Abstract:
A lid for a cold box has a shell-like configuration with front and rear shell members hingedly connected. The front shell member pivots relative to the rear shell member to provide access to the interior of the cold box when the front shell member is lifted by a handle. A viewing window is provided in the front shell member. The rear shell member is vented to provide passageways for the intake and outtake of air.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates generally to a cooler for cooling beverages, medicine and other items, and more particularly relates to a lid for a cold box.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     With the advent of miniature cooling devices, such as a Peltier cooler for example, it is possible to provide a small electric cooler for use in places such as an automobile. Such a cooler could be positioned in the console that divides the front seats of an automobile and operated from the automobile power supply or a separate battery. In some situations, it may be convenient to simply provide a box to house the cooler. It is desirable to have a lid for the box that provides easy access to the contents of the box. It is also desirable to view the contents of the box without opening the lid.  
         [0003]     A miniature cooling device provides the opportunity to provide a small electric cooler for use in places such as supermarkets and convenience stores. In such retail outlets floor space is typically at a premium and an electrical outlet is not conveniently located for an electric cooler requiring the use of ice. It is desirable to have a cooler that could operate without an electrical outlet and that does not require the use of ice. It is desirable to have a lid for a cooler that provides easy access to the contents of the cooler. It is also desirable to view the contents of the cooler without opening the lid.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above. Briefly summarized, according to one aspect of the present the invention, an apparatus comprises front and rear shell members connected by a hinge. The front shell member has a top portion with a rear edge portion, a left side portion attached to the top portion, a right side portion attached to the top portion, and a front portion attached to the top, left and right side portions. The rear shell member has a top portion with a front edge portion, a left side portion attached to the top portion, a right side portion attached to the top portion, and a rear portion attached to the top, left and right side portions. The hinge connects the front and rear shell members along the rear edge portion of the front shell member and the front edge portion of the rear shell member. The front shell member is movable between a closed position at which the front and rear shell members abut one another and an open position at which the left and right side portions of the front shell member are spaced from the left and right side portions of the rear shell members. The left and right side portions of the front shell member are tapered so that the top portion of the front shell member slants downward from rear to front.  
         [0005]     A handhold attached to the front shell member allows the front of the front shell member to be lifted causing it to pivot relative to the rear shell member because of the hinged connection. The handhold is attached to the top portion of the front shell member and the front portion of the front shell member.  
         [0006]     A front rib extends along a bottom edge of the front shell member and a rear rib extends along a bottom edge of rear shell member. The rear rib has a larger height and width than the front rib. The front rib is a reinforcing rib, and also provides a wider surface for resting on or attaching to the cold box. The rear rib is also a reinforcing rib, and provides a surface for attaching to the outside of the cold box.  
         [0007]     The rear shell member has an air vent including at least one opening formed in one of the left and right portions and preferably extending into the top portion of the rear shell member.  
         [0008]     According to another aspect of the invention, the front shell member of a lid for a cold box is transparent while the rear shell member is opaque. A transparent member allows the contents of the cold box to be viewed without opening the lid. An opaque shell member allows the cooler to be hidden from view.  
         [0009]     These and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and appended claims, and by reference to the accompanying drawings 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective front view of a preferred embodiment of a lid for a cold box according to the present invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective right side view of the lid to  FIG. 1  shown mounted on a cold box.  
         [0012]      FIGS. 3A-3B  is are left and right side views of the lid of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a right side view of the lid with the lid in the open position.  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is perspective top view of a lid similar to  FIG. 1  but illustrating another preferred embodiment.  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a top view of another preferred embodiment of a lid for a cold box according to the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a rear view of the lid of  FIG. 6 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is inside view of the lid of  FIG. 6  showing air circulation fans.  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  is a left side view of the lid of  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0019]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , a lid  10  for a cold box  12  has a clam shell configuration with front and rear shell members  14 ,  16 . The Front shell member  14  has a top portion  18  with a rear edge portion  20 , a left side portion  22  attached to top portion  18 , a right side portion  24  attached to top portion  18 , and a front portion  26  also attached to the top, left and right side portions  18 ,  22 ,  24 . The left, right and front side portions  22 ,  24 ,  26  extend downward from top portion  18  forming a boundary and defining a portion of a shell interior. The front shell member  14  is preferably opaque with a transparent viewing window  27  so that items in the cold box  12  may be viewed without actually opening the lid to the cold box. Alternatively, front shell member  14  may be transparent in its entirety. To reinforce front shell member  14 , a front rib  28  extending along the bottom edge of front shell member  14  may be used. Using a reinforcing rib allows thinner material to be used saving material overall.  
         [0020]     Each of the left and right side portions  22 ,  24  of the front shell member  14  has top, bottom, front and rear edge portions, with the rear edge portion being greater in height than the front edge portion. The left and right side portions of the front shell member are tapered so that the top portion of the front shell member slants downward from rear to front. The slanting top portion  18  increases the aesthetic appeal of the lid. To decrease heat infiltration, the top portion, and the side and front portions of the front member may be double walled to create an insulating air space.  
         [0021]     A handhold  30  can be attached to the front shell member  14  to facilitate opening and closing. The handhold is preferably attached to the top and front side portions  18 ,  26  of front shell member  14 . Having the handhold protrude from both the top and front allows the lid to be opened and closed from the front or from above.  
         [0022]     The rear shell member  16  has a top portion  32  with a front edge portion. A left side portion  34  is attached to top portion  32 , a right side portion  36  is attached to top portion  32 , and a rear portion  38  is attached to the top, left and right side portions  32 ,  34 ,  36 . Rear shell member  16  is preferably opaque to obscure the cooling element.  
         [0023]     Rear shell member  16  has a rear rib  40  extending along its bottom edge. Preferably, rear rib  40  has larger height and width dimensions than front rib  28 .  
         [0024]     The rear shell member  16  has at least one, and preferably two air vents  42 ,  44 . One vent serves as an air inlet and the other serves as an air exhaust. Each vent includes at least one opening, and preferably a plurality of openings, formed in the left and right side portions of the rear shell member. The vents are preferably located at the corner to extend into the left, right and rear side panels  34 ,  36 ,  38 , and top portion  32  as well to ensure the vent is open regardless of the position of the cold box.  
         [0025]     A hinge  46  connects the front and rear shell members  14 ,  16  so that front shell member  14  pivots vertically relative to rear shell member  16 . Hinge  46  may be an actual hinge or pair of hinges fastened to front and rear shell members  14 ,  16 , or may be a plastic hinge formed of a thinner section of material than shell members  14 ,  16 . Hinge  46  connects front and rear shell members along rear edge portion  20  of front shell member  14  and the front edge portion of the rear shell member  16 . Front shell member  14  is movable between a closed position at which the front and rear shell members abut one another and an open position at which the left and right side portions of the front shell member are spaced from the left and right side portions of the rear shell member.  
         [0026]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , lid  210  for a cold box has a circular clam shell configuration for fitting a FROSTY PAUSE cooler, manufactured by the assignee of the present invention, or similar cooler. Lid  210  has front and rear shell members  14 ,  16  connected by hinge  246 . It has a transparent viewing window  227  and front handhold  230 . It is similar to lid  10  of  FIGS. 1-4  except that it is circular.  
         [0027]     Referring to  FIGS. 6-9 , a lid  110  for a cold box  112  has a clam shell configuration with front and rear shell members  114 ,  116 . The Front shell member  114  has a top portion  118  with a rear edge portion  120 , a left side portion  122  is attached to top portion  118 , a right side portion  124  is attached to top portion  118 , and a front portion  126  is also attached to the top, left and right side portions  118 ,  122 ,  124 . The left, right and front side portions  122 ,  124 ,  126  extend downward from top portion  118  forming a boundary and defining a portion of a shell interior. The Front shell member  114  is preferably opaque with a transparent viewing window  127  transparent so that items in the cold box  112  may be viewed without actually opening the lid to the cold box. Alternatively, front shell member  114  may be transparent in its entirety.  
         [0028]     To reinforce front shell member  114 , a front rib  128  extending along the bottom edge of front shell member  114  may be used. Using a reinforcing rib allows thinner material to be used thereby saving material and reducing cost.  
         [0029]     Each of the left and right side portions  122 ,  124  of the front shell member  114  has top, bottom, front and rear edge portions, with the rear edge portion being greater in height than the front edge portion. The left and right side portions of the front shell member are tapered so that the top portion of the front shell member slants downward from rear to front. The slanting top portion  118  increases the aesthetic appeal of the lid. To decrease heat infiltration, the top portion, and the side and front portions of the front member may be double walled to create an insulating air space.  
         [0030]     A handhold  130  can be attached to the front shell member  114  to facilitate opening and closing. The handhold is preferably attached to the top and front side portions  118 ,  126  of front shell member  114 . Having the handhold protrude from both the top and front allows the lid to be opened and closed from the front or from above.  
         [0031]     The rear shell member  116  has a top portion  132  with a front edge portion. A left side portion  134  is attached to top portion  132 , a right side portion  136  is attached to top portion  132 , and a rear portion  138  is attached to top, left and right side portions  132 ,  134 ,  136 . Rear shell member  116  is preferably opaque to obscure the cooling element. The cooling element including fans  152  can be mounted on the inside of the rear portion of the lid.  
         [0032]     Rear shell member  116  has a rear rib  140  extending along its bottom edge. Preferably, rear rib  140  has the same height and width dimensions as front rib  128 .  
         [0033]     The rear shell member  116  has at least one, and preferably two air vents  142 ,  144 . One vent serves as an air inlet and the other serves as an air exhaust. Each vent includes at least one opening, and preferably a plurality of openings, formed in the left and right side portions of the rear shell member and in the top portion.  
         [0034]     A pair of hinges  146  connect the front and rear shell members  114 ,  116  so that front shell member  114  pivots vertically relative to rear shell member  116 . Hinges  146  connect front and rear shell members along rear edge portion  120  of front shell member  114  and the front edge portion of the rear shell member  116 . Front shell member  114  is movable between a closed position at which the front and rear shell members abut one another and an open position at which the left and right side portions of the front shell member are spaced from the left and right side portions of the rear shell member.  
         [0035]     The lid may have a pair of legs  150  to help anchor it. In the case of a FROSTY PAUSE cooler or similar cooler, the legs may fit inside the cooler.  
         [0036]     It can now be appreciated that a clam shell type lid for a cold box has been presented. The lid has a transparent product viewing window in the front shell member and an opaque rear shell member. The front shell member has a top portion with a rear edge portion along the rear thereof. A left side portion is attached to the top portion, a right side portion is attached to the top portion, and a front portion is attached to the top, left and right side portions. The left and right side portions are tapered to cause the front shell member to slant downward from rear to front.  
         [0037]     The opaque rear shell member has an air inlet and an air outlet, and a top portion with a front edge portion. A left side portion is attached to the top portion, a right side portion is attached to the top portion, and a rear portion is attached to the top, left right side portions. The front and rear shell members are hingedly connected along the rear edge portion of the front shell member and the front edge portion of the rear shell member.  
         [0038]     A front reinforcing rib extends along a bottom edge of the front shell member and a rear rib extends along a bottom edge of rear shell member. A handhold is attached to the front shell member for ease of opening and closing the lid.  
         [0039]     Operation of the lid is believed to be apparent from the foregoing description, but a few words will be added for emphasis. The lid may be used without fasteners, particularly in instances where the cooling elements are attached to the rear shell member or where the lid has mass sufficient to hold it in position on the box or cooler. In such cases, the mass alone is sufficient to stabilize the lid. In other instances, and more preferably, the lid is secured to the cold box by an adhesive, in the form of a peel-off adhesive strip, or with double sided adhesive tape or screws. The tape or adhesive is applied to the rear shell member along its bottom opposite the rear lip. When so secured, the front shell member lies flush on the cold box or cooler.  
         [0040]     While the invention has been described with particular reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements of the preferred embodiments without departing from invention. It is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications will occur to those skilled in the art. It is accordingly intended that the claims shall cover all such modifications and applications as do not depart from the true spirit and scope of the invention.