Spill-proof carrier for open-topped beverage containers

Abstract

A spill-proof carrier for open-topped beverage containers includes one or more carrier members for carrying one or more open-topped beverage containers. The carrier also has one or more rigid support member having upper and lower end portions, which are connected transversely to a generally peripheral portion of the one or more carrier members. The upper end portion is disposed substantially over the axis of gravitational acceleration of the one or more carrier members. The carrier also has a handle for the one or more rigid support members attached to the upper end portion thereof by means of a joint arrangement incapable of supporting a moment of inertia thereat.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates, generally to container carriers and, more specifically, to a spill-proof carrier for open-topped beverage containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It is known in the art to provide trays and other devices for carrying containers of food and beverages. Such devices provide means for carrying one or more containers of food or beverages, which are either open or closed. Generally, no specific provision is made for avoiding spillage, especially of liquids in unclosed containers.

[0003] Referring now to U.S. Pat. No. 4,708,273 to Grant on Nov. 24, 1987 entitled “Container holder,” there is disclosed a holder attachable to a person's belt that supports an open drink container in an upright condition so that the container can be removed to consume its contents. In a preferred embodiment, the container is a wide-mouthed container with a removable lid and the holder has an upper retaining portion for reception of the container in a downward direction to a preselected operative position. A lower stop portion carried with the retaining portion engages the bottom of the container in the operative position thereof to support the weight of the container. An intermediate portion can also be provided between the retaining portion and the stop portion to press inwardly against the container and stabilize it against substantially lateral forces.

[0004] Referring now to U.S. Pat. No. 4,850,479 entitled “Container carrier” to Bird on Jul. 25, 1989, there is disclosed a container carrier formed from a flat sheet of durable, flexible material. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the container carrier includes four sets of concentric drinking cup carrying holes, each set of holes comprising a smaller hole dimensioned to fit around the circumference of the lower portion of a conventional drinking cup. The larger hole is dimensioned to fit around the circumference of the upper portion of the cup. The sets of holes are positioned symmetrically about transverse and longitudinal axes of the device. Outboard of the two sets of holes that are symmetric about the longitudinal axis, two handle members are formed that join together to form a handle for carrying the device and drinking cups thereon.

[0005] Referring now to U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,398 to Forestal, et al. on Oct. 6, 1992 entitled “Convenience tray,” there is disclosed a snack tray providing easy one-hand carry by a special thumb-hole. The outer end of the user's thumb provides a support-stability of a fulcrum located generally centrally of the upward forces from the user's fingers and thumb-base and also generally centrally of the tray. There is also included a central indention for providing an automatic placing of the thumb's outer end in a location to avoid slipping into the snack items being carried, and to also achieve its central fulcrum effect. The forward and rearward walls of the thumbhole provide a comfortable surface for insertion of the thumb's outer end portion.

[0006] Referring now to U.S. Pat. No. 5,346,070 to McSpadden on Sep. 13, 1994 entitled “Portable food tray with cup holder,” there is disclosed a portable food tray for supporting food and a drink container securely and comfortably in one hand of the user. The nestable food tray has a generally flat surface portion and a cup-like portion for supporting a drink container. An interconnecting wall portion provides sufficient space to permit the thumb and at least the index finger to grip the cylindrical wall. The outer edge of the tray has convex and concave side edge portions so that the tray can be held closely against the user's body. The tray has two ribs that divide the flat surface portion into separate compartments, and to strengthen the tray. The underside of the ribs accommodates a portion of the hand or wrist to further support and stabilize the tray.

[0007] Referring now to U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,639 to Myers on Jul. 9, 1996 entitled “Comestible and liquid container carrier” there is disclosed a combined comestible and liquid container carrier. The carrier has a unitary base with a central, inverse frusto-conically shaped sleeve for receiving a liquid container, and symmetrically disposed depressions, for receiving an edible item. Each depression has a lid connected thereto by a living hinge structure. When closed, the inboard side edge wall of each lid is an extension of the sleeve, such that a container inserted into the sleeve will be complementarily received by both the sleeve and lid edge.

