U.S. patent application number 15/359083 was filed with the patent office on 2017-06-08 for combined plate and collapsible beverage holder.
The applicant listed for this patent is COGENT TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION. Invention is credited to DAVID W. DOUGLAS, ROBERT R. DURKEE, III.
Application Number | 20170156522 15/359083 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58800108 |
Filed Date | 2017-06-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170156522 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DOUGLAS; DAVID W. ; et
al. |
June 8, 2017 |
COMBINED PLATE AND COLLAPSIBLE BEVERAGE HOLDER
Abstract
An apparatus comprises a plate defining a surface for holding
food that defines at least one opening therein. A collapsible
beverage holder fits within the at least one opening defined within
the surface of the plate. The collapsible beverage holder is
automatically configured to a collapsed configuration responsive to
the apparatus being placed on a surface and is automatically
configured to an un-collapsed configuration responsive to the
apparatus being lifted off the surface by the plate.
Inventors: |
DOUGLAS; DAVID W.; (AUSTIN,
TX) ; DURKEE, III; ROBERT R.; (AUSTIN, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
COGENT TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION |
AUSTIN |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58800108 |
Appl. No.: |
15/359083 |
Filed: |
November 22, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62263436 |
Dec 4, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 19/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/06 20060101
A47G019/06 |
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising: a plate defining a surface for holding
food, the surface defining at least one opening therein; and a
collapsible beverage holder that fits within the at least one
opening defined within the surface of the plate, the collapsible
beverage holder moving between a collapsed configuration responsive
to the apparatus being placed on a surface and an un-collapsed
configuration responsive to the apparatus being lifted off the
surface by the plate, wherein the collapsible beverage holder
further comprises: a top tubular body for connecting to an edge of
the at least one opening defined within the surface of the plate,
the top tubular body having a first body wall with a first exterior
surface and a first interior surface defining a first passageway
therein, the first body wall defining a plurality of top guide
channels having a first cross-sectional area extending
longitudinally along the first interior surface from a top end of
the top tubular body to a bottom end of the top tubular body, the
first body wall further defining a plurality of top stop channels,
each of the top stop channels located between a pair of the top
guide channels, extending longitudinally along the first interior
surface from the top end of the top tubular body to a stop ledge
within the top tubular body; at least one middle tubular body
having a second body wall with a second exterior surface and a
second interior surface defining a second passageway therein, the
second body wall defining a plurality of middle stop channels
extending longitudinally along the first interior surface from a
top end of the middle tubular body to a bottom end of the middle
tubular body, the plurality of equally spaced middle stop channels
further defined by a guide member running longitudinally along the
second exterior surface of the second body wall for sliding within
the top guide channels, the second body wall further defining a
plurality of middle guide pins for sliding within the first stop
channels, the guide member sliding within the top guide channel and
the middle guide pins sliding within the top stop channels between
the collapsed configuration and the un-collapsed configuration; a
bottom tubular body having a third body wall with a third exterior
surface and a third interior surface defining a third passageway
therein, the third body wall further defining a plurality of bottom
guide pins for sliding within the middle stop channels of the at
least one middle tubular body between the collapsed configuration
and the un-collapsed configuration; and a base support extending
from the bottom end of the bottom tubular body to support a
container placed in the collapsible beverage holder.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the collapsible beverage
holder further comprises: top tubular body has a top end of a first
diameter and a bottom end of a second diameter smaller than the
first diameter, wherein the at least one middle tubular body has a
top end of a third diameter smaller than the second diameter and a
bottom end of a fourth diameter smaller than the third diameter;
and wherein the bottom tubular body has a top end of a fifth
diameter smaller than the fourth diameter and a bottom end of a
sixth diameter smaller than the fifth diameter.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plate further defines a
raised edge surrounding the at least one opening.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of
flexible tabs extending from a top edge of the collapsible beverage
holder for securing a container within the collapsible beverage
holder.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the collapsible beverage
holder is secured to an edge of the at least one opening defined
within the plate.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 further including a plurality of
flexible latching tabs for securing the collapsible beverage holder
to the edge of the at least one opening, the flexible latching tab
further comprising: at least one locking member for engaging the
edge of the at least one opening to removeably secure the
collapsible beverage holder to the plate; a flexible member
interconnecting the at least one locking member to the collapsible
beverage holder; and wherein the flexible member enables the at
least one locking member to be moved between a first position for
inserting and removing the collapsible beverage holder from the
plate and a second position for securing the collapsible beverage
holder to the plate.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 further including: a first plurality of
teeth defined on the at least one locking member; a second
plurality of teeth associated with the edge of the at least one
opening defined on the plate; and wherein the first plurality of
teeth engages the second plurality of teeth when the collapsible
beverage holder is connected to the plate and prevent the
collapsible beverage holder from rotating within the at least one
opening.
8. An apparatus comprising: a plate defining a surface for holding
food, the surface defining at least one opening therein; a
collapsible beverage holder that fits within the at least one
opening defined within the surface of the plate, wherein the
collapsible beverage holder further comprises: a top tubular body
for connecting to an edge of the at least one opening defined
within the surface of the plate, wherein the top tubular body has a
first body wall with a first exterior surface and a first interior
surface defining a first passageway therein, the first body wall
defining a plurality of top guide channels having a first
cross-sectional area extending longitudinally along the first
interior surface from the top end of the top tubular body to the
bottom end of the top tubular body, the first body wall further
defining a plurality of top stop channels, each of the top stop
channels located between a pair of the top guide channels,
extending longitudinally along the first interior surface from the
top end of the top tubular body to a stop ledge within the top
tubular body; a bottom tubular body for supporting a beverage
container placed within the collapsible beverage holder; at least
one middle tubular body for connecting the top tubular body with
the bottom tubular body; wherein the bottom tubular body
telescopically collapses within the at least one middle tubular
body and the at least one middle tubular body telescopically
collapses into the top tubular body; further wherein the top
tubular body, the at least one middle tubular body, and the bottom
tubular body move between a collapsed configuration responsive to
the apparatus being placed on a surface and an un-collapsed
configuration responsive to the apparatus being lifted off the
surface by the plate.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the top tubular body has a top
end of a first diameter and a bottom end of a second diameter
smaller than the first diameter.
10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one middle
tubular body has a second body wall with a second exterior surface
and a second interior surface defining a second passageway therein,
the at least one middle tubular body having a top end of a third
diameter smaller than the second diameter and a bottom end of a
fourth diameter smaller than the third diameter, the second body
wall defining a plurality of equally spaced middle stop channels
extending longitudinally along the first interior surface from the
top end of the top tubular body to the bottom end of the top
tubular body, the plurality of equally spaced middle stop channels
further defined by a guide member running longitudinally along the
second exterior surface of the second body wall for sliding within
the top guide channels, the second body wall further defining a
plurality of guide pins for sliding within the first stop channels,
the guide member sliding within the top guide channel and the
middle guide pins sliding within the top stop channels between the
collapsed configuration and the un-collapsed configuration.
11. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising: wherein the bottom
tubular body has a top end of a fifth diameter smaller than the
fourth diameter and a bottom end of a sixth diameter smaller than
the fifth diameter, the second body wall further defining a
plurality of bottom guide pins for sliding within the middle stop
channels of the at least one middle tubular body, the bottom guide
pins sliding within the middle stop channels between the collapsed
configuration and the un-collapsed configuration; and a base
support extending from the bottom end of the bottom tubular body to
support a container placed in the collapsible beverage holder.
12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the plate further defines a
raised edge surrounding the at least one opening.
13. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a plurality of
flexible tabs extending from a top edge of the collapsible beverage
holder for securing a container within the collapsible beverage
holder.
14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the collapsible beverage
holder is secured to an edge of the at least one opening defined
within the plate.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 further including a plurality of
flexible latching tabs for securing the collapsible beverage holder
to the edge of the at least one opening, the flexible latching tab
further comprising: at least one locking member for engaging the
edge of the at least one opening to removeably secure the
collapsible beverage holder to the plate; a flexible member
interconnecting the at least one locking member to the collapsible
beverage holder; and wherein the flexible member enables the at
least one locking member to be moved between a first position for
inserting and removing the collapsible beverage holder from the
plate and a second position for securing the collapsible beverage
holder to the plate.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 further including: a first plurality
of teeth defined on the at least one locking member; a second
plurality of teeth associated with the edge of the at least one
opening defined on the plate; and wherein the first plurality of
teeth engages the second plurality of teeth when the collapsible
beverage holder is connected to the plate and prevent the
collapsible beverage holder from rotating within the at least one
opening.
17. An apparatus comprising: a plate defining a surface for holding
food, the surface defining at least one opening therein; a
collapsible beverage holder that fits within the at least one
opening defined within the surface of the plate, wherein the
collapsible beverage holder further comprises: a top tubular body
for connecting to an edge of the at least one opening defined
within the surface of the plate, the top tubular body having a
first body wall with a first exterior surface and a first interior
surface defining a first passageway therein, the top tubular body
having a top end of a first diameter and a bottom end of a second
diameter smaller than the first diameter, the first body wall
defining a plurality of equally spaced top guide channels having a
first cross-sectional area extending longitudinally along the first
interior surface from the top end of the top tubular body to the
bottom end of the top tubular body, the first body wall further
defining a plurality of top stop channels, each of the top stop
channels located between a pair of the top guide channels,
extending longitudinally along the first interior surface from the
top end of the top tubular body to a stop ledge within the top
tubular body; at least one middle tubular body having a second body
wall with a second exterior surface and a second interior surface
defining a second passageway therein, the at least one middle
tubular body having a top end of a third diameter smaller than the
second diameter and a bottom end of a fourth diameter smaller than
the third diameter, the second body wall defining a plurality of
equally spaced middle stop channels extending longitudinally along
the first interior surface from the top end of the top tubular body
to the bottom end of the top tubular body, each of the plurality of
equally spaced middle stop channels further defined by a guide
member running longitudinally along the second exterior surface of
the second body wall for sliding within the top guide channel, the
second body wall further defining a plurality of middle guide pins
for sliding within the top stop channels, the guide member sliding
within the top guide channel and the middle guide pins sliding
within the top stop channels between the collapsed configuration
and the un-collapsed configuration; a bottom tubular body having a
third body wall with a third exterior surface and a third interior
surface defining a third passageway therein, the bottom tubular
body having a top end of a fifth diameter smaller than the fourth
diameter and a bottom end of a sixth diameter smaller than the
fifth diameter, the third body wall further defining a plurality of
bottom guide pins for sliding within the middle stop channels of
the at least one middle tubular body, the bottom guide pins sliding
within the middle stop channels between the collapsed configuration
and the un-collapsed configuration; and a base support extending
from the bottom end of the bottom tubular body to support a
container placed in the collapsible beverage holder; a plurality of
flexible latching tabs for securing the collapsible beverage holder
to the edge of the at least one opening, the flexible latching tab
further comprising: at least one locking member for engaging the
edge of the at least one opening to removeably secure the
collapsible beverage container to the plate; a flexible member
interconnecting the at least one locking member to the collapsible
beverage holder; and wherein the flexible member enables the at
least one locking member to be moved between a first position for
inserting and removing the collapsible beverage holder from the
plate and a second position for securing the collapsible beverage
holder to the plate.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the plate further defines a
raised edge surrounding the at least one opening.
19. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a plurality of
flexible tabs extending from a top edge of the collapsible beverage
holder for stabilizing and securing a beverage container within the
collapsible beverage holder.
20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the collapsible beverage
holder is secured to an edge of the at least one opening defined
within the plate.
21. The apparatus of claim 17 further including: a first plurality
of teeth defined on the at least one locking member; a second
plurality of teeth associated with the edge of the at least one
opening defined on the plate; and wherein the first plurality of
teeth engages the second plurality of teeth when the collapsible
beverage holder is connected to the plate and prevent the
collapsible beverage holder from rotating within the at least one
opening.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/263,436, filed on Dec. 4, 2015, entitled
COMBINED PLATE AND COLLAPSIBLE BEVERAGE HOLDER, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to plates, and more
particularly, to plates including an integrated beverage container
holder.
BACKGROUND
[0003] At many parties and events where food and beverages are
served, there may be insufficient tables and chairs to accommodate
all invited guests. In these cases, guests are usually tasked with
holding a plate of food and a beverage while standing and
attempting to eat the food and drink the beverage with only two
hands. This typically results in an almost impossible balancing
task or having to find a place to set down the beverage in order to
eat the food. Napkins and eating utensils also contribute to this
common party dilemma experienced by almost everyone.
[0004] Numerous efforts have been made toward solving this dilemma
by combining a plate with a means for holding the beverage. Each of
these efforts have various shortcomings that provide particular
limitations for the combined plate and beverage holder. These
shortcomings have usually involved the design and location of the
beverage holder in relation to the plate and resulted in two basic
solutions. First, if the bottom of the beverage container sits at
the level of the plate to allow the apparatus to sit flat on a
table, the center of gravity of the beverage container extends far
above the plate, and, if not securely held by the beverage holder
extending considerably above the surface of the plate, is unstable
and prone to tipping and spilling. The large difference in various
diameters of beverage containers further exacerbates this problem
of securely holding the beverage container in an upright fashion.
Second, if the bottom of the beverage container sits below the
level of the plate to solve the tipping and spilling problem noted
above, the plate must have legs or other means of elevation to
raise it so that the plate and beverage holder can be placed on the
table without tilting the plate and spilling the beverage within
the beverage holder.
[0005] Each of these two solutions significantly increase the space
required for the integrated plate and beverage holder in a cabinet,
drawer, or dishwasher because of the extension of the beverage
holder above or below the plate. Additionally, without a handle of
some sort, the combined weight of the plate filled with food and a
beverage container within the beverage holder makes the apparatus
both heavy and awkward to carry with one hand.
[0006] Prior art solutions have attempted to address these issues
using a telescoping beverage holder configured similarly to a large
collapsible cup. However, such collapsing configurations suffer
from several problems that greatly diminish their usefulness for
this purpose. First, most collapsing beverage holders utilize a
number of conically shaped tapering sidewalls ("hollow frustums"),
each successively decreasing in diameter. A hollow frustum of a
cone (truncated cone) is a shape similar to a cylinder, except that
the circular end planes are of unequal sizes and each of the
circular end planes' center points are positioned directly above
each other. This design creates a draft angle that requires the
circular area of the top opening to be quite large in relation to
the circular area required for the beverage container to rest flat
on the floor of the bottom sidewall. Second, the various coupling
mechanisms generally used for collapsible beverage holders are
either (a) a friction fit between the two adjacent sidewalls, or
(b) a flange on the top of one sidewall that fits over a ledge on
the bottom of another sidewall. Each of these methods further
increase the draft angle required for the sidewalls, and thus
further increase the area of the top opening which decreases the
stability of the beverage container while in the beverage holder.
Third, the draft angle must be yet further increased for both
methods in order to provide sufficient clearance between the
frustums to prevent binding, catching, and locking up as the
frustums are collapsed or un-collapsed, causing tilting of the
bottom frustum. This is fatal to the desired function as it results
in tilting the beverage container and spilling its contents as the
plate is either lifted from or placed on a table.
[0007] Thus, prior art solutions in practice require a draft angle
so large for acceptable functioning of their collapsible beverage
holders that the beverage container can tilt and spill even within
their collapsible holders, whether collapsed or un-collapsed. It
also requires significantly more surface area of the plate be
devoted to the telescoping beverage holder, thereby increasing the
size, weight, and cost of the combined plate and beverage holder.
Fourth, both coupling mechanisms, friction fit and flange, operate
only as a limit to telescopic extension of the sidewalls. Neither
coupling mechanism in practice prevents rotation of the sidewalls,
which allows the plate to spin around the axis of the sidewalls,
resulting in spilling both food and beverage. Fifth, neither
coupling mechanism, friction fit or flange, prevents tilting of the
sidewalls with respect to each other and the plate, thereby causing
instability for both the plate and food as well as the beverage.
The friction fit requires significant pressure to actually lock the
sidewalls in place and can then be very difficult to dislodge in
order to unlock and collapse the sidewall. The inherent design of
the flanges either suffers from the same problem or is free to tilt
with little interference. Sixth, both coupling mechanisms, friction
fit and flange, operate only to prevent extension of the sidewalls
beyond a specified point as they extend downward from the largest
sidewall. However, when collapsing the sidewalls, there is no
limiting constraint and the smaller sidewalls can separate from the
larger sidewalls, coming completely apart and possibly lost.
SUMMARY
[0008] The present invention, as disclosed and described herein, in
one aspect thereof, comprises a plate defining a surface for
holding food that defines at least one opening therein. A
collapsible beverage holder fits within the at least one opening
defined within the surface of the plate. The collapsible beverage
holder is automatically configured to a collapsed configuration
responsive to the apparatus being placed on a surface and is
automatically configured to an un-collapsed configuration
responsive to the apparatus being lifted off the surface by the
plate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] For a more complete understanding, reference is now made to
the following description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying Drawings in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the top side of the plate
with integrated beverage holder;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bottom side of the plate
with integrated beverage holder;
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative
embodiment of the collapsible beverage holder including snap tabs
for securing the collapsible beverage holder to the plate;
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the plate with integrated
beverage holder in a collapsed position;
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the collapsible
beverage holder;
[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a top sidewall;
[0016] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a middle
sidewall;
[0017] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a bottom
sidewall;
[0018] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the securing tabs
within the collapsible beverage holder.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
numbers are used herein to designate like elements throughout, the
various views and embodiments of a combined plate and collapsible
beverage holder are illustrated and described, and other possible
embodiments are described. The figures are not necessarily drawn to
scale, and in some instances the drawings have been exaggerated
and/or simplified in places for illustrative purposes only. One of
ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the many possible
applications and variations based on the following examples of
possible embodiments.
