Beverage Cooling Device and Method of Use Thereof

Abstract

One embodiment of a disposable/reusable beverage cooling device adapted for use with an insulated beverage holder, may be comprised of an enclosure and a refrigerant. One enclosure may be comprised of a generally flexible and substantially leak-proof reusable, recyclable or biodegradable material having a shape adapted to be received by a beverage insulator cavity. The enclosure may generally surround the refrigerant material, which may be comprised of a generally non-toxic environmentally friendly and/or biodegradable gelatinous material. Upon placing one or more cold beverage cooling devices into the beverage insulator cavity, a beverage container may be placed into the cavity proximal the cooling device. The cooling device may be adapted to keep the beverage and beverage container in the insulator at a lower temperature for a longer period.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to beverage cooling devices.

BACKGROUND

Beverages are often consumed in the outdoors. Especially in the summer, persons enjoy drinking various liquids in an attempt to cool themselves due to the excessive heat or otherwise. When drinking beverages outdoors in the summer, the surface of the beverage container may develop excessive condensation. Furthermore, the temperature of the liquid may increase rapidly when the ambient temperature is much greater than the temperature of the beverage. Therefore, oftentimes when a person chooses to enjoy an outdoor summertime (and sometimes and indoor or winter) beverage, that person may use a beverage insulator.

Beverage insulators serve multiple purposes. While beverage insulators typically provide users with an increased ability to keep the beverage at a lower temperature for a longer period of time, beverage insulators may also be used to increase a person's grip on the beverage container as well as provide a display device for advertisers or others. In order to provide a person with the ability to more easily grip a beverage container sweating condensation while also provide the ability to keep the beverage cooler than it would be without the insulator, beverage insulators are typically comprised of materials with a higher coefficient of friction than the beverage container while having insulating properties.

For example, many beverage insulators (often refered to as koozie™ or coozie coolers) are comprised of Styrofoam, Neoprene, or other polymeric materials. Beverage insulator materials are typically adapted to keep the beverage at a lower temperature than the beverage would otherwise be at without the insulator, yet not be so thick that it decreases a user's ability to adequately grip the container. Different polymeric materials have the ability to insulate the beverage container at a relatively low thickness. Many of these beverage insulators are “sleeve” or “sheath” type devices that the beverage container may slide into or fit within. Therefore, the condensation which may occur on the beverage container will be kept within the inner portion of the sleeve, leaving the outer sleeve typically dry, allowing for increased grippage.

Although beverage insulators may ensure increased grippage for a user, their ability to keep a beverage at a lower temperature is oftentimes limited. For example, many insulators are fairly thin so that a user with small hands may be able grip the beverage once it is generally enclosed by the insulator, or for other reasons. Thinning the insulator to increase grippage decreases insulation. Furthermore, Styrofoam and other polymers used as beverage insulators can not protect the beverage from the heat during extremely hot days. Therefore, oftentimes beverage insulators, which may also be referred to as cozies, coozys, koozies, or other similar terms, may not be able to adequately perform the function they are supposed to perform. Prior art devices adapted to fit within beverage insulators to keep the beverage cold are deficient due to (i) their inability to keep a beverage cool, (ii) their lack of usability across multiple beverage containers, and (iii) that they are not environmentally safe, and (iv) they are not adapted to be used as a disposable or recyclable device.

SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a disposable beverage cooler according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 a side view of a disposable beverage cooler according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a disposable beverage cooler according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4A is a side view of a portion of a beverage container and a disposable beverage cooler having a smaller volume forming to the shape of the beverage container bottom end according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4B is a side view of a portion of a beverage container and a disposable beverage cooler in a second shape having a larger volume forming to the shape of the beverage container bottom end according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4C is a side view of a portion of a beverage container and a disposable beverage cooler in a second shape forming to the shape of a bottom end of a beverage container according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4D is a side view of a portion of a beverage container and a frozen disposable beverage cooler in a first shape according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded isometric view of a beverage insulator, a disposable beverage cooler, and a beverage container according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an insulated dispenser adapted to hold a plurality of beverage coolers according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a vertically orientated dispenser adapted to hold a plurality of beverage coolers in a freezer and permit easy access to a cooler according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of an environmentally-safe disposable and adaptable beverage cooler that has the ability to keep beverage containers with diversely shaped bottom ends cool while they are contained within coozie or beverage insulator is described herein. The cooling device (or cooler) is adapted to fit within a beverage insulator sandwiched between the bottom thereof and the bottom end of an associated beverage container. Certain variations, after use, may be disposed of without adverse environmental effect. For example, some variations of a disposable beverage cooling device can be comprised of a biodegradable flexible enclosure generally surrounding a biodegradable gelatinous coolant material, also referred to as a refrigerant.

Embodiments of the beverage cooler are adapted to cool a beverage placed within the insulator or at least enable the beverage to better maintain a lower more desirable temperature. The enclosure typically comprises a thin sheets of flexible polymeric material that sandwich and contain the refrigerant. The slight thickness of the enclosure itself facilitates the transfer of heat to occur between the coolant material and the beverage container. Furthermore, the interior volume of the enclosure is configured to receive and hold a sufficient amount of coolant material to either cool the beverage contained in an associated insulator or at least slow the rate at which the beverage temperature increases when exposed to higher temperature ambient conditions. For example, on very warm days, a variation of a beverage cooler having a larger enclosure volume may be used rather than another variation of the beverage cooler with a smaller volume that is more suited for use on cooler days. By allowing coolers having differing volumes to be easily interchanged, users may adapt to the environmental conditions of the day to better keep their beverage enclosed beverages at an optimal temperature.

A beverage cooler is typically placed within the beverage insulator when its refrigerant is in a frozen state or highly cooled state. A beverage cooler is frozen or chilled to a suitable temperature by subjecting it to extremely cold temperatures for a suitable period of time. Most often this can be achieved by placing the cooler in a freezer. With embodiments utilizing an at least partially gelatinous coolant material, the coolant material may remain at least partially malleable or become more malleable as it temperature increases, allowing the cooler by way of its flexible enclosure to contact a greater percentage of the bottom surface of a beverage container. Advantageously, embodiments and variations of the beverage cooler utilizing the gelatinous refrigerant or coolant in combination with a flexible enclosure facilitates the cooler to mold or form itself to the shape of the bottom surface of beverage containers of differing configurations thereby increasing its contact area with the bottom side of the beverage container.

Embodiments of the beverage cooler may be used to either cool an otherwise temperate beverage, or it may be used to maintain a previously chilled beverage at a suitably chilled temperature. When the temperature of the coolant and the enclosure increases to about the same temperature of an associated beverage container and beverage, the beverage cooler is typically no longer capable of cooling or helping to maintain the temperature of the beverage. Some embodiments of the beverage cooler may be configured to be refrozen and reused later while other embodiments are designed to be disposed of. In the case of biodegradable variants, the enclosure and the coolant material is typically biodegradable and as such the cooler may be disposed of by placing it in the trash without concerns that the materials will have an adverse impact on the environment.

In one method, to dispose of the beverage cooler, the beverage container is first removed from the beverage insulator. Upon removing the beverage container, the beverage cooler is removed from the insulator. This may be done through gravity, by rotating the beverage insulator in a vertical manner, or upside-down, to allow the cooler to fall out of the insulator cavity. Upon removal of the beverage cooler, the cooler is placed in a trash receptacle or recycling bin and begin its biodegradable process. A new chilled or frozen cozie cooler may be placed into the beverage insulator by vertically rotating the beverage insulator to a position wherein the cavity is upwardly positioned, and then dropping a cooler into the cavity. A bottom side of the cooler is typically placed against the bottom side of the beverage insulator in the interior of the cavity, allowing the beverage cooler's top side to be in contact with the bottom end of an associated beverage container that is received into the associated beverage insulator. The flexible nature of the enclosure and the refrigerant causes the cooler to mold itself to the container's bottom and increase the contact surface area therewith.

Various embodiments of the beverage cooler were tested using twelve ounce aluminum cans of beer and soft drinks in combination with suitable beverage insulators by placing a suitably chilled or frozen cooler in the beverage insulator and placing the beverage on top of the cooler. The temperatures of the beverages were monitored. On average when exposed to similar environmental conditions, the temperature of a beverage contained in a beverage insulator with a beverage cooler was five degrees Fahrenheit cooler after one half of an hour when compared to a similar beverage contained in a beverage insulator without the cooler.

The coolers which are typically round or circular to match the configuration of the bottom of a typical beverage insulator and beverage container can be stored in tubular dispensers. For instance, a vertically orientated dispenser can be placed in a freezer that is configured to dispense stacked frozen/chilled coolers from a bottom end through a slot while having an open top end whereby a user can place used or warm coolers for re-chilling. Another tubular dispenser is insulated and includes insulated top and/or bottom ends caps that permit a user to transport a stack of coolers for use at a picnic or other function remote from a freezer. The insulated dispenser assists in maintaining the coolers in a suitably chilled state for extended periods of time. The insulated cooler can be transported by itself or placed in a suitable chest cooler that would typically contain ice and chilled beverages.

Terminology:

The terms and phrases as indicated in quotation marks (“ ”) in this section are intended to have the meaning ascribed to them in this Terminology section applied to them throughout this document, including in the claims, unless clearly indicated otherwise in context. Further, as applicable, the stated definitions are to apply, regardless of the word or phrase's case, tense or any singular or plural variations of the defined word or phrase.

The term “or” as used in this specification and the appended claims is not meant to be exclusive rather the term is inclusive meaning “either or both”.

References in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “a preferred embodiment”, “an alternative embodiment”, “a variation”, “one variation”, and similar phrases mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least an embodiment of the invention. The appearances of phrases like “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or “in a variation” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all meant to refer to the same embodiment or variation.

The term “couple”, “coupled”, “coupling”, or any variation thereof, as used in this specification and the appended claims refers to either an indirect or direct connection between the identified elements, components or objects. Often, the manner of the coupling will be related specifically to the manner in which the two coupled elements interact. Specifically, this term may be used to define two elements joined by a bolted fastener, a latch, a hook, or any other reasonably readily removable fastening device.

The term “integrate” or “integrated” as used in this specification and the appended claims refers to a blending, uniting, or incorporation of the identified elements, components or objects into a unified whole.

Directional and/or relationary terms such as, but not limited to, left, right, nadir, apex, top, bottom, vertical, horizontal, back, front and lateral are relative to each other. These terms are dependent on the specific orientation of an applicable element or article, and are used accordingly to aid in the description of the various embodiments and are not necessarily intended to be construed as limiting.

As applicable, the terms “about” or “generally” as used herein unless otherwise indicated means a margin of ±20%. Also, as applicable, the term “substantially” as used herein unless otherwise indicated means a margin of ±10%. It is to be appreciated that not all uses of the above terms are quantifiable such that the referenced ranges can be applied.

The term “bioplastic”, and any variation used herein does not refer to a single class of polymers, but rather to a family of products which can vary considerably but are generally characterized as plastics that biodegrade over time especially such as when subject to landfill conditions. One type of bioplastic may be based on renewable resources such as, but not limited to hemp oil, soybean oil and corn starch. Another type of bioplastics may be comprised of biodegradable degradable polymers which meet scientifically recognized criteria for biodegradability and compostability.

One Embodiment of a Disposable Beverage Cooling Device

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, one embodiment of a disposable beverage cooling device 10 comprises a coolant material substantially contained within a cavity 18 and surrounded by an enclosure 12. The coolant material is also be referred to as refrigerant herein. Furthermore, the coolant material is typically gelatinous but may not be in other variations. The enclosure is typically comprised of a flexible, or form-fitting a polymeric sheet material. In some variations the polymeric sheet material comprises a bioplastic. The coolant can be biodegradable as well. Accordingly, wherein the cooling device (or cooler) comprises biogradable materials it can be disposed of using traditional means without undue concern over its effect on landfills and the environment.

By using a bioplastic material as the enclosure material, microorganisms can metabolize the enclosure upon disposal. Alternatively with other types of bioplastics, the enclosure degrades naturally when exposed to certain environmental conditions, such as but not limited to ultraviolet radiation. A device which biodegrades typically produces an inert material upon breakdown that is less harmful to the environment than devices not having a bioplastic enclosure. Natural polymers that can be incorporated into a bioplastic include (i) natural rubber, also known as polyisoprene; (ii) starch and cellulose based polymers, which are both made from glucose; and (iii) proteins based polymers. Embodiments of an enclosure may also be comprised of bioplastic or non-bioplastic polymers such as polypropylene, vinyl polymers, synthetic polymers such as nylon and synthetic rubber, and thermoplastic polymers such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Variations of the cooler enclosure 12 may be comprised of a bioplastics that include a plastarch or a polylactide as a constituent thereof. A plastarch material is comprised of cornstarch, among other biodegradable materials. A polylactide is comprised of a thermoplastic derived from renewable resources such as, but not limited to corn starch or sugarcanes. An enclosure may also be comprised of a material which degrades from a polymeric structure into compounds like CO₂ and H₂O.

