Adapter for receiving rectangular beverage containers

• US 5,180,088 A
• Filed: 12/12/1991
• Issued: 01/19/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vicki D.E. Angeli
• Original Assignee: Vicki D.E. Angeli
• Inventors: de Angeli, Vicki
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoap, Allan N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Caretto, Vanessa
• Application Number:
  US07/805,614
• Time in Patent Office: 404 Days
• Field of Search: 224/42.42, 224/42.45 R, 224/42.43, 224/42.44, 229/1.5 H, 220/703, 220/711, 220/713, 220/737, 220/738, 220/DIG. 13, 220/411, 220/740, 248/311.2, 248/314
• US Class Current: 224/544
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/102 storable or foldable in a non-use position
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 220/13 Odd-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/926 Vehicle attached carrier for beverage container or bottle

Abstract

An adapter for receiving a rectangular beverage container such as a "juice box" or the like and supporting the same stably within a cylindrical recess or circular aperture of a beverage holder comprises a cylindrical lower section for resting within the beverage holder, a transition section, and a rectangular upper section including a rectangular recess for receiving the rectangular beverage container. The adapter may be inexpensively molded as a tubular member of plastic material. The adapter may be supplied in connection with a cap adapted to be releasably affixed to the adapter, to provide a squeeze-preventing shell for a juice box or the like.

Claims

1. An adapter for receiving a rectangular beverage container and stably supporting the same in a beverage holder of a vehicle or the like, comprising:

a cylindrical lower section having upper and lower ends, said lower end being sized to fit within a beverage holder of an automobile or the like;

a central transition section having upper and lower ends, said transition section being connected at its lower end to said upper end of said cylindrical lower section; and

a rectangular upper section having upper and lower ends, and being connected at its lower end to said upper end of said transition section, said rectangular section being open at said upper end thereof to define a rectangular recess to receive a rectangular beverage container of predetermined dimensions.

2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein said adapter is integrally molded of a plastic material.

3. The adapter of claim 1, wherein said transition section comprises a lower conical section and an upper cylindrical-to-rectangular section whereby said cylindrical lower section is joined to said rectangular upper section.

4. In combination, the adapter of claim 1, and a cap member adapted to fit over said upper end of said rectangular upper section of said adapter and be secured thereto, to retain a rectangular beverage container therewithin.

5. The combination of claim 4, wherein both said cap member and said adapter are molded of a plastic material.

6. The combination of claim 5, wherein said cap and said adapter comprise interfitting retainer means whereby said cap may be selectively retained on said adapter.

7. The adapter of claim 1, wherein said lower cylindrical section of said adapter has an outer diameter of approximately 25/8 inches.

8. The adapter of claim 1, wherein said rectangular section of said adapter has internal transverse dimensions of approximately 17/8 by 27/8 inches.

9. The adapter of claim 1, wherein said adapter is generally tubular.

10. The adapter of claim 1, wherein ledges on which said rectangular beverage container may rest, are formed on internal surfaces of said adapter at said lower end of said rectangular recess in said upper section.