NZ549026A - Package containing drinks containers, with former detachable from package that can be looped and fastened as an insulated container holder - Google Patents

Abstract

The package is typically box formed from corrugated cardboard and contains containers that may be bottles or cans of drinks. A former 3 is defined by lines of weakness in the package so that it can be detached. It is then looped so that the slots align and the base part 6 is folded under the loop and the tail part 7 is extended up and through the slots and down again, so as to create an insulating holder for a drinks container from the package.

Description

26 1 Patents Form No. 5 THE PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION A Drink Holder We, Cameron James Smith, and Engelina Maria Hollenberg, both New Zealand citizens, and both of 8 Raupo Wharf Road, RD 2, Ruawai, Northland, New Zealand, hereby declare this invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly 25 described in and by the following statement: INTELLECTUAt PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.2. 2 ? OCT 2006 RECEIVED 54 2 Title A drink holder.

Field of Invention This invention relates to a drink holder. A preferred form of the invention relates to drink packaging incorporating a drink holder.

Background It is known to sell cans or bottles of beer or other drinks in cardboard packages. 10 Typically the packages hold 6, 12 or 24 cans or bottles. Often the drinks are chilled and are then consumed directly out of the can or bottle, especially on informal occasions. A consumer will often take some time to consume his or her drink, and during that period the temperature of the drink will tend towards room temperature. If the drink is held in one's hand for significant periods of time then 15 it is often warmed, at least partially, by body heat. It is an object of at least one form of the present invention to go some way towards avoiding or minimising this.

The term "comprising" or derivatives thereof, if and when used in this document should be interpreted non-exclusively. The term should not be seen as excluding 20 the possibility of features or steps over and above those specifically mentioned.

Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a package holding a plurality of drinks, each drink within its own container, the package having a 25 former which can be pushed from the rest of the package, the former being of size and shape to enable it to be looped around one of the containers and fastened to provide a holder, the holder suitable for at least partially insulating the container from body heat when the former is looped as described above and is held by a consumer with the container therein.

Preferably the former has a base part which, when the loop is created, can be arranged to substantially close off one end of the loop.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 2 7 OCT 2006 RECEIVED 3 Preferably the former has a pair of slots which can be aligned to create the loop, and a tail of the base part can be inserted into the slots to assist in retaining the loop and to assist in maintaining closure at said one end of the loop.

Preferably the package, or at least the former, comprises corrugated cardboard.

Preferably the former is of a shape substantially as shown in figure 2.

Description of the Drawing Some preferred forms of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a package for a plurality of cans or bottles of drink, Figure 2 is a plan view of a drink holder forming part of the package, and Figure 3 shows the drink holder when assembled.

Detailed Description Referring to figure 1, the package comprises a corrugated cardboard box 1 and contains bottles or cans of drink, for example beer or a non-alcoholic beverage. 25 The box 1 has a series of lines 2 defining a former 3. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the lines 2 may be lines of weakness, for example score lines. The former 3 is such that it can be pushed by hand to detach it from the rest of the box. The former 3 can then be used to create a drink holder as described below.

Referring to figures 2 and 3, the former 3 has opposite sides 4 and 5, a base part 6 and a tail 7. The opposite sides 4 and 5 can be turned towards one another and overlapped to create a loop 3a suitable for receiving one of the cans or bottles. The overlap is such that slots 8 and 9, each adjacent a respective one of 35 the sides 4 and 5, align with one another. The base part 6 is folded under the loop and the tail 7 is folded to extend up and sass through the aligned slots, and INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 2 7 OCT 2006 DCCI,,rr* 4 then down, so that it lies between the loop and a can 10 or bottle placed within the loop. Preferably the arrangement is such that there is a slight air gap between at least part of the loop and the can 10 or bottle. The base 6 thus closes off the lower end of the loop to prevent the can or bottle dropping 5 therethrough, and the tail 7 serves to maintain the loop as well as the closure provided by the base part 6. In this way the former provides a holder for the can or bottle of drink.

A consumer is then able to hold onto his or her drink by clasping the holder as opposed to the can or bottle directly. Because the holder is formed from cardboard, preferably corrugated cardboard, it at least partially insulates the can or bottle. The air gap also assists in insulating the can or bottle. The insulation may be against room or outside temperature, and/or against the body heat of the consumer.

While some preferred forms of the invention have been described by way of example it should be appreciated that modifications and improvements can occur without departing from the scope of the following claims.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 27 OCT 2006 RECEIVED

Claims (6)

5 10 25 What We Claim Is

1. A package holding a plurality of drinks, each drink within its own container, the package having a former which can be pushed from the rest of the package, the former being of size and shape to enable it to be looped around one of the containers and fastened to provide a holder, the holder suitable for at least partially insulating the container from body heat when the former is looped as described above and is held by a consumer with the container therein.

2. A package according to claim 1, wherein the former has a base part which, when the loop is created, can be arranged to substantially close off one end of the loop.

3. A package according to claim 2, wherein the former has a pair of slots which can be aligned to create the loop, and a tail of the base part can be inserted into the slots to assist in retaining the loop and to assist in maintaining closure at said one end of the loop.

4. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the package, or at least the former, comprises corrugated cardboard.

5. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the former is of a shape substantially as shown in figure 2.

6. A package substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. Cameron James Smith and Engelina Maria Hollenberg By Their Attorney