U.S. patent application number 14/171820 was filed with the patent office on 2015-08-06 for portable food service assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is Leonid SHENDELMAN. Invention is credited to Leonid SHENDELMAN.
Application Number | 20150216338 14/171820 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53753764 |
Filed Date | 2015-08-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150216338 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SHENDELMAN; Leonid |
August 6, 2015 |
PORTABLE FOOD SERVICE ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A portable food service assembly includes a support and a plate
non-threadedly attached to, and detached from, the support. The
assembly includes eating utensils and accessories, and can readily
be carried by an individual from one place to another with one
hand, and can be readily supported and held without tipping on a
support surface, including in a compartment of a cupholder. All the
components of the assembly are disposable, biodegradable, and, if
desired, reusable.
Inventors: |
SHENDELMAN; Leonid;
(Brooklyn, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SHENDELMAN; Leonid |
Brooklyn |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53753764 |
Appl. No.: |
14/171820 |
Filed: |
February 4, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/574 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 19/065
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/08 20060101
A47G019/08; A47G 19/06 20060101 A47G019/06 |
Claims
1. A portable food service assembly, comprising: an upright support
configured to be gripped by a user's hand; and a plate having at
least one compartment for containing food, the plate being
detachably mounted on the support with a non-threaded fit, the
plate being supported by the support and being carried by the
user's hand.
2. The food service assembly of claim 1, wherein the support is
elongated along a longitudinal axis, and wherein the plate and the
support are non-threadedly connected to each other by axial
movement relative to each other along the longitudinal axis.
3. The food service assembly of claim 2, and an annular projection
on one of the plate and the support, and an annular recess on the
other of the plate and the support, and wherein the recess receives
the projection with mechanical interference when the plate and the
support are press fit.
4. The food service assembly of claim 2, wherein the plate and the
support projection are interconnected with mechanical clearance in
a loose fit.
5. The food service assembly of claim 1, and a container for
containing a liquid, the container being mounted on one of the
plate and the support.
6. The food service assembly of claim 5, and a plurality of
resiliently yieldable elements arranged in an annulus for
adjustably receiving and holding the container on the plate when
the cup is inserted between the elements.
7. The food service assembly of claim 1, and an adapter having one
part press fit with the plate, and another part press fit with the
support.
8. The food service assembly of claim 7, and serrated edges between
at least one of the adapter parts and one of the plate and the
support, for interconnecting the adapter between the plate and the
support.
9. The food service assembly of claim 1, wherein the support has
slots through which eating utensils are received and supported.
10. The food service assembly of claim 1, wherein the support is
elongated along a longitudinal axis, and wherein the support is
extendable and collapsible along the longitudinal axis, and is
flexible and tiltable relative to the longitudinal axis.
11. The food service assembly of claim 1, wherein the support is
elongated along a longitudinal axis, and wherein the support is
curved in an annulus around the longitudinal axis.
12. The food service assembly of claim 5, and a cover fixedly
mounted on top of the plate, the cover holding the container in a
fixed position on the plate, the cover having a handle by which the
entire assembly can be held and carried from place to place.
13. The food service assembly of claim 1, and additional plates
mounted on the support, the plates having different outer
dimensions and being stacked one above another,
14. The food service assembly of claim 1, wherein the support has a
base that is magnetically attractable to a support surface.
15. The food service assembly of claim 1, and a clamp attached to
the support for clamping the assembly on a support surface when not
carried by the user's hand.
16. The food service assembly of claim 1, wherein the support has a
handle portion sized to be gripped by the user's hand, and a holder
portion for direct placement in a cup-shaped compartment of a
cupholder when not carried by the user's hand, the holder portion
having a tapered shape configured to be adjustably received in the
compartment.
17. The food service assembly of claim 1, and a tapered adapter for
direct and adjustable placement in a cup-shaped compartment of a
cupholder when not carried by the user's hand, and wherein the
support has a holder portion received in a bore of the adapter.
18. The food service assembly of claim 1, and a cap for opening and
closing the hollow support, and a tether for connecting the cap to
the hollow support, the tether having annular rings, and the cap
and the hollow support having annular grooves for receiving the
rings.
19. A portable service assembly, comprising: a carrier for carrying
at least one container for containing at least one of liquids and
foodstuffs; and a cover securely mounted to the carrier for
securing the at least one container on the carrier, and having a
handle for holding and carrying the carrier with the at least one
container from place to place.
20. The portable service assembly of claim 19, and a support
connected to the carrier for direct placement in a cup-shaped
compartment of a cupholder.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/760,291, filed Feb. 4,
2013, and of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
61/790,285, filed Mar. 15, 2013, the entire contents of both of
which are hereby incorporated herein by reference thereto.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to a portable food
service assembly, especially a portable organizer of food, drinks,
and eating utensils and accessories, for use, for example, by
guests at social gatherings at which food and drink are served
buffet style, as well as for use by customers at take-out or
drive-through restaurants, snackbars, concession stands, and like
premises, and, in addition, for use at hospitals, nursing homes,
rehabilitation centers, schools, cafeterias, universities, and like
facilities.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Guests fill their plates with food at social functions, and
typically either hold their plates in cantilever fashion by
gripping peripheral edges of the plates, or balance their plates on
their laps. If drinks are also served, the guests typically either
hold their beverage containers in their other hands, or balance the
containers on their plates. Due to the difficulty in performing
such balancing, and due to the difficulty of supporting the plates
and the containers without food or beverage spillage, guests often
seek out a table or like supporting surface, or even the floor, to
support their plates and beverage containers. Yet, this action
tends to anchor guests to a specific location and prevents the
guests from roaming and socializing. In a similar vein, customers
of take-out or drive-through restaurants, snackbars, concession
stands, and like premises. who are served food on plates and drinks
in beverage containers, often find it difficult to support them all
without spillage, especially when leaving and carrying the food and
drink away from the premises for subsequent consumption at another
location, for example, at their homes, in their vehicles, or in
their seats at movies, concerts, sporting events, etc.
[0004] Another problem resides in the management of accessories
such as eating utensils and napkins. Once an individual has been
served with food on a plate and a beverage in a container, there is
usually no room, or available hand, for holding eating utensils or
napkins. Since a food-laden plate is typically held in one hand and
a beverage-filled container is typically held in the other hand,
the utensils are often stuck directly into the food or placed on
top of the food, while the napkin is typically disregarded, or
perhaps stuffed in one's pocket, if available. As the individual
proceeds from place to place, the jarring from walking sometimes
causes the utensils to fall off the plate, in which case the
individual is more or less helpless to retrieve them.
[0005] In U.S. Pat. No. 6,971,613, the art proposed a plate stand
to alleviate such problems and to assist users in more comfortably
handling food, drinks, eating utensils, and accessories. Although
generally satisfactory for its intended purpose, the known plate
stand required a separate threaded element to be turned in order to
threadedly interconnect a plate and a handheld support. Experience
has shown that sometimes the threaded element was prone to being
misplaced and becoming lost. Also, a certain mount of dexterity was
needed to complete the threaded interconnection. Not all users had
this dexterity. Also, the known plate stand required a separate
adapter to mount the known plate stand in a compartment of a
cupholder that was, for example, provided in a vehicle, or adjacent
a seat. This adapter was likewise prone to being misplaced.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to alleviate such problems.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0006] The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals
refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the
separate views, together with the detailed description below, are
incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to
further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the instant
disclosure, and explain various principles and advantages of those
embodiments.
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable food service
assembly in accordance with one embodiment of this disclosure.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG.
1.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of FIG.
1.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 4.
[0012] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a circled area in FIG. 5.
[0013] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of another circled area in FIG.
5.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a portable food service
assembly in accordance with another embodiment of this
disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a cup holder for use in the
embodiment of FIG. 8.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a broken-away, perspective view of the embodiment
of FIG. 8 when used with a cup.
[0017] FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken on line 11-11 of FIG.
8.
[0018] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a snap-type, press fit,
connection between the plate and a modified cupholder of FIG.
8.
[0019] FIG. 13 is a broken-away, enlarged sectional view of a
modification of a connection between a plate and a support in
accordance with this disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of a modification of the
support for use with this disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 15 is a view analogous to FIG. 13, but of a
modification.
[0022] FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of a universal
container holder in accordance with this disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 17 is a view analogous to FIG. 13, but of another
modification.
[0024] FIG. 18 is a broken-away, bottom plan view of the
modification of FIG. 17.
[0025] FIG. 19 is a broken-away, sectional view of another
modification.
[0026] FIG. 20 is a view analogous to FIG. 15, but of a
modification.
[0027] FIG. 21 is a side view of an additional embodiment of a
support for the assembly of FIG. 1.
[0028] FIG. 22 is a top plan view of yet another embodiment of a
support for the assembly of FIG. 1.
[0029] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view on a reduced scale of
still another portable food service assembly in accordance with
this disclosure.
[0030] FIG. 24 is an enlarged, broken-away view of a detail of a
support for the assembly of FIG. 1.
[0031] FIG. 25 is a broken-away view of a detail of the assembly of
FIG. 1.
[0032] FIG. 26 is a perspective view on a reduced scale of another
portable food service assembly in accordance with this
disclosure.
[0033] FIG. 27 is a broken-away, sectional view of a peripheral
region of another portable food service assembly in accordance with
this disclosure.
[0034] FIG. 28 is a broken-away, enlarged, sectional view of a
variant construction of a food service assembly.
[0035] FIG. 29 is a broken-away, side view of another variant
construction of a food service assembly.
[0036] FIG. 30 is a sectional view of one embodiment of an adapter
for use in a cupholder.
[0037] FIG. 31 is an elevational side view of another embodiment of
an adapter for use in a cupholder.
[0038] FIG. 32 is a portable food service assembly in accordance
with yet another embodiment of this disclosure.
[0039] FIG. 33 is a portable food service assembly in accordance
with a further embodiment of this disclosure.
[0040] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the
figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not
necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and
locations of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated
relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0041] The components of the portable food service assemblies have
been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the
drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to
understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not
to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit
of the description herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0042] One feature of this disclosure relates to a portable food
service assembly that includes an upright support configured to be
gripped by a user's hand, and a plate having at least one
compartment for containing food. The plate is detachably mounted on
the support with a non-threaded fit, e.g., a friction fit, an
interference fit, a snap action fit, or a clearance fit. The plate
is supported by the support and is carried by the user's hand
Preferably, the support is elongated along a longitudinal axis, and
the plate and the support are non-threadedly connected to each
other by axial movement relative to each other along the
longitudinal axis. In one advantageous embodiment, an annular
projection is provided on the plate or the support, and an annular
recess is provided on the other of the plate or the support, in
which case, the recess receives the projection with mechanical
interference when the plate and the support are axially moved
towards each other until they are press fit together. Thus, in
contrast with the known art, there is no separate threaded element
to be misplaced or manipulated. The non-threaded interconnection of
the plate and the support is easily achieved by axially moving the
plate and the support towards each other along the longitudinal
axis, and their non-threaded disconnection is also easily achieved
by axially moving the plate and the support apart from each
other.
[0043] Turning now to the drawings, reference numeral 10 in FIGS.
1-7 generally identifies a first embodiment of a portable organizer
or food service assembly having a support 12 and a plate 14
detachably mounted thereon with anon-threaded fit, as described
below. The support 12 includes a base 16, a top 18, and an upright
tubular column 20 extending along a longitudinal axis vertically
between the base 16 and the top 18. The column 18 need not be
frustoconical in shape as illustrated, but could have other shapes,
e.g., cylindrical, as well as the other shapes described below. The
top 18 extends through and past an aperture 22 centrally located in
the plate 14. The top 18 is open and, thus, is free to receive a
beverage container or cup 24, which is preferably held with a
friction fit inside the open top 18. The cup 24 may be removed and
replaced at will. The cup 24 need not be frustoconical in shape as
illustrated, but could have other shapes, e.g., cylindrical. The
plate 14 also may have a central annular bowl 26 (shown only in
FIGS. 1, 2 and 4) to collect any liquid spillage from the cup 24.
The cup 24 may contain cold beverages, such as soda, alcohol, a
milk shake, etc., or hot beverages, such as coffee, tea, hot
chocolate, soup, etc. For balance, it is preferred that the cup 24
be centrally located relative to the plate 14 as illustrated, but
it is also contemplated that the cup 24 may be offset from the
longitudinal axis, or positioned at the center of gravity of the
assembly.
