US20190328163A1

US20190328163A1 - Beverage container for holding a remote computing device

Info

Publication number: US20190328163A1
Application number: US15/966,680
Authority: US
Inventors: Anatolii Grytsenko
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-04-30
Filing date: 2018-04-30
Publication date: 2019-10-31

Abstract

The disclosure includes a beverage container system that includes a container having a bottom end, an open top, a sidewall extending between the bottom end and the open top, and an inner portion arranged and configured to receive a beverage. The system may also include a cavity extending through the sidewall and into the inner portion of the container. The cavity may be arranged and configured to receive a remote computing device, such as a smartphone.

Description

BACKGROUND

Field

Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to beverage container systems designed to hold remote computing devices.

Description of Related Art

Water bottles and other beverage containers are typically items that people bring with them to exercise. Smart phones, MP3 players, and other such devices are also typical exercise accessories. Carrying around multiple items can be cumbersome, uncomfortable, and distracting. Additionally, devices can be forgotten, stolen, and damaged by surrounding people and equipment. Thus, there is a need for a beverage container that remedies the shortcomings, as mentioned above.

SUMMARY

The disclosure includes a beverage container system that includes a container having a bottom end, an open top, a sidewall extending between the bottom end and the open top, and an inner portion arranged and configured to receive a beverage. The system may include a cavity extending through the sidewall and into the inner portion of the container. In many embodiments, the cavity is arranged and configured to receive a remote computing device.
The cavity may comprise a plurality of inner walls that define a cavity internal portion. The plurality of inner walls may include a top wall located adjacent to the open top. The plurality of inner walls may also include a bottom wall located adjacent to the bottom end, wherein the bottom wall faces the top wall and is substantially parallel to the top wall. Furthermore, the plurality of inner walls may include an end wall that extends from the top wall to the bottom wall, wherein the end wall is substantially perpendicular to both the top wall and the bottom wall. Even still, the plurality of inner walls may include a first sidewall located adjacent to the end wall, wherein the first sidewall extends from the top wall to the bottom wall, and wherein the first sidewall is substantially parallel to the end wall. As well, the plurality of inner walls may include a second sidewall located adjacent to the end wall, wherein the second sidewall faces the first sidewall, and wherein the second sidewall extends from the top wall to the bottom wall, and wherein the second sidewall is substantially parallel to the end wall and the first sidewall. The cavity may extend through a middle portion of the container, such that the cavity divides the inner portion of the container into substantially equal halves.
The end wall may extend from a first end of the top wall to a first end of the bottom wall, wherein a first end of the end wall is located adjacent to the first end of the top wall and a second end of the end wall is located adjacent to the first end of the bottom wall. The first end of the end wall may physically contact the first end of the top wall, wherein the second end of the end wall does not physically contact the first end of the bottom wall. The cavity internal portion may include a gap between the second end of the end wall and the first end of the bottom wall arranged and configured to drain condensation.
At least one of the first sidewall and the second sidewall may define grooves that are arranged and configured to drain condensation to the gap between the first end of the bottom wall and the second end of the end wall. In some embodiments, the first end of the top wall may be vertically located lower than a second end of the top wall. Furthermore, the first end of the bottom wall may be vertically located lower than a second end of the bottom wall. The first end of the end wall may be located closer to the sidewall of the container than the second end of the end wall.
The remote computing device may comprise a top surface and a bottom surface that faces opposite the top surface, wherein the cavity internal portion is arranged and configured such that when the remote computing device is received within the cavity internal portion, the top surface and the bottom surface of the remote computing device are not parallel with respect to the bottom end of the container. Furthermore, the remote computing device may define an external surface area, wherein when the cavity internal portion fully receives the remote computing device, a first portion of the external surface area is located within the cavity internal portion and a second portion of the external surface area is not located within the cavity internal portion. The first portion of the external surface area may be greater than the second portion of the external surface area. When the cavity internal portion fully receives the remote computing device, the second portion of the external surface area may define a triangle-like shape.
The system may include a first material that covers at least a portion of the plurality of inner walls. The system may also include a second material that covers at least a portion of the first material, wherein the second material is arranged and configured to protect the remote computing device. The system may also include a fastener coupled to the sidewall of the container, wherein the fastener may be arranged and configured to securely retain the remote computing device within the cavity internal portion. The fastener may be located closer to the open top than the bottom end of the container. The fastener may include a strap having a first end piece and a second end piece located opposite the first end piece. The first end piece and the second end piece may be coupled to the sidewall via a friction fit.
The first end piece and the second end piece may be arranged and configured to rotate with respect to the sidewall. The fastener may be constructed of at least one of plastic and rubber. The open top of the container may comprise a first thread arranged and configured to couple to a second thread of a beverage container top.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages are described below with reference to the drawings, which are intended to illustrate, but not to limit, the invention. In the drawings, like reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout similar embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates a beverage container system, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a beverage container system with a cavity extending through a middle portion, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a plurality of inner walls that comprise a cavity, according to some embodiments.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a remote computing device received within the cavity, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top-down view of the beverage container system, according to some embodiments.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a fastener coupled to a sidewall of the container, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates a beverage container top that may be threadably coupled to the container, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although certain embodiments and examples are disclosed below, inventive subject matter extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses, and to modifications and equivalents thereof. Thus, the scope of the claims appended hereto is not limited by any of the particular embodiments described below. For example, in any method or process disclosed herein, the acts or operations of the method or process may be performed in any suitable sequence and are not necessarily limited to any particular disclosed sequence. Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding certain embodiments; however, the order of description should not be construed to imply that these operations are order dependent. Additionally, the structures, systems, and/or devices described herein may be embodied as integrated components or as separate components.
For purposes of comparing various embodiments, certain aspects and advantages of these embodiments are described. Not necessarily all such aspects or advantages are achieved by any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, various embodiments may be carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other aspects or advantages as may also be taught or suggested herein.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

