WO1998008417A1

WO1998008417A1 - Receptacle for liquids container

Info

Publication number: WO1998008417A1
Application number: PCT/GB1997/000515
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Henry Green; Michael Charles Reginald Fensome
Original assignee: Paul Henry Green; Fensome Michael Charles Regina
Priority date: 1996-08-30
Filing date: 1997-02-25
Publication date: 1998-03-05

Abstract

A receptacle for a liquids container, such as a can of drinks, comprises a support (2) for the base of the container and restraint means (5) disposed substantially vertically, in use, above the support and adapted to restrain the container from lateral movement. Carrying means (1) are integral with or connected to the support (2) and restraining (5) means, with hook means (6) so pivotally affixed thereto that the carrying means may maintain the support (2) and restraining (5) means in a substantially vertical disposition.

Description

RECEPTACLE FOR LIQUIDS CONTAINER

The present invention relates to a liquids container receptacle. More particularly, but not exclusively, it relates to a receptacle for one or more drinks containers, such as a can, glass or bottle.

In some embodiments, it may relate to a thermally insulating or otherwise enclosed receptacle of this type.

The present invention will be described with particular reference to a can of drinks, although it is equally applicable to other containers for drinks or indeed any other liquid. It is often necessary to carry such liquids in open or opened containers since it may take some time to ingest or use the contents. It is rarely practicable to carry such containers manually for their entire useful lifetime, ie until they are empty. During their time of use, they are also vulnerable to invasion by flying insects and/or contamination by dust and the like.

One circumstance where drinks are often required is in sports, such as golf. In this case, the drink must be taken around the course with the player but will need to be set down every time a stroke is taken. It is not always convenient, and sometimes impossible, to find a level surface nearby which will accept the drinks container. Another circumstance in which drinks may cause problems is during social gatherings, such as parties, buffets and barbecues where people are perambulatory.

Many sports, such as golf, are played, hopefully, in good weather and it is usually desired in such cases that the drink be maintained as cool as possible for as long as possible. It is not possible to keep such a drinks container cool when it is being continually handled or when it is exposed to sunshine and warm air. In the alternative, there may also be occasions when it is desired to keep a drinks container warm, especially when the sport is played during winter or cold or inclement weather.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a receptacle for drinks containers which can be adapted to maintain them in a substantially vertical position to avoid spillage.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a thermally insulating receptacle for drinks containers, and/or one which protects the drinks container, at least from direct sunlight.

According to the present invention there is provided a receptacle for a liquids container, such as a can of drinks, comprising a support for the base of the container, means disposed substantially vertically, in use, above the support and adapted to restrain the container from lateral movement, carrying means integral with or connected to said support and said restraining means, and hook means so pivotally affixed to said carrying means that said carrying means may maintain the support and restraining means in a substantially vertical disposition.

In one embodiment, the means to restrain the container may comprise a ring into which the container is adapted to fit and spaced vertically, in use, above the support.

In another embodiment, the means to restrain the container may comprise an extension, directed vertically upwardly in use, of the base of the container and adapted therewith to form a receptacle cup means within which the liquids container may be held.

In this case, the wall and/or base of the cup means may be thermally insulated by thermal insulation means.

The thermal insulation means may comprise a layer of foamed plastics material, for example foamed polystyrene or foamed polyurethane. Such a layer of thermal plastics material may be attached to one side of the cup means.

Alternatively, the cup means may comprise two walls defining a space within which is contained the thermal insulation material.

As an alternative, the cup means may comprise two walls, defining a space which is sealable and which may be evacuated to provide a thermal bridge.

Preferably the hook means is pivotally fixed to the carrying means, by means of a ratchet system whereby the relative angle between the support and the hook may be set at a predetermined angle.

in this case, the ratchet system may comprise a pin so attached to the hook means as to be engageable with one of a series of depressions formed in a substantially semi-circular array on a face of the carrying means.

Alternatively, each of the carrying means and the hook means may comprise a mutually co- operable ring of depressions and protrusions.

The support may comprise a cylindrical annulus having an internally facing flange at or adjacent to its lower edge.

The restraining means may comprise a second cylindrical annulus either immediately above said flange or spaced above said support flange.

In one embodiment, the carrying means is provided with two supports and two respective restraining means.

In another embodiment, the carrying means is provided with a single support and respective restraining means.

For use when the drinks container is a can, there may be provided a reusable stopper or lid, optionally adapted to co-operate with the usual aperture left by a ring pull opening, or with the top surface of the can.

In this case, the stopper or lid may be attached to the carrying means by a flexible connection.

Alternatively, a stopper or lid may be hingedly connected to the carrying means and be adapted to cover the entire upper surface thereof.

The lid may be attached to support means whereby it may be raised to cover a container of any standard size.

The interior of the or each lid may comprise ridges to cooperate with the edges of various can or bottle sizes to ensure closure thereof, when not in use.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows, in perspective, a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the embodiment of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a side elevation;

Figure 5 is a front elevation of the embodiment of Figure 1 ;

Figure 6 is a plan view of that embodiment;

Figure 7 is a front elevation of a third embodiment of the invention;

Figure 8 is a rear elevation of the embodiment of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a side elevation;

Figure 10 is a an elevation of the base of the third embodiment;

Figure 11 is a perspective view from above of the third embodiment;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment combining the second and third embodiments of the invention;

Figure 13 is a plan view of a fifth embodiment; Figure 14 is a view from below of the embodiment of Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a front elevation of the embodiment of Figure 13;

Figure 16 is a side elevation of the embodiment of Figure 13;

Figure 17 is a rear elevation of the embodiment of Figure 13;

Figure 18 is a plan view of an openable lid attachment;

Figure 19 is a front elevation of the lid attachment of Figure 18, when applied to a double can container;

Figure 20 is a side elevation of the lid attachment shown in Figures 18 and 19;

Figure 21 is a front elevation of an alternative embodiment to that shown in Figure

19;

Figure 22 is a side elevation of the lid attachment of Figure 21 ;

Figure 23 is a front view of the device of the invention having receptacles for two containers;

Figure 24 is a side elevation of the embodiment shown in Figure 23;

Figure 25 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in Figure 23 and 24;

Figure 26 is a rear view of the embodiment shown in Figures 23 to 25; and

Figure 27 is a front view of the embodiment of Figures 23 to 26 to show the movement of the lid means to accommodate the various sized drinks receptacles.

Referring now particularly to Figures 1 to 6 of the drawings, the receptacle comprises a carrier plate 1 , moulded integrally at its lower edge with two support annuli 2. Each of these is dimensioned to accept the base of a can of drinks or like container and has an internally facing flange 3, adapted to support the container within the annulus 2. A central aperture 4 is left to allow draining of any spilled liquid, rainwater or the like.

The walls of the annulus 2, provide a measure of protection against lateral movement of the base of the can, and could be extended upwardly further than shown in the drawings. This extension may prove useful, as will be described in more detail below with reference to Figures 7 to 27 of the drawings. However, in the first and second embodiments, it is preferred to maintain such walls relatively short and to provide a second annulus 5, spaced from the first and moulded integrally with an upper edge of the carrying plate 1. The diameter of this upper annulus 5 may be the same as or greater than that of the lower annulus 2. Obviously, it should not be so much greater in diameter that it would lose its function in preventing lateral movement of an upper or median part of the can, but such increased diameter may help removal and insertion of the can into the receptacle.

A similar arrangement is shown in Figure 2, where there is only a single support member 2a, 3a and 4a, and a single upper restraining member 5a. It would, of course, be possible to increase the width of the carrying plate 1 to accommodate three or even more drinks receptacles.

At the rear of the carrying plate 1 is a hook member 6, which is of generally U shaped configuration. One leg 7 of the hook member is slightly angled inwardly to act as a clip. For this purpose the preferred material of the hook member is a resiliently deformable plastics material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon or the like, although metal may be used.

An opposite leg 8 of the U-shaped hook member 6 is planar and lies against the rear face of the carrying member 1 , to which it is pivotally mounted at point 9. The face of leg 8 contiguous with the carrying member 1 is provided with a pin 10 adapted to be accommodated within a substantially semi-circular groove, the centre of which semi-circle is a pivot point 9. The groove comprises a plurality of depressions, each two depressions being separated by an upstand. Due to the resilience of the hook member 6, the pin 10 can be turned around the partial semi-circle so that the pin will ride over the upstands and lodge in any one of the depressions, thereby stabilising the hook member at a predetermined angle in relation to the carrying plate 1.

Referring now to Figures 7 to 12 of the drawings, further embodiments are shown which follow the same principle of a pivotable support, but in which the upper annulus 5 and the lower annulus 2 are joined together to form a cylindrical or polyhedral cup 11 , of which the lowermost face may be closed or open. In the embodiments shown, this cup is provided with thermal insulating means which may be either attached to an interior or exterior surface of the cup wall 11, or may be confined between inner 12 and outer 13 walls of the cup 11. The thermal insulation material may be a foamed plastics material such as foamed polystyrene or foamed polyurethane or may comprise a vacuum, sealed within the gap between the inner and outer walls 12 and 13.

Figure 12 shows this arrangement applied to the second embodiment of the invention, where there is only a single cup.

If additional thermal insulation is required, it would be possible to provide one or more additional layers of thermal insulation material either surrounding each cup individually, or, in the case where there are more than one such cups attached to a single support member, by providing an overall exterior insulation layer (not shown). Such one or more insulation layers will help to keep the drink in the container held in the receptacle or receptacles at or close to a predetermined temperature for as long as possible, whatever the ambient temperature conditions.

The receptacle is intended to carry drinks or other liquids without spillage. For use when playing a round of golf, for example, the receptacle may be clipped to the top of the golf bag or caddy (the container in which are stored the golf clubs). When standing idle, such a caddy is usually in a substantially vertical disposition and the drinks contained in the receptacle should be maintained vertical and therefore parallel to the body of the caddy. However, when such caddies are wheeled, they are usually pulled at an angle, generally one determined by the height of the user. In such cases, the drinks still need to be kept vertical and therefore the carrying plate 1 may be pivoted with respect to the hook member 6 to achieve this object.

The invention would also find use at social gatherings where the hook member 6 could be held within the waistband, belt or other convenient location of the users clothing. This would enable the user to enjoy the gathering more fully, having two hands free.

Where the drinks container being carried is a can, it is possible to provide a stopper of plastics or rubber adapted to co-operate with the usual can aperture left by a ring pull mechanism or with the entire upper surface of the can. This will help to prevent spillage and will also prevent ingress of insects, dust and the like. The stopper/lid (not shown) may be attached to the carrying plate 1 or the hook means 6 by means of a flexible connection so that it is always available for use on one or another of the cans. A similar arrangement could be provided for bottles.

It is possible to close the upper surface of the receptacle with a lid (or lids, in the case of a double receptacle). Such an arrangement is shown as the fifth embodiment in Figures 13 to 20. The lids, as shown in figures 18 to 21 , comprise a transverse support 15 and a pair of legs 16 which are adapted to extend and be held either within apertures in an upper surface of the receptacle or around the outer surface of the receptacle. Lid means 17 is or are each (in the case of two or more lids) hingedly connected to the transverse support 15 either by hinges or by a plastics hinge. They are dimensioned to cover the upper aperture of a respective receptacle. At the edge remote from the support 15 there may be provided a clip 18 to hold the lid 17 in engagement with an upper part of the receptacle.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 23 to 27. There is shown a double receptacle 20 having a substantially planar front surface 21 which may be used to bear indicia, such as advertising material. Each part of the receptacle is provided optionally with a base aperture 24 for drainage, and the receptacle has a clip 27 for attachment to a caddy, the belt of a user, or any other convenient resting place.

Each part of the receptacle is provided with a respective lid 28, hinged by means of a living hinge, i.e. , a strip of reduced thickness plastics material integral with both the lid and the support 30. The support 30 for each lid comprises a separate pair of legs which are so shaped that they co-operate one with the other. In this embodiment, each pair of legs has a longitudinally extending abutment on one face of one leg adapted to co-operate with a corresponding longitudinally extending groove of the respective leg of the other pair. Thus, either one of the lids 28 maybe raised and stabilised in such raised position by virtue of its supporting legs 30 being held in close proximity to the legs of the other lid 28.

As may be seen from Figure 27, the lid 28 is adapted to accommodate cans of any standard size, up to 500ml. Indeed, the receptacle could be made larger if needs were such as to require it. Cans of drink vary in height, and the arrangement of movable legs 30 enables each lid 28 to cover the can or drinks container at whatever height its top may be. The interior surface of each lid 28 is provided with a downwardly projecting annular ring adapted to surround an upper surface of the can or other drinks container. Since cans and drinks containers are made in at least two sizes, two or more such rings may be provided.

Each leg 30 is provided with a stop 31 at its lower end to prevent the lid from being withdrawn entirely from the receptacle 20.

The entire receptacle may be made of plastics material, preferably polypropylene which is a material which is sufficiently resilient to be handled carelessly. It is also sufficiently resilient to enable the stops 31 to pass through but be engaged by their support. Polypropylene is a material which may be produced in a number of colours, and it is therefore possible to produce a receptacle 20 of one colour, or at least having a front panel 21 of one colour, and having lids 28 of second or third colours.

Claims

1. A receptacle for a liquids container, such as a can of drinks, comprising a support for the base of the container, means disposed substantially vertically, in use, above the support and adapted to restrain the container from lateral movement, carrying means integral with or connected to said support and said restraining means, and hook means so pivotally affixed to said carrying means that said carrying means may maintain the support and restraining means in a substantially vertical disposition.

2. A receptacle, as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the hook means is pivotally fixed to the carrying means by means of a ratchet system whereby the relative angle between the support and the hook may be set at a predetermined angle.

3. A receptacle, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the ratchet system comprises a pin so attached to the hook means as to be engageable with one of a series of depressions formed in a substantially semi-circular array on a face of the carrying means.

4. A receptacle, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the ratchet system comprises a pair of discs, one mounted to the hook means and one mounted to the carrying means, each disc having a series of radially extending alternate depressions and abutments adapted to coact with corresponding abutments and depressions of the other disc.

5. A receptacle, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support comprises a cylindrical annulus having an internally facing flange at or adjacent to its lower edge.

6. A receptacle, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the restraining means comprises a second cylindrical annulus either immediately above said flange or spaced above said support flange.

7. A receptacle, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrying means is provided with two supports and two respective restraining means.

8. A receptacle, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the carrying means is provided with a single support and respective restraining means.

9. A receptacle, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein there is provided a reusable stopper or lid for the container.

10. A receptacle, as claimed in claim 8, wherein the stopper or lid is attached to the carrying means or hook member by means of a flexible connection.

1 1. A receptacle, as claimed in either claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the stopper or lid is liftable vertically with respect to a body of the receptacle, so as to accommodate different sizes of container.

12. A receptacle for a liquids container substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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