Buoyant freezable insulated drink holder

Abstract

A floating beverage holder designed to chill and maintain a cold beverage container in an upright position on water. The beverage holder includes an open cavity sized and shaped to accommodate a desired beverage container, or multiple beverage containers. A first sealed compartment substantially surrounds the cavity and includes a freezable material, such as water, refrigerant or a gel. A second compartment filled with a buoyant and insulative material, such as a polyurethane, substantially surrounds the first compartment. A hard outer shell protects the insulative material of the second compartment. The body of the holder is shaped to provide stability on the water surface.

Claims

1. A drink holder comprising: a body having a height, a diameter, and an upward facing outer surface radially extending in 360 degrees from a centered open cavity defined by: a first sealed compartment defining a lower portion of the cavity; and a second sealed compartment enveloping the first sealed compartment and defining an upper portion of the cavity; wherein, the open cavity is configured for placement of a drink container, the body width is about three times greater than the body height, the first sealed compartment contains a freezable material, and the second sealed compartment contains a buoyant, insulative material.

2. The drink holder of claim 1, wherein the outer surface is comprised of a hard plastic material.

3. The drink holder of claim 1, wherein the freezable material is a liquid.

4. The drink holder of claim 3, wherein the liquid has a latent heat of fusion greater than 50 J/g.

5. The drink holder of claim 4, wherein the liquid has a latent heat of fusion greater than 100 J/g.

6. The drink holder of claim 3, wherein the liquid is water.

7. The drink holder of claim 3, wherein the liquid is a refrigerant.

8. The drink holder of claim 1, wherein the freezable material is a non-Newtonian fluid.

9. The drink holder of claim 1, wherein the freezable material is a gel.

10. The drink holder of claim 9, wherein the gel has a latent heat of fusion greater than 50 J/g.

11. The drink holder of claim 9, wherein the gel has a latent heat of fusion greater than 100 J/g.

12. The drink holder of claim 1, wherein the insulative material is polyurethane.

13. The drink holder of claim 1, wherein the insulative material is selected from one of a polymer, foam, cellulosic material, recycled material, gas, gel, or the like.

14. A drink holder comprising: a body having a height, a diameter, and an upward facing outer surface radially extending in 360 degrees from a centered open cavity defined by: a first compartment containing a freezable material having a latent heat of fusion of greater than 50 J/g; and a second compartment comprised of an insulative material and enveloping the first compartment; wherein, the open cavity is configured for placement of a drink container, and the body width is about three times greater than the body height with the open cavity in an upward facing surface.

15. The drink holder of claim 14, further comprising a connection point on the body and a lead line attached by an end to the connection point.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

(2) FIG. 1 is a cross section of an embodiment of the disclosed floating beverage holder;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic showing measurement details of an embodiment of the disclosed floating beverage holder;

(4) FIG. 3 is another schematic showing measurement details of an embodiment of the disclosed floating beverage holder;

(5) FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosed floating beverage holder;

(6) FIG. 5 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 4; and

(7) FIG. 6 is a partial side view of an embodiment of the disclosed floating beverage holder with an attached lanyard.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail at least one preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to any of the specific embodiments illustrated.

(9) Referring to FIGS. 1-6, there is illustrated at least one preferred embodiment of an insulated beverage holder, generally designated by the numeral 10. The particular illustrated beverage holder 10 is for a cylindrical drink container, such as a cup, can, or bottle. However, while all the embodiments illustrated are directed to a cylindrical cavity, it should be understood that the principles of the invention can be more broadly applied to any shape or size drink container, such as a handled mug, water glass, drink carton, disposable plastic cup, pitcher, large drink bottle, carafe and the like.

(10) As can be seen in FIG. 1, the holder 10 is comprised of an open cavity 12 defined by a first compartment 14 which is enveloped in a second compartment 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the first compartment 14 includes a thin insulative wall 18 made of, for example, aluminum or an aluminum alloy. Alternative thermally conductive materials, including alloys and polymers, may be used. Within the sealed first compartment 14 is a freezable material 20 such as, for example, a liquid (e.g., water or refrigerant) or gel (i.e., non-Newtonian fluids), which freezes at a desirable low temperaturei.e., preferably between 25 to 32 F. The material is considered freezable in that it can be cooled to a low temperature and will absorb a significant amount of heat before reaching ambient temperature. That is, the freezable material should have a substantially high latent heat of fusion, preferably greater than 50 J/g. Most preferably, the latent heat of fusion of the freezable material is greater than 100 J/g.

(11) There should be a high degree of surface contact between the cylindrical cavity 12 and the first compartment 14, as this contact helps cool and maintain the temperature of any container placed within the open cavity 12.

(12) The second compartment 16 is used to insulate the first compartment 14 against ambient conditions, as well as provide buoyancy properties to the holder 10. For this reason, the second compartment 16 is shaped and weighted to provide maximum stability to the holder 10. A polyurethane material is preferred for filling the second compartment 16, though other insulative, buoyant materials may be suitable. Such suitable insulative materials may include foams, recycled plastics and rubbers, cellulosic material, and even air or other gas. A layer of hard plastic, such as a HDPE, is used to contain and protect the softer polyurethane.

(13) Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, dimensions for one embodiment of a standard-sized drink holder 10 are shown. In specific embodiments, the disclosed holder 10 is designed to hold a standard twelve (12) fluid ounce can or sixteen (16) fluid ounce bottle of liquid (not shown) within the open cavity 12. Naturally, the holder 10 may be configured to accommodate many different sized and shaped beverage containers, as previously mentioned. In an alternate embodiment, the walls of cavity 18 may be billowed, and soft sided to allow conforming to a container shape when inserted. Such a configuration could allow one size cavity to conform to several different sized and shaped containers.

(14) FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the disclosed drink holder 10. The top outer surface 22 is preferably sloped to prevent pooling of water, which may affect the buoyancy. Additionally, as illustrated, the outer surface 22 of the holder 10 may be customized with, for example, a design/logo 30 such as a favorite sports team logo and colors, corporate names, family names, holiday designs, or the like.

(15) In use, the cup holder 10 can be stored before and after use in a standard freezer or refrigerator. The freezable material 20 of the first compartment 14 will freeze or at least reach a sufficiently cold temperature such that the open cavity 12 will become cold and a container placed within the open cavity 12 will be kept cold for a substantial period of time.

(16) In additional embodiments, a lanyard or tie rope 24 may be attached to an outer surface 22 of the holder 10 to secure to a person, boat, raft, deck, or other floating or fixed structure. As shown in FIG. 6, a D-ring 26 can be adhered to the outer surface 22 (on the top or edge) and the lanyard or tie rope 24 can be quick connected to and disconnected from the D-ring 26 using a clip 28. Obviously, other mechanisms exist which are known to those of skill in the art and could readily be applied for use with the disclosed holder 10.

(17) The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicants' contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.