Flexible insulated beverage holder with rigid plate and handle

Abstract

This device is a flexible insulated beverage holder with a rigid arcuate plate and a rigid handle attached. This device allows a user to hold only the handle and insert a beverage container into the insulated beverage holder. This is achievable because the attached plate forces the insulated beverage holder to provide an expanded opening at its top. As the beverage is inserted into the opening created by the plate the user need only grip the handle as the beverage container is pushed to the bottom of the insulated beverage holder. This device provides the benefits of grasping a sturdy handle, while also providing significant portability with the flexible insulated beverage holder.

Claims

1. A device, which is comprised of: a. an insulated beverage holder; wherein the insulated beverage holder has a relaxed position prior to insertion of a beverage container; wherein the insulated beverage holder has a top rim and a bottom rim; wherein the top rim and the bottom rim are configured to maintain an ellipse shape in the relaxed position; wherein the top rim provides an opening; wherein the insulated beverage holder has a bottom; wherein the insulated beverage holder has an exterior surface; wherein the insulated beverage holder has an interior surface; wherein the insulated beverage holder is flexible; b. a plate; wherein the plate is rigid; wherein the plate includes an exterior arcuate side and an interior arcuate side; wherein the maximum width of the plate is at least 25 percent of the circumference of the top rim, thereby providing reinforcing support while still allowing for collapsibility of the insulated beverage holder for compact storage; wherein the interior arcuate side of the plate is attached to the exterior surface of the insulated beverage holder; wherein the exterior surface of the insulated beverage holder conforms to match the shape of the interior arcuate side of the plate while the plate is attached, thereby forming an arcuate rigid support portion in the exterior surface of the insulated beverage holder that matches the contour of the plate; wherein the arcuate rigid support portion allows the insulated beverage holder to maintain an ellipse shaped top opening during initial insertion of a beverage container.

2. The device as described in claim 1, wherein a handle is attached to the plate.

3. The device as described in claim 2, wherein the handle is integrated into the plate.

4. The device as described in claim 1, wherein the plate is attached to the insulated beverage holder with adhesive.

5. The device as described in claim 1, wherein the plate is attached to the insulated beverage holder with stitching.

6. A device, which is comprised of: a. an insulated beverage holder; wherein the insulated beverage holder has a relaxed position prior to insertion of a beverage container; wherein the insulated beverage holder has a top rim and a bottom rim; wherein the top rim and the bottom rim are configured to maintain an ellipse shape in the relaxed position; wherein the top rim provides an opening; wherein the insulated beverage holder has a bottom; wherein the insulated beverage holder has an exterior side surface; wherein the insulated beverage holder has an interior side surface; wherein the insulated beverage holder is flexible; b. a plate; wherein the plate is rigid; wherein the plate includes an exterior arcuate side and an interior arcuate side; wherein the maximum width of the plate is at least 25 percent of the circumference of the top rim, thereby providing reinforcing support while still allowing for collapsibility of the insulated beverage holder for compact storage; wherein the interior arcuate side of the plate is attached to the exterior surface of the insulated beverage holder; wherein the exterior surface of the insulated beverage holder conforms to match the shape of the interior arcuate side of the plate while the plate is attached, thereby forming an arcuate rigid support portion in the exterior surface of the insulated beverage holder that matches the contour of the plate; wherein the arcuate rigid support portion allows the insulated beverage holder to maintain an ellipse shaped top opening during initial insertion of a beverage container; c. a handle; wherein the handle is attached to the plate.

7. The device as described in claim 6, wherein the handle is integrated into the plate.

8. The device as described in claim 6, wherein the plate is attached to the insulated beverage holder with adhesive.

9. The device as described in claim 6 wherein the plate is attached to the insulated beverage holder with stitching.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of the first embodiment showing the insulated beverage holder in a substantially relaxed state.

(2) FIG. 2 is a front view of the first embodiment showing the insulated beverage holder in a substantially relaxed state.

(3) FIG. 3 is back view of the first embodiment showing the insulated beverage holder in a substantially relaxed state.

(4) FIG. 4 is side view of the first embodiment showing the insulated beverage holder in a substantially relaxed state.

(5) FIG. 5 is a top view of the first embodiment showing the insulated beverage holder in a substantially relaxed state.

(6) FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the first embodiment showing the insulated beverage holder in a substantially relaxed state.

(7) FIG. 7 is a front isometric view of the first embodiment showing the insulated beverage holder in a substantially expanded state.

(8) FIG. 8 is a front isometric view of the second embodiment showing the insulated beverage holder in a substantially expanded state.

(9) FIG. 9 is a side view of second embodiment showing the insulated beverage holder in a substantially expanded state.

(10) FIG. 10 is a front view of the second embodiment showing the insulated beverage holder in a substantially expanded state.

(11) FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the second embodiment showing the insulated beverage holder in a substantially expanded state.

(12) FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the second embodiment showing the handle and plate detaching from the track.

(13) FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the second embodiment showing the insulated beverage holder in a substantially collapsed state.

