DRINK HOLDER WITH STABILIZER

Abstract

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide drink holders with stabilizers. The drink holders adhere to a surface when set down yet release from the surface when raised. The drink holders include a base with a base seal. The base is slidably mounted to a beverage container assembly. When the beverage container assembly is in the fully lowered position, an inner seal engages the base forming a vacuum in a sealed air chamber between the base seal and the surface. When a user desires to take a drink, the user lifts the drink holder. As the beverage container assembly is raised the inner seal initially remains in sealed engagement with the base assembly. After a delay the airtight seal releases the vacuum within the air chamber.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure is related to drink or beverage holders, particularly a drink holder which reduces the risk of the beverage being spilled.

BACKGROUND

As is commonly understood, drink or beverage holders such as glasses, tumblers, mugs, cans and bottles with open tops can accidentally fall or be knocked over with a lateral impact, spilling the contents. Some beverage holders can be selectively closed with lids; however, it is often inconvenient to do so and/or doing so may interferes with access to the beverage. Other beverage holders are not configured to be easily closed with a lid. It is desirable to have a drink holder which reduces the risk of a beverage being spilled.

In certain embodiments the drink holders are insulated containers for receiving and holding other beverage holders, such as KOOZIE® style insulated containers for beverage cans or bottles. The insulated drink holders may be made of a flexible material or a rigid-walled type container. It is also desirable to have an insulated drink holder which reduces the risk of spillage while also slowing beverage temperature changes from an initial beverage temperature.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In certain embodiments, a drink holder with a stabilizer includes a base assembly having a central portion and a base seal. The base seal is configured to engage a support surface and defines an air chamber in the volume enclosed by the base seal, the central portion and the surface. The central portion has an upward facing surface encircling an air vent defined through the central portion between the air chamber and an area of ambient pressure. A beverage container assembly is slidably engaged with the base assembly. The beverage container assembly includes a beverage holding compartment and has a base plate. An inner seal is mounted to the base plate. The inner seal includes a core mounted to the base plate and a flexible skirt portion extending from the core. The flexible skirt portion is not attached to the base plate other than via the core. The beverage container assembly is slidably attached to the base assembly within a range of movement so that the beverage container assembly can freely translate between a lowered position and a raised position relative to the base assembly. In the lowered position the inner seal seals the air vent causing the drink holder to adhere to the surface. As the beverage container assembly is raised from the lowered position toward the raised position the beverage container assembly translates upward relative to the base assembly a distance before the inner seal is disengaged from the air vent.

An exemplary method of using a drink holder with a stabilizer includes placing a drink holder on a support surface, the drink holder includes a base assembly with a central portion and a base seal arranged so that the base seal engages the support surface and defines an air chamber enclosed by the base seal, the central portion and the surface. The base assembly has an air vent through the central portion between the air chamber and an area of ambient pressure. The drink holder has a beverage container assembly slidably engaged with the base assembly, wherein the beverage container assembly includes a beverage holding compartment with a base plate and an inner seal. After the base seal engages the support surface, lowering the beverage container assembly toward the base assembly causes the inner seal to engage the base assembly and to seal the air vent. The method includes raising the beverage container assembly relative to the base assembly an initial distance while the inner seals continues to seal the air vent; and then disengaging the inner seal from the air vent after the beverage container assembly has translated upward a distance exceeding the initial distance.

It is an object of certain embodiments of the present disclosure to provide a drink holder with a stabilizer.

Other objects and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent from the description, figures and claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a downward perspective view of a drink holder with a stabilizer according to a representative embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an upward perspective view of the drink holder of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the drink holder of FIG. 1 in a raised position.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the drink holder of FIG. 1 in a lowered position.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the drink holder of FIG. 1 positioned between the lowered position and the raised position.

FIG. 6 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the lower portion of the drink holder of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the drink holder of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a downward perspective view of a drink holder with a stabilizer according to a representative embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is an upward perspective view of the drink holder of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the drink holder of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated therein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide drink holders with stabilizers and methods of using drink holders with stabilizers. The drink holders are designed to adhere to a surface when set down to reduce the risk of an accidental spill for instance due to an unintentional lateral impact, yet to release from the surface when intentionally raised vertically. The drink holders may directly hold a liquid or may be insulated containers for receiving and holding beverage holders such as cans or bottles.

