TRAY COVERING ELEMENT

Abstract

The invention relates to a tray covering element essentially constituted of a first portion (2), which covers the upper surface of a tray (5), in the manner of a placemat, and a second portion (3), which creates an outer edge for the first portion and which is envisaged to cover the outer and upper edge (50) of the tray. The second portion (3) comprises a third portion (30) located laterally and protruding from the edge (50) and designed to bend downwards and fold around the edge of the tray (5) and cover the lower edge so that the user does not touch the tray when holding it, only the tray covering element.

Claims

1) A tray covering element characterised by the fact that such element is essentially constituted of a first portion (2), which covers the upper surface of the tray (5), in the manner of a placemat, and a second portion (3), which creates an outer edge for the first portion and which is envisaged to cover the outer and upper edge (50) of the tray, the said second portion (3) comprising a third portion (30) located laterally and protruding from the edge (50) and designed to bend downwards and fold around the edge of the tray (5) in order to cover the lower edge so that the user does not touch the tray when holding it, coming into contact solely with the tray covering element, the said element being envisaged to work from a resting condition in which it is stacked together with other elements to a first working condition in which it is resting, spread out, on the tray and to a second working condition in which the third portion (30) extends beyond the section of the lateral edge (50) and runs around the edge thereof to cover the undersection of the tray that will be occupied by the user's hands.

2) A tray covering element according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the said second portion (3) features folds or die-scores envisaged to allow the component material of the element to fold in order to adapt smoothly to the conformation of the tray if this features unusual raised edges, or bellows folds, again in order to be extended and to adequately cover the edge (50) of the tray (5).

3) A tray covering element according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the said third portion (30) has any configuration such as, for example, a simple protruding rectangle, a semicircle, or a more complex configuration which has been processed to make it more particular and original and to allow the tray covering element to differ from one restaurant chain to another.

4) A tray covering element according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the said third portion (30) features a pair of protrusions, positioned so as to extend the said portion, whose task is to create a proper handle so that the user can hold the tray comfortably without the risk of having to touch it.

5) A tray covering element according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the said element is composed of a sheet of paper-like material or of paper- or plastic-based material which may be, but not necessarily are, suitable for food use, the said material being recyclable so as not to create polluting waste.

6) A tray covering element according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the said element is stackable so as to be easily pulled out by a worker and positioned on a tray, grasping it with a tab (35) in a section of the second portion which is not then touched by the customer, so as not to run the risk of causing contamination.

7) A tray covering element according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the said element is a practical placemat which can be customised with various colour combinations, designs, or text, and can have an appearance which allows it to become an easily recognisable element of the restaurant chain which uses it, and can also be used as a vehicle for advertising, a vehicle for information (if containing text or information) and can feature text, images, or advertisements for venues, companies, products, films, and much more.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] Further characteristics and advantages will better emerge in the detailed description of a tray covering element according to the present invention, provided in the form of a non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a top-down view, presented schematically, of a tray covering element according to the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the tray covering element in FIG. 1 when placed on the tray;

[0028] FIG. 3 shows, presented schematically, a tray with the tray covering element partially positioned;

[0029] FIG. 4 shows a rear view of the tray in FIG. 3 with the tray covering element in place;

[0030] FIG. 5 shows a bottom-up view of the tray with the tray covering element;

[0031] FIG. 6 shows a top-down view, presented schematically, of a variant of the tray covering element in question;

[0032] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the tray covering element in FIG. 6 when placed on a different type of tray;

[0033] FIG. 8 shows, schematically, the tray with the tray covering element partially positioned;

[0034] FIG. 9 shows a rear view of the tray in FIG. 7 with the tray covering element in place;

[0035] FIG. 10 shows a bottom-up view of the tray with the tray covering element.

[0036] With reference to the aforesaid figures, in particular to FIG. 1, 1 is used to denote a tray covering element according to the present invention as a whole.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0037] The tray covering element 1 in question is composed of a sheet of paper-like material or of paper- or plastic-based material which may be, but not necessarily are, suitable for food use. In particular, element 1 features an extended edge to be used as a handgrip. In more detail, the tray covering element is essentially constituted of a first portion 2, which covers the upper surface of a tray 5, like standard placemats, and a second portion 3, which creates an outer edge for the first portion and which is envisaged to cover the outer and upper edge 50 of the tray, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0038] According to the present invention, the second portion 3 may have bends or die scores included to allow the paper to be bent in order to smoothly adapt to the conformation of the tray, as shown in FIG. 6, where the tray features unusual raised edges, or bellows folds so as to be extended and adequately cover the edge 50 of the tray.

[0039] In accordance with the present invention, the second portion 3 of the tray covering element includes a third portion 30 located laterally, as shown in FIG. 3, which protrudes from the edge 50 and can be bent downwards and folded around the edge of the tray 5 so as to cover the bottom edge, as shown in FIG. 4, so that when the user grasps the tray, the user does not touch the latter, only the tray covering element.

[0040] In particular, the third portion 30 has any configuration such as, for example, a simple protruding rectangle, as shown in FIG. 8, a semicircle, or a more complex configuration which has been processed to make it more particular and original and to allow the tray covering element to differ from one restaurant chain to another.

[0041] As mentioned earlier, the third portion 30 extends beyond the section of the lateral edge 50 and folds around the edge to cover the undersection of tray that will be occupied by the user's hands. For example, for the McDonalds chain, the third portion 30 could take the form of a letter M which folds around the edge of the tray or the shape of the face of the clown which represents the chain.

[0042] In addition to that outlined so far, the third portion 30 can feature a pair of protrusions, positioned so as to extend the said portion, whose task is to create a proper handle so that the user can hold the tray comfortably without the risk of having to touch it.

[0043] In accordance with the present invention, the tray covering element is stackable so as to be easily pulled out by the worker and positioned on the tray, perhaps grasping it with a tab 35 in a section of the second portion which is not then touched by the customer, so as not to run the risk of contamination.

[0044] The tray covering element in question is still a practical placemat and can also be used as a vehicle for advertising if sponsored, since the menuor anything elsecan be written on the first portion and text, images, or advertisements for venues, companies, products, films, and more can be added to the second portion.

[0045] While having a low production cost, the tray covering element in question will be slightly more expensive than the placemats currently available on the market, but this slight increase would be offset by an important service offered to customers including careful hygiene and health protection.

[0046] In addition to that outlined so far, the tray covering element can be produced with a recyclable material, so as not to create any polluting waste.

[0047] After the predominantly structural description, the invention in question will now be outlined.

[0048] The tray covering element in question works like a conventional placemat; in fact, one simply places the element on the tray, in order to protect the food, positions the second portion along the edges and then folds the third portion around the lateral edges, holding the tray in the usual manner. This way, the user does not come into contact with the tray, which means the user's hands are protected from possible contamination of any type and nature.

[0049] Thus the present invention achieves the objects set.

[0050] The tray covering element in question can be applied to and engages with a tray, in a simple and practical manner, features a good covering capacity of both the surface and the edges of the tray, and is foldable outwards, around the lateral edges, so that the user's hands do not come into contact with the said tray.

[0051] Advantageously, when the user pours the leftovers into the bin, the tray covering element is much more practical and functional than the usual placemats because, by holding the third portion, the user can slide everything off better without touching the tray, even in this circumstance.

[0052] In addition, in the event that liquid is spilt inside the tray, it becomes easier to remove the tray covering element with the leftovers without having to get one's hands wet or dirty, since the user can hold the second and/or third portion, which is not wet, as it is raised with respect to the upper surface of the tray.

[0053] Advantageously, the tray covering element provides an excellent barrier to the contamination of the user's hands and, consequently, of the foods which will then be eaten. In addition, the tray covering element can have a particularly eye-catching and attractive appearance if decorated or coloured, or can act as a vehicle for the provision of information if containing text or other information.

[0054] In particular, the tray covering element can also be used as a vehicle for advertising since, on the surface thereof, it is possible to add text, images, or advertisements for venues, companies, and products. In addition, the element in question can become an element for the promotion of a film and much more.

[0055] Indeed, the tray covering element can be customised with various colour combinations, designs, or text, and can have an appearance which allows it to become an easily recognisable element of the restaurant chain which uses it. Furthermore, the element according to the present invention allows the creation of extremely customised embodiments, which can be varied any time one wishes.

[0056] In addition, the element according to the present invention is easily stacked, features a suitably size to be adaptable to various types of tray, is not bulky, and isat the same timepractical and safe. In particular, the tray covering elementand the conformation thereofdoes not require changes to the format, protocols, and procedures used with the current placemats in terms of management of the distribution of the meals.

[0057] Advantageously, the tray covering element allows a restaurant chain to demonstrate its attention to and respect for the customer, by preventing contamination thereof through contact with trays. Furthermore, the element is an object which can be customised, is innovative, and is capable of arousing interest and attention.

[0058] A further advantage is due to the fact that the tray covering element is easy to manufacture and works well.

[0059] Naturally, further modifications or variants may be applied to the present invention while remaining within the scope of the invention that characterises it.