APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A UNIVERSAL ACCESSORY STATION FOR A SINGLE BEVERAGE MACHINE
An accessory caddy including at least one first container with at least one opening at a top portion thereof configured to receive a nested stack of disposable cups. The accessory caddy can also include a second container having a substantially similar height to the first containers. The second container can have at least one first compartment with further openings at a top portion thereof configured to receive items, wherein a height from the opening to a first compartment-floor can be a fraction of the height of the second container leaving a remainder below the first compartment-floor. Additionally, the accessory caddy can include a third container connected to a side of the first container(s) and a side of the second container, and can have a height that is less than half the height of the first container(s). The third container can include at least one second compartment configured to receive further items.
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This application relates to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/585,880 filed on Jan. 12, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSUREThe present disclosure relates to an accessory station for holding various accessories associated with a single serve beverage station, such as a coffee pod single-serve brewing machine.
BACKGROUND INFORMATIONSingle serve coffee machines have gained market share in the office, home and home-office settings, as compared to more traditional pot-brewed (e.g., drip-brewed) coffee machines. Single serve coffee machines can have a variety of configurations. For example, some single-serve coffee machines can provide drip-brewed capabilities (e.g., a smaller version of traditional “pot sized” machines), have single-serve coffee pods (e.g., like the Keurig® “K-cup”), or include various other single serve packet designs (e.g., liquid packets by Flavia®).
Accessory stations designed for traditional pot-sized drip-brewed arrangements may not adequately address the unique needs of a single serve beverage station.
According to the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments of an apparatus can be provided for holding various accessories associated with a single serve beverage station, which overcome at least some of the deficiencies of the prior coffee making machines.
SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTSAccording to certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, exemplary universal accessory stations are described.
An accessory caddy including at least one first container with at least one opening at a top portion thereof configured to receive a nested stack of disposable cups. The accessory caddy can also include a second container having a substantially similar height to the first containers. The second container can have at least one first compartment with further openings at a top portion thereof configured to receive items, wherein a height from the opening to a first compartment-floor can be a fraction of the height of the second container leaving a remainder below the first compartment-floor. Additionally, the accessory caddy can include a third container connected to a side of the first container(s) and a side of the second container, and can have a height that is less than half the height of the first container(s). The third container can include at least one second compartment configured to receive further items.
In one configuration, the first container(s) can be at least four inches taller or larger than the at least one first compartment. The floor of the second compartment(s) can be provided at the same level as a caddy floor that is a floor of the first, second, and third containers. The second container, in some configurations, can include within the remainder at least one receiving compartment configured to receive at least one drawer. The drawer(s) can be provided on tracks to guide movement in and out of the caddy, while retaining the drawers at least partially within the caddy.
In some configurations, the two other corners of the third container can be substantially sloped from the top side to the front side thereof. The second container can include within the remainder, a plurality of drawers that open from a front oriented substantially ninety degrees from the top.
In some configurations, the first container(s) can include includes a plurality of first containers. The first compartment(s) of the second container can include a plurality of first compartments. The second compartment(s) of the third container can include a plurality of second compartments.
The caddy can have a width of approximately 5 inches to 10 inches that extends along a front portion thereof. In some configurations, the caddy can have a width of approximately 7 inches that extends along a front portion thereof. The caddy can have a height of approximately 8 inches to approximately 15 inches. In some configurations, the caddy can have a height of approximately 12 inches. In some configurations, the first compartment(s) can have a depth that is substantially larger than a depth of the at least one second compartment.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the appended claim(s).
Exemplary objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying Figs. showing illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure, in which:
Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals and characters, unless otherwise stated, are used to denote like features, elements, components, or portions of the illustrated embodiments. Moreover, while the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the figures, it is done so in connection with the illustrative embodiments and is not limited by the particular embodiments illustrated in the figures or the claims appended herewith.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTSAccording to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, an accessory caddy can be provided that can include an all-in-one compact unit which can hold many accessories that a user would desire in connection with, e.g., a single serve coffee machine. The exemplary single serve coffee machine can be a beverage dispenser. Other exemplary dispensers are also possible, and indeed existing single-serve “coffee machines” themselves often also make non-coffee beverages, such as hot chocolate, tea, etc., as well as coffee variations, such as cappuccino, espresso, latté, etc. Examples described herein may illustrate an exemplary accessory caddy oriented toward a single-serve coffee machine, but could also be associated with other dispenser machines having accessories and/or “coffee machines” that dispense more than just coffee.
