DK179207B1

DK179207B1 - A holder for a food or beverage container, methods for its production from a polymer film, and a method for freely carrying a beverage container by a person

Info

Publication number: DK179207B1
Application number: DKPA201670546A
Authority: DK
Inventors: Henrik Pape; Bo Haage Sørensen
Original assignee: Schur Tech As
Priority date: 2016-07-19
Filing date: 2016-07-19
Publication date: 2018-02-05
Also published as: DK201670546A1

Abstract

For freely carrying a food or beverage container (21) by a person, an elongate polymer film or paper-weave sheet (1) is provided with a first end-part (1a) and anopposite, second end-part (1b). In the first end-part (1a), a pocket (10) is formed of the sheet (1). In the second end-part (1b) two straps (6) are provided, which are connected to the pocket (10). The straps (6) are either provided separate for binding around the neck of a person or around the hips, or the straps (6) are provided as a single U-formed strap arrangement with two legs of the U-formed strap arrangement connected as straps (6) to the pocket (10) for hanging the holder around the neck of the person and locating the pocket (10) at a lower level than the straps (6), for example against the stomach. A food or beverage container (21) is then placed in the pocket (10), and the holder is supporting the food or beverage container (21) freely only by the straps (6).

Description

<¹θ> DANMARK (10)

<¹²> PATENTSKRIFT

Patent- og

Varemærkestyrelsen (51) Int.CI.: A 45 F 5/00 (2006.01) A 47 G 23/02 (2006.01) (21) Ansøgningsnummer: PA 2016 70546 (22) Indleveringsdato: 2016-07-19 (24) Løbedag: 2016-07-19 (41) Aim. tilgængelig: 2018-01-20 (45) Patentets meddelelse bkg. den: 2018-02-05 (73) Patenthaver: Schur Technology A/S, Fuglevangsvej 41,8700 Horsens, Danmark (72) Opfinder: Henrik Pape, Lindevej 23, 8700 Horsens, Danmark

Bo Haage Sørensen, Hindhøjen 104, 8382 Hinnerup, Danmark (74) Fuldmægtig: Patrade A/S, Fredens Torv 3A, 8000 Århus C, Danmark (54) Benævnelse: A holder for a food or beverage container, methods for its production from a polymer film, and a method for freely carrying a beverage container by a person (56) Fremdragne publikationer:

US 4754903 A US 5265783 A US 6688023 B1 DE 20004733 U1 DE 202011003263 U1 DE 202015000168 U1 (57) Sammendrag:

Fortsættes ...

FIG. 3 i

A holder for a food or beverage container, methods for its production from a polymer film, and a method for freely carrying a beverage container by a person

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a holder for a food or beverage container, methods for its production from a polymer film, and a method for freely carrying a food or beverage container by a person.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cup holders with neck straps or even beer ties have the advantage of allowing a beverage container to be carried by a person while having the hands free. Such devices for carrying beverage containers gain large popularity at festivals where the hands are to be kept free for clapping repeatedly while the beverages should be kept in vicinity under controlled conditions at the same time. Accordingly, a large variety exists of such devices for carrying beverage containers, including knitted or sewn fabrics as well as advanced thermo-insulating neoprene pockets with neck straps.

Common for such devices is the relatively high production cost as well as the weight and volume. It is therefore desirable to provide improved carriers for beverage containers.

DESCRIPTION / SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore the objective of the invention to provide an improvement in the art. In particular, it is an objective to provide a holder for a food or beverage container that has light weight and is easy to produce at low cost. A further objective is a holder that requires minimum material in order to minimize waste when discarded. These objectives are achieved with a holder for a food or beverage container as described in greater detail in the following. Also described is methods for its production and its use in a method of freely carrying a food or beverage container by a person.

In summary, for the holder, an elongate polymer film sheet or laminated paper-weave sheet is provided with a first end-part and an opposite, second end-part. In the first end-part, a pocket is formed of the sheet. In the second end-part, two separate straps are provided, which are connected to the pocket. The straps are either provided separate for binding around the neck of a person or around the hips, or the straps are provided as a single U-formed strap arrangement with two legs of the U-formed strap arrangement connected as straps to the pocket for hanging the holder for the food or beverage container around the neck of the person and locating the pocket at a lower level than the straps, for example against the stomach. A food or beverage container can then be placed in the pocket, and the holder is supporting the food or beverage container freely only by the straps.

Examples of beverage containers are cups and bottles, typically filled with beer, water or soft drinks. Examples of food containers are popcorn bags or boxes, jars or cups with sweets, or boxes with warm foodstuff. These examples are for illustration only and not limiting the invention.

The holder consists of a sheet or a combination of sheets, the sheet or sheets consisting of a polymer film material or a polymer-laminated paper-weave material having a thickness of less than 0.1 mm, the polymer film typically having a thickness of less than 0.08 mm or even less than 0.6 mm, for example 0.02-0.04 mm. Thus, the material is a thin film material, optionally with an added paper layer, in particular a paperweave. This is an advantage, with respect to low production costs, low weight for transportation, and only little waste material when discarded. Accordingly, it is a good material for one-time use. With regard to the latter, it may even be made in a polymer material that disintegrates in nature.

The pocket that is provided in the first end-part of the sheet has a size of between 200 ß

and 1000 cm and is configured to accommodate a food or beverage container with a

3 volume of between 200 and 1000 cm . A typical container volume is 500cm . Advantageously, the food or beverage container is made of a light-weight material, such as paper, polypropylene or polylactic acid.

The term “connected” has to be understood as resulting from a connection made, for example by welding or gluing, or as being integral with, the latter being achieved by providing a polymer film in which the pocket, or part of it, extends into a straps as a single integral piece of polymer film.

The pocket has a length of 10-20 cm and the distance from the pocket to an end of the second end-part is 30-70 cm, wherein the straps have a width of 4-10 cm and a length of 20-70 m.

Typically, beverages are served cold in a beverage container, especially in the summer. In this case, the following embodiment is useful. For increasing the time in which the beverage in the container stays cool, the pocket is, in this special embodiment, provided as an inflatable double wall structure made of the polymer film for by inflation of the double wall structure to thermally insulate the beverage container in the pocket. For example, the double wall structure is flow-connected to a valve mechanism for filing the double wall structure by mouth blowing air into the double wall through the valve mechanism.

Optionally, at least part of the straps is double walled as well for inflation. The inflated straps, especially if the inflated part is around the neck, makes carrying around the neck more pleasant. For example the valve mechanism is extending from the straps for by mouth blowing through the straps filling the double walled pocket.

In alternative embodiments, the straps are not inflated but comprise an air canal connected to the pocket, which is used to inflate the pocket only.

Furthermore, a tapering transition-region is provided which extends from the pocket towards the straps and decreases in width towards the straps for providing a gradual change from a complete surrounding of the food or beverage container inside the pocket to a decreasing partial surrounding in the transition-region.

A possible production method is as follows. The sheet consisting of a polymer film or made of a polymer-laminated paper-weave material is cut into an elongate piece, having a first end-part and an opposite, second end-part. At the first end-part, an endDK 179207 B1 portion of the sheet is folded onto the remaining portion of the first end-part to provide an overlay of two adjacent portions. Each of the two adjacent portions have an edge-region, which is welded or glued so as to form a pocket with an opening towards the second end-part for receiving a food or beverage container inside the pocket.

In some embodiments, the method comprises cutting a trapezoidal area out of the endportion for forming an end-portion with two tapering strands, folding the end-portion with the strands onto the remaining portion of the first end-part, and welding or gluing the tapering strands onto the remaining portion of the first end-part. The two tapering strands provide a tapering transition-region, extending from the pocket towards the straps and decreasing in width towards the straps for providing a gradual change from a complete surrounding of the food or beverage container inside the pocket to a decreasing partial surrounding in the transition-region.

