BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to an aircraft meal tray. More particularly, the invention relates to an aircraft meal tray: (i) defining a cavity for storing articles within the tray; and (ii) including removable receptacles for supporting articles on the tray.

Trays that define cavities are known. For instance, US2,723,037 "Adjustable fray having glass retaining means" comprises upper and lower panels, wherein: (i) the upper panel Is hingedly connected along one side to the lower panel; (li) the upper panel defines apertures for receiving articles therein; and (iii) the upper and iower panels are spaced from each other to define a cavity therebetween. Simiiar arrangements are described in US2,903,31 1 "Tray", US3,893,569 "Thermos support tray", US4,940,003 "Car seat table", US4, 947,91 1 "Non-skid beverage and/or food holder" and WO2015/0122732 "Tray".

However, known trays are generally suited for use in a home environment, but not necessarily on an aircraft. For instance:

● They do not provide a recess for horizontal insertion of wrappers and covers. Cavities defined by known trays generally serve a different purpose, namely: to support cups and glasses, and prevent them from toppling; and to receive discarded foodstuff during food preparation. Not only are cavities on known trays not particularly suited- to store wrappers and covers, but the cavity height of known frays also renders these trays not particularly suited for use on aircraft - the cavity height of known trays do not allow for a tray to be sufficiently slim to fit (with containers and cups supported thereon) into tray trolleys used In aircraft: and articles supported on known trays generally extend into the cavities defined by known trays, thereby posing obsiaces to wrappers and covers inserted into the cavities. An object of the present invention is to provide a cavity operatlvely underneath the support surface of an aircraft meal tray that is better suited to store such wrappers and covers and to fit within aircraft trolleys.

● On aircraft, weight is critical. The construction of the known trays are generally not optimized for weight reduction - their top portion is generally rigid and relatively heavy. A further object of the present invention is to address the weight-strength ratio of aircraft meal trays.

● Aircraft meal offerings vary during a flight, over time and between classes of passengers. The receptacles defined by known trays are not easily changed to cater for such variations. It is an even further object of the present invention to Improve versatility of aircraft meal frays by providing replaceable top panels with differing receptacle arrangements.

● In general, known trays are not particularly suited for cleaning - the recesses and apertures make cleaning cumbersome. By providing an aircraft meal tray with a disposable top panel, the present invention addresses this drawback. Once the top panel Is discarded, the balance of the aircraft meai tray panels according io the present invent!on, are generally planar and relatively easy to wipe clean.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided an aircraft meai tray that Includes: a first panel; a second panel, the first and second panel being movable between: (i) an assembled condition in which the second panel overlies the first panel, defining a storage cavity therebetween; and (ii) a separated condition in which the second panel is spaced from the first panel, thereby providing greater access to the storage cavity defined between the first and second panels; first means for releasably securing the second panel to the first panel in the assembled condition; a third panel defining receptacles for receiving articles to be supported on the tray therein; and second means for releasably securing the third panel to the second panel. Typicaily, the first and second panels are made of a first material and the third panel is made of a second material.

Generally, the third panel is thinner than both the first and second panels.

Preferably, the third panel is between 0.3mm and 0.5mm thick.

Typically, a side of the second panel is hingedly connected to a side of the first panel. Generally, the first and second panels and hinge are integrally formed.

Preferably, the third panel includes flexible, resilient tabs that extend into the receptacles defined by the third panel, such that articles received within the receptacles cause the tabs resilient!y to deform thereby better to secure the articles within the receptacles.

Typically, at least one receptacle defined by the third panel comprises a polygonal recess (e.g. an octagonal or hexagonal recess) for receiving a cylindrical article therein.

Preferably: (a) the first releasab!e securing means comprises: (I) first protrusions extending from one of the first and second panels; and (ii) corresponding first recessed defined by the other of the first and second panels, which first recesses are sized and shaped to receive the first protrusions therein; and (b) the second releasable securing means comprises: (I) second protrusions extending from one of the second and third panels; and (ii) corresponding second recessed defined by the other of the second and third panels, which second recesses are sized and shaped to receive the second protrusions therein.

Typically, at least one receptacle defines a third protrusion for co-operating with a corresponding third recess defined by an article that is sized and shaped to receive the third protrusion therein, thereby better to secure the article within the at least one receptacle.

Preferably, the third panel is made by vacuum forming.

Generally, the articles are secured within the receptacles defined by the third panel more weakly than the second securing means secured the third panel to the second panel,

Typically, the edges of the first and second panels are rounded ic facilitate insertion of items Info the storage cavity defined therebetween. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention wi!i now be described in more detail, by way of an example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a lower partially exploded perspective view of an aircraft meal tray according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, with the first and second panels in the assembled condition;

Figure 2 is an upper partially exploded perspective view of the aircraft meal tray in

Figure 1 , with the tray in the assembled condition;

Figure 3 is a side view of the aircraft meal tray in Figure 1 , with the tray in the assembled condition: and

Figure 4 is an upper perspective view of the aircraft meal tray in Figure 1 , with the first and second panels in the separated condition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to Figures 1 to 4, according to a preferred embodiment of the Invention an aircraft meal tray 10 includes a first panel 12, a second panel 14 and a third panel 16. The fray 10 is intended to be used as a food and beverage tray on aircraft.

The first and second panels 12 and 14 are generally planar and square or rectangular in shape. The first panel 12 has major sides between 200mm and 270mm In length (preferably 220mm in length); minor sides between 190mm and 270mm in length (preferably 220mm in length); and thickness between 1 mm and 5mm (preferably 3mm). In contrast, the second panel 14 has major sides between 250mm and 29Qmm in length (preferably 270mm in length); minor sides between 240mm and 280mm in length (preferably 270mm In length); and thickness between 1 mm and 5mm (preferably 1 mm at the rim and 5mm at the centre). The first and second paneis 12 and 14 are preferably maae ot polypropylene and are hingedly connected 18 to each other along a major side. Preferably, the first and second paneis 12 and 14 and hinge 18 are integrally formed. Although the first and second paneis 12 and 14 and hinge 18 are described as forming an integral unit, it will be appreciated that the first and second panels 12 and 14 may be made separately and hingedly connected to each other. Furthermore, It will be appreciated that the hinged connection 18 is optional. The first and second panels 12 and 14 are hingedly movable between: (i) an assembled condition shown in Figures 1 to 3, wherein the superjacent second panel 14 overlies the subjacent first panel 12; and (ii) a separated condition shown in Figure 4, wherein the second panel 14 is spaced / angularly displaced from the first panel 12. When the first and second paneis 12 and 14 are in the assembled condition., the first and second panels 12 and 14 define a storage cavity 20 therebetween. The storage cavity 20 is intended to be used to store covers or wrappers 24 associated with article 25 (e.g. food and beverage containers) intended to be supported on the tray 10. When the first and second paneis 12 and 14 are in the assembled condition, the cavity is: between 190mm and 270mm deep; between 190mm and 270mm wide; and between 1 mm and 10mm high, importantly, the edges of the first and second panels 12 and 14 at the mouth of the storage cavity 20 are rounded to facilitate insertion of covers and wrappers 24 into the storage cavity 20.

When the first and second panels 12 and 14 are moved to the separated condition, separation of the panels 12 and 14 causes the storage cavity 20 to open (i.e. causes the height of the storage cavity 20 to increase), thereby providing greater access to the storage cavity 20. Such relative displacement of the first and second paneis 12 and 14 / greater access to the storage cavity 20 facilitates removal of covers and wrappers 24 from the storage cavity 20, whether manually or under the influence of gravity.

First means 28 for releasably securing the first panel 12 to the second panel 14 comprises: (i) tapered first protrusions extending from one of the first and second panels 12 and 14; and (ii) corresponding tapered first recessed defined by the other of the first and second panels 12 and 14, which first recesses are sized and shaped to receive the first protrusions therein, The first securing means 28 is located at or near a major side of the first and second panels 12 and 14, opposite the major side at which the hinge 18 is located. The first securing means 28 secures the first and second panels 12 and 14 to each other when the panels 12 and 14 are in the assembled condition. In other words, the first securing means 28 inhibits separation of the first and second panels 12 and 14 from the assembled condition towards the separated condition. Although, both the first protrusions and first recesses have been described as being tapered, it wiii be appreciated that only one of: the first protrusions; and the first recesses, need be tapered. The tapering is intended to cause a friction fit between the first recess and the first protrusion, when inserted. Alternatively, neither of the first protrusion and recess is tapered. it will be appreciated that, although the first securing means 28 has been described as comprising protrusions and recesses, the first securing means 28 could comprise one of various other arrangements, including a pair of magnets that attract each other, or a ferrous element that Is attracted to a magnet. The word "overlies" should be interpreted to mean lies over, without necessarily making contact. Although the first and second panels 12 and 14 will typically make contact when in the assembled condition, the word "overlies" is Intended to include embodiments where the hinge 18 and first securing means 28 cause the first and second panels 12 and 14 to be spaced from each other, such that the panels 12 and 14 do not make contact otherwise than via the hinge 18 and first securing means 28.

