U.S. patent application number 14/558223 was filed with the patent office on 2015-06-04 for article holder.
The applicant listed for this patent is Allen Avery. Invention is credited to Allen Avery.
Application Number | 20150150393 14/558223 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53264031 |
Filed Date | 2015-06-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150150393 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Avery; Allen |
June 4, 2015 |
Article Holder
Abstract
The present invention is designed to allow a user to securely
hold a plate of food while walking or while eating in front of the
TV. The present invention includes a plate and a hollow tubular
base affixed to substantially the center of the underside of the
plate. The plate is substantially planar having a well and a lip.
The well includes a central circular aperture wherein an open end
of the tubular base is affixed to the aperture such that access to
the internal volume of the tubular base is provided. The hollow
tubular base is designed to receive therethrough a set of utensils
or a beverage cup for easy storing. The exterior surface of the
tubular base is designed to be held to allow for a user to securely
hold the device without fear of tipping the plate over while
eating.
Inventors: |
Avery; Allen; (Springfield,
OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Avery; Allen |
Springfield |
OH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53264031 |
Appl. No.: |
14/558223 |
Filed: |
December 2, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61910586 |
Dec 2, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/574 ;
220/759 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 19/065
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/06 20060101
A47G019/06; A47G 23/02 20060101 A47G023/02; A47G 19/08 20060101
A47G019/08 |
Claims
1) An article holder, comprising: a plate having a well, an
upstanding peripheral lip, and a central aperture; wherein said
plate is substantially planar; a tubular base extending downward
from an underside of said plate; said tubular base having a rounded
sidewall, an open upper end, a lower end, and an open internal
volume; said open upper end affixed to said central aperture such
that items can be placed through said central aperture and into
said open internal volume of said tubular base.
2) The article holder of claim 1, wherein said aperture is
substantially circular and in the center of the well.
3) The article holder of claim 1, wherein said lower end of said
tubular base is closed.
4) The article holder of claim 1, wherein said tubular base is
configured to removably receive therethrough a beverage cup therein
and support a beverage cup in an upright condition.
5) The article holder of claim 1, wherein said central aperture and
said tubular base are configured to removably secure a beverage cup
by transition fit.
6) The article holder of claim 1, wherein said central aperture
also configured to receive therethrough a set of utensils.
7) The article holder of claim 1, wherein said hollow tubular base
further comprises a slightly decreasing radius extending downwardly
from said upper end to said lower end.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/910586 filed on Dec. 2, 2013. The above
identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference
in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to food and cup supporting
devices while walking or while eating in front of a TV. More
specifically, the present invention pertains to an improved article
holder that is configured to allow a user to firmly hold a plate of
food in a single hand while walking or while not in front of a
supporting table. The present invention includes a plate and a
hollow tubular base attached thereto and to the underside of the
plate. The plate includes a central aperture that provides access
to the interior volume of the hollow tubular base for support of
items therein. The tubular base provides a handhold for the user to
support the assembly.
[0004] The traditional family meal is becoming a thing of the past.
More and more people are eating their home meals on the sofa while
watching television (TV). Especially, during and around dinner
time, many popular TV programs are broadcasted and it is easy to
slip into a pattern of eating most meals in front of the TV. In a
haste to watch their favorite programs, people often purchase
prepackaged meals that comes in individual portions that simply
requiring reheating by a microwave. Or if dinner was prepared,
carrying a plate of food along with utensils, drinks, condiments,
or other items may require several trips from the kitchen to a
living room or other room with TVs.
[0005] In addition, as more and more people are eating their meals
on the sofa, it inevitably creates more mess. People use seat
cushions as trays or use their laps as trays to eat their meals. It
is not hard to imagine crumbs can be spilled everywhere repeatedly.
Neither is it hard to imagine that balancing a plate of food on a
seat cushion or in one's lap can be burdensome and cause discomfort
and mess. Some even use a TV tray table, which is a type of
collapsible furniture that functions as a small and easily portable
folding table. These small tables are designed to be a surface from
which one could eat a meal while watching TV. However, TV tray
tables are not always available in one's household.
[0006] The present invention provides a practical and inexpensive
solution to the aforementioned problems. The present invention is
designed to allow a user to securely hold the present invention as
he walks and eats in front of the TV. The present invention
includes a plate, an upstanding peripheral lip and a central
aperture. The plate is substantially planar and the tubular base
extends downward from the underside of the plate. The tubular base
includes a rounded sidewall, an open upper end, a closer lower end,
and an open interior volume. The open upper end is affixed to the
central aperture such that items can be placed through the central
aperture and into the open internal volume of the tubular base.
Description of the Prior Art
[0007] Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to
plate and cup support devices. These include devices that have been
patented and published in patent application publications. Devices
in the art disclose a support for a plate and a beverage container
that contains a parallel upper and lower supports and a gripping
element. Some other devices disclose a bi-level support having a
generally circulate plate support and an opening to receive a cup
or glass. These devices, however, disclose a separate device for
holding a plate and do not disclose a plate that is attached to a
hollow tubular base that is designed to receive therethrough a set
of utensils or a beverage cup. The foregoing is a list of devices
deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein
described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the
unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting
the drawbacks existing in the prior art.
[0008] Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 7,543,869 to Davis discloses a
one-handed support for a plate and a beverage container that
contains a horizontally oriented parallel upper and lower supports
and a vertical member therebetween designed to be gripped with a
hand. The upper and lower supports have circular front and rear
sections with a narrow connecting portion therebetween wherein the
vertical member is connected therebetween. The front section of the
upper support is designed hold a plate of food. The rear sections
each have an aperture therein defined to receive a beverage
container and hold it in place. However, the Davis device is a
separate holding device for a plate and beverage and does not
disclose a plate with a hollow tubular base affixed to the
underside of the plate.
[0009] Similarly, Published U.S. Patent Application Number
2004/0159660 to Cinque discloses a refreshment center for holding a
plate and a beverage container. The Cinque device discloses a
circular end designed to hold a plate and a second end with a hole.
At least one L-shaped prong attached to the underside of the hole
to receive and hold a beverage container. However, the Cinque
device is also a separate holding device for a plate and beverage.
Therefore, the Cinque device does not disclose a plate that is
attached to a hollow tubular base designed to receive utensils or a
beverage cup.
[0010] Published U.S. Patent Application Number 2007/0062937 to
Davis discloses a kit for one handed support of a plate and
beverage. The Davis device discloses a plurality of interlocking
flat components that form the kit for one-handed support. The Davis
device discloses a base with an upper and lower horizontally
parallel supports with a hand-graspable connecting member
therebetween upper and lower support. A portion of the lower
support forms a first component of a beverage support. Further, the
Davis discloses a second beverage support component that is
designed to be inserted into the first component to form the
beverage support. The Davis device additionally consists of a plate
support member configured for placement on the upper support.
However, the Davis device also discloses a separate holding device
for a plate and beverage and not a plate attached to a tubular
base, which provides a portion to be held and gripped.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,674 to Magee discloses a hand table for
carrying a plate and a cup. The Magee device discloses an upper
support having a generally circulate plate support and an opening
to receive a cup or glass. The lower support is coupled to the
upper support and has a generally inverted U-shaped handle portion
with legs and foot members. The Magee device further discloses a
cup support that extends from one of the foot members to directly
below the opening to receive a cup or glass. However, the Magee
device is a plate with a tubular base extending downwardly from the
underside of the plate.
[0012] Finally, Published U.S. Patent Application Number
2007/0062938 to Davis discloses a collapsible one-handed support
for a plate and a beverage container. The Davis device discloses
parallel upper and lower horizontal supports that are connected
therebetween by a vertical member graspable by hand. The Davis
device is designed to fold into a stacked arrangement. The upper
support has a front section sized to hold a plate and a rear
section that has an aperture therein to receive a beverage
container. The rear section of the lower support has a recess
designed to hold the base of a beverage container. However, the
Davis device does not disclose a plate having a central aperture in
the well with a tubular base extending downwardly from the
aperture.
[0013] The devices disclosed in the prior art have several known
drawbacks. Devices in the prior art include those having a support
for a plate and a beverage that includes a horizontally oriented,
parallel upper and lower supports, and a vertical member
therebetween designed to be gripped with a hand. Other devices
disclose a bi-level support having a generally circular plate
support, an opening to receive a cup or glass, and a handle member.
However, these devices are limited to separate holding devices for
a plate and beverage. The present invention overcomes these
limitations by disclosing a plate that is designed to be handheld
by the hollow tubular base, while also receiving a beverage cup or
a set of utensils through the interior volume of the tubular
base.
[0014] The present invention includes a plate and a hollow tubular
base attached to substantially the center of the underside of the
plate. The plate is substantially planar in shape and includes a
well with an upstanding peripheral lip and underside. The well also
includes a central aperture. A hollow tubular base is affixed
downwardly from the underside of the plate. The hollow tubular base
comprises a sidewall, an open upper end, a lower end and an
interior volume. The open upper end is attach to the central
aperture to allow items to be placed through the central aperture
and into the interior volume of the tubular base.
[0015] It is therefore submitted that the present invention is
substantially divergent in design elements from the prior art, and
consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an
improvement to plate and beverage support devices. In this regard,
the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known
types of plate and beverage holding devices now present in the
prior art, the present invention provides a new and improved
article holder with a hollow tubular base attached to the underside
of a plate wherein the hollow tubular base is designed to receive
therethrough a cup or a set of utensils.
[0017] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a new
and improved article holder that has all of the advantages of the
prior art and none of the disadvantages.
[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a new
and improved article holder that is designed to allow a user to
securely hold a plate of food and a cup or a set of utensils while
standing or sitting.
[0019] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
new and improved article holder that includes a plate with an
aperture and a hollow tubular base attached to the aperture on the
underside of the plate.
[0020] Still yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a new and improved article holder wherein the hollow
tubular base is designed to receive therethrough a set of utensils
or a beverage cup for easy storing.
[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide a new
and improved article holder that is designed to decrease the volume
of food placed within the well of the plate by coercing a user to
place food within the well around the central aperture.
[0022] Still yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a new and improved article holder wherein the device may be
readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and
are commensurate with durability.
[0023] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] Although the characteristic features of this invention will
be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and
manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood
after a review of the following description, taken in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein the numeral annotations are
provided throughout.
[0025] FIG. 1 shows a cross sectional view of the present
invention.
[0026] FIG. 2 shows an overhead perspective of the present
invention.
[0027] FIG. 3 shows a transparent perspective of the present
invention supporting a beverage cup in an upright position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] References are made herein to the attached drawings. Like
reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like
or similar elements of the article holder. For the purposes of
presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention,
the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for holding a
plate of food, a set of utensils, or a beverage cup. The figures
are intended for representative purposes only and should not be
considered to be limiting in any respect.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a cross sectional
view of the article holder 20. The holder 20 comprises a plate 21
and a hollow tubular base 22. The plate 21 comprises a well 24, an
underside 23 and an upstanding peripheral lip 25. The well 24 is
substantially planar and includes a central aperture 29. The
tubular base 22 extends downward from the underside 23 of the plate
21 at the location of the central aperture 29. The tubular base 22
comprises a rounded sidewall 27, an open upper end 28, and a closed
lower end 26 forming an open interior volume. The open upper end 28
is affixed to the underside 23 of central aperture 29 such that
items can be placed through the central aperture 29 and into the
open interior volume of the tubular base 22.
[0030] Hollow tubular base 22 is cylindrical in shape and includes
an open upper end 28 affixed to the central aperture 29 and a
closed lower end 26 forming an open interior volume. The open
interior volume is designed to receive a set of utensils
therethrough the upper end 28. In other embodiments, the open
interior volume is also designed to partially receive therethrough
a beverage cup. Hollow tubular base 22 is also configured to be
gripped therearound by a user's hand to allow for easy handling and
securing while walking, sitting or standing, especially when a
table or tray is not readily available.
[0031] Both the plate 21 and the hollow tubular base 22 are
preferably constructed from a thermoplastic or thermoset material
for lightweight handling, rigidity, and resiliency. In this manner,
the article holder 20 is reusable and does not have to be recycled
after a single use. However, other embodiments are constructed of
other suitable materials, including disposable or recyclable
materials.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown an overhead
perspective view of the article holder 20. The plate 21 is
substantially circular in shape and comprises a planar well 24. The
plate 21 comprises a central aperture 29 along the well 24, a lip
25, and an underside. The well 24 is designed to support food or
other items placed thereon, whereas the lip 25 is a peripheral
barrier that prevents items thereon from slipping off the plate.
The central aperture 29 is preferably circular in shape and is
designed to provide access to the hollow tubular base 22. The
peripheral edge of the upper end of tubular base 22 is affixed to
the well 24 and aligned with the central aperture 29 thereof,
wherein the hollow tubular base 22 extends downward therefrom. The
central aperture 29 provides a throughway through the well 24 to
insert or remove items in the tube 22. As can be recognized, the
article holder 20 is particularly advantageous when a holder
carries a plate and drink simultaneously. A set of utensils can be
placed within the interior volume of the tubular base 22 without
the fear of the utensils falling off the plate 21 while
transporting the same.
[0033] In some embodiments, the interior volume is designed to
partially receive a beverage cup therethrough and support a
beverage cup in an upright position. In these embodiments, central
aperture 29 may be slightly larger yet still circular in shape like
the illustrated embodiment. Open upper end 28 correspondingly is
slightly larger and sized to integrally attach with the central
aperture 29. Hollow tubular base 22, in some embodiments, may have
a decreasing radius moving downwardly from the open upper end 28 to
the closed end 26.
[0034] The central aperture 29 is also designed to decrease the
volume of food that can placed within the well 24 of plate 21. The
area of well 24 is decreased by the area of central aperture 29,
therefore, a user has to carefully place food around the central
aperture 29 to prevent food from falling into the interior volume
of tubular base 22. In this manner, a user is forced to ration his
meals into smaller portions and thereby limits the concern for
overeating. In other situations, if the user does not place a set
of utensils or a beverage cup within the central aperture 29, items
of food may be placed therethrough for easy storing. Some items of
food such as meatballs can easily fall off plate 21, and such
items, instead, can be placed in the interior volume of the tubular
base 22 to prevent any items from rolling off the plate 21.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a transparent view
of the article holder 20 supporting a beverage cup 30 in an upright
position. The interior volume is designed to removably secure a
beverage cup 30 by transition fit, wherein the beverage cup 30 is
secured partially therethrough, however, not so securely that the
beverage cup 30 cannot be separated. Most cups, especially
recyclable ones, include a wider mouth and taper slightly to a
thinner base. The interior volume of the tubular base 22 is
designed to receive the thinner base and a bottom portion of the
beverage cup 30. The tubular base 22 has a slightly larger opening
than the base of beverage cup 30 to allow the beverage cup 30 to be
inserted therethrough. However, as beverage cup 30 slightly widens
to the mouth, the central aperture 29 is sized to prevent the
beverage cup 30 from fully inserting therethrough. In this manner,
a user can simultaneously carry a plate of food with his beverage
using one hand.
[0036] It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has
been shown and described in what is considered to be the most
practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however,
that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and
that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the
art. With respect to the above descriptions then, it is to be
realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts
of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape,
form, function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, are
deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and
all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings
and described in the specifications are intended to be encompassed
by the present invention.
[0037] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,
falling within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *