GB2486181A

GB2486181A - Drinks holder

Info

Publication number: GB2486181A
Application number: GB201020486A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephanie Hall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-12-03
Filing date: 2010-12-03
Publication date: 2012-06-13
Anticipated expiration: 2030-12-03
Also published as: GB2486181B; GB201020486D0

Abstract

A drinks holder which comprises of a vertically disposed screen 1 forming lateral and back walls and having an open segment; the holder providing an active chilling function 2 to a drinks container disposed therein. The open segment being open such that a drink container s width may pass through the screen and into the holder. The chilling portion may be detachable. A portion of the holder may have a high specific heat capacity. The outer face of the holder may have reflective properties. The screen may have a tapering profile. The holder may be stackable with other holders.

Description

HOLQEB FOS A DRINK CONTAINER

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a holder for a drink container, more particularly a holder for a drink container that acts to cool or maintain the chilled temperature of the drink container and the drink within it.

Backqçound Drinking a chilled drink on hot day is a pleasure that is greatly appreciated by many.

However, unfortunately the pleasure is often quickly removed by the chilled drink warming up. Often a chilled drink will be particularly refreshing in the sun, or where otherwise the surrounding temperature is high.

Clearly the problem arises however that either the sunlight or the ambient atmospheric temperature will heat up the chilled drink and remove the pleasure and relief it provides.

Prior Art

Chilled drinks are generally available where outlets where refrigeration facilities exist, and outlets may additionally chill the glass, plastic, metal or other container also.

Past devices have attempted to solve the succeeding problem of the chilled container or drink rapidly heating up before the user is ready to finish the drink.

Granted United Kingdom patent GB 2 456 829 (JONES) discloses a shading device for shielding the contents of a drinking vessel from external heat sources, the shading device comprises a handleless resilient jacket arranged to fit substantially half-way around and substantially over the full-height of the portion of the drinking vessel which contains fluid in use extending from either the top or the bottom of the vessel, wherein the jacket is of substantially uniform thickness and the inner and outer surfaces are arranged to match the contour of the portion of the drinking vessel which contains the fluids in use, and the jacket has resiliently biased side regions which define an opening for receiving and resiliently gripping part of the drinking vessel in use.

Granted United States patent US 6 637 447 (MCMULLIN et al) discloses an apparatus for use with a beverage container, comprising: a means for removably attaching the apparatus to the beverage container; a shaft, coupled to the means for removably attaching the apparatus, and extending vertically with respect to the beverage container; an umbrella, coupled to the shaft at a point above the means for removably attaching, so as to shade the beverage container.

United States patent application US 5 115 939 (PORTER) discloses a shielded beverage carrier, comprising: an insulated sleeve for accommodating a beverage receptacle therein; a support housing for receiving said insulated sleeve therein, said support housing including an inner wall corresponding to an exterior shape of said insulated sleeve; an umbrella including a support shaft, said support shaft being anchored to said support housing; and means for dispensing a beverage from the beverage receptacle, said means for dispensing being secured to at least a portion of said umbrella shaft.

United States patent application US 5 058 757 (PROA) discloses an apparatus for insulating a beverage can inserted in an cylindrical insulating cozy comprising: (a) a shader, wherein said shader is dimensioned to shade the entire can surface; and (b) means to suspend said shader above the beverage can comprising a shaft with a distal end and a proximal end, said proximal end slidably insertable between said beverage can and said insulating cozy, said distal and rotatably attached to said shader.

Advantageously therefore in contrast to the above the present invention provides a single means of shading a drink from the sun, whilst simultaneously actively providing a chilling function to the drink.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a holder for a drink container, including a largely vertically disposed screen forming lateral and back walls with an open segment, said holder capable of providing an active chilling function to the drink container, and said segment being open such that a drink container's width may pass through the screen into the holder.

Ideally the preferred embodiment includes a detachable portion which provides the chilling function. This detachable portion may include a crystalline core in a jacket, such that the core is able to hold a temperature for a prolonged period of time. In this way the core may be detached regularly and replaced or chilled, cooled or frozen prior to return to the holder.

Said core may be temperature triggered, being such as an instant cold pack consisting of a bag containing water inside a second bag containing ammonium nitrate or ammonium chloride. When the inner bag is broken the ammonium nitrate dissolves in the water in an endothermic reaction said reaction absorbing heat from the surroundings and lowering the pack's temperature.

More commonly in preferred embodiments a preferably non-toxic refrigerant may be used to absorb heat, having a high specific heat capacity. Various alternative coolants may be used that have a higher heat capacity than frozen water, hence warming up more slowly as each amount of coolant can absorb more heat.

Gel packs may be used of non-toxic materials that do not liquefy, and therefore are not prone to spill or cause contamination if the container breaks. Further embodiments may include gel which may be made from hydroxyethyl cellulose or vinyl-coated silica gel.

This gel or other heat/cold retaining material is ideally supplied in a rigid or semi-rigid casing, in order that it remains in place when inserted into the holder.

The holder is therefore preferably disposed to maintain the portion in place, whilst allowing and not interfering with the portion's effects on a container held within the holder. Therefore such maintenance means is necessarily to the peripheries of the portion, or covering little of the portion.

Other embodiments may be formed in part or whole from a material having a high specific heat capacity, such that the holder itself is placed in a refrigerator prior to use and will sufficiently retain its temperature when in use.

In some embodiments the screen portion is separately constructed from a reflective material and the likelihood of heat transference to the portion is minimised, such that the holder has a outer that is rapidly comfortable to the touch but whose inner remains cool for a longer period of time, in order that a drink container placed within the holder is chilled effectively.

Ideally the holder is provided with a base that may be indented or otherwise have minimal contact with a surface it may be standing on. Legs may be provided in addition or in the alternative.

In some embodiments the cooling portion may be provided in the base.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a front isometric view of the holder; and Figure 2 shows a rear isometric view of the holder.

Detailed Descr[ption of Preferred Embodiment of the lnventio The screen (1) of the holder is shown having an arcuate profile, ideally curving in use around a container (not shown).

The screen thereby provides a shield to sunlight, ideally reaching above the height of the container that is shielded by it.

Said container is inserted into the holder in direction A, which direction represents or passes through the open segment.

The holder is shown in use with cooling portion (2) shown attached to the screen 1.

The portion ideally retains the arcuate shape of the screen, in order that it is not liable to fall upon the container or otherwise displace.

In the pictured embodiment the screen is provided with tabs (20) towards the front of the screen, defining the sides of the screen and the sides of its open segment.

Preferably therefore the portion 2 is slid into place from above in a direction perpendicular to the direction of access A through the open segment of the holder.

The base (21) of the holder in the pictured embodiment is a continuation of the material of the screen 1, being typically formed of a plastic material, ideally medium duty plastic, in some embodiments having a mirrored finish, in order that sunlight is reflected to the maximum degree. Further embodiments may carry advertising on the screen 1.

Preferably the base 21 may be perforated in order that liquid such as spillage from the container or condensation may be allowed to exit the holder. Rubber feet may be provided additionally or in the alternative.

In the preferred embodiments the screen I is tapered towards the base 21, in order that screens may be easily stacked The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised 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.

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.

Claims

Claims 1. A holder for a drink container, including a largely vertically disposed screen forming lateral and back walls with an open segment, said holder capable of providing an active chilling function to the drink container, and said segment being open such that a drink container's width may pass through the screen into the holder.
2. A holder for a drink container according to claim I having a detachable chilling portion.
3. A holder for a drink container according to claim 2 where said detachable portion has a high specific heat capacity.
4. A holder for a drink container according to claim I where at least a portion of the holder has a high specific heat capacity.
5. A holder according to any proceeding claims wherein an outer face of the holder has reflective properties.
6. A holder according to any preceding claim wherein the screen has a tapering profile.
7. A holder according to any preceding claim wherein the holder is stackable with other holders.
8. A stack of holders according to any preceding claim.