BEVERAGE CONTAINER HOLDER

Abstract

A device 200 is disclosed for holding a beverage container 216 having any size within a range of sizes. The holder 200 has a side wall 202 defining an opening 208 through which the beverage container is insertable and a base 204. A collar 210 is positioned within the opening 208, and the side wall 202 and the base 204 together define a cavity 214 for receiving the beverage container 216. The collar 210 is pliable and is arranged to deform to contact and grip the beverage container 216. The opening 208 has a first width and the collar 210 has an aperture 212 formed therein, the aperture 212 having a second width, the first and second widths being selected to adapt the device to the desired range of sizes.

Claims

1. A device adapted to hold a beverage container having any size within a range of sizes, the device comprising: a base; a side wall extending away from the base and defining an opening through which the beverage container is receivable into a cavity defined by the base and the side wall; and a pliable collar spaced away from the base and located within the cavity, the collar extending inwardly into the cavity and having an aperture through which the beverage container is insertable such that the collar deforms to cause an inner edge of the aperture to contact and grip the beverage container; wherein the opening has a first width, the aperture of the collar has a second width, the second width being smaller than the first width and wherein the first width is selected to be larger than the diameter of the largest beverage container in the range of sizes and the second width is selected to be smaller than the smallest beverage container in the range of sizes.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of the second width to the first width is less than or equal to 0.9; or wherein the first width is larger than one of: 66.2 mm, 64.1 mm, 63.5 mm, 60.7 mm, 59.3 mm, 58.1 mm, 57.5 mm, or 56.1 mm, and wherein the second width is smaller than one of: 64.1 mm, 63.5 mm, 60.7 mm, 59.3 mm, 58.1 mm, 57.5 mm, 56.1 mm, or 53.3 mm.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the collar has a generally planar form.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the plane of the collar is generally parallel with the base.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the inner edge of the collar is thicker than parts of the collar closer to the side wall.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the collar extends generally perpendicularly inwardly from the side wall.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the collar includes one or more perforations extending through the collar.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the collar extends substantially around an internal surface of the side wall.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the collar is arranged to form a seal at least part way around an outer surface of the beverage container, optionally wherein the collar is arranged to form a seal all the way around an outer surface of the beverage container.

10. The device of claim 1, further including a removable insert insertable into the cavity prior to the beverage container being received in the cavity, to contact a lower end of the beverage container and space the beverage container away from the base.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the insert is U-shaped in profile to selectively allow insertion in two orientations, each orientation spacing the lower end of the beverage container a different distance from the base.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the vertical walls of the U-shaped section are arranged to hold the beverage container centrally within the cavity.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein the insert has grooves in at least one surface for interfacing with the lower end of the beverage container.

14. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the collar has a rough or roughened surface for gripping the beverage container.

15. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the collar comprises a plastic or rubber material.

16. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the collar has a Shore durometer hardness of 25 Shore A to 90 Shore A, preferably between 40 Shore A and 70 Shore A, preferably about 50 Shore A.

17. The holder according to claim 1, wherein an internal surface of the side wall has an internal shoulder or protrusion to provide a recess for receiving the collar as the collar deforms as the beverage container is inserted or removed through the aperture into the cavity.

18. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the side wall and/or the base comprise(s) rigid plastic and/or metal.

19. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the base and/or the side wall is/are hollow and include insulating means.

20. A holder for a beverage container, the holder comprising: a base; a side wall defining an opening through which the beverage container is insertable; and a collar located within the opening; wherein the side wall and the base together define a cavity for receiving the beverage container; and wherein the collar is adjustable between a first configuration for contacting a first size of beverage container and a second configuration for contacting a second size of beverage container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0095] Specific examples will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which:

[0096] FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a holder for a beverage container;

[0097] FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of the holder of FIG. 1A, shown from below;

[0098] FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional view of the holder of FIG. 1A prior to a beverage container being inserted and the collar in the first configuration;

[0099] FIG. 2B shows the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2A, with a beverage container received in the cavity and the collar in the second configuration;

[0100] FIG. 2C shows the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2B, having an alternate beverage container received in the cavity and contacted by the collar, the collar being in an intermediate configuration;

[0101] FIG. 2D shows the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2C, in which the collar is in the first configuration and does not contact the beverage container;

[0102] FIG. 3A shows an example of the collar in detail in the first configuration;

[0103] FIG. 3B shows the collar of FIG. 3A in the second configuration;

[0104] FIG. 4A shows a cross-sectional view of a further example of a holder for a beverage container, having an internal shoulder for supporting a beverage container;

[0105] FIG. 4B shows the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4A with an alternate beverage container received in the cavity;

[0106] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a modular holder having a variety of replaceable collar sizes and a plurality of removable inserts;

[0107] FIGS. 6A to 6C illustrate a device for holding a variety of sizes of beverage container, shown respectively in perspective view from above, in perspective cutaway view from above, and in perspective view from below;

[0108] FIG. 7A shows an exploded view the device of FIG. 6A with a removable cap part removed;

[0109] FIGS. 7B and 7C show a removable cap, collar, and removable insert respectively in perspective view from above, and in perspective view from below; and

[0110] FIGS. 8A to 8C show the device of FIGS. 6A to 6C and 7A to 7C with a variety of sizes of beverage containers located in the cavity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0111] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, an example of a holder 100 according to the present disclosure has a generally cylindrical shape. The holder 100 has a side wall 102 and an opening 108 allowing access to an internal cavity 114 (not visible in FIGS. 1A and 1B), the opening 108 being best seen in FIG. 1A. At the other end of the side wall 102 from the opening 108 is a base 104. The base 104 and the side wall 102 together define and enclose the cavity 114. The cavity 114 also has a generally cylindrical shape as it conforms to the interior of the cylindrical side wall 102 and the interior of the base 104. The opening 108 allows access to the cavity 114 and in particular is arranged to allow a user to insert a beverage container (not shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B) into the cavity 114.

[0112] An adjustable collar 110 is provided in the opening 108, near to the rim of the side wall 102. The adjustable collar 110 extends substantially around the opening 108, meaning that the collar 110 forms a roughly circular shape circumferentially around the internal surface of the side wall 102.

[0113] The adjustable collar 110 is shown in a first configuration in which it lies substantially along the interior of the side wall 102. This arrangement allows beverage containers to be inserted and removed with ease. In order to allow a wide variety of beverage containers to be inserted into the cavity, the cavity 114, the opening 108 and the collar 110 (in the first configuration) should be provided to be large enough to allow the beverage container to be inserted with ease. For example, this may mean that the opening 108, collar 110, and cavity all have an internal diameter which is at least as large as the beverage container, and preferably also have an annular clearance of at least 1 mm to 2 mm around the outer surface of the beverage container, to ensure that the user can easily insert and remove the beverage container. While the variety of beverage containers is in theory unlimited, in practice there is a degree of standardisation in the industry. The table below illustrates the dimensions of the most common containers. Based on this table, the collar 110 may be provided to be at least 73 mm, or at least 75 mm with clearance, in the first configuration. The second configuration (discussed in detail below) is one in which the collar 110 contacts the exterior surface of a beverage container. Based on the below table, this should be set to approximately the diameter of the container in question, or possibly a little smaller (1 mm to 2 mm smaller in diameter) than the container diameter to allow a degree of gripping. Again, noting the values in the table, the smallest container would imply a collar 110 diameter of 53.3 mm or around 51 mm if a gripping effect is to be provided. In some cases, the first configuration of the collar 110 may be just wide enough to contact or grip the largest beverage container. That is, in the first configuration, there may be no clearance between the outer surface of a particular beverage container and the collar 110.

TABLE-US-00001 Name Height Body diameter Volume Traditional Can 115.2 mm 66.2 mm 330 ml Traditional Can 149.9 mm 66.2 mm 440 ml Traditional Can   168 mm 66.2 mm 500 ml Traditional Can 188.1 mm 66.2 mm 568 ml Sleek Can 113.9 mm 58.1 mm 250 ml Sleek Can 145.4 mm 58.1 mm 330 ml Sleek Can 156.9 mm 57.6 mm 355 ml Sleek Can 152.1 mm 63.5 mm 400 ml Sleek Can   168 mm 63.5 mm 450 ml Sleek Can 173.5 mm 63.5 mm 473 ml Sleek Can 193.7 mm 66.2 mm 591 ml Slim Can  88.5 mm 53.3 mm 150 ml Slim Can 111.2 mm 53.3 mm 200 ml Slim Can   134 mm 53.3 mm 250 ml Standard Bottle   218 mm 55.0 mm 275 ml Standard Bottle 226.9 mm 60.7 mm 330 ml Vichy Amber Bottle   227 mm 60.8 mm 330 ml Belgian Bottle 246.5 mm 69.0 mm 500 ml Standard Bottle 246.5 mm 69.0 mm 500 ml Real Ale 224.8 mm 73.0 mm 500 ml Bottle   227 mm 59.3 mm 330 ml Bottle   231 mm 59.3 mm 330 ml Bottle   214 mm 56.1 mm 275 ml Bottle   215 mm 60.6 mm 330 ml Bottle   198 mm 64.1 mm 355 ml Bottle 221.4 mm 57.5 mm 300 ml

[0114] The height column provides guidance for the height dimension of the internal cavity 114 (that is, the length of the side wall 102 between the base 104 and the opening 108). Generally, the collar 110 should be spaced apart from the internal surface of the base 104 by a distance which is shorter than the height of the beverage container intended to be received in the cavity 114. This allows the beverage container to protrude out of the top of the holder 100 which in turn can aid a user in drinking from the beverage container. For beverage holders which are cans, the protrusion may be only around 5 mm to 10 mm. For beverage holders which are bottles, the protrusion is usually somewhat larger than this as it is usually for the entire neck of the bottle to protrude. For bottles therefore, the protrusion may be closer to about 50 mm to 100 mm, depending on the exact bottle design. In any event, the table above, illustrating a small subset of the sizes of bottles and cans available on the market underscores the need for a single holder adapted to receive multiple sizes of container.

[0115] In some cases, in order to accommodate a wide range of beverage container types in a single holder, the collar 110 may be provided on a removable and replaceable cap, with a series of such caps being used to provide collars 110 of different maximum and minimum diameters (in the first and second configurations respectively). In addition, the caps may have a different height from one another, to allow the collar 110 to align correctly with the top regions of the intended beverage container. That is the cap may be used to space the collar 110 a desired distance from the base 102.

[0116] As noted below, the collar 110 may be adapted to operate with only a subset of container sizes. In this case, the collar 110 may have a diameter in each of the first and second configurations which lies in the range 50 mm to 75 mm (with the diameter in the second configuration having a smaller diameter than the diameter of the first configuration), without necessarily spanning the entirety of the 50 mm to 75 mm range. The dimensions provided in the above table are relevant for various aspects of the following discussion and should therefore be borne in mind in understanding and interpreting the principles of operation of the holder 100.

[0117] As can be seen in FIG. 1B, which shows the holder 100 from below, a bottle opener 106 is provided mounted to the exterior of the base 104. This can allow a user to open bottles prior to inserting the bottle into the cavity 114.

[0118] The base 104 and the side wall 102 are formed from any suitable material, that is one which is rigid and durable enough to withstand repeated use as set out herein. Examples of suitable materials include steels as well as various plastics. In some cases, the base 104 and/or the side wall 102 is/are hollow and include insulating means, such as vacuum, aerogel, fibrous materials, or other insulating materials.

[0119] The exterior surface of the side wall 102 is provided with ergonomic grips 112 to assist a user in holding the holder 100 firmly, but comfortably. The grips may take the form of indents, textured, rough, or roughened material, for example, depending on the specific embodiment.

[0120] Turning now to FIGS. 2A to 2D, in which the process of inserting a beverage container 116 into the cavity 114 of the holder 100 in cross-sectional elevation view. FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional view of a holder 100 of the type shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, prior to a beverage container 116 being inserted into the cavity 114. Due to this overlap, features already described above will not be described in detail again. In FIG. 2A, the collar 110 is in a first configuration, lying substantially flat against the interior of the side wall 102, and providing little or no obstruction of the opening 108.

[0121] In FIG. 2B a beverage container 116 has been inserted into the cavity 114, occupying much of the internal volume of the holder 100. As can be seen, the width of the beverage container 116 is less than the diameter of the opening 108 meaning that the container easily fits through the opening 108 to enter the cavity 114. Moreover, the height of the cavity (i.e. distance between the internal surface of the base 104 and the rim of the side wall 102) is selected to ensure that the collar 110 aligns with a desired portion of the beverage container 116. In the example shown in FIG. 2B the beverage container 116 is a bottle, and the collar 110 aligns with the bottle near the neck of the bottle. The neck of the bottle extends out from the opening 108 (i.e. beyond the side wall 102) in order to provide a more comfortable drinking experience for a user., although this is not essential in all examples.

[0122] Since the bottle 116 is narrower than the opening 108, the collar 110 has been adjusted in FIG. 2B, causing the collar to restrict its central aperture 111 (see FIG. 3), otherwise referred to as the second configuration. A central portion (central in an axial direction, i.e. approximately halfway up the collar 110) of the collar 110 to flex inwardly and contact the bottle 116. This adjustment can be made at any time in the process of inserting a beverage container 116 into the cavity 114. For example, it may be that a user prefers to adjust the collar 110 prior to inserting the beverage container 116, or that they prefer to ensure that the beverage container 116 is correctly seated in the cavity 114 prior to tightening the collar 110 to contact the beverage container 116. Once the user has finished drinking from the beverage container 116, i.e. the beverage container is empty 116, the user can remove the beverage container 116 and replace it with a full beverage container 116, if desired.

[0123] Where the new beverage container is the same shape and size as the previous beverage container 116, the previous beverage container 116 may be removed without adjusting the collar 110 at all. Similarly, the new beverage container 116 may be inserted into the cavity without adjusting the collar 110, leading to a very quick and simple process. Of course, a user may elect to loosen the collar 110 (i.e. transition from the second configuration back to the first configuration) to assist in either removal of the old beverage container 116 or insertion of the new one.

[0124] In cases where the new beverage container 116 is a different shape or size, the user will need to adjust the collar 110 to cause the collar 110 to contact the beverage container 116.

[0125] As above, this adjustment can be made at any point in the process which the user finds convenient.

[0126] As shown, the adjustable collar 110 comprises a strip of flexible material. As can be seen, the collar 110 is engaged with an actuator 118 located above the collar 110 (here “above” means close to the rim of the side wall 102, or further from the base 104). In this example the actuator 118 takes the form of an annular element which engages with the opening 108 using cooperating screw threads. Rotating the actuator 118 relative to the side wall 102 engages the cooperating screw threads and moves the lower edge of the actuator upwards or downwards depending on the direction of rotation. Here “below” and “lower” mean closer to the base 104, or further from the rim of the side wall 102. “Upwards” and “downwards” are to be construed accordingly.

[0127] Comparing FIGS. 2A and 2B with one another reveals two positions of the adjustable collar 110: substantially flat against the side wall 102 in the first configuration; and bowed outward to contact the beverage container 116 in the second configuration. However, it will be appreciated that the transition between the first and second configurations passes through one or more intermediate configurations in which the collar 110 restricts the opening 108 to diameters smaller than that in its first configuration, yet larger than that in its second configuration. In other words, the transition between the first and second configurations is a continuous one and there exist positions for the actuator 118 which correspond to most, if not all intermediate diameters for the aperture in the collar 110. Indeed, it will be apparent that in some cases it may be possible to use the actuator 118 to cause the collar 110 to restrict the opening 108 more than it does in FIG. 2B (for example to contact a beverage container 116 having a smaller diameter than that shown in FIG. 2B).

[0128] Although not expressly shown, the actuator 118 may have a graduated motion within the continuous transition region. In such cases, there may be one or more positions in which the actuator corresponds to specific diameters of the aperture in the collar 110. For example, as set out in the table above, it is clear that certain diameters are commonly used, and it would therefore be beneficial to allow a user to set the diameter of the collar 110 to match some or all of these diameters, by using the actuator 118. In order to assist in this, the actuator 118 may be provided with markings to indicate positions of the actuator 118 which correspond to particular diameters of the collar 110.

[0129] Additionally, or alternatively, the motion of the actuator 118 may be locally stable at particular intermediate positions (corresponding to common aperture diameters), by using detents or the like to allow a user to stably maintain a desired intermediate position of the actuator 118.

[0130] Additionally, or alternatively, the motion of the actuator 118 may be arranged in each of a free mode and a locked mode. In the free mode, the actuator 118 can freely move to change the diameter of the aperture of the collar 110. Once the desired level of constriction of the opening 108 has been achieved, the actuator 118 can be put into the locked mode, in which it is prevented from moving (and correspondingly the diameter of the collar 110 is also fixed). The diameter of the collar 110 can be changed again by returning the actuator 118 to the free mode and adjusting the collar 110 using the actuator 118 in the usual way.

[0131] The first and second configurations may also make use of any of the above means for retaining the actuator 118 and the collar 110 in position and/or notifying a user as to the current diameter of the aperture in the collar 110.

[0132] It will be apparent that the collar 110 is held in position relative to the side wall 102, and consequently the actuator 118 deforms the collar 110, but the collar 110 remains its angular alignment with the side wall 102. In other words, the actuator 118 does not drag the collar 110 around as the actuator 118 moves downward, thereby preventing the collar from becoming twisted and possibly damaged.

[0133] In other examples, the collar 110 may be fixed to the actuator 118 instead (see e.g. FIG. 5), or not fixed to either the actuator 118 or the side wall 102. In any case, the motion of the actuator 118 does not cause the collar 110 to twist. That is, the upper and lower edges of the collar 110 remain angularly aligned with one another during transitions between configurations of the collar 110.

[0134] FIG. 2B shows an example of a beverage container 116 having been inserted into the cavity 114. Although not shown in detail, the insertion process involves orienting the beverage container 116 with its base (the portion intended to rest against the internal surface of the base 104 of the holder 100) oriented towards the base 104 of the holder 100. The beverage container 116 can then be passed through the opening 108 and past the collar 110 until it occupies the cavity 114 and contacts the base 104. In this way, the beverage container 116 can be inserted into the holder 100 without undue effort on the part of the user.

[0135] In FIG. 2B the beverage container 116 is a bottle. It is worth noting that due to the shape of bottles having most of their volume located towards their base, the location at which the collar 110 contacts the exterior surface of the bottle is at the uppermost part of the body, sometimes referred to as the shoulder of the bottle. Since most of the volume of the beverage is located below the comparatively thinner neck of the bottle, contacting the beverage container 116 at the shoulder of the bottle ensures that most of the beverage is located below the collar 110 and benefits from any insulating effect, even when the bottle is full. As will be seen below, the situation is slightly different for other beverage containers 116 such as cans.

[0136] In FIGS. 2C and 2D, a beverage container 116 in the form of a can is shown in the cavity 114. A small part of the of the can extends out from the opening 108 (i.e. beyond the side wall 102) in order to provide a more comfortable drinking experience for a user, although this is not essential in all examples.

[0137] It can be seen by comparing FIGS. 2C and 2D that the actuator 118 forces the adjustable collar 110 away from the side wall 102 towards the centre of the cavity 114. In other words, the actuator 118 is movable relative to the side wall 102 and can be used to cause the adjustable collar 110 to transition between the first and second configurations. In the second configuration the collar 110 constricts the opening 108. As can be seen in FIG. 2C, the collar 110 constricts the opening 108 to the extent that the collar 110 contacts the external surface of the beverage container 116. Note that in FIG. 2C, the collar 110 has an aperture size between that shown in FIG. 2B (the second configuration) and that shown in FIGS. 2A and 2D (the first configuration). This is sometimes referred to as an intermediate configuration.

