SERVING TRAY WITH REMOVABLE HANDLE
A serving tray (10) comprising a substantially planar tray (12) having a top surface (12a), and a bottom surface (12b) with a removable elongate handle (14) extending from the bottom surface of the tray. The tray (12) includes a handle coupling that is accessible via an opening in the vicinity of the bottom surface of the tray for receiving a complimentary engagement member of the handle (14) in a slidably releasable friction-fit hold.
The present invention relates to a serving tray. In particular, although not exclusively, the serving tray is suited for use in the hospitality industry.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTIONIn the hospitality industry it is well known for waitstaff to use serving trays to transport drinks and food from the kitchen or bar to customers. Serving trays are also commonly used by waitstaff to transport empty glasses and dishes cleared from tables back to the kitchen for cleaning. Serving trays come in a variety of different sizes and shapes and are often carried by one hand of the waiter or waitress. For example, when loading a tray the waiter or waitress typically places their hand centrally underneath the tray with fingers and thumbs spread thereby balancing the tray upon their hand. A portion of the tray may also rest on the forearm of the waiter or waitress.
Loading of a serving tray with drinks and food or empty dishes is carefully managed to evenly spread the tray load about the surface of the tray to assist the waiter or waitress to stabilise balance the tray on their hand. Unloading of the contents of the tray must also be managed in a similar way to prevent unbalancing of the tray, which can result in the tray tilting or being dropped resulting in spilling of the tray's contents onto the floor below. Use of this conventional serving tray technique requires training for most new waitstaff as misuse of trays can result in costly spillages and breakages of glasses and dishes. Additionally, accidental collisions of waitstaff with each other or objects such as tables and chairs or other patrons in the restaurant or bar can also result in an entire tray being spilt on the floor.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved serving tray, or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn a first aspect, the present invention broadly consists in a serving tray comprising: a substantially planar tray having a top surface and bottom surface, and being provided with a coupling comprising an internal cavity that is accessible via an opening in the vicinity of the bottom surface of the tray; and an elongate handle being coupled to the coupling so as to extend from the bottom surface of the tray, the internal cavity of the coupling being adapted to receive and retain a complementary engagement member or engagement portion of the handle in a slidably releasable friction-fit hold.
Preferably, the handle may be slidably releasable from the tray in a direction coincident or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle.
Preferably, the elongate handle may extend longitudinally between a top-end and a bottom-end, and wherein the engagement member or engagement portion extends from the top-end of the handle.
Preferably, the internal cavity of the coupling may have a frustoconical shape and the engagement member or engagement portion of the handle may have a complementary frustoconical shape.
Preferably, the coupling may be centrally located with respect to the peripheral edge of the tray.
In one form, the coupling may be integrally formed with the tray.
In another form, the coupling may be releasably mounted to the tray.
Preferably, the coupling may be in the form of a coupling assembly having a first part and a second part that are securable to each other from opposite surfaces of the tray via a central aperture extending through the tray. More preferably, the first and second parts of the coupling assembly may be securable together via a screw-thread arrangement.
Preferably, the elongate handle may be arranged to extend substantially perpendicularly relative to the bottom surface of the tray.
In one form, the handle may be provided with an upper flange at or toward its top-end that extends outwardly from the peripheral surface of the handle.
In another form, the handle may be provided with an upper flange at or toward its top-end and a lower flange at or toward its bottom-end, the flanges extending outwardly from the peripheral surface of the handle and defining between them a handgrip region of the handle for the user's hand.
In one form, the handle may have a circular cross-sectional shape along its length. In one embodiment, the cross-sectional diameter of the handle may be uniform along a substantial portion of its length. In another embodiment, the cross-sectional diameter of the handle is non-uniform along its length. Preferably, the cross-sectional diameter of the handle at or toward its top-end is reduced relative to the cross-sectional diameter at or toward its bottom-end. Additionally or alternatively, the cross-sectional diameter of the handle in a middle portion between the top-end and bottom-end of the handle may be reduced relative to the remainder of the handle.
In another form, the cross-sectional circumference of the handle may be non-uniform along its length. Preferably, the cross-sectional circumference of the handle at or toward its top-end may be reduced relative to the cross-sectional circumference at or toward its bottom-end. More preferably, the cross-sectional circumference of the handle in a middle portion between the top-end and bottom-end of the handle may be reduced relative to the remainder of the handle.
