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  Shopping coolerUSPTO Application #: 20070295735Title: Shopping cooler Abstract: A stackable cooler includes a first container member comprising a bottom and sides enclosing a container space and configured for insulating the container space. The first container member defines an opening dimensioned for removably and insulatingly receiving products into the container space. At least one first hook is supportively associated with the first container member for hooking to a support structure with the container member hanging therefrom. The first hook and first container member are configured for placing the stackable cooler in a nested association with second and third stackable coolers that are of similar construction to the stackable cooler and has second and third container members and hooks, respectively. In the nested association the first container member is nested through a second opening in the second container space of the second container member and nestingly receives the third container member through the first opening in the first container space of the first container member. (end of abstract)
Agent: Winston & Strawn LLP Patent Department - Washington, DC, US Inventor: Karen Rachel Beber Futernick USPTO Applicaton #: 20070295735 - Class: 220592260 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Receptacles, Receptacle Having Means To Facilitate Maintaining Contents Above Or Below Ambient Temperature (e.g., Compartment For Holding A Heat Exchange Medium), Thermally Insulated Receptacle, Multiple Insulation Layers The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070295735. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of international patent application PCT/US04/21856, filed Jul. 9, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/615,872, filed Jul. 10, 2003, the entire content of which applications is expressly incorporated herein by reference thereto. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a stackable cooler, and more particularly to a stackable cooler for thermal isolation of frozen and refrigerated food items for use with a grocery cart. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Shopping for groceries, including frozen and refrigerated foods, is a time-consuming task. Refrigerated items removed from a grocer's refrigerators will immediately begin to warm due to the higher ambient temperature. The longer a refrigerated item is exposed to warm air, the more heat it will absorb, and the warming, thawing, and melting of refrigerated products can be accelerated when ambient temperatures are high, such as in warm climates and especially during summer months. Thawing or heating of refrigerated items can lead to spoilage of the item's contents and possibly spilled contents. Due to time constraints or the layout of the supermarket, shoppers often must collect refrigerated items long before checkout, with the potential of extended exposure to ambient air. Thermal isolation of the refrigerated items will maintain the items intended lower temperature. A temporary portable cooler that can accompany the shopper can thermally isolate selected items and maintain their intended temperatures. [0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,361 discloses a cooler for retaining food items in a refrigerated condition within a grocery cart. The insulated grocery cart cooler comprises a flexible insulated container with a flexible top web, flexible bottom webs and flexible side webs that are parallel. Pocket webs are coupled to the interior surface of the side webs for each to receive a gel pack of flexible construction containing a freezable gel. [0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,943 discloses a container for carrying grocery bags in automobiles. The container and removable basket are large enough to contain two standard grocery bags standing upright next to each other along with cooler packs when it is closed. [0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,359 discloses a bicycle cooler that is mountable to the head and handlebar intersection of a conventional bicycle. A heavy-duty insulated cooler has an attachment assembly with a pair of arm supports and a foot support to mate with a portion of the bicycle. [0007] Accordingly, a need exists for a stackable cooler that can be easily transported through a supermarket, such as by a shopping cart, that will thermally isolate and minimize the rate at which frozen and refrigerated items increase in temperature. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] The present invention relates to a portable cooler, such as for use within a grocery store or a food retailer establishment. A preferred embodiment of a first stackable cooler has a container member with a bottom and sides that are configured for enclosing and insulating a container space, which is preferably sized to contain at least one and up to four pint containers of ice cream. The container defines an opening dimensioned for removably and insulatingly receiving products into the container space. One or more hooks are supportively associated with the container member for hooking to a support structure, such as a cart, with the container member hanging therefrom. The hook and container member are configured for placing the stackable cooler in a nested association with a second and third coolers that are of similar construction to the first stackable cooler, having container members and hooks. [0009] The hooks and container member of the first cooler are configured for placing this cooler in a stacked and nested association with the second and third coolers. In the nested association, the container member of the first cooler is nested through the opening to the container space of the second cooler, while nestingly receiving the container member of the third cooler through the opening to the container space of the first container member. When nested, the bottom of the first cooler container member is preferably received within the opening and container space of the second container member. [0010] A stop member preferably extends radially from the first cooler container opening for limiting the reception into the second container member when placed in the nested association. The container members are preferably tapered, narrowing from top to bottom between an upper portion axially near the opening and the bottom. The stop member can comprise the upper portion or can have a stop ledge for abutting the second cooler container member. [0011] The first cooler container member of the preferred embodiment has an axial height measured from the opening to the bottom at the outside of the container member. At least about one third of this axial height of the first cooler is preferably received in the second cooler container member in the nested association. More preferably, at least about one half of this axial height is received therein. [0012] The hook or hooks of the preferred first cooler extend axially above the opening in a direction opposite from the bottom. The hooks of this embodiment have a hooked end disposed opposite or distally from the first container member, and can be configured such that in the nested association the hooked end of the first cooler is disposed above the hook of the second cooler. The opening can have a space to receive at least a portion of the hook of the third cooler in the nested association. The hooks can be attached to the container member or can be of unitary construction with the container member or a wall or portion of a wall thereof, which preferably encloses the container space or a space between inner and outer walls. The portion of the wall is preferably at least about a quarter of the wall area or a major portion thereof. [0013] A lid is preferably associated with the container member for movement between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the lid substantially closes the opening and substantially blocks airflow therethrough. In the open position, the lid uncovers the opening, the lid being configured and positioned for avoiding interference with the second and third cooler in the nested association. The preferred lid comprises a flexible flap. A hinge can be provided, for example, to pivotally and detachably associate the lid with the container member. [0014] In one preferred embodiment, at least one of the bottom and sides has a double wall for insulating the container space. The sides can have a first wall portion and a second wall portion. The first wall portion can have a first viewable appearance and can be detachably connected with the second wall portion for enclosing the container space. In this manner, the first wall portion can be replaced with another first wall portion that has a different viewable appearance. [0015] In another embodiment, the cooler has at least one side wall outer portion that is hingedly connected to the remaining portions of the container member which can allow a user to change the outward appearance of the container member. [0016] In an embodiment in which the side walls have at least a double-walled portion with inner and outer walls, an opening for receiving a sheet can be defined between the inner and outer walls therebetween, such as in a pocket. The outer wall can be translucent or transparent for viewing the sheet therein. Also, the sides can be mode with a translucent or transparent portion for viewing the contents of the container space. [0017] The container space can have a first wall portion that is at least partially separable from a second wall portion and replaceable to change the appearance of the container. The connected first and second wall portions can form an insulating double wall around the container space. In one embodiment, the first wall portion includes an outer wall, and the second wall portion includes an inner wall disposed within the outer wall where the first and second wall portions are connected. In one embodiment, the first wall portion includes at least a portion of the side walls and can be made detachable from the second wall portion to expose an opening to the container space. The first wall portion connected with the second wall portion can optionally be replaceable with another wall portion. Advantageously, the other wall portion that replaces the first wall portion can have a different appearance than the first wall portion. The appearance can include, for instance, an advertisement viewable from outside the container space with the lid closed. [0018] The invention thus provides a container that, in a preferred embodiment, can be conveniently provided in a stack near a refrigerated aisle in a supermarket and used by consumers to keep their products cool. BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS [0019] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of stacked coolers constructed according to the invention; Continue reading... Full patent description for Shopping cooler Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Shopping cooler patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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