[0044] The plate 14 and the support 12 may each be made of a
disposable, biodegradable material such as paper or cardboard, or
of a more permanent material such as metal, plastic, or porcelain
for re-use. The plate 14 has at least one compartment 28, and
preferably a plurality of compartments 28, for holding food. As
shown, each compartment is sector-shaped, and is bounded by
equiangularly spaced-apart radial ribs 30. It will be understood
that the compartments may have other shapes, as described below.
Preferably, the plate 14 is microwavable for preheating food.
[0045] The tubular column 20 could be solid or hollow, and has a
diameter sized to be readily gripped in the palm of a user's hand
so that the assembly may easily be carried by one hand from place
to place. The base 16 has a planar bottom surface for stable
mounting on a generally planar support surface, such as the floor
or a table. If the support surface is made of a metal material,
then, in one advantageous embodiment, the bottom surface of the
base 16 may be constituted of a magnetic material for magnetic
attraction to, and holding by, the metallic support surface. The
base 16 could therefore be of one-piece with the column, or could
be a separate detachable part that can be readily attached to the
column. For example, the base 16 can be threadedly or magnetically
attached to the column, or, as shown in FIG. 7, can be attached by
a snap-type action, wherein an annular recess 32 provided on the
column 20 receives, with a snap fit, an annular collar 34 provided
on the base 16. The positions of the recess 32 and the collar 34
could be reversed.
[0046] Similarly, as stated above, the plate 14 can be mounted and
press-fitted on the support 12 with a snap-type action. As shown in
FIG. 6, an annular recess 36 provided on the top 18 receives, with
a snap fit, an annular projection or collar 38 provided on the
plate 14. The positions of the recess 36 and the collar 38 could be
reversed. Thus, the plate 14 is readily, quickly and easily
attached to the support 12 without requiring a separate threaded
element to be provided or manipulated. The plate 14 is also
readily, quickly and easily removable from the support 12 for
cleaning or for replacement with a fresh plate by axially moving
the plate 14 away from the support 12.
[0047] As depicted in FIGS. 1-3, a plurality of eating utensils 40,
such as a knife, fork, spoon, or pair of chopsticks are mounted on
the support 12, preferably by being inserted through slots in the
column 20 underneath the plate 14. The slots are aligned to receive
each utensil 40 in a generally horizontal plane, or, as shown by
the dashed lines 40' in FIG. 2, a single angled slot may be
employed to receive and hold a utensil 40 in an inclined plane.
Chopsticks are typically longer than other utensils and have
heretofore been difficult to handle. Now, the easy and convenient
storage and securement of the chopsticks allows customers of
Oriental foods, such as sushi, to utilize take-out and
drive-through restaurants, snackbars, concession stands, and like
premises.
[0048] Reference numeral 50 in FIGS. 8-12 generally identifies a
modified plate, analogous to plate 14, for detachable mounting on
the support 12, or a modified support. Rather than the
equiangularly spaced-apart radial ribs 30 shown in FIGS. 1 and 4,
the plate 50 has two horizontally aligned ribs 52 and a vertical
rib 54. Rather than an open top 18 of a column 12 in which the cup
24 is freely inserted as shown in FIG. 1, the plate 50 has an
integral raised annular neck 56 centrally located thereon. A cup
holder portion 58, shown in isolation in FIG. 9, is integral with
the neck 56. The cup holder portion 58 has a plurality of
equiangularly spaced-apart slits 60. Each adjacent pair of slits 58
bounds a resiliently yieldable element or finger 62 or tab that
yields as the cup 24 is inserted into a central aperture 64.
Different cups 24 may have different sizes, and the resilient
fingers 62 will yield to the requisite extent to accommodate the
size of the cup 24 being inserted into the cup holder portion 58.
As illustrated in FIG. 12, in a variation, the cup holder portion
58 is a separate element formed with an annular recess 68 for
receiving an annular projection or ridge 70, with a snap fit,
provided on the support 12. The positions of the recess 68 and
ridge 70 could be reversed.
[0049] The plate 50, as best seen in FIG. 11, has a bottom
extension 66 centrally located at the underside of the plate 50.
The extension 66 has an annular recess 68. Although the extension
66 is illustrated in FIG. 11 as extending vertically below the
underside of the plate 50, it will be understood that the extension
66 could be raised and located substantially entirely within the
neck 56.
[0050] FIG. 13 depicts a central portion of another plate 100,
analogous to plates 14 and 50 and detachably mounted with a loose
fit on a modified support 102, as shown in FIG. 14. The plate 100
has an annular recess 104 at its underside, and the support 102 has
a cylindrical upper portion 106 that is axially received within the
recess 104. The plate 100 is simply axially slid onto the upper
portion 106 along the longitudinal direction. In some cases, the
plate 100 may even be free to rotate relative to the upper portion
106. The non-threaded, slip-on, connection between the plate 100
and the support 102 is sufficient to support the plate 100 in a
generally horizontal plane. In a variation, the connection between
the plate 100 and the support 102 may be a tight friction fit.
[0051] The support 102 also has an enlarged lower portion 108 that
is configured to be received in a cupholder that may be provided in
a vehicle, such as a car, boat, or plane, typically in a console or
dashboard area adjacent a seat, or in an armchair or seat, such as
those located in theaters, arenas, stadiums, outdoor seating areas,
etc. Thus, the support 102 enables the plate 100 to be conveniently
supported and stably held anyplace where a cupholder exists. If the
cupholder includes a metal material, then, in another advantageous
embodiment, the bottom surface of the support 102 may be
constituted of a magnetic material for magnetic attraction to, and
holding by, the metallic material of the cupholder. The support 102
is preferably hollow and shaped as a vase to accommodate any of the
aforementioned beverages, e.g., alcohol. A straw 110 is insertable
through the plate 100 and into the support 102 to enable the
beverage to be drunk. Thus, the support 102 also serves as a
beverage holder in this embodiment.
[0052] FIG. 15 depicts a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 13.
An adapter 120 is mounted between the plate 100 and the support
102. The adapter 120 has an upper resilient portion 122 that is
resiliently received in an annular recess 112 at the underside of
the plate 100, and a lower portion 124 that has an annular groove
114 at its bottom surface. The resilient portion 122 is initially
squeezed radially inwardly during insertion into the recess 112,
and then, is released, whereupon the resilient portion 122 radially
expands to grip the wall bounding the recess 112. Thus, the
cylindrical upper portion 106 of the support 102 is received in a
tight friction fit within the recess 114. Different adapters can be
used to accommodate different supports and different plates.
[0053] FIG. 16 depicts a universal container holder 130 for
receiving variously sized containers or cups, such as the cup 24.
The container holder 130 of FIG. 16 has a lower mounting portion
132 that may be inserted into the neck 56 of the plate 50, and a
plurality of equiangularly spaced-apart upright resilient elements
or arms 134 extending upwardly away from the lower mounting portion
132. The resilient arms 134 are spaced apart by slots and
circumferentially embrace the cup 24 inserted into the container
holder 130. Different cups 24 may have different sizes, and the
resilient arms 134 will yield to the requisite extent to
accommodate the size of the cup 24 being inserted into the
container holder 130. The container holder 130 may also be used by
itself, without being mounted on the plate 50. Hot or cold
beverages, ice cream, yogurt, or like foodstuffs may be contained
in the cup 24 that is held by the holder 130.
[0054] FIGS. 17-18 depict a central portion of another plate 140,
analogous to plates 14 and 50 and detachably mounted with a press
fit on the support 102. The plate 140 has a central annular
extension portion 142 whose exterior annular surface is provided
with a multitude of serrations or teeth 144. An annular recess 146
surrounds the extension portion 142. The cylindrical upper portion
106 of the support 102 is received in the recess 146. The teeth 144
bite into and firmly grip an interior surface of the cylindrical
upper portion 106. A plurality of radial slots 148 are
equiangularly arranged to provide flexibility to the extension
portion 142.
[0055] FIG. 19 depicts another embodiment in which a plate 150 has
a lower extension 152 having an annular constricted waist 154 of
reduced diameter, and a cylindrical support 160 having an upper
part 162 formed with a top flange 164, and a lower part 166 formed
with a bottom flange 168. A base 170 has an upper extension 172
having an annular groove 174. The top flange 164 is received with a
snap-type fit in the waist 154 to detachably mount the plate 150 on
the support 160. The bottom flange 168 is received with a snap-type
fit in the groove 174 to detachably mount the base 170 on the
support 160.
[0056] FIG. 20 depicts a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 15.
An adapter 180 is mounted between the plate 100 and the support
102. The adapter 180 has an upper resilient portion 182 that is
resiliently received in an annular recess 184 at the underside of
the plate 100, and a lower resilient portion 186 that has an inner
annular groove 188 and an outer annular groove 190 at its bottom
surface. Although two grooves 188, 190 have been illustrated, any
number of grooves can be formed at the bottom surface of the
adapter 180. The interior surfaces of the recess 184 and each
groove 188, 190 may be roughened, for example, formed with
serrations. The resilient portion 182 is initially squeezed
radially inwardly during insertion into the recess 184, and then,
is released, whereupon the resilient portion 182 radially expands
to more friction-tightly grip the roughened wall bounding the
recess 184. The cylindrical upper portion 106 of the support 102 is
received in a tight friction fit either within the roughened recess
188 as shown in solid lines, or within the roughened recess 190 as
shown in broken lines. The roughened surfaces bounding each groove
188, 190 increase the mutual frictional engagement. Thus, different
sizes of the upper portion 106 of the support 102 are accommodated.
The resilient portion 186 may also be initially squeezed radially
inwardly, and then released. Different adapters can be used to
accommodate different supports and different plates.
[0057] FIG. 21 depicts an adjustable, flexible support 248 for
connection to the plate 14. The adjustable support 248 has a column
246 configured as a bellows that can be extended or contracted in
height in the directions of the double-headed arrow "A", and/or
which can also be tilted from side-to-side in the directions of the
double-headed arrow "B" to accommodate any change in orientation or
position of the plate 14.
[0058] FIG. 22 depicts another support 256 for connection to the
plate 14. The support 256 is formed from an initially flat,
sector-shaped, sheet 258, e.g., of paper, plastic, metal, etc.,
that is rolled about the axis 260 in the direction of the arrow "C"
to form a frustoconical shape for the support 256. A pair of
locking tabs 262 at one edge of the sheet 258 are inserted into a
pair of slots 264 adjacent an opposite edge of the sheet to hold
and lock the sheet in the frustoconical shape. The support 256 can
also be rolled into other shapes.
[0059] FIG. 23 depicts a variant construction of a food service
assembly in which the plate 14 is again mounted on the support 12,
but in which a cover 290 having a handle 292 is positioned over the
plate 14 and the cup 24 to protect the food and drink therein.
Preferably, the cover 290 is secured and locked in position on the
plate 14 by being press-fitted into an annular seat 293. This
permits the entire assembly to be balanced and securely carried
from place to place. In addition, the cover 290 has an internal
projection 295 that has a cavity into which the cup 24 is received
and held in position. Motion by the user during carrying of the
assembly by the handle 292 will not dislodge the cup 24 from its
secure mounting. Although FIG. 23 illustrates a single cup 24, this
invention is not intended to be so limited, because more than one
cup could also be mounted on the plate, in which case, the plate
serves as a tray or carrier for securely and safely carrying
multiple cups without spilling of hot or cold beverages from place
to place. In the latter case, the support 12 is optional and can be
omitted.
[0060] In a modification, the support 12 can also comprise a stack
of multiple frustoconically-shaped supports 268 vertically stacked
one atop another. The overall height of the support stack is
adjusted by selecting the number of the supports 268. FIG. 24
depicts a side wall of a representative support 268 formed with a
resilient flap or tongue 74 that frictionally grips the side wall
of another support 268, thereby holding the stacked supports 268
apart by a predetermined distance. The opening formed by the flap
274 in the uppermost support 268 in the stack can be used to
support any item, such as the utensils 40, napkins, hooks for
electronic devices, etc.
[0061] FIG. 25 depicts another modification. Rather than
configuring the bowl 26 as in FIG. 2 with an open central
extension, the bowl 280 of FIG. 11 has an extension 282 whose lower
end is closed.
[0062] FIG. 26 depicts a modified food service assembly in which
the plate 14 is again mounted on the support 12, but the support 12
is configured with a bottle shape and can hold a liquid, such as a
soft drink or a juice. A cap 284 is mounted at a central region of
the plate 14. A straw 286 is inserted through the cap 284 into the
bottle to enable a user to drink the liquid therein. A plug 288 is
used to plug the cap 284 after the straw 286 is removed.
[0063] FIG. 27 depicts another modification. Rather than mounting
just one plate 14 on the support 12 as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 27
depicts that two additional plates 276, 278 can be mounted on the
plate 14. The additional plates 276, 278 can advantageously be used
to hold and separate foods, such as sushi, gourmet foods,
appetizers, sauces, spices, jams, ice creams, nuts, etc. The plates
14, 276, 278 are circular and preferably have successively
decreasing diameters. The plates 14, 276, 278 can be equiangularly
arranged so that, when viewed from above, they are arranged in a
rosette pattern.
[0064] As described so far, the lower end of the support 12 of the
food service assembly is adapted to be supported on top of a
generally horizontal support surface, such as a table top or
countertop, with the aid of the base 16. Other mounting
configurations are also contemplated. For example, FIG. 28 depicts
a spring-biased clip or clamp 350 having opposing jaws 352 that
grip upper and lower surfaces of a generally horizontal support
surface 354. The jaws 352 could also be concave to grip opposite
sides of a different support surface, such as a round post or pole.
The lower end of the support 12 is connected to the clamp 350 via
an adapter 356 in which a resilient cushion 358 is received. The
cushion 358 compresses under the weight of the food service
assembly and self-adjusts as needed in order to compensate for any
tilting of the support 12 created by any variation in the size of
the support surface 354 and any variation in the opening of the
clamp 350. The adapter 356 need not be mechanically fixed to the
clamp 350 as shown, but could be magnetically attached thereto, and
could also be mounted for turning movement about a vertical axis
thereon.
[0065] As another example, the lower end of the support 12 can be
mounted on a round post or pole staked into the ground or sand as
on a beach, or in the snow. FIG. 29 depicts a ski pole 360 on which
a food service assembly comprised of a plate 14 and a support 12
are detachably mounted with the aid of a tubular clamp 362.
[0066] FIGS. 30 and 31 are side views of two different embodiments
of adapters or connectors 420, 460 that are used to hold supports,
such as support 160 of FIG. 19, upright in correspondingly sized
compartments of cupholders that may be provided in a vehicle, such
as a car, boat, or plane, typically in a console or dashboard area
adjacent a seat, or in an armchair or seat, such as those located
in theaters, arenas, stadiums, outdoor seating areas, etc. Adapter
420 has a larger cylindrical bore 422 and a smaller cylindrical
bore 423 that friction-tightly or loosely receives a
correspondingly shaped cylindrical lower part 166 of the support
160. The adapter 420 has a tapered, frustoconically-shaped lower
part 424 that is friction-tightly received in a cupholder
compartment. An annular recess 426 is advantageously provided to
provide a snap-type action between the lower part 424 and the
cupholder. The lower part 424 is inserted into the cupholder to an
extent dependent upon the depth of the compartment, and preferably
until the recess 426 is reached.
[0067] Similarly, adapter 460 has a larger cylindrical bore 462 and
a smaller cylindrical bore 463 that friction-tightly or loosely
receives a correspondingly shaped cylindrical lower part 166 of the
support 160. The adapter 460 has a tapered, frustoconically-shaped
lower part 464 that is friction-tightly received in a cupholder
compartment. An annular recess 466 is advantageously provided to
provide a snap-type action between the lower part 464 and the
cupholder. The lower part 464 is inserted into the cupholder to an
extent dependent upon the depth of the compartment, and preferably
until the recess 466 is reached. An angled slot 468 is also
provided and is sized to receive and hold a cell phone or other
electronic device (not illustrated).
[0068] FIG. 32 depicts the plate 14 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7,
connected, as described above, with a snap-type, press fit, or
loose fit connection, to a modified bottle-shaped support 12, in
which a generally cylindrical handle portion 402 is located above a
first enlarged frustoconically-shaped holder portion 404 that, in
turn, is located above a second enlarged frustoconically-shaped
holder portion 406. The holder portions 404, 406 need not be
frustoconically-shaped, and the support can comprise only one of
these holder portions, or additional holder portions. Each holder
portion 404, 406 is configured to be received in a correspondingly
sized compartment in a cupholder that may be provided in a vehicle,
such as a car, boat, or plane, typically in a console or dashboard
area adjacent a seat, or in an armchair or seat, such as those
located in theaters, arenas, stadiums, outdoor seating areas, etc.
Thus, the support 12 of FIG. 32 enables the plate 14 and the cup 24
to be conveniently supported and stably held anyplace where a
cupholder exists. No additional adapter is required, because at
least one of the holder portions 404, 406 will fit into the
correspondingly sized compartment of the cupholder. The
bottle-shaped support 12 of FIG. 32 is hollow to accommodate any of
the aforementioned beverages, including alcohol.
[0069] FIG. 33 is analogous to FIG. 32, in that the plate 14 is
connected, as described above, with a snap-type, press fit, or
loose fit connection, to the support 12, except that the support 12
has a different hourglass-like shape or a bottle shape, and is
hollow to contain a beverage, and the cup 24 has been replaced by a
straw 408. In addition, a cap 410 is provided for opening and
closing the hollow support 12, and a tether 412 is provided for
connecting the cap 410 to the hollow support 12. The tether 412 has
annular rings 414, 416 that are received in annular grooves formed
in the cap and the hollow support. When the support 12 is
disconnected from the plate 14, the cap 410 can be mounted on the
upper open end of the support 12 to seal the contents therein. The
support 12 of FIG. 33 has a tapered holder portion 418 configured
to be received in a correspondingly sized compartment in a
cupholder that may be provided in a vehicle, or in an armchair or
seat, as described above. Thus, the support 12 of FIG. 33 enables
the plate 14 to be conveniently supported and stably held anyplace
where a cupholder exists. No additional adapter is required. The
bottle-shaped support 12 of FIG. 33 is hollow to accommodate any of
the aforementioned beverages, including alcohol.
[0070] In accordance with this disclosure, the portable organizer
or food service assembly includes a plate and a support. The plate
can be readily attached to, and detached from, the support with a
non-threaded connection. Advantageously, the non-threaded
connection between the plate and the support is a snap-type action,
or a friction fit, or an interference fit, or a clearance fit. The
cup can be mounted on the plate or the support. Eating utensils and
accessories are advantageously mounted on the support. Cups of
different sizes are readily accommodated and preferably held in the
center of the portable assembly for better balance. The portable
assembly has a center of gravity positioned such that the assembly
can readily be carried and supported by an individual from one
place to another with one hand, without spillage, and can be
readily supported and held on a support surface without tipping.
The eating utensils and accessories, as well as the user's hand,
are safely held away from the food and drink for hygienic purposes,
thereby resisting the spread of disease. Thus, even if a user's
hand is contaminated, the contamination will not spread to the
food, drink, and eating utensils and accessories. This is of
particular importance in the event of an emergency such that the
organizer described herein also serves as a survival kit. All the
components of the assembly are disposable, biodegradable, and, if
desired, reusable. Some of the components, e.g., the support, may
even be readily obtainable. Thus, a cardboard tube obtained from a
paper roll in one's home, or a packaging tube obtained from a
parcel delivery, can be used to support the plate.
[0071] In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have
been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art
appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made
without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly,
the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative
rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are
intended to be included within the scope of present teachings. The
food and drink organizer described herein can also be used by
campers, or military personnel, or participants in any outdoor or
indoor activities, such as picnics, block parties, beach
activities, hiking, or sports activities, especially those where it
is difficult to keep one's hands clean.
[0072] The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any
element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to
occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a
critical, required, or essential features or elements of the
disclosure.
[0073] Moreover, in this document, relational terms such as first
and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to
distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action
without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such
relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms
"comprises," "comprising," "has," "having," "includes,"
"including," "contains," "containing," or any other variation
thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that
a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has,
includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those
elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or
inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element
proceeded by "comprises . . . a," "has . . . a," "includes . . .
a," or "contains . . . a," does not, without more constraints,
preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the
process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has,
includes, or contains the element. The terms "a" and "an" are
defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein.
The terms "substantially," "essentially," "approximately," "about,"
or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to, as
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The term "coupled"
is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not
necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is
"configured" in a certain way is configured in at least that way,
but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.
[0074] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the
reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure.
It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to
interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the disclosure. In
addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen
that various features are grouped together in various embodiments
for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of
disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that
the disclosed embodiments require more features than are expressly
recited. Rather, inventive subject matter resides in less than all
features of a single disclosed embodiment.
* * * * *