Weighted Cup Holder and Identification Medallion

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus for holding food and fluid containers and providing increased stability to the containers, preventing tilting and spilling. The apparatus includes a base portion and sidewalls, the weight of the base providing the increased stability. The sidewalls extend from the outer edge of the base to form an expanded sidewall portion. The expanded sidewall portion provides a holding portion that includes a hollow chamber adapted to hold the container, such as a cup, a bowl, or restaurant-grade paper. Optionally, the apparatus includes at least one sidecup holder that supports a miniature cup for holding food, dips, or fluids. The apparatus can also include a cooling element or a heating element disposed within the base.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for holding an open ended container, comprising:
 a. a base having an outer edge;   b. a sidewall extending from the outer edge of said base to form an expanded sidewall portion;   c. said expanded sidewall portion providing a holding portion comprising a hollow chamber adapted to hold the container, said chamber formed by said sidewall extending upwardly from the base.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a. at least one sidewall aperture located in said sidewall;   b. at least one recess located on an inner surface of said sidewall within the at least one aperture;   c. at least one holder assembly including a circular support structure and a laterally extending prong having at least one vertically extending arm, said circular support structure adapted to support a second open ended container; and   d. said prong adapted to engage said at least one aperture and said at least one vertically extending arm adapted to engage said at least one recess within said at least one aperture.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a. at least one sidewall hook and loop fastener located in said sidewall;   b. at least one holder assembly including a circular support structure having a holder hook and loop fastener, said circular support structure adapted to support a second open ended container; and   c. said holder hook and loop fastener adapted to engage said at least one sidewall hook and loop fastener.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a. at least one sidewall magnet located in said sidewall;   b. at least one holder assembly including a circular support structure having a holder magnet, said circular support structure adapted to support a second open ended container; and   c. said holder magnet adapted to engage said at least one sidewall magnet.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a. at least one medallion holder formed integrally with said sidewall; and   b. at least one medallion attached to said at least one medallion holder.   
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for holding a food receptacle, comprising:
 a. a base having an outer edge;   b. a sidewall extending from the outer edge of said base to form an expanded sidewall portion; and   c. said expanded sidewall portion providing a holding portion comprising a hollow chamber adapted to hold the food receptacle, said chamber formed by said sidewall extending upwardly from the base.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a. at least one sidewall aperture located in said sidewall;   b. at least one recess located on an inner surface of said sidewall within the at least one aperture;   c. at least one holder assembly including a circular support structure and a laterally extending prong having at least one vertically extending arm, said circular support structure adapted to support a second open ended container; and   d. said prong adapted to engage said at least one aperture and said at least one vertically extending arm adapted to engage said at least one recess with said at least one aperture.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising one of a heating element and a cooling element disposed in said base. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a. at least one sidewall hook and loop fastener located in said sidewall;   b. at least one holder assembly including a circular support structure having a holder hook and loop fastener, said circular support structure adapted to support a second open ended container; and   c. said holder hook and loop fastener adapted to engage said at least one sidewall hook and loop fastener.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a. at least one sidewall magnet located in said sidewall;   b. at least one holder assembly including a circular support structure having a holder magnet, said circular support structure adapted to support a second open ended container; and   c. said holder magnet adapted to engage said at least one sidewall magnet.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a. a medallion holder integrally formed with said circular support structure, said medallion holder including at least one medallion holder aperture;   b. a removable medallion adapted to removably engage said medallion holder; and   c. said removable medallion including at least one nub adapted to engage the at least one medallion holder aperture in said medallion holder.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a. a medallion holder integrally formed with said circular support structure, said medallion holder including at least one aperture;   b. a removable medallion adapted to removably engage said medallion holder; and   c. said removable medallion including at least one nub adapted to engage the at least one aperture in said medallion holder.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a. a medallion holder integrally formed with said circular support structure, said medallion holder including at least one aperture;   b. a removable medallion adapted to removably engage said medallion holder; and   c. said removable medallion including at least one nub adapted to engage the at least one aperture in said medallion holder.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a. a medallion holder integrally formed with said circular support structure, said medallion holder including at least one medallion holder aperture;   b. a removable medallion adapted to removably engage said medallion holder; and   c. said removable medallion including at least one nub adapted to engage the at least one medallion holder aperture in said medallion holder.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a. a medallion holder integrally formed with said circular support structure, said medallion holder including at least one aperture;   b. a removable medallion adapted to removably engage said medallion holder; and   c. said removable medallion including at least one nub adapted to engage the at least one aperture in said medallion holder.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a. a medallion holder integrally formed with said circular support structure, said medallion holder including at least one aperture;   b. a removable medallion adapted to removably engage said medallion holder; and   c. said removable medallion including at least one nub adapted to engage the at least one aperture in said medallion holder.