Abstract:
A beverage container which, upon receiving a prescribed item, substantially inhibits movement of the prescribed item within the container and can restrict the ability of an individual to apply pressure to the contained prescribed item, wherein the container is capable of mating with a cup holder.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY  
       [0001]     This application claims priority under 35 USC §119(e) from earlier filed U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/658,350, filed Mar. 1, 2005, by Julie D. Steele, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     This patent application relates, generally, to beverage containers and more specifically to beverage containers which are designed to mate with cup holders and inhibit accidental squeezing of the contained beverage and subsequent accidental discharge of the contained beverage.  
         [0003]     When juice boxes, juice bags or other squeezable contained beverages are given to small children, they inevitably squeeze the container, squirt the beverage everywhere and make a huge mess. Many caregivers choose not to give juice boxes, juice bags or other squeezable contained beverages to small children for this very reason. Juice boxes, juice bags and other squeezable contained beverages, however, are so easy to use, readily portable, and extremely convenient that many caregivers would welcome a way for small children to easily hold them without squeezing and making a mess.  
         [0004]     Furthermore, various containers for boxed and bagged beverages exist, such as the “Juice Box Holder” manufactured by Danara Int&#39;l, Ltd and the “Grip &#39;n Sip Juice Box Carrier” manufactured by Munchkin, Inc. However, these products are generally rectangular in shape and do not mate with or engage a cup holder. Thus, while many vehicles, child safety car seats, strollers, highchairs, and trays offer convenience cup holders for cylindrically-shaped beverage containers they generally do not appropriately accommodate boxed beverages.  
         [0005]     Most boxed beverages have at least one dimension which is too large to permit the boxed beverage to be securely engaged by a convenience cup holder. Thus, current juice box holders, generally, are not compatible with the convenience cup holders increasingly offered in vehicles, child safety car seats, strollers, highchairs, trays, or any other place where a cup holder may be available. It is the classic “square peg in a round hole” problem, or in the case of most boxed beverages, rectangular peg in a round hole.  
         [0006]     Moreover, the existing containers are generally shaped to accommodate a single sized boxed or bagged beverage and generally cannot be adapted to accommodate boxed or bagged beverages of another size.  
         [0007]     What is needed is a container that can hold a variety of boxed or bagged beverages such that the contained beverage cannot be accidentally or purposefully squeezed by the child and which can be selectively mated or coupled with a cup holder.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  depicts one embodiment of a beverage container.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  depicts one embodiment of the lid of the beverage container depicted in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  depicts an alternate embodiment of a lid for the beverage container depicted in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  depicts an alternate embodiment of the lid for the beverage container depicted in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  depicts one embodiment of the base of the beverage container depicted in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  depicts an alternate embodiment of the base of the beverage container depicted in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 7  depicts an alternate embodiment of the beverage container depicted in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 8  depicts an alternate embodiment of the beverage container depicted in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 9  depicts an alternative embodiment of the beverage container depicted in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 10  depicts an alternate embodiment of the beverage container depicted in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 11  depicts an alternate embodiment of the base shown in  FIGS. 1, 5  &amp;  6 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 12  depicts an embodiment of the beverage container shown in  FIG. 1 , in use.  
         [0020]      FIG. 13  depicts a variety of lids having various geometries.  
         [0021]      FIG. 14  depicts a variety of internal stabilizers having various geometries.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0022]      FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of a beverage container  100 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the beverage container  100  includes a base  102  and a lid  104 .  
         [0023]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the base  102  has a generally truncated conical shape that is designed to conveniently couple with a generally cylindrical cup holder. However, in alternate embodiments the base  102  can have a substantially cylindrical shape and/or any convenient geometry which would allow the base  102  to couple with a generally cylindrical cup holder.  
         [0024]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the lid  104  is adapted to disengageably attach to the base  102 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the lid  104  and base  102  can be press-fitted together. However, in alternate embodiments, the base  102  and lid  104  can be coupled with a fastener and/or any known and/or convenient mechanism of coupling items in a disengageable manner. In some embodiments, the base  102  and the lid  104  can be permanently coupled.  
         [0025]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the lid  104  includes a penetration  106 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the penetration  106  has a substantially truncated cruciform shape. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , a first arm  108  of the cruciform shape can have a first geometry and the second arm  110  of the cruciform shape can have a second geometry. However in alternate embodiments, the cruciform shape can be uniform and/or substantially uniform. In still further alternate embodiments, the penetration  106  can have any known and/or convenient geometry. In some embodiments, the geometry of the penetration  106  can be selected such that at least some of the edges of the penetration will engage at least a portion of the perimeter of an item inserted through the penetration  106 . In some embodiments, the penetration  106  can have a geometry adapted to engage at least some of the edges of a contained beverage, such as boxed juices, bagged juice, milk and the like. However in alternate embodiments, the penetration  106  can have a geometry such that the edges of the penetration  106  can engage any desired item.  
         [0026]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the base  102  includes a non-slip segment  112 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the non-slip segment  112  extends around the exterior of the base  102  and is located in approximately the central ⅓ of the height of the base  102 . In alternate embodiments, the non-slip segment  112  can be located in any convenient area on the base  102  and can cover any convenient area and/or areas of the exterior surface of the base  102 . In still further alternate embodiments, the non-slip segment  112  may not be present.  
         [0027]      FIG. 2  depicts an embodiment of the lid  104  shown in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the lid  104  includes a penetration  106  and a perimeter recess  202 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the perimeter recess  202  is adapted to selectively engage the lip of the base  102  in a press-fit, disengageable manner. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the perimeter recess  202  has a substantially bulbous partially elliptical shape, adapted to selectively engage the lip of the base  102 . However in alternate embodiments, the perimeter recess  202  can have any known and/or convenient geometry. In still further alternate embodiments, the perimeter recess  202  may not be present.  
         [0028]     In some embodiments the lid  104  can be adapted for use with any base  102  and/or bases having various geometric properties.  
         [0029]      FIG. 3  depicts an alternate embodiment of the lid  104  shown in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the penetration  106  is substantially in the shape of a multi-pointed, non-uniform star  302 . In some embodiments, the geometry of the penetration  106  can be selected such that various containers can be engaged by various edges of the penetration  106  such that a container can be substantially restrained from movement within the plane of the lid  104 .  
         [0030]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the lid  104  includes anchors  304 . The anchors  304  are adapted to selectively engage the base  102  such that the lid  104  can be selectively coupled with the base  102 . However in alternate embodiments any known and/or convenient mechanism for selectively coupling items can be used. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the lid  104  and base  102  may not be selectively couplable.  
         [0031]      FIG. 4  depicts an alternate embodiment of the lid  104  shown in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the penetration  106  is substantially square and the perimeter of the penetration includes flexible, elastomeric members  402 . In some embodiments, the elastomeric members  402  are adapted to selectively engage an item inserted through the penetration  106  and restrain movement of the item within the plane of the lid  104 .  
         [0032]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the lid  104  can include a tab  404  to facilitate separation of the lid  104  from the base  102 .  
         [0033]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the lid  104  includes four elastomeric members  402  uniformly spaced around the perimeter of the penetration  106 . However in alternate embodiments, any convenient number of elastomeric members  402  can be included and the members  402  can be space in any uniform or non-uniform pattern around the perimeter of the penetration  106 . In some embodiments, the flexible, elastomeric members  402  can have a semi-circular shape. However in alternate embodiments, the elastomeric members  402  can have any convenient shape.  
         [0034]      FIG. 5  depicts one embodiment of the base  102  of the beverage container  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the base  102  includes an aperture  502  at the bottom of the base  102 , a perimeter lip  504  at the top of the base  102  and handles  506 .  
         [0035]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the base  102  has a generally truncated conical shape adapted to engage a generally cylindrical and/or truncated conical cup holder. However in alternate embodiments, the base  102  can have any shape that can engage a generally cylindrical and/or truncated conical cup holder.  
         [0036]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the base  102  is comprised of a material having sufficient stiffness, based on the geometry of the base  102 , such that the base  102  cannot be significantly deformed by a child&#39;s grip. In some embodiments, the base  102  can be comprised of plastic, metal, and/or any known and/or convenient material.  
         [0037]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the aperture  502  is generally circular. However in alternate embodiments, the aperture  502  can have any known and/or convenient shape. In still further alternate embodiments, the aperture can be partially covered, have a grating and/or, in some embodiments, it may not be present.  
         [0038]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the perimeter lip  504  is designed to mate with the perimeter recess  202 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the perimeter lip  504  is a press-fit mechanism. However in alternate embodiments, the lid  104  can engage the base  102  via a threaded mechanism and/or any other known or convenient mechanism.  
         [0039]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the base  102  can include one or more handles  506 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 . the base  102  includes two handles  506  positioned substantially symmetrically about a vertical plane. However, in alternate embodiments the base  102  can include any convenient number of handles  506  positioned in any convenient locations and/or orientations relative to the base  102 . In some embodiments, the handles can be comprised of a non-slip material and/or can have a complete and/or regional coating of a non-slip material. In still further alternate embodiments, the base  102  may not include handles.  
         [0040]      FIG. 6  depicts an alternate embodiment of the base  102  depicted in  FIG. 5 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , the base  102  includes holes  602 , protrusions  604  and a platform  606 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , the holes  602  are shown as being located near the perimeter lip  504  and being substantially uniformly spaced around the perimeter of the base  102 . However in alternate embodiments, the holes  602  can have any convenient geometry and can be located in any convenient locations on the base  102 . In some embodiments, the holes  602  can be located and sized to allow access of a users fingers to the beverage contained within the base  102  or for other utilitarian purpose. In some embodiments, the holes  602  may not be present.  
         [0041]     In the embodiment show in  FIG. 6 , the base includes protrusions  604 . In some embodiments, the protrusions  604  can be located at various levels within the base  102 . In some embodiments, the protrusions  604  can be adapted to selectively engage the platform  606  to effectively reduce the depth of the base  102 . However in alternate embodiments, the protrusions  606  can be adapted to selectively engage contained beverages of predetermined sizes which are inserted into the base  102  and inhibit or restrict movement of the contained beverage within the base  102 . In still further alternate embodiments, the protrusions may not be present and restriction or inhibition of movement of an inserted contained beverage can be controlled based on the geometric properties of the base  102 .  
         [0042]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , the platform  606  is depicted as a solid disc which can be selectively supported by the protrusions  604 . In some embodiments, the platform  606  can be solid or, at least partially perforated and/or can have any convenient geometry. In some embodiments, the platform  606  and base  102  can be adapted and/or configured such that protrusions are not necessary to support the platform  606  at a predetermined height within the base  102 . In still further alternate embodiments, the platform  606  and/or protrusions  604  may not be present.  
         [0043]      FIG. 7  depicts an alternate embodiment of the beverage container  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the base  102  and lid  104  are integrated, but the beverage container  100  consists of two portions  702  coupled via a pivotal fastener  704  and the beverage container  100  includes a closure mechanism  706 .  
         [0044]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the beverage container  100  is divided into two, substantially equal portions  702  through a vertical plane and the two portions are pivotally coupled by a pivotal fastener  704  such that the beverage container  100  has a first open state and second closed state. In alternate embodiments, the two portions can have any convenient proportional relationship.  
         [0045]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the pivotal fastener  704  is a hinge mechanism. However in alternate embodiments, the pivotal fastener  704  can be any known and/or convenient mechanism. In still further alternate embodiments, the portions can be directly coupled such that they do not pivot relative to each other, but simply mate in a disengageable manner.  
         [0046]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the closure mechanism  706  is depicted as a snap fastener. However in alternate embodiments, the closure mechanism can be any known and/or convenient fastening mechanism.  
         [0047]     In a still further alternate embodiment, the base  102  and lid  104  can be a single integrated unit with a single fixed form.  
         [0048]      FIG. 8  depicts an alternate embodiment of the beverage container  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , the beverage container  100  comprises a base  102 , divided into two portions  802  which are pivotally connected and a lid  104  which can be selectively coupled with the base  102  when the base  102  is in a closed position. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , the lid  104  can be adapted such that when the lid  104  engages the base  102 , the base is substantially fixed in the closed position. However, in alternate embodiments, the base  102  can include a closure mechanism  706 . In still further alternate embodiments, the two portions  802  can be entirely disengagable and can be selectively mated and selectively coupled with the lid  104 .  
         [0049]      FIG. 9  depicts an alternative embodiment of the beverage container  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , the lid  104  and the base  102  of the beverage container are pivotally connected such that the lid  104  can pivot relative to the base  102  to open and close the beverage container  100 . In some embodiments, the pivotal connection can be a hinge. However in alternate embodiments, any known and/or convenient mechanism can be used to couple the lid  104  and the base  102 .  
         [0050]      FIG. 10  depicts an alternative embodiment of the beverage container  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , the lid  104  and the base  102  of the beverage container are coupled with a tether  1002 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , the tether is integral with the lid  104 . However in some embodiments, the tether can be integral with the base  102  and/or can be a component that is not integral with either the base  102  or the lid  104 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , the tether  1002  is comprised of the same material as the lid  104 . However in alternate embodiments, the tether  1002  can be comprised of any known and/or convenient material.  
         [0051]      FIG. 11  depicts an alternate embodiment of the beverage container  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , the beverage container comprises a base  102  and an internal stabilizer  1102 . Similar to the lid  102  described in FIGS.  1 - 4 , the internal stabilizer  1102  can have various properties, geometries, can be comprised of various materials and can include various additional components. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , the internal stabilizer  1102  is adapted with a penetration  1104  which can selectively engage at least some of the edges and/or perimeter of a boxed and/or bagged contained beverage. The perimeter of the internal stabilizer  1102  can also engage the interior of the base  102 , such that movement of the contained beverage within the base  102  is substantially restricted within the plane of the internal stabilizer and vertical movement of the contained beverage is restricted by the base  102 . The internal stabilizer can have any convenient geometry.  
         [0052]     In some embodiments, the base  102  can include protrusions  604  adapted to engage the internal stabilizer  1102 . In still further alternate embodiments the base  102  can include a platform  606  adapted to support an inserted contained beverage and the platform  606  can be supported by protrusions  604 .  
         [0053]      FIG. 12  depicts use of an embodiment of the beverage container  100  depicted in  FIG. 1 . In operation, a user can remove the lid  104  of the beverage container  100  and insert a platform  606  and/or an internal stabilizer  1102  into the base  102 . The user can then insert a contained beverage  1202  and then mate the lid  104  with the base  102 . In operation as least some of the edges of the contained beverage  1202  will be engaged by the internal periphery of either the internal stabilizer  1102  and/or the lid  104 . The base  102  can then be inserted into a cup holder for storage.  
         [0054]      FIG. 13  depicts a variety of lids  104  having various geometries. The lids  104  can be used with various boxed and/or bagged beverages and can engage any convenient container, other than the base  102 , which can mate with a cup holder.  
         [0055]      FIG. 14  depicts a variety of internal stabilizers  1102  having various geometries. The internal stabilizers  1102  can be used with various boxed and/or bagged beverages and can engage any convenient container, other than the base  102 , which can mate with a cup holder.  
         [0056]     In the foregoing specification, the embodiments have been described with reference to specific elements thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the embodiments. For example, the reader is to understand that the specific ordering and combination of process actions shown in the process flow diagrams described herein is merely illustrative, and that using different or additional process actions, or a different combination or ordering of process actions can be used to enact the embodiments. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.