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EP 1 030 581 B1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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09.04.2003 Bulletin 2003/15 |
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Date of filing: 04.11.1998 |
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International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A47G 23/06 |
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International application number: |
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PCT/NL9800/638 |
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International publication number: |
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WO 9902/3921 (20.05.1999 Gazette 1999/20) |
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DEVICE FOR CARRYING EATING AND DRINKING TABLEWARE
VORRICHTUNG ZUM TRAGEN VON ESS- UND TRINKGERÄTEN
DISPOSITIF POUR PORTER DES ARTICLES DE TABLE POUR REPAS ET BOISSONS
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Designated Contracting States: |
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BE DE FR GB LU NL |
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Priority: |
12.11.1997 NL 1007520
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Date of publication of application: |
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30.08.2000 Bulletin 2000/35 |
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Proprietor: InnoEssentials International B.V. |
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2909 LD Capelle aan de IJssel (NL) |
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Inventor: |
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- VERWOERD, Maria, Teunie
NL-6744 WL Ederveen (NL)
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Representative: Riemens, Roelof Harm et al |
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Exter Polak & Charlouis B.V.,
P.O. Box 3241 2280 GE Rijswijk 2280 GE Rijswijk (NL) |
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References cited: :
FR-A- 2 428 424 US-A- 3 908 877
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NL-A- 6 716 134 US-A- 4 117 965
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Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
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[0001] The invention relates to a device for carrying eating and drinking tableware, such
as for example mugs, cups and saucers, plates and glasses, whether or not there is
anything inside them.
[0002] Numerous designs are already known which allow eating and drinking tableware to be
carried.
[0003] The solution which is most widely known is the tray, which has the drawback that
two hands are needed to carry it. Only experienced users can carry the tray using
only one hand positioned centrally underneath the tray. Carrying the tray in one hand
by gripping the edge of the tray requires considerable strength on the part of the
user, owing to the considerable torque which is produced. Conventional trays have
the further drawbacks that they have to be held in a reasonably horizontal position
and that acceleration and deceleration forces give rise to a considerable reaction
on the part of the load to be carried, which may cause the liquid foodstuff to spill
over the edge of the crockery.
[0004] Another known feature consists of a support surface which is provided with chains
or cords which come together in a handle above the centre of the support surface.
Cf., for example, FR-A-2,428,424. A drawback of this is that the handle is not situated
in a convenient location when the device is being picked up. The chains and the handle
may end up between or even in the crockery.
[0005] US-A-4,117,965 discloses a device in accordance with the preamble of claim 1. The
device comprises a round support surface which, along its circumference, is supported
by a frame. A carrying bracket which extends in a curve above the support surface
from one circumferential side to the other is attached to the frame. By means of a
freely movable chain, a handle is connected to the carrying bracket above the centre
of the support surface. Owing to the freely movable chain, the support surface maintains
a horizontal position irrespective of jerky movements of the handle when the device
is being carried.
[0006] A freely movable handle has the drawback that the support surface is to a certain
extent able to rotate freely about the attachment point. On the one hand, this has
the drawback that undesirable rotation of the support surface about the perpendicular
cannot be corrected by turning the handle in the opposite direction. On the other
hand, it has the drawback that it is not possible to achieve a desired rotation of
the support surface about the perpendicular when the device is being operated with
one hand. A rotation of this nature is desirable, for example, when giving someone
a cup of coffee which is situated on the opposite side of the support surface. A further
drawback of the known device is that the support surface will begin to swing about
with respect to the handle as soon as the support surface collides with anything or
if very sudden acceleration forces are exerted via the handle. It is not possible
to damp these swinging movements without taking hold of the support surface or the
carrying bracket. This requires two hands, which are not always available.
[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a device without the drawbacks described
above.
[0008] This object is achieved by means of a device according to claim 1. The device comprises
a support surface and a carrying arm. The carrying arm extends from the support surface
to a substantially central position above the centre of gravity of the device. The
device furthermore comprises a handle which, via a coupling piece, is movably connected
to the carrying arm. The coupling piece is made from an elastically deformable material
which has a certain amount of flexibility and torsional rigidity. The flexibility
allows the handle to move with respect to the carrying arm, while the torsional rigidity
ensures that rotation of the handle about its longitudinal axis causes a rotation
of the support surface. This device can be used effortlessly with the aid of one hand
and the torque exerted on the wrist can remain minimal. Acceleration and deceleration
forces have scarcely any effect on the liquid levels with respect to the eating and
drinking tableware, so that spillage will occur only in the event of exceptional movements.
Furthermore, one or more items of eating or drinking tableware can be positioned in
such a manner that the support surface remains horizontal when lifted. In the rest
position, the handle is in a fixed position, which means that it cannot unintentionally
be situated in or between the crockery. The support surface can be rotated about the
perpendicular by turning the handle about its longitudinal axis. Owing to the flexibility
of the elastically deformable coupling piece, the support surface maintains a horizontal
position irrespective of jerky movements of the handle when the device is being carried
by means of this handle. Owing to the torsional rigidity of the elastically deformable
coupling piece, it is possible not only to rotate the support surface as desired but
also to counteract undesirable rotations by means of a suitable rotation of the handle.
The device is particularly stable and the user is able to carry out desired manipulations
of the support surface even when carrying the device in one hand. The coupling piece
according to the invention provides the device with the freedom of movement required
to achieve a corrective, balancing action.
[0009] Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the subclaims.
[0010] The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the appended drawing,
in which:
Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a device according to the invention;
Fig. 2 shows a front view of a variant with a pivotable carrying arm which is shown
in two positions;
Fig. 3 shows a side view of a variant with a fixed carrying arm, with the handle illustrated
in two positions;
Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the device according
to the invention;
Fig. 5 is a top view of the support surface in accordance with Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a front view of a handle which is integral with a coupling piece, arranged
on a carrying arm, part of which is shown;
Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the handle in Fig. 6; and
Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a connection between a carrying
arm and a support surface.
[0011] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is sketched in Fig. 1. A support surface
1 is connected to a carrying arm 2. The carrying arm 2 rises up to a position in the
vicinity of the upwards perpendicular 5 extending from the centre of gravity S of
the support surface 1. At this position, an elastic coupling piece 3 is attached to
the carrying arm 2, and a handle 4 is attached to the other end of this coupling piece
3.
[0012] In the exemplary embodiment, the support surface 1 is designed as a planar oval.
Numerous other shapes are equally possible. The carrying arm 2 is designed as a single
rod or tube. Here too, numerous other forms may be possible without impairing the
inventive idea. Consideration may be given, for example, to a number of rods, plate
material or even a design in which the support surface 1 and the carrying arm 2 are
integral with one another.
[0013] It is essential that there is an attachment point for the elastic coupling piece
3, in the vicinity of the perpendicular 5 and above the centre of gravity S of the
support surface 1, thus leaving all the space for positioning eating and drinking
tableware free.
[0014] The elastic coupling piece 3 is dimensioned in such a manner that the handle 4 will
adopt a position which differs considerably from a vertically downwards position.
The elasticity of the connection 3 is selected to be such that the handle 4 can be
pivoted to a considerable extent upwards, downwards and sideways without this having
any significant adverse effect on the horizontal position of the free support surface
1. The elasticity of the coupling piece 3 is also such that it is possible to rotate
the support surface 1 about the perpendicular 5 in a desired manner by rotating the
handle 4 about its longitudinal axis. On the other hand, this rotation can also be
used to counteract a rotation of the support surface 1 about the perpendicular 5.
[0015] The handle 4 is in this case sketched as a cylinder. This cylinder can be taken hold
of, as desired, from above or below. It will be clear that numerous other handle shapes
and models may be used.
[0016] An exemplary embodiment with an additional feature is sketched in Fig. 2. In this
case, the carrying arm 2 is attached to the support surface 1 by way of a rotatable
connection 6. The carrying arm 2 can be moved downwards out of the position of use
7 into the storage position 8, and vice versa. The position of use 7 can be fixed,
for example by means of a resilient catch which engages in a cavity in the rotatable
connection 6.
