GB2235523A

GB2235523A - Thermally insulated containers

Info

Publication number: GB2235523A
Application number: GB8919049A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Jeffrey Howarth
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-08-22
Filing date: 1989-08-22
Publication date: 1991-03-06
Also published as: GB8919049D0

Abstract

A heat insulative container for a beverage can, bottle or cup comprises a generally cylindrical body portion 10 preferably of neoprene rubber. The body 10 may be provided with a base portion 12 to support the beverage container therein and in a preferred embodiment the heat insulated container is formed of an inner layer 13 for example of neoprene rubber, and an outer layer 14 of a fabric material such as nylon etc. Informational or promotional material may be placed on this outer layer. A heavy material may be incorporated in the bottom of the container. The container may include a conical upper section to surround the neck of a bottle. The conical section may incorporate a zipper or other releasable fastening to permit inspection of the bottle. <IMAGE>

Description

CONTAINER This application relates to a container especially a heat insulating container intended to hold cans, bottles or cups containing hot or cold beverages.

It is known to provide hot or cold beverages or drinks in preformed containers to hold the beverage whilst it is being consumed. For example hot "convenience" drinks are often dispensed in plastic or polystyrene cups and cold drinks are usually provided in aluminium cans or glass or plastic bottles. Where the temperature of the drink differs from that of the surrounding and the temperature such containers are inefficient in retaining the heat of a hot beverage and insulating a cold beverage especially over a lengthy period of time.

Furthermore in order to consume beverages it is necessary to hold the cup or container in one hand and this itself causes a certain amount of heat loss or gain via conduction to the hand of the consumer. Whilst polystyrene cups overcome such a disadvantage to an extent in that polystyrene is a good heat insulator the heat loss through polystyrene can still be significant over a period of time.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a container for retaining and insulating a hot or cold beverage container.

With this object in view the present invention provides a container having at least a generally cylindrical portion, said container being made of a heat insulating material and configured so as to retain within it a beverage container.

In a preferred aspect of the invention the heat insulating material is neoprene rubber which is commonly used for the forming of wet suits. This material has the advantage that when used with a cold beverage a film of condensation is formed between the beverage container's walls and the neoprene rubber cylinder which greatly adds to its heat insulating properties.

Where the container is formed of neoprene the container may be advantageously formed in the form of a sleeve of neoprene with a longitudinal seam which may be stitched, glued or heat welded together. Such a sleeve may advantageously be provided with a circular bottom portion, also advantageously of neoprene rubber, or alternatively may be provided with a simple strip extending substantially diametrically across the cylinder so as to retain the beverage container therein.

Such a strip may be provided with a releasable connection across the cylinder for example a velcro attachment or a press stud arrangement.

In order to provide a non-slip exterior surface to the container according to the invention a further aspect of the invention provides an exterior nylon or fabric coating to the cylinder. Furthermore such an exterior surface may advantageously carry advertising or informational material which can be applied by way of for example paint or other similar products.

The container according to the invention enables a conventional beverage container in the form of a can or plastic cup to be gripped securely by a consumer whilst minimizing heat transfer across the container to the beverage container. Furthermore a container according to the invention will provide a more secure gripping surface for the consumer than a conventional uncovered beverage container.

Where the container according to the invention is intended to be used with a bottle a simple cylinder arrangement as previously described is not sufficient to insulate the majority of the surface area of a bottle.

Thus in addition to the cylindrical shaped portion the container may advantageously include a substantially conical portion on top thereof operative to fit around a bottle's neck and thus provide insulation at that point also. In the case where the container is provided with a fixed bottom portion a zip or other separable connection may be included in the neck so as to permit the container to be placed around and removed from a bottle shaped container.

In a further aspect of the invention a weighting material for example for a small quantity of metal or other dense material is placed in or around a bottom edge of the container so as to improve the stability of the arrangement when placed on a surface.

The invention will now be described further by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which the single Figure illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the single Figure a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated comprising a generally cylindrical or tubular body 10. This body 10 is of substantially constant diameter and cross-section throughout its length and includes a bottom portion 12 closing one end of the body.

