Patent ID: 8028850

Claim:
A self-anchoring beverage container with directional release and attachment capability, comprising: a flexible nonporous base member; said base member having a lower surface that is configured to engage an external reference surface and form a substantially airtight peripheral seal therewith that defines a controlled pressure zone, said controlled pressure zone being a region located between said base member and said reference surface that is surrounded by said peripheral seal; a receptacle assembly mounted to said base member; said receptacle assembly comprising a beverage holding chamber having a closed bottom, a sidewall portion, and a top; said receptacle assembly further comprising a communication channel arranged to provide air communication between said controlled pressure zone and an area of ambient air pressure; said receptacle assembly further comprising a pressure control device, said pressure control device having a closed position wherein said pressure control device blocks and closes said communication channel to seal said controlled pressure zone and an open position wherein said pressure control device separates from and opens said communication channel to vent said controlled pressure zone to ambient pressure; said receptacle assembly further comprising a grasping portion that is arranged to be grasped by a user during normal lifting of said beverage container from said reference surface; said pressure control device and said grasping portion being part of a common rigid structure so that said grasping portion cannot move without causing simultaneous movement of said pressure control device, said rigid structure producing simultaneous actuation of said pressure control device from said closed position to open said communication channel when a user grasps said grasping portion and initiates said normal lifting of said beverage container from said reference surface; whereby said beverage container is self-biased to remain affixed to said reference surface when said communication channel is closed due to said controlled pressure zone generating a partial vacuum when an attempt is made to move said beverage container without actuating said pressure control device; and whereby said self-biasing will be released surreptitiously and said beverage container will lift away from said reference surface without discernible resistance when said pressure control device is actuated to vent said controlled pressure zone due to a user grasping said grasping portion during normal lifting of said beverage container.