Insulated Apparatus for a Beverage Can

An insulated apparatus for a beverage can includes an insulated member, a flexible attachment, and a sealable cap. The insulated member that covers the base end and the lateral wall of a beverage can is connected with the sealable cap by the flexible attachment, where the sealable cap is removably attached around the top end of the beverage can. Collectively, the insulated member and the sealable cap retain the cold temperature condition of the beverage can. A cap opening of the sealable cap allows the beverage within the beverage can to flow through so that the users can consume the beverage without removing the sealable cap. The users can either close or open the cap opening through a slidable tab to protect the beverage within the beverage can from outside element.

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Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an insulated apparatus for a beverage can. More specifically, the present invention is an insulated apparatus for a beverage can so that the respective beverage can is effectively insulated from heat while protecting the beverage within from the outside elements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In order to retain the cold temperature condition of a beverage can, an insulated device is normally placed around the beverage can so that the insulated device is able to insulate the beverage can from heat via both conduction and external infrared sources such as, a hand, warm air, or strong sunlight. The use of the insulated devices can be very useful in outdoor events since the elevated temperature drastically decreases the cold temperature condition of the beverage. A secondary use of the insulated device is to easily identify one's beverage from another as each of the insulated devices can be different from one another. The existing insulated devices only enclose the lateral wall and the base end of the beverage can, where the top end of the beverage can is opened to the surrounding environment. Since the top end of the beverage can is not covered, heat transfers through the top end of the beverage can, increasing the temperature of the beverage within. Additionally, the insulated devices expose the beverage within the beverage can to outside elements, such as insects and dust as the opening of the beverage can is not covered.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to introduce an insulated apparatus for a beverage can, which covers the lateral wall, the base end, and the top end of the beverage can. More specifically, an insulated member of the present invention covers the lateral wall and the base end of the beverage can while a sealable cap of the present invention covers the top end of the beverage can, protecting the beverage within the beverage can. A tab of the present invention, which is positioned within the sealable cap, enables and restricts access to the opening of the beverage can so that the users can protect the beverage within from outside elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention, wherein a beverage can is shown within the insulated member, and the sealable cap is not attached to the beverage can.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention, wherein a beverage can is shown within the insulated member, and the sealable cap is not attached to the beverage can.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention, wherein a beverage can is shown within the present invention, and the tab is at the closed position.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the present invention, wherein a beverage can is shown within the present invention, and the tab is at the opened position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the present invention, showing the plane upon which a cross sectional view is taken shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is a cross section view of the present invention taken along line A-A of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the insulated member of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the sealable cap of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the sealable cap of the present invention, showing the plane upon which a cross sectional view is taken shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 11 is a cross section view of the sealable cap of the present invention taken along line A-A of FIG. 10.

 DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

In reference to FIG. 1-FIG. 4, the present invention is an insulated apparatus for a beverage can so that the beverage within the beverage can is efficiently insulated to minimize the heat absorbent. The present invention fully covers the standard size beverage can in order to retain the cold temperature condition within the beverage can. The present invention comprises an insulated member 1, a flexible attachment 2, and a sealable cap 3, where the insulated member 1 and the sealable cap 3 are connected to each other by the flexible attachment 2.

In reference to FIG. 5-FIG. 8, the insulated member 1 that tightly insulates the base end and the lateral wall of the beverage can comprises a sleeve 11, a base 12, a top rim 13, a storage compartment 14, and a fastening mechanism 15. The sleeve 11 is perimetrically connected around the base 12, where the sleeve 11 is concentrically positioned atop the base 12. The top rim 13 is concentrically positioned on the sleeve 11 opposite from the base 12. The sleeve 11 and the base 12 of the insulated member 1 respectively cover the lateral wall and the base end of the beverage can as the beverage can is inserted into the insulated member 1 through the top rim 13. The sleeve 11 and the base 12 are made from flexible and low thermal conductivity material include, but is not limited to, plain foam, neoprene, closed cell foam, and Ethylene vinyl acetate foam. The storage compartment 14 is positioned on the sleeve 11, where the storage compartment 14 is positioned in between the base 12 and the top rim 13. The storage compartment 14 provides storage space within the present invention so that the users can store various items such as money, credit cards, keys, and identification cards. The storage compartment 14 is made from high strength elastic material so that the storage compartment 14 is able to expand and retract with respect to the stored items. The fastening mechanism 15 is connected to the storage compartment 14, and the fastening mechanism 15 is adjacently positioned with the top rim 13. The fastening mechanism 15 enables the user to secure the stored items within the storage compartment 14 as the fastening mechanism 15 allows and restricts access to the storage compartment 14. When the users need to access the storage compartment 14, the users need to open the fastening mechanism 15 which provides an access opening for the storage compartment 14. When the fastening mechanism 15 is closed, the fastening mechanism 15 restricts access into the storage compartment 14. The fastening mechanism 15 of the present invention can include, but is not limited to, a zipper, a hook-and-loop fastener, and a magnetic fastener.

