Beverage Holder

Abstract

A beverage holder for securing a beverage container to a support surface is provided. In one example, the beverage holder also insulates the beverage container. The beverage holder has a deformable base, which may be concave in shape. The base is constructed to act as a suction device to releasably attach the beverage holder to the support surface. A sidewall connects to the base to form a cylindrical void. Sidewall projections are spaced apart on the sidewall and extend into the void. The sidewall projections are constructed and arranged to frictionally engage the beverage container. In use, the beverage container is received into the void, and as the beverage container is pressed into the void, the deformable base suctionally couples to the support surface. The sidewall projections act to securely hold the beverage container in the void, while allowing air to escape.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. patent application number 60 / 708,003, filed Aug. 12, 2005, and entitled “Beverage Holder”.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to the field of beverage holders. More particularly, the present invention relates to an beverage holder that can be releasably attached to a surface. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Beverage holders have been available for a number of years and are well known in the art. Some of these beverage holders are made of insulating material so that the canned or bottled beverages are maintained a temperature close to the temperature of the beverage prior to being placed in the beverage holder. The insulating material also helps to insulate the hand from very cold or very hot beverages. These beverage holders are typically made of Styrofoam or Neoprene. The beverage holder is typically in the shape of a cylinder into which...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a beverage holder that can securely hold a beverage container on a support surface and insulate it. The holder has a deformable base that acts as a suction device to attach it to the surface. The holder has sidewall projections that securely hold the beverage container in place while allowing air to escape. The holder is easy to use and provides a safe and secure way to hold beverages in place."

Problems solved by technology

A recurring problem in such vehicles are the overturning and sliding of beverage containers on the support surfaces when the vehicle accelerates or changes direction, or in the case of marine craft and airplanes, experiences buffeting associated with waves or air pockets.

While this solution seems useful, the reality is that applying this type of coating increases the manufacturing cost of the beverage holder significantly, and moreover, the increased surface friction may actually increase the tendency for tip over for the beverage container and beverage holder combination.

This increased tendency for tip over occurs because inertial forces that would normally cause slippage without the non-slip coating, now cause the beverage container and beverage holder combination to tip over instead.

Increasing the thickness of the base would tend to raise the center of gravity of the beverage holder, which would increase the tendency for tip over as well, and defeat the purpose of the larger base.

Additionally, the problem arises of increased cost of manufacture for producing a beverage holder with a larger base and non-slip coating, as well as the larger size of the base of the beverage holder creating a larger, heavier, unsightly and even unwieldy insulating beverage holder.

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