Patent Publication Number: US-2018031307-A1

Title: Cooler divider

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/360,508 filed on Jul. 11, 2016, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a device and system that can be used to divide an interior chamber of a cooler into a plurality of chambers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device and system comprising a divider for a cooler that separates the interior chamber of the cooler into a plurality of separate chambers and that prevents or restricts fluid flow between the plurality of chambers. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The contents of a conventional ice chest or cooler is cooled with ice placed in the cooler. As the ice melts, however, items placed in the cooler often become wet. Over time, more ice in the cooler melts and can submerge all items that accompany it. This can be a significant problem if items in the cooler are lightly packed, for example, as sandwiches and chips typically are. It is possible that the affected items will be completely ruined when submerged. 
     When using a cooler with hunting and/or fishing, any caught animals such as a fish, bird and the like can be placed in the cooler to prevent the meat from spoiling. However, blood and other fluids from the animal can contaminate items in the cooler. For example, blood from a fish could leak from the fish and onto a beverage can or food item also placed in the cooler. 
     Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a device for a cooler that can easily separate the interior chamber of the cooler into separate compartments that can prevent water and other fluids from traveling between compartments while allowing heat transfer between the compartments. 
     SUMMARY 
     Presented herein are devices and systems for dividing an interior chamber of an ice chest or cooler into a plurality of separate chambers that prevent and/or restrict fluid flow among the plurality of chambers. The system comprises a dividing wall that is selectively insertable into the interior chamber of the cooler. A seal can be positioned around a left edge, a bottom edge, and a right edge of the dividing wall such that the seal can prevent and/or restrict fluid flow from a first side of the dividing wall to a second side of the dividing wall. 
     In one aspect, the dividing wall can be sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of the interior chamber of a cooler so that a complementary relationship can be formed between the dividing wall and an interior wall of the cooler. That is, at least a portion of the dividing wall can matingly engage the interior wall of the cooler. For example, the left edge of the dividing wall can be positioned in contact with or adjacent to a left side of the interior chamber. The right edge of the dividing wall can be positioned in contact with or adjacent to a right side of the interior chamber. The bottom edge of the dividing wall can be positioned in contact with or adjacent to a bottom side of the interior chamber. 
     The seal can be positioned and/or formed on at least one outer surface of the dividing wall that faces a side of the interior chamber of the cooler. In one aspect, the seal can be formed from a waterproof material such as silicon and the like so that contact between the seal and the wall of the interior chamber can prevent or restrict fluid flow past the seal. In another aspect, at least a portion of the seal can be flexible so that the portion of the seal can conform to the contour of the sides of the interior chamber. 
     In one aspect, the seal can comprise at least one blade and at least one rib positioned on an outer surface of the dividing wall. The blade can be formed with or positioned adjacent to an edge of the outer wall so that the blade is a continuous blade extending around the left edge, the right edge and the bottom edge of the dividing wall. In another aspect, the blade can extend away from the wall a predetermined distance and at a predetermined angle. 
     The at least one rib can be formed with or coupled to an outer surface of the dividing wall so that the rib is a continuous rib extending around the left edge, the right edge and the bottom edge of the dividing wall. In another aspect, the rib can be spaced from the blade a predetermined distance. 
     In use, the dividing wall can be positioned in the interior chamber of the cooler so that the dividing wall separates the interior chamber into at least two separate chambers. In one aspect, at least a portion of the seal positioned on or adjacent the left edge of the dividing wall can contact a wall of the interior chamber, at least a portion of the seal positioned on or adjacent the bottom edge of the dividing wall can contact the bottom surface of the interior chamber, and at least a portion of the seal positioned on or adjacent the right edge the dividing wall can contact a wall of the interior chamber. In this aspect, the contact between the seal and the wall or surface of the interior chamber can prevent fluid from passing the seal. Thus, the dividing wall placed in the interior chamber of the cooler can separate the interior chamber into two separate chambers, and the seal can prevent fluids from flowing between the two separate chambers. 
     Related methods of operation are also provided. Other apparatuses, methods, systems, features, and advantages of the devices and systems for dividing an interior chamber of an ice chest or cooler into a plurality of separate chambers will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional apparatuses, methods, systems, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the devices and systems for dividing an interior chamber of an ice chest or cooler into a plurality of separate chambers, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the device and system for dividing an interior chamber of a cooler into a plurality of separate chambers of the present application, showing a dividing wall positioned in the interior chamber of the cooler, according to one aspect; 
         FIG. 2  is a second perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1 , showing the dividing wall positioned in the interior chamber; 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the dividing wall of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of the dividing wall of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the dividing wall of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom elevational view of the dividing wall of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7A  is a front elevational view of the dividing wall of  FIG. 1 , according to one aspect; 
         FIG. 7B  is a bottom elevational view of the dividing wall of  FIG. 1 , according to one aspect; 
         FIG. 7C  is a side elevational view of the dividing wall of  FIG. 1 , according to one aspect; 
         FIG. 7D  is a cut out sectional view of a portion of  FIG. 7C . 
         FIG. 8A  is a front perspective view of the dividing wall of  FIG. 1 , according to one aspect; 
         FIG. 8B  is a side perspective view of the dividing wall of  FIG. 1 , according to one aspect; and 
         FIG. 8C  is an exploded view of  FIG. 8B . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description, examples, and claims, and their previous and following description. Before the present system, devices, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific systems, devices, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, as such can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting. 
     The following description of the invention is provided as an enabling teaching of the invention in its best, currently known aspect. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that many changes can be made to the aspects described, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present invention. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present invention can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present invention without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present invention are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present invention. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present invention and not in limitation thereof. 
     As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a “blade” includes aspects having two or more such blades unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
     Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. 
     As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not. 
     The application relates to devices and systems for dividing an interior chamber of an ice chest or cooler into a plurality of separate chambers that prevent and/or restrict fluid flow among the plurality of chambers. As illustrated in the figures, the system  10  comprises a dividing wall  12  with a seal  14  positioned on at least one edge of the dividing wall. In one aspect, the dividing wall can be sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of the interior chamber  16  of a cooler  18  so that a complementary relationship can be formed between the dividing wall and an interior wall  20  of the cooler. That is, in use and described more fully below, the dividing wall  12  can be positioned in the interior chamber and at least a portion of the dividing wall can matingly engage the interior wall of the cooler to separate the interior chamber  16  into a plurality of chambers. 
     In one aspect, the dividing wall  12  can have a left edge  22  sized to correspond to the height of a first wall  24  of the interior chamber  16 , and an opposed right edge  26  sized to correspond to the height of a second wall  28  of the interior chamber that is opposed to the first wall. In another aspect, the length of the dividing wall  12  (i.e., the distance between the left edge and the right edge) can correspond to the width of the interior chamber (i.e., the distance between the first wall  24  and the second wall  28 ). As used herein, “correspond” can mean “substantially the same” or, optionally, “slightly less than” such that a dimension of the dividing wall  12  can be slightly less than a mating dimension of the interior chamber  16  of the cooler  18  to allow the seal  14  to be positioned between the dividing wall and the walls of the interior chamber. In another aspect, the dividing wall can have a bottom edge  30  configured to be positioned on the bottom surface  32  of the interior chamber, and an upper edge  34  opposed to the bottom edge. The distance between the bottom edge and the upper edge can be substantially the same or less than the height of the interior chamber  16 . For example, the distance between the bottom edge  30  and the upper edge  34  can be about 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20% or about 10% of the height of the interior chamber  16 . 
     The dividing wall  12  can have a first surface  36  and a second surface  38  that is spaced from the first surface by a thickness of the dividing wall. In one aspect, the dividing wall  12  can be formed from similar materials as those used to make the cooler  18 . For example, if the cooler is a polyurethane foam cooler, the dividing wall can be formed from polyurethane foam. In one aspect, the dividing wall can have a thickness similar to a thickness of a wall of the cooler so that the dividing wall  12  can have similar insulating properties as the wall of the cooler. For example, if the wall of the cooler  18  is two inches thick and is formed from high impact plastic with an insulating core, the dividing wall  12  can be two inches thick and formed from high impact plastic with an insulating core (that is, the first surface  36  of the dividing wall can be spaced from the second surface  38  about two inches). 
     Optionally, in another aspect, the dividing wall  12  can have dissimilar insulating properties as the wall of the cooler  18 . For example, the dividing wall can be non-insulated to promote heat transfer between the plurality of chambers formed in the interior chamber  16  of the cooler. Thus, in this aspect, the seal  14  can be positioned on at least a portion of the dividing wall to prevent and/or restrict fluid flow between the plurality of chambers formed by the dividing wall  12  while the dividing wall promotes heat transfer between the plurality of chambers relative to an insulated dividing wall. 
     In one aspect, a third surface  40  can extend along the left edge  22  of the dividing wall between the first surface  36  and the second surface  38 , a fourth surface  42  can extend along the bottom edge  30  of the dividing wall between the first surface and the second surface, and a fifth surface  44  can extend along the right edge  26  of the dividing wall between the first surface  36  and the second surface  38 . Each of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth surfaces can be substantially planar. Optionally, however, at least a portion of one of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth surfaces can be curved. 
     In one aspect, a first edge  46  can be formed at the intersection of the first surface  36  and the third surface  40 , a second edge  48  can be formed at the intersection of the second surface  38  and the third surface, a third edge  50  can be formed at the intersection of the first surface and the fourth surface  42 , a fourth edge  52  can be formed at the intersection of the second surface  38  and the fourth surface  42 , a fifth edge  54  can be formed at the intersection of the first surface  36  and the fifth surface  44 , and a sixth edge  56  can be formed at the intersection of the second surface  38  and the fifth surface. In another aspect, the intersection between the third surface  40  and the fourth surface  42  can be configured to correspond to the interior chamber of the cooler. For example, an intersection  57  between the third surface and the fourth surface can be curved to correspond to a radius in the interior chamber  16 . Similarly, in another aspect, an intersection  59  between the fourth surface  42  and the fifth surface  44  can be configured to correspond to the interior chamber of the cooler  18 . For example, the intersection between the fourth surface and the fifth surface can be curved to correspond to a radius in the interior chamber  16 . 
     The seal  14  can comprise at least one sealing material positioned and/or formed on at least one of the left edge  22 , the right edge  26  and the bottom edge  30  of the dividing wall  12 . In one aspect, the seal  14  can be a continuous seal extending for the entire length of the left edge, the right edge and/or the bottom edge. Optionally, in another aspect, the seal  14  can be spaced from an upper end  58  of the left edge  22  and/or an upper end  60  of the right edge  26  by about less than ⅛ inch, about ⅛ inch, about ¼ inch, about ⅜ inch, about ½ inch, or more than ½ inch. The space between the seal and the upper end of the left edge can be substantially the same as the space between the seal  14  and the upper end of the right edge. Optionally, however, the space between the seal and the upper end  58  of the left edge  22  can be less than or greater than the space between the seal  14  and the upper end  60  of the right edge  26 . In one aspect, at least a portion of the seal can be accordioned to accommodate sharp angles or curves in the interior chamber  16  of the cooler  18  while still maintaining a seal. It is contemplated, however, that in most cases the flexibility of the sealing material can allow for the sealing of sharp angles or curves in the interior chamber of the cooler while still maintaining a seal  14  without needing to be accordioned. 
     In one aspect, the seal  14  can comprise at least one blade  62  and at least one rib  64 . The at least one blade and the at least one rib can be formed from a waterproof material, such as silicon, rubber and the like. The blade can have a predetermined width extending from a proximal edge  66  to a distal edge  68  of the blade. In another aspect, the blade can have a width of less than ¼ inch, about ¼ inch, about ½ inch, about ¾ inch, about 1 inch, about 1¼ inch, about 1½ inch, about 1¾ inch, about 2 inches, about 2¼ inches, about 2½ inches, about 2¾ inches, about 3 inches or greater than about 3 inches. 
