A device according to the invention is especially but not exclusively suitable for use as an eating vessel for use with hot foods. Hot foods are usually eaten from plates, or dishes of appropriate configuration and size. Plates and dishes in general use, typically, are designed to be used when placed on a flat surface such as a dining table. They are liable to heat up when hot food is placed on them, and because of this, they are very difficult to hold in the hand for any length of time during use with hot foods. It is therefore uncomfortable to use such a plate while the user is participating in activities where no flat surface is available on which to place the plate, for example during leisure activities.

Various arrangements for overcoming this problem using handles located below the plate are described for example in French Patent Application No 2692125 and US Patent No. 2,723, 068.

However, the handle arrangements may be awkward to deal with and may make it difficult to rest the plate down on a flat surface.

Furthermore, complete isolation of the hand from the hot undersurface of the plate may not be entirely eliminated.

The present invention provides a device comprising a vessel portion which may be charged with hot material, and a detachable support platform located below the vessel portion and spaced therefrom so as to define a gap therebetweeh, the gap having an opening in at least one side.

The provision of such support platform below the vessel portion allows the device to be held in a hand by a user, without the hand substantially contacting the vessel portion. The open gap between the lower surface of the vessel portion and the upper surface of the support platform provides an insulating air gap preventing heat transferring downwards. Therefore it may be held

comfortably in the hand, even while holding hot material in the vessel.

Preferably, the gap defined between the lower surface of the vessel portion and the upper surface of the support platform define a gap, which has at least two openings, providing an air flow passage allowing air to flow freely through the gap. This flow of air further improves the heat insulation.

The word"comprising"where used herein is intended to encompass both the notion of"including"and the notion of"consisting essentially of".

The vessel portion of a device according to the invention is preferably an eating or drinking vessel and is preferably in the form of a plate, dish, cup or mug, and most preferably a plate.

In the device according to the invention, the support platform is preferably a flat platform which will allow the plate to be supported on a table or other flat surface when not in use.

The support platform is detachable from the vessel portion. The detachable support platform and its attachment to the vessel portion are suitably sufficiently sturdy to enable the user to hold the device with the vessel portion uppermost for access to material held on it without spilling the material.

If necessary or desired, one or more support columns can be provided in the gap to ensure that the vessel portion is held rigid. These support columns may extend downwardly from the vessel portion or upwardly from the support platform, but should abut both these when the support platform is in place.

In one embodiment, the support platform is slideably mounted below the vessel portion. In a preferred embodiment, the support platform is arranged to"push fit"or"snap fit"below the vessel portion. If desired, interconnecting lugs and slots may be

provided to assist with the fitting together of the support platform and the vessel portion.

The lower surface of the platform may have a serrated or roughened surface to prevent slippage when held in the hand or supported on a flat surface.

Alternatively, the platform may further comprise gripping means, such as a handle or protuberance shaped for gripping by one hand, on its lower surface. The gripping means is suitably provided with a flat lower surface, which allows the vessel with the support platform in position to be rested on a surface.

The support platform is constructed and/or arranged such that a hand holding the device is at least somewhat insulated from heat emanating from the vessel portion. Thus gripping means where present is preferably formed of a heat insulating material and is preferably of a plastics material.

In the vessel of the invention, an air gap is created between the support platform and the vessel portion, thus assisting insulation of the hand contacting the support platform from heat emanating from the vessel portion.

A device according to the invention is preferably constructed and arranged in such a way that the means for attaching the support platform to the vessel portion does not interfere with placement of the device on a flat surface with the vessel portion uppermost for storage or for charging of the vessel portion.

To this end the support platform itself, or attachment means for detachable support platforms are suitably housed within the envelope of a supporting base portion mounted below the vessel portion and secured thereto.

The base portion may be formed with or secured to the vessel portion. The base portion is preferably cut away at the centre of the vessel portion, allowing a hand access underneath the

vessel portion. The base portion may be defined by legs or, more preferably, by one or more suitably configured skirt portions.

The support platform is preferably mounted for removal and replacement as desired within the base portion.

For example, where the support platform is slideable, it is suitably mounted within grooves provided in the inner surface of the base portion. The grooves may be channelled into the surface of the base portion, or more preferably, they are defined by a pair of suitably shaped projections.

Alternatively, where the support platform is a"push fit"or "snap fit"type, it is suitably provided with an upwardly projecting flange, arranged to cooperate with the base portion.

Preferably the flange is profiled such that application of pressure causes an increasingly snug fit between it and the base portion.

