Patent Publication Number: US-2021172667-A1

Title: Portable cooler with integrated fold down shelf

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to the field of cooler containers for storage of temperature dependent food and drink objects, and more particularly to portable coolers with dedicated fold-down shelves adapted for integration within the body of the cooler. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Coolers that hold food and drink objects at reduced temperatures are known in the art. Because such coolers must maintain the contents at reduced temperatures for prolonged periods of time while also providing additional functionality to access and use the contents, a significant aspect of a cooler involves enhanced accessibility to the items within the cooler without compromising the cooler&#39;s portability. A user generally consumes the contents of the cooler within close proximity to the cooler, itself, so the user&#39;s ability to enjoy the contents of the cooler, such as additional ice, food or mixers, is compromised when the body of the cooler is equipped with shelves that potentially require secondary assembly and that reside at inconvenient and cumbersome locations on the cooler body, such as on the front side of the cooler, where weight on the shelf may cause the cooler to tip over, or on the lid, such that items within the cooler cannot be accessed without first clearing and opening the lid. Accordingly, there is a need for a portable cooler that provides additional functionality via integrated, deployable shelves that also accommodate the user&#39;s manipulation and use of the handles on the sides of the cooler for purposes of portability. It would be advantageous if the portability of the cooler were also supplemented with integrated shelves that collapse and fit within recessed portions within the sides of the cooler body. The shelves of such cooler may allow ergonomic use of the handles and facilitate consumption of the cooler&#39;s contents without limitation due to any cumbersome orientation of the shelves on the cooler body. 
     SUMMARY 
     There is provided according to the embodiments of the disclosure a portable cooler having integrated, deployable/folding shelves configurable to support contents taken out of the cooler and placed on the shelves. In addition, the deployable shelves may include cut-out portions to enable the handles to deploy through the plane of the integrated shelves, thereby facilitating use of the handles at the sides of the cooler in conjunction with the ability to also operate shelves at the same side-portion of the cooler body. 
     In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a portable cooler comprising a body including a lid and at least one of a sidewall including a shelf disposed at the at least one sidewall, a cut-out portion within the shelf, a recessed portion within the at least one sidewall, and a handle coupled to the at least one sidewall. The shelf is configured to articulate between a storage position within the recessed portion to a deployed position approximately parallel to the lid. In addition, the shelf is approximately flush with the at least one sidewall when in the storage position. Further, the handle is configured to articulate through the cut-out portion between a resting position against the at least one sidewall and a raised position approximately parallel to the lid. Finally, the cut-out portion is configured to allow the shelf to articulate without interfering with the handle and the handle to articulate without interfering with the shelf. 
     In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a portable cooler comprising a body including a lid and at least one of a sidewall including a shelf disposed at the at least one sidewall, a cut-out portion within the shelf, a recessed portion within the at least one sidewall, and a handle coupled to the at least one sidewall. The shelf is configured to articulate between a storage position within the recessed portion to a deployed position approximately parallel to the lid. Further, the shelf is approximately flush with the at least one sidewall when in the storage position. In addition, the handle may be operatively configured to slide within the cut-out portion and onto the shelf when the shelf is in the storage position and thereafter slide within the cut-out portion and off of the shelf and onto the at least one sidewall to allow the shelf to articulate from the storage position to the deployed position. Finally, the cut-out portion is configured to allow the shelf to articulate without interfering with the handle and the handle to slide without interfering with the shelf. 
     In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a portable cooler comprising a body including a lid and at least one of a sidewall including a shelf disposed at the at least one sidewall, a cut-out portion within the shelf, a recessed portion within the at least one sidewall, and a handle coupled to the at least one sidewall. The shelf is configured to articulate between a storage position within the recessed portion to a deployed position approximately parallel to the lid. In addition, the shelf is approximately flush with the at least one sidewall when in the storage position. Finally, the cut-out portion is configured to allow the shelf to articulate without interfering with the handle and the handle to articulate without interfering with the shelf. 
     These and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more detailed understanding may be had from the following description, given by way of example in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a sidewall of the portable cooler with integrated, deployable shelves, where a shelf is shown in the storage position within a recessed portion of the sidewall and a deployable handle is in the resting position against the sidewall. 
         FIG. 2A  shows a perspective view of a sidewall of the portable cooler with integrated, deployable shelves, where a shelf is partially deployed out of a recessed portion of the sidewall in an intermediate position, while a deployable handle is in the resting position against the sidewall. 
         FIG. 2B  shows a perspective view of a sidewall of the portable cooler with integrated, deployable shelves, where flexible support members with hinges are shown supporting a shelf as the shelf deploys out of a recessed portion within the sidewall. 
         FIG. 2C  shows a perspective view of a sidewall of the portable cooler with integrated, deployable shelves, with slots positioned within the recessed portion of the sidewall and within the underside of a shelf, where the flexible support members stow within the slots when the shelf is in the storage position within the recessed portion of the sidewall. 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of a sidewall of the portable cooler with integrated, deployable shelves, where a shelf is shown in the storage position within a recessed portion of the sidewall and a deployable handle is in the raised position from the sidewall through a cut-out portion of the shelf. 
         FIG. 4A  shows a perspective view of a sidewall of another embodiment of the portable cooler with integrated, deployable shelves, where a shelf is shown in the storage position within a recessed portion of the sidewall and a slidable handle is seated on both the shelf and the sidewall. 
         FIG. 4B  shows a perspective view of a sidewall of another embodiment of the portable cooler with integrated, deployable shelves, where a shelf is shown in the storage position within a recessed portion of the sidewall and a slidable handle is seated on the sidewall above of the shelf. 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a sidewall of another embodiment of the portable cooler with integrated, deployable shelves, where a shelf is shown in the deployed position while a slidable handle is seated behind the raised shelf against the sidewall. 
         FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of the front of the portable cooler with integrated, deployable shelves, where the shelves are shown in the storage position within recessed portions of the sidewall, while the deployable handles are in the resting position against the sidewalls. 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of the front of the portable cooler with integrated, deployable shelves, where the shelves are shown in the storage position within recessed portions of the sidewall, while the deployable handles are in a raised position from the sidewalls through the cut-out portion of the shelves. 
         FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of the front of the portable cooler with integrated, deployable shelves, where the shelves are shown in the deployed position while the deployable handles are in the resting position against the sidewalls, while the lid is in the open position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Various embodiments are described herein where like references to figures are used to describe like features. Each feature or element may be used alone without other features and elements or in various combinations with or without other features and elements. 
     The portable cooler with integrated, deployable shelves discussed herein may provide the user with enhanced ergonomic functionality for use and consumption of a cooler&#39;s contents, as a user-friendly, convenient way to transport, access and consume the contents within the cooler based upon the features described herein. The cooler may include integrated, deployable shelves located on the sides of the cooler that facilitate portability of the cooler, as the shelves may be flush with the body of the cooler when the shelves are in the storage position within a recessed portion of the cooler sidewall. Since the shelves are integral to the cooler, no additional assembly or attachment of the shelves to the cooler is required. Because the shelves are flush with the cooler sidewalls when not deployed, the cooler may be used without having the shelves positioned in their fully-articulated, deployed position relative to the cooler sidewall. Due to the integrated and flush positioning of the shelves within the recessed portion of the cooler sidewall, the user may not need to remove the shelves or carry them separately when transporting the cooler. 
     While in the storage position within the cooler sidewalls, the shelves may not protrude from the sidewalls in a manner that would increase the length or width of the cooler body. Accordingly, when in the storage position within the sidewalls, the collapsible shelves enable storage of the cooler in a confined space, while simultaneously enjoying the benefit of a cooler with the supplemental functionality of collapsible shelves that hold and support food and drink objects when the cooler is in use. The shelves may be approximately as large as the dimensions of the sides of the cooler, while also having a suitable dimensional tolerance that allows the shelves to collapse and stow within a recessed portion of the cooler sidewall. In some cases, the shelves may be flush with the cooler sidewall when the shelves are folded down and not deployed. 
     Further, as will be described in more detail, the shelves may also include a lip or groove to provide ergonomic access by a user&#39;s hand or fingers to move the shelves from their storage positions within the cooler sidewall to their deployed position. Because the deployable shelves are located on the sides of the cooler body, the shelves are stable for holding objects, in comparison to shelves located on the front or back sides of the cooler. In addition, because the shelves are located on the sides of the cooler, they may not hinder a user&#39;s ability to open the lid. 
     The shelves may also include a cut-out portion to accommodate the functionality of the handles on the sides of the cooler, so that a user may access and grasp the handles on the sidewall to transport the cooler, in conjunction with the ability to deploy and articulate the shelves to support and hold objects. The cut-out portions of the shelves may enable the handles to deploy and pass through the planes of the shelves, so that a user may use the handles to transport the cooler, without compromising the functionality to articulate the shelves at the sides of the cooler. Additionally, the cut-out portion within the shelves may enable the handles to articulate and deploy without disturbing or interfering with the shelves. In this configuration, the cooler maintains portability via the handles while also having deployable shelves located in the same vicinity on the cooler sidewall as the deployable handles. 
     The cooler with integrated, collapsible shelves of the herein described embodiments may improve prior cooler configurations that feature shelves that are not designed to integrally fold and collapse into manageable sizes for portability and storage of the cooler. The cooler with integral, collapsible shelves as described herein provides for improved mobility and functionality for the user to transport and enjoy food and drink objects. These and other objects, features and advantages of the example cooler with integral, collapsible shelves will be described in further detail in the following illustrative embodiments thereof. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram of an example portable cooler  100  in which one or more disclosed embodiments may be implemented. The portable cooler  100  of  FIG. 1  is shown from a side-perspective view where the sidewall  25 , front side  30 , lid portion  35  and top surface  40  of the lid are visible. Although not shown, it is understood that the cooler  100  includes a rear side and an opposite sidewall and that the opposite sidewall may include the same structures and mechanical features as the sidewall  25  shown in  FIG. 1 , such as the deployable handle  15  and shelf  10 , which will be described in more detail. While the cooler  100  in  FIG. 1  is shown with a rectangular shape, it is understood that the cooler  100  may be formed in other shapes, such as a square, for example. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the sidewall  25  may include an integrated, deployable shelf  10  and a deployable handle  15 . The deployable shelf  10  may couple to the cooler sidewall  25  at hinges  45 , and the deployable handle  15  may also couple to the cooler sidewall  25  at hinges  18 . In  FIG. 1 , the deployable shelf  10  is shown in the storage position within a recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  of the cooler body, and the deployable handle  15  is in a resting position against the sidewall  25  of the cooler body. When in the storage position within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 , the deployable shelf  10  is approximately flush with the sidewall  25  so that the exterior surfaces of the sidewall  25  and deployable shelf  10  are approximately even with the imaginary plane running tangentially parallel to the sidewall  25 . The deployable shelf  10  may be approximately as large as the dimensions of the sidewall  25  of the cooler, while also having a suitable dimensional tolerance that accommodates the functionality for the deployable shelf  10  to collapse and stow within the recessed portion  20  of the cooler sidewall  25 , so that the deployable shelf  10  is approximately flush with the cooler sidewall  25  when folded down in the storage position and not deployed. It is understood that the recessed portion  20  may also feature a suitable dimensional tolerance that accommodates the functionality for the shelf  10  to collapse and stow within the recessed portion  20  of the cooler sidewall  25 . For example, the recessed portion  20  may be as wide as the sidewall  25  to accommodate a shelf  10  that is approximately as large as the dimensions of the sidewall  25 . 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the sidewall  25  of the cooler  100  may also feature a deployable handle  15  positioned within a cut-out portion  66  of the deployable shelf  10 . As will be described in further detail, the deployable handle  15  may articulate through the plane of the deployable shelf  10  via the cut-out portion  66  within the deployable shelf  10 . The cut-out portion  66  enables the user to articulate the handle  15  without touching, interfering with or disturbing the deployable shelf  10 , and conversely, the cut-out portion  66  enables the user to articulate the deployable shelf  10  without touching, interfering with or disturbing the handle  15 . The cut-out portion  66  may feature a width  64  and a length  65  to provide a suitable dimensional tolerance to accommodate the functionality of both the deployable shelf  10  and handle  15 , so that the deployable shelf  10  does not interfere with the respective articulation of the handle  15 , and so that the handle  15  does not interfere with the respective articulation of the deployable shelf  10 . The width  64  and the length  65  of the cut-out portion may provide a space to accommodate the ergonomic articulation of both the deployable shelf  10  and handle  15  with respect to one another. In addition to the functionality provided by the cut-out portion  66  to accommodate use of both the handle  15  and shelf  10  on the same sidewall  25 , a user may access the deployable shelf  10  with a hand and fingers at the lip region  5  of the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  to raise the deployable shelf  10  out of the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 . Those skilled in the art would recognize that the material of the deployable shelf  10  may comprise a high-density plastic material or other similar material that is strong, yet light, to accommodate the portability of the cooler  100  and functionality of the deployable shelf  10  for supporting food and drink objects. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2A , a perspective view of the sidewall  25  of the portable cooler  100  is shown where the deployable shelf  10  is partially deployed out of the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  in an intermediate position. It is understood that when the deployable shelf  10  is in the fully-deployed position outside of the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 , the deployable shelf  10  may be approximately parallel to the top surface  40  of the lid  35 , so that the deployable shelf  10  provides a level surface to support food and drink objects removed from the interior of the portable cooler  100 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2A , the deployable shelf  10  may include a height/depth  12 , and the recessed portion  20  may also include a depth  22  having a suitable dimensional tolerance to receive the deployable shelf  10  so that the deployable shelf  10  is approximately flush with the cooler sidewall  25  when folded down and in the storage position (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). The depth  22  of the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  may provide the recessed portion  20  with a suitable dimensional tolerance to accommodate the functionality for the deployable shelf  10  to collapse and stow within the recessed portion  20  of the cooler sidewall  25 . As aforementioned, the cut-out portion  66  of the deployable shelf  10  may feature a width  64  and a length  65  to provide a suitable dimensional tolerance to accommodate the functionality of both the deployable shelf  10  and handle  15 , so that the shelf  10  may articulate without interfering with the handle  15  and the handle  15  may articulate without interfering with the shelf  10 . 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 2A , the cooler  100  may include hinges  50  located within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  that each couple to a support member  55  that extends to an additional hinge  60  located on the underside  14  of the deployable shelf  10 . The hinges  50 ,  60  and support members  55  stabilize the deployable shelf  10  to secure the deployable shelf  10  while in the storage position within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ), during articulation between the storage and deployed positions, and while in the deployed position where the deployable shelf  10  is approximately parallel to the top surface  40  of the lid  35 . Although the embodiment of  FIG. 2A  shows two support members  55 , each accompanied by hinges  50 ,  60 , it is understood that the cooler  100  may feature one support member with hinges  50 ,  60  that may stabilize the deployable shelf  10  to secure the deployable shelf  10  while in the storage position within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 , during articulation between the storage and deployed positions, and while in the deployed position where the deployable shelf  10  is approximately parallel to the top surface  40  of the lid  35 . When a user wishes to raise the deployable shelf shown in  FIG. 2A  to the fully-deployed position for holding food and drink items, the user may access the deployable shelf  10  with a hand and fingers at the lip region  5  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  to raise the deployable shelf  10  out of the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 . When raising the deployable shelf  10  shown in  FIG. 2A , the support members  55  flex on the hinges  50 ,  60 . Mechanisms for lockingly engaging the hinges  50 ,  60  and support members  55  to securely hold the deployable shelf  10  in the deployed position are known in the art and enable the deployable shelf  10  to support the weight of food and drink objects based on the known locking mechanism for the hinges  50 ,  60  and support members  55 . The support members  55  may feature an appropriate length, as long or as short as necessary, to support the deployable shelf  10  in its horizontal, fully-deployed position to support food and drink items. 
     In addition, as indicated by the arrows adjacent to the hinges  50  in  FIG. 2A , the hinges  50  may slide up or down along the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 , so that the support members  55  do not prohibit the deployable shelf  10  from collapsing into the storage position within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 . For example, when a user wishes to fold the deployable shelf  10  down into the storage position within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 , the user may apply pressure to the shelf  10  to fold the shelf  10  down while sliding the hinges  50  up or down along the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  to enable the shelf  10 , support members  55  and hinges  50 ,  60  to stow within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  so that the shelf  10  may be approximately flush with the sidewall  25  when the shelf  10  is in the storage position. When folding the shelf  10  down into the storage position, the support members  55  may flex on the hinges  50 ,  60 . Mechanisms for lockingly engaging the slidable hinges  50  in place to securely hold the deployable shelf  10  in the deployed position are known in the art and enable the deployable shelf  10  to support the weight of food and drink objects based on the known locking mechanism for the slidable hinges  50 . Further, the depth  22  of the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  may also include a suitable dimensional tolerance to allow the shelf  10 , including the hinges  50 ,  60  and support members  55 , to stow within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  in the storage position (as shown in  FIG. 1 ), so that the shelf  10  may be approximately flush with the cooler sidewall  25 . Because the depth  22  of the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  may accommodate the dimensions of the hinges  50 ,  60  and support member  55 , the shelf  10  may collapse and stow within the recessed portion  20 , so that the shelf  10  does not protrude from the sidewall  25  when the shelf  10  is in the storage position within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall 
     When raising the deployable shelf  10  shown in  FIG. 2A  from the storage position, the support members  55  may flex on the hinges  50 ,  60 . The user may access the deployable shelf  10  with a hand and fingers at the lip region  5  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  to raise the deployable shelf  10  out of the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 . The user may deploy the shelf  10  from the storage position by sliding the hinges  50  up or down along the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  to enable the shelf  10 , support members  55  and hinges  50 ,  60  to deploy from within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  so that the deployable shelf  10  may be approximately parallel to the top surface  40  of the lid  35 , where the deployable shelf  10  provides a level surface to support food and drink objects removed from the interior of the portable cooler  100 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2A  in conjunction with  FIG. 2C , to further accommodate the functionality of the deployable shelf  10  to stow within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 , so that the shelf  10  is approximately flush with the sidewall  25  when in the storage position, in an embodiment the portable cooler  100  may feature slots  70 ,  72 , as shown in  FIG. 2C  to provide additional storage space within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  for the support members  55  and hinges  50 ,  60  when the shelf  10  is in the storage position. More specifically, the support members  55  and hinges  50 ,  60  (not shown in  FIG. 2C ) may stow within the slots  70 ,  72  when the deployable shelf  10  is in the storage position within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 . The cooler  100  may feature slots  70  within the underside  14  of the shelf  10  and/or slots  72  within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 . The location of the hinges  50 ,  60  and support members  55  when the deployable shelf  10  is in the storage position may accommodate the functionality of the deployable shelf  10  to be approximately flush with the sidewall  25  when in the shelf  10  is in the storage position within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 . In particular, hinges  50  may reside within the slots  72  within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 , and hinges  60  may reside within the slots  70  within the underside  14  of the shelf  10 . When a user wishes to collapse a deployable shelf  10  to the storage position within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 , so that the shelf  10  may be flush with the sidewall  25 , the user may slide the hinges  50  up or down along the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  within the slots  72 , thereby allowing the shelf  10  to collapse to the storage position while the support members  55  and hinges  50 ,  60  may also stow within the slots  70 ,  72 . The slots  70 ,  72  may feature a suitable dimensional tolerance to accommodate the size of the hinges  50 ,  60  and support members  55  so that the deployable shelf  10  may be approximately flush with the sidewall  25  when the shelf  10  is in the storage position within the recessed portion  10  of the sidewall  25 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2B , in an embodiment, the cooler  100  may include a support mechanism for the deployable shelf  10  with support members  52 ,  54  coupled to a middle hinge  56 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 2B , hinges  50  may be located within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 , hinges  60  may be located on the underside  14  of the deployable shelf  10 , and hinges  56  may be located between support members  52 ,  54 . As shown in  FIG. 2B , the support members  52 ,  54  may fold on hinge  56 , so that the support members  52 ,  54  do not prohibit the deployable shelf  10  from collapsing into the storage position within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 . Further, the depth  22 , as shown in  FIG. 2A , of the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  may also include a suitable dimensional tolerance to allow the shelf  10 , including the hinges  50 ,  56 ,  60  and support members  52 ,  54  to stow within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  in the storage position (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) so that the shelf  10  may be approximately flush with the cooler sidewall  25 . Because the depth  22  of the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  may accommodate the dimensions of the hinges  50 ,  56 ,  60  and support members  52 ,  54 , the shelf  10  may collapse and stow within the recessed portion  20 , so that the shelf  10  does not protrude from the sidewall  25  when the shelf  10  is in the storage position within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2B  in conjunction with  FIG. 2C , to further accommodate the functionality of the deployable shelf  10  to stow within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 , so that the shelf  10  is approximately flush with the sidewall  25  when in the storage position, the portable cooler  100  of  FIG. 2B  may feature slots  70 ,  72 , as shown in  FIG. 2C , to provide additional storage space within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  for the support members  52 ,  54  and hinges  50 ,  56 ,  60  when the shelf  10  is in the storage position. More specifically, the support members  52 ,  54  and hinges  50 ,  56 ,  60  (not shown in  FIG. 2C ) may stow within the slots  70 ,  72  when the deployable shelf  10  is in the storage position within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 . The cooler  100  may feature slots  70  within the underside  14  of the shelf  10  and/or slots  72  within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 . The location of the hinges  50 ,  56 ,  60  and support members  52 ,  54  when the deployable shelf  10  is in the storage position may accommodate the functionality of the deployable shelf  10  to be approximately flush with the sidewall  25  when the shelf  10  is in the storage position within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 . In particular, hinges  50  may reside within the slots  72  within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 , and hinges  60  may reside within the slots  70  within the underside  14  of the shelf  10 . When a user wishes to collapse a deployable shelf  10  to the storage position within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 , so that the shelf  10  may be flush with the sidewall  25 , the user may push the deployable shelf  10  down to the storage position, thereby allowing the shelf  10  to collapse to the storage position while the support members  52 ,  54  and hinges  50 ,  56 ,  60  may also stow within the slots  70 ,  72 . The slots  70 ,  72  may feature a suitable dimensional tolerance to accommodate the size of the hinges  50 ,  56 ,  60  and support members  52 ,  54  so that the deployable shelf  10  may be approximately flush with the sidewall  25  when the shelf  10  is in the storage position within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 . Of course, when the user wishes to raise the deployable shelf shown in  FIG. 2B  to the fully-deployed position for holding food and drink items, the user may access the deployable shelf  10  with a hand and fingers at the lip region  5  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  to raise the deployable shelf  10 . When raising the deployable shelf  10  shown in  FIG. 2B , the support members  52 ,  54  each flex on the hinges  50 ,  56 ,  60 . Mechanisms for lockingly engaging the hinges  50 ,  56 ,  60  and support members  52 ,  54  to securely hold the deployable shelf  10  in the deployed position are known in the art and enable the deployable shelf  10  to support the weight of food and drink objects based on the known locking mechanism for the hinges  50 ,  56   60  and support members  52 ,  54 . The support members  52 ,  54  may feature an appropriate length, as long or as short as necessary, to support the deployable shelf  10  in its horizontal, fully-deployed position to support food and drink items. 
     In addition, as shown in  FIG. 2B , in an embodiment the deployable shelves  10  may feature cup depressions  80 ,  81  created by a circular depression having a suitable depth  82  and diameter to stabilize cups and other drink items on top of the deployable shelf  10  when in the fully-deployed position. The shelf  10  provides a support surface with cup depressions  80 ,  81  to accommodate the user&#39;s ability to support items on the deployable shelf  10 . It is understood that the deployable shelf  10  may feature cup depressions  80 ,  81  at any location on the deployable shelf  10  and in larger diameters, to stabilize larger items, such as plates for food. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view of the sidewall  25  of the portable cooler  100  is shown where the deployable shelf  10  is in the storage position within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the deployable shelf  10  is approximately flush with the cooler sidewall  25  when folded down and not deployed when in the storage position. In addition, the deployable handle  15  within the cut-out portion  66  of the deployable shelf  10  is shown in an articulated position, as the handle  15  has been articulated on its hinges  18  from the sidewall  25  through the imaginary plane of the deployable shelf  10  via the cut-out portion  66  within the deployable shelf  10 . As aforementioned, the cut-out portion  66  enables the user to articulate the handle  15  without interfering with or disturbing the deployable shelf  10 , and conversely, the cut-out portion  66  enables the user to articulate the deployable shelf  10  without interfering with or disturbing the handle  15 . The cut-out portion  66  may feature a width  64  and a length  65  to provide a suitable dimensional tolerance to accommodate the functionality of both the deployable shelf  10  and handle  15 , so that neither the deployable shelf  10  nor handle  15  interferes with the respective articulation of the other. 
       FIGS. 4A-4B  are diagrams of an example portable cooler  200  in which one or more disclosed embodiments may be implemented. In particular,  FIG. 4A  shows the portable cooler  200  where the slidable handle  16  may be seated on both the sidewall  25  and the deployable shelf  10  when the deployable shelf  10  is in the storage position within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 , and  FIG. 4B  shows the portable cooler  200  where the slidable handle  16  is seated on the sidewall  25  to allow the deployable shelf  10  to articulate between the storage position and the deployed position. The portable cooler  200  of  FIGS. 4A and 4B  is shown from a side perspective view where the sidewall  25 , front side  30 , lid portion  35  and top surface  40  of the lid are visible. Although not shown, it is understood that the cooler  200  includes a rear side and an opposite sidewall, and that the opposite sidewall may include the same structures and mechanical features as the sidewall  25  shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , such as the slidable handle  16  and shelf  10 , which will be described in more detail. While the cooler  200  in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  is shown with a rectangular shape, it is understood that the cooler  200  may be formed in other shapes, such as a square, for example. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4A , the sidewall  25  may include an integrated, deployable shelf  10  and a slidable handle  16 . The deployable shelf  10  may couple to the cooler sidewall  25  at hinges  45 , and the slidable handle  16  may couple to the cooler sidewall  25  via a known track mechanism that enables the handle  16  to remain attached to the sidewall  25  while having ability to slide up and down within a restricted range of motion along the sidewall  25 , as indicated by the arrows in  FIG. 4A . As shown in  FIG. 4A , the deployable shelf  10  is shown in the storage position within a recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  of the cooler body, and the slidable handle  16  is seated on both the deployable shelf  10  and the sidewall  25 . As will be discussed in more detail, a user may slide the slidable handle  16  up and off of the deployable shelf  10  to a raised position (as shown in  FIG. 4B ), so that the slidable handle  16  is only seated on the sidewall  25 . When the slidable handle  16  is seated only on the sidewall  25 , the user may then articulate the deployable shelf  10  out of the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  (as shown in  FIG. 5 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 4B , when the slidable handle is seated only on the sidewall  25 , the slidable handle  16  is then oriented on the sidewall  25  within the cut-out portion  66  of the deployable shelf  10 , to enable the deployable shelf  10  to freely articulate out of the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  to the deployed position for use to hold food and drink objects. When a user wishes to articulate the deployable shelf  10  for use to the deployed position, the user may slide the slidable handle  16  upwards and off of the deployable shelf  10 , so that the slidable handle  16  is seated only on the sidewall  25  and within the cut-out portion  66 , so that the deployable shelf  10  may be articulated to the deployed position for use. The cut-out portion  66  enables the user to articulate the deployable shelf  10  without interfering with or disturbing the slidable handle  16 . The cut-out portion  66  may feature a width  64  and a length  65  to provide a suitable dimensional tolerance to accommodate the functionality of both the deployable shelf  10  and slidable handle  16 , so that the slidable handle  16  does not interfere with the articulation of the deployable shelf  10  and the deployable shelf  10  does not interfere with the slidable handle  16  when the handle  16  is in the raised position (as shown in  FIG. 4B ). The width  64  and the length  65  of the cut-out portion may provide a space to accommodate the ergonomic articulation of the deployable shelf  10  with respect to the slidable handle  16 . As aforementioned, when in the raised position as shown in  FIG. 4B , the slidable handle  16  is seated on the sidewall  25  to allow the deployable shelf  10  to articulate between the storage position (shown in  FIGS. 4A-4B ) and the deployed position (shown in  FIG. 5 ). In addition to the functionality provided by the cut-out portion  66  to accommodate use of both the slidable handle  16  and shelf  10  on the same sidewall  25 , a user may access the deployable shelf  10  with a hand and fingers at the lip region  5  of the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  to raise the deployable shelf  10  out of the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 . Those skilled in the art would recognize that the material of the deployable shelf  10  may comprise a high-density plastic material or other similar material that is strong, yet light, to accommodate the portability of the cooler  200  and functionality of the deployable shelf  10  for supporting food and drink objects. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 4B , when in the storage position within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 , the deployable shelf  10  is approximately flush with the sidewall  25  so that the exterior surfaces of the sidewall  25  and shelf  10  are approximately even with the imaginary plane running tangentially parallel to the sidewall  25 . The deployable shelf  10  may be approximately as large as the dimensions of the sidewall  25  of the cooler, while also having a suitable dimensional tolerance that accommodates the functionality for the deployable shelf  10  to collapse and stow within the recessed portion  20  of the cooler sidewall  25 , so that the deployable shelf  10  is approximately flush with the cooler sidewall  25  when folded down and not deployed. It is understood that the recessed portion  20  may also feature a suitable dimensional tolerance that accommodates the functionality for the shelf  10  to collapse and stow within the recessed portion  20  of the cooler sidewall  25 . For example, the recessed portion  20  may be as wide as the sidewall  25  to accommodate a shelf  10  that is approximately as large as the dimensions of the sidewall  25 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a perspective view of the sidewall  25  of the portable cooler  200  is shown where the deployable shelf  10  is partially deployed out of the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  in the deployed position. It is understood that when the deployable shelf  10  is in the fully-deployed position outside of the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 , the deployable shelf  10  may be approximately parallel to the top surface  40  of the lid  35 , so that the deployable shelf  10  provides a level surface to support food and drink objects removed from the interior of the portable cooler  200 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 5 , the deployable shelf  10  may include a height/depth  12  as shown in  FIG. 2A , and the recessed portion  20  may also include a depth  22  having a suitable dimensional tolerance to receive the deployable shelf  10  so that the deployable shelf  10  is approximately flush with the cooler sidewall  25  when folded down and in the storage position (as shown in  FIGS. 4A-4B ). The depth  22  of the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  may provide the recessed portion  20  with a suitable dimensional tolerance to accommodate the functionality for the deployable shelf  10  to collapse and stow within the recessed portion  20  of the cooler sidewall  25 . Mechanisms for lockingly engaging the hinges  50 ,  60  and support members  55  to securely hold the deployable shelf  10  in the deployed position are known in the art and enable the deployable shelf  10  to support the weight of food and drink objects based on the known locking mechanism for the hinges  50 ,  60  and support members  55 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the cooler  200  may include hinges  50  located within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  that each couple to a support member  55  that extends to an additional hinge  60  located on the underside  14  of the deployable shelf  10 . The hinges  50 ,  60  and support members  55  stabilize the deployable shelf  10  to secure the deployable shelf  10  while in the storage position within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  (as shown in  FIGS. 4A-4B ), during articulation between the storage and deployed positions, and while in the deployed position where the deployable shelf  10  is approximately parallel to the top surface  40  of the lid  35  (as shown in  FIG. 5 ). Although the embodiment of  FIG. 5  shows two support members  55 , each accompanied by hinges  50 ,  60 , it is understood that the cooler  200  may feature one support member with hinges that may stabilize the deployable shelf  10  to secure the deployable shelf  10  while in the storage position within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 , during articulation between the storage and deployed positions, and while in the deployed position where the deployable shelf  10  is approximately parallel to the top surface  40  of the lid  35 . When a user wishes to raise the deployable shelf  10  shown in  FIG. 5  to the fully-deployed position for holding food and drink items, the user may access the deployable shelf  10  with a hand and fingers at the lip region  5  of the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  to raise the deployable shelf  10  out of the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 . When raising the deployable shelf  10  shown in  FIG. 5 , the support members  55  flex on the hinges  50 ,  60 . Mechanisms for lockingly engaging the hinges  50 ,  60  and support members  55  to securely hold the deployable shelf  10  in the deployed position are known in the art and enable the deployable shelf  10  to support the weight of food and drink objects based on the known locking mechanism for the hinges  50 ,  60  and support members  55 . The support members  55  may feature an appropriate length, as long or as short as necessary, to support the deployable shelf  10  in its horizontal, fully-deployed position to support food and drink items. 
     In addition, as indicated by the arrows adjacent to hinges  50  in  FIG. 5 , the hinges  50  may slide up or down along the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 , so that the support members  55  do not prohibit the deployable shelf  10  from collapsing into the storage position within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 . For example, when a user wishes to fold the deployable shelf  10  down into the storage position within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 , the user may apply pressure to the shelf  10  to fold the shelf  10  down while sliding the hinges  50  up or down along the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  to enable the shelf  10 , support members  55  and hinges  50 ,  60  to stow within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  so that the shelf  10  may be approximately flush with the sidewall  25  when the shelf  10  is in the storage position. When folding the shelf  10  down into the storage position, the support members  55  may flex on the hinges  50 ,  60 . Mechanisms for lockingly engaging the slidable hinges  50  in place to securely hold the deployable shelf  10  in the deployed position are known in the art and enable the deployable shelf  10  to support the weight of food and drink objects based on the known locking mechanism for the slidable hinges  50 . Further, the depth  22  of the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  may also include a suitable dimensional tolerance to allow the shelf  10 , including the hinges  50 ,  60  and support members  55 , to stow within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  in the storage position (as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B ), so that the shelf  10  may be approximately flush with the cooler sidewall  25 . Because the depth  22  of the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  may accommodate the dimensions of the hinges  50 ,  60  and support member  55 , the shelf  10  may collapse and stow within the recessed portion  20 , so that the shelf  10  does not protrude from the sidewall  25  when the shelf  10  is in the storage position within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 . 
     When raising the deployable shelf  10  shown in  FIG. 5  from the storage position, the support members  55  may flex on the hinges  50 ,  60 . The user may access the deployable shelf  10  with a hand and fingers at the lip region  5  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  to raise the deployable shelf  10  out of the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 . The user may deploy the shelf  10  from the storage position by sliding the hinges  50  up or down along the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  to enable the shelf  10 , support members  55  and hinges  50 ,  60  to deploy from within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  so that the deployable shelf  10  may be approximately parallel to the top surface  40  of the lid  35 , where the deployable shelf  10  provides a level surface to support food and drink objects removed from the interior of the portable cooler  200 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5  in conjunction with  FIG. 2C , to further accommodate the functionality of the deployable shelf  10  to stow within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 , so that the shelf  10  is approximately flush with the sidewall  25  when in the storage position, the portable cooler  200  shown in  FIG. 5  may feature the slots  70 ,  72 , as shown in  FIG. 2C  to provide additional storage space within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  for the support members  55  and hinges  50 ,  60  when the shelf  10  is in the storage position. More specifically, the support members  55  and hinges  50 ,  60  (not shown in  FIG. 2C ) may stow within the slots  70 ,  72  when the deployable shelf  10  is in the storage position within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 . The cooler  200  may feature slots  70  within the underside  14  of the shelf  10  and/or slots  72  within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 . The location of the hinges  50 ,  60  and support members  55  may accommodate the functionality of the deployable shelf  10  to be approximately flush with the sidewall  25  when in the shelf  10  is in the storage position within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 . In particular, hinges  50  may reside within the slots  72  within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 , and hinges  60  may reside within the slots  70  within the underside  14  of the shelf  10 . When a user wishes to collapse a deployable shelf  10  to the storage position within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 , so that the shelf  10  may be flush with the sidewall  25 , the user may slide the hinges  50  up or down along the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  within the slots  72 , thereby allowing the shelf  10  to collapse to the storage position while the support members  55  may also stow within the slots  70 ,  72 . The slots  70 ,  72  may feature a suitable dimensional tolerance to accommodate the size of the hinges  50 ,  60  and support members  55  so that the deployable shelf  10  may be flush with the sidewall  25  when the shelf  10  is in the storage position within the recessed portion  10  of the sidewall. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5  in conjunction with  FIG. 2B , in an embodiment, the portable cooler  200  shown in  FIG. 5  may include a support mechanism for the deployable shelf  10  with the support members  52 ,  54  with middle hinge  56 , as shown in  FIG. 2B . For example, as shown in  FIG. 2B , hinges  50  may be located within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 , hinges  60  may be located on the underside  14  of the deployable shelf  10 , and hinges  56  may be located between support members  52 ,  54 . As shown in  FIG. 2B , the support members  52 ,  54  may fold on hinge  56 , so that the support members  52 ,  54  do not prohibit the deployable shelf  10  from collapsing into the storage position within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 . Further, in the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the depth  22  of the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  may also include a suitable dimensional tolerance to allow the shelf  10 , including the hinges  50 ,  56 ,  60  and support members  52 ,  54  to stow within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  in the storage position (as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B ) so that the shelf  10  may be approximately flush with the cooler sidewall  25 . Because the depth  22  of the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  may accommodate the dimensions of the hinges  50 ,  56 ,  60  and support members  52 ,  54 , the shelf  10  may collapse and stow within the recessed portion  20 , so that the shelf  10  does not protrude from the sidewall  25  when the shelf  10  is in the storage position within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 . 
     Referring again to an embodiment of the cooler  200  as shown in  FIG. 5  in conjunction with the support members  52 ,  54  with middle hinge  56  as shown in  FIG. 2B , to further accommodate the functionality of the deployable shelf  10  to stow within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 , so that the shelf  10  is approximately flush with the sidewall  25  when in the storage position, the portable cooler  200  shown in  FIG. 5  may also feature the slots  70 ,  72 , as shown in  FIG. 2C  to provide additional storage space within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  for the support members  52 ,  54  and hinges  50 ,  56 ,  60  (as shown in  FIG. 2B ) when the shelf  10  is in the storage position. More specifically, the support members  52 ,  54  and hinges  50 ,  56 ,  60  may stow within the slots  70 ,  72  when the deployable shelf  10  is in the storage position within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 . The cooler  200  may feature slots  70  within the underside  14  of the shelf  10  and/or slots  72  within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 . The location of the hinges  50 ,  56 ,  60  and support members  52 ,  54  may accommodate the functionality of the deployable shelf  10  to be approximately flush with the sidewall  25  when in the shelf is in the storage position within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 . In particular, hinges  50  may reside within the slots  72  within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 , and hinges  60  may reside within the slots  70  within the underside  14  of the shelf  10 . When a user wishes to collapse a deployable shelf  10  to the storage position within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25 , so that the shelf  10  may be flush with the sidewall  25 , the user may push the deployable shelf  10  down to the storage position, thereby allowing the shelf  10  to collapse to the storage position while the support members  52 ,  54  and hinges  50 ,  56 ,  60  may also stow within the slots  70 ,  72 . The slots  70 ,  72  may feature a suitable dimensional tolerance to accommodate the size of the hinges  50 ,  56 ,  60  and support members  52 ,  54  so that the deployable shelf  10  may be flush with the sidewall  25  when the shelf  10  is in the storage position within the recessed portion  10  of the sidewall. 
     In an embodiment of the cooler  200  featuring the support members  52 ,  54  with middle hinge  56 , as shown in  FIG. 5  in conjunction with  FIG. 2B , when the user wishes to raise the deployable shelf  10  to the fully-deployed position for holding food and drink items, the user may access the deployable shelf  10  with a hand and fingers at the lip region  5  of the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  to raise the deployable shelf. When raising the deployable shelf  10 , the support members  52 ,  54  flex on the middle hinge  56 . Mechanisms for lockingly engaging the hinges  50 ,  56   60  and support members  52 ,  54  to securely hold the deployable shelf  10  in the deployed position are known in the art and enable the deployable shelf  10  to support the weight of food and drink objects based on the known locking mechanism for the hinges  50 ,  56   60  and support members  52 ,  54 . The support members  52 ,  54  may feature an appropriate length, as long or as short as necessary, to support the deployable shelf  10  in its horizontal, fully-deployed position to support food and drink items. 
     In addition, referring again to  FIG. 5  in conjunction with  FIG. 2B , the deployable shelves may feature the cup depressions  80 ,  81  shown in  FIG. 2B , created by a circular depression having a suitable depth  82  and diameter to stabilize cups and other drink items on top of the deployable shelf  10  when in the fully-deployed position. The shelf  10  provides a support surface with cup depressions  80 ,  81  to accommodate the user&#39;s ability to support items on the deployable shelf  10 . It is understood that the deployable shelf  10  may feature cup depressions  80 ,  81  at any location on the deployable shelf  10  and in larger diameters, to stabilize larger items, such as plates for food. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a perspective view of the front  30  of the portable cooler  100 ,  200  of the herein described embodiments is shown, where a shelf  10  on each sidewall  25  is stowed within the recessed portion  20  of each sidewall  25  in the storage position, and the handles  15 ,  16  are shown on the sidewalls  25 . When the deployable shelf  10  is in the storage position, the ergonomic position of the deployable shelf  10  within the sidewall  25  accommodates the portability of the cooler  100 ,  200  while maintaining functionality for a user to grasp the handles  15 ,  16  to transport the cooler. As discussed previously, the embodiments of the cooler  100 ,  200  described herein may respectively feature deployable handles  15  or slidable handles  16 . The deployable handles  15  may articulate from a resting position against the sidewall  25  (as shown in  FIG. 6 ) to a raised, deployed position approximately parallel to the lid (as shown in  FIG. 7 ), to allow a user to grasp the deployable handles  15  and lift the cooler  100 . In contrast, the slidable handles may remain attached to the sidewall, as shown in  FIG. 6 , so that a user may utilize the slidable handles  16  to grasp and lift the portable cooler  200 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , when in the storage position, the deployable shelf  10  is approximately flush with the sidewall  25  so that the exterior surfaces of the sidewall  25  and shelf  10  are approximately even with the imaginary plane running tangentially parallel to the sidewall  25 . The deployable shelf  10  may be approximately as large as the dimensions of the sidewall  25  of the cooler, while also having a suitable dimensional tolerance that accommodates the functionality for the deployable shelf  10  to collapse and stow within the recessed portion  20  of the cooler sidewall  25 , so that the deployable shelf  10  is approximately flush with the cooler sidewall  25  when folded down and not deployed. It is understood that the recessed portion  20  may also feature a suitable dimensional tolerance that accommodates the functionality for the shelf  10  to collapse and stow within the recessed portion  20  of the cooler sidewall  25 . For example, the recessed portion  20  may be as wide as the sidewall  25  to accommodate a shelf  10  that is approximately as large as the dimensions of the sidewall  25 . As seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the deployable shelf  10  does not protrude from the sidewall  25  when the deployable shelf  10  in the storage position, which enhances the portability and ability to store the cooler  100 ,  200 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , an additional perspective view of the front  30  of the portable cooler  100 ,  200  of the herein described embodiments is shown, where the deployable shelf  10  is in the deployed position for holding food and drink objects, which may be removed from the interior of the cooler  100 ,  200  when the lid  35  is open, as shown in  FIG. 8 . When the deployable shelf  10  is in the deployed position as shown in  FIG. 8 , the hinges  50 ,  60  and support members  55  hold the deployable shelf  10  in the deployed position to support the food and drink objects on the deployable shelf  10 . As aforementioned, mechanisms for lockingly engaging the hinges  50 ,  60  and support members  55  to securely hold the deployable shelf  10  in the deployed position are known in the art and enable the deployable shelf  10  to support the weight of food and drink objects based on the known locking mechanism for the hinges  50 ,  60  and support members  55 . When in the deployed position, the height/depth  12  of the deployable shelf  10  is also visible, and it is understood that the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  features a suitable dimensional tolerance to enable the deployable shelf  10  to fit within the recessed portion  20  of the sidewall  25  when in the storage position. In addition, the cut-out portion  66  (not shown in  FIG. 8 ) allows the shelf to remain in the deployed position without interfering with or disturbing either the deployable handle  15  or slidable handle  16  of the respective embodiments  100 ,  200 . 
     Having thus described the present embodiments in detail, it is to be appreciated and will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many physical changes, only a few of which are exemplified in the detailed description of the invention, could be made without altering the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. It is also to be appreciated that numerous embodiments incorporating only part of the embodiment are possible which do not alter, with respect to those parts, the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. The present embodiments and optional configurations are therefore to be considered in all respects as exemplary and/or illustrative and not restrictive, of the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all alternate embodiments and changes to this embodiment which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of said claims are therefore to be embraced therein.