Beverage Container Holder and Methods of Using The Same

Abstract

A kit for holding a beverage container, comprising: a beverage container: and a leak-proof container holder having opposing ends and an elongated member having a proximal portion operably coupled to the leak-proof container holder, and a distal portion operably coupled to the waist portion of clothing or a belt. Only one opposing end is open, and opens into a hollow cavity. Walls of a first portion of the leak-proof container holder are adapted to releasably retain the beverage container. Walls of a remaining portion of the leak-proof container holder form a concave or convex shape, so that condensation from the walls of the beverage container may accumulate and be retained in the second portion of the container. A method for holding a beverage container, comprising: operably coupling the beverage container holder to the waist portion of clothing or a belt and releasably retaining the beverage container.

Description

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to devices for holding beverage containers, and methods of using the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to hands-free beverage container holders and methods of using, the same.

2. BACKGROUND

[0002] There is a need for hands-free beverage container holders and methods of using the same.

[0003] One objective of the beverage container holder is to provide a hands-free beverage container holder and methods of using the same for holding beverage containers, e.g., a drinking cup, can, or bottle, paper drinking cups, foam drinking cups, and the like.

[0004] A second objective is to provide an inexpensive, light weight, yet durable, and long lived, reusable beverage container holder.

[0005] A third objective is to provide a hands-free beverage container holder that may attach to a belt or to the waistline of jeans, pants, or shorts, with or without a belt.

[0006] A fourth objective is to provide a beverage container holder that is useful and frees the hands of the wearer when the wearer is in a standing, sitting, or walking state, usable by adults and/or children.

[0007] A fifth objective is to provide a beverage container holder that sits high on the waist, thus avoiding "leg slap" by beverage container and eliminating instability of the beverage container while in the beverage container holder.

[0008] A sixth objective is to provide a beverage container holder that provides improved stabilization of the beverage container in the beverage container holder, without requiring a vacuum seal for sealing the bottom of the beverage container to the bottom of the leak-proof container of the beverage container holder.

[0009] A seventh objective is to provide a beverage container holder that collects condensate from cold beverage containers without the condensate leaking onto the clothing of the wearer of the beverage container holder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A first aspect of the present invention provides a beverage container holder for holding a beverage container. The beverage container is comprised of a leak-proof container holder having top and bottom opposing ends, where only the top opposing end is open, and opens into a hollow cavity. Lateral walls of the leak-proof container holder are adapted to releasably retain the beverage container in a first portion of the leak-proof container holder. A wall of the bottom opposing end curves inwardly and become coextensive with a lower extremity of the first portion of the leak-proof container holder, forming a remaining portion of the leak-proof container holder that is bounded by the wall of the bottom opposing end and a bottom of the beverage container, so that condensation from the beverage container may accumulate and be retained in the remaining portion of the container. The container has an elongated member having a proximal portion operably coupled to the leak-proof container holder, and a distal portion operably coupled to the waist band of clothing or a belt.

[0011] A second aspect of the present invention provides a kit for holding a beverage container. The kit is comprised of a beverage container, and a beverage container holder for holding a beverage container. The beverage container is comprised of a leak-proof container holder having top and bottom opposing ends, where only the top opposing end is open, and opens into a hollow cavity. Lateral walls of the leak-proof container holder are adapted to releasably retain the beverage container in a first portion of the leak-proof container holder. A wall of the bottom opposing end curves inwardly and become coextensive with a lower extremity of the first portion of the leak-proof container holder, forming a remaining portion of the leak-proof container holder that is bounded by the wall of the bottom opposing end and a bottom of the beverage container, so that condensation from the beverage container may accumulate and be retained in the remaining portion of the container. The container has an elongated member having a proximal portion operably coupled to the leak-proof container holder, and a distal portion operably coupled to the waist band of clothing or a belt.

[0012] A third aspect of the present invention provides a method for holding a beverage container. The method is comprised of operably coupling the beverage container holder to the waist portion of clothing or a belt by supporting the distal portion of the elongated member by the waist of the clothing or the belt, and then releasably retaining the beverage container by inserting the beverage container between the walls of the first portion of the leak-proof container holder.

[0013] A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a beverage container holder for holding a beverage container. The beverage container holder is comprised of a cylindrically or conically shaped cavity, made up of a side wall and a contiguous bottom member. Opposite first and second portions of the side wall are cut out, forming oppositely disposed openings running longitudinally from a rim at a top of the cavity. The cavity is adapted for holding a beverage container within a cavity formed by the side wall and the contiguous bottom member. A first inner surface of the side wall and a second inner surface of the bottom member forms a contiguous boundary of the cavity. The second inner surface of the bottom member slopes inwardly to a center of the bottom member, so that condensate from cold beverage containers held by the cavity collects in a reservoir. The second inner surface of the bottom member comprises raised portions, e.g. container stabilizing ribs, protruding from the second inner surface from the longitudinal axis running through a center of the cavity, and extending to form a right angle junction with the raised portions, e.g. container stabilizing ribs. A height of the first rib portions from the inwardly sloping surface of the bottom member is adapted so a flat bottom is formed for supporting a beverage container, and said flat bottom runs in a parallel plane to said contiguous bottom member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0014] The features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0015] FIG. 1A depicts a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a beverage container holder for holding a beverage container, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 1B depicts a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the beverage container holder depicted in FIG. 1A, after releasably retaining a beverage container between walls of a first portion of a leak-proof container holder of the beverage container holder, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 2 depicts a front elevation view of the beverage container holder depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B, after being operably coupled to a waist of clothing or a belt, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 3 depicts a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the beverage container holder depicted in FIGS. 1A-1B and 2, after being operably coupled to a waist of clothing or a belt, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 4 depicts a flow diagram of a method for holding a beverage container, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 5A depicts a bottom plan view of a beverage container, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 5B depicts a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along the line 5B-5B, depicted in FIG. 5A, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 6 depicts a front elevation view of a beverage container holder with rib portions and an insert, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 8 depicts a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the beverage container holder with rib portions, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; and

[0024] FIG. 9 depicts the longitudinal cross-sectional view of the beverage container holder depicted in FIG. 6, after inserting a beverage container, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Definitions

[0025] As used herein, unless otherwise defined, the term "operably coupling" or "operably coupled" or "operably joined" or "operable coupler" is defined as forming a mechanical, physical union wherein the components being joined may freely rotate on the coupling, e.g., about the leak-proof container 11 at P.sub.13, or be slidably extendable or slidably retractable, e.g., a distal portion 18 operably coupled to the waist band of clothing or a belt, as depicted in FIGS. 1A and 3, and described in associated text, herein.

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 as used herein, unless otherwise defined, the terms `distal portion" and "proximal portion" refer to the container holder 10 having an elongated member 14 having a proximal portion 16 operably coupled to the leak-proof container 11 at P.sub.13, and a distal portion 18 operably coupled to the waist band of clothing or a belt, as depicted in FIGS. 1A and 3, and described in associated text, herein. The proximal portion 16 and the distal portion 18 of the elongated member 14 form a junction at P.sub.14.

[0027] As used herein, unless otherwise defined, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a container" includes a plurality of such containers, and so forth.

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 8 as used herein, unless otherwise defined, the term "frustro-conical" means having the shape of a frustum of a cone. In geometry, a frustum (plural: frusta or frustums) is the portion of a solid (normally a cone or pyramid) that lies between two parallel planes cutting it.

[0029] Hereinafter, unless otherwise defined, the term "frustum" refers to the shape of part of a solid cone or pyramid formed by cutting off the top by a plane parallel to the base; also: the part of a solid intersected between two usually parallel planes.

