FOOD AND DRINK PLATE

Abstract

A plate includes a main body having a top surface, a first physical depression formed on the top surface, a second physical depression formed on the top surface at a position at one side of the first physical depression, and a through thumbhole formed on the main body at a position which is spaced apart from the first physical depression and the second physical depression, wherein the thumbhole and the second physical depression are formed on the same side with respect to the first physical depression.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/599,592 filed Feb. 18, 2012 which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a container and more particularly, to a food and drink plate which may enable a user to comfortably support and hold both food and beverage items in one hand.

A conventional plate usually includes a plate body defining a rim portion, at least one food supporting section, and a beverage supporting section for supporting a predetermined amount of food and a beverage item respectively. The food supporting section and the beverage supporting section may be slightly depressed with respect to the rim portion.

A major disadvantage for this type of conventional plate is that when a user has put food on the food area and a beverage item, such as a cup, on the beverage area, the plate may become very difficult to carry. Specifically, since the food and the beverage item may have different weight, it is very difficult for a user to hold the plate by using one hand only. When the user carries the plate from one place or another, the plate may become imbalanced and may tend to fall from the user's hand. As a result, the user may need to use both hands to hold the rim portion of the plate at two sides thereof respectively in order to prevent the plate from falling.

On the other hand, if the plate is fully accommodated with food and beverage items, it may become too heavy for some users. Conventional plates or trays do not have any specifically designed features for reducing or minimizing fatigue on the part of the user. As can been seen, there is a need for developing a plate which is capable of allowing a user to hold it by single hand while reducing or minimizing fatigue on that hand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a plate comprises a main body, a top surface of the main body, a first physical depression formed on the top surface, a second physical depression formed on the top surface at a position to one side of the first physical depression, and a through thumbhole formed on the main body at a position which is spaced apart from the first physical depression and the second physical depression, wherein the thumbhole and the second physical depression are formed on the same side with respect to the first physical depression.

In another aspect of the present invention, a plate comprises a main body, a top surface of the main body, a first physical depression formed on the top surface, a second physical depression formed on the top surface at a position at one side of the first physical depression, a through thumbhole formed on the main body at a position which is spaced apart from the first physical depression and the second physical depression, wherein the thumbhole has a leading edge and a trailing edge, a through hole formed on the beverage area defined by the second physical depression, and a stemware slot extended from the through hole to a side circumferential edge of the main body, wherein a leading edge of the thumbhole is positioned in proximity to an edge of the second physical depression to allow at least a finger of a hand to support a beverage glass disposed on the beverage area when a thumb is in the thumbhole.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective top view of a food and drink plate in use according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a perspective top view of the plate of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the plate of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the plate of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the plate taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the plate taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 6 is a perspective bottom view of the plate of FIG. 1B; and

FIG. 7 is a side view of the plate of FIG. 1B in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. However, any single inventive feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or may only address one of the problems discussed above. Furthermore, one or more of the problems discussed above may not be fully addressed by any of the features described below.

Referring to the Figures in general, references to elements in subsequent Figures called out in previous Figures will be understood as referring back to the previous Figure(s).

As shown in FIG. 1A to FIG. 1B, and FIG. 2 to FIG. 7 of the drawings, broadly, one embodiment of the present invention generally provides a container, such as a food and drink plate, that may enable a user to comfortably support and hold both food and beverage items in one hand. The plate 10 may include a main body 100 having a top surface 101, a first physical depression 120 formed on the top surface 101, a second physical depression 140 formed on the top surface 101 at a position apart from and at one side of the first physical depression 120, and a through thumbhole 20 formed on the main body 100 at a position apart from the first physical depression 120 and the second physical depression 140, wherein the thumbhole 20 and the second physical depression 140 are formed sidewardly with respect to the first physical depression 120. The first physical depression 120 may formed in front of the thumbhole 20 along a longitudinal axis thereof. As an exemplary illustration, when a user is holding the plate 10 by his left hand, the first physical depression 120 is formed at a right side of the thumbhole 20, while the second physical depression 140 is formed in front of the thumbhole 20.

FIG. 1A illustrates one embodiment of the plate 10 in use. As shown, a user may grasp the plate 10 with a single hand 22 while holding both a beverage glass 24 and one or more food items 26 simultaneously. Referring to FIG. 1A to FIG. 1B of the drawings, the first physical depression 120 is formed on the top surface 101 of the main body 100 to define a continuous first sidewall 121, a food area 12 bounded by the first sidewall 121, and a food cavity 123 defined between the first sidewall 121 and the food area 12. This food cavity 123 may be used for accommodating one or more food items 26.

Similarly, the second physical depression 140 is formed on the top surface 101 of the main body 100 to define a continuous second sidewall 141, a beverage area 14 bounded by the second sidewall 141, and a beverage cavity 143 defined between the second sidewall 141 and the beverage area 14. This beverage cavity 143 may be used for accommodating the beverage glass 24.

The food area 12 may be positioned on a portion of the main body 10 that is not occupied by the thumbhole 20 or the beverage area 14. The food area 12 may be positioned at one side of the thumbhole 20 and the beverage area 14.

The first sidewall 121 may extend from the top surface 101 of the main body 100 to the food area 12. This first sidewall 121 may be configured to prevent the food items 26 from sliding out of the food area 12 when the plate is being carried. Similarly, the second sidewall 141 may also be extended from the top surface 101 of the main body 100 to the beverage area 14. This second sidewall 141 may prevent the beverage glass 24 from flipping over and falling from the plate 10.

The beverage area 14 may have a circular cross section and may be configured to accommodate both stemware and non-stemware beverage glasses 24. In order to accommodate stemware, the plate 10 may have a through hole 16 formed on the beverage area 14 defined by the second physical depression 140, and a stemware slot 18 extended from the hole 16 to a side circumferential edge 102 of the main body 101 for accommodating a stem 241 of the beverage glass 24. A surrounding sidewall 161 of the hole 16 may be beveled or slanted for fitting a corresponding slanted shape of a bowl portion 242 of the beverage glass 24. The stemware slot 18 may be extended from the side circumferential edge 102 of the main body 101 to a center of the hole 16.

Non-stemmed beverage vessels may simply rest on the beverage area 14 in the second physical depression 140. An insert or cover (not shown) may be placed on top of the hole 16 for narrow beverage vessels.

The thumbhole 20 may be large enough to accommodate a human's thumb to allow the base or the surrounding muscles of a user's thumb to be in contact with the edges of the thumbhole 20. The thumbhole may have a leading side edge 201 and a trailing side edge 202 which are both beveled in order to make a user's contact as comfortable as possible. In this regard, a cross sectional shape of the thumbhole should correspond to a shape of the user's thumb so as to allow the user's thumb to pass through the thumbhole with ease. For example, the thumbhole 20 may have a substantially oval shape for fitting the user's thumb and the knuckles adjacent the user's thumb.

The plate 10 may have a low profile in order to make several plates easy to be stacked and cleaned in a commercial or household dishwasher. In other words, the first physical depression 120 has a first protrusion 124 formed at a bottom side of the plate 10 which corresponds to the indentation formed by the first sidewall 121 and the food area 12, while the second physical depression 140 has a second protrusion 144 formed at a bottom side of the plate which corresponds to the indentation formed by the second sidewall 141 and the beverage area 14. The first protrusion 124 and the second protrusion 144 may be received in the food cavity 123 and the beverage cavity 143 of another plate 10 so as to facilitate stacking of at least two plates 10.

The size, depth and shape of the food area 12 and the beverage area 14 may vary as long as the orientation and spatial relationship of the first physical depression 120, the second physical depression 140, and the thumbhole 20 are maintained. The plate 10 may be made of anti-slipping material such as plastic material for preventing unwanted movement of the plate 10 with respect to an external object, such as when a plurality of plates 10 is stacked together.

The first physical depression 120, the second physical depression 140 and the thumbhole 20 may be physically interrelated for ergonomic comfort in order to increase balance and reduce fatigue when a user is holding the plate 10. The placement and orientation of these three components may enable a user's hand 22 to be more or less centered underneath the weight of the plate and the items placed upon it. The thumbhole 20 may enable the user to create both a comfortable grip and positive torque necessary to support the weight of the plate 10 in a fatigue-reducing manner. In order to maximize the comfort of holding the plate 10 and its items with one hand, the three components may be aligned in a manner that ensures the dynamic physical relationship between them.

For example, the inner edge of each component should be close enough to one another to ensure a high level of control and balance in a user's hand. Additionally, the placement and orientation of the thumbhole 20 may be close enough to the center of the beverage area 14 and the edge of the food area 12 to ensure proper balance and support of the weight of food and beverage items placed upon it. The further a user is able to insert his or her thumb in the thumbhole 20, the more torque may be produced thus reducing the stress, strain and fatigue that may be associated with holding the plate 10 with food and beverage items upon it.

Referring to FIG. 1 A and FIG. 1B of the drawings, the beverage area 14 is formed at a position such that a center thereof is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the thumbhole 20 while the food area 12 is positioned side-by-side with the thumbhole 20 and the beverage area 14.

To use this device, one may insert his or her thumb into and through the thumbhole 20 and rest the thumb on the top surface of the plate 10. One would then spread one's remaining fingers along the underside of the plate 10 to create the desired balance and control. For example, the food area 12 is positioned to allow the user's ring and pinky fingers to support the weight under this area and the beverage area is positioned to allow the index and middle fingers to support the beverage glass 24. One could then place the food items 26 and/or the beverage glass 24 on the plate 10, ideally in their designated areas. As a user places varying amounts, sizes, and weights of food and beverage items glass 24 on the plate 10, the user's hand position and finger alignment may change slightly as he or she seeks the most comfortable balance points based on the size and shape of the user's hand, thumb and fingers.

Thus, the first protrusion 124 and the second protrusion 144 must be close enough and within the reach of the hand when the user's thumb is inserted into the thumbhole 20 so that the user may balance the weight of the food items 26, the weight of the beverage glass 24 and the weight of the plate 10.

If a person wishes to place a piece of stemware on the plate 10, one may slide the stem 241 of the beverage glass 24 through the stemware slot 18 and then rest the glass in the beveled center hole 16. The user's index finger may be placed on the outside edge of the stem 241 and the others on the middle finger on the inside edge in order to ensure the best possible balance. This may enable the user to keep his or her other hand free whenever desired or needed. For example, a person could take a drink and then place the beverage glass 24 back in the beverage area 14 and then use that hand to take a piece of food from the food area 12, from a service person or from a display. A person could also hold the plate 10 along with the beverage glass 24 and food items 26 placed upon it in one hand while shaking hands, exchanging business cards or eating or drinking with the other hand.

Furthermore, because of the spatial relationship of the thumbhole 20, the food area 12 and the beverage area 14, the user is able to hold the plate 10 at positions which are near to a center of gravity of the plate 10. This configuration substantially reduces fatigue on the part of the user.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A plate, comprising:

a main body;

a top surface of the main body;

a first physical depression formed on the top surface;

a second physical depression formed on the top surface at a position to one side of the first physical depression; and

a through thumbhole formed on the main body at a position which is spaced apart from the first physical depression and the second physical depression, wherein the thumbhole and the second physical depression are formed on the same side with respect to the first physical depression.

2. The plate of claim 1, wherein the first physical depression defines a continuous first sidewall configured to hold food in a food area within the first sidewall, wherein the second physical depression defines a continuous second sidewall configured to hold a beverage in a beverage area bounded by the second sidewall, and defines a beverage cavity between the second sidewall and the beverage area.

3. The plate of claim 2, wherein the first sidewall extends in an inclination from the top surface of the main body to the food area, while the second sidewall extends in an inclination from the top surface of the main body to the beverage area.

4. The plate of claim 3, wherein the main body further has a through hole formed in the beverage area, and a slot, adapted to accommodate the stemware, extending from the through hole to a side edge of the main body, wherein a surrounding sidewall of the through hole in the beverage area is beveled.

5. The plate of claim 4, wherein the thumbhole is positioned slightly apart from a side edge of the first physical depression, wherein a longitudinal axis of the thumbhole is oriented towards a center of the beverage area, wherein the thumbhole is defined by a beveled leading side edge and a beveled trailing side edge, wherein said beveled leading side edge and the beveled trailing side edge are separated to allow the thumb and a corresponding knuckle to pass through the thumbhole.

6. A plate, comprising:

a main body;

a top surface of the main body;

a first physical depression formed on the top surface;

a second physical depression formed on the top surface at a position at one side of the first physical depression;

a through thumbhole formed on the main body at a position which is spaced apart from the first physical depression and the second physical depression, wherein the thumbhole has a leading edge and a trailing edge;

a through hole formed on the beverage area defined by the second physical depression; and

a stemware slot extended from the through hole to a side circumferential edge of the main body, wherein a leading edge of the thumbhole is positioned in proximity to an edge of the second physical depression to allow at least a finger of a hand to support a beverage glass disposed on the beverage area when a thumb is in the thumbhole.

7. The plate of claim 6, wherein the first physical depression defines a continuous first sidewall configured to hold food in a food area within the first sidewall, wherein the second physical depression defines a continuous second sidewall configured to hold a beverage in a beverage area bounded by the second sidewall, and defines a beverage cavity between the second sidewall and the beverage area.

8. The plate of claim 7, wherein the first sidewall extends in an inclination from the top surface of the main body to the food area, while the second sidewall extends in an inclination from the top surface of the main body to the beverage area.

9. The plate of claim 8, wherein the main body further has a through hole formed in the beverage area, and a slot, adapted to accommodate the stemware, extending from the through hole to a side edge of the main body, wherein a surrounding sidewall of the through hole in the beverage area is beveled.

10. The plate of claim 9, wherein the thumbhole is positioned slightly apart from a side edge of the first physical depression, wherein a longitudinal axis of the thumbhole is oriented towards a center of the beverage area, wherein the thumbhole is defined by a beveled leading side edge and a beveled trailing side edge, wherein said beveled leading side edge and the beveled trailing side edge are separated to allow the thumb and a corresponding knuckle to pass through the thumbhole.