U.S. patent application number 12/253393 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-22 for combination food or beverage tray and catching mitt.
Invention is credited to STEVEN M. ROBERTS.
Application Number | 20100096282 12/253393 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42107782 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100096282 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ROBERTS; STEVEN M. |
April 22, 2010 |
COMBINATION FOOD OR BEVERAGE TRAY AND CATCHING MITT
Abstract
A combination food or beverage tray and catching mitt for
stadium concessions is provided. When present in an unfolded
position, the combination is in the form of a food or beverage tray
which is suitable for supporting various food and beverage items.
When present in a folded position, the combination is in the form
of a catching mitt which is suitable for catching a projectile
object such as a baseball or the like. In the inventive method, a
user grips the combination via a gripping arrangement, and folds
the combination along a fold line to convert it from a tray into a
catching mitt. The combination may then be used to catch a ball by
retaining it between opposing panels of the structure. The
inventive combinations are lightweight and economical, and may
additionally be imprinted with team logos or messages to serve as
marketing materials or souvenirs.
Inventors: |
ROBERTS; STEVEN M.;
(BEDMINSTER, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROBERTS & ROBERTS, LLP;ATTORNEYS AT LAW
P.O. BOX 484
PRINCETON
NJ
08542-0484
US
|
Family ID: |
42107782 |
Appl. No.: |
12/253393 |
Filed: |
October 17, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/216 ; 2/19;
206/558; 206/564 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 71/143 20130101;
A63B 2102/18 20151001; B65D 43/162 20130101; B65D 1/36 20130101;
A63B 2071/0694 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/216 ;
206/558; 206/564; 2/19 |
International
Class: |
B65D 79/00 20060101
B65D079/00; B65D 1/34 20060101 B65D001/34; B65D 1/36 20060101
B65D001/36; A41D 13/08 20060101 A41D013/08 |
Claims
1. A combination food or beverage tray and catching mitt,
comprising: (a) first and second opposing panels, said panels being
hingedly joined to each other along a fold line, wherein each of
the first and second opposing panels has a floor having a top side
and a bottom side; (b) side walls extending outwardly from and
around the top side of the floor, and forming at least one
depression in at least one of the first and second opposing panels,
which at least one depression is shaped to support a food or
beverage item therein; and (c) a gripping arrangement at the bottom
side of the floor of each of the first and second opposing panels,
wherein each gripping arrangement is suitable for receiving at
least part of a human hand and securing the human hand to a panel,
and wherein each gripping arrangement comprises a pocket, a sleeve,
tubes, a band, a loop, or a cut-out shape; wherein the combination
is in the form of a food or beverage tray when in an unfolded
position wherein the floor of the first panel and the floor of the
second panel are positioned at substantially a 180.degree. angle
with respect to each other, and wherein the combination is in the
form of a catching mitt when in a folded position wherein the floor
of the first panel and the floor of the second panel are positioned
at an angle of less than 180.degree. with respect to each
other.
2. The combination food or beverage tray and catching mitt of claim
1 wherein, when the combination is in the form of a catching mitt,
the at least one depression is capable of at least partially
retaining an object between the first and second opposing
panels.
3. The combination food or beverage tray and catching mitt of claim
1 which further comprises a raised lip along at least a portion of
an outside perimeter of the side walls of at least one of the first
and second panels.
4. (canceled)
5. The combination food or beverage tray and catching mitt of claim
1 which comprises at least one depression formed in both the first
and second panels.
6. The combination food or beverage tray and catching mitt of claim
1 which comprises at least one material of plastic, molded pulp,
paperboard, fiberboard, paperboard coated with plastic, corrugated
cardboard, or a foam-like material.
7. (canceled)
8. The combination food or beverage tray and catching mitt of claim
1 which comprises a single continuous sheet of material.
9. The combination food or beverage tray and catching mitt of claim
1 wherein the fold line comprises a hinge.
10. The combination food or beverage tray and catching mitt of
claim 1 which is marked with a message, image, symbol, logo, or
color.
11. The combination food or beverage tray and catching mitt of
claim 1 wherein a side wall of the first panel is adjacent to a
side wall of the second panel, and wherein the adjacent side walls
of the first panel and the second panel are separated from each
other by the fold line.
12. A nested stack comprising a plurality of the combination food
or beverage tray and catching mitts of claim 1.
13. A combination food or beverage tray and catching mitt,
comprising: (a) first and second opposing panels, said panels being
hingedly joined to each other along a fold line comprising a hinge,
wherein each of the first and second opposing panels has a floor
having a top side and a bottom side; (b) side walls extending
outwardly from and around the top side of the floor, and forming at
least one depression in at least one of the first and second
opposing panels, which at least one depression is shaped to support
a food or beverage item therein; wherein a side wall of the first
panel is adjacent to a side wall of the second panel, and wherein
the adjacent side walls of the first panel and the second panel are
separated from each other by the fold line; (c) a raised lip along
at least a portion of an outside perimeter of the side walls of at
least one of the first and second panels; and (d) a gripping
arrangement at the bottom side of the floor of each of the first
and second opposing panels, wherein each gripping arrangement is
suitable for receiving at least part of a human hand and securing
the human hand to a panel, and wherein each gripping arrangement
comprises a pocket, a sleeve, tubes, a band, a loop, or a cut-out
shape; wherein the combination is in the form of a food or beverage
tray when in an unfolded position wherein the floor of the first
panel and the floor of the second panel are positioned at
substantially a 180.degree. angle with respect to each other, and
wherein the combination is in the form of a catching mitt when in a
folded position wherein the floor of the first panel and the floor
of the second panel are positioned at an angle of less than
180.degree. with respect to each other.
14. A method comprising the steps of: I) providing a combination
food or beverage tray and catching mitt comprising: (a) first and
second opposing panels, said panels being hingedly joined to each
other along a fold line, wherein each of the first and second
opposing panels has a floor having a top side and a bottom side;
(b) side walls extending outwardly from and around the top side of
the floor, and forming at least one depression in at least one of
the first and second opposing panels, which at least one depression
is shaped to support a food or beverage item therein; and (c) a
gripping arrangement at the bottom side of the floor of each of the
first and second opposing panels, wherein each gripping arrangement
is suitable for receiving at least part of a human hand and
securing the human hand to a panel, and wherein each gripping
arrangement comprises a pocket, a sleeve, tubes, a band, a loop, or
a cut-out shape; wherein the combination is in the form of a food
or beverage tray when in an unfolded position wherein the floor of
the first panel and the floor of the second panel are positioned at
substantially a 180.degree. angle with respect to each other, and
wherein the combination is in the form of a catching mitt when in a
folded position wherein the floor of the first panel and the floor
of the second panel are positioned at an angle of less than
180.degree. with respect to each other; II) gripping each gripping
arrangement with at least part of a human hand to thereby secure
the human hand to each panel; and III) folding the combination
along the fold line, such that the combination is converted into
the form of a catching mitt.
15. The method of claim 14 comprising the further step (IV) of
catching and retaining an object between the first and second
opposing panels.
16. The method of claim 14 wherein the combination comprises at
least one material of plastic, molded pulp, paperboard, fiberboard,
paperboard coated with plastic, corrugated cardboard, or a
foam-like material.
17. (canceled)
18. (canceled)
19. The method of claim 14 wherein the combination comprises at
least one depression formed in both the first and second
panels.
20. The method of claim 14 wherein the fold line of the combination
comprises a hinge.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a combination food or
beverage tray and catching mitt. The combination may be used as a
food and/or beverage tray, and may be converted or transformed into
a catching mitt, such as a baseball catching mitt for use in a
ballpark.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] It is common for baseball fans to attempt to catch foul or
errant balls that are hit or thrown into spectator areas, often
using their bare hands or their own personal leather baseball mitt
to do so. Bringing a traditional leather baseball mitt to a game is
cumbersome and presents the risk of property loss or theft. In
addition, catching a baseball with a bare hand can easily lead to
injury, or loss of the ball. The present invention offers a
solution to these problems by providing a structure which may be
used as a food and/or beverage tray, and which is suitable for
transformation into and use as a catching mitt.
[0005] The inventive combination food or beverage tray and catching
mitt has several uses, and is particularly suited for public
spectator events such as baseball games. Spectators would first use
the combination in the form of a tray to support their food items,
and then convert it into the form of a catching mitt for use in
catching balls which are hit or thrown into spectator areas. The
inventive combination may be formed from any suitable lightweight
and inexpensive materials such as corrugated cardboard or molded
pulp. A depression formed in the combination serves to support a
food item and/or beverage. As an example, the depression may be
shaped as a cup holder for beverages. When food or beverage items
are removed from the combination, it can be folded for use as a
catching mitt. That is, to catch a projectile baseball or the like,
a user would convert the inventive combination from a tray into a
catching mitt by folding the combination along a fold line, and
catch a ball by retaining and/or securing the ball between two
opposing panels of the structure.
[0006] Many different types of baseball mitts and baseball mitt
combinations have been developed in the past. However, none of the
previously known mitts or catching devices provide a solution to
the above problems. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,996,721 provides a
combination seat cushion and baseball mitt. However, their product
does not solve the fundamental problem of having to transport a
personal mitt from home, and risks the possibility of loss or
theft. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 6,324,696 provides a souvenir foam
baseball mitt in the shape of a hand, which a spectator can
purchase at the sporting event. However, this foam mitt serves only
to cushion the user's hand. Neither of these can serve as a food
and/or beverage tray. U.S. Pat. No. 4,532,653 also relates to a
novelty baseball glove formed from a paperboard material. However,
they do not teach or suggest any use as a food or beverage tray,
and fail to include a depression formed into their structure, which
depression of the present invention serves to support a food or
beverage item. Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,952 relates to a
food plate having a hand strap, for carrying a plate of food.
However, this structure's lack of a fold line renders it unable to
serve as a catching mitt.
[0007] It has not been heretofore known to combine the functions of
a food and/or beverage tray and a catching mitt. The inventive
combination includes the function of a food and/or beverage tray
since it is very common for fans to purchase food at concession
areas of a ballpark, and to receive such food on cardboard or
disposable trays. When in the form of a catching mitt, the
inventive combination offers an inexpensive and potentially
disposable alternative to bringing a personal leather mitt to the
ballpark. The combination's material serves to at least partially
absorb the impact of a ball so that it may be caught safely and
securely.
[0008] The inventive combination food or beverage tray and catching
mitt is further advantageous in that it is lightweight, economical,
and can be recycled. The combinations of the invention may
additionally be imprinted with team logos or messages to serve as
marketing materials or souvenirs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The invention provides a combination food or beverage tray
and catching mitt, comprising:
[0010] (a) first and second opposing panels, said panels being
hingedly joined to each other along a fold line, wherein each of
the first and second opposing panels has a floor having a top side
and a bottom side;
[0011] (b) side walls extending outwardly from and around the top
side of the floor, and forming at least one depression in at least
one of the first and second opposing panels, which at least one
depression is shaped to support a food or beverage item therein;
and
[0012] (c) at least one gripping arrangement at the bottom side of
the floor of at least one of the first and second opposing panels,
which gripping arrangement is suitable for receiving at least part
of a human hand;
[0013] wherein the combination is in the form of a food or beverage
tray when in an unfolded position wherein the floor of the first
panel and the floor of the second panel are positioned at
substantially a 180.degree. angle with respect to each other,
and
[0014] wherein the combination is in the form of a catching mitt
when in a folded position wherein the floor of the first panel and
the floor of the second panel are positioned at an angle of less
than 180.degree. with respect to each other.
[0015] The invention further provides a combination food or
beverage tray and catching mitt, comprising:
[0016] (a) first and second opposing panels, said panels being
hingedly joined to each other along a fold line comprising a hinge,
wherein each of the first and second opposing panels has a floor
having a top side and a bottom side;
[0017] (b) side walls extending outwardly from and around the top
side of the floor, and forming at least one depression in at least
one of the first and second opposing panels, which at least one
depression is shaped to support a food or beverage item therein;
wherein a side wall of the first panel is adjacent to a side wall
of the second panel, and wherein the adjacent side walls of the
first panel and the second panel are separated from each other by
the fold line.
[0018] (c) a raised lip along at least a portion of an outside
perimeter of the side walls of at least one of the first and second
panels; and
[0019] (d) at least one gripping arrangement at the bottom side of
the floor of at least one of the first and second opposing panels,
which gripping arrangement is suitable for receiving at least part
of a human hand;
[0020] wherein the combination is in the form of a food or beverage
tray when in an unfolded position wherein the floor of the first
panel and the floor of the second panel are positioned at
substantially a 180.degree. angle with respect to each other,
and
[0021] wherein the combination is in the form of a catching mitt
when in a folded position wherein the floor of the first panel and
the floor of the second panel are positioned at an angle of less
than 180.degree. with respect to each other.
[0022] The invention still further provides a method comprising the
steps of:
[0023] I) providing a combination food or beverage tray and
catching mitt comprising: [0024] (a) first and second opposing
panels, said panels being hingedly joined to each other along a
fold line, wherein each of the first and second opposing panels has
a floor having a top side and a bottom side; [0025] (b) side walls
extending outwardly from and around the top side of the floor, and
forming at least one depression in at least one of the first and
second opposing panels, which at least one depression is shaped to
support a food or beverage item therein; and [0026] (c) at least
one gripping arrangement at the bottom side of the floor of at
least one of the first and second opposing panels, which gripping
arrangement is suitable for receiving at least part of a human
hand; [0027] wherein the combination is in the form of a food or
beverage tray when in an unfolded position wherein the floor of the
first panel and the floor of the second panel are positioned at
substantially a 180.degree. angle with respect to each other, and
[0028] wherein the combination is in the form of a catching mitt
when in a folded position wherein the floor of the first panel and
the floor of the second panel are positioned at an angle of less
than 180.degree. with respect to each other;
[0029] II) gripping the at least one gripping arrangement with at
least part of a human hand; and
[0030] III) folding the combination along the fold line, such that
the combination is converted into the form of a catching mitt.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of the combination food
or beverage tray and catching mitt of the invention when
unfolded.
[0032] FIG. 2 shows a bottom perspective view of the combination
food or beverage tray and catching mitt of the invention when
unfolded.
[0033] FIG. 3 shows a rear perspective view of the combination food
or beverage tray and catching mitt of the invention when partially
folded.
[0034] FIG. 4 shows a front perspective view of the combination
food or beverage tray and catching mitt of the invention when
folded around a baseball.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0035] A combination food or beverage tray and catching mitt is
provided, and is hereinafter referred to as the "combination". The
inventive combination may be in the form of a food or beverage tray
to support suitably sized food and/or beverage items. The
combination may alternately be converted or transformed into the
form of a catching mitt for catching, retaining, securing,
gripping, or the like of any object, such as a baseball, which is
suitably sized and shaped to fit therein. In certain embodiments,
the inventive combination may be used at public spectator events
such as baseball games, where spectators use the combination in the
form of a tray to support their food and/or beverage items, and
then convert the combination into the form of a catching mitt to
catch baseballs which are hit or thrown into spectator areas.
[0036] The inventive combination food or beverage tray and catching
mitt 1, shown in FIGS. 1-4, comprises first and second opposing
panels, 3 and 5 respectively, which are hingedly joined to each
other along a fold line 11. Each of the panels 3 and 5 has a floor
6 having a top side 7 and a bottom side 9. As described below, the
combination is in the form of a food or beverage tray when in an
unfolded or open position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein the
floor 6 of the first panel 3 and the floor 6 of the second panel 5
are positioned at substantially a 180.degree. angle with respect to
each other, such as along the fold line. When the combination 1 is
folded along the fold line 11 such that it is in a folded position,
it is in the form of a catching mitt wherein the floor 6 of the
first panel 3 and the floor 6 of the second panel 5 are positioned
at an angle of less than 180.degree. with respect to each other. It
is desired that the catching mitt is capable of at least partially
retaining and/or securing an object between the first and second
opposing panels as show in FIG.4.
[0037] Regarding the fold line 11, it may extend along the entire
length of the panels, or the entire length of the combination. The
fold line may divide the combination geometrically in half, or may
divide it into irregular shapes. That is, the first and second
panels 3 and 5 may or may not be symmetrical with each other,
relative to the fold line 11. In certain embodiments, the fold line
11 may comprise any suitable dividing arrangement such as a
perforated line, a groove, a crease, a hinge, a recessed channel,
or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the fold line 11 comprises
a hinge. The fold line material may or may not comprise the same
material as the panels 3 and 5.
[0038] The combination 1 further comprises side walls 8 extending
outwardly from and around the top side 7 of the floor 6, and
forming at least one depression 15 in at least one of the first and
second opposing panels 3 and 5. Preferably, at least one depression
15 is formed in both of the first and second panels, 3 and 5,
respectively. The depression 15 may be of any suitable shape or
size for supporting a food and/or beverage item therein. In certain
embodiments, the depression 15 may be substantially cylindrical in
shape, or otherwise suitably shaped to serve as a cup holder and
support a drink therein. In certain embodiments, the depression 15
may be suitably shaped to support a food item. In certain
embodiments, such as where the combination is in the form of a
catching mitt, it is preferred the at least one depression is
capable of at least partially retaining an object between the first
and second opposing panels. Examples of such objects include
baseballs or the like.
[0039] In certain embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 1, a side
wall 8 of the first panel 3 is adjacent to a side wall 8 of the
second panel 5, wherein the adjacent side walls of the first panel
3 and the second panel 5 are separated from each other by the fold
line 11. Such adjacent sidewalls may or may not comprise
substantially the same material as the material of the first and
second opposing panels 3 and 5. In certain embodiments, the
adjacent sidewalls between the first panel 3 and the second panel 5
are substantially rigid. In certain embodiments, the adjacent
sidewalls between the first panel 3 and the second panel 5 abut
each other along the length of the sidewalls 8 when the combination
1 is in an unfolded position, so as to provide stability and
support when the combination 1 is in the form of a tray.
[0040] The combination 1 may further comprise a raised lip 13 along
at least a portion of an outside perimeter of the side walls 8 of
at least one of the first and second panels 3 and 5. Such a raised
lip 13 may add rigidity to the combination to effectively serve as
a tray, and/or to effectively seal the perimeter of the side walls
8, such as to assist in retaining and/or securing an object within
the combination 1 when used as a catching mitt.
[0041] The combination 1 further includes at least one gripping
arrangement 17 at or through the bottom side 9 of the floor 6 of at
least one of the first and second opposing panels 3 and 5, which
gripping arrangement 17 is suitable for receiving at least part of
a human hand. A user engages the combination 1 by gripping the at
least one gripping arrangement 17 with at least part of a human
hand. In certain embodiments, the gripping arrangement 17 secures
at least part of the human hand to the combination 1. In certain
embodiments, at least one gripping arrangement 17 is present at the
bottom side of both of the first and second panels 3 and 5.
[0042] The at least one gripping arrangement 17 may be suitable for
both right-handed and left-handed users. Examples of suitable
gripping arrangements nonexclusively include hand cavities,
pockets, sleeves, finger grooves, tubes, bands, loops, bulges,
cut-out shapes, slots, or holes, a raised topography at the bottom
side of a panel, such as raised projections or bumps or the like,
and combinations thereof. As an example, FIG. 1 shows a gripping
arrangement 17 which comprises a cut-out slot. In certain
embodiments, the gripping arrangement 17 may penetrate through to
the top side 7 of the at least one panel, such as in those
embodiments wherein the gripping arrangement comprises a cut-out
shape or slot. In certain embodiments, the topography of the bottom
side 9 of the floor 6 of the at least one depression 15 may be
suitable such that this portion of the depression 15 itself may
serve as the gripping arrangement 17. For example, in certain
embodiments, the bottom side 9 of the floor 6 may comprise grooves
or the like such that the depression 15 may serve as the gripping
arrangement.
[0043] In certain embodiments, upon a user's gripping of the
gripping arrangement 17, the top sides of the first and second
panels 3 and 5 are folded toward each other along the fold line 11,
such that the combination is in a folded or at least partially
closed position. Such folding thereby converts or transforms the
combination 1 from a food or beverage tray into a catching mitt. As
stated above, in general the combination is in the form of a food
or beverage tray when in an unfolded or open position, as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein the floor 6 of the first panel 3 and the
floor 6 of the second panel 5 are positioned at substantially a
180.degree. angle with respect to each other, such as along the
fold line. The combination is in the form of a catching mitt when
in a folded, or at least partially closed, position as shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4, wherein the floor 6 of the first panel 3 and the
floor 6 of the second panel 5 are positioned at an angle of less
than 180.degree. with respect to each other, such as along the fold
line.
[0044] The inventive combination food or beverage tray and catching
mitt may be formed from a variety of materials, and be present at
any suitable thickness, size, and shape, depending on intended
purpose. Examples of suitable shapes for the combination 1
nonexclusively include oval, circular, rectangular, square, or
irregular shapes. In certain embodiments it may be preferred that
the combination 1 is suitably shaped such that multiple combination
units are stackable or nestable with adjacent duplicate units for
ease of shipping and storage. In certain embodiments, the invention
includes a nested stack comprising a plurality of combinations 1
which are stacked together in a nested manner. In certain
embodiments, the combination comprises a suitable shape or material
to be impact-absorbing, such as to protect a user's hand when a
projectile object is caught within the combination as it is used as
a catching mitt. An example of an impact-absorbing shape may
include corrugated materials, or those having internal ridges or
waffle patterns or the like.
[0045] Suitable materials for the combination nonexclusively
include plastic, molded pulp, paperboard, fiberboard, paperboard
coated with plastic, corrugated cardboard, foam-like materials,
such as styrofoam, and combinations thereof. In certain preferred
embodiments, the combination comprises a recyclable and/or
biodegradable material. In certain embodiments, it is desirable for
the combination to comprise a flexible sheet material. The
combination may or may not comprise a single continuous sheet of
material. In certain embodiments where the combination comprises a
single continuous sheet of material, the fold line 11, the gripping
arrangement 17, the sidewalls 8, and the raised lip 13 if present,
all comprise substantially the same material.
[0046] In certain embodiments, the combination 1 may be marked with
a message, image, symbol, logo, or color. Thus, the combination 1
could be used as a marketing item or keepsake souvenir. Such
marking may be done using any suitable method, such as printing,
engraving, embossing, stamping, cutting, or being formed with
grooves or recesses. Any suitable colorants may be used, such as
inks, dyes, pigments, or the like.
[0047] The invention further provides a method which first includes
the step of providing a combination food or beverage tray and
catching mitt, as described in full detail above. For illustrative
purposes, the combination food or beverage tray and catching mitt
of the presently described method may be visually represented by
the combination 1 shown in FIGS. 1-4. In certain embodiments of the
present method, the combination 1 is first provided in the form of
a food or beverage tray, in unfolded or open position as defined
above, as shown in FIG. 1. That is, the combination 1 is provided
in an unfolded or open position wherein the floor of the first
panel 3 and the floor 6 of the second panel 5 are positioned at
substantially a 180.degree. angle with respect to each other.
[0048] Next, the inventive method comprises the step of gripping
the at least one gripping arrangement 17 of the combination 1, with
at least part of a human hand. The gripping arrangement 17 is
described in full detail above, and is present at or through the
bottom side 9 of the floor 6 of at least one of the first and
second opposing panels 3 and 5. The gripping arrangement 17 is
suitable for receiving at least part of a human hand. As an
example, as shown in FIG. 4, part of a user's hand, such as a
user's thumb 21, is used to grip the gripping arrangement 17 at the
bottom side 9 of the floor 6 of a first panel 3 of the combination.
In this exemplary embodiment, at least one of the user's remaining
fingers 23 grips an additional gripping arrangement at the bottom
side 9 of the floor 6 of a second panel 5 of the combination 1.
[0049] The inventive method further comprises the step of folding
the combination along the fold line, such that the combination is
converted into form of a catching mitt. That is, the combination is
thus in the form of a catching mitt when in a folded, or at least
partially closed, position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, wherein the
floor 6 of the first panel 3 and the floor 6 of the second panel 5
are positioned at an angle of less than 180.degree. with respect to
each other. This folding step may be conducted either before,
after, or simultaneously with the step of gripping the gripping
arrangement. In certain embodiments, it is desired that the folding
step is conducted after the step of gripping the gripping
arrangement. The above steps may be conducted as a method of
converting a combination food or beverage tray into a catching
mitt.
[0050] When the combination 1 is in the form of a catching mitt,
the top sides of the panels 3 and 5 effectively serve as an inside
surface of the catching mitt. When in the form of a catching mitt,
it is preferred that the combination is capable of retaining and an
object such as a baseball therein, between the top sides of the
first and second opposing panels. For example, when a user grips
the gripping arrangement 17 and folds the combination along the
fold line, the top sides of the first and second panels 3 and 5 are
moved toward each other along the fold line 11. As such, the at
least one depression 15 of the combination 1 is utilized similarly
to a "web" of a traditional catching mitt, such that an object such
as a baseball may be caught in this depression or "web" as a user
engages the gripping arrangement. Catching an object in the
depression 15 serves to prevent the user's hand from being injured
by the impact of the object. As stated above, the combination 1,
when in the form of a catching mitt, may be used for the catching,
retaining, securing, gripping, or the like of any object which is
of a suitable shape and size to fit therein. Examples of such
objects may include a variety of sports objects such as baseballs,
golf balls, hockey pucks, and the like.
[0051] While the present invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be
readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that
various changes and modifications may be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that the
claims be interpreted to cover the disclosed embodiment, those
alternatives which have been discussed above and all equivalents
thereto.
* * * * *