APPARATUS FOR HOLDING AND INSULATING BEVERAGE CONTAINERS, AND RELATED METHODS

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for holding and insulating beverage containers and for storing personal items. The apparatus generally includes a body for holding beverage containers, and a storage unit coupled to the body for holding personal items. The storage unit includes flaps that are moveable relative to the body between multiple positions, for example, open and closed positions, and include compartments for storing personal items. The body may be configuration to be in an expanded position, in which the body defines a cavity adapted to receive a beverage container, and a collapsed position, in which the body is relatively flat.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to apparatus for use in holding and insulating beverage containers and, more particularly, to such apparatus that include storage units for holding items in association with the apparatus, and methods related thereto.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Fabric and/or foam sleeves are often used to hold beverage containers (e.g., cans, bottles, etc.), and sometimes conform to the shapes of the beverage containers.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to apparatus for holding and/or insulating beverage containers. In one exemplary embodiment, such an apparatus (e.g., a beverage container holder, etc.) generally includes a body defining a cavity adapted to receive a beverage container into the body and a support configured to help retain the beverage container in the cavity (and in the body). The apparatus also includes a storage unit disposed on the body and comprising at least one compartment for holding one or more items in the storage unit. In various aspects, the body comprises insulating material (e.g., fabric, foam, other insulating material, etc.) configured to inhibit transfer of heat between the beverage container, when received in the cavity, and an environment surrounding the body (and/or the apparatus).

In another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus (e.g., a beverage container holder, etc.) for holding (and/or insulating) a beverage container generally includes a body and a storage unit disposed on the body. The body has a longitudinal axis and defines a cavity adapted to receive a beverage container into the body in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body. The storage unit comprises a base and at least one flap, where the at least one flap has at least one compartment for holding one or more items in the storage unit. The at least one flap is moveable relative to the base in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus suitable for use in holding and/or insulating a beverage container in accordance with the present disclosure, with a beverage container shown in a body of the apparatus;

FIG. 2 is the perspective view of FIG. 1, with the beverage container removed from the body of the apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 2, with the apparatus in a collapsed position and with first and second flaps of a storage unit of the apparatus in closed configurations;

FIG. 5 is the side elevation view of FIG. 4, with the first flap of the storage unit in an open configuration;

FIG. 6 is the side elevation view of FIG. 5, with the second flap of the storage unit in an open configuration;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of another exemplary embodiment of an apparatus suitable for use in holding and/or insulating a beverage container in accordance with the present disclosure, with first and second flaps of a storage unit of the apparatus in closed configurations; and

FIG. 8 is the side elevation view of FIG. 7, with the first and second flaps of the storage unit of the apparatus in open configurations.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to apparatus (e.g., holders, beverage holders, etc.) for holding beverage containers (e.g., cans, bottles, etc.). In use, the apparatus allow for consumption of beverages in the beverage containers. Any desired beverages may be used in the beverage containers including, for example, water, coffee, tea, soda, beer, etc. In various embodiments, the apparatus include insulating material (e.g., foams, fabrics, other insulating material, etc.) configured to inhibit transfer of heat between the beverage containers (and the beverages therein), when the beverage container are received in the apparatus, and environments surrounding the beverage containers and/or apparatus.

In addition, in various embodiments, apparatus of the present disclosure can also be used to hold and/or store items in association with the apparatus (e.g., via storage units associated with the apparatus, etc.). Examples of such items include, but are not limited to, personal (or otherwise) items such as cell phones, keys, money, payment cards, wallets, timepieces, identification cards, hygienic products, medicines, other items, etc. The items may be held and/or stored in the apparatus at the same time as beverage containers (and, in some embodiments, at the same time beverages in the beverage containers are being consumed via the apparatus). However, it should be appreciated that the items may also (or alternatively) be held and/or stored in the apparatus alone, without beverage containers in the apparatus, and/or that the beverage containers may be held in the apparatus alone, without the items.

Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus 100 (e.g., a holder, etc.) including one or more aspects of the present disclosure. As will be described, the apparatus 100 is configured to hold and insulate beverage containers, as well as to hold and store desired items therewith. As such, the apparatus 100 can be used, by a user, both in connection with consuming beverages from the beverage containers, and in connection with holding the user's items at the apparatus 100 (e.g., to help inhibit misplacement and/or loss of the items, etc.), as desired.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus 100 generally includes a body 102 for holding beverage containers, and a storage unit 104 disposed on the body 102 for holding desired items in association with the apparatus 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the storage unit 104 is coupled to the body 102, and protrudes (at least partially) away from the body 102 in a direction generally perpendicular to a portion of the body 102 to which the storage unit 104 is attached. However, the storage unit 104 may be associated differently with the body 102 in other embodiments. In addition, in other embodiments, and as will be described more hereinafter, at least part of the storage unit 104 may be formed integrally with the body 102 within the scope of the present disclosure.

In FIG. 1, the apparatus 100 is shown holding a can 106 (i.e., the illustrated beverage container is the can 106). However, the apparatus 100 can be used to hold other beverage containers, having various shapes and/or sizes (e.g., bottles, other cans, etc.), within the scope of the present disclosure. Similarly, it should be appreciated that any desired beverage may be used in the can 106 including, for example, water, coffee, tea, soda, beer, etc. Thus, in use, the apparatus 100 allows a user to hold the apparatus 100 and the can 106 therein together, for consumption of the beverage in the can 106.

The body 102 of the apparatus 100 can be constructed from any suitable material (e.g., fabrics, polyesters, plastics, foams, other material, combinations thereof, etc.). In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the body 102 comprises a generally soft and/or pliable insulating material (e.g., an insulating fabric, etc.) configured to inhibit transfer of heat between the can 106, when received in the body 102 of the apparatus 100, and an environment surrounding the body 102 (and the can 106). And, the body 102 is then sized to accommodate the can 106. With that said, it should be appreciated that the body 102 of the apparatus 100 may be sized differently than illustrated, for example, to accommodate different beverage containers (e.g., different sized beverage containers, different beverage containers, etc.), etc. within the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, in some embodiments, bodies of apparatus may also be adjustable (e.g., via fasteners, via elastic features and/or properties of the bodies, etc.) to help accommodate different sizes and/or types of beverage containers in the apparatus.

The storage unit 104 can also be constructed from any suitable material (e.g., fabrics, polyesters, plastics, foams, other materials, combinations thereof, etc.), that may be the same as or different from the material used to construct the body 102. In addition, the storage unit 104 may be configured (e.g., sized, shaped, etc.) differently than illustrated herein, within the scope of the present disclosure.

In addition, the storage unit 104 of the apparatus 100 can be used to hold any desired items in association with the apparatus 100. Examples of such items include, but are not limited to, cell phones, keys, money, payment cards, wallets, timepieces, identification cards, hygienic products, medicines, other items, etc. The items may be held and/or stored in the storage unit 104 at the same time that the can 106 is held by the body 102 of the apparatus 100 (and, at the same time the beverage in the can 106 is consumed by a user).

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus 100 also includes a strap 108 (broadly, an attachment) configured for use in holding the apparatus 100. For example, the illustrated strap 108 includes a loop portion that can be used to secure the strap 108 around a wrist of a user (and, thus, secure the apparatus 100 to the user), etc. In the illustrated embodiment, the strap 108 includes a clip 110 configured to releasably couple the strap 108 to a connector 112 coupled to the body 102. However, it should be appreciated that, in other embodiments, the strap 108 may couple to the body 102 differently (e.g., via clips configured differently than illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, via hook-and-loop fasteners, etc.) within the scope of the present disclosure. Other attachments (e.g., in addition to the strap 108, in lieu of the strap 108, etc.) may be provided with the apparatus, or subsequently coupled to the apparatus, via the strap 108, via the clip 110, via the connector 112, or via other means (e.g., other connectors, etc.) including, for example, bottle openers, key chains, flash lights, etc.

With additional reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, in the illustrated embodiment, the body 102 of the apparatus 100 is configurable between an expanded position (FIGS. 1-3) and a collapsed position (FIG. 4). For example, the generally soft and/or pliable material from which the body 102 is formed allows the body 102 to be configurable between the expanded position and the collapsed position.

In the expanded position, the body 102 has a generally cylindrical shape, and a first side portion 102a of the body 102 is spaced generally apart from a second side portion 102b of the body 102. Here, a cavity 114 is defined generally between the first and second side portions 102a and 102b, and adapted to receive the can 106 into the body 102 in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body 102 (and the apparatus 100). The body 102 also includes a support 116 located toward a lower end portion of the body 102 (and at a generally lower portion of the cavity 114) and extending generally between the first side portion 102a of the body 102 and the second side portion 102b of the body 102. The support 116 is configured to help retain the can 106 in the body 102, and particularly in the cavity 114, when the body 102 is in the expanded position (e.g., to help inhibit the can 106 from sliding out of the cavity 114 at the lower end portion of the body 102, etc.). In some embodiments, the support 116 may also be configured to help provide structural stability to the body 102 and/or help hold the first and second side portions 102a and 102b of the body 102 together.

In the collapsed position of the body 102, the body 102 is arranged generally flat. Here, the first side portion 102a of the body 102 is disposed (e.g., folded, etc.) generally flat against the second side portion 102b of the body 102. The support 116 is arranged (e.g., folded, etc.) generally flat adjacent the lower end portion of the body 102. And, the cavity 114, defined between the first and second side portions 102a and 102b of the body 102, is generally closed.

In other exemplary embodiments, apparatus may include bodies formed from generally rigid material (e.g., generally rigid foams, etc.), such that the bodies are not conformable between expanded and collapsed positions. Instead in these embodiments, the bodies of the apparatus generally remain in the expanded positions. With that said, it should be appreciated that such apparatus may also include storage units as described herein, so that the apparatus can be used, by users, both in connection with consuming beverages from beverage containers held in the bodies of the apparatus, and in connection with holding the users' items at the apparatus, as desired.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, the storage unit 104 of the apparatus 100 generally includes first and second flaps 120 and 122 for holding and/or storing items in the storage unit 104. The flaps 120 and 122 are each moveable relative to the body 102 in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body 102 between a closed configuration and an open configuration. In FIG. 4, for example, the first and second flaps 120 and 122 are each in a closed configuration where the flaps 120 and 122 are folded over each other generally against (or adjacent) the first side portion 102a of the body 102. In FIG. 5, the first flap 120 is in an open configuration, while the second flap 122 is in a closed configuration (and still folded generally against (or adjacent) the first side portion 102a of the body 102). And, in FIG. 6, the first flap 120 and the second flap 122 are each in the open configuration. It should be appreciated that storage units of apparatus may include more than or fewer than two flaps within the scope of the present disclosure (e.g., one flap, three flaps, four flaps, etc.).

Each of the first and second flaps 120 and 122 of the unit 104 includes a storage compartment for use in holding items in the storage unit 104, and in association with the apparatus 100. In particular, the first flap 120 includes a first compartment 124 for use in holding items in the storage unit 104, and the second flap 122 includes a second compartment 126 for use in holding items in the storage unit 104. The first compartment 124 also includes an access opening 125 (FIG. 6) to allow for inserting and/or removing items form the first compartment 124 as desired. Similarly, the second compartment 126 includes an access opening 127 (FIG. 6) to allow for inserting and/or removing items form the second compartment 126 as desired. While not shown, the access openings 125 and 127 may further include fasteners (e.g., snaps, buttons, zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners, magnets, etc.) to allow for selectively opening and closing the openings 125 and 127 (and for selectively securing the openings 125 and 127 closed), and thereby selectively allowing access into the compartments 124 and 126.

In the closed configurations of the first and second flaps 120 and 122 (FIG. 4), the first flap 120 overlaps the second flap 122, and access to the first and second compartments 124 and 126 is generally inhibited. In the open configuration of the first flap 120 (FIG. 5), the first compartment 124 is accessible (e.g., via opening 125, etc.) for inserting items into the first compartment 124 or for removing items from the first compartment 124 (however, access to the second compartment 126 of the second flap 122 is still generally inhibited). And, in the open configurations of the first and second flaps 120 and 122 (FIG. 6), the first and second compartments 124 and 126 of the flaps 120 and 122 are accessible (e.g., via respective openings 125 and 127, etc.) for inserting items into the compartments 124 and 126 or for removing items from the compartments 124 and 126. It should be appreciated that, in other embodiments, apparatus may include storage units that include flaps with no compartments or with multiple compartments as desired (i.e., such that a number of compartments in the flaps is not limiting), or flaps with different numbers and/or types of openings for accessing compartments, than illustrated herein.

In the illustrated apparatus 100, the first compartment 124 of the first flap 120 includes a viewing portion 128 through which items, when held in the first compartment 124, can be viewed without removing the items from the first compartment 124. In particular, the illustrated viewing portion 128 includes a transparent material (generally positioned within an opening) that allows the items being held in the first compartment 124 to be viewed through the transparent material. Alternatively, the viewing portion 128 may simply include an opening that allows the items being held in the first compartment 124 to be viewed through the opening, or the viewing portion 128 may include material other than transparent material (e.g., translucent material, etc.).

Also in the illustrated apparatus 100, a fastener is provided for releasably coupling the first and second flaps 120 and 122 together when in the closed configurations. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastener includes a snap 130. The first flap 120 includes a male portion 130a of the snap 130, and the second flap 122 includes a female portion 130b of the snap 130. When the first and second flaps 120 and 122 are in the closed configurations, the male portion 130a of the snap 130 is configured to mate with the female portion 130b of the snap 130 to thereby help hold (e.g., releasably hold, etc.) the first and second flaps 120 and 122 in the closed configurations. With that said, a fastener other than snap 130 may be used to help hold the first and second flaps 120 and 122 in the closed configurations in other exemplary embodiments (e.g., buttons, zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners, magnets, etc.).

With continued reference to FIG. 6, the storage unit 104 is coupled to the body 102 of the apparatus 100 toward the first side portion 102a of the body 102 (to thereby associate the storage unit 104 with the apparatus 100). In particular, the storage unit 104 includes a base 134 coupled to the first side portion 102a of the body 102 via an attaching means. In the apparatus 100, the attaching means include stitches 136 extending generally around a periphery of the base 134. However, it should be appreciated that, in other embodiments, the attaching means may include, without limitation, any suitable mechanical fasteners (e.g., stitches arranged differently than illustrated herein, welds, one or more hook-and-loop fastener, one or more button, one or more snap, one or more magnets, one or more other suitable and/or known fasteners, combinations thereof, etc.), suitable adhesives (e.g., pressure sensitive adhesives, glues, other suitable and/or known adhesives, etc.), combinations thereof, etc. With that said, while in the apparatus 100 the storage unit 104 is coupled to the body 102 toward the first side portion 102a, it should be appreciated that the storage unit 104 may be located differently relative to the body 102, for example, toward the second side portion 102b of the body 102, or at any other location as desired.

In addition in the apparatus 100, the first and second flaps 120 and 122 of the storage unit 104 are each disposed toward a respective end portion of the base 134 of the storage unit 104. In particular in the illustrated apparatus 100, the first and second flaps 120 and 122 are formed as part of the base 134 (e.g., are monolithically formed or uniformly defined as one piece with the base 134, etc.). And, the flaps 120 and 122 of the storage unit 104 are each moveable relative to the base 134 of the storage unit 104, in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body 102 of the apparatus 100, between the respective closed configuration and the respective open configuration of the flaps 120 and 122.

In other exemplary embodiments, however, apparatus may include storage units with flaps that are separate from bases of the storage units and attached thereto (e.g., via mechanical fasteners (e.g., stitches, welds, hook-and-loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, other suitable and/or known fasteners, etc.), adhesives (e.g., pressure sensitive adhesives, glues, other suitable and/or known adhesives, etc.), etc.

In still other exemplary embodiments, apparatus may include storage units with bases defined as part of bodies of the apparatus. For example, flaps of the storage units may be coupled directly to the bodies of the apparatus by mechanical fasteners (e.g., stitches, welds, hook-and-loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, other suitable and/or known fasteners, etc.), adhesives (e.g., pressure sensitive adhesives, glues, other suitable and/or known adhesives, etc.), etc., such that the bodies then define the bases of the storage units. Or, the flaps of the storage units may actually be formed as part of the bodies of the apparatus (e.g., monolithically formed or uniformly defined as one piece with the bodies, etc.), with the bodies again defining the bases of the storage units.

In the illustrated apparatus 100, the base 134 of the storage unit 104 substantially conforms to the shape of the body 102 (e.g., to the shape of the first side portion 102a of the body 102, etc.), both when the body 102 is in the expanded position and when the body 102 is in the collapsed position. In addition, the material from which the base 134 is formed allows the base 134 to generally move with the body 102 between the expanded position and the collapsed position. As such, the base 134 generally rounds with the body 102 when the body 102 is in the expanded position, and generally flattens with the body 102 when the body 102 is in the collapsed position.

What's more in the illustrated apparatus 100, when the body 102 is in the collapsed position, a width dimension of the storage unit 104 is generally less than or equal to a width dimension (or diameter) of the body 102. And further, when the flaps 120 and 122 of the storage unit 104 are both in the closed configurations, a height dimension of the storage unit 104 is generally less than or equal to a height dimension of the body 102. However, this relative size is not required in all embodiments.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate an apparatus 200 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The apparatus 200 is substantially the same as the apparatus 100 previously described (such that similar features are not repeated). For example, the apparatus 200 is configured to hold and insulate a beverage container, as well as to hold and store desired items therewith. As such, the apparatus 200 can be used, by a user, both in connection with consuming beverages from the beverage container, and in connection with holding the user's items at the apparatus 200, as desired.

In this embodiment, example dimensions are provided for various features of the apparatus 200. For example, the apparatus 200 includes a body 202 with a height dimension H1 of about 5.5 inches, and a width dimension W1 when in a collapsed position (or diameter dimensions when in an expanded position) of about 4.25 inches. In addition, the apparatus 200 includes a storage unit 204, disposed on the body 202 of the apparatus 200, with a height dimension H2 of about 4.375 inches and a width dimension W2 of about 4.25 inches (when the body 202 of the apparatus 200 is in the collapsed position). Further in this embodiment, the storage unit 204 of the apparatus 200 includes first and second flaps 220 and 222, each having a storage compartment 224 and 226. The storage compartment 224 of the first flap 220 includes a viewing portion 228, and has a width dimension W3 of about 3 inches. The storage compartment 226 of the second flap 222 has a width dimension W4 of about 2.5 inches, and a height dimension H4 of about 3.5 inches.

Exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that exemplary embodiments may be embodied in many different forms, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some exemplary embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. In addition, advantages and improvements that may be achieved with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are provided for purpose of illustration only and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure, as exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may provide all or none of the above mentioned advantages and improvements and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Specific dimensions, specific materials, and/or specific shapes disclosed herein are example in nature and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The disclosure herein of particular values and particular ranges of values for given parameters are not exclusive of other values and ranges of values that may be useful in one or more of the examples disclosed herein.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The term “about” when applied to values indicates that the calculation or the measurement allows some slight imprecision in the value (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecision provided by “about” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring or using such parameters. For example, the terms “generally,” “about,” and “substantially,” may be used herein to mean within manufacturing tolerances.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements, intended or stated uses, or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. An apparatus for holding and insulating a beverage container, the apparatus comprising:

a body defining a cavity adapted to receive the beverage container into the body and a support configured to retain the beverage container in the cavity, the body comprising insulating material configured to inhibit transfer of heat between the beverage container, when received in the cavity, and an environment surrounding the body; and

a storage unit disposed on the body, the storage unit comprising at least one compartment for holding one or more items in the storage unit;

wherein the body and the support are configurable between a collapsed position in which the cavity is closed, and an expanded position in which the cavity is adapted to receive the beverage container into the body; and

wherein, when in the collapsed position, the body and the support are flat and the support is positioned in the same plane as the body.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the storage unit further comprises a base coupled to the body.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an attaching means for coupling the base of the storage unit to the body.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the attaching means includes at least one mechanical fastener.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the storage unit further comprises a base; and

wherein the base of the storage unit and the body are monolithically formed as one piece.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the storage unit further comprises a base and at least one flap, the at least one flap including the at least one compartment of the storage unit, the at least one flap moveable relative to the base between an open configuration in which the at least one compartment is accessible for inserting the one or more items into the at least one compartment or for removing the one or more items from the at least one compartment and a closed configuration in which the at least one flap overlaps the base and inhibits access to the at least one compartment.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one compartment of the storage unit includes at least two compartments, each of the at least two compartments configured to hold one or more items in the storage unit.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least two compartments of the storage unit include a first compartment and a second compartment;

wherein the first compartment comprises a viewing portion through which one or more items, when held in the first compartment, can be viewed without removing the one or more items from the first compartment; and

wherein at least one of the first compartment and the second compartment includes a fastener for selectively allowing and inhibiting access to the compartment.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the viewing portion of the first compartment comprises one or more of a transparent material and an opening for allowing the one or more items, when held in the first compartment, to be viewed without removing the one or more items from the first compartment.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the storage unit further comprises a base, the base substantially conforming to a shape of the body.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the base of the storage unit substantially conforms to the shape of the body when the body is in the collapsed position and when the body is in the expanded position.

12. An apparatus for holding a beverage container, the apparatus comprising:

a body having a longitudinal axis and defining a cavity adapted to receive the beverage container into the body in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body; and

a storage unit disposed on the body, the storage unit comprising a base and at least one flap, the at least one flap having at least one compartment for holding one or more items in the storage unit, the at least one flap moveable relative to the base in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body;

wherein the body defines a first side portion and a second side portion and includes a support extending between the first side portion and the second side portion for retaining the beverage container in the cavity of the body when the body is in the expanded position;

wherein the body is configurable between a collapsed position in which the first side portion of the body is disposed flat against the second side portion of the body, and an expanded position in which the first side portion of the body is spaced apart from the second side portion of the body to thereby define the cavity adapted to receive the beverage container into the body;

wherein the support includes a first side portion associated with the first side portion of the body and a second side portion associated with the second side portion of the body; and

wherein, when the body is in the collapsed position, the support is folded such that the first side portion of the support is disposed flat against the second side portion of the support.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one flap includes a first flap and a second flap, and wherein the at least one compartment includes a first compartment defined by the first flap for holding one or more items and a second compartment defined by the second flap for holding one or more items;

wherein the second flap is moveable relative to the base in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body between an open configuration in which the second compartment is accessible for inserting the one or more items into the second compartment or for removing the one or more items from the second compartment and a closed configuration in which the second flap overlaps the base and inhibits access to the second compartment; and

wherein the first flap is moveable relative to the base in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body between an open configuration in which the first compartment is accessible for inserting the one or more items into the first compartment or for removing the one or more items from the first compartment and a closed configuration in which the first flap overlaps the second flap and inhibits access to the first compartment.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a fastener for releasably coupling the first flap to the second flap for holding the first flap and the second flap in the closed configurations.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first compartment comprises a viewing portion through which the one or more items, when held in the first compartment, can be viewed without removing the one or more items from the first compartment; and

wherein the viewing portion of the first compartment comprises one or more of a transparent material and an opening for allowing the one or more items, when held in the first compartment, to be viewed without removing the one or more items from the first compartment.

16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the storage unit is disposed on the first side portion of the body; and

wherein a width dimension of the storage unit is less than or equal to a width dimension of the first side portion of the body, when the body is in the collapsed position.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the at least one flap is moveable relative to the base between an open configuration in which the at least one compartment is accessible for inserting the one or more items into the at least one compartment or for removing the one or more items from the at least one compartment and a closed configuration in which the at least one flap overlaps the base and inhibits access to the at least one compartment; and

wherein a height dimension of the storage unit, when the at least one flap of the storage unit is in the closed configuration, is less than or equal to a height dimension of the body.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the base of the storage unit is coupled to the body.