Fast food tray

Abstract

An organizer for items of a meal including a tray section that is mounted onet a box section. The box section has an area with openings for receiving kabob sticks, another area for storing beferage and another are for storing finger food an bulk items such as hamburgers. A slot in the bottom section is provided for storing a napkin, A dike in the bottom section prevents flow of condiments into the napkin section

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to trays and containers for food and particularly to an organizer (tray) that enables the user to hold the food in one hand leaving the other hand free for eating or other purposes.

BACKGROUND AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE

[0002] Food trays are very useful for many situations where the diner is not able or desirous to sit down at a typical dinner table or where there is a requirement to transport a meal from the kitchen to a remote location. Meals for such occasions are typically of the fast food variety, particularly “finger food” such as kabobs (meat and/or vegetables on a stick) potatoes, crackers, etc. Balancing a beverage on such occasions is a particular challenge. The problem is further complicated by the occasional need to have a freehand such as for answering a cell phone, greeting an attendee at a party, etc.

[0003] A number of disclosures have appeared related to the problem.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,026 B1 discloses a utility food tray having a shallow food section and an aperture for receiving a beverage container and has downwardly extending legs.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,302 discloses a “chip and dip” tray that nests a beverage container with a bag of chips.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,129,232 discloses a box for transporting food including a lid with a depression for holding a beverage cup.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,139 discloses a tray with a food and beverage section and a bottomward extending handgrip.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,784 disclose a bottom tray hingably attached to a lid arranged to prevent spillage.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,944 discloses a food bowl integrally joined to a section having a depression for receiving a beverage cup.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,119 discloses a tray with appendages arranged to stabilize the tray on the user's lap.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,511,042 discloses a combination tray for carrying a drink container and a food container.

[0012] None of the trays disclosed provide the convenience for arranging and dispensing types of food in a form that is particularly popular among certain groups of people and has appeal as a “fast food” or party food. Such foods (kabobs) are generally found skewered on sticks.

[0013] These foods are usually “dripping” with juices, gravies, sauces and the like so that any feature that would retain the condiments in place without dripping onto the user would be a welcome. A further welcome feature would be an arrangement wherein a napkin is readily accessble/storable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] It is an object of this invention to provide a food organizer that a user can conveniently hold in one hand leaving a free hand for partaking the food and beverage or for what ever other contingency might arise such as picking up a cell phone, shaking the hand of a party guest, spreading a napkin etc.

[0015] This invention is directed toward a food organizer (tray) that includes a tray section, for arranging and holding food items and beverage, that fits onto a box section arranged for storing a napkin and a dike that confines condiments dripping from the food items.

[0016] The tray section has a well for receiving a cup of beverage, openings especially arranged for receiving kabobs skewered on a plurality of sticks, and openings for bulkier items such as hamburgers.

[0017] The box section has a slot in its side through which a napkin can be inserted into or retrieved from the box. The napkin slides into a channel formed by a channel secured to the floor of the box section. A dike extends across the floor of the box section that prevents condiments stored in one section of the tray section from contacting and soaking the stored napkin. The box has a false bottom section, which supports the ends of kabob sticks inserted through openings in the tray section at a position where withdrawal of the kabob from the container is convenient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of the organizer that shows arrangement of food and beverage.

[0019] FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of the tray section of the organizer of this invention.

[0020] FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of the box section of the organizer of this invention.

[0021] FIG. 3A is a side view of the tray section of the organizer.

[0022] FIG. 3B is a side view of the box section of the organizer.

[0023] FIG. 4 shows details of the ridge-groove engagement of edges of the tray and box sections.

[0024] FIG. 5 shows thermal insulation of the box section.

[0025] FIG. 6 shows a channel forming a tunnel for a napkin.

[0026] FIG. 7 shows another channel forming a false floor to support kabobs.

[0027] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment for storing large items such as hamburgers.

[0028] FIGS. 9A and 9B show a version of the tray including a section holding kabobs.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0029] Turning now to a discussion of the drawings, FIG. 1 is a sectional elevation (side) view of the organizer (food tray) of this invention. The different items of the meal are stored in separate areas in an arrangement that enables the user to hold the organizer in one hand while the other hand is free to select any of the items or perform other incidental operations such as holding onto a cell phone, shaking hands, jotting down a note, picking up a news paper, etc.

[0030] FIG. 1 shows the items of the meal. One item is a group 12 of meats and/or vegetables skewered on the lower ends of sticks 14. The upper ends of the sticks are conveniently available for permitting the diner to select and withdraw the kabob (stick 14) of his choice.

[0031] Another item 16 is any one (or mixture thereof) of fried potatoes, chips, onion rings etc.

[0032] Another item is a cup 18 of beverage that is conveniently arranged to permit the user to withdraw the cup and replace the cup with one hand.

[0033] Another item 20 is a hamburger, bun, cookie or the like, that is stored in a separate compartment.

[0034] Another item is a napkin 22 that is stored in a separate dry compartment from which the user is able to withdraw the napkin 22 with his free hand and replace as required.

[0035] As shown in the FIGS. 2A,B, the food organizer of this invention is generally an assembly in two sections, a tray (top) section 24 that fits onto a box (bottom) section 26.

[0036] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the tray section 24 poised for mounting on the box section 26 shown in FIG. 2B.

[0037] As shown in detail in the sectional view of FIG. 4, the rim 30 of the tray section 24 has a groove 32 that engages a ridge 34 around the edge of the box section 26 when the container is closed. The groove and ridge arrangement greatly increases the rigidity of the closed container.

[0038] In another embodiment, the 30 rim of the tray section 24 is permanently sealed to the box section 26 at the time of manufacturing the invention. This embodiment is practical where the practice is to “throw away” the organizer after a single usage. The permanently sealed rims greatly increases the rigidity of the box and permits a use of a substantially thinner plastic sheet in fabricating the container. In this regard, sheet plastic of 0.6 mm is the preferred thickness.

[0039] The tray section 24 has a relatively flat tray area 38 at one end with an array of apertures 40.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, skewered kabobs 14A,B of meat and/or vegetables 12 are inserted (meat end down) through the apertures 40. The bottom end 42 of the skewered kabob is supported on a false floor (raised platform) 44 on the floor of the box section. The kabobs are typically provided on short sticks 14A and/or long sticks 14B. As shown in FIG. 1, the false floor 44 on the floor of the box section supports the shorter sticks 42. The longer sticks 14B extend all the way to the floor 48 of the box section 26.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 7, the false floor comprises an inverted channel 44 supportd on the floor 48 of the box section 26. The length of the false is selected according to the number of short sticks to be supported.

[0042] A dike 50 on the floor of the box section 26 is shown which retains the juices and condiments that drain from the skewered food in the region of the box section 26 directly under the skewered food.

[0043] The end of the tray section 24 opposite the array of “skewer holding’ apertures 40 comprises a basin 52 that is concave toward the box section. The basin 52 has two compartments separated by a “cup holder” 54. The “cup holder” 54 is preferably a cone tapered to conform to the cup (not shown) that is stored in the holder 54 but is readily withdrawn by the user for drinking purposes.

[0044] “Finger” food (e.g., fried potatoes, crackers, onion rings, etc.) is storable in either one of the compartments 52A, B and a “bulk” item (e.g., a bun, hamburger, etc) is storable in the other compartment on the other side of the cup holder.54.

[0045] The box section 26 has a slot 58 in one end arranged to permit sliding a folded napkin 22 into one end of the box section 26. FIG. 6 shows a channel (an inverted “U”) forming a tunnel with the floor 48 of the box section 26. This arrangement permits sliding a napkin 22 through slot 58 and under cup holder. A cup 18 in cup holder 54 rests on the inverted channel 51

[0046] Features that are not available in food trays of the prior art characterize the organizer.

[0047] These unique features include the arrangement for storing kabobs on a stick where the meat and/or vegetable at one end of the stick is positioned inside an enclosure where it is prevented from rapidly losing heat yet the free end of the stick protruding from out of the respective aperture in the tray section is conveniently and cleanly accessible to the diner.

[0048] The arrangement is particularly advantageous for distributing kabobs from the organizer to several companions. In this situation the cup is used to retain a condiment that is shared by all of the companions in a very sanitary manner. Each companion simply withdraws his/her kabob and dips it once into the contents of the cup section.

[0049] The transverse dike 50 on the floor 48 of the box section 26 in combination with the napkin section is another unique feature that is effective in minimizing messiness by preventing juices that drip from the kabobs from being soaked up by the napkins 22 stored in the other end of the box section 26.

[0050] Variations of the invention may be contemplated which are suggested by reading the specification and studying the drawings, which are within the scope of the invention.

[0051] For example, small cups of other food items such as pudding, ice cream or potato salad may be positioned in the cup section 54 or any one of the compartments or either side of the cup holder 54. In this situation, it is convenient to store a plastic spoon or fork through one or more of the apertures in the tray section.

[0052] The organizer is formed from plastic sheet, preferably teraphthalate but alternatively from any one of polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride or acetate, ploy propylene. The sheet is preferably around 0.6 millimeters thick.

[0053] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment in which insulating bubble 60 sheet is attached to the inside of the box section 26. Alternatively, the box section is formed of foam styrene.

[0054] In another embodiment, the basin 52 is covered with a sheet of bubble insulation. This arrangement is useful where it is desired to maintain a warm temperature of the kabobs but store a cold drink in the cup section.

[0055] Alternatively, the outside surface of the basin is covered with insulating bubble sheet and cracked ice is stored in the basin to maintain a low temperature of the beverage in the cup section.

[0056] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment in which a large opening 13 is formed in place of the array of smaller openings 40 shown in FIG. 1. This arrangement permits storing bulk items, eg., hamburgers 13, in the box section 26 inserted through opening 13.

[0057] FIGS. 9A (tray section) and 9B (box section) show an embodiment directed toward a a food organizer identical to FIGS. 1A and 1B in that there is the provision of the cup holder and array of apertures in the tray section for inserting kabobs and the false floor for supporting the lower ends of the kabobs but there is no provision for storing the napkin.

[0058] In view of such variations and modifications, it is therefore desired to define the scope of my invention by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An organizer for dispensing items for a meal, which comprises:

A tray section having a rim;

A box section being a rectangular container having four side panels, each having an edge perpendicularly joined to an edge of a floor panel;

said four side panels forming a rim of said box section;

means for engaging said rim of said box section with said rim of said tray section.

one of said side sections having a slot:

a channel having two leg panels joined by a joining panel;

said slot, channel and floor panel arranged in operabla combination to form a tunnel with said slot at one end of said tunnel dimensioned to permit sliding a napkin through said slot into said tunnel in said box section.

2. The organizer of claim 1 wherein said tray section comprises:

a plurality of sticks having one end adapted for skewering at least one of meat and vegetables on each one of said sticks;

said tray section having an area with an array of openings dimensioned to permit inserting said one end with said at least one of meat and vegetables through any one of said openings toward said floor panel and leaving an opposite end of said stick protruding outside said organizer whereby said stick is conveniently accessible for withdrawal from said organizer.

said area being located where contact between said sticks through said openings and said napkin inserted into said bottom section is avoided.

3. The organizer of claim 2 further comprising a dike integrally formed with said floor panel and exending from one of said side panels to an opposite one of said side panels arranged to confine juices dripping from said meats and vegetables to a region of said box section that is remote from said napkin inserted into said tunnel through said slot.

4. The organizer of claim 1 wherein said tray section comprises:

said tray section having an area with an array of openings, each opening adapted to permit inserting one end of a stick with at least one of meat and vegetables through any one of said openings toward said floor panel and leaving an opposite end of said stick protruding outside said organizer whereby said stick is conveniently accessible for withdrawal from said organizer;

said area being located where contact between said sticks through said openings and said napkin inserted into said bottom section is avoided.

5. The organizer of claim 4 further comprising a dike integrally formed with said floor panel and extending from one of said side panels to an opposite one of said side panels arranged to confine juices dripping from said meats and vegetables in a region of said box section that is remote from said napkin inserted into said box section through said slot.

6. The organizer of claim 4 further comprising a false floor means, positioned on said floor panel and under a group of said openings in said tray section, for supporting ends of sticks that are shorter than remaining sticks with said another end of said short sticks protruding from out of said opening.

7. The organizer of claim 6 wherein said false floor means comprises a channel having a false floor panel and a pair of leg panels, each leg panel having one edge joined to said false floor panel and each with an opposite edge secured to said floor panel

8. The organizer of claim 1 comprising:

a basin having a rim;

another area of said tray section having an opening with a rim;

said rim of said basin integrally formed with said rim of said opening in said another area of said tray section wherein said basin is convex toward said floor panel.

9. The organizer of claim 8 comprising:

means for holding a cup.

10. The organizer of claim 9 wherein said means for holding a cup comprises:

a cone section having an open upper end dimensioned to permit nesting said cup in said cone section

said cone section mounted in said basin with an opening of said cone section accessible for positioning said cup in said cone section.

11 The organizer of claim 10 wherein said cone section is mounted into said basin arranged to define two compartments of said bsin, one said compartment on one side of said cone section and another said compartment on an opposite side of said cone section.

12. The organizer of claim 1 wherein said means for engaging said rim of said box section with said rim of said tray section comprises: said rim of said tray section being sealed to said rim of said box section

13. The organizer of claim 1 wherein said means for engaging said rim of said box section with said rim of said tray section comprises:

a ridge formed on said rim of said box section;

a groove formed on said rim of said tray section arranged to engage said ridge.

14 The organizer of claim 1 wherein said means for engaging said rim of said box section with said rim of said tray section comprises:

a ridge formed on said rim of said tray section;

a groove formed on said rim of said box section arranged to engage said ridge.

15. The organizer of claim 1 wherein said tray section and said box section are made of plastic sheet.

16. The organizer of claim 15 wherein said plastic sheet is selected from a group of plastics consisting of teraphthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride.

17. The organizer of claim 15 wherein said box section is foam.

18 The organizer of claim 15 wherein said sheet has a thickness that is generally less than 0.6 millimeters.

19. The organizer of claim 1 wherein said tray section comprises:

an area with an opening dimensioned to permit inserting a bulk item through said opening into said box section

said area being located where contact between said bulk item inserted through said opening into said bottom section and said napkin inserted into said bottom section is avoided.

a dike integrally formed with said floor panel and exending from one of said side panels to an opposite one of said side panels arranged to confine juices dripping from said bulk item in a region of said box section that is remote from said napkin inserted into said tunnel through said slot.

a basin having a rim;

another area of said tray section having an another opening with a rim;

said rim of said basin integrally formed with said rim of said another opening wherein said basin is convex toward said floor panel;

a cone section having an open upper end dimensioned to permit nesting a cup in said cone section;

said cone section mounted in said basin with an opening of said cone section accessible for positioning said cup in said cone section.

20. An organizer for dispensing items for a meal which comprises:

a tray section having a rim;

a box section being a rectangular container having four side panels, each having an edge perpendicularly joined to an edge of a floor panel;

said four side panels forming a rim of said box section;

means for engaging said rim of said box section with said rim of said tray section being one of

(i) said rim of said tray section being sealed to said rim of said box section

(ii) ridge formed on said rim of said box section and a groove formed on said rim of said tray section arranged to engage said ridge;

one of said side sections having a slot dimensioned to permit sliding a napkin into said box section when said tray section is engaged with said box section

said tray section having an area with an array of openings dimensioned to permit inserting a plurality of sticks having one end adapted for skewering at least one of meat and vegetables on each one of said sticks and adjacent said floor panel and an opposite end of said stick protruding outside said organizer conveniently accessible for withdrawal from said organizer.

said area with an array of openings being located where contact between said sticks through said openings and said napkin inserted into said box section is avoided;

a dike integrally formed with said floor panel and exending from one of said side panels to an opposite one of said side panels and arranged to confine juices dripping from said meats and vegetables in a region of said box section that is remote from said napkin inserted into said box section through said slot;

a false floor positioned on said floor panel and under a group of said openings in said tray section whereby ends of sticks that are shorter than remaining sticks are supported on said false bottom with said another end protruding from out of said opening.

a basin having a rim;

another area of said tray section having an opening with a rim;

said rim of said basin integrally formed with said rim of said opening in said tray section;

a cone section having an open upper end adapted for nesting a cup in said cone section

said cone section mounted in said basin with an opening of said cone section accessible for positioning said cup in said cone section.

said cone section mounted into said basin arranged to define two compartments in said basin, one said compartment on one side of said cone section and another said compartment on an opposite side of said cone section;

said tray section and said box section made of plastic sheet;

said plastic selected from a group of plastics consisting of teraphthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride.

said sheet having a thickness that is generally less than 0.6 millimeters.

21. An organizer for dispensing items for a meal, which comprises:

A tray section having a rim;

A box section being a rectangular container having four side panels, each having an edge perpendicularly joined to an edge of a floor panel;

said four side panels forming a rim of said box section;

means for engaging said rim of said box section with said rim of said tray section.

said tray section having an area with an array of openings dimensioned to permit inserting one end of a kabob stick with at least one of meat and vegetables through any one of said openings toward said floor panel and leaving an opposite end of said kabob stick protruding outside said organizer whereby said kabob stick is conveniently accessible for withdrawal from said organizer.

22. The organizer of claim 21 further comprising

a false floor positioned on said floor panel and under a group of said openings in said tray section whereby ends of sticks that are shorter than remaining sticks are supported on said false bottom with said another end protruding from out of said opening.