Silverwear Protective Supports

Abstract

A protective support for an article of silverwear has a body with a lowermost interface to a tabletop and an uppermost region presenting a cradle opening vertically upward for restraining a silverwear utensil, the cradle having a bottom restraint supporting the silverwear utensil, and side restraints constraining the supported silverwear utensil from moving off the support on either side.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The instant invention is in the technical area of apparatus for dining and pertains more particularly to protective supports for silverwear, also termed flatwear.

2. Description of Related Art

In conventional art a dining establishment, such as a restaurant or a bar, for example, when serving a customer, may provide a napkin and place a knife, a fork and a spoon on the napkin at a place setting for a particular customer. A user typically considers the napkin to be purposed for wiping the user's lips or fingers in the process of eating and not to be associated particularly with the silverwear. Accordingly, once the user uses the napkin it is placed aside or in the user's lap, and the silverwear may be on the tabletop. Some establishments may provide the silverwear wrapped in a napkin, either paper or cloth,

Even casual observation reveals that tabletops in dining establishments are not kept clean, at the time of filing this patent application during the COVID-19 pandemic poor care in cleaning tables and placing silverwear on the tabletop may be life threatening for a customer.

What is clearly needed is apparatus and method for assuring that silverwear, which a user will invariably place in the mouth, is provided sterile to a customer in a dining establishment and kept apart from possibly contaminated surfaces of the tabletop.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention a protective support for an article of silverwear is provided, comprising a body having a lowermost interface to a tabletop and an uppermost region presenting a cradle opening vertically upward for restraining a silverwear utensil, the cradle having a bottom restraint supporting the silverwear utensil, and side restraints constraining the supported silverwear utensil from moving off the support on either side. In one embodiment of the invention the body has a plurality of cradles implemented side to side for a plurality of silverwear utensils. Also, in one embodiment the body is molded from a polymer material, the cradles are v-shaped with a flat bottom and angled sidewalls providing a wider entrance than a width of the bottom of the cradle, and wherein the lowermost interface to the tabletop is a flat, planar surface. In one embodiment the body comprises a rearward portion with the cradles implemented therein, and a forward portion comprising a forward support surface at a height less than a height of the flat bottom of the cradles. And in one embodiment the support comprises indicia on the forward support surface in front of each cradle, the indicia indicating a specific silverwear utensil to be supported in the specific cradle associated with the indicia.

In one embodiment of the invention the body is formed of a plurality of rectangular flat sheets joined along edges at angles such that lowermost joined edges may provide the interface to the table top, and uppermost joined edges provide v-shaped cradles opening upward for restraining silverwear utensils. Also, in one embodiment the body is formed from a single flat sheet of metal or polymer to have a forward portion arcing to an uppermost height having an apex, and wherein cradles are depressions implemented side-by-side along the apex of the forward portion, the depressions having a flat central region and raised sidewalls, providing cradles. And in one embodiment slots implemented side-by-side in a direction of the length of the support passing through the forward portion to a specific depth, provide cradles for supporting silverwear utensils, with forward and rearward edges of slots forming bottom of cradles, and side edges of slots forming sides of the cradles.

In another aspect of the invention a method for protecting a silverwear utensil from possible contamination from a tabletop is provided, comprising providing to the tabletop a protective support having a body with a lowermost interface to a tabletop and an uppermost region presenting a cradle opening vertically upward for restraining a silverwear utensil apart from the tabletop, the cradle having a bottom restraint supporting the silverwear utensil, and side restraints constraining the supported silverwear utensil from moving off the support on either side, and placing a silverwear utensil onto the support with a portion of the utensil restrained in the cradle.

In one embodiment of the method the protective support has a plurality of cradles implemented side to side for a plurality of silverwear utensils. Also, in one embodiment the body is molded from a polymer material, the cradles are v-shaped with a flat bottom and angled sidewalls providing a wider entrance than a width of the bottom of the cradle, and wherein the lowermost interface to the tabletop is a flat, planar surface. In one embodiment the body comprises a rearward portion with the cradles implemented therein, and a forward portion comprising a forward support surface at a height less than a height of the flat bottom of the cradles. And in one embodiment the method comprises indicia on the forward support surface in front of each cradle, the indicia indicating a specific silverwear utensil to be supported in the specific cradle associated with the indicia.

