# US 12,595,107 B1 · Systems and methods for securing container contents

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 12,595,107 B1
- Document ID: US12595107B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 19/077,815
- Filed: 2025-03-12
- Granted: 2026-04-07
- Earliest claimed: 2025-03-12
- Assignees: Inner Limit, LLC
- Applicants: Inner Limit, LLC
- Inventors: Matthew Thalmann
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12595107B1

## CPC

- B65D 81/052: {filled with fluid, e.g. inflatable elements}
- A45C 13/021: {inflatable}
- B65D 81/3813: {rigid container being in the form of a box, tray or like container}
- B65D 81/3818: {formed with double walls, i.e. hollow}
- B65D 81/3823: {formed of different materials, e.g. laminated or foam filling between walls}
- F25D 3/06: Movable containers
- A45F 3/46: Picnic sets (picnic boxes A45C11/20)
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- A45C: PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
- F25D: REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (refrigerated showcases A47F3/04; thermally-insulated vessels for domestic use A47J41/00; refrigerated vehicles, see the appropriate subclasses of classes B60 - B64; containers with thermal insulation in general B65D81/38; heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials, e.g. refrigerants, or materials for the production of heat or cold by chemical reactions other than by combustion C09K5/00; thermally-insulated vessels for liquefied or solidified gases F17C; air-conditioning or air-humidification F24F; refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25B; cooling of instruments or comparable apparatus without refrigeration G12B)
- A45F: TRAVELLING OR CAMP EQUIPMENT: SACKS OR PACKS CARRIED ON THE BODY

## Abstract

A system for securing contents comprises a cooler having a body and a lid. The body and the lid define a reservoir to hold the contents. An expandable device is positionable in the cooler and is configured to secure the contents in the reservoir by occupying at least a portion of a space in the reservoir unoccupied by the contents. The expandable device is inflatable and reusable to secure the contents in the reservoir during a first use and to secure second contents in the reservoir during a second use. The expandable device is deflatable between the first use and the second use.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for securing contents, the system comprising:
a cooler comprising a body and a lid, the body and the lid defining a reservoir to hold the contents; and
an expandable device positionable in the cooler and configured to secure the contents in the reservoir by occupying at least a portion of a space in the reservoir unoccupied by the contents, wherein the expandable device is inflatable and reusable to secure the contents in the reservoir during a first use and to secure second contents in the reservoir during a second use, the expandable device being deflatable between the first use and the second use, wherein the expandable device comprises:
a main chamber; and
a plurality of extension chambers each formed by walls extending from the main chamber, wherein the walls separate the plurality of extension chambers such that the plurality of extension chambers are movable with respect to each other, and wherein inflating the expandable device causes each respective extension chamber to selectively inflate to a length that accommodates a height of respective contents held in the reservoir below the respective extension chamber.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the expandable device is inflatable when the lid is closed.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the expandable device, when inflated, is configured to apply an upward force against the lid and a downward force against the contents to secure the contents in the reservoir.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the expandable device comprises a flexible membrane conformable to a first configuration based on a first shape of the space in the reservoir unoccupied by the contents and conformable to a second configuration based on a second shape of the space in the reservoir unoccupied by second contents.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The system of claim 4, wherein the first shape of the space is different than the second shape of the space such that the first configuration is different than the second configuration.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein occupying at least the portion of the space in the reservoir unoccupied by the contents includes occupying at least a third of the space in the reservoir unoccupied by the contents.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the expandable device is coupled to the reservoir when securing the contents.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7, wherein the expandable device includes at least one fastening mechanism configured to removably couple the expandable device to a downwardly facing surface of the lid.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the expandable device is housed within but unattached from the cooler when securing the contents.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein an upper portion of the reservoir is formed by a recess in the lid, and wherein the expandable device, when deflated, is shaped to be stored in the recess in the lid.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the expandable device comprises an inflation valve and wherein the cooler comprises an access port, the inflation valve being accessible through the access port.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The system of claim 11, wherein the access port extends through a side wall of the lid.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the expandable device comprises at least one handle usable to insert and remove the expandable device from the cooler between uses.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising:
at least one pressure sensor configured to monitor a pressure inside the expandable device; and
a pump configured to:
inflate the expandable device; and
automatically reinflate the expandable device upon receipt of a signal from the at least one pressure sensor indicating that the monitored pressure inside the expandable device has dropped below a threshold pressure range.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The system of claim 14, wherein the pump is integrated into the cooler.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The system of claim 14, wherein the pump is couplable to the cooler.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The system of claim 14, wherein the pump is configured to stop inflating the expandable device upon receipt of a signal from the at least one pressure sensor indicating that the monitored pressure inside the expandable device is within the threshold pressure range.

### Claim 18 (depends on 14)

The system of claim 14, wherein the pump is configured to automatically deflate the expandable device upon receipt of a signal from the at least one pressure sensor indicating that the monitored pressure inside the expandable device has risen above the threshold pressure range.

### Claim 19

A method for securing contents, the method comprising:
positioning an expandable device in a reservoir holding contents, the reservoir defined by a body and a lid of a cooler, wherein the expandable device comprises:
a main chamber; and
a plurality of extension chambers each formed by walls extending from the main chamber, wherein the walls separate the plurality of extension chambers such that the plurality of extension chambers are movable with respect to each other; and
inflating the expandable device to secure the contents in the reservoir by occupying at least a portion of a space in the reservoir unoccupied by the contents, wherein inflating the expandable device causes each respective extension chamber to selectively inflate to a length that accommodates a height of respective contents held in the reservoir below the respective extension chamber.

### Claim 20

An apparatus for securing contents in a cooler, the apparatus comprising:
an expandable device configured to secure contents in a reservoir of the cooler by occupying at least a portion of a space in the reservoir unoccupied by the contents, wherein the expandable device is inflatable and comprises:
a main chamber; and
a plurality of extension chambers each formed by walls extending from the main chamber, wherein the walls separate the plurality of extension chambers such that the plurality of extension chambers are movable with respect to each other, and wherein inflating the expandable device causes each respective extension chamber to selectively inflate to a length that accommodates a height of respective contents held in the reservoir below the respective extension chamber.