FLIPPABLE COOLER ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A cooler having a main body with opposing openings. Lids cover the openings. The cooler is configured to rest on a second lid while first lid is operable. The cooler is flipped over to reorient the contents and situate old ice on top of new items. The second lid is now accessible while the cooler rests on the first lid. One or more latches are included to selectively secure the lids in a closed position.

Claims

1. A cooler, comprising: a main body defining an interior volume, the main body having a first opening and a second opening, the first opening and the second opening are on opposing ends of the main body; a first lid coupled to the main body at the first opening; and a second lid coupled to the main body at the second opening.

2. The cooler of claim 1, wherein the first lid includes a hinge coupled to the main body.

3. The cooler of claim 1, wherein the first lid and the second lid includes one or more hinges coupled to the main body to permit rotation of the first lid and the second lid relative to the main body.

4. The cooler of claim 1, further comprising: a latch in communication with at least one of the first lid and the second lid.

5. The cooler of claim 1, wherein the main body is configured to rest on at least one of the first lid and the second lid.

6. The cooler of claim 1, further comprising: a handle coupled to the main body.

7. A method of operating a cooler, comprising: obtaining a cooler as in claim 1; opening a first lid to access the interior volume; resting the main body on the second lid; and stocking items in the interior volume.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: flipping the cooler over onto the first lid so as to permit operation of the second lid.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: opening the second lid to access the items in the interior volume.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising: flipping the cooler to reposition the items in the interior volume.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising: unlatching at least one of the first lid and the second lid.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The novel features believed characteristic of the application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the application itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a front view of a cooler assembly according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a side view of the cooler assembly of FIG. 1.

[0014] While the embodiments and method of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the application to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the process of the present application as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Illustrative embodiments of the preferred embodiment are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0016] In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationships between various components and to the spatial orientation of various aspects of components as the devices are depicted in the attached drawings. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of the present application, the devices, members, apparatuses, etc. described herein may be positioned in any desired orientation. Thus, the use of terms to describe a spatial relationship between various components or to describe the spatial orientation of aspects of such components should be understood to describe a relative relationship between the components or a spatial orientation of aspects of such components, respectively, as the embodiments described herein may be oriented in any desired direction.

[0017] The embodiments and method will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the assembly may be presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless otherwise described.

[0018] Referring now to the Figures wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements in form and function throughout the several views. The following Figures describe embodiments of the present application and its associated features. With reference now to the Figures, embodiments of the present application are herein described. It should be noted that the articles “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0019] The cooler assembly of the present application is configured to facilitate easier restocking and reusing of old ice and/or melting or melting ice within a cooler by allowing the cooler assembly to operate between at least two positions. The cooler assembly is configured to have at least two openings coupled to its main body, ideally wherein the openings are on opposing ends of the main body of the cooler assembly. Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 in the drawings, a front view and a side view of a cooler assembly 101 is illustrated.

[0020] Cooler assembly 101 is shown as having an upper opening 103 and a lower opening 105. The upper and lower openings are on opposing sides of the cooler body. A lid 103a and 105a are used to cover each respective opening. Each acts similarly to conventional lids wherein they open along a hinged axis to permit access to the items therein. When one opening is upright, or situated on top, the other opening is used as the base of the cooler assembly 101.

[0021] Each lid 103a and 105a are configured to selectively latch. The latching capability permits the lids to stay closed when situated in either orientation. An example of one type of latch mechanism is shown in the drawings wherein a rubber flexible latch 107 is attached to the lid and strapped down to the cooler body. It is understood that any number of latches or styles of latches may be used and that the depicted form is not herein meant to be limiting but serve as examples only of one style possible.

[0022] An advantage of cooler assembly 101 is that there exists two opposing lids. During use, items are typically stacked with a layer of ice on top. Over time the ice falls to the bottom and begins to melt as items are removed or the ice particles shrink in size. Because of this, new items inserted into the cooler for cooling generally lie across the ice. This limits the ability to cool the items. To avoid the need to remove the ice and restock the cooler fresh, or the need to use more ice each time it is restocked, cooler assembly 101 is configured to flip over and switch the location of the interior contents. In other words, when the ice is located on the bottom of the cooler interior, new items need only be located on the top of the ice. The user then closes and latches the lid and then flips the cooler over. The items are now located on the bottom of the cooler and the ice is once again on the top. This helps to maximize the cooling effect of the existing ice and decrease the time to cool restocked items.

[0023] When the cooler assembly 101 is flipped over, the lids in essence exchange positions. The new lid at the top will provide the user with access to the interior of the cooler body similarly to that of the other lid previously. As seen in the Figures, this process would result in the swapping of lid 103a with that of 105a and the body of the cooler. Lid 105a would be operable through opening and lid 103a would be the base adjacent the ground or resting surface.

[0024] To aid in transporting cooler assembly 101, a set of handles 109 are located around the exterior of the cooler body. The handles may be in any number or sets of numbers and also be shaped in any different manner to allow grasping. In the Figures, handles 109 are shown extending outward from the cooler body and are located approximate the center of the cooler body. A hand may be placed internally through opening 111 and used to lift the cooler irrespective of the orientation of cooler assembly 101. The single set of handles 109 works for both orientations.

[0025] It is understood that other forms of handles 109 are possible. Such may be formed into the sides adjacent both lids and used only for one orientation. Others may have the ability to flip orientation to operate in the different orientations of the cooler body. Handles may be able to pivot, follow a track and rotate, ratchet into one or more positions, and have any other type of operation to facilitate flipped orientations. Although not shown, it is understood that wheel assemblies and pull handles are also conceivable for use with cooler assembly 101. One or more such assemblies and pull handles may be used.

[0026] The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the application may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. It is apparent that an application with significant advantages has been described and illustrated. Although the present application is shown in a limited number of forms, it is not limited to just these forms, but is amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.