Multifunctional Stackable Dishware Collection System

Abstract

A multifunctional dishware collection that can be used as tableware, cookware, and stackable containers. While each dish in the collection is designed to serve a stand-alone tableware function (such as a plate, a bowl, a saucer, et cetera), the dishware collection gains enhanced functionality by means of interfitting design features, molded into the interior and exterior surfaces of each dish, which increase the utility of the dishes in conjunction with one another: these interfitting design features allow different dishes to be paired together in a dovetailing, stable fashion to form various-sized lidded-containers and moreover enable these lidded-containers to be stacked on top of one another, likewise in a dovetailing, stable fashion. By repeating several design features at the same scale among different dishes, greater functional versatility is achieved in forming these lidded-containers and stacking arrangements.

Claims

1. A first tableware member having a base portion connected to generally upstanding sidewall portions of said tableware member, said sidewall portions terminating opposite said base portion at a lip portion, said lip portion thereby defining the height of said first tableware member, said tableware member with an interior surface and an external surface, said sidewall portion having a recessed platform creating an interior raised ledge disposed adjacent to said generally upstanding sidewall portion and said interior raised ledge at an intermediate position along said height, thereby placing said interior raised ledge being positioned between said base portion and said lip, said lip uppermost edge terminating at an outwardly extending rim; A second tableware member having a base portion connected to generally upstanding sidewall portions of said second tableware member, said sidewall portions terminating opposite said base portion at a lip portion, said lip portion thereby defining the height of said second tableware member, said second tableware member with an interior surface and an external surface, said sidewall portion of said second tableware member having a recessed platform creating an interior raised ledge disposed adjacent to said generally upstanding sidewall portion and said interior raised ledge at an intermediate position along said height, thereby placing said interior raised ledge of said second tableware member being positioned between said base portion and said lip, said lip uppermost edge terminating at an outwardly extending rim of said second tableware member; Said first tableware member serving as a base dish for retaining substances and designed to accept a lid dish; Said second tableware member serving as a dish and, when inverted, designed to serve as a lid dish designed to nest, inverted, onto said first tableware member base dish to cover the contents of said first tableware member base dish so that the interior surface of the said base dish faces the interior surface of the said lid dish; Said second tableware member lid dish having at least one footed ring on said external portion of said base portion, which, when upright and serving as a dish, is designed to serve as the footing of said dish, and, when inverted and being used as a lid, is designed to serve as a grip in order for the user to clasp and remove the said second tableware member serving as a lid dish from said first tableware member serving as a base dish; Said interior raised ledge of said first tableware member base dish designed to receive said rim of said second tableware member lid dish such that when said lid dish is placed upon said base dish in order to form a lidded dish combination, said lid dish lip and rim rest upon the interior raised ledge of said base dish and is held in place by said sidewall portions extending upward from said interior raised ledge of said base dish.

2. The combination tableware arrangement of claim 1, wherein said second tableware member footed ring is a flared, pedestal footing.

3. The combination tableware arrangement of claim 1, wherein said first tableware member base dish having at least one footed-ring on said external portion of said base portion of said base dish, one of said ring footing of said base dish designed to nest with at least one of said ring footing of said second tableware member lid dish such that when a base dish rests upon an inverted lid dish, the footed ring of a base dish is circumscribed by said footed ring of the lid dish, thereby securing the base dish on top of the lid dish.

4. The combination tableware arrangement of claim 1 wherein said tableware members comprise a plurality of types of lid dishes.

5. The combination tableware arrangement of claim 1 wherein said tableware members comprise a plurality of types of base dishes.

6. The combination tableware arrangement of claim 1 wherein said base dish is a member selected from the group consisting of (dinner plate, deep-dish server, salad plate, pasta bowl, side dish, cereal bowl).

7. The combination tableware arrangement of claim 1 wherein said lid dish is a member selected from the group consisting of (pasta bowl, side dish, cereal bowl, saucer).

8. The combination tableware arrangement of claim 6 wherein said ring footing comprise a first ring and a second ring, said first ring larger in diameter than said second ring wherein the diameter and configuration of one of said rings of said base dish fit within one of said ring footing of said lid dish.

9. The combination tableware arrangement of claim 7 wherein each said lid dish has a single flared pedestal footing and said flared pedestal footing ring comprises a plurality of diameters from one style of lid dish to another style of lid dish.

10. The combination tableware arrangement of claim 1 wherein said base dish and said lid dish are a combination of a member selected from the group consisting of (dinner plate and pasta bowl; deep-dish server and pasta bowl, pasta bowl and side dish; pasta bowl and cereal bowl; salad plate and side dish; salad plate and cereal bowl; side dish and saucer; cereal bowl and saucer).

11. The combination tableware arrangement of claim 10 wherein each said interior raised ledge of a base dish comprises a flange serving as a receiving portion for receiving and corresponding to said rim of said lid dish due to said interior raised ledge of said base dish and said rim of said lid dish having a substantially similar profile designed to nest with each other.

12. A first tableware member having a base portion connected to generally upstanding sidewall portions to define a height of said tableware member, with an interior surface and an external surface, said sidewall portion having a recessed platform creating an interior raised ledge disposed adjacent to said generally upstanding sidewall portions at an intermediate position along said height such that portions of said sidewall portions are positioned above and below said interior raised ledge, thereby placing said interior raised ledge being positioned between said base portion and said lip, said sidewall portion opposite said base portion terminating in a peripherally extending lip; A second tableware member having a base portion connected to generally upstanding sidewall portions to define a height of said tableware member, with an interior surface and an external surface, said sidewall portion having a recessed platform creating an interior raised ledge disposed adjacent to said generally upstanding sidewall portions at an intermediate position along said height such that portions of said sidewall portions are positioned above and below said interior raised ledge, thereby placing said interior raised ledge being positioned between said base portion and said lip, said sidewall portion opposite said base portion terminating in a peripherally extending lip, said second tableware member lid dish lip terminating in a peripherally extending rim; Said first tableware member serving as a base dish for retaining substances and designed to accept a lid dish; Said second tableware member serving as a dish and, when inverted, as a lid dish designed to nest onto said first tableware member base dish to cover the contents of said first tableware member base dish so that the interior surface of the said base dish faces the interior surface of the said lid dish; Said second tableware member lid dish having a flared, pedestal footing on said external portion of said base portion, which, when upright and serving as a dish, is designed to serve as the footing of said dish, and, when inverted and being used as a lid, is designed to serve as a grip in order to remove the lid from said first tableware member serving as a base dish; Said interior raised ledge of said first tableware member base dish designed to receive said rim of said second tableware member lid dish such that when said lid dish is placed upon said base dish in order to form a lidded dish, said lid dish lip and rim rest upon the interior raised ledge and is held in place by said sidewall portions extending upward from said interior raised ledge; Said first tableware member base dish having at least one footed-ring on said external portion of said base portion of said base dish; One of said ring footings of said base dish designed to nest inside of the flared, pedestal footing such that when a base dish rests upon an inverted lid dish, the footed ring of a base dish is circumscribed by the flared pedestal footing of the lid dish, thereby securing the base dish on top of the lid dish.

13. The combination tableware arrangement of claim 12 wherein said sidewall portion dimensions are altered to form additional dish shapes.

14. The combination tableware arrangement of claim 12 comprising a plurality of types of lid dishes.

15. The combination tableware arrangement of claim 12 comprising a plurality of types of base dishes.

16. The combination tableware arrangement of claim 15 wherein said base dish is a member selected from the group consisting of (dinner plate, deep-dish server, salad plate, pasta bowl, side dish, cereal bowl).

17. The combination tableware arrangement of claim 14 wherein said lid dish is a member selected from the group consisting of (pasta bowl, side dish, cereal bowl, saucer).

18. The combination tableware arrangement of claim 12 wherein said ring footing comprise a first ring and a second ring, said first ring larger in diameter than said second ring wherein the diameter and configuration of said rings fit within said flared pedestal footing.

19. The combination tableware arrangement of claim 12 wherein each said lid dish having a single flared pedestal footing and said flared pedestal footing ring comprise a plurality of diameters from one style of lid dish to another style of lid dish.

20. The combination tableware arrangement of claim 12 wherein said base dish and said lid dish are a combination of a member selected from the group consisting of (dinner plate and pasta bowl; deep-dish server and pasta bowl, pasta bowl and side dish; pasta bowl and cereal bowl; salad plate and side dish; salad plate and cereal bowl; side dish and saucer; cereal bowl and saucer).

21. The combination tableware arrangement of claim 20 wherein each said raised edge of a base dish comprises a flange serving as a receiving portion for receiving and corresponding to said rim of said lid dish due to said raised edge of said base dish and said rim of said lid dish having a substantially similar profile designed to nest with each other.

22. The combination tableware arrangement of claim 12 wherein at least one of said tableware member dish side wall portion has a protruding exterior ledge portion circumscribing said sidewall portion and disposed generally parallel to said base portion and below said interior raised ledge.

23. The combination tableware arrangement of claim 12 wherein one of said ring footing and said protruding exterior ledge portions of one said tableware member designed to contact supportingly and against one of said ring footing of the other said tableware member such that when a base dish rests upon a lid dish, said footed ring of one of tableware member is bilaterally cradled by both said footed ring and said protruding exterior ledge portion of the other of tableware member, thereby securing the base dish on top of the lid dish.

24. The combination tableware arrangement of claim 12 wherein said sidewall portion dimensions are altered to form additional dish shapes.

25. A first tableware member having a base portion connected to generally upstanding sidewall portions to define a height of said tableware member, with an interior surface and an external surface, said sidewall portion having a recessed platform creating an interior raised ledge disposed adjacent to said generally upstanding sidewall portions at an intermediate position along said height such that portions of said sidewall portions are positioned above and below said interior raised ledge, thereby placing said interior raised ledge being positioned between said base portion and said lip, said sidewall portion opposite said base portion terminating in a peripherally extending lip; A second tableware member having a base portion connected to generally upstanding sidewall portions to define a height of said tableware member, with an interior surface and an external surface, said sidewall portion having a recessed platform creating an interior raised ledge disposed adjacent to said generally upstanding sidewall portions at an intermediate position along said height such that portions of said sidewall portions are positioned above and below said interior raised ledge, thereby placing said interior raised ledge being positioned between said base portion and said lip, said sidewall portion opposite said base portion terminating in a peripherally extending lip, said second tableware member lid dish lip terminating in a peripherally extending rim; Said first tableware member serving as a base dish for retaining substances and designed to accept a lid dish; Said second tableware member serving as a dish and, when inverted, as a lid dish designed to nest onto said first tableware member base dish to cover the contents of said first tableware member base dish so that the interior surface of the said base dish faces the interior surface of the said lid dish; Said second tableware member lid dish having at least one footed ring on said base portion and said external surface portion of said second tableware member dish, which, when upright and serving as a dish, is designed to serve as the footing of said dish, and, when inverted and being used as a lid, is designed to serve as a grip in order to remove the lid from said first tableware member serving as a base dish; Said interior raised ledge of said first tableware member base dish designed to receive said rim of said second tableware member lid dish such that when said lid dish is placed upon said base dish in order to form a lidded dish, said lid dish lip and rim rest upon the interior raised ledge and is held in place by said sidewall portions extending upward from said interior raised ledge; Said first tableware member base dish having at least one footed ring on said external portion of said base portion of said base dish; One of said ring footing of said base dish designed to nest adjacent to one of said ring footing of another said lid dish such that when a base dish rests upon an inverted lid dish, the footed ring of one of said dishes is circumscribed by said footed ring of the other dish, thereby securing the base dish on top of the lid dish.

26. The combination tableware arrangement of claim 25 wherein said sidewall portion dimensions are altered to form additional dish shapes.

27. The combination tableware arrangement of claim 25 comprising a plurality of types of lid dishes.

28. The combination tableware arrangement of claim 25 comprising a plurality of types of base dishes.

29. The combination tableware arrangement of claim 25 wherein at least one of said dishes has a plurality of said protruding exterior ledge portions.

30. The combination tableware arrangement of claim 25, wherein said at least one of said ring footing comprises a non-round shape.

31. The combination tableware arrangement of claim 25, wherein said at least one of said ring footing comprises a non-circular shape.

32. The combination tableware arrangement of claim 25, wherein at least one of said tableware member dish side wall portion having an protruding exterior ledge portion circumscribing said external portion of said sidewall portion and disposed generally parallel to said base portion and below said interior raised ledge.

33. The combination tableware arrangement of claim 32, wherein at least one of said ring footing and said protruding exterior ledge portions of one said tableware member designed to supportingly contact and against one of said ring footing of the other said tableware member such that when a base dish rests upon an inverted lid dish, said footed ring of one of tableware members is bilaterally cradled by both said footed ring and said protruding exterior ledge portion of the other of tableware member, thereby securing the base dish on top of the lid dish.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1A shows the eight dishes together which will be used to illustrate the preferred embodiment of this multifunctional dishware collection: DINNER PLATE (1), DEEP-DISH SERVER (2), PASTA BOWL (3), SALAD PLATE (4), SIDE DISH (5), CEREAL BOWL (6), SAUCER (7), CUP WITH HANDLE. (8)

[0019] FIG. 1B shows two 3D renderings of each piece of the preferred embodiment of this multifunctional dishware collection, one from a bird's eye perspective looking downward at an oblique angle to illustrate the interior surface of each piece (appearing in the left column) and the other from a perspective looking up at an oblique angle to illustrate the exterior surface of each piece (appearing in the right column): DINNER PLATE (1), DEEP-DISH SERVER (2), PASTA BOWL (3), SALAD PLATE (4), SIDE DISH (5), CEREAL BOWL (6), SAUCER (7), CUP WITH HANDLE. (8)

[0020] FIG. 2 shows the DINNER PLATE (1) alone.

[0021] FIG. 2A shows a cross section of the DINNER PLATE (1) stacked on top of another DINNER PLATE. (1)

[0022] FIG. 2B shows the cross section of DINNER PLATE (1) stacked on top of the SAUCER (7) being used as a trivet or pedestal.

[0023] FIG. 2C shows a cross section of the DINNER PLATE (1) being covered by the PASTA BOWL (3), flipped over to serve as a lid, stacked on top of another DINNER PLATE (1) and PASTA BOWL (3) in the same configuration.

[0024] FIG. 2D shows a cross section of the DINNER PLATE (1) resting on top of an inverted SAUCER (7), which here is serving as a lid on top of the SIDE DISH. (5)

[0025] FIG. 2E shows a cross section of the DINNER PLATE (1) resting on top of an inverted CEREAL BOWL (6), which here is serving as a lid on top of the PASTA BOWL. (3)

[0026] FIG. 3 shows the DEEP-DISH SERVER (2) alone.

[0027] FIG. 3A shows a cross section of the DEEP-DISH SERVER (2) stacked on top of another DEEP-DISH SERVER. (2)

[0028] FIG. 3B shows a cross section of the DEEP-DISH SERVER (2) stacked on top stacked on top of the SAUCER (7) being used as a trivet or pedestal.

[0029] FIG. 3C shows a cross section of the DEEP-DISH SERVER (2) resting on top of an inverted CEREAL BOWL (6), which here is serving as a lid on top of the PASTA BOWL. (3)

[0030] FIG. 3D shows a cross section of the DEEP-DISH SERVER (2) being covered by the PASTA BOWL (3), flipped over to serve as a lid, stacked on top of another DEEP-DISH SERVER (2) and PASTA BOWL (3) in the same configuration.

[0031] FIG. 4 shows the PASTA BOWL (3) alone.

[0032] FIG. 4A shows a cross section of the PASTA BOWL (3) stacked on top of another PASTA BOWL (3).

[0033] FIG. 4B (from bottom to top) shows a cross section of the DINNER PLATE (1) being covered by the PASTA BOWL (3), flipped over to serve as a lid, and stacked on top of said PASTA BOWL (3) is a CEREAL BOWL (6) with a SAUCER (7) serving as a lid to said CEREAL BOWL. (6)

[0034] FIG. 4C shows a cross section (from bottom to top) of the DINNER PLATE (1) being covered by the PASTA BOWL (3), flipped over to serve as a lid, with a DEEP-DISH SERVER (2) and PASTA BOWL (3) lidded-container configuration stacked similarly on top, and finally, another DINNER PLATE (1) and PASTA BOWL (3) lidded-container configuration stacked similarly on top.

[0035] FIG. 4D shows a cross section (from bottom to top) of the DEEP-DISH SERVER (2) being covered by the PASTA BOWL (3), flipped over to serve as a lid, with a SIDE DISH (5) and SAUCER (7) lidded-container configuration stacked on top.

[0036] FIG. 4E shows a cross section (from bottom to top) of the PASTA BOWL (3) being covered by the CEREAL BOWL (6) (inverted as lid), with another PASTA BOWL (3) being covered by another CEREAL BOWL (6), the same lidded-container configuration, stacked on top.

[0037] FIG. 4F shows a cross section (from bottom to top) of the DEEP-DISH SERVER (2) being covered by the PASTA BOWL (3), with a SALAD PLATE (4) and CEREAL BOWL (6) lidded-container configuration stacked on top.

[0038] FIG. 5 shows the SALAD PLATE (4) alone.

[0039] FIG. 5A shows a cross section of the SALAD PLATE (4) stacked on top of another SALAD PLATE. (4)

[0040] FIG. 5B shows a cross section (from bottom to top) of the DINNER PLATE (1) being covered by the PASTA BOWL (3), flipped over to serve as a lid, with the SALAD PLATE (4) being covered by the CEREAL BOWL (6) (inverted as lid), with another SALAD PLATE (4) being covered by the CEREAL BOWL (6), the same lidded-container configuration, stacked on top.

[0041] FIG. 5C shows a cross section (from bottom to top) of the SIDE DISH (5) being covered by the SAUCER (7), which is flipped over to serve as a lid, then stacked on this, the SALAD PLATE (4) being covered by the CEREAL BOWL (6) (inverted as lid).

[0042] FIG. 5D shows a cross section of the SALAD PLATE (2) stacked on top stacked on top of the SAUCER (7) being used as a trivet or pedestal.

[0043] FIG. 6 shows the SIDE DISH (5) alone.

[0044] FIG. 6A shows a cross section of the SIDE DISH (5) stacked on top of another SIDE DISH. (5)

[0045] FIG. 6B shows a cross section (from bottom to top) of the CEREAL BOWL (6) being covered by the SAUCER (7), flipped over to serve as a lid, this first lidded-container topped by the SIDE DISH (5) being covered by the SAUCER (7), again flipped over to serve as a lid, then stacked on this, the same lidded configuration, another SIDE DISH (5) being covered by the SAUCER (7), flipped over to serve as a lid.

[0046] FIG. 6C shows a cross section (from bottom to top) of the DEEP-DISH SERVER (2) being covered by the PASTA BOWL (3), with a SIDE DISH (5) and SAUCER (7) lidded-container configuration stacked on top.

[0047] FIG. 6D shows a cross section (from bottom to top) of the SALAD PLATE (4) being covered by the SIDE DISH (5), with a PASTA BOWL (3) and SIDE DISH (5) lidded-container configuration stacked on top.

[0048] FIG. 7 shows CEREAL BOWL (6) alone.

[0049] FIG. 7A shows a cross section of the CEREAL BOWL (6) stacked on top the CEREAL BOWL. (6)

[0050] FIG. 7B shows a cross section of the SIDE DISH (5) nested on top the CEREAL BOWL. (6)

[0051] FIG. 7C shows a cross section of the CEREAL BOWL (6) being covered by the SAUCER (7), flipped over to serve as a lid.

[0052] FIG. 7D shows a cross section (from bottom to top) of the PASTA BOWL (3) being covered by the CEREAL BOWL (6) (inverted as lid), with another PASTA BOWL (3) being covered by another CEREAL BOWL (6), the same lidded-container configuration, stacked on top.

[0053] FIG. 7E shows a cross section (from bottom to top) of the SALAD PLATE (4) being covered by the CEREAL BOWL (6) (inverted as lid), then another SALAD PLATE (4) being covered by another CEREAL BOWL (6), this second lidded-container stacked on top.

[0054] FIG. 8 shows the SAUCER (7) alone.

[0055] FIG. 8A shows a cross section of the SAUCER (7) stacked on top of another SAUCER. (7)

[0056] FIG. 8B shows a cross section of the CEREAL BOWL (6) stacked on top of the SAUCER. (7)

[0057] FIG. 8C shows a cross section (From bottom to top) of the SAUCER (7) accommodating the CUP WITH HANDLE (8), and then another SAUCER (7) and CUP WITH HANDLE (8) stacked on top.

[0058] FIG. 8D shows a cross section of the SIDE DISH (5) stacked on top of the SAUCER (7) serving as a trivet.

[0059] FIG. 8E shows a cross section (from bottom to top) of the SIDE DISH (5) being covered by the SAUCER (7), flipped over to serve as a lid, then stacked on this, the same lidded configuration, another SIDE DISH (5) being covered by the SAUCER (7), flipped over to serve as a lid.

[0060] FIG. 9 shows the CUP WITH HANDLE (8) alone.

[0061] FIG. 9A shows a cross section of the CUP WITH HANDLE (8) nested within another CUP WITH HANDLE. (8)

[0062] FIG. 9B shows a cross section (From bottom to top) of the SAUCER (7) accommodating the CUP WITH HANDLE (8), and then another SAUCER (7), inverted this time to demonstrate how the saucer can serve as a lid on top of the CUP WITH HANDLE, and then another CUP WITH HANDLE (8) stacked on top.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0063] A multifunctional dishware collection that serves as tableware, cookware, and stackable containers. While each dish in the collection serves a traditional tableware function on its own (i.e., a plate, a bowl, a saucer, etc.), the different dishes can also be paired together in various ways to create multiple-sized containers and stacking arrangements.

[0064] In the preferred embodiment, there are several utility-enhancing features that are consistently employed to maximize the utility of this multifunctional, stackable dishware collection, allowing it both to meet and to exceed the benefits of a convention dishware collection.

[0065] (A) Every dish has a stand-alone function and is interchangeable with like dishes, which means that no dish is simply auxiliary to another piece. (For instance, the dish referred to as the CEREAL BOWL can be used alone as a bowl or inverted to be used as a lid on top other dishes, such as the SALAD PLATE and the PASTA BOWL. So, the CEREAL BOWL is never just a lid for another piece (i.e., auxiliary to another piece), it has its own stand-alone function, and if one had 6 of these CEREAL BOWLS, each could be used interchangeably as a lid for any SALAD PLATE or PASTA BOWL, again interchangeably).

[0066] (B) Every dish is designed to stack as a set on its own, in a nesting fashion, one on top of another (e.g., if one were to lift a stack of DINNER PLATES set on top of each other, they would be nested together in such a way that they would not slip or topple off one another).

[0067] (C) In every lidded-container configuration, the interior of each dishes faces the interior of the other, thus when the container is unlidded the lid can be flipped back onto its base, no condensation or possible food residue is left on the resting surface/table/counter. (These containers are intended for a wide variety of purposes in which condensation often forms inside the lid, such as when baking, heating things up in the microwave, keeping things warm before serving, or storing foods in the refrigerator, to name a few).

[0068] (D) In the preferred embodiment, any dish serving as a lid, must have a flared, pedestal footing or some sort of protruding exterior ledge adjacent to the footing of the dish, which, when the dish is inverted and being used as a lid, allows the user to grab hold of the dish more easily and gain leverage more securely when lifting or setting it down on another piece, as one would do when using it as part of a lidded-container. (So, for the 8 dishes in the dishware collection described as the preferred embodiment for the purposes of this patent application (DEEP DISH SERVER, DINNER PLATE, SALAD PLATE, CUP WITH HANDLE, CEREAL BOWL, PASTA BOWL, SIDE DISH and SAUCER), only 4 of them (CEREAL BOWL, PASTA BOWL, SIDE DISH and SAUCER) are designed specifically to be inverted and used as lids, and each of these has a flared, pedestal footing or a protruding exterior ledge near the footing (as in the case of the SIDE DISH) that allows one to gain leverage when inverted.

[0069] (E) Finally, whether pairing dishes to form lidded-containers or stacking lidded-containers on top of one another in different stacking configurations, the pieces are designed to rest upon each other stably in a dovetailing fashion, held in place by complementary design features (i.e., not just a balancing act), as will be shown with in our discussion of the preferred embodiment of the dishware collection.

[0070] In the preferred embodiment, each of these functional elements (A-E) listed above is respected to maximize the utility of this multifunctional, stackable dishware system as described below with the preferred embodiment of the dishware collection.

[0071] A brief description of the figures and a more detailed description of the invention follows, that will explain how features are embodied in the 8-dish preferred embodiment of the collection such that different dishes fit together to enhance the utility of a conventional dishware set, allowing one to use the dishes to form multiple-sized containers and stacking arrangements.

[0072] First, some naming conventions will be helpful for this detailed description: Each dish has an exterior surface, which corresponds with the underside of the dish when it is being used alone, resting on a flat surface; and each dish has an interior surface, which corresponds with the top, open-faced side of the dish when it is being used alone, resting on a flat surface. Accordingly, features described as interior, such as an interior raised ledge are features that are employed on the interior surface; likewise, denoting an exterior feature is meant to locate the feature on the exterior surface of the piece. It is particularly important to make these distinctions because when the dishes are used to form a lidded-container, one of them will be turned upside down, making it easy to start confusing top and bottom as one describes the features that allow for the dishes to fit together to form lidded containers and the stacking arrangements of two or more lidded containers. (For instance, a CEREAL BOWL can be flipped over to serve as a lid, which means the top of this lid is also the bottom of the dish when used on its own as a CEREAL BOWL).

[0073] A lidded-container is comprised of two dishes, one serving as the container's base, and another placed on top of it, serving as the container's lid. All lidded-container are formed by fitting together two dishes such that the interior surface of one interfaces with the interior surface of the other. Thus, the way that lidded-containers are formed depends an interior feature of one dish being designed to fit together with a corresponding interior feature on another piece.

[0074] All lidded-containers fit together in a similar fashion. There is a raised ledge on the interior surface of the dish serving as the base of the lidded-container. This interior raised ledge is formed when interior curvature of the dish breaks outward, leveling off horizontally briefly to form a ledge, before continuing its ascent. This raised interior ledge demarcates the part of the dish that will be covered when the lid is set down. The part above this raised interior ledge will be called the lip of the piece, and the uppermost edge (where the interior meets the exterior of the piece) will be referred to as the rim.

[0075] In each lidded-container, the rim of the dish serving as a lid rests upon the interior raised ledge of the dish serving as a base and is held in place by the lip of the base-dish which extend upward and outward beyond the interior raised ledge, forming a kind of backstop against which the rim of the lid-dish settles down onto the ledge. The shape, size, and width of this raised interior ledge mirrors closely the shape, size, and width of the rim. For example, in FIG. 4E, which shows the PASTA BOWL serving as the base and the CEREAL BOWL serving as the lid of this two-piece lidded-container, one can see how the rim of the CEREAL BOWL rests upon the interior raised ledge of the PASTA BOWL and also how the lip of the PASTA BOWL, rising up at the outer edge of said interior raised ledge, functions as a sort of backstop that hold said rim of the CEREAL BOWL in place on said interior raised ledge.

[0076] Now taking into consideration how two or more lidded-containers are stacked on top of one another, this stacking arrangement depends on the exterior features of one dish being designed to fit together with corresponding exterior features on another piece. Thus, to describe how different lidded-containers stack on top of one another, one must describe how the exterior features of the dish serving as the base on the upper of two stacked lidded-containers rest stably in place on the exterior features of the dish serving as the lid on the lower of two lidded-containers, the footing on the bottom of one piece fitting together in dovetailing fashion with the footing of another piece.

[0077] In the preferred embodiment being described here, there are basically 5 different ring footings employed: The alpha-ring footing, the beta-ring footing, the gamma-ring footing, the large-flared pedestal footing, and the medium-flared pedestal footing. The same alpha-ring footing is on the following 4 pieces: the DINNER PLATE (1), DEEP-DISH SERVER (2), SALAD PLATE (4), and SIDE DISH. (5) The same beta-ring footing is on the following 5 pieces: DINNER PLATE (1), DEEP-DISH SERVER (2), PASTA BOWL (3), SALAD PLATE (4), and SIDE DISH. (5) The gamma-ring footing is only on The CUP WITH HANDLE (8); it is very similar to the beta-ring footing, the same diameter but slightly less pronounced. In this preferred embodiment, the large-flared pedestal footing is only on the PASTA BOWL (3). And finally, the same medium-flared pedestal footing is both on the CEREAL BOWL (6) and on the SAUCER. (7)

[0078] For the sake of clarity in describing how the pieces fit together, sometime we will distinguish the distal portion of the footing versus the proximal portion of the footing. The side of the footing which is outward-facing will be referred to as the distal portion (or side) of the ringed footing, and an opposing side of the ring that faces the center point of the dish, will be referred to as the proximal portion (or side) of the ring footing.

[0079] Now looking again at FIG. 1A, all eight dishes are shown together in the preferred embodiment of this multifunctional dishware collection. Each of these eight dishes has been named and given a reference number. These names and reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the description to help the reader keep track of how the dishes are paired together and stacked: DINNER PLATE (1), DEEP-DISH SERVER (2), PASTA BOWL (3), SALAD PLATE (4), SIDE DISH (5), CEREAL BOWL (6), SAUCER (7), and CUP WITH HANDLE. (8)

[0080] These names are not meant to specify in a limiting fashion how these dishes will be used. Of course, the dish referred to as cereal bowl for the purposes of this description could be used for eating soup, or holding berries, or beating an egg, et cetera. These names simply suggest different sorts of conventional usage that one might associate with the shape of the dish. Likewise, the scale of these dishes is not being specified herethese dishes could be embodied with a good deal of variance so long as the features are shared and aligned in a manner illustrated by this preferred embodiment which will be described herein.

[0081] The different dishes in FIG. 1 are shown hovering over one another, all centered along one axis, so that one can see their relative scale to one another and to show how many of the dishes share similar features. As will be shown, these shared features allow many of the dishes to fit together in similar ways, often interchangeably.

[0082] Here is the key to the numerical designations used in labeling the figures:

TABLE-US-00002 FIG. Labeling Key 1 Dinner Plate 2 Deep Dish Server 3 Pasta Bowl 4 Salad Plate 5 Side Dish 6 Cereal Bowl 7 Cup with Handle 8 Saucer 31 Rim of Cup with Handle 32 Gamma-Ring of Cup with Handle 33 Raised Interior Ledge of Saucer 34 Delta-Ring on Saucer 35 Scalloped Lip of Saucer 36 Rim of Saucer 41 Interior Raised Ledge of Side Dish & Cereal Bowl 42 Lip of Side Dish & Cereal Bowl 43 Rim of Side Dish & Cereal Bowl 44 Interior Raised Ledge of Pasta Bowl & Salad Plate 45 Lip of Pasta Bowl & Salad Plate 46 Rim of Pasta Bowl & Salad Plate 47 Interior Raised Ledge of Dinner Plate & Deep-Dish Server 48 Lip of Dinner Plate & Deep-Dish Server 49 Rim of Dinner Plate & Deep-Dish Server 51 Alpha-Ring Footing (wider outer ring) 52 Beta-Ring Footing (narrower inner ring) 53 Large-Flared Pedestal Footing (of Pasta Bowl) 54 Wide-Flared Pedestal Footing (of Cereal Bowl & Saucer) 55 Protruding Exterior Ledge (at the base of the Side Dish)

[0083] Each of these numerical designation is used in FIG. 1A, many of them repreatedly. If the numerical designation is repeated on different dishes, it is meant to indicate the design feature is proportionally equivalent on these different dishes, and these dishes will share some functional congruency or interchangeability. For instance, the Interior Raised Ledge of the PASTA BOWL and the Interior Raised Ledge of the SALAD PLATE are proportionally equivalent, so both share same numerical designation of 44. Likewise, the Rim of the SIDE DISH and the Rim of the CEREAL BOWL are proportionally equivalent, so both share same numerical designation of 43. These proportionally equivalent, shared features allow for some functional interchangeability. Both the Interior Raised Ledge of the PASTA BOWL and the Interior Raised Ledge of the PASTA BOWL will accommodate either the the Rim of the SIDE DISH and the Rim of the CEREAL BOWL interchangeably to form 4 different-sized lidded-containers. These proportionally equivalent shared features are meant to increase the versatility of the dishware system, allowing more interchangeable pairing and stacking options.

[0084] Although there is only one piece, the PASTA BOWL, with the large-flared pedestal footing, one could introduce others dishes with this same design feature. Once again, it should be noted that there are other embodiments of these dishes that could be created with a similar interfitting geometry. Indeed, even with this preferred embodiment, one could add more pieces that would expand the benefits of the dishware system's enhanced utility so long as the new pieces tied into the rest of the collection with some shared design features. For instance, one could expand the collection by introducing a large platter with a greater diameter than the DINNER PLATE; this platter would also have a raised interior ledge like the other dishes, but with a greater diameter; this platter could have the same alpha- and beta-ring footing as the DINNER PLATE; to cover this new dinner platter, one might create a much wider deep dish server with a rim that aligns with the raised interior ledge of the platter; and finally, this wider deep dish server could the PASTA BOWL's large-flared pedestal footing and recessed beta-ring footing. This would allow these two additional pieces to tie into and expand the enhanced utility of the rest of the dishware collection.

[0085] Now looking at FIG. 2C, one can see an example of how the footings of the dish matter when stacking them on top of other lidded-container configurations in order that the footings correctly interact (dovetail). For instance, The PASTA BOWL (3), which serves as a lid when inverted and set down on either the DINNER PLATE (1) or the DEEP-DISH SERVER (2), has the Large-Flared Pedestal footing (53) that lift the dish and is just bit wider than the alpha-ring described above; (the PASTA DISH also has the beta-ring footing (41) which allows for other pieces to stack upon it, but that will be explained below).

[0086] In the preferred embodiment where we consider round, circular dishes, taking FIG. 2C as an example again, when stacking another dish on this inverted PASTA BOWL (3) serving as a lid, any one of the dishes with the alpha-ring footing (51) will settle into and within the large-flared pedestal footing of the PASTA BOWL, such that the proximal portion of the large-flared-pedestal footing of the PASTA BOWL (3) will have a circumference just slightly larger than the distal portion of the alpha-ring footing. In FIG. 2C, this is the distal portion of the DINNER PLATE's alpha-ring footing, but it would be the same for any of the other piece that have this same alpha-ring footing interchangeably (in addition to the DINNER PLATE, the DEEP DISH SERVER, SALAD PLATE, and SIDE DISH as well), because the circumference of the Large-Flared Pedestal Footing of the PASTA BOWL (53) is wider in the proximal portion (the inner circumference of the large-flared pedestal footing) than the circumference of the outward-facing distal portion of alpha-ring footing, thus allowing the distal portion of the Alpha-Ring Footing (51) to dovetail with the inward-facing proximal portion of the Large-Flared Pedestal Footing of the PASTA BOWL (53) and be held in place as shown int FIG. 2C.

[0087] Here is a list (repeating the example from the previous paragraphs for the sake of completeness) of notable examples of proportionally equivalent, shared features of the preferred embodiment which allow for congruent functionality or interchangeability: (a) the two-ringed alpha ring footing (51) and beta ring footing (52) of the SIDE DISH (5), SALAD PLATE (4), DINNER PLATE (1), and DEEP-DISH SERVER (2); (b) the medium-flared-ring pedestal footing of the CEREAL BOWL and the SAUCER (54) of these two dishes fits the smaller beta-ring footing (52), whereas the large-Flared Pedestal Footing of the PASTA BOWL (53) fits the Alpha Ring Footing (51); (c) the interior raised ledge of the SIDE DISH (5) and CEREAL BOWL (41) corresponds with the rim of the SAUCER (36) when it is used as a lid; (d) the interior raised ledge of the PASTA BOWL and SALAD PLATE (44) correspond with the rim of the SIDE DISH and CEREAL BOWL (43) when they are used as lids; and, (e) the interior raised ledge of the DINNER PLATE and DEEP-DISH SERVER (47) correspond with the rim (46) of the PASTA BOWL (3) when it is used as a lid.

[0088] FIG. 1B shows two 3D renderings of each piece of the preferred embodiment of this multifunctional dishware collection, one from a bird's eye perspective looking downward at an oblique angle to illustrate the interior surface of each piece (appearing in the left column) and the other from a perspective looking up at an oblique angle to illustrate the exterior surface of each piece (appearing in the right column): DINNER PLATE (1), DEEP-DISH SERVER (2), PASTA BOWL (3), SALAD PLATE (4), SIDE DISH (5), CEREAL BOWL (6), SAUCER (7), COFFEE CUP. (8)

[0089] FIG. 2 shows a DINNER PLATE (1) alone. FIGS. 2A through E show various configurations featuring the functionality of the DINNER PLATE (1) in different stacking configurations.

[0090] FIG. 2A shows a cross section of the DINNER PLATE (1) stacked on top of another DINNER PLATE (1). The figure demonstrates how the interior and exterior of the DINNER PLATE (1) are designed to nest with one another.

[0091] FIG. 2B shows the cross section of the DINNER PLATE (1) stacked on top of the SAUCER (7) being used as a trivet or pedestal. The Alpha-Ring Footing (51) of the DINNER PLATE settles stably into place along the Scalloped Lip of the SAUCER. (35)

[0092] FIG. 2C shows a cross section of the DINNER PLATE (1) being covered by the PASTA BOWL (3), flipped over to serve as a lid, stacked on top of another DINNER PLATE (1) and PASTA BOWL (3) in the same configuration. The figure demonstrates how the Interior Raised Ledge of the DINNER PLATE (47) accommodates the Rim of the PASTA BOWL (46) (which has been inverted to serve as a lid), such that the two dishes fit together to form a lidded-container; and it also shows how The Alpha-Ring Footing (51) of the DINNER PLATE (1) fits into the Large-Flared Pedestal Footing of the PASTA BOWL (53) when inverted as a lid, allowing these two lidded-containers to be stably stacked on top of each other.

[0093] FIG. 2D shows a cross section of the DINNER PLATE (1) resting on top of an inverted SAUCER (7), which here is serving as a lid on top of the SIDE DISH (5) (but similarly could be serving as a lid on top of the CEREAL BOWL). This figure demonstrates how the Beta-Ring Footing (52) of the DINNER PLATE (1) fits into the Medium-Flared Pedestal Footing (54) of the inverted SAUCER (7), allowing for a stable stacking configuration. The figure also demonstrates how the Interior Raised Ledge of the SIDE DISH (41) accommodates the Rim of the SAUCER (36) to form a lidded-container.

[0094] FIG. 2E shows a cross section of the DINNER PLATE (1) resting on top of an inverted CEREAL BOWL (6) which is serving as a lid on top of the PASTA BOWL (3) (but similar could be serving as a lid on top of the SALAD PLATE). The figures show how the Beta-Ring Footing (52) of the DINNER PLATE (1) fits into the Medium-Flared Pedestal Footing of the CEREAL BOWL (54) of the inverted CEREAL BOWL (6), and how the Interior Raised Ledge of the PASTA BOWL (44) accommodate the Rim of the SIDE DISH (43) to form a lidded-container.

[0095] Now looking at FIG. 3, a DEEP-DISH SERVER (2) is shown alone. FIGS. 3A through D show various configuration featuring the functionality of the DEEP-DISH SERVER (2) in different stacking and lidded configurations.

[0096] FIG. 3A shows a cross section of the DEEP-DISH SERVER (2) stacked on top of another DEEP-DISH SERVER (2). The DEEP-DISH SERVER (2) is designed to nest with the other DEEP-DISH SERVERS (2) when storing these dishes on their own.

[0097] FIG. 3B shows the cross section of the DEEP-DISH SERVER (2) stacked on top of the SAUCER (7) being used as a trivet or pedestal. The Alpha-Ring Footing (51) of the DEEP-DISH SERVER (2) settles stably into place along the Scalloped Lip of the SAUCER. (35)

[0098] FIG. 3C shows a cross section of the DEEP-DISH SERVER (2) resting on top of an inverted CEREAL BOWL (6), here serving as a lid on top of the PASTA BOWL (3). The figures show how the Beta-Ring Footing (52) of the DEEP-DISH SERVER (2) fits into the Medium-Flared Pedestal Footing of the CEREAL BOWL (54), allowing for additional stacking configurations. As a side note, and in the preferred embodiment, Medium-Flared Pedestal Footing of the CEREAL BOWL (54) is functionally the same as Medium-Flared Pedestal Footing of the SAUCER (54), so the DEEP-DISH SERVER (2) could also rest on top of the SAUCER. (7) The figure also demonstrates how the Interior Raised Ledge of the PASTA BOWL (44) accommodate the Rim of the CEREAL BOWL (43) to form a lidded-containter.

[0099] FIG. 3D shows a cross section of the DEEP-DISH SERVER (2) being covered by the PASTA BOWL (3), flipped over to serve as a lid, stacked on top of another DEEP-DISH SERVER (2) and PASTA BOWL (3) in the same configuration. The figure demonstrates how the Interior Raised Ledge of the DEEP-DISH SERVER (47) accommodates the Rim of the inverted PASTA BOWL (46) to form a lidded-container and also shows how the distal portion Alpha-Ring Footing (51) of the DEEP-DISH SERVER (2) settles into the Large-Flared Pedestal Footing of the PASTA BOWL (53), allowing these two lidded-containers to be stably stacked on top of each other.

[0100] FIG. 4 shows the PASTA BOWL (3) alone. FIGS. 4A through F show various configurations featuring the functionality of the PASTA BOWL (3) in different stacking and lidded configurations.

[0101] FIG. 4A shows a cross section of the PASTA BOWL (3) stacked on top of another PASTA BOWL (3). The PASTA BOWL (3) is designed to nest with other PASTA BOWLS. (3)

[0102] FIG. 4B (from bottom to top) shows a cross section of the DINNER PLATE (1) being covered by the PASTA BOWL (3), flipped over to serve as a lid, and stacked on top of said PASTA BOWL (3) is a CEREAL BOWL (6) with a SAUCER (7) serving as a lid to said CEREAL BOWL. (6) This figure demonstrates how the Interior Raised Ledge of the DINNER PLATE (47) accommodates the Rim of the PASTA BOWL (46) (when inverted to serve as a lid), such that the two dishes fit together to form a lidded-container; and the figure also demonstrates how the Medium-Flared Pedestal Footing of the CEREAL BOWL (54) fits stably on the Beta-Ring Footing (52) of the PASTA BOWL (3); and finally, the figure demonstrates how the Interior Raised Ledge of the CEREAL BOWL (41) accommodates the Rim of the SAUCER (36) when the SAUCER (7) is inverted and serving as a lid to form another lidded-container.

[0103] FIG. 4C shows a cross section (from bottom to top) of the DINNER PLATE (1) being covered by the PASTA BOWL (3), flipped over to serve as a lid, with a DEEP-DISH SERVER (2) and PASTA BOWL (3) lidded-container configuration stacked similarly on top, and finally, another DINNER PLATE (1) and PASTA BOWL (3) lidded-container configuration stacked similarly on top. The figure demonstrates how both the Interior Raised Ledge of the DINNER PLATE (47) and Interior Raised Ledge of the DEEP-DISH SERVER (47) are proportionally equivalent (and labeled with the same number), and Rim of the PASTA BOWL (46) settles stably upon this Interior Raised Ledge (47), serving as a lid to both the DINNER PLATE (1) and DEEP-DISH SERVER (2) interchangeably. This FIG. 4C also shows how the DINNER PLATE (1) and DEEP-DISH SERVER (2) fit onto the top of the inverted PASTA BOWL (3), the Alpha-Ring Footing (51), being both on the DINNER PLATE (1) and the DEEP-DISH SERVER (2), settles stably into the Large-Flared Pedestal Footing of the PASTA BOWL (53), allowing these lidded-containers to be stacked on top of each other.

[0104] FIG. 4D shows a cross section (from bottom to top) of the DEEP-DISH SERVER (2) being covered by an inverted PASTA BOWL (3) in a lidded-container configuration, with a SIDE DISH (5) and an inverted SAUCER (7) in another lidded-container configuration stacked on top. The figure demonstrates how the alpha ring (51) footing of the SIDE DISH (5) fits into the wide-flared footing (60) of the inverted PASTA BOWL (3), specifically the outer-flared ring (62), allowing these lidded-containers to be stacked firmly on top of each other.

[0105] FIG. 4E shows a cross section (from bottom to top) of the PASTA BOWL (3) being covered by the CEREAL BOWL (6) (inverted as lid), with another PASTA BOWL (3) being covered by another CEREAL BOWL (6), both in the same lidded-container configuration, stacked on top. The figure demonstrates how the Interior Raised Ledge of the PASTA BOWL (44) accommodates the Rim of the CEREAL BOWL (43) to form a lidded-container. Additionally, the figure demonstrates how the recessed Beta-Ring Footing (52) of the PASTA BOWL (3) fits into the Medium-Flared Pedestal Footing of the CEREAL BOWL (54), allowing these lidded-containers to be stacked firmly on top of each other.

[0106] FIG. 4F shows a cross section (from bottom to top) of the DEEP-DISH SERVER (2) being covered by the inverted PASTA BOWL (3) to form a lidded-container configuration, with a SALAD PLATE (4) being covered by the inverted CEREAL BOWL (6) lidded-container configuration stacked on top. The figure demonstrates how Alpha-Ring Footing (51) of the SALAD PLATE (4) fits into the Large-Flared Pedestal Footing of the PASTA BOWL (53), allowing the upper lidded-container configuration to be stacked firmly on top of the bottom lidded-container configuration.

[0107] FIG. 5 shows the SALAD PLATE (4) alone. FIGS. 5A-D show various configurations featuring the functionality of the SALAD PLATE (4) in different stacking and lidded configurations.

[0108] FIG. 5A shows a cross section of the SALAD PLATE (4) stacked on top of another SALAD PLATE. (4) This figure demonstrates how the SALAD PLATE. (4) is designed to nest with other SALAD PLATES. (4)

[0109] FIG. 5B shows a cross section (from bottom to top) of the DINNER PLATE (1) being covered by the inverted PASTA BOWL (3), flipped over to serve as a lid, with the SALAD PLATE (4) being covered by the CEREAL BOWL (6) (inverted and used as a lid), with another SALAD PLATE (4) being covered by the CEREAL BOWL (6), the same lidded-container configuration, stacked on top. This figure demonstrates how the Interior Raised Ledge of the DINNER PLATE (47) accommodates the Rim of the PASTA BOWL (46) when inverted to serve as a lid, such that the two dishes fit together to form a lidded-container; this figure also demonstrates how Alpha-Ring Footing (51) of the SALAD PLATE (4) fits into the Large-Flared Pedestal Footing of the PASTA BOWL (53), allowing the upper lidded-container configuration to be stacked firmly on top; additionally, this figure demonstrates how the Interior Raised Ledge of the SALAD PLATE (44) accomodates the Rim of the CEREAL BOWL (43) when it is inverted as a lid to form a lidded-container; finally, the figure demonstates how the Beta-Ring Footing (52) of the SALAD PLATE (4) fits into the Medium-Flared Pedestal Footing of the CEREAL BOWL when inverted as a lid, allowing these lidded-containers to be stacked firmly on top of each other.

[0110] FIG. 5C shows a cross section (from bottom to top) of the SIDE DISH (5) being covered by the SAUCER (7), which is flipped over to serve as a lid, then stacked on this, the SALAD PLATE (4) being covered by the CEREAL BOWL (6) (inverted as lid). The figure demonstrates how Interior Raised Ledge of the SIDE DISH (41) accommodates the Rim of the inverted SAUCER (36) to form a lidded-container; further, the figure demonstrates how the Interior Raised Ledge of the SALAD PLATE (44) accommodates the Rim of the inverted CEREAL BOWL (43) to form a lidded-container; finally, the figure shows how the Beta-Ring Footing (52) of the SALAD PLATE (4) fits into the Medium-Flared Pedestal Footing of the inverted SAUCER (54), allowing these two lidded-containers to be stacked firmly on top of each other.

[0111] FIG. 5D shows the cross section of the SALAD PLATE (4) stacked on top of the SAUCER (7), being used as a trivet or pedestal. The Alpha-Ring Footing (51) of the SALAD PLATE (4) settles stably into place along the Scalloped Lip of the SAUCER. (35)

[0112] FIG. 6 shows the SIDE DISH (5) alone. FIGS. 6A-D show various configurations featuring the functionality of the SIDE DISH (5) in different stacking and lidded configurations.

[0113] FIG. 6A shows a cross section of the SIDE DISH (5) stacked on top of another SIDE DISH. (5) The Protruding Exterior Ledge (at the base) of the SIDE DISH (55) above settles onto the Interior Raised Ledge of the SIDE DISH (41) below when these pieces are stacked on top of each other for storage.

[0114] FIG. 6B shows a cross section (from bottom to top) of the CEREAL BOWL (6) being covered by the SAUCER (7), flipped over to serve as a lid, this first lidded-container topped by the SIDE DISH (5) being covered by the SAUCER (7), again flipped over to serve as a lid, then stacked on this, the same lidded configuration, another SIDE DISH (5) being covered by an inverted SAUCER. (7) The figure demonstrates how the Interior Raised Ledge of the SIDE DISH (41) and the Interior Raised Ledge of the CEREAL BOWL (41) are the proportionally equivalent (and thus share the same numbered designation of 41), both accommodating the Rim of the SAUCER (36) to form two different-sized containers. Additionally, the the figure demonstrates ho the Beta-Ring Footing (52) of the SIDE DISH (5) fits into the Medium-Flared Pedestal Footing of the SAUCER (54), allowing these lidded-containers to be stacked firmly on top of each other.

[0115] FIG. 6C shows a cross section (from bottom to top) of the DEEP-DISH SERVER (2) being covered by the PASTA BOWL (3), with a SIDE DISH (5) and SAUCER (7) lidded-container configuration stacked on top. This figure demonstrates how the Interior Raised Ledge of the DEEP-DISH SERVER (47) accommodate the Rim of the inverted PASTA BOWL (46) to form a lidded-container; it further demonstrates the Alpha-Ring Footing (51) of the SIDE DISH (5) settle into the Large-Flared Pedestal Footing of the inverted PASTA BOWL (53), allowing the two lidded container to stack stably, including contact with the Protruding Exterior Ledge. (55) Finally, this figure demonstrates how the Interior Raised Ledge of the SIDE DISH (41) accommodate the Rim of the SAUCER (36) to form the the upper lidded-container.

[0116] FIG. 6D shows a cross section (from bottom to top) of the SALAD PLATE (4) being covered by the inverted SIDE DISH (5), with a PASTA BOWL (3) and SIDE DISH (5) lidded-container configuration stacked on top. This figure demonstrates how Interior Raised Ledge of the PASTA BOWL (44) and the Interior Raised Ledge of the SALAD PLATE (44) are proportionally equivalent (and thus share the same numerical designation of 44), allowing for the inverted SIDE DISH (5) to serve as a lid on both interchangeably to form two different-sized lidded-containers. (For comparison, the Rim of the SIDE DISH (43) and the Rim of the CEREAL BOWL (43) are also proportionally equivalent, which means that both can serve as lids on the PASTA BOWL (3) or SALAD PLATE (4) interchangeablythe next two figures shows how the CEREAL BOWL (6) functions similarly to the SIDE DISH (5) as a lid on top of the the PASTA BOWL (3) or SALAD PLATE (4) to form two more different-sized lidded-containers). Additionally, this figures demonstrates how the PASTA BOWL (3) can be set up on the SIDE DISH (5) when it is inverted serving as a lid: the Large-Flared Pedestal Footing of the PASTA BOWL (53) fit over the Alpha-Ring Footing (51) of the inverted SIDE DISH (5) Protruding Exterior Ledge (at the base) of the SIDE DISH. (55)

[0117] FIG. 7 shows CEREAL BOWL (6) alone. FIGS. 7A-E show various configurations featuring the functionality of the CEREAL BOWL (6) in different stacking and lidded configurations.

[0118] FIG. 7A shows a cross section of the CEREAL BOWL (6) stacked on top of a second CEREAL BOWL (6). This figure demonstrates how the CEREAL BOWL (6) is designed to nest with other CEREAL BOWLS (6) when storing.

[0119] FIG. 7B shows a cross section of the SIDE DISH (5) nested on top the CEREAL BOWL. (6) This figure demonstrates the Interior Raised Ledge of the SIDE DISH (41) and the Interior Raised Ledge of the CEREAL BOWL (41) are proportionally equivalent (see FIG. 6A).

[0120] FIG. 7C shows a cross section of the CEREAL BOWL (6) being covered by the SAUCER (7), flipped over to serve as a lid. The figure demonstrates how Interior Raised Ledge of the CEREAL BOWL (41) accommodates the Rim of the SAUCER (36) when the SAUCER (7) is inverted and serving as a lid.

[0121] FIG. 7D shows a cross section (from bottom to top) of the PASTA BOWL (3) being covered by the CEREAL BOWL (6) (inverted as lid), with another PASTA BOWL (3) being covered by another CEREAL BOWL (6), both in the same lidded-container configuration, stacked on top. The figure demonstrates how the Interior Raised Ledge of the PASTA BOWL (44) accommodates the Rim of the CEREAL BOWL (43) to form a lidded-container. Additionally, the figure demonstrates how the recessed Beta-Ring Footing (52) of the PASTA BOWL (3) fits into the Medium-Flared Pedestal Footing of the CEREAL BOWL (54), allowing these lidded-containers to be stacked firmly on top of each other.

[0122] FIG. 7E shows a cross section (from bottom to top) of the SALAD PLATE (4) being covered by the inverted CEREAL BOWL (6) serving as a lid, then another SALAD PLATE (4) being covered by another inverted CEREAL BOWL (6), this second lidded-container stacked on top. The figure demonstrates this figure demonstrates how the Interior Raised Ledge of the SALAD PLATE (44) accommodates the Rim of the CEREAL BOWL (43) when it is inverted as a lid to form a lidded-container; additionally, the figure demonstrates how the Beta-Ring Footing (52) of the SALAD PLATE (4) fits into the Medium-Flared Pedestal Footing of the CEREAL BOWL when inverted as a lid, allowing these lidded-containers to be stacked stably on top of one another.

[0123] FIG. 8 shows the SAUCER (7) alone. FIGS. 8A-F show various configurations featuring the functionality of the SAUCER (7) in different stacking and lidded configurations.

[0124] FIG. 8A shows a cross section of the SAUCER (7) stacked on top of another SAUCER. (7) The figure demonstrates how the Interior Raised Ledge of the SAUCER (33) below accommodates the Medium-Flared Pedestal Footing of the SAUCER (54) above, allowing the SAUCERS (54) to stack on top of each other stably when storing.

[0125] FIG. 8B shows a cross section of the CEREAL BOWL (6) stacked on top of the SAUCER. (7) This figure demonstrates how the Interior Raised Ledge of the SAUCER (33) also accommodate the Medium-Flared Pedestal Footing of the CEREAL BOWL (54) since this Medium-Flared Pedestal Footing (54) is the same on both the SAUCER (7) and the CEREAL BOWL (6). As both the Medium-Flared Pedestal Footing of the CEREAL BOWL (54) and the Medium-Flared Pedestal Footing of the SAUCER (54) are proportionally equivalent, they share the same numerical designation of 54.

[0126] FIG. 8C shows a cross section (From bottom to top) of the SAUCER (7) accommodating the CUP WITH HANDLE (8), and then another SAUCER (7) and CUP WITH HANDLE (8) stacked on top. The figure demonstrates how the Gamma-Ring Footing of the CUP WITH HANDLE (32) settles in proximally to the Interior Raised Ledge of the SAUCER (33), allowing the CUP WITH HANDLE (8) to rest stably on the SAUCER; this figure further demonstrates how this SAUCER and CUP WITH HANDLE sets to be stacked on top of each other.

[0127] FIG. 8D shows a cross section of the SIDE DISH (5) stacked on top of the SAUCER (7), being used as a trivet or pedestal. The Alpha-Ring Footing (51) of the SIDE DISH (5) settles stably into place along the Scalloped Lip of the SAUCER (35). (It should be noted that the Alpha-Ring Footing (51) of the DINNER PLATE (1), DEEP-DISH SERVER (2), SALAD PLATE (4), and SIDE DISH (5) in this preferred embodiment are all proportionally equivalent, which allows for the SAUCER (7) to be used as a trivet or pedestal for them all interchangeably).

[0128] FIG. 8E shows a cross section (from bottom to top) of the SIDE DISH (5) being covered by the SAUCER (7), flipped over to serve as a lid, then stacked on this, the same lidded configuration, another SIDE DISH (5) being covered by an inverted SAUCER (7) serving as a lid. The figure demonstrates how the Beta-Ring Footing (52) of the SIDE DISH (5) fits into the Medium-Flared Pedestal Footing of the inverted SAUCER (54), allowing these lidded-containers to be stacked firmly on top of each other.

[0129] FIG. 9 shows the CUP WITH HANDLE (8) alone. FIGS. 9A and 9B show various configurations featuring the functionality of the CUP WITH HANDLE (8) in different stacking and nesting configurations.

[0130] FIG. 9A shows a cross section of the CUP WITH HANDLE (8) nested within another CUP WITH HANDLE. (8) The CUP WITH HANDLEs (8) are designed to nest with one another.

[0131] FIG. 9B shows a cross section (from bottom to top) of the SAUCER (7) accommodating the CUP WITH HANDLE (8) as shown previous in FIG. 8C, and then another SAUCER (7) this time inverted and serving as lid to said CUP WITH HANDLE (8) below and finally another CUP WITH HANDLE (8) stacked on top. The figure demonstrates how the Gamma-Ring Footing of the CUP WITH HANDLE (32) settles in proximally to the Interior Raised Ledge of the SAUCER (33), allowing the CUP WITH HANDLE (8) to rest stably on the SAUCER; this figure further demonstrates how the SAUCER (7) can be flipped over to serve as lid to the CUP WITH HANDLE, the Delta-Ring on the SAUCER (34) settling into the slightly wider Rim of the CUP WITH HANDLE (31) to cap it; additionally, the figure demonstrates how the the Gamma-Ring Footing of the CUP WITH HANDLE (32) settles stably into the Medium-Flared Pedestal Footing of the inverted SAUCER (54), which shows how the CUP WITH HANDLE (8) capped with the inverted SAUCER (7) can be stacked with another CUP WITH HANDLE (8) capped with the inverted SAUCER. (7)

[0132] As a summary, the preferred embodiment comprises first tableware member having a base portion connected to generally upstanding sidewall portions to define a height of said tableware member, with an interior surface and an external surface, said sidewall portion having a recessed platform creating an interior raised ledge disposed adjacent to said generally upstanding sidewall portions at an intermediate position along said height such that portions of said sidewall portions are positioned above and below said interior raised ledge, thereby placing said interior raised ledge being positioned between said base portion and said lip, said sidewall portion opposite said base portion terminating in a peripherally extending lip.

[0133] A second tableware member having a base portion connected to generally upstanding sidewall portions to define a height of said tableware member, with an interior surface and an external surface, said sidewall portion having a recessed platform creating an interior raised ledge disposed adjacent to said generally upstanding sidewall portions at an intermediate position along said height such that portions of said sidewall portions are positioned above and below said interior raised ledge, thereby placing said interior raised ledge being positioned between said base portion and said lip, said sidewall portion opposite said base portion terminating in a peripherally extending lip, said second tableware member lid dish lip terminating in a peripherally extending rim. The first tableware member serving as a base dish for retaining substances and designed to accept a lid dish.

[0134] The second tableware member serving as a dish and, when inverted, as a lid dish designed to nest onto said first tableware member base dish to cover the contents of said first tableware member base dish so that the interior surface of the said base dish faces the interior surface of the said lid dish. The second tableware member lid dish having a flared pedestal footing, which, when upright and serving as a dish, is designed to serve as the footing of said dish, and, when inverted and being used as a lid, is designed to serve as a grip in order to remove the lid dish from said first tableware member serving as a base dish.

[0135] The interior raised ledge of said first tableware member base dish designed to receive said rim of said second tableware member lid dish such that when said lid dish is placed upon said base dish in order to form a lidded dish, said lid dish lip and rim rest upon said interior raised ledge and is held in place by said sidewall portions extending upward from said interior raised ledge. Said interior raised edge of a base dish comprises a flange serving as a receiving portion for receiving and corresponding to said rim of said lid dish due to said interior raised ledge and said rim having a substantially similar profile. In the preferred embodiment of this dishware collection, the combination tableware arrangements of the base dish and the lid dish to form lidded-containers are the following: dinner plate and pasta bowl; deep-dish server and pasta bowl, pasta bowl and side dish; pasta bowl and cereal bowl; salad plate and side dish; salad plate and cereal bowl; side dish and saucer; cereal bowl and saucer.

[0136] The first tableware member base dish having a plurality of ring footings on the bottom and outside portion of said base dish. The ring footing of said base dish designed to nest inside of the flared pedestal footing such that when a base dish rests upon an inverted lid dish, the footed ring of a base dish is circumscribed by the flared pedestal footing of the lid dish, thereby securing the base dish on top of the lid dish. In fact, the preferred embodiment comprises a plurality of types of base dishes and a plurality of types of lid dishes, and several dishes that can serve as both a base dish and a lid dish, wherein the base dishes in this preferred embodiment include dinner plate, deep-dish server, pasta bowl, salad plate, side dish, and cereal bowl and the lid dishes include pasta bowl, side dish, cereal bowl, and saucer. The footings of the base dishes which do not serve as lids (dinner plate, deep-dish server, pasta bowl, and one of the lid dishes which also can serve a base dish, the side dish) are ring footings that comprise a first ring and a second ring, said first ring larger in diameter than said second ring wherein the diameter and configuration of said rings fit within said flared pedestal footings. In the preferred embodiment, the lid dishes are designed specifically to be inverted and used as lids, and each of these has a flared pedestal footing or a protruding exterior ledge near the footing (as in the case of the SIDE DISH) that allows one to gain leverage when inverted to grab hold of lid dish to set it down on or to lift it up off a base dish. Although in the preferred embodiment, the fittings that allow different lidded-containers to stack on one another all involve either a ring footing (either the alpha-ring footing or beta-ring footing) settling into or onto a flared pedestal (either the large-flared pedestal footing or the medium-flared pedestal footing), in another embodiment it would possible to design ring footings (comparable to the alpha-ring footing and beta-ring footing but of different diameters) such that the different-sized ringed footings would dovetail with each other and allow for stable stacking.

[0137] In addition to the foregoing, and in another embodiment, a dish has at least one footed ring without any flared footing, but is configured so that the footed ring of that dish is designed to both serve as footing for when that dish is used as a base dish as well as at least one place to grasp and lift that same dish when it is serving as a lid dish in a lidded dish combination. One example of this is the preferred embodiment of the SIDE DISH. Further, one of the ring footing of a base dish is designed to nest adjacent to one of the ring footing of a lid dish such that when a base dish rests upon a lid dish, the footed ring of one of the dishes is circumscribed by the footed ring of the other dish, thereby securing the base dish on top of the lid dish.

[0138] In yet another embodiment, at least one of the dishes in the tableware arrangement collection has a side wall portion with a protruding exterior ledge portion circumscribing said external portion of said sidewall portion and disposed generally parallel to said base portion and below said interior raised ledge. A dish may have a plurality of these protruding exterior ledge portions.

[0139] In another embodiment, where at least one of said tableware members has ring footing and a protruding exterior ledge portion, when stacking lidded dish member combinations, the combination of the footing ring and exterior ledge portion is designed to contact supportingly and against one of said ring footing of the other said tableware lidded dish combination member such that when a base dish rests upon a lid dish, the footed ring of one of tableware member is bilaterally cradled by both said footed ring and said protruding exterior ledge portion of the other of tableware member, thereby securing the base dish on top of the lid dish. Still further embodiments include dishes that have a plurality of protruding exterior ledge portions.

[0140] In still further embodiments, the combination tableware arrangement comprises a plurality of types of lid dishes and a plurality of types of base dishes. In yet another embodiment, the sidewalls of the tableware members can be altered, including in height, width or other shape to form additional dish shapes.

[0141] Yet still further embodiments include the ring footing having various shapes, as the rings do not have to be circular or even rounded shape, but can be any non-round, non-circular shape, such as squares, triangles, octagons, or any shape. In another embodiment, the tableware members themselves do not have to be the traditional round dish shape as are shown in the figures, but can also be various shapes, including the entire dish or simply portions or parts of the dish, such as the rim, sidewalls, rings and each part of the alternative embodiment collection.

[0142] Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but as merely providing illustration of several embodiments. For example, the dishware collection could vary in scale, have additional dishes included, have other shapes other than circular, such rectangular, square, triangular, et cetera. Likewise, these dishes could be fabricated in many types of material. be that ceramic, metal, stone, plastic, wood, glass, et cetera.

[0143] In conclusion, the overall scale of this dishware set, the number of dishes within it, and the materials used to make it can vary widely so long as the shared design features amongst the dishes are complimentary and repeated in ways illustrated by this preferred embodiment. When certain design features are shared to scale in common between dishes, have the same-sized interior raised ledge, ring footing, and/or a rim, these shared features will allow for different dishes to pair or stack interchangeably, forming different-sized lidded-containers and stacking arrangements, which adds versatility to the dishware system.