DRINK HOLDER

Abstract

The present invention provides a drink holder (30) including a platform (31) having a plurality of support members (38), each of which is adapted to support the platform (31) on a substantially level surface (such as a table) and each having an inner cavity which opens to the upper surface of the platform (31), each of the inner cavities of the support members being adapted to accommodate a drink container. In a preferred embodiment, the inner cavities of the support members (38) are generally cup-shaped and of appropriate size and shape to accommodate drink containers. The support members thereby form cup-shaped holders for drink containers.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a drink holder designed to hold a plurality of drink containers (e.g. cups), and which incorporates many advantageous features. For example, it can typically be held in one hand and has a high strength to weight ratio.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

There are many drink holders available in the marketplace, for carrying drinks from point of purchase to point of consumption.

In particular, many takeaway outlets utilise a drink holder comprising a generally rectangular or square shaped, foldable cardboard housing with top and bottom layers joined along two opposing lateral edges by side pieces, and with openings in the top layer to accommodate drink containers.

Another commonly used option is a simple tray, which may be of a generally rectangular, square or circular shape. Generally speaking, such trays either are too flimsy to hold the required weight of drink containers or, in order to hold the required weight, are made too bulky. Trays are poorly designed for use as drink holders.

Presently available drink holders often lack strength and, when loaded with several drink containers, are generally incapable of being carried in one hand.

The present invention relates to a drink holder designed so that several drink containers (e.g. cups) can readily be carried or held in one hand, and preferably having various other advantageous features, such as a relatively high strength to weight ratio. It is engineered for balance and strength, and preferably made from minimal amounts of material (preferably plastic).

This discussion of the background to the invention is provided for illustrative purposes only and is not to be taken as an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere as at the priority date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a drink holder including a platform having a plurality of support members, each of which is adapted to support the platform on a substantially level surface (such as a table) and each having an inner cavity which opens to the upper surface of the platform, each of the inner cavities of the support members being adapted to accommodate a drink container. A central area or panel located above the palm of a person carrying the drink holder, and surrounded by the drink containers held within the drink holder, may provide space for various items (such as another beverage; milk packets; sachets of sugar or another sweetener; hot chips, a hot dog, a burger, an ice-cream or another food product; a wallet; a mobile phone; a ticket etc.) to be placed thereon.

In a preferred embodiment, the inner cavities of the support members are generally cup-shaped and of appropriate size and shape to accommodate drink containers. The support members thereby form cup-shaped holders for drink containers.

The drink holder may be manufactured in a number of different versions, with the size of the inner cavities and their upper openings varied to accommodate larger or smaller drink containers than those specifically illustrated herein. In particular, in the United States of America, drink containers tend to be larger, so the inner cavities and their upper openings would also need to be correspondingly larger.

Preferably, the platform of the drink holder will have a single, transverse axis of symmetry, and the gradient of the platform will be such that any liquid on the platform (in particular, spillage from drink containers) will be channelled toward the cavity/cavities in one or more of the support members. More preferably, the support members will be symmetrically arranged so as to balance the drink holder, and the platform will be designed so that liquid may be channelled toward the cavity/cavities in one or more of the support members. The particular cavity/cavities to which the spillage is channelled will be dependent on where on the platform the spillage occurs, and the orientation of the platform at the time of the spillage.

Besides acting as holders for drink containers, as legs to support the platform and as reservoirs for spillage, the support members further serve to strengthen the structure of the drink holder.

The drink holder may also incorporate a number of further advantageous features, for example:

• • The drink holder, and in particular the positioning of the support members, is preferably designed so that its centre of gravity is located midway along its length and closer to a longitudinal side of the drink holder which abuts a person carrying the drink holder than to the opposite side of the drink holder, thereby improving the balance of the platform and enabling the drink holder to be carried in one hand, even when fully loaded with containers of drink.
  • The upper openings of the inner cavities of the support members preferably have smooth, rounded or bevelled edges to allow drink containers to easily be placed in or removed from the drink holder. More preferably, the upper openings are appropriately sized so as grip/clasp the drink containers above their centre of gravity, thus holding them firmly in the holder. This feature will ensure that the drink containers are not merely balanced on the bottom of that inner cavity. This gives far better control over the drink container—a smaller cup resting on the bottom of the inner cavity will still be firmly held nearer its top by the edge of the upper opening of the cavity.
  • Hand, finger or thumb hold(s) may be provided in the under surface of the platform. The hand, finger or thumb hold(s) may be appropriately sized and located finger/thumb locating marker(s), channel(s), indentation(s), ridge(s), protrusion(s) or cavity/cavities. Preferably, at least one hand or finger/thumb hold, such as indentations, or finger, thumb or hand locating markers or channels having raised peripheries, is provided. In one embodiment, there will be five or six finger/thumb locating markers having raised peripheries, these markers being appropriately sized and located to correspond to the recommended positions of the finger and thumb tips of a person holding the drink holder so as to ensure balance, so that the drink holder can easily be held on the fingers and thumb of one hand. In this embodiment, it is preferable to have four finger holds plus two thumb holds, one for a right-handed user and the other for a left-handed user. In another version described in more detail below, with respect to the embodiment shown in accompanying FIGS. 1 to 7, the finger/thumb hold is a simple finger/thumb-locating channel in the under surface of the platform.
  • The periphery of the platform of the drink holder may incorporate a raised rim, so as to contain any spillage.
  • The drink holder may incorporate one or more areas of ribbing designed to enhance its strength. These areas of ribbing may be ribbed structures incorporated in the periphery or rim, and/or the platform, of the drink holder. Channels indented into the upper surface of the platform, and flutes or ribs in the side walls of the inner cavities, may be provided for the dual purposes of channelling any spillage into the inner cavities, and also enhancing the strength of the drink holder.
  • The shape of the drink holder, and in particular its hollow support members, may be designed so that the drink holders are stackable.
  • The shape of the drink holder, and in particular straight sections of its longitudinal edges, may be designed so that the drink holders can readily be stacked against a wall or similar planar surface.

The drink holder can be used for carrying containers of either hot or cold drinks (e.g. glasses or cups of tea or coffee or glasses, mugs, cans or bottles of beer or other alcoholic beverage, water, fruit juice or soft drink).

The drink holder is easy to hold in one hand, and preferably is constructed of materials which render it both light and reusable. Preferably, the holder is able to be picked up from a number of different angles whilst still maintaining favourable properties of balance and strength. Grabbing the drink holder from either lengthwise side will still be effective and will still allow at least the thumb and two fingers of the person carrying the drink holder to be positioned in a finger/thumb locating area on the under surface of the platform. The drink holder may also be engineered to allow it to be held by its edges, as well as by means of the finger/thumb holds beneath.

Features such as the inner cavities (reservoirs) of the support members, and a raised rim surrounding the platform, minimise spillage. Spillage would be of concern when carrying hot beverages, as well as being a safety concern and/or cleaning problem if liquid were to be spilt on floor surfaces, steps, concrete, tiles, carpet etc. at the venue where the drinks were being served.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Likewise, the word “preferably”, or variations such as “preferred”, will be understood to imply that a stated integer or group of integers is desirable but not essential to the working of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The nature of the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of a specific embodiment of the drink holder, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. This embodiment is illustrative, but not restrictive, of the present invention.

In particular:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a drink holder according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the drink holder of FIG. 1, viewed from the side which would be proximal to the person who would be carrying the drink holder;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the drink holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view taken along section A-A of the lower portion of one of the support members of the drink holder of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the drink holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side view taken along section B-B of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the drink holder of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A specific embodiment of a drink holder 30 in accordance with the invention, as depicted in FIGS. 1 to 7, comprises a platform 31, of roughly trapezoid shape, with four openings 32 into which containers of drink can be placed. Each opening 32 has a smooth, rounded or bevelled lip 34.

A raised rim 35 surrounding the platform contains any spillage from the containers of drink, and also provides a smooth, rounded or bevelled edge to the drink holder.

In this embodiment, four generally cup-shaped support members 38 are provided, proximal to each of the four corners of the platform 31. These support members form legs, shaped for balance and strength, which can support the drink holder on a table, bench or similar structure. The support members (legs) have hollow inner cavities (reservoirs) 39, which open to the upper surface of the platform 31 so as to collect any run-off from spilt drinks. Preferably, the gradient of the platform slopes down from a central point on the platform (e.g. its centre of gravity) toward reservoirs 39, so as to channel spillage into the reservoirs.

The four openings 32, which are adapted to accommodate drink containers, also constitute upper openings of the inner cavities (reservoirs) 39 of the support members 38. These inner cavities 39 are generally cup-shaped and of appropriate size and shape to accommodate drink containers. The support members 38 (legs) thereby form cup-shaped holders for drink containers. The drink holder may be manufactured in a number of different versions, with the size of the upper openings 32 and inner cavities 39 varied to accommodate larger or smaller drink containers than those specifically illustrated in this embodiment.

For enhanced stability, the depth of each inner cavity 39 may be such that at least the bottom half of a drink container 50 is within that cavity when the drink container is loaded into the drink holder (see FIG. 6).

Preferably, an inner surface (side wall) of each of the support members 38 is fluted or ribbed, the flutes/ribs 36 extending from the bevelled lip 34 of the opening down towards the bottom of the inner cavity 39. The flutes/ribs 36 extend to an annular channel 37 formed in the base of the support member 38, as can be seen most clearly in FIG. 4. The annular channel 37 is formed between the fluted/ribbed side wall of the support member and a raised base 40 of circular shape. The flutes/ribs 36 are engineered for a high strength to volume ratio. The material of the fluted/ribbed side wall can be very thin, yet is nevertheless rendered strong through design. The flutes/ribs 36 also provide flexibility and allow for a small amount of movement/give.

The fluted/ribbed side wall of each of the support members 38 therefore enhances the shock absorbing properties of the platform as a whole, assisting in buffering the effects of a person walking or moving with the drink holder in hand.

Preferably, the cavities 39 will be appropriately sized so that the flutes/ribs 36 apply sufficient pressure to hold a drink container reasonably securely in place within the inner cavity 39, yet still allow the drink container to be readily placed into, or removed from, the drink holder. The drink holder is therefore capable of being loaded very quickly with drinks—a major advantage when drinks are being served at crowded sportsgrounds or concert arenas, or at any other venue at rush times. The flutes/ribs 36 also allow any spillage on the upper surface of the platform 31 to flow downwards into the channel 37 formed in the base of each of the cup-shaped support members 38.

The location of the generally cup-shaped support members 38 is preferably designed so that the drink holder, when fully loaded with drink containers, can be balanced easily on the fingers and thumb of one hand.

Preferably, two of the four support members 38, being the two support members 38 which would be proximal to a person carrying the drink holder (the proximal support members 41), are spaced further apart from each other than are the other two support members (the distal support members 42). The space between the proximal support members 41 is selected to permit the palm of the hand of a person carrying the drink holder to be placed under the platform 31 of the drink holder, with the person's finger and thumb tips being placed in a finger/thumb locating channel 43 in a central area on the under surface of the platform 31. That finger/thumb locating channel 43 appears as an indented channel in the under surface of the platform, adapted for use by either left-handed or right-handed users.

A central area 44 on the upper surface of platform 31 may provide space for promotional or other material (e.g. grabs, labels, brochures, menus, puzzles, toys or logos) to be attached to or placed on the drink holder. The central area 44 may also provide space to accommodate various other items, such as another beverage; milk packets; sachets of sugar or another sweetener; hot chips, a hot dog, a burger, an ice-cream or another food product; a wallet; a mobile phone; a ticket etc. The central area 44 may be engineered to hold a specific item.

Promotional or other material (e.g. grabs, brochures, menus, puzzles or toys) may also be placed within the inner cavities 39 of the support members.

As shown most clearly in FIGS. 1 and 5, the side wall of each of the two distal support members 42 has a protrusion 45 extending toward the other distal support member. These protrusions 45 provide further channels to allow any spillage of liquid to flow into the reservoirs 39 formed in the base of the distal support members 42. Additional channels 46 in the upper surface of platform 31, sloping downwardly to the openings 32 of the support members 38, allow spillage to flow from the upper surface of the platform 31 into the respective reservoirs formed in the support members. The formation of the various ridges, channels and protrusions in the platform 31 also serves to strengthen and enhance the rigidity of the drink holder 30. Normally, they will obviate the need to provide any additional ribbing.

Although not generally required in this embodiment, the structure of the drink holder can, if desired, be further strengthened by additional areas of ribbing, such as ribbing in the vicinity of finger/thumb locating channel 43 and/or peripheral ribbing where required to strengthen the rim 35.

The support members 38 also serve to strengthen the structure of the drink holder. A further advantage of the support members 38 is that they render the drink holder non-aerodynamic and prevent its unsafe use as a frisbee at crowded venues such as sportsgrounds and concert arenas.

The rim 35 provides a smooth, rounded or bevelled edge to the drink holder, thereby adding to its safety.

The overall shape and structure of the drink holder 30 is designed for enhanced strength to weight ratio, and to allow for efficient use of the material from which it is fabricated. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 (if manufactured from a suitable plastic material) is capable of carrying loads of more than 2 kg.

The shape of the drink holder is also designed for packaging/storage efficiency. For example, its shape, and in particular the hollow support members 38, ensure that the drink holder is stackable.

Packaging/storage efficiency is also aided by flattened, straight sections of the sides (in particular, the longitudinal sides) of the drink holder, which allow the drink holders of the present invention to be readily stacked against walls or similar planar surfaces. In FIG. 5, a flattened, straight section 47 is shown, located on the the side which would be distal from the person who would be carrying the drink holder. However, if desired, flattened, straight sections can be provided on other sides of the drink holder.

The drink holder of the present invention may be manufactured from any appropriate material, including papier-mache, but is preferably manufactured from a plastic material having advantageous characteristics, such as a good strength to weight ratio and relatively low cost. The plastic material is preferably biodegradable (e.g. a corn-starch-derived plastic) or recyclable (e.g. PET).

In order to facilitate better understanding of the invention, the present invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, and with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted therein. It should however be appreciated that various modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the invention. Therefore, the invention should be understood to include all such modifications within its scope.

For example, further design modifications may be incorporated to improve various features of the drink holder. In particular, the portion of the under surface of platform 31 which lies above the palm of the hand of a person carrying the drink holder may be re-engineered for added user comfort.

In other possible modifications, the drink holder may have more or less openings 32/support members 38 than the four shown in the embodiment described above, so long as the arrangement of openings/support members allows drink containers to be balanced and the loaded drink holder to be held easily in one hand. In particular, the drink holder may have two or three openings/support members symmetrically positioned for balance. For the two-opening/support member version, the openings/support members may be located one to either side of the transverse axis of symmetry of the drink holder and equidistant therefrom. For the three-opening/support member version, two of the openings/support members will be similarly placed, with the third opening/support member being on that axis of symmetry. The three openings/support members may be arranged in an arc-like configuration similar to that of the four openings/support members of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5, so that the weight of the drinks held in the drink holder will be evenly distributed and balanced when the drink holder is held in a person's hand.

Openings 32 and inner cavities 39 of different sizes and shapes may also be provided to accommodate food products, such as hot dogs, burgers, punnets of hot chips, ice-creams etc., thus allowing the holder to be used for a complete meal/drink package, or even to be used solely as a food holder.

Also, the drink holder may be designed to hold larger or smaller cups 50 (or other drink containers) than those for which the drink holder of FIGS. 1 to 7 is designed. This will generally entail corresponding changes in size of the surrounding areas of the drink holder, as well as the necessary changes in size of the openings 32 and/or inner cavities 39 of the generally cup-shaped support members 38.

In other versions of the drink holder, different types of hand or finger/thumb holds, rather than the finger/thumb locating channel 43 of the embodiment described above, may be provided. In general, the hand or finger/thumb hold(s) can be appropriately sized and located finger/thumb locating marker(s), channel(s), indentation(s), ridge(s), protrusion(s) or cavity/cavities. For example, as an alternative to the finger/thumb locating channel 43, one or more (preferably five or six) suitably sized and located indentations could be provided on the under surface of the platform 31, thereby allowing the person carrying the drink holder to place his/her hand below the drink holder and balance it on his/her finger and thumb tips.

The overall shape of the drink holder (in particular, the shape of its periphery, as defined by its outer rim 35) may be designed according to marketing themes. For example, it may be shaped like a baseball glove, football, mag wheel or artists' palette.

The drink holder may also incorporate a paper sleeve, or a sticker or embossed plastic on the upper surface of platform 31. Such features can be used to present advertising or promotional material.

Now that preferred embodiments of the drink holder have been described in detail, it will be apparent that the embodiments described above provide a number of advantages over the prior art, including the following:

(I) The drink holders can readily be carried in one hand even when loaded with several drink containers. Alternatively, if preferred, there are a number of different ways for the drink holders to be carried easily in two hands.

(ii) They have a relatively high strength to weight ratio, being lightweight but sufficiently strong to be capable of carrying loads of 2 kg or more of liquid.

(iii) They are engineered for balance and strength, and permit a number of drink containers to be carried with ease.

(iv) They can be made from minimal amounts of biodegradable or recyclable material, preferably thermo-formed moulded plastic material.

(v) They are provided with reservoirs for collecting and retaining spillage.

(vi) They are readily stackable, permitting efficient use of transport and storage space.

Claims

1. A drink holder including a platform having a plurality of support members, each of which is adapted to support the platform on a substantially level surface and each having an inner cavity which opens to the upper surface of the platform, each of said inner cavities of the support members being adapted to accommodate a drink container.

2. A drink holder according to claim 1, wherein the inner cavities of the support members are generally cup-shaped and of appropriate size and shape to accommodate drink containers.

3. A drink holder according to claim 1 or 2, further including at least one hand, finger or thumb hold.

4. A drink holder according to claim 3, wherein the hand, finger or thumb hold(s) are appropriately sized and located finger/thumb locating marker(s), channel(s), indentation(s), ridge(s), protrusion(s) or cavity/cavities.

5. A drink holder according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the hand, finger or thumb hold(s) are a plurality of finger/thumb holds on the under surface of the platform, said finger/thumb holds being appropriately sized and located indentations or finger/thumb locating marker(s) or channel(s).

6. A drink holder according to any one of claims 3 to 5, having five or six finger/thumb holds.

7. A drink holder according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the finger/thumb hold(s) are appropriately sized and located finger/thumb locating marker(s) having raised peripheries.

8. A drink holder according to claim 3 or 4, having a finger/thumb-locating channel.

9. A drink holder according to claim 8, wherein the finger/thumb-locating channel is an indented channel in the under surface of the platform.

10. A drink holder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gradient of the platform is such that any liquid on the platform will be channelled toward the cavities in the support members.

11. A drink holder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the periphery of the platform incorporates a raised rim.

12. A drink holder according to any one of the preceding claims, having four support members.

13. A drink holder according to any one of claims 1 to 11, having two or three support members.

14. A stackable drink holder according to any one of the preceding claims.

15. A drink holder according to any one of the preceding claims, substantially as described herein and with reference to any one of FIGS. 1 to 7.