U.S. patent application number 12/208341 was filed with the patent office on 2010-03-11 for cup carrier.
Invention is credited to Usher Weinberger.
Application Number | 20100059392 12/208341 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41798273 |
Filed Date | 2010-03-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100059392 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weinberger; Usher |
March 11, 2010 |
Cup Carrier
Abstract
The cup carrier has a generally flat appearance. One end of the
cup carrier is opposite a second end. A central portion and two
sides connect the ends. The one end and second end further
incorporate handles. At least one hole for inserting a cup is
positioned in the central portion.
Inventors: |
Weinberger; Usher; (Monsey,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SEAN LIAM KELLEHER;Kelleher IP PLLC
16 PECKSLIP RD
CARMEL
NY
10512
US
|
Family ID: |
41798273 |
Appl. No.: |
12/208341 |
Filed: |
September 11, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/151 ;
206/170; 206/194 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 71/30 20130101;
B65D 71/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/151 ;
206/170; 206/194 |
International
Class: |
B65D 75/00 20060101
B65D075/00 |
Claims
1. A cup carrier the cup carrier comprising a generally flat sheet
having one end opposite a second end, a central portion and two
sides connecting the ends; the one end and second end further
comprising a handle; at least one hole for inserting a cup
positioned in the central portion.
2. The cup carrier of claim 1, wherein the cup is suspended in the
at least one hole during use.
3. The cup carrier of claim 1, wherein the at least one hole is a
pair of holes.
4. The cup carrier of claim 1, wherein the central portion further
comprises at least one score line defining a bending point.
5. The cup carrier of claim 4, wherein the at least one score line
comprises a pair of score lines positioned either side of the at
least one hole in the central portion.
6. The cup carrier of claim 1, wherein the at least one hole
comprises multiple rows of holes.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a cup carrier for holding and
transporting beverage cups.
[0003] 2. Summary of the Prior Art
[0004] Carry trays for holding and carrying beverage cups are
well-known and are in widespread use in carry out food restaurants,
stadiums, convenience stores, coffee shops and the like.
[0005] Typically, the trays comprise a main body portion provided
with a number of cup-holding sockets. The number of cup holding
sockets can vary, depending on the style of the cup carrier.
Moreover, it is known to configure the cup-holding sockets so as to
firmly accommodate drinking cups of different sizes. An example of
a versatile cup-holding socket is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,218,008
to Vellieux, which structure involves flexible members in the
sockets which deflect as the cup is inserted and exert a
stabilizing force on the sides of the cup. Another approach has
been to provide sockets of different sizes on the same cup carrier,
as shown for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,096,065 to Vigue.
[0006] Other cup carriers are formed from unitary blanks of
paperboard and consisting basically of a basket portion with a
central upwardly projecting handle forming dual compartments for
the accommodation of, as an example, two beverage cups. An example
of such a carrier is noted in U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,001 issued to
Larry Eisman on Jun. 22, 1993.
[0007] Such known carriers, because of the rectangular nature of
the basket portion and the projecting side panels and handles,
require the use of a substantial amount of material in defining the
blank. The formation of such blanks is usually effected by the
cutting a plurality of blanks, either sequentially or
simultaneously, depending on the cutting apparatus, from an
elongate sheet of appropriate flexible foldable material, normally
paperboard.
[0008] As carriers of the type involved herein are normally single
use items, it is particularly desirable to maintain the cost
thereof at a minimum while providing the convenience and practical
considerations for which the particular carrier has been designed.
Further, as such carriers are produced in vast numbers, it will be
appreciated that even small economies in the production of the
blanks from which the cartons are created can result in substantial
savings. However, in light of the configuration of the conventional
two-cup carrier, as compared for example to a conventional
rectangular blank for a rectangular box, and as the cup carrier has
specific structural and design parameters, it is normally difficult
to provide for a maximum utilization of the blank material.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The invention provides for a cup carrier having a main body
portion, cup-holding openings are provided in the main body
portion, and handles extend from the main body for carrying.
Preferably two or more cup-holding openings are provided.
Preferably, the cup-holding openings have finger like projections
to allow insertion of both larger and smaller sizes of cups.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a currently-preferred
embodiment of the cup carrier of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1
with cups inserted in a carrying position;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of
the cup carrier of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 2
with a cup inserted in a carrying position;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another alternate embodiment
of the cup carrier of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] Referring to FIG. 1, the cup carrier 100 of the invention
comprises a body portion, which in the illustrated embodiments, is
a unitary, single-dimensional structure. In preferred form, the
body portion is a unitary piece from a flexible material. The
material may be any substance providing flexibility and tear
resistance. Examples include but are not limited to nylon,
propylene plastic, PVC, paper, thermoplastic and cloth. Handle 108
may be integral to the body and may include a flange to add
stability and facilitate grasping. The body portion is defined by
ends 120, 122 and sides 124, 126. Ends 120, 122 and sides 124, 126
are separated by corners 109. Corners 109 may be any shape
including squared (not shown), rounded and concave (not shown).
Where corner 109 is concave ends 120, 122 define handles 108.
[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the cup carrier is provided with
cup-holding openings 102, 104. As shown cup opening 102 has a
smooth approximately circular shape. The diameter is such that a
cup may enter but not pass through the opening. Alternately,
opening 104 has fingerlike projection 106 protruding into opening
104. Fingerlike projections 106 are flexible and bend as a cup is
inserted into opening 104. Fingerlike projections 106 permit cups
of a variety of sixes to be inserted into opening 104 without
passing through. While opening 102 is shown without fingerlike
projections it is understood that both opening 102 and opening 104
may contain fingerlike projections 106 or both opening 102.
Alternately, opening 104 may have smooth contours.
[0017] FIG. 1A shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a bent carrying
position. When bent the unitary body of FIG. 1 has a bottom 111, a
side 112 and a top 114.corner 110 is formed between bottom 111 and
side 112. Side 112 may conform to any shape as the weight of the
cup 116 is countered by a user hauling the cup carrier by handle
108.
[0018] Referring now to FIG. 2, the cup carrier 200 of the
invention comprises a body portion, which in the alternate
illustrated embodiment, is a unitary, single-dimensional structure.
In preferred form, the body portion is a unitary piece from a
flexible material. The material may be any substance providing
flexibility and tear resistance. Examples include but are not
limited to nylon, propylene plastic, PVC, paper, thermoplastic and
cloth. As shown in FIG. 2 where a more rigid material is used
perforations, or score lines 203 and 205 may be incorporated to
define bend points. Handles 208 may be attached to the body by any
means and may include a flange (not shown) to add stability and
facilitate grasping. The body portion is defined by ends 220, 222
and sides 224, 226. Ends 220, 222 and sides 224, 226 are separated
by corners 209. Corners 209 may be any shape including squared (not
shown), rounded and concave (not shown). Where corner 209 is
concave ends 220, 222 define handles 208.
[0019] The cup carrier is provided with cup-holding openings 202 in
a central portion. As shown cup openings 202 may have a smooth
approximately circular shape. The diameter is such that a cup may
enter but not pass through the opening. Alternately, openings 202
may have fingerlike projections (not shown) protruding into
openings 202. The fingerlike projections would permit cups of a
variety of sixes to be inserted into openings 202 without passing
through. While openings 202 is shown without fingerlike projections
it is understood that openings 202 may contain fingerlike
projections.
[0020] FIG. 2A shows the embodiment of FIG. 2 in a bent carrying
position. When bent the unitary body of FIG. 2 has a bottom 211, a
side 212 and a top 214. Corner 210 is formed between bottom 211 and
side 212 and is defined by perforations or score lines 203 and 205.
Side 212 may conform to any shape as the weight of the cup 216 is
countered by a user hauling the cup carrier by handle 208.
[0021] FIG. 3 shows unitary body 300 having handles 308 at either
end. Score lines 303 and 305 are positioned either side of the
holes 307 in the central portion of the unitary body 300. Holes 307
may comprise at least two rows extending from one side to the other
of the unitary body. As persons skilled in the art will appreciate,
the cup carrier may be formed in common dimensions which are
generally known in the industry. When formed as described, the cup
carrier has advantages of small size, excellent strength and
stability, low cube size, and easy de-nesting. Further
modifications and variations of the illustrated embodiments will be
apparent to those skilled in the art.
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