Reversible end beverage holder

Abstract

A thermally insulative holder for two single-serving beverage containers, the holder having two reversible ends with an open-ended receptacle at each end and a removable cover that is frictionally engageable with the holder to selectively cover either of the reversible ends.

1 . A beverage holder comprising a substantially cylindrical, thermally insulative sleeve defining a generally cylindrical interior with first and second open ends; two oppositely disposed receptacles for single-serving beverage containers, each receptacle having a generally cylindrical sidewall, one end wall, and an open end opposite the end wall, the end wall and sidewall of each receptacle being insertable into one of said first and second open ends of the holder sleeve; and a removable cover that is selectively engageable with the holder sleeve to cover one of the first and second open ends.  
   
   
       2 . The beverage holder of  claim 1  wherein the thermally insulative holder sleeve comprises a polymeric foam layer.  
   
   
       3 . The beverage holder of  claim 2  wherein the polymeric foam layer is closed cell polyethylene.  
   
   
       4 . The beverage holder of  claim 2  wherein the thermally insulative holder sleeve comprises a layer of polyvinyl chloride.  
   
   
       5 . The beverage holder of  claim 1  wherein the removable cover is frictionally engageable with the holder sleeve at one or more points adjacent to each of the first and second open ends.  
   
   
       6 . The beverage holder of  claim 5  wherein the removable cover further comprises an end wall, an annular skirt, and a plurality of engagement members projecting inwardly from said annular skirt.  
   
   
       7 . The beverage holder of  claim 1  wherein the end wall of each receptacle comprises an aperture.  
   
   
       8 . The beverage holder of  claim 1  wherein the sidewall of each receptacle comprises at least one elongate slot.  
   
   
       9 . The beverage holder of  claim 8  wherein the sidewall of each receptacle comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending slots.  
   
   
       10 . The beverage holder of  claim 1  wherein each receptacle further comprises at least one inwardly directed biasing member.  
   
   
       11 . The beverage holder of  claim 1  wherein each receptacle further comprises an outwardly flared, annular lip disposed around the open end of the receptacle, the annular lip abutting against the open end of the holder sleeve when the receptacle is fully inserted into the sleeve.  
   
   
       12 . The beverage holder of  claim 1  wherein the receptacle end walls are adjacent when the receptacles are fully inserted into the open ends of the holder sleeve.  
   
   
       13 . The beverage holder of  claim 1  wherein the receptacles are insertable into sliding engagement with the interior of the holder sleeve.  
   
   
       14 . The beverage holder of  claim 1  wherein receptacles are injection molded from a durable polymeric material.  
   
   
       15 . The beverage holder of  claim 1  wherein the receptacles comprise acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.  
   
   
       16 . The beverage holder of  claim 1  wherein each receptacle comprises at least one longitudinally extending rib projecting radially inward from the receptacle sidewall.  
   
   
       17 . The beverage holder of  claim 6  wherein the holder sleeve comprises a plurality of outwardly facing, circumferentially spaced recesses into which the engagement members are receivable to establish frictional engagement between the removable cover and the sleeve.  
   
   
       18 . The beverage holder of  claim 1  in combination with two single-serving beverage containers.  
   
   
       19 . A beverage holder comprising a generally cylindrical, thermally insulative sleeve having two oppositely disposed end openings, each end opening configured to receive a separate beverage container, and a removable cover member selectively engageable with the sidewall at first and second positions to selectively cover a desired one of the two oppositely disposed end openings, the beverage holder and cover member being reversibly repositionable to facilitate sequential consumption of beverage from each end of the holder.  
   
   
       20 . The beverage holder of  claim 19  wherein the thermally insulative holder sleeve comprises a polymeric foam layer.  
   
   
       21 . The beverage holder of  claim 20  wherein the polymeric foam layer comprises closed cell polyethylene.  
   
   
       22 . The beverage holder of  claim 20  wherein the thermally insulative holder sleeve comprises a layer of polyvinyl chloride.  
   
   
       23 . The beverage holder of  claim 19  wherein the removable cover is frictionally engageable with the holder sidewall at one or more points adjacent to each of the two oppositely disposed end openings.  
   
   
       24 . The beverage holder of  claim 23  wherein the removable cover further comprises an end wall, an annular skirt, and a plurality of engagement members projecting inwardly from said annular skirt.  
   
   
       25 . The beverage holder of  claim 19 , further comprising a receptacle disposed inside the sleeve and configured to receive a beverage container through one of the two oppositely dispose end openings.  
   
   
       26 . The beverage holder of  claim 19  comprising two oppositely disposed receptacles positioned inwardly of the sleeve.  
   
   
       27 . The beverage holder of  claim 26  wherein each receptacle comprises a sidewall having at least one elongate slot.  
   
   
       28 . The beverage holder of  claim 27  wherein the sidewall of each receptacle comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending slots.  
   
   
       29 . The beverage holder of  claim 26  wherein each receptacle further comprises at least one inwardly directed biasing member.  
   
   
       30 . The beverage holder of  claim 26  wherein each receptacle further comprises an outwardly flared, annular lip disposed around the open end of the receptacle, the annular lip abutting against the open end of the holder sleeve when the receptacle is received within the sleeve.  
   
   
       31 . The beverage holder of  claim 26  wherein the receptacles are insertable into sliding engagement with the interior of the holder sleeve.  
   
   
       32 . The beverage holder of  claim 31  wherein the receptacles have end walls that are adjacent when the receptacles are slidably engaged with the holder sleeve.  
   
   
       33 . The beverage holder of  claim 26  wherein receptacles are injection molded from a durable polymeric material.  
   
   
       34 . The beverage holder of  claim 26  wherein the receptacles comprise acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.  
   
   
       35 . The beverage holder of  claim 26  wherein each receptacle comprises at least one longitudinally extending rib projecting radially inward from the receptacle sidewall.  
   
   
       36 . The beverage holder of  claim 24  wherein the holder sleeve comprises a plurality of outwardly facing, circumferentially spaced recesses into which the engagement members are receivable to establish frictional engagement between the removable cover and the sleeve.