Abstract:
An apparatus for containing a food and beverage includes a substantially flat stock, for example, cardboard or fiberboard that is folded into a three-dimensional apparatus. When formed, the apparatus includes a first compartment for holding a food and a beverage extension section adapted for holding a beverage. Certain of the sections include panels that interlock. A reinforcing member is provided to add strength to the beverage extension portion. A pair of thumbholes are provided in two of the sections and a pair of slots are provided for securing a pair of eating utensils, for example, a fork and spoon. The unused thumbhole is adapted to receive a napkin.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention, in general relates to paper plates and, more particularly, a serving tray that is shipped flat and folded open into a three-dimensional tray. 
   Paper plates are well known. Variations include serving trays that are folded from a flat sheet into a substantially three-dimensional structure. These are often used in the food service industry to contain food that is to be consumed. They are typically discarded after a single use. 
   For example, these prior devices often form a simple tray with vertical sides and open top when folded open. They are used for a variety of purposes, some of which include holding French Fries, hamburgers, hot dogs, and other typical fast food items but not a drink cup or can. They are used in ball parks and by various food vendors. 
   While useful, there are needs that all known prior types of devices fail to satisfy. For example, the prior known folding serving trays either cannot or have great difficulty simultaneously holding a beverage. This is because a beverage is heavy and the thin cardboard (i.e., fiberboard) used for such construction fails to support the beverage which can tilt and spill as the support fails. A hot beverage that is spilled on a person can cause injury which is a liability risk. Also, prior types tend to support conical shaped coffee cups but not also cylindrical containers, for example, soda cans. 
   Another need is to provide a way to hold the serving tray at a balance point, proximate a center of gravity when it is loaded. 
   This need extends to both right and left-handed users. 
   There is also a need to be able to store eating utensils, for example a plastic fork or spoon, most typically being used, simultaneously while the food is contained in the tray. 
   There is also a need to store a napkin. 
   An especially important need is for the container to retain its “folded-open” position. The sides of previous trays tend to be easily displaced, especially so when the weight of contents in the tray bears upon the sides of the tray. This can cause food items placed therein to spill out of the tray. Food spilled on a person can ruin clothes which is another liability risk. There is a need to ensure that a folding serving tray, once folded into the open position adapted for use, stays in that position. 
   Accordingly, there exists today a need for a folding serving tray that helps ameliorate the above-mentioned difficulties. 
   Clearly, such an apparatus would be a useful and desirable device. 
   2. Description of Prior Art 
   Paper plates and trays are, in general, known. For example, the following patent describes a similar type of device: 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,217 to Edmond Lim, Jan. 1, 1991. 
   While the structural arrangements of the above described device, at first appearance, has similarities with the present invention, it differs in material respects. These differences, which will be described in more detail hereinafter, are essential for the effective use of the invention and which admit of the advantages that are not available with the prior device. 
   OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a folding serving tray that is formed out of a flat stock. 
   It is also an important object of the invention to provide a folding serving tray that is formed from a cardboard. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide a folding serving tray that is formed from a fiberboard. 
   Still another object of the invention is to provide a folding serving tray that can be shipped flat and folded open for use. 
   Still yet another object of the invention is to provide a folding serving tray that can be quickly folded open for use. 
   Yet another important object of the invention is to provide a folding serving tray that includes panels that can be locked into position once the tray has been opened. 
   Still yet another important object of the invention is to provide a folding serving tray that includes panels that resist dislodging after assembly has occurred. 
   A first continuing object of the invention is to provide a folding serving tray that includes a compartment for holding a beverage that includes a reinforcement member. 
   A second continuing object of the invention is to provide a folding serving tray that includes a compartment for holding a beverage in either a straight-sided cylindrical container or in a tapered frusta-conical shaped container. 
   A third continuing object of the invention is to provide a folding serving tray that includes a beverage compartment with a support thereunder. 
   A fourth continuing object of the invention is to provide a folding serving tray that includes a thumbhole that is located proximate a center of gravity of the tray when it is loaded with a typical assortment of food-related, consumable items. 
   A fifth continuing object of the invention is to provide a folding serving tray that includes a pair of thumbholes, one on each side of the container, for either right or left-hand use. 
   A sixth continuing object of the invention is to provide a folding serving tray that includes a pair of thumbholes, an unused one thereof being adapted to receive a napkin therein. 
   A seventh continuing object of the invention is to provide a folding serving tray that is adapted to secure a fork, spoon, or knife. 
   An eighth continuing object of the invention is to provide a folding serving tray that is adapted to secure two utensils at the same time, for example, a spoon and a fork simultaneously. 
   A ninth continuing object of the invention is to provide a folding serving tray that is economical to manufacture. 
   A tenth continuing object of the invention is to provide a folding serving tray that is economical to transport. 
   An eleventh continuing object of the invention is to provide a folding serving tray that takes up little room when flat and therefore is economical to store. 
   A twelfth continuing object of the invention is to provide a folding serving tray that can be stamped in one operation. 
   A thirteenth continuing object of the invention is to provide a folding serving tray that is a one-piece contiguous device, wherein no additional parts or pieces are required for assembly. 
   Briefly, a folding serving tray that is constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is formed from a substantially flat stock, for example, cardboard or fiberboard. When formed, the flat stock includes a variety of sections that include either cuts or perforations to aid in creasing (i.e., bending) portions thereof. The sections fold to produce a three dimensional tray that includes a first compartment for holding a food and a beverage extension for holding a beverage. Certain of the sections form panels that interlock together. A reinforcing member is provided to add strength to the beverage extension portion. A pair of thumbholes are provided in two of the sections and a pair of slots are provided for securing a pair of eating utensils, for example, a fork and spoon. The unused thumbhole is adapted to receive a napkin. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a view in perspective of a folding serving tray, assembled and ready for use. 
       FIG. 2  is a view as shown in  FIG. 1  as seen along the lines  2 - 2  therein. 
       FIG. 3  is the folding serving tray of  FIG. 1  in a flat state, after manufacturing, prior to assembly for use. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring on occasion to all of the drawings and now, in particular, alternately to both  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  is shown, a folding serving tray, identified in general by the reference numeral  10 . 
   The folding serving tray  10  includes a center panel  12 , an upright first panel  14 , an upright second panel  16 , an upright third panel  18 , and an upright fourth panel  20 . The first, second, third, and fourth panels  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 , are disposed at an angle with respect to the center panel  12  when the folding serving tray  10  is assembled for use. 
   The preferred angle for the first, second, and third panels  14 ,  16 ,  18  is ninety degrees and for the fourth panel  20  is less than ninety degrees, measuring up to it from an extended plane  12   a  of the center panel  12  (see  FIG. 2 ). Of course, if desired, any of the angles could be modified. 
   The center panel  12  extends out beyond the second panel  16 , when assembled, and includes a main portion of a beverage extension section  12   b  of the center panel  12 . 
   The first panel  14  includes a first thumbhole  22  and the third panel  18 , which when assembled is opposite the first panel  14  and parallel thereto, includes a second thumbhole  24 . The first and second thumbholes  22 ,  24  include a common center axis when the folding serving tray  10  is assembled. 
   The first and second thumbholes  22 ,  24  are also disposed substantially closer to the second panel  16  than to the fourth panel  20 , when the folding serving tray  10  is assembled. This position is selected to provide an average center of gravity location. 
   If the user is right handed, a thumb (not shown) of the right hand passes through the second thumbhole  24  entering from the outside of the third panel  18 . A palm of the right hand (not shown) passes under the center panel  12  underneath the second thumbhole  24 . 
   This location is optimally stable for all variations. If a beverage and typical food items are included it, on average, approximates the location of the center of gravity of the loaded folding serving tray  10  making carrying it as easy and safe as possible. If a beverage and no food items are placed in the folding serving tray  10 , this location still affords excellent control as it does if food items and no beverage are placed in the folding serving tray  10 . 
   If the user is left handed the process is reversed. A thumb (not shown) of the left hand passes through the first thumbhole  22  entering from the outside of the first panel  14 . A palm of the left hand (not shown) passes under the center panel  12  underneath the first thumbhole  22 . 
   If a user wished to attain maximum stability, both hands could be simultaneously used to carry the folding serving tray  10  in front of the user&#39;s torso. However, this is seldom expected to occur. 
   Rather, an unused one of the two thumbholes  22 ,  24  is expected to receive a napkin  26  (shown in dashed lines in the first thumbhole  22 ,  FIG. 1 ). 
   The beverage extension section  12   b  includes a first slot  28  and a second slot  30  that are cut out during manufacture. More slots (not shown) could of course be added, if desired. The slots  28 ,  30  are intended to receive a handle end of a fork  28   a  and a spoon  30   a  or other eating utensil, as desired. Typically, the fork  28   a  and the spoon  30   a  will be disposable plastic ones, although this is not required. 
   If additional slots are also included, they preferably are not to be included along the same line as are the first and second slots  28 ,  30  located because it is not desirable to provide a line of weakness. If desired, the first and second slots  28 ,  30  can also be offset slightly so that they do not share a common longitudinal axis. 
   The beverage extension section  12   b  includes a larger beverage opening  32  that is preferably circular. A beverage support panel  34  is attached to a first end of a first beverage support arm  36  on one side thereof and to a first end of a second beverage support arm  38  on a remaining side thereof. 
   An opposite end of the first and second beverage support arms  36 ,  38  is attached to the beverage extension section  12   b.    
   Referring in particular now to  FIG. 2 , a can of soda  40  is placed in the beverage opening  32  with a bottom end of the can of soda  40  in dashed lines resting flat on top of the beverage support panel  34 . The diameter of the can of soda  40  is less than that of the beverage opening  32 . Were it not for the beverage support panel  34 , the can of soda  40  would fall through to the ground. 
   A tapered beverage cup  42 , for example a Styrofoam cup of coffee, in dashed lines is also shown as an alternative beverage and container for the beverage that are suitable for use with the folding serving tray  10 . 
   The tapered beverage cup is substantially frusta-conical in shape and it is inserted into the beverage opening  32  until its outside diameter equals that of the beverage opening  32 . A friction fit then occurs to secure the tapered cup  42  in place. 
   The weight of the beverage  40 ,  42  is substantial. It is difficult for any type of a folding tray to support such weight. The folding serving tray  10  includes two features that easily permit it to support the weight of the beverage  40 ,  42 . 
   The third panel  18  includes a gusset panel  44  that extends beyond the second panel  16  when the folding serving tray  10  is assembled. The gusset panel  44  provides a reinforcing member that extends from a top of the third panel  18 , a side panel that is in alignment with the gusset panel  44 , to one side of the beverage extension section  12   b . The main portion of the beverage extension section  12   b  extends out away from the second panel to about a center line  32   a  of the beverage opening  32  where the beverage extension section  12   b  is attached. 
   A minor portion  12   c  of the beverage extension section  12   b  extends beyond the center of the beverage opening  32  to provide a containment ring for the beverage  40 ,  42 . The minor portion  12   c  of the beverage extension section  12   b  experiences little force other than to keep the top of the beverage  40 ,  42  from tilting outward and spilling. 
   The gusset panel  44  is preferably attached to the beverage extension section  12   b  along its entire length. As the beverage extension section  12   b  exerts a force, under weight of the beverage  40 ,  42 , that attempts to lower the beverage extension section  12   b , the gusset panel  44  conveys this force up to the third panel  18 . The material that is used to form the folding serving tray  10  has good tensile strength and therefore is easily able to resist extension and bear the weight of the beverage  40 ,  42 . 
   It is noted that the folding serving tray  10  is formed of any desired material that is substantially planar. Cardboard and fiberboard are preferred materials because they are strong, lightweight, and inexpensive. A material having the stiffness of a good quality paper plate or better is preferred. 
   If desired, plastics and other materials could be used. For certain applications, the folding serving tray  10  may be cleaned and reused. A higher quality material, for example a durable plastic, may then be used. One such possible application is for home party use. Several of the folding serving trays  10  are used for picnics, birthday parties, and the like. Afterwards, they are washed and disassembled so that they are again flat. Then they are stored flat, ready for the next party or picnic. 
   The second support mentioned earlier that helps to retain the beverage  40 ,  42  is described in greater detail hereinafter. 
   Referring now also with regularity to  FIG. 3 , the second panel  16  includes a first locking tab  46  and a second locking tab  48 . The fourth panel  20  includes a third locking tab  50  and a fourth locking tab  52 . 
   The center panel  12  includes a first locking opening  54 . The third panel  18  includes a second locking opening  56  and a third locking opening  58 . The first panel  14  includes a fourth locking opening  60 . 
