The invention relates generally to containers containing fluids such as beverages. More specifically, the invention relates to insulated container apparatuses and devices.
Fluids such as beverages like tea, coffee or wines are always poured in different types of containers such as glasses, cups, mugs, wine glass, and so on for consumption. These days, manufacturers thereof tend to provide aesthetic view to such containers as the consumers serve the drinks or fluids in such containers to the guests thereof. The fluids contained in the containers may sometimes be served as hot or too cold.
There may be some challenges faced by the user/guests consuming the drinks/fluids while holding the container. For example, cold wine while served in wine glass may develop water droplets on the outer walls of the wine glass, causing wetness to hands of the user and hence discomfort thereto. People usually talk while holding the drinks and the coldness of the drink may subside by transfer of heat from hand of the user to the wine glass, thereby reducing the taste as it is no longer cold and not enjoyable. Similarly, the coldness from the drink may transfer to hands of the user holding the wine glass, causing discomfort thereto. Hence, it is required to maintain the temperature of the cold drinks when served in different containers such as wine glass. Likewise serving cold shakes in glasses and consuming may face challenges as that aforesaid.
In similar instances, a hot beverage may be served in a cup or a glass heating the outer walls of the container, thereby causing discomfort to the hand of the user holding the container. Sometimes, the container and the hot fluids contained therein may fall down out of sudden from hands of the user if the walls of the container are too hot. Hence, there is a need of insulating the containers in both the cases of hot and liquid fluids contained in the container.
Conventionally, the consumers used to hold the containers with a piece of cloth or tissue paper to avoid transfer of heat from hands to the drink in the container. Such conventional method is also used to avoid transferring coldness of the drink to the hands of the user. However, the method is not an appropriate solution and also gives an awkward look especially in social gatherings like parties.
Many liquid containers are available in the market which are manufactured to have insulated walls to prevent heat transfer with the liquid. Few other insulation mechanisms are available which prevents transfer of heat between the container and the drink/fluid. However, such insulated apparatuses are made up from a material which provides complete insulation to the container like a glass hiding the entire aesthetic view of the glass.
Moreover, many insulation mechanisms do not support the container tightly or safely. The container may slip and fall out of the insulating mechanism causing breakage and potential injury. The insulating mechanisms do not grip well to many beverage containers made of common materials and are therefore at risk for spill and breakage and injury.
Hence, there is a need for an insulation mechanism in which fits different sizes of the fluid containers which may be not adhere to currently available insulating mechanisms and without affecting aesthetic view thereof.
The invention, in embodiments thereof, provides an insulation system for preventing heat transfer between a beverage and its environment. The insulation system may include a fluid container section for containing a liquid, a detachable insulation sleeve section for preventing heat transfer therethrough thereby maintaining temperature of the fluid contained within the fluid container, a lid section for preventing spillage of contents from the fluid container section, and optionally a straw for accessing those contents.
The fluid container section may include a sleeve coupling mechanism and a lid coupling mechanism. The insulation sleeve section may have a corresponding container coupling mechanism configured to engage the sleeve coupling mechanism such that the fluid container section is securely affixed thereto. The lid section may have a top coupling mechanism configured to engage the top coupling mechanism of the lid section such that the lid section is securely affixed thereto.
Where appropriate, the container coupling mechanism may include a first screw thread and the sleeve coupling mechanism comprises a second screw thread configured to engage with the first screw thread when the insulation sleeve section is turned in a clockwise direction about the fluid container section.
In other embodiments, the second screw thread configured to engage with the first screw thread when the insulation sleeve section is turned in an anti-clockwise direction about the fluid container section.
Additionally or alternatively, the lid coupling mechanism may include comprising a third screw thread and the top coupling mechanism comprises a fourth screw thread configured to engage with the third screw thread when the lid section is turned in a clockwise direction about the fluid container section.
In other embodiments, the fourth screw thread configured to engage with the third screw thread when the insulation sleeve section is turned in an anti-clockwise direction about the fluid container section.
Optionally, the fluid container section may comprise a shatter proof or durable plastic for example a bisphenol free plastic such as tritan or the like.
Additionally or alternatively, the fluid container section may be selected from a material such as glass, plastic, ceramic, stoneware, stainless steel, paper, wood or the like as well as combinations thereof.
The insulation sleeve section typically comprises a double wall enclosing an insulation cavity. The insulation cavity may contains a vacuum or alternatively may contain an insulating material selected from a group consisting of: trapped air, foam, polymer, aerogel and the like as well as combinations thereof. Where required, the insulation sleeve section further includes a bottom of at least one wall. The insulation sleeve section may be constructed from a hard material selected from a group consisting of one or more of metals, alloys, polypropylene, and/or combinations thereof.
Where appropriate, the lid section comprises a through-hole for providing access to fluid contents of the fluid container section, and a hole rim configured to grip a straw inserted through the through-hole.
Other aspects of the invention introduce an insulation system for preventing heat transfer between a beverage and its environment, the system including a fluid container section for containing a liquid, a detachable insulation sleeve section for preventing heat transfer therethrough thereby maintaining temperature of the fluid contained within the fluid container, and a lid section for preventing spillage of contents from the fluid container section. The fluid container section includes a sleeve coupling mechanism; and the insulation sleeve section includes a container coupling mechanism configured to engage the sleeve coupling mechanism such that the fluid container section is securely affixed thereto.
The lid section may include a through-hole for accommodating a straw therethrough. The lid section further comprises a hole rim configured to grip a straw inserted therethrough.
In various examples, the lid section may comprise a disk shaped cover and a descending rim. Accordingly, the descending rim may include a top coupling mechanism, such as a screw thread around an inner surface of the descending rim. Additionally or alternatively, the top coupling mechanism is selected from a group consisting of silicone rings, clips, clasps, zippers and combinations thereof.
For a better understanding of the embodiments and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, purely by way of example, to the accompanying drawings.
With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of selected embodiments only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding; the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several selected embodiments may be put into practice.
As used in this specification, the singular indefinite articles “a”, “an”, and the definite article “the” should be considered to include or otherwise cover both single and plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. In other words, these articles are applicable to one or more referents. As used in this specification, the term “or” is generally employed to include or otherwise cover “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
In the accompanying drawings:
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Smooth glass such as used in glass containers is notoriously difficult to grip using typical materials. It is therefore a particular feature of embodiments of the gripping ring 102 that it may have an inner surface of a glass adhering material such as a polymer, rubber, silicone, and/or combinations thereof.
The insulation sleeve 104 is configured to prevent heat transfer therethrough. Accordingly, the insulation sleeve 104 may include a double wall enclosing an insulation cavity. Optionally the insulation cavity within the double wall of the insulation sleeve may contain a vacuum, alternatively, the insulation cavity within the double wall of the insulation sleeve may contain an insulating material such as trapped air, foam, polymer, aerogel or a combination thereof.
The insulation sleeve 104 is further defined by a member that is configured to cover a part of the container 106. The part of the container 106 specifically defines the portion which is hold by a user consuming the drink/fluid from the container 106. The sleeve 104 can be of any shape depending upon the shape and size of the container 106 which will be discussed herein below in conjunction with preceding illustrations. As shown in
In an aspect, an inner surface of the sleeve 104 includes a first coupling mechanism and an outer surface of the ring 102 includes a second coupling mechanism configured to couple with that of the first coupling mechanism. As shown in
In some aspects, the threads 104A may be disposed on the outer surface of the sleeve 104 while the threads 102C may be disposed on inner portion of either of the head 102A. In the aspect, the threads 102C and 104A may engage with each other likewise. In such an aspect, the sleeve 104 may firstly slide over the container 106 from bottom, followed by the ring 102 from top. As the sleeve 104 and the ring 102 engage with each other, the sleeve 104 and the ring 102 cover a substantial lower portion of the container 106 which is hold by the user as shown in
In some aspects, the ring 102 and the sleeve 104 may be devoid of any screw threads. A single-walled sleeve 104 may be disposed on the waist of the container 106 by slipping onto its outer surface. The ring 102 may then be inserted to snugly fit on the outer surface of the sleeve 104. The sleeve snugly fits between the outer wall of the container 106 and the inner surface of the ring 102.
In the exemplary embodiment of
In an alternative aspect, the pattern may be embossed over the inner surface area of the ring 302 while the corresponding pattern may be engraved on the outer surface of the sleeve 304. Hence, in the above aspects, the patterns are configured to snap-fit with each other, thereby interlocking the sleeve 304 and the ring 302.
In another aspect as shown in
A further aspect of the invention is shown in
In some embodiments, the liquid container 106 may be of any shape such as including but are not limited to square, rectangular, oval, and so on. An insulated glass container 700 of rectangular shape having the ring and the sleeve adapted thereto is shown in
In various embodiments, the gripping ring 102 may be made up of soft flexible materials selected from a group consisting of one or more of polymer, rubber, silicone, and/or combinations thereof. The insulation sleeve 104 may be constructed from hard materials selected from a group consisting of one or more of metals, alloys, polypropylene, and/or combinations thereof. In the above embodiments, the insulation mechanism of the gripping ring 102 and the insulation sleeve 104 may be configured to prevent heat transfer from the hands of the user to a cold liquid. Alternatively, the insulation mechanism may be configured to prevent heat transfer to the hands of the user from a hot liquid. The container 106 may be made from any material that is well known in the art. Examples of the materials may include such as but are not limited to glass, plastic, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, silver, and so on.
Referring now to
The fluid container section 820 of the embodiment is configured to contain fluids within an internal volume bounded by a base 821 and an internal sidewall 829. When the lid 830 is removed, contents may be introduced into the internal volume via the open top.
Accordingly, the sidewall and base 821 are made from a non-porous materials such that fluids cannot pass therethrough. For example, the fluid container section 820 may be constructed from glass, plastic, ceramic, stoneware, stainless steel, paper, wood or the like as well as combinations thereof.
In particular embodiments, the fluid container section 820 is formed from a shatter proof or durable plastic for example a bisphenol free plastic such as tritan or the like.
Where appropriate the fluid container section 820 may be formed as a single piece of material alternatively a separate base section may be attached to sidewall and the seam sealed to prevent leakage.
It is a particular feature of embodiments of the fluid container 820 that it includes a lid coupling mechanism 822 for attaching the lid 830 thereto thereby closing the open top and preventing contained fluids from spilling out. The lid coupling mechanism 822 may be configured to couple with a corresponding top coupling mechanism on the lid section 830. In some examples the lid coupling mechanism 822 is a screw thread formed upon the upper outer surface 827 of the side wall and is configured to screw into a corresponding screw thread 839 formed around the inner surface of a descending rim 831 of the lid section 830. It will be appreciated that other coupling mechanisms such as silicone rings, fasteners, hook-and-eye systems, Velcro®, clips, clasps, zippers and the like may be used to attach the fluid container 820 to the lid section 830 as appropriate.
It is another feature of embodiments of the fluid container section 820 that a sleeve coupling mechanism 824 may be provided for attaching the insulating sleeve 810 to the fluid container section 820 thereby securely affixing the insulation sleeve thereto. The sleeve coupling mechanism 824 may be configured to couple with a corresponding coupling mechanism on the insulation sleeve section 810. In some examples the sleeve coupling mechanism 824 is a screw thread formed around the middle section 825 of the side wall and is configured to screw into a corresponding screw thread 817 formed upon the inner surface of the insulating sleeve section 810. It will be appreciated that other coupling mechanisms such as silicone rings, fasteners, hook-and-eye systems, Velcro®, clips, clasps, zippers and the like may be used to attach the fluid container section 820 to the insulating sleeve section 810 as appropriate.
The insulation sleeve section 810 includes a base 811 and a side wall 813 which prevent heat transfer therethrough. Accordingly, the insulation sleeve section 810 may include a double wall enclosing an insulation cavity. Optionally the insulation cavity within the double wall of the insulation sleeve may contain a vacuum, alternatively, the insulation cavity within the double wall of the insulation sleeve may contain an insulating material such as trapped air, foam, polymer, aerogel or a combination thereof.
The insulation sleeve section 810 may include a container coupling mechanism 817 such as a screw thread or the like configured to engage with the corresponding sleeve coupling mechanism 824 of the fluid container section 820. It will be appreciated that other coupling mechanisms such as silicone rings, fasteners, hook-and-eye systems, Velcro®, clips, clasps, zippers and the like may be used to attach the fluid container section 820 to the insulating sleeve section 810 as appropriate.
Referring to the united whole 800 illustrated in
The lid section 830 includes a disk shaped cover 833 having a descending rim 831. When the lid section 830 is coupled to the fluid container section, the disk shaped cover 833 may prevent spillage of fluid contents from the fluid container section 820. The descending rim 831 may provide a top coupling mechanism 839 for engaging the lid section 830 securely to the top of the fluid container section 820.
It is further noted that the lid section 830 may further prevent heat transfer from the fluid contents. Accordingly, the lid section may include an insulation cavity contained within a double wall.
It is a particular feature of the lid section 830 that it includes a central through-hole 832 through which the straw 840 may be passed. Accordingly, when the lid section 830 is attached to the fluid container section 820, a straw 840 passed through the through-hole 832 may provide access to the fluid contents of the fluid container section 820. Where required a through hole rim 834, for example of silicone of the like, may be provided to close, at least partially, the through hole when the straw 840 is not inserted and optionally to grip the straw 840 securely when the straw is inserted therein.
Referring now to
The insulation sleeve section 910 includes a base 911 and a side wall 913 which prevent heat transfer therethrough. It is a particular feature of the insulation sleeve section 910 of the mason jar embodiment 900 that it includes a handle section 912 extending from its side wall 913. As with other embodiments described herein, the insulation sleeve section 910 may include a double wall enclosing an insulation cavity. Optionally the insulation cavity within the double wall of the insulation sleeve may contain a vacuum, alternatively, the insulation cavity within the double wall of the insulation sleeve may contain an insulating material such as trapped air, foam, polymer, aerogel or a combination thereof.
The insulation sleeve section 910 of the mason jar may include a container coupling mechanism 917 such as a screw thread or the like configured to engage with the fluid container section 920. It will be appreciated that other coupling mechanisms such as silicone rings, fasteners, hook-and-eye systems, Velcro®, clips, clasps, zippers and the like may be used to attach the fluid container section 920 to the insulating sleeve section 910 as appropriate.
The fluid container section 920 of the embodiment is configured to contain fluids within an internal volume bounded by a base and a sidewall 924. When the lid 930 is removed, contents may be introduced into the internal volume via the open top. Accordingly, the sidewall and base of the fluid container 920 are made from a non-porous materials such that fluids cannot pass therethrough. For example, the fluid container section 920 may be constructed from glass, plastic, ceramic, stoneware, stainless steel, paper, wood or the like as well as combinations thereof. Where appropriate the fluid container section 920 may be formed as a single piece of material alternatively a separate base section may be attached to sidewall and the seam sealed to prevent leakage.
It is a particular feature of embodiments of the fluid container 920 that it includes a lid coupling mechanism 922 for attaching the lid 930 thereto thereby closing the open top and preventing contained fluids from spilling out. The lid coupling mechanism 922 may be configured to couple with a corresponding top coupling mechanism on the lid section 930. In some examples the lid coupling mechanism 922 is a screw thread formed upon the upper outer and is configured to screw into a corresponding screw thread formed around the inner surface of a descending rim 931 of the lid section 930. It will be appreciated that other coupling mechanisms such as silicone rings, fasteners, hook-and-eye systems, Velcro®, clips, clasps, zippers and the like may be used to attach the fluid container 920 to the lid section 930 as appropriate.
It is a particular feature of the lid section 930 that it includes a central through-hole 932 through which the straw 940 may be passed. Accordingly, when the lid section 930 is attached to the fluid container section 920, a straw 940 passed through the through-hole 932 may provide access to the fluid contents of the fluid container section 920.
While embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in the above detailed description, the invention is not limited thereto. As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention may easily be produced in other specific forms without departing from its essential characteristics. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered as merely illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes which come within therefore intended to be embraced therein.
This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/828,056, filed May 31, 2022, which is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/IB2022/050178, filed Jan. 11, 2022, which claims priority and benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/137,172, filed Jan. 14, 2021, the contents and disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63137172 | Jan 2021 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/IB2022/050178 | Jan 2022 | US |
Child | 17828056 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 17828056 | May 2022 | US |
Child | 17947126 | US |