US4886176A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Portable liquid cooler
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1988-10-25
•
Granted: 1989-12-12
•
Expires: 2008-10-25
Abstract
Abstract A portable liquid insulated cooler having a plug removably mounted on the top wall through which a flexible tubing extends providing a straw for drawing the liquid contents from the container. A receptacle containing a coolant is removably mounted on the top wall of the cooler and depends therefrom into the liquid in the cooler. The cooler is provided with a handle having a storage compartment for the flexible tubing.
Inventors
- 👤 Betty P. Steakley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 03:42
CPC Classifications
A; A45; A45C; A45C11/00; A45C11/20; F; F25; F25D; F25D3/00; F25D3/02; F25D3/06; F25D3/08; F25D2303/00; F25D2303/08; F25D2303/081; F25D2331/00; F25D2331/80; F25D2331/804; F25D2331/809
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
269 words
A portable liquid cooler comprising, a container having top, bottom and side walls, a drinking liquid in said container, a plug removably mounted on the top wall of said container, a recess provided in said plug, an integral tube connected to said plug, said tube having a depending portion extending from the bottom wall of said recess into said container and a portion extending upwardly from the bottom wall of said recess, a flexible plastic tubing insertable through said integral tube to thereby provide a removable straw for drawing the liquid from the container, the relative diameters of the upwardly extending tube portion and the tubing providing a snug fit therebetween to thereby prevent liquid from splashing out of the container, a closure removably mounted on said plug for closing the integral tube when the flexible tubing has been removed therefrom, said closure having a depending tubular portion adapted to extend over the upwardly extending portion of the integral tube, a receptacle containing a coolant removably mounted on the top wall of said container, said receptacle extending through an opening in said top wall and depending therefrom into the liquid within the container, the bottom wall of said container being sloped in a direction toward the tubing, whereby the liquid in the container will remain in the vicinity of the lower end of the tubing even when the contents of the container are low and the top wall of the container being sloped in a direction toward said opening so that after washing the cooler can be placed in an upside-down manner to thereby drain the wash water therefrom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
269 words
A portable liquid cooler comprising, a container having top, bottom and side walls, a drinking liquid in said container, a plug removably mounted on the top wall of said container, a recess provided in said plug, an integral tube connected to said plug, said tube having a depending portion extending from the bottom wall of said recess into said container and a portion extending upwardly from the bottom wall of said recess, a flexible plastic tubing insertable through said integral tube to thereby provide a removable straw for drawing the liquid from the container, the relative diameters of the upwardly extending tube portion and the tubing providing a snug fit therebetween to thereby prevent liquid from splashing out of the container, a closure removably mounted on said plug for closing the integral tube when the flexible tubing has been removed therefrom, said closure having a depending tubular portion adapted to extend over the upwardly extending portion of the integral tube, a receptacle containing a coolant removably mounted on the top wall of said container, said receptacle extending through an opening in said top wall and depending therefrom into the liquid within the container, the bottom wall of said container being sloped in a direction toward the tubing, whereby the liquid in the container will remain in the vicinity of the lower end of the tubing even when the contents of the container are low and the top wall of the container being sloped in a direction toward said opening so that after washing the cooler can be placed in an upside-down manner to thereby drain the wash water therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A portable liquid cooler according to claim 1 wherein a vent is provided in said plug whereby air may enter the container as liquid is drawn therefrom.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A portable liquid cooler according to claim 1, wherein a fitting is provided on the top wall of the container for temporarily holding the closure while the tubing is being employed, to thereby prevent loss of misplacement of the closure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
A portable liquid cooler according to claim 1, wherein the container is mounted within a housing in spaced relationship to the walls thereof, insulation being mounted in the space between the outer wall surface of the container and the inner wall surface of the housing, said plug and receptacle also being removably mounted on the top wall of said housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A portable liquid container, according to claim 4, wherein a carrying handle is connected to said housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A portable liquid container according to claim 5, wherein said handle is provided with a storage conpartment for storing the tubing when not in use.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A portable liquid container according to claim 6, wherein said handle is bifurcated and having arm portions pivotally connected to the end walls of the housing and the bight portion being hollow for receiving said tubing.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-12-11 | 1993-06-12 | 1993-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-12-11 | 1997-06-12 | 1997-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-12-11 | 2001-06-12 | 2001-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |