MODULAR MEAL TRAY

Abstract

The present invention relates to a modular portable meal feeding system characterized in that it comprises at least one connecting module (100) having lateral attachment means and at least one hollow module (200, 300, 400) having complementary lateral attachment means. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: MODULAR MEAL TRAY FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a meal-eating device. More precisely, the invention concerns a device that allows the user to hold, preferably with one hand, several containers holding various foods and, preferably, a glass, while leaving the other hand free to handle the utensils necessary for eating these foods. This device proves very useful also at receptions where guests are not seated at tables, for example, art openings, lunches, buffets, but also in any situation where the user wants to eat but a table is not available, as well as in various public places such as train station halls, trains, stadiums, movie theater queues, and even simply in front of the television.It also concerns the field of fast food or "street food" where various foods and drinks are served in utensils that can be used while walking, standing or sitting, without a table or support. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] US patent US2561022 describes such a device, which consists of a flat-bottomed tray with a low rim. A truncated conical handle is provided in the center of the tray's base. This handle allows the tray to be held, and its internal cavity accommodates a cup. However, this device only partially solves the problem, as it is only suitable for serving food such as that typically enjoyed as an appetizer. Furthermore, because the handle protrudes significantly from the tray's base, it cannot be used on a table.

[0003] US patent 4732274 describes a portable tray comprising an upper surface for holding food, a lower surface, and a peripheral edge. A skirt is coupled to the peripheral edge of the panel and extends downward from it. The panel has an opening and a cup holder supported by the panel around the downward-extending opening. The skirt includes at least one cutout that exposes the cup holder to allow a user to insert a hand through the cutout to grasp the cup holder. SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Prior art solutions are fixed and do not allow for easy individualization to adapt the device configuration to the menu composition of each user. It does not allow for easy variation in the combination of glasses and receptacles. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] One object of the invention is to propose a system that avoids the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0006] The invention relates to a modular portable meal-taking system characterized in that it consists of at least one connecting module having lateral attachment means and at least one hollow module having complementary lateral attachment means.

[0007] According to other advantageous and non-limiting features of the invention, taken alone or according to any technically feasible combination.

[0008] Advantageously, said connecting module has a first type of attachment means, identical to the attachment means of said hollow modules and a plurality of second type of attachment means, complementary to the first type.

[0009] According to an advantageous embodiment, said linking module has a housing for receiving a cup.

[0010] According to a particular embodiment:

[0011] a) said attachment means of said first type are formed by curved tabs having a first section extending perpendicularly to a skirt surrounding said module and a second section extending perpendicularly to the first section, outwards,

[0012] b) said attachment means of said second type are formed by curved tabs having a first section extending perpendicularly to a skirt surrounding said module and a second section extending perpendicularly to the first section, inwards.

[0013] According to one variant, the system further comprises a hollow module of the first type.

[0014] Advantageously, said housing (120) has a tubular skirt melted by slots (121 to 124) delimiting semi-tubular flexible tabs ensuring the retention of a cup inserted in this housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0015] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the invention which follows with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0016] [Fig. 1] [Fig. 1] represents a three-quarter top perspective view of a system according to the invention

[0017] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a three-quarters downward perspective view of a linking module of a system according to the invention

[0018] [Fig. 3] [Fig. 3] represents a three-quarters perspective view from below of a hollow module of a system according to the invention

[0019] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] represents a three-quarters perspective view from below of a system according to the invention.

[0020] [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] represents a perspective view from below of a variant of the system according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The invention relates to a modular portable meal feeding system, consisting of a link module (100) to which three hollow modules (200, 300, 400) are attached in the example described.

[0022] The linking module (100) has in the described example a square shape, with a plate (110) surrounded by a peripheral skirt (130) and crossed by a hollow neck (120) for the insertion of a cup.

[0023] The term "cup" used here refers to any type of object capable of holding liquids, regardless of its shape or the material from which it is made, such as: glass, cup, ice cream cone, this list being of course not exhaustive. Several types of containers, plates, trays, and meal trays made of food-grade cardboard or plastic already exist on the market. It is true that all of them can hold food, and some can be used with a glass or cup for eating while standing or sitting without a table.

[0024] The connecting module (100) has, at its periphery, attachment means (111, 112, 113) of a first type, and one or more attachment means of a second type (114). The second type of attachment means (114) are complementary to the first type of attachment means (111, 112, 113). They allow either for the extension of the connecting module (100) by another connecting module (100), or for the attachment of a hollow module having an attachment means of the second type, or for remaining free to allow the plate (110) to be gripped between the thumb and forefinger. Normally, the connecting module (100) has a greater number of first type attachment means (111, 112, 113) than second type attachment means (114).

[0025] The hollow modules (200, 300, 400) also have a partial skirt (230) and a second type of attachment means (214), in order to allow the attachment of a link module (100) to one of the first type of attachment means (111, 112, 113).

[0026] The hollow modules (200, 300, 400) also have a recess (220, 320, 420) allowing a container to be formed in which food can be placed, for example.

[0027] The assembly of one or more connecting modules (100) and several hollow modules (200, 300, 400) makes it possible to create a multi-compartment but rigid device.

[0028] The connecting modules (100) and hollow modules (200, 300, 400) are made of plastic material to allow for their cleaning and reuse. Details of the attachment methods

[0029] The first type of attachment means (111, 112, 113) have two tabs (121, 131) curved inwards, with a segment (122) extending perpendicularly to the skirt (111), extended by a segment (123) oriented parallel to the skirt (111) to define a "C" shaped hook open towards the opposite tab (131).

[0030] The second type of attachment means (114) also have two outwardly curved tabs (124, 134) that snap into the tabs (121, 131) of a first type of attachment means (111, 112, 113).

[0031] The second type of attachment means (114) have a cap (244) covering the junction of the associated modules.

[0032] The housing (120) has in the variant illustrated by [Fig.5] a tubular skirt melted by slots (121 to 124) delimiting semi-tubular flexible tabs ensuring the retention of a cup inserted in this housing.

[0033] Of course the invention is not limited to the described method(s) of implementation and alternative embodiments can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

Demands

1. Portable modular meal-taking system characterized in that it consists of at least one linking module (100) having lateral attachment means and at least one hollow module (200, 300, 400) having complementary lateral attachment means.

2. Modular system according to claim 1 characterized in that said connecting module (100) has a first type of attachment means (114), identical to the attachment means of said hollow modules and a plurality of second type of attachment means (111, 112, 113), complementary to the first type (114).

3. Modular system according to claim 1 characterized in that said linking module (100) has a housing (120) for receiving a cup.

4. Modular system according to claim 2 characterized in that: - said attachment means of said first type (111) are formed by curved tabs (121, 131) having a first section extending perpendicularly to a skirt (130) surrounding said connecting module and a second section extending perpendicularly to the first section, outwards, - said attachment means of said second type (114) are formed by curved tabs (124, 134) having a first section extending perpendicularly to a skirt surrounding said module and a second section extending perpendicularly to the first section, inwards.

5. Modular system according to claim 1 characterized in that it further comprises a hollow module of the first type.

6. Modular system according to claim 3 characterized in that said housing (120) has a tubular skirt melted by slots (121 to 124) delimiting semi-tubular flexible tabs ensuring the retention of a cup inserted in this housing.

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