COOLER BUDDY

Abstract

A cooler buddy has a generally rectangular, prismatic form. The invention floats and orients upright upon double walled construction. The invention has a rectangular lid upon an outer tub of hollow rectangular shape. The lid has a recess and a perimeter depending lip. At each corner, the lid has a thin tab for its removal from the outer tub. The outer tub has a base and a perimeter flange spaced above it. Inwardly, the invention has an inner pan of rectangular form but of less depth than the outer tub. The inner pan has its base and its perimeter flange. The two flanges join by welding leaving a space between the outer tub and the inner pan. The outer tub and the space cooperate to displace enough water to float the invention when loaded. The outer tub and the inner pan are transparent.

Claims

1. A floating device for storing cargo, said device comprising: an outer tub; an inner pan fitting into said outer tub and joining to said outer tub; and, a lid fitting upon said outer tub and over said inner pan.

2. The floating device for storing cargo of claim 1 further comprising: said outer tub having an outer base, two mutually spaced apart outer sidewalls extending upwardly and outwardly from said outer base, two mutually spaced apart outer endwalls extending upwardly and outwardly from said outer base, said outer endwalls being generally perpendicular to said outer sidewalls, an outer flange opposite said outer base, and said outer tub having a generally prismatic rectangular form; and, said inner pan having an inner base, two mutually spaced apart inner sidewalls extending upwardly and outwardly from said inner base, two mutually spaced apart inner endwalls extending upwardly and outwardly from said inner base, said inner endwalls being generally perpendicular to said inner sidewalls, and an inner flange opposite said inner base, and said inner pan having a generally prismatic rectangular form capable of placement into said outer tub.

3. The floating device for storing cargo of claim 2 further comprising: said outer tub having a height and said inner pan having a height less than that of said outer rub; and, a spacing being between said outer base and said inner base.

4. The floating device for storing cargo of claim 3 wherein said container floats and self orients wherein said outer flange and said lid are upright.

5. The floating device for storing cargo of claim 3 further comprising: said inner pan merging with said outer tub, said inner flange joining said outer flange upon said inner sidewalls and said outer sidewalls and upon said inner endwalls and said outer endwalls; and, said spacing, said inner flange, and said outer flange cooperating to define a sealed volume.

6. The floating device for storing cargo of claim 3 further comprising: said outer endwalls mutually extending outwardly from said outer base and said outer sidewalls mutually extending outwardly from said outer base at the same angle to said outer base as said outer endwalls to said outer base; said inner endwalls mutually extending outwardly from said inner base and said inner sidewalls mutually extending outwardly from said inner base at the same angle to said inner base as said inner endwalls to said inner base; and, wherein said inner endwalls mutually extend outwardly from said inner base at a greater angel to said inner base than said outer endwalls mutually extend outwardly from said outer base at an angle to said outer base.

7. The floating device for storing cargo of claim 5 further comprising: said inner flange joining with said outer flange in an airtight manner; said outer sidewalls, said outer endwalls, said inner sidewalls, and said inner endwalls cooperating to provide a double walled construction to said floating device; said floating device having a center of buoyancy and a center of gravity further upwardly from said outer base than said center of buoyancy; and, said floating device having a draft less than fifteen per centum of its height when loaded.

8. The floating device for storing cargo of claim 5 further comprising: said lid having a recess centered therein, a perimeter, and a lip upon the perimeter, said lid having four mutually spaced apart tabs; and, said lip engaging said outer flange watertight.

9. The floating device for storing cargo of claim 1 wherein said inner pan and said outer tub are transparent and said lid is opaque.

10. A floating device for storing cargo, said device comprising: an outer tub having an outer base, two mutually spaced apart outer sidewalls extending upwardly and outwardly from said outer base, two mutually spaced apart outer endwalls extending upwardly and outwardly from said outer base, said outer endwalls being generally perpendicular to said outer sidewalls, an outer flange opposite said outer base, and said outer tub having a generally prismatic rectangular form; an inner pan placing into said outer tub, said inner pan having an inner base, two mutually spaced apart inner sidewalls extending upwardly and outwardly from said inner base, two mutually spaced apart inner endwalls extending upwardly and outwardly from said inner base, said inner endwalls being generally perpendicular to said inner sidewalls, and an inner flange opposite said inner base, and said inner pan having a generally prismatic rectangular form and wherein said inner pan fits into said outer tub; and, a lid fitting upon said outer tub and over said inner pan.

11. The floating device for storing cargo of claim 10 further comprising: said outer tub having a height and said inner pan having a height less than that of said outer rub; and, a spacing being between said outer base and said inner base.

12. The floating device for storing cargo of claim 11 wherein said container floats and self orients so that said outer flange and said lid are upright above said outer base.

13. The floating device for storing cargo of claim 11 further comprising: said inner pan merging with said outer tub, said inner flange joining said outer flange upon said inner sidewalls and said outer sidewalls and upon said inner endwalls and said outer endwalls; and, said spacing, said inner flange, and said outer flange cooperating to define a sealed volume.

14. The floating device for storing cargo of claim 11 further comprising: said outer endwalls mutually extending outwardly from said outer base and said outer sidewalls mutually extending outwardly from said outer base at the same angle to said outer base as said outer endwalls to said outer base; said inner endwalls mutually extending outwardly from said inner base and said inner sidewalls mutually extending outwardly from said inner base at the same angle to said inner base as said inner endwalls to said inner base; and, wherein said inner endwalls mutually extend outwardly from said inner base at a greater angel to said inner base than said outer endwalls mutually extend outwardly from said outer base at an angle to said outer base.

15. The floating device for storing cargo of claim 13 further comprising: said inner flange joining with said outer flange in an airtight manner; said outer sidewalls, said outer endwalls, said inner sidewalls, and said inner endwalls cooperating to provide a double walled construction to said floating device; said floating device having a center of buoyancy and a center of gravity further upwardly from said outer base than said center of buoyancy; and, said floating device having a draft less than thirty per centum of its height when loaded.

16. The floating device for storing cargo of claim 13 further comprising: said lid having a recess centered therein, a perimeter, and a lip upon the perimeter, said lip having four mutually spaced apart tabs; and, said lid engaging said outer flange outwardly of said inner flange in a watertight manner.

17. The floating device for storing cargo of claim 10 wherein said outer tub and said inner pan are transparent and said lid is opaque.

18. A floating device for storing cargo, said device comprising: an outer tub having an outer base, two mutually spaced apart outer sidewalls extending upwardly and outwardly from said outer base, two mutually spaced apart outer endwalls extending upwardly and outwardly from said outer base, said outer endwalls being generally perpendicular to said outer sidewalls, an outer flange opposite said outer base, and said outer tub having a generally prismatic rectangular form; an inner pan placing into said outer tub, said inner pan having an inner base, two mutually spaced apart inner sidewalls extending upwardly and outwardly from said inner base, two mutually spaced apart inner endwalls extending upwardly and outwardly from said inner base, said inner endwalls being generally perpendicular to said inner sidewalls, and an inner flange opposite said inner base, and said inner pan having a generally prismatic rectangular form capable of placement into said outer tub; a lid placing upon said outer tub and over said inner pan, having a recess centered therein, a perimeter, a lip upon the perimeter, four mutually spaced apart tabs upon said lip, and said lip engaging said outer flange outwardly upon said inner flange in a watertight manner; said outer tub having a height and said inner pan having a height less than that of said outer rub, and a spacing being between said outer base and said inner base; said inner pan flange merging with said outer tub, said inner flange joining said outer flange upon said inner sidewalls and said outer sidewalls and upon said inner endwalls and said outer endwalls; said spacing, said inner flange, and said outer flange cooperating to define a sealed volume; said outer endwalls mutually extending outwardly from said outer base and said outer sidewalls mutually extending outwardly from said outer base at the same angle to said outer base as said outer endwalls to said outer base; said inner endwalls mutually extending outwardly from said inner base and said inner sidewalls mutually extending outwardly from said inner base at the same angle to said inner base as said inner endwalls to said inner base; said inner endwalls mutually extending outwardly from said inner base at a greater angel to said inner base than said outer endwalls mutually extending outwardly from said outer base at an angle to said outer base; said inner flange joining with said outer flange in an airtight manner; and, said outer sidewalls, said outer endwalls, said inner sidewalls, and said inner endwalls cooperating to provide a double walled construction to said floating device.

