Thermal insulating device

Abstract

A thermal insulating device, particularly suitable for maintaining the chilled state of a wine bottle, comprises an outer paperboard tube, an inner paperboard tube and a base. The base is supported on an inwardly rolled bead formed on the outer paperboard tube and the inner paperboard tube is formed with an appropriate profile to space it from the outer paperboard tube to define a cavity therebetween. The device may be provided with a lid. The invention provides a low cost insulating device which may be used for the retail sale of pre-chilled wines or other beverages.

1 . A thermal insulating device comprising an outer paperboard tube, an inner paperboard tube located within the outer paperboard tube, separating means defining a substantially uniform air-gap between the inner and outer paperboard tubes, and means for supporting an item to be insulated within the inner paperboard tube so that the item may be lifted by manually grasping and lifting the outer paperboard tube.  
   
   
       2 . A thermal insulating device according to  claim 1  wherein a base is secured to one of the paperboard tubes.  
   
   
       3 . A thermal insulating device according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of the paperboard tubes is a spiral wound paperboard tube.  
   
   
       4 . A thermal insulating device according to  claim 1  wherein one of the paperboard tubes is formed with a bead or curl which engages the other paperboard tube to form the separating means.  
   
   
       5 . A thermal insulating device according to  claim 1  wherein the inner paperboard tube is formed with an outwardly rolled bead at both ends thereof which beads engage the inner surface of the outer paperboard tube and form the separating means.  
   
   
       6 . A thermal insulating device according to any preceding  claim 5  wherein an adhesive bond is provided between one or both beads and the other paperboard tube  
   
   
       7 . A thermal insulating device according to any of  claim 5  wherein a weld is effected between the paperboard tubes by using poly-coated surfaces on the tubes.  
   
   
       8 . A thermal insulating device according to  claim 1  wherein the supporting means is a disc of material which is supported on an inwardly rolled bead of the outer paperboard tube.  
   
   
       9 . A thermal insulating device according to  claim 8  wherein the outer paperboard tube is formed with an inwardly rolled bead to support the base whilst the inner paperboard tube is formed with an outwardly rolled bead to form part of the separating means.  
   
   
       10 . A thermal insulating device according to  claim 9  wherein the inner paperboard tube is located within the outer point paperboard tube such that the disc is trapped between the bead of the outer paperboard tube and the lower bead of the inner paperboard tube.  
   
   
       11 . A thermal insulating device according to  claim 1  wherein the outer paperboard tube is formed with an inwardly rolled bead at the opposite end from the base so as to retain the inner paperboard tube in position.  
   
   
       12 . A thermal insulating device according to  claim 1  comprising a removable cap at one end of the device so as to close the otherwise open mouth of the device.