Abstract An improved beverage container holder manufactured by a process including the steps of providing a cylindrical outer cup of foam material and press fitting a cylindrical inner cup within the outer cup after filling the annulus formed therebetween with a refreezable fluid. The cylindrical inner cup includes a radially extending flanged region at the open end which comprises an inwardly and downwardly tapered rib circumferentially disposed about the cup for engaging and becoming embeded within the side walls of the cylindrical outer cup to form a cylindrical seal therearound. A resilient outer ring means is snapped over the juncture between the respective open ends of the inner and outer cup to secure the seal therebetween. The refreezable fluid contained therein is preferably bled of excess pressure imparted during the assembly insertion of the inner cup into the fluid containing outer cup by squeezing an intermediate portion of the assembled cup configuration to force excess fluid and/or air through the interface between the inner and outer cup juncture prior to receiving the outer ring thereover. In this manner, excess pressure is not retained within the assembled structure.
A method of manufacturing a refreezable beverage container holder comprising the steps of: providing a cylindrical outer cup of foam material; providing a cylindrical inner cup having a height less than that of the outer cup and a radially extending flanged region at an open end which comprises an inwardly and downwardly tapered rib circumferentially disposed about the inner cup that has an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the outer cup; injecting freezeable gel into said outer cup; inserting said inner cup into said outer cup to squeeze said gel up around said inner cup; and embedding said flanged region within the side walls of an open end of said outer cup by press-fitting the inner cup into the outer cup with the inner and outer cup side wall spaced from each other to seal said gel behind a juncture of closure between said inner and outer cups.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of manufacturing a refreezable beverage container holder comprising the steps of: providing a cylindrical outer cup of foam material; providing a cylindrical inner cup having a height less than that of the outer cup and a radially extending flanged region at an open end which comprises an inwardly and downwardly tapered rib circumferentially disposed about the inner cup that has an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the outer cup; injecting freezeable gel into said outer cup; inserting said inner cup into said outer cup to squeeze said gel up around said inner cup; and embedding said flanged region within the side walls of an open end of said outer cup by press-fitting the inner cup into the outer cup with the inner and outer cup side wall spaced from each other to seal said gel behind a juncture of closure between said inner and outer cups.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein a resilient outer ring is provided and said ring is snapped over the juncture of closure of said cups to secure the seal therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of inserting said inner cup into said outer cup includes imparting a pressure to said gel, and the step of burping said outer cup to relieve said pressure of compressed gel therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as set forth in claim 3 wherein the step of burping said outer cup includes applying an intermediate flexing force and squeezing said outer cup relative to said inner cup to force fluid through said juncture of closure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said inwardly and downwardly tapering rib is formed at an angle on the order of forty five degrees relative to the axis of said inner cup.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of inserting said inner cup into said outer cup includes the step of supporting the central portion of said outer cup and providing a generally centrally disposed insertion force to said inner cup.