Food carrier and method

ES 2 298 604 T3

DESCRIPTION

Food conveyor and procedure.

This invention relates to conveyors, such as food conveyors, and dispensing procedures, and particularly to conveyors and procedures used to dispense prepared foods, including beverages. Carriers are known from US2850223 and US3576274.

A long-standing problem is the distribution of food from distribution points, warehouses, restaurants, etc., to people for transport to a remote place where the food is to be eaten. It is difficult for one person to carry much more than one or two glasses of drinks, or a glass and a unit of solid food, if only the hands can be used to carry the food.

Food conveyors are used when larger quantities of food must be transported. However, since conveyors must be relatively inexpensive, they are usually flimsy and easy to deform causing food to tip off the conveyor.

One type of prior art conveyor has a pair of collapsible trays attached to a central support panel with a handle used to transport the device. The trays have holes to hold drinks that are used to carry up to four full drink glasses. An auxiliary tray with a long slot at the bottom is fitted over the center support panel with the panel extending through the slot. The auxiliary tray is normally used to hold solid foods such as hot dogs. The auxiliary tray can rest on the tops of the beverage containers below it. Therefore, the conveyor can be used to transport food and drink for several people.

The above type of conveyor has several disadvantages.

One disadvantage is that several different movements are required in order to unfold the folded conveyor and prepare it for use. It makes the conveyor relatively slow and complicated to use.

Another disadvantage is that the conveyor will often not stand upright on a horizontal surface by itself. This makes it more difficult and slow to load food into the conveyor.

It has been suggested that such carriers be used to carry advertising of the sponsors supplying the carriers. By doing this, advertisers pay the relatively higher costs of the carriers. Therefore, it is desirable to maximize the surface area available for such advertising without undue cost increases.

The present invention relates to a conveyor according to claim 1, to a food distribution method according to claim 10 and to a conveyor part according to claim 11.

In an embodiment disclosed herein a food conveyor and method eliminate or mitigate the above disadvantages.

In particular, one embodiment of the invention provides a food conveyor that is relatively quick and easy to deploy and prepare, and therefore speeds up the food distribution process.

Embodiments of the invention provide a conveyor that is relatively robust and easy to load and unload, thereby further accelerating and facilitating the distribution of food.

The embodiments also provide such a conveyor with an increased surface area for displaying advertising.

Furthermore, the embodiments provide a conveyor that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and is robust and reliable in use.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a food conveyor and method have a central support panel with trays folded on opposite sides, each of the trays consisting of a folded side wall structure that unfolds to provide a side wall, and a folded horizontal support panel that folds out to fit and support the side wall. This structure keeps the conveyor upright when placed on a flat surface and greatly facilitates the loading of food into the conveyor.

Preferably, the horizontal panel has at least one hole to house and support a drinking glass.

Preferably, a clamping structure is provided to hold the panel horizontal with respect to the side wall to support the load to be transported.

In one embodiment, the clamping structure comprises a projecting surface that extends inwardly from the side wall to support the horizontal panel and any food that rests on that panel. In another embodiment, the fastening structure includes a tab on one of the parts that engages the other part.

Preferably, the horizontal panel is structured to automatically penetrate the boundaries of the side wall when the side wall is deployed so that the conveyor is deployed and ready for use in a single movement.

Preferably, the horizontal panel is located adjacent to the lower edge of the side wall.

In another embodiment of the invention, on each tray there are two horizontally spaced panels vertically connected to each other, each having at least one hole for accommodating drinks aligned with a similar hole in the other panel for supporting and holding a beverage container.

An optional auxiliary tray is provided. It has a slot at the bottom through which the center panel is inserted. This tray can be used to support solid food units, with the tray resting either on the tops of the beverage containers supported on the trays, or on the upper edges of the side walls.

In another embodiment, the auxiliary tray has the same construction as the main conveyor except that its trays do not have openings for beverage glasses and it has a central recess that fits over the central support panel of the conveyor. This auxiliary tray can be used independently as a solid food conveyor.

The protractor is relatively fast and easy to use. The food clerk prepares the food for the customer's order. After, he or she simple

ES 2 298 604 T3 unfold the side wall structure and place the conveyor on a flat surface. The shop assistant then loads the conveyor with food. Because the conveyor stands upright on its own, the shop assistant can use both hands to load the food into the conveyor.

If the order is for liquid food only, such as soup or beverages, the cups containing the beverage are inserted into the receiving holes in the trays, and the conveyor is grasped by the handle and carried by the customer.

If the order also includes solid foods, such as hot dogs, hamburgers, bags of peanuts, French fries, popcorn, etc., then the auxiliary tray slides down on the center support panel, the solid food is placed on the tray assistant, and the customer grabs the handle and carries all the food units with one hand.

If the order includes only solid food units, these can be placed on the conveyor trays, as long as they are large enough so that they do not pass through the holes that hold the beverages.

Alternatively, the solid food units can be transported on one of the auxiliary trays described above.

Food distribution using the conveyors of embodiments of the invention is made faster and easier, for both shop assistants and customers, in many different types of situations and locations. For example, the conveyor can be used to advantage in the distribution of food from stalls in baseball, soccer, tennis and other stadiums; in enclosures for basketball and other indoor sports; at picnics, at indoor and outdoor political speeches and other gatherings, and at conventions; in self-service or take-out restaurants; at parties and other social gatherings, and at virtually any function or location where food needs to be transported by the customer.

Advantageously, the transporter carries the advertisements of one or more sponsors who either supply the transporters free of charge or bear part of their cost. Advertising may include rip coupons that can be redeemed for the product in order to promote product sales.

Advantageously, the conveyor has an increased outer surface area for the display of such advertising.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from or explained in the following description and drawings.

In the drawings:

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how it can be carried out, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the food conveyor of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a partially sectioned cross-sectional view taken along line 22 of Figure 1, with modifications to illustrate the operation of the invention;

fig. 3 is a front elevation view of the base portion of the conveyor of Figure 1 folded;

fig. 4 is a top plan view of a conveyor base tray shown in Figure 3, with the tray shown partially unfolded;

fig. 5 is a top plan view like that of figure 4 with the tray fully deployed;

fig. 6 is a top plan view of the folded auxiliary tray of the conveyor shown in Figure 1;

fig. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the conveyor of the invention;

fig. 8 is a cross-sectional sectional view taken along line 8-8 of Figure 7;

fig. 9 is a cross-sectional sectional view taken along line 9-9 of Figure 7;

fig. 10 is a front elevation view of the folded conveyor base shown unfolded in Figure 7;

fig. 11 is a schematic side elevation view of a portion of the base shown in Figures 7 and 10 in partially unfolded form;

fig. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the food conveyor of the present invention;

fig. 13 is a cross-sectional sectional view taken along line 13-13 of Figure 12;

fig. 14 is a top plan view of the cutout shape for one half of the conveyor base shown in Figure 1; and fig. 15 is a top plan view of the cutout form for one half of the conveyor base shown in Figure 12.

Referring first to Figure 1, one embodiment of the food conveyor 20 of the present invention includes a central vertical support panel 22 made of two individual fibreboard panels 26 and 28 glued together to form a laminate.

Two trays 30 and 32 for carrying up to four glasses of drinks, such as glass 62, or solid foods, extend outwardly from opposite sides of central panel 22.

Figure 1 also shows an optional auxiliary tray 70 with side walls 72 and 74 and a bottom wall 76 with an elongated central slot 78.

When the customer orders solid foods as well as beverages, the auxiliary tray 70 fits down over the center support panel 22 that extends through the slot 78, and the auxiliary tray 70 slides down until it rests on the tops of beverage glasses or on top edges 52 of trays 30 and 32. A hand hole 34 is provided in the center support panel 22 and the entire assembly can be transported from a vending stand to stadium seating or the like using only one hand inserted through the hand hole 34.

When the customer returns to their seat, the customer removes the solid food from tray 70, removes tray 70 from center support panel 22, and then removes the beverages from trays 30 and 32 to distribute to the people who ordered the food.

Advantageously, both the conveyor base, which consists of the central support panel 22 and trays 30 and 32, and the auxiliary tray 70 fold for compact storage at the point of sale. As will be explained in more detail

ES 2 298 604 T3 subsequently, the base unit is particularly advantageous because it can be deployed very quickly and easily and stands upright by itself so that it can be loaded with beverages very quickly, thus improving the efficiency of food dependents who use them.

According to one embodiment, the conveyor has an increased surface area for the display of advertising from advertisers who purchase and supply the conveyors to food vendors or distributors, thereby maximizing the advertising value to advertisers.

The preferred conveyor base shown in Figure 1 has a construction that makes the base relatively easy and quick to deploy, yet allows it to be held upright on a horizontal surface to greatly accelerate the loading of food thereon.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, tray 32 includes a collapsible vertical side wall consisting of sections 40, 42, and 44 that extend from panel 28 at one end, and is adhesively attached to the panel at the other end. 28 via a tab 54 extending outward from panel 28 adjacent its lower edge.

As shown more clearly in Figure 2, the panel 28 is folded along a fold line 52 to form a horizontal support panel 46 that is shaped and dimensioned to perfectly fit the contour formed by the side wall structure for support the conveyor in an upright position when resting on a horizontal surface. The horizontal panel 46 has two relatively large holes 48 and 50 shaped and sized to house and support beverage glasses, such as the glass 62 shown in Figure 1 nested in the opening 48.

Typically, beverage glasses are coniform so they are slightly smaller at the bottom than at the top, and the holes 48 and 50 are sized to hold the glass 62 with its top edge 64 at some point above the panel 46. horizontal, but below the top edge 57 of tray 32.

Tray 30 on the other side of central support panel 22 has a construction that is mirror image of that shown for tray 32. Thus, it has a side wall made up of sections 41, 43, and 45, and a panel 47 of horizontal support with holes 49 and 51 to accommodate drinks. Another tab 54 is used to secure the side wall to panel 26 with adhesive or the like.

Figure 3 shows the food conveyor base of Figure 1 when folded. Both side wall structures are folded, each against its own side, and the horizontal panels 46 and 47 are folded up to lie flat against the center support panel 22.

When it is desired to unfold the conveyor base, the food clerk simply inserts his fingers into the corners of the folded side walls and pulls in the direction indicated by arrow 82 in Figure 4, and over the corresponding point on the other tray ( not shown in Figure 4) to unfold the side walls and form trays 30 and 32.

Referring now to Figures 2, 4 and 5, as well as Figure 14, extensions or projections

58, 46, 88 and 100 extend inward from the lower edges of the side walls to form a platform with the horizontal support panel 46 on top to support the relatively heavy weight of multiple large glasses filled with beverages. .

As shown in Figure 4, the projections are shaped with circular cutout areas 90 and 92 to align with the edges of the holes 48 and 50 when the tray is deployed.

The projection from the long lateral side 42 has a fold line 86 at one end and a tab 84 which is adhesively bonded to the projection 100 extending from the lower edge of the panel 40.

The projections 56 and 58 are not attached together and the projection 56 slides over the top of the projection 58 during deployment.

The projection 58 from the side wall section 44 has a fold line 98 and a tab 96 that extends under the horizontal support panel 46. Preferably, tab 96 is adhesively attached to panel 46 to provide a means to automatically pull panel 46 down into the space between side walls 40, 42, and 44 when the tray is unfolded.

Figure 5 shows tray 32 when fully deployed. Cutouts 90 and 92 align correctly with holes 48 and 50, and projections around the periphery provide ample support for horizontal panel 46.

