Patent Publication Number: US-2004040968-A1

Title: Beverage floatation device and method of advertising

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATAION  
     [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/407,592, filed Aug. 30, 2003 (the &#39;592 application). The &#39;592 application is hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein. 
    
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] a. Field of the Invention  
       [0003] The invention is generally related to floating beverage containers, and more particularly, to sealable floating beverage holders and containers that may be insulated and that are constructed to inhibit listing as the volume of the beverage in the container varies, and to a method of advertising employing the sealable floating beverage holders and containers.  
       [0004] b. Background Art  
       [0005] Drinking a beverage while spending time in a pool, a spa, a lake, or any aquatic environment has in the past generally required a person to retain the beverage on dry ground to avoid the risk of spilling or dropping the beverage into the water. To overcome this problem, various types of beverage floatation devices have been designed that allow people to take a beverage with them into the water.  
       [0006] One drawback of many beverage flotation devices currently on the market is that they are configured for use by more than one person and thus have multiple cup receptors to hold more than one cup, bottle, or can. These multiple-cup beverage floatation devices require the group of people using the beverage flotation device to remain near each other as well as the beverage flotation device while in the water. Existing multiple-cup beverage flotation devices may also be equipped with a lanyard to keep the floatation device in close proximity to one swimmer. However, this does not eliminate the requirement of having the other swimmers remain in close proximity with the multiple-cup beverage flotation device as well as the swimmer to whom the lanyard is connected.  
       [0007] Another drawback of some existing floating multiple cup holders is that they are oftentimes unstable in the water if less than all of the beverage container receptacles are used. For instance, placing one full cup in a beverage floatation device designed to hold four cups may cause the floatation device to list to one side and spill the beverage. In addition, a beverage flotation device designed to hold multiple cups may become unstable and subject to tipping as the volume of the beverages in the cups vary as the beverages are consumed.  
       [0008] Beverage flotation devices available on the market today are oftentimes designed to hold standard-sized beverage containers, such as 12 ounce cans or 22 ounce bottles. One drawback of such standard sizing is that it may limit the swimmer&#39;s choice of beverage to one that is available in a container having a size that is compatible with the size of the beverage holder. Other problems may be encountered if a swimmer uses a smaller size beverage container than a beverage floatation device is configured to hold. For instance, if a swimmer places a 12 once can in a floatation device designed to hold a 22 once bottle, the can will not be held snuggly in place and may be subject to tipping or spilling. In addition, many beverages are not supplied in an easily resealable container. Therefore, if a cup is used with a beverage floatation device, the contents are easily spilled, and it is subject to having water splash into the contents.  
       [0009] Some single beverage floatation devices are also currently available on the market, but they have problems similar to those encountered with the multiple beverage container designs. One such design involves an inflatable donut-shaped tube that holds a beverage container. These inflatable single beverage containers are subject to instability, because the beverage container is held mostly above the surface of the water resulting in a high center of gravity. Inflatable single beverage containers may also be punctured rendering them unusable.  
       [0010] Some personal floatation devices also use an integral beverage holder, but these beverage holders are also subject to instability as a result of a person&#39;s movements on the personal floatation device. Both the personal floatation devices with integral beverage holders and inflatable single beverage containers are typically designed to hold standard-size beverage containers, and are thus subject to the previously-discussed drawbacks.  
       [0011] It is a common practice to affix advertisements, business names, or company logos on beverage floatation devices. However, placing a company name on a beverage floatation device that lists in the water and is subject to easily tipping over may have the inadvertent effect of negatively associating the advertised company, product, or the like, with a flawed floatation device. Such negative association may lead to a generally negative view of the advertised business or product.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012] Aspects of the present invention address the shortcomings of the beverage flotation devices currently available on the market. The present invention is a beverage flotation apparatus that, in one embodiment, includes a float for holding a single beverage container, a sealable beverage container dimensioned to fit the float for holding the beverage container, and a ballast system to prevent the beverage flotation apparatus from listing in the water as the volume of beverage in the container varies. The beverage floatation apparatus is suitable for use in a pool, lake, spa, ocean, or any other aquatic environment where a person may want to enjoy a beverage while spending time in the water. Because this embodiment of the beverage flotation device of the present invention is equipped with ballast, it will remain stable in a wavy environment and, therefore, it is less likely that the beverage will be spilled. The apparatus may also be supplied with a sealable beverage container that prevents water from being splashed into it and ruining the beverage. A lanyard may also be attached to the float, so a person can move freely in, for example, a pool without accidentally knocking the beverage over in the water while at the same time keeping the beverage in close proximity. Because the beverage floatation device will remain upright in water and is difficult to tip over, placing an advertisement on the invention is less likely to draw a negative association with the devices.  
       [0013] In one embodiment of the invention, the beverage flotation device comprises a float defining an aperture, a top surface, and a bottom surface. The beverage floatation device further comprises a beverage container sleeve secured to the float within the aperture, the beverage container sleeve extending downwardly from the bottom surface of the float. A sealable beverage container is releasably inserted into the beverage container sleeve; and the beverage container sleeve further comprises a ballast portion.  
       [0014] Alternatively, the beverage flotation device may comprise a float with an aperture in the float defining an inner engagement surface. The beverage floatation device further comprising a beverage container sleeve defining an outer engagement surface and a ballast portion wherein the outer engagement surface of the beverage container sleeve releasably engages the inner engagement surface of the aperture. A sealable beverage container releasably is inserted into the beverage container sleeve.  
       [0015] In another embodiment, the beverage flotation device comprises a float with an aperture in said float defining an inner engagement surface. The beverage floatation device further comprises a sealable beverage container defining an outer engagement surface and a ballast portion wherein the outer engagement surface of the beverage container releasably engages the inner engagement surface of the aperture.  
       [0016] The beverage floatation device may be utilized in a method of advertising comprising first selecting the beverage floatation apparatus conforming to required needs. Then, a message to be conveyed is created and affixed to the selected beverage floatation apparatus, the beverage floatation apparatus displaying the desired message is distributed, and the beverage floatation device is subsequently used in an aquatic environment. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0017]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a beverage flotation apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0018]FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a float and a beverage container sleeve according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1.  
     [0019]FIG. 3A is an isometric view of a first embodiment of a ballast according to the present invention, the ballast being made of solid material.  
     [0020]FIG. 3B is an isometric view of a second embodiment of a ballast according to the present invention, the ballast comprising a vessel containing a liquid or granular material.  
     [0021]FIG. 4A is an isometric view of a third embodiment of a ballast according to the present invention, wherein the ballast is threadedly engaged with a beverage sleeve.  
     [0022]FIG. 4B is an isometric view of a fourth embodiment of a ballast according to the present invention, wherein the ballast is frictionally engaged with a beverage sleeve.  
     [0023]FIG. 5A is an isometric view of a float and a beverage container sleeve according to a second embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0024]FIG. 5B is an isometric view of a float and a beverage container sleeve according to a third embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0025]FIG. 5C is an isometric view of a float with a float ballast according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0026]FIG. 5D is an isometric view of a plurality of floats according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0027]FIGS. 6A and 6B depict an isometric view of a float and a frictionally-secured beverage container sleeve for use in one embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0028]FIG. 6C is an isometric view of a float and a beverage container sleeve with a threaded engagement portion according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0029]FIG. 6D is an isometric view of a float and a beverage container sleeve with a bulbous engagement portion according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0030]FIG. 6E is an isometric view of a float and a beverage container sleeve with a tapered engagement portion according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0031]FIG. 6F is an isometric view of a beverage container sleeve with a ledge portion according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0032]FIG. 6G is an isometric view of a beverage flotation apparatus utilizing the beverage container sleeve with the ledge portion depicted in FIG. 6F and the float according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0033]FIG. 7A is an isometric view of a sealable beverage container utilizing a sealable straw shown in the open position according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0034]FIG. 7B is an isometric view of the sealable beverage container in FIG. 7A with the sealable straw shown in the closed position.  
     [0035]FIG. 7C is a cross sectional view of the sealable beverage container depicted in FIGS. 7A and 7B.  
     [0036]FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a sealable beverage container for use with a float without a beverage container sleeve according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0037]FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of a sealable beverage container with a ledge portion utilizing a snap lid and sealable straw.  
     [0038]FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the beverage flotation apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 further equipped with a lanyard according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0039]FIG. 11 is an exploded isometric view of another embodiment of the present invention having a beverage container with an alternative ledge portion, a removable float, and a removable insulation sleeve.  
     [0040]FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 11 in a fully-assembled configuration.  
     [0041]FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 11 and 12 with the float removed.  
     [0042]FIG. 14 is an isometric view of a beverage flotation apparatus being utilized in a method of advertising.  
     [0043]FIG. 15 is a flow diagram of a method of advertising using an embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION  
     [0044] The present invention is a beverage flotation device that includes a float (e.g.,  12 ) for holding a single beverage container (e.g.,  14 ) dimensioned to fit the float. Because embodiments of the invention are configured to hold a single beverage, swimmers may bring their own separate beverage floatation device  10  and beverage into the water without the need to remain in close proximity to other swimmers as generally required when using a beverage floatation device constructed to hold multiple beverage containers. The float  12  provides the required buoyancy to keep a beverage container  14  from sinking in the water while at the same time providing easy access to the beverage container.  