In one embodiment the method comprises forming the body from a plurality of rectangular flat sheets joined along edges at angles such that lowermost joined edges may provide the interface to the table top, and uppermost joined edges provide v-shaped cradles opening upward for restraining silverwear utensils. In one embodiment the method comprises forming the body from a single flat sheet of metal or polymer to have a forward portion arcing to an uppermost height having an apex, and wherein cradles are depressions implemented side-by-side along the apex of the forward portion, the depressions having a flat central region and raised sidewalls, providing cradles. And in one embodiment the method comprises implementing slots side-by-side in a direction of the length of the support passing through the forward portion to a specific depth, provide cradles for supporting silverwear utensils, with forward and rearward edges of slots forming bottom of cradles, and side edges of slots forming sides of the cradles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a protective silverwear support in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from above of the silverwear support of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end elevation view of support 100 in the direction of the arrow referring to FIG. 3 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of support 100 in the direction of the arrow referring to FIG. 4 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is the side elevation view of FIG. 4 with a fork supported in an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a silverwear support in an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of yet another silverwear support in another alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7B is a section view of the support of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C is a section along an apex of a forward region of the body o the support in an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a protective silverwear support 100 in one embodiment of the present invention. Support 100 in this embodiment has a forward section 101 and a cradle section 102. Forward section 101 in this implementation has indicia 103, 104 and 105 indicating a fork, a knife and a spoon in order. FIG. 2 is a perspective view from above such that detail of cradle section 102 is more apparent. It may be seen that three cradles are formed in the cradle section, cradle 106 to hold a fork, cradle 107 to hold a knife and cradle 108 to hold a spoon.

In one embodiment support 100 may be injection molded from a suitable polymer material or may be molded in a different way. The support may also be machined from a polymer block, or from a block of metal or other material.

FIG. 3 is an end elevation view of silverwear support 100 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 referring to FIG. 3. This is an end view that clearly shows the three cradles 106, 107 and 108 that are provided for a fork, a knife 107 and a spoon 108. It may be seen in FIG. 3 that the cradles 106 for a fork and 108 for a spoon are wider than cradle 107 for a knife. This is because, in this implementation, the knife is expected to be placed in the cradle with the knife blade substantially vertical, and less width is needed. Further it may be seen in FIG. 3 that the sides of the cradle in each case are angled with vertical, making the cradle opening wider at the top than the width of the cradle at the bottom. A purpose is to have a wider target at the top for placing or replacing a utensil in the cradle, with the angled sides directing the utensil toward the center of the cradle as the utensil is lowered into the cradle.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of support 100 in the viewpoint direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1 referring to FIG. 4. A side view of cradle section 102 and forward section 101 reveals that section 101 provides a support at a lower level than the cradles of the cradle section, and the sections are joined by an angled edge 109 seen also in FIG. 1. It may also be seen in FIG. 4 that an upper surface 110 of forward section 101 is at an angle with horizontal, a purpose of which is to prevent a utensil from sliding forward.

FIG. 5 is the side view of FIG. 4 with addition of a fork 501 placed in cradle 106 with a forward portion of the fork resting on surface 110 of the forward section of the support, and a handle of the fork resting on a bottom surface of cradle 106. A skilled person will understand that a knife placed in cradle 107 with a blade substantially vertical may rest on a bottom surface of cradle 107 with a forward part of the blade resting on surface 110. Also, a spoon placed in cradle 108 may have a handle of the spoon resting on a bottom surface of cradle 108 and a forward part of the spoon resting on surface 110.

The dimensions of support 100 may vary considerably, but are generally smaller than the overall length of a knife, fork or spoon, and the width of the cradles is implemented to have a bottom surface of the cradle just wider than the width of the handle of the utensil meant for a particular cradle.

In the descriptions above there are three cradles, assuming three utensils, assuming a knife, a fork and a spoon. In some circumstances there may be two cradles, or just one, and in some circumstances there may be more than three cradles, to accommodate more than three utensils.

In embodiments of the invention according to the descriptions referring to FIGS. 1-5 the dimensions and shapes of support 100 may be implemented to operate with utensils such that handles of the utensils do not touch a tabletop upon which support 10 may be placed, and forward portions of utensils may also be supported above the tabletop, and not touch. A user may thus be assured that6 any bacteria or virus that may contaminate the tabletop will not transfer to a utensil supported in support 100.

In conventional process in a dining establishment, utensils are typically washed and sterilized between use, and kept in a safe region after sterilization. By the use of he term sterilize in this document, we mean treated as silverwear and other dining utensils are conventionally treated in a dining establishment, which I typically done by hot water or steam, the purpose being to make the treated implements free from bacteria or other living organisms. In the time of a pandemic extra precaution may be taken to keep clean utensils from becoming contaminated before re-use. In processes according to embodiments of the present invention supports 100 may also be washed and sterilized between uses and may be kept clean until reused. In some cases, a server wearing gloves may bring sterile utensils and supports 100 to a table, and arrange a table setting prior to a dining party being seated. In an alternative process the server may bring the support and utensils after a dining party is seated, so the persons may see the placement of the supports and utensils. There may be verbal instructions given for use, or written instructions provided.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a silverwear support 601 according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. Support 601 is implemented with seven planar portions joined along edges of the portions, the portions being elements 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 607 and 608. In this example the planar portions are each rectangular, and the portions are joined along long edges of adjacent portions. Portions 602, 604, 606 and 608 have a common length and width, and portions 603, 605 and 607 also have a common length and width. Angles at joined edges are repeated such that the joined edge between portion 602 and 603, the joined edge between portions 604 and 605, and the joined edge between portions 606 and 607 may all lie on a supporting surface like a tabletop, forming thereby three cradles 609, 610 and 611.

In use utensils may be placed in cradles 609, 610 and 611 and the utensils will be thus supported above a tabletop, making contact only with one or more surfaces of support 601. In some circumstances the length L may be as long as or longer than the length of an individual utensil to be supported. In some other circumstances, length L may be less, so only a forward part of each utensil is contacted with surfaces of support 601.

Support 601 may be mechanically folded from a single sheet of metal or polymer, or separate rectangular portions may be joined along edges to make a finished support. As was described above with regard to FIGS. 1-5 support 601 may be washed and sterilized along with, or in parallel with silver wear, and provided to a tabletop by a server either before or after a dining party is seated.

In one embodiment support 601 may be formed of a heavy paper or reinforced paper material, folded along the edge lines. In the paper implementation support 601 is to be discarded after use but is to be provided to diners in a clean and sterile condition.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of yet another silverwear support 701 in another alternative embodiment of the invention. In this implementation a sheet of suitable material, rectangular is aspect and of a thicken t that may vary in different embodiments from a minimum of about 1/16 inch to about ¼ inch is formed in curved aspect to have a rearward portion 702 and a forward portion 703 that has a curvature that produces a height h with points x, y and z resting on a tabletop or another supporting surface.

Support 701 may be made of a heat-moldable polymer and may be formed to the shape shown. Other materials may suffice as well. Such as metals like copper or aluminum that may be stamped to the shape shown.

Portion 703 has three depressed regions 704a, 704b and 704c that serve as cradles in this embodiment. FIG. 7B is a section of support 701 taken along line 705 that passes through center of region 704c. The section line passes through region 704c, and it may be seen that the section through region 704c presents a straight, horizontal line. This is common as well for regions 704a and 704b.

FIG. 7B is a section through support 701 taken along line 705 of FIG. 7A. The section has been rotated somewhat to show the support resting on a horizontal surface like a tabletop on the three points x, y and z. The section through region 704c illustrates a flat, horizontal line, as a bottom surface of a cradle formed by depressed region 704c.

FIG. 7C is a lateral section through support 701 along a line at the apex of region 703 passing through all three depressed regions 704a, 704b and 704c. It may be seen by this section that the three depressed regions provide each a cradle for a utensil with a flat bottom and raised walls at each side. Support 701 may thus be seen to provide cradles to support three utensils in this example, such as a knife, a fork and a spoon. In other embodiment there may one or two cradles, or more than three. Support 701 may be employed in use much as described above for other embodiments, with the support being cleaned and sterilized between uses, along with utensils, and provided to a table for use.

In one embodiment support 701 may be formed of a heavy paper or reinforced paper material, pressed into the shape illustrated. In the paper implementation support 701 is to be discarded after use but is to be provided to diners in a clean and sterile condition.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of yet another support 801 in an alternative embodiment of the invention. Support 801 is similar in form to support 701 described above, in that the body of the support is made from a sheet of material that may be heat formed or stamped to the shape shown in FIG. 8, having a forward region 803 higher than a rearward regions 802. Cradles in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 are provided by slots 804, 805 and 806 that may be cut through the material of the support. Front and rear edges of each slot provide a bottom for a cradle and left and right edges provide the sidewalls of a cradle. The slots may be provided in different width depending on a utensil a slot is meant to support. In use a utensil may placed in a slot with a forward part of a handle in the slot and the rest of the handle lying on portion 802. Materials may be metal or polymer, or in one embodiment the material may be heavy paper or reinforced paper, as a disposable support.

