Floating beverage carrier with collapsible portions

A floating beverage carrier apparatus (10) for cans (102) and bottles (101) wherein the apparatus includes an apertured flotation member (13) provided with a plurality of collapsible receptacles (16) for supporting the beverage containers (100) in the apparatus (10) during use; and, wherein the receptacles (16) are adapted to be collapsed within the apertures (15) during storage of the apparatus.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
The present invention relates to beverage carriers in general, and more 
particularly to a bouyant beverage carrier. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
As can be seen by reference to the following U.S. Pat. No's: 3,831,209; 
3,015,406; 3,367,525; 4,571,194; and, 3,533,529 the prior art is replete 
with myriad and diverse floating or bouyant beverage carrier 
constructions. 
While all of the aforementioned prior art constructions are more than 
adequate for the basic purpose and function for which they are 
specifically designed, these devices also share some common deficiencies 
in a number of respects. 
To begin with virtually all of the known floating beverage carriers employ 
a generally rigid overall construction which involves costly manufacturing 
processes. In addition, this rigid construction further prohibits the 
nesting or stacked storage of a plurality of the beverage carriers both in 
warehouse facilities and commercial outlets which means that only a 
limited number of the carriers can be conveniently put on display for 
retail sales. 
As a consequence of the foregoing situation there has existed a 
longstanding need among manufacturers, retailers and consumers for a fully 
functional floating beverage carrier that is collapsible so that it 
occupies the smallest possible space while in storage or on display in a 
store; and, the provision of such a structural arrangement is a stated 
objective of the present invention. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Briefly stated, the present invention involves a floating beverage carrier 
comprising a flotation unit and a collapsible beverage container retention 
unit. 
The flotation unit comprises an apertured flotation member wherein the 
apertures are dimensioned to accommodate the insertion of beverage 
containers in either can or bottle form. 
In addition, the collapsible beverage container retention unit comprises a 
plurality of flexible netting receptacles wherein each of the apertures in 
the flotation member are operatively associated with one of the flexible 
receptacles such that a beverage container can be supported within the 
receptacles which are suspended beneath the flotation member.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
As can be seen by reference to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, 
the floating beverage carrier apparatus that forms the basis of the 
present invention is designated generally by the reference numeral (10). 
The apparatus (10) comprises in general: a flotation unit (11) and a 
collapsible beverage container retention unit (12). These units will now 
be described in seriatim fashion. 
As shown in FIGS. 1 thru 5, the flotation unit (11) comprises a generally 
rectangular flotation member (13) fabricated from a suitable lightweight 
bouyant material (14) such as cork, foam, etc. In addition, the flotation 
member (13) is further provided with a plurality of apertures (15) which 
are dimensioned to receive beverage containers (100) such as bottles (101) 
or cans (102). 
As can also be seen by reference to FIGS. 1 thru 5, the beverage container 
retention unit (12) comprises a plurality of collapsible receptacle 
members (16) fabricated from flexible netting (18), or the like; wherein, 
each of the collapsible receptacle members (16) are suspended from the 
bottom of the flotation member (13), an operatively associated with one of 
the plurality of beverage container receiving apertures (15) in the 
flotation member (13). 
As can best be appreciated by reference to FIG. 4, when the apparatus (10) 
is deployed in its operative mode of disposition, beverage containers 
inserted in the apertures (15) will be supported by the receptacle members 
(16) and the interstices in the netting will allow liquid to circulate 
around the periphery of the individual containers (100). 
Turning now to FIG. 5, it can be appreciated that when the apparatus (10) 
is deployed in its stored mode of disposition the collapsible receptacle 
members (16) will fold up inside the apertures (15) of the flotation 
member (13) such that the space occupied by the apparatus (10) in storage 
or on display will be no greater than the volume occupied by the flotation 
member (13) alone. 
Having thereby described the subject matter of this invention it should be 
apparent that many substitutions, modifications and variations of the 
invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to 
be understood that the invention as taught and described herein is only to 
be limited to the extent of the breadth and scope of the appended claims.