Beverage container insulators and methods for making the same

Abstract

A beverage container insulator comprising: A molded pulp cylinder formed from a polysaccharide and having an inside surface, an outside surface, a first end having a first opening, a second end having a second opening, and a body portion between the two ends wherein each opening is defined by a perimeter that joins the inside surface to the outside surfaces.

1 . A beverage container insulator comprising: 
 a molded pulp cylinder ( 50 ) formed from a polysaccharide and having an inside surface ( 74 ), an outside surface ( 76 ), a first end ( 52 ) having a first opening ( 56 ), a second end ( 62 ) having a second opening ( 66 ), and a body portion ( 72 ) between the two ends wherein each opening is defined by a perimeter ( 54 ,  64 ) that joins the inside surface to the outside surface.    
   
   
       2 . The insulator of  claim 1  wherein the first opening ( 56 ) has a diameter greater than that of the second opening ( 66 ).  
   
   
       3 . The insulator of  claim 2  wherein a difference in diameter between the first and second openings ( 56 ,  66 ) defines a draft angle ( 78 ), and wherein the draft angle is selected to be the same as or larger than a target beverage container.  
   
   
       4 . The insulator of  claim 2  wherein the draft angle ( 78 ) is from about 4° to 6°.  
   
   
       5 . The insulator of  claim 1  wherein the inside surface ( 74 ) and the outside surface ( 76 ) have different tactile qualities.  
   
   
       6 . The insulator of  claim 5  wherein the inside surface ( 74 ) is not smooth.  
   
   
       7 . The insulator of  claim 1  further comprising an enhanced lip portion ( 58 ) at the first opening ( 56 ) to increase the radial crush resistance of the insulator.  
   
   
       8 . The insulator of  claim 7  wherein the enhanced lip portion ( 58 ) comprises an increased diameter portion ( 58 ) when compared to the body portion ( 72 ) and a lower annular transition portion ( 59 ) between the increased diameter portion and the body portion.  
   
   
       9 . The insulator of  claim 7  wherein the enhanced lip portion ( 58 ) defines a draft angle, which is different from a draft angle ( 78 ).  
   
   
       10 . The insulator of  claim 1  further comprising at least two longitudinal hinge segments to aid in bidirectional radial collapse of the insulator to form a collapsed cylinder.  
   
   
       11 . The insulator of  claim 1  further comprising at least two slits ( 80 ) extending from the second opening ( 66 ) towards, but not to, the first opening ( 56 ).  
   
   
       12 . The insulator of  claim 11  wherein the at least two slits ( 80 ) extend from a lower perimeter ( 64 ).  
   
   
       13 . The insulator of  claim 11  wherein the at least two slits ( 80 ) do not extend from a lower perimeter ( 64 ) but from a position proximate thereto to create at least two frangible slits.  
   
   
       14 . The insulator of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of pleats ( 90 ).  
   
   
       15 . The insulator of  claim 14  wherein the plurality of pleats ( 90 ) are located at or proximate to a lower perimeter ( 64 ) and are radially expandable.  
   
   
       16 . The insulator of  claim 14  wherein a draft angle ( 78 ′) formed by a pleat ( 90 ) is greater than a draft angle ( 78 ) formed by body portion ( 72 ).  
   
   
       17 . The insulator of  claim 14  wherein the plurality of pleats ( 90 ) extend from the lower perimeter ( 64 ) to proximate the first opening ( 56 ).  
   
   
       18 . The insulator of  claim 1  further comprising a slot extending from the first opening ( 56 ) to the second opening ( 66 ), and joining means for linking one end ( 102 ) to another end ( 102 ).  
   
   
       19 . The insulator of  claim 1  further comprising indicia on the outside surface ( 76 ).  
   
   
       20 . The insulator of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of stand-off elements.