Patent Publication Number: US-10327537-B2

Title: Beverage holder

Description:
FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a beverage holder and in particular to a beverage holder that is portable and connectable to like beverage holders and includes methods of cooling the beverage being held by the holder. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There are many types of “coolers” and “holders” for beverages and the like. For example, cooler bags whereby food, beverages and other items are placed inside, insulated bags that keep products cold. Such bags typically include a zippered lid or the like and carry handles. In effect, such bags are similar to the operation of a normal bag with the addition of insulated walls. 
     Further, “stubbies” or “beer coolers” are known particularly for holding beer cans or soft drink cans during hot periods to keep the beverages within the cans cold whilst being held in a hand of a user. Such devices are typically made of relatively cheap material such that they provide limited insulation. 
     Polystyrene type containers have also been used but are rigid, easily damaged and difficult to store. 
     There is a need for a holder that can hold more than one beverage can simultaneously without being the size of a regular shopping bag, but also having the ability to easily vary the number of beverages to be held and the ability to free up a user&#39;s hands. 
     OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to at least provide a useful alternative. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     There is disclosed herein a beverage holder, said holder including a base and a wall extending away from the base to a rim surrounding an opening; 
     the rim, wall and base defining a space within which a beverage can be held in use; 
     a longitudinally extending flap extendable from said wall and having a first side and a second side; 
     fastening means locatable in use on said first and said second sides so that in use said flap can extend about said wall so that fastening means of said first side can connect with fastening means of said second side and/or another like holder. 
     Preferably, said fastening means include hook and loop type fasteners. 
     Preferably, said wall includes insulating material. 
     Preferably, said wall is neoprene. 
     Preferably, said flap is substantially rectangular and said fastening means includes two or more hook and loop type fastener strips on each side. 
     Preferably, said strips extend about the wall of said holder. 
     Preferably, including a fastener adapted for receipt of a bag strap. This strap can be used to clip one or more holders to any other object including backpacks, pant loops, belts or the like. 
     Preferably, said fastener is a metal ring and the strap is connected to metal rings on two connected holders. 
     Preferably, including a pocket to store items. 
     Preferably, the holder in use is adapted to be secured to a plurality of like holders to enable a plurality of beverages to be carried simultaneously. 
     Preferably, a size of said opening can be adjusted by the tightening or loosening of said flap about said holder. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIGS. 1 a  to 1 d    show a beverage holder according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 2 a  to 2 c    show another beverage holder of an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 3 a  to 3 b    show an embodiment of a beverage holder in a use position; 
         FIG. 4  shows a beverage holder in a rolled up position; 
         FIGS. 5 to 8  show a plurality of beverage holders connected together in use; 
         FIG. 9  shows a plurality of beverage holders connected together in use with a carry strap; 
         FIG. 10  shows a single hand-held beverage holder; 
         FIG. 11  shows a plurality of beverage holders connected together in use; 
         FIG. 12  shows a plurality of beverage holders connected together in a stacked configuration; 
         FIGS. 13 and 14  show a plurality of beverage holders connected together in use; 
         FIG. 15  shows a beverage holder with a zip. The holder is versatile to carry bottles and cans, where this embodiment shows providing insulation right up the neck of the bottle; 
         FIG. 16  shows a beverage holder in use holding a bottle including a carry strap; 
         FIGS. 17 to 19  show a beverage holder carrying many bottles; and 
         FIGS. 20 to 24  show beverage holders of alternate embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     In the accompanying drawings and photographs, there is disclosed herein a beverage holder  1  which includes a base  2  and a wall  3  extending away from the base  2  to a rim  4  surrounding an opening  5 . The rim  4 , wall  3  and base  2  defining a space  7  within which a beverage  10  can be held in use. The beverage can be any type of beverage and of various diameters. A longitudinally extending flap  12  extends from the wall  3  and has a first side  13  and a second side  14 . The flap  12  can be connected to the wall  3  in any typical way or be integrally formed. Fastening means  15  is locatable in use on the first side  13  and second side  14  so that in use the flap  12  can extend about the wall  3  so that the fastening means  15  of the first side  13  can connect with the fastening means  15  of the second side  14  and/or another like holder  1 . 
     In the preferred form, the fastening means  15  includes hook and loop type fasteners as shown. In particular, at least two elongate strips of hook and loop fasteners  15  extend along the flap  12  and about the wall  3 . It should however be appreciated that the fasteners  15  do not need to be hook and loop type fasteners and could be any typical type of fastener. The flap  12  however should be sufficiently elongate so that it can be wrapped at least partially about the wall  3  or sufficiently long enough to support the force required to secure like holders  1  together. The holder  1  further includes further fastening means  20  which include rings  21  and handle  22 . The handle  22  being made of sufficient material so that it is sufficiently flexible so that a user&#39;s hand may pass between the handle  12  and wall  3  so that a user can grip the wall  3  or could alternatively be used simply as a typical handle  22 . The invention can also include a bag strap  40  that clips to the rings  21 . 
     In the preferred form, the wall  3  and flap  12  are made of the same neoprene material. However, it should be appreciated that they could be made of different materials from each other. The material should provide insulation in the preferred embodiment but could be made of any material with insulation or not. For example, canvas, plastic, woven synthetic fibers or the like. 
     The holder  1  can be connected to like holders  1  so that a plurality of holders  1  can hold a plurality of beverages  10  simultaneously. This provides significant advantages to a user when carrying beverages  10 . Further, those beverages  10  can come in any type of beverage size, such as cans, bottles or the like. As the opening  5  can be varied by tightening the flap  12  about the wall  3  so that “skinny” bottles or the like can also be held. As the neoprene material is flexible the wall  3  and opening  5  can also be extended outwardly to cover quite large bottles. Advantageously, this invention provides a large range of flexibility in its carrying abilities. 
     The holder  1  can also include an aperture  30  creating a pocket for retaining items such as coins, keys or the like. That aperture  30  may also include a zip or other such fastening means. The holder  1  can therefore be used while exercising or moving about or hands free. 
     In a preferred form, the beverage holder  1  is constructed from a single piece of strong flexible material such as neoprene (wet suit material) with a band of Velcro™ around the outside and a carry handle. However, it could be made of any suitable material. Preferably, the holder  1  can have a design printed on its surface for promotional reasons. Preferably, the holder  1  can hold an ice block or the like to keep other connected surrounding holders  1  cool. The holder  1  can carry any beverage size as the holder  1  can be tightened or loosened to suit the beverage. 
     In another embodiment, the holder  1  consists of a single piece of 3 mm Neoprene (wet suit material) that is folded in half lengthwise along an axis X and sewn into pockets. A Velcro™ strip runs the length of the holder  1 . This Velcro™ strip holds the holder  1  together when it is rolled up and also gives the entire holder  1  additional structural rigidity. The end of each pocket is slightly reduced in size by stitching to ensure that the beverages  10  don&#39;t fall out. There is a handle that runs along the Velcro™ strip that is in an appropriate position for carrying the holder  1  regardless of how many beverages  10  are being carried. Storage is also simple as the holder  1  can either be rolled into approximately the size of a standard holder  1 , or hung by the handle from a convenient hook for ease of access. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.