U.S. patent application number 13/458288 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-23 for food tray with non-slip inserts.
This patent application is currently assigned to Archer Innovations, LLC. Invention is credited to Ashley Hatcher.
Application Number | 20120211394 13/458288 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38788847 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120211394 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hatcher; Ashley |
August 23, 2012 |
Food Tray With Non-Slip Inserts
Abstract
A tray system, comprising one or more retaining portions for a
food container, the one or more retaining portions receiving and
securely holding fitted non-slip inserts. The tray system includes
one or more feet which are of a depth at least equal to deepest
recessed retaining portion of the tray. The feet may allow the tray
to sit stably on a flat surface. The tray may have a non-slip
removable insert inserted into the retaining portion which may be
fitted to the bottom of the retaining portion and may maintain grip
on serving tray and food container.
Inventors: |
Hatcher; Ashley; (Columbus,
GA) |
Assignee: |
Archer Innovations, LLC
Columbus
GA
|
Family ID: |
38788847 |
Appl. No.: |
13/458288 |
Filed: |
April 27, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12368144 |
Feb 9, 2009 |
8167129 |
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13458288 |
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11421552 |
Jun 1, 2006 |
7506763 |
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12368144 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/565 ;
220/574.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 23/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/565 ;
220/574.3 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/16 20060101
B65D025/16; B65D 1/34 20060101 B65D001/34 |
Claims
1. A tray apparatus, comprising: a substantially planar surface
comprising a retaining portion, recessed into the substantially
planar surface, for retaining a food container; and a substantially
planar removable insert for maintaining grip on the retaining
portion and the food container, wherein a first side of the insert
differs from a second side of the insert in surface texture, and
the insert is configured to entirely fit within the retaining
portion and does not extend beyond an upper plane of the retaining
portion, and the grip between the retaining portion and the insert
is maintained by at least one gripping quality related to the
surface texture of the insert.
2. The tray apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more
feet protruding from the bottom of the substantially planar surface
to allow the tray apparatus to sit stably on a flat surface without
the substantially planar surface contacting the flat surface.
3. The tray apparatus of claim 1, wherein the insert comprises a
material based on at least one of silicon, melamine, and
rubber.
4. A tray apparatus, comprising: a substantially planar surface
comprising one or more retaining portions for retaining a food
container; and at least one removable insert for maintaining grip
on the one or more retaining portions and the food container,
wherein a first side of the at least one insert is different in
appearance from a second side of the at least one insert, wherein
the grip is maintained by at least one gripping quality of the at
least one insert, and wherein the first side of the at least one
insert is different in surface texture from the second side of the
at least one insert.
5. The tray apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first side of the at
least one insert has a smooth surface and the second side of the at
least one insert has a non-smooth surface.
6. The tray apparatus of claim 5, wherein the non-smooth surface
comprises at least one of a raised surface, a grooved surface, and
a patterned surface.
7. The tray apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first side of the
insert has a decorative appearance different from the second side
of the insert.
8. The tray apparatus of claim 7, wherein the decorative appearance
comprises at least one of a logo, emblem, design, writing, color,
and pattern.
9. The tray apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gripping quality
comprises at least one of friction, traction, tackiness, and
surface texture.
10. The tray apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tray apparatus is
stackable with others of the tray apparatus.
11. The tray apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tray apparatus and
the insert are dishwasher safe.
12. The tray apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more
handles connected to the substantially planar surface for gripping
and carrying the tray apparatus.
13. A food tray system, comprising: a tray comprising a
substantially planar surface for retaining a food container within
at least one retaining portion that is recessed into the
substantially planar surface; one or more feet protruding from the
bottom of the substantially planar surface to allow the tray to sit
stably on a flat surface; one or more handles connected to the
substantially planar surface for gripping and carrying the tray;
and at least one substantially planar, removable and reusable
silicon-based insert for maintaining grip on the at least one
retaining portion and the food container, wherein a first side of
the at least one insert differs in surface texture from a second
side of the at least one insert, and each at least one removable
insert is configured to entirely fit within each at least one
retaining portion and not extend beyond an upper plane of each at
least one retaining portion, and the grip between the at least one
insert and the at least one retaining portion is maintained by at
least one gripping quality related to the surface texture of the at
least one insert.
14. The food tray system of claim 13, wherein the tray comprises
melamine.
15. The food tray system of claim 13, wherein the first side of the
at least one insert has a smooth surface and the second side of the
at least one insert has a non-smooth surface, the non-smooth
surface comprising at least one of a raised surface, a grooved
surface, and a patterned surface.
16. The food tray system of claim 13, wherein the first side of the
at least one insert has a decorative appearance different from the
second side of the at least one insert, the decorative appearance
comprising at least one of a logo, emblem, design, writing, color,
and pattern.
17. The tray apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one insert
is dishwasher safe.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application is a Continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/368,144, filed Feb. 9, 2009, which is a
Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/421,552, filed
on Jun. 1, 2006. Both applications are hereby incorporated by
reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a food tray having non-slip
inserts.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Many devices exist for serving food. Some systems include
indentations and surface coverings but have known drawbacks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a tray
system is provided that comprises one or more retaining portions
for a food container, the retaining portions receiving and securely
holding fitted non-slip inserts. The tray system may contain one or
more feet which may be of a depth at least equal to the deepest
recessed portion of the tray, such that the one or more feet may
allow the tray to sit stably on a flat surface. The tray system may
contain one or more non-slip inserts inserted into the one or more
portions, which may be fitted to the bottom of the portions. The
inserts may maintain grip on the serving tray and a food container
and may be removable and reusable. The removal of the inserts may
facilitate ease of cleaning and prevent buildup of dirt underneath
traction surfaces. The tray and inserts may be composed of
materials that are dishwasher safe. The tray may be stackable. The
one or more inserts may be interchangeable such that inserts from
one tray may be utilized for another tray, allowing a tray's
inserts to be replaced or their color to be varied. The tray may
have handles at two opposite edges thereof; the handles may have a
slotted portion therein for gripping.
[0005] Other advantages will be appreciated by one of ordinary
skill in the art upon review of the entirety of this patent
application.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 depicts a top, angled view of a food tray with
recessed portions and inserts according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 depicts a side view of a food tray with recessed
portions and inserts according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0008] FIG. 3 depicts a side view of a food tray with recessed
portions and inserts according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0009] FIG. 4 depicts a top view of a food tray with recessed
portions and inserts according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0010] FIG. 5 depicts a view of both sides of an insert showing the
smooth side and an opposite side with a raised pattern.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are discussed in
detail below. While specific exemplary embodiments are discussed,
it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes
only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that
other components and configuration can be used without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0012] As discussed above, various embodiments and iterations of
the present invention relate to a food tray. FIG. 1 illustrates a
tray 100 which has a main body including one or more retaining
portions 110. In some embodiments retaining portion 110 may be
recessed. In other embodiments retaining portion 110 may be formed
by using one or more raised surfaces. In some embodiments the tray
110 may be composed of the chemical compound melamine. In some
embodiments tray 100 may be formed using a plastic. In some
embodiments the tray 100 may be composed of wood, metal, glass or
other materials or some combination thereof. In some embodiments
the tray 100 may be made of substances that are dishwasher safe. In
some embodiments, tray 100 may comprise a tray with one or more
handles 130 for gripping the tray. In one embodiment the tray may
comprise a tray with handles at two opposite edges thereof; the
handles may comprise a handle 130 a slotted portion 140 therein for
gripping. The retaining portions 110 may be designed to receive one
or more inserts 120. Inserts 120 may fit in retaining portions 110.
Inserts 120 may also grip securely to tray 100. Inserts 120 may
provide traction for serving containers such that when tray 100 is
not level the inserts may greatly reduce the chance of container
slippage. In some embodiments inserts 120 may be silicon based. In
other embodiments the inserts 120 may be composed of rubber or
other suitable materials or some combination thereof. In some
embodiments inserts 120 may be permanently affixed to the bottom of
retaining portions 110. In some embodiments inserts 120 may be
composed of non-stick materials. In some embodiments inserts 120
may be removed for cleaning to prevent the buildup of dirt
underneath the inserts 120. Inserts 120 may be made of substances
that are dishwasher safe. Inserts 120 may subsequently be reused.
Inserts 120 also may be printed in a variety of colors, with
various designs or logos so that users of tray 100 may change the
appearance of the tray 100 for personal taste, marketing or other
reasons by switching inserts. In some embodiments the ease of
removal of inserts 120 may also allow for replacement of inserts in
the event an insert is worn or damaged.
[0013] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a side view of tray 100. Food tray
100 may comprise a tray with one or more feet 200. Feet 200 in some
embodiments offset recessed portions 202 and 204 respectively such
that when the tray 100 is placed on a flat surface it may sit
stably. The height of feet 200 in some embodiments may be equal to
or greater than the depth of the deepest recessed portion of their
respective trays so that they may achieve this stability. In some
embodiments tray 100 may be constructed such that the bottom 206 of
tray 100 is a smaller perimeter than the perimeter of top 208 of
tray 100. In such an embodiment the bottom perimeter of recessed
portions 202 and 204 would also be smaller than their respective
top perimeters. This embodiment may permit tray 100 to be
stackable.
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of tray. Inserts 120 are shown
inserted into retaining portions 110. Some embodiments of tray 100
may be a round shape, an oval shape, a square shape or other
practical shapes. Other embodiments of tray 100 may have a
different arrangement or number of retaining portions. In some
embodiments tray 100 may contain more than one retaining portion
which may be designed for different types of serving containers. In
some embodiments one retaining portion 110b may be designed for
holding a glass or other beverage container and retaining portion
110a may be designed for holding a plate. One embodiment of tray
100 may contain a retaining portion for silverware. Other
embodiments consider retaining portions for multiple dishes for a
serving tray. Another embodiment of tray 100 contains a retaining
portion for medical utensils to provide a safe, orderly arrangement
during medical or dental procedures. Other embodiments of tray 100
may have retaining portions specialized to hold containers or tools
particular to a specific industry. While FIG. 4 illustrates the
retaining portions as circular, other shapes including square, oval
or rectangular shapes may be utilized. In one embodiment of food
tray 100 no retaining portion is utilized and insert 120 is
designed to fit a portion or portions of the top side of the tray
and to grip to the tray directly. When inserts 120 are in place in
retaining portions 110 they may lay flat and may provide a even
gripping surface for food containers.
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates view of both sides of insert 120 showing
side 120a with smooth texture 500 and an opposite side 120b with a
design 510 to facilitate grip on moist containers. In some
embodiments this design may be a raised crosshatch or grid pattern.
In some embodiments both sides of insert 120 may be smooth. In some
embodiments both sides of insert 120 may be have a design to
facilitate grip on moist containers. A variety of designs
consisting of raised or grooved patterns may be utilized so that
insert 120 may retain grip on a food or beverage container when the
container or insert is moist. The insert 120 may be placed in the
retaining portion 110 of tray 100 so that either side is facing up.
If the side 120b is facing up it may facilitate grip on a serving
container by reducing slippage of a food container if there is
moisture on the insert or the food container. In some embodiments
this may be used to reduce slippage of "sweating" glasses. The
crosshatch pattern may be a pattern that is not significantly
raised such that it does not significantly affect the appearance of
the design of the insert but still reduces the slippage of moist
food containers.
[0016] Some of the terminology used herein may be understood as
follows:
[0017] Melamine is the chemical compound
(triamino-triazine-C3N6H6), comprising carbon, nitrogen and
hydrogen.
[0018] While the foregoing description includes details and
specificities, it should be understood that such details and
specificities have been included for the purposes of explanation
only, and are not to be interpreted as limitations of the present
invention. Many modifications to the embodiments described above
can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention, as it is intended to be encompassed by the following
claims and their legal equivalents.
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