Patent Publication Number: US-2003230586-A1

Title: Vacuum insulated can holder

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] This invention relates to a vacuum insulated can holder for holding conventional beverage cans to provide a measure of insulation from the ambient to prevent the contents of the can from undesirably warming or cooling at an undesirably rapid rate.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] Insulated beverage container holders have long been known. Conventionally, they are formed of a body of relatively soft, resilient, foam-like material that is formed with a cylindrical wall and a bottom and an upper opening. A can or bottle to be insulated from the ambient is introduced into the interior of the holder through the opening and frequently is firmly grasped therein because the resilience of the foam material and because the dimensions of the holder cause the same to frictionally grip the exterior of the can or bottle.  
       [0003] Unfortunately, typical constructions of the sort identified above as well as other types of known insulating can holders are bulky due to the wall thickness required to achieve insulating qualities. Consequently, they cannot fit easily into conventional vehicular mounted beverage holders or, if fitted thereinto, are partially compressed in the process, making it difficult to extract the can holder with the can therein from a vehicular drink holder.  
       [0004] Moreover, prior art beverage can holders have conventionally been single use type holders. That is to say, the holders are capable of being used for a single purpose, namely, holding a can or bottle and no other purpose or purposes.  
       [0005] When attempts have been made to form can holders of non-foam material, the problem of fitting such a holder to a conventional drink holder in a vehicle has remained. Moreover, often times the can to be contained in the beverage can holder fits loosely therein, allowing the can to move within the holder itself. In such a case, the possibility for spillage of the beverage is increased.  
       [0006] The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the above problems.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007] It is the principal object of the invention to provide a new and improved can holder for a conventional beverage can. More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide an insulated can holder and even more specifically, a vacuum insulated can holder.  
       [0008] An exemplary embodiment of the invention achieves the foregoing object in a can holder that includes a cup-shaped, metallic outer liner having an upper opening, an opposite bottom and a generally cylindrical side wall extending upwardly from the bottom to the opening. Also included is a cup-shaped, metallic inner liner nested within the outer liner and again having an upper opening, an opposite bottom and a generally cylindrical side wall extending upwardly from the bottom to the opening.  
       [0009] The side wall of the inner liner is located radially inwardly of the side wall of the outer liner to define a space therebetween. Additionally, the bottom of the inner liner is located above the bottom of the outer liner to define a space therebetween. The cylindrical side walls of the inner and outer liners merge at the openings and are sealed thereat. A vacuum is pulled in the spaces and is maintained therein by the sealing between the inner and outer liners at the openings. At least the lowermost section of the outer liner has an outer diameter just less than an inner diameter of a conventional vehicular beverage holder while the inner diameter of the inner liner side wall is just greater than the outer diameter of a conventional metal beverage can.  
       [0010] As a consequence of the foregoing, a rigid can holder that is vacuum insulated is provided and which is sized to snugly receive a conventional beverage can while easily fitting in a conventional vehicular drink holder.  
       [0011] In a preferred embodiment, the lowermost outer diameter of the outer liner is just less than 2.890 inches.  
       [0012] A preferred embodiment also contemplates that the inner liner inner diameter be just greater than 2.600 inches.  
       [0013] A preferred embodiment also contemplates that the height of the inner liner cylindrical side wall be less than 4.840 inches.  
       [0014] In one embodiment, the inner liner cylindrical side wall includes at least one radially inwardly extending projection, the projection(s) having a height sufficient to engage a side of a conventional metal beverage can received in the inner liner.  
       [0015] In a highly preferred embodiment, the height of the projection(s) is sufficient to frictionally or resiliently grip a side of a conventional metal beverage can received in the inner liner.  
       [0016] In a highly preferred embodiment, there are a plurality of the projections.  
       [0017] A preferred embodiment also includes a grip ring on an uppermost part of the outer liner adjacent the outer liner opening.  
       [0018] In one embodiment, there is provided a cap that is removably attached to an uppermost end of at least one of the inner and outer liner cylindrical side walls. The cap includes an access opening alignable with the opening in a conventional metal beverage can.  
       [0019] In a highly preferred embodiment, the cap is provided with a crowned center having the alignable access opening and a depending skirt removably secured to one of the inner and outer liner cylindrical side walls.  
       [0020] In an even more preferred embodiment, the skirt includes a snap fit formation for securing the cap to the one of the inner and outer liner cylindrical side walls.  
       [0021] Even more preferably, the crowned center of the cap includes at least one spring finger directed toward the inner liner bottom so as to be engageable with the top of a can nested within the inner liner to hold the same firmly in place.  
       [0022] One embodiment of the invention contemplates that the outer liner cylindrical side wall include a step formed so that the lowermost section thereof has the outer diameter just less than the inner diameter of a conventional vehicular beverage holder.  
       [0023] Still another highly preferred embodiment of the invention contemplates the provision of a sipping lid received within the inner liner opening. The sipping lid has diametrically opposite openings. One of the openings defines a sipping opening and the other defines a vent opening.  
       [0024] In a preferred embodiment, the sipping lid has a sloping center with the sipping opening being located at a lowermost part of the sloping center and the vent opening being located at an uppermost part of the sloping center. An upstanding peripheral wall surrounds the sloping center.  
       [0025] Preferably, the sipping lid is formed of an elastomeric material and the upstanding side wall is sized and shaped to be removably, sealingly wedged into the inner liner opening.  
       [0026] The invention also includes the highly preferred form of a sipping lid to be received within the inner lining opening. In a preferred embodiment of the sipping lid, the same has a series of angularly spaced holes.  
       [0027] In a highly preferred embodiment of the sipping lid, the same includes an upstanding peripheral wall surrounding a center and a series of holes extends about the lid inwardly of the upstanding wall and outwardly of the center.  
       [0028] Preferably, the center is brazed and is connected to the upstanding wall by a depressed, peripheral trough with the openings located about the trough.  
       [0029] In a highly preferred embodiment, the sipping lid is formed of an elastomeric material and the upstanding wall is sized and shaped to be removably, sealingly wedged into the inner liner opening. Even more preferably, the upstanding wall extends an exterior, radially outward extending, peripheral sealing ridge which is wedged into the inner liner opening.  
       [0030] Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0031]FIG. 1 is a vertical section of one form of a vacuum insulated can holder made according to the invention;  
     [0032]FIG. 2 is a vertical section of a modified embodiment of the invention;  
     [0033]FIG. 3 is a vertical section showing still another form of the invention;  
     [0034]FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the invention with a cap applied thereto;  
     [0035]FIG. 5 is a plan view of the structure of FIG. 5;  
     [0036]FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 4 and 5;  
     [0037]FIG. 7 is a vertical section of an embodiment of the invention including a sipping lid;  
     [0038]FIG. 8 is a plan view of the sipping lid.;  
     [0039]FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7 but of a modified embodiment of the sipping lid; and  
     [0040]FIG. 10 is a plan view of the sipping lid of FIG. 9. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0041] Referring to FIG. 1, a basic, exemplary embodiment of a can holder made according to the invention is illustrated. The same is seen to include an outer liner, generally designated  10  and an inner liner, generally designated  12 . The liners  10  and  12  are formed of a metal, most typically stainless steel.  
     [0042] The outer liner  10  includes a bottom  14  welded or otherwise bonded to an upstanding, cylindrical side wall  16  which terminates in an upper opening  18 . As illustrated in FIG. 1, the bottom  14  is formed separately from the side wall  16  and is bonded or welded thereto. However, as will be apparent from an inspection of FIGS.  2  or  3 , for example, the bottom  14  and side wall  16  may be unitary.  
     [0043] Preferably, the bottom  14  includes a number of stiffening ribs or indentations  20 .  
     [0044] The inner liner  12  is nested within the outer liner  10  and includes a bottom  22  and an upstanding, cylindrical side wall  24 , also terminating in an opening  26 . Again, the inner liner  12  may be formed of a side wall piece and a bottom piece or may be of unitary construction. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the side wall  24  includes a step  28  which expands to a radially outer peripheral edge  30  adjacent the opening  26 .  
     [0045] It is to be particularly observed that the inner liner side wall  24  is thus spaced radially inwardly of the outer liner side wall  16  to define a space  32 . Similarly, the bottom  22  of the inner liner  12  is located above and spaced from the bottom  14  of the outer liner  10  to form another space  34  which is in fluid communication with the space  32 .  
     [0046] The peripheral flange  30  is sealed to the outer liner  18  adjacent the opening  18  therein as by welding after a vacuum has been pulled in the spaces  32 ,  34 . Thus, the vacuum in such spaces is maintained by the sealing connection between the inner and outer liner at their openings  18  and  26  to ensure that the spaces  32 ,  34  provide an insulating space about the entire cavity  36  within the inner liner  12 .  
     [0047] According to the invention, and as illustrated by the legend shown in FIG. 2, the distance between the uppermost edge  36  of the assembly and the inner liner bottom  22  is less than that of a conventional metal beverage can. In a typical case, this will mean that the distance between the upper edge  36  and the bottom  22  of the inner liner  12  is less than 4.840 inches.  
     [0048] It will also be observed that the outer diameter of the outer liner  10 , which is the part of the can holder that will fit in a conventional vehicular drink holder, has an outer diameter that is smaller than that of the drink holder. In the usual case, it will mean that the outer diameter of the outer liner  10  will be just less than 2.890 inches. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, this diameter is constant from top to bottom while in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the outer liner, intermediate its ends, is provided with a step  38  which divides the outer liner into a large diameter section  40  and a smaller diameter section  42 , both of which are cylindrical. In the case of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 having the step  38 , it is only necessary that the smaller diameter section  42  be less than the inside diameter of a typical vehicular drink holder.  
     [0049] The inner diameter of the inner liner  24  is just greater than the diameter of a conventional metal beverage can. That is to say, it will be just greater than about 2.600 inches.  
     [0050] In some cases, the inner liner  12  may also be provided with a step  44  located intermediate its ends to divide the same into a small diameter section  46  and a larger diameter section  48  with the smaller diameter section  46  being lowermost. In this case, the inside diameter of the small diameter section  46  can be less than the diameter of a conventional metal beverage can while the large diameter section  48  will be just greater than the outside diameter of a conventional metal beverage can.  
     [0051] Turning now to FIG. 3, in some cases, it is desirable that the inner liner  12 , usually near its lower end, be provided with radially inwardly extending projections in the form of dimples  50 . In the usual case, a plurality of the dimples  50  will be used but it is contemplated that as few as one may be employed. In any case, it is preferred that the dimples  50  extend radially inwardly into the cavity  36  sufficiently to engage the side wall of a conventional metal beverage can disposed in the holder. Preferably, the extension of the dimples  50  into the cavity  36  is such as to frictionally or resiliently grip a side of a conventional metal beverage. Thus, if only one of the dimples  50  is used, the distance from the innermost point of the dimple  50  to the diametrically opposite part of the side wall  24  will be 2.600 inches or slightly less. For diametrically opposite dimples employed as illustrated in FIG. 3, the distance between the radially inner extent of the diametrically opposite dimples will then be 2.600 inches or slightly less.  
     [0052] In some instances, it is desirable to provide a cap for any of the beverage holders described thus far. When such is utilized, a small, peripheral bead  60  is located on the outer liner  10  to extend slightly radially outwardly therefrom at a location at or near the upper edge  36  of the assembly. A cap, generally designated  62 , may be snap fitted to the bead  60  so as to be removably attached to the can holder itself. The cap  62  includes an upper, crowned center  64  surrounded by a depending skirt  66 . At the lowermost end of the skirt  66 , an inwardly turned, peripheral bead  68  is located to serve as a snap fit formation whereby the cap  62  may be snapped fit about the bead  60  on the can holder.  
     [0053] As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, part of the crowned center  64  is cut away as illustrated at  70 , as is part of the skirt  66 , leaving only a lower, peripheral ring  72  having the snap fit bead  68  thereon. In this way, the upper end  74  of a conventional metal beverage can disposed in the cavity  36  (not shown in FIG. 4) and is accessible so that the conventional drink opening  76  in the can  74  is aligned with the opening  70  to be accessible to a user. Preferably, the remaining part of the crowned center  64  includes a pair of cut outs  78  which define L-shaped spring fingers  80  (FIG. 4) which extend downwardly toward the bottom  66 . The spring fingers  80  may thus engage the top  82  of the can  74  to hold the same firmly in place within the can holder. Again, in this embodiment, the dimensions are generally as mentioned previously. It is to be specifically noted that, though not illustrated in FIG. 4, the projections  50  of FIG. 3 could also be used if desired.  
