AU2009101001A4 - Conveyance Apparatus - Google Patents

Conveyance Apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
AU2009101001A4
AU2009101001A4 AU2009101001A AU2009101001A AU2009101001A4 AU 2009101001 A4 AU2009101001 A4 AU 2009101001A4 AU 2009101001 A AU2009101001 A AU 2009101001A AU 2009101001 A AU2009101001 A AU 2009101001A AU 2009101001 A4 AU2009101001 A4 AU 2009101001A4
Authority
AU
Australia
Prior art keywords
housing
conveyance apparatus
beverage
customers
hatch
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
AU2009101001A
Inventor
Craig Douglas
Gareth Webber
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
PARTY HOPPERS INTERNATIONAL Ltd
Original Assignee
Party Hoppers International Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Party Hoppers International Ltd filed Critical Party Hoppers International Ltd
Priority to AU2009101001A priority Critical patent/AU2009101001A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of AU2009101001A4 publication Critical patent/AU2009101001A4/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60PVEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS
    • B60P3/00Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects
    • B60P3/025Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects the object being a shop, cafeteria or display the object being a theatre or stage
    • B60P3/0257Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects the object being a shop, cafeteria or display the object being a theatre or stage the object being a vending stall, restaurant or food kiosk

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)

Description

CONVEYANCE APPARATUS TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a conveyance apparatus. More specifically, the invention 5 relates to a cylindrically shaped conveyance apparatus that resembles a beverage container. BACKGROUND ART Transportable bars and serving counters are well known in most countries around the world. Caravans selling fast food and beverages are well known, as are 10 portable bars that can be moved around different events in order to sell beverages to customers. These caravans and portable bar systems are generally mounted on a trailer and towed by a separate vehicle, or are incorporated into a single vehicle that can be self driven. A number of different apparatus suitable for the above purpose are the subject of 15 patents and patent applications. WO 99128147 describes a trailer-type food catering vehicle for on-site food consumption. The apparatus described here consists of upper and lower shells, and wherein part of the upper shell may be raised to provide a surface for serving customers. The main distinctive feature of the food vehicle is its curved appearance. However, the shape of the unit does not 20 immediately identify what products are being vended, and the users would require further signage and advertising to promote the products being sold. US 3,696,803 describes a trailer apparatus that includes a pair of cylindrical barbeque grills on one side of a trailer and a means for making and dispensing beverages is located on the opposite side of the trailer. As with the apparatus 1 described in WO 99/28147, the trailer apparatus described in US 3,696.803 provides a useful tool, however it does not immediately draw the attention of potential customers, nor does it provide an indication of the good being vended from a distance, without the need for additional signing and advertising to be 5 erected. It is an object of the present invention to provide a transportable apparatus that is capable of both drawing the attention of customers and providing a location where products can be vended to customers. It is a further object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or 10 at least to provide the public with a useful choice. All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and 15 pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country. Throughout this specification, the word "comprise", or variations thereof such as 20 "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent 25 from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only. 2 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a conveyance apparatus which includes: 5 - a housing, the housing attached to a wheel and chassis assembly; wherein the housing is adapted to authentically resemble a beverage container. Such beverage containers include but are not limited to beer or soft drink cans, wine bottles, beer bottles, spirit bottles or other soft drink or juice bottles that will be known to both the general public and to a person skilled in the art. 10 The term "authentically resemble" should be taken to mean that the cylindrical housing substantially retains the standard proportions found in the beverage container on which it is modelled, but on a larger scale. For example, a standard 355m aluminium Coca Cola* can has a height of approximately 122mm and a diameter of 64mm at its widest point. A corresponding "authentic" housing would 15 retain this height/diameter ratio when transformed into the conveyance apparatus described above. Additional features of the original can on which the housing is modeled may also be incorporated into the housing design, such as the pull tab at the top of the can and the ridging around the top and base of the can. Similarly, for an authentic wine bottle shaped housing, standard proportions of the wine 20 bottle being replicated will be substantially employed in the housing. Preferably, the housing is in the form of a beverage can. Alternatively, the housing is in the form of a bottle. Preferably, the housing has at least one side serving hatch. 3 The side serving hatch provides a location for drinks to be purchased and provided to customers. The hatch may also include at least one working surface that may be used as a counter top for customers to place their drinks on and may also extend to the interior of the serving hatch to enable the vendor to operate tills, or other 5 transactional devices as required. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the housing includes graphics, words, advertising or other visual display items on the exterior of the housing. Such advertising or graphics may be designed to create the look of a particular brand over the exterior of the cylindrical beverage shaped housing. For example, if io the housing was to take the shape of a can of beer, the exterior of the housing may be branded to represent a beer can belonging to a particular sponsor or promoter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the 15 accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a conveyance apparatus in a preferred embodiment of the invention: and Figure 2 shows a left side view of the conveyance apparatus of Figure 1, and Figure 3 shows a right side view of the conveyance apparatus of Figures 1 & 20 2, including a side hatch: and Figure 4 shows a left end view of the conveyance apparatus of Figures 1-3; and Figure 5 shows a right end view of the conveyance apparatus of Figures 1-4. 4 BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Figures 1-5 show a conveyance apparatus 1 in a preferred form of the invention. The conveyance apparatus 1 includes a substantially cylindrical shaped housing 2 5 mounted on an assembly 5 including wheels 6 and a chassis 7. Conveyance apparatus 1 in this preferred form includes a housing 2 substantially in the shape of a standard beverage can. Such cans are commonly available for sale worldwide and used for containing a wide variety of beverages such as beer, lemonade, cola, fruit juices, premixed alcoholic drinks and the like. The shape of 10 such a beverage can is instantly recognisable to the general public and provides and obvious indication that beverages are likely to be able to be purchased where the apparatus is located. While in the preferred embodiment described housing 2 is cylindrical in shape, this is not intended to be limiting as the housing is also envisaged to resemble well know rectangular or irregular shaped bottles, for 15 example a tequila bottle or Bombay Sapphire" gin bottle. Housing 2 is manufactured to be of a size suitable for the majority of adults to be able to stand upright easily inside the housing, allowing them to work effectively to serve drinks from inside the housing to customers outside the housing. Housing 2 further includes a door 6 that enables staff members to easily exit and 20 enter the interior of the housing when necessary. As can be seen in Figures 1 and 4, door 3 may be designed so as to form part of the design employed to make the housing resemble a beverage can. In other embodiments, for example if housing 2 were design to resemble a wine bottle, door 3 may be adapted to look like the bottom of a wine bottle, or part of a wine bottle label at the rear of the housing 2. 25 As would be understood by a person skilled in the art the location of door 3 is not 5 restricted to the base of the housing 2, but may be located in any position that is both safe and easily accessible, and if required, in keeping with the design of a particular beverage container housing 2 has been designed to resemble. Housing 2 has been designed in preferred embodiments to include at least one 5 hatch 4. Hatch 4 may be located at any position on housing 6 that is suitable for vending drinks to customers waiting next outside hatch 4. In preferred embodiments as shown in Figures 1 and 3, hatch 4 is located on at least one side of housing 2, however further hatches may also be located on the opposite side of housing 2, or at the rear of housing 2. The number of hatches included will depend 10 on the size of conveyance apparatus 1, with a larger apparatus 1 potentially being designed to accommodate a greater number of customers at one time and therefore additional hatches 4 may be required. Housing 2 is preferably designed to accommodate a range of refrigeration means such as cool boxes, ice boxes or conventional refrigerators/freezers (none of which 15 are shown in the figures) along with other peripheral apparatus that are necessary to operate a vending outlet. Housing 2 is securely mounted on to an assembly 5 including wheels 6 and a chassis 7. In preferred embodiments assembly 5 includes a conventional trailer connection apparatus (not shown) that allows apparatus 1 to be easily towed 20 between locations and parked in a position that is most suitable for maximum customer activity. This is particularly useful for temporary events such as sports games, festivals, carnivals and other large public events where the apparatus may need to be moved often. As shown in each of Figure 1-5, housing 2 is attached to the assembly 5 such that 25 the longest axis is perpendicular with assembly 5. This orientation provides the more interior room inside housing 2 than it would if it were attached to the 6 assembly in the conventional "upright" position that beverage cans are normally found in. This is not in any way intended to be limiting and as would be clear to a skilled person, housing 2 may be mounted to the assembly 3 in any orientation that is safe for transport and provides a safe work environment for those on the interior 5 of the housing. It is further envisioned that housing 2 may be designed such that is is capable of being secured to assembly 5 in more than one orientation. The particular orientation used may be selected specifically for the event at which the apparatus 1 is to be used. In a crowded environment it may be in the best interests of the vendor to attach housing 2 in the tallest position possible so as to make it io visible to potential customers over a greater distance. In other aspects of the invention the exterior of housing 2 may display banner or advertising that promote the product being sold from conveyance apparatus 1. In particular embodiments housing 2 will be exclusively designed to resemble a particular brand of beverage that is being sold from within and may be adorned 15 with the appropriate colour schemes and branding associated with that product. The conveyance apparatus of the present invention has a number of advantages. The unique concept of incorporating a beverage shaped housing on to a transportable assembly provides a visual landmark that alerts customers to the type of product being sold, and allows them to easily identify the location of the 20 vendor- This is particularly advantageous in a situation such as a festival or large public event where there are many other mobile vendors selling their products along side each other. The visual impact that the apparatus of the present invention has provides a significant competitive advantage over the other competing vendors, 25 The concept is easily adaptable to a large range of different beverage products. The standard aluminium can shaped housing can be adapted across a wide range 7 of beverage manufacturers, making it possible for a single apparatus to be used across a range of different brands, without the need to change the housing shape to suit every different product. Similarly, a standard wine bottle maybe be easily adapted to promote a range of different wineries or specific wine brands. 5 Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims. 10 8

