US20060214075A1 - Beverage holder adapters for non-cylindrical, multi-sided food containers - Google Patents
Beverage holder adapters for non-cylindrical, multi-sided food containers Download PDFInfo
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- US20060214075A1 US20060214075A1 US11/085,054 US8505405A US2006214075A1 US 20060214075 A1 US20060214075 A1 US 20060214075A1 US 8505405 A US8505405 A US 8505405A US 2006214075 A1 US2006214075 A1 US 2006214075A1
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- adapter
- latching
- panel
- elongate strip
- top panel
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N3/00—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for
- B60N3/10—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of receptacles for food or beverages, e.g. refrigerated
- B60N3/103—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of receptacles for food or beverages, e.g. refrigerated detachable
Definitions
- the invention generally relates to adapters for holding food containers with beverage container receptacles, especially non-cylindrical, multi-sided food containers.
- cup holders i.e., receptacles sized for receipt and holding of beverage containers such as cups, cans and bottles
- Typical beverage holders are relatively small in diameter and are configured to support cylindrical beverage containers.
- consumers also often desire to transport packaged food items which can be eaten directly from containers by hand without the need for serving plates/bowls and eating utensils, e.g., Kraft LUNCHABLES® ready-to-eat meals and snacks.
- serving plates/bowls and eating utensils e.g., Kraft LUNCHABLES® ready-to-eat meals and snacks.
- many convenience restaurants and stores sell fried or baked chicken pieces or nachos, etc., which are packaged in a small hinged carton, or a tray having a removable cover.
- These food cartons and trays often have a rectangular bottom profile.
- Such trays and cartons generally do not have a size and/or shape allowing them to nest in a typical beverage container holder.
- the invention provides an adapter for stably supporting a food container, such as a non-cylindrical multi-sided food container or tray, over a beverage container receptacle defining a cylindrical shape-supporting cavity.
- a food container such as a non-cylindrical multi-sided food container or tray
- the adapter comprises a disc-shaped self-supporting pedestal structure comprising bottom and top panels connected by an intermediate cylindrical structure comprising a plurality of elongate strip panels joined at longitudinal ends thereof.
- the top panel includes at least one flap foldable into an upright position, which is adapted to be attached to a groove provided in a bottom side of a food container.
- the pedestal structure is configured to have a cross-section suitable for nesting in a cylindrical shape-supporting cavity of a beverage receptacle. Attachment of the foldable flap to a food container groove and nesting of the adapter in a beverage receptacle makes it possible to restrict lateral movement of the food container relative to the beverage receptacle while being held therein.
- the adapter is a structure erected from a one-piece paperboard blank incorporating all of the elongate strips and the bottom and top panels needed to erect the pedestal structure and provide at least one food container attachment flap at its top panel.
- the blank is a discrete component having a generally planar sheet construction which can be manually manipulated from a two dimensional format into a three dimensional structure which can be fitted snugly into a cylindrical shape-supporting beverage cup holder and can be used to stabilize a food tray attached upon the adapter, in order to minimize food spillage from the container.
- the adapter enables stable support and hands-free holding of food containers in existing beverage holders installed on-board vehicles, or in chairs, tables, locations adjacent to audience or spectator seats, or other locations.
- the adapter blank has a top panel including a plurality of lines of weakness foldable into upright positions which project upwardly from the remainder of the adapter and are receivable in a plurality of respective complementary grooves provided in the bottom of a food tray.
- the flaps and the grooves have complementary widths suitably sized to allow a frictional fit therebetween.
- the plurality of lines of weakness can extend generally parallel with one another across the top panel, or have other configurations on the top panel which are also useful to immobilize a food tray connected thereto.
- the line of weakness may be provided as a scored line, an intermittent cut line, or via other treatment of the top panel forming a discrete lineal hinged portion.
- the elongate strip panels may have a plurality of spaced-apart score lines extending generally perpendicular to lateral side edges thereof effective to facilitate curling of the elongate strips into an arced configuration.
- packaged food products are provided which integrate a food container containing a food product together with the indicated adapter, such as in a kit format.
- the packaged food products may be stably held in cylindrical shape-supporting beverage receptacles via the erected adapter, which forms a self-supporting pedestal structure operable to be releasably seated in a cavity of a beverage receptacle to restrict movement of the food container relative to the receptacle and thus stabilize the food container in position over the receptacle.
- FIG. 1 shows an adapter as a collapsed unitary blank in accordance with an embodiment of this invention.
- FIG. 2 shows a partially erected adapter from the blank of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of this invention.
- FIG. 3 shows a completely erected adapter from the blank of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of this invention.
- FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of a food tray adapted to attach the adapter of FIG. 3 in accordance with an embodiment of this invention.
- FIG. 5 is a top front perspective exploded view of a packaged food product including an adapter/food tray assembly as suspended above a beverage container holder.
- FIG. 6 is a top front perspective view of the packaged food product inserted in a beverage receptacle of the beverage container holder of FIG. 5 .
- FIG. 7 shows a completely erected adapter from the blank of FIG. 1 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of this invention.
- the adapter enables meal or snack foods served in non-cylindrical, multi-sided containers to be stably held for consumption in existing beverage holders in an “on-the-go” manner in moving vehicles, or, alternatively, at public arenas or theaters and the like so that the consumer may enjoy the event while eating the food from the container in a hands-free manner.
- an adapter 300 for supporting a non-cylindrical, multi-sided food container over a beverage container receptacle is shown, which is erected from a unitary paperboard blank 100 .
- the unitary paperboard blank 100 comprises an unfolded generally planar construction.
- the blank 100 includes, among other features, a first elongate strip panel 101 having a first medial portion 106 , opposite first and second lateral side edges ( 108 , 109 ), a first latching tongue 107 extending from a longitudinal end 1010 thereof, a first latching slit 103 adjacent an opposite longitudinal end 1011 thereof, and a second latching slit 105 adjacent the first lateral side edge 108 at the first medial portion 106 .
- a bottom panel 111 is foldably attached to the first medial portion 106 along the second lateral side edge 109 of the first elongate strip panel 101 .
- a second elongate strip panel 121 has a second medial portion 126 , opposite third and fourth lateral side edges ( 128 , 129 ), a second latching tongue 127 extending from a longitudinal end 1020 thereof, and a third latching slit 123 adjacent an opposite longitudinal end 1021 thereof.
- the bottom panel 111 is foldably attached to the second medial portion 126 along the third lateral side 128 of the second elongate strip panel 121 .
- the elongate strip panel 101 has a plurality of spaced-apart score lines 104 extending generally perpendicular to lateral side edges 108 and 109 thereof effective to facilitate curling of the elongate strips into an arced configuration.
- the elongate strip panel 121 has a plurality of spaced-apart score lines 124 extending generally perpendicular to lateral side edges 128 and 129 thereof effective to facilitate curling of the elongate strips into an arced configuration.
- a top panel 131 is foldably attached to the second medial portion 126 along the fourth lateral side edge 129 of the second elongate strip panel 121 , and a third latching tongue 137 extending from a side edge portion 138 of the top panel 131 opposite to where the top panel 131 is foldably attached to the second elongate strip panel 121 .
- two lines of weakness 134 and 136 in top panel 131 are provided defining respective foldable flaps 135 and 136 in the top panel 131 .
- Each flap 135 and 136 is adapted to be folded into an upright position relative to an unfolded part 139 of the top panel 131 .
- the lines of weakness 135 and 136 are scored lines, intermittent cut lines, or other treatment of the top panel forming a discrete lineal hinged portion in the panel.
- the plurality of lines of weakness 134 and 136 may extend generally parallel with one another. They also may be configured to form other configurations on top panel 131 , such as t-shaped, v-shaped, etc. Also, a single flapped portion may be used, although it is preferred to define multiple flapped portions in top panel 131 to further ensure the immobilization of a food tray attached thereon.
- Lines of weakness 1001 , 1002 and 1003 also can be provided in blank 100 to facilitate forming hinged connections between the adjoining applicable sets of the elongate strip 101 , bottom panel 111 , elongate strip 121 , and top panel 131 .
- a partially erected adapter 200 is shown. Some, but not all, of the plurality of spaced-apart score lines 104 and 124 provided on elongate strip panels 101 and 121 , respectively, are also shown.
- the first and second elongate strip panels 101 and 121 have been folded into an upright position relative to the bottom panel 111 .
- the second latching tongue 127 is latched to the first latching slit 103 .
- the first latching tongue 107 is latched to the third latching slit 123 , where the tongue 107 is shown in hidden lines as it rests against the opposite outer wall of elongate strip 121 .
- FIG. 3 has the latching tongues 127 , 107 tucked outside the corresponding slits 103 , 123 , respectively, it will be appreciated that the tongues alternatively can be tucked inside the corresponding slits 103 , 123 of the assembly (e.g., see FIG. 7 ).
- the first latching tongue 107 on elongate strip 101 has a tab portion 1070 and a pronged distal end 1071 .
- the tongue 107 also may have a T-shape or other configuration useful for insertion and latching to slit 123 .
- the slit 123 in elongate strip 121 has a shape configured to allow the latching to tongue 107 to both be inserted therethrough and latched.
- the slit 123 may comprise a u-shaped cut through the paperboard blank 100 .
- the tab or neck portion 1070 of the tongue 107 is no wider than the width of the slit 123 , and the pronged distal end 1071 of the first latching tongue 107 is wider than the u-shaped cut 123 sufficient that the distal end 1071 can latch the u-shaped cut 123 after insertion therethrough for interlocking the longitudinal ends 1010 and 1021 of the elongate strips 101 and 121 , respectively.
- Latching tongue 127 on elongate strip 121 and slit 103 on elongate strip 101 have similar configurations for interlocking the opposite longitudinal ends 1011 and 1020 of the elongate strips 101 and 121 , respectively.
- An intermediate self-supporting erected structure 200 thusly can be erected.
- the completely erected adapter 300 is shown.
- the top panel 131 is folded such that the third latching tongue 137 thereof can be latched to the second latching slit 105 of the first elongate strip panel 101 .
- Latching tongue 137 on elongate strip 131 and slit 105 on elongate strip 101 have similar configurations suitable for interlocking the top panel 131 to elongate strip 101 , as described above in connection with tongues 107 and 127 and slits 103 and 123 .
- FIG. 3 shows the latching tongue 137 tucked outside the corresponding slit 105
- the tongue alternatively can be tucked inside the corresponding slit 105 of the assembly (e.g., see FIG. 7 ).
- Flaps 133 and 135 are folded into generally upright positions projecting away from unfolded part 139 of the top panel 131 .
- a disc-shaped pedestal structure 301 is thusly provided from which the flaps 133 and 135 projecting upwardly.
- each flap 133 and 135 can be conformably (frictionally) fitted into a complementary groove provided in the bottom of a food tray sufficient to restrict lateral movement of a food container attached thereto relative to a beverage receptacle to hold the tray in position. At least one such flap and complementary groove is needed to immobilize the food tray.
- FIG. 4 shows the bottom 401 of food tray including grooves or recesses 403 and 404 , and non-grooved generally planar portions 402 .
- the grooves 403 and 404 are provided at preselected locations on the tray bottom 401 which can be mated with the flaps 133 and 135 of the adapter 300 effective to attach the tray 400 upon the adapter 300 .
- the unitary blank 100 can be conveniently packaged with food tray 400 in kit form.
- the blank 100 can be releasably spot glued to a top or bottom of the food tray 400 , and the associated tray and blank can then be packaged, such as by shrink wrapping.
- the blank can be readily manually pried apart from the food tray as a free part that can be erected and attached into a groove or grooves on the bottom of the food tray as described herein.
- the resulting adapter/food container assembly is operable to be seated in a cylindrical shape-supporting cavity of a beverage container.
- a packaged food product 500 comprising the above-indicated adapter/food container assembly is shown comprising a food container or tray 501 containing a food product 503 , and the adapter 300 .
- the food container 501 is a non-cylindrical, multi-sided food container or tray.
- the tray 501 may be single-welled or multi-welled on its top side 504 .
- the bottom side 502 of the food tray may correspond to the grooved bottom side 401 of the food container 400 shown in FIG. 4 , which, at this juncture, has been further assembled with the adapter 300 via insertion of flaps 133 and 135 thereof into complementary tray bottom grooves (e.g., see FIG. 4 , tray bottom grooves 403 and 405 ).
- the packaged food product 500 is illustrated as suspended above a beverage container holder 510 having a generally planar support surface 512 having at least one receptacle 514 disposed therein which is defined by a cylindrical shaped sidewall 516 defining a cavity 518 having cylindrical or substantially cylindrical cross-section and a predetermined cavity diameter and depth.
- the packaged food product 500 contains food pieces 503 .
- the food product 503 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, cooked meat pieces (e.g., fried chicken pieces), vegetable pieces, fruit pieces, nachos, cheese, crackers, lunchmeat, confections, and combinations thereof.
- the adapter 300 includes a self-supporting pedestal structure 301 , such as indicated in FIG. 3 above, having a cross-section configured to be received and nest snugly in the beverage receptacle 514 , and above-indicated upwardly projecting flaps 133 and 135 (not visible in this view) fitted into the above-indicated complementary grooves (not visible in this view) provided on the bottom 501 of food tray 502 .
- the food container 501 has a rectangular-shaped tray portion 507 in which the food product 503 has been placed.
- the tray portion 507 of food container 501 also could have other shapes, such as, for instance, square, hexagonal, circular, oval, etc.
- the pedestal structure 301 of adapter 300 is configured for insertion into beverage receptacle 514 of the beverage container holder 510 in the direction indicated by the arrow 509 .
- the beverage receptacle 514 can be a typical or conventional beverage container holder.
- the pedestal structure 301 of the adapter 300 of packaged food product 500 has been inserted into cylindrical shape-supporting beverage container receptacle 514 effective to securely hold and stabilize the non-cylindrical, multi-sided tray 501 .
- stability against lateral movement of the food tray 501 and its contents relative to the beverage receptacle 514 is provided.
- the adapter 300 allows the food container 501 to be releasably held in a stable position within the beverage holder or receptacle 514 , as it also can be manually withdrawn and extracted from the beverage receptacle 514 .
- the adapter 300 and food tray 501 can be constructed of recyclable easily disposable material, such as paperboard.
- Cylindrical shape-supporting beverage holders and receptacles which can be adapted to support non-cylindrical, multi-sided containers or trays in accordance with embodiments herein include, e.g., those are commonly installed in vehicles, leisure chairs, and adjacent audience or spectator seats in various venues to hold a consumer's beverage cup, can, glass, bottle, etc.
Abstract
Description
- The invention generally relates to adapters for holding food containers with beverage container receptacles, especially non-cylindrical, multi-sided food containers.
- Many vehicles such as automobiles, vans, buses, boats, aircraft, and recreational vehicles, as well as stationary seating venues, such as in stadiums, arenas, theaters, lawn furniture, home leisure chairs, tables, and so forth, have built-in cup holders, i.e., receptacles sized for receipt and holding of beverage containers such as cups, cans and bottles
- Typical beverage holders are relatively small in diameter and are configured to support cylindrical beverage containers. However, in addition to beverage containers, consumers also often desire to transport packaged food items which can be eaten directly from containers by hand without the need for serving plates/bowls and eating utensils, e.g., Kraft LUNCHABLES® ready-to-eat meals and snacks. Also, for example, many convenience restaurants and stores sell fried or baked chicken pieces or nachos, etc., which are packaged in a small hinged carton, or a tray having a removable cover. These food cartons and trays often have a rectangular bottom profile. Such trays and cartons generally do not have a size and/or shape allowing them to nest in a typical beverage container holder.
- The invention provides an adapter for stably supporting a food container, such as a non-cylindrical multi-sided food container or tray, over a beverage container receptacle defining a cylindrical shape-supporting cavity.
- In one embodiment, the adapter comprises a disc-shaped self-supporting pedestal structure comprising bottom and top panels connected by an intermediate cylindrical structure comprising a plurality of elongate strip panels joined at longitudinal ends thereof. The top panel includes at least one flap foldable into an upright position, which is adapted to be attached to a groove provided in a bottom side of a food container. The pedestal structure is configured to have a cross-section suitable for nesting in a cylindrical shape-supporting cavity of a beverage receptacle. Attachment of the foldable flap to a food container groove and nesting of the adapter in a beverage receptacle makes it possible to restrict lateral movement of the food container relative to the beverage receptacle while being held therein.
- In a preferred embodiment, the adapter is a structure erected from a one-piece paperboard blank incorporating all of the elongate strips and the bottom and top panels needed to erect the pedestal structure and provide at least one food container attachment flap at its top panel. The blank is a discrete component having a generally planar sheet construction which can be manually manipulated from a two dimensional format into a three dimensional structure which can be fitted snugly into a cylindrical shape-supporting beverage cup holder and can be used to stabilize a food tray attached upon the adapter, in order to minimize food spillage from the container. The adapter enables stable support and hands-free holding of food containers in existing beverage holders installed on-board vehicles, or in chairs, tables, locations adjacent to audience or spectator seats, or other locations.
- In preferred embodiments, the adapter blank has a top panel including a plurality of lines of weakness foldable into upright positions which project upwardly from the remainder of the adapter and are receivable in a plurality of respective complementary grooves provided in the bottom of a food tray. The flaps and the grooves have complementary widths suitably sized to allow a frictional fit therebetween. The plurality of lines of weakness can extend generally parallel with one another across the top panel, or have other configurations on the top panel which are also useful to immobilize a food tray connected thereto. The line of weakness may be provided as a scored line, an intermittent cut line, or via other treatment of the top panel forming a discrete lineal hinged portion. The elongate strip panels may have a plurality of spaced-apart score lines extending generally perpendicular to lateral side edges thereof effective to facilitate curling of the elongate strips into an arced configuration.
- In a further embodiment, packaged food products are provided which integrate a food container containing a food product together with the indicated adapter, such as in a kit format. The packaged food products may be stably held in cylindrical shape-supporting beverage receptacles via the erected adapter, which forms a self-supporting pedestal structure operable to be releasably seated in a cavity of a beverage receptacle to restrict movement of the food container relative to the receptacle and thus stabilize the food container in position over the receptacle.
- Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 shows an adapter as a collapsed unitary blank in accordance with an embodiment of this invention. -
FIG. 2 shows a partially erected adapter from the blank ofFIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of this invention. -
FIG. 3 shows a completely erected adapter from the blank ofFIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of this invention. -
FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of a food tray adapted to attach the adapter ofFIG. 3 in accordance with an embodiment of this invention. -
FIG. 5 is a top front perspective exploded view of a packaged food product including an adapter/food tray assembly as suspended above a beverage container holder. -
FIG. 6 is a top front perspective view of the packaged food product inserted in a beverage receptacle of the beverage container holder ofFIG. 5 . -
FIG. 7 shows a completely erected adapter from the blank ofFIG. 1 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of this invention. - The features depicted in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Similarly numbered elements in different figures represent similar components unless indicated otherwise.
- Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described below with specific reference to an adapter convenient for holding food containers in existing beverage container holders installed aboard vehicles or adjacent spectator/audience seating or leisure chairs or tables, and so forth, as well as packaged food products which integrate the cup adapter with a food container. In particular embodiments, the adapter enables meal or snack foods served in non-cylindrical, multi-sided containers to be stably held for consumption in existing beverage holders in an “on-the-go” manner in moving vehicles, or, alternatively, at public arenas or theaters and the like so that the consumer may enjoy the event while eating the food from the container in a hands-free manner.
- Referring to
FIGS. 1-3 , anadapter 300 for supporting a non-cylindrical, multi-sided food container over a beverage container receptacle according to one preferred embodiment is shown, which is erected from a unitary paperboard blank 100. - Referring particularly to
FIG. 1 , the unitary paperboard blank 100 comprises an unfolded generally planar construction. The blank 100 includes, among other features, a firstelongate strip panel 101 having a first medial portion 106, opposite first and second lateral side edges (108, 109), afirst latching tongue 107 extending from alongitudinal end 1010 thereof, afirst latching slit 103 adjacent an oppositelongitudinal end 1011 thereof, and asecond latching slit 105 adjacent the firstlateral side edge 108 at the first medial portion 106. - A bottom panel 111 is foldably attached to the first medial portion 106 along the second
lateral side edge 109 of the firstelongate strip panel 101. - A second
elongate strip panel 121 has a second medial portion 126, opposite third and fourth lateral side edges (128, 129), a secondlatching tongue 127 extending from a longitudinal end 1020 thereof, and athird latching slit 123 adjacent an oppositelongitudinal end 1021 thereof. The bottom panel 111 is foldably attached to the second medial portion 126 along the thirdlateral side 128 of the secondelongate strip panel 121. - The
elongate strip panel 101 has a plurality of spaced-apart score lines 104 extending generally perpendicular tolateral side edges elongate strip panel 121 has a plurality of spaced-apart score lines 124 extending generally perpendicular tolateral side edges - A
top panel 131 is foldably attached to the second medial portion 126 along the fourthlateral side edge 129 of the secondelongate strip panel 121, and athird latching tongue 137 extending from aside edge portion 138 of thetop panel 131 opposite to where thetop panel 131 is foldably attached to the secondelongate strip panel 121. - In this illustration, two lines of
weakness top panel 131 are provided defining respectivefoldable flaps top panel 131. Eachflap unfolded part 139 of thetop panel 131. The lines ofweakness weakness top panel 131, such as t-shaped, v-shaped, etc. Also, a single flapped portion may be used, although it is preferred to define multiple flapped portions intop panel 131 to further ensure the immobilization of a food tray attached thereon. - Lines of
weakness elongate strip 101, bottom panel 111,elongate strip 121, andtop panel 131. - Referring to
FIG. 2 , a partially erectedadapter 200 is shown. Some, but not all, of the plurality of spaced-apart score lines elongate strip panels elongate strip panels second latching tongue 127 is latched to thefirst latching slit 103. Thefirst latching tongue 107 is latched to thethird latching slit 123, where thetongue 107 is shown in hidden lines as it rests against the opposite outer wall ofelongate strip 121. - Although the illustration of
FIG. 3 has thelatching tongues corresponding slits corresponding slits FIG. 7 ). - In this illustration, the first
latching tongue 107 onelongate strip 101 has atab portion 1070 and a prongeddistal end 1071. Thetongue 107 also may have a T-shape or other configuration useful for insertion and latching to slit 123. Theslit 123 inelongate strip 121 has a shape configured to allow the latching totongue 107 to both be inserted therethrough and latched. For example, and as illustrated theslit 123 may comprise a u-shaped cut through the paperboard blank 100. The tab orneck portion 1070 of thetongue 107 is no wider than the width of theslit 123, and the prongeddistal end 1071 of thefirst latching tongue 107 is wider than theu-shaped cut 123 sufficient that thedistal end 1071 can latch theu-shaped cut 123 after insertion therethrough for interlocking the longitudinal ends 1010 and 1021 of theelongate strips tongue 127 onelongate strip 121 and slit 103 onelongate strip 101 have similar configurations for interlocking the oppositelongitudinal ends 1011 and 1020 of theelongate strips structure 200 thusly can be erected. - Referring to
FIG. 3 , the completely erectedadapter 300 is shown. To fully erect theadapter 300 from the partly erectedconfiguration 200 ofFIG. 2 , thetop panel 131 is folded such that thethird latching tongue 137 thereof can be latched to the second latching slit 105 of the firstelongate strip panel 101. Latchingtongue 137 onelongate strip 131 and slit 105 onelongate strip 101 have similar configurations suitable for interlocking thetop panel 131 to elongatestrip 101, as described above in connection withtongues slits - Although the illustration of
FIG. 3 shows the latchingtongue 137 tucked outside thecorresponding slit 105, it will be appreciated that the tongue alternatively can be tucked inside thecorresponding slit 105 of the assembly (e.g., seeFIG. 7 ). -
Flaps part 139 of thetop panel 131. A disc-shapedpedestal structure 301 is thusly provided from which theflaps flap -
FIG. 4 shows thebottom 401 of food tray including grooves or recesses 403 and 404, and non-grooved generallyplanar portions 402. Thegrooves 403 and 404 are provided at preselected locations on thetray bottom 401 which can be mated with theflaps adapter 300 effective to attach thetray 400 upon theadapter 300. - The unitary blank 100 can be conveniently packaged with
food tray 400 in kit form. For example, the blank 100 can be releasably spot glued to a top or bottom of thefood tray 400, and the associated tray and blank can then be packaged, such as by shrink wrapping. When a purchaser of the food product removes the outer wrap, the blank can be readily manually pried apart from the food tray as a free part that can be erected and attached into a groove or grooves on the bottom of the food tray as described herein. The resulting adapter/food container assembly is operable to be seated in a cylindrical shape-supporting cavity of a beverage container. - Referring to
FIG. 5 , a packagedfood product 500 comprising the above-indicated adapter/food container assembly is shown comprising a food container ortray 501 containing afood product 503, and theadapter 300. In this illustration, thefood container 501 is a non-cylindrical, multi-sided food container or tray. Thetray 501 may be single-welled or multi-welled on itstop side 504. Thebottom side 502 of the food tray may correspond to the groovedbottom side 401 of thefood container 400 shown inFIG. 4 , which, at this juncture, has been further assembled with theadapter 300 via insertion offlaps FIG. 4 ,tray bottom grooves 403 and 405). - Referring still to
FIG. 5 , the packagedfood product 500 is illustrated as suspended above abeverage container holder 510 having a generallyplanar support surface 512 having at least onereceptacle 514 disposed therein which is defined by a cylindrical shapedsidewall 516 defining a cavity 518 having cylindrical or substantially cylindrical cross-section and a predetermined cavity diameter and depth. - In this illustration, the packaged
food product 500 containsfood pieces 503. Thefood product 503 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, cooked meat pieces (e.g., fried chicken pieces), vegetable pieces, fruit pieces, nachos, cheese, crackers, lunchmeat, confections, and combinations thereof. - The
adapter 300 includes a self-supportingpedestal structure 301, such as indicated inFIG. 3 above, having a cross-section configured to be received and nest snugly in thebeverage receptacle 514, and above-indicated upwardly projectingflaps 133 and 135 (not visible in this view) fitted into the above-indicated complementary grooves (not visible in this view) provided on thebottom 501 offood tray 502. In this non-limiting illustration, thefood container 501 has a rectangular-shapedtray portion 507 in which thefood product 503 has been placed. Thetray portion 507 offood container 501 also could have other shapes, such as, for instance, square, hexagonal, circular, oval, etc. Thepedestal structure 301 ofadapter 300 is configured for insertion intobeverage receptacle 514 of thebeverage container holder 510 in the direction indicated by thearrow 509. Thebeverage receptacle 514 can be a typical or conventional beverage container holder. - Referring to
FIG. 6 , thepedestal structure 301 of theadapter 300 of packagedfood product 500 has been inserted into cylindrical shape-supportingbeverage container receptacle 514 effective to securely hold and stabilize the non-cylindrical,multi-sided tray 501. In particular, stability against lateral movement of thefood tray 501 and its contents relative to thebeverage receptacle 514 is provided. Theadapter 300 allows thefood container 501 to be releasably held in a stable position within the beverage holder orreceptacle 514, as it also can be manually withdrawn and extracted from thebeverage receptacle 514. Theadapter 300 andfood tray 501 can be constructed of recyclable easily disposable material, such as paperboard. - Cylindrical shape-supporting beverage holders and receptacles which can be adapted to support non-cylindrical, multi-sided containers or trays in accordance with embodiments herein include, e.g., those are commonly installed in vehicles, leisure chairs, and adjacent audience or spectator seats in various venues to hold a consumer's beverage cup, can, glass, bottle, etc.
- While the invention has been particularly described with specific reference to particular process and product embodiments, it will be appreciated that various alterations, modifications and adaptations may be based on the present disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US11/085,054 US20060214075A1 (en) | 2005-03-22 | 2005-03-22 | Beverage holder adapters for non-cylindrical, multi-sided food containers |
CA002540814A CA2540814A1 (en) | 2005-03-22 | 2006-03-21 | Beverage holder adapters for non-cylindrical, multi-sided food containers |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US11/085,054 US20060214075A1 (en) | 2005-03-22 | 2005-03-22 | Beverage holder adapters for non-cylindrical, multi-sided food containers |
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US20060214075A1 true US20060214075A1 (en) | 2006-09-28 |
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US11/085,054 Abandoned US20060214075A1 (en) | 2005-03-22 | 2005-03-22 | Beverage holder adapters for non-cylindrical, multi-sided food containers |
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US (1) | US20060214075A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2540814A1 (en) |
Cited By (15)
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US20040206873A1 (en) * | 2004-05-27 | 2004-10-21 | Mark Pastore | Apparatus To Hold And Stabilize Fast Food Containers In A Cylindrical Automobile Cup Holder |
US20070262015A1 (en) * | 2006-05-11 | 2007-11-15 | Melitta Haushaltsprodukte Gmbh & Co. Kg | Filter |
US20080128572A1 (en) * | 2006-11-30 | 2008-06-05 | Epstein Marc I | Adjustable tray assembly for holding beverage containers and other items |
US20100107984A1 (en) * | 2008-11-04 | 2010-05-06 | Michael Uffner | Elevated Animal Feeding Apparatus |
US8015943B1 (en) * | 2006-10-27 | 2011-09-13 | L J S Sales, LLC | Travel bowl assembly for people |
US8256639B1 (en) | 2008-08-29 | 2012-09-04 | L J S Sales, LLC | Travel bowl assembly for people |
US8562065B2 (en) * | 2011-05-25 | 2013-10-22 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Vehicle trim panel having beverage retainer and method |
US9114839B2 (en) * | 2011-05-25 | 2015-08-25 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Vehicle trim component having beverage retainer and method |
US9204747B1 (en) * | 2010-10-11 | 2015-12-08 | Judd E. Starr | Apparatus and method for holding an object on a surface |
US9221376B2 (en) | 2014-02-18 | 2015-12-29 | Forrest S. Baker | Vehicle tray |
CN105691813A (en) * | 2016-04-27 | 2016-06-22 | 成都国光电气股份有限公司 | Mess tin box |
CN105730815A (en) * | 2016-04-27 | 2016-07-06 | 成都国光电气股份有限公司 | Storage food cabinet |
CN105751943A (en) * | 2016-04-27 | 2016-07-13 | 成都国光电气股份有限公司 | Kettle case |
US10029619B2 (en) * | 2016-03-31 | 2018-07-24 | Nissan North America, Inc. | Vehicle center console assembly |
US20200391641A1 (en) * | 2017-12-18 | 2020-12-17 | Philip Morris Products S.A. | Container with support means |
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Cited By (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20040206873A1 (en) * | 2004-05-27 | 2004-10-21 | Mark Pastore | Apparatus To Hold And Stabilize Fast Food Containers In A Cylindrical Automobile Cup Holder |
US20070262015A1 (en) * | 2006-05-11 | 2007-11-15 | Melitta Haushaltsprodukte Gmbh & Co. Kg | Filter |
US8015943B1 (en) * | 2006-10-27 | 2011-09-13 | L J S Sales, LLC | Travel bowl assembly for people |
US20080128572A1 (en) * | 2006-11-30 | 2008-06-05 | Epstein Marc I | Adjustable tray assembly for holding beverage containers and other items |
US7871050B2 (en) * | 2006-11-30 | 2011-01-18 | Epstein Marc I | Adjustable tray assembly for holding beverage containers and other items |
US8256639B1 (en) | 2008-08-29 | 2012-09-04 | L J S Sales, LLC | Travel bowl assembly for people |
US20100107984A1 (en) * | 2008-11-04 | 2010-05-06 | Michael Uffner | Elevated Animal Feeding Apparatus |
US9204747B1 (en) * | 2010-10-11 | 2015-12-08 | Judd E. Starr | Apparatus and method for holding an object on a surface |
US8863367B2 (en) | 2011-05-25 | 2014-10-21 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Vehicle trim panel having beverage retainer and method |
US9114839B2 (en) * | 2011-05-25 | 2015-08-25 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Vehicle trim component having beverage retainer and method |
US8562065B2 (en) * | 2011-05-25 | 2013-10-22 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Vehicle trim panel having beverage retainer and method |
US9701352B2 (en) | 2011-05-25 | 2017-07-11 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Method of manufacturing vehicle trim component having beverage retainer |
US9771011B2 (en) | 2011-05-25 | 2017-09-26 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Vehicle trim panel having beverage retainer |
US9221376B2 (en) | 2014-02-18 | 2015-12-29 | Forrest S. Baker | Vehicle tray |
US10029619B2 (en) * | 2016-03-31 | 2018-07-24 | Nissan North America, Inc. | Vehicle center console assembly |
CN105691813A (en) * | 2016-04-27 | 2016-06-22 | 成都国光电气股份有限公司 | Mess tin box |
CN105730815A (en) * | 2016-04-27 | 2016-07-06 | 成都国光电气股份有限公司 | Storage food cabinet |
CN105751943A (en) * | 2016-04-27 | 2016-07-13 | 成都国光电气股份有限公司 | Kettle case |
US20200391641A1 (en) * | 2017-12-18 | 2020-12-17 | Philip Morris Products S.A. | Container with support means |
Also Published As
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CA2540814A1 (en) | 2006-09-22 |
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Legal Events
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---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: KRAFT FOODS HOLDINGS, INC., ILLINOIS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CASSETTARI, MICHAEL J.;DUTRA, HERBERTO;REEL/FRAME:016657/0479;SIGNING DATES FROM 20050523 TO 20050531 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: KRAFT FOODS GLOBAL BRANDS LLC, ILLINOIS Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:KRAFT FOODS HOLDINGS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:023519/0396 Effective date: 20080801 Owner name: KRAFT FOODS GLOBAL BRANDS LLC,ILLINOIS Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:KRAFT FOODS HOLDINGS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:023519/0396 Effective date: 20080801 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |