Abstract:
A condiment container support device, the device being attachable to a supporting structure for supporting a condiment container includes a receptacle structure defining at least one condiment container receptacle aperture. A flange is resiliently operably coupled to the receptacle structure. And, an attachment for attaching the flange to a supporting structure surface to cantilever the receptacle structure substantially orthogonally with respect to the flange attached to the supporting structure surface. A method for supporting a condiment container is included.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/072,791, filed Jan. 16, 1998. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally pertains to a condiment container support structure. Specifically, the invention relates to a receptacle adapted to receive and support condiment containers of various shapes and sizes. More specifically the invention provides an adjustable receptacle for securely supporting condiment containers by being integrally adaptable to food trays, boxes and similar containers having various geometric shapes. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a method and device for supporting condiment containers which contain supplemental foods such as catsup, cream, salad dressing, sauce and the like. More specifically the invention provides a universal condiment container support which is easily attached to primary food or takeout containers to promote ease in the handling, organizing and transporting of the supplemental foods. 
     Prior art condiment carriers and support devices generally require significant modifications of the primary food container before the support structure could be attached, thus increasing manufacturing costs. Further, some of the devices require a certain way of installing the condiment support and/or carrier making it inconvenient for users. This is especially uneconomical and undesirable in fast food service operations. Moreover, some of the prior art devices are cumbersome to store and may crowd out the food container if dispensed by the host within, for example, a takeout box. Yet another limitation of prior art condiment carriers is the fact that they can be attached only externally and do not provide options for internal attachment. In certain cases attachment of a condiment carrier internally is preferred to eliminate spillage and promote ease of handling. 
     Another limitation of the prior art is the fact that the condiment carrier or support is not easily adaptable to various geometric shapes. For example, prior art condiment support structures require that the container surface be either substantially flat or curvilinear and the user has to sort out/select among various types to determine which one to use with any primary food container. This means that at least two types of support structures should be stocked thus unduly increasing manufacturing and operating costs. Further, prior art support structures are rather cumbersome to use and bulky to store thus being, generally, unsuitable for fast food and takeout services. 
     Yet another limitation of the prior art is the lack of a condiment container or support structure which can provide more than one condiment and is easily attachable to a primary food container. Many restaurants and fast food chains prepare various menus which require different types of condiments. Therefore it is desirable to attach more than one condiment carrier to a primary food container. 
     Accordingly, there is need for a universal condiment support device which is easy to use while overcoming the limitations of the prior art. The present invention advantageously provides several distinguishing features structured to promote ease of use while enhancing operational efficiency and cost effectiveness. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a condiment container support device which is attachable to flat, curvilinear, convoluted and cylindrical surfaces or a combination thereof. The support structure includes preferably a compressed cardboard fiber sheet or equivalent with a cut out portion at the fore end and a flange at the aft end. The cut out at the fore end defines a substantially circular receptacle with a lip formed around the perimeter thereof. The flange is resiliently structured to support the fore end in a substantially horizontal orientation. Further, the flange includes an upper and lower surface on both sides of which a piece of label tape is installed. The label tape is preferably a removable top coat which covers an adhesive backing at the base. In the preferred embodiment, the adhesive base is directly applied to the cardboard fiber sheet on both sides. 
     The invention provides a user with a selection of condiment support devices to be attached to substantially flat and/or curvilinear surfaces. Specifically, the invention, inter alia, utilizes an adjustable adhesive flange to adapt to various shapes. The basic structure includes a creased-flange formed at the aft end of the device. The creased-flange includes floating ends to wrap around or conform to non-linear surfaces. The creased-flange is preferably treated with an adhesive coating on both sides to provide users with the option to attach the receptacle to a primary food container without regard to which of the adhesive-treated side of the creased-flange is exposed. Further, if the adhesive on one side fails to adequately stick, the user has the option to try the other end. More importantly, the application of adhesive coating on both sides of the creased-flange including the removable label tape provides a light weight and yet efficient structural reinforcement to the underlying cardboard fiber sheet. 
     Yet another aspect of the invention includes a condiment support structure to support at least two condiment carriers. The general structure includes a fore section with preferably two cutouts adjacently set with an adjoining common lip around the perimeter of the cutouts. A creased-flange is formed at the aft section and extends, preferably, at least equal to the length of the lip. Further, the creased-flange includes a floating section which is used to adjust/adapt the support device of the present invention around curvilinear food containers. 
     The present invention is a condiment container support device, the device being attachable to a supporting structure for supporting a condiment container. The condiment container includes a receptacle structure defining at least one condiment container receptacle aperture. A flange is resiliently operably coupled to the receptacle structure. And, an attachment for attaching the flange to a supporting structure surface to cantilever the receptacle structure substantially orthogonally with respect to the flange attached to the supporting structure surface. Further, the present invention is a method for supporting a condiment container. 
