BEVERAGE CONTAINER INSULATING DEVICE

Info

Publication number: 20210145196
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 15, 2019
Publication Date: May 20, 2021
Inventors: Brett MOODY (Chicago, IL), John J. ANTHONY (Downers Grove, IL), James ORRICO (Evanston, IL)
Application Number: 16/685,297

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.

Description

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to insulating devices for beverage containers that are configured to store and dispense liquid beverages.

BACKGROUND

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

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.

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.

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

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a beverage container insulating device;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the beverage container insulating device;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the beverage container insulating device;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIGS. 2; and

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

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.

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.

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.

Thee side wall 14 may also have an inner height, H_in. The inner height H_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_in, may also be sized for different beverage container sizes. For example, the inner height, H_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.

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.

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.

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.

The side wall 14 of the beverage container insulating device 10 has a length, L_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, D₁, from the bottom wall 12 that ranges between zero and ½ of the length of the side wall, L_sw. The second horizontally aligned row of protrusions 28 may be disposed along the side wall 14 at a distance, D₂. from the orifice 20 that ranges between zero and 1/2 of the length of the side wall, L_sw. In an alternative embodiment, the first horizontally aligned row of protrusions 26 may be disposed along the side wall 14 at a distance, D₁, from the bottom wall 12 that ranges between zero and ¼ of the length of the side wall, L_sw, while, the second horizontally aligned row of protrusions 28 may be disposed along the side wall 14 at a distance, D₂, from the orifice 20 that ranges between zero and ¼ of the length of the side wall, L_sw. Additional horizontally aligned rows of protrusions may be included that are disposed at any position along the length of the side wall, L_sw, between the first horizontally aligned row of protrusions 26 and the second horizontally aligned row of protrusions 28.

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.

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_p, of each of the at least one protrusion 24. The length, L_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, θ, between the first ramped surface 32 and the side wall 14 of each of the at least one protrusion 24 may range between 5° and 45°. More specifically, the angle, θ, 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_p, in the axial direction 34 away from the orifice 20 and toward the bottom wall 12.

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_p, of each of the at least one protrusion 24. An angle, ϕ, between the second ramped surface 36 and the side wall 14 of each of the at least one protrusion 24 may range between 5° and 70°. More specifically, the angle, ϕ, 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_p, in the axial direction 34 away from the orifice 20 and toward the bottom wall 12,

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_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_{con_out}, that is smaller than the inner diameter, D_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.

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_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_{con_out}. Also, the interference-fit is present if multiple protrusions 24 are utilized and the multiple protrusions 24 form an inner diameter, D_pro, that is equal to or smaller than the outer diameter of the beverage container, D_{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.

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.

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.

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 ½ 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 ½ 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 ½ 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 ½ 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.