U.S. patent application number 12/028793 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-29 for making and using serving tray with sauce container.
This patent application is currently assigned to SNACDADDY, LLC. Invention is credited to Brent W. Anderson, Daniel Lee Bizzell, Louis J. Foreman, Ian D. Kovacevich, Russ Stanziale.
Application Number | 20080121550 12/028793 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37883044 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080121550 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Anderson; Brent W. ; et
al. |
May 29, 2008 |
Making and Using Serving Tray With Sauce Container
Abstract
A serving tray includes an aperture extending there through and
a serving area, whereby food waste may be received through the
aperture into a holding area of the serving tray pending
disposal.
Inventors: |
Anderson; Brent W.;
(Alpharetta, GA) ; Stanziale; Russ; (Cumming,
GA) ; Foreman; Louis J.; (Huntersville, NC) ;
Kovacevich; Ian D.; (Charlotte, NC) ; Bizzell; Daniel
Lee; (Davidson, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TILLMAN WRIGHT, PLLC
P.O. BOX 471581
CHARLOTTE
NC
28247
US
|
Assignee: |
SNACDADDY, LLC
Charlotte
NC
|
Family ID: |
37883044 |
Appl. No.: |
12/028793 |
Filed: |
February 9, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11464399 |
Aug 14, 2006 |
|
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12028793 |
|
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60596367 |
Sep 19, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/562 ;
220/523; 264/299; 99/646C |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 1/36 20130101; B65D
2543/00759 20130101; B65D 21/0222 20130101; B65D 2543/00657
20130101; B65D 2543/00092 20130101; B65D 2543/00296 20130101; B65D
2543/00027 20130101; B65D 85/36 20130101; B65D 2543/00407 20130101;
B65D 2543/00361 20130101; B65D 2543/00537 20130101; B65D 2543/00685
20130101; B65D 43/0222 20130101; B65D 2543/00796 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/562 ;
220/523; 99/646.C; 264/299 |
International
Class: |
B65D 1/36 20060101
B65D001/36; B65D 85/00 20060101 B65D085/00 |
Claims
1. A method of making a food serving tray assembly comprising the
step of molding a hand portable container such that the container
has first and second components, the second component having an
exterior surface defining a serving area on a top side of the
second component that is configured to receive and retain food for
presentation to a person for eating and a disposal area including a
raised wall that rises above the serving area and that defines a
disposal opening centrally located relative to the serving area;
such that the first and second components are configured to be
releasably coupled together in a transport configuration in which,
(i) the first component covers the serving area of the second
component for protecting, during transport, food that is received
upon the serving area, and (ii) wherein the first component abuts
the raised wall of the second component for supporting the first
and second components in the transport configuration.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of molding the
container comprises fabricating the container from thermoplastic
materials.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the container is fabricated in
vacuum forming processes.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of molding a container
comprises molding the container such that the first component
includes a raised wall and, when in the transport configuration,
the raised wall of the first component abuts the raised wall of the
disposal area.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of molding a container
comprises molding the container such that when the first component
and the second component are releasably coupled in the transport
configuration, the first component seals off the serving area from
the disposal opening.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of molding a container
comprises molding the container such that when the first component
and the second component are releasably coupled in the transport
configuration, the first component blocks access through the
disposal opening.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of molding a container
comprises molding the container such that the exterior surface
defining the serving area is configured to receive and retain a
plurality of bone-in chicken wings and the disposal opening is
configured to receive there through discarded bones of the chicken
wings.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of molding a container
comprises molding the container such that the second component
further defines drain openings in the serving area for drainage of
excess liquid from food received and retained in the serving area,
the drain openings being substantially smaller than the disposal
opening so as to avoid inadvertent descent there through of food
received and retained in the serving area.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of molding a container
comprises molding the container such that the disposal opening is
centrally located relative to the serving area.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of molding a container
comprises molding the container such that the serving area is
symmetrical relative to the disposal opening.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of molding a container
comprises molding the container such that the serving area includes
a contoured surface for receiving and retaining food for
presentation to a person for eating.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of molding a container
comprises molding the container such that the serving area includes
a contoured surface defining four wells each for receiving food
therein.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of molding a container
comprises molding the container such that the serving area includes
a contoured surface defining a plurality of channels radially
extending from the disposal opening.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of molding a container
comprises molding the container such that the serving area slopes
along a radial direction from a center of the serving area toward a
perimeter of the serving area.
15. A method of providing food to a customer which food generates
food waste when eaten, comprising the steps of: (a) arranging on a
hand portable serving tray assembly food that generates food waste
when eaten, the serving tray assembly comprising a container
including first and second components, the second component having
an exterior surface defining a serving area on a top side of the
second component that is configured to receive and retain food for
presentation to a person for eating and a disposal area including a
raised wall that rises above the serving area and that defines a
disposal opening centrally located relative to the serving area;
such that the first and second components are configured to be
releasably coupled together in a transport configuration in which,
(i) the first component covers the serving area of the second
component for protecting, during transport, food that is received
upon the serving area, and (ii) wherein the first component abuts
the raised wall of the second component for supporting the first
and second components in the transport configuration. (b) after
arranging of the food on the serving tray, providing the serving
tray to the customer.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein said step of providing the
serving tray to the customer is by a commercial food service
establishment and wherein the customer is a dine-in customer.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein said step of providing the
serving tray to the customer is by a commercial food service
establishment and wherein the customer is a take-out customer.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein said step of providing the
serving tray to the customer is by a commercial food service
establishment and wherein the customer is a delivery customer.
