IP Library Granted Patent US 7,506,763
Granted Patent B2
US 7,506,763 · App. 11/421,552 · Granted Mar 24, 2009

Food tray with non-slip inserts

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,506,763
App. No.
11/421,552
Granted
Mar 24, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A tray system, comprising one or more retaining portions for a food container, the one or more retaining portions receiving and securely holding fitted non-slip inserts. The tray system includes one or more feet which are of a depth at least equal to deepest recessed retaining portion of the tray. The feet may allow the tray to sit stably on a flat surface. The tray may have a non-slip removable insert inserted into the retaining portion which may be fitted to the bottom of the retaining portion and may maintain grip on serving tray and food container.

Claims (37)

1. A tray system, comprising:

a serving tray comprising a substantially planar surface, the serving tray comprising:

one or more retaining portions for a food container, wherein the one or more retaining portions are formed in the surface of the tray; and

at least one non-slip removable and reusable insert each comprising two opposing substantially planar sides, wherein a first side of the at least one insert is different in surface texture than a second side of the at least one insert, wherein the at least one insert is of a substance that is dishwasher safe, and wherein the least one insert is insertable into the one or more retaining portions for maintaining grip of the at least one insert on the serving tray at the one or more retaining portions and to a bottom surface of a food container.

2. The tray system of claim 1 wherein the one or more retaining portions are recessed.

3. The tray system of claim 2 wherein the serving tray further comprises one or more feet, wherein the one or more feet are of a height at least equal to a depth of the one or more retaining portions of the serving tray, wherein the one or more feet allow the serving tray to sit stably on a flat surface.

4. The tray system of claim 1 wherein the at least one insert comprises silicon.

5. The tray system of claim 1 wherein the tray comprises melamine.

6. The tray system of claim 1 wherein a first side of the two substantially planar sides is smooth and a second side of the two substantially planar sides is one of raised and grooved.

7. The tray system of claim 1 wherein the at least one insert further comprises a logo on at least one of the two substantially planar sides.

8. The tray system of claim 1 wherein the at least one insert further comprises a decorative design on at least one of the two substantially planar sides.

9. The tray system of claim 1 further comprising a second serving tray, wherein the serving tray and the second serving tray are stackable.

10. The tray system of claim 1 wherein the serving tray is composed of substances that are dishwasher safe.

11. The tray system of claim 1 wherein the at least one insert is interchangeable with other trays.

12. The tray system of claim 1 wherein the serving tray further comprises a handle at two opposite edges thereof, the handles having a slotted portion therein for gripping.

13. A food tray, comprising:

one or more recessed portions for a food container;

one or more feet which are of a height at least equal to a deepest recessed portion of the tray, wherein the one or more feet allow the tray to sit stably on a flat surface; and

one or more non-slip inserts inserted into and fitted to the one or more recessed portions; wherein:

each of the one or more non-slip inserts comprises two opposing substantially planar sides such that a first side of the non-slip insert maintains grip on the food tray and a side of second the non-slip insert maintains grip to a bottom surface of a food container each side having a different surface texture than the other;

the one or more non-slip inserts are removable and reusable;

the food tray is made of substances that are dishwasher safe;

the one or more non-slip inserts are made of substances that are dishwasher safe; and

the food tray is stackable with additional food trays.

14. The food tray of claim 13 wherein at least one of the one or more non-slip inserts is composed of silicon.

15. The food tray of claim 13 wherein a food tray comprises melamine.

16. A lap tray, comprising:

one or more recessed portions for a food container;

one or more feet which are of a height at least equal to deepest recessed retaining portion of the tray, wherein the one or more feet allow the tray to sit stably on a flat surface; and

one or more non-slip silicon-based inserts each comprising two opposing substantially planar sides insertable into the one or more recessed portions; wherein:

a first side of the two substantially planar sides maintains grip on the lap trap tray and a second side of the two substantially planar sides maintains grip to a bottom of a food container;

wherein the first side is different in surface texture than the second side; and

the one or more non-slip silicon-based inserts are removable and reusable.

17. A food tray, comprising:

a planar surface having one or more recessed portions for receiving a food container, the food tray being made of a substance that is dishwasher safe; and

one or more substantially planar removable and reusable non-slip inserts inserted into and fitted to the one or more recessed portions for maintaining a non-slip grip on a food container and the tray, the one or more inserts being made from dishwasher safe substance the one or more inserts each having a smooth side and an opposite side with one of a raised and grooved surface, and either side of the one or more inserts being capable of providing a non-slip grip on a food container.

18. The food tray of claim 17 , wherein the food tray contains one or more feet which are of a depth at least equal to a deepest recessed portion of the tray, said one or more feet allowing the tray to sit stably on a flat surface.

Assignments (13)
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT AT REEL 054866, FRAME 0678 Recorded Dec 27, 2021
From: BMO HARRIS BANK N.A.
To: MASTERBUILT MANUFACTURING, LLC
Reel/Frame 058591/0642 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME 040221/0544 AND 044446/0940 Recorded Dec 31, 2020
From: FIFTH THIRD BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, F/K/A FIFTH THIRD BANK, AS AGENT
To: MASTERBUILT MANUFACTURING, LLC
Reel/Frame 054884/0474 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 29, 2020
From: MASTERBUILT MANUFACTURING, LLC
To: BMO HARRIS BANK N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 054866/0678 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 7, 2016
From: MASTERBUILT MANUFACTURING, LLC
To: MASTERBUILT MANUFACTURING, LLC
Reel/Frame 040289/0617 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 7, 2016
From: MASTERBUILT MANUFACTURING, INC
To: MASTERBUILT MANUFACTURING, LLC
Reel/Frame 039963/0904 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 4, 2016
From: MASTERBUILT MANUFACTURING, LLC
To: FIFTH THIRD BANK, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 040221/0544 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Oct 4, 2016
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: MASTERBUILT MANUFACTURING, INC.
Reel/Frame 040223/0555 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 16, 2016
From: ARCHER INNOVATIONS, LLC
To: HATCHER, ASHLEY R.
Reel/Frame 039768/0742 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 20, 2009
From: MASTERBUILT MANUFACTURING, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 023390/0347 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2009
From: ARCHER INNOVATIONS, LLC
To: HATCHER, ASHLEY R.
Reel/Frame 023032/0447 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2009
From: HATCHER, ASHLEY R.
To: MASTERBUILT MANUFACTURING, INC.
Reel/Frame 023032/0450 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 24, 2009
From: HATCHER, ASHLEY R.
To: MASTERBUILT MANUFACTURING, INC.
Reel/Frame 023003/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 1, 2006
From: HATCHER, ASHLEY
To: ARCHER INNOVATIONS, LLC
Reel/Frame 017707/0547 →