US20070235399A1 - Foldup food holder - Google Patents
Foldup food holder Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20070235399A1 US20070235399A1 US11/394,434 US39443406A US2007235399A1 US 20070235399 A1 US20070235399 A1 US 20070235399A1 US 39443406 A US39443406 A US 39443406A US 2007235399 A1 US2007235399 A1 US 2007235399A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- panel
- panels
- tabs
- holder
- joined
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
- A47F7/00—Show stands, hangers, or shelves, adapted for particular articles or materials
- A47F7/0071—Show stands, hangers, or shelves, adapted for particular articles or materials for perishable goods
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/18—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding a single blank to U-shape to form the base of the container and opposite sides of the body portion, the remaining sides being formed primarily by extensions of one or more of these opposite sides, e.g. flaps hinged thereto
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
- B65D85/30—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure
- B65D85/36—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure for bakery products, e.g. biscuits
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G19/00—Table service
- A47G19/30—Other containers or devices used as table equipment
- A47G2019/306—Taco stands
Definitions
- This disclosure relates generally to food holders and particularly to a paper folded food holder for hand held food products such as sandwiches and tacos.
- U.S. Des. Pat. No. 263,786 discloses a design for a taco shell holder.
- Richards, U.S. Des. Pat. No. 278,199 discloses a design for a taco holder or the like.
- Alsup, U.S. Des. Pat. No. 309,084 discloses a design for a taco shell holder.
- Asner, U.S. Des. Pat. No. 350,671 discloses a design for a taco holder.
- Cherney, U.S. Des. Pat. No. 377,584 discloses a design for a bagel holder.
- Morales, U.S. Des. Pat. No. 383,589 discloses a design for a fish shaped taco shell.
- 3,446,416, discloses a sandwich holder comprising: an elongated foldable tray member adapted to lie flat when unfolded, the member including a pair of end bellows elements the tray member being stored along an axis between and parallel to elongated side edges thereof; a foldable side member extending from one elongated side of the tray; and a second foldable side member extending from the other elongated side of the tray.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,270,660 discloses a holder for supporting comestible products such as tacos or the like that includes an elongate, generally U-shaped carrier.
- the carrier is made of an opaque, plastic material susceptible of injection molding.
- the carrier is supported atop a stand having a plurality of legs of generally equal length, at least one leg being disposed at opposite ends of the carrier.
- the legs and the carrier are arranged such that a plurality of the holders may be stacked to facilitate compact storage.
- a plurality of carriers are aligned atop, and secured to, a legged stand.
- the stand includes a planar sheet supported at an angle to the horizontal by first and second legs extending outwardly of the planar sheet. The first and second legs are of different lengths and extend outwardly of the sheet at different angles.
- the stand includes a plurality of slots into which portions of another holder can be fitted to permit compact storage.
- Yet another embodiment of the invention comprises a free standing holder in which the bottom of the carrier rests atop a flat surface without the need for a stand or other support.
- Thomas, U.S. Pat. No. 4,653,645 discloses an improved one-piece construction for taco shell holders, wherein, the holders are provided with a unique three legged support structure that allows the holders to be used in either a stand alone configuration or inserted into complementary recesses formed in a serving tray element specifically designed for use in combination with the taco holders.
- 4,746,010 discloses a box of card stock for packaging a predetermined number of food items, such as taco shells and related filling materials, is convertible by the consumer into a tray for holding at least one such food item after preparation and carrying same from stove to table.
- the box has perforated score line means along which portions of the box are separable from each other to produce the tray, exposing at least one recess shaped to hold the prepared item.
- the tray has a base that cooperates with the recess to hold the prepared item in a stable upright position.
- Alsup, U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,566, discloses a taco shell holder that has a bottom support surface from which project a pair of oppositely-disposed side walls diverging away from each other.
- Each side wall is in the shape of a trapezoid and defines an upper edge sloping downwardly from front to rear to accommodate partially-eaten taco shells.
- a pair of oppositely-disposed, triangular brace walls are provided forwardly to allow the holder to be self-supporting.
- Harrington, U.S. Pat. No. 4,896,820 discloses a taco holder that is formed from a blank cut from a sheet of paperboard material. The blank has a first pair of parallel fold lines across the mid-portion and a second pair of fold lines near the side edges so that they can be folded up to form feet.
- Perforated polygons extending across the parallel lines can be folded to lock the taco holder in position to receive tacos, which are supported on the side panels while being made up and while being heated, as in a microwave oven.
- Martin, U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,704 discloses a taco holder wherein a blank is provided with a central region and four legs extending outwardly from the central region, a pair of adjacent legs on each side of the central region. Each leg is in the shape of a right triangle with each leg being secured to the central region at a crease.
- Each leg includes a notch at a portion thereof remote from the central region, a pair of legs on opposite sides of the central region being opposed to each other whereby the notches therein can mate and form a V-shaped trough. Two such V-shaped troughs are thereby formed to support a taco therein.
- An adhesive material can be disposed on a surface of the central region to secure the taco holder to a table or the like to free the hands of the taco maker and also to prevent sliding of the taco during preparation or eating thereof.
- Conder, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 5,065,870 discloses a holder for supporting a taco shell in an upright position to prevent spillage of foodstuffs contained within the shell.
- the holder includes a base portion and a support portion which are shaped to resemble a Mexican sombrero.
- the holder is also designed for compact storage.
- Mooney U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,330, discloses a pan for baking taco shells in an oven for holding the baked shells while filling and serving.
- the pan has a plurality of elongate parallel tapered ridges with troughs between the ridges.
- the inverted shell is placed astride a ridge. As the shell is pushed onto the tapered ridge it is gradually opened up. It is held in this open position during baking and retains this open configuration when turned upright and seated in a trough where it is fully supported during filling and serving.
- a stop element slopes upward from the bottom of the trough. It is high enough to retain any spilled contents in the trough as well as preventing the tacos from sliding off the pan when tilted.
- the stop element also serves to facilitate grasping of the filled taco from below by gradually lifting up the taco as it is slid along the trough and over the stop element.
- Baze, U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,245 discloses an apparatus for forming tortillas into baked, oil-free taco shells. The invention may also be used to retain the shape of commercially prepared pre-formed fried taco shells during their reheating, and to hold baked or reheated taco shells during their filling and serving.
- the apparatus has a series of linear, parallel spaced crests in the shape of inverted, round bottomed “V”s, with such dimensions as to make a form corresponding to an inverted, taco shell shape.
- the crests have a plurality of perforations to allow for a uniform and rapid forming and baking of the tortillas upon the crests.
- Prouix, U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,168 discloses a holder for a taco shell that is formed with a taco shell receiving trough which is adapted for supporting a taco shell substantially upright.
- the taco shell receiving trough is defined by a narrow longitudinal support base panel having opposed longitudinal spaced-apart straight edges.
- An outwardly inclined rectangular side wall panel extends from each of the straight edges to form a substantially V-shaped receiving trough.
- a brace panel of rectangular shape extends from a straight top edge of each of the side wall panels and extends at an outward angle therefrom to a flat, surface engaging, support foot lying in a substantially common or parallel plane with the support base panel.
- a composite bottom connecting wall maintains the support base panel, the side wall panels, the brace panels and the support feet in a taco support position.
- the holder has a generally triangular configuration, with upwardly convergent first and second side walls extending from a generally horizontal base portion. The two side walls are joined at the top of the holder to form a triangular structure. Upwardly opening slots are formed in the side walls. Each of the slots has a curved base to accommodate tacos. To accommodate individual servings, the holder is separable along a line of weakness. To facilitate incorporation of the holder into a meal kit, in one embodiment, the holder can be folded in a flat configuration with the base folded upward between the side walls.
- the related art described above discloses food holders of various types.
- the Martin reference for instance, discloses that a food holder may be folded from a flat paper form.
- Martin fails to support a food product all around it and especially at its ends where foodstuffs may tend to disengage and fall out.
- Harrington and Alsup suffer from the same problem.
- Epstein provides an improved holder, but fails to give access to the food product from the side and fails to significantly support the ends.
- the present disclosure distinguishes over the prior art by providing support all around the food product placed within and gives side access for picking the food product up from the holder more easily.
- a foldup food holder made of stiff paperboard provides a base panel; a first side panel; a second side panel; a first end panel; a second end panel; a first tab; and a second tab; the side panels joined with the base panel; the end panels joined contiguously with and extensive from the side panels.
- the tabs are extensive from and joined contiguously with the end panels so that the tabs are positioned for engaging slots in the side panels when the apparatus is folded into a food holder or container.
- Another objective is to provide an easily die-cut and folded-up food holder, as for instance for tacos and other sandwiches that may easily fall apart while holding and eating them.
- a further objective is to provide such a food holder that is easily folded and formed into a stable configuration that may be placed on a surface without falling over.
- a still further objective is to provide such a food holder that is easily folded and formed into a stable configuration that is easily handled and provides improved access to a food product placed therein.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of the presently described apparatus in a first and a second embodiments respectively;
- FIGS. 3 and 4 are plan views thereof as die cuts in the flat
- FIG. 5 is a plan view of a third embodiment of the apparatus.
- FIG. 6 is a folded-up view of the embodiment of FIG. 5 .
- FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 Described now in detail is a foldup food holder apparatus preferably made from stiff paper stock and configured by die cutting into an elementary flat shape as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 as three embodiments. Each of the three embodiments is then able to be folded into a usefull food holder as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6 respectively.
- primes several of the elements of this invention are denoted by primes as: single prime (′) and double prime (′′).
- a base panel 5 ; a first side panel 10 ′; a second side panel 10 ′′; a first end panel 12 ′; a second end panel 12 ′′; a first tab 14 ′; and a second tab 14 ′′ comprise the several portions of the elementary flat shape produced by the due cutting operation.
- the side panels 10 are each joined contiguously with the base panel 5
- the end panels 12 are joined contiguously with, and are extensive from (extend outwardly from) one or both of the side panels 10 .
- Each one of the tabs 14 is extensive from and joined contiguously with one of the end panels 12 , and the tabs 14 are positioned for engaging slots 20 in the side panels 10 when the apparatus is folded into a food holder. See FIGS. 1, 2 and 6 .
- the end panels 12 are in opposing positions on only one of the side panels 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 , while in a second embodiment, the first end panel 12 ′ is joined with the first side panel 10 ′, and the second end panel 12 ′′ is joined with the second side panel 10 ′′ as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 .
- the first end panel 12 ′ is joined with the first side panel 10 ′
- the second end panel 12 ′′ is joined with the second side panel 10 ′′ as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 .
- Clearly other alternatives may be employed in which essentially similar food holders are created.
- score lines 30 define joints, otherwise described as locations where the several panels and tabs join each other. These score lines 30 enable folding of the apparatus into a food holder conformation. The scoring of paper stocks and the folding of paper stock along such score lines is well known in the art.
- At least one of the tabs 14 has an outwardly extensive hook-shaped portion 15 , as shown in FIGS. 3 or 4 .
- the hook-shaped portions 15 are inserted into slots 20 to hold the apparatus in it intended conformation as a food holder, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 .
- the tabs 14 may combine an outwardly directed primary rounded portion 16 which takes the place of the hook-shaped portion 15 , with a rounded slit 17 defining an inclusive secondary rounded portion 18 .
- These primary and secondary rounded portions 16 and 18 are advantageously engaged with a pair of the slots 20 which are in spaced apart positions on the side panels 10 so that the primary and secondary rounded portions 16 and 18 hold the apparatus folded into its intended food holder conformation as shown in FIG. 6 .
- the side panels 10 are formed with a V-shaped upper edge 11 providing improved lateral access to the apparatus for lifting a food product 2 out of the apparatus to take a bite and to then replace the food product 2 .
Abstract
A foldup food holder made of stiff paperboard provides a base panel; a first side panel; a second side panel; a first end panel; a second end panel; a first tab; and a second tab; the side panels joined with the base panel; the end panels joined contiguously with and extensive from the side panels. The tabs are extensive from and joined contiguously with the end panels so that the tabs are positioned for engaging slots in the side panels when the apparatus is folded into a food holder or container.
Description
- 1. Field of the Present Disclosure
- This disclosure relates generally to food holders and particularly to a paper folded food holder for hand held food products such as sandwiches and tacos.
- 2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
- Kohan, U.S. Des. Pat. No. 263,786, discloses a design for a taco shell holder. Richards, U.S. Des. Pat. No. 278,199, discloses a design for a taco holder or the like. Alsup, U.S. Des. Pat. No. 309,084, discloses a design for a taco shell holder. Asner, U.S. Des. Pat. No. 350,671, discloses a design for a taco holder. Cherney, U.S. Des. Pat. No. 377,584, discloses a design for a bagel holder. Morales, U.S. Des. Pat. No. 383,589, discloses a design for a fish shaped taco shell. Cherney et al., U.S. Des. Pat. No. 395,201, discloses a design for a bagel holder. Zietz et al., U.S. Des. Pat. No. 467,121, discloses a design for a taco shell holder. Epstein, U.S. Pat. No. 3,446,416, discloses a sandwich holder comprising: an elongated foldable tray member adapted to lie flat when unfolded, the member including a pair of end bellows elements the tray member being stored along an axis between and parallel to elongated side edges thereof; a foldable side member extending from one elongated side of the tray; and a second foldable side member extending from the other elongated side of the tray. Putt, U.S. Pat. No. 4,270,660, discloses a holder for supporting comestible products such as tacos or the like that includes an elongate, generally U-shaped carrier. The carrier is made of an opaque, plastic material susceptible of injection molding. In one embodiment, the carrier is supported atop a stand having a plurality of legs of generally equal length, at least one leg being disposed at opposite ends of the carrier. The legs and the carrier are arranged such that a plurality of the holders may be stacked to facilitate compact storage. In another embodiment, a plurality of carriers are aligned atop, and secured to, a legged stand. The stand includes a planar sheet supported at an angle to the horizontal by first and second legs extending outwardly of the planar sheet. The first and second legs are of different lengths and extend outwardly of the sheet at different angles. The stand includes a plurality of slots into which portions of another holder can be fitted to permit compact storage. Yet another embodiment of the invention comprises a free standing holder in which the bottom of the carrier rests atop a flat surface without the need for a stand or other support. Thomas, U.S. Pat. No. 4,653,645, discloses an improved one-piece construction for taco shell holders, wherein, the holders are provided with a unique three legged support structure that allows the holders to be used in either a stand alone configuration or inserted into complementary recesses formed in a serving tray element specifically designed for use in combination with the taco holders. Fournier, U.S. Pat. No. 4,746,010, discloses a box of card stock for packaging a predetermined number of food items, such as taco shells and related filling materials, is convertible by the consumer into a tray for holding at least one such food item after preparation and carrying same from stove to table. The box has perforated score line means along which portions of the box are separable from each other to produce the tray, exposing at least one recess shaped to hold the prepared item. The tray has a base that cooperates with the recess to hold the prepared item in a stable upright position. Alsup, U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,566, discloses a taco shell holder that has a bottom support surface from which project a pair of oppositely-disposed side walls diverging away from each other. Each side wall is in the shape of a trapezoid and defines an upper edge sloping downwardly from front to rear to accommodate partially-eaten taco shells. A pair of oppositely-disposed, triangular brace walls are provided forwardly to allow the holder to be self-supporting. Harrington, U.S. Pat. No. 4,896,820, discloses a taco holder that is formed from a blank cut from a sheet of paperboard material. The blank has a first pair of parallel fold lines across the mid-portion and a second pair of fold lines near the side edges so that they can be folded up to form feet. Perforated polygons extending across the parallel lines can be folded to lock the taco holder in position to receive tacos, which are supported on the side panels while being made up and while being heated, as in a microwave oven. Martin, U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,704, discloses a taco holder wherein a blank is provided with a central region and four legs extending outwardly from the central region, a pair of adjacent legs on each side of the central region. Each leg is in the shape of a right triangle with each leg being secured to the central region at a crease. Each leg includes a notch at a portion thereof remote from the central region, a pair of legs on opposite sides of the central region being opposed to each other whereby the notches therein can mate and form a V-shaped trough. Two such V-shaped troughs are thereby formed to support a taco therein. An adhesive material can be disposed on a surface of the central region to secure the taco holder to a table or the like to free the hands of the taco maker and also to prevent sliding of the taco during preparation or eating thereof. Conder, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 5,065,870, discloses a holder for supporting a taco shell in an upright position to prevent spillage of foodstuffs contained within the shell. The holder includes a base portion and a support portion which are shaped to resemble a Mexican sombrero. The holder is also designed for compact storage. Mooney, U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,330, discloses a pan for baking taco shells in an oven for holding the baked shells while filling and serving. The pan has a plurality of elongate parallel tapered ridges with troughs between the ridges. The inverted shell is placed astride a ridge. As the shell is pushed onto the tapered ridge it is gradually opened up. It is held in this open position during baking and retains this open configuration when turned upright and seated in a trough where it is fully supported during filling and serving. At each end of the trough, a stop element slopes upward from the bottom of the trough. It is high enough to retain any spilled contents in the trough as well as preventing the tacos from sliding off the pan when tilted. The stop element also serves to facilitate grasping of the filled taco from below by gradually lifting up the taco as it is slid along the trough and over the stop element. Baze, U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,245, discloses an apparatus for forming tortillas into baked, oil-free taco shells. The invention may also be used to retain the shape of commercially prepared pre-formed fried taco shells during their reheating, and to hold baked or reheated taco shells during their filling and serving. The apparatus has a series of linear, parallel spaced crests in the shape of inverted, round bottomed “V”s, with such dimensions as to make a form corresponding to an inverted, taco shell shape. The crests have a plurality of perforations to allow for a uniform and rapid forming and baking of the tortillas upon the crests. Prouix, U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,168, discloses a holder for a taco shell that is formed with a taco shell receiving trough which is adapted for supporting a taco shell substantially upright. The taco shell receiving trough is defined by a narrow longitudinal support base panel having opposed longitudinal spaced-apart straight edges. An outwardly inclined rectangular side wall panel extends from each of the straight edges to form a substantially V-shaped receiving trough. A brace panel of rectangular shape extends from a straight top edge of each of the side wall panels and extends at an outward angle therefrom to a flat, surface engaging, support foot lying in a substantially common or parallel plane with the support base panel. A composite bottom connecting wall maintains the support base panel, the side wall panels, the brace panels and the support feet in a taco support position. Enyedy et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,278, discloses a holder for tacos and the like comprised of semi-rigid material. The holder has a generally triangular configuration, with upwardly convergent first and second side walls extending from a generally horizontal base portion. The two side walls are joined at the top of the holder to form a triangular structure. Upwardly opening slots are formed in the side walls. Each of the slots has a curved base to accommodate tacos. To accommodate individual servings, the holder is separable along a line of weakness. To facilitate incorporation of the holder into a meal kit, in one embodiment, the holder can be folded in a flat configuration with the base folded upward between the side walls.
- The related art described above discloses food holders of various types. The Martin reference, for instance, discloses that a food holder may be folded from a flat paper form. However, Martin fails to support a food product all around it and especially at its ends where foodstuffs may tend to disengage and fall out. Harrington and Alsup suffer from the same problem. Epstein provides an improved holder, but fails to give access to the food product from the side and fails to significantly support the ends. The present disclosure distinguishes over the prior art by providing support all around the food product placed within and gives side access for picking the food product up from the holder more easily.
- This disclosure teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below.
- A foldup food holder made of stiff paperboard provides a base panel; a first side panel; a second side panel; a first end panel; a second end panel; a first tab; and a second tab; the side panels joined with the base panel; the end panels joined contiguously with and extensive from the side panels. The tabs are extensive from and joined contiguously with the end panels so that the tabs are positioned for engaging slots in the side panels when the apparatus is folded into a food holder or container.
- A primary objective inherent in the above described apparatus and method of use is to provide advantages not taught by the prior art.
- Another objective is to provide an easily die-cut and folded-up food holder, as for instance for tacos and other sandwiches that may easily fall apart while holding and eating them.
- A further objective is to provide such a food holder that is easily folded and formed into a stable configuration that may be placed on a surface without falling over.
- A still further objective is to provide such a food holder that is easily folded and formed into a stable configuration that is easily handled and provides improved access to a food product placed therein.
- Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
- Illustrated in the accompanying drawing(s) is at least one of the best mode embodiments of the present invention In such drawing(s):
-
FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of the presently described apparatus in a first and a second embodiments respectively; -
FIGS. 3 and 4 are plan views thereof as die cuts in the flat; -
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a third embodiment of the apparatus; and -
FIG. 6 is a folded-up view of the embodiment ofFIG. 5 . - The above described drawing figures illustrate the described apparatus and its method of use in at least one of its preferred, best mode embodiment, which is further defined in detail in the following description. Those having ordinary skill in the art may be able to make alterations and modifications what is described herein without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, it must be understood that what is illustrated is set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as a limitation in the scope of the present apparatus and method of use.
- Described now in detail is a foldup food holder apparatus preferably made from stiff paper stock and configured by die cutting into an elementary flat shape as shown in
FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 as three embodiments. Each of the three embodiments is then able to be folded into a usefull food holder as shown inFIGS. 1, 2 and 6 respectively. In presenting numeral reference numbers below, several of the elements of this invention are denoted by primes as: single prime (′) and double prime (″). When an otherwise primed numeral is shown without a prime it shall refer to both or either of the same numeral with the primes. - A
base panel 5; afirst side panel 10′; asecond side panel 10″; afirst end panel 12′; asecond end panel 12″; afirst tab 14′; and asecond tab 14″ comprise the several portions of the elementary flat shape produced by the due cutting operation. Theside panels 10 are each joined contiguously with thebase panel 5, while theend panels 12 are joined contiguously with, and are extensive from (extend outwardly from) one or both of theside panels 10. Each one of thetabs 14 is extensive from and joined contiguously with one of theend panels 12, and thetabs 14 are positioned for engagingslots 20 in theside panels 10 when the apparatus is folded into a food holder. SeeFIGS. 1, 2 and 6. - In one embodiment, the
end panels 12 are in opposing positions on only one of theside panels 10 as shown inFIGS. 1 and 3 , while in a second embodiment, thefirst end panel 12′ is joined with thefirst side panel 10′, and thesecond end panel 12″ is joined with thesecond side panel 10″ as shown inFIGS. 2 and 4 . Clearly other alternatives may be employed in which essentially similar food holders are created. - Preferably, score lines 30, or scores, define joints, otherwise described as locations where the several panels and tabs join each other. These score lines 30 enable folding of the apparatus into a food holder conformation. The scoring of paper stocks and the folding of paper stock along such score lines is well known in the art.
- In the preferred embodiment, at least one of the
tabs 14 has an outwardly extensive hook-shapedportion 15, as shown in FIGS. 3 or 4. The hook-shapedportions 15 are inserted intoslots 20 to hold the apparatus in it intended conformation as a food holder, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 . - Alternately, as shown in
FIG. 5 , thetabs 14 may combine an outwardly directed primary roundedportion 16 which takes the place of the hook-shapedportion 15, with a rounded slit 17 defining an inclusive secondaryrounded portion 18. These primary and secondaryrounded portions slots 20 which are in spaced apart positions on theside panels 10 so that the primary and secondaryrounded portions FIG. 6 . - Preferably, the
side panels 10 are formed with a V-shapedupper edge 11 providing improved lateral access to the apparatus for lifting afood product 2 out of the apparatus to take a bite and to then replace thefood product 2. - The enablements described in detail above are considered novel over the prior art of record and are considered critical to the operation of at least one aspect of the apparatus and its method of use and to the achievement of the above described objectives. The words used in this specification to describe the instant embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification: structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word or words describing the element.
- The definitions of the words or drawing elements described herein are meant to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements described and its various embodiments or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim.
- Changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalents within the scope intended and its various embodiments. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. This disclosure is thus meant to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted, and also what incorporates the essential ideas.
- The scope of this description is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here, that each named inventor believes that the claimed subject matter is what is intended to be patented.
Claims (8)
1. A foldup food holder apparatus comprising: a base panel; a first side panel; a second side panel; a first end panel; a second end panel; a first tab; and a second tab; the side panels each joined contiguously with the base panel; the end panels joined contiguously with and extensive from at least one of the side panels; each one of the tabs extensive from and joined contiguously with one of the end panels, the tabs positioned for engaging slots in at least one of the side panels when the apparatus is folded into a food holder, whereby the apparatus is secured in a preferred conformation.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the end panels are in opposing positions on one of the side panels.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first end panel is joined with the first side panel and the second end panel is joined with the second side panel.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising score lines defining joints between the panels and tabs, the score lines enabling folding of the apparatus into a food holder.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the tabs has a outwardly extensive hook-shaped portion.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the tabs has an outwardly extensive primary portion with a rounded edge.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein at least one of the tabs has a rounded slit defining an inclusive secondary rounded portion; at least one of the side panels providing a pair of the slots in spaced apart positions wherein the primary and secondary portions of the tabs are engaged when the apparatus is folded into a food holder.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the side panels are formed with a V-shaped upper edge providing improved lateral access.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/394,434 US20070235399A1 (en) | 2006-04-01 | 2006-04-01 | Foldup food holder |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/394,434 US20070235399A1 (en) | 2006-04-01 | 2006-04-01 | Foldup food holder |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20070235399A1 true US20070235399A1 (en) | 2007-10-11 |
Family
ID=38574046
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/394,434 Abandoned US20070235399A1 (en) | 2006-04-01 | 2006-04-01 | Foldup food holder |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20070235399A1 (en) |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8672136B2 (en) * | 2010-03-30 | 2014-03-18 | Roberto D'Amico | Tray system |
USD741248S1 (en) * | 2015-04-07 | 2015-10-20 | Dave Boss | Seat gap expandable catch-all pouch |
USD779878S1 (en) * | 2015-06-30 | 2017-02-28 | Duvaldi Benito Marneweck | Taco holder |
FR3047403A1 (en) * | 2016-02-08 | 2017-08-11 | Bernard Canaque | DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING ALL TYPES OF SANDWICHES IN SALE ON SITE IN RAPID RESTORATION, SNACKS AND KEBAB |
USD875028S1 (en) * | 2019-08-21 | 2020-02-11 | Shenzhen Huahao Electronic Communications Co., Ltd. | Door trash can for car |
USD875027S1 (en) * | 2019-08-21 | 2020-02-11 | Shenzhen LiFan Trading Co., Ltd. | Door storage box for car |
USD875029S1 (en) * | 2019-08-21 | 2020-02-11 | Shenzhen LiFan Trading Co., Ltd. | Door storage box for car |
WO2020176284A1 (en) | 2019-02-28 | 2020-09-03 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carton for a food product |
USD958486S1 (en) * | 2020-08-28 | 2022-07-26 | Barbara Ashcroft | Sandwich gripper |
Citations (26)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1614265A (en) * | 1925-04-14 | 1927-01-11 | Stockton Richard | Combined cigarette holder and ash tray |
US1647154A (en) * | 1926-07-03 | 1927-11-01 | Internat Folding Paper Box Co | Supporting device |
US1955252A (en) * | 1933-02-09 | 1934-04-17 | Palls William | Combined carton and display stand |
US3446416A (en) * | 1967-11-08 | 1969-05-27 | Harry T Epstein | Sandwich holder |
US3494479A (en) * | 1967-12-04 | 1970-02-10 | Hoerner Waldorf Corp | Paperboard displays |
US4270660A (en) * | 1979-02-14 | 1981-06-02 | Putt Arthur G | Taco holders |
USD263786S (en) * | 1980-04-21 | 1982-04-13 | Kohan Vivian J | Taco shell holder |
US4424906A (en) * | 1982-05-10 | 1984-01-10 | Williams Industries, Inc. | Packet holder |
USD278199S (en) * | 1982-09-30 | 1985-04-02 | Richards Norman L | Taco holder or the like |
US4683645A (en) * | 1985-06-28 | 1987-08-04 | Northern Telecom Limited | Process of fabricating MOS devices having shallow source and drain junctions |
US4746010A (en) * | 1986-06-30 | 1988-05-24 | Stephen Fournier | Box convertible to food item tray |
US4872566A (en) * | 1988-05-20 | 1989-10-10 | Alsup Richard E | Taco shell holder |
US4896820A (en) * | 1989-03-16 | 1990-01-30 | Idea Resources Corporation | Holder for tacos or the like |
USD309084S (en) * | 1988-05-09 | 1990-07-10 | Alsup Richard E | Taco shell holder |
US4962859A (en) * | 1989-04-10 | 1990-10-16 | Gerald Conway & Company | Literature display box and foldable blank for forming same |
US5005704A (en) * | 1986-06-04 | 1991-04-09 | Martin Russell E | Disposable taco holder |
US5065870A (en) * | 1990-12-17 | 1991-11-19 | Conder Enterprises, Inc. | Taco holder |
USD350671S (en) * | 1993-05-11 | 1994-09-20 | Asner Jerome L | Taco holder |
US5487330A (en) * | 1995-02-21 | 1996-01-30 | Mooney; Audrey J. | Taco baking and serving pan |
USD377584S (en) * | 1996-05-20 | 1997-01-28 | Chernz, Llc | Bagel holder |
US5628245A (en) * | 1994-10-11 | 1997-05-13 | Baze; Mark E. | Utensil for forming tortillas into baked taco shells |
USD383589S (en) * | 1996-07-26 | 1997-09-16 | Casa Herrera, Inc. | Fish shaped taco shell |
USD395201S (en) * | 1996-05-20 | 1998-06-16 | Chernz, Llc | Bagel holder |
US5971168A (en) * | 1996-11-25 | 1999-10-26 | Proulx; Michel | Holder for taco shell |
US6273278B1 (en) * | 2000-09-13 | 2001-08-14 | Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc. | Taco holder |
USD467121S1 (en) * | 2000-08-16 | 2002-12-17 | Richard P. Zietz | Taco shell holder |
-
2006
- 2006-04-01 US US11/394,434 patent/US20070235399A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (26)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1614265A (en) * | 1925-04-14 | 1927-01-11 | Stockton Richard | Combined cigarette holder and ash tray |
US1647154A (en) * | 1926-07-03 | 1927-11-01 | Internat Folding Paper Box Co | Supporting device |
US1955252A (en) * | 1933-02-09 | 1934-04-17 | Palls William | Combined carton and display stand |
US3446416A (en) * | 1967-11-08 | 1969-05-27 | Harry T Epstein | Sandwich holder |
US3494479A (en) * | 1967-12-04 | 1970-02-10 | Hoerner Waldorf Corp | Paperboard displays |
US4270660A (en) * | 1979-02-14 | 1981-06-02 | Putt Arthur G | Taco holders |
USD263786S (en) * | 1980-04-21 | 1982-04-13 | Kohan Vivian J | Taco shell holder |
US4424906A (en) * | 1982-05-10 | 1984-01-10 | Williams Industries, Inc. | Packet holder |
