Ice chest

Abstract

A generally cube shaped ice chest having a handle on each side to facilitate lifting and carrying and to be more ergonomic. The ice chest provides a lid compartment for accessory and / or snack storage and tray tabs are provided in the interior of the ice chest for holding a cooler tray in position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a portable container, more particularly an ice chest or cooler for food and beverages. [0002] Conventional coolers or ice chests are typically in the form of an insulated container body defined by four walls upstanding from a base to define a top opening to which a removable or pivotable lid is mounted. Such conventional coolers are typically rectangular with two elongated side walls and two end walls, with pivotable handles mounted to each end wall for carrying the cooler. Such ice chests have a number of disadvantages. For example, the elongated shape of conventional large, e.g., 36 or 48 quart, coolers means that the consumer must spread his arms and wrists wide to be able to grab at both handles to lift and move the cooler. This awkward stance makes lifting the cooler difficult and often the consumer will solicit aid from another individual so that one person carries each end of the cooler. Second, the elongated...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0003] It is an object of the invention to provide a cooler or ice chest that is uniquely shaped to be more ergonomic so that the consumer does not need to spread his arms and wrists as wide to pick up the ice chest. It is also an object of the invention to provide a cooler having a smaller footprint to facilitate storage and efficient retail display.

[0005] It is further object of the invention to provide an ice chest that may be more conveniently and easily picked up irrespective of the direction from which it is approached and carried. The foregoing object is realized by providing a handle on each side face of the cooler so that handles can be readily located and grasped irrespective of the orientation of the cooler with respect to the approaching consumer.

[0007] It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a cooler tray within the cooler in a manner such that the tray can be placed and retained in any one of several lateral positions within the ice chest interior. This object is achieved by providing a cooler tray having a lip defined peripherally thereof for engaging corresponding tray tabs provided in the ice chest interior, for supporting the tray and holding the tray in position, so that it does not slide once positioned in the ice chest.

Problems solved by technology

This awkward stance makes lifting the cooler difficult and often the consumer will solicit aid from another individual so that one person carries each end of the cooler.

Second, the elongated footprint of conventional coolers can make it difficult to store and transport, particularly in compact cars, while accommodating the consumer's other luggage or belongings.

The footprint of the product is also of concern as it impacts the space required to display the product for sale.

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