INSULATION DEVICES FOR STEMMED BEVERAGE CONTAINERS

Abstract

An insulation device for a stemmed container. An exemplary embodiment of the insulation device may generally comprise an insulating material and a securing assembly. The insulating material may comprise various materials for slowing heat transfer between a first medium in the stemmed container and a second medium outside of the stemmed container. The insulating material may comprise two or more darts configured to form a tapered shape of the insulating material. The securing assembly may be in communication with the insulating material, and may enable the insulating material to be closeable about the stemmed container.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/971,973, filed Sep. 13, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth below.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

Various aspects of the present invention relate to insulation devices and, more particularly, to insulation devices for stemmed beverage containers.

2. Description of Related Art

Consumers of hot and cold beverages often desire to maintain the temperature of the beverages. This may prove problematic when a beverage is consumed in an environment in which the ambient temperature differs from the desired beverage temperature. For example, when consuming a cold beverage outside on a hot day, it may be difficult to keep the beverage cool.

Various devices have been developed to address this issue for beverages served in soda cans and beer bottles. While such devices are useful for certain types of beverage containers, these devices are awkward when paired with tapered or stemmed beverage containers, such as wine glasses.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for insulation devices for tapered or stemmed beverage containers. It is to such devices that embodiments of the present invention are directed.

SUMMARY

Briefly described, various aspects of the present invention include insulation devices for stemmed containers. In an exemplary embodiment, an insulation device may comprise an insulating material and a securing assembly.

The insulating material may comprise many materials for slowing heat transfer between a first medium in the stemmed container and a second medium outside of the stemmed container. For example, and not limitation, the insulating material may be composed at least partially of neoprene. The insulating material may be closeable about a stemmed container. When closed, the insulating material may form a tapered shape, which tapering may be implemented by provision of two or more darts in the insulating material.

The securing assembly may enable opening and closing the insulating device about the stemmed container. The securing assembly may comprise, for example, a first fastener proximate a first end of the insulating material, and a second fastener proximate a second end of the insulating material. The first and second fasteners may be releasably securable together to enable opening and closing of the insulating device.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the insulation device will become more apparent upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of an insulation device in a closed position, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B illustrates a side view of the insulation device of FIG. 1A in an open position, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary stemmed beverage container, which can be used with the insulation device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the insulation device secured about the stemmed beverage container of FIG. 2, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A illustrates a view of the insulation device in an open position, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4B illustrates a perspective view of the insulation device of FIG. 4A in a closed position, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram of a manufacturing process of the insulation device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To facilitate an understanding of the principles and features of the invention, various illustrative embodiments are explained below. In particular, the invention is described in the context of being an insulation device for stemmed beverage containers. Embodiments of the invention, however, are not limited to use with stemmed beverage containers. Rather, embodiments of the invention can be used to insulate many objects, such as, for example, many varieties of tapered beverage containers.

The materials described hereinafter as making up the various elements of the invention are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many suitable materials that would perform the same or a similar functions as materials described herein are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention. Such other materials not described herein may include, but are not limited to, for example, materials developed after development of the invention.

Various embodiments of the present invention comprise insulation devices. Referring now to the figures, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the views, various embodiments of the insulation device will be described in detail.

Embodiments of the insulation device 100 may be openable and closeable. FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the insulation device 100 in a closed position. FIG. 1B illustrates a side view of the insulation device 100 of FIG. 1A in an open, or unsecured, position. As shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, the insulation device may generally comprise an insulating material 110 having two or more optional darts 120, and a securing assembly 130.

The insulating material 110 may comprise a section of material capable of slowing heat transfer between media on opposite sides of the insulating material 110. For example, and not limitation, the insulating material 110 may be at least partially composed of neoprene or a foam material.

The insulating material 110 may comprise two or more darts 120. As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the darts 120 may be positioned on the insulating material 110 to create a tapered and, optionally, contoured shape in the insulating material 110 when the insulation device 100 is closed. Darts 120 need not be provided if some other means of forming the insulating material 110 into a tapered shape is implemented. For example and not limitation, darts 120 need not be provided if the insulating material 100 is molded into a tapered shape during a manufacturing process 600 (FIG. 5) of the insulating device 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 1B, a securing assembly 130 may be provided on the insulation device 100. The securing assembly 130 may enable opening and closing the insulation device 100.

The securing assembly 130 may comprise many components, or combinations of components, capable of releasably securing a first edge 112, or a portion proximate the first edge 112, of the insulating material 110 to a second edge 114, or a portion proximate the second edge 114, of the insulating material 110. For example, and not limitation, the securing assembly 130 can comprise a first fastener 132 attached to the insulating material 110 proximate the first edge 112. The securing assembly 130 may also comprise a second fastener 134 attached to the insulating material 110 proximate the second edge 114. The first and second fasteners 132 and 134 may comprise various means for securing the first edge 112 of the insulating material 110 proximate the second edge 114 of the insulating material 110. For example, and not limitation, the fasteners 132 and 134 may comprise releasable adhesives, a combination of hooks and loops, such as Velcro™, or other suitable fasteners.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary stemmed container 200, specifically a wine glass, with which embodiments of the insulation device 100 may be used. As shown in FIG. 2, the stemmed container may comprise a bowl 210, a stem 220, a foot 230, and a rim 240.

The bowl 210 surrounds and contains a medium, such as a beverage, contained in the stemmed container 200. The foot 230 provides a stable base for the stemmed container 200, so that the stemmed container 200 may be placed on a surface without tipping over. The stem 220 connects the bowl 210 to the foot 230. The stem 220 also provides a hand-hold for a consumer to carry the stemmed container 200. The rim 240 comprises a top edge of the bowl 210, and defines an opening 250 to the bowl 210 for access to the medium contained in the bowl 210.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the insulation device 100 of FIG. 1A secured about a portion of the stemmed container 200 of FIG. 2. The securing assembly 130 (not shown in FIG. 3) may be used to close and secure the insulation device 100 about the bowl 210 of the stemmed container 200. As illustrated, when closed, the insulation device 100 may be positionable about at least a portion of the bowl 210 of the stemmed container 200. Accordingly, the insulation device 100 may slow heat transfer between a first medium, such as a beverage, in the bowl 210 of the stemmed container 200 and a second medium, such as air, outside of the stemmed container 200.

When closed, the insulation device 100, specifically the insulating material 110, may form a tapered three-dimensional shape defining a hollow cavity 310 for receiving the stemmed container 200. Preferably, though not required, such tapered shape is concave. For example, and not limitation, the tapered shape of the insulating material 110 may be frusto-conical, frusto-elliptical, frusto-hemispherical, frusto-pyramidal, or various other tapered shapes. Throughout this disclosure, the term “frusto-conical contoured” is used to refer to a set of tapered three-dimensional shapes. When closed, exemplary embodiments of the insulation device may adopt various frusto-conical contoured shapes.

The insulation device 100 may define a first aperture 320, or opening, and a second aperture 330, or opening. The first aperture 320 may have a greater perimeter than the second aperture 330. Preferably, when the insulation device 100 is secured about the stemmed container 200, the bowl 210 of the stemmed container may extend through the first aperture 320, such that the rim 240 is positioned above the insulation device 100. This position of the rim 240 enables a drinker to access the beverage in the bowl 210 of the stemmed container 200 with minimal obstruction from the insulation device 100.

The second aperture 330 of the insulation device 100 may receive a lower portion of the bowl 210, or may receive a portion of the stem 220 of the stemmed container 200. Either way, a lower portion of the stem 220 may extend below the second aperture 330, thereby allowing at least a portion of the stem 220 to be exposed.

FIG. 4A illustrates yet another view of the insulation device in an opened position, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4B illustrates a perspective view of a bottom of the insulation device 100 of FIG. 4A in a closed position. As described above, and as illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4B, the insulation device 100 may comprise the insulating material 210, darts 120, and a securing assembly 130.

During an exemplary manufacturing process 600 (FIG. 5) of the insulation device 100, the insulating material 110 may be provided, and may comprise a generally rectangular shape. As shown in FIG. 4A, triangular sections 420 may be cut and removed from the insulating material 100. Removal of each triangular section may leave a first additional edge 440 and a second additional edge 450 on the insulating material 110. These additional edges 440 and 450 may correspond to two sides of the removed triangular section 420. Each first additional edge 440 and corresponding second additional edge 450 may be secured, such as sewn or stitched, together to form one of the darts 120, shown in FIG. 4B.

As shown in both FIGS. 4A-4B, the securing assembly 130 may comprise the first fastening member 132 and the second fastening member 134, as well as a third fastening member 436 and a fourth fastening member 438. However, any number of fastening members may be provided in the securing assembly 130. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the first and third fastening members 132 and 436 may extend beyond the insulating material 100. Accordingly, the first and third fastening members 132 and 436 may contact, and secure, respectively the second and fourth fastening members 134 and 438 to enable the insulation device 100 to close. Additionally, such arrangement enables the fastening members 132, 134, 436, and 438 to fasten without the insulating material 110 overlapping itself.

FIG. 4A illustrates dimensions of the insulating material 110 in some embodiments of the insulation device 100. While FIG. 4A illustrates exemplary dimensions of the insulating material 100, many dimensions may be provided for various portions of the insulating material 100. As shown, a length A of the insulating material 110 may be approximately 10¼ inches. A width B of the insulating material 110 may be approximately 3⅛ inches. A length C of a section of the insulating material 100 positioned between gaps left by removal of the triangular sections 420, may be approximately ½ inch. Further, a length D between such sections may be approximately ½ inch as well. A length E1 between points of the removed triangular sections may be approximately 1 inch. Additionally, a length E2 between a point of an endmost removed triangular section 420 and a side edge of the insulating material 100 may be approximately 1⅛ inches.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram of a manufacturing process 500 of the insulation device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Each box in FIG. 5 represents a sub-process of the overall manufacturing process 500. One skilled in the art would appreciate, however, that the sub-processes illustrated in FIG. 5 need not be undertaken in the order illustrated, and one or more of the sub-processes may be segments of other sub-processes. Further, not all of the sub-processes illustrated need be undertaken for every embodiment of the manufacturing process 500, and additional sub-processes may be provided.

In an exemplary embodiment, the manufacturing process 500 may comprise, at 510, providing an insulating material 110. At 520, two or more triangular sections 420 may be severed and removed from the insulating material 100. This may result in two additional exposed edges 440 and 450 in the insulating material 100 for each removed triangular section 420. At 530, each pair of exposed edges 440 and 450 may be secured together to form a dart 120. Additionally, at 540, a securing assembly 130 may be provided to enable closing and opening the insulation device 100.

While the insulation device 100 has been disclosed in exemplary forms, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, additions, and deletions may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the system, method, and their equivalents, as set forth in claims to be filed in a later non-provisional application.

Claims

1. An insulation device for a stemmed container, the insulation device comprising:

an insulating material having a first edge and a second edge on opposite sides of the insulating material; and

a securing assembly for releasably securing a first portion proximate the first edge of the insulating material to a second portion proximate the second edge of the insulating material to form a tapered shape of the insulating material;

wherein the insulating material is positionable about a portion of the stemmed container.

2. The insulation device of claim 1, the tapered shape of the insulating material defining a first aperture and a second aperture, the first aperture having a greater perimeter than the second aperture.

3. The insulation device of claim 2, the insulating material securable about the stemmed container, wherein the first aperture is closer to a rim of the stemmed container than to a stem of the stemmed container, and wherein the second aperture is closer to a bottom of a bowl of the stemmed container than to the rim of the stemmed container.

4. The insulation device of claim 1, the securing assembly comprising a first fastener proximate a first end of the insulating material, and a second fastener proximate a second end of the insulating material.

5. The insulation device of claim 1, the insulating material fittable about at least a portion of the stemmed container, wherein the insulating material slows heat transfer between a first medium in a bowl of the stemmed container and a second medium outside of the stemmed container.

6. The insulation device of claim 1, the insulating material further comprising two or more darts configured to form a tapered shape of the insulating material.

7. The insulation device of claim 6, the tapered shape contoured to curve about a bowl of the stemmed container.

8. The insulation device of claim 1, the insulating material adapted to form a frusto-conical contoured shape.

9. An insulation device for a stemmed container, the insulation device comprising:

an insulating material having a first securable portion proximate a first end of the insulating material, and a second securable portion proximate a second end of the insulating material;

a plurality of darts in the insulating material for enabling the insulating material to form a tapered shape; and

a securing assembly for releasably securing the first securable portion to the second securable portion.

10. The insulation device of claim 9, the securing assembly comprising a first fastening member attachable to the first securable portion of the insulating material, and a second fastening member attachable to the second securable portion of the insulating material.

11. The insulation device of claim 10, the first fastening member and the second fastening member comprising a portion of a hook and loop fastening system.

12. The insulation device of claim 9, the insulating material slowing heat transfer between a first medium in a bowl of the stemmed container and a second medium outside of the stemmed container.

13. The insulation device of claim 9, the insulating material adapted to form a tapered shape when the first fastening member is secured to the second fastening member.

14. The insulation device of claim 13, the tapered shape of the insulating material defining a hollow cavity for receiving a portion of the stemmed container.

15. The insulation device of claim 1, the insulating material further comprising a third edge and a fourth edge on opposite ends of the insulating material, wherein the third edge is longer than the fourth edge.

16. A method of manufacturing an insulation device, the method comprising:

providing an insulating material;

cutting a first triangular section from a first edge of the insulating material, wherein cutting the first triangular section leaves a first additional edge and an adjacent second additional edge on the insulating material;

cutting a second triangular section from the first edge of the insulating material, wherein cutting the second triangular section leaves a third additional edge and an adjacent fourth additional edge on the insulating material;

securing at least a portion of the first additional edge to at least a portion of the second additional edge;

securing at least a portion of the third additional edge to at least a portion of the fourth additional edge; and

providing a securing assembly for releasably securing the insulating material into a tapered shape.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising attaching a first fastener proximate a second edge of the insulating material, and attaching a second fastener proximate a third edge of the insulating material, the second edge and the third edge located on opposite ends of the insulating material.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising providing respective portions of a hook and loop fastening system for the first fastener and for the second fastener.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein securing at least a portion of the first additional edge to at least a portion of the second additional edge comprises stitching the first additional edge of the insulating material to the second additional edge of the insulating material.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising forming the insulating material into a contoured shape fittable about a bowl of the stemmed container.