Beverage Shade

Abstract

A method for forming a foldable beverage shade involves joining a bottom edge of a fabric sheet with an overall height from the bottom edge to a center of the curved top edge, around a cylindrical outer surface of a coaster element using attachment interfaces, and raising spreader elements shaped to have a circular arc length greater than 180 degrees but less than 360 degrees, the spreader elements engaged in loops spanning the centerline of the fabric sheet, to be horizontal, and engaging ends of the spreader elements in pockets joined to the fabric sheet along the side edges of the fabric sheet, such that the spreader elements, such that the fabric sheet forms an erect shade above and around the coaster element, and a beverage container may be placed on the coaster element and be shaded.

1 . A method for forming an erect, foldable beverage shade, comprising:
 joining a bottom edge of a fabric sheet a having a bottom edge, side edges and a curved top edge, with an overall height from the bottom edge to a center of the curved top edge, the fabric sheet symmetrical about a center line, around a cylindrical outer surface of a coaster element having a top and a bottom surface using attachment interfaces provided on the coaster element and the fabric sheet; and   raising spreader elements each made from a elongate rod with a cross-section diameter equal to or less than one quarter inch, the spreader elements shaped to have a circular arc length greater than 180 degrees but less than 360 degrees, the spreader elements engaged in loops spanning the centerline of the fabric sheet, to be horizontal, and engaging ends of the spreader elements in pockets joined to the fabric sheet along the side edges of the fabric sheet, such that the spreader elements, such that the fabric sheet forms an erect shade above and around the coaster element, and a beverage container may be placed on the coaster element and be shaded.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the fabric sheet has pre-pressed fold lines both vertically and horizontally, comprising steps for dismantling the erect shade to be carried or stored, by disengaging the fabric sheet from the coaster element, disengaging the spreader elements from the pockets allowing the fabric sheet to be laid flat, folding the spreader elements to lie on the fabric sheet, and folding the fabric sheet along the fold lines with the spreader elements within the folded sheet. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the folded sheet has four sides with edges equal to or less than a diameter of the spreader elements, comprising a step for folding the coaster element within the folded plastic sheet, and placing the folded assembly into a pocket or a purse. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein one erect beverage shade fits into another, comprising steps for stacking a plurality of erect beverage shades for storage. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising a third spreader element engaged in a loop and pockets at a height proximate the top of the coaster element in the erect beverage shade, comprising steps for erecting the beverage shade with three spreader elements. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the spreader elements are made from metal wire and are no more than one-sixteenth inch in cross section diameter, comprising steps for erecting a beverage shade with the wire spreader elements. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the spreader elements are made from molded plastic and are no more than one-sixteenth inch in cross section diameter, comprising steps for erecting a beverage shade with the plastic spreader elements. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the fabric sheet is stiff material, capable of supporting itself in an upright orientation, comprising steps for erecting the beverage shade with the still material fabric sheet. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the loops and pockets are fabric elements sewn to the fabric sheet, comprising steps for erecting the beverage shade with the fabric loops and pockets. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the loops and pockets are metal or plastic elements joined to the fabric sheet, comprising steps for erecting the beverage shade with the metal or plastic loops and pockets.