Universal handle for beverage cup or container

Abstract

A universal handle for beverage cups or containers is provided. The universal handle can be easily stacked in vertical alignment for storage or display, and can also be stacked out of vertical alignment to allow an end user to carry multiple beverage cups or containers in one hand. Embodiments of the universal handle include surfaces suitable for ornamentation, decoration, branding, marketing, or advertising.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A universal handle, comprising:
 a ring-shaped support having a substantially vertical axis;   a gasket disposed along an inner circumference of the ring-shaped support;   a grip extending from the ring-shaped support, the grip having an open upper end and a lower end, the lower end having an outer perimeter smaller than an inner perimeter of the upper end, and   a finger grip disposed on the ring-shaped support near the grip.   
     
     
         2 . The universal handle of  claim 1 , wherein the ring-shaped support and the grip are integrally formed of a single material. 
     
     
         3 . The universal handle of  claim 1 , wherein the grip has a plurality of flat surfaces. 
     
     
         4 . The universal handle of  claim 1 , further comprising tabs extending downwardly from the ring-shaped support. 
     
     
         5 . The universal handle of  claim 1 , wherein a logo is displayed on a surface of the universal handle. 
     
     
         6 . The universal handle of  claim 1 , wherein the finger grip is integrally formed with the gasket. 
     
     
         7 . The universal handle of  claim 1 , wherein the finger grip comprises ridges. 
     
     
         8 . The universal handle of  claim 1 , wherein the grip is formed of plastic, metal, or wood. 
     
     
         9 . A universal handle, comprising:
 a support having an aperture therein, the support having a substantially horizontal orientation;   a grip connected to the support, the grip having a substantially vertical orientation;   a gasket affixed to an inner perimeter of the aperture of the support; and   a finger grip positioned on a surface of the support located in between the aperture and the grip.   
     
     
         10 . The universal handle of  claim 9 , wherein the grip is hollow and comprises a lower end and an open upper end. 
     
     
         11 . The universal handle of  claim 10 , wherein the lower end of the grip is sized to fit into the open upper end of the grip. 
     
     
         12 . The universal handle of  claim 9 , wherein the grip has a hexagonal cross section. 
     
     
         13 . The universal handle of  claim 9 , wherein the grip has a circular cross-section. 
     
     
         14 . The universal handle of  claim 9 , further comprising a tab extending from the support. 
     
     
         15 . The universal handle of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of a logo, a brand name, or an advertisement is displayed on the tab. 
     
     
         16 . The universal handle of  claim 9 , wherein the finger grip is integrally formed with the support. 
     
     
         17 . The universal handle of  claim 1 , wherein the finger grip comprises a non-slip material. 
     
     
         18 . A universal handle, comprising:
 a support ring having a vertically oriented axis;   a grip comprising a hollow member oriented substantially parallel to the vertically oriented axis, the grip extending from the support ring, the hollow member having an upper end and a lower end, each with a hexagonal cross-section, the upper end adapted to receive the lower end of an identical hollow member;   a ring gasket lining an inner circumference of the support ring; and   a finger grip located between the ring gasket and the hollow member, the finger grip having a plurality of ridges.   
     
     
         19 . The universal handle of  claim 18 , the hollow member further having a substantially constant taper between the upper end and the lower end. 
     
     
         20 . The universal handle of  claim 18 , wherein a plurality of tabs extend from the support ring, the tabs having a graphic displayed thereon.