Ventilated tray with riser

Abstract

A serving tray configured to hold fresh baked pizza and hot-served food items in a prolonged hot and crispy state. The tray comprises a circular ventilated platform made of a perforated inner region surrounded by a solid rim. Stand-off dividers form a plurality of segregated breathing chambers below the ventilated platform. The stand-off dividers guide moisture vapor from the hot baked food item through the ventilated platform and toward a cool remote surface where the water vapors condense. External air drafts are obstructed by the stand-off dividers. The stand-off dividers include one annular riser divider and two internal cross-brace dividers that together form four sector-shaped breathing chambers. A flat handle extends between the two cross-brace dividers inside the annular riser divider. As slices of pizza are removed, the remaining portions of pizza on the tray stay hot and crispy as radiated heat is reflected within the still breathing chambers.

Claims

1. A hot-food serving tray configured to hold fresh baked food in a prolonged hot and crispy state, said tray comprising: a ventilated platform, said ventilated platform having a food receiving upper surface and an opposite under surface, a plurality of stand-off dividers extending downwardly from said under surface, said stand-off dividers being arranged to form therebetween a plurality of breathing chambers below said ventilated platform, each said stand-off divider configured to guide moisture vapor from a hot baked food through said ventilated platform to condense on a remote surface while concurrently obstructing external air drafts, said plurality of stand-off dividers comprising at least one riser divider and at least two cross-brace dividers, said at least two cross-brace dividers intersecting one another, said at least two cross-brace dividers generally surrounded by said at least one riser divider, said at least one riser divider being generally annular and including an inner wall, and a handle attached to at least one of said plurality of stand-off dividers, said handle at least partially disposed within one of said breathing chambers, wherein said handle extends between said at least two cross-brace dividers and said inner wall of said riser divider.

2. The tray of claim 1, wherein each said breathing chamber is segregated from the next adjacent breathing chamber by said at least two cross-brace dividers.

3. The tray of claim 1, wherein said at least two cross-brace dividers each extend diametrically across said inner wall of said riser divider.

4. The tray of claim 1, wherein said upper surface of said ventilated platform is generally circular and centered about a generally vertical central axis, wherein said at least two cross-brace dividers perpendicularly intersect one another at said central axis.

5. The tray of claim 1, wherein said at least one riser divider includes a continuous and unbroken outer wall, said riser divider including a riser bottom edge, said riser bottom edge extending between said inner and said outer walls of said riser divider, said riser divider including a riser top edge, said riser top edge extending between said inner and said outer walls of said riser divider.

6. The tray of claim 1, wherein said at least each said cross-brace divider includes opposing side walls, each said cross-brace divider including a top ledge and a base, each said cross-brace divider including opposite cross-brace ends, each said cross-brace end abutting said inner wall of said riser divider, and wherein each said top ledge is disposed in direct supporting contact with said under surface of ventilated platform.

7. The tray of claim 1, wherein said upper surface of said ventilated platform is generally circular and centered about a generally vertical central axis, said at least one riser divider including a riser bottom edge and a riser top edge, the axial distance between said riser bottom edge and said riser top edge defining a generally uniform axial height of said riser divider, each said cross-brace divider including a top ledge and a base, each said cross-brace divider having an axial height generally equal to said uniform axial height of said riser divider, said riser bottom edge and said base of each said cross-brace divider being generally co-planar, said riser top edge and said top ledge of each said cross-brace divider being generally co-planar.

8. The tray of claim 1, wherein each said stand-off divider is fabricated from a solid material that is substantially impervious to external air drafts such that said breathing chambers formed therebetween remain generally sequestered from external air exchanges when enclosed between a hot baked food and by a suitable remote surface.

9. The tray of claim 1, wherein said handle has a generally uniform thickness defined by opposing flat top and bottom surfaces, and said riser divider includes a drain hole adjacent said handle.

10. The tray of claim 1, wherein said upper surface of said ventilated platform is generally circular and centered about a generally vertical central axis, said stand-off dividers collectively forming a cylindrical shape below said under surface centered about said central axis.

11. The tray of claim 1, wherein said upper surface of said ventilated platform is generally circular and centered about a generally vertical central axis, each said stand-off divider having a generally uniform axial height.

12. The tray of claim 11, wherein said generally uniform axial height of each said stand-off divider is approximately 1.25 inches.

