Abstract:
A spill-proof carrier for open-topped beverage containers includes one or more carrier members for carrying one or more open-topped beverage containers. The carrier also has one or more rigid support member having upper and lower end portions, which are connected transversely to a generally peripheral portion of the one or more carrier members. The upper end portion is disposed substantially over the axis of gravitational acceleration of the one or more carrier members. The carrier also has a handle for the one or more rigid support members attached to the upper end portion thereof by means of a joint arrangement incapable of supporting a moment of inertia thereat.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates, generally to container carriers and, more specifically, to a spill-proof carrier for open-topped beverage containers.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    It is known in the art to provide trays and other devices for carrying containers of food and beverages. Such devices provide means for carrying one or more containers of food or beverages, which are either open or closed. Generally, no specific provision is made for avoiding spillage, especially of liquids in unclosed containers.  
           [0003]    Referring now to U.S. Pat. No. 4,708,273 to Grant on Nov. 24, 1987 entitled “Container holder,” there is disclosed a holder attachable to a person&#39;s belt that supports an open drink container in an upright condition so that the container can be removed to consume its contents. In a preferred embodiment, the container is a wide-mouthed container with a removable lid and the holder has an upper retaining portion for reception of the container in a downward direction to a preselected operative position. A lower stop portion carried with the retaining portion engages the bottom of the container in the operative position thereof to support the weight of the container. An intermediate portion can also be provided between the retaining portion and the stop portion to press inwardly against the container and stabilize it against substantially lateral forces.  
           [0004]    Referring now to U.S. Pat. No. 4,850,479 entitled “Container carrier” to Bird on Jul. 25, 1989, there is disclosed a container carrier formed from a flat sheet of durable, flexible material. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the container carrier includes four sets of concentric drinking cup carrying holes, each set of holes comprising a smaller hole dimensioned to fit around the circumference of the lower portion of a conventional drinking cup. The larger hole is dimensioned to fit around the circumference of the upper portion of the cup. The sets of holes are positioned symmetrically about transverse and longitudinal axes of the device. Outboard of the two sets of holes that are symmetric about the longitudinal axis, two handle members are formed that join together to form a handle for carrying the device and drinking cups thereon.  
           [0005]    Referring now to U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,398 to Forestal, et al. on Oct. 6, 1992 entitled “Convenience tray,” there is disclosed a snack tray providing easy one-hand carry by a special thumb-hole. The outer end of the user&#39;s thumb provides a support-stability of a fulcrum located generally centrally of the upward forces from the user&#39;s fingers and thumb-base and also generally centrally of the tray. There is also included a central indention for providing an automatic placing of the thumb&#39;s outer end in a location to avoid slipping into the snack items being carried, and to also achieve its central fulcrum effect. The forward and rearward walls of the thumbhole provide a comfortable surface for insertion of the thumb&#39;s outer end portion.  
           [0006]    Referring now to U.S. Pat. No. 5,346,070 to McSpadden on Sep. 13, 1994 entitled “Portable food tray with cup holder,” there is disclosed a portable food tray for supporting food and a drink container securely and comfortably in one hand of the user. The nestable food tray has a generally flat surface portion and a cup-like portion for supporting a drink container. An interconnecting wall portion provides sufficient space to permit the thumb and at least the index finger to grip the cylindrical wall. The outer edge of the tray has convex and concave side edge portions so that the tray can be held closely against the user&#39;s body. The tray has two ribs that divide the flat surface portion into separate compartments, and to strengthen the tray. The underside of the ribs accommodates a portion of the hand or wrist to further support and stabilize the tray.  
           [0007]    Referring now to U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,639 to Myers on Jul. 9, 1996 entitled “Comestible and liquid container carrier” there is disclosed a combined comestible and liquid container carrier. The carrier has a unitary base with a central, inverse frusto-conically shaped sleeve for receiving a liquid container, and symmetrically disposed depressions, for receiving an edible item. Each depression has a lid connected thereto by a living hinge structure. When closed, the inboard side edge wall of each lid is an extension of the sleeve, such that a container inserted into the sleeve will be complementarily received by both the sleeve and lid edge.  
           [0008]    Referring now to U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,687 to Lynch on May 19, 1998 entitled “Cup holder with lid retainer” there is disclosed a cup holder. This includes a ring-shaped support, a cord attached to the supporting member, a hook attached to the end of the cord, and a pair of anchoring pins attached to the supporting member at a position opposite the end of the cord. A lid retainer is attached to the cord between the ends. A mounting device attached to the supporting member attaches the cup holder to a vehicle, such as on the handlebar of a bicycle. A disposable cup is held in the cup holder in the supporting member, the lid retainer is positioned on top of the lid, and the hook is engaged on one of pins, selected to keep the cord in tension. The lid is secured to the cup to prevent spills even when the liquid is sloshed around inside the cup, such as during a bicycle ride.  
           [0009]    Referring now to U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,153 to Ragner, et al. on Jul. 24, 2001 entitled “Beverage holder for mobile equipment,” there is disclosed an improved spill resistant beverage container holder for use on bicycles and lawn mowers to provide easy access to the beverage. A body holds a beverage container and a support arm with an integral spring and attachment clip, which provides pivotal and removable attachment to a generally cylindrical bar.  
           [0010]    Referring now to U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,137 to Tran on Jun. 25, 2002 entitled “Articulated cup tray,” there is disclosed a food or beverage holder for a seatback tray. This includes a food or beverage portion having a platform with an open recess for receiving a container such as a cup, glass or can. The portions can be folded for storage. The platform includes a hook or an adjustable grip for engaging with the edge of a seatback or an armrest.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    The present invention aims to provide a spill-proof carrier for open beverage containers. Placing one or more open containers on the carrier facilitates manually transporting the containers with a substantially reduced risk of beverage spillage or breakage of the containers.  
           [0012]    According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a spill-proof carrier for open-topped beverage containers. The carrier includes one or more carrier members for carrying one or more open-topped beverage containers. Further, there are included one or more rigid support members having upper and lower end portions. The lower end portion is connected transversely to a generally peripheral portion of the one or more carrier members and the upper end portion is disposed substantially over the axis of gravitational acceleration of the carrier member. The carrier has a handle for the one or more rigid support members attached to the upper end portion thereof by means of a joint arrangement incapable of supporting a moment of inertia thereat.  
           [0013]    According to a first embodiment of the present invention, the spill-proof carrier includes one or more carrier members comprising: the peripheral portion formed as a supporting frame element having lugs disposed therewithin for supporting a platform element, and the platform element disposed within the supporting frame element and supported by the lugs.  
           [0014]    According to a second embodiment of the present invention, the spill-proof carrier includes one or more carrier members including: the peripheral portion formed as a supporting frame element for supporting a platform element, and the platform element disposed over the supporting frame element and fixably attached thereto.  
           [0015]    According to a third embodiment of the present invention, the spill-proof carrier includes one or more carrier members formed substantially having a shape including: square, circular, triangular, polygonal, geometric and non-geometric.  
           [0016]    According to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the spill-proof carrier includes the lower end portion of the one or more rigid support members hingably connected transversely to the generally peripheral portion of the one or more carrier members for facilitating storage of the spill-proof carrier.  
           [0017]    According to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, the spill-proof carrier includes the lower end portion of the one or more rigid support members demountably connected transversely to the generally peripheral portion of the one or more carrier members for facilitating storage of the spill-proof carrier.  
           [0018]    According to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, the spill-proof carrier includes the handle having a flexible element, having first and second end portions, wherein the first end portion is fixably attached to the upper end portion of the one or more rigid support members, and a hand-hold element fixably attached to the second end portion of the flexible element.  
           [0019]    According to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, the spill-proof carrier includes one or more carrier members or one or more rigid support members having decorative attachments thereto. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]    The present invention will be more fully understood and its features and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the ensuing description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a spill-proof carrier according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the spill-proof carrier as shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a spill-proof carrier with a rigid support member hingably demounted for storage;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a spill-proof carrier with an open beverage container disposed thereon;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a spill-proof carrier having a circular carrier member in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a spill-proof carrier having two carrier members in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a spill-proof carrier having a fully demountable rigid support member.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0028]    Carrying open top beverage containers while walking, especially on a stairway or over uneven terrain, often causes spillage of the beverage to a greater or lesser extent. This spillage is generally occasioned by the uneven gait of the carrier, stumbling, or obstructions in the path of the carrier. The spillage is the result of a change of direction or magnitude in the velocity vector of the carrying tray or of the beverage container while the liquid contained therein retains the velocity vector immediately prior to the change in the velocity vector of the container. The present invention seeks to overcome this differential in the relative velocity vectors of the container and the contained liquid by converting the change in momentum caused by the change in the velocity vector of the container and liquid into rotational momentum. Consequently, the resultant centrifugal force presses the container against the carrier surface and maintains the liquid within the container, regardless of the carrier position.  
         [0029]    With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is seen, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a spill-proof carrier generally referenced  10  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Carrier  10  includes a carrier member generally referenced  12  and a rigid support member generally referenced  14 . Carrier member  12  is formed as a substantially square shaped frame referenced  16  from a generally light-weight tubular or rod material. Four or more lug elements referenced  18  are fixably attached to the underside of frame  16  so as to support a platform element referenced  20 , loosely or fixably disposed within frame  16 . Rigid support member  14  is pivotally attached to frame  16  by a pivot mechanism generally referenced  22  disposed at the lower extremity of rigid support member  16 . Pivotally attached to pivot mechanism  22  is a generally L-shaped element referenced  24  formed of tubular or rod material. Pivot mechanism  22  comprises a pivot lug referenced  36 , having a pivot pin orifice referenced  44  therethrough, fixably attached to frame  16 , and a pivot slot referenced  38  (FIG. 2) formed in the lower extremity of L-shaped element  24  to fit pivotally over pivot lug  36 . The lower extremity of L-shaped element  24  has another pivot orifice referenced  40  formed transversely to slot  38 , thereby to pivotally fasten L-shaped element  14  to lug  36  by means of a pivot pin referenced  42  inserted through pivot orifices  40  and  44 . So as to secure L-shaped element  24  in an upright position, a tubular slide lock referenced  26  is disposed over the lower extremity of L-shaped element  14  having a spring referenced  28  to push slide lock  26  downward over pivot lug  36  (as seen in FIG. 1).  
         [0030]    A carrying handle referenced  30  is attached to the upper extremity of L-shaped element  24  through an attachment orifice referenced  32 , by means of a flexible chain or cord referenced  34 .  
         [0031]    Referring now to FIG. 3 there is seen spill-proof carrier  10  with a rigid support member  14 , pivotally demounted for storage, disposed substantially along a side of frame  16 . To demount support member  14 , slide lock  26  is pushed upwards as indicated by arrow  48  (FIG. 1), against spring  28 , to disengage pivot lug  36  of pivot mechanism  22 . Thereafter, L-shaped element  14  is pivoted to lie substantially flat along frame  16  for storage.  
         [0032]    Referring now to FIG. 4, there is seen spill-proof carrier  10  with an open beverage container referenced  52 , containing liquid referenced  60 , non-fixably disposed on platform  20  thereof. Any movement of handle  30  supporting carrier  10  by means of cord or chain  34  is converted into a rotational movement of support member  12  and beverage container  52 , relative to handle  30 , generally as indicated by arrows  55 . The resulting centrifugal force, as indicated by arrow  58 , is exerted generally along the axis of gravitational acceleration by container  52 , and radial to the direction of rotation of support member  12 . This centrifugal force causes container  52  to be pressed against platform  20 , and liquid  60  to remain substantially stationary relative to and with container  52 . Consequently, container  52  remains in its original position on platform  20  and liquid  60  remains unspilled and within container  52 . The inventor has, in fact, found that spill-proof carrier  10  with an open beverage container  52 , non-fixably disposed on platform  20  thereof, and containing liquid  60  therein, may be rotated in a full-circle arc extending at arms length. Container  52  and liquid  60  pass through a substantially upside-down position at the peak of the arc and remain in position on platform  20  with liquid  60  unspilled.  
         [0033]    Referring now to FIG. 5, there is seen a spill-proof carrier generally referenced  70  having a circular carrier member generally referenced  72 , in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Circular carrier member  72  comprises a circular tubular or rod frame referenced  74  having lugs  18  fixably attached thereto to support a circular platform referenced  76 , disposed within frame  74 .  
         [0034]    It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that platform  20  (FIG. 1) and platform  76  (FIG. 5) may also be disposed on top of frames  16  and  74  respectively and fixably attached thereto with, for example, screws, rivets, nails or staples, without the need of lugs  18 .  
         [0035]    There are disclosed, hereinabove, spill-proof carriers as seen in FIGS.  1 - 5 , having a single carrier member. Referring now to FIG. 6 there is seen a spill-proof carrier generally referenced  80  having two carrier members generally referenced  82  and  84  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Carrier members  82  and  84  are fixably or demountably attached to rigid support member referenced generally  86 , spaced apart along portions referenced  88  and  90 , such that open beverage containers may be disposed on each of carrier members  82  and  84 . It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that more than two carrier members may be disposed on a spill-proof carrier, in accordance with the size and weight of the beverage containers to be carried thereon.  
         [0036]    As an additional embodiment of the present invention, there is an alternative to pivotally attaching a rigid support member to a carrier member, (as disclosed hereinabove in relation to FIGS.  1 - 5 ). Referring now to FIG. 7, there is seen a spill-proof carrier generally referenced  100  having a fully demountable rigid support member referenced generally  108 . A carrier member referenced generally  102 , includes a mounting bracket referenced  106  fixably attached external to a frame referenced  104 . Support member  108  is demountably fastened to bracket  106  and maintained from accidental detachment therefrom by a retaining washer referenced  110 , fixably attached to or formed on the lower extremity of support member  108 . For packaging purposes, support member  108  is dismounted from bracket  106 .  
         [0037]    It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by the drawings and description hereinabove presented. Rather, the invention is defined solely by the claims that follow.