Refrigerated Well Tray

A refrigerated well tray provides a plurality of flexible squeeze bottles for juices and syrups used in mixed drinks. A refrigerated gel insert fits within the tray, separating triangular wells for the bottles. Each bottle has a triangular cross section.

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PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to bartending equipment and in particular to a refrigerated well tray. The most essential task of bartending is creating mixed drinks, using alcoholic beverages such as gin, vodka, tequila, and rum, and various refrigerated juices and syrups such as orange juice, simple syrup, lemon juice, lime juice, and grapefruit juice. One great challenge is keeping the syrups and juices cold, but also keeping them within easy reach. The time spent in retrieving a bottle from a refrigerator and then returning it once a drink is made, only to pull it forth again five minutes later, is time wasted. In many establishments time is of the essence. A device which can keep juices and syrups cold, but also keep them ready on the bar surface or immediately behind it, would be well received. A refrigerated well tray for a bartender, providing a contoured, refrigerated gel insert separating wells for bottles of juice and syrup, would resolve this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a refrigerated well tray. The tray provides a plurality of flexible squeeze bottles for juices and syrups used in mixed drinks. A refrigerated gel insert fits within the tray, separating the wells for the bottles. In one embodiment, each bottle has a triangular cross section.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to a refrigerated well tray10.

It is to be understood that while the invention is intended for use by bartenders, this is not intended as a limitation. With suitable modifications or with no modifications at all, the invention may be used by professional chefs, masseurs, physical therapists, and others who need to keep a variety of chilled or heated liquids easily available at a work station.

The first exemplary embodiment is comprised of a deep rectangular tray10with a large internal compartment11, a plurality of flexible squeeze bottles12for juices and syrups used in mixed drinks, and an insert13which fits snuggly within the internal compartment11of the tray10, and provides separate triangular wells16for the bottles12. In one embodiment, the insert13is made of a refrigerated gel to keep the flexible squeeze bottles12cold. In an alternate embodiment, the insert13is made of a heating element or similar device to keep the flexible squeeze bottles12warm instead of cold.

The tray10provides a rectangular lid14, which is affixed along the rear edge of the top surface of the tray10by a plurality of hinges15. The lid14provides a plurality of triangular apertures14A, which align vertically with the wells16in the insert13. Each bottle12has a triangular cross section, and fits snugly within a well16and within a corresponding triangular aperture14A in the lid14. The triangular design of the bottles12allows uniform cooling by the gel insert13and efficient use of available space, which may be scarce on or behind the bar.

To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user may store the bottles12containing juices and syrups in a refrigerator, and the gel insert13in a freezer. When preparing to mix and serve drinks, the user may place the gel insert13in the compartment11of the tray10, close the lid14, and insert the bottles12into the wells16. The user may then place the tray10on or behind the bar.

In alternative embodiments, the components of the invention may take on other shapes than triangular. Other shapes will function just as effectively for keeping the syrups and juices cold and have been contemplated.

The tray10and the lid14are preferably manufactured from rigid, durable materials in layers which provide an insulated quality, such as plastic, polystyrene and acrylic polymer. The bottles12are preferably manufactured from a flexible, durable material such as plastic. The gel insert13is preferably manufactured from vinyl-coated silica gel or hydroxyethyl cellulose, contained in a semi-rigid, durable material such as plastic. The hinges15are preferably manufactured from a rigid, durable material with substantial structural strength, such as steel, aluminum alloy, or brass.

Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.