ADJUSTABLE INSULATOR

Abstract

The invention provides an adjustable insulator for use with a can or bottle of drink, including a substantially planar body having a first end and a second end. The adjustable insulator includes adjustment means associated with the substantially planar body, including a first adjustment means part, associated with the first end of the substantially planar body, and a second adjustment means part, associated with the second end of the substantially planar body. The first and second parts together can adjustably connect so the first adjustment means part and second adjustment means part reciprocally connect in an adjustable manner for use about the can or bottle. The invention also relates to variants thereon and a method of use.

Claims

1-29. (canceled)

30. An adjustable insulator, for use with a can or bottle of drink, the adjustable insulator including: a substantially planar body having a first end and a second end; adjustment means associated with the substantially planar body, including a first adjustment means part, associated with the first end of the substantially planar body, and a second adjustment means part, associated with the second end of the substantially planar body, the first and second parts together can adjustably connect, wherein, the first adjustment means part and second adjustment means part reciprocally connect in an adjustable manner for use about the can or bottle, and further wherein the adjustable insulator is substantially formed of a single sheet or piece of single face corrugated cardboard of a suitable form, readily folded to create the adjustable insulator which is maintained in place in use without the need for glue or additional connection or adhesion.

31. The adjustable insulator of claim 30, wherein the adjustable insulator is adjusted to a suitable position and the connection of adjustment means substantially prevents the disassembly of the first adjustment means part and the second adjustment means part until further adjustment is desired.

32. The adjustable insulator of claim 30, wherein readjustment is readily possible of the adjustable insulator and then again the insulator is maintained in the adjusted position.

33. The adjustable insulator of claim 30, wherein the substantially planar body is made of E flute or B flute single faced cardboard material.

34. The adjustable insulator of claim 30, wherein the adjustability is to adjust to fit well around the body of the can or bottle and enables a tight fit around the item.

35. The adjustable insulator of claim 30, wherein the adjustability enables a single adjustable insulator be used with a range of items of different diameters.

36. The adjustable insulator of claim 35, wherein narrow or microflute corrugations are used.

37. The adjustable insulator of claim 36, wherein the width of flute is in the range 1.6 to 3.2 millimetres.

38. The adjustable insulator of claim 36, wherein the width of the flutes is less than 3.2 millimetres.

39. The adjustable insulator of claim 36, wherein the width of flute is substantially 1.6 millimetres wide.

40. The adjustable insulator of claim 36, wherein there are more than 144 flutes per metre.

41. The adjustable insulator of claim 36, wherein the number of flutes per metre is in the range of 144 to 305.

42. The adjustable insulator of claim 36, wherein the number of flutes per metre is substantially 300 per metre.

43. The adjustable insulator of claim 30, wherein the substantially planar body is given a water resistant coating during manufacture.

44. The adjustable insulator of claim 30, wherein decoration, colour or a graphic is applied to the surface.

45. The adjustable insulator of claim 30, wherein the adjustment is from a wide range of precise adjustments available enabling precise adjustment to suit the particular container to be insulated.

46. The adjustable insulator of claim 30, wherein the adjustable insulator is substantially flat before assembly and assembled to form a substantially cylindrical insulator into which a can or bottle of drink may be readily slid.

47. The adjustable insulator of claim 30, wherein the assembly occurs with the corrugations of the cardboard facing downwards or outwards so that when folded together the upper and lower part cover the smooth surface of the middle part with their corrugated surfaces.

48. The adjustable insulator of claim 30, wherein the entire adjustable insulator has corrugations outermost, once assembled.

49. The adjustable insulator of claim 30, wherein the adjustment means enables the two parts to be slid together and adjusted in size until a suitable size is found and on stopping the adjustment means substantially maintains the assembled insulator at that position, size or state.

50. The adjustable insulator of claim 30, wherein the use of a fine or narrow corrugation for the adjustment means enables a wide range of adjustments and each small incremental corrugation enables small adjustments to be made to the assembled insulator.

51. The adjustable insulator of claim 30, wherein the first adjustment means part is in the form of a tongue or tab.

52. The adjustable insulator of claim 30, wherein when assembled the second adjustment means part is in the form of a corrugated part within a pocket formed by the upper and lower parts being folded over the middle of the substantially planar body.

53. The adjustable insulator of claim 30, wherein two corrugated surfaces form the adjustment means and slide over and catch on one another hold the adjustable insulator in place.

54. The adjustable insulator of claim 30, wherein adjustment can be readjusted many times as required by the user.

55. The adjustable insulator of claim 30, wherein the first and second parts of the adjustment means include corrugations which connect together and overlay one another one facing up and one facing down and the corrugations interlock one with the other to enable an adjustable connection and then be held in place.

56. An adjustable insulator for use with a can or bottle of drink, the adjustable insulator including: a substantially planar body of single face narrow flute corrugated cardboard that may be assembled for use about or around the can or bottle to provide insulation, the substantially planar body having a first end and a second end; adjustment means associated with the substantially planar body, including a first adjustment means part, associated with the first end of the substantially planar body, and a second adjustment means part, associated with the second end of the substantially planar body, the first and second parts together can adjustably connect, wherein, the first adjustment means part and second adjustment means part reciprocally connect by overlaying one corrugated face with another corrugated face so as the corrugations interlock in an adjustable manner for use about the can or bottle, and once adjusted to a suitable position the connection of adjustment means prevents the disassembly of the first adjustment means part and the second adjustment means part, assisted by the pressure of the can or bottle.

57. A method of assembly of an adjustable insulator for a can or bottle, the adjustable insulator including a substantially planar body having a first end and a second end, and adjustment means associated with the substantially planar body, including a first adjustment means part, associated with the first end of the substantially planar body, and a second adjustment means part, associated with the second end of the substantially planar body, whereby the first and second parts together can adjustably connect for use about the can or bottle, the method of assembly including the following steps: a) folding of the substantially planar body in three, lengthways to create a strip shape; b) curving the strip to form a suitable size and shape for the can or bottle to be insulated; c) connecting the first and second adjustment means parts together at that size and shape, whereby the connected insulator is held in place during use by the adjustment means and further wherein the adjustable insulator is formed of a single sheet or piece of single face corrugated cardboard of a suitable form, readily folded to create the adjustable insulator which is maintained in place in use without the need for glue or additional connection or adhesion.

58. The method of claim 57 wherein, the adjustable insulator is the adjustable insulator of claim 30.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0071] The invention will now be described in connection with a non-limiting preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0072] FIG. 1 is a plan view from above of an adjustable insulator according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in a flat pack state, prior to assembly (the can or bottle is omitted throughout for clarity of illustration);

[0073] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the adjustable insulator of FIG. 1, with the first step of assembly, folding in of adjustable receiving portion, so that the corrugated side 11 is facing upwards;

[0074] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the adjustable insulator of FIGS. 1 and 2, with the next step of assembly, folding up and over the middle portion;

[0075] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the adjustable insulator of FIGS. 1 to 3, with the next step of assembly, folding down over the middle portion;

[0076] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the adjustable insulator of FIGS. 1 to 4, turned over to show the label shown through the window;

[0077] FIG. 6 is a perspective view from the front of the adjustable insulator of FIG. 5, with the label visible through the window, being curved into a shape suitable for a can or bottle of drink, prior to adjustment; and

[0078] FIG. 7 is a detailed image of the adjustable portions whereby the projection and receiving portions both have corrugations so that these catch into one another and hold the adjustable insulator together without the need for additional attachment or adhesive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION INCLUDING A BEST MODE

[0079] We note that use of the word LABEL is included in the drawings to particularly facilitate understanding of the invention.

[0080] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described, where adjustable insulator 1, has body 5 made of single face E Flute corrugated cardboard. Use of single face E flute corrugated card enables a suitable curve around a can or bottle be used and with the insulating properties provided by the air pockets in the cardboard. Other narrow flute forms of corrugated card are also suitable. For example, use of B flute has also been found to work well.

[0081] Body 5 has smooth side 10 and corrugated side 11 as can be seen clearly in the drawings. The corrugations are indicated approximately, and are intended to show E flute corrugations. These E flute corrugations are typically 1.6 millimetre thick flutes with 295 per linear metre with a margin of error of +/13. Other flutes can be used such as B flute typically 3.2 millimetre thick flutes with 154 per linear metre with a margin of error of +/10. Other flutes can be used but these forms have been found to work particularly well.

[0082] Planar body 5 is divided into three sections 12, the upper part, 14 the middle part and 16 the lower part which together make the flat body 5. Middle part 14 can be seen to include an oval window 18, through which label 20 on 12 can be viewed, once adjustable insulator 1 has been assembled. Upper part 12 includes a curved projection 22 to contain label 20. Lower part 14 includes a corresponding curved cut-out 24 to receive curved projection 22. Corresponding curved and cut-out portions 22 and 24 provide an elegant solution to the folding and flaps which fit together and due to the nature of the single face E flute cardboard, and maintains body 5 in the folded and corresponding arrangement. The thickness and inherent rigidity enable the curved assembled insulator 1 to have a strength to it that is useful and the parts act against one another to create this strength without the need for glue or adhesive. Other forms of cut out and reciprocating shape may be used and pressed together to hold the strip in place. The described has the added benefits of aligning the graphic and window, as well as pressing together to hold the strip together.

[0083] Middle part 14 also includes the adjustment mechanism formed of adjustable projection portion 26 and adjustable receiving portion 28, one at either end. Each projection, together enable adjustable connection in the assembled form. Adjustable projection portion 26 has cut-out or shaped sides to facilitate feeding into the pocket created by receiving portion 28 and the upper and lower parts of body 5. The pocket assists to form a back against which the rest of the adjustment means is held, further assisting to hold the insulator together, once assembled.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 1 adjustable insulator 1 is in the flat pack state, prior to assembly (the can or bottle is omitted throughout for clarity of illustration). The corrugated card would be cut or punched to produce numerous insulators in a single run. Once adjustable insulator 1 is ready for assembly, with smooth side 10 facing uppermost, adjustable receiving portion 28 is folded up and in so that the corrugated surface can be seen uppermost, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0085] Referring to FIG. 3 the next step of assembly is shown, folding up of body part 16, the lower part, over middle body part 14. Curved cut-out 24 can be seen ready to receive curved projection 22 and fit together. This occurs at the next step seen in FIG. 4, shown fitting together in FIG. 4 and the rigidity of the cardboard means reciprocating curved cut-out 24 and receiving portion 28 fit neatly together, and have sufficient rigidity to hold the article together and assembled as seen in FIG. 6. FIG. 5 shows the reverse of FIG. 4 showing that as curved cut-out 24 and receiving portion 28 fit together, so label 20 is aligned with window 18 to display the information in the completed insulator 1, useful for advertising or promotional purposes. Again the reciprocating parts hold themselves together due to the clever design.

[0086] FIG. 6 also shows as the assembled strip of FIGS. 4 and 5 is curved this will fit around a can or bottle to provide the cooling and insulation necessary to keep a drink cool. The curve is able to be formed due to the nature and arrangement of the cardboard and then holds firmly together. As the strip is formed together into a curved shape, a cylinder, the tab of projection 26 with its corrugations connects and slides against the downward corrugations of receiving portion 28 contained by the upper 12 and lower 16 part of body 5 folded thereover. The connection of the two corrugated parts is important, as shown in FIG. 7, as they can slip over one another until the right size is achieved and then connected and held in place. Once the can or bottle is in place, the pressure assists to maintain the holder in the assembled position. This is due to the two corrugated parts being pressed further together, strengthening the grip, and locking insulator 1 in the assembled state. The pocket formed assists here too. After use, the removal of the can or bottle releases the pressure so that insulator 1 can again be disassembled. Insulator 1, can be adjusted, readjusted and reused many times and is not fixed in place as glued products would be. The readjustment and reusability of the product further improves the desirability of the adjustable insulator for events or promotions. A consumer may use the item many times at the event for use repeatedly with the same or different containers. The insulator may then be returned to the host for use again at another event or retained by the customer, who can themselves use the item repeatedly on other occasions. Overall the inventor has developed a very clever means to create from a flat sheet a very useful drinks cooler that is economic to produce, easily assembled for use promotionally or otherwise. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that changes may be made to the embodiment disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its various aspects.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0087]

TABLE-US-00001 1 Adjustable Insulator 5 Body 10 Body smooth side 11 Body corrugated side 12 Body part 1 14 Body part 2 16 Body part 3 18 Window 20 Label 22 Curved projection 24 Curved cut-out 26 Adjustable projection portion 28 Adjustable receiving portion