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.

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'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.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a mateable plate apparatus100as shown in the embodiments inFIG. 1AthruFIG. 4G. The mateable plate apparatus100provides a pair of identical plates200that 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 inFIG. 1AandFIG. 1B, the mateable plate apparatus100is comprised of a pair of identical plates200which include structures that allow the plates to securely fit together. Further the pair identical plates200can 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 inFIG. 3A, the plate200may include, among other features, a protrusion240and shaped slot220.

Plate Structure Applicable to Both Plates

Within each embodiment each plate200of the mateable plate apparatus100is identical therefore it is understood the below description is application to both plates of the embodiment under review.

In the preferred embodiment shown inFIG. 4AthruFIG. 4G, the plate200may include, among other features, a protrusion240, shaped slot220, and a locking dimple250.

More particularly, each plate200includes a circumferential plate rim205, a plate side wall210extending from the plate rim205, and a plate bottom215forming an enclosure of the side wall210.

Each plate rim205includes at least one positioning channel220, the positioning channel including a slot221, a first opening225provided at a proximal end of the slot221, and a second opening230provided at a distal end of the slot221, wherein the slot221interconnects the first opening225and the second opening230. As provided in the preferred embodiment the first opening225and the second opening230are dissimilar sizes however it is understood they could also be of the same size. Further while the preferred embodiment shows the slot221having a generally even rectangular shape, it is understood the slot221could 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 rim205includes a top surface206and a bottom surface207and the at least one positioning channel220extends completely through both the circumferential plate rim top surface206and the circumferential plate rim bottom surface207.

A positioning protrusion240is provided on the plate rim top surface206. The positioning protrusion240includes a protrusion base241which attaches the positioning protrusion240to the plate rim top surface206and a protrusion head242positioned atop the protrusion base241, the protrusion head further including an outer periphery243.

A locking dimple250is provided on the circumferential plate rim bottom surface207approximate the circumferential plate first opening225, the locking dimple further including an outer periphery251.

The protrusion base241is sized to be approximately equal or smaller than the protrusion head242. Both the protrusion head242and the protrusion base241(singularly or collectively) may be of a single consistent diameter or they may be comprised of varying diameters.

The positioning protrusion240of each identical plate200is sized and configured to cooperatively fit within the at least one positioning channel220of the companion plate200as further discussed below.

As shown in the preferred embodiment, the positioning protrusion head242is sized to be small enough to be inserted into the positioning channel second opening230with little or no contact with the second opening230. The protrusion base241is also is sized to be small enough to be inserted into the positioning channel second opening230with little or no contact with the second opening230.

The protrusion base241is sized to be small enough to be inserted into the positioning channel slot220with little or no contact with the positioning channel slot220.

The positioning protrusion head242is sized to be larger than the positioning channel slot220thereby preventing the positioning protrusion head242from passing completely thru the positioning channel slot220.

Further as shown in the preferred embodiment, the positioning protrusion head242is sized to be larger than the positioning channel first opening225thereby preventing the positioning protrusion head242from passing completely thru the positioning channel first opening225.

The protrusion base241is sized to be small enough to be inserted into the positioning channel first opening225with little or no contact with the first opening225.

The positioning protrusion240is sized so that when fully seated within the positioning channel first opening225of the companion plate200, the positioning protrusion head242is positioned approximate the locking dimple250provided on the circumferential plate rim bottom surface207of the companion plate200. The positioning protrusions head outer periphery243may slightly abut the companion plate locking dimple250or may be clear of the companion plate locking dimple250.

The protrusion base241of each plate200is sized to allow the positioning protrusion240to be translated thru the plate rim slot221with minimal or no contact with the locking dimple250of the companion plate200.

The positioning protrusion head242of a first plate is sized to provide yielding resistance to the translation of the positioning protrusion240when the positioning protrusion head242is abutting the locking dimple250of the companion plate200. The resistance to the translation of the positioning protrusion head242diminishes as the positioning protrusion head242moves past the locking dimple250of the companion plate200.

During translation of the positioning protrusion240, the protrusion base241traverses the positioning channel slot220of the companion plate200.

For example, users slideably locking two plates200together may notice a slight increase in translational resistance as the positioning protrusion head242makes contact with the locking dimple250of the companion plate200, and a decrease in translational resistance as the positioning protrusion head242moves past the locking dimple250of the companion plate200. This drop in translational resistance provides users tactile feedback that the positioning protrusion head242has passed the locking dimple250and the positioning protrusion240is fully seated in circumferential plate first opening225.

Additionally, users slideably unlocking two plates200may also observe a slight increase and then decrease in translational resistance as the positioning protrusion head242makes contact with the locking dimple250of the companion plate200and then moves away from the locking dimple250and into the plate rim slot221of the companion plate200.

As shown at least inFIG. 4Athru4G, in an exemplary preferred embodiment the mateable plate apparatus comprises: a first plate200and an identical companion plate200, each plate including: a circumferential rim portion205forming an opening, the rim portion comprising at least one positioning channel220, the circumferential plate rim further comprising a top surface206and a bottom surface207, the circumferential plate rim205further comprising a plate side wall210extending from the plate rim205, the circumferential plate rim205further comprising a plate bottom215forming an enclosure of the side wall210; wherein the positioning channel220includes a slot221, a first opening225provided at a proximal end of the slot221, and a second opening230provided at a distal end of the slot221, wherein the slot221interconnects the first opening225and the second opening230, and wherein the at least one positioning channel220extends completely through both the circumferential rim top surface206and the circumferential rim bottom surface207; a positioning protrusion240is provided on the plate rim top surface206; wherein the positioning protrusion240of the first plate200is sized to be positioned in the at least one positioning channel220of the companion plate200when the plates are mated together and turned or translated into a locked position; wherein each plate200includes a locking dimple250provided on the circumferential rim bottom surface207approximate the circumferential plate first opening225, and wherein the positioning protrusion240is positioned in the first opening225and abuts the locking dimple250to hold the plates200together when the plates200are turned or translated into a locked position.

Forming the Mated Apparatus

As indicated above the mateable plate apparatus100of the instant invention is formed by interlocking a pair of identical plates200having complimentarily and lockingly mateable features.

The positioning protrusion240of a first plate200is inserted into the plate rim second opening230of an identical companion plate200so that the positioning protrusion head242of the first plate200passes thru the plate rim second opening230of the identical companion plate200.

The protrusion base241of the first plate200is then translated along the positioning channel slot220of the companion plate200until the positioning protrusion head242of the first plate200encounters the locking dimple250of the companion plate200.

As the protrusion base241of the first plate200is further translated, there is a slight increase and then decrease in the translational resistance as the positioning protrusion head242makes contact with the locking dimple250of the companion plate200and then moves past the locking dimple250.

The decrease in the translational resistance may provide tactile feedback that the protrusion base241of the first plate200is either fully seated within the first opening225of the companion plate200or that the protrusion base241of the first plate200is positioned within the positioning channel slot220of the companion plate200.

Where the positioning protrusion head242of the first plate200is slightly larger than the positioning channel slot220and/or the positioning channel first opening225of the companion plate200, the first plate200is prevented from separating from the companion plate200.

It is understood that the protrusion base241of the first plate200may be sized to provide minimal to large tactile feedback as it traverses the positioning channel slot220of the companion plate200and less or no tactile feedback once the protrusion base241is within the circumferential plate first opening225of the first plate200.

It is further understood the that the protrusion base241of the first plate200may be sized to provide minimal to no tactile feedback as it traverses the positioning channel slot220of the companion plate200and more or no tactile feedback once the protrusion base241is within the circumferential plate first opening225of the first plate200.

In other words, the user may feel a bit of resistance as the plates200are being locked together and then a drop in resistance once the plates200are in a locked together position—or alternatively, the users may feel no resistance as the plates200are being locked together and then possibly an increase in resistance once the plates200are locked together due, for example to the size of the positioning channel slot220on the companion plate200, the size of the plate first opening225on the companion plate200, the locking dimple250of the companion plate200, the size of the protrusion base241of the first plate, or due to the protrusion base241of the first plate making contact with the first opening225on the companion plate200.

Plate Flipping

The instant invention provides usefulness in that, among other things, users can merely flip one plate200over and use it as a securable top for a companion plate200thereby forming a securable receptacle100. This flip-the-top plate functionality makes the instant invention a multifunctional apparatus for users.

After flipping one plate200onto a companion plate200, users can form a securely locked receptacle by rotating either or both plates200until the protrusion base241of one plate makes contact with the first opening225on the companion plate200. The reverse procedures are used to unlock or unsecure the interface between one plate200and the companion plate200.

Plate Stacking

For plate stacking of at least one plate200atop a similarly oriented companion plate200, the circumferential plate rim205, plate side wall210, plate bottom215, positioning channel220, positioning protrusion240, and the locking dimple250of each plate200are sized to optimize stacking space. Stacking space is optimized where the instant invention presents minimal points of contact between one plate200and the companion plate200.

Further within the instant invention, stacking space can be optimized where a stack of plates200forms a fluid channel or passageway between the top surface206and a bottom surface207of consecutive plates200. This passageway260can 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 plates200, the positioning protrusion(s)240of a companion plate200are aligned approximate the plate second opening (s)230of the proceeding plate200, which enhances stacking space optimization.

Further, in the stack of plates200, the top of the positioning protrusions240is positioned lower than the rim top surface206approximate the plate second opening (s)230of the proceeding plate200, which enhances stacking space optimization.

When the plates200are 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 protrusion240relative to the companion plate second opening230allow for easy separation of the plates200which 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.