WO2019162570A1 - A food carrier and a system for serving food - Google Patents

A food carrier and a system for serving food Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2019162570A1
WO2019162570A1 PCT/FI2019/050131 FI2019050131W WO2019162570A1 WO 2019162570 A1 WO2019162570 A1 WO 2019162570A1 FI 2019050131 W FI2019050131 W FI 2019050131W WO 2019162570 A1 WO2019162570 A1 WO 2019162570A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
carrier
food
magnetic member
magnetic
base
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FI2019/050131
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Janne KORHONEN
Mika Korhonen
Original Assignee
Oy Dishplay Ab
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Oy Dishplay Ab filed Critical Oy Dishplay Ab
Publication of WO2019162570A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019162570A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G21/00—Table-ware
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G19/00—Table service
    • A47G19/02—Plates, dishes or the like
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G23/00—Other table equipment
    • A47G23/06—Serving trays
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G23/00—Other table equipment
    • A47G23/06—Serving trays
    • A47G23/0641—Serving trays provided with a plurality of openings, e.g. for carrying glasses, bottles or the like
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G2200/00—Details not otherwise provided for in A47G
    • A47G2200/10—Magnetism
    • A47G2200/106—Permanent

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a food carrier and more particularly to a food carrier according to the independent claim 1.
  • the present invention relates to a system for serving food and more particularly to a system for serving food according to the independent claim 8.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a food carrier and a system for serving food which is easily convertible into different uses and which can be extendable by combining multiple food carriers together.
  • the invention is based on the idea of providing a food carrier which comprises a carrier base having a periphery and a carrier surface within the periphery and a magnetic member arranged in connection with the carrier base.
  • the carrier base is flexible such that it is rollable to a small space for storage.
  • the carrier base is also made of food contact material ln other words, the carrier base is made of flexible rollable material meaning that the carrier base can be rolled around itself several times.
  • the food carrier can be in any form such that the periphery can be for example circular or oval, rectangular or parallelogram, square, polygonal or any other shaped having at least one side edge.
  • the periphery is formed of more than one side edge, but when the periphery is circular or oval or shaped such that it does not comprise corners then there is only one side edge and the carrier surface extends within the periphery formed of the only one side edge lt should be noted that the present invention is not limited to any particular shape of the carrier base and the shape of the carrier base may be interchangeable between different embodiments, unless otherwise stated.
  • the carrier surface is intended for the food that is served on the food carrier, so the carrier surface is in one embodiment of the invention a planar surface extending within the periphery of the carrier base ln another embodiment of the invention the carrier surface comprises at least one recess or the carrier surface is at least partly concave.
  • the at least one recess or the concave form of the carrier surface is achievable by providing the carrier base with different thickness in different areas within the periphery of the carrier base ln another embodiment of the invention the carrier surface comprises embossing or engraving.
  • Embossing in the carrier surface means that the carrier surface comprises shapes that rise from the carrier surface, for example a circular form that rises from the carrier surface for marking the area where the food will be placed and for preventing for example a sauce from flowing to the rest of the carrier surface.
  • Engraving in the carrier surface means that the carrier surface comprises shapes that are below the level of the carrier surface and which are intended for example marking the area where the food will be placed or for helping to present the food on the carrier surface.
  • the carrier base is flexible so that the bend radius maybe in a range between 0 to 10 times the thickness of the carrier base.
  • the bendability is such that when the carrier base is bent it is reversible and the carrier base returns to its normal form without any damages and the shape of the carrier base is restored ln other words, the carrier base is made of bendable material which is reversible such that it returns to the original form after bending has ceased.
  • Bend radius is the minimum radius one can bend a sheet, such as the carrier base, without kinking it, damaging it, or shortening its life.
  • the bend radius being 0 means that the carrier base can be bend such that the carrier surface can be folded over on itself.
  • the bend radius is measured inside the curvature it means that when the bend radius is ten one can place 20 carrier bases having the thickness of the bended carrier base between the carrier surfaces facing each other in a folded position ln a most preferable embodiment of the invention the bend radius is between 0 to 5.
  • the carrier base is made of food contact material which is material that is intended to come into contact with food and which is manufactured in compliance with EU regulations. General requirements for all food contact materials are laid down in Framework Regulation EC 1935/2004 and the material of the carrier base is according to said Framework Regulation.
  • the material of the carrier base is flexible and/or bendable because of the properties of said material and/or the carrier base is manufactured such that it is bendable because of the properties of the structure of the carrier base ln a preferred embodiment of the invention the carrier base is plastic or plastic-like material or silicone material which is a food contact material.
  • the material of the carrier base is preferably such that it is also reversibly flexible or reversibly elastic.
  • the material of the carrier base is also such that it is shape-retaining.
  • the carrier base according to the invention is reusable which means that it is not intended for disposable use but it can be reused again and again ln a preferable embodiment of the invention the carrier surface is made of material that has cut protection properties.
  • the thickness of the carrier base is preferably in a range between 0,5 mm and 5 mm. ln an embodiment of the invention the thickness of the carrier base is in a range between 1,0 mm and 4 mm. ln another embodiment of the invention the thickness of the carrier base is in a range between 1,5 mm and 3,5 mm.
  • the material of the carrier base can be transparent or semi-transparent or not transparent at all.
  • the magnetic member is arranged in connection with the carrier base.
  • the magnetic member may be provided in the carrier base in several different ways ln an embodiment of the invention the magnetic member is provided in the carrier base such that the magnetic member is arranged to extend from inside of the carrier base to the carrier surface ln other words, the magnetic member is provided inside the carrier base such that most of the magnetic member is inside the carrier base but the magnetic member extends to the carrier surface and at least partly forms part of the carrier surface.
  • the magnetic member is provided in the carrier base such that the magnetic member is arranged to extend inside the carrier base from a back surface of the carrier base to the carrier surface, which the back surface is on the opposite side of the carrier base than the carrier surface ln other words, one end of the magnetic member is arranged to form part of the carrier surface and the other end of the magnetic member is arranged to form part of the back surface of the carrier base ln still other words, the magnetic member is arranged to extend the thickness of the carrier base in an area of the carrier base in which the magnetic member is provided.
  • the magnetic member is provided inside the carrier base such that the carrier base surrounds the magnetic member and the magnetic member is provided between the carrier surface and a back surface provided on the opposite side of the carrier base ln other words, the carrier base surrounds the magnetic member such that the magnetic member is inside the carrier base and is not visible on the carrier surface or on the back surface of the carrier base.
  • the magnetic member is connected on the carrier surface.
  • the magnetic member may be glued on the carrier surface or otherwise connected to the carrier surface either permanently or removably.
  • the carrier base comprises a side edge forming at least part of the periphery of the carrier base and the magnetic member is provided in the proximity of the side edge, at a distance from the side edge.
  • the carrier base comprises a side edge forming at least part of the periphery of the carrier base, and a first magnetic member provided in the proximity of the side edge at a distance from the side edge and a second magnetic member is provided opposite to the first magnetic member in the proximity of the side edge at a distance from the side edge ln other words, the magnetic member is arranged in the carrier base such that it is near to the side edge of the carrier base, meaning that the magnetic member is closer to the side edge than the midpoint of the carrier base.
  • the carrier base comprises a side edge forming at least part of the periphery of the carrier base and two or more magnetic members are provided in the proximity of the side edge at a distance from the side edge and at different locations of the periphery.
  • the carrier base may comprise multiple magnets which are arranged at different locations of the carrier base along the periphery.
  • the carrier base comprises a first side edge and a second side edge opposite to the first side edge such that the carrier surface extends between the first side edge and the second side edge, the first and second side edges forming at least part of the periphery of the carrier base and the carrier base further comprises a first magnetic member provided in the proximity of the first side edge at a distance from the first side edge and a second magnetic member provided in the proximity of the second side edge at a distance from the second side edge ln other words, the periphery of the carrier base is such that it has at least two side edges opposite to each other and the carrier base comprises two magnetic members such that one magnetic member is near the first side edge and the other magnetic member is near the second side edge.
  • the carrier surface extends between the first and the second side edges.
  • the magnetic member is preferably provided in the carrier base such that the influence area of the magnetic member is at most 1/4 of the area of the carrier surface ln a more preferable embodiment of the invention the influence area of the magnetic member is at most 1/5 of the area of the carrier surface ln this connection the influence area of the magnetic member is the area of the magnetic member that is parallel to the carrier surface.
  • the magnetic member arranged in connection with the carrier base can be a point-like magnetic member, a circular magnetic member, an elongated magnetic member, a plate-like magnetic member or any suitable shaped magnetic member ln an embodiment of the invention
  • the magnetic member may be formed of multiple magnetic parts for example such that magnetic parts are provided in a form of an elongated member having space between separate magnetic parts for allowing bending of the carrier base ln an embodiment of the invention the magnetic member arranged in connection with the carrier base in the proximity of a side edge at a distance from the side edge is formed of multiple magnetic parts.
  • the magnetic member either a one-piece member or a member that is formed of multiple parts is preferably arranged in the proximity of a side edge at a distance from the side edge ln an embodiment of the invention the magnetic member may be provided at the side edge of the carrier base.
  • the carrier base comprises one or more reinforcement members extending in one direction of the carrier base.
  • the reinforcement members are preferably such that the carrier base is bendable and rollable such that the carrier base can be rolled around itself several times.