     [0045] The float  12  may be constructed of material that lends itself to easily affixing a business name, logo, or message (see, e.g., FIG. 14) to its top surface  16  to facilitate use of the floating beverage device  10  in a method of advertising. Because the invention is constructed to bias the float  12  in a level configuration while in the water, an advertisement  18  placed on the top surface  16  of the float  12  is more easily seen from an observer standing on a pool&#39;s edge or looking down from, for example, a hotel balcony into a pool. Some of the component pieces of a beverage floatation device in accordance with the invention are generally described below. Following the general description, particular embodiments are described in more detail with reference to the figures.  
     [0046] Embodiments of the invention also provide a ballast (see, e.g.,  20  in FIG. 1) to help keep the beverage container  14  upright in the water despite the level of beverage in the container  14 . As described in more detail below, the ballast  20  may be connected with a beverage container sleeve  22 , the beverage container  14 , or the float  12 . In order to prevent spilling the beverage or having water splashed into it, some embodiments of the invention include a sealable beverage container (e.g., the beverage container  14  depicted in FIG. 1 is sealable as described further below)  
     [0047] In some embodiments of the invention, the float  12  is integrally formed with the beverage container sleeve  22  that holds the beverage container  14 . The beverage container sleeve  22  may be integrally formed with the float  12  or releasably connected with the float  12 . Moreover, the sleeve  22  may be insulated to help maintain beverage temperature, i.e., warm or cool. In embodiments not using a beverage container sleeve  22 , the beverage container  14  is constructed to releasably connect directly with the float  12 . As with the beverage container sleeve  22 , the beverage container  14  may be insulated.  
     [0048] One beverage container  14  conforming to aspects of the present invention includes a cylindrical main body  24 , a removable lid  26 , and a sealable straw  28 . The outer diameter of the cylindrical main body  24  is dimensioned to fit snuggly inside the beverage container sleeve  22  to inhibit inadvertent separation of the beverage container  14  from the sleeve  22  and to prevent tipping or spilling the beverage with the sleeve  22 . The beverage container could have other than a circular cross section as long as the beverage container sleeve has a complementary cross-sectional configuration to facilitate a snug fit between the beverage container and the beverage container sleeve. The removable lid  26  and sealable straw  28  provide access to the main body  24  of the beverage container  14  without having to remove the beverage container  14  from the beverage container sleeve  22 .  
     [0049] Referring now to the various embodiments shown in the figures, aspects of the present invention will be described in more detail. FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a beverage flotation device  10  according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The beverage floatation device  10  comprises the float  12 , the beverage container  14 , the beverage container sleeve  22 , and the ballast  20 . The float  12  provides the required buoyancy to keep the beverage floatation device  10  afloat in the water. The float  12  is in the shape of a disk defining the float top surface  16  and a float bottom surface  30 . It should be understood that the float  12  may be constructed in a shape other than a disk, such as a square, a triangle, or any other polygon, including random shapes and easily recognizable shapes (e.g., the shape of a foot or animal). When in use, the float bottom surface  30  rests on, or slightly below, the surface of the water. The float  12  may be constructed from polyethylene foam, Styrofoam™, or any other material generally available on the market that is buoyant in water.  
     [0050] As shown in FIG. 1, the beverage container sleeve  22  extends downwardly from the float bottom surface  30  and is configured to hold the beverage container  14 . The beverage container sleeve  22  may also be insulated in order to keep a cold beverage cold or a hot beverage hot. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the beverage container sleeve and the float are integrated as a single piece. For example, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the float  12  may be affixed to the beverage container sleeve  22  (e.g., by adhesive), or the float  12  and sleeve  22  may have been formed as a unit. Alternatively, the sleeve  22  may be removably connected to the float  12 . Various embodiments of the beverage floatation device that comprise a removable sleeve are discussed below with regard to, for example, FIGS.  6 A- 6 G.  
     [0051] The beverage container sleeve  22  comprises a sleeve body  32  and a ballast  20 . The float  12  comprises an aperture  34  located generally in its center with a diameter equal to the inner diameter the sleeve body  32 . In some embodiments, the outer diameter of the beverage container main body  24  is dimensioned to snuggly fit inside the aperture  34  and the beverage container sleeve  22 .  
     [0052] The beverage floatation devices shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a ballast  20  located at a bottom portion  36  of the beverage container sleeve  22 . As discussed in more detail below, a ballast may also be located at a bottom portion of the beverage container when used in alternative embodiments of the invention that do not employ a beverage container sleeve  22 . The ballast  20  is not buoyant and is heavy in order to create a downward force that is countered by the upward force created by the buoyancy of the float when in use. The ballast  20  helps to bias the beverage floatation device  10  in an upright configuration whether the beverage container  14  is full or empty. The counter balancing of forces between the float  12  and the ballast  20  provides stability to the beverage floatation device  10  and helps prevent the beverage floatation device  10  from listing in the water. The beverage container sleeve  22  may provide additional buoyant force to assist the float  12 , additional downward force to assist the ballast, or a combination of additional buoyant force and downward force. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ballast may be cylindrical in shape with an outer diameter equal to the outer diameter of beverage container sleeve  22 . However, the size and shape of the ballast should not be construed to be limited to that which is depicted. As shown in FIG. 3A, the ballast  20 ′ may be constructed of a solid, heavy material  38  that is not buoyant such as metal, dense plastic, rubber, or the like. Alternatively, the ballast  20 ″ may be a vessel  40  that contains a heavy granular or liquid material such as sand or water, as shown in FIG. 3B.  
     [0053] Some embodiments of the beverage container sleeve have an integrated ballast. In other words, the ballast may be permanently affixed to the bottom portion  36  of the beverage container sleeve  22 , or the ballast may be formed together with the sleeve  22 . Alternatively, the ballast may be releasably secured to the beverage container sleeve  22 . In the example depicted in FIG. 4A, a ballast  44  is threadedly engageable is shown exploded from a threaded beverage container sleeve  46 . Alternatively, the beverage container could comprise threads into which the threadedly engageable ballast  44  threads. The threadedly engageable ballast  44  defines a ballast top  48  including an engagement portion  50  having a plurality of ballast threads  51 . Corresponding body threads  52  are defined along a bottom portion  36 ′ of the body  32 ′ of the threaded beverage container sleeve  46 . Therefore, the threadedly engageable ballast  44  may be screwed into the body  32 ′ of the threaded beverage container sleeve  46 .  
     [0054] The screw design depicted in FIG. 4A is an example of only one embodiment and should not be construed to limit the invention to the type or style depicted. For example, the body threads  52  may be located on the outer surface of the body  32 ′ and the corresponding ballast threads  51  on the ballast engagement portion  52  may be located on an inner surface of the ballast top  48 . Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4B, a ballast  54  may be frictionally engageable with the body  32 ″ of a beverage container sleeve  56 . The ballast  54  defines a ballast top  56  including an engagement portion  58 . A bottom portion  36 ″ of the body  32 ″ of the beverage container sleeve  56  defines a body engagement area  60  in the inner wall of the body  32 ″. The outer diameter of the engagement portion  58  of the ballast top  56  is large enough in relation to the inner diameter of the body engagement area  60  such that when the engagement portion  58  is forced into the body engagement area  60 , the engagement area  60  and engagement portion  58  are forced against each other producing sufficient static friction to hold the ballast  54  securely to the body  32 ″ of the beverage container sleeve  56 .  
     [0055] Alternative features may be utilized in the present invention to achieve the desired stability. For example, the ballast may be constructed in various shapes to provide additional stability. As shown in FIG. 5A, a disk-shaped ballast  62  may be used. The disk-shaped ballast  62  is connected with the bottom portion  36  of the beverage container sleeve  22  utilizing any of the aforementioned means. Because the ballast  62  shown in FIG. 5A has more surface area than a cylindrical-shaped ballast with a smaller outer diameter. The top surface  64  and the bottom surface  66  of the ballast  62  act as a baffle in a rough aquatic environment, thus providing additional stability.  
     [0056] In another alternative, the beverage container sleeve  22  may also be equipped with outwardly extending baffles  68  as shown in FIG. 5B. Four baffles  68  are shown attached to the body  32  of the beverage container sleeve  22  above the ballast (e.g.,  20 ). In a rough aquatic environment, the baffles  68  create drag to resist tipping caused by temporarily unequal buoyancy forces exerted on the float by waves. The baffle invention depicted in FIG. 5B is an example of only one embodiment and should not be construed to limit the design to the type or style depicted. For example, more or fewer baffles may be used with different sizes and shapes.  
     [0057] Referring now to FIG. 5C, one example of a float  12 ′ having an integrated ballast  70  is shown. In this example, the ballast  70  is a flat piece of material, such as metal, dense plastic, or the like, connected to the bottom surface  30 ′ of the float  12 ′. The ballast  70  and the float  12 ′ may be constructed integrally such that they comprise a single piece (formed or adhered together), or the ballast  70  may be releasably connected with the float  12 ′. The ballast may be releasably connected with the float  12 ′ by any number of means, such as with a hook-and-loop fastener, screws, a snap-on connection, or the like. The ballast  70  defines a shape corresponding to the outer contour of the float bottom surface  30 ′, and further defines an aperture (not shown) equal in diameter to the float aperture  34 . Alternatively, the ballast may define a ring (not shown) that covers the outer circumferential edge of the float  12 ′ rather than, or in addition to, being connected to the bottom surface  30 ′ of the float  12 ′. Embodiments having a ballast connected with the float may also have a ballast connected with a beverage container sleeve or a beverage container depending on the ballast requirements for a particular use.  
     [0058] Depending upon the buoyancy requirements for a particular application, a plurality of floats may be utilized. For example, as shown in FIG. 5D, one float  72  may be stacked on top of another float  74 . The floats  72 ,  74  may be releasably or permanently connected on their respective bottom and top surfaces. The floats  72 ,  74  may be held securely in place by the body of a beverage container extending through the aperture  34 , or the floats  72 ,  74  may be connected to a beverage container sleeve  22 . An additional float would create additional buoyancy that may be required depending upon what (e.g., a twelve-ounce or forty-ounce beverage) or where (e.g., fresh water or salt water) it is used. For example, a forty-ounce beverage would require more buoyancy than would a twelve-ounce beverage, and a beverage floatation device used in fresh water is less buoyant than an identical beverage floatation device used in salt water.  
     [0059] As opposed to constructing the beverage floatation device such that the beverage container sleeve  22  and the float  12  are integrated as a single piece (see, e.g., FIG. 2), the beverage container sleeve may be releasably connected with the float as depicted in FIGS. 6A through 6G. The means depicted in FIGS. 6A through 6G by which the beverage container sleeve may be releasably attached to a float may also be used to releasably secure a beverage container to a float in embodiments that do not require a beverage container sleeve. FIG. 6A is an isometric view of a removable float  76  detached from a beverage container sleeve  78  according to one aspect of the present invention. The removable float  76  includes a top surface  78 , a bottom surface  80 , and a sleeve aperture  82 . The aperture  82  defines an aperture surface  84 . As previously mentioned, beverage container sleeves conforming to the present invention are generally cylindrical in shape and may have a ballast associated therewith. The beverage container sleeve  86  defines a sleeve aperture  88  dimensioned such that a beverage container (e.g.,  14 ) snuggly fits therein. The beverage container sleeve  86  also defines a body  90  with an upper portion  92 . A frictional engagement portion  94  on the upper portion  92  of the body  90  frictionally engages the aperture surface  84  of the float  76  to releasably secure the beverage container sleeve  86  within the float aperture  82 . When the container sleeve  86  and the float  76  are connected, the body  90  of the container sleeve  86  extends downwardly from the bottom surface  80  of the float  76  as shown in FIG. 6B. When in use, the bottom surface  80  of the float  76  rests on or just below the surface of the water.  
     [0060] Generally, in embodiments of the invention that comprise a removable float (like the embodiment of FIGS. 6A and 6B, and the embodiments of FIGS.  6 C- 6 G), the aperture through the float is configured to secure the beverage container sleeve (or the beverage container) to the float. Referring to FIG. 6C, another embodiment of the invention having a removable float is shown. In this embodiment, a float  96  comprises a threaded float aperture surface  98 , and a beverage container sleeve  100  comprises an engagement portion  102  with complementary threads  104 , so the beverage container sleeve  100  may be screwed into the float  96 . Referring to FIG. 6D, another embodiment of the invention is shown with a beverage container sleeve  104  that may be releasably secured to a float  106  utilizing frictional engagement between a bulbous engagement portion  108  of the container sleeve  104  and a concave aperture surface  110  of the float  106 . The outer surface of the bulbous engagement portion  108  of the container sleeve  104  is sized and configured relative to the concave aperture surface  110  of the float  106  such that when the bulbous engagement portion  108  of the container sleeve  104  is forced into the float  106 , the bulbous engagement portion  108  and the concave aperture surface  110  are forced against each other producing sufficient static friction to hold the container sleeve  104  securely to the float  106 .  
     [0061] Instead of using frictional engagement or threads to releasably secure the beverage container sleeve to the float, the counter balancing of forces between the downward force generated by the ballast and the buoyancy of the float may be utilized to hold the beverage container sleeve and the float together. Referring, for example, to FIG. 6E, one embodiment of the invention utilizing counter balancing of forces between the downward pull of the ballast and the buoyancy of the float is shown. Specifically, in this embodiment, a beverage container sleeve  112  comprises an engagement portion  114  that is tapered or flared outwardly from the sleeve body  32 . A float  116  has a complementary tapered aperture  118  with the aperture diameter at a top surface of the float  116  is larger than the aperture diameter at a bottom surface  122  of the float  116 . The ballast  20  and body  32  of the container sleeve  112  are dimensioned so that they may be inserted through the tapered float aperture  118  until the engagement portion  114  of the container sleeve  112  rests against the surface of the tapered aperture  118  of the float  116 . When placed in the water, the ballast  20  located on the beverage container sleeve  112  pulls with a downward force that is resisted by an upward force created by the buoyancy of the float  116 . Thus, the engagement portion  114  of the container sleeve  112  is forced against the surface of the tapered aperture  118 . The outer circumference of the tapered aperture at the top surface  120  of the float  116  may define a flange (not shown) configured so that the tapered engagement portion  114  of the sleeve  112  snaps under the flange to secure the sleeve  112  to the float  116 .  
     [0062] In FIGS. 6F and 6G, a beverage container sleeve  124  according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown as comprising a ledge portion  126  to secure it to a float. The ledge portion  126  of the beverage container sleeve  124  defines a ledge upper surface  128  and a ledge lower surface  130 . The beverage container sleeve  124  may be dimensioned such that a body  132  of the beverage container sleeve  124  can be inserted through a float aperture until the ledge lower surface  130  rests against the float top surface  116 . When used in the water, the ballast  20  located on the beverage container sleeve  124  pulls with a downward force that is resisted by an upward force created by the buoyancy of the float  12 . Thus, the ledge lower surface  130  is forced against the float top surface  16 . The sleeve  124  may also define a second ledge (not shown) on the body  132  of the sleeve below the first ledge  126 . The outer diameter of the second ledge is greater than the diameter of the aperture through the float  12 . When connecting the sleeve  124  to the float  12 , the sleeve body  132  is inserted through the float aperture until the second ledge abuts the top surface  16  of the float  12 . The second ledge is then forced through the aperture until the float top surface  16  and the float bottom surface  30  are positioned between the ledges. The beverage container sleeve  124  utilizing the ledge portion  126  may also be constructed with an engagement portion to frictionally or threadedly engage the float aperture.  
     [0063]FIGS. 7A though  7 C depict a sealable beverage container  134  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention that does not utilize a beverage container sleeve. The sealable beverage container  134  includes a removable lid  136  and a sealable straw  138 . This beverage container  134  is sealed to prevent spilling or to prevent water from being splashed into the user&#39;s beverage. The beverage container  134  comprises a body  140  that may be insulated to help keep the beverage at a constant temperature.  
     [0064] The lid  136  may be secured to the body  140  of the beverage container in any number of ways. In one embodiment, the lid  136  and body  140  of the beverage container  134  are threaded such that the lid  136  may be screwed onto the body  140  of the beverage container  134  after it is filled. The lid  136  and body  140  may be configured such that threads are located on the outer surface of the body and the corresponding threads may be located on the inside of the lid. Alternatively, the lid and body may be configured such that threads are located on the inner surface of the body and the corresponding threads may be located on the outside of the lid. As opposed to using a threaded engagement, in an alternative embodiment, the lid  136  may be secured to the body  140  using a snap-on type arrangement as is known in the art.  
     [0065] The sealable straw  138  allows a user to easily drink a beverage while at the same time providing a means for sealing the beverage container  134  when not in use. The sealable straw  138  comprises a valve  142 , a sipping portion  144 , and a straw tube  146 . FIG. 7A shows the sipping portion of the sealable straw  138  positioned such that the valve  142  is in the open position, and FIG. 7B shows the sipping portion  144  of the sealable straw  138  positioned such that the valve  142  is in the closed position. FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional view of the sealable beverage container  134  shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The sipping portion  144  of the scalable straw  138  is connected with the valve  142 . The valve  142  defines a valve inlet  148  and a valve discharge  150 . When in the open position, the valve inlet  148  is aligned with the straw tube  146 , thus allowing the contents of the beverage container to flow from inside the body  140 , through the valve inlet  148 , through the valve discharge  150 , through the straw tube  146 , and from the sipping portion  144  of the sealable straw  138 . When the sealable straw  138  is in the closed position, the valve inlet  148  abuts a valve body wall  152 , thus preventing flow to the sealable straw  138 . The valve  142  is actuated between the open and closed positions by rotating the sipping portion  144  of the sealable straw  138  in the directions indicated by arrow  154  in FIG. 7A. An internal tube  156  may extend to a bottom  158  of the sealable beverage container  134  so the user can extract the entire beverage without having to tip the container  134 . In order to extract a beverage from the container, the user sucks on the sipping portion  144  of the sealable straw  138 , which causes the beverage to flow from inside the beverage container  134  into the internal tube  156 . The beverage then flows from the internal tube  156  into the valve inlet  148  and eventually exits the sipping portion  144 .  
     [0066]FIG. 8 depicts an alternative embodiment of the invention, comprising a sealable beverage container  134 ′ that is similar to the sealable beverage container  134  depicted in FIGS.  7 A- 7 C. The sealable beverage container  134 ′ depicted in FIG. 8, however, is configured to be used in combination with a float, similar to the float  76  depicted in FIG. 6A, and a ballast, similar to the ballast depicted in FIG. 6A. Thus, FIG. 8 depicts one example of a sealable beverage container  134 ′ for use with a float and a ballast to form a floating beverage container without a beverage container sleeve. The sealable beverage container  134 ′ is similar to the sealable beverage container  134  described and depicted in FIGS. 7A through 7C except that it includes a ballast  160  and an engagement portion  162 . Referring to FIG. 8, the sealable beverage container  134 ′ is dimensioned such that the body  140  can easily slide through the aperture in the float to a point where the engagement portion  162  of the sealable beverage container  134 ′ mates with the aperture surface on the float. The engagement portion  162  on the sealable beverage container  134 ′ releasably secures the sealable beverage container  134 ′ to the float aperture surface. The various means previously described to releasably secure the beverage container sleeve to a float with regard to FIGS. 6A through 6E may also be used to secure the sealable beverage container  134 ′ to a float.  
     [0067]FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of a sealable beverage container  164  that may be used with a float similar to the float  76  depicted in FIG. 6A, but without the beverage container sleeve  86 . The sealable beverage container  164  includes a ballast  166 , a body  168 , a ledge portion  170 , a removable lid  172 , and a sealable straw  174 . Instead of using friction or threads to releasably secure the sealable beverage container  164  to the float, the sealable beverage container utilizes the ledge portion  170  to hold it together with the float in the same manner that the float  12  is held together with the beverage container sleeve  124  previously described and depicted in FIGS. 6F and  6 G. The ledge portion  170  of the sealable beverage container  164  defines a ledge upper surface  176  and a ledge lower surface  178 . The beverage container  164  may be dimensioned such that the body  168  of the sealable beverage container  164  can be inserted through the float aperture until the ledge lower surface  178  rests against the float top surface. When used in the water, the ballast  166  located on the sealable beverage container  164  will pull with a downward force that is resisted by an upward force created by the buoyancy of the float. Thus, the ledge lower surface  178  is forced against the float top surface. The sealable beverage container  164  utilizing the ledge portion  170  may also be constructed with an engagement portion (not shown) to frictionally or threadedly engage the float aperture to further secure the sealable beverage container to the float.  
     [0068] The removable lid  172  shown in FIG. 9 is releasably secured to the ledge upper surface  176 . The removable lid  172  may be constructed to snap into place as is generally know in the art, and may be removed by applying an upward force to a lip  180  protruding from the removable lid  172 . The removable lid  172  may also be secured to the ledge upper surface  176  by utilizing a threaded engagement (not shown). The removable lid  172  includes a lid aperture  182  dimensioned to allow the sealable straw  174  to be inserted through the removable lid  172  and into the body  168  of the sealable beverage container  164 . The sealable straw  174  may be stiff or flexible. The sealable straw  174  includes a removable straw cap  184  that fits snuggly on a sipping portion  186  of the sealable straw  174  to seal the straw  174  and to prevent spilling the beverage or allowing water to splash inside the body  168  when in use. The straw cap  184  may be threadedly or frictionally engageable with the sipping portion  186 . The straw cap  184  may also be releasably secured to the sealable straw  174  by a straw cap ring  188  and a straw cap leash  190 . The straw cap ring  188  is dimensioned to snuggly fit around the outer diameter of the sealable straw  174 , and the straw cap leash  190  secures the straw cap  184  to the straw cap ring  188 . When the straw cap  184  is removed from the sipping portion  186 , the straw cap leash  190  will keep the straw cap  184  in close proximity to the sealable straw  174  to ensure that the straw cap  184  is not dropped or lost.  
     [0069] The sealable beverage containers depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9  134 ′,  164 , respectively, may become more or less buoyant as the volume of beverage contained therein varies. Therefore, the sealable beverage containers  134 ′,  164  include a ballast  160 ,  166 , respectively, to inhibit the beverage floatation device from listing in the water as the volume of beverage contained in the sealable beverage container varies. As described previously with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the ballast may be constructed of a solid, heavy material  38  (FIG. 3A) that is not buoyant such as metal, plastic, or rubber. Alternatively, the ballast portion may be constructed as a vessel that contains a heavy granular or liquid material  42  (FIG. 3B) such as sand or water. The ballast may also be integral with or releasably secured to the beverage container utilizing any of the various means described previously with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B for securing the ballast to the beverage container sleeve.  
     [0070]FIG. 10 depicts a beverage flotation device  192  according to the present invention that is equipped with a lanyard  194  in order to keep the beverage floatation device  192  in close proximity to the user. With the exception of the lanyard  194 , the floatation device  192  depicted in FIG. 10 is substantially similar to the beverage floatation device  10  shown in FIG. 1. One embodiment of the lanyard  194  comprises a wrist band  196 , a leash  198 , and a rotatable eye hook  200  to secure the leash  198  to the float  12  of the beverage flotation device  192 . The leash  198  may also be connected with other portions of the beverage floatation device  192 , and may also be retractable, extendable, or a fixed length. The wrist band  196  is expandable to fit various wrist sizes. The lanyard  194  depicted in FIG. 10 is an example of only one embodiment and should not be construed to limit the lanyard to the type or style depicted. For example, a lanyard may utilize a hook or clamp to secure the leash to a float or raft instead of a person&#39;s wrist. The lanyard may also be secured with a hook-and-loop fastener (not shown).  
     [0071] FIGS.  11 - 13  depict an embodiment of a convertible beverage flotation device  202  according to the present invention. The beverage flotation device  202  is “convertible” since it can be easily converted for use in water or for use away from water as explained further below. FIG. 11 is an exploded, isometric view of the convertible beverage floatation device  202 . In the depicted embodiment, the beverage floatation device  202  comprises a beverage container  204  having a body  206 , a float  208 , and a removable insulation sleeve  210 . The beverage container  204  further comprises a removable lid  26  and sealable straw  28  as described above in connection with FIG. 1. An alternative ledge portion  212  is located near the juncture of the removable lid  26  and the body  206 .  
     [0072]FIG. 12 depicts the convertible beverage floatation device  202  configured for use in an aquatic environment. In particular, the float  208  has been slid onto the body  206  of the beverage container  204 , and the removable insulation sleeve  210  also has been slid onto the body  206 . As shown in FIG. 12, when the convertible beverage floatation device  202  is fully assembled in this configuration, the float  208  is held in position between an upper edge  214  of the removable insulation sleeve  210  and a bottom surface  216  of the alternative ledge portion  212 . The removable insulation sleeve  210  and the float  208  may be configured so as to frictionally engage the body  206  of the beverage container  204 , or they may be detachably joined with the body  206  of the beverage container  204  using any of the previously-described techniques for joining components.  
     [0073] In order to inhibit listing of the convertible beverage floatation device  202 , a ballast  218  may be affixed to the body  206  of the beverage container  204  using any of the previously-described techniques. In addition, or in the alternative, the removable insulation sleeve  210  may also serve as a ballast. In particular, the sleeve  210  may be constructed with denser material or more mass at a lower portion  220  of the sleeve  210 . The ballast  218  and/or the lower portion  220  of the sleeve  210  would thus provide a force tending to bias the convertible beverage floatation device  202  in an upright position in the water.  
     [0074]FIG. 13 depicts the convertible beverage floatation device configured for use away from an aquatic environment. As shown in FIG. 13, the float  208  (FIGS. 11 and 12) has been removed, and the removable insulation sleeve  210  has been reinstalled on the body  206  of the beverage container  204 . Although a short section of the beverage container  204  is exposed and thus uninsulated in this configuration, the majority of the beverage container  204 , including the portion most likely to hold the actual beverage, remains covered by the removable insulation sleeve  210 . When the convertible beverage floatation device is in the configuration depicted in FIG. 13, the float  208  is not in the user&#39;s way.  
     [0075] In a method for advertising, a beverage floatation device according to one of the above embodiments is used to display a message or advertisement  18  (FIG. 14) such as a company&#39;s name, logo, or other advertisement. As shown in FIG. 14, in one example, the advertisement is embossed or affixed to the top surface  16  of the float  12 . The advertisement  18  may also be constructed such that it is removable or permanently affixed to the float  12 .  
     [0076] There are many different situations where the invention may be utilized to advertise a product or business. For example, a business that rents water sports equipment such as sailboats, personal watercraft, and like, at a beach may wish to have its name and the service it provides displayed on the invention for use in a hotel pool or in the ocean nearby the hotel. People staying at the hotel may use the beverage floatation device in the pool and passers-by may also notice the company&#39;s name displayed on the invention while being used by others. As people staying in the hotel later plan for activities on the beach, for example, they may remember the advertisement and choose to rent waters sports equipment from the rental company located on the beach without first looking elsewhere.  
     [0077] The beverage floatation device according to one of the above embodiments may be used in a method of advertising according to the method depicted in FIG. 15. In step  222 , beverage floatation devices conforming to one or more required needs (i.e., size and shape) are first selected. A message to be conveyed is then created (step  224 ). The message is then affixed to beverage flotation devices (step  226 ). The beverage floatation devices having the message displayed thereon (step  228 ) are then distributed. Lastly, one or more of the beverage floatation devices having the advertisement are used by others ( 230 ).  
     [0078] In one embodiment of the invention, the advertisement  18  may be placed on a separate sheet affixed to the float top side by a number of different means, such as glue, hook-and-loop fastener, or the like. Alternatively, a message may be embossed directly onto the float top surface  16  without the need of placing it on a sheet. When in use, the ballast of the beverage flotation system aids in keeping the beverage flotation system level in the water such that the advertising message placed on the top surface of the float will be visible during normal use of the beverage flotation devices.  
     [0079] Although various embodiments of this invention have been described above with a certain degree of particularity or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to those disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only of particular embodiments, and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the basic elements of the invention as defined in the following claims.