MEAL DISTRIBUTION TRAY, SYSTEM CONSISTING OF SUCH A TRAY AND OF A TROLLEY WHEREIN THE TRAY IS TO BE TO INSERTED FOR TRANSPORTING AND DISTRIBUTING MEALS

Abstract

The present invention refers to a tray for distributing meals provided with a support base and a continuous perimeter edge arranged around it, characterized in that at least a portion of the continuous perimeter edge is inclined and is provided with a planar bottom which substantially extends up to the outer edge of the support base. The present invention also refers to a system comprising such a tray and a suitable trolley wherein the tray is to be inserted for transporting and distributing meals. The present invention finally refers to the use of such a tray for transporting meals in a special trolley.

Claims

1. Tray (1) for distributing meals comprising: a) a support base (2) facing upwards and suitable for housing said meals, b) a bottom (5) facing downwards and suitable for resting on a flat surface, and c) a continuous perimeter edge (3) arranged around said support base (2) and in relief with respect to it, wherein said edge (3) comprises a first portion (4a) arranged at the central part along a first longitudinal side (14a) of the tray (1) and a second portion (4b) arranged at the central part along a second longitudinal side (14b) of the tray (1), opposite to said first longitudinal side (14a), characterized in that at least one of said first and second portions (4a, 4b) of said continuous perimeter edge in relief (3) has a lower base that is coplanar and coincides with said bottom (5) of the tray (1) and an upper surface (16) inclined in order to connect the raised end of said at least one portion (4a, 4b) of said edge (3) with said support base (2).

2. Tray (1) according to claim 1 wherein said upper surface (16) of said at least one portion (4a, 4b) of said continuous perimeter edge (3) in relief is inclined towards the inside of the tray (1).

3. Tray (1) according to claim 1 wherein said at least one portion (4a, 4b) of said continuous perimeter edge (3) has a solid section.

4. Tray (1) according to claim 1 wherein said at least one portion (4a, 4b) of said continuous perimeter edge (3) has a substantially triangular section.

5. Tray (1) according to claim 1 wherein the height of said at least one portion (4a, 4b) of said continuous perimeter edge (3) is equal to or less than or greater than the remaining portion of said continuous perimeter edge in relief (3).

6. Tray (1) according to claim 1, wherein said tray is substantially rectangular in shape.

7. Tray (1) according to claim 1 further comprising at least a gripping portion (7a, 7b) of said continuous perimeter edge (3) provided with a first surface facing upwards and a second surface facing towards the bottom, wherein said first and second surfaces of said grip portion (7a, 7b) are shaped in such a way that they can be used by the user as a grip to hold the tray, and wherein said second surface facing downwards of said at least one gripping portion (7a, 7b) is provided with a plurality of recesses (8), placed adjacent to each other.

8. Tray (1) according to claim 1, wherein said tray comprises a single area suitable for housing meals.

9. Tray (1) according to claim 1 being stackable on top of another tray (1) in an orderly manner, in order to create a compact, vertical and stable stack.

10. Tray (1) according to claim 1 wherein said at least one portion (4a, 4b) of said continuous perimeter edge (3) has a substantially trapezoidal or oval section.

11. Tray (1) according to claim 1 wherein said at least one portion (4a, 4b) of said continuous perimeter edge (3) has a hollow section and has a plurality of ribs (6a, 6b) arranged in the part of the tray below said inclined upper surface (16).

12. System comprising a) a tray (1) according to claim 1 and b) a trolley (9) wherein the tray (1) is to be inserted for transporting and distributing meals, wherein said trolley (9) is equipped with at least two compartments (10a, 10b) separated and isolated from the external environment and from each other as well, as typically at different temperatures (neutral, hot, cold compartments, etc.) and wherein the trolley (9) is also provided with a separation element for separating said compartments (10a, 10b), wherein said separation element (11) comprises an insulated element (12) equipped with shutters or sealing gaskets in order to be able to sealing said at least two compartments (10a, 10b).

13. A method for transporting meals in a trolley, comprising inserting the tray according to claim 1, having a meal thereon, into a trolley (9), and transporting, wherein said trolley (9) is provided with at least two compartments (10a, 10b) separated and insulated from the external environment and from each other them as well, as typically at different temperatures (neutral, hot, cold compartments, etc.) and wherein the trolley (9) is also provided with a separation element (11) of said compartments (10a, 10b), wherein said separation element (11) comprises an insulated element (12) equipped with shutters or closing gaskets so as to be able to seal said at least two compartments (10a, 10b).

Description

[0054] Further features and advantages of the present invention will be better highlighted by examining the following detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, illustrated by way of non-limiting indication, with the support of the attached drawings, wherein:

[0055] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the tray of the present invention;

[0056] FIG. 2 is a side view of the tray of FIG. 1;

[0057] FIG. 3 is a detail of the inclined portion of the edge of the tray of FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0058] FIG. 4 shows a detail of the tray of FIG. 1, seen from below;

[0059] FIG. 5 is a further detail of the tray of FIG. 1, seen from below;

[0060] FIG. 6 is a detail of a second embodiment of the tray of the present invention, seen from below, where the ribs placed in correspondence with the inclined portions are visible;

[0061] FIG. 7 is a detail of FIG. 6, seen from below, where the ribs placed in correspondence with the inclined portions are more visible;

[0062] FIG. 8 is a further detail of FIG. 6, where some ribs placed in correspondence with the inclined portions are visible;

[0063] FIG. 9 is a detail of a gripping portion of the tray of FIG. 1;

[0064] FIG. 10 is a detail of the gripping portion of FIG. 9, seen from below, where the ribs located in correspondence with the gripping portion are visible;

[0065] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a trolley used in the present invention;

[0066] FIG. 12 is a front view of the trolley of FIG. 11;

[0067] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a tray of the present invention partially inserted in the trolley of FIG. 11;

[0068] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a tray of the present invention completely inserted in the trolley of FIG. 11 in a symmetrical way with respect to the divider present in the trolley,

[0069] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a tray of the present invention completely inserted in the trolley of FIG. 11 asymmetrically with respect to the fixed divider of the trolley.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0070] The following detailed description refers to particular embodiments of a tray of the present invention, without limiting its contents.

[0071] With particular reference to FIGS. 1-5, a first embodiment of a tray 1 of the present invention for the distribution of meals is described.

[0072] The rectangular tray 1 with a single area suitable for housing meals is equipped with: a) a support base 2, facing upwards and suitable for housing meals, b) a bottom 5 facing downwards and able to rest on a flat surface, and c) a continuous perimeter edge 3, arranged in relief around the support base 2.

[0073] The edge 3 comprises a first portion 4a, arranged at the central part along a first longitudinal side 14a of the tray 1, and a second portion 4b arranged at the central part along a second longitudinal side 14b of the tray 1, opposite the first side longitudinal 14a. The two portions 4a, 4b of the continuous raised edge 3 therefore occupy the central portions of the two opposite longitudinal sides 14a, 14b of the tray 1.

[0074] Each of the two portions 4a, 4b of the continuous perimeter edge in relief 3 has a lower base, coplanar and coinciding with the bottom 5, and an upper surface 16, inclined towards the inside of the tray 1, in order to connect the end in relief of the portions 4a, 4b of the edge 3 with the support base 2.

[0075] These portions 4a, 4b of the continuous perimeter edge in relief 3 have a substantially triangular section, even if in other alternative embodiments they can have different shapes, such as for example trapezoidal, oval, differently connected, inclined or radiated.

[0076] The height of the two portions 4a, 4b is reduced with respect to the height of the remaining portion of the continuous perimeter edge 3, although in other embodiments of the present invention, these heights can be equivalent along the entire perimeter edge or higher.

[0077] The portions 4a, 4b of the continuous perimeter edge 3 have a solid section; this avoids drafts of air between the hot and cold compartments of the tray 1.

[0078] With particular reference to FIGS. 6-8, a second embodiment of a tray 1 of the present invention for distributing meals is described, wherein the portions 4a, 4b of the continuous perimeter edge 3 are hollow, instead of having a solid section, as shown above in the first embodiment with reference to FIGS. 1-5.

[0079] FIGS. 6-8 show the tray 1 seen from below; the plurality of ribs 6a located in correspondence with the triangular section portion 4a of the continuous perimeter edge 3, along the longitudinal side 14a of the tray 1, are visible; similarly, the plurality of ribs 6b located in correspondence with the triangular section portion 4b of the continuous perimeter edge 3, along the longitudinal side 14b opposite of the tray 1, are visible.

[0080] These ribs 6a, 6b are arranged in the part of the tray 1 below the upper surface inclined 16 of the portions 4a, 4b. They allow the section of the edge 3 to be emptied to make it easier to mold the tray 1 in the production phase, while at the same time achieving the purpose of creating a separation wall straddling the divider in the trolley and closing the air drafts between the hot and cold compartments.

[0081] The tray 1 (both the one relating to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, and the one relating to the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-8) is also provided with a gripping portion 7a arranged along the continuous perimeter edge 3 in the transverse side 14c of the tray 1 and of a similar gripping portion 7b arranged along the continuous perimeter edge 3 in the opposite transverse side 14d of the tray 1 (visible in general in FIGS. 1 and the gripping portion 7a in particular in FIGS. 6, 9 and 10). Each of the gripping portions 7a, 7b is provided with a first surface facing upwards and a second surface facing downwards, shaped in such a way that they can be used by the user as a grip for lifting and holding the tray by the hands.

[0082] With particular reference to FIG. 10, the tray 1 is shown seen from below; the plurality of recesses 8 placed adjacent to each other on the second surface facing downwards of the gripping portion 7a are visible.

[0083] These recesses 8 allow less contact by the user with the tray and a lower heat sensation at the time of gripping, considering that the tray is typically subjected to a heating cycle in the trolley and is therefore usually hot and can burn.

[0084] The tray 1 described above is used to serve meals to users in communities such as hospitals, retirement homes, schools, etc., and for this purpose it is inserted into a special trolley 9, shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, used for the transport of such trays.

[0085] The trolley 9 is divided into at least two compartments 10a, 10b separated and isolated from the external environment and from each other, as they are typically at different temperatures (neutral, hot, cold compartments, etc.).

[0086] The trolley 9 is provided with a separation element 11 that separates the compartments 10a, 10b, consisting of an insulated brick 12 equipped with shutters or closing gaskets so as to be able to seal the compartments 10a, 10b both in the case of absence and presence of tray 1. This insulated brick 12, therefore thanks to the shutter or gasket, is substantially equipped with a bulkhead which, in addition to allowing the insertion of the tray 1, always allows the spaces to be sealed, eliminating drafts between the compartments 10a, 10b at a different temperature, both in the presence and absence of tray 1.

[0087] The trolley 9 is also provided with a plurality of pairs of support elements 13a and 13b, symmetrically arranged with respect to a corresponding brick 12 and on its same plane, on each of which rests a tray 1 for transport. Trays 1 are thus stacked one on top of the other inside the trolley 9.

[0088] FIG. 13 shows a tray 1 partially inserted in the trolley 9, while FIG. 14 shows the tray 1 completely inserted in the trolley 9, symmetrically with respect to the separation element 11.

[0089] The tray 1 of FIGS. 13 and 14 rests on the support element 13a on one side and on the support element 13b on the other side (only partially visible in FIG. 13 as it is covered by the tray 1 itself) and on the insulated brick 12 located underneath the tray 1.

[0090] Thanks to the inclined upper surface 16 of the portion 4b of the continuous raised edge 3 of the tray 1, the insertion of the tray 1 itself in the free space between two dividing bricks 12 superimposed one another is facilitated.

[0091] Furthermore, thanks to the fact that at least one of the portions 4a, 4b of the continuous perimeter edge 3 in relief has a lower base that is coplanar and coincides with the bottom 5 of the tray 1, the tray of the present invention is allowed to be completely closed onto the lower divider 12 of the trolley 9, once the tray is inserted into the trolley 9 itself.

[0092] In fact, the bottom 5 of the tray 1 allows the tray 1 to rest on the divider 12 without the gasket (or shutter) without having drafts and without having to adapt to particular shapes of the divider of the trolley 9. In this way, the divider in its upper part can be smooth, without gaskets (or shutters) and hygienic. In the lower part it will instead have a gasket or a damper.

[0093] FIG. 15 shows the tray 1 completely inserted in the trolley 9, asymmetrically with respect to the partition 11. Therefore, thanks to the fact that the tray 1 of the present invention is provided with a continuous perimeter edge 3 arranged around the support base 2 and is provided with a single area suitable for housing meals, it has the possibility of translating almost unlimitedly to the right or to the left with respect to the dividing brick 12 once inserted into the trolley 9, in order to increase or decrease the surface from time to time according to the needs available in the compartments 10a, 10b of the trolley 9. This allows a versatility and flexibility of use according to the patient's menu or according to the type of meal (breakfast, lunch, or dinner), which is very limited in the known in the art trays provided with a single or double area suitable for housing meals with interrupted edge.

[0094] Of course, many modifications and variations of the described preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, still remaining within the scope of the invention.

[0095] For example, in the previous description, reference has always been made to a tray with a single area suitable for housing meals, but other embodiments of the tray of the present invention can provide trays with multiple areas suitable for housing meals.

[0096] Furthermore, in the previous description, reference has always been made to a tray provided with two grip portions arranged along the opposite transverse sides of the tray, but other embodiments of the tray of the present invention can provide trays provided with grip portions arranged in other points along the continuous perimeter edge of the tray, as well as other embodiments can provide trays provided with a single grip portion.

[0097] Finally, in the previous description, reference has always been made to a tray provided with two inclined portions arranged centrally along the opposite longitudinal sides of the tray, but other embodiments of the tray of the present invention can provide trays provided with only one inclined portion.

[0098] Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described, illustrated only by way of non-limiting example, but is defined by the following claims.

[0099] This application claims the benefit of Italian Application IT 102020000022393, filed Sep. 23, 2020, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, the same as if set forth at length.