Modular food service equipment

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a modular food service equipment (1), comprising
- a substantially flat bottom plate (16) extending in a longitudinal (L) and width (W) direction;
- side, front and back walls (12, 13, 14, 15) extending upward from the bottom plate upper surface (16a) and beveling, to the outer side, by an angle α of between 3 and 25 °, relative to a line perpendicular on the bottom plate upper surface (16a);
- said side, front and back walls (12, 13, 14, 15) passing into outer rims (11, 11', 11 ", 11"') extending in a plane parallel to, and slightly above, the bottom plate upper surface (16a) and in a length and width allowing grasping and/or transporting the modular food service equipment (1).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to modular food service equipment. Particularly, the invention relates to modular food service equipment designed to serve for services of catering food on flat or shallow catering equipment loaded directly into a transport container without the intervention, assistance or usage of a support device as, for example a tablet or tray. Such tablets or trays are employed usually for carrying cutlery, a napkin and one or more plate(s), bowle(s), cup(s) and/or beaker(s) used to serve food at locations remote from those places where the food is prepared and assembled. Examples are airplane, train or event food delivery services.

[0002] Customarily, trays and tableware used for serving food at such opportunities are made of plastics for reasons of saving weight, reliably cleaning and disinfecting trays and tableware before another use and avoiding damage to, or even break of, the material when being handled, transported and machine-cleaned. Food catering trays and bowls made of plastics are disclosed, for example, in document DE-A 198 59 857. Similar plastics material food catering trays, tablets and tableware for serving food in houses for geriatric care, patient care and care of physically and mentally handicapped persons are disclosed in the document DE-A 10 2011 018 711.

[0003] Trays for serving food, in particular for catering in airplanes, are disclosed in the document DE-A 10 2010 003 731. The trays are characterized by two side walls and a front wall perpendicularly extending from a tray bottom, a backside wall extending from the tray bottom by a height larger than the height of the side and front walls so as to be capable of supporting cutlery and napkin laid down on the tray, and a projection in the middle of the tray and extending between the two side walls so as to separate the tray into two sections. The side walls and front wall of the tray are provided with underside grooves so as to allow stacking of a plurality of such trays. Moreover, the outer wings of the sidewalls and of the front wall are designed to be in an angle of between 16 and 36 ° and 30 to 50 °, respectively, to a vertical reference line so as to provide a support rim for supporting the tray on guide rails of a trolley to which such trays are loaded for the catering service aboard. The disadvantage of such trays is that the food to be served is actually served on a tray, which was found to be easy and cost-saving, but not accepted by the users/passengers/travelers to be convenient and appropriate, what concerns the dining comfort.

[0004] In view of the above prior art, it was found that serving food on trays or on tableware (independent of the material thereof) which needs support by trays or tablets is not accepted by many users/passengers/travelers as "the art of dining", while using tableware, particularly tableware made of commonly used materials (e. g. porcelain), for dining in airplanes, in trains or at remote event locations is well acceptable, surprisingly.

[0005] Hence, one object of the invention was to provide modular food service equipment made of high quality materials and having a complaisant design not only acceptable from an optical point of view, but also suitable for professional handling during transport, service, cleaning and storing.

[0006] Another object of the invention was to provide modular food service equipment suitable for a professional transport of food, preparing said food for serving it to the customers/passengers/travelers and actually serving it. In order to comply with such a task, the modular food service equipment should be adapted, in shape, size and material, to being accommodated in, and withdrawn from, the transport containers/trolleys commonly used. Particularly, pieces of tableware should have appropriate rim extensions allowing a sliding thereof on the rails provided in usual transport trolleys.

[0007] Furthermore, it was an object of the invention to provide modular food service equipment suitable for professionally transporting, preparing and serving food which, as the case may be, can not only be used as such for the service, but may also be used on a supporting tray, tablet or plate, similarly to conventional tableware in this field, if this is required or desired.

[0008] Further objects will become apparent to a skilled person when reading the subsequent specification and claims in combination with the appended drawings.

[0009] Hence, the present invention relates to a modular food service equipment, comprising

• a substantially flat bottom plate extending in a longitudinal (L) and width (W) direction;
• side, front and back walls extending upward from the bottom plate upper surface and beveling by an angle α of between 3 and 25 °, relative to a line perpendicular on the bottom plate upper surface;
• said side, front and back walls passing into outer rims extending in a plane parallel to, and slightly above, the bottom plate upper surface and in a length and width allowing grasping and/or transporting the modular food service equipment.

[0010] Preferred embodiments of the modular food service equipment are claimed in dependent claims 2 to 13.

[0011] In a surprising manner, the above objects can be achieved by the modular food service equipment of the present invention in an easy and complete manner.

[0012] The invention is now in detail described be referring to accompanying Figures, wherein

Figure 1A shows one embodiment of a modular food service equipment 1 in a side sectional view;

Figure 1B shows the same embodiment of a modular food service equipment 1 as in Figure 1A in a top elevational view;

Figure 1C shows the same embodiment of a modular food service equipment 1 as in Figures 1A and 1B in a bottom view;

Figure 2 shows another embodiment of a modular food service equipment 1 in a top elevational view;

Figures 3 A and 3B show a further embodiment of a modular food service equipment 1 in side sectional and top elevational views;

Figures 4A to 4C show a further embodiment of a modular food service equipment 1 in side sectional, top elevational and bottom views, and Figure 4D shows a side sectional view of two elements thereof in a stacked condition;

Figures 5 A to 5C show a further embodiment of a modular food service equipment 1 in side sectional, top elevational and bottom views, and Figure 5D shows a side sectional view of two elements thereof in a stacked condition;

Figures 6 A to 6C show a further embodiment of a modular food service equipment 1 in side sectional, top elevational and bottom views, and Figure 6D shows a side sectional view of two elements thereof in a stacked condition;

Figures 7 A to 7C show a further embodiment of a modular food service equipment 1 in side sectional, top elevational and bottom views, and Figure 7D shows a side sectional view of two elements thereof in a stacked condition;

Figures 8 A to 8C show a further embodiment of a modular food service equipment 1 in side sectional, top elevational and bottom views, and Figure 8D shows a side sectional view of two elements thereof in a stacked condition;

Figures 9 A to 9C show a further embodiment of a modular food service equipment 1 in side sectional, top elevational and bottom views;

Figures 10 A to 10C show a further embodiment of a modular food service equipment 1 in side sectional, top elevational and bottom views; and

Figures 11 A to 11C show a further embodiment of a modular food service equipment 1 in side sectional, top elevational and bottom views.

[0013] Reference is now made, for a detailed description of the invention, as broadly defined, and of its particular, in part preferred embodiments, to the above Figures. In the following description, a reference to preferred embodiments, either in the description or in the Figures, should not be construed as a restriction of the invention to the preferred embodiments. Preferred embodiments, even if described in the description as such or shown in one or more than one of the Figures, serve only the purpose of exemplarily demonstrating the invention for a better understanding thereof.

[0014] The terms "comprise", "comprises" or "comprising", as used in the present specification and claims, for example in claim 1 or in claim 10, has/have the meaning that the modular food service equipment of the invention may comprise (i) one means or may comprise (ii) two or more means as mentioned in, for example, claim 1, or that (iii) further components, means etc. (more specifically defined below) may also be comprised by the modular food service equipment.

[0015] The terms "comprise" , "comprises" or "comprising" as used in the present specification and claims may, however, also include cases where the modular food service equipment of the invention mainly consists of (i) at least one means or mainly consists of (ii) two or more means mentioned, for example, in claim 1, optionally together with any necessary component or means a skilled person may include into such a modular food service equipment in order to achieve the object of the invention, or may even include cases where the modular food service equipment of the invention exclusively consists of (i) at least means or exclusively consists of (ii) two or more means, optionally, but not necessarily, together with any necessary component, means etc. a skilled person may include into such modular food service equipment in order to achieve the object of the invention. Particularly in the latter case where the terms "comprise" , "comprises" or "comprising" as used in the present specification and claims may have the meaning of an "exclusively consisting of", subclaims of the present application may claim, and corresponding parts of the specification may describe, further preferred embodiments, which are characterized by additional specified features which, in combination with the features of the independent claim and corresponding parts of the description, are summarized to belong to the invention as described in its broadest scope claimed.

[0016] In other words: The terms "comprise" or "comprises" or "comprising" may have, in the present specification and claims, the meaning of describing a non-exhaustive enumeration of elements or, alternatively, may have, in the present specification and claims, the meaning of describing an exhaustive enumeration of elements, in the latter case without excluding further preferred embodiments being characterized by additional features. Hence, by the terms "comprises", "comprise" or "comprising", a non-exhaustive enumeration and an exhaustive enumeration of elements or features is disclosed in the present application and claimed in the claims 1 to 13.

[0017] Moreover, each of the features of the present invention and of its preferred embodiments may be realized alone, i. e. as a single feature or, alternatively, may be realized together with one, two, three or all other features of the invention as described here.

[0018] In accordance with the present invention, and with reference to Figures 1A to 1C, a modular food service equipment 1 is described generally.

[0019] The term "modular food service equipment" as used in the present specification and claims means pieces and articles which serve for, and may be used in connection with, serving food. In particular, the term "modular food service equipment" is understood to mean pieces and articles of which each piece, or article, may be used alone for serving food and which, in a synergistic combination of two, three or even more pieces or articles, may be used together for serving food, depending on the specific event or situation of use. In particular, if such pieces or articles are used in combination, they may complement each other or may be combined with each other so that two, three or several pieces or articles are modules of the overall equipment synergistically supporting and completing each other, particularly for achieving the objects of the present invention.

[0020] The modular food service equipment 1 of the present invention comprises

• a substantially flat bottom plate 16 extending in a longitudinal (L) and width (W) direction (as shown in Figure 1B);
• side, front and back walls 12, 13, 14, 15 extending upward from the bottom plate upper surface 16a and beveling, to the outer side, by an angle α of between 3 and 25 °, relative to a line perpendicular on the bottom plate upper surface 16a; and
• said side, front and back walls 12, 13, 14, 15 passing into outer rims 11, 11', 11", 11"' extending in a plane parallel to, and slightly above, the bottom plate upper surface 16a and in a length and width allowing grasping and/or transporting the modular food service equipment 1.

[0021] The term "substantially flat", as used in the present specification and claims, for example in connection to the bottom plate 16 of the modular food service equipment 1 of the invention or especial pieces thereof, is understood to mean a surface forming one plane which is planar in the sense that no elevations and no recesses are formed therein or are found therein due to the manufacturing process and which is not bent nor buckled. Such a plane extends horizontally (in use of the modular food service equipment 1) in a length (longitudinal) (L) direction and in a width (W) direction, as shown in Figure 1B, which is a top view to one embodiment of the modular food service equipment 1 also shown in Figure 1A.

[0022] The term "bottom", similarly to the term "top", to the terms "upper" and "lower" and to the terms "above" or "below", are used in the present specification and claims to designate any position, or direction (also shown in the Figures) to be a position (or direction) of the equipment when used, when held for use or when arranged for use or storage or transport. As can be seen exemplarily in Figure 1A (showing one embodiment of modular food service equipment 1 in a side sectional view), the substantially flat bottom plate 16 is the bottom (i. e. lower) part of the embodiment of the modular food service equipment 1 shown, having an upper surface 16a being on the upper side thereof and a lower surface 16b being on the lower side thereof.

[0023] In conformity with such an understanding, in the modular food service equipment 1 of the present invention, two (left and right) side walls 13, 15, a front wall 12 and a back wall 14 are extending upward from the upper surface 16a of the bottom plate 16. In accordance with the invention, the side, front and back walls 12, 13, 14 and 15 are not arranged perpendicularly on the bottom plate upper surface 16a, but are arranged beveling at an angle α, to the outer side, of between 3 and 25 °, relative to a line perpendicular on the bottom plate upper surface (16a). This can be recognized clearly from Figure 1A.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the invention allowing an even better achievement of the objects of the invention, which preferred embodiment may be realized with single other features of the invention individually or together with two or three or all other features, the left-hand and right-hand side walls 13, 15, front wall 12 and back wall 14 extend upward from the bottom plate upper surface 16a at a beveling angle α, to the outer side, of between 5 and 20 °, relative to said line perpendicular on the bottom plate upper surface (16a). With such a preferred beveling angle α, a handling, transporting and storage of pieces of the modular food service equipment 1 of the present invention can easily be achieved.

[0025] Particularly preferred, exemplary (but not restricting the invention) beveling angles α between the side, front and back walls 12, 13, 14, 15 and a line perpendicular on the bottom plate upper surface 16a of the modular food service equipment 1 of the invention are angles α of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15 °.

[0026] In accordance with the invention, the upper end (i. e. the end furthest from the bottom plate 16) of the side, front and back walls 12, 13, 14, 15 passes into outer rims 11, 11', 11", 11"', which are preferably also substantially flat. Such outer rims 11, 11', 11", 11"' extend further to the outer side in a plane parallel to, and slightly above, the bottom plate upper surface 16a and in a length and width allowing grasping and/or transporting the modular food service equipment 1.

[0027] The term "allowing grasping and/or transporting", as used in the present specification and claims, is considered to mean a length and width of the rims 11, 11', 11", 11"' suitable for the modular food service equipment's being grasped by the service personnel when being carried between two points of service (e. g. the point of delivery and the point of service to the customer/traveler/guest or - after the meal - between the point of service and the place of being picked up for the transport back to the catering establishment). Moreover, the above term means a length and width of the rims 11, 11', 11", 11"' suitable for the modular food service equipment's being transported in suitable containers or commonly used trolleys having standardized sizes, or even stacked as particular pieces of the equipment, as shown exemplarily in Figures 4D, 5D, 6D, 7D and 8D.

[0028] A skilled person will generally know a length and width of the rims 11, 11', 11", 11"' suitable for being grasped by the service personnel when the modular food service equipment 1 is served by the service personnel, and will select the length and width of the rims 11, 11', 11", 11"' within broad ranges and in accordance with the requirements of each single case. In preferred embodiments of the invention which preferred embodiments may be realized individually with single other features of the invention or together with two, three, four or all other features, the rims 11, 11', 11", 11"' may be of equal length and width or may be of equal length and of different width or may be of different length and equal width or may be of different length and different width.

[0029] In even more preferred embodiments of the invention, which preferred embodiments may be realized individually with single other features of the invention or together with two or three or four or all other features, the two side rims 11', 11"' are of equal width and equal length, and the front and back rims 11, 11" are of equal length and of equal width; however, lengths and widths of the two side rims 11', 11"' and of the front and back rims 11, 11" are different from each other; as can be seen clearly from Figures 1B and 1C, which show top (Figure 1B) and bottom (Figure 1C) views of one embodiment of the modular food service equipment 1 also shown in Figure 1A: In both cases, the length (L) (i. e. the direction to which the modular food service equipment 1 of the invention is extending longitudinally) is shown in both Figures 1B and 1C from the left-hand to the right-hand side, while the width direction (W) is shown in both Figures from the top side of the drawing to its bottom side: The distances from the outer edges of the front and back rims 11, 11" of the modular food service equipment 1 to the respective contact lines of the front and back rims 11, 11" to the upper edges of the front and back walls 12, 14 are larger than the distances from the outer edges of the left-hand and right-hand rims 11', 11"' of the modular food service equipment 1 to the respective contact lines of the left-hand and right-hand rims 11', 11"' to the upper edges of the left-hand and right-hand side walls 13, 15.

[0030] In particularly preferred embodiments of the modular food service equipment 1 of the invention which preferred embodiments may be realized individually with single other features of the invention or together with two or three or four or all other features, the outer rim 11 has a width, from the rim outer edge to the side wall edges 12a, 13a, 14a, 15a, in the range of between 10 and 40 mm, preferably between 15 and 35 mm. In even more preferred embodiments of the modular food service equipment 1 of the invention which preferred embodiments may be realized individually with single other features of the invention or together with two or three or four or all other features, the outer rim 11 has an exemplary width, from the rim outer edge to the side wall edges 12a, 13a, 14a, 15a, of 12 or 13 or 14 or 15 or 16 or 17 or 18 or 19 or 20 or 21 or 22 or 23 or 24 or 25 or 26 or 27 or 28 or 29 or 30 or 31 or 32 or 33 or 34 or 35 or 36 or 37 or 38 or 39 mm, and even widths inbetween the above exemplary values (of, exemplarily, 16.6 mm or 18.5 mm or 20.5 mm or 28.5 mm or 30.5 mm or 32.5 mm) may be realized without restrictions. As a further example, the widths may be 16, 18.5 or 21 mm along the two side rims 11' and 11"', and the widths may be 28, 30 or 32 mm along the front and back rims 11 and 11", without being restricted to these specific values.

[0031] As may be seen specifically from Figure 1C showing the bottom side of the embodiment of the modular food service equipment 1 also shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the bottom side of the modular food service equipment 1 has no underside grooves. Nevertheless stacking of all pieces of the modular food service equipment 1 and of its components is possible, as is exemplarily shown in Figures 4D, 5D, 6D, 7D and 8D.

[0032] In preferred embodiments of the modular food service equipment 1 of the present invention, which preferred embodiments may be realized individually with single other features of the invention or together with two or three or four or all other features, the equipment 1 further comprises, below the lower surface 16b of the bottom plate 16, means 17 allowing a safe stand of the equipment 1 on a support. Such means 17 are known to a skilled person per se from food service equipment of the prior art and may be selected from such known means by a skilled person, without being restricted to a certain selection, in accordance with the requirements of the case. Such means 17 may be separate from the means and applied only for a certain situation or opportunity or may be provided to the modular food service equipment 1 of the invention in a manner integrally fixed to the modular food service equipment 1 during manufacture. In even more preferred embodiments, such means 17 are made of the same material as the modular food service equipment 1 and integrally included into the modular food service equipment 1. In even further preferred embodiments, such means may be provided with soft and/or flexible and/or anti-slip material parts (e. g. made from a foam material and/or a rubber-like material) so as to allow a safe stand without the risk of gliding, even if the support below the modular food service equipment 1 is inclined (e. g. during a turbulent flight). In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the means 17 are made of the same material as the modular food service equipment 1 itself and are integral parts thereof due to manufacture.

[0033] In even more preferred embodiments of the invention, which preferred embodiments may be realized individually with single other features of the invention or together with two or three or four or all other features, the modular food service equipment 1 comprises at least one supporting member 17, more preferably comprises a plurality of supporting members 17', 17", 17"', ..., below the lower surface 16b of the equipment's bottom plate 16. A skilled person well knows how to achieve the aim of a safe stand of the modular food service equipment 1 on a supporting surface by selecting appropriately the number, shape and position(s) of such supporting members 17. As is well known, the aim will best be achieved by having a plurality of such supporting members 17, 17', 17", 17"' of identical shape applied to key positions below the lower surface 16b of the equipment's bottom plate 16.

[0034] In one even more preferred embodiments of the invention, the modular food service equipment 1 comprises supporting members 17', 17", 17"', 17""..., more preferably of similar or even identical size, at the corners of the lower side 16b of a rectangular bottom plate 16. A skilled person may also consider at least one additional supporting member in the geometrical middle below such a rectangular bottom plate 16: Such a case is, for example, shown in Figures 4C, 5C, 6C, 8C, 9C, 10C and 11C. Such positioning of supporting members achieves a safe stand thereof and contributes to an easy stacking of the equipment 1.

[0035] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the modular food service equipment 1 comprises supporting members 17', 17", 17"', ... extending longitudinally along longitudinal or lateral edges or in the middle of the lower side of a rectangular bottom plate 16. Supporting members 17 extending over a longer distance on the bottom side 16b of the modular food service equipment 1 of the invention provide a safe stand and, hence, are particularly preferred. A (non-restricting) example thereof is shown in Figure 7C.

[0036] In still one more embodiment of the invention also providing a safe stand of the modular food service equipment 1 on a support, supporting members 17', 17", ... are provided at the lower surface 16b of the bottom plate 16 thereof, which extend at a rectangular or oval or semi-oval or circular or semi-circular pattern on the lower side of a rectangular or an oval or a circular bottom plate 16. A (non-restricting) example of such (in that case: two) supporting members 17', 17" is shown in Figure 1C.

[0037] In accordance with the invention in its broadest sense, the height of the modular food service equipment 1 is not restricted. The term "height" as used in the present specification and claims and shown in the Figures is a distance from the upper surface 16a of the bottom plate 16 to the upper surface of the rims 11, measured along a theoretical line perpendicular to the bottom plate surface (e. g. a line as shown in Figure 1B, also for determining the angle α).

[0038] In preferred embodiments of the modular food service equipment 1 of the present invention, which preferred embodiments may be realized individually with single other features of the invention or together with two or three or four or all other features, the modular food service equipment 1 (e. g. as shown in Figures 1A, 1B and 1C) has a height, measured along said line perpendicular on the bottom plate upper surface (16a), between 2 and 15 mm, preferably between 5 and 10 mm. Such a height was found to be advantageous in the present invention, because the service of pieces of such modular food service equipment was convenient, and the equipment could safely be stored, transported in usual containers and trolleys and also easily and safely be handled during cleaning and drying.

[0039] Together with such heights of the modular food service equipment, or separately therefrom, it was found advantageous for the modular food service equipment of the invention that the height of the supporting members 17, along a theoreticcal line perpendicular below the bottom plate lower surface 16b, is between 1 and 5 mm, preferably between 2 and 4 mm. By providing the modular food service equipment of the invention with these preferred heights of the supporting members 17, a safe stand of the modular food service equipment 1 could be achieved.

[0040] Considering the present invention in its broadest sense, the modular food service equipment 1 (e. g. as shown in Figures 1B and 2) may have any shape a skilled person may conceive of, and the invention is not restricted in any way, as long as the aims and objects of the invention are achieved, e. g. an easy handling during the service and a safe transport and/or storage of the modular food service equipment 1.

[0041] In preferred embodiments of the modular food service equipment 1 of the present invention, which preferred embodiments may be realized individually with single other features of the invention or together with two or three or four or all other features, the modular food service equipment 1 has an overall rectangular, oval or round shape. Figure 1B exemplarily shows one example of a rectangular shape, while Figure 2 exemplarily shows an oval shape of the modular food service equipment 1. An overall rectangular shape thereof is even more preferred, particularly if, and due to the fact that, it fits with the standardized measures of the storage and transport means and trolleys commonly used. Such fit is, for example, secured by a rectangular shape as shown in Figure 1B and an overall length L of the modular food service equipment of between 250 and 290 mm, even more preferred of between 260 and 280 mm, utmost preferred between 265 and 275 mm, for example (without restriction) of 270 mm.

[0042] The invention in its broadest sense proposes as materials for the modular food service equipment any material a skilled person knows for such equipment, and the invention is not restricted to any material selected in accordance with the requirements of the case.

[0043] In preferred embodiments of the modular food service equipment 1 of the present invention, which preferred embodiments may be realized individually with single other features of the invention or together with two or three or four or all other features, the modular food service equipment 1 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of porcelain, metal and metal alloys, plastics, natural fibres, wood, bamboo and paper. Each of these materials may be coated by a suitable coating improving the appearance, durability and handling thereof, and the resulting coated composite materials may show specific properties making them desirable materials for the modular food service equipment 1 of the invention. All these materials should not be too heavy, in view of the fact that the pieces of the modular food service equipment 1 have to be transported permanently (i. e. between the place of preparation for the catering and the service to the customer/traveler/guest) and have to be presented by the service personal to the customer/traveler/guest by carrying it with the hands or with suitable tools, and should withstand mechanical forces being incurred during storage, transport and handling. Porcelain and plastics, optionally with suitable coatings, are the preferred materials.

[0044] In a particular approach by the invention, the materials are required to be suitable to be inserted into common transport containers and trolleys itself and without being supported by plastics tablets generally used. From that service point of view, porcelain is the most preferred material in the present invention.

[0045] The thickness of the material used for the modular food service equipment 1 of the invention is generally not restricted. A skilled person may select (or adjust) the thickness of the material in accordance with the parameters of the specific case. Hence, thicknesses generally used by a skilled person may also applied to the material of the present modular food service equipment 1.

[0046] Depending upon the material used, a skilled person may select - without restriction - a thickness in the range of from 1 mm to 8 mm, preferably in the range of from 2 mm to 6 mm, more preferably in the range of from 3 to 5 mm.

[0047] The thickness of the material may be the same throughout one piece of the modular food service equipment 1 of the invention or may vary even for one piece: Areas of subjected to the requirement of a higher mechanical load (e. g. the rims 11 which may serve as the areas where one piece of the modular food service equipment 1 is put on the rails of a container/trolley) might have a larger thickness than other areas, for example a thickness of from 5, 6, 7 or 8 mm.

[0048] The invention is now further explained by referring to several specific examples of modular food service equipment. In accordance with the invention, these examples are presented to better describe the invention for a general understanding and should not be construed to restrict the invention.

[0049] Moreover, the principles and characterizing features of the invention will become apparent, and may be better understood, by considering specific examples of pieces of modular food service equipment 1 separately or in a synergistic combination of two or even more of such pieces of modular food service equipment 1. All these separate pieces of modular food service equipment 1, and their potential combinations, achieve the objects of the present invention and, hence, are covered by the present invention, as will be recognized by a skilled person. Hence, claims, description and Figures also cover all separate pieces of modular food service equipment 1 of the invention, and their combinations of two or even more pieces of modular food service equipment 1 as well.

[0050] One example of a preferred embodiment of a modular food service equipment 1 of the invention comprises all features of the invention as described above in this description (and claimed in the claims and shown in the Figures) and is a rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110 or, alternatively, is an oval or circular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 120. One preferred embodiment thereof having the rectangular shape is exemplarily shown in Figures 1A, 1B and 1C, on the one hand, and another preferred embodiment thereof having a partially oval shape is shown exemplarily in Figure 2.

[0051] Such a rectangular or oval tablet-plate shape equipment piece 110, 120 may be used, in accordance with the invention, as a support for serving food directly, e. g. in the trough formed by the bottom plate 16 and by the surrounding front, side and back walls 12, 13, 14, 15 extending upward from the bottom plate upper surface 16a and beveling to the outer side by an angle α of between 3 and 25 °, preferably beveling to the outer side by an angle α of between 5 and 20 °.

[0052] Alternatively, said rectangular or oval tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110, 120 may be used, in accordance with the invention, as a support for other pieces of the modular food service equipment 1. This is in detail described below by also referring to the Figures.

[0053] In both cases, the objects of the present invention are fully achieved: Modular food service equipment 1 made of high quality materials and having a complaisant design not only acceptable from an optical point of view, but also suitable for professional handling during transport, service, cleaning and storing, is provided. Moreover, modular food service equipment suitable for a professional transport of food, preparing said food for serving it to the customers/passengers/travelers and actually serving it is provided, which is adapted, in shape, size and material, to being accommodated in, and withdrawn from, the transport containers/trolleys commonly used. In addition, the tablet plate-shape equipment pieces 110, 120 have appropriate rim extensions allowing a sliding thereof on the rails provided in usual transport trolleys. Finally, said rectangular or oval tablet plate-shape modular food service equipment pieces 110, 120 are suitable for professionally transporting, preparing and serving food and, as the case may be, can not only be used as such for the service, but may also be used as supporting trays, tablets or plates for supporting other pieces of the modular food service equipment 1 of the invention, similarly to conventional tableware in this field, if this is required or desired.

