Patent Application
20180168374
The present invention relates generally to tableware used in a variety of social settings. More specifically, the invention relates to a plate and cup that can assemble together.
Often at social gatherings, such as tailgates or picnics, food items and beverages are served on disposable tableware. A particular guest at such a gathering, who desires both food and beverage, must hold a plate in one hand and a cup in the other until adequate seating becomes available, if at all. In many such situations, guests unsurprisingly have to consume food or beverages while standing up, without a table or other convenient place to set their tableware down nearby. The guest is then left to manage the plate with one hand while using the other to both hold the cup and try to eat at the same time. As a result of this awkward arrangement, spills are more likely to occur. Additionally, since both hands are occupied with the use of these conventional plates and cups, it also makes it difficult for a guest to greet others, let alone hold an eating utensil, napkin, or any additional items. For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for an improved plate and cup assembly that allows the individual to maintain a free hand for which to eat or drink.
The present invention, solving the problems as identified in the Background, includes an attachable plate and cup assembly. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the assembly includes a cup having an open top portion and a closed bottom portion. The open top portion has two substantially parallel linear edges. The assembly also includes a plate having a top surface and a bottom surface. A cup receiving structure protrudes downward from the bottom surface. The cup receiving structure has at least two substantially parallel sides. Each side includes an inwardly facing channel to accommodate the lip of a cup.
In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the cup is configured to slide into the cup receiving structure from one side. The substantially parallel linear edges of the cup engage with the substantially parallel sides of the cup receiving structure.
In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the cup receiving structure has a third side substantially perpendicular to the parallel sides.
In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the cup receiving structure protrudes perpendicular from the bottom surface of the plate.
In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the cup receiving structure includes an opening configured to receive the cup.
In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the cup receiving structure includes a gripper on one of the substantially parallel sides or the third side.
In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the gripper is an aperture that provides access to the cup through the cup receiving structure.
In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the cup includes a rounded edge connecting two of the substantially parallel edges.
In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, each of the substantially parallel sides are the same length.
In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the top surface of the plate is indented about a perimeter for stacking of multiple plates.
In another featured embodiment of the present invention, a plate has a bottom surface and a unitary cup receiving structure extending from the bottom surface. The structure has at least two substantially parallel sides and a third side perpendicular to the parallel sides forming a U-shape, and an opening on a fourth side.
In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the cup receiving structure has an inwardly facing channel about a bottom edge of the substantially parallel sides.
In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the opening is configured to receive a cup.
In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the cup receiving structure is integrally molded with the bottom surface.
In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the plate includes a gripper on one of the substantially parallel sides or the third side.
In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the gripper is an aperture.
In another featured embodiment of the present invention, a beverage cup includes a perimeter defining an open top portion of the cup. The perimeter has a first edge and a second edge substantially parallel with one another, and third edge perpendicular to the first and second edges. A lip extends outward relative to a central axis of the cup at the open top portion.
In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the perimeter of the open top portion includes a rounded fourth edge connecting the first edge and the second edge.
In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the third edge is rounded.
In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the cup is plastic.
The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of an embodiment, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows.
Referring more specifically to the drawings,
It should be understood that the plate 12 and beverage cup 16 may be manufactured out of a variety of suitable materials for tableware including, but not limited to, plastic, paper, wood, metal or the like. In an embodiment, the plate 12 and cup 16 are made from the same material. In an embodiment, the top surface 13 of the plate 12 is indented to allow for stacking of multiple plates 12. The cups 16 may also be configured to allow for stacking of multiple cups 16.
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The cup 16 includes a fourth edge 32, opposite the third edge 30, connecting two of the substantially parallel edges 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the fourth edge 32 is a rounded edge. This rounded edge is designed accordingly so as to mimic the traditional look and feel of a conventional beverage cup. Furthermore, the cup 16 includes a lip 34 extending outward relative to a central axis X of the cup about at least a portion of the perimeter 25 at the open top portion 24, providing the user with a surface to optimally engage his or her lips for drinking in addition to serving as an engaging mechanism for attachment to the plate 12 as discussed in detail below.
Referring to
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According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the attachable plate and cup assembly 10 allows the user 88 to hold with one hand both a plate 12 and cup 16. This assembly may be useful across a variety of social settings in which table space is limited. By holding a plate and cup in just one hand, it enables the user to have a free hand in which to use a utensil to eat the food on the plate, hold an additional item, greet guests, or perform a variety of other tasks all while standing.
It should be understood that although an example embodiment has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this disclosure. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.
