Serving Tray With Disposal Opening

Abstract

A serving tray assembly includes a serving platter and a receptacle platter. The serving platter has a central aperture extending there through and a serving area defined between the central aperture and a perimeter thereof. The receptacle platter has a bottom and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom at a perimeter thereof. The serving platter and the receptacle platter are releasably coupled to one another.

Description

I. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 464,399 filed Aug. 14, 2006, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, and which '399 application is a nonprovisional of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 596,367 filed Sep. 19, 2005, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference and the disclosure of which is explicitly set forth below.II. COPYRIGHT STATEMENT [0002] All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved. III. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Trays for snacks and appetizer-type foods are gener...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a food tray assembly that includes a serving platter and a receptacle platter that are releasably coupled together. The serving platter has a central aperture and a plurality of radial channels for accepting and retaining food items. The receptacle platter has a bottom with a plurality of indentations and a raised portion. The receptacle platter can be turned upside down to provide a lid for the food tray assembly during transport. The invention also includes a method of disposing of food waste by placing the food waste in the central aperture of the serving platter and collecting it in the receptacle platter. The technical effects of the invention include efficient use of space, easy cleaning, and the ability to collect and dispose of food waste."

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, many trays do not have sealing lids that enable transport from one location to another, e.g., from a restaurant to a home.

Another problem that exists, particularly for foods such as chicken wings that create their own waste, is finding a place to put the waste prior to its being thrown away.

In most cases, a trash receptacle is not located within easy reach of a table or other dining area, typically because it is unsanitary or unsightly.

As such, a diner is faced with the problem of having a place to put the waste while the food creating the waste is being eaten.

Generally, such waste is unappetizing and an eater would prefer to have the waste out of sight while continuing to eat.

Presently available trays do not provide this capability.

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