Serving Tray

Abstract

The present invention relates to a beverage serving tray having a circular shape and a multitude of compartments having flexible linings. The compartments are on a circular base surface and each can receive a beverage glass, container, can, or bottle. The flexible lining surrounds an internal periphery of each compartment and secures the beverage containers therein. A handle is present at the bottom of the tray for easy transporting of the tray with one hand. A cylindrical or sleeve shaped wall extends upward from a periphery of the circular base surface to provide additional protection to the beverage containers. The tray allows users to carry up to eight or more beverages at one time in a secure and comfortable manner.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A carrying device configured to provide upright carrying of multiple retained contents, the carrying device comprising:
 a tray including a base having a plurality of generally circular individual compartments, wherein said base includes a plurality of retention mechanisms for retaining contents in each said plurality of individual compartments;   a shield for surrounding a periphery of said base, wherein said shield prohibits contents from falling off said base;   said plurality of retention mechanisms include generally circular elastic linings surrounding an internal circumference of each of said plurality of individual compartments; and   said tray including a handle mounted to a bottom surface of said base, wherein said handle used for upright movement of said tray while carrying multiple beverage containers.   
     
     
         2 . The carrying device of  claim 1 , wherein said elastic linings comprise material selected from a group consisting of a rubber, a silicone, and a foam. 
     
     
         3 . The carrying device of  claim 2 , wherein the retained contents are a plurality of beverage containers and each of the plurality of beverage containers comprise a beverage container height, and further wherein said elastic lining includes a height that is generally about 20% to about 50% of said beverage container height. 
     
     
         4 . The carrying device of  claim 3 , wherein said height of said elastic lining is generally about 20% to about 33% of said beverage container height. 
     
     
         5 . The carrying device of  claim 2 , wherein said plurality of generally circular individual compartments are positioned generally around a periphery of said base. 
     
     
         6 . The carrying device of  claim 5 , wherein said plurality of generally circular individual compartments comprise eight compartments. 
     
     
         7 . The carrying device of  claim 6 , wherein each of said plurality of generally circular compartments are spaced from each other said plurality of generally circular compartments. 
     
     
         8 . The carrying device of  claim 7 , wherein said shield is transparent or translucent. 
     
     
         9 . The carrying device of  claim 1  further comprising a battery, a heating/cooling element, a lid and a LED light. 
     
     
         10 . The carrying device of  claim 2 , wherein the retained contents include beverage containers and the beverage containers include a height;
 said shield includes a height; and   said height of said shield generally about 66% to about 100% of said height of the beverage containers.   
     
     
         11 . A carrying device configured to provide upright carrying of multiple retained contents, the carrying device comprising:
 a tray including a base having a plurality of generally circular individual compartments, wherein said base includes a plurality of retention mechanisms for retaining contents in each said plurality of individual compartments;   a shield for surrounding a periphery of said base, wherein said shield prohibits contents from falling off said base;   wherein the retained contents include beverage containers and the beverage containers include a height;   said elastic lining includes a height;   said height of said elastic lining generally about 20% to about 50% of said height of the beverage containers;   said shield includes a height; and   said height of said shield generally about 66% to about 100% of said height of the beverage containers.   
     
     
         12 . The carrying device of  claim 11 , wherein said plurality of retention mechanisms include generally circular elastic linings surrounding an internal circumference of each of said plurality of individual compartments; and said elastic linings comprise material selected from a group consisting of rubber, silicone, and foam. 
     
     
         13 . The carrying device of  claim 12 , wherein said tray including a handle mounted to a bottom surface of said base; and said handle used for upright movement of said tray while carrying multiple beverage containers. 
     
     
         14 . The carrying device of  claim 13 , wherein said height of said elastic lining generally about 20% to about 33% of said height of the beverage containers. 
     
     
         15 . The carrying device of  claim 14 , wherein said plurality of generally circular individual compartments are positioned generally around a periphery of said base. 
     
     
         16 . The carrying device of  claim 15 , wherein said plurality of generally circular individual compartments comprise eight compartments. 
     
     
         17 . The carrying device of  claim 16 , wherein each of said plurality of generally circular compartments are spaced from each other said plurality of generally circular compartments. 
     
     
         18 . The carrying device of  claim 17 , wherein said shield is transparent. 
     
     
         19 . The carrying device of  claim 17 , wherein said shield is translucent. 
     
     
         20 . A carrying device configured to provide upright carrying of multiple retained contents, the carrying device comprising:
 a tray including a base having a plurality of generally circular individual compartments, wherein said base includes a plurality of retention mechanisms for retaining contents in each said plurality of individual compartments;   a shield for surrounding a periphery of said base, wherein said shield prohibits contents from falling off said base;   a battery;   at least one LED light powered by the battery;   a heating or cooling element powered by the battery;   wherein the retained contents include beverage containers and the beverage containers include a height;   said elastic lining includes a height;   said height of said elastic lining generally about 20% to about 50% of said height of the beverage containers;   said shield includes a height;   a lid having a handle; and   said height of said shield generally about 66% to about 100% of said height of the beverage containers.