Cooler With Handle Accommodating a Cylindrical Object

Abstract

The application discloses an insulating device or “cooler” for a canned or bottled drink with an attached handle that itself accommodates a cylindrical, semi-cylindrical, or rectilinear object. A cigarette lighter or the like may be stored in the handle. A thermal regulating element may be attached to the base of the cooler. An illuminating element may be affixed to the base of the cooler. A GPS receiver and an interconnected Bluetooth transceiver may be including in the thermal regulating element or the illuminating element.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure deals with an insulating device or “cooler” for a canned or bottled drink with an attached handle that itself accommodates a cylindrical, semi-cylindrical, or rectilinear object. A cigarette lighter or the like may be stored in the handle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Can and bottle coolers are well known in the prior art. Usually they are comprised of at least one cylindrical layer of insulating material, generally circular in cross section, that is removably applied over the outside of the can, bottle, or cup to keep the contents of the can, bottle, or cup chilled while drinking. Variants are known in the prior art that feature pockets and the like formed in the insulating material. Variants are also known in the prior art that include handles attached to the insulating material.

What is needed however is a variant that comprises an attached handle that can accommodate a cylindrical, semi-cylindrical, or rectilinear object such as a cigarette lighter.

Also, what is needed is a variant that comprises a handle that can accommodate a cylindrical, semi-cylindrical, or rectilinear object such as a miniature flashlight or penlight.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally, the present invention provides a first cylinder of insulating material, generally circular in cross section, closed or unclosed at the bottom and open at the top, capable of accommodating and insulating a can, bottle, or cup containing a chilled or warmed beverage while the user is consuming the beverage. The first cylinder may be constructed of rigid or flexible insulating foam or cloth or a fabric shell filled with insulating material such as foam or cloth. The first cylinder may be constructed using a glued construction technique, sonic welding, or molded as a unitary structure. Other commonly employed construction methods may be employed. The first cylinder has no projections on its inner surface impeding the insertion of objects. Also, if the first cylinder is unclosed at both the top and the bottom, objects may be inserted from either the top or the bottom. Also, in such cases the diameter of the first cylinder must closely approximate the diameter of the object to be enclosed thus allowing the first cylinder to cling to the outside surface of the enclosed object.

Generally parallel to the first cylinder and affixed to it by means of a continuous ridge or a multiplicity of segments of strap material, is a smaller second cylinder, generally circular in cross section, closed or unclosed at the bottom and open at the top, capable of receiving and holding a small cylindrical, semi-cylindrical, or rectilinear object such as a cigarette lighter or a small flashlight or penlight. The second cylinder has no discontinuities or “cut-outs” in its outer surface. Also, the second cylinder may be constructed of rigid or flexible material such as plastic, cloth, fabric or foam rubber. Also, the second cylinder has no projections on its inner surface impeding the insertion of objects. Also, if the second cylinder is unclosed at both the top and the bottom, objects may be inserted from either the top or the bottom, respectively. Also, in such cases the diameter of the second cylinder must closely approximate the diameter of the object to be enclosed thus allowing the second cylinder to cling to the outside surface of the enclosed object.

The invention is used as follows: First, the user places a can, bottle, or cup containing a chilled or warmed beverage inside the first cylinder. Next, the user places a small cylindrical or rectilinear object such as a cigarette lighter or a flashlight or penlight in the second cylinder. Next, the user drinks the beverage. The cigarette lighter or a flashlight or penlight is conveniently stored in the user's hand while holding the can, bottle, or cup and drinking the beverage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the cooler with an affixed handle attached by two narrow straps capable of storing a cigarette lighter or flashlight or penlight.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the cooler with an affixed handle attached by two wider straps capable of storing a cigarette lighter or flashlight or penlight.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the cooler with an affixed handle attached by a single wide strap capable of storing a cigarette lighter or flashlight or penlight.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the cooler with an accessory thermal regulating unit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the cooler with an accessory illumination unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 3, the present invention provides first cylinder 101 of insulating material, generally circular in cross section, closed at the bottom end 102a, capable of accommodating and insulating a can, bottle, or cup containing a chilled or warmed beverage on its inside 102 while the user is consuming the beverage. First cylinder 101 has no discontinuities or “cut-outs” through its surface. First cylinder 101 may be constructed of rigid or flexible insulating foam or a cloth or fabric shell filled with insulating material such as foam or cloth. The bottom end 102a is closed. Bottom end 102a may be closed using rigid or flexible insulating foam, foam rubber, rubber, plastic, cloth, or fabric covered variants of all of these, or a cloth or fabric shell filled with insulating material such as foam or cloth. Bottom end 102a may also be solid material such as plastic. The bottom end 102a may be perforated or partially perforated to aid with relieving the vacuum when an object is inserted or removed. Also, first cylinder 101 has no projections on its inside surface 102b impeding the insertion or removal of objects from the top.

