U.S. patent application number 11/734397 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-18 for insulator.
Invention is credited to John Szymanski.
Application Number | 20070241117 11/734397 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38603875 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070241117 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Szymanski; John |
October 18, 2007 |
Insulator
Abstract
An insulator for a beverage container wherein the beverage
container is of a generally cylindrical form and wherein the
insulator is formed of a sheet material having thermal insulating
properties and comprises a cylindrical body (11) a having an upper
and a lower end, said body having an internal configuration which
is substantially complementary to the beverage container, the upper
portion of the body supporting a closure (15) which when closed
closes the upper end, the closure is hingedly supported from one
side of the body to be movable between the closed position at which
it fully closes the space and an open position at which the upper
portion of the space can be accessed, the upper edge of the body
being formed with a profiled portion (21) to define a concave notch
portion and wherein the closure has a complementary formation which
will be received in the notch portion when the closure is in the
closed position.
Inventors: |
Szymanski; John; (Gracetown,
AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STURM & FIX LLP
206 SIXTH AVENUE
SUITE 1213
DES MOINES
IA
50309-4076
US
|
Family ID: |
38603875 |
Appl. No.: |
11/734397 |
Filed: |
April 12, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/737 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/3879
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/737 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/00 20060101
B65D025/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 12, 2006 |
AU |
2006901927 |
Claims
1. An insulator for a beverage container wherein the beverage
container is of a generally cylindrical form and wherein the
insulator is formed of a sheet material having thermal insulating
properties and comprises a cylindrical body a having an upper and a
lower end, said body having an internal configuration which is
substantially complementary to the beverage container, the upper
portion of the body supporting a closure which when closed closes
the upper end, the closure is hingedly supported from one side of
the body to be movable between the closed position at which it
fully closes the space and an open position at which the upper
portion of the space can be accessed, the upper edge of the body
being formed with a profiled portion to define a concave notch
portion and wherein the closure has a complementary formation which
will be received in the notch portion when the closure is in the
closed position.
2. An insulator as claimed at claim 1 wherein the internal
configuration of the body is such that the material of which the
body is formed is not placed in a state of tension when in use
accommodating the beverage container.
3. An insulator as claimed at claim 2 wherein the internal
configuration of the body is such that the beverage container is
snugly accommodated within the space.
4. An insulator as claimed at claim 1 wherein the closure comprises
an end panel which is dimensioned to be received across the upper
end of the body and wherein the formation extends axially from the
end panel.
5. An insulator as claimed at claim 4 wherein the closure is formed
with a skirt portion which extends axially from the end panel, the
skirt incorporating the formation and configured such that when the
closure is in the closed position the skirt forms an extension of
the body and its axial edge is in abutting relationship with the
upper edge.
6. An insulator as claimed at claim 5 wherein the closure is
hingedly supported from the body by a portion of said sheet
material.
7. An insulator as claimed at claim 6 wherein the portion of sheet
material is common to both the skirt and the body.
8. An insulator as claimed at claim 5 wherein closure is supported
from the body by an adhesive tape which extends between the body
and the skirt.
9. An insulator as claimed at claim 5 wherein, the formation is
located on the closure in opposed relation to the hinged support
for the closure from the body.
10. An insulator as claimed at claim 6 wherein, the formation is
located on the closure in opposed relation to the hinged support
for the closure from the body.
11. An insulator as claimed at claim 7 wherein, the formation is
located on the closure in opposed relation to the hinged support
for the closure from the body.
12. An insulator as claimed at claim 8 wherein, the formation is
located on the closure in opposed relation to the hinged support
for the closure from the body.
13. An insulator as claimed at claim 5 wherein the body is formed
from a panel of said sheet material having the configuration of a
right angled quadrilateral having two opposed ends and two opposed
sides and wherein the opposed ends are connected end to end, a line
of severance is formed across the sheet between the ends at a
position spaced from one side, wherein the line of severance
defines the upper edge and the portion between the line of
severance and the one side defines the skirt.
14. An insulator as claimed at claim 13 wherein the line of
severance extends between the ends of the panel and the closure is
supported from the body by an adhesive tape which extends between
the body and the skirt.
15. An insulator as claimed at claim 14 wherein the line of
severance extends for only a portion of the width of the panel
between the ends of the panel to provide an unsevered portion.
16. An insulator as claimed at claim 15 wherein the line of
severance terminates short of both ends of the panel.
17. An insulator as claimed at claim 15 wherein the unsevered
portion of the panel lies intermediate of the line of severance
18. An insulator as claimed at claim 15 wherein the unsevered
portion of the panel provides the hinged support for the closure
from the body.
19. An insulator as claimed at claim 16 wherein the unsevered
portion of the panel provides the hinged support for the closure
from the body.
20. An insulator as claimed at claim 17 wherein the unsevered
portion of the panel provides the hinged support for the closure
from the body.
21. An insulator as claimed at 13 wherein the ends of the panel are
interconnected by a length of adhesive tape which extends along the
length of the ends of the panel and is affixed to overlie the
abutting ends of the panel.
22. An insulator as claimed at claim 21 wherein the length of tape
provides the hinged support between the closure and the body.
23. An insulator as claimed at claim 1 wherein, the formation is
located on the closure in opposed relation to the hinged support
for the closure from the body.
24. An insulator as claimed at claim 5 wherein, the formation is
located on the closure in opposed relation to the hinged support
for the closure from the body.
25. An insulator as claimed at claim 13 wherein, the formation is
boated on the closure in opposed relation to the hinged support for
the closure from the body.
26. An insulator as claimed at claim 1 wherein the lower end is
closed by an end panel.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to an insulator which can be used to
accommodate a beverage container such as a drink can.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Forms of such insulators have been known for some period of
time. I in most cases the insulator does not extend for the full
height of the beverage container. One of the principle reasons for
such is that provision needs to be made for the lips of the
consumer when drinking from the container and to facilitate this a
clearance is usually provided between the upper edge of the
insulator and the upper edge of the can. This results in a
significant portion of the container not being insulated.
[0003] In addition, in the situation where the contents of the
container are not consumed immediately, there is always the danger
that insects and/or flying debris or like may enter the container
through the opening provided in the upper face of the can.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Throughout the specification, unless the context requires
otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or
"comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated
integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other
integer or group of integers.
[0005] Accordingly, the invention resides in an insulator for a
beverage container wherein the beverage container is of a generally
cylindrical form and wherein the insulator is formed of a sheet
material having thermal insulating properties and comprises a
cylindrical body a having an upper and a lower end, said body
having an internal configuration which is substantially
complementary to the beverage container, the upper portion of the
body supporting a closure which when closed closes the upper end,
the closure is hingedly supported from one side of the body to be
movable between the closed position at which it fully closes the
space and an open position at which the upper portion of the space
can be accessed, the upper edge of the body being formed with a
profiled portion to define a concave notch portion and wherein the
closure has a complementary formation which will be received in the
notch portion when the closure is in the closed position.
[0006] According to a preferred feature of the invention the
internal configuration of the body is such that the material of
which the body is formed is not placed in a state of tension when
in use accommodating the beverage container. According to a
preferred feature of the invention the internal configuration of
the body is such that the beverage container is snugly accommodated
within the space.
[0007] According to a preferred feature of the invention the
formation is located on the closure in opposed relation to the
hinged support for the closure from the body.
[0008] According to a preferred feature of the invention the
closure comprises an end panel which is dimensioned to be received
across the upper end of the body and wherein the formation extends
axially from the end panel. According to a preferred feature of the
invention the closure is formed with a skirt portion which extends
axially from the end panel, the skirt incorporating the formation
and configured such that when the closure is in the closed position
the skirt forms an extension of the body and its axial edge is in
abutting relationship with the upper edge. According to a preferred
feature of the invention the closure is hingedly supported from the
body by a portion of said sheet material. According to a preferred
feature of the invention the portion of sheet material is common to
both the skirt and the body. According to a preferred feature of
the invention the closure is supported from the body by an adhesive
tape which extends between the body and the skirt.
[0009] According to a preferred feature of the invention the body
is formed from a panel of said sheet material having the
configuration of a right angled quadrilateral having two opposed
ends and two opposed sides and wherein the opposed ends are
connected end to end, a line of severance is formed across the
sheet between the ends at a position spaced from one side, wherein
the line of severance defines the upper edge and the portion
between the line of severance and the one side defines the
skirt.
[0010] According to a preferred feature of the invention the line
of severance extends between the ends of the panel and the closure
is supported from the body by an adhesive tape which extends
between the body and the skirt.
[0011] According to a preferred feature of the invention the line
of severance extends for only a portion of the width of the panel
between the ends of the panel. According to a preferred feature of
the invention wherein the line of severance terminates short of
both ends of the panel. According to an alternative preferred
feature of the invention the unsevered portion of the panel lies
intermediate of the line of severance. According to a preferred
feature of the invention the unsevered portion of the panel
provides the hinged support for the closure from the body.
[0012] According to a preferred feature of the invention the ends
of the panel are interconnected by a length of adhesive tape which
extends along the length of the ends of the panel and is affixed to
overlie the abutting ends of the panel.
[0013] According to a preferred feature of the invention the line
of severance terminates short of at least one end of the panel the
length of tape provides the hinged support between the closure and
the body.
[0014] According to a preferred feature of the invention the lower
end closed by an end panel.
[0015] The invention will be more fully understood in light of the
following description of several specific embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The description is made with reference to the accompanying
drawings of which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an insulator according to the
first embodiment with the closure in the closed position;
[0018] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the first embodiment with the
closure in the open position;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the first embodiment with the
closure open;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a side elevation corresponding it to the first
embodiment as shown at FIG. 3 and in which the embodiment is
disposed through 90.degree.:
[0021] FIG. 5 is a similar view to that of FIGS. 3 and 4 with the
embodiment disposed through 180.degree. with respect to the view of
FIG. 4;
[0022] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the second embodiment of the
invention with the closure in the closed position;
[0023] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the second embodiment showing
the closure open;
[0024] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the third embodiment showing
the closure dosed;
[0025] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the third embodiment with the
closure open; and
[0026] FIG. 10 is rear isometric view of a fourth embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0027] Each of the embodiments is directed to an insulated holder
which is intended to accommodate a beverage container in the form
of a cylindrical can. The insulator is formed of a foam insulating
material such as neoprene and or a rubber sheeting which is used
with wet suits. The insulator of each embodiment comprises a
generally cylindrical body 11 having closed end faces. The side
wall 11 of the body is formed from a substantially rectangular
panel of sheet material which is interconnected at its ends by a
suitable adhesive or adhesive tape to hold the ends into engagement
and to define a cylindrical interior space which is complimentary
to the configuration of the can which is to be accommodated by the
insulator. The dimensions of the panel are such that the space
defined within the body will snugly engage the can without being
placed substantially in a state of tension
[0028] In the case of each embodiment the end faces of the
cylindrical space are closed by circular end panels. The end panels
may be dimensioned such that they have an outer dimension
corresponding to the outer dimension of the side wall 11 and
therefore will overlie the outer most edges of the side walls 11 or
alternatively may have a diameter corresponding to the internal
diameter of the side walls 11 such that they are received within
the outer edges of the side wall.
[0029] In the case of each embodiment the body is formed with a
closure portion 15 which comprises one end panel 13 and the upper
portion 17 of the side wall 11 which provides an axial skirt
extending from the end panel. The upper portion 17 of the side wall
11 which defines the closure is defined by a severance line 19
which is cut into the panel of sheet material forming the side wall
before the ends of the panel are fixed together.
[0030] In the case of each embodiment the profile of the severance
line 19 is formed to provide a concave notch shaped portion 21 in
the upper edge of the main body. The notch portion 21 will
accommodate for the lower lip of a consumer which drinking from a
can accommodated within the insulator to allow the wall of the
beverage container in the region of the opening to will be engaged
by the lower lip to provide an adequate seal there between. The
upper portion 17 of the side wall is formed with a formation 23
which is complementary to the notch shaped portion 21
[0031] Each embodiment has an aperture 25 is provided in the end
panel 13a at a position at which it will be in alignment with the
opening with a beverage container when accommodated within the body
to enable the insertion of a straw into the beverage container for
the consumption of the contents without the need to open the
body.
[0032] Each embodiment provides an insulated holder for a drink can
whereby when not in use the full surface of the can be insulated.
When it becomes necessary to consume the contents of the can, these
can be consumed by utilising a straw which is inserted through the
aperture 23 into the contents of the open can. Alternatively the
closure 15 can be opened to provide access by the lips of the
consumer to the edges of the can in the region of the opening. The
holder according to the embodiment also provides the advantage that
any insects which may be in the region will not be permitted to
enter the beverage container through the opening through the
protection provided by the closure. In addition the presence of the
notch-shaped portion 21 serves to enable the lips of the user to
sealingly engage with the side wall of the can when drinking
directly form the can
[0033] In the case of the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5 the
severance line terminates short of the joined ends of the sheet
material to provide a hinge portion 23 of the body of the panel
which interconnects the closure 15 with the lower portion of the
insulator. This remaining hinge portion 25 serves to provide a
resilient hinge which supports the closure 15 from the main body.
The hinged connection provided by the hinge portion 27 for the
closure 15 from the main body of the side wall provides that of the
closure will be biased towards the closed position. The biasing
action is enhanced by the circumstance that the hinge portion 15 is
a part of the curved cylindrical wall of the insulator. Therefore
when the closure is moved to the open position the hinge portion is
flexed as result of the bending action about a substantially linear
tangential axis which causes the hinge portion to also be deflected
from its curved state as result of forming apart of the cylindrical
wall of the body.
[0034] The second embodiment as shown at FIGS. 6 and 7 is of a
similar form to that of the previous embodiment with the exception
that the severance line 19 extends for the full extent of the sheet
material and the hinged connection is provided by a tape which is
used to interconnect the abutting ends of the panel defining side
wall and serves to retain the closure in position on the lower
portion of the main body.
[0035] The third embodiment as shown at FIGS. 8 and 9 is of a
similar form to that of the second embodiment with the exception
that the portion of the side wall 17 which defines the closure 15
and the lower portion of the side wall does not extend for the full
circular extent of the body but provides for the formation 23 which
is complementary to the notch shaped portion 21.
[0036] In the case of the fourth embodiment as shown at FIG. 10 it
is of a similar form to the first embodiment with the exception
that the severance line 19 is terminated at each end by an axial
cut 25. The axial cuts serves to avoid the possibility that with
use and regular flexing the severance line 19 will extend until the
ends of the severance line interconnect. The axial cuts also
provide that the hinging action provided by the hinge portion will
be effected over an area of the side wall of the cylindrical wall
of the body rather than along a line as in the case of the first
embodiment.
[0037] The present invention is not to be limited in scope by any
of the specific embodiments described herein. These embodiments are
intended for the purpose of exemplification only. Functionally
equivalent products and methods are clearly within the scope of the
invention as described herein.
* * * * *