AU2003273620A1 - A beverage cup carrier and a positioning and loading assembly for same - Google Patents

Description

WO 2004/037672 PCT/AU2003/001408 1 A BEVERAGE CUP CARRIER AND A POSITIONING AND LOADING ASSEMBLY FOR SAME Field of the Invention 5 The present invention relates to a carrier for one or more beverage cups and a positioning and loading assembly for such a carrier. The invention has been primarily developed for use in carrying flexible disposable paper or styrofoam cups of hot beverages (eg. coffee) in and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the 10 invention is not limited in this particular use and also finds application in the carrying of other hot and also cold beverages. Background of the Invention There are numerous known beverage cup carriers. As examples, US patent no. 5127519, European patent application no. 0567696 and UK patent application no. 15 2163949 all disclose beverage cup carriers having a base with one or more holes and portions extending from either side of the base which may be folded around the top of the cups to form a handle. Known carries have several disadvantages. Firstly, they can be difficult and unsafe to load, particular when used with small cups of coffee which are light weight and 20 easily knocked over. Secondly, many known carriers do not form a snug and secure fit around the cups being carried. Thirdly, many carriers are produced using an excessive amount of material which is both environmentally unfriendly and costly. Minimising costs is particularly important given that cafe operators will usually pay for the carriers and then provide them to their customers free of charge. 25 Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the prior art disadvantages discussed above. Summary of the Invention Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a carrier for one or 30 more beverage cups, the carrier including: a handle; a base with one or more holes adapted to receive the base of one or more corresponding beverage cups therethrough; WO 2004/037672 PCT/AU2003/001408 2 a pair of side walls, each extending from either side of the base; and a pair of top portions, each extending from each of the side walls, wherein the base, side walls and top portions are foldable from a substantially flat loading configuration into a carrying configuration in which the top portions are 5 substantially parallel to, and spaced apart from, the base and in which the side walls are angled with respect to the base and top portions, and the side walls each include at least one slit extending away from and back to the fold line between each of the side walls and their respective top portions such that, when folded into the carrying configuration, the slit(s) define the edge of protruding portion(s) 10 which protrude outwardly from the side walls in the plane of the top portions. In one embodiment, in the carrying configuration, the side walls are angled substantially normal to the base and top portions. In another embodiment, in the carrying configuration, the side walls are angled substantially parallel to the sides of the cup(s). 15 The carrier preferably has one slit in each side wall adjacent to each beverage cup hole. The slits are preferably arcuate. The handle is preferably in the form of corresponding openings in handle portions extending from each top portion. 20 The base, side walls, top portions and handle portions are preferably integrally formed from a sheet, most preferably from biodegradable cardboard, plastics material or composites or other like materials. In a second aspect, the present invention provides a carrier for one or more beverage cups, the carrier including: 25 a handle; a base with a one or more holes adapted to receive the base of one or more corresponding beverage cups therethrough; and a pair of side walls, each extending from either side of the base, wherein the base and side walls are foldable from a substantially flat loading 30 configuration into a carrying configuration in which the side walls are each angled with respect to the base, and at least one of the side walls includes an expandable region corresponding to each of the beverage cup holes which, when folded into the carrying configuration around a beverage cup, allow the edges of the cup adjacent the side wall(s) to protrude outwardly 35 there through.

WO 2004/037672 PCT/AU2003/001408 3 In one embodiment, in the carrying configuration, the sidewalls are each angled substantially normally with respect to the base and spaced apart slightly less than the maximum width of the beverage cup(s). In another embodiment, in the carrying configuration, the sidewalls are each 5 angled substantially parallel to the side walls of the cup(s). Each of the side walls preferably includes an expandable region adjacent to each of the beverage cup holes. The expandable regions are preferably in the form of a generally I-shaped slit arrangement. 10 The carrier preferably includes top portions extending from each of the side walls. The handle is preferably in the form of corresponding openings in handle portions extending from each of the top portions. The base, side walls, top portions and handle portions are preferably integrally formed from a sheet, most preferably from biodegradable cardboard, plastics material or 15 composites or other like materials. In a third aspect, the present invention provides a carrier for one or more beverage cups, the carrier including: a handle; a base with a one or more holes adapted to receive the base of one or more 20 corresponding beverage cups therethrough; a pair of side walls extending from either side of the base; and a pair of top portions extending from each of the side walls, wherein the base, side walls and top portions are foldable flom a substantially flat loading configuration into a carrying configuration in which the top portions are 25 substantially parallel to, and spaced apart from, the base and in which the side walls are angled with respect to the base and top portions, the side walls each include at least one slit extending away from and back to the fold line between each of the side walls and their respective top portions such that, when folded into the carrying configuration, the slit(s) define the edge of protruding portion(s) 30 which protrude outwardly from the side walls in the plane of the top portion, and at least one of the side walls includes an expandable region corresponding to each of the beverage cup holes which, when folded into the carrying configuration around a beverage cup, allow the edges of the cup adjacent each of the side walls to protrude outwardly through the side walls.

WO 2004/037672 PCT/AU2003/001408 4 In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a beverage cup carrier positioning and loading assembly, the assembly including: at least one carrier for one or more beverage cups, the carrier(s) including a base with one or more holes adapted to receive the base of a one or more corresponding 5 beverage cups therethrough, the carrier being foldable from a substantially flat loading configuration to a folded carrying configuration; and a positioning aid having a top surface with openings corresponding to the holes in the carrier, the openings being adapted to support a cup therein in an upright position, wherein, in use, one or more carriers are placed, in the loading configuration, on 10 the top surface of the aid, one or more cups are positioned through the holes and into in the openings, the uppermost carrier is folded around the cup(s) into the carrying configuration, and the folded carrier and the cup(s) are lifted away from the aid. The aid preferably also includes a pair of side walls depending from the top surface, which elevate the top surface. 15 The aid preferably includes at least two upstanding locating formations adapted to be locatingly received within corresponding openings in the carrier(s). The aid preferably includes a shelf or drawer for storage of the carriers. The carrier is preferably as defined in relation to any one of the first, second or third aspects of the invention. 20 Brief Description of the drawings A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a cup carrier according to the invention, in a loading configuration, positioned on top of an embodiment of a positioning aid according 25 to the invention (and together defining a beverage cup carrier positioning and loading assembly) during loading of beverage cups. Fig. 2 is perspective view of the carrier/cups shown in Fig. 1 after loading, in the carrying configuration; Fig. 3 is an end view of the carrier/cup shown in Fig 2; 30 Fig. 4 is a side view of the carrier/cup shown in Fig 2; Fig. 5 is a top view of the carrier/aid shown in Fig 1 before positioning of the cups; Fig. 6 is a top view of the carrier/aid shown in Fig 5 after positioning of the cups; WO 2004/037672 PCT/AU2003/001408 5 Fig. 7 shows a second embodiment of a cup carrier according to the invention, in a loading configuration, positioned on top of an embodiment of a positioning aid according to the invention during loading of beverage cups; Fig. 8 is perspective view of the carrier/cups shown in Fig. 7 after loading, in the carrying 5 configuration; Fig. 9 is an end view of the carrier/cup shown in Fig 7; and Fig. 10 is a side view of the carrier/cup shown in Fig 7. 10 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to Figs. 1 to 6, there are shown a first embodiment of a carrier 10 according to the present invention for use in carrying up to three beverage cups 12 and a positioning aid 14 according to the invention. The carrier 10 is produced from a single piece of biodegradable cardboard and 15 has a base 16 and two side walls 18 and 20 that extend from opposite sides of the base 16. A pair of top portions 22 and 24 extend from each of the side wall portions 18 to 20. A pair of handle portions 26 and 28, with respective handle opening 30 and 32, extend from the top portion 22 and 24 respectively. The base portion 16 has three holes 34 which are sized to engage the periphery of the cups 12 at a level closer to their wider upper end than 20 their narrower lower end. The holes 34 are spaced so that the cups 12 do not contact each other. The carrier 10 is produced from flat cardboard sheet with pressed lines of weakness at fold lines 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 and 46. The fold lines allow the carrier 10 to be folded from a substantially flat configuration suitable for loading cups 12 (see Fig 1) into 25 a carrying configuration surrounding the upper end of the cups 12 (see Fig 2), as will be described in more detail below. As best seen in Fig 2, the side walls 18 and 20 have arcuate slits 48 which extend from away from, and back to, the fold lines 44 and 46. The fold lines 44 and 46 are not continued in the region of the slits 48. The slits 48 are positioned along the side walls 18, 30 20 adjacent to the position of the holes 34 in the base 16 and define portions 49. Correspondingly positioned expandable regions, formed by I-shaped slit arrangements 50 are also provided in the side walls 18, 20. The slits 50 define the edges of pairs of flaps 51. The function of the slits 48, slits 50 and flaps 51 will also be described in more detail below.

WO 2004/037672 PCT/AU2003/001408 6 Referring back to Fig 1, the positioning aid 14 has a rectangular flat upper base surface 52 and two side walls 54. Three openings 56 (only one visible) are formed in the surface 52 in positions corresponding to the holes 34 in the base 16 of the carrier 10. The diameter of the openings 56 is slightly smaller than those of the holes 34. The carriers 10 5 and the positioning aid 14 together form an overall beverage cup carrier positioning and loading assembly. In another embodiment (not shown), the aid 14 also has a drawer suitable for convenient storage of a number of carriers 10 in the flat loading configuration. The operation of the carrier 10 and positioning aid 14 shall now be described. In 10 use, at for example a caf6, a barrista places a number of cup carriers 10 in the flat loading configuration on the upper surface 54 of the positioning aid 14 with the holes 34 and openings 56 aligned. As the cups 12 of beverages are prepared, for example hot coffees, they have their lower narrower ends positioned through the holes 34 and into engagement with the openings 56 in the aid 14. The openings 56 serve to engage the cups 12 and 15 advantageously retain them in an upright position in order to avoid accidental falling over and spillage. When the desired number of cups 12 are placed in the carrier 10, the side walls 18 and 20, top portions 22 and 24 and handle portions 26 and 28 are folded around the upper end of the cups 12 into the carrying configuration shown in Figs 2 to 4. The aid 14 20 also securely supports the base of the cups 12 whilst the carrier 10 is being filled and whilst it being folded around the cups 12, which reduces the opportunity of the contents of the cups 12 (which are normally hot) from being spilled. The carrier 10 is retained in the carrying configuration by the hand of a customer passing through the opening 30 and 32 and by studs 60 which engage corresponding depressions 62. Alternatively, other 25 types of locking arrangements such as matching hook and loop fasteners or press studs or the like can be provided on the handle portions 26 and 28. As a further alternative, the handle portions 26 and 28 can be glued together. As best seen in Figs 2 to 4, when the carrier 10 is folded into the carrying configuration, the slits 48 result in the portions 49 of the side walls 18 and 20 not being 30 folded with the side walls and instead remaining in a common plane with the top portions 22 and 24. Accordingly, the portions 49 protrude outwardly from the side walls 18 and 20 (see Fig. 3) of the carrier 10 in the direction of the plane of the top portions 22 and 24. These protruding portions 49 advantageously serve to protect the side walls of the carrier 10, and thus the side walls of the cups 12, from any inadvertent contact being made which 35 could result in squeezing of the side walls of cups 12 and dislodging of their lids and/or WO 2004/037672 PCT/AU2003/001408 7 contents. This is particularly important as sideways pressure on the walls of the cups 12 often causes lid dislodgment and spillage. Also as best seen in Figs 2 to 4, the side walls 18 and 20 of the carrier 10 are, when in the carrying configuration, spaced apart by slightly less than the maximum width 5 of the cups 12. Accordingly, in use, the edges of the cups 12 adjacent the side walls 18 and 20 expanded, and protrude slightly through, the flaps 51 formed between the I-shaped slits 50. The protruding of the outside edges of the cups 12 in this manner results in the carrier 10 forming a very snug and secure fit around the cups 12 without the carrier exerting undue sideways pressure on the cups 12. The flaps 51 also allow the sidewalls 10 18 and 20 to be squeezed together slightly without transferring any pressure to the sidewalls of the cup 12. This arrangement also results in the carrier 10 having minimised dimensions to ensure the most efficient usage of the material from which the carriers 10 are cut. Further, both the carrier 10 and the aid 14 provide numerous surfaces (eg. the 15 handle portions 26 and 28, the top portions 22 and 24 and the side walls 18 and 20) suitable for displaying of advertising. Referring to Figs. 7 to 10, there are shown a second embodiment of a carrier 60 according to the present invention. The carrier 70 is similar to the carrier 10 of the first embodiment and like reference features to those of the first embodiment have been 20 indicated with like reference numerals. The main differences between the carrier 70 and the carrier 10 include the carrier 70 having radial perforation lines 72 around the cup holes 34 in order to accommodate a larger range of cup sizes (eg. 8 oz in holes, 12 oz using perforations). Further, and unlike the first embodiment, in the carrier 70 the three holes 34 engage the periphery of the cups 25 12 at a level closer to their narrower lower end than their wider upper end. Also, the fold lines 40 and 42 are located at the edges of the cup holes 34 and the side walls 18 and 20 have been enlarged to provide additional advertising/display space. The enlarged side walls 18 and 20 also facilitate the carrying of larger cup sizes and, as they grip the cups 12 over a larger contact area, they grip the cups 12 more securely. The enlarged side walls 30 18 and 20 also follow the taper of the cups 34 (as best seen in Fig. 9), which again improves their secure engagement with the cups 34. Although the invention has been described with reference to a specific embodiment, it would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

WO 2004/037672 PCT/AU2003/001408 8 For example, in the embodiment described above, the bottom of the arcuate slit 48 also functions as the top part of the I-shaped slits 50. However, in other embodiments, (not shown), the slits 48 are spaced apart from the I-shaped slits 50. Further, other embodiments of the carrier (also not shown) are produced from sheet plastics material or 5 composites of cardboard and plastics material, recycled cardboard (total or partial) or other like materials. In another embodiment (not shown), the positioning aid has upstanding locating pins which are received in corresponding locating holes provided in the carriers to conveniently correctly position the carriers on the aid. Also, the aid could alternatively be incorporated into a service counter or the like and could have 10 expandable/adjustable holes to accommodate different cup sizes.

Claims (25)

1. A carrier for one or more beverage cups, the carrier including: a handle; a base with one or more holes adapted to receive the base of one or more 5 corresponding beverage cups therethrough; a pair of side walls, each extending from either side of the base; and a pair of top portions, each extending from each of the side walls, wherein the base, side walls and top portions are foldable from a substantially flat loading configuration into a carrying configuration in which the top portions are 10 substantially parallel to, and spaced apart from, the base and in which the side walls are angled with respect to the base and top portions, and the side walls each include at least one slit extending away from and back to the fold line between each of the side walls and their respective top portions such that, when folded into the carrying configuration, the slit(s) define the edge of protruding portion(s) 15 which protrude outwardly from the side walls in the plane of the top portions.

2. The carrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in the carrying configuration, the side walls are angled substantially normal to the base and top portions.

3. The carrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in the carrying configuration, the side walls are angled substantially parallel to the sides of the cup(s). 20

4. The carrier as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further including one slit in each side wall adjacent to each beverage cup hole.

5. The carrier as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the slits are arcuate.

6. The carrier as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the 25 handle is in the form of corresponding openings in handle portions extending from each top portion.

7. The carrier as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base, side walls, top portions and handle portions are integrally formed from a sheet.

8. The carrier as claimed in claim 7, wherein the sheet is biodegradable 30 cardboard, recycled cardboard (total or partial), plastics material or composites or other like materials.

9. A carrier for one or more beverage cups, the carrier including: a handle; a base with a one or more holes adapted to receive the base of one or more 35 corresponding beverage cups therethrough; and WO 2004/037672 PCT/AU2003/001408 10 a pair of side walls, each extending from either side of the base, wherein the base and side walls are foldable from a substantially flat loading configuration into a carrying configuration in which the side walls are each angled with respect to the base, and 5 at least one of the side walls includes an expandable region corresponding to each of the beverage cup holes which, when folded into the carrying configuration around a beverage cup, allow the edges of the cup adjacent the side wall(s) to protrude outwardly therethrough.

10. The carrier as claimed in claim 9, wherein, in the carrying 10 configuration, the sidewalls are each angled substantially normally with respect to the base and spaced apart slightly less than the maximum width of the beverage cup(s).

11. The carrier as claimed in claim 9, wherein, in the carrying configuration, the sidewalls are each angled substantially parallel to the side walls of the cup(s). 15

12. The carrier as claimed in claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein each of the side walls includes an expandable region adjacent to each of the beverage cup holes.

13. The carrier as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the expandable regions are in the form of a generally I-shaped slit arrangement.

14. The carrier as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the carrier 20 includes top portions extending from each of the side walls.

15. The carrier as claimed in claim 14, wherein the handle is in the form of corresponding openings in handle portions extending from each of the top portions.

16. The carrier as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the base, side walls, top portions and handle portions are integrally formed from a sheet. 25

17. The carrier as claimed in claim 16, wherein the sheet is biodegradable cardboard, recycled cardboard (total or partial), plastics material or composites or other like materials.

18. A carrier for one or more beverage cups, the carrier including: a handle; 30 a base with a one or more holes adapted to receive the base of one or more corresponding beverage cups therethrough; a pair of side walls extending from either side of the base; and a pair of top portions extending from each of the side walls, wherein the base, side walls and top portions are foldable from a substantially 35 flat loading configuration into a carrying configuration in which the top portions are WO 2004/037672 PCT/AU2003/001408 11 substantially parallel to, and spaced apart from, the base and in which the side walls are angled with respect to the base and top portions, the side walls each include at least one slit extending away from and back to the fold line between each of the side walls and their respective top portions such that, when 5 folded into the carrying configuration, the slit(s) define the edge of protruding portion(s) which protrude outwardly from the side walls in the plane of the top portion, and at least one of the side walls includes an expandable region corresponding to each of the beverage cup holes which, when folded into the carrying configuration around a beverage cup, allow the edges of the cup adjacent each of the side walls to protrude 10 outwardly through the side walls.

19. A beverage cup carrier positioning and loading assembly, the assembly including: at least one carrier for one or more beverage cups, the carrier(s) including a base with one or more holes adapted to receive the base of a one or more corresponding 15 beverage cups therethrough, the carrier being foldable from a substantially flat loading configuration to a folded carrying configuration; and a positioning aid having a top surface with openings corresponding to the holes in the carrier, the openings being adapted to support a cup therein in an upright position, wherein, in use, one or more carriers are placed, in the loading configuration, on 20 the top surface of the aid, one or more cups are positioned through the holes and into in the openings, the uppermost carrier is folded around the cup(s) into the carrying configuration, and the folded carrier and the cup(s) are lifted away from the aid.

20. The assembly as claimed in claim 19, further including a pair of side walls depending from the top surface, which elevate the top surface. 25

21. The assembly as claimed in claim 19 or 20, wherein the aid includes a shelf or drawer for storage of the carriers.

22. The assembly as claimed in claim 19, 20 or 21, wherein the aid includes at least two upstanding locating formations adapted to be locatingly received within corresponding openings in the carrier(s). 30

23. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein the carrier is as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18.

24. A carrier for one or more beverage cups, the carrier substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

25. A beverage cup carrier positioning and loading assembly, the assembly 35 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.