COMBINATION BUSSING AND WASHING TRAY AND METHOD THEREFOR
A bussing and dishwasher tray has a floor section. The floor section is grated. A wall section extends up from a perimeter of the floor section. A plurality of holding members is formed on the floor section. A plurality of container sections is formed along an interior surface area of the wall section.
The present application is a divisional of pending application having Ser. No. 12/762,850, filed on Apr. 19, 2010, in the name of the same inventor. The present application claims the benefit thereof. The present application is further related to pending divisional application having Ser. No. 13/027,995, filed on Feb. 15, 2011, in the name of the same inventor. All of the above applications are herein incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to restaurant equipment, and more specifically, to a combination bussing and dish washer tray.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIn the restaurant industry, bussing trays are used to help restaurant employees remove used plates, glasses, utensils and the like from the table after these items have been used. Presently, all bussing trays consist of a flat rectangular or oval shape tray having raised edges. In general, when bussing a table, a restaurant employee will stack used plates, glasses, utensils and the like onto the bussing tray. In some instances, the bussing tray may be used with a bussing cart. In these cases, the restaurant employee may empty the contents from the used plates and glasses into a trash container on the cart and then stack used plates, glasses, utensils and the like onto the bussing tray. The employee may stack a plurality of bussing trays on the bussing cart.
Once the table or tables have been cleared, the restaurant employee must remove the used plates, glasses, utensils and the like from each bussing tray and place the items in a dishwashing rack so that the items may be cleaned in a dishwasher.
A problem with current busing trays is that one has to remove the used plates, glasses, utensils and the like from each bussing tray and place these items in a dishwashing rack. This is a time consuming process. Second, due to the configuration of current bussing trays, only a limited amount of items may be placed on each tray.
Therefore, a need exists to provide a device and method to overcome the above problems of the prior art.
SUMMARYIn accordance with one embodiment, a bussing and dishwasher tray is disclosed. The bussing and dishwasher tray has a floor section. The floor section is grated. A wall section extends up from a perimeter of the floor section. A plurality of holding members is formed on the floor section. A plurality of container sections is formed along an interior surface area of the wall section
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a bussing and dishwasher tray is disclosed. The bussing and dishwasher tray has a floor section. The floor section is grated. A wall section extends up from a perimeter of the floor section. The wall section has a lower wall section wherein the lower wall section is a non-grated wall structure having minimal openings. An upper wall section extends up from the lower wall section. The upper wall section is a grated wall section. A plurality of holding members is formed on the floor section. A plurality of container sections is formed along an interior surface area of the wall section. Handle members are formed on an exterior surface area of the wall section.
The features, functions, and advantages can be achieved independently in various embodiments of the disclosure or may be combined in yet other embodiments.
Embodiments of the disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and detailed description to indicate like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONReferring to
The tray 10 may has a floor section 12. The floor section 12 may be a grate structure having a plurality of parallel or crossed bars 12A. By having a grate structure, the floor 12 allows water, food, and the like to drain out of the bottom of the tray 10.
A wall structure 14 may be formed around the perimeter of the floor section 12. The wall structure 14 may be a non-grated wall structure, a grated wall structure, or a combination thereof. The wall structure 14 may be a separate structure which is attached to the floor section 12. Alternatively, the wall section 14 may extend up from the floor section 12 as a single unit. In such an embodiment, the tray 10 may be formed by an injection molding process.
In the embodiment shown in
One or more handles 16 may be formed on the wall section 14. The handles 16 may be a separate structure which is attached to the wall section 14. Alternatively, the handles 16 may extend from the wall section 14 as a single unit. In such an embodiment, the tray 10 may be formed by an injection molding process. In general, a pair of handles 16 may be formed on the wall section 14. The pair of handles 16 may be formed on opposite sides of the wall section 14.
A plurality of finger members 18 may be formed on the floor section 12. The fingers 18 may be a separate structure which is attached to the floor section 12. Alternatively, the fingers 18 may extend up from the floor section 12 as a single unit. In such an embodiment, the tray 10 may be formed by an injection molding process. The finger members 18 may be used to stand table items up in the tray 10. The finger members 18 further may be used to secure table items in the tray 10 so as to allow only minimal movement when the tray is placed in a dishwasher.
In
The tray 10 may further have a plurality of container sections 20. The container sections 20 may be separate structures which are attached to the tray 10. Alternatively, the container sections 20 may be formed as a single unit with the tray 10. In such an embodiment, the tray 10 may be formed by an injection molding process. The container sections 20 are used to store smaller table items such as silverware and the like during bussing and washing.
