COMBINATION ASSEMBLY SET OF DISPOSABLE UTENSILS AND DISHES

Abstract

Combination assembly set of disposable dishware, which includes a dinner plate and a side plate, with the side plate being suspended below the dinner plate via an extendable set connector. The assembled set of disposable dishware allows for one-handed transportation of multiple dishes of food to a seating position. A set connector which allows for the detachable assembly of a combination assembly set as outlined is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A dinnerware assembly set optimized for carriage, said assembly set comprising: a. a dinner plate; b. a side plate; and c. a set connector comprising a support disc of a diameter approximating the diameter of the side plate and having a plurality of extendible connectors extending from the perimeter thereof, each connector having a releasable connector at the distal end thereof for attachment to an outer edge of the dinner plate; wherein the assembled assembly set comprises the side plate being placed on top of the support disc, the dinner plate placed on top of the side plate, and each of the releasable connectors being attached to the outer edge of the dinner plate whereby upon lifting the dinner plate the extendible connectors allow the side plate to be suspended below the dinner plate permitting the dual-layered transport of items on the dinner plate and the side plate to a disassembly location, where the side plate can be slidably removed from the support disc; and the dinner plate can be placed on a surface directly on top of the support disc.

2. The dinnerware assembly set of claim 1 wherein the set connector can be removed from the dinner plate by releasing the releasable connectors, when the dinner plate is set down on the surface at the disassembly location.

3. The dinnerware assembly set of claim 1 further comprising a utensil sleeve attached to the bottom of the dinner plate permitting the carriage of dining utensils to the disassembly location.

4. The dinnerware assembly set of claim 3 further comprising dining utensils within the utensil sleeve.

5. The dinnerware assembly set of claim 1 wherein the support disc is circular.

6. The dinnerware assembly set of claim 1 wherein the support disc is noncircular.

7. The dinnerware assembly set of claim 1 wherein the extendible connectors will lengthen as the load on the side plate is increased.

8. The dinnerware assembly set of claim 7 wherein the extendible connectors are springs.

9. The dinnerware assembly set of claim 1 wherein the extendible connectors are manually extendible by the user of the assembly set.

10. A set connector for use with a carriage-optimized dinnerware assembly set, said set connector comprising a support disc of a diameter approximating the diameter of a side plate and having a plurality of extendible connectors extending from the perimeter thereof, each connector having a releasable connector at the distal end thereof for attachment to an outer edge of a dinner plate, wherein the set connector is used by attaching each of the releasable connectors to the outer edge of the dinner plate, the support disc then providing a support surface for the side plate which can be placed thereon whereby upon lifting the dinner plate the extendible connectors allow the side plate to be suspended below the dinner plate permitting the dual-layered transport of items on the dinner plate and the side plate to a disassembly location, where the side plate can be slidably removed from the support disc; and the dinner plate can be placed on a surface directly on top of the support disc.

11. The set connector of claim 10 wherein the set connector can be removed from the dinner plate by releasing the releasable connectors when the dinner plate is set down on the surface at the disassembly location.

12. The set connector of claim 10 wherein the support disc is circular.

13. The set connector of claim 10 wherein the support disc is noncircular.

14. The set connector of claim 10 wherein the extendible connectors will lengthen as the load on the side plate is increased.

15. The set connector of claim 10 wherein the extendible connectors are springs.

16. The set connector of claim 10 wherein the extendible connectors are manually extendible by the user of the assembly set.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof, preferred embodiments are provided in the accompanying detailed description which may be best understood with the diagrams where like parts in each of the several diagrams are labeled with like numerals, and where:

[0031] FIG. 1 is a view of the dinnerware components of a dinnerware assembly set in accordance with the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a set connector in accordance with the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 2;

[0034] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the assembly set of the present invention, showing the extension of the connectors and the loaded transport position of the set;

[0035] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 4, demonstrating the utensil sleeve attached to the bottom of the dinner plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] The present invention provides a novel dinnerware assembly set that permits a user to carry multiple plates at a time, allowing for separation of food items, ease of carrying, and obviating the need to carry cutlery and napkins, or make multiple trips to a serving area.

[0037] FIG. 1 is a view of the dinnerware components of some embodiments of the dinnerware assembly set in accordance with the present invention. The dinnerware assembly set effectively comprises the pieces of dinnerware which would be required for a self-service buffet lineup meal or the like, typically comprising a dinner plate 1, side plate 2, and eating utensils 3. It is the object of the present invention to provide, by use of a set connector 4 in accordance with the present invention a means of consolidated carriage and transport of all of the components of the dinnerware assembly set to a seating or disassembly position for someone to eat their meal once they are served from the kitchen or buffet area. It will be understood to those skilled in the art that the overall concept of the present invention could be modified to accommodate a dinnerware assembly set that comprised different dinnerware pieces—for example instead of the side plate 2, a bowl or the like could be used with attendant modifications to the length of the extendable connectors of the set connector 4 and the like. All such accommodations and modifications will be understood to be within the scope of the claimed invention. Referring next to the FIGS. 2 and 3 there is shown one embodiment of a set connector 4 in accordance with the present invention. The set connector 4 is used to assemble the completed dinnerware assembly set 5 of the present invention. The set connector 4 comprises a support disc 6 with a plurality of extendable connectors 7 extending around the perimeter 8 thereof.

[0038] The extendable connectors 7 as shown comprise spring coil portions, manufactured of metal, plastic or whatever other type of material is desired for the particular embodiment or purpose. Each extendable connector 7 comprises a releasable connector 9 at the distal end 10 thereof. The releasable connector 9 in some embodiments could be a releasable clip, in other embodiments it could comprise some other type of a hook or latch which could be attached to the outer perimeter of a dinner plate. Any type of a releasable connector 9 which has the ability to attach the set connector 4 to a dinner plate will be understood to be within the scope of the present invention.

[0039] In the embodiment shown in this Figure there are a total of three extendable connectors 7 shown. The number of extendable connectors 7 could vary on the size and configuration of the embodiment and a set connector 4 with any number of extendable connectors 7 in the plurality thereof will be understood to be within the scope of the present invention.

[0040] The specific points of attachment of the extendable connectors 7 around the perimeter 8 of the support disc 6 will also be understood to be capable of variance depending upon the desired operation of the set connector 4. Specifically, the plurality of extendable connectors 7 could be equidistantly spaced around the perimeter 8 of the support disc 6 or in other embodiments could be positioned such that there was a wider space between two adjacent extendable connectors 7 and their points of attachment to the perimeter 8 of the support disc 6 to provide a wider area for the slide in or slide out of the side plate onto or off of the support disc 6. Equal or not equal spacing of the attachment of the extendable connectors 7 around the perimeter 8 of the support disc 6 will all be understood to be within the scope of the present invention.

[0041] The extendable connectors shown are only one type of an extendable connector which could be used and any type of an extendable connector which would achieve the same objective is contemplated within the scope hereof. The extendable connectors could automatically extend on picking up the dinner plate (similar to a spring), or in other cases might comprise an attachment or extender could be manually extended by the user.

[0042] As outlined in other points in the specification, the extendable connectors 7 rather than being the coil springs as shown could be manually extendable arms or hinges although the extendable connectors 7 being configured as “automatic” coil springs or the like will be understood to be the more likely desired approach, but both such approaches are contemplated to be within the scope of the invention is designed and claimed.

[0043] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

[0044] The extendable connectors 7 are shown with releasable connectors 9 being clips in these embodiments although other types of releasable connectors 9 as outlined are also contemplated.

[0045] The support disc 6 as shown is a planar ring with a hollow center, capable of supporting a side plate and being manufactured of the smallest amount of material. The support disc 6 could also be a solid disc, without the open Centre and would still be within the scope of the intended claim coverage. Similarly, the outer shape of the support disc 6 may or may not be circular—there could be other embodiments of the support disc 6 which had different outer shapes—for example a support disc 6 with a plurality of extendable connectors 7 in the number of three might be triangular with each extendable connector 7 being attached at a point of the triangle. Any shape of the support disc which had the effect of providing the appropriate points of attachment for the extendable connectors 7 and the appropriate support surface for a side plate in the assembly of the assembled dinnerware assembly set will all be understood to be within the scope of the present invention.

[0046] The set connector 4 of the present invention can be used to assemble a completed dinnerware assembly set 5 as otherwise outlined herein using various components of the dinnerware set shown in FIG. 1. It will also specifically be understood that the necessary adjustments could be made to the shape and strength of various components of the set connector 4, including the strength of the support disc 6 as well as the spring characteristics or load behavior of the extendable connectors 7. Again, the modifications necessitated by adjustments to accommodate different types of dishware in the completed dinnerware assembly set will all be understood to be within the scope of the present invention.

