Magnetic connection apparatus

Abstract

Two articles, such as a cooler and an article of drinkware, are magnetically coupled to each other by interaction of a magnet disposed in a patch, which is adhesively bonded to the cooler, and a ferrous metal element disposed in the article of drinkware. The patch includes shell made of plastic material, and an adhesive layer is activated by removing a peel and stick sheet. Two patches can be provided, one with a magnet and one with a ferrous metal element, in situations where both the cooler and the drinkware are without magnetic elements.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus for magnetically attaching two different non-ferrous metal structures, comprising:
 a first patch having a first upper surface and a first lower surface, the first patch being formed of a first non-metallic material and including a permanent magnet embedded in the first non-metallic material.   a first adhesive film having a first upper surface and a first lower surface, the first lower surface being adhered to the first upper surface of the first patch, and a first peel and stick protective sheet covering the first upper surface that when removed allows the first upper surface to be adhered to a first non-ferrous metal structure;   a second patch having a second upper surface and a second lower surface, the second patch being formed of a second non-metallic material and including a ferrous metal plate embedded in the second non-metallic material; and   a second adhesive film having a second upper surface and a second lower surface, the second upper surface being adhered to the second lower surface of the second patch, and a second peel and stick protective sheet covering the second lower surface that when removed allows the second lower surface to be adhered to a second non-ferrous metal structure,   wherein the first non-ferrous metal structure is different from the second non-ferrous metal structure and wherein the first patch connects to the second patch so as to magnetically attach the first non-ferrous metal structure to the second non-ferrous metal structure.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the permanent magnet creates a magnetic field of sufficient strength to detachably connect the first patch to the second patch. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the ferrous metal plate, when in the influence of a magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet detachably connects the second patch to the first patch. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the permanent magnet is a rare earth permanent magnet. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the rare earth permanent magnet is made of a neodymium alloy. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the permanent magnet has a flux density selected to only allow detachment of the first patch from the second patch in response to a few foot-pounds of energy. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the first non-metallic material and the second non-metallic material is a thin, circular plastic encapsulation, and wherein the permanent magnet and the ferrous metal plate are embedded in the plastic encapsulation. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the second non-ferrous metal structure is a cooler and the first non-ferrous metal structure is an article of drinkware. 
     
     
         29 . A combination, comprising:
 a cooler made of plastic material and having a top;   a first patch having one of a permanent magnet or a ferrous metal plate embedded in a first shell made of non-metallic material, the first patch having a first upper surface and a first lower surface;   a first adhesive film having a first upper surface and a first lower surface, the first lower surface being adhered to the first upper surface of the first patch, and a first peel and stick protective sheet covering the first upper surface that when removed allows the first upper surface to be adhered to a non-ferrous metal structure;   a second patch having an opposite of one of the permanent magnet or the ferrous metal plate of the first patch embedded in a second shell made of non-metallic material, the second patch having a second upper surface and a second lower surface; and   a second adhesive film having a second upper surface and a second lower surface, the second upper surface being adhered to the second flat lower surface of the second patch, and a second peel and stick protective sheet covering the second lower surface that when removed allows the second lower surface to be adhered to the top of the cooler,   wherein the first patch connects to the second patch so as to magnetically attach the non-ferrous metal structure to the top of the cooler.   
     
     
         30 . The combination of  claim 29 , wherein the permanent magnet creates a magnetic field of sufficient strength to detachably connect the first flat patch to the second patch. 
     
     
         31 . The combination of  claim 29 , wherein the permanent magnet is a rare earth permanent magnet made of neodymium alloy. 
     
     
         32 . The combination of  claim 29 , wherein the permanent magnet has a flux density selected to allow detachment of the first patch from the second patch by hand with a few foot-pounds of energy and to resist detachment except through the exertion by hand. 
     
     
         33 . The combination of  claim 29 , wherein the non-ferrous metal structure is an article of drinkware.