WO2007134377A1

WO2007134377A1 - Adjustable thermal insulating device with snap fasteners

Info

Publication number: WO2007134377A1
Application number: PCT/AU2007/000682
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anthony John Ford; Amanda Jane Ford
Original assignee: Innov Industries Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2006-05-19
Filing date: 2007-05-21
Publication date: 2007-11-29

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a container insulator having a flexible neoprene portion with a plurality of rows of complementary snap fasteners so that the container insulator can be adjusted in size to accommodate different types of containers such as bottles, cans and cups and different sized containers. In one preferred embodiment, the ends are scalloped to minimize the likelihood of accidental release.

Description

ADJUSTABLE THERMAL INSULATING DEVICE WITH SNAP FASTENERS

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to insulator coverings for maintaining the temperature of containers. The present invention has particular but not exclusive application for beverages in cans, bottles and cups.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Container insulators are currently used to maintain the temperature of the drinks and beverages. They usually consist of thermal insulating material such as neoprene stitched or molded to form a cup shape to hold the container or form an open cylindrical shape to surround the container.

Other container insulators are not preformed and are shaped by prior to use by means of complementary Velcro components. These container insulators are often wrapped around the container then fastened in position by Velcro fastening means. Container insulators with Velcro fastening tends to fail after prolonged use.

If the Velcro fastening fails then the container insulators are no longer useable.

The container insulator disclosed in US5163608 has a flexible rectangular neoprene section with press studs on each end. The use of press studs as opposed to Velcro provides an insulator with a comparatively longer useful life and able to remain in a comparatively better condition with use. The container insulator described in US5163608, however, is not adjustable and can only fit a single sized can. A different sized container insulator must be used for smaller or larger cans. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a thermal insulating device that overcomes at least in part one or more of the above mentioned disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a thermal insulating device for a container including a thermal insulating member; and a plurality of snap fasteners having complementary components positioned in a plurality of rows on the thermal insulating member wherein when the complementary components of the snap fasteners are engaged the thermal insulating member is enclosed in one of two or more possible positions.

The thermal insulating device is preferably a container insulator.

The thermal insulating member is preferably any suitable shaped section of material that has insulation properties. The member may be substantially rectangular or substantially square shaped to fit around a container. The member preferably has a shape which when enclosed forms a substantially open ended cylinder or truncated cone. The material of the member is preferably neoprene but may also be any other silicon, foam or rubber based product. The container preferably is able to hold food or drink. The container may be a can which holds a beverage. The can may be of different sizes to hold different types of beverages. For example, aluminum cans holding beer have a volume of 375ml, while aluminum cans with glucose and caffeine mixtures (energy drinks) have a volume of 250ml. The container may also be a glass or plastic bottle containing water, beverage or soft drink. The container may be a glass, plastic or cardboard cup for holding beverages and coffee.

Preferably, there is a row of two or more snap fastener components adjacent a first end of the thermal insulating member and two or more rows of complementary snap fastener components adjacent a second end of the thermal insulating member wherein each row of the two or more rows of complementary snap fastener components has two or more snap fastener components which are complementary to the snap fastener components adjacent the first end.

The snap fasteners preferably include male and female complementary components. Preferably, the first end has two or more male snap fastener components and the second end has two or more rows of two or more female snap fastener components. Preferably, the male snap fastener component is a press stud and the female snap fastener component is a complementary socket portion.

With two or more rows of complementary snap fastener components, the thermal insulating member can be adjusted to a desirable size to accommodate containers of different types and sizes.

The first and second ends preferably have straight or scalloped edges. Where the first and second ends have a scalloped edge, the snap fastener components are preferably positioned adjacent a protruding portion of the edge. The edges of the ends are preferably scalloped to enable the edges to lie flat against the overlapped portion of the thermal insulating member to minimize flaring of portions of the edges between the engaged snap fastener components. Without flaring, there is less likelihood of accidental disengagement or release of the snap fitted fastener components. - A -

In one form, the first and second ends are tapered to form a truncated conical

shape and fit about a cup.

The positioning of the snap fastener components preferably enables the insulator to be turned inside out (reversed) to provide an alternative outer surface. Preferably, advertising, promotional messages and information can be placed on the front and rear surfaces of the thermal insulating member. When advertising, promotional messages and information are placed on the front and rear surfaces of the thermal insulating member, the assembled insulator can be turned inside out to show an alternate message. The snap fastener components in one embodiment have advertising or information displayed on the components themselves.

The thermal insulating device may also include one or more pockets for an ipod, radio or phone, keys, lighter, matches, bottle opener, coins and or pen and paper. Because of the additional available snap fastener components on the assembled thermal insulating device, a plurality of thermal insulating devices may be interconnected and configured to carry a plurality of containers.

In one embodiment, the thermal insulating devices may be distributed from a roll formed with separate devices snap fitted together. In an alternative embodiment, the thermal insulating devices may be distributed from a roll of continuously formed devices separated by perforations.

In another aspect, the invention broadly resides in a method of assembling the thermal insulating device as described above including positioning the thermal insulating device about a container; and engaging the complementary snap fasteners so that the thermal insulating member surrounds and accommodates the container.

Alternatively, the thermal insulating device is preferably assembled then the container is positioned within the assembled thermal insulating device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the present invention can be more readily understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a first preferred embodiment of the thermal insulating device wherein (a) and (b) show the assembly of the device, (c) and (d) show the device fastened in two alternate positions, (e) and (f) show the device turned inside out;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of a second preferred embodiment of the thermal insulating device wherein (a) and (b) show the assembly of the device, (c) and (d) show the device fastened in two alternate positions, (e) and (f) show the device turned inside out;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of a third preferred embodiment of the thermal insulating device wherein (a) and (b) show the assembly of the device, (c) and (d) show the device fastened in two alternate positions, (e) and (f) show the device turned inside out;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of a fourth preferred embodiment of the thermal insulating device wherein (a) and (b) show the assembly of the device, (c) and (d) show the device fastened in two alternate positions, (e) and (f) show the device turned inside out; Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of a fifth preferred embodiment of the thermal insulating device wherein (a) and (b) show the assembly of the device, (c) and (d) show the device fastened in two alternate positions, (e) and (f) show the device turned inside out; Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of the first preferred embodiment of the thermal insulating device about a bottle;

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view of the second preferred embodiment of the thermal insulating device about a bottle;

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view of the third preferred embodiment of the thermal insulating device about a cup;

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view of the fourth preferred embodiment of the thermal insulating device about a cup; and

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic view of the fifth preferred embodiment of the thermal insulating device about a cup.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6, there is shown a first preferred embodiment of the thermal insulating device being a container insulator 10 and having a substantially rectangular neoprene portion 11 with three studs 12 in a row 13 adjacent a first end 14. The container insulator 10 also includes two rows 15, 16 of three socket portions 17 adjacent a second end 18. There is advertising (not shown) on the front surface 19 and rear surface 20. The container insulator 10 is assembled by snap fitting the studs 12 into the socket portions 17 of the most suitable row in order to accommodate and fit tightly about a container such as a bottlθ 21. The container insulator 10 can be turned inside out to reveal alternate advertising on the rear surface 20.

With reference to Figure 2 and Figure 7, there is shown a second preferred embodiment of the thermal insulation device being a container insulator 25. The container insulator 25 is similar to the container insulator 10 except that the first end 26 and second end 27 are scalloped to minimize flaring of the edge portions between studs 28 and socket portions 29. Both the studs 28 and socket portions 29 are positioned adjacent protruding edge portions of the scalloped ends 26, 27. The scalloping of the ends 26, 27 and the positions of the studs 28 and socket portions 29 adjacent the protruding edge portions reduces the likelihood of the snap fitted stud and socket portions from accidental release. As with the container insulator 10 of the first embodiment, container insulator 25 can be located in one of two positions in order to accommodate a container such as a bottle 31. The assembled container insulator 25 can be turned inside out to display advertising on the front surface 32 or rear surface 33.

With reference to Figure 3 and Figure 8, there is shown a container insulator 38 in a substantially rectangular shape with tapered first end 39 and tapered second end 40. The tapering of the first end 39 is convergent with the tapering of the second end 40. The tapering of the ends 39, 40 allows the container insulator 38 to form a truncated conical shape suitable for accommodating a cup 41. The container insulator 38 has a row 42 of three studs 43 adjacent the first end 39 and two rows 44, 45 of three socket portions 46 adjacent the second end 40. Both the first end 39 and second end 40 have scalloped ends with the studs 43 and socket portions 46 adjacent protrusion portions of the first end 39 and second end 40 respectively. Like the container insulator 10 and 25, the container insulator 38 can be snap fitted to one of two positions defined by rows 44 and 45 and can be turned inside out to display information and advertising on both the rear surface 47 and front surface 48.

With reference to Figure 4 and Figure 9, there is shown a container insulator 55 that is similar to the container insulator 38 but has only two studs 56 or two receiving portions 57 per row 58, 59, 60. The container insulator 55 has substantially tapered first end 61 and substantially tapered second end 62. The container insulator 55 can be assembled by snap fitting the studs 56 and receiving portions 57 in one of two possible positions defined by rows 59 and 60. The container insulator 55 can be turned inside out to display the advertising on either the rear surface 64 or the front surface 65. The container insulator 55 is assembled to accommodate a relatively smaller cup 66 as would be suitable for coffee. The top portions 67 of ends 61 , 62 are cut away for ease in snap fitting about a cup 66 and accommodate a handle or protrusion from the cup 66.

With reference to Figure 5 and Figure 10, there is shown a container insulator 70 that is similar to the container insulator 55 but has a scallop in the lower portions 71 of the first end 72 and second end 73. The container insulator 70 has a row 74 of two studs 75 adjacent the first end 72 and two rows 76, 77 of two socket portions 78 adjacent the second end 73. A top portion 79 of both ends 72, 73 are cut away for ease in snap fitting about a cup 81 and accommodate a handle or protrusion from the cup 81. The container insulator 70 can be snap fitted to one of two positions defined by rows 76, 77 and can be turned inside out to display information and advertising on both the rear surface 82 and front surface 83. ADVANTAGES

The preferred embodiment of the container insulator has a flexible neoprene portion with a plurality of rows of complementary snap fasteners that can be adjusted in size to accommodate different types of containers such as bottles, cans and cups and different sized containers. In one preferred embodiment, the ends are scalloped to minimize the likelihood of accidental release. In another preferred embodiment, the ends are tapered in order to accommodate a cup.

VARIATIONS It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

Throughout the description and claims this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Claims

1. A thermal insulating device for a container including a thermal insulating member; and a plurality of snap fasteners having complementary components positioned in a plurality of rows on the thermal insulating member wherein when the complementary components of the snap fasteners are engaged the thermal insulating member is enclosed in one of two or more possible positions.

2. A thermal insulating device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the thermal insulating member can be adjusted to a desirable size to accommodate containers of different types and sizes.

3. A thermal insulating device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the thermal insulating member is made of neoprene and when in assembled form has a substantially open ended cylindrical shape or a substantially truncated conical shape.

4. A thermal insulating device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein there is a row of two or more snap fastener components adjacent a first end of the thermal insulating member and two or more rows of complementary snap fastener components adjacent a second end of the thermal insulating member wherein each row of the two or more rows of complementary snap fastener components has two or more snap fastener components which are complementary to the snap fastener components adjacent the first end.

5. A thermal insulating device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the snap fasteners include male and female complementary components.

6. A thermal insulating device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the first end has two or more male snap fastener components and the second end has two or more rows of two or more female snap fastener components.

7. A thermal insulating device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the first end has two or more male snap fastener components and the second end has two or more rows of two or more female snap fastener components, the male snap fastener component is a press stud and the female snap fastener component is a complementary socket portion.

8. A thermal insulating device as claimed in claim 4, 6 or 7 wherein the first and second ends preferably have straight or scalloped edges.

9. A thermal insulating device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the first and second ends are scalloped and the snap fastener components are positioned adjacent a protruding portion of the end edges thereby minimizing accidental release of the snap fitted fastener components.

10. A thermal insulating device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the first and second ends are tapered to form a truncated conical shape and fit about a cup

11. A thermal insulating device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein advertising, promotional messages and information is placed on the front and or rear surfaces of the thermal insulating member.

12. A thermal insulating device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the positioning of the snap fastener components enables the device to be turned inside out to provide an alternative outer surface.

13. A thermal insulating device as claimed in claim 12 wherein advertising, promotional messages or information is placed on the front and rear surfaces of the thermal insulating member and the device can be turned inside out to provide an alternative outer surface thereby showing a different advertising, promotional messages or information display.

14. A thermal insulating device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the thermal insulating device also includes one or more pockets for an ipod, radio or phone, keys, lighter, matches, bottle opener, coins and or pen and paper.