Container apparatus

Abstract

A thermally insulated cooler includes multiple compartments for storing various items, such as beverage bottles, glassware, and accessories. The cooler comprises a first body section for housing beverage bottles, and a second body section pivotally connected to the first body section for housing glassware. The base of the second body section serves as a lid for the first body section. A lid section can be pivotally connected to the second body section to selectively open and close access to the second body section.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container apparatus comprising:
 (a) a first body section comprising a base and a sidewall extending upwardly from the base, the first body section defining a first enclosure for containing items therein and a top opening whereby an interior of the first body section can be accessed;   (b) a second body section comprising a base and a sidewall extending upwardly from the base, the second body section defining a second enclosure for containing items therein, the second body section pivotally attached to the first body section proximate an upper edge of the sidewall of the first body section and moveable from an open position wherein the interior of the first body section is exposed and a closed position wherein the second body section covers the interior of the first body section.   
     
     
         2 . The container apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the base of the second body section rests on an upper edge of the sidewall of the first body section when in the closed position. 
     
     
         3 . The container apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the second body section is pivotally attached to the sidewall of the first body section. 
     
     
         4 . The container apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a top lid section pivotally attached to the second body section proximate an upper edge of the sidewall of the second body section, and moveable from an open position wherein an interior of the second body section is exposed and a closed position wherein the second body section covers the interior of the second body section. 
     
     
         5 . The container apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the top lid section includes a compartment for containing tools therein. 
     
     
         6 . The container apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of compartments positioned in the interior of the first body section, wherein each compartment is adapted to receive a beverage container therein and limit movement of the beverage container. 
     
     
         7 . The container apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of compartments positioned in an interior of the second body section, wherein each compartment is adapted to receive a piece of glassware therein and limit movement of the piece of glassware. 
     
     
         8 . The container apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a water tank contained within the first body section, the water tank comprising a spout extending through an opening in the sidewall of the first body section. 
     
     
         9 . The container apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising notches formed in an interior surface of the sidewall of the first body section, and a plurality of divider panels slidably positioned within the notches to form a plurality of compartments in the interior of the first body section for receiving beverage containers therein and limiting movement of the beverage containers. 
     
     
         10 . The container apparatus according to  claim 9 , further comprising at least one divider wall positioned within the interior of the first body section and having at least one notch formed on a surface of the at least one divider wall for receiving at least one of the plurality of divider panels therein. 
     
     
         11 . A container kit comprising a container apparatus comprising:
 (a) a first body section comprising a substantially rectangular base and a substantially rectangular sidewall extending upwardly from the base, the first body section defining a first enclosure for containing items therein and a top opening whereby an interior of the first body section can be accessed;   (b) a second body section comprising a substantially rectangular base and a substantially rectangular sidewall extending upwardly from the base, the second body section defining a second enclosure for containing items therein, the second body section pivotally attached to the first body section proximate an upper edge of the sidewall of the first body section and moveable from an open position wherein the interior of the first body section is exposed and a closed position wherein the second body section covers the interior of the first body section.   
     
     
         12 . The kit according to  claim 11 , wherein the base of the second body section rests on an upper edge of the sidewall of the first body section when in the closed position. 
     
     
         13 . The kit according to  claim 11 , wherein the second body section is pivotally attached to the sidewall of the first body section. 
     
     
         15 . The kit according to  claim 11 , further comprising a water tank contained within the first body section, the water tank comprising a spout extending through an opening in the sidewall of the first body section. 
     
     
         16 . The kit according to  claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of divider panels, and wherein a first plurality of notches is formed in an interior surface of the sidewall of the first body section for slidably receiving the divider panels therein, the divider panels and the sidewall of the first body section forming at least one compartment defining an area for receiving a beverage container therein and limiting movement of the beverage container, and wherein the area of the at least one compartment can be altered by positioning the divider panels in different notches. 
     
     
         17 . The kit according to  claim 16 , further comprising at least one stationary divider wall positioned within the interior of the first body section and extending between opposed sides of the sidewall of the first body section, and a second plurality of notches formed in a surface of the at least one stationary divider, wherein the divider panels are slidably received in the first plurality of notches and the second plurality of notches. 
     
     
         18 . The kit according to  claim 17 , further comprising a plurality of divider walls positioned in an interior of the second body section forming compartments within the second body section, wherein each of the compartments is adapted to receive a piece of glassware therein and limit movement of the piece of glassware. 
     
     
         19 . The kit according to  claim 11 , wherein the container apparatus further comprises a top lid section pivotally attached to the second body section proximate an upper edge of the sidewall of the second body section, and moveable from an open position wherein an interior of the second body section is exposed and a closed position wherein the second body section covers the interior of the second body section. 
     
     
         20 . The kit according to  claim 19 , further comprising at least one tool selected from the group consisting of a bottle opener, a wine cork opener, and a wine key, and wherein the top lid section includes a compartment for containing the at least one tool therein.