U.S. patent application number 12/873740 was filed with the patent office on 2011-05-19 for tip resistant beverage container holder.
This patent application is currently assigned to INNOVATIVE MARINE PRODUCTS, INC.. Invention is credited to Steven J. Benda, Craig A. Tupy.
Application Number | 20110114656 12/873740 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43992368 |
Filed Date | 2011-05-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110114656 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tupy; Craig A. ; et
al. |
May 19, 2011 |
TIP RESISTANT BEVERAGE CONTAINER HOLDER
Abstract
A tip resistant beverage container holder includes a central
container support region with a wall defining an inner perimeter
for holding a container, a generally horizontal base connecting
lower ends of the inner perimeter wall, and a wall defining an
outer perimeter; a base region with a larger perimeter than the
central container support; and a resilient region connecting the
outer perimeter of the central container support region with the
base region.
Inventors: |
Tupy; Craig A.; (Prior Lake,
MN) ; Benda; Steven J.; (Cokato, MN) |
Assignee: |
INNOVATIVE MARINE PRODUCTS,
INC.
Prior Lake
MN
|
Family ID: |
43992368 |
Appl. No.: |
12/873740 |
Filed: |
September 1, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61281117 |
Nov 13, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/729 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 23/0225 20130101;
A47G 23/0241 20130101; B62B 2202/023 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/729 |
International
Class: |
B65D 90/12 20060101
B65D090/12 |
Claims
1. A tip resistant beverage container holder comprising: a central
container support region with a wall defining an inner perimeter
for holding a container, a generally horizontal base connecting
lower ends of the inner perimeter wall, and a wall defining an
outer perimeter; a base region with a larger perimeter than the
central container support; and a resilient region connecting the
outer perimeter of the central container support region with the
base region.
2. The tip resistant beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein
the wall defining the inner perimeter for holding a container is
stepped to define a plurality of perimeters for a plurality of
sized containers.
3. The tip resistant beverage container holder of claim 2, wherein
the wall defining the inner perimeter comprises: a first stepped
perimeter starting at the horizontal base going vertically upward
on the central container support; a second stepped perimeter above
the first stepped perimeter; and a third stepped perimeter above
the second stepped perimeter going vertically upward to a top of
the central container support.
4. The tip resistant beverage container holder of claim 3, wherein
the diameter of the first stepped perimeter is about 70% the
diameter of the third stepped perimeter.
5. The tip resistant beverage container holder of claim 3, wherein
the third stepped perimeter is about 2/3 of the height from the
horizontal base to the top of the central container support.
6. The tip resistant beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein
the base region flares out away from the central container support
region as the base region approaches the surface on which it will
rest.
7. The tip resistant beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein
the base region is circular and contains a flare.
8. The tip resistant beverage container holder of claim 1, and
further comprising: at least one elevated portion on the resilient
region.
9. The tip resistant beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein
the base region further comprises treads on a bottom side to
increase traction between the tip resistant beverage container
holder and a surface on which the tip resistant beverage container
holder sits.
10. The tip resistant beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein
the generally horizontal base of the central container support
region has treads on an underneath side to increase traction
between the tip resistant beverage container holder and a surface
on which the tip resistant beverage container holder sets.
11. The tip resistant beverage container holder of claim 1, and
further comprising: one or more flotation devices around the
central container support region.
12. The tip resistant beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein
the generally horizontal base of the central container support
region rests about 6.35 mm (about 0.25 inches) above the plane
where the base portion rests on a surface when no weight is in the
central container support region.
13. A tip resistant beverage container holder comprising: a upper
portion defining a cavity to receive a corresponding container; and
a base portion with a larger area profile than the area profile of
the upper portion, to support the upper portion, wherein the base
portion includes a flared section to rest the holder on a surface
and at least one generally horizontal section connecting the flared
section to the upper section.
14. The tip resistant beverage container holder of claim 13, and
further comprising: a plurality of steps defining different
diameters of the cavity in the upper portion.
15. The tip resistant beverage container holder of claim 13, and
further comprising: a plurality of treads on a bottom side of the
flared section for increasing traction between the tip resistant
beverage container holder and the surface on which it rests.
16. The tip resistant beverage container holder of claim 13,
wherein when a weight is placed in the upper portion, the base
portion flares out and the horizontal section flexes, lowering the
upper portion toward the plane on which the flared section rests on
a surface.
17. A tip resistant beverage container holder comprising: a central
container support region with an outer generally vertical wall, an
inner wall with first generally horizontal base portion connecting
to a lower end of a first vertical portion, a second generally
horizontal portion connected to an upper end of the first generally
vertical portion and to a lower end of a second generally vertical
portion, a third generally horizontal portion connected to an upper
end of the second generally vertical portion and to a lower end of
a third generally vertical portion, and a fourth generally
horizontal portion connecting an upper end of the third generally
vertical portion to the outer generally vertical wall, wherein the
first generally horizontal base portion and the first vertical
portion define a first beverage container holder with a first
cross-sectional area, the second generally horizontal portion and
the second generally vertical portion define a second beverage
container holder with a second cross-sectional area, and the third
generally horizontal portion and third generally vertical portion
define a third beverage container holder with a third
cross-sectional area, wherein the third cross-sectional area is
larger than the second cross-sectional area, and wherein the second
cross-sectional area is larger than the first cross-sectional area;
a base region with a larger perimeter than the central container
support region; a generally horizontal resilient region connecting
a lower end of the outer wall of the central container support
region with an upper end of the base region, wherein the resilient
region flexes, moving central container support region downward
when a weight is placed on central container support region, and
wherein the base region is curved outwards from the resilient
region.
18. The tip resistant beverage container holder of claim 17, and
further comprising treads extending downwards from the base region
and from the first generally horizontal base portion.
19. The tip resistant beverage container holder of claim 17,
wherein the tip resistant beverage container holder is made of
Thermal Plastic Rubber.
20. The tip resistant beverage container holder of claim 17,
wherein the resilient region has at least one elevated portion.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present U.S. utility patent application claims the
benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61/281,117 filed on
Nov. 13, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] There are a variety of locations and circumstances in which
persons enjoy a beverage, yet there are not good options for
setting a beverage container down without a risk of it tipping and
spilling the beverage. One such location is on a boat. Many people
like to congregate on the bow or sides of a boat when anchored to
fish or simply lay in the sun and enjoy the water. While a boat may
have some beverage container holders within the boat, they are
generally limited in numbers and located in very select locations.
The bow and sides generally do not include cup holders, and the
surfaces on which to place a beverage container are often not flat.
Furthermore, boats encounter waves and wind, often causing beverage
containers sitting on a surface of the boat (outside a cup holder)
to tip over. This wastes the beverage, and can result in damage to
the boat or other things on the boat.
[0003] Some beverage container holders attempting to solve these
problems include beverage container holders with a suction grip
underneath the beverage container holder. The suction grip requires
a smooth, flat surface to form a tight seal. Furthermore, it is not
convenient or easy to have to break the seal and then re-form the
suction grip every time a person wants to take a drink of the
beverage in the container.
[0004] Another device which attempts to solve these problems are
beverage container holders with sand, gel or another heavy material
in a bottom component to hold the beverage container holder in
place. These are heavy, and not easy or convenient to use in all
locations or easy to store.
SUMMARY
[0005] A tip resistant beverage container holder includes a central
container support region with a wall defining an inner perimeter
for holding a container, a generally horizontal base connecting
lower ends of the inner perimeter wall, and a wall defining an
outer perimeter; a base region with a larger perimeter than the
central container support; and a resilient region connecting the
outer perimeter of the central container support region with the
base region.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is perspective view of one embodiment of a tip
resistant beverage container holder.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bottom of an embodiment of
a tip resistant beverage container holder.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the tip
resistant beverage container holder of FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a tip
resistant beverage container holder that is holding a beverage
container.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a plurality of tip
resistant beverage container holders stacked.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a tip
resistant beverage container holder which floats.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] The current disclosure relates to a tip resistant beverage
container holder which can hold any of a large variety of beverage
containers and greatly reduce the likelihood of the beverage
container tipping, while holding the beverage container securely in
place through its single piece design with a stepped container
holder region, a resilient region and a base region which may
include treads for additional traction. It is ideal for use on a
boat, as it is light-weight, stackable, and can resist many of the
forces acting to tip a beverage container, such as uneven surfaces,
waves rocking the boat, wind, etc.
[0013] FIG. 1 is perspective view of one embodiment of a tip
resistant beverage container holder.
[0014] Tip resistant beverage container holder 10 includes central
container support region 12 with inner perimeter wall 14, outer
perimeter wall 16 and horizontal base 18 (shown in FIG. 2);
resilient region 20 with elevated portions 22; and base region
24.
[0015] A typical tip resistant beverage container holder 10 is one
solid piece, produced by injection molding. It can be produced from
a number of different materials ranging from durable materials,
such as Thermal Plastic Elastimers ("TPE") or Thermal Plastic
Rubber ("TPR"), or a lighter, more rigid material such as
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene ("ABS"). Numerous other polymers
are also acceptable for use in making the tip resistant beverage
container holder, as well as other natural and man-made materials.
Additionally, different regions of the tip resistant beverage
container holder could be made from different materials.
[0016] Central container support region 12 can hold a beverage of a
variety of sizes within inner perimeter wall 14. Base region 24
sits on one or more surfaces to hold central container support
region 12 solidly upright and provide any beverage container in
central container support region 12 support to stay upright and
resist tipping. Resilient region 20 extends from outer perimeter
wall 16 of central container support region 12 to connect central
container support region 12 to base region 24 and allows horizontal
base 18 (not shown) of central container support region 12 to move
vertically downward to sit in the same plane as base region 24 when
weight is applied to central container support region 12 (usually
in the form of a beverage container being placed in central
container support region 12). Resilient region 20 is able to flex
and allow central container support region 12 to move vertically
downward through material(s) used in resilient region or through
design (e.g., corrugated). Elevated portions 22 provide a space to
insert a logo on beverage container holder 10. Elevated portions 22
are for aesthetic purposes, although they may be utilized for
further support, and are not required in all embodiments.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bottom of an embodiment of
a tip resistant beverage container holder. FIG. 2 shows tip
resistant beverage container holder 10, which includes outer
perimeter wall 16, and horizontal base 18 (with hole 19 and treads
26A) of central container support region 12; resilient region 20;
and base region 24 (with treads 26B).
[0018] Base region 24 sits on one or more surfaces to provide tip
resistant beverage container holder 10 support in resisting the
tipping of any beverage being supported by central container
support region 12. Base region 24 has a larger perimeter than
central support region 12, providing a wider base to better resist
tipping forces on a beverage container in central container support
region 12. Although in this embodiment base region 24 has a
circular perimeter, base region 24 can have a different shaped
perimeter, including polygonal as square or octagonal. Treads 26B
provide base region 24 with extra traction to resist movement on
any surface which base region 24 is sitting upon. In this
embodiment, treads 26B are circular projections extending from the
bottom side of base region 24 to contact a surface on which base
region 24 sits. Treads 26B can also be a different shape, such as
diamond shaped, or a different design which increases traction
between base region 24 and the surface on which it sits. Hole 19 on
horizontal base 18 of central container region 12 can drain any
liquid in central container region 12 due to moisture collecting on
cold beverage containers sitting within central container region 12
or a small spill which might occur when a beverage container rocks
but does not tip over all the way. Tip resistant beverage container
holder 10 can also have additional holes for a similar purpose in
different locations, such as in resilient region 20.
[0019] As mentioned above, when a weight, such as a beverage
container, is placed in central container support 12, resilient
region 20 flexes, lowering horizontal base 18 of central container
support 12. When the weight is heavy enough, horizontal base 18 of
central container support region 12 lowers to come into the same
plane as base region 24, and treads 26A provide further traction to
keep tip resistant beverage container holder 10 from sliding on the
surface on which it sits.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the tip
resistant beverage container holder of FIG. 1. Tip resistant
beverage container holder 10 includes central container support
region 12 (with inner perimeter wall 14, outer perimeter wall 16
and horizontal base 18 with treads 26A), resilient region 20, base
region 24 with treads 26B and three stepped container holders
defined by inner perimeter wall 14 forming first stepped perimeter
28, second stepped perimeter 30 and third stepped perimeter 32.
First stepped perimeter 28 starts at horizontal base 18 and goes
vertically upward on central container support region 12. Second
stepped perimeter 30 goes vertically upward on central container
support region 12 above first stepped perimeter 28, and third
stepped perimeter 32 goes above second stepped perimeter 30 to a
top of central container support region 12. Horizontal base 18 can
rest about 6.35 mm (about 0.25 inches) above the plane on which
base region 24 is resting when no weight is on horizontal base 18
of central container support region 12.
[0021] In this embodiment, central container support region 12
includes three stepped perimeters 28, 30, 32 to hold container and
ensure a secure fit with a variety of popular sizes of beverage
containers. The secure fit helps to hold a beverage container in
place, prevent rocking motions that could lead to tipping of a
beverage container that is smaller in diameter than container
holder region 12. Additionally, the vertical height H.sub.1,
H.sub.2, H.sub.3 of each stepped container perimeter 28, 30, 32
helps to resist the tipping and spilling of a beverage in a
beverage container placed in central container support region 12.
Third stepped perimeter 32 accounts for about 2/3 of the vertical
height of central container support region 12, with first and
second stepped perimeters 28, 30 each taking up about 1/6 of the
vertical height of central container support region 12,
respectively. Due to these height ratios, even beverage containers
which start to tip will likely be caught, and held upright enough
by third stepped perimeter 32 to prevent spillage. In this
embodiment vertical height H.sub.1 of first stepped perimeter 28 is
about 12.7 mm (about 0.5 inches), vertical height H.sub.2 of second
stepped perimeter 30 is about 12.7 mm (about 0.5 inches), and
vertical height H.sub.3 of third stepped perimeter 32 is about 50.8
mm (about 2 inches). In this embodiment, the diameter of first
stepped perimeter 28 is about 70% of the diameter of third stepped
perimeter 32. First stepped perimeter 28 can have a diameter of
about 64.77 mm (about 2.55 inches), about the size of a 12 ounce
can or a 12 ounce bottle with a neoprene insulation sleeve on it.
Second stepped perimeter 30 can have a diameter of about 80.01 mm
(about 3.15 inches), about the size of a 12 ounce can with a
neoprene insulation sleeve around it. Third stepped perimeter 32
can have a diameter of about 91.44 mm (about 3.6 inches), about the
size to fit a standard 750 ml bottle of wine or various liquor
bottles. These stepped perimeters to hold containers 28, 30, 32,
defined by inner perimeter wall 14, ensure that tip resistant
beverage container holder 10 can be versatile and hold a wide
variety of popular beverage containers securely while providing
resistance to tipping. While this embodiment shows three stepped
perimeters, other embodiments could have a different number of
stepped perimeters, a sloping perimeter or just one sized perimeter
for central container support region 12.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a tip
resistant beverage container holder that is holding a beverage
container. FIG. 4 shows tip resistant beverage container 10 with
central beverage container support region 12 (which includes inner
perimeter wall 14, outer perimeter wall 16, horizontal base 18 with
treads 26A, stepped beverage container holders 28, 30, 32),
resilient region 20, base region 24 with treads 26B and beverage
container 34. As can be seen in FIGS. 3-4, cross section of base
region 24 flares outward from resilient region 20. Additionally,
base region 24 is flared to be aerodynamic and has more material to
form a thicker cross section in parts (than resilient region 20 and
central container holder region 12) to ensure that base region 24
acts as a solid foundation for tip resistant beverage container
holder 10.
[0023] Beverage container 34 is a large beverage container (e.g., a
750 ml wine bottle) which sits firmly in third stepped perimeter
32. Under the weight of beverage container 34, resilient region 20
flexes, and the perimeter of base region 24 presses outward
(flaring), allowing central container support region 12 to lower,
bringing treads 26A on horizontal base 18 into the same plane as
base region 24.
[0024] By horizontal base 18 of central container support 12
lowering under the weight of beverage container 34, the center of
gravity of the container is lowered, reducing the likelihood that
beverage container 34 may tip. When horizontal base 18 is lowered
so much that treads 26A on horizontal base 18 (or just horizontal
base 18 if there are no treads) enter the same plane as base region
24, this also helps to increase traction on the surface(s) on which
beverage container holder 10 is sitting, as more treads come into
contact with the surface(s). This increase of traction results in
less movement or slippage of the beverage container holder 10 on
the surface on which it rests, further increasing the resistance to
tipping of a beverage container within the holder. Furthermore, as
central container support 12 lowers, the perimeter of base region
24 presses or flares outward. This can make tip resistant beverage
container holder 10 more aerodynamic, causing wind to go up and
over beverage container holder 10, rather than work to tip beverage
container holder 10 over. This is especially useful when being used
on a boat or other high-speed vehicle which may cause beverage
container holder 10 to encounter high speed winds acting to tip
beverage container and/or beverage container holder 10.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a plurality of tip
resistant beverage container holders stacked. First tip resistant
beverage container holder 10A, has a central container support 12A
with inner perimeter wall 14A, outer perimeter walls 16A and
horizontal base 18A, resilient region 20A, and base region 24A.
Second tip resistant beverage container holder 10B, has a central
container support 12B with inner perimeter wall 14B, outer
perimeter walls 16B and horizontal base 18B, resilient region 20B,
and base region 24B. Third tip resistant beverage container holder
10C, has a central container support 12C with inner perimeter wall
14C, outer perimeter walls 16C and horizontal base 18C, resilient
region 20C, and base region 24C.
[0026] Tip resistant beverage container holders can stack together
by placing first central container support 12A within second
central container support 12B. Inner perimeter wall 14A and outer
perimeter wall 16A of first beverage container holder 10A fit
around the inner and outer perimeter walls 14B, 16B of second
beverage container holder 10B. Second beverage container holder 10B
is stacked with third beverage container holder 10C in the same way
as first beverage container holder 10A and second container holder
10B are stacked. As can be seen in FIG. 5, due to the single-piece
design a plurality of beverage container holders can be stacked
together when not in use. This can be especially useful in
situations where space is limited, such as on a boat. The
light-weight design and materials also ensures that they can easily
be stored and handled despite a large number of tip resistant
beverage container holders being stacked together.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a tip
resistant beverage container holder that floats. Tip resistant
beverage container holder 10 includes central container support
region 12 (with inner perimeter wall 14, outer perimeter wall 16
and horizontal base 18 with treads 26A), resilient region 20, base
region 24 with treads 26B and three stepped container holders
defined by inner perimeter wall 14 forming first stepped perimeter
28, second stepped perimeter 30, third stepped perimeter 32, first
flotation device 36 and second flotation device 38. First flotation
device 36 sits securely around the outside of first stepped
perimeter 28, and can be secured by an adhesive or by friction to
first stepped perimeter. Second flotation device 38 fits securely
around the outside of second stepped perimeter 30, and can be
secured by an adhesive or by friction to second stepped perimeter
30. First flotation device 36 and second flotation device 38 can be
larger or smaller depending on the flotation needs, and can be made
of dense Polyethylene foam or any other material which will keep
the tip resistant beverage container holder afloat. First flotation
device 36 and second flotation device 38 could be a single
flotation device, or in some situations it may be preferable to use
only one flotation device.
[0028] First flotation device 36 and second flotation device 38
work together to ensure that tip resistant beverage container
holder 10 floats if it falls into water. They keep the tip
resistant beverage container holder 10 floating due to the size and
type of the material used. The material properties work together to
ensure that tip resistant beverage container holder 10 is buoyant
if it falls into water. This allows a user of the tip resistant
beverage container holder to feel comfortable using the tip
resistant beverage container holder 10 on the edge of a boat or in
rough seas, knowing that if it were to accidentally fall in the
water, it would not sink and could be recovered.
[0029] In summary, the tip resistant beverage container holder of
the current disclosure provides a light-weight and effective
solution to resisting the tipping of beverage containers in any
number of situations. The wide base region helps to spread out and
resist tipping forces, while the resilient region allows
flexibility in the beverage container holder to lower under the
force of a beverage, lowering the center of gravity and increasing
traction on the surface on which the holder sits (if it lowers to
the level of the base portion). The flexibility also allows base
portion to flare out, making it more aerodynamic, helping to
increase resistance to wind as a tipping force. The design keeps it
lightweight and stackable, making the tip resistant beverage
container holders easy to use and store, even in places where space
is limited.
[0030] In some embodiments, the tip resistant beverage container
holder includes one or more flotation devices to ensure that it
floats if it falls into water which may be helpful when in use on a
boat or in other situations involving the possibility of it falling
into water. Even in an embodiment which does not include a
flotation device, due to the one piece design, the tip resistant
beverage container holder is floatable. If the tip resistant
beverage container holder (without flotation devices) lands on
water, air pockets are often formed in different sections depending
on how the beverage container holder lands, keeping it floating
long enough for retrieval from the water.
[0031] While the invention has been described with reference to an
exemplary embodiment(s), it will be understood by those skilled in
the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope
of the invention. For example, the base portion may be square or a
different shape instead of round or the treads may not be exactly
the same as those shown in FIGS. 2-5. In addition, many
modifications may be made to adapt a situation or material to the
teachings of the invention without departing from the essential
scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be
limited to the embodiment(s) disclosed, but that the invention will
include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *