PLATE DISPENSING AND SUPPORTING APRON
A plate dispensing and supporting apron has a plate dispenser and support that can be stowed in a vertical configuration and released so that it extends horizontally in a deployed position. It can then support a plate with food, condiments, utensils, etc. The plate can be easily retained on the plate dispenser and support so that the wearer can cook, serve food, grill, etc. while having ready access to the materials on the plate dispenser and support. A horizontal pocket can be incorporated in the plate dispenser and support that can hold extra plates. A vertical pocket can be incorporated as well to hold additional items (such as utensils, napkins, etc.).
The present invention relates generally to the field of protective clothing for cooking; and more particularly, to a plate dispensing and supporting apron.
BACKGROUNDThe field of art has known a variety of aprons and protective clothing that can be worn to protect a person and/or his or her primary clothing from the vagaries of cooking. Today, it is possible to find aprons that have images, color-schemes, graphics, etc. added to them in order to customize them for a wearer's particular tastes or interests. However, such ‘custom’ aprons are still just aprons: their primary function is a protective one. For example, a fan of American football might have an apron sporting his or her favorite team colors, name, etc. Such aprons can be aesthetically pleasing, but they offer no more functionality than their predecessors.
Expanding on the football fan example above, a typical apron-wearing cook needs to keep his or her hands free to operate the grill, stove, oven, or other cooking apparatus in order to prepare the food. Because of this fact, he or she is often the last one to partake in the food and drink since it can be difficult to juggle a plate and cup/bottle with one hand while flipping burgers with the other. Additionally, when serving food to others, the cook often needs an extra hand to locate and dispense plates, silverware, food, condiments, etc. to others.
What is needed is an enhanced apron that not only protects the wearer and/or his or her clothes, but also provides a plate dispenser and a plate support that simultaneously allows the wearer to dispense plates to others and hold a plate of his/her own while keeping the cook's hands free for other tasks. Additionally, an enhanced apron needs to provide a beverage holder as well as locations to keep condiments, napkins, silverware, and other cooking/grilling essentials close at hand all while being able to be converted to look and function like a minimalist standard apron when desired.
SUMMARYOne embodiment of the present invention comprises an enhanced apron that incorporates a plate dispenser and support that folds down from a frontal area of the apron to create a plate dispenser and support horizontal support structure upon which the cook can place a plate full of food all the while allowing his or her hands to be free to grill, cook, serve, etc. The plate dispenser and support can have a horizontal pocket incorporated under the horizontal support structure that provides for the storage of plates therein. Additional components can include a plurality of waist extension pockets configured to hold beverage(s), condiment(s), utensil(s), etc. A plate dispensing and supporting apron can have an adjustable neck retention strap, a plate dispenser and support vertical pocket, first and second adjustable waist retention straps, and a plurality of waist extension retention devices.
Together, the components of a plate dispensing and supporting apron provide a plethora of enhanced functionalities that can allow a cook to participate in the festivities (e.g., eating and drinking) while simultaneously preparing food for everyone else.
The aforementioned and other features and objects of the present invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following descriptions of a preferred embodiment and other embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
In the following discussion, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments may be practiced without such specific details. Furthermore, lists and/or examples are often provided and should be interpreted as exemplary only and in no way limiting embodiments to only those examples.
Exemplary embodiments are described below in the accompanying Figures. The following detailed description provides a comprehensive review of the drawing Figures in order to provide a thorough understanding of, and an enabling description for, these embodiments. One having ordinary skill in the art will understand that in some cases, well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the descriptions of the embodiments.
Referring now to the drawings,
The plate dispenser and support 31 is illustrated in
Facing forward when in the horizontal deployed position is a plate dispenser and support horizontal pocket 37. This pocket provides a storage space within the plate dispenser and support horizontal support structure 39 in which plates can be stored. By storing plates therein, the wearer has instant access to a ready supply in order to quickly and easily serve food on said plates whenever needed. Furthermore, the plates provide additional strength and support for the plate dispenser and support horizontal support structure 39. The plate dispenser and support horizontal pocket 37 can be opened and closed via a horizontal pocket closure device 40. Such a device can comprise hook and loop material, snap(s), button(s), zipper(s), magnet(s), and/or any other suitable closure device that can be easily opened in order to provide access to items within the pocket 37 and closed whenever the wearer wants to retain items securely therein.
The plate dispenser and support 31 can have a plate dispenser and support vertical pocket 32. A plate dispenser and support vertical pocket outside wall 35 can be attached on the sides and bottom to the apron framework 20, leaving the top edge unattached, and thereby forming the vertical pocket 32. Said pocket is designed to hold silverware, cooking utensils, etc. The plate dispenser and support vertical pocket 32 can be opened and closed via a vertical pocket closure device 36. Such a device can comprise hook and loop material, snap(s), button(s), zipper(s), magnet(s), and/or any other suitable closure device that can be easily opened in order to provide access to items within the vertical pocket 32 and closed whenever the wearer wants to retain items securely therein.
Extending from the apron framework 20 (and/or from the vertical pocket 32), are a plurality of plate dispenser and support fold-down suspension members 33. Said members 33 suspend the plate dispenser and support 31 in its horizontal deployed position. Note that the suspension members 33 can include a plurality of suspension member adjusters 38 that allow the length of the suspension members 33 to be adjusted. By adjusting these adjusters 38, the wearer can control the angle at which the plate dispenser and support 31 extends outwards from the apron framework 20. For example, if the wearer would like the plate dispenser and support 31 to angle slightly backwards towards the apron framework 20, the wearer would slightly tighten the plurality of suspension member adjusters 38.
In proximity to the outer corners of the plate dispenser and support 31 are a plurality of plate dispenser and support vertical retention devices 34. As illustrated in
Also located on the front of the apron framework 20 can be a first plurality of waist extension pockets 56 as well as a second plurality of waist extension pockets 58. Although said pockets 56 and 58 can be located on the apron framework waist extension 50, one or more may also be located on the apron framework chest portion 30. Said pockets 56 and 58 can be specifically designed to hold certain items. For example, a particular pocket can conform to a standard beverage can or beverage bottle 92 and can even incorporate insulating materials to help maintain the temperature of the beverage. Other designs can accommodate the particular shapes/designs of common condiment bottles 91. In another embodiment, the pockets 56 and 58 can be configured to be stretchable such that they can securely hold a wide variety of cans, bottles, etc.
Partially located at approximately the middle of the apron framework 20, where the apron framework chest portion 30 meets the apron framework waist extension 50, is a plurality of waist extension retention devices. A corresponding number of waist extension retention devices can be placed on the bottom corners of the apron framework 20 such that when the waist extension portion 50 is folded upwards, the plurality of waist extension retention devices come together and secure the waist extension in a stowed position (see
Extending out from either side of the apron framework 20 are first and second waist retention straps 70 and 72. They are designed to extend around the sides of the wearer and be connected to one another in order to secure the apron 10 on the wearer. In the embodiment illustrated in
Extending from the top of the apron framework 20 is a neck retention strap 60. The neck retention strap 60 is designed to be placed around the back of the neck of the wearer and then secured back to the other side of the apron framework 20. In the embodiment illustrated in
As can be seen from the environmental objects in
Note that in the embodiment illustrated in
The plate dispenser and support 31 is illustrated in
In another embodiment, the plate dispenser and support 31 can be located further down the apron framework 20 so that the resulting plate dispenser and support horizontal support structure 39 is located lower on the wearer's body when the support 31 is deployed.
Note especially the extra set of waist extension retention devices 51 that are included in
The first waist retention strap 70 and second waist retention strap 72 are illustrated in the embodiment in
While particular embodiments of the invention have been described and disclosed in the present application, it should be understood that any number of permutations, modifications, or embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Accordingly, it is not the intention of this application to limit this invention in any way except as by the appended claims.
Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above “Detailed Description” section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention.
The above detailed description of the embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise embodiment or form disclosed herein or to the particular field of usage mentioned in this disclosure. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Also, the teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments.
In light of the above “Detailed Description,” the Inventor may make changes to the invention. While the detailed description outlines possible embodiments of the invention and discloses the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention may be practiced in a myriad of ways. Thus, implementation details may vary considerably while still being encompassed by the spirit of the invention as disclosed by the inventor. As discussed herein, specific terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated.
While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention.
The above specification, examples and data provide a description of the structure and use of exemplary implementations of the described articles of manufacture and methods. It is important to note that many implementations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A plate dispensing and supporting apron, comprising:
- an apron framework extending in a generally vertical orientation and having a front side and a rear side;
- the apron framework having an apron framework chest portion and an apron framework waist extension, wherein the waist extension extends downwards from the chest portion;
- a plate dispenser and support attached to the apron framework, the plate dispenser and support adapted such that it can be folded up and stored in a generally vertical orientation and deployed into a generally horizontal configuration;
- the plate dispenser and support having a plate dispenser and support horizontal support structure that is adapted to hold one or more plates generally horizontally;
- a plurality of plate dispenser and support fold-down suspension members attached to the plate dispenser and support and adapted to help maintain the plate dispenser and support horizontal support structure in a horizontal configuration; and
- a plurality of plate dispenser and support vertical retention devices adapted to secure the plate dispenser and support in a vertical stowed position and release the plate dispenser and support into a horizontal deployed position when actuated.
2. The plate dispensing and supporting apron of claim 1, further comprising:
- a plurality of small sidewalls extending around a periphery of the plate dispenser and support horizontal support structure adapted to ensure items placed on the plate dispenser and support horizontal support structure are retained thereon.
3. The plate dispensing and supporting apron of claim 1, further comprising:
- the plate dispenser and support horizontal support structure having a plate dispenser and support horizontal pocket that is adapted to provide a storage space within the plate dispenser and support horizontal support structure in which plates can be stored.
4. The plate dispensing and supporting apron of claim 2, further comprising:
- the plate dispenser and support horizontal support structure having a plate dispenser and support horizontal pocket that is adapted to provide a storage space within the plate dispenser and support horizontal support structure in which plates can be stored.
5. The plate dispensing and supporting apron of claim 4, further comprising:
- the plate dispenser and support horizontal pocket having a horizontal pocket closure device that can be opened and closed and is adapted to securely retain items within the plate dispenser and support horizontal pocket.
6. The plate dispensing and supporting apron of claim 1, further comprising:
- the plate dispenser and support having a plate dispenser and support vertical pocket configured against the front side of the apron framework and adapted to be a closeable storage area.
7. The plate dispensing and supporting apron of claim 6, further comprising:
- the plate dispenser and support vertical pocket having a vertical pocket closure device that is adapted to allow the vertical pocket to be opened and closed and securely hold items therein.
8. The plate dispensing and supporting apron of claim 1, wherein the suspension members have a plurality of suspension member adjusters that are adapted to allow the lengths of the suspension members to be adjusted.
9. The plate dispensing and supporting apron of claim 2, wherein the suspension members have a plurality of suspension member adjusters that are adapted to allow the lengths of the suspension members to be adjusted.
10. The plate dispensing and supporting apron of claim 6, wherein the suspension members have a plurality of suspension member adjusters that are adapted to allow the lengths of the suspension members to be adjusted.
11. The plate dispensing and supporting apron of claim 1 wherein the plurality of plate dispenser and support vertical retention devices comprises at least one of hook and loop materials, snaps, buttons, zippers, and magnets.
12. The plate dispensing and supporting apron of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of plate dispenser and support vertical retention devices is attached to the plate dispenser and support.
13. The plate dispensing and supporting apron of claim 6 wherein at least one of the plurality of plate dispenser and support vertical retention devices is attached to the plate dispenser and support.
14. The plate dispensing and supporting apron of claim 9 wherein at least one of the plurality of plate dispenser and support vertical retention devices is attached to the plate dispenser and support.
15. The plate dispensing and supporting apron of claim 1, further comprising:
- a first plurality of waist extension pockets configured on the front side of the apron framework.
16. The plate dispensing and supporting apron of claim 1, further comprising: a second plurality of waist extension pockets configured on the front side of the apron framework.
17. The plate dispensing and supporting apron of claim 15 wherein at least one waist extension pocket of the first plurality of waist extension pockets is adapted to hold one of a standard beverage can and beverage bottle.
18. The plate dispensing and supporting apron of claim 1, further comprising:
- a plurality of waist extension retention devices attached to at least one of the waist extension and the apron framework chest portion and adapted to allow the waist extension to be retained in a stowed position.
19. The plate dispensing and supporting apron of claim 1, further comprising:
- a first waist retention strap and a second waist retention strap, the straps extending outwards from either side of the apron framework and adapted to wrap around a body of a wearer and connect to one another in order to secure the apron on the wearer.
20. The plate dispensing and supporting apron of claim 1, further comprising:
- a neck retention strap extending from the top of the apron framework and adapted to be placed around a neck of a wearer and secured back to the apron framework in order to secure the apron on the wearer.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 19, 2014
Publication Date: Jun 23, 2016
Inventor: Kendall J. Cox (Recluse, WY)
Application Number: 14/577,071