Abstract:
An accessory caddy including at least one first container with at least one opening at a top portion thereof configured to receive a nested stack of disposable cups. The accessory caddy can also include a second container having a substantially similar height to the first containers. The second container can have at least one first compartment with further openings at a top portion thereof configured to receive items, wherein a height from the opening to a first compartment-floor can be a fraction of the height of the second container leaving a remainder below the first compartment-floor. Additionally, the accessory caddy can include a third container connected to a side of the first container(s) and a side of the second container, and can have a height that is less than half the height of the first container(s). The third container can include at least one second compartment configured to receive further items.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application relates to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/585,880 filed on Jan. 12, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to an accessory station for holding various accessories associated with a single serve beverage station, such as a coffee pod single-serve brewing machine. 
       BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
       [0003]    Single serve coffee machines have gained market share in the office, home and home-office settings, as compared to more traditional pot-brewed (e.g., drip-brewed) coffee machines. Single serve coffee machines can have a variety of configurations. For example, some single-serve coffee machines can provide drip-brewed capabilities (e.g., a smaller version of traditional “pot sized” machines), have single-serve coffee pods (e.g., like the Keurig® “K-cup”), or include various other single serve packet designs (e.g., liquid packets by Flavia®). 
         [0004]    Accessory stations designed for traditional pot-sized drip-brewed arrangements may not adequately address the unique needs of a single serve beverage station. 
         [0005]    According to the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments of an apparatus can be provided for holding various accessories associated with a single serve beverage station, which overcome at least some of the deficiencies of the prior coffee making machines. 
       SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0006]    According to certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, exemplary universal accessory stations are described. 
         [0007]    An accessory caddy including at least one first container with at least one opening at a top portion thereof configured to receive a nested stack of disposable cups. The accessory caddy can also include a second container having a substantially similar height to the first containers. The second container can have at least one first compartment with further openings at a top portion thereof configured to receive items, wherein a height from the opening to a first compartment-floor can be a fraction of the height of the second container leaving a remainder below the first compartment-floor. Additionally, the accessory caddy can include a third container connected to a side of the first container(s) and a side of the second container, and can have a height that is less than half the height of the first container(s). The third container can include at least one second compartment configured to receive further items. 
         [0008]    In one configuration, the first container(s) can be at least four inches taller or larger than the at least one first compartment. The floor of the second compartment(s) can be provided at the same level as a caddy floor that is a floor of the first, second, and third containers. The second container, in some configurations, can include within the remainder at least one receiving compartment configured to receive at least one drawer. The drawer(s) can be provided on tracks to guide movement in and out of the caddy, while retaining the drawers at least partially within the caddy. 
         [0009]    In some configurations, the two other corners of the third container can be substantially sloped from the top side to the front side thereof. The second container can include within the remainder, a plurality of drawers that open from a front oriented substantially ninety degrees from the top. 
         [0010]    In some configurations, the first container(s) can include includes a plurality of first containers. The first compartment(s) of the second container can include a plurality of first compartments. The second compartment(s) of the third container can include a plurality of second compartments. 
         [0011]    The caddy can have a width of approximately 5 inches to 10 inches that extends along a front portion thereof. In some configurations, the caddy can have a width of approximately 7 inches that extends along a front portion thereof. The caddy can have a height of approximately 8 inches to approximately 15 inches. In some configurations, the caddy can have a height of approximately 12 inches. In some configurations, the first compartment(s) can have a depth that is substantially larger than a depth of the at least one second compartment. 
         [0012]    These and other objects, features and advantages of the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the appended claim(s). 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    Exemplary objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying Figs. showing illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure, in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is an exemplary accessory caddy with included accessories, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is an exemplary accessory caddy without the included accessories, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is another perspective view of the exemplary accessory caddy; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the exemplary accessory caddy; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a left-side view of the exemplary accessory caddy; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a right-side view of the exemplary accessory caddy; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the exemplary accessory caddy; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the exemplary accessory caddy; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a front view of an exemplary drawer, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the exemplary drawer; 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a top view of the exemplary drawer; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the exemplary drawer. 
