Patent Description:
The invention relates to food carrying systems, and more particularly, to a food carry system that can be used to transport food away from a location where it is prepared to a remote location for consumption such as a home or hotel room.

Plastic containers for holding food and consumer goods are in common use. Oftentimes, such containers are used to convey prepared food to a user by a restaurant or other food service establishment, whereby the food is either consumed by the user at the restaurant, with further assistance by restaurant staff, or carried out by the user in the container(s) for subsequent consumption at home, work, or another location. Typically, containers used for this purpose are referred to as "take-out," "takeaway," or "to-go" containers.

Frequently, a takeout order includes batched meal requests for one or more persons requiring multiple containers and food items to be prepared and transported together. Additionally, dinnerware items such as plates, cutlery, napkins and condiments may also be included for customer convenience. Once an order is complete, the multiple containers and dinnerware items are typically packaged into a paper or plastic carrying bag to assist the user in transporting the various items to the destination where it will be consumed.

It is well recognized by people of ordinary skill in the art that placing multiple containers into a carrying bag while still keeping food containers level to avoid tipping and spillage of food contents can be difficult. In addition, it can be difficult for the customer to remove the containers and dinnerware from the carrying bag without tipping the containers, inadvertently detaching the container lids, and/or spilling the food. Furthermore, paper and plastic carrying bags, when filled with multiple containers and dinnerware items, may be susceptible to breakage and ripping. An additional concern regarding plastic bags is that many communities have banned or are considering banning such items due to ecological concerns, thereby narrowing the options available for food providers. <CIT> discloses a food carrying system comprising a plurality of stackable food containers.

Therefore, there is a need for a food transporting solution that allows food service providers to better organize multiple containers and ancillary items for takeout and carrying purposes, and enables users to safely and conveniently transport the containers and their contents to a remote location for consumption, without spillage or undue disturbance of the food.

The present disclosure is directed to a food carrying system that allows food service providers to better organize multiple containers and ancillary items for takeout and carrying purposes, and enables users to safely and conveniently transport the containers and their contents to a remote location for consumption, without spillage or undue disturbance of the food.

The disclosed food carrying system includes a plurality of food containers that can be linked together by a flexible band. Each of the food containers can contain the same or different types of food.

According to the present disclosure, at least one of the containers and/or dinnerware items includes a pair of opposing flange handles, each of which includes a strap opening. When the food containers and/or dinnerware items are stacked, a support band can be threaded through the strap openings so that it surrounds the stack. The ends of the band can then be joined together to stabilize the stack. In embodiments, slack in the band provides a hand hold that is useful for carrying the stack. In some embodiments, a hole is provided in the band ends above the joining location, thereby configuring the band ends as a carrying handle for the stack. In other embodiments, a separate handle configured with a strap opening is threaded onto the band. The band openings can be closed or open.

The present invention concerns food carrying system according to claim <NUM>.

In embodiments, the lid of the stackable container includes a pair of the opposed strap openings.

In any of the above embodiments, the base of the stackable container can include a pair of the opposed strap openings.

In any of the above embodiments, for at least one of the food service items the strap openings can be formed in a surrounding edge thereof.

The strap openings can be formed in a surrounding flange thereof.

The strap openings can be formed in opposing flange handles thereof.

In any of the above embodiments, the food service items can further include a dinnerware item. In some of these embodiments, the dinnerware item is a plate. In any of these embodiments, the dinnerware item can be a tray.

In any of the above embodiments, the ends of the support band can include openings configured for mutual alignment when the ends of the band are fixed together, said openings thereby forming a handle useful for carrying the stacked food service items.

Any of the above embodiments can further include a handle, said handle comprising a strap opening through which the support band can be threaded so as to facilitate carrying the stacked food service items.

In any of the above embodiments, at least one of the strap openings can be closed, thereby forming an oval shape.

In any of the above embodiments, at least one of the strap openings can be open on an outer side thereof, thereby forming a C shape.

In any of the above embodiments, at least one of the food service items can not include strap openings.

The present invitation discloses a method according to claim <NUM>.

Embodiments further include providing a handle that includes a strap opening, passing the support band through the strap opening of the handle, so that the support band encircles the stacked food service items and passes through the handle, grasping the handle, and lifting the handle, thereby lifting the stack of food service items in preparation for transport thereof.

In any of the above embodiments, encircling the stack of food service items cam include threading the support band through at least some of the strap openings.

In any of the above embodiments, at least one of the strap openings can be open on an outer side thereof, thereby forming a C shape, and wherein encircling the stack of food service items includes inserting the support band into the open outer side of the strap opening thereof.

