Canteen cup insulator

Abstract

The canteen cup insulator of the present invention implements an insulating layer that can be deployed in conjunction with the standard military issue canteen and cup. The canteen cup insulator is most preferably manufactured from a durable material that has at least some insulating value. The exact nature and thickness of the insulating material may vary depending on the specific application. The canteen cup insulator may be selectively attached to and removed from the canteen cup, thereby providing insulation for the canteen cup. Additionally, the canteen cup insulator has an integral “foot” formed around the lower edge, thereby providing a wider base and additional stability for the canteen cup and liquid contents during use.

1 . A canteen cup insulator, said insulator comprising:
 a sidewall, said sidewall defining a substantially reniform shape, said sidewall comprising an upper perimeter and a lower perimeter, said sidewall defining a slot for receiving at least one canteen cup handle;   a substantially reniform bottom surface connected to said lower perimeter of said sidewall, said bottom surface defining an outer perimeter that is greater than said lower perimeter;   and a graduated foot formed where said sidewall is connected to said bottom surface.   
   
   
       2 . The canteen cup insulator of  claim 1  wherein said canteen cup insulator comprises one of a neoprene canteen cup insulator or a leather canteen cup insulator. 
   
   
       3 . The canteen cup insulator of  claim 1  further comprising a handle engaging mechanism. 
   
   
       4 . The canteen cup insulator of  claim 3  wherein said handle engaging mechanism comprises:
 a repositionable flap;   a connection point connecting said flap to said sidewall; and   a fastening point, said fastening point being attached to said sidewall, said fastening point being configured to selectively receive said repositionable flap.   
   
   
       5 . The canteen cup insulator of  claim 4  wherein said fastening point comprises a hook and loop fastener. 
   
   
       6 . The canteen cup insulator of  claim 4  wherein said fastening point comprises a snap. 
   
   
       7 . A leather canteen cup insulator, said insulator comprising:
 a sidewall, said sidewall defining a substantially reniform shape, said sidewall comprising an upper perimeter and a lower perimeter, said upper perimeter being grater than said lower perimeter, said sidewall defining a slot for receiving at least one canteen cup handle;   a substantially reniform bottom surface connected to said lower perimeter of said sidewall, said bottom surface defining an outer perimeter that is greater than said lower perimeter;   a repositionable flap;   a connection point connecting said repositionable flap to said sidewall;   a fastening point, said fastening point being attached to said sidewall, said fastening point being configured to selectively receive said repositionable flap; and   and a graduated foot formed where said sidewall is connected to said bottom surface.   
   
   
       8 . The canteen cup insulator of  claim 7  wherein said fastening point comprises a hook and loop fastener. 
   
   
       9 . The canteen cup insulator of  claim 7  wherein said fastening point comprises a snap. 
   
   
       10 . The canteen cup insulator of  claim 7  wherein said slot is a u-shaped slot. 
   
   
       11 . A method comprising the steps of:
 placing a canteen cup into a canteen cup insulator, said canteen cup insulator comprising:
 a sidewall, said sidewall defining a substantially reniform shape, said sidewall comprising an upper perimeter and a lower perimeter, said sidewall defining a slot for receiving at least one canteen cup handle; 
 a substantially reniform bottom surface connected to said lower perimeter of said sidewall, said bottom surface defining an outer perimeter that is greater than said lower perimeter; 
 and a graduated foot formed where said sidewall is connected to said bottom surface. 
   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said canteen cup insulator comprises one of a neoprene canteen cup insulator or a leather canteen cup insulator. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said canteen cup insulator further comprises a handle engaging mechanism. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said sidewall further comprises a u-shaped slot. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said handle engaging mechanism comprises:
 a repositionable flap;   a connection point connecting said flap to said sidewall; and   a fastening point, said fastening point being attached to said sidewall, said fastening point being configured to selectively receive said repositionable flap.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the steps of:
 positioning at least one canteen handle into said u-shaped slot;   positioning said flap through at least one opening in said at least one canteen cup handle; and   fastening said flap to said sidewall by attaching said flap to said connection point.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said fastening point comprises a hook and loop fastener. 
   
   
       18 . The canteen cup insulator of  claim 14  wherein said fastening point comprises a snap. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the steps of:
 removing said flap from said sidewall; and   removing said canteen cup from said canteen cup insulator.