U.S. patent application number 13/114256 was filed with the patent office on 2011-09-15 for insulated covers for beverage container.
Invention is credited to Robert R. Poole, Ray Reynolds.
Application Number | 20110220670 13/114256 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44558997 |
Filed Date | 2011-09-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110220670 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Poole; Robert R. ; et
al. |
September 15, 2011 |
Insulated Covers for Beverage Container
Abstract
An insulated beverage holder comprises a cylindrical body to
receive a beverage container and a lid hingedly connected to the
body. The body comprises a bottom, cylindrical side wall, and open
top. The lid comprises two sections. A first section of the lid is
hingedly connected to the body. The second section of the lid is
hingedly connected to the first section. The lid is movable between
a closed position, partially open position, and fully open
position.
Inventors: |
Poole; Robert R.; (Clayton,
NC) ; Reynolds; Ray; (Knightdale, NC) |
Family ID: |
44558997 |
Appl. No.: |
13/114256 |
Filed: |
May 24, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12697361 |
Feb 1, 2010 |
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13114256 |
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61348796 |
May 27, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/739 ;
220/740 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/3879
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/739 ;
220/740 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/20 20060101
B65D025/20 |
Claims
1. An insulated holder for receiving a beverage container, said
insulated holder comprising: a body having a bottom, a sidewall,
and open top, said sidewall dimensioned to receive a beverage
container of predetermined size and shape; a snap-on lid configured
to be secured to the open top of the body, said lid including first
section and a second section hingedly connected to the first
section such that the second section is movable between a closed
position in which the first and second sections lie in the plane
and cover the open top, and a partially open position in which the
first section of the lid partially encloses the open top and the
second section of the lid is folded back against the first
section.
2. The insulated holder of claim 1 wherein the sidewall of the body
extends to a height above the top of a beverage container received
in the body.
3. The insulated holder of claim 1 further comprising a cut-out
disposed along a top edge of the sidewall to provide access to an
opening in the beverage container.
4. The insulated holder of claim 1 further comprising a first
retaining mechanism to retain the second section of the lid in a
folded position against the first section of the lid when the lid
is in the partially open position.
5. The insulated holder of claim 4 wherein the first retaining
mechanism comprises a first peg in one section of the lid and a
first hole in the other section of the lid to receive the first
peg.
6. The insulated holder of claim 1 further comprising ribs on an
inner surface of the sidewall to frictionally engage the beverage
container when the beverage container is inserted into the
insulated holder.
7. An insulated holder for receiving a beverage container, said
insulated holder comprising: a body having a bottom sidewall and
open top, said sidewall dimensioned to receive a beverage container
of predetermined size and shape; a lid configured to be secured to
the open top of the body, said lid including a sliding door for
providing access to said beverage container.
8. The insulated holder of claim 7 wherein the lid is pivotally
attached to the body.
9. The insulated holder of claim 7 wherein the lid is connected to
the body by a hinge.
10. The insulated holder of claim 7 further comprising a cut-out
form in the sidewall of the body adjacent the open top.
11. The insulated holder of claim 10 wherein the sliding door in
the lid is disposed adjacent the cut-out when the lid is attached
to open top.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/697,361 filed Feb. 1, 2010 and claims the
benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/348,796 filed May
27, 2010, both of which are incorporated herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates generally to insulated covers
for beverage containers and, more particularly, to insulated
holders having a lid for enclosing the beverage container.
[0003] One of the most popular beverage containers in use today is
the standard 12 oz. aluminum can. Aluminum cans provide a number of
benefits, including rapid chilling of beverages because the
aluminum is thermally conductive. For the same reason, beverages
packaged in aluminum cans tend to warm up quickly when exposed to
hot air. Thus, insulated beverage holders are frequently used to
slow down heat transfer while the beverage is being consumed. One
common type of beverage holder is the foam holder comprising a body
with a cylindrical wall, bottom, and open top. The foam rubber on
the bottom and sidewall of the can provides insulation and slows
down heat transfer. However, the upper end of the can remains
exposed to the air so that there is still substantial heat loss.
Further, because the standard foam insulator does not have a lid,
dust, debris, and insects may find their way into the beverage
container.
SUMMARY
[0004] An insulated beverage holder comprises a cylindrical body to
receive a beverage container and a lid hingedly connected to the
body. The body comprises a bottom, cylindrical side wall, and open
top. The lid comprises two sections. A first section of the lid is
hingedly connected to the body. The second section of the lid is
hingedly connected to the first section. The lid is movable between
a closed position, partially open position, and fully open
position. In the closed position, the lid encloses the open top of
the cylindrical body. In the partially open position, the first
section of the lid encloses a portion of the open top and the
second portion of the lid is folded back against the first portion.
In the fully open position, the lid is folded back against the side
wall of the cylindrical body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the insulated beverage
holder with a lid in a closed position.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an insulated beverage holder
with the lid in a partially open position.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the beverage holder with the
lid in a closed position.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the beverage holder with the
lid in a closed position.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the beverage holder with the
lid in a partially open position.
[0010] FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the beverage holder with the
lid in the open position.
[0011] FIG. 7 is a section view of the beverage holder.
[0012] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a beverage holder according
to a second embodiment with a detachable lid.
[0013] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a beverage holder according
to a third embodiment with a detachable lid in a closed
position.
[0014] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a beverage holder according
to the third embodiment with a detachable lid removed.
[0015] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a beverage holder according
to a fourth embodiment with a jack-knife style lid in a closed
position.
[0016] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a beverage holder according
to the fourth embodiment with a jack-knife style lid in an open
position.
[0017] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a beverage holder according
to a fifth embodiment with a flip lid in a closed position.
[0018] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a beverage holder according
to the fifth embodiment with a flip lid in an open position.
[0019] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a beverage holder according
to a sixth embodiment with a sliding door lid in a closed
position.
[0020] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a beverage holder according
to the sixth embodiment with a sliding door lid in an open
position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Referring now to the drawings a beverage holder according to
one embodiment of the present invention is shown therein and
indicated generally by the numeral 10. The beverage holder 10
comprises a generally cylindrical body 12 for receiving a standard
size beverage container and a lid 30. The body 12 and lid 30 are
made from a semi-rigid plastic material, such as polypropylene,
polystyrene, ABS foam, and foam rubber.
[0022] The body 12 comprises a bottom 14, side wall 16, and open
top 18. The bottom 14 includes a raised central portion 20 that
contacts the bottom of the beverage container as best seen in FIG.
7. A series of drain openings 22 allow condensation to drain from
the beverage holder 10. The cylindrical side wall 16 is dimensioned
to fit a standard beverage container, such as a 12 oz. aluminum
can. The side wall 16 extends to a height above the top of the
container. The diameter of the sidewall is slightly larger than the
outside diameter of the can. Ribs 24 extend vertically on the
inside surface of the side wall 16. Preferably, the side wall 16
includes three or more ribs 24. The ribs 24 provide a slight
interference fit with the beverage container so that the container
is held snuggly to prevent rotation of the container in the holder
10. A cut-out 26 is formed along the top edge of the sidewall 16 to
provide better access to the beverage container. A lip 28 extends
around the top edge of the side wall 16. As will be hereinafter
described in greater detail, the lip 28 is engaged by the lid 30
when the lid 30 is closed so that the lid 30 is retained in a
closed position.
[0023] The lid 30 comprises two sections, referred to herein as the
back section 32 and the front section 34. The back and front
sections 32, 34 of the lid 30 are joined by a live hinge 36. The
function of the live hinge 36 will be described below. The back
section 32 of the lid 30 is connected by a second hinge 38 to the
side wall 16. The lid 30 has a generally-circular form and includes
a lip 40 extending downward from its outer circumference. The lip
40 is broken where it intersects the live hinge 36 to allow folding
of the lid 30.
[0024] The lid 30 is movable between a closed position, a partially
open position, and an open position. In the closed position, shown
in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the back section 32 and front section 34 of
the lid 30 lie in a plane and enclose the open top 18 of the body
12. Lip 40 on the lid 30 engages lip 28 on the side wall 16 to
secure the lid 30 in the closed position. In the partially open
position, shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the front section 34 of the lid
30 folds back against the back section 32. A retaining mechanism 42
retains the lid 30 in the folded condition. In one exemplary
embodiment, the retaining mechanism comprises a peg 44 formed on
the back section 32, and a hole 46 on the front section 34. The peg
44 and hole 46 are sized to provide an interference fit. When the
front section 34 is folded back against the back section 32, the
peg 44 inserts into the hole 46 to secure the lid 30 in the folded
condition. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
other types of retaining mechanisms could also be used. For
example, the retaining mechanism may comprise locking tabs,
latches, hooks, magnets, VELCRO-type fasteners, or other similar
means to retain the back and front sections 32, 34 of the lid 30 in
the folded condition.
[0025] In the open position, shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the lid 30 is
folded back against the side wall 16. Note that the lid 30 remains
in a folded condition. A second retaining mechanism 48 holds the
lid 30 in the open position. In one exemplary embodiment, the
second retaining mechanism 48 comprises a peg 50 on an inside
surface of the front section 34 of the lid 30, and a mating hole 52
in the side wall 16. When the lid 30 is folded back against the
side wall 16, the peg 50 inserts into the hole 52 to secure the lid
in the open position. However, those skilled in the art will
appreciate that other types of retaining mechanisms could also be
used. For example, the retaining mechanism may comprise locking
tabs, latches, hooks, magnets, VELCRO-type fasteners, or other
similar means to retain the back and front sections 32, 34 of the
lid 30 in the open position.
[0026] FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment of the beverage holder 10.
For convenience, the same reference numbers are used to designate
the same or similar components. The beverage holder 10 comprises a
generally cylindrical body 12 as previously described for receiving
a standard size beverage container and a snap on lid 30. The body
12 comprises a bottom 14, side wall 16, and open top 18. The body
includes drainage holes 22 and ribs 24 as previously described and
shown in FIG. 7. A cut-out 26 is formed along the top edge of the
sidewall 16 to provide access to the beverage container. A lip 28
is formed at the top edge of the side wall 16 for engaging the lid
30. The snap on lid 30 in this embodiment is detachable from the
body 12 and includes a hinge 38 as previously described to enable
the front section 34 to fold back onto the back section 32. A peg
44 and hole 46 function as a retaining mechanism as previously
described.
[0027] FIGS. 9 and 10 show a third embodiment of the beverage
holder 10. For convenience, the same reference numbers are used to
designate the same or similar components. The beverage holder 10
comprises a generally cylindrical body 12 as previously described
for receiving a standard size beverage container and a snap on lid
30. The body 12 comprises a bottom 14, side wall 16, and open top
18. The body includes drainage holes 22 and ribs 24 as previously
described and shown in FIG. 7. A cut-out 26 is formed along the top
edge of the sidewall 16 to provide access to the beverage
container. A lip 28 is formed at the top edge of the side wall 16
for engaging the lid 30.
[0028] The lid 30 has a generally-circular form and includes a lip
40 extending downward from its outer circumference. Lip 40 on the
lid 30 engages lip 28 on the sidewall 16 when the lid 30 is closed
so that the lid 30 is retained in a closed position. The lid 30
snaps on to the cylindrical body 12 to close the beverage holder
(FIG. 9) and snaps off to open the beverage holder 10 (FIG.
10).
[0029] FIGS. 11 and 12 show a fourth embodiment of the beverage
holder 10. For convenience, the same reference numbers are used to
designate the same or similar components. The beverage holder 10
comprises a generally cylindrical body 12 as previously described
for receiving a standard size beverage container and a snap on lid
30. The body 12 comprises a bottom 14, side wall 16, and open top
18. The body includes drainage holes 22 and ribs as previously
described and shown in FIG. 7. A cut-out 26 is formed along the top
edge of the sidewall 16 to provide access to the beverage
container. A tab 60 is formed at the top edge of the sidewall 16
opposite the cut-out 26 to provide a structure for attaching the
lid 30. The lid 30 has a generally-circular form and pivotally
attaches to the tab 60. The lid 30 rotates in a horizontal plane
between a closed position (FIG. 11) and an open position (FIG.
12).
[0030] FIGS. 13 and 14 show a fifth embodiment of the beverage
holder 10. For convenience, the same reference numbers are used to
designate the same or similar components. The beverage holder 10
comprises a generally cylindrical body 12 as previously described
for receiving a standard size beverage container and a snap on lid
30. The body 12 comprises a bottom 14, side wall 16, and open top
18. The body includes drainage holes 22 and ribs 24 as previously
described and shown in FIG. 7. A cut-out 26 is formed along the top
edge of the sidewall 16 to provide access to the beverage
container. A lip 28 is formed at the top edge of the side wall 16
for engaging the lid 30.
[0031] A hinge 36 connects the lid 30 to the sidewall 16 so that
the lid 30 flips open and closed Lip 40 on the lid 30 engages lip
28 on the sidewall 16 when the lid 30 is closed so that the lid 30
is retained in a closed position (FIG. 13). In the open position,
the lid 30 flips back about hinge 36 (FIG. 14).
[0032] FIGS. 15 and 16 show a sixth embodiment of the beverage
holder 10. For convenience, the same reference numbers are used to
designate the same or similar components. The beverage holder 10
comprises a generally cylindrical body 12 as previously described
for receiving a standard size beverage container and a snap on lid
30. The body includes drainage holes 22 and ribs 24 as previously
described and shown in FIG. 7. A cut-out 26 is formed along the top
edge of the sidewall 16 to provide access to the beverage
container. A tab 60 is formed at the top edge of the sidewall 16
opposite the cut-out 26 to provide a structure for attaching the
lid 30. The lid 30 has a generally-circular form and pivotally
attaches to the tab 60. The lid 30 rotates in a horizontal plane
between a closed position and an open position as shown in FIGS. 10
and 11. In this embodiment, the lid 30 includes a sliding door 70
that allows the user to drink from the beverage container without
opening the lid 30.
[0033] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that additional
embodiments of the invention can be obtained by combining some of
the unique features of the illustrated embodiments. For example,
the folding lid 30 with the live hinge 36 and retaining mechanism
42 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-7 could be incorporated into
any of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 8-15. Also, the sliding door
70 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 could be incorporated
into any of the other embodiments shown.
[0034] The present invention may, of course, be carried out in
other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing
from the scope and essential characteristics of the invention. The
present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all
respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes
coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended
claims are intended to be embraced therein.
* * * * *