GB2339142A

GB2339142A - Cup holder with a plurality of limbs

Info

Publication number: GB2339142A
Application number: GB9814458A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Anthony Green
Original assignee: STAINLESS DESIGN SERVICES Ltd
Current assignee: STAINLESS DESIGN SERVICES Ltd
Priority date: 1998-07-04
Filing date: 1998-07-04
Publication date: 2000-01-19
Also published as: GB9814458D0

Description

2339142 A Cup Holder

Field

This invention relates to a cup holder which is used to carry paper or plastic cups.

Background

Plastic and paper cups of the kind typically used in vending machines or for dispensing hot or cold drinks at, for example, sporting venues, are frustoconical in shape, have no handle, and are relatively flexible. The mouth of the cup is at the larger diameter end and is surrounded by a rim allowing the cups to be stacked inside each other. The shape of the cup and its flexibility make it difficult for a person to carry a number of filled cups simultaneously using only hands, especially when filled with a hot drink. It is therefore known to provide a plastic carrier frame having a handle which can accommodate a single cup. It is also known to provide a tray having spaced holes therein each of which can accommodate a cup which is suspended in the hole and is prevented from passing through the hole by the rim of the cup.

Object of the present Invention The present invention provides a cup holder which can be carried on the person so that it is readily available for use at refreshment stations at such venues as sports stadiums, exhibition centres, shows etc..

2 Statements of Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a cup holder or carrier, comprising a plurality of limbs each having an aperture therein to accommodate a cup and which are pivotally interconnected at one end thereof for relative movement so that in an open condition the limbs can be splayed out relative to each other and in a closed condition are aligned one on top of the other, forming a compact unit.

The holder may comprise from three to six limbs, preferably four limbs. Preferably each limb is substantially flat and has a shape which is based on a sector of a circle so that each limb has a generally triangular shape. Each limb has a triangular portion with a base which is shaped to accommodate the respective aperture which is located at the end of each limb adjacent the base, so that for a circular aperture or hole the base is semi-circular.

Preferably the limbs are pivoted together by a pin which passes through the apex of the triangular portion.

The limbs are formed from flat material, for example sheet metal, sheet plastics, or moulded plastics. The preferred materials are polycarbonate, high impact polystyrene, thermoplastic polyesters or polypropylene.

Description of Drawings

3 The invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which, Fig.1 is a plan view of a cup holder according to the present invention, in an open condition 5 ready for use, Fig.2 is a plan view of the holder of Fig.1 in a closed compact condition, and Fig.3 is a side elevation of the holder in Fig. 2.

Detailed Description with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings, there is shown a cup-holder or carrier 11 having a plurality of round holes 12 each of which can receive a frustoconical 15 cup (not shown) and is of such a size that the cup cannot pass through the hole 12. A standard size plastic vending machine cup has a mouth of about 70mm. diameter plus a 2mm wide rim; hence a hole 12 having a diameter of about 70.5mm-71.0mm. will accommodate such a cup which when full 20 is suspended in the hole by its rim. The cup holder (11) comprises a plurality of limbs 13,14,15,16 which are of the same shape and dimensions. Each limb 13-16 is generally flat and is in the shape of a 25 sector of a circle having a triangular portion 18 with a semi circular base 20. The limbs are all pivotally interconnected by a pin 17 which passes through each of the limbs 13-16 near the rounded apex 25 and holds the limbs

4 together allowing relative rotational movement between any two limbs. Thus the holder 11 can be splayed out or collapsed into a compact form rather like a fan.

The diameter of the base 20 of each limb 13-16 is such as to accommodate the hole 12 for the cup and therefore the included angle A at the apex of the trianular portion 18 is any angle which suits the shape of the limb, but is preferably 45 degrees of arc. The hole 12 is surrounded by an unbrocken edge margin 23 of the limb. However for some stiffer stronger materials such as sheet metals, it may be possible to split the edge margin into two arcuate portions.

The four limbs 13-16 when in a closed condition as shown in Figs. 2 & 3, lie one on top of each other in exact alignment.

on at least one axial side (that is axial with respect to the axis of rotation of the limbs about the pin 17) there is located a side cover 19 which is also rotatable about the pin 17 and has the exact shape of the inner triangular portions 18 of a limb. The side cover 19 has an arcuate edge 21 opposite its apex 25 which has the same radius as the circular holes 12. This ensures that the cover 19 and limbs all align in the closed condition so as to form a compact unit.

-I when it is desired to use the carrier or holder for the transport of cups the limbs of the holder are splayed apart into an open condition, an example of which is shown in Fig.l. The limbs 13-16 are all splayed apart around the axis of the pin 17 with some overlap between adjacent limbs. The side cover 19 is rotated about 180 degrees from its closed condition and spaces apart a pair of limbs, in the case shown in Fig.1, the upper and lower limbs 13 and 16. The arcuate edge 21 then serves as an indent to accommodate the thumb of a person gripping the holder 11, especially when loaded. The side cover also helps reinforce and stiffen the centre portion of the holder around the pin 17.

6 claims 1. A cup holder comprising a plurality of limbs each having an aperture therein to accommodate a cup and which are pivotally interconnected at one end thereof so that in an open condition the limbs can be splayed out relative to each other, and in a closed condition are aligned one on top of the other.

Claims

2. A cup holder as claimed in Claim I wherein the holder comprises from

three to six limbs, and more preferably four limbs.

3. A cup holder as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein each limb is substantially flat with a radially inner portion relative to the pivot being substantially triangular in shape.

4. A cup holder as claimed in Claim 3 wherein each limb is substantially in the from of triangle with the pivot being located adjacent the apex and the aperture adjacent the base.

S. A cup holder as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the included apex angle is about 45 degrees of arc.

6. A cup holder as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the aperture is an enclosed aperture.

7 7. A cup holder as claimed in any one of Claim 1 to 6, wherein all the limbs are identical one with the other.

8. A cup holder as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7 and further including at least one flat side cover arranged axially outwardly to one side of the limbs and which is also pivotable relative to the limbs.

9. A cup holder as claimed in claim 8 wherein the side cover is substantially the same shape as the triangular portion of each limb adjacent the apex thereof.

10. A cup holder as claimed in Claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the side cover has an arcuate edge which form a recess to accommodate the thumb of the holder.

11. A cup holder as claimed in claim 10 wherein the arcuate edge of the side cover has the same form as the adjacent edge of the apertures in the limbs so that the side cover can also substantially align with the limbs when in a closed condition.