Container chilling base and apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for cooling containers such as beverage containers are disclosed. The apparatus can include a base holding a chilling agent and having a top contoured to fit the bottom of a container, such as a canned beverage. In other embodiments, a portion of a top surface of the base may be shaped such that the portion does not conform to the shape of a beverage container. A bottom surface of the base may be convex and may have extensions that extend beyond the convex shape and configured to allow the base to securely rest on a planar surface. A container may be held to the base using an elastic band.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An base for cooling contents of a container, comprising:
 a top surface, a bottom surface, a sidewall extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, and at least one internal volume, wherein:   a shape of the top is configured to conform to a shape of a bottom of a container;   at least a portion of the base is not flat; and   the sidewall is characterized by an outer diameter that is substantially the same as or less than an outer diameter of the container.   
     
     
         2 . The base of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the top surface is characterized by a shape selected from a conical shape, a truncated conical shape, a polyhedral shape, and a terraced shape. 
     
     
         3 . The base of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the top surface comprises flanges. 
     
     
         4 . The base of  claim 1 , comprising a chilling agent contained within the at least one internal volume. 
     
     
         5 . The base of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the base is convex. 
     
     
         6 . The base of  claim 1 , comprising extensions extending from the bottom of the base. 
     
     
         7 . The base of  claim 1 , wherein the extensions are selected from feet and a ring. 
     
     
         8 . The base of  claim 1 , wherein the base is configured such that when in contact with the container, the sidewall is substantially flush with a side of sidewalls of the container. 
     
     
         9 . A base for cooling contents of a container, comprising:
 a top surface, a bottom surface, a sidewall extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, and at least one internal volume, wherein:   the top surface is characterized by a shape that does not conform to a bottom surface of a beverage container; and   the sidewall is characterized by an outer diameter that is substantially the same as or less than an outer diameter of the container.   
     
     
         10 . The base of  claim 9 , wherein the bottom surface of the base is not flat. 
     
     
         11 . A band configured to removably retain a base and a container. 
     
     
         12 . The band of  claim 11 , wherein the band is elastic. 
     
     
         13 . The band of  claim 11 , wherein the inner diameter of the band is substantially the same as the outer diameter of a sidewall of the base and an outer diameter of the container. 
     
     
         14 . The band of  claim 11 , wherein a height of the band is configured to retain the base and the container. 
     
     
         15 . The band of  claim 11 , wherein the band is characterized by a height from 0.5 inches to 2 inches. 
     
     
         16 . The band of  claim 11 , wherein the band comprises a thermally insulating material. 
     
     
         17 . The band of  claim 11 , wherein the base is the base of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . The band of  claim 11 , wherein the base is the base of  claim 9 . 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus for cooling contents of a container, comprising:
 a base comprising a top surface and a bottom surface; and   a sidewall extending from the bottom surface to above the top surface;   wherein an extension of the sidewall above the top surface is configured to retain a beverage container.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the base and the sidewall comprise a single piece.