Cup Carrier for Inserting in a Bag
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 connecting the ends. The one end and second end further incorporate supports. At least one hole for inserting a cup is positioned in the central portion.
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a cup carrier for holding and transporting beverage cups that can be inserted in a bag.
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 INVENTIONThe 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.
Referring to
As shown in
Referring now to
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, opening 202 is shown without fingerlike projections it is understood that opening 202 may contain fingerlike projections.
In another alternate embodiment shown in
As shown in
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 for inserting in a bag; 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 support; at least one hole for inserting a cup positioned in the central portion.
2. The cup carrier for inserting in a bag of claim 1, wherein the cup is suspended in the at least one hole during use.
3. The cup carrier for inserting in a bag of claim 1, wherein the at least one hole is a pair of holes.
4. The cup carrier for inserting in a bag of claim 1, wherein the central portion further comprises at least one score line defining a bending point.
5. The cup carrier for inserting in a bag 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 for inserting in a bag of claim 1, wherein the at least one hole comprises multiple rows of holes.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 20, 2008
Publication Date: Apr 22, 2010
Inventor: Usher Weinberger (Monsey, NY)
Application Number: 12/254,008
International Classification: B65D 25/30 (20060101); B65D 25/04 (20060101);