Drinking cup carrier for hooking onto a belt, bag, or garment

Abstract

The drinking cup carrier has an elongated frame (3) with a hook (5) attached thereto, with which the drinking cup carrier can be hooked onto a hip belt (101), and a retaining tab (11) for holding a drinking cup. Between frame (3) and retaining tab (11), there is a projection (21) on frame (3). This projection is shaped such that a radially extending edge of a drinking cup can be hooked behind it. A bottle holder (9) is attached to frame (3), which extends almost perpendicularly from frame (3). The drinking cup holder (1) is also equipped with an elastic band (13) that can be used to secure a beverage bottle to the neck of the bottle. Elastic band (13) forms a loop at the front of bottle holder (9), allowing a bottle to be held to the neck of the bottle.

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a drinking cup carrier configured for hooking onto a belt, bag, or garment (e.g., a hip belt, trouser belt, shoulder bag, or the top of a pair of trousers), comprising: an elongated frame, a hook attached to a first end of the frame and bent toward a second end of the frame, located on a first side of the frame and configured for hooking onto the belt, bag, or garment, and a retaining element connected to the frame and configured to hold a drinking cup.

[0002] Drinks are increasingly served in cups with a deposit at events. Empty cups are therefore not thrown away but must be kept until they are refilled with drink or exchanged for the deposit. To avoid having to carry empty cups, various cup carriers are known that can be hung on a hip belt (e.g., a trouser belt) and in which an empty cup can be stored.Background of the invention

[0003] A carrier for a beverage holder with the features mentioned in the preamble of claim 1 is known from US 10 165 883 B1. This known carrier is designed to easily hang beverage cans on a hip belt. The retaining element consists of a ring into which a beverage can can be placed and a support that supports the beverage can at the bottom. When no beverage can is being carried, the ring protrudes considerably and often gets in the way.Summary of the invention

[0004] An object of the invention is to provide a beverage cup carrier that is more compact than the known carrier and that protrudes less from a belt, bag, or garment when no cup is being carried. To this end, the drinking cup carrier according to the invention is characterised in that the retaining element is formed by a retaining tab that is connected to the frame at a first end and extends in a direction toward the second end of the frame and is present on the second side of the frame. A projection is present on the frame, between the frame and the retaining tab, configured such that a radially protruding edge of a drinking cup can be hooked behind it. No protruding parts are required for carrying a drinking cup, so the drinking cup carrier according to the invention does not get in the way when not being used for carrying a drinking cup.

[0005] An embodiment of the drinking cup carrier according to the invention is characterised in that it further comprises a ring-shaped elastic band connected to the first end of the frame and configured to hold the neck of a beverage bottle. By providing the drinking cup carrier with a sufficiently strong elastic band, a beverage bottle can also be held by the drinking cup carrier.

[0006] To better carry a beverage bottle, the drink cup carrier is preferably equipped with a bottle holder attached to the frame at the first end and located on the second side of the frame. The neck of the beverage bottle is then pulled against the side of the carrier by the elastic band and hangs down against the user's hip.

[0007] The bottle holder preferably extends at least approximately perpendicular to the frame. This allows a beverage bottle to hang at a distance from the hip, minimizing contact with the hip. While the bottle holder does protrude from the hip belt, its relatively short length ensures minimal, if any, obstruction when not being used to carry a beverage bottle.

[0008] To better hold a beverage bottle, a further embodiment of the drinking cup holder according to the invention is characterised in that a leading edge of the bottle holder, facing away from the frame, is curved inward so that the leading edge has a concave shape when viewed from the outside. This leading edge of the support element and the elastic band are configured to clamp the neck of the beverage bottle against this leading edge.

[0009] To prevent the elastic band from being used incorrectly, the side of the bottle holder facing the frame is preferably provided with two slots extending from the frame to the leading edge to accommodate the elastic band.

[0010] To better hold a beverage bottle, the leading edge of the bottle holder is preferably provided with a groove in which a rim on the neck of the beverage bottle can be partially accommodated when holding a bottle.

[0011] To properly hold a beverage bottle, the elastic band preferably has a diameter of at least 3 mm.

[0012] In order to be able to hold drinking cups without a protruding rim properly, a further embodiment of the drinking cup holder according to the invention is characterised in that the second side of the frame has a projection behind which the elastic band can be hooked, such that the elastic band is tensioned against the second side of the frame and a drinking cup without a protruding edge can be clamped between the retaining tab and the elastic band.

[0013] To prevent the elastic band from getting in the way when not in use, the bottle holder is preferably provided with a further projection on the side facing away from the retaining tab, behind which the elastic band can be hooked.

[0014] Another embodiment of the drinking cup holder according to the invention is characterised in that the drinking cup holder comprises a support element attached to the second end of the frame, extending perpendicularly to the frame and located on a second side of the frame opposite the first side. This support element supports a drinking cup at the bottom, thereby reducing the risk of a drinking cup becoming loose and falling.

[0015] A further embodiment of the drinking cup carrier according to the invention is characterised in that the drinking cup carrier further comprises a further hook attached to the frame, curved towards the first end of the frame, located on the first side of the frame, and also configured to be hooked onto the hip belt, so that the drinking cup carrier can be hung on the hip belt in a first position and hung on the hip belt in a second position when turned upside down. When carrying a beverage bottle, the drinking cup carrier is best hung on the hip belt in the second position so that the beverage bottle hangs against the frame and not, or at least less, against the hip.

[0016] To ensure that the elastic band does not get in the way when no beverage bottle is being carried, a further embodiment of the drinking cup carrier according to the invention is characterised in that the frame is provided with recesses on both sides near the second end, and the support element is provided with a retaining hook on a side facing away from the first end of the frame, oriented towards the frame. The frame and the support element are configured such that, when no beverage bottle is being held, the elastic band can be hooked around the frame at the recesses and guided over the support element around the front edge, where it can then be hooked behind the retaining hook.

[0017] To better connect the elastic band to the support element and / or the frame, one embodiment of the drinking cup carrier features two recesses at the second end through which the elastic band passes.

[0018] To further enhance the connection of the elastic band to the support element, one embodiment of the drinking cup carrier consists of a plate, and on the side facing the first end of the frame, the carrier element is provided with ribbed guides between which portions of the elastic band extend.Brief description of the drawings

[0019] The invention will be explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments of the drinking cup carrier according to the invention shown in the drawings. In these drawings: Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the drinking cup carrier according to the invention in perspective without elastic band; Figure 2 shows the drinking cup carrier shown in Figure 1 in side view; Figure 3 shows the drinking cup carrier shown in Figure 1 in front view; Figure 4 shows the drinking cup carrier shown in Figure 1 in rear view; Figure 5 shows the drinking cup carrier in side view, equipped with an elastic band in the stored position; Figure 6 shows the drinking cup carrier shown in Figure 5 in perspective; Figure 7: A side view of the drinking cup holder shown in Figure 5, while carrying a drinking cup with a protruding rim; Figure 8: A perspective view of the drinking cup holder shown in Figure 7; Figure 9: A side view of the drinking cup holder with the elastic band in the position for carrying a drinking cup without a protruding rim; Figure 10: A perspective view of the drinking cup holder shown in Figure 9; Figure 11: A side view of the drinking cup holder shown in Figure 9, while carrying a drinking cup without a protruding rim; Figure 12: A perspective view of the drinking cup holder shown in Figure 11; Figure 13: A side view of the drinking cup holder with the elastic band in the position for carrying a beverage bottle; Figure 14: A perspective view of the drinking cup holder shown in Figure 13; Figure 15: A side view of the drinking cup holder shown in Figure 13, while carrying a drinking cup without a protruding rim; Figure 16: A perspective view of the drinking cup holder shown in Figure 15; Figure 17 shows a second embodiment of the drinking cup carrier according to the invention in perspective; Figure 18 shows the drinking cup carrier shown in Figure 17 in perspective Figure 19: The drinking cup carrier shown in Figure 17 in front view; Figure 20: A detail of the drinking cup carrier shown in Figure 17 at the location of a recess in the frame; Figure 21: The drinking cup carrier shown in Figure 17 in top view; and Figure 22: The drinking cup carrier shown in Figure 17 while carrying a beverage bottle. Detailed description of the drawings

