Communication device holding and liquid dispensing apparatus

Abstract

A communication device holding and liquid dispensing apparatus dispenses a liquid for consumption from a vessel, and retains a mobile communication device in an upright or side position for operation and viewing. The apparatus provides a vessel, a detachable cap, and a pivotally extendable and retractable cradled handle. The cradled handle is defined by a curved plane that fits the palm of the hand while drinking from the vessel, and also forms a supportive surface for retaining the communication device. The cradled handle has multiple perimeter flanges that retain the communication device in an upright or side position on the cradled handle, inhibit slippage by the communication device, and restrict pivotal retraction by the cradled handle while retaining the communication device. The cradled handle includes a handle latch member that forms a snap fit relationship with a corresponding cap latch member to fasten cradled handle in the retracted position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A communication device holding and liquid dispensing apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
 a vessel defined by a sidewall, a base end, and a top end forming an opening to a cavity;   a cap detachably coupled to the top end of the vessel, the cap comprising a cap latch member and a cap hinge member;   a cradled handle pivotally joined with the cap, the cradled handle defined by a curved plane, a distal edge, a proximal edge, and a pair of lateral edges, the cradled handle comprising:
 a distal flange joined with the distal edge of the cradled handle; 
 a proximal flange joined with the proximal edge of the cradled handle; 
 a lateral flange joined with one of the lateral edges of the cradled handle; 
 a handle hinge member that joins with the cap hinge member to form a pivotal relationship, whereby the cradled handle pivots between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the cap; and 
 a handle latch member that forms a snap fit relationship with the cap latch member. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel has a cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base end of the vessel has a tapered configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the opening in the top end is sized to receive a straw. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the top end of the vessel comprises vessel threads. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the cap comprises cap threads that form a rotatable relationship with the vessel threads. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the handle latch member is disposed at the junction of the lateral flange and the distal flange. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cradled handle is operable to retain a mobile communication device in an upright or side position, whereby the mobile communication device leans on the sidewall of the vessel and engages the flanges. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the distal flange is operable to inhibit the mobile communication device from distal movement. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the lateral flange is operable to inhibit the mobile communication device from lateral movement. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the proximal flange is configured to inhibit the cradled handle from pivoting to the retracted position while supporting the mobile communication device. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cradled handle comprises a non-slip surface. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cap hinge member comprises a barrel hinge and an axle. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the handle hinge member comprises a pair of rings in alignment with the barrel hinge, whereby the rings and the barrel hinge allow only a limited angle of rotation between the cradled handle and the cap. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cap latch member is a curved protruding member. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the handle latch member is a tab. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the cap latch member and the handle latch member detachably join to fasten the cradled handle in the retracted position against the sidewall of the vessel. 
     
     
         18 . A communication device holding and liquid dispensing apparatus, the apparatus consisting of:
 a cylindrical shaped vessel defined by a sidewall, a base end, and a top end forming an opening to a cavity, the top end of the vessel comprising vessel threads;   a cap detachably coupled to the top end of the vessel, the cap comprising a cap latch member and a cap hinge member, the cap further comprising cap threads that form a rotatable relationship with the vessel threads;   a rectangular shaped cradled handle pivotally joined with the cap, the cradled handle defined by a curved plane, a distal edge, a proximal edge, and a pair of lateral edges, the cradled handle comprising:
 a distal flange joined with the distal edge of the cradled handle; 
 a proximal flange joined with the proximal edge of the cradled handle; 
 a lateral flange joined with one of the lateral edges of the cradled handle; 
 a handle hinge member that joins with the cap hinge member to form a pivotal relationship, whereby the cradled handle pivots between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the cap; and 
 a handle latch member that forms a snap fit relationship with the cap latch member. 
   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the cap hinge member comprises a barrel hinge and an axle. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the handle hinge member comprises a pair of rings in alignment with the barrel hinge, whereby the cap hinge and the barrel hinge allow only a limited angle of rotation between the cradled handle and the cap.