Patent Publication Number: US-2007119912-A1

Title: Dining accessory presentation system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/740,309, filed Nov. 29, 2005, and titled DINING ACCESSORY PRESENTATION SYSTEM, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND  
      The present invention relates to food service equipment, and particularly, to systems for holding and displaying dining accessories, including serving and eating utensils such as knives, forks, spoons, and accessories, such as napkins.  
      In the food service industry, it is common practice for diners to serve themselves at places such as cafeterias, buffets, or at food tables at receptions and the like. Commonly, flatware and accessories at such events or locations are either laid out on a flat surface where they are exposed, or else placed in a basket. These approaches for making flatware and accessories available to diners have several shortcomings. The open display of such flatware and accessories on a flat surface or even in a basket is often unsightly because the flatware and accessories usually have an appearance inconsistent with the décor of the surrounding area. In addition, flatware that is openly exposed is unsanitary, as germs from one diner can be spread to multiple utensils when the diner picks up a single utensil for use.  
      When baskets are used, again, the baskets are often inconsistent with the buffet décor as it is difficult to match baskets to the theme or color pattern of the event and surroundings where the food is served. In addition, baskets tend to be bulky and are difficult to transport before and after a dining event and difficult to keep stocked with flatware and accessories. In addition, many baskets in use today are simply made from stainless steel and can be unsightly and require time-consuming cleaning and polishing.  
     SUMMARY  
      The present invention may comprise one or more of the following features or combinations thereof. An illustrative embodiment of a device for presenting dining accessories includes a flexible, foldable pocket having a front panel and a taller back panel. The upper edge of the front panel defines an opening for the pocket. The pocket can lay flat on a surface and may be configured and sized to receive flatware so that the operable ends of the flatware are inserted into and enclosed by the pocket and the handles project from the pocket and onto the taller back panel. The front of the pocket may include a coupling device for releasably attaching a decorative accessory to the pocket.  
      An illustrative embodiment of a device for presenting dining accessories, includes a back panel having an upper and lower edge; a front panel having an upper and lower edge; a pocket defined by the front panel overlying the back panel, at least a substantial portion of the remaining perimeter of the front panel being attached to the back panel; an opening of the pocket defined by at least a substantial portion of the upper edge of the front panel being separable from the back panel; and at least a first coupling device attached to at least one of a top face of the back panel and a top face of the front panel.  
      The at least a first coupling device may be adapted for releasably coupling at least a first decorative member. The at least a first coupling device may be located adjacent the upper edge of the front panel. The back panel defines upper, middle, and lower thirds between the upper edge and the lower edge of the back panel; and the upper edge of the front panel may overlay the middle third of the back panel. The back panel includes at least a first and second layer, and the device further includes a stiffener between the first and second layers, the stiffener substantially spanning the back panel. The back panel may be substantially rectangular and includes left and right edges. The front panel may be substantially rectangular and includes left and right edges; and the lower, left, and right edges at the front panel are attached to the lower, left, and right edges of the back panel, respectively.  
      The front panel may be sized to enclose the operable ends of flatware and to expose at least a substantial portion of the handle ends of the flatware. The back panel may be between approximately 6 inches and 10 inches tall and the front panel may be between approximately 3½ inches and 5½ inches tall. The front panel may be between approximately 2 inches and 14 inches wide. The device further including a decorative member releasably attachable to the at least a first coupling member. The decorative member includes at least one of an aesthetic and an informational element. The back panel and the front panel include a poly-blend fabric.  
      An illustrative embodiment of a system for presenting dining accessories, includes a pocket having a back panel and a front panel, the front panel having at least one dimension substantially smaller than the back panel; at least a first coupling device attached to the pocket; and a plurality of interchangeable decorative member&#39;s releasably attachable to the at least a first coupling device. The plurality of interchangeable decorative members each include at least one of an aesthetic and informational element.  
      An illustrative pocket for displaying flatware, includes a back panel having upper, lower, left, and right edges; and a front panel having upper, lower, left, and right edges, and the distance between the upper and lower edges of the front panel may be substantially less than the distance between the upper and lower edges of the back panel; the lower, left, and right edges of the front panel are substantially co-located with and attached to the lower, left, and right edges of the back panel; and the upper edge of the front panel defines an opening between the front panel and the back panel. The front panel may be sized to enclose the operable ends of flatware and to expose at least a substantial portion of the handle hands of the flatware. The back panel may be between approximately 6 inches to 10 inches tall; the front panel may be between approximately 3½ inches and 5½ inches tall; and the front panel may be between approximately 2 inches and 14 inches wide. The pocket further including a decorative member releasably attachable to at least one of the front panel and the back panel. The pocket further including a decorative element associated with at least one of the front panel and the back panel. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of the pocket having a decorative accessory attached and with flatware inserted into the pocket;  
       FIG. 2A  illustrates a narrow embodiment of the pocket according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 2B  illustrates a wide embodiment of the pocket according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 3  illustrates the pocket of  FIG. 1  folded upon itself to compactly store and transport the flatware;  
       FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of a system for presenting dining accessories according to the present invention, including the pocket of  FIG. 1  with the decorative accessory removed and additional interchangeable decorative accessories; and  
       FIG. 5  illustrates a pocket having an opening for receiving a stiffener. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS  
      For the purposes of promoting and understanding the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to one or more illustrative embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that the one or more illustrative embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claims, but rather to disclose one or more illustrative embodiments among a broader range of possible embodiments that are within the scope of the claims.  
      An illustrative embodiment of a device for presenting dining accessories includes a flexible, foldable pocket having a front panel and a taller back panel. The upper edge of the front panel defines an opening for the pocket. The pocket can lay flat on a surface and may be configured and sized to receive flatware so that the operable ends of the flatware are inserted into and enclosed by the pocket and the handles project from the pocket and onto the taller back panel. The front of the pocket may include a coupling device for releasably attaching a decorative accessory to the pocket. The decorative accessories may be, for example, a ribbon or other member having an aesthetic or informational element. A system for presenting dining accessories includes a pocket having a coupling device and a plurality of interchangeable decorative members that are releasably attachable to the coupling device.  
      A collection of flatware or other dining accessories may be inserted into the pocket to maintain the clean and sanitary nature of their operating ends, while also allowing diners to easily select items such as flatware by pulling the handle of a particular knife, fork, or spoon out of the pocket. Dining accessories as used herein includes utensils and other accessories. For example, utensils may include flatware, such as forks, knives, and spoons, and other food or beverage consumption, preparation, and serving tools. Other accessories may include napkins, coasters, menus, and the like associated with food service and dining.  
      An illustrative embodiment of the system for presenting dining accessories may be used multiple times on different occasions and locations having different themes, colors, or other decorations, or for different types of events. The pockets and decorative accessories may be interchangeable and selected to match the décor, theme, or some other aspect of an event.  
      The illustrative system allows a host or caterer to easily insert the dining accessories into the pocket in advance of an event, and, if desired, roll up or fold the pocket with the dining accessories in it and transport it to the event. These steps may be reversed at the end of an event in the course of breaking down food service equipment, for example a buffet, and décor.  
      Referring to  FIG. 1 , an illustrative embodiment of a pocket  10  for presenting dining accessories includes a front panel  12 , a back panel  14 , and may also include an aesthetic or informational element, for example decorative member  16 . An upper edge  18  of the front panel  12  defines an opening of pocket space defined between panels  12  and  14 . The pocket  10  is sized and configured for receiving dining accessories, for example a collection of flatware  20  shown in  FIG. 1 . For example, the front panel  12  can be sized to enclose and contain the operable ends and to expose the handle ends of the flatware  20 , and the back panel  14  can be sized to support the entire length of the flatware  20 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , illustrative embodiments of the devices for presenting dining accessories include a variety of sizes and configurations, for example depending on the particular dining accessory and the quantity to be presented. For example,  FIG. 2A  illustrates a pocket  30  having a front panel  32  with a height  42  of approximately 4½ inches and a width  44  of approximately 8 inches, and a back panel  34  with a height  46  of approximately 8 inches and a width matching that of the front panel  32 . By way of further example,  FIG. 2B  illustrates a pocket  50  having a front panel  52  and a back panel  54  with a width  56  of approximately 14 inches.  
      The front panels  12 ,  32 , and  52  may be, for example but not limited to, between approximately 2 inches and 14 inches wide and between approximately 6 inches and 10 inches tall. The back panels  14 ,  34 , and  54  may be, for example but not limited to, between approximately 2 inches and 14 inches wide and between approximately 3½ inches and 5½ inches tall. The size of the pocket  30  may be used to present approximately 50 and the pocket  50  approximately 100 individual items, such as flatware. The actual number of items depends in part on whether flatware is stacked in a nested manner from left to right in the pockets  50  and  100 , or placed side-by-side, and also depends on the size of the flatware.  
      While still referring to the illustrative embodiment of the pocket  50  shown in  FIG. 2B , aspects of the pocket  50  described herein are equally applicable to the pockets  10  and  30 , and vice versa. The front panel  52  includes an upper edge  58 , a lower edge  60 , a left or side edge  62 , and a right or side edge  64 . Similarly, the back panel  54  includes an upper edge  66 , a lower edge  68 , a left edge  70 , and a right edge  72 . In the illustrative embodiment, the lower edge  60 , the left edge  62 , and the right edge  64  of the front panel  52  are each co-located with and attached to the lower edge  68 , the left edge  70 , and the right edge  72  of the back panel  54 , respectively. The remaining upper edge  58  of the front panel  52  is not attached, or has at least a substantial portion not attached, to the back panel  54  so that upper edge  58  forms an opening for the otherwise enclosed area defined between the front panel  52  and the rear panel  54 . The various edges  60 - 72  may be attached, for example, by stitching  76  using a durable thread or filament, or by gluing or using other means of attachment known in the art.  
      In the illustrative embodiment of the pocket  50 , the vertical span of the back panel  54  defines an upper third  80 , a middle third  82 , and a lower third  84 , and the upper edge  58  of the front panel  52  is positioned to overlay the middle third  82  of the back panel  54 ; however, in other embodiments the upper edge  58  may be a position to overlay the upper third  80  or the lower third  84 .  
      Other embodiments of a device for presenting dining accessories may include a front panel that is sized and positioned so that one or more edges  60 - 64  of the front panel  52  overlay in interior portion of the back panel  54  rather than being co-located with edges  68 - 72 . Other embodiments may also include one or more edges  60 - 64  of the front panel  52  left substantially unattached from the back panel  54 , or sizes or ratios of sizes other than those disclosed herein. Embodiments may further include the pocket  50  being shaped other than rectangular, having other than four edges  66 - 72 , or having edges  58 - 72  that are curvilinear or some other non-straight form. The pocket  50  may also be size and configured to display flatware for a single place setting and/or a single menu and/or napkin.  
      Each panel  52  and  54  may be constructed from, but is not limited to, a material that is washable, wrinkle-free, not susceptible to substantial shrinkage, and easily sewed. An example of such a material is a poly-cotton blend fabric; however, other flexible and nonflexible, fabric and non-fabric materials may be utilized. Each panel  52  and  54  may be a single matching or non-matching color or pattern. Each panel  52  and  54  may also include more than one layer of the material. For example, the back panel  54  may be formed by using two or three individual layers, or one piece of material also for one or more times. The front panel  52  may be similarly formed, or may be a continuation of the material used in forming the back panel  54 , thus also making some of the stitching  76  optional. In the case of a pocket  50  having the front panel  52  and/or the back panel  54  formed from more than one layer, some or all of the edges  60 - 72  located outside of the perimeter of stitching  76  may be hidden by sewing the front and back panels  52  in  54  together while inside out and then turning the pocket  50  right side out, as is known in the art.  
      Referring to  FIG. 5 , the pocket  50  may also include a stiffener  88 , for example a piece of cardboard, plastic, or other rigid or semi rigid material that is cut approximately to but slightly less than the size of the back panel  54 . The stiffener  88  provides shape to the pocket  50 , for example, maintaining a flat or other shape. In order to accommodate the stiffener  88 , the back panel  54  may include a back layer  90 , a front layer  92 , and an opening  94  defined between the layers  90  and  92  along the lower edge  68 . The opening  94  may remain open for easy insertion and removal of the stiffener  84  or may be partially or entirely enclosed by sewing or an alternative attachment means.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the pocket  10  is shown in a folded configuration for storage and/or transport. For example, a host or caterer can insert the dining accessories into the pocket  10  in advance of an event, and, roll up or fold the pocket  10  with the dining accessories in it and conveniently transport it to the event. The stiffener  88  may be removed in order to roll or fold the pocket  10 .  
      Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an illustrative embodiment of a system  100  for presenting dining accessories includes a pocket  10  having coupling devices  24  and a plurality of interchangeable decorative members  102 . The pocket  10  may include one coupling device  24  that is sized and positioned to releasably attach one or more of the plurality of interchangeable decorative members  102 , or may include a number of individual coupling devices  24 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , that correspond to a mating coupling device  26  associated with the decorative members  102 . For example, the coupling devices  24  may be the hook or loop side a hook and loop fastening system. The coupling devices  24  may then be used to attach decorative member  110  using the corresponding mating hook or loop side of coupling device(s)  26  located on the reverse side  112  of decorative member  110 . Other releasable attachment means known in the arts may be utilized, for example but not limited to, snaps, buttons, magnets, and pins. Alternatively, one or more decorative members  102  may be non-releasably associated with the pocket  10 , for example by securely attaching, embroidering, screen printing, or other means known in the art, or, the pocket  10  may lack a separate aesthetic or informational element associated with it.  
      While the illustrative system  100  of  FIG. 4  shows the coupling devices  24  located so that one of the decorative members  102  may be attached adjacent the upper edge  18  of the pocket  10 , one or more other locations of the pocket  10  may also be utilized. For example, the decorative member  102  and any associated coupling devices  24  may be located elsewhere on the front panel  12  or on the back panel  14 .  
      The pocket  10  and the decorative members  102  are interchangeable and the decorative members  102  are replaceable. The pocket  10  may be used at differently themed or decorated events, and the decorative members  102  may be selected to match the particular theme or color scheme for an event. For example, the individual decorative members  104 ,  105 ,  106 ,  107 ,  108 , and  110  each illustrate a different color and pattern that may be selected and attached to the pocket  10  depending on the event. For example, the decorative members  102  may consist of ribbons having colors, wording, or other aesthetic, graphic, or informational content to reflect colors or themes such as St. Patrick&#39;s Day, Christmas, Easter, 4 th  of July, a birthday party, anniversary party, wedding, or a party theme such as golf or other sports, a corporate identity, or the like. The decorative members  102  may also be instructive of the specific dining accessories contained within the pocket  10 . Decorative members  102  may also have associated aesthetic features, for example ornaments  109  associated with the member  104 . The ornaments  109  may be, for example, jewelry, beads, and the like. Similar to the selection among a plurality of decorative members  102 , the system  100  may also include a plurality of pockets  10  having various colors, patterns, or other aesthetic, graphic, or informational aspect associated with each.  
      Those who are skilled in the art will appreciate that the present pockets  10 ,  30 , and  50  and system  100  and associated decorative members  16  and  102  may be compact, elegant, modern, convenient, durable, easily cleaned, sanitary and may have a large capacity for presenting dining accessories such as flatware and other accessories.  
      While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the foregoing drawings and description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only illustrative embodiments thereof have been show and described and that all changes and modifications that are within the scope of the following claims are desired to be protected. For example, while the disclosure has included certain features and techniques in the above described devices and systems, other features, techniques or combinations known in the art other than those discussed in the disclosure can and may be substituted.