COMBINATION BEVERAGE SERVICE ITEM AND CONDOM HOLDER RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority of United States Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/526,844 filed December 4,2003, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to promotional items used in connection with beverage service. More specifically, the invention relates to a beverage service item configured to retain a condom therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Condoms have been shown to be effective in preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, and because of growing concern with problems caused by diseases such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, syphilis and the like, there is a very strong incentive to encourage the responsible use of condoms. While the topic of condoms and their use was previously considered to be unacceptable in general conversation, thanks to strong public health efforts, the topic of condom use is generally acceptable in society. Persons who are comfortable discussing issues of condom use with prospective sexual partners are far more likely to use condoms in a responsible manner.

However, problems of convenient access to condoms remain. While condoms may be readily purchased from retail locations such as drugstores and vending machines, there are many locations frequented by persons who engage in casual sex or serial sex where condoms are unobtainable. In many instances, sexual activity is spontaneous and opportunistic; and, while partners might use a condom if one is available, the absence of a condom might lead to unprotected sex.

In particular, casual sexual activity is often initiated in a club or barroom. For those patrons who come unprepared, it will be appreciated that

responsible condom use will be far more likely if the club or barroom setting provides customers with condoms in a manner which might subtly encourage the discussion of their possible use. Since patrons of these establishments often fall into a more relaxed conversational mode while they are drinking alcoholic or other beverages, the serving of these beverages offers a particularly suitable environment in which to provide patrons with complimentary condoms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention recognizes the need for, and desirability of, promoting condom use at venues which serve alcoholic beverages. Toward that end, the present invention comprises a beverage service item which is structured and configured to retain a condom therein. In general, the beverage service item of the present invention is comprised of at least a first and a second layer of sheet stock material. The two layers may both be comprised of a single material or the two layers may be formed of different materials. These materials may comprise paper, cardboard, woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, as well as materials such as natural or synthetic polymers including latex, natural material such as leather, and various combinations of the foregoing.

The first and second layers are disposed so that at least a portion of one layer is superposed upon the other. A portion of each layer is joined together so as to define a perimeter which at least partially bounds regions of the first and second layers. The perimeter, together with the enclosed regions of the layers, defines a pocket which forms an enclosure configured to receive a condom.

The condom may be packaged in a foil or polymeric wrap as is known in the art, or the promotional item of the present invention may comprise the sole packaging.

Within the context of this disclosure,"condoms"are understood to be defined in the broadest sense to include all protective devices used during sexual activity and include, but are not limited to: male condoms, female condoms, dental dams and the like. Within the context of the present invention, beverage service items are understood to include, but not be limited

to, cocktail napkins, coasters, bottle and glass wraps, bottle tags, snack trays, table tents, other promotional items and the like. These items generally bear promotional messages advertising a venue or a product; and in accord with the present invention, they may be further configured to contain a condom therein.

In addition, the promotional items can include further messages encouraging sexual responsibility.

The present invention may be configured in a variety of embodiments.

The first embodiment comprises a napkin, such as a cocktail napkin, formed of two layers of paper, cloth or other absorbent material. The two layers are disposed in superposed relationship, with portions of the two layers joined together along a perimeter so as to define a pocket which encloses a condom.

Typically, the napkin will be presented with one or more folds of the two layers of sheet material.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the two layers of the beverage service item are formed of different sheet stock materials. For example, the first layer may be formed of a relatively stiff material, such as cardboard, or rigid polymeric sheet material, with the second layer being formed of a flexible sheet material, such as, for example, a polymeric film.

This embodiment is particularly useful for such beverage service items as coasters, bottle tags, snack trays and table tents, where the item must display some rigidity.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the perimeter only partially bounds the regions of the first and second layers to form an open pocket so that the condom may be easily extracted therefrom. In an alternative embodiment, the perimeter entirely bounds the enclosed regions of the layers to form a closed pocket. In some cases, it will be possible for the user to simply remove the superimposed portion of the second layer, such as by tearing it, in order to retrieve the condom. However, means may be provided for gaining access to the inside of the closed pocket. These means may include such conventional structures as a perforated tear line, a pull-away tab, a tear strip, a zip opening, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The following detailed description may best be understood with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a cocktail napkin embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 1 taken along line A-A; Figure 3 is a drink coaster embodiment of the combination of the present invention; Figure 4 is a drink wrap embodiment of the combination of the present invention; Figure 5 is a beverage bottle insulated jacket embodiment of the combination of the present invention ; and Figure 6 is a beverage hangtag embodiment of the combination of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following detailed description may best be understood by reference to the drawings, and in particular to Figures 1 and 2 which show a first embodiment of the combination beverage service item and condom holder in the form of a cocktail napkin 10 structured in accord with the principles of the present invention. The napkin 10 includes advertising indicia 12 thereupon; and, in accord with the present invention, includes a pocket 14 configured to retain a condom therein.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown a cross-sectional view of the napkin 10 of Figure 1 taken along line A-A. As will be seen, the napkin 10 includes a first layer 16 and a second layer 18 which are disposed in a superposed relationship. Portions of the layers 16 and 18 are joined together along a perimeter 20 so as to define a pocket 22 which encloses a condom 24.

