Keg Insulating Apparatus

Abstract

A keg insulating apparatus (200) is provided. The apparatus includes a sheet (202) of flexible insulating material configured to be wrapped around a body of a generally right cylindrical keg (100), a first circular disc (204) of flexible insulating material sized to fit against a top surface (110) of the keg and having an aperture (212) provided therein through which a dispensing tap of the keg extends, and a second circular disc (206) of flexible insulating material sized to fit against a bottom surface of the keg and to be held in place by means of a friction fit with a lower projecting rim (108) of the keg. The sheet of flexible insulating material further includes attachment formations (208) by means of which free ends of the sheet can be brought together and the tension between the free ends adjusted so as to tightly wrap the sheet against the keg.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to an insulating apparatus, and more particularly to an insulation apparatus used for providing thermal insulation to beverages stored in kegs.[0002]The term keg is to be understood to include any cask or barrel in the form of a generally right cylindrical container typically used for the storage of beverages.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION[0003]Kegs containing beverages are used on a daily basis around the world. Such kegs may be containers able to be pressurized to dispense the beverage held therein.[0004]To ensure that the beverage is cool at the point of consumption, the kegs must either be cooled in a fridge and then transported to the point of consumption while being prevented from heating up, or must be cooled at the point of consumption.[0005]Cooling of kegs or preventing them from heating up may be affected in a variety of ways, most common of which is by placing the keg into a tub of ice or a mixture of ice and water. Although...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention provides a keg insulating apparatus for keeping kegs of liquid at desired temperatures. The apparatus includes a flexible insulating sheet that can be tightly wrapped around a keg using adjustable straps, and a circular disc that fits against the top or bottom surface of the keg to hold it in place. The insulating material is made of nitrile butadiene rubber foam and can be printed on for branding or advertising purposes. The invention aims to improve the efficiency and ease of insulation for a wide range of keg sizes.

Problems solved by technology

Although quite effective, this form of keeping the keg cool is usually quite messy and may be inconvenient to the consumer should he / she decide to move the keg to a different location.

The drawbacks of existing insulating devices include that kegs filled with a beverage have weights ranging from about 55 lbs.

Further, where the insulating device is only wrapped about the body of the keg, the keg's bottom and top surfaces are exposed, thus decreasing the efficiency of the insulating device.

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