FASHION ACCESSORY BEVERAGE CONTAINER HOLDER SYSTEMS AND METHODS

Abstract

Insulative haberdashery systems and methods are disclosed for holding a beverage container. Exemplary holder systems include a flexible sleeve that receives the beverage container, an attachment mechanism such as a stitch line, and a folded kerchief having an upper presentation section and a lower attachment section. The attachment mechanism couples the lower attachment section of the folded kerchief with an interior surface of the flexible sleeve. The upper presentation section of the folded kerchief is adapted to alternate between a tucked configuration where the upper presentation section is positioned within the cavity of the flexible sleeve and an untucked configuration where the upper presentation section is positioned outside of the cavity of the flexible sleeve. The system can be placed within a jacket pocket, so that the sleeve is flattened and the upper presentation system extends from the jacket pocket.

Claims

1. A method of using an insulative haberdashery system to hold a beverage container and accessorize a clothing ensemble, the method comprising: tucking an upper presentation section of a folded kerchief of the insulative haberdashery system into an interior cavity of a sleeve of the insulative haberdashery system; placing the beverage container within the interior cavity of the sleeve of the insulative haberdashery system while the upper presentation section of the folded kerchief is tucked into the interior cavity of the sleeve; removing the beverage container from the interior cavity of the sleeve of the insulative haberdashery system; untucking the upper presentation section of the folded kerchief from the interior cavity of the sleeve of the insulative haberdashery system; flattening the sleeve of the insulative haberdashery system; and placing the flattened sleeve of the insulative haberdashery system inside of a front breast pocket of a jacket of the clothing ensemble, such that at least a portion of the upper presentation section of the folded kerchief extends outside of the front breast pocket, wherein the upper presentation section of the folded kerchief comprises an interior presentation panel and an exterior presentation panel that partially overlaps the interior presentation panel.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the exterior presentation panel has a triangular shape.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the flexible sleeve comprises an insulative material selected from the group consisting of neoprene, leather, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), polyester, vinyl, an open-cell foam, a closed-cell foam, and a fabric.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the kerchief comprises a material selected from the group consisting of cotton, silk, linen, satin, fustian, wool, wool-silk, and worsted yarn.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the folded kerchief comprises a lower attachment section that is fixed to an interior surface of the sleeve by an attachment mechanism.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises an upper stitch line and a lower stitch line.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the upper stitch line comprises a thread, and wherein the thread comprises a material selected from the group consisting of cotton, rayon, silk, wool, jute, ramie, hemp, and linen.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the upper presentation section of the folded kerchief comprises a pattern selected from the group consisting of paisley, polka dot, striped, floral, and plaid.

9. A method of using an insulative haberdashery system to hold a beverage container and accessorize a clothing ensemble, the method comprising: tucking an upper presentation section of a folded kerchief of the insulative haberdashery system into an interior cavity of a sleeve of the insulative haberdashery system; placing the beverage container within the interior cavity of the sleeve of the insulative haberdashery system while the upper presentation section of the folded kerchief is tucked into the interior cavity of the sleeve; removing the beverage container from the interior cavity of the sleeve of the insulative haberdashery system; untucking the upper presentation section of the folded kerchief from the interior cavity of the sleeve of the insulative haberdashery system; flattening the sleeve of the insulative haberdashery system; and placing the flattened sleeve of the insulative haberdashery system inside of a front breast pocket of a jacket of the clothing ensemble, such that at least a portion of the upper presentation section of the folded kerchief extends outside of the front breast pocket.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the flexible sleeve comprises a material selected from the group consisting of neoprene, leather, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), polyester, vinyl, an open-cell foam, a closed-cell foam, and a fabric.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the kerchief comprises a material selected from the group consisting of cotton, silk, linen, satin, fustian, wool, wool-silk, and worsted yarn.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the folded kerchief comprises a lower attachment section that is fixed to an interior surface of the sleeve by an attachment mechanism.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises an upper stitch line and a lower stitch line.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the upper stitch line comprises a thread, and wherein the thread comprises a material selected from the group consisting of cotton, rayon, silk, wool, jute, ramie, hemp, and linen.

15. An insulative haberdashery system for holding a beverage container, the system comprising: a flexible sleeve having a wrapper that defines a cavity, wherein the cavity is configured to receive the beverage container; an attachment mechanism having a first stitch line and a second stitch line; and a folded kerchief having an upper presentation section and a lower attachment section, wherein the first stitch line and the second stitch line of the attachment mechanism collectively operate to couple the lower attachment section of the folded kerchief with an interior surface of the flexible sleeve, wherein the upper presentation section of the folded kerchief is adapted to alternate between a tucked configuration where the upper presentation section is positioned within the cavity of the flexible sleeve and an untucked configuration where the upper presentation section is positioned outside of the cavity of the flexible sleeve, and wherein the upper presentation section of the folded kerchief includes an interior presentation panel and an exterior presentation panel that partially overlaps the interior presentation panel.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the exterior presentation panel has a triangular shape.

17. The system according to claim 15, wherein the flexible sleeve comprises a material selected from the group consisting of neoprene, leather, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), polyester, vinyl, an open-cell foam, a closed-cell foam, and a fabric.

18. The system according to claim 15, wherein the kerchief comprises a material selected from the group consisting of cotton, silk, linen, satin, fustian, wool, wool-silk, and worsted yarn.

19. The system according to claim 15, wherein the first stitch line comprises a thread, the thread comprising a material selected from the group consisting of cotton, rayon, silk, wool, jute, ramie, hemp, and linen.

20. The system according to claim 15, wherein the upper presentation section of the folded kerchief comprises a pattern selected from the group consisting of paisley, polka dot, striped, floral, and plaid.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Specific embodiments of the disclosed device, delivery systems, or methods will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 depicts aspects of haberdashery beverage container holder systems and methods according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 2 depicts aspects of haberdashery beverage container holder systems and methods according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 3 depicts aspects of haberdashery beverage container holder systems and methods according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 4 depicts aspects of haberdashery beverage container holder systems and methods according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 5 depicts aspects of a kerchief for haberdashery beverage container holder systems and methods according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 6 depicts aspects of a kerchief for haberdashery beverage container holder systems and methods according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0017] FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C depict aspects of a kerchief for haberdashery beverage container holder systems and methods according to embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Embodiments of the present invention encompass haberdashery insulating sleeves for holding a beverage container. Detailed illustrative embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments of the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein. Further, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments of the invention. Nothing in this detailed description is intended to imply that any particular component, feature, or step is essential to the invention.

[0019] Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary fashion accessory beverage container holder system 100 according to embodiments of the present invention. As shown here, the holder system 100 includes a container sleeve 110 attached with a kerchief 120 via an attachment mechanism 130. The sleeve 110 includes a wrapper 112 having an upper portion 114 and a lower portion 116. The upper portion 114 of the wrapper has an upper edge 115. The sleeve 110, when in an open or expanded configuration as shown here, defines an interior cavity 113 into which a beverage container may be inserted.

[0020] In the embodiment depicted here, the kerchief 120 is folded or configured so as to provide a lower attachment section 122 and an upper presentation section 124. The lower attachment section 122 is generally rectangular in shape, and the upper presentation section 124 is generally triangular in shape. The lower attachment section 122 is situated below the upper edge 115 of the upper portion 114 of the container sleeve wrapper 112.

[0021] The folded nature of the kerchief 120 provides additional depth to the presentation section. As shown here, the attachment mechanism 130 can be provided as stitching, such as threaded stitching, which holds the sleeve and the kerchief together, and which also holds the kerchief in a folded configuration.

[0022] According to some embodiments, the flexible sleeve 112 includes a base 119. The wrapper 112 (optionally in combination with the base 119) can define an interior cavity 113, and the cavity 113 can be configured to receive a beverage container. In some cases, the attachment mechanism 130 can include one or more stitch lines. The attachment mechanism 130 can operate to couple the lower attachment section 112 of the folded kerchief with an interior surface 111 of the flexible sleeve wrapper 112. The upper presentation section 124 of the folded kerchief 120 is adapted to alternate between a tucked configuration where the upper presentation section 124 is positioned within the cavity 113 of the flexible sleeve wrapper 112 and an untucked configuration (as shown here in FIG. 1) where the upper presentation section 124 is positioned outside of the cavity 113 of the flexible sleeve wrapper 112.

[0023] FIG. 2 depicts the fashion accessory beverage container holder system 100 in a flattened configuration. As shown here, the stitching functions as an attachment mechanism 130 which holds the sleeve 110 and the kerchief 120 together. The bottom portion 116 of the wrapper 112 of the container sleeve 110 is connected with or continuous with a base 119 of the sleeve 110, which can function to support the bottom of a container which is held inside of the sleeve 110, when the holder system 100 is in use. As discussed elsewhere here, the wrapper 112 is configured to wrap around the sides of a beverage container, and the base 119 is configured to support the bottom of the beverage container. Here, the stitching 130 is disposed slightly below the upper edge 115 of the upper portion 114 of the wrapper 112. The sleeve 110 is folded flat, and the base 119 extends downward from the wrapper 112. As shown in FIG. 2, when the sleeve 110 is in a flattened or collapsed configuration, the base 119 appears to be a double layered semicircle. When the sleeve 110 is opened and used to hold a beverage container, the base 119 unfolds and becomes circular in shape, whereby the base can operate to support or hold the bottom of the beverage container. According to some embodiments, the kerchief 120 can be folded or configured so that the upper presentation section 124 of the kerchief includes an interior presentation panel 123 and an exterior presentation panel 125 that partially overlaps the interior presentation panel 123. This overlap ca provide an added sense of three dimensionality and stylistic presence to the kerchief 120.

[0024] FIG. 3 shows the fashion accessory beverage container holder system 100 while in use, holding a beverage container 200. The upper presentation section 124 of the kerchief has been substantially tucked inside of the sleeve 110, so as to allow the user to comfortably take a drink from the beverage container 200, without having the upper presentation section 124 get in the way. In many situations, the entirety of the upper presentation section 124 can be tucked inside of the sleeve 110 when the system 100 is used to hold a beverage container 200, so that the upper presentation section 124 is no longer visible.

[0025] When it is not being used to hold a beverage container, the fashion accessory or haberdashery beverage container holder system 100 can be placed in a flattened configuration, and held or carried within a pocket of the user's apparel. For example, as depicted in FIG. 4, the fashion accessory beverage container holder system 100 can be stowed in a front breast pocket 250 of a suit jacket, sport coat, blazer, or other item of apparel 260. Here, the upper presentation section 124 extends from the opening of the pocket, and the remainder of the system 100 is hidden from view, within the pocket interior. In use, the system 100 can be removed from the pocket 250, a sleeve of the system can be expanded or opened (e.g. to form a cylindrical shape), the upper presentation section 124 can be tucked into an interior cavity of the expanded sleeve of the insulative haberdashery system 100, and a beverage container can be placed within the interior cavity of the sleeve of the insulative haberdashery system while the upper presentation section of the folded kerchief is tucked into the interior cavity of the sleeve. Before and/or after using the system 100 to hold a beverage container, the upper presentation section 124 can be positioned in the untucked configuration, the sleeve can be flattened, and the system 100 can be placed in the pocket 124, such that at least a portion of the upper presentation section 124 of the folded kerchief extends outside of the front breast pocket 250.

[0026] Advantageously, material from which the sleeve is fabricated (e.g. neoprene, leather, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), polyester, vinyl, an open-cell foam, a closed-cell foam, a fabric, or the like) can operate to provide friction between the exterior of flattened sleeve and the interior of pocket, which can help to hold the presentation section 124 in place as desired. Similarly, contact between the bottom of pocket and the bottom of the folded sleeve base can help to hold the presentation section 124 in place as desired. In some cases, the width of the folded kerchief can be selected so that it fits snugly in the breast pocket, thus providing an additional degree of friction to help hold the system in place as desired. Advantageously, when the sleeve is folded in a flattened configuration, the system 100 does not cause the pocket 250 to bulge.

[0027] According to some embodiments, the kerchief (or upper presentation section 124 thereof) can be provided in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, textures, hues, and the like. In some cases, such features of the kerchief or upper presentation section 124 thereof can be selected so as to complement or accentuate other aspects of the user's outfit or clothing ensemble, such as a bow tie 270 or cummerbund 280. In some cases, the features of the kerchief or upper presentation section 124 thereof can be selected as appropriate for a particular occasion, such as a wedding, funeral, work function, recreational activity, social or religious event, and the like. For example, the kerchief or upper presentation section 124 can have a fabric pattern (e.g. paisley, polka dot, striped, floral, plaid, and the like), and the cummerbund can have a matching fabric pattern. In this way, the fashion accessory beverage container holder system 100 can be uniquely selected by the user to meet the needs of any casual or formal event. Among other things, the kerchief or upper presentation section 124 can operate as an accoutrement, for example to elevate the appearance of another item of apparel, such as a suit, blazer, trousers, or the like. The kerchief or upper presentation section 124 can display a sense of flair, nonchalance, style consciousness, and/or sophistication.

[0028] In some cases, a clothing ensemble or outfit 240 includes a jacket 260 and a tie 270. In some cases, the clothing ensemble 240 includes a jacket 260 and a cummerbund 280. In some cases, the clothing ensemble 240 includes a jacket 260, a tie 270, and a cummerbund 280.

[0029] The sleeve can be fabricated from or include any of a variety of materials, including without limitation neoprene, leather, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), polyester, vinyl, various open-cell and closed-cell foams, fabric, and the like. The sleeve can be sized to accommodate a 12 ounce aluminum can, a 12 ounce glass bottle, or any other commonly used or custom beverage container. In some cases, the sleeve can include a logo, image, or other indicia, for example to highlight the presence of a brand name.

[0030] In some cases, the kerchief or upper presentation section thereof can be the same color, texture, or pattern of a tie, shirt, or other item of apparel. In some cases, the kerchief or upper presentation section thereof can be of a different color, texture, or pattern of a tie, shirt, or other item of apparel. In some cases, the kerchief or upper presentation section thereof can have a lighter or darker shade than that of another item of apparel. In some cases, the kerchief or upper presentation section thereof can have a complementary or contrasting color as compared to that of another item of apparel. For example, the user may wear a blue shirt or tie, and can complement their outfit by selecting a container holder having a kerchief with blue tipping or stripes.

[0031] The kerchief or upper presentation section thereof can be fabricated from or include any of a variety of materials, including without limitation cotton, cotton-synthetic blends, synthetic fabrics, silk, linen, satin, fustian, wool, wool-silk, worsted yarn, and the like. In some cases, the kerchief can be provided as a hemmed square or rectangle of thin fabric.

[0032] The upper presentation section of the kerchief can be provided in any of a variety of fold configurations. Exemplary fold configurations include without limitation a rectangular fold, a square fold, a flat fold, a Presidential fold, a straight fold, a TV fold, a classic fold, a crown fold, a point fold, a symmetrical fold, an asymmetrical fold, a pinch fold, a puff fold, a reverse puff fold, an upside-down puff fold, a winged puff fold, a shell fold, a straight shell fold, a diagonal shell fold, a scallop fold, a rose fold, an angel's peak fold, a stair fold, a one-point fold, a two-point fold, a three-point fold, a four-point fold, a Cagney fold, a Dunaway fold, a Cooper fold, an Astaire fold, and the like.

[0033] The attachment mechanism can include any of a variety of fastening means, including without limitation, threads, staples, and the like. In some cases, an attachment mechanism can include one or more stitch lines that include one or more threads, fibers, filaments, fasteners, and the like. Thread can include cotton, rayon, silk, wool, jute, ramie, hemp, linen, and the like. In some cases, an attachment mechanism can operate to hold or secure a container sleeve and a kerchief together, via continuous welding, ultrasonic roll seam welding, thermal fusion welding, or any of a variety of other types of seaming or welding techniques.

[0034] FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary fold pattern for a kerchief 500 according to embodiments of the present invention. As shown here, the kerchief 500 includes an outer first presentation fold 512, an outer second presentation fold 514, an inner first presentation fold 516, an inner second presentation fold 518. When the kerchief is folded for attachment with a sleeve, the outer first presentation fold 512 and the inner first presentation fold 514 create a first swale 530, and the outer second presentation fold 514 and the inner second presentation fold 518 create a second swale 540. In use, the kerchief can be configured in either a tucked configuration or an untucked configuration, by folding the kerchief along inner tuck fold 582 and outer tuck fold 584. The tuck folding generally provides definition between the outer lower attachment section 560 and the outer upper presentation section 580, and between the inner lower attachment section 550 and the inner upper presentation section 570. FIG. 6 depicts the kerchief 500 in a folded configuration. As shown here, the kerchief 500 includes an outer first presentation fold 512, an outer second presentation fold 514, an inner first presentation fold 516, an inner second presentation fold 518. When the kerchief is folded for attachment with a sleeve, aspects of the inner portions (e.g. the inner lower attachment section 550) can be laterally offset from aspects of the outer portions (e.g. the outer lower attachment section 560). In this way, upper presentation section, when viewed by an observer, presents a multi-layer effect. Related aspects of this multi-layer effect can be further understood with reference to FIGS. 7A-C, which illustrate how an upper presentation section of a folded kerchief can include an interior presentation panel and an exterior presentation panel that partially overlaps the interior presentation panel. Although folded kerchief 500 as shown in FIG. 6 is depicted from the interior of the sleeve, it is understood that the kerchief can present such include an interior presentation panel and an exterior presentation panel, for example by referring to interior presentation panel 501 and exterior presentation panel 503 as shown in FIG. 5. The kerchief 500 can be attached with a sleeve (not shown) via a dual stitch line 592, 594.

