Connector

Abstract

A connector connects two containers to each other, each of the two containers being configured to house a plate on which a food or a drink is placed and being conveyed on a conveying path. The connector includes: a pair of attachment portions each of which is attached to a respective one of the two containers; and a connecting portion that is configured to connect the attachment portions to each other. The connecting portion has a length so that a display member that presents a display visible to a customer is attached to the connecting portion.

1 . A connector that connects two containers to each other, each of the two containers being configured to house a plate on which a food or a drink is placed and being conveyed on a conveying path of a conveying device that circulates in a restaurant, the connector comprising:
 a pair of attachment portions each of which is attached to a respective one of the two containers, the pair of attachment portions being conveyed by the conveying device together with the two containers;   a connecting portion that is configured to connect the attachment portions to each other; and   a display member that is separately formed with the connecting portion and attached to the connecting portion, the display member being configured to present a notification visible to a customer,   wherein the connecting portion has a length between the two containers for the display member.   
     
     
         2 . The connector according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the display member has a lower end linearly extending, and   the connecting portion has the length between the two containers so that the lower end of the display member is placed on the connecting portion.   
     
     
         3 . The connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting portion has a rigidity to keep a constant distance between the two containers. 
     
     
         4 . The connector according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of the two containers has a base that is placed on the conveying path, and   each of the attachment portions includes a support portion that is configured to support the base.   
     
     
         5 . The connector according to  claim 4 , wherein the support portion includes an anti-rotation portion that is configured to restrict the support portion from rotating relative to the base. 
     
     
         6 . The connector according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of the two containers has a cylindrical base that is placed on the conveying path, and   each of the attachment portions is formed in an annular shape to be attached to an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical base.   
     
     
         7 . The connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting portion is fixed to the two containers at a constant angle relative to each of the two containers. 
     
     
         8 . The connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting portion is detachably fixed to the attachment portions. 
     
     
         9 . The connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting portion includes a display member attachment portion to which the display member is attached. 
     
     
         10 . The connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting portion is configured to have a meaning shape. 
     
     
         11 . The connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting portion is configured to have a character design. 
     
     
         12 . The connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting portion is configured to be separable into two parts. 
     
     
         13 . The connector according to  claim 12 , wherein:
 each of the two parts is formed in a shape of a hand, and   the connecting portion has a shape of a handshake when the two parts are connected to each other.   
     
     
         14 . A system comprising:
 the conveying device in the restaurant; and   the two containers connected by the connector according to  claim 1 .   
     
     
         15 . A connector that connects a pair of bases to each other, the pair of bases being conveyed on a conveying path of a conveying device that circulates in a restaurant, the connector comprising:
 a pair of attachment portions each of which is attached to a respective one of the pair of bases, the pair of attachment portions being conveyed by the conveying device together with the pair of bases;   a connecting portion that is configured to connect the attachment portions to each other; and   a display member that is separately formed with the connecting portion and attached to the connecting portion, the display member being configured to present a notification visible to a customer,   wherein the connecting portion has a length between the pair of bases for the display member.   
     
     
         16 . A system comprising:
 the conveying device in the restaurant; and   the pair of bases connected by the connector according to claim  15 .