Automatic Self-Adjusting Beverage Container Receptacle

Abstract

An automatic self-adjusting beverage container receptacle has a plurality of handles for the end-user to stabilize the receptacle in operation. The receptacle contains a plurality of parallel rings of flexible fingers inside the receptacle that permit a caregiver to easily and quickly insert a beverage container. The rings also stabilize and grip the container in operation to prevent it from shifting or falling out when the receptacle is lifted and tilted by the end user in consuming the beverage. An accessory mounting system permits the rapid attachment of accessories in a temporary, semi-permanent, or permanent fashion, making each receptacle assembly customizable for individual users.

Description

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of provisional patent applications App. No. 62/803,213, filed 2019 Feb. 8 by the present inventor; App. No. 62/813,784, filed 2019 Mar. 5 by the present inventor; and App. No. 62/849,184, filed 2019 May 17 by the present inventor

BACKGROUND

Field of Endeavor

The present invention is related to a secondary receptacle for containers holding beverages, and more particularly to a receptacle that can hold multiple size beverage containers without need of manual adjustments and can be more easily held.

Brief Description of the Related Art

The following is a tabulation of some related prior art:

U.S. Patents

		Kind
	Pat. No.	Code	Issue Date	Patentee
	5,211,307	A	1993 May 18	Jeffries
	6,557,351	B1	2003 May 6	Ghedini & Montanari
	6,851,276	B2	2005 Feb. 8	Perrins
	7,275,729	B2	2007 Oct. 2	Sherman & Halley

U.S. Patent Application Publications

	Kind
Publication Nr.	Code	Publication Date	Applicant
U.S. 2004/0118860	A1	2004 Jun. 24	Leopold & Kaupp
U.S. 2011/0198309	A1	2011 Aug. 18	Itzek et al.
U.S. 2018/0072461	A1	2018 Mar. 15	Lane et al.

International Patent Applications

	Intl. Publication	Kind
	Nr.	Code	Publication Date	Applicant
	WO 2017/021672	A1	2017 Feb. 9	Clark

Nonpatent Literature Documents

Co-Operative Mobility Web Sales

https://www.co-opmobility.co.uk/in-the-home/dining/cups/p/ergo-plus-cup

Co-Operative Mobility Web Sales

https://www.co-opmobility.co.uk/in-the-home/dining/cups/p/caring-cup?o=43036

In 2016 the number of persons in the United States that were 65 years old or more reached 50 million for the first time. Looking back 16 years to 2000 the number was only 35 million, but looking forward 15 years to 2030 the estimate is that there will be more than 71 million persons over 65 years of age. Coupled with the rapid rise in healthcare costs (approximately $4500 per capita in 2000 versus a projected $13,000 per capita in 2018), there is a need to extract all the savings from the care system possible, without reducing quality of care.

Senior adults may suffer from poor coordination, degraded reflexes, palsy, tremors, or lack of strength. Many of these conditions are similar to those of infants who have not yet learned the basics of self-care. With senior adults, however, this loss of ability to care for one's self has a detrimental effect on self-esteem and happiness critical to senior well-being. Additionally, if persons with such ailments could drink without assistance they would free a caregiver to assist others in greater need. Some devices exist for this purpose, but they offer limited flexibility.

For example, Jeffries' U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,307 proposes an insulated container holder for a baby bottle. The idea was that the bottle could be placed in the two-handled holder and then the entire assembly could be given to the baby, transferring the responsibility of holding the bottle from the caregiver (the parent) to the end user (the baby). Given that the infant may take a good deal of time finishing the bottle, the caregiver is freed to perform other tasks.

This implementation, however, relies on the baby bottle being a precise or nearly precise (depending on flexibility) diameter. The bottle is retained by a “discrete compression force” exerted by the inner wall against the outer wall of the bottle. Either the bottle must be manufactured to pair with the holder or a suitable pair must be found by trial and error.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,851,276, Perrins uses a mechanism that can accept containers of different sizes by placing a split diaphragm at the top of an insulated beverage/food container. This design is specifically meant for the beverage container to be removed for consumption, and it provides the diaphragm for the purpose of insulation and sealing. The beverage containers will be stable as long as they are in the upright position, but are subject to normal limitations after removal for consumption.

Another form of split diaphragm is referenced by Sherman and Halley in U.S. Pat. No. 7,275,729, this one with a series of “resilient gripping fingers.” Again, however, these are designed to stabilize the container when at rest, but not in use. Other examples of resting stability devices are found in U.S. Patent Application Publications 2004/0118860 and 2011/0198309.

Jeffries' original design also used two handles so that the small, and presumably weak and uncoordinated, infant could manage the device's operation. Other designs, such as that pictured in FIG. 20 herein, use two handles for impaired adults, but these suffer from the same affliction of being specifically sized for one container. Unlike infants, adults may consume beverages in bottles, cans, or boxes of sizes ranging from five or six ounces (juice boxes) to more than 20 ounces (soda or water bottles). In addition, the shapes vary from square to rectangular to round, and the walls may be vertical or contoured. Pouring the contents of the container into a specific-sized container takes time and requires the consumption container be washed after each use.

Lane et al's U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0072461 touches on the possibility of manufacturing a modular drinking container to receive accessories. While this device is flexible, the inner sleeve is itself the container, which would require the beverage be poured into it for consumption. In addition, the accessory mounts on the outer sleeve are all on the side of the device, not the bottom. Thus, if an accessory such as an extra-wide base was to be attached, it would have to be hooked to one of the slots on the side of the outer sleeve.

Given the limitations of either the inability to adapt to an indeterminate size beverage container, or the failure to make an adjustable device function when non-horizontal, persons who cannot hold their beverage containers directly must be assisted in some way. This assistance takes the caregiver away from other tasks, possibly for the duration of a meal, leading to an increased need for additional human resources.

The devices described herein, in their various embodiments, can overcome the limitations of prior art by implementing a beverage container receptacle that accepts a wide variety of shapes and sizes of these containers, while automatically self-adjusting to hold these containers stable when the user picks the receptacle up to drink. It advantageously, yet optionally, incorporates a plurality of handles (preferably two) to allow the user to grasp both at the same time in order to better stabilize the assembly, giving this user a better chance at successfully consuming the beverage with little or no assistance. It further implements an accessory mounting system on the bottom of the shell which increases the stability of the device by lowering its center of gravity at rest.

Other advantages of one or more aspects will be apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment a beverage container receptacle comprises a shell with a plurality of handles and a set of internal flex towers with flexible fingers pointing inward in the shell to stabilize and retain most beverage containers inserted into it, with these flex towers retained by a top ring that is screwed or glued to the guides in which the flex towers are inserted. The shell also implements an accessory mounting system on the bottom of the assembly so that appurtenances may be readily attached temporarily, semi-permanently, or permanently.

Another embodiment uses the same basic shell design and accessory mounting system, but retains the flex towers by means of a horizontal slot that a tab on each flex tower slips into upon assembly.

Another embodiment utilizes a metal or other rigid shell with an inner frame and the flex towers inserted from the top and a plurality of handles slid onto the outside from the bottom. These components may be glued into place or attached to each other mechanically to sandwich the rigid shell between them.

Still other aspects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description of embodiments constructed in accordance therewith, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The inventions of the present application will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments of the apparatus and method, given only by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of the entire assembly, showing the shell, the flexible fingers, and the two handles, all common to all embodiments, as well as a retention ring of a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective of the entire assembly showing the shell with the handles and the accessory mounting assembly;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a flex tower and series of flexible fingers;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment with two of the flex towers aligned for insertion into the guides along the inner shell wall and a retention ring and screws of a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a top view showing the shell, the handles, and the inside view of the accessory mounting assembly, in which the flex towers and retention ring are omitted for an unobstructed view of the bottom of the receptacle.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a set of flex tower guides that line the inner wall of the shell; the shell is not shown for clarity;

FIG. 7 is a cutaway exploded perspective view showing the assembly of two of the flex towers into the flex tower guides, the retention ring, and the screws of a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 8 depicts a vertical cross-sectional view of the receptacle with an exemplary beverage container inserted.

FIG. 9 shows a complete set of all flex towers as they would appear when inserted into the shell along the flex tower guides;

FIG. 10 shows a cutaway of an exemplary receptacle with only the bottom of the receptacle visible, as well as a sample accessory, and shows the relationship between the accessory mount assembly on the receptacle and the matching components on the accessory;

FIG. 11 shows the full receptacle and a sample accessory wherein the accessory locking mechanism is visible as is its relationship to the handle with which it makes contact;

FIG. 12 shows the basic operation of inserting a container into the receptacle;

FIG. 13 shows the operation of removing a container from the receptacle;

FIG. 14 shows an alternative embodiment of the shell using horizontal slots to capture protruding tabs on the upper flex tower;

FIG. 15 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the flex tower showing the protruding tab used to secure the towers in the shell;

FIG. 16 illustrates yet another embodiment including an inner and outer shell with the flexible finger assemblies sandwiched between the two;

FIG. 17 shows the flexible finger assemblies of the embodiment of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 shows a cutaway of the base of yet another embodiment that uses adhesive to join the inner and outer shells of a two-shell embodiment;

FIG. 19 shows an exploded view of another embodiment that utilizes a metal or other rigid cup and an inner frame and outer handle assemblies attached to that cup

FIG. 20 illustrates a prior two handled cup holder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawing figures, like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements throughout the several figures.

The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a solvent” includes reference to one or more of such solvents, and reference to “the dispersant” includes reference to one or more of such dispersants.

Concentrations, amounts, and other numerical data may be presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited.

For example, a range of 1 to 5 should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited limits of 1 and 5, but also to include individual values such as 2, 2.7, 3.6, 4.2, and sub-ranges such as 1-2.5, 1.8-3.2, 2.6-4.9, etc. This interpretation should apply regardless of the breadth of the range or the characteristic being described, and also applies to open-ended ranges reciting only one end point, such as “greater than 25,” or “less than 10.”

One embodiment of the receptacle is illustrated in FIG. 1 (top perspective) and FIG. 2 (bottom perspective). FIG. 1 assumes the receptacle is sitting in a resting position on a horizontal surface, such as a table. The receptacle structure includes a shell (1) made of a rigid material, e.g., a thermoplastic, such as High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), and inner flexible fingers (4) made of a flexible material, e.g., a thermoplastic such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). However, the shell may also be made of any suitable material that provides sufficient structural stiffness without fracturing, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate, aluminum, ceramic, or wood. Possible other materials for the flexible strips or fingers (4) include thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), rubber, silicone, and suitably coated spring steel.

In a preferred embodiment, the shell is near cylindrical in shape, being wider at the top and narrowing at the base. This change in diameter of the shell is sufficient to allow the bottom of one shell to be inserted into the top of a second shell by a sufficient amount to be stable when carried. It is possible for the shell to be of another polygonal shape, such as square, pentagonal, hexagonal, or irregular in layout, so long as it can accept and retain beverage containers of many sizes and shapes.

On top of the flex fingers (4) is a retention ring (2) that follows the inner wall of the shell. The ring (2) is attached to the top of a plurality of flex tower guides (not visible in FIG. 1) by one or a series of screws (3) or pins in a preferred embodiment.

Attached to the outside of the shell (1) is a plurality of grips or handles (5), though two is the preferred number. In the preferred embodiments these handles are placed opposite one another (180 degrees apart) such that they are perpendicular to the surface of the table when the receptacle is in the resting position, thus making them easily held by a person using two hands. The handles (5) are attached to the outside wall of the shell (1) via one or more handle bridges (6), though two bridges per handle are preferred, one at each vertical end of the handle. The bridges (6) place the handles sufficiently far enough from the shell to permit an end-user to comfortably insert his or her hands between the shell (1) and the handles (5) and firmly grasp the two handles simultaneously.

In a preferred embodiment, the handles (5) are shaped with an inward curve near the center of the handle, as is visible in FIG. 1. This inward curve permits persons with various sized hands to comfortably and securely grip the handles. Persons with larger hands will utilize the entire handle with their index and pinky fingers utilizing the larger upper and lower diameters. A smaller hand, which is narrower, will slide more toward the middle of the handles for a complete grip.

FIG. 1 also shows the handles (5) have a hole (7) that entirely passes through the handles, top to bottom. This both lightens the receptacle and provides a point for locking accessories into place, as will be explained elsewhere herein.

FIG. 2 shows the bottom perspective of the receptacle, as though viewed through a clear table while it is in the resting position. This view clearly shows the drainage port (8) generally formed in the center of the bottom of the receptacle. The drainage port (8) permits any liquid spilled into the receptacle from collecting in the bottom where it might be spilled onto the user when the receptacle is tipped for beverage consumption, and it enables the receptacle to be washed in an automated dishwasher in an upright or inverted orientation without water pooling inside.

Also visible in FIG. 2 is the accessory mount assembly (9), including at least one, and advantageously a plurality of tab slots (10), tension ramps (11), tab stops (12), and accessory screw holes (13). These slot-ramp-stop groups are spaced at approximately, though not exactly, equal distances along a ring with the center of the ring in the center of the shell (1). This irregular distribution of the slot-ramp-stop groups forces any accessory to be attached in only one orientation with respect to the handles (5), ensuring the accessories that require specific orientation with respect to the end-user may be properly aligned every time. It also guarantees that the handle openings (7), located at the bottom of one or more handles, will be properly aligned with the accessory. A detailed description of the accessory mounting system appears later herein.

FIG. 2 further depicts one or more shallow label recesses (14) on the bottom of the shell. In a preferred embodiment a single opening may accept either a serial number or barcode identification label or a holographic type “proof of authenticity” label. Other possible uses are date codes, date code labels, part numbers, or user applied asset tags.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary flex tower (15) including a series of flexible fingers (4) that are horizontally aligned to point toward the center of the shell (1) when inserted into the shell, and a semi-rigid backing (40) to which the fingers are attached, and has a shape that is complementary to that of the interior surface of the shell against which it will rest. In the preferred embodiment the flex towers (15) and flexible fingers (4) are molded together from the same material. The semi-rigid backing (40) of the flex towers (15) is slipped between the slots created by the rails of adjacent flex tower guides (16) on the inside of the shell (1) as described below.

The flex towers (15) may be of any design that allows the flexible fingers (4) to move independently as a beverage container is inserted into the receptacle, though the preferred embodiment uses tapering strips that apply a lighter pressure and minimal surface area for smaller, narrower containers and a greater force and corresponding larger surface area for larger, heavier containers. The preferred embodiment further curves these fingers to make inserting and removing containers easier by rotating the container in the same direction as the flexible fingers (4). The fingers (4) thus have a curved-triangular shape, in which the base of the triangle is the shape of the backing (40), the two legs of the triangle are curved in the same direction but with different radii of curvature, thus causing them to meet at a point.

In the receptacle there is a plurality of flex towers in the shell (1), though in a preferred embodiment there are four complete towers, each of which may be made of one or more pieces, but with each tower providing at least two sets of flexible fingers (4) separated by a vertical distance that places one near the top of the towers and a second nearer the middle. This upper and lower arrangement of sets of flexible fingers (4) provides a radial force inward toward the center axis of the inner shell when a beverage container is inserted. With approximately equal force applied near the top and bottom of most beverage containers, the container is centered in the receptacle and does not tilt at rest or when lifted and tilted beyond 90° from vertical for the user to consume the beverage.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded perspective view of the receptacle showing one set of flex towers (15) in their final position and one set ready to be inserted. The two flex towers (15) with the flex fingers (4) pointed inward are inserted between vertical flex tower guides (16) spaced along the inner wall of the shell (1). These pairs of flex towers (15) slide in between adjacent guides (16), which keep them from sliding side to side. The tower guides (16) are roughly T-shaped in cross-section, including rails behind which the flex towers (15) slide, thus preventing the towers from dropping into the center of the receptacle when no container is present. A detailed view of these tower guides may be found in FIG. 6.

The flex tower retention ring (2) and retaining screws (3) are also shown in FIG. 4. The ring (2) is placed on top of the flex tower guides (16) after the flex towers (15) have been inserted and the ring is held in place by the screws (3). Glue or friction-retained pins may be used in lieu of the screws, but these prevent the replacement of damaged flex towers and are less preferred; other removable fasteners are also alternatively used. The ring (2) prevents the flex towers (15) from backing out of the flex tower guides (16) when in use.

FIG. 5 shows the inner structure of the receptacle from the top with the flex towers (15) and retention ring (2) omitted for an unobstructed view. The shell (1) and handle bridges (6) form the outer structure. The inner structure is largely formed by the flex tower guides (16). There is a plurality of the guides (16), though a preferred embodiment includes four; fewer or more can alternatively be used. The T-shape of the guides (16) is visible from the top, and the flex towers (15) slide behind the cross arms of adjacent towers to be retained. Also at the top of each tower is a hole (18) for fasteners, e.g., screws or pins, to be inserted to attach the flex tower retention ring (not shown).

At the center of FIG. 5 is the inner view of the accessory mount (9). This view shows the not quite equal spacing of the tab slots (10) in a circular pattern about the center of the base. This forces all accessories (not visible) to have a definite orientation with respect to the handles and handle bridges (6) of the receptacle. Such an arrangement means that accessories that require a specific orientation with respect to the user can be guaranteed that orientation or one that is 180° out of position (depending on how the user holds the receptacle). An example of such an accessory might be an active stability control base.

The three remaining components of the accessory mount are also shown in FIG. 5. Each tab slot (10) has a corresponding tension ramp (11) and tab stop (12), so that when an accessory includes a tab that fits into a tab slots (10), and the accessory is rotated about a vertical axis, the tab slides up the tension ramp (11) until further rotation is prevented by the tab stop (12). Semi-permanent accessory attachment is possible using the plurality of accessory screw holes (13), though a preferred embodiment includes only two. A complete description of the accessory mounting system appears later herein.

FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of the inner structure of the receptacle with the shell (1) removed for visibility. The flex tower guides (16) are shown extending up from the base (42) of the receptacle. In a preferred embodiment there are four guides (16) supporting four flex towers (15), though the design permits more or fewer guides.

Also seen in FIG. 6 are the flex tower drain bumps (17). One or more of these bumps is located below each flex tower (15), lifting each off the base (41) of the receptacle. This permits water or spilled beverages that might get between a flex tower and the inner wall of the shell to drain to the bottom of the receptacle where it can migrate to the drainage port (8).

An exploded cutaway view of the receptacle is shown in FIG. 7. This view shows only one pair of flex towers (15), the first already inserted into the flex tower guides (16), the second positioned to slide downward between a pair of flex tower guides (16) with the flex fingers (4) pointed inward toward the center of the receptacle, and on top of the other flex tower. Located above the flex tower guides (16) is the flex tower retention ring (2) which rests on top of the towers and prevents the flex towers (15) from sliding out. The ring (2) is held in place by a plurality of (preferably removable) fasteners (3), e.g., screws or pins that pass through the ring into the top of each flex tower guide (16).

FIG. 8 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the receptacle with an exemplary beverage container (31) inserted. The shell (1) contains the flex towers (15) with the flexible fingers (4) that have been compressed down and outward by the sides of the beverage container (31). The flex towers (15) are retained by the flex tower retention ring (2). The handles (5) are shown extended away from the shell (1) by the handle bridges (6).

FIG. 9 depicts the final arrangement of all the flex towers (15) once they have been inserted into the receptacle. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, there are two flex towers per slot between the flex tower guides, one stacked atop the other with the flex fingers (4) pointing inward, providing an upper and lower ring of flex fingers (4) to contact the beverage container. In other embodiments there may be a single tower with a plurality of flex fingers (4), or three or more towers (15) with or without flex fingers (4), combined such that there are at least two sets of flex fingers (4) contacting the container to be held.

FIG. 10 shows a cutaway of the shell (1) at the base. Within this cutaway the accessory mount assembly (9) is visible in the center. This assembly includes a plurality of tab slots (10) with associated tension ramps (11), and tab stops (12). In the preferred embodiment there are three of these sets, although one or two, or more than three, can be used.

Pictured beneath the cutaway shell base (1) is a sample accessory (22). At the top of this or any other accessory is an accessory mounting ring (23). The ring (23), regardless of the accessory, is standardized to match the standardized accessory mount assembly (9) on the receptacle, and it includes a plurality of tabs (24), three in the preferred embodiment. The tabs (24) are spaced apart and elevated from the top of the accessory, each forming a gap therewith, by an amount slightly more than the maximum thickness of the tension ramp (11) on the receptacle. The tabs (24) are also positioned to align with the tab slots (10) on the bottom of the receptacle (1), allowing them to pass through the tab slot openings. The accessory (22) can be any of a number of devices, including a suction foot, a heavily weighted base, or the like.

Other optional bases include, but are certainly not limited to:

• • 1. Wide Base—Makes it harder to tip over when stationary.
  • 2. Weighted Base—Reduces receptacle motion when held by a person whose hands shake.
  • 3. Weighted Wide Base—Combination of the two above.
  • 4. Colored Ring—Allows for attachment of different colored rings to differentiate between otherwise identical receptacles. Each user can have his/her own receptacle.
  • 5. Active Stability Base—Gyroscopic stabilization for persons with severe hand shaking or palsy.
  • 6. Spill Alarm Base—If the receptacle goes from vertical to horizontal with no corresponding vertical movement, an alarm will be triggered. This may be audible, visual, or a signal sent (e.g., via radio waves, e.g., WiFi, Bluetooth, and other near-field communications) to a monitoring station, a cell phone app, or the internet to be relayed to the appropriate caregiver.
  • 7. Pager Base—A button will be placed on the base so that if the end-user (patient) needs assistance it will signal a monitoring station or a cell phone app, or send a message to an internet receiver that is the relayed to the appropriate staff member or caregiver (e.g., via radio waves, e.g., WiFi, Bluetooth, and other near-field communications).
  • 8. Vital Signs Sensor Base—The base will collect data from a sensor placed in the void in the handle not used to lock the base in place. Such data might include temperature, heart rate, oxygen levels, or even glucose levels. This data would be sent in real-time to an internet receiver for collection and forwarding to the appropriate caregiver staff (e.g., via radio waves, e.g., WiFi, Bluetooth, and other near-field communications).
  • 9. Timing Base—Senses when the user picks up the receptacle to consume the beverage and reminds the user to drink if the period since the previous drink is too long. Notification may be lights and/or sounds. Interval can be set via the device or by radio waves (e.g., WiFi, Bluetooth, and other near-field communications) and the base can report back consumption patterns to an app or the internet.
  • 10. Consumption Sensing Base—More sophisticated version of the timing base. Uses pressure sensors in the base to constantly weigh the entire assembly to accurately determine the rate of consumption and feed this data in real-time to a monitoring system that can alert staff if the rate is too low or too high.

FIG. 11 shows an optional accessory mount locking mechanism (27). The mechanism (27) includes a locking arm (28) extending out from the exterior of any accessory (22), rising vertically from the accessory to a level even with the bottom of handle (5), and placing an accessory locking clip (29) and flexible release tab (30) such that the locking clip will contact the bottom of a handle (5) on the receptacle (1). The locking arm and clip are positioned such that when the accessory mounting ring tabs (24) strike their corresponding tab stops (not visible) in the receptacle base, the locking clip (29) will be positioned directly beneath a handle (5) and pop into the hole (7) or indentation at the bottom of the handle. In this regard, the hole (7) in the handle (5) can be a complete through-hole with opens at both the top and bottom of the handle, or can instead be a blind bore or indentation at the bottom of the handle.

The manner of using the beverage container receptacle is similar to that for using certain types of automotive cup holders. As shown in FIG. 12, a beverage container (31) is centered above the receptacle shell (1) by a caregiver and he or she optionally grasps the handle (5) to stabilize the receptacle and keep it from rotating. The person then grasps the beverage container (31) near its top and simultaneously pushes the container downward into the receptacle shell (1) while twisting it in the direction that the flexible fingers (4) point (in the illustration, counterclockwise viewed from the top) until it contacts the bottom of the receptacle.

Upon insertion of the beverage container (31) into the receptacle the flexible fingers (4) will bend downward and collapse outward toward the inner wall of the shell (1) with the tops of the strips becoming parallel to the outer surface of the beverage container, applying an inward force on the container (31) over a greater surface area to both stabilize the container and create additional static friction to inhibit, and advantageously prevent, the container from sliding out of the receptacle when it is tilted more than 90° from vertical.

FIG. 13 shows the procedure to remove any beverage container from the receptacle. To accomplish this, the caregiver optionally grasps a handle (5) on the receptacle with one hand and the container (31) near the top with the other hand. This person then holds the receptacle stationary while twisting the container (31) in the same direction as when inserting it (counterclockwise in the illustration) and simultaneously pulling upward on the container (31) until it clears the flexible fingers (4). This process is made easier by twisting in the direction of the flexible fingers (4) curve, as twisting in the opposite direction will cause the flexible fingers (4) to compress into themselves.

FIG. 10 shows the relationship between accessory mounting assembly (9), in the base of the receptacle shell (1), and the accessory mounting ring (23) on the top of the accessory. In operation the caregiver will align the tabs (24) of the accessory mounting ring (23) with the tab slots (10) in the base of the receptacle shell (1). These slots and tabs are not uniformly spaced in a ring such that they can only be aligned in a single orientation. To facilitate this aligning step, optional visual and/or tactile indicia (42) are formed on the outer surface of the shell (1), such that when the accessory locking arm (28) is positioned below the indicia formed on the receptacle tabs (24) will be aligned with the slots (10) prior to the insertion of the tab(s) into the slot(s).

The accessory tabs (24) are inserted upward into the aligned tab slots (10) and the caregiver rotates the accessory (22) with respect to the receptacle (1) base and accessory mount assembly (9). In this illustration, the person would rotate the receptacle counterclockwise when viewed from the top. The tabs (24) contact the tension ramps (11) which guide the tabs upward onto the flat portion of the ramp. At the end of the ramp the tabs (24) encounter the tab stops (12) preventing the accessory from rotating any farther.

Once the accessory (22) has been rotated into place, the caregiver may semi-permanently secure it to the shell (1) base, if desired, by inserting a plurality of screws (26) through the accessory screw holes (13) in the accessory mount assembly (9) and into the accessory screw ports (25) on the top of the accessory. The holes (13) in the shell (1) permit the screw (26) to pass freely but the ports (25) in the accessory are sized such that the screws must be driven into place, making a semi-permanent union.

Should the user desire to permanently attach the accessory, a layer of adhesive may be placed on top of the accessory around the accessory mounting ring. As the accessory is rotated and the tabs (24) slide up the ramps (11) the adhesive will be sandwiched between the base of the shell (1) and the top of the accessory (22), enabling a permanent bond.

For accessories that are to be added and removed on a more regular basis, the accessory will be equipped with one or more accessory locking mechanisms (27), shown in FIG. 11. To attach the accessory (22), the caregiver aligns the accessory locking arm (28) with the indicia (42) on the side of the shell (1), pushes the tabs (24) through the slots (not visible), and rotates the accessory as described above until the ramp of the locking clip (29) slides under the handle (5). When the accessory mounting ring tab (24) encounters the key stops (12), the clip (29) will simultaneously slide into the hole (7) or indentation at the bottom of the handle (5). The sloped side of the locking clip (29) will allow it to slide under the handle (5) with no user intervention.

Since the accessory locking clip (29) has a vertical wall opposite the ramp, it cannot be backed out of the hole (7) or indentation at the bottom of the handle (5) by simply twisting in the opposite direction used for attaching. To remove the accessory (22), the caregiver must push down on the accessory lock release tab (30) while simultaneously rotating the receptacle in the opposite direction as used when attaching it (in this illustration clockwise viewed from the top).

FIG. 14 shows an additional embodiment in which self-retaining flex towers (20) are held in place via a retention tab (21) on the back side of each tower. This tab slides into a matching slot (19) cut into the shell (1) as the self-retaining flex tower (20) is slid into the flex tower guides (16). The tower guides (16) maintain an outward pressure on the self-retaining flex towers (20), preventing the tabs (21) from slipping from the slots (19) in the shell. FIG. 15 shows the self-retaining flex tower (20) in more detail with the retention tab (21) visible.

While the preferred embodiment shown above is believed to be optimal for creating an automatic self-adjusting receptacle, there are other possible ways to locate a plurality of flexible rings to stabilize various sized beverage containers.

FIG. 16 shows a two-shell approach to this task. The outer shell (34) is similar to the embodiment described above with reference to FIG. 1, but further includes an inner shell (32) that slides into the outer shell and is then retained by the insertion of a plurality of fasteners (35), e.g., screws or pins, through the bottom of the outer shell into holes in the inner shell. Trapped between the two shells is a plurality of flex strips that have multiple flexible fingers forming a plurality of rings. These flex strips (33), shown in detail in FIG. 17, are inserted through holes in the inner shell with the fingers inside the inner shell, and the backing strip is stopped by the inner shell wall. Once the two shells are assembled the strips cannot back out of the holes.

A variation of this embodiment uses an adhesive to bond the inner and outer shells. FIG. 18 shows a cutaway of the outer shell base (1) showing an adhesive tray (36) where a liquid adhesive would be placed, and the inner shell dropped into the tray.

Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 19. In this embodiment a metal cup (39), typically aluminum (though other metals are possible), similar to the popular aluminum drinking cups, is sandwiched between a top cap assembly (37) and a set of handle rings (38). The top cap (37) and handle rings (38) may be attached to the cup with an adhesive, or they can be slipped into place and screws run through the top cap (37) into the handle rings (38), pinching them together and sandwiching the metal cup between them. In this embodiment, the flex towers (15) are temporarily adhered to the inner frame of the top assembly and are permanently retained by the inner wall of the metal cup (39).

From the descriptions above, several advantages of the automatic self-adjusting receptacle in various embodiments become evident:

The receptacle is more stable than a native beverage container (cup, can, bottle) while in the resting position by virtue of the wider base;

The two tapered handles in a preferred embodiment enable the end-user to firmly grasp the receptacle, regardless of hand size, as opposed to a flimsy or easily crushed plastic bottle or aluminum can, without crushing the container and spraying the contents on the table, user, and others nearby;

The two handles also permit the end-user to use both hands to better stabilize the receptacle and enclosed container while drinking, allowing him or her to be more self-sufficient and freeing caregivers to do other tasks or assist other persons;

The two or more rings of flexible fingers allow for easy insertion and removal of beverage containers by direct insertion or twisting the container in the direction of the flexible finger flow;

The two or more rings of flexible fingers also stabilize containers of many sizes and shapes, including cans, bottles, and cartons in round, rectangular, or other shapes;

The two or more rings of flexible fingers grip the beverage container and prevent it from sliding out of the receptacle when the receptacle is tipped beyond horizontal;

The ability to accept many types of containers means that the contents need not be transferred to another vessel for consumption, and the container may be recycled or disposed of when empty, rather than needing to be washed;

The accessory mount assembly of the bottom of the receptacle allows a variety of accessories with various functions to be temporarily, semi-permanently, or permanently attached to the receptacle. Such accessories might include an extra wide base or an active anti-shake base;

With the extra-wide base accessory, the receptacle becomes extremely stable in the resting position; and

The open bottom permits spilled beverages to drain and enables the washing and sterilizing of the receptacle in a normal or inverted orientation in automated dishwashers.

Accordingly, the reader will see that the various embodiments of the automatic self-adjusting beverage container receptacle will both enable persons with certain physical impairments to continue to drink unassisted, and reduce the time and effort required of caregivers in caring for said person. The beverage container can quickly and easily be inserted into the receptacle by a caregiver, and the end-user with limited motor skills can lift and stabilize the receptacle more easily than they could the original container. Additionally, the automatic self-adjusting receptacle has the advantages in that:

it is more stable at rest;

it is more easily stabilized by the end-user through the use of two handles when in use;

the beverage container itself is stabilized and retained by two or more rings of flexible fingers, preventing the container from shifting, rotating, tilting, or sliding out when lifted and angled for drinking;

the use of a receptacle allows the original beverage container to be used by the end user and then disposed of or recycled, reducing the need to wash alternative vessels;

an unlimited variety of accessories may be attached to the bottom of the receptacle, enabling such accessories to be tailored to the individual needs of the end-user.

Although the description above contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but as merely providing illustrations of some of several embodiments. For example, the receptacle may be made of many materials such as injection molded plastic or a combination of plastic and metal. It may be any color and of a range of sizes to cover a range of beverage containers, from very small to very wide or extra short or overly tall.

Thus, the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

Claims

1. An automatic self-adjusting beverage container receptacle, the receptacle comprising:

a shell having an exterior surface, a centerline, and an open end;

a plurality of flexible fingers arranged in a plurality of parallel rings with said flexible fingers facing inwards toward the shell centerline shell, wherein the plurality of flexible fingers are positioned to press against and stabilize said beverage container of a wide variety of sizes and shapes when said beverage container is inserted into the center of said shell, whereby said beverage container is inhibited by said plurality of flexible fingers from shifting, tilting, or falling out of said shell when a user angles the receptacle to consume contents of said beverage container.

2. A receptacle according to claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of vertically oriented grips which taper toward the middle of the grips and are attached to and separated from the shell exterior surface, at least one of said grips comprising a hole at a bottom surface thereof, whereby a person who may have reduced motor skills may grasp said grips to stabilize the receptacle with both hands when consuming a beverage contained within said beverage container and without having to directly manipulate said beverage container.

3. A receptacle according to claim 1, wherein said shell includes a closed end opposite said open end, and further comprising:

an accessory mounting assembly at said shell closed end, said accessory mounting assembly comprising at least one slot though which a tab on an accessory can be inserted and rotated, whereby accessories may be temporarily, semi-permanently, or permanently attached to said shell such that said accessories may further assist the user in stabilizing the receptible when in use or at rest, or may assist a caregiver in helping the receptacle user.

4. A receptacle according to claim 3, further comprising said accessory, the accessory comprising:

said at least one tab, sized and configured to fit within said at least one slot

5. A receptacle according to claim 4, wherein said shell comprises at least one vertically oriented grip attached to and separated from the shell exterior surface, said at least grip comprising a hole at a bottom surface thereof, and said accessory further comprising:

a locking clip positioned to engage in said hole in said at least one grip.

6. A receptacle according to claim 4, wherein said at least one tab and said at least one slot are mutually positioned and configured to form an accessory keying system that permits said accessories to be attached in a specific orientation with respect to shell, whereby the accessory orientation may be specifically defined with respect to the user when necessary.

5. A receptacle according to claim 1, comprising a one-piece flexible tower which comprises said flexible fingers and a semi-flexible base, whereby said flexible fingers may be inserted into said shell in groups and permanently or semi-permanently affixed.

6. A receptacle according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of flexible fingers has a curved triangle shape.

7. A receptacle according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of flexible fingers are arranged in at least two vertically spaced rings on said shell, whereby each of said two vertically spaced rings stabilize different vertical portions of said beverage container when inserted into said shell.