US20130025316A1

US20130025316A1 - Ice Cooler With Power Wash

Info

Publication number: US20130025316A1
Application number: US13/194,239
Authority: US
Inventors: Justin Wheeless
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-07-29
Filing date: 2011-07-29
Publication date: 2013-01-31

Abstract

The ice cooler disclosed has three compartments. The first compartment has a sidewall extending upward from a base and a cover. The second compartment, located on the sidewall of the first compartment, extends into the first compartment. A removable wall encloses second compartment. A full pump assembly and switch assembly are attached to the removable wall.

The first compartment and second compartment are connected by a first tube. Pump runs off of an energy source located in a third compartment. The third compartment is fluidly disconnected with the first compartment. An electric wire connects the pump assembly to the power source. When activated pump suctions melted ice water from first compartment through high pressure pump to a nozzle conduit and spray nozzle for use.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of ice coolers. More specifically, the invention comprises a cooler with a high pressure pump and sprayer integrated into the portable cooler.
2. Description of the Related Art
Coolers have been in use for years. Ice coolers are typically filled with ice and used to keep items cold. As time passes, ice slowly melts to water within the cooler. Several coolers have been designed with a plug or release valve at the base of the cooler, which can be opened to allow water to escape the cooler. Other cooler devices have been developed which contain at least one compartment having a manual or non-electric pump. Such manual pumping systems are used to force water out of the cooler via a tube. However, the pressurized force is low and therefore the melted ice water is not able to be used under high pressure. Additionally, any pumping system is subject to normal wear and tear which may require servicing or replacement parts. Prior art systems are unable to provide an easily removable pumping system component for shipping, service or full replacement.
Therefore what is needed is an ice cooler which is portable and contains a high pressure pump to pump melted ice/water out of the main container of the ice cooler with the desired pressure. Additionally, an pumping system that is easy to replace and or repair apart from the bulky cooler is desirable. The present invention achieves this objective, as well as others that are explained in the following description.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an ice cooler having a first compartment, a second compartment and a third compartment. The first compartment has a sidewall extending upward from base and a cover or lid. The second compartment, located on the sidewall of the first compartment extends into the first compartment such that the opening for the second compartment is accessible even when the first compartment is closed by the lid. A removable wall encloses second compartment. A full pump assembly and switch assembly are attached to the removable wall. The first compartment and second compartment are connected by a first tube which extends through a small opening in the second compartment into the first compartment to access melted ice water forming on the base of the first compartment. When the user activates the switch assembly, the pump assembly is activated. Pump runs off of an energy source located in a third compartment. The third compartment is fluidly disconnected with the first compartment so that the power source in the third compartment is not affected by water. An electric wire connects the pump assembly to the power source.
The pump suctions water through the first tube into a high pressure pump which pressurizes the water and expels it into a nozzle conduit running to a spray nozzle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, showing the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, showing the present invention with removable wall apart from main portion of ice cooler.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, showing removable wall with pump assembly and spray nozzle assembly.

FIG. 4 is a cross section view, showing the first and second compartments of the present cooler.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, showing the cooler with removable wall attached thereto.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view, showing the cooler attached to external power source.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view, showing the cooler in use with the front wall of cooler cut away.


REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS

10	cooler	12	cover
14	side wall	16	second compartment
18	opening	20	first compartment
22	spray nozzle	24	spray nozzle conduit
26	first tube	28	second tube
30	recessed nozzle access	32	switch assembly
34	pump	36	first electric wire
38	second electric wire	40	base
42	removable wall	44	back wall
46	side walls	48	pump assembly
50	spray nozzle assembly	52	filter
54	nozzle connection	56	electrical connection
58	power source	60	ice
62	cans	64	water
66	third compartment

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates the present ice cooler in the preferred embodiment. As shown, ice cooler 10 is made up of a first compartment 20, having a base 40 and a sidewall 14. Cover 12 encloses first compartment 20 at the top of sidewall 14. It is preferable that first compartment 20 and cover 12 are fully insulated and able to form an enclosed compartment for placement of items that the user desires to keep at cold temperatures. Side walls 46 of second compartment 16 (shown in FIG. 2) are illustrated extending into first compartment 20. In the preferred embodiment there is a slight gap between side walls 46 and base 40. However, side walls 46 could extend to base 40. Spray nozzle 22 is shown attached to spray nozzle tube 24 extending out from cooler 10. An optional third compartment 66 is illustrated at base 40 of cooler 10. Third compartment 66 serves as a housing unit for a power source (such as an internal rechargeable battery).
Additional details of ice cooler 10 are shown in FIG. 2. Due to the extension of side walls 46 and back wall 44 of second compartment 16 into first compartment 20 and location of removable wall 42, a user is able to access second compartment 16 even when cover 12 is closed over first compartment 20. Opening 18 is located within side wall 46 of second compartment 16. When removable wall 42 is in position covering second compartment 16, first tube 26 extends from pump 34 down through opening 18 into first compartment 20 to access water at base of cooler 10. Pump 34 is run by a power source (an example of which is shown in FIG. 5-6). First electric wire 36 can run to an internal battery or an external power source in order to provide power to pump 34. It is preferable that first electric wire 36 run through side wall 14 of first compartment 20. First electric wire 36 can exit the back of ice cooler 10; or first electric wire 36 can run to the opposing end of cooler, to a third compartment 66 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 5) where an internal battery source is provided. In the first embodiment first electric wire 36 preferably connects with either an AC wall outlet or 12 v battery source. In the preferable embodiment a strong battery would be housed within cooler 10. Battery would be a rechargeable Ni-Cad battery which would either be completely removable or contain an attachment for plugging directly into an AC outlet for recharging purposes.
Pump assembly 48 and removable wall 42 are shown in a detailed view in FIG. 3. Pump assembly 48 consists of first electric wire 36, second electric wire 38, pump 34, first tube 26, second tube 28 and switch assembly 32. Removable wall 42 and pump assembly 48 can be completely detached from the main portion of ice cooler 10. Thus, the components of ice cooler 10 which are most likely in need of service (e.g. pump 34; switch assembly 32; etc) are able to be easily removed, shipped and/or serviced apart from the bulky cooler body. Additionally, if a component part of the pump assembly 48 needs replacement the user has the option of simply purchasing another pump assembly 48 with removable wall 42. Spray nozzle 22 and spray nozzle tube 24 are easily removed from removable wall 42 and therefore would not have to be replaced, shipped or serviced along with the other components. First electric wire 36 is incoming from a power source and attaches to pump 34. Pump 34 is attached to removable wall 42 (in any known manner). Second electric wire 38 runs from pump 34 to switch assembly 32 and acts to turn pump 34 on and off. Pump 34 suctions water from first compartment 20 via filter 52 and first tube 26. Filter 52 is an optional component part of the present cooler 10. The pressurized water is expelled by pump 34 out of second tube 28 into spray nozzle tube 24 and ultimately out of spray nozzle 22. Pump 34 can be any high pressure pump. For example, pump 34 can be a 12 v DC high-pressure diaphragm pump (100 psi). The water expelled from spray nozzle 22 is under high-pressure and therefore can be used for numerous purposes. As examples, a fisherman may utilize the high pressured water to clean freshly caught fish or a hunter may utilize the pressurized water to clean dirty boots before getting in a vehicle after a hunt.
A cut-away view of ice cooler 10 is shown in FIG. 4. As illustrated second compartment 16 is a waterproof chamber apart from first compartment 20. Removable wall 42 encloses second compartment 16. Switch assembly 32 runs through removable wall 42 such that when the switch is in the “on” position, a signal is sent through second electric wire 38 (shown in FIG. 3) to pump 34. Likewise, connection 54 for spray nozzle and second tube 28 channel through removable wall 42 to expel water through connection 54 to spray nozzle 22 (shown in FIG. 5). First electric wire 36 runs from pump 34 to third compartment 66 where an internal battery source is located. An electrical connection 56 is provided to attach to an external power source 58. Power source 58 can be any known means of providing power. For example, a 12V battery could he connected via an electrical connection 56. It is in this manner that the internal battery source can be recharged. In another embodiment third compartment 66 can be eliminated from the present cooler 10 and first electric wire 36 can travel directly through electric connection 56 to an external power source 58. It is preferable that first electric wire 36 is embedded within sidewall 14 of first compartment 20. The path of embedded portion of first electric wire 36 is shown.
FIG. 5 illustrates removable wall 42 in place over second compartment (not shown in this view). Removable wall 42 contains recessed portions for switch assembly 32 and nozzle connection 4. Recessed nozzle access 30 in particular prevents damage to nozzle connection 54 during transport. Spray nozzle assembly 50 can be easily removed from nozzle connection 54 and stored in cooler 10. Additionally, FIG. 5 shows third compartment 66 at back of cooler 10. Third compartment 66 holds internal battery such that entire cooler unit is cordless and can be operated apart from an external power source.
FIG. 6 shows first electric wire 36 extending out from the back of cooler 10 at third compartment 66. The internal battery, housed in third compartment 66, can be charged via external power source 58. Thus, first electric wire 36, connecting power source 58 via electrical connection 56 serves as either a direct power source for pump assembly or a charging mechanism for internal battery.
In FIG. 7 a cut away view of cooler 10 is shown in use. Typically, coolers are used to carry beverages and food. Thus, as an example, cans 62 are shown sitting in ice 60. As time passes ice 60 in first compartment 20 begins to melt into water 64. Water 64 accumulates at base 40 of first compartment 20. When fresh-water (or cold-water) is needed, user turns switch on switch assembly 32 to the on position and pump 34 begins to suction water 64 through filter 52 and first tube 26 into high-pressure pump 34. The path of water 64 is shown by arrows within first compartment 20. Pump 34 pressurizes water and spray nozzle assembly 50 (shown in previous figures) is used to spray water. It is in this manner that the user can utilize the accumulated fresh-water for high pressure cleaning or other activity.
The preceding description contains significant detail regarding the novel aspects of the present invention. It should not be construed, however, as limiting the scope of the invention but rather as providing illustrations of the preferred embodiments of the invention. As an example, second compartment 16 can be located in a different area of first compartment 20. Thus, the
scope of the invention should be fixed by the following claims, rather than by the examples given.

Claims

1. An ice cooler for holding ice and expelling melted ice water further comprising:

a. a first compartment having a base and a side wall extending upward from said base;

b. a cover fitting over said first compartment;

c. a second compartment attached to said side wall of said first compartment and extending into said first compartment;

d. wherein said first compartment and said second compartment are connected by a first tube extending through a first opening at the base of said second compartment;

e. wherein said second compartment further comprises a pump assembly;

f. wherein said pump assembly expels said melted ice water from said first compartment at high pressure via a nozzle assembly.

2. The ice cooler of claim 1, wherein said second compartment further comprises a removable wall.

3. The ice cooler of claim 2, wherein said pump assembly is attached to said removable wall.

4. The ice cooler of claim 1, further comprising a third compartment having an internal power source.

5. The ice cooler of claim 4, further comprising a first electric wire connecting said internal power source to said pump assembly.

6. The ice cooler of claim 5, wherein said first electric wire runs from second compartment to said third compartment through said side wall of said first compartment.

7. The ice cooler of claim 5, further comprising a second electric wire connecting said battery to an external power source.

8. The ice cooler of claim 7, wherein said external power source recharges said internal power source.

9. The ice cooler of claim 1, further comprising an external power source connected to said pump assembly by said first electric wire.

10. The ice cooler of claim 1, wherein said pump assembly further comprises:

a. a high pressure pump connected to said first tube;

b. a second tube connecting said high pressure pump to said nozzle assembly;

c. a second electric wire connecting said high pressure pump to a switch assembly;

d. a first electric wire connecting said high pressure pump to a power source;

e. wherein when said second electric wire sends an electrical signal to said high pressure pump, said high pressure pump utilizes said power source to collect and pressurize said melted ice water to be expelled by said nozzle assembly.

11. An ice cooler for holding ice and expelling melted ice water further comprising:

a. a first compartment having a base and at least one side wall extending upward from said base;

b. a cover fitting over said first compartment;

d. wherein said second compartment has a removable wall such that said second compartment can be fully enclosed;

e. a third compartment attached to said side wall of said first compartment and extending into said first compartment;

f. wherein said first compartment and said second compartment are connected by a first tube extending through a first opening at the base of said second compartment;

g. wherein said second compartment further comprises a pump assembly;

h. wherein said second compartment and said third compartment are connected by a first electric wire running from said pump assembly in said second compartment to an internal power source in said third compartment;

i. wherein said pump assembly expels said melted ice water from said first compartment at high pressure via a nozzle assembly.

12. The ice cooler of claim 1, wherein said pump assembly further comprises:

a. a high pressure pump connected to said first tube;

b. a second tube connecting said high pressure pump to said nozzle assembly;

d. said first electric wire connecting said high pressure pump to said internal power source in said third compartment;

e. wherein when said second electric wire sends an electrical signal to said high pressure pump, said high pressure pump utilizes said internal power source to collect and pressurize said melted ice to be expelled by said nozzle assembly.

13. The ice cooler of claim 11, wherein said first electric wire travels through said at least one sidewall to reach said power source of said third compartment.

14. The ice cooler of claim 11, wherein said internal power source is a battery.

15. The ice cooler of claim 12, wherein said pump assembly is attached to said removable wall.

16. The ice cooler of claim 12, further comprising a second electric wire connecting said internal power source to an external power source.

17. The ice cooler of claim 16, wherein said external power source recharges said battery.

18. The ice cooler of claim 1, further comprises a spray nozzle conduit and a spray nozzle connected to said pump assembly such that said nozzle can expel said melted ice water.

19. The ice cooler of claim 11, further comprises a spray nozzle conduit and a spray nozzle connected to said pump assembly such that said nozzle can expel said melted ice water.