Beverage Consumption Implement

Abstract

An animal shaped clip apparatus for coupling a tether of an infusion apparatus to a drinking implement is provided herein. The animal shaped clip apparatus may comprise an engagement portion and an actuation portion. The engagement portion may include first and second engagement surfaces which may be smooth, curved, or include a non-slip portion for engaging an upper portion of a drinking implement. The actuation portion may include first and second actuation engagement portions configured to separate the first and second engagement surfaces when actuated together. The first and second actuation engagement portions may be wing shaped. In certain optional embodiments, the animal shaped clip may include an animal shaped covering configured to cover at least one of the engagement portion or the actuation portion. The animal shaped covering may provide the non-slip portion or bias the first and second engagement surfaces together.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A clip apparatus for attaching a tether of an infusion device to an upper portion of a drinking implement, the clip apparatus comprising:
 an engagement portion including a first smooth engagement surface biased towards a second smooth engagement surface, the first and second smooth engagement surfaces configured to engage the upper portion of the drinking implement; and   an actuation portion including a first wing-shaped actuation engagement portion and a second wing-shaped actuation engagement portion, the first and second wing-shaped actuation engagement portions configured to separate the first and second smooth engagement surfaces when actuated together.   
     
     
         2 . The clip apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 at least one of the first or second smooth engagement surfaces includes a non-slip portion.   
     
     
         3 . The clip apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first smooth engagement surface is concave shaped for engaging a convex outer surface of the upper portion of the drinking implement; and   the second smooth engagement surface is convex shaped for engaging a concave inner surface of the upper portion of the drinking implement.   
     
     
         4 . The clip apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of the first and second smooth engagement surfaces include an engagement surface length less than or equal to 1 inch.   
     
     
         5 . The clip apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first wing-shaped actuation engagement portion is connected to one of the first or second smooth engagement surfaces; and   the second wing-shaped actuation engagement portion is connected to a different one of the first or second smooth engagement surfaces.   
     
     
         6 . The clip apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an animal shaped covering configured to cover at least cover the engagement portion.   
     
     
         7 . The clip apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the covering further covers the actuation portion.   
     
     
         8 . An animal shaped clip apparatus configured to attach a tether of an infusion device to an upper portion of a drinking implement, the animal shaped clip apparatus comprising:
 an engagement portion including first and second engagement surfaces biased together, the first and second engagement surfaces configured to engage the upper portion of the drinking implement;   an actuation portion coupled to and extending away from the engagement portion, the actuation portion configured to separate the first and second engagement surfaces upon actuation thereof; and   an animal shaped covering configured to cover one or more of the engagement portion or the actuation portion.   
     
     
         9 . The animal shaped clip apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the animal shaped covering further covers the engagement portion.   
     
     
         10 . The animal shaped clip apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the animal shaped covering is integrally molded around the actuation portion and the engagement portion; and   the animal shaped covering is configured to bias the first and second engagement surfaces together.   
     
     
         11 . The animal shaped clip apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the animal shaped covering is formed from a malleable non-slip material.   
     
     
         12 . The animal shaped clip apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the first and second engagement surfaces are complementary curved surfaces configured to engage opposite sides of the upper portion of the drinking implement.   
     
     
         13 . The animal shaped clip apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the actuation portion includes a first actuation engagement portion and a second actuation engagement portion; and   the first and second actuation engagement portions are configured to separate the first and second engagement surfaces when actuated together.   
     
     
         14 . The animal shaped clip apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the first actuation engagement portion is connected to one of the first or second engagement surfaces; and   the second actuation engagement portion is connected to a different one of the first or second engagement surfaces.   
     
     
         15 . A clip apparatus configured to attach a tether of an infusion device to an upper portion of a drinking implement, the clip apparatus comprising:
 an engagement portion including first and second curved engagement surfaces biased together, the first and second curved engagement surfaces configured to engage the upper portion of the drinking implement; and   an actuation portion coupled to and extending away from the engagement portion, the actuation portion configured to separate the first and second curved engagement surfaces upon actuation thereof.   
     
     
         16 . The clip apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the actuation portion includes a first actuation engagement portion and a second actuation engagement portion; and   the first and second actuation engagement portions are configured to separate the first and second curved engagement surfaces when actuated together.   
     
     
         17 . The clip apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein: and
 the first actuation engagement portion comprises a first wing-shaped element;   the second actuation engagement portion comprises a second wing-shaped element.   
     
     
         18 . The clip apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 an animal shaped covering configured to cover at least the actuation portion.   
     
     
         19 . The clip apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein:
 at least one of the first or second engagement surfaces includes a non-slip portion.   
     
     
         20 . The clip apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the non-slip portion is provided by an animal shaped covering configured to cover the actuation portion and the engagement portion.