U.S. patent application number 09/982716 was filed with the patent office on 2003-04-24 for bottle cooler.
Invention is credited to O'Brien, David, Zdanius, Tomas R..
Application Number | 20030075549 09/982716 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25529446 |
Filed Date | 2003-04-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030075549 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
O'Brien, David ; et
al. |
April 24, 2003 |
Bottle cooler
Abstract
An insulating jacket for a can or bottle is made of bubble film.
The jacket is made from a folded blank which provides an insulating
base integral with a fold fat sleeve. Methods of forming the jacket
seam from different blanks are disclosed. The jacket is disposable
or additionally insulated with metallised or printed film.
Inventors: |
O'Brien, David; (St. Kilda,
AU) ; Zdanius, Tomas R.; (Hawthorn, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Thomas R. Vigil
c/o Welsh & Katz, Ltd.
22nd Floor
120 South Riverside Plaza
Chicago
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
25529446 |
Appl. No.: |
09/982716 |
Filed: |
October 18, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/739 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/3876
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/739 |
International
Class: |
B65D 025/00 |
Claims
The claims defining the invention are as follows:
1. An insulating jacket for a drinks container comprising a sleeve
capable of at least partially surrounding the curved part of the
container, a base associated with a sleeve capable of maintaining
the bottom of the container clear of the support surface, both base
and sleeve being made of bubble film.
2. An insulating jacket as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sleeve is
erectable in a substantially cylindrical shape with an integral
base and is collapsible to a flat folded shape.
3. An insulating jacket as claimed in claim 2 wherein the jacket is
made from a flat blank with a symmetrical fold axis and a pair of
cutouts which facilitate folding and assumption of the cylindrical
shape.
4. An insulating jacket as claimed in claim 3 wherein the cutouts
are at the ends of the folded axis.
5. An insulating jacket as claimed in claim 3 or 4 wherein the
blank is rectangular and the edges of the blank except those
defining the cutouts are joined to form a pair of parallel
seams.
6. An insulating jacket as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5
wherein the blank is made of two superimposed layers of bubble
film.
7. An insulating jacket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6
wherein the bubble film composing the sleeve at least is covered by
a metallised film.
8. An insulating jacket as claimed in claim 7 wherein the
metallised film is the outermost layer of the sleeve and laminated
thereto.
9. A blank made of bubble film for making the insulating jacket as
claimed in claim 1.
10. An insulating jacket for a drinks container substantially as
herein described with reference to and as illustrated in FIG.
8.
11. A method of making an insulating jacket as claimed in claim 1
from a rectangular blank comprising establishing a central fold
axis for the jacket, subtracting a pair of cutouts from the ends of
the axis which define between them the jacket base, folding the
blank on the fold axis in order to bring the jacket sides in
register and joining the sides mutually to form a sleeve.
12. A method of making an insulating jacket substantially as herein
described with reference to FIG. 8.
13. A method of making an insulated jacket claimed in claim 1 from
a rectangular blank of bubble film wherein three cutout tabs are
made in the base edge of the blank defining between them a pair of
tabs capable of forming the jacket base, folding the blank to bring
the tabs and sides of the blank into register and joining the tabs
mutually and the sides mutually.
14. A method of making an insulating jacket substantially as herein
described with reference to FIG. 9.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention pertains to an insulating jacket for cans and
bottles of beverage.
[0002] When cans and bottles of beverage are taken from a cool
store they are commonly below dew point and the resulting
condensation pools beneath the can or bottle, If an absorbent
coaster is not used, any French polish furniture finish develops a
visible ring. An impervious furniture surface collects water which
is often undesirable. While water condenses, the ambient air and
the hands of the drinker warm the beverage by conduction. The
condensed water wets and cools the hand of the drinker.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Whilst the prior art discloses several forms of bottle
coolers including coolers containing a freezing gel liquid
(Australian Patent No. 51027/79), baby bottle coolers (Australian
Patent No. 20697/88) some of which have thermo-insulating
qualities. They are not inexpensive to the point where they could
be used as disposable like, for example, a paper plate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The apparatus aspect of the invention provides:-
[0005] an insulating jacket for a drinks container comprising
[0006] a sleeve capable of at least partially surrounding the
curved part of the container,
[0007] a base associated with a sleeve capable of maintaining the
bottom of the container clear of the support surface, both base and
sleeve being made of bubble film.
PREFERRED ASPECT OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Preferably the present invention provides that the sleeve is
erectable in a substantially cylindrical shape with an integral
base and is collapsible to a flat folded shape.
[0009] It is further preferred that the jacket is made from a flat
blank with a symmetrical fold axis and a pair of cutouts which
facilitate folding and assumption of the cylindrical shape.
[0010] It is further preferred that the cutouts are at the ends of
the folded axis.
[0011] It is further preferred that the blank is rectangular and
the edges of the blank except those defining the cutouts are joined
to form a pair of parallel scams.
[0012] Preferably the present invention provides that the blank is
made of two superimposed layers of bubble film.
[0013] Preferably the present invention provides that the bubble
film composing the sleeve at least is covered by a metallised
film.
[0014] Preferably the present invention provides that the
metallised film is the outermost layer of the sleeve and laminated
thereto.
[0015] Preferably the present invention provides a blank made of
bubble film for making the insulating jacket.
[0016] Preferably the present invention provides a method of making
an insulating jacket from a rectangular blank comprising
establishing a central fold axis for the jacket, subtracting a pair
of cutouts from the ends of the axis which define between them the
jacket base, folding the blank on the fold axis in order to bring
the jacket sides in register and joining the sides mutually to form
a sleeve.
[0017] Preferably the present invention provides a method of making
an insulated jacket from a rectangular blank of bubble film wherein
three cutout tabs are made in the base edge of the blank defining
between them a pair of tabs capable of forming the jacket base,
folding the blank to bring the tabs and sides of the blank into
register and joining the tabs mutually and the sides mutually.
[0018] Preferably one form of the invention has cut-away corners to
enhance the thermo-insulating qualities of said receptacle, enable
easier insertion of a bottle or can into the said receptacle and
enhance the stability and inertial qualities of the receptacle when
placed on a surface. When in the flattened position the base
corners are cut-away, by removing these corners the base edge is
able to meet flush with the wall sections. By enabling the base to
meet perpendicular to the walls it increases the stability.
[0019] Preferably the jacket further includes a silver lining
laminated between said inner and outer layers. Such lining can also
be placed on the outer or inner layers of the jacket and can
comprise a metallised polyester film. The size of the bubbles is
not critical but diameters of the order of bottles and cans for
beverage suit bubble sizes of 0.5-10 mm, The film thickness is not
critical except in that flimsy film tears and punctures more easily
and reduces the life of the jacket.
[0020] Preferably the receptacle is made from a material selected
from plastics. More preferably the material is a biodegradable
and/or recyclable plastic or paper.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] Not withstanding any other forms that may fall within its
scope one preferred form of the invention will now be described by
way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings,
wherein:-
[0022] FIG. 1 is a side view of the jacket in the closed position
prior to a bottle or can being introduced into the jacket;
[0023] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the carrier shown in FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a three-quarter view of the invention in the open
position prior to a bottle or can being introduced into the
jacket;
[0025] FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the jacket shown in FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the jacket in FIG. 1 in the open
position after a bottle or can has been introduced;
[0027] FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the jacket in FIG. 5;
[0028] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the jacket in FIG. 1 with
a metallised lining which enhance the thermo-insulating properties
of the jacket;
[0029] FIG. 8 is a plan of a blank,
[0030] FIG. 9 is a plan of an alternative blank.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION WITH
REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS
[0031] By way of reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown a blank
(1) in a first flattened or storage condition.
[0032] The bottle/can assembly includes a jacket (2) which is
adapted to adopt a first flattened condition for easy storage and a
second expanded position (see FIG. 3) for receiving and retaining a
bottle/can. The receptacle (2) has a crease or seam (3) which
enables the receptacle to adopt a variable geometry. In FIG. 1 the
receptacle is folded along the line of the crease or seam so as to
adopt a flat configuration.
[0033] The flattened position greatly increases carrying, storage
and packing efficiency.
[0034] The receptacle in FIG. 1 and 2 shows both inner (6) ad outer
(7) layers of thermo-insulating bubbles (8). The bubbles are filled
with a gas, usually air, which acts as an insulator preventing
transfer of heat.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 3 there is a bottle/can cooler assembly in
an expanded configuration. By applying finger pressure to the outer
crease or seam or seams (3) the initially flat configuration (see
FIGS. 1 and 2) is caused to move thereby altering configuration so
as to create an opening (4) and a base (5) for supporting a bottle
or can (10).
[0036] In FIG. 4 the base (5) of the receptacle is shaped or
contoured so as to engage a corresponding shaped portion of a
bottle/can received therein.
[0037] In FIG. 4 the base (5) of the receptacle has cut-away
corners (11) for improving the closeness of fit between a
bottle/can and receptacle. It is understood that the closer the fit
is between bottle/can and inner layer (6) of the receptacle the
greater is the thermo-insulating properties of the receptacle. The
cut-away corners also enable easier insertion of the bottle and
enhance the stability and inertial qualities of the receptacle when
placed on a surface such as a table.
[0038] In FIG. 7, the receptacle further includes a reflective
thermo-insulating layer made of an aluminium polyester material (9)
disposed either on the outer layer or the inner layer or between
the inner layer (6) and the outer layer (7). The reflective layer
(9) can be a silver lining. The reflective layer can be adhered to
either or both inner and outer thermo-insulating layers by way of
lamination and can also be used for decoration or promotion of
products and events.
[0039] Referring now to FIG. 8, the applicant has also found that
there is a preferred method of manufacture whereby the jacket is
produced from a rectangular blank of bubble wrap film. The jacket
is produced by cutting a template of the unsealed jacket, allowing
for the cut-out corners, which is then folded in half and seated
along one side and across the base to produce. An advantage of this
method is that there is only one seal on the sides, therefore
producing a more comfortable hold for the hand.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 9, another method of manufacture utilises
a rectangular unformed film of bubble wrap, which is folded along
the base and sealed along both sides. After sealing, the corners
are cut-out. Advantage of this method is that there is no seal
along the base, therefore producing a more stable article.
[0041] One method of sealing the seams is by way of heat shrinking,
another method is by compression in a press.
[0042] Throughout this specification:-
[0043] the words `comprising` and `comprises` mean including, but
non limited to, or includes, without limitation; and
[0044] any references to a patent specification is not an admission
that the contents of that specification are part of the common
general knowledge of a person skilled in the art in Australia.
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