GB2289455A

GB2289455A - Device for locating articles relative to one another

Info

Publication number: GB2289455A
Application number: GB9510055A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan David Burch
Original assignee: STRANGEWAYS ASSOCIATES Ltd
Current assignee: STRANGEWAYS ASSOCIATES Ltd
Priority date: 1994-05-18
Filing date: 1995-05-18
Publication date: 1995-11-22
Also published as: GB2289456B; GB2289456A; GB9510059D0; GB9409873D0; GB9510055D0

Abstract

A device for locating articles, especially frangible articles such as a drinking glass 3 and bottle neck 2, relative to one another comprises a cup-like member 18 and at least one annular member 180 and 19. The cup-like member and annular members fit on one article, such as the bottle neck, while the second article rests on the cup-like member and locates about the annular members to give a gripping push-on fit. The device may be of resilient material to cushion the second article and prevent breakage. The cup-like member may be provided with a hollow boss 188 and the annular members may be integral with the cup-like member such as flange 180 or a separate ring such as 19. The ring 19 may be recessed to receive the rim of the second article (see fig 7) and it may also be formed with and about the flange 180 and parted therefrom prior to use. Reinforcements between the flange 180 and cup-like member 18 may be provided in the form of buttresses (see 189 fig 5). <IMAGE>

Description

Title - Device for locating articles relative to one another This invention relates to a locating device whereby a convenient and effective combination of two or more articles especially frangible articles can be provided especially, but not exclusively, for marketing or similar purposes.

As hereinafter referred to a location device in accordance with this invention has wide practical application in various fields of use and has particular application to a combination of a receptacle such as a drinking glass and a container such as a bottle e.g. of beer, wine or a spirit or the like so that they can be sold together or similarly provided ready for use.

Thus the device enables a receptacle and container to be removably fitted together for convenient use and, particularly in the case of a drinking glass and bottle, whereby the glass is protected against breakage or damage e.g. during handling or stacking of cases or crates containing such glass/bottle combinations. Practical advantages in these and other respects will be apparent from the following description.

According to the invention a device for locating articles, especially frangible articles, relative to one another in which the device comprises a cup-like member and at least one substantially annular member for fitting respectively at two or more spaced apart positions on one article wherein, in use, the cup-like member locates on said article, such as the top and neck of a bottle, with the annular member further locating about said article, such as the bottle top and/or neck; and wherein a second article, such as a receptacle or drinking glass, can be fitted about the locating device so as to rest against the cup-like member and locate about the annular member.

Further in accordance with the invention the device is of resilient material and/or formation whereby the second article, such as a receptacle or drinking glass, can be removably held in a spaced and cushioned manner in relation to said first-mentioned article, such as a bottle neck.

Practical examples of the locating device as applied or applicable to a glass/bottle combination are shown in the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 are respectively perspective and cross sectional views and 2 of one form of the location device; Figures 3 are respectively perspective and cross sectional views and 4 showing a developed form of the device, and Figures 5~are respectively perspective views and a cross to 7 sectional view showing further development of the device.

Like parts are referred to by the same or similar reference numerals throughout the drawings, whilst other practical applications of the invention are referred to later.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 the locating device 1 takes the form of a cup-like member 18 which fits over the top 20 of a bottle neck 2 or over a cap or stopper thereon. The locating cup 18 has an outwardly extending annular flange 180 about which the inner wall of a drinking glass 3 fits for resilient support in edge contact with the flange 180. A hollow boss 188 at the top of the cup 18 also spaces and cushions the interior bottom 30 of the glass 3 from the bottle neck top 20.

As will be seen in Figure 2 and also in Figures 4 to 7, the inverted glass 3 is entirely spaced and cushioned from the bottle neck 2 so that in the event of shock or impact the glass 3 is prevented from contact with the bottle neck 2 which otherwise might result in breakage or cracking of the glass.

The external form and resilience of the device 1 is preferably such that the glass 3 has a gripping push-on fit about it so that the glass is firmly held in place on top of the bottle yet can be readily removed when required for use. The device 1 also enables a glass 3 to be effectively provided which is a preferred and more hygienic means of consuming drinks as compared with a plastic receptacle such as a screw cap.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4 the cup 18 is employed in conjunction with a separate flat locating ring 19 which fits about a lower part of the bottle neck 2 and bears at its peripheral edge against the inner wall of the glass 3 near the rim 33 of the latter. The ring 19 may be initially formed with and about the cup flange 180 and subsequently parted therefrom prior to use.

In further variations shown in Figures 5 to 7 reinforcement buttresses 189 are provided between the locating cup 18 and its flange 180 whilst the separate locating ring 19 is annularly recessed at 190 to receive the rim 33 of the glass 3 (Figures 6 and 7), and is internally flanged at 199 to bear against the bottle neck 2. The ring 19 is shown inverted in Figure 6, i.e.

as initially formed with the flange 180. If desired and alternatively the flange 180 can be annularly recessed to receive the rim 33 with appropriate axial length of the cup 18.

As will be evident from the drawings the device 1 is suitable for parallel sided glasses 3 (Figure 2) or tapered glasses (Figures 3, 4 and 7).

The device 1 can be advantageously produced in suitable plastics material especially by vacuum forming and particularly as a unitary assembly with the detachable ring 19. However other material may be employed such as papier mache.

In every case firm removable mounting of a glass 3 in a protectively cushioned manner on a bottle is provided whilst the mounted glass and bottle provides an attractive and appealing combination. The locating device l can also be very inexpensively produced as a throwaway item after use.

In the case of receptacles and containers for potable liquids and for various other purposes, the receptacles and containers may be made of any suitable material such as metal or ceramic or plastic materials.

In the wider practical application of the invention it may be applied to the combination of two or more packages or the like of food, e.g. in a complementary manner for point of sale display. Further application may be to household items generally such as detergents and other cleaning materials.

In still further practical application the invention can be applied to the provision and display of industrial components such as to accessories or spare parts again in a complementary manner and with or for various other articles which may, for example, be power or other tools.

As will be appreciated very many instances of use of the invention are possible in numerous ways.

In the described embodiment, the flange 180 is illustrated as a complete annulus. The flange can also be in the form of an interrupted annulus. Additionally the outer periphery of the flange can be profiled for example by the provision of a scalloped or serrated edge to facilitate the placement of a glass.

Claims

1A device for locating articles, especially frangible articles, relative to one another in which the device comprises a cup-like member and at least one substantially annular member for fitting respectively at two or more spaced apart positions on one article wherein, in use, the cup-like member locates on said article, such as the top and neck of a bottle, with the annular member further locating about said article, such as the bottle top and/or neck; and wherein a second article, such as a receptacle or drinking glass, can be fitted about the locating device so as to rest against the cup-like member and locate about the annular member.

2 A device for locating articles relative to one another and according to claim 1 wherein the device is of resilient material and/or formation whereby the second article, such as a receptacle or drinking glass, can be removably held in a spaced and cushioned manner in relation to said first mentioned article, such as a bottle neck.

3 A device for locating articles relative to one another and according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the external form and/or resilience of the devices such that it receives the second article, such as a receptacle to drinking glass, with a griping push-on fit.

4 A device for locating articles relative to one another and according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the substantially annular member consists of a flange extending outwardly from the cup-like member.

5 A device for locating articles relative to one another and according to claim 4 wherein reinforcement, such as buttress formation, is provided between the cup-like member and the flange.

6 A device for locating articles relative to one another and according to any of the preceding claims wherein the closed end of the cup-like member is provided with a raised formation, such as a hollow boss, against which an interior bottom part of the second article rests, such as that of a receptacle or drinking glass, in order to space and cushion said interior bottom part from the first-mentioned article, such as a bottle top.

7 A device for locating articles relative to another and according to any of the preceding claims wherein a further substantially annular member or ring separate, or separable froma the cup-like member is provided for location about the first mentioned article, such as a bottle neck, and for receiving located about or by it the second article, such as a receptacle or drinking glass.

8 A device for locating articles relative to one another and according to any of the preceding claims wherein the substantially annular member or flange or further such member or ring is recessed for locating engagement by the second article, such as by the rim of a receptacle or drinking glass.

9 A device for locating articles, especially frangible articles, such as a drinking glass and bottle, relative to one another when substantially as herein described with reference to any of the several embodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawings.