Patent Publication Number: US-2023159244-A1

Title: Drink cup carrier

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present disclosure is directed to holders designed to accommodate one or more beverage cups and, more particularly, to a portable custom cup carrier that holds up to a dozen or more beverage cups as well as straws, and, in one aspect is foldable, in addition to providing large footprints for text and graphics. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Many consumers purchase carry-out beverages that are intended to be consumed at a location remote from the point of purchase, such as in moving vehicles, at the office, home, and elsewhere. When multiple drinks are purchased by one consumer on behalf of others who are not present, the issue for the consumer is how to carry more than two beverage cups at one time. 
     Cup holders have been developed that are lightweight, disposable, and provide minimal support for the cups. They are typically composed of molded pulp that easily weakens when it becomes wet. Raised rings are formed on a flat base to receive the bottom of a cup, and these rings are restricted to one-size-fits all. The raised rings provide little to no horizontal support for the cups, allowing the cups to easily tip over when subjected to a lateral load, such as when the carrier is handed to the consumer through a window, or when a vehicle goes around a corner. No accommodation is made for holding straws, which typically accompany a disposable beverage cup, and these cup holders lack handles. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure is, in one aspect, directed to a custom foldable drink cup carrier that addresses the foregoing deficiencies in current cup holders. The present disclosure is, in another aspect, directed to a non-foldable, portable, handholdable drink cup carrier that addresses the foregoing deficiencies in current cup holders. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a foldable carrier is provided for drink cups that includes:
         a top panel having a plurality of drink cup openings;   a front panel extending from the top panel;   a bottom panel extending from the front panel;   a rear support panel extending from the bottom panel;   a middle panel having a plurality of drink cup openings, the middle panel structured to fold over the bottom panel in a folded over configuration; and   the top panel structured to fold over the middle panel to place the foldable carrier in a folded configuration in which the plurality of drink cup openings in the top panel are positioned in concentric alignment with the plurality of drink cup openings in the middle panel.       

     In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the foldable carrier includes at least one opening in the top panel and at least one corresponding opening in the middle panel that are structured to be concentric when the top panel is in the folded configuration, the opening in the top panel and the corresponding opening in the middle panel sized and shaped to accommodate a plurality of straws according in number to a number of the plurality of drink cup openings in the top panel. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect of the present disclosure, each drink cup opening of the plurality of drink cup openings in the top panel includes at least one bendable tab extending from the top panel into the opening, the at least one bendable tab sized and shaped to frictionally engage the drink cup. 
     In accordance with still another aspect of the present disclosure, each drink cup opening of the plurality of drink cup openings in the middle panel includes at least one bendable arcuate tab extending from the middle panel into the opening, the at least one bendable arcuate tab sized and shaped to frictionally engage the drink cup. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a foldable carrier is provided for drink cups that includes:
         a single sheet of foldable material that is formed to comprise:
           a top panel having a front bend line, a rear bend line, a right bend line, and left bend line, the top panel having a plurality of drink cup openings;   a front panel extending from the front bend line on the top panel;   a rear panel flap extending from the rear bend line on the top panel;   a right side exterior flap extending from the right bend line on the top panel;   a bottom panel having a bottom front bend line, a bottom rear bend line, a bottom right bend line, and a bottom left bend line, the bottom panel extending from the front panel at the bottom front bend line;   a right side interior flap extending from the bottom right bend line on the bottom panel;   a left side interior flap extending from the bottom right bend line on the bottom panel;   a rear support panel extending from the bottom rear bend line on the bottom panel; and   the top panel structured to fold over the bottom panel to place the foldable carrier in a folded configuration in which the top panel is positioned in alignment with the bottom panel.   
               

     In accordance with a further aspect of the present disclosure, the foldable carrier further includes a right back tab extending from the rear panel flap, a left back tab extending from the rear panel flap, a right back tab slit formed in the bottom rear bend line, and a left back tab slit formed in the bottom rear bend line, the left back tab and right back tab sized and shaped to be slidably received in the right back tab slit and left back tab slit, respectively, to hold the top panel in place and the foldable carrier in the folded configuration. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the foldable carrier further includes a left side tab slit formed in the bottom left bend line on the bottom panel, a right side tab slit formed in the bottom right bend line on the bottom panel, a left side tab extending from the left side exterior flap on the top panel, and a right side tab extending from the right side exterior flap, the left side tab and right side tab sized and shaped to be slidably received in the left side tab slit and the right side tab slit, respectively, to hold the top panel in place and hold the foldable carrier in the folded configuration. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the foldable carrier further includes a top right hand hold opening formed in the right side exterior flap, a top left hand hold opening formed in the left side exterior flap, a right side hand hold opening formed in the right side interior flap, a left side hand hold opening formed in the left side interior flap, the top right hand hold opening and the right side hand hold opening structured to overlap and the top left hand hold opening and the left side hand hold opening structured to overlap when the foldable carrier is in the folded configuration. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the foldable carrier includes at least one opening in the top panel sized and shaped to accommodate a plurality of straws corresponding in number to a number of the plurality of drink cup openings in the top panel. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the right side interior flap has a right side front angled corner edge and a right side rear angled corner edge, the left side interior flap has a left side front angled corner edge and a left side rear angled corner edge, and the front panel has a right side angled corner edge and a left side angled corner edge that are sized and shaped to butt against the right side front angled corner edge and the left side front angled corner edge, respectively, in response to the top panel being folded over the bottom panel. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the right side front angled corner edge and the left side front angled corner edge are on the right side and left side interior flaps, respectively, the right side angled corner edge and the left side angled corner edge on the front panel are all formed at a 45-degree angle to the bottom front bend line, and the right side rear angled corner edge and the left side rear angled corner edge on the right side and left side interior flaps, respectively, are formed at a 45-degree angle to the bottom rear bend line. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the rear panel flap has a right side top angled corner edge and a left side top angled corner edge that are sized and shaped to butt against the right side rear angled corner edge and the left side rear angled corner edge, respectively, when the top panel is folded over the bottom panel. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the right side top angled corner edge and the left side top angled corner edge are formed at a 45-degree angle to the right bend line and the left bend line, respectively. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a right side interior flap has a right side interior corner adjacent the right side front angled corner edge and a left side interior flap has a left side interior corner adjacent the left side front angled corner edge, and the front panel has a right side exterior corner adjacent the right side angled corner edge and a left side exterior corner adjacent the left side angled corner edge that are sized and shaped to fit within the right side interior corner and left side interior corner, respectively, when the top panel is folded over the bottom panel. 
     In accordance with a further aspect of the present disclosure, the right side interior flap has a right side rear interior corner adjacent the right side rear angled corner edge and the left side interior flap has a left side rear interior corner adjacent the left side rear angled corner edge, and the rear panel flap has a right side top exterior corner adjacent the right side top angled corner edge and a left side top exterior corner adjacent the left side top angled corner edge, such that the right side top exterior corner and the left side top exterior corner are sized and shaped to fit within the right side rear interior corner and the left side rear interior corner when the top panel is folded over the bottom panel and the foldable carrier is in the folded configuration. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the right side top exterior corner on the rear panel flap forms a 135-degree angle with the adjacent right side top angled corner edge and the left side top exterior corner forms a 135-degree angle with the adjacent left side top angled corner edge, such that the right side exterior corner on the front panel forms a 135-degree angle with the adjacent right side angled corner edge, and the left side exterior corner on the front panel forms a 135-degree angle with the adjacent left side angled corner edge. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect of the present disclosure, each opening in the plurality of drink cup openings in the top panel includes at least one bendable tab extending from the top panel into the opening, the at least one bendable tab sized and shaped to frictionally engage the drink cup. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a foldable carrier is provided for drink cups that includes:
         a top panel having a plurality of drink cup openings;   a front panel extending from the top panel;   a bottom panel extending from the front panel;   a rear support panel extending from the bottom panel; and   the top panel structured to fold over the bottom panel to place the foldable carrier in a folded configuration in which the top panel is positioned in alignment with the bottom panel.       

     In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the top panel has a front bend line, a rear bend line, a right bend line, and a left bend line, the front panel extending from the front bend line; and the bottom panel has a bottom front bend line, a bottom rear bend line, a bottom right bend line, and a bottom left bend line, the bottom panel extending from the front panel at the bottom front bend line. 
     In accordance with yet still another aspect of the present disclosure, a rear panel flap extends from the rear of the top panel, a right side exterior flap extends from the rear side of the top panel, a left side exterior flap extends from the left side of the top panel, a right side interior flap extends from the right side of the bottom panel; and a left side interior flap extends from the left side of the bottom panel. 
     In accordance with a further aspect of the present disclosure, a handholdable, portable, non-foldable carrier is provided for drink cups that includes:
         a receptacle having a top panel;   a plurality of drink cup openings formed in the top panel;   each drink cup opening having an octagonal, planform shape; and   at least one tab extending from the top panel into each drink cup opening, the at least one tab sized and shaped to frictionally engage the drink cup.       