Claims (5)

1. A conveyance apparatus including; - a housing, the housing attached to a wheel and chassis assembly, wherein the housing is adapted to authentically resemble a beverage container.
2. The conveyance apparatus of any one of claims 1, wherein the housing is in the form of a beverage can.
3. The conveyance apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing is in the form of a bottle.
4. The conveyance apparatus of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the housing has at least one side serving hatch.
5. The conveyance apparatus of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the housing includes graphics, words, advertising or other visual display items on the exterior of the housing. Party Hoppers International Limited by its auth ised agents James & Wel I tellectual Property 9
AU2009101001A 2009-10-01 2009-10-01 Conveyance Apparatus Ceased AU2009101001A4 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2009101001A AU2009101001A4 (en) 2009-10-01 2009-10-01 Conveyance Apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2009101001A AU2009101001A4 (en) 2009-10-01 2009-10-01 Conveyance Apparatus

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
AU2009101001A4 true AU2009101001A4 (en) 2009-11-12

Family

ID=41280307

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
AU2009101001A Ceased AU2009101001A4 (en) 2009-10-01 2009-10-01 Conveyance Apparatus

Country Status (1)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2009101001A4 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2535793A (en) * 2015-02-27 2016-08-31 Display Wizard Ltd Display arrangement

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2535793A (en) * 2015-02-27 2016-08-31 Display Wizard Ltd Display arrangement

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FGI Letters patent sealed or granted (innovation patent)
MK22 Patent ceased section 143a(d), or expired - non payment of renewal fee or expiry