Combination beverage service item and condom holder
A combination beverage service item and condom holder. The beverage service item, which may comprise a cocktail napkin, a coaster, a table tent, a bottle hangtag, etc., includes a first layer and a second layer which are disposed in superimposed relationship. Portions of the two layers are joined together along a perimeter so as to define a pocket for enclosing a condom therein. The perimeter may not entirely enclose the pocket so as to provide the user access for removing the condom, or it may entirely enclose the pocket. Means, such as a perforated tear line, tear strip, zipper, etc., may be provided to assist the user in gaining access to the enclosed pocket. The two layers may be formed of the same sheet stock material, or they may be formed of two different sheet stock materials. User readable indicia may be disposed on the beverage service item.
This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/526,844 filed Dec. 4, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates generally to promotional items used in connection with beverage service. More specifically, the invention relates to a beverage service item configured to retain a condom therein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONCondoms have been shown to be effective in preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, and because of growing concern with problems caused by diseases such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, syphilis and the like, there is a very strong incentive to encourage the responsible use of condoms. While the topic of condoms and their use was previously considered to be unacceptable in general conversation, thanks to strong public health efforts, the topic of condom use is generally acceptable in society. Persons who are comfortable discussing issues of condom use with prospective sexual partners are far more likely to use condoms in a responsible manner.
However, problems of convenient access to condoms remain. While condoms may be readily purchased from retail locations such as drugstores and vending machines, there are many locations frequented by persons who engage in casual sex or serial sex where condoms are unobtainable. In many instances, sexual activity is spontaneous and opportunistic; and, while partners might use a condom if one is available, the absence of a condom might lead to unprotected sex.
In particular, casual sexual activity is often initiated in a club or barroom. For those patrons who come unprepared, it will be appreciated that responsible condom use will be far more likely if the club or barroom setting provides customers with condoms in a manner which might subtly encourage the discussion of their possible use. Since patrons of these establishments often fall into a more relaxed conversational mode while they are drinking alcoholic or other beverages, the serving of these beverages offers a particularly suitable environment in which to provide patrons with complimentary condoms.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention recognizes the need for, and desirability of, promoting condom use at venues which serve alcoholic beverages. Toward that end, the present invention comprises a beverage service item which is structured and configured to retain a condom therein. In general, the beverage service item of the present invention is comprised of at least a first and a second layer of sheet stock material. The two layers may both be comprised of a single material or the two layers may be formed of different materials. These materials may comprise paper, cardboard, woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, as well as materials such as natural or synthetic polymers including latex, natural material such as leather, and various combinations of the foregoing. The first and second layers are disposed so that at least a portion of one layer is superposed upon the other. A portion of each layer is joined together so as to define a perimeter which at least partially bounds regions of the first and second layers. The perimeter, together with the enclosed regions of the layers, defines a pocket which forms an enclosure configured to receive a condom. The condom may be packaged in a foil or polymeric wrap as is known in the art, or the promotional item of the present invention may comprise the sole packaging.
Within the context of this disclosure, “condoms” are understood to be defined in the broadest sense to include all protective devices used during sexual activity and include, but are not limited to: male condoms, female condoms, dental dams and the like. Within the context of the present invention, beverage service items are understood to include, but not be limited to, cocktail napkins, coasters, bottle and glass wraps, bottle tags, snack trays, table tents, other promotional items and the like. These items generally bear promotional messages advertising a venue or a product; and in accord with the present invention, they may be further configured to contain a condom therein. In addition, the promotional items can include further messages encouraging sexual responsibility.
The present invention may be configured in a variety of embodiments. The first embodiment comprises a napkin, such as a cocktail napkin, formed of two layers of paper, cloth or other absorbent material. The two layers are disposed in superposed relationship, with portions of the two layers joined together along a perimeter so as to define a pocket which encloses a condom. Typically, the napkin will be presented with one or more folds of the two layers of sheet material.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the two layers of the beverage service item are formed of different sheet stock materials. For example, the first layer may be formed of a relatively stiff material, such as cardboard, or rigid polymeric sheet material, with the second layer being formed of a flexible sheet material, such as, for example, a polymeric film. This embodiment is particularly useful for such beverage service items as coasters, bottle tags, snack trays and table tents, where the item must display some rigidity.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the perimeter only partially bounds the regions of the first and second layers to form an open pocket so that the condom may be easily extracted therefrom. In an alternative embodiment, the perimeter entirely bounds the enclosed regions of the layers to form a closed pocket. In some cases, it will be possible for the user to simply remove the superimposed portion of the second layer, such as by tearing it, in order to retrieve the condom. However, means may be provided for gaining access to the inside of the closed pocket. These means may include such conventional structures as a perforated tear line, a pull-away tab, a tear strip, a zip opening, etc.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe following detailed description may best be understood with reference to the following drawings in which:
The following detailed description may best be understood by reference to the drawings, and in particular to
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Yet other embodiments of the invention may be implemented. For example,
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The present invention may be implemented in yet other formats. For example, “table tents” are known in the service industry to be self-supporting tent-shaped placards which convey advertising information and which are placed on tables in bars, restaurants and the like. In accord with the present invention, such table tents may be configured to contain a condom therein. The printed portion of the table tent can convey information about responsible condom use as well as promotional information about the sponsor of the campaign. In another embodiment of the invention, the beverage service item may comprise a dish or tray of the type used to serve snacks such as popcorn, nuts, pretzels and the like. In such an embodiment, a condom is retained between layers of material comprising the container. In accord with the present invention, yet other promotional items may be configured to retain a condom therein. In view of the teaching presented herein, still further embodiments of the invention will be apparent.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the present invention provides novel promotional items which will serve the dual purpose of promoting a particular product or venue as well as promoting and encouraging safe sexual practices. The included condom will provide consumer appeal and incentive for parties to read the promotional and public service messages associated with the service items. As was explained above, the present invention may be implemented in a variety of configurations and embodiments. The foregoing are illustrative of specific embodiments, but are not meant to be limitations upon the practice of the invention. It is the following claims, including all equivalents, which define the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A combination beverage service item and condom holder comprising:
- a first layer of a sheet stock material; and
- a second layer of a sheet stock material, said second layer being disposed in a superposed relationship with at least a portion of said first layer, wherein said portion of said first layer is joined to said portion of said second layer so as to define a perimeter which at least partially bounds superposed portions of said first layer and said second layer so as to create a pocket which defines an enclosure configured to receive a condom.
2. The combination of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first layer and said second layer is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of paper, cardboard, woven fabric, non-woven fabric, natural polymers, synthetic polymers, and combinations thereof.
3. The combination of claim 1 further including a condom disposed in said pocket.
4. The combination of claim 1, wherein said first layer and said second layer cooperate to define a beverage napkin.
5. The combination of claim 1, wherein said first layer and said second layer cooperate to define a drink coaster.
6. The combination of claim 1, wherein said first layer and second layer cooperate to define a beverage container wrap.
7. The combination of claim 1, wherein said first layer and said second layer cooperate to provide a beverage hangtag.
8. The combination of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first layer and said second layer have user-readable indicia disposed thereupon.
9. The combination of claim 1, wherein said first and second layers are formed of the same sheet stock material.
10. The combination of claim 1, wherein said first layer is formed of a first sheet stock material and said second layer is formed of a second sheet stock material.
11. The combination of claim 1, further comprising means disposed proximate said pocket for providing access to said pocket.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 6, 2004
Publication Date: Sep 1, 2005
Inventor: Brian Osterberg (Petoskey, MI)
Application Number: 11/006,150