U.S. patent application number 10/580026 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-07 for insulating sleeve for a glass.
Invention is credited to Phillip Donnelly, Rayna Donnelly.
Application Number | 20070125791 10/580026 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34200634 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070125791 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Donnelly; Phillip ; et
al. |
June 7, 2007 |
Insulating sleeve for a glass
Abstract
An insulated sleeve for a drinking glass of the type having a
stem and a bowl, the sleeve adapted to extend about the glass and
comprising insulating material, the sleeve having an upper opening
and a lower opening, the upper opening having a peripheral edge
which, in use, extends about the bowl of the glass, the lower
opening being smaller than the upper opening and adapted to extend
about the stem of the glass, the sleeve having an elongated
releasable closure means extending from the lower opening and
adjacent to but spaced from the upper opening to allow the lower
opening to be enlarged prior to receiving the glass and then
reduced so that the sleeve snugly receives the glass therein.
Inventors: |
Donnelly; Phillip;
(Queensland, AU) ; Donnelly; Rayna; (Queensland,
AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOFFMAN WASSON & GITLER, P.C;CRYSTAL CENTER 2, SUITE 522
2461 SOUTH CLARK STREET
ARLINGTON
VA
22202-3843
US
|
Family ID: |
34200634 |
Appl. No.: |
10/580026 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
November 19, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU04/01605 |
371 Date: |
January 3, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/737 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/3888
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/737 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/00 20060101
B65D025/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 21, 2003 |
AU |
2003100960 |
Claims
1. An insulating sleeve for a drinking glass of the type having a
stem and a bowl, the sleeve adapted to extend about the glass and
comprising insulating material, the sleeve having an upper opening
and a lower opening, the upper opening having a peripheral edge
which, in use, extends about the bowl of the glass, the lower
opening being smaller than the upper opening and adapted to extend
about the stem of the glass, the sleeve having an elongate
releasable closure means extending from one said opening and
adjacent to but spaced from the other said opening to allow the one
said opening to be enlarged prior to receiving the glass and then
reduced so that the sleeve snugly receives the glass therein.
2. The sleeve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongate
releasable closure extends from the lower opening and adjacent to
but spaced below the upper opening to allow the lower opening to be
enlarged prior to receiving the glass.
3. The sleeve as claimed in claim 1 wherein the elongate closure is
a zip.
4. The sleeve as claimed in claim 1 wherein the upper opening of
the sleeve comprises an edge of a band, the band, in use, extending
about the bowl of the glass, the band being elastic to fit snugly
about the bowl.
5. The sleeve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insulating
material is elastic to enable it to stretch to accommodate bowls of
different sizes and to enable the sleeve to fit snugly about the
bowl.
6. The sleeve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower opening,
prior to enlargement, has a diameter of between 1-20 mm.
7. An insulating sleeve for a drinking vessel, the sleeve having an
upper opening and a lower opening which are spaced apart, the upper
opening and the lower opening having a peripheral edge which, in
use, extends about a part of the vessel, the sleeve having an
elongate releasable closure means extending from the lower opening
and adjacent to but below the upper opening to allow the lower
opening to be enlarged to facilitate attachment of the sleeve to
the drinking vessel.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to coolers for drinks and in
particular to an insulating sleeve for a glass for maintaining the
temperature of a drink when in a glass, for example a wine
glass.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Cooling sleeves for drinks and drink containers are quite
well known. In particular, cooling sleeves for beer bottles
(stubbies) or drink cans are well known. When first used, these
types of coolers were manufactured from polystyrene and were rigid
tube-shaped sleeves with a fixed diameter opening for holding the
drink.
[0003] A later development was directed towards solving the problem
that the polystyrene coolers were brittle and were easily damaged.
The development comprised the provision of a rigid plastic sleeve
around the polystyrene cooler to provide protection for the cooler.
The plastic was generally printed with a pattern.
[0004] A further development of coolers was the neoprene cooler for
bottles. These coolers were formed from tubes of neoprene, either
with or without a base wall. Due to the resilient nature of
neoprene, the cooler was dimensioned to be slightly smaller in
diameter than the bottle or can it was to contain and therefore the
cooler is slightly deformed as the bottle or can is inserted
therein and holds the container tightly therein.
[0005] These neoprene coolers have been used in the past for
individual bottles and cans and elongated versions have been
provided for holding more than one bottle or can.
[0006] Not all persons are comfortable drinking directly from a can
or bottle. This is particularly the case where a drink may be
served in a bottle or other container which holds more than one
serving of drink, for example a larger bottle or wine bottle.
[0007] It is particularly evident that when drinking wine, glasses
are used. These glasses suffer from the same or similar
disadvantages as a bottle suffers, namely cooling or heating of the
contents of the glass according to the ambient temperature. The
change in temperature may be further contributed to by a person's
body heat when holding a glass for extended periods. Wine glasses
and other glasses with stems are particularly problematic as the
bowl of the glass may be spaced from the base of the glass such
that conventional coolers for bottles and cans cannot be used with
stemmed glasses.
[0008] It is also quite well known to provide disposable (usually
paper or cardboard) members that can be placed around a hot glass
or cup to prevent burning of the person's fingers. These members
may comprise simple annular strips that are placed around the cup.
More sophisticated versions comprise stiff paper folded in a
particular manner to extend about the cup and also to provide a
degree of insulating to the person's fingers. It is also known to
provide a simple insulated tube that extends about the cup and is
gripped by the person's fingers to prevent the cup from slipping
out of the tube.
[0009] All of these suffer from disadvantages in that the members
are not reusable, do not hold the cup securely (or put differently,
do not snugly fit about the cup), and most of these members are
designed to prevent burning of the person's fingers but are not
particularly designed to insulate the contents of the cup.
A need therefore exists for a simple, cheap, portable insulating
sleeve which is particularly adapted for use with glasses, for
example wine glasses.
[0010] It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art
publication is referred to herein, this reference does not
constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the
common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other
country.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention is directed to an insulating sleeve
for a glass which may at least partially overcome at least one of
the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a
useful or commercial choice.
[0012] In one form, the invention resides in an insulating sleeve
for a drinking glass of the type having a stem and a bowl, the
sleeve adapted to extend about the glass and comprising insulating
material, the sleeve having an upper opening and a lower opening,
the upper opening having a peripheral edge which, in use, extends
about the bowl of the glass, the lower opening being smaller than
the upper opening and adapted to extend about the stem of the
glass, the sleeve having an elongate releasable closure means
extending from one said opening and adjacent to but spaced from the
other said opening to allow the one said opening to be enlarged
prior to receiving the glass and then reduced so that the sleeve
snugly receives the glass therein.
[0013] Suitably, the elongate releasable closure extends from the
lower opening and adjacent to but spaced below the upper opening to
allow the lower opening to be enlarged prior to receiving the
glass.
[0014] Suitably, the elongate closure is a zip.
[0015] Suitably the upper opening of the sleeve comprises an edge
of a band, the band, in use, extending about the bowl of the glass,
the band being elastic to fit snugly about the bowl.
[0016] Suitably the insulating material is elastic to enable it to
stretch to accommodate bowls of different sizes and to enable the
sleeve to fit snugly about the bowl.
[0017] Suitably the lower opening, prior to enlargement, has a
diameter of between 1-20 millimetres.
[0018] In a broader form, the invention comprises an insulating
sleeve for a drinking vessel, the sleeve having an upper opening
and a lower opening which are spaced apart, the upper opening and
the lower opening having a peripheral edge which, in use, extends
about a part of the vessel, the sleeve having an elongate
releasable closure means extending from the lower opening and
adjacent to but below the upper opening to allow the lower opening
to be enlarged to facilitate attachment of the sleeve to the
drinking vessel.
[0019] In a broader form, the invention comprises an insulating
sleeve for a drinking vessel, the sleeve having an upper opening
and a lower opening which are spaced apart, the upper opening
having a peripheral edge which, in use, extends about a part of the
vessel, the sleeve having a releasable closure means extending from
the to allow the sleeve to be enlarged to facilitate attachment of
the sleeve to the drinking vessel.
[0020] In use, the invention may find particular application when
used with wine or other stemmed glasses.
[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the insulated sleeve
may define a large opening therein in order to allow the rim of the
bowl of the glass to be available to a user to drink from. A second
smaller opening may be defined to accommodate the stem of the
glass. The insulated sleeve of this embodiment may therefore be
adapted to insulate or cover the bowl of the glass, but leave the
remainder of the glass, particularly the stem and foot of the glass
free.
[0022] The insulating sleeve may be shaped to accommodate glasses
having different shapes. For example, it is known that white wine
glasses are shaped differently to red wine glasses which are shaped
differently to glasses used for champagne or other sparkling wine
varieties. The shape of the body member may be shaped to correspond
to the shape of the bowl of the glasses with which it will mainly
be used.
[0023] The insulating material used may preferably be neoprene
which is a synthetic rubber, but other resilient insulating
materials may be used. Neoprene has a high resistance to heat and
petroleum based products, and was first used for hoses and
insulation for cables. Due to its flexibility, durability and
insulation properties, it has found particular application as a
material for wet suits.
[0024] The neoprene used in the manufacture of the insulating
sleeve may feature "shape memory". If the item is squashed, it will
pop back into shape in a short time. The body of the insulating
sleeve may suitably be slightly smaller than the bowl of the glass
with which it is used in order to provide a snug fit of the bowl of
the glass in the body member.
[0025] The material may be used in differing thicknesses and be
available in thickness ranging from 2 mm to 10 mm, depending on the
product. Preferably, the thickness will be about 3 mm.
[0026] The body member may be covered on both sides by coloured
absorbent jersey or other material in order to provide additional
protection, grip enhancing qualities or aesthetic qualities.
[0027] The body member may be formed from a substantially planar
member which may be folded, wrapped or even sewn into shape. The
body member may for example, be wrapped about the bowl of the glass
and secured about the bowl by clips, zips, Velcro or any other
attachment means.
[0028] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the body
member may be formed of two substantially similar planar portions.
The two planar portions may be sewn together along an edge of each.
The opposing edges may be associated with one another to define the
at least one opening to receive a glass. The association may be
made using a releasable closure means such as a zip, one or more
clips or Velcro. Preferably, the closure means may be adapted to
allow the at least one opening in the body member to be enlarged
prior to receiving the glass and then reduced so that the body
member snugly receives the glass therein.
[0029] The portions of the body member may be glued together using
a two part neoprene adhesive. Alternatively, the portions may be
sewn together to form a more durable association. The seams so
formed by sewing may be zigzag or overlocking stitching, depending
on the product. A strong thread may be used, preferably of
polyester/cotton blend.
[0030] The body member may include piping or edging to enhance the
durability or aesthetic qualities. The piping may be between 5 mm
and 20 mm in width depending on the product. The piping may be
attached to the body member by overlooking using a polyester/cotton
blend stitching.
[0031] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the
closure means may be or comprise a zip. The zip may be light or
heavy duty, depending on the size of the product and the thickness
of the sleeve.
[0032] The zip may be a nylon or plastic zip, having a metal
slider. It may be attached adjacent to an edge of the portions
using a running or overlocking stitching.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] An embodiment of the invention will be described with
reference to the following drawings, in which:
[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates a set of three wine glasses of different
sizes and illustrates three different insulating sleeves to
accommodate the three glasses.
[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates the same insulating sleeves from the
other side and now particularly showing the elongate closure (the
zip) in each insulating sleeve.
[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates a close-up view of an insulating sleeve
around a wine glass and in the "open" position.
[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates a view similar to that of FIG. 3 but
without the wine glass.
[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates an inverted view of the insulating sleeve
with a zip in the closed position and particularly showing the
smaller opening.
[0039] FIG. 6 illustrates a view similar to that of FIG. 5 but this
time with the insulating sleeve in the "unzipped" position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0040] Referring to the illustrations and initially to FIGS. 1 and
2, there is illustrated a set of three wine glasses 10-12 each of
different size. Attached to each wine glass is an insulating sleeve
13-15 according to an embodiment of the invention. Thus, it is
clearly illustrated that the insulating sleeve can be of various
shapes and sizes to accommodate different types of wine glasses or
other types of drinking vessels.
[0041] FIG. 2 illustrates the other side of the insulating sleeves
and particularly illustrates the elongate closure member which, in
the particular embodiment, comprises a zip 16. However, it is
envisaged that other types of closure members may be provided.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 3, there is illustrated in greater detail
an insulating sleeve. The insulating sleeve is made of synthetic
cushioning material which is slightly elastic and therefore enables
the sleeve to be slightly stretched to snugly fit around a wine
glass. The sleeve is cushioned and therefore it is preferred that
the sleeve has a thickness of between 1-10 mm and preferably
between 3-6 mm to provide a good cushioning and also a good
insulating effect. The cushioning material can also protect the
glass against breakage should the glass be tipped over and
therefore protects against sharp glass edges that may be present if
the glass breaks. This is a feature not found in many existing
disposable holders which are typically made from paper. The
insulating sleeve may therefore also be suitable for use with
glasses or cups to be held by children, invalid people, people with
arthritic conditions, etc.
[0043] In the particular embodiment, the insulating material is
neoprene which may also comprise "wet suit" material.
[0044] In the particular embodiment, the insulating sleeve is made
in two pieces that are joined together typically by stitching to
provide the sleeve.
[0045] The insulating sleeve has an upper opening 17 and a lower
opening 18, and a side wall 19 that has a variable length but will
typically have a length of between 5-12 cm depending on the size of
the glass. The diameter of the upper opening can vary but will
typically be between 5-10 cm again depending on the size of the
glass. The upper opening comprises an upper edge of a
circumferential band 20 that is elastic to some degree and
therefore assists in gripping the glass to hold the insulating
sleeve to the glass. The circumferential band 20 may also assist in
preventing drips from contacting the person's hand.
[0046] The entire insulating sleeve is also somewhat elastic to
enable it to fit glasses having slightly different sizes which
means that relatively few different sleeves can fit most glasses.
The elastic expansion will be between 5-20%.
[0047] The insulating sleeve has a lower opening 18 which is
adapted in the particular embodiment to fit around the stem 21 of
the wine glass. Therefore, the lower opening can be quite small and
will typically have a "closed" diameter of between 1-10 mm as will
be described in greater detail below.
[0048] The insulating sleeve comprises an elongate releasable
closure member which in the particular embodiment comprises the zip
16. Zip 16 extends from and communicates with the lower opening 18
and extends up to but below band 20. When the zip is in the open
position (see FIGS. 3, 4 and 6), the lower opening 18 is enlarged
and the entire insulating sleeve can be opened up to enable a wine
glass to pass into the sleeve. When the zip is in the closed
position (see FIG. 2, FIG. 5), the insulating sleeve fits snugly
about the wine glass.
[0049] FIG. 5 shows the zip in the closed position and shows the
insulating sleeve in the upside-down position and particularly
illustrates that the lower opening 18 is quite small when the zip
is closed.
[0050] In use, the zip is opened and the sleeve can be easily
fitted about a wine glass. The zip can then be closed to fit the
insulating sleeve snugly about the wine glass.
[0051] The insulating sleeve will keep wine or other liquid in the
glass from heating up or cooling down (depending on the ambient
temperature) for longer than would be otherwise possible. The
insulating sleeve will also improve the grip of the persons fingers
on the wine glass. The insulating sleeve, when used with hot
beverages, will prevent burning of the person's fingers.
[0052] The insulating sleeve can be easily removed by opening the
zip and pulling the sleeve downwardly and over stem 21. Thus, the
insulating sleeve does not need to touch the drinking rim of the
wine glass.
[0053] In the particular embodiment, the arrangement of the
elongate closure (zip) is such that the insulating sleeve cannot be
opened completely up into a flat state. It is found that this
enables the sleeve to be more quickly attached and removed from the
glass and enables this to be done in a one-handed operation.
[0054] The portions of the body member are sewn together to form a
more durable association. The seams so formed by sewing may be
zigzag or overlocking stitching, depending on the product. A strong
thread may be used, preferably of polyester/cotton blend.
[0055] The body member also includes piping or edging to enhance
the durability or aesthetic qualities. The piping is attached to
the body member by overlocking using a polyester/cotton blend
stitching.
[0056] The zip 16 is a nylon or plastic zip, having a metal slider.
It is attached adjacent to an edge of the portions using a running
or overlooking stitching.
[0057] In the present specification and claims, the word
"comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and
"comprise" include each of the stated integers but does not exclude
the inclusion of one or more further integers.
[0058] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment"
or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is
included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,
the appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an
embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not
necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the
particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined
in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.
[0059] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been
described in language more or less specific to structural or
methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is
not limited to specific features shown or described since the means
herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention
into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its
forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended
claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.
* * * * *