An Improved Tray

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved carrying tray comprising: a substantially planar surface having a top surface and bottom surface; and a handle placed within a cavity at the underside of the bottom surface, wherein the cavity is adapted to receive and retain the handle so that said handle does not extend from the bottom surface of the tray, and wherein the handle is easily pulled into an open-position to embrace the user's palm and provide improved control for carrying said tray, and easily returns into the cavity and back to a close-position when the user removes his palm.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of serving appliances. More particularly, the invention relates to a novel tray apparatus and a novel handle-system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The term “tray” refers to a platform designed for carrying items such as glasses, plates, food etc. from place to place. A tray can be made from numerous materials, including any combination of silver, brass, sheet iron, wood, melamine, plastic, different polymers etc. Some examples have raised galleries, handles, and/or short feet for support. Trays are usually flat with raised edges to prevent items from sliding off of them. Trays can be made in any shape and form but are commonly round, oval or rectangular, sometimes with cutout or attached handles on opposite sides of the tray with which to carry them.

Although service trays coupled with two handles are very common especially for household uses, professional waiters do not use such trays since they need to serve the patrons while holding the tray, without putting the tray down. Standard waiter's serving trays have no specific handling feature which forces the waiter/waitress to rest the weight of the tray on a horizontally oriented hand or arm. In addition, larger trays are often carried by placing one end of the tray on the user's shoulder with an open palm and bent wrist. These unnatural positions result in fatigue, injury, and have a high potential for accidents. Often, the user/waiter relies on one arm or palm to balance the tray in order to keep the other hand free for use resulting in an unstable condition. This requires a certain skill, as the waiter must keep the tray substantially horizontal when balance changes due to unloading the tray.

To unload a serving tray, the user/waiter must often set the tray down on a nearby surface or temporary stand due to an inability to continue to support the weight of the serving tray and/or to prevent loss of balance. Unless the waiter/waitress is experienced in supporting a tray with one hand, there is a constant danger of spillage of drinks or breakage of glassware caused by the tray tipping over. Even a skilled waiter may experience a moment of uncertainty when lifting a loaded tray and when unloading it. Accordingly, by using a more secure tray and gripping posture, the user can avoid the need for a stand and can unload the tray without tilting or losing balance.

Notably, there are multiple devices relevant to tray handling. However, many of these devices are cumbersome and/or impractical to use and/or manufacture. For example, US 2013/0057005 describes a tray with fingers support which relies on securing (and balancing) the tray mainly with two fingers. Such trays are best suited for small sized trays, and force the user to equally distribute the goods on the tray in order to maintain balance. Moreover, since only a few fingers are used for securing and support, there is very little control over the tray, and the user is quickly discomforted. Notably, the fingers-support area is fixed and may not fit big or bandaged fingers, and might also force the user to remove rings. In addition, many tray handling mechanisms do not enable to shift the balance-center of the tray; do not enable stacking trays; and/or placing them on flat surfaces, e.g. trays with fixed handles and/or legs. In these fixed-handle trays, the handle cannot be replaced if need arises. Other tray handle devices are difficult to use, e.g., as they require the user to repeatedly attach and detach the handle from the serving tray. An example of such a device is disclosed in WO 2010/15115 which describes a rigid carrying handle that can be attached to the underside of a tray. In addition, most of the known movable handle devices involve moving parts which are delicate, fragile or subject to wear, or altogether.

In view of the above, a need exists for a tray and/or handle-system for handling serving trays that improve the user's control of the tray without sacrificing efficiency and functionality. Said tray and/or handle-system should enable to easily and effortlessly balance the tray when carried around and even during serving and unloading. It is thus an object of this invention to provide a simple solution to the above problems in the form of a novel tray and handle-system which overcome many of the prior art problems.

Other objects and advantages of present invention will appear as description proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved serving tray.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a serving tray with improved stability when the tray is loaded with items to carry.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a serving tray which remains stable when carrying even if the load is not distributed proportionally on the tray.

The present invention thus relates to an improved carrying tray (10) comprising:

• • a) a substantially planar surface (12) having a top surface and bottom surface;
  • b) a cavity (26) at the underside of the bottom surface; and
  • c) a handle (16) placed within said cavity (26),
  • wherein:
  • the cavity (26) is adapted to receive and retain the handle (16) so that said handle (16) does not extend from the bottom surface of the tray (10),
  • the handle (16) is adapted to be easily pulled away from the bottom surface into an open-position, to embrace the user's palm and provide improved control for carrying said tray (10), and
  • when the palm is removed, the handle (16) easily returns into the cavity (26) and back to a close-position.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the tray (10) further comprising a pointer (17) indicating either the location and orientation of the handle (16) or indication where the user should insert his hand from in order to arrive to the handle (16) in the right direction. Said pointer (17) may be located at the upper side or the underside of the tray. Moreover, said pointer (17) may be projected from the tray's surface, and/or includes an illuminating agent.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the bottom surface of the tray (10) may have ridges (29) so that the handle (16) does not extend from said ridges (29). Said ridges (29) may form the cavity (26) holding the handle (16) and in which the handle moves from close- to open-position and vice versa.

In yet other embodiments of the invention, the handle (16) of the tray of the invention is attached thereto in a permanent manner, or is removably attached thereto.

In case the handle (16) is removably attached to the tray (10), it may attached by a ledge and a corresponding depression, thereby allowing easy changing of the location and/or orientation of the handle (16), while preventing unintentional change thereof. In a specific embodiment, the handle (16) may be maintained in place by friction, allowing easy changing of the position of the handle (16), while preventing unintentional change thereof. Alternatively, the handle (16) may be attached to a track (26) located along the tray (10), thereby providing an additional ability of changing the position of the handle (16). In such a case, the handle (16) may be fixed to said track (26), located along the tray (10), by friction, allowing easy changing of the handle (16) position, while preventing unintentional change thereof.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the handle (16) of the tray of the invention may be made of one or more rigid materials, wherein said rigid material may comprise: plastic materials, fiberglass, recycled wood or plastic, metals or wood, or any combination thereof. Alternatively, the handle (16) may be made of non-rigid materials, wherein the non-rigid material may comprise: soft plastic materials, silicone, leather, fabric, rubber, or any combination thereof. As yet another alternative, the handle (16) may be made of any combination of rigid and non-rigid materials.

The present invention further relates to a handle-system unit (14) comprising essentially of:

• • a) a coupling base (18) comprising an internal cavity (26) at its underside; and
  • b) a handle (16) placed within said cavity (26);
  • wherein the unit (14) may be attached to the underside of any tray in any size and shape, and wherein
  • the cavity (26) is adapted to receive and retain the handle (16) so that said handle (16) does not extend from the bottom surface of the base (18),
  • the handle (16) is adapted to be easily pulled away from the bottom surface into an open-position, to embrace the user's palm, and provide improved control for carrying said attached tray, and
  • when the palm is removed, the handle (16) easily returns into the cavity (26) and back to a close-position.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the unit (14) of the invention may be attached to a tray by any one of the following means: snap-fit, gluing, screwing and welding. In another embodiment, the base (18) of the unit (14) of the invention is rotatable, thereby allowing changing the orientation and location of the handle (16).

In yet other embodiments of the invention, the handle (16) of the improved carrying tray (10) is an integral part of the bottom surface (12) and is adapted to be easily pulled apart from the bottom surface into an open-position, to embrace the user's palm and provide improved control for carrying said tray (10). In a specific embodiment, said tray is a pizza tray, and said handle (16) is part of the bottom surface (12) and is easily extracted therefrom to embrace the user's palm. In another embodiment, said handle (16) may be strengthen, e.g., by the addition or incorporation of nylon threads or plastic therein. In yet another specific embodiment, said bottom surface (12) comprises an additional isolating layer to protect the user's palm from heat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent through the following examples, and with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1. schematically illustrates a waiter holding a tray (10), with a handle (16) according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2. is a bottom view of the underside (12) of a tray (10) with a handle-system (14) of the invention, schematically illustrating one possibility of moving the handle (16) across the diameter of the handle-system base (18) along a cavity (26), and the possibility of rotating (28) the handle/tray across the base (18) without moving the wrist.

FIG. 3. is a scheme of a handle-system (14) according to one embodiment of the invention suitable for attachment to the underside of any tray, illustrating the handle (16) in a cavity (26) and different ridges (29) protruding from the base (18).

FIG. 4. shows a scheme of a handle (16) of the invention in straight/closed (A & C) and curved/open (B) forms.

FIG. 5. shows a bottom view of a tray (10) with a handle (16) according to one embodiment of the invention when the handle (16) is flattened/closed (A) and drawn-out/open (B).

FIG. 6. is a scheme illustrating the underside of the tray of the invention (10) wherein the handle (16) embraces the user's palm (15) and not above the 4 fingers (index, middle, ring and pinky).

FIG. 7. illustrates the upper side of the tray of the invention (10) showing the pointer (17) on both sides of the tray adjacent to the handle (16), its location on the underside is marked with a dashed line (A). (B) is a magnification of the pointer area.

FIG. 8. illustrates an advantage of the tray of the invention (10) (B) over the tray of the prior art (11) (A) when carrying unbalanced loads.

FIG. 9. is a scheme illustrating the underside (A & C) and side view (B) of a pizza box as the tray of the invention (10).

It should be understood that the figures and drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and are for illustrative purpose, and are by no way limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It has now been found that carrying and stabilizing trays can be done in an easy and effortless manner by using the trays of the invention or by using the handle-system of the invention attached to the underside of standard trays.

The tray of the invention (10), and the handle-system of the invention (14), may be formed from any combination of rigid, flexible or non-flexible materials, such as, but not limited to, plastic materials, fiberglass, metals or wood. The handle-system of the invention (14) may be mounted onto the bottom of any tray, e.g., a tray suitable for carrying drinks and/or food, by any suitable adhesive technique, e.g. snap-fit, gluing, screwing, welding, etc., either during or after manufacture of the tray. The handle-system (14) of the invention can be attached to the underside of the tray, preferably adjacent to the center of the tray. The handle of the invention (16) may be any suitable handgrip, such as a strap, handle or lever, and may be rigid, semi-rigid or soft. The handle (16) may be formed from any suitable material such as, but not limited to, plastic materials, fiberglass or metals, or any combination thereof. Particularly preferred materials are plastic materials due to their durability, low weight, simplicity of manufacture and low cost. Examples of suitable plastic materials include but are not limited to, silicon, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyethylene or nylon.

The tray (10) and handle-system (14) of the invention may be prepared by any known technique, including but not limited to, injection molding, dynamic forging, stamp forging, sheet forming, and blow molding. The Tray and handle-system may be manufactured/prepared as one unit. Alternatively, the handle-system may be prepared as a separate unit and attached to the tray at manufacturing or attached later on to any tray or device. The handle-system of the invention may be made as one unit or may be made from several parts that are assembled together.

The tray of the invention (10) comprises a support handle (16) placed in a cavity (such as a groove, track, channel, recess or an area surrounded by protruding ridges) (26) at the bottom surface of the tray (12). When not in use, the handle is flat and does not extend out of the cavity (26) (FIG. 5A), thereby enabling the tray to be substantially horizontal and stable when placed on a flat surface, e.g., a counter, and also enables stacking trays on one another. The handle (16) should not extend beyond the cavity (26) though an extension of up to 5 millimeters can be tolerated and still considered as not substantially extending. When the user wishes to lift the tray, he easily slides the handle to extend from the cavity/channel (26) (FIG. 5B) and insert his or her palm (facing up) between the handle and the tray, so that the handle braces the user's palm and secures the tray from tilting or falling. After removing the user's palm, the handle easily slides back to a “closed” position, either automatically or by applying slight pressure thereon.

The term “palm” (also designated “15” in the drawings) when used herein refers to the central region of the anterior part of the hand, located superficially to the metacarpus. Basically, “palm” refers to the front area of the hand between the bottom of the 4 fingers (index, middle, ring and pinky) and the wrist.

It should be noted that any reference to the cavity (26), means any suitable construction that can fit the handle (16) while allowing it to move or slide from a closed-position to an open-position, and vice versa. Examples of suitable cavities comprise any combination of channel, recess, grooves, tracks, rails, ledge & depression, etc. The cavities may be created during the preparation of the tray (10) or may be crafted after manufacture. The cavities may also be created by the addition or formation of protruding ridges which constrain and hold the handle (16).

The ridges at the bottom of the tray or handle-system, beside their possible role in coercing the handle (16), may also further strengthen the tray of the invention by providing additional structural support.

It should be noted that any reference to the handle (16) being extend from a cavity, a base or a tray, means that the handle (16) does not outspread or arise out of the limits of said cavity, base or tray, or that the handle (16) may spread or arise out of the limits of said cavity, base or tray by up to a tolerated distance of 0.5 centimeters.

The handle-system of the invention (14) comprises a support handle/strap (16) placed in a cavity, groove, track, channel or recess (26) on a base (18). When not in use, the strap is flat and does not extend out (or substantially extend out) of the cavity (26). When the user wishes to lift the tray, he easily slides the strap to extend from the cavity (26) and insert his or her palm (facing up) between the strap and the tray, so that the strap braces the user's palm and secures the attached tray from tilting or falling. After removing the user's palm, the strap easily slides back to a “closed position”.

The tray of the invention (10) may further comprise an anti-slip or anti-skid surface on its upper-surface preventing movement of the goods placed thereon. Said anti-slip surface may be constructed as an integral part of the tray during manufacture, or may be added after the tray production.

The tray of the invention (10) may also have a pointer (17) indicating the location of the handle (16). The pointer (17) may be fabricated as part of the tray, or may be added thereto after production. Such a pointer (17) may be placed at the perimeter of the tray showing where from the user should insert his hand in order to place it in the handle, or it may be placed, e.g. as a drawing, at the center of the tray, right above the handle, thereby illustrating the location and orientation of the handle underneath the tray. Said pointer (17) may also be placed at the bottom surface of the tray as a rigid surface or bumps, so that the user filling then knows he is in the right direction. In another embodiment, the pointer (17) may also illuminate thereby indicating the location of the handle even in the dark. Such a pointer (17) is very useful for professional waiters who need to constantly carry the tray to serve people, and thus need to be able to identify the handle (16) position instantly/efficiently in order not to waste unnecessary time.

The area around the handle (16) on the underside of the tray (10) or the handle-system (14) may comprise a roughened or textured surface providing additional grip, such as a non-slip layer. Optionally, said area may have finger furrows. The cavity (26) and handle (16) may optionally be rotated, thus enabling easy turning of the tray (10) without twisting the arm or wrist. Optionally, the inner side of the handle section (16) may be provided with a layer of cushioning material for extra comfort.

When used, the tray (10) or handle-system (14) attached to a tray provide the tray carrier with extremely high control of the tray, essentially eliminating the effect of any unexpected tipping forces. In this manner, the tray carrier can easily and safely transport its goods, such as drinks and food, to their destination with almost no risk of dropping the contents of the tray.

Typically, a waiter/waitress fills the tray while it resides on the counter and then slides it from the counter with one hand onto the other hand, while balancing the tray with the first hand. This prevents the waiter from seeing the underside of the tray and forces him to use only one hand for balancing and carrying the tray. Accordingly, it is an embodiment of the present invention that the handle (16) in the handle-system (14) or in the tray (10) of the invention is easily pulled from its cavity (26), thus enabling a single-hand usage.

Reference to a “closed-position” of the tray (10) or handle-system (14) of the invention means a position in which the handle (16) is in contact with or in close proximity to the underside of the bottom surface (12) of the tray (10) or to the base (18) of the handle-system (14). Accordingly, any reference to an “open-position” of the tray (10) or the handle-system (14) means any position in which the handle (16) is no longer in contact with or in close proximity to the underside of the tray (12) or the base (18).

When the tray carrier inserts his or her palm under the handle (16) (i.e. brings the handle to an open position), an intimate and tight contact occurs between the user's palm and the underside of the tray and between the user's backhand and the inner portion of the handle. This tight braced position, not present in any other known tray, provides the user with greater control over the tray (10) and its contents, by easily exerting a reactive, opposing force to any tipping force of the tray. Notably, the handle (16) embraces and grasps the user's backhand from one side to the other and does not grasp only a part thereof or a few fingers (as in other trays of the prior art), and is suitable for any palm size. Due to its simplicity, the tray (10), as well as the handle-system (14), of the invention are suitable for both right-handed and left-handed persons, and allow superior control over the tray even when carried by the non-dominant hand.

Unless otherwise defined herein or below in the remainder of the specification, all technical and scientific terms used herein have meanings commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs.

Before describing the present invention in further detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular tray, shape, handles, materials, or fabrication techniques, which can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting in any way.

The present invention will be further understood from the following detailed description of certain embodiments which are meant to be descriptive and not limiting.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a waiter holding a tray apparatus (10) according to one embodiment of the invention. The tray (10) comprises a surface plate (12) to which a handle (16) is attached underneath. The handle (16), which in this case is arched, allows the waiter to place the tray (10) on his open palm (15) while the handle (16) embraces his palm (15). This grasping ability enables one-hand carrying of the tray, and provides an additional degree of safety and control preventing goods from sliding off of the tray.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a bottom view of a tray (10) according to one embodiment of the invention, which in this case is rectangular. Actually, the tray may be in any size and shape, such as round, oval, square, etc. According to this exemplified embodiment of the invention, the location and orientation of the handle (16) can be changed: it can move along a track/cavity (26) that may be disposed in a rotatable base (18), which is movable in the direction of arrow (28). Thus, the rotational movement of the base (18), and the linear movement of the handle (16) along the track (26) allow disposing the handle (16) in any desired location and orientation under the surface plate (12). This allows the user to shift the balance-center (also called center-of-gravity and main-point) of the tray to a more comfortable and stable carrying posture.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the track (26) comprises bores disposed therealong. The handle (16) may comprise two bored “wings”, through which bolts fix the handle (16) to the base (18) by connecting bolts to bores in the track (26) on the base (18). Preferably, the movement of the handle (16) along the track (26) is characterized by intense friction which forces the user to apply force in order to shift the handle (16) along the track (26). The friction allows easy displacement of the handle (16) along the track (26), while preventing unintentional displacement thereof. In addition, the rotation of the base (18) also may be characterized by intense friction, which provides the same benefits. Thus, the friction allows easy displacement of the handle, while preventing unintentional displacement thereof. According to another embodiment of the invention, the handle (16) comprises a ledge and the element to which it is connected, have a plurality of corresponding depressions. Thus, in one hand this mechanism provides easy changing of the location of the handle (16) with reference to the plate (12), and on the other hand it prevents unintentional move thereof.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the handle (16) is fixed, without displacement ability thereof. In other words, the handle displacement mechanism described hereinabove is optional, and the handle (16) can be either attached “permanently” to one location in the plate (12) or base (18), i.e. may not move along the track (26), and/or may not rotate.

