Stable and Stackable Tray with Receptacle for Beverage Container and Thumbholds for Secure Grip

Abstract

A stackable food and beverage service apparatus for use by a person to support food and a beverage in a single hand with ergonomic thumb holds for grip support. The apparatus comprises an upper surface on one side and a recessed surface on the other side. The recessed surface is for holding food, whereas the upper surface includes a beverage receptacle and two opposing thumb holds offset to either side of the beverage receptacle. A user can securely grip the apparatus with the left or right thumb while the fingertips support the bottom of the recessed surface. A raised rim around the periphery keeps food in the recessed surface and separated from the beverage receptacle and the thumb holds.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for holding food and a beverage container with one hand, comprising:
 an upper surface on a first side of the apparatus and extending around a periphery of the apparatus;   a recessed surface on a second side of the apparatus and surrounded by the upper surface extending around the periphery;   a beverage receptacle in the upper surface on the first side; and   a pair of openings in the upper surface on the first side to either side of the beverage receptacle in a shape permitting a user's thumb to pass through.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  configured in a shape from among the group comprising: (a) circular; (b) oval; and (c) rectangular. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  constructed of a material from among the group comprising: (a) cardboard; (b) paper; (c) polystyrene; (d) plastic; (e) metal; (f) wood; (g) hardened rubber; (h) composite; (i) glass; (j) porcelain; and (k) fiberglass. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the material is either first generation or recycled. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising at least one divider in the recessed surface. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the at least one divider creates at least two sub-areas in the recessed surface. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a flat edge portion extending around the periphery of the apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a recessed surface sidewall positioned between the upper surface and the recessed surface. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a beverage receptacle sidewall extending down from the upper surface at the periphery of the beverage receptacle. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the recessed surface sidewall is tapered between the upper surface and the recessed surface. 
     
     
         11 . A method of using an apparatus for holding food and a beverage container with one hand, comprising:
 providing an upper surface of the apparatus on a first side of the apparatus wherein the upper surface extends around a periphery of the apparatus;   providing a recessed surface on a second side of the apparatus surrounded by the upper surface extending around the periphery;   providing a beverage receptacle in the first side of the upper surface; and   providing a pair of openings in the first side of the upper surface to either side of the beverage receptacle;   inserting a thumb of a user through one of the openings in the upper surface and contacting the upper surface with the thumb; and   contacting and supporting a bottom surface of the recessed surface with one or more of the user's fingertips.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the apparatus is configured in a shape from among the group comprising: (a) circular; (b) oval; and (c) rectangular. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the apparatus is constructed of a material from among the group comprising: (a) cardboard; (b) paper; (c) polystyrene; (d) plastic; (e) metal; (f) wood; (g) hardened rubber; (h) composite; (i) glass; (j) porcelain; and (k) fiberglass. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the material is either first generation or recycled. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one divider in the recessed surface. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the at least one divider creates at least two sub-areas in the recessed surface. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the apparatus further comprises a flat edge portion extending around the periphery of the apparatus. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the apparatus further comprises a recessed surface sidewall positioned between the upper surface and the recessed surface. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the apparatus further comprises a beverage receptacle sidewall extending from the upper surface at the periphery of the beverage receptacle. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the recessed surface sidewall is tapered between the upper surface and the recessed surface