19. The method of claim 15, wherein the first component includes a
raised wall and, when in the transport configuration, the raised
wall of the first component abuts the raised wall of the disposal
area.
20. The method of claim 15, wherein when the first component and
the second component are releasably coupled in the transport
configuration, the first component seals off the serving area from
the disposal opening.
21. The method of claim 15, wherein the exterior surface defining
the serving area is configured to receive and retain a plurality of
bone-in chicken wings and the disposal opening is configured to
receive there through discarded bones of the chicken wings.
22. The method of claim 15, wherein the second component further
defines drain openings in the serving area for drainage of excess
liquid from food received and retained in the serving area, the
drain openings being substantially smaller than the disposal
opening so as to avoid inadvertent descent there through of food
received and retained in the serving area.
23. The method of claim 15, wherein the disposal opening is
centrally located relative to the serving area.
24. The method of claim 15, wherein the serving area is symmetrical
relative to the disposal opening.
25. The method of claim 15, wherein the serving area includes a
contoured surface for receiving and retaining food for presentation
to a person for eating.
Description
I. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/464,399 filed Aug. 14, 2006, which is
hereby incorporated herein by reference, and which '399 application
is a nonprovisional of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/596,367
filed Sep. 19, 2005, which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference and the disclosure of which is explicitly set forth
below.
II. COPYRIGHT STATEMENT
[0002] All of the material in this patent document is subject to
copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States
and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the
facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the
patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records
but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are
reserved.
III. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Trays for snacks and appetizer-type foods are generally
known. Such trays provide a place to display these foods for
presentation and for eating. They also generally make it easier to
transport these foods. Unfortunately, many trays do not have
sealing lids that enable transport from one location to another,
e.g., from a restaurant to a home. Therefore, when foods that are
traditionally presented on a tray are transported from one location
to another, a container other than the tray is generally used for
transport.
[0004] Another problem that exists, particularly for foods such as
chicken wings that create their own waste, is finding a place to
put the waste prior to its being thrown away. In most cases, a
trash receptacle is not located within easy reach of a table or
other dining area, typically because it is unsanitary or unsightly.
As such, a diner is faced with the problem of having a place to put
the waste while the food creating the waste is being eaten.
Generally, such waste is unappetizing and an eater would prefer to
have the waste out of sight while continuing to eat. Presently
available trays do not provide this capability.
IV. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention includes many aspects and features. In
a first aspect, a food tray assembly comprises a serving platter
and a receptacle platter. The serving platter has a central
aperture disposed there through and a serving area defined between
the central aperture and a perimeter of the serving platter. The
receptacle platter has a bottom and a peripheral wall extending
from said bottom at a perimeter of the receptacle platter. The
serving platter and receptacle platter are releasably coupled to
one another.
[0006] In a feature of this aspect, the serving area of the serving
platter includes a plurality of radial channels. In accordance with
this feature each channel of the plurality of radial channels is
adapted to accept and retain more than one individual food item.
With regard to this feature, the plurality of radial channels
collectively cover the whole of the serving area. With further
regard to this feature, the serving area preferably includes four,
twelve, or fifteen radial channels.
[0007] In another feature of this aspect, the serving platter
includes a plurality of drain openings disposed adjacent the
perimeter thereof. In an additional feature of this aspect, the
serving platter further comprises a wall defining and forming the
periphery of the central aperture. In yet another feature, the
central aperture is sized such that a container holding sauce for
food disposed on the serving platter may be supported therein.
[0008] In an additional feature, the bottom of the receptacle
platter includes a central generally planar area. With regard to
this feature, the bottom of the receptacle platter includes a
plurality of indentations circumferentially located between the
central generally planar area and the receptacle platter perimeter.
It is preferred that the plurality of indentations are generally
triangular with a base of the triangle adjacent the receptacle
platter perimeter. In a further feature, the bottom of the
receptacle includes a central raised portion.
[0009] In another feature, the serving platter and receptacle
platter are releasably coupled at the serving platter perimeter and
a rim of the receptacle platter peripheral wall. In accordance with
this feature, when the serving platter and the receptacle platter
are coupled, the receptacle platter is disposed below the serving
platter. It is preferred that the serving platter includes an
underside and the receptacle platter includes an interior side,
whereby when the receptacle platter is disposed below the serving
platter, the underside of the serving platter is disposed in
opposing facing relation with the interior side of the receptacle
platter. With regard to another feature, when the serving platter
and the receptacle platter are coupled, the receptacle platter is
disposed above the serving platter. It is preferred that the
serving platter includes a serving side and the receptacle platter
includes an interior side, whereby when the receptacle platter is
disposed above the serving platter, the serving side of the serving
platter is disposed in opposing facing relation with the interior
side of the receptacle platter. It is further preferred that when
the serving platter and receptacle platter are coupled, the bottom
of the receptacle platter is adjacent a peripheral wall of the
central aperture of the serving platter.
[0010] In yet another feature, the serving platter includes a
raised lip adjacent the perimeter thereof. In a further feature,
the receptacle platter includes a raised lip at a rim of the
peripheral wall of the receptacle platter. It is preferred that the
raised lip of the receptacle platter is configured to releasably
couple in a friction fit with a raised lip adjacent the perimeter
of the serving platter.
[0011] In an additional feature, the serving platter includes a tab
extending from a perimeter thereof. In another feature, the
receptacle platter includes a tab extending from a rim of the
peripheral wall. In a further feature, the serving area of the
serving platter slopes downwardly from the central aperture to the
perimeter thereof.
[0012] In another aspect of the invention, a food tray assembly
comprises a serving platter and a receptacle platter having a
bottom and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom at a
perimeter thereof. The receptacle platter may be releasably coupled
to said serving platter in two configurations: a serving
configuration, wherein the receptacle platter is disposed below the
serving platter; and a transport configuration, wherein the
receptacle platter is turned upside down relative to the serving
configuration and disposed over the serving platter to provide a
lid for the food tray assembly during transport.
[0013] In a feature of this aspect, the serving platter includes a
raised lip adjacent a perimeter thereof. In another feature of this
aspect, the receptacle platter includes a raised lip at a rim of
the peripheral wall thereof. It is preferred that the raised lip of
the receptacle platter is configured to releasably couple in a
friction fit with a raised lip adjacent the perimeter of the
serving platter.
[0014] In an additional feature, the serving platter includes a
plurality of radial channels. In yet another feature, a serving
area of the serving platter slopes downwardly from a center of the
serving plate to a perimeter thereof.
[0015] In an additional aspect of the invention, a method of
disposing of food waste comprises providing a food tray assembly
including a serving platter having a central aperture disposed
there through and having a serving area defined between the central
aperture and a perimeter thereof, and a receptacle platter having a
bottom and a peripheral wall extending from said bottom at a
perimeter thereof. When the serving platter and the receptacle
platter are releasably coupled to one another at the perimeters
thereof, respectively. The method further comprises arranging, on
the serving area of the serving platter, food that creates food
waste when eaten; and after eating the food, thereby creating the
food waste, placing the food waste in the central aperture of the
serving platter, whereby the food waste is collected in the
receptacle platter.
[0016] In a feature of this aspect, the food is chicken wings and
said food waste is bones from said chicken wings.
[0017] In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of
the present invention, it should be noted that the present
invention further includes the various possible combinations of
such aspects and features.
V. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Further aspects, features, embodiments, and advantages of
the present invention will become apparent from the following
detailed description with reference to the drawings, wherein:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a food tray assembly, shown
in a serving configuration, in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the serving platter of the
food tray assembly of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the receptacle platter of
the food tray assembly of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a side view of the food tray assembly of FIG. 1,
shown in a transport configuration;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a food tray assembly, shown
in a serving configuration, in accordance with another preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the serving platter of the
food tray assembly of FIG. 4;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the receptacle platter of
the food tray assembly of FIG. 4;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of a food tray
assembly, shown in a transport configuration, in accordance with an
alternative embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view the food tray assembly
of FIG. 8, illustrating the receptacle platter and the serving
platter being uncoupled from one another;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of the food tray
assembly of FIG. 8, illustrating the receptacle platter being
positioned below the serving platter;
[0029] FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of the food tray
assembly of FIG. 8, shown in a serving configuration;
[0030] FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional view of the food tray
assembly of FIG. 8, shown in a transport configuration, with an
additional receptacle platter in a transport orientation positioned
there below;
[0031] FIG. 13 is a perspective fragmentary view of the serving
platter of the food tray assembly of FIG. 5;
[0032] FIG. 14 is a perspective fragmentary view of the food tray
assembly of FIG. 5;
[0033] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a serving tray in
accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0034] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a serving tray in
accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0035] FIG. 17 includes additional views of the embodiment of FIG.
15;
[0036] FIG. 18 includes a perspective view of the embodiment of
FIG. 15;
[0037] FIG. 19 includes a perspective view of several nested pans
and several nested lids of the embodiment of FIG. 15, as well as a
perspective view of a lid removably attached to a pan to form the
serving tray of the embodiment of FIG. 15;
[0038] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG.
16;
[0039] FIG. 21 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG.
16;
[0040] FIG. 22 is includes perspective views of yet another
preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 23 includes elevational views of the embodiment of FIG.
22; and
[0042] FIG. 24 includes perspective views corresponding to those
views of FIG. 22 of the embodiment of FIG. 22.
VI. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0043] As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by
one having ordinary skill in the relevant art ("Ordinary Artisan")
that the present invention has broad utility and application.
Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being
"preferred" is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated
for carrying out the present invention. Other embodiments also may
be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a
full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. Moreover,
many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications,
and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the
embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the
present invention.
[0044] Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein
in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be
understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of
the present invention, and is made merely for the purposes of
providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention.
The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not
intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent
protection afforded the present invention, which scope is to be
defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not
intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present
invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found
herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.
[0045] Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of
steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are
illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be
understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may
be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order,
the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being
carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an
indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or
methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences
and orders while still falling within the scope of the present
invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent
protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by the
appended claims rather than the description set forth herein.
[0046] Additionally, it is important to note that each term used
herein refers to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand
such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein.
