[0001 ] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to a weighted cup holder and identification medallion, and more particularly, to a weighted cup holder with a weighted base that provides a stable holding device that is not easily bent or extended.

[0004] Description of the Prior Art

[0005] Disposable paper or plastic cups are extensively used in coffee shops, fast-food chain stores, drive -through restaurants, at picnics and indoor/outdoor home and casual dining events, etc., for holding coffee, beverages, soup, or the like. Disposable cups are thin walled and light in weight. It is well known that these cups have a tendency to tilt or deform when impacted by a person, the wind, or another article, and the liquid contained in the cup will spill out. People usually have the unpleasant experience of cleaning the spilled out coffee, juice, or other beverage. Moreover, the disposable cups are scalding to hold when they are filled with hot beverages. The present invention is directed to overcome the above problems.

[0006] U.S. Design Patent D332,802 (Greenhut) shows a holder for writing instruments that includes a wired coil holder for writing instruments. Another U.S. Design Patent D375,229 (DiBella) shows a weighted cup holder having a wired expanded coil holder for cups, and no base formed of the coils. Yet another U.S. Design Patent D458,799 (Andujar) shows an accessory for a container. [0007] One shortcoming of these earlier devices is their tendency to tip over easily because of lack of a weighted bottom. Also, those cup holders having a bottom need separate parts to be assembled with the holding device to be ready to use. Another limitation is that the beverage containers of the prior art need to be protected from damage or shape changing.

[0008] It is therefore apparent that there is a need for a weighted cup holder that is not easily tipped over, is easy to hold and clean, and is easy to manufacture. The cup holder should also be able to protect weak and light beverage containers, and include traditional glass beverage containers as well as plastic glasses, against breakage or deformation because the cup holder itself is substantially stable and cannot be bent, misshapen, or extended by the user.

[0009] The prior art to date does not disclose a weighted cup holder that is not easily tipped over, that is able to protect the beverage cup, that is itself substantially stable, and that includes a removable identification medallion. None of the prior art can be combined in a way to suggest these necessary modifications. There is no teaching, suggestion, or motivation that would have enabled a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify any prior art holder or cup holder to arrive at the present invention.

[0010] It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a weighted cup holder and identification medallion that prevents a standard disposable cup from tipping over or blowing away.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a weighted cup holder and identification medallion that protects the disposable cup. [0012] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a weighted cup holder and identification medallion that includes a cooling pack in addition to a weighted bottom to keep the beverage cold.

[0013] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a weighted cup holder and identification medallion where the medallion is easily placed on and removed from the weighted cup holder, allowing users to easily identify their own cup and prevent users from drinking out of someone else's cup, thereby generally promoting a higher sanitary standard.

[0014] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The weighted cup holder and identification medallion of the present invention comprises a bottom weighted device to hold a disposable paper or plastic cup or a traditional glass cup. The cup holder has a weighted base portion and sidewalls. The sidewalls form a cup holder portion and in a first embodiment may be shaped from a coil extending from the outer edge of the weighted base to form a twisted expanded coil portion. The sidewalls may be designed in spiral and non-spiral fashions, allowing the sidewalls to be styled in various shapes such as baseball bats, flowers, and animals. The cup holder portion includes a hollow chamber adapted to hold a container, where the chamber is formed by the sidewalls extending upwardly from the weighted base.

[0016] The user inserts the cup into the cup holder that provides stability for the cup when there lacks sufficient content in the cup to support the cup against flipping over by the wind or by children. The device also provides the user mobility to carry around the cup with them because the device does not have to be attached to any other supports to be stable. The device allows the user to avoid holding or carrying a cup that may be empty, which otherwise would have to be carried because a cup with little to no contents has a tendency to spill due to wind or other contact.

[0017] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The present invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0019] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of the weighted cup

holder of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of the weighted cup holder of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the second embodiment of the weighted cup holder of the present invention, shown holding a disposable cup.

[0022] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of the weighted cup holder of the present invention. [0023] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the second embodiment of the weighted cup holder of the present invention, holding a disposable cup shown in cross- section.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a detail cross-sectional view of the base of the second embodiment of the weighted cup holder.

[0025] FIG. 7a is a top plan view of the inner base of the second embodiment of the weighted cup holder of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 7b is a side plan view of the base of the second embodiment of the weighted cup holder of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 7c is a cross-sectional side plan view of the base of the second embodiment of the weighted cup holder of the present invention, taken along line 7c - 7c of Fig. 7a.

[0028] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a third embodiment of the weighted cup holder of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the weighted cup holder of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the weighted cup holder of the present invention. [0031] FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the weighted cup holder of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of a seventh embodiment of the weighted cup holder of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of an eighth embodiment of the weighted cup holder of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of a ninth embodiment of the weighted cup holder of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of a tenth embodiment of the weighted cup holder of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of an eleventh embodiment of the weighted cup holder of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 17 is a side perspective view of a first embodiment of the identification medallion of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 18 is a rear perspective view of the first embodiment of the identification medallion of the present invention shown in Fig. 17. [0039] FIG. 19 is a detail cross-sectional side view of the first embodiment of the weighted cup holder and identification medallion assembly of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 20 is a detail inner view of the medallion notch of the weighted cup holder of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 21 is an exploded front perspective view of the first embodiment of the identification medallion of the present invention shown in Fig. 17.

[0042] FIG. 22 is an exploded rear perspective view of the first embodiment of the

identification medallion of the present invention shown in Fig. 17.

[0043] FIG. 23a is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of the identification medallion of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 23b is a rear perspective view of the second embodiment of the identification medallion of the present invention shown in Fig. 23a.

[0045] FIG. 24a is a side plan view of a third embodiment of the identification medallion of the present invention.

[0046] FIG. 24b is a front perspective view of the third embodiment of the identification medallion of the present invention of Fig. 24a, shown holding a disposable cup. [0047] FIG. 24c is an exploded front perspective view of the third embodiment of the identification medallion of the present invention shown in Fig. 24a.

[0048] FIG. 25 a is a side plan view of a fourth embodiment of the identification

medallion of the present invention.

[0049] FIG. 25b is a front perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the

identification medallion of the present invention shown in Fig. 25 a.

[0050] FIG. 25c is an exploded front perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the identification medallion of the present invention shown in Fig. 25 a.

[0051] FIG. 26 is a front perspective view of a fifth and a sixth embodiment of the

identification medallion of the present invention.

[0052] FIG. 27 is a front plan view of the weighted cup holder of the present invention, showing the aperture that engages the fifth embodiment of the identification medallion of the present invention shown in Fig. 26.

[0053] FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the fifth and sixth embodiments of the identification medallion of the present invention. [0054] FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional front plan view of the fifth embodiment of the identification medallion of the present invention.

[0055] FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional side plan view of the fifth embodiment of the

identification medallion of the present invention.

[0056] FIG. 31 is a detail inner view of the arm of the fifth embodiment of the

identification medallion and the medallion notch of the weighted cup holder of the present invention.

[0057] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

[0058] As illustrated in Fig. 1 , the weighted cup holder of the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a weighted base 12 and an expanded coil 22 extending from the outer edge of the weighted base 12 to form a twisted coil portion 18 made to accommodate a cup. The cup may be one designed to carry cold liquids or hot liquids. The cup may be a disposable cup that comes in standard sizes, such as 9 ounce, 14 ounce, 16 ounce, and 18 ounce varieties. In the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the weighted base 12 and the expanded coil 22 are both made from a single continuous wire 14. Coil 16 is tightly wound, where each turn of the coil 16 is adjacent or nearly adjacent to each preceding and succeeding turn of wire 14, to form a solid base for the weighted cup holder 10. The coil 16 is formed in a single plane that provides a flat surface (not shown) on the underside of coil 16. The wire that forms the coil 16 in the weighted base 12 can be made of metal or other material that has a significant weight compared to the cup in the holder 10. The weighted base 12 has a substantial weight that is sufficient to provide stability to the cup holder 10 when a cup containing a liquid or empty is inserted into the holder.

[0059] The twisted holder portion 18 extends upwardly upward from the weighted base 12 and forms a hollow chamber 20 that is suitable to hold a standard sized disposable cup 26 (Fig. 3). The expanded coils 22 forming the twisted holder portion 18 are continuous and spaced from each other. The weighted cup holder 10 can be made from different materials, such as different metals including steel and aluminum, different polymers, or different natural materials such as wood or bamboo, all suitable of providing a sufficiently weighted base 12 to provide stability to the weighted cup holder 10. The twisted holder portion 18 has a stable shape and is not easily bent or extended by the user.

[0060] In a second embodiment of the weighted cup holder of the present invention, shown in Figs. 2 - 7c, the weighted cup holder 10 includes sidewalls 23 that extend upwardly from the weighted base 12 and form a hollow chamber 20. The hollow chamber 20 provides space in which to securely hold a disposable cup 26, shown in Fig. 3. The sidewalls 22 can be designed as a plurality of expanded coils, a plurality of swirls, or shapes such as baseball bats, lightning bolts, animals, or flowers for example. The plurality of expanded coils and plurality of swirls, forming the holder portion 19, are continuous and spaced from each other. The continuous design allows manufacturers to easily produce the weighted cup holder 10 in a production line.

[0061] Referring to Fig. 4 - 6, the weighted base 12 is sufficiently weighted to provide stability and prevent tipping. To provide sufficient weight, the weighted base 12 includes a weighted ring 28. Alternatively, the weighted base 12 is designed having a larger outer diameter and is made by injecting a significant amount of resin into the weighted base 12 to add the necessary weight. The weighted base 12 includes a chamber that can accommodate a removable cooling pack 30, shown in Figs. 4 - 6. The cooling pack 30 comprises a refrigerant gel or liquid, typically cooled in a freezer before use, that retains a cooler temperature for a period of time. The weighted base 12 includes an aperture 34 that provides users with a simple way to remove the cooling pack 30 from the base 12 by allowing the user to push the cooling pack 30 upwards to allow removal through the holder portion 19. The aperture 34 includes a washer 36, made of silicone rubber or other similar material. The cooling pack 30, when installed in the weighted base 12, exerts a compression force on the washer 36 that acts as a seal and prevents any liquid or moisture from leaking through the aperture 34 in the bottom of the weighted base 12. The weighted ring 28 is a circular weight that is molded into the weighted base 12 providing weight in addition to the cooling pack 30. The weighted ring 28, the weighted base 12, or the cooling pack 30, include a plurality of notches 32, shown in Figs. 5, 7a, and 7c, to aide in removal of the disposable cup 26. Alternatively, the inside upper surface 35 (Fig. 7c) of the weighted base 12, weighted ring 28, or the cooling pack 30 may contain a raised design that provides a friction fit with the cup 26. The ice pack 30 is adapted to fit in the weighted cup holder 10 while also accommodating friction fit designs. For nine ounce cups 26, the inside upper surface 35 of the weighted cup holder 10 will contain a raised circular design. For 16 - 18 ounce cups 26, the inside upper surface 35 of the weighted cup holder 10 will contain a raised square design, which allows the weighted cup holder 10 to be universally used for all cups 26. [0062] The weighted base 12 that connects to the sidewalls of the holder portion 19 is flanged outward towards the bottom and slightly wider in diameter at the bottom in order to retain liquid and moisture that may accumulate due to spills and condensation. The height of the weighted base 12 is high enough to accommodate the raised designs needed for the nine ounce round-base cups and the eighteen ounce square-base cups. The weighted base 12 is molded as a separate piece from the sidewalls 23 of the holder portion 19, which are then joined together using ultrasonic welding or other adhesive methods.

[0063] In the embodiments of Fig. 1 and of Figs. 2 - 7c, the spacing between the

sidewalls 23 in the holder portion 19 can be even or uneven. The spacing between the sidewalls 23 of the holder portion 19 also makes the weighted cup holder 10 easier to clean. The weighted cup holder 10 also serves as a heat insulator when in use by allowing the user to carry the weighted cup holder 10 instead of holding the body of the thin wall of the disposable cup 26 directly. If the weighted cup holder 10 does not include a handle, the center of gravity of the weighted cup holder 10 is located in the weighted cup holder 10, and fluid in the disposable cup 26 remains inside the vertical scope diameter of the weighted base 12 at any time during ordinary use, which further prevents the device from tilting when the disposable cup 26 is inserted into the hollow chamber 20. The weighted cup holder 10 can include a clip-on handle (Figs. 26 and 28) that engages the sidewalls 23 of the holder portion 19 and makes it easier and more convenient for the user. The weighted base 12 may include a counterweight positioned off center in embodiments that include a handle or a heavier identification medallion. [0064] The sidewalls 23 and the holder portion 19 can be formed in various designs and shapes. Several embodiments of the sidewalls 23 and the holder portion 19 are shown in Figs. 8 - 16. The weighted cup holder 10 of the present invention also provides an appealing appearance to children. The weighted cup holder 10 can be painted or molded in a variety of different colors during manufacturing. The weighted cup holder 10 sidewalls 23 may also form a sidewall that is designed to provide the framing of an image that exists on the decoration of the cup 26. When in use, the cup holders 10 are easily distinguishable because of the different coating colors, even if the same disposable cups 26 were inserted into the weighted cup holder 10.

[0065] A first embodiment of the identification medallion 45 of the present invention is shown in Figs. 17 - 22. The identification medallion 45 comprises a removable medallion 46, a medallion holder 48, a flange 50 projecting from the medallion holder 48, and an arm 52 extending downward from the flange 50. The medallion 46 includes at least one nub 54, shown in Figs. 18, 21, and 22, that engage at least one aperture 56 in the medallion holder 48. The arm 52 is made from an elastomer material, or other similar material, that engages and grips a sidewall 23 of the holder portion 19 of the weighted cup holder 10 until the upper rim of the sidewall 23 makes contact with the flange 50, as shown in Fig. 19. The sidewall 23 includes a notch 58, shown in Fig. 20, to accommodate the arm 52. The arm 52 will attach to a higher attachment area 70, shown in Figs. 19 and 20, on a thicker sidewall 23 of the weighted cup holder 10 to provide durability when the user is adding and removing the medallion holder 48 to the weighted cup holder 10. [0066] A second embodiment of the identification medallion 47 of the present invention is shown in Figs. 23a - 23b. The identification medallion 47 comprises a removable medallion 46, a medallion holder 48, a flange 50 projecting from the medallion holder 48, an arm 52 extending downward from the flange 50, and a coil 60 that facilitates removal of the identification medallion 47 from the weighted cup holder 10. The medallion 46 includes at least one rear-mounted nub (not shown) that engages at least one aperture (not shown) in the medallion holder 48. The arm 52 is made from an elastomer material, or other similar material, that engages and grips a sidewall 23 of the holder portion 19 of the weighted cup holder 10 until the rim of the sidewall 23 makes contact with the flange 50. The sidewall 23 includes a notch 58 (Fig. 20) to accommodate the arm 52.

[0067] A third embodiment of the identification medallion 49 of the present invention is shown in Figs. 24a - 24c. The identification medallion 49 in the third embodiment is adapted to hold a miniature cup 44, typically a 1 - 3 ounce disposable cup. The identification medallion 49 comprises a removable medallion 46, a medallion holder 48, a flange 50 projecting from the medallion holder 48, an arm 52 extending downward from the flange 50, and two semi-circular arms 62 adapted to hold the miniature cup 44. The medallion 46 includes at least one rear-mounted nub (not shown) that engages at least one aperture 56 in the medallion holder 48. The semi-circular arms 62 can be in the same plane, as shown in Figs. 24b and 24c, can be vertically offset, as shown in Fig. 29, or can have some exterior wind motion. The arm 52 is made from an elastomer material, or other similar material, that engages and grips a sidewall 23 of the holder portion 19 of the weighted cup holder 10 until the rim of the sidewall 23 makes contact with the flange 50. The sidewall 23 includes a notch 58 (Fig. 20) to accommodate the arm 52. [0068] A fourth embodiment of the identification medallion 51 of the present invention is shown in Figs. 25a - 25c. The identification medallion 51 comprises a removable medallion 46, a medallion holder 48, and a tab 64 extending rearwardly from holder 48. The medallion 46 includes at least one rear-mounted nub (not shown) that engages at least one aperture 56 in the medallion holder 48. The tab 64 is adapted to engage slot 66 in the sidewall 23 of the holder portion 19.

[0069] A fifth embodiment of the identification medallion and small cup holder assembly

53 of the present invention is shown in Figs. 26 and 28. The identification medallion assembly 53 in the fifth embodiment is adapted to hold a miniature cup 44, including a one to three ounce disposable cup or glass cup. The identification medallion 53 comprises a removable medallion 46, a medallion holder 48, a laterally extending prong 63 (Fig. 28), a vertical wall 63, two semi-circular arms 62 adapted to hold a miniature cup 44, and a base plate 68 to support miniature cup 44. The medallion 46 includes at least one nub

54 that engages at least one aperture 56 in the medallion holder 48 (Fig. 28). The vertical wall 63 connects the medallion holder 48 to the base plate 68. The semi-circular arms 62 can be in the same plane, as shown in Fig. 26, can be vertically offset, as shown in Fig. 29, or can have some exterior wind motion. The prong 63 is adapted to engage an aperture 65, shown in Figs. 27 and 28, in one of the sidewalls 23 of the holder portion 19, shown in Fig. 28. The prong 63 will attach to the thickest sidewall 23 at a lower attachment area 72 (Fig. 27) of the weighted cup holder 10 to provide better weight and balance performance. Alternatively, the identification medallion 53 can include a flange 50, shown in Fig. 30, projecting from the medallion holder 48 and an arm 52, shown in Figs. 30 and 31, extending downward from the flange. The arm 52 is made from an elastomer material, or other similar material, that engages and grips a sidewall 23 of the holder portion 19 of the weighted cup holder 10 until the rim of the sidewall 23 makes contact with the flange 50. The sidewall 23 includes a notch 58 (Fig. 31) to accommodate the arm 52. The identification medallion 53 shown in Figs. 26 and 28 also includes a base plate 68 that provides support for any size miniature cup 44, regardless of whether the miniature cup 44 is made from plastic or glass. The prong 63, or alternatively the flange 50, of the identification medallion 53 includes a loose fitting rotating swivel (not shown) that is adapted to rotate to accommodate an upright position of the identification medallion and small cup holder assembly 53 regardless of whether the weighted cup holder 10 is upright or at a tilted, drinking angle, ensuring that the contents of the miniature cup 44 do not spill as the user is drinking out of the disposable cup 26.

0] A sixth embodiment of the identification medallion and handle assembly 5 of the present invention is also shown in Fig. 26 and 28. The identification medallion 55 comprises a removable medallion 46, a medallion holder 48, a top handle hook 74, a bottom handle hook 76, and a handle 78. The medallion 46 includes at least one nub 54 (Fig. 28) that engages at least one aperture 56 in the medallion holder 48. The top hook 74 and the bottom hook 76 are made from an elastomer material, or other similar material, that engages and grips the sidewall 23 of the holder portion 19 of the weighted cup holder 10. The top hook 74 engages top notch 71 in the upper attachment area 70 and the bottom hook 76 engages bottom notch 73 in the lower attachment area 75 of the weighted cup holder 10. The elastomer material grips the sidewall 23 and forms a friction fit to prevent the top hook 74 and the bottom hook 76 from disengaging from sidewall 23. Alternatively, the top hook 74 and the bottom hook 76 can include a flexible latch (not shown) with a friction locking detent that requires the user to pull the latch to unhook the top hook 74 and the bottom hook 76 from the sidewall 23.

[0071] The identification medallion assemblies 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, and 55 can include a variety of designs and graphics, such as sports team logos, flowers, alphabet initials, and other user niche designs. The identification medallion assemblies 45, 47, 49, 1, 53, and 55 are removable from the medallion holder 48 and are interchangeable, giving the user the ability to use a medallion with a different design or graphic without having to replace the weighted cup holder 10.

[0072] When in use, the user simply inserts a disposable cup 26 (Figs. 3 - 6) into the hollow chamber 20 formed by the holder portion 18, the disposable cup 26 supported by the upper surface 24 of the weighted base 12. If desired, the user can insert the cooling pack 30 into the weighted base 12 prior to inserting the disposable cup 26 into the hollow chamber 20 to aide in maintaining the cool temperature of the liquid contained by the disposable cup 26. The user can then select an identification medallion 45assembly to identify their disposable cup 26. The user either engages the flange 50, and arm 52 of the identification medallion assembly 45, 47, 49, and 53 with the notch 58 in the sidewall 23 or engages the tab 64 of the identification medallion assembly 51 with slot 66 in the sidewall 23. Alternatively, the user can engage prong 63 of the identification medallion assembly 53 with the aperture 65 in the sidewall 23. The user can also choose to engage the top hook 74 and bottom hook 76 of identification medallion assembly 55 with notch 71 and notch 73, respectively, in the sidewall 23. If using identification medallion assemblies 49 or 53, the user can then insert a miniature cup 44 into the identification medallion assembly 49 or 53. The weighted cup holder 10 provides stability to the disposable cup 26 because of the weighted cup holder's weight and structure, preventing the disposable cup 26 and weighted cup holder 10 from being tipped over by a small impact, or by the wind, particularly when the cup is holding a small amount of fluid. 3] The foregoing description of an illustrated embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. The description was selected to best explain the principles of the invention and practical application of these principles to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by the specification, but be defined by the claims set forth below.