The third panel 16 is also generally pianar and square or rectangular in shape with major sides between 230mm and 270mm in length (preferably 250mm in length) ; minor sides between 220mm and 260mm in length (preferably 250mm in length); height between 20mm and 30mm (preferably 25mm); and average material thickness between 0.2mm and 0.5mm (preferably 0.3mm). The third panel 16 is preferably made of polyethylene and vacuum formed. Vacuum forming of the third panel 16 provides a high structural strength versus weight and cost ratio. The third panel 16 Is intended to be disposable, i.e. the third panel 16 is intended to be replaced during the fife of the first and second panels 12 and 14. As such, the third panel 16 may be made of cheaper material than the first and second panels 12 and 14. Furthermore, since the first and second panels 12 and 14 provide rigidity for the tray 10, the third panel 16 may be made of a thinner, more flexible material. This permits a reduction in the weight and material cost of the third panel 16. The third panel 16 defines receptacles 30 thai are sized ana shaped to receive articles 25 therein . Generally, the receptacles 30 are tapered, so as to cause contact between the receptacle 30 radial wall and the article 26, as the article 26 is inserted into the receptacle 30. Optionally, the mouth of each receptacle 30 includes a radially inward projecting lip (not shown) extending about 0.3 mm. Furthermore, the flexible material that the third panel 16 Is made of permits resilient deformation of the receptacle 30 radial wails as articles 25 are inserted therein, so as better to secure articles 26 within the receptacles 30. Select receptacles may be polygonal (e.g. octagonal or hexagonal) In axial cross sectional for receiving circular cylindrical articles 26 (e.g. bottles and cans) therein. Furthermore, the third panel 16 may include flexible, resilient tabs 32 that extend radially Into the receptacles 30, such that articles 26 received within the receptacles 30 cause the tabs 32 resiiiently to deform, thereby better to secure the articles 26 within the receptacles 30.

Second means 34 for releasably securing the third panel 16 to the second panel 14 comprises: (i) tapered second protrusions extending from one of the second and third panels 14 and 16, and (11) corresponding tapered second recessed defined by the other of the second and third panels 14 and 15, which second recesses are sized and shaped to receive the second protrusions therein. The second securing means 34 are located at or near the corners of the second and third panels 14 and 16. Preferably, the second securing means 34 are equally spaced about the perimeter of the third panel 16. The second securing means 34 secures the third panel 16 to the second panel 14 when the third panel 16 overlies the second panel 14, sandwiching the second panel 14 between the first and third panels 12 and 16. Similarly, although, both the second protrusions and second recesses have been described as being tapered, it will be appreciated that only one of: the second protrusions; and the second recesses, need be tapered.

Importantly, in use, the second securing means 34 secures the third panel 16 to the second panel 14 more strongly than the receptacles 30 and tabs 32 retain articles 26 within the receptacles 30. As such, articles 26 may be removed from the receptacles 30 without releasing the third panel 16 from the second panel 14.

Optionally, a receptacle 30 could define a tapered third protrusion (not shown) at the base of the receptacle 30 for co-operating with a corresponding tapered third recess defined by an article 26 (e.g. a food container) that Is sized and shaped to receive the third protrusion therein Such co-operation between the third protrusion and the third recess better secures the article 26 within the receptacle 30.

St will be appreciated that various embodiments of the third panel 16 may exist, with each embodiment catering for a specific arrangement of articles 28 on the tray 10. Accordingly, without changing the first and second panels 12 and 14, the same tray 10 (with a substitute third panel 16) may be used to provide food and beverage 26 to different classes of customers (e.g. economy, business and first ciass customers). The ability to secure different embodiments of the third panel 16 to the first and second panels 12 and 14 renders the tray 10 more versatile than prior art trays.

Furthermore, should a user spill food or beverage on the fray 10, the aircraft cleaning staff may simply remove the third panel 16 from the second panel 14 and dispose of the third panel 16, instead of having to clean the tray 10.