[0020] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a top perspective view and a bottom
perspective view of the plate and beverage holder device 102. The
plate and beverage holder device 102 includes a plate component 104
including one or more compartments for holding food. A plate
peripheral flange 106 surrounds the edge of the plate component 104
and maintains food within the plate compartment. While the
illustrations of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate only a single plate
compartment, it will be appreciated that any number of food
compartments may be utilized for separating and containing food
within the plate component 104. The plate component 104 is of
sufficient size to hold an appropriate amount of food with the
plate peripheral flange 106 extending upward and outward from the
outer rim to contain the food on the plate. In one embodiment, the
plate component 104 may be 12 inches wide and the plate peripheral
flange 106 may be 1 inch in height. In another embodiment, a
plurality of thumb grips 114 are located on the periphery of the
plate component 104 next to the aperture raised rim 112. They are
knurled and indented to fit the thumb for secure, comfortable, and
ergonomic lifting of the plate and beverage holder device 102. In
yet another embodiment, the plate component 104 may include a
plurality of vertically disposed utensil slots 116 where utensils
can be inserted while serving and carried until required for
use.
[0021] The shape and design of the plate component 104 may vary
considerably as dictated by the intended market. For example, the
plate component 104 may be of any shape, such as oval, rhomboid,
rectangular, circle, square, triangle, etc. The plate peripheral
flange 106 may be of any height, angle, or curved and its surface
area could have any number of smaller segments with raised ridges
similar to the plate peripheral flange 106 to separate various
foods, dips, condiments, etc., within the interior surface area of
the plate.
[0022] The plate and beverage holder device 102 may be made of
plastic or any other sufficiently rigid and strong material such as
high-strength plastic, paper board, metal, or the like. The plate
and beverage holder device 102 can be manufactured by means of
injection molding from various selected polymers to provide high
strength and low weight with attractive colors while also making it
microwave safe, dishwasher safe, food safe, and BPA free. A
material with a smooth finish and low coefficient of friction is
selected so that minimum friction is produced between the sidewalls
of the beverage holder component 108 as it moves between collapsed
and un-collapsed positions. The tabs 110 used to hold the beverage
container 404 firmly in place can be in the form of three separate
pieces or a singular circular ring with tabs 110 located
approximately 120.degree. apart as more particularly illustrated in
FIG. 9. The tabs 110 are used for securing the can, bottle, or cup
within the beverage holder component 108. The tabs 110 are made
from a material that is durable, flexible, and has good compression
set resistance (memory) in order to retain their position at right
angles to the aperture raised rim 112 extending inward toward the
longitudinal axis 111 of the beverage holder component 108. The
position of the tabs 110 provides an upper limit to prevent the
middle sidewall 504 and the base sidewall 506 from separating from
the top sidewall 502. The tabs 110 provide three equidistant points
of contact with the beverage container 404 to prevent it from
tipping. The extended height of the beverage holder component 108
below the plate component 104 is sufficient to lower the center of
gravity of the beverage container 404 placed within the beverage
holder component 108, thereby increasing the stability of the
beverage container 404 and eliminating the possibility of spilling
the beverage.
[0023] A beverage holder component 108 moves between a first fully
collapsed position and a second fully un-collapsed position for
supporting a beverage container 404 such as a can, bottle, or cup
along a longitudinal axis 111 through the center of the area for
containing the beverage container 404. The beverage holder
component 108 attaches to the plate component 104 using a locking
mechanism, attachment with a band containing a bayonet or other
locking mechanism, or other mating means so that the beverage
holder component 108 can be easily removed for cleaning and storage
and then replaced for a next use. In an alternative embodiment, the
beverage holder component 108 may be integrated with the plate
component 104 rather than being removable. The beverage holder
component 108 is affixed to an aperture raised rim 112 in the plate
component 104 and is of sufficient size to securely hold a wide
variety of beverage containers 404, such as about 3.5 inches in
diameter and about 4.5 inches in height when fully un-collapsed as
the plate component 104 is lifted, and such as about 1.5 inches in
height when fully collapsed when its base rests on the same surface
plane as the bottom of the plate component 104.
[0024] In an alternative embodiment, such as that illustrated in
FIG. 3, the beverage holder component 108 may be secured to the
plate component 104 using a plurality of snap tabs 302. The snap
tabs 302 include an angular surface 304 that causes the snap tab
302 to bend inward when pressed against an edge 306 of the aperture
raised rim 112. A retaining ledge 308 engages the edge 306 of the
raised rim 112 to prevent the beverage holder component 108 from
being easily removed from the plate component 104. Additionally,
teeth 310 on the snap tabs 302 engage teeth 312 on the bottom side
of the edge 306 of the aperture raised rim 112 to serve as an
anti-rotation element. When the teeth 310 of the beverage holder
component 108 engage the teeth 312 of the aperture raised rim 112
of the plate component 104, the beverage holder component 108 is
prevented from rotating in the aperture raised rim 112 and the
plate component 104 is held in a fixed position.
[0025] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a side view of
the plate component 104 and the beverage holder component 108
sitting on a surface 402 such as a table, counter, ledge, etc. When
placed on a surface 402, the beverage holder component 108
automatically moves to the fully collapsed position such that the
bottom of the beverage holder component 108 and the bottom of the
plate component 104 are aligned on a single plane with each other.
This allows the entire plate and beverage holder device 102 to be
placed flat on a level surface 402 so that the beverage container
404 within the beverage holder component 108 is thus maintained in
a stable position.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is illustrated a perspective
view of only the beverage holder component 108 in the fully
extended position. The fully extended position would be
automatically configured when the beverage holder and plate device
102 is lifted from a surface 402 such as that illustrated in FIG.
4. The beverage holder component 108 is comprised of a number of
collapsible hollow frustum sections 502-506 (hereinafter
"sidewalls") having only a very slight draft required for an
injection molding tool to eject the plastic sidewalls. A top
sidewall 502 having a top sidewall rim 508 engages and affixes to
the aperture raised rim 112 (FIG. 1) of the plate component 104.
One or more middle sidewalls 504 interconnects the top sidewall 502
with a base sidewall 506. The base sidewall 506 defines a base
ledge 510 for supporting the bottom of a beverage container 404.
The size of the sidewalls from the top sidewall 502 to the base
sidewall 506 successively decreases in diameter so as to enable the
lower sidewalls to nest within the above sidewalls. The beverage
holder component 108 may be manufactured separately from the plate
component 104, assembled, and either attached permanently to the
plate component 104 with a locking mechanism or attached with a
snap-in locking element or other type of mount so that it can be
easily removed for cleaning or storage and then replaced for a next
use.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated a perspective
view of the top sidewall 502. The top sidewall 502 defines a hollow
frustum having an open center wherein the top edge has a slightly
larger diameter than the bottom edge. The top sidewall 502 defines
three vertical guide channels 602 located 120.degree. apart from
each other that extend vertically from the top of the top sidewall
502 to the bottom of the top sidewall 502 and protrude outward from
the inside diameter of the top sidewall 502. The guide channels 602
may be cylindrical in nature but could also take on other shapes as
well. The top sidewall 502 also includes three smaller stop
channels 604 similar to the guide channels 602 running vertically
along the top sidewall 502 except that the lower extension limit of
the stop channel 604 has a base or floor 606 to create a stop for a
pin associated with a middle sidewall 504. The guide channels 602
and stop channels 604 alternate and are located equidistant at
60.degree. along the inside of the top sidewall 502.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 7, there is illustrated the middle
sidewall 504. The middle sidewall 504 also defines a hollow frustum
having an open center wherein the top edge has a slightly larger
diameter than the bottom edge. The middle sidewall 504 defines
three stop channels 702 and three pins 704 each located equidistant
and alternating at 60.degree. around the middle sidewall 504. The
three stop channels 702 extend from a top edge of the middle
sidewall 504 and have a bottom of the stop channels 702 defined by
a base or floor 706. The stop channels 702 may be cylindrical in
nature but may also take on other shapes as well. The stop channels
702 are located 120.degree. apart from each other and protrude
outward from the inside diameter of the middle sidewall 504. The
stop channels 702 further create exterior guide members 706 on the
exterior surface of the middle sidewall 504. The exterior guide
members 706 have a horizontal cross-sectional area sufficiently
smaller than the horizontal cross-sectional area of the guide
channels 602 of the top sidewall 502 to allow the guide members 706
to slide effortlessly from the top of the top guide channel 602 to
the bottom of the top guide channel 602. The three pins 704 extend
outward from the outside diameter of the middle sidewall 504 with
horizontal cross-sectional areas sufficiently smaller than the
horizontal cross-sectional area of the stop channels 604 of the top
sidewall 502 to allow the pins 704 to slide effortlessly from the
top of the top sidewall 502 to the floor 606 of the stop channel
604 of the top sidewall 502. The contact with the floor 606 of the
stop channel 604 provides a lower limit to the extension of the
middle sidewall 504. While the present embodiment has described the
use of only a single middle sidewall 504, multiple middle sidewalls
504 having a similar configuration may be utilized. In this case,
the pins 704 of a second middle sidewall 504 would engage the stop
channels 702 of the first middle sidewall 504 rather than the stop
channels 604 of the top sidewall 502. Additional middle sidewalls
504 could be added in a similar manner.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 8 there is illustrated the base
sidewall 506. The base sidewall 506 defines a hollow frustum having
an open center wherein the top edge has a slightly larger diameter
than the bottom edge. The base sidewall 506 has no guide channels
or stop channels. The base sidewall 506 only defines three pins 802
each located equidistant at 120.degree. that extend outward from
the outer diameter of the base sidewall 506. The pins 802 have a
horizontal cross-sectional area sufficiently smaller than the
horizontal cross-sectional area of the stop channels 702 of the
middle sidewall 504 to allow the pins 802 to slide effortlessly
from the top to the floor of the stop channel 702 of the middle
sidewall 504. The base sidewall 506 further defines a base ledge
510. The base ledge 510 in one embodiment defines an aperture 806
therethrough although the aperture 806 may be of various diameters
or nonexistent. The base ledge 510 must extend at approximately a
right angle inward from the base edge of the base sidewall 506 a
sufficient distance to allow a beverage container 404 to sit flat
and securely thereon.
[0030] The external guide channels system defined by the beverage
holder component 108, consisting of the guide channels, stop
channels, guide members, and pins described above, permits the
beverage holder component 108 to extend and collapse automatically
without hanging, catching, interfering, or binding resulting in the
spillage of a food or beverage. The external guide channel system
enables the telescoping sidewalls to slide on the external guide
channel system to collapse automatically as the plate is lowered
onto a table so that the plate can rest flat and stably. When the
apparatus is lifted, the telescopic beverage holder component 108
automatically extends downward to provide additional stability for
the beverage container 404 while in motion and to allow the user to
grasp the beverage holder component 108 with either hand while
resting the plate on the forearm of the grasping hand. This
provides additional stability and convenience while holding the
plate.
[0031] The design of the external guide channel system also
provides additional functions and benefits. First, the external
guide channels provide vertical grips to enable the fingers of a
user to grasp the beverage holder component 108 more securely. When
a user grasps the fully extended beverage holder component 108, the
vertical guide channels, guide members, and pins sliding therein
operate to lock the sidewalls in a vertically aligned position.
This is necessary to prevent them from twisting sideways in a
circular manner parallel to the plate. Without locking the
sidewalls in a vertically aligned position relative to the plate,
if the plate were to tilt for any reason, the plate could spin off
the forearm and spill the contents. Second, the guide members
travelling vertically and in close tolerance to the guide channels
greatly decreases the amount of tilt that is possible between the
sidewalls when fully extended. Third, the extended beverage holder
component 108 enables the user to grasp it with a single hand
around the extended beverage holder component 108, thereby freeing
the other hand to eat food, open doors, drink the beverage, carry
eating utensils, or greet and shake hands with other
individuals.
[0032] Many features incorporated into the design of the beverage
holder component 108 operate together to collectively reduce the
draft angle required. This produces numerous benefits to its basic
function collapsing and un-collapsing flawlessly. It reduces the
diameter of the top of the top sidewall 502 relative to the
diameter of the base ledge 510 which must be large enough to allow
standard beverage containers to rest flat on its surface. This more
upright draft angle provides a tighter fit at the top to insure the
beverage container 404 remains stable and upright on its base.