       
    
    
       [0026]    Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals and characters, unless otherwise stated, are used to denote like features, elements, components, or portions of the illustrated embodiments. Moreover, while the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the figures, it is done so in connection with the illustrative embodiments and is not limited by the particular embodiments illustrated in the figures or the claims appended herewith. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    According to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, an accessory caddy can be provided that can include an all-in-one compact unit which can hold many accessories that a user would desire in connection with, e.g., a single serve coffee machine. The exemplary single serve coffee machine can be a beverage dispenser. Other exemplary dispensers are also possible, and indeed existing single-serve “coffee machines” themselves often also make non-coffee beverages, such as hot chocolate, tea, etc., as well as coffee variations, such as cappuccino, espresso, latté, etc. Examples described herein may illustrate an exemplary accessory caddy oriented toward a single-serve coffee machine, but could also be associated with other dispenser machines having accessories and/or “coffee machines” that dispense more than just coffee. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary accessory caddy, according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The exemplary accessory caddy can have a width  202  of, e.g., approximately 5 inches to 10 inches. For example, in one exemplary configuration, the width  202  can be approximately 7 inches. The height  204  can range from, e.g., approximately 8 inches to approximately 15 inches. According to another exemplary embodiment, the height  204  can be approximately 12 inches, and in still another exemplary configuration, the height  204  can be approximately 12.20 inches. 
         [0029]    The exemplary caddy can include a number of front pull-out drawers  110  (e.g., two) that can hold individual single serve coffee pods, tea bags, sugar packets and/or miscellaneous accessories. In certain exemplary embodiments, drawers  110  can be dimensioned to optimize storage of a plurality of coffee pods, such as the Keurig® brand “K-cup,” while users can be free to use all the drawers  110  for such storage or allocate one or more of the drawers  110  for storage of other items, e.g., as listed above. 
         [0030]    According to one exemplary embodiment, the exemplary caddy can include drawer receiving compartments  112  for receiving the exemplary drawers  110 . The exemplary receiving compartments  112  can have a height  124  that can range from, e.g., approximately 3.00 inches to approximately 4.00 inches. In one exemplary configuration, the exemplary height  124  can be approximately 3.8 inches, and in another configuration, the height  124  can be approximately 4.00 inches. The exemplary receiving compartments  112  can have a width  126  that can be, e.g., approximately 4.3 inches. Other sizes for the drawer receiving compartments  112  can include, e.g., 2 inches wide, 6 inches wide, 2 inches tall, 6 inches tall or any number therebetween. 
         [0031]    The drawers  110  can be of any dimension suitable for insertion into the drawer receiving compartments  112 . In one exemplary embodiment, for example as shown in  FIGS. 9-12 , the exemplary drawers  110  can have a width  128  that can range from approximately from 3.00 inches to 4.00 inches. In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , the exemplary width  128  can be approximately 3.700 inches. The interior width  134  (as shown in  FIG. 11 ) can be approximately 3.5 inches. The exemplary drawer  110  can include a front surface  136 . The front surface  136  can have a height  138  that is greater than the height  144  of the side walls  146  of the exemplary drawer  110 . For example, in some configurations, the height  138  of the front surface  136  can range from approximately 3 inches to 5 inches (as shown in  FIG. 9 ) and the height  144  of the side walls  146  can range from approximately 3 inches to approximately 5 inches (as shown in  FIG. 10 ). In one exemplary configuration, the height  138  can be approximately 3.9 inches and the height  144  can be approximately 3.4 inches, and in another configuration, the height  144  can be approximately 3.22 inches. Thus, in such exemplary configurations, the height difference  143  of the front surface  136  and side wall  146  can be approximately 0.5 inches (as shown in  FIG. 10 ). The exemplary drawer  110  can have a depth  148  that can range from, e.g., approximately 3 inches to 4.05 inches (including a compartment depth  152  of approximately 3.4 inches, and a front surface  136  thickness  154  that ranges from approximately 0.1 inch to 0.4 inches, which can include a handle feature  156  that can have a depth  158  of up to, e.g., approximately 0.63 inches), as illustrated in  FIGS. 9-11 . The side walls  146  can have a thickness  160  of, e.g., approximately 0.1 inches. It should be understood that  FIG. 1  and other figures illustrate one exemplary set of dimensions, and any other dimension, more or less than these, are also possible in other exemplary embodiments. 
         [0032]    The exemplary drawer  110  can include a handle feature  156  attached to the front surface  136  to facilitate opening the drawers  110 . The handle feature  156  can have a thickness  162  of approximately 0.15 inches. The handle feature  156  can have a length  164  of approximately 1.34 inches. In one exemplary configuration, the handle feature  156  can have a crescent or half-circle shape (as shown in  FIG. 11 ), and in some configurations, can have a radius  270  of approximately 1 inch. In other exemplary configurations, other opening assistant features can be used to facilitate opening the drawer  110  such as knobs, slits, grooves, and other similar features. 
         [0033]    According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the exemplary drawer  110  can further include a viewing structure/feature  166  on the front surface  136 . The viewing feature  166  can facilitate the user to view what is inside the drawer  110  and can also facilitate a user with opening the drawer. For example, the viewing feature  166  can be or include a recessed portion at the top of the front surface  136  as shown in  FIG. 9 . In one exemplary configuration, the viewing feature  166  can have slopping sides that slope inward toward a center flat surface, or a generally trapezoidal shape. The viewing feature  166  can have a length  168  of approximately 0.500 inches and a center length  170  of approximately 1.280 inches. In one exemplary embodiment, for example as shown in  FIG. 9 , the viewing feature  166  can be approximately centered at the top of the front surface  136 , such that the distance  172  from the edge of the front surface  136  to the viewing feature  166  is approximately 0.895 inches. The viewing feature  166  can also include curved edges  272 , 274  in some configurations. Curved edge  272  can have a radius  276  of approximately 0.15 inches. Curved edge  274  can have a radius  278  of approximately 0.150 inches. 
         [0034]    Further, in certain exemplary embodiments, the drawers  110  can be slide-enabled from closed and substantially open positions, but can be otherwise prevented from removal, e.g., they can be connected to the unit through a side groove mechanism/system. The exemplary drawers  110  can have grooved slots located at the bottom, e.g., on both sides. The slots can be used to keep the drawers aligned and there can be a stop mechanism to prevent them from completely pulling out. The exemplary grooved slots can also facilitate a smooth in and out movement of the drawer. 
         [0035]    Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can include two tall, open compartments  120  that can be used for, e.g., cups and lids. The tall compartments  120  can span the entire height of the exemplary embodiments or some fraction thereof. 
         [0036]    In one exemplary configuration, the tall compartments  120  can have a first side wall  184  (shown in  FIG. 5 ), a second side wall  178  (shown in  FIG. 6 ), a back wall  179  (shown in  FIG. 2 ), and an open top. According to certain exemplary configurations, the back wall of an adjacent tall compartment  120  or other caddy portions, e.g., open compartments  140  and drawer receiving compartment  112 , can act as a front wall for the tall compartments  120 . In other exemplary configurations, the tall compartments  120  can include a front wall (not shown). The first and second side walls  184 ,  178  can each include side openings  185 ,  187  respectively (as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). The side openings  185 ,  187  can be configured to facilitate a user to easily access the components, such as cups and lids, from the tall compartments  120 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  shows an exemplary view of the left side of the exemplary accessory caddy and first wall  184 , and a set of exemplary dimensions. For example, the first opening  185  of the first wall  184  can have a length  188  that ranges from approximately 6 inches to 7 inches. According to one exemplary configuration, the length  188  can be 6.6 inches and in another configuration, the length can be 7 inches. The first opening  185  can have a width  182  of approximately 2 inches. Further, in some configurations, the first opening  185  can be positioned at a distance  180  measured from the bottom of the exemplary accessory caddy ranging from approximately 4 inches to 6 inches. In one exemplary configuration, the distance  180  can be approximately 5 inches, in another exemplary configuration, the distance  180  can be approximately 5.5 inches, and in yet a further exemplary configuration, the distance  180  can be equal to the height  174  of the compartments  130 , 132  (e.g., as described further below). The portion  226  of the exemplary first wall  184  adjacent to the opening  185  can have a width  224  that ranges from, e.g., approximately 1 inch to 2 inches. According to one exemplary embodiment, the width  224  can be approximately 1.57 inches, and in another exemplary embodiment, the width  224  can be approximately 1.7 inches. The portion  226  can have a curved edge having a radius  258  of, e.g., approximately 0.5 inches. Further, in further exemplary embodiments, opening  185  can have a curved edge  228  having a radius  230  of approximately 0.2 inches. 
         [0038]      FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary right side view of the exemplary accessory caddy and the second wall  178 , and a set of exemplary dimensions, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the second opening  187  of the second wall  178  can have a length  244  that ranges from approximately 11 inches to 12 inches. According to one exemplary configuration, the length  244  can be approximately 11.6 inches. In some exemplary configurations, the second opening  187  can have a width  232  equal to the width  182  of the first opening  185 , i.e., the width  232  is approximately 2 inches. According to other exemplary configurations, the width  182  of the second opening  187  can be different that the first opening  185 . The second opening  187  can be positioned at a distance  234  measured from the bottom of the exemplary accessory caddy can range from, e.g., approximately 0.4 inches to approximately 0.5 inches. For example, in one exemplary configuration, the distance  234  can be approximately 0.4 inches, and in another exemplary configuration, the distance  234  can be approximately 2.7 inches. For example, the portion  236  of the exemplary second wall  178  adjacent to the second opening  187  can have a width  238  substantially equal to the width  224  of the portion  226 . In other exemplary configurations, the width  238  can be different. According to further exemplary embodiments, the portion  236  can have a curved edge having a radius  260  equal to the radius  258  of portion  225 , i.e., a radius  260  of approximately 0.5 inches, and in other exemplary embodiments the radius  260  can be different. The exemplary opening  187  can, in some exemplary embodiments, include a curved edge  240  having a radius  242  of approximately 0.2 inches. 
         [0039]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary top view of the exemplary accessory caddy, including the tall compartments  120  with a set of exemplary dimensions. For example, the tall compartments  120  can have a depth  192  of approximately 3.700 inches. The tall compartments  120  can have a width  190  of approximately 3 inches to 6 inches. For example, in one exemplary configuration, the width  190  can be approximately 3.9 inches. 
         [0040]    According to certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure additional open compartments  130  and  132  can be used, e.g., for napkins and spoons. The open compartments  130 ,  132  can be disposed on either the left side, right side, or on both sides of the exemplary accessory caddy. 
         [0041]    The compartments  130 , 132  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can be seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The exemplary accessory caddy can have two exemplary compartments  130  and one exemplary compartment  132 . The two exemplary compartments  130  can be identically sized or different in size from one another, and the exemplary compartment  132  can be wider in size than compartments  130  or similar in size. 
         [0042]    Exemplary dimensions for these compartments are illustrated in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  8 , although any other suitable exemplary dimensions for these compartments can also be possible. The compartments  130  and  132 , in one exemplary configuration, can have a height  174  ranging from approximately 4 inches to 6 inches (shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). In one exemplary configuration, the height  174  can be approximately 4 inches, in another configuration, the height  174  can be approximately 5.6 inches, and in yet other configurations the height  174  can be equal to the distance  180  of the first opening  185 . The exemplary compartments  130 , 132  can have a width  194  ranging from, e.g., approximately 2 inches to approximately 4 inches (as shown in  FIG. 4 ). For example, in one exemplary configuration, the width  194  can be approximately 2.36 inches and in another configuration, the width  194  can be approximately 3 inches. 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , according to one exemplary embodiment, the compartment  132  can have a length  196  ranging from approximately 5.3 inches to 6.3 inches. The compartment  130  can have a length  198  ranging from, e.g., approximately 1 inch to 3.9 inches. For example, in one exemplary configuration, the length  198  can be approximately 2.9 inches, in other exemplary configurations, the exemplary length  198  can be approximately 2.08 inches, and in yet further exemplary configurations, the length  198  can be approximately 1.97 inches. 
         [0044]    The exemplary compartment  132  can also include a recessed portion  176  (as shown in  FIG. 5 ) to facilitate removing and/or viewing contents in the compartment  132 . The exemplary recessed portion  176  can have a generally trapezoidal shape, although other suitable shapes can also be used. In the exemplary configuration shown in  FIG. 5 , the recessed portion  176  can have a length  246  of approximately 2.165 inches, and a second length  248  of approximately 1.15 inches. The recessed portion  176  can have a length  260  of, e.g., approximately 0.7 inches. The recessed portion  176  can be spaced the edge of the compartment  132  at a distance  262  of, e.g., approximately 1.6 inches. The recessed portion  176  can also include curved edges  250 , 252 . Curve edge  250  can have a radius  254  of, e.g., approximately 0.15 inches. Curved edge  252  can have a radius  256  of, e.g., approximately 0.2 inches. 
         [0045]    Exemplary compartment  132  is illustrated toward the front of caddy  100 , although it is appreciated that the exemplary compartment  132  can be located toward the back, e.g., with compartments  130  toward the front, or in the middle, e.g., with compartments  130  on either side of compartment  132 . The combined width of compartments  130 ,  132  can be approximately equal to the depth of caddy  100 , as illustrated, or some fraction thereof. For example, the depth  200  of the exemplary accessory caddy can range from, e.g., approximately 8 inches to approximately 16 inches (including the depth of the compartments  132  and  130  and the thickness of the side walls of the compartments  132 , 130 , but not the handle feature  156 ). According to one exemplary configuration, the depth  200  can be approximately 11.500 inches and in another exemplary configuration, the depth  200  can be approximately 11.22 inches. 
         [0046]    Above the drawers  110  additional exemplary open compartments, e.g.,  140  and  142 . These exemplary compartments can be squared, or as illustrated, sloped along a curve. These compartments  140 ,  142  can be used for any number of other items, including, e.g., stirrers, sugar packets, tea bags and spoons. 
         [0047]    One exemplary set of dimensions for compartments  140  and  142  are illustrated in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  6 , and  8 , although it can be appreciated that any other set of suitable dimensions are also possible in other exemplary embodiments. For example, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the compartment  142  can have a curved surface  280  and in some exemplary embodiments, the curved surface  280  can have a radius  282  of approximately 2.5 inches. In one exemplary embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the first set of open compartments  140  can have a width  206  of approximately 1.850 inches, and can have a depth  208  of approximately 1.3 inches. The second set of open compartments  142 , as illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 8 , can have a width  210  of approximately 1.850 inches and can have a depth  212  that ranges from approximately 2-inches to approximately 3 inches. For example, in one exemplary configuration, the depth  212  can be approximately 2.18 inches, and in another configuration, the depth  212  can be approximately 2.6 inches. In other exemplary configurations, the two sets of compartments  140  and  142  can be of substantially equal dimensions. The second set of compartments  142 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , can also have a front wall  214  in some configurations. The front wall  214  can have a width  216  equal to the width of the combined compartments  142 , e.g., the width  216  can be approximately 3.8 inches (including the wall thickness  218  of approximately 0.1 of each of the compartments  142 ). The front wall  214  can have a height  220  of approximately 1.6 inches. According to some exemplary configurations, a logo or trademark can be placed on the front wall  214 . In further exemplary configurations, the two sets of compartments  140 , 142  can have a combined depth  222  (including the thickness of the compartment walls and front wall  214 ) of approximately 4 inches (shown in  FIG. 6 ). In other configurations, this combined depth  222  can be generally equal to the depth of the drawer receiving compartment  112 . 
         [0048]    Certain exemplary embodiments can include feet  147  on the bottom of the caddy  100 . For example,  FIG. 7  illustrates exemplary feet  147  that can grip to a surface preventing the unit from sliding. The exemplary feet  147  can be positioned at a distance  264  from the edge. The distance  264  can be approximately 0.2 inches. The exemplary feet  147  can be of any suitable shapes and sizes. In one exemplary configuration, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the exemplary feet  147  can have a circular configuration, and in one embodiment, can have a diameter  266  of approximately 0.2 inches. In one exemplary configuration, the feet  147  can have a height  268  of approximately 0.3 inches (shown in  FIG. 4 ). According to certain exemplary configurations, the feet  147  can be made of silicone, rubber, or other similar material. 
         [0049]    Exemplary embodiments can include connectors (not shown), which can connect to other components. Exemplary embodiments can be provided with other components, or can be provided as a stand alone accessory caddy. The exemplary accessory caddy can be made of plastic, metal, acrylic, or other similar material. The exemplary accessory caddy can be made of an opaque material, transparent material, or can have both opaque and transparent material. 
         [0050]    Various components of the exemplary carousels can include any number of dimensions, and  FIGS. 1-12  illustrate exemplary sets of dimensions for certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. It is appreciated that other dimensions, e.g., for other exemplary embodiments, are also possible. For example, the exemplary caddy could have other suitable dimensions and measurements configured for supporting various sized cups, lids, sugar packets, etc. 
         [0051]    The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the disclosure. Various modifications and alterations to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous systems, arrangements, and procedures which, although not explicitly shown or described herein, embody the principles of the disclosure and can be thus within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. In addition, all publications and references referred to above can be incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. In addition, certain terms used in the present disclosure, including the specification, drawings and claims thereof, can be used synonymously in certain instances, including, but not limited to, e.g., data and information. It should be understood that, while these words, and/or other words that can be synonymous to one another, can be used synonymously herein, that there can be instances when such words can be intended to not be used synonymously. The term “about” and “approximately,” as used herein, should generally be understood to refer to both the corresponding number and a range of numbers. Moreover, all numerical ranges herein should be understood to include each whole integer within the range. Further, to the extent that the prior art knowledge has not been explicitly incorporated by reference herein above, it can be explicitly being incorporated herein in its entirety. All publications referenced above can be incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.