Spill Resistant Tray

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

This invention relates in general to beverage trays. In particular, it relates to a beverage tray that reduces the chance of spelling open container beverages while transporting them from one location to another.

2. Background of the Invention

In many restaurants and institutional dining facilities, numerous accidental spillages occur while transporting multiple beverages to a table via a Tray. This can occur when the tray is moved rapidly, resulting in the momentum of the beverage creating a surge of the beverage such that it spills over the edge of the open beverage container.

The problem is exacerbated as the number of beverage containers on a particular tray increases. It would be desirable to reduce the chance of spillage by reducing the surge created by changes in momentum that naturally occur while transporting open container beverages.

In addition, momentum created by changes in movement of a tray can also create sliding motion of the beverage container itself. As a result, the chance of spillage from the beverage container is increased along with the possibility that the beverage container may in fact tip over resulting in spillage of the entire contents of the beverage container.

While the prior art has provided basic tray structures for carrying multiple beverages, that has failed to provide a mechanism for reducing the effects of Motion based changes in momentum of beverages inside an open beverage container, as well as reducing the chances of toppling the beverage container itself.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a beverage carrying tray that reduces the effects of momentum caused by changes in motion by providing a tray that swings freely on a flexible handle assembly such that as changes in momentum occur, the tray surface will freely swing such that momentum pushing the beverage towards the edge of the beverage container is minimized. The carrying surface of the tray swings under control of the tray's momentum such that open containers resting on the tray move in concert and prevents the beverages inside of the beverage containers from surging, thereby preventing spillage from the individual beverage containers. In addition, in a preferred embodiment, the surface of the beverage tray is provided with a frictional surface that discourages sliding of individual beverage containers that are resting on the tray's surface. Another alternative preferred embodiment provides optional ridges that further reduce the possibility of sliding by individual or beverage containers. A further optional feature provides a quick disconnect feature that allows the tray support structure to be partially disconnected such that it can be folded out of the way to remove individual beverage containers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a preferred embodiment of a beverage carrying tray.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of a preferred embodiment of a beverage carrying tray. Yes

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a preferred embodiment of the tray surface showing a frictional surface layer.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of a preferred embodiment of the tray surface showing surface ridges that prevent beverage containers from sliding.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of a preferred embodiment of the tray surface showing a frictional surface layer and surface ridges that prevent beverage containers from sliding.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a preferred embodiment of the tray that shows the bracket assembly partially disconnected and moved to the side.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a preferred embodiment of the tray that shows the bracket assembly partially disconnected and folded flat for storage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The beverage carrying tray 1 disclosed herein can be implemented in a variety of embodiments. In its simplest form, it can be a flat tray surface 2 with a fixed support bracket 3. It can incorporate a non-slip surface to further control any movement of beverage containers on the beverage carrying tray 1. It can further include embodiments that have barriers to further prevent any sliding of beverage containers. Additional embodiments include folding support brackets 3 that allow multiple beverage carrying trays 1 to be folded flat for storage.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a preferred embodiment of a beverage carrying tray 1 with the support brackets 3 in the carrying position. For ease of discussion, the term “beverage container” can be anything suitable for carrying beverages. It can be a cup, a wine glass, a mixed drink glass, a water glass, a coffee cup, etc. While the beverage carrying tray 1 is implemented in its most basic form with any type of carrying surface, a preferred embodiment envisions a non-slip surface that inhibits any beverage containers on the beverage carrying tray 1 from slipping.

The support brackets 3 are secured at their proximal end to the carrying surface 2 at connection points 5. Likewise, the support brackets 3 are secured at their distal end to pivot point 4. For ease of discussion, the pivot point 4 is shown as a discrete unit, but those skilled in the art will realize that support brackets 3 and pivot point 4 can also be a single unit, and be fabricated by any suitable process, such as molding.

The tray 2 can be fabricated from any suitable material, such as metal, wood, plastic, etc. The only requirement is that it provides a rigid surface that can support the weight of multiple beverage containers. Likewise, the support brackets 3 can also be made from any suitable material that serves the purposes of the invention. Preferably, the support brackets 3 are substantially rigid, but flexible enough such that at least some of them, or all of them, can be partially detached from the tray 2 when beverage containers are being loaded onto or removed from the beverage carrying tray 1. This allows them to be folded out of the way when loading or unloading the beverage carrying tray 1.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the pivot point 4 can be eliminated if the support brackets 3 are, for example, molded as a single piece. Likewise, the number of support brackets 3 can vary so long as the support bracket 3 is securely mounted to the tray 2 in a stable manner.

While carrying multiple beverage containers, the beverage carrying tray 1 is suspended by a carrying handle 6 that secures to the pivot point 4 via an attachment line 7 (carrying handle 6 and attachment line 7 are shown below in FIGS. 2-6).

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of a preferred embodiment of the beverage carrying tray 1. This figure illustrates the tray 2 on which multiple beverage containers are carried. In this view, the tray 2 has a smooth surface that allows beverage containers to be placed randomly on its surface. However, as noted above, the surface of tray 2 can alternatively have a non-slip surface to inhibit any possible sliding of beverage containers on the beverage carrying tray 1.

The support brackets 3 should be high enough such that they do not interfere with any beverage containers placed on tray 2. This view further illustrates how support brackets 3 attach to pivot point 4. When the beverage carrying tray 1 is moved from the carrying position to the loading/unloading position, two adjacent attachment points 5 are disconnected so the support brackets 3 can be folded out of the way.

Also shown in this figure is handle 6 that attaches to the distal end of flexible line 7. In turn, the proximal end of flexible line 7 is secured to pivot point 4. During use, the beverage carrying tray 1 is held by handle 6 while being moved. The tray 2 is allowed to freely swing while carried such that the surface of tray 2 tilts to minimize the effects of momentum on both the beverage containers and the beverages they contain. As a result, the chance of spillage is greatly reduced. The flexible line 7 can be fabricated from any suitable material, such a string, wire, chain links, etc. The only limitation being the desired aesthetic design. Likewise, the handle 6 can be fabricated from any suitable material.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of another preferred embodiment of tray 2 showing a frictional surface covering 8. This alternative embodiment further improves the stability of the beverage carrying tray 1 by inhibiting unnecessary sliding of beverage containers during movement.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of yet another preferred embodiment of the tray 2 in which optional surface barriers 11 are positioned such that they surround the bottom edge of a beverage container such that they prevent beverage containers from sliding while the beverage carrying tray 1 is being moved. Circular barriers are shown for ease of illustration. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that any suitable surface barrier shape or pattern can be used so long as the beverage containers are prevented from sliding or contacting one another. For example, circles, squares, straight lines, etc. can be used by this embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of a still further preferred embodiment of the tray 2 showing a frictional surface layer 8 and surface barriers 11 that in combination prevent beverage containers from sliding during movement.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a preferred embodiment of the beverage carrying tray 1 that shows the bracket assembly, which consists of the support brackets 3, the pivot point 4, the flexible line 7, and the handle 6, partially disconnected from the tray 2 and tilted to the side. This unloading position allows beverage containers to be more easily removed from the beverage carrying tray 1. For this to happen, two adjacent support brackets 3 are detachably attached to tray 2 such that they can be disconnected to allow the bracket assembly to be tilted out of the way.

In practice, the support brackets 3 should fold entirely out of the way, so that they do not obstruct loading or unloading of beverage containers on the beverage carrying tray 1. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the support brackets 3 can be fabricated such that all of the can be disconnected from the tray 2 to further facilitate loading and unloading of the beverage carrying tray 1.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of another preferred embodiment of the beverage carrying tray 1 that shows the support brackets 3 partially disconnected and folded flat for storage. In this example, the beverage carrying trays 1 are suspended from a wall hook 12. This folded configuration allows multiple beverage carrying trays 1 to be stored in a small area, and is useful in environments where such as restaurants where space may be at a premium.

As can be seen, the invention provides variety of embodiments of beverage carrying tray 1 that allows multiple beverage containers to be conveniently carried with a minimal risk of spillage.

While specific embodiments have been discussed to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations in the embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The types of materials used can vary, the method of attachment can vary, the flexible handle assembly can vary, the surface materials and structure of the tray surface can vary, etc. Therefore, the invention shall be limited solely to the scope of the claims.