Compartmentalized food and beverage cooler device

Abstract

A compartmentalized cooler having an open-ended container, plurality of compartments defined in the container, and lid having a gasket-seal and contours that correspond to the compartment dividers to prevent spill over of compartment contents and seal in odors. The cooler may also have a removable snap-fitted bait bucket that fits within a compartment to define two compartments, a support frame that can be mounted inside a boat, truck or other vehicle to removably place and secure the cooler, skid resistant strips on its bottom surface and, or a measurement guide printed, embossed or secured to the cooler for measuring catch.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A cooler comprising: 
 a container having an interior volume divided into a plurality of compartments by at least one wall;    a lid removable attachable to said container, said lid comprising at least one partition positioned to be in alignment with said at least one wall when said lid is attached to said container; and    a gasket seal disposed on an outside edge of said at least one partition wherein said gasket seal engages an outside edge of said at least one wall to create a seal between said lid and said compartments and between said compartments to prevent spill and odor cross-over between said compartments.    
     
     
         2 . A cooler as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of compartments comprises at least three compartments.  
     
     
         3 . A cooler as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a bucket that is removably insertable into at least one compartment, wherein there are at least four compartments when said bucket is inserted; and    means for snapping said bucket in said at least one compartment.    
     
     
         4 . A cooler as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said bucket has a releasable lid.  
     
     
         5 . A cooler as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a bucket that is removably insertable into at least one compartment, wherein there is an additional compartment formed when said bucket is inserted; and    means for snapping said bucket in said at least one compartment.    
     
     
         6 . A cooler as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said bucket has a releasable lid.  
     
     
         7 . A cooler as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising means for preventing said container from slipping when resting on a surface.  
     
     
         8 . A cooler as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said slipping preventing means comprises at least one skid-resistant strip securable to an exterior surface of said container.  
     
     
         9 . A cooler as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said strip comprises a rubber based material.  
     
     
         10 . A cooler as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said strip comprises a plastic based material.  
     
     
         11 . A cooler as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said slipping preventing means comprises: 
 a support frame having at least one raised flange, said frame having a shape and dimensions corresponding to the shape and dimensions of said container's bottom end so that said container securely fits within said frame; and    means for securing said frame to a fixed surface.    
     
     
         12 . A cooler as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said securing means comprises apertures for receiving fasteners.  
     
     
         13 . A cooler as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said slipping preventing means further comprises at least one skid-resistant strip securable to an exterior surface of said container.  
     
     
         14 . A cooler as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said strip comprises a rubber based material.  
     
     
         15 . A cooler as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said strip comprises a plastic based material.  
     
     
         16 . A cooler as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 means for measuring fish or game.    
     
     
         17 . A cooler as recited in  claim 16 , wherein said measuring means comprises a scale disposed on a selected surface of said container.