Beverage Container Holder

Abstract

A beverage container holder comprising a top portion configured to hold a first beverage container by engaging a perimeter of the first beverage container, and a bottom portion connected to the top portion and configured to rest on a second beverage container by engaging a perimeter of the second beverage container, wherein the bottom portion engages at least half of the perimeter of the second beverage container.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/704,318 filed Sep. 21, 2012 by Adrian Flores and entitled “Beverage Container Holder”, which is incorporated herein by reference as if reproduced in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

It is sometimes desirable to pour one beverage into another to create a combined unique taste. For example, some people like margarita and beer, and prefer the two mixed together. One way of mixing margarita and beer is by the use of a beer container holder. For example, a beer container holder may be attached to a rim of a glass or cup filled with a margarita, and a beer bottle may be held upside-down on the beer container holder and extending into the glass or cup. Part of the beer bottle (e.g., its mouth) may be immersed into the margarita, which allows the beer to mix gradually with the margarita forming a tasteful cocktail.

The beer container holder shown in U.S. Pat. No. 8,413,838, also dubbed as “margarita clip”, is a product comprising a clip and a deck attached thereto. The clip comprises two plastic layers separated by a gap and is designed such that the clip may be attached to a small portion of the rim of a margarita glass. The deck comprises an aperture or open hole having a perimeter size that fits the neck of a beer bottle, so that the beer bottle may be held upside-down on the margarita clip, with its mouth extending into the margarita glass.

There may be limitations or potential issues associated with delivering a beer into a margarita using the margarita clip. For example, as the margarita clip may engage a small angular portion (e.g., less than one fourth) of a rim of a margarita glass, the margarita clip may become unstable when a beer bottle is suspended thereon (e.g., when the margarita glass is moved on a table or on a serving tray, the margarita clip may cause the beer bottle to wobble or even possibly tip over the margarita glass). For another example, the open hole on a margarita clip may be designed to fit just the neck of a beer bottle, thus it may be difficult for the clip to hold other types of beverage containers, such as a beer can which does not have a neck. For yet another example, as the clip spacing on a margarita clip may fit only one size of margarita glass, multiple clip sizes may need to be stocked to accommodate difference sizes of margarita glasses. Therefore, there is a need to develop a more reliable and flexible beverage container holder.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the disclosure includes a beverage container holder comprising a top portion configured to hold a first beverage container by engaging a perimeter of the first beverage container, and a bottom portion connected to the top portion and configured to rest on a second beverage container by engaging a perimeter of the second beverage container, wherein the bottom portion engages at least half of the perimeter of the second beverage container.

In another embodiment, the disclosure includes a beer container holder comprising a top portion configured to hold a beer container upside-down by engaging a body, but not a neck, of the beer container, and a bottom portion connected to the top portion and configured to engage a rim of a frozen beverage glass covering at least half of the rim of the frozen beverage glass.

In yet another embodiment, the disclosure includes a method for holding a first beverage container inside a second beverage container, the method comprising attaching a container holder to the second beverage container, inserting the first beverage container upside-down through a top opening formed by a top portion of the container holder, and sliding the first beverage container along a longitudinal direction to adjust a height of the first beverage container with respect to the second beverage container.

In yet another embodiment, the disclosure includes a beverage container holder consisting essentially of a top portion configured to hold a first beverage container by engaging a perimeter of the first beverage container, and a bottom portion connected to the top portion and configured to engage at least half of a perimeter of a second beverage container.

These and other features will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts.

FIGS. 1A-1C are diagrams showing examplary beverage assemblies which comprise embodiments of a disclosed beverage container holder.

FIGS. 2A-2D are diagrams showing front, side, top, and bottom views, respectively, of an embodiment of a beverage container holder.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a side view of an embodiment of a beverage container holder.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a side view of another embodiment of the beverage container holder.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a bottom view of an embodiment of the beverage container holder.

FIGS. 6A-6C are diagrams showing bottom views of embodiments of beverage container holders which have different side openings.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a method for holding a beverage container inside a glass or cup.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be understood at the outset that, although an illustrative implementation of one or more embodiments are provided below, the disclosed systems and/or methods may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplary designs and implementations illustrated and described herein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.

As used herein, “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back”, “left”, “right”, “side”, and any other term that references a relative position is with respect to the perspective view referenced and does not mean to imply that a device is restricted to only one orientation.

Disclosed herein are apparatuses and methods for improved dispensing of a first beverage container, such as a beer bottle or a beer can, on top of and partly inside a second beverage container, such as a glass, cup, or pitcher. In an embodiment, a beverage container holder attached to a rim of a glass or cup is designed to engage a large portion (e.g., at least half) or a full perimeter of the rim. One disclosed beverage container holder may take the form of a funnel or conical-shaped body comprising a top portion and a bottom portion connected to the top portion. A top opening may be formed or defined by the top portion, a bottom opening may be formed or defined by the bottom portion, and there is a longitudinal distance (e.g., height difference) from the top opening to the bottom opening. One or more side openings may also be formed by the top portion and/or the bottom portion.

In use, the bottom opening may be configured to have a perimeter bigger than the rim of the glass, and the top opening may be configured to have a perimeter size substantially equal to (or slightly larger than) a perimeter of the beverage container. The disclosed holder may be used to pour any beverage into one or more other beverages, including a beer or soda into a margarita or other frozen beverage. The disclosed beverage container holder may have desirable features such as stability in securing the beverage container, flexibility in adjusting vertical positions of the beverage container by sliding the beverage container, versatility in fitting multiple rim sizes of glasses using a conical-shaped body, and so forth.

FIGS. 1A-1C are diagrams showing examplary beverage assemblies 100, 150, and 160, which comprise embodiments of the disclosed beverage container holder. Take the beverage assembly 100 in FIG. 1A as an example, with the assumption that other assemblies 150 and 160 can be similarly understood. A cylindrical glass or cup 110 may be filled with a first frozen or otherwise viscous beverage 112, such as a margarita. A beverage container holder 120 may comprise a funnel or conical-shaped body with a bottom portion and a top portion, which are connected such that the bottom portion is below the top portion.

Further, the bottom and top portions respectively form or define a bottom opening 122 and a top opening 124. The bottom opening 122 may have a size no smaller than a rim 114 of the glass 110, thus the conical-shaped body may be configured to position itself or rest on the rim 114 which is a perimeter of the glass 110. As shown in FIG. 1A, the bottom portion covers a full perimeter of the rim 114.

Compared to the margarita clip which may cover only a small portion of a glass rim, the bottom portion of the beverage container holder disclosed herein may engage or span across at least half of a rim of the glass 110. Specifically, the locations where the bottom portion of the holder 120 connects at least half of the glass 110 (e.g., three locations spaced 120° apart, or four locations spaced 90° apart), the bottom portion need not have continuous contact with the rim 114, and in many embodiments, the bottom portion will not have continuous contact with the rim 114. Contacting at least half of the rim enhances stability of a beverage assembly so that a beverage container held upside-down is less likely to wobble or flip. Further, compared to the margarita clip which has an inner wall overhanging in the glass or cup and engaging an inside surface of the glass rim, the beverage container holder disclosed herein may only need to make contact with the outside surface around the glass rim.

The top opening 124 may be configured in a way such that a beverage container 130 (shown as a beer can in FIG. 1A) containing a second beverage may be held or suspended by frictional force between a perimeter of the beverage container 130 and the surface of the holder 120 around the top opening 124. The top opening 124 may have a perimeter size substantially identical with an external size (perimeter) of the beverage container 130 to allow the beverage container 130 to stay securely on the holder 120. For example, the perimeter of the top opening 124 may be approximately equal to or slightly larger than a perimeter of the beverage container 130. If the top opening 124 is noticeably larger than the perimeter of the beverage container 130, a fitter (e.g., a rubber band or other frictional device) may be attached to the inside of the top opening 124 to fit the beverage container 130.

Using the assembly 100, the second beverage may be poured steadily into the first beverage 112 forming a cocktail. The conical-shaped body of the beverage container holder 120 may further comprise or form a side opening 126, through which a straw 140 may be inserted for a consumer to enjoy the cocktail. The side opening 126 may or may not extend down to the bottom portion.

As shown in FIG. 1A, a beer or other beverage container may be opened and then mounted upside-down onto the beverage container holder 120, with the mouth of the beverage container immersed into the beverage 112 contained in the cylindrical glass 110. When held by the beverage container holder 120, the beverage container has a vertical position relative to beverage container holder 120, and the vertical position may be flexibly adjusted, as long as there is sufficient frictional force between the holder 120 and the beverage container to prevent unintentional sliding of the beverage container. This flexibility may prove to be a desirable feature in usage. For example, as a consumer enjoys a mixture of the margarita and beer, a level of the margarita goes down. Then, he/she may adjust a height of the beer can (e.g., lowering down the beer can), so that a flow rate of the beer into the margarita may be controlled, which may contribute to a more desirable mixture of margarita and beer. The disclosed holder may have other advantages over the prior art which will be further described below.

Although the beer and the margarita are used as an example to demonstrate working principles of the disclosed holder, it should be understood that any liquid drinks or beverages may be mixed using the disclosed holder. For example, beverages that can be mixed may include, but are not limited to, water, soft drinks (e.g., PEPSI, SPRITE, COCA COLA, etc.), juices (e.g., orange juice, apple juice, lemon juice, etc.), energy drinks (RED BULL, POWERADE, etc.), alcohol (beer, red wine, white wine, champagne, etc.), cocktail (martini, margarita, etc.), any other beverage, and any combination thereof.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, a disclosed beverage container holder may be configured to hold, suspend, or dispense any suitable size, shape, and/or material of beverage containers on top of a glass or cup. For example, suitable shapes of beverage containers may include bottle (e.g., stubby, De Nederlandse Bierfles, longneck, shortneck, Growler, Caguama, etc.), can, and any other shapes of beverage container. Depending on the shape of a beverage container, it may have one or more perimeter sizes. For instance, a beer can has a cylindrical body without any neck, so the beer can has mostly one perimeter size along its body. A beer bottle, on the other hand, has a body and a neck smaller than the body, thus the perimeter of the body is larger than a perimeter of the neck. In this case, a disclosed container holder may make contact with a perimeter in the body section rather than the neck section, so that the beer bottle may be able to slide along a longitudinal direction (e.g., the vertical direction) when a downward or upward force is applied to a suspended beverage container. Avoiding contact with the neck section may improve the stability of the combination of the glass, beverage container holder, and the suspended beverage container.

In an embodiment, the top portion of the disclosed container holder is configured to hold a beverage container stationary, when no downward force is applied to the beverage container. The top portion is further configured to allow the beverage container to move downward when a downward force is applied to the beverage container.

Dimensions or sizes of beverage containers may be measured in metric or imperial units. Depending on the size of the top opening of the disclosed holder, various sizes of beverage containers may be accommodated. For example, a U.S. standard can may be about 4.83 inches high, about 2.13 inches in diameter at the lid, and about 2.60 inches (or 65 millimeters (mm)) in diameter at the widest point of its body. In Europe, a standard can diameter may often be about 52 mm in diameter. Some cans (e.g., energy drinks) in the U.S. may also use the European standard diameter of about 52 mm. In addition, a standard beer bottle may be about 16-ounces (oz), 12-oz or 7-oz in capacity. The 12-oz bottle, for example, may have a diameter of about 2.4 inches. Further, a beverage container may be made of any material including, but not limited to, metal (tin, aluminum, etc.), glass, plastic, any other suitable material, and any combination thereof.

Although a cylindrical glass is used in the beverage assembly 100 as an example to demonstrate working principles of a disclosed holder, embodiments of the disclosed holder may be configured to be placed on various sizes, shapes, and/or materials of open-mouthed containers, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1C. For example, a glass or cup may be a cylindrical glass (FIG. 1A), a frozen beverage glass (FIG. 1B) having a leg and a container section with an angle relative to the vertical direction, a wide mouth container (FIG. 1C) having a larger perimeter around the rim than around the bottom, any other regularly or irregularly shaped container, or any combination thereof. The glass or cup may or may not be circular around its rim. As long as a size (e.g., diameter) of the rim of the glass is no greater than a size of the bottom opening of the disclosed holder, the glass may have any flexible size. The disclosed holder may also be configured to engage other beverage containers such as cups, pitchers, buckets, beakers, etc. The beverage container may comprise any material including, for example, plastic, metal, glass, polymer, paper, etc. The term “glass or cup” may be used herein to generally refer to any suitable type of upright container that a beverage container holder rests on.

Depending on the application, there may be various configurations in embodiments of the disclosed beverage container holder. FIGS. 2A-2D are diagrams showing front, side, top, and bottom views, respectively, of an embodiment of a beverage container holder 200. The beverage container holder 200 may comprise a top portion 210 and a bottom portion 220. The top portion 210 may be considered a first portion, and the bottom portion 220 a second portion. Although a horizontal plane near a top opening of the beverage container holder 200 is used as an examplary divider of the top portion 210 and the bottom portion 220, it should be understood that the concepts of a top portion and a bottom portion discussed herein is flexible and can be arbitrarily defined. That is, top and bottom portions may be divided using any reasonable mechanism, such as by a horizontal plane along a longitudinal direction (e.g., consider top half height as top portion and bottom half height as bottom portion).

The top portion 210 and the bottom portion 220 form the body of the beverage container holder 200. The body may be shaped similar to part of a cone or a funnel, and may define or form a top opening 212, a bottom opening 222, and one or more side openings (one side opening 230 shown in FIGS. 2A-2D). The top opening 212 is formed by the top portion 210, the bottom opening 222 formed by the bottom portion 220, and the side opening 230 formed by the top portion 210 and/or the bottom portion 220. The top opening 212 and the bottom opening 222 may typically be circular (although they may also be rectangular or other shapes if desired), and the top opening 212 may typically have a perimeter size smaller than the bottom opening 222. For a circular opening or rim, a perimeter size refers to a circumference of the circle which is determined by a diameter or a radius.

In an embodiment, the bottom opening 222 may be configured to have a relatively large size, e.g., bigger than most glasses or cups commonly used for drinking. For example, the bottom opening 222 may be about 3 inches to about 8 inches in diameter but may be other sizes. In use, because the bottom opening 222 is bigger than a rim size of a glass or cup, the conical-shaped body may make contact with the rim of the glass or cup at a certain distance between the top and bottom openings. Even with a fixed size of bottom opening, the disclosed holder may be placed on top of various sizes of glasses due to its conical-shaped body. For example, a smaller glass may make contact with the body closer to the top opening 212, while a larger glass may make contact with the body closer to the bottom opening 222. The capability of accommodating flexible glass sizes may be advantageous compared to prior art.

Suppose the beverage container holder 200 is being used to hold a first beverage container (e.g., beer bottle) inside a second beverage container (e.g., margarita glass). To move the beverage container holder 200 to a third beverage container (e.g., another margarita glass) that has a different perimeter or rim than the second beverage container, one can first detach the beverage container holder 200 from the second beverage container, and then attach the beverage container holder 200 to the third beverage container. In an embodiment, the bottom portion may be attached to the third beverage container covering at least half of the rim of the third beverage container.

In addition, the bottom portion 220 may have a relatively larger contact area with the rim of a glass or cup when attached thereto, so that the beverage container holder 200 may be more secure when placed on the glass. As a result, a beverage container held by the beverage container holder 200 may be less likely to wobble or flip when being moved, e.g., on a table or a serving tray.

The top opening 212 may be configured to have a size approximately equal to an outside perimeter of a beverage container held thereon. If the beverage container holder 200 is configured to hold, for example, a beer can with a diameter of about 2.6 inches, the top opening may be about 2.5-2.7 inches in diameter. If the disclosed holder is intended to hold a beer bottle with a diameter of about 2.4 inches, the top opening may be about 2.3-2.5 inches in diameter. To allow flexible adjustment of the vertical position of the beverage container, the top opening may not be significantly smaller than the beverage container. If the top opening 212 is considerably smaller than the perimeter of a beverage container, a fitter (e.g., rubber band) may be attached to the top opening 212 to fit the smaller perimeter of the beverage container.

To facilitate drinking, there may be one or more openings on the side of the beverage container holder 200. In use, a straw may have any tubular structure and may be inserted through the side opening 230 to reach the mixed beverages.

Although a conical-shaped holder is illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2D as an example, a beverage container holder disclosed herein may also take the form of any other suitable 3-dimensional shape or geometry, and the shape may carry promotional or advertising information. For example, the disclosed holder may be made into a shape resembling a sport item such as a football, a helmet, a basketball, a baseball, a baseball bat, or a baseball glove. The disclosed holder may also be made into other shapes such as a hat, an umbrella, an animal, any other reasonable shape, and any combination thereof. By incorporating various promotional information into a disclosed holder, its marketability may be increased. For example, having a mini tiger-shaped beer holder (e.g., at a sporting event with a Tigers team) with a straw hole in its mouth may make the disclosed device popular for fans of the team (e.g., the Louisiana State University Tigers). Similarly, a Dallas Cowboys helmet may be popular for the Dallas Cowboys' fans, and a covered wagon may be popular for University of Oklahoma fans.

