Abstract:
A condiment container whose form factor is selected to enable the condiment container to be carried and held in place by a standard drink holder. By configuring the condiment container to be received in a standard drink holder, the problems associated with incorporating a condiment container in a drink container lid are overcome.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 11/255,367 filed Oct. 21, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a condiment container and more particularly to a condiment container configured to be carried by a standard drink holder to enable condiments to be securely carried in place in a vehicle during travel. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0003]    In today&#39;s society, due to time constraints, many people are known to purchase fast food, as well as soft drinks, for consumption while traveling. Consumption of soft drinks, such as soda and coffee, is so commonplace that virtually all vehicles include drink holders for holding such drinks during travel. However, it is difficult, if not impossible for travelers to enjoy condiments with finger food items, such as french-fries and chicken strips, for example. In particular, some condiments, such as ketchup, are normally provided in a pillow-type condiment container that is adapted to be opened at one end. Such a condiment container makes it virtually impossible for a driver to enjoy ketchup with french-fries. In addition, chicken strips and other fast-food finger items are known to include special sauces, which are normally supplied in tub type containers which need to carried in a stable manner to prevent spillage. Unfortunately, it is virtually impossible to carry such containers in a stable manner unless the driver holds the container with one hand. Inasmuch as drivers need to maintain one hand on the wheel, only one hand is free for grasping the fast-food finger item. If a driver wishes to use a condiment while driving, the driver must attempt to open the condiment container before driving and place the open condiment container on the vehicle seat. However, such condiment containers are likely to tip and spill on the seat. 
         [0004]    In order to solve this problem, various solutions have been proposed. In general, these solutions relate to providing a lid for a soft drink which includes a compartment for receiving a condiment. Examples of such container lids are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,558 as well as U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. U.S. 2004/0050847 A1 and U.S. 2004/0182862 A1, hereby incorporated by reference. In general, such drink lids include a compartment for receiving a condiment. In particular, the &#39;588 patent discloses a container lid for use with a hot or cold soft drink. The container lid is formed with a well which extends downwardly into the drink container. The well is adapted to receive a condiment. 
         [0005]    There are several problems with such a configuration. First, since the well extends down into the drink container, the condiment will either be heated or cooled depending on the temperature of the liquid in the drink container. Secondly, if the drink container is tilted for consumption, the tilting could possibly cause the condiment in the well in the container lid to spill or leak into the drink itself or vice versa. 
         [0006]    In order to solve this problem U.S. Patent Application Publication No. U.S. 2004/0182862 A1 discloses an alternate disposable container lid in which the condiment container is formed in a container lid that is configured so that the condiment reservoir does not extend into the drink container. In order to further insulate the condiment in the reservoir from the heating or cooling effects of the soft drink within the drink container, a bottom floor of the reservoir is formed with a thermal insulating layer. 
         [0007]    Although this container lid solves the problems mentioned above, there are other problems associated with such a drink container. First, the drink container only includes a single condiment reservoir. As such, multiple condiments can not be accommodated. In addition, the condiment reservoir is only adapted to be utilized with soft drinks which are consumed via a straw, such as soda. Other soft drinks, such as coffee and hot chocolate, are not suitable for use with the configuration disclosed in the above mentioned U.S. patent application Publication for the reasons discussed above. Finally, the soft drink lid is a custom lid is more expensive than conventional lids. Fast food suppliers would thus be confronted with the problem of ascertaining whether customers require lid dispensers or container lids with condiment reservoir or supplying all customers with the more expensive drink container lids with the built in condiment reservoirs. 
         [0008]    U.S. Patent Application Publication No. U.S. 2004/0050847 A1 also discloses a container lid for a soft drink with an integrated compartment for condiment. This published application is configured with a recessed compartment for receiving a separate condiment container. Similar to the container lid discussed above, the container lid disclosed in the &#39;847 publication is only suitable for use with cold soft drinks that are normally consumed through a straw. Thus, there is a need for a condiment holder for use in a vehicle which avoids the problems associated with the prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention relates to a condiment container that is configured to be carried by a conventional drink holder, standard on just about all vehicles. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the condiment container is formed with a form factor selected to enable the condiment container to be carried in place by a standard drink holder. By configuring the condiment container to be carried by a standard drink holder, the problems associated with incorporating a condiment container in a drink container lid are overcome. The container can be configured with various design options which lend to multiple applications of the container. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES 
         [0010]    These and other advantages of the present invention will be readily understood by reference to the following specification and attached drawing wherein: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1A  is a side elevational view of one embodiment of the condiment container in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1B  is a front elevational view of the condiment container illustrated in  FIG. 1A . 
           [0013]      FIG. 1C  is a side elevational view illustrating the condiment container illustrated in  FIG. 1A  disposed in a standard cup holder. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1D  is a top view of a condiment container in accordance with the present invention being carried in a standard cup holder, illustrated with a portion of the removable cover removed. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2A  is a side elevational view of a alternate embodiment of the condiment container illustrated in  FIG. 1A . 
           [0016]      FIG. 2B  is a front elevational view of the condiment container illustrated in  FIG. 2A . 
           [0017]      FIG. 2C  is a side elevational view of the condiment container illustrated in  FIG. 2A  being carried by a standard drink holder. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2D  is a top view of two condiment containers in accordance with the present invention being carried in a standard drink holder at the same time, each illustrated with a portion of its removable cover removed. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3A  is a side elevational view of another alternate embodiment of the condiment container illustrated in  FIG. 1A . 
           [0020]      FIG. 3B  is a front elevational view of the condiment container illustrated in  FIG. 3A . 
           [0021]      FIG. 3C  is a side elevational view of the condiment container illustrated in  FIG. 3A  being carried by a standard cup holder. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3D  is a top view illustrating two condiment containers as illustrated in  FIG. 3A  being carried by a standard drink holder at the same time, shown with the removable cover of one condiment container totally removed and the other condiment container with the removable cover partially removed. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4A  is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the invention illustrating a condiment container with two compartments. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4B  is a side view of the condiment container illustrated in  FIG. 4A , shown being carried in a standard drink holder. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5A  is a top view of another alternate embodiment of the condiment container in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5B  is a side view of the condiment container illustrated in  FIG. 5A , shown being carried in a standard drink holder. 
           [0027]      FIG. 6A  is a top view of another alternate embodiment of the condiment container in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 6B  is a side view of the condiment container illustrated in  FIG. 6A , shown being carried in a standard drink holder. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
       [0029]    The present invention relates to a condiment container for carrying various condiments for various fast food items. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the condiment container is configured to be carried by a standard drink holder. As such, fast foods consumed during travel can be enjoyed with condiments that are relatively securely carried in a standard drink holder. 
         [0030]    Various configurations of the condiment container are contemplated. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the condiment container is formed with a container portion having a dimension slightly less than the interior diameter of a standard drink container. In order to enable the condiment container to be carried at the top of the drink container, the condiment container also includes one or more outwardly extending lips. The lips are configured to rest on the mouth of the drink holder so that the top plane of the condiment container is generally flush with the top of the drink holder. As such, the condiment container facilitates the use of condiments for fast foods that are consumed during travel. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate a first embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B and  1 D, the condiment container, generally identified with the reference numeral  20 , is formed with an annular sidewall  22  forming a generally cylindrical container portion. The container portion  22  is closed at one end defining a generally linear bottom floor  24 . An opposing end  26  is open and formed with a peripheral shoulder  28 . The shoulder  28  extends radially outwardly from the container portion  22  and is configured to enable the condiment container  20  to be supported on an open mouth  30  of a standard or non-standard drink holder. 
         [0032]    The length along the longest edge or portion  32  of the condiment container is selected to be less than the interior diameter of the drink holder  30 . This length plus the width of the shoulder  28  is selected so that the shoulder  28  rests on the mouth  30  of a standard drink holder. Various dimensions of the shoulder  28  are contemplated. For example, a ¼ an inch shoulder may be used contemplated. Virtually any size can be used which allows the shoulder  28  to rest on the mouth of the cup holder  30 . 
         [0033]    The container can be configured in various shapes and formed from a material, suitable for use in the food industry and molded. For example, the condiment container can be configured to be a generally cylindrical container, for example, with a single compartment, such that only one condiment container fits within a standard drink holder, as generally shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . Moreover, the height H ( FIG. 5B ) can be varied depending on the amount of condiment to be dispensed. In other embodiments, the condiment container may be configured in a generally semi-circular shape, for example, as shown in  FIGS. 1A-4B . As shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the condiment container may be formed with multiple compartments.  FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate another embodiment which has a generally non-circular shape. 
         [0034]    In general, the condiment containers in accordance with the present invention include removal covers, generally identified with the reference numeral  33  ( FIG. 1D ), for closing the open end  26 , for example as shown in  FIGS. 1D ,  2 D and  3 D. These covers  33  are formed from a material suitable for use with the food industry. The covers  33  are attached to a top portion of the lip  28  with an adhesive also suitable for use in the food industry. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 2A ,  2 B,  2 C and  2 D illustrate an alternate embodiment of the condiment container, generally identified with the reference numeral  34 . The container  34  is formed with an irregular shape as best shown in  FIG. 2A  and includes an annular sidewall  38  forming a container portion and an irregular shaped floor  40 , as best shown in  FIG. 2A . The container portion  38  is formed with a generally semi-circular shape, as best shown in  FIG. 2D , and also formed to be symmetrical relative to a vertical axis  42 . In particular, the container portion  38  is configured such that a short axis  48  ( FIG. 2B ) is selected to allow two condiment containers to be carried at the same time in a single drink holder. The curved floor or bottom  40  allows a consumer to balance the container  34  on one leg. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  3 C and  3 D, illustrate a condiment, generally identified with the reference number  50 , formed with a slightly irregular but generally semi-circular shape, as best shown in  FIG. 3D . Similar to the other embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 2A , the container  50  is formed with an annular sidewall forming a container portion  52  defining a long axis  56  and a bottom floor  60 , slightly less than the interior diameter of a standard drink holder. A peripheral shoulder  58  is formed adjacent an open portion of the container portion  52 . As shown best in  FIGS. 3A and 3C , the bottom floor  60  may be formed with an irregular shape. As best shown in  FIG. 3D , the configuration of the container  50  allows a product to be dipped from wide and deep end, or squirted from narrow end when the cover is removed. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate another alternate embodiment, generally identified with the reference numeral  62 . As illustrated, this embodiment is similar to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1A-1D , except the condiment container  62  is formed with more than one compartment. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate another alternate embodiment, generally, identified with the reference numeral  64 . This embodiment is similar to the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1D , except the container  64  is configured in a generally circular shape so that only one container generally fits within a standard drink holder. As shown, the condiment container includes a single compartment. However, the container  64  can be configured with multiple compartments as discussed above. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate an embodiment, generally identified with the reference numeral  66 . The condiment container  66  is formed with two spaced apart linear sides  68 ,  70 . The spaced apart sides  68 ,  70  need not be linear but can be virtually any shape. The other two sides  72  and  74  may be formed to be linear or virtually any shape. A pair of lips  76  are formed to extend outwardly from the sides  72 ,  74 . It is only important that a major axis  78  ( FIG. 6A ) of the container  66  be selected to be less than the interior diameter of the standard drink holder plus the width of the lips  76  is selected so that they extend over the mouth of the standard drink holder. A cover  80  is also provided. The cover  80  is not removable but may include access to the interior of the container. 
         [0040]    Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Thus, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described above.