[0008] Referring now to U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,687 to Lynch on May 19, 1998 entitled “Cup holder with lid retainer” there is disclosed a cup holder. This includes a ring-shaped support, a cord attached to the supporting member, a hook attached to the end of the cord, and a pair of anchoring pins attached to the supporting member at a position opposite the end of the cord. A lid retainer is attached to the cord between the ends. A mounting device attached to the supporting member attaches the cup holder to a vehicle, such as on the handlebar of a bicycle. A disposable cup is held in the cup holder in the supporting member, the lid retainer is positioned on top of the lid, and the hook is engaged on one of pins, selected to keep the cord in tension. The lid is secured to the cup to prevent spills even when the liquid is sloshed around inside the cup, such as during a bicycle ride.

[0009] Referring now to U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,153 to Ragner, et al. on Jul. 24, 2001 entitled “Beverage holder for mobile equipment,” there is disclosed an improved spill resistant beverage container holder for use on bicycles and lawn mowers to provide easy access to the beverage. A body holds a beverage container and a support arm with an integral spring and attachment clip, which provides pivotal and removable attachment to a generally cylindrical bar.

[0010] Referring now to U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,137 to Tran on Jun. 25, 2002 entitled “Articulated cup tray,” there is disclosed a food or beverage holder for a seatback tray. This includes a food or beverage portion having a platform with an open recess for receiving a container such as a cup, glass or can. The portions can be folded for storage. The platform includes a hook or an adjustable grip for engaging with the edge of a seatback or an armrest.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention aims to provide a spill-proof carrier for open beverage containers. Placing one or more open containers on the carrier facilitates manually transporting the containers with a substantially reduced risk of beverage spillage or breakage of the containers.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a spill-proof carrier for open-topped beverage containers. The carrier includes one or more carrier members for carrying one or more open-topped beverage containers. Further, there are included one or more rigid support members having upper and lower end portions. The lower end portion is connected transversely to a generally peripheral portion of the one or more carrier members and the upper end portion is disposed substantially over the axis of gravitational acceleration of the carrier member. The carrier has a handle for the one or more rigid support members attached to the upper end portion thereof by means of a joint arrangement incapable of supporting a moment of inertia thereat.

[0013] According to a first embodiment of the present invention, the spill-proof carrier includes one or more carrier members comprising: the peripheral portion formed as a supporting frame element having lugs disposed therewithin for supporting a platform element, and the platform element disposed within the supporting frame element and supported by the lugs.

[0014] According to a second embodiment of the present invention, the spill-proof carrier includes one or more carrier members including: the peripheral portion formed as a supporting frame element for supporting a platform element, and the platform element disposed over the supporting frame element and fixably attached thereto.

[0015] According to a third embodiment of the present invention, the spill-proof carrier includes one or more carrier members formed substantially having a shape including: square, circular, triangular, polygonal, geometric and non-geometric.

[0016] According to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the spill-proof carrier includes the lower end portion of the one or more rigid support members hingably connected transversely to the generally peripheral portion of the one or more carrier members for facilitating storage of the spill-proof carrier.

[0017] According to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, the spill-proof carrier includes the lower end portion of the one or more rigid support members demountably connected transversely to the generally peripheral portion of the one or more carrier members for facilitating storage of the spill-proof carrier.

[0018] According to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, the spill-proof carrier includes the handle having a flexible element, having first and second end portions, wherein the first end portion is fixably attached to the upper end portion of the one or more rigid support members, and a hand-hold element fixably attached to the second end portion of the flexible element.

[0019] According to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, the spill-proof carrier includes one or more carrier members or one or more rigid support members having decorative attachments thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The present invention will be more fully understood and its features and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the ensuing description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a spill-proof carrier according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the spill-proof carrier as shown in FIG. 1;

[0023] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a spill-proof carrier with a rigid support member hingably demounted for storage;

[0024] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a spill-proof carrier with an open beverage container disposed thereon;

[0025] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a spill-proof carrier having a circular carrier member in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a spill-proof carrier having two carrier members in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0027] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a spill-proof carrier having a fully demountable rigid support member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Carrying open top beverage containers while walking, especially on a stairway or over uneven terrain, often causes spillage of the beverage to a greater or lesser extent. This spillage is generally occasioned by the uneven gait of the carrier, stumbling, or obstructions in the path of the carrier. The spillage is the result of a change of direction or magnitude in the velocity vector of the carrying tray or of the beverage container while the liquid contained therein retains the velocity vector immediately prior to the change in the velocity vector of the container. The present invention seeks to overcome this differential in the relative velocity vectors of the container and the contained liquid by converting the change in momentum caused by the change in the velocity vector of the container and liquid into rotational momentum. Consequently, the resultant centrifugal force presses the container against the carrier surface and maintains the liquid within the container, regardless of the carrier position.

[0029] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is seen, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a spill-proof carrier generally referenced 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Carrier 10 includes a carrier member generally referenced 12 and a rigid support member generally referenced 14. Carrier member 12 is formed as a substantially square shaped frame referenced 16 from a generally light-weight tubular or rod material. Four or more lug elements referenced 18 are fixably attached to the underside of frame 16 so as to support a platform element referenced 20, loosely or fixably disposed within frame 16. Rigid support member 14 is pivotally attached to frame 16 by a pivot mechanism generally referenced 22 disposed at the lower extremity of rigid support member 16. Pivotally attached to pivot mechanism 22 is a generally L-shaped element referenced 24 formed of tubular or rod material. Pivot mechanism 22 comprises a pivot lug referenced 36, having a pivot pin orifice referenced 44 therethrough, fixably attached to frame 16, and a pivot slot referenced 38 (FIG. 2) formed in the lower extremity of L-shaped element 24 to fit pivotally over pivot lug 36. The lower extremity of L-shaped element 24 has another pivot orifice referenced 40 formed transversely to slot 38, thereby to pivotally fasten L-shaped element 14 to lug 36 by means of a pivot pin referenced 42 inserted through pivot orifices 40 and 44. So as to secure L-shaped element 24 in an upright position, a tubular slide lock referenced 26 is disposed over the lower extremity of L-shaped element 14 having a spring referenced 28 to push slide lock 26 downward over pivot lug 36 (as seen in FIG. 1).

[0030] A carrying handle referenced 30 is attached to the upper extremity of L-shaped element 24 through an attachment orifice referenced 32, by means of a flexible chain or cord referenced 34.

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 3 there is seen spill-proof carrier 10 with a rigid support member 14, pivotally demounted for storage, disposed substantially along a side of frame 16. To demount support member 14, slide lock 26 is pushed upwards as indicated by arrow 48 (FIG. 1), against spring 28, to disengage pivot lug 36 of pivot mechanism 22. Thereafter, L-shaped element 14 is pivoted to lie substantially flat along frame 16 for storage.

[0032] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is seen spill-proof carrier 10 with an open beverage container referenced 52, containing liquid referenced 60, non-fixably disposed on platform 20 thereof. Any movement of handle 30 supporting carrier 10 by means of cord or chain 34 is converted into a rotational movement of support member 12 and beverage container 52, relative to handle 30, generally as indicated by arrows 55. The resulting centrifugal force, as indicated by arrow 58, is exerted generally along the axis of gravitational acceleration by container 52, and radial to the direction of rotation of support member 12. This centrifugal force causes container 52 to be pressed against platform 20, and liquid 60 to remain substantially stationary relative to and with container 52. Consequently, container 52 remains in its original position on platform 20 and liquid 60 remains unspilled and within container 52. The inventor has, in fact, found that spill-proof carrier 10 with an open beverage container 52, non-fixably disposed on platform 20 thereof, and containing liquid 60 therein, may be rotated in a full-circle arc extending at arms length. Container 52 and liquid 60 pass through a substantially upside-down position at the peak of the arc and remain in position on platform 20 with liquid 60 unspilled.

