Abstract:
A tray is disclosed herein, for supporting food and/or drink upon the lap of a user. The underside of the tray has a bowed stand, which is contoured to fit between the thighs of a seated user. The bowed stand provides optimal support, and is especially advantageous for use in a moving vehicle, to prevent sliding of the tray and spillage.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a food tray designed to be placed on the lap of a user. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Many types of packaging are known for use with food marketed by fast food-type restaurants. Specialized bags and boxes are known, which fit and surround the containers containing the food served, and which can be used to transport these food containers to a waiting vehicle. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,705,173 to Forbes describes a carryout tray with top, bottom and side walls. Slots are provided for various foods and for a drink The Forbes patent is expensive to manufacture due to its layered construction, which requires a relatively large amount of material, as can be seen in the unfolded view of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,401,927 to Sorensen et al. describes a tray for take-out food, having slots for food, drink and condiments, and pop-out legs at its extremities which support the tray when placed on the lap of a user. The Sorensen patent suffers from the disadvantage of having the cup-holder off-set to one side, which makes the tray unwieldy to balance when filled, tending to tip towards the cup-heavy portion. Additionally, the tray will tend to slide when the vehicle moves, as the tray cannot be anchored in place during use. 
         [0004]    An attempt to overcome this problem is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,119 to Eisenberg, which describes a lap tray for use in a moving vehicle. The tray has straps which surround a user&#39;s legs to anchor the tray. The straps are independent of the seat-belt. Inclusion of straps adds considerably to the cost of manufacture. The strap arrangement would not be suited to young children, who tend to resist being constrained. 
         [0005]    Novelty trays include U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009/0140023 to Noble, describing a compartmentalized tray which may be hung from the vehicle window or may be placed on a lap; and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0205640 to Pecorino, which describes a compartmentalized tray to be hung from the seat-back of a chair in front of the user, such as in a stadium. 
         [0006]    The need exists for a food tray with a simpler design, which would be economical to manufacture, having a minimal amount of material. The food tray should be properly designed to be balanced when full, and not side-heavy which would be cumbersome. The tray should have an anchoring element such as a stand which prevents tipping or sliding when used in a moving vehicle. 
         [0007]    The present invention provides a tray overcoming these disadvantages; the tray is simple to manufacture and thus inexpensive to produce. These and other advantages are described in the detailed description of the invention that follows. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    There is thus provided in the invention, a tray for supporting food and drink, comprising: 
         [0009]    a) a planar board including at least one slot for receiving one or more of the following: a drink cup, a food item, a condiment, or combinations thereof; 
         [0010]    b) a bowed stand fixed to the underside of the planar board, the bowed stand is contoured to fit between the thighs of a seated user, for support of the tray. 
         [0011]    Optionally, the bowed stand is located centrally underneath the planar board. 
         [0012]    The tray may be formed of a material selected from: paperboard, corrugated cardboard, a polystyrene foam, plastic, wood and chipboard. 
         [0013]    When the tray comprises a slot for receiving a drink cup, optionally the slot is located midway upon the longitudinal axis of the planar board, for maintaining optimal balance of the tray. 
         [0014]    In certain embodiments, the bowed stand is two-ply. 
         [0015]    Optionally, the bowed stand is fixed with adhesive to the planar board via a flap. 
         [0016]    Additionally, the bowed stand may be folded when not in use, to become essentially parallel to the planar board. 
         [0017]    In certain embodiments of the tray, a slot is present for receiving condiments. The slot includes a recessed bottom wall, and the slot is tub-shaped for retaining the condiments within. 
         [0018]    Moreover, the planar board may have a shape, included in the following group: rectangular, oval, square and circular. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    For a better understanding of the invention, with regard to the embodiments described, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the tray of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the tray. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the tray, having a two ply stand. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the tray having a two ply stand. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5 , illustrates tray in use, when placed upon the lap of a seated user, in frontal view ( FIG. 5A ) and in a side view ( FIG. 5B ). 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  illustrates tray with bowed stand in folded state. 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  illustrates tray with two-ply bowed stand in folded state. 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  illustrates tray with a single ply bowed stand in several additional views.  FIG. 8A  is a frontal view,  FIG. 8B  is a top view,  FIG. 8C  illustrates the underside of tray,  FIG. 8D  is a side view and  FIG. 8E  is a perspective view. 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  illustrates tray having a double-ply stand in several views.  FIG. 9A  is a frontal view,  FIG. 9B  is a top view,  FIG. 9C  illustrates the underside of tray,  FIG. 9D  is a side view and  FIG. 9E  is a perspective view. 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  illustrates several views of another embodiment, in which a single slot for receiving a drink cup, is present. 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  illustrates several views of an embodiment of the tray, in which a single slot for a drink cup is present, and tray has a double-ply stand. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0031]    The invention discloses a tray especially suited for use with food sold in a fast food-type of restaurant. The tray has a bowed stand which may be placed between the thighs of a seated user, to stabilize the tray when used in a moving vehicle. The tray has slots for retaining food(s), a drink cup and condiments. The tray is minimalistic in design and thus inexpensive to manufacture, and may be readily disposed of after use. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the tray  10  is comprised of a planar board  12 , which is depicted in  FIG. 1  as rectangular. The planar board  12  may have any shape, such as oval, square, circular, etc. Planar board  12  has slot  14   a  for receiving a drink cup, slot  14   b  for receiving food (e.g. a wrapped sandwich or a package of fries), slot  14   c  for receiving condiments (e.g. ketchup, mustard, etc). The planar board  12  is supported by a bowed stand  16 , which may be placed between the thighs of a seated user, to stabilize the tray. The bows  18   a,    18   b  of bowed stand  16  are contoured to fit within the thighs of a seated user, in a comfortable manner. Bowed stand  16  will prevent slippage and movement of the tray  10  when used in a moving vehicle or in any another location. Bowed stand  16  is typically attached to the underside of planar board  12  via flap  20 , using any suitable adhesive. 
         [0033]    Optionally, staples, hook-and-loop fastening, or other fasteners may be used for this purpose. 
         [0034]    When not in use, bowed stand  16  may be folded upwards (described herein below in relation to  FIGS. 6-7 ) to become essentially parallel to planar board  12 . 
         [0035]    In one presently preferred embodiment, slot  14   a  for receiving a drink cup is located midway upon the longitudinal axis of planar board  12 , generally opposite the face of a seated user. This location is advantageous for maintaining optimal balance of the tray  10  when it is carried by a user, as the drink cup is generally the heaviest item included in the meal. In contrast, in many prior art trays the cup holder is offset to one side, resulting in a cumbersome tray which tends to tip when carried. 
         [0036]    Slot  14   c  for receiving condiments, may have a recessed bottom wall, such that slot  14   c  is tub-shaped for retaining the condiments within. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , tray  10  is shown in side view, after drink cup  22  has been placed into slot  14   a,  and fries  24  have been inserted into slot  14   b.  Bowed stand  16  is perpendicular to planar board  12 , and is in “ready” state for placement between the thighs of a seated user. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view is shown of another embodiment of the tray  10 , having a two ply stand  26 . Two ply stand  26  is comprised of corresponding bowed elements  28   a,    28   b,  each of which includes a respective flap  20   a,    20   b  which is attached to the underside of planar board  12 . Two-ply stand  26  is intended to be placed between the thighs of a seated user similar to the single-ply stand of  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ; however the two-ply stand of  FIG. 3  is bulkier for more solidity. Slots  14   a,    14   b,    14   c  for receiving drink cup, food and condiments, are shown. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , tray  10  with two-ply stand  26  is shown in side view. Drink cup  22  has been placed into slot  14   a,  and fries  24  have been inserted into slot  14   b.  Bowed elements  28   a,    28   b  which comprise two-ply stand  26 , are clearly illustrated. Bowed elements  28   a,    28   b  are attached to underside of planar board via flaps  20   a,    20   b.    
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the tray  10  is shown in use, when placed upon the lap of a seated user, in frontal view ( FIG. 5A ) and in a side view ( FIG. 5B ). Planar board  12  rests upon user&#39;s lap  30 , with bowed stand  16  placed between user&#39;s legs  32   a,    32   b.  Drink cup  34  is seen protruding from drink cup slot (not shown), between user&#39;s legs  23   a,    32   b.  In  FIG. 5A , contours of bowed stand  16  are seen to correspond to a user&#39;s legs  32   a,    32   b,  such that bowed stand  16  fits comfortably between the user&#39;s legs and stand  16  stabilizes tray  10  and prevents undue movement of tray  10 . Slot  14   a  for drink cup is shown to be centered, for optimal balance of tray during use. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , tray  10  is shown after bowed stand  16  has been folded to a position essentially parallel to planar board  12 , prior to placement upon the user&#39;s lap. This folded arrangement allows ease of storage or transport of trays  12 . In folded state, bowed stand  16  covers slot  14   a  for receiving a drink cup. 
         [0042]    In  FIG. 6A , a plurality of slots  14   a,    14   b,    14   c  are shown, for receiving respectively, a drink cup, food and condiments. 
         [0043]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6B , tray includes only a single slot  14   a  for receiving only a drink cup. 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , tray  10  with two ply-stand  26  is shown with stand in folded state. Each one of bowed elements  28   a,    28   b  of two-ply stand  26 , has been moved upwards to lie flat against and parallel to planar board  12 . In this folded configuration, bowed element  28   a  covers drink slot  14   a.  In  FIG. 7A , bowed element  28   b  covers food slot  14   b,  which is not present in  FIG. 7B . 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , tray of the invention, with single ply bowed stand, is shown in several additional views. 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 8A , tray  10  is shown in side view, with bowed stand  16  present in “ready” state, for placement between a user&#39;s thighs. Tray is viewed as it would appear from headlong opposite a seated user. 
         [0047]      FIG. 8B  illustrates a top view of tray  10 . Slots  14   a,    14   b,    14   c  for receiving drink cup, food and condiments, respectively, are shown. 
         [0048]      FIG. 8C  illustrates a view of the underside of the tray  10 . Bowed stand  16  is visible, and is attached to tray  10  via flap  20   a.    
         [0049]      FIG. 8D  is a side view of tray  10 , showing bowed stand  16  in side view. 
         [0050]      FIG. 8E  is a perspective view of tray  10 . 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , tray  10  having a double-ply stand  26  is shown in several views. The perspectives are similar to the views illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , tray  10  of the invention is shown in several views of another embodiment, in which a single slot  14   a  for receiving a drink cup, is present. 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , another embodiment of tray  10  is shown in several views, in which a single slot  14   a  for drink cup is present, and tray  10  has a double-ply stand  26 . Stand  26  is formed of two bowed elements  28   a,    28   b,  which are attached to planar board  12  via their respective flaps  20   a,    20   b.    
         [0054]    Planar board  12  may be formed of any material. Materials best suited for single use include paperboard of any ply, corrugated cardboard, foam (XPS foam or other polystyrene foams). Manufacture of slots for receiving food, drink and condiments, is dependent upon the material used, and may include die-cutting, molding, scoring, etc. Materials suited for reusable trays, include plastic polymers, wood, chipboard and others. 
         [0055]    When the tray is formed of corrugated cardboard, bowed stand will withstand a relatively large degree of pressure placed upon the stand by the thighs of a seated. This, since the wavy corrugation folds are directed against the direction where pressure is exerted by the thighs. 
         [0056]    The tray may be recycled or discarded after a single use, or may be reused any number of times. 
         [0057]    The tray may be used in sports arenas, convenience stores and supermarkets. The upper side of the tray may optionally be embossed with any company logo or design, and may be sold or distributed as a marketing tool or gimmick. The upper side of the tray may have a picture which a child may color in after the food is consumed. 
         [0058]    In summary, the tray of the invention is inexpensive to manufacture, having minimal components and a minimal amount of material. Included in its uses, is use with fast-food takeout. The bowed stand, when placed between a seated user&#39;s thighs, grants stability and prevents slippage, such as tends to occur in a moving vehicle. The preferred placement of the drink cup slot offers optimal balance of the tray. 
         [0059]    The tray and its bowed stand, overcome disadvantages of prior art trays, which tend to be expensive to manufacture due to their complex design, and do not prevent slippage or sufficient stability during eating. 
         [0060]    Having described the invention with regard to certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the description is not meant as a limitation, as further modifications will now become apparent to those skilled in the art, and it is intended to cover such modifications as are within the scope of the appended claims.