U.S. patent application number 11/006150 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-01 for combination beverage service item and condom holder.
Invention is credited to Osterberg, Brian J..
Application Number | 20050189368 11/006150 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34676667 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050189368 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Osterberg, Brian J. |
September 1, 2005 |
Combination beverage service item and condom holder
Abstract
A combination beverage service item and condom holder. The
beverage service item, which may comprise a cocktail napkin, a
coaster, a table tent, a bottle hangtag, etc., includes a first
layer and a second layer which are disposed in superimposed
relationship. Portions of the two layers are joined together along
a perimeter so as to define a pocket for enclosing a condom
therein. The perimeter may not entirely enclose the pocket so as to
provide the user access for removing the condom, or it may entirely
enclose the pocket. Means, such as a perforated tear line, tear
strip, zipper, etc., may be provided to assist the user in gaining
access to the enclosed pocket. The two layers may be formed of the
same sheet stock material, or they may be formed of two different
sheet stock materials. User readable indicia may be disposed on the
beverage service item.
Inventors: |
Osterberg, Brian J.;
(Petoskey, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GIFFORD, KRASS, GROH, SPRINKLE & CITKOWSKI, P.C
PO BOX 7021
TROY
MI
48007-7021
US
|
Family ID: |
34676667 |
Appl. No.: |
11/006150 |
Filed: |
December 6, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60526844 |
Dec 4, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
221/45 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 6/04 20130101; B65D
81/3876 20130101; B65D 23/12 20130101; A61F 6/005 20130101; A47G
23/0216 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
221/045 |
International
Class: |
A47K 010/24; B65H
001/00 |
Claims
1. A combination beverage service item and condom holder
comprising: a first layer of a sheet stock material; and a second
layer of a sheet stock material, said second layer being disposed
in a superposed relationship with at least a portion of said first
layer, wherein said portion of said first layer is joined to said
portion of said second layer so as to define a perimeter which at
least partially bounds superposed portions of said first layer and
said second layer so as to create a pocket which defines an
enclosure configured to receive a condom.
2. The combination of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first
layer and said second layer is comprised of a material selected
from the group consisting of paper, cardboard, woven fabric,
non-woven fabric, natural polymers, synthetic polymers, and
combinations thereof.
3. The combination of claim 1 further including a condom disposed
in said pocket.
4. The combination of claim 1, wherein said first layer and said
second layer cooperate to define a beverage napkin.
5. The combination of claim 1, wherein said first layer and said
second layer cooperate to define a drink coaster.
6. The combination of claim 1, wherein said first layer and second
layer cooperate to define a beverage container wrap.
7. The combination of claim 1, wherein said first layer and said
second layer cooperate to provide a beverage hangtag.
8. The combination of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first
layer and said second layer have user-readable indicia disposed
thereupon.
9. The combination of claim 1, wherein said first and second layers
are formed of the same sheet stock material.
10. The combination of claim 1, wherein said first layer is formed
of a first sheet stock material and said second layer is formed of
a second sheet stock material.
11. The combination of claim 1, further comprising means disposed
proximate said pocket for providing access to said pocket.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/526,844 filed Dec. 4, 2003, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to promotional items used
in connection with beverage service. More specifically, the
invention relates to a beverage service item configured to retain a
condom therein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Condoms have been shown to be effective in preventing the
spread of sexually transmitted diseases, and because of growing
concern with problems caused by diseases such as HIV/AIDS,
hepatitis, syphilis and the like, there is a very strong incentive
to encourage the responsible use of condoms. While the topic of
condoms and their use was previously considered to be unacceptable
in general conversation, thanks to strong public health efforts,
the topic of condom use is generally acceptable in society. Persons
who are comfortable discussing issues of condom use with
prospective sexual partners are far more likely to use condoms in a
responsible manner.
[0004] However, problems of convenient access to condoms remain.
While condoms may be readily purchased from retail locations such
as drugstores and vending machines, there are many locations
frequented by persons who engage in casual sex or serial sex where
condoms are unobtainable. In many instances, sexual activity is
spontaneous and opportunistic; and, while partners might use a
condom if one is available, the absence of a condom might lead to
unprotected sex.
[0005] In particular, casual sexual activity is often initiated in
a club or barroom. For those patrons who come unprepared, it will
be appreciated that responsible condom use will be far more likely
if the club or barroom setting provides customers with condoms in a
manner which might subtly encourage the discussion of their
possible use. Since patrons of these establishments often fall into
a more relaxed conversational mode while they are drinking
alcoholic or other beverages, the serving of these beverages offers
a particularly suitable environment in which to provide patrons
with complimentary condoms.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention recognizes the need for, and
desirability of, promoting condom use at venues which serve
alcoholic beverages. Toward that end, the present invention
comprises a beverage service item which is structured and
configured to retain a condom therein. In general, the beverage
service item of the present invention is comprised of at least a
first and a second layer of sheet stock material. The two layers
may both be comprised of a single material or the two layers may be
formed of different materials. These materials may comprise paper,
cardboard, woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, as well as materials
such as natural or synthetic polymers including latex, natural
material such as leather, and various combinations of the
foregoing. The first and second layers are disposed so that at
least a portion of one layer is superposed upon the other. A
portion of each layer is joined together so as to define a
perimeter which at least partially bounds regions of the first and
second layers. The perimeter, together with the enclosed regions of
the layers, defines a pocket which forms an enclosure configured to
receive a condom. The condom may be packaged in a foil or polymeric
wrap as is known in the art, or the promotional item of the present
invention may comprise the sole packaging.
[0007] Within the context of this disclosure, "condoms" are
understood to be defined in the broadest sense to include all
protective devices used during sexual activity and include, but are
not limited to: male condoms, female condoms, dental dams and the
like. Within the context of the present invention, beverage service
items are understood to include, but not be limited to, cocktail
napkins, coasters, bottle and glass wraps, bottle tags, snack
trays, table tents, other promotional items and the like. These
items generally bear promotional messages advertising a venue or a
product; and in accord with the present invention, they may be
further configured to contain a condom therein. In addition, the
promotional items can include further messages encouraging sexual
responsibility.
[0008] The present invention may be configured in a variety of
embodiments. The first embodiment comprises a napkin, such as a
cocktail napkin, formed of two layers of paper, cloth or other
absorbent material. The two layers are disposed in superposed
relationship, with portions of the two layers joined together along
a perimeter so as to define a pocket which encloses a condom.
Typically, the napkin will be presented with one or more folds of
the two layers of sheet material.
[0009] In another embodiment of the present invention, the two
layers of the beverage service item are formed of different sheet
stock materials. For example, the first layer may be formed of a
relatively stiff material, such as cardboard, or rigid polymeric
sheet material, with the second layer being formed of a flexible
sheet material, such as, for example, a polymeric film. This
embodiment is particularly useful for such beverage service items
as coasters, bottle tags, snack trays and table tents, where the
item must display some rigidity.
[0010] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the
perimeter only partially bounds the regions of the first and second
layers to form an open pocket so that the condom may be easily
extracted therefrom. In an alternative embodiment, the perimeter
entirely bounds the enclosed regions of the layers to form a closed
pocket. In some cases, it will be possible for the user to simply
remove the superimposed portion of the second layer, such as by
tearing it, in order to retrieve the condom. However, means may be
provided for gaining access to the inside of the closed pocket.
These means may include such conventional structures as a
perforated tear line, a pull-away tab, a tear strip, a zip opening,
etc.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The following detailed description may best be understood
with reference to the following drawings in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a cocktail napkin embodiment of the
present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1
taken along line A-A;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a drink coaster embodiment of the combination of
the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a drink wrap embodiment of the combination of the
present invention;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a beverage bottle insulated jacket embodiment of
the combination of the present invention; and
[0017] FIG. 6 is a beverage hangtag embodiment of the combination
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] The following detailed description may best be understood by
reference to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2 which
show a first embodiment of the combination beverage service item
and condom holder in the form of a cocktail napkin 10 structured in
accord with the principles of the present invention. The napkin 10
includes advertising indicia 12 thereupon; and, in accord with the
present invention, includes a pocket 14 configured to retain a
condom therein.
[0019] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a cross-sectional
view of the napkin 10 of FIG. 1 taken along line A-A. As will be
seen, the napkin 10 includes a first layer 16 and a second layer 18
which are disposed in a superposed relationship. Portions of the
layers 16 and 18 are joined together along a perimeter 20 so as to
define a pocket 22 which encloses a condom 24. As will be seen, the
napkin is folded over so that second portions 16' and 18' of the
layers 16 and 18 lie beneath the condom 24.
[0020] The napkin of FIG. 1 can be fabricated from disposable
material such as paper or low cost non-woven materials. In use, the
napkin can be torn open to gain access to the condom.
Alternatively, the napkin can be fabricated from cloth or some
other reusable material. In such instance, the pocket may be
configured so that the perimeter extends only along three sides
thereof so as to provide an opening which allows for access to the
condom without the necessity of tearing the fabric.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a drink coaster 30
which has a pocket portion 32 defined therein and configured to
enclose a condom. In this instance, the coaster is preferably
fabricated from layers of two different materials, and has portions
thereof affixed together to form a perimeter 34 defining the
condom-retaining pocket. In this embodiment, as in the other
embodiments disclosed herein, the two layers may be joined together
by various means such as adhesive affixation, sonic welding,
stitching, or by mechanical interlocking such as by needling,
piercing or the like. A particularly useful combination of
materials for practicing this particular embodiment would be, for
example, a thin plastic film superimposed on a cardboard base.
Because it might be difficult to remove a plastic film without
assistance, means in the form of a perforated tear line 19 formed
along the perimeter 32 and attached tear tab 21 are provided so
that the pocket portion 32 may easily be torn away.
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown another embodiment
of the present invention configured as a drink wrap 40. As is
known, such drink wraps are configured to fit about a glass or cup
42, and serve to allow a user to comfortably hold a hot, cold or
wet container. Such beverage wraps are typically made from
absorbent paper, cardboard or the like, and may be readily
constructed in accord with the present invention to retain a condom
therein. As is shown in FIG. 4, the wrap 40 includes a
condom-retaining pocket 44 as described above. The wrap 40 may
include advertising or promotional messages 46 as previously
described. In particular embodiments, the wrap 40 may be configured
as a "take away" promotional item which may be worn as a wristband
or the like. In such instance, the wrap 40 may include an elastic
portion or a reversible closure such as a hook-and-loop closure, an
adhesive closure, or the like.
[0023] Yet other embodiments of the invention may be implemented.
For example, FIG. 5 shows an insulative jacket 50 as affixed to a
beverage bottle 52. Such jackets are known in the art, and
typically comprise a body of insulative material such as a body of
fabric and/or polymeric foam. In some instances, such insulative
jackets merely comprise sleeves which slip over a bottle or glass.
In other instances, as is depicted herein, the insulative jacket
includes a zipper 54 or other such fastener which allows the jacket
50 to conform to the bottle 52. In this embodiment, the jacket 50
includes a pocket portion 56 configured to retain a condom. In
embodiments of this type, the pocket 56 is generally configured to
be reusable, and hence it includes an opening 58 which allows for
withdrawal and replacement of a condom. The opening 58 may
optionally be closable with a zipper (not shown).
[0024] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown yet another
embodiment of the present invention configured as a hangtag 60,
which is configured to be fitted onto a beverage bottle 62. The tag
includes a pocket portion 64 which retains a condom. It may also
include indicia 66. In this depicted embodiment, the tag 60 is
attached to the bottle 62 by a collar portion 68 which may also
include indicia 70. Other configurations of tag may be similarly
constructed.
[0025] The present invention may be implemented in yet other
formats. For example, "table tents" are known in the service
industry to be self-supporting tent-shaped placards which convey
advertising information and which are placed on tables in bars,
restaurants and the like. In accord with the present invention,
such table tents may be configured to contain a condom therein. The
printed portion of the table tent can convey information about
responsible condom use as well as promotional information about the
sponsor of the campaign. In another embodiment of the invention,
the beverage service item may comprise a dish or tray of the type
used to serve snacks such as popcorn, nuts, pretzels and the like.
In such an embodiment, a condom is retained between layers of
material comprising the container. In accord with the present
invention, yet other promotional items may be configured to retain
a condom therein. In view of the teaching presented herein, still
further embodiments of the invention will be apparent.
[0026] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the present
invention provides novel promotional items which will serve the
dual purpose of promoting a particular product or venue as well as
promoting and encouraging safe sexual practices. The included
condom will provide consumer appeal and incentive for parties to
read the promotional and public service messages associated with
the service items. As was explained above, the present invention
may be implemented in a variety of configurations and embodiments.
The foregoing are illustrative of specific embodiments, but are not
meant to be limitations upon the practice of the invention. It is
the following claims, including all equivalents, which define the
scope of the invention.
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