U.S. patent application number 15/229602 was filed with the patent office on 2016-11-24 for tray insert with retained food service items.
The applicant listed for this patent is Chad Raynell Snowden. Invention is credited to Chad Raynell Snowden.
Application Number | 20160338517 15/229602 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57324083 |
Filed Date | 2016-11-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160338517 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Snowden; Chad Raynell |
November 24, 2016 |
TRAY INSERT WITH RETAINED FOOD SERVICE ITEMS
Abstract
A tray and tray insert with holes designed to prevent plates,
bowls, or drinking cups from sliding or falling off the tray. The
holes are cut or formed into the tray, allowing for the bowls and
plates to sit in and locked in place by the dishwasher safe tray
insert, preventing sliding and knock overs of the plates or
bowls.
Inventors: |
Snowden; Chad Raynell;
(Henrietta, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Snowden; Chad Raynell |
Henrietta |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57324083 |
Appl. No.: |
15/229602 |
Filed: |
August 5, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14999230 |
Oct 28, 2015 |
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15229602 |
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62069622 |
Oct 28, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 1/0085 20170501;
A47G 23/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 23/06 20060101
A47G023/06; A47D 1/00 20060101 A47D001/00; A47G 19/08 20060101
A47G019/08 |
Claims
1. A food service tray, comprising: a tray base having a plurality
of spaced apart holes defined in a surface of the tray base, the
plurality of spaced apart holes dimensioned to receive at least a
lower portion of a food serving item therein.
2. The food service tray of claim 1, further comprising: a tray
cover having a plurality of spaced apart openings defined in a
surface of the tray cover, the openings disposed to be coaxially
aligned with the spaced apart holes of the tray base.
3. The food service tray of claim 2, wherein a diameter of the tray
cover openings is smaller than a diameter of a corresponding hole
of the tray base.
4. The food service tray of claim 3, the tray cover openings
further comprising: a raised annular rim defined around an edge of
the tray cover opening.
5. The food service tray of claim 4, wherein the raised annular rim
defines a ledge on a lower surface of the rim that is dimensioned
to one or more of a width or a thickness of a lip surrounding the
food serving item.
6. The food service tray of claim 5, further comprising: a slot
defined in a peripheral edge of the tray base; and a cover grip tab
defined in a peripheral edge of the tray cover, wherein the slot is
adapted to receive a locking tab portion of the cover grip tab to
secure the tray cover to the tray base.
7. The food service tray of claim 6, wherein the lip of the food
serving item is retained in the hole of the tray base by the ledge
of the tray cover, when the tray cover is secured to the tray
base.
8. The food service tray of claim 2, wherein the food serving item
comprises a plate.
9. The food service tray of claim 2, wherein the food serving item
comprises a bowl.
10. The food service tray of claim 2, wherein the food serving item
comprises a cup.
11. A food service tray, comprising: a tray base having a plurality
of spaced apart holes defined in an surface of the tray base; and a
tray cover having a plurality of spaced apart openings defined in a
surface of the tray cover and disposed to correspond with the
plurality of spaced apart holes.
12. The food service tray of claim 11, further comprising: a food
service item, wherein at least a lower portion of the food service
item is received within one of the plurality of spaced apart
holes.
13. The food service tray of claim 11, wherein a lip defined around
a peripheral edge of the food service item is supported by an upper
surface of the tray base.
14. The food service tray of claim 13, wherein the lip of the food
service item is received within a ledge defined in a lower surface
of the tray cover around a periphery of at least one the plurality
of spaced apart openings.
15. The food service tray of claim 14, further comprising: a slot
defined in a peripheral surface of the tray base; and a locking tab
extending from the tray cover, the locking tab adapted to be
received in the slot to secure the tray cover to the tray base.
16. The food service tray of claim 12, wherein the food service
item is restrained within the tray base by a snap-fit cooperative
engagement of the tray cover with the tray base.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S.
provisional application No. 62/069,622, filed Oct. 28, 2014, and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/999,230, filed Oct. 28, 2015,
the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to food service trays and,
more particularly, to food service trays for restraining movement
of bowls or plates carried on a food service tray.
[0003] Years of observing small children spill the contents of
their bowl or plate onto the dining table, their high chair tray,
or worse yet, onto the floor led to the invention of this tray and
tray insert.
[0004] There are numerous food service trays in the art that have
raised plastic molds or material that only prevent items, such as
bowls and plates, from sliding. None of these trays prevent a bowl
or plate from being pushed or knocked off the tray.
[0005] As can be seen, there is a need for a food service tray that
prevents bowls and plates from being knocked off the tray.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, a food service tray,
comprises a tray base having a plurality of spaced apart holes
defined in a surface of the tray base, the plurality of spaced
apart holes dimensioned to receive at least a lower portion of a
food serving item therein. The food service tray may also include a
tray cover having a plurality of spaced apart openings defined in a
surface thereof, the openings disposed to be coaxially aligned with
the spaced apart holes of the tray base.
[0007] In some embodiments, a diameter of the tray cover openings
is smaller than a diameter of a corresponding hole of the tray
base. The tray cover openings may further comprise a raised annular
rim defined around the circumference of the tray cover opening. The
raised annular rim may also define a ledge on a lower surface of
the rim that is dimensioned to one or more of a width or a
thickness of a lip surrounding the food serving item.
[0008] In other aspects of the invention the tray cover may lock to
the tray base, via a slot defined in a peripheral edge of the tray
base; and a cover grip tab defined in a peripheral edge of the tray
cover, wherein the slot is adapted to receive a locking tab portion
of the cover grip tab to secure the tray cover to the tray base. In
some embodiments, the lip of the food serving item is retained in
the hole of the tray base by the ledge of the tray cover, when the
tray cover is secured to the tray base.
[0009] In aspects of the invention, the food service item comprises
a plate, a bowl, or a cup.
[0010] In yet another aspect of the invention, a food service tray,
is claimed comprising: a tray base having a plurality of spaced
apart holes defined in a surface of the tray base; and a tray cover
having a plurality of spaced apart openings defined in a surface of
the tray cover and disposed to correspond with the plurality of
spaced apart holes. The food service tray may also have a food
service item, where at least a lower portion of the food service
item is received within one of the plurality of spaced apart holes.
The food service may have a lip defined around a peripheral edge of
the food service item that is supported by an upper surface of the
tray base. The lip of the food service item may be received within
a ledge defined in a lower surface of the tray cover around a
periphery of at least one the plurality of spaced apart
openings.
[0011] In another aspect of the invention, the food service tray
may have a slot defined in a peripheral surface of the tray base;
and a locking tab extending from the tray cover. The locking tab is
adapted to be received in the slot to secure the tray cover to the
tray base. In other embodiments of the invention, the food service
item is restrained within the tray base by a snap-fit cooperative
engagement of the tray cover with the tray base.
[0012] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following drawings, description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view an embodiment of the invention,
shown in use;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the
invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the
invention;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a section view of an embodiment of the invention,
taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a detail section view of an embodiment of the
invention;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a section view of the invention, taken along line
6-6 in FIG. 4;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a detail section view of an embodiment of the
invention;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of an alternative embodiment
of a food serving item; and
[0021] FIG. 9 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a tray
receptacle for the food serving item of FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] The following detailed description is of the best currently
contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the
invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense,
but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general
principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is
best defined by the appended claims.
[0023] Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a
food serving tray with holes cut or formed into the tray to allow
food serving items, such as a bowl, a plate, or a drinking cup to
be received in and preferably locked in place with a dishwasher
safe tray insert; thus, preventing sliding and knock overs.
[0024] As seen in reference to FIG. 1 a tray 10, or tray base, is
shown in a representative use with a high chair 40. The tray 10 may
also be used as a TV tray or breakfast-in-bed tray, or any of a
wide variety of food service tray uses. When used as a detachable
standalone tray 10 the tray may suction cup legs to stick to a
dining table surface for stability.
[0025] In reference to FIG. 3, the tray 10 may comprise a plurality
of openings defined in a surface of the tray 10. The plurality of
openings are adapted to receive a food serving item, and may
include a tray cup holder 18 that is dimensioned to receive the
body of a cup (not shown), a tray plate hole 14 adapted to receive
a lower portion of a plate 32, and a tray bowl hole 16 adapted to
receive a lower portion of a bowl 36. The tray 10 may be configured
with a combination of plate holes 14 or bowl holes 16, in various
spaced relations, depending on the desired feeding requirements for
a particular meal, such as an entree, as salad, a soup, or a side
dish.
[0026] The plate 32 may have an annular plate lip 34 defined around
a circumference of the plate 32. Similarly, the bowl 36 may also
have an annular bowl lip 38 defined around a circumference of the
bowl 36. Since a bottom portion of the bowl 36 and plate 32 may be
suspended beneath the tray 10, allowance should be made so that
children legs or any surface area will have adequate clearance.
[0027] The tray 10 may also include a tray cover 12. Like the tray
10, the tray cover 12 is defined with a plurality of openings in a
surface of the tray cover 12. The tray cover 12 may have a cover
bowl hole 22, a cover plate hole 20, and a cover cup holder 24. As
shown in reference to FIG. 2, the openings in the tray cover 12 at
are coaxially aligned with the respective tray openings when the
tray cover 12 is operatively attached to the tray 10.
[0028] As seen in reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the tray 10 has a
plurality of slots 30, or openings defined in spaced apart relation
about a lateral edge surface of the tray 10. The slots 30 are
adapted to receive a locking tab 28 end of cover grip tab 26
defined at positions corresponding to those of slots 30 about a
peripheral edge of the tray insert 12. The cover grip tabs 26 may
be lifted so as to release the tabs from the slots 30 in order to
remove the tray insert 12 from the tray 10. The slots 30 and
locking tab 28, being representative of any suitable snap-fit
cooperative engagement of the tray cover 12 to the tray base
10.
[0029] As seen in reference to FIGS. 4-7, the bowl 36 and plate 32
may be captively retained within the tray 10 when the tray insert
12 is attached to the tray 10. The plate lip 34 extends outwardly
such that a lower surface of the plate lip 34 rests upon the top
surface of the tray 10 around the circumference of the plate 32. In
like manner, the bowl lip 38 rests upon the top surface of the tray
10 around the circumference of the bowl 36.
[0030] As best seen in reference to FIGS. 5 and 7, the cover plate
hole 20 and cover bowl hole 16 have a raised annular rim defined
around a circumference of the respective holes 20, 16. As shown,
the diameter of the cover plate hole 20 and the cover bowl hole 16
will be slightly smaller than that of their corresponding holes in
the tray 10. The raised annular edge is dimensioned so as to
receive the plate lip 34 and the bowl lip 38 when the cover 12 is
secured to the tray 10, so as to lock and retain the bowl 36 and
plate 32 in their respective positions in the tray 10. Preferably,
the raised annular rim defines a ledge on a lower surface of the
rim that is dimensioned to one or more of a width or a thickness of
the lip surrounding the food serving item.
[0031] As seen in reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, an alternative
embodiment of a food serving item 136, such as a bowl is shown. The
food serving item 136 has an annular rim 138 around the periphery
of the article. The food serving item 136 has a plurality of
retaining tabs 140 extending outwardly from a lateral aspect of the
food serving item 136 beneath the annular rim 138. The plurality of
openings 116 may also be configured with an annular ring 114
extending around the periphery of the opening 116. A plurality of
retaining tab receivers 118 are defined to extend through the
surface of the tray 10 and are adapted to receive the retaining
tabs 140 of the food serving item 136.
[0032] Once the retaining tabs are received in the tab receivers
118, the food serving item 136 may be rotated to lock the tabs in
the tray 10. The annular ring 114 may be elevated from the top
surface of the tray 10 such that a lower surface of the annular rim
138 is supported thereon and the tabs 140 will be in a close
locking engagement with the lower surface of the tray 10 adjacent
to the slots 118. The tab 140 may have an inclined surface along
the top end of the tab 140 to facilitate secure engagement of the
tab 140 with the lower surface of the tray 10 as the food serving
item 136 is rotated. The cooperating retaining tabs 140 and
retaining tab receivers 118 may be utilized alone or in combination
with the tray cover 12 to secure food serving items 136 within the
tray 10.
[0033] As described, the tray 10 has holes 14, 16, and 18 designed
to insert bowls 36 and plates 32, preventing them from sliding or
being pushed off. Unlike other trays that have raised plastic molds
or material that only prevent items from sliding, the tray's
built-in holes 14, 16, and 18 prevent movement of the bowl 36 and
plate 32. The holes 14, 16, and 18 formed into the tray 10 may
allow standard bowls 36 and plates 32 to be placed in and locked in
place with the tray insert 12. The tray insert 12 may also include
removable lids to cover the holes 14, 16, and 18 to contain food
items in the bowl 36 and plate 32 during transport of the tray. The
tray 10 and tray insert 12 may be formed of any suitable the
dishwasher safe material.
[0034] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing
relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *