Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/078,574 filed on Nov. 12, 2014. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to beverage cooling devices. More specifically, the present invention provides a beverage cooling device adapted to hold a beverage container, such as a bottle or can, and maintain the beverage at a cool temperature. The beverage cooling device comprises a cylindrical container having a closed lower end, an open upper end, and a hollow interior volume, wherein the container includes a refrigerant adapted to cool a beverage container therein 
         [0004]    Many individuals use beverage insulators and the like in order to keep drinks at cooled temperatures, especially during picnics and other social gatherings during the summer months. However, these insulators can be inefficient and result in a drink becoming warm in a short period of time. Other individuals may employ the use of ice cubes, however this can cause the beverage to become watered down and distasteful. 
         [0005]    It is common while drinking a beverage to use a sleeve, such as an insulated can holder, to keep the beverage cool. The sleeve is a fabric or foam sleeve that is designed to thermally insulate a beverage container. However, the sleeve merely acts as an insulator and does not actually provide means for cooling or lowering the temperature of the beverage. The present invention contemplates a device that surrounds a container, such as a bottle, a can, or other cylindrical container, whereby the device cools and insulates the beverage. Specifically, the beverage container includes a refrigerant disposed between an inner and outer layer that can be cooled such that the beverage container actively cools and insulates a beverage. 
         [0006]    In these respects, the beverage container according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of cooling and insulating a beverage. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of beverage cooling devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new and improved beverage cooling device wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when cooling a beverage. 
         [0008]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of beverage cooling devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new beverage cooling device wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when maintaining a beverage at a cool temperature. 
         [0009]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a beverage cooling device comprising a cylindrical container having a closed lower end, an open upper end, and a hollow interior volume in which a beverage container, such as a can or bottle, can be positioned. The cylindrical container further includes an inner layer and an outer layer. 
         [0010]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage cooling device that includes a refrigerant disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer, wherein the refrigerant can be maintained at a low temperature for an extended period of time. 
         [0011]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage cooling device having a cover placed over the outer layer of the container, wherein the cover has a decorative appearance. In some embodiments, the outer layer is a removable silicone cover. 
         [0012]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage cooling device that may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability. 
         [0013]    Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the beverage cooling device of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the beverage cooling device of the present invention as used to hold a can therein. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  shows a cross sectional view of the beverage cooling device of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the beverage cooling device. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for maintaining a beverage at a cool temperature. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
         [0019]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there are shown perspective views of the beverage cooling device of the present invention. The beverage cooler  100  comprises a cylindrical container  102  having a closed lower end  104 , an open upper end  106 , and a hollow interior volume  108 . The container  102  further includes an inner layer  110  and an outer layer  112 . The inner layer surrounds the interior volume  108  of the container  102 . The beverage cooling device  100  is adapted to hold a beverage in the interior volume  108  of the container  102 , such as a bottle or can, among others. The beverage cooling device  100  fits snugly onto a cylindrical container so that the inner layer  110  fits snugly against the exterior surface of the beverage container. The container  102  is preferably flexible so that it can be stretched so as to fit on beverage containers of various sizes. 
         [0020]    The inner layer  110  is adapted to contact the walls of a beverage container placed within the beverage cooler  100 . The inner layer  110  includes sidewalls and may additionally include a lower end so that that inner layer  110  contacts the bottom of the beverage container. A refrigerant  114 , such as a refrigerant gel or liquid, is disposed between the inner layer  110  and the outer layer  112 . The refrigerant  114  is preferably contained within a flexible enclosure or sac. The flexible enclosure or sac may include a single compartment, or may be divided into a plurality of compartments so as to limit the movement of the refrigerant therein. The refrigerant can be cooled in a freezer or other low temperature area, and is adapted to maintain a cool temperature when removed from the freezer. The refrigerant is adapted to remain fluid and movable after being cooled so that it is not solid and can conform to the shape or the beverage container placed within the beverage cooling device. 
         [0021]    An outer layer  112  is disposed on the exterior of the refrigerant  114 . The outer layer  112  is preferably permanently affixed to the exterior of the refrigerant  114 , and may be affixed by use of adhesives, or other suitable fastening means. The outer layer  112  is composed of an insulating material, such as rubber or foam, among others. In this way, the outer layer  112  serves to inhibit the ambient temperature conditions from warming the refrigerant  114  or the inner layer  110 , allowing the inner layer  110  to remain at a cool temperature. Further, the heat dissipated from a user&#39;s hand holding the beverage cooling device  100  is not transferred to the inner layer  110 . In this way, the beverage within the container  100  can be maintained at a cool temperature. In some embodiments, the outer layer  112  may be removably attached to the refrigerant  114  layer. Additionally a silicone cover can disposed over the outer layer  112 . The silicone cover can provide additional insulation and can also be used to provide a decorative or ornamental appearance as desired by the user. 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a cross sectional view of the beverage cooling device of the present invention. The beverage cooling device  100  preferably comprises a cylindrical shape such that it has sidewalls, a closed lower end, an open upper end, and a hollow interior volume. The beverage cooling device  100  includes an outer layer  112  and an inner layer  110  and that rests flush against the cylindrical container of a beverage. The inner layer  110  includes a sidewall and a lower end so that the sidewalls and bottom of a beverage container are in contact with the inner layer  110 . The outer layer  112  minimizes heat transfer to the beverage and provides the user with a comfortable surface for grasping the container. A refrigerant  114  is interdisposed between the inner layer  110  and the outer layer  112 . The beverage cooling device  100  further includes a removable cover  116 . The removable cover  116  is placed over the outer layer  112  of the beverage cooler  100 . The removable cover  116  is preferably fabricated from silicone. The removable cover  116  can provide additional insulation and can also be used to provide a decorative or ornamental appearance as desired by the user. 
         [0023]    It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0024]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Technology Category: 2