Receptacles – Container attachment or adjunct – Container holder
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-16
2001-06-12
Castellano, Stephen (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Container attachment or adjunct
Container holder
C220S741000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244461
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains generally to beverage holders. More particularly, the present invention relates to a beverage holder for maintaining a beverage at a desired temperature.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many beverages are packaged for sale in a can. The can containing the beverage is frequently stored in a refrigerator or a cooler, for example, to bring the beverage to a desired temperature for consuming the beverage. Upon removal of the can from the cooling source, the beverage in the can changes temperature over time. Further, during consumption of the beverage, the drinker's body temperature, transmitted through the hand holding the can, also changes the temperature of the beverage over time. To maintain the beverage in the can at the desired temperature for a longer period of time, a sleeve made from thermally-insulative material can be provided to store the can during transportation and/or consumption.
The popularity and long-lasting functionality of insulative sleeves have led many businesses to incorporate the insulative sleeve into an advertising strategy. For example, a company can give its customers insulative sleeves with the company's advertising message, such as its name, address, logo, product name(s), and/or slogan, placed on each holder. Also, individuals are often interested in applying a celebratory or novelty message, for example, to the beverage holder.
The insulative sleeve has some drawbacks, however. The insulative sleeve typically is a cylinder that encircles the can. Necessarily, the sleeve has a larger diameter than the can. A user may have difficulty in grasping the sleeve because the size of the sleeve is too large for his or her hand to grip comfortably. Often, the sleeve is made from a material that provides little frictional resistance when gripped, further increasing the difficulty of grasping the holder.
Further, the insulative sleeve is frequently used to transport and consume a beverage outside. Once a can is opened, insects, such as bees, and debris can enter the can and foul the beverage. Insects pose an acute problem because they are often drawn to the sugar and other substances found in soft drinks. In the case where a bee enters a can, the bee is likely to sting a person drinking from the can, potentially resulting in serious injury to the person. The prior art sleeve can not prevent insects and debris from entering the can.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a beverage holder and a method for assembling the holder. By way of example, the inventive beverage holder is useful for maintaining a beverage in a can at a desired temperature. In particular, the beverage holder of the present invention is provided with an insulative sleeve, a frame, and a lid.
The sleeve is configured to receive a beverage can. The sleeve has an outer wall that can display indicia.
The frame retains the sleeve and includes a first part, a second part, and a living hinge. The parts both include a plurality of resiliently flexible fingers and a hollow, cylindrical bearing. Each finger includes a locking lug with a ramped portion. Each finger is disposed to correspond with a finger on the other part such that a pair of corresponding fingers can retentively engage each other.
Advantageously, the frame can capture the sleeve and the lid as the frame is assembled. Once assembled, the frame includes a pair of retaining collars and a handle. The frame can include a support extending between the retaining collars. The frame can be configured such that the indicia displayed on the sleeve are visible.
The lid provides a barrier between a can inserted in the beverage holder and the outside environment. The lid is attached to the frame such that the lid is free to rotate about an axis defined by a pair of posts between open and closed positions. To facilitate the opening and closing of the lid, the lid can include a pair of ears, one located on each side of the neck of the lid and disposed adjacent the handle. The lid can also include a planar cover for receiving a label displaying indicia.
These and other objects and advantages, as well as additional inventive features, of the present invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, provided herein.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2896812 (1959-07-01), Paprocki
patent: 3719305 (1973-03-01), Pressnell
patent: 4735333 (1988-04-01), Lay et al.
patent: 4823975 (1989-04-01), Schwankl
patent: 5150811 (1992-09-01), Kelston
patent: 5261554 (1993-11-01), Forbes
The Crystal Group; copies of internet brochure pages of various insulated can holders and can wraps from American Accents, Message Makers, SE Line, Custom Crest, KI, and the Zebra Line. Applicants first became aware of this material in Jan. 1999.
Sunrise Business Products-USA; copies of internet brochure pages of various plastic cups, mugs and insulated can holders. Applicants first became aware of this material in Jan. 1999.
Fish William G.
Roberts Terrance Montgomery
Castellano Stephen
Leydig Voit & Mayers, Ltd.
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