Tray

Abstract

A tray which is adapted to be securely and stably carried by a hand of a user, the tray comprising a support portion having an upper surface adapted for supporting the beverages or foodstuffs; a wall portion extending upwardly from the upper surface of the support portion; and a raised portion connected to the wall portion, the raised portion having upper and lower surfaces wherein the lower surface of the raised portion is located above the upper surface of the support portion when the tray is in an operable position the raised and wall portions defining a recess which is laterally accessible the raised portion being adapted to be gripped by the hand of the user whereby the thumb of the user engages the upper surface of the raised portion and the recess is adapted to receive the fingers of the hand of the user so as to enable the lower surface of the raised portion to be engaged by the fingers of the user at the same time that the thumb of the user engages the upper surface.

1 . A tray which is adapted to be securely and stably carried by a hand of a user, the tray comprising:
 a support portion having an upper surface adapted for supporting beverages or foodstuffs;   a wall portion extending upwardly from the upper surface of the support portion; and   a centrally located raised portion connected to the wall portion, the raised portion having upper and lower surfaces wherein the lower surface of the raised portion is located above the upper surface of the support portion when the tray is in an operable position, the raised and wall portions defining a recess which is laterally accessible the raised portion being adapted to be gripped by the hand of the user whereby the thumb of the user engages the upper surface of the raised portion and the recess is adapted to receive the fingers of the hand of the user so as to enable the lower surface of the raised portion to be engaged by the fingers of the user in supporting engagement at the same time that the thumb of the user engages the upper surface.   
   
   
       2 . A tray as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the raised portion is centrally located. 
   
   
       3 . A tray as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the raised portion enables the service tray to be carried in supporting engagement at or near the centre of mass of the tray. 
   
   
       4 . A tray as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the leading edge of the raised portion is arcuate for engagement by a gripping face of the user's thumb and the portion of the user's hand adjacent the gripping face. 
   
   
       5 . A tray as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the support portion has a peripheral retaining lip. 
   
   
       6 . A tray as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the peripheral retaining lip is a peripheral side wall contiguous with the wall portion. 
   
   
       7 . A tray as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the support portion is adapted to provide unobstructed access for the user to the raised portion. 
   
   
       8 . A tray as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the support portion is substantially U-shaped. 
   
   
       9 . A tray as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the raised portion is arcuate. 
   
   
       10 . A tray as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the raised portion is contoured to adapt to the natural curve of a user's open hand. 
   
   
       11 . A tray as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising at least one dividing portion adapted to divide the support portion into a plurality of compartments. 
   
   
       12 . A tray as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the compartments are adapted for carriage of foodstuffs. 
   
   
       13 . A tray as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the dividing portion is removable. 
   
   
       14 . A tray as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the service tray is formed from a plastics material. 
   
   
       15 . A tray as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the service tray is integrally formed from a moulded plastics material. 
   
   
       16 . A tray as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the service tray is nestable for ease of storage of a plurality of like service trays. 
   
   
       17 . (canceled) 
   
   
       18 . A tray which is adapted to be securely and stably carried by a hand of a user, the tray comprising:
 a support portion having an upper surface for supporting beverages or foodstuffs, the support portion being substantially U-shaped;   a wall portion extending upwardly from the upper surface of the support portion; and   a centrally located raised portion connected to the wall portion, the raised portion having upper and lower surfaces wherein the lower surface of the raised portion is located above the upper surface of the support portion when the tray is in an operable position such that the raised portion is near the center of mass of a loaded service tray, the raised and wall portions defining a recess which is laterally accessible, the raised portion being adapted to be gripped by the hand of the user whereby the thumb of the user engages the upper surface of the raised portion and the recess is adapted to receive the fingers of the hand of the user so as to enable the lower surface of the raised portion to be engaged by the fingers of the user in supporting engagement at the same time that the thumb of the user engages the upper surface.   
   
   
       19 . A tray as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the support portion has a peripheral retaining lip. 
   
   
       20 . A tray as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the peripheral retaining lip is a peripheral side wall contiguous with the wall portion. 
   
   
       21 . A tray as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the support portion is adapted to provide unobstructed access for the user to the raised portion. 
   
   
       22 . A tray as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the service tray is nestable for ease of storage of a plurality of like service trays.