Spill saver tray

Abstract

A tray for carrying items, such as food and beverages. In particular, the tray, provided with grips, can be carried, in a relatively stable manner, with one hand. The tray is particularly useful for individuals working in the hospitality industry, such as waiting staff (waiters).

Claims

1. A serving tray, including: an upper side adapted for supporting and carrying items to be served; an underside including three non-centrally located grips, the grips adapted to permit the manual support of the serving tray by a hand having a generally supine palm, wherein the underside includes three portions adapted to be supported by a forearm; and wherein each of the three non-centrally located grips include at least one downwardly projecting protrusion that extends beyond a lower surface of each grip, and abuts a support surface when the tray is positioned thereon.

2. The serving tray of claim 1, wherein the portions adapted to be supported by a forearm are centrally-opposed to the non-centrally located grips.

3. The serving tray of claim 1, wherein the underside of the tray is configured such that when the tray is placed on a surface, the upper side of the tray will sit parallel to the surface upon which the tray is placed.

4. The serving tray of claim 1, wherein each grip includes a portion adapted for engagement by the fingers of the hand.

5. The serving tray of claim 1, wherein each grip is adapted to be gripped with the palm of a hand in a generally supine position and one or more fingers of the hand curled inward toward the palm.

6. The serving tray of claim 1, wherein each grip includes a recessed portion adapted for engagement by the fingers of the hand.

7. The serving tray of claim 6, wherein the recessed portion includes a drainage hole to permit drainage of water from the recessed portion.

8. The serving tray of claim 1, wherein each grip includes, or is provided by, a protrusion on the underside of the tray.

9. The serving tray of claim 8, wherein each protrusion includes a surface adapted to be supported by the generally supine palm.

10. The serving tray of claim 8, wherein each protrusion includes a recess, or aperture, for engagement by the fingers of a hand.

11. The serving tray of claim 10, wherein each protrusion is adapted to be gripped with the palm of a hand in a generally supine position and one or more fingers of the hand curled inward toward the palm and engaged in the recess or aperture.

12. The serving tray of claim 11, wherein the recess or aperture for engagement by the fingers of a hand is located toward the periphery of the tray and each protrusion further includes a contoured centrally-facing side.

13. The serving tray of claim 12, wherein the contoured centrally-facing side is provided by a portion of the grip which tapers towards the centre, and the bottom surface, of the tray.

14. The serving tray of claim 1, wherein the grips are not centrally-opposed to other grips included on the underside of the tray.

15. The serving tray of claim 1, wherein the at least one downwardly projecting protrusions that extends beyond a lower surface of each grip is laterally positioned on each grip.

16. The serving tray of claim 1, wherein each of the three non-centrally located grips include at least two downwardly projecting protrusions that extend beyond a lower surface of each grip and abut a support surface when the tray is positioned thereon.

17. The serving tray of claim 15, wherein each of the three non-centrally located grips include at least two downwardly projecting protrusions that extend beyond a lower surface of each grip and abut a support surface when the tray is positioned thereon.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is further illustrated in the following embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are for the purpose of describing a particular embodiment only and are not intended to be limiting with respect to the above description.

(2) FIG. 1: Provides an isometric view of the upper side of an embodiment of the serving tray of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2: Provides an isometric view of the underside of an embodiment of the present invention including a single grip.

(4) FIG. 3: Provides an isometric view of the underside of an embodiment of the present invention including three grips.

(5) FIG. 4: Provides an isometric view of the underside of an embodiment of the present invention and illustrates the attachment of a grip to a pre-formed serving tray.

(6) FIG. 5a: Provides an isometric view of the underside of a grip for use in an embodiment of the present invention, and illustrates a recess in the peripheral facing side of the grip for engagement by the fingers of a hand.

(7) FIG. 5b: Provides a view of the underside of a grip for use in an embodiment of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 5c: Provides an isometric view of the underside of a grip for use in an embodiment of the present invention, and illustrates an aperture on the centrally-facing side of the grip to allow water drainage.

(9) FIG. 5d: Provides a view of the peripheral facing side of a grip, for use in an embodiment of the present invention.

(10) FIG. 5e: Provides a side view of a grip, for use in an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(11) According to an embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, there is provided a serving tray, including; an upper side (1) adapted for supporting and carrying items to be served; and an underside (2) including a non-centrally located grip (3), the grip (3) adapted to permit the manual support of the serving tray (in use) by a hand having a generally supine palm (not shown).

(12) The term “supine” is used relative to the position of a waiter when in the upright, standing, position. As such, a generally supine palm is achieved when the hand is rotated such that the palm is facing anteriorly. When the term “supine” is used in relation to a waiter carrying the serving tray of the present invention, the waiter's forearm is extended such that it is generally traverse to the body of the waiter and consequently the palm of the hand is upward facing. The tray of the present invention is configured to permit carriage by a single hand.

(13) A circular plane, upon which items (such a drinks, plates and the like) can be placed, provides the upper side of the tray (1) of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. Further, the upper surface of the tray is provided with a raised perimetric lip, which helps prevent items from sliding off the tray. While a planar surface is particularly versatile, the upper side of the tray can be any suitable surface. For example, the upper side of the tray could include moulded wells which are adapted for cups or glasses to be positioned. Additionally, the upper side can be provided with non-slip coverings, such as a hydrophodic, textured or rubberized covering, which prevents slippage of items being carried.

(14) The serving tray illustrated in the present figures has a generally round shape; however, the upper side of the tray can consist of any desirable shape. Indeed the improved stability provided by the grip(s) of the present invention means that a greater variety of shapes can be used without making the tray problematically unstable. As would be understood, the tray can be any suitable shape. Preferably, however, when the tray is not a circle, the shape of the tray has as many lines of symmetry as the number of handles provided on the tray, or a multiple thereof. For example, a tray having three handles would preferably have three, six or nine lines of symmetry (e.g. a triangle, hexagon or nonagon).

(15) As illustrated in FIG. 2, the underside (2) of the tray includes a non-centrally located grip (3) and a portion (4) adapted to be supported by a forearm. In the illustrated embodiment, the portion (4) adapted to be supported by a forearm is centrally-opposed to the grip, and is provided by the planar surface of the underside (2) of the tray. However, the portion (4) adapted to be supported by the forearm could be provided by any suitable means. These include (but are not limited to) a recessed portion curved in a manner that contours with a forearm, a padded or rubberised section that sits atop of a supine forearm, or a protrusion which includes a contoured portion which locates on the forearm.

(16) The grip (3) illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 5, is provide by a protrusion from the underside (2) of the tray. However, as will be discussed below, the grip can be provided by any suitable means. In the illustrated embodiment, the grip (3) includes a portion (5) which is adapted to sit in the palm of a supine hand. As illustrated in FIGS. 5a to 5d, this portion (5) is provided by a lower facing surface of the grip (3) which includes a generally planar surface (6). The grip further includes downwardly-projecting lateral protrusions (7) which extend down each the side of the planar surface (6). The lateral protrusions (7) help locate the palm of the hand on the planar surface (6) and stabilises the palm on the grip. Further, the downwardly projecting lateral-protrusions (7), extend beyond the lower, planar, surface (6) of the grip, and act to contact the support surface and elevate the tray when placed on a support surface. The contact area between the downwardly projecting lateral-protrusions (7) and the support surface is reduced relative to the contact area in the absence of the protrusions. This is advantageous when the tray has been washed and is positioned on a surface (such as another tray) to dry. The downwardly projecting lateral-protrusions (7) permit improved airflow around the grips and improve drying times and therefore reduce the growth of bacteria and mould.

(17) The generally planar surface (6) of the grip (3) includes a peripheral-facing edge (11) which is laterally extending and generally concave. This concave edge (11) is more ergonomic than a straight edge when the fingers are curled back toward the palm of the hand when the grip (3) is being held. Furthermore, the centrally facing edge (12) of the planar surface (6) of the grip (3) is laterally extending and generally convex. The convex centrally facing edge (11) is shaped to sit against the heel of the palm when the grip (3) is being held. The term “laterally extending”, when used in the context of the peripheral-facing and centrally-facing edges of the grip, is to be considered relative to the hand of the user and as such the edges extend across the hand of the user. Consequently, in some embodiments, the peripheral-facing and centrally-facing edges of the grip are substantially perpendicular to a radial line that intersects the centre of the grip.

(18) The grip (3) illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 5, further includes a recess (8) for engagement by the fingers of the hand (not shown). The recess (8) of the present invention includes a drainage hole (9) which allows for water, which may collect in the recess during washing, to drain out. Consequently, the recess (8) illustrated in the Figures functionally provides an aperture which passes through the protruding grip (3), the recess (8) being adapted for engagement with the fingers of a hand.

(19) The grip is oriented on the tray with the recess (8), for engagement with the fingers of a hand, located toward the periphery of the tray. Furthermore, the grip (3) of the illustrated embodiment includes a centrally facing side (10) which is generally contoured to fit the heel of the palm of a hand. Preferably, the contour of the centrally facing side (10) of the grip (3) is provided by a portion which tapers toward the centre and the bottom surface of the tray (see FIG. 5e) which is configured to conform with the natural contour of the heel of the palm when the hand is extended from a neutral position. This configuration assists in improving the ergonomics of the tray.

(20) As illustrated in FIG. 5d, the lateral side of the grip (3) includes a contoured portion (11). This portion provides an optional area for locating the thumb of the waiter's hand when the tray is being carried, while the four fingers are located within the recess (8) of the grip (3) and it may provide additional comfort to the user and may further stabilise the tray. However, as will be understood, the thumb does not need to be positioned on the laterally positioned contoured portion (11) of the grip during use.

(21) The combination of the features described above, provides a grip (3) which is adapted to be gripped with the palm of a hand in a generally supine position such that it abuts the lower surface of the grip (5), primarily the generally planar surface of the grip (6), and one or more fingers of the hand curled inward toward the palm to engage the recess (8).

(22) The grip (3) described above can be connected, or attached to, the tray in any suitable manner. In some embodiments (as illustrated in FIG. 4) the grips (3) are formed separately to the tray and are attached. In this manner, the serving tray of the present invention can be produced by attaching the grips (3) to a pre-formed serving tray. Techniques are known in the art for such attachment such as plastic welding. For example when thermoplastics are used, the surface of the plastics can be softened with heat and then the grip (3) can be positioned on the underside of the tray (2) before the plastic hardens, thereby attaching the grip (3) to the tray. Alternative plastic welding approaches can also be used, which are not dependent on heat, such as solvent welding. Alternatively, the serving tray can be formed as a unitary object with the grips (3) integrally formed with the tray. Again, techniques are known in the art for such methods of formation, such as injection moulding. This manner of production is preferred when the grips (3) are provided by recesses in the underside (2) of the tray, however, this technique can also be used when the grips (3) include, or are provided by, a protrusion.

(23) It is desirable to have the grip(s) (3) attached or integrated in the serving tray of the present invention in a manner such that they cannot be separated or be removed from the upper side of the tray. As trays in accordance with the present invention are intended for use in commercial environments, it is important that they are robust and that components cannot be lost, removed, or easily damaged. Consequently, in a preferred form of the invention, the grips are integral in the underside of the tray, and are immovable relative to the underside of the tray.

(24) The tray of the present invention can be formed of any suitable material. In preferred embodiments, the tray is made of dishwasher-safe material, being material that can tolerate high heat (>80° C.) and caustic or alkaline conditions. Suitable plastics and metals are known in the art, which may be used to form the serving tray of the present invention.

(25) The above-described embodiment of a serving tray illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 5 relate to an embodiment of the invention which includes a protruding grip. However, embodiments of the invention wherein the grip is recessed in the underside of the tray are envisaged to be within the scope of the invention. For example, in one such embodiment, a recess can be provided in the underside of the tray, which is adapted to be engaged by the inwardly-curled fingers of a waiter, while the waiter's supine palm abuts a substantially planar underside. Further embodiments, may include a recess portion in the underside of the tray, with a protruding portion, wherein the protruding portion is adapted to be gripped with the palm of a hand in a generally supine position and one or more fingers of the hand curled inward toward the palm, and located within the recess.

(26) FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the serving tray of the present invention. The underside (2) of the serving tray is provided with three grips (3), each grip evenly space around the centre of the tray and interspaced with three portions (4) adapted to be supported by a forearm. While any suitable number of grips (3) can be included on the underside (2) of the tray, an odd number of grips is advantageous. When the odd number of grips (3) are evenly spaced around the centre of the tray, and interspaced with portions (4) adapted to be supported by a forearm, the portions (4) adapted to be supported by a forearm will be centrally-opposed to the grip (3). As such, it is advantageous for each grip (3) to not be centrally-opposed to another grip (3) or for no portion of any grip to be centrally-opposing a portion of another grip. However, even when one grip (3) is centrally-opposed to another grip (3) (not shown), then the lower surface of the grips may provide, or include, the portion (4) adapted to be supported by a forearm.

(27) As can be seen, the underside of the tray does not have any obstruction between the grip and the portion adapted for the forearm. This is important to allow the tray to be stably positioned on the arm when carried.

(28) Furthermore, the illustrated embodiment of the serving tray has the particular benefit of being able to sit level when placed upon a surface. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3, the grips (3) form a tripod arrangement, wherein the grips (3), and their associated downwardly projection lateral protrusions (7), function as legs when the tray is placed upon a surface. Consequently, in the event that a waiter wished to set the tray down, while items are on the upper side (1) of the tray, then the upper side (1) of the tray will sit parallel to the surface upon which the tray is placed and will balance and support the items. Furthermore, multiple trays can be stored by being stacked upon each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the grips (3) are positioned equidistant from each other such that they are positioned in the form of an equilateral triangle. As such, the radial angle between notional lines traversing the midpoint of each adjacent grip, is identical.

(29) While the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 is provided with three grips (3), it is envisaged that the invention may have a lesser or greater number of grips (3). Indeed three or more grips (3), positioned appropriately on the tray, will be sufficient to provide stability to the tray when placed upon a surface. Preferably, the tray will have an odd number of grips, such that positioning of the grips at equidistant spacing, near the periphery of the tray, will result in the grips interspaced with portions (centrally opposed to another grip) adapted to be supported by the forearm of a waiter. However, as explained above, embodiments of the tray can be provided with alternative means, such as legs, to stabilise the tray when placed upon a surface.

(30) For the reasons outlined above, it is advantageous for the serving tray of the present invention to be configured so that it will sit level when placed upon a level surface. This is achieved by configuring the underside of the tray such that when the tray is placed on a surface, the upper side of the tray will sit parallel to the surface upon which the tray is placed. While a preferred embodiment of the invention, which provides such a configuration, is described above, other means for providing this configuration are envisaged. For example, in some embodiments, the underside of the tray can be provided with legs (or other protrusions) which act to stabilise and support the tray. These legs can be in addition to, or in place of, multiple grips. Consequently, in some embodiments, the serving tray of the present invention may be provided with one grip, and two or more legs for stabilising the tray when placed upon a support surface. Alternatively, in embodiments where the grips do not protrude from the underside of the tray (e.g. where they are recessed or otherwise provided on the underside of the tray), the underside may provide a substantially planar surface which is adapted to sit on a support surface.

(31) It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that while the invention has been described in some detail for the purposes of clarity and understanding, various modifications and alterations to the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the scope of the inventive concept disclosed in this specification.

(32) The description provided herein is in relation to several embodiments which may share common characteristics and features. It is to be understood that one or more features of one embodiment may be combinable with one or more features of the other embodiments. In addition, a single feature or combination of features of the embodiments may constitute additional embodiments.

(33) The discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included in this specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.