Apparatus and method for insulating a beverage can

A beverage insulation system for holding a beverage can, the beverage can having a lower portion, an upper portion and a greater diameter, the beverage insulation system comprising:

• a base with thermally insulated walls forming a base cup;
• a lid with thermally insulated walls forming a lid cup;
• a hinge assembly connecting said lid with said base to enable said lid to pivot between a closed position covering the upper portion of a beverage can received in the base cup and an open position uncovering the upper portion of a beverage can received in the base cup;
• and
• an insert gripped and held within and by the thermally insulated walls of the lid cup to encircle the upper portion of a beverage can received in the base cup and in the closed position.

A method for insulating a beverage can, the beverage can having a lower portion, an upper portion and a greater diameter, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a beverage insulation system for holding a beverage can, the system including a base with thermally insulated walls and a bottom that together form a base cup sized and configured to receive the lower portion of the beverage can;
• a lid with thermally insulated walls and a top that together form a lid cup sized and configured to receive the upper portion of the beverage can;
• a hinge assembly for connecting the lid with the base to enable the lid to pivot between a closed position covering the upper portion of a beverage can received in the base cup and an open position uncovering the upper portion of a beverage can received in the base cup;
• and a generally cylindrical insert having an inner surface;
• hingedly connecting the lid with the base using the hinge assembly;
• positioning the insert into the lid cup to a generally coaxial position with and inside of the lid cup whereby the insert is gripped and held by the thermally insulated walls of the lid cup;
• with the lid in the open position, inserting a beverage can into the base cup;
• and
• hingedly pivoting the lid down to the closed position over the upper portion of the beverage can whereby the insert encircles the upper portion of the beverage can.