Storage tray

Abstract

A personal item storage tray which includes a storage surface that incorporates a personal item identification, placement, retention, storage and removal apparatus or structure. One embodiment includes a substantially planar arrangement of depressions or recessed compartments designed to receive specific personal items such as, for example, eyeglasses, hearing aids and dentures. The compartments may be uniquely designed, shaped and marked to signal the uses of the compartment and to distinguish each compartment from the other to aid in visual identification and discrimination between the uses of each recessed compartment. The presence of items in the compartments is used to signal to the users of the tray that items are accounted for and not missing. The bottom surface of the tray includes a non-skid surface to avoid accidental or undesirable lateral movement. The tray is designed with a moldable or shapeable material. The tray has personal item inventory and management automation features and devices incorporated into its body to assist nursing staff or other users in accounting for personal items. Such inventory or missing item notification automation features includes a system having timers, sensors, and alerting signaling devices. These devices detect the presence of personal items within the tray storage areas and sound, signal or emit a missing item indication. The staff or other users of the tray are alerted to the necessity to search for a missing item when the tray signal system is activated.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is:  
     
         1 . A tray comprising: 
 a storage surface;    a plurality of personal item storage elements located on said storage surface;    a base or support for the storage surface attached below said storage surface and storage structures; and    a lateral movement restriction component(s) incorporated onto the lower surface of said base or support.    
     
     
         2 . A tray as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising 
 personal item placement identification markings or features;    
     
     
         3 . A tray as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 personal item presence sensing circuits and components; and    a signal mechanism or circuits and components used to indicate one or more personal items are not present on the tray;    
     
     
         4 . A tray comprising: 
 a storage surface;    personal item storage structure which is configured to match the shape and size of personal items stored therein;    a base or supporting structure that prevents movement of said tray;    personal item placement identification markings or features;    personal item presence sensing circuits and components; and    a signal mechanism to indicate that one or more personal items are not present on the tray.    
     
     
         5 . The tray of  claim 4  further comprising: 
 a movement sense mechanism and alert signal mechanism which triggers and communicates an alarm signal when the tray is dropped.  
 
     
     
         6 . A storage tray comprising 
 a substantially rectangular and planar top surface;    a base uniformly extending downwards from the edges and top of said upper surface in order to provide a depth below said planar top surface;    a plurality of compartments recessed from said upper planar surface with shapes and dimensions suited to store a plurality of personal items of different shapes and sizes;    a tray base having a substantially non-skid or high friction co-efficient application attached or applied to a bottom surface of the tray base.    
     
     
         7 . A storage tray as set forth in  claim 6  which further includes markings or pictures identifying the use of each storage compartments.  
     
     
         8 . A storage tray as set forth in  claim 7  which also comprises personal item storage containers, including but not limited to denture cups, designed to fit securely within the compartment(s) recessed into the tray's planar surface.  
     
     
         9 . A storage tray comprising: 
 a substantially rectangular and planar surface    a base uniformly extending downwards from the edges and top of said upper surface in order to provide depth below the planar surface;    a series of compartments recessed from said upper planar surface with shapes and dimensions suited to store a plurality of personal items;    a tray base having a non-skid or high friction co-efficient application attached or applied to a bottom surface of the tray base;    a set of personal item storage containers; and    a weight or set of weights evenly distributed in the lower section of the tray base.    
     
     
         10 . A storage tray of  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 A set of personal item storage containers including denture cups, eyeglasses cases and hearing aid containers designed to fit securely within the tray's storage compartments recessed into the tray's planar surface.    
     
     
         11 . A storage tray comprising: 
 a storage surface;    a means for storing personal items on said storage surface;    a means for immobilizing said storage tray; and    a means for associating said personal items with said means for storing.    
     
     
         12 . The storage tray of  claim 11  further comprising: 
 a means for automating personal item storage and inventory management in assisted living, nursing home or long term care facilities.  
 
     
     
         13 . A storage tray of claims  11  further comprising: 
 a means for storing personal items when said tray is placed in horizontal, vertical or a combination of horizontal and vertical positions.