NL1030259C2 - Ergonomic tray; Ergo Tray. - Google Patents

Description

Ergonomic tray; Ergo Tray

The invention relates to a tray, which is characterized by a recess from the tray. This recess ensures that the user has more freedom of movement in the wrist joint, so that serving can take place more easily. In particular, the limitations with regard to the movements of palm and dorsal flexion are reduced compared to the usual trays. The recess can be realized by making a notch in the blade, removing local material or adjusting the shape of the blade so that there is room for movement for the wrist. The size of the recess depends on the location of the center of gravity of the tray without load. This center of gravity must at all times fall within the supporting surface of the palm and preferably in the middle of the palm.

The purpose of the Ergo-Tray is to reduce the physical load when serving. Research has shown that performing short cyclical tasks in particular is one of the greatest risk factors with regard to sickness absence in the hospitality industry. When serving with the current trays, the position of the wrist and elbow joint is, as it were, fixed by the shape of the tray, so that the user has to compensate in the back, hips or knees to bring the tray to table height . The design of the Ergo-Tray gives the user more freedom of movement in the wrist joint. Thanks to these movement options, the entire arm has more freedom of movement, so that fewer or no compensations have to be made to raise the tray to the table height. This reduces the risk of physical complaints and fatigue. In addition, serving out will be more efficient and the risks of falling crockery will be reduced.

It can be noted that for the problem described above, in order to optimize the use of the tray, a solution has been described in the Ergonomics tray patent; WO 2005/058107. This patent describes a tray 30 characterized by a concave, ergonomic recess in the upstanding edge of the tray, in at least one of the rounded corners of the tray. This recess has the shape of a thumb mouse and the wrist joint follows the curve of the corner. In this way the tray would be easier to carry, 0 3 0 2 5 .Q ~ _ 2 but because the center of gravity does not fall within the supporting surface of the hand, the necessary force will have to be supplied.

It is further noted that in patent US 2004/0084463 A1 a serving tray is described, which is characterized by the addition of an arm support and a handle, which are intended as additional support for the tray. In addition to supporting the arm, the stability of the food is also better guaranteed in this way. Both the arm support and the handle serve as support when the tray is set down. However, the arm support has a negative effect on the freedom of movement of the arm.

Patent Serving Tray US 2005/0056192 describes a tray with a handle and an arm support. In addition, this tray is characterized by its shape. Due to the shape of the handle, the tray is supported by the arm in a completely different way than in the traditional way. This new wearing method would burden the wrist, elbow and shoulder joints less than the traditional method. Nevertheless, the user will have to compensate in the back, the hips or the knees to bring the tray to table height, since the movement possibilities of the wrist are limited. The handle is adjustable to make the tray suitable for everyone. In this way the distance from the arm support to the handle can be changed. In addition, the shape of the tray is such that it follows the contours of the body. In this way it is achieved that the tray can be carried close to the body.

It can further be noted that in patent EP1523261 a tray is described which is characterized by the different notches in the edge of the tray. Thanks to the notches for a good grip (thumb recess), the tray 25 is easy to carry, but because the center of gravity does not fall within the supporting surface of the hand, the necessary force will have to be supplied. In addition, the notches serve to clamp eating utensils or napkins.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,757 S depicts a tray with a recess in the core of the tray. There is no description mentioned, so that it is not possible to find out what has actually been patented.

The "Ergo-Tray" invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment of the tray according to the invention shown in the figures. The numbers and letters in the text correspond to the numbers and letters in the drawings and can be used for clarification.

103 025 & 3

FIG. 1. shows a schematic three-dimensional image of the Ergo-Trav.

FIG. 2. shows a schematic two-dimensional image of the top view of the Ergo-Tray with important points and dimensions of a rectangular sheet with a circular notch.

FIG. 3. shows a schematic two-dimensional image of the top view of the Ergo-Tray with important points and dimensions of a round leaf with a circular notch.

For the Ergo-Tray, the shape of the tray and of the recess is not of immediate importance, as a result of which a great freedom of shape is created, although the size of the shapes are related to each other. A number of preconditions have been set with regard to the recess. The recess to create space for the wrist joint can be achieved by making a notch in the blade, removing local material or adjusting the shape of the blade to create room for movement of the wrist. This recess reduces the restrictions on the movements dorsal and palm flexion relative to the usual trays. The width of the recess is preferred to the situation in which the width of the recess is larger than the wrist width, so as to achieve the freedom of movement of the wrist. This width (b) has a minimum dimension of 40 and a maximum dimension of y (Figure 2). This width is in the preferred situation between 60-90 mm. In addition, for the Ergo Tray the size of the recess depends on the location of the center of gravity of the tray without load. The center of gravity must at all times fall within the supporting surface of the palm. The distance (SZ) between the center of gravity (Z) of the unloaded tray and the point of the tray which corresponds to the bend line of the wrist weight (S) is determined by the length of the hand (figure 2). To make the tray suitable for the vast majority of all adults, the distance from the point of the tray corresponding to the bend line of the wrist weight (S) to the center of gravity of the unloaded tray (Z) must be a maximum of 156 mm. Preference is given to the situation in which the center of gravity of the tray projects in the middle of the hand. Distance SZ in this preferred situation is 50 to 100 mm according to the average anthropometric values of adults in 20041. Furthermore, the center of gravity of the tray may not fall within the space of the recess.

1 http://www2.io.tudelft.nl/research/ergonomics/DA/dined2004.php?table_name=pop_dined2004_2030 f 0 3 0 2 5 9 ~ _ 4

For a rectangular tray (figure 2) with length L and width B with a circular recess with radius r, the distance from the end of the notch (point S) to the center of gravity Z can be calculated with the formula: sz = V2 \ b2 - rib - i / 4nr3 + * / 3r3

For a round tray (figure 3) with radius k with a circular recess with radius r, the distance from the end of the notch (point S) to the center of gravity Z can be calculated with the formula: c, _ Trk3 - TTrk * - V & ttt3 + 2Ar * sz 'rtf-'Anr * 103 07 5 9' _

Claims (5)

5 I A tray with a recess that increases the freedom of movement of the wrist joint, in particular the dorsal and palm flexion, thereby reducing the physical load on serving. Tray according to claim 1, characterized in that the recess is to be constructed in such a way that the center of gravity of an unloaded tray projects within the hand, independently of the shape of the tray. i Tray according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the distance from the point 10 of the tray corresponds to the line of flexion of the wrist weight from the tray. | center of gravity of the tray is a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 156 mm. Tray according to claim 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that the center of gravity of the tray may not fall within the space of the recess. 5. Tray according to claim 1, 2, 3 and 4, characterized in that the width of the recess is at least 40 mm. i i ’1030259”