19. The floating device for storing cargo of claim 18 further comprising: said floating device righting itself when placed in water having said outer flange and said lid being upright relative to said outer base; said floating device having a center of buoyancy and a center of gravity further upwardly from said outer base than said center of buoyancy; and, said floating device having a draft less than fifteen per centum of its height when loaded.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] In referring to the drawings,

[0035] FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view of a cooler with the invention within it;

[0036] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention;

[0037] FIG. 3 is a front view of the invention with the lid removed;

[0038] FIG. 4 is a side view of the invention with the lid removed;

[0039] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the invention with the lid removed;

[0040] FIG. 6 is a front sectional view of the invention with the lid removed;

[0041] FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of the invention with the lid removed;

[0042] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the invention with the outer base in the foreground;

[0043] FIG. 9 is a top view of the invention with the inner base in the foreground;

[0044] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the invention; and,

[0045] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of two sizes of the invention.

[0046] The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0047] The present art overcomes the prior art limitations by providing a cooler buddy. An preferred embodiment of the present invention appears as shown in FIG. 1 in the form of a container 10 placed within a cooler C similar as for put foods, beverages, ice, and other contents. A cooler may include a liquid, such as water W from the melting of ice, and the water W may enter packages stored in the cooler. The present invention 10 fits within commonly used portable coolers carried by people from vehicles to event locations, such as a picnic table or a boat. The present invention need not rest upon a cooperating feature of the cooler. As shown, the present invention floats as it displaces water of a greater weight than the load capacity of the container 10. The present invention 10 has a generally rectangular, prismatic form with a lid 11 shown in FIG. 1. The lid denotes the top or upper portion of the invention. The cooler buddy of the invention floats and self orients upright.

[0048] More particularly, for the Cooler Buddy, its center of gravity should be above its center of buoyancy, shown by a distance y.sub.bg. Center of buoyancy is the center of gravity for the water volume displaced by an object, here the container, as at V. Center of gravity is from the weight of the container 10 itself plus any cargo, as at I. When the container tips to either side on water, its center of gravity above the center of buoyancy causes the container of the cooler buddy to right itself. This self righting happens when the buoyant force of the tipped container intersects the tipped container's centerline at a point called the metacenter, generally above the container a distance as at h.sub.m. The Cooler Buddy of the present invention keeps as much of its sidewalls above water as possible as suggested by the following equation:

[00001]$\begin{array}{cc}{h}_m=\frac{I}{V}{y}_{\mathrm{bg}}& \mathrm{Equation}.Math..Math.1\end{array}$

[0049] Turning to FIG. 2, it shows a perspective view of the invention 10 that has a rectangular, planar lid 11 upon an outer tub 30 also of a hollow rectangular shape. The lid has a recess 12 generally centered upon it and a perimeter depending lip as at 13. The lid has a perimeter with four edges arranged in a rectangular form. Each pair of contiguous edges meets at a corner. At each corner, the lid 11 has a tab 14 of thin cross section so a user may start removal of the lid 11 from the outer tub 30. Each tab is much thinner than the remainder of the lid.

[0050] FIG. 3 then shows the container 10 in a front view with the lid 11 removed. Here a front view does show the invention from an end, that is, narrow in width. The invention has symmetry between its two opposite ends and between its two opposite sides as shown and described. The invention has its outer tub 30 and an inner pan 40 placed into it. The inner pan has a spacing 50 inwardly from the outer tub as later described. The spacing exceeds more than five per centum of the height of the outer tub. The outer tub and the inner pan have transparent construction and generally rounded edges and corners. The outer tub has an inverted trapezoidal shape as shown and begins with an outer base 31 here shown towards the bottom of the figure. The outer base defines the width of the outer tub at its low point. From the outer base, the outer tub has two spaced apart outer sidewalls 32. The outer sidewalls mutually extend upwardly and outwardly from the outer base. An outer flange 33 spans from one outer sidewall to the opposite outer sidewall and defines the high point of the outer tub. The outer flange has a generally larger extent than the outer base. Opposite the outer flange, the outer base extends into the outer sidewalls using outer transitions 34. Each outer transition provides a smooth, continuous change of position from the flat outer base to the upwardly angled sidewalls. The outer tub has two outer endwalls 35 spanning between the two sidewalls and mutually extending from the outer base upwardly and outwardly. The outer endwall appears in the foreground in this figure. The outer endwalls are generally perpendicular to the outer sidewalls.

