Multiple container retaining device and method for using same

A device for retaining a first container and a second container comprising:

• a holder adapted to at least partially encircle and hold said first and second containers, said holder including a first outer surface configured to face said first container and a second outer surface configured to face said second container, said holder including:
• a first sleeve member having a first open end and a first base end, wherein said first sleeve member includes a first peripheral wall extending between said first open end and said first base end, said first peripheral wall having a first height sufficient to encircle approximately an entire height of said first container;
• a second sleeve member having a second open end and a second base end, wherein said second sleeve member includes a second peripheral wall extending between said second open end and said second base end, said second peripheral wall having a second height sufficient to encircle approximately an entire height of said second container;
• and
• a transverse support element interposed between said first and second sleeve members to join said first base end with said second base end, said transverse support element including said first outer surface and said second outer surface;
• and
• a tubular structure directed through said holder, said tubular structure including a first tubular portion extending from said first outer surface of said holder and a second tubular portion extending from said second outer surface of said holder, said first and second tubular portions being in fluid communication to enable transfer of a fluid through said tubular structure.

A method for utilizing a dual container retaining device to access a beverage contained in first and second beverage containers, said second beverage container having an opening and a removable element closing said opening, said device including a holder and a tubular structure directed through said holder, said holder including a first sleeve member having a first open end and a second sleeve member having a second open end, said tubular structure including a first tubular portion extending from a first outer surface of said holder and a second tubular portion extending from a second outer surface of said holder, said first and second tubular portions being in fluid communication to enable transfer of a fluid through said tubular structure, said method comprising:

• placing said first beverage container on a surface;
• positioning said device over said first beverage container with said first tubular portion in abutment with a first end of said first beverage container, said positioning operation including placing said first beverage container into said first sleeve member via said first open end;
• arranging said second beverage container over said device with a second end of said second beverage container in abutment with said second tubular portion, said arranging operation including placing said second beverage container into said second sleeve member via said second open end with said opening and said removable element exposed;
• applying force to said first and second beverage containers sufficient to cause penetration of a first tip of said first tubular portion into said first end of said first beverage container and sufficient to cause penetration of a second tip of said second tubular portion into said second end of said second beverage container to enable transfer of said beverage from said first container to said second container, wherein said applying operation further causes said first and second beverage containers to be held in said holder;
• and
• removing said removable element to enable access to said beverage in each of said first and second beverage containers via said opening.