Abstract:
A single unit cardboard carrier is transformed from a collapsed state into an expanded multi-use carrier with a minimum of assembly actions. A preferred embodiment of the multi-use carrier has a central chamber, a plurality of vessel apertures located around the centered chamber, and has a handle spanning across the chamber.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/680,737 filed on Oct. 7, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,337,897 issued Mar. 4, 2008, which claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/461,250 filed Apr. 7, 2003, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/443,432 filed Jan. 28, 2003 and U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/417,405 filed Oct. 8, 2002. Each of the foregoing applications is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to a portable food and beverage carrier and, more specifically, a food and beverage carrier configured so as to be capable of displaying advertising. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many food and beverage carriers used today include carriers the surface of which are unsuitable for affixing a printed advertising message. Many types of food and beverage carriers are based on paper products, predominantly corrugated cardboard. The corrugated cardboard type food and beverage carriers offer surfaces amenable to presenting a printed advertising message. Unfortunately, the corrugated paper based food and beverage carriers are multi unit constructed systems and present logistical problems in storing and assembling the carriers on-site for uses at sporting events as occur in stadiums, concerts, or other public venue areas. Besides presenting logistical difficulties in assembling the corrugated cardboard paper carriers, because of their multi unit construction, even when collapsed prior carriers increase the storage space required by local food vendors doing business at public venues. 
     There is a need to have a multiuse container having a handle, a plurality of panels of sufficiently large area to present printed advertising messages, and can be assembled from a minimum action assembly process. There is a need for a food and beverage container to be transformed from a collapsed or planar state with a minimum of manipulations to assemble into a three dimensional usable state. The need is also for the food and beverage carrier to have sufficient structural strength conferred by the handle to permit single hand carrying of food and beverages, especially when the food and beverages are asymmetrically loaded to create an unbalanced weight distribution. There is a need for a food and beverage carrier with a handle of sufficiently large panel size to be capable of presenting a printed advertising message. There is also a need for a food and beverage carrier to be easily disposable by incineration. There is yet another need for a carrier to function in the transporting of hazardous materials, in particular bio-hazardous materials such as with petri dishes and other microbial specimen containers. In this case, such advertising panels can be reconfigured to present printed hazardous waste warnings. Various embodiments of the instant invention address or can resolve one or more of the foregoing needs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The instant invention is a multi-use carrier device that can be made from a single-die cut sheet of flexible materials, and that can be transformed or erected from a collapsed state into an expanded, carrier-ready state with a minimum of assembly actions. The optimal carrier ready state of the multi-use carrier can be determined by the toting duties of the preferred embodiments of the invention, such as toting supplies pertinent to and not limited by the food, beverage, gardening, janitorial, construction, microbiological, chemical, and nuclear industries. Depending on the toting duties of the multi-use carrier, the preferred embodiments of the invention include a plurality of surfaces to receive a plurality of printed messages and images concerning gardening, janitorial, construction, microbiological, chemical, nuclear, business coupons, and recreational board game subject matters. The flexible materials used in constructing the multi-use carrier can include paper-based materials, plastic-based materials, hybrid plastic-paper materials, and any other flexible yet semi-rigid materials. The paper-based materials can include corrugated cardboard that uses, but is not limited by, fluting grades A, B, C, E, F, and micro-fluting. The materials can also be amenable for incineration, or alternatively, recycling. The flexible materials used in the multi-use carrier can be capable of being configured so as to permit folding of carrier sections about a plurality of axes. Though made by flexible materials, the handle is securely affixed to the carrier, directly or by at least one internal wall, in turn, it is securely affixed to the carrier bottom, or by other means. The handle-internal wall-bottom securing arrangement can impart significant bridge-like stability to the multi-carrier and prevents buckling of the carrier under normal use conditions, and greatly aids the hand carrying of unbalanced loads. 
     The multi-use carrier comprises a plurality of preferred embodiments. Several preferred embodiments can be structurally stabilized by a handle that is flexibly affixed to the carrier bottom by at least one flexible reinforcing flange and is pivotable to permit transformation to the expanded state and secured by a plurality of walls substantially perpendicular to the handle having tabs that engage in slots to prevent inadvertent reversion to the collapsed state. 
     One Preferred Embodiment 
     The plurality of embodiments includes a first preferred embodiment having a central chamber surrounded by plurality of sub-chambers, each sub-chamber housing or itself constituting at least one aperture designed for specific toting tasks. The first preferred embodiment has a handle, at least two sides serving as a plurality of exterior walls along the carrier periphery, a bottom with a plurality of slots, a first plurality of interior walls secured by flexible reinforcing flanges, and a second plurality of interior walls that secure to the bottom via a plurality of tabs that removeably engage with the plurality of slots of the carrier bottom. The first plurality of interior walls are extensions of the handle. The second plurality of interior walls are made from two affixed half-walls. The bottom, the interior of the middle portion of each side, and the second plurality of interior walls define the central chamber. Each extension of the first plurality of interior walls with the flexible reinforcing flanges supports the handle. The handle is made from two layers of corrugated cardboard and spans across the central chamber. The two sides and the center half-walls are hingeably retractable to transition from the collapsed state to the expanded, carrier-ready state. Creasing lines made by a plurality of linearly positioned perforations provides a hinging-like action that permits an easy and rapid bending of the carrier sides, walls, and horizontal surfaces. 
     A Second Preferred Embodiment 
     The plurality of embodiments further includes a second preferred embodiment having exterior walls with tab projections substantially perpendicular to the handle that engage with slotted bottoms, or alternatively, slotted horizontal surfaces, to prevent inadvertent reversion of the expanded carrier to the collapsed state. 
     Third And Fourth Preferred Embodiments 
     Alternate preferred embodiments of the invention include a food and beverage carrier and a microbiological carrier. The food and beverage carrier embodiment has at least one aperture of the plurality of apertures for carrying cups, cans, and other food and beverage items. The carrier sides and each side of the handle of the food and beverage carrier provides printable surfaces to display advertising messages and images, either printed directly onto the surface or affixed with printable labels. Similarly, the microbiological carrier can include a plurality of vessel apertures, each aperture able to be varied in size, shape, and number to accommodate the transport of microbe-containing vessels or microbiological related supplies. The carrier sides and each side of the handle of the microbiological carrier provides printable surfaces to display microbial information, biohazardous information, and disposal information of microbial containers and the microbiological carrier, including incineration. Yet, other preferred embodiments include the handle having a gripping aperture. 
     Collapsibility and Expansion 
     In some embodiments, the collapsed state of the multi-use carrier can be expanded to a carrier-ready state for toting supplies and returned to the collapsed state through pivotable action along the reinforcing flanges and along a plurality of crease lines. In some embodiments, the minimum of assembly steps required to transfer the multi-use carrier from its collapsed state to an expanded state ready-for-transport is approximately three assembly actions. The first assembly action is a first pivoting action along the flanges and crease lines, followed by two succeeding pivoting actions to tuck-in each tab into each slot. Each carrier can be returned to its collapsed state by reversing the assembly actions, that is, pulling each tab to un-tuck each tab from its engaged slot to initiate a collapsing action, followed by reversing the first pivoting action along the crease lines and flanges. An alternate embodiment has finger holes in the second plurality of interior walls to accommodate the placing of a finger to assist with the initial collapsing action. In still other embodiments, the collapsing and expanding can be accomplished with fewer actions, and in other ways. 
     The collapsed multi-use carrier can be stacked in the collapsed state for efficient storage. The collapsed carriers can be reused in their re-expanded state, or in the event of soiling or spillage of chemical, radiological, and biohazardous materials on the corrugated cardboard carriers, can be easily disposed of by incineration. 
     In some embodiments, the single-die cut sheet includes regions for receiving glue, staples, rivets, Velcro, or equivalent or any other fixing means to construct the handle and the flexible reinforcing flanges. In some embodiments, the single-die cut sheet further compromises one or more of the following features: cutouts for vessel apertures, slots, a gripping aperture, and a plurality of perforated or partially scored crease lines to serve as folding axes to prepare the collapsed state and to transform the collapsed state into the expanded state, and vice versa. Other preferred alternate embodiments include the multi-use carrier made from nonflexible panels comprised of materials configured to pivot about hinge-like structures. The nonflexible panels include rigid and thicker plastics, fiberglass, woods, hard pressed fiber papers, metals, or a hybrid of any of the preceding nonflexible materials. Instead of using perforations and partial scoring, hinges are connected between the sections of the multi-use carrier to make the necessary folding axes 
     Another preferred alternate embodiment provides a pop-up tab for securing the bottom of the cup. The pop up tab for securing the cup may be of any shape. It may also be of any size, however in the preferred embodiment, the tab is small enough that the cutout from the base material is not so large that it unduly weakens the structural support for the cup. The tab may be perforated, scored, pinched or otherwise weakened or pre-disposed along its fold line to facilitate easier folding. Similarly, the fold line may be comprised of two fold lines, parallel but slightly offset, or slightly off parallel, or curved, or otherwise non-single-linear so that the fold up operation is more difficult, meeting with downward resistance (i.e., it wants to fold back down to its flat state) so as to apply more compressive pressure against the cup. 
     Some embodiments of the invention may utilize a single tab, or a plurality of tabs. For example, in some applications it may be advantageous to have two tabs, oriented roughly 90 degrees apart in plan view, and opposite the corners formed by the exterior and interior walls of the carrier, so as to tend to press the cup into the corner formed by the junction of the interior and exterior walls. Where there is only a single tab, in the preferred embodiment it will generally be advantageous to place the tab directly opposite (in plan view) of the same corner, so as to apply compressive pressure against that corner to maximally stabilize the cup. There may also be tabs at separate positions relative to the corner to accommodate cups of different sizes, specifically, of different base diameters. Thus, for smaller cups, the tabs closer to the corner will be used, and for larger cups, the tabs farther from the corner will be used. In an alternate embodiment, the base of the cup (or other object) to be placed in the carrier can be adapted so as to fit with in the bottom of the carrier more securely. For example, the base of the cup can have inverse crenellations with corresponding notches in the bottom of the carrier so that the cup crenellations slip into the notches and thereby secure the cup to the bottom. Similarly, the crenellations can have a slope or notch in them such that after the base of the cup so placed in the notches, the cup can be twisted and locked into place. Similarly, in yet other embodiments, the bottom of the carrier can have apertures, preferably generally circular, of a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the bottom of a tapered cylindrical cup, and yet slightly smaller than that of the diameter farther up the cup such that the base of the cup so secured similar to the manner in which the upper portion of the cup is secured by the apertures  42  in  FIG. 1 . In this embodiment, the bottom of the cup (or other container) may protrude beneath the bottom of the carrier, which may be advantageous in some situations. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a single die-cut sheet of a food and beverage carrier embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a single die-cut sheet food and beverage embodiment partially folded to the collapsed state; 
         FIG. 3  is the single die-cut sheet food and beverage embodiment further progressing to the folded-collapsed state; 
         FIG. 4A  is a top view of the collapsed food and beverage carrier embodiment; 
         FIG. 4B  is a side view of the collapsed food and beverage carrier embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the expanded food and beverage carrier embodiment with single vessel apertures for each sub-chamber; 
         FIG. 6  is a top inside view of the carrier bottom showing slot locations for engaging tabs from interior walls; 
         FIG. 7  is a preferred alternate embodiment of the single die-cut sheet of the food and beverage carrier; 
         FIG. 8  is another preferred alternate embodiment of the single die-cut sheet of the food and beverage carrier; 
         FIG. 9A  is a top view of the collapsed microbiological carrier embodiment; 
         FIG. 9B  is a side view of the collapsed microbiological carrier embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the expanded microbiological carrier embodiment with multiple vessel apertures for each sub-chamber; 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of a single die-cut sheet of an alternate preferred embodiment of the food and beverage carrier embodiment having external side flaps that lock to the carrier bottom; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the expanded the food and beverage carrier alternate preferred embodiment having external side flaps that lock to the carrier bottom; 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of a single die-cut sheet of the food and beverage carrier embodiment having external side flaps that lock to the carrier horizontal surfaces; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the expanded food and beverage carrier alternate preferred embodiment having external side flaps that lock to the carrier horizontal surfaces; 
         FIG. 15  is a bottom view of the carrier of  FIG. 6  having pop-up tabs for securing cups within the chamber; 
         FIG. 16  is a top view of the single die-cut sheet of  FIG. 1  having pop-up tabs for securing cups within the chamber, and 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the alternate preferred embodiment of the expanded carrier of  FIG. 5  having pop-up tabs within the chamber. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIG. 1  presents a top view of a single die-cut sheet  10  of a preferred food and beverage embodiment and provides a basis to explain the assembly of the collapsed embodiment of the food and beverage carrier. The single die-cut sheet food and beverage embodiment is a substantially rectangular cut, but may include other cuts that are substantially square, circular, and triangularly shaped. It is understood by those experienced in the art that the single die-cut sheet may be made from a multi-single die-cut sheeting machine configured to deliver more than one single die-cut sheet per manufacturing cycle. 
