Tray table trays
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorPawel Kajak
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Trays for tray tables that prevent liquid spilled on a top surface of the trays from spreading over edges of the trays. A casing having a top surface with at least one aperture through the top surface, a receptacle within the casing positioned below the aperture in the top surface configured to receive an absorbent pad that can be removably positioned in the receptacle below the aperture to be in communication with the top surface of the tray. Spilled liquids can be guided toward the aperture in the top surface and absorbed in the absorbent pad within the casing. The absorbent pad may be a superabsorbent material. The top surface can have a superhydrophobic coating.
Claims20
A tray for a tray table that is pivotably attached to a seatback and movable between a stowed position and a generally horizontal usable position, the tray comprising:
- a casing having a top surface with at least one aperture through the top surface, a bottom surface, and side surfaces surrounding the casing and connecting the top surface to the bottom surface, the top surface of the casing providing a usable table surface when the tray table is moved into the generally horizontal usable position;
- a receptacle within the casing positioned below the aperture in the top surface of the casing;
- and
- an absorbent pad positioned within the receptacle below the aperture and in communication with the top surface through the aperture in the top surface of the casing;
- and
- an opening through one of the side surfaces of the casing that permits insertion and removal of the absorbent pad into and out of the receptacle through the opening.
method for making a tray for a tray table that is pivotably attached to a seatback and movable between a stowed position and a generally horizontal usable position, the method comprising the step of:
- forming a casing having a receptacle within the casing, a top surface with at least one aperture through the top surface in communication with the receptacle, a bottom surface, side surfaces surrounding the casing and connecting the top surface to the bottom surface, and an opening through one of the side surfaces that permits insertion and removal of an absorbent pad, the top surface providing a usable table surface when the tray is moved into the generally horizontal usable position;
- and
- inserting the absorbent pad through the opening in one of the side surfaces of the casing and positioning the absorbent pad within the receptacle below the aperture to be in communication with the top surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.