GALLON JUG INSULATION SLEEVE

Abstract

An insulation sleeve, also known on a koozy, is adapted to fit on a one-gallon jug to keep its contents insulated. The insulation sleeve can wrap about the one-gallon jug, keeping warm liquids inside the jug warmer longer than without the insulation sleeve, and keeping cold liquids inside the jug colder longer that without the insulation sleeve. The insulation sleeve could be made of a insulation material, such as neoprene. The insulation sleeve could be made out of a single material, or multiple materials. For example, the insulation sleeve could include a rubber base to help minimize wear through the base of the insulation sleeve.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/525,962, filed Aug. 22, 2011 and U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/539,800, filed Sep. 27, 2011, the contents of both of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to container insulation sleeves, also known as koozies and, more particularly, to a one-gallon jug koozy that can keep hot or cold liquids inside the jug insulated.

One gallon jugs are difficult to keep cool or cold when taken out of a refrigerator or a controlled environment. These jugs often quickly acclimate to the room temperature.

Conventional smaller koozies don't work well because they only fit on small containers. If one desires to keep a larger container, such as a one-gallon jug, cold, they must store it in a cooler in ice, for example. There is no good way currently available to keep a one-gallon sized jug in contact with room temperature air and keep it adequately insulated and cold.

As can be seen, there is a need for an insulated device for keeping a one-gallon jug insulated, permitting it to store warm and cold liquids while maintaining a desired temperature longer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, an insulation sleeve for a gallon-sized jug comprises an insulation material forming a body of the insulation sleeve; a handle cutout operable to allow a handle of the jug to pass therethrough; a nozzle cutout operable to allow a nozzle of the jug to pass therethrough; and an openable and closable portion allowing the jug to be inserted and removed from the insulation sleeve.

In another aspect of the present invention, an insulation sleeve for a gallon-sized jug comprises an insulation body operable to cover an exterior portion of the jug; a handle cutout operable to allow a handle of the jug to pass therethrough; a nozzle cutout operable to allow a nozzle of the jug to pass therethrough; and a zipper allowing the insulation body to be opened to permit the jug to be inserted and removed from the insulation sleeve.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a one-gallon jug insulation sleeve in use on a gallon jug, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the one-gallon jug insulation sleeve of FIG. 1, removed from the jug;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the one-gallon jug insulation sleeve, in use on a gallon jug, showing heat energy retention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the one-gallon jug insulation sleeve, in use on a gallon jug, showing heat energy deflection;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a one-gallon jug insulation sleeve in use on a gallon jug, having a bottom access opening, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the one-gallon jug insulation sleeve of FIG. 5, removed from the jug.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an insulation sleeve, also known on a koozy, which is adapted to fit on a one-gallon jug to keep its contents insulated. The insulation sleeve can wrap about the one-gallon jug, keeping warm liquids inside the jug warmer longer than without the insulation sleeve, and keeping cold liquids inside the jug colder longer that without the insulation sleeve. The insulation sleeve could be made of a insulation material, such as neoprene. The insulation sleeve could be made out of a single material, or multiple materials. For example, the insulation sleeve could include a rubber base to help minimize wear through the base of the insulation sleeve.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4, an insulation sleeve 10 is sized to fit on a one-gallon jug 12. The jug 12 can be operable to hold a liquid 14 therein. The insulation sleeve 10 can act for retention of heat energy 16, as shown in FIG. 3 and act for deflection of heat energy 16, as shown in FIG. 4.

The insulation sleeve 10 can have a body 18 made from a durable, insulation material, such as neoprene. A handle 20 of the jug 12 can extend out of a handle cutout 22 in the insulation sleeve 10. A nozzle 24 of the jug 12 can extend out of a nozzle cutout 26 in the insulation sleeve 10.

A zipper 26 can be disposed from the nozzle cutout 26 down one side of the insulation sleeve 10. The zipper 26 can be long enough to allow a user to insert or remove the jug 12 from the insulation sleeve 10, as shown in FIG. 2. While a zipper 26 is shown, other securing mechanisms, such as a hook and loop fastener, for example, can be deployed to create an opening in the insulation sleeve 10.

The opening can be disposed in other locations to allow a user to insert and remove the jug 12. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a closure, such as a zipper 26 can be disposed along three sides of a lower portion (for example, about 2 inches from the bottom of the insulation sleeve 10) of the insulation sleeve 10. When the zipper 26 is opened, a lower flap 30 can be moved aside, as shown in FIG. 6, to allow the jug 12 to be inserted through the bottom of the insulation sleeve 10.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. An insulation sleeve for a gallon-sized jug, comprising:

an insulation material forming a body of the insulation sleeve;

a handle cutout operable to allow a handle of the jug to pass therethrough;

a nozzle cutout operable to allow a nozzle of the jug to pass therethrough; and

an openable and closable portion allowing the jug to be inserted and removed from the insulation sleeve.

2. The insulation sleeve of claim 1, wherein the openable and closable portion is a zipper.

3. The insulation sleeve of claim 2, wherein the zipper extends from the nozzle cutout down a portion of one side of the insulation sleeve.

4. The insulation sleeve of claim 2, wherein the zipper extends around about three sides of the insulation sleeve proximate to a base of the insulation sleeve.

5. An insulation sleeve for a gallon-sized jug, comprising:

an insulation body operable to cover an exterior portion of the jug;

a handle cutout operable to allow a handle of the jug to pass therethrough;

a nozzle cutout operable to allow a nozzle of the jug to pass therethrough; and

a zipper allowing the insulation body to be opened to permit the jug to be inserted and removed from the insulation sleeve.

6. The insulation sleeve of claim 5, wherein the zipper extends from the nozzle cutout down a portion of one side of the insulation sleeve.

7. The insulation sleeve of claim 5, wherein the zipper extends around about three sides of the insulation sleeve proximate to a base of the insulation sleeve.