AU2014271248B2 - Receptacle carrier and receptacle carrier system - Google Patents
Receptacle carrier and receptacle carrier system Download PDFInfo
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- AU2014271248B2 AU2014271248B2 AU2014271248A AU2014271248A AU2014271248B2 AU 2014271248 B2 AU2014271248 B2 AU 2014271248B2 AU 2014271248 A AU2014271248 A AU 2014271248A AU 2014271248 A AU2014271248 A AU 2014271248A AU 2014271248 B2 AU2014271248 B2 AU 2014271248B2
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Abstract
There is disclosed a carrier for carrying receptacles, comprising holders, each of which comprises a gripper engageable with a respective one of the receptacles to hold it, the carrier being configured such that a person can carry it, and thus the receptacles held by the holders, by his or her side while walking. 13,1 10 ---- 7B 'N 7 FIG.l1A FIG.l1B 9 B 1>1 FIG.i1C FIG.i1D
Description
RECEPTACLE CARRIER AND RECEPTACLE CARRIER SYSTEM
The present invention relates to a carrier for carrying receptacles, and has particular, though not exclusive, application to beverage containers, such as cans, bottles or cups.
The present invention also relates to a receptacle carrier system comprising carriers, for carrying receptacles, that are interconnectable such that there is formed a receptacle carrier assembly.
The serving of food and drinks is commonplace at public events, such as carnivals, 10 festivals and sports matches. In circumstances where people are seated, or otherwise gathered, remote from a beverages outlet at the event, a person who has purchased beverages at the outlet may be aided by a handheld carrier to deliver the beverages to his or her seat/location at the event.
There is a need in the art for improvements relating to receptacle carriers.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a carrier for carrying receptacles, the carrier comprising holders by each of which a respective one of the receptacles is to be held, each holder comprising: a gripper configured to engage opposite 20 sides of the respective receptacle such that the receptacle is grasped so as to be restrained laterally by the gripper; and a base portion arranged below the gripper to support the respective receptacle from beneath when it is engaged by the gripper, the carrier being configured such that a person can carry it, and thus the receptacles held by the holders, by his or her side while walking.
In the carrier according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the holders are arranged in a single line which extends in a forwards-rearwards direction. The carrier can thus, advantageously, be relatively narrow as viewed from a position in front thereof, such that the arm of the person via which it is carried can be maintained close to the person's 30 side without interference between the carrier and the person's leg at that side during walking, so that it is ergonomic.
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-2Preferably, each gripper comprises a resiliently deformable clip or pair of opposed claw members. Preferably, each gripper is configured with a lateral opening through which the respective receptacle can be received, so as to be engaged by the gripper. The respective receptacle may be able to be so received by being urged laterally against the gripper.
Preferably, the carrier includes a handle, interconnected with the holders, which a person can grasp to carry the carrier, and thus the receptacles held by the holders, by his or her side while walking.
Preferably, the holders are arranged at a lower level than the handle.
Preferably, the carrier includes a stem portion from which the holders are supported. Preferably, each holder projects radially outwardly from the stem portion. Preferably, the gripper of each holder opens in a direction in which the holder so projects.
In a carrier according to one embodiment of the invention, the holders are spaced at equal angles around the stem portion. Where the receptacles have a similar size and weight, an assembly comprising the carrier and the receptacles held by the holders thereof can thus, advantageously, have a centre of gravity which is such that the stem portion hangs straight 20 downwardly from the person's hand when the assembly is carried thereby, whereby the assembly is balanced. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the number of holders is two and the holders project in opposite directions from the stem portion. Preferably, said directions are forward and rearward directions when the person is carrying the carrier by his or her side. The carrier can thus, advantageously, be relatively narrow as viewed 25 from a position in front thereof, such that the arm of the person via which it is carried can be maintained close to the person's side without interference between the carrier and the person's leg at that side during walking. Preferably, the carrier includes two said holders arranged such that one of them is in front of the other when the person is carrying the carrier by his or her side.
In a carrier according to one embodiment of the invention, each holder includes a base portion arranged below the gripper thereof to support the respective receptacle from
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-3 beneath when it is engaged by the gripper. Preferably, each base portion has a perimeter configuration generally matching a perimeter configuration of a base of the receptacle which the base portion is arranged to support from below. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the perimeter configuration of each base portion is substantially circular.
Each base portion may be disc-shaped. Each base portion may be provided with at least one perimeter wall portion arranged to preclude lateral displacement of the receptacle supported thereby.
A carrier according to another embodiment of the invention comprises holders arranged at different levels on the stem portion. Preferably, the holders in that carrier are so arranged one-above-another. The carrier can thus, advantageously, be of relatively small dimensions horizontally, whereby the arm of the person via which it is carried can be maintained close to the person's side without interference between the carrier and the person's leg at that side during walking. Preferably, at least a lowermost one of those holders includes a said gripper and a said base portion arranged below the gripper thereof to support the respective receptacle from beneath when it is engaged by that gripper. Preferably, the or each base portion has a perimeter configuration generally matching a perimeter configuration of a base of the receptacle which the base portion is arranged to support from below. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the perimeter configuration of the or each base portion is substantially circular. Each base portion may be disc-shaped. Each base portion may be provided with at least one perimeter wall portion arranged to preclude lateral displacement of the receptacle supported thereby.
The carrier may be configured such that the or each non-lowermost holder does not 25 comprise a base portion, whereby the receptacle engaged by the lowermost holder supports the receptacle(s) engaged by the non-lowermost holder(s) from below. The handle in this embodiment may be arranged to lie on a substantially upright axis which passes through the holders, such that, where the receptacles have a similar size and weight, an assembly comprising the carrier of this embodiment and the receptacles held by the holders thereof 30 can thus, advantageously, have a centre of gravity which is such that the stem portion hangs straight downwardly from the person's hand when the assembly is carried thereby, whereby the assembly is balanced. In a preferred form of this embodiment, the number of
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-4holders is two, whereby there is only one non-lowermost holder.
Preferably, the carrier is for drinking receptacles.
The receptacles will be ones having sufficient rigidity to be engageable by the grippers. The receptacles may comprise cans. Alternatively, the receptacles may comprise, for example, cups, bottles or cartons.
Preferably, each receptacle includes a cylindrical or frustoconical side wall.
The carrier may be configured with a hook via which it may be hung so as to be stored when not in use.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the carrier is configured so as to be interconnectable with another carrier which is identical to it. Preferably, the carrier is configured with first and second coupling components, the first coupling component being interengageable with the second coupling component of the identical carrier, and the second coupling component being interengageable with the first coupling component of the identical carrier. The first and second coupling components may comprise twist-lock coupling components. Preferably, the carrier is configured such that it and the identical carrier are arranged substantially one-above-the-other when interconnected. Preferably, the first and second coupling components are arranged at upper and lower ends, respectively, of the carrier. Preferably, the carrier includes a carry handle defining the first coupling component. Preferably, the carry handle comprises a crossbar portion and the second coupling component comprises spaced apart locking tabs, and the carrier is configured such that rotation of the crossbar portion about a central axis perpendicular thereto effects receipt of each of opposite end portions of the crossbar portion into a respective slot defined between a respective one of the tabs and an underside of a floor of a said base portion arranged to support a respective said receptacle when held by the holder in the identical carrier. The crossbar portion may define laterally extending bracing arranged to abut the identical carrier to preclude angular displacement of one of the two carriers relative to the other. Preferably, the carry handle is position-adjustable such that
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-5 its rotational orientation about said central axis can be varied by 90°.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a receptacle carrier system comprising carriers, each of which is for carrying receptacles and includes holders 5 engageable with respective ones of said receptacles to hold them, wherein the carriers are interconnectable such that there is formed a receptacle carrier assembly which a person can carry so as to transport the receptacles held by the holders, and wherein each carrier accords with the first aspect, the system being configured such that the holders of each carrier are arranged along a respective substantially horizontal axis which is transverse to a 10 direction along which the carriers are spaced in the assembly.
Preferably the system is configured such that the assembly includes a handle which a person may grasp to carry the assembly.
The system may include a joiner via which carriers of the system are interconnectable such that said assembly is formed, which joiner may comprise a joining member which is separate from the carriers. The joiner may comprise a bar connectable at each one of opposite ends thereof to a respective one of the carriers. Preferably, the opposite ends are front and rear ends. The bar may define said handle. Preferably, the carriers 20 interconnectable via the joiner accord with the first aspect of the invention. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the carriers interconnectable via the joiner includes a said stem portion, and the joiner is connectable to each of the stem portions. Preferably, the joiner in that embodiment includes connectors each of which is engageable with the respective stem portion. Each connector may be configured with a lateral opening through 25 which the respective stem portion can be received by being urged laterally against the connector, so as to be engaged by the connector. Each of the carriers interconnectable via the joiner may further include a said handle which defines a stopper arranged to abut the connector engaged with the stem portion of that carrier, whereby to preclude the carrier from becoming disengaged from the joiner under gravity during the carrying of the 30 assembly.
Alternatively or additionally, the carriers may comprise ones which can be directly
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-6interconnected. Preferably, the directly interconnectable carriers are configured with coupling components that can be interengaged to connect the interconnectable carriers together and thereafter disengaged whereby the connected carriers are separated.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the carriers in the system are identical. Preferably, each carrier is configured with first and second coupling components, the first coupling component being interengageable with the second coupling component of another said carrier, and the second coupling component being interengageable with the first coupling component of another said carrier. The first and second coupling components 10 may comprise twist-lock coupling components. Preferably, each carrier is configured such that the carriers are arranged one-above-another when interconnected. Preferably, the first and second coupling components of each carrier are arranged at upper and lower ends, respectively, of that carrier. Preferably, each carrier includes a carry handle defining the first coupling component thereof. Preferably, in each carrier, the carry handle comprises a 15 crossbar portion and the second coupling component comprises spaced apart locking tabs, and each carrier is configured such that rotation of the crossbar portion thereof about a central axis perpendicular thereto effects receipt of each of opposite end portions of the crossbar portion thereof into a respective slot defined between a respective one of the tabs and an underside of a floor of a said base portion arranged to support a respective said 20 receptacle when held by the holder in another said carrier. The crossbar portion of a given carrier may define laterally extending bracing arranged to abut another said carrier to which said given carrier is connected.
