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.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a cup carrier for holding and transporting beverage cups.

2. Summary of the Prior Art

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a currently-preferred embodiment of the cup carrier of the present invention;

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with cups inserted in a carrying position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the cup carrier of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 with a cup inserted in a carrying position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of the cup carrier of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.