Patent Publication Number: US-10772449-B2

Title: Folding popcorn holder

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS/PRIORITY BENEFIT CLAIM 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/635,295, filed Feb. 26, 2018 by the same inventor (Tannehill), the entirety of which provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The subject matter of the present application is in the field of devices for holding snacks and drinks from a convenient spectator support such as a chair, and in particular from a cupholder formed in the support. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Devices that can be mounted in armrest cup holders for holding refreshments such as popcorn and drinks are known. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,516 to Young shows a concession goods holder for attachment to a cup holder. The holder includes a step-sided cup holder sized for insertion into the cup holder of a stadium or theater seat armrest, and a U-shaped resilient bracket for holding a bag of popcorn off the end of the armrest. 
     U.S. Published Application No. 2017/0202356 A1 to Penas Varo discloses a support for holding popcorn containers at the end of a movie theater armrest. The support has a vertical mast with a hook for engaging the side of an armrest cup holder on one side, and on the other side the options of 1) a resilient clamping ring that goes around a bucket of popcorn, or 2) an inverted hook on a telescoping-adjustable arm that hooks the top edge of a bucket of popcorn. A horizontal platform extends from the lower end of the mast to provide a support for the popcorn container, and can be hinged to fold to reduce the holder&#39;s volume when not in use. 
     Published International Application WO2016059416A1 to Haughey (Handy Andy Products Limited) discloses a cup-and-popcorn holder that also shows a cup-shaped cup holder insert to secure the holder to an armrest, and a vertical mast with a beverage or popcorn holding ring spaced above a horizontal support platform. In several embodiments the mast has a hook end for removable connection to the cup holder insert. 
     The prior art devices above appear to be bulky where the cup holder insert is integrated with the popcorn holder portion, fussy to use, and/or weak and prone to breakage where the popcorn holder portion is removably attached to the cup holder insert. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The present invention is an improved popcorn holder configured to be mounted in an armrest cup holder, for example of the type found in theater and stadium seats and lounge chairs. The popcorn holder is especially configured for holding a bucket or other cylindrical container of popcorn or other snack food, although it can also be used to hold non-cylindrical snack containers such as cartons and bags. The inventive popcorn holder is sturdy; durable; functional as a snack and beverage carrier on the way to the seat; and, has a folded configuration for secure storage in an empty popcorn bucket, for example when offered for sale at a concession stand prior to being filled with popcorn. 
     The popcorn holder comprises a ring, hoop, or clamp member (hereafter generally “ring”) having a diameter or width sufficient to substantially encompass the exterior of a popcorn bucket; a cup holder insert configured to fit snugly into a cup holder in an armrest; and a horizontal extension arm connecting the ring to the cup holder insert. A vertical post extends downwardly from the horizontal arm at a location between and spaced from both the ring and the cup holder insert, the vertical post having a horizontal support arm extending laterally outward to a location below the ring. 
     In a further form, the vertical post and the ring are attached to the horizontal extension arm at a common pivot point at an outer end of the extension arm offset outwardly from the axis of the vertical post. 
     In yet a further form, the horizontal support arm can be folded into parallel engagement with the vertical post. The horizontal support arm may also include a telescoping end. 
     In still a further form, the horizontal extension arm includes a recessed thumb rest or saddle on an upper surface thereof, preferably offset from the vertical post. 
     The ring and the vertical post can be folded about their common pivot point to a substantially flat position centered over the cup holder insert, so that the cup holder insert and the vertical post are contained within the interior of the ring when viewed vertically. The folded popcorn holder can be stored inside a popcorn bucket or similar cylindrical container, the ring having sufficient flexibility to both fit into the interior diameter of the container and to fit around the exterior of the container. 
     The folded popcorn holder may also be hung vertically from the top edge of a rigid container by a hook member formed on the vertical post. 
     The inventive popcorn holder can also be used to hold drink containers, ice cream containers, and other snack containers too big to insert in an armrest cup holder. “Armrest cup holder” should be understood to include similar cup holders in other types of furniture. “Popcorn” and “popcorn bucket” will accordingly be used throughout to mean any sort of snack and any accompanying bucket, cup, bag, or similar container of the type in which a loose or unformed quantity is combined with the container and subsequently taken to a seat and consumed from the container. 
     These and other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description below, in light of the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary popcorn holder according to the invention, shown in relation to an armrest cup holder. 
         FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C  are perspective views of the popcorn holder of  FIG. 1  in different stages of folding, respectively. 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the folded popcorn holder of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the folded popcorn holder of  FIG. 1  stored on the edge of a popcorn bucket. 
         FIG. 5  shows the popcorn holder of  FIG. 1  being used as a carrier to take beverages and snacks from a concession stand or serving location to a seat. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded assembly view of the popcorn holder of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring first to  FIG. 1 , a popcorn holder  10  is shown in exemplary form in order to teach how to make and use the claimed invention. Popcorn holder  10  has a ring member  20  which may comprise a continuous ring or a split ring (pictured) or a set of clamping jaws configured to fit around an outside diameter of a typical concession-type popcorn bucket. While illustrated ring  20  is circular, other container-encompassing shapes such as oval or rectangular are possible to fit different containers, and should be considered as being included in the term “ring”. Ring  20  and most or all of the portions of popcorn holder  10  are preferably made from a durable, resilient plastic, although other materials or combinations of materials may be used. 
     Ring  20  is connected by a horizontal extension arm  30  to a cup holder insert  40 . Cup holder insert  40  is a generally circular or cup-shaped piece, in the illustrated example in the form of a split cylinder with a rear opening  42  for flex, and with a lower body  44  of a first diameter for insertion into a cup holder H in an armrest and for receiving a drink cup C or similar. An upper flange  46  has a second larger diameter with a lower surface  46   a  configured to rest on the surface of an armrest A around the cup holder H. 
     Horizontal extension arm  30  spaces ring  20  outwardly from cup holder insert  40  a distance sufficient to extend the ring beyond the end or side of armrest A. Preferably, an inner part  32  of arm  30  with a generally flat lower surface rests on the armrest, while an outer part  34  of arm  30  extends beyond the armrest.  FIG. 1  shows popcorn holder  10  rotated to extend off the side of an armrest, for example where the chair is on the end of a row, or where the chair is a standalone chair, but it will be understood that popcorn holder  10  can also be rotated ninety degrees to extend off the end of the armrest in line with the length of the armrest, or set at various angles in between. 
     A vertical post  50  extends downwardly from horizontal extension arm  30 , sufficiently long to position a horizontal support arm  60  extending from the post&#39;s lower end to receive the bottom of a popcorn bucket B after a significant portion of the bucket has been inserted through ring  20 . Post  50  is also sufficiently long in a preferred form to function as a vertical hand grip, described in further detail below, and for that purpose is preferably located in a generally central location on extension arm  30  for balance. 
     Horizontal support arm  60  preferably folds toward and away from post  50  for compact storage, in the illustrated example pivotally connected at  62  to the lower end of post  50  on a pivot pin  62  extending through the mating ends of the post  50  and a bushing  63  on the inner end of the support arm  60 . In the illustrated example, post  50  is formed by a pair of spaced sidewall members  54  with a space between them sized and shaped to receive horizontal support arm  60  therebetween when the support arm  60  is pivoted upwardly, for more compact storage. Storing support arm  60  in the interior of post  50  also structurally strengthens the post  50  when the post is used as a grip. Support arm  60  may have a telescoping extension  64  to extend its length relative to the popcorn bucket held in ring  20  when deployed and to fit within the dimensions of post  50  when stored. 
     Ring  20  and post  50  are pivotally connected to horizontal support arm  30  at a common pivot  36  on the outer end  34  of the support arm. Pivot connection  36  in the illustrated example is a pivot pin  36  extending through aligned bushing bores  37  in the outer end of horizontal extension arm  30  and in outer, upper flange ends of post  50 . The common pivot connection  36  allows for an approximate 180-degree rotation of ring  20  between its open ( FIG. 1 ) and folded ( FIGS. 2C and 3 ) configurations, and for an approximate 270-degree rotation of post  50  about the pivot axis between the open and folded configurations.  FIGS. 2A-2C  show ring  20  and post  50  in various stages of folding or pivoting until they lie centered above and essentially parallel to the upper surface of cup holder insert  40  as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     The inner end of ring  20  is connected to pivot  36  through a pivot bushing  22  with a bore for the pivot pin. Pivot bushing  22  provides a co-acting stop with a stop-block  33  formed on the outer end of horizontal extension arm  30  to positively limit the rotation of ring  20  relative to the remainder of the popcorn holder in the open configuration. 
     The pivot connection of vertical post  50  to pivot  36  is through an L-shaped horizontal pivot flange  54   a  formed on the upper end of each of the spaced sidewall members  54 . The pivot connection for vertical post  50  is accordingly offset outwardly from the vertical axis of the post in the open configuration. Rotation of the vertical post  50  to the open configuration is limited by horizontal stops  55  extending inwardly from the upper ends of the spaced sidewall members  54  and positioned to abut the underside of horizontal extension arm  30  when post  50  reaches its vertical position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , ring  20 , vertical post  50 , and horizontal support arm  60  can be folded around pivot  36  over the top of horizontal extension arm  30  to a folded configuration generally over and aligned with cup holder insert  40  for compact, sturdy storage. In the illustrated example, horizontal extension arm  30  is shown provided with a retainer clamp  38  comprising a pair of curved, spaced, resilient fingers adapted to receive vertical post  50  with a snap fit to lock the folded post in place. Ring  20  is trapped between cup holder insert  40  and post  50  in the folded configuration. The folded parts of the popcorn holder accordingly help protect and secure one another in storage. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , folded popcorn holder  10  is shown stored in a preferred vertical orientation on an empty popcorn bucket B. While popcorn holder  10  can be inserted loosely inside bucket B, stops  55  have an L-shape with angled outer ends  55   a  that are exposed above and near the outer end of horizontal extension arm  30  in the folded configuration. In this position, stops  55  function as hooks when the folded holder is oriented vertically, capable of being hung on the rim of bucket B or any similar open-topped container. If the spacing between angled outer ends  55   a  and the main body of stops  55  corresponds to the thickness of the bucket rim, the fit can be a tight frictional engagement to lock the folded, vertically oriented holder  10  in place on the inside or (as shown) on the outside wall of the bucket. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , popcorn holder  10  is shown in the open configuration being used as a convenient, balanced carrier for carrying a bucket of popcorn and a drink from a concession stand to the user&#39;s seat using only one hand. Vertical post  50  forms a hand grip beneath horizontal extension arm  30 , generally centered between the cup holder insert (and inserted drink) and ring  20  (and inserted bucket of popcorn). To help hold the weight of the drink and popcorn more securely, the upper surface of horizontal extension arm  30  may be provided with a recessed thumb rest  39  in the form of a rounded groove with an axis extending perpendicular to the length of the horizontal extension arm. Thumb rest  39  is preferably offset inwardly toward the cup holder insert  40  relative to the vertical axis of post  50 , to accommodate the offset of the thumb from the fingers. The ability to use holder  10  as a carrier with one hand allows a moviegoer to hold a child&#39;s hand or open the theater door on the way to a seat. Used as an armrest popcorn-and-drink support, holder  10  makes it easy to share popcorn, and eliminates the need to hold popcorn on the lap or to set it on the floor. 
     As a further option shown in  FIG. 6 , a small battery-powered light  70  may be located on horizontal support arm  60 , for example a reading-light type LED array of known type secured in an opening in telescoping extension  64  and powered by its own internal battery or a battery stored in the arm  60 . Light  70  shines downwardly when arm  60  is horizontal in the holder&#39;s open configuration, helping to light a person&#39;s way to the seat, and/or providing an unobtrusive aisle or row light below the level of the armrest when the holder is mounted to a cup holder. 
     It will finally be understood that the disclosed embodiments represent presently preferred examples of how to make and use the invention, but are intended to enable rather than limit the invention. Variations and modifications of the illustrated examples in the foregoing written specification and drawings may be possible without departing from the scope of the invention. It should further be understood that to the extent the term “invention” is used in the written specification, it is not to be construed as a limiting term as to number of claimed or disclosed inventions or discoveries or the scope of any such invention or discovery, but as a term which has long been used to describe new and useful improvements in science and the useful arts. The scope of the invention supported by the above disclosure should accordingly be construed within the scope of what it teaches and suggests to those skilled in the art, and within the scope of any claims that the above disclosure supports in this application or in any other application claiming priority to this application.