Insulating beverage container holder

Abstract

A beverage container holder for holding a commercial beverage container has a generally spiral configuration in order to expand radially and axially to accommodate containers of different shapes and sizes. The holder is also compressible for portability and re-use, is adaptable to the ergonomic needs of a variety of users, and provides additional support to the sides of a beverage container. It may have a circular bottom portion with either an open or closed bottom surface or partially-circular bottom portion that is radially expandable along with the spiral upper portion.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/698,611, filed Jul. 12, 2005, entitled Insulating Beverage Container Holder and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 11/284,006, filed Nov. 21, 2005 and also entitled Insulating Beverage Container Holder. The contents of both applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of beverage container holders. More specifically, the invention relates to a beverage container holder that can be used with a multitude of commercially produced beverage containers while providing insulation and an ergonomic fit for the user.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Beverage containers of many shapes and sizes are used for hot or cold beverages such as coffee, tea, beer, soda, iced tea, ice water, etc. Many of these commercial beverage containers have a common or at least substantially similar “footprint,” which is the diameter of base of the beverage container. Most containers taper outwardly from the lower to upper ends with the taper and height varying depending, e.g., on the storage volume of the container.

Many beverage containers are formed from a relatively high heat conducting material, such as relatively thin paper, paper board, plastic, metal or glass. These containers can be uncomfortable or even painful to grasp due to the heat transfer between the hot or cold liquid in the container and the user's hand. To address this problem, insulating holders that slip over the container from base are available to provide an insulating grasping surface for the user. The most common commercial beverage container holder takes the form of a single tube with a slightly increasing diameter from bottom to top and is typically constructed from corrugated or otherwise textured cardboard. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,205,473 and 5,425,497. Holders of this type are relatively inexpensive and effective, but are meant only for a single use, and the height and diameter are fixed, limiting use to a relatively narrow range of container sizes. Fixed-size holders also cannot expand or contract axially to accommodate different users' hand sizes. Additionally, holders made of paper board do not provide a strong support for a cup, whereas a more rigid holder could prevent a user from grasping the holder, and thus the cup, too hard and spilling the contents of the cup.

The need therefore exists for an insulating beverage container holder that can be applied to commercial beverage containers of different shapes and sizes, that is compressible for portability and expandable for use, that is adaptable to varied heights and tapers of multiple different commercial beverage containers, that is adaptable to the ergonomic needs of a variety of users, that is reusable and portable for re-use, and that has a degree of rigidity to provide support to the sides of the beverage container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

At least some of the above-identified needs are met by providing an insulating beverage container holder for containers for hot or cold beverages that can be easily compressed for shipment and storage and then expanded by the user to accommodate the beverage container size, namely the height and taper, and to meet the user's particular ergonomic needs. The beverage container holder preferably includes a bottom portion and an upper portion. The upper portion preferably takes the form of a coil, spiraling upwardly from the top of the bottom portion to the top or mid section of the beverage container holder in a complete loop. The coiled upper portion can expand radially and axially relative to the bottom portion to accommodate different beverage container sizes and shapes and adjust to a user's preference. The coiled upper portion can also be compressed into an easily portable and compact size for storage and re-use. The bottom surface of the bottom portion may be either open or closed. If present, the closed bottom may also serve as a drink coaster, minimizing or eliminating table top drink marks. The closed bottom can also be designed to snugly fit several different yet popular diameters of beverage cups.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a beverage container holder constructed in accordance with a first embodiment the invention, showing the beverage container holder in a natural state;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view corresponding to FIG. 1 and showing the beverage container holder rotated clockwise 90 degrees on the axis of the bottom portion;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the beverage container holder of FIGS. 1 and 2, showing the beverage container holder in a compressed state;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the beverage container holder of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a compressed state;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the beverage container holder of FIGS. 1 and 2 in an expanded state;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the beverage container holder of FIGS. 1 and 2 enclosing a cup;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a beverage container holder constructed in accordance with a second embodiment the invention, showing the beverage container holder in a natural state;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the beverage container holder of FIG. 7 in a compressed state;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the beverage container holder of FIG. 7 in an expanded state;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the beverage container holder of FIG. 7 enclosing a cup;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of a beverage container holder constructed in accordance with a third embodiment the invention, showing the beverage container holder in a natural state; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the beverage container holder of FIG. 11 in an expanded state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An insulating beverage container holder 20 constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the invention is illustrated in various states of compression and expansion in FIGS. 1-10. The beverage container holder 20 is designed to hold a beverage container or cup 22, such as a standard-sized paper coffee cup or any one of the many commercial cups having a similar footprint. It can also hold or be designed to hold cans, glass or plastic bottles, or any other beverage container.

