GB2474858A - Insulated can holder and method of manufacture - Google Patents

Abstract

An insulated vessel holder is disclosed that is disposable, recyclable and printable The insulated vessel holder is formed form a blank 10 of insulated, paper based material comprising a single piece of material having a central section 12 and two wings 14, 16, although there may be three or more wings 14, 16. Each wing 14, 16 is connected to opposed sides of the central section at fold lines 14f and 16f respectively. The blank 10 is folded to bring the wings into contact in at least two spaced locations. A sleeve is formed by securing the wings to each other at each spaced contact location. The sleeve 22 is sized to receive a vessel. The sleeve 22 is closed at one end by the central section 12. Consequently, a straight-sided vessel such as a bottle can be inserted into the sleeve 22 without the risk of the bottle sliding through the sleeve 22. The paper based material includes air-gap forming means to create air gaps between a drinker's hand and bottle. The vessel holder 20 therefore provides an insulated holder that allows a drinker to hold a bottle in a convenient manner. In use, the air gaps insulate the drinker's hand from the bottle therefore providing a more enjoyable drinking experience both because the users hand is insulated from the coldness of the bottle and also because the beverage stays cold longer due to being insulated from the users hand and other environmental heat sources. The air gaps may be formed via corrugations, embossing, or enclosing air bubbles in the paper based material.

Description

Insulated Vessel Holder and Method of Manufacture The present invention relates to an insulated vessel holder and a method of manufacture, and in particular, although not exclusively to an insulated vessel holder for holding chilled drinks containers such as glass bottles, aluminium bottles and aluminium cans.

Insulated vessel holders are known. For instance, in Australia it is common for drinkers to place their chilled drinks container in a holder termed a "stubby cooler". Known stubby coolers consist of a holder manufactured from Neoprene and include a sleeve that is adapted to fit around a bottle or can such that the sleeve extends around the drinks container. Because the Neoprene has thermally insulating properties, a drinkers hand is insulated relative to the drinks container when held via the stubby cooler. Thus, the contents of the drinks container remains cooler for longer. Moreover, the drinker is insulated from the drinks container and is not left uncomfortable from direct contact with a chilled drinks container.

Known neoprene stubby coolers often have information such as logos, pictures, or text printed on the exterior surfaces thereof for the purpose of promoting products, ideas and organisations which are associated in some way with the printed information. Such stubby coolers are often used in hotels and at social functions for promotional purposes.

Because of the robust nature of neoprene stubby coolers, the insulated bottle holders are re-usable. That is, the neoprene insulated bottle holders are not designed to be disposed of after a single use due to the high cost and poor recyclability of the materials used. Rather, a drinker may purchase a personal insulated bottle holder that is used to hold many bottles over a period of time. Thus, the drinker is required to carry the insulated bottle holder in their possession whilst not drinking a bottle. Moreover, the drinker has to remember to carry the insulated bottle holder with them in case they require a drink. Furthermore, due to the re-usable nature of neoprene insulated bottle holders, the marketing effect is diluted. For instance, an insulated bottle holder branded by one manufacturer may be used to hold a bottle branded by another. Alternatively, at an event organised by one brand, drinkers may be using insulated bottle holders branded with a competing or rival event.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an insulated vessel holder that is disposable.

Due to the current requirement of environmental responsibility, it is a commercial necessity that in order to be disposable the holder must be recyclable.

According to the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing an insulated vessel holder and an insulated vessel holder as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description which follows.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a method of manufacturing an insulated vessel holder. The method comprises forming a blank of paper based material. Advantageously, because the blank is formed from a paper based material it is easily recyclable and print can be readily applied. The paper based material includes air-gap forming means. The air-gap forming means may be achieved in a numerous ways. Importantly however, in use, the air-gap forming means is arrangeable to form air-gaps between a users hand and a vessel being held. The blank includes a central section and two wings. One wing would not work because the central section would only be supported at one position. Whilst three or more wings would work, it is preferable that the blank comprises two wings for simplicity. The two wings are connected to the central section at fold lines on directly opposite sides of the central section.

The method comprises folding each of the wings so as to bring the two wings into contact in at least two spaced contact locations. Each of the spaced contact locations extends at an angle to the fold lines connecting the wings to the central section. Once folded the wings are attached to each other at each spaced location to form a sleeve. The sleeve is sized so as to receive a vessel. It will be appreciated that the sleeve is closed at one end by the central section. The method forms an advantageous insulated vessel holder. Moreover, the method forms the insulated vessel holder in a cost effective and scalable process.

According to a second aspect there is provided an insulated vessel holder. The insulated vessel holder is formed from a blank of paper based material. Advantageously, because the blank is formed from a paper based material it is easily recyclable and print can be readily applied. The paper based material includes air-gap forming means. The air-gap forming means may be achieved in a numerous ways. Importantly however, in use, the air-gap forming means is arrangeable to form air-gaps between a users hand and a vessel being held.

