BACKGROUND AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to insulated beverage container housings. It is often desirable to maintain the temperature of a beverage during the period of time in which the beverage is to be consumed. Additionally, many consumers of beverages have preferred beverage containers which are used to store and dispense beverages during the period of consumption. Various embodiments of the present invention illustrate insulated beverage container housings that provide thermal insulation to beverage containers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of an insulated beverage container housing.
FIG. 1B illustrates a top view of the insulated beverage container housing of FIG. 1A.
FIG. 1C illustrates a side view of the insulated beverage container housing of FIG. 1A.
FIG. 2 illustrates use of the insulated beverage container housing of FIG. 1A to insulate a beverage container.
FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of an insulated beverage container housing.
FIG. 3B illustrates a top view of the insulated beverage container housing of FIG. 3A.
FIG. 3C illustrates a side view of the insulated beverage container housing of FIG. 3A.
FIG. 4A illustrates use of the insulated beverage container housing of FIG. 3A to insulate a beverage container.
FIG. 4B illustrates use of the insulated beverage container housing of FIG. 3A to insulate a beverage container.
FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of an insulated beverage container housing.
FIG. 6A illustrates use of the insulated beverage container housing of FIG. 5 to insulate a beverage container.
FIG. 6B illustrates use of the insulated beverage container housing of FIG. 5 to insulate a beverage container.
FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of an insulated beverage container housing.
FIG. 8 illustrates the insulating properties of various embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of insulating material in the form of an insulated beverage container housing 1 comprising a first end 2, a second, opposite end 3, and a body portion defined therebetween. The body portion comprises a wall having an interior surface 4 defining a cavity 6, an opposite, exterior surface 5, and a longitudinal axis therethrough the cavity 6. In FIG. 1A, the body portion comprises a slot 7 in the wall extending radially from the interior surface 4 to the exterior surface 5 of the wall and longitudinally and substantially perpendicularly from said second end 3 of the housing. Although FIG. 1A illustrates the slot 7 extending from the second end 3 of the housing to the first end 2 of the housing, it is anticipated that the slot 7 need only partially extend from the second end 3 of the housing. Additionally, in some embodiments of the present invention, the slot 7 may be of such size as to accommodate a handle extending radially from a beverage container.
FIG. 1B illustrates a top view of the insulated beverage container housing of FIG. 1A.
FIG. 1C illustrates a side view of the insulated beverage container housing of FIG. 1A.
FIG. 2 illustrates use of the insulated beverage container housing of FIG. 1A to insulate a beverage container. In FIG. 2, the beverage container is substantially a coffee mug, and the insulated beverage container housing is engaged with the beverage container. The insulated beverage container housing may be flexible or rigid and of such shape and size that the insulated beverage container housing may fit a variety of shapes and sizes of beverage containers. The insulated beverage container housing may be form fitting such that the housing is malleable and may be affixed to beverage containers of varying shape and size. Additionally, the insulated beverage container housing may remain affixed to the beverage container through friction. Alternatively, the engagement of the insulated beverage container housing with the beverage container may be such that the beverage container fits loosely within the insulated beverage container housing. In such an alternative embodiment, the beverage container may be removed from the insulated beverage container housing during consumption of the beverage and the beverage container replaced within the insulated beverage container housing after partial or complete consumption of the beverage. The slot in the body portion of the insulated beverage container housing accommodates a handle extending radially from the beverage container.
FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of insulating material in the form of an insulated beverage container housing 1′ comprising a first end 2′, a second, opposite end 3′, and a body portion defined therebetween. The body portion comprises a wall having an interior surface 4′ defining a cavity 6′, an opposite, exterior surface 5′, and a longitudinal axis therethrough the cavity 6′. Furthermore, the insulated beverage container housing 1′ of FIG. 3A comprises a base 8′. The base 8′ at least partially encloses the first end 2′ of the insulated beverage container housing 1′. Similar to the prior embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A, the body portion of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3A comprises a slot 7′ in the wall extending radially from the interior surface 4′ to the exterior surface 5′ of the wall and longitudinally and substantially perpendicularly from said second end 3′ of the insulated beverage container housing 1′. Although FIG. 3A illustrates the slot 7′ extending only partially from the second end 3′ of the housing to the first end 2′ of the housing, it is anticipated that the slot 7′ may extend to the first end 2′ of the insulated beverage container housing 1′ or to the base 8′.
