Locking cooler with internal compartment

Abstract

A portable cooler with a locking system including and interior compartment within the lid of the portable cooler for the secure storage of items, said interior compartment held closed by various means to prevent the interior compartment from opening while the portable cooler is in the closed position to prevent the spilling of the contents of the interior compartment into the interior space of the cooler.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A portable cooler comprising:
 a body enclosing a thermally insulated interior space bounded by a bottom, a wall, and a lid hinged to said wall such that said lid can move from an open position to a closed position;   a locking mechanism interfacing with said lid such that said thermally insulated interior space cannot be accessed while said lid is in said closed position and said locking mechanism is engaged;   an internal compartment bounded by the interior of said lid and an internal compartment cover;   wherein said internal compartment is not accessible from the exterior of the container body while said lid is in said closed position.   
     
     
         2 . The portable cooler set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said locking mechanism includes a shackle hole to accommodate a padlock. 
     
     
         3 . The portable cooler set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said internal compartment cover includes nubs configured to interface with slots in said lid. 
     
     
         4 . The portable cooler set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said lid is hinged to said body. 
     
     
         5 . The portable cooler set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said internal compartment cover is hinged to said lid. 
     
     
         6 . The portable cooler set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said internal compartment cover is securable by means of a latch. 
     
     
         7 . A portable cooler comprising:
 a body enclosing a thermally insulated interior space bounded by a bottom, a wall, and a lid hinged to said wall such that said lid can move from an open position to a closed position;   a locking mechanism interfacing with said lid such that said thermally insulated interior space cannot be accessed while said lid is in said closed position and said locking mechanism is engaged;   an internal compartment bounded by the interior of said lid and an internal compartment cover;   
       wherein said internal compartment is physically separated from said thermally interior space while said lid is in said closed position. 
     
     
         8 . The portable cooler set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said locking mechanism includes a shackle hole to accommodate a padlock. 
     
     
         9 . The portable cooler set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said internal compartment cover includes nubs configured to interface with slots in said lid. 
     
     
         10 . The portable cooler set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said lid is hinged to said body. 
     
     
         11 . The portable cooler set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said internal compartment cover is hinged to said lid. 
     
     
         12 . The portable cooler set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said internal compartment cover is securable by means of a latch.