Portable cooler with powered cooling system

• US 20090158770A1
• Filed: 12/22/2007
• Published: 06/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Stefan Cohrs, Tammie Diane Cohrs
• Original Assignee: Stefan Cohrs, Tammie Diane Cohrs
• Inventors: Cohrs, Stefan, Cohrs, Tammie Diane
• Application Number:
  US12/004,603
• Publication Number:
  US 20090158770A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/457.900
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 21/02 using Peltier effect; using Nernst-Ettinghausen effect
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/12 Arrangements of compartments additional to cooling compartments; Combinations of refrigerators with other equipment, e.g. stove
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/12 Portable refrigerators

Abstract

A portable cooler with a powered cooling system is disclosed. Preferred embodiments include wheels large and flexible enough for rolling over sand, grass, and other uneven surfaces, and handles for carrying and/or pulling. Pulling handles can include an extension that can be rigid or flexible and can be retractable. Power sources include rechargeable and/or exchangeable batteries, and/or a solar panel. Accessories in preferred embodiments include a power outlet for a cellular telephone, a power outlet for an iPod, a docking station for an iPod, an AC electrical outlet, a radio, a CD player, a tape player, an MP3 player, a television, audio headset outlets, and one or more audio speakers. In preferred embodiments, some or all of the power source, the cooling system, and the accessories are protected from water and/or sand. Some embodiments include a beverage holder, and in some of these embodiments the beverage holder is cooled.

Claims

1. A portable, powered cooler comprising:

a thermally insulated container having an interior space;

a portable power source cooperative with the thermally insulated container; and

a portable, powered cooling system, cooperative with the portable power storage device, the portable, powered cooling system being capable of removing heat from the interior space of the thermally insulated container.

2. The portable, powered cooler of claim 1, further comprising wheels that facilitate transportation of the portable, powered cooler.

3. The portable, powered cooler of claim 2, wherein the wheels are sufficiently large and flexible to facilitate rolling of the cooler across sand, grass, and other uneven surfaces.

4. The portable, powered cooler of claim 2, further comprising a graspable pulling handle that facilitates pulling on the cooler so as to cause the cooler to roll in a desired direction.

5. The portable, powered cooler of claim 4, wherein the graspable pulling handle includes an extension that facilitates pulling on the cooler by a standing individual.

6. The portable, powered cooler of claim 5 wherein the extension is at least one of flexible and retractable.

7. The portable, powered cooler of claim 1, wherein at least one of the power source and the cooling system is protected against exposure to at least one of water and sand.

8. The portable, powered cooler of claim 1, wherein the power source includes at least one battery.

9. The portable, powered cooler of claim 8, wherein at least one battery is exchangeable.

10. The portable, powered cooler of claim 8, wherein at least one battery is rechargeable.

11. The portable, powered cooler of claim 8, wherein at least one battery can be recharged from at least one of an automobile battery, an AC electrical outlet, and a solar panel.

12. The portable, powered cooler of claim 1, wherein the power source includes a solar panel.

13. The portable, powered cooler of claim 8, wherein the solar panel is attached to an outward facing surface of the cooler.

14. The portable, powered cooler of claim 1, further comprising an accessory chosen from the following list:

a power outlet for a cellular telephone;

a power outlet for an iPod;

a docking station for an iPod;

an AC electrical outlet;

a radio;

a CD player;

a tape player;

an MP3 player;

a television;

an outlet for an audio headset; and

at least one audio speaker.

15. The portable, powered cooler of claim 14, wherein the accessory is protected from exposure to at least one of water and sand.

16. The portable, powered cooler of claim 1, further comprising at least one beverage holder for supporting an open beverage container that is at least one of a beverage cup, a soft drink can, a beer can, a plastic beverage bottle, a glass beverage bottle, a wine bottle, a beer bottle, and other beverage containers.

17. The portable, powered cooler of claim 16, wherein a portion of at least one beverage holder is cooled so as to maintain a beverage in a container supported by the beverage holder at a reduced temperature.

18. The portable, powered cooler of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor and regulator that monitors and maintains the temperature in the interior space of the thermally insulated container.

19. The portable, powered cooler of claim 18, further comprising at least one of means for setting a desired temperature and means for displaying the measured temperature of the interior space of the thermally insulated container.

20. The portable, powered cooler of claim 1, further comprising a graspable carrying handle that facilitates carrying the portable, powered cooler.