     The preferred single die-cut sheet  10  embodiment is made from paper-based, plastic-based, and hybrid paper and plastic-based materials. The paper-based products include non-corrugated cardboard and corrugated cardboard. The corrugated cardboard includes at least one of the fluting grades A, B, C, E, F, and micro-fluting. For example, the corrugated cardboard may include single grade (for example, A only, or C only), or any combination of single fluting grades. Combination grade examples would include B and E, or any combination that confers the necessary stability to meet the toting duties of the preferred embodiments of the multi-use carrier. The cardboard materials include craft, pre-print, white, and lithographic grade materials. 
     The plastic-based material includes plastic sheets and fiberglass reinforced plastics. The hybrid paper and plastic materials include cardboard, either corrugated on non-corrugated, embedded with plastic fibers, embedded with fiberglass, coated with plastic, and cardboard coated with fiberglass. 
     The single die-cut sheet  10  includes a plurality of sections, a plurality of foldable axes, a plurality of cutouts, and a plurality of affixing regions. The plurality of sections includes a first handle section  12 A, a second handle section  12 B, a first internal wall  14 , a second internal wall  16 , a bottom  18 , a first horizontal surface  26 , a second horizontal surface  28 , a first side  22 , a second side  24 , a first internal half-wall  30 , a second internal half-wall  31 , a third internal half-wall  32 , and a fourth internal half-wall  33 . The first half-wall  30  has a first tab  34 , and the third half-wall  32  has a second tab  37 . The first handle section has a first extension  26 A and a second extension  26 B. 
     The plurality of foldable axes includes a first axis  50 , a second axis  54 , a third axis  206 , a fourth axis  212 , a fifth axis  216 , a sixth axis  220 , an seventh axis  224 , a eighth axis  228 , a ninth axis  232 , and an tenth axis  236 . The first axis  50  and the second axis  54  is substantially perpendicular to the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth, axes  206 ,  212 ,  216 ,  220 ,  224 ,  228 ,  232 , and  236 . Each axis of the plurality of axes serves as a plurality of crease lines to impart folding ability to each section by providing hinge-like pivoting action about each axis. The pivoting action is conferred to each axis by procedures compatible to the type of material the single die-cut sheet  10  is made. For example, linearly perforated lines or partially scored lines are applied to each axis, when the single die-cut sheet  10  is made from paper-based materials, such as corrugated cardboard. 
     The plurality of cutouts includes a plurality of vessel apertures, a plurality of finger holes, a gripping aperture  48  located on the first handle section  12 A and the second handle section  12 B, a handle arch  12 C located on the first handle section  12 A and the second handle section  12 B, and a plurality of slots. The plurality of vessel apertures includes a first vessel aperture  40 , a second vessel aperture  42 , a third vessel aperture  44 , and a fourth vessel aperture  46 . An alternate embodiment of preferred embodiment  10  has each vessel aperture surrounded by a vessel collar (not shown) the perimeter of each first, second, third, and fourth vessel apertures  40 ,  42 ,  44 , and  46 . The vessel collar is a plurality of flaps that provide a squeezing action to cups or cans having variable sizes such that inserted cups or cans into each vessel aperture are prevented from extensive slippage. The plurality of finger holes include a first finger hole  38  located on the first half-wall  30 , and a second finger hole  39  located on the third half-wall  32 . The plurality of slots includes a first slot  150  located on the bottom  18  and adjacent to the seventh axis  224 , and a second slot  152  located on the bottom  18  and adjacent to the sixth axis  220 . 
     The first slot  150  is substantially diagonally separated from the second slot  152 . The first slot  150  detachably receives the first tab  34  and the second slot  152  detachably receives the second tab  37  when the multi-use carrier is in its expanded state. 
     The plurality of affixing regions includes a first affixing region  25 A located adjacent to the tenth axis  236  that is adjacent to the first internal wall  14 ; a second affixing region  25 B located adjacent to the tenth axis  236  that is adjacent to the second internal wall  16 ; a third affixing region  27 A located on the underside of the first extension  26 A and is adjacent to the third axis  206  that is adjacent to the first handle section  12 A; a fourth affixing region  27 B located on the underside of the second extension  26 B and is adjacent to the third axis  206  that is adjacent to the first handle section  12 A, the third and fourth affixing regions  27 A and  27 B substantially linearly separated by the handle arch  12 C; a fifth affixing region  29 A located on the second handle section  12 B adjacent to the fourth axis  212  that is next to the first horizontal surface  26 ; a sixth affixing region  29 B located on the second handle section  12 B adjacent to the fourth axis  212  that is next to the second horizontal surface  28 ; a seventh affixing region  182  located on second half-wall  31 ; and an eighth affixing region  184  located on the third half-wall  32 . 
     The manufacture of the collapsed state of the multi-well carrier from the first single die-cut sheet  10  begins with application of affixing agents to the first, second, fifth, and sixth affixing regions  25 A,  25 B,  29 A, and  29 B. The affixing agents include glue, staples, rivets, brads, Velcro, or similar or equivalent or any other materials that can affix or join or secure surfaces together. 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  shows the food and beverage embodiment in a sequence of manufacturing steps through partially folded configuration approaching the collapsed state of the multi-use carrier depicted in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . The first wall  14  and the second wall  16  are folded over to the bottom  18  about the eighth axis  228 , carrying with it the first horizontal surface  26 , the second vessel aperture  42 , the first half-wall  30 , the second horizontal surface  28 , the fourth vessel aperture  46 , the fourth half-wall  33 , and the first and second affixing region  25 A and  25 B are affixed to the bottom  18 . The first handle section  12 A is folded over onto the second handle section  12 B by pivoting about the fourth axis  206  with alignment of the gripping apertures  48 , and the first handle section  12 A is affixed to the second handle section  12 B by pressing each handle section together to permit the fifth and sixth affixing regions  29 A and  29 B to affix each handle section. Glue is applied to the third, fourth, seventh, and eighth affixing regions  27 A,  27 B,  182 , and  184  to prepare for the next construction step to make the collapsed state of the multi-use carrier. The now-affixed handle sections  12 A and  12 B form a handle  12 . The second side  24  is pivoted about the fifth axis  220  and brings the third affixing region  27 A in contact with the first internal wall  14 , the fourth affixing region  27 B in contact with the second internal wall  16 , the seventh affixing region  182  of the second half-wall  31  in contact with the first half-wall  30 , and the eighth affixing region  184  of the third half-wall  32  in contact with the fourth half-wall  33 . 
       FIG. 3  is the food and beverage embodiment of the single die-cut sheet, almost completely folded to the collapsed state nearly equivalent to the collapsed state as depicted in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . The third and fourth affixing regions  27 A and  27 B affix to the first wall  14  and the second wall  16 , respectively. Similarly and substantially simultaneously, the second half-wall  31  is affixed to the first half-wall  30  by the sealing action of glue applied to the seventh affixing region  182 . Similarly and substantially simultaneously, the third half-wall  32  is affixed to the fourth half-wall  33  by the sealing action of glue applied to the eighth affixing region  184 . 
       FIG. 4A  is a top view of the collapsed food and carrier embodiment  100 . The handle  12  and the gripping aperture  48  are shown in geometric relationship to the first horizontal surface  26  and the second horizontal surface  28 . Located centrally on the first horizontal surface  26  is the first vessel aperture  40 . Substantially centrally located on the second horizontal surface  28  is the third vessel aperture  44 . Continuous with the first surface  26  is the first half-wall  30  and the second half-wall  31  now affixed to the first half-wall  30 . Visible within the first vessel aperture  40  is the first internal wall  14 , the first affixing region  25 A now functioning as a first reinforcing flange  25 A, and the third affixing region  27 A now functioning as a third reinforcing flange  27 A. Visible within the third vessel aperture  44  is the second internal wall  16 , the second affixing region  25 B now functioning as a second reinforcing flange  25 B, and the fourth affixing region  27 B now functioning as a fourth reinforcing flange  27 B. Visible about perimeter of the first vessel apertures  40  and the third vessel aperture  44  are the vessel collars  62 , each vessel collar having the plurality of flaps cut substantially radially from the center of each aperture. The handle  12  is secured to the first internal wall  14  by the third reinforcing flange  27 A and to the second internal wall  16  by the fourth reinforcing flange  27 B. The first internal wall  14  is secured to the bottom  18  by the first reinforcing flange  25 A. The second internal wall  16  is secured to the bottom  18  by the second reinforcing flange  25 B. The handle  12  is pivotable about the fourth axis  212 . The first horizontal surface  26  is pivotable about the fifth axis  216 . The second horizontal surface is pivotable about the fifth axis  216 . The fourth axis  212  is substantially parallel to the fifth axis  216 . 
     The second half-wall  31  overlaps and is affixed to the first half-wall  30 . Located on the interior edge of the first half-wall  30  is the first finger hole  38 . Located on the interior edge of the first half-wall  30  is a first tab  34  that projects from the first half-wall  30 . The first tab  34  is partially visible in the space defined by the gripping aperture  48 . It is understood by those skilled in the art that the second half-wall  31  can overlap and be affixed to the first half-wall  30 . Between the first horizontal surface  26  and the second half-wall  31  is the first axis  50 . The first axis  50  continuously extends to and between the second half-wall  31  and the first horizontal surface  26 . Substantially perpendicular to the first axis  50  is the fourth axis  212 . Continuous with the second horizontal surface  28  is the third half-wall  32  and the fourth half-wall  33 . The third half-wall  32  overlaps and is affixed to the fourth half-wall  33 . Located on the interior edge of the third half-wall  32  is a second tab  37  that projects from the third half-wall  32 . Located on the interior edge of the third half-wall  32  is the second finger hole  39 . The second tab  37  is completely visible, as the handle  12  does not fold over the plane defining the first and second vessel apertures  40  and  44 . The third half-wall  32  can overlap and be affixed to the fourth half-wall  33 . Between the second horizontal surface  28  and the third half-wall  32  is the second axis  54 . The second axis  54  continuously extends to and between the fourth half-wall  33  and the second horizontal surface  28 . Substantially perpendicular to the second axis  54  is the fourth axis  212 . Substantial perpendicularity here, as elsewhere while generally preferred, is not required in all embodiments. 
       FIG. 4B  is a side view of the collapsed food and carrier embodiment and shows a side view of the collapsed state of the invention  100 . The collapsed state of the invention  100  is depicted folded in three layers. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the expanded food and beverage carrier embodiment  100  with single vessel apertures for each sub-chamber. The handle  12  is pivoted substantially to a vertical position about the fourth axis  212  and is secured to the first internal wall  14  by the third reinforcing flange  27 A and the second internal wall  16  by the fourth reinforcing flange  27 B. The first internal wall  14  and the second internal wall  16  are secured to the bottom  18  by the first and second reinforcing flanges  25 A (shown) and  25 B (not shown), respectively. The first internal wall  14  and the second internal wall  16  pivots about the tenth axis  236 . The expanded food and beverage carrier embodiment  100  is prevented to return to its collapsed state by insertion of the first tab  34  into the first slot  150  and the second tab  37  into the second slot  152  (all not shown). The first internal wall  14  and the second internal wall  16  function as a first plurality of interior walls. 
     The first side  22  is between the seventh axis  224  and the eighth axis  228 . The second side  24  is between the fifth axis  216  and the sixth axis  220 . The first side  22  functions as a first external wall and the second side  24  functions as a second external wall. Substantially parallel to the bottom  18  is the first horizontal surface  26  and the second horizontal surface  28 . The first horizontal surface  26  and the second horizontal surface  28  is stabilized by the third and fourth reinforcing flanged  27 A and  27 B. Substantially perpendicular to the first horizontal surface  26  is the second half-wall  31 . The second half-wall  31  is substantially perpendicular to and contacts the second side  24 . In overlapping contact with the second half-wall  31  is the first half-wall  30  (not shown), the first half-wall  30  being affixed to the second half-wall  31 . The first half-wall  30  is substantially perpendicular to and contacts the first side  22 . Substantially perpendicular to the second horizontal surface  28  is the third half-wall  32 . The third half-wall  32  is substantially perpendicular to and contacts the second side  24 . In overlapping contact with the third half-wall  32  is the fourth half-wall  33 , the fourth half-wall  33  being affixed to the third half-wall  32 . The fourth half-wall  33  is substantially perpendicular to and contacts the first side  22 . The first, second, third, and fourth half-walls  30 ,  31 ,  32 , and  33  serve as a second plurality of interior walls. The first side  22  and the second side  24  serve as a plurality of exterior walls. 
     The fourth half-wall  32  has the second finger hole  39 . A central chamber  36  depicted by the double arrow is defined by the bottom  18  and a central perimeter formed by the second plurality of interior walls, the middle section of the first side  22 , and the middle section of the second side  24 . The handle  12  spans across the central chamber  36  and is secured to the first plurality of interior walls. The first horizontal surface  26  has the first vessel aperture  40  and the second vessel aperture  42  substantially parallel to the second horizontal surface  28 . The second horizontal surface  28  has the third vessel aperture  44  and the fourth vessel aperture  46 . Each vessel aperture is shown substantially in a circular shape. Visible about perimeter of each vessel aperture are the vessel collars  62 , each vessel collar having the plurality of flaps cut substantially radially from the center of each aperture. It is understood by those experienced in the art that the shape of each vessel aperture can vary to accommodate commonly used vessels and utensils. Moreover, each vessel aperture may not have vessel collars. Furthermore, each vessel aperture is not limited to a single shape but includes a plurality of shapes, including shapes that are substantially circular, ovals, square, diamond, and X-pattern shape. It is also understood by those experienced in the art that any combination of shapes can be distributed for each aperture. For example, the first vessel aperture  40  as depicted is circular, the second vessel aperture  42  is X-shaped, the third vessel aperture  44  is oval shaped, and the fourth vessel aperture  46  is square shaped. The handle  12  has a substantially elliptical gripping aperture  48  that is substantially centrally located in the handle  12  to permit single hand carrying of the expanded carrier  10 . The surfaces of the first side  22 , the second side  24 , and on each side of the handle  12  provide surfaces to receive printed informational messages and images. Furthermore, the bottom  18  section within the central chamber  36 , and the underside of the bottom  18  provides surfaces to receive printed informational messages and images. 
     In an alternate embodiment, further described below, bottom panel  18 , which defines chamber  36  with panels  30 , 31 , 32  and  33  as shown in  FIG. 5 , may have a pop-up tab feature and an additional finger hole feature. To accommodate those alternate features, bottom  18  would be cut out. These cut-outs can be of different sizes, shapes and at different angles. These cut-outs can also have a single or plurality of crease fold lines adjacent to the cuts. The cut-outs provide the material for the pop-up tabs to provide additional restraint for extra cups should more than 4 cups be carried, or if cups are to be carried closer to the center and handle. The pop-up tabs from the cut out feature uses the spring-like effect of the material to provide pressure and secure the cups in place by pushing the cups against walls  224 ,  220  and the outer wall. 
     In yet other embodiments, finger holes are provided to ease the access, lifting and folding/unfolding of the carrier and/or the pop-up tabs. 
       FIG. 6  is a top inside view of the carrier bottom showing slot locations for engaging tabs from interior walls. The slot locations may vary in position and number to coincide with tab locations and tab numbers to permit the respective insertion of the tabs with each respective slot. 
       FIG. 7  is a preferred alternate embodiment of the single die-cut sheet of the food and beverage carrier. Substantially similar to the food and beverage embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , the preferred alternate embodiment depicted in  FIG. 7  has substantially similar components but differs in the shape of the handle and that the handle lacks the gripping aperture  48  of  FIG. 1 , in providing a handle cushion  308 , and in providing a substantially trapezoidal cutout  328  in the central portions of the first and second sides  22  and  24 . In particular, the handle is shown is split into two sections, a first section  304 A and a second section  304 B, each section lacking a gripping aperture. The two sections have a deeper square curvature  304 C than the shorter square curvature  12 C depicted in  FIG. 1 . Additionally, a handle cushion  308  is shown extending from the second section  304 B. The first affixing region is  25 A located on the end-extension of the first wall  14  and the second affixing region is  25 B located on the end-extension of the second wall  16 . The vessel collar  62  is shown along the perimeter of each first, second, third, and fourth vessel apertures  40 ,  42 ,  44 , and  46 . Each vessel collar  62 , via the plurality of flaps provides a squeezing action to cups or cans having variable sizes such that inserted cups or cans into each vessel aperture are prevented from extensive slippage. The substantially trapezoidal cutout  328  in the first and second sides  22  and  24  confers to the central chamber  36  of the expanded carrier to have lower profile sidewalls from the middle regions of the first and second sides  22  and  24 . Each lowered profile sidewalls permits larger sized or irregular shaped objects to be placed in and overhang from the central chamber  36  of the expanded carrier. 
     The first affixing region is  25 A located on the end-extension of the first wall  14  and the second affixing region is  25 B located on the end-extension of the second wall  16 . Similarly, the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth affixing regions  27 A,  27 B,  29 A,  29 B,  182 , and  184  are located in comparable regions as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . For example, the third and fourth affixing regions  27 A and  27 B of  FIG. 7  are located on the underside surfaces of the first and second extensions  26 A and  26  B. 
       FIG. 8  depicts another preferred alternate embodiment of the single die-cut sheet of the food and beverage carrier. Substantially similar to the food and beverage embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , the preferred alternate embodiment depicted in  FIG. 8  has substantially the same components of  FIG. 1  but differs in the shape of the handle, in providing a substantially rectangular cutout  428  in the central portions of the first and second sides  22  and  24 , and in providing a space to receive a business card or similar card-like insert in the sides of the carrier. In particular, the handle is shown is split into two sections, a first section  404 A and a second section  404 B, each section lacking a gripping aperture. The two sections have a bowl-shaped curvature  404 C instead of the shorter square curvature  12 C depicted in  FIG. 1 . Additionally, a handle cushion  408  is shown extending from the second section  404 B. The space to receive a business card is conferred to the preferred alternate embodiment by a slot-pair  432 . Each slot of the slot-pair is positioned to receive and hold standard business cards. It is understood by those experienced in the art that more than one slot-pair can be present in the alternate embodiment, and the distance between each slot of the slot-pair may be varied to accommodate different size inserts. 
     The first affixing region is  25 A located on the end-extension of the first wall  14  and the second affixing region is  25 B located on the end-extension of the second wall  16 . Similarly, the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth affixing regions  27 A,  27 B,  29 A,  29 B,  182 , and  184  are located in comparable regions as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . For example, the third and fourth affixing regions  27 A and  27 B of  FIG. 8  are located on the underside surfaces of the first and second extensions  26 A and  26  B. 
     The vessel collar  62  is shown along the perimeter of each first, second, third, and fourth vessel apertures  40 ,  42 ,  44 , and  46 . Each vessel collar  62 , via the plurality of flaps provides a squeezing action to cups or cans having variable sizes such that inserted cups or cans into each vessel aperture are prevented from extensive slippage. The substantially rectangular cutout  428  in the first and second sides  22  and  24  confers to the central chamber  36  of the expanded carrier to have lower profile sidewalls from the middle regions of the first and second sides  22  and  24 . Each lowered profile sidewalls permits larger sized or irregular shaped objects to be placed in and overhang from the central chamber  36  of the expanded carrier. 
       FIG. 9A  is a top view of the collapsed state of the microbiological carrier  500 . The microbiological embodiment  500  incorporates many of the same components as the food and beverage carrier  100 . The handle  12  and the gripping aperture  48  are shown in geometric relationship to the first horizontal surface  26  and the second horizontal surface  28 . Located centrally on the first horizontal surface  26  is the first plurality of microbial apertures  610 . Substantially centrally located on the second horizontal surface  28  is the third plurality of microbial apertures  614 . Continuous with the first surface  26  is the second half-wall  31  and the first half-wall  30 . The second half-wall  31  overlaps and is affixed to the first half-wall  30 . Located on the interior edge of the first half-wall  30  is a first finger hole  38 . Located on the interior edge of the first half-wall  30  is a first tab  34  that projects from the first half-wall  30 . The first tab  34  is partially visible in the space defined by the gripping aperture  48 . It is understood by those skilled in the art that the second half-wall  31  can overlap and be affixed to the first half-wall  30 . Between the first horizontal surface  26  and the second half-wall  31  is a first perforation axis  50 . The first perforation axis  50  continuously extends to and between the first half-wall  30  and the first horizontal surface  26 . Substantially perpendicular to the first perforation axis  50  is a second perforation axis  54 . Continuous with the second horizontal surface  28  is the third half-wall  32  and the fourth half-wall  33 . The third half-wall  32  overlaps and is affixed to the fourth half-wall  33 . Located on the interior edge of the third half-wall  32  is the second tab  37  that projects from the third half-wall  32 . Located on the interior edge of the third half-wall  32  is the second finger hole  39 . The second tab  37  is completely visible as the handle  12  does not fold over the plane defining first and third microbial apertures  610  and  614 . It is understood by those skilled in the art that the third half-wall  32  can overlap and be affixed to the fourth half-wall  33 . Between the second horizontal surface  28  and the third half-wall  32  is the second axis  54 . The third perforation axis  54  continuously extends to and between the fourth half-wall  33  and the second horizontal surface  28 . Substantially perpendicular to the second axis  54  is the fourth axis  212 . The handle  12  pivots about the fourth axis  212 . The microbiological embodiment  500  substantially operates with the same components as used by the food and beverage carrier embodiment  100 . 
       FIG. 9B  is a side view of the collapsed microbiological carrier embodiment and shows a side view of the collapsed state of the invention  500 . The collapsed state of the invention  500  is depicted folded in three layers. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view that shows another embodiment of the invention in the form of a microbiological carrier  500  in its expanded three-dimensional state. The microbiological embodiment  500  incorporates many of the same components as the food and beverage carrier  100 . The handle  12  has the first internal wall  14  and the second internal wall  16  (not shown), fixed to the bottom  18  via the first reinforcing flange  25 . Similarly, the second reinforcing flange  27  affixes the first horizontal surface  26  to the first internal wall  14  and the second horizontal surface  28  to the second internal wall  16  (not shown). Substantially parallel to the handle  12  is the first side  22  and the second side  24 . Substantially parallel to the bottom  18  is the first horizontal surface  26  and the second horizontal surface  28 . The first horizontal surface  26  and the second horizontal surface  28  is stabilized by the second reinforcing flange  27 . Substantially perpendicular to the first horizontal surface  26  is the second half-wall  31 . The second half-wall  31  is substantially perpendicular to and contacts the second side  24 . In overlapping contact with the second half-wall  31  is the first half-wall  30 , the first half-wall  30  being affixed to the second half-wall  31 . The first half-wall  30  is substantially perpendicular to and contacts the first side  22 . Substantially perpendicular to the second horizontal surface  28  is the third half-wall  32 . The third half-wall  32  is substantially perpendicular to and contacts the second side  24 . In overlapping contact with the third half-wall  32  is the fourth half-wall  33 , the fourth half-wall  33  being affixed to the third half-wall  32 . The fourth half-wall  33  is substantially perpendicular to and contacts the first side  22 . The third half-wall  32  has the second finger hole  39 . A central chamber  36  is defined by the bottom  18  and the central perimeter formed by first half-wall  30 , the second half-wall  31 , the third half-wall  32 , the fourth half-wall  33 , the middle section of the first side  22 , and the middle section of the second side  24 . The handle  12  spans across the central chamber  36  and is attached by the first horizontal surface  26  and the second horizontal surface  28  at substantially perpendicular orientations. The first horizontal surface  26  has the first plurality of microbial apertures  610  and a second plurality of microbial apertures  612 . The second horizontal surface  28  has the third plurality of microbial apertures  614  and a fourth plurality of microbial apertures  616 . Each plurality of microbial apertures is shown with a set of nine apertures of substantially equal sizes. It is understood by those experienced in the art that the number of apertures may vary, and the sizes of the apertures may vary within each plurality of microbial apertures to accommodate different sized microbial containers. The handle  12  has the substantially elliptical gripping aperture  48  that is substantially centrally located in the handle to permit single hand carrying of the expanded microbiological carrier  500 . The panels on the first side  22 , the second side  24 , and on each side of the handle  12  provide surfaces to receive printed messages concerning biohazardous materials. Furthermore, the bottom  18  section within the central chamber  36 , and the underside of the bottom  18  provides surfaces to receive printed messages concerning biohazardous materials. The biohazardous messages include microbiological information including handling procedures, warnings, and directions for disposal of the microbiological carrier  500 , including incineration. 
       FIG. 11  is a top view of an alternate preferred single die-cut sheet of the food and beverage carrier embodiment  700  having external walls or side flaps that engage to the carrier bottom&#39;s  18  first slot  150  and the second slot  152  that is substantially diagonally opposite the first slot  150 . The preferred embodiment  700  has a first horizontal surface  310  and a second horizontal surface  314 . The first horizontal surface  310  houses the first and third vessel apertures  40  and  44 . The second horizontal surface  314  houses the second and fourth vessel apertures  42  and  46 . Each vessel aperture as illustrated in  FIG. 11  does not have the aperture collars  62  as illustrated in  FIGS. 4A ,  5 ,  7 , and  8 . Alternate embodiments of the preferred embodiment  700  have the aperture collars  62  as illustrated in  FIGS. 4A ,  5 ,  7 , and  8 . Substantially similar to the preferred single die-cut sheet embodiment  10  of  FIG. 1 , the preferred embodiment  700  has many of the same components (the first through the tenth axes  50 ,  54 ,  206 ,  212 ,  216 ,  220 ,  224 ,  228 ,  232 ,  236 ; the first side or first external wall  22 ; the second side or second external wall  24 ; the gripping aperture  48 , for example). 
     Extending from the first horizontal surface  310  is a first external half-wall  310 A and a second external half-wall  310 B. Projecting from the second half-wall  310 B is a first tab  310 C. Extending from the second horizontal surface  314  is a third external half-wall  314 A and a fourth external half-wall  314 B. Projecting from the third external half-wall  314 A is a second tab  314 C. Extending from the second horizontal surface  314  across from the ninth axis  232  is an internal wall  316 . 
     The preferred embodiment  700  has seven affixing regions instead of eight affixing regions described in  FIGS. 1 ,  7 , and  8 . The seven affixing regions that includes a first affixing region  325  extending from the internal wall  316  across from the tenth axis  236 , a second affixing region  327 A, a third affixing region  327 B, a fourth affixing region  329 A, a fifth affixing region  329 B, a sixth affixing region  329 C, and a seventh affixing region  329 D. The second and third affixing regions  327 A and  327 B are on the underside and approximately close to the end of the first handle section  12 A. The fourth and fifth affixing regions  329 A and  329  B are located on the second handle section  12 B. The sixth affixing region  329 C is located on the first external half-wall  310 A. The seventh affixing region  329 D is located on the second external half-wall  310 B. Other alternate embodiments of the preferred embodiment  700  include six affixing regions such that the second and third affixing regions  327 A and  327 B are effectively merged together to form a single affixing region substantially similar to the first affixing region  325 . 
     The collapsed state of alternate embodiment  700  is made in a manner substantially equivalent to expanded embodiment  800  illustrated in  FIG. 12 . Affixing the second external half-wall  310 B to the fourth external half-wall  314 B makes a third external wall  424 . The third external wall  424  includes the first tab  31 C extending from it. Affixing the first external half-wall  310 A to the third external half-wall  314 A makes a fourth external wall  428 . The fourth external wall  428  includes the second tab  314 C extending from it. 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a preferred expanded the food and beverage carrier embodiment  800  having external walls or side flaps that lock to the carrier bottom. The expanded state is prevented from reverting back to the collapsed state by insertion of the first tab  310 C extending from the third wall  424  into the second slot  152  and by insertion of the second tab  314 C extending from fourth wall  428  into the first slot  150 . The second horizontal surface  314  includes the first vessel aperture  40  and the third vessel aperture  44 . Through the third vessel aperture  44  the internal wall  316  is visible and is secured to the bottom  18  via the first reinforcing flange  325 . Similarly, the handle  12  is secured to the internal wall  316  via the second reinforcing flange  327 . The gripping aperture  48  is centrally located on the handle  12 . Through the fourth aperture  46  located on the second horizontal surface  310  the first side  22  is visible. The third and fourth external walls  424  and  428  are substantially perpendicular to the first and second sides  22  and  24 . 
       FIG. 13  is a top view of a preferred single die-cut sheet of the food and beverage carrier embodiment  900  having external walls or side flaps that lock to the carrier horizontal surfaces. Substantially similar to the preferred single die-cut sheet embodiment  10  of  FIG. 1  and the preferred single die-cut sheet embodiment  700  of  FIG. 11 , the preferred embodiment  900  has many of the same components (the first-tenth axes, gripping aperture  48 , the internal wall  316 , the first horizontal surface  310 , the second horizontal surface  314 , for example) and does not illustrate the aperture collars  62  of  FIGS. 4A ,  5 ,  7 , and  8 . Alternate embodiments of the preferred embodiment  700  have the aperture collars  62  as illustrated in  FIGS. 4A ,  5 ,  7 , and  8 . 
     The preferred embodiment  900  has five affixing regions substantially similar to the preferred embodiment  700  of  FIG. 11 . The second and third affixing regions  327 A and  327 B are on the underside of first handle section  12 A. Similarly, the fourth and fifth affixing regions  329 A and  329 B are on the second handle section  12 B. The preferred embodiment  900  has a first slot  155  on the first horizontal surface  314 , and a second slot  157  on the first horizontal surface  310 . The first horizontal surface  310  includes the first vessel aperture  40  and the third vessel aperture  44 . The second horizontal surface  314  includes the second vessel aperture  42  and the fourth vessel aperture  46 . Extending from the second horizontal surface  314  is the interior wall  316 . Adjacent to interior wall  316  is across from the tenth axis  236  is a first affixing region  325 . The first affixing region  325  is continuous and when juxtaposed to the bottom  18 , forms a first reinforcing flange  325  in the expanded carrier illustrated in  FIG. 14 . The second and third affixing regions  327 A and  327 B are substantially separated near the end of the first handle section  12 A. The second and third affixing regions  327 A and  327 B when juxtaposed to the internal wall  316 , forms a second reinforcing flange  327  in the expanded carrier illustrated in  FIG. 14 . 
       FIG. 13  illustrates four vessel apertures, with two vessel apertures for each horizontal surface. Alternate embodiments of preferred embodiment  900  may have one vessel aperture for each horizontal surface, or greater than two vessel apertures for each horizontal surface. Yet other alternate embodiments include four affixing regions such that the second and third affixing regions  327 A and  327 B are effectively merged together substantially similar to the first affixing region  325 . 
     Unlike the preferred embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 1 ,  6 ,  8 ,  11 , and  12 , the bottom  18  does not have slots. Extending from the bottom  18  is a first bottom extension  18 A and a second bottom extension  18 B. A first tab  18 C projects from the first bottom extension  18 A and a second tab  18 D projects from the second bottom extension  18 B. The first tab  18 C is detachably received into the first slot  155  and the second tab  18 D is detachable received into the second slot  157  for the expanded carrier illustrated in  FIG. 14 . 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the expanded food and beverage carrier preferred embodiment  1000  having external walls or side flaps that lock to the carrier horizontal surfaces. The expanded embodiment  1000  is derived from a collapsed carrier state made from the preferred single die-cut embodiment  900  in a manner substantially similar to the collapsed carrier embodiment  100  of  FIG. 4A . The expanded carrier embodiment  1000  is secured by pivoting the first bottom extension  18 A so that insertion of the first tab  18 C into the first slot  155  occurs, and the pivoting the second bottom extension  18 B so that insertion of the second tab  18 D into the second slot  157  occurs. The first extension  18 A and the second extension  18 B function as a third and a fourth external walls that are substantially perpendicular to the first and second sides  22  and  24 . The second horizontal surface  310  includes the first vessel aperture  40  and the third vessel aperture  44 . Through the third vessel aperture  44  the internal wall  316  is visible and is secured to the bottom  18  via the first reinforcing flange  325 . Similarly, the handle  12  is secured to the internal wall  316  via the second reinforcing flange  327  as seen through the first vessel aperture  40 . Through the fourth aperture  46  located on the second horizontal surface  314  the first side  22  is visible. 
     While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the preferred embodiments using the external side flaps using the tabs to hook to the bottom slots or to the slots of the horizontal surfaces may be combined in hybrid form so that one side flap hooks to the bottom, and the other side flap hooks to the horizontal surface. Similarly, the preferred embodiments using the second plurality of internal wall using tabs to insert into the bottom slots may be designed to insert into slots cut into the horizontal surfaces, or alternatively, one tab inserts into a bottom slot and another tab inserts into a slot cut into a horizontal surface. Additionally, the die-cut sheets include widths of approximately 10 to approximately 16 inches, and lengths of approximately 25 inches to 40 inches. The heights of the expanded carriers can vary between approximately 1 inch to approximately 4 inches. Other dimensions for the width, length, and height of each collapsed and expanded multi-use carrier embodiment may vary to meet the required toting duties. For example, single die-cut sheet sheets of approximately 31¼ by 11 3/16 inches will render an expanded carrier having dimensions of approximately 11⅛ inches long, 7½ inches wide, approximately 2⅛ inches high as determined by the height of the external walls, and includes the central chamber having a length of approximately 7⅛ inches, a width of approximately 3⅛ inches, and a height of approximately 2 inches as determined by the height of the internal walls. Similarly, single die-cut sheet of approximately 3 8/2 by 1 5/2 inches will render an expanded carrier having dimensions of approximately 1 5/2 inches long, 9 inches wide, approximately 2⅛ inches high as determined by the height of the external walls, and includes the central chamber having a length of approximately 8⅝ inches, a width of approximately 6½ inches, and a height of approximately 2 inches as determined by the height of the internal walls. 
     Another preferred alternate embodiment provides a pop-up tab for securing the bottom of the cup, as indicated in  FIG. 15 . In  FIG. 15 , the pop up tabs  160  and  161  for securing the cup may be of any shape.  FIG. 15  represents a modification of  FIG. 6  where the pop up tabs  160  and  161  are added. They may also be of any size, however in the preferred embodiment, the tab is small enough that the cutout from the base material of bottom  18  is not so large that it unduly weakens the structural support for the cup. The tab may be perforated, scored, or pinched along its fold line  162  to facilitate easier folding. Similarly, the fold line  162  may be comprised of two fold lines, parallel but slightly offset, or slightly off parallel, or curved, or otherwise non-single-linear so that the fold up operation is more difficult, meeting with downward resistance (i.e., pop-up tab  160  and  161  wants to fold back down to its flat state coplanar with bottom  18 ) so as to apply more compressive pressure against the cup. The pop-up tabs  160  and  161  permit the secure transport of cup in the chamber  36 . 
     The invention may utilize a single pop-up tab, or a plurality of tabs. For example, in some applications it may be advantageous to have two tabs, oriented roughly 90 degrees apart in plan view, and opposite the corners exterior and interior walls of the carrier, so as to tend to press the cup into the corner formed by the junction of the interior and exterior walls. Where there is only a single tab, in the preferred embodiment it will generally be advantageous to place the tab directly opposite (in plan view) of the same corner, so as to apply compressive pressure against that corner to maximally stabilize the cup. There may also be tabs at separate positions relative to the corner to accommodate cups of different sizes, specifically, of different base diameters. Thus, for smaller cups, the tabs closer to the corner will be used, and for larger cups, the tabs farther from the corner formed by walls will be used. 
       FIG. 16  is the same as  FIG. 1 , except that pop-up tabs  160  and  161  and finger-holes  150  and  152  have been added. Similarly,  FIG. 17  is identical to  FIG. 5  except that pop-up tabs  160  and  161  and finger-holes  150  and  152  have been added. The pop-up tabs  160  and  161  permit secure transport of cups within the chamber  36 . 
     Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiments. For example, the horizontal and vertical surfaces of the expanded carrier need not be limited to printed text and images. Instead, its surfaces may be adapted to receive electronic displays, such as liquid crystal and light emitting diode display. The electronic display may be clipped onto the handle or carrier slides, or inserted between the slot pairs  432 . These electronic displays may be preprogrammed to display messages and images, or alternatively receive wireless messages and images to be displayed. Furthermore, the surfaces may be affixed with bar codes or radio frequency identification tags to aid in inventory control of the carriers, or in the inventory control of the items transferred by the carriers. Another application of the invention is to function as a noisemaker. The carrier is inverted and the handle secured between the legs of a seated spectator such that the bottom of the carrier serves as a drum-like surface to beat upon. Another applications of the carrier is that printed messages on the carrier bottom serves as a slogan banner to be displayed by spectators. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.