Patent Description:
Maintaining the temperature of bottled beverages, such as wine and champagne, is vital to enjoying the complete characteristics each beverage has to offer. Various types of coolers are used to chill or impart cooler temperatures to such bottled beverages. For instance, ice is often placed in such coolers and the bottled beverages are placed in the coolers, such that that they are in contact with the ice and become cooler based on the contact. A disadvantage with such coolers is that once the ice melts, the remaining water may become warm and unable to maintain a colder temperature for the bottled beverage. Another disadvantage is that once the bottled beverage is removed from the cooler, large amounts of liquid may remain on the external surface of the bottled beverages, which may make the bottles slippery and cause the bottles to fall out of the user's hands. This may be dangerous to the user and others nearby, particulary when the bottles are made of glass.

Other variations of coolers may be in the form of individual bottle holders within which the bottle beverages are positioned. Such bottle holders may include inner and outer shells, and an insulating material arranged between the inner and outer shells. Such insulating material may include, for instance, refrigerant/coolant, gel, and other types of freezable liquid. In order to secure the inner and outer shells together and prevent leakage of the liquid, gaskets or rubber materials are used. The inner shell may include several rubberized materials or spacers joined to the inner surface of the bottle holder to secure the bottle in place and adjust to bottles that have different diameters. In addition, the inner surfaces may include a stepped portion to receive bottles that are wider and shorter, or bottles that are narrower. The bottle holders may include a cap or stopper for covering the bottle holder. When a bottled beverage is housed in the bottle holders, the bottled beverage may be completely enclosed within the bottle holder, requiring the user to remove the cap/lid, and in some instances, the bottled beverage in order to retrieve the beverage (or pour from the bottle), which may be cumbersome. These typical bottle holders include numerous components, and numerous shapes, which may be expensive and difficult to manufacture and assemble.

<CIT> describes a bottle holder for various size bottles that is designed to insulate and protect the bottle, including a body comprised of an outer shell and an inner shell, as well as a lid that extends over and firmly affixes to the outer surface of the outer shell by screwing it on or by friction. <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT> also disclose relevant prior art.

In view of the disadvantages associated with presently available bottle holders, there is a need for an insulating vessel that houses bottled beverages within the vessel, and is able to maintain the temperature of bottles that are warm and the temperature of bottles that are cold. There is a further need for a vessel that is able to accommodate bottles of different shapes and sizes, while also allowing users to pick up the vessel and pour the contents of the bottle without having to remove the bottle from the vessel. Additionally, there is a need for an insulating vessel that prevents the formation of condensation on the surface of a bottled beverage housed therein.

According to the present invention there is provided a retaining member according to claim <NUM> that is for use with a vessel/container. The retaining member includes a frustoconical body and a cylindrical skirt that extends from the frustoconical body. The frustoconical body includes an upper portion, a lower portion, and an opening that extends between the upper and lower portions. This opening is configured to allow the neck of a bottle to extend therethrough. The frustoconical body includes an inner surface and an outer surface. A deformable extends between the upper and lower portions of the frustoconical body. The deformable member has multiple layers, with at least one layer extending along the inner surface of the retaining member. In an embodiment, the cylindrical skirt extends from the lower portion of the frustoconical body. The cylindrical skirt includes a plurality of external threads formed on its external surface. According to an aspect, the external threads may be made according to any thread patterns, so that they are able to engage with internal threads formed on a container.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vacuum-insulated vessel according to claim <NUM> that receives a retaining member according claim <NUM>. The vacuum-insulated vessel includes the double-walled structure. The double-walled structure includes an open end and a closed end, and a cylindrical body extends between the open and closed ends. The cylindrical skirt may frictionally engage with an internal surface of the double-walled structure. In an embodiment, a plurality of internal threads is formed on an internal surface of the cylindrical body, adjacent the open end. The retaining member is rotatably received on (e.g., screwed onto / into) the open end of the double-walled insulated vessel, by engaging the external threads of the skirted portion of the retaining member with the internal threads of the cylindrical body. The vacuum-insulated vessel may receive and secure bottles having different heights and widths, while also eliminating condensation on external surfaces of the bottles and maintaining the initial temperatures of the multilayered deformable member is provided. At least one layer of the deformable member may be compressed against bottles positioned in the vacuum-insulated vessel, helping to secure the bottles in place.

Further embodiments of the disclosure relate to a vacuum-insulated vessel including a double-walled structure having an inner container and an outer container spaced apart from one another so that a gap is formed between them. Similar to the double-walled structure described hereinabove, the inner and outer containers each include a closed end, an open end, and a substantially cylindrical body that extends between their closed and open ends. In an embodiment, the gap between the inner and outer containers is evacuated of air, and each container is coupled to the other and sealed at each of their respective open ends. The vacuum-insulated vessel further includes the retaining member and the deformable member, which may be configured as described hereinabove.

A more particular description will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments thereof and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, exemplary embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:.

Various features, aspects, and advantages of the embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description, along with the accompanying figures in which like numerals represent like components throughout the figures and text. The various described features are not necessarily drawn to scale, but are drawn to emphasize specific features relevant to some embodiments.

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments. Each example is provided by way of explanation, and is not meant as a limitation and does not constitute a definition of all possible embodiments.

According to an aspect, a vacuum-insulated vessel having a retaining member and a double-walled structure/ insulated container is described. The vacuum-insulated vessel maintains the temperature of a bottle/bottled beverage housed therein, whether the initial temperature of the bottle is hot, warm or cold. The vacuum-insulated vessel also eliminates the formation of condensation on the external surface of the bottle. The vacuum-insulated vessel is able to receive and retain bottles of various sizes and/or shapes, while also allowing the user to pour the contents of the bottles without having to remove the bottles from the vessel. The vacuum-insulated vessel may be particularly useful for alcoholic beverages (or other chilled beverages), such as white or red wine, champagne, beer, and the like, which are often best enjoyed at specific temperature ranges, and come in various shapes and sizes.

A retaining member is also generally described herein. The retaining member includes a frustoconical body having an upper portion and a lower portion, and a cylindrical skirt extending from the lower portion. As used herein, the term "frustoconical" may mean that the body has the general shape of a cone with a fractured tip (or open tip) forming an upper edge that is parallel to a lower edge of the cone. The lower portion of the frustoconical body is larger than the upper portion of the frustoconical body. The cylindrical skirt includes a plurality of external threads formed on its external surface. The threads may be one of continuous threads or interrupted threads. As used herein, "continuous threads" may mean a non-interrupted threaded closure having a spiral design (e.g., extending around the skirt like a helix), while "interrupted threads" may mean a non-continuous/segmented threaded pattern having gaps/discontinuities between each adjacent thread. In an embodiment, the retaining member includes a deformable member extending along an inner surface of the frustoconical body. The retaining member is configured for use with an insulated vessel/container for housing bottles of different shapes and sizes.

For purposes of illustrating features of the embodiments, examples will now be introduced and referenced throughout the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize that these examples are illustrative and not limiting, and are provided purely for explanatory purposes.

Turning now to the figures, <FIG> illustrate an exemplary retaining member <NUM>. The example of <FIG> is not part of the present invention and present for illustrative purposes only. The retaining member <NUM> includes a generally frustoconical body <NUM> and a cylindrical skirt <NUM>. The body <NUM> and skirt <NUM> may be formed integrally with one another (e.g., as a single or unitary part or component), or may be formed separately from one another and joined to one another. In an embodiment, the frustoconical body <NUM> and the cylindrical skirt <NUM> each comprise a substantially clear plastic material. The plastic materials utilized may include materials that are free from potentially health hazardous materials such as, bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol S (BPS), and the like. According to an aspect, the frustoconical body <NUM> and the cylindrical skirt <NUM> are formed from polymers or polymeric materials, such as polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate (e.g., Tritan™), acrylic, and the like, or any combination thereof. The frustoconical body <NUM> and the cylindrical skirt <NUM> may be formed from a material suitable for food and/or drink contact. In some embodiments, the retaining member <NUM> is vacuum-insulated, by virtue of being formed with double walls and having air evacuated from the spaces between the double walls. This helps to eliminate conduction and/or convection across the surfaces of the retaining member <NUM>.

