Tray with improved stability

Abstract

A tray having improved stability in use comprising, a carrying portion having a substantially planar upper face for supporting items, and a lower face adapted to be supported by an operators hand, said lower face having at least one fixed and downwardly extending projection providing stable support for the tray when deposited on a surface by the operator, and wherein said. at least one downwardly extending projection permits removal and entry of the operator's hand for support of the lower face when the tray is deposited on the surface.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to trays using for carrying items, and more particularly to trays used in the food and hospitality industry with an improved stability when in use by an individual such as a server. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] In the food and beverage service industry it is important that customers are served with their orders as quickly as possible. This is a particular problem during peak times when restaurants or bars can be crowded with customers. The problems arise from both the number of orders being placed, and the difficulty in accessing the customer who placed the order due to crowding in aisles and walkways. [0003] One known way in which the server may deliver more items than they are capable of carrying unaided in their hands is with the use of a tray. A typical tray comprises a supporting surface that is flat on both the upper surface where the items being carried are placed, and flat on the lower surface where the server...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] The present invention provides a tray having improved stability in use thereby providing an economic benefit in fewer breakages or spillage of items to be served as well as improved service to customers. In addition, the tray having at least one downwardly extending projection can be used to promote goods or services when in use by attachment of advertisements to that downwardly extending projection.

[0008] A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a tray having improved stability in use. The improved stability tray includes a carrying portion having a substantially planar upper face for supporting items, and a lower face adapted to be supported by a server or operators hand. That lower face has at least one fixed and downwardly extending projection providing stable support for the tray when deposited on a surface by the operator. The at least one downwardly extending projection permits removal and entry of the operator's hand for support of the lower face when the tray is deposited on the surface.

Problems solved by technology

This is a particular problem during peak times when restaurants or bars can be crowded with customers.

The problems arise from both the number of orders being placed, and the difficulty in accessing the customer who placed the order due to crowding in aisles and walkways.

The disadvantage with such trays is that it requires the server to balance the tray carrying items to be served on their hand.

The difficulty with the balancing is that as items are removed from the upper surface of the tray the server must continually adjust the balancing of the tray on their hand.

An error in this balancing will result in the tray being upset and the items on the tray being spilled, possibly resulting in further delay in delivering the ordered items to customers.

Upsetting the balance of such a tray can also result in containers such as china and glassware, whether full or empty, from falling and breaking.

A further difficulty arises when putting down or picking up such a tray.

In order to slide the tray it must be tilted which can result in additional spillage of the liquids such as drinks in glasses on the tray.

However, such operation requires both hands of the server arid prevents the server from carrying two trays simultaneously.

As an additional problem at the busiest times in a restaurant or bar a server may have to negotiate through a crowded room with a loaded tray balanced on their hand.

A small bump or knock of the server in such a crowded room can result in the server losing their balance control of the tray sitting on their hand with the result that the items resting on the tray can be upset and spill off the tray.

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