[0017] An additional feature of this nature ensures that the appliance is in a position
to take up less space during distribution and storage and also when the user wishes
to store the device.
[0018] A further development of the invention is sketched in Fig. 3. The handle can be gripped
from the rest position 9 in which the device is carried from above. In addition, it
is possible to move the handle into a vertical position 10 and then to grip it from
below. This possibility may provide additional ease of use for people with, for example,
a physical handicap.
[0019] In Figs. 4 and 5, the device has a round support surface 20 which substantially comprises
a planar plate with an upwardly projecting, profiled circumferential edge. At one
location, the circumferential edge is made wider and is provided with a continuous
opening 21. One end of a rod-shaped carrying arm 22 is fitted in the continuous opening
21. The rod-shaped carrying arm 22 is bent in such a manner that its other end opens
out in the vicinity of the upwards perpendicular 25 leading from the centre of gravity
S of the support surface 20. An element 26 made from an elastically deformable material
is attached to this end of the carrying arm 22. The element 26 can be subdivided into
two parts, namely a handle part 27 and a narrowed coupling-piece part 28. In this
way, the handle is advantageously integral with the coupling piece and both components
are made from the same elastically deformable material. The dimensions of the handle
part 27 are such that it is relatively strong by comparison with the tapered coupling-piece
part 28. The taper is of sufficiently slim design to produce a flexibility, according
to the invention, which allows the handle part 27 to move with respect to the carrying
arm 22 and the support surface 20 which is connected thereto and to provide a torsional
rigidity which means that a rotation of the handle part 27 about its longitudinal
axis 29 causes a rotation of the support surface 20. If, in practice, a device is
carried using the handle part 27, the weight of the device will cause the handle part
27 to bend about the tapered coupling-piece part 28. Depending on the weight and the
degree of flexibility, the handle part 27 with its longitudinal axis 29 will adopt
a substantially vertical position. In this position, a rotation of the handle part
27 about its longitudinal axis 29 results in a rotation of the support surface 20
about the upwards perpendicular 25. In this way, it is possible, in a very simple
manner, to impart desired rotations to the support surface 20 or to counteract undesirable
rotations thereof directly by using the handle part 27.
[0020] Figs. 6 and 7 show a possible connection between a combined handle/coupling-piece
element 40 and a carrying arm 41. In this case, the carrying arm 41 comprises a round,
hollow, metal tube. The element 40 is shaped in such a manner that a plug part 43
thereof fits into the hollow tube and a collar part 44 thereof engages around the
wall of the tube. This connection can be achieved, for example, by placing the tube
forming the carrying arm in a suitable mould and then injection-moulding an elastically
deformable material around it, so that the combined handle/coupling-piece element
is produced. It is also possible to connect the element 40 to the carrying arm 41
by means of a clamp fit or an adhesive bond.
[0021] The elastically deformable material is preferably an elastomer, such as for example
polyurethane. This material is readily mouldable and has both a desired level of flexibility
and a torsional rigidity.
[0022] The carrying arm according to the invention can be connected to a support surface
in a number of ways. In a preferred embodiment, the carrying arm is attached to the
support surface by way of a releasable plug-in attachment. An example of this is shown
in Fig. 8. For the sake of clarity, the plug-in attachment is partially cut away and
illustrated on an enlarged scale. It is possible to see part of a support surface
50 which is provided, in its circumferential edge, with a continuous opening. Two
coupling pieces 51, 52 are arranged in the continuous opening. The coupling pieces
engage inside one another and, in so doing, clip onto the circumferential edge of
the continuous opening. The two coupling pieces 51, 52 define a cylindrical space
into which a bottom tubular part of a carrying arm 54 can be fitted. The top coupling
part 52 is provided on the inside with one or more projecting latching lugs 56. The
bottom end of the carrying arm 54 is provided with one or more corresponding locking
recesses 57. By fitting the bottom tubular part of the carrying arm 54 into the coupling
parts 51, 52, the latching lugs 56 will move into the latching recesses 57. The result
is a reliable, easily connectable attachment between the carrying arm 54 and the support
surface 50. If the device is not in use, the carrying arm 54 can be removed from the
support surface 50, so that the device does not take up much space.
[0023] Although the figures show a carrying arm which is connected to the support surface
at only one point, it is also possible, for example, to use a carrying arm which extends
in the form of an arc above the support surface from one side of the circumference
to the other. In this case too, the handle may be attached to the carrying arm by
means of an elastically deformable coupling piece at a position in the vicinity of
the upwards perpendicular extending from the centre of gravity of the support surface.
[0024] Furthermore, it is possible to provide the device with additional accessories, such
as for example a sugar bowl, a teaspoon pot or a dish for powdered milk. These accessories
are preferably arranged in the vicinity of or around the carrying arm, so that they
are not in the way of the rest of the eating and drinking tableware which is to be
positioned on the support surface.
1. Device for carrying eating and drinking tableware, comprising a support surface (1)
on which the eating and drinking tableware can be placed, the support surface being
provided with a carrying arm (2) which extends from the support surface (1) to a position
above the support surface (1), in the vicinity of the upwards perpendicular (5) leading
from the centre of gravity (S) of the support surface (1), at which position a handle
(4) is connected to the carrying arm (2) by means of a movable connection, characterized in that the movable connection comprises a coupling piece (3) made from an elastically deformable
material, which coupling piece (3) is flexible to such an extent that movement of
the handle (4) with respect to the carrying arm (2) and the support surface (1) which
is connected thereto is permitted, and is torsionally rigid to such an extent that
a rotation of the handle (4) about its longitudinal axis results in a rotation of
the support surface (1).
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the handle (27) is integral with the coupling piece (28).
3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the handle (27) and the coupling piece (28) are made from the same elastically deformable
material.
4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the coupling piece (28) is designed as a narrowed part of the handle (27).
5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastically deformable material is an elastomer.
6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrying arm (2) is a rod-like element, a free end of which ends at the perpendicular
(5), the handle (4) being connected, by means of the coupling piece (3), to the free
end of the carrying arm (2).
7. Device according to one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the carrying arm (22) is attached to the support surface (20) by way of a releasable
plug-in attachment.
8. Device according to one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the carrying arm (2) is attached to the support surface (1) by way of a rotatable
connection, the carrying arm (2) being able to move downwards out of a position of
use and vice versa, and it being possible to fix the position of use.
9. Device according to one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the support surface (1) and the carrying arm (2) are formed from a single, undivided
piece of material.
10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle (4) is movable at least from a rest position to a position in which it
stands perpendicularly upright.
1. Vorrichtung zum Tragen von Ess- und Trinkgeräten mit einer Auflagefläche (1), auf
der die Ess- und Trinkgeräte abgestellt werden können, wobei die Auflagefläche mit
einem Tragarm (2) versehen ist, der von der Auflagefläche (1) aus in eine Stellung
oberhalb der Auflagefläche (1) in die Nähe der vom Schwerpunkt (S) der Auflagefläche
(1) ausgehenden Aufwärtssenkrechten (5) verläuft, wobei in dieser Stellung ein Griff
(4) über einen beweglichen Anschluss mit dem Tragarm (2) verbunden ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der bewegliche Anschluss ein Kupplungsteil (3) aus einem elastisch verformbaren Material
umfasst, wobei das Kupplungsteil (3) eine solche Elastizität besitzt, dass der Griff
(4) relativ zum Tragarm (2) und zur Auflagefläche (1), mit der er verbunden ist, bewegt
werden kann und so weit drehsteif ist, dass eine Drehung des Griffs (4) um seine Längsachse
zu einer Drehung der Auflagefläche (1) führt.
2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Griff (27) als fester Bestandteil des Kupplungsteils (28) ausgebildet ist.
3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Griff (27) und das Kupplungsteil (28) aus dem gleichen elastisch verformbaren
Material hergestellt sind.
4. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Kupplungsstück (28) als eingeschnürter Abschnitt des Griffes (27) ausgebildet
ist.
5. Vorrichtung nach irgendeinem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es sich bei dem elastisch verformbaren Material um ein Elastomer handelt.
6. Vorrichtung nach irgendeinem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Tragarm (2) als stabförmiges Element ausgebildet ist, von dem ein freies Ende
in der Senkrechten (S) endet, wobei der Griff (4) mittels des Kupplungsteils (3) mit
dem freien Ende des Tragarms (2) verbunden ist.
7. Vorrichtung nach irgendeinem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Tragarm (22) an der Auflagefläche (20) mittels einer lösbaren Einsteckhalterung
befestigt ist.
8. Vorrichtung nach irgendeinem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Tragarm (2) an der Auflagefläche (1) mittels einer drehbaren Verbindung befestigt
ist, wobei sich der Tragarm (2) aus einer Benutzungsstellung nach unten und umgekehrt
bewegen lässt und wobei die Möglichkeit besteht, die Benutzungsstellung zu fixieren.
9. Vorrichtung nach irgendeinem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Auflagefläche (1) und der Tragarm (2) aus einem einzigen durchgehenden Stück
Material bestehen.
10. Vorrichtung nach irgendeinem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Griff (4) zumindest aus einer Ruhestellung in eine Position bewegt werden kann,
in der er vertikal nach oben ragt.
1. Dispositif pour porter des articles de table pour repas et boissons, comprenant une
surface de support (1) sur laquelle on peut placer les articles de table pour repas
et boissons, la surface de support étant pourvue d'un bras de transport (2) qui s'étend
à partir de la surface de support (1) jusqu'à une position au-dessus de la surface
de support (1), au voisinage de la perpendiculaire dirigée vers le haut (5) partant
du centre de gravité (S) de la surface de support (1), une poignée (4) étant reliée,
à la dite position, au bras de transport (2) au moyen d'une connexion mobile, caractérisé en ce que la connexion mobile comprend une pièce de couplage (3) en matière élastiquement déformable,
ladite pièce de couplage (3) étant flexible à un degré tel qu'un mouvement de la poignée
(4) par rapport au bras de transport (2) et à la surface de support (1) reliée à ce
dernier est possible, et étant rigide en torsion à un degré tel qu'une rotation de
la poignée (4) autour de son axe longitudinal entraîne une rotation de la surface
de support (1).
2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la poignée (27) est solidaire de la pièce de couplage (28).
3. Dispositif selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que la poignée (27) et la pièce de couplage (28) sont fabriquées en la même matière élastiquement
déformable.
4. Dispositif selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que la pièce de couplage (28) est sous la forme d'une partie plus étroite de la poignée
(27).
5. Dispositif selon une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que la matière élastiquement déformable est un élastomère.
6. Dispositif selon une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le bras de transport (2) est un élément en forme de tige dont une extrémité libre
se termine sur ladite perpendiculaire (5), la poignée (4) étant reliée, au moyen de
la pièce de couplage (3), à l'extrémité libre du bras de transport (2).
7. Dispositif selon une des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisé en ce que le bras de transport (22) est attaché à la surface de support (20) au moyen d'une
attache à accouplement libérable.
8. Dispositif selon une des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisé en ce que le bras de transport (2) est attaché à la surface de support (1) au moyen d'une connexion
tournante, le bras de transport (2) pouvant être déplacé vers le bas hors d'une position
d'utilisation et vice versa, avec possibilité de fixer la position d'utilisation.
9. Dispositif selon une des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisé en ce que la surface de support (1) et le bras de transport (2) sont formés d'un seul morceau
de matière non divisé.
10. Dispositif selon une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que la poignée (4) est déplaçable au moins d'une position de repos à une position dans
laquelle elle est redressée perpendiculairement.