Patent Publication Number: US-11643251-B2

Title: Beverage shade

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is in the technical area of apparatus associated with dining and drinking and pertains more particularly to shades adapted for shading a beverage in a container from sunlight of other source of radiating heat. May also be used for parties, camping beach outings, boating and in some sports. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Shades for shading beverages from sunlight are well-known in the art, and several have been patented. To the inventor&#39;s knowledge, however, there are no shades in the art that may be stacked for customers or may be folded to fit in a purse or pocket, and the inventor believes such a shade is needed. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment of the invention a foldable beverage shade is provided, comprising a fabric sheet having a bottom edge, side edges and a curved top edge, with an overall height from the bottom edge to a center of the curved top edge, the fabric sheet symmetrical about a center line, a first and a second spreader element, each made from a elongate rod with a cross-section diameter equal to or less than one quarter inch, the spreader elements shaped to have a circular arc length greater than 180 degrees but less than 360 degrees, and a circular coaster element with a thickness less than one-half inch, a diameter greater than two inches but less than six inches, and a cylindrical outer surface. The first spreader element is engaged through a loop joined on the fabric sheet spanning the centerline at a height equal to or less than one half the overall height, and the second spreader element is engaged through a loop joined on the fabric sheet spanning the centerline at a height proximate the uppermost point of each of the two side edges, and characterized that a user is enabled to join the bottom edge of the fabric sheet around the cylindrical outer surface of the coaster element with attachment interfaces provided on the coaster and the fabric sheet, and to raise the first and second spreader elements and engage ends of each into pockets joined on the fabric sheet at edges of the fabric sheet at the height of the loops, such that the fabric sheet forms an erect shade above and around the coaster element, such that a beverage container may be placed on the coaster element and be shaded. 
     In one embodiment the fabric sheet has pre-pressed fold lines both vertically and horizontally, such that the erect shade may be dismantled to be carried or stored by disengaging the fabric sheet from the coaster element, disengaging the spreader elements from the pockets allowing the fabric sheet to be laid flat, folding the spreader elements to lie on the fabric sheet, and folding the fabric sheet along the fold lines with the spreader elements within the folded sheet. Also, in one embodiment folded sheet has four sides with edges equal to or less than a diameter of the spreader elements. In one embodiment one erect beverage shade fits into another such that a plurality of erect beverage shades may be staked for storage. And in one embodiment the beverage shade further comprises a third spreader element engaged in a loop and pockets at a height proximate the top of the coaster element in the erect beverage shade. 
     In one embodiment of the invention the spreader elements are made from metal wire and are no more than one-sixteenth inch in cross section diameter. Also, in one embodiment the spreader elements are made from molded plastic and are no more than one-sixteenth inch in cross section diameter. Also, in one embodiment the fabric sheet is stiff material, capable of supporting itself in an upright orientation. In one embodiment the loops and pockets are fabric elements sewn to the fabric sheet. And in one embodiment the loops and pockets are metal or plastic elements joined to the fabric sheet. 
     In another aspect of the invention a method for forming an erect, foldable beverage shade is provided, comprising joining a bottom edge of a fabric sheet a having a bottom edge, side edges and a curved top edge, with an overall height from the bottom edge to a center of the curved top edge, the fabric sheet symmetrical about a center line, around a cylindrical outer surface of a coaster element having a top and a bottom surface using attachment interfaces provided on the coaster element and the fabric sheet, and raising spreader elements each made from a elongate rod with a cross-section diameter equal to or less than one quarter inch, the spreader elements shaped to have a circular arc length greater than 180 degrees but less than 360 degrees, the spreader elements engaged in loops spanning the centerline of the fabric sheet, to be horizontal, and engaging ends of the spreader elements in pockets joined to the fabric sheet along the side edges of the fabric sheet, such that the spreader elements, such that the fabric sheet forms an erect shade above and around the coaster element, and a beverage container may be placed on the coaster element and be shaded. 
     In one embodiment of the method the fabric sheet has pre-pressed fold lines both vertically and horizontally, comprising steps for dismantling the erect shade to be carried or stored, by disengaging the fabric sheet from the coaster element, disengaging the spreader elements from the pockets allowing the fabric sheet to be laid flat, folding the spreader elements to lie on the fabric sheet, and folding the fabric sheet along the fold lines with the spreader elements within the folded sheet. Also, in one embodiment the folded sheet has four sides with edges equal to or less than a diameter of the spreader elements, comprising a step for folding the coaster element within the folded plastic sheet, and placing the folded assembly into a pocket or a purse. In one embodiment one erect beverage shade fits into another, comprising steps for stacking a plurality of erect beverage shades for storage. And in one embodiment the method further comprises a third spreader element engaged in a loop and pockets at a height proximate the top of the coaster element in the erect beverage shade, comprising steps for erecting the beverage shade with three spreader elements. 
     In one embodiment of the method the spreader elements are made from metal wire and are no more than one-sixteenth inch in cross section diameter, comprising steps for erecting a beverage shade with the wire spreader elements. Also, in one embodiment the spreader elements are made from molded plastic and are no more than one-sixteenth inch in cross section diameter, comprising steps for erecting a beverage shade with the plastic spreader elements. In one embodiment the fabric sheet is stiff material, capable of supporting itself in an upright orientation, comprising steps for erecting the beverage shade with the still material fabric sheet. In one embodiment the loops and pockets are fabric elements sewn to the fabric sheet, comprising steps for erecting the beverage shade with the fabric loops and pockets. And in one embodiment the loops and pockets are metal or plastic elements joined to the fabric sheet, comprising steps for erecting the beverage shade with the metal or plastic lops and pockets. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a plan view of a fabric body structure for a beverage shade according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  2 A  illustrates a plan view of a pocket on the body structure of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  2 B  is an end view of the pocket of  FIG.  2 A . 
         FIG.  2 C  is a plan view of a loop on the body structure of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  2 D  is an end view of the loop of  FIG.  2 C . 
         FIG.  3 A  is a perspective view of a spreader in an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  3 B  is a plan view of the spreader of  FIG.  3 A . 
         FIG.  4 A  is a plan view of a coaster in an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  4 B  is a side elevation view of the coaster of  FIG.  4 A . 
         FIG.  5    is a plan view of the body structure of  FIG.  1    with spreaders assemble to loops. 
         FIG.  6 A  is a plan view of the body structure of  FIG.  5    folded. 
         FIG.  6 B  is a plan view of the coaster. 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view of a beverage shade fully assembled in an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG.  1    is a plan view of a body structure  100  for a beverage shade according to an embodiment of the invention. Body structure  100  comprises a shaped portion  101  of a substantially stiff fabric, such as plastic, felt or canvas. The nature of the fabric is such that a portion may support itself upright on a surface but may also be folded. Portion  101  has a bottom width W and an overall height H with curved bottom edge  104 , straight angled opposite sides  105  and  106  and a curved top  107 . Dotted lines (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) represent fold lines which are further explained below. In this example three oval-shaped openings  109  are implemented along curved bottom edge  104 , one each near left and right sides  105  and  106  and the third centered on centerline  108 . In a preferred embodiment these openings are reinforced in the edges, such as by stitching like a buttonhole. The openings are arranged along a curved line  110  with the same curvature as bottom edge  104 . 
     Portion  101  in this example is symmetrical about a vertical centerline  108 . Six pockets  102  are created along edges of the fabric portion as shown, and three loops  103  are created across the centerline at three different heights. 
     In one embodiment a fastener  111  is implemented at about the position shown in  FIG.  1    and a matching fastener is implemented on another part of the fabric, such that in folding a portion may be folded over and fastened to hold the folded unit in place. The folding is shown and described below with reference to  FIG.  6 A . 
     Detail  2 A shown as a dotted circle in  FIG.  1    is produced as  FIG.  2 A  to better describe pockets  102 . Referring now to  FIG.  2 A , one of six pockets  102  is shown in plan view along an edge of fabric portion  101 . Dotted lines along edges of pocket  102  represent stitching of fabric of the pocket to fabric portion  101 . The stitching is along three sides as shown and one end toward the center is open, hence a pocket. Stitching is one option for securing pockets  102  to fabric portion  101 , as the pockets may in other embodiments be applied with adhesive. In some embodiments pockets may be provided as metal or plastic elements that may be anchored to the fabric of portion  101  in a variety of ways. 
     Arrow  201  in  FIG.  2 A  represents a view direction for  FIG.  2 B . Viewing along the direction of arrow  201  one sees fabric portion  101  on edge and sees pocket  102  from the open end. The skilled person will understand that the other five pockets  102  are formed like the pocket  102  shown in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , providing six pockets all along edges of the fabric portion as shown. 
       FIG.  2 C  illustrates one of three loops  103  formed on the surface of fabric portion  101  as shown in  FIG.  1   . Arrow  202  is a viewing direction for  FIG.  2 D , which views loop  103  from one open end and out the opposite open end, as loop  103  is stitched only at top and bottom edges, and ends are open. As described for pockets  102 , loops  103  may be metal or plastic elements in other embodiments and may be fastened to the fabric of portion  101  in a variety of ways. 
     In alternative embodiments pockets  102  and loops  103  may be implemented as rigid elements fastened to the surface of fabric portion  101 . These rigid elements may be, for example, metal tubes, open both ends for loops  103  and closed one end for pockets  102 . The tubes need not be metal, but could also be plastic, for example. There are alternative ways that the pockets and loops may be implemented. 
       FIG.  3 A  is a perspective view of a spreader element  301  for use with the body structure  100  of  FIG.  1    to implement a beverage shade. Spreader  301  is a wire formed in a circular arc in one embodiment, but may be plastic or other material in other embodiments. The arc length in this example for the spreader is somewhat greater than 180 degrees. In one embodiment the arc length is 200 degrees. Diameter D of the spreader element is of a dimension that the wire may pass through loops  103  and ends of the spreader wire may engage pockets  102 . The radius of spreader  301  is labeled R. In implementing a beverage shade three spreaders  301  are used, and each may be of a somewhat different Radius R. 
       FIG.  4 A  is a plan view of a coaster  401  as a part of a beverage shade in an embodiment of the invention.  FIG.  4 B  is a side elevation view of coaster  401 . The thickness T of the coaster is in this example about ¼ inch but may be somewhat different in other embodiments. A purpose of the coaster is to support a beverage container, such as a cup or a bottle in an embodiment of the invention. In some embodiments coaster  401  may be molded plastic, but may be made of any other suitable material, such as various forms of wood. In some embodiments a metal weight may be incorporated to provide stability for a beverage shade including the coaster. 
     Coaster  401  in this example has three button retainers  402   a ,  402   b  and  402   c  engaged to the outside rim of the coaster, such as by screw thread or by pressing into a bore in the coaster. Each button retainer has a head diameter d1, a shaft diameter d2 and a length l, the shaft diameter being substantially smaller than the head diameter. The radial spacing between button retainer  402   a  and  402   b , and also between  402   a  and  402   c , in this example is about one hundred degrees. The overall radial extent from button  402   b  through button  402   a  to button  402   c  is therefore about 200 degrees, somewhat more than ½ of a circular arc. An important purpose of the button retainers is to engage openings  109  along the bottom edge of fabric portion  101 , to assemble the fabric portion to the coaster. This assembly and integration is described in enabling detail below. 
       FIG.  5    is a plan view of fabric portion  101  with the three spreaders  301  engaged through loops  103 . In assembly one may just place one end of the spreader into the loop and slide it through until evenly engaged as shown. The spreader in the top loop is folded down to lie flat on the fabric. The spreader in the middle loop is also folded down. The spreader through the bottom loop is folded up against the fabric. In this example, with the angled sides such that the width of the fabric portion is greater at a lower position, the spreaders may be of different diameters to suit. 
     Referring again to  FIG.  5   , with three spreaders engaged, attention is drawn to fold lines (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e). In one embodiment the fabric portion  101  may be folded by first folding the part below fold line (d) upward along fold line (d), then the portion above fold line (c) downward along line (c). The portion to the left of fold line (a) is then folded to the right around fold line (a). Next, the portion to the right of fold line (b) is folded to the left around fold line (b). Finally, the folded portion above fold line (c) is folded down over the folded portion bounded by fold lines (a), (b), (c) and (d). The result of this folding sequence is a folded unit  601  as shown in  FIG.  6 A  with the spreaders, still engaged in the loops, folded within the layers of fabric. 
     In one example, referring again to  FIG.  5   , a user may: 
     1. Fold over center right 
     2. Fold over center left, and 
     3. Fold up to c with fold at d line. 
       FIG.  6 A  also shows a flap formed by folding down around line c, which is a part of the fabric portion as seen in  FIG.  1   , in which a fastener  111  is implemented. The final folded unit may be secured with the fastener. 
     Folded unit  601  is of a size that may be easily carried in a pocket or a purse. In one embodiment the folded unit may be a four-by-four inch approximate square. Coaster  401  is shown in  FIG.  6 B  alongside the folded packet  601  and is of a diameter that the coaster may be easily carried with the folded unit in a pocket or a purse. 
       FIG.  7    is a perspective view of an assembled beverage shade  701  comprising the fabric portion  101 , the three spreaders  301  and the coaster  401 . Beginning with the folded unit  601  shown in  FIG.  6 A  a user unfolds the folded unit to be flat as shown in  FIG.  5   . The user then rotates the spreaders  301  to be all three perpendicular to the fabric portion and inserts the opposite ends of each spreader into the pockets  102  at opposite edges of the fabric unit. This operation provides the shape shown in  FIG.  7   , wherein the lower edge of the fabric unit  101  is wrapped around the coaster through an arc somewhat greater than 180 degrees, in this example where alpha in  FIG.  4    is 10 degrees, the wraparound arc length is 200 degrees. As a last step the user engages each of three button retainers  402  through the three buttonhole openings  109  along the bottom skirt of the fabric portion  101 . This operation engages the coaster  401  to the fabric portion and completes the assembly. 
     It is to be understood that in this assembly the curved bottom edge  104 , and the placement of openings  109  also along the curve of the bottom edge of the fabric portion results in the back edge of the erect fabric portion  101 , which may be referenced by centerline  108  in  FIG.  1   , to lean outward away from coaster  401 . This result mimics the cross-sectional shape of a paper cup for example. 
     An important result of the shape of the erect fabric portion and the fact of the engagement to the coaster around more than 180 degrees, enables a user to stack assembled shades in embodiments of this invention withing one another, as one might stack a plurality of paper cups. 
     Assembled shades according to embodiments of the present invention may be used to shade a beverage container placed on the coaster. When not needed the assembled shade may be disassembled and stored or carried in a purse or a pocket. 
     A skilled person will understand that the examples and embodiments described herein are entirely exemplary and place no restriction on the scope of the invention. There are many options in the various embodiments, such as dimensions and materials. In one important variation the fabric shade may be made with the buttons on the coaster spanning 180 degrees or less, and the bottom edge  104  of portion  101  may either be curved or not curved, and the resulting assembly will still be useful as a shade, and may be foldable, but may not be as stackable as the embodiment first described above. 
     In another alternative embodiment the lowermost pockets  102  and loop  103  that, in the assembled shade, are just above the top surface of the coaster, may be eliminated along with the associated spreader element  301 . In this alternative embodiment there are two loops and four pockets instead of three loops and six pockets. Other variations are also possible within the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the claims.