Combination wall shelf and serving tray

Abstract

A combination wall shelf and food service tray is comprised of a breakfast-in-bed-like food serving tray adapted with mounting means for removable mounting of the tray to a wall in shelf-like orientation. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting means comprises a downwardly projecting longitudinal flange perpendicular to the serving surface of the apparatus, the flange being sized and shaped for cooperative engagement with at least one bracket which is permanently mounted to a wall. The subject apparatus is ideal for use by tray passers and other staff in hospital settings because it may be selectively stored in a convenient location within a patient room when not in use and removed for placement over a patient's lap during meal service.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The subject invention relates to the service of meals to patients in hospitals generally, and to a method and apparatus for facilitating the provision of meals to bed or chair-ridden patients, in particular.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The service of food and beverages to hospital patients presents numerous challenges to dietary personnel. A primary objective is to deliver meals to patients throughout the hospital as quickly as possible to assure that foods are served at their intended temperatures and at regular intervals. This task must be accomplished by hospital staff called “tray passers” without compromising their safety or that of patients which is always of paramount importance.[0003]A typical method of delivering food to patients will involve the steps of loading individual food trays onto a cart in the kitchen, transporting the cart to a designated floor and / or hospital wing, entering the patient room to clear an area to place the food tray,...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]In practice, the subject wall mountable serving apparatus provides a means for improving the efficiency of meal service in hospital settings by providing a readily available clutter free surface upon which conventional food trays may be placed, thus avoiding the need for unnecessary and time consuming steps associated with conventional food service protocols. A preferred method of delivering a food tray from a cart outside the patients room and utilizing the subject apparatus will involve the steps of: 1) transporting the tray from the cart into the patient room, 2) placing the food tray on the wall mounted apparatus, and 3) either leaving the food tray on the “shelf” if the patient is out of the room or otherwise indisposed, or disengaging the subject apparatus from the wall and placing it over the lap of a bed- or chair-ridden patient. Note that the tray passers are not required to first enter the patient room to clear the utility table, exit the room to retrieve the food tray, and then reenter the room again for tray placement. Moreover, tray passers are not required to handle personal patient items or move heavy and / or awkward hospital equipment thereby lowering the risk of: 1) cross-contamination, 2) injury to hospital staff and patient, and 3) theft allegations. In another embodiment of the invention, the planar surface of the apparatus may include written indicia instructing patients or visitors not to place objects thereon to better assure that the apparatus remains available for use when required.

[0013]The subject apparatus may also be easily removed from the patient room for cleaning and disinfecting unlike conventional utility tables which are defined as “clean-in place” equipment meaning they are cleaned in the actual patient room when not encumbered by personal items of the patient and hospital equipment.

[0018]It is another primary object of the subject invention to provide a combination wall shelf and serving tray apparatus that is fabricated from materials that are durable, corrosion-resistant, and non-absorbent.

[0020]Another object of the subject invention is to provide a combination wall shelf and serving tray apparatus that is fabricated from materials that may be finished to possess a smooth, easily cleanable surface.

[0023]Still another object of the subject invention is to provide a combination wall shelf and serving tray apparatus that is free of sharp internal angles, corners, and crevices which could retain moisture, bacteria, molds and other deleterious substances.

[0025]Another object of the subject invention is to provide a combination wall shelf and serving tray apparatus that is relatively simple in design and therefore capable of rapid construction at relatively low costs.

Problems solved by technology

The service of food and beverages to hospital patients presents numerous challenges to dietary personnel.

Often, however, proper positioning of the table is impeded by other equipment such as IV stands, respiratory equipment, traction and tubes or electric cables hanging from the bed.

Not only is this an additional step which will slow down the serving process, but tables adjusted to fit over the side rails are often uncomfortably high for patients who would otherwise prefer their food at lap level.

Another problem associated with the use of utility tables as the receiving area for food trays is that they are almost always occupied by hospital equipment and personal items of the patient.

From facial tissues, to wash basins, to magazines, eye glasses and beverage containers, just to name a few, there is rarely a sufficient area available for the placement of the food tray.

Here again, the efficiency of the serving process is compromised because the server is required to clear the table of such items before the tray may be brought into the room for the patient.

Moreover, the handling of equipment and personal patient items presents a host of other problems for the hospital, its staff and its patients.

First, it is undesirable for a server to be required to handle such objects from one room to another because of the increased risk of cross-contamination.

Another problem associated with the use of conventional utility tables as a supporting surface for food and beverages is that they are cumbersome to move and therefore difficult to clean.

The accumulation of spilled food and beverages on the tables over a period of time creates an unsanitary condition, even when routine cleaning of the table is performed.

A second problem associated with requiring food service staff to move hospital equipment from the utility table is that it forces them into a position where they are required to make judgment calls regarding what equipment may be moved away from the patient's reach, and what equipment is important to remain there.

Such a practice not only raises serious safety concerns, but also exposes the hospital to an unnecessary risk of liability.

Still another problem associated with requiring dietary staff to manage personal items of patients up to three times per day is that it exposes the hospital to a greater risk of theft allegations.

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