10—Beverage container system
12—Container
14—Bottom end
16—Open top
18—Sidewall
20—Inner portion
22—Cavity
24—Remote computing device
26—Plurality of inner walls
28—Internal portion of cavity
30—Top wall
32—Bottom wall
34—End wall
36—First sidewall
38—Second sidewall
40—First end of top wall
42—Second end of top wall
44—First end of bottom wall
46—Second end of bottom wall
48—First end of end wall
50—Second end of end wall
52—Gap
54—Grooves
60—Top surface of remote computing device
62—Bottom surface of remote computing device
64—End surface of remote computing device
70—First material
72—Second material
80—Fastener
82—Strap
84—First end piece
86—Second end piece
88—Housing
90—Beverage container top
92—First thread
94—Second thread
96—Handle

Physical fitness is an important part of staying healthy. People maintain their health by working out, whether this involves going to a gym, running, doing yoga, biking, or other such activities. During such workouts, many people enjoy listening to music, oftentimes using wireless headphones, which means carrying a remote computing device, such as a phone, MP3 player, and the like. As well, even if someone does not listen to music, it is extremely common for people to carry their phone with them almost everywhere. Accordingly, having such a device can be cumbersome or problematic during exercise, because a person often has to find a place to put the device down in order to work out. Placing a smart phone or MP3 player in one's pocket can be uncomfortable and awkward when working out. Putting such a device on the ground puts it at risk of being damaged by people or equipment. Additionally, if a phone is placed in an obscure spot to protect it, there is a risk of forgetting it and leaving it behind. This disclosure intends to provide a solution to these problems by combining a safe storage space for a remote computing device within a water bottle—a very common exercise accessory.
In many embodiments disclosed herein, a beverage container is arranged and configured to hold a remote computing device. As such, this allows a person to have one less thing to carry at the gym or while running, while ensuring that it will not be damaged by also functioning as a protective case. The system can provide easy access to one's phone, while at the same time allowing for peace of mind that it is in a safe, protected spot. The system can also promote hydration when exercising, as it brings attention to the water bottle whenever a person wants to retrieve their phone.
As shown in FIG. 1, the disclosure includes a beverage container system 10 (herein after referred to as “system 10”). In many embodiments, the system 10 includes a container 12 having a bottom end 14, an open top 16, a sidewall 18 extending between the bottom end 14 and the open top 16, an inner portion 20. It should be appreciated that the container 12 may be arranged and configured to receive a beverage in the inner portion 20. The container 12 may comprise a cavity 22 extending through the sidewall 18 and into the inner portion 20. The cavity 22 is arranged and configured to receive the remote computing device 24.
The container 12 may embody a variety of forms, such as a water bottle, a travel mug, and the like. The container 12 may be made from any such material commonly used in the drink-ware industry, such as plastic, glass, metal, and any conventional or non-conventional beverage container material.
With added reference to FIG. 1, the cavity 22 may comprise a plurality of inner walls 26 that define an internal portion 28 of the cavity 22. The plurality of inner walls may comprise a top wall 30, a bottom wall 32, an end wall 34, a first sidewall 36, and a second sidewall 38. The top wall 30 may be located adjacent to the open top 16. The bottom wall 32 may be located adjacent to the bottom end 14 whereby the bottom wall 32 faces the top wall 30 and is substantially parallel to the top wall 30. The end wall 34 may extend from the top wall 30 to the bottom wall 32 whereby the end wall 34 may be substantially perpendicular to both the top wall 30 and the bottom wall 32.
The first sidewall 36 may be located adjacent to the end wall 34 whereby the first sidewall 36 may extend from the top wall 30 to the bottom wall 32, and may be substantially parallel to the end wall 34. The second sidewall 38 may be located adjacent to the end wall 34, and face the first sidewall 36. As such, the second sidewall 38 may extend from the top wall 30 to the bottom wall 32 and may be substantially parallel to the end wall 34 and the first sidewall 36.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the cavity 22 may extend through a middle portion of the container 12 such that the cavity 22 divides the inner portion 20 of the container 12 into substantially equal halves. This positioning of the cavity 22 may create balance within the container 12 when the remote computing device 24 is positioned within the cavity 22. The remote computing device 24 thereby adds weight to the container 12 when positioned within the cavity 22, and the cavity 22 being positioned in the middle of the container 12 such that the cavity 22 divides the inner portion 20 into substantially equal halves may ensure that the container 12 does not become imbalanced and fall over, which may damage both the system 10 and the remote computing device 24.
