Patent Application
20170000186
None.
The present invention generally relates to smoking product holders, and particularly to a holder that releasably attaches to the top of a beverage container.
Frequently, individuals that enjoy smoking tobacco products such a cigars, cigarettes, or tobacco vaporizers commonly referred to as e-cigarettes or digital vapor cigarettes smoke their chosen tobacco product while also consuming beverages. For example, some smokers may find that certain beverages—such as scotch, bourbon, or beer—provide a complimentary flavor that enhances the enjoyment of their preferred tobacco products when the beverage and the tobacco products are consumed together.
Unfortunately, when enjoying a smoking product and a beverage at the same time, the individual may find that both of his or her hands are occupied—one with the beverage, and the other with the smoking product. Additionally, since both the beverage and the smoking product are easily portable, the individual may find himself or herself in a place far from an ashtray but needing to free one or both hands to attend to another task. Since smoking products generate heat and can damage the surfaces of furniture or counter tops if placed directly thereon, it may be advantageous to provide a holder upon which to rest the smoking product such that it is elevated above the surface of furniture or counter tops.
Additionally, individuals may find themselves in a social setting where others may also be consuming beverages and/or smoking products. If the individual momentarily sets his or her beverage and/or smoking product aside in next to beverages or smoking products belonging to others, the individual may be confused as to which beverage or smoking product belongs to whom. Thus, it may be advantageous to provide a structure that keeps and individual's beverage and smoking product together in one place, in order to avoid confusion and the dreaded loss of a partially-consumed beverage or smoking product.
Given the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a structure which addresses these and other deficiencies so that an individual may more thoroughly enjoy his or her beverage and smoking product.
One object of the invention may comprise providing a holder for an elongated smoking product comprises a base portion and a cradle portion connected to said base portion; the base portion further comprises a generally vertical recess defined within the base portion; wherein the cradle is capable of receiving and supporting the elongated smoking product; and wherein the recess is capable of receiving therewithin an end of a generally cylindrical drink container such that the holder is releasably fixed to the generally cylindrical drink container.
Another object of the invention may comprise providing a holder for an elongated smoking product, comprising a base portion, and a cradle portion connected to the base portion; the base portion further comprising a generally vertical recess defined within the base portion; the cradle portion further comprising a generally horizontal, upward-opening longitudinal channel; wherein the longitudinal channel is capable of receiving therewithin an elongated smoking product so as to support the elongated smoking product in an elevated position above the base portion; and wherein the recess is capable of receiving therewithin an end of a generally cylindrical drink container such that the holder is releasably fixed to the generally cylindrical drink container.
Still another object of the invention may comprise providing a holder for an elongated smoking product, comprising a base portion and a cradle portion connected to the base portion; the base portion having a generally cylindrical vertical recess defined within the base portion; the cradle portion further comprising a generally horizontal upward-opening longitudinal channel; wherein the longitudinal channel is capable of receiving therewithin the elongated smoking product so as to support the elongated smoking article in an elevated position above the base portion; and wherein the recess further comprises a generally vertical recess wall, the recess wall further comprising at least one resilient retaining member, wherein the at least one resilient retaining member releasably engages an exterior surface of a generally cylindrical drink container received within the vertical recess such that the holder is releasably fixed to the generally cylindrical drink container.
In order that the invention may be better understood, embodiments of the beverage container mounted holder for smoking products and methods of use thereof in accordance with the present invention will now be described by way of examples. These embodiments are not to limit the scope of the present invention as the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practices or of being carried out in various ways.
The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Among other things, the present invention may be embodied as methods or devices. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Throughout the specification and the claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The phrase “in one embodiment” or “in some embodiments” or “in a preferred embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, though it may. Furthermore, the phrase “in another embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to a different embodiment, although it may. Thus, as described below, various embodiments of the invention may be readily combined, without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In addition, the phrase “present invention” or “object of the present invention” does not necessarily refer to nor is intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment or feature described.
In addition, the use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is mean to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.
Additionally, as used herein, the term “or” is an inclusive “or” operator, and is equivalent to the therm “and/or,” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “based on” is not exclusive and allows for being based on additional factors not described, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Throughout the specification, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references. The meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.”
Referring now to
In one embodiment, base 20 defines a bottom surface 22 and a top surface 24, an exterior wall 26 therebetween, and a generally vertical axis AV. In the embodiment shown in
In a preferred embodiment, Base 20 further defines a vertical recess 30 therewithin, which has a recess opening 32 defined within bottom surface 22, a recess wall 36 extending generally vertically upward parallel to axis AV towards top surface 24. In one embodiment, recess wall 36 may optionally terminate at a recess ceiling 34, located vertically intermediate recess opening 32 and base top surface 24 along axis AV. In another embodiment, recess 30 may extend along the entire height of base 20 such that recess wall 36 originates at bottom surface 22 and terminates at top surface 24.
Referring now to both
In one embodiment, cradle 40 defines a generally horizontal longitudinal axis AL (
Turning to
Additionally, in a preferred embodiment cradle 40 is dimensioned such that longitudinal channel 46 is sized appropriately to releasably receive a generally cylindrical elongated smoking product 80 such that the smoking product's longitudinal axis AS is oriented generally parallel to longitudinal axis AL of channel 46. In the embodiment illustrated in
Turning to
The foregoing description of several embodiments and aspects of the invention has been presented for purpose of illustration only. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise steps and/or forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention and all equivalents be defined by the claims appended hereto.