[0138] FIGS. 2C and 2D respectively illustrate the beginning and end of the process of the actuator 118 moving and causing the collar 110 to transition between the intermediate configuration in FIG. 2C, and the first configuration in FIG. 2D. More specifically, FIG. 2C shows a central portion of the collar 110 flexing into the cavity 114 to contact a beverage container 116 (in this case a can), resulting in the collar 110 having a noticeably C-shaped profile. In FIG. 2D the collar 110 lies substantially against an internal surface of the side wall 102.

[0139] Of course, while an actuator 118 is shown which is rotated by a user to actuate the adjustable collar 110 to cause a vertical motion, other actuators will be apparent which use only vertical or rotational motion to actuate the collar 110.

[0140] As the lower edge of the actuator 118 moves downward, it is arranged to engage the upper edge of the adjustable collar 110. It can be seen that the collar 110 is unable to move vertically (or axially) relative to the side wall 102 because the collar 110 is supported from below by a circumferential protrusion 120. The action of the actuator 118 moving downward presses the collar 110 against the circumferential protrusion 120 and causes it to bend inwardly towards the centre of the cavity 114.

[0141] In FIG. 2C, a seal is formed at least part way around the outer surface of the beverage container 116. This helps to insulate the container 116 (and its contents) by reducing heat flow into or out of the cavity 114. The act of forming a seal may also serve to grip the container 116 and thereby assist in retaining the container 116 in the cavity 114.

[0142] More specifically the adjustable collar 110 lies substantially along an internal wall of the side wall 102 in the first configuration and as shown a central portion of the adjustable collar 110 is deflected away from the internal wall in the intermediate and second configurations. This arrangement results in the intermediate and second configurations having a pair of opposed edges of the collar 110 running circumferentially around the interior surface of the side wall 102 with a central portion of the collar 110 bowing inwardly into the cavity 114. This results in a double layer of the collar 110 being present between the cavity 114 and the outside environment. This in turn can lead to an improved insulating effect in terms of reducing conductive, convective, and radiative heat transfers between the cavity 114 and the outside environment. In other examples, only one edge of the collar 110 may be retained against the interior surface of the side wall 102. This advantageously allows a collar 110 of a given size to have a wider range of aperture diameters accessible to it, as the collar 110 is not doubled up in the second configuration, so can extend broadly twice as far towards the centre of the cavity 114.

[0143] When the beverage has been fully consumed, the steps above can be reversed to release the beverage container 116, thereby allowing its removal.

[0144] Turning now to FIG. 3, which shows an example of a collar 110 according to the present disclosure separated from the holder 100. The collar 100 is presented in both the first and second configurations to illustrate the differences between the configurations.

[0145] As noted above, the collar 110 is formed as a strip of flexible material. More specifically, the collar 110 is a strip joined at its ends to form a loop of flexible material, arranged to conform to the inner surface of the side wall 102. In the first configuration, shown at the top of the Figure, the collar 110 has a form which deviates only slightly from that of a straight-sided cylinder. More specifically, the collar 110 has a central portion (central in the axial direction, i.e. approximately half way up the collar 110) which bows slightly toward the central aperture 111. This slight inward bowing of the central portion helps to encourage the collar 110 to flex in the correct direction and manner when the upper and lower edges are squeezed between an actuator 118 and a circumferential support surface 120.

[0146] In the second configuration, shown at the bottom of the Figure, the collar has been pressed vertically by the actuator 118 (not shown) forcing the upper and lower edges of the collar 110 towards one another and causing a central portion of the collar 110 to bow inwardly towards the centre of the central aperture 111. In the second configuration, the collar 110 has the form a section of the innermost part of a torus.

[0147] The collar 110 may be formed of any suitable pliant material. For example, rubbers, elastic materials, or elastomers may all be used. In addition, the adjustable collar 110 may be provided with a rough or roughened surface for gripping the beverage container 116 when the adjustable collar is in the second configuration.

[0148] As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the collar 110 has one or more recessed features 122 formed in its innermost surface. These features 122 may be indents, creases or perforations passing entirely through the collar 110. The purpose of these features 122 is to allow or even encourage the collar 110 to constrict its inner aperture 111 in the desired manner. It will be appreciated that the central portion of the collar 110, which forms the innermost edge of the collar 110 in the second configuration, undergoes compression during the transition to (and while in) the second configuration. In order to prevent damage to the collar 110 in these circumstances, the collar 110 is provided with the recessed features 122 described above to ease the strain of contracting in this way.

[0149] As noted above, some examples of collars 110 may retain only one edge around the circumference of the opening 108 with the other edge forming the innermost portion. In such cases, the recessed features 122 may be located along the edge which is deflected towards the centre of the cavity 114, since this is the area which will experience the greatest compressive strain. In any case, the deformation to the second configuration tends to cause at least some parts of the collar 110 to undergo strain (e.g. compressive or tensile strain). This strain in turn biases the collar 110 towards the first configuration. This means that the collar 110 tends to spring back to the first configuration when a load is removed—e.g. when the actuator 118 is moved such that the actuator 118 no longer presses the collar 110 against the circumferential support 120 within the cavity 114.

[0150] Another effect of the recessed features 122 may be to provide a discontinuous seal around the external surface of the beverage container 116, for example to allow air pressure equalisation.

[0151] Turning now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a further example of a holder 100 of the present disclosure is shown. The operation of the holder 100 with regard to the insertion of a beverage container 116, adjusting the collar 110, and removing the beverage container 116 occur broadly as set out above, and will not be discussed again in detail.

[0152] As can be seen, the holder 100 has an internal shoulder 124 arranged to provide support to beverage containers 116 exceeding a particular diameter at their base. For example, FIG. 4A shows a relatively short and wide beverage container 116 inserted into the holder 100. As can be seen the shoulder 124 provides support to the beverage container 116, spaced away from the internal surface of the base 104. The support raises the beverage container 116 so that the collar 110 aligns with the upper edge of the beverage container 116. If no shoulder 124 were present, the beverage container could in some cases be too short to align with the collar 110 at all.

[0153] FIG. 4B shows a different beverage container 116 located within the cavity 114. The beverage container 116 in FIG. 4B is both taller and narrower than the beverage container 116 in FIG. 4A. In fact, the beverage container 116 in FIG. 4B is narrow enough that it fits into the gap between the shoulder 124 and contacts the internal surface of the base 104. This arrangement allows the relatively taller, but narrower, beverage container 116 to also be aligned with the collar 110. It will be apparent that the height of the shoulder 124 and the diameter of the gap between the supporting edge portions of the shoulder 124 can be selected to accommodate various standard sizes of bottles and cans, based on the table above.

[0154] In some cases, it may be possible to have a stepped internal arrangement in which a series of shoulders 124 are provided inside the cavity 114. The highest shoulder 124 would have the widest central gap and would be provided to support the base of the widest and shortest type of beverage container 116. The next shoulder 124 would have a less wide gap and would extend less far up the side wall 102 from the base 104 than the highest shoulder 124. This would support a beverage container 116 of intermediate width and intermediate height. As many shoulders 124 as desired could be included to accommodate beverage holders 116 which are progressively narrower and taller, with the narrowest and tallest beverage holder 116 resting on the internal surface of the base 104. In this way, a single holder 100 can be provided with the means to receive a wide range of different types of beverage container 116, and provide correct alignment between the collar 110 and each of the different types of beverage container 116, by carefully selecting the dimensions of the shoulders 124 carefully.

[0155] In some cases, a series of removable and replaceable shoulders 124 may be provided in order to allow a user to tailor the holder 100 to their preferred shape of beverage container 116. Advantageously, such removable shoulders 124 may include a material for cooling and/or heating the interior of the cavity 114. For example, phase change materials or materials with high heat capacity can be placed in a freezer or oven to cool or heat them. These materials can be placed in the cavity 114 to help maintain the cavity 114 (and thereby the beverage) at a reduced or elevated temperature.

[0156] In fact, the holder 100 may be provided with such materials in contact with the interior of the cavity 114 without aiming to provide the effect provided by the shoulders 124 at all.

[0157] Finally, turning to FIG. 5, a modular holder system is shown, which includes a holder 100 and a series of inserts 126 containing a material for cooling and/or heating the interior of the cavity 114, a series of replaceable shoulders 124 and a series of replaceable caps 128 having a collar 110 mounted on each of the caps 128.

[0158] The caps each have an actuator 118 and an opening 108. The openings 108, the height of each cap 128, and the distance below the opening 108 and the collar 110 can be varied for each replaceable cap 128 to provide a great degree of flexibility to a user in adapting their holder 100 to the types of beverage container 116 which they wish to drink from.

[0159] Similarly, the shoulders 124 can be provided with a range of internal diameters and heights to allow a user to adapt the cavity 114 to a variety of different beverage containers 116. The inserts 126 serve a dual purpose of spacing a beverage container 116 away from the base 104 and of providing cooling and/or heating to the cavity 114. A plurality of such inserts 126 may be provided so that e.g. a user can keep several in their freezer and replace the inserts 126 as they warm up with fresh, cool ones.

[0160] The user is thereby provided with a large amount of flexibility in assembling a holder 100 tailored to their specific needs. While this kit of parts is shown with a large number of options, it will be appreciated that a kit of parts may include just the holder 100 with two interchangeable modules of any type.

[0161] Consider now FIGS. 6A to 6C, which show an alternative device 200 for holding a beverage container (not shown). FIG. 6A shows the device 200 in perspective view from above, FIG. 6B shows broadly the same view as FIG. 6A, but in cutaway to illustrate the internal features, and FIG. 6C shows the device 200 in perspective view from below. Many features of the device 200 are similar to the holder 100 discussed at length above, and will not be discussed in detail again for conciseness.

[0162] The device 200 has a base 204 and a side wall 202, collectively defining a cavity 214. The cavity 214 is accessible through an opening 208 located at a rim of the side wall 202 and spaced apart from the base 204 by the length of the side wall 202. Inside the cavity 214 between the opening 208 and the base 204 is a pliable collar 210 formed from a flexible and deformable material. The collar 210 has an aperture 212 which encircles a central axis of the cavity (the central axis is indicated as a broken vertical line in FIG. 6A). The collar 210 may be made of any suitable material, but silicone rubbers having a hardness of between about 40 and 50 (e.g. about 55) on the Shore durometer A scale have been found to work at thicknesses of between about 1 mm and 3 mm. These materials are also suitable for providing a gripping effect whereby the collar 210 grips beverage containers inserted through the aperture 212. The gripping effect may be increased by providing a roughened or textured surface to the collar 210 (or at least to the parts of the collar 210 intended to grip the beverage container).

[0163] In use (and as shown in more detail in FIGS. 8A to 8C), a beverage container is insertable through the opening 208 and into the cavity 214. In doing so, the beverage container must also pass through the aperture 212 in the collar 210. In response to this the collar 210 deforms so that an inner edge 220 of the collar 210 (the portion of the collar 210 which defines the aperture 212) deforms to grip an outer surface of the beverage container. It can be seen that the aperture 212 is less wide than the opening 208. This has the effect that the opening 208 sets an upper limit on the size of beverage container which can be inserted into the cavity 214 and the aperture 212 sets a lower limit on beverage container size, below which the collar 210 will not contact or grip the beverage container with the desired force (or at all, depending on the size of the container). Of course, the ratio of the width of the aperture 212 to the width of the opening 208 can be adjusted downwards (e.g. making the aperture 212 smaller), in order to increase the range of containers which can be suitably held by the device 200.

[0164] In the present example the width of the aperture 212 is about 44.6 mm and the width of the opening 208 is about 73 mm, meaning that the ratio of the width of the aperture 212 to the width of the opening 208 is about 0.61, but it may be smaller than this in some examples, or as large as 0.9 in others. In general, the opening 208 is selected to be large than the largest diameter of beverage container 216 of the ranges of sizes intended to be accommodated by the device 200. Similarly the aperture 212 is selected, in general, to be smaller than the smallest diameter of beverage container 216 of the ranges of sizes intended to be accommodated by the device 200. The table set out above listing commonly used sizes may be used as a guide to select the specific sizes of the opening 208 and the aperture 212 for a specific use. For example to provide a device 200 which is specifically adapted to securely accommodate two or more specific sizes of beverage container. Note that the cavity 214 is slightly less wide than the opening 208—the cavity 214 having a width of about 70 mm. In this example the width of the cavity 214 also plays a role in limiting the maximum size of beverage container receivable in the device 200, but in some examples the cavity 214 is at least as wide as the opening 208, in which case it is the opening 208 alone which determines this upper limit. The sizes of the cavity 214, the aperture 212 and the opening 208 may be selected in accordance with the table above setting out the most common beverage container sizes, or in accordance with other known common sizes of beverage container.

[0165] In the example shown the device 200, side wall 202 and cavity 214 are all generally cylindrical, and the collar 210 is annular, having a circular aperture 212. This is to adapt the device 200 to the usual shape of standard container sizes—also broadly cylindrical—but it will be appreciated that the principles discussed herein could easily be adapted to other shapes of container by adapting the shape of the respective parts of the device 200 accordingly.

[0166] The collar 210 extends between the aperture 212 towards the side wall 202. Note that in this example the collar 210 does not extend all the way to the side wall, but has a radially extending portion 222 (radial when undeformed, at least) which, since the collar 210 has an annular shape largely or entirely blocking an outer annulus of the cavity 214, has the effect of fully or partially sealing the lower part of the cavity from the outside environment when a beverage container is inserted. This radially extending portion 222 of the collar 210 gives the collar a planar and annular shape (lying generally parallel with the base 204) and has perforations 218 formed through the collar 210. These allow a seal to be formed all the way around the beverage container, without causing a complete air tight seal between the cavity 214 and the environment, for example to allow pressure equalisation. In this way, the perforations 218 can be made as small or large as desired to reduce convective heat transfer out of the cavity 214, while allowing as much pressure equalisation as needed. As shown, there are two perforations 218 each about 3 mm in diameter although different numbers and/or sizes of perforation 218 may be used, depending on the desired application.

[0167] The collar 210 has a slightly thicker portion at its inner edge 220. This can help to reduce instances of tearing by providing a more robust portion of the collar 210 at the point which undergoes the most wear and tear (which is also the part which stretches and deforms the most during use). As shown, the inner edge 220 has a generally circular profile in cross-section, although other shapes are possible depending on the desired properties. The inner rounded edge 220 has a radius of curvature of about 1 mm and the collar is about 1 mm thick, meaning that the inner edge 220 is about twice as thick as the other parts of the collar 222. In general, the thicker the other parts of the collar 222, the less thickening is required to bolster the inner edge 220. The thicker part of the collar 210 at the inner edge 220 extends radially outward a first distance from the aperture 212 to the other parts of the collar 222. The other parts of the collar 222 extend radially outward a second distance to the outer edge of the collar. In this example, the second distance is about 5 times the first distance, but this relationship is dependent on the arrangement of the aperture 212 and its relationship to the size of the opening 208. This means that the second distance may be between 2 and 10 times the first distance.

[0168] The side wall 202 is shown as being formed of two thin concentric layers (e.g. stainless steel), with a void therebetween. This void can help to provide thermal insulation to the cavity 214, for example by filling with insulating material, or even with vacuum. The portion of the side wall just beneath the collar 210 has a shoulder 215b formed therein. The shoulder represents a narrowing of the cavity 214 from its width at the opening 208 to its width below the collar 210. This shoulder 215b has a dual role: first to provide space (also called a recess) for the collar 210 to fold back into when a beverage container is inserted (see FIGS. 8A to 8C for more detail); and second to allow the total thickness of the side wall 202 to increase between the base 204 and the collar 210, while allowing the outer surface of the side wall 202 to remain flat (in this case cylindrical). This second feature allows the side wall 202 between the collar 210 and the base 204 to provide the insulating effect discussed above in parts where the insulation is most needed and leads to a compact and ergonomic device.

[0169] A corresponding feature is seen in the side wall 202 above the collar 210 (that is, between the collar 210 and the open end of the side wall 202). Here, recess 215a above the collar 210 operates analogously to the space (or recess) formed by the shoulder 215b, to provide space for the collar 210 to fold into, except in this example the recess 215 is provided to provide space for the collar 210 to fold into when the beverage container is removed from the device 200. In such a removal of the beverage container, the collar 210 folds in much the same way as during insertion of the beverage container, but instead of folding downward towards shoulder 215b the collar 210 folds upwards into recess 215a. In each case, the insertion or removal process is able to be completed with less resistance, and thereby reduces the chances that the user will need to exert excessive force and reduces the chance of injury by making both slippage and accidental crushing of the container less likely.

[0170] It can be seen that the recess 215a is bounded at its upper edge by a circumferential protrusion, but the side wall 202 returns to a wider width above the circumferential protrusion, meaning that the rim of the side wall 202 at its open end is wider than the circumferential protrusion. This can help funnel and centre the beverage container prior to encountering the collar 210. In other examples, the side wall 202 may not revert to a wider size above the collar 210, but instead the rim may be the same width as the circumferential protrusion, and the side wall 202 above the collar 210 remains flush.

[0171] In the example shown, the narrowest portion of the cavity 214 above the collar 210 matches the narrowest width of the cavity 214 below the collar 210. In fact, as the device 200 and the cavity 214 are generally cylindrical, this simply means that the diameter of the cavity 214 is the same above and below the collar 210, but the comments here apply to non-cylindrical shapes of cavity 214 as well. This arrangement means that the user can be alerted to whether a given beverage container will fit all the way into the cavity 214, without needing to push the beverage container through the collar 210. In some cases, this need not be true, for example in some cases the narrowest portion of the cavity 214 above the collar 210 may be narrower than the narrowest width of the cavity 214 below the collar 210, to ensure that the largest size of container which can be inserted into the device 200 nevertheless has a little leeway when received in the cavity 214, thereby allowing for easy insertion and removal of the beverage container.

[0172] Located in the cavity 214, adjacent to the base 204 is an insert 224. The purpose of this is described in more detail below, but broadly this is used to assist a user in correctly positioning the beverage container in the cavity 214. The device 200 may include material in thermal contact with the interior of the cavity 214 for cooling and/or heating the interior of the cavity 214. This may be provided for example within a hollow interior of the insert 224

[0173] The lower end of the device 200 is capped with by the base 204. As noted elsewhere, this is shown sealed and with a void for filling with insulation, but either or both of these may not be true in other examples. The base 204 has a bottle opener 204 secured in place, which as discussed above can be useful for ensuring that a bottle opener is always to hand.

[0174] Turning now to FIGS. 7A to 7C, which show the same device 200 in various exploded views. For conciseness features already described will not be described in detail again. In FIG. 7A, the device 200 is shown with a removable cap 228 in the process of being removed from the device 200. Note that even though the cap 228 is removable, the inner surface of the cap 228 acts like a side wall 202, and consequently, the side wall 202 is intended to refer to the internal surface of the cavity 214 between the open end of the side wall 202 and the base when the device 200 is assembled, and irrespective of whether the cap 228 (with its associated portion of side wall 202) is removable. In FIGS. 7B and 7C the removable cap 228, the collar 210 and the removable insert 224 are shown in perspective views from above and below respectively.

[0175] The upper portion of the device 200 is a removable cap 228, which allows the collar 210 to be removed, for example so that the insert 224 can be extracted from the cavity 214. It can be seen that the insert 224 is cup shaped (that is, has a U-shaped profile), meaning that the insert 224 can be easily placed into the cavity 214 either way up (that is in an orientation having a U-shaped profile or one having a ∩-shaped profile). This allows a user to decide whether to provide a platform for the beverage container to rest on (by inserting the insert 224 or not) and also how high that platform should be (by inserting the insert 224 in one of the two orientations discussed above). In the configuration having the U-shaped profile, the beverage container is spaced away from the base 204 by the thickness of the horizontal part of the insert 224, while in the configuration having the ∩-shaped profile, the beverage container is spaced away from the base 204 by the thickness of the horizontal part of the insert 224 as well as by the height of the side walls of the insert 224. These three arrangements can help vertically align the beverage container with the collar 210 as discussed in more detail with reference to FIGS. 8A to 8C.

[0176] As can be seen in FIGS. 7B and 7C, the insert 224 has a series of concentric grooves 226 formed in the surfaces which contact the bottom of the beverage container. These grooves 226 assist in preventing the beverage container sliding relative to the insert 224, where the beverage container is not as wide as the insert 224. In some examples, the internal surface of the base 204 may also have grooves or other features formed therein, to achieve this purpose when the insert 224 is not present.

[0177] The collar 210 is provided as a removable element, separable from the removable cap 228. This can allow different sizes of collar 210 to be provided, and easily changed, without requiring a whole new device 200 or even a whole new removable cap 228. The collar 210 is removably attachable to the cap 228 by stretching the collar 210 over the lower edge of the cap 228. The upper portion of the collar 210 includes a radially inward protrusion for interfacing with a groove around the lower edge of the cap 228, which can help to ensure that the collar 210 is correctly and securely seated on the cap 228. In other examples, the collar 210 may be permanently affixed to the cap 228, or even may be connected to the side 202 wall instead (removably or permanently).

[0178] In FIGS. 8A to 8C, the device 200 is shown with various different sizes of beverage container 216 received in the cavity 214, through the aperture 212 in the collar 210. Although not shown in detail, the insertion process involves orienting the beverage container 216 with its base (the portion intended to rest against the internal surface of the base 204 of the device 200) oriented towards the base 204 of the device 200. The beverage container 216 can then be passed through the opening 208 until it contacts the collar 210. By pressing the beverage container 216 against the collar 210, the collar 210 is forced to deform and deflect downwards (towards the base 204) and the aperture 212 in the collar stretches to accommodate the beverage container 216. In doing so, the elastic nature of the collar 210 causes the collar 210 to contact and grip the beverage container 216, forming a seal. The beverage container 216 may be pressed further downwards, through the collar 210 until the beverage container 216 occupies the cavity 214 and contacts the base 204. In this way, the beverage container 216 can be inserted into the device 200 without undue effort on the part of the user.

[0179] In FIG. 8A the beverage container 216 is a short can. This is shown resting on the insert 224 which is arranged in the configuration having the ∩-shaped profile, thereby lifting up the bottom of the beverage container 216, so that the collar 210 engages with the beverage container 216 at an appropriate height. In addition, the beverage container 216 is held at a height above the base 204 such that the upper portion of the beverage container 216 extends outwardly from the opening 208, thereby allowing a user to easily drink from the beverage container 216.

[0180] The collar 210 is shown in its deformed state, pushed downward (towards the base 204) into the cavity 214. The elasticity of the collar 210 urges it back towards its undeformed, planar arrangement. This restoring force causes the inner edge 220 of the collar 210 to contact and grip the beverage container 216. The side wall 202 has a shoulder 215b which provides space for the collar 210 to fold away from the central axis of the cavity 214. This in turn ensures that the collar 210 does not present an unduly large resistance to the insertion or removal of the beverage container 216. This gripping effect allows a user to take a drink from the beverage container 216 while holding the device 200, without risking the beverage container 216 slipping out of the device 200. It can be seen that the perforations 218, while deformed downward with the rest of the collar 210, retain their role of providing a pressure equalisation channel through the collar 210. Above the collar 210 is a recess 215a to allow the collar 210 to fold upwards, in an similar manner, as the beverage container 216 is being removed from the cavity 214.

[0181] In FIG. 8B, a similar situation is seen, except with a beverage container 216 of different dimensions—a bottle which is taller and narrower than the can of FIG. 8A. The narrower form of this beverage container 216 results in less deformation of the collar 210 in order to fit the beverage container 216 through the aperture 212. Nevertheless, the pliable nature of the collar 210 means that one single device 200 can adapt to a range of different widths of beverage container 216 which a user may wish to insert into the device 200. Indeed, it will be appreciated that yet narrower beverage containers 216 may be inserted into the device 200 than the one shown here.

[0182] In addition, since the beverage container 216 shown in FIG. 8B is relatively tall, the insert 224 is inserted in the configuration having the U-shaped profile, to allow the collar 210 to contact the beverage container 216 relatively higher up the bottle (closer to the neck) than it would if the insert 224 were inserted in the configuration having the ∩-shaped profile. This allows a user to ensure that a greater proportion of taller beverage containers 216 is housed within the cavity 214, between the collar 210 and the base 204. This helps to keep the beverage at the desired temperature. In addition, since the beverage container 216 is relatively narrow, the vertical walls of the insert 224 may act to hold the beverage container 216 spaced away from the side wall. This helps prevent the beverage container 216 from rattling around inside the cavity. As noted above, grooves 226 may be provided on the base 204 or the insert 224 which can also help to achieve this effect.

[0183] Finally, FIG. 8C shows a third type of beverage container 216, having the form of a tall can. This beverage container 216 is tall enough that it can rest on the base 204, with no need for the insert 224, since even resting on the base 204, the collar 210 interfaces with the beverage container 216 at an appropriate height, and the beverage container is tall enough to protrude out of the top of the device 200. The width of this beverage container 216 is approximately the same as the can shown in FIG. 8A, so similar comments apply as set out in respect of the operation of the collar 210. It will be appreciated that the beverage containers 216 in FIGS. 8A and 8C do not quite fully occupy the width of the opening 208 or the cavity 214. This indicates that yet wider beverage containers 216 could be inserted into the device 200, with a corresponding greater deformation of the collar 210.

[0184] As with other examples, the device 200 may be supplied as a kit of parts, including a main body (e.g. side wall 202 and base 204); one or more removable caps 228; one or more replaceable collars 210; and one or more removable inserts 224, to allow a user to customise their device 200 to their intended uses.

[0185] The present disclosure also extends to the following numbered clauses:

[0186] 1. A holder for a beverage container, the holder comprising: [0187] a base;

[0188] a side wall defining an opening through which the beverage container is insertable; and

[0189] a collar located within the opening; wherein

[0190] the side wall and the base together define a cavity for receiving the beverage container; and wherein

[0191] the collar is adjustable between a first configuration for contacting a first size of beverage container and a second configuration for contacting a second size of beverage container.

[0192] 2. The holder according to clause 1, further comprising an actuator movable relative to the side wall arranged to cause the collar to transition between the first configuration and the second configuration.

[0193] 3. The holder according to clause 2, wherein the actuator is movable relative to the side wall in a rotational and/or an axial direction.

[0194] 4. The holder according to clause 3, wherein motion of the actuator causes the collar to transition continuously between the first and second configurations.

[0195] 5. The holder according to clause 3 or clause 4, wherein motion of the actuator is graduated and wherein the graduated motion corresponds to one or more intermediate configurations of the collar between the first and second configurations.

[0196] 6. The holder according to any one of clauses 3 to 5, wherein the actuator is selectively lockable at least one position, the at least one position corresponding to the first configuration, the second configuration or to an intermediate configuration of the collar.

[0197] 7. The holder according to any one of clauses 2 to 6, wherein the collar retains its angular position relative to the side wall during transitions between the first and second configurations.

[0198] 8. The holder according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the collar is circular.

[0199] 9. The holder according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein, in each of the first and second configurations, the collar has an internal dimension of between 50 mm and 75 mm at its widest part.

[0200] 10. The holder according to any preceding clause, wherein the collar is provided on a replaceable cap.

[0201] 11. The holder according to clause 10, further comprising a plurality of replaceable caps, each cap having a differently sized collar.

[0202] 12. The holder according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the collar comprises a strip of flexible material.

[0203] 13. The holder according to clause 12, wherein the collar lies substantially along an internal wall of the cavity in the first configuration and wherein a portion of the collar is deflected away from an internal surface of the side wall in the second configuration.

[0204] 14. The holder according to clause 12 or clause 13 wherein, in the second configuration, a pair of opposed edges of the strip remain adjacent to the internal wall and an intermediate portion of the strip curves away from an internal surface of the side wall.

[0205] 15. The holder according to any one of clauses 12 to 14, wherein the collar includes one or more indents, creases or perforations.

[0206] 16. The holder according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the collar has a rough or roughened surface for gripping the beverage container.

[0207] 17. The holder according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the collar extends substantially around an internal surface of the side wall.

[0208] 18. The holder according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the collar is arranged to form a seal at least part way around an outer surface of the beverage container.

[0209] 19. The holder according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the interior of the cavity has a shoulder arranged to contact a base of the beverage container.

[0210] 20. The holder according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the collar comprises a plastic or rubber material.

[0211] 21. The holder according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the side wall and/or the base comprise(s) rigid plastic and/or metal.

[0212] 22. The holder according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the base and/or the side wall is/are hollow and include insulating means.

[0213] 23. The holder according to any one of the preceding clauses, further including a material in thermal contact with the interior of the cavity for cooling and/or heating the interior of the cavity.

[0214] 24. The holder according to any one of the preceding clauses, further including a bottle opener mounted in an exterior surface of the base.

[0215] 25. The holder according to any one of the preceding clauses, further comprising ergonomic grips on an exterior surface of the side wall.

[0216] 26. A device adapted to hold a beverage container having any size within a range of sizes, the device comprising: [0217] a base;

[0218] a side wall extending away from the base and defining an opening through which the beverage container is receivable into a cavity defined by the base and the side wall; and

[0219] a pliable collar spaced away from the base and located within the cavity, the collar extending inwardly into the cavity and having an aperture through which the beverage container is insertable such that the collar deforms to cause an inner edge of the aperture to contact and grip the beverage container; wherein

[0220] the opening has a first width, the aperture of the collar has a second width, the second width being smaller than the first width and wherein the ratio of the second width to the first width is less than or equal to 0.9.

[0221] 27. The device of clause 26, wherein the collar has a generally planar form.

[0222] 28. The device of clause 27, wherein the plane of the collar is generally parallel with the base.

[0223] 29. The device of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the inner edge of the collar is thicker than parts of the collar closer to the side wall.

[0224] 30. The device of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the collar extends generally perpendicularly inwardly from the side wall.

[0225] 31. The device of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the collar includes one or more perforations extending through the collar.

[0226] 32. The device of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the collar extends substantially around an internal surface of the side wall.

[0227] 33. The device of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the collar is arranged to form a seal at least part way around an outer surface of the beverage container, optionally wherein the collar is arranged to form a seal all the way around an outer surface of the beverage container.

[0228] 34. The device of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the cavity and the aperture have the same general shape as one another, when viewed in the direction of insertion of the beverage container, optionally wherein the cavity is cylindrical and the collar is annular.

[0229] 35. The device of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the width of the aperture is less than 50 mm, optionally wherein the width of the aperture is greater than 40 mm, optionally wherein the width of the aperture is about 45 mm.

[0230] 36. The device of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the width of the opening is greater than 55 mm, optionally wherein the width of the opening is at least 70 mm, optionally wherein the width of the opening is about 73 mm.

[0231] 37. The device of any one of the preceding clauses, further including a removable insert insertable into the cavity prior to the beverage container being received in the cavity, to contact a lower end of the beverage container and space the beverage container away from the base.

[0232] 38. The device of clause 37, wherein the insert is U-shaped in profile to selectively allow insertion in two orientations, each orientation spacing the lower end of the beverage container a different distance from the base.

[0233] 39. The device of clause 38, wherein the vertical walls of the U-shaped section are arranged to hold the beverage container centrally within the cavity.

[0234] 40. The device of any one of clauses 37 to 39, wherein the insert has grooves in at least one surface for interfacing with the lower end of the beverage container.

[0235] 41. The holder according to any preceding clause, wherein the collar is provided on a replaceable cap.

[0236] 42. The holder according to clause 41, further comprising a plurality of replaceable caps, each cap having a collar of different widths.

[0237] 43. The holder according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the collar has a rough or roughened surface for gripping the beverage container.

[0238] 44. The holder according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the collar comprises a plastic or rubber material.

[0239] 45. The holder according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the collar has a Shore durometer hardness of 25 Shore A to 90 Shore A, preferably between 40 Shore A and 70 Shore A, preferably about 50 Shore A.

[0240] 46. The holder according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein an internal surface of the side wall has an internal shoulder or protrusion to provide a recess for receiving the collar as the collar deforms as the beverage container is inserted or removed through the aperture into the cavity.

[0241] 47. The holder according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the side wall and/or the base comprise(s) rigid plastic and/or metal.

[0242] 48. The holder according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the base and/or the side wall is/are hollow and include insulating means.

[0243] 49. The holder according to any one of the preceding clauses, further including a material in thermal contact with the interior of the cavity for cooling and/or heating the interior of the cavity.

[0244] 50. The holder according to any one of the preceding clauses, further including a bottle opener mounted in an exterior surface of the base.