Patent Abstract:
A method of interchanging a decorative object includes the step of providing a first serving piece having a first aperture in a first peripheral portion thereof. The method further includes the step of providing a second, different serving piece having a second aperture in a second peripheral portion thereof. The first and second apertures are sized such that they are capable of accepting a decorative object.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/621,818, filed Oct. 25, 2004, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/622,136, filed Oct. 26, 2004, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     REFERENCE REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not applicable  
       SEQUENTIAL LISTING  
       [0003]     Not applicable  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     1. Technical Field  
         [0005]     The present invention relates to decorative objects for serving pieces or dishes, and more particularly to decorative objects that are interchangeable between the serving pieces.  
         [0006]     2. Description of the Background of the Invention  
         [0007]     Serving pieces or dishes are used every day by people to eat and/or serve food on. It has become popular over the years to include one or more patterns on a serving dish, such as a checkered pattern, a swirl pattern, etc. Optionally, the pattern may be a raised pattern that is integral with and extends upwardly from an upper surface of the serving dish, but is permanently attached to the serving dish. It has also become popular to include one or more themes on a serving dish, such as a holiday theme, a seasonal theme, etc. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is a top isometric view of a first embodiment of a serving piece;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a top isometric view of a second embodiment of a serving piece;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a top isometric view of a first embodiment of a decorative object;  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is a top isometric view of a second embodiment of a decorative object;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4A  is a front elevational view of the projection of the decorative object of  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a top isometric view of the serving dish of  FIG. 4  with the decorative object of  FIG. 2  attached thereto;  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is a top isometric view of another embodiment of a decorative object;  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is a top isometric view of another embodiment of a serving piece;  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  is a top isometric view of the serving piece of  FIG. 8  with the decorative object of  FIG. 7  attached thereto;  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the lines  10   −10  of  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 11  is a plan view depicting an interfit between the projection and aperture of  FIGS. 9 and 10 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 12  is a top isometric view of another embodiment of a serving piece;  
         [0021]      FIG. 13  is a top isometric view of another embodiment of a decorative object;  
         [0022]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the lines  12 - 12  of  FIG. 12  with the decorative object of  FIG. 13  inserted therein; and  
         [0023]      FIG. 15  is a plan view depicting an interfit between the aperture and projection of  FIGS. 12 and 13 , respectively.  
     
    
       [0024]     Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]     According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of interchanging a decorative object includes the step of providing a first serving piece having a first aperture in a first peripheral portion thereof. The method further includes the step of providing a second, different serving piece having a second aperture in a second peripheral portion thereof. The first and second apertures are sized such that they are capable of accepting a decorative object.  
         [0026]     According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of interchanging decorative objects includes the step of providing a first decorative object having a first decorative portion and a first projection extending from the first decorative portion. The method further includes the step of providing a second decorative object having a second decorative portion and a second projection extending from the second decorative portion. The first and second projections are sized such that they are capable of being inserted into the apertures of various serving pieces.  
         [0027]     According to still another aspect of the present invention, a combination includes a serving piece having an aperture therein, the aperture having an aperture wall. The combination further includes a decorative object having a decorative portion and a projection extending therefrom, the projection having a surface that is adapted to interfit with the aperture wall such that the decorative object may be attached to the serving piece. The decorative object may be removed from the serving piece and attached to another, different serving piece.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0028]     As seen in  FIG. 1 , a serving piece or dish  40  in the form of an oval-shaped plate is shown. Other serving pieces or dishes may also be employed, such as a platter, a bowl, a cutting board, a cake server, a butter dish, a gravy boat, a bowl, and/or the like. The serving piece  40  includes a central portion  42  for placing food and/or other items thereon and a peripheral portion  44  that extends outwardly from at least a portion of the central portion  42 . One or more circular aperture(s)  46  are disposed in the peripheral portion  44  of the serving piece  40 . The placement of the aperture  46  in the peripheral portion  44  provides easy access to the aperture  46 , yet the aperture  46  is disposed on the serving piece  40  such that the aperture  46  does not interfere (or, at least minimally interferes) with food and/or other items placed on the serving piece  40 . Optionally, the aperture(s)  46  may be disposed in any portion of the serving piece  40 .  
         [0029]     Another serving piece or dish  140  is depicted in  FIG. 2 , wherein the serving piece  140  is in the form of a rectangular plate. Similar to the serving piece  40  of  FIG. 1 , the serving piece  140  includes a central portion  142  and a peripheral portion  144  extending outwardly from at least a portion of the central portion  142 . The serving piece  140  includes two apertures  146   a ,  146   b  in the peripheral portion  144 . The apertures  146   a ,  146   b  in the serving piece  140  are circular in shape. However, the apertures can have any suitable shape that is adapted to accept the projections of the decorative objects as disclosed herein.  
         [0030]     As further seen in  FIG. 3 , a decorative object  150  includes a decorative portion  152  in the shape of a birthday hat and a stem or other projection  154  extending from the decorative portion  152 . The projection  154  generally has an external portion  154   a  and an internal portion  154   b , wherein the internal portion  154   b  resides in a cavity  155  within the decorative portion  152 . In one embodiment, the external portion  154   a  has a height that is about 0.75 inch and the internal portion  154   b  has a height that is about 0.75 inch.  
         [0031]     The projection  154  is attached to the decorative portion  152  by coating the internal portion  154   b  of the projection  154  with an epoxy and thereafter inserting the internal portion  154   b  of the projection  154  into the cavity  155  disposed within the decorative portion  152 . The epoxy prevents the projection  154  from being removed from the decorative portion  152 . Optionally, other binding agents may be used, such as other adhesives, rubber cement, and/or the like.  
         [0032]     Another decorative object  250  is depicted in  FIG. 4 , wherein the decorative object  250  includes a decorative portion  252  in the shape of a tree and a stem or other projection  254  extending from the decorative portion  252 . The projection  254  generally has an external portion  254   a  and an internal portion  254   b , wherein the internal portion  254   b  resides in a cavity  255  within the decorative portion  252 . As depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the projections  154 ,  254  are cylindrical in shape. However, other suitable shapes may be used as long as they interfit with the apertures  46 ,  146   a ,  146   b.    
         [0033]     As best seen in  FIG. 4A , the projection  254  includes indentations  257  along the internal portion  254   b  thereof. The projection  254  of  FIG. 4  is attached to the decorative portion  252  by coating the internal portion  254   b  of the projection  154  with an epoxy and allowing the epoxy to collect within the indentations  257 . The internal portion  254   b  of the projection  254  is then inserted into the cavity  255  disposed within the decorative portion  252 . The epoxy prevents the projection  154  from being removed from the decorative portion  152  and the indentations  257  provide a frictional fit between the internal portion  254   b  and walls defining the cavity  255 . As discussed above, other binding agents may be used, such as other adhesives, rubber cement, and/or the like. Although the indentations  257  of  FIG. 4A  are triangular in shape, any shape indentations  257  may be used as long as they trap the epoxy therein and aid in creating a frictional fit between the projection  254  and the decorative portion  252 .  
         [0034]      FIGS. 5 and 6  depict the serving piece  140  of  FIG. 2  in combination with the decorative object  250  of  FIG. 4 . Specifically, the projection  254  of the decorative object  250  is adapted to be inserted into either of the apertures  146   a ,  146   b  in the serving piece  140  such that a cylindrical surface  256  defining the projection  254  engages a wall  258  defining the aperture of the serving piece  140 , such that a snug fit is created between the external portion  254   a  of the projection  254  and the wall  258  defining the aperture, thereby securing the decorative object  250  to the serving piece  140 . The fit is snug such that the decorative object  250  will not inadvertently fall out of the aperture  146   a ,  146   b , but not so tightly fit that the decorative object  250  can not be removed. The projection  254  of the decorative object  250  (or any of the projections of the decorative objects as described or contemplated herein) is adapted to be inserted in the same manner into apertures of various serving pieces. Therefore, the decorative objects as disclosed herein are interchangeable in nature.  
         [0035]     In one embodiment, the decorative objects  150 ,  250  of  FIGS. 3 and 4  have projections  154 ,  254  having a cylindrical cross-section wherein the diameter of the external portions  154   a ,  254   a  is constant throughout. In another embodiment, the decorative objects  150 ,  250  of  FIGS. 3 and 4  have projections  154 ,  254  that have a first diameter at a top portion  160   a ,  260   a  of the external portions  154   a ,  254   a  and a second diameter at a bottom portion  160   b ,  260   b  of the external portions  154   a ,  254   a . The first diameter is about 0.25 inch and the second diameter is about 3/16 inch, wherein an outer surface  162 ,  262  of the respective projection  154 ,  254  is tapered between the top portions  160   a ,  260   a  and bottom portions  160   b ,  260   b . In either of such embodiments, the aperture  46 ,  146   a ,  146   b  of the appropriate serving piece  40 ,  140  would have a diameter of equal to or slightly less than 0.25 inch.  
         [0036]     In one embodiment, a projection, such as the projection  254  of  FIG. 4 , the internal portion  254   b  may have a cross-sectional diameter that is greater than a cross-sectional diameter of the external portion  254   a.    
         [0037]     The projections of various decorative objects may fit within various serving pieces so that that the same decorative object can be used with different serving pieces. The cross-sectional shapes of the apertures and projections are the same in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the cross-sectional shapes of the apertures and projections may be different, as long as the cross-sectional shape of the projections allows insertion of the projections into the apertures to create a snug fit, as described above. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the apertures of various serving pieces may be circular and the cross-sectional shape of the projections may vary. The cross-sectional shapes of the apertures and/or projections may be circular, hexagonal, star-shaped, oval, triangular, square-shaped, pentagonal, octagonal, and/or any other polygonal shape. Although the cross-sectional shapes of the apertures and projections may be different, if the apertures and projections are sized properly, the projections may still be inserted into and secured by the apertures of various different serving pieces.  
