Serving Tray

A serving tray may include an open-sided tray body and a plurality of bands. The tray body may include a tray bottom and at least one side wall projecting from the tray bottom and defining a wall perimeter, wherein the tray bottom and the at least one side wall define an open space above the bottom and within the wall perimeter. The plurality of bands may extending at least partially across the open space to form a band pattern spaced apart from the tray bottom, the band pattern dividing the open space into a plurality of subdivided areas. The band pattern may be configured to maintain the relative positions of items, e.g., glasses, bottles, dishes, condiments, etc., received in the subdivided areas.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1Bshow an example serving tray10A according to one example embodiment. In particular,FIG. 1Ashows a three-dimensional view of serving tray10A, whileFIG. 1Bshows a top view of the serving tray10A. As shown, serving tray10A includes an open-sided (or open-topped) tray body12and a plurality of bands14arranged around the tray body12. The tray body12includes a tray bottom20and at least one side wall22projecting from the tray bottom20and defining a wall perimeter26. The tray bottom20and the at least one side wall22wall define an open space28above the bottom and within the wall perimeter26.

In this example embodiment, tray body12includes a single side wall22that defines a rounded (e.g., circular) perimeter26, with a pair of opposing handles30extending from the side wall22. Other embodiments may include multiple side walls22that may be connected to each other to form a continuous perimeter (e.g., a rectangular tray10A having four side walls22connected at four corners), or spaced apart to form a segmented perimeter (e.g., a tray10A having side walls22only on two opposing sides). Further, the side wall(s)22may define a perimeter26having any other suitable shape, e.g., a rounded shape such as a circle, oval, or ellipse, a rectangular shape such as a square or elongated rectangle having angled or rounded corners, a triangular shape having angled or rounded corners, a pentagon shape having angled or rounded corners, a hexagon shape having angled or rounded corners, or any other rounded or non-rounded, regular or irregular shape.

In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B, each band14is a loop-type band that wraps around the outside of the tray body12and extends across the open space28of the tray body12, such that the bands14collectively form a band pattern40spaced apart from the tray bottom20. The band pattern40divides the open space28into a plurality of subdivided areas42. The band pattern40may be configured to receive items44in one or more of the subdivided areas42, and to hold such items in place. In other words, band pattern40may be configured to maintain the relative positions of items44(e.g., relative to tray body12and/or to other items44) received in the subdivided areas42. Thus, items may be held in place on the serving tray10A, thus reducing the likelihood of the items sliding or falling off or out of the tray or sliding across the tray and causing a person to drop the tray. Items44may include, for example, glasses, bottles, dishes, condiments, other dining-related items, or any suitable non-dining-related items.

In some embodiments bands14are removable from the tray body12(or from a band ring, as discussed below with reference toFIG. 4). Further, bands14may be adjustably or selectively secured to the tray body12(or to a band ring, as discussed below with reference toFIG. 4), such that the bands14may be arranged and rearranged in various different positions to provide various different band patterns40as desired, e.g., for holding different sized or shaped items44. In addition, the number of bands14arranged on body12may be selected and adjusted based on the desired band pattern40. For example, one or more bands14may be added to increase the number of subdivided areas42in the band pattern40and/or to decrease the size of subdivided areas42in the band pattern40, or one or more bands14may be removed to decrease the number of subdivided areas42in the band pattern40and/or to increase the size of subdivided areas42in the band pattern40.

In other embodiments, one or more bands14may be permanently secured to the tray body12(or to a band ring, as discussed below with reference toFIG. 4). In some embodiments, bands14are strap-type bands (as opposed to loop-type bands) having a distinct first and second end, in which one end of each band14is permanently secured to the tray body12(or band ring) with the other end being removably and selectively securable at multiple different locations of the tray body12(or band ring), to provide a user-configurable band pattern40. In other embodiments, both ends of each strap-type band14are permanently secured to the tray body12(or band ring) at predefined locations.

Bands14may be formed from any suitable material or materials, and may have any suitable shape and/or size. For example, bands14may be formed from a substantially elastic material, such as rubber or an elastic silicone or plastic material. Alternatively, bands14may be formed from a substantially inelastic material, such as a substantially inelastic fabric for example.

In some embodiments, such as the example shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B, each band14is a loop-type band sized to extend around the tray body12. In other embodiments, such as the example embodiment discussed below with reference toFIG. 2, each band14is a strap-type band having a first end and a second end configured to be secured to tray body12(or to a band ring) at different locations.

In some embodiments, serving tray10A includes a set of identical bands14. In other embodiments, serving tray10A includes a non-identical set of bands14, in which at least two bands14have a different size (e.g., length and/or thickness) and/or are formed from different materials.

In some embodiments, tray10A includes a band locating structures that define predefined positions or attachment points for bands14and/or help secure bands14to the tray body12(or band ring), e.g., such that the bands14do not slide or fall off of tray body12(or the band ring).FIG. 1Ashows two example band locating structures. First, a plurality of grooves or notches50may be formed in an upper edge of side wall22, each sized to receive a band14, e.g., having a width equal to or slightly larger than a width of a band14. Notches50may be arranged in any manner around all or portions of the wall perimeter26, e.g., at regularly spaced intervals or at irregularly spaced intervals.

Second, a plurality of guide protrusions52may be formed on side wall22for guiding and/or securing bands14. Guide protrusions52may be arranged in any manner around all or portions of the wall perimeter26, e.g., at regularly spaced intervals or at irregularly spaced intervals. In some embodiments, guide protrusions52are arranged in pairs, each pair being configured to receive a band14. For example, each pair of guide protrusions52may be spaced apart by a distance equal to or slightly larger than a width of a band. However, guide protrusions52may be arranged in any other manner.

Band pattern40may comprise any suitable geometric pattern. As discussed above, in some embodiments the band pattern40is user-configurable and reconfigurable, e.g., by adding bands14, removing bands14, and/or adjusting the location(s) of bands14. Each band pattern40may be a regular or irregular pattern, and symmetric about one line of symmetry, symmetric about multiple lines of symmetry, or not symmetric about any lines of symmetry.

Some band patterns30includes at least two bands14extending parallel to each other. In some patterns30, all bands14extend parallel to each other.

Some band patterns30includes at least two bands14extending perpendicular to each other. In some patterns30, all bands14are arranged either parallel or perpendicular to each other, e.g., to form a checkerboard-type pattern defining rectangular subdivided areas42.

Some band patterns30includes at least two bands14extending non-parallel and non-perpendicular to each other. In some patterns30, at least one band14is non-parallel and non-perpendicular to every other band14in the pattern40. In some patterns30, every band14is non-parallel and non-perpendicular to every other band14in the pattern40.

Some band patterns30includes at least three bands14that crossing each other at a single location in the pattern. In some patterns30, all bands14cross at a single location, e.g., at a geometric center point defined by the wall perimeter26.

Some band patterns30are arranged such that all subdivided areas42defined by the band pattern40have the same shape and/or geometric area. Other band patterns30define subdivided areas42having different shapes and/or areas.

Some band patterns30define at least one subdivided area42having a lateral perimeter defined on all sides by a number of bands14(e.g., three, four, five, six, or more bands14), and thus located inward from and spaced apart from the wall perimeter26. In other band patterns30, each subdivided area42is bounded on at least one side by a (linear or curved) side wall22.

In the example band pattern40shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B, each subdivided area42is either (a) laterally bounded on all sides by bands14or (b) laterally bounded on one or more sides by one or more bands14and bounded on a remaining (curved) side by side wall22.

As discussed above, tray10A may include band locating structures, such as notches50or guide protrusions52, which may define a predetermined set of possible positions for each band14. In such embodiments, the universe of possible band patterns30may be defined by the number and arrangement of the band locating structures. Thus, the number and arrangement of band locating structures may allow for any one or more of the various band pattern attributes discussed above, depending on the particular user-selected configuration of bands.