     In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the receptacle is formed of material comprising at least one from among the group of polypropylene, polyethylene lined, polystyrene enhanced, polyactic acid, and a mixture of two or more of the foregoing. 
     In accordance with yet a further aspect of the present disclosure, the non-foldable carrier includes:
         a right side panel extending from the right side of the top panel;   a left side panel extending from the left side of the top panel;   a front side panel extending from the front side of the top panel; and   a rear side panel extending from the rear side of the top panel, where the right side panel, left side panel, front side panel and rear side panel are each positioned at an angle to the top panel, thereby creating an enclosed space beneath the top panel.       

     In accordance with still another aspect of the present disclosure, the bottom panel has a plurality of drink cup openings that are in concentric alignment with the plurality of drink cup openings in the top panel. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the non-foldable carrier includes at least one opening in the top panel and at least one opening in the bottom panel, the opening in the top panel and the opening in the bottom panel being sized and shaped to accommodate a plurality of straws corresponding in number to a number of the plurality of drink cup openings in the top panel, and the opening in the top panel and the opening in the bottom panel being positioned in concentric alignment with each other. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more readily appreciated as the same become better understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIGS.  1 - 3    are top plan views of the foldable beverage cup carriers, respectively, in an unfolded, flattened configuration in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  4 - 6    are axonometric illustrations of assembled foldable beverage cup carriers for four cups, eight cups, and twelve cups, respectively, in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  7    is a top plan view of the eight-cup foldable drink cup carrier in the unfolded configuration; 
         FIG.  8    is an illustration of the middle panel folded over the bottom panel; 
         FIG.  9    is an illustration of the top panel folded over the middle panel; 
         FIG.  10    is an illustration of the side tabs inserted into the slit in the interior flap; 
         FIG.  11    is an illustration of an open end of the carrier; 
         FIG.  12    is an illustration of a first step of partially closing the end of the carrier; 
         FIG.  13    is an illustration of a second step of partially closing the end of the carrier; 
         FIG.  14    is an illustration of a final step of closing the end of the carrier; 
         FIGS.  15 - 17    are top plan views of four-cup, eight-cup, and twelve-cup foldable beverage cup carriers, respectively, shown in an unfolded, flattened configuration without a middle panel in accordance with another implementation of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  18 - 20    are top plan views of four-cup, eight-cup, and twelve-cup foldable beverage cup carriers, respectively, shown in an unfolded, flattened configuration without a middle panel and without tabs extending from the top panel into the drink cup openings in accordance with another implementation of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  21    is an axonometric illustration of a non-foldable twelve-cup drink cup carrier formed in accordance with another implementation of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  22    is a top plan view of the drink cup carrier of  FIG.  21   ; 
         FIG.  23    is a bottom plan view of the drink cup carrier of  FIG.  21   ; 
         FIG.  24    is a front side elevational view of the drink cup carrier of  FIG.  21   , the rear side being a mirror image thereof; 
         FIG.  25    is a right side elevational view of the drink cup carrier of  FIG.  21   , the left side being a mirror image thereof; 
         FIG.  26    is an axonometric illustration of a non-foldable eight-cup drink cup carrier formed in accordance with another implementation of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  27    is a top plan view of the drink cup carrier of  FIG.  26   ; 
         FIG.  28    is a bottom plan view of the drink cup carrier of  FIG.  26   ; 
         FIG.  29    is a front side elevational view of the drink cup carrier of  FIG.  26   , the rear side being a mirror image thereof; 
         FIG.  30    is a right side elevational view of the drink cup carrier of  FIG.  26   , the left side being a mirror image thereof; 
         FIG.  31    is an axonometric illustration of a non-foldable four-cup drink cup carrier formed in accordance with another implementation of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  32    is a top plan view of the drink cup carrier of  FIG.  31   ; 
         FIG.  33    is a bottom plan view of the drink cup carrier of  FIG.  31   ; 
         FIG.  34    is a front elevational view of the drink cup carrier of  FIG.  31   , the rear side being a mirror image thereof; and 
         FIG.  35    is a right side elevational view of the drink cup carrier of  FIG.  31   , the left side being a mirror image thereof. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosed implementations. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that implementations may be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures or components or both associated with the manufacture of packaging, such as cardboard packaging, have not been shown or described in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the representative implementations herein below. 
     Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims that follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open inclusive sense, that is, as “including, but not limited to.” The foregoing applies equally to the words “including” and “having.” 
     Reference throughout this description to “one implementation” or “an implementation” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the implementation is included in at least one implementation. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one implementation” or “in an implementation” in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same implementation. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more implementations. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , shown therein is a flattened foldable carrier  20  for drink cups  22 . The assembled carrier  20  is shown in  FIG.  4   , which in this case is a four-cup foldable drink cup carrier  20  designed to hold up to four drink cups  22  and four straws (not shown).  FIGS.  2  and  3    show the eight-cup flattened foldable carrier  26  and the twelve-cup flattened foldable carrier  28 , and the assembled carriers  26  and  28  are shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6   , respectively. Like features among these three configurations will have the same reference numbers, and the description that follows will initially focus on the four-cup carrier  20  in  FIG.  1   . 
     The carrier  20  is constructed of a single sheet of foldable material, ideally corrugated cardboard, although it may be made from plastics, composites, or other materials or combination of the same. The cardboard is die cut to create the flattened carrier  20 . In a preferred implementation the foldable four-cup drink cup carrier  20  has nominal dimensions of 10 inches wide by 10 inches long and 3¼ inches high. The carrier  20  includes the following components. 
     A top panel  30  is shown having a front bend line  32 , a rear bend line  34 , a right bend line  36 , and a left bend line  38 . The top panel  30  has a plurality of drink cup openings  40 , each opening  40  having a plurality of bendable tabs  42  arranged around the circumference of the opening  40 . In this representative embodiment, the opening  40  has a diameter of 3⅜ inches, although that diameter may vary according to intended use. There are four tabs  42  spaced equidistantly around the circumference of each opening  40 , with each tab  42  projecting inward to form an inner diameter around the four tabs of 2 inches. This sizing is applied to each of the three carriers  20 ,  26 ,  28  described herein. Each tab  42  has two side cuts  43  into the top panel  30  that facilitate bending of the tab  42  into an interior of the carrier  20 . There are also two sets of parallel transverse score lines  45   a ,  45   b  on the top and bottom surfaces of where the tab  42  joins the top panel  30 . The first set of score lines  45   a  is at the end of the side cuts  43 , and the second set of parallel score lines  45   b  is interior to the first set relative to the opening  40 . All score lines  45   a ,  45   b , are about ¼ inch long and are spaced about 3/16 inch from adjacent parallel score lines, both laterally and longitudinally. Again, these dimensions can vary according to intended use. 
     A front panel  44  is shown extending from the front bend line  32  on the top panel  30 , the front panel  44  having a bottom front bend line  46 . A rear panel flap  48  extends from the rear bend line  34  on the top panel  30 . A right side exterior flap  50  extends from the right side bend line  36  and a left side exterior flap  52  extends from the left bend line  38  on the top panel  30 . 
     A bottom panel  54  is provided that extends from the front panel  44  at the bottom front bend line  46 , and includes a bottom rear bend line  56 , a bottom right bend line  58 , and a bottom left bend line  60 . A right side interior flap  62  extends from the right side bend line  58  on the bottom panel  54 , and a left side interior flap  64  extends from the left side bend line  60  on the bottom panel  54 . 
     A rear support panel  66  extends from the bottom rear bend line  56  on the bottom panel  54 . 
     A middle panel  68  extends from the rear support panel  66  at a middle front bend line  70 , and it includes a middle rear bend line  72 , a middle right side bend line  74 , and a middle left side bend line  76 . The middle panel  68  includes a plurality of drink cup openings  78 , in this case four drink cup openings  78  that each have a diameter and a plurality of arcuate bendable tabs  80 , in this case four tabs  80 , extending from the circumference of the opening  78 . The middle level openings are 2¾ inch inside diameter and 3¼ inch outside diameter, with four arcuate tabs  80  sized and shaped to extend completely around the circumference of the opening  78 . Each arcuate tab  80  has a width of ¼ inch. The arcuate tabs  80  are attached to the middle panel  68  by a ¼ wide attachment section  79 . 
     A front support flap  82  extends from the middle rear bend line  72  on the middle panel  68 . A right side support flap  84  extends from the middle right side bend line  74  and a left side support flap  86  extending from the middle left bend line  76  on the middle panel  68 . 
     The middle panel  68  is structured to fold over the bottom panel  54  in a folded over configuration and be supported at a middle level on the bottom panel  54  by the front support flap  82 , the rear support panel  66 , the right side support flap  84 , and the left side support flap  86 . 
     The top panel  30  is structured to fold over the middle panel  68  and be supported on the bottom panel  54  by the front panel  44 , the rear panel flap  48 , the right side exterior flap  50 , and the left side exterior flap  52 , at a top level that is above the middle level of the middle panel  68 . This enables placing the foldable carrier  20  in a folded configuration as shown in  FIG.  4    in which the plurality of drink cup openings  40  in the top panel  30  are positioned in concentric alignment with the plurality of drink cup openings  78  in the middle panel  68 . 
     The foldable carrier  20  further includes a right back tab  88  extending from the rear panel flap  48 , a left back tab  90  extending from the rear panel flap  48 , a right back tab slit  92  formed in the bottom rear bend line  56 , and a left back tab slit  94  formed in the bottom rear bend line  56 . The right back tab  88  and left back tab  90  are sized and shaped to be slidably received in the right back tab slit  92  and left back tab slit  94 , respectively, to hold the top panel  30  in place and the foldable carrier  20  in the folded configuration. Both slits  92 ,  94  are preferably formed to be positioned slightly off the rear bend line  56  and into the rear support panel  66  to accommodate the thickness of the tabs  88 ,  90 . This makes it easier to assemble the carrier  20  and creates a squarer appearance when the carrier  20  is in its folded configuration. In the four-cup carrier  20 , these right and left back tabs  88 ,  90  are about 2 inches wide and 1 inch deep and are not tapered but have rounded corners. The corresponding right and left back tab slits  92 ,  94  are 2 1/16 inches wide. In the eight-cup carrier  26  and twelve-cup carrier  28 , these corresponding back tabs are 2½ inches wide and 1½ inch deep and taper to 2¼ inches wide with rounded corners. The corresponding slits are 3¾ inches wide. 
     The foldable carrier  20  also includes a right side tab slit  96  formed in the right side bottom bend line  58  on the bottom panel  54 , a right side tab slit  96  formed in the right side bottom bend line  58  on the bottom panel  54 , a right side tab  100  extending from the right exterior side flap  50  on the top panel  30 , and a left side tab  102  extending from the left exterior side flap  52 . The right side tab  100  and left side tab  102  are sized and shaped to be slidably received in the right side tab slit  96  and the left side tab slit  98 , respectively, to hold the top panel  30  in place and hold the foldable carrier  20  in the folded configuration. Ideally, the right side tab slit  96  and left side tab slit  98  are offset onto their respective right and left side interior flaps  62 ,  64  a distance sufficient to accommodate the thickness of the right and left side tabs  100 ,  102 , to facilitate folding together of the carrier  20  and presenting a tight, square shape. 
     In the representative embodiment for the four-cup carrier  20 , these right and left side tabs  100 ,  102  are about 3 inches wide and about 1 inch deep, tapering to the end with rounded corners, and the corresponding slits  96 ,  98  are about 3 1/16 inches wide. In the eight-cup carrier  26  and the twelve-cup carrier  28 , these tabs are 4 inches and tapered to a 3¾ inch width with a depth of 1½ inches, and include rounded corners. The slits for these larger tabs are about 4⅜ inches wide. 
     Referring still to  FIG.  1   , the foldable carrier  20  further includes a top right hand hold opening  104  formed in the right side exterior flap  50 , a top left hand hold opening  106  formed in the left side exterior flap  52 , a right side hand hold opening  108  formed in the right side interior flap  62 , and a left side hand hold opening  110  formed in the left side interior flap  64 . The top right hand hold opening  104  and the right side hand hold opening  108  are structured to overlap and the top left hand hold opening  106  and the left side hand hold opening  110  are also structured to overlap when the top panel  30  is folded over the middle panel  68  and the foldable carrier  20  is in the folded configuration. 
     At least one straw opening  112  is formed in the top panel  30  and at least one corresponding straw opening  113  is formed in the middle panel  68  that are structured to be concentric and overlap (to be in alignment) when the top panel  30  is in the folded configuration over the middle panel  68 . The straw opening  112  in the top panel  30  and the corresponding straw opening  113  in the middle panel  68  are sized and shaped to accommodate a plurality of straws, generally corresponding in number to the number of drink cup openings  40  in the top panel  30 . In the representative embodiments shown herein, the straw openings  112 ,  113  are 1¼ inch in diameter. It is to be understood that this diameter can be increased or decreased to correspond to the number of straws to be held in place. 
     To facilitate the folding and maintaining of the carrier  20  in the folded configuration with the sides flat, as shown in  FIG.  4   , the right side interior flap  62  has a right side front angled corner edge  114  and a right side rear angled corner edge  116 , and the left side interior flap  64  has a left side front angled corner edge  118  and a left side rear angled corner edge  120 . In addition, the front panel  44  has a right side angled corner edge  122  and a left side angled corner edge  124  that are sized and shaped to butt against the right side front angled corner edge  114  and the left side front angled corner edge  118 , respectively, in response to the top panel  30  being folded over the middle panel  68 . 
     Preferably, the right side front angled corner edge  114  and the left side front angled corner edge  118  on the right side and left side interior flaps  62 ,  64 , respectively, and the right side angled corner edge  122  and the left side angled corner edge  124  on the front panel  44  are all formed at a 45-degree angle to the bottom front bend line  46 . In addition, the right side rear angled corner edge  116  and the left side rear angled corner edge  120  on the right side and left side interior flaps  62 ,  64 , respectively, are formed at a 45-degree angle to the bottom rear bend line  56 . 
     Moreover, the rear panel flap  48  has a right side top angled corner edge  126  and a left side top angled corner edge  128  that are sized and shaped to butt against the right side rear angled corner edge and the left side rear angled corner edge, respectively, when the top panel  30  is folded over the middle panel  68 . Ideally, the right side top angled corner edge  126  and the left side top angled corner edge  128  are formed at a 45-degree angle to the right bend line  36  and the left bend line  38 , respectively. 
     To further enhance the strength and flatness of the sides of the carrier  20  in the folded configuration, the right side interior flap  62  has a right side interior corner  127  adjacent the right side angled corner edge  114  and the left side interior flap  64  has a left side interior corner  129  adjacent the left side front angled corner edge  118 . In addition, the front panel  44  has a right side exterior corner  130  adjacent the right side angled corner edge  122  and a left side exterior corner  132  adjacent the left side angle corner edge  124  that are sized and shaped to fit within the right side interior corner  127  and the left side interior corner  129 , respectively, when the top panel  30  is folded over the middle panel  68  to facilitate holding the foldable carrier  20  in the folded configuration shown in  FIG.  4   . 
     In addition to the foregoing, the right side interior flap  62  has a right side rear interior corner  134  adjacent the right side rear angled corner edge  116 , and the left side interior flap  64  has a left side rear interior corner  136  adjacent the left side rear angled corner edge  120 . Further, the rear panel flap  48  has a right side top exterior corner  138  adjacent the right side top angled corner edge  126  and a left side top exterior corner  140  adjacent the left side top angled corner edge  128 . The right side top exterior corner  138  and the left side top exterior corner  140  are sized and shaped to fit within the right side rear interior corner  134  and the left side rear interior corner  136  when the top panel  30  is folded over the middle panel  68 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the right side top exterior corner  138  on the rear panel flap  48  forms a 135-degree angle with the adjacent right side top angled corner edge  126 , and the left side top exterior corner  140  forms a 135-degree angle with the adjacent left side top angled corner edge  128 . In addition, the right side exterior corner  130  on the front panel  44  forms a 135-degree angle with the adjacent right side angled corner edge  122 , and the left side exterior corner  132  on the front panel  44  forms a 135-degree angle with the adjacent left side angled corner edge  124 . 
     In one implementation of the carrier  20 , each opening  40  in the plurality of drink cup openings  40  in the top panel  30  includes at least one bendable tab  142  extending from the top panel  30  into the opening  40 . As shown, there are four bendable tabs  42  spaced equidistantly around the circumference of the opening  40 . The tabs  40  are sized and shaped to frictionally engage the drink cup  22  when the drink cup  22  is inserted into the opening  40 . 
     The right side support flap  84  and the left side support flap  86  on the middle panel  68  each have a cutout  146 ,  148 , respectively, that is formed along the outer edge of the flap  84 ,  86 . These cutouts are sized and shaped to permit the right side tab  100  and left side tab  102  to be inserted past the respective right side support flap  84  and left side support flap  86  after the top panel  30  has been folded over the middle panel  68 . 
       FIGS.  2  and  3    show top plan views of the unfolded eight-cup drink cup carrier  26  and the twelve-cup drink cup carrier  28 , respectively. Identical or highly similar features are shown with the same reference numbers used for the four-cup foldable drink cup carrier  20 . 
     Shown in  FIGS.  4 - 6    are the three different carriers  20 ,  26 ,  28  in the folded configuration. The steps to fold the carriers  20 ,  26 ,  28  into the folded configuration are essentially the same and will be described and illustrated with respect to the eight-cup foldable drink cup carrier  26 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  7   , the carrier  26  is shown in the flattened, unfolded configuration. In  FIG.  8   , the middle panel  68  is folded at the bend lines to be over the bottom panel  54 . The three flaps  82 ,  84 ,  86  will support the middle panel  68  on the bottom panel  54  when the flaps  82 ,  84 ,  86  are bent at substantially a right angle so the flaps  82 ,  84 ,  86  are orthogonal to the middle panel  68  and the bottom panel  54 . 
     In  FIG.  9   , the top panel  30  is folded about the bend lines to be positioned over the middle panel  68  so that the drink cup openings  40  in the top panel are in concentric alignment with the openings  78  in the middle panel, as shown. 
     In  FIG.  10   , the rear panel flap  48  is folded about the rear bend line  34  to be orthogonal to the bottom panel  54 . The right and left back tabs  88 ,  90 , are inserted into the slits  92 ,  94 , respectively, to hold the top panel  30  in place. The ends of the carrier  20  are open, as shown in  FIG.  11   , where the middle panel  68  is supported on the bottom panel  54 . 
     Next, the left side interior flap  64  is folded over to be orthogonal to the bottom panel  54  as shown in  FIG.  12   . The right and left sides of the front panel  44  and rear panel flap  48  are then folded over so the left side top angled corner edge  128  butts against the left side angled corner edge  120 , and the right side top angled corner edge  126  butts against the right side rear angled corner edge  116 , which is shown in  FIG.  13   . In addition, the right side top exterior corner  138  nests inside the right side rear interior corner  134 , while the left side top exterior corner  140  nests inside the left side rear internal corner  136 , again as shown in  FIG.  13   . The left side exterior flap  52  is then folded over to be orthogonal to the top panel  30  and bottom panel  54  and secured in place by sliding the left side tab  102  into the slit  98 , as shown in  FIG.  14   . 
     The opposite end of the carrier  20  is folded and secured in the same fashion to achieve the folded configuration of the eight-cup foldable drink cup carrier  26  shown in  FIG.  5   . These same steps apply to the four-cup carrier  20  and twelve-cup carrier  28 . 
       FIG.  15    shows a flattened foldable carrier  220  that is designed to hold up to four drink cups  22  and four straws (not shown). Unlike the previously described foldable drink cup carriers  20 ,  26 ,  28 , this carrier  220  does not have a middle panel  68 .  FIGS.  16  and  17    show an eight-cup flattened foldable carrier  226  and the twelve-cup flattened foldable carrier  228 , respectively, both of which likewise do not have a middle panel  68 . These two-panel carriers  220 ,  226 ,  228  nevertheless contain many identical features as the three-panel carriers  20 ,  26 ,  28  and, for ease of reference, are shown with the same reference numbers used with the three-panel carriers  20 ,  26 ,  28 . 
       FIG.  18    shows a flattened foldable carrier  320  identical to the four-cup carrier  220  except that the carrier  320  does not have tabs  42  projecting inward from the top panel  30  into the cup openings  40 .  FIG.  19    shows an eight-cup flattened foldable carrier  326 , and  FIG.  20    shows a twelve-cup flattened foldable carrier  328 . Both of these carriers  326 ,  328  likewise do not have the tabs  42 ; in other words, they are identical to the four-cup and eight-cup two-panel carriers  226 ,  228 , respectively, except they do not have the tabs  42 . These three tab-less, two-panel carriers  320 ,  326 ,  328  nevertheless contain many nearly identical features with the previously described carriers  20 ,  26 ,  28 ,  220 ,  226 ,  228  and are shown in  FIGS.  18 - 20    with the same reference numbers used for the similar features. 
     More particularly,  FIG.  15    shows that the four-cup two-panel carrier  220  includes a rear support panel  266  extending from the bottom rear bend line  56  on the bottom panel  54 .  FIGS.  16 - 20    show that the other two-panel carriers  226 ,  228 ,  320 ,  326 , and  328  also include the rear support panel  266 . The four-cup two-panel carrier  220  further includes a right back tab  88  extending from the rear panel flap and a left back tab  90  extending from the rear panel flap sized and shaped to be slidably received in the right back tab slit  92  and the left back tab slit  94 . The other two-panel carriers  226 ,  228 ,  320 ,  326 , and  328  also include the right back tab  88 , left back tab  90 , right back tab slit  92 , and left back tab slit  94 . 
       FIG.  16    shows the eight-cup two-panel carrier  226  additionally includes a middle back tab slit  93  formed in the bottom rear bend line  56 , positioned in between the right back tab slit  92  and the left back tab slit  94 . The carrier  226  further includes a middle back tab  89  that is positioned between the right back tab  88  and the left back tab  90  and that is sized and shaped to be slidably received by the middle back tab slit  93 . The twelve-cup two-panel carrier  228 , eight-cup tab-less two-panel carrier  326 , and twelve-cup tab-less two-panel carrier  328  also include the middle back tab slit  93  and middle back tab  89 . 
     In use, the steps to fold the two-panel carriers  220 ,  226 ,  228 ,  320 ,  326 ,  328  are essentially the same and will be described with respect to the four-cup two-panel drink cup carrier  220 . The following steps are only modified for the eight-cup two-panel carrier  226 , the twelve-cup two-panel carrier  228 , the eight-cup tab-less two-panel carrier  326 , and the twelve-cup tab-less two-panel carrier  328  to the extent that for those carriers the middle back tabs  89  and middle back tab slits  93  follow the same steps as the right back tab  88 , left back tab  90 , right back tab slit  92 , and left back tab slit  94 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  15   , the four-cup two-panel carrier  220  is shown in the flattened, unfolded configuration. The top panel  30  folds at the front bend line  32  to be folded over and located above the bottom panel  54 . The rear panel flap  48  is folded about the rear bend line  34  to be orthogonal to the bottom panel  54 . The right and back tabs  88 ,  90  are inserted into the slits  92 ,  94 , respectively, to hold the top panel  30  in place. 
     Next, the left side interior flap  64  is folded over about 90 degrees to be orthogonal to the bottom panel  54 . The left and right sides of the front panel  44  and rear panel flap  48  are then folded over so the left side top angled corner edge  128  butts against the left side angled corner edge  120 , and the right side top angled corner edge  126  butts against the right side rear angled corner edge  116 . In addition, the right side top exterior corner  138  nests inside the right side rear interior corner  134 , while the left side top exterior corner  140  nests inside the left side rear internal corner  136 . The left side exterior flap  52  is then folded over to be orthogonal to the top panel  30  and bottom panel  54  and secured in place by sliding the left side tab  102  into the slit  98 . 
     The opposite end of the carrier  220  is folded and secured in the same fashion. These same steps apply to the other two-panel carriers  226 ,  228 ,  320 ,  326 ,  328 . When so assembled, each of the carriers described above form a right rectangular prism. It will be appreciated that the interlocking of the tabs with the slits will form a connection that maintains the carriers described herein in the desired right rectangular shape. This forms a stable platform for receiving liquid-filled drink cups, allowing the carriers to be manually held and carried. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a unitary non-foldable drink cup carrier that implements novel features from the foregoing foldable carriers is described herein. 
       FIGS.  21 - 25    show the seven standard views of a non-foldable twelve-cup carrier  400 , while  FIGS.  26 - 30    illustrate a non-foldable eight-cup carrier  402 , and  FIGS.  31 - 35    illustrate a non-foldable four-cup carrier  404 . Each of the non-foldable carriers  400 ,  402 ,  404  is in the shape of a right rectangular prism with a hollow interior. 
     Each of the carriers  402 ,  404 ,  406  has a top wall  408 , bottom wall  410 , and four side walls  412 ,  414 ,  416 , and  418 , with two opposing end side walls  412 ,  416 , and two opposing longitudinal side walls  414 ,  418 . In the four-cup version, the side walls  412 ,  414 ,  416 ,  418  are of equal size. In contrast, the end side walls  412 ,  416  of the eight-cup carrier  404  and the twelve-cup carrier  400  are shorter than the longitudinal side walls  414 ,  418 . Ideally, the end side walls  412 ,  416  have handholds in the form of openings  420 . The shape of the openings  420  may be of any aesthetically pleasing shape. 
     In the top walls  408  there is a plurality of drink cup openings  422 , preferably having an octagonal planform shape with eight straight edges  424  that circumscribe each opening  422 . A plurality of straw openings  426  is also included, positioned at aesthetically pleasing locations between the drink cup openings  422 . In one implementation there are three straw openings  426  in the twelve-cup carrier  400 , two straw openings  426  in the eight-cup carrier  402 , and one centrally disposed straw opening  426  in the four-cup carrier  404 . It is to be understood that more or less straw openings  426  may be used as desired. The diameter of each straw opening  426  as well as the other straw openings  112 ,  113  described in earlier implementations above may be sized to hold one straw or multiple straws, depending on the desired size of the straw openings  426 ,  112 ,  113  and the available space. Handholds in the form of openings in either the end side walls or the longitudinal side walls may also be included as described in the embodiment above. 
     These non-foldable carriers  400 ,  402 ,  404  are preferably formed of a poly material, and it can be manufactured with all resin adhered products. More particularly, examples of suitable poly materials would be polypropylene (sonic welded), polyethylene lined, polystyrene enhanced, and polyactic acid, and any combination of the foregoing. Graphics and other advertising indicia may be added to any of the top, bottom, and side walls as desired. 
     The various implementations described above can be combined to provide further implementations. Aspects of the implementations can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further implementations. 
     These and other changes can be made to the implementations in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific implementations disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible implementations along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.