Food tray

Abstract

In one aspect, the present invention provides a foldable food tray that includes first and second panels, each having upper and lower surfaces and inner, outer, and side edges. Each panel can also include one or more hinge members and one or more locking members. The hinge member(s) can be operatively coupled to one another to permit the first and second panels to move between a closed position and an open position. The locking member(s) can be configured to releasably lock the first and second panels in the open position, thereby preventing the first and second panels from inadvertently moving from the open position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable food tray, the food tray having a number of panels, the number of panels being two, such that the food tray has only two panels, each of the two panels being flat and rigid, each panel defining opposed upper and lower surfaces as well as inner, outer, and side edges, each panel being rigid and defining one or more recessed compartments configured to organize and transport food items, the food tray having an open position and a closed position, the food tray when in the open position being configured to stably carry a plate, bowl, silverware, and drink, wherein the tray is not part of any other object such that the tray when in the closed position has a flat configuration defined by two opposed exposed planar surfaces, defined respectively by said two lower major surfaces of the two rigid panels, that are substantially parallel to each other, the tray when in the closed position has a major dimension less than 30 inches long, when the tray is in the open position it remains flat and said two panels are generally parallel to each other and the recessed compartments of said two panels face the same general direction, and the tray when in the open position is releasably locked in that position such that when a person uses the tray to walk with a meal the tray is mechanically locked against inadvertently moving from the open position. 
     
     
         2 . The portable food tray of  claim 1  wherein, when the tray is in the open position, the two panels lie in the same plane. 
     
     
         3 . The portable food tray of  claim 1  wherein the inner edges of the two panels are secured adjacent to each other by a hinge extending along the adjacent inner edges of the two panels, the hinge having a hinge axis extending along a length of each panel, such that the tray is foldably hinged along the length of each panel, the side edges of each panel extending along a width of the panel, the length of each panel being longer than the width of the panel, such that the inner and outer edges of each panel are longer than the side edges of the panel. 
     
     
         4 . The portable food tray of  claim 1  wherein the tray has a hinge with a hinge axis about which the two panels are configured to move hingedly relative to each other, the tray being generally symmetric about the hinge axis. 
     
     
         5 . The portable food tray of  claim 1  wherein the tray includes a generally cylindrical cup holder. 
     
     
         6 . The portable food tray of  claim 1  further comprising a non-slip grip feature on either or both of the upper surfaces of the two panels to reduce the incidence of food items sliding around when loaded on the tray. 
     
     
         7 . The portable food tray of  claim 6  wherein the non-slip grip feature comprises a coating or other body of rubber or urethane. 
     
     
         8 . The portable food tray of  claim 1  wherein the panels are formed of material that is durable to water. 
     
     
         9 . The portable food tray of  claim 1  wherein the panels are formed of polypropylene. 
     
     
         10 . A portable food tray, the food tray having a number of panels, the number of panels being two, such that the food tray has only two panels, each of the two panels being flat and rigid, each panel defining opposed upper and lower surfaces as well as inner, outer, and side edges, the inner and outer edges of each panel extending along a length of the panel, the side edges of each panel extending along a width of the panel, the length of each panel being longer than the width of the panel, such that the inner and outer edges of each panel are longer than the side edges of the panel, the inner edges of the two panels being secured adjacent to each other by a hinge extending along the adjacent inner edges of the two panels, the hinge having a hinge axis that extends along the length of each panel, such that the tray is foldably hinged along the length of each panel, each of the two panels defining one or more recessed compartments configured to organize and transport food items, the food tray having an open position and a closed position, wherein the tray is not part of any other object such that the tray when in the closed position has a flat configuration defined by two opposed exposed planar surfaces, defined respectively by said two lower major surfaces of the two rigid panels, that are substantially parallel to each other, the tray when in the closed position has a major dimension less than 30 inches long, when the tray is in the open position it remains flat and said two panels are generally parallel to each other and the recessed compartments of said two panels face the same general direction, and the tray when in the open position is releasably locked in that position such that when a person uses the tray to walk with a meal the tray is mechanically locked against inadvertently moving from the open position. 
     
     
         11 . The portable food tray of  claim 10  wherein, when the tray is in the open position, it remains flat. 
     
     
         12 . The portable food tray of  claim 10  wherein, when the tray is in the open position, the two panels lie in the same plane. 
     
     
         13 . The portable food tray of  claim 10  wherein the tray is generally symmetric about the hinge axis. 
     
     
         14 . The portable food tray of  claim 10  wherein the tray includes a generally cylindrical cup holder. 
     
     
         15 . The portable food tray of  claim 10  wherein the panels are formed of material that is durable to water. 
     
     
         16 . The portable food tray of  claim 10  wherein the panels are formed of polypropylene. 
     
     
         17 . The portable food tray of  claim 10  further comprising a non-slip grip feature on either or both of the upper surfaces of the two panels to reduce the incidence of food items sliding around when loaded on the tray, the non-slip grip feature comprises a coating or other body of rubber or urethane. 
     
     
         18 . The portable food tray of  claim 10  wherein the hinge extends along a middle of the tray, the tray being devoid of other hinges. 
     
     
         19 . The portable food tray of  claim 10  wherein the tray when in the closed position has a major dimension of less than 18 inches long. 
     
     
         20 . The portable food tray of  claim 19  wherein the major dimension of the tray when in the closed position is at least 11 inches long.