The frustoconical body <NUM> has an upper portion <NUM> (i.e., a first end), and a lower portion <NUM> (i.e., a second end). In an embodiment, an opening/aperture <NUM> (i.e., a void space) extends between the upper and lower portions <NUM>, <NUM>, so that the frustoconical body <NUM> is a hollow frustoconical body <NUM> having a pair of open ends <NUM>', <NUM>'' opposite one another. The lower portion <NUM> has an outer diameter OD<NUM>, which is larger than a respective outer diameter OD<NUM> of the upper portion <NUM>. The outer diameters OD<NUM>, OD<NUM> of the lower and upper portions <NUM>, <NUM> may be sized to increase or decrease an outward taper of the frustoconical body <NUM> from the upper portion <NUM> to the lower portion <NUM>, which may help facilitate the ability for the frustoconical body <NUM> to be received by the necks and/or shoulders of bottles <NUM> having different sizes and shapes.

The frustoconical body <NUM> has an inner surface <NUM> and an outer surface <NUM>. As seen for instance in <FIG>, a deformable member <NUM> (e.g., a gasket or seal) is positioned along the inner surface <NUM>. The deformable member <NUM> may extend around the inner surface <NUM> along the upper portion <NUM> of the frustoconical body <NUM>. In an embodiment, the deformable member <NUM> may be a single layer, whereas the invention claims a multilayered deformable member, the single layer being of material that extends from the upper portion <NUM> to the lower portion <NUM> of the frustoconical body <NUM>, so that it is adjacent to and extends along the entire inner surface <NUM> of the frustoconical body <NUM>. The deformable member <NUM> may be formed from any material that may be repeatably compressed and/or is able to maintain compression for an extended period of time. Such materials include rubber, plastic, foam, and the like. According to an aspect, the deformable member is a material having a uniform consistent thickness along its length.

<FIG> illustrate an embodiment of a deformable member (a multilayered deformable member) <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the multilayered deformable member <NUM> is disposed within the opening <NUM> of the frustoconical body <NUM>, with at least a portion of the multilayered deformable member <NUM> extending along the inner surface <NUM> of the frustoconical body <NUM>. <FIG> illustrate the multilayered deformable member <NUM> having a circumferential edge portion <NUM>. The circumferential edge portion <NUM> may be sized to fit snugly within the opening <NUM> of the frustoconical body <NUM> at its upper portion <NUM>. According to an aspect, the circumferential edge portion <NUM> may be secured to the frustoconical body <NUM> by any fastening mechanism, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the circumferential edge portion <NUM> may include a groove that extends around its external surface and the upper portion <NUM> of the frustoconical body <NUM> may include a protrusion that engages with the groove, thus retaining the multilayered deformable member <NUM> in place.

