U.S. patent application number 11/324891 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-05 for plates with a chamber for holding replaceable decorative inserts.
This patent application is currently assigned to Big Idea Group, Inc.. Invention is credited to Joseph N. Casale.
Application Number | 20070151977 11/324891 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38223309 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070151977 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Casale; Joseph N. |
July 5, 2007 |
Plates with a chamber for holding replaceable decorative
inserts
Abstract
A plate with a bottom chamber for holding a decorative insert.
The plate is made of a clear material such as acrylic, has a
downwardly projecting rim on the bottom side and a cap that fits
around and over the rim from the bottom. The bottom surface of the
plate, the rim and the cap form a chamber in which a decorative
element such as a sheet of paper or plastic, photograph, a craft
item, or other items may be inserted. The decorative element can be
easily replaced by removing the cap.
Inventors: |
Casale; Joseph N.; (Cary,
NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
YING CHEN
255 S. GRAND AVE.
# 215
LOS ANGELES
CA
90012
US
|
Assignee: |
Big Idea Group, Inc.
Quality Products Group, LLC
|
Family ID: |
38223309 |
Appl. No.: |
11/324891 |
Filed: |
January 4, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/574 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 19/025
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/574 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/00 20060101
A47G019/00 |
Claims
1. A plate comprising: a plate body having a downwardly projecting
rim on a bottom side; and a cap that fits around and over the rim
from the bottom side, wherein the rim, the cap and a bottom surface
of the plate form a closed chamber.
2. The plate of claim 1, wherein the plate body is make of a clear,
hard plastic material.
3. The plate of claim 1, wherein the cap is made of a flexible
plastic material.
4. The plate of claim 1, wherein the plate body, the rim and the
cap have a circular shape.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to eating utensils, and in
particular, it relates to a plate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] An object of the present invention is to provide a plate
that functions as an eating utensil and can be easily decorated
with different decorative elements.
[0003] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be
set forth in the descriptions that follow and in part will be
apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention
will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed
out in the written description and claims thereof as well as the
appended drawings.
[0004] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with
the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly
described, the present invention provides a plate that includes a
plate body having a downwardly projecting rim on a bottom side, and
a cap that fits around and over the rim from the bottom side,
wherein the rim, the cap and a bottom surface of the plate form a
closed chamber.
[0005] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of
the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a plate according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a top view of the plate of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0008] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plate according to an
embodiment of the present invention has a plate body 2 and a bottom
cap 4. The plate body 2 has a circular shape in the example shown
in FIG. 2, but other shapes may also be used. The plate body 2 is
preferably made of a clear plastic or glass material (colored or
colorless), but other transparent materials may also be used. In
one example, the plate is made of acrylic. The bottom of the plate
body has a downwardly projecting rim 2a, and the upward facing cap
4 fits around and over the rim 2a from the bottom. The rim 2a and
cap 4 in the example of FIGS. 1 and 2 are circular in shape, but
they may also be of other shape. The cap 4 is preferably made of a
flexible plastic material so it is held securely around the rim 2a.
If desired, the cap may be made watertight. The bottom surface 2b
of the plate 2, the rim 2a and the cap 4 form a closed chamber in
which a decorative element 6 can be held. The decorative element 6,
which preferably has the same shape as the chamber, may be a sheet
of paper or plastic, photograph, or a craft item such as coloring
paper, clay, fabric, sand, etc., or any other suitable material. If
a sheet of paper is used, it may be printed or otherwise provided
with decorative patterns, or it may simply provide a medium to be
written or drawn on. Preferably, the decorative element 6 is placed
within the chamber with a decorated side facing upwards so the
decorative pattern is visible through the plastic material of the
plate 2. In one particular example, the decorative element 6 is a
sheet of paper printed with decorative patterns. In another
example, the decorative element 6 is a sheet of paper containing
drawings or colorings done by a user.
[0009] The decorative element 6 can be easily inserted and replaced
by removing the cap. The plates can be washed normally after the
cap and the decorative element are removed. The plates according to
embodiments of the present invention are useful as eating utensils
for parties, family gatherings, other occasions, or everyday meals,
and can be used by restaurants that serve younger customers.
[0010] Note that the decorative elements 6 are not a part of the
plate. The plates may be sold commercially with or without the
decorative elements, and the decorative elements can be sold either
with the plates or separately as replacements.
[0011] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modification and variations can be made in the plate of the present
invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the
invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover
modifications and variations that come within the scope of the
appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *