Bottle cooler

Abstract

An insulating jacket for a can or bottle is made of bubble film. The jacket is made from a folded blank which provides an insulating base integral with a fold fat sleeve. Methods of forming the jacket seam from different blanks are disclosed. The jacket is disposable or additionally insulated with metallised or printed film.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention pertains to an insulating jacket for cans and bottles of beverage.

[0002] When cans and bottles of beverage are taken from a cool store they are commonly below dew point and the resulting condensation pools beneath the can or bottle, If an absorbent coaster is not used, any French polish furniture finish develops a visible ring. An impervious furniture surface collects water which is often undesirable. While water condenses, the ambient air and the hands of the drinker warm the beverage by conduction. The condensed water wets and cools the hand of the drinker.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] Whilst the prior art discloses several forms of bottle coolers including coolers containing a freezing gel liquid (Australian Patent No. 51027/79), baby bottle coolers (Australian Patent No. 20697/88) some of which have thermo-insulating qualities. They are not inexpensive to the point where they could be used as disposable like, for example, a paper plate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The apparatus aspect of the invention provides:-

[0005] an insulating jacket for a drinks container comprising

[0006] a sleeve capable of at least partially surrounding the curved part of the container,

[0007] a base associated with a sleeve capable of maintaining the bottom of the container clear of the support surface, both base and sleeve being made of bubble film.

PREFERRED ASPECT OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Preferably the present invention provides that the sleeve is erectable in a substantially cylindrical shape with an integral base and is collapsible to a flat folded shape.

[0009] It is further preferred that the jacket is made from a flat blank with a symmetrical fold axis and a pair of cutouts which facilitate folding and assumption of the cylindrical shape.

[0010] It is further preferred that the cutouts are at the ends of the folded axis.

[0011] It is further preferred that the blank is rectangular and the edges of the blank except those defining the cutouts are joined to form a pair of parallel scams.

[0012] Preferably the present invention provides that the blank is made of two superimposed layers of bubble film.

[0013] Preferably the present invention provides that the bubble film composing the sleeve at least is covered by a metallised film.

[0014] Preferably the present invention provides that the metallised film is the outermost layer of the sleeve and laminated thereto.

[0015] Preferably the present invention provides a blank made of bubble film for making the insulating jacket.

[0016] Preferably the present invention provides a method of making an insulating jacket from a rectangular blank comprising establishing a central fold axis for the jacket, subtracting a pair of cutouts from the ends of the axis which define between them the jacket base, folding the blank on the fold axis in order to bring the jacket sides in register and joining the sides mutually to form a sleeve.

[0017] Preferably the present invention provides a method of making an insulated jacket from a rectangular blank of bubble film wherein three cutout tabs are made in the base edge of the blank defining between them a pair of tabs capable of forming the jacket base, folding the blank to bring the tabs and sides of the blank into register and joining the tabs mutually and the sides mutually.

[0018] Preferably one form of the invention has cut-away corners to enhance the thermo-insulating qualities of said receptacle, enable easier insertion of a bottle or can into the said receptacle and enhance the stability and inertial qualities of the receptacle when placed on a surface. When in the flattened position the base corners are cut-away, by removing these corners the base edge is able to meet flush with the wall sections. By enabling the base to meet perpendicular to the walls it increases the stability.

[0019] Preferably the jacket further includes a silver lining laminated between said inner and outer layers. Such lining can also be placed on the outer or inner layers of the jacket and can comprise a metallised polyester film. The size of the bubbles is not critical but diameters of the order of bottles and cans for beverage suit bubble sizes of 0.5-10 mm, The film thickness is not critical except in that flimsy film tears and punctures more easily and reduces the life of the jacket.

[0020] Preferably the receptacle is made from a material selected from plastics. More preferably the material is a biodegradable and/or recyclable plastic or paper.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Not withstanding any other forms that may fall within its scope one preferred form of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:-

[0022] FIG. 1 is a side view of the jacket in the closed position prior to a bottle or can being introduced into the jacket;

[0023] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the carrier shown in FIG. 1;

[0024] FIG. 3 is a three-quarter view of the invention in the open position prior to a bottle or can being introduced into the jacket;

[0025] FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the jacket shown in FIG. 1;

[0026] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the jacket in FIG. 1 in the open position after a bottle or can has been introduced;

[0027] FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the jacket in FIG. 5;

[0028] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the jacket in FIG. 1 with a metallised lining which enhance the thermo-insulating properties of the jacket;

[0029] FIG. 8 is a plan of a blank,

[0030] FIG. 9 is a plan of an alternative blank.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

[0031] By way of reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown a blank (1) in a first flattened or storage condition.

[0032] The bottle/can assembly includes a jacket (2) which is adapted to adopt a first flattened condition for easy storage and a second expanded position (see FIG. 3) for receiving and retaining a bottle/can. The receptacle (2) has a crease or seam (3) which enables the receptacle to adopt a variable geometry. In FIG. 1 the receptacle is folded along the line of the crease or seam so as to adopt a flat configuration.

[0033] The flattened position greatly increases carrying, storage and packing efficiency.

[0034] The receptacle in FIG. 1 and 2 shows both inner (6) ad outer (7) layers of thermo-insulating bubbles (8). The bubbles are filled with a gas, usually air, which acts as an insulator preventing transfer of heat.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3 there is a bottle/can cooler assembly in an expanded configuration. By applying finger pressure to the outer crease or seam or seams (3) the initially flat configuration (see FIGS. 1 and 2) is caused to move thereby altering configuration so as to create an opening (4) and a base (5) for supporting a bottle or can (10).

[0036] In FIG. 4 the base (5) of the receptacle is shaped or contoured so as to engage a corresponding shaped portion of a bottle/can received therein.

[0037] In FIG. 4 the base (5) of the receptacle has cut-away corners (11) for improving the closeness of fit between a bottle/can and receptacle. It is understood that the closer the fit is between bottle/can and inner layer (6) of the receptacle the greater is the thermo-insulating properties of the receptacle. The cut-away corners also enable easier insertion of the bottle and enhance the stability and inertial qualities of the receptacle when placed on a surface such as a table.

[0038] In FIG. 7, the receptacle further includes a reflective thermo-insulating layer made of an aluminium polyester material (9) disposed either on the outer layer or the inner layer or between the inner layer (6) and the outer layer (7). The reflective layer (9) can be a silver lining. The reflective layer can be adhered to either or both inner and outer thermo-insulating layers by way of lamination and can also be used for decoration or promotion of products and events.

[0039] Referring now to FIG. 8, the applicant has also found that there is a preferred method of manufacture whereby the jacket is produced from a rectangular blank of bubble wrap film. The jacket is produced by cutting a template of the unsealed jacket, allowing for the cut-out corners, which is then folded in half and seated along one side and across the base to produce. An advantage of this method is that there is only one seal on the sides, therefore producing a more comfortable hold for the hand.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 9, another method of manufacture utilises a rectangular unformed film of bubble wrap, which is folded along the base and sealed along both sides. After sealing, the corners are cut-out. Advantage of this method is that there is no seal along the base, therefore producing a more stable article.

[0041] One method of sealing the seams is by way of heat shrinking, another method is by compression in a press.

[0042] Throughout this specification:-

[0043] the words ‘comprising’ and ‘comprises’ mean including, but non limited to, or includes, without limitation; and

[0044] any references to a patent specification is not an admission that the contents of that specification are part of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art in Australia.

Claims

1. An insulating jacket for a drinks container comprising

a sleeve capable of at least partially surrounding the curved part of the container,

a base associated with a sleeve capable of maintaining the bottom of the container clear of the support surface, both base and sleeve being made of bubble film.

2. An insulating jacket as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sleeve is erectable in a substantially cylindrical shape with an integral base and is collapsible to a flat folded shape.

3. An insulating jacket as claimed in claim 2 wherein the jacket is made from a flat blank with a symmetrical fold axis and a pair of cutouts which facilitate folding and assumption of the cylindrical shape.

4. An insulating jacket as claimed in claim 3 wherein the cutouts are at the ends of the folded axis.

5. An insulating jacket as claimed in claim 3 or 4 wherein the blank is rectangular and the edges of the blank except those defining the cutouts are joined to form a pair of parallel seams.

6. An insulating jacket as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5 wherein the blank is made of two superimposed layers of bubble film.

7. An insulating jacket as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the bubble film composing the sleeve at least is covered by a metallised film.

8. An insulating jacket as claimed in claim 7 wherein the metallised film is the outermost layer of the sleeve and laminated thereto.

9. A blank made of bubble film for making the insulating jacket as claimed in claim 1.

10. An insulating jacket for a drinks container substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in FIG. 8.

11. A method of making an insulating jacket as claimed in claim 1 from a rectangular blank comprising establishing a central fold axis for the jacket, subtracting a pair of cutouts from the ends of the axis which define between them the jacket base, folding the blank on the fold axis in order to bring the jacket sides in register and joining the sides mutually to form a sleeve.

12. A method of making an insulating jacket substantially as herein described with reference to FIG. 8.

13. A method of making an insulated jacket claimed in claim 1 from a rectangular blank of bubble film wherein three cutout tabs are made in the base edge of the blank defining between them a pair of tabs capable of forming the jacket base, folding the blank to bring the tabs and sides of the blank into register and joining the tabs mutually and the sides mutually.

14. A method of making an insulating jacket substantially as herein described with reference to FIG. 9.