Bottle coolers and method of promoting bottled beverages

Abstract

The present invention relates to bottle coolers and a method of promoting bottled beverage products by promoting bottle coolers made specifically for that bottled beverage product. The bottle cooler preferably comprises a container for containing ice that is adapted to have the beverage bottle positioned substantially therein, wherein regular ice cubes from standard ice dispensers can be stored and sealed within the space between the bottle and container, to help keep the beverage inside cool. The space is preferably substantially sealed by a cap which is adapted with an opening and a sealing member that extends over the neck of the bottle, wherein the bottle can be held in between the sealing member and one or more supporting surfaces extending substantially underneath the bottle. Other embodiments that fit particular bottles using refrigerants are contemplated.

1 . A cooler for holding a beverage receptacle, comprising: 
 a container adapted to enable the beverage receptacle to be inserted at least partially therein, wherein said container is adapted with an inner shell and outer shell secured together;    wherein said inner shell is provided with at least one support extended on the inside for engaging the beverage receptacle, wherein at least one of said at least one support is adapted to engage a portion of the beverage receptacle in a manner that helps to maintain the beverage receptacle in a substantially fixed position inside said container, wherein a space for storing ice particles is formed between the beverage receptacle and the inner shell;    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, wherein a sealing member is provided which can be pressed against a shoulder portion of the beverage receptacle when the beverage receptacle is in said container; and    wherein said cooler is adapted such that when said cap is substantially sealed onto said container with the beverage receptacle inside, said sealing member is capable of being pressed and substantially sealed against the shoulder portion of the beverage receptacle, to substantially seal the space with the ice particles inside the container in direct contact with the beverage receptacle.    
   
   
       2 . The cooler of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one support comprises a plurality of support members extended from said inner shell of said container for self-centering and supporting the beverage receptacle, wherein at least one of said support members is adapted to fit into a groove and/or indentation located on a lower portion of the beverage receptacle, to substantially prevent the beverage receptacle from rotating inside said cooler.  
   
   
       3 . The cooler of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one support comprises at least one support member extending upward from a floor of said inner shell, wherein said support member has an upper surface adapted to engage a lower portion of the beverage receptacle, wherein the engagement of said upper surface with the beverage receptacle helps to maintain the beverage receptacle in a substantially fixed position inside the container.  
   
   
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       23 . The cooler of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one support comprises at least one feature taken from the group consisting of: 
 a) a plurality of support members extending inward and/or upward inside said inner shell, wherein said support members are formed as indentations on said inner shell;    b) a plurality of support members extending inward and/or upward inside said inner shell, wherein said support members are adapted to fit into at least one groove and/or indentation located on the beverage receptacle;    c) a plurality of support members extending inward and/or upward inside said inner shell, and at least one center support member extending upward from a floor of said inner shell;    d) a plurality of support members adapted to fit into at least one groove and/or indentation located on the beverage receptacle, and at least one center support member extending upward from a floor of said inner shell;    e) a plurality of support members extending inward and/or upward inside said inner shell, and at least one center support member extending upward from a floor of said inner shell adapted to fit into at least one groove and/or indentation located on the beverage receptacle; and    f) a center support member on a floor of said inner shell for engaging and supporting the beverage receptacle.    
   
   
       24 . The cooler of  claim 1 , wherein said sealing member is made from a resilient material and comprises at least one feature taken from the group consisting of: 
 a) a sealing portion that extends relatively downward and inward to engage and press against the shoulder portion of the beverage receptacle;    b) a semi-circular or semi-oval cross-sectional shape;    c) at least one blade or rib portion;    d) a durometer of at least 25 Shore A;    e) at least a portion connected to a projection extending from said cap;    f) at least a portion that is capable of being snapped mechanically into said cap;    g) at least a portion that is bonded directly to said cap using an over-mold, two-shot or like method; and    h) a thickness and/or resiliency sufficient to provide a seal against beverage receptacles that are not made to exact dimensions.    
   
   
       25 . The cooler of  claim 1 , wherein said inner and outer shells comprise at least one feature taken from the group consisting of: 
 a) said inner shell has an externally threaded section for engaging an internally threaded section on said cap;    b) said inner and outer shells are secured together with a mechanical connection, sonic welding, spin welding, bonding, and/or adhesive;    c) said inner shell has a flange extended thereon, onto which an upper portion of said outer shell is secured; and/or    d) an insulation material substantially between said inner and outer shells.    
   
   
       26 . The cooler of  claim 1 , wherein said cap comprises at least one feature taken from the group consisting of: 
 a) a grip portion;    b) a grip portion having a diameter smaller than the outside diameter of said cap;    c) an internally threaded section;    d) a grip portion below said sealing member, and above an internally threaded section;    e) a handle pivotally mounted to said cap;    f) a groove to provide an interference fit relative to said container for sealing said cap onto said container; and/or    g) a gasket for sealing said cap onto said container.    
   
   
       27 . The cooler of  claim 1 , wherein a handle is provided that comprises at least one feature taken from the group consisting of: 
 a) said handle is pivotally mounted to said cap;    b) said handle is pivotally mounted to said cap and adapted with at least one stop to limit the movement of said handle;    c) said handle is pivotally mounted to said cap and adapted with an extended section to clear the top of the beverage receptacle when the beverage receptacle is positioned in said container;    d) said handle is pivotally mounted to said cap, with pegs that can be inserted into notches on said cap;    e) said handle is mounted to said cap and has webbed stiffeners; and/or    f) said handle extends from said outer shell of said container.    
   
   
       28 . A cooler for holding a beverage receptacle, comprising: 
 a molded container adapted such that when the beverage receptacle is placed in said container, a space for storing ice particles in direct contact with the beverage receptacle is formed between the beverage receptacle and said container;    a molded 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 molded sealing member on said cap, wherein said sealing member is made substantially from a material having a durometer of at least 25 Shore A, wherein said sealing member is adapted to be pressed against a shoulder portion of the beverage receptacle when the beverage receptacle is placed in said container; and    wherein said cap and container have threaded sections to enable them to be tightened and sealed together, such that with the beverage receptacle inside said container, said sealing member can be pressed and sealed against the beverage receptacle, and the space substantially sealed.    
   
   
       29 . The cooler of  claim 28 , wherein said container comprises at least one support extended on the inside for engaging the beverage receptacle, wherein said at least one support comprises at least one feature taken from the group consisting of: 
 a) at least one support member adapted to engage a portion of the beverage receptacle in a manner that helps to maintain the beverage receptacle in a substantially fixed position inside said container;    b) a plurality of support members extending inward and/or upward inside said container, wherein said support members are formed as indentations on said container;    c) a plurality of support members extending inward and/or upward inside said container, wherein said support members are adapted to fit into grooves and/or indentations located on the beverage receptacle;    d) a plurality of support members extending inward and/or upward inside said container, and at least one center support member extending upward from a floor of said container;    e) a plurality of support members inside said container adapted to fit into at least one groove and/or indentation located on the beverage receptacle, and at least one center support member extending upward from a floor of said container;    f) a plurality of support members extending inward and/or upward inside said container, and at least one center support member adapted to fit into at least one groove and/or indentation located on the beverage receptacle; and    g) a center support member extending upward from a floor of said container for engaging and supporting the beverage receptacle.    
   
   
       30 . The cooler of  claim 28 , wherein said sealing member is made from a resilient material and comprises at least one feature taken from the group consisting of: 
 a) a sealing portion that extends relatively downward and inward to engage and press against the shoulder of the beverage receptacle;    b) a semi-circular or semi-oval cross-sectional shape;    c) at least one blade or rib portion;    d) at least a portion connected to a projection extending from said cap;    e) at least a portion that is capable of being snapped mechanically into said cap;    f) at least a portion bonded directly to said cap using an over-mold, two-shot or like method; and/or    g) a thickness and/or resiliency sufficient to provide a seal against beverage receptacles that are not made to exact dimensions.    
   
   
       31 . The cooler of  claim 28 , wherein said container comprises inner and outer shells that are secured together, and have at least one feature taken from the group consisting of: 
 a) said inner shell having an externally threaded section for engaging an internally threaded section on said cap;    b) said inner and outer shells are secured together with a mechanical connection, sonic welding, spin welding, bonding, and/or adhesive;    c) said inner shell has a flange extended thereon, onto which an upper portion of said outer shell is secured; and/or    d) an insulation material substantially between said inner and outer shells.    
   
   
       32 . The cooler of  claim 28 , wherein said cap comprises at least one feature taken from the group consisting of: 
 a) a grip portion;    b) a grip portion having a diameter smaller than the outside diameter of said cap;    c) an internally threaded section;    d) a grip portion below said sealing member, and above an internally threaded section;    e) a handle pivotally mounted to said cap;    f) a groove to provide an interference fit relative to said container for sealing said cap onto said container; and/or    g) a gasket for sealing said cap onto said container.    
   
   
       33 . The cooler of  claim 28 , wherein a handle is provided that comprises at least one feature taken from the group consisting of: 
 a) said handle is pivotally mounted to said cap;    a) said handle is pivotally mounted to said cap and adapted with at least one stop to limit the movement of said handle;    b) said handle is pivotally mounted to said cap and adapted with an extended section to clear the top of the beverage receptacle when the beverage receptacle is positioned in said container;    c) said handle is pivotally mounted to said cap, with pegs that can be inserted into notches on said cap;    d) said handle is mounted to said cap and has webbed stiffeners; and/or    e) said handle extends from said outer shell of said container.    
   
   
       34 . A method of making a cooler for holding a beverage receptacle, comprising: 
 molding a container adapted to enable the beverage receptacle to be inserted at least partially therein, wherein said container is adapted such that when the beverage receptacle is placed in said container, a space for storing ice particles in direct contact with the beverage receptacle is formed between the beverage receptacle and said container;    molding 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;    molding a sealing member onto said cap using an over-mold, two shot or like method, wherein said sealing member is adapted to be pressed against a shoulder portion of the beverage receptacle when the beverage receptacle is placed in said container; and    wherein said cooler is adapted such that when said cap is substantially sealed onto said container with the beverage receptacle inside, said sealing member is sealed against the beverage receptacle, and the space is substantially sealed.    
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the step of molding said container comprises forming at least one support extended on the inside of said container for engaging and supporting the beverage receptacle, wherein said at least one support comprises at least one feature taken from the group consisting of: 
 a) at least one support member adapted to engage a portion of the beverage receptacle in a manner that helps to maintain the beverage receptacle in a substantially fixed position inside said container;    b) a plurality of support members extending inward and/or upward inside said container, wherein said support members are formed as indentations on said container;    c) a plurality of support members extending inward and/or upward inside said container, wherein said support members are adapted to fit into grooves and/or indentations located on the beverage receptacle;    d) a plurality of support members extending inward and/or upward inside said container, and at least one center support member extending upward from a floor of said container;    e) a plurality of support members adapted to fit into at least one groove and/or indentation located on the beverage receptacle, and at least one center support member extending upward from a floor of said container;    f) a plurality of support members extending inward and/or upward inside said container, and at least one center support member extending upward from a floor of said container adapted to fit into at least one groove and/or indentation located on the beverage receptacle; and    g) a center support member extending upward from a floor of said container for engaging and supporting the beverage receptacle.    
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the step of molding said sealing member comprises forming said sealing member from a resilient material, with at least one feature taken from the group consisting of: 
 a) a sealing portion that extends relatively downward and inward to engage and press against the shoulder of the beverage receptacle;    b) a semi-circular or semi-oval cross-sectional shape;    c) at least one blade or rib portion;    d) at least a portion connected to a projection extending from said cap;    e) at least a portion that is capable of being snapped mechanically into said cap;    f) at least a portion bonded directly to said cap using an over-mold, two-shot or like method;    g) a thickness and/or resiliency sufficient to provide a seal against beverage receptacles that are not made to exact dimensions; and/or    h) a durometer of 25 Shore A or greater.    
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the step of molding said container comprises molding inner and outer shells and providing at least one feature taken from the group consisting of: 
 a) an externally threaded section on said inner shell for engaging an internally threaded section on said cap;    b) said inner and outer shells are secured together with a mechanical connection, sonic welding, spin welding, bonding, and/or adhesive;    c) said inner shell has a flange extended thereon, onto which an upper portion of said outer shell is secured; and/or    d) an insulation material substantially between said inner and outer shells.    
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the step of molding said cap comprises providing at least one feature taken from the group consisting of: 
 a) a grip portion;    b) a grip portion having a diameter smaller than the outside diameter of said cap;    c) an internally threaded section;    d) a grip portion below said sealing member, and above an internally threaded section;    e) a handle pivotally mounted to said cap;    f) a groove to provide an interference fit relative to said container for sealing said cap onto said container; and/or    g) a gasket for sealing said cap onto said container.    
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the method comprises molding a handle and providing at least one feature taken from the group consisting of: 
 a) pivotally securing said handle to said cap;    b) pivotally mounting said handle to said cap and providing at least one stop to limit the movement of said handle;    c) pivotally mounting said handle to said cap and providing an extended section on said handle to clear the top of the beverage receptacle when the beverage receptacle is positioned in said container;    d) pivotally mounting said handle to said cap, with pegs that can be inserted into notches on said cap;    e) mounting said handle to said cap and providing webbed stiffeners on said handle; and/or    f) extending said handle from said outer shell of said container.