Abstract:
A method for providing a compartmentalized platter of foodstuffs for sale to a consumer, whereby the foodstuffs are first placed into individual containers which fit into the compartments of the platter, such that the consumer has great flexibility in selecting and arranging the foodstuffs to be included with the platter.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to the retail sale of foodstuffs. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for providing a platter of foodstuffs for sale to a consumer, whereby the consumer has great flexibility in selecting the foodstuffs to be included with the platter. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Prior Art 
         [0004]    So-called “party platters” are well known in the food retail industry. These platters are typically segmented into compartments, with each compartment filled with a type of foodstuff, such as a vegetable or fruit or meat or cheese. Then the contents are enclosed by some type of covering device to retain the foodstuffs in the platter. The selection of foodstuffs and arrangement thereof on the platter is done by the retailer (or perhaps a wholesale distributor), with the completed platters displayed for consumers to purchase. 
         [0005]    While this concept allows busy consumers to quickly purchase a variety of foodstuffs, it has several disadvantages. First, consumers may not like the particular selection of foodstuffs placed onto a platter, or more likely, will like some but not all of the particular selection of foodstuffs placed onto a platter. This leads to the consumer either foregoing the purchase of the platter, or purchasing a platter that is less desirable to the consumer than it could be. Second, different types of foodstuffs have different shelf lives; the platter is only viable for sale for the period of the shelf life of the foodstuff quickest to spoil. At that time, even if other foodstuffs in the platter are still saleable, the platter as a whole must be withdrawn from sale. Both of these disadvantages lead to increased “shrink”, or waste, in pre-filled platters. 
         [0006]    It is thus demonstrated the need for a new method of providing a platter of foodstuffs for sale to a consumer. 
         [0007]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to present a method of providing a platter of foodstuffs for sale to a consumer. 
         [0008]    It is a further object of the present invention to present a method of providing a platter of foodstuffs for sale to a consumer that allows the consumer to select the foodstuffs to be included in the platter. 
         [0009]    It is a further object of the present invention to present a method of providing a platter of foodstuffs for sale to a consumer that allows the consumer to select the type of foodstuffs to be included in the platter. 
         [0010]    It is a further object of the present invention to present a method of providing a platter of foodstuffs for sale to a consumer that allows the consumer to select the quality of foodstuffs to be included in the platter. 
         [0011]    It is a further object of the present invention to present a method of providing a platter of foodstuffs for sale to a consumer that allows the consumer to select the quantity of foodstuffs to be included in the platter. 
         [0012]    It is yet a further object of the present invention to present a method of providing a platter of foodstuffs for sale to a consumer that allows foodstuffs with shorter shelf lives to be swapped out when they reach their expiration without affecting other foodstuffs. 
         [0013]    It is yet a further object of the present invention to present a method of providing a platter of foodstuffs for sale to a consumer that reduces shrink. 
         [0014]    It is yet a further object of the present invention to present a method of providing a platter of foodstuffs for sale to a consumer that a consumer is more likely to purchase. 
         [0015]    Other objects of the present invention will be readily apparent from the description that follows. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    The present invention discloses a method of providing a platter of foodstuffs for sale to a consumer whereby the consumer both selects the foodstuffs to be included in the platter and arranges it thereon in a manner pleasing to the consumer. This method is performed by providing a platter and a plurality of containers, whereby each of the containers is pre-filled with a single type of foodstuff and is covered with a covering, preferably transparent though an opaque covering with a representation of the foodstuffs contained therein would also be permitted. The platter is configured to receive the individual containers by means of a plurality of partitions within the platter, with the compartments formed by the partitions configured to receive the individual containers. The containers may all be dimensioned the same, or may have different dimensions, with the compartments of the platter being similarly dimensioned. 
         [0017]    The method involves providing a plurality of containers pre-filled with foodstuffs of different types, and a plurality of empty compartmentalized platters. A plurality of preferably transparent covers that fit the platters may also be provided. Consumers select an empty platter, then select from the plurality of containers, placing the selected containers into the compartments of the platter. When done, they may place a cover over the platter. The choice of foodstuffs to select, and the arrangement of the containers within the platter, is solely the consumer&#39;s. This allows a consumer to select those types of foodstuffs that are desired, and to reject those that are not desired. The retailer is able to restock the containers pre-filled with foodstuffs that are selected by the consumers, thus keeping the popular foodstuffs readily available for sale. Likewise, the retailer is able to remove expired foodstuffs in order to replace them with saleable foodstuffs. 
