U.S. patent application number 13/252961 was filed with the patent office on 2012-10-18 for insulated beverage holder.
This patent application is currently assigned to KoolyKo, LLC. Invention is credited to Russell James White.
Application Number | 20120261408 13/252961 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47005663 |
Filed Date | 2012-10-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120261408 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
White; Russell James |
October 18, 2012 |
INSULATED BEVERAGE HOLDER
Abstract
A thermally insulating beverage holder that is easily
customizable to include graphics, text, and/or photographs. The
beverage holder comprises a lid, a base, a spine piece, and sleeve.
The lid and base elements may be removably joined by the spine
piece which holds the two elements in place and provides the proper
spacing. The ends of the sleeve may be inserted into slots on
either side of the spine piece with the lid and base fitting over
the top and bottom edges of the sleeve, respectively. When the lid,
base, spine piece, and sleeve are assembled, they define an
interior cavity where a beverage container may be inserted.
Inventors: |
White; Russell James;
(Orange, CA) |
Assignee: |
KoolyKo, LLC
|
Family ID: |
47005663 |
Appl. No.: |
13/252961 |
Filed: |
October 4, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61389617 |
Oct 4, 2010 |
|
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61394241 |
Oct 18, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/4.01 ;
220/737; 220/739 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 23/0233 20130101;
B65D 81/3879 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/4.01 ;
220/737; 220/739 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/72 20060101
B65D085/72; B65D 6/02 20060101 B65D006/02; B65D 81/38 20060101
B65D081/38 |
Claims
1. A beverage holder, comprising: an annular lid sized to
accommodate a beverage container; a base comprising a surface for
receiving a beverage container; and an elongated spine piece
comprising first and second ends, said first end joined to said lid
and said second end joined to said base such that said lid and said
base are spaced a distance from each other, said spine piece shaped
to define elongated slots on both sides.
2. The beverage holder of claim 1, further comprising a sleeve
disposed between said lid and said base, said sleeve comprising a
first side end inserted into one of said spine piece slots and a
second side end inserted into the other spine piece slot such that
said sleeve, said lid, said base, and said spine portion define an
interior cavity.
3. The beverage holder of claim 2, wherein said sleeve comprises an
outer surface that is customizable to display graphics, text,
and/or photographs.
4. The beverage holder of claim 2, wherein said sleeve comprises a
thermally insulating material.
5. The beverage holder of claim 2, wherein said sleeve comprises an
interior surface designed to prevent a beverage container from
easily slipping out of said cavity.
6. The beverage holder of claim 2, wherein said first and second
side ends of said sleeve are removably inserted into said spine
piece slots.
7. The beverage holder of claim 2, wherein said lid is shaped to
receive a top end of said sleeve.
8. The beverage holder of claim 2, wherein said lid comprises a
cylindrical slot to receive a top end of said sleeve.
9. The beverage holder of claim 2, wherein said base is shaped to
receive a bottom end of said sleeve.
10. The beverage holder of claim 2, wherein said base a cylindrical
slot to receive a bottom end of said sleeve.
11. The beverage holder of claim 1, wherein said spine piece first
end is removably joined to said lid.
12. The beverage holder of claim 1, wherein said spine piece second
end is removably joined to said base.
13. The beverage holder of claim 1, wherein said spine piece
comprises an inner plank and an outer plank connected by a rib that
runs longitudinally along the length of said spine piece.
14. The beverage holder of claim 13, wherein said lid cooperates
with said rib to hold said spine piece in place.
15. The beverage holder of claim 13, wherein said lid comprises a
slot to receive said rib to hold said spine piece in place.
16. The beverage holder of claim 13, wherein said base cooperates
with said rib to hold said spine piece in place.
17. The beverage holder of claim 13, wherein said base comprises a
slot to receive said rib to hold said spine piece in place.
18. The beverage holder of claim 2, wherein said sleeve comprises
at least two bore holes proximate to the ends of said sleeve, and
wherein said sleeve is affixed in said slots with snap-fit post
structure that corresponds to each of said bore holes.
19. A receptacle, comprising: a lid; a base; a spine piece
connected at one end to said lid and at the other end to said base;
and a sleeve between said lid and said base, said sleeve connected
to both sides of said spine piece.
20. A receptacle, comprising: an elongated spine piece comprising
inner and outer planks spaced to define two longitudinal slots,
said inner and outer planks connected by a rib running along the
length of the spine piece; and a sleeve connected to both sides of
said spine piece with the ends of said sleeve inserted into said
longitudinal slots.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/389,617, filed on 4 Oct. 2010, and U.S.
Provisional Application No. 61/394,241, filed on 18 Oct. 2010.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] Embodiments of the invention relate to insulated beverage
holders and, more particularly, to insulated beverage holders that
can be easily customized to include graphics, text, and/or
photographs.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Many insulating beverage holders are in common use today.
Sometimes referred to as a "beer koozie" or simply a "koozie", the
purpose of these insulating beverage holders is to keep the
consumer's hand warm while keeping the beverage cold at the same
time. Beverage holders are frequently customized to include
graphics and/or text for the purpose of corporate marketing or
commemorating a special event such as a wedding, for example.
Customized graphics and text are commonly applied to the beverage
holder using a screen printing process, for example.
[0006] Many types of beverage holders are typically fabricated with
a thermally insulating material such as plain foam, neoprene,
polyester, and open or closed cell foams. The body of the beverage
holder often includes a hole in the bottom surface so as to reduce
the suction effects that prevent the can from being easily removed
from the holder. Beverage holders are commonly sized to accommodate
a standard twelve-ounce aluminum can. However, other holders may be
sized for standard bottles, forty-ounce bottles, and many other
styles and sizes of beverage containers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A beverage holder according to an embodiment of the present
invention comprises the following elements. An annular lid is sized
to accommodate a beverage container. A base comprises a surface for
receiving a beverage container. An elongated spine piece comprises
first and second ends. The first end is joined to the lid, and the
second end is joined to the base such that the lid and the base are
spaced a distance from each other. The spine piece is shaped to
define elongated slots on both sides.
[0008] A receptacle according to an embodiment of the present
invention comprises the following elements. A spine piece is
connected at one end to a lid and at the other end to a base. A
sleeve is between the lid and the base. The sleeve is connected to
both sides of the spine piece.
[0009] A receptacle according to an embodiment of the present
invention comprises the following elements. An elongated spine
piece comprises inner and outer planks spaced to define two
longitudinal slots. The inner and outer planks are connected by a
rib running along the length of the spine piece. A sleeve is
connected to both sides of the spine piece with the ends of the
sleeve inserted into the longitudinal slots.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a beverage holder according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a beverage holder according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a beverage holder according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a beverage holder according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 5a is a top view of a lid according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 5b is a bottom view of a lid according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 5c is a close-up bottom view of a portion of a lid
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 6a is a top view of a base according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 6b is a bottom view of a lid according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 6c is a close-up view of a portion of the top side of a
base according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 7a is an outside perspective view of a spine piece
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 7b is an inside perspective view of a spine piece
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 7c is a close-up perspective view of an end portion of
a spine piece according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 8a is a front side perspective view of a sleeve laid
flat according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 8b is a perspective view of a fully-assembled beverage
holder according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 9 shows a front view of several sizes of unassembled
beverage holders according to embodiments of the present
invention.
[0026] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the inside surface of a
spine piece first plank and the inside surface of a spine piece
second plank according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 11 shows a plan view of a surface of a sheet according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a lid and a base
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] Embodiments of the invention as claimed provide a thermally
insulating beverage holder that is easily customizable to include
graphics, text, and/or photographs. The beverage holder comprises a
lid, a base, a spine piece, and sleeve. The lid and base elements
may be removably joined by the spine piece which holds the two
elements in place and provides the proper spacing. The ends of the
sleeve may be inserted into slots on either side of the spine piece
with the lid and base fitting over the top and bottom edges of the
sleeve, respectively. When the lid, base, spine piece, and sleeve
are assembled, they define an interior cavity where a beverage
container may be inserted.
[0030] It is understood that when an element is referred to as
being "on" another element, it can be directly on the other element
or intervening elements may also be present. Furthermore, relative
terms such as "inner", "outer", "upper", "above", "lower",
"beneath", and "below", and similar terms, may be used herein to
describe a relationship of one element to another. It is understood
that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations
of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the
figures.
[0031] Although the ordinal terms first, second, etc., may be used
herein to describe various elements, components, regions and/or
sections, these elements, components, regions, and/or sections
should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to
distinguish one element, component, region, or section from
another. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, a first element,
component, region, or section discussed below could be termed a
second element, component, region, or section without departing
from the teachings of the disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a beverage holder 100
according to an embodiment of the present invention. This
particular beverage holder is sized to accommodate a twelve-ounce
aluminum can, although it is understood that other embodiments can
be sized for many different sizes and shapes of beverage
containers. A thermally insulating sleeve 102 is disposed between a
lid 104 and a base 106. The lid 104 and the base 106 are held in
place and spaced apart by a spine piece 108 (shown in FIG. 2). The
lid 104 and the base 106 are both shaped to receive the top and
bottom edges of the sleeve 102, respectively. The sleeve is easily
customizable to include graphics, text, and/or photographs.
