Patent Publication Number: US-11395538-B1

Title: Systems and methods associated with a container holder

Description:
BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
     Field of the Disclosure 
     Examples of the present disclosure are related systems and methods associated with a container holder. More specifically, embodiments are directed towards a container holder with a first portion that is configured to be coupled to an article of clothing and a second portion that is configured to be embedded within a beverage sleeve, wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured to be magnetically and mechanically coupled together. 
     Background 
     A water bottle is a container that is used to hold water, liquids, or other beverages for consumption. A water bottle allows an individual to transport and drink a beverage at multiple locations. 
     Conventionally to transport water bottles, a user can either hold the water bottle in their hand or user a bottle holder. However, holding a water bottle requires one of the user&#39;s two hands to carry the water bottler. Situations can arise where it is burdensome for a user to relinquish one of their hands to carry the water bottle. Alternatively, using a bottle holder to transport water bottles can be cumbersome and require ample space regardless of if they are in use or not. 
     Accordingly, needs exist for more effective and efficient systems and methods for a container holder with a first portion that is configured to be coupled to an article of clothing and a second portion that is configured to be embedded within a beverage sleeve, wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured to be magnetically and mechanically coupled together. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments disclosed herein describe systems and methods for a container holder that incorporates a first portion that is configured to be selectively coupled to a second portion. The first portion may be associated with a clip that is configured to be attached to a user&#39;s article of clothing, and the second portion may be configured to be embedded within a beverage sleeve. In use, user may align a magnetized projection of the second portion with a magnetized depression of the first portion to couple the first and second portions together. Furthermore, the second portion may include an overhang that is configured to be positioned over a lip of the first portion, which may mechanically support the coupling of the first portion with the second portion. 
     The first portion may include a front face, depression, lip, and window. 
     The front face may be a curved front face, wherein a lower portion of the front face is thicker than an upper portion of the front face. This may limit a profile created by the container holder, while also increasing a surface area of the front face. The front face may be configured to be positioned adjacent to an inner surface of the second portion when the first portion and the second portion are coupled together. 
     The depression may extend from the front face towards a rear face of the front portion, and have a substantially circular face and slanted sidewalls. The depression may be magnetized with a first polarity, which may be configured to couple with a projection of the second portion that has a second polarity. The slanted sidewalls of the depression may not be uniform around a circumference of the circular face of the depression. The non-uniformity of the slanted sidewalls may be caused by the curvature of the front face. As such, a first angle of the slanted sidewall may be sharper at a lower portion of the front face in compared to a second angle of the slanted sidewall at an upper portion of the slanted sidewall, wherein the angle of the slanted sidewall may gradually change from the first angle to the second angle. This change in curvature may increase a total surface area between the first portion and second portion, while also increasing a mechanical support caused by the lower portion of the front face against the projection of the second portion. 
     The lip may extend from the front face towards a rear surface of the front portion. This may create a ledge between a first side of the front portion and a second side of the front portion. The window may be a cutout within the front face to reduce a thickness of the lip that is aligned with the circular face. This may enable an overhang associated with the second portion to be secured over the lip. 
     The second portion may be configured to be embedded within a beverage sleeve, and be selectively coupled with the first portion. The second portion may include an outer face, inner projection, inner sidewall, overhang, and tab. 
     The outer face may be a substantially curved face that is configured to be positioned adjacent or next to an outer surface of a beverage within a beverage sleeve. In embodiments, the curvature of the curved front face may be concave, and correspond to the curvature of a beverage bottle or can. 
     The inner projection may be positioned on an inner face of the second portion, and extend away from the inner face. The inner projection may be substantially cylindrical in shape, and may be magnetized with a second polarity. The inner projection may be configured to be inserted into the depression of the first portion. 
     The inner sidewall may be positioned more proximate to the outer face than the inner projection, and be configured to be positioned adjacent to the front face of the first portion when the first portion and the second portion are coupled together. The relative positioning of the inner projection and the inner sidewall may create a ledge on the curved surface of the inner projection, wherein the curved surface may be positioned adjacent to the sidewalls of the depressions to increase the surface area between the first portion and the second portion. 
     The overhang may be positioned on an upper surface of the second portion, and may extend in a plane that is perpendicular the outer face. The overhang may extend in the same direction as the inner projection. The overhang may extend from the inner sidewall past a plane that is vertically aligned with the face of the inner projection. This may create a slot that enables portion of the tab to be positioned adjacent to a rear face of the first portion, the lip of the first portion to be positioned adjacent to the overhang, and the inner projection to be embedded and positioned within the depression. 
     The tab may be positioned on an end of the overhang, and may be shaped similar to an “S” with a convex curve and a concave curve. The curvature of the tab may enable a tight fitting between the second portion and the first portion, while enabling an end of the overhang to be positioned away from the rear face of the second portion. 
     These, and other, aspects of the invention will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. The following description, while indicating various embodiments of the invention and numerous specific details thereof, is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many substitutions, modifications, additions or rearrangements may be made within the scope of the invention, and the invention includes all such substitutions, modifications, additions or rearrangements. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
         FIG. 1-5  depict a first portion of a container holder, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 6-9  depict a second portion of a container holder, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  depicts a method for using a container holder, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  depicts a first portion of a container holder being coupled with a second portion of a container holder, according to an embodiment. 
         FIGS. 12 and 13  depict a first portion of a container holder being coupled with a second portion of a container holder, according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art that the specific detail need not be employed to practice the present embodiments. In other instances, well-known materials or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present embodiments. 
     Embodiments described herein disclose a container holder with a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may be configured to be positioned on a user&#39;s article of clothing, and the second portion may be positioned adjacent to a beverage. Utilizing magnets and mechanical coupling mechanisms, the first portion and the second portion may be selectively coupled together. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a first portion  100  for a container holder, according to an embodiment. First portion  100  may include a first front face  110 , second front face  112 , ledge  113 , window  115 , lip  117 , depression  120 , and clip  140 . 
     First front face  110  and second front face  112  may form a front surface of first portion  100  of the container holder. First front face  110  and second front face  112  may form a curved, sloped, etc. front surface of first portion  100 . Front face  110  may be positioned below second front face  112 , and first front face  110  and second front face  112  may be laterally offset from each other, such that the two faces do not form a continuous surface. The curvature of first front face  110  may cause a lower portion of first front face  110  to be thicker than an upper portion of first front face  110 . This may limit a profile created by the container holder, while also increasing a surface area of first front face  110 . 
     Ledge  113  may be positioned at an upper end of first front face  110  and a lower surface of second front face  112 , wherein ledge  113  extends in a direction perpendicular to a central axis of first portion  110 . Ledge  113  may create a shelf, bracket, etc. positioned between first front face  110  and second front face  112 . Window  115  may be a cutout, opening, orifice, etc. positioned within second front face  112  and ledge  113  without extending into first front face  110 . Window  115  may cause a thickness of ledge to decrease along portions of ledge  113  that are positioned within a middle of ledge  113 . This decrease in thickness may create lip  117  along an upper rim of first front face  110 . In embodiments, lip  117  may be configured to receive an overhang on second portion  600  of container holder. By reducing the thickness of ledge  113  to lip  117 , an inner profile of first front face  110  may be reduced. This may enable a tab associated with second portion  600  to not increase the inner profile associated with first front face  110 , and not extend past a plane defined by an inner profile of first portion  100 . In other words, the reduction of thickness may cause the tab of second portion  600  to not poke a user wearing first portion  100 . 
     Depression  120  may be positioned on first front face  110 . Depression  120  may extend from an outer profile of first front face  110  towards the inner profile of first front face  110 . Depression  110  may have a substantially circular surface with slanted sidewalls  130 . 
     Depression  120  may be magnetized with a first polarity, which may be configured to couple with a projection  710  of the second portion  600  that has a second polarity. The slanted sidewalls  130  of depression  120  may not be uniform around a circumference of the circular face of depression  120 . The non-uniformity of slanted sidewalls  130  may be caused by the curvature of first front face  110 . As such, a first angle of the slanted sidewall  130  may be sharper at a lower portion of first front face  110  in compared to a second angle of the slanted sidewall  130  at an upper portion of the slanted sidewall  130 , wherein the angle of the slanted sidewall  130  may gradually change from the first angle to the second angle. This change in curvature may increase a total surface area between the first portion  100  and second portion  600 , while also increasing a mechanical support caused by the lower portion of the front face against the projection of the second portion. 
     Clip  140  may be positioned on a rear surface of first portion  100 , and be configured to allow first portion  100  to be attached and detached from a belt, waistband, etc. Clip  140  may include a projection that extends from an upper edge of first portion  100  towards a lower surface of the container holder. A first end of clip  140  may be permanently positioned on the upper edge of first portion  100 . A second end of clip  140  may be configured to move from a position adjacent to the rear surface of first portion  100  to a position away from the rear surface of first portion  100 . Responsive to sliding the projection around the belt of the user, the belt may move the second end of the projection away from the rear surface of first portion  100 . Then, clip  140  may apply pressure towards the rear surface of first portion  100 . This pressure may secure first portion  100  to the belt. 
       FIG. 2  depicts a rear view of elements of first portion  100 , according to an embodiment. Elements depicted in  FIG. 2  may be described above. For the sake of brevity, a further description of these elements is omitted. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the rear face  210  of depression  120  may be substantially circular. Further as shown in  FIG. 2 , the tapering of sidewalls  113  may be different along the circumference of depression  120 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts a front view of elements of first portion  100 , according to an embodiment. Elements depicted in  FIG. 3  may be described above. For the sake of brevity, a further description of these elements is omitted. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 3 , the upper portions  320  of sidewalls  113  may have a less sharp angle than those or lower portions  310  of sidewalls  113 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts a side view of elements of first portion  100 , according to an embodiment. Elements depicted in  FIG. 4  may be described above. For the sake of brevity, a further description of these elements is omitted. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 4 , first portion  100  may have sidewalls  410  that have a tapered front surface and a planar rear surface. This may decrease the front profile  400  of first portion  100 , and enable a rear profile  405  of first portion to be positioned directly adjacent to a user. 
       FIG. 5  depicts a top view of elements of first portion  100 , according to an embodiment. Elements depicted in  FIG. 5  may be described above. For the sake of brevity, a further description of these elements is omitted. 
       FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of elements of second portion  600 , according to an embodiment. Second portion  600  may be configured to be embedded within a beverage sleeve or affixed directly to a beverage. 
     Second portion  600  may have a curved front face  610 . Front face  610  may be configured to be positioned adjacent or next to an outer surface of a beverage within a beverage sleeve. In embodiments, the curvature of the front face  110  may be concave, and correspond to the curvature of the beverage bottle or can. 
     Second portion  600  may also include a projection  620 . Projection  620  may be positioned on front face  610  of second portion  600 , and extend away from the front face. Projection  620  may be substantially cylindrical in shape, and may be magnetized with a second polarity. Projection  620  may be configured to be inserted into the depression of the first portion. In embodiments, projection  620  may have a hollow interior  615 , which may be advantageous for a user to determine a location of projection  620 . 
       FIG. 7  depicts a side view of elements of second portion  600 , according to an embodiment. Elements depicted in  FIG. 7  may be described above. For the sake of brevity, a further description of these elements is omitted. As depicted in  FIG. 7 , second portion  600  may include an inner sidewall  720 , overhang  730 , and tab  740   
     In embodiments, a rear surface of projection  620  may be positioned further away from font face  610  than inner sidewall  720 . As such, the rear surface of projection  620  may be positioned along a different offset than inner sidewall  720  along a lateral axis of second portion  600 . This may expose the outer circumference  715  of projection  620 . The relative positioning of the projection  620  and inner sidewall  720  may create a ledge on the curved surface of the projection  620 , wherein the curved surface  715  may be positioned adjacent to the sidewalls  130  of depression  120  to increase the surface area between the first portion  100  and second portion  620 . In use, inner sidewall  720  may be configured to be positioned adjacent to the first front face  110  of first portion  100  when first portion  100  and second portion  600  are coupled together. 
     Overhang  730  may be positioned on an upper surface of the second portion  600 , and may extend in a plane that is perpendicular the front face  610 . Overhang  730  may extend in the same direction as projection  620 . Overhang  730  may extend from the inner sidewall  720  past a plane that is vertically aligned with the face of projection  620 . This may create a slot  725  that enables portion of the tab  740  to be positioned adjacent to a rear face of the first portion  100 , the lip  117  of the first portion  100  to be positioned adjacent to the overhang  730 , and projection  620  to be embedded and positioned within the depression  120 . 
     Tab  740  may be positioned on an end of overhang  730 , and may be shaped similar to an “S” with a convex curve  742  and a concave curve  744 . The curvature of tab  740  may enable a tight fitting between the second portion  600  and the first portion  100 , while enabling an end of the overhang  730  to be positioned away from inner sidewall  110  at a position that is lower than the outer circumference of projection  600 . 
       FIG. 8  depicts a front view of elements of second portion  600 , according to an embodiment. Elements depicted in  FIG. 8  may be described above. For the sake of brevity, a further description of these elements is omitted. 
       FIG. 9  depicts a top view of elements of second portion  600 , according to an embodiment. Elements depicted in  FIG. 8  may be described above. For the sake of brevity, a further description of these elements is omitted. 
       FIG. 10  depicts a method  1000  for utilizing a container holder, according to an embodiment. The operations of method  1000  presented below are intended to be illustrative. In some embodiments, method  1000  may be accomplished with one or more additional operations not described, and/or without one or more of the operations discussed. Additionally, the order in which the operations of method  1000  are illustrated in  FIG. 10  and described below is not intended to be limiting. 
     At operation  1010 , a first portion of the container holder may be coupled to a user&#39;s article of clothing. The first portion may be coupled to the user&#39;s article of clothing in any known fashion, such as a strap, clip, etc., wherein a planer inner surface of the first portion is direction positioned against the user. 
     At operation  1020 , a second portion of the container holder may be embedded within a beverage sleeve. For example, the second portion may be positioned on the outside of the beverage sleeve or embedded within layers of the beverage sleeve. 
     At operation  1030 , an overhang of the second portion may be positioned over a lip of the first portion. This may mechanically limit the vertical movement of second portion in relation to first portion in a first direction. 
     At operation  1040 , a projection of the second portion may be inserted into a depression of the first portion. The projection may be magnetized to have a first polarity, and the depression may be magnetized to have a second polarity. 
     At operation  1050 , the relative magnetization of the depression and projection may magnetically couple the first portion and second portion in a direction that is orthogonal to the first direction. 
     At operation  1060 , the second portion may be pressed away from the depression to decouple the magnetization of the first and second portion. Further, the second portion may move in a second direction to decouple the mechanically coupling caused by the lip of the first direction and the overhang of the second portion. 
       FIG. 11  depicts a first portion  100  of a container holder being coupled with a second portion  600  of a container holder, according to an embodiment. Elements depicted in  FIG. 11  may be described above, and for the sake of brevity a further description of these elements is omitted. 
       FIGS. 12 and 13  depict a first portion  100  of a container holder being coupled with a second portion  600  of a container holder, according to an embodiment. Elements depicted in  FIGS. 12-13  may be described above, and for the sake of brevity a further description of these elements is omitted. 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 12-13  a beverage can  1200  may be positioned within a beverage sleeve  1210 . Second portion  600  of the container holder may be coupled with the beverage sleeve  1210 , wherein second portion  600  and first portion  100  are coupled together. 
     Although the present technology has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the technology is not limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present technology contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any implementation can be combined with one or more features of any other implementation. 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “one example” or “an example” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, “one example” or “an example” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable combinations and/or sub-combinations in one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, it is appreciated that the figures provided herewith are for explanation purposes to persons ordinarily skilled in the art and that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.