CA2530091A1 - Automotive beverage tray holder - Google Patents
Automotive beverage tray holder Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2530091A1 CA2530091A1 CA002530091A CA2530091A CA2530091A1 CA 2530091 A1 CA2530091 A1 CA 2530091A1 CA 002530091 A CA002530091 A CA 002530091A CA 2530091 A CA2530091 A CA 2530091A CA 2530091 A1 CA2530091 A1 CA 2530091A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- beverage
- beverage tray
- tray
- tray holder
- holder
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0.000 title claims abstract description 75
- 239000011105 molded pulp Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000123 paper Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N3/00—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for
- B60N3/10—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of receptacles for food or beverages, e.g. refrigerated
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Passenger Equipment (AREA)
Abstract
A beverage tray holder for holding disposable moulded pulp beverage trays and for use in automobiles comprises a base and a tray-holding member. A spill guard may optionally be included. The tray-holding member is adapted to securely hold a disposable beverage tray for holding four or more beverages, and comprises a bottom surface for holding the beverage tray and a continuous side wall for supporting the side surface of the beverage tray.
Description
AUTOMOTIVE BEVERAGE TRAY HOLDER
The invention relates to the field of beverage tray holders for use in automobiles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When two or more beverages are purchased at a take-out restaurant or coffee shop, a disposable moulded pulp tray holding up to four beverages is often provided.
Often the tray is placed in an automobile for consumption of the beverages while driving or for transportation of the beverages to another location. The tray may be placed on a seat or on the floor of the automobile, but since the tray is mainly intended to facilitate carrying the beverages, and is not designed to be particularly stable when placed on an uneven surface such as an automobile seat, the beverages may spill if the automobile comes to an abrupt stop or turns a corner. In addition, the bottom surface of the tray may slide on certain surfaces, increasing the likelihood of spillage. The tray is often made from flimsy paper material that will disintegrate when wet. Thus, if the tray is accidentally exposed to moisture, either by spillage of the beverage, rain or snow, or water on the floor of the car, it will lose strength.
The prior art discloses various cup holders for holding two or more beverage containers.
U.S. Patent No. 4,718,555 to Amberg discloses a carrying tray for holding cups or beverage containers. It is adapted to hold flat-bottomed or so-called "chime"-bottomed containers, but not to hold a tray of the sort described above. The Amberg carrying tray may be unstable when placed in an automobile.
U.S. Patent No. 5,713,619 to DuBois discloses a beverage cup carrier with multipie pockets for containing beverage cups, the pockets being interconnected with webbing to strengthen the cup carrier. The carrier is adapted to hold individual cups rather than an entire tray. The DuBois carrier may be unstable when placed in an automobile.
What is needed, therefore, is a beverage tray holder for use in an automobile that will hold common beverage trays described above in a stable manner without risk of tipping or sliding, and that is easily and conveniently movable within the automobile.
Further, a beverage tray holder that can withstand moisture is also needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a beverage tray holder for use in an automobile that provides a stable platform for a beverage tray so that the tray does not tip or slide when the automobile is in motion.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a beverage tray holder that is easily and conveniently movable.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a beverage tray holder that will remain strong even when wet.
The beverage tray holder comprises a base, a tray-holding member and a spill guard. The base has a contoured bottom surface that prevents slipping of the beverage tray holder along the surface it is resting on. The tray-holding member is shaped to accommodate a disposable moulded pulp beverage tray such as one designed to hold four beverage containers. A spill guard surrounds the tray-holding member to collect small amounts of spilled liquid that may escape from the beverage containers.
The beverage tray holder is sufficiently light to allow for portability, but also heavy enough so that it does not tip or slide. The beverage tray holder is sufficiently rigid to hold a full beverage tray without bending or folding. The beverage tray holder is made from a material that does not disintegrate when wet.
The invention relates to the field of beverage tray holders for use in automobiles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When two or more beverages are purchased at a take-out restaurant or coffee shop, a disposable moulded pulp tray holding up to four beverages is often provided.
Often the tray is placed in an automobile for consumption of the beverages while driving or for transportation of the beverages to another location. The tray may be placed on a seat or on the floor of the automobile, but since the tray is mainly intended to facilitate carrying the beverages, and is not designed to be particularly stable when placed on an uneven surface such as an automobile seat, the beverages may spill if the automobile comes to an abrupt stop or turns a corner. In addition, the bottom surface of the tray may slide on certain surfaces, increasing the likelihood of spillage. The tray is often made from flimsy paper material that will disintegrate when wet. Thus, if the tray is accidentally exposed to moisture, either by spillage of the beverage, rain or snow, or water on the floor of the car, it will lose strength.
The prior art discloses various cup holders for holding two or more beverage containers.
U.S. Patent No. 4,718,555 to Amberg discloses a carrying tray for holding cups or beverage containers. It is adapted to hold flat-bottomed or so-called "chime"-bottomed containers, but not to hold a tray of the sort described above. The Amberg carrying tray may be unstable when placed in an automobile.
U.S. Patent No. 5,713,619 to DuBois discloses a beverage cup carrier with multipie pockets for containing beverage cups, the pockets being interconnected with webbing to strengthen the cup carrier. The carrier is adapted to hold individual cups rather than an entire tray. The DuBois carrier may be unstable when placed in an automobile.
What is needed, therefore, is a beverage tray holder for use in an automobile that will hold common beverage trays described above in a stable manner without risk of tipping or sliding, and that is easily and conveniently movable within the automobile.
Further, a beverage tray holder that can withstand moisture is also needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a beverage tray holder for use in an automobile that provides a stable platform for a beverage tray so that the tray does not tip or slide when the automobile is in motion.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a beverage tray holder that is easily and conveniently movable.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a beverage tray holder that will remain strong even when wet.
The beverage tray holder comprises a base, a tray-holding member and a spill guard. The base has a contoured bottom surface that prevents slipping of the beverage tray holder along the surface it is resting on. The tray-holding member is shaped to accommodate a disposable moulded pulp beverage tray such as one designed to hold four beverage containers. A spill guard surrounds the tray-holding member to collect small amounts of spilled liquid that may escape from the beverage containers.
The beverage tray holder is sufficiently light to allow for portability, but also heavy enough so that it does not tip or slide. The beverage tray holder is sufficiently rigid to hold a full beverage tray without bending or folding. The beverage tray holder is made from a material that does not disintegrate when wet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the beverage tray holder.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the beverage tray holder.
Figure 3 is a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of the beverage tray holder.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of the beverage tray holder.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In Figure 1, the beverage tray holder 2 comprises a base 4 and a tray-holding member 6.
A spill guard 8 in the form of a perimeter groove may optionally be included.
The tray-holding member 6 is of a suitable size and shape for accommodating a moulded pulp beverage tray, preferably a beverage tray for holding four cups or containers in a square formation. The base 4 extends around and beneath the tray-holding member 6, providing stability for the beverage tray holder 2. A spill guard 8 may optionally be included, preferably taking the form of a shallow trough or groove surrounding the tray-holding member 6. The tray-holding member 6 is defined by a bottom surface 10 and a continuous side wall 12, the side wall conforming to the contours of the lower portion of a standard beverage tray.
The beverage tray holder 2 is made from a material, preferably a hard plastic or rubber, with sufficient rigidity to hold a full beverage tray without bending or folding. Further, the beverage tray holder 2 is made from a material with sufficient weight and density to prevent the beverage tray holderfrom sliding ortipping when placed on an automobile seat orfloor.
The material will not disintegrate or lose strength when exposed to water or other moisture.
As shown in Figure 2, the beverage tray holder 2 may further comprise dividers 14 to separate the areas of the tray-holding member 6. This allows the beverage tray holder to more closely conform to the underside of certain beverage trays.
As shown in Figure 3, the underside 16 of the beverage tray holder 2 has a contoured surface that will provide grip and prevent slippage of the beverage tray holder 2 against the surface on which it is resting.
As seen in Figure 4, the beverage tray holder 2 may be incorporated into a standard automobile floor mat 18.
It is to be understood that the examples described above are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention. It is expected that numerous variants will be obvious to the person skilled in the field of ergonometric design without any departure from the spirit of the invention. The appended claims, properly construed, form the only limitation upon the scope of the invention.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the beverage tray holder.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the beverage tray holder.
Figure 3 is a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of the beverage tray holder.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of the beverage tray holder.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In Figure 1, the beverage tray holder 2 comprises a base 4 and a tray-holding member 6.
A spill guard 8 in the form of a perimeter groove may optionally be included.
The tray-holding member 6 is of a suitable size and shape for accommodating a moulded pulp beverage tray, preferably a beverage tray for holding four cups or containers in a square formation. The base 4 extends around and beneath the tray-holding member 6, providing stability for the beverage tray holder 2. A spill guard 8 may optionally be included, preferably taking the form of a shallow trough or groove surrounding the tray-holding member 6. The tray-holding member 6 is defined by a bottom surface 10 and a continuous side wall 12, the side wall conforming to the contours of the lower portion of a standard beverage tray.
The beverage tray holder 2 is made from a material, preferably a hard plastic or rubber, with sufficient rigidity to hold a full beverage tray without bending or folding. Further, the beverage tray holder 2 is made from a material with sufficient weight and density to prevent the beverage tray holderfrom sliding ortipping when placed on an automobile seat orfloor.
The material will not disintegrate or lose strength when exposed to water or other moisture.
As shown in Figure 2, the beverage tray holder 2 may further comprise dividers 14 to separate the areas of the tray-holding member 6. This allows the beverage tray holder to more closely conform to the underside of certain beverage trays.
As shown in Figure 3, the underside 16 of the beverage tray holder 2 has a contoured surface that will provide grip and prevent slippage of the beverage tray holder 2 against the surface on which it is resting.
As seen in Figure 4, the beverage tray holder 2 may be incorporated into a standard automobile floor mat 18.
It is to be understood that the examples described above are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention. It is expected that numerous variants will be obvious to the person skilled in the field of ergonometric design without any departure from the spirit of the invention. The appended claims, properly construed, form the only limitation upon the scope of the invention.
Claims (10)
1. A beverage tray holder for holding a disposable moulded pulp beverage tray having a bottom surface and at least one side surface, for use in an automobile, comprising:
a tray-holding member; and a base.
a tray-holding member; and a base.
2. A beverage tray holder as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a spill guard.
3. A beverage tray holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tray-holding member comprises a bottom surface for supporting the bottom surface of the beverage tray and a continuous side wall for supporting and surrounding at least a portion of the at least one side surface of the beverage tray.
4. A beverage tray holder as claimed in claim 3, wherein the continuous side wall supports and surrounds a lower portion of the at least one side surface of the beverage tray.
5. A beverage tray holder as claimed in claim 4, wherein the beverage tray holder holds a beverage tray for up to four beverage containers in a square formation.
6. A beverage tray holder as claimed in claim 3, wherein the base has a bottom surface that is contoured to provide grip between the base and a surface on which the beverage tray holder is resting.
7. A beverage tray holder as claimed in claim 3, constructed from a relatively hard material.
8. A beverage tray holder as claimed in claim 3, constructed from a relatively dense material.
9. A beverage tray holder as claimed in claim 3, further comprising dividers that separate the tray-holding member into at least two portions, said dividers supporting and surrounding at least a portion of the at least one side surface of the beverage tray.
10. A beverage tray holder as claimed in claim 3, further comprising an automotive floor mat, the automotive floor mat extending outwardly from and in the same plane as the beverage tray holder base.
Priority Applications (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002530091A CA2530091A1 (en) | 2005-12-14 | 2005-12-14 | Automotive beverage tray holder |
| CA 2571085 CA2571085A1 (en) | 2005-12-14 | 2006-12-13 | Automotive beverage tray holder |
| PCT/CA2006/002010 WO2007068095A1 (en) | 2005-12-14 | 2006-12-13 | Automotive beverage tray holder |
| US11/639,009 US20080011926A1 (en) | 2005-12-14 | 2006-12-14 | Automotive beverage tray holder |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002530091A CA2530091A1 (en) | 2005-12-14 | 2005-12-14 | Automotive beverage tray holder |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2530091A1 true CA2530091A1 (en) | 2007-06-14 |
Family
ID=38162351
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002530091A Abandoned CA2530091A1 (en) | 2005-12-14 | 2005-12-14 | Automotive beverage tray holder |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US20080011926A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2530091A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2007068095A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7871050B2 (en) * | 2006-11-30 | 2011-01-18 | Epstein Marc I | Adjustable tray assembly for holding beverage containers and other items |
| US20100140431A1 (en) * | 2008-12-04 | 2010-06-10 | Van Horne Cynthia L | Apparatus for supporting an inverted container |
| US20140053783A1 (en) * | 2012-08-24 | 2014-02-27 | Pet Fusion, Llc | Litter mat |
| US9434287B2 (en) | 2014-01-13 | 2016-09-06 | Level Solutions, LLC | Vehicle tray |
| USD849739S1 (en) * | 2016-02-11 | 2019-05-28 | Andrew Brix | Holder |
| CA2935549A1 (en) | 2016-07-08 | 2018-01-08 | Level Solutions, LLC | Vehicle tray |
Family Cites Families (18)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2897974A (en) * | 1956-04-16 | 1959-08-04 | Maurice E Cook | Service tray adapted for use in automobiles and in other relations |
| US4208006A (en) * | 1979-02-27 | 1980-06-17 | Diamond International Corporation | Molded pulp tray for beverage and food |
| US4300709A (en) * | 1980-05-16 | 1981-11-17 | Allied Plastics, Inc. | Automobile console |
| US4524701A (en) * | 1982-08-27 | 1985-06-25 | Chappell Austin W | Detachable car seat tables |
| US4718555A (en) * | 1985-07-17 | 1988-01-12 | Fort Howard Cup Corporation | Carrying tray |
| US5005702A (en) * | 1990-02-09 | 1991-04-09 | Davis Mark S | Portable food/writing tray |
| US5121909A (en) * | 1990-11-08 | 1992-06-16 | Teledyne Industries, Inc. | Barbecue tray |
| US5244094A (en) * | 1992-01-27 | 1993-09-14 | Keyes Fibre | Molded pulp tray for holding cold containers |
| JPH0761275A (en) * | 1993-08-25 | 1995-03-07 | Watabe Mitsuko | Automobile mat with pocket |
| US5419451A (en) * | 1993-11-10 | 1995-05-30 | Design Specialties, Inc. | Stacking tray and lid assembly |
| US5713619A (en) * | 1996-02-05 | 1998-02-03 | Tenneco Packaging Inc. | Beverage cup carrier |
| US6036020A (en) * | 1999-03-05 | 2000-03-14 | Distler; Las | Dinner tray |
| US6206445B1 (en) * | 1999-10-22 | 2001-03-27 | Kenneth S. Brooks | Tailgate-adapted cutting board and accessories |
| US6386531B1 (en) * | 1999-11-16 | 2002-05-14 | Mike J. Prosser | Cutting board with drain holes |
| CA2354104A1 (en) * | 2000-07-26 | 2002-01-26 | Jeffrey Allan Veltri | Beverage container support apparatus |
| US6422551B1 (en) * | 2001-03-12 | 2002-07-23 | Gregory R. Brotz | Disposable cutting board |
| US7240380B2 (en) * | 2002-11-18 | 2007-07-10 | Erickson E Jay | Food preparation station |
| US7159735B2 (en) * | 2004-05-11 | 2007-01-09 | Morse Robert O | Bucket insert |
-
2005
- 2005-12-14 CA CA002530091A patent/CA2530091A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2006
- 2006-12-13 WO PCT/CA2006/002010 patent/WO2007068095A1/en active Application Filing
- 2006-12-14 US US11/639,009 patent/US20080011926A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2007068095A1 (en) | 2007-06-21 |
| US20080011926A1 (en) | 2008-01-17 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |