PLATE/DINNERWARE WITH TWIST FITTING

Abstract

A plate having a top surface, a bottom surface, and an indentation configured to detachably and securely receive and/or engage an implement having a lip or raised rim, such as a beverage cup, is disclosed. The indentation may comprise a threaded configuration, or a series of grooves, suitable for engaging an implement having a lip or rim, such as beverage cup. The indentation may be a raised indentation or a recessed indentation, and may be closed or open to the top of the plate. The plate may also include at least one or more slits therein, the slits being capable of receiving therein an eating implement, such as a spoon, fork or knife. Engaging a drinking implement having a lip and/or rim with the indentation at the bottom surface of the plate accommodates the secure attachment of the drinking implement to the plate, permitting the user to accommodate the plate and a beverage implement (cup) securely, and with one hand.

Claims

1. A plate having a top surface and a bottom surface, the plate comprising: an indentation located at the bottom surface of the plate, said indentation having an interior that comprises a threaded configuration, said interior of the threaded configuration gradually decreasing in perimeter so as to accommodate implements of varying circumference, wherein the implement may be twisted into the threaded configuration to form a detachable connection of the implement to the plate.

2. The plate of claim 1, wherein the implement comprises a lip or rim.

3. The plate of claim 2, wherein the plate is a plastic plate or a paper plate.

4. The plate of claim 3, wherein the plate comprises smooth edges and is stackable.

5. The plate of claim 1 comprising at least one slot capable of receiving an eating implement there through.

6. The plate of claim 5 wherein the eating implement is a spoon, fork, knife or other eating implement.

7. The plate of claim 1 wherein the plate comprises an opening at the indentation.

8. The plate of claim 1 wherein the plate does not comprise an opening at the indentation.

9. The plate of claim 1 wherein the indentation comprises a circular indentation, said circular indentation having an interior suitable for engaging an implement having a circumference of about 3 inches, about 3⅜.sup.th inches, and about 3⅞.sup.th inches.

10. The plate of claim 1 wherein the indentation is a raised indentation projecting from the top surface of the plate.

11. The plate of claim 10 wherein the raised indentation comprises a threaded configuration and an opening accessible from the bottom of the plate through which a lip of a cup may be engaged with the raised indentation and secured to the bottom of the plate.

12. The plate of claim 10 wherein the plate is stackable.

13. The plate of claim 1 wherein the indentation is a recessed indentation extending from the bottom surface of the plate.

14. The plate of claim 13 wherein the recessed indentation comprises a threaded configuration and an opening accessible from the bottom of the plate through which a lip of a cup may be engaged with the recessed indentation and secured to the bottom of the plate.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0017] FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of a top view of a plate in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. An elevated indentation (104) at the center of the plate is shown, that provides for the attachment (screw-in) of a cup to the plate. Two slits (114) are shown for cutlery.

[0018] FIG. 2 depicts a pictorial representation of a bottom view of the plate of FIG. 1 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The bottom (210) of a cup that has been screwed into the elevated indentation in the plate.

[0019] FIG. 3 depicts a pictorial representation of the plate (100) showing a cup (300) screwed into the bottom (202) of the plate. A recessed indentation (208) having a threaded region positioned at the center bottom of the plate is shown, where the lip (302) of the cup (300) has been attached (screwed into) to the bottom (202) of the plate. The bottom (310) of the cup (300) is shown.

[0020] FIG. 4 depicts a top perspective of the plate (100) having a cup (300) with a lip (302) screwed into the recessed indentation (104) at the bottom surface (102) of the plate is depicted in FIG. 3. The raised edge (112) of the plate is shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. For purposes of clarity in illustrating the characteristics of the present invention, proportional relationships of the elements have not necessarily been maintained in the drawing figures.

[0022] The following detailed description of the invention references specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The present invention is defined by the appended claims and the description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense and shall not limit the scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

[0023] In the present disclosure, a method and apparatus are described of a uniquely configured piece of dinnerware capable of providing for the stable handling of the plate when containing food or other items, and a cup of desired sized containing a beverage or other item.

[0024] With reference now to the figures and, in particular, with reference to FIG. 1, a pictorial representation of a top view of a uniquely configured plate 100 is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The plate 100 includes a conventionally shaped beverage cup stably mounted to the bottom (102) of the plate, screwed within a raised indentation (104) of the plate at the center of the plate. In some embodiments, the diameter of the top of the cup may be greater than the diameter of the bottom of the cup. By way of example, the cup may be configured so as to accommodate any number of items, such as a liquid beverage, a condiment (ketchup, sauces, etc.), or a food item that one wishes to prevent contact with any other food item (chips, French fries, a colder or warmer food item).

[0025] The uniquely configured plate 100 may also include a flat space holding area 102, such as to be suitable for holding a food item (appetizers, etc). Between the holding area 102 and the indented center area 104 intended to accommodate the cup 110, slits 114 may be included. The indented area may appear as an elevated raised area 104 when seen from a top view of the plate 100. The raised area has a decreasing circumference defined at one circumference by a wall 104 and a top area 106. The top area 106 is fashioned to receive the lip and/or rim of a cup, so as to receive in a screw-like fashion the lip and/or rim of the cup at a point midway between the bottom and the top edge of the cup 100. In addition, the plate 100 may have a raised border or lip 212. The plate my also include slit area(s) 114. The 114 slit area will be able to accommodate an eating utensil into the plate, such that the handle of the utensil will hang down through the bottom of the plate 100.

[0026] FIG. 2 depicts a pictorial representation of a bottom (202) view of the plate 100 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. As seen from the bottom view, the plate 100 includes an area 208 (which is the bottom view of lip), an area 202 (which is the bottom view of food holding area 202), the bottom (210) view of a cup is shown. The bottom 202 of the plate 100 (i.e., area 202) and the top of the cup may be secured together (such as in a screw-in fashion into area 208), such that they are substantially parallel to each other in the attached position. The indentation (indentation 208) in some embodiments is wider at the point where it is attached to area 202 (i.e., bottom of the plate) than at the point where it is attached to the cup 208. Thus, looking at the plate from its bottom, the indentation 208 would become narrower as it progresses through the plate to the top of the plate (i.e., indentation 208 has a slanted-in wall). This configuration (i.e., a conventional shaped cup having a lip and/or rim, and a plate having an elevated indentation with gradually decreasing perimeter as seen from the bottom of the plate) will accommodate the attachment of any variety of rim sizes of a cup, and renders the plates having this configuration easily stackable, permitting a plurality of plates 100 to be stacked (i.e., one plate 100 atop of another). That is, the thickness of the wall 104 in the indented raised region at the bottom of the plate, permits for a plurality of like configured and indented plates 100 to be conveniently stacked one on top of another, thus lending to ease of storage, transport and use.

[0027] In some embodiments, the slanted wall 104 of indentation 208 may be configured to include a thread or series of threads. That is, the slanted wall of indentation 208 may comprise a plurality of grooves (i.e., a ribbed slanted wall). These grooves or threads permitting the attachment and/or screw-in of a cup having any number of different perimeter sizes, the cup having a lip or rim (flared or otherwise) that may be twisted tightly into the bottom of the plate, akin to a screw being screwed into a hole. Consequently, a person may twist a cup containing a drink into the indentation 208 of the plate to permit stable manipulation and use of a cup containing a liquid beverage and a plate 100 containing a food or other item, while permitting the user to maintain one hand free for other activities/tasks. Since the cup containing the drink is screwed into the center of the plate 100, the plate 100 maintains a great deal of stability, permitting heavy items, particularly food items (e.g., mashed potato, beans, salad etc.) to be held on the plate in area 102, or even pushed down to retrieve food in on the plate area 102, with a utensil for example. In addition, anyone who is holding a cup containing a beverage twisted into the bottom of the plate 100 may maintain a free hand to shake hands, hold other items, or any other activity that may be desired.

[0028] FIG. 3 depicts a pictorial representation of a cup with an exemplary lip and/or rim in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Cup 300 includes a lip 302, which may be used to thread (i.e., twist) cup 300 into the grooves of indentation 208 at the bottom of plate 100. As mentioned above, cup 300 may be used to hold a beverage.

[0029] Plate 100, as well as cup 300, may be made of plastic or paper or any other material that is suitable to permit the lip and/or rim of the cup 300 to be twisted in tightly into indentation 208 at the bottom of plate 100.

[0030] FIG. 4 depicts a pictorial representation of a plate having several slots fashioned therethrough and a threaded indentation 106 suitable for receiving the raised lip and or rim of a cup 300, as another illustrative embodiment. Plate 100 includes an outer perimeter 112, and a bottom 102. Shown in the middle of the bottom 102 of the plate is an indentation 104, within which a threaded configuration that gradually decreases in circumference is shown. This threaded configuration may be used to thread (i.e., twist) the lip of a cup 300 into the threads of the indentation 104 at the bottom of plate 100. As mentioned above, cup 300 may be used to hold a beverage.

[0031] The description of the different illustrative embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments in the form disclosed. The different illustrative examples describe components that perform actions or operations. In an illustrative embodiment, a component may be configured to perform the action or operation described. For example, the component may have a configuration or design for a structure that provides the component an ability to perform the action or operation that is described in the illustrative examples as being performed by the component.

[0032] Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Further, different illustrative embodiments may provide different features as compared to other desirable embodiments. The embodiment or embodiments selected are chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

[0033] While the present invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments and applications, in both summarized and detailed foil is, it is not intended that these descriptions in any way limit its scope to any such embodiments and applications, and it will be understood that many substitutions, changes and variations in the described embodiments, applications, and details of the method and system illustrated herein and of their operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of this invention.

[0034] From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain features and sub combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since many possible embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is also to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting.

[0035] The constructions described above and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts and principles of the present invention. Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel invention. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required”. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.