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Title:
IMPROVEMENTS IN DRINKS CARRIERS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2017/163048
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A drinks carrier (1) has a base (2) with a plurality of support holes (5a,5b,6a,6b) for receiving tapered drinks containers. The base comprises a first portion (2a) having a first handle (3a) hingedly attached to the first portion of the base and a second portion (2b) having a second handle (3b) hingedly attached to the second portion of the base. The first and second handles may be folded towards each other such that the handles are adjacent to each other so as to allow a user to grip both handles with a single hand to transport the carrier. The first and second portions of the base are separable from each other along a line of weakness (10) such that the first and second portions of the base may be used independently to carry beverages. The first handle is hingedly attached to the first portion of the base at points such that when the first portion is used Independently and carried by Its handle beverage containers being transported remain substantially upright. The second handle is hingedly attached to the second portion of the base at points such that when the second portion is used independently and carried by its handle beverage containers being transported remain substantially upright.

Inventors:
EVES CHRISTOPHER (GB)
BOOTH LUKE (GB)
Application Number:
PCT/GB2017/050785
Publication Date:
September 28, 2017
Filing Date:
March 21, 2017
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
P4CK LTD (GB)
International Classes:
B65D71/44
Foreign References:
GB2519659A2015-04-29
AU2011100777A42011-08-04
US5609379A1997-03-11
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
LONDON IP LTD (GB)
Download PDF:
Claims:
Claims:

A drinks carrier with a base having a plurality of support holes for receiving tapered drinks containers, the base comprising:

a first portion having a first handle hingedly attached to the first portion of the base; a second portion having a second handle hingedly attached to the second portion of the base; wherein

the first and second handles may be folded towards each other such that the handles are adjacent;

the first and second portions of the base are separable from each other along a first line of weakness such that the first and second portions of the base may be used independently to carry beverages;

the first handle is hingedly attached to the first portion of the base at points such that when the first portion is used independently and ca rried by its handle beverage containers being transported remain substantially upright;

the second handle is hingedly attached to the second portion of the base at points such that when the second portion is used independently and carried by its handle beverage containers being transported remain substantially upright.

The carrier of claim 1 wherein the first handle is connected to the first portion of the base at points defining a line that substantially bisects at least one support hole formed in the first portion.

The carrier of claim 1 or 2 wherein the second handle is connected to the second portion of the base at points at points defining a line that substantially bisects at least one support hole formed in the second portion.

The carrier of any preceding claim wherein the first handle is hingedly attached to the first portion of the base at points defining a line that substantially bisects all support holes formed in the first portion of the base.

The carrier of any preceding claim wherein the second handle is hingedly attached to the first portion of the base at points defining a line that substantially bisects all support holes formed in the second portion of the base.

6. The drinks carrier of any preceding claim wherein a handle is attached to a portion of the base at points adjacent edges of the portion.

The drinks carrier of any preceding claim wherein a handle is attached to a portion of th base at a point between adjacent support holes formed in the portion to which th handle is attached.

The drinks carrier of any preceding claim wherein a handle is attached to a portion of the base at points between each pair of adjacent support holes formed in the portion to which the handle is attached.

9. The drinks carrier of any preceding claim wherein the first portion of the base comprises any of two, three or four support holes.

10. The drinks carrier of any preceding claim wherein the second portion of the base comprises any of two, three or four support holes.

11. The drinks carrier of any preceding claim wherein the carrier comprises a second line of weakness that is substantially perpendicular to the first line of weakness such that the first portion of the carrier is separable into two halves each having a handle portion.

12. The drinks carrier of claim 11 wherein each of the two halves of the first portion comprise a centrally disposed carrying hole in the handle portion thereof.

13. The drinks carrier of any preceding claim wherein the carrier comprises a second line of weakness that is substantially perpendicular to the first line of weakness such that the first and second portions of the carrier are each separable into two halves each having a handle portion.

14. The drinks carrier of claim 13 wherein each of the two halves of each of the first and second portions comprise a centrally disposed carrying hole in the handle portion thereof.

15. The drinks carrier of any of claims 11 to 14 wherein the second line of weakness is provided by perforations.

16. The drinks carrier of any preceding claim wherein the first line of weakness is provided by perforations.

17. The drinks carrier of any preceding claim wherein a line of weakness is angled to each side of a carrier at points where it meets the sides. 18. The drinks carrier of claim 17 wherein a line of weakness is angled to each side of a carrier at points where it meets the sides by between 0 and 20 degrees.

19. The drinks carrier of claim 17 wherein a line of weakness is angled to each side of a carrier at points where it meets the sides by between 5 and 15 degrees.

20. The drinks carrier of claim 17 wherein a line of weakness is angled to each side of a carrier at points where it meets the sides by around 10 degrees.

21. The drinks carrier of any preceding claim wherein a line of weakness comprises a concora.

22. The drinks carrier of claim 21 wherein a concora is disposed within a line of weakness between two sections of perforations. 23. The drinks carrier of any preceding claim wherein a line of weakness comprises a zigzag.

24. The drinks carrier of any preceding claim wherein a line of weakness comprises a zed shape. 25. The drinks carrier of claim 24 wherein the zed has a central portion angled at between 90 and 120 degrees to each of its adjacent portions.

26. The drinks carrier of claim 24 wherein the zed has a central portion angled at between 100 and 110 degrees to each of its adjacent portions.

27. The drinks carrier of claim 24 wherein the zed has a central portion angled at around 105 degrees to each of its adjacent portions. 28. The drinks carrier of any preceding claim wherein the first and second handles of the carrier each comprise a substantially centrally disposed carrying hole.

29. The drinks carrier of any preceding claim wherein a carrier is formed of cardboard. 30. The drinks carrier of any preceding claim wherein a carrier is formed of kraft cardboard.

31. The drinks carrier of any preceding claim wherein a carrier is formed of corrugated cardboard. 32. The drinks carrier of any of claims 29 to 31 wherein the cardboard grain direction is substantially perpendicular to the line of weakness.

The drinks carrier of any preceding claim wherein the carrier is formed of a material with a weight greater than 300gsm.

Description:
Improvements in Drinks Carriers

The present invention relates to improvements in drinks carriers. Drinks carriers are necessary in many situations, notably in fast food outlets such as takeaway coffee houses and at venues and events, where a person may need to carry a plurality of dinks from an outlet to a different location.

A person may need to carry any number of drinks and as such different carriers are needed to cater for differing numbers of drinks being carried.

According to the present invention there is provided a drinks carrier with a base having a plurality of support holes for receiving tapered drinks containers, the base comprising: a first portion having a first handle hingedly attached to the first portion of the base; a second portion having a second handle hingedly attached to the second portion of the base; wherein

the first and second handles may be folded towards each other such that the handles are adjacent;

the first and second portions of the base are separable from each other along a first line of weakness such that the first and second portions of the base may be used independently to carry beverages;

the first handle is connected to the first portion of the base at points such that when the first portion is used independently and carried by its handle beverage containers being transported remain substantially upright;

the second handle is connected to the second portion of the base at points such that when the second portion is used independently and carried by its handle beverage containers being transported remain substantially upright.

By providing a drinks carrier with first and second portions that are separable from each other and each having hingedly attached handles the drinks carrier may be used into two separate configurations. When the first and second portions are not separated the first and second handles may hinge towards each other and be used together to carry the base. When the handles are adjacent to each other a user may grip both handles with a single hand to transport the carrier. When the first and second portions are separated the first handle may be used to carry the first portion and the second handle may be used to carry the second portion.

As the handles are hingedly attached to portions of the base at points such that drinks carried therein remain substantially upright spillage of beverage is minimized.

In some embodiments the first handle is connected to the first portion of the base at points defining a line that substantially bisects at least one support hole formed in the first portion.

In some embodiments the second handle is connected to the second portion of the base at points at points defining a line that substantially bisects at least one support hole formed in the second portion.

In some embodiments the first handle is hingedly attached to the first portion of the base at points defining a line that substantially bisects all support holes formed in the first portion of the base.

In some embodiments the second handle is hingedly attached to the first portion of the base at points defining a line that substantially bisects all support holes formed in the second portion of the base.

In some configurations of support holes, in particular where a portion comprises a single support hole or in linear configurations of support holes it is preferable for a handle on a portion of the base to be attached at points defining a line that substantially bisects one or all support holes.

In some embodiments a handle is attached to a portion of the base at points adjacent edges of the portion.

In some embodiments a handle is attached to a portion of the base at a point between adjacent support holes formed in the portion to which the handle is attached. In some embodiments a handle is attached to a portion of the base at points between each pair of adjacent support holes formed in the portion to which the handle is attached.

In some embodiments the first portion of the base comprises any of two, three or four support holes.

In some embodiments the second portion of the base comprises any of two, three or four support holes. In some embodiments the carrier comprises a second line of weakness that is substantially perpendicular to the first line of weakness such that the first portion of the carrier is separable into two parts each having a handle portion.

In some embodiments each of the two parts of the first portion comprise a substantially centrally disposed carrying hole in the handle portion thereof.

In some embodiments the carrier comprises a second line of weakness that is substantially perpendicular to the first line of weakness such that the first and second portions of the carrier are each separable into two parts each having a handle portion.

In some embodiments each of the two parts of each of the first and second portions comprise a substantially centrally disposed carrying hole in the handle portion thereof.

In some embodiments the second line of weakness comprises perforations.

In some embodiments the first line of weakness comprises perforations.

In some embodiments a line of weakness is angled to each side of a carrier at points where it meets the sides.

In some embodiments a line of weakness is angled to each side of a carrier at points where it meets the sides by between 0 and 20 degrees. In some embodiments a line of weakness is angled to each side of a carrier at points where it meets the sides by between 5 and 15 degrees.

In some embodiments a line of weakness is angled to each side of a carrier at points where it meets the sides by around 10 degrees.

In some embodiments the first line of weakness comprises a concora.

In some embodiments a concora is disposed within a line of weakness between two sections of perforations.

In some embodiments a line of weakness comprises a zigzag.

In some embodiments a line of weakness comprises a zed shape.

In some embodiments the zed has a central portion angled at between 90 and 120 degrees to each of its adjacent portions.

In some embodiments the zed has a central portion angled at between 100 and 110 degrees to each of its adjacent portions.

In some embodiments the zed has a central portion angled at around 105 degrees to each of its adjacent portions. In some embodiments the first and second handles of the carrier each comprise a substantially centrally disposed carrying hole.

In some embodiments a carrier is formed of cardboard. In some embodiments a carrier is formed of kraft cardboard.

In some embodiments a carrier is formed of corrugated cardboard. In some embodiments the cardboard grain direction is substantially perpendicular to the line of weakness.

In some embodiments the carrier is formed of a material with a weight greater than 300gsm.

In order that the present invention may be more fully understood a specific embodiment will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a carrier made in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the carrier or Figure 1 being used to carry four drinks containers;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the carrier of Figure 1 being separated into identical first and second portions;

Figure 4 is first side view of a portion of the carrier of Figure 1 carrying two beverages;

Figure 5 is a second side view of a portion of the carrier of Figure 1 carrying two beverages; Figure 6 is plan view of a carrier made in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 is plan view of a carrier made in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 8 is a plan view of a carrier made in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Referring to the drawings, a drinks carrier 1 comprises a base portion 2 having four support holes 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b positioned in a substantially rectangular configuration.

Support holes 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b each are adapted to retain a tapered beverage container. Base portion 2 comprises a first portion 2a and a second portion 2b that are connected to each other by a perforated line of weakness 10.

Formed in first base portion 2a are two support holes 5a, 6a. Hingedly attached to first base portion 2a is first handle 3a, which comprises a substantially centrally disposed carrying hole 4a that is configured for a user to insert fingers therethrough. First handle 3a is attached to first base portion adjacent edges thereof at points 7a and 9a and at the centre of first base portion 2a at point 8a.

Points 7a and 9a define a line that substantially bisects support holes 5a, 6a and passes through point 8a, which is located in between support holes 5a, 6a.

Drinks carrier 1 is substantially symmetrical about line of weakness 10.

Thus formed in second base portion 2b are two support holes 5b, 6b. Hingedly attached to second base portion 2b is second handle 3b, which comprises substantially centrally disposed carrying hole 4b that is configured for a user to insert fingers therethrough.

Second handle 3b is attached to second base portion adjacent edges thereof at points 7b and 9b and at the centre of second base portion 2b at point 8b.

Points 7b and 9b define a line that substantially bisects support holes 5b, 6b and passes through point 8b, which is located in between support holes 5b, 6b. Turning to carrier 1 in a first mode of use and referring to Figure 2, a user may employ carrier 1 to carry three or four beverage containers by positioning the containers in support holes 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, by angling handles 3a, 3b towards each other and by inserting fingers through carrying holes 4a, 4b. Turning to carrier 1 in a second mode of use and referring to Figures 3 to 5, a user may employ a half of carrier 1 to carry one or two beverages. As depicted in Figure 3 carrier 1 may be split into two identical halves la, lb by tearing along perforated line of weakness 10 such that base 2 is split into first portion 2a and second portion 2b, with each portion comprising a respective handle 3a, 3b. As depicted in Figures 4 and 5, which show half la of carrier 1 in use, a user may carry one or two beverage containers in support holes 5a, 6a.

Owing to first handle 3a being hingedly attached to first base portion 2a at points defining a line that substantially bisects support holes 5a, 6a beverage containers held in support holes 5a, 6a self-balance and remain upright such the plane of first base portion 2a is substantially horizontal and that spillage from beverage containers is minimized.

Handle 3a being attached to base 2a at point 8a between support holes 5a, 6a results in carrier half la being able to carry one or two beverage containers without buckling.

In the present embodiment drinks carrier 1 is formed in one piece from a single sheet of kraft cardboard, but in other embodiments other suitable materials might be used.

Importantly the thickness of the material that carrier 1 is made from and the type of perforations that are provided along line of weakness 10 must be appropriately chosen such that carrier 1 does not buckle along line of weakness 10 when it is used to carry three of four beverage containers as depicted in Figure 2.

If the material of carrier 1 is too thin or the perforations along line of weakness 10 weaken line 10 too much then carrier 1 can buckle leading to possible spillage of beverage from containers in support holes 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b.

In the present embodiment carrier 1 is formed kraft cardboard of around 370gsm. Line of weakness 10 is formed of linear perforations of 3mm in length separated by 3mm gaps.

In general it is believed that the weight of kraft cardboard suitable for a carrier made in accordance with the present invention will be at a minimum 300gsm. In some embodiments a carrier may be formed of corrugated cardboard. It has been found that embodiments using corrugated cardboard with a flute thickness of around 1.6mm (Έ' flute cardboard) is optimal. In most embodiments it is believed that a flute thickness of between 0.8 and 3.2mm might be employed.

In embodiments where a carrier is formed of corrugated cardboard it has been found that it is preferable for the cardboard grain direction to be substantially perpendicular to line of weakness 10. Carriers made in accordance with the present invention may be supplied in a substantially planar or 'flat pack' form as depicted in Figure 1.

The term 'bisect' in this application is intended to mean divides into two equal parts - i.e. that the imaginary lines depicted by the handles run approximately through the centre of support holes such that the centre of gravity of the beverage containers lies approximately on this line and the containers do not list to one side.

Although in the present embodiment each half la, lb of carrier 1 comprises two support holes, in other embodiments halves of a carrier might have a different number of support holes.

Figure 6 depicts a carrier 11 made in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. Carrier 11 comprises six support holes and is divisible along perforated line of weakness 12 into two halves 11a, lib, with each half having three holes. The handles 13a, 13b of each half 11a, lib of carrier 11 are each attached to the respective base portions 14a, 14b of carrier 11 at four points - two points adjacent edges of carrier 11 and two points in between adjacent support holes.

Figure 7 depicts a carrier 15 made in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. Carrier 15 comprises eight support holes.

Similar to the first and second embodiments of carriers 1, 11 made in accordance with the present invention carrier 15 is divisible along first perforated line of weakness 16 into halves 18, 19 each a having a substantially linear row of four support holes. However, each half 18, 19 is further divisible into two separate parts 18a, 18b and 19a, 19b along a second perforated line of weakness 17 that is substantially perpendicular to first perforated line of weakness 16 such that carrier 15 can be split into quarters.

Carrier 15 may also be solely split along second perforated line of weakness 17 so as to produce two carriers each substantially in the configuration of carrier 1 set out as the first embodiment of the present invention. The first of these four-cup carriers comprises quarters 18a and 19a of carrier 15 and the second these four-cup carriers comprises quarters 18b and 19b of carrier 15.

Each half 18, 19 of carrier 15 comprises three carrying holes in its handles such that each quarter 18a, 18b, 19a, 19b comprises a substantially centrally disposed carrying hole 20a, 22a, 20b, 22b and such that each half 18, 19 comprises a centrally disposed carrying hole 21a, 21b.

Carrying holes 21a, 21b are bisected by second perforated line of weakness 17.

The handles 18, 19 of each half of carrier 15 are attached to the base of carrier 15 at four points - two points adjacent edges of carrier 13 and two points in between adjacent support holes.

Figure 8 depicts a carrier 23 made in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Carrier 23 comprises four support holes.

Carrier 23 is divisible along a line of weakness 24 into halves 25, 26 each a having a substantially two support holes.

Line of weakness 24 is formed in a zed shape and comprises a central concora 27 between sections of perforations 28, 29 that are positioned adjacent sides 30, 31 of carrier 23.

Concora 27 is formed by a first partial sever line on the front side of carrier 23 and a second partial sever line on the rear of carrier 23 which is substantially parallel to the first partial sever line. Though the first and second partial sever line would not be visible in a real world view, both first and second sever lines are illustrated in Figure 8 for aid of understanding.

Concora 27 comprises an angled central section 27b that is formed between first and second parallel sections 27a, 27c.

Central section 27b is angled to each of sections 27a, 27c by around 105 degrees.

Parallel sections 27a, 27c (and perforated sections 28, 29, which are in line with respective parallel sections 27a, 27c) are angled to sides 30, 31 of carrier 27 by around 10 degrees.

The provision of an zed shaped line of weakness 24 that is angled to each side 30, 31 of the carrier inhibits the carrier from flexing along the line of weakness extending between sides 30, 31 when carrier 23 is in use.

Use of a substantially central concora to form at least part of a line of weakness instead of using only perforations between each side has been found to aid inhibition of carriers flexing when in use. In some embodiments support holes in a portion of carrier base might not be provided in a row. For example, triangular or square configurations might be contemplated. However, rows of support holes are believed to be preferable as they form a stable configuration.

In the present embodiment a 'line of weakness' is not intended to be limited to a straight line. A line of weakness may, for example, include curves, turns, zigzags and other shapes.

The 'concora' method of providing a line of weakness is an arrangement that involves making two parallel lines of partial sever of the packaging material, with each side of the packaging material comprising one of the lines of partial sever.

Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.