Meal trays
Embodiments of the present invention provide stackable meal trays for use in transporting and heating meal casseroles in an induction oven.
1. A meal tray system designed for use with an induction oven, comprising:
(a) at least first and second stackable trays, each of the first and second stackable trays comprising a tray body comprising a plurality of casserole-receiving portions, a raised shoulder, and a lowered foot, wherein when stacked, the raised shoulder of the first tray is configured to abut the lowered foot of the second tray, creating a space between the first and second tray bodies, wherein the space between the trays when stacked is sufficient to allow a bottom of each tray to rest on an induction oven shelf for heating the casserole-receiving portions; and
(b) one or more elements for securing the trays to one another when in a stacked configuration.
2. The meal tray of claim 1 , wherein the one or more elements for securing the trays to one another comprise a base assembly, a cover assembly, and a securing belt system.
3. The meal tray of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of casserole-receiving portions comprises an equal number of portions on a left side and a right side of the tray.
4. The meal tray of claim 1 , further comprising a central divider.
5. The meal tray of claim 4 , wherein the central divider comprises at least one handle.
6. The meal tray of claim 4 , wherein the central divider comprises an inwardly curved surface to accommodate a user's hand during carrying.
7. The meal tray of claim 1 , further comprising a positioning system to secure the trays in place once stacked.
8. The meal tray of claim 7 , wherein the positioning system comprises a positioning notch on either an upper or a lower part of the first tray and a positioning protrusion on the other of an upper or a lower part of the second tray.
9. The meal tray of claim 1 , wherein the casserole-receiving portions comprise rectangular-shaped indentations configured to receive pre-packaged meal casseroles.
10. The meal tray of claim 1 , wherein the tray is comprised of a non-metallic material.
11. A meal tray system designed for use with an induction oven, comprising:
(a) at least first and second stackable trays, each of the first and second stackable trays comprising:
(i) a tray body comprising a central divider dividing the tray body into a left casserole-receiving portion and a right casserole-receiving portion;
(ii) each of the left and right casserole-receiving portions comprising an upper guiding rail and a lower guiding rail, such that the upper guiding rails of one tray cooperate in use with the lower guiding rails of another tray to create a space between stacked tray bodies, the space between the stacked tray bodies is sufficient to allow a bottom of each tray to rest on an induction oven shelf for heating the casserole-receiving portions;
(b) a base assembly; and
(c) a cover assembly.
12. The meal tray of claim 11 , further comprising a securing belt system configured to secure the base assembly to the cover assembly, with a plurality of stacked trays therebetween.
13. The meal tray of claim 11 , further comprising a positioning notch on at least one of the upper or lower guiding rails of the first tray and a positioning protrusion on the other of the upper or the lower guiding rails of the second tray.
14. The meal tray of claim 11 , wherein the left and the right casserole-receiving portions each comprise two rectangular-shaped indentations configured to receive pre-packaged meal casseroles.
15. The meal tray of claim 11 , wherein the tray is comprised of a non-metallic material.