SPECIFICATION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a beverage and food holder that will hang from the neck of the person using it and rest against the chest and is capable of holding a cup or can of beverage, food, writing instruments and a program so that the hands of the user are free.

2. Description of the Prior Art

There have been attempts to address beverage supports that are mounted on the body with a strap around the neck with the support resting upon the chest of the user. Two patents directed to this type of structure are U. S. Patent Nos. 4,993,661 and 5,380,838. Each of the structures described and claimed therein have drawbacks or shortcomings. As for both of these patents the neck strap appears to be fixed thus not making them adjustable to the particular height of the user. Further, neither of those patents make provision for holding food, such as a bag of peanuts or a hamburger, etc. In addition, the devices in the prior art patents appear to be able to receive only one size container.

Also, neither of the prior art patents make any provision for writing instruments or programs which are very important at sporting events such as baseball games.

Finally, the structure in U. S. Patent 5,390,838 does not appear to possess sufficient stability to prevent the beverage cup from spilling when and if the user gets ^' excited during the sports event.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the purpose of the present invention to provide a holder to be worn around the neck of the user which holder has provisions for noldmg items and freeing the hands of the user for other things.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a holder to be worn around the neck that has a place to hold various size beverage cups.

A further ob ect of the present invention is to provide a holder to be work around the neck that has a clip to hold a program or score card.

A still further object of the present invention s tc provide a n.older to be worn around the neck that includes a tray to nold food.

A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a holder to be worn around the neck that is lightweight and easy to manufacture and assemble.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following part of the specification wherein details have been described for the competence of disclosure, without intending to limit the scope of the invention which is set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These advantages may be more clearly understood from the following description and by reference to the drawings m which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a holder to be worn around the neck of a person to hold a beverage cup and other items;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the holder of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the holder of Figure 1 taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the holder of Figure 1 showing a beverage cup m place;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the holder of Figure 1 taken on line 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a rear e _. levational view of the holder of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a modified holder wherein there is a tray for food that slides outward;

Figure 8 is a view taken on line 8-8 of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a further modification of the holder which is made by folding a cardboard blank into the desired shape;

Figure 10 is a cardboard blank with cuts and score lines to be folded into the holder of Figure 9;

Figure 11 illustrates the blank of Figure 10 partially folded to form the holder;

Figure 12 illustrates the blank of Figure 11 further folded to form the holder;

Figure 13 illustrates the blank of Figure 12 folded into the completed holder;

Figure 14 is another perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a beverage and food holder according to the principles of the present invention;

Figure 15 is a side elevational view thereof with the drawer and cup engaging members in the closed position thereof;

Figure 16 is a side elevational view thereof with the drawer and cup engaging members in the open position thereof;

Figure 17 is a perspective view of the movable pair of cup engaging members thereof;

Figure 18 is a perspective view of the drawer member thereof;

Figure 19 is a top plan view thereof with the drawer and cup engaging members m the open position thereof;

Figure 20 is a top plan v ew thereof with the αrawer and cup engaging members m the closed position thereof;

Figure 21 is a front elevational view of the base member thereof taken along the line 8-8 of Figure 6; and

Figure 22 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT There is illustrated in Figure 1 the subject of the present invention which is a holder generally designated 10. The holder 10 is adapted to be worn by a person (not illustrated) by strap means 12 that will pass around the neck of the wearer wherein the holder 10 will rest against the chest of the wearer. Such construction will leave the hands of the wearer free.

The holder 10 also includes a receptacle well means designated 14 to receive and hold a receptacle 16 such as a plastic or paper cup.

In addition, in the preferred embodiment there is a tray section means designated 18 to hold food.

Further on the backside of the holder 10 there is a clip means designated 20 to hold a program, game score card, catalog 22 etc.

Preferably the holder 20 is made of plastic such as polypropylene which is lightweight yet possesses strength necessary to support items thereon.

Returning to Figure 1 in particular, the holder 10 includes an elongated generally flat back wall 24 with opposed edges 26 and 28, a top edge 30 and interior flat surface 32 and exterior flat surface 34.

Adjacent the top edge 30 of back wall 24 are a pair of spaced apart slots 36 and 38 to receive a loop strap 40 to pass around the neck of a wearer. Preferably the strap 40 is adjustable so the holder 10 may be adjusted to individual needs generally to allow the holder 10 to rest against the chest of a wearer.

The back wall 24 continues downward terminating in a bottom edge 42.

Secured to the exterior flat surface 34 of the back wall 24 is the clip means 20. The clip means 20 comprises an elongated metallic or plastic flat clip section 44 that

termmates in an upper outwardly curved end 46. There is a bottom section 48, see Figure 2, that extends from tne clip section 44 to the rear wall 24 and is bent upward and set within or against the wall to lock the clip 44 m place. As can be seen the flat clip section 44 extends upwardly and tapers inwardly so the end 46 will bias against the exterior flat surface 34.

In order to insert a program or score card 22, the clip 44 may be bent away from the wall 24 and the program placed m between the wall 24 and end 46. The end 46 will then spring back to the rear wall 24 and bias the program therebetween.

Projecting outward from rear wall 24 is the receptacle wall means 14. The well means 14 includes a pair of spaced apart vertical side walls 50 and 52 that extend outwardly from said back wall 24. The walls terminate at forward edges 54 and 56, see Figure 3.

There is also a top wall 58 that extends from rear wall 24 that overlays the two side walls and includes an extension 60 that projects beyond edges 54 and 56 and terminates in an accurate or curved edge 62. The top wall 58 includes an opening 64 to receive a beverage container, cup or receptacle 16. Generally the diameters of beverage receptacles are standard for various sizes such as 8 oz., 12 oz., etc. The inventors contemplate making the diameter of opening 64 of such a size to accommodate all of the standard sizes of receptacles. The receptacle 16 is usually made of plastic or paper treated with a protective coating to receive hot or cold beverages.

Mounted within the well created by the side walls 50, 52 and the top wall 58 near the bottom 66 is a bottom support wall 68, see Figures 2 and 5, that extends therebetween. An annular receptacle recess 70 is formed in the wall 68. It has been found that while the

receptacle 16 can vary m height and capacity, the oottom circumference thereof are remarkably uniform. Thus the recess 70 usually need only be of one diameter to snugly receive all sizes of plastic or paper beverage receptacle 16.

Preferably the wall 68 projects forwardly from rear wall 24 beyond the edges 54 and 56 of side walls 50 and 52 terminating m a curved edge 72 which is aligned with the curved edge 62 of top wall 58.

Thus when the wearer wishes to have a beverage receptacle carried by holder 10, it is inserted tnrough opening 64 and is seated in the recess 70. In this way the beverage therein is less likely to spill and the wearer does not have to hold the receptacle 16 all the time.

In addition, the inventors contemplate adding two holes 74 and 86 through top wall 58 so that a writing instrument 78 such as a pencil or pen, may be placed therein when not in use, see Figure 1.

Turning now to the final part of the invention, a food tray section means 18 is mounted to the receptacle wall means 14. The tray section means 18 preferably includes an arcuate front wall tray 80 that extends between forward edges 54 and 56 of the side walls 50 and 52.

In the preferred embodiment the front wall tray 80 is hinged to the bottom support wall 68, see Figures 4 and 5. Projecting downward from wall 68 are a pair of tabs 82 and 84, and projecting upward from tray 80 are a pair of tabs 86 and 88. The respective tabs have end recesses into which is snapped a hinge bar 90. In that way the tray 80 can move from a closed position as seen in Figures 1 and 3 to an open hinged food receiving position as seen in Figure 2. There is a finger snap 92 on each side of the

tray 80 and its respective edges 94 and 96 to lock the tray in its upright or closed position.

