Apparatus for Decorative Caparison for an Ice Chest or Cooler

Abstract

A decorative caparison engaging a cooler or ice chest. The caparison is devoid of insulating material and provides a changeable decor that can fit different tastes and environments and is removable for care, storage, and cleaning. An upper section of the caparison is adapted to engage the cover of the cooler, the upper section covering the top surface of the cover and a portion of the body of the cooler. A lower section of the caparison is adapted to engage the body of the cooler, the lower section covering substantially all of the visible body of the cooler. The present invention further includes a cooler having fastening elements which engage corresponding fastening elements on at least one of the upper or lower sections of the caparison to releasably engage the caparison. Finally, the present invention still further includes a method of decorating a cooler packed with perishables and cooling medium.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a cooler having:
 an insulated body defining an interior cavity and including a floor, side walls, a front wall, and a rear wall, the interior cavity adapted to store perishables and a cooling medium, 
 a cover including a top surface and being removably positioned on the body to seal the cavity when the cover is in a closed position and to allow access to the cavity when the cover is in an open position; 
 and 
   a caparison having:
 a decorative surface rendering the caparison aesthetically attractive, 
 an upper section adapted to engage the cover of the cooler via a form or stretch fit to cover at least the top surface of the cover, and 
 a lower section adapted to engage the body of the cooler via a form or stretch fit to cover substantially all of the visible body of the cooler. 
   
   
   
       2 . (canceled) 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the body of the cooler further has handles. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising hinges attaching the cover to the body and wherein the cover pivots between its open and closed positions. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising a recess located on one of the body or the cover to facilitate grasping of the cover. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 24  wherein the first, second, third, and fourth fastening elements are hook-and-loop fasteners. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the lower section of the caparison is wrapped around the body of the cooler so that one size of the lower section will fit coolers having a number of different-sized bodies. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus according to  claim 24  wherein the upper section of the caparison has a front edge and the third fastening element is located proximate that front edge and wherein the cover of the cooler has a front edge and the second fastening element is located proximate that front edge. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus according to  claim 24  wherein the third fastening element is located about 2.5-7.5 cm from the front edge of the upper section of the caparison. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the caparison is made of cloth. 
   
   
       11 . (canceled) 
   
   
       12 . The caparison according to  claim 1  wherein the upper section has a fastening element that affixes the upper section to the cover of the cooler. 
   
   
       13 . The caparison according to  claim 12  wherein the lower section has a fastening element that affixes the lower section to the body of the cooler. 
   
   
       14 . (canceled) 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein the upper section of the caparison has a front edge and its fastening element is located proximate that front edge. 
   
   
       16 . The caparison according to  claim 1  wherein the lower section is adapted to wrap around the body of the cooler so that one size of the lower section will fit coolers having a number of different-sized bodies. 
   
   
       17 - 20 . (canceled) 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the caparison comprises a machine-washable material. 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the caparison is devoid of insulating material. 
   
   
       23 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of the upper section and lower section comprises a material that stretches. 
   
   
       24 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the cooler comprises at least one of a first fastening element located on the body of the cooler and a second fastening element located on the cover of the cooler; and the comparison comprises at least one of a third fastening element that engages the second fastening element to affix the upper section to the cover of the cooler and a fourth fastening element that engages the first fastening element to affix the lower section to the body of the cooler.