Convertible Insulator for a Bottle or a Can

Abstract

A beverage insulator configurable to insulate a bottle in a bottle configuration, and a can in a can configuration, is disclosed. The beverage insulator includes a body for receiving and insulating a bottle or a can, and one or more foldable members to insulate a bottle neck in the bottle configuration, and a can in the can configuration. The can configuration allows a user to comfortably drink from the can without the foldable members interfering with the user's normal drinking action. The bottle configuration substantially insulates a bottle from a bottom of the bottle to a neck of the bottle.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/037,768, filed on Aug. 15, 2014, entitled Convertible Insulator for a Bottle or a Can, the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to insulation devices, and more particularly to an insulation device which may be placed about a bottle, such as a long neckbottle, and then, when required or desired, converted to be able to be placed about a conventional beverage can.

DESRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

A person may desire to keep a beverage cold while enjoying the beverage. For example, a person may want to keep a bottled or canned beverage cold while still being able to drink out of the bottle or the can. Insulation devices are commonly available to keep beverages cool. Such insulation devices are referred to in the vernacular as coozies. It appears that there is a registered trademark KOOZIE® owned by Bic Corporation of Shelton, Conn. for insulated containers for beverage cans. Generally, these insulated containers are applied about the exterior of the can or bottle to keep the beverage cool in such a fashion to permit the user or consumer to drink from the can or bottle unimpeded or unobstructed. Additionally, insulated containers are constructed from materials known for their low heat transfer coefficients, insulating the can or bottle from the atmosphere and keeping the beverage colder for a longer period of time compared to an uninsulated beverage can.

However, current beverage insulation devices are limited to either insulating a bottle or a can, and cannot appropriately and conveniently insulate both. For example, if a bottle insulator is used for a canned beverage, the height of the insulator will be far greater than the canned beverage, and will not permit a person to enjoy the canned beverage. If a can insulator is used for a bottled beverage, the height of the can insulator will not appropriately cover the bottled beverage. As such, there exists a need for an insulator device that can conveniently insulate both a can and a bottle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed is a convertible insulator for insulating a bottle or a can comprising an insulating body that defines an internal space configured to receive a bottle or a can and one or more foldable members attached to the body, the one or more foldable members configured to insulate a neck of a bottle in a first configuration, and configured to fold away from the first configuration to a second configuration to insulate a can.

In another aspect, the body includes a substantially closed bottom portion to hold a bottom of a can or bottle and a substantially open top portion opposite the bottom portion.

In another aspect, the body is substantially cylindrical.

In another aspect, the one or more foldable members include one or more fasteners to fasten the one or more foldable members about the neck of the bottle.

In another aspect, the one or more foldable members fold about a waist of the body to the second configuration.

In another aspect, the waist is configured to expose a drinking portion of a standard 355 ml canned beverage when the one or more foldable members are folded to the second configuration.

In another aspect, the foldable members are configured to fold away from the first configuration to a second configuration to unobstruct a consumer drinking out of a received can.

In another aspect, the one or more foldable members fold about a waist of the body inward toward the inner space.

In another aspect, the waist is configured to expose a drinking portion of a standard 355 ml canned beverage when the foldable members are in the second configuration.

In another aspect, in the first configuration, the insulator substantially covers a received bottle from a bottom of the bottle to a neck of the bottle.

In another aspect, in the second configuration, a received can causes the one or more foldable members to be sandwiched between the received can and the body.

In another aspect, the second configuration, a received can experiences insulation from both the body and the one or more foldable members.

The invention will be best understood and become more apparent by referring to the drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front view of an exemplary convertible insulator encasing a bottle, the bottle shown in phantom;

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the convertible insulator sans bottle, with one shoulder folded down;

FIG. 3 shows a sectional elevated side view of the convertible insulator, the section taken along sectional plane 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a front view of the convertible insulator receiving a can, the can shown partially in phantom;

FIG. 5 shows a front view of the convertible insulator sans can with both shoulders folded down;

FIG. 6 shows a sectional elevated side view of the convertible insulator, the section taken from sectional plane 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective front view of the convertible insulator configured for use with a bottle; the rear view of the convertible insulator is the same as the front view.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective side view of the convertible insulator configured for use with a bottle; both sides, the right side and the left side have the same view.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the convertible insulator configured for use with a bottle;

FIG. 10 shows a top view of the convertible insulator configured for use with a bottle; and

FIG. 11 shows a bottom view of the convertible insulator configured for use with a bottle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now specifically to FIG. 1, the convertible insulator 10 is shown affixed about a long neck bottle 20. The long neck bottle 20, is shown in phantom, having a top 25 of the bottle 20. The convertible insulator 10 includes a bottom circular insulator element 30. The bottom insulator element 30 is the bottom member of the cylindrical insulator element 40. The cylindrical insulator element 40 includes an inner sidewall 32 and an outer sidewall 34. The thickness T of the cylindrical insulator element is the distance from the cylindrical insulator element 40 inner sidewall 32 to the cylindrical insulator element 40 outer sidewall 34.

Attached to the top of the cylindrical insulator element 40 are a pair of shoulders 50, herein also described as foldable members, which include elements to secure the pair of shoulders 50 about the neck of the bottle. This will be shown more clearly in subsequent figures. It is to be understood that any number of shoulders or foldable members may be included to be secured around the neck of the bottle, and each shoulder or foldable member may include any number of fasteners as further described below. Further, cylindrical insulator element 40 may take any shape or form without departing from scope of this disclosure. For example, the cylindrical insulator 40 may take general form as a pocket that is able to receive a bottle or can. For example, the disclosed insulator may include a body that forms or defines a pocket that is configured to receive a bottle or a can, such that the body substantially surrounds and insulates the bottle or can.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 2, the convertible insulator 10 is shown without the bottle 20 being received therein. The convertible insulator 10 includes a bottom circular insulator element 30. The bottom insulator element 30 is the bottom member of the cylindrical insulator element 40, and closes the bottom of the insulator 40 to aid in securing a bottle or a can. For example, if a can or bottle is too thin, the bottom 30 may aid in holding the bottle or can from falling out of the insulator. The pair of shoulders 50 are shown such that the first shoulder 52 in an upward position, and the second shoulder 54 in a downward position. Attached to the interior sidewall of the first shoulder 52 are a pair of hook and loop fasteners 55. Attached to the interior sidewall of the second shoulder 54 are a second pair of hook and loop fasteners 60. The first pair of hook and loop fasteners 55 and the second pair of hook and loop fasteners 60 are configured and oriented to grip each other when placed about the neck of the bottle 20.

The insulator 10 has a first circumferential waist portion 36 and a second circumferential waist portion 38. Waist portion 36 is associated with shoulder 54, where shoulder 54 meets cylindrical insulator element 40. Likewise, waist portion 38 is associated with shoulder 52, where shoulder 52 meets cylindrical insulator element 40. The shoulders 50 fold along a circumference of the insulator 10. For example, the meeting points of shoulders 50 may lie along a circumference of the insulator 10, and the shoulders 50 may fold along the circumference or about a circumference defined by a plane intersecting with the meeting points. The shoulders 50 may be integrally formed with a body of the insulator, or may be separately attached during manufacture or assembly.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a sectional view of the convertible insulator 10 is shown. The convertible insulator 10 includes a bottom circular insulator element 30. The bottom insulator element 30 is the bottom member of the cylindrical insulator element 40. The cylindrical insulator element 40 includes an inner sidewall 32 and an outer sidewall 34. The thickness T of the cylindrical insulator element is the distance from the cylindrical insulator element 40 inner sidewall 32 to the cylindrical insulator element 40 outer sidewall 34. The pair of shoulders 50 are shown, the first shoulder 52 in an upward position, and the second shoulder 54 in an upward position. Attached to the interior sidewall 70 of the first shoulder 52 are a pair of hook and loop fasteners 55. Attached to the interior sidewall 72 of the second shoulder 54 are a second pair of hook and loop fasteners 60.

Referring now to FIG. 4 the convertible insulator 10 is shown in its converted state in order to receive a beverage can 80 therein, while conveniently exposing the pouring/drinking spout of the beverage can. The first shoulder 52 is shown folded, at waist 38, into the cylindrical insulator element 40. Due to the orientation of the figure, the second shoulder 54 is not shown; however, it is folded, at waist 36, into the cylindrical insulator element 40 on the opposite side of the can 80 away from first shoulder 52. Hook and loop fasteners 55 are shown in dashed lines. Hook and loop fasteners 60 are not shown in this figure but are on the opposite side of the hook and loop fasteners 55. It is clearly shown by folding the shoulders 50 into the cylindrical insulating element 40, the convertible insulator 10 can be easily converted to insulate a bottle 20 or can 80, allowing a user or consumer to drink from both the can and the bottle without the shoulders interfering with a person's drinking enjoyment. In other words, in the folded configuration, the insulator 10 allows a user or consumer to consume a can beverage without the shoulders interfering with the user or consumer's face. For example, folding the shoulders 50 down into the insulator 10, then placing the can inside the insulator 10, moves the shoulders 50 out of the way for a user or consumer to enjoy the canned beverage. The shoulders 50 may be moved away from an unfolded configuration in any way, and do not have to fold inside the insulator 10. For example, the shoulders 50 may include fasteners to fasten the shoulders 50 to an exterior wall of the insulator 10.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 5, the convertible insulator 10 is shown with both shoulders 52 and 54 folded into the cylindrical insulating element 40. In this figure, the can 80 has not yet been placed into the convertible insulator 10.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a sectional view of the convertible insulator 10 is shown. The circular bottom insulating element 30 is affixed to the cylindrical insulating element 40. First shoulder 52 and second shoulder 54 are shown folded inside the cylindrical insulating element 40. In this configuration, the convertible insulator 10 is ready to receive a beverage can 80 therein.

FIG. 7 shows a front view of the convertible insulator configured for use with a bottle. In the configuration of FIG. 7, where the shoulders are used with the bottle, the shoulders are substantially covering the neck of the bottle, hence providing insulation all the way from the bottom of the bottle to the neck of the bottle. As such, distal lengthwise or longitudinal ends of the insulator substantially span the length of a bottom of a bottle to a neck of the bottle, one end being at the bottom of the insulator, and the other end being at the distal end of a shoulder or folding member. The fasteners 50 fasten to each other to secure the shoulders 50 over the neck of the bottle.

In conclusion, provided is an insulator that is convertible for use with a can or a bottle. When used with a bottle in a bottle configuration, the shoulders or foldable members attach to each other to cover the neck of the bottle, such that the bottle is insulated from the bottom of the bottle to the neck of the bottle where the shoulders or foldable members attach to one another. The same insulator may be converted for use with a can in a can configuration, by folding the shoulders or foldable members down into the insulator and sliding the can inside the insulator against exterior sides of the shoulders or foldable members, such that the shoulders or foldable members become sandwiched between the can and the body and/or interior walls of the insulator. In the folded configuration, the insulator provides an improvement to traditional beverage insulator devices, in that a double walled insulator forms providing further insulation from both the body and the foldable members.

It is to be understood that the foldable members do not need to extend past a mouth of a received bottle, or extend past a length of a bottle, to appropriately insulate a bottle neck as described above. For example, the foldable members do not require to be pulled over the mouth of the bottle to secure the foldable members for insulating the bottle neck.

The present invention is a convertible insulator for insulating a bottle or a can having an insulating body that defines an internal space configured to receive a bottle or a can; with one or more foldable members attached to the body, the one or more foldable members configured to insulate a neck of a bottle in a first configuration, and configured to fold away from the first configuration to a second configuration to insulate a can; and a fastening mechanism to fasten the one or more foldable members about the neck of the bottle. The fastening mechanism includes hook and loop fasteners to fasten the one or more foldable members about the neck of the bottle. Further, the fastening mechanism includes two hook and loop fasteners disposed on each of the foldable members. Each set of fastening members on the foldable members being configured to mate with the other set of fastening members on the other foldable member.

While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A convertible insulator for insulating a bottle or a can comprising:

an insulating body that defines an internal space configured to receive a bottle or a can;

one or more foldable members attached to the body, the one or more foldable members configured to insulate a neck of a bottle in a first configuration, and configured to fold away from the first configuration to a second configuration to insulate a can; and

a fastening mechanism to fasten the one or more foldable members about the neck of the bottle.

2. The insulator of claim 1, where the body includes a substantially closed bottom portion to hold a bottom of a can or bottle and a substantially open top portion opposite the bottom portion.

3. The insulator of claim 1, where the body is substantially cylindrical.

4. The insulator of claim 1, where the fastening mechanism includes hook and loop fasteners to fasten the one or more foldable members about the neck of the bottle.

5. The insulator of claim 1, where the fastening mechanism includes two hook and loop fasteners disposed on each of the foldable members.

6. The insulator of claim 1, where the one or more foldable members fold about a waist of the body to the second configuration.

7. The insulator of claim 6, where the waist is configured to expose a drinking portion of a standard 355 ml canned beverage when the one or more foldable members are folded to the second configuration.

8. An insulator for insulating a bottle or a can, convertible between a bottle configuration and a can configuration, the insulator comprising:

an insulating body that defines an internal space configured to receive a bottle or a can; and

one or more foldable members attached to the body, the one or more foldable members configured to surround a neck of a bottle in a first configuration, and configured to fold away from the first configuration to a second configuration to unobstruct a consumer drinking out of a received can

a fastening mechanism to secure the one or more foldable members around a neck of a bottle received in the insulating body.

9. The insulator of claim 8, where the body includes a substantially closed bottom portion and a substantially open top portion.

10. The insulator of claim 8, where the body is substantially cylindrical.

11. The insulator of claim 8, where the fastening mechanism includes hook and loop fasteners to fasten the one or more foldable members to surround and insulate the neck of the bottle.

12. The insulator of claim 8, where the fastening mechanism includes a set of two hook and loop fasteners disposed on each of the foldable members, each set being configured to mate with another set.

13. The insulator of claim 8, where the one or more foldable members fold about a waist of the body inward toward the inner space.

14. The insulator of claim 15, where the waist is configured to expose a drinking portion of a standard 355 ml canned beverage when the foldable members are in the second configuration.

15. An insulator for insulating a bottle or a can, convertible between a bottle configuration and a can configuration, the insulator comprising:

an insulating body that defines an internal space configured to receive a bottle or a can;

one or more foldable members attached to the body, the one or more foldable members configured to surround a neck of a bottle in a first configuration, and configured to fold away from the first configuration to a second configuration to unobstruct a consumer drinking out of a received can.

16. The insulator of claim 15, where in the first configuration, the insulator substantially covers a received bottle from a bottom of the bottle to a neck of the bottle.

17. The insulator of claim 15, where in the second configuration, a received can causes the one or more foldable members to be sandwiched between the received can and the body.

18. The insulator of claim 15, where in the second configuration, a received can experiences insulation from both the body and the one or more foldable members.

19. The insulator of claim 15, further comprising a fastening mechanism including a set of two hook and loop fasteners disposed on each of the foldable members, each set being configured to mate with another set.