NUMBERING REFERENCE

(14) 5—First embodiment 10—Insulated beverage holder 15—Plate 20—Handle 50—Second embodiment 60—Track 60a—First side of track 60b—Second side of track

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(15) This device is a flexible insulated beverage holder 10 that is attached to a rigid plate 15 and handle 20, which is described below in two separate embodiments: a first embodiment 5 and a second embodiment 50.

First Embodiment

(16) In this first embodiment 5 the device is comprised of a flexible insulated beverage holder 10, a rigid plate 15, and a handle 20. The flexible insulated beverage holder 10 includes a flexible sidewall with a top rim and a bottom rim. As shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, when the flexible holder 10 is in a relaxed position (prior to beverage container insertion), the top rim and the bottom rim are configured to maintain an ellipse shape. Both of the top rim and the bottom rim are collapsible for ease of compact storage of flexible holder 10. FIGS. 1-4 show flexible holder 10 in the relaxed position, disposed in a vertical position. However, when the flexible holder 10 is in the relaxed position, it is not capable of being self-supporting or free-standing vertically, relative to a central vertical axis of the flexible holder. The rigid plate 15 provides a degree of reinforcing support to the flexible holder 10. The rigid plate 15 has an exterior arcuate side and an interior arcuate side, with each of the exterior arcuate and interior arcuate sides having an arcuate shape relative to the central vertical axis of flexible insulated beverage holder 10. The interior arcuate side of the plate 15 is adhered to an exterior surface of the flexible sidewall of the insulated beverage holder 10, and the exterior arcuate side is integrated with the handle 20, which is shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, the maximum width of the rigid plate 15 is at least 25 percent of the circumference of the top rim of the flexible holder 10. This predetermined percent of circumference from the maximum width of the rigid plate 15 provides needed reinforcing support while still allowing for collapsibility of the flexible holder 10 for compact storage. In addition to the plate 15 providing an arcuate surface side for reinforcing annular support, the plate 15 provides a degree of vertical reinforcing support by being configured as substantially the same height as the insulated beverage holder 10, which is shown in FIG. 2. However, it is anticipated that the plate is smaller in height than the insulated beverage holder.

(17) The attachment of the interior arcuate side of rigid plate 15 against the exterior surface of the flexible sidewall forms an arcuate rigid support portion that matches the contour of the rigid plate. As such, the interior arcuate side of rigid plate 15 maintains, reinforces, and supports the corresponding arcuate shape of the arcuate rigid support portion (as best seen in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6). As such, the arcuate rigid support portion creates and maintains an opening at the top rim of flexible holder 10 to assist the user in initial insertion of the beverage container. The arcuate rigid support portion thereby allows the flexible holder 10 to maintain an ellipse shaped top opening while in its relaxed position.

(18) The arcuate shape of the plate 15, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, forces the top of the material of the insulated beverage holder 10 to form to the shape of the arcuate surface when the plate 15 is attached to the insulated beverage holder 10. Thus, the plate 15 forces the insulated beverage holder 10 to provide an opening at its top while the insulated beverage holder 10 is in a relaxed position. Consequently, a user need only hold the handle 20 while inserting or removing a can, cup, or bottle. Accordingly, the user can easily insert the drink without making direct contact with the insulated beverage holder 10.

(19) In addition to allowing a user to easily and quickly insert or remove a beverage from the insulated beverage holder 10, the handle increases a user's ability to maintain the drink, as well allowing a user to use one finger around the handle 20 to carry a beverage within the device. Also, the rigid handle 20 and plate 15 assist with pouring a drink beverage when needed. For example, if the beverage container is a two liter bottle. The rigid plate 15 assists with stabilizing the bottle within the insulated beverage holder 10 and the handle 20 assists the user with pouring.

(20) Furthermore, this device provides significant portability because the insulated beverage holder 10 is flexible. Therefore, a user is capable of collapsing the insulated beverage holder 10 and placing it in a pocket or other small compartment.

Second Embodiment

(21) This second embodiment 50 is comprised of an insulated beverage holder 10, a rigid arcuate plate 15, a handle 20, and a track 60. The track is further comprised of a first part 60a and a second part 60b. The first part 60a and second part 60b each provide a top, a bottom, a front side, a back side, a first side, and a second side. The tops and the first sides of the first part 60a and second part 60b are attached to the insulated beverage holder 10. The bottoms and second sides of the first part 60a and second part 60b lay over the insulated beverage holder 10 but are not attached to the insulated beverage holder 10. In turn, the track 60 allows the plate 15 to slide, or otherwise be placed, between the insulated beverage holder and the bottom side of the first part 60a and the bottom side of the second part 60b. The handle 20 is slid, or otherwise placed, between the second side of the first part 60a and the second side of the second part 60b.

(22) The plate 15 with integrated handle 20 can therefore, be removed from the track 60 or inserted into the track 60 as the user desires. When the arcuate plate 15 and handle 20 are inserted into the track 60, the arcuate surface of the plate 15 forces the material of the insulated beverage container 10 to form into the arcuate surface of the plate 15. Therefore, the opening of the insulated beverage holder 10 will be forced into an open position while the plate 15 is placed within the track 60. It is anticipated that the handle 20 may incorporate an integrated bottle opener.

(23) While the embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, certain modifications may be made by those skilled in the art to modify the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.