The features and advantages described herein are not all-inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and not to limit the scope of the inventive subject matter.

With reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference designators refer to like elements, there is shown in <FIG> a food carrying system <NUM>, including a plurality of food containers <NUM> in a stacked configuration and connected/linked together by a support band <NUM>. Referring also to <FIG>, each of the food containers <NUM> can include a base <NUM> and a lid <NUM> that are affixable together to contain a food product. Any or all of the bases <NUM> and <NUM> can include a pair of strap openings <NUM> at opposing locations on an outer edge or flange thereof, or in discrete flange handles provided on opposing sides thereof. The band <NUM> can be threaded through the strap openings <NUM> and about the plurality of food containers <NUM>, and the ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the band <NUM> can be affixed together, thereby encircling the band <NUM> about the plurality of food containers <NUM> and stabilizing the stacked configuration shown in <FIG>. The ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the band <NUM> can include an adhesive <NUM> to join or affix the ends <NUM>, <NUM> together. The adhesive <NUM> can be on the same side of the band <NUM> or on opposite sides of the band. In other embodiments, the ends of the band can be joined by hook-and-loop attachment, by snaps, hooks, buttons, tying of the ends in a knot, or by any other attachment means known in the art.

The encircling of the band <NUM> about the plurality of food containers <NUM> can perform the function of sealing or bundling together a selected grouping of food containers <NUM>, and slack in the band can providing a hand hold <NUM> that is useful for carrying the selected grouping of food containers <NUM>. When the carrying system <NUM> is lifted the weight of the containers <NUM> will pull the sides of the band <NUM> tight against the sides of the stacked containers <NUM>, and slack provided in the band <NUM> will not substantially reduce the stability of the stack <NUM> while it is carried.

Referring to <FIG>, in an embodiment the ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the band <NUM> can each include a through hole <NUM>, wherein the through holes <NUM> are substantially aligned with each other when the ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the band <NUM> are attached together, thus forming a handle <NUM> for carrying the selected grouping of food containers <NUM>. In similar embodiments, a separate handle configured with a strap opening <NUM> is threaded onto the band <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the plurality of containers <NUM> can include a beverage holder <NUM> configured for holding one or more drink containers <NUM>, such as cups, cans and the like. The beverage holder <NUM> can include a base portion <NUM> and a support portion <NUM>, which are connectable. Each of the base portion <NUM> and support portion <NUM> can include strap openings <NUM> positioned on their outer edges, through which the band <NUM> can be threaded. The support portion <NUM> can include a plurality of cutouts <NUM>, though which a drink container <NUM> can be positioned. The base portion <NUM> can include a plurality of indented sections <NUM>, which are aligned with the cutouts <NUM> in the support portion <NUM>, and are configured to receive an end of the drink container <NUM>. In this manner, the combination of the cutouts <NUM> and indented portions <NUM> function to secure the drink container <NUM> in the beverage holder <NUM>. In use, the beverage holder <NUM> can be positioned on the top of a stack of food containers <NUM>, whereby the band <NUM> is threaded through and about the stacked food containers <NUM> and beverage holder <NUM>. The ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the band <NUM> are affixed together, locking the band <NUM> about the stacked food containers <NUM> and the beverage holder <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, in an alternate embodiment food container <NUM> is provided, where the container <NUM> includes a base (not shown) and a lid <NUM> that can be affixed together to contain a food product. The lid <NUM> of food container <NUM> can include a pair of strap openings <NUM>, on opposite sides of the lid <NUM>. A plurality of the food containers <NUM> can be linked into a stack <NUM> by threading a band <NUM> through the strap openings <NUM> and about the plurality of food containers <NUM>, and affixing the ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the band <NUM> together so that the band <NUM> encircles the plurality of food containers <NUM>. In this embodiment, the bases of the containers <NUM> do not include strap openings. However, in similar embodiments the bases can include strap openings that are co-aligned with openings <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, in yet another embodiment food container <NUM> is substantially similar to food container <NUM>, except that the strap openings <NUM> are open at their outer edges, substantially forming a "C-shape" rather than a closed oval. As in the embodiment of <FIG>, the embodiment of <FIG> includes a base (not shown) and a lid <NUM> that are affixable together to contain a food product. The strap openings <NUM> that are provided on opposite sides of the lid <NUM> can be utilized to link a plurality of food containers <NUM> together by threading a band <NUM> through the strap openings <NUM> and about the plurality of food containers <NUM> and affixing the ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the band <NUM> together, thereby encircling the band <NUM> about the plurality of food containers <NUM>.

