Insulated Cup Holder

Abstract

An insulated cup holder includes an outer shell, an inner shell connected to and spaced from the outer shell, and a spacer. The outer shell includes an outer shell sidewall, an inside surface of which defines an interior space of the outer shell. The inner shell includes an inner shell sidewall, an upper peripheral edge of which defines an open receiving end. An inside surface of the inner shell sidewall defines an open interior space. An area defined by the upper peripheral edge of the inner shell sidewall is larger than that defined by a lower peripheral edge of the inner shell sidewall, such that the inner shell sidewall tapers from the upper peripheral edge to the lower peripheral edge. The inner shell is arranged within the interior space of the outer shell. The spacer is configured to be arranged in contact with and extending inward from the inner shell.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An insulated cup holder, comprising:
 an outer shell;   an inner shell connected to and spaced from the outer shell; and   a spacer;   wherein the outer shell includes an outer shell sidewall;   wherein an inside surface of the outer shell sidewall defines an interior space of the outer shell;   wherein the inner shell includes an inner shell sidewall;   wherein an upper peripheral edge of the inner shell sidewall defines an open receiving end of the inner shell;   wherein an inside surface of the inner shell sidewall defines an open interior space of the inner shell;   wherein an area defined by the upper peripheral edge of the inner shell sidewall is larger than an area defined by a lower peripheral edge of the inner shell sidewall, such that the inner shell sidewall tapers from the upper peripheral edge of the inner shell sidewall to the lower peripheral edge of the inner shell sidewall;   wherein the inner shell is arranged within the interior space of the outer shell; and   wherein the spacer is configured to be arranged in contact with and extending inward from the inner shell.   
     
     
         2 . The insulated cup holder of  claim 1 , wherein an area defined by an upper peripheral edge of the outer shell sidewall is larger than an area defined by a lower peripheral edge of the outer shell sidewall, such that the outer shell sidewall tapers from the upper peripheral edge of the outer shell sidewall to the lower peripheral edge of the outer shell sidewall. 
     
     
         3 . The insulated cup holder of  claim 2 , wherein a degree of the taper of the inner shell sidewall is greater than a degree of the taper of the outer shell sidewall. 
     
     
         4 . The insulated cup holder of  claim 1 , wherein an upper end of the inner shell is fixed to an upper end of the outer shell. 
     
     
         5 . The insulated cup holder of  claim 1 , wherein the outer shell further includes an outer shell base fixed to a lower peripheral edge of the outer shell sidewall. 
     
     
         6 . The insulated cup holder of  claim 1 , wherein the inner shell further includes an inner shell base fixed to the lower peripheral edge of the inner shell sidewall. 
     
     
         7 . The insulated cup holder of  claim 1 , wherein the inner shell is arranged within the interior space of the outer shell such that the inner shell sidewall is not in direct contact with the outer shell sidewall. 
     
     
         8 . The insulated cup holder of  claim 1 , wherein the inner shell and the outer shell are mutually attached only at the upper end of the inner shell and the upper end of the outer shell. 
     
     
         9 . The insulated cup holder of  claim 1 , further comprising a lid that is removably attachable to the outer shell. 
     
     
         10 . The insulated cup holder of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer includes a resilient material. 
     
     
         11 . A cup and insulated cup holder assembly, comprising:
 the insulated cup holder of  claim 1 ; and   a cup;   wherein the cup includes:
 a cup sidewall; and 
 a cup base having a periphery fixed to a distal edge of the cup sidewall; 
 wherein the cup sidewall is shorter than the inner shell sidewall; and 
 wherein an area of the cup base is smaller than the area defined by the open receiving end of the inner shell. 
   
     
     
         12 . The cup and insulated cup holder arrangement of  claim 11 , wherein an area of the cup base is larger than an area defined by a lower peripheral edge of the inner shell sidewall. 
     
     
         13 . The cup and insulated cup holder assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the cup is arranged within the interior space of the inner shell such that the periphery of the cup base is supported by the inside surface of the inner shell sidewall. 
     
     
         14 . The cup and insulated cup holder arrangement of  claim 11 , wherein the area defined by an upper peripheral edge of the cup sidewall is larger than the area of the cup base, such that the cup sidewall tapers from the upper peripheral edge of the cup sidewall to the cup base. 
     
     
         15 . The cup and insulated cup holder arrangement of  claim 14 , wherein an amount of the taper of the inner shell sidewall is greater than an amount of the taper of the cup sidewall. 
     
     
         16 . The cup and insulated cup holder arrangement of  claim 15 , wherein the cup is arranged within the interior space of the inner shell such that the periphery of the cup base is supported by the inside surface of the inner shell sidewall.