Dual-function tea tray

Abstract

A dual-function tea tray includes an open-topped outer case and at least one movable door. The movable door is provided with drain holes and is detachably connected to the outer case to open or close the open top thereof. The tea tray is adapted to horizontally position on a tabletop with the movable door facing upward and closing the outer case, so that tea things for making tea may be laid on the door and overflowed water brewing tea as well as any tea grounds may be drained into the outer case via the drain holes on the door. The outer case is also adapted to stand upright to serve as a simple cupboard for accommodating tea things therein behind the door when the tea things are not in use.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A dual-function tea tray, comprising an open-topped outer case and at least one movable door, said movable door being provided with drain holes and detachably connected to said outer case to open or close an open top of said outer case; said outer case being adapted to horizontally position on, for example, a tabletop with said at least one door facing upward and closing the open top of said outer case, so that tea things for making tea may be laid on said door and overflowed water for brewing tea as well as tea grounds may be drained into said outer case via said drain holes on said door; and said outer case also being adapted to stand upright to serve as a simple cupboard for accommodating tea things therein behind said doors when said tea things are not in use.  
     
     
         2 . A dual-function tea tray as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said outer case is provided therein with partitions to divide an internal space of said outer case into two or more separated compartments.  
     
     
         3 . A dual-function tea tray as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising an inner case being dimensioned for fitly positioning in said outer case.  
     
     
         4 . A dual-function tea tray as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said inner case is provided therein with partitions to divide an internal space of said inner case into two or more separated compartments.  
     
     
         5 . A dual-function tea tray as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said partitions are provided at predetermined positions with hand holes to facilitate easy removal or positioning of said inner case from or into said outer case.  
     
     
         6 . A dual-function tea tray as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said outer case is provided at top edges of two opposite walls thereof with two hollow long pipes, and wherein there are two said movable doors, each of which is provided at one side facing away from the other said door with two spaced and hollow short pipes; whereby each of said two movable doors is pivotally connected to said outer case by locating said two spaced and hollow short pipes of said door at two sides of said hollow long pipe of said outer case and aligning them with one another, and then extending a long shaft through said aligned short and long pipes.  
     
     
         7 . A dual-function tea tray as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said outer case is provided at top edges of two opposite walls thereof with two hollow long pipes, and wherein there are two said movable doors, each of which is provided at one side facing away from the other said door with two spaced and hollow short pipes; whereby each of said two movable doors is pivotally connected to said outer case by locating said two spaced and hollow short pipes of said door at two sides of said hollow long pipe of said outer case and aligning them with one another, and then extending a long shaft through said aligned short and long pipes.  
     
     
         8 . A dual-function tea tray as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said outer case is provided at top edges of two opposite walls thereof with two sliding rails, and wherein said at least one movable door is guided by said sliding rails to slide on the open top of said outer case to open or close the top of said outer case.  
     
     
         9 . A dual-function tea tray as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said outer case is provided at top edges of two opposite walls thereof with two sliding rails, and wherein said at least one movable door is guided by said sliding rails to slide on the open top of said outer case to open or close the top of said outer case.