[0054] Another example of a preferred embodiment of a modular food service equipment 1 of the invention comprises all features of the invention as described above in this description (and claimed in the claims and shown in the Figures) and is a rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110 described above, which is carrying at least one plate 130 of a material serving as a support for serving food. Preferably, such a plate is substantially flat. This embodiment is shown in Figures 3A and 3B. The rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110 may carry one such a flat plate 130 or may carry two such flat plates 130, 130 or may carry even more such flat plates 130. Two or more plates 130 may have the same or different size and may be of the same or of a different material.

[0055] Such plate(s) 130 may be narrow or broad, and their width may also decide how many plates 130 are carried. In one embodiment, one plate 130 is carried by the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110. In the embodiment shown in Figures 3A and 3B, it will be recognized that the plate(s) 130, 130 is/are accommodated in the trough formed by the tablet's bottom plate 16 and the surrounding front, side and back walls 12, 13, 14, 15. In case of one plate 130, said plate may be accommodated in said trough in its middle, in the left-hand half of the trough, in the right-hand half of the trough or anywhere inbetween (if it is smaller than the bottom plate 16 of the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110). In another embodiment, the plate 130 may have a size substantially identical to the size of the bottom plate 16 of the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110.

[0056] In the broadest sense of the present invention, the material of the plate(s) may be selected by a skilled person from all materials conceivable to be suitable for the intended purpose of serving as a support for food, and a skilled person may select such a material - without being restricted to a specific one - among all materials in accordance with the requirements of the case.

[0057] In further preferred embodiments of the modular food service equipment 1 of the present invention, which preferred embodiments may be realized individually with single other features of the invention or together with two or three or four or all other features, the material(s) of the at least one plate 130, preferably of two plates, may be selected from materials of the group consisting of porcelain, slate, plastics, natural fibres, wood, bamboo and paper, optionally coated with a suitable coating. In even more preferred embodiments of such a modular food service equipment 1, the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110 may carry at least one, preferably one or two, rectangular plate(s) 130 of a size fitting at least onto the substantially flat bottom plate 16 between the front, side, and back walls 12, 13, 14, 15 of the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110. Even more preferred is an embodiment wherein the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110 carries two rectangular plates 130 of different or equal size fitting together at least on the substantially flat bottom plate 16 between the front, side and back walls 12, 13, 14, 15 of the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110.

[0058] In further preferred embodiments of the modular food service equipment 1 of the present invention, which preferred embodiments may be realized individually with single other features of the invention or together with two or three or four or all other features, at least one of said substantially flat plate(s) 130, 130', 130" accommodated in the trough formed by the flat bottom plate 16 between the front, side, and back walls 12, 13, 14, 15 of the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110 has a handle 131, 131', 131" extending laterally to the outer side(s) of said plate(s) 130, 130', 130" corresponding to the side walls 13, 15 and outer rims 11', 11"'. Such embodiments are shown in Figures 9A, 9B, 9C, 10A, 10B, 10C, 11A, 11B and 11C.

[0059] One plate 130 may be accommodated in the trough (Figures 10A to 10C), or two plates 130, 130 may be accommodated in the trough (Figures 9A to 9C and Figures 11A to 11C), or more than two plates 130, 130 may be accommodated in the trough (not shown in the Figures). In cases of one plate, such one plate 130 may have a size to completely fill the trough (Figures 10A to 10C) or may have a size to not completely fill the trough (not shown in the Figures). In the latter case, said one plate 130 may be accommodated in said trough in its middle, in the left-hand half of the trough, in the right-hand half of the trough or anywhere inbetween (if it is smaller than the bottom plate 16 of the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110). In another embodiment, the plate 130 may have a size substantially identical to the size of the bottom plate 16 of the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110. In cases of two or more plates 130, these plates 130 may have a size to completely fill the trough (Figures 11A to 11C) or may have a size to not completely fill the trough (Figures 9A to 9C). Furthermore, in cases of two or more plates 130, these plates 130 may be of different size or of identical size (as in Figures 9A to 9C and Figures 11A to 11C) or may be made of the same or of different materials.

[0060] The embodiments exemplarily shown in Figures 9A to 9C have two flat plates 130, 130 of identical size having a width smaller than the width of the bottom plate 16 of the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110. Both plates 130, 130 each have - exemplarily - one handle 131 extending laterally to the respective outer sides.

[0061] In contrast, the embodiments exemplarily shown in Figures 11A to 11C have two flat plates 130, 130 of identical size having a width substantially identical to the width of the bottom plate 16 of the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110. Also in this case, both plates 130, 130 each have - exemplarily - one handle 131 extending laterally to the respective outer sides.

[0062] The embodiments exemplarily shown in Figures 10A to 10C have one flat plate 130 of a size having a length and width substantially identical to the length and width of the bottom plate 16 of the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110. In one exemplary embodiment, said plate may have two handles 131, 131 extending laterally to each of its outer sides. In the embodiment shown in Figures 10A to 10C, the plate has only one handle 131 on one of its sides and extending laterally to one of its outer sides.

[0063] In further preferred embodiments of the modular food service equipment 1 of the present invention, which preferred embodiments may be realized individually with single other features of the invention or together with two or three or four or all other features, at least one of the handles, and preferably all handles 131, extend(s) as an outer wall 131a, 131'a / as outer walls 131a, 131'a and beveling, to the outer side, by an angle β of between 2 and 15 °, relative to a line perpendicular on the upper surface of the plate 130 and passing into an outer rim 131b / into outer rims 131b, 131'b extending in a plane parallel to, and slightly above, the upper surface of the plate 130 and in a length and width allowing grasping and/or transporting said plate(s) 130.

[0064] The term "allowing grasping and/or transporting" as used in the present specification and claims in connection to the handle(s) 131 has the meaning already defined above in connection to the rim 11 of the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 1 / 110.

[0065] In further preferred embodiments of the invention, which preferred embodiments may be realized individually with single other features of the invention or together with two or three or four or all other features, the plate(s) 130 further comprises / comprise, below the lower surface of the plate 16, means 132 allowing a safe stand of the plate(s) 130 on a support, e. g. on the upper surface 16a of the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 1 / 110. Such means 132 are known to a skilled person per se from food service equipment of the prior art and may be selected from such known means by a skilled person, without being restricted to a certain selection, in accordance with the requirements of the case. Such means 132 may be separate from the means and applied only for a certain situation or opportunity or may be provided to the plate 130 for the modular food service equipment 1 of the invention in a manner integrally fixed to the plate 130 for the modular food service equipment 1 during manufacture. In even more preferred embodiments, such means 132 are made of substantially the same material as the plate(s) 130 for the modular food service equipment 1 and integrally included into the plate(s) 130 for the modular food service equipment 1. In even further preferred embodiments, such means may be provided with soft and/or flexible and/or anti-slip material parts (e. g. made from a foam material and/or a rubber-like material) so as to allow a safe stand of the plate(s) 130 without the risk of gliding, even if the support below the plate(s) 130 of the modular food service equipment 1 is inclined (e. g. during a turbulent flight). In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the means 132 are made of the same material as the plate(s) 130 for a modular food service equipment 1 itself and are integral parts thereof due to manufacture.

[0066] In further preferred embodiments of the invention, which preferred embodiments may be realized individually with single other features of the invention or together with two or three or four or all other features, the plate(s) 130 of the modular food service equipment 1 comprises/comprise at least one supporting member 132, more preferably comprises a plurality of supporting members 132', 132"", 132"', ..., below the lower surface of the plate 130 for the equipment 1. A skilled person well knows how to achieve the aim of a safe stand of the plate 130 for the modular food service equipment 1 on a supporting surface by selecting appropriately the number, shape and position(s) of such supporting members 132. As is well known, the aim will best be achieved by having a plurality of such supporting members 132, 132', 132", 132"' of identical shape applied to key positions below the lower surface of the plate 130 for the equipment's bottom plate 16.

[0067] In one even more preferred embodiments of the invention, the plate(s) 130 for said modular food service equipment 1 comprises / comprise supporting members 132', 132", 132"', 132""..., more preferably of similar or even identical size, at the corners of the lower side of the plate(s) 130 . A skilled person may also consider at least one additional supporting member 132 in the geometrical middle below such a rectangular bottom plate 16: Such a case is, for example, shown in Figures 4C, 5C, 6C, 8C, 9C, 10C and 11C. Such positioning of supporting members 132 provides the desired safe stand.

[0068] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the modular food service equipment 1 comprises supporting members 132', 132", 132"', ... extending longitudinally along longitudinal or lateral edges or in the middle of the lower side of a plate 130. Supporting members 132 extending over a longer distance on the bottom side of the modular food service equipment 1 of the invention provide a safe stand and, hence, are particularly preferred.

[0069] In still one more embodiment of the invention also securing a safe stand of the modular food service equipment 1 and of components thereof on a support, supporting members 132', 132", ... are provided at the lower surface of the plate 130, which extend at a rectangular or oval or semi-oval or circular or semi-circular pattern on the lower side of a rectangular or an oval or a circular bottom plate 16, in a manner similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 C for the rectangular bottom plate 16 described above.

[0070] Another example of a preferred embodiment of a modular food service equipment 1 of the invention comprises all features of the invention as described above in this description (and claimed in the claims and shown in the Figures) and is a rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110 described above, which is carrying at least one bowl 140 serving as a support or receptacle for serving food. Preferably, such a bowl comprises a substantially flat bottom plate 141 and front, side and back walls 142, 143, 144, 145 extending upward from said substantially flat bottom plate 141. Such embodiments are shown in Figures 4A to 4D, Figures 5A to 5D, Figures 6A to 6D, Figures 7A to 7D and Figures 8A to 8D. The rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110 may carry one such a bowl 140 (Figures 7A to 7D) or may carry two such bowls 140, 140 (Figures 4A to 4D, Figures 5A to 5D, Figures 6A to 6D) or may carry even more such bowls 140. Two or more bowls 140 may have the same or different size and may be of the same or of a different material.

[0071] In accordance with the above preferred embodiments of the invention, the one bowl or the two or three or more bowls can have any conceivable size a skilled person may select in accordance with the requirements of a specific case. In further preferred embodiments of the invention, the bowl(s) is/are rectangular bowl(s) 140, i. e. bowls having a rectangular (substantially flat) bottom plate 141 from which (substantially) rectangular front, side and back walls 142, 143, 144, 145 are extending upward. In further preferred embodiments of the invention, the bowl(s) 140, according to their bottom plates 141, may be of a square shape.

[0072] In further preferred embodiments of the invention, the bowl(s) 140, 140', 140" to be placed on the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110 described above comprise a substantially flat bottom plate 141 and side, front and back walls 142, 143, 144, 145 extending upward from the bottom plate upper surface 141a and beveling, to the outer side, by an angle γ of between 2 and 15 °, relative to a line perpendicular on the bottom plate upper surface 141a. Considering the angle γ of the walls' bevel, the bowl(s) having such a shape ideally fit onto/into the trough of the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110.

[0073] Such bowl(s) 140 may be narrow or broad, and their width may also decide how many bowls 140 are carried. In one embodiment, one bowl 140 is carried by the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110. In the embodiment shown in the Figures mentioned above, it will be recognized that the bowl(s) 140, 140 is/are accommodated in the trough formed by the tablet's bottom plate 16 and the surrounding front, side and back walls 12, 13, 14, 15. In case of one bowl 140, said bowl may be accommodated in said trough in its middle, in the left-hand half of the trough, in the right-hand half of the trough or anywhere inbetween (if it is smaller than the bottom plate 16 of the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110). In another embodiment, the one bowl 140 may have a size substantially identical to the size of the bottom plate 16 of the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110.

[0074] In the broadest sense of the present invention, the material of the bowl(s) may be selected by a skilled person from all materials conceivable to be suitable for the intended purpose of serving as a receptacle for food, and a skilled person may select such a material - without being restricted to a specific one - among all materials in accordance with the requirements of the case.

[0075] In further preferred embodiments of the modular food service equipment 1 of the present invention, which preferred embodiments may be realized individually with single other features of the invention or together with two or three or four or all other features, the material(s) of the at least one bowl 140, preferably of one or two bowl(s), may be selected from materials of the group consisting of porcelain, metal and metal alloys, plastics, natural fibres, wood, bamboo and paper, optionally coated with a suitable coating.. It is even more preferred that the bowl or bowls is/are of the same material as the rectangular tablet plate-shaped equipment piece 110.

[0076] In even more preferred embodiments of such a modular food service equipment 1, the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110 may carry at least one, preferably one or two, bowl(s) 140 of a size fitting at least onto the substantially flat bottom plate 16 between the front, side, and back walls 12, 13, 14, 15 of the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110. Even more preferred is an embodiment wherein the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110 carries two bowls 140', 140" of different or equal size fitting together at least on the substantially flat bottom plate 16 between the front, side and back walls 12, 13, 14, 15, i. e. on/into the trough, of the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110.

[0077] In further preferred embodiments of the modular food service equipment 1 of the present invention, which preferred embodiments may be realized individually with single other features of the invention or together with two or three or four or all other features, at least one of said (preferably rectangular) bowl(s) 140, 140', 140" accommodated in the trough formed by the flat bottom plate 16 between the front, side, and back walls 12, 13, 14, 15 of the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110 has a handle 147, 147', 147" extending laterally to the outer side(s) of said bowl(s) 140, 140', 140" corresponding to the side walls 13, 15 and outer rims 11', 11"' of the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110. Such embodiments are shown in Figures 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D and 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D.

[0078] One bowl 140 bearing a handle 147 may be accommodated in the trough (Figures 7A to 7D), or two bowls 140, 140' may be accommodated in the trough (Figures 8A to 8D), or more than two bowls 140, 140' may be accommodated in the trough (not shown in the Figures). In cases of one bowl 140, such one bowl 140 may have a size to completely fill the trough (Figures 7A to 7D) or may have a size to not completely fill the trough (not shown in the Figures). In the latter case, said one bowl 140 may be accommodated in said trough in its middle, in the left-hand half of the trough, in the right-hand half of the trough or anywhere inbetween (if it is smaller than the bottom plate 16 of the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110). In another embodiment, the bowl 140 may have a size substantially identical to the size of the bottom plate 16 of the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110. In cases of two or more bowls 140, 140', these bowls 140, 140' may have a size to completely fill the trough (Figures 8A to 8D) or may have a size to not completely fill the trough. Furthermore, in cases of two or more bowls 140, 140', these bowls 140, 140' may be of different size or of identical size (as in Figures 8A to 8D) or may be made of the same or of different materials.

[0079] The embodiment exemplarily shown in Figures 5A to 5D has one bowl 140 having a length and width smaller than the length and width of the bottom plate 16 of the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110. As shown in Figure 5A specifically, said bowl 140 comprises a substantially flat bottom plate 141 and side, front and back walls 142, 143, 144, 145 extending upward from the bottom plate upper surface 141a and beveling, to the outer side, by an angle γ of between 2 and 15 °, relative to a line perpendicular on the bottom plate upper surface 141a.

[0080] In contrast, the embodiment exemplarily shown in Figures 6A to 6D has one bowl 140 having a length smaller than the length of the bottom plate 16 and having a width identical to the width of the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110. As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, said bowl 140 is arranged almost in the middle of the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110, which example is not restricting the invention: The bowl 140 may be arranged also at any other conceivable place on the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110. As shown in Figure 6A specifically, said bowl 140 comprises a substantially flat bottom plate 141 and side, front and back walls 142, 143, 144, 145 extending upward from the bottom plate upper surface 141a and beveling, to the outer side, by an angle γ of between 2 and 15 °, relative to a line perpendicular on the bottom plate upper surface 141a.

[0081] The embodiment exemplarily shown in Figures 7A to 7D has one bowl 140 having a length and width identical to the length and width of the bottom plate 16 of the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110. As shown in Figure 7A specifically, said bowl 140 comprises a substantially flat bottom plate 141 and side, front and back walls 142, 143, 144, 145 extending upward from the bottom plate upper surface 141a and beveling, to the outer side, by an angle γ of between 2 and 15 °, relative to a line perpendicular on the bottom plate upper surface 141a.

[0082] The embodiment exemplarily shown in Figures 8A to 78D has two bowls 140, 140' having a width identical to the width of the bottom plate 16 of the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110. Both bowls together have a length identical to the length of the bottom plate 16 of the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110. As shown in Figure 8A specifically, said bowls 140, 140' each comprise a substantially flat bottom plate 141 and side, front and back walls 142, 143, 144, 145 extending upward from the bottom plate upper surface 141a and beveling, to the outer side, by an angle γ of between 2 and 15 ° , relative to a line perpendicular on the bottom plate upper surface 141a.

[0083] In further preferred embodiments of the modular food service equipment 1 of the present invention, which preferred embodiments may be realized individually with single other features of the invention or together with two or three or four or all other features and which are specifically shown in Figures 5A, 5C, 5D, 6A, 6C, 6D, 7A, 7C, 7D, 8A, 8C, 8D, at least one of said (preferably rectangular) bowl(s) 140, 140', 140", preferably all bowls 140, 140', 140", further comprises/comprise, below the lower surface of the substantially flat bottom plate(s) 141, means 146 allowing a safe stand of the substantially flat bottom plate(s) 141 of the bowl(s) 140, 140' on a support, e. g. on the upper surface 16a of the rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 1 / 110. Such means 146 are known to a skilled person per se from food service equipment of the prior art and may be selected from such known means by a skilled person, without being restricted to a certain selection, in accordance with the requirements of the case.

[0084] Such means 146 may be separate from the means and applied only for a certain situation or opportunity or may be provided to the bottom plate 141 for the modular food service equipment 1 of the invention in a manner integrally fixed to the plate 141 for the modular food service equipment 1 during manufacture. In even more preferred embodiments, such means 146 are made of substantially the same material as the bottom plate(s) 141 for the modular food service equipment 1 and integrally included into the bottom plate(s) 141 for the modular food service equipment 1. In even further preferred embodiments, such means may be provided with soft and/or flexible and/or anti-slip material parts (e. g. made from a foam material and/or a rubber-like material) so as to allow a safe stand of the bottom plate(s) 141 of the bowl(s) 140 without the risk of gliding, even if the support below the bottom plate(s) 16 of the modular food service equipment 1 is/are inclined (e. g. during a turbulent flight).

[0085] In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the means 146 are made of the same material as the bowl(s) 140, 140' and, hence, of the bottom plate(s) 141 for a modular food service equipment 1 itself and are integral parts thereof due to manufacture.

[0086] In further preferred embodiments of the invention, which preferred embodiments may be realized individually with single other features of the invention or together with two or three or four or all other features, the bottom plate(s) 141 of the bowl(s) 140, 140' of the modular food service equipment 1 comprises/comprise at least one supporting member 146, more preferably comprise(s) a plurality of supporting members 146', 146"", 146"', ..., below the lower surface of the plate 141 of the bowl(s) 140, 140' for the equipment 1. A skilled person well knows how to achieve the aim of a safe stand of the plate(s) 141 of the bowl(s) 140, 140' for the modular food service equipment 1 on a supporting surface by selecting appropriately the number, shape and position(s) of such supporting members 146. As is well known, the aim will best be achieved by having a plurality of such supporting members 146, 146', 146", 146"' of identical shape applied to key positions below the lower surface of the plate 141 of the bowl(s) 140, 140'.

[0087] In one even more preferred embodiments of the invention, the plate(s) 141 of the bowl(s) 140, 140' for said modular food service equipment 1 comprises / comprise supporting members 146', 146", 146"', 146""..., more preferably of similar or even identical size, at the corners of the lower side of the plate(s) 141 of the bowl(s) 140, 140'. A skilled person may also consider at least one additional supporting member 146 in the geometrical middle below such a rectangular bottom plate 141: Such a case is, for example, shown in Figures 5A, 5C, 5D, 6A, 6C, 6D, 7A, 7C, 7D, 8A, 8C, 8D. Such positioning of supporting members 146 provides the desired safe stand.

[0088] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the bottom plate(s) 141 of the bowl(s) 140, 140' of the modular food service equipment 1 comprises/comprise supporting members 146', 146", 146"', ... extending longitudinally along longitudinal or lateral edges or in the middle of the lower side of the bottom plate(s) 141. Supporting members 146 extending over a longer distance on the bottom side of the modular food service equipment 1 of the invention provide a safe stand and, hence, are particularly preferred and are exemplarily shown in Figures 7A, 7C and 7D.

[0089] In still one more embodiment of the invention also securing a safe stand of bowl(s) 140, 140' of the modular food service equipment 1 and of components thereof on a support, supporting members 146', 146", ... are provided at the lower surface of the plate(s) 141 of the bowl(s) 140, 140', which extend at a rectangular or oval or semi-oval or circular or semi-circular pattern on the lower side of a rectangular or an oval or a circular bottom plate 141, in a manner similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 C for the rectangular bottom plate 16 described above.

[0090] In further preferred embodiments of the invention, which preferred embodiments may be realized individually with single other features of the invention or together with two or three or four or all other features, it is also possible that the modular food service equipment 1 and is a rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110 described above, which is carrying at least one bowl 140 serving as a support or receptacle for serving food and is carrying one plate 130 serving as a support for serving food.

[0091] For the latter embodiment, all the features described above for the combination rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110 and the plate 130 and the combination rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece 110 and the bowl 140 may be realized, e. g. handle, support members etc., and, hence, are not again described for such a combination again. Reference is, in this respect, made to the above detailed description.

[0092] The invention was in detail explained in the above description and shown in the accompanying Figures broadly and exemplarily for a better understanding. It is, however, understood that the description of preferred embodiments, and the reference to the Figures showing such preferred embodiments is not to be construed to restrict the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims which follow.

Claims

1. A modular food service equipment (1), comprising

- a substantially flat bottom plate (16) extending in a longitudinal (L) and width (W) direction;

- side, front and back walls (12, 13, 14, 15) extending upward from the bottom plate upper surface (16a) and beveling, to the outer side, by an angle α of between 5 and 25 °, relative to a line perpendicular on the bottom plate upper surface (16a);

- said side, front and back walls (12, 13, 14, 15) passing into outer rims (11, 11', 11", 11"') extending in a plane parallel to, and slightly above, the bottom plate upper surface (16a) and in a length and width allowing grasping and/or transporting the modular food service equipment (1).

2. The modular food service equipment (1) as claimed in claim 1, which has an overall rectangular, oval or round shape, preferably which has an overall rectangular shape.

3. The modular food service equipment (1) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising, below the bottom plate lower surface (16b), means (17) allowing a safe stand of the equipment (1) on a support, preferably comprising at least one supporting member (17), more preferably comprising a plurality of supporting members (17', 17", 17"', ...), even more preferably comprising supporting members (17', 17", 17"', 17""...) at the corners of the lower side of a rectangular bottom plate (16) or comprising supporting members (17', 17", 17"', ...) extending longitudinally along longitudinal or lateral edges or in the middle of the lower side of a rectangular bottom plate (16) or comprising supporting members (17', 17", ...) extending at a rectangular or oval or semi-oval or circular or semi-circular pattern on the lower side of a rectangular or an oval or a circular bottom plate (16).

4. The modular food service equipment (1) as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the side, front and back walls (12, 13, 14, 15) extend upward from the bottom plate upper surface (16a) at a beveling angle α of between 5 and 20 ° to the outer side, relative to a line perpendicular on the bottom plate upper surface (16a).

5. The modular food service equipment (1) as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the outer rim (11) has a width, from the outer edge to the side wall edges (12a, 13a, 14a, 15a) of between 10 and 40 mm, preferably between 15 and 35 mm, more preferably wherein the rim (11) has a larger width at the front and back sides (11a, 11c) than at the left and right sides (11b, 11d).

6. The modular food service equipment (1) as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein a height, along a line perpendicular on the bottom plate upper surface (16a), is between 2 and 15 mm, preferably between 5 and 10 mm, and/or wherein the height of the supporting members, along a line perpendicular below the bottom plate lower surface (16b), is between 1 and 5 mm, preferably between 2 and 4 mm.

7. The modular food service equipment (1) as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 6, made of a material selected from the group consisting of porcelain, metal and metal alloys, plastics, natural fibres, wood, bamboo and paper, optionally coated with a suitable coating.

8. The modular food service equipment (1) as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 7, which is a rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece (110) or which is an oval or circular tablet plate-shape equipment piece (120).

9. The modular food service equipment (1) as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 8, which is a rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece (110) carrying at least one plate (130) of a material serving as a support for serving food, preferably carrying at least one plate (130) made of a material selected from the group consisting of porcelain, slate, plastics, natural fibres, wood, bamboo and paper, more preferably carrying at least one rectangular plate (130) of a size fitting at least on the substantially flat bottom plate (16) between the side, front and back walls (12, 13, 14, 15), even more preferably carrying two rectangular plates (130', 130") of different or equal size fitting together at least on the substantially flat bottom plate (16) between the side, front and back walls (12, 13, 14, 15).

10. The modular food service equipment (1) as claimed in claim 9, wherein at least one of said plate(s) (130, 130', 130") has a handle (131, 131', 131") extending laterally to the outer side of said plate (130, 130', 130") corresponding to the side walls (13, 15) and outer rims (11', 11"'), preferably extending as an outer wall (131a, 131'a) beveling, to the outer side, by an angle β of between 2 and 15 °, relative to a line perpendicular on the upper surface of the plate (130) and passing into outer rims (131b, 131'b) extending in a plane parallel to, and slightly above, the upper surface of the plate (130) and in a length and width allowing grasping and/or transporting said plate(s) (130).

11. The modular food service equipment (1) as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the plate(s) (130) comprise, below the lower surface of the plate (130), means (132) allowing a safe stand of the plate (130) on said rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece (110), preferably comprise at least one supporting member (132), more preferably comprise a plurality of supporting members (132', 132", 132"', ...), even more preferably comprise supporting members (132', 132", 132"', 132""...) at the corners of the lower surface of said plate(s) (130) or comprise supporting members (132', 132", 132"', ...) extending longitudinally along longitudinal or lateral edges or in the middle of the lower surface of said plate(s) (130) or comprise supporting members (132', 132", ...) extending at a rectangular or oval or semi-oval or circular or semi-circular pattern on the lower surface of said plate(s) (130).

12. The modular food service equipment (1) as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 8, which is a rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece (110) carrying at least one bowl (140) for serving food, preferably carrying one bowl (140) made of a material selected from the group consisting of porcelain, plastics, natural fibres, wood, bamboo and paper, more preferably carrying at least one rectangular bowl (140) of a size fitting at least on the substantially flat bottom plate (16) between the side, front and back walls (12, 13, 14, 15), even more preferably carrying two rectangular bowls (140', 140") of different or equal size and fitting together at least on the substantially flat bottom plate (16) between the side, front and back walls (12, 13, 14, 15).

13. The modular food service equipment (1) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the rectangular bowl/bowls (140, 140', 140") comprise a substantially flat bottom plate (141) and side, front and back walls (142, 143, 144, 145) extending upward from the bottom plate upper surface (141a) and beveling, to the outer side, by an angle γ of between 2 and 15 °, relative to a line perpendicular on the bottom plate upper surface (141a); and optionally, below the bottom plate lower surface (141b), means (146) allowing a safe stand of the bowl(s) (140, 140', 140") on said rectangular tablet plate-shape equipment piece (110), preferably comprising at least one supporting member (146), more preferably comprising a plurality of supporting members (146', 146", 146"', ...), even more preferably comprising four or five or six or seven supporting members (146', 146", 146"', 146""...) at the corners and, optionally, at an imaginary crossing point between the corners of the lower side of said rectangular bottom plate (141).

Drawing