Abstract:
The present fliptop plates apparatus relates generally to a mateable plate apparatus and more particularly to an improved plate apparatus comprising a working surface of a first plate which complimentarily and lockingly can be mated with a working surface of a companion plate to form a receptacle, wherein preferably both plates have identical working surfaces, the plates may provide tactile feedback to users of the mateable plate apparatus, and the plates may be easily and optimally both stacked and unstacked.

Description:
FIELD OF THE APPARATUS 
     The present fliptop mateable plates apparatus relates generally to a mateable plate apparatus and more particularly to an improved plate apparatus comprising a working surface of a first plate which complimentarily and lockingly can be mated with a working surface of a companion plate to form a receptacle, wherein preferably both plates have identical working surfaces, the plates may provide tactile feedback to users of the mateable plate apparatus, and the plates may be easily and optimally both stacked and unstacked. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventional containers and receptacles are formed of at least one item which provides the main container or receptacle and a different shaped structure or container provides the cover or lid for the main container. The interface between the main container or receptacle cover or lid for the main container most often presents complimentary yet dissimilar structures. 
     Further, plates typically can serve as a main container or receptacle or as a cover or lid for the main container or receptacle. 
     What is needed however is a mateable plate apparatus comprised essentially of identical plates which complimentarily and lockingly can be mated together. The identical plates can therefore function as either the cover/lid or the main container. 
     Relevant patents are presented here, however reference to, and discussion of, the following patents is intended to aid in discharging Applicant&#39;s acknowledged duty of candor in disclosing information that may be relevant to the examination of claims to the present apparatus. However, it is respectfully submitted that none of the above-indicated patents disclose, teach, suggest, show, or otherwise render obvious, either singly or when considered in combination, the apparatus described and claimed herein. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,933,295 teaches packaging device forming an insulative structure for hot food sandwiches. The packaging device includes a pair of identical members, which when interconnected, form an insulative food container. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,938,726 teaches an integral tray structure of expanded substantially rigid plastic foam material, typically polystyrene foam is formed to have a bottom plate surface, an upstanding surrounding, inclined rim and a laterally projecting flange formed on the rim, the flange having, around its periphery, spaced projections, and recess means which are so arranged that, upon inversion of a tray structure above another tray structure, a hollow, insulated chamber, to contain hot or cold food, is formed. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,174 teaches two substantially identical tray members cooperate to define an enclosed space for a pizza pie or the like, each having a circular base wall, a frusto-conical side wall and an annular flange. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,146,762 teaches a container for a flexible bag of liquid that supports the bag during transportation, storage and use in dispensing of the liquid. 
     SUMMARY OF THE APPARATUS 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention/apparatus to provide an improved plate apparatus comprising a working surface of a first plate which complimentarily and lockingly can be mated with a working surface of a companion plate to form a receptacle, wherein preferably both plates have identical working surfaces, the plates may provide tactile feedback to users of the mateable plate apparatus, and the plates may be easily and optimally both stacked and unstacked. 
     Other novel features which are characteristic of the apparatus, as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying figures, in which preferred embodiments of the apparatus are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the figures are for illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the apparatus. The various features of novelty which characterize the apparatus are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this disclosure. The apparatus resides not in any one of these features taken alone, but rather in the particular combination of all of its structures for the functions specified. 
     There has thus been broadly outlined the more important features of the apparatus in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the apparatus that will be described hereinafter and which will form additional subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based readily may be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present apparatus. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present apparatus. 
     Further, the purpose of the Abstract is to enable the national patent office(s) and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the apparatus of this application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the apparatus in any way. 
     Certain terminology and derivations thereof may be used in the following description for convenience in reference only, and will not be limiting. For example, words such as “upward,” “downward,” “left,” and “right” would refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made unless otherwise stated. Similarly, words such as “inward” and “outward” would refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of a device or area and designated parts thereof. References in the singular tense include the plural, and vice versa, unless otherwise noted. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The apparatus will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of the mateable plates having identical halves. 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the mateable plates having identical halves. 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a plate having a protrusion and slot. 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a plate having a protrusion and slot. 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a plate having a protrusion, slot, and dimple. 
         FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of a plate having a protrusion, slot, and dimple. 
         FIG. 4C  is a perspective view of a plate having a protrusion, slot, and dimple. 
         FIG. 4D  is a perspective view of a plate having a protrusion, slot, and dimple. 
         FIG. 4E  is a perspective view of a plate having a protrusion, slot, and dimple. 
         FIG. 4F  is a perspective view of a plate apparatus having a protrusion, slot, and dimple. 
         FIG. 4G  is a perspective view of stacked plates. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention is a mateable plate apparatus  100  as shown in the embodiments in  FIG. 1A  thru  FIG. 4G . The mateable plate apparatus  100  provides a pair of identical plates  200  that complimentarily mate with each other. Embodiments are provided herein which further provide a variety of mating configurations for mateable plates having identical halves such as wherein the invention may further include a protrusion, and/or a slot, and/or a locking dimple. 
     Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B , the mateable plate apparatus  100  is comprised of a pair of identical plates  200  which include structures that allow the plates to securely fit together. Further the pair identical plates  200  can be unlocked and separated from each other without damaging either plate. 
     Note—It is understood the elements of the instant invention are composed of similar or different material and one element may yield or deform (temporarily or permanently). 
     As shown in  FIG. 2A , the plate  200  may include, among other features, a protrusion  240  and slot  220 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3A , the plate  200  may include, among other features, a protrusion  240  and shaped slot  220 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4A  thru  FIG. 4G , the plate  200  may include, among other features, a protrusion  240 , shaped slot  220  and a locking dimple  250 . 
     Plate Structure Applicable to Both Plates 
     Within each embodiment each plate  200  of the mateable plate apparatus  100  is identical therefore it is understood the below description is application to both plates of the embodiment under review. 
     In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 4A  thru  FIG. 4G , the plate  200  may include, among other features, a protrusion  240 , shaped slot  220 , and a locking dimple  250 . 
     More particularly, each plate  200  includes a circumferential plate rim  205 , a plate side wall  210  extending from the plate rim  205 , and a plate bottom  215  forming an enclosure of the side wall  210 . 
     Each plate rim  205  includes at least one positioning channel  220 , the positioning channel including a slot  221 , a first opening  225  provided at a proximal end of the slot  221 , and a second opening  230  provided at a distal end of the slot  221 , wherein the slot  221  interconnects the first opening  225  and the second opening  230 . As provided in the preferred embodiment the first opening  225  and the second opening  230  are dissimilar sizes however it is understood they could also be of the same size. Further while the preferred embodiment shows the slot  221  having a generally even rectangular shape, it is understood the slot  221  could have alternate shapes including a triangular shape, an “S” shape, a sinusoidal shape, a jagged shape, a spiral shape, or a combination of similar or different shapes. 
     The circumferential plate rim  205  includes a top surface  206  and a bottom surface  207  and the at least one positioning channel  220  extends completely through both the circumferential plate rim top surface  206  and the circumferential plate rim bottom surface  207 . 
     A positioning protrusion  240  is provided on the plate rim top surface  206 . The positioning protrusion  240  includes a protrusion base  241  which attaches the positioning protrusion  240  to the plate rim top surface  206  and a protrusion head  242  positioned atop the protrusion base  241 , the protrusion head further including an outer periphery  243 . 
     The protrusion head  242  can be of varying shapes selected from the group comprising at least: star, crescent, diamond, triangle, circular, pyramid, circular, spherical, elongated, rectangle, iconic—such as vegetable, foods, nuts, means, characters, and other indicia. 
     A locking dimple  250  is provided on the circumferential plate rim bottom surface  207  approximate the circumferential plate first opening  225 , the locking dimple further including an outer periphery  251 . 
     The protrusion base  241  is sized to be approximately equal or smaller than the protrusion head  242 . Both the protrusion head  242  and the protrusion base  241  (singularly or collectively) may be of a single consistent diameter or they may be comprised of varying diameters. 
     The positioning protrusion  240  of each identical plate  200  is sized and configured to cooperatively fit within the at least one positioning channel  220  of the companion plate  200  as further discussed below. 
     As shown in the preferred embodiment, the positioning protrusion head  242  is sized to be small enough to be inserted into the positioning channel second opening  230  with little or no contact with the second opening  230 . The protrusion base  241  is also is sized to be small enough to be inserted into the positioning channel second opening  230  with little or no contact with the second opening  230 . 
     The protrusion base  241  is sized to be small enough to be inserted into the positioning channel slot  220  with little or no contact with the positioning channel slot  220 . 
     The positioning protrusion head  242  is sized to be larger than the positioning channel slot  220  thereby preventing the positioning protrusion head  242  from passing completely thru the positioning channel slot  220 . 
     Further as shown in the preferred embodiment, the positioning protrusion head  242  is sized to be larger than the positioning channel first opening  225  thereby preventing the positioning protrusion head  242  from passing completely thru the positioning channel first opening  225 . 
     The protrusion base  241  is sized to be small enough to be inserted into the positioning channel first opening  225  with little or no contact with the first opening  225 . 
     The positioning protrusion  240  is sized so that when fully seated within the positioning channel first opening  225  of the companion plate  200 , the positioning protrusion head  242  is positioned approximate the locking dimple  250  provided on the circumferential plate rim bottom surface  207  of the companion plate  200 . The positioning protrusions head outer periphery  243  may slightly abut the companion plate locking dimple  250  or may be clear of the companion plate locking dimple  250 . 
     The protrusion base  241  of each plate  200  is sized to allow the positioning protrusion  240  to be translated thru the plate rim slot  221  with minimal or no contact with the locking dimple  250  of the companion plate  200 . 
     The positioning protrusion head  242  of a first plate is sized to provide yielding resistance to the translation of the positioning protrusion  240  when the positioning protrusion head  242  is abutting the locking dimple  250  of the companion plate  200 . The resistance to the translation of the positioning protrusion head  242  diminishes as the positioning protrusion head  242  moves past the locking dimple  250  of the companion plate  200 . 
     During translation of the positioning protrusion  240 , the protrusion base  241  traverses the positioning channel slot  220  of the companion plate  200 . 
     For example, users slideably locking two plates  200  together may notice a slight increase in translational resistance as the positioning protrusion head  242  makes contact with the locking dimple  250  of the companion plate  200 , and a decrease in translational resistance as the positioning protrusion head  242  moves past the locking dimple  250  of the companion plate  200 . This drop in translational resistance provides users tactile feedback that the positioning protrusion head  242  has passed the locking dimple  250  and the positioning protrusion  240  is fully seated in circumferential plate first opening  225 . 
     Additionally, users slideably unlocking two plates  200  may also observe a slight increase and then decrease in translational resistance as the positioning protrusion head  242  makes contact with the locking dimple  250  of the companion plate  200  and then moves away from the locking dimple  250  and into the plate rim slot  221  of the companion plate  200 . 
     As shown at least in  FIG. 4A  thru  4 G, in an exemplary preferred embodiment the mateable plate apparatus comprises: a first plate  200  and an identical companion plate  200 , each plate including: a circumferential rim portion  205  forming an opening, the rim portion comprising at least one positioning channel  220 , the circumferential plate rim further comprising a top surface  206  and a bottom surface  207 , the circumferential plate rim  205  further comprising a plate side wall  210  extending from the plate rim  205 , the circumferential plate rim  205  further comprising a plate bottom  215  forming an enclosure of the side wall  210 ; wherein the positioning channel  220  includes a slot  221 , a first opening  225  provided at a proximal end of the slot  221 , and a second opening  230  provided at a distal end of the slot  221 , wherein the slot  221  interconnects the first opening  225  and the second opening  230 , and wherein the at least one positioning channel  220  extends completely through both the circumferential rim top surface  206  and the circumferential rim bottom surface  207 ; a positioning protrusion  240  is provided on the plate rim top surface  206 ; wherein the positioning protrusion  240  of the first plate  200  is sized to be positioned in the at least one positioning channel  220  of the companion plate  200  when the plates are mated together and turned or translated into a locked position; wherein each plate  200  includes a locking dimple  250  provided on the circumferential rim bottom surface  207  approximate the circumferential plate first opening  225 , and wherein the positioning protrusion  240  is positioned in the first opening  225  and abuts the locking dimple  250  to hold the plates  200  together when the plates  200  are turned or translated into a locked position. 
     Forming the Mated Apparatus 
     As indicated above the mateable plate apparatus  100  of the instant invention is formed by interlocking a pair of identical plates  200  having complimentarily and lockingly mateable features. 
     The positioning protrusion  240  of a first plate  200  is inserted into the plate rim second opening  230  of an identical companion plate  200  so that the positioning protrusion head  242  of the first plate  200  passes thru the plate rim second opening  230  of the identical companion plate  200 . 
     The protrusion base  241  of the first plate  200  is then translated along the positioning channel slot  220  of the companion plate  200  until the positioning protrusion head  242  of the first plate  200  encounters the locking dimple  250  of the companion plate  200 . 
     As the protrusion base  241  of the first plate  200  is further translated, there is a slight increase and then decrease in the translational resistance as the positioning protrusion head  242  makes contact with the locking dimple  250  of the companion plate  200  and then moves past the locking dimple  250 . 
     The decrease in the translational resistance may provide tactile feedback that the protrusion base  241  of the first plate  200  is either fully seated within the first opening  225  of the companion plate  200  or that the protrusion base  241  of the first plate  200  is positioned within the positioning channel slot  220  of the companion plate  200 . 
     Where the positioning protrusion head  242  of the first plate  200  is slightly larger than the positioning channel slot  220  and/or the positioning channel first opening  225  of the companion plate  200 , the first plate  200  is prevented from separating from the companion plate  200 . 
     It is understood that the protrusion base  241  of the first plate  200  may be sized to provide minimal to large tactile feedback as it traverses the positioning channel slot  220  of the companion plate  200  and less or no tactile feedback once the protrusion base  241  is within the circumferential plate first opening  225  of the first plate  200 . 
     It is further understood the that the protrusion base  241  of the first plate  200  may be sized to provide minimal to no tactile feedback as it traverses the positioning channel slot  220  of the companion plate  200  and more or no tactile feedback once the protrusion base  241  is within the circumferential plate first opening  225  of the first plate  200 . 
     In other words, the user may feel a bit of resistance as the plates  200  are being locked together and then a drop in resistance once the plates  200  are in a locked together position—or alternatively, the users may feel no resistance as the plates  200  are being locked together and then possibly an increase in resistance once the plates  200  are locked together due, for example to the size of the positioning channel slot  220  on the companion plate  200 , the size of the plate first opening  225  on the companion plate  200 , the locking dimple  250  of the companion plate  200 , the size of the protrusion base  241  of the first plate, or due to the protrusion base  241  of the first plate making contact with the first opening  225  on the companion plate  200 . 
     Plate Flipping 
     The instant invention provides usefulness in that, among other things, users can merely flip one plate  200  over and use it as a securable top for a companion plate  200  thereby forming a securable receptacle  100 . This flip-the-top plate functionality makes the instant invention a multifunctional apparatus for users. 
     After flipping one plate  200  onto a companion plate  200 , users can form a securely locked receptacle by rotating either or both plates  200  until the protrusion base  241  of one plate makes contact with the first opening  225  on the companion plate  200 . The reverse procedures are used to unlock or unsecure the interface between one plate  200  and the companion plate  200 . 
     Plate Stacking 
       FIG. 4G  discloses a stack of interlocking identical plates  200  having complimentarily and lockingly mateable features. 
     For plate stacking of at least one plate  200  atop a similarly oriented companion plate  200 , the circumferential plate rim  205 , plate side wall  210 , plate bottom  215 , positioning channel  220 , positioning protrusion  240 , and the locking dimple  250  of each plate  200  are sized to optimize stacking space. Stacking space is optimized where the instant invention presents minimal points of contact between one plate  200  and the companion plate  200 . 
     Further within the instant invention, stacking space can be optimized where a stack of plates  200  forms a fluid channel or passageway between the top surface  206  and a bottom surface  207  of consecutive plates  200 . This passageway  260  can be sized to achieve the optimum flow (free or constrained) of fluids such as air, water, or any material solutions including gasses, vapors, steam, super-heated steam, or elements such as quantum level multiphasic particles. 
     In a stack of plates  200 , the positioning protrusion(s)  240  of a companion plate  200  are aligned approximate the plate second opening (s)  230  of the proceeding plate  200 , which enhances stacking space optimization. 
     Further, in the stack of plates  200 , the top of the positioning protrusions  240  is positioned lower than the rim top surface  206  approximate the plate second opening (s)  230  of the proceeding plate  200 , which enhances stacking space optimization. 
     When the plates  200  are to be separated (unstacked) the stacking space optimization features such as the fluid channel or passageway, the minimal points of contact between plates, and the compact positioning of the positioning protrusion  240  relative to the companion plate second opening  230  allow for easy separation of the plates  200  which further enhances stacking space optimization. 
     It is understood this inventor anticipates the instant invention can be comprised of a variety of known material including, but not limited to plastic, paper, foam, natural materials, biodegradable materials, recyclable materials, metals, liquids, and tangible compounds as well as any matter in a permanent or transitory state. 
     Further this inventor anticipates the instant invention can be made of clear material, opaque material, textured material, or reactive material (sensitive to chemicals, light, temperature, pressure, distance, or time). 
     Further this inventor anticipates the instant invention can be made into a variety of shapes beyond the shapes provided in the Figures. 
     The foregoing disclosure is sufficient to enable one having skill in the art to practice the apparatus without undue experimentation, and provides the best mode of practicing the apparatus presently contemplated by the inventor. While there is provided herein a full and complete disclosure of the preferred embodiments of this apparatus, it is not intended to limit the apparatus to the exact construction, dimensional relationships, and operation shown and described. Various modifications, alternative constructions, changes and equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the art and may be employed, as suitable, without departing from the true spirit and scope of the apparatus. Such changes might involve alternative materials, components, structural arrangements, sizes, shapes, forms, functions, operational features or the like. Elements of the instant apparatus may be made from a variety of known materials including wood, rubber, metal, or plastic, as well as from any suitable combination of appropriate materials. 
     Accordingly, the proper scope of the present apparatus should be determined only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all such modifications as well as all relationships equivalent to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification.