Beverage Cooling Device

Abstract

A beverage cooling device for maintaining a beverage at a cool temperature while it is being consumed. The beverage cooling device includes a cylindrical container having a closed lower end, an open upper end, and a hollow interior volume. The beverage cooling device further includes an inner layer that includes a gel that can be maintained at a cool temperature for actively cooling a beverage container placed within the beverage holding device. An outer layer composed of an insulating material is disposed on the exterior of the inner layer. The outer layer is adapted to minimize heat transfer through the container so that the inner layer and beverage container can remain cool, while the exterior surface of the outer layer remains at a comfortable temperature for a user to hold.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to beverage cooling devices. More specifically, the present invention provides a beverage cooling device adapted to hold a beverage container, such as a bottle or can, and maintain the beverage at a cool temperature while it is being consumed. The beverage cooling device comprises a cylindrical container having a closed lower end, an open upper end, and a hollow interior volume, wherein the container includes an inner layer adapted to actively cool a beverage container and an outer layer composed of an insulating material.

During periods of warm weather, people commonly consume cold beverages while outdoors for refreshment. Cold beverages in cans and bottles are often consumed at picnics, sporting events, beaches, and various outdoor areas.

However, beverages often become warm and unpalatable when exposed to ambient temperatures for an extended period of time. Further, the warmth from a user's hand can also increase the temperature of a beverage.

People store beverages in coolers in order to maintain the beverages at a cool temperature. However, once the beverage is removed from the cooler, the temperature of the beverage begins to rise, and the beverage will become warm if not quickly consumed after being removed from the cooler. While beverage koozies and sleeves are commonly applied to beverages to help provide insulation and to make the beverage container more comfortable to hold, koozies and sleeves do not help to cool the beverage container and merely slow down the warming of the beverage. Thus, a beverage cooling device that actively cools a beverage while it is being consumed is desired.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to beverage holders and cooling devices. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to insulated beverage holders and sleeves. The following is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.

Some patents provide a sleeve or holder for a beverage container having a freezable gel pack, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,324,111, U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,176, U.S. Pat. No. 4,831,842, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,300. Other patents provide insulating sleeves for beverage containers, including U.S. Published Patent Application Number 2012/0261408 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,111,753.

These prior art devices have several known drawbacks. Devices in the prior art fail to provide a beverage cooling device having an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein the inner layer is adapted to cool a beverage container held therein, and wherein the outer layer comprises an insulating material. The present invention provides a beverage cooling device wherein the inner and outer layers are permanently affixed to one another, and the inner layer includes a refrigerant gel positioned within a flexible enclosure.

In light of the devices disclosed in the prior art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing beverage cooling devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of beverage cooling devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new beverage cooling device wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when maintaining a beverage at a cool temperature while the user is consuming the beverage.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved beverage cooling device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a beverage cooling device comprising a cylindrical container having a closed lower end, an open upper end, and a hollow interior volume in which a beverage container, such as a can or bottle, can be positioned.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage cooling device comprising an inner layer that is adapted to actively cool a beverage container held therein, and an outer layer that is composed of an insulating material.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage cooling device having an inner layer comprising a refrigerant gel that can be maintained at a low temperature for an extended period of time, and that remains fluid or movable when cooled.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage cooling device that may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the beverage cooling device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the beverage cooling device of the present invention as used to hold a bottle therein.

FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of the beverage cooling device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the beverage cooling device. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for maintaining a beverage at a cool temperature while a user is drinking the same. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown perspective views of the beverage cooling device of the present invention. The beverage cooling device 11 comprises a container 12 having sidewalls, a closed lower end 13, an open upper end 14, and a hollow interior volume 17. The beverage cooling device 11 is adapted to receive and hold a beverage in the container 12, such as a bottle or can, among others. The beverage cooling device 11 fits snugly onto the bottle 31 so that the walls of the bottle 31 are flush against the interior walls of the beverage cooling device. The container 12 is preferably flexible so that it can be stretched so as to fit containers of various sizes.

