EP1060698A1

EP1060698A1 - Holder for carrying a small bottle and accompanying glass in an upright position and the use of the holder in serving

Info

Publication number: EP1060698A1
Application number: EP00870128A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Maxim Guillaume Ann Willems
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-06-15
Filing date: 2000-06-15
Publication date: 2000-12-20
Also published as: BE1013050A3

Abstract

The present invention refers to a holder for carrying a small bottle and accompanying glass in an upright position, in particular for serving a glass and small bottle containing a drink of which the contents can be partly poured in the glass beforehand. The holder is designed for carrying one small bottle and one glass and comprises to this end two placement units (1) in which in the first the glass and in the second the small bottle is placed in an upright position. Both placement elements (1) provide respectively a side support for the glass and the small bottle so that these cannot fall over. The holder further comprises a carrying element (2) which extends higher than the placement units and is provided with a handle (3) placed in such a way that the holder hangs in balance when picked up by the handle.

Description

The present invention relates to a holder for carrying a small bottle and accompanying glass in an upright position, in particular for serving a glass and a small bottle containing a drink of which the contents can be partly poured in the glass beforehand.
In the catering industry today the use of small bottles is more and more preferred, more particularly bottles of 20 to 50 cl. This ensures the optimal quality of the served beverage. This is especially a service towards the customer. For the person serving the drink however the handling is more difficult.
When the barman behind the bar serves three drinks of the same type and then places them on a tray, the waiter does not know anymore which bottle and glass match. The drink thus has to be served and poured out at the table. To carry four drinks, i.e. four small bottles and four glasses, the waiter must use a tray. Because the centre of gravity is in a high position, small bottles are extremely unstable on a full tray. In other words, they can fall over easily. This is especially annoying and to a lesser degree also costly. Furthermore the glasses in the middle of the tray are difficult to reach. Inexperienced waiters often take the glass at the top. This leaves distasteful fingerprints on the glass. Pouring the beverage in a correct way at the table is time-consuming and unpractical. The waiter first has to put two beer mats on the table per client, then put down the glass, fill up the glass and set the bottle next to it. This is time-consuming and thus costly. When cleaning the table the waiter first has to take away the bottle, then the glasses and then pick up the beer mats and put them away. Unfortunately the latter often stick to the table. The above described usual way of serving leads to a higher consumption of beer mats, which is not economical.
In practice, for certain beers like special stronger beers, alcoholic beverages and wines, smaller individual trays are used on which the small bottle and the glass are placed and then served on the table as such. Because of the extra space this small tray takes and the necessary washing-up, this is only done for these more expensive beverages. Furthermore the glass and bottle also stand unstable and is it even more difficult to take such a small tray, when carried together with other beverages on a large tray, from this large tray without accidents.
The purpose of the invention is therefore to provide a holder with which small bottles and accompanying glasses can be served in a simpler and faster way and with which also the risk for accidents in serving is reduced.
To this end, the holder according to the invention is characterised in that it is suitable or provided for carrying one small bottle and one glass and comprises to this end two placement elements in which the glass and the small bottle can be placed in an upright position, both placement elements providing respectively a side support for the glass and the bottle so that these cannot fall over, and the holder comprising a carrying element extending until above the placement elements and provided with a handle placed in such a way that the holder hangs in balance when picked up by the handle.
Because the small bottle and accompanying glass are placed in one holder, it is not possible anymore that the waiter does not know which glass belongs to which bottle and the small bottle can already be poured by the barman. By the support provided by the holder for the small bottle and glass, these can hardly fall over. Furthermore the carrying element which is higher than the placement elements of the small bottle and glass allows the whole to be easily picked up, even when placed in the middle of a tray between other glasses and bottles and this without having to pick up the glass at the top.
The handle of the holder is formed by that part of the carrying element by which the holder normally will be picked up. Although it requires no special form, preference is given to a handle which is formed by an opening in the upper side of the holder or a loop or ring on the upper side in which at least one finger can be put for picking up the holder In this way it is possible to carry five small bottles and accompanying glasses with one hand so that no tray is required. Furthermore the waiter could even carry an extra tray on the same hand.
In a preferred embodiment of the holder according to the invention, the placement elements have an inner diameter of about 4.5 to 7.5 cm, in particular an inner diameter of 5.5 to 6.5 cm, and more in particular an inner diameter of about 6 cm. These inner dimensions are slightly bigger than the usual outer dimensions of glasses and bottles, in particular of glasses and bottles for soft drinks and diluted alcoholic beverages, in such a way that glasses and bottles can be placed in the holder so these cannot fall over. The holder is on the other hand not suitable for carrying larger bottles, in particular bottles of one litre or more for which already special holders exist. These common holders are however designed for six or even more bottles and are, because of their dimensions not suitable for serving at the table. The holder according to the invention is not intended for the transport of multiple glasses or multiple small bottles. For this use already several other and better possibilities exist, like trays, crates and the holders for multiple conical plastic cups used at large events.
Next to the holder itself the invention further relates to the use of the holder according to the invention for serving a small bottle with a drink and accompanying glass, wherein the small bottle is preferably poured partly in the glass, the bottle and glass are put in the placement units of the holder and the holder and the therein placed small bottle and glass are served as such.
Further advantages and particularities of the invention may be best understood by reference to the following description of a preferred embodiment of a holder according to the invention. This description is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the scope of protection as defined by the claims. The reference numerals indicated in the description refer to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 presents a schematic perspective view with a partial cut out on a holder for carrying a glass and a small bottle according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 presents a front view on the in figure 1 depicted holder;
Figure 3 presents a side view on the in figure 1 depicted holder; and
Figure 4 presents a top elevational view on the in figure 1 depicted holder.
The in the figures presented holder for carrying a small bottle and accompanying glass in an upright position, in particular for serving a glass and small bottle containing a drink of which the contents can be partly poured in the glass beforehand, comprises basically two placement elements 1, more in particular one placement element for the glass and one for the small bottle, and a carrying element 2.
In the depicted embodiment, the carrying element 2 is placed between both placement elements 1 and connects these with one another. It is important that the carrying element 2 extends until above the placement elements 1 and is provided with a handle 3, which is placed between both placement elements 1. When the holder with the therein placed glass and small bottle is carried, this holder will then hang in balance, in particular when the bottle is approximately poured half in the glass.
As mentioned above, the handle 3 does not need to have a special form and could be formed by a flat or ribbed top end 4 of the carrying element 2. It is preferred that the top end 4 is provided with an opening 3 in which at least one finger can be put for picking up the holder. In stead off an opening in the top end also a loop or ring could be devised. In this way five small bottles and glasses can be carried easily with one hand without the need of a tray.
In the illustrated embodiment, the carrying element 2 is placed completely between both placement elements 1 and the holder is more in particular designed symmetrically based on a symmetry plane α in the middle between both placement elements 1. In other words, the carrying element 2 is placed almost vertically and is higher than the placement elements. It could also be possible to attach the carrying element 2 to the outer side of one of the placement elements 1, requiring the carrying element 2 to be stretched from the top to the centre of the holder in such a way that the handle 3 is placed in that position where the required stable balance for carrying is obtained. This balance could also be obtained by placing a counter load at the correct position of the holder.
The placement elements 1 in which the small bottle and the glass are put in an upright position, can have various forms and be devised in several different ways. The placement elements 1 (and also the carrying element 2) could for example be formed by an open thread-structure or a structure of tightly woven threads, more precisely by a small basket. In the preferred embodiment as shown in the figures, the holder is however moulded of plastic and are the placement elements 1 each formed by a small pot with a bottom 5 and a side wall 6. As shown in the figures, this pot can be cylindrical or slightly conical; however other forms with 3, 4 or multiple corners are also possible. Important for the different placement elements 1 is that they are sufficiently high and thus provide a side support for the glass and the small bottle so that they cannot fall over. To this end a height of for example about 5 cm proved to be sufficient.
Although this is not shown in the figures, it is also possible to provide openings in the side or sides 6 of the pots 1 and also in the carrying element 2. A central opening 7 in bottom 5 of the pots 1 is however shown. It is preferred that the bottom 5 declines to this opening so that no water will remain in the pots.
At the bottom the holder is preferably provided with small legs 8 with which it rests on the table. Even if the holder is wet, it is prevented in this way that the table becomes dirty, so that no beer mats are required for putting under the holder.
An important advantage of the holder as shown in the figures is that he carrying element 2 is hollow and that the inner side more precisely widens towards the bottom so that the holders can be stacked, whereby at least two carrying elements 2 can slide into one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the carrying elements can slide into one another until the cylindrical pots 1 touch each other. It is also possible to make these slightly conical and to further devise the connection between both pots so that the holders can slide into one another even more.
The placement elements 1 have an inner diameter that is adjusted to the outer diameter of the glasses or bottles. In practice the glasses or bottles have about the same outer diameter so that both placement elements 1 can have the same dimensions. For the use according to the present invention the placement elements have normally an inner diameter of 4.5 to 7.5 cm, in particular an inner diameter of about 5.5 to 6.5 cm and more in particular an inner diameter of about 6 cm. This way the usual glasses and small bottles with an outer diameter of about 5.5 cm have enough margin to be easily put in the placement elements while the margin is however small enough so they cannot easily fall over. Under inner diameter is understood the smallest inner diameter. In the case of square pots this diameter is for example equal to the length of the sides.
As mentioned above the holder can be used according to the invention for serving a small bottle with a drink for one consumption and with one accompanying glass, whereby the bottle with the drink is poured half in the glass before being put in the holder and served as such.
From the above description of several possible holders according to the invention it will be clear that several modifications may be devised without departing form the scope of the present invention as stated in the appended claims.
The holder as shown in the figures can for example be made of several materials like plastic, metal, wood or glass. Preference is given to mat, heat resistant plastic, which is in particular dishwasher proof. The advantage of a mat design is that no stains are formed while drying, fingerprints and other stains are less visible and the whole always has a tasteful and fresh outlook. The advantage of plastic is that it is waterproof and solid, easy to form, ideal for mass production and printable, more in particular with publicity. The in the figures illustrated embodiment offers indeed the advantage that it provides multiple surfaces on which publicity can be put. If the placement elements are formed by an open thread structure or as a basket, the use of plastified metal threads is possible or even the use of rattan and the like.
Several other elements can be devised on or attached to the holder in reference to serving drinks. In particular it is for example possible to provide a dish in which for example nuts or biscuits can be served together with the drink.

Claims

Holder for carrying a small bottle and accompanying glass in an upright position, in particular for serving a glass and a small bottle containing a drink of which the contents can be partly poured in the glass beforehand, characterised in that the holder is suitable for carrying one small bottle and one glass and comprises to this end two placement elements in which the glass and the small bottle can be placed in an upright position, both placement elements providing respectively a side support for the glass and the bottle so that these cannot fall over, and the holder comprising a carrying element extending until above the placement elements and provided with a handle placed in such a way that the holder hangs in balance when picked up by the handle.
Holder according to claim 1, characterised in that the placement elements are each formed by a pot with a bottom and at least one side wall, wherein the bottom preferably is provided with an opening.
Holder according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said carrying element extends substantially vertically above the placement elements, in particular substantially in the middle between these placement elements.
Holder according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, characterised in that several holders can be stacked, the carrying elements of these holders being hollow so that they can slide in one another when stacking the holders.
Holder according to any one of the claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the handle of the carrying element is formed by an opening at the top end or a loop or ring in which at least one finger can be put for picking up the holder.
Holder according to any one of the claims 1 to 5, characterised in that it is provided with small legs on the bottom.
Holder according to any one of the claims 1 to 6, characterised in that it is made of plastic.
Holder according to any one of the claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the placement elements have an inner diameter of 4.5 to 7.5 cm, in particular an inner diameter of about 5.5 to 6.5 cm and more in particular an inner diameter of about 6 cm
Use of a holder according to any one of the claims 1 to 8 for serving a small bottle with a drink and an accompanying glass, wherein the bottle and glass are put in the placement units of the holder and the holder and the therein placed small bottle and glass are served as such.
Use according to claim 9, characterised in that the small bottle is poured partly in the glass before being placed in the holder.