Method and device for advertising using an airline passenger seat service tray

Abstract

An airline service tray assembly includes a service tray having a top surface and a bottom surface and brackets adapted to allow the service tray to move between an upright position wherein the top and bottom surfaces generally vertical and a down position wherein the top and bottom surfaces are generally horizontal. The service tray has a cavity sized and shaped for receiving an advertisement sheet therein and is adapted such that the advertisement sheet located within the cavity is at least partially viewable from the exterior of the service of the service tray. The cavity is preferably provided with a window through which the advertising sheet within the cavity can be at least partially viewed. The window is preferably located at the bottom surface so that the advertising sheet can be at least partially viewed when the service tray is in the upright position. The service tray also preferably includes a slot communicating the cavity to exterior space so that the advertising sheet can be inserted and removed from the cavity. Directed advertising sheets are placed in the service trays so that they are visible to seated aircraft passengers when the service tray is in its stowed position. The advertising sheets can be selectively removed and retained by the passengers.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A service tray assembly comprising, in combination: 
 a service tray having a top surface and a bottom surface;    brackets adapted to allow the service tray to move between an upright position wherein the top and bottom surfaces generally vertical and a down position wherein the top and bottom surfaces are generally horizontal; and    wherein the service tray has a cavity sized and shaped for receiving an advertisement sheet therein and is adapted such that the advertisement sheet located within the cavity is at least partially viewable from the exterior of the service of the service tray.    
     
     
         2 . The service tray assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the cavity is provided with a window through which the advertising sheet within the cavity can be at least partially viewed.  
     
     
         3 . The service tray assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the window includes a transparent material through which the advertising sheet within the cavity can be at least partially viewed.  
     
     
         4 . The service tray assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the window includes an open through which the advertising sheet within the cavity can be at least partially viewed.  
     
     
         5 . The service tray assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the window is located at the bottom surface so that the advertising sheet can be at least partially viewed when the service tray is in the upright position.  
     
     
         6 . The service tray assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the service tray is adapted so that the advertising sheet can be at least partially viewed when the service tray is in the upright position.  
     
     
         7 . The service tray assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the service tray includes a slot communicating the cavity to exterior space so that the advertising sheet can be inserted and removed from the cavity.  
     
     
         8 . The service tray assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the service tray includes at least one notch at the slot so that the advertising sheet can grasped while in the cavity.  
     
     
         9 . The service tray assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the cavity is at least partially formed by a separate member secured to the service tray.  
     
     
         10 . The service tray assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein the separate member is secured to the bottom surface of the service tray.  
     
     
         11 . The service tray assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein the separate member is in the form of a frame.  
     
     
         12 . The service tray assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein the separate member is in the form of a pocket.  
     
     
         13 . An airline service tray assembly comprising, in combination: 
 a service tray having a top surface and a bottom surface;    brackets adapted to allow the service tray to move between an upright position wherein the top and bottom surfaces generally vertical and a down position wherein the top and bottom surfaces are generally horizontal;    wherein the service tray has a cavity sized and shaped for receiving an advertisement sheet therein and is adapted such that the advertisement sheet located within the cavity is at least partially viewable from the exterior of the service of the service tray;    wherein the cavity is provided with a window through which the advertising sheet within the cavity can be at least partially viewed;    wherein the window is located at the bottom surface so that the advertising sheet can be at least partially viewed when the service tray is in the upright position; and    wherein the service tray includes a slot communicating the cavity to exterior space so that the advertising sheet can be inserted and removed from the cavity.    
     
     
         14 . A method of advertising comprising the steps of, in combination: 
 providing a service tray movable between a vertical position and a horizontal position;    providing an advertisement sheet having advertising indicia thereon; and    placing the advertisement sheet within a cavity in the service tray such that the advertising indicia is at least partially viewable from the exterior of the service tray.    
     
     
         15 . The method of advertising according to  claim 14 , wherein the step of providing the service tray includes providing a service tray with a window through which the advertising sheet within the cavity can be at least partially viewed.  
     
     
         16 . The method of advertising according to  claim 15 , wherein the step of providing the service tray includes providing a service tray with the window including a transparent material.  
     
     
         17 . The method of advertising according to  claim 15 , wherein the step of providing the service tray includes providing a service tray with the window on a surface such that the advertising sheet is viewable when the service tray is in the vertical position.  
     
     
         18 . The method of advertising according to  claim 14 , wherein the step of providing the service tray includes providing a service tray with a slot communicating the cavity to exterior space so that the advertising sheet can be inserted and removed from the cavity.  
     
     
         19 . The method of advertising according to  claim 14 , wherein the step of providing the advertising sheet includes providing at least one redeemable coupon on the advertising sheet.  
     
     
         20 . The method of advertising according to  claim 14 , wherein the step of providing the service tray includes providing a service tray adapted to mount to an aircraft passenger seat.