[0033] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is seen a spill-proof carrier generally referenced 70 having a circular carrier member generally referenced 72, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Circular carrier member 72 comprises a circular tubular or rod frame referenced 74 having lugs 18 fixably attached thereto to support a circular platform referenced 76, disposed within frame 74.

[0034] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that platform 20 (FIG. 1) and platform 76 (FIG. 5) may also be disposed on top of frames 16 and 74 respectively and fixably attached thereto with, for example, screws, rivets, nails or staples, without the need of lugs 18.

[0035] There are disclosed, hereinabove, spill-proof carriers as seen in FIGS. 1-5, having a single carrier member. Referring now to FIG. 6 there is seen a spill-proof carrier generally referenced 80 having two carrier members generally referenced 82 and 84 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Carrier members 82 and 84 are fixably or demountably attached to rigid support member referenced generally 86, spaced apart along portions referenced 88 and 90, such that open beverage containers may be disposed on each of carrier members 82 and 84. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that more than two carrier members may be disposed on a spill-proof carrier, in accordance with the size and weight of the beverage containers to be carried thereon.

[0036] As an additional embodiment of the present invention, there is an alternative to pivotally attaching a rigid support member to a carrier member, (as disclosed hereinabove in relation to FIGS. 1-5). Referring now to FIG. 7, there is seen a spill-proof carrier generally referenced 100 having a fully demountable rigid support member referenced generally 108. A carrier member referenced generally 102, includes a mounting bracket referenced 106 fixably attached external to a frame referenced 104. Support member 108 is demountably fastened to bracket 106 and maintained from accidental detachment therefrom by a retaining washer referenced 110, fixably attached to or formed on the lower extremity of support member 108. For packaging purposes, support member 108 is dismounted from bracket 106.

[0037] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by the drawings and description hereinabove presented. Rather, the invention is defined solely by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A spill-proof carrier for open-topped beverage containers including

a) at least one carrier member for carrying at least one open-topped beverage container;

b) at least one rigid support member having upper and lower end portions, wherein said lower end portion is connected transversely to a generally peripheral portion of said at least one carrier member and said upper end portion is disposed substantially over the axis of gravitational acceleration of said carrier member; and

c) a handle for said at least one rigid support member attached to said upper end portion thereof by means of a joint arrangement incapable of supporting a moment of inertia thereat.

2. A spill-proof carrier according to claim 1 wherein said at least one carrier member includes:

a) said peripheral portion formed as a supporting frame element having lugs disposed therewithin for supporting a platform element, and

b) said platform element disposed within said supporting frame element and supported by said lugs.

3. A spill-proof carrier according to claim 1 wherein said at least one carrier member includes:

a) said peripheral portion formed as a supporting frame element for supporting a platform element, and

b) said platform element disposed over said supporting frame element and fixably attached thereto.

4. A spill-proof carrier according to claim 1 wherein said at least one carrier member is formed substantially having a shape selected from the list of shapes including: square, circular, triangular, polygonal, geometric and non-geometric.

5. A spill-proof carrier according to claim 1 wherein said lower end portion of said at least one rigid support member is hingably connected transversely to said generally peripheral portion of said at least one carrier member for facilitating storage of said spill-proof carrier.

6. A spill-proof carrier according to claim 1 wherein said lower end portion of said at least one rigid support member is demountably connected transversely to said generally peripheral portion of said at least one carrier member for facilitating storage of said spill-proof carrier.

7. A spill-proof carrier according to claim 1 wherein said handle includes

a) a flexible element, having first and second end portions, wherein said first end portion is fixably attached to said upper end portion of said at least one rigid support member, and

b) a hand-hold element fixably attached to said second end portion of said flexible element.

8. A spill-proof carrier according to claim 1 wherein said at least one rigid support member includes decorative attachments thereto.

9. A spill-proof carrier according to claim 1 wherein said at least one carrier member includes decorative attachments thereto.