Service caddy for transporting items

Abstract

A service caddy for transporting one or several full or empty beverage containers, and providing a stacking capability for several beverage containers when it is desired to display or sell at retail multiple containers of beverages. The caddy includes a top surface having item holders, each adapted to receive a beverage container and hold the container in a stable position when being transported. The caddy also includes a bottom surface having a gripping protrusion to enable one to firmly hold the caddy when serving and transporting beverages, and cavities adapted to receive the top portion of a beverage container when a plurality of service caddies are used to create a stacked array of beverage-filled containers. The top surface and the bottom surface are connected by a sidewall. In an embodiment, a resting indenture extends between a lower portion of the sidewall and an inward portion of the bottom surface. The resting indenture is adapted to engage the forearm of the user when the service caddy is used to transport beverage containers.

1 . A service caddy for transporting at least one of a plurality of items, the service caddy comprising:
 a top surface having at least one item holder, the at least one item holder adapted to hold at least one of the plurality of items;   a bottom surface having at least one cavity, the at least one cavity adapted to receive an upper portion of at least one additional item;   a connecting surface extending between the top surface and the bottom surface.   
   
   
       2 . The service caddy of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one cavity is adapted to receive said upper portion of said at least one additional item when said service caddy is in a stacked array with at least one additional similarly structured service caddy. 
   
   
       3 . The service caddy of  claim 1  wherein the connecting surface comprises a sidewall extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. 
   
   
       4 . The service caddy of  claim 3  further including a resting indenture on the sidewall. 
   
   
       5 . The service caddy of  claim 4  wherein the resting indenture comprises a concave surface extending between the bottom surface and a portion of the sidewall. 
   
   
       6 . The service caddy of  claim 5  wherein the concave surface extends midway through the portion of the sidewall. 
   
   
       7 . The service caddy of  claim 1  wherein the bottom surface further includes a gripping protrusion adapted to be engaged by the hand of a user. 
   
   
       8 . The service caddy of  claim 7  wherein the gripping protrusion is located proximal to the center of the bottom surface. 
   
   
       9 . The service caddy of  claim 7  wherein the gripping protrusion further includes an outer edge, the outer edge having gripping indentations along a periphery of the outer edge, said indentations adapted to receive the fingers of the user. 
   
   
       10 . The service caddy of  claim 4  wherein the resting indenture comprises a resting surface adapted to receive a user's forearm. 
   
   
       11 . The service caddy of  claim 7  wherein the gripping protrusion is located in an area of the bottom surface such that the distance between the gripping protrusion and the resting indenture is adapted to substantially approximate the distance between a user's palm and a forearm portion. 
   
   
       12 . The service caddy of  claim 1  wherein the at least one item holder extends downward from the top surface. 
   
   
       13 . The service caddy of  claim 1  wherein the at least one cavity extends vertically upward from the bottom surface. 
   
   
       14 . The service caddy of  claim 1  wherein the top surface includes an area adapted to display advertising material. 
   
   
       15 . The service caddy of  claim 1  wherein the at least one item holder includes a lower surface adapted to display advertising material. 
   
   
       16 . The service caddy of  claim 1  wherein the bottom surface is adapted to display advertising material. 
   
   
       17 . The service caddy of  claim 1  wherein the sidewall connecting the top surface and the bottom surface is adapted to display advertising material. 
   
   
       18 . The service caddy of  claim 1  wherein the at least one cavity on the bottom surface has a generally semi-circular outer shape. 
   
   
       19 . The service caddy of  claim 1  wherein the at least one cavity on the bottom surface is adapted to receive an at least one item when the service caddy is in use in a stacked position with at least one other similarly structured service caddy. 
   
   
       20 . The service caddy of  claim 1  wherein said at least one item holder comprises a circular sidewall and a bottom support surface connected to the circular sidewall, the circular sidewall tapering inward as said circular sidewall extends from said support surface.