Patent Application
20220110469
The present invention relates generally to the field of serving trays. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved serving tray for servers, or waiters, featuring integrated cup holders in the form of compartments surrounded with rubber foam lining that prevents the spillage of beverages when carrying multiple drinks at once. The rubber lining secures the received cup, glass, can, or bottle and prevents same from slippage and falling. A handle is present to carry the tray in a single hand in a comfortable and secure manner. The improved tray reduces the number of trips needed of a server or a waiter for carrying a large number of beverages. Accordingly, the present specification makes specific reference thereto However, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally amenable to other similar applications.
In restaurants, bars, lounges, hotels, reception halls, etc., it is often necessary to serve many items, such as drinks, at one time. Many times the number of drinks needed to serve a table or party is more than can be comfortably carried in two hands. Various serving trays and plates have been devised which provide a means for holding a beverage or a drink, especially in situations such as cocktail parties where the waiter, or a server, carries many drinks and makes multiple trips back and forth with multiple beverages. Carrying a heavy and/or unbalanced serving tray in an uncomfortable position while making serveral trips can lead to hand and wrist injuries and can cause wrist pain due to bending of the wrist that is necessary to carry typical serving trays heretofore known.
Typical serving trays used in restaurants, bars, hotels, and event halls are either rectangular or rounded. The typical serving trays, or serving plates, may have a slippery top surface and can be particularly difficult to maneuver around other people and tables in a restaurant or other serving venue. Presently known serving trays have a planar upper surface, for placing the items such as cups, or glasses thereon, and an underside which is supported by the waiter, typically using his or her arm and hand in an inverted arrangement. However, these trays are problematic when used as servers. Waiters carrying multiple drinks at one time have to contend with a slippery top surface. It can be precarious and difficult to carry multiple drinks without spilling or dropping a glass on one or more customers in a restaurant or other serving venue. Also, while carrying the serving tray, glasses or cups can fall and break which leads to loss of revenue, and the falling glass can spill on one or more customers. Unfortunately, serving trays known in the prior art do not provide adequate upper support for various containers such as glasses, bottles, or cups sitting atop the tray, making it likely that the container may fall over when the tray is held in one hand.
Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for an improved serving tray, or serving plate, that can be used by an individual, such as a server or a waiter in restaurants, bars, lounges, event halls, etc., that allows the server or waiter to carry drinks in a secure and comfortable manner. Further, there exists a long felt need in the art for a serving tray, or serving plate, that enables servers and waiters to carry multiple glasses or cups without spilling same on one or more customers in a restaurant or other serving venue. Additionally, there exists a long felt need in the art for a serving tray which enables a person to carry multiple drinks at one time, thereby preventing a server from having to make multiple unnecessary trips to and from a customer's table. Finally, there is a long felt need for an improved serving tray that can be easily grabbed by a server with one hand for easy transport and carry, and that is more stable than serving trays heretofore known.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises an improved beverage serving tray designed to carry several beverages, for example eight beverages, at one time. The serving tray comprises: a circular base surface; a cylindrical or sleeve-shaped shield fixed around the periphery of the base surface; several (i.e. eight) circular individual holes/compartments extending from the base surface wherein each hole/compartment includes a rubber foam lining; each rubber foam lining supports and secures a beverage glass/container/bottle placed in the hole/compartment; a handle fixed to an exterior surface of the base surface for easy transport of the tray with one hand. The improved beverage serving tray prevents spillage of beverages and maintains glasses, containers, cans, and bottles upright while carrying the tray using a single hand.
In this manner, the improved serving tray featuring integrated cup or glass holders of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives, thereby improving a waiter's ability to carry multiple drinks at one time in a secure, comfortable manner without spillage. Use of the improved serving tray enable servers to grab the tray with one hand for easy transport, and reduces the number of trips that servers make to and from customers.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises an improved beverage serving tray designed to carry up to eight beverages at one time, comprising of a circular base surface, a circular cylindrical or sleeve-shaped shield fixed around the periphery of the base surface, eight circular individual holes/compartments on the base surface, wherein each hole/compartment includes a rubber foam lining, each rubber foam lining supports and secures a beverage glass/container/bottle placed in the hole/compartment and a handle fixed to an exterior surface of the base surface for easily transporting the tray with one hand. The improved beverage serving tray prevents spillage of beverages and maintains upright glasses, containers, cans or bottles while carrying the tray using a single hand.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, a beverage serving tray having multiple compartments to accommodate, for example, eight glasses, containers, cans or bottles is disclosed. The tray comprises: a circular or oval base surface having an interior surface and an exterior surface; the interior surface having eight rubber foam-lined compartments or holes extending from an interior surface to hold up to eight beverage glasses, containers, cans, or bottles; a handle on the exterior surface for grasping and carrying the tray in a stable manner; and a cylinder or sleeve extending upwards from the periphery of the circular or oval base surface to provide additional support to the accommodated beverage glasses, containers, cans or bottles. Each rubber lining secures the accommodated beverage in an upright manner and prevents same from slippage.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in another embodiment thereof, comprises an improved serving tray in a form of a cylindrical or sleeve-shaped structure that greatly improves the server's or waiter's ability to carry multiple drinks at one time in a secure and comfortable manner. The present invention discloses an improved serving tray that comprises a plurality of rubber-lined openings to receive cups or glasses integrated therein, and a compartment or handle below the main body which enables a server to grab the tray for easy transport. More specifically, the improved serving tray, in one potential embodiment, comprises eight individual holes or compartments for beverages wherein each opening is lined with a rubber foam insert to secure the cups or glasses retained therein.
The present invention provides an improved cup holder for servers that prevents the spillage of beverages when carrying multiple drinks at once and utilizes a cylindrical or sleeve-shaped perimeter with a plurality of rubber-lined openings to receive cups or glasses. The server or waiter can carry several drinks at a time in a secure and comfortable manner without any spillage and breakage. The cup holders also reduce the number of trips a server typically makes while carrying fewer drinks in each trip. The base interior surface inhibits moisture from passing to an exterior surface. The rubber lining of each opening can stretch to accommodate glasses, containers and bottles of different bottom diameters.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there exists a long felt need in the art for an improved serving tray or plate that can be used by an individual, such as a server or a waiter, in restaurants, bars, lounges, event halls, etc., which allows the server or waiter to carry drinks in a secure and comfortable manner. Further, there exists a long felt need in the art for a serving tray or plate, that enables servers and waiters to carry multiple glasses or cups without spilling same on one or more customers in a restaurant or other serving venue. Additionally, there exists a long felt need in the art for a serving tray which enables a person to carry multiple drinks at one time, thereby preventing a server from having to make multiple unnecessary trips to and from a customer's table. Finally, there is a long felt need for an improved serving tray that can be easily grabbed by a server with one hand for easy transport and carry, and that is more stable than serving trays heretofore known.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel beverage serving tray designed to carry up to eight beverages at one time, comprising of a circular base surface, a circular cylindrical or sleeve-shaped shield fixed around the periphery of the base surface, eight circular individual holes/compartments on the base surface wherein each hole/compartment includes a rubber foam lining, each rubber foam lining supports and secures a beverage glass/container/bottle placed in the hole/compartment, and a handle fixed to an exterior surface of the base surface for easily transporting the tray with one hand. The improved beverage serving tray prevents spillage of beverages and maintains upright glasses, containers, cans, or bottles while carrying the tray using a single hand.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The openings 110,112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 can be generally circular in shape. Each of the openings 110,112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 can include a respective retention mechanism or rubber lining 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 121, 123, 125 and can be placed symmetrically on the interior side of the base surface 126. The plurality of retention mechanisms 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 121, 123, 125 include generally circular elastic linings surrounding an internal circumference of each of the plurality of individual compartments 110,112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124. Each opening 110,112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 and associated lining 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 121, 123, 125 is arranged to surround an individual beverage container. The holes 110,112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 and the rubber linings 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 121, 123, 125 are arranged on the base surface 126 such that they are equidistant to each other and thus the glasses or beverage containers placed within each rubber lining opening do not touch each other, and remain safe from breakage and spillage. The rubber linings 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 121, 123, 125 provide a secure grip on the glasses or beverage containers placed therein such that the glasses or containers remain vertical and do spill over while the tray 100 is being carried by a user.
A sturdy handle 104 is permanently attached to the exterior surface or lower side of the base surface 126, and is arranged in an ergonomic and comfortable grip to carry the tray 100 by a single hand 106. A user 106 can hold the handle 104 affixed to the tray and can easily carry the tray 100 in an upright manner when holding the containers or glasses, and subsequently in any orientation when the tray 100 is empty. Using the tray 100, a user such as server in a bar or a restaurant can carry eight drinks, for example, placed securely in eight rubber lined openings 110,112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 in a single trip, without any breakage and spillage, thereby reducing the number of trips the server has to make while serving customers.
The cylindrical or sleeve-shaped shielding 102 extending upwards from the periphery of the base surface 126 provides an additional layer of safety for large bottles or containers and does not allow the bottles or containers to fall on the ground from the tray 100. In one embodiment, the diameter of the base surface 126 is 18″ and the height of the cylindrical or sleeved shielding 102 is 9″. Alternatively, the diameter of the base surface 126 can be 24″ and the height of the cylindrical or sleeved shielding 102 can be 6″. At 6 inches, the shield height is generally about 100% of the height of a typical pint glass (i.e. 6 inches) and about 66% of the height of a typical beer bottle (i.e. 9 inches). The sleeve shield 102 acts as a side wall for the drinks being carried on the tray 100 and forms a continuous perimeter wall for retention of same.
The handle 104 is sturdy and can be joined to the base at two points. The handle 104 is permanently attached to the base of the tray 100. The tray 100 may be made up of wood, metal or heavy plastic with the cylindrical sleeve 102 being transparent or translucent to enable the server to maintain visual contact with the beverages mounted in the openings 110,112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124.
The tray 100 can be made of durable material to withstand dropping on the ground. The circular shape of the tray 100 allows a stable and uniform distribution of the weight of the drinks within the tray 100. The openings 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 are on the base surface 126. In one potential embodiment, each opening may be in the form a small cut-out within the base surface 126. Alternatively, each opening may be formed on the base surface without a groove in the base surface 126. Each opening can be lined with a rubber foam insert to secure a cup or glass placed in the opening.
The rubber foam lining 111 also absorbs the water or moisture from the beverage containers. The rubber foam lining 111 can be of any color, and retains the circular shape even after multiple uses. The rubber lining 111 is a material similar to a sponge or expanded rubber and can be made of synthetic rubber, natural latex, or polyurethane, and is flexible and stretchable to accommodate beverage containers of various diameters. The rubber lining 111 can surround the respective opening 110 extending from the base surface 126.
As best shown in
As stated earlier, each opening 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 is surrounded by a rubber lining 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 121, 123, 125 that can comprise a hole or a groove cut in the base surface 126. Alternatively, the holes or grooves can be formed only by the rubber linings 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 121, 123, 125 on the base surface 126.
The tray 100 with the innovative rubber lining-surrounded holes prevents the spillage of beverages when carrying multiple drinks at once by a server by grabbing the tray handle 104 with his or her hand for easy transport. It should be appreciated that different types of beverage bottles, glasses and containers can be accommodated easily within the rubber lining-surrounded holes. The tray 100 allows users to carry multiple beverage, for example eight beverages, at one time in a secure and comfortable manner.
To fit different container shapes, the rubber linings may be of different configurations, such as rectangular or square. To accommodate different heights of the beverage bottles, the rubber linings may have different heights. The diameter and dimensions of the rubber linings may be similar or different, however symmetrical spacing of the openings prohibits beverage containers from touching each other.
The handle 104 can be made up of a metal, stainless steel, wood or any other similar material and can include a comfortable grip. The cylindrical or sleeve shield 102 may be permanently or removably attached to the periphery of the base surface. In one alternative embodiment, there can be a slot around the periphery of the base surface 126 (not illustrated) to receive the sleeve shield 102.
The tray 100 of the present invention is capable of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible to low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such tray economically available to the buying public. It should be appreciated that the number of compartments may be more or less than eight to fit different user requirements and manufacturing requirements. Silicone lining may be used instead of the rubber foam lining. As best shown in
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “improved beverage serving tray”, “improved tray”, “octotray”, “serving tray”, and “tray” are interchangeable and refer to the improved beverage serving tray 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the improved beverage serving tray 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the improved beverage serving tray 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the improved beverage serving tray 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the improved beverage serving tray 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the improved beverage serving tray 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What includes been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/091,589, which was filed on Oct. 14, 2020 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63091589 | Oct 2020 | US |
