Patent ID: 8430265

Claim:
An expandable and collapsible cooler, comprising: (a) a base defining a bottom portion of the cooler; (b) an upper rim defining an upper portion of the cooler; (c) a collapsible cooler wall, the cooler wall comprising a plurality of flexible elastomeric membranes, each including a plurality of hinge lines at which the membrane is configured to bend such that the membrane is transitional between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein the cooler is transitional between an expanded configuration for use of the cooler, and a collapsed configuration during nonuse of the cooler, by bending along the hinge lines of the plurality of flexible elastomeric membranes, each of the configurations corresponding to a stable configuration of the cooler; (d) an intermediate rigid portion located between the base and the rim, wherein at least one upper membrane extends between and is attached to said upper rim and said intermediate rigid portion, and wherein at least one lower membrane extends between and is attached to said base; and (e) a handle for lifting of the cooler, wherein the handle is attached to the intermediate rigid portion and is configured for rotational movement relative to the intermediate rigid portion about a pivot axis.