GB2422302A

GB2422302A - A table for catering

Info

Publication number: GB2422302A
Application number: GB0501090A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Claudio Tiranini
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-01-19
Filing date: 2005-01-19
Publication date: 2006-07-26
Anticipated expiration: 2025-01-19
Also published as: GB2422302B; GB0501090D0

Abstract

The table (1) comprises a main planar resting surface (2), supported by a load-bearing structure (3, 4) and having an opening (5) in which there is located a basin (6) equipped with means (7) for delivering a stream of water which may be used for cleaning the hands of those eating at the table. Said delivery means comprise a delivery pipe (7) which extends close to the upper rim of the basin (6) and which has a plurality of openings (8) capable of delivering respective jets or sprays of water towards the central region of the basin (6).

Description

A Table for Catering

The present invention relates to a table for catering.

The object of the invention is in particular to provide an original and innovative table for catering, which is particularly well suited to permitting the consumption of meals in a way which is unlike recent italian and European customs, for example permitting the consumption of meals without using cutlery or the like, the foodstuffs being picked up and handled directly with the hands, as is still done in some Eastern countries.

Said object is achieved according to the invention with a table for catering which has a (main) planar resting surface supported by a load-bearing structure and which is eharacterised in that said planar resting surface has an opening in which there is located a basin equipped with means for delivering a stream of water which may be used for cleaning the hands of those eating at the table.

According to another feature, said delivery means comprise a delivery pipe which extends close to the upper rim of the basin and which has a plurality of openings capable of delivering respective jets or sprays of water towards the centre of the basin.

In a preferred embodiment, the table furthermore comprises an auxiliary planar resting surface which is of smaller dimensions relative to those of the main planar surface and is arranged or available in a raised position relative to the latter in such a manner that those eating at the table can gain access to said basin with their hands via the zone between said planar surfaces.

Further features and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following detailed description, which is provided purely by way of nonlimiting illustration, with reference to the attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a table for catering according to the present invention, shown in partially equipped form; Figure 2 shows a partially exploded perspective view of the table shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view according to the line 111-111 of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a sectional view according to the line Tv-Tv of Figure 2.

The reference numeral I in Figure 1 denotes overall a table for catering according to the invention.

The table I comprises a main planar resting surface which, in the nonlimiting example of embodiment shown, is circular in shape. The table could, however, be of a different shape, for example of a, preferably regular, polygonal shape.

The planar resting surface 2 is supported by a load-bearing structure of a type known per se. In the embodiment shown, said structure comprises a plurality of legs 3 equipped at the bottom thereof with respective pivoting castors 4 with associated per se known locking means.

The planar resting surface 2 has a central, preferably circular, opening 5 in which there is fitted a handbasin 6, for example made of stainless steel.

Close to the upper rim of the basin 6, there extends an annular delivery pipe 7 which has a plurality of openings 8 facing towards the axis of the basin and capable of delivering respective jets or sprays of water towards the central region of the basin (see also Figure 3).

The basin 6 is associated in a manner known per se with at least one water supply pipe 9 and a discharge pipe 10 which conveniently extend within a tubular element 11 (Figures 1 and 2), preferably of an opaque material, for example stainless steel, which extends between the basin 6 and the floor of the premises in which the table is used.

With reference to Figure 2, in a preferred embodiment, the floor of the premises in which the table is used is provided with a well 12 in which are located a device 13 for connection to the water mains aiid a device 14 for connection to the disposal network for the discharge water. The supply pipe 9 and, respectively, discharge pipe 10 may conveniently be connected, for example by means of quick-fit joints, to said devices.

When in service (Figure 1), the table 1 is arranged above the corresponding well 12 and the tubular element 11 which encloses the pipes 9 and 10 is located above and around said well.

Conveniently, although not necessarily, the basin 6 may be associated with illumination means capable of illuminating the jets or sprays of water delivered in the course of operation. In the non-limiting example of enibodiment shown in Figure 3, said illumination means comprise a plurality of electric lamps 15 located behind at least partially transparent windows 16 arranged in the wall of the basin 6.

The table 1 conveniently comprises an auxiliary planar resting surface 17 (Figures 1, 2 and 4) which is of smaller dimensions relative to the main planar surface 2 and is arranged in a raised position relative to the latter, in such a manner that those eating at the table can gain access via the zone between said planar surfaces to the basin 6 so as to be able to rinse their hands.

In the embodiment shown by way of example, the auxiliary planar resting surface 1 7 comprises a ring 18 in the central opening 19 of which there is positioned an essentially circular tray 20 which is removable (see also Figure 4). Legs or uprights 21 are connected to the annular clement 18 which are capable of resting on the main planar surface 2 around the basin 6.

Conveniently, but not necessarily, the main planar resting surface 2, the planar resting surface 18 and the associated tray 20 may be produced from a transparent material, for example glass or crystal.

The auxiliary planar resting surface 17 could furthermore consist of a single monolithic planar surface together with an annular element and an associated removable tray of a corresponding shape.

The auxiliary planar surface 17 and in particular the annular portion thereof 18 conveniently comprises a plurality of openings or seats 22 which face or are open upwards.

In the embodiment shown (see in particular Figure 4), said seats consist of through-holes with an essentially vertical axis, in which are positioned respective tubular elements or sleeves 23 provided at the top with a supporting flange 24.

The table I is conveniently associated with a set of containers, in particular glasses or the like, such as those denoted 25 and 26 in Figures 1 and 2. The bottoms of said containers have shanks or legs 25a, 26a (Figure 2) which may be engaged in the tubular elements or sleeves 24 of the raised planar resting surface 17.

Said raised planar resting surface thus makes it possible to position glasses and the like in a readily accessible zone above the central part of the main planar resting surface 2 where the basin 6 is located.

The table 1 may conveniently be associated with a set of place mats 27 shaped in the form of segments or sectors of a ring and which are available on the surface or upper face of the main planar resting surface 2, around the basin 6.

The table I may furthermore conveniently be associated with a set of napkins 28 provided with a respective eyelet or loop 29 in which may be engaged a respective resilient clip 30 of a type known per se which maybe attached to the edge of the main planar surface 2 (see in particular Figure 2).

Naturally, the principle of the invention remaining the same, the forms of embodiment and details of construction may be varied widely with respect to those described and illustrated, which have been given purely by way of non-limiting example, without thereby departing from the scope of protection as defined in the attached claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A table for catering (1) comprising a main planar resting

surface (2) supported by a load-bearing structure (3, 4), the table (1) being characterised in that the planar resting surface (2) has an opening (5) in which there is located a basin (6) equipped with means (7) for delivering a stream of water which may be used for cleaning the hands of those eating at the table.
2. A table for catering according to claim I in which said delivery means comprise a delivery pipe (7) which extends close to the upper rim of the basin (6) and which has a plurality of openings (8) capable of delivering respective jets or sprays of water towards the central region of the basin (6).
3. A table for catering according to claim I or claim 2, in which the basin (6) is associated with at least one, preferably flexible, water supply pipe (9) and a discharge pipe (10), which both extend within a preferably opaque tubular element (11), which extends between the basin (6) and the floor of the premises in which the table (I) is used.
4. A table for catering according to claim 2, in which the basin (6) is associated with illumination means (15, 16) capable of illuminating the jets or sprays of water delivered in the course of operation.
5. A table for catering according to any one of the preceding claims furthermore comprising an auxiliary planar resting surface (1 7) which is of smaller dimensions relative to the main planar surface (2) and is arranged or available in a raised position relative to the latter (2) in such a manner that those eating at the table can gain access to said basin (6) with their hands via the zone between said planar surfaces (17, 2).
6. A table for catering according to claim 5, in which the auxiliary planar resting surface (17) is supported by a plurality of legs or uprights (21) which rest on the main planar surface (2) around the basin (6).
7. A table for catering according to claim 5 or claim 6, in which the auxiliary planar surface (17) has a central opening (19) in which there is located a removable tray (20) of a corresponding shape.
8. A table for catering according to any one of claims 5 to 7, in which there is provided a plurality of openings or seats (22, 23) which face or are open upwards and in which the table (1) is associated with a set of containers (25, 26), and in particular glasses or the like, the bottoms of which have shanks or legs (25a, 26a) which may be engaged in said openings or seats (22, 23).
9. A table for catering according to any one of the preceding claims in which the main planar resting surface (22) is made of an at least partially transparent material.
10. A table for catering according to any one of claims 5 to 9, in which the auxiliary planar resting surface (17) is made of an at least partially transparent material.
11. A table for catering according to claim 7, in which said removable tray (19) is made of an at least partially transparent material.
12. A table for catering according to any one of the preceding claims, with which there is associated a set of place mats (27) shaped in the form of segments or sectors of a ring which are available on the surface or upper face of the main planar resting surface (2), around said basin (6).
13. A table for catering according to any one of the preceding claims, with which there is associated a set of napkins (28) provided with a respective eyelet or loop (29) in which may be engaged a respective resilient clip (30) which may be attached to the edge of the main planar surface (2).