Integrated menu card holder with interchangeable board game and storage for salt and pepper shakers, aimed at social interaction with children in restaurants.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- NL1044966
- Authority / Receiving Office
- NL · NL
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-04
- Estimated Expiration
- 2044-10-08
AI Technical Summary
Children in hospitality settings often become distracted by mobile devices while waiting for food, leading to decreased social interaction and shorter dining times, which can result in lower revenue for establishments.
A multifunctional menu card holder integrating a drawer for interchangeable board games and a compartment for a salt and pepper set, designed to engage children in social interaction, reducing the need for mobile device use.
Enhances social interaction among family members, increases dining time, and potentially boosts revenue through additional orders, by providing engaging and safe activities for children.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
PATENT APPLICATION Title of the invention Integrated menu card holder with interchangeable board game and storage for salt and pepper set, aimed at social interaction with children in restaurants. Summary The present invention concerns a multifunctional object that is a menu card holder. combines with an interchangeable drawer for board games and a Integrated storage space for a salt and pepper set. This design is ideal for use. in hospitality establishments, where it keeps customers, particularly children, engaged in the social company, which makes them less likely to fall back on mobile devices. This makes the waiting time more pleasant for families, and there is time again for old-fashioned interaction. This has a positive effect on customer satisfaction and can lead to increased revenue because guests stay longer and order more, such as coffee or extra desserts. 1 Description of the invention (Technical description) The invention concerns a multifunctional menu card holder with an integrated drawer specially designed to hold board games. The The menu card holder also has a space for placing a pepper and salt set. The design is aimed at advertising, service, and providing entertainment for children, so that they do not get bored while waiting for their food. This helps them to involve in the company at the table, which the interaction within the family or group of friends encourages. The menu card holder consists of: • A base frame that can hold a menu vertically. • A compartment at the top of the frame that is specifically designed to to hold salt and pepper shakers. • An underlying compartment into which a drawer can be inserted. The drawer contains a platform for the board game, which can easily be pulled out and replaced by another game. The board game in the drawer is aimed at interaction between family members and is primarily designed to encourage children to participate in social gatherings at the table, instead of being distracted by mobile phones or tablets. It offers play elements suitable for all ages, so that both children and Adults can participate. Drawings: Figure 1: Top view of the menu card holder with an open board game in the drawer. Figure 2: Side view of the menu card holder with space for a menu card and for the salt and pepper set. Figure 3: Bottom view of the menu card holder with the game drawer in the closed position. condition is visible Figure 4: Detailed view of the drawers, with removable game parts that be interactive for children. 2 Background of the invention In the hospitality sector, particularly in restaurants and cafes, it is common for children finding distraction in mobile devices while waiting for their food, such as smartphones and tablets. This often creates a distance between children and the rest of the company, causing social interaction at the table to decrease. Moreover, this leads boredom among children leads to families staying in the restaurant for a shorter time, which can lead to lower revenue per table. The current invention offers a solution by involving children in simple, but interactive board games that are part of the menu holder. As a result the child remains actively involved with the company, making the waiting time more pleasant. becomes for both children and parents. This contributes to a more positive eating experience, which can lead to parents staying seated longer, for example to have another meal after the meal to order coffee or dessert, resulting in higher revenue for the restaurant. The current restaurants do not go beyond a play corner so that the children can get away from the table must, or a coloring page that only provides some distraction for the very little ones. By by offering only one game that is readily available, children can focus and no longer need to isolate themselves. 3 Description of the implementation examples (forms of implementation) In a preferred version of the invention, the menu card holder consists of a wooden frame with a drawer containing a simple board game, such as a puzzle or tic-tac-toe and eggs, which can involve children in the activity. The salt and pepper shakers are attached to the top placed in a specially designed tray, so that it is always accessible for the customers. In an alternative version, the frame of the menu card holder can be made made of plastic or metal, where the drawer contains a deck of cards, such as a chess or checkers game. These games are specially designed to promote cooperation between children and to encourage parents, resulting in a joint activity while waiting for the meal. Another version can be equipped with larger but especially interactive games, who encourage children to be actively engaged with their company instead of withdrawing to retreat into the solitude of their mobile devices. The menu card holder can be made of various materials depending on the intended application and environment. An implementation could, for example, consist of: • Wood: A natural look for restaurants with a rustic or classic facility • Plastic: For use in informal or child-friendly environments where lightweight and sustainability are a priority. • Metal: For hospitality establishments with a modern or industrial look want to create. Metal offers extra strength and a longer lifespan. The drawer itself can be made of washable plastic, so that hygiene in catering establishments are guaranteed and the game material can be easily cleaned be. For game components such as puzzle pieces, material can be used that is resistant to moisture and wear. The size of the drawer can also be adjusted to games that take up more space. 4 Safety precautions for use by children The invention takes into account not only the entertainment of children, but also their safety. Since the menu card holder with integrated games is placed on the table 100 placed in a catering establishment, the children remain under direct supervision at all times. of their parents or guardians. This reduces the chance of dangerous situations that could caused by small parts or improper use. To further ensure the safety of young children, there are various measures included in the design: 105 1. Parental control: Since the system is used at a table where when children are sitting in the immediate company of their parents, there is a built-in form of control. Parents can easily supervise the game and the game components, whereby the risk of accidents is minimized. 2. Safe sliding mechanisms: The drawer sliding mechanism is designed 110 to function smoothly, but in a controlled manner. There are no sharp edges or small, loose parts that can pose a danger to children. The drawer closes firmly and securely when not in use, ensuring that the The risk of injury from opening or closing the drawer is reduced. 3. Use of non-toxic materials: All materials used for the games and 115 The menu card holder is non-toxic and complies with the relevant safety standards for children's products. This ensures that there are no harmful substances are released, even with intensive use by children. 4. Suitable for various age groups: The games in the drawer can be tailored to the age group of the children. For younger 120 children can be offered simpler games without small parts, while older children can enjoy more complex games with more parts, all under the supervision of their parents. 5 Commercial benefits of the invention By increasing children's involvement, parents are enabled to stay longer. 125 to stay in the restaurant without the stress of impatient or bored children. This increases the likelihood that parents order extra products after the meal, such as coffee or desserts, resulting in higher revenue per table for the restaurant. Moreover overall customer satisfaction contributes to return visits. 130 - Reducing the use of mobile devices by children contributes to a more social and convivial atmosphere within the family or group of friends. As a result, parents feel less ignored and are more inclined to stay longer in the to stay at the restaurant. - By providing customers with an activity such as a board game, the 135 boredom while waiting for food reduced, which customer satisfaction increases. This increases the chance that customers spend extra time in the store and possibly order more products, such as desserts, drinks, or coffee. - Due to the interchangeability of the games, the restaurant can adjust the offerings. for special occasions or seasons, for example through themes such as to integrate 140 holidays or public holidays. This ensures returning customers and a varied experience. The combination of entertainment and safety makes this invention attractive to restaurants that want to position themselves as child-friendly locations. By children to offer a safe and engaging activity, parents can relax and 145 enjoy their meal, knowing that their children are playing safely. This contributes to a more positive dining experience, which can lead to returning customers and positive recommendations, especially among families. 6 Claims (Conclusions) 150 1. A multifunctional menu card holder, comprising: or a frame for holding a menu or drinks list, or a compartment for placing a salt and pepper set, oil and toothpicks o The panels can be cut to size to accommodate a company logo and / or to place 155 advertisements. or an underlying compartment with a drawer for recording a board game aimed at engaging children in the company at the table. 2. The menu card holder according to claim 1, where the drawer is interchangeable. 160 with other drawers containing various board games, tailored to different age groups and interests of children. where the compartment for the 3. The menu card holder according to claim 1 or 2, a salt and pepper set contains a fixed or removable element that holds the set in place holds. 165 where the drawer is such 4. The menu card holder according to claim 1, 2 or 3, designed so that the game is securely held in place, and where the drawer mechanism the makes it possible to easily slide this in and out of the holder without the game shifts. 5. The menu card holder according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, where the games in the 170 drawers are designed to encourage both children and adults to participate in the game, with the aim of social interaction during the meal to improve. 7 9