COOLER/ICE BOX ORGANIZER

• US 20100287976A1
• Filed: 05/11/2010
• Published: 11/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Andrew Roof, Karen Peters
• Original Assignee: Andrew Roof, Karen Peters
• Inventors: Peters, Karen, Roof, Andrew
• Application Number:
  US12/777,542
• Publication Number:
  US 20100287976A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/457.7
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2303/081 using ice cubes or crushed ice
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2331/809 Holders
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 25/022 Baskets
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 3/08 portable, i.e. adapted to be carried personally

Abstract

A new cooler/icebox organizer keeps items cold, contained, separated, and easily accessible. The organizer includes an ice guard that attaches to the inside of a cooler or ice box and an organizing unit that slides into and out of the ice guard. Ice is stored in the cooler outside of the ice guard, along with drinks or other items that are easily located in ice and can have direct contact with ice and melt water. The organizing unit has a storage area for holding items that do not need direct ice contact, which is accessible without withdrawing the organizing unit. A second storage area can contain ice and items that need direct ice contact and is accessible when the organizing unit is withdrawn from the ice guard. The organizer can be used with existing coolers, makes items more easily accessible, and stays cool longer.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

an ice guard,

wherein the ice guard reduces or prevents contact between surrounding ice and meltwater and items placed within an area defined by the ice guard when the ice guard is placed in an icebox or cooler,

wherein the area defined by the ice guard is vertically accessible,

an organizing unit having a bottom and a top opening through which items can be retrieved,

wherein the organizing unit can be vertically inserted into and withdrawn from the area defined by the ice guard.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ice guard comprises a shelf feature that the organizing unit rests on when inserted into the ice guard.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the shelf feature comprises a narrowing of the ice guard.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ice guard comprises side walls, a bottom, and a top opening.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the organizing unit further comprises side walls.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a suction cup attached to the ice guard for attaching the ice guard to the inside of a cooler or icebox.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising raised ribs at the bottom of the area defined by the ice guard.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more dividing walls within the organizing unit.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein one or more of the dividing walls are removable.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the organizing unit further comprises a handle.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the organizing unit is inserted into the area defined by the ice guard, a storage area is formed between the bottom of the organizing unit and the bottom of the area defined by the ice guard.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the organizing unit further comprises a top storage area that is accessible when the organizing unit is inserted into the area defined by the ice guard and a bottom storage area that is accessible when the organizing unit is withdrawn from the area defined by the ice guard.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bottom of the organizing unit is angled away from a side opening to retain items within the organizing unit when the organizing unit is withdrawn from the area defined by the ice guard.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the organizing unit further comprises drainage holes for draining meltwater.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising clips that attach to a wall of a cooler or icebox and fit over the top of the ice guard to hold it in place.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising clips, wherein the ice guard comprises hooks that fit through the clips and the clips attach to a wall of an icebox or cooler.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ice guard comprises an ice guard bottom and a flat surface extending from the ice guard bottom that prevents the ice guard from tipping over.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising first tracks that attach to the inside of a cooler or icebox and wherein the ice guard comprises second tracks that correspond to the first tracks and slide into the first tracks to secure the ice guard to a cooler or ice box.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an icebox or cooler, wherein the ice guard is secured to the icebox or cooler.

20. An apparatus, comprising:

a bottom storage compartment with side walls and a top opening,

a top storage compartment which has side walls, a bottom, and a top opening,

wherein the bottom of the top storage compartment contacts the bottom storage compartment,

wherein the top storage compartment is vertically removable,

wherein the bottom storage compartment attaches to the inside of a cooler or icebox,

wherein the side walls of the bottom storage compartment reduce or prevent contact between surrounding ice and meltwater and items placed in the bottom or top storage compartment.

21. An apparatus, comprising:

an ice guard with a top opening that attaches to the inside of a cooler or icebox,

an organizing unit that slides vertically into and out of the ice guard,

wherein the organizing unit comprises a first storage area that is vertically accessible when the organizing unit is inserted in the ice guard, and

a second storage area that is accessible when the organizing unit is withdrawn from the ice guard,

whereby items that do not need direct ice contact can be placed in the first storage area and protected from contact with ice and meltwater and other items can be stored with ice in the second storage area.

22. An apparatus, comprising:

an icebox or cooler,

an ice guard having an open top,

an organizing unit with an open top that slides into and out of the top of the ice guard,

a handle attached to the organizing unit,

a suction cup attaching the ice guard to the inside of the icebox or cooler,

a shelf feature built into the ice guard on which the organizing unit rests when inserted into the ice guard, and

raised ribs built into the bottom of the ice guard,

wherein the shelf feature is a narrowing of the ice guard,

wherein a storage area is formed between the bottom of the organizing unit and the bottom of the ice guard when the organizing unit is inserted into the ice guard.