WO2013106706A2 - Apparatus for providing a universal accessory station for a single serve beverage machine - Google Patents

Description

APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A UNIVERSAL ACCESSORY STATION FOR A SINGLE SERVE BEVERAGE MACHINE

Cross-Re ferenee to Related Αψ plications

[0001] This application relates to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent

Application No. 61/585,880 filed on January 12, 2012, the disclosure of which is

incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Field of the Disclosure

[0002] The present disclosure relates to an accessory station for holding various accessories associated with a single serve beverage station, such as a coffee pod single-serve brewing machine.

Background Information

[0003] Single serve coffee machines have gained market share in the office, home and home- office settings, as compared to more traditional pot-brewed (e.g., drip-brewed) coffee machines. Single serve coffee machines can have a variety of configurations. For example, some single-serve coffee machines can provide drip-brewed capabilities(e.g., a smaller version of traditional "pot sized" machines), have single-serve coffee pods (e.g., like the Keurig® "K-cup"), or include various other single serve packet designs (e.g., liquid packets by Flavia®).

[0004] Accessory stations designed for traditional pot-sized drip-brewed arrangements may not adequately address the unique needs of a single serve beverage station.

[0005] According to the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments of an apparatus can be provided for holding various accessories associated with a single serve beverage station, which overcome at least some of the deficiencies of the prior coffee making machines. Summary of Exemplary Embodiments

[0006] According to certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, exemplary universal accessory stations are described.

[0007] An accessory caddy including at least one first container with at least one opening at a top portion thereof configured to receive a nested stack of disposable cups. The accessory caddy can also include a second container having a substantially similar height to the first containers. The second container can have at least one first compartment with further openings at a top portion thereof configured to receive items, wherein a height from the opening to a first compartment- floor can be a fraction of the height of the second container leaving a remainder below the first compartment-floor. Additionally, the accessory caddy can include a third container connected to a side of the first container(s) and a side of the second container, and can have a height that is less than half the height of the first container(s). The third container can include at least one second compartment configured to receive further items.

[0008] In one configuration, the first container(s) can be at least four inches taller or larger than the at least one first compartment. The floor of the second compartment(s) can be provided at the same level as a caddy floor that is a floor of the first, second, and third containers.

The second container, in some configurations, can include within the remainder at least one receiving compartment configured to receive at least one drawer. The drawer(s) can be provided on tracks to guide movement in and out of the caddy, while retaining the drawers at least partially within the caddy.

[0009] In some configurations, the two other corners of the third container can be substantially sloped from the top side to the front side thereof. The second container can iinncclluuddee wwiitthhiinn tthhee rreemmaaiinnddeerr,, aa pplluurraalliittyy ooff ddrraawweerrss tthhaatt ooppeenn ffrroomm aa ffrroonntt oorriieenntteedd ssuubbssttaannttiiaallllyy nniinneettyy ddeeggrreeeess ffrroomm tthhee ttoopp..

[[00001100]] IInn ssoommee ccoonnffiigguurraattiioonnss,, tthhee ffiirrsstt ccoonnttaaiinneerr((ss)) ccaann iinncclluuddee iinncclluuddeess aa pplluurraalliittyy ooff ffiirrsstt ccoonnttaaiinneerrss.. TThhee ffiirrsstt ccoommppaartrtmmeenntt((ss)) ooff tthhee sseeccoonndd ccoonnttaaiinneerr ccaann iinncclluuddee aa pplluurraalliittyy ooff ffiirrsstt 55 ccoommppaarrttmmeennttss.. TThhee sseeccoonndd ccoommppaarrttmmeenntt((ss)) ooff tthhee tthhiirrdd ccoonnttaaiinneerr ccaann iinncclluuddee aa pplluurraalliittyy ooff sseeccoonndd ccoommppaarrttmmeennttss..

[[00001111]] TThhee ccaaddddyy ccaann hhaavvee aa wwiiddtthh ooff aapppprrooxxiimmaatteellyy 55 iinncchheess ttoo 1100 iinncchheess tthhaatt eexxtteennddss aalloonngg aa ffrroonntt ppoorrttiioonn tthheerreeooff.. IInn ssoommee ccoonnffiigguurraattiioonnss,, tthhee ccaaddddyy ccaann hhaavvee aa wwiiddtthh ooff aapppprrooxxiimmaatteellyy 77 iinncchheess tthhaatt eexxtteennddss aalloonngg aa ffrroonntt ppoorrttiioonn tthheerreeooff.. TThhee ccaaddddyy ccaann hhaavvee aa hheeiigghhtt ooff 1100 aapppprrooxxiimmaatteellyy 88 iinncchheess ttoo aapppprrooxxiimmaatteellyy 1155 iinncchheess.. IInn ssoommee ccoonnffiigguurraattiioonnss,, tthhee ccaaddddyy ccaann hhaavvee aa hheeiigghhtt ooff aapppprrooxxiimmaatteellyy 1122 iinncchheess.. IInn ssoommee ccoonnffiigguurraattiioonnss,, tthhee ffiirrsstt ccoommppaarrttmmeenntt((ss)) ccaann hhaavvee aa ddeepptthh tthhaatt iiss ssuubbssttaannttiiaallllyy llaarrggeerr tthhaann aa ddeepptthh ooff tthhee aatt lleeaasstt oonnee sseeccoonndd ccoommppaarrttmmeenntt..

[[00001122]] TThheessee aanndd ootthheerr oobbjjeeccttss,, ffeeaattuurreess aanndd aaddvvaannttaaggeess ooff tthhee eexxeemmppllaarryy eemmbbooddiimmeenntt ooff tthhee 1155 pprreesseenntt ddiisscclloossuurree wwiillll bbeeccoommee aappppaarreenntt uuppoonn rreeaaddiinngg tthhee ffoolllloowwiinngg ddeettaaiilleedd ddeessccrriippttiioonn ooff tthhee eexxeemmppllaarryy eemmbbooddiimmeennttss ooff tthhee pprreesseenntt ddiisscclloossuurree,, wwhheenn ttaakkeenn iinn ccoonnjjuunnccttiioonn wwiitthh tthhee aappppeennddeedd ccllaaiimm((ss))..

[0013] Exemplary objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying Figs, showing illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure, in which:

[0014] Figure 1 is an exemplary accessory caddy with included accessories, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; [0015] Figure 2 is an exemplary accessory caddy without the included accessories, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 3 is another perspective view of the exemplary accessory caddy;

[0017] Figure 4 is a front view of the exemplary accessory caddy;

[0018] Figure 5 is a left-side view of the exemplary accessory caddy;

[0019] Figure 6 is a right-side view of the exemplary accessory caddy;

[0020] Figure 7 is a bottom view of the exemplary accessory caddy;

[0021] Figure 8 is a top view of the exemplary accessory caddy;

[0022] Figure 9 is a front view of an exemplary drawer, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 10 is a side view of the exemplary drawer;

[0024] Figure 1 1 is a top view of the exemplary drawer; and

[0025] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the exemplary drawer.

[0026] Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals and characters, unless otherwise stated, are used to denote like features, elements, components, or portions of the illustrated embodiments. Moreover, while the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the figures, it is done so in connection with the illustrative embodiments and is not limited by the particular embodiments illustrated in the figures or the claims appended herewith.

Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments

[0027] According to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, an accessory caddy can be provided that can include an all-in-one compact unit which can hold many accessories that a user would desire in connection with, e.g., a single serve coffee machine. The exemplary single serve coffee machine can be a beverage dispenser. Other exemplary dispensers are also possible, and indeed existing single-serve "coffee machines" themselves often also make non-coffee beverages, such as hot chocolate, tea, etc., as well as coffee variations, such as cappuccino, espresso, latte, etc. Examples described herein may illustrate an exemplary accessory caddy oriented toward a single-serve coffee machine, but could also be associated with other dispenser machines having accessories and/or "coffee machines" that dispense more than just coffee.

[0028] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary accessory caddy, according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The exemplary accessory caddy can have a width 202 of, e.g., approximately 5 inches to 10 inches. For example, in one exemplary configuration, the width 202 can be approximately 7 inches. The height 204 can range from, e.g., approximately 8 inches to approximately 15 inches. According to another exemplary embodiment, the height 204 can be approximately 12 inches, and in still another exemplary configuration, the height 204 can be approximately 12.20 inches.

[0029] The exemplary caddy can include a number of front pull-out drawers 1 10 (e.g., two) that can hold individual single serve coffee pods, tea bags, sugar packets and/or miscellaneous accessories. In certain exemplary embodiments, drawers 1 10 can be dimensioned to optimize storage of a plurality of coffee pods, such as the Keurig® brand "K- cup," while users can be free to use all the drawers 1 10 for such storage or allocate one or more of the drawers 1 10 for storage of other items, e.g., as listed above.

[0030] According to one exemplary embodiment, the exemplary caddy can include drawer receiving compartments 1 12 for receiving the exemplary drawers 1 10. The exemplary receiving compartments 1 12 can have a height 124 that can range from, e.g., approximately 3.00 inches to approximately 4.00 inches. In one exemplary configuration, the exemplary height 124 can be approximately 3.8 inches, and in another configuration, the height 124 can be approximately 4.00 inches. The exemplary receiving compartments 1 12 can have a width 126 that can be, e.g., approximately 4.3 inches. Other sizes for the drawer receiving compartments 1 12 can include, e.g., 2 inches wide, 6 inches wide, 2 inches tall, 6 inches tall or any number therebetween.

[0031] The drawers 1 10 can be of any dimension suitable for insertion into the drawer receiving compartments 1 12. In one exemplary embodiment, for example as shown in Figures 9-12, the exemplary drawers 1 10 can have a width 128 that can range from approximately from 3.00 inches to 4.00 inches. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 9, the exemplary width 128 can be approximately 3.700 inches. The interior width 134 (as shown in Figure 1 1) can be approximately 3.5 inches. The exemplary drawer 1 10 can include a front surface 136. The front surface 136 can have a height 138 that is greater than the height 144 of the side walls 146 of the exemplary drawer 1 10. For example, in some configurations, the height 138 of the front surface 136 can range from approximately 3 inches to 5 inches (as shown in Figure 9) and the height 144 of the side walls 146 can range from approximately 3 inches to approximately 5 inches (as shown in Figure 10). In one exemplary configuration, the height 138 can be approximately 3.9 inches and the height 144 can be approximately 3.4 inches, and in another configuration, the height 144 can be approximately 3.22 inches. Thus, in such exemplary configurations, the height difference 143 of the front surface 136 and side wall 146 can be approximately 0.5 inches (as shown in Figure 10). The exemplary drawer 1 10 can have a depth 148 that can range from, e.g., approximately 3 inches to 4.05 inches (including a compartment depth 152 of approximately 3.4 inches, and a front surface 136 thickness 154 that ranges from approximately 0.1 inch to 0.4 inches, which can include a handle feature 156 that can have a depth 158 of up to, e.g., approximately 0.63 inches), as illustrated in Figures 9-1 1. The side walls 146 can have a thickness 160 of, e.g., approximately 0.1 inches. It should be understood that Figure 1 and other figures illustrate one exemplary set of dimensions, and any other dimension, more or less than these, are also possible in other exemplary embodiments.

[0032] The exemplary drawer 1 10 can include a handle feature 156 attached to the front surface 136 to facilitate opening the drawers 1 10. The handle feature 156 can have a thickness 162 of approximately 0.15 inches. The handle feature 156 can have a length 164 of approximately 1.34 inches. In one exemplary configuration, the handle feature 156 can have a crescent or half-circle shape (as shown in Figure 1 1), and in some configurations, can have a radius 270 of approximately 1 inch. In other exemplary configurations, other opening assistant features can be used to facilitate opening the drawer 1 10 such as knobs, slits, grooves, and other similar features.

[0033] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the exemplary drawer 1 10 can further include a viewing structure/feature 166 on the front surface 136. The viewing feature 166 can facilitate the user to view what is inside the drawer 1 10 and can also facilitate a user with opening the drawer. For example, the viewing feature 166 can be or include a recessed portion at the top of the front surface 136 as shown in Figure 9. In one exemplary configuration, the viewing feature 166 can have slopping sides that slope inward toward a center flat surface, or a generally trapezoidal shape. The viewing feature 166 can have a length 168 of approximately 0.500 inches and a center length 170 of approximately 1.280 inches. In one exemplary embodiment, for example as shown in Figure 9, the viewing feature 166 can be approximately centered at the top of the front surface 136, such that the distance 172 from the edge of the front surface 136 to the viewing feature 166 is approximately 0.895 inches. The viewing feature 166 can also include curved edges 272,274 in some configurations. Curved edge 272 can have a radius 276 of approximately 0.15 inches. Curved edge 274 can have a radius 278 of approximately 0.150 inches. [0034] Further, in certain exemplary embodiments, the drawers 1 10 can be slide-enabled from closed and substantially open positions, but can be otherwise prevented from removal, e.g., they can be connected to the unit through a side groove mechanism/system. The exemplary drawers 1 10 can have grooved slots located at the bottom, e.g., on both sides. The slots can be used to keep the drawers aligned and there can be a stop mechanism to prevent them from completely pulling out. The exemplary grooved slots can also facilitate a smooth in and out movement of the drawer.

[0035] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can include two tall, open compartments 120 that can be used for, e.g., cups and lids. The tall compartments 120 can span the entire height of the exemplary embodiments or some fraction thereof.

[0036] In one exemplary configuration, the tall compartments 120 can have a first side wall 184 (shown in Figure 5), a second side wall 178 (shown in Figure 6), a back wall 179 (shown in Figure 2), and an open top. According to certain exemplary configurations, the back wall of an adjacent tall compartment 120 or other caddy portions, e.g., open compartments 140 and drawer receiving compartment 1 12, can act as a front wall for the tall compartments 120. In other exemplary configurations, the tall compartments 120 can include a front wall (not shown). The first and second side walls 184, 178 can each include side openings 185, 187 respectively (as shown in Figures 5 and 6). The side openings 185, 187 can be configured to facilitate a user to easily access the components, such as cups and lids, from the tall compartments 120.

[0037] Figure 5 shows an exemplary view of the left side of the exemplary accessory caddy and first wall 184, and a set of exemplary dimensions. For example, the first opening 185 of the first wail 184 can have a length 188 that ranges from approximately 6 inches to 7 inches. According to one exemplary configuration, the length 188 can be 6.6 inches and in another configuration, the length can be 7 inches. The first opening 185 can have a width 182 of approximately 2 inches. Further, in some configurations, the first opening 185 can be positioned at a distance 180 measured from the bottom of the exemplary accessory caddy ranging from approximately 4 inches to 6 inches. In one exemplary configuration, the distance 180 can be approximately 5 inches, in another exemplary configuration, the distance 180 can be approximately 5.5 inches, and in yet a further exemplary configuration, the distance 180 can be equal to the height 174 of the compartments 130, 132 (e.g., as described further below). The portion 226 of the exemplary first wall 184 adjacent to the opening 185 can have a width 224 that ranges from, e.g., approximately 1 inch to 2 inches. According to one exemplary embodiment, the width 224 can be approximately 1.57 inches, and in another exemplary embodiment, the width 224 can be approximately 1.7 inches. The portion 226 can have a curved edge having a radius 258 of, e.g., approximately 0.5 inches. Further, in further exemplary embodiments, opening 185 can have a curved edge 228 having a radius 230 of approximately 0.2 inches.

[0038] Figure 6 illustrates an exemplary right side view of the exemplary accessory caddy and the second wall 178, and a set of exemplary dimensions, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the second opening 187 of the second wall 178 can have a length 244 that ranges from approximately 1 1 inches to 12 inches. According to one exemplary configuration, the length 244 can be approximately 1 1 .6 inches. In some exemplary configurations, the second opening 187 can have a width 232 equal to the width 182 of the first opening 185, i.e., the width 232 is approximately 2 inches. According to other exemplary configurations, the width 182 of the second opening 1 87 can be different that the first opening 185. The second opening 187 can be positioned at a distance 234 measured from the bottom of the exemplary accessory caddy can range from, e.g., approximately 0.4 inches to approximately 0.5 inches. For example, in one exemplary configuration, the distance 234 can be approximately 0.4 inches, and in another exemplary configuration, the distance 234 can be approximately 2.7 inches. For example, the portion 236 of the exemplary second wall 178 adjacent to the second opening 187 can have a width 238 substantially equal to the width 224 of the portion 226. In other exemplary configurations, the width 238 can be different. According to further exemplary embodiments, the portion 236 can have a curved edge having a radius 260 equal to the radius 258 of portion 225, i.e., a radius 260 of approximately 0.5 inches, and in other exemplary embodiments the radius 260 can be different. The exemplary opening 187 can, in some exemplary embodiments, include a curved edge 240 having a radius 242 of approximately 0.2 inches.

[0039] Figure 8 illustrates an exemplary top view of the exemplary accessory caddy, including the tall compartments 120 with a set of exemplary dimensions. For example, the tall compartments 120 can have a depth 192 of approximately 3.700 inches. The tall compartments 120 can have a width 190 of approximately 3 inches to 6 inches. For example, in one exemplary configuration, the width 190 can be approximately 3.9 inches.

[0040] According to certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure additional open compartments 130 and 132 can be used, e.g., for napkins and spoons. The open compartments 130, 132 can be disposed on either the left side, right side, or on both sides of the exemplary accessory caddy.

[0041] The compartments 130, 132 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can be seen in Figures 5 and 6. The exemplary accessory caddy can have two exemplary compartments 130 and one exemplary compartment 132. The two exemplary compartments 130 can be identically sized or different in size from one another, and the exemplary compartment 132 can be wider in size than compartments 130 or similar in size.

[0042] Exemplary dimensions for these compartments are illustrated in Figures 4, 5, and 8, although any other suitable exemplary dimensions for these compartments can also be possible. The compartments 130 and 132, in one exemplary configuration, can have a height 174 ranging from approximately 4 inches to 6 inches (shown in Figures 4 and 5). In one exemplary configuration, the height 174 can be approximately 4 inches, in another configuration, the height 174 can be approximately 5.6 inches, and in yet other configurations the height 174 can be equal to the distance 180 of the first opening 185. The exemplary compartments 130, 132 can have a width 194 ranging from, e.g., approximately 2 inches to approximately 4 inches (as shown in Figure 4). For example, in one exemplary configuration, the width 194 can be approximately 2.36 inches and in another configuration, the width 194 can be approximately 3 inches.

[0043] As shown in Figure 8, according to one exemplary embodiment, the compartment 132 can have a length 196 ranging from approximately 5.3 inches to 6.3 inches. The compartment 130 can have a length 198 ranging from, e.g., approximately 1 inch to 3.9 inches. For example, in one exemplary configuration, the length 198 can be approximately 2.9 inches, in other exemplary configurations, the exemplary length 198 can be approximately 2.08 inches, and in yet further exemplary configurations, the length 198 can be approximately 1 .97 inches.

[0044] The exemplary compartment 132 can also include a recessed portion 176 (as shown in Figure 5) to facilitate removing and/or viewing contents in the compartment 132. The exemplary recessed portion 176 can have a generally trapezoidal shape, although other suitable shapes can also be used. In the exemplary configuration shown in Figure 5, the recessed portion 176 can have a length 246 of approximately 2.165 inches, and a second length 248 of approximately 1.15 inches. The recessed portion 176 can have a length 260 of, e.g., approximately 0.7 inches. The recessed portion 176 can be spaced the edge of the compartment 132 at a distance 262 of, e.g., approximately 1 .6 inches. The recessed portion 176 can also include curved edges 250,252. Curve edge 250 can have a radius 254 of, e.g., approximately 0.15 inches. Curved edge 252 can have a radius 256 of, e.g., approximately 0.2 inches.

[0045] Exemplary compartment 132 is illustrated toward the front of caddy 100, although it is appreciated that the exemplary compartment 132 can be located toward the back, e.g., with compartments 130 toward the front, or in the middle, e.g., with compartments 130 on either side of compartment 132. The combined width of compartments 130, 132 can be approximately equal to the depth of caddy 100, as illustrated, or some fraction thereof. For example, the depth 200 of the exemplary accessory caddy can range from, e.g., approximately 8 inches to approximately 16 inches (including the depth of the compartments 132 and 130 and the thickness of the side walls of the compartments 132, 130, but not the handle feature 156). According to one exemplary configuration, the depth 200 can be approximately 1 1.500 inches and in another exemplary configuration, the depth 200 can be approximately 1 1.22 inches.

[0046] Above the drawers 1 10 additional exemplary open compartments, e.g., 140 and 142. These exemplary compartments can be squared, or as illustrated, sloped along a curve. These compartments 140, 142 can be used for any number of other items, including, e.g., stirrers, sugar packets, tea bags and spoons.

[0047] One exemplary set of dimensions for compartments 140 and 142 are illustrated in Figures 4, 5, 6, and 8, although it can be appreciated that any other set of suitable dimensions are also possible in other exemplary embodiments. For example, as shown in Figure 6, the compartment 142 can have a curved surface 280 and in some exemplary embodiments, the curved surface 280 can have a radius 282 of approximately 2.5 inches. In one exemplary embodiment, as shown in Figure 8, the first set of open compartments 140 can have a width 206 of approximately i ,850 inches, and can have a depth 208 of approximately 1 .3 inches. The second set of open compartments 142, as illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 8, can have a width 210 of approximately 1.850 inches and can have a depth 212 that ranges from approximately 2 inches to approximately 3 inches. For example, in one exemplary configuration, the depth 212 can be approximately 2.18 inches, and in another configuration, the depth 212 can be approximately 2.6 inches. In other exemplary configurations, the two sets of compartments 140 and 142 can be of substantially equal dimensions. The second set of compartments 142, as shown in Figure 4, can also have a front wall 214 in some configurations. The front wall 214 can have a width 216 equal to the width of the combined compartments 142, e.g., the width 216 can be approximately 3.8 inches (including the wall thickness 218 of approximately 0.1 of each of the compartments 142). The front wall 214 can have a height 220 of approximately 1.6 inches. According to some exemplary configurations, a logo or trademark can be placed on the front wall 214. In further exemplary configurations, the two sets of compartments 140, 142 can have a combined depth 222 (including the thickness of the compartment walls and front wall 214) of approximately 4 inches (shown in Figure 6). In other configurations, this combined depth 222 can be generally equal to the depth of the drawer receiving compartment 1 12.

[0048] Certain exemplary embodiments can include feet 147 on the bottom of the caddy 100. For example, Figure 7 illustrates exemplary feet 147 that can grip to a surface preventing the unit from sliding. The exemplary feet 147 can be positioned at a distance 264 from the edge. The distance 264 can be approximately 0.2 inches. The exemplary feet 147 can be of any suitable shapes and sizes. In one exemplary configuration, as illustrated in Figure 7, the exemplary feet 147 can have a circular configuration, and in one embodiment, can have a diameter 266 of approximately 0.2 inches. In one exemplary configuration, the feet 147 can have a height 268 of approximately 0.3 inches (shown in Figure 4). According to certain exemplary configurations, the feet 147 can be made of si licone, rubber, or other similar material. [0049] Exemplary embodiments can include connectors (not shown), which can connect to other components. Exemplary embodiments can be provided with other components, or can be provided as a stand alone accessory caddy. The exemplary accessory caddy can be made of plastic, metal, acrylic, or other similar material. The exemplary accessory caddy can be made of an opaque material, transparent material, or can have both opaque and transparent material.

