Insulated container sleeve with suction base

• US 6,571,976 B1
• Filed: 11/15/2000
• Issued: 06/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gene H. Sonnabend
• Original Assignee: Gene H. Sonnabend
• Inventors: Sonnabend, Gene H.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOY, JOSEPH MAN
• Application Number:
  US09/713,483
• Time in Patent Office: 930 Days
• Field of Search: 220/632, 220/633, 220/634, 220/635, 220/630, 220/483, 220/737, 220/739
• US Class Current: 220/483
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2313/06 using vacuum suction cups
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/24 for spacing bases of containers from supporting surfaces, e.g. legs for pallets B65D19/40
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3879 formed of foam material

Abstract

A sleeve for holding a container includes an enclosed wall and a flexible concave base defining an orifice. The flexible concave base connects to the cylindrical wall with the orifice within the enclosed wall. The flexible concave base opens away from said enclosed wall. The sleeve insulates the containers, holds the container, attaches the container to a surface, and eases the removal of the container from the sleeve.

Claims

1. A sleeve for holding a container comprising:

an enclosed insulating cylindrical wall having a bottom with an opening; and

a flexible concave base defining an orifice, said flexible concave base connected airtightedly to said bottom of said cylindrical wall, said flexible concave base opening downwardly and below said bottom of said cylindrical wall and adhering by suction onto a surface when the container is inserted to form an airtight fit with said cylindrical wall, and said flexible concave base being pressed downwardly and flattened against the surface, and said cylindrical wall releasing the container without forming a vacuum when said concave base is not against the surface by allowing air through said opening.

2. The sleeve according to claim 1, wherein said flexible concave base is level with a bottom of the container when the flexible concave base is attached to a surface.

3. The sleeve according to claim 1, wherein said enclosed wall complements the container.

4. The sleeve according to claim 1, wherein said enclosed wall is chosen from the group consisting of neoprene, natural rubber, and synthetic rubber.

5. The sleeve according to claim 1, wherein said enclosed wall is a closed-cell foam.

6. The sleeve according to claim 1, wherein said flexible concave base inserts into said enclosed wall.

7. The sleeve according to claim 1, wherein said enclosed wall inserts into said concave base.

8. The sleeve according to claim 1, wherein said base is injection molded.

9. The sleeve according to claim 1, wherein said flexible concave base is chosen from the group consisting of neoprene, natural rubber, and synthetic rubber.

10. The sleeve according to claim 1, wherein said flexible concave base includes an abutment against which the container can rest.

11. The sleeve according to claim 1, wherein said enclosed wall and said flexible concave base connect airtightedly.

12. The sleeve according to claim 1, wherein said enclosed wall has a seam where said enclosed wall joins to itself.

13. The sleeve according to claim 12, wherein said seam is reinforced.

14. The sleeve according to claim 1, wherein said enclosed wall is attached to said flexible concave base with adhesive.

15. The sleeve according to claim 1, wherein said flexible concave base is wider than said enclosed wall.

16. The sleeve according to claim 1, wherein said flexible concave base defines an indentation and said enclosed wall rests in said indentation.

17. The sleeve according to claim 1, wherein said flexible concave base includes a ridge and said enclosed wall encircles said ridge.

18. The sleeve according to claim 1, wherein said flexible concave base defines a groove and said enclosed wall rests in said groove.

19. In a sleeve for holding a container, the sleeve having an enclosed insulating cylindrical wall with a bottom with an opening formed therein, an improvement comprising:

a flexible concave base defining an orifice, said flexible concave base connected airtightedly to said bottom of said cylindrical wall, said flexible concave base opening downwardly and below said bottom of said cylindrical wall and adhering by suction onto a surface when the container inserted to form an airtight fit with said cylindrical wall and said flexible concave base is pressed downwardly and flattened against the surface, and said cylindrical wall releasing the container without forming a vacuum when said concave base is not against the surface by allowing air though said opening.