GB2508000A

GB2508000A - Drinks Carrier

Info

Publication number: GB2508000A
Application number: GB201220656A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Eves; Luke Booth
Original assignee: P4CK Ltd
Current assignee: P4CK Ltd
Priority date: 2012-11-16
Filing date: 2012-11-16
Publication date: 2014-05-21
Also published as: GB201220656D0

Abstract

A drinks carrier comprises first and second sheets, and is alterable between a first configuration wherein the carrier is substantially flat-packed and a second configuration wherein the sheets are spaced from each other in substantially parallel planes. The first sheet has at least one hole adapted to house a lower part of a drinks container, which may be via flaps, and the second sheet is adapted to act as a base for the drinks container. The carrier comprises a support member 10 extending between the first and second sheets which divides the carrier into chambers 15, 16 on either side of the member 10. The support member may extend continuously between the sheets or be separated into distinct parts and may extend from a fold in either sheet. The carrier has at least one aperture adapted to engage with at least one protrusion 14 so as to hold the support member substantially orthogonal to the planes of the sheets when the carrier is in use. There may be side flaps 7a, 7b adapted to engage with the support member 10, and one or both may be provided with an aperture to engage the member. The container may comprise a recess for snacks.

Description

Drinks Carrier The present invention relates to a drinks carrier.

Carrying a number of drinks, particularly over long distances often results in spillage and therefore waste. Traditionally a tray has been used to perform this task, however, drinks carried on a tray are prone to tip and spill as they are free to move around Various devices to solve this problem have been proposed, for example, that disclosed in US2828047.

However, the device of US2828047 has a considerable drawback in that it cannot readily change from a flat-packed state to a usable state and vice versa.

The present invention seeks to address this issue.

According to the present invention there is provided a drinks carrier comprising an first sheet and a second sheet, the carrier being alterable between a first configuration wherein the carrier is substantially flat-packed and a second configuration wherein the sheets are spaced from each other in substantially parallel planes, the first sheet having at least one hole adapted to house a lower part of a drinks container, the second sheet adapted to act as a base for the drinks container, the carrier comprising a support member extending between the first and second sheets such that the carrier is divided into chambers on either side of the support member, characterized in that the carrier comprises at least one aperture adapted to engage with at least one protrusion so as to hold the support member substantially orthogonal to the planes of the sheets when the carrier is in use.

By providing at least one aperture and at least one protrusion to hold the support member in place the support member may be folded when not engaged so as to allow flat packing of the carrier.

In same embodiments the support member substantially extends between two sides of the carrier.

Such an arrangement provides the optimum support to the carrier.

In some embodiments the support member is separated into distinct parts.

Such an arrangement minimizes by material used to create the support element by providing areas of free space inside the carrier such that the chambers are connected.

Preferably the support member extends from a fold in the first or second sheet.

By forming the support member from a fold in one of the sheets the carrier is easily constructed.

In one embodiment the support member comprises at least one attachment flap adhered to the first or second sheet in only one chamber of the carrier.

By providing an attachment flap the support member is held in place in order that the protrusions thereon may readily engage with apertures. Further, by adhering the attachment flap or flaps in only one chamber the support member may readily be folded in order that the carrier may flat pack.

In one embodiment the carrier comprises at least one side flap adapted to engage with the support member. Preferably the carrier comprises two side flaps, each adapted to engage with the support member.

Provision of side flaps provides an elegant manner by which to hold the support member in place.

In one embodiment an end of the support member comprises at least one protrusion and a side flap comprises at least one aperture in order that the side flap may engage with the support member. Preferably both ends of the support member comprise at least one protrusion and both side flaps comprises at least one aperture in order that the side flaps may engage with the support member.

By engaging at least one protrusion on the support member with apertures on at least one side flap the support member and side flap may readily engage.

In one embodiment the support member comprises at least one protrusion adapted to engage with at least one aperture formed in the first or second sheet of the carrier. Preferably the support member comprises a plurality of protrusions adapted to engage with a plurality of apertures formed in the first or second sheet of the carrier.

By providing at least one protrusion on the support member that might engage with at least one aperture in a sheet the support member may be held in place with out the need for side flaps, thus reducing the material used to construct the carrier.

Preferably the carrier is formed in one piece.

Forming the carrier in one piece is allows for simple construction thereof.

Preferably the carrier is formed of cardboard.

Cardboard provides a cheap and recyclable material for a carrier.

Preferably the first sheet comprises a plurality of holes.

A plurality of holes allows for a plurality of drinks to be carried.

In one embodiment the first sheet comprises at least one hole leading to each chamber of the drinks carrier.

In one embodiment the first sheet comprises a plurality of holes leading to each chamber of the drinks carrier.

Preferably at least one hole comprises a plurality of peripheral flaps adapted to grip a drinks container when the carrier is in use.

In one embodiment the carrier comprises a recess for housing snacks.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood specific embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of blank suitable for forming a drinks carrier made in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the drinks carrier of Figure 1 having been pad assembled and flat-packed in the hands of a user; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the drinks carrier of Figure 2 having been moved out of a flat-packed state; Figure 4 is a perspective diagram of the drinks carrier of Figure 3 showing a user engaging a side flap with a protrusion on the support member of the carrier; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the drinks carrier of Figure 4 wherein the user has engaged the side flap with the protrusion; Figure 6 is a perspective schematic view of the drinks carrier of Figure 5 in use; Figure 7 is a schematic plan view of blank suitable for forming a drinks carrier made in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 is a perspective view of an erected drinks carrier formed from the blank of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a schematic plan view of blank suitable for forming a drinks carrier made in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the drinks carrier of Figure 9 having been pad assembled and flat-packed in the hands of a user; Figure 11 is a perspective viewof the drinks carrierof Figure 10 having been moved out of a flat-packed state; Figure 12 is a perspective diagram of the drinks carrier of Figure wherein a user has engaged the side flap with the protrusion; and Figure 13 is a schematic perspective view of an assembled drinks carrier made in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, a drinks carrier 1 made in accordance with the present invention may be formed from a single piece of cardboard as shown in Figure 1.

Drinks carrier 1 is comprises a substantially square lower sheet 2, and an upper sheet 3, with upper sheet 3 being formed from two halves 3a, 3b. Upper sheet halves 3a and 3b are attached to lower sheet 2 by side panels 4a, 4b, with opposing side panels 4a and 4b being separated from lower sheet 2 by means of creases 5a, 5b and separated from upper sheet halves 3a and 3b by means of creases 6a, 6b.

Upper sheet halves each comprise two holes 16, the holes having a plurality of small flaps 17 around their periphery.

Lower sheet 2 also comprises opposing side flaps 7a, 7b. Side flaps are separated from lower sheet 2 by respective creases 8a, 8b.

Side flaps 7a, 7b each comprise respective centrally located apertures 9a, 9b.

When constructed, drinks carrier 1 also comprises a supporting member 10, formed from supporting member halves ba, lOb. Member halves bOa, lOb are attached to respective upper sheet halves 3a, 3b, from which they are separated by respective creases 11 a, 11 b.

One of the supporting member halves lOb is further attached to attachment flap 12 from which it is separated by crease 13.

Although creases are used in the present embodiment it will be apparent that alternatives, such as scores could be employed.

When assembled, supporting member halves ba, lOb are adhered to each other to form supporting member 10, which is located inside the assembled carrier 1. Attachment flap 12 adhered to lower sheet 2 in order to maintain supporting member 10 in position when carrier 1 is in use.

Supporting member halves ba, lOb comprise respective protrusion halves 14a, 14b and isa, 15b, which, when supporting member halves ba, lOb are adhered together, are also adhered together so as to form protrusions 14 and 15.

Turning to Figures 2 to 5, and drinks carrier 1 in an assembled state, it can be seen from Figures 2 and 3 that carrier 1 is alterable between two configurations -that shown in Figure 2 wherein the carrier is in a flat-packed state, and that shown in Figure 3 wherein the carrier lower sheet 2 and upper sheet 3 are spaced from each other and supporting member 10 is substantially orthogonal to both upper sheet 2 and lower sheet 3.

This ability to change between these two main configurations is one of the significant benefits of the present invention in comparison to the prior art.

Carrier 1 is able to change between the two main configurations for the following reasons. As can be seen from Figures 3 and 4, support member 10 divides the interior of carrier 1 into two chambers, such that lower sheet 2 has a first side 15 and a second side 16.

The provision of only a single attachment flap 12 on support member half 1 Oa means that when attachment flap 12 is adhered to lower sheet 2, there is an attachment flap adhered to only one side (in Figure 3 shown as side 16) of lower sheet 2. This allows support member 10 to fold away from attachment flap 12 towards side 15 of lower sheet 2 such that it lies in substantially the same plane as attachment flap 12, and such that carrier 1 is in a flat-packed state.

Were a corresponding attachment flap provided on support member half ba, and adhered to side 15 of lower sheet 2 then the ability for carrier 1 to fiat-pack would not be forthcoming, as resistance would be provided as the additional attachment flap was folded towards support member 10.

It will be apparent that an attachment means could be formed of separate tabs such that a plurality of flaps attached support member lOto lower sheet 2, but in order for the benefits of the present arrangement to be provided all such flaps should be adhered to the same side of the lower sheet 2 of carrier 1.

As only a single attachment flap 12 is provided, and carrier 1 is able to readily change between fiat-packed and erected states carrier 1 requires means to retain support member 10 in a substantially orthogonal position relative to upper sheet 3 and lower sheet 2 when the carrier is in use.

Thus, in the present embodiment, protrusions 14, 15 and side flaps 7a, 7b are provided. Side flaps 7a and 7b comprise respective apertures 9a, 9b, which are of a size and shape so as to engage with protrusions 14, 15. In order to lock support member 10 in an active position such that it is bracing upper sheet 3, side flaps 7a and 7b are folded upwards such that protrusions 14, 15 extend through apertures 9a, 9b. This is illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.

When protrusions 14, 15 are engaged with apertures 9a, 9b, support member is not able to fold down towards lower sheet 2 and carrier 1 may be used for transporting drinks 30 as illustrated in Figure 6.

It will be apparent that in alternative embodiments (not shown in the Figures) other arrangements to allow flat packing might be possible. For example, no attachment flap 12 might be provided, and instead protrusions might be formed on either or both of support member halves ba, lOb. In such an embodiment corresponding apertures may be formed in lower sheet 2 such that support member 10 in a substantially orthogonal position relative to upper sheet 3 and lower sheet 2 when the carrier is in use.

In another embodiment no attachment flap 12 might be provided but support member 10 might still have protrusions 14, 15 and said protrusions might still engage with apertures 9a, 9b on side flaps 7a, lb. However, it will be apparent that such an arrangement might be more difficult to configure in an operable state as support member 10 might not naturally position itself ready for engagement with apertures 9a, 9b as occurs with the embodiment of Figures ito 6.

Turning to a second embodiment of the present invention as shown in Figure 7 and 8, a carrier 18 is formed in much the same manner as carrier 1 except that lower sheet 19 and upper sheet 20 are substantially rectangular and only two drink-retaining holes 21 are provided in upper sheet 20.

Turning to Figures 9 to 12 and a third embodiment of the present invention, a drinks carrier 22 is again formed from a single sheet of cardboard, but in contrast to the first embodiment described above, upper sheet 24 is formed in a continuous substantially square piece and the drink-supporting base is formed of two halves 25a, 25b, which are folded together to form lower sheet when the carrier is assembled ready for use.

Carrier 22 operates in substantially the same manner as carrier 1 except that attachment flap 27 is adhered to the internal surface of upper sheet 24, and side flaps 26a, 26b fold down from upper sheet 24 so as to engage the protrusions on the support bar.

Turning to Figure 13 and a further embodiment of the present invention, a carrier comprises a snack tray 29 in place of drink-retaining holes. Other than this difference the carrier operates in the same manner to those described above.

Although in the present embodiments the carrier is formed from cardboard it will be apparent that any other suitable material might be employed.

Although in the present embodiments only a single support member is employed it will be apparent that a plurality of support members might be incorporated in a single carrier depending upon the requirements of the carrier.

Although in the present embodiments the support member is substantially centrally located within the carrier such that it divides the carrier into two substantially equally sized sides it will be apparent that other configurations may be possible with a support member being located off-centre. This will generally be the case when a plurality of support members are employed.

Although in the present embodiments the support member runs continuously from one side of the carrier to another side, it will be apparent that the support member may be divided into separate parts such that it does not run continuously from one side to another side. As such, the term chamber' is not intended to be limited to arrangements where such areas are entirely sealed from each other, notional chambers may be present if the support member does not run continuously from one side of the carrier to the other. For example the support member may be divided into two or more sections, with, for example elements of the support member adjacent either side of the carrier in order that protrusions on those elements might engage with apertures on respective side flaps. Free space might be found between such elements.

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

Claims

Claims: 1. A drinks carrier comprising an first sheet and a second sheet, the carrier being alterable between a first configuration wherein the carrier is substantially flat-packed and a second configuration wherein the sheets are spaced from each other in substantially parallel planes, the first sheet having at least one hole adapted to house a lower pad of a drinks container, the second sheet adapted to act as a base for the drinks container, the carrier comprising a support member extending between the first and second sheets such that the carrier is divided into chambers on either side of the support member, characterized in that the carrier comprises at least one aperture adapted to engage with at least one protrusion so as to hold the support member substantially orthogonal to the planes of the sheets when the carrier is in use.
2. The drinks carrier of claim 1 wherein the support member substantially extends continuously between two sides of the carrier.
3. The drinks carrier of claim 1 wherein the support member is separated into distinct parts.
4. The drinks carrier of any preceding claim wherein the support member extends from a fold in the first or second sheet.
5. The drinks carrier of any preceding claim wherein the support member comprises at least one attachment flap adhered to the first or second sheet in only one chamber of the carrier.
6. The drinks carrier of any preceding claim comprising at least one side flap adapted to engage with the support member.
7. The drinks carrier of any preceding claim comprising two side flaps, each adapted to engage with the support member.
8. The drinks carrier of claim 6 or 7 wherein an end of the support member comprises at least one protrusion and a side flap comprises at least one aperture in order that the side flap may engage with the support member.
9. The drinks carrier of claim 6 or 7 wherein both ends of the support member comprise at least one protrusion and both side flaps comprise at least one aperture in order that the side flaps may engage with the support member.
1O.The drinks carrier of any preceding claim wherein the support member comprises at least one protrusion adapted to engage with at least one aperture formed in the first or second sheet of the carrier.
11. The drinks carrier of any preceding claim wherein the support member comprises a plurality of protrusions adapted to engage with a plurality of apertures formed in the first or second sheet of the carrier.
12. The drinks carrier of any preceding claim wherein the carrier is formed in one piece.
13. The drinks carrier of any preceding claim wherein the carrier is formed of cardboard.
14. The drinks carrier of any preceding claim wherein the first sheet comprises a plurality of holes.
15. The drinks carrier of any preceding claim wherein the first sheet comprises at least one hole leading to each chamber of the drinks carrier.
16. The drinks carrier of any preceding claim wherein the first sheet comprises a plurality of holes leading to each chamber of the drinks carrier.
17. The drinks carrier of any preceding claim wherein at least one hole comprises a plurality of peripheral flaps adapted to grip a drinks container when the carrier is in use.
18. The drinks carrier of any preceding claim comprising a recess for housing snacks.
19. A drinks carrier substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.