Abstract
A unique, versatile system of providing decorative dinnerware articles (plates, bowls, platters, and the like) with viewable designs on demand is provided. Such an article (as well as system) includes at least one transparent top component of a suitable polymer construction that nests with a lower component such that the two connect reliably in a manner that a user may place a decoration of his or her choosing between both component such that the design may be viewed through at least the top component (the lower component may be transparent, as well, if desired). In this way, a user has the capability of utilizing such a nested dinnerware configuration for the purpose of serving food or any other end-use available with such articles while simultaneously providing any desired design that can be displayed through at least the transparent top component.
Claims
1. A display plate comprising a first upper component and a second lower component wherein said first and second components are configured to have substantially the same contours for said components to properly nest together upon placement of said upper component on top of said lower component and upon introduction of an insert between said upper and said lower component, wherein said first upper component is constructed of a transparent polymeric material such that said insert may be placed at any location under said first upper component and properly viewed throughout the entirety of said first upper component when present between said first upper component and said second lower component, wherein said first upper component includes a well portion, a peripheral edge portion having an extended downward lip, a rim portion, and a frame portion inclined to said well portion, each portion having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein said second lower component includes a well portion, a peripheral edge portion with an end that fits within said first upper component extended downward lip, a rim portion, and a frame portion inclined to said well portion, each portion having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the well portions of said first upper and second lower components are flat such that said bottom surface of said second lower component well portion provides the sole base of said display plate to rest on a flat surface and wherein the entirety of both flat well portions are parallel such that an interstitial space of between 1 and 20 mils is present between said flat well portions when said first upper and second lower components are nested together, wherein said bottom surface of said second lower component well portion resides within a single plane and no other portion of said second lower component resides within the same or a lower plane, wherein the incline from said first upper component frame to said first upper component well exhibits a higher incline angle than the incline from said second lower component frame to said second lower component well, wherein said extended downward lip of said peripheral edge of said first upper component extends to a point below that of the peripheral edge of said second lower component when said first component and said second component are contacted in nesting relation to one another such that said first and second components are attached in detachable fashion solely through pressure contact between said peripheral edges, wherein said insert may be of any design and shape that does not reach beyond the bounds of said peripheral edges of both of said first upper and said second lower components, and wherein each of said first upper component and said second lower component may be reusable for the same display purpose.
2. The article of claim 1 wherein said second lower component is constructed of the same material as the first upper component.
3. A method of permitting the interchangeable introduction of an insert for viewing between two separate components within a dinnerware plate, wherein such method includes: providing a first upper plate component, wherein said first upper component is transparent to permit full viewing of said insert when viewed through such first upper component, wherein said first upper component has a well portion, a peripheral edge portion having an extended downward lip, a rim portion, and a frame portion inclined to said well portion, each portion having a top surface and a bottom surface; providing a second lower plate component having a well portion, a peripheral edge portion with an end that fits within said first upper component extended downward lip, a rim portion, and a frame portion inclined to said well portion, each portion having a top surface and a bottom surface; wherein the well portions of said first upper and second lower components are flat such that said bottom surface of said second lower component well portion provides the sole base of said display plate to rest on a flat surface and wherein the entirety of both flat well portions are parallel such that an interstitial space of between 1 and 20 mils is present between said flat well portions when said first upper and second lower components are nested together; wherein said bottom surface of said second lower component well portion resides within a single plane and no other portion of said second lower component resides within the same or a lower plane; wherein the incline from said first upper component frame to said first upper component well exhibits a higher incline angle than the incline from said second lower component frame to said second lower component well, wherein said extended downward lip of said peripheral edge of said first upper component extends to a point below that of the peripheral edge of said second lower component when said first component and said second component are contacted in nesting relation to one another such that said first and second components are attached in detachable fashion solely through pressure contact between said peripheral edges with minimal space available for insertion of an insert between said first upper component and said second lower component at any location between said components; providing a solid insert of any design and shape that does not reach beyond the bounds of said peripheral edges of both of said first upper and said second lower components; placing said solid insert on top of said second lower component and at any location thereon; placing said first upper component on top of said second lower component on which said insert is placed; and connecting said first upper component to said second lower component through the overlapping contact of said peripheral edges, wherein said insert is properly viewed through said upper first component, and said connected components may be utilized as a single dinnerware article simultaneously with said viewing.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 depicts an aerial view of a first upper plate in accordance with one potential embodiment of the invention.
(2) FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the first upper plate of FIG. 1.
(3) FIG. 3 depicts an aerial view of a second lower plate in accordance with one potential embodiment of the invention.
(4) FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of the second lower plate of FIG. 3.
(5) FIG. 5 depicts an aerial view of a rim design and a well design that is provided in relation to a layout in accordance with the configuration and contours of both upper and lower plates of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4.
(6) FIG. 6 shows the design of FIG. 5 placed onto the lower plate of FIG. 2.
(7) FIG. 7 shows the placement of the upper plate of FIG. 1 onto the resultant plate design of FIG. 6.
(8) FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the nesting of the upper plate and the lower plate along line A-A from FIG. 7.
(9) FIG. 9 shows a close-up view of the nested portion C of the upper plate and the lower plate from FIG. 8.
(10) FIG. 10 depicts a cross-sectional view of a second lower bowl in accordance with one potential embodiment of the invention.
(11) FIG. 11 depicts a cross-sectional view of a first upper bowl.
(12) FIG. 12 depicts a cross-sectional view of a nested first upper bowl with a second lower bowl with a design insert introduced between both bowls.
(13) FIG. 13 depicts an aerial view of one non-limiting design insert for utilization with the bowls of FIGS. 10 and 11.
(14) FIG. 14 depicts an aerial view of the second lower bowl of FIG. 10.
(15) FIG. 15 depicts an aerial view of the placement of the design insert of FIG. 13 on to the upper surface of the well of the second lower bowl of FIG. 14.
(16) FIG. 16 depicts an aerial view of the placement of the first upper bowl of FIG. 11 on to the lower bowl/insert article of FIG. 15.
(17) FIG. 17 depicts a cross-sectional view of a second lower tray in accordance with one potential embodiment of the invention.
(18) FIG. 18 depicts a cross-sectional view of a first upper tray.
(19) FIG. 19 depicts a cross-sectional view of a nested first upper tray with a second lower tray with a design insert introduced between both tray.
(20) FIG. 20 depicts an aerial view of one non-limiting design insert for utilization with the trays of FIGS. 17 and 18.
(21) FIG. 21 depicts an aerial view of the second lower tray of FIG. 17.
(22) FIG. 22 depicts an aerial view of the placement of the design insert of FIG. 20 on to the upper surface of the well of the second lower tray of FIG. 21.
(23) FIG. 23 depicts an aerial view of the placement of the first upper tray of FIG. 18 on to the lower tray/insert article of FIG. 22.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(24) Without any intention of limiting the scope and breadth of the invention described herein, certain potentially preferred embodiments are presented below in accordance with the drawings in support thereof.
(25) FIG. 1 thus shows a potentially preferred circularly shaped first upper plate 10 having a peripheral edge 12 a circular flat rim 14 a circular inclined frame 16 leading downward to flat circular well 18. The top plate 10 is preferably made from a polycarbonate material and may be of any proper thickness to permit proper transparency thereof over the entirety of such an upper plate 10 as well as a weight maximum that is sufficiently light to allow for proper carrying by a user in tandem with the second lower plate nested therewith (as in FIG. 9). Thus, a thickness of from 3 millimeters to 8 millimeters would suffice for such a purpose; if the plate were too thin, it would not allow for proper weight bearing during use and if it were too thick, again, the weight and haze level (transparency) would compromise the usefulness and effectiveness of the overall article. The same measurements and materials would be suitable for the second lower plate as well.
(26) FIG. 2 thus shows the first upper plate 10 in cross-section with the top surface thereof being the rim 14, the frame 16, and the well (or canvas) 18. The bottom surface 26 mirrors the shapes of the top surface components as well. The peripheral edge 12 includes a downward extending lip 28 as well.
(27) The second lower plate 30 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. As for the upper plate (10 in FIGS. 1 and 2), the lower plate 30 includes a peripheral edge 32, a rim 34, and a frame 36 inclined downward to a well 38. Such components are slightly larger in size, but the same basic shape (circular) as the components of the upper plate to accommodate placement of the upper plate thereon in a suitable nesting relation (as in FIG. 9, for example). Nesting as it applies to this invention thus indicates a flush contact between the peripheral edges of both components with very limited space between the bottom surface of the upper plate (26 in FIG. 2) and the top surface components 32, 34, 36, 38 of the lower plate 30 for introduction and placement of the design insert (50, 54 in FIG. 5). Even with the insert present, the two plates will still exhibit a reliable connection through pressure activation and engagement of the extended peripheral edge of the top plate over and around the peripheral edge of the lower plate 30. The lower plate 30 includes a bottom surface 45 which would be in contact with a table or other like article surface if and when the overall article (70 in FIG. 9) were placed thereon. As well, the lower plate peripheral edge 32 includes a flattened lip 47 that fits snugly within the confines of the downward extending lip of the upper plate (28 in FIG. 2), thus providing, in addition to the similar sizes and shapes of the components of both plates, the overall nesting result there between as well as the pressure-activated connection means between both plates during actual utilization to form the display article.
(28) FIG. 5 provides but one potentially preferred insert (or more suitably described as inserts) 50, 54 for introduction between the upper and lower plates (10 in FIG. 1, 30 in FIG. 3, respectively). As is shown, the user may provide a well cut-out 54 that may be sized appropriately for placement within the well of the lower plate (38 of FIG. 4). In actuality, however, any sized cut-out or insert may be placed within such a well of the lower plate as long as the insert will not create a permanent mark thereon. Thus, a painted material that has sufficiently dried may be applied with a design thereon, a photograph, a drawing, or a pre-printed design on a suitably thin material (such as from 1 to 10 mils in thickness) may be utilized for such a purpose. Actually, the list is myriad for such an insert with the only limitations being the requirement of non-permanency to allow for other designs to be implemented in a like temporary fashion, a size and shape that does not extend beyond the peripheral edges of both plates, and, again, a thin enough structure to allow for sufficient contact between the connection means of the upper and lower plates during use. A second doughnut-shaped insert 50 is provided to fit the shape of the rim of the lower plate (34 of FIG. 4). Messages of any type, as well as types of designs, motifs, photographs, the list, again, goes on, may be placed on such an insert as well (the same holds true for any insert type, such as that presented as covering a well, above 54). As described above, as well, such an insert may be of any solid or liquid that provides a design capability (whether static or changing during use; for example, colored liquids may be flow within the confines of the interstitial space between the two components to form changing designs during actual use). In any event, the same limitations as to insert structure, size (or volume) and shape, thickness, and non-permanency hold true for this type of insert as described above as well. In this instance, two separate inserts 50, 54 are prepared for utilization with the plate combination (70 of FIG. 9), with the rim-shaped insert 50 including an outer peripheral edge 52 and an inner peripheral edge 53. The well-shaped insert 54 includes its own outer peripheral edge 56. Importantly, again, such an insert example is but one type that may be utilized for the inventive display article. With a plate having a rim, frame, and well configuration, such inserts work well for full viewing through the utilization of cut-outs that cover the entirety of the lower plate surfaces (and thus provide a complete view of the overall insert design once the upper plate is placed thereon the lower plate and connected thereto). However, if desired, cut-outs or photos or any other such design material that only partially covers the top surfaces of the lower plate may be utilized as well. Likewise, if the plates are not of the same configuration as presented here in non-limiting fashion (i.e., rim, frame, and well configurations), but have peripheral edges that are thinner and rims that are far shorter and not flat, and thus, include a far larger well, then inserts of any size and shape that meet the limitations defined above may be utilized therewith as well (in other words, the embodiment presented here is not the only plate configuration that may be employed within the scope of this invention). Furthermore, if the plates are not circular, but another geometric shape, then such inserts may be, again, of any suitable size and shape to permit proper nesting and connection between the two plates, are, again, non-permanent in nature, and, lastly, do not extend beyond the peripheral edges of the upper plate. The inserts may be on any type of paper or other suitable material that are sufficiently thin and may or may not include designs applied thereto or integrated therein (as noted above, the types of materials that may utilized as the insert is myriad and only requires the capability of being properly retained between the two components during nesting use; as it is, if desired, the insert may also be of a movable type of substance that the user may cause to maneuver between the two components through manipulation of the overall connected article since the pressure-activated connections of the peripheral edges should prevent any external loss of such materials in that manner; again, the potential for an insert of any type is extremely broad and thus contemplated within this invention). In terms of paper products that may be utilized are magazine paper, newspaper, construction paper, standard bond paper, and the like, as merely some potentially preferred materials, rather than providing any limitation through such a description. For FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, the designs utilized are on standard construction paper and include the message HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEBORAH in the rim-shaped insert 50 and 29 in the well-shaped insert 54, thus indicating, in this non-limiting instance, a birthday celebration for a person turning a certain age. It goes without saying, again, that any type of message presented in any manner that meets the limitations of the insert described above may be utilized in conjunction with this overall display article.
(29) FIG. 6 thus shows the aerial view of the inserts 50, 54 placed onto the second lower plate (30 of FIG. 4). The well-shaped insert 54 is placed onto the well (38 of FIG. 4) of the second lower plate and the rim-shaped insert 50 is placed on the rim (34 of FIG. 4) of the second lower plate. After such placement, the well-shaped insert's peripheral edge 56 is in contact with the inner peripheral edge 53 of the rim-shaped insert 50. The outer peripheral edge 52 of the rim-shaped insert 50 is thus extended to a point just short of (or, if desired, such may be actually introduced within the curved area of the upper component's peripheral edge) the peripheral edge (32 of FIG. 4) of the second lower plate (30 of FIG. 4). The resultant insert-covered lower plate 60 is thus ready for placement of the upper plate (10 in FIG. 1).
(30) FIG. 7 thus shows the placement of the upper plate in such a fashion with the upper plate rim 14 covering the rim-shaped insert 50 and the upper plate well 18 covering the well-shaped insert 54. The upper plate peripheral edge 12 thus extends beyond the insert outer peripheral edge (52 of FIG. 5) and can surround the lower plate peripheral edge 52 in order to connect both plates together through pressure application. In this manner, the transparent nature of the upper plate (10 of FIG. 1) allows for full viewing of the insert designs 50, 54 there through and the entire connected article 70 may also be utilized for any standard plate purpose (food serving, for example).
(31) FIG. 8 shows the cross-sectional view of the connected article 70 through the line A-A provided in FIG. 7. With this depiction, it is seen how the first upper plate 10 has exposed its peripheral edge 12, rim 14, frame 16, and well 18, and covering both the insert (50, 54 of FIG. 7) and the second lower plate 30. The lower plate 30 includes, as well, its own peripheral edge 32, rim 34, frame 36, and well 38 that are properly nested with the upper plate 10. Thus, the bottom surface 26 of the upper plate 10 is in contact with the insert (50, 54 of FIG. 7) which is covering the top surfaces 34, 36, 38 of the lower plate 30. The bottom surface 46 of the lower plate 30 is thus available for placement on a suitable surface itself. The combination article 70 further shows the overlapping of the downward extending lip 28 of the upper plate 10 over the flattened lip 48 of the lower plate 30 to permit connection there between and prevention of food or liquid from entering the area between the two plates within which the insert 50, 54 is present. In this manner, the insert 50, 54 may be removed and used again with the same display article without any introduction of potentially destructive or otherwise harmful liquids, etc., during use. Furthermore, the connections being pressure applied are easily undone through suitable opposite pressure application to allow for removal of the inserts and subsequent cleaning of the two plates and reuse thereof with the same or a different insert or inserts on demand.
(32) FIG. 9 thus shows a closer view of the interface between the upper plate 10 and the lower plate 30 at each frame 16, 36. Since the upper plate 10 will be situated and placed atop the lower plate 30, the incline angle of the upper frame 16 will be slightly higher than that of the lower frame 36, in order to accommodate the nesting relation of the two plates 10, 30 together.
(33) FIGS. 10-16 show the same basic display method but for nesting bowl articles. FIG. 10 shows a lower bowl 100 having a peripheral edge (rim) 104, an incline 108, a well surface 102, and a lower surface 103. FIG. 11 shows the overall article 130 including an upper transparent bowl 120 having a rim 124, an extended lip peripheral edge 125, an incline 128, a well surface 122, and a lower surface 123. FIG. 12 shows these two bowls (100, 120 of FIGS. 10 and 11) nested together with an insert 132 placed between the well surfaces 103, 122. The upper bowl extended peripheral lip 125 flexes during connection to suitably hold the lower bowl peripheral edge 104.
(34) FIG. 13 shows one non-limiting embodiment of a design insert 132 for introduction between the two bowls (100, 120 of FIGS. 10 and 11). In this situation, a simple floral pattern is provided on the insert 132. FIG. 14 shows the lower bowl 100 (the same as in FIG. 10) with the well surface 102, the peripheral edge 103, and the incline 108. FIG. 15 shows the insert 132 placed on top of the well surface (102 of FIG. 14) of the lower bowl 100. FIG. 16 thus shows an aerial view of the entire display article 130 with the upper bowl 120 placed over the insert 132 (which is viewable through the upper bowl 120), with the extended lip peripheral edge 125 over the peripheral edge of the lower bowl (104 of FIG. 15) to resiliently connect the two bowls together.
(35) FIGS. 17-23 show the same basic display method but for nesting tray articles. FIG. 17 shows a lower tray 140 having a rim 141, a peripheral edge 142, an incline 145, a well surface 146, and a lower surface 144. FIG. 18 shows an upper transparent tray 150 having a rim 151, an extended lip peripheral edge 152, an incline 155, a well surface 156, and a lower surface 154. FIG. 19 shows the overall article 160 with these two trays (140, 150 of FIGS. 17 and 18) nested together with an insert 158 placed between the well surfaces 146, 154. The upper tray extended peripheral lip 152 flexes during connection to suitably hold the lower tray peripheral edge 142.
(36) FIG. 20 shows one non-limiting embodiment of a design insert 158 for introduction between the two trays (140, 150 of FIGS. 17 and 18). In this situation, a HAPPY THANKSGIVING greeting is provided on the insert 158. FIG. 21 shows the lower tray 140 (the same as in FIG. 17) with the well surface 146 and the peripheral edge 142. FIG. 22 shows the insert 158 placed on top of the well surface 146 of the lower tray 140. FIG. 23 thus shows an aerial view of the entire display article 160 with the upper tray 150 placed over the insert 158 (which is viewable through the upper tray 150), with the extended lip peripheral edge 152 over the peripheral edge of the lower bowl (142 of FIG. 17) to resiliently connect the two bowls together.
(37) Thus, the overall display article, method, and system permits a user the full complement of the expanse of a plate, bowl, tray, basically any type of dinnerware implement with which to provide a temporary, interchangeable, insert of any design that is viewable through at least the upper dinnerware component itself. The upper component plate must be transparent in its entirety to effectuate such a result, with a proper connection means between the two components to allow for full range of use upon a reliable connection there between. The lower component may be transparent as well, if desired, and as potentially preferred. Furthermore, the two dinnerware components may not only be easily and safely cleaned within a dishwasher for further use, but both components may actually be utilized separately as implements on their own if such a need arises. This versatility, then, of providing such an effective display article with all the other benefits accorded therein, is highly unexpected and of great utility.
(38) Having described the invention in detail it is obvious that one skilled in the art will be able to make variations and modifications thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be determined only by the claims appended hereto.