In the embodiment shown in
Referring to
A wall structure 14 may be formed around the perimeter of the floor section 12. The wall structure 14 may be a non-grated wall structure, a grated wall structure, or a combination thereof. The wall structure 14 may be a separate structure which is attached to the floor section 12. Alternatively, the wall section 14 may extend up from the floor section 12 as a single unit. In such an embodiment, the tray 10 may be formed by an injection molding process.
In the embodiment shown in
One or more handles 16 may be formed on the wall section 14. The handles 16 may be a separate structure which is attached to the wall section 14. Alternatively, the handles 16 may extend from the wall section 14 as a single unit. In such an embodiment, the tray 10 may be formed by an injection molding process. In general, a pair of handles 16 may be formed on the wall section 14. The pair of handles 16 may be formed on opposite sides of the wall section 14.
One or more racks 22 are formed in the interior of the wall section 14. The racks 22 may be separate structures which are attached to the wall section 14. Alternatively, the racks 22 may extend from the wall section 14 as a single unit. In such an embodiment, the tray 10 may be formed by an injection molding process.
The racks 22 may be used to hold one or more plates or other table items in an upright position. In the embodiment shown in
Referring to
A wall structure 14 may be formed around the perimeter of the floor section 12. The wall structure 14 may be a non-grated wall structure, a grated wall structure, or a combination thereof. The wall structure 14 may be a separate structure which is attached to the floor section 12. Alternatively, the wall section 14 may extend up from the floor section 12 as a single unit. In such an embodiment, the tray 10 may be formed by an injection molding process. In the embodiment shown in
One or more handles 16 may be formed in the wall section 14. The handles 16 may be a separate structure which is attached to the wall section 14. Alternatively, the handles 16 may extend from the wall section 14 as a single unit or be formed in the wall section 14. In general, a pair of handles 16 may be formed on the wall section 14. The pair of handles 16 may be formed on opposite sides of the wall section 14. In the present embodiment, the handles 16 are openings 16A formed in the wall section 14.
A plurality of finger members 18 may be formed on the floor section 12. The fingers 18 may be a separate structure which is attached to the floor section 12. Alternatively, the fingers 18 may extend up from the floor section 12 as a single unit. In such an embodiment, the tray 10 may be formed by an injection molding process. The finger members 18 may be used to stand table items up in the tray 10. The finger members 18 further may be used to secure table items in the tray 10 so as to allow only minimal movement when the tray is placed in a dishwasher.
In
One or more racks 22 are formed in the floor section 12. The racks 22 may be formed of a planer member 22C formed between a pair of finger members 18. However, this is only shown as an example and should not be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention. The racks 22 may be used to hold one or more plates or other table items in an upright position.
Referring to
A wall structure 14 may be formed around the perimeter of the floor section 12. The wall structure 14 may be a non-grated wall structure, a grated wall structure, or a combination thereof. The wall structure 14 may be a separate structure which is attached to the floor section 12. Alternatively, the wall section 14 may extend up from the floor section 12 as a single unit. In such an embodiment, the tray 10 may be formed by an injection molding process. In the embodiment shown in
One or more handles 16 may be formed in the wall section 14. The handles 16 may be a separate structure which is attached to the wall section 14. Alternatively, the handles 16 may extend from the wall section 14 as a single unit or be formed in the wall section 14. In general, a pair of handles 16 may be formed on the wall section 14. The pair of handles 16 may be formed on opposite sides of the wall section 14. In the present embodiment, the handles 16 are openings 16A formed in the wall section 14.
A plurality of finger members 18 may be formed on the floor section 12. The fingers 18 may be a separate structure which is attached to the floor section 12. Alternatively, the fingers 18 may extend up from the floor section 12 as a single unit. In such an embodiment, the tray 10 may be formed by an injection molding process. The finger members 18 may be used to stand table items up in the tray 10. The finger members 18 further may be used to secure table items in the tray 10 so as to allow only minimal movement when the tray is placed in a dishwasher.
In
Referring to
A wall structure 14 may be formed around the perimeter of the floor section 12. The wall structure 14 may be a non-grated wall structure, a grated wall structure, or a combination thereof. The wall structure 14 may be a separate structure which is attached to the floor section 12. Alternatively, the wall section 14 may extend up from the floor section 12 as a single unit. In such an embodiment, the tray 10 may be formed by an injection molding process. In the embodiment shown in
One or more handles 16 may be formed in the wall section 14. The handles 16 may be a separate structure which is attached to the wall section 14. Alternatively, the handles 16 may extend from the wall section 14 as a single unit or be formed in the wall section 14. In general, a pair of handles 16 may be formed on the wall section 14. The pair of handles 16 may be formed on opposite sides of the wall section 14. In the present embodiment, the handles 16 are openings 16A formed in the wall section 14.
A plurality of finger members 18 may be formed on the floor section 12. The fingers 18 may be a separate structure which is attached to the floor section 12. Alternatively, the fingers 18 may extend up from the floor section 12 as a single unit. In such an embodiment, the tray 10 may be formed by an injection molding process. The finger members 18 may be used to stand table items up in the tray 10. The finger members 18 further may be used to secure table items in the tray 10 so as to allow only minimal movement when the tray is placed in a dishwasher.
In
One or more racks 22 are formed in the floor section 12. The racks 22 may be formed of a planer member 22C formed between a pair of finger members 18. However, this is only shown as an example and should not be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention. The racks 22 may be used to hold one or more plates or other table items in an upright position.
While embodiments of the disclosure have been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments of the disclosure can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A bussing and dishwasher tray comprising:
- a floor section, wherein the floor section is grated;
- a wall section extending up from a perimeter of the floor section, wherein the wall section is grated; and
- a plurality of holding members formed on the floor section.
2. A bussing and dishwasher tray in accordance with claim 1 further comprising handle members formed on the wall section.
3. A bussing and dishwasher tray in accordance with claim 2 wherein the handle members comprises a pair of openings formed through the wall section.
4. A bussing and dishwasher tray in accordance with claim 1 wherein the plurality of holding members comprises at least one rack formed on the floor section.
5. A bussing and dishwasher tray in accordance with claim 1 wherein the plurality of holding members comprises a plurality of rack members formed on the floor section.
6. A bussing and dishwasher tray in accordance with claim 1 wherein the plurality of holding members comprises a plurality of rack members formed on the floor section, the plurality of rack members arranged in an array.
7. A bussing and dishwasher tray in accordance with claim 1 wherein the plurality of holding members comprises at least one rack formed on the floor section, the rack having a plurality of parallel bar members.
8. A bussing and dishwasher tray in accordance with claim 7 wherein each of the plurality of parallel bar members are attached to a pair of finger members extending up from the floor.
9. A bussing and dishwasher tray comprising:
- a floor section, wherein the floor section is grated;
- a wall section extending up from a perimeter of the floor section, wherein the wall section is grated;
- a plurality of holding members formed on the floor section; and
- handle members formed on the wall section.
10. A bussing and dishwasher tray in accordance with claim 9 wherein the handle members comprises a pair of openings formed through the wall section.
11. A bussing and dishwasher tray in accordance with claim 9 wherein the plurality of holding members comprises at least one rack formed on the floor section.
12. A bussing and dishwasher tray in accordance with claim 9 wherein the plurality of holding members comprises a plurality of rack members formed on the floor section.
13. A bussing and dishwasher tray in accordance with claim 9 wherein the plurality of holding members comprises a plurality of rack members formed on the floor section, the plurality of rack members arranged in an array.
14. A bussing and dishwasher tray in accordance with claim 9 wherein the plurality of holding members comprises at least one rack formed on the floor section, the rack having a plurality of parallel bar members.
15. A bussing and dishwasher tray in accordance with claim wherein each of the plurality of parallel bar members are attached to a pair of finger members extending up from the floor.
16. A bussing and dishwasher tray comprising:
- a floor section, wherein the floor section is grated;
- a wall section extending up from a perimeter of the floor section, wherein the wall section is grated;
- handle members formed on the wall section, wherein the handle members comprises a pair of openings formed through the wall section; and
- a plurality of holding members formed on the floor section.
17. A bussing and dishwasher tray in accordance with claim 16 wherein the plurality of holding members comprises at least one rack formed on the floor section.
18. A bussing and dishwasher tray in accordance with claim wherein the plurality of holding members comprises a plurality of rack members formed on the floor section, the plurality of rack members arranged in an array.
19. A bussing and dishwasher tray in accordance with claim 16 wherein the plurality of holding members comprises at least one rack formed on the floor section, the rack having a plurality of parallel bar members.
20. A bussing and dishwasher tray in accordance with claim 19 wherein each of the plurality of parallel bar members are attached to a pair of finger members extending up from the floor.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 7, 2011
Publication Date: Mar 8, 2012
Inventor: Edgardo Clores (Las Vegas, NV)
Application Number: 13/042,158
International Classification: A47L 15/50 (20060101);