In one embodiment support 801 may be formed of a heavy paper or reinforced paper material, formed to the shape illustrated. In the paper implementation support 801 is to be discarded after use but is to be provided to diners in a clean and sterile condition.

A skilled person will understand that the embodiments illustrated and described above are entirely exemplary and are not specifically limiting to the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is limited only by the language of the claims.

Claims

1. A protective support for an article of silverwear, comprising: a body having a lowermost interface to a tabletop and an uppermost region presenting a cradle opening vertically upward for restraining a silverwear utensil, the cradle having side restraints constraining the supported silverwear utensil from moving horizontally off the support on either side.

2. The protective support of claim 1 having a plurality of cradles implemented side to side for a plurality of silverwear utensils.

3. The protective support of claim 2 wherein the body is molded from a polymer material, the cradles are v-shaped with a flat bottom and angled sidewalls providing a wider entrance than a width of the bottom of the cradle, and wherein the lowermost interface to the tabletop is a flat, planar surface.

4. The protective support of claim 3 wherein the body comprises a rearward portion with the cradles implemented therein, and a forward portion comprising a forward support surface at a height less than a height of the flat bottom of the cradles.

5. The protective support of claim 4 comprising indicia on the forward support surface in front of each cradle, the indicia indicating a specific silverwear utensil to be supported in the specific cradle associated with the indicia.

6. The protective support of claim 1 wherein the body is formed of a plurality of rectangular flat sheets joined along edges at angles such that lowermost joined edges provide the interface to the table top, and uppermost joined edges provide v-shaped cradles opening upward for restraining silverwear utensils.

7. The protective support of claim 1 wherein the body is formed from a single flat sheet of metal or polymer to have a forward portion arcing to an uppermost height having an apex, and wherein cradles are depressions implemented side-by-side along the apex of the forward portion, the depressions having a flat central region and raised sidewalls, providing cradles.

8. The protective support of claim 7 wherein slots implemented side-by-side in a direction of the length of the support passing through the forward portion to a specific depth, provide cradles for supporting silverwear utensils, with forward and rearward edges of slots forming bottom of cradles, and side edges of slots forming sides of the cradles.

9. A method for protecting a silverwear utensil from possible contamination from a tabletop, comprising: providing to the tabletop a protective support having a body with a lowermost interface to a tabletop and an uppermost region presenting a cradle opening vertically upward for restraining a silverwear utensil apart from the tabletop, side restraints constraining the supported silverwear utensil from moving horizontally off the support on either side; andplacing a silverwear utensil onto the support with a portion of the untensil restrained in the cradle.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the protective support has a plurality of cradles implemented side to side for a plurality of silverwear utensils.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the body is molded from a polymer material, the cradles are v-shaped with a flat bottom and angled sidewalls providing a wider entrance than a width of the bottom of the cradle, and wherein the lowermost interface to the tabletop is a flat, planar surface.

12. The method of claim 1 lwherein the body comprises a rearward portion with the cradles implemented therein, and a forward portion comprising a forward support surface at a height less than a height of the flat bottom of the cradles.

13. The method of claim 12 comprising indicia on the forward support surface in front of each cradle, the indicia indicating a specific silverwear utensil to be supported in the specific cradle associated with the indicia.

14. The method of claim 9 comprising forming the body from a plurality of rectangular flat sheets joined along edges at angles such that lowermost joined edges provide the interface to the table top, and uppermost joined edges provide v-shaped cradles opening upward for restraining silverwear utensils.

15. The method of claim 9 comprising forming the body from a single flat sheet of metal or polymer to have a forward portion arcing to an uppermost height having an apex, and wherein cradles are depressions implemented side-by-side along the apex of the forward portion, the depressions having a flat central region and raised sidewalls, providing cradles.

16. The method of claim 15 comprising implementing slots side-by-side in a direction of the length of the support passing through the forward portion to a specific depth, provide cradles for supporting silverwear utensils, with forward and rearward edges of slots forming bottom of cradles, and side edges of slots forming sides of the cradles.