EP2769651A1

EP2769651A1 - Support for maintaining the temperature of cold beverages in glasses and the like

Info

Publication number: EP2769651A1
Application number: EP12787753.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Fernando Navas Martin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-10-19
Filing date: 2012-09-25
Publication date: 2014-08-27
Also published as: WO2013057341A1; ES2369305A1; AR088168A1; ES2369305B2

Abstract

Support for maintaining the temperature of cold beverages in glasses and the like comprising a container (1) and a support assembly, where the container has some side walls (1.1) that define a concavity similar to that of a glass, and these side walls (1.1) define an inner chamber in which a coolant (2) is housed, has a vertical longitudinal groove (1.5) that connects a hole (1.4) of base (1.2) of the container with the upper rim of the side walls of the container, while the support assembly consists of a support base (6) and an arm (5) which at its lower end is connected to base (6) and at its upper end is connected to container (1), directly or through a support assembly (7) of container (1).

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention, as disclosed by the title of the invention, a support for maintaining the temperature of cold beverages, which is also used to support glasses and the like, where the element that maintains the temperature of beverages comprises a container that performs the functions of keeping cool the temperature of the drink in the glass, and supporting the glass, performing both functions simultaneously.
The present invention characterizes the special construction features that allow maintaining the temperature of the liquid contained in the glasses and the like, as well as supporting the glasses, being able to subsequently remove the glasses from the support to be able to drink directly from them.
Therefore, the present invention lies within the field of the means of maintaining temperature of containers, and in particular of those such as glasses and/or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the state of the art different coolers of containers of liquid are known which we briefly describe next.
Utility model ES 195010U describes a device for cooling liquids or the like, which consist of a closed bag inside which houses a liquid, as for example water, previously frozen, and which is suspended from the rim of a glass by means of an additional part to keep the bag closed on the inside of the glass, transmitting the cold to the liquid in the glass by contact.
Utility model ES 1031268U describes a jar container for cooling the beverages contained therein.
Utility model ES 1031313U describes a glass for cooling beverages that has two watertight compartments, with no communication to each other.
Utility model ES 1037959U describes a container for cooling liquids comprising a lower cavity containing the liquid to be cooled, the container presenting a lid.
Utility model ES 1038150U describes a glass for cooling liquids, defined by two cavities with no communication to each other.
Utility model ES 1066625U describes a multiple ice-tray for soft drinks and beverages.
Utility model ES 1070527U describes a protective glass-container for conservation of temperature of beverages.
In general, in the systems described it is necessary to pour the liquid on the inside of the glass or cooling container, so it is necessary to drink from the cooling glass, or to pour again the liquid into a glass, leaving no means to maintain a cooled temperature.
In none of the cases described are both maintaining the temperature of the liquid content of the container such as a glass or the like, and the possibility of removing the glass from the cooler to be able to drink from the glass once cooled achieved.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to develop an assembly that will allow the dual functionality of using it as a means for keeping the temperature of the beverages contained in containers by way of glass and the like, as well as using it for supporting them, allowing to remove the glass from the cooler support to be able to drink directly from it, by developing a glass cooler support assembly like the one that follows and contained in its essence in the first claim.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The support assembly object of invention comprises, on the one hand a support and on the other hand a container that is used to maintain the cold temperature of the beverage in the glass or the like, both being connected by means of some means of connection.
The support object of invention comprises a base, which is used as a support directly on the surface on which to be supported, and an arm, connected at its lower end to the base while at its upper end it has some means of connection to the container.
The container for keeping the temperature of beverages in containers, such as a glass, consists of a body of approximately truncated-conical shape, which has an opening at its lower base and a vertical groove that connects the upper rim of the container with the lower base, leaving the lower opening and the vertical groove connected, thereby allowing the insertion and removal of a glass in the space defined on the inside of the container.
The means of connection of the upper end of the arm with the container can be direct means such adhesion or insertion of the upper end of the arm into the container, or by means of the provision of a support on which to support the container that is used to maintain the cold temperature of the beverage. Preferably, this support would comprise two rings, an upper one and a lower one, connected by a connection section, both rings presenting some front openings, so the vertical groove in the container would be arranged in a manner aligned with the front openings.
In another embodiment, the support of the container might consist of a single part, also presenting a front opening, so that the vertical groove of the container is arranged in a manner aligned with the front opening of the supporting part of the container.
The container is made of any type of material, either plastic, methacrylate, metal, etc., i.e., of any material appropriate for the purpose of maintaining the temperature of beverages contained in containers.
The container, at its base and side walls, houses on its inside a coolant, which is responsible for retaining a low temperature to transmit it to the container containing the beverage.
The size and dimensions of the container shall be such that to allow housing on its inside a glass or the like and with a geometry that allows for the internal wall of the container to come into contact with the glass, and also allow to easily remove the glass to be able to drink its content directly from the same.
Preferably, the height of the container shall be such that to allow emerging part of the glass above the upper end of the side walls of the container.
The function of the described constructive features of the container are, on one side that of the centre hole of the base of the container, which is used to support the glass, while the longitudinal vertical groove allows housing on the inside of the container the concave part of the glass, the introduction of the foot of the glass taking place through the vertical longitudinal groove, so the width of the groove must be greater than the width of the foot of the glass.
As from the lower part of the container the foot of the glass placed on its inside emerges, as not being connected the container and the glass and the fall of the container being probable, it is necessary to support it, for which the container has a support for the latter, which is basically a flat surface that is connected by an arm to the container. In this way the container that keeps the temperature cold stays high with respect to the support surface, allowing the foot and the base of the glass to fit in this space, without the base coming into contact with the surface.
Thanks to the described constructive features a container that is supported and which in turn supports the glass is obtained, not being the base of the glass the one that is used as a supporting means for both. The beverages contained in a glass are kept cold without having to directly come into contact with the container, even being possible to remove and drink directly from the glass.

EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES

As a complement to the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the features of the invention, in accordance with a preferred example of practical realization of the same, as an integral part of said description, a set of drawings is attached where in a illustrative and no limiting manner, the following has been represented.

Figure 1 shows a possible embodiment of the support object of the invention.
Figure 2 shows the top view of the previous support, where some constructive details can be seen.
In Figure 3, the plan, elevation and side views of another possible embodiment of the support object of the invention have been represented.
Figure 4 shows the representation in perspective of the previous embodiment of the support.
Figure 5 shows the plan, elevation and side views of the container that keeps the cold temperature of beverages.
In Figure 6, the container shown in Figure 5 has been represented in perspective.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of the figures, a preferred embodiment of the proposed invention is next described.
Figure 1 shows a possible embodiment of the invention comprising a support and a container both connected by means of some means of connection.
Container (1) presents a general shape similar to that of the container of liquids defined in a glass, comprising a base (1.2) where there is made a hole (1.4), preferably arranged in a centred manner. It also has at its side walls (1.1) a vertical longitudinal groove (1.5) that connects hole (1.4) of base (1.2) of the container with the upper rim of the side walls of the container.
In addition, and in order to be able to support container (1), the support of the assembly comprises a support base (6), connected to an arm (5) to container (1). Arm (5) is connected at its lower end (5.1) to support base (6) while the upper end of arm (5) is connected to container (1) by means of some means of connection, which in the represented case might be means of gluing or insertion.
The way container (1) supports glass (4) is through the contact of the container of the glass over hole (1.4) of the base of the container, and the way the glass is housed on the inside of the container is through vertical longitudinal groove (1.5), entering there through the foot of glass (7), so the width of vertical longitudinal groove (1.5) will be greater than the width of the foot of glass (7).
In Figure 2, the above elements are represented in a top view, where the presence of a horizontal channel (1.6) that makes the connection of vertical longitudinal groove (1.5) by its lower end with hole (1.4) of base (1.2) of container (1) should be noted. A cooling agent (2) housed on the inside of container (1) has also been referenced.
Figure 3 shows a complementary embodiment of the object of the invention in which the linkage or connection of the upper end of arm (5) with container (1), instead of being made through a direct connection by gluing or insertion in the container, is made via an indirect connection through a support assembly (7) mounted on the upper end of arm (5), and upon which container (1) is housed and supported.
Support assembly (7) of the container, in a first embodiment, comprises:

An upper ring (7.1) of walls inclined according to the concavity defined by container (1), this upper ring (7.1) presenting a front opening (7.3).
A lower ring (7.2) of walls inclined according to the concavity defined by container (1), and which presents a front opening (7.4).
A connection section (7.6) that connects both rings lower (7.2) and upper (7.1).

In addition, and in a complementary manner, on connection section (7.6) a lowerly open curved protrusion (7.7) can be defined to hold the support assembly.
On the other hand, as shown in figures 5 and 6, and in order to ensure a proper arrangement of container (1) on support (7), in one of the two rings, in the case represented is shown on the lower ring, there are made some recesses (7.5) diametrically opposed, and in which some protrusions (1.7) diametrically opposed arranged on the walls of container (1) would be housed, so that vertical groove (1.5) of container (1) is aligned with front openings (7.3) and (7.4) of upper (7.1) and lower (7.2) support rings.
In a second embodiment, support (7) of container (1) consist of a single body of walls inclined according to the concavity defined by container (1), said support (7) presenting a front opening. In order to ensure the proper arrangement of container (1) on this support (7), on the inside surface of its inclined walls it would also have some recesses (7.5) diametrically opposed and in which protrusions (1.7) arranged on the walls of container (1) would be housed, all that to ensure that vertical groove (1.5) of container (1) is aligned with the front opening of support (7).
Also, as in the previous case, and in a complementary manner, on the outside wall of support (7) of the container a lowerly open curved protrusion (7.7) can be defined to hold the support assembly.
In a complementary manner, container (1) presents some perimeter protrusions (1.8) outwardly arranged so when arranged on support (7) of the container, said protrusions (1.8) stay just below upper ring (7.1), avoiding the container being lifted during the use of the support object of invention.
Finally, it is noted that container (1) has a hole (3) of access to the inside of the inner chamber defined by container (1) and allowing the filling of the container with coolant (2).
Sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as how to put it into practice, it is noted that within its essence, it may be brought into practice in other embodiments that differ in detail with respect to the one described by way of example, and which will also reach the protection that is sought, provided that it does not alter, change or modify its fundamental principle.

Claims

Support for maintaining the temperature of cold beverages in glasses and the like characterised in that it comprises:
- a container (1) that has some side walls (1.1) that define a concavity similar to that of a glass, where side walls (1.1) define an inner chamber in which to house a coolant (2), in addition container (1) presents a base (1.2) where there is a hole (1.4), also on side walls (1.1) it is provided with a vertical longitudinal groove (1.5) that connects hole (1.4) of base (1.2) of the container with the upper rim of the side walls of the container,

- a support assembly consisting of a support base (6) and an arm (5) which at its lower end is connected to base (6) and at its upper end is connected to container (1).
Support for maintaining the temperature of cold beverages in glasses and the like according to claim 1, characterised in that the connection of the upper end of arm (5) with container (1) is direct by gluing.
Support for maintaining the temperature of cold beverages in glasses and the like according to claim 1, characterised in that the connection of the upper end of arm (5) with container (1) is direct by insertion.
Support for maintaining the temperature of cold beverages in glasses and the like according to claim 1, characterised in that the connection of the upper end of arm (5) with container (1) is indirect through a support assembly (7).
Support for maintaining the temperature of cold beverages in glasses and the like according to claim 4, characterised in that support (7) includes:
- An upper ring (7.1) of walls inclined according to the concavity defined by container (1), upper ring (7.1) presenting a front opening (7.3).

- A lower ring (7.2) of walls inclined according to the defined concavity by container (1), and which has a front opening (7.4).

- A connection section (7.6) that connects both rings lower (7.2) and upper (7.1).
Support for maintaining the temperature of cold beverages in glasses and the like according to claim 5 characterised in that on connection section (7.6) a lowerly open curved protrusion (7.7) is defined to hold the support assembly.
Support for maintaining the temperature of cold beverages in glasses and the like according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that in one of the two rings, there are made some recesses (7.5) diametrically opposed, and in which some protrusions (1.7) diametrically opposed arranged on the walls of container (1) would be housed, so that vertical groove (1.5) is aligned with front openings (7.3) and (7.4) of upper (7.1) and lower (7.2) support rings.
Support for maintaining the temperature of cold beverages in glasses and the like, according to claim 1, characterised in that container (1) on its base (1.2) has a horizontal channel (1.6) which performs the connection of vertical longitudinal groove (1.5) by its lower end with hole (1.4) of base (1.2) of container (1).
Support for maintaining the temperature of cold beverages in glasses and the like according to claim 4, characterised in that support (7) consists of a single body of walls inclined according to the concavity defined by container (1).
Support for maintaining the temperature of cold beverages in glasses and the like according to claim 9, characterised in that in the inside surface of the inclined walls of support (7) there are made some recesses (7.5) diametrically opposed and in which protrusions (1.7) arranged on the walls of container (1) would be housed, all that to ensure that vertical groove (1.5) of container (1) is aligned with the front opening of support (7).
Support for maintaining the temperature of cold beverages in glasses and the like according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that on the outside wall of support (7) there is defined a lowerly open curved protrusion (7.7) to hold the support assembly.
Support for maintaining the temperature of cold beverages in glasses and the like, according to claim 1 or 7, characterised in that the container has a closed hole (3) by a sealing cap through which a coolant (2) is introduced.
Support for maintaining the temperature of cold beverages in glasses and the like according to claim 1, characterised in that container (1) has some outer perimeter protrusions (1.8).