IP Library Granted Patent US 8,434,632
Granted Patent B2
US 8,434,632 · App. 13/050,415 · Granted May 7, 2013

Meal trays

Inventors: Aziz Boubeddi (Hoofddorp, NL); Paul Merrill (Los Angeles, CA)
Assignee: MAG Aerospace Industries, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,434,632
App. No.
13/050,415
Granted
May 7, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide stackable meal trays for use in transporting and heating meal casseroles in an induction oven.

Claims (22)

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.

Assignments (5)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 27, 2021
From: THE RICHARDS CORPORATION
To: SAFRAN CABIN STERLING INC.
Reel/Frame 055126/0192 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 23, 2015
From: MAG AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES, LLC
To: THE RICHARDS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 036165/0469 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 23, 2015
From: MAG AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES, INC.
To: MAG AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 036171/0884 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 4, 2011
From: BOUBEDDI, AZIZ
To: MAG AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES, INC. D/B/A MONOGRAM SYSTEMS
Reel/Frame 026221/0797 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 4, 2011
From: MERRILL, PAUL
To: MAG AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES, INC. D/B/A MONOGRAM SYSTEMS
Reel/Frame 026222/0134 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61314656 · Mar 17, 2010
Related Publication 20110226661A1 · Sep 22, 2011