The exemplary caddy can include a number of front pull-out drawers 110 (e.g., two) that can hold individual single serve coffee pods, tea bags, sugar packets and/or miscellaneous accessories. In certain exemplary embodiments, drawers 110 can be dimensioned to optimize storage of a plurality of coffee pods, such as the Keurig® brand “K-cup,” while users can be free to use all the drawers 110 for such storage or allocate one or more of the drawers 110 for storage of other items, e.g., as listed above.
According to one exemplary embodiment, the exemplary caddy can include drawer receiving compartments 112 for receiving the exemplary drawers 110. The exemplary receiving compartments 112 can have a height 124 that can range from, e.g., approximately 3.00 inches to approximately 4.00 inches. In one exemplary configuration, the exemplary height 124 can be approximately 3.8 inches, and in another configuration, the height 124 can be approximately 4.00 inches. The exemplary receiving compartments 112 can have a width 126 that can be, e.g., approximately 4.3 inches. Other sizes for the drawer receiving compartments 112 can include, e.g., 2 inches wide, 6 inches wide, 2 inches tall, 6 inches tall or any number therebetween.
The drawers 110 can be of any dimension suitable for insertion into the drawer receiving compartments 112. In one exemplary embodiment, for example as shown in
The exemplary drawer 110 can include a handle feature 156 attached to the front surface 136 to facilitate opening the drawers 110. The handle feature 156 can have a thickness 162 of approximately 0.15 inches. The handle feature 156 can have a length 164 of approximately 1.34 inches. In one exemplary configuration, the handle feature 156 can have a crescent or half-circle shape (as shown in
According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the exemplary drawer 110 can further include a viewing structure/feature 166 on the front surface 136. The viewing feature 166 can facilitate the user to view what is inside the drawer 110 and can also facilitate a user with opening the drawer. For example, the viewing feature 166 can be or include a recessed portion at the top of the front surface 136 as shown in
Further, in certain exemplary embodiments, the drawers 110 can be slide-enabled from closed and substantially open positions, but can be otherwise prevented from removal, e.g., they can be connected to the unit through a side groove mechanism/system. The exemplary drawers 110 can have grooved slots located at the bottom, e.g., on both sides. The slots can be used to keep the drawers aligned and there can be a stop mechanism to prevent them from completely pulling out. The exemplary grooved slots can also facilitate a smooth in and out movement of the drawer.
Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can include two tall, open compartments 120 that can be used for, e.g., cups and lids. The tall compartments 120 can span the entire height of the exemplary embodiments or some fraction thereof.
In one exemplary configuration, the tall compartments 120 can have a first side wall 184 (shown in
According to certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure additional open compartments 130 and 132 can be used, e.g., for napkins and spoons. The open compartments 130, 132 can be disposed on either the left side, right side, or on both sides of the exemplary accessory caddy.
The compartments 130,132 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can be seen in
Exemplary dimensions for these compartments are illustrated in
As shown in
The exemplary compartment 132 can also include a recessed portion 176 (as shown in
Exemplary compartment 132 is illustrated toward the front of caddy 100, although it is appreciated that the exemplary compartment 132 can be located toward the back, e.g., with compartments 130 toward the front, or in the middle, e.g., with compartments 130 on either side of compartment 132. The combined width of compartments 130, 132 can be approximately equal to the depth of caddy 100, as illustrated, or some fraction thereof. For example, the depth 200 of the exemplary accessory caddy can range from, e.g., approximately 8 inches to approximately 16 inches (including the depth of the compartments 132 and 130 and the thickness of the side walls of the compartments 132,130, but not the handle feature 156). According to one exemplary configuration, the depth 200 can be approximately 11.500 inches and in another exemplary configuration, the depth 200 can be approximately 11.22 inches.
Above the drawers 110 additional exemplary open compartments, e.g., 140 and 142. These exemplary compartments can be squared, or as illustrated, sloped along a curve. These compartments 140, 142 can be used for any number of other items, including, e.g., stirrers, sugar packets, tea bags and spoons.
One exemplary set of dimensions for compartments 140 and 142 are illustrated in
Certain exemplary embodiments can include feet 147 on the bottom of the caddy 100. For example,
Exemplary embodiments can include connectors (not shown), which can connect to other components. Exemplary embodiments can be provided with other components, or can be provided as a stand alone accessory caddy. The exemplary accessory caddy can be made of plastic, metal, acrylic, or other similar material. The exemplary accessory caddy can be made of an opaque material, transparent material, or can have both opaque and transparent material.
Various components of the exemplary carousels can include any number of dimensions, and
The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the disclosure. Various modifications and alterations to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous systems, arrangements, and procedures which, although not explicitly shown or described herein, embody the principles of the disclosure and can be thus within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. In addition, all publications and references referred to above can be incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. In addition, certain terms used in the present disclosure, including the specification, drawings and claims thereof, can be used synonymously in certain instances, including, but not limited to, e.g., data and information. It should be understood that, while these words, and/or other words that can be synonymous to one another, can be used synonymously herein, that there can be instances when such words can be intended to not be used synonymously. The term “about” and “approximately,” as used herein, should generally be understood to refer to both the corresponding number and a range of numbers. Moreover, all numerical ranges herein should be understood to include each whole integer within the range. Further, to the extent that the prior art knowledge has not been explicitly incorporated by reference herein above, it can be explicitly being incorporated herein in its entirety. All publications referenced above can be incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Claims
1. An accessory caddy, comprising:
- at least one first container with at least one opening at a top portion thereof configured to receive a nested stack of disposable cups;
- a second container having a substantially similar height to the first containers, the second container having at least one first compartment with further openings at a top portion thereof configured to receive items, wherein a height from the opening to a first compartment-floor is a fraction of the height of the second container leaving a remainder below the first compartment-floor; and
- a third container connected to a side of the at least one first container and a side of the second container, and having a height that is less than half the height of the at least one first container, the third container including at least one second compartment is configured to receive further items.
2. The caddy of claim 1, wherein the at least first container is at least four inches taller or larger than the at least one first compartment.
3. The caddy of claim 1, wherein a floor of the at least one second compartment is provided at a same level as a caddy floor that is a floor of each of the first, second, and third containers.
4. The caddy of claim 1, wherein the second container includes within the remainder at least one receiving compartment configured to receive at least one drawer.
5. The caddy of claim 4, wherein the at least one drawers is provided on tracks to guide movement in and out of the caddy, while retaining the drawers at least partially within the caddy.
6. The caddy of claim 1, wherein corners and a side therebetween of the third container are shared with corners and a side therebetween of the second container.
7. The caddy of claim 6, wherein two other corners of the third container are substantially sloped from the top side to the front side thereof.
8. The caddy of claim 1, wherein two corners of the third container are substantially sloped from the top side to the front side.
9. The caddy of claim 1, wherein the second container includes within the remainder, a plurality of drawers that open from a front oriented substantially ninety degrees from the top.
10. The caddy of claim 1, wherein the at least one first container includes a plurality of first containers.
11. The caddy of claim 1, wherein the at least one first compartment of the second container includes a plurality of first compartments.
12. The caddy of claim 1, wherein the at least one second compartment of the third container includes a plurality of second compartments.
13. The caddy of claim 1, wherein the caddy has a width of approximately 5 inches to 10 inches that extends along a front portion thereof.
14. The caddy of claim 1, wherein the caddy has a width of approximately 7 inches that extends along a front portion thereof.
15. The caddy of claim 1, wherein the caddy has a height of approximately 8 inches to approximately 15 inches.
16. The caddy of claim 1, wherein the caddy has a height of approximately 12 inches.
17. The caddy of claim 1, wherein the at least one first compartment has a depth that is substantially larger than a depth of the at least one second compartment.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 11, 2013
Publication Date: Jul 25, 2013
Applicant: EMS MIND READER LLC (Newark, NJ)
Inventor: EMS Mind Reader LLC (Newark, NJ)
Application Number: 13/739,567
International Classification: B65D 73/00 (20060101);