Portable cooler with powered cooling system

Abstract

A portable cooler with a powered cooling system is disclosed. Preferred embodiments include wheels large and flexible enough for rolling over sand, grass, and other uneven surfaces, and handles for carrying and/or pulling. Pulling handles can include an extension that can be rigid or flexible and can be retractable. Power sources include rechargeable and/or exchangeable batteries, and/or a solar panel. Accessories in preferred embodiments include a power outlet for a cellular telephone, a power outlet for an iPod, a docking station for an iPod, an AC electrical outlet, a radio, a CD player, a tape player, an MP3 player, a television, audio headset outlets, and one or more audio speakers. In preferred embodiments, some or all of the power source, the cooling system, and the accessories are protected from water and/or sand. Some embodiments include a beverage holder, and in some of these embodiments the beverage holder is cooled.

1 . A portable, powered cooler comprising:
 a thermally insulated container having an interior space;   a portable power source cooperative with the thermally insulated container; and   a portable, powered cooling system, cooperative with the portable power storage device, the portable, powered cooling system being capable of removing heat from the interior space of the thermally insulated container.   
   
   
       2 . The portable, powered cooler of  claim 1 , further comprising wheels that facilitate transportation of the portable, powered cooler. 
   
   
       3 . The portable, powered cooler of  claim 2 , wherein the wheels are sufficiently large and flexible to facilitate rolling of the cooler across sand, grass, and other uneven surfaces. 
   
   
       4 . The portable, powered cooler of  claim 2 , further comprising a graspable pulling handle that facilitates pulling on the cooler so as to cause the cooler to roll in a desired direction. 
   
   
       5 . The portable, powered cooler of  claim 4 , wherein the graspable pulling handle includes an extension that facilitates pulling on the cooler by a standing individual. 
   
   
       6 . The portable, powered cooler of  claim 5  wherein the extension is at least one of flexible and retractable. 
   
   
       7 . The portable, powered cooler of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the power source and the cooling system is protected against exposure to at least one of water and sand. 
   
   
       8 . The portable, powered cooler of  claim 1 , wherein the power source includes at least one battery. 
   
   
       9 . The portable, powered cooler of  claim 8 , wherein at least one battery is exchangeable. 
   
   
       10 . The portable, powered cooler of  claim 8 , wherein at least one battery is rechargeable. 
   
   
       11 . The portable, powered cooler of  claim 8 , wherein at least one battery can be recharged from at least one of an automobile battery, an AC electrical outlet, and a solar panel. 
   
   
       12 . The portable, powered cooler of  claim 1 , wherein the power source includes a solar panel. 
   
   
       13 . The portable, powered cooler of  claim 8 , wherein the solar panel is attached to an outward facing surface of the cooler. 
   
   
       14 . The portable, powered cooler of  claim 1 , further comprising an accessory chosen from the following list:
 a power outlet for a cellular telephone;   a power outlet for an iPod;   a docking station for an iPod;   an AC electrical outlet;   a radio;   a CD player;   a tape player;   an MP3 player;   a television;   an outlet for an audio headset; and   at least one audio speaker.   
   
   
       15 . The portable, powered cooler of  claim 14 , wherein the accessory is protected from exposure to at least one of water and sand. 
   
   
       16 . The portable, powered cooler of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one beverage holder for supporting an open beverage container that is at least one of a beverage cup, a soft drink can, a beer can, a plastic beverage bottle, a glass beverage bottle, a wine bottle, a beer bottle, and other beverage containers. 
   
   
       17 . The portable, powered cooler of  claim 16 , wherein a portion of at least one beverage holder is cooled so as to maintain a beverage in a container supported by the beverage holder at a reduced temperature. 
   
   
       18 . The portable, powered cooler of  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor and regulator that monitors and maintains the temperature in the interior space of the thermally insulated container. 
   
   
       19 . The portable, powered cooler of  claim 18 , further comprising at least one of means for setting a desired temperature and means for displaying the measured temperature of the interior space of the thermally insulated container. 
   
   
       20 . The portable, powered cooler of  claim 1 , further comprising a graspable carrying handle that facilitates carrying the portable, powered cooler.