WO1997032797A1

WO1997032797A1 - Insulating wrap

Info

Publication number: WO1997032797A1
Application number: PCT/AU1997/000137
Authority: WO
Inventors: Noel Joseph Norrish
Original assignee: NORRISH KAYE CLAIRE
Current assignee: NORRISH KAYE CLAIRE
Priority date: 1996-03-06
Filing date: 1997-03-06
Publication date: 1997-09-12
Anticipated expiration: 1998-09-06
Also published as: AUPN848196A0

Abstract

An insulating wrap (10) for a beverage container (11) (such as a bottle or can) to provide thermal insulation for the container (11). The insulating wrap (10) comprises a band (13) of flexible insulating material for wrapping around the container (11) into a wrapped condition. Attachment means (26) are provided on the band (13) for attaching a section thereof to the container (11) whereby the band (13) can be wrapped around the container. Retaining means (28) are provided for retaining the band (13) in the wrapped condition about the container (11).

Description

TITLE

Insulating Wrap

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an insulating wrap for a beverage container such as a bottle or can. The insulating wrap when fitted onto a beverage container provides thermal insulation for the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Devices for thermally insulating beverage containers are well known. For instance, in situations where the contents of a beverage container such as a bottle or can are consumed directly from the container, it is common for the container to be held in an insulated holder while the contents are consumed. Insulated holders for such purposes are commonly known as "stubby holders". Such holders are available in various forms including rigid holders and collapsible holders. While the holders can be of comparatively simple construction, such as a shell formed of polystyrene, they are generally not so inexpensive to manufacture as to be considered to be disposable after a single use. Accordingly, it is necessary to use the insulating holders on an ongoing basis.

A person wishing to use an insulated holder at a commercial establishment, such as a bar in a hotel, must either bring the holder with him to the establishment or obtain one from the establishment. In the latter case, the person can either purchase a new holder from the establishment or perhaps borrow one which the establishment provides for use by customers. In many cases, however, it is undesirable to borrow a holder from a commercial establishment as the holder may not be in a hygienic condition owing to extensive use. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be advantageous to provide an insulating device for a beverage container which is able to be produced in such a cost-effective manner as to allow it to be disposed of after a single use or after a few uses, if desired.

The present invention provides an insulating wrap for a beverage container, comprising a band of flexible insulating material for wrapping around the container into a wrapped condition, attachment means provided on the band for attaching a section thereof to the container whereby the band can be wrapped around the container, and retaining means for retaining the band in the wrapped condition.

The insulating material may be of any suitable form, such as thick paper or thin cardboard.

The attachment means may comprise an adhesive substance for attachment to the container. The adhesive substance is preferably provided adjacent one end of the band, typically in strip form extending cross-wise of the length of the band. The adhesive substance may be initially covered by a removable panel which masks the substance to prevent unintentional attachment to other things prior to use of the wrap. The panel is intended to be removed during use of the wrap to expose the adhesive substance for attachment to the container.

The retaining means may also comprise an adhesive substance. The adhesive substance providing the retaining means is preferably provided adjacent the other end of the band for bonding to a surface which it overlies. The surface which the adhesive substance overlies may comprise a surface of the beverage container or a section of the band in circumstances where the length of the band is such that it overlaps itself when wrapped about the container. The adhesive substance providing the retaining means may also be covered by a removable panel in a similar fashion to the adhesive substance providing the attachment means. The insulating wrap may be fitted on a beverage container by simply wrapping it around the beverage container by hand. Another way of fitting the wrap onto a container may be to place the container on the attachment means to provide a connection between the container and the band and then roll the container along the band thereby to cause the band to be wrapped about the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of several specific embodiments thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the inner side of an insulating wrap according to the first embodiment, the insulating wrap being shown in a flat condition prior to being wrapped around a beverage container;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 with the exception that the outer side of the insulating wrap is shown;

Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a beverage can attached to one end of the inner side of the insulating wrap;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 with the exception that the can as shown having rolled partly along the insulating wrap to commence wrapping of the wrap around the can;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the wrap entirely wrapped around the can;

Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing a multitude of insulating wraps according to the first embodiment stacked in a pile; and Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an insulating wrap according to a second embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments shown in the drawings are each directed to an insulating wrap 10 for a beverage container 11 which in this embodiment is in the form of a can.

The insulating wrap 10 is intended for a single use, after which it is disposed of with the can.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 6, the insulating wrap 10 according to the first embodiment comprises a length of flexible insulating material 13 such as thick paper or thin cardboard. The length of material 13 is in the form of a band having a length which can wrap around the cylindrical periphery of the can with the ends of the band in overlapping relationship, and a width which corresponds generally to the height of the can.

The band 13 has longitudinal sides 15 which wrap around the can, and two opposed ends 17. The band 13 also has an inner face 21 and an outer face 23.

On each end 17 of the band 13 there is provided a strip of adhesive tape 25 having an adhesive substance 27 on one face thereof. The strip of adhesive tape 25 at one end provides an attachment means 26 and the strip of adhesive tape 25 at the other end provides a retaining means 28. Each strip of adhesive tape 25 is positioned on the outer face 23 of the band 13 in overlapping relationship with the respective end 17 such that part of the adhesive face 27 is bonded to the outer face 23 of the band and the other part of the adhesive face 27 is exposed.

One particular way in which the insulating wrap 10 may be applied the can 11 will now be described. With the insulating wrap 10 in the flat condition shown in Fig. 1 and the adhesive strips 25 facing upwardly, the can 11 is positioned on one of the strips, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The particular strip 25 provides the attachment means 26 for adhesively attaching the band 13 to the can 11. The can 10 is then rolled along the band 13, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. This causes the band 13 to wrap around the can as the latter progressively rolls along the band. The can continues to roll along the band 13 and the rolling action brings the adhesive strip 25 at the other end of the band into contact with the outer surface 23 of part of the band already wrapped around the can. This strip 25 provides the retaining means 28 which retains the exposed end of the band in position. The insulating wrap is now fully wrapped around the can. It may be desirable to rub the outer adhesive strip 25 to ensure a good bond with the outer surface of the insulating layer.

The can 11 now is wrapped in an insulating wrap 10 and is ready for consumption. The can 11 together with the wrap 10 attached thereto can be disposed of once the contents of the can have been consumed.

The outer face 23 of the band 13 may be provided with marking indicia such as advertising or promotional material if desired.

The strip of adhesive tape 25 at each end of the band 13 may be of the type which has a surface 31 on the side opposite to its adhesive substance 27 which does not bond with the adhesive substance. In such a situation, a plurality of the insulating wraps 10 can be stacked one upon another with the adhesive faces on each holder facing upwardly, as shown in Fig. 6. With such an arrangement, neighbouring holders in the stack are not bonded one to another because of the nature of the adhesive substance.

By stacking the wraps 10 in such a manner, a can can be wrapped with the particular beverage wrap at the top of the stack by rolling the can along the wrap while still at the top of the stack. Following removal of the wrapped can, the next holder is in readiness for application to a can. Another way of applying the wrap 10 to the can 11 would simply be to wrap the band 13 by hand around the can after attaching the adhesive strip 25 to the can.

The second embodiment, which is shown in Figure 6 of the drawings, is similar to the first embodiment with the exception of the attachment means 26 and the retaining means 28. In this embodiment, the attachment means 26 comprises a strip of adhesive substance 35 applied to the inner face 21 of the band 13 adjacent one end 17 thereof. The strip of adhesive substance is covered by a removable panel 37 also in strip form but marginally larger than the strip of adhesive substance 35. The panel 37 masks the strip of adhesive substance 35 to prevent unintentional attachment to other things prior to use of the wrap 10. The panel 37 is intended to be peeled from the band 13 by hand (as shown in Fig. 6) so as to expose the strip of adhesive substance 35 prior to wrapping of the band about a beverage container.

The retaining means 28 is provided adjacent the other end 17 of the band and is of a similar construction as the attachment means 26, comprising an adhesive strip (not seen) covered by a removable panel 39 in strip form. The removable panel 39 is peeled from the band 13 when the wrap is to be used.

It is envisaged that the insulating wraps according to the embodiment will have particular applications in hotels and other commercial establishments where beverages are sold in cans and bottles. A drinker would have the option of purchasing a can or bottle of beverage with an insulating wrap applied thereto. With the insulating wraps stacked in a pile as shown in Fig. 6, a wrap can be applied to the can or bottle at the point of sale in a convenient and effective manner without undue delay.

From the foregoing, it is evident that the present embodiments each provide a simple yet highly effective insulating wrap for beverage cans and bottles which can be used once and then disposed of with the can or bottle. The simple construction of the wrap allows it to be manufactured in a cost-effective manner for single use and also allows it to be readily applied to beverage containers.

It should be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the scope of the embodiments described. In particular, it should be understood that the adhesive substance at each end of the band may be provided by any suitable means other than the strips described.

Claims

1. An insulating wrap for a beverage container, comprising a band of flexible insulating material for wrapping around the container into a wrapped condition, attachment means provided on the band for attaching a section thereof to the container whereby the band can be wrapped around the container, and retaining means for retaining the band in the wrapped condition.

2. An insulating wrap according to claim 1 wherein the insulating material comprises thick paper or thin cardboard.

3. An insulating wrap according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the attachment means comprises an adhesive substance for attachment to the container.

4. An insulating wrap according to claim 3 wherein the adhesive substance is provided adjacent one end of the band.

5. An insulating wrap according to claim 4 wherein the adhesive substance is in strip form extending cross-wise of the length of the band.

6. An insulating wrap according to claim 3, 4 or 5 wherein the adhesive substance is initially covered by a removable panel which masks the substance.

7. An insulating wrap according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the retaining means comprises an adhesive substance.

8. An insulating wrap according to claim 7 wherein the adhesive substance providing the retaining means is provided adjacent the other end of the band for bonding to a surface which it overlies.

9. An insulating wrap according to claim 7 or 8 wherein the adhesive substance is in strip form extending cross-wise of the length of the band.

10. An insulating wrap according to claim 7, 8 or 9 wherein the adhesive substance is initially covered by a removable panel which masks the substance.

11. An insulating wrap substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.