Carrying tray

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions fail to effectively transport food containers of varying sizes without shifting or spilling during transport, as they often require a specific-sized carrier or additional materials like towels or newspaper.

Innovation Solution

A carrying tray with a base having a support surface and peg openings that can accommodate food containers of different sizes, using pegs to prevent shifting, and a storage recess with an elastic strap for peg retention, along with optional non-skid pads and a spill-catching channel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a box of appropriate size is used to transport food containers, then the food containers can be protected from shifting, but a box of appropriate size may not always be available and additional materials like towels or newspaper are needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of food container shiftingVSAvoidneed for additional materials

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The carrying tray is divided into multiple compartments with adjustable dividers, allowing each section to be independently configured to fit different food container sizes. This segmentation eliminates the need for additional packing materials while maintaining reliable protection against shifting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tray features adjustable and movable dividers that can be repositioned according to the size and shape of different food containers. This dynamic adaptability allows a single tray design to reliably accommodate various container configurations without requiring additional materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a specific-sized food carrier is used, then the food container fits within the carrier, but such carriers are not suitable for all occasions and cannot accommodate food containers of varying sizes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of varying food container sizesVSAvoidprevention of food container shifting

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The carrying tray is designed as a universal container with adjustable dividers and removable inserts that can adapt to various food container sizes and shapes. This multi-functionality allows a single tray design to reliably serve multiple occasions and accommodate different container configurations without compromising stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The tray incorporates movable and adjustable dividers that can be repositioned to match the dimensions of different food containers. This dynamic configuration system maintains reliability across varying container sizes while maximizing adaptability to different occasions and container types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If pegs are inserted into peg openings to prevent shifting, then food containers of varying sizes can be accommodated, but the tray structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of varying food container sizesVSAvoidtray structure with pegs and peg openings

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tray incorporates a built-in storage compartment specifically designed to hold the pegs when not in use. This self-service feature integrates the storage function directly into the tray structure, minimizing additional complexity while enabling the adaptability provided by the peg system for accommodating various container sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11278140B2Carrying tray

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 GREENE ELIDA LETICIA

AI summary

A carrying tray comprises a base having a support surface configured to support food containers and a plurality of pegs. The support surface includes a plurality of peg openings to receive the pegs. To transport food containers, a user places the food containers on the support surface and inserts the pegs into selected ones of the peg openings to prevent the food containers from shifting during transport. The carrying tray is thus able to accommodate food containers of varying size.