Table For Use With Disposable Meal Service Elements

Abstract

A table includes a plurality of recesses around its periphery for receiving dishes which may be of the disposable plastic variety. A storage area extends upwardly from the center of the table and is provided with a plurality of compartments for holding various meal service elements such as plates, cups, flatware and napkins. Mounted on top of the storage area is a rotatable food holder or "lazy susan" thick enough to be provided with recesses of a depth sufficient to encompass the bottom and sides of serving pans or bowls holding a quantity of food sufficient to serve the dinners. The storage area may be formed by using a foam sandwich construction so as to provide insulation for such pans and bowls. Covers may also be provided for the serving bowl recesses so as to further improve the thermal insulation.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to improvements in tables and the like. More particularly, it relates to improvements in tables provided with facilities for efficiently and attractively utilizing meal service elements.

In the modern household, it has become desirable on many, if not most occasions, to make the serving of meals as efficient as possible and to reduce the effort required to set tables and clean after the meal. This means, among other things, a desire to eliminate the need to wash dishes and pans. The machine dishwasher while a boon has not been the complete answer for it entails an initial cost, operating costs and, perhaps all too often, requires a serviceman to call to restore its operation. Disposable dishes have, of course, been available for a long time but they too have their problems. Paper plates while relatively inexpensive absorb moisture and because of their light weight slide around. Coated paper is too expensive for every day use. On the other hand, thin plastic dishes of a material such as styrene are inexpensive enough and would not absorb moisture but perhaps would still slide around because of their light weight.

It is believed that a food service system permitting the use of thin plastic or paper plates could be provided for home use which would overcome the last stated objection and it is an object of this invention to provide such a system.

In addition to the substantial elimination of the nuisance and expense of dish washing, another convenience desired is that of the efficient storage of meal serving implements such as plates, cups, flatware, napkins and condiments and relative ease in table setting. To the extent that they can be efficiently stored in proximity to the dining table for use when needed a great advantage can be had.

Therefore, it is another object of this invention to provide a novel food service system including a table having means for storing food service elements until needed.

While achieving the foregoing objects it is a further object of this invention to provide a novel food service system which includes means for maintaining food to be served at or near desired serving temperatures so as to be appetizing to the user.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a novel food service system which can be manufactured from a wide variety of materials and in a number of different design variations so as to be aesthetically pleasing.

While the problems of food service and the objects of the invention have been set forth in the context of a private home, it is believed that the same problems exist in institutions and other public feeding situations so that a food service in accordance with the invention will have the same and other advantages in such environments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing and other objects are achieved in one embodiment of the invention by a provision table having spaced receptacles for receiving and holding individual dishes, facilities for storing dishes, cups and other elements required or desired for food service and means for maintaining the temperature of food to be served.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is set forth in the claims appended hereto and forming a part of this specification, while an understanding of various embodiments thereof may be had from the detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a table in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the table of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial side view of a storage area forming part of a table in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a view along the line 5--5 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A table in accordance with the invention comprises a table top 2 having an upper surface 4 and a lower surface 6. In the embodiment illustrated, the table is supported by a pedestal 8 extending from its lower surface, the pedestal in turn resting on a base 10. The particular means for supporting the table is not a critical element in this invention for it can be one of any number of forms such as a designer may decide is both aesthetically satisfying and functional. Thus, the table could be supported by multiple legs or by a support extending from the ceiling of the room in which the table is located. As will be apparent as this description proceeds, the design of other aspects of a table in accordance with the invention can be varied likewise.

As is best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality of spaced recesses 12 are provided around the periphery of the table. The recesses 12 may be provided by actually forming the table so as to have depressions extending into the upper surface 4. Alternatively, they may be provided by the use of ledges such as is shown at 14 extending from the upper surface 4 or the recesses may be formed by both depressions and ledges. In the embodiment illustrated, the recesses 12 are shaped and dimensioned to accommodate that type of dish usually known as a platter. However, once again the design of the recesses may be varied for it may be desired to provide that they be of a round shape to accommodate dinner plates.

Extending upwardly from the center of the upper surface 4 is a storage section 16 provided with a plurality of compartments or bins 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26. As may be seen, the bins 18, 20, 22, 24, and 26 are shaped and dimensioned somewhat differently from each other for in accordance with the invention it is contemplated that the bins would be shaped to best serve a particular purpose. Thus, the bin 18 may be used to store stacked plastic dishes of the size ordinarily used for salads or such dishes of that size used for soup or dessert. The bin 20 may be used to store stacked plastic dishes of the size ordinarily used as bread and butter plates. Platters to be held in the recesses 12 may be stacked and stored in the bin 22. The bin 24 may be used to store flatware and napkins. Stacked cups may be laid on their sides and stored in the round bottom portions 28 and 30 separated by the divider 32 in the bin 26. The shape, dimensions and number of bins in the storage section 16 may be varied as desired.

The table is completed by a food holder 34 constructed as a lazy susan mounted for rotation on top of the storage section 16. In this embodiment, the rotatable mounting of the food holder 34 is provided by spindle 36 fixed in the table top 2 and extending upwardly therefrom through an opening 38 provided in the storage section. Rotation is facilitated by a bearing or bushing 40 fixed to the center of the lazy susan and/or by rollers 41 mounted on shafts extending into spaces 43 in the storage section and engaged by the bottom of the lazy susan.

As may best be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lazy susan 34 is formed so as to be relatively thick or deep so as to provide compartments 42, 44 and 46. The compartments 42, 44 and 46 are insulated with plastic foam and encompass completely the sides of pans or serving dishes and in this fashion provide thermal insulation for such pans or serving bowls. Additional thermal insulation, as well as an aesthetic quality is provided by covers 48 and 50 for the compartments 42, 44 and 46. The covers may be lifted away or may be hinged about one of their sides 52 or 54 so as to be rotated to provide access to the compartments. A quantity of food to be served to the persons eating may be put in a serving pan or bowl and the serving pan or bowl then placed in a compartment 42, 44 or 46 and there maintained at or near a desired serving temperature until it is apportioned to the persons eating.

The lazy susan may also be provided with a pair of openings or recesses 56 for holding salt and pepper shakers and a pitcher. Such other openings or recesses 58 to receive other serving dishes may be provided if desirable.

It is contemplated that a table in accordance with the invention may be used with thin plastic dishes, plates and cups although china or paper could be used if desired. It is particularly contemplated that if plastic dishes, plates and cups are used that they could be formed of a thin plastic material such as styrene which would have the advantage of being relatively economical, would not absorb moisture or impart a flavor to the food being served.

The various elements of the table could be constructed out of any number of materials such as wood, plastic or glass for that matter. If plastic is used, the table could be constructed with a vacuum formed plastic skin backed up with a polyurethane foam for stiffness. Alternatively, a self-skinning urethane foam could be used. Such foams are presently used for the manufacture of furniture for they can be provided with wood-like finishes. The lazy susan, of course, should be constructed of a material which is relatively light, mechanically strong and able to provide the thermal insulation desired. The foam sandwich construction as described above could be used for the "lazy susan."

Design variations and modifications beyond those suggested above may be used by those skilled in the art. It is intended by the claims appended hereto to cover all such variations as come within their scope.

Claims

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A table comprising a flat top having an upper surface and a lower surface, table supporting means extending from said table top, said upper surface having a plurality of recesses spaced one from the other around its periphery for receiving food holding plates therein, a storage section extending upwardly from said upper surface, a food holder mounted above said storage section and rotatable thereon having at least one compartment formed therein, said one compartment being of a depth sufficient to receive a food holding bowl and having portions providing thermal insulations around the sides and bottom thereof.

2. The table of claim 1 including a cover on at least one compartment in said food holder.

3. The table of claim 1 wherein said storage section is provided with a plurality of bins formed therein for storing various elements to be used in meal service.

4. The table of claim 3 wherein at least one of said bins has a configuration different from that of the other compartments.

5. The table of claim 4 wherein one of said bins is provided curved at the bottom to receive a cup lying on its side.

6. The table of claim 5 wherein said food holder has a first compartment formed therein, a pair of second compartments having a generally rectangular shape, and each of said second compartments has a periphery less than that of said first compartment.

7. The table of claim 6 wherein covers are provided for said compartments.

8. The table of claim 7 including a spindle extending upwardly from said storage section supporting said food holder for rotation and bearing means mounted near the periphery of said food holder between its said storage section to facilitate rotation of said food holder.