[0035] FIG. 7A depicts an exemplary fold pattern for a kerchief 700 according to embodiments of the present invention. The kerchief 700 initially can be folded along the diagonal defined by exterior first fold 702 and interior first fold 704, and subsequently folded along the diagonal defined by second fold 706, as illustrated in FIG. 7B. As shown here, when folding along the second fold 706, the fold can be made in a slightly offset manner, such that when the folded kerchief is pressed flat, the exterior first fold 702 is positioned slightly below the interior first fold 704. In this way, the offset fold lines 702, 704 provide an added sense of three dimensionality and stylistic presence to the kerchief. Relatedly, as a result of the offset fold lines, the folded kerchief 700 can include an interior presentation panel 701 and an exterior presentation panel 703 that partially overlaps the interior presentation panel 701.

[0036] FIG. 7C depicts the folded kerchief 700 attached with a sleeve 750 via an attachment mechanism 770. In this sense, the kerchief, sleeve, and attachment mechanism are components of the container holder system 790. In some cases, the attachment mechanism 770 can include one or more stitch lines. As shown here, the attachment mechanism can include an upper stitch line 772 and a lower stitch line 774. The sleeve 750 is depicted in phantom lines, so that the underlying portions of the kerchief 700 which are positioned within the interior cavity of the sleeve 750 can be viewed. It has been discovered that the presence of a second stitch line (e.g. 774) below the upper stitch line 772 helps to make a more uniform and crisp fold, when the upper presentation portion is folded down into the interior of the sleeve (as shown generally in FIG. 3).

[0037] The folded kerchief can provide an upper presentation section 724 that extends upward and out of the sleeve 750, and a lower attachment section 722 that is attached to the sleeve 750. The lower attachment portion is positioned within the interior cavity of the sleeve, and remains positioned there throughout use of the container holder system 790. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7C, the triangular tips of the folded kerchief (see FIG. 7B) have been removed or cut from the main body of the kerchief, so as to provide first and second lower section edges 726, 728 of the folded kerchief. This helps to reduce the overall width of the folded kerchief, to facilitate insertion of the folded kerchief into the sleeve and subsequent attachment of the folded kerchief to the sleeve.

[0038] In some cases, the upper presentation section 724 can be referred to as the portion of the kerchief that can be positioned outside of the cavity of the sleeve. In some cases, the upper presentation section 724 can be referred to as the portion of the kerchief that is positioned outside of the cavity of the sleeve, or above the upper edge 752 of the sleeve, for example when the sleeve is folded flat (see FIG. 2). In some cases, the upper presentation section 724 can be referred to as the portion of the kerchief that is situated above the attachment mechanism or a portion thereof, for example above the upper stitch line 772.

[0039] In some cases, the lower attachment section 722 can be referred to as the portion of the kerchief that is positioned inside of the cavity of the sleeve, or below the upper edge 752 of the sleeve, for example when the sleeve is folded flat (see FIG. 2). In some cases, the lower attachment section 722 can be referred to as the portion of the kerchief that is situated below the attachment mechanism or a portion thereof, for example below the lower stitch line 774.

[0040] It will be further understood that various changes in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts which have been described and illustrated in order to explain embodiments of this invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from embodiments of the invention encompassed by the following claims.

[0041] It should be understood that the steps of the exemplary methods set forth herein are not necessarily required to be performed in the order described, and the order of the steps of such methods should be understood to be merely exemplary. Likewise, additional steps may be included in such methods, and certain steps may be omitted or combined, in methods consistent with various embodiments of the invention.

[0042] Reference herein to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments necessarily mutually exclusive of other embodiments. The same applies to the term “implementation.”

[0043] All features of the described systems are applicable to the described methods mutatis mutandis, and vice versa.

[0044] While the above provides a full and complete disclosure of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, various modifications, alternate constructions and equivalents may be employed as desired. Consequently, although the embodiments have been described in some detail, by way of example and for clarity of understanding, a variety of modifications, changes, and adaptations will be apparent to those of skill in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the above description and illustrations should not be construed as limiting the invention, which can be defined by the claims. It is intended that methods and structures within the scope of the claims and their equivalents are covered thereby.