US20090242578A1

US20090242578A1 - Insulated beverage container holder

Info

Publication number: US20090242578A1
Application number: US12/079,773
Authority: US
Inventors: Larry Bonilla
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-03-28
Filing date: 2008-03-28
Publication date: 2009-10-01

Abstract

An article of manufacture for an improved insulated beverage container with a rectangular inner shell comprised of a multilayer paper towel-like material, an exterior shell comprised of a thin metallic foil in the shape of a rectangle, a double sided adhesive means for attaching the inner shell to the exterior shell, and a paper strip on the other half of the double sided strip of adhesive attached to the one side of the one end of one of the narrower sides of the exterior shell. A preferred embodiment includes a strap with a piece of double sided tape anchored at the other end along one of the long sides of the exterior shell to keep the beverage from falling out at the bottom after assembly.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of beverage holders and more specifically to an article of manufacture for an improved insulated beverage container. One of the basic problems encountered by consumers of cold beverages is that the containers tend to become slippery, and one is unable to place identifying material on them such as a business card or other indicia of ownership.
There have been many attempts by previous inventors to come up with effective ways to insulate hot beverages whether in bottles or cans. However no relevant art discloses an apparatus which can equally effectively hold bottles or cans.
US patent application number 20070246522 A1 (Geeting Oct. 25, 2007) discloses an insulating cup wrap made of a rubberized material.
US patent application number 20070228134 A1 (Cook Oct. 4, 2007) discloses a thermally activatable insulating packaging.
US patent application number 20050236468 A1 (Sadlier Oct. 27, 2005) discloses a method of adhering corrugated paper or foam plastic as an insulating insert to an inner cup. In the instant invention, the holder does not have to be adhered to the outside wall of the inner cup.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,986,438 (Leung Jan. 17, 2006) discloses an insulating cup sleeve for encircling a frusto-conical container having a plurality of transverse slits cut at least partway across the height of the circumference of the cup.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,290,679 B2 (Hechmati Nov. 06, 2007) discloses a foldable air insulating sleeve which leaves a pocket of air surrounding the cup.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,620,281 B1 (Sommers Sep. 16, 2003) passes a continuous strip of printable stock through at least one printing station to print indicia on a portion of the stock.
Other inventions have used glue dots to improve insulating characteristics such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,363 (Rule, Jr. Nov. 28, 2000). U.S. Pat. No. 6,224,954 (Michell et. al. May 1, 2001) uses a polymer film to create air pockets. Others have used two layers of fabric such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,709 B1 (Hudson, Sep. 11, 2001)
Prior solutions to the problems of insulating beverage containers have tended to focus on solutions that would either work on a can or a bottle, but not both. In addition, placing of indicia of ownership has not been an integral focus of prior technologies. The incident invention solves this problem by being able to be used equally easily on a can or a bottle, as well as allowing indicia of ownership to be easily attached to the holder.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is To provide a better way to keep hands dry when drinking canned or bottled drinks.
Another object of the invention is To keep canned or bottled drinks colder longer.
Another object of the invention is To provide a for efficient method for identifying the ownership of cans or bottles in group settings.
A further object of the invention is To provide an apparatus for covering canned or bottled drinks which will be effective and still fit inside a typical vehicle cup holder.
Yet another object of the invention is To provide a safer beverage holder that will be less likely for the can or bottle to slip out of.
Still yet another object of the invention is An efficient and convenient beverage holder which is recyclable.
Another object of the invention is A beverage holder which can be used multiple times by the same owner if desired.
Another object of the invention is A very lightweight beverage holder which is very strong once assembled.
A further object of the invention is A very lightweight beverage holder which is more attractive while retaining its maximum strength.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed an article of manufacture for an improved insulated beverage container comprising: a rectangular inner shell comprised of a multilayer paper fiber material (similar to any commercially available multi-ply paper towel), an exterior shell comprised of a thin metallic foil in the shape of a rectangle slightly wider than the rectangular inner shell, a double sided adhesive means for attaching the inner shell to the exterior shell, and a double sided strip of adhesive means attached to one end of the narrower side of the exterior shell.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention on the inner side.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention on the outer side.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the invention folded up prior to use.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention with a canned beverage inside it from below.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the invention with a canned beverage inside it from above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.
In accordance with the present invention, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the invention on the inner side. It is an article of manufacture for an improved insulated beverage container which can hold either glass bottles or disposable cans. The elongated rectangular inner shell (23) comprised of a multilayer fiber material can be seen along with the strap (15) attached at the original attachment point (14) of the bottom (13) of the elongated rectangular exterior shell (18) comprised of a thin metallic foil in the shape of a suitably sized rectangle slightly wider than the inner shell (23) having an inner and an outer surface. The distal free end (16) of the strap (15) when in use is attached to the bottom (13) longer side of the outer shell (18) at a suitable point to keep the can or bottle from falling out of the holder. The right short side (11) and the left short side (12) are also visible. Either the left short end (11), or the right short end (12) are where an adhesive means is attached to the inner surface of the elongated rectangular exterior shell. This end with the adhesive means is then bonded together to the exposed part of the outer surface of the rectangular exterior shell after it is wrapped around the beverage container. The elongated rectangular inner shell can be so affixed to the elongated exterior shell (18) by any suitable attachment means such as double sided adhesive tape, glue, etc.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention on the outer side. The exterior shell (18) with a transparent sleeve for holding an identification indicia (19) is in place with the preferred embodiment of the identifying indicia (20) inside of it. By “identifying indicia” is meant any printed letters, logos, signs or pictures which constitute an indentifying means which can be placed on the outer shell. In this case the identifying indicia is a business card but it can consist of any suitably sized printed or written media.
FIG. 3 is an elevational view of another embodiment of the invention folded up prior to use where there is a right double sided adhesive means (21) and a left double sided adhesive mean (22) attached to the external shell (18) for purposes of attaching identifying indicia. The strap (15) is now attached at two points on the lower edge of the outer shell (18) by an attachment means.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention with a beverage container (17) inside it as seen from below. The external shell (18) with the strap (15) now anchored in place both at the original attachment point (14) and the distal end attachment point (16) are also visible. The right double sided adhesive means (21) and a left double sided adhesive mean (22) attached to the external shell (18) for purposes of attaching identifying indicia are also shown.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention with a canned beverage inside it as seen from above. The can (17) rests inside the exterior shell (18) and the double sided attachment means (24) for business card sized identification indicia can be seen attached to the external shell (18) ready to receive the desired identifying indicia.
Other embodiments are possible. for instance, there can be a plurality of straps anchored by an anchoring means along one of the long sides of the exterior shell. The strap attachment means can be comprised of a hook and loop velcro means, a double sided tape means, a hot glue attachment means or a spot welded means. The identifying indica holder can be a transparent sleeve for holding an identification means attached by an attachment means to the outside of the exterior shell as in FIG. 2, or it can just be the two pieces of double sided attachment means shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The identifying indicia can be a business card as in FIG. 2, or it can consist of any suitably sized printed or written media. Further, the transparent sleeve can be large enough for holding a plurality of identification means to the outside of the exterior shell.
In addition the strap to hold the beverage container from falling out the bottom can be comprised of two pieces of double sided tape anchored together by their adhesive sides, it can be comprised of a flexible sheet of plastic, it can be comprised of a strong strip of paper, it can be comprised of felt, or it can be comprised of any suitable material.
Also the double sided adhesive means for attaching the inner shell to the exterior shell can be comprised of a plurality of double sided adhesive tape, it can be or it comprised of one wide strip of double sided adhesive tape.
Further, in use the invention can come pre-assembled as a package with the shorter ends pre-attached to themselves, or they can come un-assembled so they can be stored flat.
In the preferred embodiment the exterior shell is composed of lightweight aluminum foil, but any easily foldable metallic foil can be used.
Also, in the preferred embodiment, the multilayer fiber material is comprised of a multi-ply paper towel (preferably triple ply) similar to those commercially available. However any suitable fiber material which can be attached to the inner surface of the rectangular exterior shell may be used.
While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An article of manufacture for an improved insulated beverage container holder comprising:

An elongated rectangular inner shell comprised of a multilayer fiber material;

an elongated rectangular exterior shell in the shape of a rectangle slightly wider than the rectangular inner shell comprised of a piece of thin metallic foil having an inner surface and an outer surface;

the elongated rectangular inner shell affixed to the rectangular elongated exterior shell's inner surface by an attachment means; and

an attachment means for anchoring one of the inner surfaces of the elongated rectangular exterior shell's short ends to an exposed part of the outer surface of the rectangular exterior shell after it is wrapped around the beverage container.

2. The beverage container holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein the attachment means for attaching the inner surface of the exterior shell to the outer surface of the exterior shell after it is wrapped around the beverage container is comprised of one strip of double sided adhesive tape.

3. The beverage container holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein the attachment means for attaching the inner surface of the exterior shell to the outer surface of the exterior shell after it is wrapped around the beverage container is comprised of a plurality of pieces of double sided adhesive tape.

4. The beverage container holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein the attachment means for attaching the inner surface of the exterior shell to the outer surface of the exterior shell after it is wrapped around the beverage container is comprised of one strip of double sided adhesive tape the same width as the shorter side of the inner surface of the exterior shell.

5. The beverage container holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein the rectangular interior and exterior shells are sufficiently elongated that they can be wrapped a plurality of times around the beverage container before anchoring one of the inner surfaces of the exterior shell's short ends to an exposed part of the outer surface of the exterior shell.

6. The beverage container holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein a strap with a piece of double sided tape means on each end is anchored at two places on the bottom of one of the long sides of the exterior shell to keep the beverage container from falling out at the bottom after assembly.

7. The beverage container holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein a plurality of straps, each of which is anchored at two places along one of the long sides of the exterior shell are present to keep the beverage container from slipping out of the holder.

8. The beverage container holder as claimed in claim 6 wherein a strap attachment means is comprised of a hook and loop velcro means.

9. The beverage container holder as claimed in claim 6 wherein a strap attachment means is comprised of a hot glue attachment means.

10. The beverage container holder as claimed in claim 6 wherein a strap attachment means is comprised of a spot welded means.

11. The beverage container holder as claimed in claim 6 wherein a strap to hold the beverage container from falling out the bottom is comprised of one piece of double sided tape anchored at each end by its own adhesive surfaces.

12. The beverage container holder as claimed in claim 6 wherein a strap to hold the beverage container from falling out the bottom is comprised of a strip of paper.

13. The beverage container holder as claimed in claim 6 wherein a strap to hold the beverage container from falling out the bottom is comprised of a flexible sheet of plastic.

14. The beverage container holder as claimed in claim 6 wherein the strap to hold the beverage container from falling out the bottom is comprised of felt.

15. The beverage container holder as claimed in claim 6 wherein the strap to hold the beverage container from falling out the bottom is comprised of a strip of metallic foil.

16. The beverage container holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein a transparent sleeve for holding an identification indicia is attached by an attachment means to the outside of the exterior shell.

17. The beverage container holder as claimed in claim 16 wherein the transparent sleeve has sufficient room and a shape conducive for holding a business card.

18. The beverage container holder as claimed in claim 16 wherein the attachment means for holding the identification indicia is comprised of one piece of double sided adhesive tape pre-assembled onto the outer surface of the exterior shell.

19. The beverage container holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein a means for holding the identification indicia to the outer surface of the exterior shell is comprised of a plurality of pieces of double sided adhesive tape.

20. The beverage container holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein the multilayer fiber material is comprised of a multi-ply paper towel.