U.S. patent application number 11/111587 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-02 for food and beverage tray.
This patent application is currently assigned to American Multi-Cinema, Inc. Invention is credited to Gary Suter.
Application Number | 20060042989 11/111587 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35941522 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060042989 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Suter; Gary |
March 2, 2006 |
Food and beverage tray
Abstract
A food and beverage tray having a base and a folding lid secured
to the base. The base includes one or more compartments sized and
configured to secure beverages, food, or food packaging. The lid
has a first position in which it covers at least one of the
compartments in the base and a second position in which the lid is
substantially vertical and the compartment or compartments are
uncovered. The lid also has a front member and a rear member
connected at their upper and lower regions to define a pouch. The
front and rear members may be used for advertising displays for the
tray. The base also includes means for releasably securing the lid
to the tray.
Inventors: |
Suter; Gary; (Shawnee,
KS) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LATHROP & GAGE LC
2345 GRAND AVENUE
SUITE 2800
KANSAS CITY
MO
64108
US
|
Assignee: |
American Multi-Cinema, Inc
|
Family ID: |
35941522 |
Appl. No.: |
11/111587 |
Filed: |
April 21, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60606769 |
Sep 2, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/562 ;
206/564; 229/407 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/5007
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/562 ;
206/564; 229/407 |
International
Class: |
B65D 1/34 20060101
B65D001/34; B65D 6/04 20060101 B65D006/04 |
Claims
1. A container for carrying food and beverages, the container
comprising: a base tray having a first compartment for holding a
consumable product and having one or more second compartments
operably configured to hold a consumable product, a lid portion
directly hinged to the rear of said base tray for movement toward
and away from an upper surface of said base tray to open and close
the same, said lid portion covering at least said first
compartment, and means for releasably locking said lid portion to
said upper surface of said base tray.
2. The container of claim 1 wherein: said lid portion includes a
male element; and said locking means comprises a female element
adjacent said upper surface of said base tray for mateably
receiving said male element in interlocking engagement when said
lid portion is folded adjacent said upper surface of said base
tray.
3. The container of claim 2 wherein said female element comprises a
slot formed in said upper surface of said base tray, and wherein
said male element is a corner of said lid portion.
4. The container of claim 1 wherein said lid portion is operably
configured to cover only said first compartment when said lid
portion is at a closed position.
5. The container of claim 1 wherein said lid portion comprises two
opposed planar members, said opposed members being adhered along a
top edge and a bottom edge to define a pocket.
6. A container for carrying food and beverages comprising: a base
tray having a first compartment for holding a consumable product,
said base tray having one or more second compartment operably
configured to hold a consumable product; and an upwardly extending
wall portion extending from a rear wall of said base tray, said
upwardly extending wall portion comprising an advertising
display.
7. The container of claim 6 wherein said upwardly extending wall
portion comprises a first member and a second member, said first
and second members being adhered at upper, opposing edges and
lower, opposing edges to form said advertising display.
8. The container of claim 7 wherein said upwardly extending wall
portion is hingedly attached to said base tray such that said
upwardly extending wall portion moves between a first configuration
covering said first compartment and a second configuration allowing
access to said first compartment.
9. The container of claim 6 wherein said upwardly extending wall
portion comprises two planar, opposed members, said members being
adhered along a top edge and a bottom edge to define a pocket.
10. A container for carrying a consumable product, said container
comprising: a base tray having opposed side walls and an upper
surface, said upper surface defining a first compartment for
holding a consumable product; and an upwardly extending wall
extending substantially vertically from one respective said side
wall beyond said upper surface.
11. The container of claim 10 wherein said upwardly extending wall
comprises: a first planar member having a top edge and a bottom
edge; and a second planar member attached to said first planar
member adjacent said top and bottom edges to define a pocket
between said first and second planar members.
12. The container of claim 11 wherein said upwardly extending wall
is pivotable between a first configuration covering said first
compartment and a second configuration allowing access to said
first compartment.
13. The container of claim 12 further comprising means for
releasably fastening said upwardly extending wall to said upper
surface of said base tray when said upper wall is at said first
configuration.
14. The container of claim 12 wherein: said upwardly extending wall
includes a male element; and said upper surface of said base tray
defines a female element for mateably receiving said male element
when said upwardly extending wall is at said first
configuration.
