Collapsible insulating sleeves for multi-container packages

Abstract

Insulators for multi-container packages and products including multi-container insulators are disclosed. In some embodiments, beverage insulators include sleeves of resilient insulating material which can be slid over multi-container beverage packages. The sleeves can tend to conform to the periphery of the package and can collapse toward the remainder of the package when a container is removed from the package. The insulator can include a panel attached to an end of the sleeve and defining an opening through which the package can be grasped. The inside of the sleeve can include a scuff guard. A flap can be attached to an open end of the sleeve to cover the multi-container package. The insulator can be dimensioned to hold a four, six, twelve, eighteen, or twenty-four container package. Methods of advertising using multi-container beverage insulators are also disclosed. Some methods include using multi-container beverage insulators for advertising.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to beverage insulators and more particularly to insulators for beverages.BACKGROUND[0002]Beverage consumers often purchase, carry, transport, etc. packages of multiple beverage containers. Familiar multi-container packages include four packs, six packs, 12 packs, 18 packs, flats for cases of 24 containers, case “suit cases,” etc. Beverages in multi-container packages warm (or cool) to ambient temperature if left exposed to ambient conditions for appreciable lengths of time. Consumers find these conditions undesirable. Various solutions involve placing individual beverage containers from the packages in insulating devices such as coolers.[0003]Coolers occupy space, however, particularly in vehicles, closets, storage sheds, etc. Carrying a cooler of beverages can involve carrying weight over and above that of the beverages and, when coupled with the additional volume occupied by the cooler, can be awkward. Coolers, wh...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004]Embodiments of the present disclosure provide beverage insulators that eliminate, or at least substantially reduce, the shortcomings of previously available beverage insulators.

[0008]Embodiments provide advantages over previously available coolers. Multi-container packages can be insulated as units. Containers can be removed from the packages without having to open a cover and while maintaining the insulation around the containers remaining in the packages. Insulators can at least partially collapsing upon themselves when empty, thereby consuming little space in vehicles and other environments where they may be kept. Insulators can create no, or little, noise if they become dislodged in moving vehicles (or elsewhere). Insulators can be soft enough such that if they impact other objects, the other objects may not be damaged. Packages within insulators can be carried by grips defined by the package.

Problems solved by technology

Consumers find these conditions undesirable.

Coolers occupy space, however, particularly in vehicles, closets, storage sheds, etc.

Carrying a cooler of beverages can involve carrying weight over and above that of the beverages and, when coupled with the additional volume occupied by the cooler, can be awkward.

Coolers, when being transported, can become dislodged from their stowed positions, thereby becoming a nuisance and creating noise.

Cooler covers, however, inhibit ready access to the beverages stored in the coolers.

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