Patent Publication Number: US-2012024004-A1

Title: Beverage cooler

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is directed to a beverage cooler. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Six-pack sized carriers for canned or bottled beverages are known. There are carriers available with liquid cooling agent that can be either frozen or refrigerated prior to use such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,240,514, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the invention, a beverage cooler is provided. The beverage cooler includes a body defining a plurality of recessed surfaces that each terminate at a flat surface, wherein, with the exception of the recessed surfaces of the body, a thickness dimension of the body is substantially constant. A cooling chamber is defined within at least a portion of the body. A beverage housing, which is mounted to the body, is configured to retain the beverage containers adjacent the body. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a beverage cooler includes a rigid body having a plurality of recessed surfaces that are each sized to receive at least a portion of a side surface of a beverage container. A cooling chamber is defined within at least a portion of the body for cooling beverage containers. A beverage housing is collapsible and defines a plurality of separate compartments that are each sized to contain a beverage container. The beverage housing is movable between a collapsed configuration and a deployed configuration in which each compartment is oriented to readily receive a beverage container. 
     According to still another aspect of the invention, a beverage cooler includes a body defining a plurality of recessed surfaces that are each sized to receive at least a portion of a side surface of a beverage container. Each recessed surface terminates at a substantially flat surface that is sized to receive a portion of a bottom edge of a beverage container. A cooling chamber is defined within at least a portion of the body for cooling the beverage containers. A beverage housing is mounted to the body and defines a plurality of separate compartments that are each sized to contain a beverage container. A plurality of feet are positioned on or adjacent a bottom side surface of the beverage housing. The feet are provided to maintain the beverage cooler in an upright position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is best understood from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawings are not to scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. Included in the drawings are the following figures: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of a beverage cooler according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein the beverage cooler is shown in a deployed configuration. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of the beverage cooler of  FIG. 1  in a partially collapsed configuration. 
         FIG. 3A  depicts a front elevation view of the beverage cooler of  FIG. 1  in a collapsed configuration. 
         FIG. 3B  depicts a right side elevation view of the beverage cooler of  FIG. 1  in a collapsed configuration. 
         FIG. 3C  depicts a top plan view of the beverage cooler of  FIG. 1  in a collapsed configuration. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a front elevation view of the beverage cooler of  FIG. 1 , wherein the beverage cooler is shown in a deployed configuration and populated with beverage containers. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a right side elevation view of the populated beverage cooler of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  depicts a bottom plan view of the populated beverage cooler of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  depicts a front elevation view of the frame member of the beverage cooler of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  depicts a right side elevation view of the frame member of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  depicts a cross-sectional view of the frame member of  FIG. 7  taken along the lines  9 - 9 . 
         FIG. 10  depicts a cross-sectional view of the frame member of  FIG. 7  taken along the lines  10 - 10 . 
         FIG. 11  depicts a top plan view of the populated beverage cooler of  FIG. 4  populated with beverage containers. 
         FIG. 12  depicts a cross-sectional view of the populated beverage cooler of  FIG. 4  taken along the lines  12 - 12 , wherein the beverage housing has been omitted. 
         FIG. 13  depicts an exploded view of the beverage cooler of  FIG. 1  illustrating how the cloth frame is coupled to the frame member. 
         FIG. 14  depicts a right side elevation view of a beverage cooler according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein the beverage cooler is shown in a deployed configuration and populated with beverage containers. 
         FIG. 15  depicts a perspective view of the beverage cooler of  FIG. 14  in a deployed configuration wherein the beverage containers and portions of the beverage housing have been omitted to reveal other details of the beverage cooler. 
         FIG. 16  depicts a right side elevation view of the beverage cooler of  FIG. 15  wherein the beverage cooler is shown in a collapsed configuration. 
         FIG. 17  depicts a perspective view of the hinge portion of the beverage housing of  FIG. 14 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to specific embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiments within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the invention. Also, the embodiment selected for illustration in the figures is not shown to scale and is not limited to the proportions shown. 
       FIGS. 1-6  and  11  depict a beverage cooler according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention that is designated by item numeral  10 . The beverage cooler  10  is an assembly that generally comprises a frame member  12  and a collapsible beverage housing  14  that is removably mounted to the frame member  12 . The collapsible beverage housing  14  defines six separate and discrete beverage compartments  16 ( 1 ) thru  16 ( 6 ) (referred to collectively as compartments  16 ) that are each sized to receive a beverage container  3 . The frame member  12  includes a internal cooling chamber for cooling the beverage containers that are positioned in the compartments  16  of the collapsible beverage housing  14 . It should be understood that the size, shape and number of compartments  16  may vary from that shown and described herein without departing from the scope or the spirit of the invention. 
