Insert for a Carrier Bag

Abstract

The invention provides an insert (1) for inserting internally into a carrier bag having side walls and a base, the insert comprising a container stand portion (3), adapted, in use, to abut with the side walls and base of the carrier bag so as to maintain a substantially fixed position relative to the carrier bag and having a base portion; and connected to said base portion, an upper container receiving portion (6) to receive and hold at least one container having a base, a top end and an intermediate body portion; and at least two opposing support members (7, 8), each support member connecting one of opposing sides of the base portion with respective opposing sides of the upper container receiving portion (6), the support members (7, 8) being arranged, in use, to hold the upper container receiving portion (6) spaced from, and above the base portion so that said container can be inserted into said upper container receiving portion (6) so that the at least one container cannot substantially move relative to the stand portion (3) and at least part of the at least one container extends above the stand portion. The insert may further comprise an item support stand portion (4) having an item support portion (18) on which an item can be carried and at least one leg portion, the item support stand (4) being arranged, in use, to stand upon the container stand portion (3), by extending past the at least part of the at least one container extending above the stand portion, the item support portion (18), being arranged to form a barrier between the item and the top of the at least one container so as to support the item when the bag is carried. The insert (1) may be used to carry one or more containers containing liquids and/or food items whereby the container is maintained in a substantially upright position relative to the bag and the food item or items are held separately from the container(s).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an insert for inserting into a carrier bag, in particular to an insert which allows one or more containers containing liquids and/or food products to be securely transported in a carrier bag.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

In recent years, in the interest of health and safety, suppliers of take-away food and beverage products have found a need to concern themselves with the provision of safe methods for consumers to transport take-away food and beverages. Consumers are often is provided with a bag, usually a paper bag, for carrying their take-away beverage(s), which may be hot or cold, and/or food items, for example. Such food items may include sandwiches, baguettes, beefburgers, fries or salads for example. Take-away beverages, which may be hot, such as, for example, tea, coffee, or soup, or cold, such as soft drinks, are often supplied in disposable containers, usually paper or cardboard cups. Generally, the container is placed in the bottom of the bag together with the food item. Often, the container becomes dislodged in the carrier bag, tilting over and perhaps even spilling onto the food item(s), sometimes even destroying the food item. This is clearly undesirable.

Such a method of transport for take-away beverages is particularly undesirable in the case of hot beverages where spillage could potentially cause harm, such as scalding, to a consumer. In the case of suppliers of take-away beverages, it would therefore be highly desirable to provide a safe and cost-effective method of carrying beverages, in particular hot beverages. Such a method would minimise any potential health and safety issues that may arise as a result of the transport of take-away beverages and/or food products.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,981 describes a carrying bag of the foldable type having a separator element comprising at least one opening to receive a cup and a transverse flap which is perpendicular to the separator plate when in use. Thus a cup can be secured in the separator plate and a food product can be located on the other side of the transverse flap.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,708,248 describes a collapsible food and beverage container. In particular it describes a beverage and food support means which is internally deployable within a bag. The structure comprises a first support means adapted to receive a beverage cup and a second support means. Thus a two-part structure is described wherein each support means is maintained by tongues which are glued to the internal wall of the bag. The first support means includes a lip area which is glued or otherwise secured to a side wall of the bag and a support flap which in use is folded downwardly 90 degrees towards the base of the bag so as to provide support for the first support means. The second support means comprises a support sheet which can be rested on top of a cup secured in the first support means. The first support means may collapse when under the weight of a container secured therein. In addition, the device described does not provide good thermal insulation between the cup(s) and food product(s) resting on the second support means.

There is thus a need for an improved insert for a carrier bag in which a container or containers can be held securely and which is substantially rigid when in use.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is thus an object of the invention to provide an improved insert for inserting into a carrier bag and which allows a beverage container or containers to be securely transported in a substantially upright position relative to the bag.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved insert for inserting into a carrier bag and which permits thermal insulation of a food product(s) from a container(s) containing liquid(s) held in the insert.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention provides an insert for inserting internally into a carrier bag having side walls and a base, the insert comprising:

• • a container stand portion, adapted, in use, to abut with the side walls and base of the carrier bag so as to maintain a substantially fixed position relative to the carrier bag and having:
  • (a) a base portion; and connected to said base portion,
  • (b) an upper container receiving portion to receive and hold at least one container having a base, a top end and an intermediate body portion; and
  • (c) at least two opposing support members, each support member connecting one of opposing sides of the base portion with respective opposing sides of the upper container receiving portion, the support members being arranged, in use, to hold the upper container receiving portion spaced from, and above the base portion so that said container can be inserted into said upper container receiving portion so that the at least one container cannot substantially move relative to the stand portion and at least part of the at least one container extends above the stand portion.

Suitably the insert is in collapsible fold-out form. The insert according to the invention is fixable to an interior side wall of the carrier bag.

Suitably, the insert further comprises an item support stand portion having an item support portion on which an item can be carried and at least one leg portion, the item support stand being arranged, in use, to stand upon the container stand portion, by extending past the at least part of the at least one container extending above the stand portion, the item support portion, being arranged to form a barrier between the item and the top of the at least one container so as to support the item when the bag is carried.

The insert according to the invention allows containers such as cups containing beverages to be securely transported in a carrier bag in an upright position relative to the bag. The risk of the beverage spilling over and causing harm to the user is therefore minimised. Furthermore, items carried, preferably non-liquid items such as food items including sandwiches, baguettes, wraps, fries, beefburgers, salads, for example, can be supported by the insert without being in contact with the at least one container held in the container stand portion. Furthermore a desirable position of the item support portion can be achieved without interference from the container.

Suitably, the item support portion is arranged in use such that it is parallel to the container stand portion. The item support stand portion can be arranged in use so that it stands upon the container stand portion without interference from at least part of the at least one container held in the container stand portion. This means that the item support portion can be arranged in use so that it does not rest on the top of the at least one container. Desirably the item support portion provides a substantially flat surface for supporting an item, such as a food item for example, in the bag.

The item support stand portion may be arranged, in use, to stand upon the container stand portion by means of a plurality of leg portions. Preferably the leg portions extend from the item support stand portion such that they stand on the container stand portion on at least two opposing sides of the container. They may be substantially perpendicular to and resting on the container stand portion such that the item support stand portion is held, in use, above the container stand portion in a table-like manner. For further stability where a plurality of legs is provided, the legs may be connected by a leg connection portion.

In one desirable arrangement the item support stand portion comprises a base portion. Desirably the leg connection portion may be formed by at least part of the base portion. Preferably, the leg connection portion may be a continuous member adapted to extend across substantially the entire internal transverse space of the bag. The base portion may be adapted to accommodate the top end of the at least one container held in the container stand portion.

Suitably the base portion of the item support stand portion comprises at least one container receiving opening adapted to receive the top end of the at least one container held in the container stand portion. The item support stand portion accommodates the top of the at least one container held in the container stand portion such that the container cannot substantially move relative to the item support stand portion. The container is therefore held in a substantially upright position relative to the bag.

Suitably the item support portion, the base portion and the leg portions form a continuous body. Preferably the continuous body is rectangular in shape.

Preferably, the insert according to the invention comprises a continuous body. The continuous body of material is adapted to form a container stand portion and an item support stand portion, by provision of appropriate panels which can take the form required.

Suitably the insert according to the invention comprises a substantially planar member provided with a plurality of fold-lines. The insert may be folded along the fold-lines to form the container stand portion and the item support stand portion.

Preferably the container stand portion and the item support stand portion comprise a rectangular body formed by folding the insert along the fold-lines.

Suitably, the insert according to the invention is in collapsible fold-out form and more desirably is further adapted when folded out, to maintain its folded out form by tensioning itself within the carrier bag. Thus the insert can be inserted into a foldable carrier bag but which is yet collapsible and thus the bag and insert can be stored flat for convenience. The insert when folded out within the bag forms a substantially rigid self-supporting unit and provides support for the walls of the carrier bag. The insert according to the invention is adapted to support the weight of the at least one container and/or food item held therein and does not collapse under the weight of the at least one container or food item or items.

Suitably the carrier bag is rectangular in shape and the insert is shaped to match. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the insert according to the invention can be shaped to match different shapes of carrier bag.

Suitably the carrier bag comprises a paper bag. It will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the insert according to the invention may be used with other types of bag. Furthermore, the size of the insert may be chosen according to the size of the carrier bag it is intended to be placed within.

Suitably the insert comprises material such as cardboard, plastics material or moulded fibre material, for example. The material provides rigidity to the insert such that the insert can support the at least one container and/or food item or items without collapsing.

It will be appreciated by the skilled person that the dimensions of the insert could be adapted so that the insert is of a size suitable to accommodate small, medium or large beverage cups or containers, for example.

In one embodiment of the invention an insert for inserting internally into a carrier bag having side walls and a base is provided, the insert having:

• • (i) a container stand portion, adapted, in use, to abut with the side walls and base of the carrier bag so as to maintain a substantially fixed position relative to the carrier bag and having:
    • (a) a base portion; and, connected to said base portion,
    • (b) an upper container receiving portion having at least one container engaging opening defined therein and arranged to grip a container having a base, a top end and an intermediate body portion at a position on the intermediate body portion; and
    • (c) at least two opposing support members, each support member connecting one of opposing sides of the base portion with respective opposing sides of the upper container receiving portion, the support members being arranged, in use, to hold the upper container receiving portion spaced from, and above the base portion so that said container can be inserted into said at least one container receiving opening and thus maintained substantially upright relative to the carrier bag;
    • (ii) an item support stand portion arranged, in use, to be above said container stand portion, and having
      • (a) a base portion; and, connected to said base portion,
      • (b) an item support portion with an upper surface thereon on which an item can be carried; and
      • (c) at least two opposing support members, each support member connecting one of opposing sides of the base portion with respective opposing sides of the item support portion, the support members being arranged, in use, to hold the item support portion spaced from, and above the base portion; the base portion having at least one container receiving opening defined therein which is arranged to allow insertion of the top end of the container into the space between the base and the item support portion thereof;
  • so that, in use the item can be held separately from said container within the carrier bag.

Suitably the support members of the item support stand portion may comprise leg portions.

Preferably, the container stand portion and the item support stand portion of the insert are connected. The container stand portion and the item support stand portion of the insert are suitably connected by means of one of said support members.

Preferably, the item support stand portion is arranged, in use, to abut the side walls of the carrier bag so as to maintain a substantially fixed position relative to the carrier bag. Such an arrangement provides extra rigidity to the bag.

Preferably, the item support stand portion has in the base thereof at least one container receiving opening which is arranged to allow insertion of the top end of the container into the space between the base and the item support portion thereof. This permits containers such as beverage cups having lids of different height or slanted lids for example, to be accommodated. In addition suitably, the top end of the container is spaced apart from the item support portion of the item support stand portion. This allows steam from hot beverages in the container to circulate. Furthermore, food products placed on the upper surface of the item support portion are not in direct contact with the container.

Suitably the upper surface of the item support portion further comprises a layer of material adapted to insulate an item carried on the item support portion from moisture and/or temperature fluctuations which may be caused by a beverage contained in the at least one container held in the container stand portion. Suitably the layer of material comprises thermal-insulating material. The insulating material may comprise aluminium foil or polystyrene.

The presence of an insulating layer means that items, in particular food items, carried on the upper surface of the item support portion are not affected by the temperature of beverages held in the container stand portion. In particular the food items will not be affected by heat or steam, for example, from hot beverages, or by cold beverages, held in the insert. Thus an insulation barrier is formed between a container or containers held in the container stand portion and a food item or items supported on the upper surface of the item support portion of the item support stand.

Suitably the at least one container engaging opening of the upper container receiving portion of the container stand portion comprises a plurality of slots adapted to grip a container. The container engaging opening may be adapted to grip the container at a position on the intermediate body portion of the container. Suitably, the slots comprise gripping mouths formed such that they have deformable grips about the mouths which deform to grip the container when inserted. Desirably the periphery of the container engaging opening can expand such that containers having different diameters may be secured therein. Suitably, the container may be removed from the container engaging opening by twisting and raising the container.

It will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the container may be gripped in the slots such that the base of the container is positioned spaced apart from the base portion of the container stand portion.

Suitably the insert according to the invention is adapted such that in use, the container stand portion is lowered into position in the bag so that the at least one container can be secured therein and the item support stand portion can then be lowered to stand on the container stand portion. The top of the at least one container may then be accommodated in the item support stand portion.

In a further embodiment the invention provides an assembly comprising a carrier bag having a plurality of side walls and a base, and an insert having:

• • (i) a container stand portion, adapted, in use, to abut with the side walls and base of the carrier bag so as to maintain a substantially fixed position relative to the carrier bag and having:
    • (a) a base portion; and, connected to said base portion,
    • (b) an upper container receiving portion having at least one container engaging opening defined therein and arranged to grip a container having a base, a top end and an intermediate body portion, at a position on the intermediate body portion; and
    • (c) at least two opposing support members, each support member connecting one of opposing sides of the base portion with respective opposing sides of the upper container receiving portion, the support members being arranged, in use, to hold the upper container receiving portion spaced from, and above the base portion so that said container can be inserted into said at least one container receiving opening and thus maintained substantially upright relative to the carrier bag;
    • (ii) an item support stand portion arranged, in use, to be above said container stand portion, and having
      • (a) a base portion; and, connected to said base portion,
      • (b) an item support portion with an upper surface thereon on which an item can be carried; and
      • (c) at least two opposing support members, each support member connecting one of opposing sides of the base portion with respective opposing sides of the item support portion, the support members being arranged, in use, to hold the item support portion spaced from, and above the base portion; the base portion having at least one container receiving opening defined therein which is arranged to allow insertion of the top end of the container into the space between the base and the item support portion thereof;
  • so that, in use the item can be held separately from said container within the carrier bag.

Preferably the bag comprises a foldable paper bag.

Suitably the insert according to the invention is fixable to an interior side wall of the bag.

Preferably, the insert is fixable to an interior side wall of the bag by means of a support member. Further preferably, the insert is fixable to an interior side wall of the bag by means of the support member which connects the item support stand portion and container stand portion. Suitably the support member is provided with adhesive so that it may be adhered to an interior side wall of the bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A shows a plan view of the insert comprising the container stand portion in unerected configuration;

FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of the insert comprising the container stand portion in the in-use erected configuration;

FIG. 1C shows a perspective view of the insert comprising the container stand portion in the in-use erected configuration having two containers held therein;

FIG. 1D a perspective view of the insert comprising the container stand portion in flat-folded configuration against a side wall of the bag;

FIG. 1E shows a perspective view of the insert comprising the container stand portion showing the container stand portion lowered into position within the bag;

FIG. 1F shows a perspective view of the insert comprising the container stand portion showing the container stand portion lowered into position within the bag and having two containers held therein;

FIG. 2A shows a plan view of the insert according to the invention in unerected configuration;

FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of the insert according to the invention in the in-use erected configuration;

FIG. 2C shows a perspective view of the insert according to the invention in the in-use erected configuration and having a container held therein;

FIG. 3A shows a side view of the insert according to the invention in flat-folded configuration against a side wall of the bag;

FIG. 3B shows a side view of the insert according to the invention, showing the container stand portion and the item support stand portion of the insert being lowered into position within the bag;

FIG. 3C shows a side view of the insert according to the invention in the erected configuration within a bag;

FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of the insert according to the invention in flat-folded configuration against a side wall of the bag;

FIG. 4B shows a perspective view of the insert according to the invention showing the container stand portion lowered into position within the bag;

FIG. 4C shows a perspective view of the insert according to the invention showing the container stand portion lowered into position within the bag and having two containers held therein; and

FIG. 4D shows a perspective view of the insert according to the invention showing the item support stand portion lowered into position and receiving the top end of the containers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 2A to 4D is the embodiment having a container stand portion and an item support stand portion. This embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, it will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that each portion forms individual aspects of the invention and can be used independently. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A to 4D is the embodiment having the combined advantages of both portions of the insert according to the invention.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the insert according to the invention is shown generally at 1 in plan view in the unfolded, unerected configuration. In the embodiment shown, the insert 1 comprises a blank in the form of a single piece of cardboard. Fold lines 2 are indicated on the insert 1 defining each portion of the insert 1. The fold lines can be provided by any suitable method such as stamping. As shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the insert 1 is folded about the fold-lines 2 so as to be erected to form a box-like rectangular structure. This is the in-use erected configuration. The box-like structure forms a rigid self-supporting unit.

As shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, the insert 1 comprises a plurality of portions including, a container stand portion 3 and an item support stand portion 4. In the embodiment shown, the container stand portion 3 and the item support stand portion 4 are rectangular in shape. The container stand portion 3 comprises a base portion 5 and an upper container receiving portion 6. The base portion 5 of the container stand portion 3 is spaced apart from the upper container receiving portion 6 by means of opposing support members 7, 8 when in the in-use erected configuration. Support member 7 connects opposing sides 9,9a of the base portion 5 with respective opposing sides 10, 10a of the upper container receiving portion 6.

The container receiving portion 6 is provided with a tab 11. The tab 11 connects the upper container receiving portion 6 to the support member 8 at a position intermediate opposing sides 12, 12a of the support member 8. Referring to FIG. 2A, the dotted lines indicate that the dimensions of tabs 11, 11a may be increased.

As shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the support members 7,8 are arranged in use, to maintain the upper container receiving portion 6 spaced from and above the base portion 5 so as to define a cavity 13. In the embodiment shown, the upper container receiving portion 6 is provided with two container engaging openings 14 which are arranged to grip a container 15. The container engaging openings 14 comprise a circular opening, the periphery of which is provided with a plurality of slots 16. The slots 16 engage the container 15 at a position intermediate its ends.

Referring to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, the item support stand portion 4 comprises a base portion 17 and an item support portion 18 having an upper surface 19 on which an item can be carried. The item support stand further comprises support member 20. Support member 20 connects opposing sides 21,21a of the item support portion 18 to opposing sides 22,22a of the base portion 17. Thus, in use, in the folded configuration, the item support portion 18 is spaced apart from the base portion 17 by support member 20 to define a cavity 23. The base portion 17 is provided with a tab 11a which, in the in use erected configuration, is attached to support member 8 at a position intermediate its opposing sides 12, 12a. Thus a box-like structure is formed.

Referring to FIG. 2A, in the embodiment shown, the base portion 17 of the item support stand portion 4 has two container receiving openings 24 defined therein. Each container receiving opening 24 is shaped to receive the top end of a container when it is engaged in the container stand portion 3.

Referring to FIGS. 3a to 4d, in use, the insert 1 is adhered to a side wall 25 of a carrier bag 26 by means of support member 8. The bag 26 comprises a standard foldable paper carrier bag commonly used by consumers, the bag having side walls 25, 25a, 25b, 25c and a base 27. In the embodiment shown, adhesive is used to fix the support member 8 to the inner side wall 25 of the bag 26.

The insert 1 can be flat-packed against an inner side wall 25 of the bag 26 as shown in FIGS. 3a and 4a when it is not in use. This feature allows the (foldable paper) carrier bag in which the insert is fixed, to be stored flat, allowing for convenient storage. With reference to FIGS. 3a to 4d, in use, the vendor of beverage and/or food products opens the bag 26, and extends the container stand portion 3, lowering it towards the base 27 of the bag 26. In the extended position, the base portion 5 of the container stand portion 3 abuts the base 27 and side walls 25, 25a, 25b and 25c of the bag 26. The vendor then places a container having a base, at top end and an intermediate body portion, such as a cup containing a beverage, into a container engaging opening 14 of the upper container receiving portion 6. The container 15 is gripped at a position intermediate its ends by the plurality of slots 16 and maintained in a substantially upright position relative to the bag 26.

Referring to FIGS. 3b, 3c and 4d the item support stand portion 4 is then lowered to extend over the container(s) 15. Referring to FIGS. 4c and 4d, in the embodiment shown, the base portion 17 is provided with two container receiving openings 24, for receiving the top end of the container(s) gripped in the container stand portion 3. The top end of the container 15 is received within the cavity 23 defined by the item support portion 18 which is spaced apart and above from the base portion 17. The container is thereby secured in the item support stand portion 4 and the container stand portion 3 of the insert 1. Referring to FIG. 4d, the insert 1, when in the in use erected configuration, forms a rigid structure, tensioning itself against the side walls of the bag 26. This gives strength and rigidity to the carrier bag.

A food item can then be placed on the upper surface 19 of the item support portion 18 of the item support stand portion 4. The upper surface 19 comprises a layer of thermally insulated material. The item support portion 18 forms a barrier between the top of the container 15 and a food item placed on the upper surface 19 of the item support portion 18. A food item can therefore be held in isolation from the container and will not be affected by the temperature of the beverage. This means for example, that if the container contains a hot beverage for example, the food product is prevented from heating.

The words “comprises/comprising” and the words “having/including” when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

Claims

1-2. (canceled)

3. An insert according to claim 24, wherein the insert is fixable to an interior side wall of the carrier bag.

4-23. (canceled)

24. An insert for inserting internally into a carrier bag having side walls and a base, the insert being of collapsible fold-out form and being adapted, when folded out, to accommodate one or more beverage-containing containers each having a base, a top end and an intermediate body portion, said insert comprising: a container stand portion including a container receiving portion having at least one container engaging opening defined therein and arranged to grip a container at a position on an intermediate body portion thereof;wherein the container receiving portion is an upper portion of the container stand portion and the container stand portion has a base portion which is connected to the upper container receiving portion by at least two opposing support members, each support member connecting one of opposing sides of the base portion with respective opposing sides of the upper container receiving portion, the support members being arranged, in use, to hold the upper container receiving portion spaced from and above the base portion so that a said container can be inserted into said at least one container engaging opening such that it cannot substantially move relative to the container stand portion and that at least part of a container received in said container stand portion extends above the container stand portion and is thus maintained substantially upright relative to the carrier bag; andwherein the insert is adapted to be inserted in flat-packed manner into a foldable carrier bag in a stored-flat condition and folded out into an extended position in which the base portion of the container stand portion abuts with the side walls and base of the carrier bag so as to maintain a substantially fixed position relative to the carrier bag.

25. An insert according to claim 24, wherein the container stand portion comprises a box-like rectangular structure.

26. An insert according to claim 24, wherein the at least one container engaging opening comprises a plurality of slots adapted to grip a container.

27. An insert according to claim 24, wherein the insert is shaped to match a carrier bag of rectangular shape.

28. An insert according to claim 24, wherein the insert is further adapted to maintain a folded-out form by tensioning itself within the carrier bag.

29. An insert according to claim 24, wherein the insert comprises material selected from the group consisting of cardboard, plastics or moulded fibre.

30. An insert according to claim 24, wherein the insert is further adapted when folded out, to comprise: an item support portion for carrying food items, the item support portion being arranged in use to form a barrier between food item(s) carried on the item support portion and the top of a container held in the container stand portion so as to support said item(s) when the bag is carried, said item support portion having an upper surface thereon on which said item(s) can be carried so that in use said item(s) can be held separately from a said container within a carrier bag; andan item support stand portion arranged, in use, to be above said container stand portion,wherein the item support stand portion includes said item support portion and a leg portion and is arranged, in use, to stand upon the container stand portion by the leg portion extending past a container held in the container stand portion;wherein the item support portion is connected to the container stand portion by means of said leg portion of the item support stand portion; andwherein the container stand portion of the insert is adapted to be folded out into said extended position in which the base portion of the container stand portion abuts with the side walls and base of the carrier bag so as to maintain a substantially fixed position relative to the carrier bag, and, after optional placement of a beverage container into a container engaging opening of the container stand portion, the item support stand portion being adapted to be lowered to extend over a said container, and the item support portion being then arranged so as to support food item(s) placed thereon.

31. An insert according to claim 30, wherein the item support portion is arranged in use to stand upon the container stand portion by means of a plurality of said leg portions, said leg portions defining support members of the item support stand portion.

32. An insert according to claim 31, wherein the item support stand portion has a base portion and at least two opposing support members, each of said support members connecting one of opposing sides of the base portion with respective opposing sides of the item support portion, the support members being arranged, in use, to hold the item support portion spaced from and above the base portion; the base portion having at least one container receiving opening defined therein which is arranged to allow insertion of the top end of a container held in the container stand portion into the space between the base portion and the item support portion so that the item support portion is held, in use, above the container stand portion in a table-like manner and does not rest on the top of a container held in the container stand portion; the top end of said container being received within the space between the base portion and the item support portion of the item support stand portion.

33. An insert according to claim 32, wherein the item support stand portion comprises a box-like rectangular structure.

34. An insert according to claim 33, wherein the item support stand portion is adapted to abut side walls of the carrier bag so as to maintain a substantially fixed position relative to the carrier bag.

35. An insert according to claim 34, wherein the upper surface of the item support portion further comprises a layer of insulating material.

36. A blank for an insert according to claim 24, comprising at least one region having four panels, respectively top and bottom panels and two side walls connecting said top and bottom panels, and means for connecting end panels of said region to define a box-like rectangular structure in an erected configuration.

37. A blank for an insert according to claim 36, wherein said connecting means comprises a tab provided on a free end panel of the blank and attached to a side wall of the blank in said erected condition.

38. A blank an insert according to claim 31, comprising a container stand portion region and an item support stand portion region, wherein a single, optionally planar, panel defines a side wall of said container stand portion region and a side wall of said item support stand portion region.

39. An assembly comprising: a carrier bag having a plurality of side walls and a base; andan insert that inserts internally into the carrier bag, the insert being of collapsible fold-out form and being adapted, when folded out, to accommodate one or more beverage-containing containers each having a base, a top end and an intermediate body portion, said insert including:a container stand portion including a container receiving portion having at least one container engaging opening defined therein and arranged to grip a container at a position on an intermediate body portion thereof;wherein the container receiving portion is an upper portion of the container stand portion and the container stand portion has a base portion which is connected to the upper container receiving portion by at least two opposing support members, each support member connecting one of opposing sides of the base portion with respective opposing sides of the upper container receiving portion, the support members being arranged, in use, to hold the upper container receiving portion spaced from and above the base portion so that a said container can be inserted into said at least one container engaging opening such that it cannot substantially move relative to the container stand portion and that at least part of a container received in said container stand portion extends above the container stand portion and is thus maintained substantially upright relative to the carrier bag; andwherein the insert is adapted to be inserted in flat-packed manner into a foldable carrier bag in a stored-flat condition and folded out into an extended position in which the base portion of the container stand portion abuts with the side walls and base of the carrier bag so as to maintain a substantially fixed position relative to the carrier bag.

40. An assembly according to claim 39, wherein the carrier bag comprises a foldable paper bag.

41. An insert for inserting internally into a carrier bag having side walls and a base, the insert being of collapsible fold-out form and being adapted, when folded out, to comprise a container stand portion for accommodating one or more beverage-containing containers and an item support portion for carrying food item(s), wherein: the container stand portion has a container receiving portion having at least one container engaging opening defined therein and arranged to grip a container having a base, a top end and an intermediate body portion at a position on the intermediate body portion; andthe item support portion is arranged in use to form a barrier between food item(s) carried on the item support portion and the top of a container held in the container stand portion so as to support said item(s) when the bag is carried, said item support portion having an upper surface thereon on which said item(s) can be carried so that in use said item(s) can be held separately from a said container within a carrier bag; and

42. An insert for inserting internally into a carrier bag having side walls and a base, the insert being of collapsible fold-out form and being adapted, when folded out, to comprise a container stand portion for accommodating one or more beverage-containing containers and an item support portion for carrying food item(s), wherein: the container stand portion has a container receiving portion having at least one container engaging opening defined therein and arranged to grip a container having a base, a top end and an intermediate body portion at a position on the intermediate body portion; andthe item support portion is arranged in use to form a barrier between food item(s) carried on the item support portion and the top of a container held in the container stand portion so as to support said item(s) when the bag is carried, so that in use said item(s) can be held separately from a said container within a carrier bag;