13. A pizza serving tray configured to hold fresh baked pizza in a prolonged hot and crispy state, said tray comprising: a ventilated platform, said ventilated platform having a pizza receiving upper surface and an opposite under surface, said upper surface being generally flat, said upper surface being circular and centered about a generally vertical central axis, said upper surface having an inner region surrounded by a rim, said ventilated platform including a plurality of apertures, said plurality of apertures contained within said inner region, said rim including a bottom surface, said rim encircling said inner region, a plurality of stand-off dividers, said stand-off dividers extending downwardly from said under surface, said stand-off dividers collectively forming a cylindrical shape below said under surface centered about said central axis, said stand-off dividers arranged to form therebetween a plurality of breathing chambers, said breathing chambers positioned below said ventilated platform, each said stand-off divider configured to guide moisture vapor through said ventilated platform to condense on a remote surface while concurrently obstructing external air drafts, each said stand-off divider having a generally uniform axial height, said plurality of stand-off dividers comprising at least one riser divider and at least one cross-brace divider, said riser divider including an inner wall, said riser divider including an outer wall, said riser divider including a riser bottom edge, said riser bottom edge extending between said inner and said outer walls of said riser divider, said riser divider including a riser top edge, said riser top edge extending between said inner and said outer walls of said riser divider, at least a portion of said riser top edge directly attached to said bottom surface of said U-shaped rim, each said breathing chamber being segregated from the next adjacent breathing chamber by said at least one cross-brace divider, said at least one cross-brace divider comprising at least two cross-brace dividers, said at least two said cross-brace dividers extending diametrically across said inner wall of said riser divider, said at least two cross-brace dividers perpendicularly intersecting one another at said central axis, each said cross-brace divider including opposing side walls, each said cross-brace divider including a top ledge, each said cross-brace divider including a base, each said cross-brace divider including opposite cross-brace ends, each said cross-brace end perpendicularly abutting said inner wall of said riser divider, each said top ledge disposed in direct supporting contact with said under surface of said ventilated platform, each said cross-brace divider having an axial height generally equal to said uniform axial height of said riser divider, said riser bottom edge and said base of each said cross-brace divider being generally co-planar, said riser top edge and said top ledge of each said cross-brace divider being generally co-planar, each said stand-off divider substantially impervious to external air drafts such that said breathing chambers formed therebetween remain generally sequestered from external air exchanges when enclosed by a pizza and by a suitable remote surface, a handle attached to at least one of said plurality of stand-off dividers, said handle having a uniform thickness defined by opposing flat top and bottom panels, said handle attached adjacent to said riser bottom edge, said handle disposed within one of said breathing chambers, said flat bottom surface of said handle generally co-planar with said riser bottom edge and said base of each said cross-brace divider, said handle attached to opposing said side walls of two adjacent said cross-brace dividers, said riser divider including a drain hole adjacent said handle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily appreciated when considered in connection with the following detailed description and appended drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art serving tray;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pizza being served on a serving tray as disclosed herein;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a serving tray;

(5) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the serving tray as taken generally along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the serving tray illustrated in FIG. 3;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a server's hand grasping the serving tray utilizing the tray handle;

(8) FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the serving tray as in FIG. 4 of a serving tray served with hot pizza; and

(9) FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view as illustrated in FIG. 7 but showing a pizza slice removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(10) Referring to the figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a serving tray configured to hold fresh baked food items, like pizza, in a prolonged hot and crispy state is generally shown at 100 in FIGS. 2-8. While the serving tray 100 can be used to serve many different types of fresh baked food items, those with bread or crust features traditionally eaten hot and crispy are of particular focus. A pizza 102 is used in a representative capacity throughout this application to stand for all types of baked food items that may be beneficially served with the present serving tray 100. It is to be understood that other baked food items can be substituted in most if not all instances where specific reference is made to pizza 102.

(11) FIGS. 2, 7 and 8 illustrate this embodiment with a hot pizza 102 served on the tray 100. As illustrated in FIGS. 3-4, the serving tray 100 comprises a ventilated platform, generally indicated at 104, with a pizza receiving upper surface 106 and an opposite under surface 108. The upper surface 106 of the platform 104 is generally flat circular and centered about a generally vertical central axis A although other enclosed shapes such as squares or rectangles are contemplated. The upper surface 106 also has an inner region 110 surrounded by a rim 112.

(12) The ventilated platform 104 includes a plurality of apertures 114 contained within the inner region 110 to allow a generally unrestricted exchange of heat and moist vapor through the platform 104. In one preferred embodiment, the apertures 114 of the inner region 110 can be formed as a mesh 116 of the type commonly found in commercially available so-called expanded metal constructions. Expanded metal is a form of metal stock made by shearing a metal plate in a press, so that the metal stretches, leaving diamond-shaped voids surrounded by interlinked bars of the metal. Expanded metal is also sometimes referred to as perforated metal. Other metallic as well as non-metallic materials may be used to fabricate the ventilated platform 104, including food-grade plastics. The outer periphery of the mesh inner region 110 is defined by a peripheral edge 118.

(13) As perhaps best shown in FIG. 4, the rim 112 has a U-shaped cross-section 120 with a bottom surface 122. The rim 112 encircles the inner region 110 and may be fabricated from a metallic material such as aluminum, steel or stainless steel. Non-metallic materials are also contemplated. The peripheral edge 118 of the inner region 110 is enclosed within the U-shaped cross-section 120 of the rim 112. In this manner, the ventilated platform 104 may be said to have a panel-and-frame construction where the inner region 110 is the panel portion and the surrounding rim 112 is the frame. The rim 112 binds the jagged, unfinished peripheral edge 118 and also adds a significant degree of structure support so that the ventilated platform 104 is not readily flexible.

(14) In an alternative embodiment, not illustrated, the ventilated platform 104 may be formed of a single metal sheet or plate of relatively heavy or sturdy gauge rather than of the illustrated rim and mesh two-piece construction. Thus, the rim 112 and inner region 110 may be integrated into a monolithic structure while serving the same primary function of the ventilated platform 104. In this contemplated alternative embodiment, the inner region of the metal plate includes a plurality of apertures in the shape of small squares, circles or other geometric patterns that enable free passage of heat and vapor through the ventilated platform. The monolithic sheet could be manufactured from aluminum, other metals including steel or stainless steels, or non-metallic materials such as food-grade polymers. The thickness of such a platform made from sheet or plate material is preferably sufficient to provide a relatively rigid surface suitable for cutting the hot pizza on the serving tray with minimal deflection. The thickness of such a monolithic sheet may range from about 0.1-0.2, however thicknesses outside this range may be apt depending on the material composition selected. The apertures formed in this embodiment of the ventilated platform may be formed by stamping or a cutting operation. The apertures may be placed so as to extend fully to the peripheral edge of the platform, thus effectively eliminating any characteristics of a rim feature, or stop short of the peripheral edge thus leaving a solid rim-like edge or frame around the apertures that is smooth to the touch. The latter option is generally preferred, although by no means exclusive.

(15) A plurality of stand-off dividers, generally indicated at 124, extend downward (relative to the central axis A) from the under surface 108 of the ventilated platform 104, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The stand-off dividers 124 are preferably fabricated from sheet stock, such as 0.0625 to 0.125 thick aluminum or stainless steel. In the preferred embodiment where the ventilated platform 104 is circular, the stand-off dividers 124 collectively form a cylindrical shape below the under surface 108 centered about the central axis A that is somewhat smaller than the diameter of the ventilated platform 104. In cases where the ventilated platform 104 is non-circular, the stand-off dividers 124 may continue in the form of a cylindrical shape or have a complimentary shape to that of the ventilated platform 104.

(16) The stand-off dividers 124 elevate the ventilated platform 104 above a remote surface 128 (such as a table or counter) and are also arranged to form therebetween a plurality of breathing chambers 126. In the illustrated embodiment, stand-off dividers 124 form four sector-shaped breathing chambers 126 arranged in a circular pattern. Other contemplated embodiments may include fewer or more breathing chambers 126. As a general proposition, and to a limited extent, more breathing chambers 126 are better than fewer for reasons that will become apparent. When a fresh-from-the-oven pizza 102 or other baked food item is placed on the ventilated platform 104, heat and moisture vapors emanate through its crust. The majority of exposed crust on a traditional pizza 102 appears along its bottom surface, which is that portion in direct contact with the ventilated platform 104. The plurality of stand-off dividers 124, when arranged as a group, are configured to guide radiant heat and moisture vapor emanating from the pizza 102 through the ventilated platform 104 toward the remote surface 128 while concurrently obstructing external air drafts. Each stand-off divider 124 is substantially impervious to external air drafts such that the breathing chambers 126 formed therebetween remain generally sequestered from external air exchanges when enclosed on top by a pizza 102 and on bottom by a suitable remote surface 128. Air trapped inside the breathing chambers 126 will remain relatively still except for natural convective currents generated by the heat of the overlaying pizza 102 opposite a relatively cold remote surface 128. The remote surface 128 may include for example, the top surface of a dining table or a serving counter. In other embodiments (not shown), the stand-off divider 124 may be closed off at bottom so that the remote surface is an integral portion of the serving tray. However, the depicted embodiment with open-bottom breathing chambers 126 that utilize the table or a counter as the remote surface 128 is preferred as being somewhat easier to wash/clean after use.

(17) Radiant heat and moisture vapor emanating from the pizza 102 are illustrated by wavy arrows in FIGS. 7 and 8. The stand-off dividers 124 guide these emitted elements within the shelter of each breathing chamber 126 toward the substantially cooler remote surface 128. The piping hot pizza 102 opposite a relatively cool remote surface 128 will induce convectively circulating air currents within each breathing chamber 126. When the hot moisture vapor in the swirling air contacts the cool remote surface 128, the moisture condenses as droplets 162 on the remote surface 128. Any air inside the breathing chamber 126 that may circulate back toward the crust of pizza 102 thus has less moisture content than when first emitted, and therefore does not contribute to sogginess. In other words, the breathing chambers 126 have something of a dehumidifying effect that helps pull water away from the pizza 102 and deposit or collect the water on the remote surface 128. Meanwhile, the radiant heat energy emanating from the hot pizza 102 reflects within the breathing chamber 126 back up toward the pizza (upward directed wavy arrows) thereby keeping the pizza 102 warm. Concurrently, external air drafts are obstructed by the stand-off dividers 124 thus establishing each breathing chamber 126 as a quarantined or secluded greenhouse-like space that blocks out cool external drafts under the bottom of the pizza 102 while nurturing heat conservation to keep the overlying pizza 102 hot by reflecting back radiant heat and transforming moisture vapor into separated water droplets 162. A person eating the pizza 102 gains the pleasure of eating hot, crisp pizza 102 over the unhurried course of their meal.

(18) Each stand-off divider 124 has a generally uniform axial height. In some embodiments, the uniform axial height is between about 0.5 and 3 inches, and preferably about 1.25 inches. In this latter example, the under surface 108 of the ventilated platform 104 is thus supported by the stand-off dividers 124 about 1.25 inches above the remote surface 128. The preferred height range (0.5-3.0) results in breathing chambers 126 that perform optimally by retaining heat and deterring sogginess. If the stand-off dividers 124 are too tall, the breathing chambers 126 formed by stand-off dividers 124 will be too large. Heat will disperse and reflected radiant heat will have more opportunity to miss the pizza 102. On the other hand, if the stand-off dividers 124 are too short, the breathing chambers 126 formed thereby will not sufficiently separate the condensed water droplets 162 and/or will allow the remote surface 128 to become so hot that water vapor is not readily condensed.

(19) The plurality of stand-off dividers 124 comprises at least one riser divider 130 and at least one cross-brace divider 132. The riser divider 130 is preferably annular and includes an inner wall 134, an outer wall 136, and a riser bottom edge 138. The riser bottom edge 138 is preferably flat and extends between the inner 134 and the outer walls 136 of the riser divider 130. A similar flat riser top edge 140 extends between the inner 134 and the outer walls 136 of the riser divider 130. The riser top edge 140 is directly attached to the ventilated platform 104, and more specifically to the bottom surface 122 of the U-shaped rim 112. A first weld interface 142 joins the riser top edge 140 to the bottom surface 122 of the rim 112, and is disposed along the outer wall 136 of the riser divider 130. Of course, other attachment methods are possible, as well as full integration in the case of molded and extruded manufacturing techniques.

(20) In the illustrated embodiment, each breathing chamber 126 is segregated from the next adjacent breathing chamber 126 by a cross-brace divider 132. Two cross-brace dividers 132 are shown extending diametrically across the inner wall 134 of the riser divider 130 and perpendicularly intersecting one another at the central axis A. Of course, more than two or only one cross-brace divider 132 may be used, and it is not essential that the one or more cross-brace dividers 132 bisect the central axis A.

(21) Each cross-brace divider 132 includes opposing side walls 144, a top ledge 146, a base 148, and opposite cross-brace ends 150. Each of the cross-brace ends 150 perpendicularly abut the inner wall 134 of the riser divider 130. In the illustrated embodiment, a second weld joint 152 is disposed between each of the cross-brace ends 150 and the inner wall 134 of the riser divider 130, however other attachment techniques are possible. Each of the top ledges 146 are preferably disposed in direct supporting contact with the under surface 108 of the ventilated platform 104 to increase the weight bearing capacity of the inner region 110. As a result, the inner region 110 has more than enough structural integrity to withstand the force of a knife used to cut the pizza 102 without excessive bowing of the ventilated platform 104. Each cross-brace divider 132 has an axial height generally equal to the uniform axial height of the riser divider 130. The riser bottom edge 138 and the base 148 of each cross-brace divider 132 are generally co-planar whereas the riser top edge 140 and the top ledge 146 of the cross-brace divider 132 are also generally co-planar. These co-planar alignments limit the movement of drafts between breathing chambers 126 and provide a stable support for the ventilated platform 104 in a parallel orientation above the remote surface 128.

(22) A handle, generally indicated at 154, may be incorporated to facilitate handling of the serving tray 100 by a server who must carry the tray 100 with a piping hot pizza 102 (or other food item) from the kitchen to a dining area. The handle 154 is preferably formed of a metallic material or food-grade plastic and having a uniform thickness defined by opposing flat top and bottom panels 156. The handle 154 may be attached in any variety of ways. In one configuration, the handle 154 is attached inside the annular riser divider 130, adjacent to the riser bottom edge 138, and within one of the breathing chambers 126. The flat bottom panel 156 of the handle 154 is generally co-planar with the riser bottom edge 138 and the base 148 of each of the cross-brace dividers 132. The handle 154 in this embodiment is attached to opposing side walls 144 of two adjacent cross-brace dividers 132. A third weld joint 158 is disposed between the riser inner wall 134 of the riser divider 130 and the flat bottom panel 156 of the handle 154. A fourth weld joint 160 is disposed between opposing side walls 144 of two adjacent cross-brace dividers 132 and one of the flat top and bottom panels 156 of the handle 154. As shown in FIG. 6, the handle 154 is positioned to provide a point of leverage for the server's fingers when serving a hot pizza 102 resulting in a firm grip that keeps fingers comfortably spaced from the hot food. Recessed within one of the breathing chambers 126, the handle 154 will not obstruct stacking of the trays 100 when stored nor will the handle 154 take up dining table space when is served.

(23) As shown in FIG. 4, a small drain hole 164 may be formed in the riser divider 130 directly above the handle 154. The drain hole 164 is preferably small enough to allow dishwashing water to drain from the otherwise cup-like region sometimes formed when the serving tray 100 is tipped on edge for washing purposes. However, the drain hole 164 is small enough to have only a negligible effect on the draft obstructing qualities of the one affected breathing chamber 126.

(24) A method of keeping fresh baked pizza 102 in a prolonged hot and crispy state upon serving is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. A hot pizza 102 radiating heat and emitting moisture vapors is supported in a spaced relation above a remote, horizontal and relatively cool surface 128 by a ventilated platform 104. A plurality of breathing chambers 126 are established between the ventilated platform 104 and the remote surface 128. Each breathing chamber 126 is sequestered from the next adjacent breathing chamber 126 and from external air drafts. Each breathing chamber 126 guides a portion of the moisture vapors emitted from the hot pizza 102 independently though each breathing chamber 126 to condense on the cool, remote surface 128 while concurrently reflecting radiant heat energy back toward the pizza. This guiding step includes accumulating moisture 162 condensed from the moisture vapor onto the remote surface 128. When a first slice of pizza 102 is removed from the serving tray 100, at least one of the underling breathing chambers 126 is exposed through the ventilated platform 104. Despite the first slice pizza 102 being removed, and heat venting immediately from the exposed breathing chamber 126, the remaining breathing chambers 126 still covered by pizza 102 continue to sequester external air drafts and function as described above to keep the remaining pieces of pizza 102 hot and crispy.

(25) The foregoing invention has been described in accordance with the relevant legal standards, thus the description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed embodiment may become apparent to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the invention.