GB2088699A - Serving tray - Google Patents

Abstract

A serving tray with trough-like depressions 1-11, Fig. 1, for holding food or receptacles containing food has a additional shelf 19, Fig. 6, which can be fitted onto the serving tray and which is also designed for receiving food, it being possible by means of the serving tray to serve expertly and consume cold foods, in addition to warm dishes. The shelf 19 has a base area which covers at least one depression and is designed so as to be deposited from above onto said depression. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Serving tray The invention relates to a serving tray with trough-like depressions for holding food or receptacles containing food and to an additional shelf which can be fitted onto the serving tray and which is also designed for receiving food.

A serving tray of the above-mentioned kind is known from German Patent Specification 362 904. It consists in a box-like container, the bottom half of which forms the actual serving tray, while the upper half constitutes a lid.

The lid may be removed from its hinge-like connection with the serving tray. About half the bottom area of the tray is taken up by trough-like depressions provided in various places which are designed e.g. for the placing therein of bread, ice-cream, fruit, sweet dishes, cutlery. A special section is intended for drinks and has cylindrical depressions for coffee pots and a cup.

The remaining part of the bottom area is associated with an additional shelf. It lies on the level bottom of the serving tray and itself contains trough-like depressions for lodging food or containers containing food. Thus, e.g., a main course depression is provided along the front side of the shelf, further depressions being grouped around said depression for accompaniments, vegetables, etc.

The depressions of the additional shelf and those of the serving tray are surrounded on all sides by the sealing edges of hooked crosssection. The lid has depressions corresponding to the depressions of the serving tray, the edges of which contain a groove for a tongueand-groove engagement of the sealing edges of the serving tray or of the additional shelf.

When the lid has been placed on the serving tray each depression is closed in itself. Corresponding depressions of the serving tray or of the additional shelf and the lid together form a closed hollow space.

The serving plate may be taken out and is intended to afford the possibility of presenting several dishes simultaneously and faster. For the purpose the additional shelf is also provided with depressions for foods. It is a drawback in this connection that the additional shelf is little suitable for cold foods, as served frequently in the evening. The preparation of cold foods such as, e.g. bread, butter, sausage, cheese, etc., does not of course present any difficulties, as for these it is possible to use the depressions available; however, to prepare a spread sandwich it is necessary to provide a special plate on which the bread can be spread. The additional shelf is not suitable for this, as the depressions make spreading butter, etc., on bread difficult. In particular this renders the use of the known serving tray impossible in hospitals.

The invention has for its object to design further a serving tray of the type first defined hereinabove, in such a manner that along side hot dishes substantially also cold dishes may be expertly served and consumed.

The additional shelf affords the possibility of utilising twice the area of one or more depressions. Without additional tray the depressions can be used normally, i.e. to lodge foods or containers containing foods. This is particularly the case with hot foods. Insofar as cold foods, such as, for example, bread, sausage, etc., have to be presented, it will be sufficient to place those foods on the additional tray and deposit the latter on the relevant depression(s).

The additional shelf may, on consumption of the food, be either removed or remain in its place inside the serving tray. In this manner the depressions concerned have a double part to play, i.e. to receive a hot food and to serve a cold one. Both types of food are served in a manner such that they can be consumed well, the hot food either in the actual depression or in a container situated in it, the cold food on the level base surface of the additional shelf.

In its design the additional shelf may be adapted in particular to the shape of a main course depression. Its area may be smaller or greater than the corresponding base area of the main course depression. The additional shelf, however, may also cover several depressions.

Having in mind that the additional shelf could be left on the serving tray during the consumption of the food, it is advantageous if the serving tray has a deposition surface for the additional shelf above the bottom of the trough of the depression, and at a distance from it.

In this connection it is advantageous that the deposition surface should be limited by a substantially completely surrounding receiving groove for the additional shelf. The setting of the additional shelf when filling the serving tray is thereby simplified. Its anchoring during the consumption of the foods arranged on it is ensured.

When using a lid provided with corresponding counter-depressions it is advantageous if a common counter-depression is associated on the lid with the depressions which can be covered by the additional shelf.

Hereinbelow an example of embodiment of the invention is described on the basis of a drawing wherein: Figure 1 is a top view of a serving tray according to the invention; Figure 2 is a cross-section through the tray of Fig. 1 along line ll-ll; Figure 3 is a cross-section through the tray of Fig.1 along line Ill-Ill; Figure 4 is a top view of a lid fitting the serving tray; Figure 5 is a cross-section through the lid along line V-V; Figure 6 is a partially sectioned side view of two serving tray/lid units stacked one on top of the other; Figure 7 is a top view of an additional shelf; Figure 8 is a cross-section through the additional shelf along line VIlI-VIlI in Fig. 7; Fig. 1 shows a serving tray la which has trough-like depressions from 1 to 11.Each of these depressions is suitable for receiving foods or drinks or receptacles containing food or drink. Depression 1 is intended to receive the main course. The depression is substantially designed to be rectangular, this also applying to depressions 2, 3, 4, 5 and 9, as well as to the bottom surface of the serving tray. In all cases the longer sides of the rectangles run parallel with the front edge 1 2 of the serving tray.

Depression 1 has in the direction of the front edge a relatively flat flank 1 3, while the flank 1 5 extending parallel with it and situated closer to the rearward edge 14 of the serving tray has been given a high angle. This design of the depression simplifies the eating of the main course, as the depression is easily accessible from the front with the cutlery and forms with its rearward flank an abutment onto which to push the food. It can be seen from Fig. 2 that the front flank 1 3 encloses an angle of 25G, and the rear flank 15 an angle of 10 to the vertical.The remaining flanks of the depression 1 and all flanks of depressions 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8 are disposed substantially at an angle of 15 to the vertical.

In terms of area the depression 1 for the main course is designed greater than the other depressions just mentioned and, inside the bottom area of the serving tray, it is disposed axially symmetrical to the longitudinal centre L-L.

Depression 2, 3, 4, 5 and 9 are identically designed as regards size and shape, so that they are suitable to receive similar containers.

Depressions 1, 2 and 3 represent the socalled warm area of the serving tray. Associated with it, at the lid 1 6 to be seen in Figs. 4 to 6, is a common counter depression 1 7 which is rather greater in area than the sum of the areas of the depressions 1, 2 and 3.

When the lid 1 6 is in position, the counterdepression 1 7 covers all three depressions1, 2 and 3 and forms together with them a common hollow space which, as a conse quence of the fact that the lid lies on the serving tray in contact with it, is closed to the outside. The surface of the counter-depression, however, is designed to conform to the shape and position of depressions 1, 2 and 3.

As may bs seen from Figs. 5 and 6, a drip spout 1 is associated to each of these de depressions substantially at the centre of the counter-depression. The surface extends over the cleeressions 1, 2 and 3 in slightly coni calls sinking manner tili said drip spout 1 8 is reached. The purpose of this is to lead the condensate originating from the particular depression of the serving tray back to the appropriate depression. By this means a separation of smell and taste between the various foods of the depressions is achieved.

Depressions 2 and 3 are intended to receive garnishes, e.g. hot vegetables, and the like, such as potatoes, noodles, rice, vegetables, etc. Insofar as mixed dishes (hot-pot, stews) are to be provided, it is possible to fill also one of the two depressions 2 and 3 in addition to the main course depression, depending on requirements.

It is possible to dispose an additional shelf 1 9 over depressions 1, 2 and 3, as may be seen in Figs. 7 and 8. It has very roughly a Tshaped bottom area, the upright of the T pointing towards the front edge 1 2 of the serving tray and encloses with it a right angle.

The counter-depression 1 7 also has the same basic form. This derives from the arrangement of the compartments 1, 2 and 3 on the serving tray 1 a. The overall width of the depressions 2 and 3 disposed side by side is greater than the corresponding width of the main course depression 1. The consequence of this is a slight constriction in the area of the main course depression.

The additional shelf 1 9 is designed substantially level. It is merely surrounded and delimited by an upwardly offset edge 20. On the bottom side it has three spacing feet 21 of small height.

The additional shelf can be placed from above onto the appropriate depressions, as may be seen inter alia from Fig. 6. The shelf lies along a deposition level E which is substantially identical with the level of the surface and is at a distance a from the trough bottom 22 of the covered depressions. The deposition level E is delimited by a surrounding receiving groove 23. The additional shelf overlaps with its offset edge 20 the receiving groove and thereby anchors the additional shelf positively against lateral slipping. It will be seen from Fig. 6 that the additional shelf can be disposed at the place intended also when the lid has been fitted.

The additional shelf is used e.g. for placing cold foods, such as bread, sausage, cheese, spreads for bread, etc., It can be extracted for eating from the tray or for filling the latter, and placed before or beside the serving tray.

Its flat design makes the spreading of butter, etc., on bread possible. Because of the raised arrangement, however, it may also remain at its set place when eating. Nevertheless, it is of easy access to the eating person.

The depressions 4 and 5 may be filled as desired with cold or hot foods. The serving tray and the lid are adequately insulated in their area as well as in the warm area already referred to. The two compartments, however, are mainly conceived as a cold area intended to receive salads, sweets, etc. When serving breakfast with the additional shelf fitted, these compartments may contain cereals, buttered, etc., bread, and so on.

Depression 6 is intended for cutlery. A bottle may also be lodged in it. Depression 7 is intended as an egg cup. Its area is fully insulated.

Serving tray 1 a forms together with lid 1 6 an unit 24 stackable with identical units. Fig.

6 shows a stack consisting of two units. By tongue and groove engagement between the upper side of the lid and the bottom side of the serving tray the units are anchored positively one on top of another. In addition, for reasons of storage, both the serving tray and the lid are designed in such a manner that these parts can always be stacked one on top of the other, i.e. lid on lid and tray on tray.

When a tray has been filled and stacked together with the lid, to retain the possibility of making additions to it, e.g. coffee or hot soup, the corresponding design of depressions 8 and 9 will allow this. They are both disposed next to the main course depression 1, and as regards shape and design they are so constructed that an addition to them is possible also in a stack made up of units 24. For the purpose, the depressions have been made freely accessible substantially forward to the front edge 1 2 and towards the corresponding sides. The side edge 25 is sunk facing the surface of the serving tray. The same applies essentially to the edge surrounding the depression 9 along the sides of the tray. The design of the edge may also be seen conveniently in the sectioned unit 24 of Fig. 6.

In the area of the main course depression 1 the lid 1 6 has a protruding area and leaves the depressions 8 and 9 free. For the reasons given above the depressions 8 and 9 can therefore be subsequently filled in also when a stack has been made up. For the depression 8 provision may be made for a coffee pot which can be added into an existing stack without the need to lift the tray situated over it. Depression 9 may be subsequently filled, e.g. with a container of hot soup.

Filling as a subsequent operation has the advantage that it can be carried out during periods when there is little to do. The insulation of unit 24 supplies the assurance that the foods remain hot during the period until they are consumed. Those foods or drinks, e.g.

coffee, the quality of which suffers from too long a storage, may be added shortly before the actual serving, without the serving tray having to be reopened for placing the new food or drink in them.

Depressions 8 and 9 are associated with corresponding deposition areas which can receive the items placed subsequently in these depressions. Because of the identical design, a container may be transferred to one of the compartments 2, 3, 4 or 5. For the coffee pot provided in depression 8 the depression 11 has been provided as transfer area. Transfer takes place after the lid has been removed, and is done by the consumer himself. The consumer obtains thereby the necessary freedom of handling for the consumption of the main course. The sunk edges in the area of the depressions 8 and 9 are useful therefore not only for the purpose of subsequent filling, but also for the better ease of handling for the consumer himself.

As the items, e.g. the coffee pot 8, are transferred to the depression 11 by the consumer of food, it may happen that some spillage occurs. To lead away the spilt liquid the depressions 10 and 11 have in each case a stepped trough bottom 27, as may be seen from Figs. 1 and 3. The stepping serves as a positive anchoring for the inserted items and as a receiver for the spilt liquid. Depression 10 is provided for a cup.

On all sides the serving tray has grip troughs 28 as well as grooves for the insertion of a patient's meal card.

Claims (6)

1. A serving tray with trough-like depressions for holding food or receptacles containing food and with an additional shelf which can be fitted onto the serving tray and which is also designed for receiving food, characterised in that the additional shelf (19) has a level bottom area covering at least one depression (1, 2, 3) and is designed so as to be able to be deposited from above onto said depression.

2. A serving tray according to Claim 1, characterised in that the serving tray (19) (sic) has a deposition surface (E) for the additional shelf above the bottom (22) of the trough of the depression, at a distance (a) therefrom.

3. A serving tray according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the deposition surface (E) is limited by a substantially completely surrounding receiving groove (23) for the additional shelf.

4. A serving tray according to at least one of Claims 1 to 3, with a lid which has corresponding counter-depressions, characterised in that a common counter-depression (17) on the lid (16) is associated with two or more depressions (1, 2, 3) of the serving tray which can be covered by the additional shelf.

5. A serving tray according to Claim 4, characterised in that the counter-depression for each covered depression (1, 2, 3) of the serving tray (1) has its own drip spout (18) to lead the condensate back to the appropriate depression (1, 2, 3).

6. A serving tray substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompa nying drawings.