Abstract:
The present invention relates to a plate, which can hold liquid, such that the user can easily hold the unit with a single hand while the user can enjoy both the food on the plate and the liquid contained therein, without the necessity of a table or other horizontal surface in which to put the plate.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERAL SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, ETC. 
       [0003]    Not Applicable. 
         [0004]    This invention is related generally to the field of plates and beverage holders for serving food and beverages, more particularly to the field of combined food and beverage holders for use by persons consuming them while “on the go.” The present invention is a liquid storing plate, which combines the means to hold the food with the means to hold the drink into one element. This eliminates the needs to juggle one element or the other when the necessity to use the person&#39;s other hand arises, such as when holding a handbag, backpack, driving a car, talking on the phone, etc. or merely for comfort. 
         [0005]    In today&#39;s world it is common to eat and drink while “on the go.” This can range from your common “fast-food” restaurants to other circumstances in which the person is not able to sit at a table or other horizontal surface in which to support the plate and beverage. In fact, the person may be standing, driving or participating in other activities in which it is helpful or required to have at least one free hand. 
         [0006]    This is commonly seen at outdoor events or functions, such as parties, athletic contests, entertainment events or social gatherings. Frequently a table is not available, which means the guest is left attempting to balance the food with the beverage, or must find some surface in which to place one of the elements, so they can enjoy the other. Needless to say, this leads to spills and other problems. 
         [0007]    Historically, the solution to this issue is to provide a means in which the beverage and plate, in separate containers, will be held in proximate location by means of gravity, i.e. as in a raised area in a pre-formed plate. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,441,164 (Beck); 5,207,743 (Costarella); 5,234,125 (Roberts). A second way in which this issue has been addressed is by attaching the beverage with the plate, via some means, i.e. as in screwing them together or creating a friction fit. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,425,480 (Krueger, et. al); 5,292,028 (Patterson, et. al.); 5,060,820 (Boerner); 4,938,373 (McKee). However these inventions are not as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, described herein. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention relates to a liquid storing plate that allows a user to combine a means to hold food with a means to hold a beverage. With this invention, combining these two elements means that the person needs only one hand in which to hold both the food element and the beverage element. This frees up the persons other hand to do a multitude of activities, such as driving a car, talking on a phone, holding a hand-bag or backpack while walking, or for shaking hands. 
         [0009]    This invention is accomplished by combining a plate, generally including recessed elements, with a beverage container element. This can be done via the use of two similar plate-shaped elements, which are fixedly attached, combined to create one-piece which is essentially plate-shaped. Another embodiment of this invention could be the incorporation into the bottom of the plate, as a single unit, a storage area in which to hold beverage. 
         [0010]    In either situation, the beverage portion of the unit would be a closed area and not be cylindrical in shape, as is normally seen, but will be flatter and carry, generally, the shape of the plate in which it is attached or associated with. Beverages would be introduced to the plate via a hole on the top of the plate of sufficient size to facilitate the easy introduction of liquids into this area. As noted above the plate portion and the beverage portion would be distinct areas such that the beverages do not mix with the food placed upon the plate. Spilling of the beverage would be minimized through use of a cap or other means in which to either close, or narrow the opening to only allow for introduction of a straw, or similar means. In order to extract the beverage a straw, or similar means, would be employed so that the user could access the beverage, as necessary. In either scenario, the fact that the food and beverage are in one device eliminates the needs for these two separate elements to be carried by the user. 
         [0011]    The plate portion of the unit will be of similar design to plates normally seen, however it will be slight thicker on the bottom to allow for the area in which the beverage is contained. The plate portion will generally, even though it is not absolutely necessary, separators or raised areas, so that the different kinds of foods that are placed on the plate, can be separately maintained. 
         [0012]    While the preferred embodiment of the unit has a pear-shaped top cross-section, any shape could be similarly used. Likewise, a means in which to cover the plate portion, such as a lid, can be incorporated into this invention such that it could snap over the plate portion, thus covering the food contained therein. When not in use, this lid could snap onto the bottom of the unit for easy storage. Additionally, an additional feature incorporated into the invention could be a holder for utensils, such as knife and fork, which could be located in the lid. The utensils could be held in place via clips or a depression in which the utensils could snugly fit, while being slightly below the surface area of the lid. Further, an additional option would be to have the straw for the unit stored within the top plate portion in a small canal or slot. Likewise, an additional means to hold the unit can be incorporated, such as a hole in the plate portion, so a thumb or finger could be slipped into the hole in order to make holding the unit easier. Likewise, a handle or similar means can be attached to the bottom of the plate to provide an easy-to-cary handle. This handle could also be of sufficient size and shape so that it could be slipped into a cup-holder. In this way, the unit can be placed in a stable fashion, without the use of hands, within the cup-holders at sporting events, for example, or in the cup-holder of a vehicle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0013]      FIG. 1 , shows a top view of the LIQUID STORING PLATE in three-compartment plate configuration.  FIG. 2 , shows a side view of one version of the LIQUID STORING PLATE including a lid.  FIG. 3 , shows a bottom and side view of one version of the LIQUID STORING PLATE that includes a handle.  FIG. 4 , shows a bottom and side view of one version of the LIQUID STORING PLATE that includes a means in which to place the unit in a cup-holder.  FIG. 5 , shows a top view of one version of the LIQUID STORING PLATE which includes a means to store the straw used with the plate, when not being used, as well as the ability to store utensils in the lid. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in specific language contained herein. It will, nevertheless, be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended; any alterations and further modifications of the described or illustrated embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
         [0015]    One form of the present invention is a LIQUID STORING PLATE that has pear-shape configuration as shown in  FIG. 1 . In this embodiment, three sections are shown 1 in the plate portion, but is understood that a variety of sections can be used, as dictated by the use. The outer lip  2  is raised in such a way that the food placed upon the plate is maintained on plate. Likewise the inner separators  3  are also raised in such a way that food placed upon the plate portion is maintained in a separate area from the other food contained therein. A cap  4  is placed over the hole of the beverage portion or container. This hole allows for the easy introduction of beverages into the beverage portion. Access is gained to the beverage held in the beverage portion via the use of a straw that is placed in a smaller hole  5  that is in the cap  4 . 
         [0016]    As seen in  FIG. 2 , the beverage portion  6  is an area under and below the plate portion  7 . This figure also shows cap  4  and the hole in which beverage is introduced to the beverage portion. Likewise, the smaller hole  5  and the straw  8  that is used to extract the liquid from the beverage portion. This figure also shows the baffle  9  which is a flap that is pushed down when the straw  8  is introduced but when the straw is removed, returns to its position against the top surface of the beverage portion. This baffle provides further protection from liquid leaking out of the beverage portion. Further, this figure also includes an optional lid  10 , which can placed onto the plate portion of the unit thereby covering the food contained therein and optionally, sealing off the straw which is used to extract the beverage or could further just cover the smaller hole  5 . 
         [0017]    Another form of the present invention is a LIQUID STORING PLATE as shown in  FIG. 3 . In this version, a handle  11  is incorporated and fixedly attached to the bottom of the beverage portion  6 . This handle provides an additional means in which the user can hold the unit with one hand. Likewise the version shown in the  FIG. 4 , incorporates a means  12  in which to place the unit into a cup-holder, such as those found in sporting venues or in vehicles. This means  12  could optionally be retractable, so that when it is not being used it slips back into the beverage portion and is not otherwise visible. 
         [0018]    Another form of the present invention is a LIQUID STORING PLATE as shown in  FIG. 5 . In this version, a storage area  11  for the straw  12  is incorporated into the upper portion of the plate. When the straw is not in use, it can be snapped into the storage area  11 , until it is time for it to be used. Likewise, utensils  14  can also be stored in an area in the lid  10 . As shown, this version consists of two indentations  13  in the lid  10 , in which the utensils, in this case a spoon and fork, can be frictionally maintained until time for use. At that time, they can be removed by simply pulling them out of the storage indentations. Another version of this utensil storage could be incorporated into the plate surface, either on the raised ridges or on the side of the unit. Likewise the straw storage area could also be on the side of the plate as well. 
         [0019]    While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail with the foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that while the preferred embodiment has been described, that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.