Popcorn receptacle structure and process

Abstract

The unique popcorn/snack receptacle includes at least a body of circular cross-section having a height, an open top of a first diameter, and a closed bottom of a second diameter, smaller than the first diameter. One or more indentions, depressions or extensions may be formed into the body, added to the body or to the closed bottom, adapted to enhance gripping the receptacle by a user's hand, or adapted to engage the receptacle with a cup holder or an arm of a seat. The receptacle may also provide one or more indentions, depressions or extensions comprising two or more holes or circular depressions into the body of the receptacle proximally positioned to engage a thumb and at least one finger of one hand of the user, enhancing the user's grip in the receptacle.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A receptacle, comprising:
 a body of circular cross-section having a height, an open top of a first diameter, and a closed bottom of a second diameter, smaller then the first diameter; and   one or more indentions, depressions or extensions formed into the body, added to the body or to the closed bottom, adapted to enhance gripping the receptacle by a user's hand, or adapted to engage the receptacle with a cup holder or an arm of a seat.   
     
     
         2 . The receptacle of  claim 1  wherein the one or more indentions, depressions or extensions comprise two or more holes or circular depressions into the body of the receptacle proximally positioned to engage a thumb and at least one finger of one hand of the user, enhancing the user's grip in the receptacle. 
     
     
         3 . The receptacle of  claim 2  wherein the one or more indentions, depressions or extensions comprise five holes, one for the user's thumb, and one for each of the user's fingers. 
     
     
         4 . The receptacle of  claim 1  wherein the one or more indentions, depressions or extensions comprise a series of vertically-oriented flexible bands spaced around the outside of the body of the receptacles, such that a user is enabled to place portions of one or both hands between the body of the receptacle and the flexible bands, to hold the receptacle securely. 
     
     
         5 . The receptacle of  claim 1  wherein the one or more indentions, depressions or extensions comprise a side-extending handle apparatus formed of two panels shaped as mirror-image right triangles, joined along a hypotenuse of each side, the sides opposite the hypotenuse of each joining the sidewall of the body of the receptacle from a single point at the bottom of the body to two separate points separated along an upper rim of the body, the internal volume enclosed by th panels open to the internal volume of the body of the receptacle. 
     
     
         6 . The receptacle of  claim 5  wherein the side panels each have an opening accommodating a user's fingers. 
     
     
         7 . The receptacle of  claim 1  wherein the one or more indentions, depressions or extensions comprise a cylindrical extension centered on the outside of the closed bottom of the receptacle, the cylindrical extension of a diameter and height to fit within a cup holder on an arm of a seat, such that the receptacle is firmly held by the cup holder. 
     
     
         8 . The receptacle of  claim 7  wherein the cylindrical extension is joined to the closed bottom of the receptacle at one point by a connecting tag, such that the cylindrical extension is enabled to fold to have an axis parallel the plane of the bottom of the receptacle. 
     
     
         9 . The receptacle of  claim 1  wherein the one or more indentions, depressions or extensions comprise a box having rectangular sides, open on one long side, and closed on the other long side, formed into the closed bottom of the receptacle, such that a user may place the four fingers of one hand in the box, and a thumb of the same hand on an outside of the receptacle, to firmly hold the receptacle. 
     
     
         10 . The receptacle of  claim 1  wherein the one or more indentions, depressions or extensions comprise a ring of magnetically-permeable metal formed around the body of the receptacle, and a magnetically-enhanced ring around a cup holder at an end of an armrest of a seat, such that the magnetically-enhanced ring attracts the magnetically permeable metal ring, holding the receptacle securely to the cup holder. 
     
     
         11 . The receptacle of  claim 1  wherein the one or more indentions, depressions or extensions comprise a strip of magnetically-permeable metal formed along an arm of a seat and one or more magnetically-enhanced elements in the receptacle, such that the magnetically-enhanced elements attract the strip of magnetically-permeable metal to hold the receptacle securely to the arm rest. 
     
     
         12 . The receptacle of  claim 1  wherein the receptacle is a drink cup, and the one or more indentions, depressions or extensions comprise handles foldable away from the body of the receptacle, and a downward-extending pick flap insertable into a cup holder. 
     
     
         13 . The receptacle of  claim 1  wherein the receptacle is a drink cup, and the one or more indentions, depressions or extensions comprise handles foldable away from the body of the receptacle, and a downward-extending pick flap insertable into a cup holder. 
     
     
         14 . The receptacle of  claim 1  wherein the receptacle is a drink cup, and the one or more indentions, depressions or extensions comprise a ring of magnetically-permeable metal formed around the body of the receptacle, and a magnetically-enhanced ring around a cup holder at an end of an armrest of a sea, such that the magnetically-enhanced ring attracts the magnetically permeable metal ring, holding the receptacle securely to the cup holder. 
     
     
         15 . The receptacle of  claim 1  wherein the receptacle is a rectangular box having an open top, having the one or more indentions, depressions or extensions adapted to enhance gripping the receptacle by a user's hand, or adapted to engage the receptacle with a cup holder or an arm of a seat. 
     
     
         16 . The receptacle of  claim 1  wherein the one or more indentions, depressions or extensions comprise a pair of handles foldable outwardly from the body of the receptacle, and a downwardly extending pick-flap held to the body at an uppermost position, and extendable away from the body at a lowermost extension, the pick-flap having a plurality of parallel fold lines enabling the pick flap to be folded as an accordion to be inserted into a cup holder. 
     
     
         17 . The receptacle of  claim 1  wherein one of the pair of handles has holes to accommodate a users fingers, and the other has a rectangular opening. 
     
     
         18 . The receptacle of  claim 16  comprising a finger alcove implemented on an upper corner of one or both of the foldable handles. 
     
     
         19 . The receptacle of  claim 16  wherein the pick-flap comprises an arrow shaped lower extremity having side indentions positioned to engage cross braces at the lower end of a cup holder, to securely engage the receptacle to the cup holder. 
     
     
         20 . The receptacle of  claim 16  wherein one or both of the foldable handles are engaged over an edge of a cup holder to aid in holding the receptacle to the cup holder. 
     
     
         21 . The receptacle of  claim 16  wherein the handles  1000  met the pick-flap in an upward curvature, such that when the handles are folded out, the upward curvature creates a slot that enables the receptacle to be engaged securely over the edge of the rim of a cup holder. 
     
     
         22 . The receptacle of  claim 16  wherein one or both of the handles have one or more of material extensions enabled to be folded over to provide a double wall thickness at a portion of the handle.