DECORATIVE SERVING TRAY WITH FREEZABLE INSERTS

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention is a decorative tray for serving chilled produce. The decorative tray comprises (a) a portable housing containing one or more sockets; (b) one or more removable inserts adapted to fit the sockets each having a hollow interior; and (c) a freezable substance disposed within the hollow interior of each removable insert.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to food serving trays which can be used for serving chilled food products.

NO GOVERNMENT LICENSE RIGHTS

No federal government funding was used to develop the present invention. Rather, the present invention was conceived as part of a class project at the Abraham Joshua Heschel School in New York City, N.Y.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a decorative tray for serving chilled produce is provided, comprising: (a) a portable housing containing one or more sockets; (b) one or more removable inserts adapted to fit the sockets each having a hollow interior; and (c) a freezable substance disposed within the hollow interior of each removable insert.

In at least one embodiment, the portable housing may be a bowl.

In at least one embodiment, the portable housing may be a rectangular prism.

In at least one embodiment, the removable insert may be a cylinder.

In at least one embodiment, the removable insert may be a cone.

In at least one embodiment, the removable insert may be a rectangular prism.

In at least one embodiment, the removable insert may be a square prism.

In at least one embodiment, the removable insert may further comprise a flange.

In at least one embodiment, the freezable substance may be a gel.

In at least one embodiment, the freezable substance may be a liquid.

In at least one embodiment, the freezable substance may be a solid.

In at least one embodiment, the portable housing may contain one or more insulated handles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and related objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following, detailed description of an embodiment of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a serving tray in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention depicting the serving tray without the removable inserts;

FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of a serving tray in accordance with the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 depicting the serving tray with the removable inserts;

FIG. 3 is a cutaway view of an embodiment of the removable insert depicted in FIG. 2 illustrating the features of the insert;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the serving tray in accordance with the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the serving tray in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention depicting the serving tray without the removable inserts.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the serving tray in accordance with the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 5 depicting the serving tray with the removable inserts.

FIG. 7 is a cutaway view of an embodiment of the removable insert in accordance with the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The following is a description of various embodiments of the present invention. Although the intention is not to narrowly limit the present invention to the exact specifics described herein but to cover devices that lie within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The present invention relates to a decorative serving tray for serving chilled food products such as produce. The serving tray is designed to preserve food for an extended period of time through the use of a freezable substance disposed within one or more removable inserts. By incorporating a freezable substance into the device, the invention allows food to be served, and remain chilled, for an extended period of time, thereby preserving the food longer. The freezable substance is disposed within an enclosed region of the insert such that it does not contact the food served. In addition, the decorative housing allows the serving tray to be placed directly on the table rather than requiring the user to transfer the cooled food to a standard decorative tray. It can accomplish these purposes by utilizing a decorative housing and one or more removable inserts, each containing a freezable substance.

The freezable substance may be, for example, water or any material that can absorb high levels of water per gram of absorbent, such as superabsorbent cross-linked sodium polymer. Other suitable liquids, gels or solids for the freezable substance will be apparent to those of skill in the art.

The tray can be used by placing the inserts in a freezer for at least an amount of time sufficient to adequately lower the temperature of the freezable substance. The inserts are removed from the freezer and food is placed within the removable inserts. Since the freezable substance has a large heat capacity, the food products remain at a relatively constant temperature for an extended period of time.

Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention are hereto described by references to the Figures. These embodiments are meant to be merely illustrative and not limiting of the present invention.

FIG. 1 represents an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in which a freezer tray housing (10) has multiple cylindrical sockets (20). In particular, FIG. 1 is a plan view of a bowl-shaped freezer tray housing (10) without the removable cylindrical inserts (30). FIG. 1 is representative of this embodiment when the removable inserts (30), shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, have been removed from the housing (10).

FIG. 2 represents another view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. In particular, FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of the bowl-shaped housing (10) with the removable inserts (30) in place. As can be seen, the removable inserts (30) in this embodiment are cylindrical and designed to fit securely within each cylindrical socket (20) of the housing (10). While one or more removable inserts (30) are illustrated in this embodiment, this is merely intended to illustrate how the inserts can be used with the present invention. It is understood that in applying the present invention inserts of various shapes and sizes may be adapted.

FIG. 3 represents another view of the removable insert (30) shown in FIG. 2. In particular, FIG. 3 depicts a cutaway view of the removable insert (30). As can be seen, the removable insert (30) is formed of a hollow interior (50) which contains the freezable substance. The freezable substance may be a liquid, gel, or solid. The inner surface (40) of the removable insert (30) may be shaped to accommodate a range of food products, including fruits and vegetables. The inner surface (40) may also be used to hold, for example, dips and/or dressings which are often served in conjunction with vegetables. In addition, a flange (35) may be placed at the top of the removable insert (30). There is no direct contact between the hollow interior (50) and the inner surface (40).

FIG. 4 is another view of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 4 depicts a bottom view of the housing (10). The housing (10) may be constructed from any suitable material, such as plastic, glass or porcelain, or any other aesthetically pleasing material. If the removable inserts (30) are made of plastic they may be molded and filled with the freezable substance. The material selected should be safe for use with food products.

FIG. 5 represents another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this particular embodiment the housing (120) is a rectangular prism. As shown, in this embodiment the sockets (130) are rectangular prisms. In addition, handles (140) may be used for carrying the device. The handles (140) may be insulated for increased comfort in handling.

FIG. 6 represents a further exemplary embodiment of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5. In particular, FIG. 6 depicts the housing (120) with the removable inserts (60) in the sockets (130).

FIG. 7 depicts the removable insert (60) shown in FIG. 6. As can be seen, the removable insert (60) in this particular embodiment is a rectangular prism. The shape of this insert is particularly useful in serving sliced produce, such as melon and cantaloupe. In addition, a flange (36) may be placed at the top of the removable insert.

Now that various embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail, various modifications and improvements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A decorative tray for serving chilled produce comprising:

(a) a portable housing containing one or more sockets;

(b) one or more removable inserts adapted to fit the sockets each having a hollow interior; and

(c) a freezable substance disposed within the hollow interior of each removable insert.

2. The decorative tray of claim 1, wherein the portable housing is a bowl.

3. The decorative tray of claim 1, wherein the portable housing is a rectangular prism.

4. The decorative tray of claim 1, wherein the removable insert is a cylinder.

5. The decorative tray of claim 1, wherein the removable insert is a cone.

6. The decorative tray of claim 1, wherein the removable insert is a rectangular prism.

7. The decorative tray of claim 1, wherein the removable insert is a square prism.

8. The decorative tray of claim 1, wherein the removable insert further comprises a flange.

9. The decorative tray of claim 1, wherein the freezable substance is a gel.

10. The decorative tray of claim 1, wherein the freezable substance is a liquid.

11. The decorative tray of claim 1, wherein the freezable substance is a solid.

12. The decorative tray of claim 1, wherein the portable housing contains one or more insulated handles.