Preferably, the tray is provided with a rim that protrudes upwardly from the peripheral edge of the tray relative to the top surface of the tray.
Preferably, the serving tray may further comprise a display stand that is removably mounted to the top, surface of the tray. More preferably, the display stand comprises a frame onto which display material is securable.
Preferably, the display stand further comprises a mounting component attached to the frame that is arranged to mount onto a complimentary protrusion provided centrally on the top surface of the tray.
In a second aspect, the present invention broadly consists in a kit of parts for assembling into a serving tray comprising: a substantially planar tray having a top surface and a bottom surface; a coupling integral with the tray or securable to the tray, the coupling comprising an internal cavity that is accessible via an opening in the bottom surface of the tray; and an elongate handle with an engagement member or engagement portion that is releaseably securable to the coupling of the tray such that the handle extends from the bottom surface of the tray when installed, the internal cavity of the coupling being adapted to receive and retain the engagement member or engagement portion of the handle in a slidably releasable friction-fit hold.
In a third aspect, the present invention broadly consists in a substantially planar serving tray having a top surface and a bottom surface and which has a coupling with an internal cavity that is accessible via an opening in the vicinity of the bottom surface of the tray and which is shaped to receive an retain a complementary shaped engagement member or engagement portion of an elongate handle such that the handle extends from the bottom surface of the tray when installed.
In a fourth aspect, the present invention broadly consists in an elongate handle for coupling to a serving tray, the handle extending between a top-end and a bottom-end, and having an engagement member or engagement portion extending from the top-end of the handle that is shaped to be received and retained in a complementary shaped internal cavity of a coupling of the serving tray.
Preferably, the engagement member or engagement portion of the handle has a frustoconical shape.
In a fifth aspect, the present invention broadly consists in a handle coupling assembly for releasbly coupling a handle to a serving tray serving tray having a top surface and a bottom surface, the coupling assembly comprising a first part and a second part that are securable to each other from opposite surfaces of the tray via a central aperture extending trough the tray and together providing an internal cavity that is accessible via an opening in the vicinity of the bottom surface of the tray and which is shaped to receive an retain a complementary shaped engagement member of an elongate handle such that the handle extends from the bottom surface of the tray when installed.
The second-fifth aspects of the invention may further comprise any one or more features mentioned in respect of the first aspect of the invention.
The term “coupling” as used in this specification and claims, unless the context suggests otherwise, is intended to cover any form of coupling that is capable of releaseably securing the handle to the tray, whether the coupling is an integral part, formation, or aperture of the tray or a separate part or multi-part coupling assembly that is secured to the tray.
The term “tray” as used in this specification and claims, unless the context suggests otherwise, is intended to cover any size or shaped tray of the type that is substantially planar, including, by way of example, but not limited to, circular, square, rectangular, or any arbitrary shaped trays.
The term “comprising” as used in this specification and claims means “consisting at least in part of”. When interpreting each statement in this specification and claims that includes the term “comprising”, features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as “comprise” and “comprises” are to be interpreted in the same manner.
As used herein the term “and/or” means “and” or “or”, or both.
As used herein “(s)” following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.
The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples only.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example only and with reference to the drawings, in which:
The present invention broadly relates to a serving tray assembly for use by waitstaff in the hospitality industry for transporting drinks, food, or empty glasses and dishes or other articles between patrons and the kitchen, bar, or other food or drink preparation area. The serving tray comprises two main parts, namely a removable substantially planar tray and a substantially elongate handle that is releaseably coupled to the tray. In operation, drinks, food or any other tray contents can be loaded upon the top-side of the tray by the user and the tray may then be carried around by the user gripping the handle that is releaseably coupled to extend from the underside of the tray. The handle is releaseably coupled to the tray by a coupling that is integrally formed with or otherwise attached or fixed to the tray. Typically, the coupling is provided centrally in the tray with respect to the peripheral edge of the tray, such that the handle extends from the center of the tray. However, in other embodiments the handle may be non-centrally mounted at other locations of the tray if desired. Optionally, a display stand is removably mounted to the top surface of the tray via a mounting assembly. The display stand is configured or arranged to mount or retain advertising or other material, provided in written text or graphical form upon a medium such as paper, cardboard or any other suitable material. By way of example, two preferred embodiments of the serving tray will now be explained in more detail.
First preferred embodiment- serving tray with integral handle coupling
Referring to
The serving tray 10 also comprises a removable handle 14 that is configured for releaseably coupling into the bottom surface 12b of the tray 12. In this embodiment, the handle 14 is configured to be releaseably coupled with a coupling 16 that is integrally formed with the tray and located at the centre of the tray.
The longitudinal axis of the elongate handle extends in an orientation that is substantially perpendicular to the planar tray surface, although it will be appreciated that the serving tray may be adapted or configured to mount the handle at any other angular orientation with respect to the tray's surface in alternative forms if desired.
Optionally, the serving tray 10 is provided with a removable display stand 18. Advertising or other graphical and/or written material may be mounted or otherwise attached to the display stand 18 that is mounted to the top surface 12a of the tray 12. In this embodiment, the display stand 18 is configured for removable mounting to the top surface 12a of the tray 12 via a mounting assembly or component 20.
Referring to
It will be appreciated that the spacing formation 22 is not necessarily essential. For example, and with reference to
Referring to
In this preferred form, the cross-sectional diameter of the handle progressively reduces from its top-end 26 to its bottom-end 28 to provide a cone-like or tapered tubular gripping member. However, it will be appreciated that the cross-sectional diameter may be uniform along the length of the handle in other embodiments.
As referred to earlier, the handle 14 is provided with an engagement member or protrusion 30 or an engagement portion that protrudes from the top-end 26 of the handle. In the embodiment shown, the engagement member is integrally formed with the remainder of the handle, although it will be appreciated that the engagement member may be separately formed and attached to the handle in alternative embodiments. The engagement member 30 is shaped and sized to compliment the cavity of the hollow body 16a of the coupling 16 of the tray 12 such that the engagement member is slidably insertable and engageable into the cavity with a friction-fit. As shown, the preferred form engagement member 30 has a frustoconical shape that compliments the frustoconical shape of the cavity of the body 16a of the coupling. In operation, the handle 14 is inserted such that the narrower end 30a of the engagement member 30 is inserted into the cavity access aperture 16b provided on the bottom surface 12b of the tray. The handle is inserted further until full engagement of the engagement member 30 within the cavity formed by the hollow body 16a is achieved. In this embodiment, the tray is configured such that the handle 14 is slidably insertable or engageable into the internal cavity of the body 16a of the handle coupling 16 of the tray in the direction that corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the handle 14. Likewise, the handle 14 may be slidably released or disengaged from the handle coupling 16 of the tray 12 by pulling the handle from the coupling in the opposite direction to that of the installation direction.
In the preferred form, the engagement member 30 and cavity of the hollow body 16a of the coupling are arranged to securely couple together via a friction-fit hold to prevent the tray from spinning about the central longitudinal axis AA of the handle when in use. However, it will be appreciated that the friction-fit need not necessarily be employed in other embodiments. For example, the engagement member 30 of the handle may be inserted into larger cavity formed in the tray with a loose-fit arrangement. In this embodiment, the tray remains coupled to the handle under gravity in use, and to prevent significant movement of the tray, such as spinning or rotation of the tray relative to the handle, an operable locking mechanism may be provided to lock the tray to the handle. Any locking mechanism could be employed, including, for example but not limited to, a locking pin that extends from the handle and into an aperture in the tray, or vice versa.
In the preferred form, the coupling between the tray and removable handle is such that a receiving cavity is provided on the tray into which an engagement member of the handle can be inserted. It will be appreciated that an opposite coupling arrangement could be employed in alternative forms of the serving tray. For example, the top-end of the handle may be provided with a cavity into which an engagement member provided on the bottom surface of the tray may be inserted into with a friction-fit hold.
In the preferred form, the handle 14 is provided with an upper flange 32 located at or toward the top-end 26 of the handle and a lower flange 34 located at or toward the bottom-end 28 of the handle. The upper 32 and lower 34 flange preferably extend radially outward from the peripheral surface of the handle in a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the longitudinal axis AA of the handle. However, it will be appreciated that the flanges 32, 34 may be disposed at any other angle relative to the handle longitudinal axis as desired. The purpose of the flanges 32, 34 is two-fold. In use, the flanges 32, 34 define a hard grip region there between and assist the user to maintain their hand on the handle between the flanges without slipping. Additionally, the top flange 32 may act to distribute the load of the tray about the user's thumb, index and upper hand in use as a user's hand will tend to slip up the handle under the weight of the tray and its contents. In this preferred form, the upper flange 32 is also arranged to engage with the spacing formation 22 on the bottom surface 12b of the tray 12 in the vicinity of the coupling formation. In particular, on full engagement of the handle 14 with the tray handle coupling, the top flange 32 is received and fits snugly in the complimentary annular recess 22c of the spacing formation 22.
Referring to
In use, advertising material, for example printed matter, including text or graphical works or any combination thereof, provided on any suitable medium, such as paper, cardboard, textile or the like can mounted or fixed to the frame 36. The frame 36 essentially defines a display area 40 upon which the advertising material will be mounted. The display area 40 is delineated by the periphery of the frame 36. It will be appreciated that various coupling mechanisms or mounting mechanisms may be used to mount advertising material to the frame 36, including fixing devices, adhesives or the like. In one possible form, the lateral members 36a, 36b are provided with guide side slots along their length that each opens towards the display area and the upper lateral member 36c is provided with a slot along its length extending from the upper surface of the lateral member to its lower surface adjacent to the display area 40. With this side slot and top-slot aperture arrangement, rigid or semi-rigid advertising material of a size that compliments the display area or slightly larger may be slid down and inserted through the slot aperture in the upper lateral member 36c and retained at its sides by the guide slots of the upright members 36a, 36b. In this arrangement, the advertising material can be removed from the frame and replaced as desired.
In the preferred form, the mounting assembly 38 comprises moulded plastic polymer mounting component 38. The mounting component 38 comprises a substantially hollow body formed by an upper frustoconical protrusion or formation 38a that is fixed or attached at its top-end to the middle of the lower lateral member 36d of the frame 36. An annular skirt extends radially downward from the bottom edge of the frustoconical shaped protrusion 38a. In operation, the frustoconical upper portion 38a creates an internal hollow cavity that is shaped to secure and engage with the complimentary shaped protrusion 16a formed on the top surface 12a of the tray by the handle coupling 16 as shown in
Various materials can be used to form the tray 12, handle 14, handle coupling 16 and display stand 18 components of the serving tray. By way of example, the materials may include, but are not limited to, polymer plastic, aluminium, metal, rubber, or wood. In this preferred form, the tray 12 and integral handle coupling 16 are integrally moulded from a polymer plastic or rubber material. Likewise, the handle 14 is integrally moulded from polymer plastic. The display stand frame 36 may be formed from a polymer plastic or metal with the mounting component 38 being moulded from polymer plastic or rubber.
Second preferred embodiment—serving tray with removable handle coupling assembly
With reference to
Serving tray 50 comprises a tray 52 that is substantially similar in shape to that of tray 12, although this is not essential. In particular, the tray is substantially planar and circular having a top surface 52a and a bottom surface 52b. An optional rim 52d may extend upwardly from the circumferential edge 52c of the tray in a similar configuration to tray 12 of the first preferred embodiment. The tray may be metal spun and by way of example may be approximately 400 mm in diameter, although the diameter size and shape may vary as desired. It will be appreciated that the tray may also be formed plastic polymer or rubber if desired. The tray 52 is preferably provided with a central aperture or hole 54 that extends through the entire thickness of the tray from the top surface 52a to the bottom surface 52b. In the preferred form, the aperture 54 is circular and by way of example may be approximately 40 mm in diameter. The serving try 50 comprises a two-part coupling assembly having a first part 56a and second part 56b. When installed, the first part 56a of the coupling assembly is located on the top surface 52a of the tray 52 while the second part 56b is located underneath the tray on the bottom surface 52b. The first 56a and second 56b parts of the coupling assembly are securable together via the central aperture 54 of the tray to thereby mount the coupling assembly for the handle to the tray 52. When the first 56a and second 56b parts of the coupling assembly are fitted together, they are approximately 30 mm high in a direction perpendicular to the planar surface of the tray.
In the preferred form, the first part 56a comprises an upper portion 58 that is a substantially hollow body that provides an internal cavity that is shaped to receive and retain, via a friction-fit hold, a complimentary engagement member or engagement portion 72 of the handle 70 of the serving tray 50, which will be described in further detail later. In this preferred embodiment, the external peripheral surface of the upper portion 58 of the upper part 56a of the coupling assembly has a dome-like appearance.