The embodiment of <FIG> further allows the strap to be installed, and for containers to be subsequently added, removed, and or exchanged in the stack, without a need to unthread and re-thread the band <NUM> sequentially through the strap openings <NUM>. Instead, the strap <NUM> can be simply installed and withdrawn from the strap openings <NUM> through the outer open edges of the strap openings <NUM>.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, the base of the container does not include corresponding openings. However, in similar embodiments the base can include strap openings that are co-aligned with strap openings <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in an alternative embodiment, the food carrying system <NUM> includes combinations of one or more food containers <NUM> and dinnerware items <NUM>. Each of the food containers <NUM> can include a lid <NUM> and base <NUM> affixable together to contain a food product. Each of the dinnerware items <NUM> can include a base portion <NUM> and a pair of strap openings <NUM> positioned on opposite sides of the dinnerware items <NUM>. The food containers <NUM> and dinnerware items <NUM> can be positioned/stacked in an alternating arrangement, such that band <NUM> can be threaded through the strap openings <NUM> in the dinnerware items <NUM> and positioned about the stacked food containers <NUM>, where the ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the band <NUM> can be affixed together, thereby encircling the stacked food containers <NUM> and dinnerware items <NUM> and locking the band <NUM> about the stacked food containers <NUM> and dinnerware items <NUM>. The locking of the band <NUM> about the stacked food containers <NUM> and dinnerware items <NUM> can perform the function of sealing together the stacked food containers <NUM> and dinnerware items <NUM>, as well as providing a hand hold <NUM> for carrying the stacked food containers <NUM> and dinnerware items <NUM> (similar to the arrangement shown in <FIG>). Strap openings <NUM> may be configured with openings at their outer edges, substantially forming a "C-shape". Dinnerware items <NUM> may consist of one or more types such as plates, trays, or bowls.

<FIG> illustrate alternative stacking configurations, including food containers <NUM>, dinnerware items <NUM>, and beverage holders <NUM>. It is noted that these are not the only configurations included within the scope of the present disclosure, and that all alternative configurations are included in the disclosure that allow for a band <NUM> to be threaded through strap openings <NUM> to secure together a stacking of food containers <NUM>, dinnerware items <NUM>, and/or beverage holder <NUM>, as well as providing a hand hold for carrying such.

In the embodiments of <FIG>, it is noted that the food containers <NUM> do not include strap openings for receiving the band <NUM>. Instead, only the dinnerware items (trays) <NUM> and beverage holders <NUM> include strap openings <NUM>, and these secure the band <NUM>. In similar embodiments, the food containers <NUM> also include strap openings as discussed above.

In the above noted embodiments, the food containers <NUM>, dinnerware items <NUM>, and beverage holders <NUM> may be of a variety of shapes, sizes, configurations, and may be constructed from materials such as paper, plastic, foam, bagasse, laminated materials, compostable materials, biodegradable materials, bioplastics, recycled materials, and/or plastic blends and compounds. The lids and bases may also be constructed of different materials, such as a clear plastic lid and a bagasse base.

In any of the above embodiments the band <NUM> may be constructed of paper, plastic, bagasse, laminated materials, compostable materials, biodegradable materials, non-wovens, recycled materials, and or composites thereof. The band may be made in a variety of configurations with varying length, width, and thickness according to the design of the container handles. The ends of band <NUM> may be affixed together by a variety of techniques known in the art including knot tying, snaps, buttons, adhesives, hook and loop material, stapling, and/or other fastening methods.

The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. Each and every page of this submission, and all contents thereon, however characterized, identified, or numbered, is considered a substantive part of this application for all purposes, irrespective of form or placement within the application. This specification is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible as disclosed in the appended claims.

Claim 1:
A food carrying system comprising:
a plurality of stackable food containers (<NUM>), each having a base (<NUM>) and a lid (<NUM>);
a flexible support band (<NUM>) encircling the containers (<NUM>) when stacked, ends (<NUM>, <NUM>) of said band being configured for mutual engagement with each other, thereby enabling said encircled food containers to be maintained in a stack during lifting and transport;
wherein at least one of the containers (<NUM>) includes a pair of opposed strap openings (<NUM>) formed in a surrounding edge or flange or opposed flange handles thereof and in that the flexible support band (<NUM>) is configured for threading through the strap openings (<NUM>), characterized in that slack in the band provides a hand hold for carrying the containers (<NUM>) when stacked.