For example, the sheet is provided as a single rectangular sheet with a width of between 15 and 20 cm, and the method comprises providing the straps by cutting along a longitudinal center line in the second end-part. If the cut is performed entirely through the second end-part, the two straps are not connected at the second end-part and can be used for binding around the neck or the hips of a person. Alternatively, the method comprises cutting along the center line until a distance from an end of the second endpart, so that the straps are connected to each other at the second end-part. In this case, the two strands form a single U-formed strand arrangement. Optionally, an un-cut region at the end of the second end-part is folded, and a welding is provided across the uncut region as enforcement for providing a second end region suitable for hanging around the neck of a person.

An alternative method for production is as follows. The method comprises cutting two elongate sheets consisting of thin polymer foil or made of a polymer-laminated paperweave material, each having a first end-part and an opposite, second end-part. Typically, the two sheets are cut identically, although, this is not strictly necessary. The first end-part is provided with an overlay of the first and second sheet. The two adjacent sheets each have an edge-region, and a pocket is formed by welding or gluing the edge-region such that the pocket has an opening towards the second end-part.

For example, one edge-region, which normally is the front edge-region, is provided with a first weld that is longer than a second weld on an opposite edge-region, typically the back edge-region. The shorter welding at the front eases insertion of the food or beverage container, while the longer welding at the back yields a better support. A tapering transition-region is provided from the second weld at the front, towards the straps, wherein the tapering region decreases in width towards the straps for providing a gradual change from a complete surrounding of the food or beverage container inside the pocket to a decreasing partial surrounding in the transition-region.

For example, the two elongate sheets each have a strap, which are then welded or glued together for providing a second end region suitable for hanging around the neck of a person.

Alternatively, the sheets are not identical, and one of the sheets has a single long strap, which is bent into a U-form, one leg of which is integral with one of the two sheets, and the second is welded or glued to the second sheet in order to provide a strap that ban be hung around the neck of a person.

The container holder and the methods of production are useful for persons that desire to freely carry a container for food or beverage. In summary, the method comprises:

- providing a sheet consisting of a polymer film or made of a polymer-laminated paper-weave material, the sheet having a thickness of less than 0.1 mm, the sheet being elongate and comprising a first end-part and an opposite, second end-part;

- in the first end-part forming a pocket of the sheet, the pocket having a size of between 200 and 1000 cm3 and being configured to accommodate a container for food or beverage with a volume of between 200 and 1000 cm3;

- in the second end-part providing two straps connected to the pocket, for example by providing a U-formed straps arrangement with two legs of the U-formed strap arrangement as straps connected to the pocket;

- binding the two straps around a neck of a person or around the hips of a person or placing the U-formed strap arrangement around the neck of the person and locating the pocket at a lower level than the straps;

- placing a container for food or beverage in the pocket and supporting the container freely only by the straps.

Optionally, the pocket is provided by an inflatable double wall for by inflation of the double wall to thermally insulate the container for food or beverage in the pocket. Advantageously, a valve mechanism is provided and connected to the inflatable double wall of the pocket, and by the mouth of a person air is blown by the valve mechanism into the double wall.

Optionally, the sheet material is made of a thermoplastic polymer into which additives are melt incorporated, for example in order to increase the strength of the material. Strength increasing materials are fibers of glass, carbon or stainless steel or microspheres of glass or polymer. For improved characteristics, also talcum is useful. The content of such material can in some cases be up to 75% by volume of the polymer.

Although, the holder has been designed for food or beverage containers, the holder can also be used to carry other items.

The polymer film is optionally made of a polyolefin, optionally, polyethylene, for example low density polyethylene or biodegradable polyethylene. In case that a laminated paper material is used, the lamination polymer is a polyolefin.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, where FIG. 1 illustrates a production technique for a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a production technique for a second embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a photo of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with a beverage container inside the pocket

FIG. 4 illustrates a double-walled holder,

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment with a double walled container.

DETAIFED DESCRIPTION / PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates a polymer film sheet 1 for producing a holder for food or beverage container. The sheet 1 is elongate and formed as a rectangle with a long side and a short side. The polymer sheet has a first end-part la and an opposite, second end-part lb. A pocket 10 for food or beverage container is made in the first end-part la as described in the following with reference to FIG. lb, lc, and Id.

At the first end-part la, a folding line 2 defines an end-portion 11a which is to be folded onto the remaining portion 1 lb of end-part la. The end-portion 11a has a tapering, inwardly narrowing cut-out 3 forming two tapering strands 4, one strand on either side of the cut-out 3. In the illustrates case, the cut-out is trapezoidal, resulting in triangular strands 4, however, the cut-out 3 could be tapering in a different way, for example with bending cut-out lines instead of straight cut-out lines 3’.

The end-portion 11a with the cut-out 3 and the two triangular strands 4 is folded along folding line 2 onto the remaining portion lib of the first end-part la, which is illustrated in FIG. lc, and the edges 4’ of the tapering strands 4 are fastened by a welding seam 15, or alternatively glued, onto edge lib’ the remaining portion lib of the first end-part for providing a tapering transition-region 8.

Due to these welding 15 along the edges of the end-portions 11a, lib, a pocket 10 is formed with a pocket opening 12, as illustrated in FIG. Id. The triangular strands 4, welded by welding 15 at one edge 4’ but not on the trapezoidal tapering region 3 provide a gradual change from a complete surrounding of the food or beverage container inside the pocket 10 to a decreasing partial surrounding in the trapezoidal transitionregion 8 between the strands 4. This facilitates the handling of and access to a food or beverage container inside the pocket 10 and protects it against accidental loss.

A longitudinal cutting line 5 forms two straps 6, one on either side of the cutting line 5. As illustrated in FIG. Id, the straps can be separated due to the flexibility of the film material, and a head can be put through the space 13, such that the container holder 10 can hang around the neck of the person and the container inside the pocket rest against the stomach of the person.

In order to strengthen the second end-part lb around the neck of the person, a fold around the folding line 7 at the second end-part lb is made and a welding 14 is made across the second end-part lb over the folded portion 16.

As an alternative, the cutting 5 could be made all the way to the edge 17 of the second end-part lb, which would result in two straps 6 that are not connected at the second end-part lb. This way, the user may bind the straps 6 around the hips instead or bind them around the neck at the desired height.

FIG. 3 shows a photo of a container holder produced as described above in connection with FIG. 1. The beverage container 21 has been inserted through the pocket opening 12 into the pocket 10. Clearly seen is the welding 15, the straps 6, as well as the tapering strands 4 which narrow along the welding 15 from the pocket 10 towards the straps 6.

FIG. 2a illustrates an alternative production method. In this case, two identical pieces of a polymer film sheet 1, Γ have been provided with a first end-part la, la’ and a second end-part lb, lb’. The two pieces 1, 1’ are overlaid, as illustrated in FIG. 2b and welded along welding lines 15a, 15b, and 15c. Welding line 15a will be at the back of the pocket 10 when worn correctly by a person with the straps 6 around the neck, welding line 15b will be at the bottom of the pocket 10, and welding 15c at the front in a direction away from the stomach of the person carrying the holder around the neck and with the food or beverage container in the pocket resting against the stomach. In the present embodiment the welding lines 15a, 15b, 15c are straight, however, they could be curved as well for ease of use. Similarly to the embodiment in FIG. 1, a tapering transition-region 8 is provided between the pocket 10 and the straps 6.

FIG. 4 illustrates a further embodiment where the pocket 10 has a double wall structure 24 in order to provide an air cushion around the food or beverage container as thermal insulation. The straps 6 are double walled and provided by overlaying two films and fixating them mutually by weldings. For example, weldings 6’ are provided at the outer edge of the straps 6 and other weldings 13’ are provided at the inner edge of the straps 6 in order to define the space 13 between the straps 6. The double wall structure is provided by or gluings. A closure welding 14 is provided in addition, such that canals 22 are provided in the straps 6. By a mouth-blow inflation valve 23, the user can inflate the pocket 10 and the straps 6. The inflated straps 6 are pleasant for the person to wear, and, dependent on the inflation pressure, the inflated doublewalled pocket 10 not only thermally insulates but also potentially provides an additional precise fit for the container. It is also seen that the space 13 does not extend to the welding 14 but ends remotely from it, for example at a distance D of 10-50 mm, optionally 25 mm.

FIG. 5 illustrates a further embodiment, similar to FIG. 4, however, the straps 6 are not filled with air. Instead, a canal 25 is provided by weldings 25’ from the pocket 10 to the valve 23. The canal can be produced by weldings of a double walled strap 6. It is also seen, that the short end at the welding 14 does not comprise a folding, which is different from the folding around the folding line 7 in FIG. 1.

The lack of folding line 7 and the distance D between the welding 14 and the space 13 between the straps is also possible to use for the embodiment of FIG. 1.

For commercial reasons, the foil can be provided with advertisements, in particular provided as prints on the foil.

As an alternative to a polymer film, a film-laminated paper material can be used. In order to provide flexibility of the paper, the flexible sheets are advantageously provided as a weave of polymer-coated paper strips. Such flexible paper can be glued together for fixation, or mutually fixated by high frequency welding of the coating polymer.

Reference numbers polymer film sheet la first end-part lb second end-part folding line for pocket trapezoidal cut-out

3’ cut-out lines tapering strands on either side of trapezoidal cut-out 3 longitudinal cut for straps straps

6’ weldings at the outer edges of the straps folding line at second end-part IB tapering transition-region welding along side of pocket pocket

11a end-portion for folding lb remaining portion of first end-part lb’ edges of remaining portion 1 lb pocket opening space between straps

13’ welding at the inner edge of the straps to define the space 13 welding seam at second end-part lb welding at second end-part folded portion at second end-part lb edge of second end-part beverage container canal in double-walled strap mouth-blow inflation valve double wall in pocket for insulation thin canal in non-inflated strap 6 from valve 23 to pocket 10 25’ welding in straps 6 to form canal 25 π

Claims

patent claims

A method for freely carrying a food or beverage container (21) by a person, the method comprising:

- providing a sheet (1) consisting of a polymer film or made of a polymer-laminated paper tissue material or a combination thereof, the sheet having a thickness of less than 0.1 mm, the sheet (1) being elongated and comprising a first end portion (1a) ) and an opposite second end portion (1b);

forming a pocket (10) of the sheet at the first end portion (1a), the pocket (10) having a size of between 200 and 1000 cm 3 and configured to accommodate a food or beverage container (21) with a volume between 200 and 1000 cm3;

providing at the other end portion (1b) two separate straps (6) connected to the pocket (10) or a single U-shaped strap arrangement with two legs of the U-shaped strap arrangement connected as straps (6) to the pocket (10);

providing a narrowing transition area (8) extending from the pocket (10) toward the straps (6) and decreasing in width towards the straps (6) to provide a gradual change from complete enclosure of the food or beverage container inside in the pocket (10) for a gradually decreasing partial enclosure in the transition area (8);

- tying the two straps around a person's neck or around a person's hip or placing the U-shaped strap arrangement around the person's neck and placing the pocket (10) at a lower level than the straps (6)

- placing the food or beverage container (21) in the pocket (10) and supporting the container (21) freely only by the straps (6).

2. A holder for a food or beverage container, wherein the food or beverage container container is made of a sheet (1) or a combination of sheets (1,1 ') made of a polymer film or made of a polymer laminated paper tissue material or a combination thereof , having a thickness of less than 0.1 mm, are elongate and comprise a first end portion (1a) and an opposite second end portion (1b); wherein the pocket (10) is provided in the first end portion (1a), wherein the pocket (10) has a size of between 200 and 1000 cm 3 and is configured to accommodate a beverage container (21) with a volume of between 200 and 1000 cm 3; the pocket (10) having a length of. 0.1-0.2 m, and the DEK 179207 B1 stand from the pocket (10) to one end of the other end portion is 0.3-0.7 m, the straps (6) having a width of 4-10 cm; wherein a narrowing transition region (8) is provided, wherein the narrowing transition region (8) extends from the pocket (10) toward the straps (6) and decreases in width toward the straps (6) to provide a gradual change from a complete enclosure the food or beverage container (21) inside the pocket (10) for a decreasing partial enclosure in the transition region (8).

The holder of claim 2, wherein the pocket (10) is provided as an inflatable double wall structure (24) of the polymer film (1) for thermally insulating the food or beverage container (21) in the pocket (10) by inflating the double wall structure (24); wherein the double wall structure (24) is flow connected to a valve mechanism (23) for filling the double wall structure (24) by blowing air through the valve mechanism (23) into the double wall structure (24).

The holder of claim 3, wherein at least a portion of the straps (6) are double-walled for inflating and wherein the valve mechanism (23) extends from the straps (6) so as to blow through the straps (23) as a duct (22) filling the double-walled pocket (10).

5, A method of manufacturing a holder according to any one of claims 2-4, comprising

cutting an oblong sheet (1) consisting of a polymer film or made of a polymer laminated paper web material or a combination thereof, the sheet (1) having a thickness of less than 0.1 mm and a first end portion (1a) and an opposite, second end portion (lb);

providing two straps (6) at the second end portion (1b);

folding an end section (Ha) of the sheet (1) at the first end portion (1a) on top of the remaining portion (1 lb) of the first end portion (1a) to provide an overlap of two adjacent sections (11a, 1 lb) with each an edge area; the method comprising forming a pocket (10) by welding (15) or bonding the edge region such that the pocket (10) has an opening (12) against the other end portion (1b) for receiving a food or beverage container (21) ) inside the pocket (10).

The method of claim 5, wherein the method comprises cutting an inwardly narrowing region (3) out of the end section (11a) to form an end section with two narrowing strands (4), folding the end section (11a) with the strands (4) on top. the remaining portion (11b) of the first end portion (1a) and welding (15) or gluing the narrowing strands (4) on top of the remaining portion (11b) of the first end portion (1a) to provide a narrowing transition area (8) extending from the pocket (10) toward the straps (6), the strands (4) decreasing in width against the straps (6) to provide a gradual change from complete enclosure of the food or beverage container (21) within the pocket (10) ) to a partial enclosure in the transition zone (8).

Method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the sheet (1) is provided as a single rectangular sheet having a width of between 15 and 20 cm and the method comprises providing the straps (6) by cutting along a longitudinal center line (5). ) in the other end portion (lb).

The method of claim 7, wherein the method comprises cutting along the center line (5) up to a distance D from one end of the other end portion (1b); and welding (14) or bonding over a non-cut area at the end of the other end portion (1b) as a reinforcement to provide a region (16) suitable for hanging around a person's neck.

A method of making a holder according to any one of claims 2-4, comprising cutting two identical elongate sheets (1,1 ') consisting of a polymer film or made of a polymer laminated paper tissue material, wherein the sheets (1, 1 ') has a thickness of less than 0.1 mm; wherein the two sheets (1, 1 ') each have a first end portion (1a, 1a) and an opposite second end portion (1b, 1b'); providing an overlap of the first and second sheets (1, Γ), the two adjacent sheets (1, 1 ') each having an edge region forming a pocket (10) by welding (15a, 15b, 15c) or bonding the edge region, wherein the pocket (10) has an opening (12) toward the other end portion (lb, lb '), the other end portion (lb, lb') comprising straps (6).

The method of claim 9, wherein an edge region is provided with a first weld (15a) which is longer than a second weld (15c) on an opposite edge region and wherein a narrowing transition region (8) is provided from the second weld ( 15c) towards the straps (6), the narrowing region (8) decreasing in width

5 toward the straps (6) to provide a gradual change from a complete environment of the food or beverage container (21) inside the pocket (10) to a decreasing partial environment of the transition area (8).

The method of claim 10, comprising providing a weld

10 (14) of the second end portion (lb, lb ') of the two sheets (1, 1') to provide a portion of the second end region (lb, lb ') suitable for hanging around a person's neck,

1.5