CONTAINER WITH ADJUSTABLE HANDLE

Abstract

A portable container with a sleeve and an adjustable handle. The adjustable handle allows the container apparatus to be removably attached to another object. In one preferred embodiment, the sleeve may be cylindrical in shape or shaped to hold a beverage vessel, such as a can, bottle, or cup. A sleeve made from an insulating material may be provided to maintain the temperature of the beverage in the vessel.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to portable containers that can be attached to various objects. More particularly the invention relates to portable containers such as beverage koozies. For example, a user may want to transport a canned beverage but may not have a free hand to hold the koozie, i.e., while riding a bike, playing golf, or sitting in the bleachers of a stadium.

It would be advantageous to devise a container with an adjustable handle so that it can be transported without the need for the user to hold it. It would also be advantageous to provide a container that can be securely attached to another object so that it will not fall and can accompany the user anywhere. Accordingly, there is a need to provide a securely portable container such as a beverage koozie.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objects mentioned above, as well as other objects are solved by the present invention, which overcomes disadvantages of prior containers, such as beverage koozies, that were not attachable to other objects, while providing new advantages not believed associated with such containers.

One aspect of the present invention provides a portable container with a sleeve and an adjustable handle. A portion of the handle may be affixed to a portion of the sleeve. The adjustable handle allows the apparatus to be attached to another object. The sleeve may be cylindrical in shape with an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a base.

According to another aspect of the invention, the container may also have an intermediate portion with first and second surfaces. The first surface of the intermediate portion may be affixed to a portion of the sleeve and the second surface of the intermediate portion may be affixed to the fixed end of the handle.

In another aspect of the invention, the sleeve may be shaped to hold a beverage vessel, such as a can, bottle or cup. The sleeve may also be made of an insulating material, such as foam.

According to another aspect of the invention, the handle may be manipulated manually by a user into various positions. The handle may be made of at least one of various flexible materials such as a malleable metal, like galvanized steel, or a malleable plastic. The handle may also be a wire made of a malleable metal or metal alloy. The handle may also be coiled.

In another aspect of the invention, the handle may have one or more joints therein to facilitate its manipulation. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a portable container may have a sleeve for holding a beverage vessel and a tensioning device. The tensioning device may be affixed to a portion of the sleeve, and the tensioning device allows the apparatus to be attached to another object, such as a bicycle handle, bag, shopping cart, baby stroller, bleacher seat, one-by-four, etc.

According to another aspect of the invention, the sleeve may be made of an insulating material. The sleeve may also have an interior surface and an exterior surface, and the interior surface may frictionally engage the container. The sleeve may also be shaped to hold a beverage vessel, such as a can, bottle, or cup.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the tensioning device may be made of galvanized steel. The tensioning device may be 24 gauge galvanized steel. The tensioning device may also have a non-slip surface covering.

According to another aspect of the invention, the tensioning device may be affixed to a portion of the sleeve by an adhesive material, ultrasonic welding, or screws.

DEFINITION OF CLAIM TERMS

The following terms are used in the claims of the patent as filed and are intended to have their broadest meaning consistent with the requirements of law. Where alternative meanings are possible, the broadest meaning is intended. All words used in the claims are intended to be used in the normal, customary usage of grammar and the English language.

“Sleeve” means a container with at least one open end. A sleeve may hold various objects.

“Tensioning device” means a device that may be put in tension relative to a support object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features which are characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, together with further objects and attendant advantages thereof, can be better understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top and side view of a preferred embodiment of a portable container with adjustable handle;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of a portable container with adjustable handle;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a portable container with adjustable handle;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a portable container with adjustable handle;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a portable container with adjustable handle;

FIG. 6 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of a portable container with adjustable handle;

FIG. 7 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of a portable container with adjustable handle;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the preferred embodiment of a portable container with adjustable handle in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a side view of multiple preferred embodiments of a portable container with adjustable handle attached to a one-by-four;

FIG. 10 is a top and side view of a preferred embodiment of a portable container with adjustable handle attached to a bicycle handle bar;

FIG. 11 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a portable container with adjustable handle attached to a golf bag;

FIG. 12 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a portable container with adjustable handle attached to a work bucket;

FIGS. 13A and 13B are a preferred embodiment of a portable container with adjustable handle;

FIGS. 14A and 14B a preferred embodiment of a portable container with adjustable handle;

FIGS. 15A and 15B are a preferred embodiment of a portable container with adjustable handle; and

FIGS. 16A and 16B are a preferred embodiment of a portable container with adjustable handle.

The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Set forth below is a description of what are believed to be the preferred embodiments and/or best examples of the invention claimed. Future and present alternatives and modifications to this preferred embodiment are contemplated. Any alternatives or modifications which make insubstantial changes in function, in purpose, in structure, or in result are intended to be covered by the claims of this patent.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-8, a preferred embodiment of a portable container 1 is shown. The container 1 may have a sleeve 2 and a handle 3 affixed to a portion of the sleeve 2. Handle 3, may have a free end 3a and a fixed end 3b. Handle 3 may also be termed a “clip” or “tensioning device.” The handle, clip or tensioning device 3 allows the container 1 to be removably attached to another object, such as one-by-four 20, bicycle 21, golf bag 22, tool bucket 23 (see FIG. 9-12), or (e.g.) a shopping cart, baby stroller, bleacher seat, etc. (not shown). Handle 3 may be used to create tension relative to the other object to which the container 1 is attached. Handle 3 may be self-tensioning through the use of a spring. Referring to FIG. 1, in this preferred embodiment, the sleeve 2 may be cylindrical in shape, and may have a cylindrical interior surface 2a, a cylindrical exterior surface 2b, and a round base 5. The sleeve 2 may hold sundries (as shown in FIG. 9) or an aluminum beverage can 10 (as shown in FIGS. 10-12). Sleeve 2 may also be adapted to hold other beverage vessels such as bottles, cups, cans, or the like. Base 5 preferably provides security so that whatever is placed in portable container 1 will not fall out However, if the sleeve is dimensioned to snugly hold its contents, such as can 10, base 5 may not be strictly necessary.

Referring to FIGS. 10-12, in a preferred embodiment of the portable container, the sleeve may be formed in a shape to hold an aluminum beverage can 10, (FIGS. 10-12), bottle, cup, or a similar beverage vessel. Sleeve 2 may also be made of an insulating material, so that when a can 10 (or other beverage vessel) is placed therein, the insulating sleeve 2 will better maintain the temperature of the beverage within the can 10.

Referring now to the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the handle or tensioning device 3 may be shaped by the user by free end 3a of handle or tensioning device 3, such that when container 1 is attached to another object, as shown in FIGS. 9-12, handle or tensioning device 3 is in tension and secure to the object due to the pressure of free end 3a.

In one preferred embodiment, the handle or tensioning device 3 may be made of metal or an alloy of metals, including but not limited to: galvanized steel; copper; brass; tin; aluminum; titanium; titanium alloy; zinc; chromium; cadmium; or nickel. The handle or tensioning device is preferably made from a malleable metal or metal alloy, malleable plastic or malleable rubber, allowing it to be more easily shaped and/or manipulated by a user. Handle or tensioning device 3 may, alternatively, be a flexible wire, which may be coiled like a spring, and which may be made of a malleable metal or plastic material, such as shown in FIG. 15A. Handle or tensioning device 3 may be an exposed wire in an inverted-U-shape (see FIG. 15B) consisting of a malleable metal or alloy.

In another preferred embodiment, handle or tensioning device 3 may also have a covering (not shown), such as a non-slip surface coating of silicon, flexible plastic, or vinyl.

In a preferred embodiment, the handle or tensioning device 3 may be affixed to a portion of the sleeve by an adhesive material. In the embodiment shown here, fixed end 3b of the handle or tensioning device 3 is affixed to sleeve surface 2b (see FIGS. 16A and 16B). The handle or tensioning device 3 may be affixed thereto by a variety of alternative means known in the art such as an adhesive, ultrasonic welding, heat sealing, or by using fasteners, such as screws, rivets, etc. Alternatively, a rigid platform 9 with first and second surfaces (not shown) may be attached to a portion of sleeve 2, and a portion of fixed end 3b may be attached to platform 9 (see FIGS. 1-8).

In one preferred embodiment, the handle or tensioning device is made of galvanized steel. The galvanized steel may be 24-28 gauge galvanized steel. In one prototype, the handle or clip 3 was made of 24-gauge galvanized steel and was ¾ inches wide by 7 inches long. The clip could be adjusted from about ¼ inch to about 3½ A inches (nearly one-half of the handles' length was affixed to the sleeve). Using industrial strength double-sided adhesive tape from 3M™, for example, clip/handle 3 was strong enough to hold a six (6) pound dumbbell in the sleeve when clipped to a chair.

Referring now to FIGS. 13A and 13B, in one preferred embodiment handle or tensioning device 3 may have one or multiple joints 3c to facilitate its manipulation. Joints 3c and handle or tensioning device 3 may be made of rigid plastic or metal.

Referring to FIGS. 14A and 14B, in other preferred embodiments, handle or tensioning device 3 may be a clip such that free end 3a rotates about pivot point 3d to open and close the gripping means 3e allowing container 1 to securely attach to another object. In FIG. 14A, tensioning device 3 includes an alligator clip, while in FIG. 14B it is a clothespin. Free end 3a may have indentations for a user's finger. In another clip embodiment, free end 3a may have a molded sheath over it, including indentations for finger gripping.

Finally, referring to FIGS. 16A and 16B, handle or tensioning device 3 may be a rigid metal or plastic clip that allows flush attachment to the surface of another object.

The above embodiments may also be made from recycled materials, in part or in whole.

The above description is not intended to limit the meaning of the words used in the following claims that define the invention. Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be, or will become, apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the foregoing drawings, written description and claims, and persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that a variety of other designs still falling within the scope of the following claims may be envisioned and used.

It is contemplated that these or other future modifications in structure, function or result will exist that are not substantial changes and that all such insubstantial changes in what is claimed are intended to be covered by the claims.

Claims

1. A portable container comprising:

a sleeve; and

a handle, with a free end and a fixed end, wherein a portion of the fixed end of the handle is affixed to a portion of the sleeve, and wherein the free end is adjustable and allows the apparatus to be removably attached to another object.

2. The portable container of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is cylindrical in shape, and comprises an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a base.

3. The portable container of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is sized to hold an aluminum beverage can.

4. The portable container of claim 1, wherein the handle position is manually manipulable into various positions.

5. The portable container of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises at least one metal.

6. The portable container of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises at least one malleable material.

7. The portable container of claim 6, wherein the malleable material comprises either plastic or metal.

8. The portable container of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises at least one joint.

9. The portable container of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a wire.

10. The portable container of claim 9, wherein the wire is coiled.

11. The portable container of claim 1, wherein the sleeve comprises an insulating material.

12. The portable container of claim 1, wherein the handle further comprises an intermediate portion, having a first and second surfaces, wherein the first surface of the intermediate portion is affixed to a portion of the sleeve; and wherein, the second surface of the intermediate portion is affixed to the fixed end of the handle.

13. A portable container, comprising:

a sleeve, wherein the sleeve is cylindrical in shape, and comprises an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a base; and

a tensioning device, wherein a portion of the tensioning device is affixed to a portion of the sleeve, and the tensioning device allows the apparatus to be removably attached to another object.

14. The portable container of claim 13, wherein the sleeve comprises an insulating material.

15. The portable container of claim 14, wherein the sleeve is adapted to hold an aluminum beverage can.

16. The portable container of claim 13, wherein the tensioning device comprises at least one malleable material.

17. The portable container of claim 16, wherein the malleable material comprises 24 gauge galvanized steel.

18. The portable container of claim 13, wherein the tensioning device further comprises a non-slip surface.

19. The portable container of claim 13, wherein the tensioning device is affixed to a portion of the sleeve by an adhesive material.

20. The portable container of claim 13, wherein the tensioning device is affixed to a portion of the sleeve by ultrasonic welding.

21. The portable container of claim 13, wherein the tensioning device is affixed to a portion of the sleeve by at least one screw.