초록 ▼

An apparatus for the containment of food items and for the optional transport of various types of beverage containers includes a bottom panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a third side panel, a fourth side panel, a first top panel, a second top panel, a third top panel, and a fourth top

An apparatus for the containment of food items and for the optional transport of various types of beverage containers includes a bottom panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a third side panel, a fourth side panel, a first top panel, a second top panel, a third top panel, and a fourth top panel that are formed of a single sheet of stock and which, when folded along predetermined crease lines, cooperate to provide a serving tray for the retention of the food items in an interior portion and, if desired, a soda can or other beverage container or object in the interior portion and, if desired, a tapered beverage container can be secured to the apparatus at an exterior location. The apparatus is able to secure certain types of beverage containers thereto while still providing a covering over the food items that are disposed in the interior portion.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An improvement to a serving tray of the type made from a single sheet of material that is folded and secured into a partially assembled position ready for use, wherein the improvement comprises: a bottom panel; four generally upright side panels disposed around the bottom pan

What is claimed is: 1. An improvement to a serving tray of the type made from a single sheet of material that is folded and secured into a partially assembled position ready for use, wherein the improvement comprises: a bottom panel; four generally upright side panels disposed around the bottom panel that form a three-dimensional interior portion compartment over said bottom panel, and wherein said four generally upright wall side panels include a first side panel, a second side panel, a third side panel and a fourth side panel that are each attached to said bottom panel, said second side panel opposing said fourth side panel; a first top panel attached to said first side panel, a second top panel attached to said second side panel, a third top panel attached to said third side panel, a fourth top panel attached to said fourth side panel; and means for securing a beverage container to said serving tray with the beverage container disposed either interiorly or exteriorly of the interior portion compartment, said means for securing comprising a circular overall opening that is provided through said second top panel and said fourth top panel formed by a first partial opening disposed in the said second top panel and a second partial opening disposed in said fourth top panel, said means for securing further comprising a circular top opening in said first top panel disposed adjacent to a crease between said first top panel and said first side panel; wherein when said beverage container is disposed in said interior portion, said third top panel is not folded inward and said second and fourth top panels are disposed over and generally parallel to said bottom panel and combining to provide a covering over all the interior portion except for said circular overall opening which is adapted to receive said beverage container therein; and when said beverage container is disposed exteriorly of said interior portion compartment, said first top panel is folded outward and away from said bottom panel and receives said beverage container within said circular top opening in said first top panel, and said second top panel, third top panel and fourth top panel are folded inward and combine to provide a covering over all of said interior portion compartment with said third top panel covering said circular overall opening to protect any food items placed on the bottom panel. 2. The improved serving tray of claim 1 wherein said beverage container includes a tapered beverage container with a bottom of the tapered beverage container having a first outside diameter and a top of the tapered beverage container having a second outside diameter, said first outside diameter is less than said second outside diameter, said circular top opening in said first top panel having an inside diameter which is greater than said first outside diameter of said beverage container and less than said second outside diameter of said beverage container, and wherein when said beverage container is disposed exteriorly of said tray, said tapered beverage container is urged by gravity through said circular opening until said inside diameter of said circular top opening is equal to an intermediate outside diameter of said beverage container, and when said beverage container is fully disposed within said circular top opening, an exterior of said beverage container is disposed adjacent to said first side panel. 3. The improved serving tray of claim 1 wherein said first partial opening is not a full circle and said second partial opening is not a full circle, and wherein when said second top panel and said fourth top panel are disposed over said bottom panel and parallel with respect thereto, said overall circular opening provides a covering that extends around said beverage container sufficient to retard the entry of outside contaminants into said interior portion. 4. The improved serving tray of claim 1 wherein said beverage container includes a soda can, and wherein said soda can includes a generally cylindrical shape thereto. 5. The improved serving tray of claim 1 wherein said second top panel includes a second top panel side that, when said second top panel is parallel with respect to said bottom panel, said second top panel side is perpendicular with respect to said second side panel. 6. The improved serving tray of claim 1 wherein said fourth top panel includes a fourth top panel side that, when said fourth top panel is parallel with respect to said bottom panel, said fourth top panel side is perpendicular with respect to said fourth side panel. 7. The improved serving tray of claim 1 including means for retaining said second top panel and said fourth top panel over said interior portion. 8. The improved serving tray of claim 7 wherein said means for retaining includes a generally U-shaped cut in said second top panel and a retaining tab in said fourth top panel, and wherein when said second top panel and said fourth top panel are disposed over said interior portion, said retaining tab is able to enter into said U-shaped cut sufficient to secure said fourth top panel to said second top panel. 9. The improved serving tray of claim 1 wherein said third top panel includes an angular cut and wherein said angular cut is adapted to engage with an edge of said fourth top panel sufficient to retain said third top panel to said fourth top panel when said fourth top panel and said third top panel are disposed over said interior portion.