Refrigerated Well Tray

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/127,399, filed Mar. 3, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to bartending equipment and in particular to a refrigerated well tray. The most essential task of bartending is creating mixed drinks, using alcoholic beverages such as gin, vodka, tequila, and rum, and various refrigerated juices and syrups such as orange juice, simple syrup, lemon juice, lime juice, and grapefruit juice. One great challenge is keeping the syrups and juices cold, but also keeping them within easy reach. The time spent in retrieving a bottle from a refrigerator and then returning it once a drink is made, only to pull it forth again five minutes later, is time wasted. In many establishments time is of the essence. A device which can keep juices and syrups cold, but also keep them ready on the bar surface or immediately behind it, would be well received. A refrigerated well tray for a bartender, providing a contoured, refrigerated gel insert separating wells for bottles of juice and syrup, would resolve this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a refrigerated well tray. The tray provides a plurality of flexible squeeze bottles for juices and syrups used in mixed drinks. A refrigerated gel insert fits within the tray, separating the wells for the bottles. In one embodiment, each bottle has a triangular cross section.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front transparency view of the first exemplary embodiment with the lid raised, displaying the tray 10, the compartment 11, the bottles 12, the gel insert 13, and the lid 14.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the first exemplary embodiment with the lid removed, displaying the tray 10, and the bottles 12.

FIG. 3 is a front transparency view of the first exemplary embodiment with the gel insert and bottles removed, displaying the tray 10, the compartment 11, the lid 14, and the hinges 15.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the first exemplary embodiment with the bottles removed, displaying the lid 14, the apertures 14A, and the hinges 15.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the gel insert component of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the gel insert 13, and the wells 16.

FIG. 6 is a front transparency view of the gel insert component of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the gel insert 13.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment with the lid raised, displaying the tray 10, the bottles 12, and the lid 14.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a bottle component of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying a bottle 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to a refrigerated well tray 10.

It is to be understood that while the invention is intended for use by bartenders, this is not intended as a limitation. With suitable modifications or with no modifications at all, the invention may be used by professional chefs, masseurs, physical therapists, and others who need to keep a variety of chilled or heated liquids easily available at a work station.

The first exemplary embodiment is comprised of a deep rectangular tray 10 with a large internal compartment 11, a plurality of flexible squeeze bottles 12 for juices and syrups used in mixed drinks, and an insert 13 which fits snuggly within the internal compartment 11 of the tray 10, and provides separate triangular wells 16 for the bottles 12. In one embodiment, the insert 13 is made of a refrigerated gel to keep the flexible squeeze bottles 12 cold. In an alternate embodiment, the insert 13 is made of a heating element or similar device to keep the flexible squeeze bottles 12 warm instead of cold.

The tray 10 provides a rectangular lid 14, which is affixed along the rear edge of the top surface of the tray 10 by a plurality of hinges 15. The lid 14 provides a plurality of triangular apertures 14A, which align vertically with the wells 16 in the insert 13. Each bottle 12 has a triangular cross section, and fits snugly within a well 16 and within a corresponding triangular aperture 14A in the lid 14. The triangular design of the bottles 12 allows uniform cooling by the gel insert 13 and efficient use of available space, which may be scarce on or behind the bar.

To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user may store the bottles 12 containing juices and syrups in a refrigerator, and the gel insert 13 in a freezer. When preparing to mix and serve drinks, the user may place the gel insert 13 in the compartment 11 of the tray 10, close the lid 14, and insert the bottles 12 into the wells 16. The user may then place the tray 10 on or behind the bar.

In alternative embodiments, the components of the invention may take on other shapes than triangular. Other shapes will function just as effectively for keeping the syrups and juices cold and have been contemplated.

The tray 10 and the lid 14 are preferably manufactured from rigid, durable materials in layers which provide an insulated quality, such as plastic, polystyrene and acrylic polymer. The bottles 12 are preferably manufactured from a flexible, durable material such as plastic. The gel insert 13 is preferably manufactured from vinyl-coated silica gel or hydroxyethyl cellulose, contained in a semi-rigid, durable material such as plastic. The hinges 15 are preferably manufactured from a rigid, durable material with substantial structural strength, such as steel, aluminum alloy, or brass.

Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.