Abstract:
A portable cooler for maintaining a variety of items at an internal temperature dissimilar to that of the temperature of its external surroundings comprising of a substantially rectangular in shape insulated container. The insulated container includes a storage compartment configure with an insulated lid, a plurality of insulated walls and an insulated bottom defining the interior volume of the insulated container. Integrated into the internally facing surface of the lid is a mechanism for illuminating the interior volume of the storage compartment, with the mechanism being power by a rechargeable power supply, such as a battery which can be recharged by a solar panel.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates a portable cooler, more specifically but not by way of limitation to a portable cooler that contains an internal light source for viewing and selecting contents of the portable cooler in low light and dark conditions.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Individuals engage in camping trips, picnicking or other activities where transport of a variety of food and beverages is desirable. Transport of these foods and beverages is usually conducted via some type of portable cooler in order to maintain optimum freshness and taste. While engaged in these activities, individuals usually carry a wide variety of supplies including but not limited to tents, sleeping bags, cots or air mattresses, first aid kits, and cooking utensils. The food and beverages are usually packed in a portable cooler with a cooling mechanism such as ice, dry ice or other type of refrigeration.  
         [0003]     Many individuals engage in these excursions during periods of time of which no natural light occurs. Many portable coolers have, been manufactured and made available to the general consumer market. However, no current devices have been shown to address viewing the interior and contents therein of the portable cooler when no external light source is available.  
         [0004]     Individuals routinely camp overnight and store most of there equipment such as flashlights, first aid kits in a tent or vehicle. The individuals attend activities during their excursions and usually transport portable coolers containing the food and beverages. Many of these activities occur during the nighttime, which precipitates a requirement for easy and timely access to items contained in the portable cooler. Accordingly, there is a need for a portable cooler that contains an internal light source that allows individuals to view the interior of the portable cooler and the contents therein in low light and dark conditions.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     It an object of the present invention to provide a portable cooler that can internally maintain an internal temperature dissimilar to that of the temperature of its external surroundings and be easily transported by an individual. The portable cooler has an insulation device capable of maintaining an internal temperature dissimilar to that of the temperature of its external surroundings when assisted by a cooling mechanism such as, but not limited to, ice. The cooler also has an engagement device for easy transport such as handles and wheels.  
         [0006]     It is an additional object of the present invention to accomplish a method of viewing the contents of the portable cooler in low light and dark conditions without the assistance or requirement of an external light source. The portable cooler has an illumination device for providing light internally in order to facilitate proper viewing of the contents of the present invention.  
         [0007]     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES  
       [0008]     A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0011]     Referring now to the drawings wherein like elements are designated with identical reference numerals throughout the views and figures and wherein the various elements depicted are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in particular  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a portable cooler  100  constructed according to the principles of the present invention.  
         [0012]     The portable cooler  100 , comprises of a substantially hollow and rectangular insulated container  109 , having an interior volume. The rectangular insulated container  109 , has a storage compartment  110 , a lid  105 , that is hingedly attached to the storage compartment  110  and is sized to seal insulated container. Although lid  105  illustrated as being hingedly attached to storage compartment  110 , it is contemplated to be within the scope of this invention there are many embodiments for attaching the lid to the storage compartment and further have a lid independent from the storage compartment.  
         [0013]     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , attached to the lid  105 , facing the interior of the storage compartment  110  when the lid is proximate thereto, is a light unit  106 . Externally attached to the lid  105  is a renewable electrical storage unit  201 . The storage compartment  110  has four walls  104 , a bottom  108 , a top  111  that form a substantially rectangular opening in proximity to the top  111 , for providing access to the items contained therein of the storage compartment  110 .  
         [0014]     The four walls  104 , the bottom  108  and the lid  105  are configured to define the interior volume of the storage compartment  110 . Each of the walls  104  has an externally oriented surface facing onto the exterior of the portable cooler  100  and an internally oriented surface facing onto the interior volume of the storage compartment  110 . A handle  103  is pivotally attached to two opposing of the four walls  104  and is for providing assistance for transportation of portable cooler  100 . Two wheels  101  are attached on the externally oriented surface of two opposing of the four walls  104  and also facilitate the assistance for transportation of portable cooler  100 . A drain valve  102  is integrated with one of the four walls  104  in close proximity to the bottom  108  to enable the draining of liquids from portable cooler  100 .  
         [0015]     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the rectangular insulated container  109  consists of a storage compartment  110 . The storage compartment  110  is formed by the four walls  104  and the bottom  108 . The four walls  104  are made of plastic or other suitable material and also contain therein a foam or polyurethane material to provide insulation. The four walls  104  and the bottom  108  are manufactured as a one-piece assembly through an injection molding process or other similar mode of manufacturing. More specifically but not by way of limitation, the rectangular insulated container  109  could have alternate configurations such as an annular shape. Those skilled in the art will also recognize that the four walls  104  could have different textures on the exterior oriented surfaces and the interior oriented surfaces.  
         [0016]     The lid  105 , consists of one piece of plastic or other suitable material generally rectangular in shape. The lid  105 , also contains therein a suitable insulation material such as foam or polyurethane. The lid is hingedly attached to the top  111  of one of the four walls  111 . Although the lid  105  is primarily used to control access to the storage compartment  110  and the contents therein, it is within the scope of the present invention that other embodiments and functions are possible. More specifically but not by way of limitation, alternate shapes and functions of the lid  105  could be manufactured. Many varieties of shapes manufactured in order to correspond to the shape of the storage compartment  110 . It is also within the scope of this invention that there exist many possible methods of attachment or that no method of attachment exist for the lid  105 , to one of the top  111  of the four walls  111 . In the preferred embodiment lid  105  could also contain a power supply for the light unit  106 . The lid  105  could be manufactured containing alternative powered storage cells including photovoltaic cells. Those skilled in the art will also recognize that numerous materials and shapes could be manufactured to achieve the functions suggested herein of the lid  105 .  
         [0017]     Each of wheels  101  consists of one piece of plastic or other suitable material generally annular in shape. Each of wheels  101  is attached to the externally oriented surface of four walls  104 , with one being attached to the opposing externally oriented surface in a juxtaposed position. Wheels  101  are attached to the externally oriented surface of the four walls  104  in close proximity to the bottom  108 . Wheels  101  are fastened to the externally oriented surface of the four walls  104  by a mechanical fastener such as but not limited to a rivet, screw or axel. The mechanical fastener should be of a non-corrosive material such as but not limited to plastic or stainless steel. Although wheels  101  are primarily used to facilitate ease of transportation for the portable cooler  100  it is within the scope of the present invention that other embodiments and functions are possible such as providing power for the light unit  106 . As the wheel  105  rotates during transportation of the portable cooler  100  it could be used to produce an electrical current which would be transmitted to a renewable electrical storage unit  201  (see  FIG. 2 ) to supply power for the light unit  106 . Those skilled in the art will also recognize that numerous configurations could be manufactured to achieve the functions suggested herein of the wheel  101 .  
         [0018]     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the handle  103  consists of one piece of plastic or other suitable material generally rectangular in shape containing an aperture for a user&#39;s hand. The handle is pivotally attached to an externally oriented surface of the four walls  104  in close proximity to the lid  105 . An identical handle  103  is pivotally attached to the adjacent externally oriented surface of the four walls  104 . The handle  103  is secured to the portable cooler  100  by way of a suitable mechanical device such as but not limited to a clevis. Although the handle  103  is shown to be generally rectangular in shape with an aperture it is within the scope of the present invention that numerous shapes could be used to produce the same function. Although the handle  103  primarily functions to aid in transportation of the portable cooler  100  it is within the scope of the present invention that other embodiments to achieve alternate functions are possible. More specifically but not by way of limitation the handle  103  could function as manual lever that could be rotated periodically to generate electrical current to be transmitted to a renewable electrical storage unit to supply power for the light unit  106 . Those skilled in the art will also recognize that numerous shapes materials may be used in place of and/or in conjunction with the handle  103  in order to achieve the function described herein.  
         [0019]     The drain valve  102  consists of a one-piece brass or other suitable material mounted by chemical or mechanical methods to and extending through one of the four walls  104 . The drain valve  102  is mounted in close proximity to the bottom  108 . The portion of the drain valve  102  extending through the externally facing surface of the four walls  104  has a removable closure to allow any liquid contents of the storage compartment  110  to be removed via the drain valve  102 .  
         [0020]     Now referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the light unit  106  is mounted to the internal facing surface of the lid  105  and is generally rectangular in shape. The light unit  106  is mounted to the lid  105  using a suitable mechanical or chemical method such as but not limited to screws and/or adhesives. The light unit  106  contains at least one bulb, which is covered by a translucent surface. The translucent surface serves as protection for the bulb and the light unit  106  from moisture or impact. The light unit  106  is physically connected to a renewable electrical storage unit  201  by suitable device such as an insulated copper wire.  
         [0021]     The renewable electrical storage unit  201  and the light unit  106  complete an electrical circuit. The electric circuit is interrupted by a pressure-activated switch mounted to the top  111  of the four walls  104 . The pressure-activated switch closes the circuit when the lid  105  is in the open position. Conversely, when the lid  105  is in the closed position the circuit remains open. The renewable electrical storage unit  201  has a portion that is mounted to the externally facing surface of the lid  105 . The portion of the renewable electrical storage unit  201  that is mounted to the externally facing surface of the lid  105  is manufactured of photovoltaic cells or modules (See  FIG. 2 ). These photovoltaic cells or modules use photons from an external light source such as the sun to generate an electrical current. This current is stored and/or used to provide power for the light unit  106 . Although the renewable electrical storage unit  201  is shown with an externally facing portion containing photovoltaic cells it is within the scope of this invention that other embodiments achieving the same function are possible. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, the renewable electrical storage unit  201  could consist of an externally facing portion allowing storage and the use of alkaline, nickel cadmium or other suitable type of batteries. This type of configuration could then be interfaced with the alternative suggestions of the handle  103  and the wheel  101 , as described herein, in order to produce a constant power supply for the light unit  106 . The light unit  106  is shown in  FIG. 1  to be integrated into the lid  105 . It is further contemplated that a switch  210  be integrated with light unit  106 . Switch  210  permits a user to deactivate light unit  106  from lighting when the lid  105  is opened or removed. This is permits a user to prevent discharge of the power source, such as batteries, if the operation of light unit  106  is not needed, such as during storage of the portable cooler  100  when not in use.  
         [0022]     The light unit  106  could be manufactured as a self-contained module temporarily attached to the inside of the storage compartment  110  This self-contained module would be powered by a temporary power source, such as but not limited to, alkaline batteries. The self-contained module would also be waterproof. The light unit  106  would be temporarily attached to one of the four walls  104  by a suitable device. A switch would be integrated into the light unit  106  in order for the functionality as describe herein to remain similar. It is contemplated that this type of configuration of light unit  106  could be used with a wide variety of containers similar but not limited to the portable cooler  100  as shown herein. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the light unit  106  may be manufactured in other shapes such as annular and from a variety of materials in place of and/or in conjunction with plastic or non-corrosive metal.  
         [0023]     Referring in particular to the drawings submitted herewith, particularly  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2   a  description of the operation of the portable cooler  100  is as follows. In use, the portable cooler  100  is carried to and from locations by use of the handles  103  and the wheels  101 . The bottom  108  of the portable cooler  100  is placed on a horizontal support structure. The user lifts the lid  105 , which pivots and opens away from the user. When the lid  105 , is opened it releases the pressure-activated switch mounted on the top  111 . When the pressure-activated switch is released, the light unit  106  is activated and directs light onto the internal facing surfaces of the four walls  104 . The user then selects from the variety of items in the portable cooler  100 . Upon completion of selection of an item from the portable cooler  100  the user closes the lid  105 , which compresses the pressure-activated switch and turns the light unit  106  off. The renewable electrical storage unit  201  is serviced as needed with consistent exposure to an external light source or replacement of batteries.  
         [0024]     In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.