Patent Application
20240166406
The present disclosure generally relates to the technical field of bar utensils, and in particular, an apparatus and method for holding a mini alcohol (or other liquid) bottle inverted over the opening of a planar portion of an open beverage can.
Traditional bottle holding devices are designed to be mounted on standard glassware. However, these devices are limited in the types of glassware that they can mount to and are unsuitable for use on certain beverage cans.
A recent trend among soda or other beverage cans, e.g., beer cans, is to make mixed cocktails by adding spirits to the drink. However, the conventional method of pouring spirits into the can is limited to the volume capacity available inside the can after it is open which prevents the user from adding a reasonable amount to create a proportioned cocktail. This requires the user to pour some of the beverage out first to create additional space for the spirit and/or take a sip, which cannot be done if the drink is being made for someone else. In addition, for applications in a bar, restaurant, or concession environment, the server can avoid using additional glassware or single use plastic cups by serving the mixed drink directly from the can. Using the mini bottle holder speeds up the serving process, reduces utilities associated with washing and eliminates unnecessary waste. Attempting to add spirits by pouring from a larger spirit bottle would cause the beverage to overflow the container. Attempting to place the mini bottle in the opening of the can would cause it to drop into the drink and usually requires garnishment to take up the space and support the mini bottle from falling in.
Further, traditional mini bottle holders available on the market do not fit the beverage can due to the can's beveled edge.
Still further, the current methods hold the mini bottle at an angle that would cause the bottle to fall out or make the can tip over as the beverage is consumed.
To overcome the problems described above, embodiments of the present disclosure include a bottle holder device, comprising: a substantially planar top surface; an opening through the top surface; an arched side edge extending along a side of the top surface; and a substantially U-shaped receiving rim extending along an inside of the side edge.
In an aspect, the opening is circular.
In an aspect, a wall defining the opening is chamfered. A chamfer of the opening can slope inward from the top surface towards a center of the opening.
In an aspect, the opening is off center of the top surface.
In an aspect, the side edge is semi-circular.
In an aspect, the side edge is arched more than 180 degrees.
In an aspect, the bottle holder device is made of a unitary construction of plastic, molded wax, or a biodegradable material.
In an aspect, the top surface includes nomenclature.
In an aspect, wherein the receiving rim is configured to fit over and be supported by a rim of a can.
In another embodiment, a method of holding a bottle with respect to a can, comprising the steps of: removing a top from the can; inserting a bottle holder device over a rim of the can; and placing an inverted bottle through an opening of the bottle holder device.
In an aspect, the inverted bottle rests on a top surface of the bottle holder device and a sloped surface of the opening.
In an aspect, the step of inserting the bottle holder device includes moving the can with respect to the bottle holder device such that the rim of the can is moved horizontally through a receiving slot defined in the bottle holder device.
In an aspect, the method can further include, after dispensing contents of the bottle into the can, removing the bottle from the bottle holder device and the bottle holder device from the can.
In an aspect, the step of inserting the bottle holder device includes the bottle holder of claim 1.
In another embodiment, a system includes a can; a bottle; and a bottle holder configured to attach to the can and hold the bottle inverted with respect to the can.
In an aspect, the can is a beverage can and the bottle is a mini-bottle.
The above and other features, elements, characteristics, steps, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings.
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. However, this disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.
The description of the preferred embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description of this invention. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. In this description, relative terms such as “horizontal,” “vertical,” “up,” “down,” “top,” “bottom,” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing figure under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and normally are not intended to require a particular orientation. Terms including “inwardly” versus “outwardly,” “longitudinal” versus “lateral” and the like are to be interpreted relative to one another or relative to an axis of elongation, or an axis or center of rotation, as appropriate. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both moveable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. The term “operatively coupled” is such an attachment, coupling, or connection that allows the pertinent structures to operate as intended by virtue of that relationship.
As used herein, the term “substantially” denotes elements having a recited relationship (e.g., parallel, perpendicular, aligned, planar, etc.) within acceptable manufacturing tolerances. For example, as used herein, the term “substantially parallel” is used to denote elements that are parallel or that vary from a parallel arrangement within an acceptable margin of error, such as +/−5°, although it will be recognized that greater and/or lesser deviations can exist based on manufacturing processes and/or other manufacturing requirements.
To overcome the problems described above, embodiments of the present disclosure include a generally planar device with a receiving opening that firmly clips onto the rim of standard beverage cans and arranged to support a mini bottle positioned in an inverted orientation in the container. It is anticipated that a standard can has a diameter within a range from 2 inches to 2.5 inches.
The opening in the device is designed to accept various styles and sizes of mini bottles and supports them in in an inverted, substantially vertical position generally over the open can to prevent tipping.
In certain embodiments, the bottle holder 16 is injection molded, press molded or otherwise formed into a molded structure, and is made of a unitary construction from a plastic material, such as polypropylene, ABS, urethane, plant-based plastics or plastic compounds. In embodiments, the bottle holder 16 can be defined from molded pulp, optionally with a wax covering (similar to egg crates), rendering the bottle holder 16 more degradable or biodegradable. In one embodiment, the bottle holder 16 can include plant seeds in the molded pulp structure that allow for plants to grow if discarded on the ground. In yet other embodiments, the bottle holder 16 is defined as an edible structure, such as from pressed sugar that can be impregnated with salt and garnishing flavors. This embodiment allows for creative concoctions, similar in nature to SALTEEZ™ Beet Salt Strips available from Salteez 3725 FM-646 Santa Fe, Texas 77510, US.
It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the present invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variances that fall within the scope of the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/384,454, filed Nov. 21, 2022, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63384454 | Nov 2022 | US |
