초록 ▼

A portable cooler assembly comprises a base and an insulated container defining a cooler. The container includes an inflatable wall and a valve for inflating of the wall. The insulated container is removably coupled to the base, and the base defines a container receiving recess within which a bottom

A portable cooler assembly comprises a base and an insulated container defining a cooler. The container includes an inflatable wall and a valve for inflating of the wall. The insulated container is removably coupled to the base, and the base defines a container receiving recess within which a bottom portion of the insulated container is received. When the portable cooler assembly is in a first configuration, the inflatable wall is inflated and extends outwardly from the container receiving space. When the portable cooler assembly is in a second configuration, the inflatable wall is deflated and is completely received within the container receiving space in a collapsed condition.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A portable cooler assembly, comprising: (a) a base; and (b) an insulated container subassembly including, (i) an inflatable wall, and (ii) a valve for inflating said wall; (c) wherein said insulated container is removably coupled to said base; (d) wherein said base defines a

What is claimed is: 1. A portable cooler assembly, comprising: (a) a base; and (b) an insulated container subassembly including, (i) an inflatable wall, and (ii) a valve for inflating said wall; (c) wherein said insulated container is removably coupled to said base; (d) wherein said base defines a container receiving recess within which a bottom portion of said insulated container subassembly is received; (e) wherein, when the portable cooler assembly is in a first configuration, said inflatable wall is inflated and extends outwardly from the container receiving recess; (f) wherein, when the portable cooler assembly is in a second configuration, said inflatable wall is deflated and is completely received within the container receiving recess in a collapsed condition; and (g) wherein said base includes a peripheral wall that at least partially defines the container receiving recess, at least a portion of said peripheral wall extending above said insulated container subassembly when the portable cooler assembly is in the second configuration. 2. A portable cooler assembly, comprising: (a) a base; and (b) an insulated container subassembly including, (i) inflatable sidewalls, (ii) at least one valve for inflating said sidewalls, and (iii) a rim attached to a top of said inflatable sidewalls; (c) wherein said insulated container subassembly is removably coupled to said base; (d) wherein said base defines a container receiving recess within which a bottom portion of said insulated container subassembly is received; (e) wherein, when the portable cooler assembly is in a first configuration, (i) said inflatable sidewalls are inflated and extend outwardly from the container receiving recess, and (ii) said rim is not received within the container receiving recess; (f) wherein, when the portable cooler assembly is in a second configuration, (i) said inflatable sidewalls are deflated and are received within the container receiving recess in a collapsed condition, and (ii) at least a portion of said rim is received within said container receiving recess; and (g) wherein said base includes a peripheral wall that at least partially defines the container receiving recess, at least a portion of said peripheral wall extending above said insulated container subassembly when the portable cooler assembly is in the second configuration. 3. The portable cooler assembly of claim 2, wherein said insulated container subassembly further includes a bottom wall that extends between and connects said inflatable sidewalls. 4. The portable cooler assembly of claim 2, wherein said sidewalls include non-pleated, smooth exterior surfaces. 5. The portable cooler assembly of claim 3, wherein said insulated subassembly further includes a lid received on said rim, and wherein said inflatable sidewalls, said bottom wall, said rim, and said lid collectively define an insulated container having an interior, insulated space for storing food items. 6. The portable cooler assembly of claim 5, wherein the portable cooler assembly further comprises a drain conduit defining a passageway in fluid communication with a lower portion of the interior, insulated space for draining liquid from the interior, insulated space to an exterior of the portable cooler assembly. 7. The portable cooler assembly of claim 2, wherein said insulated container subassembly is attached to a floor of the container receiving recess of said base by a plurality of fasteners. 8. The portable cooler assembly of claim 7, wherein said plurality of fasteners comprises snap fasteners. 9. The portable cooler assembly of claim 2, wherein said rim of said insulated container subassembly is rigid, non-inflatable, and coextensive with a top of said inflatable sidewalls, and wherein an outer peripheral edge of said rim is at least partially received within the container receiving recess when the portable cooler assembly is in the second configuration. 10. The portable cooler assembly of claim 9, wherein said sidewalls are attached to said rim by a first plurality of fasteners whereby said rim is removable from said sidewalls. 11. The portable cooler assembly of claim 10, wherein said first plurality of fasteners comprises snap fasteners. 12. The portable cooler assembly of claim 10, wherein said insulated container subassembly is attached to a floor of the container receiving recess of said base by a second plurality of fasteners whereby said insulated container subassembly is removable from said base. 13. The portable cooler assembly of claim 12, wherein said second plurality of fasteners comprises snap fasteners. 14. The portable cooler assembly of claim 2, further comprising a pump for inflating said inflatable sidewalls. 15. The portable cooler assembly of claim 5, wherein said insulated container subassembly further comprises a hand pump removably mounted to an exterior surface of said lid, said hand pump being configured for mating engagement with said at least one valve for inflating of said inflatable sidewalls. 16. The portable cooler assembly of claim 15, wherein said hand pump is removably mounted within a recess in, and at least lies substantially flush with, an exterior surface of said lid. 17. A portable cooler assembly, comprising (a) a base; and (b) an insulated container subassembly including, (i) an inflatable wall, (ii) a valve for inflating said wall, (iii) a rim connected to a top of said inflatable wall and defining a top opening of said insulated container subassembly, and (iv) a lid arranged on said rim to cover the top opening; (c) wherein said insulated container subassembly is removably coupled to said base in fixed disposition relative to said base; (d) wherein said base includes a peripheral wall that at least partially defines a container receiving recess within which a bottom portion of said insulated container subassembly is received; (e) wherein, when the portable cooler assembly is in a first configuration, (i) said inflatable wall is inflated and extends outwardly from the container receiving recess, and (ii) said rim and lid are located above the container receiving recess and said peripheral wall of said base; and (f) wherein, when the portable cooler assembly is in a second configuration, (i) said inflatable wall is deflated and is completely received within the container receiving recess in a collapsed condition, and (ii) said rim and lid collectively are at least partially received within the container receiving recess. 18. The portable cooler assembly of claim 17, wherein at least a portion of said peripheral wall extends above said insulated container subassembly when the portable cooler assembly is in the second configuration. 19. The portable cooler assembly of claim 1, wherein said insulated container subassembly defines an insulated interior space for storing food items, and wherein the portable cooler assembly further comprises a drain conduit defining a passageway in fluid communication with a lower portion of the insulated interior space for draining liquid from the insulated interior space to an exterior of the portable cooler assembly. 20. The portable cooler assembly of claim 17, wherein said insulated container subassembly defines an insulated interior space for storing food items, and wherein the portable cooler assembly further comprises a drain conduit defining a passageway in fluid communication with a lower portion of the insulated interior space for draining liquid from the insulated interior space to an exterior of the portable cooler assembly.