Drip Tray With Interlock Feature

Abstract

The improved drip tray includes a perimeter wall with at least one slotted opening for snugly receiving an interlock tab. The tab may have a surface for written marking with a dry-erase or other marking instrument, or may accept an identification label to provide identification for the user or use of a particular drip tray in which it is received. The tab is also sized such that a plurality of drip trays may be stacked thereon for convenient and efficient retention and storage regardless of the dimensions of the stacked drip trays.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A device, the device comprising:
 a polymer drip tray having a perimeter wall defining a central well capable of retention of a volume of liquid therein, the drip tray perimeter wall including at least one slotted opening for receiving an interlock tab.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the interlock tab maintains a stacked orientation of a plurality of polymer drip trays. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the interlock tab includes a surface for application of an identification label. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the interlock tab includes a visible surface for marking. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , the device further comprising:
 a raised pattern on the bottom surface of the central well for decreasing slippage of the device relative to a surface upon which the device rests.   
     
     
         6 . A system, the system comprising:
 a plurality of polymer drip trays, each tray having a perimeter wall defining a central well capable of retention of a volume of liquid therein, each drip tray including at least one corresponding slotted opening in the perimeter wall for receiving an interlock tab.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the interlock tab maintains a stacked orientation of the plurality of drip trays. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the interlock tab includes a surface for application of an identification label. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the interlock tab includes a visible surface for marking. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 5 , the system further comprising:
 a plurality of interlock tabs, wherein each drip tray includes a matching number of corresponding slotted openings in the perimeter wall for receiving the interlock tabs.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 5 , the system further comprising:
 a raised pattern on the bottom surface of the central well for decreasing slippage of the device relative to a surface upon which the device rests.