Weighted Cup Holder and Identification Medallion

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus for holding fluid containing cups and protecting the cups and fluid from tilting and spilling. The apparatus includes a weighted base portion and sidewalls. The sidewalls extend from the outer edge of the weighted base to form an expanded sidewall portion. The expanded sidewall portion provides a holding portion that includes a hollow chamber adapted to hold the cup. The chamber is formed by the sidewall extending upwardly from the weighted base into the expanded sidewall portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for holding an open ended container, comprising:
 a. a weighted base having an outer edge;   b. a sidewall extending from the outer edge of said weighted base to form an expanded sidewall portion; and   c. said expanded sidewall portion providing a holding portion comprising a hollow chamber adapted to hold the container, said chamber formed by said sidewall extending upwardly from the weighted base.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the weighted base includes a weighted ring mounted in the weighted base. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the weighted base includes a chamber adapted to receive a removable cooling pack. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein an upper surface of the weighted base includes a plurality of notches adapted to facilitate removal of the open ended container. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein an upper surface of the cooling pack includes a plurality of notches adapted to facilitate removal of the open ended container. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a. at least one notch located on an inner surface of said sidewall;   b. an identification medallion assembly including a removable medallion, a medallion holder, a flange projecting outward from the medallion holder, and an arm extending downward from said flange;   c. said removable medallion adapted to removably engage said medallion holder;   d. said arm adapted to removably engage said notch on said sidewall; and   e. said flange adapted to engage a rim of said sidewall.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the identification medallion assembly includes a coil that facilitates removal of said identification medallion assembly from said sidewall. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the identification medallion assembly includes at least two semi-circular arms adapted to support a second open ended container. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a. at least one slot located on a rim of said sidewall;   b. an identification medallion assembly including a removable medallion, a medallion holder, and a tab;   c. said removable medallion adapted to removably engage said medallion holder; and   d. said tab adapted to removably engage said slot of said sidewall.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the weighted base includes an aperture extending through the weighted base, the aperture adapted to facilitate a user in the removal of the cooling pack. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewalls include at least one aperture adapted to frame an image located on the open ended container. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a. a removable handle;   b. at least one notch located on an inner surface of said sidewall;   c. at least one flange projecting outward from the handle;   d. at least one arm extending downward from said at least one flange;   e. said at least one arm adapted to removably engage said at least one notch on said sidewall; and   f. said at least one flange adapted to engage a rim of said sidewall.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the removable medallion includes at least one nub adapted to engage at least one aperture in said medallion holder. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the removable medallion includes at least one nub adapted to engage at least one aperture in said medallion holder. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the semi-circular arms are vertically offset to accommodate an open ended container. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a. a vertical wall extending downward from the medallion holder; and   b. a laterally extending bottom plate connected to the vertical wall, the bottom plate adapted to support a said second open ended container.   
     
     
         17 . An apparatus for holding an open ended container, comprising:
 a. a weighted base comprising a first portion of a wire shaped into a coil in a horizontal plane;   b. said wire having a second portion extending from the outer edge of said weighted base to form a spiral expanded coil portion; and   c. said spiral expanded coil portion providing a holding portion comprising a hollow chamber adapted to hold the container, said container formed by said second portion of said wire extending upwardly from the weighted base in a spiral coil shape.   
     
     
         18 . An apparatus for holding an open ended container, comprising:
 a. a weighted base having an outer edge;   b. a sidewall extending upward from said weighted base, said sidewall comprising a plurality of swirled elements forming the circumference of said sidewall;   c. each swirled element attached at a lower end to said weighted base, each swirled element separated from each adjacent swirled element as each said swirled element extends upward from said weighted base; and   d. said sidewall providing a holding chamber surrounded and formed by said plurality of swirled elements as said plurality of swirled elements extend upward from said weighted base, said holding chamber adapted to hold said open ended container.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein:
 a. each of said plurality of swirled elements has a vertical dimension different from each other swirled elements.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein:
 a. each of said plurality of swirled elements has an upper end comprising a flat horizontal surface, each said flat horizontal surface adapted to engage a horizontal extending rim flange portion of said open ended container.   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein:
 a. each of said upper ends of said swirled elements are connected to an adjacent upper end to form a continuous flat horizontal surface adapted to engage the horizontal extending rim flange of said open ended container.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein an upper surface of the weighted ring includes a plurality of notches adapted to facilitate removal of the open ended container. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the aperture includes a washer adapted to form a seal between the weighted base and the cooling pack. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the weighted ring is a circular weight molded into the weighted base. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein an upper surface of the weighted base includes a raised portion adapted to provide a friction fit with the open ended container. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein an upper surface of the weighted ring includes a raised portion adapted to provide a friction fit with the open ended container. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein an upper surface of the cooling pack includes a raised portion adapted to provide a friction fit with the open ended container. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein an upper surface of the weighted base includes one of a raised circular portion and a raised square portion. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the weighted base is molded separately from the sidewall. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the weighted base and the sidewall are permanently joined together. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the arm is made from an elastomer material adapted to grip the sidewall. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the arm is adapted to engage a thick portion of the sidewall. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a. an identification medallion assembly including a removable medallion and a medallion holder, said removable medallion adapted to removably engage said medallion holder;   b. a vertical wall extending downward from said identification medallion;   c. at least two semi-circular arms laterally extending from said vertical wall, said semi-circular arms adapted to support a second open ended container; and   d. a bottom plate laterally extending from said vertical wall, said bottom plate adapted to support the second open ended container.   
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , further comprising:
 a. at least one notch located on an inner surface of said sidewall;   b. a flange projecting outward from the medallion holder, said flange adapted to engage a rim of the sidewall; and   c. an arm extending downward from said flange, said arm adapted to removably engage said notch on said sidewall.   
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , further comprising a prong laterally extending from said vertical wall, said prong adapted to engage an aperture in the sidewall. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , further comprising a rotating swivel disposed between the sidewall and the arm, the swivel adapted to maintain an upright position of the second open ended container. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the semi-circular arms are vertically offset to accommodate an open ended container. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a. a handle having a first end and a second end, said first end opposite said second end;   b. at least two notches located on an inner surface of said sidewall;   c. an identification medallion assembly including a removable medallion, a medallion holder, a top hook disposed at the first end of said handle, and a bottom hook disposed at the second end of said handle;   d. said removable medallion adapted to removably engage said medallion holder; and   e. said top hook and said bottom hook adapted to removably engage said notches on said sidewalls.   
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein the removable medallion includes at least one nub adapted to engage at least one aperture in said medallion holder. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein at least one of the top hook and the bottom hook are made from an elastomer material. 
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein at least one of the top hook and the bottom hook include a flexible latch with a friction locking detent adapted to removably engage the sidewall.