Beverage container receptacle with active display

Abstract

The invention takes the form of various embodiments including: first, a receptacle for a beverage container with a temperature gauge affixed to the receptacle that takes and displays a temperature reading of the container in the receptacle; second, a receptacle for receiving a beverage container with a gauge affixed to the receptacle that registers movement of the beverage container within the receptacle; third, a receptacle for receiving a beverage container with an electrically powered device attached to the receptacle; and, fourth, a receptacle for receiving a beverage container with a gauge affixed to the receptacle that indicates whether the receptacle is level with a plane.

1 . An article of commerce comprising: 
 (a) a receptacle defining a retention chamber configured and arranged to receive a beverage container; and    (b) a temperature gauge affixed to the receptacle for sensing a temperature of a beverage container retained within the retention chamber and generating a perceptible signal representative of the sensed temperature of the beverage container.    
   
   
       2 . An article of commerce comprising: 
 (a) a receptacle defining a retention chamber configured and arranged to receive a beverage container; and    (b) a gauge affixed to the receptacle for sensing the presence or absence of a beverage container within the retention chamber and generating a perceptible signal upon sensing at least one of (i) the presence of a beverage container, (ii) the absence of a beverage container, (iii) a change from the presence of a beverage container to the absence of a beverage container, (iv) a change from the absence of a beverage container to the presence of a beverage container.    
   
   
       3 . An article of commerce comprising: 
 (a) a receptacle defining a retention chamber configured and arranged to receive a beverage container; and    (b) an electrically powered device attached to the receptacle for generating a perceptible signal based upon a sensed condition of the receptacle.    
   
   
       4 . An article of commerce comprising: 
 (a) a receptacle defining a retention chamber configured and arranged to receive a beverage container: and    (b) a gauge affixed to the receptacle configured and arranged for sensing and reporting the pitch of the retention chamber relative to earth.    
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the perceptible signal is a mechanically generated visual signal.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the perceptible signal is a mechanically generated aural signal.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the retention chamber is of a size to receive a standard 12-ounce beverage can.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the retention chamber is of a size to receive a standard 750 milliliter wine bottle.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the temperature gauge includes indicia indicating a desired temperature range for consumption of at least one type of beverage.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the receptacle is insulated.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the temperature gauge is configured and arranged to physically contact a beverage container retained within the retention chamber for purposes of sensing the temperature of the beverage container.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the perceptible signal is activation of a visually perceptible light.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the perceptible signal is generation of an audible sound.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the perceptible signal is generation of a vibratory movement.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the perceptible signal is activation of a visually perceptible light.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the perceptible signal is generation of an audible sound.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the perceptible signal is generation of a vibratory movement.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the perceptible signal is activation of a visually perceptible light.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the perceptible signal is generation of an audible sound.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the perceptible signal is generation of a vibratory movement.