Reconfigurable article holder
View Patent ↗A reconfigurable article holder comprises a sleeve defining a cavity and having an inner surface and an outer surface. The cavity receives and supports a container in a first container supporting configuration, wherein the inner surface of the sleeve contacts the container. The sleeve includes first and second fastener portions which are mateable to form a container-surrounding opening operable to receive and support a beverage container in a second container supporting position, wherein the outer surface of the sleeve contacts the beverage container. A strap having sufficient strength to support the weight of a beverage container attaches to the sleeve at least one opening. The first fastening portion may be disposed on the inner surface of the sleeve, while the second fastening portion may be disposed on the outer surface of the sleeve. The first and second fastening portions may be further mateable to form a storage configuration.
1. A reconfigurable article holder comprising:
a sleeve having an inner surface and an outer surface;
a cavity defined by the sleeve, with the cavity operable to receive and support a beverage container in a first container supporting configuration, wherein the inner surface of the sleeve contacts the beverage container;
first and second fastener portions disposed on the sleeve and mateable to form a container-surrounding opening operable to receive and support a beverage container in a second container supporting configuration, wherein the outer surface of the sleeve contacts the beverage container; and
a third fastening portion, the first fastening portion being mateable with the third fastening portion to form a storage configuration, and an attachment of the first and third fastening portions closing the cavity for secure storage and transport of items within the article holder.
2. The reconfigurable article holder of claim 1 further comprising a strap attached to the sleeve configured to support the weight of a beverage container.
3. The reconfigurable article holder of claim 2 , wherein the strap is detachable.
4. The reconfigurable article holder of claim 2 , wherein the strap extends through the sleeve at at least one reinforced opening.
5. The reconfigurable article holder of claim 2 , wherein the strap is adjustable.
6. The reconfigurable article holder of claim 1 , wherein the first fastening portion is disposed on the inner surface of the sleeve and the second fastening portion is disposed on the outer surface of the sleeve.
7. The reconfigurable article holder of claim 1 , wherein the first and second fastening portions are further mateable to form a second storage configuration, with the first and second fastening portions attaching so as to decrease the circumference of the container-surrounding opening such that the container-surrounding opening cannot support an average-sized beverage container when the article holder is in the storage configuration.
8. The reconfigurable article holder of claim 1 further comprising a securable pocket attached to the sleeve.
9. The reconfigurable article holder of claim 8 , wherein the securable pocket seats within the cavity.
10. The reconfigurable article holder of claim 8 , wherein the securable pocket is transparent such that items within the securable pocket may be viewable without removing the items from the securable pocket.
11. The reconfigurable article holder of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve comprises a thermally insulating material.
12. The reconfigurable article holder of claim 1 further comprising at least one gripping protrusion disposed on the outer surface of the sleeve and operable to retain a beverage container within the container-surrounding opening when the article holder is in the second container supporting configuration.
13. A reconfigurable article holder comprising:
a sleeve;
a first opening through the sleeve;
a second opening through the sleeve, with the second opening being spaced from and generally horizontally aligned with the first opening;
a third opening through the sleeve, with the third opening being spaced from and generally vertically aligned with the first opening;
a cavity defined by the sleeve and operable to receive and support a beverage container in a first container supporting configuration;
first and second fastener portions disposed on the sleeve and mateable to form a container-surrounding opening operable to receive and support a beverage container in a second container supporting configuration rotated approximately ninety degrees from the first container supporting configuration;
an adjustable strap detachably connectable to the sleeve at one or more of the openings, with the strap connecting to the sleeve at the first and second openings when the article holder is in the first container supporting configuration and at the first and third openings when the article holder is in the second container supporting configuration; and
a third fastening portion disposed on the sleeve and mateable with the first fastening portion to form a storage configuration, the strap connecting to the sleeve at the first and second openings when the article holder is in the storage configuration.
14. The reconfigurable article holder of claim 13 , wherein the sleeve defines an inner surface and an outer surface, with the inner surface of the sleeve contacting a beverage container when the article holder is in the first container supporting configuration and the outer surface of the sleeve contacting a beverage container when the article holder is in the second container supporting configuration.
15. The reconfigurable article holder of claim 14 , wherein first fastening portion is disposed on the inner surface of the sleeve and the second fastening portion is disposed on the outer surface of the sleeve.
16. The reconfigurable article holder of claim 13 , wherein the first and second fastening portions are further attachable to form a second storage configuration, with the strap connecting to the sleeve at the first and second openings when the article holder is in the storage configuration.
17. The reconfigurable article holder of claim 13 further comprising a securable pocket attached to the sleeve.
18. The reconfigurable article holder of claim 13 , wherein the sleeve comprises a thermally insulating material.