Inflatable cooler

Abstract

An inflatable cooler is provided having a rigid base, an upper frame, and an inflatable body having at least one fluid chamber connected to the base and to the upper frame. The inflatable body and the at least fluid chamber is comprised of a flexible material. The cooler has an inflated state in which the at least one fluid chamber is filled with a fluid such as air, thereby increasing the height of the cooler and forming a semi-rigid body structure useful for transporting food and beverages. The cooler has a deflated state in which the at least one fluid chamber is not filled, thereby providing a compact structure conducive for efficient storage and relatively inexpensive shipping.

1 . An inflatable cooler comprising: 
 a rigid base;    an upper frame; and    an inflatable body having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end sealingly engaged to the rigid base and the upper end sealingly engaged to the upper frame;    
     
     
         2 . The cooler of  claim 1 , further comprising a lid hingedly connected to the upper frame.  
     
     
         3 . The cooler of  claim 1 , further comprising a lid removably connectable to the upper frame.  
     
     
         4 . The cooler of  claim 1 , wherein the cooler has an inflated state, wherein the rigid base, upper frame, and inflatable body define a cavity.  
     
     
         5 . The cooler of  claim 4 , wherein the inflatable body in the inflated state is at least semi-rigid.  
     
     
         6 . The cooler of  claim 4 , wherein the cooler is structurally capable of transporting food, beverages, and ice when the inflatable body is in the inflated state.  
     
     
         7 . The cooler of  claim 1 , wherein the cooler has a deflated state, wherein the rigid base is connectable to the upper frame.  
     
     
         8 . The cooler of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable body comprises a flexible material defining at least one fluid chamber.  
     
     
         9 . The cooler of  claim 8 , wherein the flexible material comprises a polymer.  
     
     
         10 . The cooler of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one fluid chamber is filled with air to inflate the inflatable body.  
     
     
         11 . The cooler of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one fluid chamber is filled with water to inflate the inflatable body.  
     
     
         12 . A method for using an inflatable cooler, comprising: 
 providing an inflatable cooler comprising a rigid base, an upper frame, and an inflatable body having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end sealingly engaged to the rigid base and the upper end sealingly engaged to the upper frame;    filling the inflatable body with a fluid to create an inflated cooler; and    storing items in the inflated cooler.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the items are selected from food, beverages, ice, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         14 . A method for storing an inflatable cooler, comprising: 
 providing an inflatable cooler comprising a rigid base, an upper frame, and an inflatable body in its inflated state having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end sealingly engaged to the rigid base and the upper end sealingly engaged to the upper frame;    removing fluid from the inflatable body to create a deflated cooler; and    storing the deflated cooler.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the rigid base is connectable to the upper frame when the inflatable cooler is deflated;  
     
     
         16 . A method for shipping an inflatable cooler, comprising: 
 manufacturing an inflatable cooler comprising a rigid base, an upper frame, and an inflatable body having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end sealingly engaged to the rigid base and the upper end sealingly engaged to the upper frame, wherein the rigid base is connectable to the upper frame when the inflatable cooler is in its deflated state; and    shipping the inflatable cooler in its deflated state.