Patent Application
20070007416
The present invention relates, in general, to holders for beverage containers and, more particularly, this invention relates to a collapsible type holder for a beverage container which can be hung on any substantially horizontally disposed surface such as a shopping cart and a window of a automotive vehicle.
In today's busy world people are often grocery shopping and drinking a beverage at the same time. One problem that is encountered frequently is what to do with the container filled with coffee, or the can of soft drink or whatever the user is drinking. Some super markets have a few carts that have a cup holder disposed on the handle of the cart for the users convenience. However, there are very few of these carts available and since the holder is positioned on the handle on these carts a person having a small child in the seat part of the cart has a problem.
It would be desirable for the person(s) who prefer to sip a beverage while they are shopping if they had a container that could be attached to other areas of the shopping cart that could hold their beverage so as to free them to shop without the worry of spilling it.
The present invention provides a collapsible type hanging holder for a beverage container. The collapsible type hanging holder comprises a blank cut from a predetermined material such that after folding and securing together the blank will form the hanging holder for such beverage container having each of a predetermined shape and a predetermined size. The hanging holder having a closed bottom and an open top for receiving such beverage container therein. There is a fastening means having a first portion formed on a bottom wall of the hanging holder and a second portion disposed on a predetermined side wall of the hanging holder for retaining the bottom wall in a closed position after folding and during use. There is a means engageable with at least a portion of each of a pair of adjacent sidewalls for securing them together to form at least a portion of the predetermined shape of the hanging holder. At least one tab like member extends upwardly from at least one predetermined edge of the hanging holder adjacent the open top.
A plurality of slot like apertures are formed in the at least one tab like member beginning adjacent the upper edge of the hanging holder and ending a predetermined distance therefrom for engaging a predetermined surface the hanging holder for such beverage container is to be hung from and a pair of slits are disposed between the predetermined upper edge of the hanging holder and a bottom of the at least one tab like member, a first one of the pair of slits extending from a first outer edge of the at least one tab like member inwardly to an outermost edge of a first one of the plurality of slot like apertures and a second one of the pair of slits extending from a second outer edge of the at least one tab like member inwardly to an outermost edge of a second one of the plurality of slot like apertures.
An alternate embodiment of the invention provides a collapsible type hanging holder for a beverage container. The collapsible type hanging holder comprises a blank cut from a predetermined material such that after folding and securing together the blank will form the hanging holder for such beverage container having each of a predetermined shape and a predetermined size, the hanging holder having a closed bottom and an open top for receiving such beverage container therein. The blank includes a substantially rectangular bottom panel having a predetermined size. There is a substantially rectangular first back panel integrally formed with a first edge of the bottom panel, a substantially rectangular front panel that is integrally formed with a radially opposed second edge of the bottom panel, a first substantially rectangular side panel having a first edge integrally formed on a first edge of the front panel and a second substantially rectangular side panel having a first edge integrally formed on a radially opposed second edge of the front panel. There is also a substantially rectangular second back panel that is integrally formed with a second edge of the second substantially rectangular side panel. A tab like section is integrally formed on a second edge of the substantially rectangular first side panel for securing engagement with the second back panel when the blank has been folded and formed into a holder. Such collapsible, hanging beverage container also includes a means engageable with at least a portion of the second back panel member and with the tab like section for securing them together to form at least a portion of the predetermined shape of the hanging holder. There is at least one tab like member extending upwardly from at least one predetermined edge of the hanging holder adjacent the open top and a plurality of slot like apertures formed in the at least one tab like member beginning adjacent the upper edge of the hanging holder and ending a predetermined distance therefrom for engaging a predetermined surface the hanging holder for such beverage container is to be hung from. A pair of slits are disposed between the predetermined upper edge of the hanging holder and a bottom of said at least one tab like member, a first one of the pair of slits extending from a first outer edge of the at least one tab like member inwardly to an outermost edge of a first one of the plurality of slot like apertures and a second one of the pair of slits extending from a second outer edge of the at least one tab like member inwardly to an outermost edge of a second one of the plurality of slot like apertures.
In yet another embodiment of the invention there is provided a collapsible type hanging holder for a beverage container. The collapsible type hanging holder comprises a blank cut from a predetermined material such that after folding and securing together the blank will form the hanging holder for such beverage container having each of a predetermined shape and a predetermined size, the hanging holder having a closed bottom and an open top for receiving such beverage container therein. The blank includes a substantially rectangular back panel having a predetermined size, a substantially rectangular first side panel having a first edge integrally formed with a first edge of the substantially rectangular back panel, a substantially rectangular second side panel having a first edge integrally formed with a second edge of the substantially rectangular back panel and a substantially rectangular front panel having a first edge integrally formed with a second edge of the substantially rectangular second side panel. There is a tab section having a first predetermined shape integrally formed on a second edge of the substantially rectangular front panel for securing engagement with the substantially rectangular first side panel when the blank has been folded and formed into a holder. A first bottom portion has a second predetermined shape and is integrally formed on a third edge of the substantially rectangular first side panel, a second bottom portion has a third predetermined shape and is integrally formed on a third edge of the substantially rectangular second side panel, a third bottom portion has a fourth predetermined shape and is integrally formed with a third edge of the substantially rectangular back panel and a fourth bottom portion having a fifth predetermined shape is integrally formed with a third edge of the substantially rectangular front panel. There is a means engageable with at least a portion of the first side panel and with the tab section for securing them together to form at least a portion of the predetermined shape of the hanging holder. Such holder includes at least one tab like member extending upwardly from at least one predetermined edge of the hanging holder adjacent the open top and a plurality of slot like apertures formed in the at least one tab like member beginning adjacent the upper edge of the hanging holder and ending a predetermined distance therefrom for engaging a predetermined surface that the hanging holder for such beverage container is to be hung from. A pair of slits are disposed between the predetermined upper edge of the hanging holder and a bottom of the at least one tab like member, a first one of the pair of slits extending from a first outer edge of the at least one tab like member inwardly to an outermost edge of a first one of the plurality of slot like apertures and a second one of the pair of slits extending from a second outer edge of the at least one tab like member inwardly to an outermost edge of a second one of the plurality of slot like apertures.
It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a cup holder that is easy for a person to carry with him.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a cup holder that would hang from a handle of a shopping cart.
Yet, another object of the present invention is to provide a cup holder that is collapsible.
Still, another object of the present invention is to provide a cup holder that is relatively inexpensive.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a cup holder which can be used in a variety of places.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a cup holder that is constructed of corrugated paper.
In addition to the various objects and advantages of the invention which have been described in some specific detail above it should be noted that various other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing Figures and with the appended claims.
Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the invention, it should be noted that identical components having identical functions have been designated with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawings for the sake of clarity.
The present invention relates to a cup holder, generally designated 10, that is collapsible and can be carried by a person who wishes to drink a beverage while shopping or doing other things. Although the item is referred to as a cup holder it is within the scope of the invention that the term cup can refer to can of soda such as cola or ginger ale, or a paper container filled with coffee or tea or any similar beverage container.
Now reference is made, more particularly, to drawing FIGS. 1 thru 4. Illustrated therein is an apparatus, generally designated 10, according to an embodiment of the invention.
More specifically, according to the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, such cup holder 10 is a collapsible type hanging cup holder 10 for a beverage container (not shown). Such collapsible type hanging cup holder 10 includes a blank, generally designated 12, cut from a predetermined material such that after folding and securing together the blank 12 will form such hanging cup holder 10 for such beverage container. After folding and securing the blank together the cup holder 10 will have each of a predetermined shape, preferably rectangular, and a predetermined size. Such hanging cup holder 10 will also have a closed bottom 14 and an open top 16 for receiving such beverage container therein.
There is a fastening means, generally designated 20, having a first tab like portion 18 formed on a side wall 15 of the hanging holder 10 and a second portion 22 disposed adjacent the bottom wall 14 of the hanging holder 10 for retaining the bottom wall 14 in a closed position after folding and during use. It is preferred that such lock means is a locking tab 18 adapted to be disposed in a slot 21 of second portion 22 of the lock means 20.
A means, generally designated 30, is engageable with at least a portion of each of a pair of adjacent sidewalls for securing them together to form at least a portion of the predetermined shape of the hanging holder 10. Such means 30, according to a presently preferred embodiment of the invention may include a tab like locking means 32 and an adhesive. The outside surface 31 of such tab like locking means 32 engages the inner surface 33 of the adjacent wall member. In an alternate embodiment illustrated in
There is at least one tab like member 24 extending upwardly from at least one predetermined edge of the hanging holder 10 adjacent the open top 16. A plurality of slot like apertures 26 are formed in the at least one tab like member 24 beginning adjacent the upper edge of the hanging holder 10 and ending a predetermined distance therefrom for engaging a predetermined surface that the hanging holder 10 is to be hung from. A pair of slits 28 disposed between the predetermined upper edge of the hanging holder 10 and a bottom of the at least one tab like member 24, a first one of the pair of slits 28 extending from a first outer edge of the at least one tab like member 24 inwardly to an outermost edge of a first one of the plurality of slot like apertures 26 and a second one of the pair of slits 28 extending from a second outer edge of the tab like member 24 inwardly to an outermost edge of a second one of the plurality of slot like apertures 26. It is preferred that there are two such slot like apertures 26 and two such tab like members 24 on the hanging holder 10 so that such holder 10 can be secured to whatever horizontal surface the user may wish to use such as the shopping cart or a car window or whatever.
It is presently preferred that such cup holder 10 be made of cardboard and that such cardboard is corrugated. It is also preferred that the predetermined shape of such hanging holder 10 is generally rectangular and that such generally rectangular shape is substantially square. Such hanging holder 10 is designed to be hung from a substantially horizontally disposed surface, such as a predetermined portion of the framework of a shopping cart, an automotive door glass or any other similar horizontal surface. Such hanging holder can be used for hot or cold beverages.
It is presently preferred that such blank 12 for forming such hanging holder 10 is a single piece of cardboard. It is preferred that such blank 12 further includes crease lines formed thereon where the blank 12 is to be folded and that at least some of said crease lines include perforations. It is also preferred that such perforations extend at least through an outer layer of the corrugated cardboard.
It is also within the scope of the invention that such hanging holder 10 includes preselected printing on at least one outer surface thereof and that such printing could be one of decorative or advertising material.
In an alternate embodiment of the invention, as seen in
In yet another embodiment of the invention, as seen in
A substantially rectangular front panel 46 is integrally formed with a radially opposed second edge 45 of the bottom panel 42. There is a first substantially rectangular side panel 48 having a first edge integrally formed on a first edge of the front panel and a substantially rectangular second side panel 52 having a first edge integrally formed on a radially opposed second edge of the front panel 46. A substantially rectangular second back panel 54 is integrally formed with a second edge of the second side panel 52.
A tab section 56 is integrally formed on a second edge of the substantially rectangular first side for securing engagement with the second back panel 54 when the blank 12 has been folded and formed into a holder.
The holder 10 further includes a means, generally designated 50, that is engageable with at least a portion of the second back panel member 54 and with the tab section 56 for securing them together to form at least a portion of the predetermined shape of said hanging holder 10. It is preferred that they be secured by means of an adhesive.
Similar to the other embodiments there are two tab like members 24 that extend upwardly from an upper edge of the first back panel 44 adjacent the open top and a pair of slot like apertures 26 formed in the tab like members 24 beginning adjacent the upper edge of the hanging holder and ending a predetermined distance therefrom for engaging a predetermined surface that the hanging holder 10 is to be hung from. There are also a pair of slits 28 disposed between said upper edge of the hanging holder 10 and a bottom of the tab like members 24, a first one of the slits extending from a first outer edge of tab like member 24 inwardly to an outermost edge of a first one of the slot like apertures 26 and a second one of the pair of slits 28 extending from a second outer edge of the like member 24 inwardly to an outermost edge of the second slot like aperture 26.
This embodiment further includes a small projection 55 on the bottom panel 42 for engagement with an indentation 57 on the second back panel 54. When the hanging holder 10 is formed the projection 55 engages the indentation 57 of the back panel 54 thus providing additional strength to the hanging holder 10.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, as seen in
The blank 12 includes a substantially rectangular back panel 62 having a predetermined size. A substantially rectangular first side panel 64 having a first edge integrally formed with a first edge of the back panel 62 and a substantially rectangular second side panel 66 which has a first edge integrally formed with a second edge of the back panel 62. There is a substantially rectangular front panel 68 that has a first edge integrally formed with a second edge of the substantially rectangular second side panel 66.
A tab section 72 which has a first predetermined shape is integrally formed on a second edge of the front panel 68 for securing engagement with the substantially rectangular first side panel 64 when the blank 12 has been folded and formed into a holder 10.
This embodiment has a first bottom portion 74 which has a second predetermined shape and is integrally formed on a third edge of the first side panel 64 and a second bottom portion 76 having a third predetermined shape is integrally formed on a third edge of the substantially rectangular second side panel 66.
There is a third bottom portion 78 having a fourth predetermined shape that is integrally formed with a third edge of back panel 62 and a fourth bottom portion 82 having a fifth predetermined shape that is integrally formed with a third edge of the front panel 68.
In forming the hanging holder 10 the first bottom portion 74 and the second bottom portion 76 are folded in first in the step of forming the bottom of the hanging holder 10. It is presently preferred that the predetermined shape of the first bottom portion 74 and the second bottom portion 76 are the same. The third bottom portion 78 and the fourth bottom portion 82 are then folded in to form the bottom of the hanging holder 10.
The shape of the third bottom portion 78 and the fourth bottom portion 82 are substantially identical and each have a slit 83 disposed therein for interlocking the third bottom portion 78 with the fourth bottom portion 82. Each of the third bottom portion 78 and the fourth bottom portion 82 further include a tab like member 85 which has adhesive applied to one side for securing engagement with the first bottom portion 74 and the second bottom portion 76 when the unit is folded to form the hanging holder 10.
The hanging holder also includes a means, generally designated 50, that is engageable with at least a portion of the first side panel 64 and with the tab section 72 for securing them together to form at least a portion of the predetermined shape of the hanging holder.
The hanging holder 10 also includes, as were found on the other embodiments, two tab like members 24 extending upwardly from an upper edge of the hanging holder adjacent the open top. There are two slot like apertures 26 formed in the tab like members 24 and a pair of slits 28 disposed between the upper edge of the hanging holder 10 and a bottom of the one tab like members 26.
While a presently preferred embodiment and alternate embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, it should be understood that various other adaptations and/or modifications of the invention can be made by those persons who are particularly skilled in the art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
