Abstract:
A food retaining apparatus and associated methods are described. In one embodiment, the food retaining apparatus includes a food receptacle formed in a first side of a plate. The food retaining apparatus further includes a beverage container receptacle comprising an indented hollow having a receptacle opening, where a beverage container is insertable into the receptacle opening and the opening is located on a second side of the plate, the second side being opposite the first side. Also, in one embodiment, a plurality of ribs extend from an inner wall of the indented hollow, the ribs being positioned to engage a lip on an opening of the beverage container. Alternatively, at least one projection maybe disposed on the inner wall of the indented hollow to grip the beverage container when inserted into the beverage container receptacle.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/624,996 filed on Jan. 19, 2007 entitled “FOOD PLATE WITH BEVERAGE SUPPORT,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     It is often the case that individuals attend parties, receptions and the like in which a meal is served from a buffet. Individuals may be faced with somehow of loading a plate full of food and holding a drink at the same time. Unfortunately, this can be somewhat awkward at times and may result in spilled food and drinks. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a plate according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view that shows the underside of the plate of  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the plate of  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 4 and 4A  are side views of the plate of  FIG. 1  according to embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a third side view of the plate of  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a cutaway view of a portion of the plate of  FIG. 5  according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a drawing of the plate of  FIG. 1  with a bottle inserted in a beverage container receptacle of the plate according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a drawing of an underside of the plate and bottle of  FIG. 7  according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a side cutaway view of the plate and bottle of  FIG. 7  according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a drawing of the plate of  FIG. 1  with a cup inserted in a beverage container receptacle of the plate according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a drawing of an underside of the plate and cup of  FIG. 10  according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a side cutaway view of the plate and cup of  FIG. 10  according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is drawing of the plate of  FIG. 1  with a can inserted in a beverage container receptacle of the plate according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a drawing of an underside of the plate and can of  FIG. 13  according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a side cutaway view of the plate and can of  FIG. 13  according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a drawing of a plurality of plates as depicted in  FIG. 1  arranged in a stack according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 17 and 18  are drawings of a plate according to another embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 19 and 20  are drawings of a plate according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , shown is a drawing of a plate  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The plate  100  includes several food receptacles  103  on a first side of the plate  100 . In one embodiment, the food receptacles  103  are separated by partitions. However, it is understood that in another embodiment, the plate  100  may comprise a single food receptacle with no partitions. The plate  100  also includes a beverage container receptacle  106  that comprises an indented hollow that extends upward from the bottom of the plate  100 . The indented hollow includes a receptacle opening on the reverse side of the plate that is opposite the side of the food receptacles  103  as will be described. 
     The beverage container receptacle includes an inner wall  109  that has several projections  113  that extend inward and are employed to grip a beverage container as will be described. In one embodiment, the projections  113  comprise scallops, although it is possible that other types of projections may be employed. For example, the projections may comprise pointed ridges or other such structures as can be appreciated. The inner wall  109  that includes the projections  113  is tapered to provide for compact stacking of multiple ones of the plates  100  as can be appreciated. 
     In addition, the beverage container receptacle  106  contains a hole  116  through which the neck of a bottle may be inserted as will be described. In one embodiment, the hole  116  is approximately 1.5 inches in diameter to provide for the greatest compatibility with existing bottles, although it is possible that diameter of the hole  116  may vary significantly. Also, a circular ridge  119  is formed around an upper rim of the beverage container receptacle  106  that is configured to engage a lip of a can as will be described. In addition, the plate  100  includes an outer wall  121  that acts as an outer boundary of the food receptacles  103 . The outer wall  121  is tapered to provide for stackability of the plate  100 . Also, the food receptacles  103  are relatively deep so as to contain servicing size amounts of liquids such as soup while allowing non liquids such as bread or vegetables, etc. from being mixed with the liquids. 
     Also, the plate  100  includes thumb rests  122 , where each of the thumb rests  122  is triangular in shape and is located at a junction between each of the partitions and the tapered outer wall  121  of the plate  100 . The thumb rests  122  advantageously facilitate holding the plate  100  with ones hand at the periphery of the plate  100  without sticking a thumb into the food items placed in the food receptacles  103 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , shown is a view of the underside of the plate  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the plate  100  includes the receptacle opening  123  through which a beverage container is inserted as will be described. The receptacle opening  123  is thus located on the side of the plate  100  that is opposite the side of the food receptacles  103 . This means that a beverage container is inserted into the receptacle opening  123  at the bottom of the plate  100  when food is contained in the food receptacles  103  during use. In addition, the plate  100  also includes a second inner wall  126  with multiple sets of ribs  129 . The ribs  129  are employed to engage a lip of a cup as will be described. The inner wall  126  is tapered to provide for stackability of the plate  100  and to accommodate the insertion and retention of cups of different sizes as will be discussed. 
     According to one embodiment, the plate  100  is formed using a flexible material such as Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Crystallized Polyethylene Terephthalate (CPET), Styrene Maleic Anhydride (SMA) such as DYLARK 332 by NOVA Chemicals, High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polyvinyl Chloride, Low Density Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polystyrene, or other materials. As such, the plate  100  may be formed using various processes such as thermoforming including vacuum thermoforming and pressure thermoforming, injection molding, and other processes as can be appreciated. In one embodiment, the plate  100  is not manufactured from a rigid material such as a hard plastic or other rigid material and allows for a degree to compliance. Also, the plate  100  may be manufactured out of paper or other appropriate material. In spite of the degree of compliance or flexibility of the material used to construct the plate  100 , the component features of the plate  100  described herein provide for significant rigidity such that the plate may be used for its intended purpose of holding food items during a meal as well as a beverage as will be described. By virtue of the various methods by which the plate  100  may be manufactured with compliant materials, the plate  100  may be made with less expensive manufacturing methods as can be appreciated. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 3 , shown is a top view of the plate  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The top view of the plate  100  clearly illustrates the partitions  133  that extend from the outer wall  121  to both the inner walls  109  and  126  of the beverage container receptacle  106 . Also illustrated are the sets of ribs  129  that are located at three positions on the inner wall  126  of the beverage container receptacle  106  and are evenly spaced with respect to each other. In addition, it is understood that the ribs  129  may be located at more or less than 3 positions as shown in  FIG. 3 . In addition, the ribs  129  may be spaced apart at different intervals with respect to each other along with inner wall  126 . 
     Each of the partitions  133  includes side walls  136  that are tapered to facilitate stackability of the plate  100 . As referred to herein, the plate  100  is “stackable” in that, when more than one of the plates  100  is arranged in a stack, the bottom of a first one of the plates  100  nests in a top of a second one of the plates  100 . Although the side walls  136  of each of the partitions  133  are tapered, they still provide substantially vertical cross support with respect to the bottom surface  139  of the plate  100  to provide for greater rigidity of the entire structure of the plate  100 . In particular, the side walls  136  are substantially orthogonal to the plane that runs through the bottom surfaces  139  of the food receptacles  103 . 
     The partitions  133  also serve the purpose of separating the respective food receptacles  103  of the plate  100 . Although the plate  100  is shown with the partitions  133 , in another embodiment, the plate  100  may be made without the partitions, where a single circular food receptacle  103  is provided. However, such a design might suffer from a degree of instability due to reduced rigidity from the lack of partitions  133 . 
     Next, with reference to  FIG. 4 , shown is a side cutaway view of the plate  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the top of the beverage container receptacle  106  forms a circular ridge that surrounds a depressed flange  146 . The hole  116  is situated in the middle of the depressed flange  146 . The circular ridge  143  is configured to engage a lip of a typical soda can that would be inserted through the receptacle opening  123  such that the top of the can seats against the depressed flange  146  and the lip of the can is inserted in the circular ridge  143 . Referring now to  FIG. 4A , shown is a view of the plate  100  according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the beverage container receptacle  106  including an indented hollow is located at the periphery of the plate  100 . 
     Referring next to  FIG. 5 , shown is a cutaway view of the plate  100  that illustrates a cut out portion  149  drawn around a set of ribs  129  in the inner wall  126  of the beverage container receptacle  106 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , shown is the cutaway portion that particularly illustrates the ribs  129 . The ribs  129  include a semi-circular cross section and do not feature a sharp edge, although it is possible that a sharp edge might be used. The semi-circular cross section provides for an easier insertion of a lip of a cup up into the receptacle opening  123 . 
     The inner wall  126  upon which the ribs  129  are located is tapered, thereby allowing the ribs  129  to grip rims of cups of different sizes. That is to say, that a larger cup may only grip the bottom most ribs  129  that are closest to the receptacle opening  123 , whereas a smaller sized cup might extend all the way up above the uppermost rib  129  and seat against the transition shelf between the inner wall  109  and the inner wall  126 . In one embodiment, the ribs may be specified for a specific type of cup, where the plate  100  is sold together with compatible cups. 
     As will be described with respect to the following figures, the beverage container receptacle  106  is advantageously compatible with beverage containers that comprise cans, cups, or bottles that typically contain soda, beer, water, or other types of drinks as can be appreciated. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 7 , shown is a view of the plate, in which a bottle  153  is inserted into the beverage container receptacle  106 . The bottle  153  includes a neck  156  that extends through the opening  116  ( FIG. 1 ) at the top of the beverage container receptacle  106 . The projections  113  serve to grip the side of the bottle to hold the plate  100  onto the bottle. In this respect, the user may hold the plate  100  by holding the bottom portion of the bottle  153  once it is secured in the beverage container receptacle  106 . The length of the bottom portion of the bottle  153  advantageously sticks out of the bottom of the plate  100  when inserted into the beverage container receptacle  106  so as to be able to accommodate an insulator within which the bottle is placed. Such insulators may comprise, for example, a foam insulated coozie or other such insulator. 
     With reference to  FIG. 8 , shown is the underside of the plate  100  with the bottle  153  inserted therein. In addition, with reference to  FIG. 9 , shown is a side cutaway view of the plate  100  with the bottle  153  inserted therein, where the projections  113  press against or compress the side of the bottle  153 , thereby holding the plate  100  to the bottle  153 . The projections  113  generally flex outward when, at the same time, they apply pressure to the side of the bottle  153 . The bottom portion of the bottle  153  extends from bottom of the plate  100  and allows a user to hold the plate  100  by grasping the bottle  153 . This is advantageous as the user need not use two separate hands to hold both the bottle  153  and the plate  100  while placing food in the food receptacles  103  at a typical buffet, etc., as can be appreciated. In addition, a straw may be placed in the bottle  153  that a user may use to drink the beverage within the bottle  153  without removing the bottle  153  from the beverage container receptacle  106 . Note that a straw may also be used where the beverage container is a can or a cup as can be appreciated. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 , shown is the plate  100  with a cup  163  inserted into the beverage container receptacle  106 . As shown, the cup  163  is inserted into the bottom portion of the beverage container receptacle  106 , where a top lip  166  of the cup  163  engages the ribs  129 , thereby securing the cup  163  to the plate  100  through the receptacle opening  123 . As was mentioned above, the cup  163  can be of different sizes with lips  166  with different size peripheries. 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 13, 14, and 15 , shown is the use of a can inserted into the beverage container receptacle  106  of the plate  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The beverage container is a can  173  such as a 12 ounce aluminum can as is typically used to contain soda or beer. It is understood that there may be variation in the sizes of the various types of 12 ounce cans that are used as the beverage container, where one advantage of the beverage container receptacle  106  is that it is universally compatible with all such variations. 
     In addition, where the cup ( FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 ) and can ( FIGS. 13, 14, and 15 ) extend from the bottom of the plate  100  with sufficient length, an insulator such as a coozie or other insulator may be placed on the cup/can as can be appreciated. Note that the can might be a larger 16 ounce can (i.e. a TALL BOY) that would extend from the bottom of the plate  100  with sufficient length to facilitate a coozie or other insulator. 
     The various embodiments of the present invention allow a user to insert the respective beverage container, whether it be a bottle, can, cup, or other container into the beverage container receptacle  106  with a bottom portion of the respective beverage container extending from the bottom of the plate  100 , thereby allowing a user to hold the plate  100  by grasping the respective beverage container. This is advantageous as the user need not use two separate hands to hold both the beverage container and the plate  100  while placing food in the food receptacles  103  at a typical buffet, etc., as can be appreciated. In addition, while consuming food items placed on the plate  100 , according to one embodiment, the plate  100  is constructed with sufficient rigidity to allow a user to hold the plate  100  with one hand, and remove the beverage container with the other hand in order to drink from the beverage container. Once the user is finished drinking from the beverage container, they can insert the beverage container back into the beverage container receptacle  106  and continue to consume the food items on the plate  100 . In this manner, messes due to the spilling of drinks out of beverage containers and food off of plates are advantageously avoided. 
     Shown with reference to  FIG. 15 , the can  173  includes the rim  176  that seats into the ridge  143  when the can  173  is fully inserted into the beverage receptacle retainer  106 . Due to the fact that the rim  176  is seated into the ridge  143 , the user may hold the plate by grasping the can  173  at the bottom portion that extends from the bottom of the beverage container receptacle  106  and, when food is placed within the food receptacles  103 , any weight that causes the plate to tip in any one direction causes the side of the ridge  143  to engage the side of the rim  176  of the can  173  and provides for greater stability in holding the plate  100  as food is placed therein. 
     With reference to  FIG. 16 , shown are a plurality of plates  100  stacked in an arrangement in which the bottom of each plate  100  nests into the top of another plate  100 . Thus, the specific design of the various components of the plate  100  and in particular, the tapering of each of the various side surfaces allows for the plates  100  to be stacked together as shown for easy shipping and storage on a shelf. In addition, potentially the plates  100  will be packaged and sold in stacks. Thus, the stacks will accommodate packaging in that many more of the plates  100  may be placed within a smaller package given the stackability of the plate  100 . 
     With reference next to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , shown are respective views of a plate  200  according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the plate  200  includes the bottom portion of the beverage container receptacle  106  denoted herein as beverage container receptacle  203 . The beverage container receptacle  203  does not include the upper portion with the projections as described above, where the plate  200  is compatible with the cups as was described with reference to  FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 . The beverage container receptacle  203  includes ribs  129  as shown. The top of the beverage container receptacle  203  terminates in a flat or concave surface upon which further food items may be placed, alternatively, the flat surface may be recessed to provide for another compartment or food receptacle  103 , although the depth of such a recess should not be such that it extends into the beverage container and touches the liquid contained therein. Otherwise, the beverage container receptacle  203  operates in much the similar way as the beverage container receptacle  106  as described with reference to previous figures. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 19 and 20 , shown is a plate  300  according to another embodiment of the present invention. The plate  300  does not include the ribs  129  as was described with reference to  FIGS. 17 and 18 . Accordingly, the plate  300  includes a beverage container receptacle  303  that accommodates both cans and bottles as was described with reference to  FIGS. 7-9 and 13-15 . 
     As such, the beverage container receptacle  303  includes the projections  113  and the side wall  109  as described with reference to previous figures, but does not include the inner wall  126  and the ribs  129  to accommodate a cup as described above with respect to  FIGS. 17 and 18  above. 
     Thus, in various embodiments, the plates  100 ,  200 , and  300 , may be manufactured to accommodate cups only, cans only (where the opening  116  ( FIG. 1 ) is not included), or bottles with the inclusion of the hole  116 . 
     Also, it should be noted that the design of the plates  100 ,  200 , and  300  are advantageous in that they are universal to the various different sizes of cups, cans, and bottles available on the market. In particular, the flexibility of the materials used to manufacture the plates  100 ,  200 , and  300  along with the specific structural designs described above provide for the near universal compatibility of the plates  100 ,  200 , and  300  with respect to most beverage containers available to consumers. 
     It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims.