Canned and bottled beverage holder

[0002] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/591,921, filed Jun. 12, 2000, now abandoned and is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 09/730,693.

[0003] This invention relates to a method and apparatus for a beverage container holder to keep beverage cans and beverage bottles cool while allowing a user to drink from the can or bottle in the holder without spilling the ice or water used to provide the cooling.

[0004] The embodiments of this invention permit a person to place a beverage can or beverage bottle into a beverage container holder along with ice or ice and ice water, and to periodically drink from the can or bottle. A sealing means permits the user to tip the holder and to drink from the beverage container without spilling the ice or water. The beverage container is placed in the holder; and the sealing means, the housing, and the beverage container form a sealed enclosure to hold the ice and water between the beverage container and the holder housing.

[0005] The beverage container is typically supported above the bottom of the holder by ridges or pedestals that support the bottom of the beverage container. This clearance provides space for a cooling medium such as ice or ice and water. The cooling medium can be replaced in order to provide immediate additional refrigeration to the beverage.

[0006] The embodiments of the current invention include a housing which is larger in diameter than a beverage can or beverage bottle. One embodiment of the invention is a removable seal subassembly comprised of a compliant seal and a seal containment means which establish a leak-proof seal between a portion of the beverage can or bottle and the housing. The housing typically includes a support means to support the bottom of the can or bottle above the housing bottom in order to create a space for an ice or an ice and water cooling medium. In another embodiment, the seal means may be a single element that is attached to or secured in the housing.

[0007] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are set forth below and further made clear by reference to the drawings, wherein:

[0008] FIG. 1A is a side cut-away view of a beverage can holder with a tabbed seal subassembly.

[0009] FIG. 1B is a detailed cross-sectional view of the sealing means and the seal containment means of the embodiment of FIG. 1A.

[0010] FIG. 1C is a top perspective view of the tabbed seal subassembly of FIG 1A.

[0011] FIG. 2A is a side cut-away view of an alternate housing beverage bottle holder with a tabbed seal subassembly.

[0012] FIG. 2B is a detailed cross-sectional view of the sealing means and the seal containment means of the embodiment of FIG. 2A.

[0013] FIG. 2C is a detailed cross-sectional view of an alternate sealing means and the seal subassembly of the embodiment of FIGS. 2A and 1A.

[0014] FIG. 3A is a top perspective view of a tabbed seal subassembly of FIGS. 2A-2B.

[0015] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of a tabbed seal subassembly of FIGS. 2A-2B.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of a can holder embodiment with a compliant sealing ring means.

[0017] FIG. 5A is a side cross-sectional view of a beverage container holder embodiment with a screw-on sealing means.

[0018] FIG. 5B is a detailed cross-sectional view of the sealing means and the seal containment means of the embodiment of FIG. 5A.

[0019] FIG. 6A is a side cross-sectional view of another beverage container holder embodiment with a screw-on sealing means.

[0020] FIG. 6B is a detailed cross-sectional view of the sealing means and the seal containment means of the embodiment of FIG. 6A.

[0021] FIG. 7A is a side cross-sectional view of a beverage bottle holder embodiment with a membrane snap on sealing means.

[0022] FIG. 7B is a detailed cross-sectional view of the sealing means and the seal containment means of the embodiment of FIG. 7A.

[0023] FIG. 7C is a side cross-sectional view of a beverage can holder embodiment with a membrane snap on sealing means.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 1A, a beverage holder embodiment of the current invention includes a tumbler housing 20 that is designed to hold a beverage can 10. A similar embodiment may also be used as a beverage bottle holder.

[0025] The figure illustrates a beverage can supported above the bottom of the housing by three support ridges 30 which serve as a container support means so that there is room below the can for a water-based coolant of ice, frigid water, or ice and water to be added to the housing in order to provide cooling to the can.

[0026] The width of the housing is slightly larger than the beverage container to permit additional ice and water to be in contact with a portion of the sides of the beverage container. The housing has an upper opening that is larger than the beverage container, and a seal containment means 40 is placed along a portion of the circumference of this upper opening so that the seal containment means provides support and constraint for a compliant sealing means 50 which is positioned below the seal containment means.

[0027] In this embodiment, the seal containment means 40 and the compliant sealing means 50 form a seal subassembly 45 that is removable. The seal subassembly serves to hold the beverage container in place as the holder is tipped for drinking from the beverage container, and the sealing means prevents ice 60 and water 61 from escaping from the housing while the user is tipping the holder to drink from the beverage container. In alternate embodiments, the seal containment means and the compliant sealing means may be affixed to the housing.

[0028] This embodiment describes a seal subassembly that is held in place between the beverage container and the housing by a compression fit. Alternate embodiments for holding or compressing the compliant sealing means in place include screwing the seal containment means to the housing, securing the compliant sealing means over a lip on the housing, and positioning a compliant sealing means within a channel on the housing. The housing is preferably injection molded from polypropylene, although other materials and production methods may be employed. The housing is preferably in the shape of a tumbler with a bottom diameter of about 2.7 inches so that it will fit into a cup holder such as those found in automobiles, boats, and golf carts. In this embodiment, a beverage can is supported at a height of about 1.4 inches above the bottom of the housing. The support ridges are shown extending to the bottom of the housing in order to permit them to be fabricated with the housing by injection molding. Alternate container support means include one or more support pedestals, a support shelf, or a tapered portion of the housing wall.

[0029] The housing has an overall height of about 5.1 inches, so that about 1.1 inches of a standard beverage can is exposed above the housing to permit the user to drink from the can. These dimensions support most 12-ounce beverage cans.

[0030] Referring now to FIG. 1B, which is a detailed cross sectional detail of this embodiment, the seal containment means includes a pair of tabs 52 located approximately 180 degrees apart. These tabs provide a leveraging mechanism to assist in removing the seal subassembly from the housing. Lifting a tab also permits the release of positive pressure or negative pressure from the space between the beverage container and the housing, thereby permitting the beverage container and seal subassembly to be removed more easily from the housing. The compliant sealing means 50 preferably includes a flap extension 54 which permits the sealing of various diameters of beverage containers. When the seal subassembly is inserted over a can or bottle, the flap extension will bend to accept cans or bottles of different diameters.

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 1C, a polypropylene seal containment means 40 is separately fabricated, preferably by injection molding. The compliant sealing means 50 is a Dynaflex G7940 thermoplastic rubber compound, Braton™ copolymer, or similar type of compliant material. One method of manufacturing the seal subassembly is to mold the seal containment means and then to over-mold the compliant sealing means over the seal containment means. This process provides a good bond between the seal containment means and the compliant sealing means. The compliant sealing means and the polypropylene seal containment means may be assembled together with other methods such as glue.

[0032] In typical operation, either ice or an ice and water mixture is added to the holder before the can is placed in the container. The can or bottle is then placed into the top opening until it contacts the support ridges or ice which has been placed in the housing. The support ridges assure adequate space for ice and prevent the can or bottle from disappearing into the container. The seal subassembly is then placed over the top of the can so that it engages the can or bottle as the seal subassembly is pushed into the housing, thereby creating a seal between the housing and the beverage holder.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 2A, another can or bottle holder embodiment of the current invention includes an alternate shaped housing 21 and a seal subassembly that fits over a lip 46 of the housing. The figure illustrates a bottle 12 as the beverage container, although a beverage can may also be used with this beverage container holder. The beverage container is supported above the bottom of the housing by a plurality, preferably three or more, ridges 32 so that there is room below the can for ice or ice and water to be added to the housing in order to provide cooling to the can. Other container support means may be used including one or more pedestals or the housing side wall. The housing may be of a variety of shapes. The figure illustrates a housing with a tapered lower section that is smaller in diameter than the tapered upper section. The housing shape preferably permits room for holding the ice or water around the beverage container while still maintaining a small bottom diameter so that the housing will fit in most cup holders.

[0034] The housing has an upper opening that is larger than the beverage container, and a snap on seal containment means 50 is placed on a lip 46 around the circumference of this upper opening so that the seal containment means provides support and constraint for a compliant sealing means 54 which is positioned on the seal containment means. In this embodiment, the compliant sealing means is similar to the flexible flap extension of the previous embodiment. In an alternative embodiment, the seal subassembly may be positioned directly on the upper edge of the housing, without the use of a retaining lip. The housing may be double-walled with a clearance between the inner and outer walls to reduce the condensation on the outside of the holder. Alternately the housing may be constructed from a single layer of material; or from two or more layers of different materials with no air gap between the layers.

[0035] The seal containment means 50 and the compliant sealing means 54 form a seal subassembly that is removable. The seal subassembly serves to hold the can in place as the holder is tipped for drinking from the can, and the sealing means prevents the water-based coolant ice 60 and water 61 from escaping from the housing while the user is tipping the holder to drink from the can.

[0036] In this embodiment, the bottle holder is the same device as the can holder, and the compliant seal serves as a flexible flap extension to adapt to beverage containers of different diameters. For instance, the flexible flap extensions permit the holder to seal against both beverage cans and beverage bottles. In other embodiments, the bottle holder may have a taller housing and a slightly smaller opening in the compliant sealing means to accommodate a bottle.

[0037] The housing is preferably injection molded from polypropylene, although other materials and production methods may be employed. The housing is preferably in the shape of a tumbler with a bottom diameter of about 2.7 inches so that it will fit into a cup holder such as those found in automobiles, boats, and golf carts. In this embodiment, the beverage container is supported at a height of about 1.4 inches above the bottom of the housing. The support ridges 32 are shown extending to the lower taper section of the housing in order to permit them to be fabricated with the housing by injection molding. Other container support means including pedestals, shelves, or the tapered sidewall of the housing may be used. The housing has an overall height of about 5.1 inches, so that about 1.1 inches of a standard beverage can is exposed above the housing to permit the user to drink from the can. These dimensions support most 12-ounce beverage cans.

[0038] Referring now to FIG. 2B, which is a detailed cross sectional detail of this embodiment, the seal containment means includes a pair of tabs 52 located approximately 180 degrees apart. These tabs provide a leveraging mechanism to assist in removing the seal subassembly from the housing. Lifting a tab creates a gap along a portion of the lip 46 and permits the release of positive pressure or negative pressure from the space between the beverage container and the housing, thereby permitting the beverage container and seal subassembly to be removed more easily from the housing.

[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a polypropylene seal containment means 48 is separately fabricated, preferably by injection molding. The compliant sealing means 54 is a Dynaflex G7940 thermoplastic rubber compound, Braton™ copolymer, or similar type of compliant material. One method of manufacturing the seal subassembly is to mold the seal containment means and then to over-mold the compliant sealing means over the seal containment means. This process provides a good bond between the seal containment means and the compliant sealing means. The compliant sealing means and the polypropylene seal containment means may be assembled together with other methods such as glue.

[0040] In typical operation, a water-based coolant such as ice or an ice and water mixture is added to the holder before the can is placed in the container. The can is then placed into the top opening until it contacts the support ridges or ice which has been placed in the housing. The support ridges assure adequate space for ice and prevent the can from disappearing into the container. The seal subassembly is then placed over the top of the can so that it engages the can as the seal subassembly is snapped onto the housing, thereby creating a seal between the housing and the can.

[0041] Referring now to FIG. 2C, an alternate seal subassembly may be provided for the above embodiments. This embodiment includes a compliant sealing means 50 which fits over the lip 46 on the housing 21. The seal containment means 40 provides support for the compliant sealing means, and preferably includes tabs 52 for releasing the seal subassembly from the housing. A compliant sealing flap extension 54 may be used in order to permit use of various diameters of beverage containers.

[0042] Referring now to FIG. 4, another embodiment of the current invention includes a tumbler housing 20 holding a beverage can 10 or bottle. The can or bottle is supported above the bottom of the housing by three support ridges 30 or by other container support means. In this embodiment, the slotted seal containment means 41 provides a groove to accept a compliant sealing ring 57. The compliant sealing ring preferably includes one or more vents 58 to permit pressure and vacuum release when installing and removing the container.

[0043] The slotted seal containment means may be fabricated separately and then attached to the housing, or both the housing and the seal containment means may be fabricated as a single unit. Alternately, the compliant sealing ring is removable.

[0044] The compliant sealing ring 51 is a Dynaflex G7940 rubber seal, or similar type of compliant material. The compliant sealing ring may be inserted into the groove either before or after assembly of the slotted seal containment means to the housing.

[0045] A bottle holder embodiment of the current invention may be produced in the same manner as the above-described can holder embodiment. The bottle holder preferably has a taller housing, and the seal lid preferably has a slightly smaller opening to accommodate a bottle.

[0046] Referring now to FIG. 5A, another beverage container holder embodiment of the current invention includes a screw on lid 43 which screws onto the threaded upper portion of the housing 20.

[0047] Referring now to FIG. 5B, a complaint sealing ring 55 is held in place between the top of the housing and the lid. In this embodiment, the compliant sealing ring 55 is not permanently attached to either the housing 20 or to the screw on lid 43. When the lid is threaded onto the housing, the compliant sealing ring is compressed against the housing wall, and tends to expand into the beverage container. In an alternate embodiment, the compliant sealing ring may be compressed between the lid and a ledge integral to the housing.

[0048] This embodiment permits interchangeable lids to be used so that the holder can be used for either cans or bottles.

[0049] Referring now to FIG. 6A, another beverage container holder embodiment of the current invention includes a screw on lid 49 which screws onto the threaded upper portion of the housing 20. The lid serves as a seal containment means.

[0050] Referring now to FIG. 6B, the complaint sealing ring 59 is integral to the lid 49. This embodiment permits interchangeable lids to be used so that the holder can be used for either cans or bottles.

[0051] Referring now to FIG. 7A, another beverage container holder embodiment of the current invention includes a seal membrane lid 51 which serves as a compliant sealing means between the bottle 12 and the housing 20.

[0052] Referring now to FIG. 7B, which is a cross sectional detail of this embodiment, the seal is grooved along its edge to provide a pressure fit on the external lip 46 of the housing. In this embodiment, the lip serves as the seal containment means. This embodiment permits interchangeable seal membrane lids to be used so that the holder can be used for either cans or bottles.

[0053] Referring now to FIG. 7C, a can holder embodiment of the current invention includes a compliant seal lid 53 which snaps onto an external lip 46 of the housing 20 to provide a seal to the beverage can or bottle without requiring an additional seal containment means. In the illustration, the can is shown to be supported by a plurality of pedestals 31. Other can supporting means may be employed, including support ridges as shown in previous illustrations.

[0054] These examples are for the purpose of illustration, and it would be known to one skilled in the art to substitute other various housing shapes, beverage container support designs, and seal configurations.