BOTTLE BRACELET

Abstract

In one embodiment, a bracelet includes: (1) a single continuous material piece; and (2) a separator coupled to the single continuous material piece, wherein the separator separates the continuous material piece into (a) a first larger region operable to encompass a first larger vessel capable of containing a first liquid, and (b) a second smaller region operable to encompass a second smaller vessel capable of containing a second liquid.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/695,958, filed by Alexander K. Miller on Aug. 31, 2012, entitled “Bottle Bracelet”, commonly assigned with this application and incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application is directed, in general, to a beverage accessory and, more specifically, to a device for coupling two beverage containers.

BACKGROUND

A popular alcoholic combination calls for drinking, without stopping, a shot of whiskey followed by a beer chaser, also called a shot and beer or a one-and-one. Sometimes the combination is reversed by drinking the beer non-stop and chasing it with the shot. In some circles this combination has come to be known as a boilermaker, although a true boilermaker calls for the drinker to drop a shot glass of whiskey into a beer mug and then down the entire drink in one long draw. Other variations that call for a whiskey substitute include rum for a Caribbean boilermaker; vodka for a Russian boilermaker; and tequila for a Mexican boilermaker. Regardless of the combination served, beer and some type of high proof alcoholic beverage are paired. In establishments serving such drinks it would assist servers and provide an increased profile for such drinks if the two beverages are physically coupled to one another while being served.

SUMMARY

One aspect provides for a bracelet, that includes: (1) a single continuous material piece; and (2) a separator coupled to the single continuous material piece, wherein the separator separates the continuous material piece into (a) a first larger region operable to encompass a first larger vessel capable of containing a first liquid, and (b) a second smaller region operable to encompass a second smaller vessel capable of containing a second liquid.

Another aspect is a bracelet, that includes (1) a first larger region operable to engage a first larger vessel capable of containing a first liquid; and (2) a second smaller region coupled to the first larger region, wherein the second smaller region is operable to engage a second smaller vessel capable of containing a second liquid and further wherein a ratio of circumferences of the first larger region to the second smaller region ranges from about one to four to about one to five.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a bracelet constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates the bracelet of FIG. 1 attached to a first larger vessel and a second smaller vessel;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a method of manufacturing a bracelet in accordance with the disclosure; and

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a bracelet constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning to FIG. 1, illustrated is an embodiment of a bracelet 100 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. The term bracelet, as used throughout this disclosure, is intended to encompass traditional bracelets, sleeves or other connection devices configured to extend around one or more objects. The bracelet 100, in accordance with the present disclosure, includes a first larger region 130 that is operable to encompass a first larger structure, and a second smaller region 140 that is operable to encompass a second smaller structure, the first and second regions coupled to one another. In accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure, the first larger and second smaller regions 130, 140 are operable to encompass a first larger vessel and second smaller vessel, respectively. In one such embodiment, a ratio of the circumference of the first larger region 130 to the second smaller region 140 ranges from about four to one to about five to one. Accordingly, in one embodiment the bracelet 100 might be used to attach, for example removably attach, a beer bottle and a shot glass.

The bracelet 100, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, comprises a single continuous material piece 110. The single continuous material piece 110 may comprise a variety of materials and remain within the purview of this disclosure. In one embodiment the single continuous material piece 110 is made of a rubbery or elastic material, much like the silicon awareness bracelets commonly used to highlight or publicize public interest issues. The single continuous material piece 110 may include, without being limited, various cancer campaigns, veterans issues and so on. Alternatively, the single continuous material piece 110 may be customized for a particular beverage company, for example Corona® beverages in one instance. Nevertheless, those skilled in the art, given the disclosure contained herein, will understand that there are a myriad of different materials that could be used to form the single continuous material piece 110, including plastic or nylon in certain other embodiments.

Similarly, the single continuous material piece 110 may comprise a variety of dimensions and remain within the purview of the disclosure. For example, in one embodiment, the single continuous material piece 110 has a natural circumference of at least about 8 inches. In yet another embodiment, the single continuous material piece 110 has a natural circumference ranging from about 9 inches to about 15 inches. The term natural circumference, as used herein, refers to an un-stretched circumference of the single continuous material piece 110, as it might measure prior to being separated into the first larger and second smaller regions 130, 140.

The bracelet 100 of FIG. 1 further includes a separator 120. The separator 120, in this embodiment, is configured to separate the continuous material piece 110 into the aforementioned first larger region 130 and second smaller region 140. The separator 120, in accordance with this disclosure, may comprise a variety of different structures and/or features. For example, in one embodiment the separator 120 is a clip, for example a substantially C-shaped, U-shaped, S-shaped, or other shaped clip, that may removably engage and separate the continuous material piece 110 into the different regions 130, 140. The clip, without limitation, may comprise materials such as plastic, rubber, silicon, nylon and cotton, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Nevertheless, other materials might comprise the clip, if used. Similarly, the separator 120 may comprise epoxy or another glue-like material, as well as may comprise a fused region (e.g., whether created by heat, pressure, ultrasonic waves, etc.) and remain within the disclosure.

The separator 120, as mentioned above, may removably engage the single continuous material piece 110. For example, if the separator 120 is a clip, the clip could be removed to dispense with the first and second regions 130, 140 and expose the single continuous material piece 110. Alternatively, if the separator 120 is epoxy, the bond created by the epoxy might be ripped/torn, again dispensing with the first and second regions 130, 140 and exposing the single continuous material piece 110. Similarly, if the separator 120 is a fused region, the fused region might be ripped/torn to dispense with the first and second regions 130, 140 and expose the single continuous material piece 110. In this embodiment, the bracelet 100 might be worn on an appendage of an individual after removing the separator 120.

Certain embodiments additionally exist wherein the separator 120 is adjustable. For example, if a clip were used for the separator 120, it could be adjusted to change the size of the first and second regions 130, 140, to accommodate different size first and second vessels, respectively. As each beer bottle, and for that matter shot glass, may have a different circumference, the ability to adjust the separator 120 to accommodate such varying circumferences is extremely beneficial.

Turning briefly to FIG. 2, illustrated is the bracelet 100 wherein the first larger region 130 of the bracelet 100 encompasses a first larger vessel 210 containing a first liquid 215, and the second smaller region 140 encompasses a second smaller vessel 220 containing a second liquid 225. Accordingly, in this embodiment the bracelet 100 is configured to removably or fixedly attach the second vessel 220 to the first vessel 210. In one embodiment, the first vessel 210 is a container, such as might be used in the sale and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages (e.g., a beer bottle), and the second vessel 220 is a significantly smaller (e.g., by way of volume) container, such as might be used to serve a shot of liquor (e.g., a shot glass, whether made of glass, plastic or another suitable material).

Turning briefly to FIG. 3, illustrated is a block diagram of a method 300 of manufacturing a bracelet in accordance with this disclosure, including a bracelet similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The method 300 commences with a start step 310. In a step 320, a single continuous material piece suitable for forming a bracelet is provided. Thereafter, in a step 330, a separator is coupled to the single continuous material piece to separate the continuous material piece into a first larger region operable to engage a first larger vessel capable of containing a first liquid and a second smaller region operable to engage a second smaller vessel capable of containing a second liquid. In an optional step 340, a second smaller vessel may be inserted within the second smaller region. The method might conclude with an end step 350.

Turning now to FIG. 4, illustrated is an alternative embodiment of a bracelet 400. The bracelet 400, as opposed to being formed of a single continuous material piece similar to FIGS. 1 and 2, is formed of two continuous material pieces that are attached together. For example, in the embodiment shown, the bracelet 400 comprises a first continuous material piece 410 forming a first larger region 415, which is coupled to a second continuous material piece 420 forming a second smaller region 425. Similar to above, the first larger region 415 is operable to engage a first larger vessel capable of containing a first liquid and the second smaller region 425 is operable to engage a second smaller vessel capable of containing a second liquid. Those skilled in the art understand the variety of different processes that might be used to couple the first and second continuous material pieces 410, 420 together, including epoxy or another glue-like material, as well as a fused region (e.g., whether created by heat, pressure, ultrasonic waves, etc.), among others.

Those skilled in the art to which this application relates will appreciate that other and further additions, deletions, substitutions and modifications may be made to the described embodiments.

Claims

1. A bracelet, comprising:

a single continuous material piece; and

a separator coupled to said single continuous material piece, said separator separating said continuous material piece into a first larger region operable to encompass a first larger vessel capable of containing a first liquid, and a second smaller region operable to encompass a second smaller vessel capable of containing a second liquid.

2. The bracelet of claim 1 wherein said separator is removably coupled to said single continuous material piece.

3. The bracelet of claim 2 wherein said separator is a clip.

4. The bracelet of claim 3 wherein said clip comprises a material selected from the group consisting of:

plastic;

rubber;

silicon; and

nylon.

5. The bracelet of claim 1 wherein said separator is epoxy.

6. The bracelet of claim 1 wherein said separator is a fused region of said single continuous material piece.

7. The bracelet of claim 1 wherein said separator is adjustable to accommodate different sized first and second vessels.

8. The bracelet of claim 1 wherein said single continuous material piece comprises rubber.

9. The bracelet of claim 1 wherein said single continuous material piece comprises plastic or nylon.

10. The bracelet of claim 1 wherein a ratio of circumferences of said first larger region to said second smaller region ranges from about four to one to about five to one.

11. The bracelet of claim 1 wherein said single continuous material piece has a natural circumference ranging from about nine inches to about fifteen inches.

12. The bracelet of claim 1 wherein the second smaller region encompasses a second smaller vessel.

13. A bracelet, comprising:

a first larger region operable to engage a first larger vessel capable of containing a first liquid; and

a second smaller region coupled to said first larger region, wherein said second smaller region is operable to engage a second smaller vessel capable of containing a second liquid and further wherein a ratio of circumferences of said first larger region to said second smaller region ranges from about four to one to about five to one.

14. The bracelet of claim 13 wherein said first larger region and said second smaller region are formed from a single continuous material piece.

15. The bracelet of claim 14 wherein a separator separates said single continuous material piece into said first larger region and said second smaller region.

16. The bracelet of claim 13 wherein said first larger region and said second smaller region are separately formed and then attached together.

17. A method for manufacturing a bracelet, comprising:

providing a single continuous material piece; and

coupling a separator to said single continuous material piece to separate said continuous material piece into a first larger region operable to engage a first larger vessel capable of containing a first liquid and a second smaller region operable to engage a second smaller vessel capable of containing a second liquid.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said single continuous material piece is an elastic material and wherein coupling said separator includes using a clip to separate said continuous material piece into said first larger region and said second smaller region.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said clip is removable or adjustable.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein a ratio of circumferences of said first larger region to said second smaller region ranges from about four to one to about five to one.