In addition, the inventors contemplate a stop mechanism between the tray 80 and hinge so that the tray is prevented from moving to the full horizontal but has approximates at 80° limitation. In this way food, such as French fries, peanuts, etc., will not spill but will be cradled in the tray 80.

While the preferred embodiment for movement of the tray 80 is to hinge it to move up and down as illustrated, the inventors also contemplate that the dished or arcuate tray 80 could be mounted underneath the receptacle well means 14 and could be shifted out or hinged outward to receive food.

In Figures 7 and 8 there is provided on the modified holder 10' a tray 18' that slides in and out of the receptacle 14' to receive food thereon when in the out position, see Figure 7. A stop 100 may be provided in the receptacle 14' to prevent the sliding tray 18' from falling out when food is present on the tray 18'.

A pair of guide rails 102 mounted on the bottom of the receptacle 18' will allow the inturned flanges 104 to slide in and out on the rails 102.

While the preferred embodiment for movement of the tray 80 is to hinge it to move up and down as illustrated, the inventors also contemplate that the dished or arcuate tray 80 could be mounted underneath the receptacle well means 14 and could be shifted out or hinged outward to receive food.

Thus when the user or wearer wants to include food the tray 18' may be extended outwardly to receive it. ^' When not in use the tray 18' can be pushed under the receptacle 14' out of the way.

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The modified food and beverage holder 10" as shown in Figure 9 is prepared from a cardboard blank 110, as best seen m Figure 10. This is considered to be a disposable holder because it is inexpensive to produce from recyclable cardboard.

In addition the Figure 9 modification does not have a separate tray section for food. In the embodiment shown, Figure 9 the receptacle may be longer in projecting from the back wall 24'. There are the side walls 50' and 52' and flat front wall 112 which in this modification is not rounded as this is formed from a cardboard blank 110.

The side walls 50' and 52' at the forward portion include cut out or concave portions 114 and 116 so that a hot dog may be laid across between the two cutout portion 114 and 116. With the stop wall 118 the hot dog will not roll forward out of the food or beverage holder 10".

When the blank 110 is formed into the modified food and beverage holder 10" the receptacle 16' being longer allows for a food holder section 120 for things like a bag of French fries, etc.

Further, with the use of the disposable holder 10" the opening 64' for the beverage container is adjustable to receive cups and containers of different diameters.

In the holder 10" the annular opening 64' is cut into the blank 110 and radiating inwardly from the opening edge 122 are a plurality of radial cuts 124. Between each cut 124 the cardboard can be bent and deformed as the beverage container is seated through the opening 64' to rest on the bottom 66' .

Turning now to the blank 110 it is preferably made of cardboard so that when formed into holder 10" it may be disposable.

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The blank 110 as seen in Figure 10 is generally elongated and the right and left sides are mirror images of each other.

The blank 110 includes a stop wall 118 with top edge 126 and ends 128 and 130, and there is a score line 132 that extends between ends 128 and 130.

In order to form the holder 10" the front wall 112 is formed between and folded along score line 132, bottom score line 134 and side score lines 136.

Extending outward of the wall 112 are side tabs 140 and 142 each tab is cut along cut lines 144 and 146. Also there are locking cuts 148 and 150. By folding along une 144 and 146 there is created the front wall 118. In orαer to lock it in place back wall 24' is folded along score line 156 to a vertical position. Then interior side walls 158 are folded vertically along score lines 160. The walls 158 each include locking cuts 162 that engage locking tabs 148 and 150 forming the receptacle 16' as shown in Figure 11.

The next folds and locking are illustrated in Figure 12. At this point the side panels 152 are folded along score lines 154 and along diagonal score lines 164 tnrough the oval cutouts 166 forming the curved food cutouts 114 and 116. As the panels 152 are inserted into the receptacle the tabs 167 extending downward from the sides 152 will be inserted in slots 168 to hold the side walls in position.

In Figure 13 there is illustrated the final folding to form the holder 10". At the top 170 of the outer back wall 24' of the blank there are two strap sections 172, an inner back wall section 174, a horizontal beverage container retainer floor 176 and a vertical spacer wall 178 at the front of the floor 176. In order to stabilize

-li¬ the wall, tabs 180 are provided to be folded along score lines 182.

To make the final product, the blank 110 is folded along score line 184 so that section 172 folds over section 172 and inner wall 172 folds against wall 24' . In this position strap section 172 engage each other and the strap openings 186 are aligned. Then the blank 110 is folded along score line 188 so that the inner wall 174 folds against wall 24'. The blank is then folded outwardly on score line 190 normal to the plane of the inner wall 174 so that the container retainer floor 176 is horizontal and the stop wall or vertical spacer 178 is bent to engage the bottom 66". Tabs 180 are also bent along lines 182 to act as stops and maintain the floor 176 in the horizontal position.

At the corner of the spacer 178 on each side a gusset 192 may be cut that can be folded to engage the floor 174 and prevent it from working loose and act as a stop.

When the holder 10" is completely foldeα and assembled as shown in Figure 13, a strap 194 may be passed through openings 186 and around the neck of a wearer.

Referring again to the drawing there is illustrated m Figures 14 through 21 a preferred embodiment generally designed 210 of a beverage and food holder according to the principles of the present invention. The beverage and food holder 210 has a base member 212 upon which there is slidingly mounted a drawer member 214 for reciprocating movement m the direction of the double ended arrow 214 towards and away from a back wall 216 of the base member 212. The base member 212 has a pair of spaced apart side walls 218 and 220 coupled to the back wall 216 and extending outwardly or forwardly therefrom. The back wall 216 has a top edge 216' and a bottom edge 216" spaced from the top edge 216'. The side walls 218 and 220 have back

edges 218' and 220', respectively, coupled to the back wall 216 and extending upwardly a first preselected distance from the bottom edge 216" of the back wall 216 towards the top edge 216' of the back wall 216. The side wall 218 of the base member 212 also has a top edge 219 and a bottom edge 217 and the side wall 220 has a top edge 223 and a bottom edge 221. The base member 212 also has a bottom wall 225 extending forwardly from the back wall 216. The side walls 218 and 220, bottom wall 225 and back wall 216 define a drawer receiving cavity 227 therebetween.

The drawer member 214 which is slidingly mounted in the drawer receiving cavity 227 thereof is illustrated most clearly in Figure 18 and has a forward drawer wall member 228 and a pair of spaced apart drawer side wall members 230 and 232 coupled to the drawer forward wall member 228 and spaced inwardly from the side edges 228' and 228" thereof. The drawer member 214 also has a drawer bottom wall 238 coupled to the bottom edges 230' and 232' of the drawer side members 230 and 232, respectively. A pair of side trim members 236 and 238 are provided at the forward wall 228 of the drawer member 214. The drawer bottom wall 234 has extensions 240 and 242 extending laterally from the side walls 230 and 232 to define drawer rails which are a part of a mounting means generally designed 246 for mounting the drawer member 214 on the base member 212 for the reciprocating movement thereof.

The mounting means 246 is also comprised of rail guide means 248 and 250 coupled to the inner faces 215 and 213 of side wall members 220 and 218 in regions adjacent the bottom edges thereof and spaced from the bottom wall ^' 225 of the base member 212. The rails 242 and 244 are restrained between the rail guide members 248 and 250 and the bottom wall 225 of the base member 212 to allow the

reciprocating movement thereof but preventing the tipping of the drawer member 214, the bottom surface of the rail means 242 and 244 slidingly engage the bottom wall 225 of the base member 212 during the reciprocating movement.

The base member 212 and drawer member 214 are preferably manufactured from a lightweight sheet plastic such as polypropylene so that the beverage and food container 210 has sufficient strength for its intended purpose but also has the capability of reuse. The plastic material allows from efficient cleaning between uses thereof.

Secured to the inner surface 216a of the back wall 216 of base member 212 is a clip means 254 which may be an extended plastic or metal flat clip section 256 extending from a bottom portion 260 secured to the back wall 216 upwardly to the top end 262 which is biased against the inner face 216a of back wall 216. In order to insert material such as a score card, newspaper, sports program or the like the clip 254 is resiliently bent away from the back wall 216 and the material inserted therebetween. Since the clip 254 is resilient, the top section 254 will spring back towards the back wall 216 for detachably clamping the material against the back wall 216.

An adjustable cup holder means generally designed 270 is mounted in the drawer receiving cavity 227, the adjustable cup holder 270 is comprised of a first pair of cup engaging members 272 and 274 coupled to the side walls 218 and 220 of the base member 212 in regions spaced from the bottom wall 225. A second pair of cup engaging members 276 and 278, as illustrated in Figure 17, are movably mounted on the base member 212 for reciprocating movement towards and away from the first pair of cup engaging members 272 and 274 in the direction of the double ended arrow 215. The second pair of cup engaging

members 276 and 278 are movable independently of the movement of the drawer member 214 for the condition of the drawer member 214 in the open position thereof. A cross member 280 is coupled to the second pair of cup engaging members 276 and 278 for maintaining the second pair of cup engaging members in the spaced apart relationship as illustrated in Figure 17 as well as in alignment with the first pair of cup engaging member 272 and 274 as shown in Figure 19.

Cup engaging mounting means generally designated 282 on Figure 1 ^" ? is comprised of a pair of rod-like memoers 286 and 288 having first ends 286' and 288' coupled to the second pair of cup engaging members and extending rearwardly therefrom towards the first pair of cup engaging members 272 and 274. The first pair of cup engaging members 272 and 274 have walls 272a and 274a defining rod accepting apertures 290 and 292 and the second ends 286" and 288" of rods 286 and 288 are positioned m apertures 290 and 292 for a friction fit therein to provide a preselected resistance to the movement of the second pair of cup engaging members. As illustrated in Figure 19, the frictional fit may oe provided oy bending the second ends 286" and 288" cf the rods 286 and 288 so that they engage the walls 272a and 274a. The remove ends 286b and 288b of rods 286 and 288 may be bent over as shown on Figure 19 to prevent passage through the apertures 290 and 292. Alternatively, the remote ends 286b and 288b may be headed (not shown) such as by peeking, to prevent passage through the apertures 290 and 292. The remote ends 286b and 288b also engage the back wall 216 of base member 212 to limit the rearward movement of the second pair of cup engaging members as shown m Figure 20. The cup engaging mounting means 282 also has a pair of rod guide members 294 and 296 having

walls 294a and 296a defining apertures 298 and 300 therethrough and the rods 286 and 288 pass through the apertures 298 and 300 for support of the second pair of cup engaging members 276 and 278. The apertures 298 and 300 may also, if desired, be sized so as to provide preselected resistance to movement of the rods 286 and 288 therethrough.

With the second pair of cup engaging members 276 and 278 in the open position thereof as shown on Figures 16 and 19, a large diameter beverage container indicated by the dotted line 302 may be releasably restrained between the first and second pair of cup engaging members and with the second pair of cup engaging members m the closed position as indicated m Figure 20 a small diameter beverage container may be releasably restrained as indicated by the dotted -line 304. Beverage containers having a diameter between the sizes indicated by the diameter 302 and 304 may be releasably restrained with the second pair of cup engaging members positioned between the top and closed positions thereof.

As shown on Figure 18, the top edges 232' and 230' of drawer side wall members 232 and 230 have a cutout 306 and 308 defining a shoulder means 310 and 312. A pair of drawer stop means 314 and 316 are coupled to the side walls 218 and 220 of the base member 312 on the inner faces 218a' and 220a' thereof for engaging the should means 310 and 312 to limit the forward movement of the drawer member 214.

Figure 21 shows the base member 212 with the drawer 214 and second pair of cup engaging members 276 and 278 removed for clarity. The first pair of cup engaging members 272 and 274 are spaced a greater distance from the bottom wall 225 than the drawer stop means 314 and 316. The top edges 232' and 230' of the drawer side members 232

and 234 are closer to the bottom wall 225 of the base member 212 than the adjustable cup holder means as shown on Figure 16.

An aperture 320 may be provided in one or both of the first pair of cup engaging members 272 and 274 for receiving a writing instrument. The first and second pair of cup engaging members may be provided with arcuate wall portions as indicated at 330 on Figures 19 and 20 for tangential engagement with the beverage container as indicated by the dotted lines 302 and 304.

The back wall 216 of base member 212 may be provided with strap accepting apertures 340 and 342 for receiving a flexible, preferably adjustable strap 344 adapted to go over the neck of the user to support the beverage and food container against the chest of the user, as shown in the above-mentioned copending patent applications.

Figure 22 illustrates another embodiment generally designated 400 of the present invention which is similar to the embodiment 10" shown in Figures 9 to 13. As shown on Figure 22, there is a cardboard blank 410 from which the embodiment 400 is formed. The embodiment 400 incorporates an auto bottom, generally designated at 412. The auto bottom is a well-known configuration to various foldable devices made of, for example, cardboard.

The blank 410 may be, for example, die cut and fold lines as indicated at 412, 414, 416, 418, 420, 422, 424 and 426 may be scored thereon. The fold line 412 extends completely across the blank 410 from the left edge 411 to the right edge 413.

The portion 430 may be folded along fold line 416 into the plane of the paper and the underside of tab 432 may be affixed as by, for example, adhesive to the surface area 434 on the lower portion 430a of tab 430.

Similarly, the underside of tab 436 may be affixed, for example, by adhesive to the surface area - 38 of tab 440 by folding along fold line 418. The surface 442 of tab 444 may be affixed, for example, by adhesive, to the underside of tab 430 in the area indicated by dotted lines at 446 by folding along fold line 414, 418 ano 420.

When the blank 410 is configured as described aoove, the base 450 of the embodiment 400 is formed. The auto bottom is completed by folding along lines 452 and 454. The base 450 may then be in a collapsed or flat condition with the upper portion 456 folded along line 422 thereover.

The upper portion 456 has a cap accepting aperture 458 defined by circular cut out 460 and having a plurality of radial cuts 462 so that various size beverage containers may be placed therein when m the open position.

Apertures 464 are provided for accepting a strap means (not shown) so that the embodiment 400 may be placed, for example, against the chest of the user with the straps extending around the back of the neck.

In the open position, the embodiment 400 s similar to the embodiment 10" as shown m Figure 13. The side tabs 466 and 468 are positioned adjacent the inside surfaces of tabs 470 and 472, respectively, with the outer edges 466a and 466b located at the fold line 412. The cap accepting aperture 458 in the receptacle means 459, is positioned above the auto bottom 412. The intermediate tab 474 is folded down along line 422 against body portion 476 which is a rear wall element so that the apertures 464 are in alignment. Tab 480 is folded down along line 426 and provides lateral stiffness to the embodiment 410. The space between the tab 480 and the inside surface of tab 470 defines the food holder section of the embodiment 400.

It will be appreciated that many variations of die cuts, fold lines and the like may be utilized to provide the auto bottom in various application of the present invention. Thus, the embodiment 400 may be snipped and stored in a flat condition to save space and costs, and then quickly and easily opened to the food and beverage accepting condition on demand.

This concludes the description of the present invention. Those skilled in the art may find various modifications and adaptations of the invention varying from the preferred embodiments shown and described. The appended claims are intended to cover ail such modifications and adaptations falling within the scope and spirit thereof.

The invention and its attendant advantages will be understood from the forejgomg description and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangements of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope thereof or sacrificing its material advantages, the arrangements herein before described being merely by way of example.