     The collapsible beverage housing  14  of the beverage cooler  10  is movable between a deployed configuration (see  FIG. 1 ) and a collapsed configuration (see  FIGS. 3A-3C ). As best shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  11 , in a fully-deployed configuration of housing  14 , each compartment  16  is oriented to readily receive a beverage container  3 , such as a glass bottle or an aluminum can. In a collapsed configuration, the cooler  10  can be conveniently stored in the refrigerator or freezer in a flat form to conserve space. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7-10 , the rigid frame member  12  has a unitary, i.e., one-piece, body. The body of the frame member  12  defines a substantially rectangular section  18  and a curved handle  19  extending from the rectangular section  18 . The handle  19  is provided for grasping by a user of the cooler  10 . An upwardly curving section  43  of the rectangular section  18 , which is disposed beneath the handle  19 , aids in evenly balancing the weight of the cooler  10  when the user is holding the handle  19 . 
     The frame member  12  includes a hollow interior in which cooling liquid  13  is stored, similar to a conventional re-freezable ice pack. The cooling liquid  13  may be a combination of alcohol and water, for example, or just water. The cooling liquid  13  is distributed along the entire width of the frame member and along the portion of the height of the frame member  12  that is denoted by dimension ‘F’ (see  FIG. 7 ). Dimension ‘F’ generally corresponds to the overall height of the recessed surfaces  20  of the frame member. The internal volume of the frame member  12  that is filled with cooling liquid  13  may be referred to herein as a cooling chamber of the frame member  12 . While the cooling liquid  13  is not distributed within the handle  19 , the handle may be modified to incorporate cooling liquid. Although not shown, a removable cap may be provided on the frame member  12  to enable the delivery of the cooling liquid  13  into the hollow interior of the frame member  12 . 
     The handle  19  may be hollow, or, alternatively, the handle  19  may be composed of solid material to enhance the rigidity of the frame member  12 . The frame member  12  may be composed of a polymeric material, such as vinyl or high density polyethylene, and may be manufactured by a blow molding or injected molding process, for example. The material of the frame member  12  should be sufficiently robust to withstand freezing of the cooling liquid  13  without resulting in cracking, deformation or distortion of the frame member  12 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that the frame member  12  may be composed of a variety of different materials and produced by a variety of different manufacturing processes than those described herein without departing from the scope or the spirit of the invention. 
     Six internally recessed surfaces  20 ( 1 ) thru  20 ( 6 ) (referred to collectively as recessed surfaces  20 ) are defined on the rectangular section  18  of the frame member  12 . Three recessed surfaces  20  are defined on the front side of the frame member  12  and three recessed surfaces  20  are defined on the rear side of the frame member  12 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . Each recessed surface  20  generally corresponds in position to a compartment  16  of the beverage housing  14 . The recessed surfaces  20  help maintain the beverage containers in a substantially fixed position. As best shown in  FIG. 12 , each recessed surface  20  comprises a rounded concave surface that is sized to receive a side surface of a beverage container  3  in a form fitting manner in order to transfer thermal energy to the beverage container  3 . The diameter of each recessed surface  20  is slightly larger than the diameter of a conventional beverage container  3 . The depth ‘E’ (see  FIG. 9 ) of each recessed surface  10  is significantly less than the diameter of a conventional beverage container  3  and may be about 0.4 inches, for example. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 9 , a rounded surface  22  is formed at the top end of each recessed surface  20 . Alternatively, each recessed surface  20  may extend further towards the top edge  23  of the frame member, or even intersect the top edge  23  of the frame member  12 . As yet another alternative, each rounded surface  22  may extend to the bottom surface of the frame member  12 . Each recessed surface  20  intersects a flat surface  24  that is sized to receive at least a portion of a bottom edge of a beverage container (not shown). In use, the bottom edge of the beverage container rests against the flat planar surface  24 . The flat surface  24  prevents the beverage container from directly striking any surface upon which the cooler  10  is placed. The flat planar surface  24  also provides cooling to the bottom edge of the beverage container. In an exemplary embodiment, the flat surface  24  does not provide cooling and the portion of the frame member  12  corresponding to the flat surface  24  is solid and the cooling chamber does not extend under the flat surface  24 . It should be understood the size, shape and number of recessed surfaces  20  may vary from that shown and described herein without departing from the scope or the spirit of the invention. 
     According to one aspect of the invention, with the exception of the recessed surfaces  20 , the thickness dimension ‘D’ of the frame member  12  is substantially uniform. The thickness of the frame member  12  may be about 1.44 inches, for example. By virtue of the substantially uniform thickness, the cooler  10  can be conveniently stored in the refrigerator or freezer in a flat form to conserve space. Additionally, coolers  10  can also be conveniently stacked and hung on a hook via aperture  26  to conserve space. 
     Referring now to the features of the handle  19  of the frame member  12 , the handle  19  extends from one side of the rectangular section  18 . The terminal end  31  of the handle  19  extends past the central axis ‘N’ of the rectangular section  18 . The handle  19  includes four grooves  28  for grasping by a user of the cooler  10 . The grooves  28  provides a user with more comfort as compared with a handle devoid of grooves. The terminal end  31  of the handle  19  defines an oval-shaped, bulbous, enlarged section  30  that has a greater diameter than the rest of the handle bar  19 . The position of the enlarged section  30  is tailored such that a cooler  10  populated with beverages  3  is level when hung by the handle  19 . Additionally, the enlarged section  30  substantially prevents a users hand from inadvertently sliding off of the terminal end  31  of the handle  19 . At least a portion of the handle  19  is rounded to provide strength and uniformed smoothness. 
     An opening  26  is defined in the frame member  12  at a location where the handle  19  meets the rectangular section  18 . Opening  26  is sized to receive a hook therethrough, such as a hook positioned in a freezer compartment at a convenience store. By virtue of the location of opening  26  and the effects of gravity, the housing  14  automatically adjusts to a collapsed configuration when it is hung from a hook. The cooler  10  may be hung using a snap hook or a string, for example. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 6 , two feet  45  are disposed on the bottom side of the frame member  12 . Four feet  47  protrude from the bottom side corners of the beverage housing  14 . The feet  45  and  47  assist in maintaining the beverage cooler in an upright position. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 13 , the right, left and bottom side surfaces of the frame member  12  each includes two buttons  50  that releasably mate with apertures  54  defined on the right, left and bottom side surfaces of the beverage housing  14 . The buttons  50  are integrated into the frame member  12 . Alternatively, the buttons  50  may be separate components that are mounted to the frame member  12 . 
     Three lock tabs  52  are provided in the form of rectangular strips of vinyl material for securing the beverage housing  14  to the frame member  12 . Each removable lock tab  52  includes two slotted holes  56  for mating with the buttons  50 . 
     To assemble the beverage housing  14  onto the frame member  12 , the buttons  50  are positioned through the apertures  54  on the right, left and bottom side surfaces of the housing  14 . Thereafter, the lock tab  52  is removably secured over the protruding buttons  50  on the right, left and bottom side surfaces of the frame member  12 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that other mechanisms may be employed to secure the beverage housing  14  to the frame member  12  without departing from the scope or the spirit of the invention. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the beverage housing  14  is substantially rectangular in shape. The beverage housing  14  defines six collapsible compartments  16  that are each sized to receive a beverage container. Each compartment  16  comprises five interconnected walls of material, i.e., a horizontal bottom wall and four vertical side walls. In an exemplary embodiment, the perimeter walls including walls  63 ,  63 ′,  64  and  64 ′ of the housing  14  are comprised of single sheet comprising one or more layers. The bottom wall  61  minimizes the flow of cool air out of the bottom the compartments  16  and improves the cooling capability of the cooler  10 . In an exemplary embodiment, one of the vertical side walls of each compartment  16  is formed by the recessed surface  20  of the frame member  12 . Apertures are defined on the surfaces of the housing  14  to accommodate the feet  45  and the buttons  50  of the frame member  12 . Additional material in the form of triangular sections  58  extend from the right and left sides of the beverage housing  14 . The triangular sections  58  prevent the material of the housing  14  at the top positioned apertures  54  from tearing under the weight of the beverage containers. 
     According to one aspect of the invention, the beverage housing  14  includes two material layers that are stitched or otherwise coupled or bonded together. Each material layer of the beverage housing  14  is sufficiently flexible to permit the cooler  10  to easily move from a deployed position to a collapsed position, and vice versa. The material layers of the beverage housing  14  may be glued, stitched, fastened or fused together to form a single integrated unit. While the beverage housing  14  is described as having two material layers hereinafter, those skilled in the art will recognize that the housing  14  may have any number of material layers. 
     The outermost layer of the beverage housing  14  is formed from a cloth or cotton material. The outermost material layer may also be formed from an insulative material. As another alternative, the outermost layer may be formed from an elastomeric material, such as a neoprene material, for example, that is configured to bias the beverage containers  3  against the frame member  12  to effect heat transfer between the beverage containers  3  and the cooling chamber of the frame member  12 . The outermost layer may be composed of a material that is washable. Although not shown, the lock tab  52  may be integrally connected to the outermost layer, as opposed to being a separate component. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the beverage housing  14  may be formed from a variety of materials without departing from the scope or the spirit of the invention. 
     The innermost layer of the beverage housing  14  is composed of a thermally insulative material, such as foam. The insulation material retains the cold thermal energy radiated from the frame member  12 . Alternatively, the innermost layer of material may be composed of a thermally conductive material to distribute the cold thermal energy around the entire circumference of the beverage containers  3 . The innermost layer of the beverage housing  14  may be omitted where the housing  14  is positioned in direct contact with the frame member  12 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that the innermost layer of the beverage housing  14  may be formed from a variety of materials without departing from the scope or the spirit of the invention. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 11 , two material walls  60  extend between the medial wall  62  and the lateral wall  64  on the front side of the beverage housing  14 , and two material walls  60  extend between the medial wall  62 ′ and the lateral wall  64 ′ on the rear side of the beverage housing  14 . The walls  60  form the side walls of the compartments  16  and prevent the beverage containers from contacting each other. Each wall  60  may be formed from a relatively thin material so as not to effect the overall thickness of the cooler  10  in its collapsed form. The walls  60  may be glued, stitched, fused, fastened, or otherwise connected to the medial wall  62  and the lateral wall  64 . 
     Two rectangular-shaped rigid sheets  66  (shown in broken lines in  FIG. 1 ) may be positioned at the lower end of the front and rear lateral walls  64 ,  64 ′. In an exemplary embodiment, the sheets  66  are interposed between the innermost and outermost material layers of the beverage housing  14 . One sheet  66  is positioned at the lower end of the front lateral wall  64  and the other sheet  66  is positioned at the lower end of the rear lateral wall  64 ′. The sheets  66  may be glued, stitched, fused, fastened, or otherwise connected to the innermost and/or outermost layers of the housing  14 . The sheets  66  are each formed from a rigid material such as plastic, for example. In an exemplary embodiment, the front and rear lateral walls  64 ,  64 ′ are made of plastic and the sheets  66  are an integral part of the front and rear lateral walls  64 ,  64 ′. 
     Two feet  47  are formed on the lower corners of each rigid sheet  66 . Each foot  47  protrudes through an aperture formed in the outermost layer of the housing  14 . In use, the cooler  10  rests on feet  45  and  47  thereby preventing damage to the underside of the outermost layer of the housing  14 . 
     The sheets  66  provide rigidity, structure, and support to the cooler  10  when beverages are positioned inside the compartments  16  as well as when the cooler  10  is collapsed. Additionally, by virtue of the rigid sheets  16 , the walls of the housing  14  automatically collapse and fold in one motion. 
       FIGS. 14-17  depict another exemplary embodiment of a beverage cooler that is designated by item numeral  110 . The beverage cooler  110  is substantially similar to the beverage cooler  10 , and only the differences between those coolers will be described hereinafter. 
     The collapsible beverage housing  114  includes two hinged members  120  and material  122  coupled to the hinged members  120 . The material  122  may also be coupled to the frame member  112 . Like the beverage housing  14  of  FIG. 1 , the material  122  defines the individual beverage compartments. 
     The hinged members  120  are coupled together by a pin to form a hinge  128 . The hinge  128  is mounted to the right and left sides of the frame member  112 . By virtue of the hinge  128 , the collapsible beverage housing  114  is capable of folding between the retracted configuration shown in  FIG. 16  and the deployed configuration shown in  FIG. 14 . The axis of rotation of the hinged members  120  is parallel to a central axis ‘Z’ of the frame member  112 . Feet  130  are located on a lower surface of each hinged member  120  for resting against a surface. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, each hinged member  120  includes three recessed surfaces  132  formed on a top side thereof. The bottom surface of the beverage container  3  rests within recessed surfaces  132 . Unlike the frame member  12  of the beverage cooler  10 , the frame member  112  of the beverage cooler  110  does not include a flat surface (like surface  24 ) upon which the edge of the beverage container  3  rests. Like the cooler  10 , however, the sides of the beverage containers  3  bear on the recessed surfaces  150  formed on the frame member  112  to enable heat transfer between the frame member  112  and the beverage containers  3 . 
     Aspects of the coolers  10  and  110  are ornamental and may be protected in a co-pending design patent application. 
     Although illustrated and described above with reference to certain specific embodiments, the present invention is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the spirit of the invention.