EP0987972A1

EP0987972A1 - Tray

Info

Publication number: EP0987972A1
Application number: EP98937443A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Arthur Cornelissen
Original assignee: De Ster NV
Current assignee: De Ster NV
Priority date: 1997-06-09
Filing date: 1998-06-04
Publication date: 2000-03-29
Anticipated expiration: 2018-06-04
Also published as: CA2293314C; DE19724302A1; CA2293314A1; ATE227096T1; US6315126B1; DE59806198D1; EP0987972B1; WO1998056282A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a food tray (2), specially for airplanes, motor vehicles or other means of transportation. The tray (2) consists of a body (4) which is designed to provide a first surface (6) to accommodate food and a receiving section (7) extending above the first surface (66) at a distance thereto with a second surface (30) for accommodating food on top. The actual base surface of the tray (2) is small because the surfaces (6, 26) to accommodate food are arranged at different levels. The combined overlapping surfaces (6, 26) of the tray (2) provide a greater surface for accommodating food than the base surface of the tray. The inventive tray (2) is therefor particularly suitable for use in confined spaces, e.g. on board airplanes. The height of the tray (2) can be dimensioned in such a way that the body (4) of the tray and the receiving section (26) thereon can fit into a compartment of an existing trolley. This saves space, e.g. on airplanes.

Description

tray

The invention relates to a tray of the type mentioned in the preamble of claim 1 for receiving food, in particular on board aircraft, vehicles or other means of transport.

Such trays are generally known. They have a receiving area for receiving food, the food, for example on board aircraft, can be contained in menu containers, bowls, mugs, cups or the like which are used when using the tray, for example when serving food with the tray of the receiving surface. When catering for travelers, especially on board aircraft, it is often necessary to serve a complete menu with the tray, the components (starter, main course, dessert) of which are contained in several menu containers, so that the tray's surface area is appropriately large have to be. This is particularly the case if drinks are also served with the tray at the same time as the meal. Problems often arise in the case of trays with large receiving surfaces due to the limited space, particularly on board aircraft, for example when passengers sitting next to one another collide with their trays. There is then a risk that cups or mugs standing on the trays will be knocked over and their contents spilled. In the case of smaller trays with a correspondingly smaller receiving surface, problems arise in that the menu containers and the like are tightly packed on the tray, which makes their handling, for example when opening, difficult. It also says on such trays no storage space available, for example for removed lids from menu containers.

The invention is based on the object of specifying a tray of the type in question which does not have the stated disadvantages and which is therefore also suitable for use in confined spaces.

This object is achieved by the teaching specified in claim 1. The basic idea of the teaching according to the invention is to arrange receiving areas on different levels one above the other so that the actual base area of the tray can be small, but the receiving areas arranged on superimposed levels together form a receiving area which can be substantially larger than the base area.

In this way, space problems are avoided and the handling of the tray is improved.

The height of the tray can be such that it fits into the slots of existing trolleys.

Special trolleys are therefore not required for the tray according to the invention.

Because of the stacked receiving surfaces, the base area of the tablet according to the invention can be reduced compared to conventional trays without reducing the total available recording area. With a smaller footprint, however, a larger number of trays according to the invention fit into a slot of a trolley compared to conventional trays. Compared to conventional trays, for example on board aircraft, this results in considerable space savings by saving on trolleys. The reduced space required for catering makes it possible to install additional rows of seats in aircraft or to increase the distance between the rows of seats with the same number of rows of seats, which saves costs or increases them Comfort for the passengers results.

The receiving part can be firmly connected to the tray body, for example can be formed in one piece with the tray body. An advantageous further development of the teaching according to the invention provides, however, that the receiving part is detachably or movably connected to the tray body. In this embodiment, the receiving part can be removable, for example, so that after removing the receiving part, access to menu containers or the like arranged on the first receiving surface is facilitated.

In the aforementioned embodiment, the receiving part is expediently designed as an attachment on the tray body. In the embodiments with the releasable receiving part, the receiving part expediently has an edge, from which edge parts extend on opposite sides of the receiving part, which protrude beyond the underside of the receiving part and with which the receiving part is supported on the tray body. Since the edge parts can be formed in one piece with the edge of the receiving part, this embodiment is simple and inexpensive to produce. It is also robust in construction. A particularly advantageous development of the embodiment with the detachable receiving part provides that the receiving part is arranged displaceably on the tray body, such that when the receiving part is displaced, the second receiving surface shifts substantially parallel to the first receiving surface. In this embodiment, the user can move the receiving part to one side or the other into different positions, so that access to menu containers or the like standing on the first receiving surface of the tablet body is facilitated.

An expedient development of the embodiment with the displaceable receiving part provides that the Tray body is provided on opposite sides with grooves extending in the direction of displacement of the receiving part and that the edge parts engage in the grooves with ends which are shaped essentially complementarily to the grooves. This embodiment is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and ensures a secure hold of the receiving part on the tray body transverse to the direction of displacement. Instead of the edge parts, however, the receiving part can also engage in the grooves with projections extending in the direction of the tray body.

The edge parts expediently extend in the direction of displacement essentially over the entire extent of the receiving part. In this way, the stability of the receiving part and its hold on the tray body transverse to the direction of displacement is further improved.

A development of the embodiment with the grooves provides that the tray is provided with handles on at least two opposite sides, on the top of which the grooves are formed. In this embodiment, the production is simplified because the grooves do not have to be formed on the tray body, but rather can be molded into the handles that are attached to the tray body or pushed onto a tray edge during the production of the tray. However, the handles can also be formed in one piece with the tray body, in particular by injection molding. Furthermore, the grooves can also be formed between the handle and a part of the tray body.

Another development of the teaching according to the invention provides that the second receiving surface formed on the receiving part is smaller than the first receiving surface. In this embodiment, the receiving part covers only a part of the first receiving surface in plan view, so that the uncovered part of the first receiving surface is accessible from above. In this way, the handling of menu containers or the like standing on the first receiving surface is facilitated. In the aforementioned embodiment, the second receiving surface can be approximately half the size of the first receiving surface.

According to another development of the teaching according to the invention, the tray and / or the receiving part has an edge which extends upwards from the respective receiving surface. In this embodiment, a lateral slipping of objects arranged on the receiving surface is prevented.

The first receiving surface and / or the second receiving surface can be profiled, in particular

Depressions are provided, which delimit standing areas which at least partially correspond to the outer contour of the bottom of menu containers, bowls, mugs, cups or the like to be accommodated on the tray. This improves the hold of these objects on the receiving surface.

The shape and size of the tray can be selected within wide limits, and the tray can be made of different materials. However, the tray body and / or the receiving part expediently consists of

Plastic, so that the tray according to the invention is simple and inexpensive to manufacture. The tray body and / or the receiving part preferably consist of transparent plastic, so that objects arranged on the first receiving surface can be viewed through the receiving part under the receiving part.

According to another development of the teaching according to the invention, the tray has connecting means for releasably connecting the tray to at least one adjacent tray. In this embodiment, a releasable row connection of adjacent trays formed, which is advantageous, for example, when the trays are arranged one behind the other in a trolley and are to be removed from the trolley one after the other. The front tray in the removal direction then moves the subsequent tray in the removal direction, so that the trays can be removed one after the other.

A further development of the embodiment with the connecting means provides that the connecting means has a first connecting element which is arranged on the side of the tray and a groove which extends essentially parallel to the tablet side, and by a second connecting element which is on the first connecting element is arranged opposite the tablet side and has a projection for positive engagement in a groove of a first connecting element of an adjacent tray, are formed. This embodiment is simple, inexpensive to manufacture and reliable. Here, the connecting elements can be arranged on the tray body and / or on the receiving part.

A further development of the embodiment with the connecting elements provides that the free ends of the connecting elements are designed as hooks, the hook of the first connecting element pointing downwards and the hook of the second connecting element pointing upwards, such that the first connecting element of a tray on the second Connecting element of an adjacent tray can be hooked on. In this embodiment, a secure connection of adjacent trays is formed, which can be detached from the second connecting element of the adjacent tray by lifting one of the trays and unhooking the first connecting element.

The shape, size and cross-section of the connecting elements can be selected within wide limits. A particularly Partial development of the embodiment with the connecting elements, however, provides that the first and / or the second connecting element has or have an essentially arrow-shaped cross section, the arrow tip of which points away from the tray. On

An advantage of this embodiment over the aforementioned embodiment is that the first or second connecting elements of a tray can be connected both to the first connecting elements and to the second connecting elements of an adjacent tray, while in the aforementioned embodiment a connection of adjacent trays is only possible if a first connection element of a tray with its downward-facing hook faces a second connection element of an adjacent tray with its upward-facing hook.

According to an expedient development of the embodiment with the connecting elements with the connecting elements with the essentially arrow-shaped cross section, the cross section of the connecting elements increases outwards along the tablet side. The connecting elements can be designed, for example, in such a way that their cross section increases along the tablet side, on which the respective connecting element is arranged, to the side and up and down. If, for example, the connecting element is arranged on a narrow side, its cross section along the narrow side can increase towards the adjacent long side, for example in such a way that the area of the arrowhead of the arrow-shaped cross section increases. This makes it easier to hook the trays together.

The connecting elements can be attached to the tray body and / or the receiving part. According to an expedient development, however, the connecting elements are molded onto the tray body and / or the receiving part. This embodiment is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

An advantageous development of the embodiment with the grooves provides that the grooves have a stop in the region of their ends to limit the displacement of the receiving part relative to the tray body. In this embodiment, it is avoided that the edge parts of the receiving part move out of the grooves in the direction of displacement, so that an undesired detachment of the receiving part from the tray body is avoided.

The stop is expediently formed by the connecting element, so that a separate component is not required.

In the embodiment with the edge parts, these can expediently have an outwardly pointing edge region in the region of their free ends. If the receiving part is separate, i. H. without the tray body, the receiving part can be supported with these edge parts, for example on an edge bead of a table top of a passenger table in an aircraft.

In the embodiments with the releasable receiving part, clamping means can be provided for the clamping connection of the receiving part to the tray body. These gill means prevent undesired detachment of the receiving part from the tablet body.

The gill means are expediently formed here by at least one clamp which, in the clamped position, clamps over the edge of the tray body and the edge region of the edge parts of the receiving part.

In this embodiment, when the clip is clamped on, the receiving part is securely connected to the tray body and can be detached from the tray body after the clip has been removed. The clip can be designed as a separate part. An advantageous development provides, however, that the clip on the edge of the tray body or Edge area of the edge parts of the receiving part is formed. In this embodiment, the production is simplified since a separate part for the clip is no longer required. Another development of the invention

Teaching provides that the tray body is preferably provided in the region of its edge with supporting parts which protrude beyond the underside of the tray body. In this embodiment, the tray can be suspended in a trolley or supported with the support parts in a compartment of the trolley.

The tray according to the invention can also have more than two planes arranged one above the other, on which there are receiving surfaces. The invention is explained below with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. Show it:

1 shows a schematic side view of a first exemplary embodiment of the tray according to the invention without a receiving part, FIG. 2 shows a view from above in FIG

1, FIG. 3 in a schematic side view, a receiving part of the tray according to FIG. 1,

Fig. 4 is a top view in Fig. 3 on the

3, FIG. 5 in a partially sectioned side view, the tray according to FIG. 1 with the receiving part attached according to FIG. 3 and on the

6 accommodated tray, Fig. 6 is a top view in Fig. 5 on the

5, FIG. 7 the tray according to FIG. 1 with menu containers accommodated thereon, but without

Receiving part, Fig. 8 in the same representation as Fig. 5 second embodiment of the tray according to the invention, FIG. 9 in the same representation as FIG. 1 the tray according to FIG. 8 without receiving part, FIG. 10 a top view of a second embodiment of the receiving part, FIG. 11 a top view of a third embodiment of the tray according to the invention without Receiving part, FIG. 12 the tray according to FIG. 11 in a partially sectioned side view with menu containers accommodated thereon, FIG. 13 the lower half of the tray according to FIG. 11 with menu containers accommodated thereon, FIG.

14 shows a schematic sectional view of the interconnected connecting elements of adjacent trays arranged next to one another, FIG. 15 shows a schematic sectional view of a further embodiment of connecting elements, FIG. 16 in the same representation as FIG. 15 shows another embodiment of connecting elements,

17 shows, in the same representation as FIG. 6, a fourth exemplary embodiment of the tray according to the invention with connecting elements according to FIG. 16, FIG. 18 shows a view in the direction of an arrow A in FIG. 17 onto the tray according to FIG. 17 without a receiving part, FIG. 19 17 a view in the direction of an arrow B in FIG. 17 of the tray according to FIG. 17 with the receiving part placed thereon,

20 an enlarged view of a detail in FIG. 19 in the area of the binding element, FIG. 21 shows the receiving part according to FIGS. 19 and 20 without the tray body, FIG. 22 shows a first exemplary embodiment of clamps for the clamping connection of the tray body with the receiving part, FIG. 23 shows a second exemplary embodiment of

Gill means for clamping the tray body to the receiving part, FIG. 24 shows a detail of a further exemplary embodiment of the tray according to the invention accommodated in a trolley in the region of the edge of the tray body, and FIG. 25 shows a plan view of a part of the first receiving surface of a further exemplary embodiment of the tray according to the invention. In the figures of the drawings, identical or corresponding components are provided with the same reference symbols.

In Fig. 1 a tray 2 is shown, which has a flat tray body 4 made of plastic, on the top of which a first receiving surface 6 is formed. The tray 2 has an edge 8 which extends upward and outward from the tray body 4. The edge 8 can extend over the entire circumference of the tray; however, it can also be formed only on two opposite sides of the tray 2. At the edge 8, two flat handles 10, 12 are attached to two opposite sides of the tray, each of which is provided on its upper side with an upwardly open groove 14 and 16, respectively.

From Fig. 2 it can be seen that the tray body 4 is substantially rectangular. It can also be seen that the edge 8 extends essentially over the entire length of the sides on which the hand handles 10, 12 are arranged, the grooves 14, 16 extending over the entire length of the handles 10, 12. It can also be seen from FIG. 2 that the tray 2 has profiles 18, 20 on the first receiving surface 6, which in this exemplary embodiment are formed by depressions in the first receiving surface 6 of the tray body 4 and limit standing surfaces 22, 24 which adjoin the outer contour of the bottom of the menu containers, bowls, mugs, cups or the like in which the catering is to be accommodated is to be accommodated on the tray.

In Fig. 3, a receiving part 26 is shown, which has a flat body 28 made of plastic. A second receiving surface 30 is formed on the upper side of the body 28, and an edge 32 extends upward and outward from the body 28, the edge extending over the entire circumference of the body 28 of the receiving part 26 in its edge region or only on two opposite sides of the body 28 may be formed. Furthermore, the receiving part 26 has, on opposite sides, edge parts 34, 36 extending downward from the edge 32, the ends 38, 40 of which are essentially complementary in shape to the grooves 14, 16 of the tray body 4. 4 that the edge 32 extends essentially over the entire extent of the long sides of the receiving part 26 and that the edge parts 34, 36 also extend essentially over the entire extent of the sides of the receiving part 26. It can also be seen from Fig. 4 that

Receiving part 26 has a profile 42, which delimits a base 44 which is adapted to the outer contour of the bottom of menu containers or the like. A comparison of FIGS. 2 and 4 shows that the second receiving surface 30 is only approximately half the size of the first receiving surface 6 of the tray 2. The receiving part 26 is designed as an attachment on the tray body 4.

5 shows the tray 2 with the receiving part 26 placed thereon. In this position, the receiving part 26 engages with the ends 38, 40 of its edge parts 34, 36 in the grooves 14, 16 of the tray and can be displaced in relation to the latter in the groove direction, that is to say in the longitudinal direction. In the arrangement according to FIG. 5, two menu containers 46, 48 are accommodated on the first receiving surface 6 of the tray and one menu container 50 is accommodated on the second receiving surface 30. The clear width between the underside of the receiving part 26 and the first receiving surface 6 is dimensioned such that the menu containers 46, 48, possibly with lids, are received in the space formed between the receiving part 26 and the first receiving surface 6, without from below to abut the receiving part 26. In this way, the menu containers 46, 48 remain in their position even when the receiving part 26 is displaced relative to the tray body 4.

Due to the fact that the receiving surfaces 6, 30 are arranged one above the other in different levels, there is sufficient space for menu containers or the like on the receiving surfaces 6, 30 even when the base area of the tray 2 is small.

The height of the tray 2 is such that the tray body 4 with the receiving part 26 fitted thereon fits into an insertion of a trolley. For this purpose, it may only be necessary to store the menu container 50 separately and to place it on the second receiving surface only after the tray 2 has been removed from the trolley.

The receiving part 26 can, for example, be placed on the tray body 4 in such a way that it is located over one half of the tray body 4, so that 4 objects can be accommodated on the other half of the tray body, the height of which is greater than the clear width between the underside of the receiving part 26 and the first receiving surface 6. This is indicated in FIG. 5 with broken lines for a cup 52. From Fig. 6 it can be seen that the receiving part 26 is arranged over one half of the tray body 4. In this position, the menu container 50 arranged on the second receiving surface 30 and a menu container 54 arranged on the first receiving surface 6 are accessible from above. To open the remaining menu containers 46 and 48, the user moves the receiving part 26 in the direction of an arrow 56, so that it is arranged above the upper half of the tray body 4 in FIG. 6, so that the menu containers 46, 48 are then accessible from above. When moving the receiving part 26, the cup 52 can be placed on the second receiving surface 30 of the receiving part 26.

From Fig. 6 it can also be seen that the profiles 18, 20, 42 are designed such that the standing surfaces delimited by them are each adapted to the outer contour of parts of the bottom of the menu containers 46, 48, 50, 54 and the cup 52 . In this way, the menu containers 46, 48, 50, 54 and the cup 52 are held securely on the receiving surfaces 6, 30. The tray 2 can also be used without the receiving part 26, as shown in FIG. 7. Furthermore, the receiving part 26 can also be used without the tray body 4, as will be explained in more detail below in FIG. 21. FIG. 8 shows a second exemplary embodiment of the tray 2 according to the invention with a receiving part 26 and menu containers 46, 48, 50 placed thereon. This exemplary embodiment differs from that according to FIGS. 1 to 5 in that the edge 8 differs from the tray body 4 has extension 58 extending on the outside, on which the handles 10, 12 are arranged. Because of the tion 58, the handles 10, 12 can be made larger in this embodiment than in the embodiment according to Figures 1 to 7, so that the handling of the tray 2 is further improved. FIG. 9 shows the tray according to FIG. 8 without receiving part 26 and without a menu container.

Fig. 10 shows a second embodiment of the receiving part 26, which differs from the first embodiment according to Fig. 4 in that the receiving part 26 on one transverse side with paired in this embodiment, first connecting elements 60, 62 and on the opposite transverse side with this Embodiment is also provided in pairs provided second connecting elements 64, 66. The first connecting elements 60, 62 and the second connecting elements 64, 66 form connecting means for releasably connecting the tray 2 to adjacent trays (not shown in FIG. 10), for example when the trays are accommodated next to one another on a trolley. The connecting means are explained in more detail below.

11 shows a top view of a tray body 4 of a third exemplary embodiment of the tray 2 according to the invention. This exemplary embodiment differs from the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2 in that first connecting elements 60, 62 arranged in pairs on one transverse side of the tray in this exemplary embodiment and on the opposite one Second connecting elements 64, 66 also arranged in pairs are provided.

FIG. 12 shows the tray according to FIG. 11 in a partially sectioned side view. It can be seen that the profiles 18, 20 of the first receiving surface 6, which delimit the standing surfaces 22, 24, are formed by elevations 68, 70. The profiles 18, 20 can, however, be formed by recesses, as described above. FIG. 13 shows a view from above of the lower half of the tray 2 according to FIG. 11 in FIG. 11, a container 54, a cup 52 and a further menu container 72 being accommodated on the tray. 14 shows a schematic sectional view of a first connecting element 60 of the tray body 4, which is connected to a second connecting element 64 of a tray, not shown in the drawing, adjacent to the tray 2. The first connection element 60 has an upwardly open groove 74 which extends essentially parallel to the tablet side, while the second connection element 64 has a projection 76 with which the second connection element 64 in the connection position has a positive fit in the groove 74 of the first connection element 60 of the adjacent one Trays intervenes. When the tray 2 is pulled in the direction of an arrow 78, for example when the tray 2 is pulled out of a trolley, the tray 2 takes the adjacent tray in the direction of the arrow 78 with the positive connection of the connecting elements 60, 64. When the tray 2 is removed from the trolley, the second connecting element 64 of the tray 2 can then be unhooked from the first connecting element 60 of the adjacent tray.

In this way, the handling of the tray 2 according to the invention is improved, in particular when several trays 2 according to the invention are accommodated in a trolley. The connecting elements 60, 62, 64, 66 can be provided on the tray body 4 and / or on the receiving part 26.

15 shows a further exemplary embodiment of connecting elements 60, 64 which are arranged on opposite sides of the tray body 4. In this embodiment, the free end of the first connecting element 60 is a downward-pointing hook 76 and the free end of the second connecting element 64 is designed as an upward-pointing hook 78. At their ends facing away from the tray body 4, the hooks 76, 78 each have a bevel 80, 82, each of which runs towards the tray body 4. In order to connect the first connecting element 60 of the tray 2 to a second connecting element 64 of an adjacent tray, the tray 2 is displaced in the direction of the adjacent tray, as indicated by an arrow 78 in FIG. 15. Here, the hook 78 of the first connecting element 60 slides with its bevel 80 onto the bevel 82 of the second connecting element 64 of the adjacent tray and finally hooks onto the hook 76, so that the tablets are connected to one another and when one of the trays is moved in Direction of arrow 78 or against the direction of arrow 78, the adjacent tray is taken along and in this way a row connection is formed between the trays. The connecting elements 60, 64 can be attached to the tray 2 or formed in one piece with it.

16 shows a further exemplary embodiment of connecting elements 60, 64 in which the shape of the first connecting element 60 and the second connecting element 64 is identical. The connecting elements 60, 64 have an essentially arrow-shaped cross section, the arrow tips 84 and 86 of which point away from the tray body 4 of the tray 2. In this exemplary embodiment, two adjacent trays 2 are connected to one another in the manner described above for FIG. 15. Compared to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 15, however, the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 16 has the advantage that, due to the symmetrical design of the connecting elements 60, 64, the first connecting elements 60 of the tray 2 with both the first connecting elements 60 and with the second connecting elements Elements 64 of an adjacent tray can be connected, whereas in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 15 with the differently designed connecting elements 60, 64, a connection of two adjacent trays 2 is only possible if a first connecting element 60 of a tray 2 is connected to a second connecting element 64 of an adjacent one Trays faces.

FIG. 17 shows a top view of a tray 2 with the connecting elements according to FIG. 16.

It can be seen that the connecting elements 60, 64 are arranged on opposite sides of the tray body 4 and in pairs. However, it is generally sufficient if only one connecting element 60, 64 is provided on each tray side. It can also be seen that the cross section of the connecting elements 60, 64 increases outwards along the tablet side.

FIG. 18 shows a view from below in FIG. 17 of the tray according to FIG. 17 without receiving part 26, the arrow-shaped cross section of the connecting elements 60, 64 being recognizable.

FIG. 19 shows a view from the right in FIG. 17, wherein it can be seen that the cross section of the second connecting elements 64 increases upwards and downwards along the tablet side.

FIG. 20 shows a detail from FIG. 19 in the area of the connecting element 64 on the left in FIG. 19. It serves to clarify the design of the connecting element 64. Furthermore, FIG. 20 clearly shows that the receiving part 26 in this embodiment Example has an edge portion 34 which has an outwardly facing edge region 88 in the region of its free end. Furthermore, in this exemplary embodiment, the edge part 34 of the receiving part 26 with its end facing the tray body 4 is not in grooves formed on the upper side of the handles 10, 12 guided, but on an edge of the handle 12 extending in the direction of displacement. In a corresponding manner, the edge part 36 is guided with its end facing the tray body 4 on an edge of the handle 10.

Because the second connecting element 64 extends upward in the region of the edge of the handle 12, a stop is formed to limit the displacement of the receiving part 26 relative to the tray body 4.

The receiving part 26 can also be used without the tray body 4, as shown in FIG. 21. The receiving part 26 can be supported, for example, with its edge regions 88 of its edge parts 34, 36 on an edge bead 90 of a table top 92 of a passenger table 94 in an aircraft. The receiving part 26 is then held securely on the passenger table 94.

In order to prevent the receiving part 26 from slipping off the tray body 4, gill means can be provided for the clamping connection of the receiving part 26 to the tray body 4. 22 shows a first exemplary embodiment of such gill means, in which the gill means are formed by a clip 96 formed on the handle 12, which clampingly engages over the edge region 88 of the edge part 34 of the receiving part 26. In this way, slipping of the receiving part 26 from the tray body 4 is reliably avoided, wherein a displacement of the receiving part 26 in the direction of displacement, that is to say perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in FIG. 22, is still possible.

23 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the gill means, in which the clamp 96 is designed as a separate part and, in the clamped position, grips over the edge 8 of the tray body 4 or the handle 12 and the edge region 88 of the edge part 34 of the receiving part 26. The bracket 96 can, for example, wise consist of metal.

24 shows a detail in the area of the edge 8 of the tray body 4 of a further exemplary embodiment of the tray body 2. In this exemplary embodiment, the tray body 4 is provided in the region of its edge 8 with support parts 98 which protrude beyond the underside of the tray body 4. With these support parts 24, the tray body 4 is supported on a rail 95 of a slot 97 of a trolley, so that the tray body 4 is relative to the

Rail 95 is arranged higher than would be the case if the tray were supported directly on the guide rail 95 with the underside of the handle 12. This may be necessary due to the construction of the compartments on some trolleys. Depending on how the slide-in compartments of the respective trolley are constructed, the tray body 4 either has support parts 98 or is supported directly in the slide-in compartment of the trolley with the handles or another part of the tray body.

25 shows a plan view of a tray body 4 of a further exemplary embodiment of the tray 2 according to the invention. The first receiving surface 6 has a profiling 20 which is formed by a recess and delimits a standing area 24 which adjoins the outer contour of the bottom of a Menu container 100 is adapted. A narrow side 102 of the menu container 100 has an indentation 104, which is complementary to the opposite narrow side 106 of the menu container 100, such that when several similar menu containers are accommodated on a tray 2, the narrow side 106 of the menu container 100 at the indentation 104 is one adjacent menu container 108 is form-fitting. The positive engagement of the menu container 100 with the menu container 8 in conjunction with the profiling 20 improves the hold of the menu container 100, 108 on the tray 2, so that also When the tray 2 is inclined, the menu containers 100, 108 do not slip.

The base area of the tray body 4 can, for example, correspond to approximately 2/3 of the base area of a conventional tray. Four such trays according to the invention can then be accommodated one behind the other in a slot in a conventional trolley. The base area of the receiving part 26 can, for example, correspond to approximately 1/3 of the base area of a conventional tray. Six such receiving parts can then be used in a slot of a conventional trolley.

Claims

claims

1. tray for accommodating meals, in particular on board aircraft, vehicles or other means of transport,

with a tray body on which a first receiving surface for receiving catering is formed,

marked by

a receiving part (26) extending above the first receiving surface (6) and spaced apart therefrom, on the upper side of which a second receiving surface (30) is formed for receiving catering.

2. Tray according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving part (26) is detachably or movably connected to the tray body (4).

3. Tray according to claim 2, characterized in that the receiving part (26) is designed as an attachment on the tray body (4).

4. Tray according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the receiving part (26) has an edge (32), from which on opposite sides of the receiving part (26) edge parts (34, 36) extend over the underside of the receiving part (26) project and with which the receiving part (26) is supported on the tray body (4).

5. Tray according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving part (26) is arranged displaceably on the tray body (4), such that when the receiving part (26) is displaced, the second receiving surface (30) parallel to the first receiving surface (6) moves.

6. Tray according to claim 4 and 5, characterized in that the tray body (4) is provided on opposite sides with grooves (14, 16) extending in the direction of displacement of the receiving part (26) and that the edge parts (34, 36) engage with the grooves (14, 16) essentially complementarily shaped ends (38, 40) in the grooves (14, 16).

7. Tray according to claim 6, characterized in that the edge parts (34, 36) extend in the direction of displacement substantially over the entire extent of the receiving part (26).

8. Tray according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the tray body (4) is provided on at least two opposite sides with handles (12), on the top of which the grooves (14, 16) are formed.

9. Tray according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second receiving surface (30) formed on the receiving part (26) is smaller than the first receiving surface (6).

10. Tray according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second receiving surface (30) is approximately half the size of the first receiving surface (6).

11. Tray according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tray body (4) and / or the receiving part (26) have or have an edge (32; 8) which extends upwards from the respective receiving surface (6; 30).

12. Tray according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first receiving surface (6) and / or the second receiving surface (30) is provided with profiles, in particular recesses (18, 20; 42) or depressions, the standing surfaces (22 , 24; 44), which is at least partially adapted to the outer contour of the bottom of menu containers (46, 48, 50, 54), bowls, mugs, cups (52) or the like to be accommodated on the tray (2).

13. Tray according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tray body (4) and / or the receiving part (26) made of plastic, preferably made of transparent plastic, exist or exist.

14. Tray according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tray (2) has connecting means for releasably connecting the tray (2) with at least one adjacent tray (2).

15. Tray according to claim 14, characterized in that the connecting means by a first connecting element (60, 62) which is arranged on the side of the tray (2) and has a groove (74) extending essentially parallel to the tablet side. and by a second connecting element (64, 66) which is arranged on the tablet side opposite the first connecting element (60, 62) and a projection (76) for positive engagement in a groove (74) of a first connecting element (60, 62) has adjacent trays are formed.

16. Tray according to claim 15, characterized in that the connecting elements (60, 62, 64, 66) on the tray body (4) and / or on the receiving part (26) are arranged.

17. Tray according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the free ends of the connecting elements (60, 62; 64, 66) are designed as hooks (76, 78), the hook (76) of the first connecting element (60) after below and the hook of the second connecting element (74) points upwards, such that the first connecting element (60) of a tray (2) can be hooked onto the second connecting element (64) of an adjacent tray (2).

18. Tray according to one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the first connecting element (60) and / or the second connecting element (64) has an essentially arrow-shaped cross section, the arrowhead (84) of which points away from the tray (2).

19. Tray according to claim 18, characterized in that the cross section of the connecting elements (60, 62; 64, 66) increases outwards along the tablet side.

20. Tray according to one of claims 15 to 19, characterized in that the connecting elements (60, 62; 64, 66) on the tray body (4) and / or the receiving part (26) are integrally formed.

21. Tray according to one of claims 6 to 20, characterized in that the grooves (14, 16) in the region of their ends have a stop for limiting the displacement of the receiving part (26) relative to the tray body (4).

22. Tray according to claim 21, characterized in that the stop is formed by one of the connecting elements (60, 62; 64, 66).

23. Tray according to one of claims 6 to 22, characterized in that the edge parts (34, 36) of the receiving part (26) have an outwardly pointing edge region (88) in the region of their free ends.

24. Tray according to one of claims 2 to 23, characterized by gill means for clamping connection of the receiving part (26) with the tray body (4).

25. Tray according to claim 24, characterized in that the gill means are formed by at least one clamp (96) which, in the clamped position, the edge (8) of the tray body (4) and the edge region (88) of the edge parts (34, 36) of the Receiving part (26) clamped overlaps.

26. Tray according to claim 25, characterized in that the clip (96) on the edge (8) of the tray body

(4) or the edge area (88) of the edge parts (34, 36) of the receiving part (26) is formed.

27. Tray according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tray body (4) is preferably provided in the region of its edge (8) with support parts (98), the free ends of which project beyond the underside of the tray body (4) or with the Un - The bottom of the tray body (4) are essentially flush.

28. Tray according to one of claims 4 to 27, characterized in that the edge parts (34, 36) of the receiving part (26) are guided on edges which on the tray body (4) or an associated part (10, 12th ) are formed.