Cooler and cooler accessory with integrated liquid dispenser

Abstract

A cooler comprising a container body having an exterior surface and at least a partially hollow interior. The container body has one or more receptacles formed within its exterior surface and extending into the hollow interior. The receptacles have enclosed bottom and side surfaces and open tops. The hollow interior of the container body is sealed and provides a fluid-tight reservoir to hold a fluid or a frozen or partially frozen fluid or gel. The container further contains a dispenser to permit the controlled release of fluid stored in the interior of the container.

1 . A cooler comprising a container body having an exterior surface and at least a partially hollow interior, said container body having one or more receptacles formed within said exterior surface and extending into said hollow interior, said receptacles having enclosed bottom and side surfaces and open tops, said hollow interior of said container body sealed and providing a fluid-tight reservoir to hold a fluid or a frozen or partially frozen fluid or gel, said container further containing a dispenser to permit the controlled release of fluid stored in said interior of said container. 
   
   
       2 . The cooler as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said dispenser is a spigot or a valve. 
   
   
       3 . The cooler as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said container body includes one or more expansion zones, said expansion zones allowing for the expansion of said container upon the freezing and expansion of water or liquid stored in said hollow interior. 
   
   
       4 . The cooler as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said container body is further comprised of an upper and a lower body portion, said upper body portion including said receptacles and said lower body portion containing said dispenser. 
   
   
       5 . The cooler as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said upper and said lower body portions are sealed together. 
   
   
       6 . The cooler as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said lower body portion includes a sealed cover such that said lower body portion forms said fluid-tight reservoir. 
   
   
       7 . The cooler as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said upper and said lower body portions are releasably secured together to permit the interchangeability of upper body portions having alternate sized and alternately configured receptacles. 
   
   
       8 . The cooler as claimed in  claim 1  further including a sealed fluid bladder within said hollow interior of said container body, said bladder connected to said dispenser and receiving and storing fluid introduced into said hollow interior. 
   
   
       9 . A cooler comprising a container body having an upper body portion and a lower body portion and at least a partially hollow interior, said upper body portion having one or more receptacles formed within its exterior surface, said receptacles having enclosed bottom and side surfaces and open tops, said hollow interior of said container body sealed and providing a fluid-tight reservoir to hold a fluid or a frozen or partially frozen fluid or gel, said container further including a dispenser to permit the controlled release of fluid stored in said interior of said container body such that when said hollow interior of said container body is filled or partially filed with water or fluid and thereafter frozen or chilled said frozen or chilled water or fluid helps maintain items positioned within said receptacles cool with said dispenser providing a source of cold or chilled water or fluid. 
   
   
       10 . The cooler as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said container body further includes one or more expansion zones, said expansion zones allowing for the expansion of said container body upon the freezing and expansion of water or liquid stored in said hollow interior. 
   
   
       11 . A cooler comprising a container body formed generally from an upper and a lower body portion, said container body having at least a partially hollow interior and having one or more receptacles formed in the exterior surface of said upper body portion and extending into said hollow interior, said one or more receptacles having enclosed bottom and side surfaces and open tops said hollow interior of said container providing a fluid-tight reservoir to hold a fluid or frozen or partially frozen fluid or gel, said container further including a dispenser to permit the controlled release of fluid from said interior of said container, said container body having an expansion zone allowing for the expansion of said container body upon the freezing or expansion of water or liquid stored in said hollow interior.