Ergonomic Cooler

Abstract

An ergonomic cooler providing quick and easy access to ice through a side ice access. The exposure of the ice to debris is reduced. The interior compartments have modular configurations. Ice is accessed with a scoop or utensil with minimal wrist movement.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ergonomic cooler comprising:
 a housing defined by four sides and a bottom defining an interior surface and an exterior surface;   a top that fits over the four sides and is parallel to the bottom;   an ice access having a door with an ice receptacle that is pulled away from the housing to reveal the ice receptacle containing ice from an. ice compartment; and   a side access providing access to a compartment housing.   
     
     
         2 . The cooler of  claim 1  further comprising a connector on each of two sides of the cooler exterior surface. 
     
     
         3 . The cooler of  claim 2  further comprising a strap connected on one end to one side of the cooler exterior surface and on a second end on a second side of the cooler exterior surface. 
     
     
         4 . The cooler of  claim 3  wherein the strap is configured as a harness, shoulder sling, or cross-body sling. 
     
     
         5 . The cooler of  claim 1  wherein the side access has a roll-down side access door revealing a side access interior. 
     
     
         6 . The cooler of  claim 1  wherein the side access reveals at least one compartment housing with a compartment space for accommodating the storage and access of ingredients. 
     
     
         7 . The cooler of  claim 1  wherein the cooler interior surface provides an ice compartment and a large ingredient storage space. 
     
     
         8 . The cooler of  claim 7  wherein the ice compartment is separated from the large ingredient storage space by an ice compartment barrier. 
     
     
         9 . The cooler of  claim 8  wherein the ice compartment barrier is modular and removably attached to the cooler interior surface. 
     
     
         10 . The cooler of  claim 1  wherein the ice access door further comprises a seal at the ice access threshold. 
     
     
         11 . The cooler of  claim 1  wherein the ice access is on a front side of the housing. 
     
     
         12 . A method of accessing ice from an ergonomic cooler comprising a housing defined by four sides and a bottom defining an interior surface and an. exterior surface, a top that fits over the four sides and is parallel to the bottom, an ice access having a door with an ice receptacle that is pulled away from the housing to reveal the receptacle containing ice from an ice compartment, and a side access providing access to a compartment housing; the method steps comprising:
 locating the ice access door with an ice receptacle,   pulling the ice access door away from the cooler housing, and   revealing ice from the ice compartment while the cooler top is fitted over the four sides.   
     
     
         13 . The method steps of  claim 12  further comprising dispensing ice from the ice compartment into the door ice receptacle. 
     
     
         14 . The method steps of  claim 12  further comprising pushing the ice access door toward the cooler housing to close the door, removing access to the ice compartment. 
     
     
         15 . The method steps of  claim 12  further comprising obtaining a scoop or utensil to retrieve ice from the ice access. 
     
     
         16 . The method steps of  claim 12  further comprising obtaining a scoop or utensil to retrieve ice from the ice receptacle. 
     
     
         17 . The method steps of  claim 15  further comprising inserting the scoop or utensil through the threshold and collecting ice from the ice compartment. 
     
     
         18 . The method steps of  claim 16  further comprising inserting the scoop or utensil into the door compartment and collecting ice from the door compartment. 
     
     
         19 . The method steps of  claim 17  whereby a person holding the scoop or utensil angles the scoop or utensil upward to collect ice. 
     
     
         20 . The method steps of claim.  18  whereby the person holding the scoop or utensil angles the scoop or utensil upward to collect ice.