US20080302126A1

US20080302126A1 - Chest for cooling and dispensing beverage containers

Info

Publication number: US20080302126A1
Application number: US11/758,424
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert John Falkenberg
Original assignee: CONCEPT CATALYSTS Inc
Current assignee: CONCEPT CATALYSTS Inc
Priority date: 2007-06-05
Filing date: 2007-06-05
Publication date: 2008-12-11

Abstract

A cooler for containing beverage cans comprising a chamber comprising a bottom wall, side walls, a front wall, back wall, top wall and bottom wall, the top and bottom walls having exterior complementary mating surfaces, wherein the cooling chamber receives and stabilizes a plurality of beverage containers and receives ice adjacent the plurality of containers; at least one beverage-dispensing opening into the cooling chamber defined by the front wall, the opening selectively covered by a substantially transparent beverage-dispensing door, the door moveable between open and closed positions, wherein the beverage containers are aligned with the opening and door and viewable through the door in the closed position, the opening being large enough to permit access and removal of individual containers through the door in the open position; and, an ice-loading opening into the cooling chamber defined by the top wall, the opening selectively covered by an ice-loading door.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a cooler chest and more particularly to a cooler chest having a can or bottle dispensing structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many types of cooler chests are known in the art. Such chests may include some cooling means, typically ice, for cooling beverage containers, e.g., cans or bottles. Some include a mechanism for dispensing individual cooled containers. Often, the beverage containers are packaged together and are removed from their cardboard packaging, generally a 12-can or 24-can carton or bottle packaging, prior to placement in the cooler. The removal of the cardboard packaging is required because the typical cooler chests require ice to be poured generally into the ice chest, on top of the beverage containers. Under these conditions, cardboard packaging, restricts access to the cans or bottles, becomes wet, and deteriorates within the cooler compartment.
Typical cooler chests also permit potentially contaminated ice and water within the cooler compartment of the chest to contact or cover the beverage containers, resulting in health concerns to the user. Further, the containers are dripping wet after removal from these cooler chests, a condition that, in addition to the health risk involved, is generally aesthetically undesirable, particularly in indoor use situations. In the case of bottles with paper labels, the label tends to separate from the bottle or dissolve when wet, making identification of the contents difficult.
Typical cooler chests also provide access to the contents through the top of the cooler. In order to facilitate identification of and access to the beverages inside, users often place the cooler chest on the ground outdoors or on the floor indoors. This can result in concerns about sanitation, pests, and unwanted easy access to young children.
Typical cooler chests do not provide easy access to the last few beverage containers. Often users have to roll up their sleeve and reach deep into ice water to fish out the last beverage container.
Other prior art cooler chests attempt to solve some of the problems caused by immersing beverage containers in ice and water by incorporating one or more shelves into the cooler compartment to physically separate beverage containers from the ice and water therein. However, since the ice and the beverages are separated, it will take longer for the beverages to cool. Moreover, such cooler chests do not allow segregation of various types or brands of containers for easy identification and access of the desired beverage. Similarly, distinguishing and selecting brands is made difficult in non-shelf cooler chests because the beverage containers are individually placed within the cooler chest and then covered with ice and water.
Typical cooler chests only allow examining, distinguishing and selecting contents after the user has opened the lid. Opening the cooler chest lid warms the interior of the cooler chest, speeds the melting of the ice and reduces the overall effectiveness of the cooler chest.
Known cooler chests also generally require a large footprint. This problem cannot be resolved through stacking of such coolers since most current designs do not provide for stable stacking of coolers. Moreover, examination and removal of contents from coolers on the bottom of the stack is very difficult since these coolers have top-opening lids.
With the advent of so-called “fridge pack” cartons, wherein beverage cans are pre-loaded into packages that maximize efficiency of shelf space within refrigerators and facilitate dispensing of cans stored therein, it would be desirable to have a cooler chest that accommodates such cartons and improves upon the dispensing characteristics of the cartons. These known cartons contain cans in rows or layers, wherein the cans are stored on their sides so that the cans may roll toward a dispensing opening at a top end of the carton. Thus, removal of one can from the upper row(s) therein urges the remaining cans within the carton to move forward toward the opening to facilitate dispensing. This dispensing mechanism is reasonably effective until less than one row or layer of cans remains within the carton. At this stage, the user must either reach inside the carton to access cans that have not moved toward the dispensing opening, or tip the fridge pack forward to cause the remaining cans to roll toward the opening. It would be similarly desirable to provide a cooling and dispensing mechanism for bottles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a portable cooler chest that allows intimate contact between ice and one or more cartons of beverage containers, e.g., cans and bottles. The cooler may accommodate at least one carton, making use of the original packaging. Alternatively, individual bottles or cans may be loaded into a removable beverage container tray which is then placed into the cooler. Space is preferably provided around the sides, back and top of the beverage containers to promote placement of ice around the carton(s) and/or beverage containers stabilized within removable beverage container tray(s), and to promote circulation of cool air over and around the beverage containers. An ice-loading door is provided to facilitate loading the carton(s) and adding ice to the cooler chamber. The support platform(s) and/or removable beverage container tray(s) may be configured to allow melted ice to flow into a water reservoir(s) located beneath the support platform during normal use and during transport. The support platform(s) and/or removable beverage container tray(s) may be tilted or inclined from back to front to facilitate access to the beverage container through a see-through beverage-dispensing door that allows the user to readily identify the beverage brand or type. Optional raised surfaces on top and/or bottom of the cooler, with complementary mating recesses in the bottom and/or top of the cooler allow locatable mating and stable stacking of coolers, preventing side-to-side and/or front-to-back movement when stacked. Alternatively, complementary curves on the top and bottom of the cooler further facilitate locatable mating and stacking of coolers, preventing front-to-back movement when stacked.
Another aspect of the invention is to provide a portable cooler chest that accommodates one or more 12-can or 18-can cartons and/or a plurality of cans and/or bottles received within removable beverage container tray(s) for cans or bottles.
Another aspect of the invention is to provide a portable cooler chest that maximizes ice contact with the 12-can or 18-can carton(s) and/or cans or bottles received within removable beverage container tray(s).
Another aspect of the invention is to provide a portable cooler chest that allows ease of dispensing of cans from the 12-can or 18-can cartons(s) and/or dispensing of cans and/or bottles from a removable beverage container tray, while minimizing loss of cold air within the cooler chest.
Another aspect of the invention is to provide a portable cooler chest that allows easy identification of the beverage brand(s) or types contained within the cooler without opening the cooler.
Another aspect of the invention is to provide a portable cooler chest that allows for stable stacking of two or more cooler chests containing one or more brand and/or type of beverage while allowing the user to see and access the beverages contained therein.
Another aspect of the invention is a carrying handle placed in such a way to facilitate carrying a loaded cooler without spilling any water or disrupting the alignment of the beverage carton(s) for dispensing. The handle is also designed so it does not interfere with stacking or dispensing of the beverage containers.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, when taken in conjunction with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is illustrated in the drawings in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention with a carton at least partially filled with beverage containers.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention with loaded 12-can carton received within the cooling chamber and ice on either side of the carton of beverage containers.

FIG. 3 is a perspective of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention with all access doors sealed and illustrating the adjustable carrying strap in stored and transport/carrying positions.

FIG. 4A is a side cutaway view of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing one illustrative embodiment of a tilting mechanism.

FIG. 4B is a side cutaway view of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing a second illustrative embodiment of a tilting mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprising capacity for two cartons of beverage containers.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention showing two cartons, at least partially filled with beverage containers, received within the cooling chamber and ice on both sides of each carton.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of the present invention having two cartons at least partially filled with beverage containers received within the cooling chamber, ice surrounding each side of the cartons and all access doors sealed.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing several coolers stacked.

FIG. 8B is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of the present invention and illustrating the bottom structure for facilitating positive and stable stacking capability.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the stackable nature of embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of one embodiment of a tray fittable within the cooler.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of a tray fittable within the cooler.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, one exemplary embodiment of a cooler 10 of the present invention comprises opposing upright front and rear walls 12, 13 (rear wall 13 being more in FIG. 4A), each wall 12, 13 having an interior surface and an exterior surface, opposing side upright side walls 14, 15, each wall 14, 15 having an interior surface and an exterior surface, a top wall 16 and a bottom wall 18, top wall 16 (shown in FIG. 4A) and bottom wall 18 each having an interior surface and an exterior surface. A cooling chamber 20 is defined by the interior surfaces of front and rear walls 12, 13, side walls 14, 15, top wall 16 and bottom wall 18.
The front wall 12 defines a carton-loading opening 22 coverable by a carton-loading door 24 that may be selectively opened and closed. Opening 22 and door 24 are sized to allow addition/removal of cartons 25 of beverage containers 27. Alternatively the opening 22 may be sized so that cartons 25 can be loaded or removed when both the carton loading door 24 and the ice loading door 32 are both open. Thus, when door 24 is opened, the cooling chamber 22 may be accessed and a user may load and/or unload beverage container cartons 25 therefrom. The user may also access individual beverage containers 27 through the opened carton-loading door 24, though the energy efficiency of this access mechanism is less than optimal.
The carton-loading door 24 may define a beverage-dispensing opening 26 coverable by a beverage-dispensing door 28 that may be selectively opened and closed. The beverage-dispensing opening 26 and door 28 are sized to allow a user to access and remove the beverage containers, e.g., cans and/or bottles, held within the cooling chamber 20. Alternatively, a single opening may be defined by the front wall 12, the single opening covered by a door that may be opened and closed by a user to add or remove cartons 25 and/or beverage containers 27.
The cooler top wall 16 defines an ice-loading opening 30 coverable by an ice-loading door 32 that may be opened to allow access to the cooling chamber 20 for adding ice to the chamber 20 and/or adding and/or removing beverage cartons 25 or beverage containers 27 therefrom.
The carton-loading opening 22 and door 24, beverage-dispensing opening 26 and door 28, and ice-loading opening 30 and door 32 are illustrated as generally rectangular in shape, though other configurations, shapes and sizes will be apparent to those skilled in the art; each equivalent is within the scope of the present invention. The cooler 10 and its components may be made of any suitable materials having sufficient strength, rigidity, durability and insulative qualities, as appropriate, such as, but not limited to, plastic, insulated corrugated cardboard, metal, and the like.
The term carton 25 as used herein is defined as comprising a pre-packaged container, such as, but not limited to, the fridge pack, capable of containing and dispensing a plurality of beverage containers 27 as illustrated in FIG. 1. Beverage container 27 is not limited to cans and may comprise cans, bags, box, bottles or other container shapes. In the case of beverage cans, the carton 25 preferably contains 8, 10, 12, 18, and/or 24 beverage cans, of any volume, but preferably 12 or 16 ounce (or similar size and shape) cans. The beverage containers 27 of FIG. 1 (and in more detail in FIG. 4A) are illustrated as cans packaged on their side in two rows, an upper row and a bottom row and wherein the width of the packaging accommodates a single can with a depth of 6 cans/row. Alternative configurations may provide a depth that accommodates up to 6 cans and a height of up to 4 cans. Possible configurations of 12-can cartons include, but are not limited to, 2×6 (2 rows with 6 cans/row); 2×4 (2 rows with 4 cans/row); 3×4 (3 rows with 4 cans/row). Possible configurations of 18-can cartons include, but are not limited to, 3×6 (3 rows with 6 cans/row). Possible configurations of 24-can cartons include, but are not limited to, 4×6 (4 rows with 6 cans/row). Alternative carton configurations are possible and are within the scope of the present invention.
Presently, cartons 25 are typically manufactured from cardboard and designed with a dispensing opening 29 at a top end. Thus, removal of one beverage container 27 from the upper row(s) therein urges the remaining container within the carton 25 to move, e.g., roll, forward toward the opening 29 to facilitate dispensing through the dispensing opening 29. This dispensing mechanism is reasonably effective until less than one row or layer of beverage containers 27 remains within the carton 25. At this stage, the user must either reach inside the carton 25 to access containers 27 that have not moved toward the dispensing opening 29, or tip the carton 24 forward to cause the remaining beverage containers 27 to roll toward the opening 29. The present invention may urge the beverage containers 27 toward dispensing opening 29 to facilitate viewing, access and removal of the containers 27 from the cartons 25 held within the cooling chamber 20. Other carton configurations provide dispensing aspects at the bottom corner (older 12-pack designs) or mid-end wall (18-packs) to facilitate dispensing similar to that described above.
Referring now specifically to FIG. 1, the ice-loading door 32 and carton-loading door 24 are illustrated in the open position. A base 33 is illustrated forming a floor within the cooling chamber 20. A particular problem with pre-packaged cardboard cartons 25 is that they tend to expand and form wave-like structures when wet, particularly in the space between adjacent cans, which may impede the movement of beverage containers 27 that are intended to be urged forward according to various embodiments of the invention. The glue joints in the cartons may also weaken or fail if the cartons are left in standing water. To address these problems, base 33 preferably allows melting ice water to flow through apertures 33A, thus the base 33 is illustrated as perforated. Alternatively, the base 33 may include slots to facilitate water from the melting ice to move away from the cardboard carton 25 as will be discussed further below. The base 33 may alternatively comprise a generally rigid mesh or lattice grid to allow melted water to drain away from the carton 25. Alternatively, the base 33 may be of a solid unitary construction and mounted within the cooling chamber 20 at a slight incline, wherein the base 33 includes a plurality of raised regions, e.g., bumps molded into the base 33 surface upon which carton 25 rests, thus allowing melted water to run down the base 33 below the carton 25 and ultimately be channeled away from the carton 25.
Preferably, though not mandatorily, a support tray 34 (shown partially in FIG. 1 and more fully in FIG. 5 as part of a two-tray configuration) may be disposed within the cooling chamber 20 and resting on or attached to the base 33. The support tray 34 includes a base 36 and raised edges 38 to receive and stabilize a beverage carton 25 and/or removable beverage container tray, as described above, therein for cooling and/or transport. Alternatively, the carton may also be located in a recessed area on the support tray rather than being retained by raised edges, this way a can or bottle tray which is wider than the carton could be placed on the support tray without being elevated by the raised edges. In alternate embodiments, carton 25 and/or beverage container tray may be placed within the cooling chamber 20 without a support tray 34, using base 33 to support and stabilize the carton 25. In such alternate embodiments, base 33 may, as discussed above, have raised surfaces or holes upon which carton 25 is supported, thus allowing melted ice water to flow underneath carton 25, that is, between carton 25 and the non-raised surface portion of base 33. Various embodiments comprise support tray 34 and/or beverage container tray being permanently installed or attached within the cooling chamber 20 by means well known in the art or, alternatively, these structures may be removable to facilitate cleaning of the cooling chamber 20, support tray 34 and/or beverage container tray as well as loading of the beverage container tray with individual cans and/or bottles.
FIG. 2 illustrates the first exemplary embodiment of the cooler 10 of the present invention with a carton 25 or one embodiment of the removable beverage container tray filled with beverage containers 27 and supported within the cooling chamber 20. Ice 40 is shown placed on both sides of the carton 25 to chill and/or maintain the temperature of the beverages. The carton-loading door 24 and beverage-dispensing door 28 are illustrated in a closed position, while the ice-loading door 32 is shown in an open position. Closing the ice-loading door 32 will seal the cooling chamber 20 in the illustrated embodiment.
The carton-loading door 24 comprises an upper edge 42 and a lower edge 44. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower edge 44 is pivotably, preferably hingedly, attached to the front wall 12 of the cooler 10 such as, but not limited to, at least one hinge or a set of pins on either side of the door 24 disposed within apertures in the front panel 12 or other means well known in the art. Thus, the upper edge 42 of the carton-loading door 24 may be disengaged from the front wall 12 and pivoted open as shown in FIG. 1 to allow cartons 25 to either be loaded into the cooling chamber 20 or removed therefrom. The carton-loading door 24 is pivoted into a closed position as in FIGS. 2 and 3 by pivoting the door 24 toward the front wall 12. Alternatively, the hinging mechanism may be located on the upper edge 42 of the carton-loading door 24 wherein the lower edge 44 of the door 24 is capable of pivoting away from the front wall 12 of the cooler 10 and into an open position. Additional alternative embodiments may comprise one or more side-hinged door(s) 24 that swings open on one side to allow access to the cooling chamber. For example and without limitation, two side-hinged doors 24 may be arranged in a French door arrangement well known to those skilled in the art. This alternative embodiment minimizes the space required to accommodate the wide swing necessary if a single door 24 is used.
The beverage-dispensing opening 26 comprises a top edge 46 and a bottom edge 48 and is coverable by a beverage-dispensing door 28. The beverage-dispensing door 28 comprises a top edge 50 and a bottom edge 52 and is defined by the carton-loading door 24 as is best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The beverage-dispensing door top edge 50 is pivotably, preferably hingedly, attached to the beverage-dispensing opening top edge 48 by means well known in the art (see the discussion hereinabove with respect to the door 24 pivoting mechanisms for exemplary mechanisms). A recess 54 may be provided below the beverage-dispensing door 28 on the bottom edge 48 of the beverage-dispensing opening 26 to assist the user in gripping the beverage-dispensing door 28 and in pivoting the beverage-dispensing door 28 into the open position. When the beverage-dispensing door 28 is in the open position, the user may access beverage containers 27 located either within a carton 25 or a removable support tray as described hereinabove. Alternative embodiments of the beverage-dispensing door 28 may comprise locating the pivoting mechanism on the bottom edge 48 of the beverage-dispensing opening 26 so that the user opens the beverage-dispensing door from the top edge 46. Further alternative embodiments may comprise the beverage-dispensing door 28 having the pivoting mechanism located on the side so that the door 28 may be swung open and closed.
The beverage-dispensing door 28 is preferably substantially transparent and aligned with the dispensing opening 29 within the carton 25 so that the user may see the type of beverage that is contained within the cooler without having to actually open the cooler 10 to examine the contents.
Continuing with reference to FIGS. 1-3, the ice-loading door 32 comprises a front edge 55, a rear edge 56, right and left sides 57, 58 and a top surface 59. In one preferred embodiment, the rear edge 56 is pivotably, preferably hingedly, attached to the cooler top wall 16 by means well known in the art and discussed hereinabove.
The open ice-loading door 32 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be moved into the closed position of FIG. 3 by pivoting the door 32 about the hinged attachment toward and engaging the cooler top wall 16, sealing the carton 24 and/or removable beverage container tray, beverage containers 27 and ice 40 within the cooling chamber 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the front edge 55 of the ice-loading door 32 engages the upper edge 42 of the carton-loading door 24 when both doors 24, 32 are in the closed position. Preferably, a closure mechanism is used to maintain the ice-loading door 32 securely in the closed position to prevent opening during transport. Such securing closure mechanisms may include, without limitation, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, hasp and lock, detents, and the like. Alternatively, the door 32 can friction fit into the top wall 16 and opening 30.
The closed ice-loading door 32 of FIG. 3 may be opened by disengaging first the front edge 50 of the door 32 from the cooler top wall 16. The ice-loading door 32 is then pivoted up and away from the top wall 16 from the closed position illustrated in FIG. 2 and into the open position as shown in FIG. 1. As may be best seen in FIG. 3, the front edge 55 of the ice-loading door 32 may comprise a recess 61, to assist the user in gripping and raising the ice-loading door 32 from the closed, engaged position to the open position. When the ice-loading door 32 is open as in FIG. 1, ice may be loaded into the cooler chamber 20. Additionally, beverage carton(s) 25, removable beverage container tray(s) and/or beverage containers 27 may be added to, or removed from, the cooling chamber 20 through the ice-loading door 32.
Various alternative exemplary embodiments of the present invention may eliminate the carton-loading opening 22 or carton-loading door 24 as it is illustrated in the Figures. In such alternate embodiments, the ice-loading door 32 may be used to add and/or remove ice and/or water, carton(s) 24, removable beverage container tray(s) and/or beverage containers. Alternatively, the beverage-dispensing opening 26 and door 28 may be wide enough to allow for access to two or more cartons 25, removable beverage container trays and/or beverage containers, including, e.g., long neck bottles. Moreover, alternative embodiments of the present invention may comprise the beverage-dispensing door top edge 50 being hingedly or pivotably attached to the ice-loading door top edge 55.
FIGS. 1-3 further illustrate an adjustable carrying strap 60 for transport of the cooler 10. The carrying strap 60 has an adjustment mechanism 62, e.g., a buckle, as is well known in the art for lengthening or shortening the strap 62. The carrying strap 62 is illustrated as attached to the exterior side walls 14, 15 of the cooler 10 by rotatable connectors 64, well known to the skilled artisan, that allow the strap 62 to be rotated a full 360 degrees around the cooler 62, as shown in FIG. 3 in phantom. This allows a user to carry the cooler 10 using the carrying strap 62, either by hand or over the shoulder, and then store the carrying strap 62 by adjusting its length to a stored position as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Alternatively, a rigid plastic carrying handle may be used in place of, or in addition to, the carrying strap 62. A rigid plastic carrying handle may swing down so as to not obstruct the user's access to the beverages contained within the cooler.
Alternative transport methods and mechanisms may include retractable transport wheels mounted on the bottom wall 18, substantially adjacent the rear wall 13 for rolling transport of the cooler 10. A retractable or telescoping handle may be provided on or near the front wall 12 to facilitate such rolling transport. Alternatively, the carrying strap 60 may be used for rolling transport. Other equivalent transport methods and mechanisms will readily present themselves to those skilled in the art; each such equivalent is within the scope of the present invention.
FIG. 4A provides a cutaway view of one exemplary embodiment of a support platform 34 supporting and stabilizing a carton 25, and/or beverage container tray, as described hereinabove as well as structural details of one exemplary embodiment of the cooler 10 of the present invention. In this instance, a 12-can carton 25 is provided. The support platform 34 stably rests upon the base 33. Prevention and/or minimization of movement of the support platform 34 and the optional removable beverage container tray (if present) is desirable, particularly during transport of cooler 10. The support platform 34 may comprises a base 36, raised edges 38, a rear containment wall 39 and at least one rear support member(s) 37 to hold and stabilize carton 25 and/or removable beverage container tray during transport. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4A, two such support members 35 are shown extending from rear containment wall 39 to a position adjacent the interior surface of cooler back wall 13. Thus, during transport, support platform 34 is maintained substantially in the position illustrated, allowing melted ice water to move from water reservoir(s) R into water reservoir(s) R′ while keeping pre-packaged cardboard carton 25, and/or the beverage containers 27 held within the removable beverage container tray substantially dry.
One exemplary embodiment of the support members is illustrated in FIG. 4A as adjustably supported upon at least one, and preferably several, pins 35 received within the interior surface of rear wall 13. The pin 35 may be permanently fixed on interior surface of rear wall 13 or, alternatively, may be removably adjustable. Alternatively, a fixed support ledge, or the equivalent, may be molded on the interior surface of rear wall 13. Thus, base 33 may be level or may tilted or inclined slightly relative to a horizontal plane 70 (shown as a dashed line), thus creating an incline angle a which may be greater than or equal to zero degrees. This incline angle a is transferred to the support platform 34, with the rear end 68 of the support platform 34 being raised slightly higher than the front end 66. Ultimately, the incline angle a is transferred to the beverage containers 27 held therein to facilitate dispensing.
Alternative support mechanisms will be known to the skilled artisan, for example, include, but are not limited to, adjustable brackets mounted to the interior surface(s) of side 14, 15 and/or rear 13 walls may be used to elevate base 33 and/or the rear end 68 of the support platform 34, wherein removal of the support mechanism allows base 33 and/or support platform 34 to become substantially level, i.e., an incline angle a of substantially zero degrees. The support platform 34 may comprise a fixed angle a wherein, as discussed above, a molded support ledge, or the equivalent, may be provided along the rear wall 13. Each such alternative embodiment is within the scope of the present invention.
Alternatively, the curvature of the bottom wall 18 of the cooling chamber 20 may be used to create the incline angle a. In this embodiment, the bottom wall 18 comprises a front curve 72 and a rear curve 74 wherein the peak of the rear curve 74 may be used as a pivot point for the support platform 34 and/or the base 33 when installed within the cooling chamber 20. The tilt or incline angle a, as described above, thus created is transferred to the carton 25 received thereon and, in turn, to the cans 27 within the inclined carton 25. Thus, the cans 27 within the inclined carton 27 are urged forward toward the beverage-dispensing door 28 to facilitate viewing and dispensing of cans 27 through the beverage-dispensing door via the dispensing opening 29. The curvilinear profile of the bottom wall and/or the interior dimensions of the cooling chamber 20 in this alternative embodiment may be modified to provide a greater incline angle a for the support platform 34. For example, and without limitation, the cooling chamber 20 may be lengthened by increasing the length of side walls 14, 15, thus allowing greater space between the front end 66 and the rear end 68 of the support platform 34 and the front wall 12 and rear wall 13, respectively, of the cooling chamber in various embodiments to provide additional room for the support platform 34 to rotate into the inclined position, with an angle a. Moreover, the degree of curvature of the front curve 72 and/or the rear curve 74 of the bottom wall 18 may be modified to facilitate increasing incline angle a. Bottom wall 18 may also allow melted ice water to move from water reservoir(s) R into water reservoir(s) R′ while keeping pre-packaged cardboard carton 25, and/or the beverage containers 27 held within the removable beverage container tray substantially dry.
Another alternative exemplary embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 4B, wherein at least one vertical support member 76 is provided to elevate the rear end 68 of the support platform 34 relative to the front end 66. The support member(s) 76 may be attached or molded either to the support platform 34 or to the interior surface of bottom wall 18 of the cooling chamber 20 or may be removably securable to provide stability to the support platform 34 during use and transport. As may be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the support members 76 may be provided at various lengths in order to provide the support platform 34 with the desired incline angle a to provide the beverage containers 27 contained thereon to urge forward with the desired force. Alternative exemplary embodiments of the present invention may comprise support member(s) 76 that are retractable, rotatable or otherwise movable to allow the support platform 34 to become substantially level, i.e., with incline angle a of substantially zero degrees.
As best illustrated by FIGS. 4A and 4B, various exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide for at least one reservoir region R between the bottom wall 18 of the cooling chamber 20 and the support platform 34. The reservoir region(s) R accumulate melted water from the ice, keeping the water away from the cardboard carton 25 and/or beverage containers 27. Additionally, an alternative embodiment of the present invention may include a transport reservoir R′ provided within the cooling chamber 20 and defined at least partially by rear wall 13 and bottom wall 18. Transport reservoir R′ thus provides a space within the cooler having sufficient volume to accommodate the ice and melted water held within a loaded, or partially loaded, cooling chamber 20 during transport, either carrying transport using the carrying strap 60 or rolling transport, or other equivalent method as discussed above. In this manner, the carton 25 and/or beverage containers 27 contained within the cooling chamber 20 are kept substantially dry during transport. Alternatively, the cooler 10 may be constructed without the wall 39 so that the beverage containers 27 may be positioned proximate to the back wall 13 when the cooler 10 is carried in a vertical manner.
