COVERED COOLER ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A cooler assembly comprises a cylindrical main body having an open first end and a closed second end, a first attachment means extending from an outer surface of the cylindrical main body, a cylindrical cover having an open first end and a closed second end, a second attachment means extending from an outer surface of the cylindrical cover, and an elongate attachment member coupled on a first end to the first attachment means and on a second end to the second attachment means, the attachment member connecting the cylindrical main body to the cylindrical cover. The open first end of the cylindrical cover is structured to be positioned adjacent to the open first end of the cylindrical main body to enclose a beverage container positioned within the cylindrical main body.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an individual cooler for maintaining beverage temperatures. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved cooler for maintaining the temperature of canned or bottled beverages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The general public has utilized can coolers of different types for many years in an effort to try to maintain the temperature of canned beverages. This typically includes soft drinks and/or adult beverages. More recently, water has become a more popular drink and now comes in many different types of containers.

[0003] As canned and bottled beverages are often used in outdoor settings, it can become a challenge to keep the contents cold for prolonged periods of time. Naturally, insulation for the can itself is one method of maintaining liquid temperatures. However, typical insulating products usually cover the bottom two-thirds of the container, leaving the top exposed. Obviously this is convenient for consuming a particular beverage; however it is a source of warming for the particular liquid within the container.

[0004] Thus, what is needed is an improved beverage cooler that is capable of maintaining a beverage at a cold temperature for an extended period of time.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention addresses the foregoing problems by providing a cooler assembly that includes a cylindrical main body having an open first end and a closed second end, a first attachment means extending from an outer surface of the cylindrical main body, a cylindrical cover having an open first end and a closed second end, a second attachment means extending from an outer surface of the cylindrical cover, and an elongate attachment member coupled on a first end to the first attachment means and on a second end to the second attachment means, the attachment member connecting the cylindrical main body to the cylindrical cover. The open first end of the cylindrical cover is structured to be positioned adjacent to the open first end of the cylindrical main body to enclose a beverage container positioned within the cylindrical main body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one exemplary cooler assembly in accordance with the present invention that includes a cooler main body and a cover.

[0007] FIG. 2 is an inside view of the cooler assembly cover of FIG. 1.

[0008] FIG. 3 is an inside view of the cooler main body of FIG. 1.

[0009] FIGS. 4A-4G illustrate various views of a first exemplary alternative cooler assembly in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Generally speaking, the present invention is a covered cooler capable of insulating beverage containers. In one exemplary embodiment, the beverage container is configured to include a cylindrical insulator capable of surrounding a bottom portion of the container. A corresponding cylindrical cover is also provided, which is capable of covering the upper portion of the beverage container. In this manner, the beverage container may be completely surrounded and insulated, thus providing for significantly better insulating characteristics. In use, the user will simply remove the cover, thus exposing the upper portion of the beverage container. This will then allow for consumption of the beverage itself. To provide convenience, the cover may be tethered with a vulcanized rubber strap or string, or other suitable type of attachment device to avoid loss or misplacement. This attachment is not critical however, and may be omitted.

[0011] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a cooler assembly 10 capable of holding a beverage container in accordance with the present invention. As can be seen, the assembly includes a main body portion 12 and a cover portion 14. The main body portion 12 may be generally cylindrical in shape and may include an open top or first end 16 and a closed bottom or second end 18. Similarly, the cover portion 14 may be generally cylindrical in shape and may include an open bottom or first end 20 and a closed top or second end 22.

[0012] As further illustrated in FIG. 1, the main body portion 12 may include a first attachment means 24 extending from an outer surface thereof. The cover portion 14 may similarly include a second attachment means 26 extending from an outer surface thereof. The main body portion 12 and the cover portion 14 in this particular embodiment may be tethered together via an elongate attachment member 28 extending between the first attachment means 24 and the second attachment means 26. Any suitable attachment member may be used, including but not limited to a vulcanized rubber strap or fastener, a simple string attachment mechanism, or other suitable tethering means. Naturally, many other types of attachments could be used. In addition, labels of various types could be included on the front of the cooler itself, including advertising, logos, etc. An exemplary label 30 is shown in FIG. 1.

[0013] FIGS. 2 and 3 represent inside views of the cover portion 14 and the main body portion 12, respectively. Reference arrows are provided on FIG. 1 to provide orientation. As can easily be seen, these components are simply cylindrical in nature and include an open end and a closed end as previously discussed. In the particular embodiment shown in the figures, two portions are simply configured to surround the beverage container and sit adjacent one another. While not shown in the figures, it is clearly possible to include a nesting or coupling feature as part of these components in order to provide for better coupling of the main body portion 12 and the cover portion 14. In one exemplary embodiment, the coupling feature may comprise external threads on one of the main body portion 12 or cover portion 14 and internal threads on the other of the main body portion 12 or cover portion 14. In another exemplary embodiment, the coupling feature may comprise a latch. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the main body portion 12 and the cover portion 14 may be secured together via a compression-type fit between the components. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, numerous other types of coupling means are possible and within the intended scope of the present invention.

[0014] While the particular embodiments shown above involve two portions of a cylindrical nature with substantially similar internal diameters, clearly additional configurations could be made to specifically surround other types of containers. For example, a cover could be shaped to cover the top of a bottle. The important feature however, is the inclusion of a cover so as to avoid additional heating of the contained beverage. In this manner, the beverage container will remain cool for a longer period of time thus providing a more desirable product for consumption by individuals.

[0015] The cooler assembly of the present invention may be made using any suitable materials as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. In one exemplary embodiment, both the main body portion 12 and the cover portion 14 are formed using extruded polystyrene foam. In another exemplary embodiment, the main body portion 12 and the cover portion 14 are formed as plastic shells having an inner insulation layer.

[0016] As will be appreciated by those skilled the art, the main body portion 12 of the cooler assembly 10 may be designed with any suitable internal diameter that allows for a "snug" fit when a beverage container is placed therein. For example, the internal diameter of the main body portion 12 may be within a range between about 60 mm and about 70 mm. Preferably, the internal diameter of the main body portion may be about 65 mm, which approximately corresponds with the diameter of a standard soda can. However, the required internal diameter of the main body portion 12 will depend upon the type of container that the cooler assembly 10 is intended to receive. Thus, the cooler assembly 10 may be designed with any suitable diameter without departing from the intended scope of the present invention.

[0017] FIGS. 4A-4G illustrate various views of a first exemplary alternative embodiment of a cooler assembly 10A in accordance with the present invention. Cooler assembly 10A is generally similar to cooler assembly 10 previously described with reference to FIGS. 1-3, and similar reference numerals are intended to represent similar elements. However, unlike the attachment member 28 of cooler assembly 10 which is illustrated as extending between a first attachment means 24 on the main body portion 12 and a second attachment means 26 on the cover portion 14, the cooler assembly 10A includes an attachment member 28A that is coupled directly to the main body portion 12 and the cover portion 14. Furthermore, the second end 18 of the main body portion 12 includes an aperture 32 structured to provide an opening into an interior of the main body portion. The aperture 32 may provide numerous benefits including, but not limited to, a drainage means for removal of condensation or the like.

[0018] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A cooler assembly comprising: a cylindrical main body having an open first end and a closed second end, the cylindrical main body sized to receive a beverage container therein; a first attachment means extending from an outer surface of the cylindrical main body; a cylindrical cover having an open first end and a closed second end, wherein the open first end of the cylindrical cover is structured to be positioned adjacent to the open first end of the cylindrical main body to enclose a beverage container positioned within the cylindrical main body; a second attachment means extending from an outer surface of the cylindrical cover; and an elongate attachment member coupled on a first end to the first attachment means and on a second end to the second attachment means, the attachment member connecting the cylindrical main body to the cylindrical cover.

2. The cooler assembly of claim 1, wherein the attachment member is a string.

3. The cooler assembly of claim 1, wherein the attachment member is formed from vulcanized rubber.

4. The cooler assembly of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical cover has an internal diameter that is equal to an internal diameter of the cylindrical main body.

5. The cooler assembly of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical main body is formed from plastic.

6. The cooler assembly of claim 5, wherein the cylindrical main body further includes an insulation layer.

7. The cooler assembly of claim 6, wherein the cylindrical cover is formed from plastic.

8. The cooler assembly of claim 7, wherein the cylindrical cover further includes an insulation layer.

9. The cooler assembly of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical main body is formed from extruded polystyrene foam.

10. The cooler assembly of claim 9, wherein the cylindrical cover is formed from extruded polystyrene foam.

11. The cooler assembly of claim 1 further comprising a label positioned on an outer surface of the cylindrical main body.

12. The cooler assembly of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical main body has an internal diameter within a range between about 60 mm and about 70 mm.

13. The cooler assembly of claim 12, wherein the internal diameter of the cylindrical main body is about 65 mm.

14. The cooler assembly of claim 1, wherein an internal diameter of the cylindrical main body is substantially similar to a diameter of the beverage container to create a friction fit therebetween.

15. A cooler assembly comprising: a cylindrical main body having an open first end and a closed second end; a cover having an open first end and a closed second end, wherein the open first end of the cover is structured to be positioned adjacent to the open first end of the cylindrical main body to provide an enclosed chamber therebetween; and an elongate attachment member extending between and coupling the cylindrical main body to the cover.

16. The cooler assembly of claim 15, wherein the cylindrical main body is sized to receive a bottle therein.

17. The cooler assembly of claim 15, wherein the cover has a varying internal diameter that is shaped to receive a top portion of a bottle positioned within the cylindrical main body.

18. The cooler assembly of claim 15: wherein the cover is cylindrical and has an internal diameter that is equal to an internal diameter of the cylindrical main body, and wherein a first portion of the enclosed chamber is formed within the cylindrical main body and a second portion of the enclosed chamber is formed within the cylindrical cover.

19. A method of insulating a beverage container comprising: providing a cooler assembly comprising: an insulated main body having an open first end and a closed second end; an insulated cover having an open first end and a closed second end; and an elongate attachment member extending between and coupling the insulated main body to the insulated cover; wherein the open first end of the insulated cover is structured to be positioned adjacent to the open first end of the insulated main body to form an enclosed insulation chamber therebetween.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: positioning a bottom portion of a beverage container within an interior of the insulated main body; and enclosing the beverage container within the cooler assembly by placing the insulated cover over a top portion of the beverage container.

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