AU774773B2

AU774773B2 - Table top

Info

Publication number: AU774773B2
Application number: AU52756/02A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Caroline Schafer
Original assignee: WMF Group GmbH
Current assignee: WMF Group GmbH
Priority date: 2001-07-04
Filing date: 2002-07-02
Publication date: 2004-07-08
Anticipated expiration: 2022-07-02
Also published as: DE50103884D1; KR100475967B1; JP2003038329A; AU5275602A; MXPA02006649A; ZA200205310B; EP1273251B1; BR0202514A; CN1397243A; EP1273251A1; EG23142A; CN1263412C; KR20030004140A

Description

-1-

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: WMF Wuerttembergische Metallwarenfabrik AG Actual Inventor: Caroline Schafer Address for Service: BALDWIN SHELSTON WATERS MARGARET STREET SYDNEY NSW 2000 CCN: 3710000352 Invention Title: TABLE TOP The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- File: 35889AUP00 1?/OS/04 BSW SYDNEY 4 062837999#306 NO.563 [203 la Table Top The present invention relates to a table top which is particularly suited far use on a buffet.

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or fonrms part of coimmon general knowledge in the field.

Known are table tops, for instance in the form of so-called 6tagerbs, which comprise a carrier which has directly fastened thereto small serving dishes that are positioned one upon the other at a distance. The table tops, however, are specifically conceived for dining t ables where each user has his/her specific place and can reach the table top from said place. In the case of buffets, however, a relatively great crush of guests must often be expected, the guests serving themselves at the buffet, partly gripping over one another. Moreover, DE 296 06 699 Ul discloses a frame in the form of andtag~re which comprises extensions which are superposed in planes and on which the small serving dishes can be put in an exchangeable~ way. The 6tag~res, however, have a limited capacity because the space around the carrier and in the superposed planes is naturally restricted on the one band and the small serving dishes must not be too heavy on the other hand. Moreover, the 6tagbres can only receive serving dishes of 20 the same type and shape, so that they are only suited for providing specific foods.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

According to the invention, ther is provided a table top, in particular for a buffet, comprising at least one elongated carrier having a first connection element and a plurality of different food containers each having a second connection element, wherein said first and second connection elements are detachably interengaging such that said food containers can be exchangahly arranged along said first element in a side by side configuration.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words 'comprise', 'comprising', and the like are to be construed in an COMS ID No: SMBI-00752577 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:11 Date 2004-05-17 inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of"including, but not limited to".

Preferably, the suspension connection is particularly suited for the desired purpose because, on the one hand, it achieves a firm fixation of the food containers during use and, on the other hand, can be detached easily.

More, preferably, the configuration of the carrier satisfies the demands of a buffet because it can be extended in any desired way and permits an arrangement of the food containers side by side.

Preferably the constructional designs of the food containers in order to arrange the same in different ways, so that an optimum solution can be found for any available space offered at the buffet and for any type of food.

Preferably the food container includes a holder provided with the second and third connection elements. This further increases the great number of possible food containers because a multitude of differently designed serving elements can be 15 combined with a limited number of differently designed holders.

An embodiment of the invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings, of which: Fig. 1 shows an exemplary buffet construction using the table top according to the invention; *o* Fig. 2 shows the carrier of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows an enlarged carrier on a reduced scale; Fig. 4 shows an enlarged carrier on a reduced scale; Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of a holder for a food container according to the invention; Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of a holder for a food container according to the invention; Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of a holder for a food container according to the invention; Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of a holder for a food container according to the invention; and Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of a holder for a food container according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a buffet construction using a table top 1 according to the invention. The table top 1 includes a carrier 2 and a plurality of different food containers 3 which are interconnected via detachable connection elements 4.

As shown in Fig. 2, the carrier 2 is self-standing and includes two vertical support rods 6 each mounted on a base 5, as well as horizontal rods 7, 8 which connect said vertical rods 6 and are parallel with each other and connected at a distance a in vertically superposed fashion to the vertical support rods 6. At its upwardly oriented side, each of said horizontal rods 7, 8 forms a support surface 7a and a support surface 8a, respectively, which are designed as a first connection element of connection 4. In the illustrated embodiment, rods 7, 8 have a circular cross-section, but a different cross-section is also possible.

Carrier 2 may further include a clamping strip 9 which is detachably connected to carrier 2; for instance, it may be slid into corresponding recesses of the support rods 6 and receive information and/or decoration elements. Furthermore, instead of or in addition to the clamping strip, a hygienic protection in the form of a cover, or the like, may be provided.

The carrier 2 may either be used in the form drawn in Fig. 2 alone, or it may, as shown by carrier 2' in Fig. 3, consist of two ore more carrier elements 2.1 and 2.2 arranged in a row or, as shown in Fig. 4, of two or more carrier elements 2.1 and 2.2 arranged at any desired angle relative to one another.

As shown in Fig. 1, the most different food containers 3 can be detachably connected to the carrier 2. Fig. 1 shows, by way of example, a food container 3.1 which can be used as a deep dish, e.g. for salads or as an ice cube container (optionally with metal plate cover or glass pane cover) or as a hot-water bath for keeping foods warm. As can further be seen, there is a food container 3.2 which is designed as a dispenser for dispensing beverages or large amounts of particulate or paste-like foods, such as nuts or muesli, or the like. A third food container 3.3 is designed as a flat dish. A fourth food container 3.4, in turn, is designed as a dispenser, here specifically for.lispensing mues!i or.nuts, or the like. A fifth food container 3.5 includes a serving tray of glass or metal for presenting e.g. sausage or cheese slices. Said food container 3.5 may be extended by a sixth food container 3.6 which is also provided with a metal plate or glass pane.

All food containers 3 include a hook element 10 which is designed as part of connection 4 and dimensioned such that it can be hung into the horizontal rods 7 and 8, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the hook element 10 has a Ushaped cross-section, but can also be adapted in its cross section to the circular cross-section of rods 7, 8 or may e.g. have a semi-oval cross-section, or the like.

What is of importance is that the hook element 10 is designed such that, while bearing the weight of the food container 3, it rests on the corresponding support surface 7a and 8a, respectively, of the rod 7, 8 and prevents the food container 3 from being pulled e.g. forwards from the carrier 2.

All of the food containers 3 include a holder, which is shown in more detail in Figs. to 9, and a serving element, e.g. in the form of deep or flat dishes (with or without cover, without or without insert for ice cubes or hot water), plates of metal, glass, porcelain, wood, or other suitable materials, dispensing vessels for liquids or solid particles, eggcup inserts, or the like. The serving elements are loosely inserted into the holder and can be removed for cleaning purposes. Advantageously, vessels used in the catering trade are employed as serving elements with standardized dimensions or standardized dimension gradations, so that e.g. also two serving elements of half the size can be inserted into a holder.

Fig. 5 shows a holder 11.1 which is particularly suited for rectangular serving elements such as deep dishes, water bath containers or ice cube containers. Holder 11.1 includes a rectangular frame 12.1 into which the desired serving element is inserted; e.g. a projecting edge of the serving element rests on the frame. One of the narrow sides of the frame is provided over its whole length with the hook element As drawn, the hook element 10 can extend over the whole narrow side of the frame 12.1, but it may also only be provided at two or more points on the frame. An arrangement at the longitudinal side of the frame is also possible.

At the opposite narrow side of the frame 12.1, there is provided a support surface which is arranged on a further hook element 10', the latter being however smaller than hook element 10, so that the hook element 10 can be hung onto hook element as shown by way of example in Fig. 1 in the case of the food containers 3.5 and 3.6. The further hook element 10' is preferably designed, for instance, by way of a different shape or curvature, such that it cannot be mistaken for the hook element At the side of the frame 12 which is opposite the hook element 10, there is provided a support 13 which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as a support base 14 with which the holder 11.1 rests on the surface of the buffet table, or the like. The height of the support base 14 is preferably dimensioned such that the frame 12.1 and thus the serving element are oriented in horizontal direction when the hook element 10 of the holder 11.1 is hung into the upper rod 8 of the carrier 2.

Furthermore, a support surface 15 which is formed on an upper edge of a tab 16 bent upwards in U-shaped configuration is provided on the support base 14. The support surface 15 and the tab 16 are dimensioned such that a hook element 10 of a further holder can be received. The support surface 15 is preferably positioned in the same vertical plane as the support surface 7a of the lower rod 7 of the carrier 2.

Fig. 6 shows a further holder 11.2 which serves to receive cylindrical serving elements such as dispensing vessels, bottles, or the like. The holder 10.2 has an annular frame 12.2 into which the dispensing vessels can be inserted. The annular frame 12.2 is supported on the buffet table via a support 13 in the form of a web 17 and of a platfform 18 standing on the ground. The hook.e!ement !0 i arranged on web 17 at a level corresponding to the level of the upper rod 8.

Fig. 7 shows a further holder 11.3 for receiving rectangular serving elements which are again provided with a rectangular frame 12.3 having a size and shape matching those of the frame 12.1 of holder 11.1 such that the same serving elements can be inserted into the two frames 12.1 and 12.3. The frame 12.3 can also be provided at one of its narrow sides with the hook element 10 and at the opposite narrow side with a further hook element 10'. The holder 11.3 contains a support 13 in the form of a base 19 which, in turn, is provided with a further support surface 20 on the upper edge of a tab 21 bent upwards in U-shaped configuration. The further support surface 20 and the tab 21 are designed for receiving a hook element 10, the support surface 20 being positioned in a plane below the plane of the hook element Fig. 8 shows a further holder 11.4 for receiving dispensing vessels, in particular the small dispensing vessels of the food container 3.4. The holder 11.4 includes a ringlike frame 12.4 whose dimensions are expediently identical with those of the frame 12.2 of the holder 11.2, so that the same dispensing vessels fit into the two holders.

The holder 11.4 is provided with a hook element 10 which is arranged as high as possible at the level of the frame 12.4. The holder 11.4 further comprises a support 13 in the form of a contact web 22. The contact web 22 has a length so long that it bridges the distance a between the superimposed rods 7, 8 and is thus supported on the lower rod 7 when the hook element 10 has been hung over the upper rod 8.

Fig.' 9 shows a further holder 11.5 with a rectangular frame 12.5 which corresponds to frames 12.1 and 12.3. The narrow sides of the frame 12.5 are provided with a hook element 10 at one side and the further hook element 10' at the other side. The holder 11.5 is devoid of any support.

The elements as described make it possible to meet many different demands. As is e.g. shown in Fig. 1, the food container 3.1 can be inserted with the holder 11.1 into the upper rail 8, the base 14 ensuring that the deep dish is arranged in horizontal fashion. The holder 11.3 with its lower base 19 can be hung, like in the case of the food container 3.3, into the lower rail 7 so that the serving element carried by it is arranged in horizontal fashion. The holder 11.3, however, can also be hung like in the case of the food containers 3.5 into the upper rail 8 so that the serving element thereof, expediently plates, offer an oblique plane and can thus present the foods positioned thereon to the guest in a better way. Furthermore, the frame 11.5 can also be hung either into the lower rail 7 or the upper rail 8, whereby an even stronger inclined position is achieved.

Furthermore, the holders 11.1, 11.3 and 11.5 can be extended towards the guest in that further suitable holders can be hung with their hook elements 10 either via the further hook element 10' or the tabs 16 and 21, respectively.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment as described and drawn. For instance, the food containers can be detachably connected via snap type, locking, clamping or other suitable connections to the carrier. The carrier, for instance, need not necessarily comprise rods; the food containers can e.g. also be hung via the upper edge of a strip. The table top according to the invention can e.g. also be retrofitted for buffet tables that are accessible from two sides. In this instance, the food containers can be hung in at both sides of the carrier. Moreover, the food containers need not necessarily consist of a holder which can equally be used for a plurality of different serving elements, and of the loosely inserted serving element, but can be made integral with holder and serving element, from a plastic material. The clamping strip for information material can be omitted or replaced by other suitable holders. For simple table tops it is sometimes sufficient when the -carrier only contains one single rod in one.single horizonta! plane.

Claims

2. The table top according to claim 1, wherein said carrier and said food container are interconnected via a suspension connection, at least said first connection element containing a support surface and said second connection element a hook element. 3 The table top according to any one of claims lor 2, wherein at least one food container of said plurality of food containers is provided with said second connection element and at least one third connection element and is detachably connected via its scond connection element with said carrier and via its third connection element with the second connection element of an adjacent food container, wherein said third connection element is arranged at a side of said food container which is opposite to the side where the second connection element is arranged.
4. The table top according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said carrier contains at least one self-standing basic carrier element and at least one clamping strip element. :20 5. The table top according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said carrier comprises at least one horizontally extending rod. %9. The table top according to any one of claims I to 5, wherein said carrier comprises ':two rods which are arranged in parallel with and at a distance from each other.
7. The table top according to any one of claims I to 6, wherein said food container is provided with two vertically spaced third connection elements which are arranged on a side opposite to the side wher the second connection element is arranged. The table top according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein said third connection :9999:element is provided in a first plane and said second connection element in a second r. plane arranged above said first plane. COMS ID No: SMBI-00752577 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:11 Date 2004-05-17
9. The table top according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one food container of said plurality of food containers includes a support for resting on a table surface or a support for resting on the carrier. The table top according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said food container includes a holder provided with said second and third connection elements for exchangeably receiving a serving element.
11. A food container for a table top according to any one of claims 1 to 9, including a server element and a holder for exchangeably receiving the serving element said holder being provided with a second and a third connection element, wherein said second connection element is adapted to exchangeably hang said food container onto a carrier and said third connection element is adapted to exchangeably receive a second connection element of a further food container.
12. A carrier for a table top according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein an elongated horizontal element on which different food containers are to be arranged side by side via connection elements.
13. A table top substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the °embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
14. A food container for a table top substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 20 15. A carrier for a table top substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings. DATED this 5th day of March, 2004 BALDWIN SHELSTON WATERS Attorneys for: WMF Wuerttembergische Metallwarenfabrik AG