WO1995024146A2

WO1995024146A2 - Insulated bag and accessories for cooling bottled beverages

Info

Publication number: WO1995024146A2
Application number: PCT/US1995/002785
Authority: WO
Inventors: Morris I. Douer Douek
Original assignee: Douer Douek Morris I
Priority date: 1994-03-08
Filing date: 1995-03-07
Publication date: 1995-09-14
Also published as: WO1995024146A3; IL112932A0

Abstract

An insulated bag (100) is provided for maintaining the temperature of a beverage container. Insulated bag (100) includes a first elongate body portion (105) of a selected rigidity, the first body portion (105) formed of an insulative sidewall (300) extending at an angle from an insulative base (320). Sidewall (300) and insulative base (320) define a chamber. A second body portion (110) is provided of a rigidity less than the selected rigidity of first body portion (105). Second body portion (110) includes a sidewall continuous with the sidewall (300) of the first body portion (105). An edge of the second portion (110) defines an aperture communicating with the chamber formed by a sidewall (300) and base (320) of first body portion (105), the aperture and the chamber adapted to receive a beverage container. Means (125) are also provided for closing the aperture.

Description

INSULATED BAG AND ACCESSORIES FOR COOLING BOTTLED BEVERAGES

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to thermally insulated containers for cooling and insulating bottled beverages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Numerous containers are available on the market today for chilling beverages or maintaining the temperature of already chilled beverages for extended periods of time. These containers are popular in both recreational and work-related activities. The better known of these containers include the styrofoam cooler, often used at picnics and beach outings, and the common thermos bottle which can be used to maintain the temperature of either cold or hot beverages. Another popular insulating container is the extremely simple hand-held cylindrical foam rubber insulator which fits snugly around cold soda cans or beer cans.

Each of these available containers for insulating beverages has drawbacks. Styrofoam coolers and coolers with inner styrofoam insulation are bulky in size and tend to be awkward to handle. Conventional coolers are typically too large and bulky for insulating individual beverage bottles, such as one or two liter beverage bottles which are becoming more common. Further, such one or two liter water bottles are too large to be inserted into hand-held foam rubber containers.

Thermoses also have their drawbacks. Beverages must be transferred from their original containers to a thermos. Thermoses are often not large enough to accommodate the entire contents of one and two liter bottles . Thermoses also break easily because the two inner glass walls can shatter from even slight external shocks. Also, since beverages are transferred from their original containers to the thermos, the thermos must be washed after every use to prevent contamination and to avoid tainting the flavor of subsequent beverages that are used in the thermos.

There is therefore a substantial market for beverage insulating containers that have good thermal properties, that accommodate large-sized beverage bottles without being bulky, and that are rugged and relatively maintenance free.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention is a cylindrical insulated bag which accommodates individual beverage bottles of various sizes. The bag includes an inner cylindrical shell, a larger, outer cylindrical shell, and a layer of insulation between the shells. Both the inner shell and the outer shell contain water resistant materials. The main body of the outer shell is made of a strong fabric with a plastic waterproof backing. The upper portion of the outer shell is made of a softer collapsible material and encloses a drawstring. The drawstring is provided for manually closing an opening to the bag defined by the upper edge of the collapsible upper portion of the outer shell. The bag opening is dimensioned to receive a beverage bottle of a selected size.

In a preferred embodiment, the outer shell is fabricated of a fluorescent colored material, which is highly reflective of the sun's rays and helps maintain the temperature of a cooled beverage disposed within the bag. The preferred cylindrical shape of the insulated bag minimizes the overall size of the bag, thereby generally reducing its bulkiness. Further, the choice of the cylindrical shape improves the thermal insulation properties of the insulated bag by allowing very little . room for air to circulate around, and thereby warm, an enclosed beverage bottle. The material chosen for insulation between the inner shell and the outer shell can greatly affect the insulating properties of the bag. The insulation may consist of conventional foam or dacron materials which are suitable to maintain the temperature of the beverage at an acceptable level for six to eight hours. In a preferred embodiment, a soft fiberglass insulation is used which increases the insulating capacity by 50% to 80%.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling capabilities of the present invention are greatly increased by the use of a novel, flexible precooled gel pack which is wrapped around the beverage bottle before insertion into the insulating bag. The gel pack advantageously greatly increases the amount of time an already cold beverage remains cold. Additionally, the precooled gel pack may be used to cool a warm beverage bottle and then maintain that bottle at a cold temperature for a period of time thereafter.

In a further embodiment, an internal beverage bottle is provided which includes a cap and straw assembly that allows the user to drink the contents of the bottle without removing it from the insulating bag. The cap assembly fits the neck of most conventional one and two liter beverage bottles. Additionally, a spray nozzle may be attached to the cap and straw assembly to allow the user to spray his or her body with cold water from the beverage bottle on hot days. According to a further embodiment of the present invention, external pockets are provided on the outer shell as convenient storage spaces for the spray nozzle and the cap and straw assembly.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the insulated bag may be manufactured with the water-resistant surface of the inside shell facing inward towards the bottle enclosed in the bag. In this way ice may be placed freely inside the bag without moisture damaging the insulation of the bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of an insulated bag embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side view of the insulating bag of FIGURE 1 with the drawstring at the neck drawn shut; FIGURE 3 is a partial cross-sectional side view diagram of the insulating bag of FIGURE 1 showing the water resistant inner shell, the water resistant outer shell and the insulation between the inner and outer shells; FIGURE 4 is a side view of a selected side of a flexible gel pack according to the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 5 is a side view of the opposing side of the flexible gel pack shown in FIGURE 4; FIGURE 6 is an exploded view of a cap and straw assembly according to the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view of the cap and straw assembly of FIGURE 6 in a closed position; FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view of the cap and straw assembly of FIGURE 6 in the open position;

FIGURE 9 is a see-through side view showing a beverage bottle, wrapped by the gel pack shown in FIGURES 5 and 6, and enclosed by the insulating bag of FIGURE 1, and a cap and straw assembly according to FIGURES 6-8 shown being inserted into the beverage bottle;

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of a spray nozzle being inserted into the open end of the cap and straw assembly;

FIGURE 11 is a side view of another insulated bag embodying the principles of the present invention including a spray nozzle and cap and straw assembly as shown in FIGURES 6-8 inserted into permanently attached side pockets; and

FIGURE 12 is a side view of a further insulated bag embodying the principles of the present invention and an optional, detachable side pocket for storing the spray nozzle of FIGURE 10 and the cap and straw assembly of FIGURES 6-8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The principles of the present invention and their advantages are best understood by referring to the illustrated embodiments depicted in FIGURES 1-12 of the drawings.

FIGURE 1 is a side view of an insulated bag 100 according to the principles of the present invention.

Insulated bag 100 includes a relatively stiff lower portion 105 and a softer, more flexible (collapsible) upper portion 110. The upper portion 110 of the insulated bag 100 has a drawstring 125 enclosed (sewn) therein. Drawstring 125 is provided for manually closing

(constricting) an aperture 130 communicating with the interior chamber of bag 100, where aperture 130 is defined by the upper edge 135 of upper portion 110, and aperture 130 is dimensioned to receive a bottle or other beverage container (not shown) of a selected size.

FIGURE 1 also depicts an optional carrying strap 115 attached to the insulated bag 100 including a buckle 120 used to tighten the carrying strap 115.

FIGURE 2 is a side view of the insulated bag 100, similar to the side view of FIGURE 1. In FIGURE 2 drawstring 125 has been tightened, thereby drawing upper portion 110 of the insulated bag 100 to a close. FIGURE 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of insulated bag 100 revealing in further detail the construction of insulated bag 100. In the preferred embodiment, lower portion 105 includes a cylindrical sidewall 300 and an integral base 320, each constructed of an inner shell 310 and outer shell 305 with insulation 315 disposed therebetween. In the preferred embodiment the inner shells 310 and outer shells 305 are sewn together such that air pockets are created between them. By using materials in the shells that are substantially air-tight, the flow of air between the inner shell and the outer shell is restricted to a very small amount of air flow that passes through the stitches where the inner shell and outer shell are sewn together. These air pockets enhance the insulative properties of the bag 100 provided by insulation 315. Sidewall 300 and base 320 define a chamber for insulatively holding a beverage container, as discussed further below.

Outer shell 305 is made of a strong fabric such as nylon with a water resistant plastic backing. Inner shell 310 is made from water-resistant vinyl or a similar fabric. Insulation 315 may be any suitable flexible insulating material, such as foam or dacron. However, in a preferred embodiment, the insulation 315 is made of flexible fiberglass. In the preferred embodiment, upper portion 110 of bag 100 is fabricated from a single layer of material .

FIGURES 4 and 5 show the two sides of an optional flexible gel pack 400 which may be used in conjunction with the insulated bag 100. Gel pack 400 preferably consists of a plurality of rectangular pockets 401 carrying a gel material which freezes and hardens when refrigerated. The shell of gel pack 400 is preferably made of strong transparent vinyl such that the gel carried therein can be seen from the outside. The gel can then be colored such that the color of gel pack 400 substantially matches the basic color of insulated bag 100. Pockets 401 of gel pack 400 are connected to one another by flexible and resistant vinyl partitions 402 which allow the gel pack 400 to be wrapped around a bottle or other container. A vinyl flap 403 having velcro strips 404 attached thereto is attached to end 406 of gel pack 400. An end 407 of gel pack 400, opposing end 406, includes a velcro strip 405 attached thereto. Velcro strip 405 is disposed on the opposite side of gel pack 400 from the side on which velcro strips 404 are located. When gel pack 400 is wrapped around a bottle, velcro strips 404 mesh with velcro strip 405, thereby firmly holding gel pack 400 attached around the bottle. Gel pack 400 can wrap around bottles of widely varied diameters due to the lengths of velcro strips 404, which are capable of meshing with velcro strip 407 along any portion of their lengths. Gel pack 400 can be rolled up tightly and stored inside of insulated bag 100 even when the gel is frozen solid due to the flexibility of vinyl partitions 402.

FIGURE 6 is an exploded view of a cap assembly 700 and plastic straw 601 that are used in conjunction with the insulated bag 100. Cap assembly 700 is comprised of an upper cap 620 and a lower cap 602 which may be fabricated for example out of metal or plastic. Lower cap 602 has an upper cylindrical portion 612 and a lower cylindrical portion 610 of different radii. The wide lower portion 610 of lower cap 602 has threads (not shown) on its inner surface adapted to mate with the threads 605 of a standard sized beverage bottle 600. Located adjacent the wide lower portion 610 of lower cap 602 is the narrow upper portion 612 which has threads 611 on its exterior surface. The top surface of the narrow upper portion 612 of lower cap 602 has a large hole 614 for receiving straw 601 and a vent hole 613 for venting air.

Upper cap 620 has threads (not shown) on its inner surface for mating with the threads 611 on the exterior face of narrow upper portion 612 of lower cap 602. The top surface of upper cap 620 has a hole 622 therethrough for receiving straw 601. Ring 630, with hole 631, is comprised of rubber or vinyl and may be inserted inside upper cap 620 to help provide a hermetical seal of hole 613 when upper cap 620 is tightened down on lower cap 602. FIGURES 7 and 8 demonstrate the operation of cap assembly 700 and straw 601. FIGURE 7 depicts cap assembly 700 in the closed position. Upper cap 620 has been tightened all the way down on lower cap 602. The bottom face of the top of cap 620 is pressed down firmly against the upper face of the narrow upper portion 612 of lower cap 602. Additionally, the top of cap 620 and the top of the narrow upper portion 612 of lower cap 602 are curved at approximately 5' of curvature to provide a tighter seal. This effectively seals vent hole 613 in the top of lower cap 602, thereby preventing leakage therethrough if the bottle 600 is tilted. In the embodiment depicted in FIGURES 7 and 8, sealing ring 630 is not used. Straw 601 has been slid through hole 622 in upper cap 620 and hole 614 in lower cap 602. Straw 601 fits tightly in hole 614 in lower cap 602, thereby preventing leakage around the straw if bottle 600 is tilted. Hole 622 in upper cap 620 has a slightly larger diameter than straw 601 thereby providing an air gap.

FIGURE 8 shows upper cap 620 slightly loosened from lower cap 602. An air gap 800 is thereby created between upper cap 620 and the narrow upper portion 612 of lower cap 602. Air gap 800 completes a path for air to vent into and out of the bottle through the cap assembly 700. Arrow 802 shows air flow from outside air into air gap 800 through the small gap between straw 601 and upper cap 620. Arrow 801 shows air flow from air gap 800 into the interior portion of the cap assembly 700 and the bottle. Air flow through air gap 800 prevents the creation of a vacuum inside the bottle when the contents of the bottle are drained through straw 601.

FIGURE 9 is a see through side view illustrating a complete assembly consisting of insulating bag 100, gel pack 400, straw 601, and cap assembly 700. In this example, gel pack 400 is wrapped around bottle 600 which is inserted into insulated bag 100. Straw 601 and cap assembly 700 are shown inserted into the neck of bottle

600. A cap seal 701, which attaches to the end of straw

601, allows the end of straw 601 to be closed, thereby preventing drainage through straw 601 if the insulated bag 100 is tipped over.

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of a spray nozzle 1000 being attached to the end of straw 601 by a flexible hose 1001 and mating connection 1002. Mating connection 1002 hermetically seals the end of flexible hose 1001 to the opening in straw 601. This hermetic seal will allow spray nozzle 1000 to draw fluid from bottle 600 using

14 SUBSTITUTESHEET(RUtE26) vacuum pressure created when spray nozzle lϋOO is squeezed.

FIGURE 11 is a side view of another embodiment of the insulated bag 100 with side pockets 1101 and 1102 permanently attached to the insulated bag 100. Spray nozzle 1000 is stored in side pocket 1102 and cap assembly 700 and straw 601 are stored in side pocket 1101.

FIGURE 12 is a side view of a further embodiment of the insulated bag 100. Detachable side pocket 1200 is attached to insulated bag 100 using velcro strips 1205.

Cap assembly 700 and straw 601 and spray nozzle 1000 are stored in detachable side pocket 1200.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An insulated bag for maintaining the temperature of a beverage container comprising: a first elongate body portion of a selected rigidity, said first portion formed of an insulative sidewall extending at an angle from an insulative base, said sidewall and said base defining a chamber; a second body portion of a rigidity less than said selected rigidity of said first portion and having a sidewall continuous with said sidewall of said first portion, an edge of said second portion defining an aperture communicating with said chamber, said aperture and said chamber adapted to receive a beverage container; and means for closing said aperture.

2. The insulated bag of Claim 1 wherein said sidewall of said first portion comprises an outer shell and an inner shell spaced from an outer shell by a layer of insulation.

3. The insulated bag of Claim 1 wherein said base comprises an outer shell and an inner shell spaced from said outer shell by a layer of insulation.

4. The insulated bag of Claim 1 wherein said sidewall of said second portion comprises an outer shell and an inner shell spaced from said outer shell by a layer of insulation.

5. The insulated bag of Claim 4 wherein the insulation is comprised of fiberglass.

6. The insulated bag of Claim 2 wherein said outer shell of said first portion is fabricated of a florescent colored material reflective of sunlight.

7. The insulated bag of Claim 4 wherein said outer shell of said second portion is fabricated of a florescent material reflective of sunlight.

8. The insulated bag of Claim 1 wherein said means for closing comprises a drawstring.

9. The insulated bag of Claim 1 wherein said sidewall of said first portion is constructed at least in part by a water resistant material.

10. The insulated bag of Claim 1 wherein said sidewall of said second portion is constructed at least in part by a water resistant material.

11. The insulated bag of Claim 1 wherein said sidewall and said base of said first portion define a cylindrical chamber.

18

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RUtE 26)

12. A cooling apparatus for a beverage bottle comprising: a flexible belt of a length adapted for wrapping around the periphery of a beverage bottle; a plurality of spaced-apart shells disposed along said length of said belt; a gel disposed within each of said shells, said gel adapted to remain at a reduced temperature after cooling; and means for retaining said flexible belt in wrapped attachment to said beverage bottle.

13. The cooling apparatus of Claim 12 wherein said means for retaining comprises a first strip of velcro disposed at a first end of said belt and at least one second strip of velcro disposed on a second end of said belt, said first and second strips disposed on opposing sides of said belt for mating interface when said belt is wrapped around said periphery of said beverage bottle.

14. A cap assembly comprising: a first cap including a first cylindrical portion of a first diameter and a second cylindrical portion of a second diameter extending from an upper surface of said first portion, said first portion having a threaded inner surface for threadedly interfacing with

19

SUBSTITUTE SHEET(RUtE 26) threads of a beverage bottle, said second portion having an outer surface including threads disposed along a portion thereof and an upper surface having a vent aperture and a straw aperture disposed therethrough; and a second cap having a cylindrical sidewall and an upper surface having a straw aperture therethrough, an inner surface of said sidewall having threads for threadedly interfacing with said threads disposed on said outer surface of said second portion of said first cap, and wherein said straw hole of said first cap is aligned with said straw hole of second cap when said first and second caps are threadedly coupled.

15. The cap assembly of Claim 14 and further comprising an annular seal having a straw aperture therethrough disposed between said first and second caps when said caps are threadedly coupled.

16. The cap assembly of Claim 14 and further comprising a straw inserted through said straw holes of said first cap and said second cap.

17. The cap assembly of Claim 16 and further comprising a mating piece for connecting a first end of said straw to a first end of a flexible hose attached to a spray nozzle.

20

SUBSTITUTE SHEET(RUtE26)

18. A beverage containment system comprising: a cooling apparatus for a beverage bottle comprising: a flexible belt of a length adapted for wrapping around the periphery of a beverage bottle; a plurality of spaced apart shells disposed along said length of said belt; a gel disposed within each of said shells, said gel adapted to maintain remain at a reduced temperature after cooling; and means for retaining said flexible belt in wrapped attachment to said beverage bottle; and an insulated bag comprising: a first elongate body portion of a selected rigidity, said first portion formed of an insulative sidewall extending at an angle from an insulative base, said sidewall and said base defining a chamber; a second body portion of a rigidity less than said selected rigidity of said first portion and having a sidewall continuous with said sidewall of said first portion, an edge of said second portion defining an aperture communicating with said chamber, said aperture and said chamber adapted to receive a beverage container having a said cooling apparatus wrappedly fastened thereto; and

21

SUBSTITUTE SHEET(RUtE26) means for closing said aperture.

19. The system of Claim 18 and further comprising a said bottle having a said cooling apparatus fastened thereto and inserted in said chamber of said bag.

20. The system of Claim 19 wherein said bottle includes a threaded neck threadedly coupled to a cap assembly comprising: a first cap including a first cylindrical portion of a first diameter and a second cylindrical portion of a second diameter extending from an upper surface of said first portion, said first portion having a threaded inner surface for interfacing with threaded neck of said beverage bottle, said second portion having an outer surface including threads disposed along a portion thereof and an upper surface having a vent aperture and a straw aperture disposed therethrough; and a second cap having a cylindrical sidewall and an upper surface having a straw aperture therethrough, an inner surface, of said sidewall having threads for threadedly interfacing with said threads disposed on said outer surface of said second portion of said first cap, and wherein said straw hole of said first cap is aligned with said straw hole of said second cap when said first

22 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RUtE 26) and second caps are threadedly coupled.

21. The system of Claim 20 and further comprising a straw inserted through said straw holes of said first cap and said second cap.

22. The insulated bag of Claim 1 and further comprising at least one pocket permanently attached to the outer surface of said bag.

23. The insulated bag of Claim 1 and further comprising at least one pocket removably attached to the outer surface of said bag.

23

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RUtE 26)