Patent Grant
7118005
The present invention relates to the field of coolers, and in particular, to individual bottle coolers.
Commercial beverages, such as soda, juice, fruit drinks, sports drinks, water, etc., are often sold in bottles made of PET. A typical beverage aisle of a grocery store or refrigerator of a convenience store is full of a wide variety of bottled beverage products in all shapes and sizes. While most aluminum cans are sold in 12 ounce sizes, most PET bottles are sold in larger sizes, ranging from ½ liter to 3 liters, including the popular 20 ounce, 64 ounce and 2 liter PET sizes.
The development of larger PET bottle sizes has meant that the consumer receives more beverage per container. But the downside is that with more beverage, additional cooling is needed to keep the beverage in the bottle cool, i.e., for a longer period of time. For example, when a single serving 20 ounce bottle is purchased, more beverage means that it will take more time to finish the beverage, or that beverage will be left over. In either case, when the weather is warm, such as on a hot sunny day, or inside a hot car, exposure to high temperatures can result in the beverage becoming warm quickly without any means of keeping the beverage cold. Two liter and other larger sizes are susceptible to the same circumstances, such as during an outdoor picnic, or other function, where no refrigerator is available to keep the beverage cold.
In the past, resort has been made to using ice chests, but there are disadvantages to doing so. For example, because PET bottles are often larger than cans, larger ice chests are typically needed, in which case they can be quite cumbersome to use. Moreover, it is particularly burdensome to use an ice chest if only a single serving beverage is desired. Also, when two liter or other larger bottles are involved, it is often impractical to keep them in ice chests while the beverage is being served.
Many individuals choose to pour beverages into other containers, such as cups, mugs, sports bottles, thermal bottles, etc., with ice directly in the beverage to keep it cold. The disadvantage of this, however, is that as ice melts, the beverage becomes diluted. Also, because ice is often made with unfiltered tap water, impurities can be introduced into the beverage, which can, for instance, defeat the purpose of buying bottled water. Carbonation can also dissipate quickly as beverage is poured into another container. The containers also have to be washed after each use.
Archaic attempts have also been made, such as in the days when refrigerators were not available. For example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 81,814 and 303,815, wine bottle coolers with diaphragms to hold bottles in place are shown, but these designs are neither compact, nor suitable for bottles with twist off lids, since the bottles were free to rotate. In later years, as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,998,072, 4,281,520, 5,555,746 and 5,904,267, containers with various compartments, sleeves and packs filled with refrigerants that could be frozen were also developed, but these were required to be frozen and refrozen after each use, and therefore, were not widely used. Various types of insulated containers were also developed, which helped to maintain the temperature of the beverage, with no ability to make the beverage any colder.
What is needed, therefore, is a new and improved method and apparatus for keeping beverages cold, which overcomes the disadvantages of previous cooling methods and apparatuses.
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for cooling beverage bottles and/or keeping beverage bottles cold. The present invention generally comprises a cooling device for containing ice and/or water adapted to have the beverage bottle positioned therein, wherein regular ice, such as from a conventional dispenser, and/or water, can be stored and sealed within the space between the container and bottle, to keep the beverage cool.
The container is preferably specifically sized and shaped so that a particular beverage bottle can be held securely inside, wherein a cap is provided to create a water-tight seal around the shoulder of the bottle, and one or more supports are provided around and/or under the bottle to provide support thereto. In this respect, the bottle is preferable held inside the container, with the neck of the bottle extending through the cap, with the seal substantially preventing ice and/or water from leaking out. This way, ice and/or water can be maintained in direct contact with the bottle, and the beverage can be maintained at a reduced temperature, without diluting or introducing contaminants into the beverage. The beverage can also easily be poured, served and consumed without having to take the bottle out of the ice.
In the preferred embodiment, the container is preferably adapted to securely hold a particular beverage bottle, such as a PET bottle having a certain size and shape. In this embodiment, the container is preferably comprised of two sections that can be connected and sealed together, i.e., an upper cap member and a lower container member. The container member is preferable an open-top container, similar to a mug or jug, which can have a handle or grips thereon, adapted so the bottle can be inserted at least partially into the container and supported thereby. The cap member is preferably a cap-like member that can be secured and sealed onto the container member. Unlike previous caps, however, this member preferable has a central opening, with a sealing member positioned substantially along the inside surface thereof around the opening. This way, when the beverage bottle is placed inside the container, the neck can be extended through the opening, wherein the cap member can be tightened onto the container, such that the sealing member is pressed and sealed against the exterior of the bottle. i.e., around the shoulder of the bottle, thereby sealing the space between the bottle and container.
The container member preferably has one or more individual supports on the inside thereof to provide vertical and lateral support to the bottle. This way, when the cap member is tightened onto the container member, the bottle can be held in substantial compression between the sealing member and supports. In one embodiment, three or more supports are extended inside the container member to provide a support system for self-centering the bottle and maintaining the bottle in a substantially fixed position, such as above the floor of the container member. Each support in such case is preferable adapted to engage a lower portion of the bottle such that the bottle can be held in a substantially fixed position. In another embodiment, a central support can be provided which extends upward from the floor of the container to engage the center indentation on the bottle. In either case, the support system preferable keeps the bottle in a substantially fixed position within the container. A goal of the present invention is to substantially minimize the surface area contact between the container and bottle, on one hand, and substantially maximize the surface area contact between the ice and/or water and bottle, on the other hand.
Another preferred aspect of the present invention is that at least one of the supports is preferably adapted to mate with a portion of the bottle to substantially prevent the bottle from rotating, which enables the lid on the beverage bottle to be easily twisted open and closed without the bottle rotating inside. Preventing rotation of the bottle can be accomplished by adapting at least one of the supports so that it fits into a groove and/or indentation on the bottom of the bottle. Where PET bottles having multiple grooves and/or indentations or other formations are used, at least one support is preferably adapted to fit into one of the grooves and/or indentations, wherein with the bottle in position inside the container, the bottle can be Prevented from rotating.
Where the central support is used, the upper surface of the central support can be configured to conform or otherwise mate with or engage the bottom of the bottle, wherein the mating of the two surfaces, with the bottle in compression, can also help prevent the bottle from rotating. This can be done, for example, by adapting the upper surface of the central support to fit into one of the indentations located on the bottom of the bottle. Alternatively, the central support can be removable or made using a coil spring to enable bottles of different shapes and sizes to be used.
The cap and container members are preferably connected together with threads, such as with an overlapping interference fit, or a gasket, so that they can easily be sealed together. The cap and container members are preferably adapted so that the connection between them can be sealed at the same time that the cap is sealed against the bottle. That is, the container is preferable adapted so that the connection between the cap and container, and between the car and bottle, occur at the same time, i.e., with the cap in the same position relative to the container.
The present invention contemplates that in one embodiment a lower portion of the container can be made relatively narrow, so that it can fit into conventional cup holders, such as found in cars. This portion creates additional space in which ice and/or water can be stored, such as underneath the bottle, in direct contact with the bottle. In this embodiment, it is Preferable that the supports be extended from the wall of the container, such as on or just above the narrowed portion, so that the bottle can be elevated above the floor of the container. The area of the container just above the narrowed portion can be extended radially outward, such as along a curved and/or angled surface, to enable ice to be displaced up as the bottle is shoved into the container.
The sealing member is preferably secured to the inside of the cap and extended around the opening so that it can be pressed against the bottle, and is preferably made of a resilient material that can apply pressure against the bottle to create a waterproof seal. Although the sealing member can be secured to the cap by any conventional means, such as adhesives, fusing, bonding. etc., for ease of assembly, the sealing member can have a flange that can be extended through the opening, wherein the sealing member can be mechanically snapped into the cap from underneath.
Another aspect of the present invention is that the cooling device can be specifically made to accommodate a certain type of beverage container, while not accommodating other beverage containers, such as those having different sizes and shapes. PET bottles often come in a variety of different sizes and shapes, even for the same amount of beverage. For example, Coke® currently uses 20 ounce bottles that have a tapered neck, whereas Pepsi® uses 20 ounce bottles that are bubble-like with swirls. A unique aspect of the present invention is that the cooling device can be made so that it allows one type of bottle to be used, i.e., a Pepsi® 20 ounce bottle, whereas other bottles, such as one made by a competitor, i.e., a Coke® 20 ounce bottle, would either not fit, or allow water to leak.
a to 13c show views of the removable support;
a and 16b show cross-sections of an alternative sealing member;
a and 19b show a double wall embodiment;
a, 20b and 20c show a stackable embodiment with a replacement straw;
a and 21b show a mug/jug embodiment with ice holding ring;
a and 22b show a one-piece embodiment;
a and 23b show another embodiment;
a and 24b show different versions of the support for a typical PET bottle; and
a and 25b show another cap and sealing gasket designed for a bottle having a predetermined size and shape.
Wall 12 can be cylindrical or any shape that allows space 15 to be of sufficient size. Preferably, the distance between wall 12 and bottle 13 allows conventional size ice particles, such as cubed ice, diced ice, chopped ice, crushed ice, etc., from conventional ice dispensers, to be easily distributed and stored therein. Many ice dispensers form particles that are less than about one-half inch thick, i.e., the minimum dimension, and therefore, it is contemplated that the distance between bottle 13 and wall 12, as shown in
Container 5 preferably has a lower section 2 that is narrowed to fit into conventional cup-holders. Lower section 2 preferably forms cavity 17 below bottle 13 and allows additional ice to be stored in container 5 substantially surrounding a lower end 49 of bottle 13, as shown in
Cap 3 preferably has a central opening 19, as shown in
Sealing member 23 preferably has an engaging surface 25, which can have virtually any cross-sectional configuration that performs in the intended manner. For example, it can have a semi-circular or semi-oval cross-section, as shown in
Sealing member 23 is preferably made of resilient material, such as rubber, silicon, polypropylene, polyethylene, or a combination thereof, or other like material, etc. The present invention contemplates that sealing member 23 can be resilient, but firm and/or thick enough, so that a degree of tolerance can be provided at the connection between sealing member 23 and bottle 13. That is, even if bottle 13 is not made to exact dimensions, it is nevertheless contemplated that enough sealing pressure can be applied via sealing member 23, i.e., by virtue of its resiliency and/or thickness, against bottle 13, to prevent leaking. It has been found that in the preferred embodiment sealing member 242 shown in
Cap 3 preferably has threads 35 along an internal diameter thereof for engaging threads 37 along an external diameter of container 5. The threads can be continuous or broken. An interference fit, valve seal or other linerless connection can be created between an upper rim or landing 43 of container 5 and a groove or surface 41 formed by an extension 39 extending downward above threads 35, wherein the connection between cap 3 and container 5 can be tightened and substantially sealed thereby. Groove 41 can be adapted to enable a seal to be made even if upper rim 43 is not fitted all the way into groove 41, to provide some tolerance as described above. Alternatively, a sealing gasket can be provided within groove 41, like sealing gasket 244 shown in
Various supports, such as 4, 6, for supporting bottle 13 in relation to container 5 are contemplated. Supports 4, 6 preferably keep bottle 13 at a relatively fixed position inside container 5, so that when cap 3 and container 5 are tightened together, bottle 13 can be held in substantial compression between sealing member 23 and supports 4, 6, with sealing member 23 pressed tightly against bottle 13 to form a substantial water-tight seal. In this respect, cap 3 and container 5 are preferably adapted to hold a particular bottle 13 having a predetermined size and shape, which requires the shape, size and location of supports 4, 6 to be adapted in conjunction with the shape, size and location of sealing member 23, and the distance between them predetermined, for a particular bottle 13 in a substantially fixed position inside container 5. With bottle 13 held in this manner, the threaded connection between cap 3 and container 5 can preferably be sealed at the same time that the engagement between sealing member 23 and bottle 13 is sealed. That is, the connection and engagement are preferably sealed with cap 3 in the same position relative to container 5.
In this embodiment, at least three supports 4, 6 are preferably provided to create a triangular support system to hold the lower end of bottle 13 in position inside container 5, wherein each support is preferably adapted to engage a particular surface of bottle 13, while allowing a substantial portion of the ice particles to be in direct contact with bottle 13. For example, in the embodiment of
As seen in
In use, standard ice particles, such as chopped, cubed, crushed, diced, etc., are preferably placed inside internal space 9 of container 5 before bottle 13 is inserted. An indicator line 48, as shown in
Next, bottle 13 is pushed down into the ice, which causes some of the ice to be displaced, as shown in
Next, bottle 13 is preferably pushed down until the lower exterior surface 49 of bottle 13 is properly centered, seated and rests on supports 4, 6. Alternatively, bottle 13 can be pushed down part of the way, and cap 3 can be placed over bottle 13 with neck 21 extended through opening 19, and then tightened onto container 5, which due to the self-centering effect of supports 4, 6 automatically causes bottle 13 to be properly seated thereon. Tightening cap 3 preferably causes sealing member 23 to be pressed and sealed against the shoulder of bottle 13, while at the same time, the connection between cap 3 and container 5 can also be sealed. Ice and/or water within space 15, including cavity 17, can then be stored and sealed, substantially surrounding bottle 13, to keep the beverage cool. This prevents water, such as from melting ice, from leaking out, and enables the beverage to be poured and consumed directly from bottle 13, without having to remove bottle 13 from the ice.