     With these and other features advantages and objects of the present invention which may become apparent, the various aspects of the invention may be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, the appended claims and to the several drawings herein contained. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1-A is a plan view presenting a support for a small size condiment carrier; 
     FIG. 1-B is a sectional view of the flange element depicting the various layers about section A—A; 
     FIG. 1-C is a sectional view of the lip element about section A—A; 
     FIG. 1-D is a sectional view of the flange of FIG. 1-B with adhesive on one side; 
     FIG. 2-A is a plan view presenting a support for a large size condiment carrier; 
     FIG. 2-B is a sectional view of the flange element depicting the various layers about section A—A; 
     FIG. 2-C is a sectional view of the lip element about section B—B; 
     FIG. 3-A is a plan view presenting a support for a small size two cup condiment carrier; 
     FIG. 3-B is a sectional view of the flange element depicting the various layers about section A—A; 
     FIG. 3-C is a sectional view of the lip element about section B—B; 
     FIG. 4-A is a plan view presenting a support for a large size two cup condiment carrier; 
     FIG. 4-B is a section view of the flange element depicting the various layers about section A—A; 
     FIG. 4-C is a section view of the lip element about section B—B; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the condiment container support device of FIG. 1 adhered to a supporting food container; and 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view depicting a view of the underside of the condiment container support of FIG. 5, adhering to a supporting food container. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention anticipates the various shapes of food containers and condiment carriers and is advantageously adaptable for attachment to containers on which the condiment carrier is independently supported. Particularly, the invention provides hitherto unavailable advantages of ease of use, storage and universal applicability. Further, the invention enables the support of multiple condiment carriers to thereby segregate various types of condiments while promoting transportability and efficiency in packaging particularly in carry out and fast food services. 
     A plan view of a support device of the present invention is depicted in FIG. 1-A. In particular, condiment container support  10  includes a fore receptacle section  12 , having a lip  12   a  and aft section flange  14 . The two sections  12 ,  14  are resiliently connected at crease  16 . The crease  16  is bidirectional, permitting the flange  14  to bend either of two directions with respect to lip  12   a.  The receptacle section  12  includes a receptacle  13 , the receptacle  13  being an aperture defined by lip  12   a  which extends about the perimeter thereof. In the preferred embodiment the receptacle  13  is substantially circular. However, as is well known to those skilled in the art, various shapes could be made in the manner of the receptacle  13  disclosed herein in order to accommodate a variety of condiment container shapes. 
     FIG. 1-B depicts a cross-sectional view of flange  14 . Specifically, flange  14  includes layers of label tape  18  on both sides  22   a,    22   b  covering a sub-layer of adhesive  20  applied on top of cardboard fiber sheet  22 . One of the unique aspects of the present invention includes the structure of flange  14 . Adhesive layer  20  is preferably applied to one of the sides  20   a,    20   b,  but may be applied on both of the opposed sides  22   a,    22   b  of sheet  22  to enable users to adhere support  10  to a supporting structure on either side of flange  14 . When support  10  is adhered to a container surface, receptacle section  12  is cantilevered extending outward in a substantially vertical orientation against flange  14 . In this arrangement support  10  is resilient about crease  16 . As is shown in FIG. 1-C, receptacle section  12  is preferably a homogenous cardboard sheet defining the receptacle to receive a condiment container. Typically, the embodiment presented in FIG. 1-A is suited to support a small size condiment container. 
     FIG. 5 depicts the support  10  adhered to a food container  24 . In order to prepare for use of the support  10 , the support  10  is bent along crease  16  such that flange  14  is substantially orthogonally disposed with respect to receptacle section  12 . The crease  16  is designed to have sufficient resilience to support the weight of a range of known condiment containers  26  and their contents with substantial downward deflection of receptacle section  12 . 
     Adherence is effected by removing label tape  18  to expose the underlying adhesive  20  on side  22   a  of flange  14 . The adhesive  20  is then pressed into contact with the supporting surface of the container  24 , thereby supporting receptacle section  12  in a cantilever fashion. 
     The condiment container  26  may then be lowered into the receptacle  13 . The receptacle  13  is preferably sized to accommodate a known container  26  such that the lip  28  of the container  26  engages the lip  12   a  that defines the receptacle  13 . 
     Referring next to FIG. 2-A, a condiment container support device  30  is presented. The embodiment includes a fore receptacle section  32 , having a lip  32   a  defining a receptacle  13  for receiving a relatively large condiment carrier. Further, flange  34  is resiliently connected at crease  38 . The embodiment depicts one of the many innovative features of the present invention. Specifically, cut out sections  36  are formed to enable adjustability of flange  34  while retaining the original shape of the receptacle  13  unchanged. As will be seen hereinbelow, the cutout section  36  enables support  30  to wrap around curvilinear surfaces such as cylindrical surface  92  (FIG.  6 ). 
     Referring next to FIG. 2-B, a cross-sectional view of flange  34  is presented. Flange  34  is preferably composed of adhesive and resilient structural members. Specifically, flange  34  includes layers of label tape  40  on both sides covering a sub-layer of adhesive  42  applied on top of cardboard fiber sheet  44 . One of the unique aspects of the present invention includes the structure of flange  34 . Adhesive layer  40  is preferably applied on both sides to enable users to adhere support  30  on either side of flange  34  to a supporting structure. When support  30  is adhered to a container surface, receptacle section  32  is cantilevered extending outward in a substantially orthogonal orientation with respect to flange  34 . In this arrangement support  30  is resilient about crease  38 . As is shown in FIG. 2-C, receptacle section  32  is preferably a homogenous cardboard sheet defining the receptacle  13  to receive a condiment container. Typically, the embodiment presented in FIG. 2-A is suited to support a large size condiment container. Flange  34  is structured with cutout  36  such that flexible adhesive flaps  37  are formed at the side margins  39  of flange  34 . This arrangement enables the support device to be attached to the walls of food containers with cylindrical or curvilinear surfaces by curving the flaps  37  to conform generally to the curvilinear supporting surface. Cut out sections  36  include a cover label and adhesive separable/tearable at contact surface  39 . Accordingly, when flange  34  is attached to, for example, a cylindrical container the flaps  37  at cutout  36  are flexibly wrapped around the cylinder wall thus providing a secure adhesion to the surface. 
     FIG. 3 shows yet another embodiment in which more than one condiment container is supported by support device  50  of the present invention. The embodiment includes a fore receptacle section  52 , having a lip  52   a  defining two adjacent receptacles  13  therein. Flange  54  is resiliently connected to receptacle section  52  at crease  56 . 
     FIG. 3-B depicts a cross-sectional view of flange  54 . Specifically, flange  54  includes layers of label tape  58  on one or both sides  59   a,    59   b  covering a sub-layer of adhesive  60  applied on top of cardboard fiber sheet  62 . In this arrangement support  50  is resilient about crease  56 . As is shown in FIG. 3-C, receptacle section  52  is preferably a homogenous cardboard sheet defining the receptacles  13  to receive at least two condiment containers. Typically, flange  54  and resilient crease  56  will be reinforced to accommodate the weight of two or more condiments received and carried at the receptacles  13 . 
     Referring next to FIG. 4 another embodiment is presented in which more than one condiment container is supported by support device  70  of the present invention. The embodiment includes a fore receptacle section  72 , having a lip  72   a  defining two adjacent receptacles  13  therein. Flange  74  is resiliently connected to receptacle section  72  at crease  78 . The embodiment depicts one of the many innovative features of the present invention. Specifically, cut out sections  76  are formed to enable adjustability of flange  74  while retaining the original shape of the receptacle unchanged. As will be seen hereinbelow, the cutout section enables support  30  to wrap around curvilinear surfaces. 
     Referring next to FIG. 4-B, a cross-sectional view of flange  74  is presented. Flange  74  is preferably composed of adhesive and resilient structural members. Specifically, flange  74  includes layers of label tape  80  on both sides covering, a sub-layer of adhesive  82  applied on top of cardboard fiber sheet  84 . Adhesive layer  80  is preferably applied on both sides to enable users to stick support  70  on either side. When support  70  is adhered to a container surface, receptacle section  72  is cantilevered extending outward in a substantially vertical orientation against flange  74 . In this arrangement support  70  is resilient about crease  78 . As is shown in FIG. 4-C, receptacle section  72  is preferably a homogenous cardboard sheet defining the receptacle to receive a condiment container. Typically, the embodiment presented in FIG. 4-A is suited to support two large size condiment containers. Flange  74  is structured with cutout  76  such that flexible adhesive flaps  75  are formed therein. This arrangement enables the support device to be attached to the walls of food containers with cylindrical or curvilinear surfaces. Cut out sections  76  include a cover label and adhesive separable/tearable at contact surface  79 . Accordingly, when flange  74  is attached to, for example, a cylindrical container, the flaps  75  at cutout  76  are flexibly wrapped around the cylinder wall thus providing a secure adhesion to the surface. 
     It should be noted that the size and number of receptacles for each support device may vary. Depending upon the size, number and anticipated weight of the condiment carrier to be supported, the flange, receptacle section and the resilient connection between them could be reinforced to provide sufficient structural integrity to support the weight. 
     Accordingly, the present invention utilizes structures which cooperate with a food and condiment carrier to promote efficient organization, handling, transportation and segregation of condiment foods. The support device of the present invention is typically dispensed with a food container box or a carryout container. The user may attach the support to carry condiment as needed. In the alternate, the support device may be pre-attached to food containers. In this case the user may flip-open the support device to cantilever the lip structure and thereby use the receptacle to store/place the condiment container. Further, depending upon the structure of the food container box, the support device of the present invention may be placed inside the box. 
     While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes, variations and modifications may be made therein without departing from the present invention in its broader aspects and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover such changes and modifications as fall within the scope and spirit of the invention.