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CA2354104A1 - Beverage container support apparatus - Google Patents

Beverage container support apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2354104A1
CA2354104A1 CA 2354104 CA2354104A CA2354104A1 CA 2354104 A1 CA2354104 A1 CA 2354104A1 CA 2354104 CA2354104 CA 2354104 CA 2354104 A CA2354104 A CA 2354104A CA 2354104 A1 CA2354104 A1 CA 2354104A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
adaptor
base
support surface
beverage container
sidewall
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA 2354104
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jeffrey Allan Veltri
Paul Joseph Taillefer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from CA002314657A external-priority patent/CA2314657A1/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA 2354104 priority Critical patent/CA2354104A1/en
Publication of CA2354104A1 publication Critical patent/CA2354104A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60NSEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N3/00Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for
    • B60N3/10Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of receptacles for food or beverages, e.g. refrigerated
    • B60N3/103Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of receptacles for food or beverages, e.g. refrigerated detachable
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60NSEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N3/00Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for
    • B60N3/10Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of receptacles for food or beverages, e.g. refrigerated
    • B60N3/105Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of receptacles for food or beverages, e.g. refrigerated for receptables of different size or shape
    • B60N3/107Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of receptacles for food or beverages, e.g. refrigerated for receptables of different size or shape with different elements of fixed geometry

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Geometry (AREA)
  • Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)

Abstract

An adaptor is provided and is configured to be received within a beverage container receptacle comprising a first section including a base, the base including a planar support surface.
The adaptor also includes at least one sidewall extending from the support surface, wherein the sidewall is configured to provide lateral support to a beverage container, and a second section jointed to and depending from the upper section including a pedestal. There is also provided A beverage container support apparatus comprising a first section including a a planar support surface, the planar support surface including a throughbore disposed therein, and a plurality of sidewall sections extending from the planar support surface and configured to provide lateral support to a multi-sided beverage container, and a second section, depending from the first section, and including a receptacle communicating with the throughbore.

Description

BEVERAGE CONTAINER SUPPORT APPARATUS
Field of Invention The present invention relates to a beverage container support apparatus and, more particularly, a beverage container support apparatus for supporting cylindrical or substantially cylindrical beverage containers as well as non-cylindrical mufti-sided beverage containers.
Background of the Invention Motor vehicles are typically designed with beverage container holders, configured to support beverage containers, and thereby facilitate consumption ofbeverages bypassengers. Unfortunately, typical beverage container holders of the prior art are designed to support cylindrical beverage containers, and are not particularly suitable for mufti-sided beverage containers having corners, such as a milk carton.
Summary of the Invention The present invention provides an adaptor configured to be received within a beverage container receptacle comprising a first section including a base, the base including a planar support surface, and at least one sidewall extending from the support surface, wherein the sidewall is configured to provide lateral support to a beverage container and a second section jointed to and depending from the upper section including a pedestal.
The present invention also provides a beverage container support apparatus comprising a first section including a planar support surface, the planar support surface including a throughbore disposed therein, and a plurality of sidewall sections extending from the planar support surface and configured to provide lateral support to a mufti-sided beverage container, and a second section, depending from the first section, and including a receptacle communicating with the throughbore.

The present invention further provides an adaptor for receiving and supporting a rectangular beverage container over a cylindrical cavity comprising a frusto-conical base, configured to be seated in the cylindrical cavity, and a rectangular support formed integral with the base and extending upwardly from the base and co-extensive therewith and defining a cavity for receiving the rectangular container therein, said rectangular support including two pairs of opposed sidewalk perpendicular with each other.
Brief Description of the Drawings The embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a beverage container support apparatus of the present invention, suspended above a typical vehicular beverage container holder;
Figure 2 is a front perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a beverage container holder apparatus of the present invention disposed within a typical vehicular beverage container holder;
Figure 3 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a beverage container support apparatus of the present invention, disposed within a typical vehicular beverage container holder, and supporting a milk carton;
Figure 4 is a top plan view of an embodiment of a beverage container support apparatus of the present invention, disposed within a typical vehicular beverage container holder of the prior art;
Figure 5 is a front sectional elevation view of an embodiment of a beverage container holder apparatus of the present invention, disposed within a typical vehicular beverage container holder;
Figure 6 is an enlarged view of detail A of Figure 5;
Figure 7 is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of a beverage container support apparatus of the present invention;
Figure 8 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a beverage container support apparatus of Figure 7;
Figure 9 is a front elevation view of the beverage container support apparatus of Figure 7;
Figure 10 is a front sectional elevation view of the beverage container support apparatus of Figure 7;
Figure 11 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of a beverage container support apparatus of the present invention;
Figure 12 is a top perspective view of the beverage container support apparatus of Figure 11;
Figure 13 is a front elevation view of the beverage container support apparatus of Figure 11;
and Figure 14 is a bottom plan view of the beverage container support apparatus of Figure i 1.
Detailed Description Figure 8 illustrates an embodiment of a beverage container holder apparatus 10 of the present invention. The apparatus 10 is configured for receiving and supporting a non-cylindrical, multi-sided beverage container, such as a milk carton (see Figure 3). Non-cylindrical beverage containers are those which are not characterized by cylindrical cross-sections and/or which cannot be received within a typical beverage container holder 12 whose receptacle is characterized by a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical cross-section . In one embodiment, and referring to Figure 2, the apparatus is designed to be received within a typical beverage container holder 12. In this respect, and in this embodiment, apparatus 10 functions as an adaptor to adapt an existing beverage container holder to facilitate support of a non-cylindrical, mufti-sided beverage container.
Referring to Figures 1 and 7-10, apparatus 10 includes a first upper section 18 joined to a second lower section 16. Section 16 is configured to be received in a typical beverage container holder 12. Section 18 is configured to support a non-cylindrical, mufti-sided beverage container.
Lower section 16 is configured for insertion into a socket or receptacle 20 of a typical or conventional beverage container holder 12, thereby providing lateral stability to apparatus 10 (see Figure 1). Beverage container holder 12 can be found in vehicles for securely supporting and holding beverage containers whilst the vehicle is in motion. In one embocliment, socket 20 is cylindrical and includes an inner sidewall 25 extending from a generally planar bottom. Lower section 16 is defined by a pedestal 30 including a base 32 and an outer sidewall 33 including a frusto-conical surface or a cylindrical surface (see Figures l and 10). In one embodiment, base 32 includes floor 36. Sidewall 33 projects or extends from base 32. In this respect, apparatus 10 is configured for reception within cylindrical socket 20.
In one embodiment, apparatus 10 can also support and hold cylindrical beverage containers.
In this respect, cylindrical pedestal 30 is hollow, and open at upper end 44.
Pedestal 30 includes inner sidewall 34 extending from floor 36 (see Figure 8). Inner sidewall 34 includes a frusto-conical shaped surface. In combination, sidewall 34 and floor 36 define receptacle 40.
Receptacle 40 receives insertion of cylindrical beverage containers or beverage containers comprising frusto-conical shaped sidewalls. Sidewall 34 provides lateral support to such beverage containers, while floor 36 provides vertical support to such containers.
Ribs 42 can be provided within receptacle 40 for supporting shorter containers. In one embodiment, and referring to Figures 4-6, 8 and 10, ribs 42 extend or project radially from inner sidewall 34 in an inwardly direction and towards the longitudinal axis 43 of receptacle 40.
Referring to Figures 8 and 10, upper section 18 includes a base 23 and sidewall sections 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d. Base 23 presents a planar surface 231, configured to provide vertical support for a beverage container 14. Sidewall sections 20a, 20b, 24c, 20d extend from planar surface 231, and present planar surfaces 201 a, 201b, 201 c, 201 d respectively which are configured to provide lateral support to a beverage container 14 resting on planar surface 231. Each of planar surfaces 201a, 201b, 201 c, 241 d is substantially orthogonal to planar surface 231.
Substantially orthogonal means that planar surfaces 201 a, 201 b, 201 c, 201 d are slightly tapered from an axis extending orthogonally from surface 231. The direction of the taper is in a direction remote from longitudinal axis 43. In one embodiment, planar surfaces 201a, 201b, 201c, 201d are disposed at an angle 0 of between 1.0 and 2.5° from the vertical axis 2311 projecting orthogonally from surface 231 and in a direction remote to longitudinal axis 43. In one embodiment, sidewall sections 201a, 241b, 201c, 201d are joined to form a continuous sidewall 20 with four corners 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d.
In this respect, sidewall sections 201 a, 201b, 201 c, 201 d form a rectangular cavity, such as a square.
Refernng to Figure 8, in one embodiment, sidewall sections 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d include upper edges 321a, 321b, 321c, 321d. Opposing recesses (or cut-outs or notches) 28a, 28c and 28b, 28d are disposed within sidewall sections 321 a, 321b, 321 c, 321 d respectively, and extend from respective upper edges 321a, 321b, 321c, 321d. Recesses 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d provide access for grasping, and removing, by hand, a beverage container 14 supported by upper section 18. In the embodiment illustrated, recesses 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d are U-shaped. Recesses 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d are particularly useful when the beverage container 14 is relatively short and does not extend or does not substantially extend above sidewall 20.
Referring to Figure 8, where apparatus 10 is configured to additionally support cylindrical beverage containers, base 23 is provided with a throughbore 70 communicating with receptacle 40.
In this respect, aapparatus 10 can be used to support non-cylindrical beverage containers by way of its upper section 18, and can also be used to support cylindrical beverage containers by way of lower section 16.
Apparatus 10 can be stacked with other apparati 10 to facilitate storage.
Further, adaptor 10 includes locking means 48 to prevent upper sectionl8 from rotating when stacked with other adaptors 10 (see Figures 7 and 9). Locking means 48 includes tabs 50 configured for engaging and fitting within recesses 28a, 28c. In this respect, tabs 50 depend from base 23 of upper section 18 in a direction towards base 32 of pedestal 30. Tabs 50 are co-extensive and aligned with respective recesses 28a, 28c. Tabs 50 include substantially vertical edges 52, 54 extending or projecting from base 23 (see Figure 9), joined by a substantially horizontal edge 56. Further, recesses 28a, 28c include respective pairs of substantially vertical inner edges 58, 60 and 62, 64 (see Figure 8) configured for engaging and bearing against edges 52, 54, thereby locking one apparatus 10 versus another apparatusl0 such that the apparati 10 are substantially prevented from rotating relative to one another. Similarly, receptacle 40 of one apparatus 10 is configured to be received within receptacle 40 of another apparatus. To facilitate such locking action, vertical edges 52, 54 are co-extensive and aligned with edges 58, 60. Further, tabs 50 are disposed within planes which are disposed radially remote from the longitudinal axis 43 of the pedestal 30 relative to the exterior perimeter of the pedestal.
To stack apparati 10 upon each other, pedestal 30 of one apparatus 10 is received by and fitted within receptacle 40 of another apparatus 10. Simultaneously, edges 52, 54 of tabs 50 engage and bear against inner edges 58, 60 and 62, 64 of recesses 28a, 28c, respectively. By fitting tabs 50 within recesses 28a, 28c in this manner, relative rotation of appaxati 10 when stacked one upon another is prevented.
The apparatus 10 can be affixed to an existing beverage container holder by hook and loop fasteners, such as VELCROTM, or by two-sided tape.
Figures 11-14 illustrate another embodiment of apparatus 10. In this embodiment, apparatus does not include tabs 50. Further, sidewall 33 merges with sidewall sections 20a, 20b, 20c and 20d. Sidewall 33 also comprises aplurality of spaced-apart longitudinal webs 80 extending between base 32 of lower section 16 and base 23 of upper section 18. Webs 80 are flexible and resilient, to facilitate insertion into existing vehicular beverage container holders 12 and accomodate varying diameters of socket 20.
To facilitate stacking, base 23 includes radiused corners 232a, 232b, 232c, 232d. Radiused corners 232a, 232b, 232c, 2324 are disposed radially remote from the longitudinal axis 43 of the pedestal 1 relative to the exterior perimeter 301 of the pedestal 30. Radiused corners 232a, 232b, 232c, 232d are co-extensive and aligned with corners 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d.
Radiused corners are configured to fit within corners 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d and engage planar surfaces 201 a, 20I b, 201 c, 201 d of another apparatus 10.

Apparatus 10 can be injection molded. In one embodiment, apparatus 10 is manufactured from high impact polystyrene.
Although the disclosure describes and illustrates preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these particular embodiments. Many variations and modifications will now occur to those skilled in the axt.

Claims (18)

1. An adaptor configured to be received within a beverage container receptacle comprising:
a first section including a base, the base including a planar support surface, and at least one sidewall extending from the support surface, wherein the sidewall is configured to provide lateral support to a beverage container; and a second section jointed to and depending from the upper section including a pedestal.
2. The adaptor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first section includes a first pair of opposing sidewall sections and a second pair of opposing sidewall sections, and wherein each of the sidewall sections extends from the support surface, and wherein each of the sidewall sections presents an inwardly facing planar lateral support surface which is orthogonal to the support surface of the base, and wherein each of the planar lateral support surfaces is configured to provide lateral support to a beverage container resting on the planar support surface of the base.
3. The adaptor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the planar lateral support surface of each of the sidewall sections of the first pair of opposing sidewall sections is substantially orthogonal to the planar lateral support surface of each of the sidewall sections of the second pair of opposing sidewall sections.
4. The adaptor as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first pair of opposing sidewall sections is disposed between the second pair of opposing sidewall sections.
5. The adaptor as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first pair of opposing sidewall sections is joined to the second pair of opposing sidewall sections to form a continuous sidewall.
6. The adaptor as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of the sidewall sections of the first pair of opposing sidewall sections includes an edge and a recess, and wherein the recesses extend from the edge.
7. The adaptor as claimed in claim 6, wherein the base includes a second surface, opposite to the planar support surface, and a tab depending from the second surface, wherein the tab is co-extensive and aligned with one of the recesses.
8. The adaptor as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of the recesses is defined by opposing recess edges extending from the sidewall section edge, and wherein the tab includes opposite tab edges depending from the second surface, and wherein the tab edges are co-extensive and aligned with the recess edges.
9. The adaptor as claimed in claim 8, wherein the pedestal includes a longitudinal axis and an exterior perimeter, and wherein the tab is disposed within a plane, and wherein the plane is disposed radially remote from the longitudinal axis relative to the perimeter.
10. The adaptor as claimed in claim 6, wherein the base includes a second surface, opposite to the planar support surface, and a pair of tabs depending from the second surface, wherein each of the tabs is co-extensive and aligned with one of the recesses.
11. The adaptor as claimed in claim 6, wherein the base includes a second surface, opposite to the planar support surface, and a tab depending from the second surface, wherein the tab is configured to be received within at least one of the recesses of an identical adaptor nested therewith.
12. The adaptor as claimed in claim 11, wherein each of the recesses is defined by opposing recess edges extending from the sidewall section edge, and wherein the tab includes opposite tab edges depending from the second surface, and wherein the tab edges are configured to bear against the recess edges of an identical adaptor.
13. The adaptor as claimed in claim 3, wherein the pedestal includes a receptacle, and wherein the planar support surface of the base includes a throughbore disposed therein communicating with the receptacle.
14. The adaptor as claimed in claim 13, wherein the receptacle includes a base and a sidewall extending between the floor and the first section, and wherein the sidewall includes a frusto-conical surface.
15. The adaptor as claimed in claim 13, wherein the sidewall includes a plurality of spaced apart longitudinal webs extending between the base and the first section.
16. The adaptor as claimed in claim 11, wherein the pedestal includes a receptacle, and wherein the receptacle is configured to be received within the receptacle of the identical adaptor simultaneously with the tab being received within the recess.
17. A beverage container support apparatus comprising:

a first section including a a planar support surface, the planar support surface including a throughbore disposed therein, and a plurality of sidewall sections extending from the planar support surface and configured to provide lateral support to a multi-sided beverage container;
and a second section, depending from the first section, and including a receptacle communicating with the throughbore.
18. An adaptor for receiving and supporting a rectangular beverage container over a cylindrical cavity comprising:

a frusto-conical base, configured to be seated in the cylindrical cavity; and a rectangular support formed integral with the base and extending upwardly from the base and co-extensive therewith and defining a cavity for receiving the rectangular container therein, the rectangular support including two pairs of opposed sidewalls perpendicular with each other.
CA 2354104 2000-07-26 2001-07-26 Beverage container support apparatus Abandoned CA2354104A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2354104 CA2354104A1 (en) 2000-07-26 2001-07-26 Beverage container support apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA2,314,657 2000-07-26
CA002314657A CA2314657A1 (en) 2000-07-26 2000-07-26 Beverage container holder adaptor
CA 2354104 CA2354104A1 (en) 2000-07-26 2001-07-26 Beverage container support apparatus

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2354104A1 true CA2354104A1 (en) 2002-01-26

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2354104 Abandoned CA2354104A1 (en) 2000-07-26 2001-07-26 Beverage container support apparatus

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CA (1) CA2354104A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007068095A1 (en) * 2005-12-14 2007-06-21 Mold Cam Engineering Inc. Automotive beverage tray holder

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007068095A1 (en) * 2005-12-14 2007-06-21 Mold Cam Engineering Inc. Automotive beverage tray holder

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