Collapsible cooler apparatus

• US 5,562,228 A
• Filed: 06/06/1994
• Issued: 10/08/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John C. Ericson
• Original Assignee: John C. Ericson
• Inventors: Ericson, John C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoap, Allan N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kopsidas, Niki M.
• Application Number:
  US08/254,741
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• Field of Search: 220/6, 220/9.2, 220/9.1, 220/752, 220/467, 220/DIG. 10, 383/110, 383/120, 206/541, 206/546, 206/549, 229/117.01, 229/117.07, 190/107, 62/457.1, 62/457.2, 62/457.7, 62/457.9, 62/371, 62/372, 62/530, 62/337
• US Class Current: 62/457.2
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 7/0077 collapsible to a minimal configuration, e.g. for storage purposes
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2303/0832 the liquid is disposed in an accumulator pack locked in a closable wall forming part of the container
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2331/801 Bags
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 3/08 portable, i.e. adapted to be carried personally
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 220/10 Lunch kits

Abstract

A collapsible cooler apparatus includes a floor assembly which includes a quantity of a heat transfer material in a sealed floor module. A plurality of foldable wall assemblies are provided which include a lower wall subassembly, an upper wall subassembly, and an interior hinge connecting the lower wall subassembly to the upper wall subassembly. The lower wall subassemblies include respective quantities of a heat transfer material in respective sealed lower wall modules. The upper wall subassemblies include respective quantities of a heat transfer material in respective upper wall modules. A plurality of peripheral hinges are connected between the floor module and the lower wall subassemblies for securing the lower wall subassemblies to the floor assembly. Flexible corner panels are connected between adjacent foldable wall assemblies. A carry strap assembly which includes a first end is connected to one upper wall subassembly, and a second end of the carry strap assembly is connected to an opposite upper wall subassembly. A lid assembly is adapted to fit onto upper edges of the respective upper wall subassemblies. The lid assembly is adapted to fit onto the long edges of the upper wall subassemblies. A lid hinge is connected between the lid assembly and an upper wall subassembly. The lid assembly includes a handle. The lid assembly includes a quantity of a heat transfer material in a sealed lid module.

Claims

1. A collapsible cooler apparatus, comprising:

a floor assembly which includes a quantity of a heat transfer material in a sealed floor module,

a plurality of foldable wall assemblies which include a lower wall subassembly, an upper wall subassembly, and an interior hinge connecting said lower wall subassembly to said upper wall subassembly, wherein said lower wall subassemblies include respective quantities of a heat transfer material in respective sealed independent lower wall modules contained in said lower wall subassemblies, wherein said upper wall subassemblies include respective quantities of a heat transfer material in respective sealed independent upper wall modules contained in said upper wall subassemblies,

a plurality of peripheral hinges connected between said floor module and said lower wall subassemblies, and

flexible corner panels connected between adjacent foldable wall assemblies.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further including:

a carry strap assembly which includes a first end connected to one upper wall subassembly, and a second end connected to an opposite upper wail subassembly.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further including:

a lid assembly including straight edges adapted to fit onto upper straight edges of said respective upper wall subassemblies.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein:

said lower wall subassemblies are trapezoidal shaped and include a straight long edge and a straight short edge,

said upper wall subassemblies are trapezoidal shaped and include a straight long edge and a straight short edge,

said straight long edges of said lower wall subassemblies are connected to said floor assembly,

said straight short edges of said upper wall subassemblies are connected to said straight short edges of said lower wall subassemblies, and

said lid assembly includes straight edges adapted to fit onto said straight long edges of said upper wall subassemblies.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, further including:

a lid hinge connected between said lid assembly and an upper wall subassembly.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said lid assembly includes a handle.

7. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said lid assembly includes a quantity of a heat transfer material in a sealed lid module.