Holder 20 has a bottom portion 24 and an upper portion 26 formed as a coil presenting at least one loop. Bottom portion 24 is a hollow, cylindrical element that tapers slightly to present an increasing diameter from bottom to top. In the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6, bottom portion 24 is about 2.8″ in diameter and about 0.7″ high, and has a stepped bottom surface 28. Bottom surface 28 thus forms a closed end to the bottom portion 24 that serves as a drink coaster and snugly fits the most popular paper cup sizes. This feature is especially convenient when holder 20 is used with a container 22 having a cold beverage therein, especially in warm or humid weather that causes condensation to form on the surface of container 22. Bottom surface 28 may also provide some interlocking support for container 22.

A spacer may, if desired, be provided at the bottom of the bottom portion 24 so as to extend inwardly from the inner surface of the bottom portion 24 in order to bound a region that is of reduced diameter when compared to that of the inside surface of the bottom end of the bottom portion 24. The spacer allows for better positioning of a beverage container having a relatively small-diameter bottom end by more closely surrounding the bottom end of the container than would the inside surface of the bottom portion 24. Containers having a relatively large diameter bottom end will simply rest on top of the spacer. The spacer of this embodiment is formed from four vertically extending ribs 29 molded integrally with the remainder of the beverage container holder and spaced evenly around the circumference of the beverage container holder 20. However, the spacer could be could be formed from a greater or smaller number of ribs of the same or different shape, a contiguous or segmented ring, or any other suitable structure. In the illustrated embodiment, each rib 29 is about 0.200 to 0.250 inches high, about 0.125 inches thick, and extends radially into the interior of the bottom portion 24 by about 0.100 inches.

The upper coil portion 26, which is preferably formed integrally with bottom portion 24, can expand axially and radially relative to bottom portion 24 such that holder 20 is capable of various degrees of compression and expansion. In FIGS. 1 and 2, for example, a first, natural state of holder 20 is shown. FIGS. 5 and 6 exemplify an expanded state, and FIGS. 3 and 4 show a compressed state.

In the natural state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, upper coiled portion 26 spirals upwardly from bottom portion 24 to form at least one loop expanding at least most of the circumference of beverage container holder 20. The number of loops formed by upper coiled portion 26 also will vary depending on the width of upper coiled portion 26, the choice of materials employed for beverage container holder 20, the desired maximum expanded height of beverage container holder 20 and other variables. Two complete loops 30, 32 are formed in the illustrated embodiment, resulting in gaps 34 between bottom portion 24 and loop 30 and between loops 30, 32. A free end 36 at the end of upper coiled portion 26 is at least generally aligned with the beginning of upper coiled portion 26.

The width of upper coiled portion 26 may be fixed or tapered, and may vary significantly from the illustrated embodiment depending, for example, on manufacturer preference for a particular material or ergonomics for a particular application. In the illustrated embodiment, the width of upper coiled portion 26 is constant through first loop 30 and decreases progressively through the later portion of second loop 32 so that the top of the beverage container holder 20 is horizontal rather than inclined. The pitch of the upward spiral may also vary with user preference, manufacturing expedience, or beverage container holder material properties. The thickness of upper coiled portion 26 may likewise vary so long as a minimum threshold of insulating ability, rigidity, and resiliency are met. Gap 34 will also vary in size with the various modifications possible and may be open as illustrated or may be enclosed by a membrane (not shown). The membrane, if present, preferably is formed integrally with the remainder of beverage container holder 20 from a reduced diameter portion of upper portion 21 of beverage container holder 20. Such a membrane would provide additional insulation while still allowing adequate compression and extension as described above.

