Tiered Serving Tray Structure for Unobstructed Table Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-tiered serving trays have limited capacity and surface area utilization, as they require a lower serving plate or ring that obstructs the table surface when in use, restricting the size and number of serving dishes that can be placed.
Innovation Solution
A tiered tray design featuring a first and second tier with removable support members that maintain their respective levels above the table, allowing independent or combined use, with unobstructed horizontal surfaces and an oblong extension plate for secure attachment, enabling larger serving dishes and increased capacity without table surface obstruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a lower serving plate or ring is used in existing multi-tiered trays, then the tray structure is stable and can support multiple tiers, but the table surface area is reduced and the capacity is limited by the size of the lower plate or ring
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the lower serving plate or ring from the traditional multi-tiered tray structure and replaces it with a table insert that fits into a cavity in the table. This removes the obstructing element from the table surface while maintaining the structural stability needed to support multiple tiers above.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional table surface arrangement to a three-dimensional structure by utilizing vertical space above the table. The table insert provides a foundation that allows tiers to extend upward rather than outward, preserving table surface area while maintaining stability through vertical support.
2Quantity of substance
If the size of the lower plate or ring is increased to accommodate larger serving dishes, then the capacity increases, but the table surface area occupied increases proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
The invention resolves this contradiction by moving the serving capacity expansion into the vertical dimension. Larger serving dishes can be accommodated on upper tiers that extend upward from the table insert, rather than requiring larger lower plates that would occupy more table surface area.
Solution Approach 2:
The table insert is nested within the table cavity, and multiple tiers are nested vertically above it. This nesting arrangement allows for increased serving capacity through multiple stacked levels without increasing the horizontal footprint on the table surface.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed lower plate or ring is used, then the tray structure is stable, but the adaptability and versatility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces dynamic elements through removable support members and attachable tiers that can be configured in different arrangements. The table insert provides a stable base, while the upper tiers can be added, removed, or repositioned to create different serving configurations based on needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray structure is segmented into a stable table insert base and separate, removable tier components. This segmentation allows the stable foundation to remain fixed in the table cavity while the upper serving tiers can be independently configured, providing both stability and versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A tiered tray is provided that includes a first tier with a first support member coupled thereto; a second tier with a second support member coupled thereto; and a table insert having a cavity therein that accepts at least one of the first and the second support members. The first support member maintains a level of the first tier above a level of a table and the second support maintains a level of the second tier above the level of the first tier, and the first tier is removably attachable to the table insert and the second tier is removably attachable to the first tier.