Thermally Broken Beverage Container and Method of Fabrication

Abstract

A beverage container having a double-walled construction is provided. The container includes an inner wall with an inner bottom wall for containing a beverage, an outer wall which extends about the inner wall, and an outer bottom wall which extends under the inner bottom wall. A thermal break extends uninterrupted between the outer surface of the inner wall and the inner surface of the outer wall and the inner bottom and outer bottom walls. The container includes a top having an upper rim which joins the periphery of the top, the inner wall, and the outer wall.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for fabricating a beverage container, comprising the steps of:
 forming an inner wall and an outer wall from aluminum;   positioning the inner wall within the outer wall, the inner wall having an inner bottom wall positioned above an outer bottom wall of the outer wall;   positioning a top having a pull tab on the inner wall; and   attaching the inner wall, the outer wall, and the top together by crimping to form an upper rim joining the inner wall, the outer wall, and the top,   wherein a thermal break is formed between the inner wall and the outer wall and between the inner bottom wall and the outer bottom wall.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising forming a strip of material on the inner wall or the outer wall prior to positioning the inner wall within the outer wall. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising forming an annular strip of material on the inner wall or the outer wall prior to positioning the inner wall within the outer wall. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising forming a vertical strip of material on the inner wall or the outer wall prior to positioning the inner wall within the outer wall. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising forming the strip of material by coating the strip of material on either the inner wall or the outer wall. 
     
     
         6 . A method for fabricating a beverage container, comprising the steps of:
 forming an inner wall and an outer wall of aluminum;   forming a layer of material on an outer surface of the inner wall or an inner surface of the outer wall;   positioning the inner wall within the outer wall, the inner wall having an inner bottom wall positioned above an outer bottom wall of the outer wall; and   attaching the inner wall, the outer wall, and a top together by crimping to form an upper rim joining the inner wall, the outer wall, and the top.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising bending the inner wall and the outer wall to form a taper prior to attaching the inner wall, the outer wall, and the top together. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising bending the inner wall to form a taper prior to forming the layer of material. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising bending the outer wall to form a second taper after forming the layer of material.