The insulated member 1 may optionally further comprise a plurality of pressure releasing holes, where the plurality of pressure releasing holes is equally spaced and positioned around the sleeve 11. The plurality of pressure releasing holes simplifies the process of placing and removing the insulated member 1 with respect to the beverage can. For example, when the insulated member 1 is placed around the beverage can, the plurality of pressure releasing holes is able to relief the pressure created in between the base 12 and the base end of the beverage can. When the insulated member 1 is removed from the beverage can, the plurality of pressure releasing holes is able to absorb air into the vacuum created in between the base 12 and the base end of the beverage can. In order to maximize the efficiency of the present invention, each of the plurality of pressure releasing holes comprises a small diameter and generally in a closed stage. The plurality of pressure releasing holes opens within the present invention due to the pressure equalization as the inside pressure in between the base 12 and the base end of the beverage can becomes greater than the atmospheric pressure during the placement of the insulated member 1, and the inside pressure in between the base 12 and the base end of the beverage can becomes less than the atmospheric pressure during the removal of the insulated member 1.

In reference to FIG. 2, the flexible attachment 2 comprises a first end 21 and a second end 22. The first end 21 and the second end 22 are positioned on the flexible attachment 2, where the first end 21 and the second end 22 are oppositely positioned from each other along the flexible attachment 2. The flexible attachment 2 is made from high strength and flexible material, such as rubber, plastic, and leather, in order to withstand the constant movement of the sealable cap 3.

In reference to FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 9, FIG. 10, and FIG. 11, the sealable cap 3 that insulates the top end of the beverage can comprises a top surface 31, a bottom surface 32, a lateral surface 33, a locking cavity 34, a cap opening 35, a railing 36, and a tab 37. The top surface 31 is perimetrically connected within the lateral surface 33, and the bottom surface 32 is perimetrically connected within the lateral surface 33 opposite from the top surface 31. More specifically, the top surface 31 and the bottom surface 32 are oppositely positioned from each other along the lateral surface 33. The locking cavity 34, which removably attaches the sealable cap 3 to the top end of the beverage can, is concentrically positioned within the bottom surface 32. The locking cavity 34 is shaped with reference to the shape of the top end of the beverage can so that the sealable cap 3 is able to firmly attach with the top end of the beverage can. The cap opening 35 is traversed through the top surface 31 and the bottom surface 32. When the sealable cap 3 is attached with the top end of the beverage can, the cap opening 35 aligns with the opening of the beverage can. As a result, the users of the present invention are able to consume the beverage within the beverage can through the opening of the beverage can and the cap opening 35. The railing 36 is traversed into the sealable cap 3 through the top surface 31, where the cap opening 35 and the railing 36 are linearly positioned with each other. In reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the tab 37 is slidably connected to the railing 36, where the tab 37 is positioned atop the top surface 31. The tab 37 slides within the railing 36 and in between an opened position and a closed position in such way that the opened position opens the cap opening 35, and the closed position closes the cap opening 35. When a user of the present invention needs to consume beverage form a beverage can, the user needs to position the tab 37 to the opened position, which allows the beverage to flow through the cap opening 35. When beverage is not consumed form a beverage can, the tab 37 needs to be at the closed position, which protects the beverage from outside element such as insects and dust. The sealable cap 3 is made from durable rigid materials, such as hard plastic, so that the sealable cap 3 is able to attach and detach from the top end of the beverage can without compromising the structural integrity of the sealable cap 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, for the connection in between the insulated member 1 and the sealable cap 3 by the flexible attachment 2, the first end 21 is permanently connected to the sleeve 11 where the first end 21 is adjacently positioned with the top rim 13. The second end 22 is permanently connected to the lateral surface 33 in such way that the second end 22 is positioned in between the top surface 31 and the bottom surface 32. Since the flexible attachment 2 permanently connects with the insulated member 1 and the sealable cap 3, the users of the present invention do not have to worry about misplacing either the insulated member 1 or the sealable cap 3 during the usage of the present invention.

The sleeve 11 can also be customize with different colors, different themes, different logos, personal information, and any other similar type of design feathers to enhance the esthetic appearance of the present invention.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1. An insulated apparatus for a beverage can comprises:

an insulated member;
a flexible attachment;
a sealable cap;
the insulated member comprises a sleeve, a base, a top rim, a storage compartment, and a fastening mechanism;
the flexible attachment comprises a first end and a second end; and
the sealable cap comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, a lateral surface, a locking cavity, a cap opening, a railing, and a tab.

2. The insulated apparatus for a beverage can as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the sleeve being perimetrically connected around the base;
the sleeve being concentrically positioned atop the base;
the top rim being concentrically positioned on the sleeve opposite from the base;
the storage compartment being positioned on the sleeve in between the base and the top rim;
the fastening mechanism being connected to the storage compartment; and
the fastening mechanism being adjacently positioned with the top rim.

3. The insulated apparatus for a beverage can as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the first end being positioned on the flexible attachment;
the second end being positioned on the flexible attachment; and
the first end and the second end being oppositely positioned from each other along the flexible attachment.

4. The insulated apparatus for a beverage can as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the top surface being perimetrically connected within the lateral surface;
the bottom surface being perimetrically connected within the lateral surface opposite from the top surface; and
the top surface and the bottom surface being oppositely positioned from each other along the lateral surface.

5. The insulated apparatus for a beverage can as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the locking cavity being concentrically positioned within the bottom surface;
the cap opening traversing through the top surface and the bottom surface;
the railing traversing into the sealable cap through the top surface; and
the cap opening and the railing being linearly positioned with each other.

6. The insulated apparatus for a beverage can as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the tab being slidably connected to the railing; and
the tab being positioned atop the top surface.

7. The insulated apparatus for a beverage can as claimed in claim 6 comprises:

wherein the tab slides in between an opened position and a closed position.

8. The insulated apparatus for a beverage can as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the first end being permanently connected to the sleeve;
the first end being adjacently positioned with the top rim;
the second end being permanently connected to the lateral surface; and
the second end being positioned in between the top surface and the bottom surface.

9. An insulated apparatus for a beverage can comprises:

an insulated member;
a flexible attachment;
a sealable cap;
the insulated member comprises a sleeve, a base, a top rim, a storage compartment, and a fastening mechanism;
the flexible attachment comprises a first end and a second end;
the sealable cap comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, a lateral surface, a locking cavity, a cap opening, a railing, and a tab;
the sleeve being perimetrically connected around the base;
the sleeve being concentrically positioned atop the base;
the top rim being concentrically positioned on the sleeve opposite from the base;
the storage compartment being positioned on the sleeve in between the base and the top rim;
the fastening mechanism being connected to the storage compartment; and
the fastening mechanism being adjacently positioned with the top rim.

10. The insulated apparatus for a beverage can as claimed in claim 9 comprises:

the first end being positioned on the flexible attachment;
the second end being positioned on the flexible attachment; and
the first end and the second end being oppositely positioned from each other along the flexible attachment.

11. The insulated apparatus for a beverage can as claimed in claim 9 comprises:

the top surface being perimetrically connected within the lateral surface;
the bottom surface being perimetrically connected within the lateral surface opposite from the top surface; and
the top surface and the bottom surface being oppositely positioned from each other along the lateral surface.

12. The insulated apparatus for a beverage can as claimed in claim 9 comprises:

the locking cavity being concentrically positioned within the bottom surface;
the cap opening traversing through the top surface and the bottom surface;
the railing traversing into the sealable cap through the top surface;
the cap opening and the railing being linearly positioned with each other;
the tab being slidably connected to the railing; and
the tab being positioned atop the top surface.

13. The insulated apparatus for a beverage can as claimed in claim 12 comprises:

wherein the tab slides in between an opened position and a closed position.

14. The insulated apparatus for a beverage can as claimed in claim 9 comprises:

the first end being permanently connected to the sleeve;
the first end being adjacently positioned with the top rim;
the second end being permanently connected to the lateral surface; and
the second end being positioned in between the top surface and the bottom surface.

15. An insulated apparatus for a beverage can comprises:

an insulated member;
a flexible attachment;
a sealable cap;
the insulated member comprises a sleeve, a base, a top rim, a storage compartment, and a fastening mechanism;
the flexible attachment comprises a first end and a second end;
the sealable cap comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, a lateral surface, a locking cavity, a cap opening, a railing, and a tab;
the sleeve being perimetrically connected around the base;
the sleeve being concentrically positioned atop the base;
the top rim being concentrically positioned on the sleeve opposite from the base;
the storage compartment being positioned on the sleeve in between the base and the top rim;
the fastening mechanism being connected to the storage compartment;
the fastening mechanism being adjacently positioned with the top rim;
the top surface being perimetrically connected within the lateral surface;
the bottom surface being perimetrically connected within the lateral surface opposite from the top surface;
the top surface and the bottom surface being oppositely positioned from each other along the lateral surface;
the locking cavity being concentrically positioned within the bottom surface;
the cap opening traversing through the top surface and the bottom surface;
the railing traversing into the sealable cap through the top surface; and
the cap opening and the railing being linearly positioned with each other.

16. The insulated apparatus for a beverage can as claimed in claim 15 comprises:

the first end being positioned on the flexible attachment;
the second end being positioned on the flexible attachment; and
the first end and the second end being oppositely positioned from each other along the flexible attachment.

17. The insulated apparatus for a beverage can as claimed in claim 15 comprises:

the tab being slidably connected to the railing; and
the tab being positioned atop the top surface.

18. The insulated apparatus for a beverage can as claimed in claim 17 comprises:

wherein the tab slides in between an opened position and a closed position.

19. The insulated apparatus for a beverage can as claimed in claim 15 comprises:

the first end being permanently connected to the sleeve;
the first end being adjacently positioned with the top rim;
the second end being permanently connected to the lateral surface; and
the second end being positioned in between the top surface and the bottom surface.
Patent History
Publication number: 20150191293
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 8, 2014
Publication Date: Jul 9, 2015
Inventor: Gary Anderson Forcella (Fort Worth, TX)
Application Number: 14/149,963
Classifications
International Classification: B65D 81/38 (20060101); B65D 41/26 (20060101); B65D 55/02 (20060101); A47G 23/02 (20060101);