WO2009095708A1

WO2009095708A1 - A shading device for a drinks vessel

Info

Publication number: WO2009095708A1
Application number: PCT/GB2009/050064
Authority: WO
Inventors: Damian Peter Jones
Original assignee: Coral Connections Limited
Priority date: 2008-01-28
Filing date: 2009-01-23
Publication date: 2009-08-06
Also published as: GB2456829B; GB2456829A; GB0801493D0

Abstract

shading device (10) for a drinking vessel (20) is provided. Previous shading devices have not been a commercial success because they are not particularly user friendly.The shading device (10) provided comprises a resilient jacket (30) arranged to fit only partially around the drinking vessel (20) in use, the jacket (30) has side regions (31a,31b) which define an opening (32) for receiving at least part of the drinking vessel (20). The shading device (10) is used to shield beer, for example, from the unwanted heating effects of the sun.

Description

A Shading Device for a Drinks Vessel

The present invention relates to a shading device for a drinks vessel, and in particular to a shading device which can keep the contents of the drinks vessel cooler for longer. More particularly, the invention relates to a shading device for a beer glass or bottle, or a wine glass or bottle, or the like.

Many people like to drink outside when the sun is shining and the weather is good. However, due to the heating effect of the sun, cool drinks such as beer and chilled wine tend to warm quickly, making them less pleasant to drink. As a result, and since at least 1894, there has been a desire to shade the contents of drinking vessels from the sun. An example of this endeavour is illustrated in German Patent Number DE74250, which discloses a stand-alone drinks shade having three sides and a cover. In this example, one full side of the drinks shade is completely open so that a drinking vessel may be placed into and removed from the stand-alone drinks shade. However, this type of drinks shade has not been a commercial success.

Various other drinks shades are drinks screens have since been devised improving upon the basic concept shown in German Patent Number DE74250. For example, German Utility Model DE7917192U published on 22 November 1979 introduces the idea of having a foldable shade, which is assembled from a blank, similar to a cardboard box. Again, the drinks shade is stand-alone and has two open sides arranged to receive a drinks vessel in use. Commercially, the drinks shade of DE7917192U has not been successful .

Several other slightly more recent patent applications and utility models have been filed developing the standalone drinks shade further. For examples, the reader is referred to the following publications: WO96/25076, WO97/12533, DE29606556U, DE29805934U, DE29813518U, DE29814545U and DE10111154. Again, the commercial results of these improved drinks shades have been somewhat disappointing.

This lack of success may be explained at least in part by the fact the previous designs are not particularly user friendly.

It is an aim of the invention to provide a more user- friendly shading device which can improve upon the commercial success of the afore-mentioned designs.

According to the invention there is provided a shading device and method as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description which follows.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a shading device for shielding the contents of a drinking vessel from external heat sources, the shading device comprises a handleless resilient jacket arranged to fit substantially half-way around and substantially over the full-height of the portion of the drinking vessel which contains fluid in use extending from either the top or the bottom of the vessel, wherein the jacket is of substantially uniform thickness and the inner and outer surfaces are arranged to match the contour of the portion of the drinking vessel which contains the fluids in use, and the jacket has resiliently biased side regions which define an opening for receiving and resiliently gripping part of the drinking vessel in use.

In this way, the shading device is more user-friendly because it fits to the drinking vessel and can be slipped sideways onto the drinking vessel. The resilient nature of the jacket allows the shading device to hold its shape when on or off the drinking vessel. This, combined with the opening allows the shading device to be used in a very convenient manner. For example, a) there is no need to assemble the shading device, b) the shading device is not likely to be blown over by even relatively light movements of air, c) the content of the drinks vessel is shaded at all times if the shade is correctly positioned, even when a user is taking a drink, d) the shading device shields the drinking vessel from heat energy from a user' s fingers, e) the shading device is compact, and f) the shading device is easily stacked.

Also an elegant, cheap and effective attachment means is provided. This feature is particularly useful for glasses having a bulbous profile, which provide vertical support to the shading device.

Also, a more secure grip is obtained by a user and the shading device is smaller and easier to stack. Also, the shading device is very easy to slip on and off the drinking device.

Preferably, the shading device comprises a protrusion at one end arranged to receive a base of the drinking vessel in use. In this way, the jacket could be but need not be arranged to grip the drinking vessel in use, because the protrusion provides support to the resilient j acket .

Preferably, a protrusion is provided on the resilient jacket to cover at least partially a mouth of the drinking vessel in use. In this way, further shading is provided and risk of contaminants such as dust, airborne pollutants and so on are prevented from entering the drinking vessel is reduced. Preferably, the protrusion covers the whole of the mouth.

Preferably still, a hinge mechanism is provided to allow one or each of the protrusions to fold. In this way, the shading device is more easily stacked and the shading device need not be removed if fitted with a protrusion to cover the mouth of the drinking vessel.

Preferably, the shading device comprises a locking mechanism for locking one or each of the hinged protrusions relative to the jacket.

Preferably, an outer surface of the resilient jacket is reflective to rays of the sun. The drinking vessel may comprise any standard known drinking vessel. For example, it is envisaged that the shading device would be useful on at least one of a chalice, a tankard, a straight-sided glass, a bulbous- sided glass such as a wine glass etc.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of shielding the contents of a drinking vessel from external heat sources, the method comprising fitting a handleless resilient jacket substantially halfway around and substantially over the full-height of the portion of the drinking vessel which contains fluid in use extending from either the top or the bottom of the vessel, the jacket is of substantially uniform thickness and the inner and outer surfaces are arranged to match the contour of the portion of the drinking vessel which contains the fluids in use, the jacket having resiliently biased side regions which define an opening for receiving and resiliently gripping part of the drinking vessel in use.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows several perspective views of an exemplary shading device for use with a chalice-type drinking vessel in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; in particular, sub-figure (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a rear view of the shading device, all mounted on the drinking vessel;

Figure 2 shows several perspective views of another exemplary shading device having a bottom coaster in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, the shading device being for use with a bowl-shaped drinking vessel; in particular, sub-figure (a) is a front view, sub-figure (b) is a side view, and sub-figure (c) is a rear view of the shading device, all mounted on the drinking vessel, and sub-figure (d) is a side view of the shading device without the drinking vessel;

Figure 3 is similar to Figure 2, except that Figure 3 shows another exemplary shading device having a top cover in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention;

Figures 4 and 5 are similar to Figures 2 and 3, except that an exemplary shading device for use with a straight- sided drinking vessel is shown in accordance with fourth and fifth embodiments of the invention, respectively;

Figures 6 and 7 are similar to Figures 2 and 3, except that an exemplary shading device for use with a bulbous- sided drinking vessel is shown in accordance with sixth and seventh embodiments of the invention, respectively;

Figures 8 and 9 are similar to Figures 2 and 3, except that an exemplary shading device for use with a part hexagonal-sided drinking vessel is shown in accordance with eighth and ninth embodiments of the invention, respectively; Figures 10 and 11 are similar to Figures 2 and 3, except that an exemplary shading device for use with a tankard is shown in accordance with tenth and eleventh embodiments of the invention, respectively;

Figures 12 and 13 are similar to Figures 2 and 3, except that an exemplary shading device for use with a wine glass is shown in accordance with twelfth and thirteenth embodiments of the invention, respectively;

Figures 14 and 15 are similar to Figures 2 and 3, except that an exemplary shading device for use with a bottle is shown in accordance with fourteenth and fifteenth embodiments of the invention, respectively;

Figures 16 and 17 are similar to Figures 2 and 3, except that an exemplary shading device for use with a beer or soft-drinks can is shown in accordance with sixteenth and seventeenth embodiments of the invention, respectively;

Figure 18 is a perspective view of an exemplary shading device having a bottom-hinged coaster in accordance with an eighteenth embodiment of the invention, the shading device being for use with a chalice-type drinking vessel; in particular, sub-figure (a) is a front view with the hinged coaster in a fully-released position, sub-figure (b) is a side view with the hinged coaster in a fully-released position, sub-figure (c) is a front view with the hinged coaster in an unlocked position, and sub- figure (d) is a front view with the hinged coaster in a locked position; Figure 19 is similar to Figure 18, except that an exemplary shading device having a bottom-hinged coaster for a bottle is shown in accordance with a nineteenth embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 20 is similar to Figure 18, except that an exemplary shading device having a top-hinged cover for a chalice-type drinking vessel is shown in accordance with a twentieth embodiment of the invention.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are now described in detail with reference to the Figures. For ease of reference, like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Figure 1 shows an exemplary shading device (10) for use with a drinking vessel (20) in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. In the exemplary embodiment shown and described, the drinking vessel (20) is a chalice-type beer glass (20). However, the principle of operation of the shading device of the present invention may be applied to any other suitable type of drinking vessel .

Referring to Figure 1, the shading device (10) comprises a jacket (30) arranged to fit only partially around the drinking vessel (20) in use. The jacket (30) has side regions (31a, 31b) which define an opening (32) for receiving the drinking vessel (20) in a sideways manner.

In this way, when a user lifts the beer glass (20), the drinks shade (10) is also lifted with the beer glass. This serves at least two useful purposes, namely that (a) the shading device (10) remains on the beer glass (20) when the beer glass is being carried to a user' s mouth thus shading the contents from the sun, and (b) the user' s fingers are insulated from the contents of the beer glass (20) thus at least partially shielding the contents from heat generated by the user.

The jacket (30) is made from a resilient plastics material, so that the jacket (30) substantially retains its shape both when fitted to the drinking vessel (20) and when absent from the drinking vessel (20) . Of course, the jacket (30) could be made from any other suitable material or composite, such as paper, rubber, ceramics or the like. In the exemplary embodiment, the jacket (30) is arranged to have an internal diameter which is slightly smaller than the external diameter of the drinking vessel (20), and is arranged to extend around just over half of the perimeter of the drinking vessel (20) . In this way, the resilient jacket (30) tends to squeeze the drinking vessel

(20) in use thereby providing grip. The squeezing action is effected at least at the side regions (31a/31b) of the jacket (30) .

In another embodiment not shown, the jacket (30) is not arranged to squeeze the beer glass (20), but is instead designed to be held against the beer glass (20) by another form of attachment, such as a top lip (not shown) which hooks over part of the mouth (24) of the beer glass (20) in use.

The chalice-type drinking vessel (20) of this exemplary embodiment is well known in the art, and is perhaps better known as a Stella Artois (RTM) -type beer glass. The beer glass (20) comprises a base (21) connected to a body (22) by a stem (23) . The body (22) has a bulbous profile leading from the stem (23) to a mouth (24) through which the contents of the beer glass

(20) are poured into the beer glass and drunk from the beer glass in use.

As seen in Figure 1, the jacket (20) is shaped to conform approximately to the shape of the beer glass (20) . In particular, an inside surface (33) of the jacket (30) conforms to the bulbous profile of the beer glass (20) .

Also, an outside surface (34) of the jacket (30) conforms substantially to the inside surface (33) .

Advantageously, this makes gripping of the jacket (30) whilst on the beer glass (20) much easier. Also, stacking of a number of shading devices (10) is also made easier. Having an easily stackable shading device (10) has real commercial significance, as the inventor considers that a significant failing in the prior art designs is their apparent lack of user-friendliness, especially with owners of drinking establishments who are required to stock the shading devices and distribute them to customers.

Referring to Figure 1 again, the jacket (30) hugs not just the body (22) of the beer glass (20), but also hugs the stem (23) at a stem-portion (35) of the jacket (30) . In use, extra grip is provided by this feature. It is envisaged that most or all of the gripping power of the jacket (30) could be realised at the stem-portion (35), if desired. Figure 2 shows another exemplary shading device (10) having a bottom coaster (40) in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

In this second embodiment, the shading device (10) is essentially the same as the shading device (10) of the first embodiment. However, the addition of the bottom coaster (40) alters the configuration slightly. For instance, the stem-portion (35) extends over the top surface of the base (21) of the beer glass (20) to cover approximately half of the top surface of the base (21) . Attached to the stem-portion (35) of the jacket (30) is the bottom coaster (40) . The bottom coaster is effectively a beer coaster or mat as is known in the art, except that an edge (41) on the shaded side of the beer glass (20) curves to follow, substantially, approximately half of the perimeter of the base (21) of the beer glass (20) .

A further difference exists in that the jacket (30) need not be arranged to squeeze the beer glass (20) . Instead, the bottom coaster (40) provides support to the jacket (30) . Because the jacket fits closely to the beer glass (20) in use, the shading device (10) is liftable with the drinking glass (20) thus eliminating many problems with the prior art.

Figure 3 shows another exemplary shading device (10) having a top cover (50) in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention. The third embodiment is essentially the same as the second embodiment, save that the bottom coaster (40) is replaced by the top cover (50) which is provided to keep flies, debris and pollutants from entering the beer glass (20) .

The top cover (50) has several significant effects on the design of the shading device (10) when compared with the second embodiment. Firstly, the shading device (10) is supported on the glass by the top cover (50) and so the gripping effect of the jacket (30) described above with reference to Figure 1 becomes optional. Secondly, the shading device needs to be removed before a drink can be taken. Thirdly, the stem-portion (35) is optional because the bottom coaster (40) need no longer be attached to the jacket (30) .

Figures 4 and 5 show exemplary shading devices (10) in accordance with fourth and fifth embodiments of the invention, respectively, in which the shading device (10) is adapted for use with a straight-sided glass (20) .

Figures 6 and 7 show exemplary shading devices (10) in accordance with sixth and seventh embodiments of the invention, respectively, in which the shading device (10) is adapted for use with a bulbous-sided glass (20) without a stem (23) .

Figures 8 and 9 show exemplary shading devices (10) in accordance with eighth and ninth embodiments of the invention, respectively, in which the shading device (10) is adapted for use with a part hexagonal-sided glass (20) . Figures 10 and 11 show exemplary shading devices (10) in accordance with tenth and eleventh embodiments of the invention, respectively, in which the shading device (10) is adapted for use with a tankard (20) .

Figures 12 and 13 show exemplary shading devices (10) in accordance with twelfth and thirteenth embodiments of the invention, respectively, in which the shading device (10) is adapted for use with a wine glass (20) .

Figures 14 and 15 show exemplary shading devices (10) in accordance with fourteenth and fifteenth embodiments of the invention, respectively, in which the shading device (10) is adapted for use with a bottle (20) .

Figures 16 and 17 show exemplary shading devices (10) in accordance with sixteenth and seventeenth embodiments of the invention, respectively, in which the shading device (10) is adapted for use with a can (20) .

Figure 18 shows an exemplary shading device (10) having a bottom-hinged coaster (40) in accordance with an eighteenth embodiment of the invention.

In this embodiment, the shading device (10) is adapted for use with a chalice-type drinking vessel (20). However, the general principle is applicable to any drinking vessel (20) having a base (21) and a stem (23) .

The coaster (40) is connected to the stem-portion (35) of the jacket (30) by a hinge (41) . The hinge (41) allows the coaster (40) to move in relation to the jacket (30) . Attached to the coaster (40) on sides adjacent the hinge (41) are flaps (42) . The flaps (42) each define an aperture for engaging a corresponding locking protrusion (43) on a base-portion (36) of the shading device (10) .

Figure 18a is a front view of the bottom-hinged coaster (40) in a fully-released position. The flaps (42) are released from their respective locking protrusions (43) and the bottom-hinged coaster (40) is moveable.

Figure 18b is a side view of the shading device (10) with the bottom-hinged coaster (40) in a fully-released position. Again, the arrangement of flaps (42) and corresponding locking protrusions (43) are clear.

Figure 18c is a front view of the shading device (20) with the bottom-hinged coaster (40) in a raised but unlocked position. The flaps (42) protrude upwardly beyond the base-portion (36) of the shading device (10).

Figure 18d is a front view of the shading device (10) with the bottom-hinged coaster (40) in a locked position.

As will be seen, the flaps (42) are folded over respective locking protrusions (43) to lock the bottom-hinged coaster

(40) into place against the base (21) of the drinking vessel (20) .

Figure 19 shows an exemplary shading device (10) having a bottom-hinged coaster (40) in accordance with a nineteenth embodiment of the invention.

In this embodiment, the shading device (10) is adapted for use with a bottle (20) . However, the general principle is applicable to any drinking vessel having a base (21) directly connected to a body 22) .

Following on, the nineteenth embodiment is similar to the eighteenth embodiment described above, except that the drinking vessel (20) does not have a stem (23) . This means that the locking mechanism for the hinged coaster

(40) is modified slightly. In particular, the locking protrusions (43) project outwardly from the jacket (30). The locking protrusions (43) are substantially L-shaped with the head of the L being attached to the jacket (30), and the foot of L pointing downwardly in use. The flaps

(42) define apertures through which the locking protrusions (43) are inserted in use to lock the bottom- hinged coaster (40) in place.

Figure 19a is a front view with the bottom-hinged coaster (40) in a fully-released position, Figure 19b is a side view with the bottom-hinged coaster (40) in a fully- released position, Figure 19c is a front view with the bottom-hinged coaster (40) in an unlocked position, and

Figure 19d is a front view with the bottom-hinged coaster

(40) in a locked position.

The free-ends of the locking protrusions (43) are pointed so that they are easily inserted through the corresponding apertures in the flaps (42).

Figure 20 shows an exemplary shading device (10) having a top-hinged cover (50) for a chalice-type drinking vessel (20) in accordance with a twentieth embodiment of the invention. The twentieth embodiment is similar in principle to the eighteenth embodiment, except that the hinge (51) is located at a top end of the jacket (30) adjacent the mouth (24) of the drinking vessel (20) . As a result, the flaps (52) protrude downwardly from the cover

(50) and are arranged to mate with corresponding locking protrusions (53) on the jacket (30) .

Figure 20a shows the top-hinged cover (50) in a fully- released position, Figure 20b is a side view showing the top-hinged cover (50) in a fully-released position, Figure 20c is a front view showing the top-hinged cover (50) in an unlocked position, and Figure 20d is a front view showing the top-hinged cover (50) in a locked position.

In use, the shading device (10) is clipped onto the drinking vessel (20) . Then, the top-hinged cover (50) is brought over the mouth (24) of the drinking vessel (20) so that the mouth (24) is covered. The flaps (52) are brought over the corresponding locking protrusions (53) to lock the top-hinged cover (50) in place. The top-hinged cover (50) is released by unclipping the flaps (52) from the locking protrusions (53) . In this way, a user can easily drink from the drinking vessel (20) without removing the shading device (10) .

The shading device (10) is simply undipped from the drinking vessel (20) when no longer required.

Whilst not shown, it is envisaged that the shading device (10) could comprise both a bottom coaster (40) and a top cover (50) in a single embodiment. One or both of the bottom coaster (40) and top cover (50) could be hinged and locked. It is also envisaged that other variations on the type of hinge and locking mechanism may be employed, which would be apparent to the skilled person in view of the above-disclosed principle.

Also, the shading device (10) could be manufactured from any number of suitable materials as would be known to those skilled in the art. For example, the shading device (10) could be made from suitable plasties materials, paper-based materials such as cardboard, rubber or rubberised materials, ceramics or the like, or any suitable combination.

Although a few preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A shading device for shielding the contents of a drinking vessel from external heat sources, the shading device comprises a handleless resilient jacket arranged to fit substantially half-way around and substantially over the full-height of the portion of the drinking vessel which contains fluid in use extending from either the top or the bottom of the vessel, wherein the jacket is of substantially uniform thickness and the inner and outer surfaces are arranged to match the contour of the portion of the drinking vessel which contains the fluids in use, and the jacket has resiliently biased side regions which define an opening for receiving and resiliently gripping part of the drinking vessel in use.

2. The shading device of claim 1, wherein the shading device comprises a protrusion at one end arranged to receive a base of the drinking vessel in use.

3. The shading device of any preceding claim, wherein the shading device comprises a protrusion to cover at least partially a mouth of the drinking vessel in use.

4. The shading device of claim 3, wherein the protrusion covers the whole of the mouth.

5. The shading device of claims 2, 3 or 4, wherein a hinge mechanism is provided to allow one or each of the protrusions to fold.

6. The shading device of claim 5, wherein the shading device comprises a locking mechanism for locking one or each of the hinged protrusions relative to the jacket.

7. The shading device of any preceding claim, wherein an outer surface of the resilient jacket is reflective to rays of the sun.

8. A method of shielding the contents of a drinking vessel from external heat sources, the method comprising fitting a handleless resilient jacket substantially halfway around and substantially over the full-height of the portion of the drinking vessel which contains fluid in use extending from either the top or the bottom of the vessel, the jacket being of substantially uniform thickness and the inner and outer surfaces are arranged to match the contour of the portion of the drinking vessel which contains the fluids in use, the jacket having resiliently biased side regions which define an opening for receiving and resiliently gripping part of the drinking vessel in use .