The blank includes a central section and two wings. One wing would not work because the central section would only be supported at one position. Whilst three or more wings would work, it is preferable that the blank comprises two wings for simplicity. The two wings are connected to the central section at fold lines on directly opposite sides of the central section.

Each wing is connected to the other at two spaced contact locations to form a sleeve. The sleeve is sized so as to receive a vessel. Each of the spaced contact locations extends at an angle to the fold lines connecting the wings to the central section. Thus the sleeve is closed at one end by the central section. The insulated vessel holder is advantageous because it is low cost due to being formed from paper based material. Moreover, it is recyclable, disposable and readily printable.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a blank of paper based material for forming an insulated vessel holder.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a formed insulated vessel holder from an underside.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the insulated vessel holder from a top side.

Referring to Figure 1 a blank 10 of insulated, paper based material is shown. The blank comprises a single piece of material having a central section 12 and two wings 14, 16. Each wing 14, 16 is connected to the central section at fold lines 14f and 16f respectively. The wings 14, 16 are arranged on opposed sides of the central section 12. The blank 10 is folded and secured so as to form a vessel holder 20 (as shown in Figures 2 and 3). The vessel holder 20 is formed by folding the wings 14, 16 out of plane by approximately 90° to the central section and securing each wing to the other at two spaced locations. Thus a sleeve 22 is formed by the two wings for receiving a vessel. It will be appreciated that the vessel could be any type of drinks vessel or drinks container such as a glass bottle, aluminium bottle or aluminium can. The sleeve 22 is closed at one end by the central section 12. Consequently, a straight-sided vessel can be inserted into the sleeve. The central section 12 is advantageous as it restricts straight sided vessels from sliding through the sleeve and therefore eliminates the need to grip the holder to constrict the sleeve about the vessel in order to stop the vessel from falling, as would be necessary if the central section were not provided. The paper based material includes air-gap forming means to create air gaps between a drinker's hand and drinks vessel.

The vessel holder 20 therefore provides an insulated holder that allows a drinker to hold a drinks vessel in a convenient manner. The air gaps insulate the drinker's hand from the vessel therefore providing a more enjoyable drinking experience both because the users hand is insulated from the coldness of the drinks vessel and also because the beverage stays cold longer due to being insulated from the users hand and other environmental heat sources.

Importantly, because the insulated vessel holder is made from a paper based material, the holder is low cost and because of the known recyclability of paper based products, is disposable. Moreover, print is easily applied.

Suitably the air-gap forming means may comprise peaks and troughs formed on a surface of the blank. For instance, the blank may be formed from an embossed paper based material.

Here, the embossing causes raised peaks and relative surrounding troughs on a surface of the blank. The blank may be embossed on both sides or just one. If only one side is embossed, the blank may be folded such that in use the embossed side faces inwardly (i.e. faces towards the bottle) or alternatively may face outwardly (i.e. faces towards the drinker). Either way, the peaks and respective troughs cause air-gaps to be formed between the drinker and vessel.

As an alternative to, or in addition to embossing the blank, the air-gap forming means may comprise peaks and troughs formed by a corrugated assembly. The corrugated assembly can be formed in any known way and may be single faced or double faced. A single faced corrugated assembly comprises an embossed or gathered sheet of paper based material glued to a second lining sheet of paper based material. Thus the embossed or gathered sheet of paper forms flutes on one side of the blank. Again, the flutes can be arranged to either face inwardly or outwardly, with the air-gaps being formed between peaks and troughs of the flutes and vessel or drinker respectively. For example, when facing inwardly, the peaks contact the vessel but the troughs are spaced there from. Consequently the outer surface is insulated from the vessel by the air-gaps there formed. Whilst a double faced corrugated assembly may be harder to roll and form into the insulated vessel holder, in some circumstances it may be useable. Here a lining sheet is bonded to either side of the embossed or gathered sheet of paper based material. Thus the air-gaps are formed between the two sheets.

In order to be easily recyclable it is important that the blank is assembled from paper based material. This does not exclude the use of glue or adhesive from the assembly, for instance that used in the corrugating process. Furthermore, it does not exclude the desirable application of treatments or print material. For example, it may be preferable to treat at least the surface of the blank that in use contacts the drinks vessel with a water-resisting or water-proofing agent such as wax or silicone, in order to minimise the absorption of condensation and other liquids into the paper based material. Thus the risk of the paper becoming soggy and weak is reduced.

It is desirable to print the paper based material prior to cutting the blank. The print can be added in any well known way. Advantageously, because the insulated vessel holder is manufactured from a paper based material, it is open to a wide number of possible printing methods. However, a particularly applicable printing method is described in EP1610943.

As mentioned, the insulated vessel holder 20 is particularly suited to holding straight sided vessels that do not taper to be narrower at the base than a mid or top of the bottle. Thus, as shown in the Figures, the sleeve 22 is arranged to form a substantially cylindrical shape.

Suitably, this is achieved by forming the wings from rectangular or square sections. To complement the shape of the formed sleeve, the central section is shown as being generally circular. Here the fold lines 14f and 16f form internal chords of the generally circular central section. It will be appreciated however, that the wings 14, 16 and central section 12 may have alternative outlines. For instance the edges of the wings opposed to the respective fold line may be other than straight in order to give the vessel holder distinctiveness. Moreover, holes and patterns may be formed in other edges or surfaces of each wing or central section for decorative of promotional purposes. Importantly, however, the fold lines 14f, 16f are straight, spaced and parallel to each other It is preferable to secure each wing to the other at two spaced locations using a first and second glue line. Suitably, the glue lines may be parallel and normal to the fold lines 14f and 16f. Alternatively glue spots may be used although again these may be along two spaced parallel lines. It will be appreciated that as an alternative to glue, other known adhesive means may be employed. To aid the securing process, suitably flaps 18, 19 may be provided for receiving adhesive. The flaps are shown in Figure 1 as extending from either side of one flap 16. Alternatively one flap may be provided on each opposite wing. The flaps are integral to the wings but may be delineated by fold lines 18f, 19f. Here the fold lines are substantially normal to the fold lines 14f and 16f. Consequently, when the two wings are attached to each other at the at least two spaced locations and the two fold lines 14f, 16f are separated by the distance of the central section 12, the wings 14, 16 naturally form a substantially cylindrical shape due to the resilient nature of the paper based material.

In order to form the insulated vessel holder, the glue or adhesive is applied and the respective wings brought into contact. Whilst this may be done without bending the central section it is advantageous to form a fold line 12f in the central section 12. Thus, during assembly, the central section can be folded so that parts on either side of the fold line lay face-to-face against each other, thereby allowing the two wings to be pressed together. Suitably, the two wings can be pressed together using two opposed pressing plates or by pressing the folded and glued blank through two opposed rollers. Preferably, the fold line 12f may be in the centre of the two fold lines 14f and 16f and may be parallel thereto. It will be appreciated that the fold line 1 2f also enables the insulated vessel holder to be packed flat for storage and transport.

To aid the assembly process, fold lines 12f, 14f, 16f, 18f, and 19f may be scored prior to folding.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the insulated vessel holder provides a disposable, one-off product that can be easily recycled and printed. The provision of the central section enables even straight sided vessels to be held.

Claims (10)

1. Claims 1. A method of manufacturing an insulated vessel holder, the method comprising: forming a blank of paper based material having an air-gap forming means, the blank including a central section and two wings, wherein the wings are connected to the central section at fold lines and on opposite sides of the central section; folding the blank so as to bring the two wings into contact in at least two spaced contact locations; and attaching the wings to each other at each of the at least two spaced contact locations in order to form a sleeve for receiving a vessel, wherein the sleeve is closed at one end by the central section and arrangeable such that the air-gap forming means forms air-gaps between the user and vessel.
2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of folding the blank comprises forming a fold in the central section.
3. 3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the step of attaching the wings to each other comprises folding a tab on one of the flaps back on itself and attaching the flap to the other wing.
4. 4. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the air-gap forming means comprises peaks and troughs formed on a surface of the blank of paper based material, wherein the sleeve is arranged in use to form air gaps between the vessel and sleeve or sleeve and user to insulate the vessel.
5. 5. The method of any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the air-gap forming means comprises pockets of air formed between two outer sheets of paper based material.
6. 6. An insulated vessel holder wherein the holder comprises a blank of insulated paper based material that includes air-gap forming means and that has been folded so that a first wing, which is connected to one side of a central section along a first fold line, is attached to a second wing, which is connected to an opposite side of the central section along a second fold line, in at least two spaced contact locations in order to form a sleeve for receiving a vessel wherein the sleeve is closed at one end by the central section and arrangeable in use such that the air-gap forming means forms air-gaps between the user and vessel.
7. 7. The holder of claim 6, wherein the central section includes a fold line such that the holder can be resiliently squashed flat.
8. 8. The holder of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the blank of insulated paper material includes a flap formed on one of the wings to form each spaced contact location.
9. 9. The holder of any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the air-gap forming means comprises peaks and troughs formed on a surface of the blank of paper based material wherein the sleeve is arrangeable in use such that the peaks and troughs for air-gaps between the vessel and sleeve or sleeve and user.
10. 10. The holder of any of claims 6 to 8 wherein the air-gap forming means comprises pockets of air formed between two outer sheets of paper based material.