[0030] FIG. 1A depicts a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a beverage container holder 10 for holding a beverage container 40, depicted in FIG. 2, infra, and associated text. The beverage container holder 10 comprises a leak-proof container 11, having a rim 133 that forms open opposing end 33 and an inwardly curving bottom 22 that forms an opposing bottom end 36. The rim 133 opens into a hollow cavity 12 within the leak-proof container 11. Lateral walls 28, 30 of the leak-proof container 11 are adapted to releasably retain a beverage container 40 in a first portion 20 of the leak-proof container 11.

[0031] A wall 22 of the bottom opposing end 36 curves inwardly and becomes coextensive with a lower extremity P.sub.7 and P.sub.8 of the lateral walls 30, 28 of the leak-proof container holder 10, forming a remaining portion 24 of the leak-proof container holder 10 that is bounded by the wall 22 of the bottom opposing end 36 and a bottom 23 of the beverage container 40, so that condensation 42 from the beverage container 40 may accumulate and be retained in the remaining portion 24 of the container holder 10. The container holder 10 has an elongated member 14 having a proximal portion 16 operably coupled to the leak-proof container 11 at P.sub.13, and a distal portion 18 operably coupled to the waist band of clothing or a belt, as depicted in FIGS. 1A and 3, and described in associated text, herein. The proximal portion 16 and the distal portion 18 of the elongated member 14 form a junction at P.sub.14.

[0032] FIGS. 1A, 1B depict an embodiment in which a portion 26 of the rim 133 of the leak-proof container holder 10 is not in the same plane as a remaining portion of the rim 31 of the leak-proof container holder 10. This adapts an outside surface 121 of a portion of a wall 135 between points P.sub.31 and P.sub.41 of a beverage container 40 to be releasably removable from or insertable into the leak-proof container holder 10 so that the beverage container 40 is manipulatable by hand by a user 60, without the use of a tool.

[0033] FIGS. 8 and 9, described infra, depict an embodiment in which portions 19, 21 of the rim 66 of the leak-proof container holder 10 are not in the same plane as the rim 66 of the leak-proof container holder 10. This adapts an outside surface 166 of a portion of a wall 132 between points P.sub.52 and P.sub.61 of the beverage container 40 to be releasably removable from or insertable into the leak-proof container holder 10 so that the beverage container 40 is manipulatable by hand by a user 60, without the use of a tool.

[0034] In one embodiment, a length between a point P.sub.51 of each portion 19, 21 of the rim 133, 66 of the leak-proof container 11 and the bottom 17 of the leak-proof container 11 may be 3.25 in.+/-0.82 in.

[0035] In one embodiment, a length between the rim 66 and the bottom 17 of the of the leak-proof container 11 may be between 5.0+/-1.25 in. and 8.0+/-2.0 in.

[0036] In one embodiment, a length between the plane of the remaining portion 31 of the rim 133 and the plane defined by P.sub.9 and P.sub.10 in FIG. 1A, or the length between the plane of rim 66 and the plane P.sub.51-P.sub.51 in FIGS. 8 and 9 may be 1.75 in.+/-0.44 in.

[0037] In one embodiment, a circumference of the rim 66 of the leak-proof container 11 may be 8 in.+/-2.0 in. to 10 in.+/-2.5 in.

[0038] In one embodiment, a circumference of the bottom 17 of the leak-proof container 11 may be 7.5 in.+/-1.9 in. to 9.6 in.+/-2.4 in.

[0039] In one embodiment, the proximal portion 16 of the elongated member may extend between 0.04 in.+/-0.01 in. to 2.0 in.+/-0.5 in. from the rim 66.

[0040] In one embodiment, a width of the portion of the rim 133, 66 of the leak-proof container holder 10 that has been cut away may be about 0.8 in.+/-100%.

[0041] In one embodiment, a proximal portion 16 of the elongated member 14 may be above, coplanar with, or below a plane of the remaining portion 31 of the rim 133 of the container holder 10. This makes it so that the plane of the remaining portion 31 of the rim 133 of the container holder 10 may be from about 2 inches below the waist band or waist portion of clothing or a belt 44 of a wearer, depicted in FIG. 3, and described in associated text, herein, to about 4 inches above the waist band or waist portion of clothing or a belt of the wearer.

[0042] In one embodiment, a width of the proximal portion 16 of the elongated member 14 results in the beverage container holder 10 remaining upright when a wearer is walking or running.

[0043] In one embodiment, the width of the proximal portion 16 of the elongated member 14 is advantageously not less than 1/2 inch.

[0044] In one embodiment, the distal portion 18 of the elongated member 14 narrows toward the distal end 8. This is so that the distal portion 18 easily overlaps the waist band or belt of a pair of jeans, pants, or shorts compared to a distal portion having a wider distal end 8.

[0045] In one embodiment, a length L.sub.6 of the distal portion 18 of the elongated member 14, between the junction P.sub.14 of the proximal portion 16 and the distal portion 18 and the distal end 8 may be between 1.25 in. and 5.0 in.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, the length L.sub.6 of the distal portion 18 of the elongated member 14, between the junction of the proximal portion 16 and the distal portion 18 and the distal end 8 may be between 2.25 in. and 5.0 in.

[0047] In a most preferred embodiment, the length L.sub.6 of the distal portion 18 of the elongated member 14, between the junction of the proximal portion 16 and the distal portion 18 and the distal end 8 may be 2.25 in.

[0048] In an embodiment, a width of the proximal portion 16 of the elongated member 14 is not less than the width at the junction between the proximal and distal portions.

[0049] The beverage container holder 10 may advantageously be made of a moldable foamed plastic, e.g., Styrofoam, or a moldable plastic, e.g. polyvinylchloride, silicone elastomer, organic elastomer, viton, sanoprene, or EPDM, or metal or metal alloy.

[0050] In one embodiment, the leak-proof container 11 has a shape selected from the group consisting of a cubical shape, cylindrical shape, a conical shape, prism, or pyramidal shape. In one embodiment, the leak-proof container 11 may be one piece construction. This enables the leak-proof container 11 to be substantially leak-proof, so water condensate from the beverage container 40 is retained in the remaining portion 24 of the leak-proof container 11, and therefore can't run down the leg or wet the clothing of a user 60.

[0051] Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and FIG. 9, upon insertion of the beverage container 40 into the cavity 12, a bottom 23, 48 of the beverage container 40 may lie in a plane defined by points P.sub.1 and P.sub.2, said plane being coextensive with the most inwardly curved point of the inwardly curving wall 22. In one embodiment, a depth between said plane and the bottom 17 of the leak-proof container holder 10 may be at least 3/16 of an inch.

[0052] In one embodiment, the weight of the beverage container holder 10 may be between 1.5 oz. and 2 oz.

[0053] In one embodiment, the beverage container 40 may be a drinking cup, can or bottle, cylindrical, or conical beverage container of approximately 6 oz, 8 oz, 10 oz, 12 oz, 16 oz, 20 oz, 24 oz, or 32 oz.

[0054] FIG. 1B depicts a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the beverage container holder 10, depicted in FIG. 1A, after releasably retaining a beverage container 40 between walls 28, 30 of a first portion 20 of the leak-proof container 11 of the beverage container holder 10.

[0055] Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a wall 22 of the bottom opposing end 36 curves inwardly with respect to the first portion 20 of the leak-proof container 11, forming a remaining portion 24 of the leak-proof container 11 that is bounded by the wall 22 of the bottom opposing end 36 and a bottom of the beverage container 23, so that condensation 42 from the beverage container 40 may accumulate and be retained in the remaining portion 24 of the leak-proof container 11.

[0056] FIG. 2 depicts a front elevation view of the beverage container holder 10 depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B, after being operably coupled to a waist band 15 of a waist portion 44 of clothing or a belt.

[0057] As used herein, unless otherwise defined, the term "operably coupled" or "operably coupling" when referring to attaching or joining or coupling the beverage container holder 10 to the waist band 15 of the waist portion 44 of clothing or a belt means mechanically or physically attaching or coupling or overlapping the distal portion 18 of the elongated portion 14 over the waist band 15 of the waist portion 44 of clothing or the belt.

[0058] FIG. 3 depicts a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the beverage container holder 10 depicted in FIG. 1A, after being operably coupled to a waist band 15 of a waist portion 44 of clothing or a belt.

[0059] In one embodiment a kit comprises a beverage container 40, and a beverage container holder 10 for holding a beverage container 40. The beverage container holder 10 comprises a leak-proof container 11 having top and bottom opposing ends, where only the top opposing end is open, and opens into a hollow cavity. Lateral walls 28, 30 of the leak-proof container holder 10 are adapted to releasably retain the beverage container in a first portion 20 of the leak-proof container holder 10. A wall 22 of the bottom opposing end 36 curves inwardly and become coextensive with a lower extremity of the first portion of the leak-proof container, forming a remaining portion of the leak-proof container holder 10 that is bounded by the wall of the bottom opposing end and a bottom of the beverage container, so that condensation from the beverage container may accumulate and be retained in the remaining portion of the container. The container has an elongated member having a proximal portion operably coupled to the leak-proof container holder 10, and a distal portion operably coupled to the waist band of clothing or a belt.

[0060] FIG. 4 depicts a flow diagram of a method 52 for holding a beverage container holder 10, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In a step 50 of the method 52, the beverage container holder 10 is operably coupled to the waist band 15 or the waist portion 44 of a person's pants by overlapping the waist band 15 of the waist portion 44 of a person's pants with an elongated portion 14, e.g., a narrow attachment or hook. In a step 48 of the method 52, the beverage container 40 is inserted into an opening 34 of the beverage container holder 10.

[0061] In an embodiment, the method further includes removing the releasably retained beverage container 40 from between the walls 28, 30, 13 of the first portion 20 of the leak-proof container holder 10: and emptying the condensate 42 from the remaining portion of the 24, 64 of the holder 10.

[0062] FIG. 5A depicts a bottom plan view a beverage container holder 10. The beverage container holder 10 comprises lateral walls 28, 30 and a contiguous bottom member 17, shown in FIG. 5B, and described, herein. Oppositely disposed first and second portions 19, 21 of the lateral walls 28, 30 form oppositely disposed openings 19, 21, shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 3, run longitudinally from a rim 101 at a top of the cavity 12, shown in FIG. 5B, infra.

[0063] FIG. 5B depicts a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the beverage container holder 10 for holding a beverage container 40 taken along line 5B-5B depicted in FIG. 5A. Lateral walls 28, 30 or side wall 13 of the leak-proof container 11 are adapted to releasably retain a beverage container 40 in a first portion 20 of the leak-proof container 11, as depicted in FIGS. 1B, 3, and 6. A first inner surface 25 of the lateral walls 28, 30 or the side wall 13 and a second inner surface 29 of the inwardly curving wall 22 forms a contiguous boundary of the cavity 12. The second inner surface 29 of the inwardly curving wall 22 slopes inwardly, so that condensate from cold beverage containers held in the cavity 11 collects in a reservoir 24, 64 depicted in FIGS. 6 and 9, infra.

[0064] FIG. 6 depicts a side elevation view of the beverage container holder 10 for holding a beverage container 40, as depicted in FIGS. 5A, 5B, prior to inserting an accessory 45 in a direction of an arrow 145 into the hollow cavity 12 within the leak-proof container 11.

[0065] The accessory 45 solves a problem resulting from a beverage container 40 having a height less than a length between a point P.sub.51 of each portion 19, 21 of the rim 133, 66 of the leak-proof container 11 and the bottom 17 of the leak-proof container holder 10. In this example, the accessory 45 provides a platform that rests on the bottom 17 of the leak proof container 11, thus raising the beverage container 40 above the point P.sub.51 of each portion 19, 21 of the rim 133, 66 of the leak-proof container 11, allowing the use of smaller and shorter beverage containers 40. The accessory 45 adapts the leak-proof container 11 for holding beverage containers 40 whose height is less than the length between the point P.sub.51 of each portion 19, 21 of the rim 133, 66 of the leak-proof container 11 and the bottom 17 of the leak proof container 11.

[0066] The accessory 45 has a frusto-conical shape that tapers radially inward in a direction toward the rim 66 of the leak-proof container 11 of the beverage container holder 10. The accessory 45 is inserted between first raised portions 34 and may form a friction lock 65 between the first raised portions 34 and the frusto-conical wall 32 of the accessory 45, as depicted in FIG. 8, and described herein.

[0067] FIG. 8 depicts a longitudinal view of the beverage container holder 10. The beverage container holder 10 comprises a cylindrically or conically shaped cavity 12. In one embodiment in which the cavity 12 is conically shaped, side walls 13 may taper in a direction from the open opposing end 33 to the closed opposing end 36. The beverage container holder 10 comprises a side wall 13 and a contiguous bottom member 17. Inwardly sloping wall 22 of a solid shaped container 11 radiates from the contiguous bottom member 17, said bottom member 17 being in one plane, ridged and solid, resulting in an ability for the beverage container holder 10 to stably sit upright on any flat solid surface.

[0068] The second inner surface 29 of the bottom member 22 comprises raised portions 35, e.g. container stabilizing ribs, protruding from the second inner surface 29 from the longitudinal axis 62 running through a center of the cavity 12, and extending to form a right angle junction with a raised portions 34, e.g. container stabilizing ribs. A height 42 of the first rib portions 34 from the inwardly sloping surface 29 of the bottom member 17 is adapted so a flat bottom 48 is formed for supporting a beverage container, and said flat bottom runs 48 in a parallel plane to said contiguous bottom member 17.

[0069] In one embodiment, the cavity 12 comprises at least three (3) first raised portions 34, e.g. container stabilizing ribs, radiating from the longitudinal axis 62 of the cavity 12 of the beverage container holder 10, protruding from the side wall 13, forming a right angle junction with second raised portion 35, e.g. container stabilizing ribs, protruding from the bottom member 17, forming 120.degree. arcs about the longitudinal axis 62.

[0070] FIG. 9 depicts the view of the coronal plane of the beverage container holder 10, depicted in FIG. 6, after a beverage container 40 has been inserted into the cavity 12 of the leak-proof container 11, so that its center through its longitudinal axis coincides with the centers C.sub.2, C.sub.3, and C.sub.4 of the beverage container holder 10. A radius L.sub.10, said radius being the perpendicular length from the longitudinal axis to a point P.sub.11 along a surface 166 of the wall 132 of the beverage container 40, is slightly greater than at least one respective perpendicular length L.sub.21, L.sub.31, and L.sub.41 from a center of the longitudinal axis 62 running through a center of the cavity 12 to the surface 142 of the raised first portion 34. The beverage container 40 is positioned so that it is held or suspended in place by friction locks 165a, 165b, 165c, between the surface 142 of raised first portion 34, and a surface 166 of wall 132 of the beverage container 40, allowing for the beverage container 40 to be stably held in place without forming a vacuum seal on the bottom of the container, and allowing for condensate to collect in the reservoir 64.

[0071] The first inner surface 25 of the side wall 13 comprises raised portions 34, e.g. container stabilizing ribs, protruding from the first inner surface 25 in an orthogonal direction from a point P.sub.21, P.sub.31, and P.sub.41 on the surface 142 of the first raised portion, e.g. container stabilizing ribs, protruding toward respective points C.sub.2, C.sub.3, and C.sub.4 along the longitudinal axis 62 running through a center of the cavity 12, and extending longitudinally along the first inner surface 25 of the side wall 13 from below the rim 66 to the perimeter of the bottom member 17.

[0072] A perpendicular length, e.g. L.sub.21, L.sub.31, and L.sub.41 toward the respective centers, C.sub.2, C.sub.3, and C.sub.4 of the cavity 12 that the raised portions 34, e.g. container stabilizing ribs protrude from the first inner surface 25 of side walls 13 is adapted so that a stabilizing force of friction lock 165a>a stabilizing force of a friction lock 165b>a stabilizing force of a friction lock 165c because the length L.sub.10 that the raised portions 34 protrude toward the center of the cavity 12 decreases in a direction from the rim 66 to the plane for supporting the beverage container holder 10 at P.sub.41, wherein said plane runs parallel to said contiguous bottom member 17. In one embodiment L.sub.41, i.e., the perpendicular length from P.sub.41 to C.sub.4 is essentially zero in. because the raised portion 34 does not protrude from the surface 25 and is flush with said surface 25.

[0073] In one embodiment a sum of the stabilizing forces from friction lock 165a, 165b, and 165c is sufficient to stabilize and maintain an intermediate position P.sub.31 or a completely inserted position P.sub.41 of the beverage container 40 in the cavity 12 of the leak-proof container holder 11 even when a wearer of the beverage container holder 10 is moving, e.g., hiking, jogging, walking and the like.

[0074] The foregoing description of the embodiments of this invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and obviously, many modifications and variations are possible. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to a person skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A beverage container holder, comprising: a leak-proof container (10) having a rim and an opposing bottom end, wherein only the rim is open, and opens into a hollow cavity, said hollow cavity (12) comprising a first portion (20) and a remaining portion (24), wherein the first portion of the cavity (12) is between lateral walls 30, 28 of the leak-proof container (10), except wherein a wall (22) of the bottom opposing end (36) curves inwardly and becomes coextensive with a lower extremity of the lateral walls (30, 28) of the leak-proof container holder (10), forming the remaining portion of the leak-proof container; wherein at least one portion of the lateral wall of the leak-proof container holder has been cut away, so that the portion of the lateral wall that has been cut away is not in the same plane as a remaining portion of the rim of the leak-proof container, allowing an outside surface of a portion of a wall of a beverage container to be releasably removable from or insertable into the leak-proof container holder, so that the beverage container is manipulatable by hand by a user, without the use of a tool; and an elongated member having a proximal portion operably coupled to the leak-proof container at a single junction between the proximal portion and the rim, and a distal portion operably coupled to a waist band of clothing or a belt.

2. (canceled)

3. The beverage container holder of claim 2, wherein a width of the portion of the rim of the leak-proof container holder that has been cut away is about 0.8 in.

4. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein the proximal portion of the elongated member is positioned relative to a plane of the remaining portion of the rim of the container holder so that the plane of the remaining portion of the rim of the container holder is from about 2 inches below the waist band or waist portion of the clothing or the belt of a wearer to about 4 inches above the waist band or waist portion of the clothing or the belt of a wearer.

5. (canceled)

6. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein the width of the proximal portion of the elongated member is not less than 1/2 inch.

7. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein the distal portion of the elongated member narrows toward the distal end, so that the distal portion easily overlaps the waist band or the belt of a pair of jeans, pants, or shorts compared to the distal portion having a wider distal end.

8. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein a width of the proximal portion of the elongated member is not less than the width at the junction between the proximal and distal portions.

9. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein the leak-proof container is made of a moldable foamed plastic or a metal or a metal alloy.

10. The beverage container holder of claim 4, wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of styrofoam, polyvinylchloride, silicone elastomer, organic elastomer, viton, sanoprene, EPDM.

11. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein the leak-proof container has a shape selected from the group consisting of a cubical shape, cylindrical shape, a conical shape, prism, or pyramidal shape.

12. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein the leak-proof container is one piece construction.

13. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein a depth of the inwardly curving wall of the bottom end of the leak-proof container is at least 3/16 of an inch.

14. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein the beverage container is selected from the group consisting of a drinking cup, can, or bottle, cylindrical, or conical beverage container of approximately 6 oz, 8 oz, 10 oz, 12 oz, 16 oz, 20 oz, 24 oz, or 32 oz.

15. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein its weight is between 1.5 oz. and 2 oz.

16. A kit for holding a beverage container, comprising: a beverage container; and the beverage container holder of claim 1.

17. A method for holding a beverage container, comprising: providing a beverage container and the beverage container holder (10) of claim 1; and releasably retaining the beverage container by inserting the beverage container between the walls of the first portion of the leak-proof container.

18. The method for holding a beverage container of claim 17, comprising: removing the releasably retained beverage container from between the walls of the first portion of the leak-proof container; and emptying the condensate from the second portion of the leak-proof container.

19. A beverage container holder, comprising: a leak-proof container (10), comprising: a side wall (13), comprising a first inner surface (25), wherein the first inner surface (25) comprises first raised portions (34) extending longitudinally along the first inner surface (25) of the side wall (13) from below the rim (66) to the perimeter of the bottom member (17); and a contiguous bottom member (17), comprising a second inner surface (29), wherein the second inner surface (29) comprises second raised portions (35) extending from the longitudinal axis (62) running through a center of the cavity (12), to form a right angle junction with the first raised portions (34), wherein opposite first and second portions of the side wall are cut out, forming oppositely disposed openings running longitudinally from a rim at a top of the cavity; wherein the first and second raised portions are adapted for holding a beverage container within a cavity (12) formed by the side wall and the contiguous bottom member (17), wherein a first inner surface of the side wall and a second inner surface of the bottom member forms a contiguous boundary of the cavity, wherein the second inner surface of the bottom member slopes inwardly to a center of the bottom member, so that condensate from cold beverage containers held within the cavity collects in a reservoir, wherein a height of the second raised portions (35) from the inwardly sloping surface of the bottom member is adapted so a flat bottom is formed for supporting the beverage container, and wherein said flat bottom runs in a parallel plane to said contiguous bottom member.

20. The beverage container holder of claim 19, wherein the cavity (12) comprises at least three (3) first raised portions (34), radiating from the longitudinal axis (62) of the cavity (12) of the beverage container holder (10), protruding from the side wall (13), forming a right angle junction with the second raised portion (35) protruding from the bottom member (17), forming 120.degree. arcs about the longitudinal axis (62).

21. The beverage container holder of claim 19, comprising an insert having a frusto-conical shape that tapers radially inward in a direction toward the rim at the top of the cavity.

22. The beverage container holder of claim 21, wherein first and second raised portions form a friction lock against the frusto-conical wall of the insert.

23. The beverage container holder for holding a beverage container of claim 6, wherein the width of the proximal portion of the elongated member being not less than 1/2 inch results in the beverage container holder remaining upright when a wearer is walking or running.

24. A kit, comprising: a beverage container; the beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein the lateral walls of the leak-proof container are adapted to releasably retain the beverage container in the first portion of the leak-proof container.

25. The kit of claim 24, wherein the beverage container 40 is in the first portion of the cavity 12, wherein a portion 26 of the rim 133 of the leak-proof container holder 10 is not in the same plane as a remaining portion of the rim 31 of the leak-proof container holder 10, wherein an outside surface 121 of a portion of a wall 135 of the beverage container (40) is adapted to be releasably removable from or insertable into the leak-proof container holder (10), so that the beverage container 40 is manipulatable by hand by a user 60, without the use of a tool.