As will be seen, the napkin is folded over so that second portions 16'and 18'of the layers 16 and 18 lie beneath the condom 24.

The napkin of Figure 1 can be fabricated from disposable material such as paper or low cost non-woven materials. In use, the napkin can be torn open to gain access to the condom. Alternatively, the napkin can be fabricated from cloth or some other reusable material. In such instance, the pocket may be configured so that the perimeter extends only along three sides thereof so as to provide an opening which allows for access to the condom without the necessity of tearing the fabric.

Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown a drink coaster 30 which has a pocket portion 32 defined therein and configured to enclose a condom. In this instance, the coaster is preferably fabricated from layers of two different materials, and has portions thereof affixed together to form a perimeter 34 defining the condom-retaining pocket. In this embodiment, as in the other embodiments disclosed herein, the two layers may be joined together by various means such as adhesive affixation, sonic welding, stitching, or by mechanical interlocking such as by needling, piercing or the like. A particularly useful combination of materials for practicing this particular embodiment would be, for example, a thin plastic film superimposed on a cardboard base. Because it might be difficult to remove a plastic film without assistance, means in the form of a perforated tear line 19 formed along the perimeter 32 and attached tear tab 21 are provided so that the pocket portion 32 may easily be torn away.

Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown another embodiment of the present invention configured as a drink wrap 40. As is known, such drink wraps are'configured to fit about a glass or cup 42, and serve to allow a user to comfortably hold a hot, cold or wet container. Such beverage wraps are typically made from absorbent paper, cardboard or the like, and may be readily constructed in accord with the present invention to retain a condom therein. As is shown in Figure 4, the wrap 40 includes a condom-retaining pocket 44 as described above. The wrap 40 may include advertising or promotional messages 46 as previously described. In particular embodiments, the wrap 40 may be configured as a"take away"promotional item which may be worn as a

wristband or the like. In such instance, the wrap 40 may include an elastic portion or a reversible closure such as a hook-and-loop closure, an adhesive closure, or the like.

Yet other embodiments of the invention may be implemented. For example, Figure 5 shows an insulative jacket 50 as affixed to a beverage bottle 52. Such jackets are known in the art, and typically comprise a body of insulative material such as a body of fabric and/or polymeric foam. In some instances, such insulative jackets merely comprise sleeves which slip over a bottle or glass. In other instances, as is depicted herein, the insulative jacket includes a zipper 54 or other such fastener which allows the jacket 50 to conform to the bottle 52. In this embodiment, the jacket 50 includes a pocket portion 56 configured to retain a condom. In embodiments of this type, the pocket 56 is generally configured to be reusable, and hence it includes an opening 58 which allows for withdrawal and replacement of a condom. The opening 58 may optionally be closable with a zipper (not shown).

Referring now to Figure 6, there is shown yet another embodiment of the present invention configured as a hangtag 60, which is configured to be fitted onto a beverage bottle 62. The tag includes a pocket portion 64 which retains a condom. It may also include indicia 66. In this depicted embodiment, the tag 60 is attached to the bottle 62 by a collar portion 68 which may also include indicia 70. Other configurations of tag may be similarly constructed.

The present invention may be implemented in yet other formats. For example, "table tents"are known in the service industry to be self-supporting tent-shaped placards which convey advertising information and which are placed on tables in bars, restaurants and the like. In accord with the present invention, such table tents may be configured to contain a condom therein. The printed portion of the table tent can convey information about responsible condom use as well as promotional information about the sponsor of the campaign. In another embodiment of the invention, the beverage service item may comprise a dish or tray of the type used to serve snacks such as popcorn, nuts, pretzels and the like. In such an embodiment, a condom is retained

between layers of material comprising the container. In accord with the present invention, yet other promotional items may be configured to retain a condom therein. In view of the teaching presented herein, still further embodiments of the invention will be apparent.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the present invention provides novel promotional items which will serve the dual purpose of promoting a particular product or venue as well as promoting and encouraging safe sexual practices. The included condom will provide consumer appeal and incentive for parties to read the promotional and public service messages associated with the service items. As was explained above, the present invention may be implemented in a variety of configurations and embodiments.

The foregoing are illustrative of specific embodiments, but are not meant to be limitations upon the practice of the invention. It is the following claims, including all equivalents, which define the scope of the invention.