Party cooler

Abstract

The invention is an insulated cooler designed to keep salads and other foods and beverages cold and fresh while also providing a convenient means to serve these foods and beverages. A first insert liner capable of supporting bowls or other serving dishes is positioned near the top opening of the cooler. A second insert liner is optionally placed below the first insert liner, creating a compartment for ice or other coolants. The size of the ice-containing compartment is adjusted by vertically adjusting the second insert liner. The second insert liner is designed to drain melted ice to the base of the cooler, and the cooler itself is equipped with a drain to the exterior. The cooler includes one or two lids that can serve as serving surfaces when locked in an open position.

1 . An insulated container for food and beverages comprising:
 (a) a rigid base wall, two side walls attached to said base wall, two end walls attached to said base wall, a top opening defined by said two side walls and said two end walls, and a main hollow compartment defined by said base wall and said side and end walls;   (b) at least one lid, capable of covering said top opening;   (c) a removable first insert liner, positioned within said main hollow compartment, with openings suitable to support food and beverage containers; and   (d) a drain, positioned in and extending through one said end wall.   
   
   
       2 . The insulated container of  claim 1 , wherein each said end wall includes a ridge along an interior surface of each said wall, said ridges positioned below said top opening. 
   
   
       3 . The insulated container of  claim 2 , wherein said first insert liner is positioned on said ridges within said main hollow compartment. 
   
   
       4 . The insulated container of  claim 3 , further including a removable second insert liner, positioned above said base wall but below said first insert liner, and containing means to drain fluid to said base wall of the cooler. 
   
   
       5 . The insulated container of  claim 4 , wherein said second insert liner is positioned within said main hollow compartment by means of at least one stop mounted on the interior surface of each opposing end wall. 
   
   
       6 . The insulated container of  claim 5 , wherein said stops upon which said second insert liner is positioned extend a greater horizontal distance into said main hollow compartment than said ridges upon which said first insert liner is positioned extend into said main hollow compartment. 
   
   
       7 . The insulated container of  claim 6 , wherein said second insert liner is of shorter length than said first insert liner. 
   
   
       8 . The insulated container of  claim 4 , wherein said second insert liner is positioned within said main hollow compartment by adjustable means. 
   
   
       9 . The insulated container of  claim 1 , wherein a single lid capable of covering said top opening is attached to one side wall by at least one hinge. 
   
   
       10 . The insulated container of  claim 1 , wherein two lids, each attached to opposite side walls by at least one hinge, cover said top opening. 
   
   
       11 . The insulated container of  claim 1 , wherein at least one lid is removable. 
   
   
       12 . The insulated container of  claim 1 , wherein at least one lid, in an open position, provides a level surface parallel to a plane defined by said base wall.