Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to intellectual property rights such as but not limited to copyright, trademark, and/or trade dress protection. The owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records but otherwise reserves all rights whatsoever.
The invention relates to a beverage housing system, and, more particularly, to a beverage housing system having a double walled housing and a removable heat transfer unit disposed within the housing for cooling and/or heating a beverage within the housing. Users can then remove and/or replace the heat transfer unit. People use insulated beverage holders to provide insulation to a beverage in order to maintain the temperature of the beverage.
Placing the beverage within a double walled insulated beverage housing insulates the beverage from the environment during consumption of the beverage. One type of insulated beverage holder is constructed from suitable foam configured to receive a beverage can. The foam insulation assists in maintaining the desired condition of the beverage.
Certain problems exist with the some of the aforesaid prior art beverage containers. The beverage must initially be cooled or heated to the desired temperature. Once the beverage vessel is removed from its chilled environment, the beverage will adjust to the temperature of the environment. The insulated beverage container slows this result. It is an object of the present invention to provide a beverage holder that maintains a proper environment for sustaining the desired temperature of the beverage to allow a user to consume a beverage at the desired temperature over an extended period of time.
Patents and patent applications disclosing information relevant to beverage systems are disclosed below. These patents and patent applications are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,183,226 issued to Moore on Jan. 15, 1980 (“the '226 patent”) teaches a means for chilling and insulating a canned or bottled beverage such as beer including a cylindrical sleeve of reusable refrigerant disposed within an insulative beverage can holder and displacing the annular “dead air” cavity between a beverage can situated therein and the side walls of the holder. The lining 24 taught by the '226 patent is formed of thin walled material such as plastic and may be slidably removable from the holder 10.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,782,670 issued to Long on Nov. 8, 1988 (“the '670 patent”) teaches an insulated beverage container having both hot and cold retention capabilities designed for the purpose of maintaining, increasing, or decreasing the temperature of the contents in the container. The plastic structure of the container taught by the '670 patent, an insulating sleeve between duel walls of the container, and encapsulated between the dual walls, a thermoplastic gel capable of retaining heat as well as cold, produces a multi-action container which can be heated in a microwave oven, a conventional oven, or can be frozen in a freezer.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,154 issued to Christoff on May 30, 1995 (“the '154 patent”) teaches a beverage container provided for use with a golf cart or the like having a support member. The container taught by the '154 patent includes a body having a central beverage receiving cavity which extends from the closed bottom of the body to the open top end of the body. The container taught by the '154 patent also includes means for receiving a freezable gel, the means being disposed within the beverage receiving cavity. The '154 patent also teaches a cap that is provided to be releasably attached to the open top end of the body.
The '154 patent teaches that inwardly from the bottom wall 20a is a cavity 122 which in the form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 10 of the drawings, extends across the bottom surface and up along the side walls of the container body 20. This cavity taught by the '154 patent is intended to be filled with a freezable gel 27. The '154 patent teaches that interposed between the walls of the cavity 122 and the exterior wall of the body 20 is an insulator wall 126 which, once the gel is frozen, will maintain that condition for a fixed period of time.
A hollow gel receiving chamber 128d is configured to be filled with a freezable gel. This gel filled insert may be placed in a freezer apart from the cap 125 and the body 20 to be frozen. After the insert 128 is frozen, it may be matingly threaded into the female boss 126 on the top cap 125. The body 20 is then filled with an appropriate beverage and the top cap installed as previously described.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,368 issued to Schneider on Dec. 14, 1993 (“the '368 patent”) teaches a reusable cooling and insulating device for bottles and the like that is provided in the form of a jacket having a single or plurality of flexible compartments which are interconnected having an inner chamber and an outer chamber therein. The '368 patent teaches that a heating and cooling temperature conditionable liquid is housed in the inner chamber which enables the inner diameter of the jacket formed by the inner chamber to confirm with the surface of the object on the which the jacket is positioned for heating or cooling. A flexible insulator of air or air and flexible plastic taught by the '368 patent is positioned in the outer chamber of each compartment for directing a greater temperature transfer from liquid to the object and less heat exchange from the liquid to the environment.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,134,894 issued to Searle on Oct. 24, 2000 (“the '894 patent”) teaches a container for a beverage that has a conventional external configuration with a cylindrical wall closed by a top member. The '894 patent teaches that the contents of the container can be cooled, heated, or kept hot, or kept cold by the insertion of an insert into the external cavity. To ensure good heat transfer, the insert taught by the '894 patent is push fitted into the external cavity. The insert taught by the '894 patent may be heated or cooled before it is inserted, or it may be actuable to heat up or to cool down.
The can 10 taught by the '894 patent with its contents, but without its insert 30, is stored in a refrigerator, and the insert 30 is kept in a freezer until the material 31 therein is frozen solid. When it is required to use the can 10, the '894 patent teaches that it is removed from the refrigerator and the frozen insert 30 is inserted in its cavity 20. The insulating cap 28 taught by the '894 patent is put in place.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,128,915 issued to Wagner on Oct. 10, 2000 (“the '915 patent”) teaches a portable food and beverage cooling device that includes a flexible cooling pouch having outer and inner faces. A cooling pack taught by the '915 patent is provided in the cooling pouch. A flexible insulating panel taught by the '915 patent is provided in the cooling pouch. The '915 patent teaches that the insulating panel has a central region interposed between the outer face of the cooling pouch and the cooling pack. Before use, the invention taught by the '915 patent is stored in a freezer to allow the coolant cells to freeze and be ready for use at a moments notice.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,094,935 issued to Stein on Aug. 1, 2000 (“the '935 patent”) teaches a drinking container having a removable, freezable member. The drinking container taught by the '935 patent has a cylindrical inner receptacle and a surrounding cylindrical outer receptacle. The '935 patent teaches an annular chamber that is formed between the inner and outer receptacles. A refrigerant member taught by the '935 patent comprising a plastic envelope containing a freezable gel is dimensioned to fit into the annular chamber, and is readily removable therefrom. A cap taught by the '935 patent engages the drinking container to retain the refrigerant member once placed in the annular chamber. The '935 patent teaches that the refrigerant member is preferably an annular sleeve which slips between the inner and outer receptacles, and folds flat for storage and freezing. The '935 patent teaches that the drinking receptacle includes a removable cap which closes only the open chamber which receives the refrigerant member. The cap taught by the '935 patent both retains the refrigerant member, assists in insulating the same, and excludes condensate from the refrigerant chamber.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,604 issued to Pier on Nov. 8, 1994 (“the '604 patent”) teaches a portable and hand-held beverage chilling device, having water utilized as a coolant that can be frozen between non-permanently sealed walls of the device, that is intended for chilling and subsequent maintenance of a canned or bottled beverage at its coldest liquid state, while providing direct consumption from its container. The beverage cooler taught by the '604 patent features two cylindrical receptacles that are enclosed on one end. These receptacles, called shells, taught by the '604 patent are of different diameter and height such that the inner is placed within the outer and a coolant is contained in the spacial void created.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,149 issued to Riche on Dec. 27, 1988 (“the '149 patent”) teaches a cooling and insulating holder for a container such as a beverage can or the like that has a plurality of hollow arcuate reservoir pieces which fit together to form a ring with a receiving opening therein to receive the container.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,399,668 issued to Williamson on Aug. 23, 1983 (“the '668 patent”) teaches a flexible, multilayer thermal wrap for beverage containers. The wrap taught by the '668 patent has an inner coolant layer for wrapping about the container which conforms to the container's shape and leaves an opening at the container's top to expose the pouring end. The coolant layer taught by the '668 patent is externally surrounded by an insulative layer.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,534,345 issued to French et al. on Jan. 31, 2017 teaches an insulated beverage housing provides an aperture for receiving a heat transfer unit. The heat transfer unit taught by the '345 patent provides an aperture for receiving a container. The heat transfer unit stores a heat transfer material including but not limited to a fluid, gel, or other substance that can be heated or cooled depending upon the desired effect on the beverage. The removable heat transfer unit may be easily removed and/or installed from the housing to heat or cool the heat transfer material for use in affecting the temperature of the beverage.
The beverage holder of the present invention is especially configured for maintaining the desired condition of the beverage for an extended period of time. The present invention overcomes many of the disadvantages of known insulated beverage holders by providing vacuum sealed double wall insulation and a heat transfer unit stored within that cools or heats the beverage.
Therefore, the present invention is needed to improve the ability to heat or cool a beverage and to maintain the desired temperature of a beverage. The present invention is also needed to allow a user to replace the heat transfer unit with another heat transfer unit to continue to cool or heat the beverage as desired.
The present invention provides a housing having an aperture configured to receive a heat transfer unit. The heat transfer unit installs within the housing. The user may also remove and replace the heat transfer unit within the housing. In one embodiment of the present invention, the housing provides an inner and outer wall, the insulating chamber between the inner wall and the outer wall being vacuum sealed. The heat transfer unit inserts into an opening interior of the inner wall. Different embodiments of the present invention receive different containers, vessels, or serve as a vessel for various beverages. In one embodiment, the present invention receives a beverage container, such as a can, water bottle, or wine bottle. In another embodiment, the present invention serves as a beverage vessel, such as a container, cup, or bottle.
The heat transfer unit cools or heats the beverage depending upon the desired results. A beverage container or vessel inserts into the heat transfer unit. In one embodiment, the heat transfer unit is constructed from a rigid or semi-rigid material. The heat transfer unit of such an embodiment is rigid or semi-rigid prior to being frozen and remains rigid/semi-rigid. Such a rigid/semi-rigid heat transfer unit maintains its shape, such as a cylindrical shape or conical shape necessary to fit within the housing. Such a rigid/semi-rigid heat transfer unit also maintains its shape for receiving a beverage container/vessel.
Different embodiments of the present invention allow for different types of heat transfer. The heat transfer unit stores a fluid, gel, phase change material, or other substance that can be heated or cooled depending upon the desired effect on the beverage. In one embodiment, the present invention cools a beverage such that the heat transfer unit will have a coolant, such as water, a phase change material, a gel, or a chemical that will cause an endothermic reaction. In another embodiment, the present invention heats a beverage such that the heat transfer unit will have a heat supplying material, phase change material, or chemical that will cause an exothermic reaction.
It is an object of the present invention to alter the temperature of a beverage by either heating or cooling the beverage as desired by the user.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an insulated housing to maintain the temperature of a beverage and to provide an insulated layer between the user's hand and the beverage while the user is holding the beverage.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a double wall housing with vacuum insulation to maintain the temperature of a beverage and to provide an insulated layer between the user's hand and the beverage while the user is holding the beverage.
It is another object of the present invention to maintain the temperature of the heat transfer unit.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a heat transfer unit that maintains contact with a beverage container or vessel or is in close proximity of the beverage container or vessel to heat or cool the beverage.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a heat transfer unit that can be replaced with a different heat transfer unit to control the temperature of the beverage.
It is another object of the present invention to deter heat transfer to the environment.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a heat transfer unit that heats or cools to allow for a wide temperature range to be applied to the beverage.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a reusable heat transfer unit that can placed within a housing.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a heat transfer unit that may be removed from a housing to reduce the insulated effect of the housing when cooling or heating the heat transfer unit to reduce the time and energy required to change the temperature of the heat transfer unit.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention, along with features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear or become apparent by reviewing the following detailed description of the invention.
In the following drawings, which form a part of the specification and which are to be construed in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals have been employed throughout wherever possible to indicate like parts in the various views:
Referring to
Housing 102 accepts a heat transfer unit 116. The heat transfer unit 116 is constructed from a rigid or semi-rigid material, including but not limited to plastic, metal, rigid material, semi-rigid material. The heat transfer unit 116 maintains its shape for insertion into the housing 102. The heat transfer unit 116 also maintains its shape for receiving a container or vessel into the heat transfer unit 116.
The heat transfer unit 116 is available in different shapes, including but not limited to, cylindrical, conical, cylindrical with closed bottom, cylindrical having a partially closed bottom with a small opening in the bottom, cylindrical with a partially closed bottom having a finger sized opening centrally located in the bottom, cylindrical with open bottom, and conical with an open bottom. The heat transfer unit constructed from the rigid or semi-rigid material maintains its shape, such as the shapes identified above.
The cylindrical heat transfer unit 116 removably inserts into an aperture of the housing 102. The user inserts the heat transfer unit 116 within the housing. The heat transfer unit 116 releasably attaches for removal of the heat transfer unit 116 from the housing. The user may also replace a heat transfer unit 116 with a colder heat transfer unit if desired. A user may remove the heat transfer unit 116 to chill or heat the heat transfer unit 116 depending upon the desired function. Heat transfer unit 116 includes a substance capable of being heated or cooled to maintain specific conditions for an extended period of time.
In one embodiment, heat transfer unit 116 stores a phase change material. The heat transfer unit heats or cools the beverage. A heat transfer unit stores a fluid, gel, or other substance that can be heated or cooled depending upon the desired effect on the beverage. In other embodiment, the heat transfer unit may provide an endothermic reaction or exothermic reaction depending upon the desired results of the heat transfer unit.
Threaded lid 118 releasably attaches to housing 102 to maintain the heat transfer unit 116 within housing 102. Threaded lid 118 provides a beverage aperture 119 configured to receive a beverage or a beverage vessel. In one embodiment, the lid 118 extends radially outward from the aperture 119. The beverage vessel may be a container for holding a beverage, such as a can, bottle, cup, glass, or other type of receptacle capable of holding a beverage.
The heat transfer unit 116 provides beverage aperture 117 for insertion of the beverage. An interior wall of the heat transfer unit forms beverage aperture 117. Beverage aperture 117 is sized to receive a beverage container, such as a can, a bottle, or other vessel.
The housing 102 insulates the heat transfer unit 116 and the beverage 98. Such insulation maintains the temperature of the heat transfer unit 116 and the beverage 98 for an extended period of time. Housing 102 provides insulating chamber 108 laterally outward from the beverage aperture 103 in which the beverage and heat transfer unit 116 inserts.
The outer wall 104 and inner wall 106 of the housing 102 forms insulating chamber 108. The insulating chamber 108 of one embodiment is a vacuum. Another embodiment may provide insulating material or other insulation.
Insulating chamber 108 extends along the sides of the housing 102. The insulating chamber 108 extends to a bottom of the housing 102. Such an insulating chamber 108 insulates the heat transfer unit 116 and the beverage to maintain the temperature of the heat transfer unit 116 and the beverage.
Bottom plate 112 encloses a lower portion of the spacing between outer wall 104 and inner wall 106. The bottom plate 112 is welded to the bottom of outer wall 104 and inner wall 106. Bottom plate 112 creates an air tight space between outer wall 104 and inner wall 106.
Vacuum port 110 in the bottom plate 112 provides an opening for removing air from the insulating chamber 108. Air is removed from the insulating chamber 108 between outer wall 104 and inner wall 106 through vacuum port 110. Creating a vacuum in the insulating chamber 108 forms an insulation layer against the heat transfer unit 116.
Air is removed from insulating chamber 108. Vacuum port 110 is sealed after removal of at least some of the air from insulating chamber 108.
Bottom cap 114 secures to the housing 102. Bottom cap 114 is welded into place. Bottom cap 114 conceals bottom plate 112, the bottom of outer wall 104, the bottom of inner wall 106, and vacuum port 110. The bottom cap 114 is located vertically below a portion of the outer wall 104 and the inner wall 106. The bottom cap 114 contacts a lowest portion of the bottom plate 112 and the outer wall 104. The bottom cap 114 forms an opening 122 for removal of a beverage within the housing 102.
The heat transfer unit 116 removably inserts into the space interior of inner wall 106. A user removes the heat transfer unit 116 to cool or heat the heat transfer unit 116 outside of the housing 102 and the insulating chamber 108.
Heat transfer unit 116 inserts into the housing 102 for heating or cooling the beverage. The lid 118 attaches to the housing 102 to secure the heat transfer unit 116 within the housing 102. The heat transfer unit 116 is positioned adjacent inner wall 106 to contact the beverage and apply a heating or cooling effect to the beverage.
Lid 118 secures the heat transfer unit 116 in the housing 102 adjacent the insulating chamber 116. The lid 118 secures to the housing 102. Retention shoulder 121 extends across and above the heat transfer unit 116 to secure the heat transfer unit 116 within the housing 102. Threads 105 of lid 118 mate with threads 107 of housing 102. The mating of the threads 105, 107 secures the lid 118 to the housing 102.
Lid 118 releasably attaches to housing 102 to maintain the heat transfer unit 116 within housing 102. Lid 118 provides a beverage aperture 119 configured to receive a beverage or a beverage container. The beverage container may be a receptacle for holding a beverage, such as a can, bottle, cup, glass, vessel, or other type of receptacle capable of holding a beverage.
Grip surface 120 attaches to the bottom cap 114. The grip surface 120 frictionally engages a surface upon which the grip surface 120 is placed. In one embodiment, the grip surface 120 is constructed from rubber. The grip surface 120 limits movement of the system 100 and housing 102 across a surface.
Opening 122 is formed by the sides of inner wall 106 and bottom cap 114. Opening 122 allows the user to remove the beverage that is inserted into the beverage container 100.
The lid 118 with retention shoulder 121 secures the heat transfer unit 116 adjacent the insulating chamber 108 and the beverage. Grip surface 120 limits movement of the housing 102 across a surface.
The insulating chamber 108 shown in
The bottom cap 126 secures to the housing 102. The bottom cap 126 secures a lower portion of the outer wall 104 and the bottom plate 124. The bottom cap 126 covers and conceals the vacuum port 110.
The attachment of the vessel 130 with the housing 102 secures the heat transfer unit 116 within the housing 102. As discussed above, the heat transfer unit 116 secures adjacent insulating chamber 108 and the beverage. The heat transfer unit 116 secures adjacent vessel 130 to apply the temperature adjustment to the beverage. Retention shoulder 135 extends from an interior position outward across and above the heat transfer unit 116 to secure the heat transfer unit 116 within the housing 102.
Threads 128 of the housing mate with threads 132 of vessel 130 to secure the vessel 130 with the housing. Threads 128 are secured to the housing 102 in one embodiment. In another embodiment, threads 128 are formed as a part of the housing 102. Upper Shoulder 133 extends from an interior position outward across and above threads 128.
The insulating chamber 108 shown in
The bottom cap 126 secures to the housing 102. The bottom cap 126 secures a lower portion of the outer wall 104 and the bottom plate 124. The bottom cap 126 covers and conceals the vacuum port 110.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention is one well adapted to obtain all the ends and objects herein set forth, together with other advantages which are inherent to the structure.
It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
This application claims priority to and is a continuation in part of U.S. Patent Application No. 62/695,960 entitled “DOUBLE WALL INSULATED BEVERAGE CONTAINER WITH TEMPERATURE MAINTENANCE” filed on Jul. 10, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
3205677 | Stoner | Sep 1965 | A |
5361604 | Pier | Nov 1994 | A |
6367652 | Toida | Apr 2002 | B1 |
8534345 | French | Sep 2013 | B1 |
9555949 | French | Jan 2017 | B1 |
9915472 | Sabo | Mar 2018 | B2 |
20060156756 | Becke | Jul 2006 | A1 |
20090266737 | Cole | Oct 2009 | A1 |
20150053679 | Liu | Feb 2015 | A1 |
20170071381 | Ze | Mar 2017 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 62695960 | Jul 2018 | US |
Child | 16508065 | US |