NL2033211B1 - Two handed serving tray for children - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a serving tray, comprising a body defining an upper surface upon which items to be served can be placed, wherein the upper surface is provided with one or more holding means for holding an item, such as a dish, bowl, cup or some other kind of container, in place when said item is placed on the serving tray. According to the invention, the body is substantially disk shaped, comprises two grip areas, in which no such holding means are provided, located at two mutually opposing sides of the body, the grip areas thereby defining a plane of symmetry in between them which runs perpendicular to the upper surface. The one or more holding means together are arranged symmetrically with respect to said plane of symmetry. The invention also relates to a set with such a serving tray and two containers of different sizes.

Description

TWO HANDED SERVING TRAY FOR CHILDREN

The invention relates to a serving tray. Serving trays per se are known in various shapes and sizes. The type of serving tray described herein comprises a body defining an upper surface upon which items to be served can be placed. wherein the upper surface is provided with one or more holding means for holding an item, such as a dish, bowl, cup, or some other kind of container, in place when said item is placed on the serving tray.

Such a serving tray is known, and is for instance used in bars, where elongated trays with holding means for glasses are spaced along the longitudinal direction of the elongated tray.

This disclosure aims to provide a serving tray that can be used in other settings and by other users. In particular the disclosure is aimed at serving trays for children, for instance of approximately 4 years old, and alternatively or additionally for people with lacking coordination or motor skills. For these groups, carrying a serving plate can be relatively difficult. The importance of an easy to carry serving tray may be underestimated relatively easily, as for most adults holding and balancing trays with e.g. dishes arranged thereon is considered a trivial task. However, for ¢.g. children this is not the case, to the extent that existing trays simply do not allow them to safely carry dishes on the tray. This is particularly important in case the tray is used to serve heated items or liquids, such as foodstuff or soups, as failure to handle the tray safely imposes a serious health risk.

The applicant has found that a tray more suitable for the intended users is provided when the body is substantially disk shaped, and when two grip areas are present, in which no holding means are provided. The grip areas are located at two mutually opposing sides of the body, the grip areas thereby defining a plane of symmetry in between them which runs perpendicular to the upper surface, wherein the one or more holding means together are arranged symmetrically with respect to said plane of symmetry.

The grip areas serve for a user to firmly grip onto the serving tray with both hands, thereby facilitating the user to keep the tray steady. for instance by limiting the amount of possible roll. For this purpose, the grip areas may be sized to correspond to the size of a user's hand, allowing the user to grab onto the grip areas with their hands.

In use, the plane of symmetry may be substantially vertical, and the tray may be substantially horizontal.

By arranging the holding means symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry of the grip areas, the tray with contents thereon may be particularly easy to balance and/or keep upright.

The holding means may aid in preventing sliding of the contents of the tray. By preventing sliding, it may be easier to keep the tray in balance, and contents are less likely to topple. It is noted that contents is used in this application as referring to anything carried on or with the tray, in particular anything held by the holding means of the tray.

It is noted that according to the invention, the holding means are left-right symmetric, due to the grip areas being carried with a lett and a right hand. Accordingly, the user can easily divide the weight of the tray and contents across both hands. and does not need to apply a large moment to cantilever the tray, as is necessary in e.g. one-handed trays.

The presence of the two grip areas, arranged symmetrically towards the sides, may prompt a user to walk upright and straight ahead. Extensive testing with young children has shown that accordingly, safety is increased and incidents in which trays were dropped were reduced as compared to travs known in the prior art. The invention therefore for the first time allows a group of users, such as children, to partake in serving activities, which may encourage the development of several skills such as motor skills.

It is noted that the grip area may be left free entirely, 1.e. of the holding means but also of other surface variations or finishes. As such, the body may be substantially flat at least within the grip areas on both sides of the body.

The grip areas being arranged at the sides may mean that the grip areas extend all the way to the edge of the serving tray. Accordingly, the grip areas are the outermost areas of the serving tray, as seen in the transversal direction along the top surface perpendicular to the plane of symmetry. The positioning of the grip areas may aid in improving stability.

Stability is also improved by the holding means being arranged more towards the centre than the grip areas. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the applicant believes that since the holding means are arranged towards the centre, lateral perturbations of the serving tray cause relatively little movement to anything carried using the serving tray. Moreover, if liquids are carried on the serving tray, any slushing of the liquids in the lateral direction has a relatively small influence on the centre of gravity of the serving tray when the holding means — and therefore any containers on the tray — are arranged centrally.

In one embodiment of the serving tray, the one or more holding means include a first relatively big holding means. and at least one second, relatively small holding means, wherein the first holding means is arranged on the plane of symmetry.

By arranging the bigger holding means on the plane of symmetry, the serving tray is more easily balanced when e.g. food is carried on it at the position of the holding means.

Exactly one first holding means may be provided.

In particular, two second holding means may be provided, arranged symmetrically laterally of the plane of symmetry. Arringen two smaller holding means symmetrically may increase the capacity of the serving tray without harming the stability of the tray.

Exactly two second holding means may be provided.

In particular, the first and second holding means respectively may be arranged at different positions along the line along which the plane of symmetry and the upper surface intersect.

In other words, the first and second holding means are arranged one behind the other, thereby allowing a compact arrangement, which preferably is close to the centre of the serving tray.

In another embodiment of the serving tray, the one or more holding means together on the one hand. and the body as a whole on the other hand each define a geometric centre, wherein the geometric centres substantially coincide as seen in plan view.

The geometric centres coinciding allows placing food and/or drinks in the holding means without negatively affecting the stability of the tray, since the centre of gravity would not substantially change when food or drinks are added.

In another embodiment, the one or more holding means are composed of recesses in the body. The recesses may be used to hold e.g. cups, glasses, etc. for serving food and/or drinks. The recesses may prevent sliding. The recesses may allow containers to sink at least partly therein to lower the centre of gravity of the serving tray and the containers collectively, thereby increasing stability.

In yet another embodiment of the serving tray, each grip area is of substantially the same size. Grip areas like these contribute to the symmetrical properties of the serving tray, thereby increasing balance and stability.

In vet another embodiment of the serving tray, the combined area of the grip areas is larger than the combined area of the one or more holding means.

Accordingly, the serving tray has a relatively large area as compared to any containers that can be held by the holding means. As a result, the mass of the serving tray itself is relatively large compared to the mass of products carried on the serving tray. The serving tray is therefore influence to a lesser extent by the products. for instance if they move about or if they slush around ¢.g. in a cup.

This effect may also be obtained, or even increased, if the body is solid, since a solid body creates a relatively high mass at a relatively low centre of gravity.

It has been found that when the body has a diameter of between 17 and 27 cm, preferably between 20 and 24 cm, most preferably between 21 and 23 cm, in particular around 22 cm, allows young children to walk particularly easily whilst holding the tray. Without wishing to be bound by theory, this is attributed to the fact that a properly dimensioned serving tray encourages the user to put their hands relatively close to each other in front of themselves, thereby promoting an upright body position and/or a straight walking direction and/or regular gait.

It has been found that if the trav has a thickness, defined as the thickness of the body at a location where no holding means are formed, of between 23 and 30 mm, preferably between 24 and 29 mm, most preferably between 25 and 28 mm, in particular of around 27 mm, stability is greatly improved. Such a thickness represents an optimum, since relatively thin serving tray (of e.g. smaller than 23 mm) has been found to be too thin to encourage a user to firmly grab onto the tray, whereas a tray of over 30 mm thickness may cause users to awkwardly grab onto the grip areas.

The thickness may alternatively be defined as the thickness of the body at the grip areas.

In yet another embodiment of the serving tray, the body is comprised of wood, preferably douglas wood. Wood has been found particularly advantageous, as it has the right specific mass to provide stability.

The wood may be rendered more durable if it has been pretreated by disposal in a linseed bath for over 48 hours, preferably for over 60 hours, more preferably for at least 72 hours.

Such a pre-treatment may make the wood substantially insusceptible to tears due to drying, and may make it suitable for outdoor use by being wheather and/or water resistant.

Linseed has the further advantage of being suitable for contact with food, and/or it may make the wood relatively easy to clean, for instance using a pressure washer.

The linseed pretreatment may be enhanced by sanding the tray prior.

After sanding, the wood may be dried to approximately 10 — 12% of its undried humidity, to allow absorption of sufficient linseed. Linseed may be absorbed until the wood has increased in weight 25%. Further water may exit the wood during or after linseed treatment.

A bottom of the body is substantially flat, thereby making the serving tray suitable for use as a cutting board or plate m the upside down position. A versatile serving tray is thus obtained.

For this purpose, the serving tray may be substantially planar on its top side as well, so that it can lay flat on a flat surface.

The invention also relates to a set of a serving tray as described herein and at least one first container and at least one second container, wherein the at least one first and the at least one second container differ with respect to the maximum volume they can contain, and wherein the at least one first container and the at least one second container are dimensioned so as to be received by the same holding means.

Accordingly, the set may allow choosing containers of different sizes to adapt to the appetite of a user, without having to change the serving tray.

The desired dimensioning of the containers may be achieved ¢.g. using tapering containers with a similar cross sectional shape and dimension on their bottoms. Having similarly shaped bottoms allows the differing containers to be held by the same holding means.

The dimensioning of the containers may be performed so that a form fitting relation is obtained with the holding means, especially if these are formed by one or more recesses in the body.

The invention will be further elucidated with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows schematically a perspective view of a serving tray;

Figures 2 and 3 show serving trays with contents thereon; and

Figures 4 and 5 show different views of a user holding the serving tray. 5

Throughout the figures, like elements are referred to using like reference numerals.

Figure 1 shows a serving tray 1. The tray comprises a body 2 which defines an upper surface S.

Items to be served, in this case a cup 6 and bowl 7 (see fig. 2) can be carried with the serving tray 1. To keep the items 6. 7 in place, the upper surface S is provided with holding means 3. 4. The holding means 3, 4 in this particular serving tray 1, which is an example, are formed by recessed portions 3, 4 in the upper surface S. The body 2 is disk shaped, and in the current example is made by cutting a slice, i.e. a disk, from a douglas tree. The body 2 is therefore solid, but it could be made solid using some other technique. Of course other types of wood could be used. Bark has been removed, but no further shaping is needed. Therefore, substantially disk shaped bodies are suitable for making a serving tray 1 as described herein. The douglas wood of the shown serving tray 1 has, in this example, been pre-treated by disposal of the body 2 in a linseed bath for 72 hours. Before pre-treatment, the body 2 has been sanded and dried. It is noted that he bottom of the body 2 has not been provided with holding means or the like, and is therefore kept flat.

The body 2 comprises two grip areas 5. arranged laterally on two mutually opposing sides ofthe body. The grip areas 5 define a plane of symmetry V between them. The plane V runs perpendicular to the surface S. The grip areas 5 are kept free of the holding means, 1.e. they are flat on both sides, and the disk shaped body 2 is exposed in the grip areas 5. As shown in figure 1, the plane of symmetry V is arranged vertically when the surface S is horizontal.

A first holding means 4 is arranged on the plane of svmmetry V, i.e. in the middle of the body 2 ortray | as seen in a transversal direction. Two small holding means 3 are arranged at a mutually equal distance to the plane V. The smaller holding means 3 are arranged at a different position along the plane V than the big holding means 4. Accordingly, the three holding means 3, 4 together define a triangle. The holding means 3, 4 are arranged such that they define a centroid, or geometric center ¢, which coincides with a geometric c of the body 2 as a whole. As the body 2 is substantially uniform, for instance because it is made of a single type of wood, the center of gravity would coincide with the geometric centers c.

The grip areas 5 are substantially the same size. The serving tray 1 is symmetrical with respect to the plane V. The combined area of the grip areas 5 is larger than the combined area of the one or more holding means 3, 4. Thus, the surface S of the body 2 is kept free for a relatively large extent. The radius r of the body 2 is half the diameter, which is approximately 22 cm. The thickness t of the body 2 is approximately 27 mm.

Figure 3 shows three serving trays 1, each having a bowl 7 thereon. The holding means 4 of the respective serving trays 1 is identical, yet the bowls 7-1, 7-2 and 7-3 have different sizes.

The bowls 7-1 — 7-3 have a similarly or even identically shaped bottom for form fitting cooperation with the holding means 4. The upper portions of the bowls 7-1 — 7-3 is bigger, so that bowls 7-1 — 7-3 can be selected that fit the appetite of a certain user, which may vary strongly in children.

Figures 4 and 5 show how the serving tray 1 can be held by a user 9 with their hands 8. It is noted that since the grip areas 5 are arranged at the sides of the serving tray 1 symmetrically, the user 9. The grip areas 5 are large enough for the user 9 to put their thumbs 11 and a part 12 of their hands 8 on top of the grip areas 5, whilst grabbing around the body 2 to support the body with the fingers. Index fingers 10 can be place along the circumference of the body 2, whilst remaining fingers are placed on the bottom of the serving tray 1. As a result, the serving tray 1 can be held tight, but at the same time promotes an upright position of the user 9. The user 9 is also nudged to walk steadily in a straight line F (see figure 5) due to the positions of the hands 8. which are forced by the shape of the tray 1. Accordingly, the serving tray 1 is suitable for e.g. children. It is noted that within the age group just above four vears, the serving tray 1 has been found to remove incidents such as falling and/or tripping of the user and/or dropping the serving tray 1.

Finally, reference is made to cup 7-4 in figure 5, which used to carry a hot liquid. It is noted that with the serving tray of the invention, it becomes much more safe for young users, such as children, to carry hot liquids, such as soups. A cup or some other type of container 7 may be arranged in the holding means 4 therefor. Note is made that in figure 5, the holding means 3, 4 are shown bigger than the contents arranged therein to clearly show the holding means 3, 4 in relation to the user 9.

Although the invention has been explained above with reference to specific embodiments and examples, the invention is not limited thereto. In fact, the invention is also defined by the claims.

Claims (16)

Conclusions Serving tray, comprising a body that defines a top surface on top of which objects to be served can be placed, wherein the top surface is provided with one or more holding means for keeping an object, such as a plate or bowl, in place. cup or other type of holder, when the object is placed on the serving tray, characterized in that the body is essentially disc-shaped, and that the body comprises two grip zones, in which no such holding means are provided, which are located at two opposite sides sides of the body, whereby the grip zones thereby define a plane of symmetry between them which is substantially perpendicular to the top surface, wherein the one or more holding means are jointly arranged symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry. 2. Serving tray according to the previous claim, wherein the one or more holding means comprise a first relatively large holding means and at least one second, relatively small holding means, wherein the first holding means is arranged in the plane of symmetry. 3. Serving tray according to the previous claim, with two second holding means, which are arranged symmetrically laterally of the plane of symmetry. 4. Serving tray according to the previous claim, wherein the first and second holding means are respectively arranged at different positions along the line along which the plane of symmetry intersects with the top surface. 5. Serving tray according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more holding means together on one side, and the body as a whole on the other side, each define a geometric center, wherein the geometric centers substantially coincide when viewed in plan view. 6. Serving tray according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more holding means are formed by recesses in the body. 7. Serving tray according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each grip zone has substantially the same dimensions. 8. Serving tray according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the combined surface area of the grip zones is larger than the combined surface area of the one or more holding means. 9. Serving tray according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body is solid. 10. Serving tray according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body has a diameter of between 17 and 27 cm, preferably between 20 and 24 cm, and more preferably between 21 and 23 cm, in particular around 22 cm. 11. Serving tray according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tray has a thickness, which is defined as the thickness of the body at a location where no holding means are formed, of between 23 and 30 mm, preferably between 24 and 29 mm , more preferably between 25 and 28 mm, in particular about 27 mm. 12. Serving tray according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body is made of wood, preferably Douglas fir wood. 13. Serving tray according to the previous claim, wherein the wood has been pretreated by placing in a linseed bath for more than 48 hours, preferably for more than 60 hours, more preferably for at least 72 hours. 14. Serving tray according to the previous claim, wherein the tray has been sanded prior to pre-treatment with linseed. 15. Serving tray according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a bottom of the body is substantially flat. 16. Set of a serving tray according to any one of the preceding claims and at least one first holder and at least one second holder, wherein the at least one and the at least one second holder differ from each other in the maximum volume that they can hold, and wherein the at least one first holder and the at least one second holder are dimensioned to be received by the same holding means.