Beverage cup holder having means for attaching to a plate

Abstract

A beverage cup holder is generally cylindrical having an upper open end and a lower closed end. Near the lower closed end is a diametrical slot which is configured to engage the periphery of a paper or plastic plate. Preferably, the slot is configured to match or somewhat match the curvature of the periphery of a paper or plastic plate. The presently preferred embodiment of the invention is made of plastic. However, it is possible that the invention could be made of paper (cardboard). The invention is easily attachable to the many existing paper and plastic plates in the market.

1 . A beverage cup holder having means for attaching to a plate, said cup holder comprising:
 a generally cylindrical structure having an upper open end and a lower end and a side wall, and   a slot extending diametrically into the side wall.   
   
   
       2 . A beverage cup holder according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said lower end is closed.   
   
   
       3 . A beverage cup holder according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said lower end is open.   
   
   
       4 . A beverage cup holder according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said lower end defines an annulus.   
   
   
       5 . A beverage cup holder according to  claim 4 , wherein:
 said annulus has inner and outer ribs.   
   
   
       6 . A beverage cup holder according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said slot has a profile that substantially matches the profile of the periphery of a disposable plate.   
   
   
       7 . A beverage cup holder according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said structure is generally frustroconical.   
   
   
       8 . A beverage cup holder according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a pair of ribs adjacent the end of said slot.   
   
   
       9 . A beverage cup holder according to  claim 1  wherein:
 said slot has a tapered thickness.   
   
   
       10 . A beverage cup holder according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 said slot terminates in a thickness approximately equal to the thickness of a disposable plate.   
   
   
       11 . A beverage cup holder according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 said tapered thickness is configured to accommodate a variety of disposable plate profiles.   
   
   
       12 . A beverage cup holder according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said slot has a profile that distorts the periphery of a disposable plate when the plate is inserted into the slot thereby providing a clamping action.   
   
   
       13 . A beverage cup holder according to  claim 12 , wherein:
 said slot distorts the plate at three points.   
   
   
       14 . A food service apparatus, comprising:
 a disposable plate having a curved profile periphery;   a beverage cup; and   a beverage cup holder having a diametrical slot adapted to receive the curved profile periphery of the disposable plate and having a diameter adapted to receive the beverage cup.   
   
   
       15 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein:
 said beverage cup holder has a pair of ribs adjacent the end of said slot.   
   
   
       16 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein:
 said slot has a tapered thickness.   
   
   
       17 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein:
 said slot terminates in a thickness approximately equal to the thickness of the disposable plate.   
   
   
       18 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein:
 said slot has a profile that distorts the periphery the plate when the plate is inserted into the slot thereby providing a clamping action.   
   
   
       19 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein:
 said slot distorts the plate at three points.   
   
   
       20 . The apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein:
 when the beverage cup is placed in the cup holder, the bottom of the beverage cup engages the periphery of the plate.