Beverage bottle cooling method and apparatus with assembly for holding ice and water

Abstract

The present invention relates to a beverage bottle cooling apparatus and method comprising a container for containing ice that is adapted to have a commercial beverage bottle positioned substantially therein, wherein regular ice cubes can be stored and sealed within the space between the bottle and container. The space is preferably substantially sealed by a cap which is adapted with an opening and sealing member that extends over the neck of the bottle, wherein the bottle can be held in a predetermined location by one or more supports extended within the container. The container, including the supports, is preferably molded and formed with substantially uniform wall thickness, and adapted to fit in conventional cup-holders.

1 . A cooling device for holding a beverage receptacle of a predetermined size and shape, comprising: 
 a container adapted to enable the beverage receptacle to be inserted and supported in a predetermined location inside said container, wherein a wall of said container is adapted such that when the beverage receptacle is placed in the predetermined location, a space for storing ice particles is formed between the beverage receptacle and said container;    a cap adapted to be substantially sealed onto said container, wherein said cap has an opening through which a neck of the beverage receptacle can be extended;    a sealing portion on said cap adapted to be pressed against a shoulder portion of the beverage receptacle when the beverage receptacle is in the predetermined location;    at least one support extended inward as an indentation on said wall of said container adapted to support the beverage receptacle in the predetermined location, wherein said wall and said at least one support are integrally formed and have substantially uniform wall thickness; and    wherein said device is adapted such that when the beverage receptacle is in the predetermined location, and the cap is sealed on said container, the ice particles are stored and substantially sealed in direct contact with the beverage receptacle.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one support comprises at least two support members adapted to engage and support the beverage receptacle, wherein at least one of the support members is adapted to fit substantially within a groove or indentation located on a lower end of the beverage receptacle.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one support comprises three support members, wherein two of said support members is adapted to fit substantially within two grooves or indentations located on the beverage receptacle, and a third of said support members is adapted to support an additional surface of the beverage receptacle.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said two of said support members are adapted to be substantially symmetrical relative to a parting line of said container, and said third of said support member extends through said parting line.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein each of said two of said support members has, in plan view, a substantially triangular configuration, and said third of said support members has a shelf-like configuration.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein a handle is provided on said container that extends substantially above said third of said support members.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said at least one support is adapted with a surface that helps to self-center the beverage receptacle as the beverage receptacle is inserted into said container.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the container is adapted such that when the beverage receptacle is in the predetermined location, a lower end of the beverage receptacle is positioned a predetermined distance from a sloped surface of said container, wherein the predetermined distance is sufficient to enable the ice particles in said container to be substantially distributed between the beverage receptacle and said sloped surface.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said sealing portion comprises at least one feature taken from the group consisting of: 
 1) a sealing member that extends relatively downward and inward to engage and press against the shoulder portion of the beverage receptacle;    2) at least one ribbed or blade-like surface that can be pressed against the beverage receptacle;    3) a thickness sufficient to form a water-tight seal despite uneven surfaces and/or inexact dimensions of the beverage receptacle;    4) an inner lipped flange adapted to be extended through said cap's opening to enable said sealing portion to be snapped into said cap;    5) at least one groove into which a projection on said cap can be positioned;    6) a sealing member that is bonded directly to said cap by over-molding, 2 shot, or insert molding;    7) a sealing member that is bonded, fused, welded, molded or otherwise adhered to said cap; and    8) a sealing member adapted to be pressed and sealed against the shoulder of more than one type of beverage receptacle having a different size and/or shape.    
   
   
       10 . A container for holding a beverage receptacle of a predetermined size and shape, comprising: 
 an upper portion having an opening therein for enabling the beverage receptacle to be inserted at least partially into said container;    an intermediate portion adapted such that when the beverage receptacle is placed in a predetermined location inside said container, a predetermined space is formed between a wall of said container and the beverage receptacle, wherein the space is sufficient in size for storing ice particles in direct contact with the beverage receptacle;    a lower portion that is narrower than said intermediate portion, wherein said lower portion is adapted to fit in conventional cup-holders; and    a section on said intermediate portion and/or lower portion comprising at least one support extended inward on said container for engaging and supporting the beverage receptacle in the predetermined location.    
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein said upper portion is smaller in diameter or dimension than said intermediate portion, and wherein said lower portion comprises an internal space for storing additional ice particles in said container.  
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein said at least one support comprises a plurality of support members formed as indentations on said wall of said container, wherein at least one of said plurality of support members is adapted to fit substantially within a groove or indentation located on the beverage receptacle.  
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein a handle is provided on said container, and at least one of the support members extends below said handle.  
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of said support members is adapted with a surface that helps to self-center the beverage receptacle as the beverage receptacle is inserted into said container.  
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the container is adapted with a sloped surface located on or substantially between said intermediate and lower portions, wherein said sloped surface is adapted such that when the beverage receptacle is in the predetermined location, the beverage receptacle is positioned a predetermined distance from said sloped surface, such that ice particles can be distributed between the beverage receptacle and said sloped surface.  
   
   
       16 . The container of  claim 10 , further comprising a removable cap having an opening through which a neck of the beverage receptacle can be extended, wherein said cap has a sealing portion adapted to be pressed against a shoulder portion of the beverage receptacle.  
   
   
       17 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein said sealing portion comprises at least one feature taken from the group consisting of: 
 1) a sealing member that extends relatively downward and inward to engage and press against the shoulder portion of the beverage receptacle;    2) at least one ribbed or blade-like surface that can be pressed against the beverage receptacle;    3) a thickness sufficient to form a water-tight seal despite uneven surfaces and/or inexact dimensions of the beverage receptacle;    4) an inner lipped flange adapted to be extended through said cap's opening to enable said sealing portion to be snapped into said cap;    5) at least one groove into which a projection on said cap can be positioned;    6) a sealing member that has been bonded directly to said cap by over-molding, 2 shot, or insert molding;    7) a sealing member that is bonded, fused, welded, molded or otherwise adhered to said cap; and    8) a sealing member adapted to be pressed and sealed against the shoulder of more than one type of beverage receptacle having different sizes and/or shapes.    
   
   
       18 . A method of making a cooling device for holding a beverage bottle of a predetermined size and shape, comprising: 
 molding a threaded open-top container that enables the bottle to be positioned in a predetermined location within said container, wherein a space suitable for storing ice particles in direct contact with the bottle is created between said container and the bottle when the bottle is in the predetermined location;    molding a threaded cap with an opening through which a neck of the bottle can be extended;    forming a sealing portion on said cap, said sealing portion being adapted to be pressed and substantially sealed against a shoulder portion of the bottle when the bottle is in the predetermined location; and    molding at least one support on the inside of said container as an indentation on a wall of said container, wherein said at least one support is adapted to engage and support a lower portion of the bottle, such that when the bottle is in the predetermined location, and said cap is substantially sealed onto said container, said sealing portion helps substantially seal the space.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the step of molding said at least one support comprises at least one step taken from the group consisting of: 
 1) forming at least three support members extending inward as indentations on said wall of said container to self-center and provide support for the bottle;    2) forming a plurality of support members extending inward as indentations on said wall, wherein at least one of said support members is adapted to fit within a groove or indentation located on a lower end of the bottle;    3) forming said at least one support with surfaces that help to self-center the bottle as the bottle is inserted into said container;    4) forming a plurality of support members extending inward as indentations on said wall, wherein at least two of said support members extend substantially symmetrically in relation to a parting line of said container;    5) forming at least two support members which have, in plan view, a substantially triangular configuration;    6) forming at least one support member having a shelf-like configuration; and    7) forming a handle on said container that extends substantially above at least one of said at least one support.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the step of forming said sealing portion comprises at least one step taken from the group consisting of: 
 1) forming a resilient sealing member adapted to engage and press against the shoulder portion of the bottle;    2) forming at least one ribbed or blade-like surface that can be pressed against the bottle;    3) forming a thickness sufficient to form a water-tight seal despite uneven surfaces and/or inexact dimensions of the bottle;    4) forming at least one projection on said cap and molding said sealing portion onto said at least one projection;    5) forming a sealing member that is bonded or fused directly to said cap by over-molding, 2 shot, or insert molding method;    6) forming a sealing member adapted to be pressed and sealed against the shoulder of more than one type of bottle having different sizes and/or shapes; and    7) determining the intersection of the shoulder lines of more than one type of bottle and forming a sealing member that can be pressed and sealed against said more than one type of bottle.