Cooler having multiple compartments and cooler inserts for creating multiple compartments

Abstract

A cooler insert has a base and a plurality of walls forming a compartment; at least one lid for enclosing the compartment; and, an insert-cooler positioning mechanism for positioning the cooler insert within the cooler. The insert-cooler positioning mechanism may be protrusions extending from the cooler insert and abutting the cooler walls.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cooler insert receivable within a cooler, the cooler insert comprising:
 a base and a plurality of walls forming a compartment;   at least one lid for enclosing the compartment;   an insert-cooler positioning mechanism for positioning the cooler insert within the cooler.   
     
     
         2 . The cooler insert of  claim 1 , wherein the insert-cooler positioning mechanism comprises at least one leg extending from the base, creating a void for ice and water between the base of the compartment and the base of the cooler. 
     
     
         3 . The cooler insert of  claim 1 , wherein the insert-cooler positioning mechanism comprises at least one protrusion extending from the walls, creating a void for ice and water between the walls of the compartment and the walls of the cooler. 
     
     
         4 . The cooler insert of  claim 3 , wherein the protrusions may be selectively extendable to accommodate varying cooler sizes. 
     
     
         5 . The cooler insert of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusions comprise springs for exerting an outward force on the inner walls of the cooler to aid in preventing unwanted movement of the cooler insert within the cooler. 
     
     
         6 . The cooler insert of  claim 1 , wherein the insert-cooler positioning mechanism comprises a lip for resting on a ledge of the cooler walls. 
     
     
         7 . The cooler insert of  claim 1 , wherein the insert-cooler positioning mechanism comprises a coupling bracket within the cooler. 
     
     
         8 . The cooler insert of  claim 1 , wherein the insert-cooler positioning mechanism comprises an adjustable platform, the platform positionable within the cooler and secured using tension, the cooler insert coupling to the adjustable platform. 
     
     
         9 . The cooler insert of  claim 8 , wherein the cooler insert is coupled to the adjustable platform using magnets. 
     
     
         10 . The cooler insert of  claim 1 , wherein the insert-cooler position mechanism comprises a drain plug attachment. 
     
     
         11 . The cooler insert of  claim 10 , wherein a platform extends horizontally from the drain plug attachment, the cooler insert coupleable to the platform. 
     
     
         12 . The cooler insert of  claim 10 , wherein a vertical member extends vertically from the drain plug attachment, the cooler insert coupleable to the vertical member. 
     
     
         13 . The cooler insert of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of compartments. 
     
     
         14 . The cooler insert of  claim 13 , wherein the cooler insert creates a void between the walls and base of the cooler and the walls and base of the cooler insert for ice and water. 
     
     
         15 . A cooler insert receivable within a cooler, the cooler insert comprising:
 a base and a plurality of walls forming a compartment;   a lid for enclosing the compartment;   at least one protrusion extending outwardly from the base or walls, the protrusion abutting the inner walls or base of the cooler to keep the cooler insert at a predetermined distance from the base or sidewalls.   
     
     
         16 . The cooler insert of  claim 15 , wherein protrusions extend from both the base and the walls and abut the base and the walls of the cooler, respectively, creating a void for ice and water between the walls and base of the cooler insert and the walls and base of the cooler. 
     
     
         17 . The cooler insert of  claim 15 , wherein the protrusions comprise selectively extendable tension rods. 
     
     
         18 . A method of using a cooler insert to reduce food contamination and spoiling, the method comprising:
 inserting a cooler insert into a cooler, the cooler insert comprising a compartment and at least one lid to enclose the compartment; and   wherein the cooler insert creates a void for ice and water between the cooler insert and the cooler.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the cooler insert comprises a plurality of segregated compartments and a plurality of lids for each compartment. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the cooler insert comprises an insert-cooler position mechanism.