Convertible cup holder

Abstract

The convertible cup holder presents a novel solution to a problem experienced by all beverage drinkers—an entire hand is required to hold a beverage container. The convertible cup holder is a convertible, disposable or reusable insulator, holder and cup-carrier that surrounds a beverage container. In its initial condition, the holder provides thermal insulation against the hot or cold temperature of the beverage. The cup holder can be used to improve the grip on the beverage or to make the beverage more comfortable to hold. If a user requires the use of the hand holding the beverage, the user is able to pull handles disposed within the holder into a deployed position, such that the user can now easily grip the beverage by using only one's finger. With handles deployed, the convertible cup holder allows the average beverage to be suspended and held by a single finger, thereby freeing up the majority of one's hand for other tasks. The beverage could also be suspended by a hook or other nearby object until the user is ready to resume consuming the beverage. The present invention enables a single individual to carry multiple beverages at the same time using only a single hand or finger.

1 . An apparatus for holding a container comprising:
 a sleeve to slide around the container; and   one or more deployable handles disposed on the sleeve, each handle being extendable above the container.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said one or more deployable handles comprises a string that is coiled inside the sleeve and when pulled on unfurls to a predetermined length. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said one or more deployable handles comprises a section of the sleeve that when pulled on separates from the sleeve to form the handle that opens to a predetermined length extendable above a top of the container. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said sleeve comprises an outside layer and an inside layer. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein each of said one or more deployable handles comprises a perforated section of the outside layer of the sleeve having a series of perforations cut into the outside layer in a shape of a handle and a tab formed in the outside layer. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein when pulled on, the tab separates the perforated section from the sleeve to form the handle, which is extendable over the top of the container. 
   
   
       7 . An apparatus for holding a container comprising:
 a sleeve to slide around the container; and   a single deployable handle being extendable above the container.   
   
   
       8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , single deployable handle comprises a string that is coiled inside the sleeve and when pulled on unfurls to a predetermined length. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said single deployable handle comprises a section of the sleeve that when pulled on pulls away from the sleeve to form the single deployable handle that opens to a predetermined length extendable above a top of the container. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said sleeve comprises an outside layer and an inside layer. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein said single deployable handle comprises a perforated section of the outside layer of the sleeve having a series of perforations cut into the outside layer in a shape of a handle and a tab formed in the outside layer. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein when pulled on, the tab separates the perforated section from the sleeve to form the single deployable handle, which is extendable over the top of the container. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the sleeve is comprised of an insulating material. 
   
   
       14 . An apparatus for holding a container comprising:
 a circumferential wrap to encompass the container, said wrap including at least one layer of an insulating material; and   one or more handles formed in the circumferential wrap by a series of perforations cut in the wrap in a shape of the handle, each of said one or more handles extendable above the container.   
   
   
       15 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the one or more handles deploy by detaching from the circumferential wrap along the perforations. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the circumferential wrap comprises a plurality of layers and an adhesive, which holds the plurality of layers and each of the one or more handles is formed on an outside layer of the circumferential wrap. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the circumferential wrap comprises a paper stock. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the circumferential wrap comprises a plastic polymer. 
   
   
       19 . A method for manufacturing a cup holder comprising:
 forming a first template from a blank material, said first template having a first tab disposed in a predetermined position and a series of predetermined cuts in an outer layer of the blank material in a shape of a handle to form an extendable handle;   forming a second template from the blank material, said second template having a second tab disposed in a predetermined position and a series of predetermined cuts in an outer layer of the blank material in a shape of a handle to form an extendable handle;   reversing an orientation of the second template relative to the first template;   affixing the first template to the second template to form a combined template;   folding a predetermined portion of the combined template to form a deployable handle and gluing the folded portion; and   folding a second predetermined portion of the combined template to form a second deployable handle and gluing the second folded portion.   
   
   
       20 . A method for manufacturing a cup holder comprising:
 forming a template from a blank material, said template having a first tab disposed in a predetermined position and a series of predetermined cuts in an outer layer of the blank material in a shape of an S to form an extendable handle;   folding a predetermined portion of the combined template to form a first part of a deployable handle and gluing the folded portion; and   folding a second predetermined portion of the combined template to form a second part of a deployable handle and gluing the second folded portion.