Insulated Beverage Bottle Holder With Spill-Proof Top or Stopper

Abstract

An insulated bottle container or “koozie” with a top or stopper that remains with or is attached to the container to prevent the top or stopper from being lost or misplaced. The top or stopper may be integrated with the koozie, such as at the end of a flap extending from the of the koozie, or may be removably attached by means of a strap, chain, string or cord that can be affixed or fastened to the koozie. The top or stopper has a friction fit with a plurality of flanges or ribs along the sides of the insertion element to resist accidental removal. The exterior element of the top may comprise a ridged or patterned element to assist with removing and inserting the top.

Description

This application claims benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/769,301, filed Feb. 26, 2013, by C. J. Coe, et al., and is entitled to that filing date for priority. The specification, figures and complete disclosure of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/769,301 are incorporated herein by specific reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to an insulated bottle or beverage holder with a spill-proof top or stopper.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bottled beverages often result in spills due to the relatively high center of gravity and the lack of a top, cap or lid. Spilled liquid is often very difficult to remove from any surface. The lack of a top also can result in insects, dirt, germs or other contaminants getting into the drink, and can result in a loss of freshness or rise in temperature.

Insulated bottle or beverage containers or covers, sometimes known as “koozees” or “koozies,” have become popular items to use with canned and bottled beverages. Bottle koozies, however, have proven problematic due to the shape of the bottle. Some bottle koozies only cover the bottom portion of the bottle, which reduce their effectiveness since the upper portion of the bottle is uncovered. Some koozies attempt to cover the upper portion as well, and leave the bottom open for insertion of the bottle. However, this lets the bottle “sweat” onto surfaces, reduces the effectiveness of the koozie, and often will allow the bottle to slip out of the bottom during use. Some koozies add a bottom, but then add a zipper to the side to allow insertion of the bottle into the koozie. However, such zippers often malfunction, and increase the cost and difficulty of manufacturing the koozie.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In various embodiments, the present invention comprises an insulated bottle beverage container (or “koozie”) with a full or covered bottom and a spill-proof top or stopper. The spill-proof top or stopper may be integrated as part of the koozie, or may be separate or detachable.

In one embodiment, the bottle koozie comprises a full bottom, while the bottle is inserted in a slit in the side. The slit may be horizontal, vertical, or angled. In the embodiment shown, the slit is in the bottom portion of the koozie, but at a distance from the bottom sufficient to prevent the bottle from falling out of the koozie. Alternatively, a closable opening, such as a zipper extending from the top, may be provided. Alternative forms of securing the opening may be used, such as hook-and-loop fasteners.

In one embodiment, the top or stopper for insertion into the open bottle, when integrated with the koozie, is affixed to the end of a flap extending from the top portion of the koozie. In various embodiments, the top is a friction fit with a plurality of flanges or ribs along the sides of the insertion element to resist accidental removal. The exterior element of the top may comprise a ridged or patterned element to assist with removing and inserting the top.

In another alternative embodiment, the top may be affixed to the top portion of the koozie by means of a strap, chain, string or cord (which may or may not be elastic) affixed thereto. The end of the strap, chain, string or cord may comprise affixing means, such as a clamp, clasp, or clip, that can be used to removably attached the strap or cord to the koozie. In one embodiment, the affixing means may comprise a ring or similar device that can be attached to a zipper pull or loop on the koozie.

It should be noted that the top or stopper can be used with any type of koozie or bottle container, including a koozie with a zipper, a koozie without a bottom, or other styles or configurations of koozies or containers known in the prior art.

The present invention thus provides an insulated bottle container that provides a top that remains with or is attached to the container to prevent the top from being lost or misplaced. Further, by providing alternative means of insertion with the elimination of a zipper, it provides a container that securely holds a bottle with less chance of operational malfunction and a longer operational life.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-3 show a view of an apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4-7 show views of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 8-10 show views of another embodiment of the present invention with a zipper.

FIG. 11 shows a spill-proof top in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention comprises an insulated bottle beverage container (or “koozie”) 2 with a full or covered bottom 4 and a spill-proof top or stopper 10. The spill-proof top or stopper may be integrated as part of the koozie, as seen in FIGS. 1-3 and 8-10, or may be separate or detachable, as seen in FIGS. 4-7.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the bottle koozie 2 has a full or covered bottom 4, while the bottle is inserted in a slit 20 in the side. The slit may be horizontal, vertical, or angled. In the embodiment shown, the slit is in the bottom portion of the koozie, but at a distance from the bottom sufficient to prevent the bottle from falling out of the koozie. Alternatively, a closable opening, such as a zipper 22 extending from the top, as seen in FIG. 8-10, may be provided. Alternative forms of securing the opening may be used, such as hook-and-loop fasteners.

In one embodiment, the top or stopper 10 for insertion into the open bottle, when integrated with the koozie, is affixed to the end of a flap 6 extending from the top portion of the koozie, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 8. In an exemplary embodiment, the top is a friction fit with a plurality of flanges or ribs 12 along the sides of the insertion element to resist accidental removal. The exterior element of the top may comprise a ridged or patterned element 16 to assist with removing and inserting the top.

In an alternative embodiment, the top may be affixed to the top portion of the koozie by means of a strap, chain, string or cord 8 affixed thereto. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-6, the end of the strap, chain, string or cord comprises affixing means 14, such as a clamp, clasp, or clip, that can be used to removably attach the strap or cord to the koozie. In one embodiment, the affixing means may comprise a ring or similar device that can be attached to a zipper pull or loop on the koozie.

In one particular embodiment, the koozie material is 0.4 mm thick neoprene of any color. The neoprene forms a cylinder and is sewn or glued together along one or more seams. A plastic or rubber ribbed top or stopper is affixed to one end of a flap by hot glue or other adhesive. A side slit or opening is cut into the side of the koozie to allow entry of the bottle, or a slit from the top is cut and a zipper installed. The bottle is insert into the side or top slit until the top of the bottle extends out of the open top of the koozie, whereupon the bottle may be opened and the ribbed top or stopper inserted.

It should be noted that the top or stopper can be used with any type of koozie or bottle container, including a koozie with a zipper, a koozie without a bottom, or other styles or configurations of koozies or containers known in the prior art.

The present invention thus provides an insulated bottle container that provides a top that remains with or is attached to the container to prevent the top from being lost or misplaced. Further, by providing alternative means of insertion with the elimination of a zipper, it provides a container that securely holds a bottle with less chance of operational malfunction and a longer operational life.

Thus, it should be understood that the embodiments and examples described herein have been chosen and described in order to best illustrate the principles of the invention and its practical applications to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited for particular uses contemplated. Even though specific embodiments of this invention have been described, they are not to be taken as exhaustive. There are several variations that will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

an insulated bottle container in the shape of a bottle, said insulated bottle container comprising an open top and a bottle insertion slit; and

a stopper attached to the insulated bottle container, said stopper adapted to be removably inserted into an open bottle top.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the bottle insertion slit extends from the open top.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the bottle insertion slit is closable.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the bottle insertion slit is closed by a zipper.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the bottle insertion slit is closed by hook-and-loop fasteners.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the insulated bottle container further comprises a flap extending from the top of the insulated bottle container.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the stopper is integrated with the flap.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the stopper is attached to the insulated bottle container by a chain.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the stopper is attached to the insulated bottle container by a strap or cord.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the stopper is removably attached to the insulated bottle container.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the stopper comprises an insertion end and an exterior end.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the insertion end comprises one or more flanges or ribs.