U.S. patent application number 11/224101 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-16 for wearable and disposable food tray.
Invention is credited to Vincent P. Tippmann.
Application Number | 20060054649 11/224101 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36032811 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060054649 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tippmann; Vincent P. |
March 16, 2006 |
Wearable and disposable food tray
Abstract
A wearable food tray member for selectively positioning
predetermined food and drink products thereon. The tray member
includes a proximal end and a distal end. A first retaining member
is selectively secured to the proximal end of the tray member. A
second retaining member is selectively secured to the distal end of
the tray member. The tray member is selectively positioned relative
to a user in a substantially horizontal position by securing the
first retaining member relative to a user's waist and by
selectively positioning the second retaining member relative to a
user's upper body.
Inventors: |
Tippmann; Vincent P.; (Fort
Wayne, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Family ID: |
36032811 |
Appl. No.: |
11/224101 |
Filed: |
September 13, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60608882 |
Sep 13, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
224/625 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 23/06 20130101;
A47G 19/06 20130101; A47G 2023/0675 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/625 |
International
Class: |
A45F 3/02 20060101
A45F003/02 |
Claims
1. A wearable food tray comprising: a tray member for selectively
positioning predetermined food and drink products thereon, said
tray member including a proximal end and a distal end; a first
retaining member for selectively being secured to said proximal end
of said tray member; and a second retaining member for selectively
being secured to said distal end of said tray member; wherein said
tray member is adapted to be selectively positioned relative to a
user in a substantially horizontal position by securing said first
retaining member relative to a user's waist and by selectively
positioning said second retaining member relative to a user's upper
body.
2. The wearable food tray according to claim 1, wherein said
proximal end of said tray member includes a recessed portion
extending a predetermined distance along a length of said proximal
end for conforming to a user's waist.
3. The wearable food tray according to claim 2, wherein said first
retaining member is an elastic cord for ensuring that the proximal
end of said tray member is snuggly positioned relative to a user's
waist.
4. The wearable food tray according to claim 1, wherein said second
retaining member is a cord with a first end secured to the distal
end of said tray member and a second end for being selectively
positioned around a user's neck.
5. The wearable food tray according to claim 1, wherein said tray
member includes an upper surface, a first side wall extending from
the proximal end to the distal end and a second side wall extending
from the proximal end to the distal end, said upper surface being
adapted to position at least one of a plate and a beverage
container for enabling a user to consume food products while a
user's arms are free from holding said tray member.
6. The wearable food tray according to claim 5, wherein said upper
surface of said tray member includes a central recessed portion for
accommodating a main food serving therein.
7. The wearable food tray according to claim 5, wherein said upper
surface of said tray member includes an aperture for accommodating
a beverage serving therein.
8. The wearable food tray according to claim 5, wherein said upper
surface of said tray member includes a plurality of apertures for
accommodating eating utensils and secondary food servings.
9. The wearable food tray according to claim 5, wherein said first
retaining member is secured to said proximal end of the tray member
adjacent to said first and second side walls.
10. The wearable food tray according to claim 5, wherein said
second retaining member is secured to said distal end of said tray
member adjacent to a central portion positioned between said first
and second side walls.
11. A wearable food tray comprising: a tray member having a
predetermined thickness for defining a plurality of areas for
selectively positioning predetermined food and drink products
thereon, said tray member including a proximal end and a distal
end; a first securing member being secured to said proximal end of
said tray member; and a second securing member being secured to
said distal end of said tray member; wherein said tray member is
adapted to be selectively positioned relative to a user in a
substantially horizontal position by securing said first securing
member relative to a user's waist and by selectively positioning
said second securing member relative to a user's upper body.
12. The wearable food tray according to claim 11, wherein said
proximal end of said tray member includes a recessed portion
extending a predetermined distance along a length of said proximal
end for conforming to a user's waist.
13. The wearable food tray according to claim 12, wherein said
first securing member is an elastic cord for ensuring that the
proximal end of said tray member is snuggly positioned relative to
a user's waist.
14. The wearable food tray according to claim 11, wherein said
second securing member is a cord with a first end secured to the
distal end of said tray member and a second end for being
selectively positioned around a user's neck.
15. The wearable food tray according to claim 11, wherein said tray
member includes an upper surface, a first side wall extending from
the proximal end to the distal end and a second side wall extending
from the proximal end to the distal end, said upper surface
including recessed portions for positioning food products for
enabling a user to consume food products while a user's arms are
free from holding said tray member.
16. The wearable food tray according to claim 15, wherein said
upper surface of said tray member includes a central recessed
portion for accommodating a main food serving therein.
17. The wearable food tray according to claim 15, wherein said
upper surface of said tray member includes an aperture for
accommodating a beverage serving therein.
18. The wearable food tray according to claim 15, wherein said
upper surface of said tray member includes a plurality of apertures
for accommodating eating utensils and secondary food servings.
19. The wearable food tray according to claim 15, wherein said
first securing member is secured to said proximal end of the tray
member adjacent to said first and second side walls.
20. The wearable food tray according to claim 15, wherein said
second securing member is secured to said distal end of said tray
member adjacent to a central portion positioned between said first
and second side walls.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 USC 119(e)
to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/608,882 filed on Sep.
13, 2004 the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] A wearable tray for positioning food products thereon while
enabling a user to have his/her hands free to consume the food
products, shake the hand of another guest, open a door, etc.
[0004] 2. Description of Background Art
[0005] Hithertofore, an individual attend a social gathering was
normally required to hold a plate in one hand while holding a
beverage container in the other. When each hand is occupied with
holding either a plate or a beverage container, the individual is
faced with a difficult situation in trying to consume a food
product positioned on the plate. In addition, if another guest
arrives to greet the individual, it is very awkward to shake the
other guest's hand while both hands are occupied with holding the
plate or the beverage container. In addition, it is very difficult
to maneuver in a room with both hands occupied and it is difficult
to open a door or attend to other matters that require the use of
at least one free hand.
[0006] A serving tray may be used to hold the plate, the beverage
container and the eating utensils. An individual would normally
position the serving tray on his/her lap while seated to be able to
consume the food and beverage positioned on the tray. However, the
same difficulties as discussed above occur due to the fact that
while standing both hands are occupied in holding the tray.
[0007] A serving plate holder is available for mounting a plate and
a beverage container relative to the serving plate. In this way,
only one hand is occupied to hold the serving plate holder. The
second hand would be available for greeting other guests or opening
a door. However, this arrangement is mainly suitable for consuming
finger food. It is very difficult to use one hand to accomplish the
cutting of the food product positioned on the plate.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
wearable food tray that will permit a user to secure the food tray
relative to his/her waist and upper body to permit the user to have
both hands free for consuming the food or beverages positioned on
the wearable food tray while being able to greet other guest or to
open a door or to accomplish other tasks.
[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
wearable food tray that includes a plurality of serving sections on
an upper surface of the tray for holding a variety of food products
and condiments and a plurality of apertures for accommodating a
beverage container, utensils, napkins, etc. for permitting the
wearable food tray to provide a full complement of food and
beverage and utensils for the user.
[0010] These and other objects of the present invention are
achieved by providing a wearable food tray member for selectively
positioning predetermined food and drink products thereon. The tray
member includes a proximal end and a distal end. A first retaining
member is selectively secured to the proximal end of the tray
member. A second retaining member is selectively secured to the
distal end of the tray member. The tray member is selectively
positioned relative to a user in a substantially horizontal
position by securing the first retaining member relative to a
user's waist and by selectively positioning the second retaining
member relative to a user's upper body. The wearable food tray
permits the user to have free use of both hands for consuming the
food and/or beverage while enabling the user to greet other guests
and/or open a door or accomplish other feats that require the use
of one or both hands.
[0011] Further scope of applicability of the present invention will
become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter.
However, it should be understood that the detailed description and
specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the
invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various
changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from
this detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying
drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are
not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the proximal end of the
wearable food tray; and
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the distal end of the
wearable food tray.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a wearable food tray 10
includes a tray member 12 for selectively positioning predetermined
food and drink products thereon. The tray member 12 including a
proximal end 12A and a distal end 12B. A first retaining or
securing member 14 is secured to the proximal end 12A of said tray
member 12. A second retaining or securing member 16 is secured to
the distal end 12B of the tray member 12.
[0016] In use, the tray member 12 is adapted to be selectively
positioned relative to a user by securing the first retaining or
securing member 14 relative to a user's waist and by selectively
positioning the second retaining or securing member 16 relative to
a user's upper body.
[0017] The proximal end 12A of the tray member 12 includes a
recessed portion 12C extending a predetermined distance along a
length of the proximal end 12A for conforming to a user's waist. In
use, a user would position the recessed portion 12C adjacent to
his/her stomach and then proceed to tie the first retaining or
securing member 14 around his/her waist. The first retaining or
securing member 14 may be a cord that is made of an elastic
material for permitting the first retaining or securing member 14
to be slipped over an individual's head and then snuggly positioned
adjacent to the individual's waist. As an alternative, the elastic
cord may be slipped over an individual's feet and then snuggly
positioned adjacent to the individual's waist.
[0018] The second retaining or securing member 16 may be a cord
with a first end 16A secured to the distal end 12B of the tray
member 12 and a second end 16B for being selectively positioned
around a user's neck.
[0019] The tray member 12 includes an upper surface 12D, a first
side wall 12E extending from the proximal end 12A to the distal end
12B and a second side wall 12F extending from the proximal end 12A
to the distal end 12B. The upper surface 12D may be designed for
positioning a plate on a central portion thereof. As an alterative,
a recess 19 may be provided for holding a main food serving
directly on the tray member 12. An aperture 18 may be provided for
mounting a beverage container thereon. Recesses 20, 22 and 24 may
be provided for holding secondary food servings or for holding
condiments or toothpicks. An aperture 30 may be provided for
accommodating a napkin. Apertures 32, 34 and 35 may be provided for
positioning eating utensils such as a knife, fork and spoon.
[0020] In use, the wearable tray member 12 is adapted to be
selectively positioned relative to a user in a substantially
horizontal position by positioning the recessed portion 12C
adjacent to his/her stomach and then proceeding to tie the first
retaining or securing member 14 around his/her waist. As discussed
above, in a first embodiment, the first retaining or securing
member 14 may be a cord that is made of an elastic material for
permitting the first retaining or securing member 14 to be slipped
over an individual's head and then snuggly positioned adjacent to
the individual's waist. As an alterative, the elastic cord may be
slipped over an individual's feet and then snuggly positioned
adjacent to the individual's waist. The wearable food tray permits
the user to have free use of both hands for consuming the food
and/or beverage while enabling the user to greet other guests
and/or open a door or accomplish other feats that require the use
of one or both hands. It is noted that the present invention
permits a user to cut a food product on the tray member 12 with the
use of both a knife and a fork. This is able to be accomplished due
to the fact that both hands are free to permit the user to cut food
or to consume finger food positioned on the tray member 12.
[0021] It is to be understood that the wearable food tray 10 may be
made of disposable material for enabling the discarding of the
wearable food tray 10 after use by an individual. As an alterative,
the wearable food tray 10 may be made of a material to permit the
wearable food tray 10 to be washed and reused.
[0022] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that
the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be
regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention,
and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in
the art are intended to be included within the scope of the
following claims.
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