GB2396289A

GB2396289A - A tray with foldable supports

Info

Publication number: GB2396289A
Application number: GB0229539A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Francis Need Grazebrook
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-12-18
Filing date: 2002-12-18
Publication date: 2004-06-23
Anticipated expiration: 2022-12-18
Also published as: GB0229539D0; GB2396289B

Abstract

A tray 1 is suspended from a handle 5 by a plurality of foldable cords 2 where the cords are spiral or arc shaped and can fold flat onto the tray 1. Preferably the tray 1 is supported by three cords 2 that are fixed equidistance to the edge of the tray at positions 4 and along the base of the handle 3. The tray 1 may have a hole in the centre to accommodate the handle of another tray to allow the trays to be stacked. The tray may allow a glass of wine to be carried by one hand or a single finger. The cords may be made of stiff springy material and the tray made of stiff paper or plastic material. The complete tray and supports may be moulded from plastic material in one seamless piece.

Description

- 1 - Improvements to Foldable Hanging Tray This indention relates to a

foldable hanging tray.

Hanging trays are used for carrying food and drink by hand. They have an advantage that liquids in glasses and cups as are less likely to spill while being carried The present invention is an example of a hanging tray constructed so that its supporting parts can be folded flat. Such trays can be used to carry a glass of wine with one hand, or even one finger allowing the same hand to hold a plated leaving the other hand to be free to open doors, for example. Such a tray can be provided in a buffet party so that each guest can carry the food and drink without spilling the drink. The tray, when folded, can take up no more space than a saucer.

A specific embodyment of the invention will be described with reference to drawings in figures and 2, by way of example, where: Figure 1 shows the tray supporting parts unfolded as in use carrying a cup 6 of liquid 7 for an example.

Figure shows a plan view of the tray in folded condition.

Referring to figures 1 and 2, tray is supported by a plurality of cords 2. In this example three cords 2 are fixed to the tray at points 4 equally spaced round the edge of the tray. Cords 2 are supported by handle and ring 5 attached at points 3 which are equally spaced around the ring. In figure a cup 6 containing liquid 7 is placed on the tray for an example.

Referring to figure 2, the cords 2 are made each of equal length, in the form of circular or spiral arcs. The cords 2 are made of stiff springy material such that they will not interfere with each other nor become entangled. When handle 5 is released, cords 2 will return to the tray as shown in figure 2 and the assembly will be neatly folded in a flat format.

The complete tray may be made of stiff paper or metal or plastic material.

Advantgeousely, the complete device including the cords 2 can be moulded from plastic material in one seamless piece. In another form it may be cut from stiff paper or card or other flexible material in laminar form. Alternatively, the handle and ring 5 may be made from different materials from the cords 2 and tray i. The tray must be made sufficiently rigid to carry its intended load, cup 6 and liquid 7 for example.

Advantageously, tray may be printed with an advertising message and the folded tray may be enclosed in a mailing envelope and used in an advertising promotion. In an alternative form, tray may be constructed with a hole in its centre Of size to clear the diameter of handle and ring 5 to allow trays to be stacked on top of each other in order to save storage space. In another form the tray may be made in a different shape from that shown so as to represent a company's logo, for example.

Claims

\ CLAIMS

1. A hanging tray with with foldable supports comprising a handle attached to cords in the form of spiral or circular arcs where the cords and handle fold into the tray.

2. A hanging tray as in Claim 1 wherein a plurality of cords are attached to

the tray and to the handle at equal angular spaces such that when folded and at rest they will not touch each other.

3. A hanging tray as in Claim wherein the tray has a central hole of size to clear the handle of another tray when stacked on top of it so as to allow a plurality of such trays to be stored on top of each other.

4. A hanging tray as in Claim or Claim 3 wherein the complete device is made in mouldable material of one seamless piece.

5. A hanging tray as in Claim 1 or Claim 3 wherein the tray and supports are cut out of stiff card or of other springy and flexible laminar material.

6. A hanging tray substantially as described herein with reference to Figures and 2 of the accompanying drawing.