Depending on the shape of the disclosed holder, its top and bottom openings may be configured accordingly and flexibly. For example, in case of a football-shaped holder, its bottom opening may no longer need to be bigger than the rim of a glass on which it rests, because a widest point of the football-shaped holder may be between the top and bottom openings. In an embodiment of a football-shaped holder, the top and bottom opening may have a similar or equal size, which fits an outside size of a beverage container (e.g., a beer bottle or beer can). The beverage container may be supported by two openings instead of one, which may increase stability and frictional force. Thus, the disclosed holder may clip or otherwise securely fasten to the glass or cup, perhaps even creating a waterproof seal.

To further increase marketability of the disclosed holder, other promotional information or decorative elements may also be added. For example, advertisements of vendors such as sports teams, restaurant, beer suppliers, etc., may be displayed, printed, or engraved onto the disclosed holder. In addition, other information such as personalized greetings, messages, Bible verses, pictures, occasion-specific information (birthday, Halloween, Christmas, etc.) may also be added to the disclosed holder.

In practice, a disclosed beverage container holder may be made of any suitable material. Such structural materials may include, but are not limited to, plastic materials such as polycarbonate (PC), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), elastomers such as poly dimethylsiloxane (PDMS), metallic materials, glass or glass-like materials, any other suitable materials, and any combination thereof. Further, the disclosed holder may be manufactured or fabricated via any suitable technique and/or process. Possible fabrication techniques/processes may include, but are not limited to, casting, molding, printing, direct structuring, any other suitable technique, or any combination thereof.

Although a disclosed beverage container holder is shown herein as a separate entity from a glass or cup on which it is placed, if desired, the beverage container holder may be manufactured together with a cup. During manufacturing, the disclosed beverage container holder may be attached to the rim of a glass or cup, and the attachment may permanently bind the container holder and the glass or cup as one piece. The combined holder and cup may be used or sold together. Promotional information may be carried in the shape or the surface of the one-piece holder-cup assembly. For example, in a sporting event, the holder may be football-shaped and the cup may be a plastic bottle or container. In this case, the disclosed holder may also be a souvenir in addition to a drinking utility.

Depending on the structural material(s), the disclosed holder may have any color. For example, if it is made of a glass or another transparent material, it may appear clear. The transparency may be an attractive feature, as a consumer may see the beverages through the holder. The holder may also be any other color or any combination of colors.

In use, additional features may be incorporated into the holder to increase frictional force between the side of the top opening and the beverage container. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a side view of an embodiment of a beverage container holder 300 comprising a top portion 310 and a bottom portion 320 connected thereto. The top portion 310 comprises a cylindrical section 312, which forms a top opening 314. The cylindrical section 312 may have a relatively smaller height and may help increase contact area between the inside of the top opening 314 and a perimeter of a beverage container held thereon. The increased contact area helps to increase frictional force.

In an embodiment, the inside surface of the top opening 314 may comprise one or more frictional features, such as corrugations, castellations, scallops, concave trenches, convex protrusions, any other features, or any combination thereof. The features may help further increase friction. In an embodiment, the holder 300 may comprise teeth-shaped features at its top opening to increase friction. Moreover, an additional rubber band, ring, or other fitter may be attached to the top opening 314. The rubber ring may be made of relatively flexible material, so that it may help adjust the opening size and/or increase frictional force. For example, if a beverage container body has a perimeter size smaller than the top opening, the rubber ring with an inside diameter smaller than the beverage container size may be inserted to secure the container. In addition, the features on the inside surface of the top opening 314 may be used to accommodate different sized bottles or cans, either in addition to or in lieu of providing friction. For example, corrugations on the inside surface of the top opening 314 can be configured to accommodate a smaller beer bottle (e.g. a 7-ounce Corinita™) and/or full-sized beer bottles (e.g. a 12-ounce Corona™) by the same beverage container holder 120.

In an embodiment, it is possible to attach a second container holder to a first container holder to flexibly fit different sizes of beverage containers. For example, if a beverage container has a perimeter smaller than the top opening of the holder, the second holder (with a top opening smaller than or equal to the beverage container, and a bottom opening bigger than the first holder) may then be placed on top of the first holder. In this way, the beverage container may be securely coupled to the second holder, while the glass containing another beverage (e.g., margarita) may be coupled to the first holder.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a side view of an embodiment of a beverage container holder 400, which may comprise a top portion 410 and a bottom portion 420. The bottom portion 420 may comprise an additional section 422 forming a bottom opening 424. The section 422 may have a size larger than the bottom of the conical-shaped side and may be used as, for example, a handle designed for convenient handling of the holder. The additional section 424 may also comprise other features such as a circular recess or trench around the bottom opening 424, in which a rim of a certain-sized glass may fit. In an alternative embodiment, a holder may have a substantially flat bottom portion that rests directly (e.g., floats) on the beverage in the glass or cup. In yet another alternative embodiment, the bottom portion of a holder may engage the inside surface around the rim of a glass or cup (e.g., the bottom portion may have a rubber ring along the edge of the bottom portion).

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a bottom view of an embodiment of a beverage container holder 500, which may comprise surface features and/or additional parts around its bottom opening. Such surface features may comprise a circular-shaped recess, notch, groove, or trench, which is etched on the bottom surface. As shown in FIG. 5, a bottom portion 510 may comprise a bottom inner wall 512 and a bottom outer wall 514, thereby creating a surface recess 516 configured to engage a full perimeter of the rim of a glass or cup. The size of the surface recess 516 may be configured to fit (e.g., substantially identical) a standard-sized glass or cup, so that the holder 500 may be stably situated or placed on top of the glass.

More contact area between the holder and the glass may be created by two layers of plastic that are coupled to the conical-shaped body of the holder. The two layers of plastic may be concentric, separated by a gap, and have two sides parallel to the rim of the glass. In use, the rim of the glass may fit in the gap between the two layers of plastic.

Although a side opening for a straw is illustrated above as an examplary way of drinking a cocktail of two or more beverages, the disclosed holder may be designed to accommodate other ways of drinking. FIGS. 6A-6C are diagrams showing respective bottom views of embodiments of beverage container holders 600, 650, and 690 which have different side openings. As shown in FIG. 6A, the beverage container holder 600 may not necessarily have fully enclosed side surface or make contact with the full circumference of a rim of a glass on which the holder rests. In an embodiment, the beverage container holder 600 may engage at least about one fourth, a half, or three fourth of the rim circumference as to ensure stability of the beverage container holder 600 when a beverage container is mounted thereon. Using this design, a plurality of straws may be inserted from the side of the beverage container holder 600. Additional ingredients such as lemon, salt, sugar, etc., may also be added through the side opening. If a consumer desires, he/she may even drink directly from the side opening without using a straw.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the top opening of the beverage container holder 650 may be fully enclosed while its bottom opening may only be partially enclosed. Using this design, the top opening may ensure sufficient frictional force with a beverage container, while the bottom opening may allow addition of other ingredients as well as flexible ways of drinking.

As shown in FIG. 6C, the beverage container holder 690 may have a plurality of side openings. The plurality of side openings may be spaced apart in a full circle and may be connected to a bottom opening of the holder 690. In this case, note that the holder 690 may not physically engage the full perimeter of a rim or a glass or cup on which the holder rests, because some of the angles are emptied by the side openings. However, the bottom portion of the holder 690 still spans across the full perimeter of the rim, as the holder covers all 360° angles of the rim in a radial direction. In comparison, the margarita clip may only span across a small perimeter (e.g., covering a 40° angle) of the rim. In an embodiment, although a bottom portion of a disclosed beverage container holder may physically engage less than half of the rim, the bottom portion should still span across at least half of the rim.

It should be noted herein that any two or more features described above in various embodiments of the disclosed beverage container holder may be flexibly combined. For example, a cylindrical section in the top portion, surface features and/or additional parts on the bottom opening, and multiple side openings may be combined together however appropriate.

In an embodiment, a beverage container holder may consist essentially of a top portion configured to hold a beverage container by engaging a perimeter of the beverage container, a bottom portion connected to the top portion and configured to engage a rim of a glass or cup covering more than half of the rim of the glass or cup.

As mentioned previously, compared with prior art, the disclosed beverage container holder may bring about various advantages such as stability in securing a beverage container, flexibility in adjusting vertical positions of the beverage container, capability to fit various sized glasses using a fixed-sized bottom opening, and so forth. The disclosed holder may make it easy to controllably pour one beverage into another and make drinking more enjoyable. For example, in the case of a margarita beer cocktail, a subtle yet distinct beer flavor may slowly seep into the margarita while the cocktail is being consumed. The blend of beer and margarita may offer a unique and refreshing flavor combination. The preparation of cocktails may be made easy and convenient—ideal for home cocktailing, partying, and numerous other events. With the capability to customize using various decorative features, the marketing potential of the disclosed holder may also be promising.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a method 700 for holding a first beverage container inside a second beverage container. The method 700 may be part of instructions provided with the beverage container holder (e.g., from a beverage container manufacturer to a client), or may be performed by a server or consumer. The first beverage container (e.g., a beer bottle or a beer can) may at least partially extend into the second beverage container (e.g., a frozen beverage glass) when held therein. The method 700 starts in step 710, in which a container holder (e.g., a beer bottle holder) may be attached or engaged to a rim of the second beverage container. In an embodiment, attaching the container holder to the rim of the second beverage container occurs during manufacturing of the container holder and permanently binds the container holder and the second beverage container as one piece. In step 720, the method 700 may insert the first beverage container upside-down through a top opening formed by a top portion of the container holder. In an embodiment, the container holder is attached to the rim such that a bottom portion of the container holder covers at least half of the rim. In step 730, the method 700 may slide the first beverage container along a longitudinal direction to adjust a height of the first beverage container with respect to the second beverage container. For example, when drinking a cocktail of margarita and beer, adjusting the height of a beer bottle may create a steady flow of beer into the margarita and an even taste.

At least one embodiment is disclosed and variations, combinations, and/or modifications of the embodiment(s) and/or features of the embodiment(s) made by a person having ordinary skill in the art are within the scope of the disclosure. Alternative embodiments that result from combining, integrating, and/or omitting features of the embodiment(s) are also within the scope of the disclosure. Where numerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated, such express ranges or limitations may be understood to include iterative ranges or limitations of like magnitude falling within the expressly stated ranges or limitations (e.g., from about 1 to about 10 includes, 2, 3, 4, etc.; greater than 0.10 includes 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, etc.). For example, whenever a numerical range with a lower limit, R₁, and an upper limit, R_u, is disclosed, any number falling within the range is specifically disclosed. In particular, the following numbers within the range are specifically disclosed: R=R₁+k*(R_u−R₁), wherein k is a variable ranging from 1 percent to 100 percent with a 1 percent increment, i.e., k is 1 percent, 2 percent, 3 percent, 4 percent, 5 percent, . . . , 50 percent, 51 percent, 52 percent, . . . , 95 percent, 96 percent, 97 percent, 98 percent, 99 percent, or 100 percent. Moreover, any numerical range defined by two R numbers as defined in the above is also specifically disclosed. The use of the term “about” means +/−10% of the subsequent number, unless otherwise stated. Use of the term “optionally” with respect to any element of a claim means that the element is required, or alternatively, the element is not required, both alternatives being within the scope of the claim. Use of broader terms such as comprises, includes, and having may be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as consisting of, consisting essentially of, and comprised substantially of. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the description set out above but is defined by the claims that follow, that scope including all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure into the specification and the claims are embodiment(s) of the present disclosure. The discussion of a reference in the disclosure is not an admission that it is prior art, especially any reference that has a publication date after the priority date of this application. The disclosure of all patents, patent applications, and publications cited in the disclosure are hereby incorporated by reference, to the extent that they provide exemplary, procedural, or other details supplementary to the disclosure.

While several embodiments have been provided in the present disclosure, it may be understood that the disclosed systems and methods might be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The present examples are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the intention is not to be limited to the details given herein. For example, the various elements or components may be combined or integrated in another system or certain features may be omitted, or not implemented.

In addition, techniques, systems, subsystems, and methods described and illustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may be combined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, or methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Other items shown or discussed as coupled or directly coupled or communicating with each other may be indirectly coupled or communicating through some interface, device, or intermediate component whether electrically, mechanically, or otherwise. Other examples of changes, substitutions, and alterations are ascertainable by one skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A beverage container holder comprising:

a top portion configured to hold a first beverage container by engaging a perimeter of the first beverage container; and

a bottom portion connected to the top portion and configured to rest on a second beverage container by engaging a perimeter of the second beverage container, wherein the bottom portion engages at least half of the perimeter of the second beverage container.

2. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion engages substantially all of the perimeter of the second beverage container.

3. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein the first beverage container comprises a body and a neck connected to the body, and wherein the top portion does not engage the neck.

4. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein the top portion has a top opening through which the first beverage container is held upside-down by the top portion, and wherein the top portion is configured to hold the first beverage container stationary, and wherein the top portion is further configured to allow longitudinal sliding of the first beverage container when a downward force is applied to the first beverage container.

5. The beverage container holder of claim 4, wherein the bottom portion has a bottom opening with a longitudinal distance from the top opening, and wherein the rim of the second beverage container has a perimeter larger than the top opening but smaller than the bottom opening.

6. The beverage container holder of claim 5, wherein the bottom portion is generally conical-shaped and is further configured to engage any of a plurality of perimeters of different-sized second beverage containers.

7. The beverage container holder of claim 5, wherein the top portion and the bottom portion form a body that is generally conical-shaped, and wherein the top opening and bottom opening are generally circular.

8. The beverage container holder of claim 5, wherein at least one of the top portion and the bottom portion comprises one or more side openings.

9. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein the perimeter of the first beverage container is engaged to the top portion via a contact area of the top portion, and wherein the contact area has surface features configured to generate sufficient friction to hold the first beverage container stationary within the top portion.

10. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion comprises a bottom inner wall and a bottom outer wall, thereby creating a surface recess configured to engage a full perimeter of the rim of the second beverage container, and wherein the surface recess and the rim of the second beverage container have substantially identical perimeters.

11. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein the second beverage container has an inside surface and an outside surface around the rim of the second beverage container, and wherein the bottom portion makes contact only with the outside surface when engaged thereto.

12. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein a combination of the top portion and the bottom portion has a body shape that displays promotional information.

13. A beer container holder comprising:

a top portion configured to hold a beer container upside-down by engaging a body, but not a neck, of the beer container; and

a bottom portion connected to the top portion and configured to engage a rim of a frozen beverage glass covering at least half of the rim of the frozen beverage glass.

14. The beer container holder of claim 13, wherein at least one of the top portion and the bottom portion forms one or more side holes, each of which is configured to accept a straw therethrough.

15. The beer container holder of claim 14, wherein the bottom portion engages a full perimeter of the rim of the frozen beverage glass, wherein the beer container is a beer bottle with the body and the neck smaller than the body, wherein the top portion has a top opening through which the beer bottle is held by the top portion, and wherein the top opening substantially fits the body of the beer bottle to allow longitudinal sliding of the beer bottle.

16. A method for holding a first beverage container inside a second beverage container, the method comprising:

attaching a container holder to the second beverage container;

inserting the first beverage container upside-down through a top opening formed by a top portion of the container holder; and

sliding the first beverage container along a longitudinal direction to adjust a height of the first beverage container with respect to the second beverage container.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the container holder is attached to a rim of the second beverage container such that a bottom portion of the container holder covers at least half of the rim.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

detaching the container holder from the second beverage container; and

attaching the container holder to a third beverage container such that the bottom portion covers at least half of a rim of the third beverage container, wherein the rim of the second beverage container and the rim of the third beverage container have different sizes.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein attaching the container holder to the rim of the second beverage container occurs during manufacturing of the container holder and permanently binds the container holder and the second beverage container as one piece.

20. A beverage container holder consisting essentially of:

a top portion configured to hold a first beverage container by engaging a perimeter of the first beverage container; and

a bottom portion connected to the top portion and configured to engage at least half of a perimeter of a second beverage container.

21. The beverage container holder of claim 20, wherein the top portion has a surface comprising one or more features configured to hold stationary first beverage containers of different sizes.

22. The beverage container holder of claim 20, wherein the top portion holds the first beverage container stationary when no downward force is applied to the first beverage container, and allows the first beverage container to move downward when a downward force is applied to the first beverage container.