     In a further aspect, the blade  62  can have a thickness of greater than about 1 inch, about ⅞ inch, about ¾ inch, about ⅝ inch, about ½ inch, about ⅜ inch, about ¼ inch, about ⅛ inch, about 1/16 inch, about 1/32 inch or less than about 1/32 inch. The thickness of the blade can be substantially constant between the proximal edge  66  and the distal edge  68 , according to one aspect. Optionally, however, the thickness of the blade  62  can taper from the proximal edge to the distal edge. For example, the thickness of the blade at the proximal edge can be about ¼ inch and the thickness of the blade  62  at the distal edge can be about 1 mm. 
     The proximal edge  66  of the blade  62  can be coupled to or formed with the left edge  22 , the right edge  26  and the bottom edge  30  of the dividing wall  12  so that the blade is a continuous blade, according to one aspect. In another aspect, the at least one blade can comprise a plurality of blades such that a first blade  70  is coupled to or formed with the first surface  36  of the dividing wall  12  and a second blade  72  is coupled to or formed with the second surface  38  of the dividing wall. For example, the blade can be coupled to or formed with any or all of the first edge  46 , the second edge  48 , the third edge  50 , the fourth edge  52 , the fifth edge  54  and the sixth edge  56 . In another example the blade  62  can be coupled to or formed adjacent to any or all of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth edges. 
     In one aspect, the blade  62  can be coupled to or formed with the dividing wall  12  so that the distal edge  68  of the blade can extend away from the dividing wall at a predetermined angle. For example, the blade  62  can extend away from the dividing wall  12  at an acute angle between the blade and a plane of the surface of the dividing wall. In another example, the blade  62  can extend away from the dividing wall  12  at a substantially right angle between the blade and a plane of the surface of the dividing wall. In still another example, the blade  62  can extend away from the dividing wall  12  substantially parallel to a surface of the dividing wall. 
     The at least one rib  64  of the seal  14  can have a predetermined width extending from a proximal edge  74  to a distal edge  76  of the rib. In one aspect, the at least one rib  64  can have a width less than the width of the blade  62 . In another aspect, the rib  64  can have a width of less than 1/32 inch, about 1/32 inch, about 1/16 inch, about ⅛ inch, about ¼ inch, about ⅜ inch, about ½ inch, about ⅝ inch, about ¾ inch, about ⅞ inch, about 1 inch or greater than 1 inch. 
     In a further aspect, the rib  64  can have a thickness of greater than about 1 inch, about ⅞ inch, about ¾ inch, about ⅝ inch, about ½ inch, about ⅜ inch, about ¼ inch, about ⅛ inch, about 1/16 inch, about 1/32 inch or less than about 1/32 inch. The thickness of the rib can be substantially constant between the proximal edge  74  and the distal edge  76  of the rib, according to one aspect. Optionally, however, the thickness of the rib  64  can taper from the proximal edge to the distal edge. For example, the thickness of the rib at the proximal edge  74  can be about ¼ inch and the thickness of the rib at the distal edge  76  of the rib  64  can be about 1 mm. 
     The proximal edge  74  of the rib  64  can be coupled to or formed with the third surface  40 , the fourth surface  42  and/or the fifth surface  44  of the dividing wall  12 , according to one aspect. For example, the rib can be coupled to or formed with the third surface, the fourth surface, and the fifth surface so that the rib  64  is a continuous rib extending around the left edge  22 , the right edge  26  and the bottom edge  30  of the dividing wall. 
     In one aspect, the rib  64  can be coupled to or formed with the dividing wall  12  so that the distal edge  76  of the rib can extend away from the dividing wall at a predetermined angle. For example, the rib  64  can extend away from the dividing wall  12  at an acute angle between the rib and a plane of the surface of the dividing wall. In another example, the rib  64  can extend away from the dividing wall  12  at a substantially right angle between the rib and a plane of the surface of the dividing wall. In still another example, the rib  64  can extend away from the dividing wall  12  substantially parallel to a surface of the dividing wall. 
     In one aspect, the at least one rib  64  can comprise a plurality of ribs extending around the left edge  22 , the right edge  26  and/or the bottom edge  30  of the dividing wall  12 . Each of the plurality of ribs can be spaced from each other a predetermined distance. For example, a first rib  78  can be spaced from the first blade  70  a predetermined distance, a second rib  80  can be spaced from the first rib, and a third rib  82  can be spaced from the second rib and the second blade  72 . In other examples, there can be a fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth or more than ten ribs. Each of the ribs can be substantially parallel to each other. Optionally, however, in one aspect, at least one rib  64  of the plurality of ribs can be at an acute angle relative to an adjacent rib. In another aspect, the predetermined distance between each of the ribs  64  and/or blades  62  can be substantially the same. Optionally, however, the predetermined distance between each of the ribs and/or blades can be different. In use, the dividing wall  12  can be selectively positioned in the interior chamber  16  of the cooler  18  so that the dividing wall separates the interior chamber into two separate chambers. The seal  14  of the dividing wall can prevent fluid from flowing between the two separate chambers. In one aspect, at least a portion of the seal  14  positioned on the left edge  22  and/or the third surface  40  of the dividing wall  12  can contact the first wall  24  of the interior chamber, at least a portion of the seal positioned on the bottom edge  30  and/or the fourth surface  42  of the dividing wall can contact the bottom surface  32  of the interior chamber  16 , and at least a portion of the seal  14  positioned on the right edge  26  and/or the fifth surface  44  of the dividing wall can contact the second wall  28  of the interior chamber. In this aspect, the contact between seal and the wall or surface of the interior chamber  16  can prevent fluid from passing the seal  14 . 
     To form the fluid-tight seal, in one aspect, the first blade  70  of the seal  14  can extend away from the first surface  36  of the dividing wall  12 . As the first blade can be formed from a waterproof material, such as silicon, rubber and the like, the first blade can contact the first wall  24 , the second wall  28 , and the bottom surface  32  to prevent or restrict fluid from passing the first blade. Similarly, the at least one rib  64  can extend away from the third surface  44 , the fourth surface  46 , and the fifth surface  48  of the dividing wall. As each rib of the at least one rib can be formed from a waterproof material, each rib  64  can contact the first wall  24 , the second wall  28 , and the bottom surface  32  to prevent or restrict fluid from passing past each rib. Finally, in one aspect, the second blade  72  of the seal can extend away from the second surface  38  of the dividing wall  12 . As the second blade can be formed from a waterproof material, the second blade can contact the first wall  24 , the second wall  28 , and the bottom surface  32  to prevent or restrict fluid from passing past the second blade. Thus, even if a non-perfect seal is formed between a blade  64  and/or a rib  66  and the interior chamber  16 , the redundant ribs and/or blade can still prevent fluid from passing from the first surface  36  of the dividing wall past the seal  14  and to the second surface  38 . 
     In one aspect, the dividing wall  12  does not need to be positioned in a groove  84  defined in the interior chamber  16 . That is, the dividing wall can be securedly fixed in any desired position in the interior chamber by a friction fit formed between at least a portion of the seal  14  and the wall or bottom surface of the interior chamber without being positioned in the groove. As can be appreciated, liquids trapped in the groove  84  during use with conventional dividers can breed microorganisms such as bacteria and the like. In another aspect, the dividing wall can be formed integrally within the interior chamber  16 . That is, in this aspect, the dividing wall can be manufactured in place in the interior chamber to prevent fluid flow between the plurality of chambers formed by the dividing wall. 
     In order to accommodate coolers  18  of various sizes, a plurality of dividing walls  12  can be coupled together to form a larger dividing wall. For example, a tongue can be formed in the left edge  22  of a first dividing wall segment, and a groove can be defined in the right edge  26  of a second dividing wall segment. The tongue of the first segment can slide in the groove of the second segment to form the larger dividing wall. Similar mating concepts, such as a dovetail joint and the like are contemplated. The seal  14  as described herein can prevent fluid from flowing between the first dividing wall segment and the second dividing wall segment. 
     Optionally, a plurality of dividing walls  12  can be provided to be selectively positioned in the interior chamber  16  of the cooler  18  so that the plurality of dividing walls separate the interior chamber into more than two separate chambers. 
     Although several aspects of the invention have been disclosed in the foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications and other aspects of the invention will come to mind to which the invention pertains, having the benefit of the teaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. It is thus understood that the invention is not limited to the specific aspects disclosed hereinabove, and that many modifications and other aspects are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims that follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the described invention.