Exemplary text is shown in this embodiment.
[0033] FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views of the beverage holder
100. In these figures, the sleeve 102 is removed to better show the
structure of the lid 104, the base 106, and the spine piece 108. In
FIG. 3, a standard twelve-ounce soda can is shown fitting just
inside the lid 104 and resting on the base 106. The spine piece 108
is removably joined to the lid 104 and to the base 106 as shown.
The lid 104, base 106, and spine piece 108 may be constructed of a
sturdy plastic, for example, although other materials may also be
used.
[0034] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the beverage holder 100. As
shown, the spine piece 108 is detached from the lid 104 and the
base 106. In one embodiment, the lid 104 and base 106 are joined to
the spine piece 108 with a cooperative rib-slot structure, as
discussed in more detail herein.
[0035] FIG. 5a is a top view of the lid 104 according to an
embodiment of the present invention. The lid 104 has an annular
shape, with the center hole sized to fit around a particular
beverage container. A slight protrusion defines the top side of the
lid joint 110 where the spine piece 108 joins to the lid 104.
[0036] FIG. 5b is a bottom view of the lid 104. The bottom side of
the lid 104 is shaped to receive the top edge of the sleeve 102
when the beverage holder 100 is assembled. In this particular
embodiment, the lid 104 is shaped to define a cylindrical slot 112
that is sized to receive the top edge of the sleeve 108. It is
understood that the sleeve may be affixed to the lid 104 in several
ways. For example, in some embodiments, the sides of the slot 112
may squeeze against the sleeve 108 to hold it in place. In other
embodiments, an adhesive may be used to hold the sleeve 102 in the
slot 112. In this embodiment, the lid joint 110 comprises two
protruding tabs 114 that define a slot between them. The tabs 114
cooperate with a rib feature on the spine pieces, as discussed in
more detail herein.
[0037] FIG. 5c shows a close-up bottom view of a portion of the lid
104. In this particular embodiment, two tabs 114 define a slot 116
which cooperates with a rib feature of the spine piece 108 to join
the two elements. The cylindrical slot 112 where the top edge of
the sleeve 102 in inserted is also shown.
[0038] FIG. 6a shows a top view of the base 106. FIG. 6b shows a
bottom view of the base 106. In this particular embodiment, similar
to the lid 104, the base is shaped to define a cylindrical slot 118
around the outside of the base 106. The slot is sized to receive
the bottom edge of the sleeve 102. As with the lid slot 112, the
sleeve 102 can be held in place in various ways, including a pinch
force or an adhesive, for example. The base 106 also comprises a
surface 120 for receiving the bottom of a beverage container.
Mirroring the structure of the lid 104, the base 106 in this
embodiment comprises a joint 122 with tabs 124 which define a slot
126 shaped to receive a rib feature of the spine piece 108 as
discussed in more detail herein. A hole 128 is cut out of the
center of the base 106 which allows air to escape the interior
cavity when a beverage container is inserted into the assembled
holder 100, reducing an undesirable vacuum effect that prevents the
beverage container from being easily removed from the holder
100.
[0039] FIG. 6c shows a close-up view of a portion of the top side
of the base 106. The tabs 124 form the linear slot 126 that
cooperates with a rib feature of the spine piece 108.
[0040] FIG. 7a shows an outside view of the spine piece 108. The
elongated spine piece 108 comprises an outside plank 130 and an
inside plank 132. FIG. 7b shows the inside view of the spine piece
108. The two planks 130, 132 are connected and spaced at a distance
by a rib feature 134 that runs longitudinally down the length of
the spine piece 108. The rib feature spaces the planks 130, 132 a
distance which is chosen to accommodate a sleeve 102 having a
particular width. The rib feature 134 is sized to fit in the lid
slot 116 on one end and the base slot 126 on the opposite end. The
planks 130, 132 can be joined in several ways including with
adhesive or a snap-fit structure, for example.
[0041] FIG. 7c shows a close-up of an end portion of the spine
piece 108. The spine piece is shaped to define two longitudinal
slots 136 where the ends of the sleeve 102 are inserted as
previously discussed. When the beverage holder 100 is assembled the
outside plank 130 faces away from the interior cavity, and the
inside plank faces inward toward the interior cavity.
[0042] FIG. 8a shows a front side view of the sleeve 102 laid flat.
In this embodiment the sleeve is decorated with a sheet 137 having
a series of photographic images thereon. The sheet 137 can be
attached to the sleeve using an adhesive or by any other attachment
means. In some embodiments, the sheet 137 may also include text
and/or graphics, such as a corporate logo, for example. In an
alternative embodiment the decorative features can be applied
directly on the sleeve 102, itself, using a screening process, for
example.
[0043] FIG. 8b is a perspective view of the fully-assembled
beverage holder 100. The sleeve 102 is disposed between the lid 104
and the base 106. The ends of top and bottom side ends of the
sleeve 102 have been inserted into the longitudinal slots 136 of
the spine 108. Thus, the sleeve 102, the lid 104, and the base 106
define an interior cavity 138 where a beverage container can be
inserted.
[0044] FIG. 9 shows a front view of several sizes of unassembled
beverage holders 200 according to embodiments of the present
invention. Similar to the beverage holder 100, each of the beverage
holders 200 include a spine piece 204 and a sleeve 202. The
features of these elements are similar to the counterpart elements
associated with the beverage holder 100. However, these particular
embodiments do not include a lid or a base. Rather, the beverage
holders 200 are open-ended at both ends and designed to slide over
a beverage container, such as a standard paper or plastic coffee
cup, for example. Thus, in this case the beverage holders 200 may
simultaneously insulate the beverage to keep it hot (or cold) and
protect the consumers hand from the temperature of the
beverage.
[0045] As shown, the beverage holders 200 can be designed to
accommodate various sizes and shapes of beverage containers. Many
different designs are possible without departing from the scope of
the inventive concept.
[0046] It is also possible to use embodiments of the present
invention to hold objects other than beverage containers. For
example holder 100 may be used to hold pencils, pens, and the like.
Many other objects may be stored within the holder 100.
[0047] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the inside surface of a
spine piece first plank 302 and the inside surface of a spine piece
second plank 304 according to embodiments of the present invention.
The first plank 302 and the second plank 304 are designed to mate
with each other using, for example, a snap-fit mechanism as
mentioned herein. The first plank 302 comprises at least one female
socket; this particular embodiment comprises multiple sockets 306
disposed on both sides of a longitudinal rib 308. The second plank
comprises male posts 310 shaped to cooperate with the female
sockets 306 such the first and second planks 302, 304 are mated
securely together. Other joining mechanisms may also be used.
[0048] The rib 308 comprises a fastening mechanism on both of the
longitudinal ends as well. This mechanism can also be a snap-fit
structure as in this particular embodiment. Here, the rib 308
comprises a female socket 307 at the top end and a male post 309 at
the opposite end. The socket 307 cooperates with a corresponding
post on the lid, and the post 309 corresponds with a socket
structure on the base. Thus, the lid and base can be fastened to
the assembled spine piece as discuss in more detail herein.
[0049] FIG. 11 shows a plan view of a surface of a sheet 312
according to embodiments of the present invention. The sheet 312
comprise two sets of bore holes 314 that are designed to receive
the posts 310 from the second plank 304 such that the sheet 312 can
be securely fastened between the planks 302, 304 when they are
mated. The sheet 312 can be wrapped around to form a cylindrical
shape with both ends being fastened into place between the first
and second planks 302, 304 such that the cylindrical shape is
maintained.
[0050] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a lid 316 and a base 318
according to embodiments of the present invention. The lid 316
comprises a post 320 designed to mate with the rib socket 307
(shown in FIG. 10). Using a snap-fit post 320, for example, the lid
316 can be fastened to the top of the first plank 307 such that a
slot in the lid 316 receives the top end of the sheet 312.
Similarly, a female socket 322 on the base 318 is designed to
cooperate with the rib post 309. Once assembled, the cylindrically
wrapped sheet 312 is held securely between the lid 316 and the base
318, forming the internal cavity in which a beverage container can
be fit.
[0051] It is understood that embodiments presented herein are meant
to be exemplary. Embodiments of the present invention can comprise
any combination of compatible features shown in the various
figures, and these embodiments should not be limited to those
expressly illustrated and discussed.
[0052] Although the present invention has been described in detail
with reference to certain preferred configurations thereof, other
versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the
invention should not be limited to the versions described
above.
* * * * *