In variations, the enclosure may also be comprised of a polymeric material that does not easily degrade or is more resistant to degradation. The enclosures made from non-degradable materials are typically more durable and as such adapted to be used multiple times in potentially adverse conditions. For example, the enclosures can be comprised of a polyurethane, polypropylene or polyethylene. Coolers made using non-bioplastic enclosures can nonetheless be environmentally friendly especially if the particular material used for the enclosure is recyclable such as would be the case with thermoplastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene.

For example, PVC or a nylon sheet material may be used as the enclosure material. Such an enclosure may be semi-reusable, meaning it can be reused reliably a specified number of times, such as, but not limited to, about six. It may also be re-usable/disposable, which means it may also be disposed of after it is used.

Preferably, the coolant or refrigerant 16 used in the various embodiments of the cooler is environmentally friendly, such as but not limited to water or a water-based gelatinous compound. To maximize the effectiveness of the coolant, it is desirable to utilize a material that does not freeze into an immovable solid such as ice but rather an at least partially gelatinous material that can conform to the bottom of a beverage container. This is often accomplished by placing additives in water. Preferably, the additives are environmentally friendly such that they can be disposed of without undue concern of their effect on the environment. For instance, in some variations the coolant can comprise a gel with biodegradable or environmentally friendly constituants.

One biodegradable gel is comprised of at least one complex carbohydrate, and has a high degree of carboxyl substitution and is cross-linked with an organic material. Furthermore, the gel can be comprised of propenamide polymers, a paraben-based preservative, or water. One gel can even be comprised of saline and may have a freezing temperature no greater than 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The gel is preferably non-toxic.

One aspect of biogradability or degradability of an enclosure 12 is the thickness 14 of the sheet material from which it is comprised. Furthermore, thickness is a factor in determining the rate or level of heat exchange between the coolant 16 and any proximally located beverage container 40. In order to maximize heat transfer and biodegradability, while providing maximum durability and flexibility, the preferred thickness of the sheet material is from about 0.005 inches to 0.015 inches thick. A more preferred thickness is about 0.0075 inches to 0.0125 inches thick. And a most preferred thickness can be about 0.008 inches to 0.01 inches thick. Of course, the actual thickness of any enclosure sheet material will to some extent depend on the modulus of the sheet material as well as the material's tensile and puncture strength characteristics.

One embodiment of the cooler includes a sealed outer edge 26. The sealed outer edge 26, which joins to pieces of sheet material proximate their perimeters, typically forms the exterior edge of the enclosure cavity 18. Sealing two or more sheets togethor typically entails a heating process wherein a first enclosure sheet 13 is fused to a second enclosure sheet 11 by increasing the temperature of the enclosure material to a temperature where the material is in a liquid or near-liquid form, pressing the edge of the embodiment together, and then cooling. The thickness 15 of the enclosure at these sealed outer edges 26 is typically about double the thickness of an individual sheet. Coolant is placed within the cavity during the cooling stage or prior to the edge being sealed or at some point therebetween. For instance, the two sheets can be fused together over much of their circumference leaving a small unsealed section wherein the coolant can be injected. After injection, a second fusing operation is commenced to seal the final section.

In at least one embodiment of the cooler 10, the top and bottom sides and surfaces 13&11 are adapted to conform to those corresponding surfaces in which they come in contact. As best shown in FIGS. 4A through 4C, the top surface sheet 13 conforms to the generally concave bottom side 20 of a typical beverage container 40 while the bottom surface sheet 11 conforms to the bottom side of a beverage insulator or a flat table top surface. The sheets typically have generally smooth outer surfaces which maximizes the contact area with the beverage can bottom to increase heat transfer characteristics.

To facilitate the capability of the cooler to conform to the surfaces of the beverage container and the beverage insulator respectively, the gel may only partially fill the potential cavity volume 16 as is demonstratively illustrated in FIG. 3. It is to be appreciated, however, that the remaining unfilled portion 18 of the total potential cavity volume is not as is shown filled with air or some other substance. Rather, the sheets would bend and fold to reduce the actual volume of the cavity to that of the coolant. It is these bends and folds or other deformation of the sheet, which may or may not be readily perceivable, that permit the device to conform to external surfaces. For example, the volume formed by an enclosure is fully inflated without causing the sheets to significantly elastically deform may be about 30 cc; whereas, the volume of refrigerant placed in the enclosure may only be 20 cc. As such, the entire cooler unit will remain flexible permitting the cooler to mold to the bottom configuration of a beverage container.

Enclosure cavities 18 wherein the entire potential cavity volume 16 is filled with coolant are also contemplated. In a cooler embodiment in which the potential cavity volume is fully filled and the top and bottom sheets are effectively tensioned, the top sheet of the cooler may not fully conform to the bottom of the beverage container 20 and the bottom sheet 11 may not conform to the associated bottom side of the insulated beverage holder or table top as best shown in FIG. 4D. This design may not cool the beverage in the container as quickly and as thoroughly as a cooler in contact with a greater portion of the surface area on the beverage container's bottom end as a result of the reduced contact area between the cooler and the beverage container.

As best seen in FIG. 1, the beverage cooler is generally circular in shape. In cross section of the beverage cooler is generally disk shaped having convex top and bottom sides as best shown in FIG. 2. The outer-diameter 22 of a typical embodiment intended for use with typical 12 ounce aluminum cans is about 6.5 cm with the inner-diameter 24 being about 6.0 cm. This size allows the cooler to easily slide into a beverage insulator as most beverage insulators 30 have a generally cylindrical cavity 32 with a diameter of about 7.0 cm, as shown in FIG. 5.

Furthermore, beverage containers 40 are typically comprised of a circular bottom end 42. Therefore, a generally circular cooler is typically best adapted to fit within the insulator cavity 32 and provide the best cooling potential of the beverage container as it would likely contact the greatest surface area on the similarly-shaped beverage container bottom end 42. However, non-circular cooler embodiments are also contemplated such as, but not limited to, rectangular shaped coolers and coolers that represent an outline of a particular image or symbol, for example, a heart, a football or a four leaf clover. Embodiments may be adapted to cool different sized beverage containers, such as, but not limited to, 8, 12 and 20 ounce containers in glass, plastic, aluminum and other suitable materials. Furthermore, an advertisement be imprinted or otherwise placed on the first sheet 13, second sheet 11, or both. In addition to use with coozie-type beverage insulators, variations of the coolers can be used with other devices adapted to hold beverage containers such as automobile cup holders.

The coolers can be sold in any suitable manner typically in quantity either prefrozen or not. It is contemplated that coolers, which in quantity are very economical to produce, could be sold pre-frozen in bulk, such as in a large bag available in the ice chests found at most supermarkets that are typically used to hold ice for bulk sale. In other variations the coolers could be sold prepackaged in dispensers such as the ones described herein.

One Method of Using a Beverage Cooling Device:

Referring generally to FIG. 5, a user places a frozen or chilled beverage cooler into a beverage insulator cavity 32 until it rests on its bottom side against the bottom surface of the beverage insulator (or coozie).Next, a suitably sized beverage container is inserted into the cavity, on top of the cooler until the bottom 42 of the beverage container rests firmly up against the cooler.

Prior to inserting the cooler 10 into the cavity 32, the cooler is frozen or chilled to a temperature below ambient and typically below the freezing point of water. The cooler is subjected to a temperature lower than the freezing temperature of the associated refrigerant material for a sufficient period of time. For example, wherein the refrigerant material is a biodegradable gel comprised of water or saline, among other ingredients, the cooler may be placed into a freezer, or may be placed into a chest cooler having ice, in order to substantially bring the temperature of the gel to a freezing level. Such a decrease in temperature may in at least some variations result in a cooler that is generally stiff and rigid.

As the cooler including a gelatinous coolant begins to warm up, the coolant becomes more malleable and allowing the cooler to reshape itself and conform to a larger area of the beverage container's bottom end. For example, as best shown in FIGS. 4A through 4C, as the coolant softens, the beverage container begins to sink into the cooler. Accordingly, the cooler top sheet 13 may change from being generally flat or slightly convex and take on a much more convex shape to fill the concave the bottom end 42 of a beverage container 40.

As time passes and heat energy is transferred from the beverage container 40 to the cooler 10, the temperature of the cooler will increase until it can no longer effectively cool the beverage or minimize the beverage's rate of temperature increase. At or near when the temperature of the beverage cooler is about the temperature of the beverage or the beverage container 40, a user can remove the original beverage cooler from the beverage insulator replace it with a new, frozen cooler. The removed original cooler, may either be discarded or placed back in a freezer or chest cooler for re-freezing and eventual re-use. If the cooler 10 is of the biodegradable variety, the biodegradation process will typically begin at or shortly after the cooler is discarded.

Cooler Dispensors:

The shape and configuration of the coolers as described and illustrated herein are amenable to being neatly stacked in a tubular dispenser such as the examples illustrated in FIGS. 6 &7.

Referring to FIG. 6, an insulated tubular dispenser 100 is illustrated. The dispenser comprises an insulated tubular body 102 that is typically comprised of spaced inner and outer plastic sleeves with an insulating material spanning the space between the sleeves. The insulating material can comprise foam or an air space. In some variations, the space between the two sleeves can be evacuated creating a vacuum space. End caps 104 &106 are provided to cover the ends of the sleeve. They can be secured by any suitable means including mating threads 112 & 114 and friction fit. Both end caps are typically configured to be removable although in some variations the cap on one end me be fixedly secured to the body such as be fusion bonding or adhesive bonding.

As illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 6, an open end of the body is partially closed by a semicircular plate 108. The plate may be integrally molded with the inner or outer sleeves of the body 102 or it may be attached to the body at a later point of the manufacturing process. Nevertheless, the plate acts to prevent coolers 10 stacked in the sleeve from easily falling out of the sleeve when the associated end cap 106 is removed. Simply, to remove a cooler from the sleeve, a user must slide it laterally outwardly before pulling it away from the dispenser.

Since the variation of the dispenser illustrated in FIG. 6 is insulated, it allows a user to transport frozen or chilled coolers away from a freezer for use, such as at a picnic. The dispenser can be transported by itself or it can be carried in an ice chest such as might be utilized to carry food and/or beverages.

A second type of dispenser 200 for use in a freezer is illustrated in FIG. 7. This dispenser is designed to be vertically disposed in a freezer. Like the previous dispenser, it comprises a cylindrical tubular body 202. Unlike the previous dispenser it has an open upper end 204 into which warm/melted coolers can be deposited.

The bottom end 208 of the body is substantially closed so that the coolers will not fall out of the dispenser when the dispenser is properly vertically orientated. However, a semi-circular slot 206 is provided that is bounded by the bottom end 208 through which a user can remove a cooler from the dispenser by sliding the cooler laterally. A second opening 210 generally opposite the slot is also typically provided through which a user may stick his/her finger to push or slide the bottommost cooler through the slot 206.

The dispenser of FIG. 7 is typically comprised of a plastic material and can include additional hardware and/or molded in protrusions to facilitate the mounting of the dispenser to the inside of a freezer. Alternatively, the unit can rest upright on a shelf in a freezer.

While the dispensers above are described as being comprised of plastic, it is appreciated that paper-based variations have been contemplated as well. For instance, the coolers could be sold in containers that serve both as packaging and as a dispenser.

Alternative Embodiments

The embodiments of the beverage cooler and methods of use as illustrated in the accompanying figures and described above are merely exemplary and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention. It is to be appreciated that numerous variations to the invention have been contemplated as would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure.

One potential alternative embodiment may include a device having a shape adapted to receive a bottom end 42 of a beverage container. For example, one or more cooling devices 10 may be placed in a device which forms the enclosure 12 and freezes the coolant 16 to a shape adapted to receive the bottom end of an aluminum can or a disposable or recyclable water bottle. Embodiments are considered which may be pre-shaped to a specific design.

Claims

1) A beverage cooling device comprising,

an enclosure having a shape adapted to be received within a cavity of a cylindrical beverage insulator, the enclosure comprising top and bottom sheets of a flexible polymeric material, the sheets being fused to each other at their respective circumferential edges, the enclosure having a first volume when the enclosure is fully expanded; and

a non-toxic refrigerant material wholly contained and sealed within the enclosure, the refrigerant material adapted to freeze or form a gelatinous solution when placed in a typical household freezer, the refrigerant material contained within the enclosure comprising a second volume when frozen.

2) The device of claim 1 wherein,

the top and bottom sheets comprise a bioplastic; and

the refrigerant material comprises a biodegradable gel having a freezing temperature no greater than 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

3) The device of claim 2, wherein: the bioplastic comprises at least one of a plastarch or polylactide; and the biodegradable gel comprises at least one of a complex carbohydrate, a propenamide polymer, and a paraben-based preservative.

4) The device of claim 1, wherein the first volume is significantly greater than the second volume.

5) The device of claim 4, wherein the second volume is no more than 75% of the first volume, and the device is adapted to generally conform to the shape of a bottom end of a beverage container upon receiving the beverage container.

6) The device of claim 5, wherein the device is substantially circular having a diameter of about 6.5 cm; and the top and bottom sheets each being about 0.015″ thick.

7) The device of claim 6 wherein the device contains generally about 20 grams of refrigerant material.

8) A method of cooling a beverage container using the beverage cooling device of claim 1, the method comprising:

placing the device in the cavity of the beverage insulator; and

inserting a beverage container in the beverage insulator cavity on top of the beverage cooling device.

9) A method of using a beverage cooling device of claim 1 comprising,

substantially freezing a first beverage cooling device;

placing the first beverage cooling device into the cavity of the cylindrical beverage insulator;

inserting a beverage container contain a beverage therein into the beverage insulator cavity on top of the first beverage cooling device;

consuming at least a portion of the beverage;

removing the beverage container from the cavity;

removing the first beverage cooling device from the cavity;

disposing of the first beverage cooling device; and

placing a second beverage cooling device into a cavity of the cylindrical beverage insulator; and

re-inserting the beverage container into the cavity on top of the second beverage cooling device.

10) The method of claim 9 wherein, said substantially freezing a first beverage cooling device comprises creating a substantially rigid beverage cooling device.

11) The method of claim 9 wherein the first beverage cooling device is biodegradable and said disposing of the first beverage cooling device facilitates one of aerobic and anaerobic degradation of a beverage cooling device enclosure and refrigerant material.

12) A combination comprising,

a beverage container having a bottom end;

a generally first disposable beverage cooling device comprising, a flexible enclosure comprising a flexible second sheet adapted to receive the beverage container bottom end; at least 20 grams of refrigerant material; and

a beverage insulator adapted to receive the first disposable beverage cooling device.

13) The combination of claim 12, wherein,

the generally flexible enclosure is further adapted to receive the beverage container bottom end by changing from a first shape to a second shape.

14) The combination of claim 12 wherein the cooling device further includes indicia provided thereon.

15) The combination of claim 14, wherein,

the indicia comprises at least one of a graphic display and a word on an outer enclosure surface.

16) The combination of claim 12 wherein the beverage insulator comprises an automotive cup holder.

17) A combination comprising a cylindrical beverage insulator having a bottom end, a flexible cooling device and a beverage container with a beverage therein with:

the flexible cooling device being generally cylindrical and having a diameter proximate an inside diameter of a cavity of the beverage insulator, the cooling device comprising, (i) top and bottom sheets of a flexible polymeric material, each having a thickness of about 0.010-0.025″, and (ii) at least 20 cc of a water-based refrigerant material wherein the top and bottom sheets are fused together proximate their respective circumferential edges to form an enclosure, the enclosure having a potential fully expanded volume of at least 26 cc and containing the refrigerant material;

the beverage insulator substantially comprising a polymeric foam material; and

the beverage container comprising one of an aluminum can, a plastic bottle and a glass bottle and having a bottom side;

wherein the cooling device is positioned in the cavity on top of the beverage insulator's bottom end and beverage container is also positioned in the cavity with its bottom side in direct contact with the cooling device.

18) The combination of claim 17, wherein the top and bottom sheets comprise a bioplastic.

19) The combination of claim 18, wherein any additive to the water-based refrigerant material are biodegradable.

19) The combination of claim 17, wherein the top sheet is conformed to the bottom side of the beverage container and the bottom sheet is conformed to the bottom end of the beverage insulator.