Cooler

Abstract

A cooler system having improved insulative properties. The cooler system includes, in various preferred embodiments, thicker sidewalls having insulative materials with improved thermal qualities, one or more reflective surfaces, a sealing mechanism to minimize the leakage of cold air, an insulative apron for containing cold air around the contents of the cooler, compression mechanisms for compressing the upper lid against the side walls of the cooler and many other features to improve the thermal benefit of the cooler.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An insulated cooler, said cooler comprising: 
 an outer wall surface on the sides and the bottom of said cooler;    an inner wall surface on the sides and bottom of said cooler;    an insulating material between said outer wall surface and said inner wall surface; and an upper lid; and    sealing mechanism for minimizing the escape of cold air from said cooler.    
     
     
         2 . The cooler of  claim 1  wherein said cooler includes: 
 a highly reflective surface applied to the outer surface of said upper lid and said outer wall surface on said sides of said cooler.  
 
     
     
         3 . The cooler of  claim 2  wherein said highly reflective surface includes: 
 a reflective surface of eighty-five percent UV rating or greater.  
 
     
     
         4 . The cooler of  claim 2  wherein said highly reflective surface includes: 
 an adhesive surface for affixing onto said surfaces of said cooler.  
 
     
     
         5 . The cooler of  claim 1  wherein said sealing mechanism includes: 
 a sealing member extending downward from the lower surface of said upper lid; and  
 an opposing sealing member extending upward from the upper surface of said side surfaces of said cooler for mating engagement said sealing member on said upper lid to minimize the escape of cold air from said cooler when said upper lid is closed.  
 
     
     
         6 . The cooler of  claim 5  wherein said sealing member of said upper lid includes: 
 a plurality of contact surfaces, and  
 said opposing sealing member includes a plurality of contact surfaces for engaging with said plurality of contact surfaces of said sealing member of said upper lid.  
 
     
     
         7 . The cooler of  claim 1  wherein said cooler includes: 
 a mechanism for compressing said upper lid against the upper surfaces of said sides of said cooler.  
 
     
     
         8 . The cooler of  claim 7  wherein said mechanism for compressing said upper lid against the upper surfaces of said sides of said cooler includes: 
 at least one compression strap; and  
 a mechanism for tightening said compression strap.  
 
     
     
         9 . The cooler of  claim 7  wherein said mechanism for compressing said upper lid against the upper surfaces of said sides of said cooler includes: 
 at least one fastener mechanism for tightening said upper lid against said upper surfaces of said sides of said cooler.  
 
     
     
         10 . The cooler of  claim 1  wherein said cooler further includes: 
 an insulating apron for covering items contained in said cooler.  
 
     
     
         11 . The cooler of  claim 1  wherein said cooler further includes: 
 at least one light mounted within said cooler.  
 
     
     
         12 . The cooler of  claim 1  wherein said cooler further includes: 
 a drain port; and  
 a bottom surface of said cooler canted towards said drain port.  
 
     
     
         13 . The cooler of  claim 1  wherein said cooler further includes: 
 about three inches of a lightweight material having an insulation rating of at least R7 per inch.  
 
     
     
         14 . The cooler of  claim 1  wherein said cooler further includes: 
 a thermometer for monitoring the internal temperature of said cooler.  
 
     
     
         15 . The cooler of  claim 1  wherein said cooler further includes: 
 a pocket formed of insulated material for holding dry ice; and  
 an elastic mechanism for compressing said pocket as said dry ice evaporates.  
 
     
     
         16 . The cooler of  claim 1  wherein said cooler further includes: 
 at least one built in compartment that is externally accessible.  
 
     
     
         17 . The cooler of  claim 1  wherein said cooler further includes: 
 compartments for holding containers.  
 
     
     
         18 . The cooler of  claim 1  wherein said cooler further includes: 
 shelve compartments.