Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
An insulated holder for beverage containers having walls defining a generally cup-shaped, open-topped compartment for receiving a beverage container therein, with the side walls of the compartment spaced from the side walls of the beverage container throughout the major portion of the height of the compartment, said holder walls comprising an air-impervious, generally shape-sustaining inner layer defining interior wall surfaces of the holder, and an outer insulating layer of generally soft flexible foam type material secured thereto, and air-impervious means extending inwardly from the upper portion of the side walls of the holder to engage side walls of a beverage container placed in the holder compartment and form a generally airtight, sealed space in the holder compartment between the side walls of the holder and the beverage container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
An insulated holder for beverage containers having walls defining a generally cup-shaped, open-topped compartment for receiving a beverage container therein, with the side walls of the compartment spaced from the side walls of the beverage container throughout the major portion of the height of the compartment, said holder walls comprising an air-impervious, generally shape-sustaining inner layer defining interior wall surfaces of the holder, and an outer insulating layer of generally soft flexible foam type material secured thereto, and air-impervious means extending inwardly from the upper portion of the side walls of the holder to engage side walls of a beverage container placed in the holder compartment and form a generally airtight, sealed space in the holder compartment between the side walls of the holder and the beverage container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
An insulated holder as defined in claim 1 wherein said outer layer is a plastic foam, and said holder side walls are generally flexible to permit deformation under pressure without fracture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
82 words
A holder as defined in claim 1 including internal wall means in a lower portion of the holder defining a sealed sub-compartment below a beverage container received in the compartment, and a refrigerant material in said sub-compartment to impart a cooling effect to a beverage container in the holder compartment by conductive heat transfer through the bottom wall surfaces of the container and by convective heat transfer through the airtight sealed space between the side walls of the holder and the container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
An insulated holder as defined in claim 3 wherein said internal wall means includes means restricting the location of said refrigerant in said sub-compartment to a position below the bottom of a beverage container placed in said holder compartment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A holder as defined in claim 3 wherein said internal wall means comprises wall members defining a sealed sub-compartment which is removable from said holder compartment and is receivable into the lower portion of the holder compartment for engagement with the bottom of a beverage container placed in the holder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
An insulated holder as defined in claim 2 wherein said inner layer is a plastic sheet material of relatively thin wall construction to which said plastic foam layer is secured.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
83 words
A holder as defined in claim 1 wherein said air-impervious means for engaging the side walls of a beverage container comprises a thin elastomeric material attached to and extending inwardly from an upper inwardly turned lip portion of the side walls of the holder and defining an opening which is substantially smaller in dimension than the transverse dimension of a beverage container to be received therein, whereby the elastomeric material sealingly engages the side walls of the beverage container in airtight relation therewith.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
A holder as defined in claim 7 including valve means in a wall of said holder for permitting air to leave said airtight space during insertion of a beverage container into the holder compartment and, upon either automatic or manual displacement, for permitting air to enter said airtight space during removal of a beverage container from the holder compartment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
91 words
A holder as defined in claim 8 wherein said valve means comprises one or more openings through a side wall portion of said holder into said compartment, a flexible valve element attached to said side wall in overlying relation to said openings to normally permit the exit of air under pressure from said compartment through said openings and prevent the entrance of air into the compartment therethrough, and said flexible valve element being manually displacable to permit the passage of air into said compartment through said openings during beverage container removal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
144 words
A holder as defined in claim 1 wherein said means extending inwardly from the upper portion of the side walls of the holder to form said compartment opening comprises an elastomeric, thin membrane extending generally horizontally inwardly therefrom to form a small opening in the top of the holder, said membrane having a peripheral bead, said upper portion of the side walls of the holder having a corresponding peripheral groove, said membrane bead being disposed in said groove, and a ring member overlying said peripheral bead and groove in said upper side wall portion to secure said membrane in airtight, taut relation to said side wall, said membrane being elastically deformable by introduction of the beverage container into the compartment to enlarge said opening and to have a portion thereof disposed along the side walls of the beverager container to sealingly engage the same.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A holder as defined in claim 10 wherein said ring member is secured to the upper side wall of the holder in snap-fit relation therewith.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
A holder as defined in claim 1 wherein said means extending inwardly from the upper portion of the side walls of the holder comprises an extension of said air impervious inner layer which tapers inwardly and upwardly to engage the side walls of the beverage container received in the holder.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A holder as defined in claim 1 wherein said holder includes handle means serving to support the same.