Reducing the top diameter of the top sidewall 502 also decreases
the diameter of the aperture raised rim 112 which results in more
usable area for serving food on the plate 104 and also in a smaller
total area for the combined plate and beverage holder device 102
that reduces the size, weight, and cost. The design also allows it
to securely hold most common beverage containers 404 including
cans, bottles, cups, and stemware. The design further enables it to
hold many different shapes and sizes of containers such as square
or elliptical bases with vertical container walls. Many other
beverage holders are limited to round bases and conical shaped
containers.
[0033] The beverage holder component 108 slides open on the
external guide channel system to extend automatically using only
gravity's pull when the plate 104 is lifted. Additionally, the
beverage holder component 108 slides on the external guide channels
to collapse automatically as the plate 104 is lowered onto a table
or another horizontal surface 402. The automatic adjustment of the
telescopic beverage holder component 108 provides a number of
advantages. It eliminates the necessity for legs to raise the plate
104 height to offset the height of the un-collapsed length of the
beverage holder component 108 extending three or more inches below
the bottom of the plate 104. The automatic adjustment also allows
the beverage holder component 108 to expand to a lower and more
secure position to prevent spillage when the plate is not placed on
a table such as when a user is walking or standing and eating. When
the beverage holder component 108 is collapsed, the automatic
adjustment feature also provides a profile height only slightly
greater than the plate 104 height in order to decrease the volume
required for placement in a cabinet, drawer, or dishwasher. The
assembled plate and beverage holder device 102 nests and stacks
easily to conserve storage space, even more so with the beverage
holder component 108 removed.
[0034] Inexpensive disposable inserts that take the form of and fit
within the interior portion of the plate 104 can also be used to
contain the food and prevent the food from direct contact with the
plate 104. The inserts may be made of paper, plastic, plastic film,
or other material that could be either a single or multiuse
application. The inserts could also be produced from recyclable
plastic or with a biodegradable material. This provides several
environmentally friendly options such as using the plate and
beverage holder device 102 alone and washing it for reuse or using
an insert that can be washed and reused, properly disposed of, or
recycled at the user's discretion. The inserts may be configured
with various partitions designed for different items such as a bowl
with higher sides for soups, cereals, or other liquids, smaller
partitions for dips or condiments, raised slots to hold tacos, or
any other configuration that enhances the service of a particular
type of meal. The inserts may also be transparent and include
advertising, licensed college or sports logos, etc., or any other
wording, decoration, or pictures such as for a birthday party or
other special celebration (collectively "decorations") with the
design affixed to the bottom of the insert facing upwards to
prevent scratching from eating utensils or contact with food.
Likewise, such decorations could also be affixed directly to the
underside of a transparent plate 104. Decorations could also be
affixed to the top eating surface of the insert or plate if they
were durable and safe for direct food contact. This would obviate
the requirement for a transparent plate 104 or insert and the plate
104 could therefore be any color or combination of colors.
[0035] Various types of covers may also be used with the plate
component 104 to prevent food splattering while microwaving, to
keep food warm by heat retention, for storage in the refrigerator,
and to protect the food from dirt, insects, etc., after it is
placed on the plate but before eating. Such covers may be made of
many different plastics to match the desired effects of the cover.
Further, the cover can be made from any colored, transparent, or
translucent plastic material. The covers may also be made in
various thicknesses and styles to provide a desired effect. The
cover materials may comprise flexible plastic with edges that snap
over the side of the plate component 104 or they may be made in a
more rigid plastic with the edge designed to sit on and/or fit over
the peripheral upper rim of the plate component 104.
[0036] It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the
quantity and dimensions of the sidewalls, guide channels, stop
channels, and pins work in any number of configurations that may be
optimized to allow the sidewalls to slide effortlessly without
binding in any manner. Additionally, it should be appreciated that
the various sizes and shapes of the plate component 104 as well as
the various locations of the aperture to receive the beverage
holder component 108 can vary in any combination that provides a
functional device.
[0037] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art having
the benefit of this disclosure that this combined plate and
collapsible beverage holder device provides a superior plate and
drink holder combination for use at parties and events, either
indoors or outdoors, where people are moving around rather than
being at a single seating location. It should be understood that
the drawings and detailed description herein are to be regarded in
an illustrative rather than a restrictive manner, and are not
intended to be limiting to the particular forms and examples
disclosed. On the contrary, included are any further modifications,
changes, rearrangements, substitutions, alternatives, design
choices, and embodiments apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art, without departing from the spirit and scope hereof, as defined
by the following claims. Thus, it is intended that the following
claims be interpreted to embrace all such further modifications,
changes, rearrangements, substitutions, alternatives, design
choices, and embodiments.
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