Cup carrier

Abstract

This invention relates to a cup carrier and method of distribution and application whereby a flexible plastic carrier is applied around sidewall of one or more cups resulting in an easily portable unit with a flexible plastic handle extending therefrom.

1 . A generally continuous string of cup carriers, each cup carrier of the generally continuous string for unitizing one or more cups, each cup carrier comprising:
 a plastic sheet including at least one cup engaging portion forming a cup aperture;   a first bail opposite a second bail with a handle bridging therebetween, the first bail and the second bail connected with respect to the at least one cup engaging portion by struts and separable sections; and   at least one line of weakness between adjacent cup carriers wherein the separable sections are separated by a force required to separate the line of weakness.   
   
   
       2 . The cup carrier of  claim 1  wherein the line of weakness requires more breaking force than the separable sections. 
   
   
       3 . The cup carrier of  claim 1  further comprising two straw apertures formed by the plastic sheet for receiving at least one straw. 
   
   
       4 . The cup carrier of  claim 1  wherein the cup carrier includes two cup apertures. 
   
   
       5 . The cup carrier of  claim 1  wherein the plastic sheet has a thickness of about 8 mils to about 20 mils. 
   
   
       6 . The cup carrier of  claim 1  wherein the cup carrier further comprises at least one removable ring positioned around a perimeter of the at least one cup engaging portion. 
   
   
       7 . The cup carrier of  claim 6  wherein the low density polyethylene has a density of about 0.910 grams/cm 3  to about 0.950 grams/cm 3 . 
   
   
       8 . The cup carrier of  claim 1  wherein the line of weakness extends between adjacent tabs and bails to assist in winding and unwinding the cup carriers. 
   
   
       9 . The cup carrier of  claim 1  wherein the cup aperture is adapted to receive sizes of cups between sixteen ounces and thirty six ounces. 
   
   
       10 . The cup carrier of  claim 1  wherein each bail is divided from each cup engaging portion with a discrete separable section of the separable sections. 
   
   
       11 . The generally continuous string of cup carriers of  claim 1  rolled on a spool. 
   
   
       12 . The spool of cup carriers of  claim 11  disposed on a fixture for unwinding the cup carriers. 
   
   
       13 . A sheet of cup carriers, the cup carriers comprising:
 a first generally round cup aperture formed by a first engaging portion opposite a second generally round cup aperture formed by a second cup engaging portion, wherein inward struts connect between the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion, and outward struts extend opposite the inward struts;   a first bail opposite a second bail with a handle therebetween, wherein the first bail and the second bail connect to the outward struts allowing the handle to pivot from a first flat position to a second extended position;   two separable sections extend between the handle or the respective bails and the respective engaging portions,   a line of weakness extending between the first bail of a first cup carrier and the second bail of the second cup carrier, wherein the separable section separate with less force than required to separate the first cup carrier and the second cup carrier at the line of weakness.   
   
   
       14 . The sheet of cup carriers of  claim 13  further comprising two straw apertures disposed with respect to the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion. 
   
   
       15 . A method of unitizing multiple cups, the method comprising:
 providing a generally continuous string of cup carriers on a spool, wherein separable sections between a bail and a cup engaging portion have a lower breaking force than lines of weakness between adjacent cup carriers;   providing more than one cup to be unitized;   separating a cup carrier from the spool at the line of weakness, wherein the separable sections pull apart by the force to separate the line of weakness;   placing the cup carrier underneath one or more cups; and   lifting the cup carrier to engage the engaging portion with each respective cup.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of removing one or more removable rings from the cup engaging portion. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the step of lifting includes pivoting the handle from a first flat position to a second raised position. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the steps of:
 providing one or more straws for use with the cups; and   placing the straws within straw apertures of the cup carrier.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the step of separating includes a fixture for unwinding the spool. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the steps of
 providing a hook for receiving at least a portion of the handle; and   hanging the cup carrier on the hook.