The lower portion 60 of the first part 56a of the coupling assembly comprises an annular protrusion or wall extending from the bottom surface of the dome 58. The annular wall 60 provides a cavity access or opening 62 through which the engagement member 72 of the handle may be inserted once the coupling assembly has been installed onto the serving tray 52. The diameter of the annular wall 60 is preferably smaller than the diameter of the tray's central aperture 54 such that the annular wall can extend through the tray and protrude from the bottom surface of the tray 52b as shown in
As shown, the external peripheral surface of the annular wall 60 of the first part 56a of the coupling assembly is provided with a screw threaded surface. The screw threaded surface is arranged to cooperate with the internal screw thread of the second part 56b of the coupling assembly. The second part 56b is preferably in the form of an annular component having a screw-thread on its inner annular wall for attaching to the upper part 56a via a screwing action. As shown in
Once installed, the handle coupling assembly and tray 52 are ready to releasably couple to the handle 70 in a similar manner as that described with reference to the first embodiment serving tray 10. For example, the handle 70 is provided with an engagement portion 72 at its top-end that preferably is received and retained in the cavity of the first part 56a of the coupling assembly by slidable insertion or engagement in direction of arrow B (i.e. movement in a direction corresponding, parallel, or coincident to the longitudinal axis of the handle) through the cavity access 62 of the first part 56a. Upon full engagement, the handle 70 is held in place by a friction-fit of the engagement member 72 with the surrounding internal peripheral surface of the cavity formed within the upper part 56a of the coupling assembly in a manner previously described. As before, the handle 70 is releasably coupled to the tray 52 in that it is slidably disengagable or releasable by pulling the handle away from the tray in direction E with sufficient force to release the friction-fit hold. Direction E is in the opposite direction to the installation direction B and is movement in a direction corresponding, parallel, or coincident with the longitudinal axis of the handle. In this embodiment, the handle 70 is arranged to be mounted such that it extends substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface 52b of the tray 52, and the slidable installation and removal directions of the handle are also substantially perpendicular to the planar surface of the tray.
With reference to
The handle may be formed from plastic, rubber or any other suitable rigid material. In this preferred form, the handle may be approximately 140 mm long with a largest cross-sectional diameter of approximately 30 mm, although the dimension can be varied to provide different size handles as desired.
As mentioned, a display stand 18 as described with reference to
Typical use of the Serving Tray
Typical use of the serving tray of either of the first and second embodiments will now be described by way of example. With reference to the second embodiment serving tray 50, it will be assumed that the coupling assembly is fully installed onto the tray 52.
Typically, waitstaff will provided with a supply of trays and removably securable handles. During initial loading of the tray, the handle may be removed so that the tray is fully supported on the table or other support surface. Once the tray is loaded, the waitstaff slides the tray toward an edge of the table and supports it with their hand until the handle coupling access aperture is exposed at which point they may insert and install the removable handle into the coupling of the tray. Once the handle has been inserted, the tray may be carried by one hand of the user by holding the handle. Unloading the tray may be a reverse of this process whereby the waitstaff support an edge portion of the tray on a surface, remove or disengage the handle and then slide the tray fully onto the surface for unloading. Alternatively, unloading may occur directly from the tray onto the patron's table by the user holding the handle of the serving tray without resting it on any other surface.
The display stand 18 may optionally be mounted on the tray during use and may have mounted thereon any desired advertising or other display material as previously described.
Other Features and Alternatives Embodiments
The features of the first and second embodiments of the serving tray may be interchanged or combined as desired. The materials used to form the various serving tray components may be the same or different, and include moulded polymer plastic, metal, aluminium, or other suitable rigid materials.
The preferred embodiment serving trays 10 and 50 have been described as having a slidably removable handle that is releasably coupled to the tray via a sliding engagement with a friction-fit hold within a complimentary coupling cavity. This slidable installation and removal of the handle provides ease of use for waitstaff performing their duties.
The foregoing description of the invention includes preferred forms thereof. Modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.
Claims
1.-39. (canceled)
40. A serving tray comprising: a substantially planar tray having a top surface and bottom surface, and being provided with a coupling comprising an internal cavity that is accessible via an opening in the vicinity of the bottom surface of the tray; and an elongate handle being coupled to the coupling so as to extend from the bottom surface of the tray, the internal cavity of the coupling being adapted to receive and retain a complementary engagement member or engagement portion of the handle in a slidably releasable friction-fit hold,
41. A serving tray according to claim 40 wherein the handle is slidably releasable from the tray in a direction coincident or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle.
42. A serving tray according to claim 40 wherein the elongate handle extends longitudinally between a top-end and a bottom-end, and wherein the engagement member or engagement portion extends from the top-end of the handle.
43. A serving tray according to claim 40 wherein the internal cavity of the coupling has a frustoconical shape and the engagement member or engagement portion of the handle has a complementary frustoconical shape.
44. A serving tray according to claim 40 wherein the coupling is centrally located with respect to the peripheral edge of the tray; and wherein the coupling is optionally integrally formed with the tray or releasably mounted to the tray.
45. A serving tray according to claim 44 wherein the coupling is in the form of a coupling assembly having a first part and a second part that are securable to each other from opposite surfaces of the tray via a central aperture extending through the tray.
46. A serving tray according to claim 40 wherein the elongate handle is arranged to extend substantially perpendicularly relative to the bottom surface of the tray; optionally wherein the handle is provided with an upper flange at or toward its top-end that extends outwardly from the peripheral surface of the handle.
47. A serving tray according to claim 42 wherein the handle is provided with an upper flange at or toward its top-end and a lower flange at or toward its bottom-end, the flanges extending outwardly from the peripheral surface of the handle and defining between them a handgrip region of the handle for the user's hand.
48. A serving tray according to claim 40 wherein the handle has a circular cross-sectional shape along its length; optionally wherein the cross-sectional diameter of the handle is uniform along a substantial portion of its length.
49. A serving tray according to claim 48 wherein the cross-sectional diameter of the handle is non-uniform along a substantial portion of its length; optionally wherein the cross-sectional diameter of the handle at or toward its top-end is reduced relative to the cross-sectional diameter at or toward its bottom-end,
50. A serving tray according to claim 49 wherein the cross-sectional diameter of the handle in a middle portion between the top-end and bottom-end of the handle is reduced relative to the remainder of the handle.
51. A serving tray according claim 40 wherein the cross-sectional circumference of the handle is non-uniform along its length; optionally wherein the cross-sectional circumference of the handle at or toward its top-end is reduced relative to the cross-sectional circumference at or toward its bottom-end.
52. A serving tray according to claim 51 wherein the cross-sectional circumference of the handle in a middle portion between the top-end and bottom-end of the handle is reduced relative to the remainder of the handle.
53. A serving tray according to claim 40 wherein the tray is provided with a rim that protrudes upwardly from the peripheral edge of the tray relative to the top surface of the tray.
54. A serving tray according to claim 40 further comprising a display stand that is removably mounted to the top surface of the tray; optionally wherein the display stand comprises a frame onto which display material is securable.
55. A serving tray according to claim 54 wherein the display stand further comprises a mounting component attached to the frame that is arranged to mount onto a complimentary protrusion provided centrally on the top surface of the tray.
56. A kit of parts for assembling into a serving tray comprising: a substantially planar tray having a top surface and a bottom surface; a coupling integral with the tray or securable to the tray, the coupling comprising an internal cavity that is accessible via an opening in the bottom surface of the tray; and an elongate handle with an engagement member or engagement portion that is releaseably securable to the coupling of the tray such that the handle extends from the bottom surface of the tray when installed, the internal cavity of the coupling being adapted to receive and retain the engagement member or engagement portion of the handle in a slidably releasable friction-fit hold.
57. A substantially planar serving tray having a top surface and a bottom surface and which has a coupling with an internal cavity that is accessible via an opening in the vicinity of the bottom surface of the tray and which is shaped to receive and retain a complementary shaped engagement member or engagement portion of an elongate handle such that the handle extends from the bottom surface of the tray when installed.
58. An elongate handle for coupling to a serving tray, the handle extending between a top-end and a bottom-end, and having an engagement member or engagement portion extending from the top-end of the handle that is shaped to be received and retained in a complementary shaped internal cavity of a coupling of the serving tray; optionally wherein the engagement member or engagement portion has a frustoconical shape.
59. A handle coupling assembly for releasbly coupling a handle to a serving tray serving tray having a top surface and a bottom surface, the coupling assembly comprising a first part and a second part that are securable to each other from opposite surfaces of the tray via a central aperture extending trough the tray and together providing an internal cavity that is accessible via an opening in the vicinity of the bottom surface of the tray and which is shaped to receive an retain a complementary shaped engagement member of an elongate handle such that the handle extends from the bottom surface of the tray when installed.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 22, 2010
Publication Date: Apr 26, 2012
Inventor: Bryan Parsons (Auckland)
Application Number: 13/380,506
International Classification: B65D 1/34 (20060101); B65D 90/00 (20060101);