[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a resource-saving, environmentally friendly adhesive-free
cup carrier, and more particularly to a resource-saving, environmentally friendly
adhesive-free cup carrier, in which a space for holding cups is variably configured
so that the cup carrier can be transformed and utilized in accordance with the number
of cups to be carried.
[Background Art]
[0002] Many well-known fast food and coffee shops sell a variety of drinks, including soda,
cider, and juice. Since these drinks are easy to carry, people often consume them
while on the go. In this case, one hand is holding a cup of beverage and the other
is holding food.
[0003] When people hold a beverage container in one hand and a food container in the other
hand, it is difficult to balance the beverage container. Thereby, there is a possibility
of dropping the drink or food while moving, and there is a problem that the behavior
is not natural because both hands cannot be used.
[0004] So as to overcome these problems, various carriers for beverage containers have been
developed.
[0005] FIG. 1 illustrates a beverage container carrier according to an existing technology.
[0006] As shown in FIG. 1, a beverage container carrier according to the existing technology
is constituted of a box 10 with an opened top including a hook-shaped male catching
piece 11 formed on one side of one side surface of the carrier and a female slit hole
12 formed on another side thereof; a hanger piece 14 horizontally extending from an
opened top of the box 10 and having a handle hole 13; and a handle 17 formed of support
pieces 15 and 16 that extend, in a planar right angle, from both sides of the hanger
piece and extend integrally with an upper end of the opening of the box 10.
[0007] However, beverage container carriers according to the existing technology have certain
volumes, thereby occupying predetermined spaces. Accordingly, a separate place for
storing a carrier should be provided, and the number of carriers that can be stored
is also very limited.
[0008] In addition, in the case of existing beverage container carriers, the number of beverage
container accommodation spaces that can be accommodated in the container carriers
is fixedly provided. For example, upon desiring to carry three beverage containers
using a container carrier that can accommodate two beverage containers, at least two
container carriers should be provided to accommodate and carry the three beverage
containers separately. Accordingly, it is not easy to balance a container carrier
containing one beverage container because the weight thereof is oriented in a direction
in which the beverage container is accommodated. In addition, the use of the container
carrier is inefficient because a surplus space in which a beverage container is not
accommodated remains.
[0009] In addition, since existing beverage container carriers should be necessarily subjected
to a process of bonding members so as to maintain constant shape thereof, a carrier
manufacturing process is complicated, and thus problems, such as an increase in manufacturing
cost and a decrease in utility, are entailed.
[0010] Since existing beverage container carriers are manufactured based on the largest
cup among beverage containers, it is inconvenient for a drink maker and an orderer
to put and take out a beverage container and beverages therein spill due to mistakes,
for example, when the beverage container is small. Further, when the beverage is hot,
the drink maker and orderer may be scalded by the beverage.
Related Art Document
Patent Document
[0011] Korean Utility Model Registration No.
20-0474366
[Disclosure]
[Technical Problem]
[0012] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and
it is one object of the present invention to provide a resource-saving, environmentally
friendly adhesive-free cup carrier, wherein a space for holding cups is variably configured
so that the cup carrier can be transformed and utilized in accordance with the number
of cups to be carried, and, even when a plurality of cups are held in one cup carrier,
the weight of the cups can be effectively supported so that the stability of the cup
carrier can be secured.
[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide a resource-saving, environmentally
friendly adhesive-free cup carrier allowing cost reduction and production efficiency
increase due to omission of a bonding process upon manufacture of the cup carrier.
[0014] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a resource-saving, environmentally
friendly adhesive-free cup carrier that can be conveniently used due to omission of
a separate assembly process of forming a skeleton of a cup carrier, allows easy storage
due to minimization of a volume occupied by the cup carrier, is easy to use due to
rapid deployment of the cup carrier, and can suit different cup sizes to accommodate
a variety of cups.
[Technical Solution]
[0015] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects
can be accomplished by the provision of a resource-saving, environmentally friendly
adhesive-free cup carrier, including: a plate-shaped plate material 100 folded in
half by a central bending line 140 to be divided into a first plate 110 and a second
plate 120; a first cradle 111 formed by cutting a portion of an upper part of the
first plate 110 to be foldable and configured to include a first fixture hole 111a
for mounting a cup in the center thereof; a second cradle 121 formed by cutting a
portion of an upper part of the second plate 120 to be foldable and configured to
include a second fixture hole 121a for mounting a cup in the center thereof; and a
third holding piece 130 formed from the plate material 100 by a pair of incision lines
200 for simultaneously cutting lower parts of the first plate 110 and the second plate
120, wherein a movable piece is partially cut from at least one of the first and second
cradles 111 and 121 to be foldable, and the third holding piece 130 configured to
form a virtual hollow portion while being drawn out to an inner side where the first
and second plates 110 and 120 face each other when the first and second plates 110
and 120 are folded in a direction facing each other so that a cup can be mounted in
the hollow portion.
[0016] In addition, the movable piece may include a bent line by which an end thereof is
folded, insertion holes where the folded movable piece is inserted and fixed may be
formed to penetrate a lower part of at least one of the first and second plates, and,
when the end is inserted into and fixed to the insertion holes to support an outer
circumferential surface of a cup, the cup may be kept horizontal.
[0017] In addition, the cup carrier may be made of a plate material and may further include
a fixation means for maintaining a folded state of the first plate and the second
plate when the first plate and the second plate are folded to face each other.
[0018] In addition, the resource-saving, environmentally friendly adhesive-free cup carrier
may further include a variable means for varying a diameter of at least one of the
first fixture hole and the second fixture hole, wherein the variable means is formed
at at least one of the first cradle and the second cradle.
[0019] The resource-saving, environmentally friendly adhesive-free cup carrier may further
include a support piece for preventing the plate material from eccentrically inclining,
wherein the support piece is formed by cutting a portion of the plate material to
be pulled out from one side of the plate material and to be supported by the ground.
[Advantageous effects]
[0020] The present invention has the following effects.
[0021] First, since a third holding piece can be selectively drawn out in accordance with
the number of cups to be carried, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a surplus
space in which a cup is not accommodated, and the cup carrier can be appropriately
transformed and utilized in accordance with the number of cups to be carried.
[0022] Second, in manufacturing cup carriers, a bonding process and a separate assembly
process of forming the skeleton of a cup carrier can be omitted, thereby reducing
production costs and increasing production efficiency.
[0023] Third, since first and second cradles of the present invention are formed by folding
predetermined portions of a flat plate material, the volume of the cup carrier of
the present invention can be minimized during storage, thereby increasing the ease
of storage, and the cup carrier can be rapidly deployed, thereby allowing convenient
use.
[0024] Fourth, since cups can be respectively mounted in the first to third cradles, a plurality
of cups can be accommodated in one cup carrier.
[0025] Fifth, since a support piece can effectively support the weights of cups, the stability
of the cup carrier can be secured.
[0026] Sixth, since the diameter of a fixture hole can be variously adjusted to fit cups
having various sizes by a variable means, cups having various sizes can be accommodated
in the cup carrier.
[Description of Drawings]
[0027]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual view illustrating a beverage container carrier according to
an existing technology.
FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views illustrating use states of cup carriers of the
present invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates a deployment view of a cup carrier according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a use state of a cup carrier of the present
invention when a third holding piece is not used.
FIG. 6 is a conceptual view illustrating actions of first and second movable pieces.
FIG. 7 is a conceptual view illustrating an adjustment example of an angle formed
by an end of a first movable piece.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a use state of a cup carrier according to
another embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 9 illustrates a deployment view of the cup carrier shown in FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a use state of the cup carrier shown in
FIG. 8 when a third holding piece is not used.
FIGS. 11 and 12 are deployment views schematically illustrating various embodiments
of a plate material.
FIG. 13 is a conceptual view illustrating a billboard according to the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a conceptual view schematically illustrating a process of cutting plate
materials according to the present invention in a base plate.
FIG. 15 is a photograph illustrating an actual use state of a cup carrier according
to the present invention.
[Best mode]
[0028] The present invention will be described in detail by explaining exemplary embodiments
of the invention with reference to the attached drawings. The invention may, however,
be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to
the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this
disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the
invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the shapes of elements may
be exaggerated for clarity. It should be noted that like reference numerals in the
drawings denote like elements. A detailed description of known functions and configurations
incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present
invention unclear.
[0029] A cup carrier according to the present invention includes a plate-shaped plate material
100 folded in half by a central bending line 140 to be divided into a first plate
110 and a second plate 120; a first cradle 111 formed by cutting a portion of an upper
part of the first plate 110 to be foldable and configured to include a first fixture
hole 111a for mounting a cup in the center thereof; a second cradle 121 formed by
cutting a portion of an upper part of the second plate 120 to be foldable and configured
to include a second fixture hole 121a for mounting a cup in the center thereof; and
a third holding piece 130 formed from the plate material 100 by a pair of incision
lines 200 for simultaneously cutting lower parts of the first plate 110 and the second
plate 120, wherein a movable piece is partially cut from at least one of the first
and second cradles 111 and 121 to be foldable, and the third holding piece 130 configured
to form a virtual hollow portion while being drawn out to an inner side where the
first and second plates 110 and 120 face each other when the first and second plates
110 and 120 are folded in a direction facing each other so that a cup can be mounted
in the hollow portion.
[0030] More particularly, the plate material 100 is generally cut by means of a known punching
machine in a state in which a plurality of plate materials 100 is continuously arranged
on a substantially rectangular base plate B, as shown in FIG. 14. In particular, the
base plate B may be made of a variety of paper, such as recycled paper or corrugated
paper, or a synthetic resin material in various sizes. That is, a material of the
cup carrier may be determined according to a material of the base plate B. Preferably,
a plurality of plate materials 100 is formed on a whole paper-sized base plate B.
[0031] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the plate material 100 has a flat planar shape, and is
divided into the first plate 110 and the second plate 120 by the central bending line
140 that crosses the center of the plate material 100. Here, the first plate 110 and
the second plate 120 may be folded to face each other by the central bending line
140, or may maintain a state of being opened at a predetermined angle by the third
holding piece 130 to be described below.
[0032] In this embodiment, the first plate 110 and the second plate 120 are folded to face
each other when two cups are accommodated as shown in FIG. 5. When three cups are
to be accommodated, the third holding piece 130 is drawn out in a state in which the
first plate 110 and the second plate 120 are opened at a predetermined angle, so that
a cup can be accommodated in the third holding piece 130, as shown in FIGS. 2 and
3. The third holding piece 130 is described in detail below.
[0033] That is, since the plate material 100 is simply punched by means of a punching machine,
a bonding process or additional assembly process performed to manufacture existing
cup carriers may be omitted, so that the productivity of cup carriers can be improved
and production costs can be reduced.
[0034] Meanwhile, an outer shape of the plate material 100 may be at least one of a circle,
an oval and a polygon as shown in FIG. 12. In this embodiment, the plate material
100 implemented in a polygonal shape, more preferably in a rectangular shape, is described.
[0035] In addition, it is natural that the first and second cradles 111 and 121 and the
first and second fixture holes 111a and 121a may also be modified into various shapes,
similar to the shape of the plate material 100.
[0036] Prior to a detailed description of the first, second, and third cradles 111, 121,
and 130, an example of the first cradle 111 formed in the first plate 110 and an example
of the second cradle 121 formed in the second plate 12 are respectively described
in the following embodiment.
[0037] First, the first cradle 111 is operated to be foldable vertically with respect to
the first plate 110 by cutting a portion of an upper part of the first plate 110 along
a first perforated line 112 having a substantially '∩' shape. Here, the first cradle
111 is operated to be foldable by a first vertically bent line 113 connecting both
ends of the first perforated line 112.
[0038] When the first cradle 111 of the first plate 110 and the second cradle 121 of the
second plate 120 are respectively folded, a handle for holding the cup carrier is
naturally formed in upper parts of the first and second plates 110 and 120.
[0039] Since the configuration and operation of the second cradle 121 are the same as those
of the first cradle 111, a detailed description of the second cradle 121 is omitted.
Subsequently, the first fixture hole 111a for mounting a cup is formed in the first
cradle 111, and a movable piece is partially cut from the first cradle 111. When the
movable piece is folded, the first fixture hole 111a is naturally formed in the first
cradle 111.
[0040] Here, the movable piece may include a first movable piece 111b formed in the first
cradle 111; and a second movable piece 121b formed in the second cradle 121.
[0041] Since the first movable piece 111b is not completely cut and separated from the first
cradle 111, the first movable piece 111b is implemented to be folded downward from
the first cradle 111.
[0042] Meanwhile, the movable piece has a bent line by which an end thereof is folded. Insertion
holes where the folded movable piece is inserted and fixed are formed to penetrate
a lower part of at least one of the first and second plates 110 and 120. When the
end is inserted into and fixed to the insertion holes to support an outer circumferential
surface of a cup, the cup is kept horizontal.
[0043] More particularly, the bent line may include a first bent line 111c and a second
bent line 121c formed respectively at the first movable piece 111b and the second
movable piece 121b. The insertion holes include a first insertion hole 114 and a second
insertion hole 124 where folded ends of the first movable piece 111b and the second
movable piece 121b are respectively inserted and fixed.
[0044] When the first movable piece 111b of the first cradle 111 is folded downward to form
the first fixture hole 111a and an end of the first movable piece 111b is folded and
inserted into and fixed to the first insertion hole 114, the first movable piece 111b
is bent in a substantially 'C' shape.
[0045] When a cup is mounted in the first fixture hole 111a in this state, an outer circumferential
surface of the cup is supported by the first movable piece 111b so that the cup is
not eccentric. That is, the cup is leveled to ensure stable movement even if a lid
of the cup is not completely closed or a cup lid is not present.
[0046] Meanwhile, an angle (θ) formed by an end of the first movable piece 111b may be adjusted
such that cups having various gradients are supported by the first movable piece 111b,
as shown in FIG. 7.
[0047] For this, a plurality of first insertion holes 114 may be formed in a vertical direction.
When an end of the first movable piece 111b is inserted into and fixed to the plurality
of first insertion holes 114, an angle (θ) formed by the end of the first movable
piece 111b may be adjusted within a certain range.
[0048] Next, the third holding piece 130 is formed from the plate material 100 by a pair
of incision lines 200 for simultaneously cutting portions of lower parts of the first
plate 110 and the second plate 120 in a substantially horizontal direction.
[0049] More particularly, the plate material 100 includes the incision lines 200 for simultaneously
cutting portions of the first plate 110 and the second plate 120, wherein the incision
lines 200 are formed to be spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction. By
the incision lines 200, the third holding piece 130 is formed in the plate material
100. By operations of the first plate 110 and the second plate 120, the third holding
piece 130 is selectively drawn out from the plate material 100.
[0050] In other words, a virtual hollow portion is formed while the third holding piece
130 is drawn out to an inner side where the first and second plates 110 and 120 face
each other when the first and second plates 110 and 120 are folded in a direction
in which the first and second plates 110 and 120 face each other, and a cup may be
mounted in the hollow portion.
[0051] Here, the third holding piece 130 may be implemented in a substantial band shape
to grip an outer circumferential surface of a cup. When a cup having a gradient is
fitted into the virtual hollow portion, the cup may be naturally maintained in the
cup carrier while the third holding piece 130 grips the circumference of the cup.
[0052] In addition, when two or fewer cups are to be accommodated in the cup carrier, the
cups are only accommodated in the first and second cradles 111 and 121 in a state
in which the first plate 110 and the second plate 120 are folded to face each other.
That is, since the third holding piece 130 may be selectively used, the cup carrier
may be efficiently used.
[0053] Next, the cup carrier according to the present invention may further include a fixation
means 300 for maintaining a folded state of the first plate 110 and the second plate
120 when the first plate 110 and the second plate 120 are folded to face each other,
wherein the fixation means 300 is formed in the plate material 100.
[0054] Here, the fixation means 300 includes a fastening groove 310 and a fastening wing
320. The fastening groove 310 is formed on one side of the first plate 110 to penetrate
the first plate 110, and the fastening wing 320 is formed on the second plate 120.
The fastening wing 320 is formed at a portion corresponding to the fastening groove
310 when the first plate 110 and the second plate 120 are folded to face each other.
Here, the fastening wing 320 is formed by cutting a portion of the second plate 120
to be fitted into the fastening groove 310. When the fastening wing 320 is fitted
into the fastening groove 310 in a state in which the first plate 110 and the second
plate 120 are folded to be completely attached to each other, the first plate 110
and the second plate 120 may be maintained in a closely attached state to each other.
[0055] Meanwhile, the fastening groove 310 and the fastening wing 320 of the fixation means
300 are provided as only one embodiment, and thus the present invention is not limited
thereto. Various examples for fixing the first plate 110 and the second plate 120
to each other are possible. Hereinafter, another embodiment of the cup carrier according
to the present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The same or similar parts as the above embodiment are omitted so as to avoid repetition.
[0056] The cup carrier according to the embodiment further includes a variable means 400
for varying a diameter of at least one of the first fixture hole 111a and the second
fixture hole 121a, wherein the variable means 400 is formed at at least one of the
first cradle 111 and the second cradle 121.
[0057] That is, this embodiment does not include the first movable piece 111b and the second
movable piece 121b unlike the aforementioned embodiment. This embodiment is characterized
in that the first fixture hole 111a and the second fixture hole 121a are completely
perforated and the diameters thereof may be varied.
[0058] Meanwhile, an embodiment of the variable means 400 formed in the first cradle 111
is described in the present embodiment for convenience of explanation.
[0059] The variable means 400 may include perforated lines 410 and an adjustment piece 420.
By the perforated lines 410, the adjustment piece 420 may be selectively removed from
the first cradle 111. The perforated lines 410 refer to portions formed by making
cuts around the first fixture hole 111a using a sharp tool so as to easily remove
the adjustment piece 420 from the first cradle 111.
[0060] That is, the diameter of the first fixture hole 111a may be changed by removing the
adjustment piece 420 from the first cradle 111 according to the diameter of a cup
accommodated in the first fixture hole 111a. Accordingly, cups having various sizes
may be accommodated in the cup carrier.
[0061] Meanwhile, to expand the range of a virtual hollow portion formed in the third holding
piece 130, auxiliary perforated lines 600 may be further formed in the plate material
100. Here, the auxiliary perforated lines 600 are extended from one side of the incision
lines 200. The auxiliary perforated lines 600 are formed in the same shape as the
perforated lines 410, not as the incision lines 200 formed by completely cutting the
plate material 100. As needed, one side of the third holding piece 130 may be implemented
to be torn off from the first plate 110 to expand the virtual hollow portion. Accordingly,
the third holding piece 130 may also accommodate cups having various sizes as in the
first and second cradles 111 and 121.
[0062] Meanwhile, FIG. 11 illustrates a plate material 100 having a substantially circular
shape. In this case, the cup carrier may be eccentrically inclined when placed on
the ground. Here, the cup carrier of the present embodiment may further include a
support piece 500 for preventing the plate material 100 from eccentrically inclining,
wherein the support piece 500 is formed by cutting a portion of the plate material
100 to be pulled out from one side of the plate material 100 and to be supported by
the ground.
[0063] When the cup carrier is placed on the ground, the cup carrier may be prevented from
being eccentrically inclined by pulling out and folding the support piece 50 to contact
the ground, thereby securing the stability of the cup carrier.
[0064] In addition, the cup carrier according to the present invention may further include
a billboard 700 as shown in FIG. 13. Here, the billboard 700 is a portion wherein
a logo or phrase to be publicized may be printed, and may be formed on at least one
of the first plate 110 and the second plate 120. In the present embodiment, the billboard
700 is illustrated as being formed on both the first plate 110 and the second plate
120. For convenience of description, only the billboard 700 formed on the first plate
110 is described.
[0065] More particularly, the billboard 700 is disposed inside the first fixture hole 111a
and is configured to be connected to the first plate 110, whereby the billboard 700
is not folded with the first cradle 111 even when the first cradle 111 is folded from
the first plate 110.
[0066] In addition, at least one of the first cradle 111 and the second cradle 121 may be
perforated to have a straw fixation hole H where a straw is inserted and mounted.
Although not shown, a cup carrier wherein the first movable piece 111b is formed in
the first cradle 111 and the variable means 400 is applied to the second cradle 121
may be implemented.
[0067] While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference
to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill
in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention
should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein.
Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention should be
defined by the technical spirit of the appended claims. In addition, it is to be understood
that the invention includes all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling
within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Description of Symbols
[0068]
- 100:
- plate material
- 110:
- first plate
- 111:
- first cradle
- 111a:
- first fixture hole
- 112:
- second perforated line
- 120:
- second plate
- 121:
- second cradle
- 121a:
- second fixture hole
- 122:
- second perforated line
- 130:
- third holding piece
- 140:
- central bending line
- 200:
- incision line
- 300:
- fixation means
- 400:
- variable means
- 500:
- support piece
- 600:
- auxiliary perforated lines
- 700:
- billboard
- B:
- base plate
- H:
- straw fixation hole