Carrier for beverage and/or food
A carrier for food and/or beverages comprising: a foldable sheet comprising a single piece of paper or board with a one or more die cut slots to create holders for beverages. The foldable sheet when in a closed position forming at least two side walls, and a bottom where the die cut slots are located.
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The patent application is based on provisional patent application 60/904,810 filed Mar. 5, 2007.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a carrier for beverage and/or food which is made from a single sheet of material.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIn 2006, over 200 million Americans attended arena and stadium events from concerts and theatrical productions, to professional and college sports. When persons attending these games go to the concession stand to buy food and beverage they are provided with a usually cardboard structure having a bottom, with no sides and no top and holes for receiving beverages.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,399,939 relates to a paperboard for containing, holding and carrying a plurality of caramel or candy coated apples. The carton comprises an integral carton flat consisting of a bottom panel having two U-shaped slits near its ends which form tabs directed toward its ends, side panels integral with the side edges of the bottom panel folded upward, outward and then progressively inward to form the sides and top of the carton. Corner flaps are integral with the lower portion of the side panels folded inward. End panels are integral with the ends of the bottom panel folded up and over the corner flaps and interlocked into the tabs in the bottom panel. Handle panels are integral with the upper edges of the side panels having hand holes therein, and sandwiching therebetween the free ends of the sticks in the apples for holding them in place.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,513,762 relates to a device for carrying cups and ice cream cones. There is supplied a rectangular base portion with spaced apertures formed therein. Parallel longitudinal creases are formed in the blank defining sides. Handle portions are formed integral with the guides and apertures.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,981,647 relates to a bottle carrier consisting of a single sheet scored to provide a bottom and a pair of opposed side walls. The side walls having hand receiving openings in their upper ends. A retaining band encircles the walls.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,273,273 relates to a hand carrier for cans or bottles. The hand carrier is constructed that it grips the circumferential projections of the cans or bottles.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,127,519 and 5,267,644 relates to a tuckable carrier including a one-piece paper or plastic board having a plurality of container holes formed in a central base plate portion, a pair of side-wing plate portions protruding sidewardly from the base plate. A pair of handle portions is formed on the two side-wing plate portions.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,394,265 relates to a foldable corner means for simultaneously carrying central container and side container. The foldable corner includes a main corner having at least a bottom hole formed in a base plate for engaging and holding a central container, and having at least a lug formed on a side wall of the carrier, and at least a side container having a slot formed therein engageable with the lug of the main corner for hanging the side container on the side wall of the main corner, simultaneously conveniently carrying a central container which may be filled with beverage and carrying a side container which may be filled with popcorn.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,992 relates to a foldable carrying device which includes a base member having a bottom hole for inserting a food container, and two handle members formed on opposite ends of the base members and interlockable for portable use. Each handle member has a fastener directly cut out from the handle member, whereby upon interlocking of the two handle members allows the fastener to fasten a beverage cup which is loaded on the food container. The beverage cup is stacked on the food container.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,448,866 and 1,140,540 relate to carriers for ice cream cones. A blank comprising a rectangular intermediate, oppositely disposed side members, and additional side extensions secured together by a fabric hinged joint construction. The intermediate portion has a series of circular openings.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,183,027 relates to a foldable fast food carrying device having a paperboard having a front and rear wall upwardly folded from a bottom wall. At least a side cover is secured to a side portion of the device. A circular hole is cut out in the bottom wall for loading a cup. A partition member is bent upwardly from an edge portion of the circular hole to serve as a partition between the soft drink and food. Several bottom locations are provided on or in the bottom wall for storing food which is shielded by the side cover. A pair of handle members protrudes from the front and rear walls. The two handle members are interlocked.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,276 relates to a paperboard blank storable in a flat condition ready for folding into a dual configuration food and beverage carrier. The blank is folded into an upright box with upward extending handle panels and end walls with the handle panels extending from a box base around the side walls and meeting over the box as a handle or alternatively into an inverted box with downwardly extending side and end walls with handle panels extending from the base upward and away from the side walls. When the handle panels are folded toward and around the base side walls, the carrier encloses food stuff and can carry one or two cups placed through openings in the base.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,389 relates to a reversible food and beverage carrier. Flat paper stock blank is disposed for assembly by folding it into an upright box with upward extending side walls and end walls with handle panels extending from the box base around the side walls and meeting over the box as a handle. Alternatively an inverted box with downwardly extending side and end walls with handle panels extending from the base upward and away from the side walls. The handle panels are folded toward and around the base side walls. One or more holes are provided in the base section for receiving cups and cones. Hinged sectors are provided at the hole parameter to cover the hole.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0211578 relates to a carrier for one or more cups. The cup carrier includes a one piece blank which can be folded to form a base with one or more openings for receiving a cup, that suspends the cup in an upright position when the carrier is supported by a handle structure positioned above the cups so that the force of gravity will maintain the cup or cups in an upright suspended position.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,802,802 relates to a carrier for beverages formed of a sheet material such as plastic or paperboard which includes a bottom panel attached to side panels, a pair of opposed end panels connected to the bottom and side panels and a central handle formed of two halves folded together. The handle is pivotal. The top panels are provided through a plurality of openings.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,097,034 relates to a carrier that can cool or heat cans, bottles or other containers.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,267,224 relates to a carrier having a folded panel central vertical support structure with a handle and a pair of trays or receptacles attached to the central support structure. Dividers separate each receptacle into three compartments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a carrier which provides a vehicle for placing advertisements to reach consumers during recreational events, with a design that allows for a logo and messaging to be printed directly on the message carrier.
It is an object of the present invention for the device to carry multiple beverage containers. It is an object of the present invention for the device to hold liquid filled cups. It is an object of the present invention for the device to provide significant advertisement display area designed and positioned to provide enhanced visibility. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device that provides a vertical area for advertisement space while simultaneously carrying or holding beverage containers and/or food. It is an object of the present invention for the device to provide a completely flat vertical area having no creases.
It is an object of the present invention for the display area to be placed on the side walls of the device which provides a substantial vertical visible area. It is an object of the present invention to the carrier to provide heightened visibility to all persons proximate to the carrier.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a carrier that increase the revenue stream for sports franchises, universities and stadium authorities. It is an object of the present for the device to provide an additional forum for selling advertisement and branding space.
It is an object of the present invention for the carrier to comprise a foldable single piece of paper or board with a series of die cut slots to create holders for the beverages. It is an object of the present invention for the carrier to comprise corrugated cardboard (b-flute). It is an object of the present invention for the single piece of paper or board to form a bottom panel and two side panels. It is an object of the present invention for the single piece of paper or board to have two creases or scores which create a bottom panel and two side panels. It is an object of the present invention for the single piece of paper or board to have scores or creases which form the bottom panel and two side panels. It is an object of the present invention for the paper or board to be strong enough to hold food and beverages for transportation. It is an object of the present invention for the die cut slots to be large enough so that a cup or container can fit partially within the slot, but that the top part of the container be restrained from falling out of the slot. It is an object of the present invention for the die cut slots to engage and hold the beverage containers. It is an object of the present invention for the side walls to be flat so as to produce a large surface area for advertising. It is an object of the present invention for advertising to be placed on both side walls.
It is an object of the present invention for the carrier to protect the contents of the food and beverages stored in the carrier. It is an object of the present invention for the carrier to only have two side walls and a bottom wall to allow a user to remove beverages and food from openings on the other sides of having no walls.
It is an object of the present invention for the carrier to further comprise a hand grip. It is an object of the present invention for the hand grip to be formed from die cut slots. It is an object of the present invention to have either a single slot for a single beverage or multiple slots for multiple beverages. It is an object of the present invention for the carrier to have two side walls. It is an object of the present invention for the handle to be formed by die cutting an opening on one side wall and a foldable tab with corresponding opening on the other side wall.
It is an object of the present invention for the carrier to be made by bringing the side walls together, and then inserting the tab through the opposite opening and up through the outside of the opposing side wall.
It is an object of the present invention for the carrier to be die cut from any suitable foldable sturdy material. It is an object of the present invention for the carrier to be stored in a flat stacked state. It is an object of the present invention for the carrier to be made of sheets of plastic or other materials that are printable.
It is an object of the present invention for the carrier to comprise a food tray. It is an object of the present invention for the food tray to have horizontal perforations. It is an object of the present invention for the food tray to have vertical perforations. It is an object of the present invention for the food tray to be placed between the die cut slots for the beverage containers. It is an object of the present invention for the food tray to be placed adjacent the die cut slots for the beverage containers.
It is an object of the present invention for the side walls to provide protection to the user from the beverages splashing the user.
Claims
1. A carrier for food and/or beverages comprising:
- a foldable sheet comprising a single piece of paper or board with a one or more die cut slots to create holders for beverages;
- said foldable sheet when in a closed position forming at least two side walls, and a bottom where said die cut slots are located.
2. The carrier of claim 1 wherein said sheet comprises corrugated cardboard (b-flute).
3. The carrier of claim 1 further comprising a hand grip.
4. The carrier of claim 3 wherein said hand grip is formed from die cut slots.
5. The carrier of claim 1 wherein said hand grip is formed by die cutting an opening on one side wall and a foldable tab with corresponding opening on a second side wall.
6. The carrier of claim 1 wherein said carrier is made by bringing said side walls together, and then inserting a tab on one of said side walls through an opposite opening and up through outside of said opposing side wall.
7. The carrier of claim 1 wherein said carrier is stored in a flat stacked state.
8. The carrier of claim 1 wherein said carrier is made of a material that is printed on.
9. The carrier of claim 1 wherein said carrier is made of at least one sheet of plastic.
10. The carrier of claim 1 wherein at least one of said side walls is a vehicle for placing advertisements
11. The carrier of claim 1 wherein said side wall allows for a logo and messaging to be printed directly on said carrier.
12. The carrier of claim 1 wherein said carrier holds liquid filled cups.
13. The carrier of claim 1 wherein said carrier provides a vertical area for advertisement space while simultaneously carrying or holding beverage containers and/or food.
14. The carrier of claim 1 further comprising a food tray.
15. The carrier of claim 14 wherein said food tray has a horizontal perforation.
16. The carrier of claim 14 wherein said food tray has a vertical perforation.
17. The carrier of claim 1 wherein said die cut slots are all in one row.
18. The carrier of claim 1 wherein said die cut slots are in two rows.
19. The carrier of claim 14 wherein said food tray is between said die cut slots.
20. The carrier of claim 14 wherein said food tray is located adjacent said die cut slots.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 7, 2007
Publication Date: Sep 11, 2008
Applicant:
Inventor: Charles W. Hall (New York, NY)
Application Number: 11/983,094
International Classification: B65D 25/34 (20060101); B65D 53/02 (20060101); B65D 1/34 (20060101); B65D 25/30 (20060101);