Patent Publication Number: US-2011067361-A1

Title: Beverage sock

Description:
This United States Utility Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/244739 filed on Sep. 22, 2009, which is commonly-owned and incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     There are many devices and methods that are currently used to carry one or more hot and cold beverages, such as coffee, tea, soda, water and hot chocolate. For example, a hot beverage is usually carried by hand with the aid of a sleeve that is designed to protect the consumer&#39;s hand from overheating or getting burned. When a consumer or delivery person wants to carry more than one beverage, whether they are hot, cold or a combination thereof, a cardboard carrying tray is used that is partitioned to hold two, four or more drinks. 
     In the case of the cardboard carrying tray, it is usually folded up and stored until needed. When in use, the tray opens out into a rectangle or square shape, depending on the number of beverages it is designed to carry. The handle is placed in the center of the tray, in order to allow the beverages to balance the load of the tray. The beverage holders on the tray are designed like cup holders in a vehicle, where the cup slides down into a receptacle that may or may not have a solid bottom to hold the cup in place. In some beverage trays, the cup slides through a holder where the bottom of the cup is exposed. Regardless of the number of cups the beverage tray is designed to hold or whether the bottom of the tray is solid or open, it is clear that the tray is bulky. The consumer or delivery person can only carry one tray in each hand, and if the tray is designed to hold more than two beverages, then the tray must be held out from the body in order to ensure that the tray does not bump in to the user during transport. 
     Therefore, there is a need for the consumer or delivery person to carry multiple beverages—both hot and cold—in a manner that efficiently and safely allows that person to carry these beverages without spillage, while keeping the beverages insulated. As will be described herein, such a beverage delivery system—herein referred to as a “beverage sock”—has been developed that meets all of the mentioned goals, along with having other benefits. 
     SUMMARY 
     A beverage sock is disclosed and includes: a tube of fabric or material comprising two opposing ends, wherein one of the ends is open, and a handle coupled to the tube at or near the open end of the tube. 
     A method of using a beverage sock, comprising: providing a beverage sock comprising a tube of fabric or material comprising two opposing ends, wherein one of the ends is open, and a handle coupled to the tube at or near the open end of the tube; providing at least one beverage; inserting the at least one beverage into the beverage sock such that the at least one beverage is inserted and kept in an upright position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  shows a contemplated embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  shows a contemplated embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  shows a contemplated embodiment as used in an automobile or vehicle. 
         FIG. 4  shows a contemplated embodiment as used on a bicycle, scooter or motorcycle. 
         FIG. 5  shows a contemplated embodiment as used on a stroller or shopping cart. 
         FIG. 6  shows a contemplated embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  shows a contemplated embodiment that is condensed for storage. 
         FIG. 8  shows a contemplated embodiment that is flat-folded for storage. 
         FIG. 9  shows a contemplated embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  shows a contemplated embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A contemplated embodiment of a beverage sock comprises a tube of material that is designed to securely hold a plurality of coffee or tea paper cups, soft drink or iced tea plastic cups or a combination thereof in a vertical fashion, such that the cups are stacked on top of one another. The tube of fabric and/or material is designed to hold the cups in the vertical orientation—one on top of another—while at the same time designed to insulate the cups. The top of the tube comprises a handle or grip formation, such that the user can carry a contemplated beverage sock with one hand. Contemplated embodiments are shown in  FIGS. 1-9 . 
       FIG. 1  shows a contemplated embodiment of a beverage sock  100 . This beverage sock  100  is shown comprising a tube of material  150  with two opposing ends  110  and  120 . End  110  is an open end used for inserting and stacking cups and drinks  130 . End  120  is closed and used to support the stacked cups and drinks  130 . This beverage sock  100  also includes a handle  140  that is coupled at or near the open end  110  of the tube  150 . It is contemplated that end  120  may be reinforced for durability by providing additional material, a hard or solid insert and/or reinforced stitching (not shown). Also, in these Figures, the cups and drinks  130  are shown for illustrative purposes, but it is not necessarily meant to suggest that one can see them through the fabric or material. There may be instances where the tube of fabric or material is see-through, mesh or clear, but that is not always the case or is always contemplated. 
     As used herein, the term “coupled” refers to components being permanently or removably attached. Coupling items together may mean that the components are attached through a continuous woven, knitted or preformed area, may mean that the components are attached by stitching and/or adhesives, and/or may mean that the components are removably attached through a material such as VELCRO or hardware such as snaps, zippers, buttons and the like. 
       FIG. 2  shows another contemplated embodiment of a beverage sock  200 . This beverage sock  200  is shown comprising a tube of material  250  with two opposing ends  210  and  220 . End  210  is an open end used for inserting and stacking cups  230  and canned drinks  235 . End  220  is closed and used to support the stacked cups  230  and canned drinks  235 . This beverage sock  200  also includes a handle  240  that is coupled at or near the open end  210  of the tube  250 . 
     A contemplated embodiment may comprise any material, as long as the material is suitable for use with hot drinks, cold drinks, cans, water bottles, tea cups, coffee cups and/or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, a contemplated beverage sock may comprise NEOPRENE (or the insulating material used for scuba suits), a polymer-based material, a natural material, such as cotton or hemp, paper, TYVEK or another similar product or a combination thereof. Contemplated embodiments may comprise any suitable thickness, as long as the functionality of the embodiment remains in tact. 
     In one embodiment, a contemplated beverage sock may be designed to hold bottles, cans or combinations thereof, in that the sock is thinner/more narrow, such that the bottles and/or cans are easily stackable in the beverage sock and do not move around within the sock, as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3  and  6 . 
     In some contemplated embodiments, a beverage sock may contain pockets on the outside of the sock that is designed to hold cookies, biscotti, straws, utensils and/or other small food items. 
     In some embodiments, a delivery van or car may be equipped with a bar or hook, such that a plurality of full beverage socks can be stored and dropped off at various locations without spillage and/or loss of cold or heat from the appropriate drinks, as shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , where a car hook, bicycle hook or stroller bag hook or bar can be used. 
       FIG. 3  shows another contemplated embodiment of a beverage sock  300  as it is being used in a vehicle and/or automobile. This beverage sock  300  is shown comprising a tube of material  350  with two opposing ends  310  and  320 . End  310  is an open end used for inserting and stacking cups  330 . End  320  is closed and used to support the stacked cups  330 . In this embodiment, end  320  is reinforced with a hard disk  325  designed to provide additional support for the stacked cups  330 . This beverage sock  300  also includes a handle  340  that is coupled at or near the open end  310  of the tube  350 . In this embodiment, the beverage sock  300  is shown hanging on a hook  380  or  385  from the handle  370  normally found next to a window  375  in a vehicle and/or automobile (not shown). 
       FIG. 4  shows a contemplated beverage sock  400  hanging on a handle bar  490  of a bike, scooter or motorcycle (not shown).  FIG. 5  shows a contemplated beverage sock  500  hanging on a handle bar  590  of a stroller (not shown). 
       FIG. 6  shows another contemplated embodiment of a beverage sock  600 . This beverage sock  600  is shown comprising a tube of material  650  with two opposing ends  610  and  620 . End  610  is an open end used for inserting and stacking cups  630 . End  620  is closed and used to support the stacked cups  630 . This beverage sock  600  also includes a handle  640  that is coupled at or near the open end  610  of the tube  650 . This embodiment also includes a side pocket  660  or pocket  660  that can be used to hold receipts, biscotti, money and other small items. 
     In some embodiments, a consumer and/or delivery person may want to carry more than one beverage sock. For example, one beverage sock may contain all of the hot drinks and the other beverage sock may contain all of the cold drinks. The beverage socks are designed such that multiple socks can be carried with one hand, thus carrying 8 or 10 drinks safely with one hand. In some embodiments, additional tubes of material may be utilized with one handle in order to better control multiple drinks. 
     In some embodiments, a contemplated beverage sock will fold up so that it can be easily stored, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . In these embodiments, contemplated beverage socks are contractably storable. For example, a beverage sock  700  or  800  may be designed so that it will fold up like an accordion  785 , fold lengthwise  885  or roll up with a tie to secure it closed (not shown). Two beverage socks can be stored together like a regular pair of socks. It should be understood from these embodiments that contemplated beverage socks are designed to be easily stored when not in use in a drawer, pocket, glove compartment, laptop or computer bag, purse or another suitable storage area. In some embodiments, the handle may be opened up or stretched out to be able to store the tube of material of the beverage sock. 
     In some embodiments, the handle may also be able to hold receipts and currency. In these embodiments, the handle may have a VELCRO opening slot or be closed lengthwise by a zipper, buttons or other closure. It is contemplated that the handle may also be coupled with a gripping or comfort material designed to help the user carry multiple beverage socks or heavy drinks comfortably. In another embodiment, the handle may comprise at least one shoulder strap that is coupled to both the top end and bottom end of the beverage sock. In this embodiment, the beverage sock would be carried on the shoulder or on the back similar to a backpack or shoulder bag. This embodiment shown in  FIG. 9  is considered a “hands free” embodiment that would enable the user to carry other items or operate a vehicle (such as a bike or scooter). 
       FIG. 9  shows a contemplated embodiment of a beverage sock  900 . This beverage sock  900  is shown comprising a tube of material  950  with two opposing ends  910  and  920 . End  910  is an open end used for inserting and stacking cups and drinks (not shown). End  920  is closed and used to support the stacked cups and drinks. This beverage sock  900  also includes two handles  940  that are coupled at or near the open end  910  and bottom end  920  of the tube  950 . These handles can be removable and then reattached at the top of the beverage sock for additional flexibility. Note that if there are two beverage socks that need to be transported, the handles can be attached in a cross fashion (as shown in  FIG. 10 ) in order to carry both with increased stability. 
       FIG. 10  shows a contemplated embodiment  1000  of two beverage socks  1055  and  1065 . These beverage socks are shown each comprising a tube of material  1050  with two opposing ends  1010  and  1020 . End  1010  is an open end used for inserting and stacking cups and drinks (not shown). End  1020  is closed and used to support the stacked cups and drinks. This embodiment  1000  also includes two handles  1040  that are coupled at or near the open ends  1010  of the tubes  1050 . 
     A method of using a beverage sock comprises: providing a beverage sock, such as any of the ones disclosed herein, the beverage sock comprising a tube of fabric or material comprising two opposing ends, wherein one of the ends is open, and a handle coupled to the tube at or near the open end of the tube; providing at least one beverage; inserting the at least one beverage into the beverage sock such that the at least one beverage is inserted and kept in an upright position. 
     Thus, specific embodiments and applications of beverage socks and their methods of production have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the disclosure. Moreover, in interpreting the disclosure, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.