Systems and methods for a modular cooler assembly

Abstract

A modular cooler assembly is disclosed herein. According to an embodiment, the modular cooler assembly may be configured to house one or more beverage containers therein. In some instances, the modular cooler assembly may include a number of panels. The panels may be interconnected by way of a number of joints. In certain embodiments, at least one of the panels may be configured to be opened and closed.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular cooler assembly configured to house one or more beverage containers therein, the modular cooler comprising:
 a rear panel;   a top panel;   a first side panel;   a second side panel;   a plurality of joints configured to interconnect the rear panel, the top panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel;   a bottom panel positioned between the rear panel, the top panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel; and   a front panel attached to at least one of the first side panel or the second side panel, wherein the front panel is configured to be opened and closed.   
     
     
         2 . The modular cooler assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom panel defines an upper compartment and a lower compartment. 
     
     
         3 . The modular cooler assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising a base member positioned about a bottom portion of the rear panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel, wherein the base member forms a bottom portion of the lower compartment. 
     
     
         4 . The modular cooler assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom panel is spaced apart from a bottom portion of the rear panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel such that the rear panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel at least partially encompass the bottom panel. 
     
     
         5 . The modular cooler assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the rear panel, the top panel, the first side panel, the second side panel, the bottom panel, and the front panel define a substantially enclosed space about the upper compartment when the front panel is closed. 
     
     
         6 . The modular cooler assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of joints comprise one or more hinges, pins, double rabbet joints, comb joints, or a combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The modular cooler assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of seals disposed between the plurality of joints, wherein the plurality of seals are configured to form a substantially hermetic seal between the rear panel, the top panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel. 
     
     
         8 . The modular cooler assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of supports positioned about an interior of one or more of the rear panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel, wherein the plurality of supports are configured to support the bottom panel thereon. 
     
     
         9 . The modular cooler assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising a plurality of seals disposed between the plurality of supports, wherein the plurality of seals are configured to form a substantially hermetic seal between the bottom panel and the rear panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel. 
     
     
         10 . The modular cooler assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the wherein the front panel comprises a glass door. 
     
     
         11 . The modular cooler assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the bottom panel comprises one or more apertures therethrough between the upper compartment and the lower compartment. 
     
     
         12 . The modular cooler assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the lower compartment is configured to house a refrigeration unit therein. 
     
     
         13 . The modular cooler assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a pedestal configured to support the rear panel, the top panel, the first side panel, the second side panel, and the bottom panel, wherein the pedestal comprises a bottom member, a front grill, and a rear grill, wherein the pedestal is configured to house a refrigeration unit therein. 
     
     
         14 . The modular cooler assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the rear panel, the top panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel each comprise:
 an interior panel;   an exterior panel;   one or more insulation layers disposed between the interior panel and the exterior panel;   one or more voids disposed within the one or more insulation layers; and   one or more vacuum panels, phase change materials, or a combination thereof disposed within the one or more voids of the one or more insulation layers.   
     
     
         15 . A modular cooler assembly configured to house one or more beverage containers therein, the modular cooler comprising:
 a plurality of panels, wherein one or more of the plurality of panels comprises:
 an interior panel; 
 an exterior panel; 
 one or more insulation layers disposed between the interior panel and the exterior panel; 
 one or more voids disposed within the one or more insulation layers; and 
 one or more vacuum panels, phase change materials, or a combination thereof disposed within the one or more voids of the one or more insulation layers; and 
   a plurality of joints configured to interconnect the plurality of panels, wherein at least one of the plurality of panels is configured to be opened and closed.   
     
     
         16 . The modular cooler assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of joints comprise one or more hinges, pins, double rabbet joints, comb joints, or a combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The modular cooler assembly of  claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of seals disposed between the plurality of joints, wherein the plurality of seals are configured to form a substantially hermetic seal between the plurality of panels. 
     
     
         18 . The modular cooler assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of panels define an upper compartment and a lower compartment, and wherein an aperture is disposed between the upper compartment and the lower compartment. 
     
     
         19 . The modular cooler assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the lower compartment is configured to house a refrigeration unit therein. 
     
     
         20 . A method for assembling a panel for a modular cooler assembly configured to house one or more beverage containers therein, the method comprising:
 cutting a void out of a first insulation layer;   attaching an interior panel to a first side of a second insulation layer;   attaching an exterior panel to a second side of the second insulation layer;   dividing the second insulation layer into two separate pieces;   positioning a vacuum panel, a phase change material, or a combination thereof within the void of the first insulation layer;   positioning the first insulation layer between the two separate pieces; and   sandwiching the two separate pieces of the insulation layer about the first insulation layer.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising interconnecting a plurality of the panels to at least partially form the modular cooler assembly. 
     
     
         22 . A collapsible shelf assembly, comprising:
 a frame assembly comprising a first lateral frame and a second lateral frame; and   a plurality of shelf assemblies rotatably coupled between the first lateral frame and the second lateral frame, wherein the plurality of shelf assemblies comprise a first shelf portion rotatably coupled to a second shelf portion, wherein the first shelf portion the second shelf portion comprise a folded configuration when the first lateral frame and the second lateral frame are moved towards each other and an expanded configuration when the first lateral frame and the second lateral frame are moved away from each other.   
     
     
         23 . The collapsible shelf assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the first lateral frame and the second lateral frame each comprise a plurality of supports coupled together to form a rigid structure. 
     
     
         24 . The collapsible shelf assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the first shelf portion and the second shelf portion form a substantially level surface capable of supporting one or more products thereon extending between the first lateral frame and the second lateral frame when in the expanded configuration. 
     
     
         25 . The collapsible shelf assembly of  claim 22 , further comprising a mounting bracket configured to couple the first lateral frame and the second lateral frame to the shelf assemblies. 
     
     
         26 . The collapsible shelf assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the first lateral frame and the second lateral frame comprise a track having a number of slots therein. 
     
     
         27 . The collapsible shelf assembly of  claim 22 , further comprising a spacer. 
     
     
         28 . A modular cooler assembly kit, comprising:
 a modular cooler assembly, comprising:
 a plurality of panels defining one or more compartments; and 
 a plurality of joints configured to interconnect the plurality of panels, wherein at least one of the plurality of panels is configured to be opened and closed; and 
   a collapsible shelf assembly, comprising:
 a frame assembly comprising a first lateral frame and a second lateral frame; and 
 a plurality of shelf assemblies rotatably coupled between the first lateral frame and the second lateral frame, wherein the plurality of shelf assemblies comprise a first shelf portion rotatably coupled to a second shelf portion, wherein the first shelf portion the second shelf portion comprise a folded configuration when the first lateral frame and the second lateral frame are moved towards each other and an expanded configuration when the first lateral frame and the second lateral frame are moved away from each other.