Beverage container with integrated noisemaker

Abstract

The present invention relates to a food or drink container integrated with a noisemaking device. According to a preferred embodiment, the device comprises an enclosure containing at least one pellet which makes noise when shaken as the fan cheers for a sports team or at a concert. The enclosure is a preformed shape with sufficient dimensions to be affixed to or formed with a food or beverage container sold at the concessions stand at stadiums and arenas. A fan may then consume food and drink and utilize the noisemaker concurrently therewith. The fan may then detach the noisemaker and throw away the food or beverage container thereby retaining the noisemaker as a souvenir and for future use at other events.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a noisemaking device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a noisemaking device which may be integrated with a beverage container for purchase and use by fans at sporting or entertainment events.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Sporting and entertainment events are commonly held in stadiums and halls of various sizes which are capable of seating thousands of fans. These events may include sports and music concerts. Professional and collegiate sport teams are very popular and draw thousands of spectators at each game. Many spectators bring special banners, costumes and noisemakers to the games to show their support for their team.

[0005] During games, concessions are usually operated providing fans with food and drink while at the game. Many fans consider the food and beverages served at the stadium or arena an enjoyable and indispensable part of the experience and fun associated with watching the game. Advertisers utilize concession drink containers to market the hometown team and other local businesses and sell souvenirs or memorabilia along with the purchase of food and drink at the event.

[0006] However, the nature of consuming food or drink at an event and participating by applauding or cheering with a noisemaker is somewhat difficult, if possible, to perform at the same time. Due to the limited space in seating, most spectators must hold their food and drink in both hands, place it in their laps, or set the containers on the ground in order to applaud or shake a noisemaker. Some spectators place their drinks or noisemakers on the ground which tend to get knocked over by foot traffic of persons moving around the rows of seats in the stadium. Sometimes fans become excited when viewing a crucial moment in the game and knock over their food or drinks setting on the ground. In order to avoid spilling a beverage, one must then hold onto the beverage container which inhibits participation by clapping hands or otherwise expressing approval thereby detracting from the enjoyment of the sporting experience.

[0007] There is a substantial need in the art for a food or beverage container which may be incorporated with a noisemaking device whereby a fan may enjoy his or her food or drink and at the same time cheer and operate the noisemaker. There is a further need in the art for a noisemaker which may be easily bundled with concession products and allow a fan to make a single purchase to obtain food, drink and a noisemaker souvenir. There is a further need in the art for a reusable noisemaker which may be reaffixed to food or drink containers purchased by a fan at future events.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention relates to a beverage container integrated with a noisemaking device. According to a preferred embodiment, the noisemaking device comprises an enclosure containing small pellets which may be shaken to make noise when cheering for a sports team or at a concert. The enclosure is a preformed shape with sufficient dimensions to be fixably attached to or formed as a one-piece unit with a food or beverage container as generally sold at concession stands in stadiums and arenas. A person may then consume food and drink and, at the same time, utilize the noisemaker concurrently therewith. After the event is over, the fan may then detach the noisemaker, dispose of the food or beverage container, and retain the noisemaker as a souvenir and/or for future use at other events.

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a food or container with an integrated noisemaking device that may be used concurrently with the ingestion of food or drink. It is another object of the present invention to provide a noisemaker which may be detached from the food or drink container and kept by the fan as a souvenir and reused at future events if desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical beverage container with integrated noisemaker constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein the noisemaker is attachable and detachable from the beverage container by threaded screw mechanism; and,

[0013] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein the noisemaker is attachable and detachable from the beverage container by locking tab mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0014] With regard to FIG. 1, there is shown a beverage container with integrated noisemaker 10 constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the beverage container with integrated noisemaker 10 is composed of a typical beverage container 12 integrated with noisemaker enclosure 14 which contains pellets 16. Partition 18 separates the fluid contained in beverage container 12 and pellets contained in noisemaker enclosure 14. In this embodiment, one may hold and consume a liquid refreshment and, at the same time, generate noise by shaking the noisemaker. It is contemplated that the beverage container with integrated noisemaker 10 may be formed and constructed as a one-piece plastic unit by apparatus and methods as generally known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0015] FIG. 2 represents an alternative embodiment of the present invention providing an attachable/detachable noisemaker enclosure 14. Beverage container 12 may be preformed with a threaded base 20. Noisemaker enclosure 14 may be preformed with partition 18 structured below the threaded inner circumference 22 of the noisemaker enclosure 14. In this embodiment, the fan may simply screw or unscrew the noisemaker enclosure 14 from the beverage container 12. The ability to attach and detach the noisemaker enclosure 14 from the beverage container 12 allows a fan to discard the beverage container 12 and retain the noisemaker enclosure 14 for further. This allows the user to utilize the noisemaker enclosure 14 alone at subsequent events or he or she may purchase another beverage container 12 and then attach the noisemaker enclosure to the beverage container 12 for subsequent use.

[0016] Turning to FIG. 3, another alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown whereby noisemaker enclosure 14 may be attached/detached to beverage container 12 by locking tabs 24. In this embodiment, beverage container 12 may be preformed with tabs 24 at the base of the beverage container 12 and capable of receiving noisemaker enclosure 14. When pressed together, beverage container 12 and noisemaker enclosure 14 will be held together by locking tabs 24. Other mechanisms for attaching and detaching work pieces are commonly known to one of ordinary skill in the art and may be applied to various other potential embodiments of the invention disclosed herein.

[0017] As will be recognized by those of skill in the art, beverage container with integrated noisemaker 10 may be fabricated to include ornate advertisements, sports team logos and other forms of promotional material. The device 10 may be fabricated from a variety of materials, including plastic, metal or wood and combinations thereof. Likewise, pellets 16 maybe fabricated from glass, plastic, wood or metal and be formed in various sizes and shapes commonly known to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, pellets 16 may be round, square, spherical or rectangular in shape and any combination of thereof. For the sake of brevity and description, pellet is a general term describing various materials and shapes used as to produce noise as is generally known in the art and is not to be construed as a limitation on the size, shape or material comprising pellet 16. It is contemplated that a variety of other noisemaking devices, such as a whistle or bell apparatus, maybe incorporated into the invention disclosed herein in lieu of or along with pellet 16. Furthermore, glow sticks or fluorescent materials may be incorporated into the noisemaking enclosure to enhance the experience. The present invention also contemplates incorporating the noisemaking device into containers designed to hold food products or possibly other sorts of memorabilia.

[0018] The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

1. A beverage container with integrated noisemaker comprising:

a beverage container;

a noisemaker enclosure; and,

means for attaching the beverage container and noisemaker enclosure to the beverage container.

2. The beverage container with integrated noisemaker of claim 1 further comprising at least one pellet confined within the noisemaker enclosure.

3. The beverage container with integrated noisemaker of claim 1 further comprising at least one whistle confined within the noisemaker enclosure.

4. The beverage container with integrated noisemaker of claim 1 further comprising at least one bell confined within the noisemaker enclosure.

5. The beverage container with integrated noisemaker of claim 1 wherein the means for attaching the noisemaker enclosure to the beverage holder comprises is by threaded screw.

6. The beverage container with integrated noisemaker of claim 1 wherein the means for detaching the noisemaker enclosure to the beverage holder comprises is by threaded screw.

7. The beverage container with integrated noisemaker of claim 1 wherein the means for attaching the noisemaker enclosure to the beverage holder comprises at least one locking tab.

8. The beverage container with integrated noisemaker of claim 1 wherein the noisemaker enclosure and the beverage holder are formed as a single unit.

9. The beverage container with integrated noisemaker of claim 1 wherein the integrated noisemaker includes a logo formed thereon.

10. The beverage container with integrated noisemaker of claim 1 wherein the integrated noisemaker includes at least one fluorescent pellet.