The coupling components may comprise interengeable male and female coupling 25 components.
Preferably, at least one of the directly interconnectable carriers accords with the first aspect and/or the second aspect of the invention.
The system according to one preferred embodiment of the invention is configured such that the holders of each carrier are arranged along a respective substantially horizontal axis which is transverse to a direction along which the carriers are spaced in the assembly.
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-7Preferably, said direction is a forwards-rearwards direction.
The present invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1A is a perspective view of a carrier for beverages according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure IB is a side elevation view of the carrier of the first embodiment;
Figure 1C is a top view of the carrier of the first embodiment;
Figure ID is an end elevation view of the carrier of the first embodiment;
Figure IE is a perspective view showing how receptacles are engaged with the carrier of the first embodiment;
Figure IF is a perspective view showing the carrier of the first embodiment holding the receptacles and being carried;
Figure 2A is a perspective view of a joiner for interconnecting two carriers of the first embodiment;
Figure 2B is a side elevation view of the joiner;
Figure 2C is a top view of the joiner;
Figure 2D is an end view of the joiner;
Figure 2E is a perspective view showing how the joiner is brought into engagement with the two carriers of the first embodiment;
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-8Figure 2F shows, in plan, how a connector of the joiner is brought into engagement with a stem of a carrier of the first embodiment;
Figure 2G is a side elevation view showing how the joiner is brought into engagement with 5 the two carriers of the first embodiment;
Figure 2H is a perspective view showing the joiner interengaged with the two carriers of the first embodiment and the latter holding receptacles;
Figure 21 is a perspective view showing the assembly depicted in Figure 2H being carried;
Figure 2J is a side elevation view showing the said assembly being carried;
Figure 3 A is a bottom view of the carrier of the first embodiment;
Figure 3B is a perspective view of a supplementary carrier for beverages attachable to the carrier of the first embodiment such that the two carriers form a composite carrier;
Figure 3C is a top view of the supplementary carrier;
Figure 3D is a bottom view of the supplementary carrier;
Figure 3E is a first side elevation view of the supplementary carrier;
Figure 3F is a second side elevation view of the supplementary carrier;
Figure 3G shows how the supplementary carrier is attached to the carrier of the first embodiment and how receptacles are brought into engagement with the carriers;
Figure 3H is a perspective view of the composite carrier;
Figure 31 is a perspective view showing an assembly comprising the composite carrier and
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-9receptacles held thereby being carried;
Figure 4A is a perspective view of another carrier for beverages;
Figure 4B is a front elevation view of the carrier shown in Figure 4A;
Figure 4C is a side elevation view of the carrier shown in Figure 4 A;
Figure 4D is a top view of the carrier shown in Figure 4A;
Figure 4E is a perspective view showing an assembly comprising the carrier shown in
Figure 4A and receptacles engaged therewith;
Figure 5A is a perspective view of a carrier for beverages according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5B is a side elevation view of the carrier of said further preferred embodiment;
Figure 5 C is an end elevation view of the carrier of said further preferred embodiment;
Figure 5D is a top view of the carrier of said further preferred embodiment;
Figure 5E is a bottom view of the carrier of said further preferred embodiment;
Figure 5F is a perspective view showing an assembly comprising carriers of said further preferred embodiment coupled together; and
Figure 5G is a perspective view showing an alternative assembly comprising carriers of said further preferred embodiment coupled together.
Shown in Figures 1A to ID is a carrier 1 for receptacles 30 such as drink-containing receptacles (e.g. cans, cups or bottles). The carrier 1 is moulded, as a single piece, from
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-10plastic, though may, alternatively, be formed from different material and/or via a different method, without departure from the invention. The carrier 1 comprises a handle 3, which in the present embodiment is configured in the form of a straight bar portion, and a stem 5 which projects downwardly from a central section of the handle 3. The carrier further 5 comprises a pair of receptacle holders 7 interconnected with the stem 5 at a lower end thereof. Each holder 7 comprises a gripper 9 which consists of opposed resiliently flexible claw or clip members 9A, 9B which are joined to the stem 5 at proximal ends thereof and are arranged such that there is a gap 10 between distal ends thereof. Each holder 7 further comprises a base 11 which is joined at a proximal end thereof to the stem lower end and 10 projects radially outwardly from the stem 5 such that it is spaced below the respective gripper 9. Each base 11 is configured substantially in the shape of a circular disc, so as to conform generally to the perimeter configuration of a circular base of a receptacle, such as a drink can 30, as shown in Figures IE and IF, which will rest against it when the receptacle is held by the holder 7.
The carrier 1 is substantially symmetrical about a plane in which a central longitudinal axis of the stem 5 lies and which is perpendicular to the axis of the handle 3. Also, the holders 7 project in opposite directions from the stem or, more generally, are spaced at equal angles around the stem 5. Accordingly, when the holders 7 are holding receptacles 20 having a similar weight (including, of course, the weight of the receptacle contents) and similar configuration, the resulting assembly, comprising the carrier 1 and the held receptacles, will be balanced when a person, by grasping the handle 3, carries the carrier 1 and the receptacles, by his or her side while walking (see Figure IF). The carrier 1 includes a hook 13 arranged at the stem upper end slightly below the handle 3, via 25 which the carrier 1 may be hung up so as to be stored when not in use.
The holders 7 are arranged in a line which extends in the direction in which the person carrying the carrier 1, in the manner described, walks. Advantageously, the carrier 1 is thus narrow as viewed in that direction, such that the arm of the person via which the 30 carrier 1 is carried can be maintained close to the person's side without interference between the carrier and the persons legs at that side during walking.
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- 11 Referring to Figures IE and IF, engagement between each holder 7 and the respective receptacle 30 is effected by urging the receptacle laterally against the distal ends of the opposed members 9A, 9B, causing them to spread apart, whereby the lateral opening 10 defined therebetween widens sufficiently to allow passage of the receptacle 30 therepast, 5 whereupon the members 9A, 9B resile and engagement between the members 9A, 9B and opposite sides of the receptacle is effected. Alternatively, engagement between each holder 7 and the respective receptacle 30 may be effected by lowering the receptacle into the space between the opposed members 9A, 9A come into contact with and are resiliently spread apart by the opposite sides of the receptacle, whereby the engagement is 10 established.
The base of each receptacle in the thus-loaded carrier 1 abuts the respective base portion 11, which prevents the receptacle from sliding downwardly past the members 9A, 9B engaging it.
The carrier 1 is designed in particular for carrying cans 30, such as beverage-containing (e.g. beer) cans, though may alternatively be used to carry bottles, or even cups, provided they have sufficient rigidity to withstand the pressure of the respective pairs of clamping members 9A, 9B grasping them.
Each receptacle 30 as engaged by a respective holder 7 is grasped, so as to be restrained laterally (i.e. in a substantially horizontal plane) by the gripper 9 of the holder 7 and is restrained vertically by the base portion 11 of the holder 7, against which it rests, that portion defining a support shelf for the receptacle 30.
Each receptacle 30 can be released from the respective holder 7 by being urged against the distal ends of the opposed members 9A, 9B, this time from a position between them, such that they are again spread apart until the gap 10 between them becomes sufficiently wide to allow passage of the receptacle 30 past the distal ends. Alternatively, each receptacle 30 30 can be released from the respective holder 7 simply by being lifted from between the members 9A, 9B.
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- 12The members 9A, 9B are curved so as to conform to curved side wall portions of the receptacle 30 when engaged thereby, so that they engage those side wall portions substantially throughout their lengths.
In alternative embodiments, where the receptacles are not cylindrical or do not have circular cross sections perpendicular to upright central axes thereof, the base portions 11 and clamping members 9A, 9B may have different configurations; for example, where the receptacles are cartons, the perimeter configurations of the base portions may instead be square/rectangular or diamond-shaped and the gripper members 9A, 9B rectilinear instead 10 of curved, such that each of them can engage adjacent, perpendicularly orientated, side walls of the respective carton.
Shown in Figures 2A to 2J is a joiner 20 which can be used to interconnect two carriers 1 whereby there is formed a carrier assembly 40, comprising the joiner 20 and carriers 1, as 15 can be seen in Figures 2H to 2J. The joiner 1, referring to Figures 2A to 2D, comprises a bar member 22 and connectors 24 arranged at opposite ends of the bar member 22. The joiner 20, like each carrier 1, is moulded as a single piece from plastic. Each connector 24 comprises a resiliently deformable clip or pair of opposed claw members 24A, 24B proximal ends of which are connected to the bar member 22 and distal ends of which are 20 separated by a gap 26. Referring to Figures 2E to 2G, the stem 5 of a respective one of the carriers 1 can be urged against the distal ends of the members 24A, 24B of each connector 24, causing the gap 26 between the distal ends thereof to widen sufficiently to permit passage of the stem 5 therepast, whereupon the members 24A, 24B resile such that they engage opposite sides of the stem 5 which thus becomes snap-fitted to the 25 connector 24, as can be seen in Figure 2H.
Referring again to Figures 2A to 2D, the bar member 22 comprises a central portion 22A, which defines a handle of the assembly 40, front and rear end portions 22B, which are collinear and laterally offset from the central portion 22A and connected at distal ends 30 thereof to respective ones of the connectors 24, and intermediate portions 22C each of which connects a respective end of the portion 22A to a proximal end of a respective end portion 22B and is angled relative to the portions 22A and 22B. The central
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- 13 portion 22A/handle is thus at a higher level relative to each carrier 1 than it would be if the bar member 22 were straight throughout its length.
Referring to Figures 2H to 2J, each carrier handle 3 in the assembly 40 abuts an upper side of a respective one of the connectors 24, thereby functioning as a stopper precluding the carrier 1 from becoming disengaged from the joiner 20 when the assembly 40 is lifted by the handle 22A. Although in the assembly 40, the line in which the holders of each carrier 1 are arranged extends perpendicular to the direction in which the person walks (when grasping the handle 22A whereby to carry the assembly 30 by his or her side), the 10 holders 7*, shown in Figure 21, which are on the same side of the stems 5 as the person's legs, and likewise the receptacles 30 they hold, cannot interfere with the legs as the person walks because they are sufficiently spaced forwardly and rearwardly, respectively, from them. Because the joiner 20 engages each carrier 1 via each stem 5, the assembly 30, when lifted by handle 22A, is balanced, as will be the assembly, shown in Figures 2H 15 and 21, which comprises the assembly 40 and receptacles 30 of similar configuration and weight held by the holders 7 of the carriers 1 in the assembly 40.
Referring now to Figures 3A to 31, the carrier 1 is configured such that a supplementary receptacles carrier 1' can be attached to it whereby there is formed a composite receptacles 20 carrier comprising the carriers 1 and 1' coupled together. In the forthcoming description of the supplementary carrier Γ, the same reference numerals as have been used in respect of the carrier 1 will be used to denote and refer to identical or corresponding features.
The supplementary carrier 1' is likewise for receptacles 30 and is moulded, as a single piece, from plastic, though may, alternatively, be formed from different material and/or via a different method, without departure from the invention. The carrier 1' is, downward of an upper end section thereof, almost identical in configuration to the carrier 1. The upper end of the carrier 1', instead of having a handle interconnected with an upper end of the stem 5 and a hook on the stem 5 adjacent that upper end, is configured with a coupling 30 member 2 and opposed stabiliser portions 12 each of which lies above and in alignment with the gripper 9 and base 11 of a respective holder 7 of the supplementary carrier Γ. As shown in Figure 3 A, the portion of the carrier 1 defining the bases 11 therein is configured
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- 14with a downwardly opening cavity 14, which is arranged to receive the coupling member 2 in an interlocking manner such that the carrier 1 and supplementary carrier Γ can be interconnected. As can best be seen in Figure 3E, the coupling member 2 comprises a central upwardly projecting portion 4 and opposed laterally projecting portions 6. An 5 opening into the cavity 14 is complementarily configured, permitting insertion of the member 2 into the cavity 14 when the stems 5 of the carriers 1 and Γ are aligned and the pairs of holders 7 thereof are rotationally offset by 90 degrees. Following insertion of the coupling member 2 into the cavity 14 when the carriers 1 and Γ are thus orientated, rotation of one of the carriers 1 and 1' relative to the other through an angle of 90 degrees 10 causes the portions 6 of the coupling member 2 to engage the lower wall of the cavity 14 and thus to be trapped within the cavity 14, interlocking the holders 1 and Γ in a manner such that the stabilisers 12 align with the bases 11 of the holders 7 in the carrier 1 and abut those bases whereby the carrier Γ is substantially rigidly fixed to the carrier 1 in the composite carrier 50 during use thereof. As shown in Figure 31, an assembly comprising a 15 composite carrier 50 and receptacles 30 held thereby is carried, via handle 3, in the same manner as an assembly comprising only the carrier 1 and receptacles 30 held thereby (as shown in Figure IF).
The carriers 1 and Γ can be separated simply by effecting relative rotation, through an 20 angle of 90 degrees, between them in the direction opposite that in which they were relatively rotated to interconnect them, then drawing the locking member 2 out of the cavity 14.
Referring to Figure 3D, the carrier Γ is configured such that another supplementary 25 receptacles carrier Γ can be attached to it, whereby there can be formed a composite receptacles carrier comprising the carrier 1 and plural carriers Γ, coupled in end-to-end relation, which are coupled to the carrier 1. Specifically, the portion of the carrier Γ defining the bases 11 therein is configured with a downwardly opening cavity 14 (identical to that previously described), which is arranged to receive the coupling member 2 of a 30 further carrier Γ in an interlocking manner.
It is to be appreciated that the joiner 20 can interconnect the carriers 1 of like composite
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- 15 carriers 50, in exactly the same way that it interconnects carriers 1 on their own (as shown in Figures 2E to 2J), such that there is formed a carrier assembly comprising the joiner 20 and composite carriers 50, which carrier assembly can be carried in the same manner as shown in Figures 21 and 2J.
