System to hold multiple beverage containers

A system for holding multiple beverage containers may include a cooler or carrier with toting handles, closing tabs, and base. The base may be formed from a molded plastic, rubber or synthetic rubber material. The base may also include feet that hold the base a sufficient height from the ground. The base may have a generally conic tapering drain floor that makes up its top surface. The tapering drain floor may make draining the carrier easier by directing water toward a drain hole located in the base. Extending up from the base may be a multi-layer soft-sided wall where different layers perform different desired functions. For example, an inside layer closest to the internal cavity may be a waterproof layer, a middle layer may be an insulating layer, and an external layer may be a decorative layer.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to beverage containers and, more specifically, to a system to hold multiple beverage containers.

BACKGROUND

Beverage containers come in many different sizes and shapes. Beverages may be served in bottles, in cans, in plastic cups, in glasses, and in insulated containers just to name a few. Many of these containers are designed to be hand-held, but there are circumstances that make holding multiple containers at once difficult or dangerous. Moreover, there are times when it is desirable to keep a collection of beverage containers cold or hot for extended periods of time. Aquatic and outdoor activities are frequently enjoyed in areas that do not lend themselves to the use of a refrigerator or an oven, and it is common for a person to want a cold or warm beverage while they are enjoying these types of activities. As such, individuals often need a cooler or other device capable of holding multiple containers and keeping those containers at or near a desired temperature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following discussion is intended to provide one skilled in the art with various teachings that can be combined and/or separated to create useful and/or desirable products. The teachings can be employed in a variety of settings. For example, a designer could use these teachings to create an automobile-oriented, boat-oriented, and/or other vehicle-oriented product. Additionally, a designer may want to employ many of these teachings to produce an attractive picnic or beach going type product.

While there are many opportunities for designers to use the teachings disclosed herein, the majority of this detailed description section will focus on embodiments designed for a soft-sided cooler that typically utilizes ice cubes or other frozen objects to facilitate keeping various beverage containers at a desired and chilled temperature. The decision to focus on this implementation is not intended to limit the scope of the teachings, but rather to facilitate a clear presentation of the teachings.

Devices that maintain multiple beverage containers at or near some desired temperature tend to be of two types: hard-sided insulated containers or soft-sided insulated containers. Hard-sided portable insulated containers tend to be made of molded plastic, with an inner layer, or wall, and an outer layer or wall, with an insulation space between. Hard-sided containers are rigid and frequently very heavy. They also tend to be bulky and difficult to carry. A soft-sided cooler, by contrast, can rely on external wall structure that is not substantially rigid. The wall structure may incorporate a multi-layer design that includes an outside layer of webbing or fabric, an inside layer of waterproof webbing or fabric, and a flexible insulation layer positioned between the inner and outer layers. A designer will recognize that layers may be added or removed to meet certain objectives. In some embodiments, a soft-sided cooler may include a rigid or semi-rigid element to give the cooler some stability and to help the cooler maintain a given shape or protect items inside the cooler.

Throughout this description, containers may be referred to as “coolers.” Similarly, the portion of the container that opens and closes to facilitate accessing multiple beverage containers stored within the container will typically be referred to as the top of the container. As such, the base panel will typically be referred to as the bottom. The multiple layers that may make up the side walls may be a sandwich of various components. For example, a middle insulating layer may include a flexible or resilient layer of a relatively soft and flexible foam. As noted above, sidewall elements of the cooler may have insulating properties such that heat transfer across the panel is limited. An example of a potential panel construction is an internal core of foam such as closed cell polyurethane foam. The insulating foam is in turn received between a protective, potentially waterproof layer provided on the interior of the container and a potentially decorative layer of polymer sheeting, such as nylon sheeting. As explained in more detail below, a cooler incorporating teachings disclosed herein may include a convertible feature wherein a user can change an exterior panel of the cooler to give it a different look on different occasions or simply to replace a stained or dated exterior shell. In order to maintain the soft-sided characteristics of some embodiments, at least the sidewalls may be formed to be pliable.

To be clear, potential insulated coolers incorporating the teachings of this disclosure may be used to carry cold items such as soda, beer, sandwiches, ice cream, meat, and so on. Alternatively, the insulated coolers can be used to transport hot items such as casseroles, lasagna, vegetables, etc.

With that said and as mentioned above,FIG. 1depicts a general system for holding multiple beverage containers that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure. Carrier100includes toting handles102, closing tabs104, and base106. As depicted, base106may have a generally elliptical shape when viewed from above. In addition, base106may be formed from a molded plastic, rubber or synthetic rubber material. A designer may choose other materials to meet design objectives. As shown, base106includes feet108, which may be formed as an integral part of base106. For example, if base106is a molded part, feet108may be included in the mold. A more detailed description of what a base like base106may look like is included in connection withFIG. 4A.

As depicted inFIG. 1, base106includes a generally conic tapering drain floor110that makes up its top surface (as shown, feet108are on the bottom surface). Tapering drain floor110may facilitate the draining of carrier100by directing water (which may have resulted from melting ice) toward drain112. As shown, drain112defines a hole that passes through the thickness of base106and allows water to escape an internal cavity of container100that is at least partially formed by sidewalls116, which may be formed as a multi-layer wall where different layers perform different desired functions. For example, an inside layer closest to the internal cavity may be a waterproof layer, a middle layer may be an insulating layer, and an external layer may be a decorative layer.

As shown, beverage sleeves114are shown as being inside container100. Depending on design concerns, beverage sleeves114may be formed from a stretch fabric, which may be a synthetic fabric that stretches. The stretch fabric may be a multi-way stretch fabric such as 2-way stretch or 4-way stretch. An exemplary 2-way stretch fabric may stretch in one direction, such as from selvedge to selvedge (but can be in other directions depending on the knit). An exemplary 4-way stretch fabric, such as spandex, may stretch in both directions, crosswise and lengthwise. A given stretch fabric may include fibers of neoprene. Example stretch fabrics could include elastomerics like spandex or Lycra. With that said, a designer could choose whichever stretch fabric he or she wanted to accomplish a given deign goal. A deeper understanding of the potential benefits of beverage sleeves114may be understood by referencing the next figure.

As mentioned above,FIGS. 2 and 3illustrate elements of a given embodiment of a device for holding multiple beverage containers that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure. As depicted, system200provides a beverage sleeve designed to maintain a bottled beverage204within a beverage sleeve202. Sleeve202is depicted as having a grid pattern. A designer may choose any number of patterns. In some embodiments, sleeve202may not include holes larger enough for even small ice cubes to pass from one side to the other of sleeve202. In such an embodiment, ice placed within a container like container100will not easily makes its way inside a sleeve like sleeve202. This may make it easier for a user to remove and then replace bottled beverage204from sleeve202.

As depicted, sleeve202is located inside and connected to inside wall surface212. Also on the inside is plug206and tube208. In practice, a user may remove the lid from bottled beverage204and insert plug206into the bottle's open end. The beverage inside may then be able to pass through the open end, through a hole within insert plug206and into tube208, which is connected to plug206. Tube208may be routed to and/or through port210, which may allow the beverage inside the bottle to makes its way from the inside of a container to a dispensing port216, which may located on or near an outside wall surface214. Depending upon designer concerns, dispensing port216may be controlled by any number of devices. As shown, dispensing port216includes a lever-operated stopcock218. One of skill in the art may choose other mechanisms such as a push button, etc. As shown, a container like container100that incorporates the elements of system200may allow a user to open a bottle of wine, connect the bottle to a dispensing mechanism (the one depicted uses gravity, but various pressuring mechanisms and/or other methods could be used), place the bottle inside the cooler, close the cooler, and enjoy the wine without having to reopen the cooler.

FIG. 3depicts a system300that removes the dispensing mechanism. Some users may prefer to simply place a bottle304within a sleeve302located along inside wall surface306. Such an embodiment keeps bottle304cool and makes its easy to remove and replace bottle304within a container like container100. As depicted in the first three figures, a container like container100may be proportioned such that a bottled beverage can be placed within a sleeve while still allowing the container to be closed. This helps keep the bottle upright while it is within the cooler. The sleeve also allows a user to benefit from the ice within a cooler as it keeps the bottle cool without having to “fight” the ice to fit the bottle back inside the cooler.

As mentioned above,FIGS. 4A and 4B, andFIG. 5illustrate base options for a given embodiment of a device for holding multiple beverage containers that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure. Base400is largely depicted as a single piece of material. A designer could utilize this technique or combine several different pieces to meet his or her objectives. As mentioned above, a designer could also choose from various materials to form base400. It could be a rubber, a synthetic rubber, a plastic, a metal, a composite, and/or various other options. It could be injection molded, molded in other ways, 3D printed, formed, etc. As shown inFIG. 4A(a perspective view looking at the top of base400), base400has a symmetrical draining geometry402directing water to a centrally located drain404. A designed may also choose an asymmetrical geometry.

As shown, base400has a generally elliptical shape. In practice, the size, shape, and weight of base400may be chosen to facilitate a container's ability to maintain itself in an upright position. Base400is also depicted as having multiple feet408and a couple ridge406. In practice, base400may be formed of a material that is different that the multi-layer sidewalls of a cooler utilizing base400. Moreover, base400may be formed in separately and in a different location. It may be brought together with the sidewalls during a manufacturing process. As such, ridge406may facilitate a mating of base400with a sidewall of a designer's choosing.

FIG. 4Bpresents a side view of base400, which indicates a thickness to the body of the base. As shown in this embodiment, feet408are sufficient long to allow the body of base400to be elevated from a surface upon which feet408rest. Drain404extends through base400and an extended portion of drain404includes a threaded surface410. As shown, the male threads of threaded surface410are designed to interact with the threaded surface located within cap412, which is tethered to base400via securing tether414. A designer may choose any number of techniques (or no technique at all) to ensure that cap412is not easily lost. The tethering option depicted is just one option. As shown, threaded surface410includes drain ports416. In some embodiments, a designer may design the system in a manner that allows a user to unscrew cap412without allowing for cap412's complete disconnection from base400. In such an embodiment, ports416may allow water to escape from within the cooler without risking the loss of cap412. As shown, ring418is included. Ring418may be, for example, a rubber O-ring that helps ensure a waterproof seal when cap412is secured to base400via threaded surface410.

As mentioned above,FIG. 5illustrates a base option, base500, for a given embodiment of a device for holding multiple beverage containers that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure. As shown, base500includes four stiffening tabs502. In practice, tabs502may assist in keeping a soft-sided cooler in an upright position by acting in a skeleton like manner. Providing some vertical structure, tabs502may help keep a cooler from tipping over. Base500also includes a draining geometry504. As shown, geometry504may create a generally symmetrical and conical void directed toward drain506. As mentioned above, drain506may be located nearer a given edge in some designs as opposed to in the center. Similarly, a base may take on a square, rectangular, triangular, elliptical, circular, etc. shape. Base500also includes an interior material coupling ridge508and an exterior material coupling ridge510. As mentioned above, soft-sided sidewalls may be formed with a multi-layer offering. An interior facing material may be a waterproof material. A middle layer may be an insulating material. In some embodiments, a third layer may be used to encapsulate the insulating layer between the interior layer and the third layer. A designer may want such a three layer “bag” to be coupled to the base along coupling ridge508, which could also be located closer to drain506. The methodology for connecting the “bag” to the base could take several forms. It could be a near permanent connection or an easily removed connection. It could include adhesives, heat treatments, zipping solutions, etc.

In such a system, the designer may want to offer users an interchangeable exterior layer that could be, for example, more decorative. In such a system, the designer may want the exterior layer to couple to the base at ridge510. For example, an exterior layer may utilize a zipper to connect to base500. The exterior could also use other connection techniques. For example, the exterior layer may include straps that connect underneath base500. However connected, an interchangeable exterior layer may allow users a great deal of flexibility in changing the appearance and/or replacing an existing worn or tattered exterior shell. As shown, tabs502may be located between an interior multi-layer “bag” and an exterior layer.

FIG. 6illustrates an exploded view for a given embodiment of a device for holding multiple beverage containers that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure. System600an interior material or multi-layer material602, and exterior material604, and a base606. In practice the three pieces may be manufactured separately from one another and then assembled into a complete system600.

FIGS. 7A-7Cillustrate open and closed views, respectively, for a given embodiment of a device for holding multiple beverage containers that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure. As shown, carrier702is an open configuration allowing easy access to the interior void of the carrier. Carrier704presents a closed configuration of the container. As shown on carrier702, handles are connected to an exterior surface using stitching706. The location of stitching706relative to the top of opened container702may be chosen to leave sufficient distance718to allow a rolled or folded closing of carrier702. Carrier702also includes a branding or monogramming surface708and magnetic tab closers710.

As shown with carrier702, magnetic tabs710are in an open position. The tabs are in a closed position712in connection with carrier704andFIG. 7C. As shown more clearly inFIG. 7C, container sidewall714is folded over itself twice and magnetic tabs710are in a closed position. In use, magnet716is attracted to another magnet on the other end of tab710. When the top of the container is folded over itself, magnetic tab710may be folded in half to bring magnet716into close proximity with the magnet on the other end of tab710. In the folded or closed position, the two magnets hold tab710closed and assist in insulating the interior portion of the container.

FIG. 8illustrates an open802and closed804view for a given embodiment of a device for holding multiple beverage containers that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure. In the embodiment ofFIG. 8, the opening and closing mechanism806is a zipper or zip-lock type of locking mechanisms. A designer may choose whatever type of closing mechanism works for his or her design.

The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the invention as provided by the claims below.

While the present invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate numerous modifications and variations therefrom. It is intended that the appended claims should cover any such modifications and variations as fall within their true spirit and scope.