Beverage container sleeve and method of making and using same

Abstract

An improved cooling and/or heating system for a beverage container, a method of manufacturing the container sleeve, and a method of using the container sleeve are disclosed herein. The improved sleeve is configured to cover a beverage container and actively cool and/or heat the container while helping to maintain the temperature of the beverage once it is cooled or heated. The cover includes a flexible insulating material with a cooling and/or heating device positioned on the inner surface.

1 . A beverage container sleeve comprising:
 a cover made of an insulating material having an outer surface, an inner surface, and an open end for receiving a beverage container, wherein the inner surface forms a cavity within the cover and the cavity is configured to house the beverage container;   a retention member along a portion of the inner surface of the cover, the retention member forming a pocket between a surface of the retention member and the inner surface of the cover; and   a device releasably held in the pocket for actively affecting the temperature of the beverage container when housed within at least a portion of the cover.   
     
     
         2 . The beverage container sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the retention member is a net attached to the inner surface of the cover. 
     
     
         3 . The beverage container sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is collapsible to a generally flat configuration. 
     
     
         4 . A sleeve covering a portion of a container comprising:
 a cover made of an insulating material having an outer surface, an inner surface, and an open end for accepting the container, wherein the inner surface forms a cavity within the cover and the cavity is configured to house the container; and   a device between a portion of the container and a portion of the inner surface of the cover, the device actively affects the temperature of the container when the container is housed within at least a portion of the cover.   
     
     
         5 . The sleeve in  claim 4 , wherein the device is a gel pack. 
     
     
         6 . The sleeve in  claim 4 , wherein the device is positioned in at least one cavity within the insulating material and along the inner surface of the cover. 
     
     
         7 . The sleeve in  claim 4 , wherein the cover further comprises at least one pocket on the inner surface for accepting the device. 
     
     
         8 . The sleeve in  claim 7 , wherein the pocket is formed by a net on the inner surface of the cover. 
     
     
         9 . The sleeve in  claim 4 , wherein the insulating material of the cover is elastomeric. 
     
     
         10 . The sleeve in  claim 4 , wherein the device is removably coupled with the cover. 
     
     
         11 . The sleeve in  claim 4 , wherein the cover is collapsible to a generally flat configuration. 
     
     
         12 . The sleeve in  claim 11 , wherein the cover is sewn together from a single piece. 
     
     
         13 . The sleeve in  claim 4 , further comprising a closure mechanism on the cover and positioned along a portion of the open end of the cover. 
     
     
         14 . The sleeve in  claim 13 , wherein the closure mechanism extends about half way around the circumference of the cover near the open end. 
     
     
         15 . The sleeve in  claim 13 , wherein the closure mechanism is a zipper. 
     
     
         16 . The sleeve in  claim 13 , wherein the sleeve is configured to accept a baby bottle. 
     
     
         17 . The sleeve in  claim 4 , wherein the inner surface has a diameter that is at least approximately 1 inch and/or less than or equal to approximately 4 inches. 
     
     
         18 . A method of using a beverage container sleeve comprising the steps of:
 cooling or heating a device;   mounting the device to a beverage container sleeve; and   placing a beverage container in a cavity of the beverage container sleeve.   
     
     
         19 . The method of using a beverage container sleeve of  claim 18 , wherein the device is cooled or heated while mounted to the beverage container sleeve. 
     
     
         20 . The method of using a beverage container sleeve of  claim 18 , further comprising the step of opening a closure mechanism on the beverage container sleeve to place a beverage container in the cavity.