U.S. patent application number 10/647763 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-07 for food and beverage tray.
Invention is credited to Smith, Dwight J..
Application Number | 20040195144 10/647763 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33101321 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040195144 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smith, Dwight J. |
October 7, 2004 |
Food and beverage tray
Abstract
A disposable food and beverage tray that is easily portable,
allows quick and convenient loading, easy access to all food and
beverage items, prevents contamination of food from a beverage, and
serves as an advertising and promotional vehicle is disclosed.
Various embodiments of the present invention allow the attachment
of a harness to assist in carrying the food and beverage tray.
Other embodiments of the present invention allow the present
invention to be used in a motor vehicle. The food and beverage tray
has a first side panel, a second side panel, a bottom panel, and a
top panel. The top panel has beverage container openings and food
item openings. Substantially vertical support members, such as
flaps, are used to secure the tray in a substantially rectangular
shape and separate the beverage openings and food item openings.
When the flaps are disengaged, the tray is collapsible.
Inventors: |
Smith, Dwight J.; (Palatine,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Law Office of Marc D. Machtinger, Ltd.
Mr. Marc D. Machtinger, Esq.
Suite 350
750 W. Lake Cook Road
Buffalo Grove
IL
60089-2073
US
|
Family ID: |
33101321 |
Appl. No.: |
10/647763 |
Filed: |
August 25, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60459213 |
Apr 1, 2003 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/565 ;
206/562; 229/904 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 71/72 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/565 ;
206/562; 229/904 |
International
Class: |
B65D 005/42 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A food and beverage tray comprising: a first side panel, a
second side panel, a bottom panel, and a top panel, each of said
panels being foldably connected to one another, wherein said top
panel has at least one opening for holding a beverage container,
wherein said top panel has at least one opening for holding one or
more food items, and at least one substantially vertical support
member to connect said top panel and said bottom panel and separate
said one or more food items from said beverage container.
2. The food and beverage tray according to claim 1, wherein said
tray is constructed from an eflute cardboard material.
3. The food and beverage tray according to claim 1, wherein said at
least one substantially vertical support member secures said tray
in a substantially rectangular shape.
4. The food and beverage tray according to claim 1, wherein said at
least one vertical support member is a flap foldably connected to
said top panel.
5. The food and beverage tray according to claim 4, wherein said
flap has an engaging means for connecting said flap to said bottom
panel.
6. The food and beverage tray according to claim 5, wherein said
engaging means is a tab and said bottom panel has a slot to receive
said tab.
7. The food and beverage tray according to claim 1, wherein said at
least one opening for holding a beverage container is substantially
circular.
8. The food and beverage tray according to claim 7, wherein said at
least one substantially circular opening for holding a beverage
container has starburst cuts in said top panel around said
opening.
9. The food and beverage tray according to claim 1, wherein at
least one portion of said tray is removable.
10. The food and beverage tray according to claim 9, wherein said
at least one removable portion is located on said bottom panel.
11 The food and beverage tray according to claim 9, wherein said at
least one removable portion is located on said top panel.
12. The food and beverage tray according to claim 9, wherein said
at least one removable portion is located on said first side
panel.
13. The food and beverage tray according to claim 9, wherein said
at least one removable portion is located on said second side
panel.
14. The food and beverage tray according to claim 9, wherein said
at least one removable portion is a card with perforated edges.
15. The food and beverage tray according to claim 9, wherein said
at least one removable portion comprises an autograph card.
16. The food and beverage tray according to claim 9, wherein said
at least one removable portion comprises a collector card.
17. The food and beverage tray according to claim 9, wherein said
at least one removable portion comprises a coupon.
18. The food and beverage tray according to claim 9, wherein said
at least one removable portion comprises promotional material
19. The food and beverage tray according to claim 1, further
comprising a harness system for supporting said tray.
20. The food and beverage tray according to claim 19, wherein said
harness system comprises: a plurality of harness holes in said top
panel, and a securing means that loops through said plurality of
harness holes and is adapted to loop around the neck of a user.
21. The food and beverage tray according to claim 20, wherein said
securing means is a string.
22. The food and beverage tray according to claim 20, wherein said
securing means is a strap.
23. The food and beverage tray according to claim 1, further
comprising means for engaging the door of a motor vehicle.
24. The food and beverage tray according to claim 23, wherein said
engaging means comprises: a door engagement flap extending from and
foldably connected to one end of said top panel, wherein said door
engagement flap can be inserted into the top of a motor vehicle
door assembly along a line where a moveable window slides into said
door assembly.
25. The food and beverage tray according to claim 24, wherein said
bottom panel further engages said door in a substantially
perpendicular fashion to support said tray in a substantially
horizontal position.
26. The food and beverage tray according to claim 1, wherein said
bottom panel is adapted to support the bottom side of said at least
one beverage container.
27. The food and beverage tray according to claim 1, wherein said
bottom panel has at least one opening for holding a beverage
container, wherein each of said holes in said bottom panel
correspond to a hole in said top panel.
28. The food and beverage tray according to claim 27, wherein said
at least one opening for holding a beverage container in said
bottom panel is substantially circular.
29. The food and beverage tray according to claim 28, wherein said
at least one opening for holding a beverage container in said
bottom panel corresponds to a hole in said top panel which has
starburst cuts around said opening.
30. The food and beverage tray according to claim 1, wherein said
top panel provides an area for promotional material.
31. The food and beverage tray according to claim 30, wherein said
promotional material is printed information.
32. The food and beverage tray according to claim 1, wherein said
bottom panel provides an area for promotional material.
33. The food and beverage tray according to claim 32, wherein said
promotional material is printed information.
34. The food and beverage tray according to claim 1, wherein said
first side panel provides an area for promotional material.
35. The food and beverage tray according to claim 34, wherein said
promotional material is printed information.
36. The food and beverage tray according to claim 1, wherein said
second side panel provides an area for promotional material.
37. The food and beverage tray according to claim 36, wherein said
promotional material is printed information.
38. The food and beverage tray according to claim 1, wherein said
first side panel, said second side panel, said top panel, and said
bottom panel each provide an area for promotional material.
39. The food and beverage tray according to claim 38, wherein said
promotional material is printed information.
40. The food and beverage tray according to claim 1, further
comprising at least one connecting panel foldably connected to one
of said first side panel, said second side panel, said top panel or
said bottom panel.
41. The food and beverage tray according to claim 40, wherein said
at least one connecting panel is used to secure one end of said
tray to another end of said tray, thereby forming said tray into a
substantially rectangular structure.
42. The food and beverage tray according to claim 1, wherein said
tray is constructed from a single piece of material.
43. The food and beverage tray according to claim 1, wherein said
tray is constructed from a single piece of eflute cardboard.
44. The food and beverage tray according to claim 1, wherein said
tray is constructed of recyclable material.
45. The food and beverage tray according to claim 1, wherein said
top panel has two openings for holding a beverage container.
46. The food and beverage tray according to claim 1, wherein said
top panel has four openings for holding a beverage container.
47. The food and tray according to claim 1 wherein said tray is
collapsible when said support member is in a disengaged
condition.
48. A method of securing a food and beverage tray to a door of a
motor vehicle comprising the steps of: providing a food and
beverage tray having a top panel having a flap extending from one
end of said top panel, and inserting said flap into the top of a
motor vehicle door assembly along a line where a moveable window
slides into said door assembly.
49. The method according to claim 48, further comprising the step
of engaging said door in a substantially perpendicular fashion with
a bottom panel of said tray to support said tray in a substantially
horizontal position.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/459,213, filed Apr. 1, 2003, which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to food and beverage trays,
and more particularly, to a portable, disposable food and beverage
tray allowing easy access to all food and beverage items while
preventing contamination of food from a beverage and designed to be
an advertising and promotional vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Disposable trays for food and beverage items are commonly
used at carryout restaurants, stadiums, arenas, and theatres. Quite
often a tray or carrier is provided by the establishment when more
than one or two items are to be carried. These trays or carriers
need to be inexpensive, readily transportable, compactly stored,
quickly convertible from a stored configuration to the desired
configuration for use, and easily loaded. Additionally, these trays
need to safely, securely, and conveniently carry beverage
containers as well as food items.
[0004] Several U.S. Patents have been granted for food and beverage
carriers. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,068,127 and 5,927,502,
issued to Hunter, disclose foldable carriers for transporting a
plurality of food or beverage containers. The Hunter patents
consist essentially of a beverage carrier and a separate food
carrier that can be connected and carried together. In U.S. Pat.
No. 6,068,127, a cardboard beverage carrier has a slot through
which the handle of a closed food carrier box slides through. In
U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,502, a cardboard food box has a slot in the
bottom, through which the handle of a beverage carrier slides
through. In both of these patents, the food and the beverage cannot
be accessed at the same time without separating the two carriers.
Not only is this inconvenient for the user, but it adds complexity
and time to the carrier loading process at the point of
purchase.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,527,123, issued to Ausaf, discloses a one
piece foldable box enclosing a food receptacle. The one piece box
has a planar bottom panel, attached by a first side member to a top
cover panel and by a second side member to a planar food tray cover
panel. Third and fourth side members are folded upwardly and the
end portions folded inwardly to enclose a Styrofoam food or
beverage insert. After food or beverage containers are placed in
depressions of the food or beverage insert, the top cover panel
encloses the food and beverage items to close the box. While the
Ausaf invention may be useful for transporting items without
spillage or contamination, it requires the presence of the
Styrofoam insert, which adds cost and complexity to the tray.
Additionally, the top cover panel must be removed before the food
and beverage items are consumed. This creates excess waste and
creates a potentially hazardous situation if the top cover panel is
used as a flying object (as is too often the case at sporting
events).
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,572,423, issued to Spence, discloses a
take-out box with a cup and lid retainer. Specifically, the Spencer
invention is designed to lock an inner container for soup, salad,
or beverage in a closed stationary position so that the inner
container cannot accidentally open and spill its contents over
other food in the box or on the person or vehicle carrying the box.
However, the benefits of the Spencer invention are defeated when
the user opens the box to access the food, that is, the inner
container is no longer secure when the box is open.
[0007] Numerous other variants of food and beverage tray exist. For
example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,694, issued to Tanaka et al.,
discloses a food and beverage tray wherein at least one finger of a
hand may be used to stabilize and hold the beverage container while
the remaining fingers and palm of the hand are used to stabilize
the tray. U.S. Pat. No. 6,523,693, issued to Eggenberger et al.,
discloses a convertible packaging system for shipping, storing, and
displaying a first merchandise item and for carrying a second
merchandise item. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,069,375 and RE Pat. No. 37,239,
issued to Flick and Eisenberg respectively, disclose food trays
designed to rest on a user's lap, particularly when the user is in
a motor vehicle.
[0008] Unfortunately, none of the above mentioned inventions
disclose a portable, disposable food and beverage tray that allows
quick and convenient loading, and easy access to all food and
beverage items while preventing contamination of food from a
beverage, and while simultaneously serving as an advertising and
promotional vehicle.
[0009] Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a disposable
food and beverage tray that is easily portable, allows quick and
convenient loading, allows easy access to all food and beverage
items, prevents contamination of food from a beverage, and serves
as an advertising and promotional vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In view of the deficiencies described above, disclosed is a
disposable food and beverage tray that is easily portable, allows
quick and convenient loading, allows easy access to all food and
beverage items, prevents contamination of food from a beverage, and
serves as an advertising and promotional vehicle. Various
embodiments of the present invention allow the attachment of a
harness to assist in carrying the food and beverage tray. Other
embodiments of the present invention allow the present invention to
conveniently be used in a motor vehicle.
[0011] The food and beverage tray has a first side panel, a second
side panel, a bottom panel, and a top panel. The top panel has
beverage container openings and food item openings. Substantially
vertical support members, such as flaps, are used to secure the
tray in a substantially rectangular shape and separate the beverage
openings and food item openings. By separating the two areas,
contamination of the food items is reduced or prevented. When the
flaps are disengaged, the tray is collapsible.
[0012] The beverage container openings can have starburst cuts
around the perimeter of each beverage container opening. The
starburst cuts help hold the beverage container in a secure manner
and allow for a range of beverage container sizes. The number and
location of beverage container openings is a matter of choice and
the present invention can be made in a variety of
configurations.
[0013] The present invention can be formed from a single piece of
material. Material selection is a matter of cost, durability and
strength. The present invention can be made from a cardboard
material, such as eflute cardboard. Preferably the material used
for the present invention is light weight, durable, inexpensive and
recyclable, and provides rigidity.
[0014] The tray may have one or more removable portions. The
removable portions can be located in any of the panels. The
removable portions can have perforated edges to facilitate easy
removal. The removable portions can be an autograph card, a
collector card, a coupon, or a promotional item.
[0015] The present invention may be fitted with an optional harness
system. The harness system can be a string or strap that loops
through holes in the top panel that is adapted to loop around the
neck of a user.
[0016] The present invention may also be configured for use in a
motor vehicle. The tray has a door engagement flap connected to the
top panel that is designed to be inserted into the top of a motor
vehicle door. The door engagement flap can be inserted into the
door along the line where a movable window slides into the door.
Optionally, the bottom or side panel can further engage the door in
a substantially perpendicular manner to support the tray in a
substantially horizontal position.
[0017] The present invention provides a significant surface area on
which promotional material may be printed. The promotional material
can include printed information, pictures, advertisements and the
like.
[0018] Other features and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the following drawings wherein like reference
numerals represent like features.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates the collapsible nature of the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention in
a prefolded condition.
[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the present
invention in a prefolded condition.
[0023] FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the present
invention in a prefolded condition.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
present invention.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a second perspective view of another embodiment of
the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
present invention.
[0027] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
present invention.
[0028] FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the present
invention in a prefolded condition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many
different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be
described in detail several embodiments of the invention with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not
intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the
embodiments illustrated.
[0030] The present invention is a disposable food and beverage tray
that is easily portable, allows quick and convenient loading, easy
access to all food and beverage items, prevents contamination of
food from a beverage, and serves as an advertising and promotional
vehicle. Various embodiments of the present invention allow the
attachment of a harness to assist in carrying the food and beverage
tray. Other embodiments of the present invention allow the present
invention to conveniently be used in a motor vehicle.
[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the
present invention. The food and beverage tray 100 has a first side
panel 110, a second side panel 120, a bottom panel 130 and a top
panel 140. The top panel 140 has beverage container openings 150
and food item openings 160. The beverage container openings 150 and
food item openings 160 provide easy access to the food and drinks
while securely holding them. Substantially vertical support
members, shown in FIG. 2 as flaps 170, are used to secure the tray
100 in a substantially rectangular shape and separate the beverage
container opening 150 area and the food item opening 160 area. By
separating the two areas, contamination of the food items is
reduced or prevented in the event that some of the beverage is
spilled onto the tray 100.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the vertical support members can be
flaps 170 formed from a portion of the top panel 140. As shown the
flaps 170 can have tabs 180 that engage slots 190, shown in FIG. 3,
in the bottom panel 130. FIG. 2 also shows the collapsible nature
of the present invention when the flaps 170 are disengaged. The
collapsible nature of the present invention allows for convenient
shipping and storage of the present invention up until the
invention is used. By requiring only the engagement of the flaps
170, final preparation for use is minimal, thus facilitating quick
set up and loading at the point of purchase.
[0033] The beverage container openings 150 are substantially
circular in shape. Optionally there are starburst cuts 200 in the
top panel 140 around the perimeter of each beverage container
opening. 150. Starburst cuts 200 serve several functions, first the
starburst cuts 200 allow material of the top panel 150 to deflect
when a beverage container of a slightly larger diameter than the
beverage container opening 150 is placed in the opening. The
deflected material exerts a holding force on the beverage
container, thus holding the beverage container in a more secure
manner. Additionally, beverage container openings 150 with
starburst cuts 200 can securely hold beverage containers of a range
of sizes.
[0034] FIG. 3 shows the first embodiment of the present invention
in a prefolded condition. FIG. 3 shows how the present invention
can be formed from a single piece of material. Material selection
is matter of cost, durability and strength. The present invention
can be made from a cardboard material, such as eflute cardboard.
Preferably the material used for the present invention is light
weight, durable, inexpensive, provides sufficient rigidity, and is
recyclable. FIG. 3 also shows connecting panels 125. As shown,
connecting panels 125 are used connect one end of the tray 100 to
the other end, thus forming a substantially rectangular structure
when the tray 100 is folded. Connecting panels 125 may be connected
using glue or other conventional means known in the art.
[0035] FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the present
invention in a prefolded condition. In this embodiment, the tray
100 has two beverage container openings 150.
[0036] FIG. 5 illustrates a further embodiment of the present
invention. In this embodiment, the tray 100 has four beverage
container openings. FIG. 5 also illustrates bottom beverage
container openings 260 in the bottom panel 130. Bottom beverage
container openings 260 are an optional feature of the present
invention and correspond to, and work in conjunction with, beverage
container openings 150 in the top panel 140. Bottom beverage
container openings 260 may be used, for example, when a tall
beverage container is being carried.
[0037] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of
the present invention. In this embodiment, a removable portion 210
is shown. As shown, the removable portion 210 is located in the
bottom panel 120. However, removable portion 210 can be located in
any or each of the first side panel 110, second side panel 120,
bottom panel 130, and top panel 140. The removable portion 210 can
have perforated edges to facilitate easy removal. The removable
portion 210 can be any suitable item, such as an autograph card, a
collector card, a coupon, or a promotional item. FIG. 7 is a second
perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7
shows the removable portion 210 from the bottom of the tray
100.
[0038] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of yet a further embodiment of
the present invention. In FIG. 8, the tray 100 has a harness system
220 for supporting the tray 100 while the tray 100 is being
carried. The harness system 220 can be a string or strap 240 that
loops through holes 230 in the top panel 140. The strap 240 is
adapted to loop around the neck of a user. The harness system 220
adds stability to the tray 100 while being carried and can free the
hands of a user.
[0039] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
present invention. FIG. 10 illustrates the present invention in a
prefolded condition. In this embodiment the tray 100 is designed
for use in a motor vehicle. The tray 100 has a door engagement flap
250 connected to the top panel 140 that is designed to be inserted
into the top of a motor vehicle door. The door engagement flap 250
can be inserted into the door along the line where a movable window
slides into the door. Optionally, the bottom panel 130 can further
engage the door in a substantially perpendicular manner to support
the tray 100 in a substantially horizontal position.
[0040] The present invention, in each of the embodiment shown,
provides a significant surface area on which promotional material
may be printed. Promotional areas 270 are shown in several of the
embodiments. The promotional material can be printed information,
pictures, advertisements and the like. By providing promotional
area 270, the tray 100 is no longer a vehicle simply to move food
or drink from one location to another, but can be part of the
entire theme of an event or location and can be a part of an
establishment's advertising and marketing strategy and message.
[0041] While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described, numerous modifications come to mind without
significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the
scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the
accompanying claims.
* * * * *