Magnetic beverage holder

Abstract

A thermally insulative, polymeric beverage holder having inner and outer side wall sections with a magnet having a substantially flat, outwardly facing surface disposed between inner and outer side wall sections of the holder, the magnet imparting to the holder a substantially planar side wall surface that is attachable to a substantially vertical ferrous metal surface with sufficient attractive force to support the weight of a full beverage container disposed inside the holder. A beverage holder having magnets disposed in both the side and bottom walls is also disclosed. Optionally, the beverage holder can include a molded polymeric liner.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to a single beverage holder of the type commonly used for holding and keeping a canned or bottled beverage cool during consumption. Such holders, often referred to as “coozies,” are typically made, at least in part, of a thermally insulative polymeric material.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Polymeric beverage holders useful with single cans or bottles are well known. Ordinarily, such beverage holders are made with a side wall that is substantially cylindrical and a bottom that is unitarily formed or separately made. If separately made, the bottom is circumferentially attached to the lower end of the side wall using an adhesive, by sonic welding, or by other similarly effective means. Alternatively, the side walls of conventional beverage holders are sometimes made so that at least the outwardly facing surface is curvilinear in both the vertical and circumferential directions to p...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0029] Referring to FIG. 1, beverage holder 10 of the invention is shown in juxtaposition to a substantially vertical, rear quarter panel 12 of a conventional pickup truck to which beverage holder 10 is releasably attached. At least the portion of quarter panel 12 to which beverage holder 10 is releasably attached is understood to comprise a ferrous metal that is capable of being attracted to the magnetic field of a magnet disposed inside the side wall of beverage holder 10. The magnitude of the attractive force between quarter panel 12 and the magnet disposed inside the side wall of beverage holder 10, when coupled with the normal frictional force present at the interface between quarter panel 12 and the adjacent outside surface of beverage holder 10, is desirably sufficient to resist the gravitational force exerted on beverage holder 10 and hold beverage holder 10 in a desired, substantially upright position relative to quarter panel 12, even when a full beverage container is pres...

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to a single beverage holder of the type commonly used for holding and keeping a canned or bottled beverage cool during consumption. Such holders, often referred to as “coozies,” are typically made, at least in part, of a thermally insulative polymeric material.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Polymeric beverage holders useful with single cans or bottles are well known. Ordinarily, such beverage holders are made with a side wall that is substantially cylindrical and a bottom that is unitarily formed or separately made. If separately made, the bottom is circumferentially attached to the lower end of the side wall using an adhesive, by sonic welding, or by other similarly effective means. Alternatively, the side walls of conventional beverage holders are sometimes made so that at least the outwardly facing surface is curvilinear in both the vertical and circumferential directions to p...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0029] Referring to FIG. 1, beverage holder 10 of the invention is shown in juxtaposition to a substantially vertical, rear quarter panel 12 of a conventional pickup truck to which beverage holder 10 is releasably attached. At least the portion of quarter panel 12 to which beverage holder 10 is releasably attached is understood to comprise a ferrous metal that is capable of being attracted to the magnetic field of a magnet disposed inside the side wall of beverage holder 10. The magnitude of the attractive force between quarter panel 12 and the magnet disposed inside the side wall of beverage holder 10, when coupled with the normal frictional force present at the interface between quarter panel 12 and the adjacent outside surface of beverage holder 10, is desirably sufficient to resist the gravitational force exerted on beverage holder 10 and hold beverage holder 10 in a desired, substantially upright position relative to quarter panel 12, even when a full beverage container is pres...

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