[0050] Various components of the exemplary carousels can include any number of dimensions, and Figures 1 -12 illustrate exemplary sets of dimensions for certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. It is appreciated that other dimensions, e.g., for other exemplary embodiments, are also possible. For example, the exemplary caddy could have other suitable dimensions and measurements configured for supporting various sized cups, lids, sugar packets, etc.

[0051] The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the disclosure. Various

modifications and alterations to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous systems, arrangements, and procedures which, although not explicitly shown or described herein, embody the principles of the disclosure and can be thus within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. In addition, all publications and references referred to above can be incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. In addition, certain terms used in the present disclosure, including the specification, drawings and claims thereof, can be used synonymously in certain instances, including, but not limited to, e.g., data and information. It should be understood that, while these words, and/or other words that can be synonymous to one another, can be used synonymously herein, that there can be instances when such words can be intended to not be used synonymously. The term "about" and "approximately," as used herein, should generally be understood to refer to both the corresponding number and a range of numbers. Moreover, all numerical ranges herein should be understood to include each whole integer within the range. Further, to the extent that the prior art knowledge has not been explicitly incorporated by reference herein above, it can be explicitly being incorporated herein in its entirety. All publications referenced above can be incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED:

1. An accessory caddy, comprising:

at least one first container with at least one opening at a top portion thereof configured to receive a nested stack of disposable cups;

a second container having a substantially similar height to the first containers, the second container having at least one first compartment with further openings at a top portion thereof configured to receive items, wherein a height from the opening to a first compartment-floor is a fraction of the height of the second container leaving a remainder below the first compartment-floor; and

a third container connected to a side of the at least one first container and a side of the second container, and having a height that is less than half the height of the at least one first container, the third container including at least one second compartment is configured to receive further items.

2. The caddy of claim 1 , wherein the at least first container is at least four inches taller or larger than the at least one first compartment.

3. The caddy of claim 1 , wherein a floor of the at least one second compartment is provided at a same level as a caddy floor that is a floor of each of the first, second, and third containers.

4. The caddy of claim 1 , wherein the second container includes within the remainder at least one receiving compartment configured to receive at least one drawer.

5. The caddy of claim 4, wherein the at least one drawers is provided on tracks to guide movement in and out of the caddy, while retaining the drawers at least partially within the caddy.

6. The caddy of claim 1 , wherein corners and a side therebetween of the third container are shared with corners and a side therebetween of the second container.

7. The caddy of claim 6, wherein two other corners of the third container are substantially sloped from the top side to the front side thereof.

8. The caddy of claim 1 , wherein two corners of the third container are substantially sloped from the top side to the front side.

9. The caddy of claim 1, wherein the second container includes within the remainder, a plurality of drawers that open from a front oriented substantially ninety degrees from the top.

10. The caddy of claim 1 , wherein the at least one first container includes a plurality of first containers.

1 1. The caddy of claim 1, wherein the at least one first compartment of the second container includes a plurality of first compartments.

12. The caddy of claim 1 , wherein the at least one second compartment of the third container includes a plurality of second compartments.

13. The caddy of claim 1, wherein the caddy has a width of approximately 5 inches to 10 inches that extends along a front portion thereof.

14. The caddy of claim 1, wherein the caddy has a width of approximately 7 inches that extends along a front portion thereof.

15. The caddy of claim 1 , wherein the caddy has a height of approximately 8 inches to approximately 15 inches.

16. The caddy of claim 1 , wherein the caddy has a height of approximately 12 inches.

17. The caddy of claim 1, wherein the at least one first compartment has a depth that is substantially larger than a depth of the at least one second compartment.