USD278199S (en) * | 1982-09-30 | 1985-04-02 | Richards Norman L | Taco holder or the like |
US4683645A (en) * | 1985-06-28 | 1987-08-04 | Northern Telecom Limited | Process of fabricating MOS devices having shallow source and drain junctions |
US5005704A (en) * | 1986-06-04 | 1991-04-09 | Martin Russell E | Disposable taco holder |
US4746010A (en) * | 1986-06-30 | 1988-05-24 | Stephen Fournier | Box convertible to food item tray |
USD309084S (en) * | 1988-05-09 | 1990-07-10 | Alsup Richard E | Taco shell holder |
US4872566A (en) * | 1988-05-20 | 1989-10-10 | Alsup Richard E | Taco shell holder |
US4896820A (en) * | 1989-03-16 | 1990-01-30 | Idea Resources Corporation | Holder for tacos or the like |
US4962859A (en) * | 1989-04-10 | 1990-10-16 | Gerald Conway & Company | Literature display box and foldable blank for forming same |
US5065870A (en) * | 1990-12-17 | 1991-11-19 | Conder Enterprises, Inc. | Taco holder |
USD350671S (en) * | 1993-05-11 | 1994-09-20 | Asner Jerome L | Taco holder |
US5628245A (en) * | 1994-10-11 | 1997-05-13 | Baze; Mark E. | Utensil for forming tortillas into baked taco shells |
US5487330A (en) * | 1995-02-21 | 1996-01-30 | Mooney; Audrey J. | Taco baking and serving pan |
USD377584S (en) * | 1996-05-20 | 1997-01-28 | Chernz, Llc | Bagel holder |
USD395201S (en) * | 1996-05-20 | 1998-06-16 | Chernz, Llc | Bagel holder |
USD383589S (en) * | 1996-07-26 | 1997-09-16 | Casa Herrera, Inc. | Fish shaped taco shell |
US5971168A (en) * | 1996-11-25 | 1999-10-26 | Proulx; Michel | Holder for taco shell |
USD467121S1 (en) * | 2000-08-16 | 2002-12-17 | Richard P. Zietz | Taco shell holder |
US6273278B1 (en) * | 2000-09-13 | 2001-08-14 | Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc. | Taco holder |
Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8672136B2 (en) * | 2010-03-30 | 2014-03-18 | Roberto D'Amico | Tray system |
USD741248S1 (en) * | 2015-04-07 | 2015-10-20 | Dave Boss | Seat gap expandable catch-all pouch |
USD779878S1 (en) * | 2015-06-30 | 2017-02-28 | Duvaldi Benito Marneweck | Taco holder |
FR3047403A1 (en) * | 2016-02-08 | 2017-08-11 | Bernard Canaque | DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING ALL TYPES OF SANDWICHES IN SALE ON SITE IN RAPID RESTORATION, SNACKS AND KEBAB |
WO2020176284A1 (en) | 2019-02-28 | 2020-09-03 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carton for a food product |
EP3931117A4 (en) * | 2019-02-28 | 2022-12-07 | Graphic Packaging International, LLC | Carton for a food product |
AU2020227654B2 (en) * | 2019-02-28 | 2023-07-13 | Graphic Packaging International, Llc | Carton for a food product |
USD875028S1 (en) * | 2019-08-21 | 2020-02-11 | Shenzhen Huahao Electronic Communications Co., Ltd. | Door trash can for car |
USD875027S1 (en) * | 2019-08-21 | 2020-02-11 | Shenzhen LiFan Trading Co., Ltd. | Door storage box for car |
USD875029S1 (en) * | 2019-08-21 | 2020-02-11 | Shenzhen LiFan Trading Co., Ltd. | Door storage box for car |
USD958486S1 (en) * | 2020-08-28 | 2022-07-26 | Barbara Ashcroft | Sandwich gripper |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20070235399A1 (en) | Foldup food holder | |
US7631800B2 (en) | Clamshell food container with sauce holder and carton blank therefor | |
US5720429A (en) | Food container with flip-out condiment pocket | |
US7219830B2 (en) | Container for sliceable ice cream | |
US6471119B2 (en) | Food scoop with condiment holder | |
US8733626B2 (en) | Flexible hinge clamshell food service package | |
US11046493B2 (en) | Container carrier apparatus and methods of making and using the same | |
US6588652B2 (en) | Food tray with condiment compartment | |
US5826781A (en) | Identification button for paperboard container | |
JP2004501837A (en) | Food and drink carrier | |
US4018905A (en) | Taco package | |
TW522122B (en) | Stackable food tray with condiment compartment | |
US5148972A (en) | Fast food container | |
US7004377B2 (en) | Food serving apparatus | |
US4760950A (en) | Pita bread sandwich holder | |
US5253802A (en) | Foldable, microwavable baking pan usable as a promotional device | |
US20110272411A1 (en) | Pizza box | |
US5520324A (en) | Container for multiple foodstuffs | |
US7232055B1 (en) | Folding serving tray | |
US4489879A (en) | Multi-compartmented food serving tray and blank therefor | |
US4307835A (en) | Paper dish with conical compartment | |
US11661231B2 (en) | Food holder | |
US4589619A (en) | Food holder | |
US4509674A (en) | Pita bread sandwich holder | |
US1567594A (en) | Ice-cream container |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |