US6131732A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Foam drink tray with improved cup cavities
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1999-04-01
•
Granted: 2000-10-17
•
Expires: 2019-04-01
Abstract
Abstract A foam drink tray having improved cup cavities includes a foam base with at least two cup cavities disposed in a top thereof for retaining cups or cans. At least one hand cavity may be formed in a top thereof for the retention by a hand. The side wall of each cup cavity may be shaped several different ways. However, every side wall surface which contacts a cup or can must be chamfered where it meets the top of the tray. The gas escape hole is disposed in the mold such that it is on the chamfer. The hand cavity may be any convenient shape which allows a hand to firmly retain the foam drink tray. A gas relief vent may be formed in one a mold half to facilitate improved flow of foam throughout the mold.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul W. Schneider
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:06
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47G; A47G23/00; A47G23/06; A47G23/0641
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A foam drink tray with improved cup cavities comprising: a foam base; at least two cup cavities being formed in said foam base, each said cup cavity having a chamfer formed on a top perimeter thereof; and a gas escape hole being formed in the mold which forms said foam base, said gas escape hole being disposed in the mold such that a nub protrusion is formed on said chamfer, said nub protrusion having a height which does not exceed a top of said tray.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
A foam drink tray with improved cup cavities comprising: a foam base; at least two cup cavities being formed in said foam base, each said cup cavity having a chamfer formed on a top perimeter thereof; and a gas escape hole being formed in the mold which forms said foam base, said gas escape hole being disposed in the mold such that a nub protrusion is formed on said chamfer, said nub protrusion having a height which does not exceed a top of said tray.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The foam drink tray with improved cup cavities of claim 1, further comprising: said cup cavity being round in shape, said cup cavity having a draft to facilitate withdrawal from a mold.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The foam drink tray with improved cup cavities of claim 1, further comprising: a hand cavity being formed at substantially the perimeter of said foam base, said hand cavity being shaped to allow said foam base to be firmly retained by a hand.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The foam drink tray with improved cup cavities of claim 1, further comprising: an advertising logo being affixed to a bottom of said foam base.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The foam drink tray with improved cup cavities of claim 1, further comprising: at least one cup cavity having a vacuum release vent disposed in a side wall thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
100 words
A foam drink tray with improved cup cavities comprising: a foam base; at least two cup cavities being formed in said foam base, each said cup cavity having at least one vacuum release vent formed in a side wall thereof, a chamfer being formed on a top of said cup cavity; and a gas escape hole being formed in the mold which forms said foam base, said gas escape hole being disposed in the mold such that a nub protrusion is formed on said chamfer, said nub protrusion having a height which does not exceed a top of said tray.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
100 words
A foam drink tray with improved cup cavities comprising: a foam base; at least two cup cavities being formed in said foam base, each said cup cavity having at least one vacuum release vent formed in a side wall thereof, a chamfer being formed on a top of said cup cavity; and a gas escape hole being formed in the mold which forms said foam base, said gas escape hole being disposed in the mold such that a nub protrusion is formed on said chamfer, said nub protrusion having a height which does not exceed a top of said tray.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The foam drink tray with improved cup cavities of claim 6, further comprising: said cup cavity being round in shape, said cup cavity having a draft to facilitate withdrawal from a mold.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The foam drink tray with improved cup cavities of claim 6, further comprising: a hand cavity being formed at substantially the perimeter of said foam base, said hand cavity being shaped to allow said foam base to be firmly retained by a hand.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The foam drink tray with improved cup cavities of claim 6, further comprising: an advertising logo being affixed to a bottom of said foam base.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
100 words
A foam drink tray with improved cup cavities comprising: a foam base; at least two cup cavities being formed in said foam base, each said cup cavity having at least one vacuum release vent formed in a side wall thereof, a chamfer being formed on a top of said cup cavity; and a gas escape hole being formed in the mold which forms said foam base, said gas escape hole being disposed in the mold such that a nub protrusion is formed on said chamfer, said nub protrusion having a height which does not exceed a top of said tray.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
100 words
A foam drink tray with improved cup cavities comprising: a foam base; at least two cup cavities being formed in said foam base, each said cup cavity having at least one vacuum release vent formed in a side wall thereof, a chamfer being formed on a top of said cup cavity; and a gas escape hole being formed in the mold which forms said foam base, said gas escape hole being disposed in the mold such that a nub protrusion is formed on said chamfer, said nub protrusion having a height which does not exceed a top of said tray.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The foam drink tray with improved cup cavities of claim 10, further comprising: said cup cavity being round in shape, said cup cavity having a draft to facilitate withdrawal from a mold.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
The foam drink tray with improved cup cavities of claim 10, further comprising: a hand cavity being formed at substantially the perimeter of said foam base, said hand cavity being shaped to allow said foam base to be firmly retained by a hand.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The foam drink tray with improved cup cavities of claim 10, further comprising: an advertising logo being affixed to a bottom of said foam base.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-10-17 | 2004-04-17 | 2004-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-17 | 2008-04-17 | 2008-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-17 | 2012-04-17 | 2012-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |