EP1523261B1

EP1523261B1 - A food tray with thumb holes

Info

Publication number: EP1523261B1
Application number: EP02749287A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ignazio Congiu; Maurizio Lanucara
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-07-04
Filing date: 2002-07-04
Publication date: 2006-05-03
Anticipated expiration: 2022-07-04
Also published as: AU2002319907A1; US20060163259A1; WO2004004520A1; DE60211224D1; EP1523261A1

Description

The present invention concerns a bearing device that may be grasped for eating and/or drinking even while standing and moving.
At present it occurs that, if not comfortably sitting around a table, eating and drinking takes place in a rather uncomfortable and little functional manner. In fact, while standing you can either eat or drink. For eating, you can hold your plate with one hand and with the other one you can use fork or spoon, and if you are eating on a plastic plate it is even more uncomfortable; for drinking, you will leave your plate and your fork or spoon. Most of all, while you are eating you must control your glass because, with many people around, someone else could take it by mistake. As this is not always possible, usually a much greater number of glasses is used than necessary.
From documents US5607077 A, DE 7202617U and GB 2367233 and others more, bearing devices are known which can be easily seized with only the left hand, wherein the halfcentral handle may expose the thumb to getting dirty, and wherein the seats for the food have shapes which do not allow the housing of particular food like soups, and wherein no housings are provided for containing drinks besides a glass, nor housings for table-ware and napkins.
A further disadvantage consists in that, for obtaining a determined stiffness, such bearing devices may be realized only with materials like plastic or metal.
It is the aim of the present invention to completely solve all above mentioned inconveniences.
The aim set forth is reached by means of the bearing device according to the present invention that may be grasped for eating and/or drinking even while standing and moving which, in a first variant, is of the throwaway kind out of paper, cardboard or other recycling material, for users of fast-foods and similar, for parties and/or anniversaries in which the colour and the design may recall New Year's Day, Carnival, Easter, birthdays etc.
A second variant of the bearing according to the present invention may be used several times as it is realized out of metal, plastic, wood or other materials; the convenience of this variant with respect to the throwaway one makes it particularly suitable for being used during holidays as a bearing for plastic plates and glasses; at the same time, it will also serve as a ballast when having a lunch in the open air.
For reaching the aim set forth in both variants, the bearing according to the present invention comprises a plurality of cavities obtained in the structure for placing the food, as well as one or more passing through shapes performed in the edge thereof for the manual bearing and also housings for inserting and keeping - with a rest and/or with a joint - tins or bottles for drinks. All variants may be realized in many dimensions and shapes according to the needs, as they may bear one or more containers for food and/or drinks and one or more bearings for cutlery and paper serviettes.
The special and double grasping - left and right, closed or open - allows a safe and comfortable hold for anyone.
In a further variant, the mentioned throwaway bearing according to the present invention may be realized in a modular packing, with a minimum transport and storing encumbrance.
The present invention will be described more in detail herein below relating to the enclosed drawings in which some embodiments are shown which, according to the material used, may be of the throwaway kind or not.
Figure 1 shows an axonometric view of a device for taking food with the sole left hand that may be used, e.g., in the field of pastry.
Figure 2 shows the means for bearing the paper serviette.
Figure 3 shows the groove in the cardboard variant.
Figure 4 shows a plan.
Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 show a possible realization out of cardboard or similar for taking complete meals using a throwaway plate, glass and cutlery, wherein in detail:

figure 5 shows a grasping with the left hand;
figure 6 shows the view of a possible preparation for a meal;
figure 7 shows a realization scheme;
figure 8 shows a view of a possible preparation for a meal;
figure 9 shows a plan view of the device.

Figures 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 show a possible realization for taking complete meals without a plate but with throwaway cutlery and glass, wherein in detail:

figure 10 shows a left-hand grasping;
figure 11 shows a view of a possible preparation for a meal;
figure 12 shows a scheme of a possible realization;
figure 13 shows a variant of a preparation for a meal;
figure 14 shows a plan view of the device.

Figures 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 show a possible realization for fast-foods, wherein in detail:

figure 15 shows a left-hand grasping;
figure 16 shows the view of a possible preparation with bearings for food and drinks typical for fast-foods ad similar; .
figure 17 shows a realization scheme;
figure 18 shows a preparation variant for fast-foods and similar;
figure 19 shows a plan view of the device.

Figures 20, 21, 22, 23 show a possible realization out of metal, plastic or wood, that can be used again, for taking complete meals, wherein in detail:

figure 20 shows a left-hand grasping;
figure 21 shows a view of a possible preparation for a meal;
figure 22 shows another view of this variant;
figure 23 shows a plan view of the device.

Figures 24, 25, 26, 27 show a possible realization of a metal thread shaped for being re-used for taking complete meals, wherein in detail:

figure 24 shows a view of a possible preparation for a meal;
figure 25 shows a left-hand grasping;
figure 26 shows another view of this variant;
figure 27 shows a plan view of the device.

Figures 28, 29 and 30 show the plan development of the modular variants: according to the present invention, small, medium and large, that may be realized out of cardboard or similar, with a watertight bottom.
Figures 31, 32, 33 and 34 show the development of a possible bottomless realization out of cardboard or similar, wherein in detail:

figure 31 shows a plan view of a small device;
figure 32 shows a plan view of a great device;
figure 33 shows a plan view of a device for housing cups of different dimensions;
figure 34 shows a plan view of a device for taking fast-food meals.

Figures 35, 36, 37 and 38 show a plurality of devices with a bottom after assembling, wherein in detail:

figures 35 and 37 show a great device;
figure 36 shows a small device;
figure 38 shows a medium device.

Figures 39, 40, 41, 42 show some bottomless devices after assembling, wherein in detail:

figure 39 shows a small device;
figure 40 shows a device for the cups;
figure 41 shows a fast-food device with the typical accessories;
figure 42 shows a fast-food device without accessories.

Relating now to the details shown in the enclosed figures, the bearing device according to the present invention, that may be grasped for eating and/or drinking even while standing and moving, comprises, in above mentioned variants and apart from already available objects shown only for understanding the usefulness of the present invention:

a groove 1, for housing the food to be taken;
a seat 2 for the thumb of the left hand for grasping, or for other functional objects;
a seat 3 for the thumb of the right hand for grasping, or for other functional objects;
a seat 4 for the paper serviette or other functional objects;
a groove 5 to be glued to fixed to wings 6 in the cardboard realization;
a plurality of wings 6 onto which said groove 5 may be glued or fixed;
a paper serviette 7 or similar;
a cardboard wing 8 or similar to be fixed to eyelets 15 for bearing drink containers 10 to 19, shown in the figures in closed position, and fit for piling up and packing the device according to the present invention;
a fork 9 or other cutlery;
a tin 10 for drinks;
a throwaway glass 11 or similar;
a throwaway plate 12 or similar;
a seat 13 for a glass 11 or other functional objects;
a wing 14 for holding the paper serviette 7 or a cutlery 9 or other functional objects;
a plurality of eyelets for fixing said wing 8;
a seat 16 for drink containers 10, 9 and 22;
a seat 17 for said plate 12;
a wing 18 in open position, holding a drink container;
a bottle 19 for drinks;
a groove 20 to be glued or fixed to said wings 6, in the cardboard realization or similar;
a groove 21 onto which the meal is placed;
a glass 22 for drinks taken in a fast-food;
a container 23 for food like the fried potatoes of a fast-food;
a container 24 for food like the hamburgers of a fast-food;
a seat 25 for containing food 23 or similar;
a seat 26 for containing food 24 or similar;
a seat 27 with a fixed tongue for drink containers 10 to 19;
a seat 28 for other functional objects;
a groove 29, seat of said plate 12 or directly of the food;
a cup 30;
a groove 31 for said plate 12.

Furthermore, for what concerns the variants of the modular kind, the following references shall be mentioned:

a tongue 32 to be folded inside a hole 33 by pushing on a line 56 during assembling, whereby the relative edges are overlapping;
a hole 33 into which said tongue is folded during assembling, a seat 34 for the thumb hold close as for grasping, a bottom 35 folded along the dotted lines during assembling and that becomes watertight;
an eyelet 36 through which a wing 38 passes during assembling, before it gets folded into a hole 37;
a hole 37 into which, during assembling, a wing 38 gets folded;
a wing 38 passing through said eyelet 36 and then being folded into said hole 37;
a plane part 39 that, during assembling, is to be folded first of 90° downwards along a line 51 and then of further 90° along a line 52, and thus becomes the bottom of what is contained in holes 13 and 27 after assembling;
a wing 40 with a smaller wing 38 at its end;
an outer edge 41 that is to be folded downwards of 90°, for stiffening the device;
an outer edge 42 that is to be folded downwards of 90° for stiffening the device, and containing holes 43 into which tongues 44 are folded during assembling;
a hole 43 into which said tongues 44 are folded during assembling;
a tongue 44 that must be folded into said hole 43 during assembling;
an inner edge 45 that is to be folded downwards of 90° during assembling for stiffening the device;
a plane part 46, cut out along the continuous line, that is to be folded downwards first of 90° along a line 53 and then of further 90° along a line 54 and finally a last fold of 90° of the part with the tongues 44 along a line 55, keeping said edge 42 inside, so that tongues 44 overlap in holes 43, and thus it becomes a bearing for the content of holes 13 and 27;
a hole 47 that may be used for cutlery or other accessories;
a hole 48 for containing a dessert or other accessories;
a plane part 49, cut out along the continuous line, that must be folded downwards first of 90° along line 53, then of further 90° along line 54 and then the part with tongues 44 still of 90° along line 55, keeping the edge 42 inside so that tongue 44 overlaps in said hole 43 and therefore is a bearing to the content of said holes 13 and 27;
a plane part 50, cut out along a continuous line, that is to be folded downwards first of 90° along a line 53, then of further 90° along a line 54 and finally the part with the tongues 44 of further 90° along a line 55, keeping inside said edge 42 to that said tongue 44 overlaps in said hole 43 and is a bearing for the content of hole 48;
a folding line 51;
a wing 52 for holding the plate;
a folding line 53;
a folding line 54;
a folding line 55;
a folding line 56;
a hollow space 57 for housing a plate;
a hollow space 58 for housing one or more small cups;
a hollow space 59 for housing one or more medium and great cups.

Claims

A bearing device that may be grasped for eating and/or drinking even while standing and moving, comprising a plurality of cavities obtained in the structure for placing the food, as well as one or more passing through shapes performed in the edge thereof for the manual bearing, and also housings for inserting and keeping - with a rest and/or with a joint - tins or bottles for drinks, and bearings for cutlery and paper serviettes;
characterized by:
- a first groove (1) for housing the food to be taken;

- a first seat (2) for the thumb of the left hand for grasping, or for other functional objects;

- a second seat (3) for the thumb of the right hand for grasping, or for other functional objects;

- a third seat (4) for a paper serviette (7) or other functional objects;

- a second groove (5) to be glued or fixed to wings (6) in the cardboard realization;

- a plurality of wings (6) onto which said second groove (5) may be glued or fixed;

- a first cardboard tongue (8) or similar to be fixed to eyelets (15) for bearing drink containers (10) and (19);

- a fourth seat (13) for a glass (11) or other functional objects;

- a wing (14) for holding the paper serviette (7) or a cutlery (9) or other functional objects;

- a plurality of eyelets (15) for fixing the first tongue (8);

- a fifth seat (16) for drink containers (10, 19 and 22);

- a sixth seat (17) for a plate (12);

- a second tongue (18) in open position, holding a drink container;

- a third groove (20) to be glued or fixed to wings (6) in the cardboard realization or similar;

- a fourth groove (21) onto which the meal is placed;

- a seventh seat (25) for containing food (23) or similar;

- a eighth seat (26) for containing food (24) or similar;

- a nineth seat (27) with a fixed tongue for the drink containers (10) and (19);

- a tenth seat (28) for other functional objects;

- a fifth groove (29), seat of the plate (12) or directly of the food;

- a sixth groove (31) for the plate (12).
A bearing device according to claim 1, characterized in that it may be modular by means of:
- a tongue (32) to be folded inside a hole (33) by pushing on a line (56) during assembling, whereby the relative edges are overlapping;

- a hole (33) into which said tongue is folded during assembling;

- a seat (34) for the thumb hold close as for grasping;

- a bottom (35) folded along the dotted lines during assembling and that becomes watertight;

- an eyelet (36) through which a wing (38) passes during assembling, before it gets folded into a hole (37);

- a hole (37) into which, during assembling, a wing (38) gets folded;

- a wing (38) passing through said eyelet (36) and then being folded into said hole (37);

- a plane part (39) that, during assembling, is to be folded first of 90° downwards along a line (51) and then of further 90° along a line (52), and thus becomes the bottom of what is contained in holes (13) and (27) after assembling;

- a wing (40) with a smaller wing (38) at its end;

- an outer edge (41) that is to be folded downwards of 90°, for stiffening the device;

- an outer edge (42) that is to be folded downwards of 90° for stiffening the device, and containing holes (43) into which tongues (44) are folded during assembling;

- a hole (43) into which said tongues (44) are folded during assembling;

- a tongue (44) that must be folded into said hole (43) during assembling;

- an inner edge (45) that is to be folded downwards of 90° during assembling for stiffening the device;

- a plane part (46), cut out along the continuous line, that is to be folded downwards first of 90° along a line (53) and then of further 90° along a line (54) and finally a last fold of 90° of the part with the tongues (44) along a line (55), keeping said edge (42) inside, so that tongues (44) overlap in holes (43), and thus it becomes a bearing for the content of holes (13) and (27);

- a hole (47) that may be used for cutlery or other accessories;

- a hole (48) for containing a dessert or other accessories;

- a plane part (49), cut out along the continuous line, that must be folded downwards first of 90° along line 53, then of further 90° along line (54) and then the part with tongues (44) still of 90° along line (55), keeping the edge (42) inside so that tongue (44) overlaps in said hole (43) and therefore is a bearing to the content of said holes (13) and (27);

- a plane part (50), cut out along a continuous line, that is to be folded downwards first of 90° along a line (53), then of further 90° along a line (54) and finally the part with the tongues (44) of further 90° along a line (55), keeping inside said edge (42) to that said tongue (44) overlaps in said hole (43) and is a bearing for the content of hole (48);

- a folding line (51);

- a wing (52) for holding the plate;

- a folding line (53);

- a folding line (54);

- a folding line (55);

- a folding line (56);

- a hollow space (57) for housing a plate;

- a hollow space (58) for housing one or more small cups;

- a hollow space (59) for housing one or more medium and great cups.