[0051] Placed within the outer tub, the inner pan 40 also has an inverted trapezoidal shape as shown though of lesser width and height than the outer tub. The inner pan has its inner base 41 here shown spaced above the outer base 31. The inner base defines the width of the inner pan at its low point, generally less than that of the outer tub. From the inner base, the inner pan has two spaced apart inner sidewalls 42. The inner sidewalls mutually extend upwardly and outwardly from the inner base at an angle more obtuse than that of the outer tub, that is, the inner endwalls extend outwardly at a greater angle to the inner base than the outer endwalls extend outwardly from the outer base at an angle to the outer base. The inner sidewalls merge with the outer flange 33, previously described. Opposite the outer flange, the inner base extends into its inner sidewalls using inner transitions 44. Each inner transition smoothly and continuously changes position from the flat inner base to the upwardly angled inner sidewalls. The inner pan also has an inner endwall 45 spanning between the two inner sidewalls and extending from the inner base. The inner endwall appears in the foreground in this figure and interiorly of the outer endwall. The inner pan has two inner endwalls mutually extending outwardly from the inner base. Each inner endwall has a generally perpendicular orientation to the two inner sidewalls. The inner pan also has a generally rectangular form that allows it to fit into the outer tub.

[0052] Rotating the outer tub, FIG. 4 shows a side view of the invention with an outer sidewall 32 in the foreground. The invention has its outer tub 30 as before with the inner pan 40 placed into it. The outer tub has its outer base 31 and spaced inwardly and mutually parallel, the inner pan has its inner base 41. As shown in FIG. 3, the invention has the spacing 50 continuing between the inner pan and the outer tub. The spacing generally remains constant between the inner base and the outer base, that is, the inner base is parallel to the outer base. The outer tub has its outer base that continues to the outer endwalls 35 here shown spaced apart and extending upwardly and outwardly from the outer base 31. The two outer endwalls flare outwardly as shown. The outer base utilizes outer transitions 34 for a continuous change from the flat outer base to the angled outer endwalls. Opposite the outer base, the outer flange 33 continues along the outer endwalls 35 and the outer sidewalls 32. The outer flange also provides the sealed connection to the inner pan 40. The outer sidewalls, the outer endwalls, the inner sidewalls, and the inner endwalls all cooperate to provide a double walled construction to the Cooler Buddy of the invention.

[0053] The inner pan also has its inner base that continues to the inner sidewalls 42 here shown spaced apart and extending upwardly and outwardly from the inner base 41. The two inner endwalls flare outwardly as shown and at a flatter angle than the outer endwalls. The inner base also has inner transitions 44 for a continuous change from the inner base's flat orientation to the angled inner endwalls. Opposite the inner base, the inner pan 40 joins to the outer flange 33 along the inner endwalls 45 and the inner sidewalls 42.

[0054] FIG. 5 then describes the Cooler Buddy invention in a perspective view much like a user would see it. The invention has its inner pan 40 placed into the outer tub 30. This placement has the inner sidewalls 42 aligned with the outer sidewalls 32 and the outer endwalls 35 aligned with the inner endwalls 45. This placement and shaping of the invention has the inner pan nearly nest within the outer tub. Because the inner pan and the outer tub have transparent construction, the spacing 50 appears towards the foreground of the figure. The transparent construction shows the inner pan though it rests interiorly of the outer tub. The inner pan has its inner transitions 44 from the inner base 40 to the inner sidewalls and the inner endwalls while the outer tube has its outer transitions 34 from its outer base 30 to the outer sidewalls and the outer endwalls. In the preferred embodiment, the inner transitions and the outer transitions have a generally rounded form. Select transitions are also provided between the inner sidewalls and the inner endwalls and between the outer sidewalls and the outer endwalls.

[0055] The outer tub has at its outer flange 33 upon the two outer endwalls and the two outer sidewalls. The outer flange has a spacing away from the outer base and generally denotes the top of the outer tub. The outer flange has a construction that receives the inner endwalls and the inner sidewalls into a smooth combined edge upon the upper perimeter of the tub.

[0056] Turning the invention, FIG. 6 shows a sectional view through the width of the Cooler Buddy invention. The invention has its outer tub 30 with the outer sidewalls 32 extending upwardly and outwardly from the outer base 31. The outer sidewalls reach their maximum height above the outer base at the outer flange 33. The outer flange defines the upper perimeter of the outer tub and extends slightly inwardly to merge with an inner flange 43.The outer flange joins to the inner flange watertight, such as by thermal welding, ultrasonic welding, adhesives, cohesives, and the like. The lip 13 of the lid 11 engages the outer flange previously joined to the inner flange in a watertight manner.

[0057] In an alternate embodiment, the outer flange and the inner flange have an airtight joining. The inner flange 43 extends inwardly from the outer flange to the inner sidewalls 42. The inner sidewalls then descend from the inner flange at a steeper angle than the outer sidewalls and reach the inner base 41. The inner sidewalls utilize the inner transitions 44 to complete their merge with the inner base. The inner sidewalls and inner base have a thickness as do the outer sidewalls and the outer base. In the preferred embodiment, the thickness of the inner sidewalls, inner base, outer sidewalls, and outer base are the same. In an alternate embodiment, the components of the inner pan have a different thickness than those of the outer tub. Preferably, the spacing, the inner flange, and the outer flange cooperate and define a sealed volume within the Cooler Buddy. The spacing 50 may be evacuated to a medium vacuum or at least a low vacuum, that is, below 760 Torr. Alternatively, the spacing may include air within it. Alternatively, the spacing may include an inert gas within it. Alternatively, the spacing may have nitrogen within it, that is, between the inner pan and the outer tub.

[0058] Next FIG. 7 shows a sectional view lengthwise through the invention. Similar to FIG. 6, the invention has the inner pan placed into the outer tub. The outer endwalls 35 extend outwardly from transitions 44 at the outer base 31 to the outer flange 33. The outer flange then extends slightly inwardly and joins to the inner flange 43. The inner flange extends from the inner endwalls 45 back to the transitions 44 at the inner base 41.

[0059] The section views of FIGS. 6, 7 show another feature of the invention that has its center of buoyancy and its center of gravity upwardly from the outer base than the center of buoyancy. The invention also has a draft less than thirty per centum of its height when loaded, preferably less than fifteen per centum. The draft is the distance of the outer sidewalls and the outer endwalls below the surface of any water in which the invention finds itself.

[0060] FIG. 8 then displays the Cooler Buddy of the invention from a bottom view. The outer flange 33 extends around the perimeter of the outer tub 3 and connects the outer endwalls 35 to the outer sidewalls 32 in a generally rectangular shape. The outer flange 33 connects both the inner pan and the outer rub so that the inner pan 30 fits within the outer tub 40. More particularly, this Figure shows the inner base 41 generally inwardly from the outer base 31 so that inner base 41 appears surrounded by the outer base. This occurs from the transparent construction of the inner pan and outer tub.

[0061] Turning the invention over, FIG. 9 then displays the Cooler Buddy of the invention from a top view. The outer flange 33 extends around the perimeter of the outer tub 3 and connects the outer endwalls 35 to the outer sidewalls 32 in a generally rectangular shape. The outer flange 33 then joins to the inner flange 43 so that the inner pan 30 fits within the outer tub 40. More particularly, this Figure shows the inner base 41 generally above the outer base 31 so that a band of the outer base 31 appears around the inner base. From the inner flange 43, the inner endwalls 45 and the inner sidewalls 42 descend into the plane of the Figure to the inner base with the inner transitions 44 also located around the inner base.

[0062] FIG. 10 shows an exploded view of the invention 10 with the outer tub 30 having its outer base 31 and the outer flange 33 upon its perimeter, spaced above and outwardly of the base upon the outer sidewalls 32 and the outer endwalls 35. Inwardly, the invention has its inner pan 40 also of rectangular form but of less depth than the outer tube 30. The inner pan also has its inner base 41 and its own inner flange 43 on its perimeter. The inner flange and the outer flange join by thermal welding leaving a space 50 between the outer tub and inner pan as previously described. The outer tub and the space cooperate to create displacement sufficient to float the invention when fully loaded with packages, approximately from about ten pounds to about forty pounds. The outer tub and the inner pan have transparent construction though the lid remains opaque.

[0063] FIG. 11 shows a smaller size of the invention, as at 10, stacked upon a regular size of the invention 10. The recess of the lid receives the outer base 31 of a smaller size of the invention. The construction of the lid provides support and withstands the full load of the smaller size of the invention.

[0064] From the aforementioned description, a cooler buddy has been described. The cooler buddy is uniquely capable of floating under load in water and simultaneously keeping the load dry. The cooler buddy and its various components my be may be manufactured from many materials, including but not limited to, transparent polymers, steel, aluminum, opaque polymers, ferrous and non-ferrous metal foils, their alloys, and composites.

[0065] Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments have been described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations have been set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments.

[0066] Various operations have been described as multiple discrete operations, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the present invention, however, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations need not be performed in the order of presentation.

[0067] Moreover, in the specification and the following claims, the terms first, second, third and the like -when they appearare used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.

[0068] The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to allow the reader to ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. Also, in the above Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

[0069] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. Therefore, the claims include such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and the scope of the present invention.