In the preferred embodiment the tubular body 10 is formed of an inner layer 13 of neoprene rubber thus providing an inner surface for contact with a beverage container (not shown) which inner layer is covered with an outer layer 14 of nylon or other similar fabric.

This outer layer 14 provides a non-slip gripping surface for use by the beverage consumer so as to reduce the chance of the beverage container or a container according to the invention falling from the said consumer's grasp.

The tubular body 10 is formed of a single strip of material which if curled into the necessary tubular configuration and a seam 16 formed between the two respective ends of the rubber material which seam is sealed by way of for example heat welding, stitching or use of a neoprene glue. For additional strength a combination of the said methods of securing the two ends together may be used.

The base portion 12 is made of a single thickness of neoprene rubber and is preferably not covered with a nylon coating such that the surface is left on the bottom of the container both inside and outside.

In the preferred embodiment it is envisaged that the nylon or fabric coating 14 could be provided with advertising or informational material by way of the application of a fabric paint, such information may relate to the producing company, the sponsoring or using company or other matters etc. A further option would be to actually form this promotional or informational material in the fabric of the outer coating during its production so that there will be no possibility of the said information being lost or otherwise removed during use.

Although the preferred embodiment uses neoprene rubber the invention is not limited thereto although neoprene rubber is known in the wet suit industry for its advantageous heat insulating properties and is therefore commercially easier to obtain.

The container described is suitable for use with any generally cylindrical beverage container for example a can or plastic or polystyrene cup. The arrangement shown may also be used to insulate a bottle in that the tubular shape will fit over the lower part of the bottle which contains most of the liquid which is required to be insulated.

If it is required to insulate the neck of a bottle then an advantageous modification of the embodiment illustrated includes a conical upper section attached thereto and configured to enclose the neck of a bottle up to its lip. In order that the bottle might be housed therein in this arrangement it is preferable either to omitt the base portion 12 and to replace same with a strap having a releasable fastening such that the bottle may be enclosed and then retained therein. An alternative is to provide a zipper or other releasable connection within the conical section such that the conical section itself may be opened to permit insertion of the bottle into the container according to one aspect of the invention.

In a further modified embodiment especially suitable for holding plastics or other beverage containers provided with a lip around their upper edge the container according to the invention is provided in a sleeve or tube configuration only. In this embodiment the base portion 12 is omitted as the beverage container is supported within the sleeve or tube by way of its lip resting on the tubular body's upper edge. In this way the construction of the container according to the invention can be simplified.

A particularly advantageous modification of the invention includes a weighting material for example particles of metal or another dense material which is included in the base portion 12 or alternatively the lower edge portion of the tubular body 10 such that the centre of gravity of the container is substantially lowered. In this way the stability of the beverage container enclosed by a container according to the invention is greatly improved and is resistant to being knocked over or otherwise overturned. The necessary weighting material can be incorporated in the neoprene rubber during each manufacture or could in the form of a strip of dense material sandwiched between the neoprene rubber 13 and the outer layer 14.

It will be understood that the invention is not confined to the foregoing details and variations may be made thereto within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A container having at least a generally cylindrical portion, said container being made of a heat insulating material and configured so as to retain within it a beverage container.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1 in which the heat insulating material is neoprene rubber.

3. A container as claimed in claim 2 in which the container is formed as a sleeve of neoprene having a longitudinal seam.

4. A container as claimed in claim 3 in which the sleeve is provided with a circular bottom portion.

5. A container as claimed in claim 3 in which the sleeve is provided with a strip extending substantially diametrically across the cylinder so as to retain the beverage container therein

6. A container as claimed in claim 5 in which the strip is provided with a releasable connection to at least one of the cylinder walls.

7. A container as claimed in any preceding claim which includes an exterior nylon or fabric coating applied to the cylinder.

8. A container as claimed in any preceding claim which further includes a substantially conical portion located substantially on top of the cylindrical portion operative to fit around a bottle's neck.

9. A container as claimed in claim 8 in which a fixed bottom portion is provided and a separable connection is included in the conical portion so as to permit the container to be placed around and removed from a bottle shaped beverage container.

10. A container as claimed in any preceding claim in which a weighting material is placed at the bottom edge of the container.

11. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.