Box holding system

Abstract

A system for holding nested boxes, where each box features a lid and a bottom joined by a living hinge and where first and second notches are defined between the top and bottom of each box on opposite sides of the living hinge when each box is in an unfolded configuration. The system features a rack including a support adapted to rest on a generally horizontal surface, a pair of generally parallel vertical members mounted to the support and a number of generally parallel horizontal members extending between the pair of vertical members. The system also features a box holder assembly including a base featuring a hook portion and a channel. The hook portion of the box holder assembly engages one of the horizontal members of the rack so that the box holder assembly is supported by the rack above the generally horizontal surface. A fixed arm is attached to the base and features a fixed arm guide. An adjustable arm features a sliding section positioned in the channel of the base and an adjustable arm guide positioned generally parallel to the fixed arm guide. A spring urges the adjustable arm guide towards the fixed arm guide so that the fixed arm guide engages the first notches of the nested boxes and the adjustable arm guide engages the second notches of the nested boxes.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to storage devices and, more particularly, to a box holding system.

BACKGROUND

Restaurants, typically of the fast food variety, often serve sandwiches or other food items in boxes constructed from cardboard, plastic or other disposable materials. Such boxes typically feature a bottom portion and a lid portion joined by a living hinge. Speed of service is often a high priority in such restaurants, so a need exists for a box holding system where the boxes may be quickly and easily accessed. In addition, compact storage of the boxes is desirable to preserve valuable counter space.

Restaurants that offer carryout service or that provide boxes for customers to take leftovers home use similar types of boxes. Ease of access and compact storage of such boxes is also desirable for such restaurants.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the box holder assembly of the box holding system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the box holder assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the base of the box holder assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the fixed arm of the box holder assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the guide of the fixed arm of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the adjustable arm of the box holder assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the spring of the box holder assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the box holder assembly of FIG. 1 mounted on an embodiment of the rack of the box holding system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A box holder assembly constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the box holding system of the invention is indicated in general at 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2. As will be explained in greater detail below, the box holder assembly mounts on a rack and features a fixed arm and an adjustable arm so that the spacing between the two arms self-adjusts to receive and store boxes of various sizes.

The box holder assembly includes a base, indicated in general at 12 in FIGS. 1-3. The base is preferably formed of metal, but may alternatively be formed of plastic or any other generally rigid and durable material. The top edge portion of the base is folded over to form a hook portion 14. The bottom edge portion of the base is folded to form a shelf portion 15 and a downwardly extending skirt portion 16. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the middle portion 17 of the base is cut or stamped so that tabs 18a, 18b and 18c are formed. These tabs are bent so that a channel, indicated in general at 19 in FIG. 2, is formed along the back side of the middle portion of the base. A slot 20 is also formed in the middle portion of the base.

The fixed arm 24 of the box holder assembly, as illustrated in FIG. 4, includes a guide 26. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the guide 26 features a stop 28 positioned on the distal end of elongated portion 32. While guide 26 preferably is constructed from a single piece of wire with the distal end bent into a loop to form stop 28, elongated portion 32 and stop 28 may alternatively be formed from separate pieces that are joined together. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the fixed arm 24 includes an outwardly extending portion 36, a generally horizontal fastening portion 38 and a generally vertical fastening portion 42. While portions 36, 38 and 42 are preferably formed from a single piece of wire, they may alternatively be formed from separate sections that are secured together. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the elongated portion 32 of the guide 26 is secured lengthwise to the outwardly extending portion 36 of the fixed arm 24. This may be accomplished by soldering, welding, adhesive or any other fastening method known in the art.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, and similar to the fixed arm 24 of FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the adjustable arm 44 includes a guide 46 that includes a stop 48 and an elongated portion 52. While guide 46 preferably is constructed from a single piece of wire with the distal end bent into a loop to form stop 48, elongated portion 52 and stop 48 may alternatively be formed from separate pieces that are joined together. Guide 46 is joined to the remaining portion of the adjustable arm 44 at joints 56a and 56b by soldering, welding, adhesive or any other fastening method known in the art. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the guide of the adjustable arm and the guide of the fixed arm are positioned generally parallel to one another.

As further illustrated in FIG. 6, the adjustable arm 44 includes a sliding section 62 and an outwardly extending portion 64. The sliding section 62 consists of a lower portion 66 and an upper portion 67 joined by generally U-shaped portion 68. While portions 62, 66, 67 and 68 are preferably formed from a single piece of wire, they may alternatively be formed from separate sections that are secured together.

A generally vertical wire segment 54 is joined to the sliding section of the adjustable arm 44 at joints 58a and 58b by soldering, welding, adhesive or any other fastening method known in the art.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower portion 66 and upper portion 67 of the sliding section of the adjustable arm is preferably sized to be received in a sliding fashion within the channel 19 formed by tabs 18a, 18b, 18c and 18d of the base 12.

The spacing between the fixed arm 24 and the adjustable arm 44 of FIG. 1 self-adjusts to accommodate a variety of box sizes. This is accomplished by way of a spring, an embodiment of which is indicated in general at 76 in FIG. 7. The spring is preferably formed from a strip of metal. As an alternative to metal, the spring 76 may be constructed from a variety of other suitable spring materials known in the art, including plastic. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the spring features a coiled portion 78, a general flat center portion 80 and an end portion that has been folded over to form a hook portion 82.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hook portion 82 of the spring engages the slot 20 formed in the middle portion 17 of the base 12. The coil portion 78 of the spring is positioned around the generally vertical wire segment 54 of the adjustable arm. As a result, the adjustable arm is gently urged towards the fixed arm, that is, in the direction of arrow 83 in FIG. 1, with the lower and upper portions 66 and 67 of the adjustable arm sliding section sliding within channel 19.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the box holder assembly 10 is preferably mounted on a rack, indicated in general at 92, along with additional box holder assemblies featuring the same construction. The rack includes a support 92 which supports generally parallel, elongated vertical members 94a and 94b on a generally horizontal surface, such as a countertop. A number of generally parallel horizontal members, such as 96a and 96b, extend between the vertical members 94a and 94b. The support, vertical and horizontal members are preferably formed from metal wire, but other suitable materials known in the art may be used.

With reference to FIG. 8, the hook portion 14 of base 12 of the box holder assembly engages rack horizontal member 96a, while the shelf portion 15 of the of the base of the box holder assembly abuts and engages horizontal member 96b. The skirt portion 16 of the box holder assembly extends below horizontal member 96b and serves as a handle that may be gripped by a user's fingers to remove or reposition the box holder assembly. As a result, the box holder assembly securely hangs on the rack 92, but may be easily removed for cleaning or repositioned. Rack 92 positions the individual box holder assemblies for ease of access while saving valuable counter space.

As further illustrated in FIG. 8, the box holder assembly self-adjusts to accommodate and store nested boxes featuring a variety of sizes, such as boxes 84 and 85. Box 84, which is illustrated in an unfolded configuration, includes a lid portion 86 and a bottom portion 87 joined by a section of cardboard that forms a living hinge portion 88. Box 85, which is also illustrated in an unfolded configuration, similarly features a bottom portion 89 and a lid portion 90 joined by a section of cardboard that forms a living hinge portion 91. When the boxes 84 and 85 are placed in a folded configuration by pivoting their lid and bottom portions towards one another about the living hinges, the lid and bottom portions latch together and cooperate to form an enclosed space within which a sandwich or other food items may be stored. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the nested boxes are horizontally stacked and, as a result, are compactly stored on each box holder assembly and may be quickly, easily and individually pulled from each box holder assembly as they are needed.

While cardboard boxes are illustrated in FIG. 8, boxes constructed of other materials, such as plastic or Styrofoam, but featuring a similar construction, may also be stored in the box holder assembly.

As also illustrated in FIG. 8, the arms 124 and 144 of a box holder assembly featuring the construction illustrated in FIG. 1 are spaced and gently urged together via the spring (FIG. 7) so as to self-adjust and engage first and second notches 100a and 100b formed between the top and bottom portions 86 and 87 of box 84 on opposite sides of the living hinge 88, and the corresponding first and second notches of the nested boxes behind box 84. Arms 224 and 244 of another box holder assembly, also featuring the construction illustrated in FIG. 1, are spaced and gently urged together via the spring (FIG. 7) so as to self-adjust and engage first and second notches 102a and 102b formed between the top and bottom portions 89 and 90 of the box 85 on opposite sides of the living hinge 91, and the corresponding first and second notches of the nested boxes behind box 85.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An assembly for holding nested boxes, each box featuring a lid and a bottom joined by a living hinge where first and second notches are defined between the top and bottom of each box on opposite sides of the living hinge when each box is in an unfolded configuration, the assembly comprising:

a) a base featuring a channel;

b) a fixed arm attached to the base and featuring a fixed arm guide;

c) an adjustable arm featuring a sliding section positioned in the channel of the base and an adjustable arm guide positioned generally parallel to the fixed arm guide; and

d) a spring urging said adjustable arm guide towards said fixed arm guide so that the fixed arm guide is adapted to engage the first notches of the nested boxes and the adjustable arm guide is adapted to engage the second notches of the nested boxes.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the base features a slot and the spring features a hook portion that engages the slot and a coiled portion that engages the adjustable arm.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the spring is formed from a strip of metal.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the base includes a plurality of tabs that form the channel.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the base includes a hook portion.

6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the base includes a shelf portion.

7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein the base includes a skirt portion extending down from the shelf portion, said skirt portion adapted for gripping by fingers of a user.

8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the fixed arm includes a fixed arm outwardly extending portion with said fixed arm guide mounted to the fixed arm outwardly extending portion, a generally horizontal fastening portion secured to the outwardly extending portion and the base and a generally vertical fastening portion secured to the generally horizontal fastening portion and the base.

9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the fixed arm outwardly extending portion, generally horizontal fastening portion and generally vertical fastening portion are formed from a single piece of wire.

10. The assembly of claim 1 wherein a stop is formed on each of the distal ends of the fixed arm guide and the adjustable arm guide.

11. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the adjustable arm features an adjustable arm outwardly extending portion with said adjustable arm guide mounted to the fixed arm outwardly extending portion and said adjustable arm sliding section includes a lower portion joined to said outwardly extending portion and an upper portion joined to the lower portion by a generally U-shaped portion, said upper and lower portions sliding within the channel of the base.

12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the adjustable arm outwardly extending portion, sliding section lower portion, sliding section upper portion and sliding section generally U-shaped portion are formed from a single piece of wire.

13. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the adjustable arm includes a vertical wire segment connected between the upper and lower portions of the sliding section and wherein the base features a slot and the spring features a hook portion that engages the slot and a coiled portion that engages the vertical wire segment of the adjustable arm.

14. A system for holding nested boxes, each box featuring a lid and a bottom joined by a living hinge where first and second notches are defined between the top and bottom of each box on opposite sides of the living hinge when each box is in an unfolded configuration, the system comprising:

a) a rack including: i. a support adapted to rest on a generally horizontal surface; ii. a pair of generally parallel vertical members mounted to said support; iii. a plurality of generally parallel horizontal members extending between said pair of vertical members;

b) a box holder assembly including: i. a base featuring a hook portion and a channel; ii. a fixed arm attached to the base and featuring a fixed arm guide; iii. an adjustable arm featuring a sliding section positioned in the channel of the base and an adjustable arm guide positioned generally parallel to the fixed arm guide; iv. a spring urging said adjustable arm guide towards said fixed arm guide so that the fixed arm guide is adapted to engage the first notches of the nested boxes and the adjustable arm guide is adapted to engage the second notches of the nested boxes;

c) said hook portion of the box holder assembly engaging one of said generally parallel horizontal members of said rack so that said box holder assembly is supported by said rack above the generally horizontal surface.

15. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the base includes a plurality of tabs that form the channel.

16. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the base includes a shelf portion adapted to engage one of said generally parallel horizontal members of the rack and a skirt portion extending down from the shelf portion, said skirt portion adapted for gripping by fingers of a user.

17. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the fixed arm includes a fixed arm outwardly extending portion with said fixed arm guide mounted to the fixed arm outwardly extending portion, a generally horizontal fastening portion secured to the outwardly extending portion and the base and a generally vertical fastening portion secured to the generally horizontal fastening portion and the base.

18. The assembly of claim 14 wherein a stop is formed on each of the distal ends of the fixed arm guide and the adjustable arm guide.

19. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the adjustable arm features an adjustable arm outwardly extending portion with said adjustable arm guide mounted to the fixed arm outwardly extending portion and said adjustable arm sliding section includes a lower portion joined to said outwardly extending portion and an upper portion joined to the lower portion by a generally U-shaped portion, said upper and lower portions sliding within the channel of the base.

20. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the adjustable arm includes a vertical wire segment connected between the upper and lower portions of the sliding section and wherein the base features a slot and the spring features a hook portion that engages the slot and a coiled portion that engages the vertical wire segment of the adjustable arm.