Liquids, and in particular drinks such as for instance fruit juices, soft drinks and dairy products, are offered for sale in many different types and sizes of packaging, varying from about 150 ml to 2 litres. Particularly in the smaller sizes recourse is increasingly being had here to relatively light and compressible disposable packages which, after consumption, can be compressed to a small volume so as to thus limit the volume of waste. A great drawback of these otherwise popular light packages is that, especially when used by children, the packaging is occasionally squeezed too hard, whether intentionally or not, during consumption of the contents, whereby the liquid arranged therein is inadvertently forced out and spilled.

In order to resolve this problem diverse protective holders are knom such as described for instance in American patent USP 4,986, 435. A holder is ascribed here which is intended for containing a packaging for liquid with flexible walls, consisting of hard, form-retaining shells which are placed around the packaging and can withstand a possible squeezing force. Such holders are also described in American patents USP 4,561, 560, USP 4,974, 744 and USP 5,052, 575, with specific modifications therein for closing the holder and for the use of a drinking straw.

All these holders known heretofore can only be applied to a predetermined size of package, which means that the user must apply a different holder for each different package. Furthermore, when a holder without closure is used, the packaging can easily slip or slide out of the holder. The present invention has for its object, among others, to provide a holder which obviates one or more of the above stated drawbacks.

In order to achieve the intended objective, a holder of the type stated in the preamble has the feature according to the invention that the assembly is provided with adapting means which are able and adapted to adjust at least one dimension of the inner space to a corresponding dimension of a packaging to be received therein. Owing to the presence of the adapting means therein, a size of the inner space of the holder can be adapted to the size of an actual packaging. The holder can thus be adapted for different package sizes and is thereby more widely usable.

A particular embodiment of the holder according to the invention has the feature that the assembly of walls encloses an at least substantially block-like inner space and that the adapting means comprise a partition displaceable between two opposite sides of the holder. In this holder a width of the inner space between the two walls can be adjusted by displacing the partition in that direction. In a specific embodiment, suitable for 150 ml block packs, the partition can for instance be adjusted over a distance of 0 to 30 millimetres so as to thus receive the most common packages in fitting manner in the inner space.

In order to fix the partition in a determined position, a further preferred embodiment of the holder according to the invention has the feature that at least one wall of the holder placed transversely of the sides is provided on an inner side with a snap pattern into which the partition snaps. The holder thus provides a click system in which the partition snaps each time it is displaced through a pitch distance. The partition can herein be shifted stepwise relative to the whole of the holder so that the volume of the holder can vary in stepwise manner. The click system more preferably comprises one or more springs arranged over the two parallel walls such that the pressure is uniformly distributed. The number of springs is variable, as are the dimension thereof. The extra inner wall can be of the same material as the rest of the holder, but may also be manufactured from a different material.

In a further particular embodiment, the holder according to the invention has the feature that the partition supports on an outer wall of the holder on one of the two sides under

bias of at least one spring member. The partition is thus pushed resiliently inward to lie tensioned against a packaging received in the inner space. The partition herein selects its position independently within a spring path of the at least one spring member and thus adjusts the lateral dimension of the inner space precisely to the actual dimension of the packaging.

According to another preferred embodiment, a holder according to the invention is characterized in that a screw member extends on one of the two sides from an outer wall of the holder, which member is mounted displaceably in the wall and the partition.

By rotating the screw member the partition can be forced inward and optionally displaced outward again to adjust the dimension of the inner space in the screwing direction to that of a package to be received.

In the above described further embodiments of the holder according to the invention, use is made of dynamic, at least moving adapting means. The adapting means can however also be static. In this respect a further preferred embodiment of the holder according to the invention has the feature that the assembly of walls encloses an at least substantially block-like inner space, and that the adapting means comprise a wall which is placed obliquely in the inner space and which extends at an acute angle from an upright side wall of the holder and extends at least in a direction to a base of the holder in order to receive thereon an underside of a substantially block-like packaging introduced into the inner space. When a block pack is introduced into such a holder, an underside thereof will eventually come up against the incline created by the oblique wall. A wider packaging will descend less far into the inner space than a narrower one, since a different lateral dimension of the inner space is thus imposed.

A flexible sealing is preferably arranged on an inner side of the walls. At least an upright part of the holder preferably comprises at least one at least practically rectangular wall which is releasable and thereby exchangeable. A personal decoration, information or advertising can optionally be arranged on such a releasable wall to adapt the holder to the user or to serve promotional purposes therewith.

Owing to the adjustability of the inner space, the dimensions of the holder according to the invention can be chosen within relatively wide limits, while the packaging for which the holder is intended still fits therein. Assuming a holder for small block packs for soft drinks with a volume of about 150-350 ml, a width of the holder will generally amount to about 40-70 mm, a depth to about 25-45 mm and a height to about 100-150 mm.

To give the holder as much stability as possible, a base preferably has a larger surface area than a surface formed by an upper edge of the upright part.

The dimensions of the holder are preferably such that it is suitable for containing the most common block packs for juices, soft drinks and dairy products. In particular a holder with a width of about 55 mm, a depth of about 40 mm and a height of about 120 mm must then be envisaged. The two most usual block packs for juices and dairy products fit herein, i. e. both the 200 ml and the 250 ml packs, wherein the packaging in each case lies in close-fitting manner in the inner space of the holder through adjustment of the adapting means.

In a further embodiment, the holder according to the invention has the feature that at least one of the walls is provided on the insertion side with a snap member for receiving an introduced packaging thereunder, and more in particular that the snap member comprises a resilient finger which extends from said wall. When it is inserted, a packaging will snap under the snap member and thereby be enclosed in the inner space, whereby the packaging is prevented from falling out of the holder unintentionally. An empty packaging can however be removed after it has been deliberately released by the snap member. A preferred embodiment of the holder has in this respect the feature that the finger forms an integral part of said wall. The snap member can thus be formed simultaneously with the wall in question and thus requires no additional production steps.

A further particular embodiment of the holder has the feature according to the invention that walls on either side of the inner space are provided close to the insertion side with recesses which open to the insertion side. The recesses provide lateral access to a

packaging received in the holder in order to obtain a grip thereon, for instance when the packaging must be removed from the holder. Although the shape of the recesses can in principle be freely chosen, use is preferably made of practically half-oval or half-round recesses.

The removal of an optionally empty packaging from the holder is further facilitated in a further preferred embodiment of the holder, which is characterized according to the invention in that a wall placed opposite the insertion side is provided with an opening for providing access to the inner space. Such a, for instance round or oval, opening is made sufficiently large that for instance a finger can enter the inner space via the opening, so that a packaging received therein can be pushed therefrom. When the packaging cannot be easily removed from the holder, which may or may not have the above stated recesses, because this packaging is more or less jammed therein, the packaging can then be pushed out of the holder via the opening using a finger or other object.

On the upper part of the upright part the holder preferably comprises fastening means for arranging a means enabling easy transport of the holder, such as a cord or the like.

For this purpose a further embodiment of the holder according to the invention has the feature that fastening means are formed thereon for fastening the holder, and more particularly that the fastening means are selected from a group of a belt clip, belt loops and belts. The holder preferably further comprises a releasable upper surface, whereby the walls of the upright part can be mutually connected and the holder can be closed.

The holder according to the present invention more preferably comprises an opening for a straw, arranged in particular in the upper surface. In order to increase the grip on the holder, this latter preferably comprises ribs on at least one of the outer walls.

The holder according to the present invention is preferably manufactured from non- denting, impact-resistant material, such as for instance hard plastic, hard cardboard or wood. Such a material guarantees a long lifespan and the desired form-retention, and thereby the resistance to squeezing of the holder. In a further preferred embodiment, the

holder according to the invention has the feature that it is formed integrally. In the case of a thermoplastic plastic use can advantageously be made for this forming of a one- step injection moulding process, whereby the production costs of the holder are limited to a minimum.

The invention will now be further elucidated on the basis of a number of exemplary embodiments and an accompanying drawing. In the drawing: figure 1A shows an oblique front view of a first exemplary embodiment of a holder according to the invention; figure 1B shows a cross-section of a part of the holder of figure 1A ; figure 2 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a holder according to the invention; figure 3A shows an oblique front view of a third embodiment of a holder according to the invention; figure 3B shows a cross-section of a part of the holder of figure 3A; and figures 4-5 show a fourth exemplary embodiment of a holder according to the invention, in respectively an empty and filled state.

The figures are otherwise mainly schematic and not drawn to scale. Some dimensions in particular may exaggerated to a greater or lesser extent for the sake of clarity.

Corresponding parts are designated as far as possible in the figures with the same reference numeral.

Figures 1A and 1B show a first embodiment of a holder for a packaging (not further shown here) which according to the invention can be adapted to the size of the packaging. Holder 1 comprises a substantially form-retaining assembly of walls which mutually enclose an inner space which is open on an insertion side and thereby accessible to a packaging. In this embodiment the assembly comprises a base 2 and four upright side walls 3,4a, which together form a block-like housing for block packs of

150-250 ml. Such packages are applied on a large scale for diverse drinks and dairy products.

Arranged on one of the side walls 4a is a partition 4b which can be displaced in an inner space of the holder enclosed by walls 2,3, 4a. Under bias of a spring system with springs 5, see also figure 1B, the partition 4b herein supports on the adjacent outer wall 4a, whereby within an allowed spring path it will of itself always take up a correct position adjusted to the actual width of an inserted packaging. The spring force of the springs herein also provides a certain clamping of the packaging in the holder so as to prevent it falling out unintentionally. When the packaging is placed in the holder, the packaging is clamped fixedly therein by the spring system so that the packaging cannot slide easily out of the holder.

Half-round recesses 6, which provide access to and grip on a packaging in the holder, are arranged on both sides close to an insertion side of the holder. Ridges 7 on an outer side of the holder improve grip on the holder itself. In the case a packaging is unintentionally clamped too tightly in the inner space, an opening 8 arranged for this purpose in base 2 provides the option of pushing the packaging out of the holder with a finger or other aid.

Figure 2 is a variation of the embodiment shown in figures 1A and 1B, wherein in this case a partition 4b is arranged close to base 2,4a. A spring system with springs 5 is arranged between the partition and base 2,4a, so that in this case also the partition supports resiliently on an adjacent outer wall of the holder and can adapt to the actual (height) dimension of a packaging.

The holder is provided in this embodiment with a pivoting lid 9 which closes the inner space but leaves an opening 11 for a straw or the like. The holder further contains fastening means 10 for fastening the holder to a belt or cord to enable easy carrying of the holder.

Figures 3a and 3b show a third embodiment of a holder according to the invention. Use is also made here of a linearly displaceable partition 4b with which the volume of the inner space can be adjusted as required to a size of a packaging to be received. Other than in both the previous exemplary embodiments, the partition is in this case displaceable by means of a screw member 16,17 which is mounted displaceably for this purpose in an adjacent outer wall 4a and partition 4b. The outer wall 4a comprises for this purpose an opening 12 into which screw member 16,17 is inserted with a mating screw thread. Partition 4b is provided with a raised portion 15 with a cavity therein for displaceably catching an outer end of screw member 16,17. Screw member 16,17 can be tightened with a handle or button 17 to force the partition 4b inward, or be loosened to impart a movement in the opposite direction to partition 4b. The size of the inner space in the holder can thus be adjusted to an actual size of a packaging which has to be received therein. On a front side of the holder are situated fixing means 14 in the form of a number of snap members on a releasable, and thereby exchangeable, outer wall 13 of the holder, which outer wall is connected to the holder. This wall can thus be easily exchanged for another which, if desired, provides space for a personal decoration, information or advertising.

A fourth exemplary embodiment of a holder according to the invention is shown in figures 4 and 5 in respectively empty and filled state. Although the invention is also suitable for differently formed packages and holders adapted thereto, use is also made in this exemplary embodiment of a holder for a small, rectangular block pack, for instance for soft drinks or dairy products. Other than the above described exemplary embodiments, the holder in this embodiment is formed integrally. Use is made for this purpose of an injection moulding process with which the holder is formed in one step in a mould from a suitable thermoplastic plastic such as polypropylene (HDPP) or high- density polyethylene (HDPE).

The holder comprises an assembly of a number of outer walls 3 which mutually enclose a block-like inner space 40 which is open on an insertion side. A packaging 20 can be inserted into the holder on the open insertion side, see figure 5. The packaging herein

presses outward a snap member in the form of a resilient finger 30 and falls thereunder when passing over it. Finger 30 is formed as an integral part on the wall 3 in question and thus encloses the packaging in the inner space. If desired, the packaging can be freed therefrom by deliberately forcing the finger 30 outward in order to leave the insertion opening wholly clear again.

The inner space of the shown holder is suitable for different sizes of packaging in that an oblique wall 4 is placed therein, which extends at an acute angle from an upright side wall 3 in a direction toward the base of the holder. A wide packaging will hereby become clamped between this oblique wall and an opposite side wall of the holder before a narrower one, although both are eventually sufficiently fixed therein.

On the top side the holder comprises fixing means 50 in the form of a two belts or handles with which the holder can be fastened to a strap, belt or cord and thus carried more easily.

Although the invention has been further elucidated above with reference to only a few exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent that the invention is in no way limited thereto. On the contrary, many other variations and embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention for the person with average skill in the art. Also falling under the scope of protection of the invention is for instance the application of a stand with a recess the size of the base of the holder according to the invention, or a second holder having in the base thereof a recess for the base of the holder according to the invention.

The application of such a stand or second holder for placing therein of the holder according to the invention is particularly advantageous when the holder according to the invention is not yet sufficiently stable itself when standing. Nor is the application of the invention limited to relatively small block packs, but the invention can also be applied advantageously for different types of packaging and larger sizes, for instance for use on or at the table.