     [0054]FIGS. 7 and 8 show a further accessory for use with a can holder in the form of a sipping lid, generally designated  86 . The sipping lid  86  includes a sloping center  88  surrounded by upstanding, peripheral wall  90 . The sloping center  88  has a pair of openings shown at  92  and  94  therein. The opening  92  is relatively large and serves as a sipping opening wherein a beverage contained directly in the cavity  36  of the holder may be sipped. The smaller opening  94  serves as a vent opening to allow air to replace the beverage within the cavity  36  as it is withdrawn through the opening  92 .  
     [0055] The upstanding wall  90  includes a peripheral, radially outwardly extending flange  96  which limits movement of the sipping lid  86  into the cavity  36 . It is also provided with wiper seals in the form of peripheral, radially outwardly extending, flexible edges  98  which sealingly engage the inner liner  12  and allow the sipping lid  86  to be retained on the can holder by being wedged into the opening  26  in the inner liner  12 . Thus, the sipping lid  86  may be grasped and removed to allow access to the cavity  36  which can then be used as the beverage container itself, providing a second use for the can holder, namely, a use as a cup per se for holding a beverage without the need for a beverage container separate from the can holder.  
     [0056] In general, to achieve the desired sealing affect as well as the wedging action for securing the sipping lid  86  to the can holder, it is preferred that the sipping lid  86  be made of a somewhat resilient elastomer.  
     [0057]FIG. 7 illustrates another preferred feature of the invention. A gripping ring  100  is disposed peripherally around, and secured to the outer liner  10  adjacent its opening  18 . The securement may be obtained through the use of any suitable adhesive, an interference fit, etc.  
     [0058]FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a much preferred embodiment of the sipping lid  86 . According to the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10, the sipping lid  86  includes a generally cylindrical, stepped, peripheral side wall  102  having a lower section  104  of reduced diameter and an upper section  106  of enlarged diameter. At the juncture of the two, a ledge  108  is present to limit movement of the sipping lid  86  toward the interior  36  of the can holder.  
     [0059] The sipping lid  86  of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 also includes a slightly raised, circular center  110  which is connected to the upstanding side wall by a somewhat depressed, peripheral trough  112 . Within the trough  112  is a series of equally angularly spaced openings  114  which serve both as exit points for a beverage contained within the can holder and entrance points for venting air into the interior  36  of the can holder.  
     [0060] As best seen in FIG. 9, near its lower end, the reduced diameter section  104  of the peripheral wall  102  includes a peripheral, radially outwardly facing groove  114 . Within the groove  114  is a band of an elastomer such as rubber or the like that includes a radially outwardly extending, flexible, sealing ridge  116 . The ridge  116  flexibly, sealingly and removably, wedges sealing lid  86  within the opening of the inner liner  12 .  
     [0061] From the foregoing it will be appreciated that a can holder made according to the invention achieves the objects set out for it. It provides excellent insulation for preventing a beverage from unduly rapidly heating or cooling as a result of ambient temperature, whether the beverage be contained in a conventional metal beverage can or whether it be introduced into the cavity  36  directly. The outer diameter of the can holder, at least at its lower end at the smaller diameter section  42 , is sized to be received in a conventional drink holder in a vehicle while the cavity  36  is sized to snugly receive the conventional metal beverage can. The height of the drink holder is sized to allow a portion of a conventional beverage can disposed in the cavity  36  to project above the upper edge  36  of the can holder so that it may be readily gripped for the purpose of removing the same from the can holder. The grip ring  100  allows the user to obtain a firm grip on the beverage holder while the cap  62  provides a means for assuring positive containment of a can  74  within the cavity  36  while allowing access to the drink opening  76  of the can  74  and at the same time urging the can  74  downwardly within the cavity  36  to prevent shifting of the can therein. The projections  50 , when used, provide much the same action, all contributing to a reduction in the possibility of spills.  
     [0062] The ability of the can holder to act as the beverage container itself is enhanced through the use of the sipping lid  86  when the can holder is not being employed in connection with a conventional metal beverage can.