Patent Application
20210380316
This disclosure is related to celebratory beverage covers and, in particular, to candle covers for use with beverages containers of various shapes and sizes.
Celebrations, such as birthday celebrations, often include candles. Conventionally, candles are positioned in, and supported by, food items such as cakes, cupcakes, and the like. Since not all celebrations have food items readily available and of the type that can easily receive a candle, there is a need for other systems and methods of holding and presenting a candle during a celebratory moment.
Various embodiments of candle covers for use with beverage containers (e.g., cans, pint glasses, etc.) are provided herein.
In one embodiment, a candle cover for a beverage container is provided. The candle cover comprises a base portion having a top surface and a bottom surface, a candle-receiving portion extending upward from the top surface of the base portion, and one or more protrusions extending inward from a circumferential edge of the base portion. The candle-receiving portion can include at least one opening sized to receive a candle.
In another embodiment, a method of placing a candle on a beverage container is provided. The method comprises providing a candle cover formed of silicone and comprising a base portion having a top surface and a bottom surface, securing the candle cover to the beverage container by positioning the bottom surface into contact with a rim of the beverage container, positioning a candle in an opening of a candle-receiving portion of the candle cover. The candle-receiving portion can extend upward from the top surface of the base portion.
In another embodiment, a candle cover for a beverage container is provided which includes a base portion having a top surface and a bottom surface and a candle-receiving portion extending upward from the top surface of the base portion. The candle-receiving portion comprises at least one opening sized to receive a candle and at least the base portion of the candle cover is formed from silicone.
In yet another embodiment, a method of placing a candle on a beverage container is provided. The method comprises providing a candle cover formed of silicone and comprising a base portion having a top surface and a bottom surface, securing the candle cover to the beverage container by positioning the bottom surface into contact with a rim of the beverage container, and positioning a candle in an opening of a candle-receiving portion of the candle cover. The candle-receiving portion can extend upward from the top surface of the base portion.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures.
General Considerations
The systems and methods described herein, and individual components thereof, should not be construed as being limited to the particular uses or systems described herein in any way. Instead, this disclosure is directed toward all novel and non-obvious features and aspects of the various disclosed embodiments, alone and in various combinations and subcombinations with one another. For example, any features or aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be used in various combinations and subcombinations with one another, as will be recognized by an ordinarily skilled artisan in the relevant field(s) in view of the information disclosed herein. In addition, the disclosed systems, methods, and components thereof are not limited to any specific aspect or feature or combinations thereof, nor do the disclosed things and methods require that any one or more specific advantages be present or problems be solved.
As used in this application the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Additionally, the term “includes” means “comprises.” Furthermore, as used herein, the term “and/or” means any one item or combination of items in the phrase. As used herein, the term “exemplary” means serving as a non-limiting example, instance, or illustration. As used herein, the terms “e.g.,” and “for example,” introduce a list of one or more non-limiting embodiments, examples, instances, and/or illustrations.
Although the operations of some of the disclosed methods are described in a particular, sequential order for convenient presentation, it should be understood that this manner of description encompasses rearrangement, unless a particular ordering is required by specific language set forth below. For example, operations described sequentially may in some cases be rearranged or performed concurrently. Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, the attached figures may not show the various ways in which the disclosed things and methods can be used in conjunction with other things and methods. Additionally, the description sometimes uses terms like “provide,” “produce,” “determine,” and “select” to describe the disclosed methods. These terms are high-level descriptions of the actual operations that are performed. The actual operations that correspond to these terms will vary depending on the particular implementation and are readily discernible by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
As used herein, the term “candle cover” refers to a cover or lid for a container that can be removable received on a top surface of the container and which has at least one opening of holding a candle on the top surface thereof.
Exemplary Candle Covers and Methods of Using the Same
Opening 108 can be sized to receive any size candle, including commonly used birthday candles which have a base diameter of about 3/16 inch. The opening 108 can extend into the candle-receiving portion 106 to define a cavity of a desired depth suitable to secure the candle therein. For larger candles, a wider opening and greater depth may be desirable to hold the candle in a secure manner.
In some embodiment, the selected material for the candle-receiving portion demonstrates at least some flexibility (e.g., silicone), such that the opening 108 can have the same diameter (or smaller) as a desired candle size. In this manner, the candle can be received and retained firmly by the cavity of the candle-receiving portion. Alternatively, the opening can be slightly larger in diameter than a desired candle, and a depth of the opening can be sufficient to maintain the candle in position.
Candle cover 100 can be formed of a flexible material so that it can bend, at least a little, to facilitate attachment to the beverage can. In some embodiments, the candle cover can be formed of a highly flexible material, such as silicone. In other embodiments, the candle cover can be formed of a less flexible material, such as plastic.
In some embodiments, as shown in
Candle cover 100 can have one or more securing members that are configured to secure the candle cover to the beverage can. In
As shown in
Protrusions 100 can comprise a plurality of protrusions that extend around the circumference of the candle cover. In some embodiments, there are at least two protrusions, in others there are at least three protrusions. In yet other embodiments, the plurality of protrusions can be continuous and extend completely around the circumference, thereby forming a single contiguous protrusion.
As with the other openings disclosed herein, opening 208 can be sized to receive any size candle, including commonly used birthday candles which have a base diameter of about 3/16 inch. The opening 208 can extend into the candle-receiving portion 206 to define a cavity of a desired depth suitable to secure the candle therein. For larger candles, a wider opening and greater depth may be desirable to hold the candle in a secure manner.
Candle cover 200 is formed of a flexible material, such as silicone, and it gently attaches to the surface of the beverage container when it is placed on top. The flexible candle cover 200 provides a suction seal that is sufficient to hold the candle cover 200 in place but also easy to remove by simply pulling up on one side of the candle cover 200.
In some embodiments, as shown in
Candle cover 200 has an outer circumferential edge 218 that limits the size of the container that it can be used with. For example, in some embodiments, the outer circumferential edge 218 can be between 3.3 and 5.0 inches in diameter, between 3.5 to 4.0 inches, or between 4.0 to 5.0 inches, which is sufficient to cover a conventional pint glass (3.25 inches top diameter) and most wine and cocktail glasses (between 3.0-4.0 inches in top diameter).
In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the disclosed invention may be applied, it should be recognized that the illustrated embodiments are only preferred examples of the invention and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims. We therefore claim as our invention all that comes within the scope and spirit of these claims.
