Abstract:
A portable soft-sided beverage carrier includes both a removable partition or separation system and a conveniently managed temperature control feature. A releasable rear fold allows adapting the beverage carrier to conventional luggage pieces. A shoulder strap and a plurality of pockets enable improved user convenience and comfort. The beverage carrier is conveniently assembled as a kit with convenience consumer items; including, selected glasses, cocktail equipment, cigar humidors, coasters, and other consumer entertainment and consumer comfort items.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority from U.S. Prov. App. 60/840,634 filed Aug. 28, 2006 and US Design App. 29/278,342 filed Mar. 27, 2007, the entire contents of each of which are herein incorporated fully by reference. 
     
    
     FIGURE SELECTED FOR PUBLICATION  
       [0002]    
       FIG. 1 
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0004]     The present invention relates to beverage carrier. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved beverage carrier with a removable separation feature and a temperature control feature.  
         [0005]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0006]     The related art involves portable bar and picnic carry-all type boxes with rigid sides, a top carry handle, smooth-luggage-type sides, and rigid internal partitions for retaining specific element for enjoying a drink or picnic experience. Such constructions were popular in the 1930&#39;s through the 1950&#39;s, particularly for cocktail parties, and have enjoyed increased interest recently. Such carry-all type boxes were often sold with high-end luggage sets as a small box or cube and occasionally contained pre-selected glasses, tumblers, shaking equipment, had rigid dividers for bottle storage. Unfortunately, what is not appreciated by such constructions is the need for improved portability, carrying comfort, and ready adaptation to different internal storage separation needs and to different luggage portability needs.  
         [0007]     It is also known to provide portable rigid bar assemblies that serve as dispensing facilities. Such assemblies are exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 6,957,876 to DeMars, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. Here, the &#39;876 patent and it&#39;s related references depict what may be broadly discussed as a readily collapsible piece of furniture. The furniture includes a dispensing bar portion, a series of rigid storage features, and in the &#39;876 patent the facility for a dry sink for storing post-assembly delivered ice and condiments. Unfortunately, such furniture-like constructions are prohibitively expensive, are not as easily stored and packed as the related luggage-like reference, and fail to provide ready adaptation following assembly.  
         [0008]     What is not appreciated by the related art is the need for a beverage carrier with a removable separator feature and a temperature control feature that readily adapts to an owner&#39;s desires in terms of internal product storage selection and in terms of ready adaptability to modern wheeled luggage bags. What is also not appreciated by the related art is the need for a soft-sided travel bag that is conveniently collapsed and stored when not in use and provides a comfortable feel during use.  
         [0009]     Accordingly, there is a need for an improved beverage carrier and a need for a beverage carrier that addresses the need for temperature control and partition or separation adaptation.  
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     An object of the present invention is to provide a beverage carrier and beverage carrier kit that overcomes at least one of the detriments noted above.  
         [0011]     The present invention relates to a portable soft-sided beverage carrier or tote bag which includes both a removable partition or separation system and a conveniently managed temperature control feature. A releasable rear fold allows adapting the beverage carrier to conventional luggage pieces. A shoulder strap and a plurality of pockets enable improved user convenience and comfort. The beverage carrier is conveniently assembled as a kit with convenience consumer items; including, selected glasses, cocktail equipment, cigar humidors, coasters, and other consumer entertainment and consumer comfort items.  
         [0012]     According to an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a beverage carrier, comprising:  
         [0013]     a flexible carrier unit member defining a main compartment having main compartment side walls, means for removably dividing the main compartment into at least one sub-compartment, the means for removably dividing, further comprising: adjustment feature means arrayed about portions of the compartment side ways, repositionable separator element means for repositionably engaging the adjustment feature means thereby allowing a repositionable division of the main compartment into the at least one sub-compartment, the repositionable separator element including an inner element, and the inner element being characterized as both flexible and temperature controlling, whereby the beverage carrier is readily adapted for consumer use.  
         [0014]     According to another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a beverage carrier, wherein: the inner element includes at least one element selected from the group comprising: an elastomeric material, a neoprene, a gel, an insulator, a heating element, and a cooling element.  
         [0015]     According to another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a beverage carrier, further comprising: means for engaging an external portable luggage support, and the means for engaging including one of a fixed-position flap element and a repositionable flap element, whereby the means for engaging enables a user to secure the beverage carrier to the external luggage support for enhanced portability.  
         [0016]     According to another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a beverage carrier, wherein: the means for engaging the external portable luggage support includes the repositionable flap element, means for releasably securing a first portion of the flap element to a luggage support surface of the beverage carrier, and means for hingably connecting a second portion of the flap element to a distal portion of the luggage support surface of the beverage carrier, the second portion being distal from the first portion, whereby the means for releasably securing further enhances the portability.  
         [0017]     According to another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a beverage carrier, further comprising: a top flap member removably covering the main compartment of the flexible carrier unit, at least one pocket member on an exterior surface of the main compartment opposite the luggage support surface, and means for releasably closing the top flap member and the at least one pocket member, whereby the beverage carrier enables the user to readily secure articles within the beverage carrier.  
         [0018]     According to another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a beverage carrier, further comprising: at least one shoulder strap member, and the shoulder strap member extending from the external surface of the main compartment, whereby the shoulder strap member improves the enhance portability.  
         [0019]     According to another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a beverage carrier, wherein: the adjustment feature means and the repositionable separator element means for repositionably engaging the adjustment feature means includes at least one engagement system selected from a group comprising: a hook-and-loop engagement system, a snap engagement system, a buckle engagement system, a magnetic engagement system, and a slot-and-insert engagement system, wherein the at least one engagement system enables ready repositionable engagement between the portions of the compartment side ways and the repositionable separator element  
         [0020]     According to another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a beverage carrier, wherein: the at least one repositionable separator element is a laptop-formed sleeve member.  
         [0021]     According to another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a beverage carrier kit, comprising: a flexible carrier unit member defining a main compartment having main compartment side walls, means for removably dividing the main compartment into at least one sub-compartment, the means for removably dividing, further comprising: adjustment feature means arrayed about portions of the compartment side ways, repositionable separator element means for repositionably engaging the adjustment feature means thereby allowing a repositionable division of the main compartment into the at least one sub-compartment, the repositionable separator element including an inner element, the inner element being characterized as both flexible and temperature controlling, whereby the beverage carrier is readily adapted for consumer use, the inner element including at least one element selected from the group comprising: an elastomeric material, a neoprene, a gel, an insulator, a heating element, and a cooling element, and at least one consumer portable element selected from a group of consumer elements comprising: a glass, a plurality of beverage containers, a humidor, a cocktail supply element, a cocktail supply element container, a portable liquid storage bottle, and a lap-top shaped computer sleeve element.  
         [0022]     The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in conduction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate the same elements.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective front view of the beverage carrier in the closed position.  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a perspective rear view of the beverage carrier illustrating ready attachment to an extension bar of a conventional luggage element.  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a vertical sectional view along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 1 , noting optional internal positioning of the separators or dividers.  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is a partially removed side view of a thermal control separator or divider element.  
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is a horizontal sectional view along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 3  indicating the optional adjustability range of the internal separators or dividers. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0028]     Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of the invention that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms, such as top, bottom, up, down, over, above, and below may be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. The words “connect,” “couple,” and similar terms with their inflectional morphemes do not necessarily denote direct and immediate connections, but also include connections through mediate elements or devices.  
         [0029]     As will be apparent to those of skill in the art, as used herein the phrases separator, divider, partition, and like meaning words may be employed interchangeably without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.  
         [0030]     Similarly, the words tote, carrier, bag, and luggage may be employed herein to refer generally to the flexible container construction discussed herein, and those of skill in the art will recognize their generally interchangeability and use within the present context.  
         [0031]     Finally, as will be later discussed, the particular separator elements discussed below (elements  13 ) include an inner element (element  15 ), and that such inner elements or inner contents that may be referred to variously as fillers, contents, elements or other materials and it is proposed that those of skill in the art of consumer products will recognize that similar phrases may be employed without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.  
         [0032]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 5 , a flexible consumer carrier unit or tote bag  100  is constructed from a flexible or substantially flexible material such as reinforced leather, nylon, coated neoprene, or other flexible materials known to those of skill in the art of bag construction. Carrier unit  100  includes a main compartment member  1  closable with a top flap portion  2 , and a shoulder strap carrier  3  secured to side mounted attachment links  7 . Consequently consumer carrier unit  100  is readily portable and the internal contents are easily accessible.  
         [0033]     On the external surface of carrier bag  100  a plurality of pockets may be formed (three are shown) and are identified here as large pocket  5  having a zipper closure  5 A, and smaller pockets  6 ,  6 , with respective snap closures  6 A,  6 A. Similarly, main compartment  1  is secured with a main buckle element  4 . It will be recognized by those of skill in the art that closures  5 A,  6 A, and  4  may be alternatively designed without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Similarly, these closures may be readily replaced with differing Velcro closures, zippers, snaps, buckles, etc. also without departing from the scope of the present invention and such closures may be readily appreciated as closure systems or mechanism.  
         [0034]     Referring now specifically to  FIGS. 2 and 5 , a back flap or fold element  8  is flexibly positioned on a back face of carrier unit  100  (as shown). One lateral side of flap member  8  is fixed to the exterior or carrier unit  100 , and the opposing lateral side of flap member  8  is removably attachable to the opposing side of the exterior of carrier unit  100 .  
         [0035]     As shown, a Velcro strip (hook and loop strip)  9 B is fixed to the opposing side of flap member  8  and a Velcro strip (hook and loop strip)  9 A is fixed to a complementary portion of the carrier unit  100  (as shown in  FIG. 5 ). The removability and swing feature of flap element  8  is noted in  FIG. 2  as enabling access for an external conventional luggage pull handle member  10 . During use, the construction of fold element  8  enables carrier unit  100  to be readily assembled with many common wheeled luggage systems enabling easy transport and ready attachment and detachment for use and enjoyment. Consequently, those of skill in the art of consumer product and luggage design shall recognize that alternative forms of back flap or fold element  8  may be employed to secure carrier unit  100  to luggage pull handle members  10  without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, back flap  8  may be provided with a tensioning (belt) member to allow tightening the grip on handle member  10  without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.  
         [0036]     Inner wall regions  11 A,  11 B on an interior of main compartment  1  are provided as opposing wall regions, however noting herein shall so restrict interpretation to the specific longer wall regions shown in  FIG. 5 . For example, the present invention may be modified to incorporate a lateral lap top sleeve carrier (not shown) that would extend between the shorter side walls of the inner main compartment  1 . Such a lap top sleeve carrier (not shown) would also operate with an adaptive complement of a longer partition and attachment points a will be understood from reviewing the text.  
         [0037]     Adjustment features  12 ,  12 ,  12 , and  12  are arrayed along respective inner wall regions  11 A,  11 B on complementary opposing positions, as shown. While adjustment features  12  are indicated as Velcro members (hook and loop) and are shown intermittently positioned, nothing herein shall be construed to require this arrangement. Thus, for example, adjustment features may extend along each entire inner wall region  11 A,  11 B without departing from the scope of the present invention.  
         [0038]     As will be noted from study of the figures, the present embodiment is preferably positioned with three storage compartments, each bounded by respective partition members  13 ,  13 . Each partition member is formed with side mounted tab members  14 ,  14  respectively and each tab member includes attachment features that complement and bond to adjustment features  12 . Thus, as shown, complementary Velcro (hook and loop) portions are on tab members  14 ,  14  for each partition member  13  and are engagable with respective portions of adjustment features  12 ,  12 ,  12 , and  12 . In this manner, a partitions  13 ,  13  enable the partitioning of the main compartment  1  into multiple (three here) compartments.  
         [0039]     As will be seen from  FIG. 5 , the location of adjustment features  12  allow positioning of partitions from a minimum zone A, through a middle zone B, to a maximum zone C so at to allow for expansion and contraction of respective sub-compartments in main compartment  1 .  
         [0040]     As will be noted from  FIG. 4 , each partition includes an inner or middle region that contains an inner element  15 . Inner element  15  is shown as being a flexible and optionally compressible material to adapt to non-linear shapes such as a bottle (see  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 5 ). As discussed herein, inner element  15  may be selected from a material that is readily cooled, heated, or provides insulation. Consequently, inner element  15  may be a gel, neoprene material, a plurality of seeds or husks, and other elements know to those of skill in the art for use in insulating or heating carrier bags without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, while flax seed hulls or flax seeds themselves are conventionally used in small pillows as heating elements for use in reliving back pain or for support while sleeping and driving these hulls are easily heated in a microwave oven (as heating elements) without damage, and may be readily refrigerated or frozen (as cooling elements) also without damage. Consequently, an inner element  15  may include a containing-batt or layer of such flax seed hulls for ready use to adapt to the shaped object in the compartment, to retain the object in a secure position and prevent untended rattling, and may also allow for maintenance of a desired temperature (hot or cold). Additionally, it is contemplated, that separator elements  13  may contain chemically reactive cooling or heating elements as inner element  15  employing technology known to those in the heating and cooling arts (for example iron filings react with water to create heat in camping equipment means, and ready-cold-packs are employed in emergency care kits). Consequently, those of skill in the art will recognize that partition members  13  provide a substantial improvement over the conventionally fixed and rigid partitions known in the art and allow for ready positioning and repositioning by a user to match particular components within main compartment  1 .  
         [0041]     As an additional example, inner element may be constructed from multiple layers. For example, separator element  13  may be construction optionally from neoprene (an elastomeric insulating material), and inner element  15  may be construction from a gel such that each separator element  13  is easily frozen or cooled for temperature control as a temperature control element.  
         [0042]     Similarly, as introduced above, alternatively separator elements  13  may be configured as a lap top computer sleeve and may have differently positioned flex tab members  14  to hold an inserted computer in place and optionally maintain its temperature.  
         [0043]     As noted earlier main compartment  1 , and the sub-compartments may include, as a kit, multiple elements that are readily adapted to specific user convenience. For example, each sub-compartment may be configured to retain a single bottle of liquor  17 , or two stacks of glasses  16 , or other accoutrements. Additionally the kit may contain sub-kit elements such as a cigar humidor element  18  or a package  19  for toting cocktail supplies (shaker, mixer, foil cutter, bottle opener, etc.)  
         [0044]     In view of the above, those of skill in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention provides substantial improvements over the related art references and overcomes the needs noted above in an adaptive and consumer friendly construction.  
         [0045]     In the claims, means- or step-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described or suggested herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Thus, for example, although a nail, a screw, and a bolt may not be structural equivalents in that a nail relies on friction between a wooden part and a cylindrical surface, a screw&#39;s helical surface positively engages the wooden part, and a bolt&#39;s head and nut compress opposite sides of a wooden part, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail, a screw, and a bolt may be readily understood by those skilled in the art as equivalent structures.  
         [0046]     Having described at least one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes, modifications, and adaptations may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.