U.S. patent application number 12/129166 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-03 for wine glass insulator.
Invention is credited to Lillie Stack.
Application Number | 20090294463 12/129166 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41378511 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090294463 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stack; Lillie |
December 3, 2009 |
Wine glass insulator
Abstract
A device for enveloping the exterior of drinking containers. The
device includes a flexible wrap placed on the exterior of a
drinking container, the flexible wrap shaped to accommodate
stemware, glassware, wine glasses, and the like. The device secures
to the drinking container, and provides insulation and handling
grip for the user.
Inventors: |
Stack; Lillie; (Virginia
Beach, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DUNCAN G. BYERS PC
142 W. York Street, Suite 910
NORFOLK
VA
23510
US
|
Family ID: |
41378511 |
Appl. No.: |
12/129166 |
Filed: |
May 29, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/739 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/3879
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/739 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/38 20060101
B65D081/38 |
Claims
1. A device for enveloping the exterior of a irregular shaped
container comprising: a. flexible material and; b. a means for
securing the flexible material around a container.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible material is an
insulating material.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible material is
impervious to liquid.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible material comprises
gripping characteristics.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible material is
constructed of fabric.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible material is
constructed of a synthetic rubber.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein the synthetic rubber is chosen
from the group consisting of Neoprene, Spandex, Polystyrene, and
Polyurethane.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for securing attachment
is longitudinally incorporated into surface of the insulating
material.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for securing attachment
of flexible material around a container is the flexible
material.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein the means of securing attachment
of flexible material comprises a zipper.
11. The device of claim 1, wherein the means of securing attachment
of flexible material comprises a hook-and-loop attachment
means.
12. The device of claim 1, wherein the means of securing attachment
of flexible material comprises a shoe lace configuration.
13. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible material comprises
one or more outer walls connected together whereby creating a three
dimensional bell shape, the one or more outer walls configured such
that the device comprises a generally cylindrically-shaped
container with two or more openings, two of the openings being
distal to one another, one opening larger than the other, and the
device narrowing in circumference over the length of the
device.
14. The device of claim 13, wherein the one or more outer walls are
fastened together by fastening means chosen from the group
comprising stitching and adhesive.
15. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible material conforms
to the shape of the bell of a stemmed glass.
16. A device for enveloping the bell of a stemmed glass comprising:
a. a flexible material, the flexible material having insulating and
gripping characteristics, and; b. a securing means for attaching
said device to the bell of a stemmed glass.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to devices intended to make beverage
drinking a more enjoyable experience. In particular, the present
invention relates to devices intended to supplement the insulation
and handling characteristics of existing beverage containers.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Beverage containers, whether they contain hot or cold
drinks, have a common flaw; materials generally used for beverage
containers (metals, glass, plastics and the like) have little or no
insulating properties. Therefore, unless the container is designed
with integral insulation, heat transfers through the container. The
lack of insulation results in the beverage losing its optimal
temperature (either heating up or cooling down), as well as making
handling an uninsulated beverage container uncomfortable for the
user. Further, the heat transfer that occurs through a beverage
container can cause condensation on the surface of the container
("sweating"), which not only affects a person's ability to handle
the container but may also cause water damage to furniture and the
like.
[0005] These problems with heat transfer are inherent in all
beverage containers, whether shipping, storage and delivery
containers or containers used for consumption of beverages. There
are, however, significant differences between the different classes
of containers. Glass and stem ware is designed and intended to
enhance the enjoyment of a beverage. For example, specific stem
ware is designed to allow wines and beers to "breathe," enhancing
the bouquet and flavor of the beverage. Glass and stem ware is also
generally intended to enhance the visual presentation of a
beverage.
[0006] Over the past years, numerous solutions to the problems
associated with the heat transfer through the walls of a beverage
container have been proposed, and a portion of those solutions
provide for insulating wraps or jackets only for beverage
containers. However, the current art provides insulating wraps and
jackets for bottles and other containers used for shipping, storage
and delivery of beverages (such as beer or soda bottles and cans).
Existing wraps and jackets cannot be utilized for other containers,
such as stem ware. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,655,543 issued to
Beuke discloses an adaptable beverage container insulator. However,
the Bueke invention is designed for the shipping, storage and
delivery containers discussed above, and cannot be adapted for use
on beverage containers such as open-mouth glass wear, stem ware,
and the like.
[0007] What is needed, therefore, is a device that will insulate
beverage drinking containers. In particular, what is needed is a
device that is adapted to provide insulation and grip enhancement
to stem ware and other glass wear, such as wine glasses, martini
glasses, beer glasses and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is a flexible device for enveloping
the exterior of an irregular shaped container. The flexible device
supplements the insulation and handling characteristics of existing
beverage containers.
[0009] It is an object of the invention to provide a means for
securely attaching or detaching the flexible material to or from
the irregular shaped container. When the means for attachment is
disengaged the flexible device expands whereby allowing it to slide
over the shape of the irregular container. When the means for
attachment is engaged, the device tightens about the shape of the
irregular glass whereby enveloping securely about the shape of the
container.
[0010] The means for secure attachment may utilize various
different types of fasteners such as but not limited to zippers,
velcro, snap on buttons or a shoe lace configuration or any
combination thereof. The means for attachment is preferably
incorporated longitudinally within the outer walls of the
device.
[0011] The means for attachment can also be the flexible nature of
the material itself whereby the device stretches when pulled over
container, once the material is in the engaged position, the
elastic nature of the material itself constricts and conforms
around the container.
[0012] It is a further embodiment of the present invention to
provide a flexible device that comprises one or more walls stitched
together in the shape that conforms to the bell of a stemmed glass.
The stitching connecting the one or more walls may also be
expandable allowing for further expansion and flexibility of the
flexible device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 shows a front view of an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 shows a front view of an embodiment of the present
invention in use.
[0016] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
device for enveloping a beverage container, the device providing
insulation for the beverage container.
[0017] It is yet a further object of the present invention to
provide an insulating device for drinking glasses, the device
shaped to fit stemware such as wine glasses and having means to
close the insulating device around the stemware.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Referring now to FIG. 1, the device for enveloping the
exterior of an irregular shaped container comprises a first half
100 and a second half 101. The first half 100 and the second half
101 are preferentially comprised of a flexible material. The
flexible material is preferentially chosen from the group of
materials that are insulating and improve friction, such as pliable
foam rubber. Pliable foam rubber not only insulates as a result of
dead air spaces incorporated into the structure of the foam rubber,
but the resulting material is also flexible and expandable. The
first half 100 and second half 101 are connected by one or more
seams 104. The one or more seams 104 is preferentially comprised of
connecting materials such as stitching, adhesives, or expandable
materials such as elastics and the like.
[0019] The first half 100 and the second half 101 are generally
shaped such that when connected together by the one or more seams
104 they form a hollow symmetrical cylindrical shape with a larger
cylindrical end that becomes narrower towards the other end of the
open cylindrical shape. This results in a narrow opening 106 and a
wide opening 107.
[0020] The first half 100 may further comprise an opening 102. In
order to allow the device to accommodate various sizes and designs
of containers, the device separates for a portion of the first half
100 at the opening 102, allowing the first half 100 to spread wider
than the material that the device is constructed from would
normally allow. This allows additional expansion of the narrow
opening 106, thus allowing the device to be placed over a wide
range of containers. The device may further comprise closing means
103, securing the two sides of the opening 102. The closing means
may comprise a zipper, hook-and-loop fastener, or shoe lace type
fastening configuration attached to the device at 105 by stitching
means, adhesive, and the like. However, one skilled in the art
would recognize that many other securing means may be available to
perform substantially the same function as that provided by a
zipper, hook-and-loop fastener, or shoe lace fastener. It will also
be understood that the closing means 103 can be comprised of a
material, attached to the sides of the opening 102, that has a
large elasticity such that the material may expand to allow
expansion of the opening 102, and the material would then retract
once the device is in place around a container, effecting closure
of the opening 102. The device may further comprise material with
sufficient elasticity such that the opening 102 and closing means
103 are comprised solely of the material of which the remainder of
the device is comprised.
[0021] The closing means 103 may be attached at a seam 105 or the
like, either through stitching, adhesive, or the like.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 2, the opening 102 is placed such that
when it is in an unfastened position it allows the first half 100
to separate longitudinally along the line of the opening 102
extending from the narrow opening 106 and ending in the proximity
of the wide opening 107 whereby allowing the flexible device to
expand and disengage from an irregular container. Referring to FIG.
3, the flexible device is engaged around an irregular shaped
container, a stemmed glass. When the opening 102 is in the closed
position, the flexible material is restricted allowing the first
half 100 and the second half 101 to conform to the contour of the
outer surface of the container 108.
[0023] It will be understood that the description provided herein
is merely illustrative, and should not be considered limiting. It
will be further understood that the present invention may utilize
various flexible materials for the construction of the flexible
device such as fabric, rubber, synthetics and the like. It will
also be understood that the present invention may utilize one or
more walls in various configurations to obtain the required
objective shape.
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