Patent Application
20220287484
This invention relates to a device for dispensing and/or collecting tableware, especially designed for but not limited to disposable light-weight tableware made of materials such as plastic, paper, acrylic, recycled paper, recycled plastic, etc. This stand is designed for use in indoor or outdoor settings for distribution and/or collection of tableware, in a timely and orderly manner.
During events where a large number of people gather for food or drinks, light-weight tableware is often used as it is convenient to carry in hand such as in a buffet setting. Although recyclable tableware is generally used, it is widely observed that a large portion of potentially recyclable material ends up mixed with organic waste and more often than not ends up in garbage headed for landfills. Depending on their composition, plastic materials that end up in landfills can take anywhere from 10 to 1000 years to completely decompose thereby defeating the purpose of recyclable plastic. Therefore in order to prevent such environmentally harmful wastefulness and promote responsibility toward the natural ecosystem, it is essential to design the dispensing and collecting mechanism in such a way that it promotes high degree of recyclability and minimization of wastage.
The present invention is designed to fulfill the above objectives of promoting both ease of distribution, as well as achieving a high degree of recyclability. As a dispenser caddy, it can hold items such as plates, bowls, cups, spoons, forks, knives, napkins, stirrers, etc. in a convenient layout, designed with provision to expand by adding more attachments as needed. It also has the ability to be assembled in a small enough size so that it can fit on a table, or on a kitchen table in the space between the table and wall cabinets which is typically 18-inches high, or to fit in the trunk of a car for transportation. When assembled as an outdoor or indoor free-standing unit, it is designed with attachable legs or a support frame such that the items it holds are at a convenient height for its use.
Another function of the present invention is to serve as a collection stand for used tableware after use, either for cleaning or for recycling purposes. When used as a receptacle, the caddy can hold neatly separated tableware in a compact manner. When recycled, all material can be disposed off in a compact space in roughly the same compact size of packaging by volume as they are sold in. An optional bag attached directly to the legs of the free-standing floor unit can be used to collect organic waste for potential composting before placing the containers on the caddy. Alternatively, a separate bag or basket or collection vessel can be used to separate out the organic waste before placing the containers on the caddy.
Furthermore, the present invention can be built in a scaled-down format using child-friendly materials such as plastic or wood for example. Young kids like to play with kitchen toys and a toy designed as a replica of present invention not only adds active fun but also teaches them the value of being organized and trains them to return used tableware in a systematic manner so that it can be recycled or cleaned.
Existing designs for holding, storing or distributing tableware appear to focus mostly on glass or ceramic ware. Disposable tableware has not received similar attention or interest. In general, simply laying them out on table in stacks seems to be the preferred means of their distribution. This method is not only inefficient in that it requires way more space than actually needed, but also takes up valuable table space which could otherwise be better utilized for food containers.
Returns are usually collected in large bins marked for collecting recyclable materials. Users scrape off organic waste in a separate bag and simply toss the recyclables in the recyclables bin. Collecting in this manner inevitably results in huge bags of recycled material. For example a set of 100 10-inch diameter paper plates, which typically comes packaged in a bag not more then 12-inches high when re-collected after use requires a 50-gallon bag which is more than 100-times its original packaging size.
Therefore, what is needed is a convenient, expandable and portable stand that can be configured to cater to the size and needs of the gathering. It should be capable of holding dinner plates which are typically 10.5 inches in diameter, dessert bowls which are about 6 inches in diameter, salad plates which are 8 inches in diameter, drinking cups varying from about 2.5 inches to 4 inches in diameter depending on their beverage holding capacity and whether they are designed for hot or cold beverages. Provision should also be made for holding an assortment of spoons, forks and knives. Space should be available for other accessories such as napkins and stirrers. With napkins, a mechanism to hold them down such as a weighted lever or spring is also needed.
Such a stand should be capable of fitting either on a kitchen table such as in an indoor setting, or alternatively be capable of standing on its own legs or supporting frame in an outdoor setting. It should be able to fit in the trunk of a car for ease of transportation even when fully stocked. Leg attachments or supporting frame make it easy to assemble and disassemble.
The present invention is a storage caddy for disposable tableware designed to facilitate efficient distribution and/or collection of tableware and aims to achieve a high degree of recyclability. It can be assembled in a small enough size for placement on a table top or fit in the trunk of a car for ease of transportation even when fully stocked. It comprises of one or two or more flat platforms attached to vertical legs comprising a structural frame. Accessory holders of various sizes can be attached either to the legs or on platforms. Accessories such as cups, bowls, spoons, forks, knives, stirrers, napkins, and so on can be easily placed in the accessory holders. When attached to legs comprising of either one or two or more pieces of attachable or folding or telescopic type, the caddy can be placed on level ground without need for a supporting table. Legs are equipped with hooks for attaching plastic bags or basket for collecting organic waste or recyclable waste for example. The bottom end of legs can either have a protective cap made of rubber for example, or wheels for ease of mobility.
Multipurpose usage is enabled by creating platforms and support frame to be strong enough to hold heavier items such as beverage containers or tool kits.
The invention accordingly comprises the several steps and the relation of one or more of such steps with respect to each of the others, and the apparatus embodying features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangement of parts that are adapted to affect such steps, all is exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings described herein. Reference is also made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice what is claimed and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
The present invention is directed to a device for dispensing and/or collecting disposable tableware.
As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the presently described subject matter are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.
Specified numerical ranges of units, measurements, and/or values comprise, consist essentially or, or consist of all the numerical values, units, measurements, and/or ranges including or within those ranges and/or endpoints, whether those numerical values, units, measurements, and/or ranges are explicitly specified in the present disclosure or not.
Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The terms “first”, “second”, “third” and the like, as used herein do not denote any order or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The term “or” is meant to be inclusive and mean either or all of the listed items. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings, and can include electrical connections or couplings, whether direct or indirect.
Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising”, “including,” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property. The term “comprising” or “comprises” refers to a composition, compound, formulation, or method that is inclusive and does not exclude additional elements, components, and/or method steps.
The term “comprising” also refers to a composition, compound, formulation, or method embodiment of the present disclosure that is inclusive and does not exclude additional elements, components, or method steps. As stated herein, the term “comprising,” may be substituted, replaced, or interchanged with “consisting essentially of” of “consisting of.” The phrase “consisting of” or “consists of” refers to a compound, composition, formulation, or method that excludes the presence of any additional elements, components, or method steps. The term “consisting of” also refers to a compound, composition, formulation, or method of the present disclosure that excludes the presence of any additional elements, components, or method steps.
The phrase “consisting essentially of” or “consists essentially of” refers to a composition, compound, formulation, or method that is inclusive of additional elements, components, or method steps that do not materially affect the characteristic(s) of the composition, compound, formulation, or method. The phrase “consisting essentially of” also refers to a composition, compound, formulation, or method of the present disclosure that is inclusive of additional elements, components, or method steps that do not materially affect the characteristic(s) of the composition, compound, formulation, or method steps.
Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “about”, and “substantially” is not to be limited to the precise value specified. In some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. Here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and/or interchanged. Such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise.
As used herein, the terms “may” and “may be” indicate a possibility of an occurrence within a set of circumstances; a possession of a specified property, characteristic or function; and/or qualify another verb by expressing one or more of an ability, capability, or possibility associated with the qualified verb. Accordingly, usage of “may” and “may be” indicates that a modified term is apparently appropriate, capable, or suitable for an indicated capacity, function, or usage, while taking into account that in some circumstances, the modified term may sometimes not be appropriate, capable, or suitable.
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used individually, together, or in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the subject matter set forth herein without departing from its scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the disclosed subject matter, they are by no means limiting and are exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the subject matter described herein should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
This written description may use examples to disclose several embodiments of the subject matter set forth herein, including the best mode, and also to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to practice the embodiments of disclosed subject matter, including making and using the devices or systems and performing the methods. The patentable scope of the subject matter described herein is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.
It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, because certain changes may be made in carrying out the above method and in the construction(s) set forth without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.
