Compartmented Serving Tray With Hand Inset for Drink Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional trays used to carry drinks in crowded environments lack stability, causing objects like bottles and glasses to topple over due to their flat surface design, making it difficult for servers to navigate without spilling.
Innovation Solution
A tray design featuring a U-shaped carrying portion with a compartment and a handle that allows users to insert their hand for grip, combined with side walls that form a stable well to prevent objects from toppling, and optionally includes a cross-beam for additional support and structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a flat surfaced tray is used to carry drinks, then the tray structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the stability of objects on the tray deteriorates causing bottles and glasses to topple over
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is segmented into multiple functional zones: a U-shaped carrying portion with side walls forming compartments for bottles, a separate inset region for hand insertion, and a handle extension. This segmentation allows each zone to serve its specific function - compartments provide stability for bottles while the inset and handle enable secure user grip without interfering with object stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a conventional two-dimensional flat tray surface to a three-dimensional structure with vertical side walls forming compartments and a U-shaped carrying portion. This dimensional change creates enclosed spaces that laterally constrain bottles and glasses, preventing them from toppling over while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through molded construction.
2Device complexity
If a conventional flat tray is used, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of carrying drinks in crowded environments deteriorates due to lack of stability
Solution Approach 1:
The side walls and U-shaped carrying portion are designed in advance to counteract the toppling force that bottles and glasses would experience during transport. The compartments pre-establish lateral constraints that oppose any tipping motion before it occurs, while the handle extension provides a secure grip point that allows users to maintain stable control through crowded environments.
3Stability of the object's composition
If side walls are added to form compartments, then the stability of objects is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into a single integrated tray structure: the U-shaped carrying portion with side walls simultaneously provides object stability through compartments while the inset and handle extension combine to provide secure user grip. This merging eliminates the need for separate stabilizing devices or handling mechanisms, achieving enhanced stability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A tray, platter or carrying structure may include a substantially flat lower surface or panel, a substantially flat upper surface or panel, a first set of side walls extending between the lower surface or panel and the upper surface, and a second set of side walls extending upward from the lower surface. The first and second set of side walls may form, with the lower surface, a compartment for carrying for example drinks, food or other items. The first set of side walls may form with the upper surface an inset for a user to insert a hand to hold the tray. A grip may extend down from or be connected to the upper surface into the inset. A bar may extend from one side wall to another side wall to form an opening surrounded by the bar, two side walls, and the upper surface.