Magnetized beverage container holder

Abstract

A beverage container holder is disclosed which includes a magnet within the sleeve of a beverage container holder. The beverage container holder, along with any beverage container placed in the beverage container holder, may be mounted on any mounting surface having an associated ferrous material. The beverage container holder is held in place due to the force of the magnetic interaction between the magnet and the mounting surface.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 382,459, filed Mar. 5, 2003, entitled “Magnetized Beverage Container Holder”, which is incorporated herein by this reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to holders for beverage containers, and more specifically, to a magnetized beverage container holder used to secure a beverage container to a surface. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] In numerous situations, for several reasons, people drink beverages from beverage containers, such as boating, tailgating, working, etc. For example, while boating a person may be exposed to heat and sun for several hours, and remaining hydrated is important. In many of these situations, finding a place to store the beverage container in which the container will not be inadvertently spilled or knocked over can be problematic. On a boat, for example, simply placing a beverage container...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a holder for a beverage container. The method of manufacturing includes forming a sleeve portion of the holder, with the sleeve portion being adapted to receive the beverage container. A magnet is secured to the sleeve portion in a position such that the side of the beverage container is substantially parallel to a mounting surface when the beverage container is located in the sleeve and the holder is engaged with the mounting surface. A base portion may be formed and secured to a first end of the sleeve, substantially closing the first end of the sleeve. The sleeve portion may be formed by injection molding an insulation material into a sleeve form. The sleeve portion may also be formed by stitching end portions of a rectangular fabric together to form the sleeve portion. A pouch may also be stitched to the sleeve, the pouch being adapted to receive the magnet, and the magnet inserted into the pouch. The magnet may also be secured to the sleeve with an adhesive, where the adhesive is applied to at least one of the magnet and the sleeve portion, the magnet is positioned against the sleeve portion, and the adhesive is cured to secure the ma

Problems solved by technology

In many of these situations, finding a place to store the beverage container in which the container will not be inadvertently spilled or knocked over can be problematic.

On a boat, for example, simply placing a beverage container on a flat surface is often unsatisfactory since the container may tip over as a result from typical movement of the boat rocking on the water.

Likewise, when operating heavy machinery during construction or farming operations one might find it difficult or even impossible to retain a beverage without spilling.

Similarly, at picnics or other outdoor gatherings, placing a beverage container on the ground may result in spilling as a result of a person or animal inadvertently kicking the container.

While such a holder provides a place for container storage, it also has disadvantages.

For example, the holder is permanently secured in one place on the platform, thus providing limited flexibility for storing such beverage containers.

While additional holders may be installed in areas which are most convenient for such storage, the additional holders may cause clutter in those areas.

Furthermore, if a person wishes to be in an area which does not have a holder installed, that person must either hold the container, or store the container in area which does have a holder, which may be inconvenient for the person due to having to move to the other area every time they wish to drink from the container.

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