Abstract:
An insulated beverage container with an integrated sound producing device wherein the sounds emitted from the sound producing device are compatible with images, advertisements or other materials displayed on the surface of the insulated beverage container. The sound emitting device is configured to store and then emit, upon actuation by a user, predetermined sounds over a specific length of time. While the sound emitting insulated beverage container is intended as a novelty device, it can be used for advertisements and in marketing by associating specific sounds with advertisement displayed on the outer surface of the container.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/850,544 filed Oct. 10, 2006 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This disclosure relates generally to a novelty beverage holder and more particularly to a beverage holder with an implanted device capable of producing sounds when triggered by a user.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Beverage containers and insulated holders, wraps and coolers are widely varied and are formed from any number of insulating materials. Beverage holders are generally configured to frictionally engage and removably secure a can or bottle of chilled liquid. These devices often provide the dual benefit of maintaining temperature of the beverage being consumed and providing a convenient and relatively inexpensive media for the display of messages, advertisements and the like. For the most part, known beverage holders are simple unitary devices molded or manufactured from a single piece of material and have no accoutrements to enhance their utility or amusement.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0004]     According to the practice of this invention, a thermally insulated beverage holder is fashioned from a material, such as foam, Styrofoam or polyethylene. The beverage holder is generally configured with a substantially closed bottom and a generally open top. The overall form of the beverage holder is generally cylindrical. Further, the beverage holder may include removable insulating liners and be configured to house beverage cans, bottles, or glassware of any variety of shapes and sizes.  
         [0005]     The beverage holder is provided with a compartment which houses a device capable of emitting sounds. Several types of devices are generally known, including small electronic relays with a microprocessor and chip capable of electronically retaining a recorded sound and then transmitting, upon operation, the sound via a small audio speaker. Such devices can easily be manufactured approximately the size of a U.S. minted quarter, or less than one inch in diameter. Further, such devices are relatively thin, often less than one-quarter (¼) inch thick. The device includes a triggering mechanism integral thereto although it may be provided with a remote switch. It is preferred that the remote switch be present and positioned and mounted proximate the periphery of the beverage holder. It is understood that the mounting position and orientation of the remote switch can be anywhere on the beverage holder, although, it is preferably mounted substantially adjacent the sound emitting device which is generally placed near the bottom surface of the beverage holder. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of one embodiment of the invention with a bottom mounted switch.  
         [0008]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of a second embodiment of the invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 4  is a plan view showing an internally positioned switch.  
         [0010]      FIG. 5  is a plan view showing a side mounted switch. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     Referring now generally to the drawings, an insulated beverage holder is provided. The beverage holder  102 , in the preferred embodiment, has a substantially cylindrical sidewall  104  with a partially closed bottom  106  and an open top  108 . It is understood that the beverage holder  102  can be configured in any shape and size configured to retain beverage cans, bottles, glassware, and the like without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.  
         [0012]     It is also understood that the beverage holder  102  can be manufactured from any variety of insulating materials, including foam, plastics, polyethylenes or similar materials. It is preferable that the material from which the beverage holder is manufactured is substantially resistant to liquids and provides insulating properties.  
         [0013]     The diameter of the top opening  108 , which is adjacent the upper-most edge or rim  110  of the beverage holder  102  is preferably slightly larger than the diameter of the beverage container which is to be inserted into the holder. The beverage holder  102  height should be sufficient to encase at least fifty percent (50%) of the beverage container.  
         [0014]     As is known within the industry, the beverage holder  102  may also be configured to accept an insulating liner which further insulates the beverage being retained in the holder.  
         [0015]     The bottom  106  of the holder will generally be manufactured of the same material as the holder sidewall  104 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , it is preferable to provide at least one hole  112  completely through the bottom surface  106  to prevent suction or vapor-locking which may occur between the beverage container itself and the holder  102 . It is often difficult to remove the beverage from the holder without the presence of such a hole  112 . Moreover, the hole  112  allows condensation on the beverage container, or spilled liquid, to readily escape the holder. This promotes the longevity of the device and specifically the electrical components of the inventive device.  
         [0016]     The bottom  106  portion of the beverage holder is also provided with a compartment  114  for housing a sound emitting device  116 . The sound emitting device  116  is capable of electronically retaining and then audibly transmitting a predetermined sound. Such devices  116  are generally available and can take any variety of configuration. The preferred device  116  is relatively small having dimensions of approximately one inch in diameter with less than one-quarter (¼) inch in height. The device  116  includes a small speaker, a power supply such as a battery, a small timer, and a processor or memory unit capable of storing electronic data, specifically sounds and music. The device  116  is provided with a switch  118  that allows a user to selectively activate the device  116  whereupon a sound or music or combination thereof is emitted for a predetermined period of time, said time period controlled by the timer of the device  116 . The switch  118  may be fabricated integral the device  116  or may be remotely connected thereto via electrical wiring  126 .  
         [0017]     The device  116  is mounted in the compartment  114  substantially adjacent the bottom surface  106  of the beverage container. If the device  116  is provided with an integral switch  118 , the switch  118  is positioned substantially adjacent the outer periphery  122  of the cylindrical sidewall  104  of the container. The switch  118  may also be oriented generally downward so that it is accessible through the bottom  106 . This orientation allows the device  116  to be triggered and activated either when the beverage holder  102  is placed on a surface, or picked up from a surface. It is preferable, however, that a remote switch  118  be provided to the device  116  which could be mounted substantially adjacent the outer periphery  122  of the cylindrical sidewall  104  as shown in  FIGS. 1, 3  and  5 . This allows ease of user access, and is more convenient than positioning the switch  116  on the bottom surface  106  where it may be inadvertently triggered when the beverage container  102  is placed on a surface.  
         [0018]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , another position for the switch would be on the inner wall  120  or on the upper surface (not shown) of the bottom piece so that the switch  118  would be actuated each time a beverage container is placed into the holder  102 . When the container is removed from the holder  102  the switch is released thereby resetting the switch  118  so that it will activate the device  116  when another container is positioned within the holder  102 .  
         [0019]     The compartment  114  of the bottom surface  104  can take any readily ascertainable configuration, although it is preferable to use a simple two piece bottom portion to the container sandwiching the device  116  therebetween. The compartment may also be manufactured by cutting or placing a slit in the bottom  104  and inserting the device  116  therein as shown in  FIG. 2 . Depending on the type of device  116  used, it may be necessary to implant the device  116  in the cylindrical sidewall  104  of the holder  102  to limit exposure to moisture, condensation or liquid from the beverage. Modern sound emitting devices may be relatively flexible, such as those found in greeting cards, and accordingly can be flexed into an arc to contour to the shape of the sidewall  104  of the beverage holder.  
         [0020]     The device  116  is provided with a timer that can be programmed so that the sound emission expires randomly or after a predetermined period of time. The timer can also be programmed to cause emission of the recorded sound more than one time (looped). The device  116  may be configured to allow a user to record their own music or message to be replayed.  
         [0021]     It is understood that it is desirable to provide a sound byte, music or other audible emission in the device  116  which is substantially compatible to a theme or advertisement displayed or present on the outer surface of the insulated beverage holder. As shown in  FIGS. 1, 3 ,  4  and  5 , the beverage holder surface  124  will be compatible to printed words or graphic images or a combination thereof by screen printing, overlay, adhesive sticker, or other methods known in the industry. If, for example, the insulated beverage holder  102  displays a logo or graphic image of a race car, the device  116  may emit the sound of a race car engine or cheering fans. For a logo used by a beverage manufacturing company on the surface of the insulated beverage holder, the device  116  may emit the jingle or music associated with the beverage. It should be understood that any combination of advertising images and sounds, including music, can be configured in the insulated beverage holder  102 . The novelty device provides a desirable marketing and advertising tool which is relatively inexpensive and easy to manufacture from components which are generally available in the marketplace.  
         [0022]     Generally, the user places their desired beverage in the top opening  108  of the insulated beverage container  102  and then, as desired, actuates the switch  118  thereby triggering the device  116  to emit the provided sound. It is understood that a variety of switch locations and methods for activation can be used to change to allow selective operation of the device as more particularly described herein.  
         [0023]     Accordingly, while one embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it is understood that many changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.