Beverage container holder

Abstract

A device 200 is disclosed for holding a beverage container 216 having any size within a range of sizes. The holder 200 has a side wall 202 defining an opening 208 through which the beverage container is insertable and a base 204. A collar 210 is positioned within the opening 208, and the side wall 202 and the base 204 together define a cavity 214 for receiving the beverage container 216. The collar 210 is pliable and is arranged to deform to contact and grip the beverage container 216. The opening 208 has a first width and the collar 210 has an aperture 212 formed therein, the aperture 212 having a second width, the first and second widths being selected to adapt the device to the desired range of sizes.

1 . A device adapted to hold a beverage container having any size within a range of sizes, the device comprising:
 a base;   a side wall extending away from the base and defining an opening through which the beverage container is receivable into a cavity defined by the base and the side wall; and   a pliable collar spaced away from the base and located within the cavity, the collar extending inwardly into the cavity and having an aperture through which the beverage container is insertable such that the collar deforms to cause an inner edge of the aperture to contact and grip the beverage container; wherein   the opening has a first width, the aperture of the collar has a second width, the second width being smaller than the first width and wherein the first width is selected to be larger than the diameter of the largest beverage container in the range of sizes and the second width is selected to be smaller than the smallest beverage container in the range of sizes.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein a ratio of the second width to the first width is less than or equal to 0.9; or wherein
 the first width is larger than one of:   66.2 mm, 64.1 mm, 63.5 mm, 60.7 mm, 59.3 mm, 58.1 mm, 57.5 mm, or 56.1 mm, and wherein the second width is smaller than one of:   64.1 mm, 63.5 mm, 60.7 mm, 59.3 mm, 58.1 mm, 57.5 mm, 56.1 mm, or 53.3 mm.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the collar has a generally planar form. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the plane of the collar is generally parallel with the base. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the inner edge of the collar is thicker than parts of the collar closer to the side wall. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the collar extends generally perpendicularly inwardly from the side wall. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the collar includes one or more perforations extending through the collar. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the collar extends substantially around an internal surface of the side wall. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the collar is arranged to form a seal at least part way around an outer surface of the beverage container, optionally wherein the collar is arranged to form a seal all the way around an outer surface of the beverage container. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , further including a removable insert insertable into the cavity prior to the beverage container being received in the cavity, to contact a lower end of the beverage container and space the beverage container away from the base. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the insert is U-shaped in profile to selectively allow insertion in two orientations, each orientation spacing the lower end of the beverage container a different distance from the base. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the vertical walls of the U-shaped section are arranged to hold the beverage container centrally within the cavity. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the insert has grooves in at least one surface for interfacing with the lower end of the beverage container. 
     
     
         14 . The holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the collar has a rough or roughened surface for gripping the beverage container. 
     
     
         15 . The holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the collar comprises a plastic or rubber material. 
     
     
         16 . The holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the collar has a Shore durometer hardness of 25 Shore A to 90 Shore A, preferably between 40 Shore A and 70 Shore A, preferably about 50 Shore A. 
     
     
         17 . The holder according to  claim 1 , wherein an internal surface of the side wall has an internal shoulder or protrusion to provide a recess for receiving the collar as the collar deforms as the beverage container is inserted or removed through the aperture into the cavity. 
     
     
         18 . The holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the side wall and/or the base comprise(s) rigid plastic and/or metal. 
     
     
         19 . The holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the base and/or the side wall is/are hollow and include insulating means. 
     
     
         20 . A holder for a beverage container, the holder comprising:
 a base;   a side wall defining an opening through which the beverage container is insertable; and   a collar located within the opening; wherein   the side wall and the base together define a cavity for receiving the beverage container; and wherein   the collar is adjustable between a first configuration for contacting a first size of beverage container and a second configuration for contacting a second size of beverage container.