Food or edible material: processes – compositions – and products – Product with added inedible feature other than that which...
Utility Patent
1999-10-06
2001-01-02
Weinstein, Steven (Department: 1761)
Food or edible material: processes, compositions, and products
Product with added inedible feature other than that which...
C426S106000, C426S112000, C426S115000, C426S120000, C426S129000
Utility Patent
active
06168813
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to serving trays and, in particular, to serving trays for shrimp.
Numerous trays are known for serving and presenting food. Although generally satisfactory, such prior art trays are not readily adaptable for serving shrimp and associated condiments, such as cocktail sauce.
Prior to serving shrimp, they are peeled, deveined and cooked. During this process, the inedible tail portion is often left attached to the fleshy edible portion of the shrimp. Such shrimp are referred to as cooked, peeled and deveined tail-on (CPTO). After cooking, the shrimp are then rinsed and served, or frozen for later consumption. One common way of serving shrimp is by chilling them first and then serving them on a serving tray together with a suitable condiment. This procedure causes a problem, however, in that water draining from the shrimp tends to accumulate at the bottom of the serving tray. This can result in spillage when served to a patron or guest. Also, the shrimp are often laid out on the tray in such a manner as to be sitting in the accumulated water, resulting in splashing or dripping onto the patron or guest during consumption.
It should, therefore, be appreciated that there is a need for a tray that is specially adapted for serving and presenting shrimp and associated condiments in an appealing, yet splash-proof, manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is embodied in a simple, easy to make, serving tray that presents shrimp and condiments in an appealing fashion. The serving tray is specially designed to avoid the accumulation of water that may drain from the shrimp to the bottom of the tray and to prevent water from spilling over the edge of the tray, thus resulting in a less messy presentation to a guest or patron. The shrimp tray of the present invention includes a raised, circular, outer rim having an inner wall and an outer wall connected by an outer ridge. A first annular surface extends downwardly from the outer rim toward the center of the tray. The first annular surface includes a lower portion that defines a plurality of drain holes. A central recessed area is provided for containing a cocktail sauce or other condiment. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the shrimp serving tray is made from a single sheet of material having a uniform thickness.
One feature of the present invention is the arrangement of the shrimp on the first annular surface. In particular, the shrimp may be nested relative to each other on the first annular surface with their tail ends overhanging the circular outer rim of the tray and their forward ends on the lower portion of the first annular surface. An annular wall inside of and concentric to the circular outer rim may be used to maintain the shrimp in this arrangement.
An additional feature of the present invention is that the tray may define a second annular surface (or more such surfaces) for receiving shrimp. The second annular surface also extends downwardly towards the center of the tray and is interiorly disposed of the first annular surface.
Yet another feature of the invention is an intermediate annular spacer member between the first annular surface and the central recessed area. By increasing the radial width of the annular spacer member, the tray is increased in diameter. This permits more shrimp to be placed on the tray. Additionally, the annular spacer member may serve as a location for placing garnish or as a receptacle for utensils or waste.
Other features and advantages of the present invention should become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
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Christie Parker & Hale LLP
Contessa Food Products
Weinstein Steven
LandOfFree
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