Beverage Cooling Device and Method of Use Thereof

Abstract

One embodiment of a disposable/reusable beverage cooling device adapted for use with an insulated beverage holder, may be comprised of an enclosure and a refrigerant. One enclosure may be comprised of a generally flexible and substantially leak-proof reusable, recyclable or biodegradable material having a shape adapted to be received by a beverage insulator cavity. The enclosure may generally surround the refrigerant material, which may be comprised of a generally non-toxic environmentally friendly and/or biodegradable gelatinous material. Upon placing one or more cold beverage cooling devices into the beverage insulator cavity, a beverage container may be placed into the cavity proximal the cooling device. The cooling device may be adapted to keep the beverage and beverage container in the insulator at a lower temperature for a longer period.

1 ) A beverage cooling device comprising,
 an enclosure having a shape adapted to be received within a cavity of a cylindrical beverage insulator, the enclosure comprising top and bottom sheets of a flexible polymeric material, the sheets being fused to each other at their respective circumferential edges, the enclosure having a first volume when the enclosure is fully expanded; and   a non-toxic refrigerant material wholly contained and sealed within the enclosure, the refrigerant material adapted to freeze or form a gelatinous solution when placed in a typical household freezer, the refrigerant material contained within the enclosure comprising a second volume when frozen.   
   
   
       2 ) The device of  claim 1  wherein,
 the top and bottom sheets comprise a bioplastic; and   the refrigerant material comprises a biodegradable gel having a freezing temperature no greater than 32 degrees Fahrenheit.   
   
   
       3 ) The device of  claim 2 , wherein: the bioplastic comprises at least one of a plastarch or polylactide; and the biodegradable gel comprises at least one of a complex carbohydrate, a propenamide polymer, and a paraben-based preservative. 
   
   
       4 ) The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first volume is significantly greater than the second volume. 
   
   
       5 ) The device of  claim 4 , wherein the second volume is no more than 75% of the first volume, and the device is adapted to generally conform to the shape of a bottom end of a beverage container upon receiving the beverage container. 
   
   
       6 ) The device of  claim 5 , wherein the device is substantially circular having a diameter of about 6.5 cm; and the top and bottom sheets each being about 0.015″ thick. 
   
   
       7 ) The device of  claim 6  wherein the device contains generally about 20 grams of refrigerant material. 
   
   
       8 ) A method of cooling a beverage container using the beverage cooling device of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 placing the device in the cavity of the beverage insulator; and   inserting a beverage container in the beverage insulator cavity on top of the beverage cooling device.   
   
   
       9 ) A method of using a beverage cooling device of  claim 1  comprising,
 substantially freezing a first beverage cooling device;   placing the first beverage cooling device into the cavity of the cylindrical beverage insulator;   inserting a beverage container contain a beverage therein into the beverage insulator cavity on top of the first beverage cooling device;   consuming at least a portion of the beverage;   removing the beverage container from the cavity;   removing the first beverage cooling device from the cavity;   disposing of the first beverage cooling device; and   placing a second beverage cooling device into a cavity of the cylindrical beverage insulator; and   re-inserting the beverage container into the cavity on top of the second beverage cooling device.   
   
   
       10 ) The method of  claim 9  wherein, said substantially freezing a first beverage cooling device comprises creating a substantially rigid beverage cooling device. 
   
   
       11 ) The method of  claim 9  wherein the first beverage cooling device is biodegradable and said disposing of the first beverage cooling device facilitates one of aerobic and anaerobic degradation of a beverage cooling device enclosure and refrigerant material. 
   
   
       12 ) A combination comprising,
 a beverage container having a bottom end;   a generally first disposable beverage cooling device comprising,
 a flexible enclosure comprising a flexible second sheet adapted to receive the beverage container bottom end; 
 at least 20 grams of refrigerant material; and 
   a beverage insulator adapted to receive the first disposable beverage cooling device.   
   
   
       13 ) The combination of  claim 12 , wherein,
 the generally flexible enclosure is further adapted to receive the beverage container bottom end by changing from a first shape to a second shape.   
   
   
       14 ) The combination of  claim 12  wherein the cooling device further includes indicia provided thereon. 
   
   
       15 ) The combination of  claim 14 , wherein,
 the indicia comprises at least one of a graphic display and a word on an outer enclosure surface.   
   
   
       16 ) The combination of  claim 12  wherein the beverage insulator comprises an automotive cup holder. 
   
   
       17 ) A combination comprising a cylindrical beverage insulator having a bottom end, a flexible cooling device and a beverage container with a beverage therein with:
 the flexible cooling device being generally cylindrical and having a diameter proximate an inside diameter of a cavity of the beverage insulator, the cooling device comprising, (i) top and bottom sheets of a flexible polymeric material, each having a thickness of about 0.010-0.025″, and (ii) at least 20 cc of a water-based refrigerant material wherein the top and bottom sheets are fused together proximate their respective circumferential edges to form an enclosure, the enclosure having a potential fully expanded volume of at least 26 cc and containing the refrigerant material;   the beverage insulator substantially comprising a polymeric foam material; and   the beverage container comprising one of an aluminum can, a plastic bottle and a glass bottle and having a bottom side;   wherein the cooling device is positioned in the cavity on top of the beverage insulator's bottom end and beverage container is also positioned in the cavity with its bottom side in direct contact with the cooling device.   
   
   
       18 ) The combination of  claim 17 , wherein the top and bottom sheets comprise a bioplastic. 
   
   
       19 ) The combination of  claim 18 , wherein any additive to the water-based refrigerant material are biodegradable. 
   
   
       19 ) The combination of  claim 17 , wherein the top sheet is conformed to the bottom side of the beverage container and the bottom sheet is conformed to the bottom end of the beverage insulator.