Patent Publication Number: US-2003226844-A1

Title: Flip side grill tray

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] The benefit of Provisional Application Serial No. 60/375,161, filed Apr. 24, 2003 and entitled FLIP SIDE GRILL TRAY, is hereby claimed. The disclosure of this referenced provisional application is incorporated herein by reference.  
       [0002] This invention relates generally to cooking accessories and relates, more particularly, to trays for conveying food to and from a cooking site, such as an outdoor grill.  
       [0003] When conveying uncooked meat to be cooked at a cooking site, such as an outdoor grill, the meat is commonly transported in a tray, and when conveying the cooked meat from the cooking site, the meat is commonly transported in the same tray in which the meat was originally carried to the cooking site. Without thoroughly cleaning such a tray between its use for transporting the meat to the cooking site and its use for transporting the meat from the cooking site, the cooked meat could become contaminated with contaminants contained within residue or juices left on the tray from its earlier use. Of course, to clean the tray between uses can be inconvenient and time-consuming. Consequently, the tray is often not thoroughly cleaned between uses, and accordingly, an unwashed tray can expose individuals who eat the cooked meat to undue health risks.  
       [0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved tray assembly for use when conveying meat or other food to and from a cooking site, such as an outdoor grill, which reduces any health risk from food residue or juices left on the tray between its uses.  
       [0005] It is another object of the present invention to provide such a tray assembly which is uncomplicated in construction yet effective in operation.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006] This invention resides in a tray assembly for conveying food to and from a cooking site.  
       [0007] The tray assembly includes a first cover having a cup-shaped form and a peripheral edge which extends around the cup-shaped form of the first cover, and further includes a second cover having a cup-shaped form and a peripheral edge which extends around the cup-shaped form of the second cover. In addition, an intermediate section is positionable between the first and second covers and provides two opposite tray surfaces against which food item be placed for conveying purposes and wherein the intermediate section includes a boundary edge section. Furthermore, the boundary edge section includes means cooperable with the peripheral edges of the first and second covers so that the first and second covers can be placed in snug-fitting relationship with the intermediate section along the boundary edge section thereof so that any residue or fluid which might be left from or flow from the food while being carried upon one of the tray surfaces of the intermediate section to a cooking site is isolated from the other tray surf ace of the intermediate section so that said other tray surface of the intermediate section is prevented from exposure from any residue or fluid which may be left from or flow from the food when the food is transported to the cooking site.  
       [0008] Thus, the other tray surface remains in a clean condition for transporting or conveying the food, when cooked, from the cooking site. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tray assembly within which features of the present invention are embodied.  
     [0010]FIG. 2 is a side view of a fragment of the FIG. 1 tray assembly.  
     [0011]FIG. 3 is a perspective view, shown exploded, of the FIG. 1 tray assembly.  
     [0012]FIG. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the FIG. 1 tray assembly as viewed along line  4 - 4  of FIG. 1. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT  
     [0013] Turning now to the drawings in greater detail, there is shown in FIGS.  1 - 4  an embodiment of a tray assembly, generally indicated  20 , within which features of the present invention are embodied. The tray assembly  20  includes first and second covers, indicated  22  and  24 , respectively, which are disposed in superposed relation and an intermediate section  26  positionable between the covers  22  and  24 . The first and second covers  22  and  24  are identical in construction, are each somewhat cup-shaped in form (i.e. having a concave interior), and are arranged so that the cup-shaped forms of the covers  22  and  24  open generally toward one another. The intermediate section  26  is positioned between the first and second covers  22  and  24 , and during use of the tray assembly  20 , is attached to one or both of the first and second covers  22  and  24  in a snug fit-up relationship therewith. To this end and is discussed in greater detail herein, the intermediate section  26  includes a boundary edge section  84  which cooperates with the first and second covers  22 ,  24  so that the first and second covers  22 ,  24  can be placed in snug-fitting relationship with the intermediate section  26  along the boundary edge section thereof. In the interests of the present invention, the phrases “snug-fitting relationship” and “snug fit-up relationship” each mean a close-fitting, or tight, relationship as opposed to a loose-fitting relationship in which components are permitted to move or shift relative to one another.  
     [0014] As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, each of the first and second covers  22  and  24  includes a relatively broad, substantially rectangular mid-section  32  and walls  34  which are joined to and extend away from the mid-section  32  where the walls  34  terminate along a peripheral edge  36 . Comprising the walls  34  are somewhat parallel and opposite sidewalls  38  and  40  which extend along the two longer sides of the mid-section  32  and somewhat parallel and opposite endwalls  42  and  44  which extend along the two shorter sides (i.e. ends) of the mid-section  32 . In addition, the corners of the cover  22  and  24  are rounded in shape to provide the covers  22  and  24  with their cup-like form. The peripheral edge  36  lies in a plane for a reason apparent herein. If desired and as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the mid-section  32  of each cover  22  and  24  can include reinforcing ribs  48  which extend transversely thereacross and adjacent each end thereof.  
     [0015] Each cover  22  or  24  further includes a pair of handles  46  which are attached to so as to extend outwardly from the endwalls  42  and  44  of the covers  22  and  24 . Joining the handles  42  to the endwalls  42  and  44  and as best shown in FIG. 3 are a pair of spacers  45  which are disposed at opposite ends of the handles  46  and include slots  47  which, as will be apparent herein, accept a portion of a component of the intermediate section  26  as the covers  22  and  24  are joined to the intermediate section  26 . Preferably, the handles  46  include ribs integrally formed therein to enhance the rigidity of the handles  46 .  
     [0016] The covers  22  and  24  are formed (e.g. molded) out of a relatively rigid plastic, but alternative materials can be used.  
     [0017] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the intermediate section  26  includes a mid-section  50  having two substantially planar portions  52 ,  54  which are joined together along a line  56  which extends along the middle of the mid-section  50  to form an obtuse angle  57  (FIG. 4) therebetween. In addition, the boundary edge section  84  of the intermediate section  26  includes a portion which is shaped to provide a trough  58  (best shown in FIG. 4) which extends around the entire boundary of the mid-section  50  and defines an outer edge  59  for the mid-section  50 .  
     [0018] As will be apparent herein, one side, indicated  60 , of the mid-section  50  provides a tray surface  62  upon which uncooked food products, such as meat, can be placed for transport (e.g. carrying purposes) and draining purposes while the other side, indicated  64 , of the mid-section  50  provides a tray surface  66  upon which cooked food products can be placed for transport. More specifically, the line  56  along which the planar portions  52 ,  54  are joined provides a peak from which food residue and juices are permitted to drain from the uncooked food and flow toward the trough  58  for collection. Meanwhile, the opposite side  64  provides a tray surface  65  upon which cooked food products can be placed with less regard for the draining ability of the tray surface  65 . It will be understood that in order for food items to be carried upon a desired one of the tray surfaces  62 ,  65 , the tray assembly  20  must be oriented (e.g. inverted, if necessary) so that the desired tray surface  62  or  64  is oriented so as to face upwardly.  
     [0019] Attached to an outer wall of the trough-providing portion of the boundary edge section  84  adjacent the outermost edge  59  thereof and so as to be disposed outboard of the edge  59  are a spacer section  66  and an associated band  68  which extend completely around the mid-section  50 . The spacer section  66  is relatively thin in form (with upper and lower sides) and extends outwardly from the outer wall (of the trough-providing portion of the boundary edge section  84 ) where it is joined to the band  68  along the middle thereof. The band  68  has opposite upper and lower portions  70  and  72 , respectively, which terminate along upper and lower edges  74  and  76 , and further includes two pairs of vertical slots, or slits  78 , which are defined within the upper and lower portions  70  and  72  and which are disposed on opposite ends of the intermediate section  26 . Preferably, the slits  78  are not very deep to lessen the likelihood of spillage of juices or fluids from the interior of the tray assembly  20  in the event that the assembly  20  is tipped by an appreciable amount (e.g. up to about fifteen degrees) relative to the horizontal. As will be apparent herein, these slits  78  accept the spacers  45 , and the spacer slots  47  accept the portion of the band  68  at which the slots  47  terminate when the covers  22  and  24  are positioned in snug-fitting relationship with the intermediate section  26 .  
     [0020] Furthermore and as will be apparent herein, a pair of gaps  80  (disposed above and below the spacer section  66  as viewed in FIG. 4) are defined between the outermost wall of the trough  58  and the corresponding portion (i.e. the upper or lower portion  70  or  72 ) of the band  68 , and it is within these gaps  80  (one of which opens upwardly and the other of which opens downwardly) that the edges  36  of the covers  22  and  24  are received when placed in snug-fitting relationship with the intermediate section  26 . Further still, the intermediate section  26  includes a pair of handles  82  which are joined to so as to extend outwardly of the band  68 . As will be apparent herein, the handles  82  are used, in conjunction with the handles  46  of the covers  22 ,  24 , to transport the tray assembly  20  between sites and to selectively remove the cover  22  or  24  from or replace the cover  22  or  24  into snug-fitting relationship with the intermediate section  26 .  
     [0021] To assemble the tray assembly  20 , each of the covers  22  or  24  is positioned so as to open toward a corresponding side of the intermediate section  26  and urged thereagainst until the edge  36  of each cover  22  or  24  is snugly inserted (i.e. positioned) within the corresponding gap  80  defined between the outermost wall of the trough  58  and the corresponding portion  70  or  72  of the intermediate section  26  and so that the edge  36  of the cover  22  or  24  abuts the spacer section  66 . Accordingly, each gap  80  is sized to snugly accept the edge  36  of a cover  22  or  24  when the cover edge  36  is inserted therein so that the cover edge  36  engages the spacer section  66 . If desired, an indentation can be formed along the inside surface of the band portions  70  and  72 , and corresponding detents can be formed along the outer surface of the walls  34  of the covers  22  and  24  so that when a cover edge  36  of the cover  22  or  24  is positioned, or inserted, into snug fit-up relationship within the gap  80 , the cover  22  or  24  moves into a snap-fit, or interlocking, relationship with the intermediate section  26 .  
     [0022] It will be understood that as each cover  22  or  24  is placed in snug-fitting relationship with a corresponding side of the intermediate section  26 , the slits  78  defined within the band  68  at each end thereof accommodate (i.e. accept) the spacers  45  to which the handles  46  are attached to the cover  22  or  24  while the slots  47  of the cover handles  46  accommodate (i.e. accept) the corresponding upper or lower portion  70  or  72  of the band  68  so that the edges  36  of the covers  22  and  24  can be placed into snug-fitting relationship within the gaps  80  without interference from the handles  46  or band  68 . Accordingly, the width of the slits  78  are slightly greater than the thickness of the spacers  45  and the width of the slots  47  are slightly greater than the thickness of the band  68  as measured through its upper or lower portion  70  or  72 .  
     [0023] To use the tray assembly  20  to transport uncooked food (e.g. meat) to a cooking site (such as an outdoor grill), the cover  22  is removed from the intermediate section  26  to expose the tray surface  62 . With the tray surface  62  exposed, the uncooked food is placed upon the tray surface  62 , and the cover  22  is replaced upon the intermediate section  26 . (Depending upon the height of the food placed upon the tray surface  62 , it may be difficult to replace the cover  22  into snug-fitting relationship with the intermediate section  26 , but as will be apparent herein, it is not necessary to do so.) With the uncooked food placed upon the tray surface  62  of the intermediate section  26 , any residue or fluid which falls or drips from the uncooked food (such as the juices from uncooked steaks) is permitted to flow from the food and along the planar portions  52  and  54  into the trough  58 . When the tray assembly  20  has been transported to the cooking site, the cover  22  is removed from the intermediate section  26 , and the uncooked food is lifted from the tray surface  62  of the intermediate section  26  for cooking. The cover  22  is then replaced upon the intermediate section  26  so that the edge  36  thereof fits into snug-fitting relationship within the gap  80  corresponding with the tray surface  62 .  
     [0024] When it is desired to transport (i.e. convey) the cooked food from the cooking site, the tray assembly  20  is turned, or flipped, over, and the cover  24  is removed from the intermediate section  26  to expose the (upwardly-facing) tray surface  65  thereof while the cover  22  remains snugly secured to the intermediate section  26 . The cooked food is then placed upon the exposed tray surface  65 , and then the cover  24  is replaced upon the intermediate section  26 . The tray assembly  20 , with the cooked food contained therein, can then be transported from the cooking site.  
     [0025] It will be appreciated that any food residue or juices which have been left or drained from the uncooked food onto the tray surface  62  of the intermediate section  26  during transport of the (uncooked) food to the cooking site remains at all times separated from the opposite tray surface  65  of the intermediate section  26 . Therefore, the tray surface  65  remains separated from any contaminants which may be contained within the residue or juices to which a tray surface  62  is exposed, and the tray surface  62  remains therefore in uncontaminated (e.g. clean) condition when the time comes to place the cooked food thereagainst. Consequently and when placed against the tray surface  65  for transport from the cooking site, the cooked food is never exposed to the residue or juices (or the contaminants which may be contained therein) which are left against or flow across the tray surface  62 . The covers  22  and  24  are selectively removed from or replaced upon the intermediate section  26  by appropriate manipulation of the handles  46  and  82 .  
     [0026] The tray assembly  20  is particularly well-suited for transporting meat to and from an outdoor grill where the meat is cooked for eating. For example, when transporting the meat to an outdoor grill, the meat is placed against the tray surface  62  of the intermediate section  26  where the juices of the meat are permitted to flow across the planar portions  52  and  54  and drain into the trough  58 . When the meat is cooked and ready to be transported from the grill to, for example, the dinner table, for eating, the tray assembly  20  is flipped over, and the meat is placed upon the uncontaminated (e.g. clean) surface  65  of the intermediate section  26  for transport. Thus when carried upon the tray surface  65 , the cooked meat is isolated from exposure to the juices of the uncooked meat which may have been collected against the tray surface  65 .  
     [0027] Exemplary dimensions of the tray assembly  20  are provided herein as follows: The wall thickness of each of the cover  22  and  24  and the intermediate section  26  is about 1.8 mm, the length of each cover  22  or  24  (disregarding the handles  46 ) is about 15.2 inches, the length of each cover  22  or  24  including the handles  46  is about 17.146 inches, the width of each cover  22  or  24  is about 9.2 inches, the height of each cover  22  or  24  is about 1.715 inches, and the height of the band  68  as measured from the spacer section  66  is about 1.75 inches (so that the total height of the band  68  is about 3.0 inches).  
     [0028] It will be understood that numerous modifications and substitutions can be had to the aforedescribed embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, although the aforedescribed tray assembly  20  and in particular, the covers  22  and  24 , have been shown and described as not including feet which would enhance the stability of the assembly  20  when placed upon a flat surface, the tray assembly  20  and, in particular, the covers  22  and  24 , can include such feet. Accordingly, the aforedescribed embodiment  20  is intended for illustration and not as limitation.