FIG. 3 further details the structure of the handle-system (14) of the invention. This system (14) can be fabricated as an individual and separate unit, which can be attached to the underside of any suitable tray or article of choice by any possible means. As illustrated in this figure, the handle (16) is placed in a cavity (26) in the unit. The unit may also have ridges (29), embracing and making room for the handle (16) so that it does not extend from the bottom surface of the unit. In this figure, the handle (16) does not have the ability to move along the diameter of the tray. However, there is a possibility for the user to shift the balance-center by pulling the handle from either the right or the left side, so that the arch of the handle (16) is not created at the center of the handle-system (14).

FIG. 4 is an illustration of two, non-limiting, possible options of the handle (16) in the tray (10) or handle-system (14) of the invention. The handle (16) is flexible and can be made of any suitable material, e.g. rubber, silicone, or any suitable polymer. It may also be made of metal, which may optionally be coated with a layer of polymer, fabric or leather. The handle may also have a cushioning layer. In one embodiment, the handle (16) has no moving parts, which eliminates wear due to abrasion or friction that occurs with moving parts. Nevertheless, according to another embodiment, the handle (16) may be easily replaced if need arises.

FIG. 5 illustrates the tray (10) of the invention where the handle (16) is either in its “close-position” (A), enabling to place the tray on a counter or stacking several trays on one another, or in its “open-position” (B), allowing the user to insert his or her palm between the handle (16) and the tray (10) to carry the tray around. The tray may also have ridges (29), making room for the handle (16) so that it does not extend from the bottom surface of the tray (10). FIG. 6 is a scheme illustrating the underside of the tray (10) of the invention with a hand inside the handle (16). A pointer (17) according to one embodiment of the invention is exemplified in both figures, as ridges at the underside of the tray, which enable the user to fill, without looking, where the hand should come from in order to easily find the handle (16) in the right direction.

FIG. 7 illustrates the upper side of the tray (10) of the invention showing another pointer (17) of the invention, this time as a white, optionally illuminating stripe. The pointer (17) can be in any shape, form, and color, and might be illuminating in order to be visible under dark conditions.

FIG. 8A shows that when goods are equally distributed on a regular tray (11), the tray remains balanced. However, when the balanced is disturbed, e.g. by removing one of the articles on the tray (31), the tray tilts, and the remaining article (30) falls off the tray. However, in the tray of the present invention (10) (FIG. 8B), the handle (16), embracing the waiter's palm, provides enhanced control on the tray (10) and prevents the tray from tilting and subsequent falling of articles therefrom. Since the tray of the invention (10) is supported by the entire palm (15) area and optionally also parts of the user's wrist or hand areas, it is provides improved support when compared to trays of the art that only provide small support areas for the tray.

FIG. 9 illustrates a pizza box as the tray (10) of the invention where the handle (16) is an integral part of the underside of the tray. As shown in FIG. 9A, showing the underside of the box, when the box is stored or not used, the handle (16) is in its “close-position” and does not extend out. FIG. 9B is a side view of the pizza box, where the handle (16) can be extracted for use. FIG. 9C also shows the underside of the box, this time when the handle is in its “open-position” embracing user's hand.

According to another embodiment of the invention, an eggs carton may comprise the handle part (16) of the invention installed underneath. The handle (16) may be made of non-rigid material, thereby allowing placing one carton on the other. In another embodiment of the invention, a pizza box may constitute the tray. Such a pizza box may comprise a handle (16) installed underneath.

The foregoing description and illustrations of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the above description and figures in any way and form.

Any term that has been defined above and used in the claims, should to be interpreted according to its definition. The reference numbers in the claims are not a part of the claims, but rather used for facilitating the reading thereof. These reference numbers should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any form.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a component” can include a combination of two or more components; reference to “a liquid” can include mixtures of liquids, and the like.

As used herein, the terms “substantially” and “essentially” refer to a parameter that is complete or only incomplete to a small degree (e.g., 99.9%, 99%, 98%, 95% or 90% complete).

While this invention has been described in terms of some specific examples, many modifications and variations are possible. It is therefore understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be realized otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

1. An improved carrying tray (10) comprising:

a) a substantially planar surface (12) having a top surface and bottom surface;

b) a cavity (26) at the underside of the bottom surface; and

c) a handle (16) placed within said cavity (26),

wherein:

the cavity (26) is adapted to receive and retain the handle (16) so that said handle (16) does not extend from the bottom surface of the tray (10),

the handle (16) is adapted to be easily pulled away from the bottom surface into an open-position, to embrace the user's palm and provide improved control for carrying said tray (10), and

when the palm is removed, the handle (16) easily returns into the cavity (26) and back to a close-position.

2. A tray (10) according to claim 1, further comprising a pointer (17) indicating either the location and orientation of the handle (16) or indication where the user should insert his hand from in order to arrive to the handle (16) in the right direction.

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. A tray (10) according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface has ridges (29) so that the handle (16) does not extend from said ridges (29).

6. A tray (10) according to claim 5, wherein said ridges (29) may form the cavity (26) holding the handle (16) and in which the handle moves from close- to open-position and vice versa.

7. The handle (16) of the tray of claim 1, which is attached thereto in a permanent manner or is removably attached to the tray (10).

8. (canceled)

9. The handle (16) of claim 5, which is removably attached to the tray (10) by a ledge and a corresponding depression, and is maintained in dace by friction, thereby allowing easy changing of the location and/or orientation of the handle (16), while preventing unintentional change thereof.

10. (canceled)

11. The handle (16) of claim 5, which is removably attached to a track (26) located along the tray (10), thereby providing an additional ability of changing the position of the handle (16).

12. The handle (16) of claim 11 which is fixed to the track (26) located along the tray (10) by friction, allowing easy changing of the handle (16) position, while preventing unintentional change thereof.

13. The handle (16) of claim 1 which is made of one or more rigid materials.

14. The handle (16) of claim 13, wherein the rigid material comprises: plastic materials, fiberglass, recycled wood or plastic, metals or wood, or any combination thereof.

15. The handle (16) of claim 1 which is made of non-rigid materials.

16. The handle (16) of claim 15, wherein the non-rigid material comprises: soft plastic materials, silicone, leather, fabric, rubber, or any combination thereof.

17. The handle (16) of claim 1 which is made of any combination of rigid and non-rigid materials.

18. A handle-system unit (14) comprising essentially of:

a) a coupling base (18) comprising an internal cavity (26) at its underside; and

b) a handle (16) placed within said cavity (26);

wherein the unit (14) may be attached to the underside of any tray in any size and shape, and wherein

the cavity (26) is adapted to receive and retain the handle (16) so that said handle (16) does not extend from the bottom surface of the base (18),

the handle (16) is adapted to be easily pulled away from the bottom surface into an open-position, to embrace the user's palm, and provide improved control for carrying said attached tray, and

when the palm is removed, the handle (16) easily returns into the cavity (26) and back to a close-position.

19. The unit (14) of claim 18, which is attached to a tray by any one of the following means: snap-fit, gluing, screwing and welding.

20. The base (18) of claim 18, which is rotatable, thereby allowing changing the orientation and location of the handle (16).

21. The improved carrying tray (10) according to claim 1,

wherein the handle (16) is an integral part of the bottom surface (12) and is adapted to be easily pulled apart from the bottom surface into an open-position, to embrace the user's palm and provide improved control for carrying said tray (10).

22. The tray (10) of claim 21, wherein said tray is a pizza tray, and wherein said handle (16) is part of the bottom surface (12) and is easily extracted therefrom to embrace the user's palm.

23. The tray (10) of claim 22, wherein said handle (16) is strengthen, e.g., by nylon threads or plastic.

24. The tray (10) of claim 22, wherein said bottom surface (12) comprises an additional isolating layer to protect the user's palm from heat.