Beverage and food carrier and dispensing systems therefor

Abstract

A carrier for carrying at least one beverage container includes a sheet of at least one layer of a polymeric material having an arrangement of at least one aperture for receiving a beverage container, and having a plurality of handle members for grasping by at least one finger or portion of a users hand for carrying the beverage container. A tray configuration is also provided for use with the carrier or in a separate manner, and a dispensing system for use with the carrier is set forth.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 12 / 403,886 filed Mar. 13, 2009, which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 036,314 filed on Mar. 13, 2008, all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE[0002]The invention relates to a beverage and / or food carrying device and dispensing systems therefore. More particularly, the invention relates to beverage and / or food carrying devices which allow easier handling of beverage and food items in many different environments and applications, where food and beverages are dispensed on an individual basis.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]In many environments and situations, the handling of food and beverages dispensed on an individual basis, becomes difficult and cumbersome. For example, in the environment such as a sporting or entertainment venue, food and beverages are dispensed via counters or vendors, on a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The carrier effectively stabilizes beverage containers of varying sizes, prevents spillage, and allows for convenient one-handed carrying of multiple items, including food, while being cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

Problems solved by technology

In many environments and situations, the handling of food and beverages dispensed on an individual basis, becomes difficult and cumbersome.

If a patron purchases food or beverages from the counter for example, they then must somehow carry the purchased items back to their seat, and handling of the items can be difficult.

Further, spillage of beverages from hand carried cups is a well known problem to customers of carry out or fast food restaurants.

Also, handling multiple drinks is problematic.

These known carriers provide only limited lateral support for cups being carried or otherwise transported, increasing the chance that taller cups can be tipped and spilled while carrying.

Further, such carriers are bulky and not conveniently configured to carry additional items, such as food items, making storage and handling of the tray more difficult.

These particular types of tray devices are also difficult to carry, and usually require both hands of the user, preventing the user from using their hands to carry other things or perform tasks such as opening doors, handing a ticket to a person, or distributing food to another person.

Additionally, these types of carriers are unattractive, bulky, nested tightly together and therefore difficult to handle, expensive to ship and space-consuming to store at a site for use, taking up significant storage space due to their configuration.

Other types of carriers may be made to assemble for use, making them inconvenient and difficult to handle.

Although helpful, such devices are still problematic if multiple drinks and food items are purchased, and are not convenient to carry or handle, ship or store for use.

Such efforts have generally not been accepted by consumers, due to various deficiencies, and there thus is a need for an improved device for handling beverages and food items that are dispensed on an individual basis.

Another problem inherent in existing container carriers is that they may not support filled cups in a stable manner.

Known carriers when in use, may not allow for stable carrying as they are rigid, and therefore require the user to maintain the carrier in a level position to avoid spillage of the cup contents.

Further, such carriers may be unstable if they are not filled with the maximum number of cups for which they are designed.

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