Abstract:
A food support device that serves to prevent melting frozen food from running onto the hands (and shirts, pants, shoes, etc.) of the consumer. The described apparatus can be adapted to receive and/or selectively engage various food items and capture any melted food and/or drippings from the food.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/737,935, filed Sep. 16, 2005, the complete contents of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This disclosure relates to a device for supporting food and more particularly an apparatus for supporting and containing drippings from frozen foods.  
         [0004]     1. Related Art  
         [0005]     Many parents have experience frustration with repeated attempts to decrease the mess and hassle of serving popsicles and other frozen foods to their children. Although children thoroughly enjoy eating popsicles and other frozen foods, parents are always hesitant to serve their children such foods due to the sticky mess that is usually created by the melting and dripping of the frozen food.  
         [0006]     In the past, parents have tried to contain the mess associated with eating frozen foods by surrounding the food with napkins or other absorbent items. However the use of other barriers typically results in additional soiled items rather than the desired result of a mess-free area.  
         [0007]     What is needed is a device that can support a food item that is adapted to contain the mess (i.e. dripping and/or melting food stuff).  
       SUMMARY  
       [0008]     The described apparatus is a food support device that serves to prevent melting frozen food from running onto the hands (and shirts, pants, shoes, etc.) of the consumer. The described apparatus can be adapted to receive and/or selectively engage various food items and capture any melted food and/or drippings from the food.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of a food support device.  
         [0010]      FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  depict alternate embodiments of the food support device depicted in  FIG. 1   
         [0011]      FIG. 3  depicts a view of the food support device depicted in  FIG. 2  in use.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  depicts a top view of an alternate embodiment of the food support device shown in  FIGS. 1-3 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  depicts an alternate embodiment of the food support device depicted in  FIGS. 1-4 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  depicts an alternate view of the food support device depicted in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  depicts one embodiment of a lid for the device depicted in  FIGS. 1-6 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  depicts an alternate embodiment of a lid depicted in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  depicts an alternate embodiment of the lid depicted in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  depicts a cross section of the lid depicted in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0019]      FIGS. 11   a - f  depict various alternate embodiments of the lid depicted in  FIG. 7 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0020]      FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of a food support device  100 , In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the device  100  includes a base  102  and a lid  104 .  
         [0021]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the base  102  has a top opening  106  that is substantially round. The top opening  106  is sloped towards an opening  108  in the reservoir end  110  of the base  102 . In some embodiments, the top opening may not be substantially round, but may have any known and/or convenient geometry. Moreover, while depicted in  FIG. 1  as having a generally rounded exterior geometry, in alternate embodiments. the interior surfaces and exterior surfaces can have any known and/or convenient geometric properties.  
         [0022]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  the slope of the interior surface varies from the top opening  106  to the opening  108  in the reservoir end  110 . However, in alternate embodiments, the slope can be constant and have any known and/or convenient geometric properties which would allow viscous material to flow from the top opening  106  toward the opening  108  in the reservoir  110  when the device  100  is oriented such that the top opening  106  is up.  
         [0023]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the lid  104  is adapted to selectively mate with the base  102  by means of a threaded mechanism  112 . However, in alternate embodiments, the base  102  and lid  104  can selectively couple in any know and/or convenient manner using any known and/or convenient mechanism.  
         [0024]     In some embodiments the device  100  can include a tether  114  adapted to couple the base  102  and the lid  104 . In some embodiments the tether  104  can be coupled with either the base  102  and/or the lid  104  such that the lid  104  can rotate relative to the base  102  without substantially impacting the relative geometric relationship of the ends of the tether  114 . In still further alternate embodiments, the tether  104  and/or the lid  104  may be absent.  
         [0025]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the id  104  can be configured to mate with the base  102  such that if the lid  104  is coupled with the base  102 , liquids and/or solids could be substantially contained within the device  100 . In alternate embodiments, the lid  104  can include various apertures such that liquids and/or solids could be partially contained within said device  100  when the lid  104  is coupled with the base  102 .  
         [0026]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , both the base  102  and the lid  104  are comprised of a dishwasher-safe and freezer-safe, food-grade plastic. However, in alternate embodiments the base  102  and/or the lid  104  can be comprised of any known art,and/or convenient material.  
