INSULATED BEVERAGE SLEEVE

An apparatus and methods are provided for an insulated beverage sleeve to maintain the temperature of liquid contents within a beverage container. The sleeve includes an insulative layer between an inner layer and an outer layer that are housed within an outer cylinder. The outer cylinder is configured to withstand impacts and protect the beverage container. The inner and outer layers may be formed of polyethylene or other suitable plastic. The insulative layer is a cylindrical member of fumed silica vacuum insulation that is disposed around the inner layer and surrounded by the outer layer. A disc of fumed silica vacuum insulation is disposed at the bottom of the sleeve to cooperate with the insulative layer to surround the beverage container. Top and bottom cushions are coupled with the outer cylinder to withstand being dropped onto a hard surface such as a floor, or a tennis court.

FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of beverage containers. More specifically, embodiments of the disclosure relate to an apparatus and methods for an insulated beverage sleeve configured to maintain the temperature of liquid contents within a beverage container and provide protection to the container upon being dropped onto a hard surface.

BACKGROUND

Personal beverage bottles have become very popular and thus have moved beyond the common beverage bottle packed with a school lunch or in a lunch box. For example, gym members typically carry their own beverage bottles for keeping hydrated during exercising. Further, hikers, bikers, walkers, commuters, tourists, and many others, carry personal beverage bottles as they go on their way. Many conventional beverage bottles are configured to keep beverages cold during warm weather, as well as prevent dripping or leaking between uses. These conventional beverage bottles generally include some form of insulation to slow down heat transfer through the walls of the bottle. In the case of containers having minimal insultation, such a container may be inserted into an insulated beverage sleeve configured to maintain the temperature of the contents within the container. Given the popularity of personal beverage containers, there is a continuous desire to improve the performance and utility of beverage containers.

SUMMARY

An apparatus and methods are provided for an insulated beverage sleeve to maintain the temperature of liquid contents within a beverage container. The sleeve includes an insulative layer disposed between an inner layer and an outer layer that are housed within an outer cylinder. The outer cylinder may be made of PVC or other similar material capable of withstanding impacts and protecting the beverage container. The inner and outer layers may be formed of polyethylene or other suitable plastic. The insulative layer generally comprises a fumed silica vacuum insulation that is disposed around the inner layer and surrounded by the outer layer. The fumed silica vacuum insulation may be formed as a cylindrical member or may be a flat panel that is rolled into a suitable cylindrical shape. A bottom insulation comprising a disc of fumed silica vacuum insulation may be disposed at the bottom of the sleeve to cooperate with the insulative layer to surround the beverage container. Top and bottom cushions may be coupled with the outer cylinder to withstand being dropped onto a hard surface such as a floor, or a tennis court.

In an exemplary embodiment, an insulated beverage sleeve comprises: an insulative layer disposed between an inner layer and an outer layer; an outer cylinder housing the outer layer; a top cushion coupled to a top portion of the outer cylinder; an opening in the top cushion to receive a beverage container to be inserted into an interior of the inner layer; a bottom insulation disposed at the bottom of the interior; and a bottom cushion coupled to a bottom portion of the outer cylinder.

In another exemplary embodiment, the top cushion and the bottom cushion are configured to withstand being dropped onto a hard surface such as a floor, or a tennis court. In another exemplary embodiment, one or more of the bottom cushion and the top cushion are made of silicone or other similar impact-absorbing material. In another exemplary embodiment, the outer cylinder is made of PVC or other similar material capable of any one or more of withstanding impacts, suppressing noise, and protecting the beverage container disposed in the interior. In another exemplary embodiment, the outer cylinder is configured to be decorated with any of various designs, logos, diagrams, pictures, text, and the like.

In another exemplary embodiment, any one or more of the insulative layer, the inner layer, and the outer layer comprise a cylindrical member that is suitable for implementation in the insulated beverage sleeve. In another exemplary embodiment, any one or more of the insulative layer, the inner layer, and the outer layer comprise a flat panel that may be rolled into a cylindrical shape to form a cylindrical member that is suitable for implementation in the insulated beverage sleeve. In another exemplary embodiment, any one or more of the inner layer and the outer layer are made of polyethylene or other suitable plastic.

In another exemplary embodiment, the insulative layer comprises a flat panel of fumed silica vacuum insulation that may be rolled into a cylindrical shape and then disposed around the inner layer. In another exemplary embodiment, the insulative layer comprises a cylindrical member of fumed silica vacuum insulation that has an inner diameter configured to receive an exterior diameter of the inner layer. In another exemplary embodiment, the insulative layer may be affixed between an exterior surface of the inner layer and an inner surface of the outer layer. In another exemplary embodiment, an outer surface of the outer layer may be affixed to an inner surface of the outer cylinder.

In another exemplary embodiment, the interior of the inner layer is configured to slidably receive and retain the beverage container. In another exemplary embodiment, the opening is configured to prevent the beverage container from falling out of the interior. In another exemplary embodiment, the bottom insulation comprises a disc-shaped portion of fumed silica vacuum insulation having a diameter that cooperates with an inner diameter of the insulative layer to surround a majority of the exterior of the beverage container within the interior.

In an exemplary embodiment, a method for an insulated beverage sleeve comprises: forming an inner layer and an outer layer; disposing an insulative layer between the inner layer and the outer layer; providing an outer cylinder; housing the outer layer by way of the outer cylinder; coupling a top cushion to a top portion of the outer cylinder; forming an opening in the top cushion to receive a beverage container to be inserted into an interior of the inner layer; disposing a bottom insulation at the bottom of the interior; and coupling a bottom cushion to a bottom portion of the outer cylinder.

In another exemplary embodiment, disposing the insulative layer comprises rolling a flat panel of fumed silica vacuum insulation into a cylindrical shape and disposing the cylindrical shape around the inner layer. In another exemplary embodiment, disposing the insulative layer comprises configuring a cylindrical member of fumed silica vacuum insulation to have an inner diameter suitable to receive an exterior diameter of the inner layer. In another exemplary embodiment, forming the inner layer and the outer layer includes forming any one or more of the inner layer and the outer layer of polyethylene or other suitable plastic. In another exemplary embodiment, providing the outer cylinder includes forming the outer cylinder of a material capable of any one or more of withstanding impacts, suppressing noise, and protecting the beverage container disposed in the interior. In another exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises decorating the outer cylinder with any of various designs, logos, diagrams, pictures, text, and the like.

These and other features of the concepts provided herein may be better understood with reference to the drawings, description, and appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that the insulated beverage sleeve and methods disclosed herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, specific numeric references such as “first wrap,” may be made. However, the specific numeric reference should not be interpreted as a literal sequential order but rather interpreted that the “first wrap” is different than a “second wrap.” Thus, the specific details set forth are merely exemplary. The specific details may be varied from and still be contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The term “coupled” is defined as meaning connected either directly to the component or indirectly to the component through another component. Further, as used herein, the terms “about,” “approximately,” or “substantially” for any numerical values or ranges indicate a suitable dimensional tolerance that allows the part or collection of components to function for its intended purpose as described herein.

In general, conventional beverage bottles are configured to be hand carried and maintain the temperature of liquid contents, as well as prevent dripping or leaking between uses. These conventional beverage bottles generally include some form of insulation to slow down heat transfer through the walls of the bottle. In the case of containers having minimal insultation, such a container may be inserted into an insulated beverage sleeve configured to maintain the temperature of the contents within the container. Given the popularity of personal beverage containers, there is a continuous desire to improve the performance and utility of beverage containers as well as insulative materials for beverage containers. Embodiments herein provide an insulated beverage sleeve configured to maintain the temperature of liquid contents within a beverage container and provide protection to the container upon being dropped onto a hard surface.

FIG.1illustrates a side plan view of an exemplary embodiment of an insulated beverage sleeve100in accordance with the present disclosure. The sleeve100comprises a bottom cushion104that is coupled to an outer cylinder108. The bottom cushion104may be silicone or other similar material capable of withstanding being dropped onto a hard surface such as a floor, or a tennis court. The outer cylinder108may be comprised of PVC or other similar material capable of withstanding impacts and protecting components comprising a beverage container disposed within the insulated beverage sleeve100, as described herein. It is contemplated that the outer cylinder108may be decorated with any of various designs, logos, diagrams, pictures, text, and the like, without limitation. As shown inFIG.1, a top cushion112is coupled to a top portion of the outer cylinder108. The top cushion112may be substantially similar to the bottom cushion104and thus may be comprised of silicone or a similar impact-absorbing material. Further, the top cushion112includes an opening116that is configured to allow a beverage container to be inserted into the insulated beverage sleeve100.

FIG.2illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of an insulated beverage sleeve100, taken along a midline, according to the present disclosure. As described with respect toFIG.1, the sleeve100includes an outer cylinder108disposed between a bottom cushion104and a top cushion112. The outer cylinder108and the cushions104,112generally are configured to exhibit impact resistance and noise suppression properties. Further, an opening116in the top cushion112allows a beverage container to be inserted into the insulated beverage sleeve100.

The outer cylinder108houses an insulative layer120that is disposed between an inner layer124and an outer layer128. In an embodiment, the insulative layer120and the inner and outer layers124,128generally are cylindrical members (seeFIG.3) that may be assembled to form the layered wall structure shown inFIG.2. In some embodiments, for example, the insulative layer120may be affixed between an exterior surface of the inner layer124and an inner surface of the outer layer128while an outer surface of the outer layer128may be affixed to an inner surface of the outer cylinder108. It is contemplated that any of various suitable adhesives may be used to assemble the layers120,124,128and affix the outer layer128within the outer cylinder108. Preferably, the layers120,124,128and the outer cylinder108are placed into contact, as shown inFIG.2, without any voids or air pockets arising between the layers120,124,128and the outer cylinder108.

As shown inFIGS.2-3, the inner layer124includes an interior132configured to slidably receive a beverage container that may be pushed through the opening116of the top cushion112. The interior132, as well as the top cushion112, may be configured to retain the beverage container so as to prevent the beverage container from falling out of the sleeve100. To this end, the inner layer124generally contacts an exterior surface of the beverage container. In some embodiments, either or both of the inner and outer layers124,128comprise cylinders made of polyethylene, or some other suitable plastic, without limitation. Further, either or both of the inner and outer layers124,128may comprise a flat panel of polyethylene or other similar material that may be rolled into a cylindrical shape that is suitable for implementation in the insulated beverage sleeve, as shown inFIG.3.

Moreover, the insulative layer120preferably is disposed between the inner layer124and the outer layer128. In some embodiments, the insulative layer120comprises a flat panel of fumed silica vacuum insulation that may be rolled into a cylindrical shape and then disposed around the inner layer124. In some embodiments, the insulative layer120comprises a cylinder of fumed silica vacuum insulation that has an inner diameter configured to receive an exterior diameter of the inner layer124. Similarly, a bottom insulation136may be disposed at the bottom of the interior132inside the bottom cushion104. In some embodiments, the bottom insulation136may comprise a disc-shaped portion of fumed silica vacuum insulation having a diameter that cooperates with an inner diameter of the insulative layer120to surround a majority of the exterior of a beverage container within the interior132.

FIG.3illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of an insulated beverage sleeve100, according to the present disclosure. As described herein, the sleeve100includes an outer cylinder108disposed between a bottom cushion104and a top cushion112. The outer cylinder108and the cushions104,112generally are configured to exhibit impact resistance and noise suppression properties. The top cushion includes an opening116configured to allow a beverage container to be inserted into an interior of the insulated beverage sleeve100.

As described hereinabove, an insulative layer120may be disposed between an inner layer124and an outer layer128that are housed within the outer cylinder108. As shown inFIG.3, the insulative layer120and the inner and outer layers124,128generally are cylindrical members that may be assembled to form the layered wall structure shown inFIG.2. In some embodiments, for example, the insulative layer120may be affixed between an exterior surface of the inner layer124and an inner surface of the outer layer128while an outer surface of the outer layer128may be affixed to an inner surface of the outer cylinder108. It is contemplated that any of various suitable adhesives may be used to assemble the layers120,124,128and affix the outer layer128within the outer cylinder108. Preferably, the layers120,124,128and the outer cylinder108are placed into contact, as shown inFIG.2, without any voids or air pockets arising between the layers120,124,128and the outer cylinder108.

With continuing reference toFIG.3, the inner layer124includes an interior132configured to receive a beverage container that may be pushed through the opening116of the top cushion112. The interior132, as well as the top cushion112, may be configured to retain the beverage container so as to prevent the beverage container from falling out of the sleeve100. As such, the inner layer124may be configured to slidably receive and grip an exterior surface of the beverage container, such as by way of friction. In some embodiments, either or both of the inner and outer layers124,128comprise cylinders made of polyethylene, or some other suitable plastic, without limitation. In some embodiments, however, either or both of the inner and outer layers124,128may comprise a flat panel of polyethylene or other similar material that may be rolled into a cylindrical shape that is suitable for implementation in the insulated beverage sleeve, as shown inFIG.3.

Moreover, the insulative layer120preferably is disposed between the inner layer124and the outer layer128. In some embodiments, the insulative layer120comprises a flat panel of fumed silica vacuum insulation that may be rolled into a cylindrical shape and then disposed around the inner layer124. In some embodiments, the insulative layer120comprises a cylinder of fumed silica vacuum insulation that has an inner diameter configured to receive an exterior diameter of the inner layer124. Similarly, a bottom insulation136may be disposed at the bottom of the interior132inside the bottom cushion104. In some embodiments, the bottom insulation136may comprise a disc-shaped portion of fumed silica vacuum insulation having a diameter that cooperates with an inner diameter of the insulative layer120to surround a majority of the exterior of a beverage container within the interior132.