Beverage insulating devices

Abstract

Insulating devices are disclosed that are designed to hold a beverage container, such as a can or a plastic or glass bottle. The devices include a body designed to maintain the temperature of the contents of the container and a base mounted on the body. The base includes an exposed surface configured to prevent sliding of the device on a surface on which the device is placed. The base may also be configured to enhance the stiffness of the lower part of the body and may improve the insulating characteristics of the device, for example, if the device is placed on a surface having a temperature that is significantly hotter or colder than the air temperature.

1 . A beverage container insulating device, comprising:
 a soft-sided generally cylindrical body having an upper end configured to receive a beverage container, a central area configured to surround and insulate the container during use, and an open lower end, and   a polymeric base joined to the open lower end to close the lower end, the polymeric base having an exposed bottom surface.   
     
     
         2 . The beverage container insulating device of  claim 1 , wherein the body is formed of an inner fabric layer, an outer fabric layer, and an insulating layer disposed between the inner and outer fabric layers. 
     
     
         3 . The beverage container insulating device of  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric base comprises an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         4 . The beverage container insulating device of  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric base comprises a central disc and a rim extending upwards from a perimeter of the disc. 
     
     
         5 . The beverage container insulating device of  claim 4 , wherein the open lower end of the body is fastened to the rim of the polymeric base. 
     
     
         6 . The beverage container insulating device of  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric base is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoset polymers, thermoplastic rubbers, silicones, natural rubber, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The beverage container insulating device of  claim 6 , wherein the polymeric base comprises a thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
         8 . The beverage container insulating device of  claim 6 , wherein the polymeric base is formed of a moldable ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam. 
     
     
         9 . The beverage container insulating device of  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric base is formed of a material having a durometer of from about 30 to 90 Shore A. 
     
     
         10 . The beverage container insulating device of  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric base is formed of the material having the durometer of from about 40 to 55 Shore A. 
     
     
         11 . The beverage container insulating device of  claim 4 , wherein the disc of the polymeric base has a convex region having a radius of curvature of about 1 to 10 mm. 
     
     
         12 . The beverage container insulating device of  claim 5 , wherein the rim of the polymeric base is covered by the body. 
     
     
         13 . The beverage container insulating device of  claim 5 , wherein the disk of the polymeric base has a thickness of about 2.5 to 10 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The beverage container insulating device of  claim 5 , wherein the rim of the polymeric base has a thickness of about 1 to 10 mm. 
     
     
         15 . A beverage container insulating device, comprising:
 a soft-sided generally cylindrical body having an upper end configured to receive a beverage container, a central area configured to surround and insulate the container during use, and an open lower end, and   a polymeric base joined to the open lower end to close the lower end, the polymeric base comprising an elastomeric material.   
     
     
         16 . A method of making a beverage container insulating device, comprising the steps of:
 providing a soft-sided generally cylindrical body having an upper end configured to receive a beverage container, a central area configured to surround and insulate the container during use, and an open lower end,   a polymeric base having an exposed bottom surface, and   joining the polymeric base along the periphery to the open lower end of the cylindrical body to close the lower end.   
     
     
         17 . A method of using a beverage container insulating device, comprising the steps of:
 providing a soft-sided generally cylindrical body having an upper end configured to receive a beverage container, a central area configured to surround and insulate the container during use, and an open lower end,   a polymeric base joined to the open lower end to close the lower end, the polymeric base having an exposed bottom surface, and   inserting the beverage container through the upper end to keep cool the content of the container.