Abstract:
An apparatus for use with a paper plate includes a section of overlap that is attached to a portion of the rim of the paper plate and an extended portion that is generally disposed on the same plane as the rim and which extends beyond the original size of the plate. The extended portion includes a circular cutout for receiving a beverage container therein. The extended portion includes a pair of beverage support members that are adapted to pivot beneath the circular cutout. A third beverage support member is pivotally attached at a lower end of each of the pair of beverage support members and, when disposed under the circular cutout, forms a shelf to support the beverage container. A modified apparatus is formed as an integral part of the plate.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims benefit of the priority date of Provisional Patent 60/482,246 that was filed on Jun. 17, 2003 by the same inventor. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention, in general relates to paper plates and, more particularly, to an extension of a paper plate that is adapted for holding a beverage.  
           [0004]    Paper plates are well known disposable plates made of paper stock that are intended for a single use. While most are generally round in appearance, some are oval. Some have deep recesses and resemble serving bowls. Most have a shallow recess and resemble a dinner plate.  
           [0005]    Paper plates are commonly used at picnics, parties, and by food vendors. They stack well one on top of the other and therefore occupy little space. However, there is no way to hold a beverage safely and securely. For example, a can of soda, if placed in the center of a paper plate is prone to tipping and spillage.  
           [0006]    There is a long standing need for a paper plate that can hold a beverage.  
           [0007]    Accordingly, there exists today a need for a paper plate beverage holder.  
           [0008]    Clearly, such an apparatus would be a useful and desirable device.  
           [0009]    2. Description of Prior Art  
           [0010]    Paper plates are, in general, known.  
           [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,702,141 to Cinque that issue Mar. 9, 2004 provides a structure that can accept a paper tray as an accessory, but it fails to provide beverage holding capability for a paper plate.  
           [0012]    A paper plate with a hole in the center is known for accepting a tapered drink container, however it cannot secure a cylindrically-shaped beverage container, for example, a can of soda, and the opening in the center of the plate detracts from food carrying capacity when the tapered drink container is present and it provides an opening for food to fall through whenever the drink container is not disposed in the opening.  
           [0013]    While the structural arrangements of the known devices may, at first appearance, have similarities with the present invention, they differ in material respects. These differences, which will be described in more detail hereinafter, are essential for the effective use of the invention and which admit of the advantages that are not available with the prior devices.  
         OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0014]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a paper plate beverage holder that is economical to manufacture.  
           [0015]    It is also an important object of the invention to provide a paper plate beverage holder that is disposable after use.  
           [0016]    Another object of the invention is to provide a paper plate beverage holder that can be adapted to be manufactured of materials other than paper, thereby providing a more durable and reusable device.  
           [0017]    Still another object of the invention is to provide a paper plate beverage holder that can be added to existing plates.  
           [0018]    Still yet another object of the invention is to provide a paper plate beverage holder that can be included in the manufacture of a new paper plate as a component part thereof.  
           [0019]    Yet another important object of the invention is to provide a paper plate beverage holder that is strong enough to support a beverage as well as foodstuff.  
           [0020]    Still yet another important object of the invention is to provide a paper plate beverage holder that is adapted to hold a beverage that is disposed in a tapered container.  
           [0021]    A first continuing object of the invention is to provide a paper plate beverage holder that is adapted to hold a beverage that is disposed in a cylindrical container, for example, a soda can.  
           [0022]    Briefly, a paper plate beverage holder that is constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention has a paper plate of any basic desired shape that includes an extended portion. The extended portion includes a circular cutout for receiving a beverage container therein. The extended portion includes a pair of beverage support members that are adapted to be bent (i.e., to pivot) down underneath the plane of the extended portion and beneath the circular cutout. A third beverage support member is a cross-member that is pivotally attached to a lower end of the pair of beverage support members and, when disposed under the circular cutout, forms a shelf that is adapted to support the bottom of the beverage container. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1 is a top view of a paper plate beverage holder as manufactured prior to a final assembly for usage.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 is a side view of the paper plate beverage holder of  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 1 taken on the line  2 - 2  with a pair of added beverage containers disposed therein.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 3 is a side view of a modified paper plate beverage holder. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0027]    Referring to both FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is shown, a paper plate beverage holder, identified in general by the reference numeral  10 .  
         [0028]    A conventional type of a paper plate  12  is disposed under the beverage holder  10 .  
         [0029]    The beverage holder  10  includes a section of overlap, identified in general by the reference numeral  14 . The section of overlap  14  is that portion of the beverage holder as shown in FIG. 1 that overlaps a portion of an upper rim  16  of the paper plate  12 . It extends from an inside of the upper rim  16  to outside of the upper rim  16 , as indicated by the dashed line which shows a portion of the edge of the paper plate  12  under the beverage holder.  
         [0030]    The section of overlap  14  can be larger or smaller than shown. The section of overlap  14  includes an adhesive  18  that adheres it to a portion of a top surface of the upper rim  16 .  
         [0031]    It is preferred to include a peel-off strip  20  that is removed from the section of overlap  14  of the beverage holder  10  to expose the adhesive  18 . The section of overlap  14  is then placed on top of the upper rim  16 , to which it adheres. In the FIG. 2 illustration, the peel-off strip  20  has been removed from the section of overlap  14 , which has been adhered to the upper rim  16 .  
         [0032]    If the paper plate  12  is circular, as shown, the section of overlap  14  can be placed anywhere along the upper rim  16 . If the paper plate  12  included another shape, for example oval, then the section of overlap  14  would be modified to conform to the shape of the paper plate  12 . If the shape of the paper plate  12  is asymmetrical, then the section of overlap  14  can only be properly applied if it is placed over a correspondingly shaped portion of the upper rim  16 . If the paper plate  12  were oval, then the section of overlap  14  could be placed on either end, for example.  
         [0033]    The section of overlap  14  can extend, if desired, fully around the circumference of the upper rim  16  of the paper plate  12 . This is useful if the paper plate  12  is of especially thin stock or if extra strength is desired.  
         [0034]    The section of overlap  14 , the adhesive  18 , and the portion of the upper rim  16  that are placed proximate each other are in parallel planar alignment with respect to each other. Together, they form a laminated area that matches the area in the section of overlap  14 .  
         [0035]    The laminated area greatly reinforces the strength of both the paper plate  12  and the beverage holder  10  in the section of overlap  14 . This makes any portion of the paper plate  12  or of the beverage holder  10  that is proximate the section of overlap  14  considerably stronger as well, due the reinforcement and increased rigidity provided by the laminate area.  
         [0036]    A remaining portion of the beverage holder  10 , other than the section of overlap  14 , it that portion which extends beyond the normal size (i.e., beyond the upper rim  16 ) of the paper plate  12 . This remaining portion, which is described in greater detail hereinafter, when the beverage holder  10  is attached to the paper plate  12 , generally forms an extended portion because it extends beyond the original size of the paper plate  12 .  
         [0037]    The beverage holder  10  includes a first edge  22  and a second edge  24 , both of which extend away from the paper plate  12  and generally toward each other. A radius  26  extends at an end of the beverage holder  10  that is opposite the section of overlap  14  from the first edge  22  to the second edge  24 , thereby defining the overall size of the beverage holder  10  prior to its final assembly for use, as shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0038]    An opening  28  is provided in the beverage holder  10 . The opening  28  is disposed so that an edge thereof is disposed as close as possible to the section of overlap  14 , and therefore as close as possible to outside edge of the upper rim  16 . Placement of the opening  28  beginning proximate the end of the laminated area helps to increase the strength of the beverage holder  10  near the opening  28 .  
         [0039]    A first cut line  30  extends through the beverage holder  10  beginning at a first end  30   a  thereof near a center line  31  of the opening  28  and extending generally in a direction toward the radius  26  and somewhat parallel with the first edge  22 . A distal second end  30   b  of the first cut line  30  is disposed in the beverage holder  10  proximate the radius  26  but not extending out to the radius  26 . The first cut line  30  is cut completely through the beverage holder  10  along its entire length.  
         [0040]    A second cut line  32  extends through the beverage holder  10  beginning at a first end  32   a  thereof near the center line  31  of the opening  28  and extending generally in a direction toward the radius  26  and somewhat parallel with the second edge  24 . A distal second end  32   b  of the second cut line  32  is disposed in the beverage holder  10  proximate the radius  26  but not extending out to the radius  26 . The second cut line  32  is cut completely through the beverage holder  10  along its entire length.  
         [0041]    A third cut line  34  extends from the first cut line  30  to the second cut line  32  and is generally parallel with the centerline  31  of the opening  28 . The third cut line  34  intersects the first cut line  30  proximate the distal second end  30   b  thereof and the third cut line  34  intersects the second cut line  32  proximate the distal second end  32   b  thereof. The third cut line  34  is cut completely through the beverage holder  10  along its entire length.  
         [0042]    Beginning at the first end  30   a  of the first cut line  30  and extending away from the opening  28  to the first edge  22  is a first score line  36 , as shown in dashed lines. The first score line  36  aligns generally with the centerline  31  of the opening  28 .  
         [0043]    The first score line  36  may be formed in a number of possible ways, any of which can be used alone or in combination. For example, the first score line  36  may include a crease that is impressed into the beverage holder  10  or it may include a series of perforations through the beverage holder  10 . As is described in greater detail hereinafter, a final assembly procedure will cause a bending of a portion of the beverage holder  10  at the first score line  36 . The crease or perforations help facilitate this bending.  
         [0044]    Beginning at the second end  30   b  of the first cut line  30  and extending in a direction that is parallel with the first score line  36  and extending to the first edge  22  is a second score line  38 , as shown in dashed lines. The second score line  38  is formed similar to that of the first score line  36 .  
         [0045]    On the opposite side of the beverage holder  10 , beginning at the first end  32   a  of the second cut line  32  and extending away from the opening  28  to the second edge  24  is a third score line  40 , as shown in dashed lines. The third score line  40  also aligns generally with the centerline  31  of the opening  28  and with the first score line  36 . The third score line  40  is formed similar to that of the first score line  36 .  
         [0046]    Beginning at the second end  32   b  of the second cut line  32  and extending in a direction that is parallel with the third score line  40  and extending to the second edge  24  is a fourth score line  42 , as shown in dashed lines. The fourth score line  42  is formed similar to that of the first score line  36 .  
         [0047]    A first beverage support member  44  is formed by the first cut line  30  and by the first and second score lines  36 ,  38  and is contained within these lines.  
         [0048]    A second beverage support member  46  is disposed on an opposite side of the beverage holder  10  and is formed by the second cut line  32  and by the third and fourth score lines  40 ,  42  and is contained within these lines.  
         [0049]    A third beverage support member  48  is formed by the third cut line  34 , a small portion of the first cut line  30  proximate its distal second end  30   b , the second score line  38 , a small portion of the second cut line  32  proximate its distal second end  32   b , and by the fourth score line  42 .  
         [0050]    All of the cut lines  30 ,  32 ,  34  and all of the score lines  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42  are formed during manufacture of the beverage holder  10 . The beverage holders  10  are stacked flat, one on top of the other, and shipped in quantity.  
         [0051]    To use the beverage holder  10 , it is removed from the stack by a user (not shown) and the peel-off strip  20  is removed, thereby exposing the adhesive  18 . The section of overlap  14  is then placed into contact with the top of the upper rim  16 , thereby securing the beverage holder  10  to the paper plate  12 . This is always accomplished.  
         [0052]    However, a final assembly procedure is accomplished when cylindrical shaped beverage containers are to be supported by the beverage holder  10 . To accomplish the final assembly procedure, the third beverage support member  48  is grasped by the user and is urged in a generally downward direction, as shown in FIG. 2 by arrow  50  until the first beverage support member  44  and the second beverage support member  46  are disposed under a plane of the beverage holder  10  that aligns with the section of overlap  14 . After final assembly, the first beverage support member  44  and the second beverage support member  46  are generally parallel with respect to each other and are each perpendicular with respect to the plane of the beverage holder  10 . In this position, the third beverage support member  48  is disposed under the opening  28 .  
         [0053]    A can of soda  52  is placed in the opening  28 . It passes through the opening until a bottom of the can of soda  52  contacts the upper surface of the third beverage support member  48 . The first and second beverage support members  44 ,  46  support both the third beverage support member  48  as well as the can of soda  52 . The can of soda  52 , which is cylindrical in shape and which has straight sides, cannot fall out of the opening  28 .  
         [0054]    Accordingly, if the can of soda  52 , or any beverage container (not shown) that could possibly fall through the opening  28  is to be supported by the beverage holder  10 , the final assembly procedure is required in order to position the third beverage support member  48  underneath the opening  28 .  
         [0055]    The weight of the can of soda  52  actually helps ensure that the third beverage support member  48  cannot rise enough to pivot out of its position underneath the opening  28 .  
         [0056]    The score lines  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42  make it easier to accomplish the final assembly procedure. Any of the score lines  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42  are formed on either or both sides of the beverage holder  10 , as desired, to optimally facilitate the pivoting of the third beverage support member  48  under the opening  28 . Certain of the score lines  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42  may be formed on one side while others thereof are formed on the opposite side of the beverage holder  10 .  
         [0057]    The final assembly procedure is not always required in order to utilize the beverage holder  10 . FIG. 2 illustrates the beverage holder  10  for use after the final assembly procedure has been accomplished and the third beverage support member  48  is disposed under the opening  28  supporting the can of soda  52 .  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 2 also illustrates the beverage holder  10  for use without accomplishing the final assembly procedure. If a large tapered beverage container  54  that includes a generally frusta-conical shape where a lower portion includes a diameter that is smaller than that of the opening  28 , and therefore able to pass through the opening  28 , and which tapers to an upper portion that includes a diameter that is larger than that of the opening  28 , the final assembly procedure is not accomplished.  
         [0059]    It will take a food or beverage vendor or a person at a home party or picnic only a moment to determine whether or not the final assembly procedure is required. When the large tapered beverage container  54  is used, it is inserted in the opening until its increasing diameter circumference creates a friction fit intermediate the opening  28 . When the friction fit has sufficiently increased in magnitude, the large tapered beverage container  54  is retained in position within the opening  28 .  
         [0060]    The final assembly procedure is not accomplished in this instance because the third beverage support member  48  might contact the bottom of the large tapered beverage container  54  and prevent its full insertion into the opening  28  from occurring.  
         [0061]    Referring now to FIG. 3, is shown a modified paper plate beverage holder, identified in general by the reference numeral  100 .  
         [0062]    The modified beverage holder  100  is substantially identical to that which has been described hereinabove, except it is manufactured as a one-piece assembly. A modified paper plate  102  is formed so as to include a modified beverage extension portion, identified in general by the reference numeral  104 .  
         [0063]    The modified beverage extension portion  104  is constructed identical to that of the beverage holder  10 , except the peel-off strip  20  and adhesive  18  are not required because the modified beverage holder  100  is a one-piece assembly. The modified beverage holder  100  does not include the section of overlap  14  (FIG. 1) and therefore does not have a laminate area that provides additional strength. Accordingly, a heavier paper stock is generally required for the modified beverage holder  100  than for the beverage holder  10 .  
         [0064]    It is also possible to form the beverage holder  10  or the modified beverage holder  100  out of materials other than paper. Paper is typical, inexpensive, and disposable. If a more durable version was preferred plastic, for example, could be used. The plastic beverage holder  10  or plastic modified beverage holder  100  would then be washed after use, for example after a picnic, and saved for reuse.  
         [0065]    The invention has been shown, described, and illustrated in substantial detail with reference to the presently preferred embodiment. It will be understood by those skilled in this art that other and further changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which is defined by the claims appended hereto.