U.S. patent application number 11/655502 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-24 for magnetized beverage container holder.
This patent application is currently assigned to Elward Systems Corp.. Invention is credited to Jed D. Mitchell.
Application Number | 20070114351 11/655502 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32926906 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070114351 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mitchell; Jed D. |
May 24, 2007 |
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.
Inventors: |
Mitchell; Jed D.; (Lakewood,
CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SHERIDAN ROSS PC
1560 BROADWAY
SUITE 1200
DENVER
CO
80202
US
|
Assignee: |
Elward Systems Corp.
Lakewood
CO
|
Family ID: |
32926906 |
Appl. No.: |
11/655502 |
Filed: |
January 19, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10382459 |
Mar 5, 2003 |
|
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11655502 |
Jan 19, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/311.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49826 20150115;
A47G 23/0225 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/311.2 |
International
Class: |
A47K 1/08 20060101
A47K001/08 |
Claims
1-50. (canceled)
51. A beverage container holder, comprising: a cylindrical holder
adapted to receive a beverage container, the holder comprising an
insulation material to retard the passage of thermal energy to
and/or from the container and having a base to support the
container and a height above the base, the holder having a fixed
diameter along substantially the entire height; and a magnet
positioned on a side of said holder and operable to secure said
holder and beverage container to said mounting surface wherein,
when mounted to said mounting surface, the side of the beverage
container is at least substantially parallel to said mounting
surface, wherein said mounting surface is substantially vertical
and engages the side of the holder containing the magnets wherein a
layer of the insulation material is positioned between the magnet
and the mounting surface when the holder is in contact with the
mounting surface, and wherein a magnetic force of attraction at an
interface between the holder and the mounting surface is sufficient
to overcome a gravitational force exerted on the beverage container
and the holder, whereby the holder, when supporting a beverage
container, remains at least substantially stationary on said
mounting surface.
52. The beverage container holder of claim 51, wherein the holder
has an upper and a lower half, wherein the magnet is positioned
only in the upper half of the holder, wherein at least a portion of
an outer surface of the holder adjacent to the magnet is coplanar
with an elongated portion of the lower half of the holder, the
elongated portion of the holder extending substantially an entire
height of the lower half of the holder.
53. The beverage container holder of claim 51, further comprising:
a pouch located on said holder and adapted to receive said magnet
and secure said magnet to said holder.
54. The beverage container holder of claim 51, wherein said magnet
is secured to said mounting surface, wherein the holder is not
wrappable, and wherein the holder contains the beverage
container.
55. The beverage container holder of claim 54, wherein said
magnetic force of attraction is at least about 800 gauss and
wherein said magnet comprises neodymium
56. The beverage container holder of claim 54, wherein said magnet
is embedded within said holder such that a second layer of
insulation material lies between the magnet and the beverage
container.
57. The beverage container holder of claim 56, wherein said holder
includes a visual indicator on an outside surface indicating the
location of said magnet and wherein an outer face of the holder
adjacent to the magnet is substantially planar.
58. The beverage container holder of claim 51, wherein said holder
includes surface texturing on an outside surface of the holder
adjacent to the magnet and wherein the surface texturing is in the
insulation material.
59. The beverage container holder of claim 54, wherein said
magnetic force of attraction ranges from about 800 to 12,300
gauss.
60. The beverage container holder of claim 51, wherein an exterior
portion of the holder is adjacent to and covers a face of the
magnet and wherein at least most of the exterior portion of the
holder is planar to engage the mounting surface.
61. The beverage container holder of claim 51, wherein said
insulation material comprises a flexible foamed insulation.
62. The beverage container holder of claim 54, said magnet is
positioned adjacent to a side wall of the beverage container and at
a distance from the ends of the beverage container when the
beverage container is contained in the holder and wherein said
mounting surface is a ferrous material.
63. The beverage container holder of claim 54, wherein said
mounting surface is a non-ferrous material with a ferrous material
located adjacent thereto and wherein said non-ferrous material is
located between the magnet and the ferrous material.
64. The beverage container holder of claim 51, wherein said magnet
is operatively associated with a first clip, and said mounting
surface includes a second clip which is adapted to receive said
first clip, to form a mechanical lock between said holder and said
mounting surface.
65. A method for securing a beverage container to a mounting
surface, comprising: providing an insulated holder containing said
beverage container, the holder having a sleeve portion, a base
portion, magnet positioned in the sleeve portion of the holder, and
a height above the base portion, the holder having a fixed diameter
along substantially the entire height; and placing said holder
adjacent to and in contact with said mounting surface, wherein said
magnet maintains said holder and beverage container in a desired
position and orientation on said mounting surface, wherein said
mounting surface is substantially vertical and engages the side of
the holder containing the magnet, wherein a side of the beverage
container is at least substantially parallel to the mounting
surface when the holder is in contact with said mounting surface,
wherein a layer of insulation material is positioned between the
magnet and the mounting surface when the holder is in contact with
said mounting surface, and wherein a magnetic force of attraction
at the interface between the holder and the mounting surface is
sufficient to overcome a gravitational force exerted on the
beverage container and the holder, whereby said holder and beverage
container remain stationary at the desired position on the mounting
surface.
66. The method of claim 64, wherein the magnet is positioned only
in an upper half of the holder, wherein at least a portion of an
outer surface of the holder adjacent to the magnet is coplanar with
an elongated portion of the lower half of the holder, the elongated
portion of the holder extending substantially an entire height of
the lower half of the holder.
67. The method of claim 64, wherein said holder includes a pouch
operatively engaged to said holder, said pouch adapted to receive
said magnet, and wherein said magnet is inserted into said
pouch.
68. The method of claim 64, wherein said magnetic force of
attraction is at least about 1200 gauss and said magnet comprises
neodymium.
69. The method of claim 64, wherein the sleeve portion of the
holder is not wrappable about the container.
70. The method of claim 64, wherein said magnet is embedded within
said holder such that a second layer of insulation material lies
between the magnet and the beverage container.
71. The method of claim 64, wherein said magnet is positioned
adjacent to a side wall of the beverage container and at a distance
from the ends of the beverage container in the placing step and
wherein a second layer between the magnet and the mounting
surface.
72. The method of claim 64, wherein said magnetic force of
attraction ranges from about 800 to 12,300 gauss.
73. The method of claim 64, wherein said mounting surface is a
non-ferrous material with a ferrous material located adjacent
thereto and wherein the non-ferrous material is positioned between
the magnet and the ferrous material.
74. The method of claim 64, wherein said holder includes surface
texturing on an outside surface of the holder adjacent to the
magnet and wherein the surface texturing is in the insulation
material.
75. The method of claim 64, wherein an exterior portion of the
holder is adjacent to and covers a face of the magnet and wherein
at least most of the exterior portion of the holder is planar to
engage the mounting surface.
76. The method of claim 75, wherein said magnet is located in an
upper half and not a lower half of said holder.
77. A system for holding a beverage container; comprising: a
beverage container; an insulated holder adapted to receive said
beverage container, the holder having a sleeve portion, a base
portion, magnet positioned in the sleeve portion of the holder, and
a height above the base portion, the holder having a fixed diameter
along substantially the entire height; a magnet positioned on a
side of the insulated holder adjacent to a side of the beverage
container; and a mounting surface operatively engaging said magnet
and thereby securing said holder to said mounting surface, wherein
said mounting surface is substantially vertical and engages the
side of the holder containing the magnet and wherein a layer of the
insulation material is positioned between the magnet and the
mounting surface when the holder is secured to the mounting
surface, and wherein a magnetic force of attraction at the
interface between the magnet and the mounting surface is sufficient
to overcome a gravitational force exerted on the beverage container
and the holder, whereby, when the beverage container is positioned
in the holder, the holder remains at a selected position on the
mounting surface.
78. The system of claim 77, wherein the magnet is located at an
upper end of the holder, wherein the opening to receive the
beverage container is at the upper end, wherein the magnet does not
extend to a lower half of the holder, and wherein at least a
portion of an outer surface of the holder adjacent to the magnet is
coplanar with an elongated portion of the lower half of the holder,
the elongated portion of the holder extending substantially an
entire height of the lower half of the holder.
79. The system of claim 77, wherein said magnet is embedded within
said holder such that a second layer of insulation material lies
between the magnet and the beverage container.
80. The system of claim 77, wherein said holder includes surface
texturing on an outside surface of the holder adjacent to the
magnet and wherein the surface texturing is in the insulation
material.
81. The system of claim 77, wherein an exterior portion of the
holder is adjacent to and covers a face of the magnet and wherein
at least most of the exterior portion of the holder is planar to
engage 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 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.
[0004] Numerous container holders exist which attempt to solve the
above-mentioned problems. For example, holders exist for the
attachment to platforms, such as boats, in which a beverage
container may be placed. Such holders are typically secured to the
platform by screws, for example. 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. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to
have a holder for a beverage container which is able to be moved
from place to place with relative ease, and which helps to prevent
inadvertent spilling of the beverage container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] These and other needs are addressed by the various
embodiments and configurations of the present invention. The
invention provides a method and apparatus for mounting a beverage
container holder to a mounting surface. The beverage container
holder includes a magnet and may be mounted to any mounting surface
which contains a ferrous material in sufficient quantity to produce
sufficient attraction to the magnet to secure and hold the beverage
container holder, and beverage container, to the mounting
surface.
[0006] In one aspect, the present invention provides a beverage
container holder including a holder which is adapted to receive a
beverage container, and a magnet operatively associated with the
holder and operable to interact with a mounting surface. The magnet
is operable to secure the holder to the mounting surface such that
the side of the beverage container is at least substantially
parallel to the mounting surface. The mounting surface may be
substantially vertical, thus holding the beverage container holder
and beverage container in a substantially upright position. In one
embodiment, the holder includes a pouch on the holder adapted to
receive the magnet and secure the magnet to the holder. In another
embodiment, the magnet is secured to the holder using adhesive. In
another embodiment, the magnet is embedded within the holder, and
the holder includes a visual indicator and/or surface texturing
indicating the location of the magnet within the holder. The magnet
has a total field strength of about 800-1200 gauss.
[0007] The mounting surface includes a ferrous material, and in one
embodiment, the mounting surface is a ferrous material. The
mounting surface may also include a non-ferrous material with a
ferrous material adjacent thereto which interacts with the magnet
to secure the holder to the mounting surface. The ferrous material
may be secured with a rivet or other mechanical fastening
device.
[0008] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method
for securing a beverage container to a mounting surface. The method
includes providing a holder adapted to receive the beverage
container, the holder being operatively engaged with a magnet, and
placing the holder adjacent to the mounting surface. The magnet is
operable to interact with the mounting surface and secure the
holder and beverage container to the mounting surface, with a side
of the beverage container being at least substantially parallel to
the mounting surface.
[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 magnet to
the sleeve portion. The magnet may also be secured to the sleeve by
inserting the magnet into a preformed aperture in the sleeve.
[0010] In another aspect, the present invention provides a beverage
container holder including holding means for holding a beverage
container, and mounting means for mounting the holding means to a
mounting surface. The mounting means is secured to the holding
means such that, when the beverage container is located in the
holding means and the holding means is mounted to the mounting
surface, a side of the beverage container is at least substantially
parallel to the mounting surface. The mounting means may include a
magnet which is secured to the holding means.
[0011] Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a
system for holding a beverage container. The system includes a
beverage container, a holder adapted to receive the beverage
container, a magnet operatively engaged with the holder, and a
mounting surface operative to engage with the magnet and secure the
holder to the mounting surface. When the holder is secured to the
mounting surface, a side of the beverage container is substantially
parallel to the mounting surface. The mounting surface may be
substantially vertical.
[0012] These and other advantages and features of the invention
will become apparent from the following description of the
invention taken together with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a beverage container
holder for one embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a pouch adapted to receive a
magnet for one embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration of a beverage container
holder for another embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective illustration of a beverage container
holder for another embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective illustration of a beverage container
holder mounted to a mounting surface for one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective illustration of a beverage container
holder mounted to a mounting surface for another embodiment of the
present invention;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective illustration of a beverage container
holder mounted to a mounting surface for another embodiment of the
present invention;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a non-ferrous
surface having a strip of ferrous material attached thereto
according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of a non-ferrous
surface having a number of ferrous plates attached thereto
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional illustration of a beverage
container holder having an embedded magnet according to one
embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 11 is a perspective illustration of a beverage
container holder having an embedded magnet and a visual and
textured magnet location indicator according to an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional illustration of a beverage
container holder having an embedded magnet according to one
embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 13 is a perspective illustration of a beverage
container holder having multiple magnets for an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0026] FIG. 14 is a perspective illustration of a beverage
container holder having a magnetic strip according to an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 15 is a perspective illustration of a beverage
container holder having multiple magnets for one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0028] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional illustration of a beverage
container holder mounted to a mounting surface in which the
mounting surface and beverage container holder include a bar
magnet;
[0029] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional illustration of a beverage
container holder mounted to a mounting surface in which the
mounting surface and beverage container holder include a disk
magnet; and
[0030] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional illustration of a beverage
container holder mounted to a mounting surface in which the
mounting surface and beverage container holder include interlocking
clips.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, an illustration of a beverage container
holder 20 of one embodiment of the present invention is described.
The beverage container holder 20 includes a sleeve 24 into which a
beverage container 28 may be placed. The beverage container holder
20 also includes a magnet 32 which is secured to the sleeve 24. The
beverage container holder 20 may also include a base 37 which helps
to prevent the beverage container 28 from sliding completely
through the sleeve 24 and can provide additional insulation. The
magnet 32 serves to mount container holder to any mounting surface.
As used herein, mounting surface refers to any surface to which the
beverage container holder 20 may be mounted. Mounting surfaces
include ferrous materials, and non-ferrous materials which have a
ferrous surface associated with them such that the magnet 32 has a
sufficient magnetic attraction to hold the beverage container
holder 20 to the mounting surface. A mounting surface may also have
a second magnet associated therewith, which provides additional
magnetic force to hold the beverage container holder 20 more
securely to the mounting surface. In this manner, the beverage
container holder 20 may be mounted in positions which are not
necessarily predetermined.
[0032] The orientation of the various components are shown in FIG.
5. As illustrated in FIG. 5, a plane 34 associated with the
cylindrical side of the beverage container 28 is at least
substantially parallel to a plane 35 associated with the
longitudinal center line 35 of the magnet 32, and also at least
substantially parallel to a plane 36 associated with a planar
mounting surface 44. The base 37 of the holder 20 (and the top 38
and base (not shown) of the beverage container 28) is at least
substantially normal to the plane 36 of the mounting surface
44.
[0033] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the magnet 32 is affixed to the
outer surface of the sleeve 24. The magnet 32 may be affixed in any
of a number of ways. For example, in one embodiment, illustrated in
FIG. 2 the sleeve 24 comprises flexible fabric, and includes a
pouch 39. The pouch 39 is also formed of flexible fabric, and is
secured to the sleeve 24 by stitching on at least two sides, and up
to four sides. The magnet 32, illustrated by dashed lines, is
placed within the pouch 39. In this embodiment, the pouch 39 is
sized appropriately such that the magnet 32 is secure within the
pouch 39, with relatively little movement possible, thus providing
a relatively secure mount of the beverage container holder 20 to
the mounting surface.
[0034] In another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 3, the magnet 32
is affixed to the sleeve 24 with adhesive 25 (FIG. 17). In this
embodiment, the sleeve 24 may be either a flexible material or a
rigid material. The magnet 32 may be affixed to the sleeve 24 by
applying adhesive to one, or both, of the magnet 32 and sleeve 24,
placing the magnet 32 adjacent to the appropriate area on the
sleeve 24, and allowing the adhesive to cure. In yet another
embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 4, the sleeve 24 is formed of a
rigid material having an aperture 40 designed to receive the magnet
32. The magnet 32 may be placed in the aperture 40, and secured
with an adhesive. Alternatively, the aperture 40 may be sized
appropriately such that the magnet 32 is held in place by
frictional forces. The magnet may also be affixed in other
fashions, such as, for example, the magnet 32 may be affixed to the
sleeve 24 with a hook and loop material. The magnet may also be
affixed by a mechanical fastening device, such as a rivet or
screw.
[0035] Referring again to FIG. 5, the beverage container holder 20
of the present invention is illustrated as mounted to a vertical
mounting surface 44. In this embodiment, the mounting 5 surface 44
is a ferrous material. As will be understood, ferrous material is
material which contains iron, such as steel, and is attracted to a
magnet. The magnet 32 is of sufficient strength to hold a full
beverage container 28, which is placed in the beverage container
holder 20, to the mounting surface 44. The magnet 32, in one
embodiment, has a total magnetic field of approximately 800-1200
gauss. The magnet, in one embodiment, is a neodymium 35 magnet with
a residual flux density of 12,300 gauss. As will be appreciated,
when mounting the beverage container holder 20 on the mounting
surface 44, it may be mounted in any location on that surface, and
hold the beverage container 28 in that position. While the
embodiment of FIG. 5 illustrates a relatively large mounting
surface to which the beverage container holder 20 mounts, the
mounting surface 44 may be only a portion of the surface of a
platform.
[0036] In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6, a platform 48
has a non-ferrous material 52 as the outside of the mounting
surface 44 to which the beverage container holder 20 may be
mounted, and a ferrous material 56 located behind this non-ferrous
material 52. The non-ferrous material may be any thickness,
provided that the flux between the magnet 32 and the ferrous
material 56 is sufficient to securely hold the beverage container
28. As mentioned above, for one embodiment the flux between the
magnet 32 and the ferrous material 56 is about 800-1200 gauss. The
platform 48 may be, for example, a boat with the non-ferrous
material 52 being fiberglass. Other examples of non-ferrous
material include plastic, fabric, and non-ferrous metals. The
beverage container holder 20 may be mounted in areas which have the
ferrous material 56 located behind the non-ferrous material 52.
This configuration may be more aesthetically desirable in some
situations where exposed metal is not desired. For example, a boat
may have a strip of ferrous material 56 located around its
circumference, thus creating a mounting surface 44 which extends
along this strip of ferrous material 56 allowing a beverage
container holder 20 to be mounted anywhere along this strip around
the entire boat.
[0037] In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7, ferrous
material 56 is located in front of a non-ferrous material 52 to
form a mounting surface. In this case, the ferrous material 62 is
visible, and the beverage container holder 20 may be mounted
thereon. In one embodiment, the ferrous material 62 is covered with
a protective coating in order to help prevent corrosion from, for
example, salt water. The ferrous material 62 may be in the form of
a strip of material, as illustrated in FIG. 8. Alternatively, as
illustrated in FIG. 9, the ferrous material may be in the form of
decorative plates 66 which are mounted periodically on the external
surface of the non-ferrous material 52. Thus, a beverage container
holder 20 could be mounted directly on the strip of ferrous
material 62, or on any of these decorative plates 66.
[0038] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional illustration of a beverage
container holder 70 of another embodiment of the present invention.
The beverage container holder 70 includes an outer sleeve 74 which
has an embedded magnet 78. In this embodiment, the sleeve 74 of the
beverage container holder 70 includes insulation which helps keep
the beverage in the container either hot or cold. The magnet 78 is
embedded within this insulation, resulting in a sleeve 74 for the
beverage container holder 70 which is relatively smooth. FIG. 11 is
a perspective illustration of a beverage container holder 70, and a
beverage can 28, of this embodiment. The sleeve 74 of the beverage
container holder 70 may also include a marking 82 or other visual
indication of where the magnet 78 is located, allowing a user to
quickly recognize which side of the beverage container holder 70
should be placed against the mounting surface in order to mount the
beverage container holder 70. In another embodiment, the sleeve 74
of the beverage container holder 70 includes different surface
texturing instead of, or in addition to a visual indication. This
allows for a user to feel which portion of the beverage container
holder 70 should be placed against the ferrous material.
Additionally, the surface texturing may include a material which
has a relatively high friction, such as a rubberized polymer, which
helps prevent the beverage container holder 70 from sliding when
placed against the mounting surface. FIG. 12 illustrates another
embodiment, in which the magnet 78 is located adjacent to the
inside surface of the sleeve 74. Such a configuration may result in
reduced manufacturing costs. Furthermore, if the beverage container
holder 70 is made of rigid material, an aperture for receiving the
magnet 78 may be molded into the inside surface of the sleeve 74,
which may then receive the magnet 78 and secure it with adhesive or
frictional forces.
[0039] The magnet within the beverage container holder has numerous
alternative configurations. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 13,
a beverage container holder 86 may have two magnets 90, in a
vertical orientation with respect to one another. This vertical
orientation of the magnets 90 help ensure the beverage container
holder 86 does not rotate around a single magnet. In another
embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 14, a beverage container holder 94
includes a magnet 98 which is configured as a vertical strip from
the top to the bottom of the beverage container holder 94. In still
a further embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 15, a beverage container
holder 102 includes multiple magnets 106 located regularly or
irregularly around the periphery of the beverage container holder
102. This configuration allows the beverage container holder 102 to
be mounted in more than one orientation relative to the mounting
surface.
[0040] In another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 16, a mounting
surface 110 also includes a second magnet 118. In this embodiment,
the mounting surface includes a non-ferrous material 114, and the
second magnet 118 located on a side of the non-ferrous material 114
which is opposite the surface which will contact the beverage
container holder 20. The second magnet 118 is a bar type magnet
having a south pole 122 and a north pole 126 aligned in an vertical
orientation. The magnet 32 of the beverage container holder 20 is
also a bar type magnet having a north pole 130 and a south pole
132, arranged in a vertical orientation. In this embodiment, the
north pole 130 and the south pole 132 of the magnet 32 are aligned
in an opposite vertical orientation as the north pole 126 and south
pole 122 of the second magnet 118. Accordingly, the magnets 32, 118
are attracted to each other which works to secure the beverage
container holder 20 to the mounting surface 110.
[0041] Having a second magnet 118 associated with the mounting
surface allows for a stronger interaction with the magnet 32 and
the mounting surface 110 than would be present if the mounting
surface simply has a ferrous material. Thus, in this embodiment,
the non-ferrous material 114 may be relatively thick, and/or the
magnet 32 may not be required to be as strong as compared to the
strength of a magnet required to secure the beverage container
holder 20 to a mounting surface not having a second magnet.
[0042] Another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 17, a mounting
surface 136 includes a second magnet 140, associated with a
non-ferrous surface 144. The second magnet 140 is a disk type
magnet including a south pole 148, and a north pole 152 on opposite
sides of the disk. The beverage container holder 20 includes magnet
32, having a north pole 156 and a south pole 160 located on
opposite sides of a disk magnet. In this embodiment, the second
magnet 140 is attached to the non-ferrous material 144 of the
mounting surface 136 such that the south pole 148 is oriented
toward the surface which will contact the beverage container holder
20. The magnet 32 is attached to the beverage container holder 20
such that the north pole 156 is closest to the mounting surface
136. Accordingly, the magnets 32, 140, are attracted to each other
and secure the beverage container holder to the mounting surface
136. Similarly as described above, having the second magnet 140 may
allow for a thicker non-ferrous material 144, and/or allow for a
magnet 32 associated with the beverage container holder 20 which is
not required to be as strong, relative to what would be required if
there were no second magnet 140 associated with the mounting
surface.
[0043] It will be understood that the invention includes further
embodiments which may have magnets associated with the mounting
surface, such as, for example, a mounting surface having multiple
magnets associated therewith such that the beverage container
holder may be mounted in various positions. Furthermore, the magnet
associated with the mounting surface may be embedded within the
non-ferrous material, or may be located on the side of the mounting
surface which contacts the beverage container holder. Furthermore,
magnets associated with the mounting surface may be configured to
align with the magnets of the beverage container holders described
with reference to FIGS. 13-15.
[0044] In another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 18, the beverage
container holder 20 includes a clip attachment 200. The clip
attachment 200 is adapted to engage with a clip 204, which is
attached to a non-ferrous surface 208. In this embodiment, rivets
212 are used to secure the clip 204 to the non-ferrous surface 208.
The clip attachment 200 includes a magnet 216, which is oriented to
be attracted to a magnet 220 located in the clip 204. In this
embodiment, the beverage container holder 20, and associated
beverage container, are held in position in the clip 204 quite
securely.
[0045] Numerous alternatives also exist for the configuration of
the beverage container holder. As mentioned above, the holder may
be made of a flexible material, or a rigid material. The beverage
container holder may have different sizes, in order to accommodate
beverage containers which are different sizes, such as different
sized beverage cans, bottles, cups, or glasses, for example.
Alternatively, the beverage container holder may be expandable or
adjustable to receive different sized beverage containers.
Furthermore, the beverage container holder may be large enough to
completely cover the beverage container, having an aperture for a
straw, or having a zipper or other closure device which may be
opened in order to access the beverage within the beverage
container.
[0046] The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented
for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not
intended to limit the invention to the form or forms disclosed
herein. Although the description of the invention has included
description of one or more embodiments and certain variations and
modifications, other variations and modifications are within the
scope of the invention, e.g. as may be within the skill and
knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present
disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include
alternative embodiments to the extent permitted, including
alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions,
ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate,
interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or
steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly
dedicate any patentable subject matter.
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