Field of the Invention:

The invention is in the field of household food service items and more specifically relates to a combination set-up of disposable utensils and dishes.

Background: Disposable plates and cutlery have been in use for some time. These items offer a convenient way in which to provide plates and utensils for serving food where it is impractical to provide durable plates and utensils made of metal, crockery, or china as these require washing between each use. Disposable plates are typically fashioned from paper, cardboard or plastic. Similarly, disposable utensils are usually fashioned from plastic. These items are relatively cheap and easy to produce. Plates and dishes can be provided in a variety of forms including larger dinner plates for main dishes, smaller side plates for bread, salads or other side dishes, and bowls for items such as soups and other food items that are not well-contained on a traditional flat plate. Disposable dinnerware is especially useful at large gatherings where the typical form of food service is that of a buffet line. Furthermore, research shows more families are turning to disposable dishes and utensils for their family gatherings and even day to day use. One drawback in prior disposable dinnerware is that they are not designed to allow for easy carrying of multiple dishes by a user. For example, if a user progressing along a buffet line were to place food on a dinner plate, bread products on a side plate, and a soup or other items in a bowl, manipulation of the various dishes becomes awkward. Generally, a person can conveniently carry only one item in each hand. This has the disadvantage of slowing down the speed at which diners can be served by a buffet line.

In contrast, a diner may attempt to carry numerous dishes at a time, increasing the risk of dropping one of the dishes. Another approach is to make more than one trip to the buffet line in order to serve all of the items a diner wishes to eat. This again slows down the efficiency of a buffet line as traffic is increased by multiple trips to the buffet table. Yet another approach is to overload a plate in order to obtain every food item one wishes in a single trip to the buffet line.

This has the disadvantage of bringing foods into contact that one might wish to keep separate (bread and other food items such as deserts for example), and risks spillage if the diner is not careful in how they carry their plate from the buffet line to their seating area for eating. Butter packets often are close to hot items and melt prior to use. Lastly, the buffet may provide trays to allow users to carry multiple items at one time. Trays however, are typically not disposable and require a supply of reusable trays be available in sufficient numbers for the size of the group being fed at the buffet. This increases the cost of a food service, takes up extra space on the buffet table, and requires the trays be cleaned after each use.

Another issue is space on the buffet table. Usually, the front is taken up with large dinner plates, smaller salad plates, cutlery, and napkins. These numerous but necessary items for the meal take up much space which could be used much more efficiently if the space was available.

Summary of the Invention:

The invention comprises a novel dinnerware assembly set that permits a user to carry multiple plates at a time, allowing for separation of food items, ease of carrying, and obviating the need to carry cutlery and napkins, or make multiple trips to a serving area. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a dinnerware assembly set optimized for carriage. The dinnerware assembly set allows for combined carriage of multiple dinnerware pieces to a disassembly location and specifically comprises a dinner plate, a side plate, and a set connector comprising a support disc of a diameter approximating the diameter of the side plate and having a plurality of extendible connectors extending from the perimeter thereof, each connector having a releasable connector at the distal end thereof for attachment to an outer edge of the dinner plate. The assembled assembly set comprises the side plate being placed on top of the support disc, the dinner plate placed on top of the side plate, and each of the releasable connectors being attached to the outer edge of the dinner plate whereby upon lifting the dinner plate the extendible connectors allow the side plate to be suspended below the dinner plate permitting the dual-layered transport of items on the dinner plate and the side plate to a disassembly location, where the side plate can be slidably removed from the support disc; and the dinner plate can be placed on a surface directly on top of the support disc.

In some embodiments of the dinnerware assembly set, the set connector would be allowed to rest in position on the surface at the disassembly location beneath the dinner plate, whereas in other embodiments the set connector can be removed from the dinner plate by releasing the releasable connectors when the dinner plate is set down on the surface which will allow the set connector to be removed and the dinner plate to be used in a standard fashion.

Some embodiments of the assembled dinnerware assembly set of the present invention would also include a utensil sleeve attached to the bottom of the dinner plate, permitting the carriage of dining utensils to the disassembly location. Further embodiments of the assembled dinnerware assembly set could include in addition to a utensil sleeve actual dining utensils contained therein, allowing for a fully contained dinnerware set to be transported to a disassembly location by the user and disassembled for meal use at that location.

The support disc of the set connector could be any type of a planar support surface, either a solid plate or a circumferential ring or shape to be used to support the exterior circumference of the side plate. The support disc might be circular, or in other embodiments could be noncircular in shape. It will be understood that any type of a support disc achieving this general objective will be understood to be within the scope of the present invention. The extendable connectors attached around the perimeter of the support disc could be of many different types or assemblies. It is specifically contemplated that the extendable connectors might each individually comprise a spring type connector with the appropriate spring loading characteristics to allow the side plate to be suspended below the dinner plate when transported and optimally or optionally to allow those spring type connectors to extend further upon the loading of the side plate attached thereto via the support disc. Many different types of spring type extendable connectors will be understood to those skilled in the art of design, and all are contemplated within the scope hereof.

In other embodiments the extendable connectors might be manually extendable by the user, upon use of the assembly set, rather than the spring type extendable connector outlined above. A manually extendable or un-lockable to extend connector will also be understood to be within the scope of the present invention.

The extendable connectors each have a releasable mechanism shown as a locking button on the distal end thereof from the support disc, which allow for the lockable attachment and release of the extendable connector from the side edge of the dinner plate. A releasable locking mechanism with the extendable connectors is a variant which is contemplated within the scope of the present invention, although a fixed hook or latch without the need for a lock, or any other type of an attachment mechanism for the extendable connectors or their substituted replacement will be understood to those skilled in the art and are contemplated within the scope of the present invention. A further embodiment of the present invention is a set connector to be used in the assembly of the carriage optimized dinnerware assembly set. The set connector would comprise a support disc of a diameter approximating the diameter of a side plate and having a plurality of extendible connectors extending from the perimeter thereof, each connector having a releasable connector at the distal end thereof for attachment to an outer edge of a dinner plate. The set connector is used by attaching each of the releasable connectors to the outer image of the dinner plate, the support disc then providing a support surface for the side plate which can be placed thereon whereby upon lifting the dinner plate the extendible connectors allow the side plate to be suspended below the dinner plate permitting the dual-layered transport of items on the dinner plate and the side plate to a disassembly location, where the side plate can be slidably removed from the support disc; and the dinner plate can be placed on a surface directly on top of the support disc. As outlined above with respect to the completed assembly set, the set connector could be removed from the dinner plate by releasing the releasable connectors when the dinner plate is set down on the surface at the disassembly location.

The support disc of the set connector, as outlined above, in many embodiments could be of different shapes, circumferences and configurations. Any type of a support disc capable of supporting the side plate in relation to the lower surface of the dinner plate as outlined elsewhere herein is contemplated within the scope hereof. The extendable connectors of the set connector could lengthen as the load on the side plate is increased - by comprising Springs or another similar type of configuration. The spring characteristics of such an extendable connector could be adjusted to accommodate the desired type of side plate in dinner plate, the weight of those empty or loaded dishes and the overall desired behaviour of the set connector in operation as a component of a completed dinnerware assembly set.

In operation of the assembled dinnerware assembly set, as the dinner plate is picked up, the side plate will hang below the dinner plate by extension of the extendable connectors. This will create a space between the two plates and will allow for the user to place items on the side plate as it is suspended beneath the main dinner plate.

The side plate can be slid out from the dinner plate once the user arrives at their seating place. As the dinner plate is set down, the extendable connectors and support disc will return to the underside of the dinner plate allowing for the dinner plate to be sturdy on the table.

Eating utensils, a napkin, toothpick and even salt and pepper packages could also be attached to the underside of the dinner plate in a detachable sleeve so they can be carried without the need for an additional hand. The use of a utensil sleeve to incorporate utensils to the assembly set is contemplated within the scope hereof in varied embodiments. In terms of packaging, the dinner plate, side plate, and utensils can conveniently be provided in single package. In some embodiments a separate plastic or paper sleeve can be included to contain a napkin and utensils.

Description of the Drawings:

While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof, preferred embodiments are provided in the accompanying detailed description which may be best understood with the diagrams where like parts in each of the several diagrams are labeled with like numerals, and where:

Figure 1 is a view of the dinnerware components of a dinnerware assembly set in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a set connector in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 is a bottom view of the embodiment of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the assembly set of the present invention, showing the extension of the connectors and the loaded transport position of the set; Figure 5 is a bottom view of the embodiment of Figure 4, demonstrating the utensil sleeve attached to the bottom of the dinner plate.

Detailed Description of the Invention:

The present invention provides a novel dinnerware assembly set that permits a user to carry multiple plates at a time, allowing for separation of food items, ease of carrying, and obviating the need to carry cutlery and napkins, or make multiple trips to a serving area.

Figure 1 is a view of the dinnerware components of some embodiments of the dinnerware assembly set in accordance with the present invention. The dinnerware assembly set effectively comprises the pieces of dinnerware which would be required for a self-service buffet lineup meal or the like, typically comprising a dinner plate 1, side plate 2, and eating utensils 3. It is the object of the present invention to provide, by use of a set connector 4 in accordance with the present invention a means of consolidated carriage and transport of all of the components of the dinnerware assembly set to a seating or disassembly position for someone to eat their meal once they are served from the kitchen or buffet area. It will be understood to those skilled in the art that the overall concept of the present invention could be modified to accommodate a dinnerware assembly set that comprised different dinnerware pieces - for example instead of the side plate 2, a bowl or the like could be used with attendant modifications to the length of the extendable connectors of the set connector 4 and the like. All such accommodations and modifications will be understood to be within the scope of the claimed invention.

Referring next to the Figures 2 and 3 there is shown one embodiment of a set connector 4 in accordance with the present invention. The set connector 4 is used to assemble the completed dinnerware assembly set 5 of the present invention. The set connector 4 comprises a support disc 6 with a plurality of extendable connectors 7 extending around the perimeter 8 thereof.

The extendable connectors 7 as shown comprise spring coil portions, manufactured of metal, plastic or whatever other type of material is desired for the particular embodiment or purpose. Each extendable connector 7 comprises a releasable connector 9 at the distal end 10 thereof. The releasable connector 9 in some embodiments could be a releasable clip, in other embodiments it could comprise some other type of a hook or latch which could be attached to the outer perimeter of a dinner plate. Any type of a releasable connector 9 which has the ability to attach the set connector 4 to a dinner plate will be understood to be within the scope of the present invention.

In the embodiment shown in this Figure there are a total of three extendable connectors 7 shown. The number of extendable connectors 7 could vary on the size and configuration of the embodiment and a set connector 4 with any number of extendable connectors 7 in the plurality thereof will be understood to be within the scope of the present invention.

The specific points of attachment of the extendable connectors 7 around the perimeter 8 of the support disc 6 will also be understood to be capable of variance depending upon the desired operation of the set connector 4. Specifically, the plurality of extendable connectors 7 could be equidistandy spaced around the perimeter 8 of the support disc 6 or in other embodiments could be positioned such that there was a wider space between two adjacent extendable connectors 7 and their points of attachment to the perimeter 8 of the support disc 6 to provide a wider area for the slide in or slide out of the side plate onto or off of the support disc 6. Equal or not equal spacing of the attachment of the extendable connectors 7 around the perimeter 8 of the support disc 6 will all be understood to be within the scope of the present invention.

The extendable connectors shown are only one type of an extendable connector which could be used and any type of an extendable connector which would achieve the same objective is contemplated within the scope hereof. The extendable connectors could automatically extend on picking up the dinner plate (similar to a spring), or in other cases might comprise an attachment or extender would could be manually extended by the user. As outlined in other points in the specification, the extendable connectors 7 rather than being the coil springs as shown could be manually extendable arms or hinges although the extendable connectors 7 being configured as“automatic” coil springs or the like will be understood to be the more likely desired approach, but both such approaches are contemplated to be within the scope of the invention is designed and claimed.

Figure 3 is a bottom view of the embodiment of Figure 2. The extendable connectors 7 are shown with releasable connectors 9 being clips in these embodiments although other types of releasable connectors 9 as outlined are also contemplated.

The support disc 6 as shown is a planar ring with a hollow centre, capable of supporting a side plate and being manufactured of the smallest amount of material. The support disc 6 could also be a solid disc, without the open Centre and would still be within the scope of the intended claim coverage. Similarly, the outer shape of the support disc 6 may or may not be circular - there could be other embodiments of the support disc 6 which had different outer shapes - for example a support disc 6 with a plurality of extendable connectors 7 in the number of three might be triangular with each extendable connector 7 being attached at a point of the triangle. Any shape of the support disc which had the effect of providing the appropriate points of attachment for the extendable connectors 7 and the appropriate support surface for a side plate in the assembly of the assembled dinnerware assembly set will all be understood to be within the scope of the present invention.

The set connector 4 of the present invention can be used to assemble a completed dinnerware assembly set 5 as otherwise outlined herein using various components of the dinnerware set shown in Figure 1. It will also specifically be understood that the necessary adjustments could be made to the shape and strength of various components of the set connector 4, including the strength of the support disc 6 as well as the spring characteristics or load behaviour of the extendable connectors 7. Again, the modifications necessitated by adjustments to accommodate different types of dishware in the completed dinnerware assembly set will all be understood to be within the scope of the present invention. Referring next to Figures 4 and 5 there is shown one embodiment of a dinnerware assembly set 5 in accordance with the present invention which comprises a dinner plate 1, a side plate 2, and dining utensils 3, along with a set connector 4 and a utensils sleeve 10 attached to the bottom of the dinner plate 1.

The side plate 2 is removably secured below the dinner plate 1 by the set connector 4 which in this case comprises a plurality of three extendable connectors 7 attached to the support disc 6. The support disc 6 provides a planar surface for the support of the side plate 2.

In the embodiment of these Figures, the extendable connectors 7 each have a releasable clip mechanism 9 shown at their distal end 8 which allow for the lockable attachment and release of the set connector 4 from the outer edge of the dinner plate 1. It will be understood that the use of a clip as the attachment means for the extendable connectors 7 is a variant which is contemplated within the scope of the present invention, although a fixed hook or latch without the need for a lock, or any other type of an attachment mechanism for the extendable connectors or their substituted replacement will be understood to those skilled in the art and are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.

As the dinner plate 1 is picked up, the side plate 2 will hang below it, supported by the support disc 6 while the extendable connectors 7 expand. This will create a space between the two plates 1, 2 and will allow for the user to place items on the side plate 2 as it is suspended beneath the dinner plate 1. In this way, a user can use one hand to hold two plates, thus freeing up the other hand for making food selections and carrying a beverage, dessert or some other item. The length of the extendable connectors 7 will lengthen according to the weight of the food put on the smaller plate 2. Sufficient spacing between the underside of the main dinner plate 1 and the side plate 2 suspended beneath it enable a user to place food items such as are typically placed on side plates, for example, salads, bread products, desserts and the like. By using the bottom plate for butter, melting into the hot food is avoided.

Conveniently, the side plate 2 can be slid out from the dinner plate 1 once the user arrives at their seating place, being the disassembly location. As the dinner plate 1 is set down, the extendable connectors 7 and support disc 6 will return to the underside of the dinner plate 1 allowing for the dinner plate 1 to be sturdy on the table. In this way the components can be arranged on a table in a traditional place setting fashion. This would particularly be the case where the extendable connectors or extenders used were automatically retracting.

Eating utensils, a napkin, toothpick and even salt and pepper packages are also attached to the underside of the dinner plate 1 in a detachable sleeve 10 so they can be carried without the need for an additional hand. The use of a utensil sleeve 10 to incorporate utensils to the assembly set 5 is contemplated within the scope hereof in varied embodiments. The assembly set 5 comprising only the plates 1 and 2 and set connector 4 is understood to be within the scope hereof, along with the alternate embodiments incorporating a utensil sleeve 10 and utensils 3. Both such approaches are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.

In terms of packaging, the dinner plate, side plate, and utensils can conveniently be provided in single package. In some embodiments a separate plastic or paper sleeve can be included to contain a napkin and utensils. In some embodiments this sleeve can be attached to the underside of the plate package using adhesive strips or other means to reversible stick the package containing utensils to the packaging in which the plate assembly is placed. The number of extendable connectors 7 used to extend upwards from the support disc 6 could also vary without depending on the embodiment and any number of extendable connectors 7 are contemplated within the scope of the present invention. Also, the extendable connectors 7 could be positioned equidistandy around the outer circumference of the support disc 6, or could in certain embodiments not be evenly spaced around the circumference of the support element in a way that a larger manual access area to place items on the side plate when the assembly set is in the extended carrying position are both contemplated within the scope hereof.

The extendable connectors 7 could also be permanently or removably attached to the support disc 6 used to support the side plate in the assembly set 5. Both a permanently attached set of extendable connectors 7, in conjunction with the support disc 6, or a removeable set of extendable connectors 7 in conjunction with the support disc 6 are contemplated within the scope hereof. In certain cases the extendable connectors 7 could also be directly attached to the circumference of the side plate 2 with a second set of latching or locking attachments, although this is likely not the preferred approach insofar as this would require the removal of those attachments from the side plate when loaded to set down and use the assembly set.

A variety of materials can be used to fashion the components of the assembly set described herein, including paper, cardboard, plastics, metal foils, and combinations thereof. The specific materials used in constructing the components of the assembly set described herein, are not considered limiting to the scope of the invention. Those of skill in the art will readily recognize and be able to select materials and components that will accomplish the objectives of the invention.

It should also be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the scope of the appended claims. In interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. The terms“comprises” and“comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps not expressly referenced.