Releasable locking means may be provided and arranged to engage the support platform when it is in position under the vessel portion. These may comprise a releasable locking element, which engages the platform when in position under the vessel portion.

Alternatively, the support platform itself may be constructed of a resilient material, which is deformable to allow the platform to be inserted into or withdrawn from the grooves, but which returns to a position in which it retains platform in position, when not subject to a deforming pressure.

If required, the platform may be provided with an easy release mechanism, such as a groove or lip, which will assist in removing the platform from the grooves. Suitably such a mechanism will be arranged on the platform such that it is in the region of an open region of the support means when the platform is in position.

Where the support platform comprises detachable gripping means as described above, the attachment means such as the clip or hinge arrangement for these gripping means is suitably arranged so that it does not extend below the lower surface of the support

platform. Thus when the handle or protuberance is removed, the vessel can be supported on a table or flat surface in the usual way. Preferably however, the gripping means is integral with the support platform.

A device according to the invention may be formed of any convenient number of parts. Preferably, the vessel portion and the base portion are of integral construction and may be formed from a type of plastic, such as polythene or melamine.

In a preferred device hereinafter described by way of example, the vessel portion has a base portion which provides depending support means in the form of a skirt portion extending below the vessel portion, which extends from the circumference of the underside of the vessel portion to define a raised hollow base.

The skirt portion is so arranged that the device may be supported on it when the device is placed on a flat surface such as a table. It may be integral with the plate or it may be separate from it and fixable for example to the lower rim of a conventional plate.

The interior of the skirt portion is provided with grooves designed to slideably receive a platform, which may be slid into and out of the base through a space between end portions of the skirt portion.

The platform may be provided with gripping means as aforesaid, which may be formed integrally with the platform or detachably attached thereto.

In this embodiment, the simples gripping means envisaged is provided by the lowermost surface of the platform which is intended to be supported in the palm of one hand and may be somewhat roughened in order to minimise slipping of the platform on the hand. Other configurations of gripping means include handles and the like as referred to above.

A device according to the invention may be used for a variety of purposes and is especially useful as a domestic eating vessel for use with solid or liquid foods. In one preferred form the vessel portion is shaped as a plate. The device offers protection to the supporting hand from the build up of heat from the food that is placed upon it. It can be held comfortably and stably in the hand, and can therefore be used to eat meals during leisure activities such as barbecues. The raised base or support is capable of being placed on a flat surface and also enabling the platform to be inserted inside it, enabling an air gap to be created between the surface and the underside of the plate, restricting the transfer of heat so that it can be held comfortably away from the dining table. The plate can be held underneath by the handle or other holding mechanism, enabling food to be eaten comfortably while the person is engaged in other activities such as watching television. Platforms with different holding mechanisms may be inserted inside the base depending on the environment in which the plate is being used.

Further aspects of the invention comprise elements for use in the device, such as support platforms for use in the device of the invention, and vessel portions for use in the device of the invention.

The invention will now be particularly described by. way of example with referent to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a sectional diagram of the illustrative device prior to completion by insertion of a platform thereto, Figure 2 is side view of the illustrative device viewed from the right hand side of Figure 1 prior to completion by insertion of a platform thereto, Figure 3 is sectional diagram of the illustrative device after insertion of a platform (10),

Figures 4,5, 6 and 7 show alternative platforms having different configurations of gripping portions Figure 4 shows a platform (10') in which the lowermost surface of the platform (which is intended to be supported in the palm of one hand) is somewhat roughened in order to minimise slipping of the platform on the hand.

Figure 5 shows a platform (10'') in which the gripping portion is shaped as a protuberance, adapted to lodge between two fingers, Figure 6 shows a platform (1O''') in which the gripping portion is shaped as a cranked handle, Figure 7 shows a platform (10'''') in which the gripping portion is shaped as knob, Figure 8 shows a platform (101"11) in which the gripping portion is shaped as a further support platform, Figure 9 is a top view of an embodiment of a vessel according to the invention, Figure 10 is a section on line A-A of Figure 9, Figure 11 is an end view of the embodiment of Figure 9, Figure 12 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 9, Figure 13 is a bottom view of the embodiment of Figure 9, and Figure 14 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figures 9 to 13.

The illustrative device comprises a vessel portion in the form of a plate (1) having an upper rim (2). A raised base portion (3) is provided below the plate and is integral with the plate (1).

The raised base portion (3) is substantially annular, with edges

that run around much of the circumference of the underside of the plate surface, defining a space (7) below the centre of the plate. This space (7) allows a hand access underneath the plate (1).

One side (6) of the base portion (3) is open (see also Fig 2).

The base portion (3) is arranged to provide support for the device when the device is placed on a flat surface such as a table. The base portion (3) is provided with an interior groove (9) designed to receive edge portions (11) of a platform (10) which may be slid into and out of the base portion through the open end (6).

The platform (10) is held inside the base portion by a small plastic catch (12) located at the open end (6) of the base, which clips over an edge portion of the platform (10). As plastic is a bendable material, this catch (12) is easily moved aside when the platform is inserted inside the base portion (5), and moved aside again when the platform (10) is removed from the base portion.

The catch (12) is optional for instance, when the base portion (3) is of a resilient plastic material, as this may be deformable to allow the platform to be inserted into the groove (9). Once the platform is in position, the base portion relaxes, and encloses the platform so as to partially enclose the platform, holding it in position.

The groove (9) enables the platform (10) to sit snugly inside the base portion (3). In the illustrative device, once inserted, the upper surface of the platform (10) is approximately 5 mm from the underside of the lower surface of the plate (1), creating an open air-gap (8).

At least the base portion (3) and platform (10) are of heat insulating plastics material.

The platform (10) may be provided with gripping means in the form of a handle (14) formed integrally with the platform. Platforms (10', 10'', 10''', 10'''', and 10''''') having gripping means as

shown in any of Figures 4 to 8 may be employed instead of that shown in Figure 3. The gripping means of Figure 8 is particularly preferred as this allows the vessel to be supported on a flat surface even when the gripping means is in position.

In Figure 5, the gripping means is a protuberance, which is designed to lodge between the fingers when the plate is held in the hand. Compression of the fingers on either side of the protuberance will allow the plate to be securely held. One or more such protuberances may be provided.

In use, one may place the base portion (3) (and the plate secured to it) on a flat surface and charge it with hot food. The platform (10) may then be inserted into the base portion and the device held by the handle (14) during eating. In the case where the platform is as shown in any of Figures 4 to 7, the platform (10'', 10", 10", 10"''") may be inserted into the base portion (3) before the plate is charged with hot food because the gripping means thereof are wholly contained within the base portion (3). The construction and arrangement of the device is such that, the hand holding the device is insulated from heat emanating from the plate, not only due to the selection of materials employed but also due to the air gap (13) created between the upper surface of the platform (10) and the lower surface of the plate (1).

In an alternative form of illustrative device the platform (10) is omitted and gripping means as shown in any of Figures 6 to 7 is attached directly to the underside of the vessel portion.

In the illustrated embodiment, the base portion (3) is integral with the plate. However, this may be provided as a separate entity which fits onto a conventional plate, for example by snap fitting over a rim on the base of the plate.

In the embodiment of Figure 9, a substantially rectangular plate (15), preferably of a plastics material, is provided with a shaped rim (16) with flattened grip regions (17) at either side.

The plate (15) is provided with a downwardly extending flange (18) (Figure 10), which is profiled such that it makes increasingly snug fit with an upwardly projecting profiled flange (19) of a support platform (20) as the latter is pushed upwards.

A gap (21) is defined between the plate (15) and the support platform (20) when the latter is fully pushed into place, which has openings (22) (Figure 12) on two opposed sides of the plate, so as to provide an airflow passage under the plate (15) (Figure 14), which provides good heat insulation.

The platform (20) is provided with an integral downwardly extending gripping platform (23). The gripping platform (23) and has a substantially flat lower surface (24) (Figure 13), provided with small feet (25) which hold the device slightly above a surface on which it is placed. They may also reduce slip. The surface (24) is of sufficient size, to support the device when placed on a flat surface.

In this embodiment, a set of four interconnecting lugs and slots (shown as 29). are provided, one in the downwardly extending flange (18) and the other in upwardly projecting profiled flange (19) to assist in holding these two together in a snap-fit arrangement.

The gripping platform (22) is spaced from the support platform by a pair of hollow pillars (26,27). Each pillar (26, 27) is elongate and extends substantially across the width of the gripping platform (23) (Figure 11).

If necessary, one or more support columns or struts (28) can be provided in the gap (21) in order to strengthen the structure and an example is shown in dotted lines in Figure 12.

In use, the plate (15) may be loaded with hot food, either before or after, but preferably before being positioned on the support platform (20). This is achieved, simply by pushing the two together until the flanges (18,19) become sufficiently engaged to prevent accidental removal. The device can then be held by means of the gripping platform (23), so that the hand does not contact that plate (15), and is also well insulated therefrom.