Abstract:
A beverage transport system used for the transportation of beverages includes a plurality of ring-shaped cup holders that engage tapered sides of a beverage cup. “T”-shaped fasteners and slots enable attachment of appropriately sized carrying handles to enable one-hand transportation of both hot and cold beverages. In addition to cup holders the system can incorporate a box-like tray to carry food stuffs, condiments, and other related items.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     There are currently no applications co-pending with the present application. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The presently disclosed subject matter is directed towards beverage transport systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to beverage transport systems having at least one ring-shaped cup holder that engages with tapered sides of a beverage cup, removable fasteners, and appropriately sized carrying handles. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Fast-food restaurants and take out food stores make food and beverages available quickly and at low cost. Often, purchased food and beverages are carried away from the purchase service area for later consumption. For example, fast food restaurants often sell food and beverages from drive-through windows, while stadiums sell food and beverages to customers who take their purchases to their seats or to other eating locations. 
     Often, purchased food and drink are packaged by placing them in a box or other carrier to make transportation easier. Sometimes, as in the case of hot tea or coffee, the packaging must not only enable carrying the items but also protection of the carrier from burns. As is well known it is not at all uncommon for beverages to spill. One (1) reason for this is that most beverage containers are top-heavy. Another problem with transporting beverages is that they are often purchased in multiple quantities. Handling two (2), three (3), or four (4) drinks at a time is rather difficult using prior art beverage transport systems. Yet another problem is that it is not at all uncommon for a purchaser to have to carry other items at the same time as beverages. In such cases it can be difficult to find and use things such as keys or pens since all of the items being carried have to be put down and then picked back up again. This can be difficult to do with prior art beverage transport systems. 
     One (1) approach to reducing the difficulty of transporting multiple beverage containers is to place individual drinks into a “box” shaped beverage container. Prior art “box” shaped beverage containers have a problem in that the individual drink cups still tend to tip over, a particular problem when the box beverage containers must handle different sized cups. The largest cups fill the cup holder while smaller cups tend to be under supported. Tipping is not at all uncommon with such systems. 
     Therefore an improved beverage transport system for transporting drinks would be beneficial. Even more beneficial would be an improved beverage transport system that makes handling beverage cups easier and with less chance of tipping. Particularly beneficial would be a one-size fits all beverage transport system that simplifies transporting drinks, setting them down, and then picking them back up. Preferably a beverage transport system would enable one-handed carrying, even of multiple beverage cups. A beverage transport system that enables multiple beverages to be easily transported would be particularly useful, especially if it was low cost, disposable and expandable to enable multiple beverages to be easily transported, set down, and picked back up. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The principles of the present invention provide for an improved beverage transport system for transporting drinks. Using those principles a beverage transport system could make handling beverage cups easier and with a reduced chance of tipping. Those principles further enable a simply beverage transport system that allows a user to easily set beverages down and then to pick them up again using only one (1) hand. Those principles further provide for a beverage transport system that is low cost, disposable, and expandable and that to enables multiple beverages to be easily transported, set down, and picked back up. 
     Those principles are incorporated in a modular beverage transport having a cylindrical container collar that is configured to receive and hold a beverage container. In one (1) embodiment the container collar includes two spaced apart fastener slots. A carrying handle has a pair of handle slots. The beverage transport also includes a pair of rigid quarter-turn fasteners, each having a disc and a “T”-shaped locking feature. The rigid quarter-turn fasteners pass through the fastener slots and the handle slots to connect the carrying handle to the container collar. An elastic band can be connected across the diameter of the container collar to assist retaining the beverage container in place. Preferably the container collar forms a downwardly tapering conic section that mates with the beverage container, the carrying handle includes a widened ovular-shaped gripping section, the fastener slots are spaced about one-hundred-eighty degrees (180°) apart, and the carrying handle is made from a flat piece that is formed into an inverted “U”-shape. 
     In another embodiment a modular beverage transport uses a container collar assembly having a pair of cylindrical container collars that are connected together by a pair of side reinforcing members. Each side reinforcing member has a fastener slot. A carrying handle having a pair of handle slots is then connected to the container collar assembly. That connection is made by a pair of rigid quarter-turn fasteners, each having a disc and a “T”-shaped locking feature that extends from its disc. The “T”-shaped locking feature is passed through the fastener slots and handle slots and turned a quarter turn. An elastic band can be connected across the diameters of the container collars to assist retaining the beverage containers in place. Preferably the container collars each form a downwardly tapering conic section that mates with a beverage container, the carrying handle includes a widened ovular-shaped gripping section, and the carrying handle is made from a flat piece that is formed into an inverted “U”-shape. 
     In yet another embodiment a modular beverage transport includes a first container collar assembly having a first pair of cylindrical container collars that are connected together by a first pair of side reinforcing members, at least one having a fastener slot, and a second container collar assembly having a second pair of cylindrical container collars that are connected together by a second pair of side reinforcing members, at least one having a fastener slot. That embodiment further includes a carrying handle having a pair of handle slots and a pair of rigid quarter-turn fasteners, each having a disc and a “T”-shaped locking feature that extends from its disc. The “T”-shaped locking feature of each rigid quarter-turn fastener passes through a different fastener slot and a different handle slot. The “T”-shaped locking features are turned to connect the carrying handle to the first container collar assembly and to the second container collar assembly. In some versions the first container collar assembly is directly attached to the second container collar assembly. In other versions a box is disposed between the first container collar assembly and the second container collar assembly. In such cases, the box is beneficially attached to the first contain collar assembly using a third rigid quarter-turn fastener. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are identified with like symbols and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a single-container embodiment of a modular beverage transport system that is in accord with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a partially exploded view of a two-container embodiment of the modular beverage transport system and which is in accord with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a four-container embodiment of the modular beverage transport system and which is in accord with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a partially exploded view of a four-container with box tray embodiment of the modular beverage transport system and which is in accord with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5   a  is a front view of a first carrying handle of the modular beverage transport system; 
         FIG. 5   b  is a front view of a second carrying handle of the modular beverage transport system; 
         FIG. 5   c  is a front view of a third carrying handle of the modular beverage transport system; and, 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a locking fastener of the modular beverage transport system. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                  10 
                 modular beverage transport system 
               
               
                  15 
                 single-container embodiment 
               
               
                  20 
                 first container collar 
               
               
                  22 
                 fastener slot 
               
               
                  24 
                 first elastic band 
               
               
                  30 
                 first carrying handle 
               
               
                  32 
                 gripping section 
               
               
                  34 
                 handle slot 
               
               
                  40 
                 quarter-turn fastener 
               
               
                  42 
                 disc 
               
               
                  44 
                 locking “T”-feature 
               
               
                  50 
                 two-container embodiment 
               
               
                  51 
                 two-container collar assembly 
               
               
                  52 
                 second container collar assembly 
               
               
                  54 
                 side reinforcing member 
               
               
                  56 
                 second elastic band 
               
               
                  58 
                 fastening area 
               
               
                  70 
                 four-container embodiment 
               
               
                  71 
                 four-container collar assembly 
               
               
                  72 
                 third container collar 
               
               
                  76 
                 center reinforcing member 
               
               
                  80 
                 second carrying handle 
               
               
                  90 
                 four-container with tray embodiment 
               
               
                  91 
                 tray assembly 
               
               
                  92 
                 tray side 
               
               
                  94 
                 tray floor 
               
               
                 110 
                 third carrying handle 
               
               
                 120 
                 beverage container 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 6 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , those principles provide for a modular beverage transport system  10  that aids a user in transporting one (1) or more beverage containers  120  containing a liquid such as coffee, soda, or another hot or cold beverage. The modular beverage transport system  10  comprises one (1), two (2), or four (4) ring collar structures  20 ,  52 ,  72  which are assembled along with corresponding carrying handles  30 ,  80 ,  110  to form single-handed yoke structures which provide a convenient one-handed beverage transport device. Such features allow for easy transportation of single or multiple containers of beverages  120  with reduced fear of spillage, burns, or other difficulty. The modular beverage transport system  10  is envisioned as being manufactured in a variety of attractive colors and patterns using materials such as extruded or stamped plastic strips, corrugated cardboard, rubber, or even metal. 
       FIG. 1  presents a perspective view of a single-container embodiment  15  of the modular beverage transport system  10 . The single-container embodiment  15  comprises a first container collar  20  having a downwardly tapering conic section with a diameter and a taper which matches a profile of a common beverage container  120 . The first container collar  20  is envisioned as being made using solid or corrugated paper, flexible or semi-rigid plastic or rubber strips, and the like. The single-container embodiment  15  uses a first carrying handle  30 , envisioned to be made of paper or plastic, which is formed from a flat piece into an inverted “U”-shape. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the first carrying handle  30  is affixed to the first container collar  20  along opposing surfaces via a pair of quarter-turn fasteners  40  (shown in more detail in  FIG. 6 ). The first container collar  20  further comprises two (2) fastener slots  22  that are located approximately one-hundred-eighty degrees (180°) apart. In a similar manner, the ends of the first carrying handle  30  comprise corresponding handle slots  34 . The fastener slots  22  and handle slots  34  have vertical openings that are approximately one-half (½) of an inch tall which when aligned, facilitate insertion and rotating of a locking “T”-feature  44  of the quarter-turn fastener  40  to secure the first container collar  20  and first carrying handle  30  together (also see  FIG. 6 ). In practice the first carrying handle  30  will include a widened ovular-shaped gripping section  32  which provides additional stability during transportation. 
     The first container collar  20  is approximately one (1) inch high and slips from the bottom of a standard tapered beverage container  120  to support that container. Each first container collar  20  includes an affixed first elastic band  24  which extends diametrically across a top surface to secure loaded the beverage containers  120 . This is especially useful when used in conjunction with containers  120  having lids. The elastic band  24  is envisioned as being made from an elastomeric rubber or plastic cord material that is affixed at its ends to the first container collar  20  using common attachment processes such as plastic welding, adhesive processing, or an equivalent method. The single-container embodiment  15  allows a user to easily carry a container of hot or cold beverage  120  while holding other objects, opening doors, and getting in and out of motor vehicles. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a partially exploded view of a two-container embodiment  50  of the modular beverage transport system  10 . The two-container embodiment  50  provides balanced support for a pair of beverage containers  120  using an assembly comprising a second container collar assembly  52  having a pair of container collars that are connected together by a pair of side reinforcing members  54 , and a second elastic band  56 . The second container collars  52  are similar in shape, material, and function as the previously described first container collars  20 . However, the second container collars  52  are affixed to each other and to the side reinforcing members  54  to form a unitary supporting structure that are permanently attached via a plurality of contacting fastening areas  58  using joining processes such as plastic welding, adhesive bonding, or equivalent method. The second elastic band  56  provides additional length to extend across the two (2) abutted second container collars  52 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a four-container embodiment  70  of the modular beverage transport system  10 . The four-container embodiment  70  uses a four-container collar assembly  71  which provides a unitary coplanar assembly of four (4) third container collars  72 , a central “X-shaped center reinforcing member  76 , and a pair of side reinforcing members  54 . The four-container embodiment  70  is comprised of a similar construction and materials as the previously described two-container embodiment  50 , being assembled using a plurality of fastening areas  58  which are envisioned to utilize plastic welding or adhesive bonding to form a unitary structure capable of supporting four (4) containers  120 . The four-container embodiment  70  includes an elongated third carrying handle  80  and a pair of second elastic bands  56 . The third carrying handle  80  is similar in construction and function as the previously described first  30  carrying handle, but comprises an increased length as needed to span the width of the four-container collar assembly  71 . The second elastic bands  56  provide additional security across top surfaces of containers  120  having lids. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a partially exploded view of a four-container with tray embodiment  90  of the modular beverage transport system  10 , a four container carrier may be enhanced by adding a tray assembly  91 . The tray assembly  91  enables a user to carry additional items such as food stuffs, condiments, and the like. The tray assembly  91  is envisioned to be made using similar materials and assembly methods as the aforementioned collar assemblies  20 ,  51 ,  71 . The tray assembly  91  beneficially has a shallow open-top box structure having four (4) tray sides  92 , a tray floor  94 , and a pair of fastener slots  22  positioned along opposing tray sides  92 . The four-container with tray embodiment  90  includes four (4) quarter-turn fasteners  40  to secure a pair of two-container collar assemblies  51  and a third carrying handle  110  to the centrally positioned tray assembly  91 . 
       FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b ,  5   c  show front views of the carrying handles  30 ,  80 ,  110  of the modular beverage transport system  10 . The carrying handles  30 ,  80 ,  110  enable connecting and carrying the embodiments  15 ,  50 ,  70 ,  90  using respective progressively longer appendages which correspond to the width of the embodiments  15 ,  50 ,  70 ,  90 . This provides a stable one-handed grasping mechanism for transporting the containers  120  and/or tray assembly  91 . Each carrying handle  30 ,  80 ,  110  beneficially has an ovular-shaped gripping section  32  and handle slots  34  at ends for attaching to the previously described container collars  20 ,  52 ,  72  using the quarter-turn fasteners  40  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
       FIG. 6  presents a perspective view of a locking fastener  40  of the modular beverage transport system  10 . Portions of the modular beverage transport system  10  are removably attached using plastic locking fasteners  40 , each comprising a unitary molded part having a disc  42  and a perpendicularly protruding locking “T”-feature  44 . In use, the “T”-feature  44  is inserted through corresponding fastener slots  22  and/or handle slots  34 , and subsequently rotated ninety degrees (90°) to secure combinations of container collars  20 ,  52 ,  72 , side reinforcing members  54 , and carrying handles  30 ,  80 ,  110  together (see  FIGS. 1 through 5 ). 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiments  15 ,  50 ,  70 ,  110  of the modular beverage transport system  10  can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the modular beverage transport system  10 , it would be assembled as indicated in  FIGS. 1 through 4 . 
     The method of assembling and utilizing the single-container embodiment  15  is performed by procuring quantities of first container collars  22 , first carrying handles  30 , and quarter-turn fasteners  40  as required to assemble a desired number of single-container embodiments  15 ; assembling each single-container embodiment  15  by inserting two (2) quarter-turn fasteners  40  through respective fastener slots  22  of the first container collar  22  and subsequently through aligned handle slots  34  of the first carrying handle  30 ; rotating the quarter-turn fasteners  40  ninety degrees (90°) to secure the first container collar  22  to the first carrying handle  30 ; inserting the first container collar  22  upwardly around the container  120  or inserting a beverage container  120  downwardly into the first container collar  20  while holding the first elastic band  24  at a side location; positioning the first elastic band  24  diametrically across a top surface of the container  120  to secure the container  120  or a lid of the container  120 ; grasping and lifting the gripping section  32  of the first carrying handle  30  to lift the single-container embodiment  15 ; and, transporting the single-container embodiment  15  in a “one-handed” manner to a destination for normal consumption. 
     The method of assembling and utilizing the two-container embodiment  50  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring quantities of two-container collar assemblies  51 , first carrying handles  30 , and quarter-turn fasteners  40  as required to assemble a desired number of two-container embodiments  50 ; assembling each two-container embodiment  50  by inserting two (2) quarter-turn fasteners  40  through respective fastener slots  22  of the two-container collar assembly  51  and subsequently through aligned handle slots  34  of the first carrying handle  30 ; rotating the quarter-turn fasteners  40  ninety degrees (90°) to secure the two-container collar assembly  51  to the first carrying handle  30 ; and, utilizing the two-container embodiment  50  in a similar manner as the previously described single-container embodiment  15  to transport a pair of beverage containers  120 . 
     The method of assembling and utilizing the four-container embodiment  70  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring quantities of four-container collar assemblies  71 , second carrying handles  80 , and quarter-turn fasteners  40  as required to assemble a desired number of four-container embodiments  70 ; assembling each four-container embodiment  70  by inserting two (2) quarter-turn fasteners  40  through respective fastener slots  22  of the four-container collar assembly  71  and subsequently through aligned handle slots  34  of the second carrying handle  80 ; rotating the quarter-turn fasteners  40  ninety degrees (90°) to secure the four-container collar assembly  71  to the second carrying handle  80 ; and, utilizing the four-container embodiment  70  in a similar manner as the previously described single-container embodiment  15  to transport four (4) beverage containers  120 . 
     The method of assembling and utilizing the four-container with tray embodiment  90  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring quantities of two-container collar assemblies  51 , third carrying handles  110 , and quarter-turn fasteners  40  as required to assemble a desired number of four-container with tray embodiments  90 ; assembling each four-container with tray embodiment  90  by inserting two (2) quarter-turn fasteners  40  through the inner fastener slots  22  of the two-container collar assemblies  51 , being positioned on each side of the tray assembly  91 , and subsequently through aligned fastener slots  22  of the tray assembly  91 ; rotating the quarter-turn fasteners  40  ninety degrees) (90° to secure the two-container collar assemblies  51  to the tray assembly  91 ; inserting two (2) quarter-turn fasteners  40  through outer fastener slots  22  of the two-container collar assemblies  51 , and subsequently through aligned handle slots  34  of the third carrying handle  110 ; rotating the quarter-turn fasteners  40  ninety degrees (90°) to secure the two-container collar assemblies  51  to the third carrying handle  110 ; and, utilizing the four-container with tray embodiment  90  in a similar manner as the previously described single-container embodiment  15  to transport four (4) beverage containers  120  and other items such as food stuffs, condiments, and the like, using the tray assembly  91 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.