The drink holders include a base assembly with a skirt or suction cup style base seal. The base assembly includes an air vent. The base assembly is slidably mounted to a beverage container assembly. A lower surface of the beverage container assembly includes an inner seal. The inner seal is radially flexible as it extends from a central core and has a diameter which is larger than the air vent in the base assembly. When the beverage container assembly is in the fully lowered position, the inner seal engages the edges of the air vent and prevents air flow. When the drink holder is placed on a suitable support surface, the base seal initially contacts the surface and stops downward movement of the base assembly while the beverage container assembly continues to settle and translate downward onto the base assembly. This causes the inner seal to engage and close the air vent. This settling and sealing movement may cause a slight air displacement pushing air out of an air chamber encircled by the base seal. This generates a slight or partial vacuum within the air chamber, adhering the drink holder to the surface. Alternately and/or enhancing the effect of the vacuum, when the air chamber is sealed, an unintended force attempting to pull the drink holder away from the surface will effectively be an attempt to cause the chamber volume to expand while maintaining the existing amount of air within the chamber. This causes the internal air pressure to drop, thereby generating or increasing a suction effect which adheres the drink holder to the surface until the air chamber is unsealed. The adherence stabilizes the drink holder, reducing the risk of the drink holder unintentionally tipping over or otherwise spilling the beverage, although a sufficient lateral impact force may exceed the strength of the adherence effect.

When a user desires to take a drink, the user grasps the beverage container assembly and begins lifting it vertically. As the beverage container assembly is initially raised the edges of the inner seal stretch and bend arcuately downward, remaining in sealed engagement with the base assembly while the beverage container assembly translates upward. Consequently, the beverage container assembly travels an initial distance upward without disengaging the inner seal from the base assembly. After the beverage container assembly travels a distance which exceeds the initial distance, the inner seal disengages from the base assembly, breaking the airtight seal. The user can then continue to lift the drink holder to take a drink.

Top, bottom, face and vertical references herein are from the perspective of a drink holder to be used on a suitable support surface. Directional references are for ease of illustration and are not intended to be limiting.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate perspective views of a drink or beverage holder 10 with a stabilizer according to a representative embodiment. Drink holder 10 includes a beverage container assembly 12 slidably engaged to a base assembly 14.

Beverage container assembly 12 includes beverage holding compartment 20. Beverage holding compartment 20 defines an interior volume 25 for directly receiving a liquid or for receiving a beverage container such as a can or bottle. In the illustrated embodiment beverage holding compartment 20 is cylindrical, but alternate shapes may be used. The beverage holding compartment may preferably yet optionally be configured and sized to snugly receive a standard sized single serving beverage can or bottle. For instance, in the United States a standard single serving beverage can diameter is 2.6 inches (6.6 cm) and standard single serving beverage bottle diameters are typically in a range between 2.4 inches and 3.0 inches (6.1 cm to 7.6 cm). The beverage holding compartment 20 may be insulated. As illustrated in FIG. 3 and others, beverage holding compartment 20 may be formed with an outer liner 22 and an inner liner 24. Outer liner 22 and inner liner 24 may be concentric and spaced apart from each other yet joined at the top, defining an interior insulating volume 23. Insulating volume 23 may be a vacuum, may be filled with air, may be filled with an inert gas or may be filled with an insulating material such as a rubber or foam. The insulated beverage holding compartment may be made with rigid-walls as illustrated or alternately made of a flexible foam or rubber material such as KOOZIE® style insulated containers.

Beverage container assembly 12 includes an upper exterior portion 26, providing a facing encircling and secured to an upper portion of beverage holding compartment 20. Upper exterior portion 26 may also include a lip or rim extending over the upper edge of beverage holding compartment 20. Optionally, versions of the lip or rim portion of exterior portion 26 may be sized with different opening diameters for comfort or to accommodate differently sized beverage cans and bottles. In further optional variations, the upper exterior portion 26 can be changed or replaced by the user to select a desired opening size. Beverage container assembly 12 further includes lower portion 30. A sidewall 32 of lower portion 30 provides a facing encircling and secured to a lower portion of beverage holding compartment 20.

As seen in FIGS. 3-7, lower portion 30 includes a base plate 34 extending horizontally across the cross-sectional area enclosed and concealed by sidewall 32. Portions of a lower face of beverage holding compartment 20 may abut portions of an upper face of base plate 34. Base plate 34 defines a centrally located opening 36 for mounting an inner seal 80. Base plate 34 further includes a series of downward extensions 40 terminating in upward facing hooks 42. In the illustrated embodiment, base plate 34 includes four downward extensions 40 evenly spaced around the perimeter. In alternate embodiments, more or less downward extensions or a single ring-shaped extension extending around the entire circumference could be used. Downward extensions 40 are spaced slightly inward from sidewall 32 with hooks 42 facing outward. A gap is defined between downward extensions 40 and sidewall 32.

Inner seal 80 is mounted to base plate 34. In the illustrated version, inner seal 80 includes a core 82 which extends through and engages opening 36. An upper portion of core 82 may be received in a cavity provided for clearance between base plate 34 and a lower side of beverage holding compartment 20. Inner seal 80 may alternately be mounted to base plate 34 via friction, adhesive, or mechanical fasteners or inner seal 80 may be integrally formed with or fused to base plate 34. A flexible skirt portion 84 extends in a circle radially from core 82 to edge 86. Skirt portion 84 and core 82 form a closed lower face of inner seal 80. Flexible skirt portion 84 is not attached to base plate 34 other than via the connection to core 82. This enables the skirt portion 84 to bend downward, for instance forming a domed or angled shape, as shown in FIG. 5, when the beverage holder is lifted. Optionally, inner seal 80 includes a lobe shaped circumferential edge 86.

Base assembly 14 includes a peripheral mount 52, an inner plug 54 and a base seal 70. Peripheral mount 52 and inner plug 54 cooperate and define a support to hold base seal 70, for instance in a clamped arrangement. In the illustrated embodiment, inner plug 54 includes a series of pegs 56 which extend upward through a shaped mounting portion 72 of base seal 70. Pegs 56 are secured to peripheral mount 52. Pegs 56 may be secured to peripheral mount 52 with friction, adhesive, fasteners, sonic or heat fusion or otherwise.

Peripheral mount 52 includes a series of upward extensions 60 terminating in downward facing hooks 62. In the illustrated embodiment, peripheral mount 52 includes four upward extensions 60 corresponding in number and placement to downward extensions 40. In alternate embodiments, more or less upward extensions or a ring-shaped single extension extending around the entire circumference could be used. Upward extensions 60 are radially spaced to fit within the gap defined between downward extensions 40 and sidewall 32. Hooks 62 face inward toward hooks 42.

Extensions 40 and 60 include sufficient height to allow beverage container assembly 12 to vertically translate within a range of movement relative to base assembly 14. The range of movement is defined between a lowered position (FIG. 4) where hooks 42 and 62 are spaced apart and a raised position (FIG. 3) where hooks 42 and 62 engage and prevent beverage container assembly 12 and a base assembly 14 from being separated.

Base assembly 14 defines a cross-section extending across the majority of the cross-sectional area defined within sidewall 32. A central portion 57 of inner plug 54 defines a circular upward facing surface encircling air vent 58. The circular upward facing surface of central portion 57 is vertically aligned with the circular edge 86 of inner seal 80 so that edge 86 engages the upward facing surface when the beverage holder is set down. Air vent 58 is defined as an open passage extending through base assembly 14 and specifically through the central portion of inner plug 43. When unobstructed, air vent 58 allows airflow from an air chamber below base assembly 14 to an area of ambient pressure such as internal chamber 76 defined between base assembly 14 and beverage container assembly 12.

Base seal 70 includes a flexible skirt portion 74 which extends radially from mounting portion 72 and inner plug 54. Base seal 70 is formed of a flexible sheet material such as rubber or silicone capable of forming an airtight seal when engaging a suitable support surface S. When skirt portion 74 of base seal 70 contacts surface S, it defines an air chamber in the volume enclosed by base seal 70, inner plug 54 and surface S. The air chamber may be sealed or unsealed depending on the whether air vent 58 is sealed or open.

When a user is using drink holder 10, a beverage or beverage container is located within beverage holding compartment 20. When desired, the user may place drink holder 10 on a suitable support surface S. As drink holder 10 approaches surface S, base seal 70 initially contacts surface S and stops downward movement of base assembly 14, while the beverage container assembly 12 continues to slide downward toward base assembly 14. When fully lowered, inner seal 80 engages and closes air vent 58. This settling and sealing movement may cause a slight air displacement pushing air out of an air chamber between base seal 70 and surface S. This creates a slight or partial vacuum within the air chamber, adhering drink holder 10 to the surface. Alternately and/or enhancing the effect of the vacuum, when the air chamber is sealed, a lateral force attempting to knock the drink holder sideways will effectively be an attempt to cause the chamber volume to expand while maintaining the existing amount of air within the chamber. This causes the internal air pressure to drop, thereby generating or increasing a suction effect which adheres the drink holder to the surface until the air chamber is unsealed.

When a user desires to take a drink, the user grasps beverage container assembly 12 and begins lifting vertically. As beverage container assembly 12 is initially raised, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the inner seal skirt portion 84 bends and stretches downward while circular edge 86 remains in sealed engagement with the central portion 57 of base assembly 14. This may bend skirt portion 84 into a curved or dome-like shape. After a delay during which beverage container assembly 12 travels an initial distance upward, inner seal 80 is pulled away from base assembly 14, unsealing the air chamber and releasing any adhering effect and/or vacuum. In certain embodiments, beverage container assembly 12 may travel an initial distance upward of at least 1.2 to 1.5 mm. After the beverage container has traveled a distance exceeding the initial distance, inner seal 80 is pulled away from base assembly 14 breaking the air seal and releasing the vacuum in the air chamber. At the raised position, hooks 42 and 62 engage to prevent beverage container assembly 12 from separating from base assembly 14. The user can then continue to lift drink holder 10 to take a drink.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate perspective views of an alternate drink or beverage holder 110 with a stabilizer according to a representative embodiment. Drink holder 110 includes a beverage container assembly 112 slidably engaged to a base assembly 114. Beverage container assembly 112 includes beverage holding compartment 120, with an interior volume 125. The upper opening may be selectively closed with optional lid 127. The lid 127 may include a slot for sipping and may include an air vent hole.

The beverage holding compartment 120 may be insulated. As illustrated in FIG. 10, beverage holding compartment 120 may be formed with an outer liner 122 and an inner liner 124. Outer liner 122 and inner liner 124 may be spaced apart from each other yet joined at the top, defining an interior insulating volume 123. Insulating volume 23 may be a vacuum, may be filled with air, may be filled with an inert gas or may be filled with an insulating material such as a rubber or foam.

Base assembly 114 is the same as base assembly 14 discussed above. Base 114 is mounted in a conical cavity 130 defined in a lower end of beverage container assembly 112. Drink holder 110 is used in the same manner as drink holder 10.

While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected.

Claims

1. A drink holder with stabilizer, comprising: a. a base assembly having a central portion and a base seal, wherein the base seal is configured to engage a support surface and define an air chamber as a volume enclosed by the base seal, the central portion and the surface, the central portion having an upward facing surface encircling an air vent defined through the central portion between the air chamber and an area of ambient pressure;b. a beverage container assembly slidably engaged with the base assembly, the beverage container assembly including a beverage holding compartment and having a base plate;c. an inner seal mounted to the base plate, the inner seal including a core mounted to the base plate and a flexible skirt portion extending from the core, wherein the flexible skirt portion is not attached to the base plate other than via the core;d. the beverage container assembly being slidably attached to the base assembly with a range of movement so that the beverage container assembly can freely translate between a lowered position and a raised position relative to the base assembly;e. wherein in the lowered position the inner seal seals the air vent; andf. wherein as the beverage container assembly is raised from the lowered position toward the raised position the beverage container assembly translates upward relative to the base assembly a distance before the inner seal is disengaged from the air vent.

2. The drink holder with stabilizer of claim 1, wherein the beverage container assembly travels upward 1.2 to 1.5 mm before the inner seal is pulled away from the air vent.

3. The drink holder with stabilizer of claim 1, wherein the upward facing surface of the central portion and the skirt portion of the inner seal are circular with a circular edge of the inner seal engaging the upward facing surface.

4. The drink holder with stabilizer of claim 1, wherein the flexible skirt portion bends into a domed shape during while the beverage container assembly translates upward relative to the base assembly and while the inner seal remains sealed to the air vent.

5. The drink holder with stabilizer of claim 1, wherein the flexible skirt portion includes a lobe shaped circumferential edge.

6. The drink holder with stabilizer of claim 1, wherein the base assembly includes a series of extensions defining downward facing hooks and wherein the beverage container assembly includes a series of extensions defining upward facing hooks, wherein the upward facing hooks are aligned with the downward facing hooks, and wherein the range of movement of the beverage container assembly relative to the base assembly is defined between the lowered position where the upward facing hooks and downward facing hooks are spaced apart and the raised position where the upward facing hooks and downward facing hooks are in contact and prevent the beverage container assembly and the base assembly from being separated.

7. The drink holder with stabilizer of claim 1, wherein the beverage holding compartment is configured to receive a beverage container.

8. The drink holder with stabilizer of claim 7, wherein the beverage holding compartment is insulated.

9. The drink holder with stabilizer of claim 8 wherein the base plate is concealed by a sidewall.

10. The drink holder with stabilizer of claim 8 wherein the base assembly includes a peripheral mount and an inner plug which engage in a clamped arrangement to hold the base seal.

11. A method of using a drink holder with a stabilizer, comprising: a. placing a drink holder on a support surface, the drink holder having a base assembly having a central portion and a base seal arranged so that the base seal engages the support surface and defines an air chamber enclosed by the base seal, the central portion and the surface, the base assembly defining an air vent through the central portion between the air chamber and an area of ambient pressure, the drink holder further having a beverage container assembly slidably engaged with the base assembly, the beverage container assembly including a beverage holding compartment and having a base plate with an inner seal;b. sealing the air vent by lowering the beverage container assembly toward the base assembly so that the inner seal engages the base assembly;c. raising the beverage container assembly relative to the base assembly an initial distance while the inner seals continues to seal the air vent; andd. disengaging the inner seal from the air vent after the beverage container assembly has translated upward a distance exceeding the initial distance.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the initial distance is at least 1.2 to 1.5 mm.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the base assembly central portion has an upward facing circular surface and the inner seal has a circumference which engages the upward facing surface to seal the air vent.

14. The method of claim 13, comprising bending the inner seal into a domed shape during while the beverage container assembly translates upward relative to the base assembly and while the inner seal remains sealed to the air vent.

15. A method of using a drink holder with a stabilizer, comprising: a. placing a drink holder on a support surface, the drink holder having a base assembly having a central portion and a base seal arranged so that the base seal engages the support surface and defines an air chamber enclosed by the base seal, the central portion and the surface, the base assembly defining an air vent through the central portion between the air chamber and an area of ambient pressure, the drink holder further having a beverage container assembly slidably engaged with the base assembly, the beverage container assembly including a beverage holding compartment and having a base plate with an inner seal;b. after the base seal engages the support surface, lowering the beverage container assembly toward the base assembly so that the inner seal engages the base assembly and seals the air vent generating a partial vacuum in the air chamber;c. maintaining a partial vacuum in the air chamber while raising the beverage container assembly an initial distance relative to the base assembly; andd. disengaging the inner seal from the air vent after the beverage container assembly has been raised from the base assembly by a distance exceeding the initial distance.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the initial distance is at least 1.2 to 1.5 mm.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the base assembly central portion has an upward facing circular surface encircling the air vent and the inner seal has a circumference which engages the upward facing surface to seal the air vent.

18. The method of claim 15, comprising bending a skirt portion of the inner seal into a domed shape while the beverage container assembly translates upward the initial distance.

19. The method of claim 15, comprising preventing the beverage container assembly and the base assembly from being separated as the drink holder is raised.

20. The method of claim 19, comprising preventing the beverage container assembly from being separated from the base assembly by a series of downward facing hooks extending from the base assembly which are aligned with a series of upward facing hooks extending from the beverage container assembly and wherein a range of movement of the beverage container assembly relative to the base assembly is defined between a lowered position where the upward facing hooks and downward facing hooks are spaced apart and a raised position where the upward facing hooks and downward facing hooks are in contact.