Holding device for beverage cans

Abstract

The invention relates to a holding device (1) and an arrangement of a plurality of beverage cans (2) on a holding device (1), - wherein the beverage cans (2) are standard beverage cans which have a drinking edge (3) with a predetermined drinking edge diameter (4), - wherein the holding device (1) comprises a flat main body (5) and a plurality of can holders (6) provided on the main body (5), - and wherein the can holders (6) are dimensioned and configured in such a way that they can form part of a push-in connection to the drinking edge (3) of the beverage cans (2).

Description

[0001] Holder for beverage cans

[0002] The invention relates to a holding device for beverage cans, an arrangement of several beverage cans on a holding device, and a system according to the independent claims. The holding device is also designed, in particular, as a carrying device.

[0003] Collection and deposit systems for beverage cans require empty cans to be collected and transported undamaged to a return point or reverse vending machine. "Undamaged" in this context means that the cans must not be crushed, which means they require a relatively large amount of space during collection. Therefore, beverage cans are usually collected in large garbage bags or crates and transported to the return point. If cans are scattered haphazardly in garbage bags, they require even more space than they already do. While crates can help with organized collection, they take up a lot of space, even if they contain only a single can. Deposit systems are generally successful when returning empty cans is as quick and easy as possible. The need to insert undamaged cans individually into a reverse vending machine is a disadvantage in this regard.

[0004] Another disadvantage of storing and transporting beverage cans is that, unlike bottles, the drinking opening or rim of a can is not covered by a cap. The rims of closed cans, and even the lids themselves, are often soiled during transport and storage. Furthermore, the lack of a cap means that any remaining beverage can leak out during collection, transport, and return, potentially causing contamination. Adding caps to individual cans is environmentally unfriendly and would contradict the fundamental principles of a deposit return system.

[0005] The purpose of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to create a holding device for beverage cans that is simple, efficient and hygienic.

[0006] The problem according to the invention is solved in particular by the features of the independent claims.

[0007] A holding device for a specific type of beverage can is disclosed, namely for standard beverage cans that have a drinking rim with a predetermined drinking rim diameter.

[0008] It is advantageous if the holding device comprises a plate-shaped base body and several can holders provided on the base body.

[0009] Preferably, the can holders are dimensioned and designed such that they can each form part of a plug connection with the drinking rim of the beverage cans. It is preferably provided that the can holders each have a retaining ring whose diameter is dimensioned such that it is suitable for forming a plug connection by gripping the drinking rim of a type of beverage can with a predetermined drinking rim diameter.

[0010] If necessary, the retaining ring diameter for 0.5L beverage cans is intended to be between 53 mm and 54 mm.

[0011] If necessary, the retaining ring diameter for 0.33L beverage cans is intended to be between 53 mm and 54 mm.

[0012] If necessary, the retaining ring diameter for 0.33L beverage cans is intended to be between 50 mm and 51 mm.

[0013] If necessary, the retaining ring diameter for 0.25L beverage cans is intended to be between 50 mm and 51 mm.

[0014] If necessary, the can holders are designed to be closed, lid-shaped, and to form a sealing lid for the beverage cans.

[0015] If necessary, the base body and the can holders provided on it are permanently connected or made in one piece.

[0016] If necessary, the base body and the can holders provided on it are made of a plastic, in particular PE or PP.

[0017] Can holders may be provided on both flat sides of the base.

[0018] Optionally, can holders are provided on one of the flat sides of the base body, and stacking devices for engaging the bases of beverage cans are provided on the other flat side. The can holders can optionally also function as stacking devices. At least one handle may be provided. In particular, a handle is provided on each side near the edge of the base body.

[0019] The holding device may be reusable and part of a deposit system.

[0020] The image reveals an arrangement of several beverage cans on a holding device.

[0021] Preferably, the holding device is designed as a tray or tray for transporting and storing several beverage cans. The beverage cans are placed onto the holding device from above with their drinking rim pointing downwards.

[0022] Preferably, the drinking rims of the beverage cans, when attached to the can holders, are in direct contact with the holder rings and are held in place by them, in particular by frictional engagement.

[0023] If necessary, the attached beverage cans are provided for to be filled with a beverage and sealed, and the can holders form protective caps to protect the drinking openings and drinking rims from contamination.

[0024] If necessary, the attached beverage cans are provided to be essentially empty and open, and the can holders form a protective cap to prevent any beverage residue remaining in the can from escaping.

[0025] A system comprising several holding devices and several beverage cans is disclosed, wherein the holding devices and the beverage cans are preferably assembled into arrangements, and comprising a reverse vending machine which is equipped to detect the holding device and to detect beverage cans that may be attached to the holding device.

[0026] The holding device may be equipped with means for connecting to other objects, such as PET bottles. Each holding device is designed or configured for a specific type of beverage can, particularly standard beverage cans.

[0027] Standard beverage cans consist of a cylindrical container. This container has a flat base on one end. This base typically includes a recess and / or a ring-shaped resting area. The cylindrical container is sealed with a can lid. The can lid has a notched contour to form a drinking opening, which can be opened to consume the beverage.

[0028] The can lid is attached to the cylindrical container along a rim. Typically, the cylindrical container is crimped at its free edge and then folded over to form the lid. This creates a multi-layered, sturdy drinking rim.

[0029] The drinking rim preferably has greater strength than, for example, the body of the cylindrical container. The drinking rim is preferably circular and has a predetermined diameter depending on the type of beverage can.

[0030] In all embodiments, it is preferably provided that the retaining ring diameters are a certain size smaller than the drinking rim diameters of the beverage cans. This ensures that the beverage cans are held securely in the can holders.

[0031] The can holder is specifically designed and dimensioned to accommodate a beverage can. The drinking rim of the can is inserted into the holder. This may involve overcoming friction, which then prevents the can from being pulled out or removed from the holder on its own. The connection between the holder and the can is a friction-fit connection. The holder, or its retaining ring, may include a retaining extension that, when a can is attached, engages behind the drinking rim. A groove is typically provided behind the drinking rim, usually formed by the outward fold of the rim. The retaining extension engages in this groove.This type of connection is also a plug-in connection, which can be released simply by overcoming a holding force and pulling the beverage can off the holder. The retaining ring can also be smooth or cylindrical, in which case the connection between the drinking ring and the can holder is purely friction-based.

[0032] The diameter of the retaining rings can vary depending on the beverage can, within certain limits. These limits must be chosen to allow for a connection between the cans. This connection should be able to be made and removed manually. Any manufacturing tolerances must also be taken into account.

[0033] The can holders are preferably designed in a closed, lid-like shape. This means that the can holders form a closed lid when the beverage can is attached to the holder. In particular, the retaining ring of the can holder is sealed by the base of the holding device.

[0034] The sealing contour for sealing the connection preferably runs along a closed contour and along the drinking ring.

[0035] Preferably, the holding device is a single piece, in particular a single piece of plastic. Optionally, a plate-shaped base body can be provided, to which the can holders or their retaining rings are attached. Optionally, the plate-shaped base body has openings. These openings are preferably located between the individual can holders, so that a closed lid can still be formed. Preferably, the base body is a rigid plate. In particular, the base body should be so rigid that it does not deform under the weight of beverage cans attached to it. The plate-shaped base body can, for example, have a thickness of more than 2 mm or more than 3 mm, preferably more than 4 mm or more than 5 mm, and be made of a solid material such as PE or PP.

[0036] Preferably, the holding device comprises several can holders. In particular, the can holders can be arranged in a grid pattern on the base body. The number of can holders per holding device can be selected according to requirements.

[0037] For example, a holding device can be provided with between 2 and 40, optionally 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, or more can holders. In all embodiments, the holding device preferably serves as a mobile carrying device for transporting beverage cans.

[0038] The holding devices can alternatively be arranged in a row along the base body. In particular, the base body can be strip-shaped. Round shapes, hexagonal shapes, or other shapes are also possible.

[0039] Optionally, can holders are provided on both sides of the base body, allowing the holding device to hold beverage cans on either side. Alternatively or additionally, can holders can be provided on one flat side of the base body and stacking elements on the other. These stacking elements are designed and / or configured to center the holding device relative to the bottom surfaces of beverage cans. Thus, a holding device already loaded with beverage cans can form a base upon which another holding device is placed. The stacking elements center the second holding device relative to the bottom surfaces of the beverage cans. This allows for various arrangements and / or configurations.

[0040] Holding devices must be designed to be stackable.

[0041] Preferably, the holding device is a reusable part of a deposit system. As is known, for example, from bottle crates, the disclosed holding devices can also be reusable, with a deposit being refunded upon return. A system is proposed that comprises several holding devices and, in particular, several arrangements of holding devices with beverage cans. This system also includes a reverse vending machine, which can be of conventional design, wherein the reverse vending machine is additionally equipped to recognize the holding device according to the invention and to recognize beverage cans optionally attached to the holding device. This adaptation of a beverage vending machine can be carried out purely via software, as is also done for different containers and different bottles.This allows, as with bottle crates, a fully loaded or empty holding device to be returned to a reverse vending machine.

[0042] The invention will subsequently be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments and the figures.

[0043] Fig. 1 shows a schematic oblique view of a holding device or an arrangement with beverage cans.

[0044] Fig. 2 shows a schematic sectional view of a can holder with a beverage can attached.

[0045] Fig. 3 shows a schematic oblique view of a possible embodiment of a holding device or arrangement with beverage cans.

[0046] Fig. 4 shows a schematic oblique view of an embodiment of a holding device or an arrangement with beverage cans.

[0047] Fig. 5 shows a schematic oblique view of two stacked arrangements.

[0048] Fig. 6 shows a schematic oblique view of a possible embodiment of an arrangement.

[0049] Fig. 7 shows a schematic oblique view of a reverse vending machine with an arrangement.

[0050] Unless otherwise specified, the reference symbols correspond to the following components:

[0051] Holding device 1, beverage can 2, drinking rim 3, drinking rim diameter 4, base body 5, can holder 6, retaining ring 7, retaining ring diameter 8, stacking device 9, handle 10, reverse vending machine 11, cylindrical container 12, can lid 13, base surface 14, retaining extension 15, band 16

[0052] Fig. 1 shows an oblique view of a first embodiment of a holding device 1. Several beverage cans 2 are attached to the holding device 1. To connect a beverage can 2 to the holding device 1, the drinking rim 3 is connected to a can holder 6 of the holding device 1. The can holder 6 forms one part of the connection. The drinking rim 3 of the beverage can 2 forms the other part. The holding device 1 comprises several can holders 6. In this embodiment, these are arranged in a specific pattern on the base body 5 of the holding device 1. To hold the beverage cans 2, the can holder 6 in the present embodiment includes a retaining ring 7.

[0053] For transport or hanging, the holding device 1 can include a handle 10. In all embodiments, the handle 10 can be an opening provided in the edge region of the holding device 1 or the base body 5.

[0054] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the holding device 1 can be fitted with beverage cans 2 on both sides. For this purpose, the base body 5 has can holders 6 on both of its flat sides.

[0055] Preferably, the beverage cans should be standard beverage cans with a specific drinking rim diameter of 4.

[0056] Fig. 2 shows a beverage can 2 suitable for use with the disclosed holding device. According to a preferred embodiment, the beverage can 2 has a cylindrical container 12. The cylindrical container is provided with a base surface 14 on one of its end faces. This base surface can, for example, comprise an annular resting area. On the other end face, the cylindrical container 12 is closed with a can lid 13. The can lid 13 can be provided with a drinking opening in the conventional manner, which is, for example, broken open to open the can. The can lid is surrounded by a drinking rim 3, against which the lips are placed to drink from the beverage can 2. In standard beverage cans, the drinking rim 3 is preferably formed by the can lid 13 being folded over the cylindrical container 12. This creates a multi-layered, circumferential rim. This rim, orThe drinking rim 3 is usually bent outwards, thus forming a circumferential ring groove or a ring-shaped undercut.

[0057] The drinking rim 3 is preferably used to create a plug connection with the holding device 1.

[0058] The holding device 1 has at least one, preferably several, can holders 6. Figure 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a can holder 6, such as can be used in all embodiments. The can holders 6 each comprise a retaining ring 7 with a retaining ring diameter 8. The drinking rim 3 has a drinking rim diameter 4. The diameters 4 and 8 are selected such that the beverage can 2 can be attached to the can holder 6 and the beverage can 2 is held in place by the holding device 1. This is achieved in particular by a frictional connection or by the retaining ring 7 expanding when the beverage can 2 is inserted. The can holder 6 is preferably made of a plastic material that has elastic properties. This can facilitate a secure, optionally elastically pre-tensioned, connection between the beverage can 2 and the holding device 1.

[0059] The can holder 6 is preferably lid-shaped and thus seals the can lid 13. In particular, the lid-shaped design seals the drinking rim 3 and the drinking opening of the can lid 3. When the beverage can 2 is filled and closed, this helps to protect the drinking rim 3 and the can lid 13 from contamination. When collecting and transporting empty beverage cans 2, the lid-shaped design helps to prevent any remaining beverage from leaking out of the beverage cans 2.

[0060] The lid-shaped design is achieved in particular by the fact that the can holder 6 is closed. Specifically, the retaining ring 7 is closed off from the base body 5 of the holding device 1 and is only open on one side. The beverage can 2 is then inserted into this opening, thus closing the area.

[0061] Fig. 3 shows another embodiment of a possible holding device 1 or arrangement. In this embodiment, the holding device 1 is horizontal in its usual operating position. The flat base 5 lies horizontally, and the beverage cans 2 can be placed or inserted from above into the can holders 6 of the holding device 1. For this purpose, the holding device 2 preferably includes two handles 10. The handles 10 are attached to both sides of the holding device 1 to allow the holding device, and in particular the arrangement with the beverage cans 2, to be carried stably with both arms from either side. Alternatively, however, only one handle 10 can be provided.

[0062] In this embodiment of the holding device 1, can holders 6 are preferably provided only on one side of the base body 5. The remaining components of the holding device 1 can correspond to the components shown in Fig. 1.

[0063] Fig. 4 shows another embodiment of a holding device 1, in particular the holding device from Fig. 3. In this holding device 1, can holders 6 are attached to one side of the base body 5, onto which beverage cans 2 are placed. Stacking means 9 are provided on the other flat side of the base body 5. These stacking means 9 allow the arrangement to be stacked with another arrangement, as shown in Fig. 5. The stacking means 9 are designed such that they enable centering with a bottom surface 14 of a beverage can 2. When a holding device 1 is fitted with beverage cans 2, their bottom surfaces 14 protrude from the holding device 1 and, in this embodiment, point upwards. Another holding device 1 can then be placed on this base formed by the bottom surfaces 14. The holding device 1 is centered on the bottom surfaces 14 of the arrangement below by its stacking means 9.Subsequently, the upper holding device 1 can also be fitted with beverage cans 2. Fig. 6 shows another embodiment of a holding device 1 or an arrangement with beverage cans 2. In this embodiment, the beverage cans 2 are laterally enclosed by a band 16. Alternatively, a bridge can be provided instead of a band 16, forming a lateral boundary of the holding device 1. The remaining components of the holding device 1 from Fig. 6 can be designed analogously to the holding device from Fig. 2, Fig. 3, or Fig. 4.

[0064] Fig. 7 shows a schematic representation of a reverse vending machine 11 with an arrangement or a holding device 1 with attached beverage cans 2.

[0065] Preferably, the disclosed arrangement and the disclosed holding device form a system in which a reusable holding device 1, loaded with beverage cans 2, can be returned to a reverse vending machine 11, for example, to receive a deposit refund. Optionally, the holding device 1 can also be returned empty, i.e., without beverage cans 2, to receive a refund for the holding device 1.

[0066] The reverse vending machine 11 can be of a conventional design and only needs to be adapted to recognize the disclosed holding device 1 or the disclosed arrangement. This is done, for example, by adapting the software of the reverse vending machine 11. In particular, reverse vending machines 11 include optical sensors or image acquisition devices that recognize which type of empty container is present. The control system of the reverse vending machine 11 can be adapted to the disclosed holding device 1 and beverage cans 2.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Holding device (1) for a specific type of beverage can (2), namely for standard beverage cans having a drinking rim (3) with a predetermined drinking rim diameter (4), - wherein the holding device is designed as a mobile carrying device for transporting the beverage cans (2), - wherein the holding device (1 ) comprises a plate-shaped base body (5) and several can holders (6) provided on the base body, - wherein the can holders (6) are dimensioned and designed in such a way that they can each form part of a plug connection with the drinking rim (3) of the beverage cans (2).

2. Holding device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, - that the can holders (6) each have a retaining ring (7) whose retaining ring diameter (8) is dimensioned such that it is suitable for forming a plug connection by gripping the drinking ring (3) of a type of beverage can (2) with a predetermined drinking rim diameter (4), - in particular that the retaining ring diameter (8) for 0.5L beverage cans (2) is between 53 mm and 54 mm, - in particular that the retaining ring diameter (8) for 0.33L beverage cans (2) is between 53 mm and 54 mm or between 50 mm and 51 mm, - in particular that the retaining ring diameter (8) for 0.25L beverage cans (2) is between 50 mm and 51 mm.

3. Holding device (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the can holders (6) are closed in a lid shape and designed to form a sealing lid for the beverage cans (2).

4. Holding device (1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the base body (5) and the can holders (6) provided thereon are firmly connected to each other or are integrally formed.

5. Holding device (1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the base body (5) and the can holders (6) provided thereon are made of a plastic, in particular of PE or PP.

6. Holding device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, - that can holders (6) are provided on both flat sides of the base body (5), - and / or that can holders (6) are provided on one of the flat sides of the base body (5) and stacking means (9) for engaging with bottom surfaces (14) of beverage cans (12) are provided on the other flat side.

7. Holding device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, - that at least one handle (10) is provided, - in particular that a handle (10) is provided on each side in the edge area of ​​the base body (5).

8. Holding device (1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the holding device (1 ) is reusable and part of a deposit system.

9. Arrangement of several beverage cans (2) on a holding device (1), wherein the holding device (1) is designed in particular according to one of claims 1 to 8, - wherein the beverage cans (2) are standard beverage cans having a drinking rim (3) with a predetermined drinking rim diameter (4), - wherein the holding device (1 ) comprises a plate-shaped base body (5) and several can holders (6) provided on the base body (5), - and wherein the can holders (6) are dimensioned and designed in such a way that they can form part of a plug connection with the drinking rim (3) of the beverage cans (2).

10. Arrangement according to claim 9, characterized in that, - that the can holders (6) each have a retaining ring (7) whose The retaining ring diameter (8) is dimensioned such that it is suitable for forming a plug connection by gripping the drinking ring (3) of the beverage can (2), - in particular that the retaining ring diameter (8) for 0.5L beverage cans (2) is between 53 mm and 54 mm, - in particular that the retaining ring diameter (8) for 0.33L beverage cans (2) is between 53 mm and 54 mm or between 50 mm and 51 mm, - in particular that the retaining ring diameter (8) for 0.25L beverage cans (2) is between 50 mm and 51 mm.

11. Arrangement according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the can holders (6) are designed in a closed lid shape and each form a sealing lid for an attached beverage can (2).

12. Arrangement according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the base body (5) and the can holders (6) provided thereon are firmly connected to each other or are integrally formed.

13. Arrangement according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the base body (5) and the can holders (6) provided thereon are made of a plastic, in particular of PE or PP.

14. Arrangement according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that, - that can holders (6) are provided on both flat sides of the base body (5), - and / or that can holders (6) are provided on one of the flat sides of the base body (5) and stacking means (9) for engaging with bottom surfaces (14) of beverage cans (2) are provided on the other flat side.

15. Arrangement according to claim 14, characterized in that - that the arrangement is designed to be stackable, wherein the stacking means (9) are provided for supporting and centering the beverage cans (2) of an adjacent arrangement.

16. Arrangement according to one of claims 9 to 15, characterized in that, - that at least one handle (10) is provided on the base body (5), - in particular that a handle (10) is provided on each side of the base body (5).

17. Arrangement according to one of claims 9 to 16, characterized in that the holding device (1) is designed as a tray or tray for transporting and storing several beverage cans (2), wherein the beverage cans (2) are placed on the holding device (1) from above with their drinking rim (3) pointing downwards.

18. Arrangement according to one of claims 9 to 17, characterized in that the drinking rims (3) of the beverage cans (2), when attached to the can holders (6), lie directly against the retaining rings (7) and are held, in particular by friction, on them.

19. Arrangement according to one of claims 9 to 18, characterized in that, - that the attached beverage cans (2) are filled with a beverage and sealed, and the can holders (6) form protective caps to protect the drinking openings and drinking rims (3) from contamination, - and / or that the attached beverage cans (2) are essentially empty and open, and the can holders (6) form a protective cap to prevent any beverage residue remaining in the beverage can (2) from escaping.

20. System comprehensive: - several holding devices (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8 - and several beverage cans (2), wherein the holding devices (1) and the beverage cans (2) are preferably assembled into arrangements according to any one of claims 9 to 19, - and including a reverse vending machine (11) which is used to recognize the Holding device (1) and for the detection of, if necessary, attached to the Holding device (1) for attached beverage cans (2) is set up.

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