U.S. patent application number 11/138986 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-30 for combined plate and cupholder.
Invention is credited to Kim Crawford.
Application Number | 20060266748 11/138986 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37462079 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060266748 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Crawford; Kim |
November 30, 2006 |
Combined plate and cupholder
Abstract
A combined plate and cupholder includes a base portion with an
aperture therethrough and a cupholder that extends around the
periphery of the aperture that is raised above the base portion. A
collapsible cup support may be inserted into the aperture that can
be collapsed into a compact shape or extended below the bottom of
the based portion and locked to form a rigid structure.
Inventors: |
Crawford; Kim; (Cordova,
TN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Kim Crawford
8186 Caim Dr.
Cordova
TN
38018
US
|
Family ID: |
37462079 |
Appl. No.: |
11/138986 |
Filed: |
May 26, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/23.8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 19/065
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/023.8 |
International
Class: |
B65D 21/02 20060101
B65D021/02 |
Claims
1. A combined plate and cupholder for holding a cup and food,
comprising: a plate portion for supporting foodstuffs and having an
aperture therethrough to receive the cup; and a cupholder for
supporting the cup, wherein the cupholder is disposed about and
forms a periphery of the aperture.
2. The combined plate and cupholder of claim 1 wherein the plate
comprises a planar plate portion and an upwardly-extending
peripheral flange extending therefrom, and wherein the cupholder
comprises an upstanding rim, the rim comprising an outer sidewall
having a lower edge fixed to the aperture, a top surface fixed to
the top of the outer sidewall, and an inner sidewall fixed to and
extending down from the top surface inside the outer sidewall.
3. The combined plate and cupholder of claim 2, wherein the
combined plate and cupholder is elliptical and the aperture is
disposed at one end of the plate portion.
4. The combined plate and cupholder of claim 3, wherein the plate
portion and the cupholder are comprised of matted paper.
5. The combined plate and cupholder of claim 1, wherein the
cupholder has an inwardly-facing sidewall that extends downward and
necks inward at a sidewall angle of 5 to 15 degrees from vertical,
the combined plate and cupholder further comprising the cup, which
is disposed within the aperture and is supported by the inner
sidewall of the rim, the cup having an outer sidewall that flares
upwardly and outwardly at a cup wall angle of between 5 and 15
degrees from vertical.
6. A combined plate and cupholder, comprising: a plate including a
planar base portion configured to support foodstuffs, and a rim
coupled to the base portion and extending outward and upward
therefrom to prevent foodstuffs from falling off the plate, the
base portion having an aperture therethrough to receive and support
a cup; and a cupholder disposed about the periphery of the
aperture, the cupholder comprising a cupholder rim that is fixed to
the base portion around a periphery of the aperture, and a locking
collapsible cup support disposed in the aperture to support the
bottom of the cup.
7. The combined plate and cupholder of claim 6, wherein the locking
collapsible cup support further includes a plurality of
telescopically interengaged rings configured to lock together in
frictional engagement to each other and to the cupholder rim.
8. The combined plate and cupholder of claim 7, wherein the
plurality of rings include at least a first ring configured to
frictionally lock to the cupholder rim, and at least a second ring
further comprising a base disposed to support the cup.
9. The combined plate and cupholder of claim 8, wherein the
plurality of rings includes at least one ring disposed between and
frictionally engageable to the first ring and to the second ring to
thereby form a rigid telescopically extended body.
10. The combined plate and cupholder of claim 6, wherein the plate
and cupholder are made of transparent plastic and are configured to
support a transparent cup.
11. The combined plate and cupholder of claim 10, wherein the
transparent cup is a wine glass.
12. The combined cup and placeholder of claim 6, wherein one of the
plurality of rings includes a means for preventing disassembly of
the locking collapsible cup support.
13. The combined plate and cupholder of claim 12, wherein the means
for preventing disassembly includes a flange that extends outwardly
from one of said plurality of rings coupled to the first ring and
is configured to interfere with the first ring and prevent the
removal of said one of said plurality of rings from the first
ring.
14. A combined plate and cupholder comprising: a plate including a
planar base portion having a height and a rim that extends outward
and upward from said base portion, wherein the rim and base portion
together define a single food compartment, the plate further
defining an aperture therethrough that is configured to receive and
support a cup; and a cupholder disposed about the periphery of the
aperture, the cupholder comprising a collapsible cup support
disposed in the aperture to support the bottom of the cup.
15. The combined plate and cupholder of claim 14, further
comprising a rim fixed to the periphery of the aperture to which
the collapsible cup support is fixed, the rim comprising an outer
sidewall, a top surface, and an inner sidewall.
16. The combined plate and cupholder of claim 15, wherein the
collapsible cup support includes plurality of telescopic rings, the
plurality of rings being configured to engage one with another to
position a supporting base for the bottom of a cup below the height
of the planar base portion.
17. The combined plate and cupholder of claim 16, wherein the
plurality of rings wedge together to form a rigid member generally
shaped as a frustum of a cone.
18. The combined plate and cupholder of claim 17, wherein the
collapsible cup support permits leakage therethrough.
19. The combined plate and cupholder of claim 18, wherein the
supporting base has a hole therethrough.
20. The combined plate and cupholder of claim 19, wherein the hole
is disposed in the center of the base.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates generally to housewares. More
particularly it relates to eating and drinking utensils. Even more
particularly it relates to plates having structures configured to
support or hold glasses, cups, or other drinking containers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Eating utensils such as saucers, platters, dishes, and the
like (called "plates" hereinbelow), that are configured to hold
solid food or semi liquid food and drinking utensils or beverage
containers such as cups, glasses, stemware, wine glasses, snifters,
mugs, sippy cups and the like (called "cups" hereinbelow) that are
configured to be taken to the lips and from which fluids can be
imbibed, are usually configured as separate devices.
[0003] In certain situations, however, it is beneficial to
specially configure plates and/or cups to mate with one another,
thereby permitting a cup to support a plate, or a plate to support
a cup. The primary benefit of this arrangement is that it frees one
hand of the person. For example, if a plate and cup can be coupled
together, the user can hold the plate with one hand, rely on the
plate to hold the cup, and have his other hand free. As an
alternative example, the user can hold the cup with one hand, rely
on the cup to hold the plate, and have his other hand free.
[0004] Several special configurations of plates and cups to
interact with each other or with other devices are food materials
have been devised.
[0005] For example, U.S. Design Pat. 52,278 is directed to a bread
and butter plate. The plate is in the form of a generally shallow
pan having a raised bottom defining a rim that extends upward from
the bottom of the pan to provide a separate, smaller pan region for
receiving butter and keeping the butter from sliding across the
bottom of the pan into the adjacent portion of the bottom which
presumably contains bread.
[0006] U.S. Design Pat. 298,296 is directed to a combined tray and
cupholder generally similar to the device of the '278 patent but
having a lenticular shape that is pointed at each end. This
embodiment has a flat planar tray with an upwardly extending rim
from which an edge extends laterally. A second planar tray is
separated from this first planar tray by an upstanding rim or edge
that extends from one side of the tray portion to the other and
defines a separate food compartment. This separate portion of the
planar tray is not at the same height as (i.e. is not coplanar
with) the bottom of the planar tray. The second planar tray is
disposed above the first planar tray and does not rest upon a flat
surface (i.e. a tabletop) when the combined tray and cupholder is
used. This second planar tray of the combined tray and cupholder is
presumably the cupholder portion, and is generally circular. By
providing a portion of the tray for receiving a cup that is
actually raised above the surface of the table when the tray is
resting on the table, the combined tray and cupholder is inherently
unstable and prone to tip.
[0007] U.S. Design Pat. 368,627 is directed to a portable food tray
with cupholder. The construction of this device is similar to that
of U.S. Pat. No. 298,296 in that it has two planar regions that are
separated by a rim. In this case, however, the rim that separates
the planar tray cupholder portion from the planar tray plate
portion is raised considerably above the surface of the rest of the
plate. As with the '296 patent, the planar plate portion of the
device is surrounded by a rim. This rim, however, is only half as
high as the rim completely surrounding the cupholder portion. This
configuration doubles the height of the portable food tray with
cupholder itself as compared to the height without the extended
rim, and therefore makes the food tray take up much more space in
storage.
[0008] U.S. Design Pat. 373,052 is directed to a cocktail dish. It
has a generally elliptical shape in plan view with one end of the
ellipse notched out in a keyhole shape. Nonetheless, the
notched-out keyhole shape is surrounded by a circular raised lip,
somewhat similar to that of the preceding patents, but having a
conical bottom that is concentric with a circular portion of the
skeleton keyhole shape.
[0009] U.S. Design Pat. 373,933 is directed to a plate having
features somewhat similar to the foregoing patents, but with
several differences. The overall shape of the device is elliptical
in plan view, and instead of having one end of the ellipse formed
into either a cupholder or a notched keyhole shape, a side portion
of the plate along the minor axis of the ellipse is provided with a
notched keyhole shape together with two flanking elliptical holes,
one hole on either side of the notched keyhole shape. Instead of
having a single large tray portion that is surrounded by a
peripheral rim, the tray portion is divided into three separate
food compartments, each food compartment being separated from its
adjacent food compartment by a rim or wall that is raised above the
bottom of the plate.
[0010] U.S. Design Pat. 376,297 is directed to a food and beverage
tray. The device is in the form of an elongated sheet having three
depressions. A central circular depression forms a flat bottomed
tray with a conical tapering sidewall. A circular notched
depression at one end of the tray extends three times as deep as
the central depression, and has a conical tapering sidewall and a
flange that extends inwardly from the bottom of the conical
sidewall. A notch is provided that extends through the conical
sidewall. A third elongated pyramidal depression, deeper than both
the central depression and the circular notched depression is
provided at the other end of the food and beverage tray. The
pyramidal depression is missing one wall, having only three
downwardly and inwardly tapering sidewalls and a flat bottom.
[0011] U.S. Design Pat. 389,020 is directed to a beverage/food
holder that has a generally circular shape in plan view. The holder
is in the form of the generally planar tray portion having a
conical upwardly extending rim with a planar flange extending
outward from an upper portion thereof. A tall cylindrical
cup-shaped portion is fixed to the generally planar tray portion
and extends downward below the generally planar tray portion to a
depth over five times as great as the upwardly extending rim
extends above the planar tray portion. The cup-shaped portion is a
frustum of a cone and has a flat bottom.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 3,498,470 is directed to a serving tray with
integral cupholder. In plan view the tray is generally rectangular
with rounded corners. The tray includes a flat panel surrounded by
a peripheral rim that extends upward therefrom. A cup holding well
is provided at one corner of the tray and is raised substantially
above the level of both the flat panel and the top of the raised
rim. The cup holding well is generally conical.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 3,955,672 is directed to a plate assembly. The
plate assembly is circular in plan view and comprises a body and a
cup support member integrally formed with the body. The body
includes a wrist-receiving channel that extends upward from the
bottom of the plate from the cup support member on one side of the
plate assembly to the diametric opposite side of the plate
assembly. This channel is configured to receive the forearm of the
user to support the weight of the plate assembly on the forearm of
the user as the user grasps a separate cup that is inserted through
the cup support member. The cup support member (in FIG. 2 of the
'672 patent) is shown as a circular wall raised above the bottom of
the plate portion with a central hole. The hole is defined by a
sidewall, and the sidewall is a frustum of the cone that terminates
at the same level as the bottom of the body. Thus, when the plate
assembly rests on a flat planar surface, such as a table top, the
bottom of the cup support member and the bottom of the body itself
will both rest upon the surface of the table and both be
simultaneously supported.
[0014] FIG. 3 of the '672 patent shows an alternative embodiment of
a cup support member. In this embodiment the cup support member is
preferably comprised of several collapsible sections which are
telescopically inter-fitted. The sections are preferably frustum
shaped and are provided with flanges. The flanges function to
support the individual sections when the cup support member is
telescopically extended. The upper section of the cup support
member protrudes into the channel that is configured to support the
user's forearm. Each of the movable collapsible section has the
same overall height as the overall height of the plate assembly
itself. The plate is made of plastic or paper.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 4,516,685 is directed to a device for
supporting a drinking container with respect to a plate. This
device in plan view is generally shaped as a rounded rectangular
tray having an upwardly extending flange with a recess. This recess
is configured to receive a part of the drinking container such that
the container abuts and is supported by the wall of the recess and
does not tend to slide out from the recess when the plate is
tilted.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,125 is directed to a food plate with
beverage container holder. The food plate has a generally flat
bottom with an upraised ridge formed about an opening in the bottom
of the plate. This opening is configured to accommodate stemware
style containers. An alternative opening is provided in the plate
that is large enough to receive a beverage container with a
frustum-shaped sidewall. Alternatively, a straight-walled container
with a generally planar and outwardly extending flange can be
provided to rest inside the alternative opening with the container
supported by the flange.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,700 is directed to an inter-fitting
plate and cup. The plate is generally circular in plan view, having
a flat bottom portion with an upwardly extending sidewall and a
planar outwardly extending flange coupled thereto. The flat bottom
portion has a circular hole in the center of the plate that is
flush with the bottom and is not surrounded by a raised edge or
lip. In an alternative configuration, the circular hole in the
center of the plate is surrounded by an upstanding lip that is
integrally joined to the plate central section. The lip is
preferably formed as parallel frustoconical surfaces having a free
edge and an apex that is located on the top side of the plate
generally parallel to the outwardly extending flange. The free edge
of the lip defines the opening which is sized to accept and hold a
conventional tapered beverage container. The plate may be
manufactured from a variety of materials such as paper and
plastic.
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,455 is directed to a plate for use with
stemware. The plate includes a center portion and an outer
periphery with a notch therethrough that is connected to an
aperture that passes through the plate. The aperture is
substantially surrounded by a rim that is coplanar with the upper
edge of the outer periphery and a lower lip that is coplanar with
the central portion. A base foot is under the central portion. This
elevates the lip to allow a stemware foot flange to fit under the
lip when the stem and plate are resting on a table surface.
[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,231 is directed to a portable food tray
with cupholder. For a description, see the discussion of U.S.
Design Pat. 368,627, above.
[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,944 is directed to a single hand use
food tray, where an upper portion of the food tray is molded into a
food bowl for holding the food. The food bowl includes a base wall
extending away from the base and a rim positioned on an opposite
side of the food bowl wall from the base. The food trays are
stackable and nested one within the other to save space. Further,
the hand grip provides on its inside surface a molded contour for a
cup. The trays may be made of plastic, paper, or metal.
[0021] U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,240 is directed to a disposable plate
with flexible handles. This device comprises a plate with two loop
fasteners fixed to the bottom of the plate. The operator inserts a
thumb through one fastener and a forefinger through the other
fastener and rests the plate on the forefinger and thumb.
[0022] U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,516 is directed to a concession goods
holder for attachment to a cupholder such as in the end of the
stadium or theater seat armrest. The holder is in the form of a
U-shaped bracket, open at the sides and top for clasping and
retaining concession goods such as a popcorn bags. The holder has a
laterally extending arm terminating in a step sided cupholder sized
for engagement with the cupholder of the armrest. This arrangement
permits the user to employ the device for holding both the drink
and a bag of popcorn from the concession stand.
[0023] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,853,104; 6,062,418 and 6,149,027 are
directed to a combination food plate and beverage-holding article.
This device comprises a generally flat compartmentalized
rib-reinforced plate body having an upstanding truncated cone. The
cone has an open upper end for receiving a beverage container. The
cone may have a flat bottom or crossed members that define the
bottom. A notch may be provided on the bottom to receive the edge
of a stemware base.
[0024] U.S. Pat. No. 6,021,914 is directed to an hors d'oeuvres
tray. The tray is for holding food and a beverage cup. The tray has
an aperture and a slot continuous with the aperture and extending
to the exterior of the tray for receiving the stem of a stemmed
cup.
[0025] U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,233 is directed to a cupholder insert
with snack or combo carrier. The device includes a central support
member of generally circular cross-section that's made to be
disposed in a cupholder of a car, boat, or other structure having a
cupholder. Other cup shaped containers are formed integral with the
central support member for carrying such things as snacks or "combo
meals" (drink, french fries, sandwich). The cupholder insert is not
in the form of a plate for resting on a flat surface, but is more
generally in the shape of several cup or bowl shaped containers
(food compartments) that are permanently fixed together at their
rims in a side-by-side relation.
[0026] U.S. patent publication number US 2004/0099670 A1 is
directed to a buffet plate. The plate has a perimeter edge and a
recess formed in that edge for receiving a beverage container. The
recess has a circumferential surface that receives and supports an
outer surface of the beverage container. The recess is made of the
material sufficiently flexible to receive and accommodate beverage
containers of different diameters.
[0027] All of these prior art devices suffer from several
drawbacks. Several of them provide a simple pad with a very short
rim for supporting a cup, constructed much like a shallow food
compartment. The cup rests upon the pad and extends upward above
the surface of the plate or tray, completely unsupported. By
providing only a pad for the base of the cup leaves the cup
perilously unsupported and prone to fall over and spill when the
plate is carried about.
[0028] Alternative designs partially solve this problem by
providing a deep pocket for receiving a cup that extends downward
below the bottom of the plate portion, yet has sidewalls that
prevent the cup from falling over. Unfortunately, this deep pocket
arrangement is so elongated that the device cannot rest evenly on a
flat surface. This arrangement, however, advantageously provides
the user with a rigid "handle" (that lower portion of the cup
holder which extends below the bottom of the plate) around which
the user can wrap his fingers to hold the plate stationary.
[0029] Another alternative design provides a rigid cupholder
portion that extends upward above the surface of the plate to
surround and support the sidewall of the cup, thereby providing
resistance to tipping and spilling. The device rests evenly on a
flat surface such as a tabletop. Unfortunately, the portion of the
cupholder extending up above the surface of the plate gets in the
way of the plate and the user as the user eats.
[0030] Yet another alternative design using collapsible cup holders
is shown in the '672 patent. It can be collapsed flush with the
bottom of the plate, permitting it to be placed on the table top
for eating, and can be extended below the surface of the plate to
carry a cup, thereby partially solving the problem. This
arrangement has its own problems, however, since the various pieces
of the '672 patent are not fixed together, and can easily be
separated from the plate portion and lost. Furthermore, the
individual components of the '672 patent are not fixed (e.g.
wedged) together, but merely rest, one inside the other, with
simple hook-like flanges that interengage. This will not prevent a
top-heavy cup, e.g. those shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 herein from
tilting to one side, twisting the telescopic rings with respect to
each other, thereby tilting the base on which the cup rests, and
spilling the cup. Thus the telescopic cup support of the '672
patent permits the cup to tip when a cup with a high center of
gravity is placed in the support. Further, the arrangement is
unstable. A user who grasps the lower rings of the telescopic cup
holder from the bottom may be surprised to find that the plate is
completely unsupported. Since the rings are not fixed to one
another, the plate can flop about or rotate in circles, to slide to
one side and dump the contents of the plate on the ground when
carried. The plate requires additional stabilizing means, such as a
channel to support the plate on the wrist or forearm of the user.
This channel, however, divides the plate into multiple food
compartments, thereby reducing its carrying capacity.
[0031] It is an object of this invention to provide a plate and
cupholder that is configured to support a cup. It is also an object
of this invention to provide a plate and cupholder that supports a
cup in a collapsible cup support. It is a further object of this
invention to provide a collapsible support for the plate and
cupholder having at least two positions, an extended position and a
collapsed position. It is a further object of this invention to
provide a plate and cupholder having several interlinked
constituent parts that are together rigid when the plate and
cupholder is in its extended position and loosely coupled when the
plate and cupholder is in its collapsed position.
[0032] Each of these objects is met by at least one of the
embodiments of the device described herein and illustrated in the
attached figures. Not every embodiment provides all of the objects
or advantages of the invention, nor do every one of the claims
described below provide all of the objects or advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0033] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention a
combined plate and cupholder for holding a cup and food is
provided, the combination including a plate portion for supporting
foodstuffs and having an aperture therethrough to receive the cup;
and a cupholder for supporting the cup, wherein the cupholder is
disposed about and forms a periphery of the aperture.
[0034] The plate may include a planar plate portion and an
upwardly-extending peripheral flange extending therefrom, and the
cupholder may comprise an upstanding rim, the rim comprising an
outer sidewall having a lower edge fixed to the aperture, a top
surface fixed to the top of the outer sidewall, and an inner
sidewall fixed to and extending down from the top surface inside
the outer sidewall. The combined plate and cupholder may be
elliptical and the aperture may be disposed at one end of the plate
portion. The plate portion and the cupholder may be made of matted
paper. The cupholder may have an inwardly-facing sidewall that
extends downward and necks inward at a sidewall angle of between 5
and 15 degrees from vertical, and may further comprise the cup,
which may be disposed within the aperture and may be supported by
the inner sidewall of the rim, and the cup may have an outer
sidewall that flares upwardly and outwardly at a cup wall angle of
between 5 and 15 degrees from vertical.
[0035] In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, a
combined plate and cupholder is provided, including a plate having
a planar base portion configured to support foodstuffs, and a rim
coupled to the base portion and extending outward and upward
therefrom to prevent foodstuffs from falling off the plate, the
base portion having an aperture therethrough to receive and support
a cup; and a cupholder disposed about the periphery of the
aperture, the cupholder comprising a cupholder rim that is fixed to
the base portion around the periphery of the aperture, and a
locking collapsible cup support disposed in the aperture to support
the bottom of the cup.
[0036] The locking collapsible cup support may also include a
plurality of telescopically interengaged rings configured to lock
together in frictional engagement to each other and to the
cupholder rim. The plurality of rings may include at least a first
ring configured to frictionally lock to the cupholder rim, and at
least a second ring further comprising a base disposed to support
the cup. The plurality of rings may include at least one ring
disposed between and frictionally engageable to the first ring and
the second ring to form a rigid telescopically extended body. The
combined plate and cupholder may be made of transparent plastic and
may be configured to support a transparent cup. The transparent cup
may be a wine glass. One of the plurality of rings may include a
means for preventing disassembly of the locking collapsible cup
support. The means for preventing disassembly includes a flange
that extends outwardly from one of said plurality of rings coupled
to the first ring and is configured to interfere with the first
ring and prevent the removal of said one of said plurality of rings
from the first ring.
[0037] In accordance with a third embodiment of the invention, a
combined plate and cupholder is provide that comprises a plate
including a planar base portion having a height and a rim that
extends outward and upward from said base portion, wherein the rim
and base portion together define a single food compartment, the
plate further defining an aperture therethrough that is configured
to receive and support a cup; and a cupholder disposed about the
periphery of the aperture, the cupholder comprising a collapsible
cup support disposed in the aperture to support the bottom of the
cup.
[0038] The combined plate and cupholder may further include a rim
fixed to the periphery of the aperture to which the collapsible cup
support is fixed, the rim comprising an outer sidewall, a top
surface, and an inner sidewall. The collapsible cup support may
include a plurality of telescopic rings, and the plurality of rings
may be configured to engage one with another to position a
supporting base for the bottom of a cup below the height of the
planar base portion. The plurality of rings may be configured to
wedge together to form a rigid member generally shaped as a frustum
of a cone. The collapsible cup support may permit leakage
therethrough when the plurality of rings are wedged together. The
supporting base may have a hole therethrough. The hole in the base
may be disposed in the center of the base.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0039] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of the
invention.
[0040] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1
showing a cup in phantom lines supported by the cupholder.
[0041] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIGS.
1 and 2 taken at section line 3-3 in FIG. 1, in which the section
line passes through the diameter of the cupholder and the center of
the plate.
[0042] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the
invention including a plate and a cup holder, the cupholder
including a separable collapsible cup support installed
therein.
[0043] FIG. 5 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 showing
the user grasping the collapsible cup support in its
wedged-together rigid position.
[0044] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional front view of the
embodiment of FIGS. 4-5 taken at section line 6-6 in FIG. 4.
[0045] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional front view of the
embodiment of FIGS. 4-6 taken at section line 6-6 in FIG. 4 and
showing the individual segments of the collapsible cup support in
their collapsed positions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0046] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a combined plate and cupholder
is shown. The plate includes a planar base portion 100 that is
elliptical and is configured to rest upon a flat surface such as a
table. The planar base portion 100 constitutes substantially an
entire ellipse, and has a peripheral elliptical edge 102 extending
completely around the entire planar base portion 100. A generally
outwardly tapered sidewall 104 is coupled to the base portion 100
along edge 102. Sidewall 104 defines an entire ellipse, and extends
upward from the base portion 100 between 0.5 and 1.5 inches high.
Sidewall 104 is preferably disposed at an angle 105 (FIG. 3) to
base portion 100 of between 20.degree. and 75.degree. from the
horizontal. An elliptical flange 106 is coupled to the top edge 108
of sidewall 104 and extends outward therefrom. Flange 106 is planar
or a shallow conical section and is spaced a constant distance
apart from base portion 100.
[0047] An aperture 110 having a center 112 is disposed at and
extends through one end of base portion 100. The aperture is
circular. Raised rim 114 extends into the aperture in base portion
100. Rim 114 is circular, and has a top surface 116 that is
preferably planar (although it may be radiused or curved) and
parallel to base portion 100. Top surface 116 is preferably
parallel to flange 106. It is preferably disposed midway between
flange 106 and base portion 100. Rim 114 also includes a conical
outer sidewall 118 that is coupled to and extends between top
surface 116 and base portion 100. Conical outer sidewall 118
supports top surface 116 of rim 114 a constant distance away from
base portion 100. Sidewall 118 is fixed at its bottom to an
aperture in base portion 100 and extends upward, necking inwardly
and defining a frustum of a cone.
[0048] Rim 114 also includes a conical inner sidewall 124 (FIG. 3).
Sidewall 124 is fixed along its upper edge to top surface 116 and
extends downward and necks inward therefrom, defining a frustum of
a cone. This downward and inward taper matches the same downward
and inward taper of a cup 126 shown in these figures in phantom
lines. The cup is preferably a standard beverage drinking cup,
preferably disposable, such as a beer cup, carbonated drink cup,
coffee cup, or the like. It has sidewall that tapers upward and
outward at a tapering angle 128 of between 5.degree. and
15.degree.. Whatever the value of angle 128, it is preferred that
this angle remained constant over the entire extent of sidewall
124. Other angles are of course possible.
[0049] In the preferred embodiment, sidewall 124 extends downwardly
from surface 116 to a level 130 flush with base portion 100. In an
alternative embodiment, sidewall 124 extends only partway down from
surface 116 to base portion 100, stopping at a height 132 between
the level of surface 116 and the level of base portion 100.
[0050] Center 112 of aperture 110 intersects the major axis 120 of
base portion 100. It is preferably located adjacent to a focus 134
of elliptical base portion 100. Center 112 of aperture 110 is
spaced far enough from the outer edge 136 of the combined plate and
cupholder that a portion 138 of the planar base 100 extends between
and separates outwardly tapered sidewall 104 and conical sidewall
118 of rim 114.
[0051] Flange 106 is preferably planar, although it may be formed
as a very shallow conical section having an outer circumferential
edge 140 that is slightly higher than the inner edge 142. This
conical section is characterized by angle 144 (FIG. 3) which is
preferably between 0.degree. (i.e. flange 106 is parallel to bottom
portion 100) and 7.degree. (i.e. outer edge 140 is slightly higher
than inner edge 142). Flange 106 preferably has a constant width
146 (FIG. 1) over its entire elliptical extent.
[0052] The user of the combined plate and cupholder typically
operates the device as follows. The operator picks up the plate at
an edge 136 of the combined plate and cupholder and dishes food on
to the top surface of base portion 100. The food can be solid or it
can be fluid, or it can be a mixture of the two. Any fluids that
gather in the bottom of base portion 100 will not be able to
surmount rim 114, spill over the top and fall down through aperture
110. Once the user has filled the plate up with food, the user can
then fill a cup, such as the disposable cup 126 shown in FIG.
2.
[0053] Once the cup is full, the user can, by holding the plate in
one hand, place the cup into aperture 110 and release the cup,
thereby transferring the weight to the combined plate and
cupholder, and hence transfer the entire weight to the hand holding
the combined plate and cupholder. With the weight of both the cup
and the combined plate and cupholder supported by a single hand,
the user can then carry both the combined plate and cupholder and
cup from place to place by supporting the edge of the combined
plate and cupholder. In this manner, the operator has one hand free
to do such things as open doors, place additional food on the
plate, shake hands, or move folding chairs.
[0054] In an alternative process, the user can first fill the plate
with food. Once the plate is filled, the user can then place the
combined plate and cupholder down upon a flat surface such as a
picnic table. With the plate in this position, resting firmly on
base portion 100 on the flat surface, the user can place cup 126
full of the user's beverage into aperture 110, again with the
combined plate and cupholder resting on the flat surface. Aperture
110 and inner sidewall 124 are dimensioned such that the cup is not
supported by sidewall 124, surface 116, or sidewall 118. Instead,
cup 126 rests upon its base on the flat surface itself. The cup
touches the inner sidewall 124 or the top surface 116 at one point
around the periphery of sidewall 124 and surface 116.
[0055] Should the operator merely desire to eat her food without
rising, the user can lift the cup from aperture 110 and drink from
it while eating food from the combined plate and cupholder with a
knife, fork, spoon or fingers. Cup 126 can be repeatedly raised to
the user's mouth for drinking, then lowered and replaced in
aperture 110. Once in aperture 110, it will rest not upon bottom
portion 100, but upon the table or other flat planar surface upon
which the combined plate and cupholder rest.
[0056] On the other hand, should the user desire to take his
combined plate and cupholder and cup of beverage to another place
to sit and eat, he can grasp one or both sides of the combined
plate and cupholder and lift the combined plate and cupholder
upward off the table or other planar surface. In this arrangement,
he will thereby lift aperture 110 upwards along the outer surface
of cup 126 until inner sidewall 124 engages the sidewall of cup 126
about its entire periphery. At this point, further upward motion of
the combined plate and cupholder will lift cup 126 as well, with
the shoulder of the cup resting firmly in sidewall 124, and a
portion 152 (FIG. 2) of cup 126 extending below base portion
100.
[0057] Once the user has carried the combined plate and cupholder
and cup to a new location, he can gently lower the combined plate
and cupholder down toward the planar generally horizontal surface
(such as a table) on which he wishes to place it. Before base
portion 100 of combined plate and cupholder contacts this surface,
the horizontal base 154 of cup 126 will contact the surface and the
weight of cup 126 will be transferred to the surface. The operator
can then continue to lower the combined plate and cupholder until
the bottom of bottom portion 100 rests upon this surface.
[0058] FIGS. 4-7 illustrate a second embodiment of the combined
plate and cupholder in which the cupholder comprises not only a rim
around an aperture 210, but a collapsible cup support as well. The
plate includes a planar base portion 200 that is elliptical and is
configured to rest up a flat surface such as a table. The planar
base portion 200 constitutes substantially an entire ellipse, that
has a peripheral elliptical edge 202 extending substantially the
entire distance around the entire planar base portion 200 and
terminating at a portion of the cupholder.
[0059] A generally outwardly tapered sidewall 204 is coupled to the
base portion 200 along edge 202. Sidewall 204 defines substantially
an entire ellipse, and extends upward from the base portion 200
between 0.5 and 1.0 inches high. Sidewall 204 terminates at the
cupholder portion of the combined plate and cupholder Sidewall 204
is preferably disposed at an angle 205 to base portion 200 of
between 20.degree. and 75.degree.. An elliptical flange 206 is
coupled to the top edge 208 of sidewall 204 and extends outward
therefrom. Flange 206 is planar and is spaced a constant distance
away from base portion 200. Flange 206 is preferably parallel to
base portion 200 and is preferably spaced a constant distance of
between 0.5 and 1.0 inches away from base portion 200.
[0060] A circular hole or aperture 210 is disposed at and extends
through one end 212 of base portion 200. This hole is surrounded by
a raised rim 214. Rim 214 is circular, and has a top surface 216
that is planar and parallel to base portion 200. Top surface 216 is
also parallel to and coplanar with flange 206.
[0061] Top surface 216 of rim 214 preferably merges with the top
surface of elliptical flange 206 to form together a continuous
planar surface 218 having an inner loop 220 that extends around
aperture 210 and an outer loop 222 that extends around the
periphery of base portion 200.
[0062] Rim 214 also includes a conical outer sidewall 224 that is
coupled to and extends between rim portion 214 and base portion 200
to which it is fixed. Conical sidewall 224 supports top surface 216
of rim 214. Conical sidewall 224 does not extend completely around
aperture 210, however. Instead, it merges with sidewall 204 to
together form a continuously curved sidewall that extends around
the entire periphery of base portion 200.
[0063] Aperture 210 of the combined cup and plate holder also
includes a conical inner sidewall 226. Sidewall 226 is fixed along
its upper edge to top surface 216 of rim 214 and extends downward
and necks inward therefrom, defining a frustum of a cone. The taper
of inner sidewall 226 is preferably the same as the taper of the
inner sidewall 124 identified for the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, and
likewise matches the upward and outward taper of cup 126.
[0064] In one embodiment, sidewall 226 extends downwardly from
surface 216 to the level of base portion 200. In a preferred
embodiment, shown here, sidewall 226 extends only partway down from
surface 216 to base portion 200, stopping at a height between the
level of surface 216 and the level of base portion 210 to
accommodate the thickness of the base 242 of the collapsible cup
support (discussed below) and to permit the base portion 200 and
the base of the collapsible cup support to both rest flat upon a
flat planar surface 228.
[0065] Flange 206 is preferably planar, as shown in FIGS. 4-7,
although it may alternatively be formed as a very shallow conical
section--a frustum of a cone--having an outer circumferential edge
230 that is slightly higher than the inner edge 232. As in the
example of FIGS. 1-3, the angle of flange 206 with respect to
horizontal would be less than 7.degree.. Flange 206 preferably has
a constant width over its entire length until it joins together
with top surface 216 to jointly form planar surface 218.
[0066] The combined plate and cupholder of FIGS. 4-7 includes a
collapsible cup support 234 that is fitted into and mechanically
engages the inner side wall 226 of rim 214. Collapsible cup support
234 is formed a plurality of interconnected rings 236, 238, and
240. Each of these rings is shaped as the frustum of a cone and all
are telescopically interengaged one with the other. Each ring is
formed of a thin wall having a preferred height of between 0.5 and
1.2 inches and a thickness of between 0.02 and 0.12 inches. The
smallest inner diameter of each ring is preferably between 2.0 and
4.0 inches. Whatever the height of each ring, it is preferably
constant over the entire circumference of the ring.
[0067] The bottom-most ring (ring 240 herein) is preferably fixed
to a circular base 242 that extends completely across the opening
defined by the bottom edge of ring 240, completely enclosing it. In
an alternative embodiment, base 242 may have a circular aperture
extending therethrough that is generally concentric with the
longitudinal axis of ring 240.
[0068] When extended, as shown in FIGS. 4-6, the upper outer
surface of each ring engages the lower inner surface of an
adjacent, and slightly larger ring (or inner sidewall 226) in which
the ring is fitted. Thus, each ring is both supported by a higher
ring and supports a lower ring. The topmost ring (ring 236) is not
supported by a superior ring, but by inner sidewall 226, which is
formed like a frustum of a cone.
[0069] The outer upper circumferential surface portion of ring 236
has a taper that is the same as the taper of the inner lower
circumferential surface of sidewall 226 against which it is
configured to wedge. In this manner, a conical band of contact 244
is formed between ring 236 and sidewall 226. This band of contact
244 is preferably disposed at a constant angle of between 5.degree.
and 20.degree. of vertical over its entire circumference. The
height of band of contact 244 is preferably between 5% and 30% of
the overall height "H" of ring 236.
[0070] The outer upper circumferential surface portion of ring 238
has a taper that is the same as the taper of the inner lower
circumferential surface of ring 236. A conical band of contact 246
is formed between the inner lower circumferential surface of ring
236 and the outer upper circumferential surface of ring 238. This
band of contact 246 is preferably disposed at and constant angle of
between 50 and 20.degree. of vertical over its entire
circumference. The height of band of contact 246 is preferably
between 5% and 30% of the overall height of ring 236 and between 5%
and 30% of the overall height of ring 238.
[0071] The outer upper circumferential surface portion of ring 240
has a taper that is the same as the taper of the inner lower
circumferential surface of ring 238. A conical band of contact 248
is formed between the inner lower circumferential surface of ring
238 and the outer upper circumferential surface of ring 240. This
band of contact 248 is preferably disposed at a constant angle of
between 5.degree. and 20.degree. of vertical over its entire
circumference. The height of band of contact 248 is preferably
between 5% and 30% of the overall height of ring 238 and between 5%
and 30% of the overall height of ring 240.
[0072] Bands of contact 244, 246, 248 are disposed at an angle with
respect to the vertical that fixes adjacent rings together when the
rings are extended (FIGS. 4-6) to their fullest extent. The rings
wedge together with enough pressure in between to wedge or lock
adjacent rings together, and to wedge or lock in the uppermost ring
to sidewall 226. The rings, when extended, together with the plate,
form a single rigid member that cannot be pulled apart by the weigh
of the cup. Once the rings are wedged against each other in this
position, if the combined plate and cupholder is inverted, tilted
sideways, or shaken, the rings will remain in their extended,
wedged position (shown in FIGS. 4-6). This wedging is not so great,
however, that it cannot be overcome by the manual application of
force. A user, by applying hand force, can force base 242 upward,
overcoming the friction between adjacent rings, and reducing the
collapsible cup support to the collapsed configuration shown in
FIG. 7.
[0073] The cup disposed in the collapsible cup support of FIGS. 4-7
is a wine glass. It is the preferred cup for use in this
embodiment, since it benefits most from the rigid connection
between the rings that comprise the collapsible cup support. Wine
glasses are quite top heavy and narrow in their midsections. This
arrangement makes them particularly susceptible to being tipped
over unless (as provided herein) the bottom of the collapsible
support can be fixed rigidly with respect to the rest o the
combined plate and cup holder.
[0074] FIG. 7 also illustrates the compact space in which the
collapsible cup support can be stowed when the frictional
connection between the individual rings is broken and the rings are
collapsed together. In the configuration shown in FIG. 7, the
frictional connection between each of the adjacent rings has been
broken by applying manual force to base 242. The rings are nested,
one inside the other, but are still held together by the
arrangement of base 242 with respect to the bottom of sidewall 226.
Base 242 has an outer diameter that is greater than the outer
diameter of the bottom of sidewall 226.
[0075] When the combined plate and cupholder is gradually lowered
on to a flat surface 228 such as a picnic table, base 242 hangs
downward under the force of gravity in the extended position shown
in FIGS. 4-6. The first portion of the combined plate and cupholder
to contact the surface 228 is base 242. As the user lowers the
plate towards surface 228, base 242 and ring 240 to which it is
attached initially rest upon the surface. Continued lowering of the
combined plate and cupholder lower ring 238 until ring 238 rest
upon base 242. Further lowering of the combined plate and cupholder
causes ring 236 to lower around the outside of ring 238 and 240
until the bottom of ring 238 contacts base 242. Further lowering of
the combined plate and cupholder causes sidewall 226 to lower
around the outside of rings 236, 238 and 240 until sidewall 228,
and rings 236, 238, and 240 are nested together as shown in FIG. 7,
with both base 242 and base portion 200 resting flush upon surface
228. This process is what normally occurs when the combined cup and
plate holder of FIGS. 4-7 is lowered towards the surface when the
rings and sidewall 226 are not wedged together in their extended
positions.
[0076] Once the combined plate and cupholder is placed on surface
228, the user can fill the plate up with a variety of foodstuffs.
The user can also placed a beverage container, such as a cup or can
into aperture 210 to rest upon the inside surface of base 242. In
this position, the operator can carry his combined plate and
cupholder simply by grasping one side (or both sides) of the plate
and lifting upwards. As the plate is lifted, the rings will be
lifted in quick succession, first ring 236 which will engage the
bottom of sidewall 226, then ring 238 which will engage the bottom
of ring 236, then ring 240 which will engage the bottom of ring
238. Ultimately, with the rings extended in this position and base
242 resting upon surface 228 further lifting of the plate by the
user will lift base 242 off surface 228, raising the entire
combined plate and cupholder together with the beverage resting on
base 242 into the air.
[0077] The ring material and the taper angle of the rings is
preferably selected such that the weight of a filled beverage
container, for example, a 4-ounce wine glass plus the 4 ounces of
liquid contents, a disposable plastic or foam beer cup plus 16
ounces of liquid contents, or a lightweight can of carbonated drink
plus its 12 ounces in liquid contents will cause the rings to
extend and wedge together. Once they have wedged in position, they
are particularly resistant to tilting or tipping with respect to
base portion 200, and spilling the beverage container and its
contents onto food that rests on base portion 200.
[0078] A further advantage of wedging the rings together is that
they can be used as a handhold to permit the plate and cupholder to
be supported by a single hand. This obviates the requirement of the
channel, such as that shown in the '672 patent, for resting the
plate upon a forearm of the user. Each of the rings illustrated in
the '672 patent that comprise the collapsible cup support of that
patent are not fixed together. The rings merely rest, one within
the other, on flanges that extend outward therefrom. There is no
frictional inter-engagement, no fixed coupling of ring to ring. And
therefore the device of the '672 patent does not form, together
with the plate from which it descends, a single, fixed, rigid
member, as is provided by the frictional engagement of the present
invention. As a result, the plate of the '672 patent must always be
supported by a hand grasping a rim of the plate, or by a forearm
fitted into the elongated channel and supporting the plate
underneath.
[0079] Either of the combined plate and cupholders illustrated
herein can be made of a layer of wet matted paper that is
transferred to a polished mold cavity that defines the upper
surface of the combined plate and cupholder. A screen may be placed
against the bottom surface of the paper mat, and water from the
paper mat may be suctioned out through the screen against the
bottom surface of the mat to form a semi-dry, semi-rigid combined
plate and cupholder formed between the mold cavity and the screen.
This semi-finished product can be further dried to finish it, such
as by drying in an oven. The aperture shown in the FIGURES herein
is preferably formed by punching a hole in the bottom of the base
portion. Either of the two alternative combined plate and
cupholders shown herein can be formed by this method. The rings
that comprise the collapsible cup support are preferably made of
plastic, glass or metal. That portion of either illustrated
combined plate and cupholder into which the collapsible cup support
is inserted can also be made of plastic, glass or metal instead of
paper. The combined plate and cupholders herein may be transparent,
opaque, colored or translucent.
[0080] The description above is not intended to limit the scope of
the invention claimed below, but to provide the fullest explanation
of the preferred embodiments of the invention in sufficient detail
to permit someone to manufacture and use them.
* * * * *