US20210247131A1

US20210247131A1 - Customizable cooler liner

Info

Publication number: US20210247131A1
Application number: US17/172,985
Authority: US
Inventors: Reid Petty Johnson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-02-10
Filing date: 2021-02-10
Publication date: 2021-08-12

Abstract

A customizable cooler liner is used to prevent items stored within a cooler from soiling the cooler's storage compartment. The liner has a liner basin, flaps, perforated seams and flap fasteners. The flaps are positioned around a rim of the liner basin and function as a coupling mechanism to attach the liner to the cooler. The liner basin sits with in the storage compartment of the cooler and functions as a waterproof barrier. The perforated seams are connected in between the flaps so that the flaps and the seams form a semicontinuous flange that extends away from the rim of the liner basin and is folded over the rim of the cooler. A user is able to tear the perforated seams to remove flaps from the semicontinuous flange. Thereby enabling the semicontinuous flange to be reshaped to accommodate features of the cooler such as hinges, locks, and handles.

Description

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/972,163 filed on Feb. 10, 2020.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a cooler liner. More specifically, the present invention is a cooler liner having perforations and a double-sided tape along the edges.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A cooler, especially a camping cooler, is an essential addition for camping trips, barbeque competitions, picnics, cookouts etc., as they help keep cold things cold and hot things hot. In most cases, and especially during events like barbeque competitions and seafood parties, the inside of a cooler will end up being messy from the grease and/or the kind of food that you carry inside them. Lining the cooler is a solution to preventing scrubbing and cleaning the cooler, after each use. However, most of the liners available in the market do not withstand the heat of the cooked meat, and/or do not line the entire interior of the cooler in an efficient manner. If the liner extends outside of the cooler around the hinges/clasps etc., then that would prevent proper closing of the cooler lid, thereby compromising the function of the cooler.
An objective of the present invention is to provide users with a disposable cooler liner, that can withstand high temperatures as well as line the entire interior of the cooler body in a secure and efficient manner. According to the present invention, the cooler liner has dimensions to extend outside the upper edge of the body of the cooler and stick around the upper exterior part of the cooler body, without hindering the smooth functioning of the hinges and clasps of the cooler. The adhesive component on the edges of the liner, ensures that the liner stays in place and does not fold into the cooler, when open. Further, the present invention comprises vertical perforations along the edges of the liner, that allow a user to tear the liner around the obstructions along the edge of the cooler. Thus, the present invention is intended to provide users with a disposable, efficient and durable cooler liner, that enables to keep the entire inside of the cooler clean, without compromising the functioning of the cooler.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide users with a disposable cooler liner, that can withstand high temperatures as well as line/cover the entire interior of the body of the cooler in a secure and efficient manner. According to the present invention, the cooler liner has dimensions to extend outside the upper edge of the body of the cooler and stick around the upper exterior part of the cooler, without hindering the smooth functioning of the hinges and clasps of the cooler. According to the present invention, the adhesive component on the edges of the liner, ensures that the liner stays in place and does not fold inside into the cooler, thereby keeping the interior walls of the cooler clean and not interfering with the contents inside the cooler. Further, the present invention comprises perforations along the edges of the liner, that allow a user to tear the liner, around the obstructions along the closing edge of the cooler. Thus, the present invention is intended to provide users with a disposable, efficient and durable cooler liner, that enables to keep the entire inside of the cooler clean, without compromising the functioning of the cooler.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top-front perspective view of the present invention, as placed inside a cooler, wherein the cooler lid is kept open.

FIG. 2 is a top-left perspective view of the present invention, as placed inside the cooler, wherein the cooler lid is kept open.

FIG. 3 is a top-right perspective view of the present invention, as placed inside the cooler, wherein the cooler lid is kept open.

FIG. 4 is a top-front perspective view of the present invention, wherein the liner is placed inside the cooler, the edges of the liner taped outside the cooler body, and the cooler lid closed.

FIG. 5 is a top-rear perspective view of the present invention, wherein the liner is placed inside the cooler, the edges of the liner taped outside the cooler body, and the cooler lid closed.

FIG. 6 is a top-left perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a bottom-right perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing how the strip liner is attached to the adhesive strip of the present invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 1 through FIG. 8, the present invention is a customizable cooler liner that is designed to be fitted into the interior compartment of a cooler. Thus, forming a barrier that prevents foods and beverages stored within the cooler from coming into contact with the interior of the cooler. Accordingly, the present invention prevents spills from soiling the interior of the cooler. Additionally, the present invention uses a reconfigurable rim to secure the liner device to the sidewalls of the cooler. Thus, ensuring the present invention does not hinder operating the cooler. Additionally, the reconfigurable rim prevents the present invention from becoming dislodged once attached to the cooler.
Referring to FIG. 1, and FIG. 6, to achieve the above-described functionality, the present invention comprises a liner basin 1, a plurality of flaps 2, a plurality of perforated seams 3, and at least one flap fastener 4. The liner basin 1 is a flexible cooler-shaped liner that is inserted into the cooler and forms a barrier between the interior of the cooler and any items stored therein. The plurality of flaps 2 is a mounting system that is radially mounted around a rim 11 of the liner basin 1. Thus, enabling a user to reconfigure the coupling between the present invention and the cooler, as desired. Each of the plurality of perforated seams 3 is connected in between an arbitrary flap 21 and an adjacent flap 22, wherein the arbitrary flap 21 and the adjacent flap 22 are from the plurality of flaps 2. Additionally, the plurality of flaps 2 and the plurality of perforated seams 3 form a semicontinuous flange 5 around the rim 11 of the liner basin 1. The semicontinuous flange 5 is a reconfigurable coupling system that enables the present invention to be attached to coolers of varying shape and size. Preferably, the semicontinuous flange 5 is formed by the plurality of flaps 2 and the plurality of perforated seams 3, and is intended to be folded over a rim 11 of the cooler while the liner basin 1 is positioned within a storage compartment of the cooler. In some embodiments, one or more of the plurality of flaps 2 is constructed using a deformable material that enables the semicontinuous flange 5 to be molded around the cooler rim. Thus, enabling the present invention to become more securely coupled to the cooler. In further embodiments, one or more of the plurality of flaps 2 is manufactured from an elastic material that enables the semicontinuous flange to stretch and conform to the shape of the cooler.
Referring to FIG. 6, the plurality of flaps 2 and the plurality of perforated seams 3 form a coupling system that enables the user to tear out section of the semicontinuous flange 5 to accommodate handles and hinges of the cooler. That is, the user is able to tear one or more perforated seams 3 and remove sections of the semicontinuous flange 5 so that the present invention can be attached to the cooler without hindering the function of hinges or covering up the handles of the cooler. Preferably, the flap fastener 4 is an adhesive that is affixed to the semicontinuous flange 5 and positioned opposite to an interior compartment 14 of the liner basin 1. Thus, enabling the plurality of flaps 2 to be folded over the rim 11 of the cooler and retained in place by the flap fastener 4.
Referring to FIG. 6, and FIG. 7, the liner basin 1 is a flexible receptacle that is designed to conform to the shape of the storage compartment of the cooler. To that end, the liner basin 1 comprises a lateral sidewall 12 and a base panel 13. The lateral sidewall 12 is perimetrically connected around the base panel 13 and the base panel 13 is positioned opposite to the rim 11 across the lateral sidewall 12. Consequently, the liner basin 1 is able to sit within the storage compartment and prevent foods from soiling the cooler.
Referring to FIG. 7, the flap fastener 4 is designed to facilitate attaching the present invention to the cooler. To facilitate this, the flap fastener 4 preferably comprises a plurality of adhesive strips 41 and a plurality of strip liners 42. Each of the plurality of adhesive strips 41 is superimposed onto a corresponding flap 23 from the plurality of flaps 2. As a result, the user is able to adhere a desired selection of flaps 2 to the cooler while removing unwanted flaps 2 from the connection system. Each of the plurality of strip liners 42 is superimposed onto a corresponding strip 43 from the plurality of adhesive strips 41. Accordingly, the strip liners 42 cover the adhesive strips 41 so that the flaps 2 cannot be adhered to cooler until the strip liners 42 are removed from the adhesive strips 41. In further embodiments, the flap fastener 4 is equipped with fasteners selected from the group including, but not limited to, mechanical fasteners, snaps, magnets, and interlocking members.
Referring to FIG. 1, and FIG. 6, as described above, the present invention is designed to function as a liner for coolers. To facilitate this functionality, the liner basin 1 is constructed from a water-impermeable material. Thus, preventing spilled liquids from soiling the interior of the cooler. Additionally, the liner basin 1 is constructed from heat-resistant materials that do not melt or become damaged by hot items that are placed within the storage compartment. Embodiments of the liner basin 1 are constructed from thermally insulating materials. Further embodiments of the liner basin 1 are manufactured from a material that is impregnated with ripstop fibers. Thus, providing a liner that resists puncture and tearing.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A customizable cooler liner comprising:

a liner basin;

a plurality of flaps;

a plurality of perforated seams;

at least one flap fastener;

the plurality of flaps being radially mounted around a rim of the liner basin;

each of the plurality of perforated seams being connected in between an arbitrary flap and an adjacent flap, wherein the arbitrary flap and the adjacent flap are from the plurality of flaps;

the plurality of flaps and the plurality of perforated seams forming a semicontinuous flange around the rim of the liner basin;

the at flap fastener being affixed to the semicontinuous flange; and

the at flap fastener being positioned opposite to an interior compartment of the liner basin,

2. The customizable cooler liner as claimed in claim 1 comprising:

the liner basin comprising a lateral sidewall and a base panel;

the lateral sidewall being perimetrically connected around the base panel; and

the base panel being positioned opposite to the rim across the lateral sidewall.

3. The customizable cooler liner as claimed in claim 1 comprising:

the flap fastener comprising a plurality of adhesive strips; and

each of the plurality of adhesive strips being superimposed onto a corresponding flap from the plurality of flaps.

4. The customizable cooler liner as claimed in claim 3 comprising:

the flap fastener further comprising a plurality of strip liners; and

each of the plurality of strip liners being superimposed onto a corresponding strip from the plurality of adhesive strips.

5. The customizable cooler liner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the liner basin being constructed from a water-impermeable material.

6. The customizable cooler liner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the liner basin being constructed from a heat resistant material.

7. The customizable cooler liner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the liner basin being constructed from a flexible material.

8. The customizable cooler liner as claimed in claim 1 wherein the flap fastener being an adhesive strip.

9. A customizable cooler liner comprising:

a liner basin;

a plurality of flaps;

a plurality of perforated seams;

at least one flap fastener;

the plurality of flaps being radially mounted around a rim of the liner basin;

the flap fastener comprising a plurality of adhesive strips;

the at flap fastener being affixed to the semicontinuous flange;

the at flap fastener being positioned opposite to an interior compartment of the liner basin; and

10. The customizable cooler liner as claimed in claim 9 comprising:

the liner basin comprising a lateral sidewall and a base panel;

the lateral sidewall being perimetrically connected around the base panel; and

11. The customizable cooler liner as claimed in claim 9 comprising:

the flap fastener further comprising a plurality of strip liners; and

12. The customizable cooler liner as claimed in claim 9 wherein the liner basin being constructed from a water-impermeable material.

13. The customizable cooler liner as claimed in claim 9 wherein the liner basin being constructed from a heat resistant material.

14. The customizable cooler liner as claimed in claim 9 wherein the liner basin being constructed from a flexible material.

15. The customizable cooler liner as claimed in claim 9 wherein the flap fastener being an adhesive strip.