Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to holders for beverage containers. The present invention also relates generally to coasters and napkins that are used in conjunction with beverage containers, especially beverage containers containing cold beverages. More particularly, the present invention relates to a beverage container accessory that in a collapsed state can be used as a conventional napkin or a coaster and in a non-collapsed state can be used to facilitate the holding of beverage containers, as well as the method of making and using of the present invention.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention is directed to a beverage container accessory for cold liquids. More particularly, this invention relates to a beverage container accessory that in a collapsed state can be used as a conventional napkin or coaster and in a non-collapsed state can be used to hold beverage containers.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Glass bottles and aluminum cans are commonly used as containers for keeping and serving cold beverages, e.g. beer, sodas, water. A common problem experienced by a consumer of cold beverages is that condensation forms on the outside of the container, which means that a consumer&#39;s hand gets wet and cold when the container is gripped during the consumption process. One common solution to this problem is to take a napkin and wrap the napkin around the container to absorb the condensation. Generally this is only a temporary solution since the condensation wicks from the surface of the napkin touching the container to the surface of the napkin touching the hand of the consumer, plus the napkin has a tendency to lose structural integrity under these conditions. If the cold beverage is in a can, one solution is to use a sturdy, insulated device to hold the beverage container, e.g. a koozie, coozie. These devices are generally made from closed or open cell foam materials and are designed to be sturdy and to have insulating properties. These devices generally have logos or promotional information displayed on the outside since both the manufactures of cold beverages and the owners of establishments serving cold beverages use this medium to advertise their respective brands. Historically, beverage manufacturers have been producing for promotional distribution paper drink coasters and bar napkins with their advertising logos/messages on them. These are often distributed free of charge to restaurants and bars.  
         [0003]     A number of beverage container accessories have been proposed for hot and cold beverages, e.g., sleeves for containers of hot beverages and insulated jackets for cans of cold beverages. Generally, the focus for the sleeves for containers of hot beverages is to keep the consumer&#39;s hand from being burnt, while the focus for the insulated jackets for cans of cold beverages is to keep the beverage cold.  
         [0004]     Examples of these types of proposed solutions include the following. Egger U.S. Pat. No. 2,617,549 discloses a coaster type holder that is fitted about and carried by containers for liquids such as glasses, bottles, cans, etc. Reineke U.S. Pat. No. Des. 159,525 discloses a jacket-type coaster. Harmony U.S. Pat. No. 4,268,567 discloses an insulator for canned drinks made from an elongated sheet of cross-linked polyethylene foam having a strip of adhesive deposited on one side at one end of the sheet. Kelly U.S. Pat. No. 4,344,303 discloses a beverage container cooler having a flexible foam insulating layer with a cooling surface. Williamson U.S. Pat. No. 4,399,668 discloses an individual beverage cooler having a flexible, multilayer thermal wrap with an inner coolant layer which conforms to a container&#39;s shape and leaves an opening at the container&#39;s top to expose the pouring end. Zills U.S. Pat. No. 4,401,245 discloses a collapsible, insulative beverage container jacket with a pocket sewn on the jacket. Curtis U.S. Pat. No. 4,514,995 discloses a knit cover for a beverage container formed as a single piece seamless rib knit sleeve. Taylor U.S. Pat. No. 4,526,280 discloses a cover of adjustable size for a bottle. Henderson U.S. Pat. No. 4,540,611 discloses a fold-up insulated beverage container accessory. Henderson U.S. Pat. No. 4,648,525 discloses a fold-up insulated beverage container accessory with a stabilizing support base. Hewlett U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,588 discloses a cooling wrap method of manufacture. Guo U.S. Pat. No. 5,169,025 discloses a thermal isolating sheath for beverage containers which is integrally made by a kind of flexible and elastic thermal isolating material, and is comprised of main gasket and a base gasket. Shelby U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,315 discloses an insulated beverage receptacle holder formed from a substantially rigid paperboard sheet having a rectangular body portion having opposite lateral side edges. Downes U.S. Pat. No. Des. 370,600 discloses a flexible insulation device for a beverage container with a handle. Rose U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,615 discloses a container holder having a unique shape that facilitates printing of advertising material at a predetermined location on the holder. Welch U.S. Pat. No. 6,138,902 discloses an insulated foldable receptacle for containers. Bell U.S. Pat. No. 6,290,091 discloses a hot or cold beverage container accessory manufactured from a sheet of recycled pressed paper pulp. Mahl U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,686 discloses a thermal insulating sleeve for a container that is easily converted from a generally planar configuration during periods of nonuse and into an expanded or open configuration for receiving a container during periods of use.  
         [0005]     None of these devices are designed to convert from use as a napkin or coaster to use as a beverage container holder. Additionally, none of these devices are designed to convert from use as a napkin or coaster to use as a beverage container holder that is disposed for advertising and promotion. Other problems exist that are not addressed by these devices.  
         [0006]     Improvements are needed to facilitate addressing the condensation problem on the outside of cold beverage containers, while providing a single device that can serve as a napkin, a coaster and a beverage container holder. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a beverage container accessory device that overcomes these and other problems.  
         [0007]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a beverage container accessory that is operable for converting from a napkin or coaster to a beverage container holder that will hold most beverage containers, e.g. bottles and cans.  
         [0008]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a beverage container accessory that will partially absorb condensation when in contact with the outside of a beverage container containing a cold beverage.  
         [0009]     Still another object of the present invention to provide a beverage container accessory that can accept printing and embossing.  
         [0010]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a beverage container accessory that can be easily expanded into an open configuration for accommodating beverage containers of varying shapes and sizes, e.g., high ball glasses, low ball glasses, pints.  
         [0011]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a beverage container accessory that is sturdy enough to withstand moderate handling, e.g., maintaining reasonable structural integrity for the average length of time it takes to consume the beverage.  
         [0012]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a beverage container accessory that can be formed from a biodegradable and/or recyclable material.  
         [0013]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a beverage container accessory that is capable of being manufactured by existing machinery, with no or moderate modifications.  
         [0014]     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage container accessory that can easily collapse into a substantially planar configuration for ease of storage, shipping and dispensing, and will fit into most current bar napkin holders.  
         [0015]     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage container accessory that is easy to use.  
         [0016]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage container accessory that will provide a moderate thermal benefit by minimizing direct contact of the user&#39;s hand with the beverage container.  
         [0017]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage container accessory that can be made inexpensively.  
         [0018]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage container accessory that is disposable.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]     The aforementioned and other objects were achieved, and the above-mentioned disadvantages overcome, by the present invention, by providing a beverage container accessory device that can also be used as a napkin, a coaster or a beverage container holder.  
         [0020]     The present invention is directed to an accessory for a container, such as a beverage container. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the beverage container accessory is comprised of a generally tubular body of material when in the un-collapsed state. The tubular body of material is further comprised of an open first end and a second end forming a central cavity therein. The central cavity is sized for insertion of a beverage container, e.g. a beer bottle or beer can. The second end prevents the inserted beverage container from falling through the cavity. The inside material of the central cavity is enabled for absorption of a portion of the normal condensation formed on the outside of a cold beverage container. The outside material of the present invention is enabled for receiving advertising or promotional information, e.g. logos, brand names and the like.  
         [0021]     The preferred storage of the present invention is in a collapsed state wherein the present invention is in a generally planar configuration suitable for vertical stacking of the present invention. The preferred dispensing of the present invention is such that it can be placed in a closed configuration under a beverage container as an absorbent coaster, or placed in a closed configuration to the side of a beverage container as a napkin replacement, or opened in an un-collapsed state and having a beverage container placed through the first open end, into the cavity until the beverage container comes to rest at the second end of the present invention.  
         [0022]     In another preferred embodiment of the present invention the beverage container accessory if formed from pliable material, e.g., paper, fabric, cotton, linen, linen composite, plastic, cardboard, foam composites of paper, fabric, plastic, cardboard or foam and laminates of paper, fabric, plastic, cardboard or foam.  
         [0023]     In another preferred embodiment of the present invention the beverage container accessory is comprised of an absorbent material and means for attaching the material to itself to form an open-ended tube, e.g. adhesive, thread, or compression.  
         [0024]     Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention will be obtained by means of instrumentalities in combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]     The accompanying drawings illustrate a complete embodiment of the invention according to the best modes so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:  
         [0026]      FIG. 1  shows a front view of a beverage container accessory in a non-collapsed state with a beverage bottle inserted according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 2  shows a front plan view of a beverage container accessory in a collapsed state according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 3  shows a front plan view of a beverage container accessory in a collapsed state according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0029]      FIG. 4  shows a front plan view of a beverage container accessory in a collapsed state according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0030]      FIG. 5  shows a front plan view of a beverage container accessory in a collapsed state according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 6  shows a front plan view of a beverage container accessory in a collapsed state for holding beverage cans according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0032]      FIG. 7  shows a front plan view of a beverage container accessory in a collapsed state for holding beverage bottles according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0033]      FIG. 8  shows a front plan view of a beverage container accessory with an alternate bottom arrangement in the non-engaged position according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0034]      FIG. 9  shows a front plan view of a beverage container accessory with an alternate bottom arrangement in the engaged position according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0035]      FIG. 10  shows a front plan view of a beverage container accessory with left bottom and right bottom openings according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0036]      FIG. 11  shows a front plan view of a beverage container accessory according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0037]      FIG. 12  shows a front plan view of a beverage container accessory according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0038]      FIG. 13  shows a front perspective view of a beverage container accessory according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0039]      FIG. 14  shows a front perspective view of a beverage container accessory according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0040]      FIG. 15  shows a front plan view of a beverage container accessory according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0041]      FIG. 16  shows a front plan view of a beverage container accessory according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0042]      FIG. 17  shows a front plan view of a beverage container accessory according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0043]      FIG. 18  shows a front plan view of a beverage container accessory according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0044]      FIG. 19  shows a top plan view of an unassembled beverage container accessory according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0045]      FIG. 20  shows a front plan view of an assembled beverage container accessory according to the alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 19 .  
         [0046]      FIG. 21  shows a front perspective view of a beverage container accessory according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0047]     The drawings show aspects of the invention. As the drawings are described, reference will be made to the present preferred embodiments of the invention. The terminology used herein to describe the present preferred embodiments is for the purpose of clarification. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology used. Terminology used to describe each element should be understood to include all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar functions.  
         [0048]     The present invention is described in relation to a beverage container accessory device. Nonetheless, the characteristics and parameters pertaining to various embodiments the device and methods described herein may be applicable for other uses.  
         [0049]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of the present invention is shown as device  10 , with bottle  5  inserted through opening  20 . Condensation  6  is shown on bottle  5 .  
         [0050]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , device  10  is comprised of top side  10 A, right side  10 B, left side  10 C, bottom side  10 D, front side  10 E and back side  10 F (not shown). Right sealing area  30 , bottom sealing area  40  and left sealing area  50  are preferably sealed with adhesive, but can be sealed with other methods, e.g. thread, compression, heat and the like. The combination of right sealing area  30 , bottom sealing area  40  and left sealing area  50  forms cavity  10 H (not shown) into which a beverage container, such as bottle  5 , can be inserted. In this embodiment two square sheets of equal size are used to form device  10 .  
         [0051]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an alternate embodiment, also using two square sheets of equally sized material, is shown where right sealing area  30  and left sealing area  50  form a tubular body of material, which allows a beverage container, such as bottle  5 , to be inserted into opening  101  (not shown) either from the direction of top side  10 A or bottom side  10 D.  
         [0052]     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a single sheet of material is used and folded at crease  10 G and sealed at right sealing area  30  to form a tubular body of material.  
         [0053]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a single sheet of material is used and folded at crease  10 G and sealed at right sealing area  30  and bottom sealing area  40  to form cavity  10 H (not shown) for holding a beverage container.  
         [0054]     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a single sheet of material is used, folded and sealed using indentions  60  formed by compression. Indentions  60  are positioned such that a beverage can fits into opening  20  (not shown).  
         [0055]     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a single sheet of material is used, folded and sealed using indentions  60  formed by compression. Indentions  60  are positioned such that a beverage bottle fits into opening  20  (not shown). Indentions  60  can be disposed in varying arrays and in varying shapes, e.g. circles, squares, triangles, irregular shapes. Glue dots  61  (not shown) may also be used such that an inserted beverage container will “pop” open the beverage container accessory until it fits the size of the beverage container. Glue dots  61  may be used instead of indentions  60 , or in combination with indentions  60 .  
         [0056]     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , device  10  is formed from a single sheet of material, folded such that edge  70  is affixed, preferably with adhesive to front side  10 E. Bottom  80  is formed as part of back side  10 F and is comprised of bottom extension  80 A, bottom support  80 B and bottom tab  80 C. Bottom tab  80 C has means for permanently affixing to device  10 , e.g. adhesive protected by a removable cover.  
         [0057]     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , bottom support  80 B is folded such that bottom tab  80 C adheres to device  10  and forms a bottom operable for holding a beverage container.  
         [0058]     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , an alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown. Right cut-out  120  and left cut-out  130  are formed by the sealing of alternate right sealing area  90  and alternate left sealing area  110 . A beverage container is inserted into opening  20  (not shown) from the direction of top side  10 A until the bottom of the beverage container comes to rest on the floor formed by bottom side  10 D. Portions of the base of the inserted beverage container will then partially protrude through the apertures formed by right cut-out  120  and left cut-out  130 .  
         [0059]     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , an alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown. This embodiment shows that device  10  is formed by two circular pieces of material that are sealed together at semi-circular sealing area  140 . Semi-circular sealing area  140  begins at left end-point  150  and finishes at right end-point  160 , staying roughly equidistant from outer-edge  180 , thus forming opening  20  (not shown), wherein a beverage container can be inserted from the direction of semi-circular top side  170  into cavity  10 H (not shown). Left end-point  150  is preferably positioned roughly at 315° and right end-point  160  is preferably positioned roughly at 45°.  
         [0060]     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , an alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown where the embodiment shown in  FIG. 11  is cut to form alternate top  190 .  
         [0061]     Referring now to  FIG. 13 , an alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown where device  10  is formed in a tubular shape with top opening  200  and bottom opening  205  forming a sleeve for a beverage container.  
         [0062]     Referring now to  FIG. 14 , an alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown where device  10  is in a tubular shape with top opening  200 , bottom seam  210  and bottom  220  forming an holder for a beverage container.  
         [0063]     Referring now to  FIG. 15 , an alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown with right sealing area  240 , left sealing area  230 , right diagonal opening  250 , left diagonal opening  260 , and bottom  270 .  
         [0064]     Referring now to  FIG. 16 , an alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown with right sealing area  280 , left sealing area  290 , right upper diagonal opening  300 , right lower diagonal opening  310 , bottom  320 , left lower diagonal opening  330  and left upper diagonal opening  335 .  
         [0065]     Referring now to  FIG. 17 , an alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown with right sealing area  340 , left sealing area  400 , right upper opening  350 , right side opening  360 , bottom  370 , left side opening  380  and left upper opening  390 .  
         [0066]     Referring now to  FIG. 18 , an alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown with upper right sealing area  410 , right notch  420 , lower right sealing area  430 , bottom  450 , lower left sealing area  460 , left notch  470 , upper left sealing area  480 .  
         [0067]     Referring now to  FIG. 19 , an alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown in the unassembled state. First portion  490 , second portion  510 , and bottom portion  500  are shown.  
         [0068]     Referring now to  FIG. 20 , an alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown where the unassembled embodiment shown in  FIG. 19  is assembled by applying adhesive on right adhesive area  520  and left adhesive area  530 , folding and pressing to form the shape shown in  FIG. 20 , with bottom  500 .  
         [0069]     Referring now to  FIG. 21 , an alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown with top opening  530 , bottom extension  540 A, bottom support  540 B and bottom tab  540 C. Bottom tab  540 C has adhesive area  540 D for permanently affixing to device  10 , e.g. adhesive protected by a removable cover.  
         [0070]     The preferred process of making the present invention is as follows: 
        Obtaining a sheet of pliable, disposable material     Cutting the sheet to form a first section and a second section where both the first section and the second section are dimensioned to be roughly 5″×5″    Affixing adhesive along the edges of three of the sides of the first section     Placing the second section on top of the first section with the adhesive to form a 5″×5″ beverage container accessory blank     Pressing firmly on the beverage container accessory blank to form a beverage container accessory     Waiting until the adhesive has dried     Imprinting at least one side of the beverage container accessory     Stacking the beverage container accessory in a dispensing container        
 
         [0079]     The preferred process of using the beverage container accessory is as follows: 
        Obtaining a beverage container accessory     Positioning the beverage container accessory such that the open end is facing up     Placing a thumb along the near edge of the beverage accessory container     Placing the remaining fingers along the far edge of the beverage accessory container     Moving the thumb and fingers slightly towards each other in order to open the cavity of the beverage container accessory     Placing a suitably sized beverage container into the beverage container accessory cavity     Gripping the beverage container accessory such that the beverage container is firmly held within the beverage container cavity        
 
         [0087]     Other embodiments, uses and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. The specification and examples should be considered exemplary only.