To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein--as understood
by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such
term--differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition
of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as
understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail.
[0047] Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein,
"a" and "an" each generally denotes "at least one," but does not
exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise.
Thus, reference to "a picnic basket having an apple" describes "a
picnic basket having at least one apple" as well as "a picnic
basket having apples." In contrast, reference to "a picnic basket
having a single apple" describes "a picnic basket having only one
apple."
[0048] When used herein to join a list of items, "or" denotes "at
least one of the items," but does not exclude a plurality of items
of the list. Thus, reference to "a picnic basket having cheese or
crackers" describes "a picnic basket having cheese without
crackers", "a picnic basket having crackers without cheese", and "a
picnic basket having both cheese and crackers." Finally, when used
herein to join a list of items, "and" denotes "all of the items of
the list." Thus, reference to "a picnic basket having cheese and
crackers" describes "a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the
picnic basket further has crackers," as well as describes "a picnic
basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has
cheese."
[0049] Referring now to the drawings, the preferred embodiments of
the present invention are next described. The following description
of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is
in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or
uses.
[0050] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a food tray assembly 10,
shown in a serving configuration, in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention. The food tray assembly 10
includes a serving platter 12 and a receptacle platter 14 that may
be releasably coupled to each other in a plurality of ways, as
described herein below, depending on the configuration in which the
food tray assembly 10 is to be used. For example, when in the
serving configuration shown in FIG. 1, the serving platter 12 is
coupled to the top of the receptacle platter 14.
[0051] The food tray assembly 10 may be used to serve and transport
food items, particularly appetizer-type food items that create
their own waste, naturally or otherwise. An example of such a food
item is chicken wings. Additional food items may include tail-on
shrimp or food items for which toothpicks are to be utilized as an
assembly tool or utensil, such as meatballs. Many times such food
items are served with a dipping sauce of some sort. As shown in
FIG. 1, a container 36 for dipping sauce may be carried on the
serving platter 12 for serving convenience.
[0052] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the serving platter 12 of
the food tray assembly 10 of FIG. 1. With reference to FIGS. 1 and
2, the serving platter 12 in at least one preferred embodiment is
circular and has a central aperture 16 penetrating there through
and surrounded by a peripheral wall 22. In at least one preferred
commercial embodiment, the central aperture 16 is approximately two
and one half inches in diameter. As shown in FIG. 1, the serving
tray assembly 10 optionally may include the container 36 for
dipping sauce, and the container 36 may be sized to conveniently
fit within the central aperture 16 of the serving platter 12.
[0053] The serving platter 12 also has a serving area 18 defined
between the peripheral wall 22 of the central aperture 16 and the
perimeter 20 of the serving platter 12. The serving area includes a
plurality of radial channels 38. The serving platter 12 further
includes a lip 40 having a raised portion 42 disposed at the
perimeter 20 of the serving platter 12 and a separation tab 44
disposed at a location adjacent the lip 40. It is preferred that
the radial channels 38 encompass the entire serving area 18. The
radial channels 38 start at the peripheral wall 22 of the central
aperture 16 and terminate at the raised portion 42 of the lip 40 of
the serving platter 12. Each of the radial channels 38 slopes
downwardly from the central aperture 16. Accordingly, the channels
38 are shallowest at their starting points and are deepest at their
termination points. In at least one preferred commercial
embodiment, each channel 38 is approximately one inch across at its
starting point and two inches across at its termination point.
[0054] Each channel 38 is adapted to accept and retain one or more
individual food items, for example, one or more chicken wings.
Because many food items are traditionally sold in relatively
standard amounts, the number of radial channels 38 in the serving
area 18 preferably corresponds to the number of items being sold.
For example, for a food tray assembly 10 intended for use with
chicken wings, which are often sold by the dozen, the serving
platter 12 preferably includes twelve radial channels 38, thereby
accommodating a dozen chicken wings. Moreover, in at least one
preferred commercial embodiment, illustrated herein, the serving
platter 12 includes fifteen radial channels 38. In the exemplary
embodiment wherein chicken wings are served on the serving platter,
having fifteen radial channels enables the serving platter 12 to
hold a dozen chicken wings as well as the traditional accoutrements
of celery and carrots in the additional three channels. In an
alternative embodiment (not shown), the serving platter preferably
includes four radial channels. Further, in an embodiment wherein
each radial channel 38 may hold more than one food item, e.g.,
chicken wings, a serving platter 12 with a dozen channels may hold
more than a dozen chicken wings.
[0055] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the receptacle platter 14 of
the tray assembly 10 of FIG. 1, shown removed from the bottom of
the serving platter 12. The receptacle platter 14 has a bottom 24
and a peripheral wall 26 extending from said bottom 24 at a
perimeter 28 thereof. The bottom 24 of the receptacle platter 14
includes a generally planar central area 46 and a plurality of
indentations 48 circumferentially located adjacent the perimeter 28
of the bottom 24. Preferably, the plurality of indentations 48 are
generally triangular in shape, with rounded edges, and with a base
of the triangle adjacent the perimeter 28 of the bottom 24. The
receptacle platter 14 further includes a lip 50 having a raised
portion 52 (shown in FIG. 1) at a rim 54 of the receptacle platter
peripheral wall 26. In addition, the receptacle platter 14 includes
a separation tab 56 disposed at a location adjacent the receptacle
platter lip 50.
[0056] The bottom 24 of the receptacle platter 14 may be dome
shaped such that any waste received therein will move toward the
perimeter 28 of the bottom 24 rather than piling in the central
area 46. Distribution of waste toward the perimeter 28 will tend to
avoid any piling of waste in the central area 46. Further, such
distribution will tend to evenly balance the weight of the serving
platter 12 when the food tray assembly 10 is carried after use.
[0057] As stated previously, the food tray assembly 10 is shown in
a serving configuration in FIG. 1. This configuration is defined by
the receptacle platter 14 being disposed below the serving platter
12 relative to a surface, such as a table or counter, on which the
food tray assembly 10 may be placed. In this configuration, an
underside 30 of the serving platter 12 is in opposing facing
relation with an interior bottom surface 32 of the receptacle
platter 14. In the serving configuration, a void space 34 is
present between the underside 30 of the serving platter 12 and the
interior bottom surface 32 of the receptacle platter 14.
[0058] However, during transport of the food tray assembly 10 from
one location to another, the food tray assembly 10 may be
configured differently. In this regard, FIG. 4 is a perspective
view of the food tray assembly 10 in a transport configuration as
opposed to the serving configuration thereof as shown in FIG. 1. In
the transport configuration, the receptacle platter 14 is flipped
upside down and placed over the serving platter 12 relative to the
surface on which the food tray assembly 10 is placed. In this
configuration, the receptacle platter 14 becomes a lid for the
serving platter 12, such that food items disposed on the serving
platter 12 are covered and protected from the environment and from
being spilled during transport. In at least one preferred
commercial embodiment, the receptacle platter 14 is fabricated of a
translucent or transparent material so that food items disposed on
the serving platter 12 may be viewed through the receptacle platter
14 during transport.
[0059] In another feature of the present invention, the
indentations 48 in the bottom of the receptacle platter 14 provide
a stabilizing structure when multiple tray assemblies 10 are
stacked for transport. When two or more food tray assemblies 10 are
placed into their transport configuration and stacked on top of
each other, the indentations 48 of the receptacle platter 14 of the
lower tray assembly 10 engage the underside 30 of the serving
platter 12 of the upper tray assembly 10, and more specifically,
the underside of the radial channels 38 of the serving platter 12.
As such, carrying multiple tray assemblies in the transport
configuration is more stable than if the receptacle platter 14 did
not include indentations 48.
[0060] In view of the foregoing, the serving platter 12 and
receptacle platter 14 may thus be releasably coupled together in
more than one configuration. In particular, such couplings may be
facilitated as follows. To achieve the serving configuration, the
raised portion 42 of the lip 40 of the serving platter 12 may be
releasably coupled with the raised portion 52 of the lip 50 of the
receptacle platter 14, as shown in FIG. 1. The two raised portions
42,52 are configured to releasably couple to one another with a
friction fit. The separation tabs 44,56 on the respective
components aid in separating said components from one another.
Further, the serving platter 12 and receptacle platter 14 are
preferably designed for nesting in similar serving platters and
receptacle platters with a preferred nesting allowance of about a
quarter of an inch.
[0061] In use, the serving platter 12 is first loaded with the
desired food items, e.g., chicken wings, typically in a kitchen or
other food preparation area of a restaurant or the like, by placing
the food items in the radial channels 38 thereof. If a container 36
holding dipping sauce is to be provided with the food items, it may
be placed in the central aperture 16. The receptacle platter 14 is
then inverted and coupled on top of the serving platter 12 as
described previously so that the tray assembly 10 may be
transported to the dining area, which may be a table in a
restaurant, a consumer's own kitchen at home, or any other location
at which food may be consumed. Because the receptacle platter 14 is
preferably translucent or transparent, a user will be able to see
the food items located on the serving platter 12 during transport.
This is particularly advantageous in the food service industry for
the situation wherein users are take-out customers. The customer
will be able to view his order to make sure that it is accurate
without having the remove the receptacle platter 14.
[0062] At the dining area, the tray assembly 10 may be prepared for
use as follows. First, the receptacle platter 14 may be removed by
a waitperson, a diner, or the like. After removal, the receptacle
platter 14 is turned over and coupled beneath the serving platter
12 as described previously. If a container 36 holding dipping sauce
has been placed in the central aperture 16, it may be removed prior
to eating the food items on the serving platter 12. After the food
is eaten, food waste created by the food item, e.g., chicken wing
bones, may be discarded by dropping the waste through the central
aperture 16 of the serving platter 12.
[0063] In the chicken wing example, this allows a user to eat
chicken wings located on the serving platter 12 and easily and
neatly discard the bones through the central aperture 16 of the
serving platter 12. The bones are collected in the receptacle
platter 14, which is attached to the serving platter 12. As such,
the bones are neatly contained within the receptacle platter 14
while the chicken wings are being eaten. When a user has finished
eating the chicken wings, he is left with an eating area free of
unsightly, messy bones. Further, the bones may be easily removed
from the area by removing the entire tray assembly 10.
[0064] The bones may be disposed of in a waste receptacle in one of
at least two ways. If the food tray assembly 10 is of a durable,
reusable variety, the bones may be disposed of by decoupling the
serving platter 12 from the receptacle platter 14 and throwing the
bones in a waste receptacle. A person transferring the bones to the
waste receptacle does not ever have to come into contact with the
discarded bones. This is particularly advantageous in situations
wherein the person disposing of the bones is not the same person
that ate the chicken wings. On the other hand, if the food tray
assembly 10 is of a nondurable, disposable variety, the entire
assembly 10 may be disposed in the waste receptacle.
[0065] Of the two varieties, it is anticipated that the tray
assembly 10 of FIGS. 1-4 is preferably a disposable tray assembly.
The serving platter 12 and receptacle platter 14 may be fabricated
from a variety of thermoplastic materials. Examples include
polypropylene, polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
They are preferably fabricated of vacuum formed polypropylene.
Vacuum forming lends itself to forming relatively flexible
components, and the components are well suited to being disposed of
after a single use or limited number of uses. Alternatively, the
serving platter 12 may be manufactured in a pulp molding process or
in some other inexpensive manufacturing process. Pulp molding
products are well known and include audio speaker cones and egg
cartons. Pulp molding further enables low cost, three-dimensional
branding as a result of the ability to selectively raise portions
of the surface during the pulp molding.
[0066] A disposable tray assembly may be preferred for take-out
customers of the food service industry. With the tray assembly 10
of the present invention, a customer is able to order a food item
that is typically served in a restaurant on a serving platter and
is able to eat the particular food item as he would eat it in the
restaurant, i.e., on a serving platter. In addition, the customer
is able to enjoy the benefit of discarding waste in the tray
assembly's receptacle platter and is then able to dispose of the
entire tray assembly after use.
[0067] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a food tray assembly 100,
shown in a serving configuration, in accordance with another
preferred embodiment of the present invention. This tray assembly
100 is intended to be more durable than the tray assembly 10 of
FIGS. 1-4 and may be particularly suitable for repeated use.
Similarly to the food tray assembly 10 of FIG. 1, the food tray
assembly 100 includes a serving platter 112 and a receptacle
platter 114. The serving platter 112 has a central aperture 116
disposed there through, a serving area 118 defined between the
central aperture 116 and a perimeter 120 of the serving platter
112. The central aperture 116 is surrounded by a peripheral wall
122 extending there about. The receptacle platter 114 has a bottom
124 and a peripheral wall 126 extending from said bottom 124 at a
perimeter 128 thereof. As shown in FIG. 5, the food tray assembly
100 is in a serving configuration, with the receptacle platter 114
being releasably coupled beneath the serving platter 112.
[0068] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the serving platter 112 of
the tray assembly 100 of FIG. 5. Similar to the serving platter 12
of FIG. 2, the serving platter 112 includes a plurality of radial
channels 130 in the serving area 118 thereof. However, unlike the
serving platter 12 of FIG. 2, this serving platter 112 includes a
peripheral wall 132 disposed at the perimeter 120 of the serving
platter 112 wherein the peripheral wall 132 provides an area for
indicia to be placed, e.g., advertising indicia. A lip 134 is
disposed at a lower rim 136 of the peripheral wall 132. The lip 134
facilitates releasable coupling with the receptacle platter 114.
The lip 134 includes a separation tab 138.
[0069] The serving platter 112 further includes a respective drain
opening 140 disposed at a base 142 of each radial channel 130
adjacent the peripheral wall 132. The drain openings 140 provide a
means for any excess sauce or other liquids associated with the
food items located on the serving platter 112 to drain into the
receptacle platter 114.
[0070] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the receptacle platter 114
of the tray assembly 100 of FIG. 5. Unlike the receptacle platter
14 of FIG. 3, this receptacle platter 114 includes a generally
planar central area 144 in the bottom 124 thereof. It is
contemplated that this embodiment of the tray assembly 100 will
generally not be stacked, therefore, indentations are not present
in the receptacle platter 114. In addition, the planar central area
144 may lend itself to easier washing for multiple uses. The
peripheral wall 126 includes a rim 146 and a support shelf 148
adjacent the rim 146. The support shelf 148 extends a slight
distance outwardly from the peripheral wall 126. The support shelf
148 includes a separation tab 150. The support shelf 148 provides a
support location for the lip 134 of the serving platter 112,
thereby making the coupled tray assembly 100 more sturdy and
secure.
[0071] In this embodiment, the serving platter 112 and receptacle
platter 114 are preferably durable and rigid and are formed in one
or more molding processes. The molding processes may include
injection molding, rotational molding, and/or blow molding. It is
further preferred that the serving platter and receptacle platter
are injection molded polypropylene.
[0072] The durable, rigid serving platter 112 and receptacle
platter 114 form a tray assembly 100 that is preferably a washable
embodiment of the present invention. Because of the sturdy
construction, the tray assembly 100 may be used multiple times with
washings between uses. As such, this embodiment may be preferred
for commercial food service establishments, such as restaurants, to
be used by dine-in customers.
[0073] FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of an alternative
embodiment of a food tray assembly 200 in the transport
configuration; FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of the food
tray assembly 200 of FIG. 8, illustrating the receptacle platter
202 being uncoupled from the serving platter 216; and FIG. 10 is a
side cross-sectional view of the food tray assembly 200 of FIG. 8,
illustrating the receptacle platter 202 being disposed below the
serving platter 216. Like previous embodiments, the food tray
assembly 200 of FIG. 8 includes a receptacle platter 202 and a
serving platter 216. The receptacle platter 202 has a centrally
disposed platform 204 extending upwardly from a bottom 206 thereof
when the receptacle platter 202 is in its serving configuration (as
shown in FIG. 10). In this embodiment, a peripheral wall 208 of the
receptacle platter 202 is relatively deeper than the peripheral
wall 26 of the receptacle platter 14 of previous embodiments. The
raised platform 204 is generally circular and has a wall 210 having
a depth less than the depth of the peripheral wall 208 of the
receptacle platter 202. The central raised platform 204 of the
receptacle platter 202 provides an additional stabilizing structure
for the food tray assembly 200 in the transport configuration. More
particularly, the wall 210 of the central raised platform 204 is
supported by a peripheral wall 212 of a central aperture 214 of a
serving platter 216 when the food tray assembly 200 is in the
transport configuration, as shown in FIG. 5. Such additional
support provides a food tray assembly 200 that is relatively more
stable during transport.
[0074] Similarly to the embodiments described herein above, the
serving platter 216 and receptacle platter 202 of the present
embodiment may be releasably coupled to one another in the
transport configuration. The serving platter 216 includes a raised
portion 218 at a lip 220 thereof that may be releasably coupled to
a raised portion 222 of a lip 224 of the receptacle platter 202.
The two raised portions 218,222 are configured to releasably couple
to one another with a friction fit.
[0075] As noted previously, the food tray assembly 200 in FIG. 8 is
in a transport configuration. In this configuration, the receptacle
platter 202 serves as a lid for the serving platter 216, such that
food items disposed on the serving platter 216 are covered and
protected from the environment and from being spilled during
transport.
[0076] When a user reaches the location where food disposed on the
serving platter 216 is to be eaten, the user will want to
transition the food tray assembly 200 from the transport
configuration to a serving configuration. The serving platter 216
and receptacle platter 202 may be released from one another, as
shown in FIG. 9, and then the receptacle platter 202 flipped upside
down and disposed below the serving platter 216, as shown in FIG.
10.
[0077] FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of the food tray
assembly of FIG. 8 in the serving configuration. In the serving
configuration, an underside 226 of the serving platter 216 is in
opposing facing relation with an interior bottom surface 230 of the
receptacle platter 202. In the serving configuration, a void space
228 is present between the underside 226 of the serving platter 216
and the interior bottom surface 230 of the receptacle platter
202.
[0078] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the food tray assembly
200 in the transport configuration with the receptacle platter 216
of an additional food tray assembly 200 in a transport orientation
disposed there below. FIG. 12 provides an illustration of how more
than one food tray assembly 200 in a transport configuration would
stack for transport. Indentations 232 in the bottom 206 of the
receptacle platter 202 provide a stabilizing structure when
multiple tray assemblies 200 are stacked for transport. When two or
more food tray assemblies 200 are placed into their transport
configuration and stacked on top of each other, the indentations
232 of the receptacle platter 202 of the lower tray assembly 200
engage the underside 226 of the serving platter 216 of the upper
tray assembly 200, and more specifically, the underside of radial
channels 234 of the serving platter 216. As such, carrying multiple
tray assemblies 200 in the transport configuration is more stable
than if the receptacle platter 202 did not include indentations
232. In addition, and as mentioned previously, the central raised
platform 204 of the receptacle platter 202 provides a further
stabilizing structure for the food tray assembly 200 in the
transport configuration, particularly when multiple tray assemblies
200 are stacked for transport.
[0079] FIG. 13 is a perspective fragmentary view of the serving
platter 216 of the food tray assembly 200. The serving platter 216
is very similar to the serving platter 12 of the food tray assembly
10 of previous embodiments. However, it is contemplated that the
serving platter 216 of this embodiment would include radial
channels 234 capable of accommodating more than one individual item
of food, e.g., more than one chicken wing. For a serving platter
216 displaying chicken wings, it is preferred that each radial
channel 234 be able to accommodate two chicken wings. Accordingly,
a serving platter 216 having twelve radial channels 234 would be
able to accommodate twenty four chicken wings.
[0080] FIG. 14 is a perspective fragmentary view of the food tray
assembly 200 of FIG. 5. As is illustrated in FIG. 14, the central
aperture 214 of the serving platter 216 is covered by the central
raised platform 204 of the receptacle platter 202 when the food
tray assembly 200 is in the transport configuration. As such, the
central raised platform 204 provides a sealing surface prohibiting
environmental contaminants from contacting food items arranged on
the serving platter 216 during transport. The raised central
platform 204 assists in ensuring that food being transported by the
food tray assembly 200 is completely sealed off from the
environment.
[0081] It is anticipated that the tray assembly 200 is preferably a
disposable tray assembly. Similarly to the disposable tray assembly
discussed above, the serving platter 216 and receptacle platter 202
may be fabricated from a variety of thermoplastic materials.
Examples include polypropylene, polystyrene and polyethylene
terephthalate (PET). They are preferably fabricated of vacuum
formed polypropylene. Vacuum forming lends itself to forming
relatively flexible components, and the components are well suited
to being disposed of after a single use or limited number of
uses.
[0082] Multiple variations of the food tray assemblies 10,100, 200
are also possible without departing from the scope of the present
invention. For example, a food tray assembly may be manufactured as
a single, integral piece rather than as two components. The serving
platter may be formed or otherwise manufactured in novel shapes.
One exemplary shape may be a steamboat, wherein the central
aperture is contained within the smokestack of the steamboat.
Another exemplary shape may be a volcano wherein the central
aperture is the mouth of the volcano.
[0083] Each of the various tray assemblies of the present invention
provides a convenient place to discard food waste at a dining area
while the food is being eaten. The receptacle platter conveniently
contains the food waste and keeps it out of sight of a user while
he is eating. Once a person has finished eating, the entire tray
assembly may be easily removed from the dining area. Further, the
food waste may be easily disposed of in a traditional trash
receptacle without the user having to come into contact with the
food waste. Furthermore, disposable embodiments of the tray
assembly provide a sealing lid that enables transport of food items
from one location to another. In such embodiments, the receptacle
platter conveniently serves as a lid for the tray assembly during
transport and then as a holder for collecting food waste while the
food is being eaten.
[0084] Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily
understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present
invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many
embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than
those specifically described herein, as well as many variations,
modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from
or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing
descriptions thereof, without departing from the substance or scope
of the present invention.
[0085] Accordingly, while the present invention has been described
herein in detail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments,
it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative
and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for the
purpose of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the
invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed
to limit the present invention or otherwise exclude any such other
embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications or equivalent
arrangements, the present invention being limited only by the
claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.
VII. DISCLOSURE OF INCORPORATED PATENT APPLICATION 60/596,367
[0086] Several preferred embodiments of the serving tray in
accordance with the present invention are illustrated in FIGS.
15-24. The illustrated embodiments of the serving tray each
includes a pan and removable lid. Each of these serving trays is
intended to present items of food and, preferably, finger food,
such as appetizers and the like. Such food may include poultry
items such as chicken or "buffalo" wings, "tail-on" shrimp, and
shellfish. Such food items also may include meatballs and olives to
the extent that the meatballs and olives toothpicks and the like,
which are left over after consumption of the food item. Indeed, the
serving tray is particularly useful for any finger food that
creates its own waste, whether naturally or otherwise.
[0087] The two components of the serving tray, i.e., the lid and
the pan, preferably are formed in thermoforming manufacturing
processes or in ejection molding processes. The lid preferably is
contoured and includes wells or troughs in which the food items are
received. Preferably, a lid includes fifteen troughs, although more
or less may be provided in the lid as desired. Each well preferably
includes a span of approximately one inch at the top and two inches
at the bottom when the serving tray is to accommodate chicken
wings.
[0088] The lid preferably snaps or otherwise attaches to the pan in
the area of the rim thereof in a friction fit. Furthermore, in a
related feature, the lid preferably includes a separation tab to
facilitate separation of the lid and the pan.
[0089] The pan and lid each preferably are designed for nesting in
similar pans and lids. The nesting allowance preferably is about a
quarter of an inch.
[0090] The lid also includes an opening and, as shown in the
drawings, a center opening. The center opening in the lid of the
serving tray preferably is about two and one-half inches in
diameter.
[0091] In a feature (not shown in FIGS. 15-24), a cup of sauce or
dip is dimensioned to removably fit within the center opening for
carriage of the serving tray. The cup then can be removed for
dipping of food items and for access to the center opening for
disposal of the resulting waste.
[0092] In another feature, a annular container is dimensioned to
fit on top of the perimeter of the center opening of the lid
without obstructing the center opening. The annular container
includes a circular recessed area for dip or sauce and may be
partitioned for holding various dips or sauces.
[0093] The pan preferably includes a dome-shaped bottom such that
any waste material that is received through the opening in the lid
will move toward the perimeter of the pan and a waste pile will not
form in the center. Distribution of the waste toward the perimeter
of the pan will tend to avoid any piling of the waste in the center
of the pan. Such distribution further tends to evenly balance the
weight of the serving tray when carried after use.
[0094] The serving tray may be permanent or disposable. When
disposable, the lid of the serving tray may be manufactured in a
pulp molding process or in some other inexpensive manufacturing
process. Pulp molding products are well known and include audio
speaker cones and egg cartons. Pulp molding further enables low
cost, three-dimensional branding as a result of the ability to
selectively raise portions of the surface during the pulp
molding.
[0095] In another embodiment of the serving tray shown in FIGS.
22-24, the pan serves the additional function of being a cover for
the food items carried by and presented on the lid prior to
consumption. In this regard, the pan is inverted and is removably
attachable to the lid for transportation such as in `carry out` or
delivery scenarios. In this, the lid preferably includes a
transparent material that forms the bottom of the serving tray in
the "serving" position and a top of the serving tray when in the
"carry out" or "delivery" position covering the food items carried
on and presented by the lid. The side wall of the lid, in contrast,
preferably is not transparent, whereby waste is not visible when
the serving tray is in the "serving" position.
[0096] In variations of the serving tray of the present invention,
the serving tray may be manufactured as a single, integral piece
rather than as two components. The lid further may include novel
shapes, such as a steamboat, wherein the disposal openings are
contained within the smokestack of the steamboat. Another novel
shape comprises that of a volcano wherein the disposal opening
comprises the mouth of the volcano.
* * * * *