Serving tray apparatus and method of using same

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional shellfish serving trays require multiple trays for cooked and discarded shells, leading to space inefficiency and heat loss due to convection in open designs.

Innovation Solution

A stackable serving tray apparatus with a slanted base and perpendicular sides, allowing for interlocking corners and a recessed front end to facilitate easy access and retention of cooked shellfish while providing a separate area for discarded shells, maintaining heat and reducing table space requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional separate trays are used for cooked shellfish and discarded shells, then functionality is provided, but table space is excessive and heat is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveserving functionalityVSAvoidtable space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the serving tray for cooked shellfish and the disposal tray for shells into a single integrated apparatus. The first tray holds cooked shellfish while the second tray (inverted) collects discarded shells, eliminating the need for multiple separate trays and reducing table space occupation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The serving tray apparatus performs multiple functions within a single device: it serves cooked shellfish, provides access to uneaten shellfish through the recess, collects discarded shells in the inverted second tray, and maintains heat through the enclosed design. This multi-functionality replaces what previously required multiple separate items.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If open trays are used for serving shellfish, then access is easy, but heat is lost due to convection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to shellfishVSAvoidheat loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs the inverted second tray as a protective cover that partially encloses the first tray. This creates a semi-enclosed environment that reduces convective heat loss while still allowing access to the shellfish through the recess, effectively reducing energy loss without completely sealing the tray.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The inverted second tray is positioned in advance to prevent heat loss before it occurs during the serving process. By creating the enclosed space beforehand, the design proactively counteracts the convective heat loss that would otherwise occur in an open tray design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate trays are used for serving and disposal, then functionality is provided, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveserving and disposal functionalityVSAvoidnumber of trays

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the serving function and disposal function into a single integrated apparatus consisting of two interlocking trays. This consolidation reduces the number of separate devices needed while maintaining both serving and disposal functionalities, thereby reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If columnar design is used for serving trays, then stacking is possible, but eye contact with people across the table is blocked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestacking capabilityVSAvoidvisibility across table

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an asymmetric low-profile design where the trays are flattened horizontally rather than vertically. The first tray has a slanted base for drainage, and the overall apparatus maintains a low height that does not obstruct views across the table, while still providing stacking capability through the interlocking corner design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

5Productivity

If traditional serving trays are used, then shellfish can be served, but cleanup and shell disposal is inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveserving efficiencyVSAvoidshell disposal convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the serving area and disposal area into a single integrated apparatus. The inverted second tray is specifically designed to collect and contain discarded shells directly beneath the serving area, making shell disposal convenient and eliminating the need to separately manage shell waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The stackable design reduces table space needed, maintains heat for uneaten shellfish, and simplifies access and disposal of shells, improving serving efficiency and aesthetics.

Implementation Method 1

Said bottom tray is slanted towards said front end in order for said cooked and uneaten shellfish to slide towards said front end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

any uneaten and cooked shellfish will lose heat due to convection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS11589697B2Serving tray apparatus and method of using same

Publication Date: 2023.02.28 FOLEY ENG

AI summary

A stackable serving container apparatus for use with shellfish, or any other type of similar food. More particularly, a stackable serving tray apparatus that allows for ease and functionality with respect to serving cooked shellfish that is ready to be eaten and needs to be kept warm, and simultaneously provides an area for any removed shells to be discarded.