[0020] Figures 1-4 show various views of a first embodiment of the drinking cup carrier without elastic band. This embodiment of the drinking cup carrier 1 is designed as an injection-molded product and has an elongated frame 3 comprising a first end 3A and a second end 3B, and a first side 3C and a second side 3D. A hook 5 is attached to the frame 3 at the first end 3A. This hook 5 is bent towards the second end 3B of the frame and is located on the first side 3C of the frame. Hook 5 is shaped such that the drinking cup carrier can be hooked onto a hip belt 101.

[0021] The drinking cup carrier 1 also has a retaining tab 11, which is connected to the frame 3 at its first end and extends towards the second end 3B of the frame and is present on the second side 3D of the frame. Between the frame 3 and the retaining tab 11, there is also a projection 21 on the frame 3. This projection is shaped such that a radially extending edge of a drinking cup can be hooked behind it.

[0022] Furthermore, the drinking cup carrier 1 is equipped with a bottle holder 9, which is attached to the frame 3 at the first end 3A and is located on the second side 3D of the frame 3, protruding almost perpendicularly from the frame 3. This bottle holder 9 is also located on the second side 3D of frame 3.

[0023] In Figures 5 and 6, the drinking cup holder is shown in side view and perspective, respectively, but now equipped with an elastic band 13 in a non-functional position. Elastic band 13 is designed to hold a beverage bottle to the neck of the beverage bottle and has a diameter of at least 3 mm for this purpose. Elastic band 13 is attached to the first end 3A of the frame with one end wrapped around frame 3, around a leading edge 9A of bottle holder 9, and with the other end hooked around a projection 28 on the top of the bottle holder. Leading edge 9A of bottle holder 9 is curved inward so that it fits more snugly against the neck of a beverage bottle when in contact with the neck of the beverage bottle, thus better supporting a beverage bottle.

[0024] In Figures 7 and 8, the drinking cup carrier 1 is shown in side view and perspective view, respectively, while carrying a drinking cup 111 with a protruding rim 113. The elastic band 13 is in its non-functional position.

[0025] In Figures 9 and 10, the drinking cup carrier 1 with the elastic band 13 in the position for carrying a drinking cup without a protruding rim is shown in side view and perspective view, respectively. The other end of the elastic band 13 is hooked around a projection 27 on the second side 3D of the frame 3, with the elastic band 13 being tensioned against the second side 3D of the frame 3. To hold a drinking cup 103 without a protruding rim, the drinking cup is clamped between the retaining tab 11 and the elastic band 13.

[0026] In Figures 11 and 12, the drinking cup carrier 1 is shown in side view and perspective view, respectively, while carrying a drinking cup 103 without a protruding rim. Here, the elastic band 13 is in its functional position against the second side 3D of the frame 3, and the drinking cup 103 is clamped between the retaining tab 11 and the elastic band 13.

[0027] In Figures 13 and 14, the drinking cup holder 1 with the elastic band 13 in the position for holding a beverage bottle is shown in side view and perspective, respectively. The bottle holder 9 is provided with two slots 23 on the side facing the frame 3, which extend from the frame to the front edge 9A for receiving the elastic band 13, see Figure 10. The front edge 9A of the bottle holder 9 is provided with a groove 25 in which an edge 109 present on a neck 107 of a beverage bottle is partially received when holding a bottle. In the position shown in Figures 13 and 14, the elastic band 13 is partially located in these slots 23 and forms a loop at the front of the bottle holder 9.

[0028] Figures 15 and 16 show the drinking cup holder 1 in side view and perspective view while carrying a beverage bottle 105, respectively. The edge 109 on the neck 107 of the beverage bottle 105 is partially located in the groove 25 in the front edge 9A of the bottle holder 9.

[0029] Figures 17, 18, and 19 show a second embodiment of the drinking cup holder in various views. All parts identical to those of the first embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals. This embodiment of the drinking cup carrier 31 is also designed as an injection-molded product and also has an elongated frame 3 with a hook 5 and 33 at each end 3A and 3B, which are attached to the frame and bent towards each other, with both hooks located on a first side 3C of the frame. Hooks 5 and 33 are designed such that the drinking cup carrier 31 can be hung on a hip belt 101. Because both hooks 5 and 33 face each other, the drinking cup carrier 31 can be hung on the hip belt 101 in a first position and hung on the hip belt 101 in a second, upside-down position.

[0030] The drinking cup carrier 31 is further provided with a retaining tab 11, which is attached to a first end 3A of the frame 3 and extends towards the second end 3B of the frame. This retaining tab 11 is located on the second side 3D of the frame and is configured to hold a drinking cup 103. Frame 3, hooks 5 and 33, and retaining tab 11 are shaped like a strip.

[0031] Furthermore, the drinking cup holder 31 is provided with a support element 35 that is attached to the second end 3B of the frame and extends perpendicular to frame 3. This support element 35 is also located on the second side 3D of frame 3 and supports the drinking cup 101 at the bottom during use.

[0032] The drinking cup carrier 31 is further provided with an elastic band 13 that is connected to the support element 35 and is configured to hold a neck 107 of a beverage bottle 105, see Figure 22. The support element 35 is bent inward at a leading edge 35A facing away from the frame 3 (see Figure 21) so that, viewed from the outside, the leading edge 35A has a concave shape, whereby this leading edge 35A of the support element and the elastic band 13 are configured to clamp the neck 107 of the beverage bottle 105 against this leading edge 35A.

[0033] Support element 35 is provided with guides 37 on a side 35B facing the first end 3A of the frame, see Figure 19, and is provided with a retaining hook 39 on a side 35C facing away from the first end 3A of the frame, which is oriented towards frame 3. Elastic band 13 is hooked around frame 3 at one end, forming a loop that, when not holding a beverage bottle, goes around the front edge 35A and is hooked behind retaining hook 39. To properly hold elastic band 13, frame 3 is provided with two recesses 41 at the second end 3B, see Figure 20, in which detail A indicated in Figure 19 is shown enlarged. Parts of the elastic band 13 are present between the guides 37 on the side 35B of the plate-shaped support element 35 facing the first end 3A of the frame, see Figure 21.

[0034] On a portion of the frame 3 extending along the retaining tab 11, there are two elongated ribs 43 that extend in the width direction of the frame 3. The retaining tab 11 and the two elongated ribs 43 are shaped such that a rim of the drinking cup 103 can be clamped between them, see Figure 18. For this purpose, the retaining tab 11 is wave-shaped, with the elongated ribs 43 curving away from the frame 3. Furthermore, frame 3 may have further ribs at the hooks 5 and 33, for example, three spaced-apart hooks at each hook.

[0035] Although the invention has been explained above with reference to the drawings, it should be noted that the invention is by no means limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings. The invention also extends to all embodiments that deviate from the embodiments shown in the drawings, within the scope defined by the claims.

Claims

1. Drinking cup carrier (1; 31) configured to be hooked to a belt (101) or a bag, comprising: - an elongated frame (3), - a hook (5) attached to a first end (3A) of the frame and bent towards a second end (3B) of the frame and located on a first side (3C) of the frame and configured to be hooked to the belt (101) or the bag, and - a retaining element (11) connected to the frame (3) and configured to hold a drinking cup (103), characterised in that the retaining element is formed by a retaining tab (11) connected to the frame (3) at a first end (3A) and extending in a direction towards the second end (3B) of the frame and present on the second side (3D) of the frame, wherein on the frame (3), between the frame (3) and the retaining tab (11), a projection (21) is present which is configured such that a radially projecting edge (113) of a drinking cup (111) can be hooked behind it.

2. Drinking cup carrier (1; 31) according to claim 1, characterised in that the drinking cup carrier (1) further comprises an elastic band (13) connected to the first end (3A) of the frame (3) and configured to hold a neck (107) of a beverage bottle (105).

3. Drinking cup carrier (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that the drinking cup carrier comprises a bottle holder (9) attached to the frame (3) at the first end (3A) and located on the second side (3D) of the frame (3).

4. Drinking cup carrier (1) according to claim 3, characterised in that the bottle holder (9) extends at least substantially perpendicular to the frame (3).

5. Drinking cup carrier (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that a leading edge (9A) of the bottle holder (9) facing away from the frame (3) is bent inward so that the leading edge (9A) has a concave shape when viewed from the outside, whereby this leading edge (9A) of the support element and the elastic band (13) are configured to clamp the neck (107) of the beverage bottle (105) against this leading edge (9A).

6. Drinking cup carrier (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that the bottle holder (9) is provided with two slots (23) on the side facing the frame (3) that extend from the frame to the leading edge (9A) to accommodate the elastic band (13).

7. Drinking cup holder (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the front edge (9A) of the bottle holder (9) is provided with a groove (25) in which an edge (109) on the neck (107) of the beverage bottle can be partially accommodated when holding a bottle (105).

8. Drinking cup holder (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second side (3D) of the frame (3) has a projection (27) behind which the elastic band (13) can be hooked, such that the elastic band (13) is tensioned against the second side (3D) of the frame (3) and a drinking cup (103) without a protruding edge can be clamped between the retaining tab (11) and the elastic band (13).

9. Drinking cup holder (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bottle holder (9) is provided with a further projection (28) on the side facing away from the retaining tab (11), behind which the elastic band (13) can be hooked.

10. Drinking cup holder (31) according to claim 1, characterised in that the drinking cup holder (31) comprises a support element (29), which is attached to the second end (3B) of the frame and extends perpendicularly to the frame (3) and is located on a second side (3D) of the frame (3) opposite the first side (3C).

11. Drinking cup carrier (31) according to claim 10, characterised in that the drinking cup carrier (31) further comprises a further hook (33) attached to the frame (3) and bent towards the first end (3A) of the frame and located on the first side (3C) of the frame, and also configured to be hooked onto the belt (101), so that the drinking cup carrier (31) can be hung on the belt (101) in a first position and can be hung on the belt (101) in an upside-down, second position.

12. Drinking cup carrier (31) according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that the frame (3) is provided at the second end (3B) with two recesses (41) through which the elastic band (13) passes.

13. Drinking cup carrier (31) according to claim 10, 11 or 12, characterised in that the support element (35) is provided on a side (35C) facing away from the first end (3A) of the frame with a retaining hook (39) which is oriented in a direction towards the frame (3), whereby the frame (3) and the support element (35) are configured such that, when no beverage bottle is being held, the elastic band (13) can be hooked around the frame (3) at the recesses (41) and guided over the support element (35) around the front edge (9A) and then hooked behind the retaining hook (39).

14. Drinking cup carrier (31) according to any of the preceding claims 10 to 13, characterised in that the support element (35) is formed by a plate and, on the side (35B) facing the first end (3A) of the frame, is provided with guides (37) between which parts of the elastic band (13) extend.

15. Drinking cup carrier (31) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the frame (3), the hook (5), the further hook (33), and the retaining tab (11) are strip-shaped.

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