WO2001066435A1 - Configurable cup holder - Google Patents
Configurable cup holder Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2001066435A1 WO2001066435A1 PCT/GB2001/000979 GB0100979W WO0166435A1 WO 2001066435 A1 WO2001066435 A1 WO 2001066435A1 GB 0100979 W GB0100979 W GB 0100979W WO 0166435 A1 WO0166435 A1 WO 0166435A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- carrier
- cup
- receptacle
- blank
- configuration
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G23/00—Other table equipment
- A47G23/02—Glass or bottle holders
- A47G23/0208—Glass or bottle holders for drinking-glasses, plastic cups, or the like
- A47G23/0216—Glass or bottle holders for drinking-glasses, plastic cups, or the like for one glass or cup
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D71/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D71/40—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed by folding a blank or several blanks
- B65D71/46—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed by folding a blank or several blanks formed by folding a single blank into a tubular element
- B65D71/48—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed by folding a blank or several blanks formed by folding a single blank into a tubular element characterised by the handle
Definitions
- This invention relates to a holder comprising a cup or receptacle and a carrier for the cup or receptacle and also to such a carrier and a blank or flat for forming such a carrier.
- this invention relates to a holder wherein the receptacle is a cup for vendable goods such as goods purchased from a retail or consumer store or outlet, for example, goods such as hot beverages, snacks and so on.
- hot beverages are supplied to consumers in a disposable cardboard, polystyrene or plastics cup.
- Such cups can be difficult for the consumer to carry, especially when they contain a hot beverage.
- Some venders of hot beverages provide the consumer with a paper napkin to wrap around the cup so as to protect the consumer's fingers.
- a paper napkin may protect the consumer's fingers, it can also make the cup more difficult to hold securely and the paper napkin may easily be displaced or dropped.
- venders package the hot beverage containing cup in a rectangular carrier bag which may be made from paper, card or plastic, for example.
- carrier bags only enable transportation of the hot beverage containing cup and the cup has to be removed from the carrier bag to enable the hot beverage to be consumed.
- the bases of such bags do not provide a stable standing area for the hot beverage containing cup because they tend to be soft and flexible. This means that there is a likelihood of spillage of hot liquid from the cup.
- venders provide outer sleeves which consist of an endless band of corrugated card, recycled paper stuff or similar material that is supplied in a flattened form and opened out by the vendor or consumer so as to enable the hot beverage containing cup to be placed within the sleeve.
- Such sleeves do serve to protect the consumer's fingers and assist the consumer in carrying the cup. They do, however, also transmit heat.
- the present invention provides a holder comprising a cup or receptacle and a carrier for the cup or receptacle, the holder being capable of adopting at least one or more of the following: a first configuration in which a base of the cup or receptacle is supported by a portion of the carrier; a second configuration in which the cup or receptacle is suspended beneath a portion of the carrier, for example the cup may extend through an aperture provided by the carrier; and a third configuration in which the carrier provides a loop or band extending around the circumference of the cup.
- a cup or receptacle carrier which is convertible between a flat strip or flat pack configuration for storage and transportation and a three-dimensional shape in which the carrier partially or fully encloses the cup or receptacle.
- a cup or receptacle carrier provides a handle for enabling a user to hold the cup or receptacle without necessarily touching the side or wall of the cup or receptacle.
- the present invention provides a carrier formed from a flat sheet or blank having edge portions and fold lines for enabling the sheet or blank to be formed into an endless or continuous loop having a three- dimensional shape.
- the endless or continuous loop is formed without the aid of gluing enabling cheap manufacture.
- the term "fold-lines" includes any line about which the material forming the flat sheet or blank can be folded including, for example, seam lines or weakened or perforated areas .
- the present invention provides a cup carrier, comprising an endless loop or band wherein part of the endless loop or band provides an aperture defining portion for receiving a cup or receptacle.
- the aperture defining portion may comprise an actual aperture, slits, perforations or a push out section.
- the carrier provides a handle opposed to the aperture defining portion.
- the present invention provides a holder comprising a cup and a carrier for the cup, wherein the holder can adopt: a first configuration in which a base of the cup is supported by a portion of the carrier; a second configuration in which the cup is suspended beneath a part of the carrier; and a third configuration in which the carrier surrounds a peripheral side wall of the cup, wherein the carrier provides a handle graspable by a user in at least one of the above configurations, preferably in both said second and third configurations.
- the present invention provides a carrier formed from a flat or blank wherein the flat or blank defines at least one handle portion which projects from an edge of the flat or blank or is defined within the body of the flat or blank.
- a double thickness handle can be provided to provide increased strength by providing two handle portions which can be grasped simultaneously by the user in use of the carrier.
- the handle portions may be provided at, for example, opposite edges of a flat or blank forming the carrier.
- the flat or blank may be formed with coupling means in addition to the handle. In an embodiment, the coupling means may cooperate with the handle .
- a cup carrier comprises a flat or blank having opposite edge portions, a handle portion and a handle receiving portion, whereby, when the flat or blank is manipulated to bring the two edge portions together, the handle can be passed through the handle receiving portion so as to form the carrier.
- the flat or blank may be formed with fold lines to facilitate manipulation of the flat or blank to form the carrier.
- the fold lines may be such that the carrier adopts a rectangular or polygonal cross sectional shapes.
- An additional locking tab may be provided on at least one end portion.
- the present invention provides a holder comprising a cup or receptacle and a carrier, wherein the carrier comprises a flat or blank having a cup or receptacle receiving region and wherein, in order to use the holder, the cup or receptacle is placed on the receiving area and the flat or blank manipulated to bring edge portions of the blank together above the cup or receptacle to define a handle graspable by a user.
- the receiving region comprises an aperture defining region so that the cup or receptacle is suspended from the carrier when the carrier is transported by a user.
- the side walls of the cup or receptacle will be gripped by the aperture by taking advantage of the fact that such cups or receptacles taper towards their bases. This provides a gimbal like support reducing the possibility of spillage even if the carrier swings as the user moves about.
- a carrier may be inverted so that, when the cup or receptacle is received through the aperture, a portion of the carrier provides a support for the base of the cup or receptacle and the region of the carrier bounded the aperture surrounds the peripheral side walls of the cup or receptacle. Where a handle or handle portion is provided on the carrier, then this will lie flat against the carrier in this configuration.
- a carrier embodying the invention may be provided with a moulded plastic handle or a carrying cord in place of a handle for facilitating carrying and may be placed in a conventional paper carrier bag.
- the present invention provides a cup carrier comprising a flat or blank having fastening or coupling means provided on opposite end portions of the flat or blank the fastening means being arranged to couple together to define the carrier, one of the fastening means comprising a tab and the other a slit or slot for receiving the tab. Additional cooperating tabs and slots may be provided.
- a carrier embodying the invention may be provided with other forms of fastening or coupling means such as self-adhesive areas or regions or other forms of interlocking or coupling means .
- a carrier embodying the invention need not necessarily be provided with coupling means, for example the carrier may be initially formed (for example moulded) as an endless band or loop.
- a carrier embodying the invention may be provided with handle portions that a user squeezes together to define an endless loop.
- One of the handle portions may be provided with a locking flap to lock the handle portions together.
- a carrier embodying the invention may be formed from a flat or blank having regions projecting from the main area of the flat or blank to define side walls of the carrier in use.
- a carrier embodying the invention will enable at least part of a cup or receptacle carried by the carrier to be viewed.
- a carrier embodying the invention is adapted to be provided as a flat or two-dimensional shape and to be manipulated to provide a three-dimensional carrier by the vendor or purchaser of the goods contained in the cup or receptacle to be received the carrier.
- a holder embodying the invention capable of adopting the first and second configurations mentioned above may be sized so as to enable a plurality of cups or receptacles to be received by the carrier.
- the carrier may be provided with a corresponding number of cup or receptacle receiving portions which may be of the same or different sizes or shape to enable different shapes and sizes of cup or receptacle to be accommodated, for example both a cup containing a beverage and a sandwich or other take away food container.
- Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a flat or blank for forming a carrier in accordance with the present invention
- Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views showing, respectively, two different forms of a carrier formed from the blank shown in Figure 1;
- Figures 4 to 6 are perspective views showing three different configurations of a holder embodying the present invention comprising a carrier formed from the blank shown in Figure 1 and a cup or receptacle;
- FIG. 7 to 29 shows various different modified forms of the flat or blank shown in Figure 1;
- Figures 30 to 35 show flats or blanks suitable for forming carriers for carrying 2, 3, 4, 3, 3 and 4, respectively, cups or receptacles;
- Figure 36 shows another flat or blank for forming a carrier.
- FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a carrier or container 100 in accordance with the present invention.
- the carrier is in the form of a blank or flat which may be formed from, for example, a single sheet of card or paper which may be plain or corrugated.
- Other materials which hold their shape when folded or formed into an endless band or loop may be used such as, for example, synthetic rubber such as neoprene, rigid or semi-rigid plastic materials such as rigid polyolefins, for example polypropylenes or polyvinylchloride (PVC) and other semirigid plastic materials.
- leather or reinforced or stiffened cloth may also be used. Where card, paper, cardboard or other relatively non-waterproof material is used, then these may be coated with a synthetic or other water resistant coating to improve wear.
- Decorative, advertising or informative printing may be applied to the blank and other decorating techniques such as inscribing, foiling or embossing may be used.
- the blank is generally rectangular and has first and second elongate side edges 2 and 15 and relatively shorter end or edge portions 1 and 14.
- a cup or receptacle receiving region is provided generally equi-distant from the edge portions 1 and 14.
- the cup receiving region 8 is defined by a central circular aperture 8a, a larger concentric circular fold line 8b and a plurality of slits 8c provided in the region between the circular aperture 8a and the circular fold line 8b.
- the slits 8c radiate outwardly from the common centre of the circular aperture 8a and the circular fold line 8b and are equally angularly spaced about the periphery of the circular fold line 8b.
- the end portion 1 is shaped so as to provide a handle portion la which is, in this embodiment, a generally D or U shaped handle portion.
- the other end portion 14 is rounded or curved and a slit 13 is provided adjacent the end portion 14 for receiving the handle portion la.
- the end portions 1 and 14 also carry coupling means in the form of a tab 16 arranged to be received in a slit 17.
- the slit 17 is provided at the end portion 1 in from the handle portion la while the tab 16 is provided in the end portion 14 closer to the end of the end portion than the slit 13.
- the tab is defined during the blank cutting process so that the majority of the periphery of the tab is separated from the remainder of the end portion but so that the tab remains attached to the remainder of the blank and can be pivoted or bent out of the plane of the blank.
- the blank is also formed with four fold lines, 4, 6, 10 and 11 which separate the blank into a first portion 3, a second portion 5 , a third portion 7 , a fourth portion 9 and a fifth portion 12. As shown, the fold lines extend perpendicularly of the side edges 2 and 15.
- the carrier is intended to enable a user or consumer to carry or support a cup or receptacle containing goods obtained or purchased from a supplier.
- the carrier is primarily intended for enabling a consumer to carry or support a disposable, generally cardboard or plastics, cup containing a hot beverage such as tea or coffee.
- the carrier 100 can be used with a cup or receptacle to define a number of different holder configurations.
- the blank is formed into an endless loop by folding the blank about the fold lines 4, 6, 10 and 11, passing the handle la through the slit 13 and passing the tab 16 through this slit 17.
- Figure 2 shows the carrier 100 formed into an endless band so that the cup receiving region 8 is uppermost and the handle portion la is positioned flat against the fifth portion 12.
- the first and fifth portions 3 and 12 form a base of the carrier while the second and fourth portion 5 and 9 form side walls of the carrier and the third portion 7 forms a top of the carrier.
- the base of the carrier may be supported in the hand of a user or on a support surface such as a table, work top or desk.
- FIG. 5 shows a first configuration of a holder in accordance with the present invention wherein a cup 200 (shown in dotted line) is placed in the circular aperture 8a so that a base 201 (not visible in Figure 5 ) of the cup is supported on the base formed by the first and fifth portions 3 and 12 of the carrier 100.
- the carrier ensures that the cup 200 is held upright.
- This configuration is particularly advantageous for supporting the cup on a support surface in a moving vehicle such as a train or boat and also for supporting the cup on a desk, table or work top to reduce the likelihood of the cup being knocked over spilling hot liquid on to the surrounding surface.
- Figure 4 shows a second configuration for the holder.
- the orientation of the carrier 100 is inverted so that the first and fifth portions 3 and 12 form a top and the third portion 7 forms a base of the carrier.
- the cup 200 is, by virtue of its tapering shape gripped by the slitted portion of the carrier so as to be suspended.
- the cup 200 is first placed within the aperture 8a and then the end portions 1 and 14 of the carrier are brought together to define the endless loop or band.
- a user or consumer can carry the holder by the handle portion la of the carrier 100 securely without having to touch the walls of the cup 200 which may have become hot due to the hot liquid within the cup.
- This holder configuration also provides a gimbal like effect so that the carrier can be swung without spillage from the cup. This reduces the possibility of spillage of the cup when user is walking or otherwise moving around holding the carrier or the cup is being held by the user in a moving vehicle such as a car, train or boat. Also, this holder configuration enables the user to have grater freedom of movement and to carry more goods.
- Figures 3 and 6 illustrate a third configuration that the holder can adopt.
- the carrier 100 is rotated through 90° from the orientation shown in Figure 4 so that the first to fifth portions 3, 5, 7, 9 and 12 all form side walls and the handle portion la projects outwardly from the carrier.
- the cup 200 is received within the carrier 100 so that the carrier forms an endless band or loop around the peripheral side walls 203 of the cup.
- the holder enables the user to carry or transport the cup by grasping the handle la, and enables the user to drink without touching the hot cup.
- a user or consumer may use any one or more of the holder configuration shown in Figures 4 to 6.
- a user may carry the hot beverage from the place of purchase using the holder configuration shown in Figure 4 and then, to enable the beverage to be consumed, may release the coupling mechanism of the carrier 100, remove the cup 200, recouple the end portions of the carrier 100 and then reposition the cup 200 within the carrier 100 in either the holder configuration shown in Figure 5 or the holder configuration shown in Figure 6.
- a user may change the holder configuration from that shown in Figure 5 to that shown in Figure 6 or vice versa very easily without having to uncouple the end portions of the holder.
- a user may adopt the holder configuration shown in Figure 6 while actually drinking from the cup 200 and may change the holder configuration to that shown in Figure 5 when resting the cup on a surface such as a table desk or work top. It should also be appreciated that, with the holder configuration shown in Figures 5 and 6, the hot beverage may be poured into the cup 200 after the cup has been placed in the carrier 100.
- the cup receiving region 8 may be defined in different ways, different forms of coupling mechanism other than the handle portion la and slit 13 or tab 16 and slit 17 may be adopted and the location and/or number of the fold lines may be adjusted so as to accommodate cups having different aspect ratios.
- the fold lines may be omitted so that the carrier forms a circular or elliptical rather than rectangular shape in cross sections.
- the handle portion la may be omitted, in which case a user would grasp the top of the carrier in the holder configuration shown in Figure 4 and grasp the endless loop or band formed by the carrier in the configuration shown in Figure 6.
- the side edges 2 and 15 are straight and parallel to one another. This reduces the amount of waste material when a large number of blanks are cut from the same sheet and so should reduce the overall costs of the carrier 100.
- the curved end portion 14 may be shaped so as to further reduce the amount of waste material by, for example, making its shape the converse of the shape of the handle portion la or by providing a straight edge portion.
- FIGS 7 to 29 illustrate various modifications of the carrier 100 shown in Figure 1.
- the carriers 100 shown in Figures 7 and 8 are identical to that shown in Figure 1 except that the side edges 2 and 15 are no longer parallel.
- the blank tapers towards the end portion 14 while in Figure 8 the blank tapers towards the end portion 1.
- Figure 9 shows a blank that is identical to that shown in Figure 1 apart from the fact that, in this case, the cup receiving region 8 is defined by first and second parallel slits 8d spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the side edges 2 and 15 and a third transverse slit or weakened portion 8e which can be broken when pushed by a user or by a cup to define two flaps 8f and 8g which are pushed outwardly to define an aperture for receiving the cup.
- Figure 10 shows a further modification of the blank shown in Figure 1.
- This blank differs from that shown in Figure 1 in that the receptacle receiving region 8 does not provide an aperture but provides four pairs of spaced apart slots 80a and 80b with end fold lines 80c extending between adjacent edges of each pair of slots and an intermediate fold line 80d extending between centre points of the slots which coincide with the fold line 6.
- the carrier is made up the regions defined by the slots 80a and 80b are pushed inwards to define right-angled strips that serve to retain the receptacle in place.
- This embodiment is intended primarily for receiving box-like receptacles such as sandwich packets rather than cups and the slitted regions serve to locate the receptacle securely on the base of the carrier 100 when the holder is in the configuration shown in Figure 4.
- This carrier may also be used in the holder configuration shown in Figure 6 to hold a cup rather than a box-like receptacle but would not generally be used to hold a cup in the configuration shown in Figures 4 and 5.
- Figure 11 shows another carrier which differs from that shown in Figure 1 in that the cup receiving region 8 consists of a single circular aperture 81 and the fold lines are omitted so that, in this example, when the end portions 1 and 14 are coupled, the carrier forms an endless band of circular or elliptical cross sections.
- Figure 12 shows another modification of the carrier 100 shown in Figure 1.
- the handle la is omitted and the number of slits in the area between the circular aperture 8a and the circular fold line 8b is reduced.
- the edge of the end portion 14 may be straight rather than curved which would further reduce the amount of waste material which a plurality of blanks are cut from a single sheet.
- the modified carrier shown in Figure 13 is, like the carrier shown in Figure 10, intended to receive a box-like receptacle so that, in the holder configuration shown in Figure 4, the box like receptacle is supported on the base portion 7 rather than suspended therefrom.
- This carrier may also be useable to carry cups in the configuration shown in Figure 6.
- the carrier shown in Figures 10 and 13 may also be useable to carry cups in the configuration shown in Figure 5 if the receptacle supporting region 82 is bounded by a weakened portion or is otherwise frangible so that an aperture can easily be formed to receive a cup. It will, of course, be appreciated that, once this is done, the carrier may no longer be used to support a box-like receptacle on its base when in the configuration shown in Figure 4.
- Figure 13 also shows a differently shaped handle portion la.
- Figure 14 shows a modified carrier which differs from that shown in Figure 1 solely by virtue of the shape of the handle portion la (the slits have been omitted in the cup receiving region 8 in the interest of simplicity) .
- Figure 15 shows a carrier that differs from that shown in Figure 11 in that the straight edges 2 and 15 are replaced by wavy edges while Figure 16 shows a carrier that differs from that shown in Figure 1 (again the slits 8c in the cup receiving region 8 have been omitted in the interest of simplicity) by virtue of the fact that the fold lines 6 and 10 are curved rather than straight.
- Figure 17 shows a carrier that differs from that shown in Figure 1 in that the fold lines 4, 6, 10 and 11 are at an acute angle to the edges 2 and 15 with the slit 13 being parallel to the fold lines.
- Figure 18 shows a further modification in which the fold lines 4 and 6 are no longer parallel to the fold lines 10, 11 and the slit 13 while
- Figure 19 shows a variation in which the side edges 2 and 15 are not perpendicular to an edge 1' of the end portion la and
- Figure 20 shows a variation in which the side edges 2 and 15 both bow outwardly.
- a further variation would be for these two edges to both bow inwardly, of course,
- Figure 21 shows a blank for a carrier which differs from that shown in Figure 1 in that each of the end portions 1 and 14 has a handle portion la and 14a and no separate coupling means is provided.
- a fastening mechanism may be provided by, instead of cutting out the D-shape portion 14d, defining an arcuate cut line 14e and a fold line 14f forming a D shaped flap 14d which can be received through the cut-out lb of the other handle portion la and pivoted about the fold line 14f to hold the two handle portions together.
- Figure 22 shows a blank for a carrier which differs from that shown in Figure 1 (again the slits 8c are omitted from the cup receiving region 8 for simplicity) by the provision of side regions 9b projecting transversely from the fourth portion 9 and each having an end flap 9a.
- the side portions 9b may be bent to 90° relative to the portion 9 and the end flaps 9a tucked inside the end portion 5 so as to define side walls for the carrier which may reduce the possibility of any accidental spillage from the cup 200 soiling the clothes of the user in the configuration shown in Figure 4 and may, in both the configuration shown in Figure 4 and in Figure 5, assist in retaining heat in the receptacle 200.
- This carrier may also be used in the configuration shown in Figure 6 by folding the side portions with their end flaps to the inside of the carrier.
- Figure 23 shows a variation of the blank shown in Figure 22 in which four flaps 9a to 9d are provided each formed with a slit 9e.
- this blank is made up into the carrier, the flaps 9a and 9c and the flaps 9b and 9d are folded towards one another and one slit is received by another to define side walls.
- Figure 24 shows a blank for a carrier that is identical (the slits 8c in the cup receiving region 8 are omitted in the interest of simplicity) to that shown in Figure 1 except that the relative dimensions of the portions 3 , 5 , 7, 9 and 12 have been adjusted to enable accommodation of receptacles of different aspect ratio. This would provide the carrier with relatively high side walls in the con iguration shown in Figure 4 so that the cup 200 may stand proud of the base.
- Figure 25 shows a blank for a carrier which is identical to that shown in Figure 1 (the slits 8c in the cup receiving region 8 are omitted in the interest of simplicity) except that the handle portion la has a mirror image handle portion lb connected to a reinforcing portion 19.
- the mirror image handle portion lb is connected to the handle portion la by a fold line or weakened portion 18 enabling the mirror image handle portion lb to be folded back down on top of or beneath the handle portion la so as to reinforce the handle portion.
- Figure 26 shows a blank for a carrier that differs from the blank shown in Figure 1 (again the slits in the cup receiving region 8 are omitted in the interest of simplicity) in that the slit 13 through which the handle portion la passes is supplemented by tabs 20 provided on either side of the slit 13 and arranged to fold over the end portion 1 on either side of the handle portion la when the end portions 1 and 14 are coupled together. These tab portions 20 serve to increase the robustness of the coupling mechanism.
- Figure 27 shows a further variant which, like the variant shown in Figure 25, has a mirror image handle portion lb (in this drawing fold lines are shown as dashed).
- the handle portion lb is provided with a tab lc, which, when the handle portion lb is folded back on the handle portion la is wrapped around the handle portion la to hold the two together.
- the score or cut lines used to define the slit 13a also define small tabs 20a on either side of the slit 13a which function in the same manner as the tabs 20 shown in Figure 26.
- Figure 27 also shows a different way of forming the tab 16a by defining a curve, generally semi-circular cut in the blank.
- a number of the flap portions 8'c defined by the slits 8c are removed so as to reduce the resistance to insertion of a cup into the aperture 8a. Also, the end portion 14 is shown as generally straight so as to reduce wastage of the material when a number of blanks are cut from the same sheet.
- Figure 28 shows a further variant in which fold lines are shown as dotted lines and cut through lines are shown as solid lines.
- This variant differs from that shown in Figure 1 in that: the handle portion does not project from an end portion of the blank but is formed as a cut out la' within the body of the portion 9; the cup receiving region is defined by a circular fold line 8h and a number of arcuate and straight cut through lines 8i to define, again, a number of flaps 8j that are pressed outwardly by insertion of the cup to define an aperture; and the slit and tab coupling arrangement shown in Figure 1 is replaced by a slot 17a and tabs 16a and 16b.
- the tabs 16a and 16b are folded round respective edges of the portion lc of the end portion 1 between the edge of the end portion and the slot 17a.
- the flaps 8j extend over a greater portion of the cup side wall than in the carrier shown in Figure 1 and help to return heat in the cup.
- Figure 29 shows a variant of the blank shown in Figure 28 in which the flaps 8j of the cup receiving region 8 have been shortened by defining an inner circular aperture and in which the handle portion is provided by both a cut-out handle portion la and a projecting handle portion 12a which, when the carrier is made up, can be grasped together by the user to provide a stronger handle.
- the carrier need not have a releasable coupling means. Rather, the first and second end portions have self-adhesive regions or may be permanently fixed together to define the endless loop or band. This would allow the carrier to be used interchangeably in the configuration shown in Figures 5 and 6 and in the configuration described above where a box like receptacle is rested on the base of the carrier in the configuration similar to that shown in Figure 4. However, if a releasable coupling mechanism is not provided, then, if the carrier is coupled into the configuration shown in Figure 4, the carrier will need to be destroyed to remove a cup. This provides a tamper-proof feature for retail outlets .
- Each of the carriers described above is designed to carry a single cup or receptacle.
- Figures 30 to 35 show carriers capable of carrying multiple cups or receptacles. These carriers are designed to be able to adopt the configuration shown in Figure 4 or Figure 5 but not the configuration shown in Figure 6.
- the carriers shown in Figures 30 to 32 are based on the carrier shown in Figure 1 with the exception, that in each case, the coupling mechanism comprising the tab 16 and 17 is doubled up so that each carrier has two tabs and two slits and in the case of Figures 30 and 31 the width of the carrier is increased so as to accommodate two and three, respectively, cup receiving regions 8 and in the case of the carrier shown in Figure 32, both dimensions of the portion 7 are increased so as to accommodate four cup receiving portions.
- the multiple cup or receptacle carriers shown in Figures 33 to 35 are based on the carrier shown in Figure 25.
- the tab and slot arrangements 16 and 17 is doubled up and the width of the carrier is increased to accommodate three cup receiving regions 8.
- the dimensions of the portion 7 of the carrier are increased to accommodate 3 and 4 respectively, cup receiving areas.
- Figure 36 shows a variant of the blank shown in Figure 23.
- the rectangular flaps are replaced by generally elliptical flaps 9a to 9d inset into the body of the blank and having inner edges defined by fold lines 90.
- the curved fold lines 90 cause the side walls or flaps 9a to 9d to bow inwardly. Again, these flaps, serve to retain heat.
- This modification can be applied to any of the carriers described above.
- the carrier may be provided with an integral handle.
- the carrier may be provided with apertures for receiving a carrying cord.
- the cup or receptacle receiving region provides an aperture through which at least part of the cup may be passed.
- the aperture may be present in the carrier or may be defined by a frangible portion which is removed by pressure from, a user or by pressing the cup on to the blank or an already-formed carrier.
- the cup or receptacle receiving area need not necessarily define an aperture but may define a depression into which the cup or receptacle is seated. In this case, if the holder configuration shown in Figure 4 is to be adopted, then the side walls defined by the portions 9 and 5 of the blank should have sufficient height to accommodate the cup once received in the depression.
- the present invention provides a cup carrier formed from a blank into an endless band or loop which, in use, bounds or defines an aperture which receives the cup so that the band or loop surrounds and grips the cup and which also has an integrally provided handle for enabling a user to carry the cup.
- the present invention provides a cup carrier formed from a blank into an endless loop having an integral handle, with a portion of the carrier defining a cup receiving region in which, in use, the cup sits beneath the handle.
- the present invention provides a cup carrier formed from a blank into an endless loop defining a cup receiving region for supporting a cup in an upright position on a surface.
- a carrier embodying the present invention is intended primarily for enabling a user to carry or transport disposable cups or receptacles containing a hot beverage
- the carrier may also be used with disposable or non-disposable cups or other receptacles for containing cold beverages, take away food packets or containers (for sandwiches, pasta, salad etc) snacks and other consumer products including, for example, gardening items such as bulbs or the like to be planted.
- the receptacle or cup receiving region will be shaped and sized to receive a particular cup or receptacle and need not necessarily be circular but could be rectangular, for example. Where a carrier provides more than one receptacle or cup receiving region then these may have different sizes and/or shapes enabling for example both a beverage cup and a take away food packet or container to be carried.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2001237577A AU2001237577A1 (en) | 2000-03-07 | 2001-03-07 | Configurable cup holder |
DE60114596T DE60114596D1 (en) | 2000-03-07 | 2001-03-07 | CONFIGURABLE MUG HOLDER |
EP01909992A EP1274630B1 (en) | 2000-03-07 | 2001-03-07 | Configurable cup holder |
AT01909992T ATE308465T1 (en) | 2000-03-07 | 2001-03-07 | CONFIGURABLE CUP HOLDER |
US10/236,427 US20030071045A1 (en) | 2000-03-07 | 2002-09-06 | Configurable cup holder |
US11/104,299 US20050241964A1 (en) | 2000-03-07 | 2005-04-12 | Configurable cup holder |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0005310.8 | 2000-03-07 | ||
GB0005310A GB0005310D0 (en) | 2000-03-07 | 2000-03-07 | A device to carry hot disposable cups |
GB0015518A GB2359980B (en) | 2000-03-07 | 2000-06-26 | A carrier or holder |
GB0015518.4 | 2000-06-26 |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/236,427 Continuation US20030071045A1 (en) | 2000-03-07 | 2002-09-06 | Configurable cup holder |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2001066435A1 true WO2001066435A1 (en) | 2001-09-13 |
Family
ID=26243802
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/GB2001/000979 WO2001066435A1 (en) | 2000-03-07 | 2001-03-07 | Configurable cup holder |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US20030071045A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1274630B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE308465T1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2001237577A1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE60114596D1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2001066435A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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EP1785366A1 (en) * | 2005-11-11 | 2007-05-16 | Portabottle Limited | Carrier |
AT17576U1 (en) * | 2019-09-24 | 2022-07-15 | Wimex Agrarprodukte Imp Und Export Gmbh | CARRYING BANDEROL FOR HOLDING AND CARRYING A PLANT POT |
Families Citing this family (30)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US6883765B2 (en) * | 2003-03-20 | 2005-04-26 | Jorge Pablo Lozano | Beverage container holder |
AU2003282623A1 (en) * | 2003-11-14 | 2004-06-06 | Huhtamaki Molded Fiber Technology B.V. | Package for food |
US7014044B1 (en) | 2004-03-05 | 2006-03-21 | Insulair, Inc. | Cup and lid holder and dispenser |
US8087511B2 (en) * | 2004-03-12 | 2012-01-03 | Sidney M. Libit | Cup carrier |
BRPI0510164A (en) | 2004-04-22 | 2007-10-02 | Insulair Inc | insulating cup wrap and insulated container formed with wrap |
JP2008529913A (en) * | 2005-02-16 | 2008-08-07 | モラン、クレア | Insert for takeaway bag |
US20080105695A1 (en) * | 2005-02-16 | 2008-05-08 | Moran Claire | Insert for a carrier bag |
US7767049B2 (en) | 2006-10-12 | 2010-08-03 | Dixie Consumer Products Llc | Multi-layered container having interrupted corrugated insulating liner |
US20090076413A1 (en) * | 2007-08-20 | 2009-03-19 | Robles Angela L | Device and system for specimen collection |
US20090126149A1 (en) * | 2007-11-19 | 2009-05-21 | Whittaker Allison M | Convertible cup holder |
US20090230083A1 (en) * | 2008-03-13 | 2009-09-17 | Blue Shoe Innovations, Llc | Beverage and food carrier and dispensing systems therefor |
US7819277B2 (en) * | 2008-05-08 | 2010-10-26 | Violet Hanson | Single-sheeted-type and dual-handled-type carrier for suspending a drinking cup by one hand and method |
US20100044388A1 (en) * | 2008-08-19 | 2010-02-25 | Schneider Cary N | Container for use in a vehicle |
US7981053B2 (en) * | 2009-01-05 | 2011-07-19 | Barbara Fleshman | Specimen collection device |
US8210392B2 (en) * | 2009-07-30 | 2012-07-03 | Ryan Kang | Beverage cup sleeve with integrated fold-out handles |
US8739503B2 (en) | 2010-05-07 | 2014-06-03 | Multi Packaging Solutions, Inc. | Foldable carrier packaging |
GB201009201D0 (en) * | 2010-06-02 | 2010-07-14 | Eves Christopher | New food packaging device |
US8591976B2 (en) | 2011-03-18 | 2013-11-26 | General Mills, Inc. | Packaging including pouch for container |
US20130175197A1 (en) * | 2011-12-19 | 2013-07-11 | Lisa D. Fieldman | Outer package for securely supporting cup-shaped product once product is removed from the outer package |
CN105151523A (en) * | 2012-01-13 | 2015-12-16 | 米德韦斯特瓦科包装系统有限责任公司 | Blanks for carton and package formed by blanks |
US8973221B2 (en) * | 2012-08-13 | 2015-03-10 | The Lindy Bowman Company | Gift bag band |
US9301594B1 (en) * | 2013-01-16 | 2016-04-05 | Susan D. Scior | Convertible food and beverage placemat and carrier |
NZ725019A (en) * | 2014-07-02 | 2018-03-23 | Bedford Ind Inc | Tag assembly for retaining and displaying products |
KR102003511B1 (en) * | 2017-07-12 | 2019-10-04 | 주식회사 레스랩스 | Bondless eco safety cup carrier |
KR102112324B1 (en) * | 2018-10-24 | 2020-05-18 | 손준 | A cup carrier made of wing part for fixing in cup insert part |
US11311127B2 (en) | 2019-02-26 | 2022-04-26 | Andre XAVIER VAZQUEZ | Handled holder for cups, containers, and the like |
USD939287S1 (en) | 2019-08-21 | 2021-12-28 | Andre Vazquez | Holder for beverage container |
RU202638U1 (en) * | 2020-11-25 | 2021-03-01 | Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "Бумажная упаковка" | HOLDER-HOLDER |
US20220279949A1 (en) * | 2021-03-04 | 2022-09-08 | Barry Harkin | Insulated cup sleeve with foldable hangers |
JP7105391B1 (en) * | 2022-03-15 | 2022-07-22 | 雅明 葉 | paper cup holder |
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US3094259A (en) * | 1960-12-16 | 1963-06-18 | Philip A Diehl | Cup carrier |
US3104788A (en) * | 1963-09-24 | Beverage-cup holder | ||
US4685583A (en) * | 1984-10-04 | 1987-08-11 | Noon Kelly D | Disposable beverage cup handle |
US5071007A (en) * | 1989-07-12 | 1991-12-10 | International Paper Company | Paper bag and carrier card for holding cups |
EP0567696A1 (en) * | 1992-04-28 | 1993-11-03 | Chung-Piao Tsao | Foldable carrier means for containers |
US5857615A (en) * | 1997-01-13 | 1999-01-12 | New Dimensions Folding Carton, Inc. | Container holder |
GB2339675A (en) * | 1998-07-17 | 2000-02-09 | Pethick & Money Ltd | Cup holder formed from a blank |
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US1367174A (en) * | 1920-03-16 | 1921-02-01 | Botnen John Johnson | Confection-cone carrier |
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US1910168A (en) * | 1931-08-15 | 1933-05-23 | Daniel C Jacobs | Carrier for cups and like receptacles |
US2321519A (en) * | 1941-05-05 | 1943-06-08 | Rubinoff Mark | Drip catching plate for individual portions of ice cream |
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US4033489A (en) * | 1975-11-07 | 1977-07-05 | Fowler Gary K | Disposable cup holder |
US4156484A (en) * | 1978-02-17 | 1979-05-29 | Winchester Carton Corporation | Self-stabilizing tray and blank |
US4211320A (en) * | 1978-06-26 | 1980-07-08 | Harris Corporation | Apparatus for combining sheet material assemblages |
US4221320A (en) * | 1979-04-09 | 1980-09-09 | Champion International Corporation | Composite including tray restrained with outer cover |
DK146464C (en) * | 1981-03-26 | 1984-04-02 | Odsgard Reklame Marketing Aps | STANDARDS TO SUPPORT CONIC ARTICLES IN THE MAIN CASE |
ES271616Y (en) * | 1983-04-21 | 1984-04-01 | SUPPORT FOR TUBS | |
CH677279A5 (en) * | 1988-11-29 | 1991-04-30 | Mettler Toledo Ag | |
US5127519A (en) * | 1991-12-13 | 1992-07-07 | Tsao Chung Piao | Tuckable stabilizing carrier means for handling portable containers |
US5957276A (en) * | 1995-07-11 | 1999-09-28 | Clk Factor, Inc. | Food and beverage carrier |
US5704671A (en) * | 1995-07-11 | 1998-01-06 | Van Der Wal; Saskia J. | Beverage container holder and blank therefor |
US6183027B1 (en) * | 1999-03-05 | 2001-02-06 | Chung-Piao Tsao | Foldable fast-food carrying device |
-
2001
- 2001-03-07 AT AT01909992T patent/ATE308465T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2001-03-07 WO PCT/GB2001/000979 patent/WO2001066435A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2001-03-07 DE DE60114596T patent/DE60114596D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-03-07 AU AU2001237577A patent/AU2001237577A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-03-07 EP EP01909992A patent/EP1274630B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2002
- 2002-09-06 US US10/236,427 patent/US20030071045A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2005
- 2005-04-12 US US11/104,299 patent/US20050241964A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (7)
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US3104788A (en) * | 1963-09-24 | Beverage-cup holder | ||
US3094259A (en) * | 1960-12-16 | 1963-06-18 | Philip A Diehl | Cup carrier |
US4685583A (en) * | 1984-10-04 | 1987-08-11 | Noon Kelly D | Disposable beverage cup handle |
US5071007A (en) * | 1989-07-12 | 1991-12-10 | International Paper Company | Paper bag and carrier card for holding cups |
EP0567696A1 (en) * | 1992-04-28 | 1993-11-03 | Chung-Piao Tsao | Foldable carrier means for containers |
US5857615A (en) * | 1997-01-13 | 1999-01-12 | New Dimensions Folding Carton, Inc. | Container holder |
GB2339675A (en) * | 1998-07-17 | 2000-02-09 | Pethick & Money Ltd | Cup holder formed from a blank |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1785366A1 (en) * | 2005-11-11 | 2007-05-16 | Portabottle Limited | Carrier |
AT17576U1 (en) * | 2019-09-24 | 2022-07-15 | Wimex Agrarprodukte Imp Und Export Gmbh | CARRYING BANDEROL FOR HOLDING AND CARRYING A PLANT POT |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1274630A1 (en) | 2003-01-15 |
AU2001237577A1 (en) | 2001-09-17 |
US20050241964A1 (en) | 2005-11-03 |
US20030071045A1 (en) | 2003-04-17 |
DE60114596D1 (en) | 2005-12-08 |
EP1274630B1 (en) | 2005-11-02 |
ATE308465T1 (en) | 2005-11-15 |
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