  • the invention is further based on the idea of providing a system for serving food which the system comprises a food carrier comprising a carrier base having a periphery and a carrier surface within the periphery, said carrier base is flexible and made of food contact material.
  • the system further comprises a grip part for carrying the food carrier and a magnetic coupling between the food carrier and the grip part connecting the food carrier and the grip part together.
  • the magnetic coupling is provided by a food carrier magnetic member provided to the food carrier and a grip part magnetic member provided to the grip part.
  • the grip part is connectable to the carrier base of the food carrier by the magnetic coupling between the grip part and the carrier base of the food carrier which allows the food carrier to be carried when serving food which is provided on the carrier surface ln one embodiment of the invention the grip part is formed such that it comprises the grip part magnetic member on the under surface of the grip part and the rest of the grip part is formed such that it can be used for carrying as well as for other purposes such as placing cutlery or sushi sticks for example.
  • the system comprises the carrier base comprising plurality of food carrier magnetic members, such as two, and preferably two grip parts, the magnetic members of the carrier base and the two grip parts are placed such that the food carrier can be carried with the two grip parts.
  • the food carrier comprises at least a first food carrier magnetic member and a second food carrier magnetic member such that the first food carrier magnetic member is arranged at a distance from the second food carrier magnetic member, the carrier surface extending at least partly between the first food carrier magnetic member and the second food carrier magnetic member and the system comprises plurality of grip parts each having a grip part magnetic member for forming the magnetic coupling with the food carrier magnetic members.
  • the food carrier comprises at least a first food carrier magnetic member and a second food carrier magnetic member such that the first food carrier magnetic member is arranged at a distance from the second food carrier magnetic member, the carrier surface extending at least partly between the first food carrier magnetic member and the second food carrier magnetic member; and the grip part comprises plurality of grip part magnetic members for forming the magnetic coupling with the first and second food carrier magnetic members of the food carrier ln other words, the grip part is for example such that it has a body extending between the first magnetic member of the food carrier and the second magnetic member of the food carrier and extensions extending between the body and the magnetic member of the food carrier or the carrier surface of the food carrier when the magnetic member is provided within the carrier base and which the extensions each comprise a grip part magnetic member at the end of the extension for forming a magnetic coupling with the magnetic member of the food carrier.
  • the grip part comprises a handle portion and a support portion connected to each other, the plurality of grip part magnetic members are provided to the support portion for forming the magnetic coupling with the food carrier magnetic members.
  • the grip part magnetic members are preferably provided to the support portion such that they are on the opposite end area of the support part than the handle portion.
  • the other end of the support portion is provided with a connection to the handle portion.
  • the grip part comprises a handle portion and two or more support portions, said handle portion is arranged to extend between the two or more support portions, at least two of the two or more support portions comprise a grip part magnetic member for forming the magnetic coupling with the magnetic members of the food carrier, meaning that when there are more than two support portions there are at least two support portions which comprise a grip part magnetic member but not all of the support portions have to comprise a grip part magnetic member.
  • the support portion is in a form of a hood providing an interior space between the support portion and the carrier surface of the carrier base and said handle portion is provided as an integral structure of the support portion forming part of the support portion.
  • the support portion is in a form of a hood providing an interior space between the support portion and the carrier surface of the carrier base and said handle portion is connected to the support portion.
  • the magnetic members of the food carrier or the grip part can be either magnets or magnetic material such that the food carrier magnetic member is a magnet and the grip part magnetic member is a magnet; or the food carrier magnetic member is a magnet and the grip part magnetic member is made of magnetic material; or the food carrier magnetic member is made of magnetic material and the grip part magnetic member is a magnet ln the case that both the food carrier magnetic member and the grip part magnetic member are magnets then they naturally are provided such that they attract each other.
  • the handle portion is extendable such that a distance between a first support portion and a second support portion is alterable. This allows to use the grip part for different sized food carriers.
  • the system for serving food may comprise any embodiment of the food carriers described above.
  • the food carrier according to the invention comprises a carrier base which is flexible such that the whole food carrier is flexible, i.e. the food carrier is flexible.
  • the magnetic member is provided to the carrier base such that it’s effect to flexibility and bendability of the food carrier is minimal.
  • the size of the magnetic member or the form of the magnetic member is such that it does not affect the flexibility properties of the whole food carrier ln one embodiment of the invention the magnetic member is arranged to the carrier base in a form of magnetic material which is mixed together with the food contact material when forming the carrier base. Therefore the magnetic member can be in a form of power or particles within the food contact material of the carrier base.
  • the carrier base has a thickness of at least 0,2mm, i.e. the distance between the carrier surface and the back surface of the carrier base is 0,2mm or more.
  • the food carrier comprises a carrier base which is made of multiple layers, which all the layers are flexible so that the whole food carrier is flexible and the layer forming the carrier surface is made of food contact material but the other layers can be any other suitable material.
  • the magnetic member can be provided in connection with that layer of the carrier base forming the carrier surface or in connection with all the layers of the carrier base or in connection with some the layers of the carrier base but not all.
  • the system for serving food comprises a food carrier having a carrier base which is flexible and which is made of food contact material. According to what is described above in connection with the food carrier applies also to the food carrier in the system for serving foods.
  • the food carrier is flexible as a whole and even though the carrier base comprises multiple layers all the layers are flexible so that the food carrier as a whole is flexible.
  • the food carrier comprises a food carrier magnetic member arranged to the carrier base in a form of magnetic material which is mixed together with the food contact material when forming the carrier base. Therefore the magnetic member can be in a form of power or particles within the food contact material of the carrier base.
  • the grip part which provides a handle for carrying the food carrier can be attached to the carrier base at any point on the carrier surface because the material of the carrier base comprises the food carrier magnetic member mixed together with the food contact material forming a mixture of magnetic material and food contact material.
  • the carrier base of the food carrier is a planar base which is flexible and bendable and returns always to its original shape after bending.
  • An advantage of the invention is that the food carrier can be rolled when not in use and kept in a roll with the help of magnetic members so that it will not take much space.
  • Another advantage of the invention is that the food carrier is easily washed in a dish machine because of bendability and drying of the food carrier is accomplished with the help of magnetic members such that the food carrier can be hanged in wall or other surface which can form a magnetic coupling with the magnetic members.
  • Figures la, lb and lc show a food carrier according to the invention
  • Figures 2a and 2b show an embodiment of a food carrier according to the invention
  • Figures 3a and 3b show an embodiment of a food carrier according to the invention
  • Figures 4a and 4b show an embodiment of a food carrier according to the invention
  • FIGS. 5a and 5b show an embodiment of a food carrier according to the invention
  • Figures 6a and 6b show an embodiment of a food carrier according to the invention
  • Figures 7a and 7b show an embodiment of a food carrier according to the invention
  • FIGS. 8a and 8b show an embodiment of a food carrier according to the invention
  • Figure 9 shows an example of multiple food carriers connected to each other;
  • Figures 10a and 10b show an embodiment of a food carrier according to the invention;
  • Figures 11a and lib show a system for serving food according to the invention
  • Figures 12a and 12b show an embodiment of a system for serving food according to the invention
  • Figures 13a and 13b show an embodiment of a system for serving food according to the invention
  • Figures 14a and 14b show an embodiment of a system for serving food according to the invention.
  • FIGs la, lb and lc show a food carrier 1 according to the invention which the food carrier lcomprises a carrier base 10 having a periphery 11 and a carrier surface 12 within the periphery 11.
  • the periphery is the outer limits of the carrier base 10.
  • the food carrier 1 further comprises a food carrier magnetic member 20 arranged in connection with the carrier base 10.
  • the carrier base 10 is flexible and made of food contact material.
  • the embodiment shown in figure la the food carrier magnetic member 20 is not visible to the carrier surface 12 which means that the food carrier magnetic member 20 is provided within the carrier base 10.
  • Figures lb and lc show that the food carrier magnetic member 20 is provided within the carrier base 10 such that the carrier base 10 surrounds the food carrier magnetic member 20.
  • the carrier base 10 comprises a side edge 14 forming at least part of the periphery 11 of the carrier base 10 and the food carrier magnetic member 20 is provided in the proximity of the side edge 14 at a distance from the side edge 14.
  • Figures lb and lc show alternatives of the carrier base 10. ln figure lb the carrier base 10 is formed of two layers that are connected to each other and in figure lc the carrier base 10 is formed of a single material layer.
  • FIGs 2a and 2b show another embodiment of the invention in which the food carrier magnetic member 20 is provided in the carrier base 10 such that the food carrier magnetic member 20 extends from a back surface 13 of the carrier base 10 to the carrier surface 12 of the carrier base 10.
  • the food carrier 1 comprises two food carrier magnetic members 20, a first food carrier magnetic member 20a and a second food carrier magnetic member 20b.
  • the carrier base 10 comprises a first side edge 14 and a second side edge 15 opposite to the first side edge 14.
  • the carrier surface 12 extends between the first side edge 14 and the second side edge 15.
  • the first food carrier magnetic member 20a is provided in the proximity of the first side edge 14 at a distance from the first side edge 14 and a second food carrier magnetic member 20b is provided in the proximity of the second side edge 15 at a distance from the second side edge 15.
  • the first and second food carrier magnetic members 20a, 20b are preferably provided in the proximity of such opposite side edges that are shorter than the other side edges extending between the first and second side edges, because an effective carrier surface is that part of the carrier surface that extends between the food carrier magnetic members 20a, 20b.
  • FIGs 3a and 3b show an embodiment of the invention in which the food carrier magnetic members 20 are provided in the carrier base 10 such that the food carrier magnetic member 20 is arranged to extend from inside of the carrier base 10 to the carrier surface 12. ln other words, the food carrier magnetic member 20 extends from the inside of the carrier base 10 only to the other surface of the carrier base 10, which is preferably the carrier surface 12 and not to the other surface of the carrier base 10, which is the back surface 13.
  • the food carrier magnetic member 20 is provided in the carrier base 10 such that the food carrier magnetic member 20 is connected to the carrier surface 12 of the carrier base 10, i.e. to the outer surface of the carrier base 10 not extending to the inside of the carrier base 10.
  • the carrier base 10 comprises two food carrier magnetic members 20 such that the first food carrier magnetic member 20a is provided in the proximity of the first side edge 14 and the second food carrier magnetic member 20b is provided in the proximity of the second side edge 15.
  • the first and second food carrier magnetic members 20a, 20b are provided in the proximity of the opposite side edges 14, 15 but not opposite to each other ln a preferable embodiment of the invention the first and second food carrier magnetic members 20a, 20b are provided opposite to each other on different side edges.
  • the first and second food carrier magnetic members 20a, 20b are provided on different side edges such that they are not opposite to each other.
  • the figures la - 4b show embodiments of the food carrier in which the carrier base 10 comprises a side edge 14 forming at least part of the periphery 11 of the carrier base 10, and a first food carrier magnetic member 20a is provided in the proximity of the side edge 14 at a distance from the side edge 14 and a second food carrier magnetic member 20b is provided opposite to the first food carrier magnetic member 20a in the proximity of the side edge 14.
  • the first and second food carrier magnetic members 20a, 20b are provided in the carrier base 10 such that the effective carrier surface which is that part of the carrier surface 12 that extends between the first and second food carrier magnetic members 20a, 20b is largest.
  • Figures 5a, 5b and 5c show an embodiment of the invention in which the carrier base 10 comprises a side edge 14 forming the periphery 11 of the carrier base 10.
  • the form of the carrier base 10 in the example shown in figure 5a is elliptical but other forms are also possible.
  • the food carrier magnetic members 20 are provided in the carrier base 10 such that the effective carrier surface is largest meaning that the food carrier magnetic members 20 are provided to those opposite areas of the carrier surface 12 which are furthest from each other.
  • Figure 5b shown an embodiment in which the carrier base 10 is made of two material layers connected to each other and the food carrier magnetic members 20 are provided inside the carrier base 10. ln this example the food carrier magnetic members 20 are provided inside the carrier base 10 such that the food carrier magnetic members 20 are in contact with both layers.
  • Figure 5c shows and embodiment in which the carrier base 10 is made of a single material layer.
  • Figures 6a and 6b show an embodiment of the invention in which the carrier base 10 comprises a side edge 14 forming the periphery 11 of the carrier base 10 similarly as in figure 5a.
  • the food carrier magnetic members 20 are provided to the carrier base 10 such that the food carrier magnetic members 20 extend from the back surface 13 of the carrier base 10 to the carrier surface 12, in other words through the carrier base 10.
  • the food carrier magnetic members 20 are in this embodiment of the invention in a form of an elongated member.
  • Figures 7a and 7b show an embodiment of the food carrier in which the carrier base 10 comprises a side edge 14 forming an elliptical form and the food carrier magnetic members 20 are provided in the carrier base 10 such that they are connected to the carrier surface 12.
  • Figures 8a and 8b shown an embodiment of the invention in which the food carrier magnetic member 20 is arranged in connection with the carrier base 10 in the proximity of a side edge 14 at a distance from the side edge 14 and the food carrier magnetic member 20 is formed of multiple magnetic parts.
  • the magnetic parts are provided in this example in an elongated form, on in line, which is similar as the elongated food carrier magnetic member shown in figure 7a.
  • FIG 9 shows an example of multiple food carriers 1 that are connected to each other through a magnetic coupling between the food carriers 1.
  • the carrier base 10 comprises two food carrier magnetic members 20 provided in the carrier base 10 such that the first food carrier magnetic member 20a is provided in the proximity of the first side edge 14 at a distance from the first side edge 14 and the second food carrier magnetic member 20b is provided in the proximity of the second side edge 15 at a distance from the second side edge 15.
  • the magnetic coupling is made between the second food carrier magnetic member 20b of a first food carrier la and the first food carrier magnetic member 20a of the second food carrier lb and between the second food carrier magnetic member 20b of the second food carrier lb and the first food carrier magnetic member 20a of the third food carrier lc.
  • the first and second food carrier magnetic members 20a, 20b can be provided in the carrier base 10 such that the magnetic poles are toward opposite directions which also allows the food carrier 1 to be closed when it is bent such that the opposite side edges 14 can be connected to each other through food carrier magnetic members 20.
  • first and second food carrier magnetic members 20a, 20b can be provided in the carrier base 10 such that the magnetic poles are facing to the same direction which means that when the food carrier 1 is bent the side edges 14 reject each other, this can be advantageous in some cases ln the example shown in figure 9 the magnetic poles of the food carrier magnetic members 20a, 20b are to opposite directions which allows the first and second food carrier la, lb to be connected to each other through magnetic coupling similarly as the second and third food carriers lb, lc.
  • Figures 10a and 10b show an example of bendability of the food carrier 1 according to the invention.
  • the material of the food carrier 1 is such that the carrier base 10 is flexible preferably to at least one direction ln the embodiment shown in figure 10b the carrier base 10 comprises reinforcement members 50 that extend into one direction of the carrier base 10 for reinforcing the carrier base 10 in said one direction which means that bendability into said direction is limited ln this embodiment the food carrier magnetic member 20 is also elongated and extends in the same direction as the reinforcement members 50.
  • the food carrier magnetic members 20 may also form reinforcements members.
  • the food carrier magnetic members 20 may also be provided differently and the reinforcement members 50 may extend in any direction ln preferred, embodiment the reinforcement members 50 extend parallel to each other.
  • FIGS 11a and lib show an embodiment of the system for serving food in which the system comprises a food carrier 1 comprising a carrier base 10 having a periphery 11 and a carrier surface 12 within the periphery 11, and a grip part 30 for carrying the food carrier 1, and further a magnetic coupling between the food carrier 1 and the grip part 30 arranged to connect the food carrier 1 and the grip part 30 together.
  • the magnetic coupling is provided by a food carrier magnetic member 20 arranged in connection with the carrier base 10 of the food carrier 1 and a grip part magnetic member 31 provided to the grip part 30.
  • the carrier base 10 is flexible and made of food contact material ln other words, the grip part magnetic member 31 is provided in connection with the grip part 30 and said grip part 30 is connectable to the food carrier 1 through the magnetic coupling between the food carrier magnetic member 20 of the food carrier 1 and the grip part magnetic member 31 of the grip part 30.
  • the grip part 30 comprises the grip part magnetic member 31 which can be provided inside the grip part 30, connected on the surface of the grip part 30 or the grip part magnetic member 31 can be provided in the grip part 30 to extend from the inside of the grip part 30 to a grip surface contacting the carrier surface 12 of the food carrier 1 or the food carrier magnetic member 20 of the food carrier 1.
  • the grip part 30 extends from the carrier surface 12 upwards.
  • the food carrier 1 comprises at least a first food carrier magnetic member 20a and a second food carrier magnetic member 20b such that the first food carrier magnetic member 20a is arranged at a distance from the second food carrier magnetic member 20b, the carrier surface 12 extending at least partly between the first food carrier magnetic member 20a and the second food carrier magnetic member 20b and the system comprises plurality of grip parts 30 each having a grip part magnetic member 31 for forming the magnetic coupling with the food carrier magnetic members 20 of the food carrier 1.
  • the grip part 30 may also be made of food contact material such that it may also be used for serving food. Additionally or alternatively, grip part 30 may have function for griping, lifting or moving the food carrier 1. Furthermore, the grip part 30 may also be used as multifunctional member, for example for supporting or holding cutlery. Yet further, the grip part 30 may be provided in the form of a vessel or cup for holding liquid or the like.
  • Figures 12a and 12b show an embodiment of a system for serving food according to the invention in which the food carrier 1 comprises at least a first food carrier magnetic member 20a and a second food carrier magnetic member 20b such that the first food carrier magnetic member 20a is arranged at a distance from the second food carrier magnetic member 20b, the carrier surface 12 extending at least partly between the first food carrier magnetic member 20a and the second food carrier magnetic member 20b and the grip part 30 comprises plurality of grip part magnetic members 31 for forming the magnetic coupling with the first and second food carrier magnetic members 20a, 20b of the food carrier 1.
  • the grip part 30 comprises a handle portion 32 and at least two support portions 33, said handle portion 32 is arranged to extend between the at least two support portions 33a, 33b, at least two of said support portions 33a, 33b comprise a grip part magnetic member 31 for forming the magnetic coupling with the food carrier magnetic members 20 of the food carrier 1.
  • the at least two support portions 33a, 33b are arranged at a distance from each other, and this distance corresponds the distance between the at least two food carrier magnetic members 20a, 20b in the carrier base 10.
  • Figures 13a and 13b show an embodiment of a system for serving food according to the invention and corresponding to figures 12a and 12b.
  • the handle portion 32 is extendable such that the grip part 30 can be used for different sized food carriers 1.
  • the handle portion 32 comprises an extension part 40.
  • the extension part 30 is arranged to adjust the length of the handle portion 32 and thus the distance between the support portions 33a, 3bb, and/or the grip part magnetic members 31.
  • the extension part 40 may comprise any known type of extension mechanism or extension feature, such as a telescopic extension mechanism.
  • the grip part 30 comprises a handle portion 32 and a support portion 33 connected to each other.
  • the grip part magnetic members 31 are provided to the support portion 33 for forming the magnetic coupling with the food carrier magnetic members 20 of the food carrier 1.
  • the support portion 33 is in a form of a hood having grip part magnetic members 31 in the lower end of the support portion 33.
  • the carrier base 10 comprises four food carrier magnetic members 20 arranged at different locations of the carrier surface 12 and at distances from each other.
  • the hood 33 comprises grip part magnetic members 31 in the corresponding manner and this the grip part 30 and the hood may form magnetic coupling with the food carrier 1.
  • the hood 33 and the carrier surface 12 form an interior space between the hood 33 and the carrier surface 12 of the carrier base 10.
  • the grip part 30 may comprise the handle portion 32 or it may be omitted from the grip part 30 or the hood 33.
  • the handle portion 32 may also be provided as an integral structure of the hood 33, or alternatively handle portion is connected to the hood 33 in releasable manner, for example with further magnet coupling or with mechanical connection.
  • the magnetic members that are provided in connection with the carrier base are referred either as magnetic members or as food carrier magnetic members whereas the magnetic member in the grip part is referred as grip part magnetic members.

Landscapes

  • Table Equipment (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a food carrier (1) comprising a carrier base (10) having a periphery (11) and a carrier surface (12) within the periphery (11); and a magnetic member (20) arranged in connection with the carrier base (10); said carrier base (10) is flexible and made of food contact material. The invention further relates to a system for serving food which comprises a food carrier (1) comprising a carrier base (10) having a periphery (11) and a carrier surface (12) within the periphery (11), a grip part (30) for carrying the food carrier (1) and a magnetic coupling between the food carrier (1) and the grip part (30), the magnetic coupling being provided by a food carrier magnetic member (20) provided to the food carrier (1) and a grip part magnetic member (31) provided to the grip part (30).

Description

A FOOD CARRIER AND A SYSTEM FOR SERVING FOOD
F1ELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a food carrier and more particularly to a food carrier according to the independent claim 1.
The present invention relates to a system for serving food and more particularly to a system for serving food according to the independent claim 8.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many kinds of plates and serving dishes are known in the art. People have tableware for different occasions such as everyday tableware, a festive tableware and even a separate set of tableware for picnics or similar outdoor activities. However, a multipurpose tableware that is alterable and can be used in restaurants, homes, outdoor or anywhere and which can be rolled when not in use or hanged for drying is not known in the art.
BR1EF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a food carrier and a system for serving food which is easily convertible into different uses and which can be extendable by combining multiple food carriers together.
The objects of the invention are achieved by a food carrier and a system for serving food which are characterized by what is stated in the independent claims. The preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.
The invention is based on the idea of providing a food carrier which comprises a carrier base having a periphery and a carrier surface within the periphery and a magnetic member arranged in connection with the carrier base. The carrier base is flexible such that it is rollable to a small space for storage. The carrier base is also made of food contact material ln other words, the carrier base is made of flexible rollable material meaning that the carrier base can be rolled around itself several times. The food carrier can be in any form such that the periphery can be for example circular or oval, rectangular or parallelogram, square, polygonal or any other shaped having at least one side edge. When the food carrier is such that it comprises corners such as a square then the periphery is formed of more than one side edge, but when the periphery is circular or oval or shaped such that it does not comprise corners then there is only one side edge and the carrier surface extends within the periphery formed of the only one side edge lt should be noted that the present invention is not limited to any particular shape of the carrier base and the shape of the carrier base may be interchangeable between different embodiments, unless otherwise stated.
The carrier surface is intended for the food that is served on the food carrier, so the carrier surface is in one embodiment of the invention a planar surface extending within the periphery of the carrier base ln another embodiment of the invention the carrier surface comprises at least one recess or the carrier surface is at least partly concave. The at least one recess or the concave form of the carrier surface is achievable by providing the carrier base with different thickness in different areas within the periphery of the carrier base ln another embodiment of the invention the carrier surface comprises embossing or engraving. Embossing in the carrier surface means that the carrier surface comprises shapes that rise from the carrier surface, for example a circular form that rises from the carrier surface for marking the area where the food will be placed and for preventing for example a sauce from flowing to the rest of the carrier surface. Engraving in the carrier surface means that the carrier surface comprises shapes that are below the level of the carrier surface and which are intended for example marking the area where the food will be placed or for helping to present the food on the carrier surface.
The carrier base is flexible so that the bend radius maybe in a range between 0 to 10 times the thickness of the carrier base. The bendability is such that when the carrier base is bent it is reversible and the carrier base returns to its normal form without any damages and the shape of the carrier base is restored ln other words, the carrier base is made of bendable material which is reversible such that it returns to the original form after bending has ceased. Bend radius is the minimum radius one can bend a sheet, such as the carrier base, without kinking it, damaging it, or shortening its life. The bend radius being 0 means that the carrier base can be bend such that the carrier surface can be folded over on itself. As the bend radius is measured inside the curvature it means that when the bend radius is ten one can place 20 carrier bases having the thickness of the bended carrier base between the carrier surfaces facing each other in a folded position ln a most preferable embodiment of the invention the bend radius is between 0 to 5.
The carrier base is made of food contact material which is material that is intended to come into contact with food and which is manufactured in compliance with EU regulations. General requirements for all food contact materials are laid down in Framework Regulation EC 1935/2004 and the material of the carrier base is according to said Framework Regulation.
The material of the carrier base is flexible and/or bendable because of the properties of said material and/or the carrier base is manufactured such that it is bendable because of the properties of the structure of the carrier base ln a preferred embodiment of the invention the carrier base is plastic or plastic-like material or silicone material which is a food contact material. The material of the carrier base is preferably such that it is also reversibly flexible or reversibly elastic. The material of the carrier base is also such that it is shape-retaining. The carrier base according to the invention is reusable which means that it is not intended for disposable use but it can be reused again and again ln a preferable embodiment of the invention the carrier surface is made of material that has cut protection properties. The thickness of the carrier base is preferably in a range between 0,5 mm and 5 mm. ln an embodiment of the invention the thickness of the carrier base is in a range between 1,0 mm and 4 mm. ln another embodiment of the invention the thickness of the carrier base is in a range between 1,5 mm and 3,5 mm. The material of the carrier base can be transparent or semi-transparent or not transparent at all.
According to the invention the magnetic member is arranged in connection with the carrier base. The magnetic member may be provided in the carrier base in several different ways ln an embodiment of the invention the magnetic member is provided in the carrier base such that the magnetic member is arranged to extend from inside of the carrier base to the carrier surface ln other words, the magnetic member is provided inside the carrier base such that most of the magnetic member is inside the carrier base but the magnetic member extends to the carrier surface and at least partly forms part of the carrier surface.
ln another embodiment of the invention the magnetic member is provided in the carrier base such that the magnetic member is arranged to extend inside the carrier base from a back surface of the carrier base to the carrier surface, which the back surface is on the opposite side of the carrier base than the carrier surface ln other words, one end of the magnetic member is arranged to form part of the carrier surface and the other end of the magnetic member is arranged to form part of the back surface of the carrier base ln still other words, the magnetic member is arranged to extend the thickness of the carrier base in an area of the carrier base in which the magnetic member is provided.
ln another embodiment of the invention the magnetic member is provided inside the carrier base such that the carrier base surrounds the magnetic member and the magnetic member is provided between the carrier surface and a back surface provided on the opposite side of the carrier base ln other words, the carrier base surrounds the magnetic member such that the magnetic member is inside the carrier base and is not visible on the carrier surface or on the back surface of the carrier base.
ln still another embodiment of the invention the magnetic member is connected on the carrier surface. The magnetic member may be glued on the carrier surface or otherwise connected to the carrier surface either permanently or removably.
The carrier base comprises a side edge forming at least part of the periphery of the carrier base and the magnetic member is provided in the proximity of the side edge, at a distance from the side edge. Alternatively, the carrier base comprises a side edge forming at least part of the periphery of the carrier base, and a first magnetic member provided in the proximity of the side edge at a distance from the side edge and a second magnetic member is provided opposite to the first magnetic member in the proximity of the side edge at a distance from the side edge ln other words, the magnetic member is arranged in the carrier base such that it is near to the side edge of the carrier base, meaning that the magnetic member is closer to the side edge than the midpoint of the carrier base. When there are multiple magnetic members then at least two magnetic members are provided in the carrier base such that a first magnetic member is near to the side edge similarly as explained above and a second magnetic member is opposite to the first magnetic member near the opposite side edge such that most of the carrier surface is extending between the first and second magnetic members or in case the magnetic members are inside the carrier base then most of the carrier surface is extending between a sphere of influence of the first and second magnetic members ln one embodiment the carrier base comprises a side edge forming at least part of the periphery of the carrier base and two or more magnetic members are provided in the proximity of the side edge at a distance from the side edge and at different locations of the periphery. Accordingly, the carrier base may comprise multiple magnets which are arranged at different locations of the carrier base along the periphery.
ln an embodiment of the invention the carrier base comprises a first side edge and a second side edge opposite to the first side edge such that the carrier surface extends between the first side edge and the second side edge, the first and second side edges forming at least part of the periphery of the carrier base and the carrier base further comprises a first magnetic member provided in the proximity of the first side edge at a distance from the first side edge and a second magnetic member provided in the proximity of the second side edge at a distance from the second side edge ln other words, the periphery of the carrier base is such that it has at least two side edges opposite to each other and the carrier base comprises two magnetic members such that one magnetic member is near the first side edge and the other magnetic member is near the second side edge. The carrier surface extends between the first and the second side edges.
The magnetic member is preferably provided in the carrier base such that the influence area of the magnetic member is at most 1/4 of the area of the carrier surface ln a more preferable embodiment of the invention the influence area of the magnetic member is at most 1/5 of the area of the carrier surface ln this connection the influence area of the magnetic member is the area of the magnetic member that is parallel to the carrier surface.
The magnetic member arranged in connection with the carrier base can be a point-like magnetic member, a circular magnetic member, an elongated magnetic member, a plate-like magnetic member or any suitable shaped magnetic member ln an embodiment of the invention the magnetic member may be formed of multiple magnetic parts for example such that magnetic parts are provided in a form of an elongated member having space between separate magnetic parts for allowing bending of the carrier base ln an embodiment of the invention the magnetic member arranged in connection with the carrier base in the proximity of a side edge at a distance from the side edge is formed of multiple magnetic parts.
The magnetic member either a one-piece member or a member that is formed of multiple parts is preferably arranged in the proximity of a side edge at a distance from the side edge ln an embodiment of the invention the magnetic member may be provided at the side edge of the carrier base.
ln an embodiment of the invention the carrier base comprises one or more reinforcement members extending in one direction of the carrier base. However, the reinforcement members are preferably such that the carrier base is bendable and rollable such that the carrier base can be rolled around itself several times.
The invention is further based on the idea of providing a system for serving food which the system comprises a food carrier comprising a carrier base having a periphery and a carrier surface within the periphery, said carrier base is flexible and made of food contact material. The system further comprises a grip part for carrying the food carrier and a magnetic coupling between the food carrier and the grip part connecting the food carrier and the grip part together. The magnetic coupling is provided by a food carrier magnetic member provided to the food carrier and a grip part magnetic member provided to the grip part.
The grip part is connectable to the carrier base of the food carrier by the magnetic coupling between the grip part and the carrier base of the food carrier which allows the food carrier to be carried when serving food which is provided on the carrier surface ln one embodiment of the invention the grip part is formed such that it comprises the grip part magnetic member on the under surface of the grip part and the rest of the grip part is formed such that it can be used for carrying as well as for other purposes such as placing cutlery or sushi sticks for example.
ln an embodiment of the invention the system comprises the carrier base comprising plurality of food carrier magnetic members, such as two, and preferably two grip parts, the magnetic members of the carrier base and the two grip parts are placed such that the food carrier can be carried with the two grip parts.
ln an embodiment of the invention the food carrier comprises at least a first food carrier magnetic member and a second food carrier magnetic member such that the first food carrier magnetic member is arranged at a distance from the second food carrier magnetic member, the carrier surface extending at least partly between the first food carrier magnetic member and the second food carrier magnetic member and the system comprises plurality of grip parts each having a grip part magnetic member for forming the magnetic coupling with the food carrier magnetic members.
ln another embodiment of the invention the food carrier comprises at least a first food carrier magnetic member and a second food carrier magnetic member such that the first food carrier magnetic member is arranged at a distance from the second food carrier magnetic member, the carrier surface extending at least partly between the first food carrier magnetic member and the second food carrier magnetic member; and the grip part comprises plurality of grip part magnetic members for forming the magnetic coupling with the first and second food carrier magnetic members of the food carrier ln other words, the grip part is for example such that it has a body extending between the first magnetic member of the food carrier and the second magnetic member of the food carrier and extensions extending between the body and the magnetic member of the food carrier or the carrier surface of the food carrier when the magnetic member is provided within the carrier base and which the extensions each comprise a grip part magnetic member at the end of the extension for forming a magnetic coupling with the magnetic member of the food carrier.
ln an embodiment of the invention the grip part comprises a handle portion and a support portion connected to each other, the plurality of grip part magnetic members are provided to the support portion for forming the magnetic coupling with the food carrier magnetic members. The grip part magnetic members are preferably provided to the support portion such that they are on the opposite end area of the support part than the handle portion. Preferably, the other end of the support portion is provided with a connection to the handle portion. Alternatively, the grip part comprises a handle portion and two or more support portions, said handle portion is arranged to extend between the two or more support portions, at least two of the two or more support portions comprise a grip part magnetic member for forming the magnetic coupling with the magnetic members of the food carrier, meaning that when there are more than two support portions there are at least two support portions which comprise a grip part magnetic member but not all of the support portions have to comprise a grip part magnetic member.
ln an embodiment of the invention the support portion is in a form of a hood providing an interior space between the support portion and the carrier surface of the carrier base and said handle portion is provided as an integral structure of the support portion forming part of the support portion. Alternatively, the support portion is in a form of a hood providing an interior space between the support portion and the carrier surface of the carrier base and said handle portion is connected to the support portion.
According to the invention in the system for serving food, the magnetic members of the food carrier or the grip part can be either magnets or magnetic material such that the food carrier magnetic member is a magnet and the grip part magnetic member is a magnet; or the food carrier magnetic member is a magnet and the grip part magnetic member is made of magnetic material; or the food carrier magnetic member is made of magnetic material and the grip part magnetic member is a magnet ln the case that both the food carrier magnetic member and the grip part magnetic member are magnets then they naturally are provided such that they attract each other.
ln an embodiment of the invention the handle portion is extendable such that a distance between a first support portion and a second support portion is alterable. This allows to use the grip part for different sized food carriers.
The system for serving food may comprise any embodiment of the food carriers described above.
The food carrier according to the invention comprises a carrier base which is flexible such that the whole food carrier is flexible, i.e. the food carrier is flexible. This means that even when the food carrier is made of multiple layers of carrier base or the carrier base is made of multiple layers, all the layers are flexible so that the whole food carrier is flexible. The magnetic member is provided to the carrier base such that it’s effect to flexibility and bendability of the food carrier is minimal. This means that the size of the magnetic member or the form of the magnetic member is such that it does not affect the flexibility properties of the whole food carrier ln one embodiment of the invention the magnetic member is arranged to the carrier base in a form of magnetic material which is mixed together with the food contact material when forming the carrier base. Therefore the magnetic member can be in a form of power or particles within the food contact material of the carrier base.
ln an embodiment of the invention the carrier base has a thickness of at least 0,2mm, i.e. the distance between the carrier surface and the back surface of the carrier base is 0,2mm or more.
According to one embodiment of the invention the food carrier comprises a carrier base which is made of multiple layers, which all the layers are flexible so that the whole food carrier is flexible and the layer forming the carrier surface is made of food contact material but the other layers can be any other suitable material. The magnetic member can be provided in connection with that layer of the carrier base forming the carrier surface or in connection with all the layers of the carrier base or in connection with some the layers of the carrier base but not all.
The system for serving food according to the invention comprises a food carrier having a carrier base which is flexible and which is made of food contact material. According to what is described above in connection with the food carrier applies also to the food carrier in the system for serving foods. The food carrier is flexible as a whole and even though the carrier base comprises multiple layers all the layers are flexible so that the food carrier as a whole is flexible.
According to one embodiment of the invention the food carrier comprises a food carrier magnetic member arranged to the carrier base in a form of magnetic material which is mixed together with the food contact material when forming the carrier base. Therefore the magnetic member can be in a form of power or particles within the food contact material of the carrier base. The grip part which provides a handle for carrying the food carrier can be attached to the carrier base at any point on the carrier surface because the material of the carrier base comprises the food carrier magnetic member mixed together with the food contact material forming a mixture of magnetic material and food contact material.
The carrier base of the food carrier is a planar base which is flexible and bendable and returns always to its original shape after bending.
An advantage of the invention is that the food carrier can be rolled when not in use and kept in a roll with the help of magnetic members so that it will not take much space. Another advantage of the invention is that the food carrier is easily washed in a dish machine because of bendability and drying of the food carrier is accomplished with the help of magnetic members such that the food carrier can be hanged in wall or other surface which can form a magnetic coupling with the magnetic members.
BR1EF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAW1NGS
The invention is described in detail by means of specific embodiments with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which
Figures la, lb and lc show a food carrier according to the invention; Figures 2a and 2b show an embodiment of a food carrier according to the invention;
Figures 3a and 3b show an embodiment of a food carrier according to the invention;
Figures 4a and 4b show an embodiment of a food carrier according to the invention;
Figures 5a and 5b show an embodiment of a food carrier according to the invention;
Figures 6a and 6b show an embodiment of a food carrier according to the invention;
Figures 7a and 7b show an embodiment of a food carrier according to the invention;
Figures 8a and 8b show an embodiment of a food carrier according to the invention;
Figure 9 shows an example of multiple food carriers connected to each other; Figures 10a and 10b show an embodiment of a food carrier according to the invention;
Figures 11a and lib show a system for serving food according to the invention;
Figures 12a and 12b show an embodiment of a system for serving food according to the invention;
Figures 13a and 13b show an embodiment of a system for serving food according to the invention;
Figures 14a and 14b show an embodiment of a system for serving food according to the invention.
DETA1LED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Figures la, lb and lc show a food carrier 1 according to the invention which the food carrier lcomprises a carrier base 10 having a periphery 11 and a carrier surface 12 within the periphery 11. The periphery is the outer limits of the carrier base 10. The food carrier 1 further comprises a food carrier magnetic member 20 arranged in connection with the carrier base 10. The carrier base 10 is flexible and made of food contact material. The embodiment shown in figure la the food carrier magnetic member 20 is not visible to the carrier surface 12 which means that the food carrier magnetic member 20 is provided within the carrier base 10. Figures lb and lc show that the food carrier magnetic member 20 is provided within the carrier base 10 such that the carrier base 10 surrounds the food carrier magnetic member 20. The carrier base 10 comprises a side edge 14 forming at least part of the periphery 11 of the carrier base 10 and the food carrier magnetic member 20 is provided in the proximity of the side edge 14 at a distance from the side edge 14. Figures lb and lc show alternatives of the carrier base 10. ln figure lb the carrier base 10 is formed of two layers that are connected to each other and in figure lc the carrier base 10 is formed of a single material layer.
Figures 2a and 2b show another embodiment of the invention in which the food carrier magnetic member 20 is provided in the carrier base 10 such that the food carrier magnetic member 20 extends from a back surface 13 of the carrier base 10 to the carrier surface 12 of the carrier base 10. ln figures 2a and 2b the food carrier 1 comprises two food carrier magnetic members 20, a first food carrier magnetic member 20a and a second food carrier magnetic member 20b. The carrier base 10 comprises a first side edge 14 and a second side edge 15 opposite to the first side edge 14. The carrier surface 12 extends between the first side edge 14 and the second side edge 15. The first food carrier magnetic member 20a is provided in the proximity of the first side edge 14 at a distance from the first side edge 14 and a second food carrier magnetic member 20b is provided in the proximity of the second side edge 15 at a distance from the second side edge 15. The first and second food carrier magnetic members 20a, 20b are preferably provided in the proximity of such opposite side edges that are shorter than the other side edges extending between the first and second side edges, because an effective carrier surface is that part of the carrier surface that extends between the food carrier magnetic members 20a, 20b.
Figures 3a and 3b show an embodiment of the invention in which the food carrier magnetic members 20 are provided in the carrier base 10 such that the food carrier magnetic member 20 is arranged to extend from inside of the carrier base 10 to the carrier surface 12. ln other words, the food carrier magnetic member 20 extends from the inside of the carrier base 10 only to the other surface of the carrier base 10, which is preferably the carrier surface 12 and not to the other surface of the carrier base 10, which is the back surface 13.
ln figures 4a and 4b the food carrier magnetic member 20 is provided in the carrier base 10 such that the food carrier magnetic member 20 is connected to the carrier surface 12 of the carrier base 10, i.e. to the outer surface of the carrier base 10 not extending to the inside of the carrier base 10. The carrier base 10 comprises two food carrier magnetic members 20 such that the first food carrier magnetic member 20a is provided in the proximity of the first side edge 14 and the second food carrier magnetic member 20b is provided in the proximity of the second side edge 15. The first and second food carrier magnetic members 20a, 20b are provided in the proximity of the opposite side edges 14, 15 but not opposite to each other ln a preferable embodiment of the invention the first and second food carrier magnetic members 20a, 20b are provided opposite to each other on different side edges. Alternatively, the first and second food carrier magnetic members 20a, 20b are provided on different side edges such that they are not opposite to each other.
The figures la - 4b show embodiments of the food carrier in which the carrier base 10 comprises a side edge 14 forming at least part of the periphery 11 of the carrier base 10, and a first food carrier magnetic member 20a is provided in the proximity of the side edge 14 at a distance from the side edge 14 and a second food carrier magnetic member 20b is provided opposite to the first food carrier magnetic member 20a in the proximity of the side edge 14. The first and second food carrier magnetic members 20a, 20b are provided in the carrier base 10 such that the effective carrier surface which is that part of the carrier surface 12 that extends between the first and second food carrier magnetic members 20a, 20b is largest.
Figures 5a, 5b and 5c show an embodiment of the invention in which the carrier base 10 comprises a side edge 14 forming the periphery 11 of the carrier base 10. The form of the carrier base 10 in the example shown in figure 5a is elliptical but other forms are also possible. The food carrier magnetic members 20 are provided in the carrier base 10 such that the effective carrier surface is largest meaning that the food carrier magnetic members 20 are provided to those opposite areas of the carrier surface 12 which are furthest from each other. Figure 5b shown an embodiment in which the carrier base 10 is made of two material layers connected to each other and the food carrier magnetic members 20 are provided inside the carrier base 10. ln this example the food carrier magnetic members 20 are provided inside the carrier base 10 such that the food carrier magnetic members 20 are in contact with both layers. Figure 5c shows and embodiment in which the carrier base 10 is made of a single material layer.
Figures 6a and 6b show an embodiment of the invention in which the carrier base 10 comprises a side edge 14 forming the periphery 11 of the carrier base 10 similarly as in figure 5a. ln this example the food carrier magnetic members 20 are provided to the carrier base 10 such that the food carrier magnetic members 20 extend from the back surface 13 of the carrier base 10 to the carrier surface 12, in other words through the carrier base 10. The food carrier magnetic members 20 are in this embodiment of the invention in a form of an elongated member.
Figures 7a and 7b show an embodiment of the food carrier in which the carrier base 10 comprises a side edge 14 forming an elliptical form and the food carrier magnetic members 20 are provided in the carrier base 10 such that they are connected to the carrier surface 12.
Figures 8a and 8b shown an embodiment of the invention in which the food carrier magnetic member 20 is arranged in connection with the carrier base 10 in the proximity of a side edge 14 at a distance from the side edge 14 and the food carrier magnetic member 20 is formed of multiple magnetic parts. The magnetic parts are provided in this example in an elongated form, on in line, which is similar as the elongated food carrier magnetic member shown in figure 7a.
Figure 9 shows an example of multiple food carriers 1 that are connected to each other through a magnetic coupling between the food carriers 1. The carrier base 10 comprises two food carrier magnetic members 20 provided in the carrier base 10 such that the first food carrier magnetic member 20a is provided in the proximity of the first side edge 14 at a distance from the first side edge 14 and the second food carrier magnetic member 20b is provided in the proximity of the second side edge 15 at a distance from the second side edge 15. The magnetic coupling is made between the second food carrier magnetic member 20b of a first food carrier la and the first food carrier magnetic member 20a of the second food carrier lb and between the second food carrier magnetic member 20b of the second food carrier lb and the first food carrier magnetic member 20a of the third food carrier lc. The first and second food carrier magnetic members 20a, 20b can be provided in the carrier base 10 such that the magnetic poles are toward opposite directions which also allows the food carrier 1 to be closed when it is bent such that the opposite side edges 14 can be connected to each other through food carrier magnetic members 20. Alternatively, the first and second food carrier magnetic members 20a, 20b can be provided in the carrier base 10 such that the magnetic poles are facing to the same direction which means that when the food carrier 1 is bent the side edges 14 reject each other, this can be advantageous in some cases ln the example shown in figure 9 the magnetic poles of the food carrier magnetic members 20a, 20b are to opposite directions which allows the first and second food carrier la, lb to be connected to each other through magnetic coupling similarly as the second and third food carriers lb, lc.
Figures 10a and 10b show an example of bendability of the food carrier 1 according to the invention. The material of the food carrier 1 is such that the carrier base 10 is flexible preferably to at least one direction ln the embodiment shown in figure 10b the carrier base 10 comprises reinforcement members 50 that extend into one direction of the carrier base 10 for reinforcing the carrier base 10 in said one direction which means that bendability into said direction is limited ln this embodiment the food carrier magnetic member 20 is also elongated and extends in the same direction as the reinforcement members 50. Thus, the food carrier magnetic members 20 may also form reinforcements members. However, it should be noted that the food carrier magnetic members 20 may also be provided differently and the reinforcement members 50 may extend in any direction ln preferred, embodiment the reinforcement members 50 extend parallel to each other. When the carrier base 10 comprises reinforcement members 50 it can be a self-supporting carrier base. Figures 11a and lib show an embodiment of the system for serving food in which the system comprises a food carrier 1 comprising a carrier base 10 having a periphery 11 and a carrier surface 12 within the periphery 11, and a grip part 30 for carrying the food carrier 1, and further a magnetic coupling between the food carrier 1 and the grip part 30 arranged to connect the food carrier 1 and the grip part 30 together. The magnetic coupling is provided by a food carrier magnetic member 20 arranged in connection with the carrier base 10 of the food carrier 1 and a grip part magnetic member 31 provided to the grip part 30. The carrier base 10 is flexible and made of food contact material ln other words, the grip part magnetic member 31 is provided in connection with the grip part 30 and said grip part 30 is connectable to the food carrier 1 through the magnetic coupling between the food carrier magnetic member 20 of the food carrier 1 and the grip part magnetic member 31 of the grip part 30.
ln the embodiment shown in figures 11a and lib there is one grip part 30 connected to the first food carrier magnetic member 20a provided in the carrier base 10 and another grip part 30 connected to the second food carrier magnetic member 20b provided in the carrier base 10. The grip part 30 comprises the grip part magnetic member 31 which can be provided inside the grip part 30, connected on the surface of the grip part 30 or the grip part magnetic member 31 can be provided in the grip part 30 to extend from the inside of the grip part 30 to a grip surface contacting the carrier surface 12 of the food carrier 1 or the food carrier magnetic member 20 of the food carrier 1. The grip part 30 extends from the carrier surface 12 upwards.
ln other words, the food carrier 1 comprises at least a first food carrier magnetic member 20a and a second food carrier magnetic member 20b such that the first food carrier magnetic member 20a is arranged at a distance from the second food carrier magnetic member 20b, the carrier surface 12 extending at least partly between the first food carrier magnetic member 20a and the second food carrier magnetic member 20b and the system comprises plurality of grip parts 30 each having a grip part magnetic member 31 for forming the magnetic coupling with the food carrier magnetic members 20 of the food carrier 1.
The grip part 30 may also be made of food contact material such that it may also be used for serving food. Additionally or alternatively, grip part 30 may have function for griping, lifting or moving the food carrier 1. Furthermore, the grip part 30 may also be used as multifunctional member, for example for supporting or holding cutlery. Yet further, the grip part 30 may be provided in the form of a vessel or cup for holding liquid or the like.
Figures 12a and 12b show an embodiment of a system for serving food according to the invention in which the food carrier 1 comprises at least a first food carrier magnetic member 20a and a second food carrier magnetic member 20b such that the first food carrier magnetic member 20a is arranged at a distance from the second food carrier magnetic member 20b, the carrier surface 12 extending at least partly between the first food carrier magnetic member 20a and the second food carrier magnetic member 20b and the grip part 30 comprises plurality of grip part magnetic members 31 for forming the magnetic coupling with the first and second food carrier magnetic members 20a, 20b of the food carrier 1. The grip part 30 comprises a handle portion 32 and at least two support portions 33, said handle portion 32 is arranged to extend between the at least two support portions 33a, 33b, at least two of said support portions 33a, 33b comprise a grip part magnetic member 31 for forming the magnetic coupling with the food carrier magnetic members 20 of the food carrier 1. The at least two support portions 33a, 33b are arranged at a distance from each other, and this distance corresponds the distance between the at least two food carrier magnetic members 20a, 20b in the carrier base 10.
Figures 13a and 13b show an embodiment of a system for serving food according to the invention and corresponding to figures 12a and 12b. ln this embodiment the handle portion 32 is extendable such that the grip part 30 can be used for different sized food carriers 1. The handle portion 32 comprises an extension part 40. The extension part 30 is arranged to adjust the length of the handle portion 32 and thus the distance between the support portions 33a, 3bb, and/or the grip part magnetic members 31. The extension part 40 may comprise any known type of extension mechanism or extension feature, such as a telescopic extension mechanism.
ln the embodiment shown in figures 14a and 14b the grip part 30 comprises a handle portion 32 and a support portion 33 connected to each other. The grip part magnetic members 31 are provided to the support portion 33 for forming the magnetic coupling with the food carrier magnetic members 20 of the food carrier 1. The support portion 33 is in a form of a hood having grip part magnetic members 31 in the lower end of the support portion 33. ln the embodiment of figures 14a, 14b, the carrier base 10 comprises four food carrier magnetic members 20 arranged at different locations of the carrier surface 12 and at distances from each other. The hood 33 comprises grip part magnetic members 31 in the corresponding manner and this the grip part 30 and the hood may form magnetic coupling with the food carrier 1. The hood 33 and the carrier surface 12 form an interior space between the hood 33 and the carrier surface 12 of the carrier base 10. The grip part 30 may comprise the handle portion 32 or it may be omitted from the grip part 30 or the hood 33. The handle portion 32 may also be provided as an integral structure of the hood 33, or alternatively handle portion is connected to the hood 33 in releasable manner, for example with further magnet coupling or with mechanical connection.
ln this application, the magnetic members that are provided in connection with the carrier base are referred either as magnetic members or as food carrier magnetic members whereas the magnetic member in the grip part is referred as grip part magnetic members.
The invention has been described above with reference to the examples shown in the figures. However, the invention is in no way restricted to the above examples but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

CLA1MS
1. A food carrier (1), c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the food carrier (1) comprises:
a carrier base (10) having a periphery (11) and a carrier surface (12) within the periphery (11); and
a magnetic member (20) arranged in connection with the carrier base
(10) ;
said carrier base (10) is flexible, and
said carrier base (10) is made of food contact material.
2. A food carrier (1) according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that:
- the magnetic member (20) is provided in the carrier base (10) such that the magnetic member (20) is arranged to extend from inside of the carrier base (10) to the carrier surface (12); or
- the magnetic member (20) is provided in the carrier base (10) such that the magnetic member (20) is arranged to extend inside the carrier base (10) from a back surface (13) of the carrier base (10) to the carrier surface (12), said back surface (13) being on the opposite side of the carrier base (10) than the carrier surface (12); or
- the magnetic member (20) is provided inside the carrier base (10) such that the carrier base (10) surrounds the magnetic member (20) and the magnetic member (20) is provided between the carrier surface (12) and a back surface (13) provided on the opposite side of the carrier base (10); or
- the magnetic member (20) is connected on the carrier surface (12).
3. A food carrier (1) according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the carrier base (10) comprises a side edge (14) forming at least part of the periphery (11) of the carrier base (10) and the magnetic member (20) is provided in the proximity of the side edge (14) at a distance from the side edge (14); or the carrier base (10) comprises a side edge (14) forming at least part of the periphery (11) of the carrier base (10), and a first magnetic member (20a) is provided in the proximity of the side edge (14) at a distance from the side edge (14) and a second magnetic member (20b) is provided opposite to the first magnetic member (20a) in the proximity of the side edge (14); or
the carrier base (10) comprises a side edge (14) forming at least part of the periphery (11) of the carrier base (10) and two or more magnetic members (20) are provided in the proximity of the side edge (14) at a distance from the side edge (14) and at different locations of the periphery.
4. A food carrier (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the carrier base (10) comprises a first side edge (14) and a second side edge (15) opposite to the first side edge (14) such that the carrier surface (12) extends between the first side edge (14) and the second side edge (15), the first and second side edges (14, 15) forming at least part of the periphery (11) of the carrier base (10); and
a first magnetic member (20a) is provided in the proximity of the first side edge (14) at a distance from the first side edge (14) and a second magnetic member (20b) is provided in the proximity of the second side edge (15) at a distance from the second side edge (15).
5. A food carrier (1) according to any of claims 1 - 4, characterized in that the magnetic member (20) arranged in connection with the carrier base (10) in the proximity of a side edge (14) at a distance from the side edge (14) is formed of multiple magnetic parts.
6. A food carrier (1) according to any of claims 1 - 5, characterized in that magnetic member (20) is:
- point-like magnetic member (20); or
- circular magnetic member (20); or
- elongated magnetic member (20); or
- plate-like magnetic member (20).
7. A food carrier (1) according to any of claims 1 - 6, characterized in that the carrier base (10) comprises one or more reinforcement members (50) extending in one direction of the carrier base (10).
8. A system for serving food, characterized in that the system comprises:
a food carrier (1) comprising a carrier base (10) having a periphery (11) and a carrier surface (12) within the periphery (11), said carrier base (10) is flexible and said carrier base (10) is made of food contact material;
a grip part (30) for carrying the food carrier (1); and a magnetic coupling between the food carrier (1) and the grip part (30) arranged to connect the food carrier (1) and the grip part (30) together;
the magnetic coupling being provided by a food carrier magnetic member (20) provided to the food carrier (1) and a grip part magnetic member (31) provided to the grip part (30).
9. A system for serving food according to claim 8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the food carrier magnetic member (20) is a magnet and the grip part magnetic member (31) is a magnet; or
the food carrier magnetic member (20) is a magnet and the grip part magnetic member (31) is made of magnetic material; or
the food carrier magnetic member (20) is made of magnetic material and the grip part magnetic member (31) is a magnet.
10. A system for serving food according to claim 8 or 9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the food carrier (1) comprises at least a first food carrier magnetic member (20a) and a second food carrier magnetic member (20b) such that the first food carrier magnetic member (20a) is arranged at a distance from the second food carrier magnetic member (20b), the carrier surface (12) extending at least partly between the first food carrier magnetic member (20a) and the second food carrier magnetic member (20b); and
the system comprises plurality of grip parts (30) each having a grip part magnetic member (31) for forming the magnetic coupling with the food carrier magnetic members (20).
11. A system for serving food according to claim 8 or 9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the food carrier (1) comprises at least a first food carrier magnetic member (20a) and a second food carrier magnetic member (20b) such that the first food carrier magnetic member (20a) is arranged at a distance from the second food carrier magnetic member (20b), the carrier surface (12) extending at least partly between the first food carrier magnetic member (20a) and the second food carrier magnetic member (20b); and
the grip part (30) comprises plurality of grip part magnetic members (31) for forming the magnetic coupling with the first and second food carrier magnetic members (20a, 20b).
12. A system for serving food according to claim 11, characterized in that the grip part (30) comprises a handle portion (32) and a support portion (33) connected to each other, the plurality of grip part magnetic members (31) are provided to the support portion (33) for forming the magnetic coupling with the food carrier magnetic members (20); or
the grip part (30) comprises a handle portion (32) and two or more support portions (33), said handle portion (32) is arranged to extend between the two or more support portions (33), at least two of said two or more support portions (33) comprise a grip part magnetic member (31) for forming the magnetic coupling with the food carrier magnetic members (20).
13. A system for serving food according to claim 12, characterized in that the support portion (33) is in a form of a hood providing an interior space between the support portion (33) and the carrier surface (12) of the carrier base (10) and said handle portion (32) is provided as an integral structure of the support portion (33) forming part of the support portion (33); or
the support portion (33) is in a form of a hood providing an interior space between the support portion (33) and the carrier surface (12) of the carrier base (10) and said handle portion (32) is connected to the support portion (33).
14. A system for serving food according to claim 12, characterized in that the handle portion (32) is extendable such that a distance between a first support portion (33a) and a second support portion (33b) is alterable.
15. A system for serving food according to any of claims 9 - 14, characterized in that the food carrier (1) is a food carrier (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
PCT/FI2019/050131 2018-02-20 2019-02-19 A food carrier and a system for serving food WO2019162570A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FI20185155A FI20185155A1 (en) 2018-02-20 2018-02-20 A food carrier and a system for serving food
FI20185155 2018-02-20

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2019162570A1 true WO2019162570A1 (en) 2019-08-29

Family

ID=67687417

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/FI2019/050131 WO2019162570A1 (en) 2018-02-20 2019-02-19 A food carrier and a system for serving food

Country Status (2)

Country Link
FI (1) FI20185155A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2019162570A1 (en)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050248075A1 (en) * 2004-05-07 2005-11-10 Mclaughlin Kevin W Magnetic cutting board
ES1062859U (en) * 2006-05-16 2006-08-01 Aris Rubio Hidalgo Mat (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)
US20070003739A1 (en) * 2005-06-30 2007-01-04 Progressive International Corp. Self-adhering insulating pad
KR20110058632A (en) * 2009-11-26 2011-06-01 방상배 Folded cutting board
US20140332651A1 (en) * 2011-12-07 2014-11-13 Bruce Ian Bazley Trivet system

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050248075A1 (en) * 2004-05-07 2005-11-10 Mclaughlin Kevin W Magnetic cutting board
US20070003739A1 (en) * 2005-06-30 2007-01-04 Progressive International Corp. Self-adhering insulating pad
ES1062859U (en) * 2006-05-16 2006-08-01 Aris Rubio Hidalgo Mat (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)
KR20110058632A (en) * 2009-11-26 2011-06-01 방상배 Folded cutting board
US20140332651A1 (en) * 2011-12-07 2014-11-13 Bruce Ian Bazley Trivet system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FI20185155A1 (en) 2019-08-21

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
USD505830S1 (en) Ergonomic disposable cup
USD591175S1 (en) Food tray
USD514385S1 (en) Ergonomic disposable cup
USD602575S1 (en) Shower strainer
USD515941S1 (en) Muffin tray
USD614268S1 (en) Shower strainer
US8827104B2 (en) Apparatus and method for providing foods in adjacent portable containers
USD475856S1 (en) Disposable sheet
USD536216S1 (en) Blender and mug set
USD483616S1 (en) Oblong dish
US10351299B2 (en) Nestable pot set
USD481179S1 (en) Dishwasher utility basket
DE60102574D1 (en) Printed planar dipole antenna with two spiral arms
USD491061S1 (en) Pot
JP2006508747A5 (en)
USD514380S1 (en) Ergonomic disposable cup
AU5412801A (en) Container
USD513596S1 (en) Muffin tray
USD481131S1 (en) Adhesive patch
USD1006226S1 (en) Surgical wand
WO2019162570A1 (en) A food carrier and a system for serving food
USD494877S1 (en) Measuring spoon
AU2000265533A1 (en) An led in the shape of cup with a curved surface and planar bottom
USD518391S1 (en) Measuring cup set
US20070003739A1 (en) Self-adhering insulating pad

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 19757045

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

32PN Ep: public notification in the ep bulletin as address of the adressee cannot be established

Free format text: NOTING OF LOSS OF RIGHTS PURSUANT TO RULE 112(1) EPC (EPO FORM 1205N DATED 11/01/2021)

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 19757045

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1