Patent Publication Number: US-2022228406-A1

Title: Cooler safety release device

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/137,902, entitled “COOLER SAFETY RELEASE DEVICE”, filed on Jan. 15, 2021, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention generally relates to portable coolers, and more particularly to portable coolers having a safety release device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Over the past years, delivery service providers have developed contactless delivery storage solutions for the secure delivery of goods at a specific location. These storage solutions may be automated locker systems or other types of containers that delivery service providers can access to securely store goods for a consumer. Typically, these storage solutions include keyless entry for consumers, such that the consumer must enter an electronic code to cause the particular storage solution to open so that the consumer can retrieve the goods. As these storage solutions have been developed, storage solution providers have created multiple sizes of storage solutions. As such, there are storage solutions that are large enough to hold a child. Because these storage solutions utilize one-time electronic codes to open the storage solution, there exists a possibility that a child could get accidentally stuck inside a storage solution. Therefore, there is a need for a storage solution safety release device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings illustrate one or more embodiments and/or aspects of the disclosure and, together with the written description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like elements of an embodiment, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of a cooler having an exemplary safety release device attached thereto, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a cooler having an exemplary safety release device attached thereto, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3A  is an upward internal perspective view of a cooler having an exemplary safety release device attached thereto, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3B  is an upward internal perspective view of a cooler having an exemplary safety release device attached thereto, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3C  is an upward internal perspective view of a cooler having an exemplary safety release device attached thereto, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4A  is a front perspective view of an exemplary safety release device, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4B  is a front perspective view of an exemplary safety release device, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4C  is a front perspective view of an exemplary safety release device, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5A  is a rear perspective view of an exemplary safety release device, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5B  is a rear perspective view of an exemplary safety release device, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5C  is a rear perspective view of an exemplary safety release device, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of an alternative exemplary safety release device, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of an alternative exemplary safety release device, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
     
    
    
     The drawings illustrate only exemplary embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, as the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will, nevertheless, be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended; any alterations and further modifications of the described or illustrated embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated therein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates. All limitations of scope should be determined in accordance with and as expressed in the claims. 
     Whether a term is capitalized is not considered definitive or limiting of the meaning of a term. As used in this document, a capitalized term shall have the same meaning as an uncapitalized term, unless the context of the usage specifically indicates that a more restrictive meaning for the capitalized term is intended. However, the capitalization or lack thereof within the remainder of this document is not intended to be necessarily limiting unless the context clearly indicates that such limitation is intended. 
     Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to portable coolers, and more particularly to portable coolers having a safety release device. In certain exemplary embodiments, a cooler  102  may include a cooler body  104  and a lid  106 . In various embodiments, the lid  106  may be coupled to the top of the cooler body  104  in any number of ways, such as by use of a hinge and/or a latch. In several embodiments, the cooler  102  may be of a different size or shape than described herein and the cooler body  104  may be coupled to the lid  106  in a different manner than described herein. In some embodiments, the cooler body  104  may be in one or more of a number of different cooler sizes with various lengths, widths, heights, geometrical and non-geometrical shapes and/or capacities, so long as the lid  106  is lockable to the body  104 . In certain exemplary embodiments, the cooler  102  may be fabricated using different colors, accents, and/or different personalizations, such as by laser etching or silk screening across one or more of the cooler surfaces. In at least one embodiment, the cooler  102  may be fabricated in various different materials, such as rubber, plastics, stainless steel, other polymers, and other metals in one or more fabricated parts of the cooler  102 . In one or more embodiments, the portable cooler  102  may include other known features including but not limited to wheels or rollers, lights, various handle types, and speakers. Although the exemplary embodiments of the safety release device  100  have been shown in conjunction with a lockable cooler, other embodiments may use the safety release device  100  in conjunction with other lockable container type, such as a locker, safe, and any other container that a person can fit into. In multiple embodiments, the safety release device  100  may be used in the event that someone gets locked and trapped within the cooler  102 , or another container. In some embodiments, the safety release device  100  allows the person trapped inside the cooler  102 , or container, to unlock the lid  106  from the cooler body  104  and escape from the cooler  102 . 
     Exemplary embodiments of the safety release device  100  will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the portable cooler and the safety release devices are shown. In several embodiments, the safety release device  100  and cooler  102  may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the portable cooler and the safety release device to those people having ordinary skill in the art. Like, but not necessarily the same, elements in the various figures are denoted by like reference numerals for consistency. 
     Referring now to the figures, for the purposes of example and explanation of the fundamental processes and components of the disclosed devices, reference is made to  FIG. 1 , which illustrates a rear perspective view of a cooler  102  having an exemplary safety release device  100  attached thereto. In multiple embodiments, the cooler  102  may include a safety release device  100  that allows for a person who is trapped within the locked cooler  102  to operate the safety release device  100  so that the lid  106  can be unlocked from the cooler body  104  and the person trapped can lift open the lid  106  from inside the cooler  102 . 
     In several embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the safety release device  100  may be attached to the inside portion of the cooler body  104 . In one or more embodiments, the cooler  102  may include a locking mechanism  202  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) on the lid  106 . In at least one embodiment, the locking mechanism  202  may interact with the (as shown  FIG. 4A ), to lock the lid  106  onto the cooler body  104 . For example, in many embodiments, when a user closes the lid  106  onto the cooler body  104 , the locking mechanism  202  may actuate to cause a plate to slide underneath the locking tab  402 , such that the lid  106  is locked onto the body  104 . In one or more embodiments, the locking mechanism  202  may be actuated in various ways, such as a turn knob, a solenoid actuator, or any other mechanism that one having ordinary skill in the art would utilize to cause the lid  106  to be locked on to the cooler body  104 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of a cooler  102  having an exemplary safety release device  100  attached thereto is shown, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The locking mechanism  202  can be disposed on the underside side of the lid  106 . In at least one embodiment, for example, the locking mechanism  202  may include a turn knob that may rotate clockwise and counterclockwise to place the lid  106  in a locked position and an unlocked position. Continuing with the example, in several embodiments, when the turn knob is positioned in the locked position, the plate located on the underside of the lid  106  can be moved forward in the direction towards the front of the cooler  102  to fit below the locking tab  402  of the safety release device  100 , thereby locking the lid to the cooler body  104  and preventing the opening of the lid  106 . In one or more embodiments, once the turn knob is rotated and positioned in the unlocked position, the plate located on the underside of the lid  106  can be moved backwards in the direction towards the rear of the cooler  102  to move away from the locking tab  402  ( FIG. 4A ) of the safety release device  100  that prevented the opening of the lid  106  from the cooler body  104 , thereby unlocking the lid  106  from the cooler body  104  and allowing the lid  106  to open. In some embodiments, the plate within the locking mechanism  202  can be moved by a solenoid actuator or other electronically enabled actuator. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C , upward internal perspective views of a cooler  102  having an exemplary safety release device  100  attached thereto are shown, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The internal perspective views as shown in  FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C  are representative of the view a person would have if trapped in the cooler  102 . In various embodiments, in the event a person is trapped within the cooler  102  and the lid  106  is locked to the cooler body  104 , the person may operate the safety release device  100  located in the interior of the cooler  102  near the top edge of the front of the cooler body  104 . In many embodiments, the safety release device  100  is mounted to the interior side of the cooler body  104  near the upper ends of the front side using one or more fasteners  306 , such as screws, nails, rivets, magnets, or any other type of fastening element. In an alternative embodiment, the safety release device  100  may be mounted in an indentation on the interior side of the cooler body  104  and secured using overlapping ridges around the edges of the safety release device  100 , with or without the one or more fasteners  306 . In one or more embodiments, the safety release device  100  can be rectangular shaped and include an outer plate  302  and an inner plate  304 , where the outer plate  302  is mounted to the cooler body  104  using the one or more fasteners  306 , and the inner plate  304  may slide horizontally in an inward and outward direction with respect to the outer plate  302 . 
     In one or more embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 3A , when the lid  106  is closed and locked to the cooler body  104 , the inner plate  304  can be pushed in to the outer plate  302  so that the locking tab  402  is operatively connected with the plate of the locking mechanism  202 , such that the lid  106  may not be raised because the locking tab  402  blocks the plate on the locking mechanism  202 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , in an exemplary embodiment, the safety release device  100  is in a locked position. 
     In many embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 3B , the safety release device  100  may be in an intermediate locked position. In some embodiments, the intermediate locked position may prevent the lid  106  from being opened. As shown in  FIG. 3B , in an exemplary embodiment, the inner plate  304  may be pulled away from the outer plate  302 . In one embodiment, as the inner plate  304  is moved horizontally away from the outer plate  302 , the locking tab  402  is moved away from the plate on the locking mechanism  202 . 
     In multiple embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 3C , the safety release device  100  is in an unlocked position, such that a person trapped inside the cooler  102  may push the lid open to escape from the cooler  102 . As shown in  FIG. 3C , in at least one embodiment, the inner plate  304  is pulled horizontally away from the outer plate  302  to an unlocked position in which the locking tab  402  does not obstruct the plate of the locking mechanism. In some embodiments, the unlocked position may be the position at which the locking tab  402  no longer obstructs the lid  106  from opening, and may be when the inner plate  304  is fully extended away from the outer plate  302  or the position where the locking tab  402  obstruction is cleared. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C , a front perspective view of an exemplary safety release device is shown, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C , in one or more embodiments, the safety release device  100  is shown in a locked position ( FIG. 4A ), an intermediate position ( FIG. 4B ), and an unlocked position ( FIG. 4C ). In multiple embodiments, the safety release device  100  shown in  FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C  generally corresponds to the safety release device  100  shown  FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C , respectively. 
     In several embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C , the inner plate  304  may include a locking tab  402  protruding from the upper edge of the inner plate  304 , a pull tab  404  protruding from one longitudinal end of the inner plate that may be utilized to move the inner plate  304  towards or away from the outer plate  302 , and at least one longitudinal track opening  406  allowing the one or more fasteners  306  to pass through to couple the outer plate  302  to the cooler body  104 . In the exemplary embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C , the inner plate  304  defines two such longitudinal track openings  406  that are formed being parallel to one another. In many embodiments, the fasteners  306  provide a stop to prevent the inner plate  304  from sliding too far outward and decoupling from the outer plate  302  and too far inward. 
     In various embodiments, the outer plate  302  may define openings for allowing fasteners  306  to pass through and couple the outer plate  302  to interior of the cooler body  104 , with the inner plate  304  coupled in between the outer plate  302  and the cooler body  104 . In some embodiments, the fastener devices  306  may include spacers or washers located in between the rear surface of the outer plate  302  and the front surface of the inner plate  304 , creating a small gap between the inner plate  304  and the outer plate  302 . In some embodiments, the inner plate  304  may include a cord coupler  502  (as shown in  FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C ) that defines a cord coupler opening whereby a cord  408  may connect. In one embodiment, the outer plate  302  may include a hollow, rectangular cord protector  410  that protrudes from the front of the outer plate  302 . In many embodiments, the cord coupler  502  may protrude from the front of the inner plate  304  into the cord protector  410 , in which the cord protector  410  acts as a track for the cord coupler  502  to slide within as the inner plate  304  is moved away from the outer plate  302 . In at least one embodiment, the cord  408  may attach to the inner plate  304 , and the person trapped in the cooler  102  may pull the cord  408  to slide the inner plate  304  away from the outer plate  302 , thereby unlocking the lid  106 . In one or more embodiments, the hollow cord protector  410  may also include an opening formed therein that extends to the rear end of the cord protector and through the outer plate. In some embodiments, the cord  408  may be connected to the cord coupler  502 , with some length of the cord  408  residing within the hollow cord protector  410 , and the end of the cord  408  emerging from the opening of the cord protector  410 . In one embodiment, the cord protector  410  may be formed with a back wall at the rear end opposing the opening in which the cord  408  goes through. In several embodiments, the opening within the cord protector  410  allows the cord  408 , which is optional, to be inserted into the cord protector  410  through the opening and extend to the inner plate  304 , and more specifically through the opening formed in the cord coupler  502 , where the end of the cord  408  in connected. In one or more embodiments, the end of the cord  408  may be connected to the cord coupler  502  by being tied around the cord coupler  502 , or the cord  408  may have a knot formed at the end of the cord  408  so that the knot abuts the opening formed in the cord coupler  502  and is unable to pass through the cord coupler opening. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C , a rear perspective view of an exemplary safety release device  100  is shown, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C , in one or more embodiments, the safety release device  100  is shown in a locked position ( FIG. 5A ), an intermediate position ( FIG. 5B ), and an unlocked position ( FIG. 5C ). In multiple embodiments, the safety release devices  100  shown in  FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C  generally correspond to the safety release devices  100  shown  FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C , respectively. 
     In some embodiments, the cord protector  410  may include a track, or function as a track, which allows for the portion of the cord coupler  502  protruding from the front surface of the inner plate  304  to slide within the track. In at least one embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C , the outer plate  302  may also have a safety ramp  504  that protrudes outwardly from the rear surface of the outer plate  302  towards the front surface of the inner plate  304 , above the cord protector  410 ; however, in other embodiments, the safety ramp may be below the cord protector  410  or on the inner surface of the cord protector  410 . In several embodiments, the safety ramp  504  is a horizontal narrow strip of material that may include a first section, a second section, and a third section and extends from a first end to a second end. In one embodiment, the first end of the safety ramp  504  may be near or proximate to one end of the outer plate  302 , and the second end of the safety ramp  504  may be some length, for example, 0.1 to 5.0 centimeters, from the first end of the safety ramp  504 , and located toward the opposite end of the outer plate  302 . In one or more embodiments, the safety ramp  504  may be made of metal, PVC, plastic, or any other material that allows the safety ramp  504  to perform as discussed herein. 
     In at least one embodiment, the first section of the safety ramp  504  may start at the first end of the safety ramp  504  and extend to the beginning of the second section of the safety ramp  504 . In many embodiments, the first section of the safety ramp  504  may protrude at an increasing elevation from the rear surface of the outer plate  302  as the first section extends from a first end to the second section. In some embodiments, the second section of the safety ramp  504  protrudes at a constant elevation from the rear surface of the outer plate  302  as the second section extends from the first section to the third section. In one or more embodiments, the third section of the safety ramp  504  protrudes at a decreasing elevation from the rear surface of the outer plate  302  as the third section extends from the second section to the second end. In many embodiments, the first end and the second end of the safety ramp  504  may have a height of 0 inches relative to the rear surface of the outer plate  302 , and the second section may have a height of 0.01 to 1.0 centimeters, which the first section and the second section of the safety ramp  504  extend thereto. 
     In various embodiments, the shape of the safety ramp  504  may prevent the inner plate  304  from freely sliding from the locked position to the unlocked position or the unlocked position to the locked position. In one embodiment, a larger horizontal force may be applied to the inner plate  304  to move the inner plate  304  up and across the first and second sections of the safety ramp  504  (from the locked position to the unlocked position), relative the smaller horizontal force that may be used to move the inner plate  304  if the safety ramp  504  is not on the outer plate  302 . In at least one embodiment, the second section of the safety ramp  504  may be raised to a certain level to interfere with the ease of sliding of the inner plate  304  over the second section. For example, in one embodiment, a user has to intentionally want to change the locking status, or position status, of the inner plate  304  to a locked or unlocked position since the second section of the safety ramp  504  provides some friction between the inner plate  304  and the outer plate  302 . In many embodiments, the safety ramp  504  provides a mechanism to prevent the unintentional locking or unlocking of the lid  106  to the cooler body  104  to assist in preventing someone from accidentally getting trapped within the cooler  102 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 6 , shown is a rear perspective view of an alternative exemplary safety release device  600 , according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In several embodiments, the safety release device  600  may include an outer plate  302  and an inner plate  304 . In one or more embodiments, the outer plate  302  of safety release device  600  may include a cord protector  410  protruding from the front surface of the outer plate  302  and a safety ramp  504  protruding from the rear surface of the outer plate  302 . In some embodiments, the inner plate  304  may include a locking tab  402 , and at least one longitudinal track openings  406 . In one or more embodiments, the safety release device  600  may include either or both of a pull tab  404  protruding from an end of the inner plate  304  and a cord  408  attached to a cord coupler  502  that is attached to the rear end of the inner plate  304 . In many embodiments, in the safety release device  600 , the outer plate  302  and the inner plate  304  are connected to the cooler body  104  via one or more fasteners  306  as described above. 
     In various embodiments, the safety release device  600  may also include a spring  602  that is attached to the inner plate  304  and the outer plate  302 . In one or more embodiments, when the safety release device  600  is in the locked position, the spring  602  may be in a relaxed state, such that the spring  602  is exerting minimal or no force on the inner plate  304  and the outer plate  302 . In at least one embodiment, when the inner plate  304  is moved horizontally away from the outer plate  302  (from a locked to an unlocked position), the spring  602  may compress, such that when a user stops intentionally unlocking the safety release device  600 , the spring  602  decompresses and causes the inner plate  304  to side back towards the outer plate  302  and into the locked position. 
     In multiple embodiments, the spring  602  include a first end and a second end. In one or more embodiments, the first end may be attached to the inner plate at the cord protector  410  or cord coupler  502 , or any other point on the inner plate such that the spring  602  functions as described herein. In at least one embodiment, the second end of the spring  602  may be attached to the outer plate so that the second end of the spring  602  is stationary while the first end of the spring  602  moves with the inner plate  304 . In some embodiments, the spring  602  may be attached to the inner plate  304  and outer plate  302  by screws, rivets, welding, or any other attachment mechanism known to one having ordinary skill in the art. In one embodiment, the safety release device  600  may include a cord  408  attached to a cord coupler  502 , wherein the cord  408  may traverse through the cord protector  410  and either inside the inner circular opening of the spring  602  or to the side of the spring  602 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 7 , shown is a front view of an alternative exemplary safety release device  700 , according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In several embodiments, the safety release device  700  may include an inner plate  304 , and may include an outer plate  302  (not shown) connected to the inner plate  304  and to the cooler body  104  via fasteners  306  (not shown), as previously described. In one or more embodiments, safety release device  700  may include a rotating member  702  such as a crank, gear or other member that can translate a “pull” on the cord  408  into the correct type/direction to override the locking mechanism  202 . The rotating member  702  can be connected to the inner plate  304  via spring  704 . In at least one embodiment, the rotating member  702  may be connected to the outer plate  302  or the cooler body  104 , so that the rotating member does not move laterally when the safety release device  700  is moved between the locked and unlocked positions. In one embodiment, the cord  408  may be attached at a point on the edge of the rotating member  702 , so that when the cord  408  is pulled, the rotating member  702  rotates against a spring tension provided by the spring  704 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , in the exemplary embodiment, a pull force applied to the cord  408  causes the rotating member  702  to rotate counterclockwise; however, an embodiment in which the rotating member  702  rotates clockwise is also envisioned. In many embodiments, the spring  704  is connected to the rotating member  702  at the center of rotation, where the rotating member  702  is attached to the outer plate  302  or the cooler body  104 , so that the end of the spring  704  attached to the rotating member  702  is stationary. In the exemplary embodiment, the spring  704  may be in a relaxed state when the safety release device  700  is in the locked position. 
     In one embodiment, the rotating member  702  may be a mechanical crank or cam that converts rotational motion into linear motion. In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the rotating member  702  is oblong, such that when the rotating member  702  rotates, a horizontal force is exerted onto the inner plate  304  due to the shape of the rotating member  702 , causing the inner plate  304  to move from the locked to the unlocked position. In some embodiments, if a person exerts a force on the safety release device  700  (e.g., pulling the cord  408 , pulling the pull tab  404 ), the inner plate  304  can move from the locked to the unlocked position, the inner plate  304  moves away from the center of rotation of the rotating member  702 , causing the spring  704  to elongate. In at least one embodiment, the elongation of the spring  704  creates tension in the spring  704 , and if the person ceases pulling the cord  408  or pulling the pull tab  404 , the spring  704  constricts back to the relaxed state, which causes the inner plate  304  to slide back towards the outer plate  302  and back into the locked position. In other embodiments, the rotating member  702  may be circular rather than oblong, and the center of rotation may be off center, such that a horizontal force may be applied to the inner plate  304 . In various other embodiments, other mechanisms, such as gear systems or other mechanical cam embodiments that turn rotational motion into linear motion may be utilized in the safety release device  700 . 
     In multiple embodiments, the operation of the safety release device  100  is described below. In at least one embodiment, in the event a person is trapped inside the locked cooler  102  (e.g., lid  106  locked on cooler body  104  via locking mechanism  202  and locking tab  402 ), the safety release device  100  may be in the locked position and the plate on the locking mechanism  202  on the underside of the lid  106  may be pushed outwardly towards the front of the cooler  102  such that the plate slides into a position below the locking tab  402  of the safety release device  100 , thereby preventing the opening of the lid  106 . In several embodiments, the person inside the cooler may place his fingers on the pull tab on the inner plate  304  on the safety release device  100  and slide the inner plate  304  away from the outer plate  302  to move the locking tab  404  away from being immediately above the plate of the locking mechanism  202  to being adjacent, but no longer overlapping, with the plate of the locking mechanism  202 . In one or more embodiments, when the locking tab  402  is positioned in a non-overlapping position with the plate of the locking mechanism  202 , the lid  106  is unlocked from the cooler body  104  and is able to be opened, even by someone inside the cooler. 
     According to another embodiment, the person inside the cooler  102  is able to place his fingers on the cord  408  that hangs from the cord protector  410 , and which passes to and through the opening formed in the cord coupler  502 . In some embodiments, the cord  408  may be knotted such that the knot does not pass through the opening of the cord coupler  502 . In certain embodiments, the person is able to pull on the cord  408  which causes the inner plate  304  of the safety release device  100  to slide outwardly away from the outer plate  302  and move the position of the locking tab  402  from being immediately above the plate of the locking mechanism  202  to being adjacent, but no longer overlapping, with the plate of the locking mechanism  202 . In at least one embodiment, when the locking tab  402  is positioned in a non-overlapping position with the plate of the locking mechanism on the lid  106 , the lid  106  is unlocked from the cooler body  104  and is able to be opened, even by someone inside the cooler  102 . 
     Other features shown in the drawings are part of embodiments of the invention even if not specifically described above. 
     Accordingly, many modifications and other embodiments set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which portable nesting coolers pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that these portable nesting coolers are not to be limited to the specific embodiment disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of this application. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.