In an alternative embodiment the bottom end 102a is not closed. Accordingly, a can, bottle, or cup may pass completely through first cylinder 101. In this alternative embodiment first cylinder 101 has no discontinuities or “cut-outs” through its surface. Also, in this alternative embodiment the diameter of the inside surface 102b of first cylinder 101 must closely approximate the diameter of the can, bottle, or cup to be stored inside first cylinder 101. Since first cylinder 101 is unclosed at both the top and the bottom, objects may be inserted from either the top or the bottom. Also, in such cases the inside surface 102b of first cylinder 101 must closely approximate the diameter of the object to be enclosed thus allowing first cylinder 101 to cling to the outside surface of the enclosed object. Also, first cylinder 101 has no projections on its inside surface 102b impeding the insertion or removal of objects from either the top or the bottom.

Generally parallel to first cylinder 101, and affixed to it, is a smaller diameter second cylinder 103, generally circular in cross section, closed or unclosed at bottom end 104a and open at the top, capable of receiving and holding a small cylindrical, semi-cylindrical, or rectilinear object 106 such as a cigarette lighter or a small semi-cylindrical or rectilinear object such as a flashlight or penlight on its inside 104. Second cylinder 103 has no discontinuities or “cut-outs” through its surface. Second cylinder 103 may be constructed of flexible material such as foam rubber, rubber, plastic, cloth, or fabric covered variants of all of these. Bottom end 104a may be closed using rigid or flexible insulating foam, foam rubber, rubber, plastic, cloth, or fabric covered variants of all of these, or a cloth or fabric shell filled with insulating material such as foam or cloth. Bottom end 104a may also be solid material such as plastic. Second cylinder 103 is affixed to first cylinder 101 by means of two narrow affixing flexible straps 105. In an alternative embodiment second cylinder 103 is affixed to first cylinder 101 by means of two wider affixing flexible straps 105a. In an alternative embodiment second cylinder 103 is affixed to first cylinder 101 by means of a continuous affixing flexible strap 105b.

The flexible strap segments 105, 105a, and 105b or “flexible straps” are constructed of flexible material such as: cloth, rope, cloth covered foam rubber, foam rubber, rubber, leather, or any other type of resilient, flexible material that may be formed into narrow, wider, or continuous strands of material. These flexible straps 105, 105a, and 105b are flexible in all three dimensions, i.e. they may be stretched to varying degrees in all dimensions. These flexible straps 105, 105a, and 105b may be constructed in any cross-sectional form including, for example: rectangular, square, circular, triangular, ovoid, or any other polyhedron. Because flexible straps 105, 105a, and 105b are flexible, and may be moved in all three dimensions, the generally parallel orientation of first cylinder 101 and second cylinder 103 may be varied from generally parallel to a multitude of other arrangements. In other words, while flexible straps 105, 105a, and 105b generally position first cylinder 101 and second cylinder 103 so that they are parallel to one along their central axes at rest, they may be manually deformed or positioned such that the central axes of first cylinder 101 and second cylinder 103 are no longer generally parallel with one another.

In an alternative embodiment bottom end 104a of second cylinder 103 is not closed. A small cylindrical, semi-cylindrical, or rectilinear object 106 such as a cigarette lighter or a small flashlight or penlight therefore may pass completely through second cylinder 103. In this alternative embodiment second cylinder 103 has no discontinuities or “cut-outs” in its outer surface. Also, in this alternative embodiment the diameter of the inside surface 104b of second cylinder 103 must closely approximate the diameter of the cigarette lighter or a small flashlight or penlight to be stored inside second cylinder 103. Since the second cylinder 103 is unclosed at both the top and the bottom, objects may be inserted from either the top or the bottom. Also, in such cases the inside surface 104b of second cylinder 103 must closely approximate the diameter of the object to be enclosed thus allowing the second cylinder 103 to cling to the outside surface of the enclosed object. Also, second cylinder 103 has no projections on its inside surface 104b impeding the insertion or removal of objects from either the top or the bottom.

The invention is used as follows. First, the user places a can, bottle, or cup containing a chilled or warmed beverage inside 102 first cylinder 101. Next, the user places small cylindrical, semi-cylindrical, or rectilinear object 106 such as a cigarette lighter or a flashlight or penlight inside 104 second cylinder 103. Next, the user picks up the can, bottle, or cup and drinks beverage from it. Small cylindrical, semi-cylindrical, or rectilinear object 106 such as a cigarette lighter, a flashlight, or a penlight is conveniently stored in the user's hand while holding the can, bottle, or cup and drinking the beverage.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an alternative embodiment of the present invention may be constructed with a thermal regulating element 108 inserted in a compartment 107 below first cylinder 101. The thermal regulating element 108 may be chemical or mechanical in nature and may either heat or cool the base of first cylinder 101. It is essential that only the base of first cylinder 101 have a thermal regulating element 108 inserted (versus wrapped or otherwise attached to the sides). This allows first cylinder 101 to be of a smaller, more hand manipulable diameter.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an alternative embodiment of the present invention may be constructed with an illuminating element 110 inserted in a compartment 109 below first cylinder 101. The sides 109a of compartment 109 may be constructed of transparent vinyl. The illuminating element 110 may be a light bulb or LED-based with a battery attached. It is essential that only the base of first cylinder 101 have a compartment 109 with an illuminating element 110 inserted (versus the sides). This allows first cylinder 101 to be of a smaller, more hand manipulable diameter. Also, the illuminating element 110 may be constructed so that it lights only when the cooler is lifted off of the table. Also, the illuminating element 110 may be constructed so that it lights only when the cooler is placed on the table.

Either thermal regulating unit 108 or illuminating element 110 may have a GPS receiver and an interconnected Bluetooth transceiver incorporated. The GPS receiver and Bluetooth transceiver allows the user to readily locate the cooler using a cell phone or tablet computer.

All obvious variants are included within the scope of the present invention particularly the breadth of items that may be stored in the rectilinear cylindrical handle. Such items are implicitly included in the scope of the present invention. Such items are exemplified by, but not limited to, a tube of lipstick, a tube of lip balm, a remote control, a cell telephone, and the like.

Claims

1. A cooler comprising: a) a first cylinder open at the top capable of containing and insulating a beverage container selected from the group of a can, a bottle, or a cup; andb) a second cylinder affixed generally parallel to the first cylinder capable of containing a small cylindrical, semi-cylindrical, or rectilinear object wherein the second cylinder is open at the top and the bottom;c) wherein the first cylinder is constructed of flexible material and has no internal protrusions inhibiting the insertion or removal of a beverage container;d) wherein the first cylinder and second cylinder are constructed with no holes, cut outs, or discontinuities in their external or internal walls;e) wherein the second cylinder is constructed of flexible material and has no internal protrusions inhibiting the insertion or removal of objects;f) wherein the first cylinder and the second cylinder are affixed by at least one piece of flexible strap material;g) wherein the cooler may be picked up and held by the second cylinder.

2. A cooler of claim 1 wherein the first cylinder is closed at the bottom.

3. A cooler of claim 1 wherein the first cylinder is open at the bottom.

4. A cooler of claim 1 wherein the first cylinder is constructed of foam rubber.

5. A cooler of claim 1 wherein the first cylinder is constructed of cloth covered foam.

6. A cooler of claim 1 wherein the first cylinder is constructed of rubber.

7. A cooler of claim 1 wherein the second cylinder is constructed of foam rubber.

8. A cooler of claim 1 wherein the second cylinder is constructed of cloth covered foam.

9. A cooler of claim 1 wherein the second cylinder is constructed of rubber.

10. A cooler comprising: a) a first cylinder open at the top capable of containing and insulating a beverage container; andb) a second cylinder open at the top and bottom affixed generally parallel to the first cylinder and capable of containing a second object;c) wherein the first cylinder and the second cylinder are constructed of flexible material;d) wherein the first cylinder is constructed of flexible material and has no internal protrusions inhibiting the insertion or removal of a beverage container;e) wherein the first cylinder and second cylinder are constructed with no holes, cut outs, or discontinuities in their external or internal walls;f) wherein the first cylinder and the second cylinder are affixed by at least one piece of flexible strap material;g) wherein the cooler may be picked up and held by the second cylinder;h) wherein the first cylinder has a thermal regulating element installed in its base.

11. A cooler of claim 10 wherein the thermal regulating element heats the base of the cooler.

12. A cooler of claim 10 wherein the thermal regulating element cools the base of the cooler.

13. A cooler of claim 10 incorporating a GPS receiver and Bluetooth transceiver in the thermal regulating element.

14. A cooler comprising: a) a first cylinder open at the top capable of containing and insulating a beverage container; andb) a second cylinder open at the top and bottom affixed generally parallel to the first cylinder and capable of containing a second object;c) wherein the first cylinder and the second cylinder are constructed of flexible material;d) wherein the first cylinder is constructed of flexible material and has no internal protrusions inhibiting the insertion or removal of a beverage container;e) wherein the first cylinder and second cylinder are constructed with no holes, cut outs, or discontinuities in their external or internal walls;f) wherein the first cylinder and the second cylinder are affixed by at least one piece of flexible strap material;g) wherein the cooler may be picked up and held by the second cylinder;h) wherein the first cylinder has an illuminating element installed at its base.

15. A cooler of claim 14 that automatically lights the illuminating element when the cooler is lifted off of a flat surface.

16. A cooler of claim 14 that automatically lights the illuminating element when the cooler is placed on a flat surface.

17. A cooler of claim 14 incorporating a GPS receiver and Bluetooth transceiver in the illuminating element.