Abstract:
A durable preparation tray for preparing and serving food items. The preparation tray, which is constructed from a microwaveable plastic material, includes a bottom wall provided with an upstanding food support structure, a catch basin for catching liquids associated with the food and a pour channel for pouring liquid from the catch basin.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to utensils for preparing and serving food items. More particularly, the invention concerns a novel preparation tray and preparation tray assembly for preparing and serving food items. 
     DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART INCLUDING INFORMATION DISCLOSED UNDER 37 CFR 1.97 AND 1.98 
     A wide variety of different types of food preparation trays have been suggested in the past. Typically, these food preparation trays are of a simple, pressed paper construction and are generally discarded after a single use. Exemplary of such prior art trays are the trays manufactured by the Huhtamaki Company of Desoto, Kans. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     By way of brief summary, one form of the preparation tray of the present invention includes a bottom wall having a top surface and a bottom surface; first and second transversely spaced apart side walls connected to the bottom wall and extending angularly upwardly there from; first and second longitudinally spaced apart end walls connected to the bottom wall and extending angularly upwardly there from; a first angularly upwardly extending pour channel formed between the first sidewall and the first end wall; a second angularly upwardly extending pour channel formed between the second sidewall and the second end wall; and a food support structure connected to and extending upwardly from the top surface of the bottom wall for supporting food articles within the preparation tray. 
     The foregoing in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide a food preparation tray of the foregoing character that is formed from a smooth, non-porous, rigid material which can be easily cleaned and reused. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a fluid preparation tray of the character described that is microwavable. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a fluid preparation tray as described in the preceding paragraphs that has a bottom wall provided with an upstanding food support structure and a catch basin for catching liquids associated with the food. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a food preparation tray of the character described in the preceding paragraph in which the food supporting structure tends to secure the food in position within the tray. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a food preparation tray as described in the preceding paragraphs that further includes at least one pour channel for conveniently pouring liquid from the catch basin. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a preparation tray and food preparation tray assembly of the character described in the preceding paragraphs that is easy to use and one that can be economically produced in large quantities. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a generally perspective view of one form of preparation tray of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view thereof. 
         FIG. 3  is an end view thereof. 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view thereof. 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view thereof. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings and particularly to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , one form of the food preparation tray of the invention for supporting food items therein is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  14 . Tray  14  here comprises a bottom wall  16  having a top surface  16   a  and a bottom surface  16   b . As illustrated in  FIG. 5  of the drawings bottom surface  16   b  includes a recessed portion  17 . 
     Connected to bottom wall  16  and smoothly transitioning therefrom are first and second angularly upwardly extending first and second transversely spaced apart side walls  18  and  20 . Also connected to bottom wall  16  and smoothly transitioning therefrom are angularly upwardly extending first and longitudinally spaced apart end walls  22  and  24 . Disposed between first side wall  18  and said first end wall  22  is a first angularly upwardly extending, tapered pour channel  26  that is generally “C” shaped in cross-section. As best seen by referring to  FIGS. 1 and 4  of the drawings, pour channel  26  has an inlet  26   a  of a first width “W- 1 ” that is in communication with bottom wall  16  and an outlet  26   b  of a second lesser width “W- 2 ”. Similarly, disposed between second sidewall  20  and second end wall  24  is a second angularly upwardly extending, tapered pour channel  28  that is generally “C” shaped in cross-section. Pour channel  28  has an inlet  28   a  of a first width “W- 3 ” that is in communication with bottom wall  16  and an outlet  28   b  of a second lesser width “W- 4 ”. These pour channels, the purpose of which will presently be described, form an important aspect of the present invention 
     Also forming an important aspect of the invention is a food support structure  30  that is connected to and extends upwardly from the upper surface  16   a  of bottom wall  16  for supporting food articles within the preparation tray. While the support structure  30  can be of various configurations, it is here provided in the form of a plurality of transversely spaced apart, longitudinally extending, generally parallel support members  30   a . As indicated in  FIG. 4  of the drawings, bottom wall  16  has a first length “L- 1 ”, while support members  36   a  are of a second length “L- 2 ” less than first length “L- 1 ”. 
     In the preferred form of the invention, bottom wall  16 , first and second angularly upwardly extending first and second transversely spaced apart side walls  18  and  20  and longitudinally spaced apart end walls  22  and  24 , which terminate in a rim  32  are integrally formed from a rigid, microwavable material, such as a moldable plastic. 
     In using the apparatus of the invention, a food article such as, by way of example, a vegetable or a portion of meat is placed on the longitudinally extending generally parallel support members  30   a . Because the preparation tray is constructed from a microwavable material, the tray along with the food article can safely be placed in a microwave for cooking or warming. Support members  30   a  are constructed and arranged to securely position and support the food article so that it can easily be cut as may be required. Similarly, the support members  30   a  are strategically spaced apart so that any liquids emanating from the food article will flow downwardly between the support members and onto the top surface  16   a  of the bottom wall for collection. By lifting and appropriately tilting the preparation tray, these collected liquids can be conveniently poured from the preparation tray through either of the pour channels  26  or  28 . After use, the preparation tray can be conveniently washed either by hand or in a dishwasher. 
     Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.