FIG. 3B illustrates a top view of the insulated beverage container housing of FIG. 3A.
FIG. 3C illustrates a side view of the insulated beverage container housing of FIG. 3A.
FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate use of the insulated beverage container housing of FIG. 3A to insulate beverage containers. In FIGS. 4A and 4B, the beverage containers are substantially coffee mugs, and the insulated beverage container housings are engaged with the beverage containers. The insulated beverage container housings may be flexible or rigid and of such shape and size that the insulated beverage container housings may fit a variety of sizes of beverage containers. Additionally, the insulated beverage container housing may remain affixed to the beverage container through friction. Alternatively, the engagement of the insulated beverage container housing with the beverage container may be such that the beverage container may be removed from the insulated beverage container housing during consumption of the beverage and the beverage container replaced within the insulated beverage container housing after partial or complete consumption of the beverage.
FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of insulating material in the form of an insulated beverage container housing 1′ substantially in the form illustrated in FIG. 3A and further comprising a lid 9′. The lid 9′ may be independent of the insulated beverage container housing 1′ as depicted in FIG. 5. Alternatively, the lid 9′ may be affixed to the insulated beverage container housing 1′ as depicted in FIG. 7. The lid 9′ at least partially encloses the second end 3′ of the insulated beverage container housing 1′. A lid 9′ that fully encloses the second end 3′ of the insulated beverage container housing 1′ is anticipated and will provide the maximum thermal insulation. A lid 9′ that partially encloses the second end 3′ of the insulated beverage container housing 1′ provides less insulation than a fully enclosing lid 9′. However, in various embodiments of the present invention, a lid 9′ that partially encloses the second end 3′ of the insulated beverage container housing 1′ allows for consumption of a beverage from the beverage container while the insulated beverage container housing 1′ remains affixed to the beverage container.
FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate use of the insulated beverage container housing of FIG. 5 to insulate beverage containers. In FIGS. 6A and 6B, the beverage containers are substantially coffee mugs, and the insulated beverage container housings are engaged with the beverage containers. The insulated beverage container housings may be flexible or rigid and of such shape and size that the insulated beverage container housings may fit a variety of sizes of beverage containers. Additionally, the insulated beverage container housing may remain affixed to the beverage container through friction. Alternatively, the engagement of the insulated beverage container housing with the beverage container may be such that the beverage container may be removed from the insulated beverage container housing during consumption of the beverage and the beverage container replaced within the insulated beverage container housing after partial or complete consumption of the beverage. FIGS. 6A and 6B also illustrate in an exemplary manner how various embodiments of the present invention may accommodate beverage containers of varying proportions. The lid of the present embodiment may be manufactured in a manner that allows the lid to interact with the beverage container and remain affixed thereto or to interact only with the body portion of the insulated beverage container housing.
FIG. 7 illustrates an insulated beverage container housing 1′ substantially in the form illustrated in FIG. 3A and further comprising a lid 9′ that is affixed to the insulated beverage container housing 1′ through an attachment 10′. The lid 9′ may be removably attached to the body portion of the insulated beverage container 1′. Such a removably attached lid 9′ could be accomplished through an attachment 10′ comprising a fastener. The fastener may be any type of fastener known to those of skill in the art such as, for example, hook and loop type fasteners, buttons, snaps, glue, pins, magnets or other fasteners. The attachment 10′ may also comprise a hinge. Alternatively, the lid 9′ may be integrally attached to the body portion of the insulated beverage container housing 1′.
In another embodiment of the present invention, regardless of whether the lid is removably or integrally attached to the body portion of the insulated beverage container housing, the insulated beverage container housing may further comprise a fastener that allows the lid to be attached to the insulated beverage container housing in a position that does not enclose or partially enclose the second end of the insulated beverage container housing. Thus, the second end of the insulated beverage container housing may be open for consumption of beverage while the lid remains securely affixed to the insulated beverage container housing in a manner that does not interfere with consumption of the beverage. The fastener may be any type of fastener known to those of skill in the art such as, for example, hook and loop type fasteners, buttons, snaps, glue, pins, magnets or other fasteners.
In various embodiments of the present invention, regardless of whether the lid is removably or integrally attached to the body portion of the insulated beverage container housing, the insulated beverage container housing may further comprise a plurality of fasteners that allow the lid to be attached to the insulated beverage container housing in a position that does not enclose or partially enclose the second end of the insulated beverage container housing. A plurality of fasteners may be employed to securely affix the lid to the insulated beverage container housing in a manner that at least partially encloses the second end of the insulated beverage container housing or in a manner that does not at least partially enclose the second end of the insulated beverage container housing. The fastener may be any type of fastener known to those of skill in the art such as, for example, hook and loop type fasteners, buttons, snaps, glue, pins, magnets or other fasteners.
It is anticipated that virtually any insulating material or combination of insulating materials are suitable to manufacture an insulated beverage container housing of the present disclosure. Exemplary insulating materials include, but are not limited to, rubber, polyurethane, neoprene, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, vinyl, fiberglass, an organic polymer, an inorganic polymer, hard plastic, soft plastic, cardboard, wood, glass, metal, alloys and other insulating materials.
Additionally, it is anticipated that an insulated beverage container housing of the present invention may be manufactured in numerous shapes and sizes to accommodate an endless range of sizes of beverage containers. Beverage containers may be any container. Beverage containers may specifically include those beverage containers comprising a radially extending handle. More specifically, beverage containers may include those beverage containers commonly referred to as coffee mugs.
The present invention further comprises a kit comprising an insulated beverage container housing and a beverage container wherein said insulated beverage container housing comprises a first end, an opposite, second end, and a body portion therebetween wherein said body portion comprises a wall comprising an interior surface defining a cavity, an opposite, exterior surface and a longitudinal axis therethrough the cavity and a slot in the wall extending radially from the interior surface to the exterior surface of the wall and extending longitudinally and substantially perpendicularly from the second end of the insulated beverage container housing. The beverage container of the kit may comprise a handle extending radially from the body of said beverage container. Specifically, the beverage container of the kit may comprise a coffee mug.
EXAMPLES The following examples are further illustrative of the present invention, but it is understood that the invention is not limited thereto.
FIG. 8 illustrates the insulating properties of various embodiments of the present invention. Coffee was prepared according to conventional methods that are well known to one of skill in the art. Said coffee was dispensed into a coffee mug and the temperature of the coffee within the mug was measured at one minute intervals from one (1) minute after dispensation until thirteen (13) minutes after dispensation (FIG. 8 closed triangles). The experiment was repeated with a coffee mug insulated with an insulated beverage container housing substantially in the form illustrated in FIG. 3A (FIG. 8 closed squares) and a coffee mug insulated with an insulated beverage container housing substantially in the form illustrated in FIG. 7 (FIG. 8 open circles). The collected data are illustrated graphically in the form of FIG. 8. The data demonstrate that the insulated beverage container housing substantially in the form illustrated in FIG. 3A maintains the coffee at a higher temperature over a longer period of time than a coffee mug alone. Similarly, the data demonstrate that the insulated beverage container housing substantially in the form illustrated in FIG. 7 maintains the coffee at a higher temperature over a longer period of time than a coffee mug alone or the insulated beverage container housing substantially in the form illustrated in FIG. 3A.
As various changes could be made in the above embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
