Cup caddy

Abstract

A caddy for carrying food and drink items includes a mounting member configured to receive at least a portion of a drinking vessel and a holding member extending from the mounting member, configured to hold an item adjacent a drinking vessel. The mounting member can be configured to receive a bottom, sidewall or top of a drinking vessel. The holding member can include a bottom wall extending from the mounting member and a sidewall extending from the bottom wall, where at least the sidewall and bottom wall defining a holding space. The holding member can be either hingedly or rigidly coupled to the mounting member.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/626,077, filed Nov. 9, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a container for carrying food items. Particularly, the present invention relates to a container capable of carrying food items and a drinking vessel together.

2. Description of the Related Art

There is often a need to provide a carrying device, such as a bag or tray, for carrying food from a restaurant, refreshment stand or the like. At such establishments, the food is purchased and often taken away and consumed elsewhere. Carrying devices, such as trays and bags, have been developed for this express purpose but are generally awkward and clumsy. For example, bags generally do not have individual compartments; thus, food and drinks are often stacked inside and can spill or leak. Trays have been developed with cup receptacles to minimize spillage but generally are larger rectangular configurations that require two-handed use due to size. Furthermore, food is often conveyed in one or more bags or trays, and the drinks, particularly if numbering more than one, are separately conveyed in a tray specifically configured to carry multiple drinking cups. Often, the food is taken to or delivered directly to a car, where there is typically not a suitable place to stow the food or drink-laden tray or bag.

While the drinking vessels are typically separated and placed in cup holders of the vehicle, if present, the food items generally must be placed on the floor or empty seat of the vehicle, or otherwise held by a passenger. Alternatively, the food and beverage may be hand-carried from the establishment. If provided in a bag, it is difficult to selectively consume the food and beverage without stopping and unpacking the items. However, it may be desirable or necessary to consume the items while standing or walking. Likewise, in certain situations such as at concerts and sporting events, it may be difficult to unpack the items even while seated.

Accordingly, there is a need for a versatile and economical container for conveying food that is capable of overcoming the drawbacks of conventional containers set forth above. There is a particular need for a carrying device that can be supported by a conventional cup holder or otherwise permits one-handed use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in and apparent from the description that follows, as well as will be learned by practice of the invention. Additional advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the devices particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof, as well as from the appended drawings.

The present invention relates to containers that are capable of integrally holding food and drink in a configuration that facilitates carrying and consumption of a meal. The present invention allows a consumer to support a variety of food items in a single hand or in a cup holder of a vehicle or alternatively, in a cup holder of a theatre or stadium seat.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the subject caddy comprises a mounting member configured to receive at least a portion of a drinking vessel and a holding member extending from the mounting member, where the holding member is configured to hold an item adjacent a drinking vessel.

If the mounting member is configured to only receive a bottom portion of a drinking vessel, the mounting member can have either an open bottom to expose a bottom of a drinking vessel when received therein, or a closed bottom, where the mounting member of the caddy fully surrounds the bottom of the drinking vessel.

The holding member can include a bottom wall extending from the mounting member and a sidewall extending from the bottom wall so that at least the sidewall and bottom wall define a holding space. The holding space can include one or alternatively a number of holding regions. If a plurality of holding regions are provided, at least one holding region can be larger and/or deeper than another holding region. The mounting member can be disposed between two or more holding regions. Further, the sidewall can surround the mounting member. The mounting member can be disposed asymmetrically relative to the holding member.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the mounting member can be configured to receive a top of and can be configured to cover a mouth of a drinking vessel. A hole can be defined in the mounting member to receive a straw inserted therein.

The holding member can be hingedly coupled to the mounting member and can be a generally U-shaped member moveable between a first position adjacent an edge of the mounting member and a second position extending from the mounting member, to define a holding space therewithin. The mounting member and the holding member can be a single-piece construction, and the holding member can be defined by a line of weakness formed in the construction. The holding member can include a sidewall defining a holding space and/or a support platform to support contents within the holding space. A support arm can be included, extending between the mounting member and the support platform. The caddy can further comprise a second holding member, with the mounting portion being disposed between the first and second holding members.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, are included to illustrate and provide a further understanding of the invention. Together with the description, the drawings serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 are side and perspective views of an embodiment of a cup caddy constructed according to the invention mounted to a cup;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are side and perspective views of another embodiment of a cup caddy with a cavity to permit grasping therefrom;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cup caddy embodiment with a retractable holding member in a retracted position;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view thereof with the holding member extended in a holding position;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view thereof with an item held in the holding member;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective and top views of an embodiment of a cup caddy with a compartmentalized holding member;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view thereof holding food items;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view thereof received in a car console; and

FIGS. 12-14 are a top view and top and bottom perspective views, respectively of an embodiment of a cup mounted tray with opposed holding portions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The present invention is directed to a caddy, comprising a mounting member configured to receive at least a portion of a drinking vessel and a holding member extending from the mounting member, the holding member configured to hold an item adjacent a drinking vessel. For purpose of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, an exemplary embodiment of the caddy in accordance with the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and is designated generally by reference character 20. The cup caddy 20 includes a mounting portion 22 that is configured to receive and mount to a cup 24. The mounting portion 22 is preferably configured to receive the cup 24 in a press-fit or other snug association that is sufficient to support the weight of the cup caddy when loaded with certain items, such as food items 26, most preferably by friction. Preferably, only the association between the cup caddy 20 and the cup 24 is used to fully support the loaded cup caddy 20 from the cup 24.

The preferred mounting portion 22 includes a sleeve that extends downwardly from a holding member 30 of the cup caddy 20. The sleeve 28 extends sufficiently in the downward direction from the holding member 30 to provide sufficient surface area to contact the cup 24 and produce sufficient friction to support the loaded cup caddy 20. The bottom edge 32 of the sleeve 28 can have various configurations, such as being straight or curved, as shown in FIG. 1. In an alternative embodiment, the mounting portion 22 completely encloses the cup 24, in which case, the holding member can be supported without a friction or press-fit with the cup. In another embodiment, the mounting portion extends over the top of the cup 24 and can be provided with a straw hole to receive a straw. Such an embodiment can hang from the top of the cup and can be made with or without a press-fit association with the cup 24.

A press-fit association is preferably obtained by providing the axial opening in the mounting portion 22 with a slightly smaller diameter than the cup 24 at the portion of the cup 24 at which the cup caddy 20 is desired to be mounted. In one embodiment, the axial opening of the mounting portion 22 has an elongated shape extending along a plane that is normal to the axis of the mounting portion 22 opening, with a narrow dimension that is smaller than that of the desired portion of the cup 24 to deform and pinch the cup 24 to produce the press-fit. The shape of the mounting portion opening is preferably oval, such as an elliptical shape, but can alternatively have another suitable shape to grip the cup 24.

The holding member 30 of the preferred embodiment includes a bottom wall 34 and a side wall 36. Although the height of the side wall 36 can be substantially uniform, in a preferred embodiment, the height of the side wall 36 is sloped so that the depth of the holding member 30 is deeper on one side than on the other. Preferably, the difference in depth from one side to the other of the holding member 30 is between about 25-75%. The bottom wall 34 of the preferred embodiment is generally horizontal or alternatively inclined. The top edge of the holding member 30 or sidewall 36 is preferably sloped, preferably at an angle of less than about 45°.

A holding space 40 is thus provided between the bottom wall 34 and the side wall 36, preferably surrounding the cup 24. The side wall 36 and the bottom wall 34 are preferably configured so that the holding space 40 has larger regions on two opposite sides of the cup 24 and the mounting portion 22, with a region of narrower width disposed between the enlarged areas. Thus, the bottom wall 34 preferably has an elongated shape, which can be an oval shape or other suitable shape along which the side wall 36 is preferably positioned.

In the preferred embodiment, the cup 24 is of a standard size used in the fast food industry, and is preferably made out of a flexible material, such as a suitable plastic or paper. The held items 26 in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be food items or other items. Fast food items 26 are shown, including a filled french-fry container and a hamburger in a bun. Other food items can be held The weight and size of items 26 that the cup caddy 20 of this embodiment is configured to hold are preferably within the range for items of a standard meal to be consumed by a single person, which range is known in the art. As can be seen in the figures, the taller of the items 26, such as the french fries, can be held in the deeper portion of the holding member 36, shown on the right side in FIG. 1, while the shorter of the items 26 can be held on the shallower side of the holding member 36, as shown on the left side in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, another cup caddy embodiment 42, within the scope of the invention, is shown with a holding member 44 that has a slanted bottom wall 46 to provide a deeper holding space region 48, shown on the right side of FIG. 3, and a shallower holding space region 50 shown at the left side of FIG. 3. Viewed from the top, the holding member 44 can have a substantially round or circular plan form. A mounting portion 52 extends downwardly from the holding member 44, and is positioned preferably eccentrically towards the shallow region 50 of the holding space within the circular plan form of the holding member 44. An inner wall 54 connects the mounting portion 52 with the holding member 44 and provides a cavity 56 beneath the holding member 44 configured and dimensioned to allow a user to insert his or her fingers therein around the cup 24 and mounting portion 52 to grip and lift the coupled cup 24 and caddy 42. The inner wall 54 of the holding member 44 preferably separates the held items 26 in the holding space 56 from the cup 24.

The slant of the bottom wall 46 is preferably configured so that the opening to the cavity 54 is elevated at one side to allow a user to insert a hand therein when the cup 24 and caddy 42 are resting on a table or other surface. The mounting portion 52 and holding member 44 are preferably configured so that, when the caddy 42 is coupled with the cup 24, the bottom of the cup 24 and of the holding member 42 are both substantially in a shared horizontal plane to rest upon a surface. Alternatively, the lowest portion of the holding member 48 is elevated from the bottom of the cup 24 when the caddy 42 is mounted to the cup 24.

The embodiment of caddy 58 shown in FIG. 5, in accordance with another aspect of the invention, preferably has a mounting portion 60 that is configured to attach to the top of a cup 24. The mounting portion 60 in this embodiment is also configured as a lid and includes a lid portion 62 that can cover the opening at the top of the cup 24. The lid portion 62 can comprise features of lids known in the art, such as an opening 64 for inserting a straw. In an alternative embodiment, the mounting portion 60 is configured to mount over and preferably attach to an existing lid that is fitted thereunder on the cup 24.

A holding member 66 is shown in FIG. 5 in a retracted position extending around the mounting portion 60 in a compact arrangement. The holding member preferably includes a U-shaped strap of flexible material mounted at the open end of the U-shape, such that the U-shape substantially surrounds a portion of the mounting portion 60 in the retracted position. As shown in FIGS. 5-7, the holding member can be formed as a single piece with the mounting portion if desired. The holding member is defined from the mounting portion by a line of weakness. A slit 68 can be provided between the holding member and the mounting portion. The slit 68 can be provided by a cutting operation to form the holding member 60 as a unitary piece with a mounting portion 60.

The holding member 68 thus can be flipped over the top of the cup 24 and holding member 60 to a holding position, shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in which the holding portion 66 extends outwardly from the cup 24 to hold an item 26 and depends from the mounting portion 60 at hinges 69, which are preferably living hinges. Holding space 70 is configured such that a tapered item 26 can be inserted and held therein. As depicted, the holding space 70, therefore, is bounded by the U-shaped member of the holding member 68 and by an edge 72 of the holding member, which can be an extension of the mounting portion 60. Alternatively, the holding space 70 can be bounded by the U-shaped portion of the holding member and the cup 24 or a portion of the cup lid, with the holding member 66 holding the item 26 thereagainst.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 8-11, a caddy 74 is provided with a compartmentalized holding member 6 defining at least one compartmentalized holding space 78 positioned substantially on one side of the mounting portion 80. The mounting portion 80 is configured to attach to or otherwise receive a cup 24, and the holding space 78 includes compartments 82 which can include sub-compartments 84, such as provided by varying the depth of the compartments 82 at selected locations.

The holding member 76 in this embodiment extends in a pie-shape from the mounting portion 80, preferably with the mounting portion 80 disposed substantially at an apex thereof with sides extending at an angle of less than 90° therefrom to an arcuate edge that is disposed distally from the mounting portion 80. Other angles and shapes can be used.

The mounting portion 80 of this embodiment is configured to grip the cup 24 near its bottom edge so that the holding member 76 can rest against a surface adjacent to the cup. FIG. 11 shows the caddy 74 used in an automobile, with the bottom of the cup 24 or mounting portion 80 received within a cup holder 86 of a car console 88. Preferably, in one embodiment the press-fit between the holding member 80 and the cup 24 is such that the entire caddy 74 and cup 24 can be lifted together when the driver lifts either the cup 24 or caddy 74 to drink from the cup 24. In an alternative embodiment, the mounting portion extends around the bottom of the cup 24 and is configured to be received in a cup holder 86, but the association with the cup 24 can be of sufficiently reduced friction, if desired, so that the cup 24 can be easily removed therefrom. In one embodiment, the mounting portion 80 substantially does not grip the cup 24, and is configured to remain in the cup holder 86 of the car console 88 to stabilize the position of the holding member 76 when the cup 24 is removed therefrom.

In accordance with an alternative aspect, as illustrated by the embodiment of caddy 90 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the caddy is configured to replace or mount directly to the lid that is positioned on a cup 24. For example, mounting portion 92 preferably has side walls 94 that are configured to grip the lid. Alternatively, the mounting portion 92 can be configured to attach and secure directly to the cup itself, serving also as a lid. The top of the mounting portion 92 preferably has a surface 94 that covers the mouth of the cup 24 or the lid. A straw hole 96 can be provided in the surface 94 for inserting a straw.

In one embodiment, the mounting portion can comprise a stepped interior with sections 109 of different radii to be attached selectively to various standard lid sizes, as shown in FIG. 14. The sections 109 can be provided as ledges or concentric rings, for example. The preferred holding member 98 in this embodiment includes one or more holding portions 100, each of which is located on a side of the mounting portion 92. The holding portions 100 define holding spaces 102, which are configured for holding items, such as food items to be consumed with the beverage in the cup 24. The holding spaces 102 are preferably surrounded laterally by a continuous side-wall 108 above each of the holding portions 100.

Support platforms 104, which are connected to the side walls 108 and preferably the mounting portion 92 by arms 106, or by another suitable member, provide a bottom wall to support items that are held in the holding spaces 102. As shown in FIG. 12, the cross-dimension of the platform 104 can be smaller in plan view than that of the opening 102 at the level of the side walls 108. The arms 106 are preferably sloped and are extensions of one or both of the bottom and side walls. Other shapes and arrangements of the arms, platforms, and sidewalls are possible, such as with angular configurations. The slopes of the arms 106 are preferably selected to enable a user to grip the cup with his or her hand with fingers inserted at the height of the platforms 104 or higher, adjacent the arms 106, if desired.

The cup caddy embodiments shown and described herein can be made using materials and processes known to those of ordinary skill in the art, such as, but not limited to, the materials and the processes described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,257,401 and 6,349,847, the contents of which patents are expressly incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. For example, the cup caddies can be formed from one or more insulating foams, one or more plastics, one or more paper stocks, combinations thereof, and/or one or more other materials known by those of ordinary skill in the art to be suitable for storage or holding of food items. Also for example, the caddies can be thermoformed, vacuum-formed, molded, and/or otherwise formed using one or more processes known by those of ordinary skill in the art to be suitable for the fabrication of food containers or holders.

While illustrative embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein, it will be appreciated that numerous modifications and other embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art. For instance, various features of the different embodiments can be combined or used in other embodiments. The mounting portions that are press-fit to the cup, for example, can extend in an upward or downward direction, or both, from the holding member of the corresponding caddy. Also, additional holding portions may be provided in various embodiments. Therefore, it will be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and embodiments that come within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A caddy, comprising:

a mounting member configured to receive at least a portion of a drinking vessel; and

a holding member extending from the mounting member, the holding member configured to hold an item adjacent a drinking vessel.

2. The caddy of claim 1, wherein the mounting member is configured to receive a bottom of a drinking vessel.

3. The caddy of claim 2, wherein the mounting member has an open bottom to expose a bottom of a drinking vessel when received therein.

4. The caddy of claim 2, wherein the holding member includes a bottom wall extending from the mounting member and a sidewall extending from the bottom wall, at least the sidewall and bottom wall defining a holding space.

5. The caddy of claim 4, wherein the holding space includes a number of holding regions.

6. The caddy of claim 5, wherein at least one holding region is larger than another holding region.

7. The caddy of claim 5, wherein at least one holding region is deeper than another holding region.

8. The caddy of claim 5, wherein the mounting member is disposed between two holding regions.

9. The caddy of claim 4, wherein the sidewall surrounds the mounting member.

10. The caddy of claim 2, wherein the mounting member is disposed asymmetrically relative to the holding member.

11. The caddy of claim 1, wherein the mounting member is configured to receive a top of a drinking vessel.

12. The caddy of claim 11, wherein the mounting member is configured to cover a mouth of a drinking vessel.

13. The caddy of claim 12, wherein the mounting member includes a hole defined therethrough to receive a straw inserted therein.

14. The caddy of claim 11, wherein the holding member is hingedly coupled to the mounting member.

15. The caddy of claim 14, wherein the holding member is a generally U-shaped member moveable between a first position adjacent an edge of the mounting member and a second position extending from the mounting member to define a holding space therewithin.

16. The caddy of claim 14, wherein the mounting member and the holding member are a single-piece construction, the holding member defined by a line of weakness.

17. The caddy of claim 11, wherein the holding member includes a sidewall defining a holding space.

18. The caddy of claim 17, further comprising a support platform to support contents within the holding space.

19. The caddy of claim 18, further comprising a support arm extending between the mounting member and the support platform.

20. The caddy of claim 11, further comprising a second holding member, the mounting portion disposed between the first holding member and the second holding member.