Beverage Carton Add-On Devices And Assemblies

Abstract

Two add-on cartons detachably attach to a four pack drink carrier to carry packages of foodstuffs in the add-ons, while beverage cups are carried in the four pack drink carrier. The add-ons are located on opposing sides of the primary drink carrier carton, disposed 180 degrees about its vertical central axis. The detachable attachment between the add-ons and the primary carton is such that they are peripherally side-by-side and abutting along their peripheral walls

1 . An add-on carton for use with a primary carton including a primary chamber including at least a base member and a first upstanding peripheral wall, the add-on carton comprising:
 an add-on chamber; and   an attachment hardware set;   wherein:   the add-on chamber comprises a first upstanding peripheral wall;   the add-on chamber is sized, shaped, located and/or structured to hold packaged foodstuffs; and   the attachment hardware set is structured, located, sized and/or shaped to form a detachable attachment with the primary chamber so that at least a portion of the first upstanding peripheral wall of the add-on chamber abuts at least a portion of the first upstanding peripheral wall of the primary chamber.   
     
     
         2 . A packaged food holding carton assembly comprising:
 a primary carton;   a first attachment hardware set;   a second attachment hardware set;   a first add-on carton; and   a second add-on carton;   wherein:   the primary carton includes a primary chamber that is structured, shaped and/or located to hold multiple beverage cups;   the primary chamber includes set of upstanding peripheral wall(s);   the first add-on carton includes a first add-on chamber;   the first add-on chamber includes set of upstanding peripheral wall(s);   the second add-on carton includes a second add-on chamber;   the second add-on chamber includes set of upstanding peripheral wall(s);   the first add-on chamber is sized, shaped, located and/or structured to hold solid, packaged foodstuffs;   the second add-on chamber is sized, shaped, located and/or structured to hold solid, packaged foodstuffs;   the first attachment hardware set detachably attaches the primary carton to the first add-on carton in a relative mutual orientation so that at least a portion of an upstanding peripheral wall of the first add-on chamber abuts at least a portion of an upstanding peripheral wall of the primary chamber; and   the second attachment hardware set detachably attaches the primary carton to the second add-on carton in a relative mutual orientation so that at least a portion of an upstanding peripheral wall of the second add-on chamber abuts at least a portion of an upstanding peripheral wall of the primary chamber.   
     
     
         3 . A food carton assembly comprising:
 a primary carton; and   a first add-on carton;   wherein:   the primary carton comprises a first peripheral wall; a carrying handle and a plurality of cup-holding chambers;   each cup-holding chamber of the plurality of cup-holding chambers is sized, shaped, located and/or oriented to receive and secure a beverage cup;   the first add-on carton comprises a food-holding chamber, a first peripheral wall and a first tab defining a first recess; and   the first add-on carton is removably secured to the primary carton at least by engagement between the first recess of the first add-on carton and the first peripheral wall of the primary carton.   
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 3  wherein:
 the primary carton further comprises a bottom wall which is oriented at least approximately perpendicular to the first peripheral wall of the primary carton; 
 the first add-on carton further comprises a bottom wall which is oriented at least approximately perpendicular to the first peripheral wall of the first add-on carton; and 
 the primary carton are sized and shaped so that the bottom wall of the first add-on carton is at least substantially aligned with the bottom wall of the primary carton. 
 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 3  wherein the primary carton has, cup-holding chambers arranged in a 2 by 2 matrix. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 3  wherein:
 the first peripheral wall of the primary carton and the first peripheral wall of the first add-on carton abut over substantially their respective entire exterior surfaces; and 
 the abutment between the first peripheral wall of the primary carton and the first peripheral wall of the first add-on carton causes physical interference and friction that helps to further removably secure the first add-on carton to the primary carton. 
 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 3  wherein:
 the first add-on carton a second tab defining a second recess; and 
 the first add-on carton is further removably secured to the primary carton by engagement between the second recess of the first add-on carton and the first peripheral wall of the primary carton. 
 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 3  wherein:
 the primary carton is substantially made out of paperboard; and 
 the first add-on carton is substantially made out of paperboard. 
 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8  wherein the first add-on carton is substantially made from a single flat piece of paperboard that is cut and bent to form the first add-on carton. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 3  further comprising a second add-on carton, wherein:
 the primary carton defines a central vertical axis and an angular direction; 
 the primary carton further comprises a second peripheral wall; 
 the second add-on carton comprises a food-holding chamber, a first peripheral wall and a first tab defining a first recess; and 
 the second add-on carton is removably secured to the primary carton at least by engagement between the first recess of the second add-on carton and the second peripheral wall of the primary carton. 
 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 10  wherein the first add-on carton and the second add-on carton are spaced apart by approximately  180  degrees in the angular direction. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 10  wherein the carrying handle is sized, shaped, located and/or oriented to be lifted by forces in the direction of the central vertical axis.