In this embodiment, three supports, including one support 57 for engaging an exterior portion 49 of bottle 13, and two raised supports 59 capable of being fitted into two of the five grooves 45 on bottle 13 to substantially prevent rotation of bottle 13, are preferably provided. Each of the three supports 57, 59 preferably has a sloped upper surface to help self-center bottle 13 inside container 55, i.e., as bottle 13 is being pushed down into the ice. The two raised supports 59 on container 55, as shown in
Like the previous embodiment, container 55 preferably has a section 52 extended radially outward, as shown in
At least two versions are shown in
Support 93 preferably elevates bottle 83 above floor 99, wherein an additional cavity 101 can be formed under bottle 83, as shown in
Support 107 can be attached to floor 99 in a variety of ways. In each instance, the attachment is preferably adapted so that support 107 remains in a substantially fixed position and is prevented from rotating relative to floor 99. In one attachment, as shown in
Wall 89 can be made without self-centering slats 90 so that larger diameter bottles can be used. For example, instead of a 2 liter bottle 83 shown in
Like the previous embodiments, cap 75 preferably has threads 94 that engage threads 81 on container 77. A sealing gasket 80 can also be provided in interference groove 84, although any water-tight seal, as discussed previously, can be employed. Like sealing member 23, sealing member 76 is preferably made of resilient material, and can be in the shape of an O-ring having a semi-rounded cross section with blades or ridges extending longitudinally thereon, wherein sealing member 76 is capable of being sealed against various surfaces, which is advantageous, for example, where different bottles are used. Sealing member 76 can be secured to cap 75 via one or more projections 78, as well as by interference fit, bonding, an adhesive, or other secure means, as discussed previously.
In an alternate embodiment, central support 93 can be a coil spring 102, as shown in
A unique aspect of the present invention is that the present cooling device can be made to accommodate a certain type of beverage bottle, whereas, other beverage bottles having different sizes and shapes are not accommodated. In this respect,
a, 16b, 17 show an alternate sealing member 114 with openings 116 on one or more edges 120, 122 that effectively prevent bottles having different shoulder angles from being sealed properly in the same cooling device. With this embodiment, even if the effective shoulder height of each bottle is the same, if the shoulder angle is different enough, the bottle will not seal properly. For example,
Other means of preventing bottles having different shapes and/or sizes from being used are contemplated. For example,
At the same time, it can be seen that projections 254 and 252 can severely limit the type of bottle upon which cap 240 can be sealed. In this example, sealing member 242 has been designed to be sealed onto a shoulder of a bottle as shown by the dashed line 256. An engaging surface 243 is designed to make direct contact with the bottle shown by line 256. It can be seen, however, that a bottle having an effective shoulder represented by the dashed line 260 would not allow cap 240 and sealing member 242 to be fitted over the bottle, since the interference would be too great. That is, projections 252 and 254 would interfere with the proper tightening of cap 240 no matter how resilient sealing member 242 was, and therefore, cap 240 could not be used with the bottle represented by line 260. In addition, it can be seen that a bottle having an effective shoulder represented by the dashed line 258 would not allow sealing member 242 to make any contact with the bottle, wherein the cap 240 to would be prevented from being properly sealed against the bottle. Of course, this assumes that the bottle is held in a predetermined substantially fixed location within the container, as discussed previously.
Another means of preventing bottles having different shapes and/or sizes from being used relates to how the bottle is supported, i.e., by the supports, such as central support 93 shown in
Additional embodiments of the bottle cooler will now be discussed.
In the embodiment shown, outer piece 132 only extends part way up. This is because the inner piece 134 is blow-molded with upper portion 135 narrowed, and outer piece 132 is injection molded to fit over the widest area of inner piece 134. Of course, where upper portion 135 is not narrowed, such as in
A connecting means 140 is preferably provided at the joint where the upper portion 142 of outer piece 132 connects to inner piece 134. This can be done with sonic welding, a snap-in fit, tongue and groove connection, threads, adhesive, or any other means. A slight gap 139 is preferably provided between inner and outer pieces, 132, 134, for providing insulation properties. Spacers 131 can be provided between inner and outer pieces 132, 134 to support outer piece 132 in relation to inner piece 134.
The above represents an example of how the present invention can be made with double wall construction, although any double wall construction is contemplated. For example, the embodiment shown in
a, 20b and 20c show an embodiment where containers 150 are made of moldable plastic and capable of being stacked together.
In this embodiment, indentations 156 preferably form the supports, as described above, which help to keep bottle 158 in a relatively fixed position. Preferably, there are at least three indentations 156, similar to the supports shown in the embodiment of
In a variation of this embodiment, a central support, like the support 220 shown in
Cap 160 is preferably made of molded plastic, and adapted so that it simply snaps onto the top of container 150. A curled over rim 162 is preferably provided that snaps over and onto flange 164 on the upper edge of container 150. This way, container 150 and cap 160 can be easily snapped together. Cap 160 can also be economically manufactured, i.e., it doesn't have to have threads and an interference fit as in the other embodiments, although it can.
In such case, cap 160 preferably has a central opening 166 through which the neck of bottle 158 can extend. Opening 166 does not necessarily have to have a separate resilient sealing member, as in past embodiments, since the plastic material will have some degree of elasticity and resilience. Opening 166 can be formed like a cut-out hole with a predetermined diameter that fits relatively snug over a smooth shoulder of bottle 158. In such case, the inner edge 170 of opening 166 is preferably angled to match the slope of the shoulder, such that a relatively tight fit can be provided. Alternatively, a soft resilient material could be coated or otherwise secured to inner edge 170 to provide an improved seal. Bottle 158 could also be adapted with a horizontal rib around the shoulder where edge 170 meets bottle 158.
While there is the possibility that water could leak in this embodiment, this version is intended to be used with a straw, so that the cooler does not have to be tilted to drink the beverage. That is, this embodiment can be provided with a separate replacement twist-off lid 161 with a built-in straw 163, as shown in
a and 21b show a mug/jug version 180 designed to allow a bottle 181 to be placed in and out of the ice, although it can also have a cap like cap 160 or a threaded cap like those discussed previously. The mug 180 can be made like any conventional mug with a support 186 on the bottom to support the bottle, as shown in
In this embodiment, a cover ring or cap 182, with a central opening 184, is preferably provided to keep the ice and water from leaking out in the event mug 180 is tipped over. The opening 184, in such case, can be adapted to be substantially sealed around or at least be in direct contact with the outer periphery of bottle 180 near the shoulder. The internal edge 189 of ring 182 is preferably narrowed or tapered to form a blade-like edge that can be pressed and sealed against bottle 181. This way, with cover ring 182 positioned on mug 180, bottle 181 can easily be inserted into mug 180, i.e., by pushing it down through opening 184, and removed out of the ice, i.e., by pulling it out through opening 184. Cover ring 182 is preferably designed to snap onto upper edge 185 on top of mug 180 and can be made of a resilient but relatively stiff material. This enables the pieces to be economically made. Because bottle 181 is not held in compression inside mug 180, when users want to drink out of bottle 181, they can use a straw, or remove bottle 181 from mug 180.
Like all other embodiments, this embodiment is intended for use as a promotional or souvenir item with a beverage manufacturer's name and logo printed on mug 180. Other sponsors, such as beverage sellers, can also put their names and logos on mug 180. The present invention contemplates that these mugs 180 can be used to promote the products and services of the manufacturer's and/or sellers whose names and logos are printed on them. It could also be used without cover ring 182, i.e., to double as a large mug and cooler, or with a threaded cap to seal onto the container.
In
In this respect,
Rib 195 on bottle 191 is preferably shaped with a central portion having a diameter that enables internal edge 194 of container 190 to fit tightly against it. A lower portion 198 of rib 195 is preferably curved and formed having a diameter only slightly greater than that of edge 194, to enable bottle 191 to slide down, while forming a snap point where edge 194 can be fitted into rib 195. An upper portion 199 of rib 195 preferably has a diameter greater than lower portion 198, so that upper portion 199 can prevent bottle 191 from sliding all the way down into container 190. In this respect, it should be seen that upper portion 199 preferably has a diameter greater than any other portion of bottle 191 below it, such that bottle 191 can be inserted into container 190, while at the same time, bottle 191 can be securely held in a predetermined position inside container 190.
In this embodiment, no bottom supports for bottle 191 are needed since the engagement of internal edge 194 with horizontal rib 195 preferably holds bottle 191 in a substantially fixed position in container 190. This may allow, for instance, the beverage to be poured or consumed directly from bottle 191, without having to remove it from the ice, and without the water in the container leaking out. Also, enough of bottle 191 extends above edge 194 so that it can be held by one's hands to prevent rotation of the lid thereof. Double or triple ribs 195 and corresponding double or triple edges 194 can be provided if needed. Container 190 can have a narrowed lower portion 200 for fitting into cup-holders, as discussed before. The embodiment of
Upper portion 192 can also be provided with one or more sealing members, blade rings or contact surfaces, etc., similar to those disclosed in Applicant's U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/246,493, filed Nov. 6, 2000, and U.S. application Ser. No. 09/983,107, filed Oct. 23, 2001, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety (ribbed and threaded versions are also described). In such case, the sealing surfaces on the container are preferably adapted to engage a corresponding surface on the inner container, which, in this case, is a commercial beverage bottle. Where sealing members, such as blade rings, are used, the beverage bottle preferably has a relatively smooth exterior surface, or one or more horizontal ribs, wherein the engagement of the rings against the exterior surface of the bottle can enable space 196 to be substantially sealed thereby. This version can enable the bottle to be inserted and removed from the container, similar to the embodiments of
b shows an alternative securing means for container 190 with threads 205 formed on the perimeter of bottle 203, i.e., just below the shoulder 206, that engage threads 204 on an upper portion 202 of container 190. In this embodiment, instead of an internal edge 194, container 190 has internal threads 204 extended around the upper portion thereof, adapted to be connected to threads 205, which are extended just below shoulder 206, on bottle 203. In this respect, an upper edge 208 of container 190 is preferably adapted to be pressed and sealed against an abutment portion 207 on bottle 203, such that space 196 between bottle 203 and container 190 can be substantially sealed thereby. Upper edge 208 is preferably adapted with a slightly upwardly and outwardly extended flange that can be resiliently pressed against abutment portion 207, such that the tightening of bottle 203 into container 190 can progressively tighten the seal. Abutment portion 207 preferably has a diameter that is larger than the rest of bottle 203 below it, such that bottle 203 can be rotated into container 190 through opening 193, and be supported by the engagement of upper edge 208 and abutment portion 207. Bottle 203 can, in this respect, be held relatively securely in container 190, as discussed above, with no need for supports.
The embodiment 210 shown in
The upper surface of support 220 preferably has five valleys 226 into which the five reciprocal extensions on the lower surface of bottle 211 can be positioned. There is also preferably a central mound 224 that can be fitted into a reciprocal indentation on the lower end of bottle 211. This way, the ridges 222, valleys 226 and mound 224 are preferably designed so that they easily prevent ice particles from being trapped on top of support 220, as bottle 211 is being shoved down into the ice, thereby allowing the bottle to be inserted all the way down and properly seated without interference from the ice.
In this respect, the bowl-shaped floor 217 is designed to allow the ice particles, which can be added to container 212 before bottle 211, to be easily displaced when bottle 211 is shoved down into the ice. That is, the ice can be added to the container 212 first, and then the bottle 211 can be shoved down into the ice, wherein inserting the bottle will cause the ice at the bottom of the container 212 to be displaced upward due to the bowl-like curvature of floor 217.
In the embodiment shown, lower section 218 is preferably hollowed out underneath 219 and extended down to provide support for container 212. This enables lower section 218 to be narrowed to fit cup-holders if desired. On the other hand, lower section 218 may be eliminated since container 212 can simply be supported by floor 217 if desired. Alternatively, floor 217 can be made relatively flat 230, as shown in
Container 212 is preferably injection molded with a slight upward and outwardly angled pitch, as shown in
A preferred cap design for the embodiment of
It can also be seen that different caps similar to cap 240 can be made to accommodate bottles of different sizes and shapes, even if the same container is used. That is, various PET bottles of the same volume size have similar grooves and indentations on the bottom end, but otherwise have different upper bottle configurations, such as Coke® and Pepsi® 20 ounce bottles. Accordingly, the present invention contemplates that separate caps can be made to accommodate the different bottles so that a single container can be used for both types of bottles. For example, one cap can be provided to fit a Coke® 20 ounce bottle, and another cap can be provided to fit a Pepsi® 20 ounce bottle. This way, a single container can be sold with multiple caps to enable more than one type of bottle to fit properly.
Different size and shape sealing members 242 and sealing gaskets 244 can also be used to accommodate slightly different bottles if desired (so long as the projections 252, 254 will allow them to be used). In such case, the sealing members 242 and sealing gaskets 244 can be made so that they can be hand inserted and secured with an interference fit, wherein sealing members 242 and sealing gaskets 244 can easily be replaced when desired.
Each main piece, including caps 3, 75, 160, 214, and 240, and containers 5, 55, 77, 130, 150, 180, 190, and 212, is preferably made from a moldable plastic, such as polyethylene, HDPE, polypropylene, PET, PVC, polystyrene, polycarbonate, etc., although any conventional material, such as stainless steel, glass, ceramic, etc., can also be used. While for insulation purposes containers 5, 55, 77, 150, 180, 190 and 212 can be made of materials that conduct heat poorly, or with double wall construction, as shown in
Other steps preferably involved in making caps 3, 75, 160, 182, 214 and 240 and containers 5, 55, 77, 130, 150, 180, 190, and 212 include measuring and/or scanning the bottle to obtain precise shapes and dimensions. Three-dimensional digital scanning can be done on equipment designed for this purpose. This enables the cap and container, and any engaging portion, such as sealing members, edges and surfaces, to be adapted precisely to a particular bottle, so that the bottle can be held in the container substantially leak-free.
The present invention also contemplates that bottles can be custom made to fit the container, i.e., with surfaces that engage the sealing member and supports, if desired, as shown in
For the above reasons, the present invention contemplates using a method wherein one beverage company, including manufacturers, bottlers, suppliers, etc., can use the bottle cooler to increase sales and market share of its bottled beverage products at the expense of its competitors. Because certain embodiments of the present bottle cooler discussed above can be made so that only one or a select type of bottle can fit properly, by promoting that bottle cooler, i.e., getting people to try it and like it, a beverage company can use the bottle cooler as a marketing tool to increase sales of its own bottled beverage products. That is, consumers will have to buy bottled beverage products produced by that company if they want to use the bottle cooler to keep their beverages cold, because only those bottles will work properly with the bottle cooler. Buying any other bottled product made by any other company would make it so that the bottle cooler cannot be used.
This can be done, for example, as discussed above, by adapting the cooler so that the distance between the cap's sealing member and the bottom supports, when the cap is tightened onto the container, will only allow one type of bottle to fit properly. Other adaptations, such as using sealing members that only provide a seal on bottles having a particular size and shape, as well as support members that only fit into grooves and/or indentations on certain bottles, can also be used. In fact, it is contemplated that virtually any type of bottle cooler for individual bottles, that allows a particular bottled beverage product to be positioned in the bottle cooler, including those discussed above, and those that use refrigerants that have to be refrozen, can be used as a means of promoting the bottled beverage products.
The above discussion illustrates some of the preferred embodiments and features of the present invention. It should be understood, nevertheless, that other embodiments and features, such as those not specifically disclosed herein, which may perform in the intended manner, are also within the scope of the present invention.
For purposes of claiming future priority, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/983,107, filed on Oct. 23, 2001, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/246,493, filed on Nov. 6, 2000, are incorporated herein by reference.
This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/066,656, filed on Feb. 6, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,588,621 which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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| 1354712 | Altenberg | Oct 1920 | A |
| 4823974 | Crosser | Apr 1989 | A |
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| 5862937 | Carrizales et al. | Jan 1999 | A |
| 6398061 | Duff et al. | Jun 2002 | B1 |
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| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 7-14976 | Mar 1995 | JP |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20030146227 A1 | Aug 2003 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10066656 | Feb 2002 | US |
| Child | 10298613 | US |
