U.S. patent application number 12/372560 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-20 for food serving tray.
Invention is credited to Lanita Cox.
Application Number | 20090205995 12/372560 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40954120 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090205995 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cox; Lanita |
August 20, 2009 |
FOOD SERVING TRAY
Abstract
The present invention relates to a food serving tray to be used
at formal and informal parties. The food serving tray could be made
from plastic, ceramic, glass, or other similar material. The food
serving tray has a beverage compartment, a handle and a food
compartment to allow an individual to pick-up and carry food and a
beverage in one hand.
Inventors: |
Cox; Lanita; (Sunwanee,
GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BATEMAN IP LAW GROUP
P.O. BOX 1319
SALT LAKE CITY
UT
84110
US
|
Family ID: |
40954120 |
Appl. No.: |
12/372560 |
Filed: |
February 17, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61029516 |
Feb 18, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/561 ;
206/562 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 19/06 20130101;
B65D 21/0233 20130101; B65D 1/36 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/561 ;
206/562 |
International
Class: |
B65D 1/34 20060101
B65D001/34 |
Claims
1. A food serving tray, comprising: a beverage receptacle; a food
receptacle; and a handle protruding outwardly from an outer edge of
the tray, the handle being configured to provide a generally
horizontal portion for gripping by an individual.
2. The food serving tray of claim 1, wherein the handle includes a
plurality of support structures.
3. The food serving tray of claim 2, wherein the plurality of
support structures are ribs that extend across the handle and join
with the food receptacle.
4. The food serving tray of claim 1 wherein the handle is
substantially co-planar with the upper surface of the food
tray.
5. The food serving tray of claim 1 where the handle further
comprises at least one of the group consisting of ergonomic spacing
between the ribs, bumps, ridges, and coatings.
6. The food serving tray of claim 1 further comprising a coating on
the ribs.
7. The food serving tray of claim 6, wherein the coating is a
rubberized coating.
8. The food serving tray of claim 1, further comprising an upper
surface and a lower surface with the handle extending outwardly
from the upper surface, and wherein the lower surface and the upper
surface are sufficiently spaced to allow the thumb and fingers of a
person to grip the handle on opposite sides, when the lower surface
is resting on an object, without disturbing the lower surface's
contact on which said lower surface has been placed.
9. The food serving tray of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the
beverage receptacle is slightly larger than the diameter of a
standard aluminum beverage can.
10. The food serving tray of claim 1, further comprising at least a
second food receptacle.
11. A food serving tray comprising: a beverage receptacle; a food
receptacle; a handle, wherein the handle is substantially co-planar
with the upper surface of the food serving tray; and wherein the
handle contains support structures that extend from the edge of the
handle to the food receptacle.
12. The food serving tray of claim 11, where the support structures
are ribs.
13. The food serving tray of claim 12, further comprising ergonomic
spacing between ribs.
14. The food serving tray of claim 11, further comprising a coating
on the handle, configured to provide increased grip to an
individual using the tray.
15. The food serving tray of claim 11, where the food serving tray
is formed from at least one of glass, plastic and ceramic
material.
16. The food serving tray of claim 11, where the food serving tray
is configured to stack with similar food serving trays.
17. The food serving tray of claim 11, where the food receptacle
has a clam-shaped or scalloped design.
18. A food serving tray, comprising: a beverage receptacle; a food
receptacle; and a handle protruding outwardly from the tray, the
handle including a plurality of ribs.
19. The food serving tray of claim 18, wherein the ribs extend
across the handle and join with the food receptacle.
20. The food serving tray of claim 18, wherein the beverage
receptacle is configured to provide support to an aluminum can.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 61/029,516, filed Feb. 18, 2008, which
is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a food serving tray for
holding both food items and beverage items. More specifically, the
invention relates to an improved food tray that is configured to
allow an individual to carry a meal and a beverage with one hand,
and for the food tray to rest securely on one's lap or on another
generally flat surface.
BACKGROUND
[0003] While entertaining or hosting an occasion such as a dinner
party, a wedding, a reunion, etc., the situation is often presented
where guests must hold both a plate with food and a beverage
container. Often this includes the use of paper plates, which can
give way under the weight of the food. Even if non-disposable
plates are provided when serving food at such an occasion, it is
difficult for a guest to conveniently handle both the plate with
food and the beverage container at the same time. Therefore, it is
desired to have a food tray that would be appropriate for a variety
of occasions to allow an individual to carry both food and beverage
items in one hand while maintaining ready access to either.
[0004] At a formal or semi-formal occasion where food is not served
individually but rather in a buffet style, an individual picks up a
plate, such as a china plate, and proceeds through a buffet line
adding food to the plate. While acquiring food on the plate, the
individual usually must also carry silverware and a napkin. At the
end of the buffet, or at another table, an individual acquires a
beverage to be consumed with the meal. After this process, the
individual must carry a plate of food, a beverage, silverware, and
a napkin back to a table, or must eat sitting in a chair or
standing. Not only are these items difficult to carry individually,
but eating in places other than at a table can be challenging at
such an occasion.
[0005] Additionally, an individual at such occasions is often
greeted by others, or engages in conversation with others in
attendance. When one is introduced to a new person, it is customary
to stand and to shake hands as a polite exchange. Social
introductions can be awkward, however, if an individual is carrying
a plate of food, a beverage, silverware, and a napkin. Social
expression through hand gestures and arm movements are also limited
if carrying the items individually. Thus, it would be desirable to
have a handle to simultaneously hold the food and drink with one
hand while the other remains free to shake or otherwise express
oneself.
[0006] Also, if tables are not provided at such an occasion, or if
a table is not available, then an individual must stand to eat, or
must sit in a chair to eat. Either way, the individual must place
his or her beverage on the floor or other flat surface, which is
not desirable because one's drink could be spilled or confused with
someone else's beverage. In addition, if one were to be seated
without a table, a standard plate allows the flat bottom surface of
a plate to have contact with the individual's lap, the individual's
lap acting as a substitute in this scenario.
[0007] Thus, there is a need for a food tray which can be more
conveniently carried during social events and the like.
SUMMARY
[0008] This application discloses serving trays and methods for
making and using serving trays. Embodiments of food serving trays
are disclosed that securely hold a beverage to allow an individual
to carry food items and a beverage using only one hand. This would
allow more non-verbal expression with a free hand, including social
introductions which require shaking hands.
[0009] Some embodiments of a food serving tray may include a handle
extending outwards from the tray. The handle may allow a secure
grip on the food serving tray. The handle may also allow for easy
pick-up by being located on the side of the tray.
[0010] In some embodiments, the handle may include support
structures, preferably ribs, that extend across the handle to the
serving tray, which prevent unwanted flexing or breakage of the
handle or serving tray. The ribs may provide both structural
support and more surface area to grip.
[0011] According to some embodiments, the handle is relatively
co-planar with the upper surface of the tray. Co-planar and
suspended in the air, the handle may allow an individual's hand to
grasp above and below the handle without having to lift up an edge
of a plate in order to grasp the plate. This results in a
convenient single-handed pick-up.
[0012] According to some embodiments, the food tray with handle may
be contoured to receive another food tray when stacked. Stackable
trays require less space and lessen the table area necessary for
empty plates.
[0013] It will be appreciated that not all embodiments made in
accordance with the invention will contain all aspects of the
invention as noted above. Rather, various embodiments of the
invention will contain different advantages thereof and are
contemplated by the present application.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
invention will become apparent from a consideration of the
following detailed description presented in connection with the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a food serving tray with a
beverage compartment, a handle and a food compartment;
[0016] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the food serving tray of FIG.
1;
[0017] FIG. 3 shows a top view of an embodiment of a food serving
tray; and
[0018] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a handle of a serving
tray.
[0019] It will be appreciated that the drawings are illustrative
and not limiting of the scope of the invention which is defined by
the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Reference will now be made to the drawings in which the
various elements of the serving trays and methods of using or
making serving trays will be given numeral designations and in
which the invention will be discussed so as to enable one skilled
in the art to make and use the disclosed serving trays. It is to be
understood that the following description is only exemplary of the
principles of embodiments of serving trays, and should not be
viewed as narrowing the pending claims.
[0021] Turning to FIG. 1, a food serving tray 10 is shown. The food
serving tray 10 may include a beverage compartment 14, a handle 22
and a food compartment 18. While the beverage compartment 14 may be
any size or dimension, in some embodiments, the compartment may be
sized slightly larger than a soda or beer can, soft drink bottle,
or other common beverage container used at catered social events.
In such embodiments, the beverage compartment 14 may allow the can
or bottle to nest in the compartment and significantly reduce the
risk that the beverage will be spilled in the event that someone
accidentally bumps the bottle or can. In contrast, placing a bottle
or can on a conventional plate or tray makes it very likely that
the beverage will spill if the bottle or can is bumped. It should
also be appreciated that the location designated as a beverage
compartment 14 could also be used for holding soup, dessert, or any
other food item selected by the individual in the event that a
beverage was not provided or desired.
[0022] It will be appreciated that more food compartments could be
provided in other embodiments--i.e. a larger food compartment--to
make the tray more convenient for larger meals and the like. Also,
the food tray 10 is shown to have a scalloped design as may be
desirable in formal and semi-formal settings. However, different
embodiments could have varying designs, colors, and patterns.
[0023] The food serving tray 10 may allow an individual to carry
and pick-up both food and a beverage in one hand. The individual
may pick-up and hold the food tray 10 by the handle 22. In some
embodiments, the handle 22 may protrude outward and be
substantially co-planar with the upper surface of the food tray.
More importantly, as can better be seen in FIG. 2, the upper
surface 14 of the food serving tray 10 may be spaced apart from a
lower surface 16. Thus, in such embodiments, when lower surface 16
of the tray is resting on an object, such as a table or one's lap,
the fingers of a user are able to slide underneath the handle and
grasp the handle 22, with the thumb on the opposite side, without
having to lift a corner of the tray. Those familiar with attempting
to lift a paper plate with too much food on it will appreciate that
doing so often ends up in spilling the contents of the plate.
[0024] In some embodiments, the handle 22 may include a plurality
of support structures 24. As will be explained below, the support
structures 24 may make the handle 22 easier to grip and hold, and
provide strength to the handle 22. In some embodiments, the support
structures 24 of the handle 22 are formed by a plurality of ribs 28
that extend from the handle edge 26 to the edge of the food
compartment 18. The ribs 28 provide the handle 22 with sufficient
rigidity to prevent unwanted flexing or breakage. The ribs 28 allow
the serving tray to be thinner than what would normally be
required.
[0025] According to some embodiments, food serving tray may be
relatively thin compared to conventional trays. A thinner food
serving tray 10 may be desirable because less material is consumed
and the weight of the food serving tray is reduced. Since the food
serving tray may be used in situations that require an individual
to hold the food serving tray for long periods of time, weight may
be a key purchasing factor. Furthermore the food service tray can
be made of many different materials, including but not limited to,
glass, plastics, metal, ceramic, or any other appropriate material
for food service. When formed from plastic, however, the trays may
be disposable, so the weight to rigidity ratio may not be as
important. Similarly, in some embodiments, the handle 22 may be
formed of a different material than the rest of food tray 10. For
example, the handle 22 may include a metal portion integrally
molded into the food tray, or portions of the handle 22. Similarly,
the handle may include other materials, such as rubber, wood,
glass, or other materials for gripping, aesthetic, or other
purposes.
[0026] In social situations, it is generally desirable to keep
hands away from food. It should then be appreciated that the handle
22 may provide a convenient grip away from the food while providing
enough structure to support the food serving tray 10, in contrast
to a traditional plate or serving tray. The user is not required to
extend his or her thumb into the food area, thus potentially
sticking the thumb in the food.
[0027] In embodiments, the handle 22, may be configured with ribs
that prevent unwanted flexing or breakage, while also presenting a
grip aid. The ribs can be configured with ergonomic finger spacing,
bumps, ridges, coatings or other means of aiding an individual's
grip. For example, in some embodiments, the handle 22 may be coated
with a rubberized coating.
[0028] A desirable aspect of embodiments of food tray 10 may be
where handle 22 is located relatively co-planar with the upper
surface 28 of the food tray 10. Since the handle 22 is above the
lower surface 16 formed by the food compartment 18, an individual
can conveniently grab the handle with one hand and lift the food
serving tray 10.
[0029] Turning now to FIG. 2, illustrating a side view of the food
serving tray 10 of FIG. 1. The top of the handle 22 may be
generally co-planar with the top of the tray 10. The ribs 28 extend
downwardly, providing both support for the handle 22 and improved
grip for the user. Additionally, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the
underside of the handle 22 is sufficiently high off the surface on
which the food tray rests to be easily grasped without lifting the
tray.
[0030] FIG. 3 shows a top view of an alternate configuration of the
food tray 10'. Rather than a single food compartment, the food
serving tray 10' includes two food compartments 18a and 18b. Such a
tray may be used, for example, when food is being served with a dip
or some other sauce which is desired to be kept separate from some
of the other food. (The remainder of the food tray 10' is similar
to tray 10 and is numbered accordingly). It will be appreciated
that the configuration could be altered, for example, by placing
the handle 22 on the opposite side of the beverage compartment 14,
and in accordance with other features of various other disclosed
embodiments.
[0031] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the handle 22 taken
along line 4-4 in FIG. 1. The ribs 28 may preferably be formed so
as to have a generally square or rectangular cross-sectional area,
but with sufficient taper that the bottom of the ribs from one tray
can nest in the void in the top of the ribs in a tray which is
immediately underneath. Although the food serving trays could be of
a variety of designs or shapes, in some embodiments, the food
serving trays may be contoured and shaped to allow stacking, as
this significantly reduces storage space.
[0032] Thus, there is disclosed an improved food tray. Those
skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous modifications can
be made to the embodiments of the invention discussed above and
that the embodiments discussed above are only meant to teach one of
ordinary skill in the art how to use the invention and not to limit
the claims. The appended claims are intended to cover such
modifications.
* * * * *