- 1 A Cup Holder Technical Field The present invention relates generally to a cup holder, and more particularly to a reusable cup holder. 5 Background Art Most restaurants or caf6s provide beverage drinkers with an option to take away beverages in disposable cups and carriers. Cup carriers can be used for carrying one cup or for carrying multiple cups at a time. A primary reason for io using a cup carrier includes freeing up one hand to carry other things. Known cup carriers are cardboard portable trays that allow up to four cups to be carried in a square configuration. These portable trays are awkward and heavy to balance using only one hand, particularly when the cups are full of liquid and is when there is an odd number of cups or an uneven distribution of weight. Often both hands need to be used to properly balance the beverages in one of these portable trays. Therefore, these trays are prone to accidents and spillage. Further, these portable trays have a negative impact on the environment. 20 These trays are large enough that they are not practical for people to carry them around in a bag for daily use. Instead, people discard them after one use. Therefore, use of disposable cardboard trays is not sustainable. These trays fail to provide a simple and safe cup carrier that is practical to use 25 repeatedly. It is to be understood that a reference herein to a prior art document does not constitute an admission that the document forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country. 30 Summary Disclosed is a cup holder comprising a flexible body and a strap fixed to the 74278461 (GHMatters) P1 02264.AU JENNIFERW 14/04/16 -2 body, the cup holder being operative to be in a carrier mode and a stow mode, wherein, when in the carrier mode, the body is arranged to form a closed loop in which a cup is arranged to be received, and, when in the stow mode, the body is arranged to be furled tightly to adopt a generally cylindrical form. 5 Brief Description of the Drawings Embodiments will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 10 Fig. 1 is an end view of an embodiment of a cup holder in the carrier mode; Fig. 2 is a side view of the cup holder of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side view of the cup holder of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an perspective view of an embodiment of the cup holder in the stow mode; is Fig. 5 is a side view of the cup holder of the cup holder in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a side view of the cup holder of Fig. 4; Fig. 7 a perspective view of an embodiment of the cup holder in an open configuration; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the cup holder in use with a 20 cup and Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the cup holder in use of Fig. 8. Detailed Description 25 In the following detailed description, reference is made to accompanying drawings which form a part of the detailed description. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, depicted in the drawings and defined in the claims, are not intended to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilised and other changes may be made without departing from the 30 spirit or scope of the subject matter presented. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein and illustrated in the drawings can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated 74278461 (GHMatters) P1 02264.AU JENNIFERW 14/04/16 -3 and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated in this disclosure. Disclosed is a cup holder comprising a flexible body and a strap fixed to the 5 body. The cup holder being operative to be in a carrier mode and a stow mode. When in the carrier mode, the body is arranged to form a closed loop in which a cup is arranged to be received. When in the stow mode, the body is arranged to be furled tightly to adopt a generally cylindrical form. 10 In the stow mode, the cup holder is convenient and portable by being so easy to carry. The design of the cup holder leaves the hands largely free as it can suspend from the hand or the wrist. In some forms, when the cup holder is in the stow mode; the body is able to is maintain its furled configuration by a releasable fastener. The releasable fastener may be in any suitable form. For example, the releasable fastener may be in the form of a hook and loop fastener, snap fasteners, buttons, adhesive, tacks, resilient or elastic band, or a fastening between two parts achieved by an interference fit or snap fit. 20 The body of the cup holder may be formed from any flexible material that forms a band having opposite ends. When the cup holder is in the carrier mode, the opposite ends are releasably securable to form the closed loop. In some forms, the opposite ends of the body are secured by the releasable fastener. The size 25 of the closed loop may be adjustable to fit different size cups. The closed loop may be formed by releasably securing one end of the body to the body to adjust the size of the closed loop. Alternatively, an extension piece may be inserted between the opposite ends to form a larger closed loop. 30 In some forms, the body is arranged to be furled to adopt the stow mode whilst the opposite ends are released. 74278461 (GHMatters) P1 02264.AU JENNIFERW 14/04/16 -4 In some forms, the strap of the cup holder has opposite ends which are fixed to the body of the cup holder in spaced relation. The strap may be arranged to extend from the body in the stow mode (e.g., the furled configuration). The strap may be permanently fixed to the body through sewing or adhesive. The 5 strap may be releasably fixed to the body of the cup holder and may be temporarily removed. For example, any suitable releasable fastener may be used as discussed above. The strap may also be integrally formed with the body. 1o The body and strap may be formed from any suitable material that is able to support the weight of a full cup. The cup may be full of a flowable substance, such as a liquid, or a solid such as candy. Further, the body may be formed of a material (or a combination of materials) that has liquid resistant, insulating and/or heat-resistant properties. For example, materials such as such as a is polyester material or other synthetic fabrics, cardboard, paper, plastic, polyurethane, nylon, leather, canvas and silicone may be used. Any material that is tough yet flexible and that can withstand being furled and unfurled repeatedly without failing is suitable for the body and the strand. 20 Referring to the Figures, an embodiment of a cup holder 10 for a cup is disclosed. The cup holder 10 is designed to carry a range of cups from disposable to reusable. The cups may contain a wide variety of contents, such as hot or cold liquid beverages, or a substance that fits in a cup, such as small food items. 25 The cup holder 10 includes a flexible body 12 and a strap 14 fixed to the body 12. The cup holder 10 is operative to be in a carrier mode (Figs. 1 to 3) and a stow mode (see Figs. 4 to 6). When the cup holder 10 is in the carrier mode, the body 12 is arranged to form a closed loop in which a cup 30 is arranged to 30 be received (see Figs. 8 and 9). When the cup holder 10 is in the stow mode, the body 12 is arranged to be furled tightly to adopt a generally cylindrical form. The cup holder 10 has two operational modes, but three configurations. Each 74278461 (GHMatters) P1 02264.AU JENNIFERW 14/04/16 -5 will be discussed in detail in the following disclosure. Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, an embodiment of the cup holder 10 is illustrated in the carrier mode. The body 12 is formed from sheet material that forms a band 16 5 having opposite ends 18, 20 (see Fig. 7). In the illustrated embodiment, in the carrier mode, the opposite ends 18, 20 are releasably securable to form the closed loop. The size of the closed loop is adjustable to fit different size cups. For example, the variables that may be adjusted to adjust the size are diameter, radius, circumference, thickness, height, width and/or length. 10 The opposite ends 18, 20 of the body are secured by a releasable fastener 22. To adjust the size of the closed loop, the position of the releasable fastener may be adjustable or the releasable fastener may enable the closed loop to be fastened at various circumferences. The latter arrangement is illustrated in Fig. is 7. The releasable fastener 22 is in the form of a hook and loop fastener, but may be in any suitable form. For example, snap fasteners, adhesive, buttons, tacks, resilient or elastic band may be used or an interference fit releasable fastener or a snap fit releasable fastener. 20 The strap 14 has opposite ends 24, 26 which are fixed to the body 12 in spaced relation. In the illustrated embodiment, the ends 24, 26 of the strap are equally spaced apart when fixed to the body 12. The ends 24, 26 are fixed to along the same edge as the direction in which the strap 14 extends from the body 12. In the illustrated embodiment, when the cup holder 10 is in use, the strap extends 25 from a top edge 28 of the body 12 and the strap 14 extends up allowing the body 12 to hang below the strap 14. In alternative non-illustrated embodiments, the ends of the strap may be fixed to the same spot on the body or may be unequally spaced in relation to each other on the body. 30 Further, the ends 24, 26 of the strap may be releasably fixed to the body 12 using a similar releasable fastener as discussed in relation to the body below. The strap ends 24, 26 may also be sewn to the body or glued to the body using 74278461 (GHMatters) P1 02264.AU JENNIFERW 14/04/16 -6 adhesive. Further, the strap may be integrally formed to the body Referring to Figs. 4 to 6, an embodiment of the cup holder 10 is illustrated in the stow mode. In the stow mode, the body 12 is in a furled configuration. The 5 furled configuration is designed so that the cup holder 10 is compact to allow it be stowed in a convenient place such as a pocket, on a key chain, or in a bag. In order for the cup holder 10 to adopt the furled configuration, the user starts from one of the ends 18, 20 and rolls the body 12 tightly until it is in a generally cylindrical form. The body 12 may also be folded (e.g., in half) either io lengthwise or widthwise or both before being rolled. The body 12 is able to maintain its furled configuration by a releasable fastener 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the releasable fastener 22 is the same fastener 22 used to secure the closed loop configuration in the carrier mode. In is alternative embodiments, separate releasable fasteners may be used. For example, an elastic band may be sewn to one of the ends 18, 20 of the body and looped around the body in the furled configured to hold the body together. The strap 14 is arranged to extend from the body 12 in the furled configuration. 20 Advantageously, this allows the strap to hook onto another object, such as a key chain or the inside of a bag, to ensure it is easy to find and prevents the cup holder from being lost. Alternatively, the strap 14 may also be folded in half and laid flat on the body to enable it to be rolled into the body in the furled configuration. The strap can also be removable and rolled separately to the 25 body or into the body. Fig. 7 illustrates the cup holder 10 in the open configuration. In the open configuration, the releasable fastener 22 is released and the ends 18, 20 are detached. The body 12 is a trapezoidal shape to allow it to form a generally 30 cylindrical shape (including a frustoconical shape) when in the closed loop configuration. This is beneficial because as a result of being the same or similar shape, the cup holder 10 is able to be in a close frictional engagement 74278461 (GHMatters) P1 02264.AU JENNIFERW 14/04/16 -7 with the cup. However, the body may be any suitable shape, such as rectangular or square to form a cylindrical shape. This shape is also particularly good for customisation and personalisation. For example, users can customise the body by choosing a colour that suits their personal taste, or 5 using the outer surface of the body for advertising or marketing. The ends 18, 20 are detachable to allow the size (e.g., circumference) of the closed loop to be adjusted and are detachable to be fitted around a cup. The open configuration is generally only attained when the user is changing the cup 10 holder from the carrier mode to the stow mode or vice versa. The open configuration best illustrates the use of the releasable fastener 22 facilitating the adjustment of the size of the closed loop of the body 12. In this case, a hook and loop fastener is used. One of either the hook part or the loop 15 part is a longer piece that extends from one end 18 towards the other end 20 a few centimeters. The other end 20 includes the other of the hook or the loop part and is able to overlap with a portion of the one end 18 to facilitate different size closed loop configurations. 20 The ends 18, 20 do not need to be detached for the body 12 to receive a cup. The body may already be in the form of the closed loop may and the cup may be slid into the closed loop. Figs. 8 and 9 illustrates the cup holder 10 is use. The cup 30 is shown being received by the cup holder 10. In the illustrated embodiment, it is advantageous that the cup holder 10 evenly distributes the 25 weight being carried, that is the cup 30 and its contents. This is enabled by the ends of the strap 24, 26 being fixed to the body 12 of the cup holder 10 opposite each other extending from a top edge 28. In use, the strap 14 extends up from the body 12 to enable the user to use the 30 strap 14 as a handle. The body 12 and the cup 20 are in frictional engagement to support the weight of the cup 30 and its contents. The strap 14 is of a width relative to a user's hand that is easy for the user to pick up with one hand, or 74278461 (GHMatters) P1 02264.AU JENNIFERW 14/04/16 -8 even one finger. In this regard, a user is able to pick up more than one cup holder at a time in one hand by grasping multiple straps inside a fist or by grasping one handle per fingers. Because the distribution of weight of each cup is already balanced within each cup holder, picking up multiple cup holders is 5 easy. In other words, the user is not required to balance multiple cups in the tray, the weight of each cup and its contents is evenly distributed. The user can then grasp one to many cup holders by the strap without having to redistribute the weight with each cup holder and cup. io Alternatively, multiple bodies may be fixed together having one strap. The bodies may be fixed together by a releasable fastener. In this regard, the cup holder is modular in construction and capable of personalisation. Any number of closed loop bodies may be fixed together to be customised to a user's regular needs. 15 The cup holder 10 is also capable of personalisation according to the user's personal or business tastes. For example, a variety of colours are available, and both the body and strap may be used for advertising or marketing information. 20 In the illustrated embodiment, the body 12 and strap 14 are formed from polyester or other synthetic fabrics. For example, polypropylene webbing may be used. This material is liquid resistant, and able to be furled, unfurled and re furled without failing. Additionally, the material may have insulating and heat 25 resistant properties, which are advantageous when the cup contains a hot beverage. The body 12 is able to partially insulate the cup which lengthens the time that beverage remains hotter or cooler relative to its surroundings. The body 12 also has heat-resistant properties. A variety of suitable materials may be used for the body and strap. For example, other materials such as 30 cardboard, paper, plastic, polyurethane, nylon, leather, canvas and silicone may be used. The body and strap may be made from different materials, and depending on the user's needs the material forming the body and/or strap may 74278461 (GHMatters) P1 02264.AU JENNIFERW 14/04/16 -9 also be customised. The cup holder 10 is reusable rather than disposable allowing users to reduce their environmental impact. Its compactness, in the stow mode, means that 5 users will easily carry the cup holder until they need it in a pocket or bag. Not only it is reusable, but, in the carrier mode, it facilitates carrying a beverage in one hand. The strap of the cup holder is easy to hold that it frees up hands for carrying multiple beverages or other things. Therefore, the cup holder is a practical and sustainable choice. 10 Advantageously, the body 12 and the strap 14 and even the releasable fastener are customisable to suit users personal tastes and/or business needs. Users can choose different colours for each part, and the user can choose a colour(s) to personalise their cup holder 10. 15 In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the 20 stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. 74278461 (GHMatters) P1 02264.AU JENNIFERW 14/04/16