15. The container of claim 10 wherein said upwardly extending wall
is pivotable between a first configuration covering said first
compartment and a second configuration allowing access to said
first compartment.
16. The container of claim 10 wherein said upper surface defines a
second compartment configured to hold a consumable product.
17. The container of claim 10 wherein said upwardly extending wall
is selectively removable from said base tray.
18. A tray for holding and carrying consumable products and
non-consumable materials comprising: a base forming at least one
compartment for holding a consumable product; a lid extending
upward from said base; and said lid forming a pocket for holding at
least one of a consumable product and a non-consumable product.
19. The tray of claim 18 wherein the lid is foldable onto a top of
the base, and the top of the base contains at least one slit for
receiving a corner of the lid when the lid is folded onto the top
of the base.
20. The tray of claim 18 wherein the lid is foldable onto the top
of the base, and at least one of a top of the base and a surface of
the lid in contact with the top of the base contains an adhesive
for securing the lid to the base when the lid is folded onto the
base.
21. The tray of claim 18 wherein the lid has a surface that
contains advertising indicia.
22. The tray of claim 18 wherein the base forms at least two
compartments, and one of the compartments has a shape different
from at least one other compartment.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/606,769, filed on Sep. 2, 2004, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to a food and beverage tray having an
upwardly extending wall that functions as a folding lid for
partially covering the food and beverage tray and/or serves as an
advertising display.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] It is well-known that food has been sold by "fast-food"
restaurants in carry-out
[0006] containers consisting of a thermoformed plastic trays
provided with a hinged lids. The lid covers substantially the
entire container, and the container does not provide compartments
for securing beverages or other non-coverable items. The lid
functions solely to snap on and off the base of the tray and covers
the base in its entirety.
[0007] Likewise, it is well known that certain foods, such as
nachos, and beverages are typically served at entertainment events
or fast-food restaurants in open, non-lidded trays. The nacho trays
may have an additional compartment for melted cheese, but do not
provide additional compartments for beverages or salsas. Likewise,
beverage trays typically hold up to four beverages and provide an
open area between the beverage compartments for holding napkins,
condiments, or utensils.
[0008] Similarly, it is know that children who are waiting for the
beginning of a movie or other event like to collect and play with
games and boxes and view displays to occupy their time while
waiting for the event to begin.
[0009] It is desirable to provide a combination food and beverage
tray having a hinged lid that covers the food compartment to secure
the food during transport by the customer and still enables
securement of the beverage or salsa.
[0010] Further it is desirable to provide a food and beverage tray
having an upwardly extending wall that may or may not be hingedly
attached to the base wherein the upper wall comprises an
advertising display.
[0011] It is likewise desirable to provide a hinged tray that can
hold sealed containers in the food and beverage tray to prevent the
sealed containers from spilling if the unit is tilted or turned on
its side.
[0012] Similarly, it is desirable to provide a food and beverage
tray that has a pouch, compartment, or other means for storing game
cards, coupons, napkins, seasonings, condiments, or other materials
that a user may have received when buying food or at other times or
locations.
[0013] Further, it is desirable to provide a food and beverage tray
that is inexpensive to make, easy to store, easy to assemble, and
contains interesting displays and features for those waiting for
the beginning of an event.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] A first embodiment of the present invention is directed to a
food and beverage tray having a folding lid secured to a base. The
lid being pivotable from a first position whereby the lid covers at
least a first compartment and a second position wherein the lid is
substantially vertical and the at least first compartment is
uncovered. The base includes one or more compartments sized and
configured to secure beverages or other foodstuffs or food
packaging. The base further includes means for releasably securing
the lid to the tray.
[0015] In a second embodiment and a third embodiment, the present
invention is directed to a food and beverage tray containing a base
having two or more compartments for releasably securing a food
product and a beverage. The base is formed of an approximately
rectangular parallelepiped box with two pairs of opposite side
walls, a base wall and an upper wall. The base has an upwardly
extending wall extending from one of the side walls. The upwardly
extending wall comprises a front member and a rear member connected
at their upper and lower regions to define a pouch. The front and
rear members may also be used for advertising displays for the
tray.
[0016] Further objects and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from the following description and claims, and from the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of a food and
beverage tray of the present invention which is provided with a
hinged lid;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the lidded food and beverage
tray of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the lidded food and
beverage tray of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIGS. 4 and 5 are left and right side elevation views of the
food and beverage tray of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the food and beverage
tray of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the food and beverage tray
of FIG. 1 with a nachos tray and cheese container held in the
tray;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of a second embodiment of
the food and beverage tray;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the food and beverage
container of FIG. 8.
