Patent Publication Number: US-7712625-B2

Title: Cooling coaster for beverage container

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present teachings relate to a device and method for keeping a cold beverage container cool for extended periods of time. In particular, the present teachings relate to a cooling coaster that keeps a cold beverage container cool while not concealing the labeling on the container or allowing the formation of a condensation ring on a resting surface. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Coasters used under beverage containers operate by receiving and/or trapping condensation which forms on the exterior of such containers and drains down their sides onto the coaster. In this manner, coasters prevent moisture from reaching a table top or other surface on which the beverage container is positioned. However, such conventional coasters do not provide a cooling function. 
   Known holders for keeping beverage containers cool include insulated cups having thermally insulated walls. These holders keep the beverage container hot or cool by covering all or a majority of the sidewalls of the beverage container thereby insulating the beverage container from ambient conditions. However, such beverage container coolers or insulators are of a height that cover-up or conceal the labeling or graphics on the beverage container and preclude users from directly grasping the beverage container. 
   Accordingly, there exists a need for a holder for a beverage container that keeps a cold beverage cool for extended periods of time while not concealing the labeling or graphics on the beverage container. There also exists a need for such a beverage container holder which includes condensation control like a coaster and prevents the likelihood of the formation of a condensation ring during use. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present teachings provide a cooling coaster including a cup-shaped body having a closed bottom and a cylindrical sidewall forming an opening at a top end thereof. A sealing ring gasket can be arranged in the cylindrical sidewall of the cup-shaped body in a vicinity of the opening. A support pedestal can be provided that extends from the closed bottom into an interior of the cup-shaped body. A distal end of the support pedestal forms a stop surface. A distance from the stop surface of the support pedestal to the opening at the top end of the cup-shaped body can be about 2 inches or less. 
   The present teachings further describe a cooling coaster including a cup-shaped body having a closed bottom and a cylindrical sidewall forming an opening at an end thereof. A sealing ring gasket can be integrally formed with the cylindrical sidewall in a vicinity of the opening. The sealing ring gasket can form a narrowest portion of the cup-shaped body and can be capable of forming a water and gas-tight seal when a beverage container is inserted into the cup-shaped body. A distance corresponding to a height of the cooling coaster as measured from the closed bottom to the opening at the end of the cylindrical sidewall can be about 3 inches or less. 
   The present teachings still further describe a cooling coaster including a cup-shaped body having a closed bottom and a cylindrical sidewall forming an opening at a top end thereof. A sealing ring gasket can be arranged in the cylindrical sidewall in a vicinity of the opening. A support pedestal can extend from the closed bottom into an interior of the cup-shaped body. A distal end of the support pedestal can form a stop surface. At least one of the cylindrical sidewall and the support pedestal can include a collapsible fold. 
   The present teachings also describe a method of supporting and keeping a cold beverage container cool. The method includes providing a cooling coaster comprising a cup-shaped body including a closed bottom and a cylindrical sidewall forming an opening at an end thereof, a sealing ring gasket integrally formed with the cylindrical sidewall in a vicinity of the opening and forming a narrowest portion of the cup-shaped body, and a support extending into an interior of the cup-shaped body and having a stop surface. The method includes introducing a coolant into an area below the stop surface of the support. The method further includes inserting the beverage container into the opening of the cup-shaped body until a bottom portion of the beverage container abuts at least one of the stop surface of the support and the coolant, thereby forming a water and gas-tight seal by way of the sealing ring gasket between the cup-shaped body and the beverage container, the cup-shaped body being sized such that a majority of any labeling on the beverage container is not concealed. 
   Additional features and advantages of various embodiments will be set forth, in part, in the description that follows, and will, in part, be apparent from the description, or may be learned by the practice of various embodiments. The objectives and other advantages of various embodiments will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the description herein. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of the cooling coaster according to various embodiments with a 12-ounce bottle inserted therein; 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional side view of the cooling coaster of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the top portion of the cooling coaster according to various embodiments; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the bottom portion of the cooling coaster according to various embodiments; 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of the cooling coaster of the present teachings; and 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional side view of yet another embodiment of the cooling coaster of the present teachings. 
   

   It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are intended to provide an explanation of various embodiments of the present teachings. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a cooling coaster  10  according to the present teachings is shown as it might be used to keep a typical 12-ounce bottle  30  cool. The cooling coaster  10  can include a relatively shallow cup-like body  20 . The cup-like body  20  can form a hollow tube including a generally cylindrical sidewall  22  having an open top and a closed bottom  24 . The cooling coaster  10  is adapted to removably receive and firmly grip and support the bottom and sides of a beverage container  30  while keeping from a majority to the entirety of any labeling on the beverage container exposed. The cooling coaster  10  of the present teachings can be adapted to receive various-sized beverage containers  30  such as, for example, cans, bottles, drinking glasses, and the like. More particularly, the cooling coaster  10  can be adapted to receive beverage containers  30  having various cross-sections, such as round, oval, generally square, generally rectangular, and the like. Such bottles can include liquid medicine bottles that require refrigeration during storage and should remain chilled during dispensing while keeping their labeling exposed to the user. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , the cylindrical sidewall  22  of the cooling coaster  10  can be integrally formed with a sealing ring gasket  26 . The sealing ring gasket  26  forms a water and gas-tight seal between the sidewall  22  of the cup-like body  20  and the beverage container  30  when the beverage container  30  is inserted into the cooling coaster  10 . The sealing ring gasket  26  serves to help hold the beverage container  30  within the cooling coaster  10  and prevents ice and water from escaping as the cooling coaster  10  is tipped during drinking from the beverage container  30 . The water and gas-tight seal formed by the ring gasket  26  allows the formation of a vacuum within a coolant compartment  50  defined between an interior portion of the cup-like body  20  and the inserted beverage container  30 . 
   The closed bottom  24  of the cup-like body  20  can be formed with a support  40  on an interior side thereof. The support  40  can be a pedestal that can extend substantially upwardly a set distance from the closed bottom  24  into the interior of the cup-like body  20 . The distal end of the pedestal  40  forms a support surface  42 . The pedestal  40  can act as a support and an insertion limit for the bottom or inserted end of the beverage container  30 . Being the uppermost extent of the pedestal  40 , the support surface  42  is arranged below the sealing ring gasket  26  to allow the sealing ring gasket  26  to form a seal between the beverage container  30  and the cooling coaster  10 . As a result, the pedestal  40 , sidewall  22 , closed bottom  24 , and the sealing ring gasket  26  can define a coolant compartment  50  which can be vacuum-sealed when a bottom portion of the beverage container  30  is inserted into the cooling coaster  10 . The support surface  42  of the pedestal  40  can also act as a visual indicator to indicate to users the maximum height for the introduction of coolant into the coolant compartment  50 . 
   The pedestal  40  can preferably extend from a substantially middle portion of the closed bottom  24 . However, the pedestal  40  can extend from any portion of the closed bottom  24 . The pedestal  40  can be a solid structure or can have a hollow interior. According to various embodiments, the pedestal  40  could include a plurality of upwardly extending pedestals  40 . Moreover, one or more pedestals  40  can be arranged to extend generally upwardly independently of the sidewall  22  or as integral structures in structural communication with the sidewall  22 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , the support  40  of the cooling coaster  10  can alternatively be a shelf that extends radially inwardly from the cylindrical sidewall  22 . The top surface of the shelf can form a stop surface  42 . The shelf  40  can extend below the sealing ring gasket  26  so that the stop surface  42  can provide a support and an insertion limit for the bottom of the inserted beverage container  30 . According to various embodiments, the shelf  40  can extend circumferentially around the entire inside circumference of the cylindrical sidewall  22 . Alternatively, the shelf can extend around less than the entire circumference of the cylindrical sidewall  22 . The coolant compartment  50  is formed below the shelf. 
   According to various embodiments, the cooling coaster  10  can be arranged without a support  40 . 
