AU2009101112B4 - Reusable Advertising Cup Keeper (RACK) - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 5 Complete Specification Innovation Patent 10 Reusable Advertising Cup Keeper (RACK) 15 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of perfoning it known to me: Reusable Advertising Cup Keeper (RACK) This invention relates to a drink tray which is portable for use in licensed venues especially at sporting events, entertainment functions and pubs/registered clubs. 5 In licensed venues there is often a need for individuals to carry multiple drinks from the point of sale to their desired location. This need becomes more applicable as the size of a vessel made from glass/ceramics increases e.g. schooners, pints, or if the contents renders them hard to handle in multiples e.g. hot drinks, soup. If the vessel is made of a disposable material like paper or plastic, as is normally the case at sporting 10 event or entertainment functions it becomes more awkward to convey the vessels due to the flimsy nature of the materials of the vessels. Regardless of the material the vessel is made from or the dimensions of the vessels there is a need for them to be conveyed in a safe manner minimising the risk of spillage, whilst being able to handle various sizes of vessel simultaneously. 15 It is known that trays are currently used that may carry numerous vessels and are made in various styles and made from various materials. Currently most are designed as single event use, not being robust enough for continued used or for commercial use over an extended period of time, nor do they have consideration to maintaining hygiene of the vessels and tray with regards to AS4709-2001. Further 20 still the current technology is focused on carrying standard sized vessels without consideration for new entries in vessel technology, considerations like sizes, materials used in manufacture and products being conveyed. US6131732 describes a foam drink tray 25 AU 2009/100054B4 shows a cardboard tray being used to convey vessels AU720879B2 shows a 4 cup tray which folds in half and has rubber lips to holds varying size vessels. It clips together using a protrusion that fits into a hole US2002/0195371A1 shows a 4 cup tray with 2 different sizes of hole available for vessels 30 US3908877A describes a tray with fixed peripherals not designed to be removed GB2387528A describes a tray with a fixed handle and fixed hole sizes GB I 94566A describes a tray with multiple holes and fixed peripherals CN2902082Y described a rotating cup frame that is designed to be fixed to a 35 surface CN201135325Y describes a tray used to hold conical vessels It is an object of this invention to provide a compact, lightweight reusable tray for use within a licensed venue that can be used indefinitely due to inbuilt strength 40 and durability and complies with AS4709-2001 It is a further object of this invention that it may carry a wide variety of vessels without altering or changing the structure is such a manner as to create wearing parts or deterioration from use over time and can be self standing. It is a further object of this invention to have a peripheral (the attachment) that 45 can be fixed optionally. It is an object further still of this invention to be able to hold both vessels that are conical or of a more straight nature. The RACK will be manufactured as a solid unit for the upper section (base) used for stabilising the vessels with a screw in section underneath (the attachment) to 50 allow for straight vessels to be supported, these vessels include, but are not limited to, 2 bottles, cans and highball glasses. The unit will probably be made from, but not limited to polypropylene; at a thickness appropriate to the environment it is being used. The invention may be better understood with reference to the illustrations of embodiments of the invention which: 5 Figure 1 is the top view of the base showing cavities for drink/food vessels/finger holes as well as the location of the screw hole Figure 2 is a side view of the base also showing the screw hole Figure 3 is side view of the attachment Figure 4 is a top view of the attachment 10 Figure 5 is a view of the base and the attachment joined from a bottom aspect The base I is made as a solid unit preferably made from, but not limited to, a material like polypropylene with an example thickness of 5mm. Shape and arrangement of the cavities is arranged in this instance for maximum effectiveness but is not limited to this arrangement. Cavities 2 are preferably made to a diameter 15 consistent with most vessels (70mm) so as to allow for vessels to be carried safely as they pass through the base as well as support lesser diameter vessels as they rest against the wall of cavity 2 after passing through. Cavities 3 allow for users to access them as finger holes whilst also allowing for smaller diameter vessels to be placed with appropriate clearance from vessels in cavities 2 as required, at a diameter of 20 20mm, after being passed through the hole. Screw hole 4 allows for the attachment to be secured firmly through a threaded section within the hole. Rounded corners 5 are designed to save space and materials and are optional within the design for the aforementioned reasons as well as for aesthetics. The base I may also be treated so as to improve vessel holding, such treatments include rubber or the base may be 25 permanently treated with a printing process like but not limited to pad printing so as to include test, logos or pictures as required Threaded section 6, stem 7 and plate 8 are a single unit preferably made from, but not limited to, a material like polypropylene, sized as required so it may be used to hold the unit free standing. Threaded section 6 is consistent with screw hole 4 and is 30 to be the same thread size and length so as to be firm when joined. Stem 7 has a length of 100mm so as to provide adequate length for vessels that pass through cavities 2 to still be able to rest against its walls and has a thickness of 20mm to provide adequate strength to hold to weight as required. Plate 8 is 200mm wide so as to provide adequate area for vessels to rest on after they have passed through cavities 35 2. This plate may have a lip in built or be of a varying diameter or shape as required to support vessels and may have a surface treatment like rubber to provide additional stability to the unit. Although one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in some detail it is to be realised that the invention is not to be limited thereto but to include 40 variations and modifications falling within the spirit and scope of the invention including but not limited to manufacture of both parts as a single unit. 3

Claims (4)

1. A portable, lightweight Reusable Advertising Cup Keeper is compact and adapted to carry up to 8 vessels either conical or straight, through appropriately sized aperture having an appropriate internal periphery adapted to receive a vessel, 5 conical or straight, into the aperture and be retained therein and can then be carried without a purpose built handle to a point of consumption of the content of the vessel

2. The portable Reusable Advertising Cup Keeper of claim 1, comprising of a base plate with a screw in attachment that is used to support vessels after they have 10 passed through the periphery as well as support the unit to be free standing

3. The portable Reusable Advertising Cup Keeper of claim land 2, wherein the surface of a component or the unit as a whole is treated with a agent to increase grip of vessels or for promotion of any given entity through a process of printing or painting that is permanent and can be performed on multiple surfaces 15

4. A portable Reusable Advertising Cup Keeper substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings Jose Gabriel Sanz Dated this 40 day of February 2010 4