Abstract:
A serving tray. The tray includes an elongate flexible handle mounted adjacent a reverse surface, the elongate flexible handle sized and shaped for securely receiving a server&#39;s hand.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present application is a non-provisional application based on (1) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/602,265, entitled “Serving Tray”, filed on Aug. 16, 2004; and (2) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/656,701, entitled “Serving Tray”, filed on Feb. 25, 2005. The present application claims priority from each of said provisional patent applications, and incorporates each in their entirety by this reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     This invention relates to manually held serving trays.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Serving trays have been used for many years. Various serving tray versions have long provided their unique attributes for various tasks where it was desired to provide a carryable base on which objects such as food or beverage could be carried to a table or other location. In serving tray designs, the use of various concepts have been adapted to assure that serving trays are nestable and stackable, and that they are easily cleaned and disinfected. However, learning to correctly balance and use a serving tray, particularly when loading and unloading objects from the tray, is a skill which must quickly be mastered by servants such as waiters and waitresses.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0004]     The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in which:  
         [0005]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the reverse side of an embodiment of a serving tray, showing mounting pedestals supporting a flexible handle strap above the reverse side, to define an entry zone for securely receiving a server&#39;s hand.  
         [0006]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the reverse side of an embodiment of a serving tray, showing a plurality of feet as well as a flexible handle strap.  
         [0007]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded perspective view of the reverse side of an embodiment of a serving tray, showing a plurality of feet, here tubular with internal stiffeners, as well as a flexible handle strap mounted between first and second strap mounting pedestals.  
         [0008]      FIG. 4  illustrates a partial bottom perspective view of an embodiment of a serving tray, here illustrating a tubular cylindrical foot with internal stiffeners.  
         [0009]      FIG. 5  illustrates a partial cross sectional view of one embodiment of a serving tray, here illustrating attachment of a flexible handle strap to a mounting pedestal.  
         [0010]      FIG. 6  illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a serving tray.  
         [0011]      FIG. 7  illustrates an exploded perspective view of the reverse side of an embodiment of a serving tray.  
         [0012]      FIG. 8  illustrates a plan view of the obverse side of an embodiment of a serving tray with only a partial view of a liner so that a portion of the serving tray below the liner may be seen.  
         [0013]      FIG. 8  illustrates a plan view of the obverse side of an embodiment of a serving tray.  
         [0014]      FIG. 9A, 9B ,  9 C,  9 D, and  9 E represent alternate colors for the liner of a serving tray as feasible for various embodiments.  
         [0015]      FIG. 10A, 10B ,  10 C,  10 D,  10 E,  10 F,  10 G and  10 H represent alternate colors for a serving tray as feasible for various embodiments.  
         [0016]      FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of the reverse side of the serving tray having the strap showing a new design.  
         [0017]      FIG. 12  illustrates a front elevational view of the strap on the serving tray.  
         [0018]      FIG. 13  illustrates an elevational view of the strap on the serving tray on one side.  
         [0019]      FIG. 14  illustrates a plan view of the obverse side of an embodiment of a serving tray.  
         [0020]      FIG. 15  illustrates a bottom plan view of the strap on the serving tray. 
     
    
       [0021]     foregoing figures, being merely exemplary, contain various elements that may be present or omitted from actual implementations depending upon the circumstances. An attempt has been made to draw the figures in a way that illustrates at least those elements that are significant for an understanding of the various embodiments and aspects of the invention. However, various other elements of the serving tray, especially as various handle configurations may be adapted and included or affixed to the base of the serving tray, as well as different embodiments of artistic elements such as handle designs, may be utilized, in order to provide a robust serving tray with handle for securing a user&#39;s hand between the handle and the lower side of the base of the serving tray.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0022]     In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments of the present invention. However, certain of these specific details may not be required in order to practice the certain or other disclosed embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0023]     The following description may include terms such as on, onto, on top, underneath, underlying, downward, lateral, and the like, that are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting. That is, these terms are terms that are relative only to a point of reference and are not meant to be interpreted as limitations, but are instead included in the following description to facilitate understanding of the various aspects of the disclosed embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0024]     The phrase “in one embodiment” is used repeatedly. The phrase generally does not refer to the same embodiment; however, it may.  
         [0025]     The terms “comprising”, “having” and “including” are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise.  
         [0026]     Turning now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of one embodiment of a serving tray  20  having an elongate flexible handle  22  on the reverse or lower side  24  is shown. The serving tray  20  utilizes a flexible handle  22  through which a server&#39;s hand  26  is placed and a palm of the server&#39;s hand  26  is secured against the reverse or lower side  24 . For the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the palm of the server&#39;s hand  26  is secured at or near the proximate center of the reverse side  24  of the serving tray  20 . The placement of the server&#39;s hand at such location may provide enhanced stability over embodiments with handles that may be placed off center. For various embodiments, the flexible handle  22  can be provided in a form of a thin, flexible, resilient strap. Moreover, for some embodiments, the flexible handle  22  may be formed from a suitable material such as a flexible plastic. A plurality of tubular cylindrical feet  50 ,  60 ,  62 , and  64  are provided, integrally molded in one piece with, or alternately affixed to, the lower side  24  of serving tray  20 . While four feet are illustrated, it can be appreciated that fewer feet, or more feet, may be used.  
         [0027]     It may be advantageous in many situations to have provided a serving tray which makes it easier to balance and secure objects loaded thereon. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the serving tray  20  may be quickly and easily secured against tipping movement by the hand  26  of the server/user. As shown the serving tray  20  may be quickly engaged with, and securely grasped by the hand  26  of the user, which allows the user to stabilize the serving tray  20  easily.  
         [0028]     As shown in  FIGS. 2, 3 ,  5 , and  6 , in one embodiment the flexible handle  22  may be secured to first and second mounting pedestals  41  and  43  by first and second fasteners  40  and  42 , respectively. In one embodiment, as seen in  FIG. 5 , fasteners  40  and  41  may be provided as screws. The mounting pedestals  41  and  43  space the flexible handle  22  at least a height H 1  ( FIG. 6 ) above the reverse side  24  of the serving tray  20 . In one embodiment, the mounting pedestals  41  and  43  are cylindrical in shape. For another embodiment, the mounting pedestals  41  and  43  have a fastener receiving aperture  48  defined by side walls  49 . For some embodiments, the centerline  51  as noted in  FIG. 5  of the flexible handle  22 , is co-linear with the centerline  53  as noted in  FIG. 3  of the first and second mounting pedestals  41  and  43 .  
         [0029]     The serving tray  20  has a peripheral edge portion  44 , which in some embodiments may slope upwardly and outwardly. As better seen in  FIG. 7 , a raised outer lip section  46  is utilized in many embodiments. Also seen in  FIG. 7  is one example of a foot  50  which has been integrally molded with, and extending away from the reverse side surface  24  for a distance D (see  FIG. 5 ).  
         [0030]     Shown in  FIGS. 2, 3 ,  4 ,  5 , and  7  are embodiments of a handle  22 , wherein fasteners  40  and  42  have been utilized to secure the flexible handle  22  to the mounting pedestals  41  and  42  on lower side surface  24 . In one embodiment, pedestals  41  and  42  have a height H 1  (see  FIG. 6 ) of about one-half inch. Pedestal mounts  41  and  42  may be provided in a cylindrical shape, such as a circular cylinder. For another embodiment, handle  22  can be provided as a strap having a width W (see  FIG. 2 ) of about one inch. Further, for an embodiment, the strap handle  22  may have a length L (see  FIG. 7 ) of about seven inches. Fasteners  40  and  42 , for an embodiment, may be spaced apart a width F (between centerline of fasteners  40  and  42  (see  FIG. 7 ) of about six inches. In this manner, for some embodiments, a loop portion  52  of handle  22  is provided outward a height H 2  spaced apart from reverse side surface  24  of slightly more than one-half inch to about three-quarters of an inch, or more, so that a user&#39;s hand may fit under the loop portion  52  and support the palm of user&#39;s hand against the lower side surface  24 . Thus, mounting pedestals  41  and  43  support the flexible handle strap  52  above reverse side  24  (planar in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 ) to define an entry zone for securely receiving a server&#39;s hand, as shown in  FIG. 1  above, so that the server can securely handle the serving tray.  
         [0031]     Turning now to  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  5 , in one embodiment for a serving tray, feet  50 ,  60 ,  62 , and  64  are provided in an integral, one-piece fashion molded with the body  70  ( FIG. 5 ) of the serving tray  20 . Foot  50  in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  is provided in the form of a tubular cylindrical structure having internal stiffeners  72 ,  74 ,  76 , and  78 . Such stiffeners  72 ,  74 ,  76 , and  78  may, in one embodiment, have rectangular shape, when viewed in vertical cross section. In one embodiment, internal stiffness  72 ,  74 ,  76 , and  78  are also integrally molded in one piece with the foot  50  and the tray  20 . A flat bottom  80  can be provided for the foot  50 , so that it can rest easily on a selected substrate (not shown).  
         [0032]     As can be appreciated from  FIG. 8 , the obverse or upper side  32  of the serving tray  20  may, in one embodiment, be provided as a planar upper side surface  32 . The planar upper side surface  32  may, in many embodiments, be surfaced with a non-skid stick-on liner  34 . One suitable such stick-on liner material is 3M Premium Scotchcal Cast Opaque Vinyl with CYMK Digital Ink, manufactured by the 3M Corporation of Minneapolis, Minn. A vinyl laminate such as Neschen Filmolux Jet-Pro Satin-Matte may also be a suitable material for liner  34 . In some embodiments, such stick-on liners may be colored (see  FIGS. 9A-9E ), and if so, may be provided in various colors.  FIG. 9A  shows a green liner, which may be a neon green shade.  FIG. 9B  shows an orange liner, which may be a neon orange shade.  FIG. 9C  shows a blue liner, which may be a shiny blue shade.  FIG. 9D  shows a brown liner, which may have a shiney brown finish. In one embodiment, logos or advertisements may be provided in a stick-on skid resistant liner. In other embodiments, in lieu of colored stick on liners  34 , a compound including a thin layer of cork board may be provided.  
         [0033]     Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 8  the serving tray  20  may also be pigmented with colors (see  FIGS. 10A-10H ), in accordance with various embodiments. For these embodiments,  FIG. 10A  illustrates a neon blue-purple serving tray  20 ;  FIG. 10B  illustrates a neon green serving tray  20 ;  FIG. 10C  illustrates a neon orange serving tray  20 ;  FIG. 10D  illustrates a neon purple serving tray  20 ;  FIG. 10E  illustrates a neon blue serving tray  20 ;  FIG. 10F  illustrates a brown serving tray  20 ;  FIG. 10G  illustrates an tan serving tray  20 ; and  FIG. 10H  illustrates a serving tray  20  having another color such as black.  
         [0034]     It is to be appreciated that the various aspects and embodiments of a serving tray as described herein are an important improvement in the state of the art. The resilient, flexible handle which in part defines an entry zone for securely receiving a server&#39;s hand, is simple, robust, and reliable configuration for a serving tray. Although only a few exemplary embodiments have been described in detail, various details are sufficiently set forth in the drawings and in the specification provided herein to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention(s), which need not be further described by additional writing in this detailed description.  
         [0035]     Importantly, the aspects and embodiments described and claimed herein may be modified from those shown without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages provided by this invention, and may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Therefore, the embodiments presented herein are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive or limiting. As such, this disclosure is intended to cover the structures described herein and not only structural equivalents thereof, but also equivalent structures. Numerous modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the claims.