U.S. patent application number 14/790521 was filed with the patent office on 2017-01-05 for beverage container-mounted holder for smoking products.
The applicant listed for this patent is Marc Russell. Invention is credited to Marc Russell.
Application Number | 20170000186 14/790521 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57683442 |
Filed Date | 2017-01-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170000186 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Russell; Marc |
January 5, 2017 |
Beverage Container-Mounted Holder for Smoking Products
Abstract
A holder for an elongated smoking product comprises a base
portion and a cradle portion connected to said base portion; the
base portion further comprises a generally vertical recess defined
within the base portion; wherein the cradle is capable of receiving
and supporting the elongated smoking product; and wherein the
recess is capable of receiving therewithin an end of a generally
cylindrical drink container such that the holder is releasably
fixed to the generally cylindrical drink container.
Inventors: |
Russell; Marc; (Milford,
DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Russell; Marc |
Milford |
DE |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57683442 |
Appl. No.: |
14/790521 |
Filed: |
July 2, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 13/12 20130101;
A24F 13/22 20130101; A24F 13/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A24F 13/12 20060101
A24F013/12; A24F 13/02 20060101 A24F013/02 |
Claims
1. A holder for an elongated smoking product, comprising: a base
portion and a cradle portion connected to said base portion; said
base portion further comprising a generally vertical recess defined
within said base portion; wherein said cradle is capable of
receiving and supporting the elongated smoking product; and wherein
said recess is capable of receiving therewithin an end of a
generally cylindrical drink container such that said holder is
releasably fixed to the generally cylindrical drink container.
2. The holder of claim 1, wherein said recess further comprises a
generally vertical recess wall, said recess wall further comprising
at least one resilient retaining member, wherein said at least one
resilient retaining member releasably engages an exterior surface
of a generally cylindrical drink container received within said
vertical recess.
3. The holder of claim 1, wherein said cradle portion supports the
smoking product in an elevated position above said base
portion.
4. The holder of claim 1, wherein said base portion is resiliently
deformable.
5. The holder of claim 1, wherein said cradle portion further
comprises a generally horizontal, upward-opening longitudinal
channel.
6. The holder of claim 5, wherein said longitudinal channel is
generally U-shaped and generally vertical in orientation.
7. The holder of claim 5, wherein said longitudinal channel is
generally V-shaped and generally vertical in orientation.
8. A holder for an elongated smoking product, comprising: a base
portion, and a cradle portion connected to said base portion; said
base portion further comprising a generally vertical recess defined
within said base portion; said cradle portion further comprising a
generally horizontal, upward-opening longitudinal channel; wherein
said longitudinal channel is capable of receiving therewithin an
elongated smoking product so as to support the elongated smoking
product in an elevated position above said base portion; and
wherein said recess is capable of receiving therewithin an end of a
generally cylindrical drink container such that said holder is
releasably fixed to the generally cylindrical drink container.
9. The holder of claim 8, wherein said recess further comprises a
generally vertical recess wall, said recess wall further comprising
at least one resilient retaining member, wherein said at least one
resilient retaining member releasably engages an exterior surface
of a generally cylindrical drink container received within said
into said vertical recess such that said holder is releasably fixed
to the generally cylindrical drink container.
10. The holder of claim 8, wherein said base portion is resiliently
deformable.
11. The holder of claim 8, wherein said longitudinal channel is
generally U-shaped and generally vertical in orientation.
12. The holder of claim 8, wherein said longitudinal channel is
generally V-shaped and generally vertical in orientation.
13. A holder for an elongated smoking product, comprising: a base
portion and a cradle portion connected to said base portion; said
base portion having a generally cylindrical vertical recess defined
within said base portion; said cradle portion further comprising a
generally horizontal upward-opening longitudinal channel; wherein
said longitudinal channel is capable of receiving therewithin the
elongated smoking product so as to support the elongated smoking
article in an elevated position above said base portion; and
wherein said recess further comprises at least one generally
vertical recess wall, said recess wall further comprising at least
one resilient retaining member, wherein said at least one resilient
retaining member releasably engages an exterior surface of a
generally cylindrical drink container received within said vertical
recess such that said holder is releasably fixed to the generally
cylindrical drink container.
14. The holder of claim 13, wherein said recess further comprises a
generally horizontal recess ceiling, said recess ceiling disposed
vertically intermediate said bottom surface of said base portion
and said top surface of said base portion.
15. The holder of claim 13, wherein said base portion is
resiliently deformable.
16. The holder of claim 13, wherein said longitudinal channel
further comprises a generally horizontal floor and at least one
sidewall depending generally upward from said horizontal floor.
17. The holder of claim 13, wherein said longitudinal channel is
generally U-shaped and generally vertical in orientation.
18. The holder of claim 13, wherein said longitudinal channel is
generally V-shaped and generally vertical in orientation.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] None.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to smoking product
holders, and particularly to a holder that releasably attaches to
the top of a beverage container.
[0003] Frequently, individuals that enjoy smoking tobacco products
such a cigars, cigarettes, or tobacco vaporizers commonly referred
to as e-cigarettes or digital vapor cigarettes smoke their chosen
tobacco product while also consuming beverages. For example, some
smokers may find that certain beverages--such as scotch, bourbon,
or beer--provide a complimentary flavor that enhances the enjoyment
of their preferred tobacco products when the beverage and the
tobacco products are consumed together.
[0004] Unfortunately, when enjoying a smoking product and a
beverage at the same time, the individual may find that both of his
or her hands are occupied--one with the beverage, and the other
with the smoking product. Additionally, since both the beverage and
the smoking product are easily portable, the individual may find
himself or herself in a place far from an ashtray but needing to
free one or both hands to attend to another task. Since smoking
products generate heat and can damage the surfaces of furniture or
counter tops if placed directly thereon, it may be advantageous to
provide a holder upon which to rest the smoking product such that
it is elevated above the surface of furniture or counter tops.
[0005] Additionally, individuals may find themselves in a social
setting where others may also be consuming beverages and/or smoking
products. If the individual momentarily sets his or her beverage
and/or smoking product aside in next to beverages or smoking
products belonging to others, the individual may be confused as to
which beverage or smoking product belongs to whom. Thus, it may be
advantageous to provide a structure that keeps and individual's
beverage and smoking product together in one place, in order to
avoid confusion and the dreaded loss of a partially-consumed
beverage or smoking product.
[0006] Given the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a
structure which addresses these and other deficiencies so that an
individual may more thoroughly enjoy his or her beverage and
smoking product.
SUMMARY
[0007] One object of the invention may comprise providing a holder
for an elongated smoking product comprises a base portion and a
cradle portion connected to said base portion; the base portion
further comprises a generally vertical recess defined within the
base portion; wherein the cradle is capable of receiving and
supporting the elongated smoking product; and wherein the recess is
capable of receiving therewithin an end of a generally cylindrical
drink container such that the holder is releasably fixed to the
generally cylindrical drink container.
[0008] Another object of the invention may comprise providing a
holder for an elongated smoking product, comprising a base portion,
and a cradle portion connected to the base portion; the base
portion further comprising a generally vertical recess defined
within the base portion; the cradle portion further comprising a
generally horizontal, upward-opening longitudinal channel; wherein
the longitudinal channel is capable of receiving therewithin an
elongated smoking product so as to support the elongated smoking
product in an elevated position above the base portion; and wherein
the recess is capable of receiving therewithin an end of a
generally cylindrical drink container such that the holder is
releasably fixed to the generally cylindrical drink container.
[0009] Still another object of the invention may comprise providing
a holder for an elongated smoking product, comprising a base
portion and a cradle portion connected to the base portion; the
base portion having a generally cylindrical vertical recess defined
within the base portion; the cradle portion further comprising a
generally horizontal upward-opening longitudinal channel; wherein
the longitudinal channel is capable of receiving therewithin the
elongated smoking product so as to support the elongated smoking
article in an elevated position above the base portion; and wherein
the recess further comprises a generally vertical recess wall, the
recess wall further comprising at least one resilient retaining
member, wherein the at least one resilient retaining member
releasably engages an exterior surface of a generally cylindrical
drink container received within the vertical recess such that the
holder is releasably fixed to the generally cylindrical drink
container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] In order that the invention may be better understood,
embodiments of the beverage container mounted holder for smoking
products and methods of use thereof in accordance with the present
invention will now be described by way of examples. These
embodiments are not to limit the scope of the present invention as
the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being
practices or of being carried out in various ways.
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a first perspective view of an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a second perspective view of an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of
the present invention being used to hold a smoking product and
being attached to a beverage container; and
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of
the present invention being attached to a beverage container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The present invention now will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form
a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific
exemplary embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. This
invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and
should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth
herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this
disclosure will be thorough and complete and convey the scope of
the invention to those skilled in the art. Among other things, the
present invention may be embodied as methods or devices. The
following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a
limiting sense.
[0016] It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology
used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be
regarded as limiting. Throughout the specification and the claims,
the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein,
unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The phrase "in one
embodiment" or "in some embodiments" or "in a preferred embodiment"
as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment,
though it may. Furthermore, the phrase "in another embodiment" as
used herein does not necessarily refer to a different embodiment,
although it may. Thus, as described below, various embodiments of
the invention may be readily combined, without departing from the
scope or spirit of the invention. In addition, the phrase "present
invention" or "object of the present invention" does not
necessarily refer to nor is intended to limit the invention to the
specific embodiment or feature described.
[0017] In addition, the use of "including," "comprising," or
"having" and variations thereof herein is mean to encompass the
items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as
additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms "connected,"
"coupled," "mounted," and variations thereof herein are used
broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings,
and mountings. In addition, the terms "connected" and "coupled" and
variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical
connections or couplings.
[0018] Additionally, as used herein, the term "or" is an inclusive
"or" operator, and is equivalent to the therm "and/or," unless the
context clearly dictates otherwise. The term "based on" is not
exclusive and allows for being based on additional factors not
described, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Throughout the specification, the meaning of "a," "an," and "the"
include plural references. The meaning of "in" includes "in" and
"on."
[0019] Referring now to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the smoking
product holder 10 may comprise a base 20 and a cradle 40. The
smoking product holder 10 may be formed of various materials, such
as lightweight metallic or lightweight plastimerics or polymerics
which should provide some level of stiffness without being so rigid
as to break during normal use. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1,
base 20 and cradle 40 are connected to each other by an
intermediate connection 60.
[0020] In one embodiment, base 20 defines a bottom surface 22 and a
top surface 24, an exterior wall 26 therebetween, and a generally
vertical axis AV. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, base 20 is a
generally cylindrical; however, it may be any suitable shape such
as a rectangular, hexagonal, hemispherical, or the like.
[0021] In a preferred embodiment, Base 20 further defines a
vertical recess 30 therewithin, which has a recess opening 32
defined within bottom surface 22, a recess wall 36 extending
generally vertically upward parallel to axis AV towards top surface
24. In one embodiment, recess wall 36 may optionally terminate at a
recess ceiling 34, located vertically intermediate recess opening
32 and base top surface 24 along axis AV. In another embodiment,
recess 30 may extend along the entire height of base 20 such that
recess wall 36 originates at bottom surface 22 and terminates at
top surface 24.
[0022] Referring now to both FIGS. 1 and 2, in a preferred
embodiment cradle 40 defines a floor 42 that is connected to base
20 by connection 60 such that cradle 40 is positioned vertically
distal from base bottom surface 22. In the embodiment shown cradle
floor 42 is connected to base top surface 24 by intermediate
connection 60 shown as a generally vertical pedestal; however in
other embodiments cradle floor 42 and base top surface 24 may be
connected integrally, welded, or connected by other means, such as
a bendable flex-arm or the like. Additionally, in still other
embodiments, cradle 40 may be connected to base exterior wall 26
and extend generally horizontally outward from base 20 or,
alternatively, cradle 40 may extend angularly upward from base
20.
[0023] In one embodiment, cradle 40 defines a generally horizontal
longitudinal axis AL (FIG. 1) and may have a longitudinal channel
46 running along axis AL and opening generally vertically upward.
Cradle 40 may also have two spaced-apart sidewalls 44, 45 that
depend generally upward from floor 42. In this embodiment, Floor 42
and sidewalls 44, 45 are preferably all oriented generally parallel
to longitudinal axis AL and together define longitudinal channel
46. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, floor 42 and
sidewalls 44 and 45 are arranged such that longitudinal channel 46
has a generally U-shaped profile; however, in other embodiments,
longitudinal channel 46 may have alternative profile shapes, such
as the V-shaped longitudinal channel shown in the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 4, a square profile shape, a semi-circular
profile shape, or other appropriate profile shapes.
[0024] Turning to FIG. 3, in a preferred embodiment, base 20 is
dimensioned such that recess opening 32 and recess wall 36 are
sized appropriately to releasably accept an end of a beverage
container 70 such that holder 10 is releasably fixed to the
beverage container. As shown in the embodiment represented in FIG.
3, beverage container 70 is a typical beer bottle; however, it
should be understood that in other embodiments base 20, recess
opening 32, and recess wall 36 may all be sized such that recess 30
(FIGS. 1 and 2) is capable of releasably accepting a variety of
different sized beverage containers, including but not limited to
aluminum cans, rocks glasses, tumblers, or wine bottles. In yet
another embodiment, base 20 may be formed at least in part from a
resilient material such as an elastomeric polymer that allows
recess opening 32 and recess wall 36 to resiliently deform so as to
accommodate a variety of different sized beverage containers. In
still another embodiment, base 20 may be adjustable so as to accept
a wide variety of different sized beverage containers.
[0025] Additionally, in a preferred embodiment cradle 40 is
dimensioned such that longitudinal channel 46 is sized
appropriately to releasably receive a generally cylindrical
elongated smoking product 80 such that the smoking product's
longitudinal axis AS is oriented generally parallel to longitudinal
axis AL of channel 46. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3,
cradle 40 is sized appropriately to receive a smoking product 80
represented as a cigar having having a large bore diameter D;
however, in other embodiments, longitudinal channel 46 may be sized
appropriately to receive a cigarette, an e-cigarette, or other
smoking product having a smaller bore diameter than the smoking
article 80 depicted in FIG. 3. In an other embodiment, cradle 40
may be sized appropriately such that channel 46 may receive a
variety of different smoking articles having a diverse range of
bore diameters.
[0026] Turning to FIG. 4, another embodiment of holder 110 is
shown, having a recess wall 136 may optionally define a
circumferential resilient retaining member 138 positioned
vertically intermediate recess opening 132 and recess ceiling 134.
In one embodiment, retaining member 138 may be a resiliently
deformable ridge running along a sufficient portion of recess wall
136 such that retaining member 138 releasably engages a lip 72 from
finish region 74 of a traditional bottle 70. As bottle finish
region 74 is inserted into vertical recess 130, lip 72 impinges
upon and thereby compresses retaining member 138. Once finish
region is inserted sufficiently far into recess 130 that lip 72
slips past retaining ring 138, the retaining member resiliently
returns to its normal size and shape and thereby forms a
compression fit against finish region 74 that releasably secures
holder 110 to bottle 70. While not shown in the figures, it should
be apparent that in embodiments in which the holder 110 is sized
such that recess 130 may accommodate other kinds of beverage
containers, retaining member 138 may releasably secure holder 110
to the flange portion of an aluminum can's top or form a
compression fit against other beverage containers, such as
screw-top bottles, tumblers, or rocks glasses.
[0027] The foregoing description of several embodiments and aspects
of the invention has been presented for purpose of illustration
only. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention
to the precise steps and/or forms disclosed, and obviously many
modifications and variations are possible in light of the above
teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention and all
equivalents be defined by the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *