[001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[002] This application claims the benefit of U.S Provisional Application No. 63/104165, filed on October 22, 2021, entitled “Taco Holder With Storage Compartment,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[004] The present invention relates generally to a taco holder having a storage compartment.

[005] BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

[006] Various taco holders are known in the art.

[007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a taco holder having a storage compartment. In one embodiment, the storage compartment is sized to contain an item of interest to a child, such as a small toy. The taco holder may be comprised, in whole or in part, of a transparent or semi-transparent material, such that the item within the storage compartment may be viewed from outside of the taco holder. In certain embodiments, the taco holder may be comprised of a microwave safe material and/or a material suitable for cooking, such as silicon. In certain embodiments, the taco holder may also be used as an oven mitt. In certain embodiments, the taco holders are shaped to enable stacking. Also, in certain embodiments, the taco holder may be collapsible.

[008] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[009] FIG. 1 depicts a view of a taco holder in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [0010] FIG. 2 depicts another view of a taco holder in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a bottom element having a tab;

[0012] FIG. 4 shows a taco holder in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention wherein the bottom element is in a partially opened position;

[0013] FIG. 5 shows a side view of a taco holder in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 6 shows a different side view of a taco holder in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 7 shows a top-down view of a taco holder in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 8 depicts another view of a taco holder in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] FIGs. 9(a) and (b) illustrate the storage of an item is stored within the storage compartment;

[0018] FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment of the present invention in which the taco holders are shaped to enable stacking.

[0019] FIGs. 11(a) and (b) depict an embodiment of the preset invention in which that taco holder is collapsible. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] FIGs. 1 and 2 depict views of a taco holder 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the taco holder 1 is formed as a unitary piece. The taco holder 1 may be made of flexible or rigid material. In certain embodiments the material may be comprised, for example, of plastic (such as polyethylene or polypropylene), silicon or another suitable material. The top surface 10 of taco holder 1 is generally shaped to hold a taco. The bottom of taco holder 1 may be sealed by bottom element 2, which may also be comprised of, for example, plastic (such as polyethylene or polypropylene), silicon or another suitable material. A tab 3 may be provided in bottom element 2 to assist in removing bottom element 2 from the body of taco holder 1. Taco holder 1 may also provide a lip portion 4, which may, for example, aid in the attachment of bottom element 2 to the body of taco holder 1. Bottom element 2 may thus be removably attached to the body of taco holder 1 to seal the bottom of the taco holder 1 and thereby enclose a storage compartment. Bottom element 2 may be removably attached to the bottom of taco holder 1 using an adhesive, heat or other suitable methods.

[0021] Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of bottom element 2 having tab 3.

[0022] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of taco holder 1 wherein bottom element 2 is in a partially opened position;

[0023] Figs. 5-8 show different views of taco holder 1.

[0024] As seen, for example, in Figs. 4 and 8, the taco holder is shaped to form a storage compartment that is accessible from the bottom of the taco holder. In certain embodiments, taco holder 1 may be comprised of a microwave safe material and/or a material suitable for cooking, such as silicon. In certain embodiments, the taco holder may also be used as an oven mitt. [0025] FIG. 8 depicts a bottom angle view of the taco holder showing storage compartment 8. In certain embodiments, taco holder 1 may be formed of material that is, in whole or in part, transparent or semi-transparent, such that an item within the storage compartment may be viewed from outside of the taco holder. In certain embodiments, the storage compartment is sized to contain an item of interest to a child, such as a small toy.

[0026] Fig. 9(a) depicts an item 9 that is to be stored within storage compartment 8. Fig. 9(b) depicts item 9 in the process of being stored within storage compartment 8.

FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment of the present invention in which the taco holders are shaped so that the top portion of a taco holder fits with the bottom portion of another taco holder. This provides for stacking of the taco holders.

Figs. 11(a) and 11(b) depict taco holder 1 formed of a foldable material, such as carboard, plastic, or another suitable material, configured to lie substantially flat when in a folded position. In certain embodiments, the foldable material is configured with fold lines 12 by, for example pre-folding the material, pressing the material or other suitable techniques. Fig. 11(a) is a top view of the taco holder in the open position. Fig. 11(b) is another view of the taco holder in the open position.

[0027] The illustrative descriptions of the principles of the present invention are to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosed invention. These descriptions are susceptible to numerous modifications and alternative arrangements by those skilled in the art. Such modifications and alternative arrangements are not intended to be outside the scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments but, instead, is to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.