Serving tray assembly with disposal opening

Abstract

A food tray assembly comprises a serving platter and a receptacle platter. The serving platter has a central aperture disposed there through and a serving area defined between the central aperture and a perimeter thereof. The receptacle platter has a bottom and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom at a perimeter thereof. The serving platter and the receptacle platter are releasably coupled to one another.

1 .- 2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . A food tray assembly comprising:
 (a) a serving platter having a central aperture disposed therethrough and having a serving area defined between the central aperture and a perimeter of the serving platter, the serving area including a plurality of wells sized to accommodate one or more individual food items; and   (b) a receptacle platter having a bottom and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom at a perimeter thereof;   (c) wherein the serving platter and the receptacle platter are configured to be releasably coupled together in two different configurations, including:
 (i) a transport configuration, wherein the receptacle platter is oriented such that the peripheral wall extends in a downward direction and the receptacle platter is disposed over the serving platter to provide a lid and contain food during transport; and 
 (ii) a serving configuration, wherein the receptacle platter is turned upside down relative to the transport configuration and is disposed beneath the serving platter to receive and retain food waste placed through the central aperture of the serving platter. 
   
     
     
         4 . The food tray assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the bottom of the receptacle platter includes a plurality of indentations to provide structural stability. 
     
     
         5 . The food tray assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the serving platter includes a plurality of drain openings disposed adjacent the perimeter thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The food tray assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the serving platter includes a wall defining and forming the periphery of the central aperture. 
     
     
         7 . The food tray assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the serving area of the serving platter slopes downwardly, relative to a surface on which the serving platter is placed, in a radial direction from the central aperture to the perimeter thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The food tray assembly of  claim 3 , wherein each well of the plurality of wells is a radial channel extending from the central aperture toward the perimeter of the serving platter. 
     
     
         9 . The food tray assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the serving platter and the receptacle platter are releasably coupled to one another along the respective perimeters thereof with a friction fit. 
     
     
         10 . The food tray assembly of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the serving platter and the receptacle platter includes a separation tab. 
     
     
         11 . The food tray assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the bottom of the receptacle platter includes a central raised platform. 
     
     
         12 . The food tray assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the serving platter and the receptacle platter are manufactured from a thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         13 . A food tray assembly comprising:
 (a) a serving platter having a central aperture disposed therethrough and having a serving area defined between the central aperture and a perimeter of the serving platter, the serving area including a plurality of wells sized to accommodate one or more individual food items; and   (b) a receptacle platter having a bottom and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom at a perimeter thereof;   (c) wherein the serving platter and the receptacle platter are configured to be releasably coupled together, along the respective perimeters thereof with a friction fit, in two different configurations, including:
 (i) a transport configuration, wherein the receptacle platter is oriented such that the peripheral wall extends in a downward direction and the receptacle platter is disposed over the serving platter to provide a lid and contain food during transport; and 
 (ii) a serving configuration, wherein the receptacle platter is turned upside down relative to the transport configuration and is disposed beneath the serving platter to receive and retain food waste placed through the central aperture of the serving platter; 
   (d) wherein the serving area of the serving platter slopes downwardly, relative to a surface on which the serving platter is placed, in a radial direction from the central aperture to the perimeter thereof; and   (e) wherein at least one of the serving platter and the receptacle platter includes a separation tab.   
     
     
         14 . The food tray assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the bottom of the receptacle platter includes a plurality of indentations to provide structural stability. 
     
     
         15 . The food tray assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the serving platter includes a plurality of drain openings disposed adjacent the perimeter thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The food tray assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the serving platter includes a wall defining and forming the periphery of the central aperture. 
     
     
         17 . The food tray assembly of  claim 13 , wherein each well of the plurality of wells is a radial channel extending from the central aperture toward the perimeter of the serving platter. 
     
     
         18 . The food tray assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the bottom of the receptacle platter includes a central raised platform. 
     
     
         19 . The food tray assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the serving platter and the receptacle platter are manufactured from a thermoplastic material.