[0025] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the
food and beverage tray;
[0026] FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the food and beverage tray of
FIG. 10; and
[0027] FIG. 12 is a left side view of the food and beverage tray of
FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0028] At times, this description will refer to food and beverages
or consumable products being placed or held in certain locations.
Unless otherwise noted, it should be understood that such
references include containers containing non-liquid food and/or
containers containing liquid beverages, either or both of which may
be placed or held in certain locations, as nearly all food and
beverages are separately packaged and/or contained in their own
containers.
[0029] Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like
numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, FIG.
1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the food and beverage tray 10 of
the present invention. The food and beverage tray 10 has a box body
12 (also referred to as base tray 12) having a first compartment 20
for holding consumable products (foodstuffs or beverages) and one
or more second compartment 22 for holding consumable products
(foodstuffs or beverages). The food and beverage tray further
includes an outwardly extending wall 14.
[0030] In a first embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1-7, the upwardly
extending wall 14 comprises a pivotable lid 16 releasably securable
to the box body 12 for covering at least the first compartment
20.
[0031] In a second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8-9, the outwardly
extending wall 14 comprises an upwardly extending advertising
display 18.
[0032] The box body 12 is preferably made of a cardboard such as
corrugated fiberboard or paperboard. The thickness of the cardboard
paper stock preferably is between 0.47 mm up to 0.95 mm in
thickness or between 350 lb. to 700 lb stock. The box body 12 is
formed of an approximately rectangular parallelepiped box with two
pairs of opposite side walls 24a and 24b, a base wall 26 and an
upper wall 28. These walls combine to define an interior 30. As
shown in FIG. 1, upper wall 28 is formed with a first large
compartment 20 and two second compartments 22. As is well known in
the art, the first and second compartments 20, 22 are formed
through cut-outs or through lines of weakness, such as
perforations, formed in the upper wall 28 to enable a portion of
the upper wall 28 to be removed thereby creating the respective
compartments, 20 and 22. It is to be understood that although the
compartments, as shown, are designed to receive cups or containers
that hold beverages and food, the compartments may be configured to
hold foodstuffs, such as nachos, directly, without departing from
the scope of the invention.
[0033] In the first embodiment of the present invention, the
upwardly extending wall 14 comprises the lid 16, which is
selectively securable to the upper wall 28 of box body 12 and
comprises a wall extending upwardly from at least a portion of edge
32 of the upper wall 28. In this exemplary embodiment, the lid 16
is hingedly attached to the edge 32. This attachment is preferably
accomplished through a line of weakness 34 at the junction of the
lid 16 and the edge 32 of the upper wall 28. The lid 16 preferably
extends in height and width a sufficient span such that as the lid
16 is pivoted to a first position, the lid 16 covers at least the
first compartment 20 of the upper wall 28 while leaving the second
compartments 22 uncovered. And, as the lid 16 is moved to its
second position, the first compartment 20 is uncovered. It is to be
understood that that the lid 16 may span the entire length of the
upper wall 28 of the box body 12 and cover both the first and
second compartments 20, 22, without departing from the scope of the
invention.
[0034] The upper wall 28 of the box body 12 is formed with at least
one slot 36 or other receiving element (also called a female
element) extending diagonally across the upper surface 28 adjacent
an edge 38 of the upper surface 28 opposite the edge 32 from which
the lid 16 extends. The slot 36 is formed and configured to receive
a portion of an upper corner 39 or received element (also called a
male element) of the lid 16 as the lid 16 is pivoted to the first,
closed position. The receiving and received elements need not be a
corner and a slot, but might also comprise an adhesive on either
the corner 39 of the lid 16 or the upper surface 28 of the upper
wall 28 of the body 12. Snap-type, folding tabs, or Velcro elements
might also be used.
[0035] The lid 16 may be removable from the box body 12 at the line
of weakness 34 and may include advertising, promotions, game
indicia, coupons, or the like for the consumer. Further, lid 16, as
will be described in greater detail with respect to the second
embodiment, may comprise two opposed planer members 40, 42 that are
adhered at bottom edges 44, 51 and top edges 48, 50. The planar
members 40, 42 of the lid 16 thus define a pocket 55 therebetween
for storage of napkins, seasonings, condiments, entertainment
games, coupons, or other advertising or promotional items.