As seen for instance, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the multilayered deformable member <NUM> includes a first layer <NUM> that extends away from the circumferential edge portion <NUM>. The first layer <NUM> extends along the inner surface <NUM> of the frustoconical body <NUM>, and has the same general shape of the frustoconical body <NUM>. According to an aspect, the first layer <NUM> is attached to, adhered to or otherwise connected to the inner surface <NUM>. As described hereinabove with respect to the circumferential edge portion <NUM>, the first layer <NUM> may be secured to the inner surface <NUM> by any securing/fastening mechanism. Such mechanisms include, but are not limited to glues, fasteners, and the like. As illustrated in <FIG>, the multilayered deformable member <NUM> includes a plurality of concentric layers <NUM> positioned inwardly from the first layer <NUM>. The first layer and each of the additional concentric layers are arranged in a spaced apart configuration with respect to each other. The concentric layers <NUM> downwardly extend from either the circumferential edge portion <NUM> or from the first layer <NUM>. Each concentric layer <NUM> has a resilient free end <NUM> having a peripheral edge <NUM>. A plurality of longitudinally opening notches <NUM> is formed in the peripheral edges <NUM> of the concentric layers <NUM>, which help to provide added flexibility and movement to the concentric layers <NUM>. The longitudinally opening notches <NUM> may be of any length, and may extend over a majority of the surface of the concentric layer <NUM> in which they are formed. According to an aspect, the notches <NUM> extend at a distance of up to about <NUM>% the length of the concentric layer <NUM>. Alternatively, the notches <NUM> extend at a distance of up to about <NUM>% the length of the concentric layer <NUM>. The notches <NUM> may be formed by removal of material from portions of the peripheral edges <NUM> of the concentric layers <NUM>, and may have any general shape, such as tubular, rectangular, and the like.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the concentric layers <NUM> may include a first concentric layer <NUM> and a second concentric layer <NUM>. The first concentric layer <NUM> is laterally and longitudinally spaced apart from the second concentric layer <NUM>. According to an aspect, the first concentric layer <NUM> downwardly extends from the circumferential edge portion <NUM>, while the second concentric layer <NUM> downwardly extends from an intermediate position of the first layer <NUM> (i.e., a position between the upper and lower portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the frustoconical body <NUM>). The first concentric layer <NUM> is inwardly positioned from the first layer <NUM>, and the second concentric layer <NUM> is circumferentially positioned around the first concentric layer <NUM>, such that it is positioned generally between the first concentric layer <NUM> and the first layer <NUM>. Each of the first and second concentric layers <NUM>, <NUM> have a respective length L1, L2 (see, for example, <FIG>), which may be sized so that they do not extend beyond the lower portion <NUM> of the frustoconical body <NUM>. In at least one embodiment, the respective lengths L1, L2 of the first and second concentric layers <NUM>, <NUM> are the same, so that their peripheral edge portions are vertically spaced apart from each other. Alternatively, the respective lengths L1, L2 of the first and second concentric layers <NUM>, <NUM> are different from each other. For example, the length L1 of the first concentric layer <NUM> may be greater than the length L2 of the second concentric layer <NUM>, and their peripheral edges <NUM> are equidistantly spaced apart from the skirt <NUM> of the retaining member <NUM>.

The cylindrical skirt <NUM> of the retaining member <NUM> extends from the lower portion <NUM> of the frustoconical body <NUM>. According to an aspect, the cylindrical skirt <NUM> is integrally formed with the frustoconical body <NUM>. In other words, the cylindrical skirt <NUM> may extend from the frustoconical body <NUM>, such that it is adjacent or connected to the lower portion <NUM>. The cylindrical skirt <NUM> includes a plurality of external threads <NUM> formed on its external surface <NUM>. The external threads <NUM> may be interrupted/non-continuous threads (see, for example, in <FIG>) or continuous/spiral threads (see, for example, <FIG>). In an embodiment, the external threads <NUM> are configured to mate/engage with corresponding internal threads <NUM> formed on an internal surface <NUM> of an insulated container <NUM> (see, for example, <FIG>). The cylindrical skirt <NUM> includes an outer diameter OD<NUM> that is slightly less that an inner diameter ID of the insulated container <NUM>, so that the external threads <NUM> and the internal threads <NUM> engage with each other to adjustably secure the retaining member <NUM> to the insulated container <NUM>. The external threads <NUM> help to provide sealing and resealing of the insulated container <NUM>.

Embodiments of the disclosure are further directed to a vacuum-insulated vessel <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and, the vacuum-insulated vessel <NUM> includes a double-walled structure <NUM>. The double-walled structure <NUM> is vacuum-insulated so that interstitial spaces between each wall of the double-walled structure <NUM> are devoid of air. This provides a significant reduction of the transference of heat by conduction or convection, and increases the length of time that the temperature of the contents of a bottle placed in the vacuum-insulated vessel <NUM> may remain hot, warm or cold. The double-walled structure <NUM> may include plastic and/or metallic materials suitable for food and/or water contact. According to an aspect, the double-walled structure <NUM> may be formed from a metal, such as, stainless steel.

According to an aspect, and as illustrated in <FIG>, the double-walled structure <NUM> includes a closed end <NUM>, an open end <NUM>, and a cylindrical body <NUM> that extends between the closed and open ends <NUM>, <NUM>. The open end <NUM> is configured to receive bottles <NUM> (see, for example, <FIG>) within an internal space <NUM> of the double-walled structure <NUM>, while the closed end <NUM> provides a surface for seating the bottle <NUM> thereon within the internal space <NUM>. The double-walled structure <NUM> may include a plurality of indentations <NUM> formed in its external surface <NUM>. In an embodiment, the indentations <NUM> extend from the closed end <NUM> of the double-walled structure <NUM> to an intermediate position between the closed end <NUM> and the open end <NUM>. The indentations <NUM> may be flattened areas / depressions formed in the cylindrical body <NUM>. In an embodiment, the indentations <NUM> are configured as rectangle-shaped flattened areas, the longer sides of the rectangle-shaped flattened areas extending from the closed end <NUM> towards the open end <NUM>. The indentations <NUM> extend inwardly towards an internal space/chamber <NUM> of the double-walled structure <NUM>, and may function as grip areas/surfaces for placement of the user's fingers to help provide a more secure/stable grip for a user of the vacuum-insulated vessel <NUM>. The indentations <NUM> may also enhance the user's comfort when holding the double-walled structure <NUM>, inserting a bottle within the internal space <NUM> of double-walled structure <NUM>, rotatably securing a retaining member <NUM> on the open end <NUM> of double-walled structure <NUM>, and pouring/dispensing liquid from a bottle <NUM> secured in the vacuum-insulated vessel <NUM>. As seen, for instance, in <FIG>, the indentations <NUM> may span more than <NUM>% of a length L3 of the body <NUM>. In an embodiment, the indentations <NUM> are bilateral indentations <NUM>' (i.e., a pair of indentations) (see, for example, <FIG>), formed on opposite portions of the external surface <NUM>. It is to be understood, however, the number of indentations <NUM> provided on the external surface <NUM> may be modified. For instance, a single indentation <NUM> may be formed in the double-walled structure <NUM>. According to an aspect, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or more indentations <NUM> may be provided.

<FIG> illustrates the cylindrical body <NUM> having a plurality of internal threads <NUM> formed on its internal surface <NUM>. While the internal threads <NUM> are depicted as a continuous/spiral thread pattern, it is understood that the internal threads may bean interrupted/non-continuous thread pattern as illustrated in <FIG>). The type of thread pattern selected for the internal threads <NUM> may be the same as or different from the thread pattern of external threads of a corresponding retaining member with which the internal threads <NUM> mate (as will be described in further detail hereinbelow). In an embodiment, the internal threads <NUM> are adjacent the open end <NUM>. The internal threads <NUM> may extend between a medial/middle portion along the length L3 of the cylindrical body <NUM> and the open end <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the vacuum-insulated vessel <NUM> having a retaining member <NUM> for being positioned in a covering relationship with (i.e., to cover) the open end <NUM> of the double-walled structure <NUM>. The retaining member <NUM> is illustrated as having a multilayered deformable member <NUM> according to the invention, but as illustrated in <FIG>, a single layered deformable member <NUM> may be included in an example not being part of the invention and present for illustrative purposes only. The retaining member <NUM> may be secured at the open end <NUM> of the double-walled structure <NUM>. The retaining member <NUM> and the deformable member <NUM>/<NUM> are similar to the retaining member <NUM> and the deformable member <NUM>/<NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, and described hereinabove. Thus, for purposes of convenience and not limitation, the various features, attributes, and properties, and functionality of the retaining member <NUM> and the deformable member <NUM>/<NUM> discussed in connection with <FIG> are not repeated here.

As shown in <FIG>, the retaining member <NUM> is positioned adjacent the open end <NUM> of the double-walled structure <NUM>. In this configuration, the opening <NUM> of the retaining member <NUM> communicates with the internal space <NUM> of the double-walled structure <NUM>. According to an aspect, the cylindrical skirt <NUM> is sized so that it is receivable within the double-walled structure <NUM>, and the frustoconical member <NUM> is sized so that its lower end <NUM> is flush with respect to the cylindrical body <NUM> of the double-walled structure <NUM>. In an embodiment and as shown in <FIG>, the cylindrical skirt <NUM> and each of the upper and lower portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the frustoconical body <NUM> includes an outer diameter. The outer diameter OD<NUM> of the lower portion <NUM> may be greater than the outer diameter OD<NUM> of the upper portion <NUM>, while the outer diameter OD<NUM> of the cylindrical skirt <NUM> may be less than the outer diameter of the lower portion <NUM>. According to an aspect, the double-walled structure <NUM> has an inner diameter ID that is slightly greater than the outer diameter of the cylindrical skirt <NUM>, so that the cylindrical skirt <NUM> may be rotatably received within (i.e., screwed into) the chamber <NUM>. In an embodiment, the double-walled structure <NUM> includes an outer diameter OD<NUM> that is substantially the same as the outer diameter OD<NUM> of the lower portion <NUM>, so that the lower portion <NUM> of the frustoconical body <NUM> may be flush with the double-walled structure <NUM> when adjacent its open end <NUM>.

According to an aspect, the external threads <NUM> of the cylindrical skirt <NUM> and the internal threads <NUM> of the double-walled structure <NUM> engage with each other so that the retaining member <NUM> may be rotatably secured to the double-walled structure <NUM>. The external threads <NUM> may span (i.e., be formed on) the entire external surface <NUM> of the cylindrical skirt, so that engagement between the external threads <NUM> and the internal threads <NUM> begins with limited insertion of the cylindrical skirt <NUM> within the chamber <NUM> of the double-walled structure <NUM>. In an embodiment, the cylindrical skirt <NUM> has a greater number of the external threads <NUM> (or rows of external threads <NUM>) than the internal threads <NUM> of the double-walled structure <NUM>. This allows the cylindrical skirt <NUM> to be rotatably received further within the chamber <NUM> of the double-walled structure <NUM>.

Revolutions of the retaining member <NUM> may adjust the distance D1 between the lower portion <NUM> of the frustonical member <NUM> and the open end <NUM> of the double-walled structure <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, when the external threads <NUM> of the cylindrical skirt <NUM> rotatably engage with the internal threads <NUM> (see, for example, <FIG>) of the double-walled structure <NUM>, the frustoconical body <NUM> can move toward and/or away from the double-walled structure <NUM>. This also provides for the adjustment of the distance D2 between the upper portion <NUM> of the frustonical body <NUM> and the open end <NUM> of the double-walled structure <NUM>. As seen for instance in <FIG>, the cylindrical skirt <NUM> may be entirely disposed within the chamber <NUM> so that there is substantially no distance between the frustoconical body <NUM> and the open end <NUM> of the structure <NUM>. Alternatively, the cylindrical skirt <NUM> may be partially disposed within the chamber <NUM> so that there is some distance between the frustoconical body and the open end <NUM> of the structure <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. When the cylindrical skirt <NUM> is partially disposed within the chamber it may function as a clear view window that allows a user to easily view the contents of the double-walled structure, such as, a bottle <NUM> disposed therein.

<FIG> illustrates the vacuum-insulated vessel <NUM> having a bottle <NUM> positioned therein. A body/shaft <NUM> of the bottle may be positioned within the chamber <NUM> of the double-walled structure <NUM>, and the retaining member may surround a shoulder <NUM> and neck <NUM> of the bottle <NUM>. The opening <NUM> of the frustoconical body <NUM> may serve as a passageway for the neck <NUM>. The deformable member <NUM> / multilayered deformable member <NUM> (see for example, <FIG>)) frictionally engages with at least one of the neck <NUM> and a shoulder <NUM> of the bottle <NUM> so that the bottle is seated securely within the retaining member <NUM>, while the neck <NUM> of the bottle <NUM> extends through the opening <NUM> of the frustoconical body <NUM>. The deformable member <NUM> / multilayered deformable member <NUM> may compress the neck <NUM> of the bottle <NUM> so that vertical and/or lateral movement of the bottle <NUM> is restricted, and so that the bottle's <NUM> contents can be poured therefrom without having to remove the bottle <NUM> from the vacuum insulated vessel <NUM>.

When the bottle <NUM> is disposed in the chamber <NUM> of the double-walled structure <NUM>, and neck <NUM> of the bottle <NUM> is secured in the retaining member <NUM>, rotation of the retaining member <NUM> onto the double-walled structure <NUM> compresses the bottle <NUM> towards the closed end <NUM> of the double-walled structure <NUM>. The rotation moves the frustoconical body towards and away from the double-walled structure, thereby adjusting to a height of the bottle <NUM> positioned in the chamber of the inner container. This, in conjunction with the deformable member <NUM> / the multilayered deformable member <NUM> extending along the inner surface <NUM> (see for example, <FIG>) of the frustoconical body <NUM>, restricts movement of the bottle <NUM>, regardless of the bottle's size and/or shape. In addition, since the bottle <NUM> is housed within the double-walled structure <NUM>, condensation on the surface of the bottle <NUM> is substantially eliminated.

According to an aspect, the vacuum-insulated vessel <NUM> is able to maintain the initial temperature of the contents of the bottle <NUM> for extended periods of time. This helps prevent the formation of condensation on the external surfaces of the bottle <NUM>, which is often caused when the contents of a bottle are colder than the temperature of the surrounding atmosphere. As a result, since the user can pour the contents of the bottle without having to remove the bottle <NUM> from the vessel <NUM>, the user does not have to hold onto potentially slippery surfaces of the bottle <NUM>, which could lead to breakage of the bottle and loss of its contents.

According to an aspect and as shown in <FIG>, embodiments of the disclosure are further directed to a vacuum-insulated vessel <NUM>' that includes a double-walled structure <NUM>'. In this embodiment and as illustrated in <FIG>, the double-walled structure <NUM>' is substantially similar to the double-walled structure <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, and described hereinabove. Thus, for purposes of convenience and not limitation, the various features, attributes, and properties, and functionality of the double-walled structure <NUM>' discussed in connection with <FIG> are not repeated here.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the double-walled structure <NUM>' includes an inner container 21A, and an outer container 21B spaced apart from the inner container 21A, so that a gap <NUM> is formed between them. The gap <NUM> between the containers 21A, 21B is devoid of air by virtue of creating a vacuum between the inner and outer containers 21A, 21B. In an embodiment, each of the inner and outer containers 21A, 21B include a closed end <NUM>', <NUM>'', an open end <NUM>', <NUM>'', and a substantially cylindrical body <NUM>', <NUM>'' extending between each of their closed ends <NUM>', <NUM>'' and their open ends, <NUM>', <NUM>". According to an aspect, the inner container 21A and the outer container 21B are coupled and sealed at their respective open ends <NUM>', <NUM>'', so that external air is prevented from passing through the seal and into the gap <NUM>. This may retard the transference of heat by conduction and/or convection, so that bottles <NUM> (see, for example, <FIG>) positioned in an internal space/chamber <NUM> of the double-walled structure do not gain or lose heat. For example, a bottle <NUM> including a chilled beverage will not gain heat to cause the beverage to become warm or hot. Rather, the containers 21A, 21B will limit the transference of heat from external sources, such as a warm environment, to the chilled beverage.

The inner container 21A includes a plurality of internal threads <NUM> formed on its internal surface <NUM> at its open end <NUM>'. The internal threads <NUM> may be a continuous/spiral thread pattern (<FIG>) or an interrupted/non-continuous thread pattern (<FIG>). The internal threads <NUM> may be configured for engagement with corresponding threads of a retaining member <NUM>, as seen for example, in <FIG>. The retaining member <NUM> may include a deformable member <NUM>, in an example being excluded from the invention and present for illustrative purposes only, or a multilayered deformable member <NUM> (see, for example, <FIG>) in an embodiment of the invention. In this example, the retaining member <NUM>, the deformable member <NUM>, and the multilayered deformable member <NUM> are similar to the retaining member <NUM>, the deformable member <NUM>, and the multilayered deformable member <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, and described hereinabove. Thus, for purposes of convenience and not limitation, the various features, attributes, and properties, and functionality of the retaining member <NUM>, the deformable member <NUM> and the multilayered deformable member <NUM> discussed in connection with <FIG> are not repeated here.

As described hereinabove with reference to <FIG>, the retaining member <NUM> is positioned adjacent the open end <NUM>' of the inner container 21A. According to an aspect and as illustrated in <FIG>, the frustoconical body <NUM> of the retaining member <NUM> may be flush with an external surface <NUM>' of the double-walled structure <NUM>' adjacent its open ends <NUM>', <NUM>''. In this embodiment, the outer container 21B includes an outer diameter OD<NUM> that is substantially the same as the outer diameter OD<NUM> of the lower portion <NUM> of the frustoconical body <NUM>, and the inner container 21A includes an inner diameter ID<NUM> that facilitates engagement of its internal threads <NUM> with the external threads <NUM> of the cylindrical skirt <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate a bottle <NUM> disposed within a chamber <NUM> of the vacuum-insulated vessel <NUM>'. The body <NUM> of the bottle <NUM> is adjacent the inner container 21A, and the retaining member <NUM> surrounds a shoulder <NUM> and neck <NUM> of the bottle <NUM> with the opening <NUM> of the frustoconical body <NUM> serving as a passageway for the neck <NUM>. As the retaining member is rotated onto the double-walled container <NUM>', the external threads of the cylindrical skirt <NUM> engage with the internal threads <NUM> of the inner container 21A. The rotation may also compress the bottle towards the closed end <NUM>', <NUM>'' of the double-walled structure.

<FIG> illustrate the retaining member <NUM> having a multilayered deformable member <NUM>. The rotation may compress the neck <NUM> of the bottle <NUM> against the circumferential edge portion <NUM> of the multilayered deformable member <NUM>. According to an aspect, the first or second concentric layers <NUM>, <NUM> may compress the neck <NUM> or shoulder <NUM> of the bottle <NUM>, either in lieu of or in addition to the circumferential edge portion <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the first concentric layer <NUM> compressing the neck of the bottle <NUM>, however, it is contemplated that the second concentric layer <NUM> and/or the first layer <NUM> may also provide compression to the bottle <NUM>. For instance, while the first concentric layer <NUM> will the be closest to the bottle <NUM>, thereby serving as one of the first retention or compression means, the second concentric layer <NUM> or the first layer <NUM> may also provide added compression for the neck <NUM> or shoulder <NUM> of wider or taller bottles <NUM>, thereby further restricting movement of the bottle <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A retaining member (<NUM>), comprising:
a frustoconical body (<NUM>) comprising an upper portion (<NUM>), a lower portion (<NUM>), and an opening (<NUM>) extending between the upper and lower portions, an inner surface and an outer surface;
a cylindrical skirt (<NUM>) extending from the lower portion (<NUM>) of the frustoconical body (<NUM>), wherein the cylindrical skirt (<NUM>) comprises a plurality of external threads (<NUM>) formed on its external surface (<NUM>); and
a multilayered deformable member (<NUM>) comprising a first layer (<NUM>) extending from the inner surface (<NUM>) of the frustoconical body (<NUM>) between the upper portion and the lower portion, and at least one concentric layer (<NUM>) positioned inwardly from the first layer (<NUM>), wherein the first layer (<NUM>) has a generally frustoconical shape and the concentric layer (<NUM>) has a generally cylindrical shape,
wherein the retaining member (<NUM>) is configured to be rotatably secured to a double-walled structure via the plurality of external threads (<NUM>) so that a bottle positioned in a chamber of the double-walled structure is retained in the chamber by compression of the multilayered deformable member (<NUM>) within the double-walled structure.