Abstract: A lap tray that is folded from a corrugated cardboard blank. The tray portion can be permanently bonded in place after it has been folded from the blank. The tray has a central support means, which the user can grip with his legs. The tray's upper surface includes a receptacle for a drink container, and perimeter boundaries so that objects cannot easily slide off of the tray. The tray can be folded flat for easy storage and transport.

Abstract: A double basket providing separate containers for a primary substance (e.g., French fries) and an associated condiment substance (e.g., catsup in a cup). The secondary basket has a small auxiliary wall supported by the principle basket's wall panel for juxtaposition along the primary basket's wall panel, but movable to a basket-open position away from that closed position. The auxiliary wall and its support arms provide, nevertheless, that in the closed-pocket condition the pocket components pose significantly no deterrence to what is provided to be a "nestable" stackable feature of a plurality of baskets.

Abstract: In order to prevent injury to the back, a lumbar supporting belt includes a relatively wide inner belt and a relatively narrow outer belt. The inner belt is adapted to extend about the waist of a person. It has a middle region adapted to be positioned in the lumbar region of the back and has opposing ends adapted to be placed in proximity to one another. The inner belt is formed of a soft, flexible material which can have its opposing ends releasably connected. The outer belt is also adapted to extend about the waist of a person. It overlies the inner belt and has opposing ends corresponding to the opposing ends of the inner belt which are adapted to be placed in proximity to one another. The outer belt is formed of a flexible, non-stretchable material which can have its opposing ends releasably connected. In addition, the lumbar supporting belt may have a tool pouch which is supported in position by at least the outer belt thereof.

Abstract: A concession tray comprises a base panel, side panels and end panels. The end panels are relatively higher than the side panels. The tray includes a cup holder which comprises adjacent portions of the base panel and an end panel, respectively. In cooperation with portions of the end panel, the cup holder stably supports a broad range of sizes of beverage cups. The concession tray is formed from paperboard having a thickness of at least 0.026 inches and the maximum linear dimension of any side of the tray does not exceed about 13.5 inches.

Abstract: Known trays for carrying beverage cups have three or four pressure panels spaced apart around the perimeter of each cell in a manner to hold the cup upright. In the tray of this invention each cell has only two opposing pressure panels, each directed downwardly and inwardly toward the central area of the cell, and each panel having two projections on its inwardly directed face appropriately spaced apart to provide four pressure contacts around the perimeter of the contained article. The pairs of pressure contacts are thus displaced outwardly in diametrically opposite directions by the contained article, so that round, oval or rectangular shapes can be contacted by each of the four pressure contacts.

Abstract: A plate and cup holder has a plurality of panels attached foldably relative to each other and convertible into an assembled state. A support panel has a first end with an opening for receiving a cup and a second end for supporting a plate. Side panels are attached to the support panel along opposite said side edges thereof and are swung transversely of the support panel when the holder is the assembled state. Each side panel has a tab which is swung inwardly of the respective side panel and beneath the first end of the support panel when the holder is in the assembled state. An end panel is attached to the support panel and is engaged with the tabs to maintain the holder in the assembled state.

Abstract: An interfitting plate and cup enable a person to hold a food plate and a beverage cup with one hand. The plate has a central section with a hole therethrough. The hole is surrounded by a frusto-conical lip having a free edge that defines an opening for receiving the cup with the cup wall being supported on the lip free edge. In an alternate embodiment, the plate is formed with a ring of perforations in the central section. The plate may be used as a conventional plate, or the perforations can be punched out to create an opening for retaining a cup.

Abstract: A container assembly comprising a container having a first section having a bottom wall, sidewalls, and end walls and a second section adapted to lie over the open top of said first section to selectively close the open top of said first section and an insert means adapted to separate the contents of said sections, said insert being removable from said container while said container is in a closed position. The container assembly of the present invention is particularly useful in maintaining the hot/cold or moist/dry components of a food product separate until just prior to consumption at which time the insert is removed and the components of the food product are combined. The insert is removable while the container is closed so that the components of the food product can be combined without necessitating handling by the consumer.

Abstract: A blank and carry-out tray for carrying a variety of food products are provided and the tray is capable of transformation from a storage condition of a substantially flat configuration to an erect and upright useable condition by manipulation of a plurality of foldably connected portions that move similarly to a parallel linkage arrangement and which are provided with a locking mechanism that automatically lock the tray in its upright and useable condition.

Abstract: A convertible taco package having a bottom portion receivable within a top portion, and having parallel and medial perforations defining strips which are detachable. Slots are formed from the detachment of the strips, into which taco shells may be inserted. The detached strips are separated to form tabs which support the taco shells in the slots.

Abstract: A snack tray providing easy one-hand carry by the provision of a special thumb-hole, by which the outer end of the user's thumb provides a support-stability of a fulcrum located generally centrally not only of the upward forces from the user's fingers and thumb-base but also generally centrally of the tray. Other features include a central indention for providing an automatic forcing of the user to place his thumb's outer end in a location so as to not slip into a portion of the snack items being carried, and also achieve its central fulcrum effect; and the forward and rearward walls of the thumb hole are slanted, providing a comfortable and guiding surface for the user's insertion of his thumb's outer end portion. Other special provisions add to the advantages.

Abstract: A molded tray for holding different size containers includes a bottom wall and a peripheral side wall. The bottom wall is divided into two pair of oppositely arranged sockets with each socket being in a respective corner of the tray. One pair of sockets is constructed and dimensioned to hold containers in a certain size range while the alternate sockets are constructed and dimensioned to hold larger size containers.

Abstract: A combination beverage tray and sun visor comprised of a beverage tray having raised side walls and including a pre-formed perforation along a portion of the junction of the base of said tray and the side walls wherein the base may be separated from the sidewalls thereby forming an opening which allows the beverage tray to be converted into a sun visor and worn upon one's head.

Abstract: A unitary folding serving tray (24) includes a base (4), first (6) and second (10) sidewalls and first (14) and second (18) end walls extending upwardly from the base and defining an interior region (42). The sidewalls are connected to the base along first (8) and second (12) fold lines. The first end wall is connected to the first sidewall along a third fold line (16). The base and a portion of the first sidewall extends outwardly past the first end wall to define a portion of the base having a drink container opening (46). The external base portion (44) is supported in a cantilevered fashion by a portion (48) of the first sidewall which also extends externally of the interior region. The end walls have downwardly extending hook like portions (34, 56) sized to permit the tray to be hung from the edge of a car window (40). The first sidewall is connected to the second end wall by hook and notch fastener elements (30,32).

Abstract: A portable beverage container carrier for an automotive vehicle is formed of a single sheet of flat, stiffened material, such as cardboard, formed with creases to create a rectangular floor, a front, a back and sides. A pair of arms extend laterally from the front and back and are adaptable for insertion into slots in the sides. The arms terminate in hook and loop fabric fasteners which are engageable with mating fabric fasteners on the inside surfaces of the side panels. The front, back and sides can thereby be folded up from the floor panel to form a tray. The front and sides are provided with reinforcement flaps that are foldable inwardly to reinforce the structure of the tray. One of the side flaps is formed with an articulated intermediate panel having apertures therein to receive accessories, such as straws and plastic eating implements. The sheet of stiffened material is formed with a detachable section that can be folded into a dihedral to form an adjustable brace.

Abstract: A carton and blank therefor are provided with components for easily and efficiently converting a carton from one suitable for distribution of bulk goods to a carry-out tray which may include a plurality of configurations, each of which, in order to be properly implemented, requires removal from the carton of the legend indicating that the contents of the bulk goods distribution carton had been inspected and approved by, for example, a governmental agency.

Abstract: A collapsible, self-locking carton, formed from a unitary blank of foldable paperboard, that is divided into two separate types of compartments for holding two different types of food items, one compartment having a horizontal wall with a central opening for holding a cylindrical item such as sauce cup, and the other component being a well with higher walls for holding taller elongated objects such as pretzels.

Abstract: A method and package for holding food and a beverage cup wherein the package includes a paperboard sleeve defining an elongated enclosure of rectangular cross-section extending therethrough and including a rectangular opening at one end thereof into said enclosure. The sleeve includes a tub holding first portion and a beverage cup holding second portion. An open top food tub is slid into the enclosure through the opening and stop means are provided for holding the tub in the first portion of the sleeve. The top panel of the sleeve includes a tear away panel overlying the tub for providing access to the food in the tub. The tub rigidifies the sleeve, and prevents fluids in the food from leaking out of the package. The sleeve provides a lid for the tub, protects the food and keeps it warm. The top panel of the sleeve includes a cup receiving aperture in the second portion thereof and the stop means prevents the tub from interfering with the cup.

Abstract: A nestable, two-part tray including a lower part having tapered side walls and a bottom made of waterproof material, having an open top surrounded by a shoulder and having a vertically standing rim connected to the outer extremity of the shoulder, the second part of the tray being a flat element such as corrugated cardboard having dimensions such that it fits within the rim and has its edges resting on the shoulder.

Abstract: A tray particularly useful by fast food establishments and the like for serving various products. The tray is formed from a tube formed in a flat state for storage and shipment and being readily erectible. A central portion of the top of such tube is provided with suitable product receiving openings which may open into a receptacle or which receive drink cups. At one or more ends of the tray, there is a compartment which is defined by an end of the initial tube which is pivoted from a longitudinal position to an upstanding position. The tray may have one or more internal stiffeners to prevent the collapse thereof when in tube form and stacked. Numerous embodiments are envisioned although only a limited number of alternatives is specifically disclosed.

Abstract: A disposable food and beverage carrier of conventional size which is convertible to a sun visor by having portions of its bottom and sides perforated and adapted to be torn off so that the remaining portions define a sun visor having a head band which can be secured around a person's head and with tab and slot means to secure the sun visor in a horizontal position.

Abstract: In this invention, there is provided a combination of a heat resistant container containing a ready prepared meal and a secondary package providing support for the container and restricting the flow of hot air back to the container.

Abstract: An advertising device comprising a single planar sheet of cardboard or like material which is printed on one side, die cut, glued and provided with fold or score lines and locking means which enable the sheet of material to be readily folded and then locked into a three-dimensional configuration having the appearance of a toy truck or automobile. In the three-dimensional configuration, compartments are defined for receipt of food items such as hamburgers, French fries and the like.

Abstract: An easy set-up tray wherein in addition to the usual well defined by a tray for receiving food products, there is a top panel for receiving other products, including containers for drinks and the like. Each tray is of a one-piece construction and is provided in a substantially flat knocked-down state. When it is desired to erect or set-up the tray, side panels thereof are grasped and pulled apart with the result that the tray automatically erects and is locked in its erected or set-up position. The top panel is connected to the side panels by reversely foldable connecting panels so as to provide for a rigid structure.

Abstract: A scoop-type carton of thermal insulating material for containing fast food items such as French fries and keeping them hot has a body portion comprising a bottom and side panels upstanding and tapered outwardly from the bottom. The carton also has a cover that is integrally hinged to one of the side panels and is selectively movable between an open position and a closed position in which the cover covers the open end. The cover is releasably held in the closed position by interengagement of the cover and a side panel remote from the side panel to which the cover is integrally hinged.

Abstract: A generally rectangular carryout tray for fast food restaurants is provided with top, bottom and side walls. The top wall includes openings in distinct areas for accomodating different kinds of food. The tray is constructed so taht it can be collapsed for storage before use and readily erected for use with a simple motion. The top wall is supported above the bottom wall by an integral bridge element prepared from the top wall material taken from one of the food accomodating areas. Each food accomodating area also includes deflectable flap elements and tabs which further support and position the various food products in their designated areas.