         [0038]     Another embodiment of a decorative object  350  is depicted in  FIG. 7 . The decorative object  350  includes a decorative portion  352  in the shape of a butterfly and a stem or other projection  354  extending from the decorative portion  352 . The projection  354  has a square cross-sectional shape and generally includes an external portion  356   a  and an internal portion  356   b , wherein the internal portion  356   b  resides in a cavity  358  within the decorative portion  352 . The internal portion  356   b  is attached to the decorative object  350  as described in detail above.  
         [0039]      FIG. 8  depicts a serving piece  370  having a central portion  372  for placing food and/or other items thereon and a peripheral portion  374  that extends outwardly from at least a portion of the central portion  372 . An aperture  376  is disposed in the peripheral portion  374  of the serving piece  370 . As seen in  FIGS. 9-11 , the decorative object  350  may be inserted into the aperture  376  of the serving piece  370  such that corner surfaces  380  defining the projection  354  engage a cylindrical wall  382  defining the aperture  376 . Even though gaps  384  are formed between the projection  354  and the aperture wall  382 , as seen in  FIG. 1I , a snug fit is created therebetween such that the decorative object  350  is secured to the serving piece  370 . The projection  354  of the decorative object  350  is adapted to be inserted in the same manner into compatible apertures of various different serving pieces.  
         [0040]     As seen in  FIG. 12 , another embodiment of a bowl-like circular serving piece or dish  400  is depicted. The serving piece  400  includes a central portion  402  with a peripheral portion  404  surrounding at least a portion of the central portion  402 . As best seen in  FIG. 14 , the serving piece  400  further includes a circular raised portion  406  disposed in the central portion  402 . A square-shaped aperture  408  is disposed in the circular raised portion  406  for attachment of a decorative object. Although the aperture  408  is depicted as being square-shaped, the aperture  408  may be formed of any suitable shape as discussed herein.  
         [0041]     A decorative object  420  is shown in  FIG. 13 , wherein the decorative object  420  includes a decorative portion  422  and a stem or other projection  424  extending from the decorative portion  422 . Although the decorative portion  422  is in the form of a pumpkin, the decorative portion  422  can form any suitable decoration. The projection  424  is generally cylindrical and includes an external portion  426   a  and an internal portion  426   b , wherein the internal portion  426   b  resides in a cavity  427  within the decorative portion  422 , as discussed above.  
         [0042]     As seen in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the decorative object  420  may be inserted into the aperture  408  of the serving piece  400  such that a cylindrical surface  430  of the projection  424  engages side walls  432  defining the aperture  408 . Even though gaps  434  are formed between the projection  424  and the walls  432  defining the aperture  408 , as seen in  FIG. 15 , a snug fit is created therebetween such that the decorative object  420  is secured to the serving piece  400 . The projection  424  of the decorative object  420  is adapted to be inserted in the same manner into compatible apertures of various different serving pieces.  
         [0043]     The serving pieces or dishes of the present invention may be made of any material, including but not limited to, ceramics, plastics, paper, pottery, stoneware, earthenware, china, or any other suitable material. In one embodiment, the decorative portions of the decorative objects of the present invention are made of any material, including but not limited to, ceramics, plastics, china, thermoplastics, silicone, an elastomeric material, or any other suitable material. Also, in some embodiments, the decorative portions may be made of the same material as the serving pieces, but the decorative portions may alternatively be made of a material different than that of the serving pieces.  
         [0044]     In other embodiments, the stem or other projection is made of a soft material so that it can be easily inserted into the aperture of the serving piece and also does not scratch the serving piece upon insertion therein. Such soft materials may include a thermoplastic material, silicone, or an elastomeric material. Alternatively, the stem or other projection may also used of other materials, such as ceramics, china, paper, pottery, stoneware, earthenware, or any other suitable material for inserting into a serving piece.  
         [0045]     Any of the decorative objects as described herein may include a decorative portion having any theme and may be have any shape. Such themes include holiday, seasonal, sports, foods, toys, insects, animals, etc. Shapes that may be utilized include, but are not limited to, decorated Christmas trees, decorated eggs, spiders, snowmen, pumpkins, leaves, flowers, umbrellas, basketballs, footballs, baseballs, bats, planes, trucks, cars, ladybugs, butterflies, birds, puppies, cats, rabbits, shoes, birthday cakes, presents, flags, numbers, etc. The decorative designs may be made of any material, including but not limited to ceramics, plastic, china, or any other material. In some embodiments, the decorative designs are manufactured of the same material as the serving pieces.  
         [0046]     The interchangeable decorative objects and serving pieces or dishes as disclosed herein provide an interchangeable system that allows a user to customize the decor of a serving piece or dish for different occasions. Additionally, the interchangeability permits a user to remove a decorative object from a serving piece for specialized cleaning of the decorative object and/or serving piece.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0