The cavity 22 may be arranged and configured to be a variety of shapes and sizes. The cavity 22 and plurality of inner walls 26 may be arranged and configured to fit a variety of remote computing devices 24, and may be sized such that the cavity 22 may hold a remote computing device 24 that may or may not be coupled to a protective or decorative case. Many users combine their phone and wallet via a phone case with wallet-like slots on the back. Such a case would make make a phone's dimensions much larger than a phone without a case, or with a traditional case. Accordingly, the system 10 may comprise a cavity 22 sized such that a variety of remote computing devices with and without cases may fit within the cavity 22.
Referring now to FIG. 3, the end wall 34 may extend from a first end 40 of the top wall 30 to a first end 44 of the bottom wall 32. As such, a first end 48 of the end wall 34 may be located adjacent to the first end 40 of the top wall 30 and a second end 50 of the end wall 34 may be located adjacent to the first end 44 of the bottom wall 32. In many embodiments, the first end 48 of the end wall 34 physically contacts the first end 40 of the top wall 30, and the second end 50 of the end wall 34 does not physically contact the first end 44 of the bottom wall 32.
Several embodiments comprise a gap 52 between the second end 50 of the end wall 32 and the first end 44 of the bottom wall 32. The gap 52 may be arranged and configured to drain condensation. Condensation can form on a water bottle's outer surface, which in the present invention includes the plurality of inner walls 26 in the internal portion 28 of the cavity 22. Condensation buildup is made up of water, which can be damaging to electronics, including the remote computing device 24. The gap 52 diverts water away from the inner walls 26 of the cavity 22, and therefore the remote computing device 24 when it is inserted into the cavity 22, thus avoiding damage to the remote computing device 24.
In some embodiments, at least one of the first sidewall 36 and the second sidewall 38 defines grooves 54 arranged and configured to drain condensation to the gap 52 between the first end 44 of the bottom wall 32 and the second end 50 of the end wall 34. The grooves 54 may assist in diverting water buildup in the form of condensation away from the internal portion 28 of the cavity 22. Condensation can travel within the grooves 54 thereby avoiding the outermost surface of the first sidewall 36 and the second sidewall 38, thus avoiding contact with the remote computing device 24.
With added reference to FIG. 3, the first end 40 of the top wall 30 is vertically located lower than a second end 42 of the top wall 30, and the first end 44 of the bottom wall 32 is vertically located lower than a second end 46 of the bottom wall 32. The location of the first end 40 of the top wall 30 and the first end 44 of the bottom wall 32 in relation to the second end 42 of the top wall 30 and the second end 46 of the bottom wall 32, respectively, define the internal portion 28 of the cavity 22 as a shape that is not perpendicular to the bottom end 14 of the container 12. In many embodiments, the first end 48 of the end wall 34 may be located closer to the sidewall 18 of the container 12 than the second end 50 of the end wall 34. Thus, the cavity 22 may form a rectangular shape, or any shape that may fit a remote computing device 24 but may not be parallel to the bottom end 14 and/or the sidewall 18 of the container 12. Therefore, when the remote computing device 24 is inserted into the cavity 22, it may be inserted an an angle, which may assist in maintaining the position of the remote computing device 24 as being inside the cavity 22. Using a shape in the cavity that is not parallel to the container 12 may keep the remote computing device 24 from falling out of the cavity 22.
With reference to FIG. 4, the remote computing device 24 may comprise a top surface 60 and a bottom surface 62 that faces opposite the top surface 60. The internal portion 28 of the cavity 22 may be arranged and configured such that when the remote computing device 24 is received within the internal portion 28 of the cavity 22, the top surface 60 and the bottom surface 62 of the remote computing device 24 may not be parallel with respect to the bottom end 14 of the container 12.
In some embodiments, the remote computing device 24 comprises an end surface 64 that extends from the top surface 60 to the bottom surface 62, whereby the end surface 64 is substantially perpendicular top the top surface 60 and the bottom surface 62. When the remote computing device is received within the internal portion 28 of the cavity 22, the end surface 64 of the remote computing device 24 may be adjacent and parallel to the end wall 34. As previously mentioned, the first end 48 of the end wall 34 may be located closer to the sidewall 18 of the container 12 than the second end 50 of the end wall 34. Therefore, when the remote computing device 24 is inserted into the internal portion 28 of the cavity 22, the end where the top surface 60 and the end surface 64 of the remote computing device 24 meet may be located closer to the sidewall 18 of the container 12 than the end where the bottom surface 62 and the end surface 64 of the remote computing device 24 meet.
The aforementioned angle at which the remote computing device 24 may be inserted into the internal portion 28 of the cavity 22 may prevent the remote computing device 24 from falling out of the system 10. The internal portion 28 of the cavity 22 parallel to the bottom end 14 of the container 12 may allow for the remote computing device 24 to be easily knocked out of the system 10. Because the present invention is intended for use in an active setting, such as running, rollerblading, working out at a gym, and the like, this angled insertion adds stability to the system 10. If the system 10 is bumped into or knocked over, the remote computing device 24 may be less likely to fall out of the cavity 22, as the angled internal portion of the cavity 22 takes advantage of the gravity holding the remote computing device 24 in place. However, it should be appreciated that the present invention may have an internal portion 28 of the cavity 22 that is parallel to the bottom end 14 of the container 12.
Referring now to FIG. 5, the remote computing device 24 may define an external surface area such that when the internal portion 28 of the cavity 22 fully receives the remote computing device 24, a first portion of the external surface area may be located within the internal portion 28 and a second portion of the external surface area may not be located within the internal portion 28. In some embodiments, the first portion of the external surface area may be greater than the second portion of the external surface area. When the internal portion 28 of the cavity 22 fully receives the remote computing device 24, the second portion of the external surface area of the remote computing device 24 may define a triangle-like shape. The triangle-like shape may be formed due to the angled nature of the internal portion 28 of the cavity 22 relative to the bottom end 14 and sidewall 18 of the container 12.
With reference to FIG. 6, the system 10 may comprise a first material 70 that covers at least a portion of the plurality of inner walls 26. The first material 70 may comprise a material that the remote computing device 24 may couple to, such as a magnetic material, a material with magnetic qualities, and the like. This coupling may assist in maintaining the position of the remote computing device 24 within the cavity 22.
It should be appreciated that some remote computing devices have magnetic surfaces that may be magnetically attracted to first material 70. However, many remote computing devices do not have magnetic surfaces and therefore require that a magnetic plate be coupled to the remote computing device 24 to ensure that the first material 70 will be magnetically attracted to the remote computing device 24. For example, a user of the system 10 may attach a magnetic plate to the back of their smart phone, and other such remote computing devices 24, to enable coupling to the first material 70. Similarly, a user can couple a case for the remote computing device 24 that may have a magnetic plate embedded within the case to their remote computing device 24, thereby enabling the remote computing device 24 to couple to the first material 70.
In some embodiments, the first material 70 may define an insulating material that may assist in the protection of the remote computing device 24 from a build up of condensation within the cavity 22. The first material 70 may comprise plastic, rubber, glass, metal, and the like. The first material 70 may act as barrier between the remote computing device 24 and any condensation that may form on the plurality of inner walls 26 that comprise the cavity 22. The first material 70 may allow condensation to drain within the grooves 54 to the gap 52 without water contacting the remote computing device 24.
In several embodiments, the system 10 may comprise a second material 72 that covers at least a portion of at least one of the first material 70 and the plurality of inner walls 26. The second material 72 may comprise a material that the remote computing device 24 may couple to, such as a magnetic material, a material with magnets positioned within a material, and the like. This coupling may assist in maintaining the position of the remote computing device 24 within the cavity 22. A magnetic plate may be coupled to the remote computing device 24 to enable the second material 72 to couple to the remote computing device 24. For example, a user of the system 10 may attach a magnetic plate to the back of their smart phone, and other such remote computing devices 24, to enable coupling to the second material 72. Similarly, a user can couple a case for the remote computing device 24 that may have a magnetic plate embedded within the case to their remote computing device 24, thereby enabling the remote computing device 24 to couple to the second material 72.
Further in reference to FIG. 6, the second material 72 may define an insulating material that may assist in the protection of the remote computing device 24 from a build up of condensation within the cavity 22. The second material 72 may comprise plastic, rubber, glass, metal, and the like. The second material 72 may act as barrier between the remote computing device 24 and any condensation that may form on the plurality of inner walls 26 that comprise the cavity 22. The second material 72 may allow condensation to drain within the grooves 54 to the gap 52 without water contacting the remote computing device 24.
FIG. 7A illustrates a fastener 80 coupled to the sidewall 18 of the container 12, wherein the fastener 80 may be arranged and configured to securely retain the remote computing device 24 within the internal portion 28 of the cavity 22. The fastener 80 may stretch across the sidewall 18 at the position where the sidewall 18 intersects the cavity 22. The fastener 80 may assist in maintaining the position of the remote computing device 24 within the cavity 22.
In some embodiments, the fastener 80 may be located closer to the open top 16 than to the bottom end 14 of the container 12. As previously disclosed, the internal portion 28 of the cavity 22 may be defined as the first end 40 of the top wall 30 vertically located lower than a second end 42 of the top wall 30, and the first end 44 of the bottom wall 32 vertically located lower than a second end 46 of the bottom wall 32, wherein the first end 40 of the top wall 30 may be located closer to the sidewall 18 of the container 12 than the first end 44 of the bottom wall 32 (shown in FIG. 2). The angle at which the remote computing device 24 is inserted creates a smaller surface area of the remote computing device 24 outside the cavity 22, relative to the surface area within the cavity 22, the smallest surface area being nearest the open top 16 of the container 12. The fastener 80 may stretch across this area of the remote computing device 24, securing the remote computing device 24 within the cavity 22.
In some embodiments, the fastener 80 may comprise a strap 82, the strap 82 having a first end piece 84 and a second end piece 86 located opposite the first end piece 84. The strap 82 may be comprised of at least one of leather, linen, plastic, metal, nylon, polyester, and the like. The first end piece 84 and the second end piece 86 may be circular, rectangular, triangular, and any shape and arrangement of shapes appropriate for fastening. The first end piece 84 and the second end piece 86 may be comprised of at least one of plastic, rubber, metal, leather, linen, wood, and the like.
In several embodiments, the first end piece 84 and the second end piece 86 may be coupled to the sidewall 18 of the container 12 via a friction fit. The friction fit fastens the first end piece 84 to a housing 88 on the sidewall 18 by pushing the first end piece 84 into the housing 88. The second end piece 86 may be coupled to the container 12 via similar means. In some embodiments, the first end piece 84 and the second end piece 86 may be coupled to the sidewall 18 of the container 12 via other fastening means, such as a threaded fastener, snap fastener, button, clasp, clip, latch, and the like.
As illustrated in FIG. 7B, the first end piece 84 and the second end piece 86 may be arranged and configured to rotate with respect to the sidewall 18 of the container 12. At least one of the first end piece 84 and the second end piece 86 may be disconnected from the housing 88, and connected to another housing 88. A plurality of housings 88 allows the fastener 80 to remain attached to the system 10, but not cover the cavity 22. This feature may be useful when storing the system 10, utilizing the system 10 in an environment with less movement (e.g., weight lifting), utilizing the system 10 in any environment where the remote computing device 24 may be utilized often, and the like. The fastener 80 may be constructed of at least one of plastic, rubber, metal, nylon, leather, and the like.
Referring now to FIG. 8, the system 10 may comprise a beverage container top 90 that may fasten to the open top 16 of the container 12. In some embodiments, the open top of the container 12 may comprise a first thread 92, and the beverage container top 90 may comprise a second thread 94. The first thread 92 of the container 12 may be arranged and configured to couple to the second thread 94 of the beverage container top 90. In some embodiments, the first thread 92 of the container 12 may comprise a male thread, and the second thread 94 of the beverage container top 90 may comprise a female thread. It should be appreciated that the beverage container top 90 may be arranged and configured to couple to the container 12 via various fastening means, such as a threaded fit, friction fit, clasp, flip-top, pull-push, polyseal cone liner, and the like.
In some embodiments, the beverage container top 90 may be arranged and configured to be coupled to wired headphones. The beverage container top 90 may comprise a handle 96, wherein the handle 96 is arranged and configured to allow wired headphone to wrap around the handle. The system 10, via the handle 96, thereby offers another storage solution for accessories a person may carry during exercise. It should be appreciated that the handle may be used for wrapping any item that may be wrapped up, such as wired headphones, shoe laces, hair ties, headbands, armbands, necklaces, and the like.

INTERPRETATION

None of the steps described herein is essential or indispensable. Any of the steps can be adjusted or modified. Other or additional steps can be used. Any portion of any of the steps, processes, structures, and/or devices disclosed or illustrated in one embodiment, flowchart, or example in this specification can be combined or used with or instead of any other portion of any of the steps, processes, structures, and/or devices disclosed or illustrated in a different embodiment, flowchart, or example. The embodiments and examples provided herein are not intended to be discrete and separate from each other.
The section headings and subheadings provided herein are nonlimiting. The section headings and subheadings do not represent or limit the full scope of the embodiments described in the sections to which the headings and subheadings pertain. For example, a section titled “Topic 1” may include embodiments that do not pertain to Topic 1 and embodiments described in other sections may apply to and be combined with embodiments described within the “Topic 1” section.
Some of the devices, systems, embodiments, and processes use computers. Each of the routines, processes, methods, and algorithms described in the preceding sections may be embodied in, and fully or partially automated by, code modules executed by one or more computers, computer processors, or machines configured to execute computer instructions. The code modules may be stored on any type of non-transitory computer-readable storage medium or tangible computer storage device, such as hard drives, solid state memory, flash memory, optical disc, and/or the like. The processes and algorithms may be implemented partially or wholly in application-specific circuitry. The results of the disclosed processes and process steps may be stored, persistently or otherwise, in any type of non-transitory computer storage such as, e.g., volatile or non-volatile storage.
The various features and processes described above may be used independently of one another, or may be combined in various ways. All possible combinations and subcombinations are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure. In addition, certain method, event, state, or process blocks may be omitted in some implementations. The methods, steps, and processes described herein are also not limited to any particular sequence, and the blocks, steps, or states relating thereto can be performed in other sequences that are appropriate. For example, described tasks or events may be performed in an order other than the order specifically disclosed. Multiple steps may be combined in a single block or state. The example tasks or events may be performed in serial, in parallel, or in some other manner. Tasks or events may be added to or removed from the disclosed example embodiments. The example systems and components described herein may be configured differently than described. For example, elements may be added to, removed from, or rearranged compared to the disclosed example embodiments.
Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations and so forth. Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each be present.
The term “and/or” means that “and” applies to some embodiments and “or” applies to some embodiments. Thus, A, B, and/or C can be replaced with A, B, and C written in one sentence and A, B, or C written in another sentence. A, B, and/or C means that some embodiments can include A and B, some embodiments can include A and C, some embodiments can include B and C, some embodiments can only include A, some embodiments can include only B, some embodiments can include only C, and some embodiments include A, B, and C. The term “and/or” is used to avoid unnecessary redundancy.
While certain example embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions disclosed herein. Thus, nothing in the foregoing description is intended to imply that any particular feature, characteristic, step, module, or block is necessary or indispensable. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions disclosed herein.

Claims

The following is claimed:

1. A beverage container system, comprising:

a container having a bottom end, an open top, a sidewall extending between the bottom end and the open top, and an inner portion arranged and configured to receive a beverage; and

a cavity extending through the sidewall and into the inner portion of the container, wherein the cavity is arranged and configured to receive a remote computing device.

2. The beverage container system of claim 1, wherein the cavity comprises a plurality of inner walls that define a cavity internal portion, the plurality of inner walls comprising:

a top wall located adjacent the open top;

a bottom wall located adjacent the bottom end, wherein the bottom wall faces the top wall and is substantially parallel to the top wall;

an end wall that extends from the top wall to the bottom wall, wherein the end wall is substantially perpendicular to both the top wall and the bottom wall;

a first sidewall located adjacent the end wall, wherein the first sidewall extends from the top wall to the bottom wall, and wherein the first sidewall is substantially parallel to the end wall; and

a second sidewall located adjacent the end wall, wherein the second sidewall faces the first sidewall, and wherein the second sidewall extends from the top wall to the bottom wall, and wherein the second sidewall is substantially parallel to the end wall and the first sidewall.

3. The beverage container system of claim 2, wherein the cavity extends through a middle portion of the container such that the cavity divides the inner portion of the container into substantially equal halves.

4. The beverage container system of claim 3, wherein the end wall extends from a first end of the top wall to a first end of the bottom wall, wherein a first end of the end wall is located adjacent the first end of the top wall and a second end of the end wall is located adjacent the first end of the bottom wall.

5. The beverage container system of claim 4, wherein the first end of the end wall physically contacts the first end of the top wall, and wherein the second end of the end wall does not physically contact the first end of the bottom wall.

6. The beverage container system of claim 5, further comprising a gap between the second end of the end wall and the first end of the bottom wall arranged and configured to drain condensation.

7. The beverage container system of claim 6, wherein at least one of the first sidewall and the second sidewall defines grooves arranged and configured to drain condensation to the gap between the first end of the bottom wall and the second end of the end wall.

8. The beverage container system of claim 2, wherein the first end of the top wall is vertically located lower than a second end of the top wall, and

wherein the first end of the bottom wall is vertically located lower than a second end of the bottom wall.

9. The beverage container system of claim 8, wherein the first end of the end wall is located closer to the sidewall of the container than the second end of the end wall.

10. The beverage container system of claim 9, wherein the remote computing device comprises a top surface and a bottom surface that faces opposite the top surface, and wherein the cavity internal portion is arranged and configured such that when the remote computing device is received within the cavity internal portion, the top surface and the bottom surface of the remote computing device are not parallel with respect to the bottom end of the container.

11. The beverage container system of claim 10, wherein the remote computing device defines an external surface area,

wherein when the cavity internal portion fully receives the remote computing device, a first portion of the external surface area is located within the cavity internal portion and a second portion of the external surface area is not located within the cavity internal portion, and

wherein the first portion of the external surface area is greater than the second portion of the external surface area.

wherein when the cavity internal portion fully receives the remote computing device, the second portion of the external surface area defines a triangle-like shape.

12. The beverage container system of claim 2, further comprising a first material that covers at least a portion of the plurality of inner walls.

13. The beverage container system of claim 12, further comprising a second material that covers at least a portion of the first material, wherein the second material is arranged and configured to protect the remote computing device.

14. The beverage container system of claim 1, further comprising a fastener coupled to the sidewall of the container, wherein the fastener is arranged and configured to securely retain the remote computing device within the cavity internal portion.

15. The beverage container system of claim 14, wherein the fastener is located closer to the open top than the bottom end of the container.

16. The beverage container system of claim 15, wherein the fastener comprises a strap having a first end piece and a second end piece located opposite the first end piece.

17. The beverage container system of claim 16, wherein both the first end piece and the second end piece are coupled to the sidewall via a friction fit.

18. The beverage container system of claim 17, wherein both the first end piece and the second end piece are arranged and configured to rotate with respect to the sidewall.

19. The beverage container system of claim 18, wherein the fastener is constructed of at least one of plastic and rubber.

20. The beverage container system of claim 1, wherein the open top of the container comprises a first thread arranged and configured to couple to a second thread of a beverage container top.