Beverage insulator and caddy

A beverage insulator has a main body that is configured to receive a beverage container. The main body has a bore with a helical groove formed therein. The helical groove is configured to facilitate a formation of one or more air pockets between the bore of the main body and the beverage container when disposed in the main body. The main body has a major interior surface formed from a plurality of angled walls. The angled walls may facilitate to grip the beverage container when disposed in the main body. A kit for a beverage insulator includes a beverage insulator and a caddy. The beverage insulator has a main body configured to receive a beverage container. The caddy has a holder configured to selectively receive the beverage insulator, and a shelving portion disposed on the holder. The shelving portion is configured to selectively receive a plurality of lids.

FIELD

The disclosure generally relates to an insulator and, more specifically, an insulator for a beverage container.

BACKGROUND

A common problem among people who enjoy drinking either hot or cold beverages is the rate at which the beverage reaches room temperature. Warming by the sun, air temperature, or even the body heat of the user, can significantly increase the rate at which certain beverages reach room temperature and become unappetizing. Temperature maintenance can therefore be important for maximum enjoyment of a beverage, whether it be a hot or a cold beverage.

Numerous varieties of thermal insulating sleeves are available for insulating beverage containers, such as cans and bottles for soft drinks and beer. These sleeves slide over the container to provide an insulating exterior surface, insulating the beverage container from ambient temperature and thus slowing the rate of heat flow between the ambient environment and the beverage and its container. These sleeves are available in an assortment of sizes for use with various container types, including but not limited to paper, plastic, glass, and aluminum beverage containers. Use of an insulating sleeve is advised for both hot and cold beverages. Typically, the insulating sleeve is made from polyethylene foam, a material known for its thermal insulating properties.

Tests conducted on beverages packaged in glass bottles prove the beneficial effects of the insulating sleeve. Two bottles were chilled and the temperature of the liquid contained therein was measured, one bottle having an insulating beverage sleeve and the other without. As expected, the liquid in the sleeve-insulated bottle retained a lower temperature for a considerably longer period than the uninsulated container.

Prior art sleeve insulators include foam and neoprene “koozies.” Koozies are insulated wraps for receiving a container, such as a cylindrical can or bottle. They are usually cylindrical and comprised of foam, neoprene rubber, polyester, open cell foam, plain foam, or foam variants of neoprene, and may have a height that is somewhat less than the container they receive, leaving an exposed top portion of the container so that one may easily drink a beverage from the container. Such koozies typically snugly receive the container in a resilient foam body.

However, known koozies still have many disadvantages. Neoprene koozies may become wet with use, and likewise, the koozie may be undesirable to hold. Additionally, the moisture may cause the koozie to become slick and may fall from a user's hand.

There is a continuing need for a beverage insulator which militates against the temperature of the beverage increasing, while still remaining easy to use.

SUMMARY

In concordance with the instant disclosure, a beverage insulator which militates against the temperature of the beverage changing, while still remaining easy to use, has been surprisingly discovered.

In one embodiment, a beverage insulator has a main body that is configured to receive a beverage container. The main body has a bore with a helical groove formed therein. The helical groove is configured to facilitate a formation of one or more air pockets between the bore of the main body and the beverage container when disposed in the main body.

In another embodiment, a beverage insulator has a main body that is configured to receive a beverage container. The main body has a major interior surface formed from a plurality of angled walls. The plurality of angled walls is configured to facilitate friction between the major interior surface of the main body and the beverage container where disposed in the main body thereby securing the beverage container within the main body.

In a further embodiment, a kit for a beverage insulator includes a beverage insulator and a caddy. The beverage insulator has a main body configured to receive a beverage container. The caddy has a holder configured to selectively receive the beverage insulator, and a shelving portion disposed on the holder. The shelving portion is configured to selectively receive a plurality of lids.

In an exemplary embodiment, a beverage insulator has a hollow main body. The hollow main body includes a top end, an inner surface, and a bottom end.

The hollow main body is configured to act as a sleeve for a beverage container, such as a standard aluminum can or glass bottle. Therefore, the dimensions of the main body are scalable in order to accommodate different beverage containers.

The hollow main body may have a height of 107 mm and a width of 80 mm. It should be appreciated that while these dimensions are shown to be useful for certain beverage containers, a skilled artisan may select different dimensions of the hollow main body to accommodate different types of beverage containers.