         [0027]      FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  depict alternate embodiments of the base shown in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2   a , the exterior of the reservoir end  110  includes various grip regions  202 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2   a , the grip regions  202  are comprised of a material selected to facilitate gripping of the device  100 . In some embodiments. the grip regions  202  can be comprised of rubber, latex and/or any other know and/or convenient material. In alternate embodiments, the grip regions can be comprised of the same material as the body of the base  102 , but can be textured to facilitate gripping of the base  102 .  
         [0028]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2   a , the gripping regions  202  are depicted as being associated with the underside of the upper portion of the base  102  and the exterior surface of the reservoir end  110 . However, in alternate embodiments, the gripping regions can be located in any know and/or convenient locations on the base  102  and/or lid  104  of the device  100  and/or can be absent.  
         [0029]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2   b , the exterior surface of the reservoir end  110  includes a contoured region  204 . The contoured region  204  is configured to facilitate gripping of the base  102  and can have any known and/or convenient geometry to facilitate the gripping of the base  102 . Moreover, in some embodiments, the contoured region  204  can include gripping regions  202 , as described with regard to  FIG. 2   a . Although,  FIG. 2   b  depicts the contoured regions as impacting the interior surface of the reservoir end  110  in alternate embodiments, the contoured region  204  can be included with any impact to the interior surface of the reservoir end  110 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 3  depicts an alternate embodiment of the device  100  shown in  FIGS. 1-2   b , in use, In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the base  102  includes stabilizers  302  that are adapted to receive the stick of a food, like a popsicle and/or ice cream., and substantially inhibit movement of the both the food and the stick. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , two stabilizers  302  are depicted. However, in alternate embodiments any number of stabilizers  302  can be used and the stabilizers can be located in any convenient location within the device  100 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the stabilizers can be flexible elements that can adapt to receive and restrict movement, However, in alternate embodiments, the stabilizers can be comprised of any know and/or convenient material and can have any know and/or convenient geometric and/or chemical properties,  
         [0031]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the device  100  also includes a barrier  304 . The barrier  304  is adapted to allow viscous material to easily flow around the base of the food and into the reservoir end  110 , but is also configured to restrict the flow of viscous material from the below the barrio  304  to the opening above. Thus, the likelihood and/or amount liquid which could flow from below the barrier  304  to the exterior of the device  100 , if the device  100  were inverted, would be reduced. Moreover. the barrier  304  can be adapted to receive and/or stabilize items of various sizes. In some embodiments, the barrier  304  cain be comprised of flexible material that can adapt to receive an ice cream cone having a substantially cylindrical shape and/or an ice cream cone having a substantially conical shape.  
         [0032]      FIG. 4  depicts a top view of, an alternate embodiment of the base  102  depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 . the base  102  includes a perimeter lip  402 . The perimeter lip can be adapted to selective couple with the lid  104  via a press-fit mechanism and/or in any other known and/or convenient manner using any other know and/or convenient mechanism. Additionally, in some embodiments, the lip  402  can include a return that has been adapted to at least partially contain liquid from being poured from the base  102 .  
         [0033]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the base  102  includes a first recessed region  404  adapted to receive a standard cylindrical ice cream cone. The first recessed region  404  can be configured such that it can selectively receive a standard cylindrical ice cream cone and stabilize the ice cream cone again undesired movement. In alternate embodiments, the First recessed region  406  can be adapted to receive any desired food and/or food support and stabilize the same against movement.  
         [0034]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the base  102  includes a second recessed region  406  adapted to receive a standard conical ice cream cone. The second recessed region  406  can be configured such that it can selectively receive a standard conical ice cream cone and stabilize the ice cream cone again undesired movement, in alternate embodiments, the second recessed region  406  can be adapted to receive any desired food and/or food support and stabilize the same against movement.  
         [0035]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the base  102  includes a third recessed region  408  adapted to receive a standard popsicle stick. The third recessed region  408  can be configured such that it can selectively receive a standard popsicle stick and stabilize it against undesired movement. In alternate embodiments, the third recessed region can ba adapted to receive any desired food and/or food support and stabilize the same against movement.  
         [0036]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the base can include a plurality of stabilizers elements  410 . In some embodiments, the stabilizer elements  410  can be configured to allow fluid to more easily pass into the reservoir end  110  of the base  102  than to pass from the reservoir end  110  of the base. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the stabilizer elements  410  can be comprised of a synthetic rubberized material, such as Neoprene™ and/or any other known and/or convenient material. Additionally, in some embodiments, the stabilizer element  410  may not be present.  
         [0037]      FIG. 5  depicts an alternate embodiment of the device  100  depicted in  FIGS. 1-4 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the device  100  does not include a lid  104 . Additionally, the device is comprised of a disposable material, such as wax-coated paper. paper, card, thin plastic and/or any other known and/or convenient material. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the device  100  also includes a constricted region  502  that can be adapted to selectively couple with any convenient element. In some embodiments. the constricted region  502  can be absent.  
         [0038]      FIG. 6  depicts an alternate embodiment of the device  100  shown in  FIG. 5 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , reservoir end  110  of the device is small in proportion to the balance of the device  100  than in alternate embodiments depicted herein. Additionally, the curvature  602  of the interface between the reservoir end  110  and the upper portion of the base  102  is higher than in alternate embodiments depicted here. However, in alternate embodiments the relative proportions and geometric relations between the various sections and components of the device  100  can have any known and/or convenient relationship.  
         [0039]      FIG. 7  depicts an alternate embodiment of the lid  104  depicted in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the lid  104  includes an aperture  702  and a perimeter recess  704 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the aperture  702  is substantially cruciform in shape and occupies a substantial portion of the lid  104 . However, in alternate embodiments the aperture can have any known and/or convenient shape and/or can be absent and can occupy any portion and/or no portion of the lid  104 .  
         [0040]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the lid Includes a perimeter recess  704 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the perimeter recess is adapted to selectively engage the lip  402  of the base to form a substantially fluid-tight seal.  
         [0041]      FIG. 8  depicts an alternate embodiment of the lid  104  depicted in  FIG. 7 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , the lid includes an aperture  702  that is substantially star shaped, Additionally, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , at least some portions of the edges  802  of the aperture can be comprised of a material different from the balance of the lid  104 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , some portions of the edges  802  are comprised of a flexible synthetic rubber, such as Neoprene™. However, in alternate embodiment, as least some portions of the edges  802  can be comprised of any known and/or convenient material.  
         [0042]      FIG. 9  depicts an alternate embodiment of the lid  104  depicted in  FIG. 1  In the embodiment shown on  FIG. 9 , the lid  104  includes a tab  902 , an aperture  702  and four elastomeric elements  904 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , the lid  104  includes a tab  902  to facilitate removal of the lid  104  from the base  102 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , the tab  902  has a substantially triangular shape. However, in alternate embodiments the tab can have any convenient shape and/or the lid  104  can include more than one tab  902 .  
         [0043]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , the lid  104  includes four elastomeric elements  904  uniformly spaced around the perimeter of the aperture  702 . However, in alternate embodiments, any convenient number of elastomeric elements  904  can be included and the elements  904  can be spaced in any uniform or non-uniform pattern around the perimeter of the aperture  702 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , the elastomeric elements  904  can have a semi-circular shape. However, in alternate embodiments, the elastomeric elements  904  can have any convenient shape.  
         [0044]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , the elastomeric elements can be adapted to at least partially stabilize the them being supported by the base  102  and/or to at least partially restrict flow of a liquid from inside the base  102 .  
         [0045]      FIG. 10  depicts a cross-sectional view of a lid  104  with an aperture  702  and a perimeter recess  704 .  
         [0046]      FIGS. 11   a - 11   f  depicts various geometric configurations of the apertures  702  in a lid  104  Including various elastomeric and/or stabilizing elements.  
         [0047]     Any and all dimensions, geometric relations and angles stated here are provided for exemplary purposes only and are not intended in any manner to limit the scope of the disclosed matter. Those skilled in the art will readily understand and recognize that the device can function in a similar fashion with alternate dimensions, geometric relations and angles and readily recognize that alternate dimension, geometric relations and angles are possible without deviation from the spirit of the disclosure.  
         [0048]     Additionally, in the foregoing specification, the embodiments have been described with reference to specific elements thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the embodiments For example, the reader is to understand that the specific ordering and combination of process actions shown in the process flow diagrams described herein is merely illustrative, and that using different or additional process actions, or a different combination or ordering of process actions can be used to enact the embodiments. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.