[0036] In use, the food and beverage tray 10 of the first exemplary
embodiment of the present invention may be loaded with a container
of food, such as nachos, in the first compartment 20, a beverage in
one of the second compartments 22, and another container of food,
such as melted cheese, in another second compartment 22. The lid 16
is pivoted to the first, closed position. The lid may be releasably
secured in this position by inserting at least one respective
corner 39 in the respective corresponding slot 36 of the upper
surface 28 of the box body 12. The consumer may readily transport
the food and beverage tray 10 without concern that the nachos will
spill from the container 20. Upon selecting a seat or reaching a
desired destination, the consumer may release the lid 16 and access
the food and beverages, as desired.
[0037] In another use of this first embodiment that is specifically
directed to nachos, the tray is loaded with a drip-in, sealed
containers (not shown) such as a chip tray, a cheese container, and
a salsa container. The lid 16 is configured to extend the entire
span of the upper wall 28 of box body 12. The lid 16 in the closed
position contains the drop-ins and facilitates the transfer of the
nachos to the seating for the consumer.
[0038] In a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
the compartments 22 and 20 may be the same as shown in FIG. 1.
However, as shown in FIGS. 8-9, the upwardly extending wall 14 (as
identified in FIG. 1) comprises an advertising display 18 that
extends substantially upwardly from the box body 12. The
advertising display 18 comprises a first member 40 and a second
member 42.
[0039] The first member 40 extends substantially perpendicularly
from the upper wall 28 of the box body 12 and preferably is
integrally joined with the upper wall 28. The first member 40 bends
from the upper surface 28 at a fold line to define a lower edge 44
for the first member 40.
[0040] The second member 42 extends upwardly from the base wall 26
of the box body 12 and is preferably integrally joined thereto. The
second member 42 may also extend upwardly from the side wall 24B,
if desired. The second member 42 is substantially perpendicular to
the base wall 26 and bends at fold line 46 or fold line 45. The
second member 42 extends upwardly past the upper wall 28 of the box
body 12 and defines the side wall 24b for the rear of the box body
12. The second member 42 is preferably joined through adhesive to
the first member 40 at the lower edges 44, 51 of the first and
second members 40 and 42, respectively. The first and second
members 40, 42, respectively, are also joined at an upper edge 48,
50 of each member.
[0041] In a third embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10-12, the
compartment 20 is similar in shape to that shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and
7. Compartments 20, however, are differently shaped, 22A to
accommodate a beverage container and 22B to receive a box of candy
or other container. The lid 16 extends the full length of the food
and beverage tray 10. The first and second members 40 and 42 are
constructed in the same manner as described in connection with the
second embodiment, and they are similarly adhered or joined.
[0042] In the second and third embodiments, the members are
preferably adhered to each other such that members 40 and 42 define
a two-sided advertising display 18. In a preferred embodiment, at
least one pair of opposed side edges 52 and 53 of members 40 and 42
remain unadhered such that the first and second members 40, 42
define a pocket 55 therebetween. Of course, the members 40 and 42
might also be adhered at the sides so that the pocket opens near
the top of the lid 16. The pocket 55 may be used to store
non-consumable products such as napkins, entertainment games,
coupons, or other advertising or promotional items such as item 60.
The pocket 55 may also be used to store as consumable products such
as seasonings or condiments.
[0043] In use, the food tray of the second exemplary embodiment of
the present invention may be loaded with a container of food, such
as a container of popcorn or nachos, in the first compartment 20, a
beverage container in one of the second compartments 22, and
another container of food in the other of the second compartments
22. The advertising display 18 may be used to advertise the
particular product being carried in the tray, or any other product
or service. The advertising display 18 extends directly in front of
the consumer and presents a striking appearance. Of course, a
different advertising display 18 may be placed on the other side of
the lid 16, as well, i.e. on second member 42, which makes a
presentation to the consumer when the lid 16 is closed and a
presentation to others when the lid 16 is open.
[0044] It will be apparent from the foregoing description that the
food and beverage tray of the present invention has a number of
advantages, some of which have been described above. Also, obvious
modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the
present invention without departing from the scope of the
invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited
as necessitated by the accompanying claims.
* * * * *