ARTICLE HOLDER

According to examples, an article holder, such as a beverage container holder, may include an outer case composed of a first clamshell section, a second clamshell section connected to the first clamshell section by a movable joint to enable the outer case to be in a closed position or an opened position, and a connecting mechanism to hold the first clamshell section and the second clamshell section together when the outer case is in the closed position. The article holder may also include a pouch to hold an article attached to an interior surface of the first clamshell section, in which the pouch is movable between a collapsed state and an expanded state.

BACKGROUND

Hydration is important, especially when a person is walking, running, traveling, sightseeing, attending festivals and concerts, or engaging in recreational activities. However, it may be cumbersome and/or distracting to hold a beverage container in one's hands during these activities. Most importantly, using one's phone to communicate with others or for entertainment purposes requires both hands and thus leaves no option of carrying a beverage on-the-go. Beverage container holders that are mounted on mounting straps, such as belts, have been developed to enable users to keep their beverages with them without having to constantly hold their beverages. The beverage container holders are typically bulky regardless of whether the holders are holding a beverage container or not. For style purposes, many users want the option to store the beverage holder away, or remove it altogether from the belt, beltbag or strap that is holding it versus having the beverage holder act as a permanent fixture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Typical beverage container holders that are supported on straps, such as belts are normally sized to hold the beverage containers. In this regard, the beverage container holders often have the same size regardless of whether the beverage container holder is holding a beverage container or not. As a result, typical beverage container holders are often bulky and may interfere with users' ability to properly perform various tasks, such as walking or performing another type of exercise.

Disclosed herein are article holders (including beverage container holders) that each includes a pouch (or collapsible receptacle) for holding an article, in which the pouch may be collapsed when not in use. In addition, the articles holders disclosed herein each includes an outer case that may be movable between a closed position and an opened position, in which the pouch may be housed in a collapsed state within the outer case when the outer case is in the closed position. The outer case may thus protect the pouch when the outer case is in the closed position.

As a result, the article holder disclosed herein may have a relatively small size when the article holder is not being used to hold an article. Additionally, the article holder may be supported on a supporting strap, such as a belt, both when the article holder is being used to hold an article and the article holder is not being used to hold an article.

With reference first toFIG.1, there is shown a side perspective view of an article holder100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the article holder100depicted inFIG.1may include additional features and that some of the features described therein may be removed and/or modified without departing from the scope of the article holder100.

As shown inFIG.1, the article holder100, which is also referenced herein as a beverage container holder100, may include an outer case102. The outer case102may include a first clamshell section104and a second clamshell section106. The second clamshell section106is depicted as being connected to the first clamshell section104by a movable joint108. The article holder100is also depicted as including a pouch112, which is also referenced herein as a receptacle112, which is to hold an article. The article may include any suitable type of article that may fit within the pouch. Non-limiting examples of the article may include a beverage container (such as a water bottle, beer bottle, beverage can, an insulated bottle, etc.), a cellular phone, keys, a wallet, an umbrella, and a flashlight.

In some examples, an upper portion of the pouch112may extend above an upper portion of the first clamshell section104and a bottom portion of the pouch112may extend above a lower portion of the second clamshell section106. In other examples, the upper portion of the pouch112may be at the same height as the upper portion of the first clamshell section104and the bottom portion of the pouch112may be at the same height as the lower portion of the second clamshell section106.

As also shown inFIG.1, the pouch112is attached to an interior surface114of the first clamshell section104. Particularly, a portion116of the pouch112is attached to the interior surface114of the first clamshell section104. The portion116of the pouch112may be attached to the interior surface114through any suitable attachment mechanism. Examples of suitable attachment mechanisms include threads, adhesives, mechanical fasteners, and/or the like. In some examples, the portion116of the pouch112may removably be attached to the interior surface of the first clamshell section104. For instance, the portion116may be attached through use of hook and loop fasteners, mating removable fasteners, e.g., buttons, and/or the like.

As shown, a remaining portion118of the pouch112may not be attached to either the first clamshell section104or the second clamshell section106. In this regard, the pouch112may be moved from the expanded state as shown inFIG.1to a collapsed state as shown inFIG.2.FIG.2shows a front view of the article holder100when the outer case102is in the opened position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In some examples, a first fastener element (not shown) may be positioned on an interior surface114of the first clamshell section104or an interior surface120of the second clamshell section106. In addition, a second fastener element (not shown) may be positioned along the pouch112to connect to the first fastener element when the pouch112is in the expanded state. By connecting the second fastener element to the first fastener element, an article held within the pouch112may be better supported.

As shown inFIG.2, the pouch112may be sized such that the pouch112may fit within the first clamshell section104when the pouch112is in the collapsed state. Particularly, a user may fold, bunch, or otherwise collapse the pouch112from the expanded state shown inFIG.1to the collapsed state as shown inFIG.2when the article holder100is to be in a storage state. Likewise, a user may unfold or otherwise expand the pouch112from the collapsed state as shown inFIG.2to the expanded state as shown inFIG.1when the article holder100is to be used to hold an article.

Turning now toFIG.3, there is shown a rear view of the article holder100when the outer case102is in the opened position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG.3, the first clamshell section104and the second clamshell section106may be connected to each other by a movable joint108. The movable joint108may be a section of fabric that may be sewn to the first clamshell section104and the second clamshell section106. In other examples, the movable joint108may be a hinge formed of a relatively more rigid material, such as plastic, nylon, metal, and/or the like.

As shown inFIG.3, the connecting mechanism110may be a zipper mechanism that may bring and hold the outer edges of the first clamshell section104and the second clamshell section106together. In other examples, the connecting mechanism110may be another type of mechanism that may hold the first clamshell section104and the second clamshell section106in a closed state. For instance, the connecting mechanism110may be a hook and loop fastener, a strap with a button attachment, and/or the like.

As also shown inFIG.3, the article holder100may include an attachment element122that enables the article holder100to be mounted or supported on a supporting strap, such as a belt or other type of strap. In this regard, the attachment element122may be attached to an exterior surface of the first clamshell section104at top and bottom ends of the attachment element122to form an opening124between a portion of the attachment element122and the exterior surface of the first clamshell section104.

According to examples, the outer case102, the pouch112, and the attachment element122may be formed of the same or differing materials. Examples of suitable materials may include cotton, cotton blends, nylon, nylon blends, polyester, polyester blends, faux fur, faux fur blends, faux sheepskin, fur, sheepskin, and/or the like. In some examples, the pouch112may be formed of a thermally insulating material, such as polyurethane, or the like.

In some examples, the article holder100may include a second pouch (not shown) attached to the first clamshell section104. The second pouch may be positioned adjacent to the pouch112and may have similar features to the pouch112. For instance, the second pouch may be movable between a collapsed state and an expanded state. In these examples, the outer case102may have a wider shape than as shown inFIGS.1-3, e.g., about double the size of the outer case102shown inFIGS.1-3.

Turning now toFIG.4, there is shown a front perspective view of the article holder100depicted inFIG.1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the pouch112may include an opening200at one end of the pouch112through which an article204may be inserted. The article204inFIG.4is a beverage container, and in particular a can. Only a top portion of the article204is shown through the opening200. The pouch112may also include a mechanism202to reduce the size of the opening200. InFIG.4, the mechanism202is a drawstring that may be tightened to hold the article204within the pouch112. In other examples, the mechanism202may be another type of suitable mechanism, such as a hook and loop fastener, a button, a zipper, or the like.

Turning now toFIGS.5and6, there are respectively shown a front view and a rear view of the article holder100depicted inFIG.1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Turning now toFIG.7, there is shown a rear perspective view of the article holder100depicted inFIG.1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, a strap210, such as a belt, may be inserted into the opening124of the attachment element122. In this regard, a user of the article holder100may mount or otherwise hold the article holder100on the user's belt when the article holder100is in either the closed position or the opened position. In addition, the article holder100may be maintained in an upright position when the article holder100is in either of the opened or closed positions.

As the article holder100may have a relatively compact size when in the closed position, the article holder100may be relatively easy to carry around. Additionally, the article holder100may enable users to hold articles such as beverage containers when the users are walking or in motion. According to examples, the outer case102may have dimensions that are between about 3.25 inches and about 9 inches. According to examples, the pouch112may have dimensions that are about 7×3 inches and about 11×7 inches. Additionally, in examples in which the article holder100includes two pouches112, the outer case102may be about 8×4 inches, and the two side by side pouches may be between about 7×3 inches and about 11×7 inches.

In the foregoing description, various inventive examples are described, including devices, systems, methods, and the like. For the purposes of explanation, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of examples of the disclosure. However, it will be apparent that various examples may be practiced without these specific details. For example, devices, systems, structures, assemblies, methods, and other components may be shown as components in block diagram form in order not to obscure the examples in unnecessary detail. In other instances, well-known devices, processes, systems, structures, and techniques may be shown without necessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the examples.

The figures and description are not intended to be restrictive. The terms and expressions that have been employed in this disclosure are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof. The word “example” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment or design described herein as “example’ is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs.