U.S. patent application number 12/028829 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-13 for using serving platter having disposal opening and shallow sealing lid.
Invention is credited to Daniel Lee Bizzell, Ian D. Kovacevich.
Application Number | 20090200197 12/028829 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40937983 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090200197 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kovacevich; Ian D. ; et
al. |
August 13, 2009 |
USING SERVING PLATTER HAVING DISPOSAL OPENING AND SHALLOW SEALING
LID
Abstract
A method of serving food includes arranging food on a serving
area of a serving platter having a main body including a top
portion defining the serving area comprising a plurality of primary
serving wells and secondary serving wells, and a bottom portion
defining an interior space, the top portion defining a disposal
opening configured to receive food waste into the interior space,
wherein the top portion includes a plurality of dividing walls
defining and separating the primary serving wells and a plurality
of partitioning walls defining the secondary serving wells. Each
serving well has a volume that is less than half of the volume of
each primary serving well.
Inventors: |
Kovacevich; Ian D.;
(Charlotte, NC) ; Bizzell; Daniel Lee; (Davidson,
NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TILLMAN WRIGHT, PLLC
P.O. BOX 473909
CHARLOTTE
NC
28247
US
|
Family ID: |
40937983 |
Appl. No.: |
12/028829 |
Filed: |
February 10, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/561 ;
206/562; 206/567 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 1/36 20130101; A47G
23/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/561 ;
206/562; 206/567 |
International
Class: |
B65D 1/34 20060101
B65D001/34 |
Claims
1. A method of serving food, which food generates food waste when
eaten, comprising the steps of: (a) arranging, on a serving area of
a serving platter, food that generates food waste when eaten, the
serving platter comprising, (i) a main body including, (A) a top
portion defining the serving area, the serving area comprising a
plurality of primary serving wells for receiving food items therein
for presentation to a person for eating, and (B) a bottom portion
defining a substantially enclosed interior space, the top portion
defining a disposal opening configured to receive there through
food waste for deposit into the substantially enclosed interior
space; (ii) wherein the top portion includes a plurality of
dividing walls defining and separating the primary serving wells;
and (iii) wherein the top portion further defines a plurality of
secondary serving wells, each secondary serving well being defined
by a partitioning wall that extends between adjacent sides of the
outer peripheral wall of the main body; and (b) loading one or more
of the secondary serving wells with food that may or may not
generate food waste.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the serving
tray to a customer by a commercial food service establishment,
wherein the customer is a dine-in customer.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the serving
tray to a customer by a commercial food service establishment,
wherein the customer is a take-out customer.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the serving
tray to a customer by a commercial food service establishment,
wherein the customer is a delivery customer.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the top portion and the bottom
portion are part of a single molded piece.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the primary serving wells
shares in common a dividing wall with another primary serving
well.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein each secondary serving well
includes a volume that is less than half of the volume of each
primary serving well.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the disposal opening comprises a
circular opening centrally located relative to the serving
area.
9. The method of claim 5, wherein each dividing wall extends
generally linearly away from the circular opening.
10. The method of claim 5, wherein each dividing wall extends from
the circular opening to the outer peripheral wall of the main body,
and wherein each primary serving well has a bottom defining a food
support surface, and wherein the food support surface is planar and
configured to be generally horizontal when the serving platter is
placed on a generally horizontal surface.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein a secondary serving well is
loaded with a sauce or dip.
12. The method of claim 1, further comprising removably coupling a
shallow lid to the main body such that the lid is positioned above
and extends over the serving area during transport of the serving
platter, the lid defining a plurality of dividers, wherein each of
the dividing walls is generally aligned with and engaged by a
respective divider such that two wells are isolated from one
another by a dividing wall engaged with a divider, and wherein each
of the partitioning walls is generally aligned with and engaged by
a respective divider such that a primary serving well and a
secondary serving well are isolated from one another by a
partitioning wall engaged with a divider.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein a dividing wall is engaged by a
divider by being received within a channel that is defined by the
lid.
14. A method of serving food, which food generates food waste when
eaten, comprising the steps of: (a) arranging, on a serving area of
a serving platter, food that generates food waste when eaten, the
serving platter comprising, (i) a generally rectangular main body,
the main body being a single molded piece and including, (A) a top
portion defining the serving area, the serving area comprising a
plurality of primary serving wells for receiving food items therein
for presentation to a person for eating, and (B) a bottom portion
defining a substantially enclosed interior space, the top portion
defining a rounded opening centrally located relative to the
serving area and configured to receive there through food waste for
deposit into the substantially enclosed interior space; (ii)
wherein the top portion includes a plurality of dividing walls
defining and separating the primary serving wells, each dividing
wall extends generally linearly away from the rounded opening to an
outer peripheral wall of the main body, each of the primary serving
wells sharing in common a dividing wall with another primary
serving well; and (iii) wherein the top portion further defines a
plurality of secondary serving wells, each secondary serving well
being defined by a partitioning wall that extends between adjacent
sides of the outer peripheral wall of the main body, each secondary
serving well having a volume that is less than half of the volume
of each primary serving well; and (b) loading one or more of the
secondary serving wells with food that may or may not generate food
waste.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising removably coupling a
shallow to the main body such that the lid is positioned above and
extends over the serving area and seats off the central opening of
the top portion.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the lid defines a plurality of
dividers, each of the dividing walls being generally aligned with
and engaged by a respective divider such that two wells are seated
off from one another by a dividing wall engaged with a divider.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein each of the partitioning walls
also is generally aligned with and engaged by a respective divider
such that a primary serving well and a secondary serving well are
isolated from one another by a partitioning wall engaged with a
divider.
18. A method of serving food, which food generates food waste when
eaten, comprising the steps of: (a) arranging, on a serving area of
a serving platter, food that generates food waste when eaten, the
serving platter comprising, (i) a generally rectangular main body,
the main body being a single molded piece and including, (A) a top
portion defining a serving area comprising, (I) four primary
serving wells for receiving food items therein for presentation to
a person for eating, and (II) four secondary serving wells, and (B)
a bottom portion defining a substantially enclosed interior space,
the top portion defining a rounded opening centrally located
relative to the serving area and configured to receive there
through food waste for deposit into the substantially enclosed
interior space; (ii) wherein the top portion includes four dividing
walls defining and separating the four primary serving wells, each
dividing wall extending generally linearly away from the rounded
opening to an outer peripheral wall of the main body, each of the
four primary serving wells sharing in common a dividing wall with
another of the four primary serving wells; and (iii) wherein the
top portion further includes four partitioning walls, each
partitioning wall extending between adjacent sides of the outer
peripheral wall of the main body, each serving well having a volume
that is less than half of the volume of each primary serving well;
and (b) loading one or more of the secondary serving wells with
food that may or may not generate food waste.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising removably coupling a
shallow lid to the main body such that the lid is positioned above
and extends over the serving area and seats off the central opening
of the top portion.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the lid defines a plurality of
dividers, each of the dividing walls being generally aligned with
and engaged by a respective divider such that two wells are seated
off from one another by a dividing wall engaged with a divider; and
wherein each of the partitioning walls also is generally aligned
with and engaged by a respective divider such that a primary
serving well and a secondary serving well are isolated from one
another by a partitioning wall engaged with a divider.
Description
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT
[0001] All of the material in this patent document is subject to
copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States
and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the
facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the
patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records
but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are
reserved.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Trays for snacks and appetizer-type foods are generally
known. Such trays provide a place to display these foods for
presentation and for eating. They also generally make it easier to
transport these foods. Unfortunately, many trays do not have
seating lids that enable them to serve as food containers during
transport from one location to another, e.g., from a restaurant to
a home. Therefore, when foods that are traditionally presented on a
tray are transported from one location to another, a container
other than the tray is generally used during transport.
[0003] Another problem that exists, particularly for foods such as
chicken wings that create their own waste, is finding a place to
put the waste prior to its being thrown away. In most cases, a
trash receptacle is not located within easy reach of a table or
other dining area, typically because it is unsanitary or unsightly.
As such, a diner is faced with the problem of having a place to put
the waste while the food creating the waste is being eaten.
Generally, such waste is unappetizing and an eater would prefer to
have the waste out of sight while continuing to eat.
[0004] Anderson et al. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/870,538,
which published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
2008/0029427, both of which patent references are incorporated
herein by reference, address one or more of the foregoing problems.
Similarly, SHEW et al. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/028,810,
which published as U.S. patent application Publication Ser. No.
______, both of which patent references are incorporated herein by
reference, address one or more of the foregoing problems. While the
solutions presented therein may be suitable for their intended
purposes, needs exists for alternative solutions to one or more of
the foregoing problems. One or more preferred embodiments of the
present invention provide such an alternative.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention includes many aspects and
features.
[0006] In a first aspect of the invention, a serving platter
includes a main body. The main body includes a top portion defining
a serving area comprising a plurality of primary serving wells for
receiving food items therein for presentation to a person for
eating; and a bottom portion defining a substantially enclosed
interior space. The top portion further defines a disposal opening
configured to receive there through food waste for deposit into the
substantially enclosed interior space. In accordance with this
aspect, the top portion includes a plurality of dividing walls
defining and separating the primary serving wells; and the top
portion further defines a plurality of secondary serving wells,
each secondary serving well being defined by a partitioning wall
that extends between adjacent sides of the outer peripheral wall of
the main body.
[0007] In features of this aspect, the top portion and the bottom
portion are part of a single molded piece; each of the primary
serving wells shares in common a dividing wall with another primary
serving well; each secondary serving well includes a volume that is
less than half of the volume of each primary serving well; the
disposal opening comprises a circular opening centrally located
relative to the serving area; each dividing wall extends generally
linearly away from the circular opening; each dividing wall extends
from the circular opening to the outer peripheral wall of the main
body; the main body is generally rectangular; the serving platter
consists of four primary serving wells; the serving platter
consists of four equally dimensioned primary serving wells
symmetrically arranged about the disposal opening of the serving
area; and/or each primary serving well has a bottom defining a food
support surface, and wherein the food support surface is planar and
configured to be generally horizontal when the serving platter is
placed on a generally horizontal surface.
[0008] In another feature, the serving platter further includes a
lid removably that is coupled to the main body such that the lid is
positioned above and extends over the serving area during transport
of the serving platter, the lid defining a plurality of dividers,
wherein each of the dividing walls is generally aligned with and
engaged by a respective divider such that two wells are isolated
from one another by a dividing wall engaged with a divider, and
wherein each of the partitioning walls is generally aligned with
and engaged by a respective divider such that a primary serving
well and a secondary serving well are isolated from one another by
a partitioning wall engaged with a divider. In connection with this
feature, a dividing wall is engaged by a divider by being received
within a channel or recess that is defined by the lid.
[0009] In another aspect, a serving platter includes a generally
rectangular, single molded piece. The main body includes a top
portion defining a serving area comprising a plurality of primary
serving wells for receiving food items therein for presentation to
a person for eating; and a bottom portion defining a substantially
enclosed interior space, the top portion defining a rounded opening
centrally located relative to the serving area and configured to
receive there through food waste for deposit into the substantially
enclosed interior space. In accordance with this aspect, the top
portion includes a plurality of dividing walls defining and
separating the primary serving wells, each dividing wall extends
generally linearly away from the rounded opening to an outer
peripheral wall of the main body, each of the primary serving wells
sharing in common a dividing wall with another primary serving
well; and the top portion further defines a plurality of secondary
serving wells, each secondary serving well being defined by a
partitioning wall that extends between adjacent sides of the outer
peripheral wall of the main body, each secondary serving well
having a volume that is less than half of the volume of each
primary serving well.
[0010] In a feature of this aspect, the serving platter further
includes a lid removably coupled to the main body such that the lid
is positioned above and extends over the serving area and seats off
the central opening of the top portion. The lid further preferably
defines a plurality of dividers, each of the dividing walls being
generally aligned with and engaged by a respective divider such
that two wells are seated off from one another by a dividing wall
engaged with a divider. Each of the partitioning walls also
preferably is generally aligned with and engaged by a respective
divider such that a primary serving well and a secondary serving
well are isolated from one another by a partitioning wall engaged
with a divider.
[0011] In still another aspect of the invention, a serving platter
includes a generally rectangular, single molded piece. The main
body includes top portion defining a serving area and a bottom
portion. The top portion includes four primary serving wells for
receiving food items therein for presentation to a person for
eating, and four secondary serving wells. The bottom portion
defines a substantially enclosed interior space, the top portion
defining a rounded opening centrally located relative to the
serving area and configured to receive there through food waste for
deposit into the substantially enclosed interior space. In
accordance with this aspect, the top portion includes four dividing
walls defining and separating the four primary serving wells, each
dividing wall extending generally linearly away from the rounded
opening to an outer peripheral wall of the main body, each of the
four primary serving wells sharing in common a dividing wall with
another of the four primary serving wells; and the top portion
further includes four partitioning walls, each partitioning wall
extending between adjacent sides of the outer peripheral wall of
the main body, each serving well having a volume that is less than
half of the volume of each primary serving well.
[0012] In a feature of this aspect, the serving platter further
includes a lid that is configured to be removably coupled to the
main body such that the lid is positioned above and extends over
the serving area and seats off the central opening of the top
portion. Moreover, the lid preferably defines a plurality of
dividers, each of the dividing walls being generally aligned with
and engaged by a respective divider such that two wells are seated
off from one another by a dividing wall engaged with a divider; and
each of the partitioning walls also preferably is generally aligned
with and engaged by a respective divider such that a primary
serving well and a secondary serving well are isolated from one
another by a partitioning wall engaged with a divider.
[0013] Additional aspects of the invention include methods of
making and using serving platters in accordance with the foregoing
aspects.
[0014] In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of
the present invention, it should be noted that the present
invention further encompasses the various possible combinations of
such aspects and features.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] One or more preferred embodiments of the present invention
now will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a serving platter in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the serving platter of FIG.
1, wherein a lid thereof has been decoupled and separated from a
main body of the serving platter, thereby uncovering a serving
area.
[0018] FIGS. 3-5 are various perspective views of the main body of
the serving platter of FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the main body of
the serving platter of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by
one having ordinary skill in the relevant art ("Ordinary Artisan")
that the present invention has broad utility and application.
Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being
"preferred" is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated
for carrying out the present invention. Other embodiments also may
be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a
full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. Moreover,
many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications,
and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the
embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the
present invention.
[0021] Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein
in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be
understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of
the present invention, and is made merely for the purposes of
providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention.
The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not
intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent
protection afforded the present invention, which scope is to be
defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not
intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present
invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found
herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.
[0022] Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of
steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are
illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be
understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may
be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order,
the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being
carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an
indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or
methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences
and orders while still falling within the scope of the present
invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent
protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by the
appended claims rather than the description set forth herein.
[0023] Additionally, it is important to note that each term used
herein refers to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand
such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein.
To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein--as understood
by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such
term--differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition
of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as
understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail.
[0024] Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein,
"a" and "an" each generally denotes "at least one," but does not
exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise.
Thus, reference to "a picnic basket having an apple" describes "a
picnic basket having at least one apple" as well as "a picnic
basket having apples." In contrast, reference to "a picnic basket
having a single apple" describes "a picnic basket having only one
apple."
[0025] When used herein to join a list of items, "or" denotes "at
least one of the items," but does not exclude a plurality of items
of the list. Thus, reference to "a picnic basket having cheese or
crackers" describes "a picnic basket having cheese without
crackers", "a picnic basket having crackers without cheese", and "a
picnic basket having both cheese and crackers." Finally, when used
herein to join a list of items, "and" denotes "all of the items of
the list." Thus, reference to "a picnic basket having cheese and
crackers" describes "a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the
picnic basket further has crackers," as well as describes "a picnic
basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has
cheese."
[0026] Referring now to the drawings, one or more preferred
embodiments of the present invention are next described. The
following description of one or more preferred embodiments is
merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the
invention, its applications, or uses.
[0027] Turning now to the drawings, a serving platter 10 in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is
shown in FIGS. 1 and FIG. 2. In FIG. 1, a shallow lid 12 and main
body 14 of the serving platter are removably coupled together. In
contrast, the lid 12 is shown decoupled and separated from the main
body 14 in FIG. 2, thereby uncovering a serving area 16 of the
serving platter. The lid 12 is removably coupled to the main body
14 in a frictional fit such that the lid 12 is positioned above and
extends over the serving area 16 and seats off the serving area 16.
Food items disposed on the serving platter 10 are thereby covered
and protected from the environment and from being spitted during
transport and/or storage of the serving platter 10. Although not
illustrated, the frictional fit may be enhanced by grooves,
recesses, indentations, ridges and the like. Moreover, a separation
tab 44 further is incorporated on the lid 12 to aid in uncovering
the main body 14 of the serving platter 10.
[0028] In at least one preferred commercial embodiment, the lid 12
is at least partially fabricated of a translucent or transparent
material so that food items carried on the serving platter 10 may
be at least partially viewed through the lid during transport.
Alternatively, the lid 12 is neither translucent nor
transparent.
[0029] The main body 14 of the serving platter additionally is
shown from different perspective views in FIGS. 3-5. FIG. 6 is an
enlarged perspective view of the main body 14 of the serving
platter.
[0030] The main body 14 is generally rectangular and preferably
comprises of a top portion 18 and a bottom portion 20 that together
constitute a single molded piece. The top portion 18 defines the
serving area 16, which includes a plurality of primary serving
wells 22 for receiving food items therein for presentation to a
person for eating. The bottom portion 20 defines a substantially
enclosed interior space 24.
[0031] The top portion 18 includes a generally circular rim 26 that
defines a disposal opening configured to receive there through food
waste for deposit into the substantially enclosed interior space
24. The generally circular rim 26 defining the disposal opening is
centrally located relative to the serving area 16.
[0032] The top portion 18 includes a plurality of dividing walls 28
defining and separating the primary serving wells 22 such that each
primary serving well 22 shares a dividing wall 28 in common with
another primary serving well 22. Each dividing wall 28 extends from
the circular opening generally linearly away from the circular
opening to an outermost peripheral wall 30 of the main body 14.
[0033] A plurality of partitioning walls 32 defines a plurality of
secondary serving wells 34. Each secondary serving well 34 is
defined by a partitioning wall 32 that extends between adjacent
sides of the outermost peripheral wall 30 of the main body 14,
whereby each secondary serving well 34 is located at a corner of
the serving platter 10. Each secondary serving well 34 preferably
is smaller than each primary serving well 22, and each secondary
serving well 34 may include a volume that is less than half of the
volume of each primary serving well 22.
[0034] Each of the dividing walls 28 is engaged by the lid 12 such
that two serving wells 22 are isolated from one another by a
dividing wall 28 engaged with the lid 12. In particular, the lid 12
defines a plurality of dividers 36, each of the dividing walls 28
of the main body 14 is generally aligned with a respective divider
36 when the lid 12 is removably coupled to the main body 14, and
each dividing wall 28 is engaged by the corresponding divider 36
such that two primary serving wells 22 are isolated from one
another by their common dividing wall 28 and the lid 12. Each
divider 36 preferably comprises a channel or recess defined by the
lid 12, and each dividing wall 28 is engaged by being frictionally
received by a divider 36 (i.e., within a recess or channel defined
by the lid 12).
[0035] Moreover, the lid 12 preferably defines a plurality of
additional dividers 38 for which each of the partitioning walls 32
is generally aligned when the lid 12 is removably coupled to the
main body 14. In this respect, each partitioning wall 32 is engaged
by the corresponding divider 38 such that a primary serving well 22
and a secondary serving well 34 are isolated from one another by
the partitioning wall 32 and the corresponding divider 38 with
which the partitioning wall 32 is engaged. Each divider 38 that
engages a partitioning wall 32 also comprises a channel or recess
defined by the lid 12, and each partitioning wall 32 is engaged by
being frictionally received within such recess or channel.
[0036] The serving platter 10 as shown consists of four equally
dimensioned primary serving wells 22 that are symmetrically
arranged about the disposal opening of the serving area 16.
Furthermore, each primary serving well 22 has a bottom defining a
food support surface, and the food support surface is generally
planar and is configured to be generally horizontal in orientation
when the serving platter 10 is placed on a generally horizontal
surface, such as a tabletop or countertop.
[0037] The lid 12 also includes a generally circular divider 40
which engages the rim 26 of the top portion when the lid 12 is
removably coupled to the main body 14, whereby the disposal opening
is seated off from the primary serving wells 22 as well as from the
exterior of the serving platter 10 by the lid 12.
[0038] The serving platter 10 may be used to serve, store, and
transport food items, particularly appetizer-type food items that
create their own waste, naturally or otherwise. An example of such
a food item is chicken wings. Additional food items may include
tail-on shrimp, ribs, or food items for which toothpicks are to be
utilized as an assembly toot or utensil, such as meatballs. It is
contemplated that different primary serving wells 22 may hold
differing kinds of food items, e.g., two wells 22 may hold chicken
wings, one well 22 may hold celery, and another well 22 may hold
carrots. It is also contemplated that different wells 22 may hold
similar food items that have been prepared differently or prepared
with different kinds of sauces, e.g., one well 22 may hold chicken
wings prepared with mild sauce, one well 22 may hold chicken wings
prepared with medium sauce, one well 22 may hold chicken wings
prepared with hot sauce, and another well 22 may hold chicken wings
prepared with no sauce. In any event, it is preferred that each
primary serving well 22 be capable of receiving therein a plurality
of a particular food item, such as ten chicken wings, in such a way
as to prevent food in one primary serving well 22 from
inadvertently spilling over and coming into contact with food in
another primary serving well 22 as well as in a secondary serving
well 34.
[0039] The secondary wells 34 preferably hold sauces or dips that
go with the food items contained within the respective primary
serving wells 22. Alternatively, the secondary serving wells 34 may
also hold similar food items as the primary serving wells 22, but
just in less quantity.
[0040] Each of the primary serving wells 22 is approximately as
deep as the height of the outermost peripheral wall 30, and the
well-dividing walls 28 are approximately the same height as the
outermost peripheral wall 30. In at least some embodiments, the top
of an innermost conical wall 42 that includes the rim 26 defining
the disposal opening is commensurate with the top of the dividing
walls 28 and with the top of the outermost peripheral wall 30. In
other embodiments, the top of the dividing walls 28 is commensurate
with the top of the outermost peripheral wall 30 of the serving
platter 10, but the top of the innermost conical wall 42 extends
slightly above the top of the dividing walls 28 and the top of the
outermost peripheral wall 30.
[0041] Because the dividing walls 28, partitioning walls 32, and
innermost conical wall 42 (i.e., rim 26) each engages the lid 12,
the lid 12 provides a stabilizing structure for the serving platter
10 when the lid 12 is removably coupled to the main body 14.
Moreover, it is believed that slight extension of the innermost
conical wall 42 above the outermost peripheral wall 30 and the top
of the dividing walls 28 and partitioning walls 32 increases the
stability that is provided when the lid 12 is removably coupled to
the main body 14.
[0042] In use, the serving area 16 of the serving platter 10 is
loaded with the desired food items, e.g., chicken wings, typically
in a kitchen or other food preparation area of a restaurant or the
like, by placing the food items in the primary serving wells 22
thereof. The lid 12 is then secured to the main body 14 of the
serving platter 10 so that the serving platter 10 may be
transported to the dining area, which may be a table in a
restaurant, a consumer's own kitchen at home, or any other location
at which food may be consumed. Because at least a portion of the
receptacle platter 10 is preferably translucent or transparent, a
server or customer--as the case may be--will be able to see the
food items carried on the serving platter 10 during transport. This
may be particularly advantageous in the food service industry for
the situation wherein users are take-out customers. The customer
will be able to view his order to make sure that it is accurate
without having to remove the lid 12 and expose the serving area
16.
[0043] At the dining area, the serving platter 10 may be prepared
for use simply by removing the lid 12 from the main body 14 by a
waitperson, a diner, or the like. Then, as a piece of food is
eaten, any food waste created by the food item, e.g., chicken wing
bones, may be discarded by dropping the waste through the disposal
opening for receipt into the substantially enclosed interior space
24.
[0044] In the chicken wing example, this allows a user to eat
chicken wings located on the serving platter 10 and easily and
neatly discard the bones through the disposal opening of the
serving platter 10. The bones are collected in the substantially
enclosed interior space 24 of the serving platter 10. As such, the
bones are neatly contained within the serving platter 10 while the
chicken wings are being eaten. When a user has finished eating the
chicken wings, he is left with an eating area free of unsightly,
messy bones. Further, the bones may be easily removed from the area
by removing the entire serving platter 10.
[0045] The bones may be disposed of in a waste receptacle by simply
throwing the serving platter 10 away. In this scenario, the serving
platter 10 is made from an inexpensive plastic similar to other
disposable food containers. Indeed, if the serving platter 10
itself is to be disposable and, thus, intended only for single use,
then the serving platter 10 may be fabricated from a variety of
thermoplastic materials. Examples include polypropylene,
polystyrene and polyethylene terephthatate (PET). They are
preferably fabricated of vacuum formed polypropylene. Vacuum
forming lends itself to forming relatively flexible components, and
the components are well suited to being disposed of after a single
use or limited number of uses. Alternatively, the serving platter
10 may be manufactured in a pulp molding process or in some other
inexpensive manufacturing process. Pulp molding products are well
known and include audio speaker cones and egg cartons. Pulp molding
further enables low cost, three-dimensional branding as a result of
the ability to selectively raise portions of the surface during the
pulp molding.
[0046] A disposable serving platter 10 may be preferred for
take-out customers of the food service industry. With the serving
platter 10 of the present invention, a customer is able to order a
food item that is typically served in a restaurant on a serving
platter and is able to eat the particular food item as he would eat
it in the restaurant, i.e., on a serving platter. In addition, the
customer is able to enjoy the benefit of discarding waste into the
enclosed interior space of the serving platter 10 and then dispose
of the entire serving platter 10 after use.
[0047] It is also contemplated that a serving platter 10 may be
comprised of a more durable material and therefore may be
particularly suitable for repeated use. In a more durable
embodiment, the serving platter 10 is preferably relatively more
long lasting and rigid and are formed in one or more molding
processes. The molding processes may include injection molding,
rotational molding, and/or blow molding. In this embodiment, it is
further preferred that the serving platter is injection molded
polypropylene. Moreover, the upper portion and bottom portion of
the main body preferably are removably coupled together, whereby
food waste received within the substantially enclosed space readily
may be dumped from the bottom portion of the main body and the top
and bottom portions may be washed for later re-use. The more
durable, rigid serving platter 10, because of the sturdy
construction, may be used multiple times with washings between
uses. As such, this embodiment may be preferred for commercial food
service establishments, such as restaurants, to be used by dine-in
customers.
[0048] Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily
understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present
invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many
embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than
those specifically described herein, as well as many variations,
modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from
or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing
descriptions thereof, without departing from the substance or scope
of the present invention. Accordingly, while the present invention
has been described herein in detail in relation to one or more
preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure
is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is
made merely for the purpose of providing a full and enabling
disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not
intended to be construed to limit the present invention or
otherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations,
variations, modifications or equivalent arrangements, the present
invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the
equivalents thereof.
* * * * *