Disposable beverage insulator & method of using same

Description

This application claims the benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application entitled “DISPOSABLE BEVERAGE INSULATOR & METHOD OF USING SAME”, U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/573,663, filed on May 21, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Beverages are frequently sold or distributed in individual containers, such as cans or bottles. These individual beverage containers are often sold or distributed already chilled and ready for consumption. Insulated holders or beverage insulators have been provided for beverage containers in an attempt to maintain the beverage at a desired temperature. These holders include foam or rubber reusable insulators, which are relatively expensive and bulky to handle, as well as store and distribute. This is also the case for rigid insulating holders, typically of foamed plastic. Most of the above-mentioned insulators are too large to permit the insulated container to be placed within a supportive beverage holder typically available in cars, boats, and other vehicles. In addition, current beverage insulators are limited in terms of external graphics due to the materials and/or manufacturing processes employed. Also, most of these insulators are formed in pre-determined sizes or require two locking strips to enable them to be secured around a beverage container.

These and other disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention wherein an improved insulating cover is provided for beverage containers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 1 depicts a plan view of a beverage insulator according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts an end view of a beverage insulator according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts a top view of a beverage insulator according to the present invention in use about a beverage container; and

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of of a beverage insulator according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, a beverage insulator in accordance with the invention is generally designated by the numeral 10. The beverage insulator 10 includes an insulating layer 12, and a non-absorbent, printable layer 14. The non-absorbent layer 14 includes a first side, a second side, a first longitudinal edge, a second longitudinal edge, a first end edge, and a second end edge. The non-absorbent layer 14 may be comprised of any material substantially non-absorbent. The material is preferably capable of precluding condensation from migrating from the beverage container 10 through the insulating layer 12 and to the user's hand. The non-absorbent layer 14, or at least the second side thereof, may also be capable of receiving graphics, including full-color high gloss graphics, from any conventional printing process such as offset, flexography, screen-printing, laser, inkjet, gravure, photogravure, thermography, dye-sublimation, and the like. In some applications, the graphics may extend to all edges of the non-absorbent layer 14. Examples of such suitable materials include polymer films, high density cardboard, and the like.

A connector 22 may be secured to the first side of the non-absorbent layer 14 near the second end edge. In the exemplary embodiment, the connector 22 may be an adhesive strip having a peel away covering. It may be advantageous to use an adhesive that provides enough shear strength to hold the insulator 10 in place around a container 20 but also allow the insulator 10 to be separated from around the beverage container 20 multiple times for subsequent uses. It may also be advantageous to use an adhesive designed to not to leave any residual adhesive behind on the second side of the non-absorbent layer 14 when peeled apart. Alternatively, the connector 22 may be Velcro®, magnets, or the like, where the first portion of the connector 22 is secured near the second end edge of the non-absorbent layer 14 and the second complementary portion of the connector 22 is secured near the first end edge of the non-absorbent layer 14. Alternatively, the connector 22 may include a more permanent adhesive or the like such that the insulator 10 would be a single-use product. Also, while the connector 22 is shown secured to the second end edge of the fist side of the non-absorbent layer 14, it should be appreciated that the connector 22 may be secured anywhere on the non-absorbent layer 14.

An insulating layer 12 may be coupled to the first side of the non-absorbent layer 14 via an adhesive, one or more mechanical fasteners, such as a staple, heat staking, and the like. The insulating layer 12 may be configured to cover an area extending substantially to the first and second longitudinal edges, the first end edge, and the connector 22. The insulating layer 12 may be comprised of any material capable of insulating a beverage container 20 and absorbing any condensate, such as partially open celled foam, fully open-celled foam, felt and the like.

The thickness of the insulating later 12 and non-absorbent layer 14 are preferably selected such that the total thickness of the insulator 10 is between ⅛″ to 3/16″, which would allow a beverage container 20 having a insulator 10 thereabouts to be easily disposed in existing cup holders of conventional size typically found in cars, boats, and other vehicles. Moreover, it may be advantageous to include a hole near an edge of the non-absorbent layer 14 to hang on a merchandise display or point of sale display. Depending on the location of the hole on the non-absorbent layer 14, it may also be necessary for the hole to extend through the insulating layer 12 and/or connector 22.

Referring now to FIG. 3, in use, the beverage insulator 10 is wrapped about a beverage container 20. Once the beverage insulator 10 is in a preferred position, the connector 22 is selectively engaged with the second side of the non-absorbent layer 14 thereby securing the insulator 10 about the container 20. While FIG. 3 depicts a gap between the insulating layer 12 and the container 20, it should be appreciated that this gap is shown for illustrative purposes and it may be preferable that the insulating layer 12 be in contact with the container 20 prior to securing the insulator 10 about the container 20.

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of any claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications may readily appear to those skilled in the art.