US20140048551A1 - Foam can insulator with counter - Google Patents
Foam can insulator with counter Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20140048551A1 US20140048551A1 US13/962,932 US201313962932A US2014048551A1 US 20140048551 A1 US20140048551 A1 US 20140048551A1 US 201313962932 A US201313962932 A US 201313962932A US 2014048551 A1 US2014048551 A1 US 2014048551A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- insulator
- counter
- foam
- beverage container
- counting
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/38—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation
- B65D81/3876—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation insulating sleeves or jackets for cans, bottles, barrels, etc.
- B65D81/3879—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation insulating sleeves or jackets for cans, bottles, barrels, etc. formed of foam material
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2203/00—Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators
- B65D2203/12—Audible, olfactory or visual signalling means
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
Abstract
A foam can insulator with a mechanical or electronic counter can track how many beverages a user has consumed. The foam can insulator can include a counter on the exterior thereof to display the number of cans or bottles that have been placed into the foam can insulator. The foam can insulator can help prevent users from, for example, operating a motor vehicle when they may be legally impaired. The foam can insulator can also help users keep hydrated by reminding the user exactly how many beverages they have consumed.
Description
- This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/681,047, filed Aug. 8, 2012, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
- The present invention relates to can insulators and, more particularly, to a foam can insulator with a mechanical or electrical counter to track how many drinks he or she has consumed.
- Many drinkers of alcoholic beverages are unaware of exactly how many drinks they have consumed. Therefore, they can become legally impaired or intoxicated. Many times, how a person may feel, or think they may feel, is substituted for a true and accurate count of exactly how many drinks they have consumed.
- Similarly, athletes or workers that work in warm environments may become dehydrated while working out or simply working. Many times, such people may open a water bottle and sip on it throughout the day, but may not realize how much water, sports beverage, or the like, they have actually consumed. Many times, a person can become dehydrated with little warning. Such people may think they have actually consumed more liquid than they actually have.
- As can be seen, there is a need for a device to accurately track how many beverages a person has consumed, either for limiting intake, as may be the case of alcoholic beverages, or assuring proper intake, as may be the case with getting proper hydration.
- In one aspect of the present invention, a counting insulator for a beverage container comprises a foam insulator having an opening adapted to receive the beverage container therein; a sensor switch detecting the insertion of the beverage container into the foam insulator; and a counter disposed on an exterior of the foam insulator, the counter receiving a signal from the sensor switch that increases the counter by a count of one when the beverage container is inserted into the foam insulator.
- In another aspect of the present invention, a counting insulator for a beverage container comprises a foam insulator having an opening adapted to receive the beverage container therein; a sensor switch detecting the insertion of the beverage container into the foam insulator; a digital counter disposed on an exterior of the foam insulator, the counter receiving a signal from the sensor switch that increases the counter by a count of one when the beverage container is inserted into the foam insulator; and a reset switch resetting the counter to zero when activated.
- These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foam can insulator with a counter, in use by a user drinking a beverage, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the foam can insulator ofFIG. 1 , in use holding a canned beverage; -
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 ofFIG. 2 , illustrating insertion of a can in the foam can insulator; -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the foam can insulator ofFIG. 2 , illustrating an additional can inserted therein, thereby increasing the counter; and -
FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating how the foam can insulator ofFIG. 1 can counts cans that are consumed during use. - The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
- Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a foam can insulator with a mechanical or electronic counter that can track how many beverages a user has consumed. The foam can insulator can include a counter on the exterior thereof to display the number of cans or bottles that have been placed into the foam can insulator. The foam can insulator can help prevent users from, for example, operating a motor vehicle when they may be legally impaired. The foam can insulator can also help users keep hydrated by reminding the user exactly how many beverages they have consumed.
- Referring now to
FIGS. 1 through 6 , afoam insulator 10 can be designed to hold abeverage container 18, such as a can. While the Figures show thefoam insulator 10 holding a canned beverage, thefoam insulator 10 can be designed to hold a glass bottle, a plastic bottle or any similar beverage container. Thebeverage container 18 can be an alcoholic beverage, a hydration beverage, or just about any beverage that auser 20 would like to keep insulated and keep track of how many are consumed. - An exterior of the
foam insulator 10 can include a counter, such as adigital counter 12. The counter can be designed to display a number that indicates the number ofbeverage containers 18 that have been placed into thefoam insulator 10. In some embodiments, the counter can display twodigits 14 to track the number ofbeverage container 18 placed into thefoam insulator 10. - A
reset button 22 can be used to reset thecounter 12 to zero to start tracking the number ofbeverage containers 18 placed into thefoam insulator 10. Typically, thereset button 22 is disposed near thecounter 12. In some embodiments, thereset button 22 can be recessed to prevent inadvertent depression of thereset button 22. - A
sensor switch 16 can be disposed inside thefoam insulator 10. Thesensor switch 16 can detect when abeverage container 18 is placed inside thefoam insulator 10. Thesensor switch 16 can communicate with thecounter 12 and advance thedigits 14 to indicate that a (or another)beverage container 18 has been disposed inside thefoam insulator 10. Thesensor switch 16 can be a mechanical switch, a pressure switch, an optical switch, or the like. - In some embodiments, the
sensor switch 16 can be a mechanical device that advances a mechanical counter. In other embodiments, thesensor switch 16 can be an electronic switch that advances a digital counter, for example. In this embodiment, power for the electronic switch can be provided by a battery (not shown), solar power, or the like. - The
foam insulator 10 can be made from conventional insulation-type foam material, usually from about ¼ to about ½ inch thick, typically about ⅜ inch thick. Thefoam insulator 10 may have a hole in the bottom portion thereof to, for example, allow condensation to escape. - It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
Claims (10)
1. A counting insulator for a beverage container, comprising:
a foam insulator having an opening adapted to receive the beverage container therein;
a sensor switch detecting the insertion of the beverage container into the foam insulator; and
a counter disposed on an exterior of the foam insulator, the counter receiving a signal from the sensor switch that increases the counter by a count of one when the beverage container is inserted into the foam insulator.
2. The counting insulator of claim 1 , wherein the beverage container is a can.
3. The counting insulator of claim 1 , wherein the counter is a digital counter.
4. The counting insulator of claim 3 , wherein the digital counter includes two digits.
5. The counting insulator of claim 1 , wherein the sensor switch is an electronic switch sending an electronic signal to the counter to increase the counter by a count of one when the beverage container is inserted into the foam insulator.
6. The counting insulator of claim 1 , further comprising a reset switch resetting the counter to zero when activated.
7. A counting insulator for a beverage container, comprising:
a foam insulator having an opening adapted to receive the beverage container therein;
a sensor switch detecting the insertion of the beverage container into the foam insulator;
a digital counter disposed on an exterior of the foam insulator, the counter receiving a signal from the sensor switch that increases the counter by a count of one when the beverage container is inserted into the foam insulator; and
a reset switch resetting the counter to zero when activated.
8. The counting insulator of claim 7 , wherein the beverage container is a can.
9. The counting insulator of claim 7 , wherein the digital counter includes two digits.
10. The counting insulator of claim 7 , wherein the sensor switch is an electronic switch sending an electronic signal to the counter to increase the counter by a count of one when the beverage container is inserted into the foam insulator.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/962,932 US20140048551A1 (en) | 2012-08-08 | 2013-08-08 | Foam can insulator with counter |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201261681047P | 2012-08-08 | 2012-08-08 | |
US13/962,932 US20140048551A1 (en) | 2012-08-08 | 2013-08-08 | Foam can insulator with counter |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20140048551A1 true US20140048551A1 (en) | 2014-02-20 |
Family
ID=50099350
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/962,932 Abandoned US20140048551A1 (en) | 2012-08-08 | 2013-08-08 | Foam can insulator with counter |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20140048551A1 (en) |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20150190557A1 (en) * | 2014-01-08 | 2015-07-09 | Jacqueline D. Nobles | Suction Canister Cover |
US9726467B1 (en) * | 2016-07-29 | 2017-08-08 | Gunhugger Enterprises LLC | Powder measure cover apparatus |
USD869245S1 (en) | 2017-10-13 | 2019-12-10 | Rtic Ip, Llc | Can |
USD869246S1 (en) | 2017-10-13 | 2019-12-10 | Rtic Ip, Llc | Can |
USD873091S1 (en) * | 2017-10-05 | 2020-01-21 | Rtic Ip, Llc | Beverage holder |
USD873092S1 (en) * | 2017-10-05 | 2020-01-21 | Rtic Ip, Llc | Beverage holder |
USD901988S1 (en) | 2018-10-30 | 2020-11-17 | Rtic Outdoors, Llc | Beverage holder |
USD902665S1 (en) | 2018-10-30 | 2020-11-24 | Rtic Outdoors, Llc | Beverage holder |
US11761815B2 (en) | 2021-03-17 | 2023-09-19 | Braxton Boyte | Weight sensing cooler assembly |
US11866060B1 (en) * | 2018-07-31 | 2024-01-09 | United Services Automobile Association (Usaa) | Routing or driving systems and methods based on sleep pattern information |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5339548A (en) * | 1992-08-26 | 1994-08-23 | Russell James M | Receptacle display activated after the sensing of the condition of the liquid |
US5492246A (en) * | 1994-09-12 | 1996-02-20 | Bailey; Frederick N. | Cup holder with counter assembly |
US5881597A (en) * | 1996-08-22 | 1999-03-16 | Brooks; Ruth | Consumption indicator label apparatus, and methods of using same |
US7581640B2 (en) * | 2007-10-11 | 2009-09-01 | Productopop, Inc. | Reusable beverage cup with counter |
US20120067904A1 (en) * | 2010-09-17 | 2012-03-22 | Justin Richmond | Insulated beverage container with counting device |
-
2013
- 2013-08-08 US US13/962,932 patent/US20140048551A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5339548A (en) * | 1992-08-26 | 1994-08-23 | Russell James M | Receptacle display activated after the sensing of the condition of the liquid |
US5492246A (en) * | 1994-09-12 | 1996-02-20 | Bailey; Frederick N. | Cup holder with counter assembly |
US5881597A (en) * | 1996-08-22 | 1999-03-16 | Brooks; Ruth | Consumption indicator label apparatus, and methods of using same |
US7581640B2 (en) * | 2007-10-11 | 2009-09-01 | Productopop, Inc. | Reusable beverage cup with counter |
US20120067904A1 (en) * | 2010-09-17 | 2012-03-22 | Justin Richmond | Insulated beverage container with counting device |
Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20150190557A1 (en) * | 2014-01-08 | 2015-07-09 | Jacqueline D. Nobles | Suction Canister Cover |
US9345820B2 (en) * | 2014-01-08 | 2016-05-24 | Jacqueline D. Nobles | Suction canister cover |
US9726467B1 (en) * | 2016-07-29 | 2017-08-08 | Gunhugger Enterprises LLC | Powder measure cover apparatus |
USD873091S1 (en) * | 2017-10-05 | 2020-01-21 | Rtic Ip, Llc | Beverage holder |
USD873092S1 (en) * | 2017-10-05 | 2020-01-21 | Rtic Ip, Llc | Beverage holder |
USD869245S1 (en) | 2017-10-13 | 2019-12-10 | Rtic Ip, Llc | Can |
USD869246S1 (en) | 2017-10-13 | 2019-12-10 | Rtic Ip, Llc | Can |
US11866060B1 (en) * | 2018-07-31 | 2024-01-09 | United Services Automobile Association (Usaa) | Routing or driving systems and methods based on sleep pattern information |
USD901988S1 (en) | 2018-10-30 | 2020-11-17 | Rtic Outdoors, Llc | Beverage holder |
USD902665S1 (en) | 2018-10-30 | 2020-11-24 | Rtic Outdoors, Llc | Beverage holder |
US11761815B2 (en) | 2021-03-17 | 2023-09-19 | Braxton Boyte | Weight sensing cooler assembly |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |