WO2018051074A1

WO2018051074A1 - Improvements in beverage container holders

Info

Publication number: WO2018051074A1
Application number: PCT/GB2017/052683
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephen Daly; Knox STEFAN
Original assignee: Stephen Daly
Priority date: 2016-09-19
Filing date: 2017-09-13
Publication date: 2018-03-22
Also published as: GB201904526D0; GB2568848A; GB2568848B

Abstract

A beverage container holder (1) comprises a housing for retaining a beverage container and at least one connector (7a, 7b) configured to releasably attach the holder to a stem of a suitcase handle. The holder has at least one pin (6a, 6b) extending between the housing and the connector, wherein a pin is foldably mounted on the housing and/or a pin is detachable from the housing. A beverage container holder comprises means to attach the holder to a suitcase and a housing having a collapsible chamber adapted to house and support a beverage container. The chamber is alterable between a first configuration wherein the chamber is releasably secured in a collapsed state and a second configuration wherein the chamber is extended and able to house and support a beverage container.

Description

Improvements In Beverage Container Holders

The present invention relates to improvements in beverage container holders. More specifically the present invention relates to improvements in holders for beverage containers to be used in conjunction with wheeled suitcases. In particular the holder is adapted for use beverage containers that are open, for example cups of hot beverages that may or may not have a lid thereon or opened cans of beverage.

The problem of transporting cups of hot beverages when in transit, particularly by air or rail travel, has prompted various attempts at solutions.

The present invention seeks to improve upon the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a beverage container holder comprising:

a housing for retaining a beverage container;

at least one connector configured to releasably attach the holder to a stem of a suitcase handle;

at least one pin extending between the housing and the connector; wherein:

a pin is foldably mounted on the housing; and/or

a pin is detachable from the housing.

In some embodiments a pin that is foldably mounted on the housing is detachable from a connector.

In some embodiments a pin that is detachable from the housing is detachable from a connector.

In some embodiments a pin that is foldably mounted on the housing is foldably mounted on a connector.

In some embodiments a pin that is detachable from the housing is foldably mounted on a connector. In some embodiments a connector is adapted to attach the holder to a stem in a substantially fixed position along the longitudinal axis of stem.

In some embodiments a connector is adapted to slidably attach the holder to a stem.

In some embodiments a connector comprises a clamp to attach it to a stem of a suitcase handle.

In some embodiments a connector comprises a projection configured to engage with a recess on a pin.

In some embodiments a connector comprises a recess configured to retain a free end of a pin. In some embodiments a pin comprises a stop that is removable from the pin. In some embodiments the holder comprises:

a pair of opposing pins extending between the housing and a pair of connectors that are configured to releasably attach the holder to respective stems of a suitcase handle.

In some embodiments one or both pins is/are foldably mounted on the housing and/or one or both pins is/are foldably mounted on respective connectors; and/or

one or both pins is/are foldably mounted on the housing and the pin or pins is/are detachable from respective connectors; and/or

one or both pins is/are detachable from the housing and the pin or pins is/are detachable from respective connectors; and/or

one or both pins is/are detachable from the housing and the pin or pins is/are foldably mounted on respective connectors. In some embodiments the connectors are mounted on the pins and movable relative to each other so as to change the width between the connectors.

In some embodiments the connectors are slidably mounted on the pins. In some embodiments the housing comprises a collapsible chamber adapted to house and support a beverage container wherein the chamber is alterable between:

a first configuration wherein the chamber is in a collapsed state; and

a second configuration wherein the chamber is extended and able to house and support a beverage container.

In some embodiments the holder comprises means to releasably secure the chamber in a collapsed state. In some embodiments the housing comprises a collar and the collapsible chamber is releasably attachable to the collar to maintain the chamber in a collapsed state.

In some embodiments the collapsible chamber comprises a base that is releasably attachable to the collar to maintain the chamber in a collapsed state.

In some embodiments the collar comprises a plurality of inwardly extending flaps configured to releasably grip a beverage container.

In some embodiments the flaps are removable from the holder.

In some embodiments the holder comprises a lid.

In some embodiments the lid and chamber together form a liquid retaining compartment. In some embodiments the liquid retaining compartment is substantially waterproof. In some embodiments the pin or pins extend from the collar. In some embodiments the holder is pivotally attached to the suitcase.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a beverage container holder comprising:

means to attach the holder to a suitcase;

a housing having a collapsible chamber adapted to house and support a beverage container; wherein the chamber is alterable between:

a first configuration wherein the chamber is releasably secured in a collapsed state; and a second configuration wherein the chamber is extended and able to house and support a beverage container.

In some embodiments the beverage container holder of the second aspect of the present invention may comprise any of the features of the statements of invention pertaining to the first aspect of the present invention. According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of transporting a beverage container comprising the steps of:

i) providing a beverage container holder according to any preceding statement of invention; and

ii) attaching the holder to a suitcase.

Providing a pin that is foldably mounted on the housing and detachable from a connector; and/or a pin that is foldably mounted on a connector and detachable from the housing a holder may be reduced in size for storage when not in use. By allowing for the width between connectors to be adjusted the holder may be attached to a range of suitcases with differently spaced pairs of handle stems.

By making at least part of a connector is detachable from its pin the holder may be removed from the remainder of the connector that may remain attached to the stem of the suitcase. The suitcase may then be transported with the remainder of the connector attached to the stem or stems. A part of the connector left on a pin might also be detached from the pin for storage.

By providing a collapsible chamber to house and support a beverage container a holder may be collapsed for transport and expanded into a usable state when desired.

In order that the present invention may be more fully understood a specific embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a beverage holder made in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the beverage holder of Figure 1 with its beverage container housing in a collapsed state;

Figure 3 is a cross-section through the beverage holder of Figure 1 with its beverage container housing in a collapsed state;

Figure 4 is a side view of the beverage holder of Figure 1 with its beverage container housing in an expanded state;

Figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating how the holder of Figure 1 may be attached to stems of a suitcase handle;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the holder of Figure 1 attached to stems of a suitcase;

Figure 7 is a cross-section illustrating the holder of Figure 1 retaining a disposable hot beverage container; and

Figure 8 is a cross section illustrating how the lid of the holder of Figure 1 may seal an open beverage can.

Referring to the drawings a beverage holder 1 comprises a housing for retaining a beverage container defined by lid 2, collar 3, sidewall 4 and base 5.

Lid 2 is substantially circular and hingedly attached by means of hinge 12 to substantially rigid collar 3, which is also substantially circular. Lid comprises catch 13 configured to releasably snap fasten lid 2 in a closed position.

Extending from collar 3 is substantially cylindrical sidewall 4, which is formed of a flexible material. Sidewall 4 is attached at its upper end to collar 3 and at its lower end to the periphery base 5.

In the present embodiment sidewall 4 is substantially waterproof so that if spillage were to occur during transportation of a beverage any spilt liquid may be retained by sidewall 4 and base 5. In other embodiments sidewall 4 might not be substantially waterproof but might be water resistant or might merely be formed of a fabric material.

Base 5 is substantially rigid and circular. In other embodiments base 5 may be formed of a flexible material. Base 5 comprises means to releasably attach to collar 3 in the form of a screw thread (not shown) that is configured to mate with a corresponding screw thread formed on collar 3. In other embodiments a base may have other means to attach to a collar, for example straps and/or snap fasteners.

As illustrated in Figure 2, when base 5 is attached to collar 3 by means of the screw thread the beverage container housing is in a collapsed state with sidewall 4 deformed and contained within a chamber defined by lid 2, collar 3 and base 5.

When base 5 is attached to collar 3 the two parts are releasably locked together by means of a protrusion (not shown) on base 5 mating with a recess (not shown) on collar 3.

Figure 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of beverage holder 1 with its housing in a collapsed state.

Lid 2 comprises a substantially circular plug 14 moulded on its interior surface in a substantially central position. In some embodiments a lid may be attached to the housing. In other embodiments a lid may be detachable from the housing.

As illustrated in Figure 8, plug 14 is configured so as to seal an opening (not shown) at the top of an open beverage can 15 housed within beverage holder 1 when in use and lid 2 is closed. Thus plug 14 prevents spillage from an open can of beverage being transported in beverage holder 1.

Together lid 2, sidewall 4 and base 5 form a liquid retaining compartment that prevents dangerous spillage of liquid from a beverage container when in use.

In other embodiments a plug may be formed so as to seal a disposable cup such as a paper coffee cup or may preferably be formed so as to sea l a plurality of different types of beverage containers. In some embodiments a plug may be formed of a deformable material configured to mould to the shape of an opening of a beverage container retained within a beverage holder.

Collar 3 comprises a plurality of resiliently flexible flaps 15 that extend inwardly from collar 3 into the space occupied by a beverage container when beverage holder 1 is in use. Flaps 15 are configured to releasably grip a beverage container so as to hinder movement thereof relative to beverage holder 1.

As illustrated in Figure 4, when base 5 is not attached to collar 3 the beverage container chamber is in an expanded state and capable of retaining a beverage container.

In this state collar 3 defines an opening into a chamber for retaining a beverage container, the opening being at the upper end of sidewall 4, and the housing space being largely defined by substantially cylindrical sidewall 4 and base 5.

Although in the present embodiment base 5 attaches to collar 3 so as to retain the chamber in a collapsed state it will be apparent that other means could be used. For example clips may attach the base an/or side wall to lid 2 or another part of the housing. Diametrically opposed and extending from an outer face of collar 3 are substantially rigid pins 6a, 6b, that comprise at their free ends respective stops 8a, 8b.

In the present embodiment collar 3 is around 10cm in diameter and pins 6a, 6b each extend around 2.5cm from collar 3 to their respective free ends.

Slidably and rotatably retained on pins 6a, 6b are respective connectors 7a 7b.

Each of connectors 7a, 7b is formed of an arm portion 9a, 9b and a clip portion 10a, 10b. Arm portions 9a, 9b comprise an aperture through which pins 8a, 8b extend so as to retain connectors 7a, 7b both slidably and rotatably on pins 6a, 6b.

Arm portions 9a, 9b are prevented from being removed from pins 6a, 6b by stops 8a, 8b. Clip portions 10a, 10b are each configured to releasably clamp to a respective stem 11a, lib of a suitcase handle as illustrated in Figure 5. When clip portions 10a, 10b are attached to respective stems 11a, lib of a suitcase handle holder 1 is secured in a substantially fixed position along the longitudinal axis of stems 11a, lib. In some embodiments a connector may be adapted to attach to suitcase handle stems of a variety of different shapes and sizes.

For example a connector may be provided with a clamping arrangement that is adapted to clamp to suitcase handle stems of different shapes and sizes. A clamping arrangement may be adjustable in a variety of manners, for example by being provided with a deformable material so as to allow the connector to clamp to suitcase stems of different shapes and sizes, or by a connector comprising a vice such that it may clamp handle stems of a range of widths. In other embodiments clip portions might by slidably attached to a stem of a suitcase, preferably an upper narrower stem, such that the clips of the holder rest upon the free ends of thicker lower stems of the suitcase.

Owing to connectors 7a, 7b being slidably mounted upon pins 6a, 6b, the width between connectors 7a, 7b may be adjusted so as to attach beverage holder 1 to suitcase handles that have differently spaced stems 11a, lib.

Further, as illustrated in Figure 5, owing to connectors 7a, 7b being rotatably mounted on pins 6a, 6b, when beverage holder 1 is in use the housing is pivotally attached to the stems of the suitcase handle such that when in a beverage container is retained by holder 1 the beverage container may pivot under its own weight so a to remain level and avoid spillage during transit of suitcase 17

An axis of rotation is defined by pins 6a, 6b, and that passes through collar 3 such that it is adjacent the top of a beverage container being retained by beverage holder 1. In most embodiments the pivotal attachment will be adjacent the opening to the beverage container housing space so as to most effectively balance a beverage container. In most embodiments the axis of rotation will pass through the housing. In some embodiments pins 6a, 6b may be attached to collar 3 by a screw thread or other means so as to allow for their removal from collar 3.

Once removed from collar 3 connectors 7a, 7b may be detached from pins 6a, 6b so as to allow replacement connectors that are differently sized and/or shaped to be deployed. It may be desirable to attach differently sized/and/or shaped connectors so as to allow beverage holder 1 to readily and securely be attached to different sizes and/or shapes of stems of suitcase handles. In other embodiments other means may be provided to replace connectors 7a/7b with differently sized and/or shaped connectors. For example, stops 8a, 8b may be removable from pins 6a, 6b by means of a screw thread. In other embodiments pins may be foldable relative to a collar by means of a hinge such that they do not protrude during storage of the holder when it is not in use.

In other embodiments pins may be detachable from a collar and foldably mounted on a connector by means of a hinge such that they do not protrude during use of the suitcase having a connector attached thereto when the holder is not in use. In use beverage holder 1 is capable of housing a range of differently sized beverage containers owing to flaps 15 releasably gripping a container in a substantially fixed position.

In some embodiments flaps 15 may be removable from a holder so as to assist a user in cleaning the holder.

In some instances, such as that illustrated Figure 6 a disposable hot beverage container 16 may be retained with lid 2 left open. In other instances, such as that partly illustrated in Figure 7 an open beverage can 15 may be retained and its opening covered by lid 2 being closed.

In use an upper part of a beverage container retained in holder 1 extends above collar 3 so as to assist a user in removal of the container from holder 1. In some embodiments at least part of a connector may be adapted to remain on the suitcase whilst the holder is not in use. In such embodiments the housing may releasably attach to at least part of a connector, for example by means of at least one snap-fit connection. In some embodiments at least part of means for connecting a housing to a stem of the suitcase may be formed integrally with the stem. For example, connector on a housing may simply comprise a pin or pair of pins extending from the housing, and a stem may comprises recesses adapted to retain the pins. Such recesses may in some embodiments be configured to allow the snap fitting of the pins to the suitcase stem. In such embodiments clips may not be required.

In such embodiments a suitcase may comprise plurality of pairs of recesses spaced along the longitudinal axis of the stems of a suitcase in order that a user may select the height at which the holder is retained.

In some embodiments a collapsible chamber may be formed of a plastically deformable material such that a user may affect a change between collapsed and extended states.

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

Claims

Claims:

1. A beverage container holder comprising:

a housing for retaining a beverage container;

at least one pin extending between the housing and the connector; wherein:

a pin is foldably mounted on the housing; and/or

a pin is detachable from the housing.

2. The holder of claim 1 wherein a pin that is foldably mounted on the housing is detachable from a connector.

3. The holder of claim 1 or 2 wherein a pin that is detachable from the housing is detachable from a connector.

4. The holder of any preceding claim wherein a pin that is foldably mounted on the housing is foldably mounted on a connector.

5. The holder of any preceding claim wherein a pin that is detachable from the housing is foldably mounted on a connector.

6. The holder of any of any preceding claim wherein a connector is adapted to attach the holder to a stem in a substantially fixed position along the longitudinal axis of stem.

7. The holder of any of any preceding claim wherein a connector is adapted to slidably attach the holder to a stem.

8. The holder of any preceding claim wherein a connector comprises a clamp to attach it to a stem of a suitcase handle.

9. The holder of any of claims 1 to 7 wherein a connector comprises a projection configured to engage with a recess on a pin.

10. The holder of any of claims 1 to 7 wherein a connector comprises a recess configured to retain a free end of a pin.

11. The holder of any preceding claim wherein a pin comprises a stop that is removable from the pin.

12. The holder of any preceding claim wherein the holder comprises:

13. The holder of claim 12 wherein

one or both pins is/are foldably mounted on the housing and/or one or both pins is/are foldably mounted on respective connectors; and/or

one or both pins is/are detachable from the housing and the pin or pins is/are foldably mounted on respective connectors.

14. The holder of claim 12 or 13 wherein the connectors are mounted on the pins and movable relative to each other so as to change the width between the connectors.

15. The holder of any of claims 12 to 14 wherein the connectors are slidably mounted on the pins.

16. The holder of any preceding claim wherein the housing comprises a collapsible chamber adapted to house and support a beverage container wherein the chamber is alterable between:

a first configuration wherein the chamber is in a collapsed state; and

17. The holder of any of claim 16 wherein the holder comprises means to releasably secure the chamber in a collapsed state.

18. The holder of claim 16 wherein the housing comprises a collar and the collapsible chamber is releasably attachable to the collar to maintain the chamber in a collapsed state.

19. The holder of claim 16 wherein the collapsible chamber comprises a base that is releasably attachable to the collar to maintain the chamber in a collapsed state.

20. The holder of any of claims 16 to 19 wherein the collar comprises a plurality of inwardly extending flaps configured to releasably grip a beverage container.

21. The holder of claim 20 wherein the flaps are removable from the holder.

22. The holder of any of preceding claim wherein the holder comprises a lid.

23. The holder of claim 22 when dependent upon any of claims 16 to 21 wherein the lid and chamber together form a liquid retaining compartment.

24. The holder of claim 23 wherein the liquid retaining compartment is substantially waterproof.

25. The holder of any preceding claim wherein the pin or pins extend from the collar.

26. The holder of any preceding claim wherein the holder is pivotally attached to the suitcase.

27. A beverage container holder comprising:

means to attach the holder to a suitcase;

a housing having a collapsible chamber adapted to house and support a beverag container;

wherein the chamber is alterable between: a first configuration wherein the chamber is releasably secured in a collapsed state; and

28. The beverage container holder of claim 27 comprising the features of any of claims 1 to 26.

29. A method of transporting a beverage container comprising the steps of:

i) providing a beverage container holder according to any preceding claim; and ii) attaching the holder to a suitcase.