WO1998015208A1

WO1998015208A1 - Method for serving visitors of a place where food and/or drinks are served

Info

Publication number: WO1998015208A1
Application number: PCT/NL1997/000563
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mischa Wanjon
Original assignee: Wanjon B.V.
Priority date: 1996-10-09
Filing date: 1997-10-09
Publication date: 1998-04-16
Also published as: NL1004229C2; AU4575497A

Abstract

A method for serving visitors of a place where food and/or drinks are served, whereby food and/or drinks are brought round by waiters using a serving tray (11), which method is characterized in that the attendants suspend the tray (11) in an at least substantially vertical plane from time to time by means of a suspension element (1) carried on the body.

Description

METHOD FOR SERVING VISITORS OF A PLACE WHERE FOOD AND/OR DRINKS ARE SERVED

The invention relates to a method for serving visitors of a place where food and/or drinks are served, whereby food and/or drinks are brought round by waiters using a serving tray.

Such a method is generally known. With the known method visitors of in particular restaurants and cafes are waited on by waiters, whereby food and/or drinks are brought round on a tray. Besides the aforesaid restaurants and cafes also the outdoor cafes associated therewith may be considered, of course.

One drawback of the known method is the following. Especially after the food and/or the drinks brought round on the tray have been served up, the tray forms an obstacle for the waiter, especially when visitors pay on the spot. In order to have their hands free when payment is made on the spot, waiters clamp the tray between their legs or under their armpits in practice, or put the tray on the ground or on a free table. It will be apparent that this is by no means an efficient manner of serving, which is an important factor in the catering business, in particular since it is necessary to work quickly and efficiently in view of the competition.

The object of the invention is to provide a method for serving customers of a place where food and/or drinks are served, wherein the aforesaid drawback of the known method is overcome, and in order to accomplish that objective a method of the kind referred to in the introduction is according to the invention characterized in that the attendants suspend the tray in an at least substantially vertical plane from time to time by means of a suspension element carried on the body. In this manner a convenient, temporary "storage" of the tray is realised .

In one preferred embodiment of a method according to the invention said suspension element is attached to a rim of an article of clothing worn by an attendant, in particular to the rim of a pair of trousers or a skirt, a waistband or a hip belt. Preferably the suspension element is attached to a belt or waistband.

In another preferred embodiment of a method according to the invention the tray is suspended by means of a pivoting movement. More in particular, an upright rim of the tray is put round an engaging member of the suspension element during said pivoting movement so as to position the tray in said at least substantially vertical plane, whereby the upright rim of the tray is supported on (part of) the engaging member. It is preferred to use a bracket as the suspension element .

The invention also relates to a suspension element to be used with a method according to the invention.

In one preferred embodiment of a suspension element according to the invention said suspension element is provided with an engaging member, around which the upright rim of the tray can be put in order to position the tray in said at least substantially vertical plane, whereby the upright rim is supported on (part of) the engaging member. More particularly the engaging member consists at least substantially of portions respectively extending outwards, downwards and inwards in the operative position of the suspension element, whereby the upright rim of the tray can be supported on the inwardly extending portion.

In another preferred embodiment of a suspension element according to the invention said suspension element is provided with an attaching member for attaching said suspension element to a rim of an article of clothing worn by an attendant, preferably to a belt or waistband. Preferably said attaching member consists at least substantially of portions respectively extending outwards and downwards in the operative condition of the suspension element .

In another preferred embodiment of a suspension element according to the invention said suspension element is provided with a guide member, which extends downwards in the operative condition of said suspension element. Said member functions to guide the tray to a position in which said tray lies in said at least substantially vertical plane. In this manner it is possible to suspend the tray blindfold in one movement from time to time.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to Figures illustrated in a drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a suspension element according to the invention;

- Figure 2 corresponds with Figure 1, with the understanding that Figure 2 relates to another preferred embodiment; and

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a tray suspended from a belt by means of the suspension element shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1 shows a suspension element according to the invention in the shape of a bracket 1 . Bracket 1 comprises an engaging member 2 consisting of portions 3, 4 and 5 extending outwards, downwards and inwards respectively. Opening 6 and portion 5 are preferably dimensioned such that any high upright rim of a tray can be put round engaging member 2 by means of a pivoting movement (via opening 6) in order to suspend the tray from engaging member 2 in an at least substantially vertical plane. The upright rim of the tray is thereby supported on the inwardly extending portion 5 of engaging member 2 (cf . Figure 3) . Bracket 1_. is furthermore provided with an attaching member 7 comprising a portion 8 and a portion 9, which extend outwards and downwards respectively in the operative condition of the bracket 1_.. The attaching member ensures that the bracket 1. can be easily and comfortably attached (clipped or the like) to a belt or waistband of an attendant . In this connection reference is also made to Figure 3. Finally a guide member 10 is provided, wich extends downwards, that is, towards the ground in the operative condition of bracket 1 - Guide member 10 not only ensures a stable, comfortable position of bracket 1_. on the attendant's body, but also an easy guiding of (the rim of) the tray in the direction of engaging member 2. Bracket 1 is preferably made in an attractive colour, and more in particular it is provided with a logo of a well-known brand of beverages.

In Figures 2 and 3 those parts that correspond with parts shown in Figure 1 are indicated by the same numerals as in Figure 1. Figure 3 shows a tray 11 suspended from bracket 1 of Figure 1, which bracket 1 is clamped on a waiter's belt or waistband 12. It must be understood that the opening 6 and portion 5 must be sufficiently large to make it possible to suspend trays having a (very) high upright rim 13 from bracket 1 as well. All this ensures a universal usability of bracket 1. for various trays .

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the Figures, it also extends to other variants.

Claims

A method for serving visitors of a place where food and/or drinks are served, whereby food and/or drinks are brought round by waiters using a serving tray, characterized in that the attendants suspend the tray in an at least substantially vertical plane from time to time by means of a suspension element carried on the body.

A method according to claim 1, wherein said suspension element is attached to a rim of an article of clothing worn by an attendant.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said suspension element is attached to a belt or waistband.

4. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3 , wherein the tray is suspended by means of a pivoting movement.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein an upright rim of the tray is put round an engaging member of the suspension element during said pivoting movement so as to position the tray in said at least substantially vertical plane, whereby the upright rim of the tray is supported on (part of) the engaging member.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 - 6, wherein a bracket is used as the suspension element.

7. A suspension element to be used in carrying out a method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 - 6.

8. A suspension element according to claim 7, wherein said suspension element is provided with an engaging member, around which the upright rim of the tray can be put in order to position the tray in said at least substantially vertical plane, whereby the upright rim is supported on (part of) the engaging member.

9. A suspension element according to claim 8, wherein said engaging member consists at least substantially of portions respectively extending outwards, downwards and inwards in the operative position of the suspension element, whereby the upright rim of the tray can be supported on the inwardly extending portion.

10. A suspension element according to claim 7, 8 or 9 , wherein said suspension element is provided with an attaching member for attaching said suspension element to a rim of an article of clothing worn by an attendant, preferably to a belt or waistband.

11. A suspension element according to claim 10, wherein said attaching member consists at least substantially of portions respectively extending outwards and downwards in the operative condition of the suspension element.

12. A suspension element according to any one of the preceding claims 7 - 11, wherein said suspension element is provided with a guide member, which extends downwards in the operative condition of said suspension element.