Inflatable Hand Beverage Carrier

Abstract

An inflatable hand shaped body has a hand pocket and an external surface on which is located, one or more beverage receiving pockets.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to beverage carriers and more particularly to an inflatable, insulating beverage carrier.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Inflatable novelty devices are well known. One particularly type comprises an assembly of flexible sheets, sealed to form a hollow inflatable shape. A common shape is the shape of a hand with an extended finger or fingers, representing “Number 1”, “V for Victory” or the like. Such devices are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,486,975. However, such devices have no apparent utility other than their primary intended use by sports fans etc.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an inflatable novelty device that is worn on a hand and that can be also used as a beverage carrier.

Accordingly, there is provided an inflatable body. The inflatable body has a hand pocket and an external surface on which is located, one or more beverage receiving pockets.

In preferred embodiments, the hand pocket and the bottoms of the one or more beverage pockets are separated by a single sheet

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

In order that the invention be better understood, reference is now made to the following drawing figure in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an inflatable and insulating beverage carrier; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment

BEST MODE AND OTHER EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIG. 1, an inflatable body to is in the shape of a hand. In this example, the hand includes a single extended index finger shape 11. Other shapes, including other hand shapes are contemplated. A lower portion of the hand shape, corresponding with the approximate location of the wrist, includes a hand opening 12 that leads into a hand pocket 13. In this example, the hand shape includes generally parallel upper and lower profile sheets 14, 15 separated by a periphery or border sheet 16. In this example, the upper sheet 11 has formed in it, three beverage receiving pockets 17, 18, 19. The generally round edge 20 of each beverage receiving pocket is joined to a beverage pocket sidewall sheet 21. The lower edges of the beverage pocket sidewall sheet 21 are joined to the inner sheet 22 that defines a wall of the hand pocket 13. In other embodiments, the beverage pocket sidewall sheet is joined to an independent circular bottom or floor sheet 23 that rests in close proximity to the inner sheet 22. In accordance with the example depicted in FIG. 1, it will be appreciated that the device may be provided with 1, 2, 3, 4 or more beverage pockets 24 that are formed in accordance with the above teachings. In preferred embodiments, the beverage pockets 24 are formed above and within the perimeter confines of the hand pocket 13 so that a hand inserted through the hand pocket opening 12 can be used to support and stabilise beverages when they are inserted into the beverage pockets. In particularly preferred embodiments, the beverage pockets 24 are arranged symmetrically about the longitudinal center line 25 of the hand pocket 13 to provide balance and stability when beverages are carried. A further example of symmetrical arrangement about the longitudinal center line is depicted in FIG. 2. In that example, four beverage pockets 24 are provided, two on either side of the longitudinal center line 25.

While the present invention has been disclosed with reference to particular details of construction, these should be understood as having been provided by way of example and not as limitations to the scope or spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. An inflatable beverage carrier device, comprising:

an inflatable body in the shape of a hand;

the body having a hand opening that leads into a hand pocket;

an upper sheet of the body having formed in it one or more beverage receiving pockets, each comprising a beverage receiving opening.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein:

each opening is joined to a beverage pocket sidewall sheet.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the body further comprises a single extended index finger shape.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the body comprises generally parallel upper and lower profile sheets separated by a peripheral border sheet.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein:

each beverage receiving pocket comprises a sidewall sheet that is joined to an inner sheet that defines a wall of the hand pocket.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein:

each beverage receiving pocket comprises a sidewall sheet that is joined to an independent floor sheet that rests in close proximity to an inner sheet that defines a wall of the hand pocket.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the one or more beverage receiving pockets are formed above and within a perimeter confine of the hand pocket.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein:

the one or more beverage receiving pockets are arranged symmetrically about a longitudinal center line of the hand pocket to provide balance and stability when beverages are carried.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein:

four beverage receiving pockets are provided, two on either side of the longitudinal center line.

10. An inflatable beverage carrier device, comprising:

an inflatable body in the shape of a hand;

the body having a hand pocket;

a sheet of the body having formed in it one or more beverage receiving pockets, each comprising a beverage receiving opening.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein:

each opening is joined to a beverage pocket sidewall sheet.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein:

the body further comprises a single extended index finger shape.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein:

the body comprises generally parallel upper and lower profile sheets.

14. The device of claim 10, wherein:

each beverage receiving pocket comprises a sidewall sheet that is joined to an inner sheet that defines a wall of a hand pocket.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein:

each beverage receiving pocket comprises a sidewall sheet that is joined to an independent floor sheet.

16. The device of claim 10, wherein:

the one or more beverage pockets are formed within a perimeter confine of a hand pocket.

17. The device of claim 10, wherein:

the one or more beverage pockets are arranged symmetrically about a longitudinal center line of the hand pocket.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein:

four beverage pockets are provided, two on either side of the longitudinal center line.