Cup-holder insert with snack or combo carrier

Abstract

A cup-holder insert for accommodating a beverage and a snack or combo meal includes in a typical embodiment: a) central support member of generally circular cross-section configured to be disposed in a cup-holder and reside vertically in the cup-holder when placed therein and which defines a first cavity adapted to receive a cup; b) at least a first laterally projecting food receptacle portion which projects laterally from the support member when the insert is placed in the cup-holder, the first laterally projecting food receptacle portion defining a second cavity adapted to receive victuals; and c) at least a second laterally projecting food receptacle portion thereof which projects laterally from the support member when the insert is placed in the cup-holder, the second laterally projecting food receptacle portion defining a third cavity for receiving victuals. Preferably at least one of the cavities has an upwardly concave hemicylindrical shape so as to accommodate a round sandwich bun and the first and second laterally projecting food receptacle portions are opposed or angularly offset across the central first cavity.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A compact cup-holder insert consisting essentially of: 
 (a) a support member of generally circular cross-section configured to be disposed in a cup-holder and reside vertically in said cup-holder when placed therein and which defines a first cavity adapted to receive a cup;    (b) a first laterally projecting food receptacle portion thereof which projects laterally from said support member when said insert is placed in said cup-holder, said first laterally projecting food receptacle portion defining a second cavity adapted to receive victuals.    
     
     
         2 . The compact cup-holder insert according to  claim 1 , wherein said first laterally projecting food receptacle portion has a generally rectangular cross-section with four opposing sidewall segments.  
     
     
         3 . The compact cup-holder insert according to  claim 2 , wherein said first laterally projecting food receptacle portion has a major axis of from about 3 inches to about 4.5 inches.  
     
     
         4 . The compact cup-holder insert according to  claim 3 , wherein said first laterally projecting food receptacle portion has a minor axis of from about 1¾ inches to about 2¾ inches  
     
     
         5 . The compact cup-holder insert according to  claim 2 , wherein said first laterally projecting food receptacle portion has a substantially flat bottom.  
     
     
         6 . The compact cup-holder insert according to  claim 5 , wherein said opposing sidewall segments are upwardly and outwardly inclined with respect to said flat bottom.  
     
     
         7 . The compact cup-holder insert according to  claim 2 , wherein said first laterally projecting food receptacle portion has a pair of curved opposed sidewall segments about its major axis.  
     
     
         8 . The compact cup-holder insert according to  claim 1 , wherein said first cavity is truncated such that it has an open bottom.  
     
     
         9 . A compact cup-holder insert consisting essentially of: 
 (a) a support member of generally circular cross-section configured to be disposed in a cup-holder and reside vertically in said cup-holder when placed therein and define a first cavity adapted to receive a cup;    (b) a first laterally projecting food receptacle portion thereof which projects laterally from said support member when said insert is placed in said cup-holder, said first laterally projecting food receptacle portion defining a second cavity adapted to receive victuals; and    (c) a second laterally projecting food receptacle portion thereof which projects laterally from said support member when said insert is placed in said cup-holder; 
 said second laterally projecting food receptacle portion defining a third cavity for receiving victuals, and further  
 wherein said second laterally projecting food receptacle portion is disposed opposite said first laterally projecting food receptacle portion.  
   
     
     
         10 . A compact cup-holder insert consisting essentially of: 
 (a) a support member of generally circular cross section configured to be disposed in a cup-holder and reside vertically in the cup-holder when placed therein and which defines a first cavity adapted to receive a cup;    (b) a first laterally projecting food receptacle portion which projects laterally from the support member when the insert is placed in said cup holder, the first laterally projecting food receptacle portion defining a second cavity adapted to receive victuals;    (c) a second laterally projecting food receptacle portion thereof which projects laterally from the support member when the insert is placed in said cup-holder, the second laterally projecting food receptacle portion defining a third cavity for receiving victuals; and    (d) and optionally being provided with a third laterally projecting portion defining a fourth cavity disposed between said second and third cavities    wherein said third cavity is angularly offset with respect to said second cavity across said first cavity at an angle of from about 60 degrees to about 140 degrees.    
     
     
         11 . The compact cup-holder insert according to  claim 10 , wherein said third cavity is angularly offset with respect to said second cavity at an angle of from about 60 degrees to about 100 degrees.  
     
     
         12 . The compact cup-holder insert according to  claim 11 , wherein said third cavity is angularly offset with respect to said second cavity at an angle of from about 70 degrees to about 90 degrees.  
     
     
         13 . The compact cup-holder insert according to  claim 12 , wherein said third cavity is angularly offset with respect to said second cavity at an angle of from about 100 degrees to about 140 degrees.  
     
     
         14 . The compact cup-holder insert according to  claim 13 , wherein said third cavity is angularly offset with respect to said second cavity at an angle of from about 110 degrees to about 130 degrees.  
     
     
         15 . The cup holder insert according to  claim 10 , wherein said fourth cavity is substantially cylindrical and has a diameter of from about 1.5 to about 2.5 inches.  
     
     
         16 . A compact cup-holder insert with a side pocket of substantial depth consisting essentially of: 
 (a) a support member of generally circular cross-section configured to be disposed in a cup-holder and reside vertically in said cup-holder when placed therein and which defines a first cavity adapted to receive a cup, 
 said first cavity having at its upper opening a diameter, D, and a depth, d′, from its upper opening to the bottom of the cavity,  
   (b) a first laterally projecting food receptacle portion thereof which projects laterally from said support member when said insert is placed in said cup-holder, said first laterally projecting food receptacle portion defining a second cavity adapted to receive victuals, 
 said second cavity projecting outwardly at its upper portion over a span, S, from the periphery of the opening of the first cavity and defining an upper opening thereof as well as a bottom of the second cavity, the bottom of the second cavity extending to a depth, s′,  
 wherein the ratio of the diameter of the upper opening of the first cavity to the span of the second cavity, D/S, is about 1.5 or more.  
   
     
     
         17 . The compact cup-holder insert according to  claim 16 , wherein the ratio of the depth of the first cavity to the depth of the second cavity, d′/s′, is about 3 or less.  
     
     
         18 . The compact cup-holder insert according to  claim 17 , wherein the ratio of the depth of the first cavity to the depth of the second cavity, d′/s′, is about 2.5 or less.  
     
     
         19 . A compact cup-holder insert consisting essentially of: 
 (a) a support member of generally circular cross section configured to be disposed in a cup-holder and reside vertically in the cup-holder when placed therein and which defines a first cavity diameter, D, and depth, d′, adapted to receive a cup;    (b) a first laterally projecting food receptacle portion which projects laterally from the support member when the insert is placed in said cup holder, the first laterally projecting food receptacle portion defining a second cavity adapted to receive victuals;    (c) a second laterally projecting food receptacle portion thereof which projects laterally from the support member when the insert is placed in said cup-holder, the second laterally projecting food receptacle portion defining a third cavity for receiving victuals; and    (d) optionally including a third laterally projecting portion defining a fourth cavity disposed between said second and third cavities,    wherein the cup-holder is characterized by an overall maximum lateral span, L, and the second and third cavities have a minimum depth, s′, and wherein further the ratio of the maximum lateral span of the cup-holder to the diameter of the first cavity, L/D, is about 2.5 or less and the ratio of the depth of the first cavity to the minimum depth of the second and third cavities, d′/s′, is about 3 or less.    
     
     
         20 . The compact cup-holder insert according to  claim 19 , wherein the ratio of the maximum span of the cup-holder to the diameter of the first cavity, L/D, is about 2.25 or less.  
     
     
         21 . The compact cup-holder insert according to  claim 20 , wherein the ratio of the maximum span of the cup-holder to the diameter of the first cavity, L/D, is about 2 or less.  
     
     
         22 . The compact cup-holder insert according to  claim 21 , wherein the ratio of the maximum span of the cup-holder to the diameter of the first cavity, L/D, is about 1.75 or less.  
     
     
         23 . The compact cup-holder insert according to  claim 22 , wherein the ratio of the maximum span of the cup-holder to the diameter of the first cavity, L/D, is about 1.5 or less.  
     
     
         24 . The compact cup-holder insert according to  claim 23 , wherein the ratio of the maximum span of the cup-holder to the diameter of the first cavity, L/D, is about 1 or less.  
     
     
         25 . The compact cup-holder insert according to  claim 19 , wherein the ratio of the depth of the first cavity to the minimum depth of the second and third cavities, d′/s′, is about 2.5 or less.