Food And Beverage Serving Tray Having Automatic Latching Sides

Abstract

An expandable tray having a primary layer and a secondary layer having a substantially parallel configuration. The primary layer is configured to be moved in a direction of a third layer to orient the third layer and a support structure at approximately 90 degrees in relation to the secondary layer. The primary layer and the secondary layer have sidewalls forming a latching structure configured to interconnect the sidewalls, thereby orienting the tray in an expanded configuration between the primary layer and the secondary layer. A portion of the primary layer is foldable along a hinge point located within an opening thereon the primary layer, forming a support structure. A mounting surface is connected to a portion of the support structure. The mounting surface is connected to a portion of the secondary layer with an attaching element. A removable portion is connected to the mounting surface.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . An expandable tray, comprising:
 a first layer located opposite a second layer;   a third layer, said third layer having a first end connected to said first layer forming a first hinge, said third layer having a second end located opposite said first end, whereby, said second end of said third layer connected to said second layer forming a second hinge;   a support structure, said support structure having a first hinge connected to said first layer, said support structure connected to a second hinge, said second hinge of said support structure connected to a mounting surface, said mounting surface connected to said second layer;   said first layer having at least one opening, whereby, a portion of said support structure connecting to a portion of a border of said at least one opening;   said first layer and said second layer having a substantially parallel configuration, whereby, said first layer is configured to be moved in a direction of said first hinge of said third layer and said second hinge of said third layer, whereby, orienting said third layer and said support structure at approximately 90 degrees in relation to said second layer, whereby, said tray having an expanded configuration between said first layer and said second layer;   said first layer having a first sidewall located opposite a second sidewall;   said second layer having a first sidewall located opposite a second sidewall;   a portion of said first sidewall of said first layer forming a first end of a first latch; and,   a portion of said first sidewall of said second layer forming a second end of said first latch, whereby, said first end of said first latch and said second end of said first latch interconnect.   
     
     
         2 . The expandable tray of  claim 1 , wherein at least one layer having a surface thereon that allows for an image. 
     
     
         3 . The expandable tray of  claim 1 , wherein at least one layer having a surface thereon that allows for text. 
     
     
         4 . The expandable tray of  claim 1 , wherein said first layer having a second opening. 
     
     
         5 . The expandable tray of  claim 4 , wherein said second opening having a plurality of reliefs radiating from its circumference, said reliefs configured to conform to a cup, whereby, said reliefs securing said cup. 
     
     
         6 . The expandable tray of  claim 1 , wherein said mounting surface having a removable portion, whereby, said removable portion having a perforated end connected to said mounting surface, whereby, said mounting surface having at least one surface configured to display an image. 
     
     
         7 . The expandable tray of  claim 1 , further comprising a portion of said second sidewall of said first layer forming a first end of a second latch, a portion of said second sidewall of said second layer forming a second end of said second latch, whereby, said first end of said second latch and said second end of said second latch interconnect.