Assembly of a food tray and a food container, and use thereof in an aircraft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing assemblies of food trays and containers fail to provide a safe and secure system that prevents food from falling and causing stains, especially during meal consumption on vehicles like airplanes, where turbulence is a factor, and do not allow for flexible positioning of food containers.
Innovation Solution
An interlocking system with male and female parts on the food tray and container, allowing for multiple positioning and secure locking, which prevents containers from falling over and allows for tilting without spilling, using a combination of projections and inserts that provide a stable connection without requiring active unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate pin is used to hold the cup in position, then the container is prevented from falling over, but the system does not allow flexible positioning at multiple locations
Solution Approach 1:
The field of multiple male and female parts creates a universal positioning system that serves multiple functions: preventing falling over, enabling flexible positioning at various locations, and providing secure locking. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate pins while maintaining reliability and adding positioning versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple male parts are provided on the tray surface, then the container can be locked at multiple positions, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The field of multiple male parts on the tray and multiple female parts on the container bottom are merged into a single interlocking system that provides both multiple positioning capability and structural simplicity. The direct engagement between corresponding male and female parts eliminates the need for complex mechanisms, achieving versatility without excessive complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides an assembly of a food tray (183) and a food container such as a cup or a plate. The tray (183) can comprise a generally flat surface for supporting the food containers. The food tray (183) and the food container comprise an interlocking system for positioning the food containers on the food tray. The interlocking system comprises male and corresponding female parts provided on the food tray and food container. The generally flat surface comprises a field of multiple (female or male) parts of the interlocking system forming a surface for positioning and releasably locking at multiple positions bottom side of the food container. The invention provides for the use of the interlocking system in travel catering, such as in vehicles and airplanes.