Carrying tray

The present invention relates to a carrying tray and, more particularly, to a tray which securely holds hot and cold drink cups of various sizes, and is adaptable to hold other items. A plurality of gripping elements in a cup receiving cavity grip and retain a chime-bottomed cup. A flat-bottomed cup is stably supported on a platform in the cup receiving cavity. Various inserts may be selectively used to more stably retain tall cups or to retain other items, such as ice cream cones and the like.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
The present invention relates to a carrying tray and, more particularly, to 
a tray which securely holds hot and cold drink cups of various types and 
sizes, and is adaptable to securly hold other items, to thereby prevent 
spillage. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The growing number of "fast-food" and carry-out restaurants has brought 
forth an increased demand for beverage trays which allow the customer to 
conveniently carry more than one beverage at a time. The wide variety of 
different types and sizes of hot and cold beverage cups and other food 
items, such as ice cream cones, sold by these restaurants and the need for 
prompt and efficient food service requires that a single tray be readily 
adaptable to securely hold all of these various items. 
Generally, a cold beverage cup is constructed with a bottom portion 
recessed above the bottom of the cup sidewall, thus defining a bottom rim 
of the cup. This bottom rim is generally referred to as a chime, and such 
cups are referred to as chime-bottom cups. A conventional hot beverage cup 
frequently does not have a chime and is referred to as a flat-bottom cup. 
Most known trays are commonly constructed of folded cardboard which are 
erected with one or more panels folded to provide locking support against 
collapse during use and adapt to different types and sizes of food and 
drink items. There are many disadvantages with these types of trays. They 
lack rigidity to firmly hold the cups without spilling. Moreover, if the 
panels are not folded correctly it is easy for a cup to tip over. The tray 
also must be properly folded to fit the particular item intended to be 
carried. Once liquid has spilled onto the cardboard, the tray deteriorates 
and provides even less support. Additionally, most known trays can not 
accommodate a wide range of different type and size cups and other related 
food items while maintaining a firm grip on the cup to prevent spillage. 
In most prior known devices, if the cup opening in the tray is sized such 
that a large size cup is held in a stable position, a smaller sized cup 
will be able to slide or tilt within the opening. If the cup opening is 
sized such that a small size cup is stably supported, a larger size cup 
will not be accommodated. If the larger size cup is forced into the 
smaller opening, it will either destroy the structural integrity of the 
tray, or it will not be properly supported on the tray bottom, thus 
resulting in a highly unstable condition. 
Some prior known trays have been designed to accommodate cups of difference 
sizes. However, these known designs are not able to securely hold a wide 
variety of both flat-bottomed and chime-bottomed cups of various sizes. 
The present invention overcomes the above disadvantages by using a light 
weight, plastic try designed to securely grip and support beverage cups of 
various types and sizes. The tray may be efficiently formed of a single 
piece to reduce manufacturing costs. The plastic material will not 
deteriorate, leak or lose its ability to support the cups when wet. The 
tray is further cost effective in that it does not require a fast-food 
employee's time to assemble. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is directed to a one-piece, plastic, generally 
rectangular carryout beverage tray comprising a base with upwardly 
extending side walls about its periphery. Preferably, the sidewalls are 
sufficiently high to provide stability over a substantial portion of a 
cup's height. A portion of the sidewall is indented inwardly to form a 
protrusion which projects inwardly from substantially the center of each 
sidewall portion. A center post projects upwardly from substantially the 
center of the base portion. Preferably, the center post is circular in 
shape. A bridge element connects each of the sidewall protrusions elements 
to the center post. The tray includes a plurality of cup receiving 
cavities. The sidewalls of each cavity are defined by the sidewall 
protrusions, the center post, the sidewall portion of the tray, and the 
bridge elements. Each cup receiving cavity is designed to receive and 
retain one of a plurality of different sized and type beverage cups. 
A bottom platform is positioned in each of the cup receiving cavities. The 
platform projects upwardly from the base portion of the tray and provides 
a flat area for stably supporting a flat-bottom cup, such as a 
conventional foam cup used for holding hot liquids. The circumferential 
sidewalls of the raised platform are spaced from the sidewalls of the cup 
receiving cavity so that a substantially circular groove or trough 
surrounds the bottom platform. The platform preferably is positioned 
off-center within the cup receiving cavity. 
First and second gripping elements are positioned within each of the cup 
receiving cavities. The gripping elements project upwardly from the base 
portion of the tray and serve to grip the chime of a chime-bottom cup. The 
gripping means are radially spaced from each other so that the chime 
portion of a first size chime-bottom cup is gripped between the first and 
second gripping means, and the chime portion of a second size chime-bottom 
cup is gripped between the second gripping element and the sidewall of the 
cup receiving cavity. Of course, additional gripping elements could be 
provided. 
Preferably, the first gripping means comprises an arcuate-walled projection 
integrally formed on the sidewall of the raised bottom platform. In the 
preferred form of the invention, the arcuate shape of the first gripping 
means substantially conforms to the shape of a portion of the chime of a 
substantially circular chime-bottom cup. The second gripping means, in a 
preferred form of the invention, also is arcuate in shape to substantially 
conform to the shape of a portion of the chime of a larger diameter 
chime-bottom cup. Preferably, the second gripping element is positioned 
opposite and spaced from the first gripping element. Also, preferably the 
first and second gripping elements have different radial center points 
within each of the cup receiving cavities so that the space between the 
gripping elements varies along their curvature. 
The carrying tray of the present invention also comprises a plurality of 
hand gripping recesses for conveniently carrying the tray. The hand 
gripping recesses are formed by the undersides of the upwardly projecting 
center post, the protrusion elements, and the bridge elements. 
For large capacity tall cups, it may be desirable to provide additional 
retaining means. Accordingly, the present invention further comprises a 
removable retaining insert. Preferably, the retaining insert is supported 
by the top surface of the protrusion elements and fits around a nesting 
lug positioned on the protrusion elements. The retaining insert may also 
be formed so that it can retain other items, such as ice cream cones. 
The carrying tray of the present invention is preferably made from a 
one-piece plastic material impermeable to liquid. The preferred material 
is somewhat flexible to enhance the ability of the user to get a firm grip 
on both the tray and the cups within the tray. 
Various advantages and features of novelty which characterize the present 
invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims. However, for a 
better understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the 
drawings and to the accompanying descriptive matter in which there is 
illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of the present 
invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
In FIG. 1 is illustrated a beverage tray in accordance with the present 
invention, generally designated as 10. Although tray 10 is shown in a 
generally rectangular configuration designed to hold four beverage cups, 
this is for purposes of description of a preferred embodiment only. Tray 
10 may be designed and sized to carry any number of beverage cups. 
Additionally, tray 10 may be designed to hold cups of any size range, 
although a range from 6 ounce through 24 ounce cups would likely be the 
most popular commercial range. Preferably, tray 10 is constructed by 
pressing or thermoforming a one-piece polysterene material. This material 
is sufficiently rigid to provide a firm support for the cups, is 
lightweight, and is nonporous. Other similar materials or construction 
techniques may be used. 
Tray 10 includes base 12 with an upstanding sidewall 14 around the 
periphery thereof. A reverse flange 16 surrounds the upper periphery of 
sidewall 14. At each corner of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, 
the sidewalls 14 have a curved contour 15 with a radius of curvature 
sufficiently large to accommodate the largest sized cup which the tray is 
intended to carry. 
A protrusion 18 is formed in the center of each side wall. Each of the 
protrusions is identical in shape and construction. Each protrusion 
preferably is formed as a continuous indentation of the sidewall. The 
protrusions include sidewalls 20 which curve inwardly toward the center of 
tray 10. Protrusion sidewalls 20 have a common radial center point with 
the curved sidewall 15. Protrusion sidewalls 20 terminate in a bell-shaped 
curve 22 which adds rigidity to the structure. 
A center post 24 projects upwardly from substantially the center of base 
12. Preferably center post 24 is round and has a flat planar top surface 
26 suitable for imprinting or otherwise marking with a company name or 
logo. Alternatively, center post 24 could be formed with a shallow well 
(not shown) which would hold cream, sugar or similar packaged condiments. 
Preferably, center post 24 projects upwardly to extend over a substantial 
portion of the height of cups intended to be carried by tray 10. 
A bridge 28 connects each of protrusions 18 to center post 24. Bridge 28 
has curved sidewalls 30. As shown in the drawings, bridge 28 preferably is 
lower in height than either protrusions 18 or center post 24. 
In the preferred form of the invention shown in the drawings, tray 10 
comprises four cup receiving cavities 32. The sidewalls 34 of cavities 32 
are defined by curved sidewalls 30 of bridge 28, the sidewalls of center 
post 24, and protrusion sidewalls 20. Cup-receiving cavities 32 may be 
formed in any other manner, such as by merely forming a plurality of 
circular or tapered pockets or cavities in base 12 sufficiently deep to 
accommodate a beverage cup. 
As shown in the drawings, cavities 32 are generally circular in shape and 
conform to the general diameter and shape of conventional beverage cups 
ranging in size from 6 ounce to 24 ounce capacity. The depth of cavities 
32 is sufficient to cover a substantial portion of the cup sidewall to 
provide additional stability when carrying a cup. An overall tray height 
of approximately 2.75 inches has been found preferable to provide the 
proper sidewall support. The cup-holding cavities may be tapered to better 
conform to the tapered shape of most beverage cups. 
A raised bottom platform 36 is formed in each of cavities 32. Platform 36 
projects upwardly from base 12, having a substantially flat, planar top 
surface. Platform 36 is substantially circular, with its circumferential 
sidewall 38 spaced from the sidewall 34 of cavities 32, thus creating a 
groove 40 in which the chime of a chime-bottom cup is retained, as 
explained in detail below. 
As shown in FIG. 4, the radial center point of platform 36 is offset from 
the radial center point of cavity 32. Thus groove 40 is wider on the inner 
side of cavity 32, as shown at 42, than on the outer side, as shown at 44. 
This asymmetric positioning of platform 36 forces proper placement of a 
chime-bottom 12-ounce cup to be carried by tray 10 to thus obtain gripping 
of the 12-ounce cup, as explained in detail below. 
An arcuate walled projection 46 is formed on the inner side of platform 36. 
Preferably projection 46 is formed integral with the sidewall of platform 
36, as shown in FIG. 4. The center point for the curved wall 48 of 
projection 46 is the same as the center point for platform 36. Of course, 
the radius of curved wall 48 is greater than the radius of platform 36. 
An arcuate walled gripping element 50 projects upwardly from base 12 of 
tray 10. Gripping element 50 is positioned opposite and spaced from 
projection 46. The upward projection of element 50 is substantially equal 
to the upward projection of platform 36 and projection 46. The radial 
center point for the curved sidewall 52 of element 50 is the same as the 
radial center point of cavity 36. Thus, sidewall 52 of gripping element 50 
and sidewall 48 of projection 46 have different radial center points. 
Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 4, the distance 54 between sidewall 52 and 
sidewall 48 varies along their curvature, i.e., distance 56 is less than 
distance 58. 
The underside 60 of tray 10 comprises a series of complementary recesses 
formed by the upward projections of center post 24, protrusions 18, bridge 
28 and downward projections formed by cavities 32. These underside 
projections and recesses provide hand grips for conveniently and securely 
carrying tray 10. 
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a retaining insert 62, 68 may be used with tray 
10 to provide further support for beverage cups carried in the tray or to 
facilitate carrying odd shaped items such as ice cream cones. Preferably, 
these inserts are made from cardboard or a similar material. 
As shown in FIG. 5, insert 62 is a cross-shaped member having smoothly 
curved sidewalls 64 which substantially conform to the shape of a beverage 
cup in cavity 32. A cut-out 66 is formed in each leg of insert 62. Cut-out 
66 fits over nesting legs 67 on the top surface of protusions 18, with 
insert 62 supported by the top surface of protrusion 18. Cut-out 66 serves 
to properly position and retain insert 62 in place. Insert 62 would likely 
be used with large cups which required additional stability and support. 
As shown in FIG. 6, insert 68 comprises a substantially rectangular member 
having a plurality of circular openings 70. Openings 70 are positioned 
directly over cavities 32 so that a long-stemmed item, such as an ice 
cream cone, can be securely supported and retained within openings 70. Of 
course, other shaped inserts also may be used to accommodate the shape of 
other specialty items which may be carried in tray 10. 
The operation of tray 10 will now be described. As is evident, tray 10 does 
not require any assembly, which substantially simplifies its use in a 
fast-food restaurant. A stack of nested trays are readily separated 
because of the spaces between the tray created by nesting lugs 67. Tray 10 
is particularly adapted for carrying a conventional 12-ounce, 16-ounce and 
22-ounce cold drink, chime-bottom cups. When using a 12-ounce cup, the 
chime fits within groove 40 between projection 46 and gripping element 50. 
The assymetric positioning of platform 36 forces the 12-ounce cup to the 
outer side of cavity 36 to also get gripping of the cup on the outer 
sidewall of cavity 32. The chime of the 12-ounce cup, however, does not 
contact the outer sidewall of platform 36. The differing distance 54 
between sidewall 52 and sidewall 48 insures at least two point contact on 
the chime of the retained cup and allows for slight variations in the 
radius of the cup bottom as a result of manufacturing tolerances or caused 
by filling with liquid or ice. 
The chime of a 16-ounce and 22-ounce cup is retained within groove 40 
between the outer surface 53 of gripping element 50 and the sidewall of 
cavity 32. The larger sized cups, i.e., a 16 or 22-ounce cup have full 
surface contact on the outboard side 52 of gripping element 50 as well as 
circumferential contact by the outboard side of sidewall 34 of cavity 32. 
Additionally, the larger size cups contact the curved wall of center post 
24, thus providing a highly stable support for these larger cups. 
Platform 36 is sized so that a 8 and 12-ounce flat bottomed conventional 
hot cup will be stably and securely retained on the platform. Of course, 
with the flat bottomed cup, there is no gripping by the gripping elements 
46 and 50. However, the sidewalls of cavity 32 and center post 24 prevent 
the flat bottom cup from tipping. Thus, these elements should be 
sufficiently high to securely retain both an 8 ounce and 12 ounce flat 
bottomed cup in place. 
The flexibility of the plastic material allows the user to grip the 
underside downward extension of cavities 32 and securely hold the tray. 
The underside of bridges and sidewall protrusions give additional gripping 
surfaces. 
Numerous characteristics and advantages of the invention have been set 
forth in the foregoing description, together with the details of the 
structure and function of the invention, and the novel features thereof 
are pointed out in the appended claims. The disclosure, however, is 
illustrative only and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters 
of shape, size and arrangement of parts, within the principle of the 
invention, to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of 
the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.