Abstract:
A beverage container holder that is adjustable to accommodate various sizes of beverage containers, including containers of different heights and diameters for both tapered-wall containers and straight-wall containers. The beverage container includes a convection air flow generator for supplying conditioned air around the beverage containers to control the temperature of the beverage within the beverage container.

Description:
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/064,870 filed on Aug. 26, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,551. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The invention relates to a beverage container holder. In one aspect, the invention relates to a beverage container holder that is size-adjustable to accommodate varying sizes of beverage containers. In another aspect, the invention relates to a beverage container holder that thermally conditions the air surrounding the beverage container to control the temperature of the beverage within the beverage container. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Most contemporary vehicles (cars, trucks, boats, etc.) are usually accessorized with a cup holder. Such cup holders are sized to receive cups or beverage containers for both hot and cold beverages. Some cup holders are size-adjustable to accommodate cups of varying diameters while still snugly retaining the cup and thereby preventing the tipping or spilling of the cup during the normal operation of the vehicle. 
   It is becoming more difficult for a single cup holder to accommodate all of the various standard cup sizes, especially since the largest cup sizes for cold beverages is generally 44 ounces and larger, while the largest cup size for hot beverages is generally 20 ounces or less. The problem of accommodating all cup sizes is exacerbated by what appears to be an ever increasing largest cup size for cold beverages. 
   Current cup holders are also not configured to accommodate bottles and other beverage containers that have generally straight side walls, unlike the tapered side walls found on most cups. With the recent increase in the popularity of water and sports drinks that come in straight-walled bottles, it is now important for a cup holder to accommodate the generally taller and straight sidewall shape of bottles in addition to accommodating the traditional tapered cup. 
   One feature almost all cup holders currently lack is the ability to control the temperature of the beverage in the beverage container, regardless whether the container is a cup or a bottle and whether the beverage is a hot or cold beverage. The need to control the temperature of the beverage becomes more important as people spend greater amounts of time in their vehicles, especially cars and trucks. 
   There is a need for a cup holder that addresses all of the disadvantages found in contemporary cup holders. The cup holder should accommodate beverage containers of all shapes and sizes, both in height and circumference, and control the temperature of the beverage. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention addresses the shortcomings of prior art cup holders and relates to a thermal conditioning beverage container holder for holding different sizes and shapes of beverage containers while controlling the temperature of the beverage in the beverage container. The beverage container holder of the invention comprises a housing defining a chamber sized to receive at least one beverage container and having an access opening permitting access to the chamber. A convection airflow generator is fluidly coupled to the chamber and configured to deliver thermally conditioned air to the chamber. Also, a beverage container support within the chamber is configured to support beverage containers having different vertical heights and different cross-sectional area sizes. Finally, the thermal conditioning beverage container holder is associated with a storage chamber and a storage chamber cover for selectively covering the storage chamber. 
   The beverage container support can include first and second recesses located within the chamber, where the first recess is configured to receive the bottom of the beverage container having a first maximum cross-sectional area and the second recess is configured to receive the bottom of a beverage container having a second maximum cross-sectional area that is larger than the first maximum cross-sectional area. 
   The beverage container support can include a plate having at least one opening for receiving a beverage container and which is movable between a first position, where the plate overlies a lower portion of the chamber and reduces the effective cross-sectional area of the chamber, and a second position, where the plate is withdrawn from overlying relationship to the lower portion of the chamber. In this way, the beverage holder is configured to hold a beverage container of small cross-sectional area in the first position than in the second position. 
   In one aspect, the beverage container support is part of the housing and forms the bottom of the chamber. The housing further comprises a peripheral sidewall extending upwardly from the container support and terminating in an upper lip that defines a chamber opening. The peripheral sidewall comprises an inlet fluidly coupled to the convection airflow generator through which conditioned air is delivered into the chamber. 
   The thermal conditioning beverage container holder can include multiple segments movably mounted to the housing for selectively closing the access opening. In another aspect, the thermal conditioning beverage container holder is configured to be mounted in a motor vehicle between the front driver and passenger seats. 
   In a further aspect, a thermal conditioning beverage container holder according to the invention comprises a housing defining an open chamber sized to receive a beverage container and having an access opening permitting access to the chamber. A convection airflow generator is fluidly coupled to the chamber and configured to deliver thermally conditioned air to the chamber. A plate has at least one opening for receiving a beverage container and is movable between a first position, where the plate overlies the chamber and reduces the effective cross-sectional area of the chamber, and a second position, where the plate is withdrawn from overlying relationship to the chamber such that the beverage holder is configured to hold a smaller circumference beverage container in the first position than in the second position. A beverage container support is located within the chamber and configured to provide bottom support for beverage containers having different bottom circumferences. Preferably, the plate is removably mounted within the chamber for reducing the size of the beverage container that can be received within the chamber when the plate is mounted within the chamber. Also, preferably, the plate is spaced above the container support when the plate is in the first position. 
   The beverage container support can include first and second recesses located within the chamber, where the first recess is configured to receive the bottom of a beverage container having a first maximum cross-sectional area and the second recess is configured to receive the bottom of a beverage container having a second maximum cross-sectional area that is larger than the first maximum cross-sectional area. In one embodiment, the housing defines a console for a motor vehicle and is sized to fit between the front seats. The thermal conditioning beverage container holder can further include a storage chamber and a storage chamber cover for selectively covering the storage chamber. 
   In yet a further aspect of the invention, a thermal conditioning beverage container holder comprises a housing defining a chamber sized to receive at least one beverage container and having an access opening permitting access to the chamber. A convection airflow generator is fluidly coupled to the chamber and configured to deliver thermally conditioned air to the chamber. A resizing element is provided within the chamber so that the thermal conditioning beverage container holder can support and accommodate beverage containers having different vertical heights and different cross-sectional area sizes. The thermal conditioning beverage container holder further includes a storage chamber and a storage chamber cover for selectively covering the storage chamber. 
   In one embodiment, the resizing element comprises first and second recesses located within the chamber. The first recess is configured to receive the bottom of a beverage container having a first maximum cross-sectional area and the second recess is configured to receive the bottom of a beverage container having a second maximum cross-sectional area that is larger than the first maximum cross-sectional area. The first and second recesses can be nested. 
   The resizing element can include a recess configured to receive the bottom of a beverage container having a cross-sectional area that is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the bottom of a different beverage container that otherwise can be supported by the thermal conditioning beverage container holder. Also, the resizing element can include a plate having at least one opening for receiving a beverage container and which is movable between a first position, where the plate overlies a lower portion of the chamber and reduces the effective cross-sectional area of the chamber, and a second position, where the plate is withdrawn from overlying relationship to the lower portion of the chamber such that the beverage holder is configured to hold a beverage container of smaller cross-sectional area in the first position than in the second position. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a beverage container holder according to the invention shown in the preferred environment of a console suitable for placement within the passenger compartment of a vehicle, with the beverage container holder comprising a chamber for receiving one or more beverage containers, a movably resizing element withdrawn from the chamber, a chamber cover in the open position, and a storage recess with a storage cover in a closed position. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view identical to  FIG. 1  except that the resizing element is shown overlying the chamber. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view identical to  FIG. 1  except that the cover is shown in the closed position. 
       FIG. 4  it is a bottom perspective view of the console of FIG.  1  and illustrating the housing structure forming the chamber and the storage recess, and a convection airflow generator for thermally conditioning air introduced into the chamber. 
       FIG. 5  is a longitudinal sectional view of the console of FIG.  1  and illustrating the relationship between the chamber, storage recess, convection airflow generator, chamber cover, and storage recess cover. 
       FIG. 6  is a sectional view taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG.  5  and illustrating the housing structure forming the chamber and the storage recess. 
       FIG. 7  is a sectional view taken along line  7 — 7  of  FIG. 5  except the chamber cover is shown in the open position to better illustrate the resizing element in the withdrawn position. 
       FIG. 8  is an exploded view of the convection airflow generator shown in FIG.  4 . 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view similar to FIG.  1  and illustrating the placement of a bottle-type beverage container into the beverage container holder according to the invention. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view similar to FIG.  2  and illustrating the placement of a cup-type beverage container into the beverage container holder according to the invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1  generally illustrates a console  10  incorporating a thermal conditioning beverage container holder  12  according to the invention in combination with an optional general storage compartment  14 . The console  10  comprises a housing  16  in which both the thermal conditioning beverage container holder  12  and the general storage compartment  14  are formed. The console  10  discloses one environment in which the thermal conditioning container holder  12  can be used and should not be considered limiting to the invention. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1-4  generally and  FIG. 5  specifically, the general storage compartment will be described in terms of the housing  16 , which comprises a well  20  that defines a storage recess  22  for the general storage compartment  14 . The well  20  terminates in an upper lip  24  that defines an opening through which access to the general storage recess  22  is obtained. A cover  28  is movably mounted to the housing  16  to enable the selective closure of the general storage recess  22 . It is preferred that the cover  28  be soft or padded so that it may function as an armrest or other support for an occupant in the vehicle. 
   The thermal conditioning beverage container holder  12  comprises a well  40  defining at least a portion of a chamber  42  for holding a portion of a beverage container and a movable lid  44  for selectively covering the chamber  42 . The well  40  is integrally formed with the housing  16  and includes a bottom wall  46  from which extends a peripheral wall  48 , which terminates in an outwardly turned lip  50 . A portion of the lip  50  transitions into a vertical face  52 . The vertical face  52 , in combination with the lip  50 , defines an access opening  54  in the housing  16  for the well  40 , which is selectively closed by movement of the cover  44 . The volume bounded by the cover  44  when closed can also be considered part of the chamber  42  as it is subject to the same air flow as the chamber  42 . 
   The cover  44  preferably comprises a series of U-shaped segments  60 , each of which is of a size to nest relative to each other in the opened position as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , while still permitting the closure of the access opening  54  as shown in  FIGS. 3-5 . Each of the U-shaped segments  60  terminates in a pair of hubs  62  in which is formed an opening  64  sized to receive a mounting shaft  66 , which is affixed to the housing  16  via spaced shaft mounts  67  integrally formed in the housing  16  at the junction of the lip  50  and the vertical face  52 , and which leave the shaft exposed therebetween. A lock washer secured to the mounting shaft  66  prevents the removal of the hub  62  from the mounting shaft  66 . Each of the segments  60  can be made from a transparent or translucent material that enables the user to see through the cover  44  and view the contents stored within the chamber  42 . 
   As illustrated, the smallest or innermost of the segments  60  functions as a control segment to affect the movement of all of the segments between the open and closed position. The innermost segment  60  is moved from a position adjacent the lip  50  to a position adjacent the vertical face  52  when moving the cover  44  from the opened position to the closed position. Looking at  FIG. 5 , each of the segments  60  includes a catch  61  that physically couples with the adjacent segments  60  to ensure that each of the segments  60  sequentially follows the movement of the innermost segment  60  from the closed to the opened position. 
   Although the cover is illustrated with the smallest segment functioning as the control segment, it is within the scope of the invention for the segments to be arranged such that the largest or outermost segment  60  functions as the control segment. In such a configuration, the user will physically move the outermost segment  60  to effect the movement of the cover between the opened and closed positions. 
   It is also within the scope of the invention for any other suitable type cover to be used instead of the multi-segmented lid as shown. Other suitable lids would include a single-piece lid, a tambour roll-top lid, or a flexible, collapsible cover for example. 
   The thermal conditioning beverage container holder  12  further comprises resizing elements used to accommodate various sizes of beverage containers for both differences in the vertical size and in the transverse cross-sectional area size. One resizing element comprises recess  74  formed in the bottom wall  42  of the well  40 . As best seen in  FIGS. 4-6 , the recesses  74  are surrounded by a portion of the bottom wall  46 . A beverage container with a base having a larger cross-sectional area can be received on the bottom wall  46  than can be received within the recesses  74 . Thus, the recesses  74  in the bottom wall  46  function as resizing elements. Moreover, the nature of the recesses  74 , in that they will receive a portion of the beverage container base within the recess, aid in stabilizing the beverage container. Beverage containers too large in size for their bottom to be received within the recesses  74  will naturally be stabilized by the peripheral wall  48  surrounding the bottom wall  46 . 
   It is within the scope of the invention for the recesses  74  to comprise multiple or nested recesses, with each smaller recess preferably located within the circumference of a larger recess and having a slightly greater depth. The shape of such nesting recesses would have a stair step profile at its outer ends. 
   A second resizing element is a movable support plate  78  in which are formed multiple openings  80 . Each opening  80  is countersunk with a recessed surface  81  having a diameter larger than the diameter of the opening  80 . The support plate  78  includes a finger  82  having an opening through which the shaft  66  is slidably received to thereby pivotally mount the plate  78  to the housing  16  and permit the movement of the plate  78  between a withdrawn position as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , where the movable plate does not overlie the chamber  42 , and a use position, where the movable plate  78  overlies the chamber  42  as shown in FIG.  2 . In the withdrawn position, the movable plate  78  is preferably located adjacent the vertical face  52 . A catch  83  on the finger  82  interacts with a latch  85  on the vertical face  52  to hold the movable plate  78  in the withdrawn position. Preferably, the catch  83  and latch  85  will be a hook and loop fastener. In the use position, the movable plate  78  overlies the chamber  42  such that the plate openings  80  are located within the interior of the chamber  42  and spaced from the bottom wall  46 . 
   The plate  78  can also include a stop  84  that abuts the lip  50  when the plate  78  is in the use position to effectively stop the movement of the plate and fix the plate in the use position. Similarly, the finger  82  is received within a channel  86  in the lip  50  to also limit the continued rotation of the plate  78  from the withdrawn position to the use position. 
   The plate openings  80  preferably have a smaller area than the recesses  74  formed in the bottom wall  46  so that the plate  78  can be used to accommodate even smaller-size cups than the recesses  74 . Unlike the recesses  74  in the bottom wall  46 , the openings  80  are sized to support beverage containers not by supporting the bottom of the container but by supporting the sidewall of the container after the base has been inserted through the plate openings  80 . Because of this structure, beverage containers supported by the plate  78  will be held higher within the chamber  42  than beverage containers supported by the bottom wall  46 . 
   Also, the recessed surfaces  81  will permit shorter cups such as coffee mugs with handles to be supported thereon, over the opening  80 . This configuration enables such a cup to be easily grasped without having to reach into the well  40 . 
   It should be noted that the recesses  74  could be openings like the openings  80  in the plate  78 . However, to prevent the high loss of conditioned air from the chamber  42 , it is preferred that the bottom wall  46  use recesses instead of openings. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 5-8 , the thermal conditioning container holder  12  further comprises a convection airflow generator  88  comprising thermal conditioner  90  and a blower for circulating the thermally conditioned air. The convection airflow generator  88  is in fluid communication with the chamber  42  to supply conditioned air to the chamber  42  to help control the temperature of a beverage in the beverage container. It is preferred that the thermal conditioner  90  be capable of thermally conditioning the air by either heating or cooling the air as desired. However, it is within the scope of the invention for the thermal conditioner  90  to thermally condition the air by only heating or cooling, not both. 
   As generally illustrated in  FIGS. 5-7  and specifically shown in  FIG. 8 , the preferred form of the thermal conditioner  90  is a thermoelectric device, which for this embodiment is the simplest contained unit. Such thermoelectric devices are well known and will not be described in detail since their construction and operation are well known. Super Cool AB of Sweden manufactures thermoelectric devices suitable for the invention. In general, the thermoelectric device comprises a thermoelectric element  92  having a traditional bicomponent structure, with heat sinks  94 ,  95  mounted on either side of the thermoelectric element  92 . 
   A blower in the form of corresponding fans  96 ,  97  is mounted to each of the heat sinks  94 ,  95 , respectively. The thermoelectric device and the fans  96 ,  97  are contained within a housing comprising first and second halves  98 ,  99  each of which includes outlets  100 . Brackets  102  mount the thermoelectric element  92  to one of the housing halves  98 ,  99 . Depending on the direction of the current flow through the thermoelectric element  92 , one of the heat sinks  94 ,  95  will be cooled and the other will be heated. The fans  96 ,  97  will circulate air over the heat sinks  94 ,  95 . The housing  98  also includes an inlet opening  103  intermediate the outlets  100 ,  101 . 
   The housing  98  is disposed between the thermoelectric device and the peripheral wall  48 . The outlets  100  in the housing  98  are aligned with corresponding supply vents  104  in the peripheral wall  48  of the well  40 , and the inlet opening  103  is aligned with corresponding return vents  106  in the peripheral wall  48 . This structure establishes fluid communication between the thermal conditioner  90  and the chamber  42 . The fan  96  is preferably arranged or a baffle is employed to create a recirculating airflow path between the thermal conditioner  90  and the chamber  42 , whereby the fan  96  draws air from the chamber  42  through the return air vents  106  to be conditioned by the thermal conditioner  90 . The conditioned air is then supplied to the chamber through the supply vents  104 . The direction of travel of the recirculating airflow is immaterial. 
   In a similar manner, air is directed to and away from the other side of the thermal conditioner  90 . Looking at  FIGS. 1-6 , a back wall  110  of the housing  16  has a series of inlet openings  112 . A conduit  114  runs from the inlets openings  112 , beneath the general storage recess  22  to the fan second housing half  99  from which the fan  97  draws air and directs it toward the heat sink  95 . Air from the heat sink  95  is then expelled to atmosphere through exhaust vents  116  in the side of the housing  16 . The exhaust air may be conducted by way of side conduits  118  extending between the thermal conditioner  90  and the exhaust vents  116 . 
   The thermal conditioner  90  can thus be used to heat or cool the chamber  42  by convection in that the thermoelectric element  92  can heat or cool the heat sink  94  to condition the temperature of the air surrounding the heat sink  94 , and the fan  96  introduces the conditioned air into the chamber  42 . The thermal conditioner  90 , in combination with the fan  96 , forms the convection air flow generator  88 . 
   Other types of convection air flow generators can be used. For example, a traditional refrigeration circuit comprising a compressor, evaporator, and condenser in combination with a heating element can form the thermal conditioner of an alternative convection air flow generator. A fan can be used to force the air into the chamber  42  in the same manner as described above. Additionally, the HVAC system of the vehicle can be used to supply the conditioned air. Although the stand-alone refrigeration unit in combination with a heating element and the HVAC system can technically be used as part of or complete alternatives to the convection flow generator of the invention, they are not preferred and are not highly desirable, self-containment and compactness is valued over cooling performance. Each has disadvantages as compared to the thermoelectric device. Most notably, the thermoelectric device is self-contained and compact, easily fitting into the interior of the console. It does not require all of the moving parts of the stand-alone refrigeration system, nor does it require the special ducting that the vehicle HVAC system would need to supply the chamber  42 . The vehicle HVAC system is also limited in that it can only supply hot or cold air as required by the passenger in the vehicle, which may not be what is needed for the beverage. For example, if a cold drink is placed in the beverage container holder and it is wintertime, the passenger is likely to have the HVAC emitting heated air, which will warm the beverage, not keep it chilled. 
   The operation of the container holder  12  will be described with reference to FIG.  9 . In operation, the user initially moves the cover  44  to the open position, if it is not already in the open position. The user will then adjust the beverage container holder to accommodate the desired beverage container size. For example, if the user is going to place a straight-walled bottle of the type commonly used for water or sports drinks in the container holder  12 , the user will typically move the plate  78  to the withdrawn position and place the bottle within the chamber  42  until the bottom of the bottle abuts the bottom wall  46  of the well  40 . 
   The depth of the chamber  42  as defined by the well  40  is sufficient to maintain such bottles, and most containers for that matter, in a stable position. If the transverse cross-sectional area of the bottle is small enough to be received within the recess  74 , the bottom of the bottle will so be received, thereby further stabilizing the bottle. If the bottom of the bottle is too large to be received within the recess  74 , the bottle bottom will naturally rest on the bottom wall  46 . 
   If the bottle has a transverse cross-sectional area that can be received through the openings  80  in the plate  78 , the user need not move the plate  78  to the withdrawn position. Instead, the user can move the plate  78  to the use position and insert the bottle through one of the openings  80 , which will further stabilize the bottle. This is especially useful for many bottles used for water and sports drinks, which tend to have a much greater height and a smaller transverse cross-sectional area than a traditional cup, rendering them more likely to tip over. 
   It should be noted that this description of the insertion of a bottle into the cup holder  12  also applies to any other type of beverage container, including a tapered cup, to the extent the beverage container can fit within the chamber  42  or through the plate openings  80  as described. 
   Assuming the beverage in the bottle is of the type that is typically served chilled, the thermal conditioner  90  will be operated to convect chilled air to the chamber  42  to control the temperature of the beverage in the bottle in a chilled condition. 
   It is preferred that the user maintain the cover  44  in the closed position when access is not needed to the beverage container since the closed cover will enhance the efficiency of the thermal conditioner  90  by maintaining the chilled air within the chamber  42 . 
   While no controller is disclosed for controlling the operation of the thermal conditioner, including the heating or cooling setting along with the starting and stopping of the thermal conditioner  90 , it is contemplated that a simple controller permitting at least the control of the heating or cooling mode will be provided. The user interface for such a controller can be located on the console or on the dashboard of the vehicle. The type of controller and its location is not germane to the invention. Suitable controllers already exist or are easily designed. For example, a controller suitable for the invention is a double pole, double throw, polarity reversing switch from Eaton Corporation of the type commonly used in automotive applications. 
     FIG. 10  illustrates the operation of the container holder  12  when used to hold a cup, typically of the tapered variety, which is normally used to hold heated beverages, such as coffees and the like. These types of beverage containers are generally tapered and have a short height. While these types of cups could be placed directly in the chamber  42  in the same manner described for the bottle, it is anticipated that the depth of the chamber  42  will be sufficient that it will be difficult for the user to insert and remove the cup from the chamber  42 . Therefore, it is contemplated that when using such smaller cups, the user will prefer to have the cups supported by the plate  78  instead of placing the cups within the chamber  42 . 
   To support the cup as described, the user will move the plate  78  into the use position, if it is already not in the use position. The user will then insert the bottom portion of the cup into one of the plate openings  80  until the sidewalls of the cup rest against the end of the plate  78  defining the openings  80 . As can be seen in  FIG. 10 , in this position, a lower portion of the cup is received within the chamber  42  and the upper portion of the cup extends above the plate  78 . The user can then close the cover  44 . 
   For the traditional cups, it is also preferred that the cover  44  is kept closed when access is not needed to the cup. This is especially true when the cup contains a beverage that is typically served heated. Since heated air will be convected into the chamber  42  for a hot beverage, the heated air, which will naturally rise, will tend to escape from the chamber  42  when the cover is in the opened position. Maintaining the cover in the closed position will enhance the efficiency of the thermal conditioner  90  and its ability to maintain the temperature of the beverage as desired. 
   The invention takes advantage of the tendency of heated air to rise and the likelihood that heated beverages are generally served in smaller cups by locating the plate  78  at an elevated position relative to the chamber  42 . By so positioning the plate  78 , the cups of an appropriate size to fit within the plate openings  80  are maintained in an elevated position where the rising heated air will tend to collect when the cover is closed. Thus, the portion of the housing between the chamber  42  and the cover  44  in the closed position effectively becomes part of the chamber  42  and is also treated with thermally conditioned air. 
   While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.