[0047] Referring next to FIGS. 4 and 5 there is shown one embodiment of a dinnerware assembly set 5 in accordance with the present invention which comprises a dinner plate 1, a side plate 2, and dining utensils 3, along with a set connector 4 and a utensils sleeve 10 attached to the bottom of the dinner plate 1.

[0048] The side plate 2 is removably secured below the dinner plate 1 by the set connector 4 which in this case comprises a plurality of three extendable connectors 7 attached to the support disc 6. The support disc 6 provides a planar surface for the support of the side plate 2.

[0049] In the embodiment of these Figures, the extendable connectors 7 each have a releasable clip mechanism 9 shown at their distal end 8 which allow for the lockable attachment and release of the set connector 4 from the outer edge of the dinner plate 1. It will be understood that the use of a clip as the attachment means for the extendable connectors 7 is a variant which is contemplated within the scope of the present invention, although a fixed hook or latch without the need for a lock, or any other type of an attachment mechanism for the extendable connectors or their substituted replacement will be understood to those skilled in the art and are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.

[0050] As the dinner plate 1 is picked up, the side plate 2 will hang below it, supported by the support disc 6 while the extendable connectors 7 expand. This will create a space between the two plates 1, 2 and will allow for the user to place items on the side plate 2 as it is suspended beneath the dinner plate 1. In this way, a user can use one hand to hold two plates, thus freeing up the other hand for making food selections and carrying a beverage, dessert or some other item.

[0051] The length of the extendable connectors 7 will lengthen according to the weight of the food put on the smaller plate 2. Sufficient spacing between the underside of the main dinner plate 1 and the side plate 2 suspended beneath it enable a user to place food items such as are typically placed on side plates, for example, salads, bread products, desserts and the like. By using the bottom plate for butter, melting into the hot food is avoided.

[0052] Conveniently, the side plate 2 can be slid out from the dinner plate 1 once the user arrives at their seating place, being the disassembly location. As the dinner plate 1 is set down, the extendable connectors 7 and support disc 6 will return to the underside of the dinner plate 1 allowing for the dinner plate 1 to be sturdy on the table. In this way the components can be arranged on a table in a traditional place setting fashion. This would particularly be the case where the extendable connectors or extenders used were automatically retracting.

[0053] Eating utensils, a napkin, toothpick and even salt and pepper packages are also attached to the underside of the dinner plate 1 in a detachable sleeve 10 so they can be carried without the need for an additional hand. The use of a utensil sleeve 10 to incorporate utensils to the assembly set 5 is contemplated within the scope hereof in varied embodiments. The assembly set 5 comprising only the plates 1 and 2 and set connector 4 is understood to be within the scope hereof, along with the alternate embodiments incorporating a utensil sleeve 10 and utensils 3. Both such approaches are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.

[0054] In terms of packaging, the dinner plate, side plate, and utensils can conveniently be provided in a single package. In some embodiments a separate plastic or paper sleeve can be included to contain a napkin and utensils. In some embodiments this sleeve can be attached to the underside of the plate package using adhesive strips or other means to reversibly stick the package containing utensils to the packaging in which the plate assembly is placed.

[0055] The number of extendable connectors 7 used to extend upwards from the support disc 6 could also vary without depending on the embodiment and any number of extendable connectors 7 are contemplated within the scope of the present invention. Also, the extendable connectors 7 could be positioned equidistantly around the outer circumference of the support disc 6, or could in certain embodiments not be evenly spaced around the circumference of the support element in a way that a larger manual access area to place items on the side plate when the assembly set is in the extended carrying position are both contemplated within the scope hereof.

[0056] The extendable connectors 7 could also be permanently or removably attached to the support disc 6 used to support the side plate in the assembly set 5. Both a permanently attached set of extendable connectors 7, in conjunction with the support disc 6, or a removeable set of extendable connectors 7 in conjunction with the support disc 6 are contemplated within the scope hereof.

[0057] In certain cases the extendable connectors 7 could also be directly attached to the circumference of the side plate 2 with a second set of latching or locking attachments, although this is likely not the preferred approach insofar as this would require the removal of those attachments from the side plate when loaded to set down and use the assembly set.

[0058] A variety of materials can be used to fashion the components of the assembly set described herein, including paper, cardboard, plastics, metal foils, and combinations thereof. The specific materials used in constructing the components of the assembly set described herein, are not considered limiting to the scope of the invention. Those of skill in the art will readily recognize and be able to select materials and components that will accomplish the objectives of the invention. It should also be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the scope of the appended claims. In interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. The terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps not expressly referenced.