The hollow main body may be constructed from plastic, wood, metal, or a composite material. In some examples, the hollow main body may be made of plastic. However, different materials, capable of acting as insulators, can be selected within the scope of this disclosure.

In some embodiments, the hollow main body includes a hand grip. The hand grip is configured to permit a user to more securely grip the beverage insulator during use. The hand grip may consist of a plurality of ridges and corresponding lands disposed on the main body. The plurality of ridges may be positioned in such a way that allows a finger of a user to be disposed between two ridges thereby providing a grip during use.

The top end has a cylindrical aperture formed thereon. The cylindrical aperture is configured to receive a beverage container. The cylindrical aperture may have a diameter of 66 mm. It should be appreciated that although this size has been shown to be useful, other sizes may be selected in order to accommodate different sized beverage containers.

The inner surface has at least one groove formed thereon. In particular, the groove may be formed in a helix-like configuration. It is believed that the helix-like configuration facilitates in the formation of one or more air pockets. Advantageously, the one or more air pockets are sandwiched between the beverage container and the inner surface and provide additional insulation to the beverage container.

In some embodiments, the inner surface includes a plurality of raised portions disposed thereon. The plurality of raised portions may be configured to press against the beverage container, gripping the beverage container into a fixed position. It should be appreciated that a skilled artisan may select any number of raised portions within the scope of this disclosure.

The beverage container may include a lid. The lid may be configured to prevent the beverage container from falling out of the hollow main body. The lid can include an aperture. The aperture may be configured to permit the contents of the beverage container to flow therethrough.

The beverage container may include a grip lid. The grip lid has an aperture and at least one ridge. The aperture may be configured to permit the contents of the beverage from flowing therethrough. The aperture has at least one protrusion. The protrusion may be configured to correlate to a “L-shaped” channel formed in the top end of the beverage container. The protrusion and the L-shaped channel may be configured to operate as a child lock. The ridge may be configured to permit more traction when a user grips the grip lid. The ridge may be disposed on the grip lid.

The bottom end may include a pad disposed thereon. The pad may be configured to compress the beverage container between the grip lid and the bottom end. Desirably, this fixates the beverage container into a fixed position. In some examples, the pad may be comprised of elastic foam. It should be appreciated that a person skilled in the art may select different materials for the pad, as long as the materials are capable of being compressed and decompressed.

A caddy includes a hollow portion and a shelving portion. The hollow portion is configured to hold the beverage insulator. The hollow portion may include a base with a plurality of walls. It should be appreciated that the size of the hollow portion may be scalable, in order to accommodate a plurality of beverage insulators.

In some examples, the base may include an aperture with a grate. Derisibly, the grate allows any excess liquids that may be spilled from the beverage container to be drained out of the hollow portion.

The shelving portion may have at least one shelf. The shelf may be configured to store the lid or the grip lid. In some embodiments, each of the top and bottom of the shelving portion has an aperture with a grate. Advantageously, the grate drains excess liquids that may drain from the lid or the grip lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference toFIGS.1-15, a beverage insulator100may have a main body102. It should be appreciated that the main body102may be configured to receive a beverage container101, for example, as shown inFIG.1. As non-limiting examples, the beverage container101may be a can or a bottle. The beverage insulator100may be configured to insulate the beverage container101, or otherwise, be configured to maintain a temperature of a beverage within the beverage container101. For example, the beverage insulator100may militate against or delay a temperature change of a beverage disposed within the beverage container101, such as warming of a chilled beverage disposed in the beverage container101.

It should be appreciated that the beverage insulator100may be fabricated from a suitable durable material. Desirably, the durable material has a sufficiently high impact resistance in order to allow for repeated use of the beverage insulator100without an undesirable breaking, degradation, or deformation of the beverage insulator100.

For example, the durable material may be sufficiently resilient to allow for repeated insertion and removal of the beverage container101, without an undesirable degradation of the beverage insulator100due to friction. Likewise, the durable material should have a sufficiently high fatigue resistance to militate against damage to the beverage insulator100after torsion, bending, or flexing during use. The durable material may also have a sufficiently high heat resistance to allow for use with relatively hot beverages without an undesirable deformation of the beverage insulator100, in operation.

In particular non-limiting embodiments, the durable material may be a plastic material. For example, the plastic material may be one of polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene. In another non-limiting example, the durable material may be metal. In further embodiments, the durable material may be a silicone or elastomer material. Advantageously, the beverage insulator100may be fabricated from a combination of durable materials, in order to reach the desired physical properties of the beverage insulator100.

According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the beverage insulator100may be manufactured by a 3D printing process. Advantageously, a manufacturing of the beverage insulator100via the 3D printing process allows for customization of the beverage insulator100. A skilled artisan may select other suitable methods to manufacture the beverage insulator100, as desired.

With continued reference toFIGS.1-15, the main body102may have a base wall104and a side wall106. The side wall106may be disposed on the base wall104to form the main body102. The side wall106may have a major interior surface108with an upper portion109, which may define a bore110of the main body102. The bore110may be configured to receive the beverage container101. Likewise, the bore110may have a shape, which corresponds to a shape of the beverage container101. For example, the bore110may be substantially cylindrical where the beverage container101is in the form of a can or bottle. It should be appreciated that a skilled artisan may select other suitable shapes for the bore110, as needed.

The bore110may have a diameter (D1), which corresponds to a diameter (D2) of the beverage container101. The diameter (D1) of the bore110may be substantially equal to the diameter (D2) of the beverage container101. In particular, the diameter (D1) may allow the beverage container101to be disposed in the beverage insulator100, while militating against an undesirable movement of the beverage container101within the beverage insulator100.

In particular examples, the diameter (D1) of the bore110may be approximately 66 mm, which is substantially equivalent to the diameter (D2) of a standard, commercially available twelve (12) fluid ounce can. In other examples, the diameter (D1) of the bore110may be approximately 58 mm, which is substantially equivalent to the diameter (D2) of a standard, commercially available sleek twelve (12) fluid ounce can. A skilled artisan may select other suitable diameters (D1) for the beverage insulator100, as desired.

The bore110may have a height (H1), which corresponds to a height (H2) of the beverage container101. The height (H1) of the bore110may be less than or equal to the height (H2) of the beverage container101. In particular, the height (H1) of the bore110may be less than the height (H2) of the beverage container101to allow a user to easily drink from the beverage container101. It should be appreciated that suitable heights (H1) for the bore110may be selected within the scope of the present disclosure.

As shown inFIGS.2and6-7, the major interior surface108may have a groove112formed therein. The groove112may be disposed in a helical pattern or a spiral pattern along the height (H1) of the major interior surface108. The helical groove112may be configured to promote a formation of one or more air pockets between the groove112and the beverage container101. Advantageously, the formation of the one or more air pockets may provide an insulating effect within the beverage insulator100, which may militate against a change in temperature in the beverage disposed in the beverage container101.

The groove112may be recessed from the major interior surface108. The groove112may be recessed from about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm, and most particularly about 1 mm. The groove112may have a height (H3). The height (H3) of the groove112may be from about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm, and most particularly about 1 mm. A skilled artisan may select other suitable measurements for the groove112, as desired.

With reference toFIGS.12-14, the major interior surface108may have a plurality of angled walls114. The plurality of angled walls114may be disposed along the height (H1) of the major interior surface108. It should be appreciated that the plurality of angled walls114may be disposed along an entirety of the height (H1) of the major interior surface108, or along only a portion of the height (H1).

The plurality of angled walls114may be disposed at only a top portion or a bottom portion of the major interior surface108. The plurality of angled walls114may be configured to engage or grip the beverage container101, in operation, by providing friction between the major interior surface108and the beverage container101. Advantageously, the plurality of angled walls114may militate against the beverage container101from undesirably shifting within the beverage insulator100, which may militate against the user spilling the beverage.

For example, as shown inFIG.14, the major interior surface108may have a cross-section that may be a hexadecagon shape. The hexadecagon shape may be defined by sixteen angled walls114. A skilled artisan may select other suitable shapes for the plurality of angled walls114, as desired.

The bore110may be circumscribed by a lip116. More particularly, the lip116may extend outwardly from the side wall106of the main body102. The lip116may be configured to receive a lid118. The lid118may be cylindrical in shape with a top opening120and a bottom opening122. The bottom opening122may be configured to be disposed on the lip116of the main body102. The top opening120may be configured to be disposed adjacent to either a neck of the bottle or a rim of the can, in operation.

The top opening120may have a diameter (D3) and the bottom opening122may have a diameter (D4). The diameter (D3) of the top opening120may be smaller than the diameter (D4) of the bottom opening122. A difference in the diameters (D3), (D4) may correspond to a structure of the can or the bottle, as these beverage containers101typical have tapered portions, such as the rim or the neck. Accordingly, the lid118may have a curved or tapered portion124between the top opening120and the bottom opening122, which corresponds with the structure of the rim of the can or the neck of the bottle, as shown inFIGS.1-2and6-7. The tapered portion124may allow for a more comfortable use for the user while also securing the beverage container101within the main body102.

The lid118may be secured to the lip116by mechanical means. As non-limiting examples, the lid118may be secured to the lip116via a press-fit, a snap-fit, a friction fit, complementary threading, or other mechanical engagement means. As shown inFIGS.6-7, each of the lip116and the lid118may have corresponding threads126. The threads126of the lip116may receive the threads126of the lid118, thereby securing the lid118to the main body102.

As shown inFIGS.11-12, the lid118may have a prong128formed in an interior surface thereof. The lip116may have a corresponding channel130formed on an exterior surface thereof. The channel130may be configured to receive the prong128, in operation. The channel130may be L-shaped. Advantageously, the L-shape of the channel130allows the user to twist the lid118into place, while securing the prong128into place. The interaction between the prong128and the channel130may secure the lid118to the main body102.

In particular, a pad132may be disposed adjacent to the base wall104in the bore110. The beverage container101may be disposed on the pad132by the user. The pad132may be configured to be depressed by the beverage container101, which allows the prong128to be disposed into the channel130via a twisting of the lid118by the user until the prong128is locked in place. The pad132may automatically decompress and push up on the beverage container101. The beverage container101may then press against the lid118. The interaction between the beverage container101, the lids118, and the pad132may cooperate to fix the beverage container101within the main body102.

The pad132may be manufactured from a material that is capable of being compressed, while also capable of automatically depressing. For example, the pad132may be a foam material or a rubberized material. A skilled artisan may select other suitable materials for the pad132, as desired.

It should be appreciated that a combination of methods for securing the lid118to the lip116may be employed concurrently. For example, the lid118may include both the prong128and the threads126to secure the lid118. Likewise, the lip116may have both the channel130and the threads126. A skilled artisan may select other suitable means for securing the lid118to the lip116, as desired.

In certain embodiments, the lid118may have a plurality of ridges133formed thereon. The plurality of ridges133may provide a grip for the lid118. In particular, the ridges may allow the user to twist and untwist the lid118more easily. Advantageously, the plurality of ridges133may allow the user to twist and untwist the lid118where the lid118is wet or slick.

As shown inFIGS.10-11, the main body102may be configured to receive a sleeve134. The sleeve134may be configured to receive the beverage container101. The sleeve134may be made of a rubber or a rubberized material, as non-limiting examples. The rubber may allow for increased friction between the sleeve134and the main body102, which may secure the sleeve134within the main body102. The rubber may also allow for increased friction between the sleeve134and the beverage container101, which may secure the beverage container101within the sleeve134.

It should be further appreciated that the durable material of the main body102and the rubberized material of the sleeve134may cooperate to provide a beverage insulator100, which is more impact resistant than a beverage insulator100without the sleeve134. The rubberized material may militate against damage to both the main body102and the beverage container101, if the user drops the beverage insulator100. A skilled artisan may select other suitable materials for the sleeve134, as desired.

The sleeve134may have a shape that conforms to the shape of the bore110. Accordingly, the sleeve134may have a cylindrical aperture136. The cylindrical aperture136may be configured to receive the beverage container101, in operation. The cylindrical aperture136of the sleeve134may have an outer rim138. The outer rim138may circumscribe the cylindrical aperture136at a top of the sleeve134. When the sleeve134is disposed in main body102, the outer rim138may surround the lip116of the main body102. Advantageously, the outer rim138may, therefore, protect the lip116in operation, while also providing a comfortable surface for the user to hold.

A sealing ring140may be disposed adjacent to the outer rim138. More particularly, the sealing ring140may extend inwardly from outer rim138at the top of the sleeve134. Advantageously, the sealing ring140may create a seal with the beverage container101. The seal may hold cold air between the beverage container101and the sleeve134, which may militate against the beverage container changing temperature. Additionally, the sealing ring140may allow the sleeve134to accommodate varying sized beverage containers101.

As shown inFIG.11, the sealing ring140of the sleeve134may be configured as at least one ring141disposed on an interior surface of the sleeve134. More particularly, the sleeve may have a plurality of rings141disposed on the interior surface thereof, such as the three rings141as depicted inFIG.11. One of the rings141may be disposed adjacent a bottom of the sleeve134. One of the rings141may disposed adjacent to adjacent the top of the sleeve134. Another one of the rings141may be disposed substantially centrally between the other rings141. The rings141may work cooperatively to hold the beverage container in place101. Each of the rings141may be configured to be depressed by the beverage container101, in operation. Advantageously, the plurality of rings141may provide additional stability and optimized engagement to the beverage container101, in operation.

Each of the rings141may be a flap with a free edge143such that the flap may be selectively pressed into the interior surface of the sleeve134. The flap may be biased towards the top of the sleeve134and may extend inwardly from the interior surface of the sleeve134. A ridge145may be formed in the interior surface of the sleeve134below each of the rings141. Each of the ridges145may be configured to receive the adjacent ring141when the ring is compressed by the beverage container101. Where the ring141is fully compressed, the ring141may be flush with the interior surface of the sleeve134. Each of the rings141may be sufficiently rigid to hold the beverage container101in place. Accordingly, each of the rings141may automatically extend towards the beverage container101to grip the beverage container101and to hold it in place. Additionally, each of the rings141may be segmented to provide additional flexibility, in operation.

The user may press the beverage container101into the sleeve134. Each of the rings141may be decompressed towards ridge143in the interior surface of the sleeve134. When the beverage container101is placed into the sleeve, each of the rings141may be depressed a distance based on the diameter (D2) of the beverage container. In other words, a beverage container101with a larger diameter (D2) may decompress the rings141further into the ridge145than a beverage container with a comparatively smaller diameter (D2). Advantageously, the rings141allow the sleeve134to accommodate beverage containers101of varying sizes, including beverages containers101of various diameters, which may allow the user to insert the can, the slim can, or the bottle into one sleeve134without needing to change the size of the beverage insulator100.

The sleeve134may have a plurality of ribs142formed on an exterior surface thereof. The plurality of ribs142may reinforce the sleeve134. The plurality of ribs142may allow the sleeve134to be sufficiently rigid, to militate against an undesirable bending of the sleeve134, in operation.

With reference toFIGS.1-15an exterior surface144of the side wall106may have a plurality of surface features. The surface features may be customizable for each individual user. For example, a name plate145may be formed on the exterior surface144. Various logos and designs may be disposed on the exterior surface144. Advantageously, the user may customize the beverage insulator100by selecting any suitable designs for the exterior surface144.

The surface feature may be a handgrip146. The handgrip146is configured to permit the user to more securely grip the beverage insulator100, during use. The handgrip146may include of a plurality of ridges and corresponding lands disposed on the side wall106of the main body102. The plurality of ridges may be positioned in such a way that allows a finger of a user to be disposed between two ridges thereby providing a grip during use. A skilled artisan may employ other suitable handgrips146for the beverage insulator100, as desired.

The present disclosure also contemplates a beverage insulator kit200, for example, as shown inFIGS.16-18. The beverage insulator kit200may include the beverage insulator100, as described hereinabove, and a caddy202. The caddy202may be configured to store and transport the beverage insulator100. It should be appreciated that the caddy202may have scalable dimensions, such that the caddy202may have dimensions which correspond with dimensions of the particular beverage insulator100that will be stored in the caddy202.

The caddy202may have a holder204. The holder204may be configured to receive the beverage insulator100. The holder204may be have a first side wall206and a second side wall208. The first side wall206may be taller than the second side wall208. Advantageously, each of the first side wall206and the second side wall208may be configured to hold the beverage insulator100within the holder204. However, the relatively shorter second side wall208may allow the user to display the customize surface features of the beverage insulator100.

The holder204may have a shelving portion210disposed adjacent to the holder204. The shelving portion210may include a plurality of shelves212. Each of the shelves212may be grated. Advantageously, the grated shelves212allow for drainage of liquid from the shelving portion210, in operation. Each of the shelves212may be configured to receive one of the lids118.

Advantageously, the beverage insulator100of the present disclosure militates against the change in temperature in the beverage container101disposed therein. Further, the beverage insulator100provides advantages and improvements over known devices, including a more durable exterior to protect the insulator100, and provide a comfortable surface for the user. Additionally, the beverage insulator100is highly customizable. The kit200of the present disclosure provides the ability to transport and store the beverage insulator100, while also displaying the customizations of the user's particular insulator100.