Adapter systems for glass containers, liquid containment systems, and associated methods of use

Abstract

Provided herein are adapter systems and liquid containment systems that fortify, insulate, decorate, and seal glass containers, as well as methods of using the adapter systems and liquid containment systems to reduce waste from disposable beverage containers.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 326,759, filed Apr. 22, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]This invention is in the field of mechanical devices, and relates generally to adapter systems for fortifying, insulating, decorating, and sealing glass containers in order to convert the glass containers into beverage containers. Liquid containment systems and methods of using the adapter systems or liquid containment systems to reduce waste from disposable beverage containers are also disclosed.[0003]Various types of beverage containers are known, and users typically select a particular container based on its intended use and characteristics, e.g., safety, insulation, fragility, appearance, texture, handling, closure system, etc. But each material used to fabricate a beverage container has drawbacks, and the ability to mix-and-match component...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention provides adapter systems for converting glass containers into beverage containers, liquid containment systems, and methods of using them to reduce waste from disposable beverage containers. The adapter systems include a sleeve for encapsulating a portion of the glass container and an internally threaded lid that can seal the container. The sleeve improves the safety, portability, and functionality of the glass container, while the lid provides a seal to prevent liquid escape. The invention also provides a variety of materials for the sleeve and lid, including rubber, neoprene, cork, and fabric. The methods of using the adapter systems involve inserting the sleeved glass container into a glass container, adding a liquid to the interior of the container, and sealing the container with the lid. The invention helps to reduce waste and improve the appearance of glass containers."

Problems solved by technology

But each material used to fabricate a beverage container has drawbacks, and the ability to mix-and-match components of known beverage systems to suit a user's needs is limited.

However, plastic containers have recently been scrutinized as being potentially unsafe because certain chemicals used in the manufacture of plastic containers can be transferred to the beverage and ingested.

This ingestion of potentially toxic chemicals over an extended period of time, especially by vulnerable populations, may lead to disease.

Only a limited number of materials that do not impart any known toxicity are available for the manufacture of beverage containers.

Users, however, typically avoid glass containers for transporting hot or cold beverages because glass is a poor thermal insulator and can break.

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