The beverage cooling device 11 is composed of at least two layers. An inner layer 16 is adapted to contact the walls of a bottle 31 or other beverage container placed within the beverage cooling device 11. The inner layer 16 includes sidewalls and may additionally include a lower end so that that inner layer 16 contacts the bottom of the beverage container. The inner layer 16 comprises a refrigerant gel contained within a flexible enclosure or sac. The flexible enclosure or sac may include a single compartment, or may be divided into a plurality of compartments so as to limit the movement of the gel therein. The gel can be cooled in a freezer or other low temperature area, and is adapted to maintain a cool temperature when removed from the freezer. The gel is adapted to remain fluid and movable after being cooled so that it is not solid and can conform to the shape or the beverage container placed within the beverage cooling device.

An outer layer 15 is disposed on the exterior of the inner layer 16. The outer layer 15 is disposed on the walls and lower end of the inner layer 15. The outer layer 15 is preferably permanently affixed to the inner layer 16, and may be affixed by use of adhesives, or other suitable fastening means. The outer layer 15 is composed of an insulating material, such as rubber or foam, among others. In this way, the outer layer 15 serves to inhibit the ambient temperature conditions from warming the inner layer 16, allowing the inner layer 16 to remain at a cool temperature. Further, the heat dissipated from a user's hand holding the beverage cooling device 11 is not transferred to the inner layer 16. In this way, the beverage within the container 12 can be maintained at a cool temperature. Additionally, the exterior surface 18 of the outer layer 15 will remain at a comfortable temperature for a user to hold, and will not be as cool as the inner layer 16 which may be uncomfortable for the user to hold.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a cross sectional view of the beverage cooling device of the present invention. The container 12 preferably comprises a cylindrical shape such that it has sidewalls, a closed lower end 13, an open upper end 14, and a hollow interior volume 17. The container 12 comprises an inner layer 16 for helping to actively cool a beverage, and an outer layer 15 for minimizing heat transfer to the beverage and for providing the user with a comfortable surface for grasping the container 12. The inner layer 16 includes a sidewall and a lower end so that the sidewalls and bottom of a beverage container are in contact with the inner layer 16. The inner layer 16 comprises a flexible enclosure 19 in which a refrigerant gel 20 is stored. The inner layer 16 is adapted to cool the beverage while it is being consumed. Further, the outer layer 15 is disposed on the exterior of the inner layer 16 and is coextensive therewith. The outer layer 15 includes a sidewall and a bottom wall. The outer layer 15 is composed of an insulating material so that the outer layer 15 provides a comfortable surface for the user to hold.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. I claim:

Claims

1. A beverage cooling device, comprising: a container having a closed lower end, an open upper end, and a hollow interior volume;said container comprising an inner layer having a refrigerant gel adapted to cool a beverage container held within said interior volume of said container;said container further comprising an outer layer affixed to the exterior of said inner layer, wherein said outer layer is composed of an insulating material.

2. The beverage cooling device of claim 1, wherein said container is substantially cylindrical.

3. The beverage cooling device of claim 1, wherein said container is flexible.

4. The beverage cooling device of claim 1, wherein said refrigerant gel in said inner layer is disposed within an enclosure.

5. The beverage cooling device of claim 4, wherein said enclosure includes a plurality of compartments adapted to limit the movement of said refrigerant gel within said enclosure.

6. The beverage cooling device of claim 1, wherein said refrigerant gel is adapted to remain in a fluid state when cooled.

7. The beverage cooling device of claim 1, wherein said outer layer comprises foam.

8. The beverage cooling device of claim 1, wherein said outer layer is adhesively affixed to said inner layer.

9. The beverage cooling device of claim 1, wherein said inner layer includes sidewalls and a lower end, such that said inner layer is adapted to contact the sidewalls and lower end of a beverage container held therein.