   Each of the locking tabs  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52  cooperates with one of the locking openings  56 ,  54 ,  60 ,  58 , respectively. The first locking tab  46  cooperates only with the second locking opening  56 . The second locking tab  48  cooperates only with the first locking opening  54 . The third locking tab  50  cooperates only with the fourth locking opening  60 . The fourth locking tab  52  cooperates only with the third locking opening  58 . 
   The following detailed description for assembly of one of the locking tabs  48  as it cooperates with one of the locking openings  54  applies to each of the locking tabs  46 - 52  and to each of the corresponding locking openings  54 - 60 . Each of the locking openings  54 - 60  includes an important shape that includes a first elongated portion  54   a  and a second shorter portion  54   b  that are joined together in the middle. The elongated portion is long enough to accept entry of an outer portion  48   a  of the corresponding locking tab ( 48 ). The outer portion  48   a  is attached to one end of an intermediate member  48   b  that is shorter than the outer portion  48   a . The remaining end of the intermediate member  48   b  is attached to an edge of one of the panels ( 16 ). 
   The locking tab  48  is pushed in through the first elongated portion  54   a  of the corresponding locking opening  54  until the outer portion  48   a  of the locking tab  48  is disposed under the panel  12 . Then the locking tab  48  is urged in a direction that is parallel with the plane of the panel  12  that includes the locking opening  54  in a direction that is away from the first elongated portion  54   a  and toward the second shorter portion  54   b  of the locking opening  54 . A nose portion  48   c  of the outer portion  48   a  of the locking tab  48  is then disposed under the panel  12  proximate the second shorter portion  54   b  of the locking opening  54 . This prevents an outward force from dislodging the locking tab  48  out of the locking opening  54 . 
   To release the locking tab  48  from a position of cooperation with the corresponding locking opening  54 , the locking tab  48  must first be urged parallel with the plane of the panel  12  that includes the locking opening  54  toward the first elongated portion  54   a  and then it can be separated (i.e., pulled away) from the panel  12  that includes the locking opening  54 . This procedure, for locking and unlocking, applies to any of the locking tabs and openings. Accordingly, means are provided to ensure that the folding serving tray  10 , once assembled, cannot unintentionally be opened. 
   It is important to note that in  FIG. 3 , a way to differentiate between cuts in the folding serving tray  10  and fold lines (or creases) needs to be provided. Cuts are shown in solid lines. Fold lines are shown in dashed lines (with the one exception of the center line  32   a  of the beverage opening  32  which is also shown in dashed lines). The folding serving tray  10  includes a first fold line  62 , a second fold line  64 , a third fold line  66 , a fourth fold line  68 , a pair of fifth and sixth fold lines  70 ,  72  that are disposed along a first extended fold line, and a pair of seventh and eighth fold lines  74 ,  76  that are disposed along a second extended fold line. 
   The fold lines  62 - 76  may include a crease that is added during manufacture to assist folding and help influence the direction of folding so that it occurs as desired. The fold lines  62 - 76  may alternately include a series of perforations for that same purpose or a score line, of any combination of the above or any other known method to assist the folding serving tray  10  in causing the folding serving tray  10  to fold where desired and how desired. 
   Any enhancement method for folding the members of the folding serving tray  10  is best chosen to optimally work with the material that the folding serving tray  10  is formed of. For certain materials, merely including a visible fold line may be enough. For commercial applications where the folding is repetitive and becomes second nature, even the visible fold lines may be omitted. 
   To assemble the folding serving tray  10  for use, there is latitude as to which panel or panels are first assembled. What follows is one suggested procedure. 
   The folding serving tray  10 , after manufacture, is flat as shown in  FIG. 3 . To begin assembly, the second panel  16  is raised upward along the second fold line  64  until it is nearly perpendicular with respect to the first panel  14 . The first panel is similarly raised along the first fold line  62  until it is perpendicular with respect to the center panel  12 . 
   The second locking tab  48  is inserted into the first elongated portion  54   a  of the first locking opening  54  and is generally urged toward the fourth panel  20  so as to displace the intermediate portion  48   b  of the locking tab  48   b  inside the second shorter portion  54   b . This position ensures that the nose portion  48   c  will be disposed under the center panel  12  proximate the second shorter portion  54   b  of the first locking opening  54 . 
   The second locking tab  48  is then locked in a position of cooperation with respect to the first locking opening  54  of the center panel  12 . The center panel  12  is held adjacent to the underside of the second panel  16  by the nose portion  48   c  of the second locking tab  48 . Any attempt to displace the center panel away from the second panel  16  is resisted by the nose portion  48   c  of the locking tab  48   b  which is then disposed under the center panel  12  proximate the second shorter portion  54   b . This provides exceptional strength and rigidity to the folding serving tray  10  in addition to a means to ensure that the folding serving tray  10  stays assembled. It also allows for fast assembly of the folding serving tray  10 . 
   The third panel  18  is similarly raised along the third fold line  66  until it is nearly perpendicular with respect to the center panel  12 . The first locking tab  46  is then inserted into the elongated portion of the second locking opening  56  and is generally urged away from the fourth panel  20  to lock it in place, in a similar manner to that previously described. 
   At this time, the second panel  16 , being supported at both ends, is especially strong and capable of resisting an increase in downward force that the second locking tab  48  may experience when a beverage  40 ,  42  is placed in the beverage compartment. 
   Accordingly, a second support (in addition to the gusset panel  44 ) is provided by the second locking tab  48  cooperating with the first locking opening  54  to support the weight of the beverage  40 ,  42 . 
   The fourth panel  20  is then raised along the fourth fold line  68  to an angle that allows the third locking tab  50  to enter into the elongated portion of the fourth locking opening  60  and the fourth locking tab  52  to enter into the elongated portion of the third locking opening  58 . The fourth panel  20  is then urged away from the second panel  16  sufficient to lock the third locking tab  50  and the fourth locking tab  52  in place. 
   As can be seen, any foodstuff placed on the center panel  12  is surrounded by the four raised panels  14 - 20 . Any force exerted on the fourth panel  20  (by the weight of the foodstuff) tending to urge it away from the center panel  12  only further tends to secure the fourth panel  20  in the locked position, thereby ensuring that the fourth panel  20  cannot separate during use. 
   Similarly, a force tending to urge the second panel  16  away from the center panel  12  is prevented from doing so at an end of the second panel  16  where the first locking tab  46  is located because it only tends to secure the first locking tab  46  in place. The opposite end of the second panel  16  is attached to an end of the first panel  14  and therefore not prone to any movement away from the first panel  14 . 
   In the preferred version of the folding serving tray  10 , the angle that the fourth panel  20  is raised is less than ninety degrees but, if desired, it could be at ninety degrees thereby resulting in all four panels  14 - 20  being perpendicular with respect to the center panel  12 . This is a matter of preference. 
   The folding serving tray  10  can be used to hold various foodstuffs as it is presently assembled. The fork  28   a  and spoon  30   a  are inserted as previously described. 
   Prior to inserting the can of soda  40  (as the beverage) into the beverage opening  32 , the beverage support panel  34  is grasped and is urged downward. This urges the first beverage support arm  36  and the second beverage support arm  38  downward below the center panel  12 . Each end of each of the beverage support arms  36 ,  38  bends around each corresponding one of the pair of fifth and sixth fold lines  70 ,  72  and the pair of seventh and eighth fold lines  74 ,  76  simultaneously until the beverage support panel  34  is disposed directly underneath the beverage opening  32 . The can of soda  40  is then placed in the beverage opening  32  until its bottom is supported by the beverage support panel  34 . The napkin  26 , if desired, is inserted into an unused one of the two thumbholes  22 ,  24  and the folding serving tray  10  is fully assembled ready for use. When the beverage support panel  34  is urged downward, it can be rotated so that either side (the flat or curved side) faces inward. 
   If the folding serving tray  10  is to be disassembled, the process is reversed until disassembly is complete. 
   It is also noted that the folding serving tray  10  can be easily manufactured by stamping out its pattern onto the stock (i.e., material) that is used for its construction. All of the cuts occur automatically as do any desired perforations, score lines, or creases. It is further noted that very little of the stock is wasted as most of the area contains material that is used. 
   The invention has been shown, described, and illustrated in substantial detail with reference to the presently preferred embodiment. It will be understood by those skilled in this art that other and further changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which is defined by the claims appended hereto.