FR2653982A1 - Plate carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for carrying from one to nine plates with just one carrying hand. The invention relates to a device enabling a person to carry from one to nine plates with no danger of dropping them, enabling them to be held level for good presentation of the plate with its sauce. By its use, time can be saved when serving (as in restaurants), very hot plates (+80 DEG C) can be carried and several plates can be taken away at one time carried in just one hand. It consists of a tray (1) covered with a non-slip surface (2), and a handle (3) underneath the tray (1) by which the tray (1) can be held stably in the carrying hand. In the middle of this tray (1), four rubber grips (4) hold the rims of the four plates (5), and these plates in turn serve as a support for the fifth plate (6). Between all the plates (5) is a piece of foam (7) so that four more plates (10) can be added, bringing the total to nine plates.

Description

 The present invention relates to a device which can carry from one to nine plates to any person, working in catering, with one hand.

 Traditionally, in a restaurant, waiters carry three plates (two plates in one hand and one in the other) during service. In addition, these three plates are not kept horizontal; this poses a problem for dishes in sauce. Another advantage, the waiters make less trips between the kitchen and the restaurant room moreover, the plates can be really hot (+ 800) allowing the waiters not to burn themselves.

 The device according to the invention overcomes all these drawbacks.

According to FIG. 1 (upper part), an octagonal wooden tray (1) covered with an anti-slip coating (2) over its entire surface. In the center of this tray (1) four anti-rubber clips slip (4)
According to Figure 3 (lower part) under the tray (1) a handle (3) for sliding a hand flat, allowing good stability of the tray in the hand.

 -Figure 2: Horizontal view of the empty tray (1) without the plates.

 According to Figure 4 (upper part) the tray (1) is covered with four plates (5) .The four rubber clips (4) are used to hold the edges of the plates (5) from ten to thirty centimeters in diameter, the four clamps (4) themselves serve as support for the fifth plate (6).

 -Figure 5: Horizontal view of the plate (1) with the five plates (5 and 6).

 According to particular embodiments, the plate (1) can be of plastic material, of round shape or square, the handle (3) can be of hard plastic, fabric, or of hard elastic material.

 According to a variant illustrated in Figure 6, four pieces of foam (7) are added supporting four plates of pus, making a total of nine plates.

 -Figure 7: Horizontal plane of the empty tray (1) without plate.

 According to Figure 8 (upper part) the tray is covered with the nine plates; therefore the five plates (5 and 6) of Figure 4, plus the four plates (10) supported by the plates (5) and four pieces of foam (7) located below the plates (10).

 -Figure 9: Horizontal view of the plate (1) with the nine plates.

 By way of nonlimiting example, the tray will have dimensions of the order of 50 cm for the length and the width, and 0.8 cm for the height.

 The device according to the invention is particularly intended for the catering trade.

Claims (4)

CLAIM  1) Device for carrying one to nine hot or cold plates, characterized in that it comprises a tray) covered with a non-slip surface (2) allowing plates (5) to be placed whose edge is wedged by four clips rubber (4) strengthening the holding of the plates (5) on the plate (1).  2) Device according to the preceding claim characterized in that the plate (1) is provided with a handle (3) on the lower part of the plate (1).  3) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the top of the four rubber clamps (4) serve as support for an additional plates or the fifth plates (6).  4) Device according to one of claim 1 to 3 characterized in that it further comprises pieces of foam (7) supporting other plates (10) between the plates (5) and the plate (6)