Cooling Apparatus

Abstract

The present invention enables hikers to easily carry both chilled water and chilled food items in a lightweight, compact package. A significant portion of the effort of carrying snacks on a hike comes from the weight of the food cooler and its chemical cooling elements. By placing the food items inside the body of a flexible cooler, then wrapping that cooler around a bottle of frozen water without covering the lid, the present invention lets the ice chill the food items while carrying them in a compact, lightweight container.

1 . A cooling apparatus for mobile activities, the cooling apparatus comprising
 a base piece,   a plurality of flaps, each flap comprising a first end, a second end, a first long edge, a second long edge, at least two layers, and a storage pouch with a closure, wherein said first end of each flap is attached to the perimeter edge of the base piece, and wherein said second end of each flap further comprises a fastener,   wherein the fastener joins or disjoins the second end of each flap from one or more adjacent flaps at the user's option.   
     
     
         2 . The cooling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said cooling apparatus comprises three or more flaps. 
     
     
         3 . The cooling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two layers of the flaps comprise at least one outer layer and at least one water-resistant inner layer. 
     
     
         4 . The cooling apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the storage pouch is fitted into the space between the at least two layers. 
     
     
         5 . The storage pouch of  claim 5 , further comprising a water-resistant liner. 
     
     
         6 . The cooling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener comprises a lanyard movably attached to the second end of each flap. 
     
     
         7 . The cooling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein one long edge of a flap partially overlaps one long edge of another flap when both flaps are folded perpendicular to the base piece. 
     
     
         8 . The cooling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the storage pouch further comprises a resealable opening. 
     
     
         9 . A cooling apparatus for mobile activities, the cooling apparatus comprising
 a base piece,   a tube-shaped flap comprising a first end, a second end, a first long edge, a second long edge, at least two layers, and a storage pouch with a closure, wherein said first end of tube-shaped flap is attached to the perimeter edge of the base piece, and wherein said second end of the flap further comprises a fastener, wherein the fastener closes or opens the second end of tube-shaped flap the at the user's option.   
     
     
         10 . A method of carrying a food item and a bottle using the cooling apparatus of  claim 1 , the method comprising the steps of:
 placing one or more food items in the storage pouches;   placing a bottle on top of the base piece;   folding the flaps perpendicular to the base piece; and   operating the fastener to secure the flaps upright against the bottle.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the bottle comprises drinkable liquid and ice.