Cooler with integrated solar light

Abstract

A portable cooler for maintaining a variety of items at an internal temperature dissimilar to that of the temperature of its external surroundings comprising of a substantially rectangular in shape insulated container. The insulated container includes a storage compartment configure with an insulated lid, a plurality of insulated walls and an insulated bottom defining the interior volume of the insulated container. Integrated into the internally facing surface of the lid is a mechanism for illuminating the interior volume of the storage compartment, with the mechanism being power by a rechargeable power supply, such as a battery which can be recharged by a solar panel.

1 . A device for providing thermal isolation, comprising: 
 a container having a plurality of walls and a bottom, said plurality of walls and bottom being configured to form a storage compartment for receiving objects therein, said container having an open end;    a lid configured to fit into the open end of said container, said lid for closing the open end of said container;    a mechanism for illuminating at least a portion of the storage compartment; and    a power supply for supplying power to said mechanism.    
   
   
       2 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said power supply includes a rechargeable battery and further includes at least one photovoltaic cell for converting light energy into electrical energy to at least facilitate the recharging of said battery.  
   
   
       3 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said power supply is integrated with said lid.  
   
   
       4 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said mechanism for illuminating includes a light, said light being attached to said lid.  
   
   
       5 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , and further including a handle attached to one of said plurality of walls for facilitating the lifting and moving of the device.  
   
   
       6 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , and further including at least one wheel attached to said container for facilitating the moving of the device.  
   
   
       7 . An device for providing thermal isolation, comprising: 
 a plurality of insulated walls and an insulated bottom, said plurality of insulated walls and insulated bottom being configured to form a storage compartment for receiving objects therein, said plurality of insulated walls and insulated bottom further being configured to have an opening;    an insulated lid configured to fit into said opening, said lid for closing said opening;    an illuminating device for illuminating at least a portion of the storage compartment; and    a power supply for providing power to said illuminating device.    
   
   
       8 . The device as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said power supply includes a rechargeable battery and further includes at least one photovoltaic cell for converting light energy into electrical energy to at least facilitate the recharging of said battery.  
   
   
       9 . The device as recited in  claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of said power supply is integrated with said insulated lid.  
   
   
       10 . The device as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said illuminating device includes a light, said light being attached to said lid.  
   
   
       11 . The device as recited in  claim 10 , and further including a handle attached to one of said plurality of insulated walls for facilitating the lifting and moving of the device.  
   
   
       12 . The device as recited in  claim 11 , and further including at least one wheel attached to said container for facilitating the moving of the device.  
   
   
       13 . A portable cooler, comprising: 
 a plurality of insulated walls and an insulated bottom, said plurality of insulated walls and insulated bottom being configured to form a storage compartment for receiving objects therein, said plurality of insulated walls and insulated bottom further being configured to have an opening;    an insulated lid hingedly attached to one of said plurality of insulated walls, said insulated lid configured to fit into and close said opening;    an illuminating device for illuminating at least a portion of the storage compartment;    a power supply for providing power to said illuminating device; and    a switch for enabling and disabling the supply of power from said power supply to said illuminating device.    
   
   
       14 . The device as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said power supply includes a rechargeable battery.  
   
   
       15 . The device as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said power supply further includes at least one photovoltaic cell for converting light energy into electrical energy to at least facilitate the recharging of said battery.  
   
   
       16 . The device as recited in  claim 15 , wherein at least a portion of said power supply is integrated with said insulated lid.  
   
   
       17 . The device as recited in  claim 16 , wherein said illuminating device includes a light, said light being attached to said lid.  
   
   
       18 . The device as recited in  claim 17 , and further including a handle attached to one of said plurality of insulated walls for facilitating the lifting and moving of the portable cooler.  
   
   
       19 . The device as recited in  claim 18 , and further including at least one wheel attached to said container for facilitating the moving of the portable cooler.  
   
   
       20 . The device as recited in  claim 19 , wherein said switch is integrated into said insulated lid, such that when said insulated is open, said switch enables the supply of power from said power supply to said illuminating device.