U.S. patent application number 16/685297 was filed with the patent office on 2021-05-20 for beverage container insulating device.
The applicant listed for this patent is UPSLOPE BRANDS, INC.. Invention is credited to John J. ANTHONY, Brett MOODY, James ORRICO.
Application Number | 20210145196 16/685297 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004487589 |
Filed Date | 2021-05-20 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210145196 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MOODY; Brett ; et
al. |
May 20, 2021 |
BEVERAGE CONTAINER INSULATING DEVICE
Abstract
A beverage container insulating device includes an outer wall
and at least one protrusion. The outer wall defines an internal
cavity and an orifice that accesses the internal cavity. The at
least one protrusion extends into the internal cavity from an
internal surface of the outer wall. The protrusion is configured to
engage a beverage container when inserted into the internal cavity
via an interference-fit such that the protrusion deforms the
beverage container and affixes the position of the beverage
container within the internal cavity.
Inventors: |
MOODY; Brett; (Chicago,
IL) ; ANTHONY; John J.; (Downers Grove, IL) ;
ORRICO; James; (Evanston, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
UPSLOPE BRANDS, INC. |
Downers Grove |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004487589 |
Appl. No.: |
16/685297 |
Filed: |
November 15, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 23/0266 20130101;
B65D 81/3881 20130101; A47G 2023/0275 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 23/02 20060101
A47G023/02; B65D 81/38 20060101 B65D081/38 |
Claims
1. A beverage can insulating device comprising: a bottom wall; and
a side wall extending from the bottom wall such that the bottom
wall and the side wall define an internal cavity that is configured
to receive a beverage can, the side wall defining an orifice that
accesses the internal cavity on an opposing end of the beverage can
insulating device relative to the bottom wall; and at least one
protrusion extending into the internal cavity from an internal
surface of the side wall, wherein the at least one protrusion is
configured to engage the beverage can when inserted into the
internal cavity via an interference-fit such that the at least one
protrusion deforms the beverage can and affixes the position of the
beverage can within the internal cavity.
2. The beverage can insulating device of claim 1, wherein each of
the at least one protrusion has a first ramped surface that extends
gradually away from the side wall and into the internal cavity
along a length of each of the at least one protrusion, the length
of each of the at least one protrusion extending in an axial
direction of the beverage can insulating device from the orifice to
the bottom wall.
3. The beverage can insulating device of claim 2, wherein each of
the at least one protrusion has a second ramped surface that
extends gradually away from the first ramped surface and to the
side wall along the length of each of the at least one
protrusion.
4. The beverage can insulating device of claim 1, wherein the at
least one protrusion includes a plurality of protrusions that forms
a first horizontally aligned row of protrusions.
5. The beverage can insulating device of claim 4, wherein the side
wall has a length that extends from the bottom wall to the orifice,
and wherein the first horizontally aligned row of protrusions is
disposed along the side wall at a distance from the bottom wall
that ranges between zero and 1/2 of the length of the side
wall.
6. The beverage can insulating device of claim 4, wherein side wall
has a length that extends from the bottom wall to the orifice, and
wherein the first horizontally aligned row of protrusions is
disposed along, the side wall at a distance from the orifice that
ranges between zero and 1/2 of the length of the side wall.
7. The beverage can insulating device of claim 4, wherein the
plurality of protrusions forms a second horizontally aligned row of
protrusions.
8. The beverage can insulating device of claim 7, wherein the first
horizontally aligned row of protrusions and the second horizontally
aligned row of protrusions form vertically aligned columns of
protrusions.
9. The beverage can insulating device of claim 1, wherein the
internal cavity is sized such that there is clearance between the
internal surface of the side wall and the beverage can when
inserted into the internal cavity.
10. A beverage container insulating device comprising: a bottom
wall; and a side wall extending about an outer periphery of the
bottom wall such that the bottom wall and the side wall define an
internal cavity that is configured to receive a beverage container,
the side wall defining an orifice that accesses the internal cavity
on an opposing end of the beverage container insulating device
relative to the bottom wall, the side wall having an inner diameter
that is sized such that there is clearance between an internal
surface of the side wall and the beverage container when inserted
into the internal cavity; and at least one protrusion extending
into the internal cavity from the internal surface, wherein the at
least one protrusion is configured to engage the beverage container
when inserted into the internal cavity via an interference-fit such
that the at least one protrusion deforms the beverage container and
affixes the position of the beverage container within the internal
cavity.
11. The beverage container insulating device of claim 10, wherein
each of the at least one protrusion has a first ramped surface that
extends gradually away from the side wall and into the internal
cavity along a length of each of the at least one protrusion, the
length of each of the at least one protrusion extending in an axial
direction of the beverage container insulating device from the
orifice to the bottom wall.
12. The beverage container insulating device of claim 11, wherein
each of the at least one protrusion has a second ramped surface
that extends gradually away from the first ramped surface and to
the side wall along the length of each of the at least one
protrusion.
13. The beverage container insulating device of claim 10, wherein
the at least one protrusion includes a plurality of protrusions
that forms a first horizontally aligned row of protrusions.
14. The beverage container insulating device of claim 13, wherein
the side wall has a length that extends from the bottom wall to the
orifice, and wherein the first horizontally aligned row of
protrusions is disposed along the side wall at a distance from the
bottom wall that ranges between zero and 1/2 of the length of the
side wall.
15. The beverage container insulating device of claim 13, wherein
side wall has a length that extends from the bottom wall to the
orifice, and wherein the first horizontally aligned row of
protrusions is disposed along the side wall at a distance from the
orifice that ranges between zero and 1/2 of the length of the side
wall.
16. The beverage container insulating device of claim 13, wherein
the plurality of protrusions forms a second horizontally aligned
row of protrusions.
17. The beverage container insulating device of claim 16, wherein
the first horizontally aligned row of protrusions and the second
horizontally aligned row of protrusions form vertically aligned
columns of protrusions.
18. A beverage container insulating device comprising: an outer
wall defining an internal cavity and an orifice that accesses the
internal cavity; and at least one protrusion extending into the
internal cavity from an internal surface of the outer wall, wherein
the at least one protrusion is configured to engage a beverage
container when inserted into the internal cavity via an
interference-fit such that the at least one protrusion deforms the
beverage container and affixes the position of the beverage
container within the internal cavity.
19. The beverage container insulating device of claim 18, wherein
each of the at least one protrusion has a first ramped surface that
extends gradually away from the outer wall and into the internal
cavity along a length of each of the at least one protrusion, the
length of each of the at least one protrusion extending in an axial
direction of the beverage container insulating device away from the
orifice.
20. The beverage container insulating device of claim 19, wherein
each of the at least one protrusion has a second ramped surface
that extends gradually away from the first ramped surface and to
the outer wall along the length of each of the at least one
protrusion.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to insulating devices for
beverage containers that are configured to store and dispense
liquid beverages.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Heat transfer may occur between beverage containers,
particularly aluminum cans, and the ambient surroundings, resulting
in a warm liquid beverage temperature that may not be pleasing to
the beverage consumer. An insulating device, such as a beer cozy or
a beer jackets, may reduce heat transfer between the beverage
container and the ambient surroundings, resulting in a cooler
beverage temperature that may be more pleasing to the liquid
beverage consumer.
SUMMARY
[0003] A beverage can insulating device includes a bottom wall, a
side wall, and at least one protrusion. The side wall extends from
the bottom wall such that the bottom wall and the side wall define
an internal cavity that is configured to receive a beverage can.
The side wall defines an orifice that accesses the internal cavity
on an opposing end of the beverage can insulating device relative
to the bottom wall. The at least one protrusion extends into the
internal cavity from an internal surface of the side wall. The at
least one protrusion is configured to engage the beverage can when
inserted into the internal cavity via an interference-fit such that
the at least one protrusion deforms the can and affixes the
position of the can within the internal cavity.
[0004] A beverage container insulating device includes a bottom
wall, a side wall, and at least one protrusion. The side wall
extends about an outer periphery of the bottom wall such that the
bottom wall and the side wall define an internal cavity that is
configured to receive a beverage container. The side wall defines
an orifice that accesses the internal cavity on an opposing end of
the beverage container insulating device relative to the bottom
wall. The side wall has an inner diameter that is sized such that
there is clearance between an internal surface of the side wall and
the beverage container when inserted into the internal cavity. The
at least one protrusion extends into the internal cavity from the
internal surface. The at least one protrusion is configured to
engage the beverage container when inserted into the internal
cavity via an interference-fit such that the at least one
protrusion deforms the beverage container and affixes the position
of the beverage container within the internal cavity.
[0005] A beverage container insulating device includes an outer
wall and at least one protrusion. The outer wall defines an
internal cavity and an orifice that accesses the internal cavity.
The at least one protrusion extends into the internal cavity from
an internal surface of the outer wall. The protrusion is configured
to engage a beverage container when inserted into the internal
cavity via an interference-fit such that the protrusion deforms the
beverage container and affixes the position of the beverage
container within the internal cavity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a beverage container
insulating device;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a front view of the beverage container insulating
device;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a top view of the beverage container insulating
device;
[0009] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in
FIGS. 2; and
[0010] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line
4-4 in FIG. 2 that illustrates an engagement between the beverage
container insulating device and a beverage container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein.
It is to be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are
merely examples and other embodiments may take various and
alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some
features could be exaggerated or minimized to show details of
particular components. Therefore, specific structural and
functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as
limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one
skilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments. As those of
ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features
illustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures
may be combined with features illustrated in one or more other
figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated
or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide
representative embodiments for typical applications. Various
combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the
teachings of this disclosure, however, could be desired for
particular applications or implementations.
[0012] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a beverage can insulating device or
a beverage container insulating device 10 is illustrated. The
beverage container insulating device 10 includes a bottom wall 12
and a side wall 14. The Side wall 14 extends upward from the bottom
wall 12 such that the bottom wall 12 and the side wall 14 define an
internal cavity 16 that is configured to receive a beverage
container or beverage can. The side wall 14 may extend about an
outer periphery 18 of the bottom wall 12 such that the bottom wall
12 and the side wall 14 define the internal cavity 16. The side
wall 14 defines an orifice 20 that accesses the internal cavity 16.
The orifice 20 provides an entry way for a beverage container or
beverage can so that the beverage container or beverage can may be
inserted into the internal cavity 16. The bottom wall 14 may be
disposed along an end of the beverage container insulating device
10. The orifice 20 may be defined by the side wall 14 on an
opposing end of the beverage container insulating device 10
relative to the bottom wall 18.
[0013] The side wall 14 may have an inner diameter, that is sized
such that there is clearance between an internal surface 22 of the
side wall 14 and a beverage container or beverage can when inserted
into the internal cavity 16. Stated in other terms, there is a
slip-fit engagement between the internal surface 22 of the side
wall 14 and the beverage container or beverage can when the
beverage container or beverage can is inserted into the internal
cavity 16. The inner diameter, may be sized for different beverage
container sizes. For example, the inner diameter, may be sized to
have slip-fit engagement for a standard 1.2 oz. aluminum can or may
be sized to have slip-fit engagement for a slimmer than standard
aluminum can, such as cans commonly used for energy drinks
including Red Bull.
[0014] Thee side wall 14 may also have an inner height, H.sub.in.
The inner height H.sub.in, may be sized to be slightly shorter than
the beverage container or beverage can being inserted into the
cavity so that a consumer may access an opening on the top of the
beverage container or beverage can for consumption of the liquid
inside the beverage container or beverage can without a resulting
interference between the consumer and the beverage container
insulating device 10. The inner height, H.sub.in, may also be sized
for different beverage container sizes. For example, the inner
height, H.sub.in, may be sized for a standard 12 oz. aluminum can
or may be sized for a taller than standard aluminum can, such as a
standard 16 oz. aluminum can, taking, into account that it is
intended that an upper portion of the beverage container or
beverage can protrude out of the orifice 20 when the beverage
container or beverage can is inserted into the internal cavity 16
and affixed into place.
[0015] The side wall 14 and the bottom wall 12 may be collectively
referred to as an outer wall that defines both the internal cavity
16 and the orifice 20. The side wall 14 and the bottom wall 12 may
be single solid walls or may be double walls. The double walls may
be filled with air or some other gas to reduce heat transfer
between the beverage container or beverage can that is inserted
into the internal cavity 16 and the external environment.
Alternatively, there may be a vacuum between the double walls to
reduce heat transfer between the beverage container or beverage can
that is inserted into the internal cavity 16 and the external
environment. There may be additional walls, ribs, or other
structures (not shown) that extend between and/or are disposed
between the double walls to provide additional support and/or to
ensure that a space is maintained between the double walls to
reduce heat transfer between the beverage container or beverage can
and the external environment.
[0016] At least one protrusion 24 extends into the internal cavity
16 from the internal surface 22 of the side wall 14. Each
protrusion 24 may be formed as an indentation of the side wall 14
that extends from the internal surface 22 and into the internal
cavity 16. More specifically, each protrusion 24 may be formed as
an indentation of the inner wall of the side wall 14 if the side
wall 14 is a double wall. Alternatively, each protrusion 24 may be
a separate component that is secured to the side wall 14. The at
least one protrusion 24 is configured to engage the beverage can or
beverage container when the beverage container or beverage can is
inserted into the internal cavity 16 via an interference-fit such
that the at least one protrusion 24 deforms the beverage container
or beverage can and affixes the position of the beverage container
or beverage can within the internal cavity 16. An interference-fit
between one of the protrusions 24 and the beverage container or
beverage can is present when the distance between such a protrusion
24 and an opposing second protrusion 24 or an opposing portion of
the internal surface 22 of the side wall 14 is smaller than an
outer diameter of the beverage container or beverage can. Also, an
interference-fit may be present if multiple protrusions 24 are
utilized and the multiple protrusions 24 form an inner diameter
that is smaller than the outer diameter of the beverage container
or beverage can. The beverage container or beverage can may be
deformed by the at least one protrusion 24, because the rigidity of
the at least one protrusion 24 is greater than the rigidity of the
beverage container or beverage can.
[0017] The at least one protrusion 24 may include a plurality of
protrusions 24. The plurality of protrusions 24 may form a first
horizontally aligned row of protrusions 26. The plurality of
protrusions 24 may form a first horizontally aligned row of
protrusions 26. The plurality of protrusions 24 may form a second
horizontally aligned row of protrusions 28. The first horizontally
aligned row of protrusions 26 and the second horizontally aligned
row of protrusions 28 may form vertically aligned columns of
protrusions 30. Alternatively, the first horizontally aligned row
of protrusions 26 and the second horizontally aligned row of
protrusions 28 may be staggered such that the protrusions 24 of the
first horizontally aligned row of protrusions 26 and the
protrusions 24 of the second horizontally aligned row of
protrusions 28 do not form vertically aligned columns of
protrusions 30.
[0018] The side wall 14 of the beverage container insulating device
10 has a length, L.sub.sw, that extends from the bottom wall 12 to
the orifice 20. The first horizontally aligned row of protrusions
26 may be disposed along the side wall 14 at a distance, D.sub.1,
from the bottom wall 12 that ranges between zero and 1/2 of the
length of the side wall, L.sub.sw. The second horizontally aligned
row of protrusions 28 may be disposed along the side wall 14 at a
distance, D.sub.2. from the orifice 20 that ranges between zero and
1/2 of the length of the side wall, L.sub.sw. In an alternative
embodiment, the first horizontally aligned row of protrusions 26
may be disposed along the side wall 14 at a distance, D.sub.1, from
the bottom wall 12 that ranges between zero and 1/4 of the length
of the side wall, L.sub.sw, while, the second horizontally aligned
row of protrusions 28 may be disposed along the side wall 14 at a
distance, D.sub.2, from the orifice 20 that ranges between zero and
1/4 of the length of the side wall, L.sub.sw. Additional
horizontally aligned rows of protrusions may be included that are
disposed at any position along the length of the side wall,
L.sub.sw, between the first horizontally aligned row of protrusions
26 and the second horizontally aligned row of protrusions 28.
[0019] It should be noted that some embodiments may only include
one horizontally aligned row of protrusions, and that such a
horizontally aligned row of protrusions in embodiments that only
include one horizontally aligned row of protrusions may be located
a position that corresponds to the location of the first
horizontally aligned row of protrusions 26, the location of the
second horizontally aligned row of protrusions 28, or at a location
between the first horizontally aligned row of protrusions 26 and
the second horizontally aligned row of protrusions 28. It should
also be understood that although each horizontally aligned row of
protrusions is shown to include four protrusions, each horizontally
aligned row of protrusions may include two or more protrusions 24.
Other embodiments may only include one protrusion 24 in a
respective row. Furthermore, it should also be understood that
although each vertically aligned column 30 of protrusions is shown
to include two protrusions 24, each vertically aligned column of
protrusions may include two or more protrusions 24. Other
embodiments may only include one protrusion 24 in a respective
column or may include any number of rows of protrusions 24 that are
offset such that the protrusions 24 are offset and do not form the
vertically aligned columns of protrusions 30.
[0020] Each of the at least one protrusion 24 may have a first
ramped surface 32 that extends gradually away from the side wall 14
and into the internal cavity 16 along a length, L.sub.p, of each of
the at least one protrusion 24. The length, L.sub.p, of each of the
at least one protrusion 24 extends in an axial direction 34 of the
beverage container insulating, device 10 away from the orifice 20
and toward the bottom wall 12. An angle, .theta., between the first
ramped surface 32 and the side wall 14 of each of the at least one
protrusion 24 may range between 5.degree. and 45.degree.. More
specifically, the angle, .theta., may be between the first ramped
surface 32 and the internal surface 22 of the side wall 14, and the
first ramped surface 32 may gradually extend further into the
cavity 16 along a portion of the length, L.sub.p, in the axial
direction 34 away from the orifice 20 and toward the bottom wall
12.
[0021] Each of the at least one protrusion 24 has a second ramped
surface 36 that extends gradually away from the first ramped
surface 32 and to the side wall 14 along the length, L.sub.p, of
each of the at least one protrusion 24. An angle, .PHI., between
the second ramped surface 36 and the side wall 14 of each of the at
least one protrusion 24 may range between 5.degree. and 70.degree..
More specifically, the angle, .PHI., may be between the second
ramped surface 36 and the internal surface 22 of the side wall 14,
and the second ramped surface 36 may gradually extend from within
the cavity 16 (at a position that is away from the side wall 14)
and to the side wall 14 along a portion of the length, L.sub.p, in
the axial direction 34 away from the orifice 20 and toward the
bottom wall 12,
[0022] Referring to FIG. 5, a partial cross-sectional view taken
along line 4-4 in FIG. 2 depicting an engagement between the
beverage container insulating device 10 and a beverage can or
container 38, when the beverage container 38 is inserted into the
cavity 16 defined by the beverage container insulating device 10,
is illustrated. The side wall 14 has an inner diameter, D.sub.in,
that is sized such that there is clearance between an internal
surface 22 of the side wall 14 and the beverage container 38 when
inserted into the internal cavity 16. More specifically, the
beverage container 38 may have an outer diameter, D.sub.con_out,
that is smaller than the inner diameter, D.sub.in, of the side wall
14. The clearance between the side wall 14 (or more specifically
the internal surface 22 of the side wall 14) and the beverage
container 38 may be observed by the spaces or gaps 40 that are
defined between the internal surface 22 of the side wall 14 and the
beverage container 38.
[0023] The at least one protrusion 24, however, engages the
beverage container 38 when the beverage container 38 is inserted
into the internal cavity 16 via an interference-fit such that the
at least one protrusion 24 forms dents or deformations 42 in the
beverage container 38. The deformations 42 in the beverage
container 38 may produce a spring-back force that engages the at
least one protrusion 24 to affix the position of the beverage
container 38 within the internal cavity 16. The interference-fit
between one of the protrusions 24 and the beverage container 38 is
present when the distance, D.sub.pro, between such a protrusion 24
and an opposing second protrusion 24 or an opposing portion of the
internal surface 22 of the side wall 14 (in cases where there are
no opposing protrusion 24 or if there is only one protrusion) is
smaller than the outer diameter of the beverage container,
D.sub.con_out. Also, the interference-fit is present if multiple
protrusions 24 are utilized and the multiple protrusions 24 form an
inner diameter, D.sub.pro, that is equal to or smaller than the
outer diameter of the beverage container, D.sub.con_out. The
beverage container 38 may be deformed by the at least one
protrusion 24, because the rigidity of the at least one protrusion
24 is greater than the rigidity of the beverage container 38.
[0024] It should be understood that the designations of first,
second, third, fourth, etc. for protrusions, rows of protrusions,
columns of protrusions, ramped surfaces of the protrusions, or any
other component, state, or condition described herein may be
rearranged in the claims so that they are in chronological order
with respect to the claims.
[0025] The words used in the specification are words of description
rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes
may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
disclosure. As previously described, the features of various
embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments that may
not be explicitly described or illustrated. While various
embodiments could have been described as providing advantages or
being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations
with respect to one or more desired characteristics, those of
ordinary skill in the art recognize that one or more features or
characteristics may be compromised to achieve desired overall
system attributes, which depend on the specific application and
implementation. As such, embodiments described as less desirable
than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to
one or more characteristics are not outside the scope of the
disclosure and may be desirable for particular applications.
* * * * *