US20160278556A1

US20160278556A1 - Beverage Container Supporting Cushion

Info

Publication number: US20160278556A1
Application number: US15/078,808
Authority: US
Inventors: Monica Michelle Almaguer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-03-23
Filing date: 2016-03-23
Publication date: 2016-09-29

Abstract

A beverage container supporting cushion is a pillow or cushion that allows for the support of a beverage container on uneven surfaces, such as couches, beds, ground surfaces, etc. The beverage container supporting cushion includes: a cushion insert, to form structural support; a cover, to enclose the cushion insert and support a beverage container within the beverage container supporting cushion; a plurality of cup-supporting inserts, to directly support the beverage container and keep the cover taut. A plurality of cup-receiving cavities traverses through the cushion support to allow a beverage container to be placed within the beverage container supporting cushion. The cover is draped into the plurality of cup-receiving cavities where the plurality of cup-supporting inserts is placed to tauten the cover and support a beverage container. The beverage container supporting cushion can be inverted when not in use to function as a traditional pillow or cushion.

Description

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/136,803 filed on Mar. 23, 2015.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a beverage support apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a beverage container supporting cushion for beverage containment vessels including cups, mugs, bottles cans, etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The beverage holders for sofas are staple accessory of media rooms, family room, sitting room of a bedroom, and so on. Beverage holders may be incorporated into the sofa or attached to the arm rests of the sofa. If a sofa does not have a beverage holder, beverages are usually placed onto the coffee table, side tables near the sofa, or directly on the sofa itself. Placing drinks directly on the sofa allows for the possibility for the beverage to spill, especially if there are many people sitting on the sofa or near the sofa.
The present invention serves to support and retain a plurality of beverages, provide the most convenience to users, and contribute to the aesthetic appeal of the sitting area. Unlike typical pillows with retaining means, the present invention provides effective stabilization and comfort when rested upon a variety of surfaces, such as a sofa or the floor. The plurality of cup-receiving cavities of the present invention has a horizontal cross-sectional shape that allow for the accommodation of not only bottles, cans, glasses, and cups, but mugs as well. The present invention allows the user to easily conceal the present invention as a typical pillow or cushion by inverting the present invention when not in use. The present invention is also able to retain small items, such as remote controls, video game controllers, or reading glasses, in order for these small items to be protected from damage and for ease of access.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cover the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view for an embodiment of the cushion insert of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view for two exemplary inserts of the plurality of cup-supporting inserts of the present invention, wherein one exemplary insert is a mug-supporting insert of the plurality of cup-supporting inserts.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view for an embodiment of the cushion insert of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view for an embodiment of the cushion insert of the present invention taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the cushion insert of the alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
The present invention is a beverage container supporting cushion. The present invention allows for the support for a beverage container on uneven or un-sturdy surfaces such as couches, beds, bleacher benches, ground surfaces, etc. The present invention is preferred to be small and light-weight in order to allow the present invention to be easily transported as well as comfortably positioned adjacent to a user during use. A beverage container refers to a cup, glass, can, bottle, mug or other similar beverage containers. When the present invention is not being implemented, the present invention may be inverted such that the present invention functions as a traditional pillow or cushion.
In accordance to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the present invention comprises a cushion insert 1, a cover 2, a plurality of cup-receiving cavities 4, a plurality of cup sleeves 5, and a plurality of cup-supporting inserts 3. The cushion insert 1, shown in FIG. 3, provides the support between the beverage container and the surface which the present invention rests. The cushion insert 1 is preferred to be made of a foam material, however, the cushion insert 1 may also be bounded microfiber beads, bounded feathers, bounded stuffing, or similar fillers for cushions and pillows. The cover 2, shown in FIG. 2, encloses the cushion insert 1 and indirectly supports the beverage container within the present invention. The cover 2 is preferred to be washable such that the cover 2 can be easily cleaned when contents of the beverage container are spilled. The cushion insert 1 is positioned within the cover 2. The cover 2 is preferred to be laterally fastened around the cushion insert 1 by a zipper, such that the cushion insert 1 is easily removable from the cover 2. The cover 2 comprises a top sheet 6, where the top sheet 6 denotes the orientation of the present invention for implementation in receiving a beverage container. In accordance to FIG. 3, the plurality of cup-receiving cavities 4 traverses through the cushion insert 1 such that the plurality of cup-receiving cavities 4 allows the present invention to receive a beverage container.
In accordance to the preferred embodiment, the plurality of cup-receiving cavities 4 comprises at least one mug-receiving cavity 7 in order for the present invention to receive mugs, shown in FIG. 3. The at least one mug-receiving cavity 7 comprises a handle-receiving channel 9 and a cup-receiving channel 10, as detailed in FIG. 6 to FIG. 8. In accordance to FIG. 8, the handle-receiving channel 9 is laterally positioned along the cup-receiving channel 10. The handle-receiving channel 9 and the cup-receiving channel 10 allow for a mug to be positioned within the present invention by placing a handle of the mug into the handle-receiving channel 9 and a body of the mug into the cup-receiving channel 10. The plurality of cup sleeves 5 lines the plurality of cup-receiving cavities 4 during implementation, in accordance to FIG. 7. The plurality of cup sleeves 5 is integrated into the top sheet 6. The plurality of cup sleeves 5 is positioned within the cover 2 such that the plurality of cup sleeves 5 is adjacent to the cushion insert 1. The plurality of cup sleeves 5 comprises at least one mug sleeve 8 to line the at least one mug-receiving cavity 7. Each of the plurality of cup sleeves 5 is positioned within a corresponding cavity of the plurality of cup-receiving cavities 4. Further, the at least one mug sleeve 8 is positioned within the at least one mug-receiving cavity 7. This configuration allows the plurality of cup-sleeves 5 to support the beverage container within the corresponding cavity of the plurality of cup receiving cavities 4 when the plurality of cup-supporting 3 inserts is positioned.
The plurality of cup-supporting inserts 3 directly supports the beverage container and expands the cover 2 to allow the positioning of the beverage container within the plurality of cup-receiving cavities 4, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7. Each of the plurality of cup-supporting inserts 3 is positioned within a corresponding sleeve of the plurality of cup sleeves 5 in order to provide a surface which the beverage container rests. Each of the plurality of cup-supporting inserts 3 is preferred to have a congruent cross-section larger than the corresponding cavity. The larger cross-section for the plurality of cup-supporting inserts 3 press against the cover 2 forcing the cover 2 into the cushion insert 1 securing the cover 2 and the plurality of cup-supporting inserts 3 in place. The positioning of the plurality of cup-supporting inserts 3 allows the cover 2 to be smooth and taut around the cushion insert 1.
Further in accordance of the preferred embodiment, each of the plurality of cup sleeves 5 comprises a lateral sleeve 12 and a container base 13. The lateral sleeve 12 presses against the corresponding cavity, as detailed in FIG. 7. The container base 13 terminates each of the plurality of cup sleeves 5, such that the plurality of cup-supporting inserts 3 is supported within the plurality of cup-receiving cavities 4. The lateral sleeve 12 is adjacently and perimetrically connected to the top sheet 6. The container base 13 is adjacently and perimetrically connected to the lateral sleeve 12. The container base 13 is positioned opposite to the top sheet 6 along the lateral sleeve 12. A respective insert of the plurality of cup-supporting inserts 3 is positioned within the lateral sleeve 12 and the respective insert is pressed against the container base 13. Thus, this configuration allows the present invention to support a beverage container within the plurality of cup-receiving cavities 4.
Still in accordance to the preferred embodiment, the plurality of cup-supporting inserts 3 comprises at least one mug-supporting insert 15, detailed in FIG. 5, FIG. 7 and FIG. 4. The at least one mug-supporting insert 15 is positioned within the at least one mug sleeve 8. The at least one mug-supporting insert 15 is pressed against the container base 13 of the at least one mug sleeve 8. The at least one mug-supporting insert 15 comprises a handle portion 16 and a cup portion 17. The handle portion 16 is laterally connected to the cup portion 17. The handle portion 16 is positioned within the handle-receiving channel 9 of the at least one mug sleeve 8. Similarly, the cup portion 17 is positioned within the cup-receiving channel 10 of the at least one mug sleeve 8. The at least one mug-supporting insert 15 expands and secures the cover 2 within the at least one mug-receiving cavity 7 such that the user is able to easily access the handle of a mug to place the mug within or remove the mug from the present invention.
In accordance to FIG. 3 and FIG. 10, the plurality of cup-receiving cavities 4 is distributed across the cushion insert 1. In some embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of cup-receiving cavities 4 comprises a central cup-receiving cavity 18, and the at least one mug-receiving cavity 7 comprises two mug-receiving cavities, as shown in FIG. 3. The central cup-receiving cavity 18 is centrally positioned on the cushion insert 1. The at least one mug receiving cavity 7 is radially offset from the central cup-receiving cavity 18. More specifically, the two mug-receiving cavities are diametrically opposed to each other about the central cup-receiving cavity 18. A pair of cup-receiving cavity of the plurality of cup-receiving cavities 4 is diametrically opposed to each other about the central cup-receiving cavity 18. The arrangement for the plurality of cup-receiving cavities 4 is similar to that of the pips on a die such that each of the plurality of cup-receiving cavities 4 is easily accessible to place a cup or mug within or remove a cup or mug from the present invention, without being obstructed by other cups or mugs currently positioned within the present invention.
In some other embodiments of the present invention, the at least one mug-receiving cavity 7 is centrally positioned on the cushion insert 1, as shown in FIG. 10. A pair of cup-receiving cavities from the plurality of cup-receiving cavities 4 is diametrically opposed to each other about the at least one mug-receiving cavity 7. Similar to the previously mentioned embodiment, this arrangement of the plurality of allows cups and mugs to be positioned within or removed from the present invention with ease while placing a mug centrally in the present invention.
In accordance to some embodiments of the present invention, the present invention comprises a transporting handle 19, in accordance to FIG. 9. The transporting handle 19 allows the user to efficiently grasp the present invention in order to transport or adjust the position of the present invention. The transporting handle 19 is externally and adjacently connected to the cover 2. The transporting handle 19 is preferred to be laterally positioned to the cushion insert 1. This configuration allows the user to grasp the transporting handle 19 easily for transportation of the present invention.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A beverage container supporting cushion comprises:

a cushion insert;

a cover;

a plurality of cup-supporting inserts;

a plurality of cup-receiving cavities;

a plurality of cup sleeves;

the cover comprises a top sheet;

the plurality of cup-receiving cavities comprises at least one mug-receiving cavity;

the plurality of cup sleeves comprises at least one mug sleeve;

the at least one mug-receiving cavity comprises a handle-receiving channel and a cup-receiving channel;

the plurality of cup sleeves being integrated into the top sheet;

the plurality of cup sleeves being positioned within the cover;

the plurality of cup-receiving cavities traversing through the cushion insert;

the cushion insert being positioned within the cover;

each of the plurality of cup sleeves being positioned within a corresponding cavity of the plurality of cup-receiving cavities;

each of the plurality of cup-supporting inserts being positioned within a corresponding sleeve of the plurality of cup sleeves; and

the handle-receiving channel being laterally positioned along the cup-receiving channel.

2. The beverage container supporting cushion, as claimed in claim 1, comprises:

the at least one mug sleeve being positioned within the at least one mug-receiving cavity.

3. The beverage container supporting cushion, as claimed in claim 1, comprises:

each plurality of cup sleeves comprises a lateral sleeve and a container base;

the lateral sleeve being adjacently and perimetrically connected to the top sheet;

the container base being adjacently and perimetrically connected to the lateral sleeve; and

the container base being positioned opposite to the top sheet along the lateral sleeve.

4. The beverage container supporting cushion, as claimed in claim 3, comprises:

a respective insert of the plurality of cup-supporting inserts being positioned within the lateral sleeve; and

the respective insert being pressed against the container base.

5. The beverage container supporting cushion, as claimed in claim 1, comprises:

the plurality of cup-supporting inserts comprises at least one mug-supporting insert; and

the at least one mug insert being positioned within the at least one mug sleeve.

6. The beverage container supporting cushion, as claimed in claim 5, comprises:

the at least one mug-supporting insert comprises a handle portion and a cup portion;

the handle portion being laterally connected to the cup portion;

the handle portion being positioned within the handle-receiving channel; and

the cup portion being positioned within the cup-receiving channel.

7. The beverage container supporting cushion, as claimed in claim 1, comprises:

the plurality of cup-receiving cavities being distributed across the cushion insert.

8. The beverage container supporting cushion, as claimed in claim 7, comprises:

the at least one mug-receiving cavity being centrally positioned on the cushion insert.

9. The beverage container supporting cushion, as claimed in claim 7, comprises:

the plurality of cup-receiving cavities comprise a central cup-receiving cavity;

the central cup-receiving cavity being centrally positioned on the cushion insert; and

the at least one mug-receiving cavity being radially offset from the central cup-receiving cavity.

10. The beverage container supporting cushion, as claimed in claim 1, comprises:

a transporting handle; and

the transporting handle being externally and adjacently mounted to the cover.

11. The beverage container supporting cushion, as claimed in claim 10, comprises:

the transporting handle being laterally positioned to the cushion insert; and