Support for carrying containers with a single hand

Abstract

Support for carrying containers with a single hand, that comprises a flat body (1), made of a laminate material, such as cardboard, that presents, at least, two securing means (2) to secure that two containers (3, 4) of different products consisting, for example, one of them of a container (3) for popcorn or similar product and the other of a cup (4) for drinks, are kept in vertical position, the said body (1) being sufficiently strong that it can be hold with a single hand when it is loaded with the weight of the said containers (3, 4) full of content without bending. Preferably, the support body (1) presents a structure of laminate material constituted by two external layers (1a), upper and lower, and a stiffening core (1b) or central layer of a material stronger than the material of the said external layers (1a).

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention, as stated in the title of this specification, refers to a support for carrying containers with a single hand, contributing, to the function to which it is designed, with advantages and characteristics that are disclosed in detail thereafter

[0002] The object of this invention falls on a support the aim of which is to provide, namely in movie theaters, stadiums or other premises where events are performed, in which the public use to consume foods acquired at the entrance , a practical and simple means to be able to carry with a single hand, containers in vertical position in order not to spill their contents, concretely , at least a popcorn container or a similar product and a cup, allowing that the other hand remains free for other things, for example, to hold the hand of a underage companion and to avoid that he is lost, to show the tickets at the access or to be able to use the cell phone.FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The field of application of this invention is within the sector of the industry engaged in manufacturing daily used articles, focusing in particular in the field of the supports for carrying containers.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] As it is known, in particular in movie theaters, it is usual to purchase popcorn and a drink. However, as the popcorn are usually dispensed in disposable cardboard or similar packages formed by containers open at the top and the drinks in paper or plastic cups, with or without lid, also disposable, to be able to carry both products without their content is spilled, both hands have to be used to carry both in vertical position, so it is not possible to use the other hand, for example to hold the hand of a child or a young companion.

[0005] This same problem occurs also in other types of premises such as sport stadiums, concerts, outdoor performances, etc. where the public also use to acquire similar products as snacks and drink with the intent of consuming them during the event, and that are also are served in disposable open containers in stalls or points of sale located at the entrance of the compound and which the user has to carry in vertical position with his hands until he reaches his seat, with which, during the said way which can be somewhat long, even though he acquires only two products, he will have both hands occupied carrying the said containers and not being able to hold the hand of a child or he will have a lot of difficulties to show the tickets at the entrance at the access to the compound or, why not to mention it, he will be unable to use his cell phone.

[0006] It is known from the state of the art, according to what the patent US1469596A discloses, an improved holder particularly adaptable for serving orders of ice cream cones. The object is to provide a convenient and sanitary holder which is particularly adaptable for serving carry orders of ice cream cones and which can be so inexpensively manufactured that it can be given away with an order of cones as advertisement.

[0007] It is also known from the state of the art, according to what the utility model DE202007017973U1 discloses, a tray, in particular for standing receptions, with at least one opening which is suitable for passing the thumb of one hand through, and with a glass receiving opening which is arranged in the edge region of the plate and is open towards the edge.

[0008] It is also known from the state of the art, according to what the patent US5294000A discloses, a tray for supporting food plates and beverage vessels. It comprises a base structure which is substantially flat and has a front and a back, a left side and a right side, and has a top and a bottom. It has an imaginary center line running from front to back and evenly distanced from said left side and right side. There is a first orifice through the top of the base being circular in shape and being biased to one side of said center line. This orifice is adapted to receive a beverage vessel. There is a second orifice through the top of the base which is circular in shape and is biased toward one side of said center line opposite said first orifice. This second orifice is adapted to receive a food plate.

[0009] It is also known from the state of the art, according to what the utility model DE29505819U1 discloses, a tray for transporting and carrying food and drinks, that allows convenient one-handed handling even when fully equipped with dishes or utensils. In this way, a one-handed tray is provided, which enables the tray to be held and guided securely.

[0010] It is also known from the state of the art, according to what the patent US2007252063A1 discloses, food and beverage trays including at least a collapsed configuration and an un-collapsed configuration. The un-collapsed configuration includes at least a hole sized for holding a plate and an area sized for holding a beverage. Preferably, the collapsed configuration is flat and includes layers of material with cut-outs, slits, scorings, perforations, or some combination thereof. Preferably, the layers are attached together and are part of a single piece of folded over material.

[0011] It is also known from the state of the art, according to what the utility model DE29818982U1 discloses, a disposable container for holding foodstuffs intended for immediate consumption, such as French fries, with a receiving section for directly holding the foodstuff or for holding a packaging containing the foodstuff.

[0012] A support according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from DE 10 2007 051679 A1.

[0013] The objective of this invention therefore is to develop a support that, with a low cost, can be provided by the dealers themselves that dispense the said products to be consumed on the site and with the said support, avoiding those problems to their customers.

[0014] On the other hand, and as reference to the current state-of-the-art, it shall be pointed out that, at least the applicant is not aware of the existence of any other support for carrying containers with a single hand, that presents technical and structural characteristics same or similar to those herein claimed possesses.EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The support for carrying container with a single hand that the invention proposes is configured as a suitable solution to the above stated, the characterizing details making it possible and that distinguish it are conveniently appearing in the final claims attached to this specification.

[0016] Concretely, the support that the invention proposes , as it was said before, has the aim of providing, in movie theaters, stadiums or other premises where events are performed, in which the public use to consume foods acquired at the entrance, with a means to be able to carry with a single hand, two or more containers that could spill their content if they are not carried in vertical position, concretely, at least an open container-shaped package for popcorn or of similar product and a cup-shaped package for drink , with or without lid, allowing that the other hand remains free for other things, for example, to hold the hand of a underage companion and to avoid that he is lost, to show the tickets at the access or to be able to use the cell phone.

[0017] The support according to the invention is defined by the features of the independent claim.

[0018] Anyway, the securing means for the containers that the support body possesses are determined, preferably, by both recesses having a shape and configuration similar to that of the containers to which they are designed so that these later, when they are introduced in the said recesses, remain tight to the edges thereof.

[0019] In addition, in an option of embodiment, created for frustum pyramid-shaped containers, as the containers for popcorn use to be or frustoconical as the cups use to be, the said recesses of the body are through recesses in which the containers are held by fitting, protruding below.

[0020] In an alternative option of embodiment, the recesses of the support body to hold the containers are blind recesses, in which the containers do not protrude below, in which case, the thickness of the support body is sufficiently high in order that the popcorn and drink containers can be correctly secured on their walls.

[0021] In addition, as the support is devised to be a low-cost product that will be offered or sold at the own points of sales of the consumptions to which it is designed, optionally, it can be printed with publicity and to constitute thus a product of market that, in addition to the described utility to carry the containers, can also serve as publicity support, their cost being covered by some sponsor.

[0022] Anyway, the support can be reusable more than one time, so that, for example, the user is asked, after using it, to return it to the point of sale, or it can be disposable, in which case, preferably, it is made of a biodegradable material.

[0023] At business level, the support can be included in the price when the user purchases a pack of popcorn and drink.DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] To complement the description being carried out and in order to assist to best understand the characteristics of the invention, attached to this specification, as an integral part thereof, there is a drawing in which, for illustration and no limitation purpose, the following has been represented: The figure number 1.- It shows a view in perspective of a first example of the support for carrying containers with a single hand, object of the invention, concretely an example with the means for securing the containers vertical formed by through recesses in which the containers are secured crossing the support and protruding below, its configuration and constitutive parts can be seen; the figure number 2.- It shows an enlarged view of the detail A marked in the figure 1, that allows to see the structure of the laminate material with the stiffening core the support possesses; the figure number 3.- It shows a view in perspective of a second example of the support of the invention, in this case an example with the vertical securing means of the containers formed by blind recesses in which the containers do not protrude under the support; and the figure number 4.- It shows a view in perspective of the support in position of use with the two containers incorporated to it. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Seen the said figures, and according to the numerals adopted, a non-limiting example of embodiment of the support for carrying container with a single hand of the invention can be seen, which comprises what is described in detail below.

[0026] Thus, as it can be seen in the said figures, the support of the invention is essentially constituted from a flat body (1), made of a hard cardboard laminate material that presents, at least , two securing means (2) to secure, so that they are kept in vertical position, two containers (3, 4) of different products, consisting one of them of a container (3) for popcorn or similar product and the other of a cup (4) for drink, the said body (1) being sufficiently strong so that it can be hold with a single hand when it is loaded with the weight of the said containers (3,4) full of content without bending.

[0027] For this, the support body (1) presents a structure of cardboard laminate material constituted by two external cardboard layers (1a), upper and lower, and a stiffening core (1b) or central layer of a material stronger than the material of the said external layers (1a).

[0028] Anyway, the securing means (2) to secure that the container-shaped package (3) for popcorn or similar product and the cup-shaped container (4) for drinks are held in vertical position consist of recesses having a shape and configuration similar to that of the said containers (3,4) so that these later, when they are introduced in the said recesses, remain tight to the edges thereof

[0029] In addition, in another embodiment, where the containers (3,4) have a frustum pyramid or frustoconical shape, the recesses (2) of the support body (1) are through recesses, as it can be seen in the example of the figure 1, in which the containers (3,4) are held by fitting, protruding below.

[0030] In another embodiment, the recesses (2) of the support body (1) to hold the containers (3,4) are blind recesses, as the example of the figure 3 shows, in which the containers (3, 4) remain fit between their edges without protruding below. In addition, in this variant, the thickness (g) of the support body (1) is high, providing a supporting stretch on which the container (3,4) can be correctly secured on its edges.

[0031] Optionally, at least the top face of the support body (1), comprises a surface (1c) that incorporates printed graphic and / or alphanumeric elements of publicity nature.

[0032] Last, it must be pointed out that the support is either reusable or disposable, in which case the laminate material of which the body (1) is made is biodegradable.

[0033] Sufficiently disclosed the nature of this invention, as well as the manner of implementing it, it is not deemed necessary to extend anymore its explanation in order that any person skilled in the art understands its extent and the advantages arising from it.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0025]Seen the said figures, and according to the numerals adopted, a non-limiting example of embodiment of the support for carrying container with a single hand of the invention can be seen, which comprises what is described in detail below.

[0026]Thus, as it can be seen in the said figures, the support of the invention is essentially constituted from a flat body (1), made of a hard cardboard laminate material that presents, at least , two securing means (2) to secure, so that they are kept in vertical position, two containers (3, 4) of different products, consisting one of them of a container (3) for popcorn or similar product and the other of a cup (4) for drink, the said body (1) being sufficiently strong so that it can be hold with a single hand when it is loaded with the weight of the said containers (3,4) full of content without bending.

[0027]For this, the support body (1) presents a structure of cardboard laminate material constituted by two external cardboard layers (1a), up...

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention, as stated in the title of this specification, refers to a support for carrying containers with a single hand, contributing, to the function to which it is designed, with advantages and characteristics that are disclosed in detail thereafter

[0002] The object of this invention falls on a support the aim of which is to provide, namely in movie theaters, stadiums or other premises where events are performed, in which the public use to consume foods acquired at the entrance , a practical and simple means to be able to carry with a single hand, containers in vertical position in order not to spill their contents, concretely , at least a popcorn container or a similar product and a cup, allowing that the other hand remains free for other things, for example, to hold the hand of a underage companion and to avoid that he is lost, to show the tickets at the access or to be able to use the cell phone.FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The field of application of this invention is within the sector of the industry engaged in manufacturing daily used articles, focusing in particular in the field of the supports for carrying containers.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] As it is known, in particular in movie theaters, it is usual to purchase popcorn and a drink. However, as the popcorn are usually dispensed in disposable cardboard or similar packages formed by containers open at the top and the drinks in paper or plastic cups, with or without lid, also disposable, to be able to carry both products without their content is spilled, both hands have to be used to carry both in vertical position, so it is not possible to use the other hand, for example to hold the hand of a child or a young companion.

[0005] This same problem occurs also in other types of premises such as sport stadiums, concerts, outdoor performances, etc. where the public also use to acquire similar products as snacks and drink with the intent of consuming them during the event, and that are also are served in disposable open containers in stalls or points of sale located at the entrance of the compound and which the user has to carry in vertical position with his hands until he reaches his seat, with which, during the said way which can be somewhat long, even though he acquires only two products, he will have both hands occupied carrying the said containers and not being able to hold the hand of a child or he will have a lot of difficulties to show the tickets at the entrance at the access to the compound or, why not to mention it, he will be unable to use his cell phone.

[0006] It is known from the state of the art, according to what the patent US1469596A discloses, an improved holder particularly adaptable for serving orders of ice cream cones. The object is to provide a convenient and sanitary holder which is particularly adaptable for serving carry orders of ice cream cones and which can be so inexpensively manufactured that it can be given away with an order of cones as advertisement.

[0007] It is also known from the state of the art, according to what the utility model DE202007017973U1 discloses, a tray, in particular for standing receptions, with at least one opening which is suitable for passing the thumb of one hand through, and with a glass receiving opening which is arranged in the edge region of the plate and is open towards the edge.

[0008] It is also known from the state of the art, according to what the patent US5294000A discloses, a tray for supporting food plates and beverage vessels. It comprises a base structure which is substantially flat and has a front and a back, a left side and a right side, and has a top and a bottom. It has an imaginary center line running from front to back and evenly distanced from said left side and right side. There is a first orifice through the top of the base being circular in shape and being biased to one side of said center line. This orifice is adapted to receive a beverage vessel. There is a second orifice through the top of the base which is circular in shape and is biased toward one side of said center line opposite said first orifice. This second orifice is adapted to receive a food plate.

[0009] It is also known from the state of the art, according to what the utility model DE29505819U1 discloses, a tray for transporting and carrying food and drinks, that allows convenient one-handed handling even when fully equipped with dishes or utensils. In this way, a one-handed tray is provided, which enables the tray to be held and guided securely.

[0010] It is also known from the state of the art, according to what the patent US2007252063A1 discloses, food and beverage trays including at least a collapsed configuration and an un-collapsed configuration. The un-collapsed configuration includes at least a hole sized for holding a plate and an area sized for holding a beverage. Preferably, the collapsed configuration is flat and includes layers of material with cut-outs, slits, scorings, perforations, or some combination thereof. Preferably, the layers are attached together and are part of a single piece of folded over material.

[0011] It is also known from the state of the art, according to what the utility model DE29818982U1 discloses, a disposable container for holding foodstuffs intended for immediate consumption, such as French fries, with a receiving section for directly holding the foodstuff or for holding a packaging containing the foodstuff.

[0012] A support according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from DE 10 2007 051679 A1.

[0013] The objective of this invention therefore is to develop a support that, with a low cost, can be provided by the dealers themselves that dispense the said products to be consumed on the site and with the said support, avoiding those problems to their customers.

[0014] On the other hand, and as reference to the current state-of-the-art, it shall be pointed out that, at least the applicant is not aware of the existence of any other support for carrying containers with a single hand, that presents technical and structural characteristics same or similar to those herein claimed possesses.EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The support for carrying container with a single hand that the invention proposes is configured as a suitable solution to the above stated, the characterizing details making it possible and that distinguish it are conveniently appearing in the final claims attached to this specification.

[0016] Concretely, the support that the invention proposes , as it was said before, has the aim of providing, in movie theaters, stadiums or other premises where events are performed, in which the public use to consume foods acquired at the entrance, with a means to be able to carry with a single hand, two or more containers that could spill their content if they are not carried in vertical position, concretely, at least an open container-shaped package for popcorn or of similar product and a cup-shaped package for drink , with or without lid, allowing that the other hand remains free for other things, for example, to hold the hand of a underage companion and to avoid that he is lost, to show the tickets at the access or to be able to use the cell phone.

[0017] The support according to the invention is defined by the features of the independent claim.

[0018] Anyway, the securing means for the containers that the support body possesses are determined, preferably, by both recesses having a shape and configuration similar to that of the containers to which they are designed so that these later, when they are introduced in the said recesses, remain tight to the edges thereof.

[0019] In addition, in an option of embodiment, created for frustum pyramid-shaped containers, as the containers for popcorn use to be or frustoconical as the cups use to be, the said recesses of the body are through recesses in which the containers are held by fitting, protruding below.

[0020] In an alternative option of embodiment, the recesses of the support body to hold the containers are blind recesses, in which the containers do not protrude below, in which case, the thickness of the support body is sufficiently high in order that the popcorn and drink containers can be correctly secured on their walls.

[0021] In addition, as the support is devised to be a low-cost product that will be offered or sold at the own points of sales of the consumptions to which it is designed, optionally, it can be printed with publicity and to constitute thus a product of market that, in addition to the described utility to carry the containers, can also serve as publicity support, their cost being covered by some sponsor.

[0022] Anyway, the support can be reusable more than one time, so that, for example, the user is asked, after using it, to return it to the point of sale, or it can be disposable, in which case, preferably, it is made of a biodegradable material.

[0023] At business level, the support can be included in the price when the user purchases a pack of popcorn and drink.DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] To complement the description being carried out and in order to assist to best understand the characteristics of the invention, attached to this specification, as an integral part thereof, there is a drawing in which, for illustration and no limitation purpose, the following has been represented: The figure number 1.- It shows a view in perspective of a first example of the support for carrying containers with a single hand, object of the invention, concretely an example with the means for securing the containers vertical formed by through recesses in which the containers are secured crossing the support and protruding below, its configuration and constitutive parts can be seen; the figure number 2.- It shows an enlarged view of the detail A marked in the figure 1, that allows to see the structure of the laminate material with the stiffening core the support possesses; the figure number 3.- It shows a view in perspective of a second example of the support of the invention, in this case an example with the vertical securing means of the containers formed by blind recesses in which the containers do not protrude under the support; and the figure number 4.- It shows a view in perspective of the support in position of use with the two containers incorporated to it. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Seen the said figures, and according to the numerals adopted, a non-limiting example of embodiment of the support for carrying container with a single hand of the invention can be seen, which comprises what is described in detail below.

[0026] Thus, as it can be seen in the said figures, the support of the invention is essentially constituted from a flat body (1), made of a hard cardboard laminate material that presents, at least , two securing means (2) to secure, so that they are kept in vertical position, two containers (3, 4) of different products, consisting one of them of a container (3) for popcorn or similar product and the other of a cup (4) for drink, the said body (1) being sufficiently strong so that it can be hold with a single hand when it is loaded with the weight of the said containers (3,4) full of content without bending.

[0027] For this, the support body (1) presents a structure of cardboard laminate material constituted by two external cardboard layers (1a), upper and lower, and a stiffening core (1b) or central layer of a material stronger than the material of the said external layers (1a).

[0028] Anyway, the securing means (2) to secure that the container-shaped package (3) for popcorn or similar product and the cup-shaped container (4) for drinks are held in vertical position consist of recesses having a shape and configuration similar to that of the said containers (3,4) so that these later, when they are introduced in the said recesses, remain tight to the edges thereof

[0029] In addition, in another embodiment, where the containers (3,4) have a frustum pyramid or frustoconical shape, the recesses (2) of the support body (1) are through recesses, as it can be seen in the example of the figure 1, in which the containers (3,4) are held by fitting, protruding below.

[0030] In another embodiment, the recesses (2) of the support body (1) to hold the containers (3,4) are blind recesses, as the example of the figure 3 shows, in which the containers (3, 4) remain fit between their edges without protruding below. In addition, in this variant, the thickness (g) of the support body (1) is high, providing a supporting stretch on which the container (3,4) can be correctly secured on its edges.

[0031] Optionally, at least the top face of the support body (1), comprises a surface (1c) that incorporates printed graphic and / or alphanumeric elements of publicity nature.

[0032] Last, it must be pointed out that the support is either reusable or disposable, in which case the laminate material of which the body (1) is made is biodegradable.

[0033] Sufficiently disclosed the nature of this invention, as well as the manner of implementing it, it is not deemed necessary to extend anymore its explanation in order that any person skilled in the art understands its extent and the advantages arising from it.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0025]Seen the said figures, and according to the numerals adopted, a non-limiting example of embodiment of the support for carrying container with a single hand of the invention can be seen, which comprises what is described in detail below.

[0026]Thus, as it can be seen in the said figures, the support of the invention is essentially constituted from a flat body (1), made of a hard cardboard laminate material that presents, at least , two securing means (2) to secure, so that they are kept in vertical position, two containers (3, 4) of different products, consisting one of them of a container (3) for popcorn or similar product and the other of a cup (4) for drink, the said body (1) being sufficiently strong so that it can be hold with a single hand when it is loaded with the weight of the said containers (3,4) full of content without bending.

[0027]For this, the support body (1) presents a structure of cardboard laminate material constituted by two external cardboard layers (1a), up...

Claims

1. Support for carrying containers with a single hand, comprising a flat body (1) made of a cardboard laminate material that presents, at least, two securing means (2) to secure, so that they are kept in vertical position, two containers (3,4) of different products consisting, for example, one of them of a container (3) for popcorn or similar product and the other of a cup (4) for drinks, said body being sufficiently strong so that it can be held with a single hand when it is loaded with the weight of the said containers full of content without bending, characterized in that said body (1) made of carboard laminate material comprises two cardboard layers (1a), upper and lower, and presents a central layer (1b) of a material stronger than the rest of the body (1).

2. Support for carrying containers with a single hand according to claim 1, wherein the securing means (2) to secure that the container-shaped package (3) for popcorn or similar product and the cup-shaped container (4) for drinks are kept in vertical position, are constituted by recesses so that when the containers (3,4)are introduced in the said recesses, they remain tight to the edge thereof, allowing that the said containers (3,4) protrude below.

3. Support for carrying containers with a single hand according to claim 2, wherein the securing means (2) to secure the containers (3,4) are blind recesses in which the said containers (3,4) remain fit between their edges without protruding below.

4. Support for carrying containers with a single hand according to claim 1, wherein at least the upper face of the support body (1) comprises a surface (1c) that incorporates printed graphic and / or alphanumeric elements of publicity nature.

5. Support for carrying containers with a single hand according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the body (1) is of a reusable nature.

6. Support for carrying containers with a single hand according to any of claims 1, 4 and 5, which is disposable and the cardboard laminate material of which the body (1) is made is biodegradable.

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