Abstract:
A tray device that is detachably connectable to a surface, such as a table surface, providing an eating and/or playing surface for a child. The tray provided with a lip that extends upwardly and outwardly toward the child&#39;s body so as to catch items and/or food or drink dropped by the child and direct the slipped item onto the tray surface. The tray may also be provided with a removable insert and various attachment mechanisms to firmly hold the tray onto the table surface.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 (e) of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/445,820 filed on Feb. 23, 2011. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a tray device that is used to catch food and/or items that may fall between a surface and a child and directs the food and/or item onto the tray. More particularly, the invention relates to a tray device that may be attached to a surface by means of a clip or docking station, where the tray device catches and directs food and/or items dropped by the child onto the tray. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Trays that are used to catch spilled items are known in the art. For example, TV trays have been used for many years on which a user may place items and may have an edge that is raised such that if liquid is spilled on the tray, it will not run off onto the floor or the user. Likewise, trays that attach to highchairs for children are typically provided with an edge that is raised so as to catch liquid in the tray or retain items within reach of the child. Additionally, trays that attach to a highchair are typically provided of a molded plastic shaped to retain spilled items therein. Further, such trays may selectively be slid (e.g. adjusted) closer to or further away from the baby as desired. 
         [0004]    However, a drawback of current tray systems is that the trays do not closely form to the child such that food and/or items often fall between the tray surface and the child. Highchairs provide for some adjustability in that the distance between the tray and the child may be selected from one of a plurality of positions. However, this adjustability does not solve the above-listed problem because the tray is not closely molded to the child. 
         [0005]    Another drawback of current tray systems that they cannot be attached to a variety of table surfaces. For example, TV trays may only be set up adjacent to the surface. Likewise, the trays used in a high chair are attachable only to the arms of the high chair. While it is possible to lay a the tray for a high chair on the table surface, the tray is not firmly secured to the surface such that the child or infant may grab/throw the tray, which often results in a mess. Accordingly, if a tray is to be used, typically the highchair must also be brought. However, highchairs are heavy and cumbersome, and often there is no room to place the highchair (e.g. in a restaurant where patrons sit at booths and aisles are kept free). 
         [0006]    Another feature common with known trays is that they comprise a substantially rigid tray. In other words, the tray does not move with the child such that, an opening develops between the child and the tray as the child leans forward and/or backward. 
         [0007]    It is also known to place a mat on a table surface in front of a child, the mat being provided with a catch or bag positioned between the mat and the child. However, the while the bag may be effective in capturing objects dropped, the objects are not redirected onto the surface of the table in front of the child. Additionally, mats are typically formed as from a soft, flexible material and are not particularly effective in capturing spilled items (e.g., liquids and items). 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    What is desired then is a tray device that will conform to a child&#39;s body, such that, food and/or items are substantially prevented from falling between a surface and the child. 
         [0009]    It is further desired to provide a tray device that may be firmly connected and/or attached to various surfaces. 
         [0010]    It is still further desired to provide a tray device that is relatively light weight and portable and easy to connect to and disconnect from a surface. 
         [0011]    It is also desired to provide a tray device that will redirect items that may fall between a child and the table and redirect the item onto the tray surface in direct view of the child. 
         [0012]    It further desired to provide a tray device that will closely conform to a child even when the child moves forward and/or backward relative to the tray device such that an item dropped by the child will be directed onto the tray surface in direct view of the child. 
         [0013]    These and other objectives are achieved, in one embodiment, by the provision of a tray device that catches food or an item that would usually fall between the table and the child and directs it onto the tray, such that the child can easily pick the item back up again. It is well known that typically children do not have well developed motor skills and often drop items they are holding. This situation results in a lot of work for the parents picking up the vast collection of items dropped by the child during a meal. For meals that occur in a restaurant, the floor surface is quite often not kept entirely clean and food items that are dropped must be discarded resulting in waste. The tray device that extends outwardly toward the child&#39;s body is positioned substantially, directly downward from the child&#39;s mouth such that, if the child drops the food, it will be caught by the lip of the tray device and directed onto the clean tray surface. 
         [0014]    Additionally, the tray acts to protect the table and items placed thereon (e.g. mobile phones, wallets, bags, etc.) from damage due to food and liquid spills. The tray provides a stable surface eating (and/or play) area for the child and helps to keep clothes (both the child&#39;s and the parent&#39;s) protected from potential food and liquid stains. The tray also provides for a relatively easy clean up due to, in one embodiment, a removable dish washer safe insert. 
         [0015]    In one advantageous embodiment a lip of material (e.g., rubber, plastic or other material), protrudes out from the tray towards the child. The lip may be angled (and in one embodiment, flexible) such that, when the child drops an item it is caught by the lip and directed onto the tray surface. When the lip is provided as a flexible lip, when the child leans in toward the tray, the lip moves in with the child and when the child leans away from the tray, the lip moves out with the child to close gaps between the child and the table. 
         [0016]    In an alternate embodiment, it is contemplated that the lip may comprise a substantially inflexible hard plastic or other material. In this embodiment, the lip would serve substantially the same purpose as the flexible lip (e.g., catching spills between the child and the table) and may comprise a concave U shape to closely conform to the child&#39;s body. This hard lip would be angled out toward the child&#39;s body to catch spills while being contoured in such a way as to be comfortable for the child to lean against (e.g. no relatively sharp or pointed edges against the child&#39;s body). 
         [0017]    It is contemplated that the tray may be provided with a rubber base which grips the table to keep the tray stationary. This base grip material may be formed as feet or small circles, or as strips which would outline the bottom of the tray surface. In order to firmly secure the tray to a variety of different surfaces, it is understood that flexible clips or a docking station may be used. 
         [0018]    Also provided is a removable insert tray or plate (insert) may be inserted substantially into the contour of the tray device. The insert is easy to remove (deformable plastic engagement with the tray) and clean separately, for example, in a dishwasher. The insert tray may be provided with either a flexible or solid lip while the under tray might be a solid tray. Alternatively, the under tray may also be provided with or without a flexible or solid lip. 
         [0019]    The components of the tray may, in one advantageous embodiment, comprise the following: a base tray (e.g., plastic) with upturned edges on three or four sides and/or part of the fourth side. The fourth side may be provided having a flexible (or non flexible) lip which extends from the tray towards the child. The underside of the tray may be provided with a grip material (e.g., rubber). Additionally, a clip(s) may be molded into the tray forming an attachment system. In one embodiment, the attachment system may comprise a clamp (e.g. a spring wound alligator type clamp) that is provided with a surface having rubber grip (or a series of grips) to provide a secure attachment to the surface. 
         [0020]    Alternatively, the attachment system may be provided such that a base clip or docking station is attached to a table or other eating surface, and the tray snaps into the base docking station. The tray could then snap into the base unit that is clipped, screwed or fastened onto the eating table. 
         [0021]    The purpose of the docking station is to secure the tray to a table in an efficient and safe manner. In the docking station embodiment, the docking station is provided with essentially two parts: 1) the portion of the station that affixes to the table; and 2) the portion that engages with the tray. 
         [0022]    The first portion of the docking station is provided to attach to a table or eating surface by means of, for example: a clip; or a screw or vice-like mechanism, and the like. This attachment mechanism is part of the docking station allowing it to be secured to a surface. In the screw or vice version, a handle, or wheel may be turned facilitating opening/closing of the clip or vice. 
         [0023]    The second portion of the docking station includes a portion (e.g., square flat seat-belt like piece) that sits on the surface and may, in one embodiment, be approximately 2″×2″ or 3″×3″ length/width and 3/16″ height. It would serve as the snap in area for the tray to snap into. We envision this part 2 either being a Tupperware like snap in device or a seatbelt like snap in with a female and male part. 
         [0024]    The components may be arranged and function together as follows: The base of the tray has grip material that helps to secure the tray to a surface. The Tray has a clip, clips, or a docking station which may attach to the rim of a table or other surface and secure the tray in place. The tray functions as, for example, an eating/play surface area. The insert tray may drop into the under tray providing a surface for the child to eat on that is easily removable and is dishwasher safe. The lip is provided as a permanent feature of the tray extending up at an angle toward the child. Where the lip is provided as a flexible lip, as the child leans in and out the lip flexes against the child in order to seal gaps between the child and the table and catch food and liquids. The lip is shaped in a manner to provide the most effective “catching” possible while at the same time being comfortable for the child to lean against. The tray may be left on the table and wiped down, or it can be removed and cleaned in the sink. It is removed by releasing the clips. 
         [0025]    It is contemplated that the insert may be provided for use with the tray that attaches to a surface as described above, or may be used with conventional high chairs achieving substantially the same result of redirecting items that may fall back onto the tray or insert surface away from the child. The flexible lip may also be utilized in a different application where it is separately used on its own to attach to conventional height chairs, with the same intention of catching food which spills in between the tray and the child, bringing food back to the tray. 
         [0026]    For this application the following terms and definitions shall apply: 
         [0027]    The terms “first” and “second” are used to distinguish one element, object or thing from another, and are not used to designate relative position or arrangement in time. 
         [0028]    The terms “coupled”, “coupled to”, “coupled with”, “connected”, “connected to”, and “connected with” as used herein each mean a relationship between or among two or more devices, apparatus, components, systems, subsystems, and/or means, constituting any one or more of (a) a connection, whether direct or through one or more other devices, apparatus, components, systems, subsystems, or means, and/or (b) a functional relationship in which the operation of any one or more devices, apparatus, components, systems, subsystems, or means depends, in whole or in part, on the operation of any one or more others thereof. 
         [0029]    Other objects of the invention and its particular features and advantages will become more apparent from consideration of the following drawings and accompanying detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0030]      FIG. 1A  is a top view of one advantageous embodiment of the invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 1B  is a top view of another advantageous embodiment of the invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of the advantageous embodiment according to  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the advantageous embodiment according to  FIG. 1B ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 2C  is a perspective view of still another advantageous embodiment of the invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the advantageous embodiment according to  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a clip; 
           [0037]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the clip according to  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 6A  is a side view of the advantageous embodiment according to  FIG. 1B ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 6B  is a side view of the advantageous embodiment according to  FIG. 2C ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of a docking station affixed to a surface, which may be used in connection with the embodiments of  1 A- 1 C; 
           [0041]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the docking station according to  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 9  is an end view of the docking station according to  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the docking station according to 
           [0044]      FIG. 7 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 11  is an illustration of the connection mechanism on the tray for connecting to the docking station according to  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 12  is a side view of an embodiment according to  FIGS. 1A-1C ; 
           [0047]      FIG. 13  is an end view of the attachment surface according to  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0048]      FIG. 14  is a top view of the insert according to  FIGS. 1A-1C ; and 
           [0049]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the insert attached to the under tray according to  FIG. 14 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0050]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding structure throughout the views. 
         [0051]    The following examples are presented to further illustrate and explain the present invention and should not be taken as limiting in any regard, but rather provide exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
         [0052]      FIG. 1A  is a top view of one advantageous embodiment of the present invention showing a tray  100  measuring, for example, 10 inches deep by 16 inches wide. The tray  100  may be provided as a hard plastic material having a lip  102  that extends outwardly to closely conform to the child&#39;s body. The lip may be forms of two extensions  104  forming a concave section  106  therebetween. 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 3 , the lip  102  may extend both outwardly toward the child&#39;s body and upward from a base portion  108  of the tray  100 , such that, items dropped by a child are “caught” by the lip and directed onto the tray surface  110 . 
         [0054]    It is contemplated that, in one embodiment, the tray surface  110  and the lip  102  may be provided as a single integrally formed structure with the lip extending from a point  112  along the tray surface  110  upward to terminate at a lip edge  114 . The lip edge  114  may be provided with a rounded contour so as to provide a relatively comfortable surface against, which the child may lean. 
         [0055]    Also illustrated in  FIG. 3  is attachment mechanism  116 , which may be provided in the form of a clip to engage with an edge of a table (not shown) to affix the tray  100  to the table. 
         [0056]      FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate one example of the attachment mechanism  116  shown as clips having, for example, but not limited to, an upper portion  118  length of 4½ inches, a width of 3 inches, a height of about 2 inches and an under portion  120  length of about 1 inch. It is understood that the clips may be either removable or non-removable from the underside  122  of the tray  100 . For example, the upper portion  118  of the clip may be inserted into a cavity  124  located on the underside  122  of the tray  100 . In one embodiment, the clips are provided as a plastic or steel with a rubber coating such that they may securely hold the tray to a surface and not scratch or damage the surface. 
         [0057]      FIG. 1B  illustrates an alternative embodiment showing a tray  100  that includes a lip  102  similar to that disclosed in connection with  FIG. 1A , however, the lip  102  comprises a substantially flexible material that may move with the child as the child leans in toward and away from the tray. As seen in  FIGS. 2B and 6 , the flexible lip  102  may extend outward from the tray base portion and upward relative to the tray surface  110  of the base portion  108 . 
         [0058]    In both of the embodiments in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , it is contemplated that the underside of the base portion  108  may be provided with a non-skid material (e.g. rubber or other suitable material that will work to prevent the tray  100  from sliding laterally across the surface) to engage with the table surface (not shown). The non-skid material may cover substantially the entire surface of the underside of the tray or only a portion thereof. Additionally, the non-skid material may comprise raised ridges in the manner depicted in connection with  FIG. 13 . 
         [0059]      FIGS. 2C and 6B  illustrate still another embodiment in which the lip  102  may comprise either a flexible or rigid material, however, the base portion  108  is provided with a raised rubber seating  126  that extends circumferentially (or at least or portion thereof) around the base portion  108 . In this manner, the tray may sit on a surface by means of the raised rubber seating  126 . 
         [0060]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7-10 , the attachment mechanism  116  is provided as a docking station  130 , and may be used to affix the tray  100  to a surface  132 . The docking station may comprise, in one embodiment, but is not limited to, a C-clamp arraignment, having an upper portion  134 , a vertical portion  136 , a lower portion  138  and a clamping portion  140 . The clamping portion  140  is connected to the lower portion  138  by means of a screw  142  such that by rotation of the knob  144 , the clamping portion is moved upward toward the upper portion  140  sandwiching the surface  132  therebetween. 
         [0061]    In particular,  FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate one embodiment of the docking station. The upper portion  134  is provided with an undercut  146  such that a space  148  is formed on either side of the lower surface  150  of upper portion  134  that engages with the surface  132 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 11  illustrates a cavity  152  formed in the base portion  108  of tray  100 . The cavity  152  is formed as a female portion to engage with the undercuts  146  of docking station  130  to firmly affix the tray to the surface  132 . Also shown in  FIG. 11  is foot  154 , which comprises a non-skid material. As previously discussed, the non-skid material may also substantially cover the entire surface of the underside of the tray  100 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 12  illustrates still another embodiment of the present invention wherein the attachment mechanism  116  comprises a clamp  156 . The clamp  156  includes an extension  158  positioned on an underside of the base portion  108 . The extension  158  is connected to an arm  160  by means of a pivoting joint  162 , which may comprise a biasing member to bias the arm toward the underside of the base portion  108 . The arm  160  terminates at a distal end with a gripping surface  164 , which is designed to engage with an underside of surface  132  such that surface  132  is sandwiched between the underside of base portion  108  and the gripping surface  164 . The underside of base portion  108  may be provided as any configuration described herein so as to substantially prevent the tray  100  from sliding laterally away from surface  132 . With reference to  FIG. 12 , the gripping surface  164  is provided at an angle to maximize the surface contact with the underside of the surface  132 .  FIG. 13  depicts one advantageous embodiment of gripping surface  164  is provided as a rubber material (or any other suitable material that will present a coefficient of friction sufficient to resist lateral movement of the tray  100 ) having raised portions  166 . It is contemplated that any number of raised portions  166  may be provided and the size of the gripping surface can be selected to present the desired resistance to lateral slipping. Likewise, it is contemplated that the biasing member in the pivoting joint  162  may be selected to provide a desired biasing force for arm  160  sufficient to resist lateral slipping of the tray  100 . Also shown in  FIG. 12  is disengagement member  161 , which is provided to allow a user to depress disengagement member  161  to overcome the bias allowing the tray  100  to be disengaged from surface  132 . 
         [0064]      FIGS. 14 and 15  depict an insert  168  that may be slid over or onto base portion  108 . In one embodiment, the insert  168  is fastened to the base portion  108  by means of a mechanical interlock, where a handle  170  is slid over and engages with an undercut  172  provided in a side  174  of base portion  108  ( FIG. 15 ). It is contemplated that handle  172  is formed of a deflectable plastic material such that the handle may be deflected outward and over the shoulder  176  and the handle engagement surface  178  engages with undercut  172 . The insert is removable such that it may be clean and re-attached to the base portion  108 . 
         [0065]    Also shown in  FIG. 14  are various designs in molded into the insert of, for example, a fork, a plate, a spoon and a holder for a cup. These are provided to teach the child the correct placement of utensils for a table setting. It should be understood that virtually any type of design can be provided on the surface of the insert  168 . Likewise, it is contemplated that the insert may be selected from many different colors, which will work to get the attention of the child. 
         [0066]    In still another embodiment, it is contemplated that the lip  102  may be provided on the base portion  108 , the insert  168  or both. Additionally, it is contemplated that the lip  102  may be provided as either a flexible or non-flexible material. Many alternative arrangements of the tray  100  are conceived in which a tray  100  with a lip  102  is attachable to a surface  132  and the forgoing examples are provided as exemplary and are not intended to be limiting. The invention has been described with reference to a particular arrangement of parts, features and the like, these are not intended to exhaust all possible arrangements or features, and indeed many other modifications and variations will be ascertainable to those of skill in the art.