Spaced surface features may, if desired, be provided on the inside surface of the coiled portion 26 to separate the loops 30 and 32 a small distance from the beverage container to improve the insulating ability of the beverage container holder 20. These features may take the form of circumferentially spaced, vertically extending ribs 35 as illustrated, circumferentially spaced dimples, or any other structure that engages the outer surface of the beverage container while separating at least the majority of the remainder of the inner surface of the loops 30 and 32 from the beverage container. These surface features need not be more than 0.100 inches deep, and could be much shallower. These surface features may also extend into the bottom portion 24, if desired.

The overall height of beverage container holder 20 in the natural state is preferably 3.4 inches as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As best seen in FIG. 6, beverage container holder 20 can hold various cups 22 given that many commercial beverage cups 22 have a common or similar diameters of footprint. Therefore, if the user prefers, beverage container holder 20 may be left in its natural state to cover a lower portion of cups 22 or, as seen in FIG. 6, may be expanded to cover a greater portion of cup 22. Thus, beverage container holder 20 allows the user to select among a variety of states of expansion for holding cup 22.

Referring now to FIG. 5, in the expanded state, upper coiled portion 26 expands axially and/or radially relative to bottom portion 24. Such that spiral gaps 34 between individual loops 30, 32 and between bottom portion 24 and first loop 30, increases in thickness.

The compressed state is best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In the compressed state, first loop 30 is compressed downwardly and outwardly to surround the corresponding portion of bottom portion 24, and the second loop 32 is compressed downwardly and outwardly to surround first loop 30. Alternatively, the upper portion 26 could compress into the bottom portion 24. Though its tendency is to “pop up,” beverage container holder 20 can thus be compressed to a height that is slightly higher than that of the width of upper coiled portion 26. The compressed state is ideal for shipment or storage between uses.

The material used to form beverage container holder 20 preferably has a variety of properties. First, the material of holder 20 preferably has insulating properties for hot and/or cold beverage containers. In addition, holder 20 is preferably made of a material that is pliable enough that upper coiled portion 26 can be compressed, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and expanded both radially and axially to accommodate a variety of beverage container shapes and sizes and to meet the individual needs of the specific user. However, the material should not be so pliable that holder 20 would not be durable through multiple compressions and expansions, and preferably holder 20 would be constructed of a very durable material that would allow a user to compress, store in a variety of conditions, and re-use indefinitely. Further, it is desirable for holder 20 to possess at least a degree of rigidity so that a user could not inadvertently squeeze holder 20 and spill the contents of cup 22.

Furthermore, the outside surface may have a texture that improves the grip for a user, may be of a material that allows for any of a spectrum of colors or imprints for branding and product promotion or sales purposes, and may be constructed of recyclable or recycled materials. Possible materials include polyethylene, polypropylene, TPE, TPR, Plastisol, silicone, or any combination of these materials. Alternatively, the material chosen for the insulating beverage container holder could be paper, in which case, the beverage container holder 20 could be made as a die cut and formed paper product.

There are many manufacturing processes available, depending on the material chosen, production costs, and other considerations. For example, it is contemplated that injection molding, injection blow molding, roto molding, blow molding, urethane casting, vacuum/pressure molding, or dip molding could be utilized, though other manufacturing processes will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In use and operation, holder 20 may be stored in its compressed state in a user's backpack, purse, vehicle, or bike bag until needed. Thus, a lightweight and durable material is preferred for holder 20. When holder 20 is needed, for example, when the user purchases a cup of coffee, holder 20 is removed from storage. Because of the configuration of holder 20 and the material used in its construction, holder 20 returns to its natural, uncompressed state and cup 22 can be placed within holder 20. The user may then hold cup 22 in holder 20 without causing discomfort or burning to his or her hand and without requiring a cardboard sleeve as is typically used with hot beverages served in paper cups. The user may also adjust holder 20 by expanding it to better cover the surface of cup 22 or to better adjust to his or her hand or other preferences. When the beverage has been consumed, cup 22 may be discarded and holder 20 may be compressed and returned to storage in the glove box, pocket, or other convenient location.

A second embodiment of the cup holder, shown in FIGS. 7-10, differs from the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 only in that 1) the bottom of the bottom portion is open rather than closed and 2) each portion is tapered in thickness from its central to edge portions. To highlight areas of structural and functional overlap, components of cup holder 120 of FIGS. 7-10 are denoted by the same reference numeral as cup holder 20 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7, incremented by 100. Cup holder 120 therefore includes a bottom portion 124 and an upper portion 126 formed as a coil presenting at least one loop. The upper, coiled portion 126 forms complete loops 130, 132, resulting in gaps 134 between bottom portion 124 and loop 130 and between loops 130, 132. A free end 136 at the end of upper coiled portion 126 is at least generally aligned with the beginning of upper coiled portion 126. Bottom portion 124 is a hollow, cylindrical element that tapers slightly to present an increasing diameter from bottom to top. The bottom surface of bottom portion 124 is open, rather than closed, permitting greater latitude of placement along the height of the cup 122 than in the first embodiment. In addition, the open based holder 120 can compress flatter than the closed based holder 120 of the embodiment, resulting in an even more compact structure for packaging, storage, and/or transport. Comparing FIG. 8 to FIG. 4, because the loops 130 and 132 loop around each other and the bottom portion 124, or compress into the bottom portion 124, the cup holder 120 of this embodiment can compress to the height of the bottom portion 124.

Each portion 124, 130, and 132 of the cup holder 120 embodiment also varies in thickness along its height so as be relatively thick at its center C and relatively thin at its upper end lower edges E. As a result, each portion has a profile resembling that of an airfoil, with a flat inner surface and a curved upper surface that tapers from its center C to its edges E. The resulting portions 124, 130, and 132 are ergonomically more comfortable than the corresponding rectangular-profile portions of the first embodiment. In addition, because they lack sharp edges, they also are less likely to catch on automobile cup holders or other devices with which the cup holder may come into sliding contact. Of course, the portions 24 and 26 of the first embodiment may be formed with the same or similar profile.

Although they are not illustrated in this embodiment, the ribs 35 or a similar surface feature may be provided on the inside surface of at least the upper portion 126 to enhance the insulating ability of the beverage container holder 120 of this embodiment.

A third embodiment of the cup holder, shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, differs from the embodiment of FIGS. 7-10 only in that the bottom portion is not cylindrical but, instead, forms a partial loop extension of the top portion and has a free end. To highlight areas of structural and functional overlap, components of cup holder 220 of FIGS. 11 and 12 are denoted by the same reference numeral as cup holder 120 of the embodiment of FIGS. 7-10, incremented by 100. Cup holder 220 therefore includes a bottom portion 224 and an upper portion 226 formed as a coil presenting at least one loop. The upper, coiled portion 226 forms complete loops 230, 232, resulting in gaps 234 between bottom portion 224 and loop 230 and between loops 230, 232. A free end 236 at the end of upper coiled portion 226 is at least generally aligned with the beginning of upper coiled portion 226. Bottom portion 224 is also coiled and forms a partial loop extending, for instance, through an angle of approximately 330° to a free end 225.

Finally, and also as in the second embodiment, each portion 224, 230, and 232 of the cup holder 220 of the third embodiment also varies in thickness along its height so as be relatively thick at its center C and relatively thin at its upper end lower edges E.

Because the bottom portion 224 does not form a complete cylinder but instead has a free end 225, the beverage container holder 220 of this embodiment can expand both radially and axially through a considerably greater stroke than the cup holder of either of the first and second embodiments. A greater range of beverage container diameters can therefore be accommodated. In addition, rather than collapsing the beverage container holder and storing in a backpack or other receptacle for transport, a user can actually wear the beverage container on his or her forearm or wrist by expanding it and slipping it over his or her wrist. This wearing can be a convenient and enjoyable mode of transport for many users. The beverage container holder 220 of this embodiment is otherwise operationally identical to the beverage container holder 120 of the second embodiment, and a discussion of its use therefore will be omitted for the sake of convenience.

Many changes and modifications could be made to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof. The scope of some of these changes can be appreciated by comparing the various embodiments and materials described above, but the scope of the present invention should not be limited by the description herein. Rather, the scope of the invention should be apparent from the appended claims.

Claims

1. A beverage container holder comprising:

a bottom portion sized to hold a beverage container; and

an expandable upper coiled portion attached to the bottom and capable of looping around an exterior surface of the beverage container.

2. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion has an enclosed and stepped bottom surface.

3. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion has an open bottom.

4. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion forms a cylinder.

5. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion has a free end and is sufficiently radially expandable to slip over the wrist of a user.

6. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein the upper coiled portion expands axially and radially to fit a variety of different-sized beverage containers.

7. The beverage container holder of claim 6, wherein the upper coiled portion comprises at least two loops having a gap therebetween.

8. The beverage container holder of claim 7, wherein the gap is covered with a flexible membrane.

9. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion and upper coiled portion further comprise an inner surface contacting the beverage container and an outer surface for contacting a hand of a person drinking the beverage.

10. The beverage container holder of claim 9, wherein at least an outer surface of the beverage container holder is formed from a high friction material is used to enhance gripping by end user.

11. The beverage container holder of claim 9, wherein the outer surface is textured.

12. The beverage container holder of claim 9, wherein the outer surface has indicia printed thereon.

13. The beverage container holder of claim 9, wherein the bottom portion and each coil of the upper coiled portion have an outer surface that tapers inwardly from a central portion thereof to at least an upper edge thereof.

14. The beverage container holder of claim 9, wherein the bottom portion and each coil of the upper coiled portion has an outer surface that tapers inwardly from a central portion thereof to upper and lower edges thereof.

15. The beverage container holder of claim 9, further comprising surface features which are provided on the inside surface of at least the upper coiled portion and which are configured to engage the outer surface of the container so that the at least the majority of the remainder of the inner surface of the upper coiled portion remains spaced from the container.

16. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein the holder is manufactured of an insulative material.

17. The beverage container holder of claim 16, wherein the insulative material comprises at least one of paper, polyethylene, polypropylene, TPU, TPE, TPR, Plastisol, silicone.

18. The beverage container holder of claim 16, wherein the holder may be expanded and compressed repeatedly without losing its natural shape.

19. The beverage container holder of claim 18, further comprising a spacer that extends inwardly from the inner surface of the bottom portion to define a region that is bounded by the spacer and that is of reduced diameter when compared to that of the inside surface of the bottom end of the bottom portion.

20. A method of using a beverage container holder comprising the steps of:

placing a beverage container within the holder;

expanding an upper coiled portion of the holder to fit the beverage container; and

holding the beverage container holder by the hand.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of removing the beverage container from the holder for re-use.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of compressing the holder for storage.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the holder has a bottom portion and an upper coiled portion, and wherein the compressing step comprises compressing the upper coiled portion over or into the bottom portion such that the total height of the holder is no higher than twice that of the bottom portion.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the compressing step comprises compressing the upper coiled portion over or inside the bottom portion such that the total height of the holder is no higher than that of the bottom portion.

25. The method of claim 20, further comprising slipping the beverage container holder over a wrist of the user and wearing the beverage container holder on the an arm of the user.