Stackable 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.

1 . A stackable cooler, comprising: 
 a first container member comprising a bottom and sides enclosing a container space and configured for insulating the container space, the first container member defining an opening dimensioned for removably and insulatingly receiving products into the container space; and    at least one first hook supportively associated with the first container member for hooking to a support structure with the container member hanging therefrom;    wherein the first hook and first container member are configured for placing said stackable cooler in a nested association with second and third stackable coolers that are of similar construction to said first stackable cooler and that have second and third container members and hooks, respectively, wherein 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.    
   
   
       2 . The stackable cooler of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom is configured and dimensioned for reception within the opening and container space of the second container member.  
   
   
       3 . The stackable cooler of  claim 1 , further comprising a stop member extending radially with respect to the first container opening for limiting the reception into the second container member when placed in the nested association.  
   
   
       4 . The stackable cooler of  claim 3 , wherein the first container member is tapered between an upper portion axially adjacent the opening and the bottom, such that the bottom is narrower than the upper portion, the stop member comprising the upper portion.  
   
   
       5 . The stackable cooler of  claim 3 , wherein the stop member comprises a stop ledge for abutting the second container member to limit the reception therein in the nested association.  
   
   
       6 . The stackable cooler of  claim 3 , wherein the first container member has an axial height measured from the opening to the bottom measured at the outside of the first container member, at least about one third of the axial height being receivable in the second container member in the nested association.  
   
   
       7 . The stackable cooler of  claim 6 , wherein at least one half of the axial height is receivable in the second container member in the nested association.  
   
   
       8 . The stackable cooler of  claim 1 , wherein the first hook is configured for hooking to a shopping cart.  
   
   
       9 . The stackable cooler of  claim 1 , wherein the first hook extends axially above the opening in a direction opposite the bottom.  
   
   
       10 . The stackable cooler of  claim 1 , wherein the first hook has a hooked end opposite from the first container member, the first hook being configured such that in the nested association the hooked end is disposed above the second hook of the second container member in the nested association.  
   
   
       11 . The stackable cooler of  claim 1 , wherein the opening comprises a space to receive the hook of the third cooler in the nested association.  
   
   
       12 . The stackable cooler of  claim 1 , further comprising a lid associated with the first container member for movement between: 
 a closed position for closing the opening and substantially blocking airflow there through; and    an open position for uncovering the opening and in which the lid is configured and positioned for avoiding interference with the third cooler in the nested association.    
   
   
       13 . The stackable cooler of  claim 12 , wherein the lid comprises a flexible flap.  
   
   
       14 . The stackable cooler of  claim 1 , the container space is sized to contain at least one and up to four pint containers of ice cream.  
   
   
       15 . The stackable cooler of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the bottom and sides comprises a double wall for insulating the container space, and the sides comprise a first wall portion and a second wall portion, the first wall portion having a first viewable appearance and being detachably connected with the second wall portion for enclosing the container space such that the first wall portion can be replaced with another first wall portion that has a different viewable appearance.  
   
   
       16 . The stackable cooler of  claim 1 , wherein the side walls comprise at least a double walled portion having inner and outer walls defining an opening for receiving a sheet therebetween, the outer wall being translucent or transparent for viewing the sheet between the inner and outer walls.  
   
   
       17 . The stackable cooler of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the sides has a translucent or transparent portion for viewing the contents of the container space.  
   
   
       18 . A set of coolers, comprising the first, second, and third coolers of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       19 . A cooler, comprising a container comprising a bottom and sides that enclose a container space, the container being configured for insulating the container space and defining an opening dimensioned for removably and insulatingly receiving products into the container space, the container comprising first and second wall portions that are connected and enclosing the container space, wherein a first wall portion is attached to a second wall portion and is at least partially separable therefrom for changing the appearance of the container.  
   
   
       20 . The cooler of  claim 19 , wherein the first wall portion is removably separable from the second wall portion.  
   
   
       21 . The cooler of  claim 19 , wherein the connected first and second wall portions comprise an insulating double wall around the container space.  
   
   
       22 . The cooler of  claim 21 , wherein the first wall portion comprises an outer wall, and the second wall portion comprises an inner wall disposed within the outer wall with the first and second wall portions connected.  
   
   
       23 . The cooler of  claim 19 , wherein the first wall portion comprises at least a portion of the side walls and is detachable from the second wall portion for exposing an opening to the container space.  
   
   
       24 . The cooler of  claim 19 , wherein the first wall portion is replaceable with another wall portion to be connected with the second wall portion, wherein the other wall portion has a different appearance than the first wall portion.  
   
   
       25 . The cooler of  claim 19 , wherein the first wall portion comprises an advertisement viewable from outside the container space.  
   
   
       26 . The cooler of  claim 19 , wherein the first wall portion is hingedly associated with the second wall portion for pivoting between a first position adjacent the second wall portion and a second position at least partially separated therefrom to provide access to an interwall portion disposed between the first and second wall portions.  
   
   
       27 . The cooler of  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 at least one first hook supportively associated with the container for hooking to a support structure with the container hanging therefrom;    wherein the hook and container are configured for placing the cooler in a nested association with additional coolers of similar construction with said container nested through an opening and in the container space of one of the additional coolers and said container nestingly receiving the container of another of the additional coolers through said opening and in said container space.