In addition, various exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprise space between the support platform 34 and the interior surfaces of side walls 14, 15, respectively, of the cooling chamber 20. Providing space on either side of the support platform 34 allows ice 40 to be added within the space and adjacent the carton 25, removable beverage container tray and/or beverage containers received within the support platform 34. Moreover, when the ice-loading door 32 is closed, preferably a space exists between the top of the carton 25 and/or removable beverage container tray and the ice-loading door 32. Such construction facilitates a continuous circulation of air through the cooling chamber 20 while maximizing cooling efficiency by locating ice 40 directly adjacent the carton 25, removable beverage container tray and/or beverage containers.
Alternative exemplary embodiments may comprise a perforated separator (not shown in the Figures) manufactured from molded plastic, metal, or other equivalent material, separating the ice 40 and the carton 25 and/or removable support tray while still allowing air circulation therethrough.
The support platform 34 may be configured to assist in removing water from the base 36 where the carton 25 is received and supported. As noted above in connection with the discussion of base 33, a particular problem with cardboard cartons 25 is that they tend to expand and form wave-like structures when wet, which may impede the movement of beverage containers 27 that are intended to be urged forward according to various embodiments of the present invention. To resolve this problem, the support platform 34 may be perforated or comprise slots or the like that may work in combination with base 33 to facilitate water from the melting ice to move away from the cardboard carton 25 and into reservoir(s) R. The support platform 34 may also comprise a mesh material to allow melted water to drain away from the carton 25 and into reservoir(s) R. Alternatively, the support platform base 36 may be of a solid unitary construction, wherein the base 36 comprises a plurality of raised regions, e.g., bumps molded into the base surface, upon which the carton 36 rests, allowing melted water to run beneath the carton 25, following the incline angle a of the support platform and 34 into the reservoir(s) R. The angle a may also be increased to overcome the resistance of the wave-like structure formed in the bottom of wet cartons due to expansion of the cardboard, increasing the angle will urge the containers forward over the waves. In various embodiments, the melted water will drain into the reservoir(s) R via base 33 as discussed above. Various equivalent mechanisms for keeping the carton 25 substantially dry will present themselves to the skilled artisan; each equivalent is within the scope of the present invention.
Coolers according to various embodiments of the present invention may accommodate at least one carton 25 as described and defined above. Alternate embodiments may comprise two or more cartons 25 and/or removable beverage support platforms 34. One such exemplary embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 5-7 wherein two support platforms 34A and 34B are provided. Thus, the width of the cooling chamber 20, ice-loading opening 30, ice-loading door 32 and carton-loading opening 22 and carton-loading door 24 may be increased to accommodate the second support platform 34. Those skilled in the art will recognize that more than one support platform 34 may be accommodated within a single cooling chamber 20 in this manner through various methods. For example, and without limitation, a plurality of support platforms 34 may be provided side-by-side. The illustrated embodiment provides a single carton-loading door 24, the carton-loading door 24 defining two beverage-dispensing openings 26, each coverable by an independently operable beverage-dispensing door 28 to allow selective access to the beverages contained within. Those skilled in the art will recognize that an equivalent alternative may comprise two carton-loading openings 22, each coverable by independently operable carton-loading doors 24, wherein each door 24 defines a beverage-dispensing opening 26 coverable by independently operable beverage-dispensing doors 28. Alternatively, one carton-loading opening 22 and door 24 and one beverage-dispensing opening 26 and door 28 may be provided to a user to access containers of various sizes such as long neck bottles, wherein the beverage dispensing opening 26 and door is sufficiently wide to allow access to the beverages contained within the cooler 10. More alternatively, a single beverage-dispensing opening 26 and door 28 may be provided and defined by the front wall 12, wherein the beverage-dispensing opening 26 and door are sufficiently wide so as to allow access to one or more cartons 25 and/or removable beverage support platforms 34. Still more alternatively, a single carton-loading opening 22 and door 24 may be provided, wherein the opening 22 and door 24 are sufficiently wide so as to allow access to the beverages contained within the cooler 10.
Turning to FIG. 6, two cartons 25 are illustrated received into and stabilized by individual support platforms 34 as described hereinabove. Ice 40 is placed on each side of the loaded cartons 34 to provide optimal cooling for the beverage containers 27 contained within each carton 34. Alternate, less optimal designs may provide for the cartons 25 to be placed adjacent each other, without a space therebetween for ice 40. Alternative embodiments further comprise a perforated separator between the ice 40 and the cartons 25 as described above. Such design alternatives are within the scope of the present invention. Moreover, this embodiment may comprise at least one carton 25 and/or at least one removable beverage container support tray. FIG. 7 illustrates the cooler containing two fully loaded beverage cartons 25 in a closed, sealed configuration.
Various embodiments of the present invention comprise structures that facilitate positive locating and stable stacking of two or more coolers 10 as illustrated in FIG. 8A. Complementary structures on the exterior top wall 16 and the exterior bottom wall 18 of the cooler 10 may be used to facilitate locating coolers 10 for stable stacking and prevention and/or minimization of front-to-back and/or side-to-side movement of coolers 10 within a stack.
In the illustrated embodiments, the ice-loading door top surface 59 comprises a substantially flat middle section 80 with curvilinear lateral sections 82 on both sides of the flat middle section 80. The curvilinear lateral sections 82 have curvilinear profiles that match the curvilinear profile of the top wall 16 of the cooler 10. The top surface 59 further comprises raised exterior faces 84, the exterior faces 84 adjacent the flat middle section 80 and the curvilinear lateral sections 82 and having a substantially vertical and flat profile in the illustrated embodiment.
The exterior surface of bottom wall 18 comprises a middle section 88 having a substantially flat section 90 to allow complementary mating with the flat middle section 80 of the ice-loading door top surface 59 and a curvilinear section 92 to allow complementary mating with the cooler top wall 16 in stacked configurations. The exterior surface of bottom wall 18 further comprises curvilinear lateral portions 94 adjacent each side of the middle section 88. Each curvilinear lateral portion 94 further comprises a curvilinear lower surface 96 and a raised interior face 98, the interior face 98 having a substantially vertical and flat profile in the illustrated embodiment. In practice, the interior faces 98 and the exterior faces 84 have complementary profiles, allowing located mating and stabilizing of stacked coolers 10, thus the interior faces 98 and the exterior faces 84 may have a variety of complementary shapes and profiles as will be readily apparent to the skilled artisan.
Thus, when stacking a cooler 10 upon another cooler 10, the coolers may be located in a stable position by use of one or more of the elements described above. In one aspect, the raised interior faces 98 engage and mate with the raised exterior faces 84 to prevent side-to-side movement of the stacked coolers relative to each other. In another aspect, the curvilinear lateral sections 82 of the ice-loading door top surface 59 engage and mate with the curvilinear cooler top wall 16 to prevent front-to-back movement of the stacked coolers relative to each other.
Those skilled in the art will recognize various alternative and equivalent complementary mating structural configurations to prevent and/or minimize unwanted front-to-back and/or side-to-side movement of stacked coolers 10 relative to other coolers 10 within the stack. Each equivalent is within the scope of the present invention.
As discussed above, the location of the carton-loading door 24 and beverage-dispensing door 28 allow a user to view the beverages contained within the cooling chamber 20 and the carton-loading door 24 may be opened in any of the illustrated coolers in the stack to allow removal of empty cartons and/or addition of full cartons. Moreover, the beverage-dispensing door 28 may be opened as shown in FIG. 8A to allow the user to easily access the desired beverage from any of the stacked coolers 10.
As illustrated in FIGS. 5-7, the two-carton embodiment may comprise a slightly different ice-loading door 32 configuration than the one-carton embodiment does in order to allow positive and stable stacking of mixtures of one-carton and two-carton coolers. The top surface 59 of the ice-loading door 32 in the two-carton configuration comprises, as with the one-carton embodiment discussed above, a substantially flat middle section 80 with curvilinear lateral sections 82′ on both sides of the flat middle section 80. The curvilinear lateral sections 82′ have curvilinear profiles that match the curvilinear profile of the top wall 16 of the cooler 10. The top surface 59 further comprises raised exterior faces 84, the exterior faces 84 adjacent the flat middle section 80 and the curvilinear lateral sections 82 and having a substantially vertical and flat profile in the illustrated embodiment. The curvilinear lateral sections 82′ of the two-carton embodiment are wider than the curvilinear lateral sections 82 of the one-carton embodiment. Thus, using the two-carton embodiment as the base of a stack, either a two-carton embodiment or a one-carton embodiment may be matingly located and stably stacked thereon. As illustrated in FIG. 9, this allows two-carton coolers to be stacked upon one another as well as one-carton coolers to be stacked upon two-carton coolers. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the invention as described is not limited to two-carton coolers and may be expanded in various embodiments to accommodate more than two cartons using the principles described herein.
The above discussion contemplates the use of ice or ice packs or the equivalent to provide a cooling environment for the beverages contained within the cooling chamber. An alternative exemplary embodiment and method may comprise the use of a Peltier junction thermoelectric cooling device as is well known in the art. A Peltier junction device may be incorporated into the cooler chamber by methods well known to the skilled artisan, with connection to an external power source, e.g., 12 volt DC. Thus, various embodiments of the present invention may be used within means of powered transportation including, inter alia, an automobile, truck, boat, train, airplane or any other mode of powered transportation. In addition, the cooler of the present invention may be used to cool beverages in any environment where an external 12 volt DC, or other voltage, power source is available. Thus, various embodiments of the present invention may comprise cooling provided by a Peltier junction device that is incorporated within an automobile, truck, boat, train, airplane or other mode of powered transportation simply by providing a connection device in fluid communication between the Peltier junction device and the cooler 10.
In operation and in certain of the exemplary embodiments described hereinabove, an empty cooler 10 may be opened by pivoting the ice-loading door 32 away from the cooler top wall 16. This allows the user to place a carton 25 of beverage containers 27 within the cooling chamber 20 where the carton 25 is received and stabilized by a support platform 34 or a removable beverage support tray. Alternatively, individual beverage containers may be placed within the removable beverage support tray. The user may then add ice 40 to either side of the stabilized beverages and then close the ice-loading door 32 to seal the cooling chamber 20. The cooler 10 may be transported to a destination by use of the carrying strap 60 which may be lengthened or shortened by use of the adjustment buckle 62. When the destination has been reached, the length of the carrying strap 60 may be appropriately adjusted to allow storage of the strap 60 behind the cooler 10. The user may stack one or more cooler chests in a stable configuration.
Beverages may be viewed through the beverage-dispensing door 28 which may be opened by a user in order to access and remove the desired beverage container 27 from the cooling chamber 20. Since the beverages are held within the cooling chamber 20 preferably at an incline, removal of one beverage container 27 results in the remaining containers 27 to be urged forward and toward the beverage-dispensing door 28. When all beverage containers 27 have been removed, the carton-loading door 24 or alternatively, the ice-loading door 32 may be opened to remove the empty carton 25 and/or beverage support tray and fresh beverage containers 27 added.
As an alternative to the known pre-packaged cardboard carton 25, the present invention may optionally incorporate a removable and reusable beverage container tray that allows loading, preferably stackable loading, of beverage containers 27 as described above, but instead of a cardboard construction as with the well-known carton 25, the removable beverage container tray may be comprised of plastic or other water-resistant or water-proof material well known to those skilled in the art. One exemplary embodiment of a removable beverage container tray 100, shown in FIG. 10, may receive individual cans and/or bottles loaded therein by the user, preferably in a stacked configuration as discussed above with regard to the carton 25. The tray 100 may have a base 102 for supporting the loaded and stacked beverage containers 27, e.g., cans or bottles, side walls 104, 106, attached and substantially perpendicular to the base 102, rear wall 108 and a front wall 110 The front wall 110 may preferably be angled for easier insertion and removal of beverage containers 27.
A variation of the tray 100 may be a tray 200, shown in FIG. 11, which includes a base 202, front wall 204, rear wall 206 and at least one partition 208 (FIG. 11 showing two partitions 108 and 110 as an exemplary embodiment). The partitions may be adjustable to accommodate different width beverage containers 27.
An alternative embodiment of the removable beverage container tray may comprise an S-type beverage dispenser known in the industry (e.g., available from The Container Store [www.containerstore.com] or Amazon [www.amazon.com]), which may be particularly advantageous for moving a loaded beverage dispenser from a refrigerator to the cooler 10. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize many equivalents for such a removable and reusable beverage container tray, each of which is within the scope of the present invention.
The present invention should not be considered limited to the particular examples described above, but rather should be understood to cover all aspects of the invention. Various modifications, equivalent processes, as well as numerous structures to which the present invention may be applicable will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art to which the present invention is directed upon review of the present specification. While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. All patents, applications and publications referred to herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Claims

