Koozie facts for kids

Koozies are sleeves that help keep drinks cold.

A koozie (pronounced KOO-zee) is a special sleeve made of fabric or foam. People in the United States use this name. In Australia, they call it a stubby holder. Its main job is to keep your drink cold. It works by insulating your can or bottle, which means it helps stop heat from getting to your drink.

What is a Koozie?

A koozie is like a cozy jacket for your drink. It's designed to keep cold drinks from getting warm too quickly. It can fit around a soda can, a water bottle, or other beverage containers. This simple item helps your drink stay refreshing for longer, especially on a warm day.

The Story of the Name "Koozie"

The name "Koozie" (with a capital K) started as a special brand name in the United States. A man named Bob Autrey from San Antonio, Texas, first came up with the name. Later, a company called Radio Cap Corporation (RCC) bought the rights to the name in the early 1980s.

RCC first made baseball caps. But in 1982, they started selling the KOOZIE product as a can cooler. Over time, the KOOZIE brand grew. It began to include many other items. These included different kinds of drink holders, cooler bags, and travel items.

When a Brand Name Becomes Common

Sometimes, a brand name becomes so popular that people start using it for any product of that type. This is called a "generic trademark" or "genericide." It means the brand name loses its special identity.

Think of words like "Hula Hoop" or "Zamboni." These were once specific brand names. But now, many people use them to describe any similar product. The word "koozie" has also become a common word. People use it even if the product isn't from the original KOOZIE brand.

Who Owns the Koozie Brand Now?

Over the years, different companies have owned the KOOZIE brand. In 1991, Norwood Promotional Products bought RCC. They continued to make the KOOZIE product line bigger. Then, in 2009, BIC Graphic bought Norwood. BIC Graphic kept growing the KOOZIE brand. They added even more styles of can coolers and other items for drinks.

Stubby Holders in Australia

In Australia, these drink insulators are called stubby holders. This name comes from the traditional Australian beer bottles. These bottles were 375 mL (13.2 imp fl oz; 12.7 US fl oz) and looked short and squat. People called them "stubbies."

Today, many Australian beers come in taller bottles or aluminum cans. But the name "stubby holder" stuck around. It's still the common name for these drink coolers in Australia.

Why Use a Koozie?

Koozies are very useful for several reasons:

• Keeping Drinks Cold: Their main job is to insulate your drink. This means they slow down how fast your cold drink gets warm. They protect it from warm air, sunlight, and even the heat from your hand. A koozie can make a drink stay cold up to 50% longer in the sun.
• Identifying Your Drink: If you are at a party, many people might have the same drink. A koozie can have a unique design or color. This makes it easy to spot your own drink among others.
• Reducing Condensation: When a cold can sits out, water often forms on the outside. This is called condensation. It can make your hand wet or leave rings on tables. A koozie helps to soak up this moisture.
• Promotional Items: Many companies use koozies as giveaways. They print their logo or company name on them. Koozies are cheap to make and people use them often. This helps the company's name get noticed by many people.

Materials and Styles of Koozies

Koozies have changed a lot over time. They come in many different materials and styles now.

Common Materials

Koozies can be made from various materials. Some popular ones include:

• Fabric: Often a soft, flexible material.
• Foam: This is a very common material. It can be "open-cell" or "closed-cell" foam.
• Neoprene: This is a type of rubber. It's the same material used for wetsuits. It's great at insulating.
• Leather: For a more fancy or durable koozie.
• EVA: A type of foam that is light and flexible.
• Polyester: A strong fabric often used for the outer layer.
• Vinyl: A plastic material that can be easy to clean.

Different Styles

Koozies are not just for standard cans anymore. You can find them in many shapes and sizes:

• Some are made for tall, skinny bottles.
• Others are designed for larger bottles, like 40 oz. ones.
• There are even adjustable koozies. These can fit different sizes of beverage containers.
• Original koozies were often round foam cylinders. They had a hole at the bottom to make it easy to put in or take out a can.