MODULE FOR STORING DISPOSABLE CUPS

Abstract

 It comprises a support structure (3) that includes substantially vertical containers (6) and an upper base (4) with through holes (5) that open into the containers (6); wherein the containers (6) are configured for the empty cups (2), which are stacked successively, one fitting inside the other, to be introduced. The support structure allows the stacking of the cups in a clean and orderly manner, achieving volume savings of up to 80%. In addition, the module of the invention includes a system for emptying the cups of the leftover liquid and ice before their storage by means of stacking.

Description

Object of the invention

[0001] This invention refers to a module for the storage of disposable cups comprising a structure that allows the stacking of the cups in a clean and orderly manner, achieving volume savings of up to 80%. Furthermore, the module of the invention includes a system that enables the cups to be emptied of leftover liquid and ice prior to storage by stacking.

Technical problem to be solved and background of the invention

[0002] Currently, in fast-food restaurants, large volumes of waste are generated, including disposable cups, so that after using said cups, they are thrown away in bags. Furthermore, these cups often contain leftover liquid and ice, take up a large volume and are a source of dirt, as the liquids end up accumulating at the bottom of the bags and these liquids can drip out thereof.

[0003] Therefore, there are currently no known systems for storing or depositing disposable cups in a clean and orderly manner.

Description of the invention

[0004] In order to achieve the objectives and avoid the inconveniences mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, the invention proposes a module for the storage of disposable cups comprising a support structure that includes substantially vertical containers and an upper base with through holes that open into the containers; wherein the containers are configured for the empty cups, which are stacked successively, one fitting inside the other, to be introduced inside them.

[0005] In one embodiment of the invention, the containers are detachably coupled to said support structure in order to be able to manipulate them for assembly and disassembly when it comes to emptying them once they have been filled with cups, while in another embodiment of the invention, said containers form an integral part of the support structure.

[0006] The upper base of the support structure includes a tray with an outlet hole configured to drain the leftover liquid and/or ice contained in the cups after the user has drunk the beverage contained in the respective cup.

[0007] In a first embodiment of the invention, the outlet hole opens into a reservoir; and in a second embodiment of the invention, the outlet hole connects to a conduit that opens into a drainage network.

[0008] The support structure includes an interior space wherein the containers, and also the reservoir, are located.

[0009] The support structure includes a first side door as a means of access to the containers and a second side door as a means of access to the reservoir that collects the liquids spilled on the tray.

[0010] Below, to facilitate a better understanding of this descriptive report and forming an integral part of the same, a series of figures are attached which, by way of illustration and in a nonlimiting way, represent the object of the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

[0011] 

Figure 1.- Shows a perspective view of the module for storing disposable cups, which is the object of the invention.

Figure 2.- Shows another perspective view of the module of the invention associated with a litter bin unit for collecting solid waste.

Detailed description of a practical embodiment of the invention

[0012] Considering the numbering adopted in the drawings, the module 1 for the storage of disposable cups 2 comprises a support structure 3, which includes an upper base 4 with through holes 5 that open into substantially vertical containers 6.

[0013] In one embodiment of the invention, the containers 6 are detachably coupled to said support structure 3, while being configured for empty cups to be introduced into them after use; while in another embodiment of the invention, the containers 6 form an integral part of the support structure 3, wherein, in this case, the containers 6 are delimited between parallel vertical partitions joined to the upper base 4 and a lower base which serves as the bottom of the base structure 3.

[0014] Thus, as the empty cups 2 are introduced into each of the containers 6, said cups 2 fall downwards by gravity, stacking one on top of the other, at the same time, successively fitting one inside the other, thus making very effective use of the space in the containers 6.

[0015] Obviously, the passage section of the containers 6 is adjusted to the brim of the cups 2 with a slight clearance.

[0016] The upper base 4 of the support structure 3 also includes a tray 7 with an outlet hole 8 to enable the collection of leftover liquid and/or ice in the cups 2 after the user has drunk the beverage contained in the respective cup, so that the user pours the leftover beverage and ice contained in the cup onto the tray 7, before introducing said cup into the respective container 6.

[0017] In one embodiment of the invention, the outlet hole 8 opens into a reservoir 9, while in another embodiment of the invention, the outlet hole 8 opens into a conduit that opens into a drainage network not shown in the drawings. Said reservoir 9 can have a capacity of at least 300 litres.

[0018] In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the support structure 3 of the module 1 of the invention includes an interior space housing both the containers 6 and the reservoir 9.

[0019] Said support structure 3 includes a first side door 10 as a means of access to the interior space of said support structure 3 in order to be able to manipulate the containers in order to disassemble them and empty them when they are filled with cups 2 and to reassemble them inside said support structure 3.

[0020] The support structure includes a second side door 11 to access the reservoir 9 so that it can be removed for emptying and reintroduced.

[0021] The module of the invention can be installed independently and can also be associated with a litter bin unit 12 that houses, in an interior space, an additional solid waste container 13; wherein said litter bin unit 12 includes a third side door 14 that gives access to the interior space wherein said additional solid waste container 13 is housed.

[0022] In the event that the module 1 is associated with the litter bin unit 12, 1 and 12 will fit together complementarily to form a compact unit.

[0023] With the module 1 of the invention, as well as with the combination of said module 1 associated with the litter bin unit 12, improvements are achieved in terms of the volume of waste generated, and the fact that it substantially facilitates the recycling of the cups 2, favours cleaning and saves time for cleaning staff and also users.

[0024] The module of the invention is capable of storing at least 1000 empty cups stacked in the containers 6.

Claims

1. Module for the storage of disposable cups, characterised in that it comprises a support structure (3) that includes substantially vertical containers (6) and an upper base (4) with through holes (5) that open into the containers (6); wherein the containers (6) are configured for the empty cups (2), which are stacked successively, one fitting inside the other, to be introduced inside them.

2. Module for the storage of disposable cups, according to claim 1, characterised in that the upper base (4) of the support structure (3) includes a tray (7) with an outlet hole (8) configured to drain the leftover liquid and/or ice contained in the cups (2).

3. Module for the storage of disposable cups, according to claim 2, characterised in that the outlet hole (8) opens into a reservoir (9).

4. Module for the storage of disposable cups, according to claim 2, characterised in that the outlet hole (8) connects to a conduit that opens into a drainage network.

5. Module for the storage of disposable cups, according to claim 3, characterised in that the support structure (3) includes an interior space wherein the containers (6) and the reservoir (9) are located.

6. Module for the storage of disposable cups, according to claim 5, characterised in that the support structure (3) includes a first side door (10) as a means to access the containers (6).

7. Module for the storage of disposable cups, according to claim 6, characterised in that the support structure (3) includes a second side door (11) as a means to access the reservoir (9).

8. Module for the storage of disposable cups, according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the containers (6) are detachably coupled to said support structure (3).

9. Module for the storage of disposable cups, according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the containers (6) form part of the support structure (3).

Drawing