   Referring back to  FIG. 2 , above the sealing ring gasket  26  and at the open top of the cup-like body  20 , a condensation control rim  60  can be formed. The condensation control rim  60  can catch and trap condensation that drips down the sides of the inserted beverage container  30 . The condensation control rim  60  can include a lip or drip edge  62  that can extend radially inwardly from a top portion of the sidewall  22 . The lip or drip edge  62  can extend radially inwardly in an upwardly or downwardly angled direction, or in a direction substantially parallel with a resting surface. The lip or drip edge  62  thereby forms a catch where condensation that has run down the sides of the beverage container  30  can be held. The lip or drip edge  62  prevents the condensation from dripping out when the cooling coaster  10  and secured beverage container  30  are tipped during the consumption of the cooled beverage. The condensation control rim  60  also operates to help prevent the formation of a ring of condensation on the resting surface. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the exterior portion of the closed bottom  24  of the cup-like body  20  can be concave in shape in order to limit the surface area that is in contact with a resting surface. For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the closed bottom  24  can be formed with a circumferential bottom edge  28  which operates to elevate the closed bottom from a resting surface. Reducing the area of the cooling coaster  10  that is in contact with a resting surface allows less energy or heat transference to occur between the resting surface and the cooling coaster  10 . According to various embodiments, the closed bottom  24  can be formed with a further circumferential bottom edge  32  below the support  40  to provide additional support for the closed bottom  24 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 6 , the cup-like body  20  can incorporate a collapsible fold  74  formed on the cylindrical sidewall  22 . The collapsible fold  74  can allow the height of the cooling coaster  10  to increase and decrease as a function of temperature and the state of the coolant in the coolant compartment  50 . In addition or in the alternative, the pedestal  40  can incorporate a collapsible fold  76  which can allow the height of the pedestal  40  to increase and decrease as a function of temperature and the state of the coolant in the coolant compartment  50 . 
   The general exterior shape of the cooling coaster  10  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . At the closed bottom  24  of the cooler coaster  10 , the outside diameter, W, is relatively wide as it forms the base which sits on the resting surface. From the closed bottom  24 , the cylindrical sidewall  22  can extend substantially vertically. Moving upwardly, the cylindrical sidewall  22  can begin to taper inwardly towards the sealing ring gasket  26 . The sealing ring gasket  26  can form the narrowest portion of the cylindrical cup-shaped body  20 . From the sealing ring gasket  26 , the outside diameter of the cooling coaster  10  can taper outwardly toward the condensation control rim  60 . As a result, the narrowing area in the vicinity of the sealing ring gasket  26  and the widening condensation control rim  60  serve to form a gripping area that can help to allow a user to insert and remove the beverage container  30  from the cooling coaster  10 . The cooling coaster  10  has a height, H, that can be measured from the circumferential bottom edge  28  of the closed bottom  24  to the top of the condensation control rim  60  which defines the opening at the top end of the cup-shaped body  20 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , the exterior surface of the sidewall  22  can be provided with a gripable flap  70 . The gripable flap  70  can be used to help the user when inserting and removing the beverage container  30  from the cooling coaster  10 . The grippable flap  70  can include apertures for the attachment of identifying indicia, such as one or more JIBBITS®. 
   The exterior surface of the sidewall  22  can be printed or embossed with advertising, marketing, branding logos and messages. Moreover, the cooling coaster  10  can be made in a variety of colors which can operate to indicate and distinguish ownership when more than one person is drinking the same brand of beverage. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , the cooling coaster  10  can have the following dimensions when it is to be used with a typical 12-ounce bottle. The overall height, H, of the cooling coaster  10  from the exterior of the closed bottom  24  (the portion which rests on the resting surface) to the top of the condensation control rim  60  can be about 3.000 inches or less, and preferably is about 2.750 inches. 
   The outside diameter, W, of the cooling coaster  10  can be from about 2.875 inches to about 3.375 inches, and preferably is about 3.125 inches, as measured from the widest extent of the sidewall  22 . An inner diameter, IW, can be from about 2.500 inches to about 3.000 inches, and preferably is about 2.750 inches, as measured from the inner portion of the sidewall  22 . 
   From the bottom edge of the closed bottom  24 , the cylindrical sidewall  22  can rise about 1.175 inches to about 2.250 inches, and preferably rises about 2.000 inches. The sidewall  22  can then begin to taper inwardly towards the sealing ring gasket  26  that can be located about 2.000 inches to about 2.500 inches, and preferably about 2.250 inches, from the bottom edge of the closed bottom  24 . Alternatively, the sidewall  22  can rise at a substantially constant taper from the closed bottom  24  to the sealing ring gasket  26 . 
   The sealing ring gasket  26  can have a height, RG, of from about 0.125 inches to about 0.375 inches, and preferably is about 0.250 inches (see  FIG. 2 ). The inner diameter, ID, at the sealing ring gasket  26  can be about 2.000 inches which can expand to a diameter of about 2.500 inches to about 2.625 inches when a typically-sized beverage container is inserted into the cooling coaster  10 . Accordingly, the inner diameter, LD, of the lip  62  of the condensation control rim  60  can be at least about 2.500 inches or larger to allow condensation to flow past the lip  62  and into the interior of the condensation control rim  60 . The dimensions of the inner diameter, ID, and of the inner diameter, LD, can be varied depending on the size of the container to be used with the cooling coaster  10 . The concave-shape of the closed bottom  24  can rise a distance, CS, of from about 0.150 to about 0.350, and preferably about 0.250 inches from the resting surface at its highest point (see  FIG. 2 ). The closed bottom  24  can have a wall thickness, CB, of from about 0.250 to about 0.500 inches (see  FIG. 2 ). As shown in  FIG. 6 , the pedestal  40  can rise a distance, PH, of from about 0.500 inches to about 1.000 inches, and preferably about 0.750 inches, from the interior surface of the closed bottom  24 . 
   When a typical 12-ounce bottle or can is inserted into the cooling coaster  10  having the dimensions above, about 1.500 inches of the bottom portion of the container would fit inside of the cup-like body  20  of the cooling coaster  10  when it is resting on the pedestal  40 . With respect to other beverages containers, about 2.000 inches or less of the bottom portion of the beverage container would fit inside of the cup-like body  20  of the cooling coaster  10  during use. In other words, the cooling coaster  10  can be sized such that a distance from the stop surface  42  of the support  40  to the opening at the top end of the cup-shaped body  20  is about 2.000 inches, and more preferably, about 1.500 inches. Moreover, a typical 12-ounce bottle would stretch the inner diameter, ID, of the sealing ring gasket  26  from a diameter of about 2.000 inches to about the 2.500 inch diameter width of the bottle when inserted into the cooling coaster  10 . A typical 12-ounce can would stretch the inner diameter, ID, of the sealing ring gasket  26  from a diameter of about 2.000 inches to about the 2.625 inch diameter width of the can when inserted into the cooling coaster  10 . 
   The particular size of the cooling coaster  10  depends on the size of the target beverage container  30 . For example, a cooling coaster  10  that is intended for use with a 12 oz can and 16-24 oz water bottles may be a different size from one targeting 8 oz bottles, which have a smaller diameter. Likewise, wine bottles would require a substantially larger housing both in diameter and possibly in overall height. The height of the relatively short cup-like housing  20  should be sufficient to allow a bottom portion of a beverage container  30  to fit within it in a sleeve-like fashion while allowing all or a majority of the labeling (or if there is no labeling—the area where labeling could go) to remain uncovered. However, the height of the cup-like body  20  as well as the height of the support  40  can also be varied as necessary or desirable for the particular application. 
   Prior to inserting the beverage container  30  into the cooling coaster  10 , a cooling medium can be placed into the coolant compartment  50 . The cooling medium can be ice in the form of various-sized chips or cubes, crushed ice, or can include poured water that is subsequently frozen within the cooling coaster  10 . Preferably, the coolant compartment  50  is only partially filled so that the cooling medium does not completely fill the coolant compartment  50 . For example, cooling medium can be added up to the level of the top of the support  40  which can act as a visual indicator to show the maximum height for the introduction of the cooling medium. Other known refrigerants can be used as well. Initially, more cooling medium can be added to the coolant compartment  50  by grabbing the cylindrical sidewall  22  of the cooling coaster  10  and stretching it out of contact with the beverage container  30 . 
   In use, after the cooling medium has been added to the coolant compartment  50  of the cooling coaster  10 , the cold beverage container  30  is inserted into the cooling coaster  10 . The bottom portion of the beverage container  30  is firmly pushed into the open top of the cup-like body  20  and against the sealing ring gasket  26 . The resiliency of the sealing ring gasket  26  allows it to expand about the sides of a beverage container  30  to form a water and gas-tight seal therebetween. While gripping the exterior of the cooling coaster  10  with one hand, preferably in the vicinity of the sealing ring gasket  26 , the beverage container  30  can then be pushed further into the cooling coaster  10  until the bottom of the beverage container  30  contacts the cooling medium and/or the support  40 . The cooling coaster  10  can also be securely held by way of the gripable flap  70 . At this point, the cooling coaster  10  is secured to the beverage container  30  via friction and suction and the beverage can be enjoyed at a cool temperature for an extended period of time while controlling condensation. 
   In an embodiment that incorporates collapsible folds  74 ,  76  in either or both of the cylindrical sidewall  22  and pedestal  40 , respectively, the beverage container  30  is allowed to sink a set distance into the cooling coaster  10  as the cooling medium melts. As melting of the coolant progresses, the sealing ring gasket  26  stays in place with respect to the beverage container  30  while the cylindrical sidewall  22  begins to bulge outwardly due to the melting of the coolant and the pedestal  40  is forced to compress downwardly. The collapsible folds  74 ,  76  promote the expansion of the sidewall  22  and the compression of the pedestal  40 , respectively. In this manner, the beverage container  30  can sink a set distance as the cooling medium melts. For example, a 12-oz beverage bottle can sink approximately 0.500 inches with respect to a resting surface as the coolant melts. 
   When it is desired to discard the beverage container  30 , the cooling coaster  10  can again be gripped with one hand preferably in the vicinity of the sealing ring gasket  26  or by the grippable flap  70  while the other hand grips the beverage container  30  and pulls it away from the cooling coaster  10  and separates it therefrom. At this point, the cooling coaster  10  can be re-loaded with a cooling medium and re-used. 
   The cooling coaster  10  can be an integral, one-piece structure made from a resilient material. The resilient material should be lightweight, non-porous, printable, elastic, insulating, and resistant to deformation in cold and wet conditions. Other desired characteristics of the resilient material are strength, durability, and being dishwasher safe. The resilient material of the cooling coaster  10  can preferably be an elastomer, foam resin, polymer, thermoset rubber, thermoplastic, although other materials can be employed. More specifically, the resilient material can include polypropylene, neoprene, polyacrylate, olefin, silicone, or urethane. The cooling coaster  10  of the present teachings can be thermoset molded, reaction injection molded, injection molded, or rotational molded, although other production methods may be employed. Most preferably, the cooling coaster  10  of the present teachings can be made by a reaction injection molding system (RIM) and made from a urethane foam, such as, for example, a 245 RIM foam consisting of the reactive mix of polyol and isocyanate. 
   The cooling coaster  10  of the present teachings provides a stable and protective holder for a beverage container when it is placed on a resting surface. The cooling coaster  10  keeps cold beverages cool for extended periods of time without covering a large portion of the beverage container  30  thereby leaving any label graphics substantially if not entirely exposed which extends the label messaging and improves brand awareness. The cooling coaster  10  limits the amount of condensation, does not leak ice water, and prevents the formation of a wet ring on the resting surface. 
   Those skilled in the art can appreciate from the foregoing description that the present teachings can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while these teachings have been described in connection with particular embodiments and examples thereof, the true scope of the present teachings should not be so limited. Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the teachings herein.