Shown in Figures 4A to 4E is a carrier of alternative form. In the forthcoming description of the carrier 1, the same reference numerals as have been used in respect of the carrier 1 will be used to denote and refer to identical or corresponding features. The carrier 1, like the carrier 1, is for receptacles 30 and is moulded, as a single piece, from plastic, though 10 may, alternatively be formed from different material and/or via a different method. The carrier 1 comprises a handle 3, which is configured in the form of a straight bar portion, and a stem 5 which projects downwardly but, unlike in the carrier 1, so projects from a position which is laterally offset from the handle 3. More particularly, the carrier 1 includes a lateral member 15 which extends sideways from a central portion of the handle 15 3, from which member the stem 5 projects downwardly. Arranged at a lower part of the stem 5 is a single holder 7 comprising a gripper 9 and base 11 below the gripper 9.
Arranged higher up the stem 5, in alignment with the gripper 9, is a further gripper 9', having a configuration identical to that of gripper 9, the use of which will be described shortly.
The carrier 1 further includes a hook 13 which extends from an end of the lateral member 15 which is opposite to that at which the handle 3 is arranged, via which hook the carrier 1 may be hung up so as to be stored when not in use.
Referring to Figure 4E in particular, a receptacle 30 is brought into engagement with holder 7 in an identical manner to that described in respect of the carrier 1, whereupon an upper end 32 of the receptacle 30 defines a base against which a second receptacle 30, upon being brought into engagement with second gripper 9' (in a manner identical to that in which the first receptacle 30 is brought into engagement with the gripper 9), rests, 30 whereby the pair of receptacles 30, one above the other, is supported on the base 11.
Because the carrier 1 is configured such that both receptacles 30 are located on one side of
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- 16the stem 5, the centre of gravity of the assembly comprising the carrier 1 and receptacles 30 held thereby does not pass through the stem 5 (as it does in the carrier 1 and composite carrier 50) but rather along an axis which passes through the stacked receptacles 30. The lateral member 15 is configured such that, when the assembly is arranged upright, that axis passes through the handle 3. Accordingly, when the assembly is carried, via the handle 3 (in the same manner as shown in Figure IF), it will hang in a substantially upright orientation from the arm of the person grasping the handle 3.
In a variant of the carrier 1, in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, a 10 second base 11 is provided on the stem 5 at a position slightly above the gripper 9 whereby to support the upper receptacle 30 from below when that receptacle is engaged with the gripper 9'.
Shown in Figures 5A to 5E is a carrier Γ according to a third preferred embodiment of the 15 invention. In the forthcoming description of the carrier Γ, the same reference numerals as have been used in respect of the carriers 1 and 1 will be used to denote and refer to identical or corresponding features. The carrier Γ, like the carriers 1 and 1, is for receptacles 30 (not shown) and is moulded from plastic, though may, alternatively be formed from different material and/or via a different method, without departure from the 20 invention. The carrier Γ includes a handle 3, which in the present embodiment includes a horizontal bar portion 3A and wings or tabs 3B projecting downwardly from opposite ends of the bar portion 3A, and a stem 5 which projects downwardly from the handle 3. The handle 3 includes a collar 3C integrally formed with the bar portion 3A and projecting downwardly from a central part thereof, having an interior cross section sized and shaped 25 such that it press-fits to an upper end of the stem 5. The carrier Γ further comprises a pair of receptacle holders 7 interconnected with the stem 5 at a lower end section thereof. Each holder 7 comprises a gripper 9 which consists of opposed resiliently flexible jaw or clip members 9A, 9B which are joined to the stem 5 at proximal ends thereof and are arranged such there is a gap 10 between distal ends thereof. Each holder 7 further comprises a 30 base 11 which is joined at a proximal end thereof to the stem lower end and projects radially outwardly from the stem 5 such that it is spaced below the respective gripper 9.
Proximal end portions of the members 9A and 9B are bifurcated so as to be relatively stiff.
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- 17Each base 11 is substantially circular as viewed in plan and is configured with a locking member 14 which comprises a connecting portion 14A extending downwardly from receptacle-supportive floor 11A of the base, and a tongue or tab portion 14B projecting 5 generally horizontally from a lower end of the portion 14A, parallel to the floor 11 A. The tabs 14B project in opposite directions perpendicular to a plane in which the longitudinal axis of the stem 5 and an axis along which the bases 11 lie. The function of the locking members 14 will be described in further detail shortly.
Each base 11 is additionally configured with upwardly extending perimeter wall portions 16A, 16B at front and rear sections of the base 11, which may be spaced so as to lie closely adjacent or in contact with opposed lower side wall sections of the receptacle when held by the respective holder 7, so as to provide lateral support to the receptacle which supplements that provided by the gripper 9. The wall portions 16A, 16B, however, 15 may be omitted without departure from the invention.
Referring to Figure 5F, the carrier Γ is interconnectable with an identical carrier Γ whereby there is formed a composite receptacles carrier 100 comprising the carriers Γ coupled together. To interconnect the carriers Γ, one carrier Γ is positioned below the 20 other and orientated such that the longitudinal axis of its stem 5 aligns with that of the stem 5 of the carrier Γ above, with the longitudinal axes of the bar portions 3 A in the two carriers Γ angularly offset, and the bar portion 3A of the lower carrier Γ is brought into engagement with the lower end of the stem 5 of the upper carrier Γ. To facilitate alignment of the carriers Γ, the bar portion 3A and stem lower end are configured with 25 complementary interengagable formations which, in the present embodiment, comprise a frustoconical cavity 3D in the bar portion 3A and a frustoconical protuberance 5A at the stem lower end. Upon receipt of the protuberance 5A of the upper carrier Γ into the cavity 3D of the lower carrier Γ, the stems 5 of the two carriers Γ are coaxial. Rotation of one of the carriers Γ relative to the other about the stem longitudinal axes causes each 30 of opposite end portions of the bar portion 3A of the lower carrier Γ to be received between the floor section 11A and tongue 14A of a respective base 11 so as to be trapped therebetween, whereupon the carriers Γ are interlocked. Each of the wings 3B overlaps an
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- 18 edge of a respective tongue 14A to offer restraint against displacement of one carrier Γ relative to the other in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the now aligned bar sections 3A. So that the interengaged bar portion 3A and tongues 14B can reliably interlock, the underside of the bar portion 3A is configured with spaced apart downwardly 5 projecting generally hemispherical protuberances 3F and the upper surfaces of the tongues
14B are configured with upwardly opening generally hemispherical cavities 14C and respective ones of the former, during rotation to interlock the two carriers 1', cause respective ones of the tongues 14B to deflect downwardly, until the protuberances 3F align with the cavities 14D, whereupon the tongues 14B resile such that the protuberances 3F are 10 received in the cavities 14D. The carriers 1' can be separated simply by effecting relative rotation between them in the opposite direction, applying sufficient torque to cause the protuberances 3F to deflect the tongues 14B downwardly whereby the handle portion 3A of the lower carrier 1' is released from the tongues 14B.
Application of sufficient pulling force to the handle 3 is sufficient to overcome the press-fit interengagement between the collar 3C and stem upper end, whereupon the rotational orientation of the handle 3 relative to the stem 5 can be adjusted and the handle 3 then again press fit to the stem 5, whereby the longitudinal axis of the bar portion 3 A is perpendicular to the line in which the holders 7 are arranged, rather than being parallel 20 with that line as shown in Figure 5A, with the result that interconnection of the carrier 1' thus modified and another carrier 1' not so modified results in the composite carrier 100' shown in Figure 5G.
It will be appreciated that there need not be any significant degree of frictional engagement 25 between each gripper and the receptacle which it grasps; of greatest importance is that the gripper preclude translational movement of the receptacle with respect to the holder of which it forms a part.
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should 30 be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
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- 19invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments.
Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word comprise, and variations such as comprises and comprising, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.
Claims (15)
1. A carrier for carrying receptacles, the carrier comprising holders by each of which a respective one of the receptacles is to be held, each holder comprising:
2. A carrier according to claim 1, wherein the holders are arranged in a single line which extends in a forwards-rearwards direction.
15
3. A carrier according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each gripper comprises a resiliently deformable clip.
4. A carrier according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each gripper comprises a pair of opposed claw members.
5. A carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each gripper is configured with a lateral opening through which the respective receptacle can be received by being urged laterally against the gripper, so as to be engaged by the gripper.
25
5 a gripper configured to engage opposite sides of the respective receptacle such that the receptacle is grasped so as to be restrained laterally by the gripper; and a base portion arranged below the gripper to support the respective receptacle from beneath when it is engaged by the gripper, the carrier being configured such that a person can carry it, and thus the receptacles 10 held by the holders, by his or her side while walking.
6. A carrier according to any one of the preceding claims, including a handle, interconnected with the holders, which a person can grasp to carry the carrier, and thus the receptacles held by the holders, by his or her side while walking.
7. A carrier according to claim 6, wherein the holders are arranged at a lower level 30 than the handle.
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8. A carrier according to any one of the preceding claims, including a stem portion from which the holders are supported, wherein each holder projects radially outwardly from the stem portion.
5
9. A carrier according to claim 8, wherein the gripper of each holder opens in a direction in which the holder so projects.
10 19. A carrier according to any one of the preceding claims, being configured so as to be interconnectable with another carrier which is identical to it whereby the interconnected carriers form a receptacle carrier assembly which a person can carry so as to transport the receptacles held by the holders.
10 displacement of the receptacle supported thereby.
10. A carrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each base portion is provided with at least one perimeter wall portion arranged to preclude lateral
11. A carrier according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the holders are spaced at equal angles around the stem portion, whereby an assembly comprising the carrier and the receptacles held by the holders thereof has a centre of gravity which is such that the stem
15 portion hangs straight downwardly from the person's hand when the assembly is carried thereby.
12. A carrier according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the number of holders is two and the holders project in opposite directions from the stem portion.
13. A carrier according to claim 12, wherein said directions are forward and rearward directions when the person is carrying the carrier by his or her side.
14. A carrier according to claim 13, being configured such that the arm of the person 25 via which it is carried can be maintained close to the person's side without interference between the carrier and the person's leg at that side during walking.
15. A carrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each base portion has a perimeter configuration generally matching a perimeter configuration of a base of the
30 receptacle which the base portion is arranged to support from below.
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16. A carrier according to claim 15, wherein the perimeter configuration of each base portion is substantially circular.
17. A carrier according to any one of the preceding claims, being for drinking 5 receptacles.
18. A carrier according to any one of the preceding claims, including a hook via which it may be hung so as to be stored when not in use.
15 20. A receptacle carrier system comprising carriers, each of which is for carrying receptacles and includes holders engageable with respective ones of said receptacles to hold them, wherein the carriers are interconnectable such that there is formed a receptacle carrier assembly which a person can carry so as to transport the receptacles held by the holders, and wherein each carrier accords with any one of claims 1 to 19, the system being 20 configured such that the holders of each carrier are arranged along a respective substantially horizontal axis which is transverse to a direction along which the carriers are spaced in the assembly.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2014271248A AU2014271248B2 (en) | 2013-12-03 | 2014-12-02 | Receptacle carrier and receptacle carrier system |
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2013904689 | 2013-12-03 | ||
| AU2013904689A AU2013904689A0 (en) | 2013-12-03 | Receptacle carrier and receptacle carrier system | |
| AU2014901957 | 2014-05-23 | ||
| AU2014901957A AU2014901957A0 (en) | 2014-05-23 | Receptacle carrier and receptacle carrier system | |
| AU2014271248A AU2014271248B2 (en) | 2013-12-03 | 2014-12-02 | Receptacle carrier and receptacle carrier system |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU2014271248A1 AU2014271248A1 (en) | 2015-06-18 |
| AU2014271248B2 true AU2014271248B2 (en) | 2019-09-19 |
Family
ID=53370314
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2014271248A Active AU2014271248B2 (en) | 2013-12-03 | 2014-12-02 | Receptacle carrier and receptacle carrier system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU2014271248B2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP3622851A3 (en) * | 2018-09-17 | 2020-07-29 | Jodi Weiksnar | Bottle carrier and storage device |
Citations (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2616751A (en) * | 1947-06-21 | 1952-11-04 | Goldenberg Seymour | Bottle holder and carrier |
| US2865669A (en) * | 1955-07-26 | 1958-12-23 | Frank R Linthicum | Bottle carrier |
| US3203582A (en) * | 1962-07-18 | 1965-08-31 | Snap Pac Corp | Carrier clip for cans having chimes on only one end |
| US3693830A (en) * | 1970-11-12 | 1972-09-26 | Anchor Hocking Corp | Package for tumblers and the like |
| US4560064A (en) * | 1984-07-30 | 1985-12-24 | Vercon, Inc. | Carrier for cans |
| US6334531B1 (en) * | 2000-06-09 | 2002-01-01 | Maria Agneza Valkovich | Plastic bottle carrier |
| US20040206789A1 (en) * | 2001-10-25 | 2004-10-21 | Dahl Phyllis S. | Beverage bottle carrier |
| WO2011138788A1 (en) * | 2010-05-04 | 2011-11-10 | Impackit Ltd. | Stacking and securing system for containers |
-
2014
- 2014-12-02 AU AU2014271248A patent/AU2014271248B2/en active Active
Patent Citations (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2616751A (en) * | 1947-06-21 | 1952-11-04 | Goldenberg Seymour | Bottle holder and carrier |
| US2865669A (en) * | 1955-07-26 | 1958-12-23 | Frank R Linthicum | Bottle carrier |
| US3203582A (en) * | 1962-07-18 | 1965-08-31 | Snap Pac Corp | Carrier clip for cans having chimes on only one end |
| US3693830A (en) * | 1970-11-12 | 1972-09-26 | Anchor Hocking Corp | Package for tumblers and the like |
| US4560064A (en) * | 1984-07-30 | 1985-12-24 | Vercon, Inc. | Carrier for cans |
| US6334531B1 (en) * | 2000-06-09 | 2002-01-01 | Maria Agneza Valkovich | Plastic bottle carrier |
| US20040206789A1 (en) * | 2001-10-25 | 2004-10-21 | Dahl Phyllis S. | Beverage bottle carrier |
| WO2011138788A1 (en) * | 2010-05-04 | 2011-11-10 | Impackit Ltd. | Stacking and securing system for containers |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU2014271248A1 (en) | 2015-06-18 |
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| FGA | Letters patent sealed or granted (standard patent) |