         [0018]    The pre-filled containers may be displayed on simple shelving, or in refrigerated display cases. They may be set out on end caps or on stand-alone central displays, providing another destination point of purchase, or they may be set out in existing wall display cases. Consumers may alternately choose to purchase only one or more containers without the platter, because they only have need for a small amount of foodstuffs or they may wish to reuse a platter previously purchased. In any event, the foodstuffs will be more readily available to consumers and more attractive for purchase because of the increased choice provided the consumer. Moreover, because the foodstuffs can be rotated as needed, there will be less shrink involved. 
         [0019]    It is to be understood that the foregoing and following description of the method of the present invention are intended to be illustrative and exemplary rather than restrictive of the invention as claimed. These and other aspects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after review of the entire specification, accompanying figures, and claims incorporated herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a plan top view of one embodiment of a platter, together with a pair of containers with lids, shown in perspective view. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a plan top view of an alternative embodiment of a platter, having a central portion, and a cover, together with a plurality of containers and a cylindrical container with lid, shown in perspective view. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a plan top view of yet another embodiment of a platter, together with a pair of containers and a cylindrical container, shown in perspective view. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a perspective top view of a rectangular embodiment of a platter, together with a container with lid. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a plan side view of a platter having an angled side wall and angled partitions, with appropriately configured containers filled with foodstuffs placed thereon. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    The method of the present invention for providing a platter  100  of foodstuffs  10  for sale to a consumer requires a platter  100 , a plurality of containers  200 , and foodstuffs  10 . 
         [0026]    The platter  100  must have a substantially planar base  110  having a perimeter edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface. It has a continuous circumferential side wall  120 , with the side wall  120  located adjacent to the perimeter edge of the base  110  of the platter  100  on its top surface. The side wall  120  is oriented substantially perpendicular to the base  110  of the platter  100  and has a substantially uniform height and a top edge. The platter  100  may be substantially round or rectangular or any other suitable shape. This basic configuration is typical of platters known in the art. The platter  100  may be formed of any suitable material, such as plastic. The platter  100  may be made of an opaque material, a translucent material, or a substantially transparent material. For nontransparent platters, the platter  100  may come in any color desired. In one embodiment the platter  100  may be manufactured using a vacuum forming process. 
         [0027]    The platter  100  must also have a plurality of partitions  130 . Each of the partitions  130  is located adjacent to the base  110  of the platter  100  on its top surface, and extends upward from the base  110  of the platter  100 . Each of the partitions  130  has a height substantially the same as the height of each other partition  130 . Each of the partitions  130  is spaced substantially apart from each other partition  130  and has at most one point of contact with any other partition  130 . The partitions  130  may be separate members inserted into slots formed into the base  110  of the platter  100 . As such, they may be removable from the platter  100  or permanently affixed thereto. Alternatively, the partitions  130  may be integral with the platter  100 , formed at the same time the platter  100  is formed. Each of the plurality of partitions  130  may be substantially planar. Each of the plurality of partitions  130  may be oriented substantially perpendicular to the base  110  of the platter  100 . In the preferred embodiments the height of each partition  130  of the platter  100  is not greater than the height of the side wall  120  of the platter  100 . Where the platter  100  is substantially round, the plurality of partitions  130  may be arranged in a regular radial pattern. See  FIG. 1 . Alternatively, the partitions  130  may be irregularly spaced. Where the platter  100  is substantially rectangular, the plurality of partitions  130  may be arranged in a regular rectangular grid pattern. See  FIG. 4 . Alternatively, the partitions  130  may be arranged in an irregular rectangular grid pattern. 
         [0028]    The plurality of partitions  130  and the side wall  120  of the platter  100  define a plurality of compartments  140 . Each compartment  140  comprises a volume located between at least one pair of adjacent partitions  130  and above a portion of the base  110  of the platter  100  located between that pair of adjacent partitions  130 . The upper portion of the compartment  140  is opened. Where the platter  100  is substantially round, each of the plurality of compartments  140  of the platter  100  is substantially wedge-shaped. Where the platter  100  is substantially rectangular, each of the plurality of compartments  140  of the platter  100  is substantially rectangular as well. Depending on the placement of the plurality of partitions  130 , each of the compartments  140  may be substantially of the same size and configuration as each other of the compartments  140 , or different compartments  140  may be sized and configured differently. 
         [0029]    In some embodiments of the present invention, the circumferential side wall  120  of the platter  100  angles slightly outward as it extends away from the base  110  of the platter  100 , such that the top edge of the circumferential side wall  120  of the platter  100  has a slightly greater circumference than the perimeter edge of the base  110  of the platter  100 . See  FIG. 5 . In such embodiments, each of the plurality of partitions  130  may have a thickness, with the thickness of each partition  130  proximate to the base  110  of the platter  100  slightly greater than the thickness of that partition  130  distal from the base  110  of the platter  100 . This configuration of the partitions  130 , together with the described configuration of the side wall  120  of the platter  100 , together define compartments  140  which are somewhat larger at their top openings than at their bottoms along the base  110  of the platter  100 . 
         [0030]    Each of the plurality of containers  200  is configured as follows: each container  200  has a substantially planar base  210  having a perimeter edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface. A continuous circumferential side wall  220  is located adjacent to the perimeter edge of the base  210  of the container  200  on the top surface of the base  210  of the container  200  and oriented substantially perpendicular to the base  210  of the container  200 . The circumferential side wall  220  of has a substantially uniform height and a top edge. In some embodiments the height of the side wall  220  of each container  200  is not greater than the height of the side wall  120  of the platter  100 . Each of the plurality of containers  200  may be made of an opaque material, a translucent material, or a substantially transparent material. For nontransparent containers  200 , the containers  200  may come in any color desired. Each of the plurality of containers  200  also has a removable covering  250 . Each covering  250  is suitably configured to be placed onto the top edge of the side wall  220  of its corresponding container  200  and secured thereto. In some embodiments the covering  250  may be a reusable lid. In other embodiments it may be a single use sheet of disposable plastic wrap. In the preferred embodiments the covering  250  is transparent. Each of the plurality of containers  200  is dimensioned to fit within at least one of the plurality of compartments  140  of the platter  100 . In the preferred embodiments of the present invention each of the plurality of containers  200  is dimensioned to snugly fit within at least one of the plurality of compartments  140  of the platter  100 . 
         [0031]    In the embodiments where the side wall  120  of the platter  100  is angled slightly outward as it extends away from the base  110  of the platter  100 , the circumferential side wall  220  of each of the plurality of containers  200  may also angle slightly outward as it extends away from the base  210  of the container  200 . This configuration results in the top edge of the circumferential side wall  220  of each container  200  having a slightly greater circumference than the perimeter edge of the base  210  of the container  200 . In the most preferred embodiments the angle of the circumferential side wall  220  of each of the containers  200  is substantially the same as the angle of the circumferential side wall  120  of the platter  100 . See  FIG. 5 . 
         [0032]    In embodiments of the present invention where the platter  100  is substantially round, the platter  100  may have a circular central portion  118 . See  FIG. 2 . The partitions  130  of the platter  100  are arranged in a regular radial pattern around the central portion of the platter  100 , but the partitions  130  do not extend into the central portion of the platter  100 . Each of the plurality of compartments  140  of the platter  100  is substantially wedge-shaped, except for the compartment  140  formed in the central portion of the platter  100 , which is substantially round. So configured, each of the plurality of containers  200  is also substantially wedge-shaped with a forward portion being truncated, such that when each container  200  is placed into a compartment  140  of the platter  100  the container  200  also does not extend into the central portion of the platter  100 . See  FIG. 2 . There may also be a plurality of cylindrical containers  300 , with each cylindrical container  300  having a substantially planar base  310  having a perimeter edge, a top surface, a bottom surface, and a continuous circumferential side wall  320 , with the circumferential side wall  320  located adjacent to the edge of the base  310  of that cylindrical container  300  on the top surface of the base  310  of that cylindrical container  300  and oriented substantially perpendicular to the base  310  of that cylindrical container  300 . The circumferential side wall  320  of the cylindrical container  300  has a substantially uniform height and a top edge. In the preferred embodiment the height of the side wall  320  of each cylindrical container  300  is not greater than the height of the side wall  120  of the platter  100 . Each of the plurality of cylindrical containers  300  may be made of an opaque material, a translucent material, or a substantially transparent material. For nontransparent cylindrical containers  300 , the cylindrical containers  300  may come in any color desired. A removable circular covering  350  is suitably configured to be placed onto the top edge of the side wall  320  of each of the cylindrical containers  300  and secured thereto. In some embodiments the circular covering  350  may be a reusable circular lid. In other embodiments it may be a single use sheet of disposable plastic wrap. In the preferred embodiments the circular coverings  350  are transparent. Each of the plurality of cylindrical containers  300  is dimensioned to fit within the circular central portion  118  of the platter  100 . 
         [0033]    In the embodiments where the side wall  120  of the platter  100  is angled slightly outward as it extends away from the base  110  of the platter  100 , the circumferential side wall  320  of each of the plurality of cylindrical containers  300  may also angle slightly outward as it extends away from the base  310  of that cylindrical container  300 . See  FIG. 5 . This configuration results in the top edge of the circumferential side wall  320  of each cylindrical container  300  having a slightly greater circumference than the perimeter edge of the base  310  of that cylindrical container  300 . In the most preferred embodiments the angle of the circumferential side wall  320  of each of the cylindrical containers  300  is substantially the same as the angle of the circumferential side wall  120  of the platter  100 . 
         [0034]    In some embodiments there is an optional cover  400 . See  FIG. 2 . The cover  400  is suitably configured to be placed onto the top edge of the side wall  120  of the platter  100  and be removably secured thereto. The cover  400  may be flat, or it may be domed. It may be made of any suitable material, such as plastic. In the preferred embodiments the cover  400  is transparent. 
         [0035]    The foodstuffs  10  used in the method of the present invention may be comprised of one or more of the following: vegetables, fruits, meat products, cheese, vegetable dip, and sauce. There must be at least two different types of foodstuffs  10 . Each container  200  of the plurality of containers  200  will contain only a single type of foodstuff  10 . Each cylindrical container  300  of the plurality of cylindrical containers  300  will contain only a single type of foodstuff  10 . Alternatively, each of the containers  200  and cylindrical containers  300  may contain a mix of different types of foodstuffs  10 . At least two of the plurality of containers  200  must be filled with foodstuffs  10  whereby one of those containers  200  is filled with foodstuffs  10  of a type differing from that of the other container  200 . Where cylindrical containers  300  are used, at least two of the plurality of cylindrical containers  300  must be filled with foodstuffs  10  whereby one of those cylindrical containers  300  is filled with foodstuffs  10  of a type differing from that of the other cylindrical container  300 . The availability of at least some containers  200  and cylindrical containers  300  having different foodstuffs  10  gives the consumer a choice of what foodstuffs  10  to include with the platter  100 . 
         [0036]    As described above, the platter  100  may be configured in many different ways. Where the platter  100  is substantially round, the containers  200  are arranged in a radial pattern. There may or may not be a central portion accommodating a cylindrical container  300 . The containers  200  may be regularly shaped or irregularly shaped. See  FIG. 3 . Where the platter  100  is rectangular, the containers  200  may be arranged in a grid pattern. This may be a two-by two grid, or a two-by three grid, or a three-by three grid, or a grid having different numbers of containers  200  in each row, such as two containers  200  in the top row, three containers  200  in the middle row, and two containers  200  in the bottom row. See  FIG. 4 . Any one of these containers  200  may serve the function of the cylindrical container  300 ; that is, containing a specialized foodstuff  10  such as a dip or a sauce. Preferably that container  200  will be located somewhere in the middle of the platter  100 . 
         [0037]    The method for providing a platter  100  of foodstuffs  10  for sale to a consumer comprises the following steps: 
         [0038]    Step A: obtain a platter  100  configured as described above; 
         [0039]    Step B: obtain a plurality of containers  200  configured as described above; 
         [0040]    Step C: fill the plurality of containers  200  with foodstuffs  10  as described above; 
         [0041]    Step D: place a covering  250  onto each container  200  having been filled with foodstuffs  10 ; 
         [0042]    Step E: make the platter  100  available to a consumer for purchase; 
         [0043]    Step F: make the plurality of containers  200  filled with foodstuffs  10  available to the consumer for purchase; 
         [0044]    Step G: have the consumer select the platter  100 ; 
         [0045]    Step H: have the consumer select a plurality of containers  200  filled with foodstuffs  10 ; 
         [0046]    Step I: have the consumer place each selected container  200  into one of the compartments  140  of the platter  100 ; and 
         [0047]    Step J: have the consumer purchase the platter  100  of foodstuffs  10 . 
         [0048]    In the foregoing method, Step A and Step B may be performed in any order or simultaneously; Step B and Step C may be performed in any order or simultaneously, as long as each container that is filled with foodstuffs in Step C is first obtained in Step B; Step C and Step D may be performed in any order or simultaneously, as long as each container that has a covering placed on it in Step D has first been filled with foodstuffs in Step C; Step A and Step D must be performed before Step E and Step F; Step E and Step F may be performed in any order; Step E and Step F must be performed before Step G and Step H; Step G and Step H may be performed in any order or simultaneously; Step G must be performed before Step I; Step H and Step I may be performed in any order or simultaneously, as long as each container that is placed into one of the compartments of the platter in Step I is first selected by the consumer in Step H; and Step H and Step I must be performed before Step J. 
         [0049]    This basic method may be modified by the performance of the following additional steps: 
         [0050]    Step A 1 : obtain a cover  400  as described above; 
         [0051]    Step E 1 : make the cover  400  available to the consumer for purchase; and 
         [0052]    Step I 1 : have the consumer place the cover  400  onto the top edge of the side wall  120  of the platter  100 . 
         [0053]    In this modified method, Step A, Step A 1 , and Step B may be performed in any order or simultaneously; Step E, Step E 1 , and Step F may be performed in any order; Step A, Step A 1 , and Step D must be performed before Step E 1 ; Step E 1  must be performed before Step G and Step H; Step H and Step I must be performed before Step I 1 ; and Step I 1  must be performed before Step J. 
         [0054]    Where the platter  100  is substantially round and has a circular central portion  118 , as described above, the basic method may be modified by the performance of the following additional steps: 
         [0055]    Step B 1 : obtain a plurality of cylindrical containers  300  as described above; 
         [0056]    Step C 1 : fill the plurality of cylindrical containers  300  with foodstuffs  10 ; 
         [0057]    Step D 1 : place a circular covering  350  onto each cylindrical container  300  having been filled with foodstuffs  10 ; 
         [0058]    Step F 1 : make the plurality of cylindrical containers  300  filled with foodstuffs  10  available to the consumer for purchase; 
         [0059]    Step H 1 : have the consumer select one of the plurality of cylindrical containers  300  filled with foodstuffs  10 ; and 
         [0060]    Step H 2 : have the consumer place the selected cylindrical container  300  into the central portion of the platter  100 . 
         [0061]    In this modified method, Step A, Step B, and Step B 1  may be performed in any order or simultaneously; Step B 1  and Step C 1  may be performed in any order or simultaneously, as long as each cylindrical container that is filled with foodstuffs in Step C 1  is first obtained in Step B 1 ; Step C and Step C 1  may be performed in any order or simultaneously; Step C 1  and Step D 1  may be performed in any order or simultaneously, as long as each cylindrical container that has a circular covering placed on it in Step D 1  has first been filled with foodstuffs in Step C 1 ; Step D and Step D 1  may be performed in any order or simultaneously; Step A and Step D 1  must be performed before Step E, Step F, and Step F 1 ; Step E, Step F, and Step F 1  may be performed in any order; Step E, Step F, and Step F 1  must be performed before Step G, Step H, and Step H 1 ; Step G, Step H, and Step H 1  may be performed in any order or simultaneously; Step H 1  must be performed before Step H 2 ; Step H 2  and Step I may be performed in any order or simultaneously; and Step H 2  and Step I must be performed before Step J. 
         [0062]    Modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed embodiments of the present invention without departing from the subject or spirit of the invention as defined in the following claims.