1. A cooler for containing and cooling beverage containers, comprising:

a. a cooling chamber comprising a bottom wall, two opposing side walls, a front wall, a back wall, a top wall and a bottom wall, the top and bottom walls having exterior complementary mating surfaces, wherein the cooling chamber receives and stabilizes a plurality of beverage containers therein and receives ice adjacent the plurality of beverage containers;

b. at least one beverage-dispensing opening into the cooling chamber defined by the front wall, the at least one beverage-dispensing opening selectively covered by a substantially transparent beverage-dispensing door, the beverage-dispensing door moveable between open and closed positions, wherein the beverage containers are aligned with the beverage-dispensing opening and beverage-dispensing door and viewable through the door in the closed position, the at least one opening being at least large enough to permit access and removal of individual beverage containers through the beverage-dispensing door in the open position; and,

c. at least one ice-loading opening into the cooling chamber defined by the top wall, the at least one ice-loading opening selectively covered by an ice-loading door.

2. The cooler of claim 1, further comprising at least one support platform within the cooling chamber, the at least one support platform being capable of receiving and stabilizing a carton of beverage containers, wherein each carton comprises a dispensing opening and wherein the dispensing opening of each carton is aligned with the beverage-dispensing opening and beverage-dispensing door.

3. The cooler of claim 2, further comprising at least two support platforms and one beverage-dispensing opening and beverage-dispensing door, wherein each carton comprises a dispensing opening and wherein the one beverage dispensing-opening and beverage-dispensing door are sufficiently wide to allow alignment of the dispensing opening of each carton with the beverage-dispensing opening and beverage-dispensing door.

4. The cooler of claim 1, further comprising at least two support platforms, each support platform corresponding with a beverage-dispensing opening and beverage-dispensing door and capable of receiving and stabilizing a carton of beverage containers, wherein each carton comprises a dispensing opening and wherein the dispensing opening of each carton is aligned with a beverage-dispensing opening and beverage-dispensing door.

5. The cooler of claim 2, wherein the at least one support platform is removable from the cooling chamber.

6. The cooler of claim 2, wherein the at least one support platform is fixedly attached within the cooling chamber.

7. The cooler of claim 2, wherein the at least one support platform further comprises channels to move melted ice water away from the carton and beverage containers.

8. The cooler of claim 1, further comprising at least one beverage container tray within the cooling chamber, the at least one beverage container tray being capable of receiving and stabilizing beverage containers loaded therein, wherein each beverage container tray comprises a dispensing opening aligned with the at least one beverage-dispensing opening and at least one beverage-dispensing door.

9. The cooler of claim 8, wherein the at least one beverage container tray further comprises channels to move melted ice water away from the beverage container tray and beverage containers.

10. The cooler of claim 8, wherein the at least one beverage container tray is removable from the cooling chamber.

11. The cooler of claim 1, wherein the plurality of beverage containers comprise cans and/or bottles.

12. The cooler of claim 8, wherein the plurality of beverage containers comprise bottles.

13. The cooler of claim 2, further comprising at least one beverage container tray within the cooling chamber, the at least one beverage container tray being capable of receiving and stabilizing beverage containers loaded therein, wherein each beverage container tray comprises a dispensing opening.

14. The cooler of claim 2, further comprising at least one water reservoir to accommodate melting ice.

15. The cooler of claim 14, wherein the at least one water reservoir is located beneath the support platform along the bottom wall of the cooling chamber and is sufficiently sized to hold the melted ice.

16. The cooler of claim 14, wherein the at least one water reservoir is behind the support platform and holds the melted ice away from the plurality of beverage containers.

17. The cooler of claim 1, further comprising an adjustable carrying strap, the strap having a length adjustment mechanism thereon, wherein the cooler may be carried by the strap.

18. The cooler of claim 1, further comprising a rigid carrying handle rotatably disposed on the front wall of the cooler.

19. The cooler of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of retractable wheels mounted on the bottom wall and a retractable handle mounted on the front wall.

20. The cooler of claim 1, wherein the top wall and bottom wall further comprise complementary interfacing surfaces that locate at least two coolers relative to each other during stacking, wherein front-to-back movement of the stacked coolers is minimized and wherein each of the at least one beverage-dispensing doors are selectively operable in all stacked coolers.

21. The cooler of claim 20, wherein the complementary surfaces further comprise complementary curvilinear profiles.

22. The cooler of claim 17, wherein the top wall and bottom wall further comprise complementary interfacing surfaces that locate at least two coolers relative to each other during stacking, wherein side-to-side movement of the stacked coolers is minimized and wherein each of the at least one beverage-dispensing doors are selectively operable in all stacked coolers.

23. The cooler of claim 1, further comprising at least one carton-loading opening defined by the front wall, the carton-loading opening selectively coverable by a carton-loading door, the carton-loading door moveable between an open and a closed position, the carton-loading door defining the at least one beverage-dispensing opening, the beverage-dispensing opening selectively coverable by a substantially transparent beverage-dispensing door.

24. The cooler of claim 23, wherein the carton-loading opening defines at least two beverage-dispensing openings, each beverage-dispensing opening covered by a substantially transparent and independently operable beverage-dispensing door.

25. The cooler of claim 2, wherein the at least one support platform has a front end and a rear end, wherein the rear end is adjustably raised above the front end at an incline angle.

26. The cooler of claim 25, wherein the incline angle is adjustably greater than or equal to zero degrees.

27. The cooler of claim 8, wherein the at least one beverage container tray has an adjustable incline angle that is great than or equal to zero degrees.

28. The cooler of claim 2, wherein the at least one support platform has a front end and a rear end, wherein the rear end is raised above the front end at an incline angle that is fixed.

29. The cooler of claim 1, further comprising a DC power source and a Peltier junction powered by the DC power source, the Peltier junction being operatively in communication with the cooling chamber.

30. The cooler of claim 1, further wherein the Peltier junction is incorporated into a mode of powered transportation selected from the group consisting of automobile, truck, boat, train, and airplane, the Peltier junction in fluid communication with the cooling chamber.

31. A cooler for containing and cooling beverage containers comprising:

a. a cooling chamber defined by a bottom wall, two opposing side walls, a front wall, a back wall, a top wall and a bottom wall, the top and bottom walls having exterior complementary mating surfaces, wherein the cooling chamber receives and stabilizes a plurality of beverage containers therein and receives ice adjacent the plurality of beverage containers;

b. at least one carton-loading opening defined by the front wall, the carton-loading opening selectively coverable by a carton-loading door, the carton-loading door moveable between an open and a closed position;

c. at least one beverage-dispensing opening into the cooling chamber defined by the at least one carton-loading door, the at least one beverage-dispensing opening selectively covered by a substantially transparent beverage-dispensing door, the beverage-dispensing door moveable between open and closed positions, wherein the beverage containers are viewable through the beverage-dispensing door in the closed position, the at least one opening being at least large enough to permit access and removal of individual beverage containers through the beverage-dispensing door in the open position;

d. at least one ice-loading opening into the cooling chamber defined by the top wall, the at least one ice-loading opening selectively covered by an ice-loading door;

e. at least one removable support platform within the cooling chamber, the at least one support platform being capable of receiving and stabilizing a carton of beverage containers, the at least one support platform comprising channels to move melted ice away from the carton and beverage containers, wherein the at least one support platform comprises a front end and a rear end, wherein the rear end is raised above the front end at an incline angle, the incline angle being greater than or equal to zero degrees; and,

f. at least one water reservoir beneath the support platform sufficiently sized to hold the melted ice moved by the support platform channels.

32. A cooler for containing and cooling beverage containers, comprising:

e. at least one removable support platform within the cooling chamber, the at least one support platform being capable of receiving and stabilizing a carton of beverage containers, the at least one support platform comprising channels to move melted ice water away from the carton and beverage containers, wherein the at least one support platform comprises a front end and a rear end, wherein the rear end is raised above the front end at an incline angle, the incline angle being greater than or equal to zero degrees;

f. at least one removable beverage container tray within the cooling chamber, the at least one beverage container tray receiving and stabilizing bottles loaded therein, wherein each beverage container tray comprises a dispensing opening aligned with the at least one beverage dispensing opening and at least one beverage-dispensing door;

g. at least one water reservoir beneath the support platform sufficiently sized to hold the melted ice water moved by the support platform and at least one beverage container tray channels; and,

h. complementary interfacing surfaces on the top wall and bottom wall of the cooler that locate at least two coolers relative to each other during stacking, wherein the interfacing of the complementary surfaces minimizes front-to-back and/or side-to-side movement of the stacked coolers and wherein each of the at least one beverage-dispensing doors are selectively operable in all stacked coolers.

33. The cooler of claim 1, further comprising a removable tray comprising a base, a rear wall, a front wall, and at least one vertical panel.

34. The cooler of claim 33, further comprising a first side wall and a second side wall.

35. The cooler of claim 33, wherein said at least one vertical panel is adjustable and may be repositioned within said tray.