Patent Grant
10368665
This invention pertains to a unique, versatile system of providing decorative dinnerware (plates, bowls, platters, and the like) with viewable designs on demand. Such a system includes at least one transparent top component of a suitable polymer construction that nests with a lower component such that the two connect reliably in a manner that a user may place a decoration of his or her choosing between both components such that the design may be viewed through at least the top component (the lower component may be transparent, as well, if desired). In this way, a user has the capability of utilizing such a nested dinnerware configuration for the purpose of serving food or any other end-use available with such articles while simultaneously providing any desired design that can be displayed through at least the transparent top component. Such a configuration includes the entirety of the two components such that, if desired, the user may actually utilize both components separately or connected together with or without a decorative design attached. The overall method thus allows a user interchangeability of any suitably sized designs (which may be pre-made or the user may create her own design or designs with properly configured patterns related to the dinnerware shapes and sizes) with the transparent cover components. Multiple articles may be utilized to accord the user the capacity for multiple place settings with similar or different designs presented through such a decorative article system as well. The actual dinnerware designs and thus the capability of providing on-demand designs that may be viewed through such dinnerware articles are also encompassed within this invention.
Decorative plates, and other types of dinnerware, have been utilized for many years, either in terms of providing a suitable aesthetic dish on which food is served, or through a plate that is solely utilized for display purposes. Whether such articles were made from china, stone wear, acrylic, paperboard, or any other like material, the primary manner of providing such aesthetic articles was through a permanent appliqué, painted pattern, or other like manner. As such, a user would have been limited to the pattern or other display provided by the manufacturer, or perhaps applied by the dinnerware purchaser prior to actual use. Basically, then, for many years, a user would be limited to purchased patterns without any viable manner of modifying such decorative displays without permanently effecting the look thereof.
These limited alternatives thus required the user to either rely upon the purchased or self-produced decorative plates, etc., for utilization or forced such a user to purchase different plate materials with differing decorative displays in order to accord aesthetic results that would correlate to certain events. In other words, in order to, for instance, provide a set of plates, bowls, etc., that were related to a birthday celebration, a user would purchase pre-decorated plates or permanently self-decorate such dinnerware for that specific event. Likewise, the same user would most likely choose to purchase plates, etc., for different holiday events as well, ranging from appropriate winter holiday motifs (such as for Christmas, New Year's, Hanukkah, and the like) to Thanksgiving and/or fall decorative dinnerware articles, to Independence Day displays. Such varied events would involve different decorative displays; if the user chose to have such different display results with his or her serving plates, and other articles, again, the past availability of decorative alternatives was basically the purchase of such differently decorated materials and articles. As it is, typically, for instance, a parent will purchase cake plates and bowls with certain designs integrated therein for a child's birthday party based on the motif in which such a child is interested (for example, a 4-year boy might want a train display for his decorations; a 4-year old girl may be interested in a “princess” pattern). Each year, as the child grows older, different designs may be necessary as their tastes change, thereby necessitating the purchase of new, differently decorated plates, etc., for such purposes. As well, if the plates and other articles are disposable, such purchases may add to the litter within landfills over time and require continual manufacturing of paperboard products. Although some consumers may enjoy such purchases, others may not wish to purchase new plates, etc., every year and for every different event.
Furthermore, restaurants and other eating establishments may desire to have different decorative plates, platters, bowls, etc., for such yearly events as well, not to mention the ability to provide customized dinnerware for certain patrons on occasion. In order to do so, in the past, it was typically required that different wares be purchased for such purposes, much like described above.
Certain interchangeable decorations have been and continue to be provided to certain degrees in order to overcome the necessity for separate purchases for different events. Unfortunately, however, such alternative decorative plate (and/or another serving piece) display articles and methods are deficient to the level that large-scale replacement of the typical continual purchase standard has not proven viable. For instance, as alluded to above, there are specific “plain” plates and bowls, at least, that have long been offered for initial decoration and then lamination of a proper cover thereafter to allow a user the capability of decorating such articles themselves. These, however, are permanent in terms of the end decorative result; thus, the user would still need to purchase more such wares for decorative purposes if they chose to have sufficient varieties for different events. Additionally, there have been provided certain plates with removable covers on their underside into which photos or other decorations may be placed with a window built into the middle portion of the upper plate (the “well” of the plate that is flat in relation to the concentric inclined portions surrounding such a portion, for instance) for viewing purposes. Such a decoration alternative does provide a certain degree of versatility to a user in terms of the types of photos/displays that may be introduced within the viewing window in relation to a event. However, such a display alternative is very limited in terms of the amount of decorative display that can be viewed (i.e., limited to the “well” portion of the plate), thus limiting the usefulness thereof. Also, the back cover for such display plates is limited in terms of coverage to the window portion of the upper plate and is not a viable plate or like article itself. Furthermore, there are also full display articles (not serving plates) that include an entire viewing area in an upper plate, but in so doing such a plate provides a bubble portion within such a window that thwarts any utilization as an actual plate itself. As well, the bottom cover thereof is not a plate itself and does not provide a bubble component to match that of the upper plate (i.e., the two components, the “plate” and the cover do no nest together).
In essence, the prior art in the decorative dinnerware industry is rather limited in scope to individual viewing window results, sole display alternatives, and/or the need for purchasing different designs for different events and time frames. There thus exists a noticeable lack of true versatility within the decorative dinnerware art to provide different decorative displays for the entirety of a serving plate on demand and of a temporary, but reliable nature. The provision of a temporary and replaceable design that covers as much as the entirety of a plate that is not only easily viewed and enjoyed aesthetically, but does not interfere or come in contact with any foodstuffs present on such a serving article, and, additionally, allows the user to safely clean the plates involved within a dishwasher or like appliance, has not been accorded within the decorative plate industry to date.
A distinct advantage of the inventive display device is that capability to provide interchangeable designs for viewing over the entirety of a subject dinnerware article (such as a plate, for instance). Another advantage is the capability of utilizing the dinnerware device as an actual serving article as well as the further ability to utilize each dinnerware component as an individual serving piece on its own if desired. Yet another advantage of the inventive display system is the capability of a user to introduce any number of different designs therein within the confines of the dinnerware article dimensions entirely. Still another advantage of the inventive system is the inclusion of a suitable pattern device to allow for proper cut-out structures of designs for temporary introduction and securing within for viewing within the overall dinnerware article structure. Still another advantage of the inventive configurations (for plates, bowls, platters, trays, and the like) is the utilization of two nesting components to allow for even weight distribution and suitable surfaces or vessels for placement of solid and/or liquid foodstuffs (or other items) thereon and/or therein during use. Yet another advantage of the inventive system is the strength, dimensional stability, transparency (of at least the top component thereof), and reliable temporary connection between the subject dinnerware components during use and presentment of decorative designs thereby.
Accordingly, this invention encompasses a display article comprising a first upper component and a second lower component, wherein said first and second components are configured to have the same contours for said components to properly nest together upon placement of said upper component on top of said lower component and upon introduction of an insert between said upper and said lower component, wherein said first upper component is constructed of a transparent and resilient polymeric material such that said insert may be properly viewed throughout the entirety of said first upper component when present between said first upper component and said second lower component. Furthermore, such a configuration may also include the limitations wherein said first upper component includes a peripheral edge that extends to a distance that is longer than the peripheral edge distance of said second lower component and wherein said peripheral edge of said first upper component extends to a point below that of the peripheral edge of said second lower component when said first component and said second component are contacted in nesting relation to one another. In such a manner, the upper component accords a pressure capability to retain the lower component when snapped or otherwise attached into place (if desired, the user may also utilize clips or other like implements to keep the two components together). The lower component may include slight indentations, as well, that allow the user to insert an edged tool of some type in order to separate the two components when needed. The overall construction of the two components, however, allows for repeated pressure attachments for the provision of incorporating and introducing different design inserts between the two components on demand without exhibiting any appreciable loss of strength of such pressure-based connections. The method of utilizing such an interchangeable decorative dinnerware system is also encompassed within this invention.
Such a display article thus allows a user to place a suitable insert (such as a cut-out, picture, photograph, or other type of design) between both components thereby permitting a full view of the placed design through the transparent first component. Since the first (upper) component is entirely transparent, and the design may be placed anywhere between the two components, such a system thus allows for secure, stationary placement of any size or shape design that does not extend past the peripheral edge of the first component, thus allowing for full view of the entire design no matter its size or shape within such confines. With the connections present between the upper and lower components (which, again, may involve pressure means, as well as extensions, such as clips, as one example), then, such an article allows a user to utilize such a dinnerware article for carrying, displaying, removing, or otherwise handling foodstuffs thereon and/or therein just as a usual dinnerware article (such as, as examples, plates, bowls, platters, trays, and the like). The lower component may also be made transparent, if desired, in order to permit complete viewing of a design through both nested dinnerware components during use, as well.
As noted above, the types of dinnerware articles that may be utilized within this inventive system include plates (of any size and configuration, such as circular, square, triangular, oval, etc., basically any suitable geometric shape that allows for nested plate components of substantially similar shape; such plates basically include salad plates, dinner plates, serving plates, saucers, and the like), bowls (of any size, depth, and shape, again, as long as the concentric components fit properly together in a reliable manner; such bowls thus would include, without limitation, soup bowls, salad bowls, cereal bowls, serving bowls, and the like), platters and trays (similarly to the plate possibilities, any suitable geometric shape may be utilized for such alternative dinnerware articles), at least. Such dinnerware should be capable, at least, of providing a suitable surface or vessel for serving foodstuffs of all kinds; alternatively, though, such articles may also be utilized solely or in addition to such food serving purposes as display units for informational or decorative purposes, too.
Using plates, then, as examples of the basis of the inventive designs and configurations, the overall system allows for (again, as merely examples of specific types of dinnerware articles, without limitation as bowls, platters, trays, etc., are also encompassed herein, as discussed above) two concentric plates (preferably, though not necessarily circular in shape; again, any geometric shape may be employed, if desired, as long as the upper and lower plates are of substantially the same shape themselves; thus, triangular, ovular, square, rectangular, trapezoidal, basically any shape, may be employed with this invention). For plates, as well as all other possible types of dinnerware contemplated herein, the term “substantially” as it applies to the shape of the upper and lower components indicates that the same basic geometric shape and size is necessary for proper nesting, with the understanding that the lower component will have a different peripheral edge configuration and slight, but very important, contour differences to the top component in order for such nesting to properly occur. Namely, the peripheral edge of the upper plate should be configured to curve downward such that a suitable annular ridge is present that overlaps the peripheral edge of the lower plate when connected together. Such a design thus creates two important characteristics; the first that the upper plate will always cover the top surface of the lower plate to prevent any appreciable movement of foodstuffs or liquids to enter the area between the upper and lower plate during use and while connected. Such an overlapping lip thus allows one manner of introducing the lower plate into a resilient attachment that may be easily undone manually by the user. If desired, however, the upper plate may include extension posts or other like connection means (such as stationary clips that grasp and hold the lower plate upon proper alignment and applied pressure). Thus, the overall two-piece article (not including the design or designs introduced between such upper and lower plates during use for aesthetic effect) must be of proper form to allow the user the capability of carrying and holding foodstuffs on demand without any further need to grip or manually force upper and lower plate connections to remain in place. The configured peripheral edge designs of both plates compensate for such a necessary outcome leaving the user full range of motion during use while simultaneously permitting a suitable view of the pictures, photos, graphics, etc., introduced there between (unless, of course, covered by any food or other items placed on top of the upper plate during actual use).
The two dinnerware components should further exhibit similar overall configurations in order to permit nesting of the upper and lower components to a degree that sufficient space exists between each component to place the desired design inserts(s) as well as properly retain and hold such inserts in place during use. The peripheral edges of the two components would be the only portions of these components in actual contact with one another as the pressure attachment capability is provided in that manner. The interstitial space between such components is thus extremely small, but sufficient to accord the above-noted insert-holding capability. Thus, in essence, such a minimal space (which may be, for instance, from 1 to 20 mils, as an example, in distance between the upper surface of the lower component and the lower surface of the upper component), is sufficient to hold the desired design inserts in place during utilization. Likewise, if pressure were applied to the external surfaces of the two components during use, such a space allows for some degree of movement of the two components towards one another without any deleterious effect. Basically, the capacity for design insert introduction is permitted through the lack of complete contact between the upper and lower components of the overall display article when in use, although such a space is very limited to the extent that such design inserts will not migrate from a set position once properly placed between both components and the component peripheral edges are attached and secured together.
The overall configurations for the two components may be of myriad types (again, with the limitation that such components will nest together with the proper spacing noted above). Plates, for instance, may be of many different structures (beyond the geometric shapes noted above). For instance, most plates will include a “well” portion in the center (for circular plates, such a well would be a centrally located circular recess) with a raised “doughnut”-shaped portion (the “rim”) of concentric size and shape leading to the peripheral edge. A slope portion (the “frame”) thus connects the doughnut portion to the well portion exhibiting a uniform incline in order to provide the overall and continual symmetry of the plate (particularly if it is circular in nature). Other plates may include a peripheral edge that leads to an impediment-type outer border to prevent food or other items from falling from such a plate if tilted. The border then leads to a wide well portion. Basically, then, plate designs in general may be of any type within this invention with the only requirements being that the upper first plate exhibit complete transparency and that such an upper plate properly nests with its lower plate counterpart and connects therewith to such a lower partner in a reliable and easily detachable fashion upon manual activation.
In this manner, coupled with the connection capability of the two plates, such an overall two-piece article may serve in tandem as a single plate and separately as two distinct plates that may serve substantially the same purpose and perform in the same manner as well. In other words, the two plates would be of substantially the same shape, size, weight, and configuration with the only slight differences in the peripheral edges, as noted above, as well in the angle of the incline of the plates leading from their peripheral edges to a central well portion. Such a specific configuration is unique in the decorative plate industry as prior transparent display techniques have involved central windows within a single upper plate with no lower plate, but a securing cover instead being utilized. The ability for the user to provide a design, picture, photo, etc., throughout the entirety of the upper plate, rather than for a discrete region or area of the plate, has heretofore been unavailable. This unexpectedly effective and good result that allows the user free reign to decorate such an entire plate breadth stretches the aesthetic possibilities for a user beyond all previous attempts. As well, the capability of full decorative effect permit's the utilization of a stencil or outline system that permits exact layouts for certain portions of the transparent plate system, thereby further granting nearly infinite capacity for creative license to the user for such aesthetic purposes.
Therefore, the two plates must be constructed from a suitable material that is transparent, resilient, washable, and sufficiently flexible in order to allow for pressure activation of the connection means between the upper and lower plates, but with the further requirement that peripheral edge attachments will prove reliable (i.e., will not lose dimensional stability and thus lead to disengagement or otherwise undesirable loosening of such connections) during actual use). A standard glass structure, although transparent in nature, would not exhibit the proper flexibility and would also likely be too heavy (particularly with two plates in use simultaneously) for proper use (at least the resiliency of two plates thin enough for proper weight requirements would be too brittle, as well, to meet the criteria). Thus, the plates are preferably made from a suitable polymeric material, preferably a polymer that can meet a certain transparency and low haze level (to allow for proper viewing of the design, picture, photo, etc., introduced between the upper and lower plates during use) as well as the necessary flexibility and dimensional stability to permit the plate-to-plate connection without any need for outside connectors. As such, it was found that polyolefins and polycarbonates provide the best results for such benefits. Linear, low-density polyethylene (LLDP), polypropylene, and polycarbonate, in particular, meet such limitations, while polycarbonate, in particular, provides one potentially preferred embodiment in that manner.
As noted above, such descriptions for plate alternatives with the overall dinnerware possibilities actually provide suitable explanations of the same configuration necessities for the other types of articles encompassed herein within the invention. Thus, in terms of bowls, for example, the same peripheral edge requirements are needed (top component extends over the lower component), the contours of the inclines of both the top and lower components are slightly different to allow for proper nesting, and the overall shape of both components are the same. With a top transparent bowl component, then, a design may be introduced between the top and lower components for viewing throughout the entire top portion. The lower bowl component, however, may also be transparent for total view of the decorative display from any vantage point. The same issues, then, would be in place for platters, trays, and any other like serving article in the dinnerware genre (cake holders, for instance, even deviled egg and other like differently shaped articles may be configured in such a manner to permit such a removable and reusable decorative display, if desired). As long as the proper peripheral edge requirements are followed (to permit, again, proper connection between the top and lower components), as well as the necessary difference in inclines between the top and lower components for substantial nesting provisions between the two, then such dinnerware articles meet the limitations of the inventive system.
Thus, the actual design inserts that may be introduced between the upper and lower components of the inventive dinnerware articles may be of any type as long as they are of a substance that will be properly retained in a stable form and sufficiently flat to permit placement and secured retention within the space between the upper component and lower component when they are properly connected together. Thus, solid forms of any type (again, with the proper flat characteristics), beads, even possibly properly encased liquids (such as flat sachets of colored fluids, as one example), colored sand or other like particulate material that may form an aesthetic pattern, and even free flowing colored liquids, basically, again, any substance that may fit within the space between the two components for display purposes and that may be retained therein during use. With, for instance, bowl articles, the higher levels of the top portions thereof would more easily hold free flowing (liquid, sand, etc.) materials than the other types of dinnerware articles, certainly. However, the sealed capability of the connections between the peripheral edges of the upper and lower dinnerware components may be sufficient to retain such free flowing materials within the confines of the interstitial space such that utilization of such an alternative design insert is well within the scope of this invention. The term “insert” or “design insert” for this invention thus encompasses any such solid or liquid material for such a purpose.
As more specific, non-limiting examples of such design inserts, paper cut-outs of any type could be utilized, including those to which a user has applied his or her own designs, as long as, again, such cut-outs comply with the size limitations of the components themselves. Thus, the designs may occupy as little or as much of the available area underneath the top component (and thus on top of the lower component) as desired, as long as such a design does not extend beyond the peripheral edges thereof. Furthermore, depending on the type of dinnerware article selected, separate cut-outs may be undertaken of suitable and appropriate designs by the user and placed within the confines of certain spaces associated with the dinnerware article itself. For instance, with a plate article, the user may decide to provide a cut-out that conforms to the size and shape of the well portion, while the doughnut or outer portion (rim) of the plate may includes a separate design, thus allowing for the full expanse of the base display article but with separate designs introduced between the two plate components in such a manner. There is, simply put, no limit to the designs, photographs, pictures, etc., that may be introduced between the two components of the inventive system and article, thus creating the unexpectedly good versatility and effectiveness thereof. Only the user's imagination limits the overall utility of such an article, in other words.
Additionally, supplies of properly shaped design inserts may be provided by outside sources (such as from craft stores) that are specifically formatted for utilization with the inventive display system. As well, a user may also be able to access the Internet to search for proper design inserts in the same manner, if desired. The display article may also be supplied with suitable patterns (or stencils) to allow for proper cut-outs or other like configurations of any number of different material types for utilization with the system, too. Such patterns may be standard in shape for the type of article involved (for instance, formatted to the well and rim of a plate, or the well of a tray, etc.), or other patterns may be provided that do not conform to specific article shapes, yet still allow for configurations that will fit within the confines of the display article when in use (i.e., viewable through the top component and does not exceed the length of the peripheral edge of the top component). Thus, even with the patterns that may be followed to accord suitable cut-outs, etc., for the design inserts, myriad, if not limitless, possibilities exist and fit within the broad scope of this invention.
Without any intention of limiting the scope and breadth of the invention described herein, certain potentially preferred embodiments are presented below in accordance with the drawings in support thereof.
The second lower plate 30 is shown in
Thus, the overall display article, method, and system permits a user the full complement of the expanse of a plate, bowl, tray, basically any type of dinnerware implement with which to provide a temporary, interchangeable, insert of any design that is viewable through at least the upper dinnerware component itself. The upper component plate must be transparent in its entirety to effectuate such a result, with a proper connection means between the two components to allow for full range of use upon a reliable connection there between. The lower component may be transparent as well, if desired, and as potentially preferred. Furthermore, the two dinnerware components may not only be easily and safely cleaned within a dishwasher for further use, but both components may actually be utilized separately as implements on their own if such a need arises. This versatility, then, of providing such an effective display article with all the other benefits accorded therein, is highly unexpected and of great utility.
Having described the invention in detail it is obvious that one skilled in the art will be able to make variations and modifications thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be determined only by the claims appended hereto.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3515262 | Ornstein et al. | Jun 1970 | A |
| 4275518 | Martin | Jun 1981 | A |
| 4500573 | Piaggi | Feb 1985 | A |
| 4928411 | Danis et al. | May 1990 | A |
| 5047267 | Pantaleo et al. | Sep 1991 | A |
| 5057344 | Mealey | Oct 1991 | A |
| 5560653 | Beppu | Oct 1996 | A |
| 6401962 | Littlejohn et al. | Jun 2002 | B1 |
| 7093832 | Parker | Aug 2006 | B2 |
| 7163311 | Kramer | Jan 2007 | B2 |
| 7673753 | Huckert | Mar 2010 | B1 |
| 20120171647 | Samenuk et al. | Jul 2012 | A1 |
| 20130026161 | I | Jan 2013 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 0215757 | Feb 2002 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20140166667 A1 | Jun 2014 | US |
