Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to serving trays for holding various items , more
particularly to a novel serving tray designed with ergonomic improvements for
holding utensils and placing without use of hands.
Background of the Invention
Serving trays are well known and commonly used. The conventional trays
required usage of both hands to lift and set down the tray, particularly when the
tray is loaded with objects. Heavy trays are difficult enough to manage with two
hands. Even skilled servers require two hands to lift and set down such trays. A
number of trays in the art have made various attempts to improve the design of
serving trays in order to facilitate their carrying. Even skilled servers require
two hands to lift and set down such trays. Furthermore, trying to carry these
trays with one hand requires a great deal of skill.
EP1438915 relates to a serving tray with a handle protruding upwards from the
middle of the tray, enabling the tray to be carried with one hand. However, the
central placement of the handle interferes with and restricts the usable surface
area of the tray.
US3941286 discloses a serving tray having an opening through which the
server's hand is inserted, allowing the server to lift and carry the tray with one
hand. In spite of this, such a tray may be difficult to balance because the tray's
gripping point is not aligned with the tray's centre of gravity. Additionally, once
the hand is inserted into the opening, it will be difficult for the server to
reposition the tray or switch the tray to the other hand.
There is clearly a need for a novel serving tray that is simple, portable, cost
effective and can place cups and small plates on the table without use of both
the hands thereby reducing the hand operation completely.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention relates to a novel serving tray that can be used for holding
cups and plates and placing them on the table without the use of hands.The
structure (11) of the novel serving tray appears as a rectangular box and is open
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both sides of the upper surface of the structure that serve as an attachment for
the tray. Holders (14) are provided to carry the structure (11) conveniently.
The said tray (12) is divided into two separate layers by means of hinges (15)
that are provided to fold the tray (12). The tray has a provision of detachable
plurality of sub trays (12a) that can be attached again through a set of grooves
(16) connected to the tray (12 ) .The sub -tray accommodates different utensils
like cup, glass etc, of various sizes and shapes.
The aforementioned and other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become clear when reference is made to the following description
of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, together with reference
to the accompanying drawings.
Objectives of the Present Invention
The main objective of the present invention is to provide a novel design tray the
user can lift, carry, and place items without the use of hands.
Yet another objective of the present invention to provide a novel serving tray
with a raised ergonomic grip that allows the user to comfortably, securely, and
naturally grasp the serving tray.
Yet another objective of the invention to provide a serving tray which is
durable and can be easily manufactured.
Yet another objective of the invention to provide a serving tray that reduces the
hand operation completely and provide the user with a more comfort and more
controllable tray.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example
only and with reference to the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the serving tray in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the serving tray of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view of the serving tray of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the serving tray in accordance with
another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional view of the serving tray of FIG. 4;
Detailed Description of the Invention
As illustrated in Fig 1-5, the present invention meets the aforementioned and
other needs by providing a novel serving tray that can be used for holding cups
and plates and placing them on the table without the use of hands.
According to preferred embodiment of the present invention to provide a novel
serving tray comprising a structure , at least one holder, plurality of sub trays , a
first layer of grooves, a spring button, a second layer of grooves and pluraUty of
hinges.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention , the structure has
a upper and lower surface and appears as a rectangular box , open from two
sides along the length of the tray. The upper surface is provided with a first
layer of grooves serving an attachment for the tray. There is at least one holder
in close association with the structure to carry the structure conveniently. The
holder support is attached to a spring button at a lower surface of the structure.
According to an another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
said tray (12) is divided into two separate layers by means of plurality of hinges
(15) provided to fold the tray (12). The tray has a provision of detachable
plurality of sub trays (12a) that can be attached again through a second layer of
grooves (16) connected to the tray (12 ) .The sub -tray accommodates different
utensils like cup, glass etc, of various sizes and shapes.
In an another embodiment of the present invention the user holds the cup or
plates with the help of the ergonomic grip present in the serving tray. The items
placed on the upper surface are held properly due to holding support. The spring
button performs the function of removing the holding support that holds the
items from the bottom of the tray when the user places the tray on the table
thereby reducing the hand operation completely.
According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention is to provide a
novel serving tray which can be in the shape of a rectangle , wherein at least one
Another alternative embodiment of the present invention is to provide a novel
serving tray that be made of acrylic. There is also an option of manufacturing
the present invention in any other suitable materials, such as plastic, wood,
aluminum, and stainless steel.
While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of
embodiments, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the
invention, but rather as exemplifications of some of the embodiments. Those
skilled in the art will envision other possible variations, modifications, and
applications that are also within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the
scope of the invention should not be limited by what has thus far been
described, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
I Claim :
1. A novel serving tray(lOO) for placing utensils without use of hands, said
serving tray(lOO), comprising ;
- a structure(l 1) having a first and a second surface, wherein sidewalls of said
structure are parallel to each other along a portion of their respective lengths;
- said first surface comprises a first layer of groove (13) serving as an
attachment for a first tray (12);
- at least one gripping surface(14) located substantially adjacent to the center of
gravity and associated to said structure for holding said structure conveniently;
and
- said first tray (12) comprises two separate layers coupled by means of plurality
of hinges (15) , wherein said first tray includes at least one second tray (12a)
configured to permit a user to ergonomically re-attach through a second layer of
grooves (16) connected to said first tray (12 ).
2. A novel serving tray(lOO) for placing utensils without use of hands as
claimed in Claim 1 , wherein said first and second surface are the upper and
lower surface of said structure^ 1).
3. A novel serving tray (100) for placing utensils without use of hands as
claimed in Claim 1 , wherein said first tray(12) is the outer tray placed on the
upper surface of said structure(ll) and said second tray(12a) is the sub tray ,
preferably three in number.
4. A novel serving tray (100) for placing utensils without use of hands as
claimed in Claim 1 , wherein said structure(l 1) is in the shape of a rectangle .
5. A novel serving tray (100) for placing utensils without use of hands as
claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 3 , wherein said sub- tray can accommodates
different utensils like cups, glasses etc of various sizes and shapes.
6. A novel serving tray(100) for placing utensils without use of hands as
claimed in any of the proceeding claims substantially as herein described with
reference to foregoing drawings.