Referring now to Figure 2, the outermost edge 55 of each panel 46 and 47 is positioned to preferably slightly frictionally engage the side wall 42 or 43 to hold it in place once it is fully rotated into position. horizontal. When trays 30 and 32 are opened in the manner described above, horizontal support panels 46 and 47 may not fully unfold toward the bottom of their respective trays. Instead, the panel has only partially lowered to the panel position 47 shown in the figure.

2. This is not an impediment to rapid filling of the conveyor, and can actually help to properly position a drink glass, such as the one shown at 66, through the hole 51 in the panel 47 and the bottom of the tray. Then, when the conveyor is lifted, the weight of the full beverage glasses will pull the panels 46 and 47 down and seat them properly, without any additional effort on the part of the food clerk.

Thus, only a single unfolding movement is required by the food clerk to prepare the food conveyor for loading. The horizontal panels 46 and 47, even when in the angular position shown in Figure 2, support the side walls in their desired shape to keep the entire conveyor upright when resting on a horizontal surface such as surface 60 shown in Fig. figure 2.

Figure 14 shows the fibreboard shape 104 used to form one half of the conveyor base. An identical shape is provided to form the other half of the base, and the two vertical panels are glued together. The other panel parts are fastened together and the assembled unit is folded up for shipment to the customer.

Figure 6 shows the auxiliary tray 70 folded

ES 2 298 604 T3 along fold lines 102. It is a very simple matter to grab the end panels 72 and pull them apart to straighten the auxiliary panel when it is desired to use an auxiliary panel. Of course, it should be understood that the auxiliary tray 70 can also be used by itself to transport solid foods. Although it is normally too flexible to transport beverages safely, it can be used to transport one or possibly two beverages, but with difficulty. It is much better and safer to use the conveyor base to transport the drinks.

The construction of the conveyor base makes it sturdier and allows it to easily support the heavy weight of multiple glasses filled with drinks, as well as solid food stacked on the auxiliary tray 70. This is primarily due to the collapsible vertical side wall construction with the horizontal support panels folding the side walls into the desired shape.

Although it is preferred that the conveyor base is used to transport beverages, there is no reason why it cannot also be used to transport solid food units, such as hot dogs and hamburgers, if they are large enough that they will not fall to the ground. through the holes in the bottom of the trays.

In fact, a version of the conveyor base shown in figure 1 is shown in figure 12, without holes in the bottom parts of the trays. That version is particularly good for transporting large or small solid food units. This construction will be described in more detail later.

Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the conveyor base of the present invention. The construction of the conveyor base 106 shown in Figure 7 is largely the same as that shown in Figure 1, and the same reference numerals are used for corresponding elements in both figures of the drawings.

Two trays 107 and 109 are attached adjacent to the lower edge of the center support panel 22. Tray 107 has a side wall with panels 40, 42, and 44, as previously described. Similarly, tray 109 has a side wall made up of panels 41, 43, and 45, also as previously described.

As shown in figure 9, tray 107 is formed by the side wall in combination with an extension comprising panels 110,112,114 and 116 that extend from the bottom of panel 28 and fold as shown in figure 9 to form a rectangular structure 108. The rectangular frame is adhesively attached to panel 28 through an adhesive applied to end section 116.

An upper opening and a lower opening are provided in order to support each drinking glass. Lateral support provided by two separate individual locations resting on the sides of the vessel helps to increase the stability of the vessel when it is being transported.

The collapsible structure 108 thus described is attached to the side walls by a pair of tabs 134 cut out from the material of the panel 112, as shown in Figure 8, to form the tabs. These tabs engage in notches 136 cut toward the edges 42 and 43 of the side wall portions of the construction.

The conveyor base shown in Figure 1 is shown folded in Figure 10. The frame 108 shown in Figure 9 is folded up toward the position shown in Figure 10, and the side wall parts are folded to the left, as shown.

When unfolding the conveyor base, the food clerk simply pulls on opposite corners of the side walls, as in the embodiment of figure 1, and the elasticity of the fibreboard causes the structures 108 to rotate partially down towards the position shown. in figure 11, thereby causing the side walls to maintain a rectangular shape and support the conveyor base in a vertical upright position to facilitate loading of the conveyor.

Additional openings 118, 122, 126 and 130 formed in the top wall of each tray help stabilize the beverage containers when they rest on a horizontal surface while waiting for the conveyor to lift upward.

When the conveyor is raised upward, the weight of the beverage glasses pulls the frames 108 downward and causes the extendible tabs 134 to seat in the notches 136 in the side wall portions 42 and 43 to secure the portions 108 that They fasten glasses to the side walls to form a sturdy and robust conveyor.

Alternatively, in place of the tabs 134 and notches 136, collapsible projections may be used, such as the projections 56, 58, 80, 88 and 100 shown in Figures 2 to 5, as shown in the embodiment of Figure 1 to support the structures 108 from the bottom.

Although not shown in Figure 7, it should be understood that an auxiliary tray 70, such as that shown in Figures 1 and 6, may also be used with the conveyor base shown in Figure 7, in the manner previously described with respect to the structure of figure 1.

Figure 15 shows the unfolded parts used to form the conveyor base shown in Figure 7. Again, the parts necessary to make only one half of the conveyor base are shown, and identical parts would be used to form the other half.

The side wall portion is formed by a strip 146 that is spaced from the rest of the structure, although, if desired, it could be formed as an integral extension of that structure in the manner of the embodiment shown in Figure 14.

Strip 146 has end portions 150 and 154 that are attached to panel 28 adjacent its lower edge at fold line 148.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the food conveyor 140 of the present invention. This conveyor consists of a base part that is the same as the base part shown in Figure 1 or Figure 7, together with an auxiliary tray 141 that is almost identical in construction to the base part of the unit shown in Figure 1, except that there are no holes to accommodate cups in the horizontal support panels 46 and 47.

Additionally, the two halves of the auxiliary conveyor 141 are formed from a single piece or two individual parts are attached together at the upper edges 143, so that two panels 142

ES 2 298 604 T3 and 144 are covered over the upper edge of the central support panel 22. Panels 142 and 144 have holes 34 positioned to align with hole 34 in the base unit so that a unitary hand hole 34 is formed for the combination carrier.

The two panels 142 and 144 are not attached together except at the upper edges 143 so that the center support panel 22 of the base unit can easily fit into the opening between the panels 142 and 144.

Thus, the auxiliary conveyor 141 is "piggybacked" on the base unit.

The auxiliary conveyor 141 has a different utility. When a customer only orders solid food, or as long as the absence of holes to accommodate drinks is not a problem, the conveyor 141 can be used alone. Thus, improved transportation of solid food as well as liquid is provided. Alternatively, the auxiliary conveyor 141 may have holes to accommodate beverage glasses to provide additional beverage carrying capacity.

The height of the auxiliary unit 141 should be selected to allow ample space for the cups held in the cup receptacle openings on the base unit to extend a reasonable distance above the bottom of the base unit. .

The materials from which the conveyor of the present invention can be made need not be expensive. Medium weight fibreboard is generally considered sufficient for most purposes. If waterproofing is required, a waterproof coating can be applied.

It is also within the scope of the invention to make the conveyors from flexible plastic materials.

If desired, the conveyors can be made from plastic materials that are easy to wash so that the conveyors can be reused.

The invention, in its various embodiments, correctly satisfies the set of objectives set out above. The conveyor is quick and easy to deploy, stands upright on its own to allow the service worker maximum use of their hands to load food onto the conveyor, and provides a robust, sturdy, and safe means of transportation for both liquid foods. as solids. Furthermore, the invention provides a relatively large amount of outdoor advertising space and can be manufactured at a moderate cost.

It should be understood that when the term "food" is used in the claims of this patent application, unless otherwise indicated, the term includes all forms of food including liquid, solid, granular and other forms.

The foregoing description of the invention as defined by the claims is intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes or modifications to the described embodiments within the scope of the appended claims may occur to those skilled in the art.