Patent Publication Number: US-7897088-B2

Title: Method of molding a multi-pole magnetized beverage container holder

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part under 35 U.S.C. §120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/382,459, filed Mar. 5, 2003, entitled “Magnetized Beverage Container Holder”, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/866,326, filed Nov. 17, 2006, of the same title, which is incorporated herein by this reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to holders for beverage containers, and more specifically, to a magnetized beverage container holder used to secure a beverage container to a surface. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In numerous situations, for several reasons, people drink beverages from beverage containers, such as boating, tailgating, working, etc. For example, while boating a person may be exposed to heat and sun for several hours, and remaining hydrated is important. In many of these situations, finding a place to store the beverage container in which the container will not be inadvertently spilled or knocked over can be problematic. On a boat, for example, simply placing a beverage container on a flat surface is often unsatisfactory since the container may tip over as a result from typical movement of the boat rocking on the water. Likewise, when operating heavy machinery during construction or farming operations one might find it difficult or even impossible to retain a beverage without spilling. Similarly, at picnics or other outdoor gatherings, placing a beverage container on the ground may result in spilling as a result of a person or animal inadvertently kicking the container. 
     Numerous container holders exist which attempt to solve the above-mentioned problems. For example, holders exist for the attachment to platforms, such as boats, in which a beverage container may be placed. Such holders are typically secured to the platform by screws, for example. While such a holder provides a place for container storage, it also has disadvantages. For example, the holder is permanently secured in one place on the platform, thus providing limited flexibility for storing such beverage containers. While additional holders may be installed in areas which are most convenient for such storage, the additional holders may cause clutter in those areas. Furthermore, if a person wishes to be in an area which does not have a holder installed, that person must either hold the container, or store the container in area which does have a holder, which may be inconvenient for the person due to having to move to the other area every time they wish to drink from the container. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to have a holder for a beverage container which is able to be moved from place to place with relative ease, and which helps to prevent inadvertent spilling of the beverage container. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     These and other needs are addressed by the various embodiments and configurations of the present invention. The invention provides a method and apparatus for mounting a beverage container holder to a mounting surface. The beverage container holder includes a magnet and may be mounted to any mounting surface which contains a ferrous material in sufficient quantity to produce sufficient attraction to the magnet to secure and hold the beverage container holder, and beverage container, to the mounting surface. 
     In one aspect, the present invention provides a beverage container holder, including a holder which is adapted to receive a beverage container and a magnet operatively associated with the holder and operable to interact magnetically with a mounting surface. The magnet is operable to secure the holder to the mounting surface such that the side of the beverage container is at least substantially parallel to, and preferably, along substantially the entire height of the side, in contact with the mounting surface. The mounting surface may be substantially vertical, thus holding the beverage container holder and beverage container in a substantially upright position. In one embodiment, the holder includes a pouch on the holder adapted to receive the magnet and secure the magnet to the holder. In another embodiment, the magnet is secured to the holder using adhesive. In another embodiment, the magnet is embedded within the holder, and the holder includes a visual indicator and/or surface texturing indicating the location of the magnet within the holder. The magnet preferably has a total force of at least about 800 and more preferably about 800-12,300 gauss. 
     The mounting surface includes a ferrous material, and in one embodiment, the mounting surface is a ferrous material. The mounting surface may also include a non-ferrous material with a ferrous material adjacent thereto which interacts with the magnet to secure the holder to the mounting surface. The ferrous material may be secured with a rivet or other mechanical fastening device. 
     In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for securing a beverage container to a mounting surface. The method includes providing a holder adapted to receive the beverage container, the holder being operatively engaged with a magnet, and placing the holder adjacent to the mounting surface. The magnet is operable to interact with the mounting surface and secure the holder and beverage container to the mounting surface, with a side of the beverage container being at least substantially parallel to the mounting surface. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a holder for a beverage container. The method of manufacturing includes forming a sleeve portion of the holder, with the sleeve portion being adapted to receive the beverage container. A magnet is secured to the sleeve portion in a position such that the side of the beverage container is substantially parallel to a mounting surface when the beverage container is located in the sleeve and the holder is engaged with the mounting surface. A base portion may be formed and secured to a first end of the sleeve, substantially closing the first end of the sleeve. The sleeve portion may be formed by injection molding an insulation material into a sleeve form. The sleeve portion may also be formed by stitching end portions of a rectangular fabric together to form the sleeve portion. A pouch may also be stitched to the sleeve, the pouch being adapted to receive the magnet, and the magnet inserted into the pouch. The magnet may also be secured to the sleeve with an adhesive, where the adhesive is applied to at least one of the magnet and the sleeve portion, the magnet is positioned against the sleeve portion, and the adhesive is cured to secure the magnet to the sleeve portion. The magnet may also be secured to the sleeve by inserting the magnet into a preformed aperture in the sleeve. 
     In yet another aspect, the holder is manufactured entirely using injection molding, particularly Reaction Injection Molded (“RIM”) techniques. The magnet is mounted on an interior paramagnetic, superparamagnetic, metamagnetic, ferrimagnetic, or ferromagnetic (e.g., ferrous-containing) surface of the mold. The mounting surface is typically in the shape of a pin or protrusion. In the mounted position, the magnet is spaced from a surrounding interior mold surface. With the exception of the protrusion, the mold is preferably otherwise not paramagnetic, superparamagnetic, metamagnetic, ferrimagnetic, or ferromagnetic, or magnetically attractive, and even more preferably is diamagnetic or superdiamagnetic. In this manner, the magnet is retained in a desired orientation relative to the mold surfaces during resin injection. As will be appreciated, the magnet may be retained in a desired position and orientation in the mold during resin introduction using, instead of magnetic attraction, a friction fit between the protrusion and magnet. The mold may be an open or closed mold. Resin is then introduced into the mold while the magnet is magnetically engaged with the protrusion. After the resin has cured and cooled, the holder, which contains the magnet embedded in the sidewall of the holder, is removed from the mold. The removal force applied to the holder is, of course, greater than the magnetic force of attraction between the magnet and the protrusion. 
     In another aspect, the present invention provides a beverage container holder including holding means for holding a beverage container, and mounting means for mounting the holding means to a mounting surface. The mounting means is secured to the holding means such that, when the beverage container is located in the holding means and the holding means is mounted to the mounting surface, a side of the beverage container is at least substantially parallel to the mounting surface. The mounting means may include a magnet which is secured to the holding means. 
     Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a system for holding a beverage container. The system includes a beverage container, a holder adapted to receive the beverage container, a magnet operatively engaged with the holder, and a mounting surface operative to engage with the magnet and secure the holder to the mounting surface. When the holder is secured to the mounting surface, a side of the beverage container is substantially parallel to the mounting surface. The mounting surface may be substantially vertical. 
     In yet another embodiment, the exterior surface of the holder adjacent to the magnet is flat or substantially planar and is coplanar with at least a portion of the outer cylindrical surface of the holder. This provides an expanded area of contact with the mounting surface in the area of the magnet and additional contact area along a height of the outer cylindrical sidewall of the holder. The outer surface of the holder may be textured, roughened, to provide increased frictional force along the contact area between the holder and the mounting surface. In one configuration, the texturing is effected by sandblasting the inner surface of the mold at least in the area adjacent to the holder contact area. The mold surface will be pockmarked, thereby imparting a roughened surface to the holder. 
     In yet another embodiment, a magnet assembly includes first and/or second polarized materials and a paramagnetic, superparamagnetic, metamagnetic, ferromagnetic, antiferromagnetic, and/or ferrimagnetic backing plate. The backing plate preferably contacts the magnetic material and is adjacent to, or faces, the interior of the holder to decrease the magnetic force of attraction to the beverage container. 
     These and other advantages will be apparent from the disclosure of the invention(s) contained herein. 
     The above-described embodiments and configurations are neither complete nor exhaustive. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below. 
     As used herein, “at least one”, “one or more”, and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C”, “at least one of A, B, or C”, “one or more of A, B, and C”, “one or more of A, B, or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together. 
     It is to be noted that the term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” can be used interchangeably. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective illustration of a beverage container holder for one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of a pouch adapted to receive a magnet for one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective illustration of a beverage container holder for another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective illustration of a beverage container holder for another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective illustration of a beverage container holder mounted to a mounting surface for one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective illustration of a beverage container holder mounted to a mounting surface for another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective illustration of a beverage container holder mounted to a mounting surface for another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic representation of a non-ferrous surface having a strip of ferrous material attached thereto according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagrammatic representation of a non-ferrous surface having a number of ferrous plates attached thereto according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional illustration of a beverage container holder having an embedded magnet according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective illustration of a beverage container holder having an embedded magnet and a visual and textured magnet location indicator according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional illustration of a beverage container holder having an embedded magnet according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective illustration of a beverage container holder having multiple magnets for an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective illustration of a beverage container holder having a magnetic strip according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective illustration of a beverage container holder having multiple magnets for one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional illustration of a beverage container holder mounted to a mounting surface in which the mounting surface and beverage container holder include a bar magnet; 
         FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional illustration of a beverage container holder mounted to a mounting surface in which the mounting surface and beverage container holder include a disk magnet; 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional illustration of a beverage container holder mounted to a mounting surface in which the mounting surface and beverage container holder include interlocking clips; 
         FIG. 19  is an isometric view of a beverage container holder according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 20  is a top view of the beverage container of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a side view of the beverage container of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 22  is another side view of the beverage container of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a bottom view of the beverage container of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIGS. 24A  and B are, respectively, plan and side views of a magnet according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 25A  and B are, respectively, plan and side views of the back plate; 
         FIG. 26  is an isometric view showing a magnet assembly comprising the magnet and back plate; 
         FIG. 27  is a disassembled view of a mold according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 28  is an assembled view of the mold of  FIG. 27 ; and 
         FIGS. 29A-J  are a series of pictures depicting a process for manufacturing the beverage container of  FIG. 19 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an illustration of a beverage container holder  20  of one embodiment of the present invention is described. The beverage container holder  20  includes a sleeve  24  into which a beverage container  28  may be placed. The beverage container holder  20  also includes a magnet  32  which is secured to the sleeve  24 . The beverage container holder  20  may also include a base  37  which helps to prevent the beverage container  28  from sliding completely through the sleeve  24  and can provide additional insulation. The magnet  32  serves to mount container holder  20  to any mounting surface. As used herein, mounting surface refers to any surface to which the beverage container holder  20  may be mounted. Mounting surfaces include paramagnetic, superparamagnetic, metamagnetic, ferromagnetic, ferrimagnetic and antiferromagnetic materials (e.g., ferrous materials), and diamagnetic or superdiamagnetic materials (e.g., non-ferrous materials), which have a paramagnetic, superparamagnetic, metamagnetic, ferromagnetic, ferrimagnetic, and/or antiferromagnetic surface associated with them such that the magnet  32  has a sufficient magnetic attraction to hold the beverage container holder  20  to the mounting surface. A mounting surface may also have a second magnet associated therewith, which provides additional magnetic force to hole the beverage container holder  20  more securely to the mounting surface. In this manner, the beverage container holder  20  may be mounted in positions which are not necessarily predetermined. 
     The orientation of the various components is shown in  FIG. 5 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a plane  34  associated with the cylindrical side of the beverage container  28  is at least substantially parallel to a plane  35  associated with the longitudinal center line  35  of the magnet  32 , and also at least substantially parallel to a plane  36  associated with a planar mounting surface  44 . The base  37  of the holder  20  (and the top  38  and base (not shown) of the beverage container  28 ) is at least substantially normal to the plane  36  of the mounting surface  44 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the magnet  32  is affixed to the outer surface of the sleeve  24 . The magnet  32  may be affixed in any of a number of ways. For example, in one embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 2  the sleeve  24  comprises flexible fabric or foamed resin, and includes a pouch  39 . The pouch  39  is also formed of flexible fabric, and is secured to the sleeve  24  by stitching on at least two sides, and up to four sides. The magnet  32 , illustrated by dashed lines, is placed within the pouch  39 . In this embodiment, the pouch  39  is sized appropriately such that the magnet  32  is secure within the pouch  39 , with relatively little movement possible, thus providing a relatively secure mount of the beverage container holder  20  to the mounting surface. 
     In another embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the magnet  32  is affixed to the sleeve  24  with adhesive  25  ( FIG. 17 ). In this embodiment, the sleeve  24  may be either a flexible material or a rigid material. The magnet  32  may be affixed to the sleeve  24  by applying adhesive to one, or both, of the magnet  32  and sleeve  24 , placing the magnet  32  adjacent to the appropriate area on the sleeve  24 , and allowing the adhesive to cure. In yet another embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the sleeve  24  is formed of a rigid material having an aperture  40  designed to receive the magnet  32 . The magnet  32  may be placed in the aperture  40 , and secured with an adhesive. In yet another embodiment, the magnet may be maintained in a desired position and orientation in a mold during resin injection to embed the magnet in the sleeve  24 . Alternatively, the aperture  40  may be sized appropriately such that the magnet  32  is held in place by frictional forces. The magnet may also be affixed in other fashions, such as, for example, the magnet  32  may be affixed to the sleeve  24  with a hook and loop material. The magnet may also be affixed by a mechanical fastening device, such as a rivet or screw. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 5 , the beverage container holder  20  of the present invention is illustrated as mounted to a vertical mounting surface  44 . In this embodiment, the mounting surface  44  is a ferrous material. As will be understood, ferrous material is material which contains iron, such as steel, and is attracted to a magnet. The magnet  32  is of sufficient strength to hold a full beverage container  28 , which is placed in the beverage container holder  20 , to the mounting surface  44 . The magnet  32 , in one embodiment, has a total magnetic force of approximately 800-20,000 gauss. In one configuration, the magnet has a strength of about 30 to about 45 MGO. The magnet, in one embodiment, is a rare earth magnet, with a neodymium 35-containing magnet being preferred. A typical formula for such a magnet is Nd 2 Fe 14 B. As will be appreciated, when mounting the beverage container holder  20  on the mounting surface  44 , it may be mounted in any location on that surface, and hold the beverage container  28  in that position. While the embodiment of  FIG. 5  illustrates a relatively large mounting surface to which the beverage container holder  20  mounts, the mounting surface  44  may be only a portion of the surface of a platform. 
     In one embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , a platform  48  has a non-ferrous material  52  as the outside of the mounting surface  44  to which the beverage container holder  20  may be mounted, and a ferrous material  56  located behind this non-ferrous material  52 . The non-ferrous (or diamagnetic or superdiamagnetic) material may be any thickness, provided that the flux between the magnet  32  and the ferrous material  56  is sufficient to securely hold the beverage container  28 . As mentioned above, for one embodiment the flux between the magnet  32  and the ferrous material  56  is about 800-12,300 gauss. The platform  48  may be, for example, a boat with the non-ferrous material  52  being fiberglass. Other examples of non-ferrous material include plastic, fabric, and non-ferrous metals. The beverage container holder  20  may be mounted in areas which have the ferrous material  56  located behind the non-ferrous material  52 . This configuration may be more aesthetically desirable in some situations where exposed metal is not desired. For example, a boat may have a strip of ferrous material  56  located around its circumference, thus creating a mounting surface  44  which extends along this strip of ferrous material  56  allowing a beverage container holder  20  to be mounted anywhere along this strip around the entire boat. 
     In another embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , ferrous material  56  is be located in front of a non-ferrous material  52  to form a mounting surface. In this case, the ferrous material  62  is visible, and the beverage container holder  20  may be mounted thereon. In one embodiment, the ferrous material  62  is covered with a protective coating in order to help prevent corrosion from, for example, salt water. The ferrous material  62  may be in the form of a strip of material, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . Alternatively, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the ferrous material may be in the form of decorative plates  66  which are mounted periodically on the external surface of the non-ferrous material  52 . Thus, a beverage container holder  20  could be mounted directly on the strip of ferrous material  62 , or on any of these decorative plates  66 . 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional illustration of a beverage container holder  70  of another embodiment of the present invention. The beverage container holder  70  includes an outer sleeve  74  which has an embedded magnet  78 . In this embodiment, the sleeve  74  of the beverage container holder  70  includes (foamed resin) insulation which helps keep the beverage in the container either hot or cold. The magnet  78  is embedded within this insulation, resulting in a sleeve  74  for the beverage container holder  70  which is relatively smooth. The magnet may be embedded in the insulation by positioning the magnet in the mold during resin injection. 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective illustration of a beverage container holder  70 , and a beverage can  28 , of this embodiment. The sleeve  74  of the beverage container holder  70  may also include a marking  82  or other visual indication of where the magnet  78  is located, allowing a user to quickly recognize which side of the beverage container holder  70  should be placed against the mounting surface in order to mount the beverage container holder  70 . In another embodiment, the sleeve  74  of the beverage container holder  70  includes different surface texturing instead of, or in addition to a visual indication. The surface texturing may be imparted to the surface of the insulation during RIM by sandblasting or otherwise roughening a matching surface of the mold. This allows for a user to feel which portion of the beverage container holder  70  should be placed against the ferrous material. Additionally, the surface texturing may include a material which has a relatively high friction, such as a rubberized polymer, which helps prevent the beverage container holder  70  from sliding when placed against the mounting surface. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates another embodiment, in which the magnet  78  is located adjacent to the inside surface of the sleeve  74 . Such a configuration may result in reduced manufacturing costs. Furthermore, if the beverage container holder  70  is made of rigid material, an aperture for receiving the magnet  78  may be molded into the inside surface of the sleeve  74 , which may then receive the magnet  78  and secure it with adhesive or frictional forces. 
     The magnet within the beverage container holder has numerous alternative configurations. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 13 , a beverage container holder  86  may have first and second magnets  90 , in a vertical orientation with respect to one another. This vertical orientation of the magnets  90  help ensure the beverage container holder  86  does not rotate around a single magnet. 
     In another embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 14 , a beverage container holder  94  includes a magnet  98  which is configured as a vertical strip from the top to the bottom of the beverage container holder  94 . 
     In still a further embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 15 , a beverage container holder  102  includes multiple magnets  106  located regularly or irregularly around the periphery of the beverage container holder  102 . This configuration allows the beverage container holder  102  to be mounted in more than one orientation relative to the mounting surface. 
     In yet another embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 16 , a first polarized magnetic material, or first magnet  32 , is positioned at the side of the holder while a second polarized magnetic material, or second magnet  118 , is positioned on an opposing side of the mounting surface  110 . In this embodiment, the mounting surface includes a diamagnetic or superdiamagnetic (or nonmagnetic and typically non-ferrous) material  114 , and the second magnet  118  located on a side of the non-ferrous material  114 , which is opposite the surface which will contact the beverage container holder  20 . The second magnet  118  is a bar type magnet having a south (or first) pole  122  and a north (or second) pole  126  aligned in an vertical orientation. The first magnet  32  of the beverage container holder  20  is also a bar type magnet having a north (or second) pole  130  and a south (or first) pole  132 , arranged in a vertical orientation. In this embodiment, the north pole  130  and the south pole  132  of the magnet  32  are aligned in an opposite vertical orientation as the north pole  126  and south pole  122  of the second magnet  118 . Accordingly, the first and second magnets  32 ,  118  are attracted to each other which works to secure the beverage container holder  20  to the mounting surface  110 . 
     Having a second magnet  118  associated with the mounting surface allows for a stronger interaction with the magnet  32  and the mounting surface  110  than would be present if the mounting surface simply has a ferrous material. Thus, in this embodiment, the non-ferrous material  114  may be relatively thick, and/or the magnet  32  may not be required to be as strong as compared to the strength of a magnet required to secure the beverage container holder  20  to a mounting surface not having a second magnet. 
     Another embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 17 , the holder  20  includes the first magnet or polarized magnetic material  32  and the (diamagnetic) mounting surface  136  includes to a second magnet or polarized magnetic material  140 , associated with a non-ferrous surface  144 . The second magnet  140  is a disk type magnet including a south pole  148 , and a north pole  152  on opposite sides of the disk. The beverage container holder  20  includes the first magnet  32 , having a north pole  156  and a south pole  160  located on opposite sides of a disk magnet. In this embodiment, the second magnet  140  is attached to the non-ferrous material  144  of the mounting surface  136  such that the south pole  148  is oriented toward the surface which will contact the beverage container holder  20 . The magnet  32  is attached to the beverage container holder  20  such that the north pole  156  is closest to the mounting surface  136 . Accordingly, the magnets  32 ,  140 , are attracted to each other and secure the beverage container holder to the mounting surface  136 . Similarly as described above, having the second magnet  140  may allow for a thicker non-ferrous material  144 , and/or allow for a magnet  32  associated with the beverage container holder  20  which is not required to be as strong, relative to what would be required if there were no second magnet  140  associated with the mounting surface. 
     It will be understood that the invention includes further embodiments which may have magnets associated with the mounting surface, such as, for example, a mounting surface having multiple magnets associated therewith such that the beverage container holder may be mounted in various positions. Furthermore, the magnet associated with the mounting surface may be embedded within the non-ferrous material, or may be located on the side of the mounting surface which contacts the beverage container holder. Furthermore, magnets associated with the mounting surface may be configured to align with the magnets of the beverage container holders described with reference to  FIGS. 13-15 . 
       FIGS. 8-9  depict multiple or elongated second magnetic materials  62  and  66  positioned along a length of a diamagnetic or superdiamagnetic mounting surface  52  to permit one or more magnetized beverage holders to be positioned along the reverse side of the mounting surface  52 . Suitable markings can be provided on the visible reverse side of the mounting surface to permit ready identification of the magnetized location upon which the holder may be positioned. 
     In another embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 18 , the beverage container holder  20  includes a clip attachment  200 . The clip attachment  200  is adapted to engage with a clip  204 , which is attached to a non-ferrous surface  208 . The opposing faces of the clips  200  and  204  are planar. In this embodiment, rivets  212  are used to secure the clip  204  to the non-ferrous surface  208 . The clip attachment  200  includes a second magnet  216 , which is oriented to be attracted to the first magnet  220  located in the clip  204 . In this embodiment, the beverage container holder  20 , and associated beverage container, are held in position in the clip  204  quite securely. 
       FIGS. 19-23  depict a magnetized beverage holder according to yet another embodiment. The holder  1900  includes a sleeve  1904  and base  1908 . The magnet  1912  is embedded in the sleeve  1904 . The disc-shaped magnet  1912  has opposing planar faces, which require the sleeve  1904  to have a planar face  1916  protruding from the otherwise cylindrically shaped sleeve  1904 . As can be seen from  FIG. 21 , the face  1916  is coplanar with a lower portion  1920  of the cylindrically shaped sleeve  1904 . When mounted to the mounting surface (not shown), the mounting surface contacts not only the planar face  1916  but also the lower portion  1920 . This configuration provides a stable triangular-shaped contact surface having multiple points of contact. These multiple points of contact along at least most of the height of the holder  1900  provides a stable contact between the holder and the mounting surface. Unlike the holder design of  FIG. 5  in which the magnet protrudes from the holder  24  and provides a fulcrum at the lower edge of the magnet, the planar holder contact area of the holder  1900  does not provide a fulcrum about which the holder can rotate in response to gravitational forces exerted on the holder and beverage container. Such rotation can destabilize substantially the ability of the holder to maintain a fixed, desired position on the mounting surface. 
       FIG. 23  further shows that the base  1908  of the holder  1900  includes at least one air passage  2300  to facilitate insertion and removal of the beverage container from the holder  1900 . The passage  2300  provides an escape for air when the container is inserted into the holder  1900  and an entry for air when the container is removed from the holder  1900 . In the absence of such a passage, the user would need to force the beverage container into the holder with sufficient force to cause air to be expelled at the flexible interface between the holder and container, and forcibly remove the container from the holder with sufficient force to overcome any suction, or negative pressure, caused by void space creation between the container base and holder base. 
       FIGS. 24A and 24B  depict an embodiment of a magnet according to an embodiment. The magnet  2400  includes first and second polarized magnetic materials  2404  and  2408 , which are integral with one another (though the materials  2404  and  2408  may be in the form of separate magnets optionally connected together). In one configuration, the materials are part of a common magnetic disc and created when the disc is magnetized. A hole  2412  is positioned at the center of the disc to reduce the amount of magnetic material needed for the magnet. At the location of the hole  2412 , the first and second polarized magnetic materials are separated by a nonmagnetic material (e.g., air). As can be seen from  FIG. 24B , the first and second polarized materials  2404  and  2408  have opposing polar orientations. In other words, the first material  2404  has first and second poles  2416  and  2420  positioned at first and second surfaces  2424  and  2428 , respectively. The second material  2408  has first and second poles  2416  and  2420  positioned at second and first surfaces  2428  and  2424 , respectively. In other words, the magnet  2400  has more than two poles. Additional poles may be provided depending on the application. 
     The magnet is preferably a rare earth magnet from Neodymium Iron Boron N35H. As will be appreciated, Neodumium, in its unprocessed state, is a powder that is not magnetized. The powder is pressed into a mold under tons of pressure to compact the powder to form the shape of a magnet. The magnet is then magnetized in a machine that applies a very strong magnetic field, polarizing the magnet with at least one pole. As noted, in the preferred design multiple poles are formed on the opposing faces of the magnet by magnetizing a common disc of material. 
       FIGS. 25A  and B depict a base plate  2500  that is received on one of the first and second surfaces  2424  and  2428 . The base plate  2500  is positioned on the surface of the magnet facing the interior of the holder or the beverage container. The base plate  2500  is preferably a paramagnetic or superparamagnetic material but can be a diamagnetic or superdiamagnetic material depending on the application. 
       FIG. 26  shows a magnet assembly  2600  including the magnet  2400  and base plate  2500 . The base plate  2500  “short circuits” the flux on the reverse side of the magnet assembly  2600  and thus causes the magnetic flux lines to be altered. Flux lines pass through the base plate  2500  but are displaced into the plane of the base plate  2500  or towards the magnet-containing side of the plate  2500 . This causes the flux lines to project further outward on the side of the magnet opposing the base plate. Preferably, most of the flux lines pass through the mounting surface. In other words, the magnetic force adjacent to the first (or reverse) surface  2504  of the plate  2500  is less than that adjacent to the second surface  2508 . This effectively decreases any magnetic force applied to beverage containers having magnetic properties while increasing the magnetic force of attraction with the mounting surface. 
     The process to manufacture the holder  1900  will now be discussed with reference to  FIGS. 27 ,  28 , and  29 A-J. 
     Referring to  FIG. 27 , the mold includes a cap mold  2700 , side mold  2704 , and base mold  2708 . The cap mold  2700  engages the side mold  2704  and includes a plurality of vent holes  2712  for removal of air and excess resin and an alignment cap pin  2716  that engages, in a male/female relationship, a matching feature  2720  in the base mold. The base mold  2708  includes a paramagnetic or superparamagnetic protrusion  2724  emanating from a side surface of the base mold. The magnet assembly  2600  engages and is retained, through magnetic attraction, by the protrusion  2724  during resin injection. To avoid disorientation of the magnet assembly during resin injection, the force of attraction between the magnet assembly and the protrusion exceeds that between the magnet assembly and any other portion of the mold assembly and the lateral forces exerted on the magnet assembly by the resin during injection and curing. Preferably, the cap mold  2700 , side mold  2704 , and base mold  2708  are formed preferably from a diamagnetic or superdiamagnetic material, with aluminum being more preferred. To provide further alignment, the base mold  2708  includes a cylindrically shaped alignment ring  2728  which engages, in a male/female relationship, a cylindrically shaped groove  2732  in the side mold  2704 . 
     The manufacturing process will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 29A-J . 
     Referring to  FIG. 29A , the interiors of the cap mold, side mold, and base mold are sprayed with a mold release agent. The mold release agent is either an oil-based or water-based formula that generally evaporates after the molding has been completed. Because the holder will be printed after molding, water-based mold release is preferred as it produces a better surface for ink adhesion. 
     Referring to  FIG. 29B , the interior surfaces of the cap mold, side mold, and base mold are sprayed with an outer color coating used to hide defects in the foam color mixing. The RIM process requires the mold to be sprayed with a mold release and color coating to hide the mixing color swirls of the two-part resin. This produces a uniform color product that is removed easily from the mold. 
     Referring to  FIG. 29C , the magnet assembly  2600  is positioned magnetically on the protrusion  2724  (which is preferably steel). As can be seen from  FIGS. 25A-B  and  26 , the backing plate  2500 , which faces the base mold  2708 , includes a central passage  2504  which receives the protrusion  2724 . The hole  2412  in the magnet further receives the protrusion  2724 . As noted, the magnet assembly  2600  is attracted magnetically to the steel in the protrusion  2724  and remains in a stationary, fixed position during resin injection and curing. As can be seen in  FIG. 29C , the plane of the backing plate  2500  is parallel to and spaced apart from the adjacent surface of the base mold  2708 . The protrusion includes a step to provide the proper stand off distance from the adjacent interior surfaces of the mold. 
     Referring to  FIG. 29D , the side mold  2704  is inserted into the base mold  2708  and clamped into place. 
     Referring to  FIG. 29E , a two-part foam resin is introduced into the interior cavity defined by the base mold  2708  and side mold  2704 . The cavity is filled to about ⅔ full, depending on the expansion properties of the resin. The density of the foam can vary depending on the foam type, heat and ambient weather conditions. 
     Referring to  FIG. 29F , the cap mold  2700  is inserted onto the top of the side mold  2704  and clamped into place. 
     Referring to  FIG. 29G , heat is applied to the mold assembly to accelerate the foam expansion and curing process. The foam expands and escapes out of the vent holes  2712  on the top of the cap mold  2700 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 29H , after the foam has cured (which typically requires from about 1 to about 15 minutes depending on mold temperature and resin formulation), the cap mold  2700  is removed. 
     Referring to  FIG. 29I , the side mold  2704  is removed. 
     Finally, referring to  FIG. 29J  the beverage container holder  2900  is removed by stretching the sidewall containing the magnet over the protrusion. Since the insulation in the holder sidewall is flexible, it may be deformed readily for removal from the base mold after RIM is completed. As can be seen from the above figures, the magnet assembly is embedded fully in the sidewall of the holder with the exception of a small hole from the protrusion used to hold the magnet assembly in place during RIM. 
     The holder  2900  may then be printed with desired designs using multiple screen printing techniques. The magnet, during printing, is used as an index. The insulation material in the holder can withstand a brief exposure up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for the application of thermal graphics. 
     Numerous alternatives also exist for the configuration of the beverage container holder. As mentioned above, the holder may be made of a flexible insulation material, or a rigid material. The beverage container holder may have different sizes, in order to accommodate beverage containers which are different sizes, such as different sized beverage cans, bottles, cups, or glasses, for example. As will be appreciated, the container holder is fixed in internal and external diameter along its height. It cannot be wrapped around the beverage container and adjusted to the approximate diameter of the container. Alternatively, the beverage container holder may be expandable or adjustable to receive different sized beverage containers. Furthermore, the beverage container holder may be large enough to completely cover the beverage container, having an aperture for a straw, or having a zipper or other closure device which may be opened in order to access the beverage within the beverage container. Although much of the description is directed to a multi-pole magnet, it is to be understood that a single-pole magnet may also be employed. 
     The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. Although the description of the invention has included description of one or more embodiments and certain variations and modifications, other variations and modifications are within the scope of the invention, e.g. as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. The features of the embodiments of the invention may be combined in ways or designs other than those discussed above. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted, including other feature combinations, alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.