Beverage Carrier

Abstract

A beverage carrier is disclosed which holds a plurality of beverages in a manner that keeps them level while carried in a vehicle. A detachable car seat leveler is used as a block to keep the carrier level during portage. Many types of levelers may be utilized. A secondary storage compartment is also provided which may be used for foodstuffs and utensils. The main beverage storage compartment is ideally insulated so as to reduce heat exchange.

Claims

1. A beverage carrier comprising: a. a hollow carrier body having at least one side wall and a lid and bottom, divided into interior upper and interior lower sections; b. the lid having a plurality of ports so as to secure at least one beverage; c. the interior upper section being thermally insulated; d. the interior lower section being accessible from an exterior of the beverage carrier; and e. a leveling structure, attachable to the bottom of the beverage carrier.

2. The beverage carrier of claim 1, the bottom section also being thermally insulated.

3. The beverage carrier of 1, the leveling structure further comprising a plurality of blocks selectively attachable to each other and the bottom of the beverage carrier.

4. The beverage carrier of claim 1, the leveling structure comprising a wedge body attachable to the bottom of the beverage carrier.

5. The beverage carrier of claim 4, the leveling structure having a slidable interface with the bottom of the beverage carrier.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a partially open front elevation of a beverage carrier depicting one embodiment of the invention, with the seat leveler module removed.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a partially open front elevation of the beverage carrier of FIG. 1, with the seat leveler installed.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the beverage carrier of FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a rear elevation of the beverage carrier of FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the beverage carrier of FIG. 1.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the beverage carrier of FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a side elevation of a car seat leveler which may be used with the beverage carrier of FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the car seat leveler of FIG. 7.

[0021] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the beverage carrier of FIG. 1 in use in a vehicle.

[0022] FIG. 10 is a transparent perspective view of the beverage carrier of FIG, 1 with an alternate car seat leveler.

[0023] FIG. 11 is a side elevation of the car seat leveler of FIG. 10, disassembled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0024] With reference now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of a preferred embodiment beverage carrier is herein described. It should be noted that the articles a, an, and the, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0025] With reference to FIGS. 1-4, a preferred beverage carrier 100 is essentially a box with a top side 10 (having beverage support ports formed therein), bottom side 20, and at least one side wall 60. For a rectangular carrier, a back 50 and a front side 40 (partially open to show the interior of the carrier 100) would also be included. The interior is divided 30 into upper 33 and lower 37 regions, with the lower region 37 accessible though a drawer 45, door, or other port. The upper region 33 is accessible through the top side 10, which is hinged (FIG. 5). The interior of the upper region 33 is insulated 35 as this region is where beverages are stored. Insulation should be at least provided along the sides and possibly the bottom, and may be utilized to create temperature zones within the upper region for more customized temperature control. Heating and cooling packs may also be provided in such zones to further enhance this utility. Lower region 37 may also be insulated. Handles 65 may be provided on any side, such as side panels 60, for ease of carrying.

[0026] The bottom side 20 of the beverage carrier presents an attachment system for the optional car seat levelers such as module 70. In the depicted embodiment, the attachment system is a plurality of mating tracks 25, 75 (FIGS. 6 and 8) so that the car seat leveler module 70 may simply be slid into place. It should be noted that the recessed tracks 25 are depicted in the beverage carrier so as to allow the carrier 100 to sit on a flat surface. The leveler module 70 (FIGS. 7, 8) is essentially a block structure with a tapered, and possibly curved wedge. In use (FIG. 9) the car seat leveler module 70 is positioned with the thickest edge nestled in the back of the seat of the car 200, which is usually the lowest part of the seat. The taper then allows the beverages to remain level in the beverage carrier. It should be readily noted that different shapes of levelers may be manufactured so as to comport with different car seat styles and user adaptation.

[0027] An alternate leveler construction (FIGS. 10 and 11) may be made by creating a tower of blocks 80. It should readily be appreciated that suitable blocks 82 may be formed from the waste after cutting the beverage support ports 15 in the carrier. These blocks 82 may then be affixed with a suitable attachment medium, such as hook-and-loop fastening tape 84 or magnets, and assembled together into a support column 80 of suitable size to accommodate the vehicle's seat. The column 80 may then be readily and selectively attached or detached by suitable means to the carrier 100.

[0028] The beverage carrier 100 may be made to any conceivable size or shape, including round, ovular, irregular, or polygonal, that would be humanly possible to carry with an ideal size being to fit within the confines of a car's front seat. As such, any number of ports 15 for holding beverages may be utilized. As cups tend to be standard sizes, ports 15 may be uniform. The beverage carrier 100 may be made of any suitable material, with wood and polymers preferred as they have inherent insulating properties.

[0029] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred.