Cooler

Abstract

A compartmentalized cooler is provided. The cooler may have partitions capable of isolating different compartments of the cooler from the other. These partitions may have additional functions such as acting as a cutting board or ice pack. The cooler may further have a lock box contained within one of the partitions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cooler, comprising:
 an open-topped body defining an interior portion therein, the interior portion being constructed with insulated material;   a top attached to the open-topped body, wherein the top is sized to seal the interior portion in a first closed position, and configured to expose the interior portion in a second open position, the top being moveable between the first closed position and the second open position;   a removable partition slideably fitted within the interior portion by one of a plurality of grooves formed on the interior portion, the removable partition compartmentalizing the interior portion; and   the top further comprising a groove aligned with at least one of the plurality of grooves of the open-topped body, such that the removable partition mates with the groove to compartmentalize the interior portion substantially water-tightly on all edges of the partition at the top in the first closed position, the removable partition further comprising an ice pack.   
     
     
         2 . The cooler of  claim 1 , wherein the removable partition compartmentalizes the interior portion into a plurality of compartments, one of the plurality of compartments being substantially dry, wherein the one of the plurality of compartments is formed without being exposed to the ice pack, such that it prevents fluid created by condensation on the ice pack from accumulating in the one of the plurality of compartments. 
     
     
         3 . The cooler of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of spouts, the removable partition compartmentalizing the interior portion into a plurality of compartments, the plurality of spouts being positioned to drain fluid from each of the plurality of compartments. 
     
     
         4 . The cooler of  claim 1 , wherein the removable partition is a cutting board. 
     
     
         5 . The cooler of  claim 1 , wherein the ice pack is removable from the removable partition. 
     
     
         6 . The cooler of  claim 5 , wherein the ice pack comprises a material selected from the group consisting of gel, water, and water-based fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The cooler of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle, the handle being formed on the open-topped body. 
     
     
         8 . The cooler of  claim 7 , wherein the handle is extendable in a telescoping fashion. 
     
     
         9 . The cooler of  claim 1 , further comprising a cup holder formed on the open-topped body. 
     
     
         10 . The cooler of  claim 1 , further comprising a battery operated light placed on the top. 
     
     
         11 . The cooler of  claim 1 , further comprising a padded seat, the padded seat formed on a top surface of the top. 
     
     
         12 . The cooler of  claim 1 , further comprising a battery powered music source dock formed on the open-topped body. 
     
     
         13 . The cooler of  claim 1 , further comprising a tray holder, the tray holder being releasably fitted in a slot, wherein the slot is formed within one of the open-topped body and the top. 
     
     
         14 . The cooler of  claim 1 , wherein the open-topped body further comprises a removable wheel, the removable wheel being formed on the open-topped body, and placed to contact the ground when being transported. 
     
     
         15 . A cooler, comprising:
 an open-topped body defining an interior portion therein, the interior portion being constructed with insulated material;   a top attached to the open-topped body, wherein the top is sized to seal the interior portion in a first closed position, and configured to expose the interior portion in a second open position, the top being moveable between the first closed position and the second open position;   a removable partition slideably fitted within the interior portion by one of a plurality of grooves formed on the interior portion, the removable partition compartmentalizing the interior portion;   the top further comprising a groove aligned with at least one of the plurality of grooves of the open-topped body, such that the removable partition mates with the groove to compartmentalize the interior portion substantially water-tightly on all edges of the partition at the top in the first closed position; and   a lockbox slideably fitted by one of the plurality of grooves into the interior portion, wherein the lockbox comprises a tab that extends outwardly away from its body mating with another of the plurality of grooves.   
     
     
         16 . The cooler of  claim 15 , wherein the lockbox is securely latched to the body by the tab, the tab configured locking the lockbox in place with the interior portion. 
     
     
         17 . A method for compartmentalizing the cooler of  claim 1 , comprising the steps of:
 placing the removable partition into one of the plurality of grooves, thereby dividing the interior portion into a plurality of compartments;   sealing each of the plurality of compartments from each other, such that minimal fluid communication is allowed across each of the plurality of compartments;   separating a packaged item and an unpackaged item;   placing the packaged item and the unpackaged item into a separate one of the plurality of compartments; and   draining out fluid from the plurality of compartments, wherein a plurality of spouts are formed on the open-topped body, each of the plurality of spouts being positioned to drain a fluid from one of the plurality of compartments.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the step of locking a lockbox inside the interior portion, wherein the lockbox is slideably fitted by at least one of the plurality of grooves, and the lockbox comprises a tab that extends outwardly away from its body mating with the at least one of the plurality of grooves. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the step of placing the packaged item and the unpackaged item into a separate one of the plurality of compartments comprises placing the unpackaged item into a substantially dry one of the plurality of compartments, wherein the substantially dry one of the plurality of compartments is formed without being exposed to the ice pack. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the step of closing the top such that the removable partition mates with the groove to compartmentalize the interior portion substantially water-tightly on all edges of the partition at the top in the first closed position.