Multi-functional beverage cup docking system

Abstract

A disposable beverage cup holder capable of carrying a liquid filled beverage cup in an extremely stable manner during transit is provided. The beverage cup holder is die cut from a single sheet of material such as cardboard, and includes top and bottom panels and two opposing side panels and provides open sides for easy insertion of a beverage cup. Included is a tear-away handle on the top panel, which creates downward pressure on the cup lid, thereby keeping the lid in place. Also included are oval shaped pop-outs and a circular shaped pop-out to allow access to the drinking apertures of the beverage cup lid. Additional features include insulating side panels to protect a user's fingers from burns and also keep the contents of the cup warm.

1 . A disposable beverage cup holder for carrying a beverage cup, the cup including a lid, the cup holder comprising: 
 a top panel having a first fold line and a second fold line on opposing ends of the panel, respectively;    first and second mutually opposing side panels in a facing relationship, each panel having upper and lower fold lines, the upper fold line of the first side panel connecting to the first fold line of the top panel and the upper fold line of the second side panel connecting to the second fold line of the top panel, the side panels being folded downwardly so as to be generally perpendicular to the top panel;    first and second bottom sub-panels each having a fold line, the fold line of the first bottom sub-panel connecting to the lower fold line of the first side panel and the fold line of the second bottom sub-panel connecting to the lower fold line of the second side panel, the bottom sub-panels being folded inwardly and fixed together such that the bottom sub-panels rest one on top of the other and are generally parallel to, and axially displaced from, the top panel; and    a handle, the handle being in the form of two flat panels folded to form an inverted v-shape, the handle being fixed to the top panel.    
   
   
       2 . The disposable beverage cup holder of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is a tear-away handle.  
   
   
       3 . The disposable beverage cup holder of  claim 1 , wherein the flat panels of the handle include one or more cutouts for ease in carrying.  
   
   
       4 . The disposable beverage cup holder of  claim 1 , wherein a generally circular-shaped pop-out is formed into the top panel for the receipt of a drinking straw.  
   
   
       5 . The disposable beverage cup holder of  claim 1 , wherein at least one generally oval-shaped pop-out is formed into at least one of the intersections formed by the junction of the top panel and the side panels, wherein the pop-out may be popped out to provide access to a drinking aperture formed in the lid of the cup.  
   
   
       6 . The disposable beverage cup holder of  claim 1 , wherein each side panel further includes at least two inwardly directed perforations which when depressed form an inwardly directed insulating sub-panel.  
   
   
       7 . The disposable beverage cup holder of  claim 1 , wherein the cup holder is printed with graphics.  
   
   
       8 . The disposable beverage cup holder of  claim 1 , wherein the free edges of the side panels taper inwardly from top to bottom.  
   
   
       9 . The disposable beverage cup holder of  claim 1 , wherein the top and bottom panels are of generally square shape.  
   
   
       10 . The disposable beverage cup holder of  claim 1 , wherein at least one surface is printed with graphics.  
   
   
       11 . The disposable beverage cup holder of  claim 1 , wherein the container is made from a pressed pulp paper product.  
   
   
       12 . The disposable beverage cup holder of  claim 1 , wherein the container is made from a single blank.  
   
   
       13 . A disposable beverage cup holder for carrying a beverage cup, the cup including a lid, the cup holder comprising: 
 a top panel having a first fold line and a second fold line on opposing ends of the panel, respectively;    first and second mutually opposing side panels in a facing relationship, each panel having upper and lower fold lines, the upper fold line of the first side panel connecting to the first fold line of the top panel and the upper fold line of the second side panel connecting to the second fold line of the top panel, the side panels being folded downwardly to be generally perpendicular to the top panel;    first and second bottom sub-panels each having a fold line, the fold line of the first bottom sub-panel connecting to the lower fold line of the first side panel and the fold line of the second bottom sub-panel connecting to the lower fold line of the second side panel, the bottom sub-panels being folded inwardly and fixed together such that the bottom sub-panels rest one on top of the other and are generally parallel to, and axially displaced from, the top panel; and    a tear-away handle, the handle being in the form of two flat panels folded to form an inverted v-shape, the handle being fixed to the top panel.    
   
   
       14 . The disposable beverage cup holder of  claim 13 , wherein the flat panels of the handle include one or more cutouts for ease in carrying.  
   
   
       15 . The disposable beverage cup holder of  claim 13 , wherein a generally circular-shaped pop-out is formed into the top panel for the receipt of a drinking straw.  
   
   
       16 . The disposable beverage cup holder of  claim 13 , wherein at least one generally oval-shaped pop-out is formed into at least one of the intersections formed by the junction of the top panel and the side panels, wherein the pop-out may be popped out to provide access to a drinking aperture formed in the lid of the cup.  
   
   
       17 . The disposable beverage cup holder of  claim 13 , wherein each side panel further includes at least two inwardly directed perforations which when depressed form an inwardly directed insulating sub-panel.  
   
   
       18 . The disposable beverage cup holder of  claim 13 , wherein the free edges of the side panels taper inwardly from top to bottom.  
   
   
       19 . A disposable beverage cup holder for carrying a beverage cup, the cup including a lid, the cup holder comprising: 
 a top panel having a first fold line and a second fold line on opposing ends of the panel, respectively;    first and second mutually opposing side panels in a facing relationship, each panel having upper and lower fold lines, the upper fold line of the first side panel connecting to the first fold line of the top panel and the upper fold line of the second side panel connecting to the second fold line of the top panel, the side panels being folded downwardly to be generally perpendicular to the top panel;    first and second bottom sub-panels each having a fold line, the fold line of the first bottom sub-panel connecting to the lower fold line of the first side panel and the fold line of the second bottom sub-panel connecting to the lower fold line of the second side panel, the bottom sub-panels being folded inwardly and fixed together such that the bottom sub-panels rest one on top of the other and are generally parallel to, and axially displaced from, the top panel;    a tear-away handle, the handle being in the form of two flat panels folded to form an inverted v-shape, the handle being fixed to the top panel;    at least one generally oval-shaped pop-out formed into at least one of the intersections formed by the junction of the top panel and the side panels, and at least one circular-shaped cutout formed into the top panel, wherein the pop-outs may be popped out to provide access to a drinking aperture formed in the lid of the cup; and    at least two inwardly directed perforations which when depressed form an inwardly directed insulating sub-panel.    
   
   
       20 . The disposable beverage cup holder of  claim 19 , wherein the free edges of the side panels taper inwardly from top to bottom.