Adjustable insulated receptacle for beverage containers

Abstract

An adjustable insulated receptacle comprising an upstanding wall that surrounds and defines a cavity of the receptacle which is sized and shaped to receive a beverage container. The receptacle further includes a base closing a lower end of the cavity, a rim surrounding an upper end of the cavity, and a vertical slot that is contiguous with the rim, has a lowermost extent adjacent the base, and has opposing edges between the rim and the lowermost extent. The slot is sized and shaped to receive a handle of the beverage container that protrudes from the cavity. The receptacle further includes a means for releasably securing the edges of the slot relative to each other to maintain a width of the slot and, in turn, an internal diameter of the cavity. The securing means comprises a strap that bridges the slot.

1 . An adjustable insulated receptacle configured to receive a beverage container, the receptacle comprising:
 an upstanding wall that surrounds and defines a cavity of the receptacle, the cavity being is sized and shaped to receive the beverage container;   a base closing a lower end of the cavity;   a rim surrounding an upper end of the cavity;   a vertical slot that is contiguous with the rim, has a lowermost extent adjacent the base, and has opposing edges between the rim and the lowermost extent, the slot being sized and shaped to receive a handle of the beverage container that protrudes from the cavity; and   means for releasably securing the edges of the slot relative to each other to maintain a width of the slot and, in turn, an internal diameter of the cavity, the securing means comprising a strap that bridges the slot.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable insulated receptacle according to  claim 1 , wherein the releasably securing means comprises complementary hook-and-loop fasteners on the strap and on at least one outer surface of the wall. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable insulated receptacle according to  claim 1 , wherein the strap is located approximately midway along a vertical length of the slot. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable insulated receptacle according to  claim 1 , wherein the slot defines an outwardly tapering edge at an uppermost extent thereof that is contiguous with the rim. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable insulated receptacle according to  claim 1 , wherein the lowermost extent of the slot is arcuate in shape. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable insulated receptacle according to  claim 1 , wherein the lowermost extent of the slot is about one-half to one inch from the base. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable insulated receptacle according to  claim 1 , wherein the slot has a width of about one-half to one inch in a circumferential direction of the wall. 
     
     
         8 . The adjustable insulated receptacle according to  claim 1 , wherein the wall is tubular shaped and the cavity has a cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         9 . The adjustable insulated receptacle according to  claim 1 , wherein the cavity has a diameter of about three to four inches and a depth of about three to four inches. 
     
     
         10 . The adjustable insulated receptacle according to  claim 1 , wherein the wall and the base are separately fabricated and assembled together. 
     
     
         11 . The adjustable insulated receptacle according to  claim 1 , wherein the wall and the base are fabricated as an integral one-piece unit. 
     
     
         12 . The adjustable insulated receptacle according to  claim 1 , wherein the wall and the base are formed of a closed-cell foam. 
     
     
         13 . The adjustable insulated receptacle according to  claim 1 , wherein the wall and the base are formed of corrugated cardboard.