FIG. 2shows a three-dimensional view of an example serving tray10B according to another example embodiment. Serving tray10B is similar to serving tray10A, but includes strap-type bands14rather than the loop-type bands. Embodiments that include strap-type bands14may include any suitable band-attachment structures or devices for securing the ends of each band14to the tray body12(or band ring). The example embodiment ofFIG. 2includes a series of hook-shaped connector60attached to or formed on the outside of side wall22. Each hook-shaped connector60provides a possible point of attachment for each strap-type band14. Connectors60may be arranged at any suitable locations, e.g., at regular or irregular intervals around all or portions of the wall perimeter26.

Each strap-type band14may include a suitable structure or device that can be removably secured to each connector60. In the illustrated example, each strap-type band14includes a ring62(e.g., formed from metal, plastic, or rubber) connected at each end of the band14, which rings62are configured to removably connect to any of the hook-shaped connectors60, as shown inFIG. 2. In some embodiments, multiple bands14may be connected to a single connector60, i.e., multiple rings62may be secured to a single connector60. Thus, bands14may be selectively secured and re-secured to different connectors60to provide various different band patterns30.

In an alternative embodiment, loop-type bands14may be used with example serving tray10B, with each loop passing under any suitable number of hook-type connectors60, and crossing the open space28at least twice.

FIG. 3shows a three-dimensional view of an example serving tray10C according to another example embodiment. Serving tray10C is similar to serving trays10A and10B, but includes a series of band-attachment structures66projecting from a top edge of the side wall22, rather than from the outer surface of side wall22. Band-attachment structures66may include any structures suitable for securing loop-type and/or strap-type bands14. Like hook-shaped connectors60discussed above, each band-attachment structure66provides a possible point of attachment for each band14. Band-attachment structure66may be arranged at any suitable locations, e.g., at regular or irregular intervals around all or portions of the top edge of wall perimeter26.

The illustrated example includes loop-type bands14releasably secured to structures66such that each band14crosses the open space28twice. In other embodiments, serving tray10C may use strap-type bands14, with the ends of each band14attaching to selected band-attachment structures66, such that each band crosses the open space28only once. Thus, using loop-type bands14in an arrangement similar to that shown inFIG. 3(orFIG. 2) may provide twice the number of band elements in the respective band pattern40as compared to using strap-type bands14that crosses the open space28only once, and as compared to embodiments in which loop-type bands14are arranged to cross the open space28only once, e.g., the embodiment ofFIGS. 1A-1B.

FIG. 4shows a three-dimensional view of an example serving tray10D according to another example embodiment. Serving tray10D includes a tray body12and a band ring70removably attachable to the tray body12. Unlike the embodiments discussed above, bands14are secured to the band ring70rather than the tray body12. Bands14may include loop-type bands or strap-type bands, and may be removably or permanently secured to band ring70using any of the structures and techniques discussed herein. Thus, band ring70may include any suitable band-attachment structures to which bands14may be removably or permanently secured, to provide any suitable band pattern40.

Band ring70may be removably attachable to tray body12in any suitable manner. For example, band ring70may include a lip that extends over a top edge of tray body12. As another example, band ring70may fit inside the wall perimeter26and rest on a lip76or other structure of tray body12. Band ring70may be attach to tray body12in any other suitable manner.

Band ring70may have any suitable perimeter shape, which may or may not match the wall perimeter26of the corresponding tray body12. For example, a perimeter of band ring70may have a rounded shape such as a circle, oval, or ellipse, a rectangular shape such as a square or elongated rectangle having angled or rounded corners, a triangular shape having angled or rounded corners, a pentagon shape having angled or rounded corners, a hexagon shape having angled or rounded corners, or any other rounded or non-rounded, regular or irregular shape.

FIG. 5shows a three-dimensional view of an example serving tray10E according to another example embodiment. Serving tray10E has a rectangular tray body12including four side walls22A-22D extending from a tray bottom20and defining a continuous rectangular wall perimeter26. Handles30(e.g., openings) may be provided at opposing sides22. Loop-type and/or strap-type bands14may be arranged to create a band pattern40. In the illustrated example, each bands14is a loop-type band extending across the open space28from one side22to an opposing side22(e.g., from side22A to opposing side22B, or from side22C to opposing side22D). In other embodiments, one or more bands14may be arranged to extend across the open space28from one side22to an adjacent side22(e.g., from side22A to adjacent side22B). Serving tray10E may include any suitable band-attachment structures, such as those discussed above (e.g., notches, protrusions, hooks, etc.), arranged at any suitable locations on one, two, three, or all four sides22A-22D.

FIG. 6shows a three-dimensional view of an example serving tray1OF according to another example embodiment. Serving tray1OF has a rectangular tray body12including two side walls22A and22B extending from a tray bottom20and defining a non-continuous rectangular wall perimeter26. Handles30(e.g., openings) may be provided at sides22A and22B. Loop-type and/or strap-type bands14may be arranged to extend between side22A and22B to create a desired band pattern40. Serving tray1OF may include any suitable band-attachment structures, such as those discussed above (e.g., notches, protrusions, hooks, etc.), arranged at any suitable locations on one or both sides22A and22B.

In certain embodiments in which bands14extend below the tray bottom20, when the tray10is placed on a table or other support surface, the bands14may rest directly on the support surface and maintain the bottom surface of the tray bottom20spaced apart from the support surface. For example, in the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1A-1Bin which bands14extend around the open-side tray body12and below the tray bottom20, bands14maintain the bottom surface of the tray bottom20elevated above the support surface, e.g., by the thickness of bands14. Other embodiments may include legs or other structures that lift the tray bottom20such that bands14that extend below the tray bottom20are held above the support surface.

FIG. 7illustrate an example side view of a serving tray10having legs80configured to maintain a bottom surface82of the tray body12above a table or other support surface by a distance dL. In some embodiments, the distance dLmay be greater than the thickness of an individual band14used with the serving tray10, greater than two times the thickness of an individual band14, greater than three times the thickness of an individual band14, greater than four times the thickness of an individual band14, or have any other suitable dimension.

FIG. 8illustrates an example cross-sectional view of a tray body12having a tray bottom20that includes a non-recessed portion90defining a non-recessed bottom surface92and a recessed portion94defining a recessed bottom surface96and a recess area98. The recess area98may be configured to receive portions of bands14that overlap each other at one or more locations below the tray bottom20, such that the bottom of tray10is defined by a single layer of straps14running under the non-recessed portion90, and overlapping areas of bands14are received in recess area98. This configuration may provide a flat, or planar, bottom surface for tray10, and remove potential bumps or pivot/wobble points that may otherwise exist at crossing points of bands14below the tray bottom. Thus, the recessed bottom surface96is recessed from the non-recessed bottom surface92by a distance dRequal to or greater than the thickness of an individual band14, equal to or greater than two times the thickness of an individual band14, equal to or greater than three times the thickness of an individual band14, equal to or greater than four times the thickness of an individual band14, or have any other suitable dimension.

As discussed above, band patterns40may include any suitable geometric patterns, which may be user-configurable and reconfigurable, e.g., by adding bands14, removing bands14, and/or adjusting the location(s) of bands14.FIGS. 9A-16Cillustrate some example band patterns40for three example wall perimeter shapes: circle, oval, and rectangle.

FIGS. 9A-9Cillustrate example band patterns40in which all bands14are parallel to each other.

FIGS. 10A-10Cillustrate example band patterns40in which all bands14are arranged in a checkerboard pattern, with each band14arranged parallel or perpendicular to each other band14.

FIGS. 11A-11Cillustrate example band patterns40including a first subset of bands14arranged parallel to each other, and a second subset of bands14arranged parallel to each other and offset from the first subset of bands in a non-perpendicular manner.

FIGS. 12A-12Cillustrate example band patterns40in which all bands14cross each other at a single, central location.

FIGS. 14A-14Cillustrate example band patterns40in which the bands14form a quadrilateral divided by two perpendicular bands.

FIGS. 15A-15Cillustrate example band patterns40including three pairs of parallel bands14, each pair of parallel bands14being offset from the other two pairs in a non-perpendicular manner.

FIGS. 16A-16Cillustrate example band patterns40in which the bands14cross each other at two distinct locations.

It should be understood that the illustrated examples ofFIGS. 9A-16Care examples only, and that bands14may be configured for form any other patterns40as desired.

Although the disclosed embodiments are described in detail in the present disclosure, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made to the embodiments without departing from their spirit and scope.