US20100108703A1

US20100108703A1 - Removably attachable holding device for beverage containers

Info

Publication number: US20100108703A1
Application number: US12/608,760
Authority: US
Inventors: Douglas J. French
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-10-31
Filing date: 2009-10-29
Publication date: 2010-05-06
Also published as: WO2010051394A1

Abstract

A removably attachable holding device (1) for beverage containers (2) that is removably attachable to an attachment surface (11), such as a table, wall, counter, bar, refrigerator, vehicle console, etc. The removably attachable holding device has at least one cylindrical side wall (3) having an interior surface (7) and an exterior surface (8), a base (4) having a top surface (9) and a bottom surface (10). The removably attachable holding device may be attached to an attachment surface via hook and loop fasteners, interlocking strips, etc. that are secured to the removably attachable holding surface and the attachment surface.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/109,945 filed Oct. 31, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to holding devices for beverage containers, such as soda cans, beer cans, water bottles, beer bottles, soda bottles and so forth, more particularly, a holding device that is removably attachable to horizontal and/or vertical surfaces.
Holding devices for beverage containers, more commonly known as coolie cups, are commonly constructed of neoprene, polyester, open cell foam, plastic or other insulating materials used to keep beverages cool or cold and to prevent condensation from forming on the outer surface of a beverage container. Generally, holding devices have a cylindrical wall extending upward from a circular base and an opening at the top of the cylindrical side wall that is the same diameter as the circular base. These types of holding devices may be used to hold beverage containers, such as aluminum cans, plastic water bottles and glass bottles. Alternatively, the holding devices may have a cylindrical side wall with an opening that is smaller in diameter than the circular base. These types of holding device usually also have a slit running up the side that may be closed with a zipper that allows a user to insert a glass bottle into the holding device.
Although known holding devices are useful for maintaining cool temperatures of beverages and preventing condensation, users oftentimes find it difficult to keep a holding device and beverage container from tipping over when the holding device is placed on a surface that is unstable, such as a surface located in a car, boat, recreational vehicle, etc. In other instances a horizontal surface may not even be available to place the holding device on, such as a when working on a ladder.
Therefore, a need exists for a removably attachable holding device for beverage containers that is removably attachable to horizontal and vertical surfaces, thereby allowing a user to place the holding container on a surface without fear of the beverage container tipping over and spilling or attach the container device to a vertical surface when a horizontal surface is not available.
The relevant prior art includes the following references:


Patent No.
(U.S. unless stated otherwise)	Inventor	Issue/Publication Date

2005/0167457	Barnett	Aug. 4, 2005
5,873,486	Morgan	Feb. 23, 1999
5,497,902	Crock	Mar. 12, 1996
5,381,922	Gladman et al.	Jan. 17, 1995
5,186,350	McBride	Feb. 16, 1993
4,629,089	Eger	Dec. 16, 1986
4,345,704	Boughton	Aug. 24, 1982
4,220,302	Hampton et al.	Sep. 2, 1980

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a removably attachable holding device for beverage containers that is removably attachable to horizontal surfaces.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a removably attachable holding device for beverage containers that is removably attachable to vertical surfaces.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a removably attachable holding device for beverage containers that prevents beverage containers from tipping over and spilling.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a removably attachable holding device for beverage containers that provides a container to store items other than beverage containers, such as cell phones.
The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a removably attachable holding device for beverage containers that is removably attachable to an attachment surface. The removably attachable container holding device has a cylindrical side wall having an interior surface and an exterior surface, a base having a top surface and a bottom surface, a first attachment means located on the bottom surface of the base and/or the exterior surface of the cylindrical side wall and a second attachment means that is securable to a attachment surface such as a table, wall, refrigerator, vehicle console, clothing, etc. The first attachment means and second attachment means are removably attachable to each other.
To use the present invention on a horizontal surface, a user first secures the second attachment means to a attachment surface such as a table, car console, etc with an attachment means, such as glue, adhesive, etc. Then, the user secures the first attachment means located on the base of the holding device to the second attachment means. Because the first attachment means and the second attachment means mate to one another, the removably attachable holding device is adequately secured to the horizontal surface so that it will not tip over, slip, slide or otherwise fall off the horizontal surface. When the user desires to drink from the beverage container, he or she simply applies upward pressure on the holding device and beverage container and the first attachment means detaches from the second attachment means.
To use the present invention on a vertical surface, a user first secures the second attachment means to a attachment surface such as a wall, refrigerator, side of a ladder, etc. with an attachment means, such as glue, adhesive, etc. Then, the user secures the first attachment means located on the cylindrical side wall of the holding device to the second attachment means. Because the first attachment means and the second attachment means mate to one another, the removably attachable holding device is adequately secured to the vertical surface so that it will not tip over, slip, slide or otherwise fall off the vertical surface. When the user desires to drink from the beverage container, he or she simply applies pulls the holding device and beverage container away from the vertical surface and the first attachment means detaches from the second attachment means.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective plan side view of a removably attachable holding device for beverage containers attached to a attachment surface wherein the attachment surface is a vertical surface;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a removably attachable holding device for beverage containers showing a bottom surface of a base having a perimeter edge and at least one first attachment means located thereon;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a removably attachable holding device of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective side view of a removably attachable holding device for beverage containers attached to a attachment surface wherein the attachment surface is a horizontal surface.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered accessories in the drawings is as follows:

1 removably attachable holding device
2 beverage container
3 side wall
4 base
5 first attachment means
6 second attachment means
7 interior surface
8 exterior surface
9 top surface
10 bottom surface
11 attachment surface
12 vertical surface
13 horizontal surface
14 aperture
15 zipper
16 side wall top edge
17 side wall bottom edge
18 perimeter edge
19 opening
20 securing means

With reference to FIG. 1, a perspective plan side view of a removably attachable holding device 1 for beverage containers 2 attached to an attachment surface 11 wherein the attachment surface 11 is a vertical surface 12 is shown. The removably attachable holding device 1 comprises at least one cylindrical side wall 3 having an interior surface 7, as shown in FIG. 3, and an exterior surface 8, a top edge 16 and a bottom edge 17. The at least one side wall 3 is secured to a perimeter edge 19 of a circular base 4 and extends upward from the circular base 4, which has a top surface 9 and a bottom surface 10. An opening 19 at the top edge of the at least on side wall 3 is the substantially the same diameter as the circular base 4. The at least one side wall 3 and base 4 are preferably made of neoprene, polyester, open cell foam, plastic or other insulating materials used to keep beverages cool or cold and prevent condensation from forming on the beverage container 2. The beverage container 2 is held within the at least one side wall 3. As shown here, the beverage container 2 is an aluminum can, but the beverage container 2 may be any type, such as plastic water bottles, glass bottles, etc.
At least one first attachment means 5, such as a hook and loop fastener, interlocking strips, etc., is located on the exterior surface 8 of the side wall 3, as shown here, and/or the bottom surface 10 of the base 4, as shown in FIG. 2. The at least one first attachment means 5 may be secured to the removably attachable holding device via a securing means, such as an adhesive, sewing, etc. At least one second attachment means 6, such as a hook and loop fastener, interlocking strips, etc., is located on the attachment surface 11, which may be a vertical surface 12 as shown here, such as a wall, refrigerator, ladder, etc., or a horizontal surface 13 as shown in FIG. 4. The at least one second attachment means 6 may be secured to the attachment surface 11 via a securing means, such as an adhesive, sewing, screws, etc. At least one aperture 14 may be located in the base 4 to prevent a vacuum seal from forming between a beverage container 2 and the removably attachable holding device 1 when in use.
Now referring to FIG. 2, a bottom view of a removably attachable holding device 1 for beverage containers 2 showing a bottom surface 10 of a base 4 having a perimeter edge 18 and at least one first attachment means 5 located thereon is shown. The at least one first attachment means 5, such as a hook and loop fastener, interlocking strips, etc., is located on the bottom surface 10 of the base 4. At least one aperture 14 may be located in the base 4 to prevent a vacuum seal from forming between a beverage container 2 and the removably attachable holding device 1 when in use.
Now referring to FIG. 3, a top view of a removably attachable holding device 1 of the present invention is shown. The removably attachable holding device 1 comprises at least one cylindrical side wall 3 having an interior surface 7 and an exterior surface 8, a top edge 16 and a bottom edge 17. The at least one side wall 3 is secured to a perimeter edge 19 of a circular base 4 and extends upward from the circular base 4. At least one first attachment means 5, such as a hook and loop fastener, interlocking strips, etc., is located on the exterior surface 8 of the side wall 3. At least one aperture 14 may be located in the base 4 to prevent a vacuum seal from forming between a beverage container 2 and the removably attachable holding device 1 when in use.
Finally, referring to FIG. 4, a perspective side view of a removably attachable holding device 1 for beverage containers 2 attached to a attachment surface 11 wherein the attachment surface 11 is a horizontal surface 13 is shown. The removably attachable holding device 1 comprises at least one cylindrical side wall 3 having an interior surface 7 and an exterior surface 8, a top edge 16 and a bottom edge 17. The at least one side wall 3 is secured to a perimeter edge 19 of a circular base 4 and extends upward from the circular base 4, which has a top surface 9 and a bottom surface 10. An opening 19 at the top edge of the at least on side wall 3 is smaller in diameter than the circular base 4. Due to the smaller opening 19, a zipper 15 is located on the at least one side wall 3 to allow a user to insert a beverage container 2, such as a glass bottle, into the removably attachable holding device 1. The at least one side wall 3 and base 4 are preferably made of neoprene, polyester, open cell foam, plastic or other insulating materials used to keep beverages cool or cold and prevent condensation from forming on the beverage container 2.
At least one first attachment means 5, such as a hook and loop fastener, interlocking strips, etc., is located on the exterior surface 8 of the side wall 3 and the bottom surface 10 of the base 4. The at least one first attachment means 5 may be secured to the removably attachable holding device via a securing means, such as an adhesive, sewing, etc. At least one second attachment means 6, such as a hook and loop fastener, interlocking strips, etc., is located on the attachment surface 11, which may be a vertical surface, as shown in FIG. 1 or a horizontal surface 13, such as a table, counter top, bar, vehicle console, etc., as shown here. The at least one second attachment means 6 may be secured to the attachment surface 11 via a securing means, such as an adhesive, sewing, screws, etc.
It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.

Claims

1. A holding device for beverage containers that is removably attachable to an attachment surface comprising:

a base having a top surface, a bottom surface and a perimeter edge;

at least one side wall having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a top edge and a bottom edge extending upward from the perimeter edge of the base, thereby creating an opening at the top edge;

at least one first attachment surface secured to the holding device via a securing means; and

at least one second attachment means that is removably attachable to the at least one first attachment means and is securable to the attachment surface via a securing means.

2. The holding device for beverage containers that is removably attachable to an attachment surface of claim 1 wherein:

said base is circular; and

said at least one side wall is circular.

3. The holding device for beverage containers that is removably attachable to an attachment surface of claim 2 wherein:

said opening is substantially the same diameter as the circular base.

4. The holding device for beverage containers that is removably attachable to an attachment surface of claim 2 wherein:

said opening has a smaller diameter than the circular base.

5. The holding device for beverage containers that is removably attachable to an attachment surface of claim 2 further comprising:

a zipper located in the at least one side wall.

6. The holding device for beverage containers that is removably attachable to an attachment surface of claim 1 wherein:

said at least one first attachment means is located on the bottom surface of the base.

7. The holding device for beverage containers that is removably attachable to an attachment surface of claim 1 wherein:

said at least one first attachment means is located on the exterior surface of the at least one side wall.

8. The holding device for beverage containers that is removably attachable to an attachment surface of claim 1 wherein:

said at least one first attachment means is located on the bottom surface of the base; and

9. The holding device for beverage containers that is removably attachable to an attachment surface of claim 1 wherein:

said at least one first attachment means is a hook and loop fastener; and

said at least one second attachment means is a hook and loop fastener.

10. The holding device for beverage containers that is removably attachable to an attachment surface of claim 1 wherein:

said at least one first attachment means is an interlocking strip; and

said at least one second attachment means is an interlocking strip.

11. The holding device for beverage containers that is removably attachable to an attachment surface of claim 1 wherein:

said securing means is an adhesive.

12. The holding device for beverage containers that is removably attachable to an attachment surface of claim 1 wherein:

said securing means is sewing.

13. The holding device for beverage containers that is removably attachable to an attachment surface of claim 1 wherein:

said securing means is a screw.

14. The holding device for beverage containers that is removably attachable to an attachment surface of claim 1 wherein:

said attachment surface is a horizontal surface.

15. The holding device for beverage containers that is removably attachable to an attachment surface of claim 1 wherein:

said attachment surface is a vertical surface.

16. The holding device for beverage containers that is removably attachable to an attachment surface of claim 1 further comprising:

an aperture located in the base.

17. A holding device for beverage containers that is removably attachable to an attachment surface comprising:

a base having a top surface, a bottom surface and a perimeter edge;

at least one side wall having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a top edge and a bottom edge extending upward from the perimeter edge of the base thereby, creating an opening at the top edge;

at least one first attachment surface secured to the exterior surface of the at least one side wall via a securing means;

at least one first attachment surface secured to the bottom surface of the base via a securing means; and

18. The holding device for beverage containers that is removably attachable to an attachment surface of claim 1 wherein:

said at least one first attachment means is a hook and loop fastener; and

said at least one second attachment means is a hook and loop fastener.

19. The holding device for beverage containers that is removably attachable to an attachment surface of claim 1 wherein:

said at least one first attachment means is an interlocking strip; and

said at least one second attachment means is an interlocking strip.

20. A holding device for beverage containers that is removably attachable to an attachment surface comprising:

a base having a top surface, a bottom surface and a perimeter edge;

at least one first attachment surface secured to the bottom surface of the base via a securing means wherein said at least one first attachment means is a hook and loop fastener; and

at least one second attachment means that is removably attachable to the at least one first attachment means and is securable to the attachment surface via a securing means wherein said at least one second attachment means is a hook and loop fastener.