Magnetic insulator pad for container

Abstract

An insulator pad for a container includes a flexible body having a first surface and a second, opposite surface for contacting the container, the second surface including at least one recessed portion, at least one magnet associated with and disposed in the at least one recessed portion for removably securing the body to the container, and at least one hinge provided on the body, wherein the at least one hinge is configured for bending the body to conform to a shape of the container.

1 . An insulator pad for a container, comprising:
 a flexible body having a first surface and a second, opposite surface for contacting the container, said second surface including at least one recessed portion;   at least one magnet associated with and disposed in said at least one recessed portion for removably securing said body to the container; and   at least one hinge provided on said body, wherein said at least one hinge is configured for bending said body to conform to a shape of the container.   
   
   
       2 . The insulator pad of  claim 1  wherein said body is manufactured from silicone. 
   
   
       3 . The insulator pad of  claim 1  wherein said body is no more than twice as thick as said magnet. 
   
   
       4 . The insulator pad of  claim 1  wherein said at least one magnet includes a first magnet, a second magnet and a third magnet, wherein said first and second magnets are generally semi-circular in shape. 
   
   
       5 . The insulator pad of  claim 1  wherein said at least one hinge is a pair of hinges. 
   
   
       6 . The insulator pad of  claim 4  wherein said at least one hinge is a pair of hinges, said hinges separating said third magnet from each of said first and second magnets. 
   
   
       7 . The insulator pad of  claim 4  wherein upon insertion of each of said first, second and third magnets into a corresponding one of said recessed portions, a gripping side of each said magnet is coplanar with a gripping side of each of said hinges. 
   
   
       8 . The insulator pad of  claim 1  further including two rows of ridges projecting from said body second surface and arranged generally parallel to each other, wherein a first row of ridges is constructed and arranged for gripping a bottom of the pan, and a second row of ridges is constructed and arranged for gripping a sidewall of the pan. 
   
   
       9 . The insulator pad of  claim 1  wherein each of said hinges is a flexible web including a plurality of cutouts arranged generally in spaced parallel relationship to each other. 
   
   
       10 . The insulator pad of  claim 9  wherein each of said hinges further includes at least one row of ridges projecting from said body second surface and arranged generally perpendicular to said cutouts and configured for gripping the container. 
   
   
       11 . The insulator pad of  claim 1  further including two rows of ridges projecting from said body second surface and arranged generally parallel to each other, wherein a first row of ridges is constructed and arranged for gripping a bottom of the pan, and a second row of ridges is constructed and arranged for gripping a sidewall of the pan. 
   
   
       12 . The insulator pad of  claim 11  wherein said first row of said ridges and said second row of said ridges form a trough therebetween. 
   
   
       13 . The insulator pad of  claim 12  wherein said trough is constructed and arranged for bending and accommodating a corner of the container. 
   
   
       14 . The insulator pad of  claim 11  wherein said first and second rows of ridges each have a generally pointed distal end. 
   
   
       15 . The insulator pad of  claim 11  wherein said first and second rows of ridges are arranged at an approximately equal height. 
   
   
       16 . The insulator pad of  claim 11  wherein each of said hinges includes a plurality of cutouts arranged generally perpendicular to said first and second rows of ridges, wherein said first and second rows of ridges are located within an area defined by axial ends of said cutouts. 
   
   
       17 . An insulator pad for a container with two opposing side surfaces and a bottom surface comprising:
 a body having a generally circular shape and a first surface and second surface for contacting said container, wherein said second surface includes at least one recessed portion;   a first magnet, a second magnet and a third magnet, each of which is received in a corresponding recessed portion and includes a gripping surface arranged coplanar with said corresponding recessed formation upon insertion into said body;   a pair of hinges provided within said body and separating said third magnet from each of said first and second magnets, each said hinge being configured for bending said body to conform to a shape of the container; and   two rows of ridges projecting from said body second surface and arranged generally parallel to each other, a first row of ridges being constructed and arranged for gripping the pan bottom surface, and a second row of ridges being constructed and arranged for gripping one of the side surfaces of the pan.   
   
   
       18 . The insulator pad of  claim 17  wherein each of said hinges is a flexible web including a plurality of cutouts arranged generally in spaced parallel relationship to each, said first and second rows of ridges being located within an area defined by axial ends of said cutouts. 
   
   
       19 . An insulator pad for a container with two opposing side surfaces and a bottom surface comprising:
 a body having a generally circular shape and a first surface and second surface for contacting said container, wherein said second surface includes at least one recessed portion;   a first magnet, a second magnet and a third magnet, each of which is received in a corresponding recessed portion and includes a gripping surface arranged coplanar with said corresponding recessed formation upon insertion into said body, said first and second magnets being generally semi-circular in shape;   a pair of hinges provided within said body and separating said third magnet from each of said first and second magnets, each said hinge being configured for bending said body to conform to a shape of the container;   wherein upon insertion of each of said first, second and third magnets into a corresponding one of said recessed portions, said gripping surface of each said magnet is coplanar with a gripping side of said hinges.   
   
   
       20 . The insulator pad of  claim 19  further including two rows of ridges projecting from said body second surface and arranged generally parallel to each other, wherein a first row of ridges is constructed and arranged for gripping a bottom of the pan, and a second row of ridges is constructed and arranged for gripping a sidewall of the pan. 
   
   
       21 . A process for adhering at least one flexible magnet to a silicone body having a first, outer surface and a second surface, the process comprising the steps of:
 applying a surface active treatment to the at least one recessed portion to neutralize a mold release agent of the silicone body;   placing a strip of adhesive over said recessed portion; and   adhering the magnet to said strip of adhesive.