Patent Abstract:
A cracker serving and storage system includes a tray defining a trough having at least two sides and a slidable spacer configured to couple to the two sides and slide along the trough to capture the crackers in the tray. A storage container is also provided for storing the crackers and tray therein. A method for storing and serving crackers includes providing a cracker tray, positioning crackers in the tray, providing a spacer, and positioning the spacer between the rails behind the crackers to hold the crackers in position in the tray.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/258,896, filed Nov. 6, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    This technology relates to a serving tray and storage system. More particularly, the technology relates to a cracker serving tray and a mating storage container for housing the cracker serving tray when crackers are installed on the tray. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Crackers are typically stored in their product packaging, in Ziploc bags, or in plastic or glass containers to promote freshness. Crackers are often served in a bowl or on a tray. Applicant is unaware of any known containers that can be used to serve and store both round and square crackers in a storage tray inside a plastic storage container. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example cracker serving tray that may be utilized with differently shaped and sized crackers, with square crackers shown positioned on the tray; 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the example cracker serving tray of  FIG. 1 , showing square crackers positioned on the tray; 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of square crackers 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is an inner end view of the end cap of the tray shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the tray shown in  FIG. 1 , with a spacer installed on the tray; 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the tray shown in  FIG. 1  with a spacer installed on the tray; 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view of the leg and rail of the tray shown in  FIG. 1 , depicting the angle between the two surfaces; 
           [0011]      FIG. 8  is a face view of the spacer in an uninstalled position; 
           [0012]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an alternative example cracker serving and storage system that has different end caps than that shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an alternative example cracker tray shown with square crackers installed in the tray; 
           [0014]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the cracker tray of  FIG. 10  shown installed in a square container; 
           [0015]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the cracker tray of  FIG. 10  shown installed in a round container; 
           [0016]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an example round container for use with the example cracker serving tray; 
           [0017]      FIG. 14  is a side view of the container shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of a cap that may be utilized with the example container of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the cap of  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a rectangular container for use with the example cracker serving tray; 
           [0021]      FIG. 18  is a side view of the container shown in  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view of a cap for use with the rectangular container shown in  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the cap of  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 21  is a perspective exploded view of an example cracker serving tray being positioned in a round container; 
           [0025]      FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view of the cap installed on the round container of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 23  is a perspective exploded view of an example cracker serving tray being positioned in a square container; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional view of the cap installed on the square container of  FIG. 17 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    The example cracker serving and storage system  10  incorporates a cracker serving tray  12  and one or more storage containers  14  for the serving tray  12 . The system  10  provides a combination of a tray  12  for holding and serving crackers  34  and a storage container  14  that is sized to accept the tray  12  therein without having to remove the crackers  34  from the tray  12  for storage purposes. The tray  12  simplifies the storage and serving of crackers  34 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  depicts an example serving tray  12  for use with the system  10 . The tray  12  shown includes two rails  16  that together form a trough for receiving the crackers  34  there between. The two rails  16  are joined together at the ends by two end plates  18 . The end plates  18  keep the rails  16  spaced apart from one another in parallel relation. The rails  16  are elongated and are coupled at either end to legs  20  so that four legs  20  are utilized, one at each corner of the tray  12 . The legs  20  may be formed integrally with the rails  16 . The legs  20  maintain the rails  16  in spaced relation to a surface that the tray  12  sits on. 
         [0030]    Each rail  16  forms a first angle A 1  relative to the perpendicular from the surface that the tray  12  sits on and the associated leg  20  forms a different angle A 2  relative to the perpendicular from the surface that the tray  12  sits on. As shown, the rails  16  form an upright V-shape and the legs  20  form an upside down V-shape. The V-shape of the rails  16  is designed to form a trough for holding the crackers  34  in place. An angle A 3  is positioned between the rails  16  and the legs  20 . This angle A 3  may be approximately 90 degrees. More particularly, this angle A 3  may be greater than or less than 90 degrees by 5, 10, 15, 20 degrees or more. One angle A 3  is about 92 degrees. The legs  20  may be substantially perpendicular to the rails  16 , or could be angled at a different angle, ranging from approximately 45 degrees to about 135 degrees. An example angle A 3  is shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0031]    The rails  16  face one another to form side walls of the tray  12  and are positioned at opposite angles relative to the surface that the tray  12  seats upon. The legs  20  maintain the rails  16  above the surface, and provide a space between the bottom of the rails and the surface in order to allow portions of a cracker  34  to seat about a surface between the rails  16 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , a square saltine-type cracker  34  would have one corner  36  of the cracker  34  positioned between the rails  16 . The legs  20  have a height sufficient to elevate the corner  36  of the cracker  34  above the surface. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 3 and 4  depict the end plates or caps  18 . In  FIG. 3 , the end plate  18  is installed on the rails  16  and the outer side of the end plate  18  is visible. In  FIG. 4 , the opposite side, or inner side  38  of the end plate  18  is shown in an uninstalled position. The end caps  18  may have a shape that mirrors the angles of the rails  16  so that the end cap  18  tapers from wider at the top to narrower at the bottom. The end caps  18  may be coupled to the rails  16  and positioned above the legs  20 , if desired, so that the end cap  18  does not rest on the surface that the tray  12  seats on. The end plates  18  may be substantially flat, or have a different profile. The end caps  18  could be used as additional trays  12  for storing something other than crackers  34 , such as forming a recess for holding cheese or dip. 
         [0033]    The end caps  18  may include slots or tabs  22  for mating with the rails  16 . The example shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  includes both slots  22  for receiving tabs  22  that are positioned on the rails  16 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . In addition, elongated tabs  22  are formed and extend outwardly from the inner sides  38  of the end plates  18  and the rails  16  seat against the elongated tabs  22 . Other attachment mechanisms may also be used to join the end caps  18  to the rails  16 , including mechanical and chemical means, such as soldering or gluing. At least one end cap  18  is utilized, but two end caps  18  may also be utilized, with one end cap  18  being positioned at either end of the tray  12 . An end cap  18  may be integrally formed with the rails  16 , if desired, as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . 
         [0034]      FIGS. 5 and 6  depict a side and top view of the example cracker serving tray  12 . In  FIG. 5 , the rails  16  are shown to extend along the length of the tray  12 . The rails  16  form the upper portion of the sides of the tray  12  and the legs  20  form the lower portion of the sides of the tray  12 . The legs  20  may be coupled directly to the rails  16 , as shown. In addition, a stabilizing section  40  may be positioned in the lower portion of the sides between the legs  20  and rails  16 , but spaced from the surface that the tray seats on. As shown in  FIG. 6 , a space  42  is provided between the rails  16  for accepting a cracker  34  therebetween. 
         [0035]      FIG. 8  depicts a spacer  24 , or sliding stop, that is provided for both maintaining a proper spacing between the rails  16  and for capturing crackers  34  between the end plate  18  and the spacer  24 . The spacer  24  may also be V-shaped and is slidable along the rails  16  and includes slots  26  that form arms  28  that seat over the side of the rails  16  so that the spacer  24  rests entirely on the rails  16 . The spacer  24  is shown positioned on or in proximity to the rails in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  9 . The spacer  24  is sized such that it may slide along the length of the tray  12 , but stays in position to hold crackers  34  in position in the tray  12 . Friction created between the slots  26 , arms  28 , and rails  16  allows the spacer  24  to maintain its position once slid. The spacer  24  helps to retain the crackers  34  in an upright position in the tray  12  for ease of removal. 
         [0036]      FIG. 9  depicts an alternative example cracker serving tray. This example is the same as the example shown in  FIG. 1 , except that the end plates  18  are attached in a slightly different manner to the rails  16 . In this example, the rails  16  do not include smaller tabs  22 , like those shown in  FIG. 2 . Instead, the rails  16  seat in slots  22  defined between tabs  22  on the end plates  18 . Other attachment mechanisms may also be utilized, if desired. 
         [0037]      FIG. 10  depicts crackers  34  installed on an example cracker serving tray  12 . In this example, a rear end plate it not utilized and the forward end plate  18  is integrally formed with the rails  16 . In addition, the legs  20  are longer than those shown in prior examples. The spacer  24  is utilized to maintain the rails  16  in spaced relation.  FIGS. 11 and 12  show the example serving tray  12  installed inside a container  14  according to the system.  FIG. 11  depicts a square or rectangular tube container  14  and  FIG. 12  depicts a round tube container  14 . 
         [0038]    Decorative features  30 , advertising materials, or other indicia may be positioned on the end plates  18 , rails  16  or spacer  24 .  FIGS. 10-12  show a decorative cut out being positioned on the end cap  18  and spacer  24 . Square crackers  34  are shown positioned in the tray  12  of  FIGS. 10-12 , but other size crackers may also be utilized. It should be noted that the legs  20 , rails  16 , end caps  18 , and spacer  24  should be sized based upon the anticipated product to be stored in the tray  12  so that the product remains raised above the surface that the tray  12  sits on. 
         [0039]    As is evident from  FIGS. 11 and 12 , both the crackers  34  and the tray  12  can be stored in the tube  14  together so that the crackers  34  do not need to be removed from the tray  12  prior to storage. The container  14  shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12  is made of a transparent plastic material and has a cover or lid  32  that is positioned at one end of the tube  14 . A lid  32  could be positioned at both ends of the tube  14 , if desired. In the example shown, the same tray  12  and crackers  34  can seat in either a round container  14  or a square container  14 . Both tubes  14  may be included with the system  10  or a single tube could be included. Certain sized crackers  34  may fit better in one tube than in the other. While round, oval, and rectangular crackers are not shown, it will be recognized that any size crackers can be used with the system. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 13-16  depict greater details concerning the round storage container  14 . The round container  14  is tube-like and has one end  44  that is closed and another end  46  that is open. The open end  46  is used for inserting the cracker serving tray  12 , as shown in  FIG. 21 . The open end  46  of the tube  14  includes screw threads  48  for mating with a cap  50 . The cap  50  may be plain, as shown, or include indicia, advertising materials, designs, or the like, as known by those of skill in the art. The cap  50  is shown installed on the tube in  FIG. 22 . The cap  50  has screw threads  52  for mating with threads  48  on the container  14 . 
         [0041]      FIGS. 17-20  depict greater details concerning the square storage container  14 . The square container  14  is tube-like and has one end  44  that is closed and another end  46  that is open. The open end  46  is used for inserting the cracker serving tray  12  therein, as shown in  FIG. 23 . This container  14  includes an insert-type cap  54 , that is inserted into the opening  46  of the container  14  and seats snugly in the opening  46  to close the container  14 . The lid  54  has a lip  56  so that the lid  54  cannot easily be forced too far into the container  14 . In addition, a tab  58  is coupled to one or more corners of the lid  54  and is used to assist in removing the lid  54  from the container  14 .  FIG. 24  shows the lid  54  installed on the opening  46  of the container  14 . 
         [0042]    Any type of material may be utilized with the example cracker tray  12  and storage container  14  that is known to those of skill in the art. For example, the tray  12  could be plastic, metal, glass, or other known materials. The container  14  could be transparent or opaque and may be made of a plastic or other material. The tray  12  and spacer  24  may be made of the same materials or different materials. The tray  12  could be any color desired or clear and transparent. The container  14  could also be any color desired. One material that may be used for both the tray  12  and the container  14  is polypropylene. 
         [0043]    Different sizes and types of crackers  34  may be installed on the tray  12  if desired. The containers  14  completely enclose the crackers  34  installed on the tray  12  so that they are not exposed to humidity or moisture during storage. 
         [0044]    Any size tray  12  may be utilized. The container  14  should be large enough to accept the tray  12  with crackers  34  installed inside the container  14 . The containers  14  shown are round or square, but could be other shapes and sizes. For example, the containers could be rectangular, oval, or other shapes. The containers  14  shown have a lid  32  installed at one end thereof, but could have lids  32  at both ends if desired. The lid  32  may be the same type of material as the container  14 , or a different type of material. For example, the container  14  could be opaque while the lid  32  is transparent to allow a user to view the interior of the contents of the container  14 . 
         [0045]    In use, the user assembles the tray  12 , if necessary, by inserting the tabs on the rails into the slots on the end caps. Then the spacer  24  may be positioned over the rails  16  so that each arm rests on an exterior surface of each rail  16 . Then crackers  34  may be positioned in the tray  12  so that they rest against an end plate  18  and the spacer  24  is slid along the rails  16  until it abuts and captures the crackers  34  in the tray  12 . When the user is finished using the tray  12  and crackers  34  still remain in the tray  12 , the user may position the tray  12  and crackers  34  inside a storage container  14 . The lid  32  is then placed on the storage container  14  to provide an air-tight fit. The tray  12  could also be stored in the container  14  without any crackers  34  installed on the tray  12 . 
         [0046]    While the above description is in the context of crackers  34 , other similar materials could be stored in the container  14 . For example, recipe cards or photographs, or other food items could be stored in the container  14 . One example of other food would be sliced bread, pita bread, bagels, cookies or similar food items. The container  14  and tray  12  would need to be sized accordingly. 
         [0047]    The term “substantially” or “substantial,” as used herein, is a term of estimation. 
         [0048]    While various features of the claimed invention are presented above, it should be understood that the features may be used singly or in any combination thereof. Therefore, the claimed invention is not to be limited to only the specific embodiments depicted herein. 
         [0049]    Further, it should be understood that variations and modifications may occur to those skilled in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. The embodiments described herein are exemplary of the claimed invention. The disclosure may enable those skilled in the art to make and use embodiments having alternative elements that likewise correspond to the elements of the invention recited in the claims. The intended scope of the invention may thus include other embodiments that do not differ or that insubstantially differ from the literal language of the claims. The scope of the present invention is accordingly defined as set forth in the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0