IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,357,247
Granted Patent B2
US 7,357,247 · App. 10/993,013 · Granted Apr 15, 2008

Beverage holder

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,357,247
App. No.
10/993,013
Granted
Apr 15, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A beverage holder is especially adapted for securing a three-pack arrangement of beverage containers. Three panels are joined along a central axis. The panels are spaced 120° from one another. Lower ends of the panels form stationary bases, and lower portions of the panels may be cut to form foldable base portions that may be deployed or retracted. When deployed, the foldable base portions form additional base support for the holder, and also support the bottom surfaces of the containers. One or more flexible retention members may be secured to the panels and routed around the containers. Because the holder has no top cover and open gaps exist between the panels, the holder is adapted for securing beverage containers of varying heights, diameters, and shapes.

Claims (36)

1. A beverage holder comprising:

at least three panels joined to one another at first ends along a central axis, said panels each having respective second ends extending radially away from the central axis creating open gaps between each panel, each of said second ends not contacting another portion of said beverage holder;

a plurality of foldable base portions formed from lower ends of said panels, said foldable base portions being selectively placed between a retracted position wherein the base portions extend co-linearly with the corresponding panels and a deployed position wherein the base portions extend away from the central axis and the panels; and

a flexible member spanning between each panel and being spaced above said lower end of said panels.

2. A beverage holder, as claimed in claim 1 , further including:

a plurality of finger holes formed in said panels at an upper end of said panels.

3. A beverage holder, as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:

said central axis is defined by an intersection of fold lines separating said plurality of panels.

4. A beverage holder, as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:

said flexible member includes a plurality of flexible members spanning between said panels.

5. A beverage holder, as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:

said plurality of foldable base portions are formed by a cut made along lower portions of said panels.

6. A beverage holder, as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:

said panels each include corresponding stationary base portions having lower surfaces substantially co-planar with one another.

7. A beverage holder comprising:

a plurality of panels joined to one another along a central axis, said panels being spaced from one another creating gaps between each panel, each panel having a corresponding stationary-based portion formed at a lower end of each panel;

a plurality of foldable base portions formed at said lower ends of said panels, said foldable base portions being selectively placed between a retracted position and a deployed position; and

said foldable base portions each further include a protrusion especially adapted for being received in a concave lower surface of a beverage container.

8. A beverage holder, as claimed in claim 7 , wherein:

said foldable base portions are each bisected by a base fold.

9. A beverage pack comprising:

a plurality of panels joined to one another along a central axis, said panels being spaced from one another creating gaps between each panel, each panel having a corresponding stationary-based portion formed at a lower end of each panel;

a plurality of foldable base portions formed at said lower ends of said panels, said foldable base portions being selectively placed between a retracted position and a deployed position;

a plurality of beverages, one beverage being placed over each foldable base portion and each beverage being secured to said beverage holder; and

said foldable base portions each further includes a protrusion specially adapted for being received in a concave lower surface of a beverage container.

10. A beverage holder, as claimed in claim 9 , wherein:

said foldable base portions are each bisected by a base fold.

11. A beverage holder comprising:

a plurality of panels spaced from one another and intersecting along a central axis, said panels extending radially away from the central axis creating open gaps between each panel; and

means formed at lower ends of said panels for selectively supporting said panels to maintain said panels in an upright position, said means for supporting being selectively placed between a retracted position and a deployed position, said means for supporting further includes a protrusion especially adapted for being received in a concave lower surface of a beverage container.

12. A beverage holder, as claimed in claim 11 , further including:

at least one flexible member spanning between each panel and spaced above said lower ends of said panels.

13. A beverage holder, as claimed in claim 11 , further including:

a plurality of finger holes formed in said panels at an upper end of said panels.

14. A beverage holder, as claimed in claim 11 , wherein:

said central axis is defined by an intersection of fold lines separating said plurality of panels.