II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention.

The present invention relates to silverware collecting devices, and more particularly, to retrieving devices for collecting dirty silverware when clearing tables and taking dirty dishes to a dishwasher.

2. Other Related Applications. The present application claims the priority of the pending U.S. Patent Application No. 15/657,854, filed on July 24 2017, which in turn claims the priority of the pending U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/435, 133, filed on December 16 2016, which are hereby incorporated by reference.

III. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Applicant is not aware of any dirty silverware retrieving devices for eating establishments having the novel features of the present invention.

IV. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a dirty silverware retrieving device for eating establishments, which comprises a container assembly comprising a front wall, first and second sidewalls, a rear wall having a bend and a bottom edge, and a bottom wall, wherein the container assembly collects dirty silverware, and a tension arm that extends from the bend a predetermined distance towards the bottom edge, wherein the tension arm is substantially parallel to the rear wall.

The front wall comprises a top edge, first and second side ends and a bottom edge. The first and second sidewalls comprise first and second lateral top edges and first and second bottom ends respectively. The rear wall further comprises first and second side ends. The bend is upwardly rounded and is defined as an upper end of the rear wall. The bottom wall is slightly smaller than a cavity entrance defined by the top edge, the first and second lateral top edge and the bend. The rear wall is substantially parallel to the front wall. In a preferred embodiment, the front wall is convexly shaped and the top edge is curved upwardly. The first and second lateral top edges have a downward curvature and the rear wall is concavely shaped.

The tension arm comprises an exterior face, an interior face, first and second side edges and a distal end edges. The container assembly is secured within a pocket of apron, whereby the container assembly is positioned within the pocket and the tension arm extends over an exterior wall of the respective pocket. The tension arm has a belt holder defining a channel at the interior face. The belt holder extends from the first side edge to the second side edge. The belt holder secures the tension arm to a belt, while the container assembly is upside to receive utensils.

In a first alternate embodiment, the top edge, the lateral top edges, and the bend are substantially horizontal and on a same plane. In a second alternate embodiment, the sidewalls, and the bottom wall are expandable.

In a third alternate embodiment, the front wall, the first and second sidewalls, and the rear wall define an oval shape.

It is one of the main objects of the present invention to provide a dirty silverware retrieving device for eating establishments.

It is another object of this invention to provide a dirty silverware retrieving device to facilitate the collecting of dirty silverware when clearing tables and taking dirty dishes to a dishwasher.

It is another object of this invention to provide a dirty silverware retrieving device that keeps a busser's hands free.

It is another object of this invention to provide a dirty silverware retrieving device that saves a busser time. It is another object of this invention to provide a dirty silverware retrieving device that reduces accidents from falling silverware and eating utensils when a busser is retrieving or moving them to a dishwasher and/ or cleaning station.

It is another object of this invention to provide a dirty silverware retrieving device that improves a quality of service provided at eating establishments by allowing a busser to stack plates in an easy and safe manner without dirty silverware positioned in between the plates and/ or on a top plate.

It is another object of this invention to provide a dirty silverware retrieving device that in a first orientation is worn in an apron pocket.

It is another object of this invention to provide a dirty silverware retrieving device that in a second orientation is secured by its tension arm.

It is another object of this invention to provide a dirty silverware retrieving device for eating establishments that is easy to wear and remove to allow for easy disposal of dirty silverware and eating utensils at a dishwasher and/ or cleaning station.

It is another object of this invention to provide a dirty silverware retrieving device for improving quality service and customer satisfaction. It is another object of this invention to provide a dirty silverware retrieving device that is volumetrically efficient for carrying, transporting, and storage.

It is another object of this invention to provide a dirty silverware retrieving device that can be readily worn and removed without the need of any special tools. It is another object of this invention to provide a dirty silverware retrieving device, which is of a durable and reliable construction.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a device that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness.

Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.

V. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a rear isometric view of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a top view of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a rear elevational view of the present invention.

Figure 6 is an isometric view of the present invention holding silverware and secured within an apron pocket.

Figure 7 is an isometric view of the present invention holding silverware and secured at its tension arm with a belt.

Figure 8 is a rear isometric view of a first alternate embodiment dirty silverware retrieving device for eating establishments.

Figure 9 is a top view of the first alternate embodiment seen in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a side elevational view of the first alternate embodiment seen in Figure 8. Figure 1 1 is a rear isometric view of a second alternate embodiment dirty silverware retrieving device for eating establishments . Figure 12 is a top view of the second alternate embodiment seen in Figure 1 1.

Figure 13 is a side elevational view of the second alternate embodiment seen in Figure 1 1.

Figure 14 is a rear isometric view of a third alternate embodiment dirty silverware retrieving device for eating establishments . Figure 15 is a top view of the third alternate embodiment seen in Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a side elevational view of the third alternate embodiment seen in Figure 14.

VI. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, the present invention is a dirty silverware retrieving device for eating establishments and is generally referred to with numeral 10. It can be observed that it basically includes container assembly 20 and tension arm 80. Present invention 10 is used by bussers, commis waiters, and waiter's assistants that work in the restaurant and catering industries clearing tables, taking dirty dishes to the dishwasher, setting tables, and otherwise assisting the waiting staff.

As seen in figures 1 , 2, 3, 4, and 5 container assembly 20 comprises front wall 30, sidewalls 40 and 50, rear wall 60 and bottom wall 70. Front wall 30 has top edge 32. In a preferred embodiment, front wall 30 is convexly shaped and top edge 32 is curved upwardly. Front wall 30 further comprises side ends 34 and 36, and bottom end 38. Sidewall 40 is connected to front wall 30 by side end 36, and to rear wall 60 by side end 64. Sidewall 40 has lateral top edge 42 and bottom end 44. Lateral top edge 42 has a downward curvature. Similarly, sidewall 50 is connected to front wall 30 by side end 34, and to rear wall 60 by side end 66. Sidewall 50 has lateral top edge 52 and bottom end 54. Lateral top edge 52 has a downward curvature.

Rear wall 60 is substantially parallel to front wall 30. Accordingly, rear wall 60 is concavely shaped. Rear wall 60 comprises side ends 64 and 66, and bottom edge 68. Bend 62 is upwardly rounded and is defined as an upper end of rear wall 60. It is noted that top edge 32 is positioned higher than bend 62. Tension arm 80 extends from bend 62 a predetermined distance towards bottom edge 68 without reaching bottom edge 68. In a preferred embodiment, tension arm 80 is substantially parallel to rear wall 60. Tension arm 80 comprises exterior face 82 and interior face 83 defined by side edges 84 and 86, and distal end 88. Belt holder 90 comprises channel 92 and is defined at interior face 83. Belt holder 90 is at a predetermined distance from distal edge 88 without reaching bend 62, and extends from side edge 84 to side edge 86.

Bottom wall 70 is defined by bottom ends 38, 44, 54, and 68. Bottom wall 70 is slightly smaller than a cavity entrance defined by top edge 32, lateral top edges 42 and 52, and bend 62.

As seen in figure 6, present invention 10 is in a first orientation, worn in an apron pocket and holding silverware, also defined as eating utensils U. Specifically, present invention 10 is secured within pocket P of apron A, whereby container assembly 20 is positioned within a pocket P and tension arm 80 extends over an exterior wall of the respective pocket P.

As seen in figure 7, present invention 10 is in a second orientation, secured by its tension arm and holding silverware, also defined as eating utensils U. Specifically, present invention 10 is mounted to a user's lower- torso garment G, whereby belt B is positioned through belt holder 90. Tension arm 80 is secured to belt B, while container assembly 20 is upside to receive utensils U.

Present invention 10 therefore facilitates the collecting of dirty silverware, also defined as eating utensils U when clearing tables and taking dirty dishes to a dishwasher. It also facilitates the collecting of dirty silverware when clearing tables while keeping a busser 's hands free, saving the busser time, and reducing noise. Present invention 10 reduces accidents from falling silverware and eating utensils U when a busser is retrieving or moving them to a dishwasher and/ or cleaning station. Present invention 10 also improves a quality of service provided at eating establishments by allowing the busser to stack plates in an easy and safe manner without dirty silverware positioned in between the plates and/ or on a top plate. Present invention 10 is easy to wear and remove to allow for easy disposal of dirty silverware and eating utensils U at a dishwasher and/ or cleaning station. Seen in figures 8, 9, and 10 is a first alternate embodiment of present invention 10. Dirty silverware retrieving device for eating establishments 100 comprises container assembly 120 and tension arm 180. Container assembly 120 comprises front wall 130 with top edge 132, sidewall 140 with top edge 142, sidewall 150 with top edge 152, and rear wall 160 with top edge 162. Top edges 132, 142, 152, and 162 are substantially horizontal and on a same plane. Tension arm 180 extends from top edge 162. Seen in figures 1 1 , 12, and 13 is a second alternate embodiment of present invention 10. Dirty silverware retrieving device for eating establishments 200 comprises container assembly 220 and tension arm 280. Container assembly 220 comprises front wall 230, sidewall 240, sidewall 250, rear wall 260, and bottom wall 270. Rear wall 260 has top edge 262. Tension arm 280 extends from top edge 262. Sidewalls 240 and 250, and bottom wall 270 are expandable. Seen in figures 14, 15, and 16 is a third alternate embodiment of present invention 10. Dirty silverware retrieving device for eating establishments 300 comprises container assembly 320 and tension arm 380. Container assembly 320 comprises front wall 330, sidewall 340, sidewall 350, rear wall 360, and bottom wall 370. Rear wall 362 has top edge 362. Tension arm 380 extends from top edge 362. Front wall 330, sidewalls 340 and 350, and rear wall 360 define an oval shape.

The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense. VII. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

It is evident that an invention such as the dirty silverware retrieving device for eating establishments claimed in the present application is quite desirable because it facilitates the collecting of dirty silverware when clearing tables and taking dirty dishes to a dishwasher while keeps a busser's hands free, saving busser's time. Also, the present invention is quite desirable because it reduces accidents from falling silverware and eating utensils when a busser is retrieving or moving them to a dishwasher and/ or cleaning station, meaning an improvement in the quality of service provided at eating establishments by allowing a busser to stack plates in an easy and safe manner without dirty silverware positioned in between the plates and /or on a top plate. Additionally, the present invention is quite desirable because, in a first orientation is worn in an apron pocket and in a second orientation is secured by its tension arm. Therefore, the invention is easy to wear and remove to allow for easy disposal of dirty silverware and eating utensils at a dishwasher and/ or cleaning station. Furthermore, the present invention is quite desirable because it improves quality service and customer satisfaction. The invention is also volumetrically efficient for carrying, transporting, and storage, it is of a durable and reliable construction, and it can be readily worn and removed without the need of any special tools. It is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness.