IPC분류정보
| 국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
| 국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
| 출원번호 |
US-0932577
(2011-03-01)
|
| 등록번호 |
US-8974359
(2015-03-10)
|
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
- Calzada, Manuel
- Purgatorio, James C.
- Theodos, Michael
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| 출원인 / 주소 |
- Restaurant Technology, Inc.
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| 대리인 / 주소 |
|
| 인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
0 인용 특허 :
59 |
초록
▼
A food tray adapted to be removably located in a predetermined position in a compartment is provided having a tray body and a fixed movable stop member. The tray body includes a first end and a second end, a bottom and a sidewall structure defining a volume. The fixed movable stop member is located
A food tray adapted to be removably located in a predetermined position in a compartment is provided having a tray body and a fixed movable stop member. The tray body includes a first end and a second end, a bottom and a sidewall structure defining a volume. The fixed movable stop member is located at one end of the tray body and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. When the tray is inserted in the compartment in the predetermined position, the fixed movable stop member is in the extended position and restrains further insertion of the tray into the compartment. A method of making a food tray in accordance with the invention is provided. Also provided is a method of storing food within a food tray to be contained in a pass-through compartment.
대표청구항
▼
1. A method of making a food tray having a movable stop member comprising: forming a food tray body, the food tray body after said forming including a bottom and a sidewall structure, the bottom and the sidewall structure defining a volume for containing food, and the food tray body having a first e
1. A method of making a food tray having a movable stop member comprising: forming a food tray body, the food tray body after said forming including a bottom and a sidewall structure, the bottom and the sidewall structure defining a volume for containing food, and the food tray body having a first end and a second end generally defining a length of the food tray body extending from the first end to the second end;forming a longitudinal extension at the first end of the food tray body;forming a void area within said longitudinal extension, adjacent a spring tab area within said longitudinal extension, to form a spring tab that is integral to the food tray;forming an upturned portion on said integral spring tab of said longitudinal extension to define the stop member, the upturned portion protruding from said integral spring tab in an outward transverse direction generally normal to the spring tab area and extending beyond a transverse dimension of said sidewall structure in said transverse direction. 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising forming a second longitudinal extension at the second end of the food tray body; forming a void area within said second longitudinal extension, adjacent a spring tab area within said second longitudinal extension, to form a second integral spring tab; andforming an upturned portion on said second integral spring tab of said second longitudinal extent to define a second stop member. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said forming of each said stop member comprises forming first and second deflectable surfaces that are movable to and from an extended position and a retracted position, the first and second deflectable surfaces being generally opposed to each other and facing in generally opposite generally longitudinal directions, each of the first and second deflectable surfaces including an engaging portion located beyond the length of the tray volume, and when said deflectable surfaces are in the extended position, each engaging portion being located beyond said transverse dimension of the tray sidewall structure and facing generally away from said transverse dimension. 4. The method of claim 3, each said engaging portion being oblique to the generally longitudinal direction in which the corresponding deflectable surface faces, so that when the engaging portion is positioned in contact with a fixed obstruction and then moved against the fixed obstruction in said generally longitudinal direction, said deflectable surface is adapted to deflect to the retracted position in a transverse direction toward the transverse dimension of the tray sidewall structure. 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising forming an integral handle in one of said longitudinal extensions, the handle being stiffly connected to the tray body. 6. A method of making a food tray having a movable stop member comprising: forming a food tray body, the food tray body after said forming having a tray volume with a length aligned with a longitudinal dimension of the food tray body, the length and longitudinal dimension being generally defined by the distance between a first end and a generally opposite second end of the food tray body, and a longitudinal extension extending away from said tray volume at one of said ends of the food tray body, the food tray body and longitudinal extension being a unitary body;forming a spring tab in the longitudinal extension; andforming an upturned portion in the spring tab at a location beyond the length of said tray volume to define said stop member, the upturned portion protruding from said integral spring tab in an outward transverse direction generally normal to a flexible area of the spring tab and extending beyond a transverse dimension of said tray volume in said transverse direction;wherein said forming of said stop member comprises forming first and second deflectable surfaces that are movable to and from an extended position and a retracted position, the first and second deflectable surfaces being generally opposed to each other and facing in generally opposite generally longitudinal directions, each of the first and second deflectable surfaces including an engaging portion located beyond the length of the tray volume, and when said deflectable surfaces are in the extended position, each engaging portion being located beyond said transverse dimension of the tray sidewall structure, and at least the engaging portions of the deflectable surfaces being oblique to the longitudinal direction to face generally away from said transverse dimension. 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising forming a handle in the longitudinal extension, the handle being stiffly connected to the tray body. 8. A method of making a food tray having movable stop members comprising: forming a food tray body, the food tray body after said forming having a tray volume with a length defined by the distance between opposite ends of the tray volume, the length aligned with a longitudinal dimension of the food tray body, and a longitudinal extension extending away from said tray volume at each end of the food tray body, the food tray body and longitudinal extensions being a unitary body;forming a spring tab in each longitudinal extension;forming an upturned portion in each spring tab at a location beyond the length of said tray volume to define said stop members, the upturned portion protruding from the spring tab in an outward transverse direction generally normal to a flexible area of the spring tab and extending beyond a transverse dimension of said tray volume; andforming a handle in each longitudinal extension, the handle being stiffly connected to said tray body. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said forming a stiff handle comprises forming a gripping portion in a stiff part of each longitudinal extension, the gripping portion including a pair of surfaces generally facing each other in generally opposite generally longitudinal directions.
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