the tire to facilitate the draining of liquid, e.g., water, from inside the cooler. Additionally, a pair of handles may be attached to the cooler to enhance its portability. Also, a base may be attached to the tire and/or rollers may be attached to the base or to the tire to increase the portability and point-of-sale functionality of the cooler. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The objectives and features of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of the beverage cooler of the present invention filed with ice and beverages; 
       FIG. 2  is a top view, partially broken away, of the beverage cooler of  FIG. 1 , the cooler being empty; 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the beverage cooler of  FIG. 1 ; and 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the beverage cooler of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the beverage cooler of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4B  is a side view of yet another alternative embodiment of the beverage cooler of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the portable beverage cooler  10  is typically made from a tire  12 , e.g. a rubber automobile tire. However, the tire  12  may be made of any material without departing from the spirit of the present invention. These tires  12  may be new or may be used or recycled tires  12 . Some used tires  12 , e.g., the racing slick tires  12  from a favorite or winning race car, or a particular brand or style of tire  12 , may have a particular significance and be particularly desirous of use. The type of tire  12  selected can also have a functional significance. For example, the width and diameter of the tire  12  will determine the size of the beverage cooler  10  and the amount of ice  14  and beverages  16  it can contain. Tires  12  suitable for use may be obtained from Competition Tire West, Inc., 12666 U.S. 12, Post Office Box 666, Brooklyn, Mich. 49230. 
   The tire  12  has a pair of generally parallel side walls  18 ,  20  that are connected by a circular tread wall  22  having an outer surface  23 . A bottom wall  24  is attached or sealed to the tire  12  whereby a beverage cooler  10  capable of holding ice  14  and beverages  16  is formed. This bottom wall or membrane  24  may be placed within the tire  12  so as to rest upon and be supported by the bottom side wall  20  of the tire. The bottom wall or membrane  24  is preferably made of rubber, but may be made of any other desired material, such as plastic, or a roofing composite material. This bottom wall  24  is preferably attached to the bottom side wall  20  of the tire  12  with an adhesive. However, any other means such as using mechanical fasteners (not shown) may be used to secure the bottom wall  24  of the cooler  10  to the bottom side wall  20  of the tire  12 . 
   The interior surface  27  of the bottom wall  24 , the interior surface  29  of the tread wall  22 , and the interior surface  31  of the top side wall  18  may be coated so as to increase the insulating effect of the cooler, enhance the aesthetic appearance (e.g., by using a white coating), and to promote the sealing and/or attachment of the bottom wall  24  to the tire  12 . Typically these surfaces are sprayed with an expandable rubberized paint although other types of coatings or methods of application could be used. The rubberized paint will expand to between approximately ½ to ¾ of an inch in thickness. This type of coating provides a pliable shiny white surface. 
   A circular opening  25 , defined by the opposite sidewall  18 , as shown is left open to facilitate easy access to the beverages  16 . Optionally, a lid or other covering (not shown) could be used to cover this opening  25 . 
   A drain or drain valve  26  may also be attached to the tire  12 . This drain valve  26  may be a spigot or a spout and, as shown, is attached to and penetrates through the tread wall  22  of the tire  12 . As shown, the drain valve  26  has a seal ring or gasket  28  attached to the outer surface  23  of the tread wall  22  and a twist valve  30  which opens or closes the drain  26 . When the drain  26  is open, liquid  27 , such as water from melted ice  14  can drain out of the cooler  10  through the drain lumen  32 . A ball valve suitable for use for the drain valve  26  is available from American Valve, Greensboro, N.C. 
   The beverage cooler  10  may also contain one or more handles  34 . The inclusion of handles  34  will often enhance the portability of the cooler  10 . Additionally, including two or more handles  34  will allow the cooler  10  to be carried by more than one person. Such handles may be particularly desirous if the cooler  10  is quite large, quite heavy (e.g. when filled with ice and beverages) or when the distance needed to travel is quite large. As shown, each handle  34 , comprises a cord or rope  38  and a sleeve or handle grip  40  surrounding the length of cord or rope  38 . Typically, the chord  38  will be comprised of heavy braided nylon and the sleeve  40  will be comprised of rubber or vinyl. A solid braided poly rope suitable for use for the rope or chord  38  is available from The Lehigh Group, 2834 Schoeneck Road, Macungie, Pa. 18062. A one inch vinyl tube suitable for use for the sleeve  40  is available from Watts Anderson Barrows, 815 Chestnut Street, North Andover, Mass. 01845-6098. The chord  38  passes through eyelets or apertures  42  in the tread wall  22 . As shown, a clamp  36  is attached to the chord  38  and prevents the chord  38  from passing back through the eyelets  42 . Alternatively the ends  46  of the chord  38  may be tied in a knot or tied together to prevent the chord  38  from passing back through the eyelets  42 . Still other means of preventing the chord  38  from passing back through the eyelets  42  could be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention. A pair of grommets  44  are attached to the tread surface  22  and reinforce the eyelets  42 . The grommets  44  are preferably brass and are comprised of male and female sections which clamp together and against the tread surface  23  and the interior surface  29  of the trend wall  22 . Optionally, the eyelets  42  could be sealed to prevent leakage. 
   Although one configuration of handle is illustrated and described, any other type or configuration of handle may be used in accordance with the present invention. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  4 A and  4 B, where like numbers denote like parts, alternative embodiments  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c  of the present invention include coasters, casters, rollers, or wheels  48  to facilitate moving the cooler  10 . As shown, the rollers  48  are attached to a base  50 . While not shown, rollers  48  could also be attached to the tire  12  in the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . Threaded Stem Rigid Casters (Grainger Catalog stock #5X750) suitable for use for the rollers  48  are available from E. R. Wagner Casters &amp; Wheels. 
   The base  50  is adapted to support the tire  12 . The tire  12   a  may be secured to the base  50  through the use of an adhesive or mechanical fasteners (not shown). As shown, the base  50  is comprised of another tire. Alternatively, the base  50  could be comprised of one or more additional tires or of other materials without departing from the scope of the invention. Additionally, as shown, an umbrella  52  is used to shade and further the insulating properties of the cooler  10 . 
   The method of making the portable beverage cooler  10  comprises providing a tire  12  and attaching a bottom wall  24  to the tire  12 . As discussed, the tire  12  could be an automobile tire  12 . Additionally, the method for making a cooler  10  can also comprise the step of attaching a drain valve  26  to the tire  12 . The method of making a cooler  10  may also include the step of attaching at least one handle  34  to the tire  12 . Finally, the handle  34 , as discussed, can be comprised of a chord  38  and a sleeve  40 . 
   From the above disclosure of the general principles of the present invention and the preceding detailed description of at least one preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will readily comprehend the various modifications to which this invention is susceptible. Therefore, I desire to be limited only by the scope of the following claims and equivalents thereof.