U.S. patent application number 13/800580 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-10 for keg insulating apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to X-Treme Keg Wear, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is X-TREME KEG WEAR, LLC. Invention is credited to Timothy James HANDLON, Richard Scudellari, JR..
Application Number | 20130264350 13/800580 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49291498 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130264350 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HANDLON; Timothy James ; et
al. |
October 10, 2013 |
Keg Insulating Apparatus
Abstract
A keg insulating apparatus (200) is provided. The apparatus
includes a sheet (202) of flexible insulating material configured
to be wrapped around a body of a generally right cylindrical keg
(100), a first circular disc (204) of flexible insulating material
sized to fit against a top surface (110) of the keg and having an
aperture (212) provided therein through which a dispensing tap of
the keg extends, and a second circular disc (206) of flexible
insulating material sized to fit against a bottom surface of the
keg and to be held in place by means of a friction fit with a lower
projecting rim (108) of the keg. The sheet of flexible insulating
material further includes attachment formations (208) by means of
which free ends of the sheet can be brought together and the
tension between the free ends adjusted so as to tightly wrap the
sheet against the keg.
Inventors: |
HANDLON; Timothy James;
(Fishers, IN) ; Scudellari, JR.; Richard; (San
Francisco, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
X-TREME KEG WEAR, LLC |
Fishers |
IN |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
X-Treme Keg Wear, LLC
Fishers
IN
|
Family ID: |
49291498 |
Appl. No.: |
13/800580 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61685269 |
Mar 14, 2012 |
|
|
|
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 keg insulating apparatus comprising: a sheet of flexible
insulating material configured to be wrapped around a body of a
generally right cylindrical keg, the sheet including attachment
formations by means of which free ends of the sheet can be brought
together and the tension between the free ends adjusted so as to
tightly wrap the sheet against the keg; and a first circular disc
of flexible insulating material sized to fit against a top surface
of the keg and having an aperture provided therein through which a
dispensing tap of the keg extends.
2. A keg insulating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
attachment formations include at least two adjustable fastening
straps.
3. A keg insulating apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
adjustable fastening straps are sufficiently adjustable so as to
enable the insulating apparatus to be wrapped about kegs having
differing dimensions.
4. A keg insulating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
keg insulating apparatus includes a second circular disc of
flexible insulating material sized to fit against a bottom surface
of the keg and be held in place by means of a friction fit with a
lower projecting rim of the keg.
5. A keg insulating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
flexible insulating material is nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR)
foam.
6. A keg insulating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
sheet, first and second discs of the insulating apparatus have the
same thickness.
7. A keg insulating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
surfaces of the insulating apparatus are suitable for printing
thereon to allow branding or advertising material to be printed
onto the insulating apparatus.
8. A keg insulating apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the
printing on the insulating apparatus is done by screen printing or
digital printing.
9. A kit of parts for a keg insulating apparatus comprising: a
sheet of flexible insulating material configured to be wrapped
around a body of a generally right cylindrical keg, the sheet
including attachment formations by means of which free ends of the
sheet can be brought together and the tension between the free ends
adjusted so as to tightly wrap the sheet against the keg; and a
first circular disc of flexible insulating material sized to fit
against a top surface of the keg and having an aperture provided
therein through which a dispensing tap of the keg extends.
10. A kit of parts for a keg insulating apparatus as claimed in
claim 9, wherein the attachment formations include at least two
adjustable fastening straps.
11. A kit of parts for a keg insulating apparatus as claimed in
claim 10, wherein the adjustable fastening straps are sufficiently
adjustable so as to enable the insulating apparatus to be wrapped
about kegs having differing dimensions.
12. A kit of parts for a keg insulating apparatus as claimed in
claim 9, including a second circular disc of flexible insulating
material sized to fit against a bottom surface of the keg and be
held in place by means of a friction fit with a lower projecting
rim of the keg.
13. A kit of parts for a keg insulating apparatus as claimed in
claim 9, wherein the flexible insulating material is nitrile
butadiene rubber (NBR) foam.
14. A kit of parts for a keg insulating apparatus as claimed in
claim 9, wherein the sheet, first and second discs of the
insulating apparatus have the same thickness.
15. A kit of parts for a keg insulating apparatus as claimed in
claim 9, wherein the surfaces of the insulating apparatus are
suitable for printing thereon to allow branding or advertising
material to be printed onto the insulating apparatus.
16. A kit of parts for a keg insulating apparatus as claimed in
claim 15, wherein the printing on the insulating apparatus is done
by screen printing or digital printing.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to an insulating apparatus, and more
particularly to an insulation apparatus used for providing thermal
insulation to beverages stored in kegs.
[0002] The term keg is to be understood to include any cask or
barrel in the form of a generally right cylindrical container
typically used for the storage of beverages.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0003] Kegs containing beverages are used on a daily basis around
the world. Such kegs may be containers able to be pressurized to
dispense the beverage held therein.
[0004] To ensure that the beverage is cool at the point of
consumption, the kegs must either be cooled in a fridge and then
transported to the point of consumption while being prevented from
heating up, or must be cooled at the point of consumption.
[0005] Cooling of kegs or preventing them from heating up may be
affected in a variety of ways, most common of which is by placing
the keg into a tub of ice or a mixture of ice and water. Although
quite effective, this form of keeping the keg cool is usually quite
messy and may be inconvenient to the consumer should he/she decide
to move the keg to a different location.
[0006] Portable insulating devices have been developed to overcome
the problems associated with ice or the mixture of ice and water.
Such insulating devices may be made from flexible material which is
wrapped about the body of the keg and typically include pockets
into which gel or ice packs can be inserted. Further forms of
insulating devices include cylindrically shaped bodies having a
permanently closed bottom end and a zipper at the top end so as to
enable the container to be completely surrounded by the insulating
device.
[0007] The drawbacks of existing insulating devices include that
kegs filled with a beverage have weights ranging from about 55 lbs.
(25 kg) to about 170 lbs. (77 kg), thereby requiring at least two
people to lift the keg to insert it into the insulating device.
Further, where the insulating device is only wrapped about the body
of the keg, the keg's bottom and top surfaces are exposed, thus
decreasing the efficiency of the insulating device. Finally, where
the insulating device requires ice or gel packs to be effective,
the effectiveness of the insulating device is dependent on the time
it takes for the ice or gel packs to melt or heat up.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In accordance with the invention there is provided a keg
insulating apparatus comprising: [0009] a sheet of flexible
insulating material configured to be wrapped around a body of a
generally right cylindrical keg, the sheet including attachment
formations by means of which free ends of the sheet can be brought
together and the tension between the free ends adjusted so as to
tightly wrap the sheet against the keg; and [0010] a first circular
disc of flexible insulating material sized to fit against a top
surface of the keg and having an aperture provided therein through
which a dispensing tap of the keg extends.
[0011] Further features of the invention provide for the attachment
formations to include at least two adjustable fastening straps and
to be sufficiently adjustable so as to enable the insulating
apparatus to be wrapped about kegs having differing dimensions.
[0012] Further features of the provide for the keg insulating
apparatus to include a second circular disc of flexible insulating
material sized to fit against a bottom surface of the keg and be
held in place by means of a friction fit with a lower projecting
rim of the keg.
[0013] Further features of the invention provide for the flexible
insulating material to be nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) foam and
for the sheet, first and second discs of the insulating apparatus
to have the same thickness.
[0014] Further features of the invention provide for the surfaces
of the insulating apparatus to be suitable for printing thereon,
thereby to allow branding or advertising material to be printed
onto the insulating apparatus. The printing on the insulating
apparatus may be done by any suitable method of printing,
preferably screen printing or digital printing.
[0015] The invention extends to a kit of parts for a keg insulating
apparatus comprising: [0016] a sheet of flexible insulating
material configured to be wrapped around a body of a generally
right cylindrical keg, the sheet including attachment formations by
means of which free ends of the sheet can be brought together and
the tension between the free ends adjusted so as to tightly wrap
the sheet against the keg; and [0017] a first circular disc of
flexible insulating material sized to fit against a top surface of
the keg and having an aperture provided therein through which a
dispensing tap of the keg extends.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] In the drawings:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional view of a typical type of
keg;
[0020] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a keg insulating apparatus
according to the invention;
[0021] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the keg insulating apparatus,
where the apparatus is to be wrapped about a keg;
[0022] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate two three-dimensional views of a
keg insulating apparatus fastened to a keg; and
[0023] FIG. 5 illustrates a graph of the results obtained during an
experiment to determine insulating capabilities.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a typical type of keg (100) used for the
storage and transportation of beverages such as beer. The keg (100)
comprises a generally right cylindrical container (102) having a
top cavity (104) and a bottom cavity (106) formed by projecting
rims (108). A top surface (110) of the keg (100) includes an
opening (112) to which a dispensing tap (114) may be attached so as
to allow for dispensing of the beverage stored within the keg
(100).
[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates a first embodiment of a keg insulating
apparatus (200) according to the invention. The insulating
apparatus (200) comprises a rectangular sheet (202) a first
circular disc (204) and a second circular disc (206) all made from
a flexible insulating material. In a preferred embodiment of the
invention, the flexible insulating material is nitrile butadiene
rubber (NBR) foam and the sheet (202), the first and second secular
discs (204, 206) of the insulating apparatus (200) have the same
thickness. The sheet (202) is configured to be wrapped around the
body of a keg and includes attachment formations (208) by means of
which free ends (210) of the sheet (202) can be brought together
and the tension between the free ends (210) adjusted so as to
tightly wrap the sheet (202) against the keg. The attachment
formations (208) comprise at least two adjustable fastening straps
spaced-apart on the edges of the sheet (202). In the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 2, the sheet (202) includes three adjustable
fastening straps which have clips and cooperating sockets provided
at their free ends. The fastening straps may be attached to the
sheet (202) by any suitable method, preferably by gluing and
stitching the fastening straps directly onto the sheet.
[0026] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the keg
insulating apparatus comprises the rectangular sheet (202) and the
first circular disc (204) only.
[0027] The first circular disc (204) is sized to fit against a top
surface of the keg and further includes an aperture (212) therein
through which a dispensing tap of the keg extends, as best
illustrated in FIG. 4A. The second circular disc (206) is sized to
fit against a bottom surface of the keg and to be held in place by
means of a friction fit within a lower projecting rim of the keg as
best illustrated in FIG. 4B.
[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the first embodiment
of the insulating apparatus (200) wrapped around a keg (100). The
sheet (202) of the insulating apparatus (200) is wrapped around the
keg (100) and the fastening straps (208) attached to the free ends
(210) of the sheet (202) are engaged and optionally adjusted so as
to wrap the sheet (202) tightly against the keg (100).
[0029] Once the sheet (202) has been tightly wrapped about the keg
(100), the keg is tilted to one side so as to enable insertion of
the second circular disc (206) into a cavity (106) established by a
lower projecting rim (108) of the keg (100). The second disc (206)
is sized to fit into the cavity (106) and to be held in place by
means of a friction fit with the lower projecting rim (108) of the
keg (100). Importantly, the apparatus of the invention does not
require the keg to be lifted, but only tilted, for the second
circular disc (206) to be inserted. This is an operation that can
typically be conducted by one person.
[0030] After insertion of the second circular disc (204), the first
circular disc (204) is placed over the top surface (110) of the keg
(100), with the aperture (212) provided in the first disc (204)
allowing for a dispensing tap to extend therethrough.
[0031] It will be appreciated that in the embodiment comprising of
the sheet (202) and the first circular disc (204) only, the
procedure of tilting the keg (100) to one side will not be
required.
[0032] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate two three-dimensional views of a
keg (400) having an insulating apparatus (402) according to the
invention fastened thereto. The surfaces (404) of the insulating
apparatus (402) are suitable for printing thereon, thereby allowing
for branding or advertising material to be printed onto the
insulating apparatus (402). The printing on the surfaces of the
insulating apparatus may be done by any suitable method of
printing, preferably by screen printing or digital printing.
[0033] It will be appreciated that the printing of brands or
advertising material on the surfaces of the insulating apparatus
enables organizations, brands, or even sports teams to supply the
insulating apparatus with their respective logos, designs and
graphics printed thereon and to thereby market their product or
service.
[0034] It will further be appreciated that the insulating apparatus
may be made for any size keg ranging from 55 lbs. (25 kg) kegs to
170 lbs. (77 kg) kegs. In a preferred embodiment of the insulating
apparatus, the sheet has a width of 51.77 inches (131.5 cm) and a
height of 22.83 inches (58 cm), the first circular disc has a
diameter of 14.96 inches (38 cm), the second circular disc has a
diameter of 15.55 inches (39.5 cm) and a hole through its center of
2.87 inches (7.3 cm) diameter, and the thickness of all three parts
is 0.78 inches (2 cm).
Experiment
[0035] A material's resistance to heat transfer is governed by the
following equation:
R=.DELTA.x/k
where R is the thermal resistivity; [0036] .DELTA.x is the distance
between two points within the material through which the heat
transfer is taking place; and [0037] k is the thermal conductivity
of the material
[0038] The thermal conductivity constants for the nitrile butadiene
rubber (NBR) foam and neoprene are the following: [0039] k.sub.NBR
Foam=0.038 W/MK [0040] k.sub.Neoprene=0.054 W/MK
[0041] Taking these constants, it can be determined that over the
same distance .DELTA.x, the NBR foam exhibits a 42% higher
resistance to heat transfer than neoprene.
[0042] The insulating capabilities of the present invention were
compared in an experiment with the insulating capabilities of
another standard size and make keg insulating apparatus made from
neoprene as well as a non-insulated keg as a control.
[0043] The experiment took place in a temperature controlled
environment at an average temperature of 91.degree. F.
(32.8.degree. C.) over a period of 8 hours. The temperature of the
beer held in the kegs was measured at 30 minute intervals over the
8 hour period by using two different digital thermometers. Prior to
each temperature measurement, beer was drained from the taps for
approximately 3 seconds so as to remove any beer retained within
the taps and the respective tap tubes. The initial temperature of
the beer held in all three kegs was approximately 37.5.degree. F.
(3.degree. C.).
[0044] FIG. 5 illustrates a graph that was plotted from the
experiment results. The graph clearly illustrates the higher
insulating capabilities of the present invention (labeled "X-Treme
Keg Wear") as opposed to a keg insulating apparatus made from
neoprene. The average temperature increase of the beer held in the
keg insulated by the present invention was approximately
4.9.degree. F. (2.7.degree. C.) over an 8 hour period at an outside
temperature of 91.degree. F. (32.8.degree. C.). The neoprene
insulating apparatus on the other hand has an average temperature
increase of approximately 8.9.degree. F. (4.9.degree. C.) over the
same period.
[0045] A further aspect illustrated by the graph is that some
brands of beer may start to froth when being dispensed once the
beer in the keg reaches an average temperature of approximately
42.5.degree. F. (5.8.degree. C.). The graph illustrates that due to
the present invention having a higher insulating capability, the
brands of beer which are likely to froth at approximately
42.5.degree. F. (5.8.degree. C.), will commence frothing 3 hours
after the same beer being held within a keg insulated by a neoprene
insulating apparatus.
[0046] While the invention has been described with reference to a
specific embodiment, it will be appreciated that numerous changes
may be made which fall within the scope of the invention. For
example, many different kinds of attachment formations can be used
to hold the free ends of the flexible sheet together, and the
material, construction and arrangement of the keg insulation
apparatus may be modified as may be appropriate. It is therefore
intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this
detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an
application based hereon. Accordingly, the disclosure of the
embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative, but
not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in
the following claims.
* * * * *