Multifunction cooler

• US 7,475,563 B2
• Filed: 08/25/2006
• Issued: 01/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Billy Ray Mccarrell
• Original Assignee: Billy Ray Mccarrell
• Inventors: McCarrell, Billy Ray
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones; Melvin
• Application Number:
  US11/510,375
• Publication Number:
  US 20070044503A1
• Time in Patent Office: 872 Days
• Field of Search: 622/593, 624/20, 624/25
• US Class Current: 62/420
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 5/0017 using cold storage bodies, e.g. ice
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2303/081 using ice cubes or crushed ice
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2331/804 Boxes
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 3/08 portable, i.e. adapted to be carried personally
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/14 Thermal energy storage

Abstract

A MULTIFUNCTION COOLER is disclosed that permits a single portable cooler to simultaneously operate as a conventional portable refrigeration device, a personal air conditioner, and a portable air inflation device. The disclosed cooler incorporates an air injection port that permits warm air external to the cooler to be forced through ice or other coolant material inside the cooler. The air injection is facilitated by an electric air blower or other fan apparatus which vents air from within the coldest portions of the interior of the cooler confines to an exhaust port which may be used as a source of air conditioning or alternatively as an air inflation device.

Claims

1. A multifunction cooler comprising:

(a) cooler body;

(b) cooler lid covering said cooler body;

(c) air injection port fixed on said cooler body to permit air outside of said cooler to enter said cooler body and be forced to the bottom of said cooler body;

(d) air exhaust port fixed on said cooler body to permit air inside of said cooler to exhaust said cooler body;

(e) blower motor connected to said air exhaust port;

(f) an output port attachment connected to said air exhaust port, wherein said output port attachment further comprises a plethora of holes to exhaust cool air on a person, said connection between said output port attachment and said air exhaust port capable of articulation to permit directionality of said exhausted cool air;

wherein

said air injection port permits warm ambient air outside of said cooler body to be chilled by the contents of said cooler body to form chilled air within said cooler body;

said blower motor draws said chilled air from the bottom of said cooler body and exhausts said chilled air through said air exhaust port;

said air exhaust port may be utilized as a portable source of refrigerated air;

said air exhaust port may alternatively be utilized as an air inflation device.

2. A multifunction cooler comprising:

(a) cooler body;

(b) cooler lid covering said cooler body;

(c) air injection port fixed on said cooler body to permit air outside of said cooler to enter said cooler body and be forced to the bottom of said cooler body;

(d) air exhaust port fixed on said cooler body to permit air inside of said cooler to exhaust said cooler body;

(e) blower motor connected to said air exhaust port;

(f) a hose connecting said air exhaust port to an article of clothing, said clothing receiving said chilled air from said hose for the purposes of cooling a person wearing said clothing;

wherein

said air injection port permits warm ambient air outside of said cooler body to be chilled by the contents of said cooler body to form chilled air within said cooler body;

said blower motor draws said chilled air from the bottom of said cooler body and exhausts said chilled air through said air exhaust port;

said air exhaust port may be utilized as a portable source of refrigerated air;

said air exhaust port may alternatively be utilized as an air inflation device.

3. A multifunction cooler comprising:

(a) cooler body;

(b) cooler lid covering said cooler body;

(c) air injection port fixed on said cooler body to permit air outside of said cooler to enter said cooler body and be forced to the bottom of said cooler body;

(d) air exhaust port fixed on said cooler body to permit air inside of said cooler to exhaust said cooler body;

(e) blower motor connected to said air exhaust port;

(f) a hose connecting said air exhaust port to an article of furniture, said article of furniture receiving said chilled air from said hose for the purposes of cooling a person using said furniture;

wherein

said air injection port permits warm ambient air outside of said cooler body to be chilled by the contents of said cooler body to form chilled air within said cooler body;

said blower motor draws said chilled air from the bottom of said cooler body and exhausts said chilled air through said air exhaust port;

said air exhaust port may be utilized as a portable source of refrigerated air;

said air exhaust port may alternatively be utilized as an air inflation device.

4. A method of operating a cooler, said cooler comprising a cooler body, cooler lid covering said cooler body, air injection port fixed on said cooler body to permit air outside of said cooler to enter and be forced to the bottom of said cooler body where it becomes chilled air, air exhaust port fixed on said cooler body to permit air inside of said cooler body to exhaust said cooler body, blower motor connected to said air exhaust port, said method comprising:

(1) placing ice in said cooler body;

(2) activating said blower motor to permit air at ambient temperatures to enter said cooler body, pass through said ice at the bottom of said cooler body, and exit through said air exhaust port;

wherein said cooler further comprises an output port attachment connected to said air exhaust port, wherein said output port attachment further comprises a plethora of holes to exhaust cool air on a person, said connection between said output port attachment and said air exhaust port capable of articulation to permit directionality of said exhausted cool air.

5. A method of operating a cooler, said cooler comprising a cooler body, cooler lid covering said cooler body, air injection port fixed on said cooler body to permit air outside of said cooler to enter and be forced to the bottom of said cooler body where it becomes chilled air, air exhaust port fixed on said cooler body to permit air inside of said cooler body to exhaust said cooler body, blower motor connected to said air exhaust port, said method comprising:

(1) placing ice in said cooler body;

(2) activating said blower motor to permit air at ambient temperatures to enter said cooler body, pass through said ice at the bottom of said cooler body, and exit through said air exhaust port;

wherein said air exhaust port further comprises a hose connecting said air exhaust port to an article of clothing, said clothing receiving said chilled air from said hose for the purposes of cooling a person wearing said clothing.

6. A method of operating a cooler, said cooler comprising a cooler body, cooler lid covering said cooler body, air injection port fixed on said cooler body to permit air outside of said cooler to enter and be forced to the bottom of said cooler body where it becomes chilled air, air exhaust port fixed on said cooler body to permit air inside of said cooler body to exhaust said cooler body, blower motor connected to said air exhaust port, said method comprising:

(1) placing ice in said cooler body;

(2) activating said blower motor to permit air at ambient temperatures to enter said cooler body, pass through said ice at the bottom of said cooler body, and exit through said air exhaust port;

wherein said air exhaust port further comprises a hose connecting said air exhaust port to an article of furniture, said article of furniture receiving said chilled air from said hose for the purposes of cooling a person using said furniture.