FOODSERVICE SYSTEM
A foodservice system includes one or more plates and one or more bowls in a stacking arrangement where the bowls can act as lids for the plates, and the plates can act as lids for the bowls. The one or more plates can hold food items on one surface while acting as a lid for a bowl positioned beneath the plate. These bowls and plates of the foodservice system can be arranged on a tray. The tray can be sized to hold various arrangements of plates, bowls, and other items.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/316,875, filed Apr. 1, 2016, entitled “Foodservice System,” the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUNDFoodservice systems include various serving items, such as plates, bowls, glasses, cups, silverware, trays, serving carts, among others. In foodservice applications, some considerations include storage space, food presentation, food transport, food temperature, among others. While a variety of foodservice systems have been made and used, it is believed that no one prior to the inventor(s) has made or used an invention as described herein.
While the specification concludes with claims which particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention, it is believed the present invention will be better understood from the following description of certain examples taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify the same elements.
The drawings are not intended to be limiting in any way, and it is contemplated that various embodiments of the invention may be carried out in a variety of other ways, including those not necessarily depicted in the drawings. The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements shown.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONThe following description of certain examples of the invention should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention. Other examples, features, aspects, embodiments, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different and obvious aspects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
Tray (60) is similar to tray (10) except for dimensional differences and that where the rails (12) for tray (60) extend along the length of the tray (60), the rails (12) extend away from the sides of the tray (60) such that there is a space or gap between the rails (12) and the tray (60) for access as discussed above. Similar to tray (10), while the illustrated example of tray (60) shows the rails (12) extending along the length and width of the tray (10), and further the rails (12) connecting so as to be continuous around the tray (60), in other versions the rails (12) may be limited to extending along only the sides of the tray (60) along the length or the sides of the tray (60) along the width. In view of the teachings herein, other ways to configure the tray (60) and the rails (12) will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.
For the purpose of this description, it should be understood that the length of a tray is the longer dimension of the tray, and the width is the shorter dimension of the tray, when comparing the dimensions of the sides of the tray. Also, in other versions trays (10, 60) can have the same or similar dimensions. As shown in FIGS. SC, SD, 6C, and 6D the trays (10, 60) comprise a first surface (14) that connects with a second surface (16). The first surface (14) is recessed relative to the second surface (16). The second surface (16) extends around the circumference of the first surface (14). With this configuration, the trays (10, 60) can be arranged in a close-fitting stacked arrangement as shown in
The base (32) of the bowl (30) defines a top surface (31), and a bottom surface (33). The bowl (30) includes first engaging members (36) along a top of each side (34). Furthermore, the bowl (30) includes second engaging members (38) connected with the base (32) and extending along each side of the bowl (30). Each first engaging member (36) connects with its adjacent first engaging members (36) defining an outer perimeter around the top or upper portion of the bowl (30). Similarly, each second engaging member (38) connects with its adjacent second engaging members (38). In this manner, the combined first engaging members (36) form a continuous loop, and the combined second engaging members (38) form a continuous loop. It should be noted that this continuous loop configuration for the first and second engaging members (36, 38) are not required in all versions, and that the term “loop” is not limited to circular shapes, but can also include oval, rectangular, and other polygonal shapes. As best seen in the cross section of
The base (22) of the plate (20) defines a top surface (21), and a bottom surface (23). The plate (20) includes first engaging members (26) along a top of each side (24). Furthermore, the plate (20) includes second engaging members (28) connected with the base (22) and extending along each side of the plate (20). Each first engaging member (26) connects with its adjacent first engaging members (26) defining an outer perimeter around the top or upper portion of the plate (20). Similarly, each second engaging member (28) connects with its adjacent second engaging members (28). In this manner, the combined first engaging members (26) form a continuous loop, and the combined second engaging members (28) form a continuous loop. It should be noted that this continuous loop configuration for the first and second engaging members (26, 28) are not required in all versions, and that the term “loop” is not limited to circular shapes, but can also include oval, rectangular, and other polygonal shapes. As best seen in the cross section of
The base (82) of the bowl (30) defines a top surface (81), and a bottom surface (83). The bowl (80) includes first engaging members (86) along a top of each side (84). Furthermore, the bowl (80) includes second engaging members (88) connected with the base (82) and extending along each side of the bowl (80). Each first engaging member (86) connects with its adjacent first engaging members (86) defining an outer perimeter around the top or upper portion of the bowl (80). Similarly, each second engaging member (88) connects with its adjacent second engaging members (88). In this manner, the combined first engaging members (86) form a continuous loop, and the combined second engaging members (88) form a continuous loop. It should be noted that this continuous loop configuration for the first and second engaging members (86, 88) are not required in all versions, and that the term “loop” is not limited to circular shapes, but can also include oval, rectangular, and other polygonal shapes. As best seen in the cross section of
The base (92) of the plate (90) defines a top surface (91), and a bottom surface (93). The plate (90) includes first engaging members (96) along a top of each side (94). Furthermore, the plate (90) includes second engaging members (98) connected with the base (92) and extending along each side of the plate (90). Each first engaging member (96) connects with its adjacent first engaging members (96) defining an outer perimeter around the top or upper portion of the plate (90). Similarly, each second engaging member (98) connects with its adjacent second engaging members (98). In this manner, the combined first engaging members (96) form a continuous loop, and the combined second engaging members (98) form a continuous loop. It should be noted that this continuous loop configuration for the first and second engaging members (96, 98) are not required in all versions, and that the term “loop” is not limited to circular shapes, but can also include oval, rectangular, and other polygonal shapes. As best seen in the cross section of
For the avoidance of doubt, the directional language used herein follows the orientation of the drawings and figure numbering such that the top of the sheet containing the drawing as evidenced by the orientation of the figure numbering coincides with the top or upper portion of the items shown. For instance in
As shown in the illustrated version, the first engaging members (36) of the bowls (30) meet with the first engaging members (26) of the plates (20). This is achieved by the square bowl (30) and square plate (20) having the same or similar length and width dimensions at their respective perimeters. As shown in the illustrated version, the second engaging members (38) of the bowls (30) are configured to fit within the space between the second engaging members (28) of the plates (20). This is achieved by the second engaging members (38) of the bowls (30) being located closer to the center of the base (32) of the bowls (30) compared to the location of the second engaging members (28) of the plates (20) relative to the center of the base (22) of the plates (20). In the present example, when a plate (20) is positioned above or below a bowl (30), the centers of the respective bases (22, 32) will fall along the same axis. In other words, when in the stacked arrangement as shown in
In the illustrated version, the second engaging members (38) of the bowls (30) and the second engaging members (28) of the plates (20) are closely positioned when in the stacked arrangement shown. This close positioning reduces the freedom of movement between the adjacent pieces to promote stability in the stacked arrangement. In some versions, the spacing between opposing second engaging members (38) is about 0.25 inches less than the spacing between opposing second engaging members (28). In view of the teachings herein, other spacing dimensions for the second engaging members (28, 38) will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.
As shown in the illustrated version, the first engaging members (86) of the bowls (80) meet with the first engaging members (96) of the plates (90). This is achieved by the square bowl (80) and square plate (90) having the same or similar length and width dimensions at their respective perimeters. As shown in the illustrated version, the second engaging members (88) of the bowls (80) are configured to fit within the space between the second engaging members (98) of the plates (90). This is achieved by the second engaging members (88) of the bowls (80) being located closer to the center of the base (82) of the bowls (80) compared to the location of the second engaging members (98) of the plates (90) relative to the center of the base (92) of the plates (90). In the present example, when a plate (90) is positioned above or below a bowl (80), the centers of the respective bases (92, 82) will fall along the same axis. In other words, when in the stacked arrangement as shown in
In the illustrated version, the second engaging members (88) of the bowls (80) and the second engaging members (98) of the plates (90) are closely positioned when in the stacked arrangement shown. This close positioning reduces the freedom of movement between the adjacent pieces to promote stability in the stacked arrangement. In some versions, the spacing between opposing second engaging members (88) is about 0.25 inches less than the spacing between opposing second engaging members (98). In view of the teachings herein, other spacing dimensions for the second engaging members (98, 88) will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.
In the illustrated examples of
With these dual protruding portions of the first engaging members (26, 96), when plates (20, 90) are stacked with bowls (30, 80) respectively, the first engaging members (26, 96) of plates (20, 90) can contact the first engaging members (36, 86) of bowls (30, 80) at multiple points. For example, as shown in
In the present example of
Trays (10, 60, 110) may be constructed of various materials. By way of example only and not limitation, trays may be constructed of stainless steel or another suitable metal. For instance, in some examples, trays (10, 60) are constructed of stainless steel. Still by further way of example, and not limitation, trays may be constructed of plastic. For instance, in some examples, tray (110) is constructed of melamine. In some versions, a single tray may be made of more than one type of material. In view of the teachings herein, other materials for constructing the trays will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.
It should be understood that any one or more of the teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. described herein may be combined with any one or more of the other teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. that are described herein. The following-described teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. should therefore not be viewed in isolation relative to each other. Various suitable ways in which the teachings herein may be combined will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.
Having shown and described various embodiments of the present invention, further adaptations of the methods and systems described herein may be accomplished by appropriate modifications by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. Several of such potential modifications have been mentioned, and others will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For instance, in some versions, trays (10, 60, 110), plates (20, 90), and/or bowls (30, 80) can have other shapes such as rectangular, oval, circular, etc. Also for instance, the examples, embodiments, geometrics, materials, dimensions, ratios, steps, and the like discussed above, and/or depicted in the drawings, are illustrative and are not required. Furthermore, the terms used herein for first and second engaging members may be understood by other terms understood to those of skill in the art. For instance, first and second engaging members may also be referred to as first and second contacting members or simply first and second members, among other terms. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be considered in terms of the following claims and is understood not to be limited to the details of structure and operation shown and described in the specification and drawings.
Claims
1. A foodservice system comprising:
- (a) at least one bowl comprising a base, a side extending upward from the base, a first engaging member positioned along a top of the side, and a second engaging member connected with the base;
- (b) at least one plate comprising a base, a side extending upward from the base, a first engaging member positioned along a top of the side, and a second engaging member connected with the base;
- (c) wherein the at least one bowl and the at least one plate are stackable in a stacked configuration; and
- (d) wherein the at least one bowl is operable as a lid for the at least one plate, and the at least one plate is operable as lid for the at least one bowl.
2. The foodservice system of claim 1, wherein the side of the at least one bowl extends upward from the base in an outward fashion such that the first engaging member of the at least one bowl is located further outward from a center point of the base relative to the location of the second engaging member of the at least one bowl relative to the center point of the base.
3. The foodservice system of claim 1, wherein the first engaging member of the at least one bowl is engageable with the first engaging member of the at least one plate in the stacked configuration.
4. The foodservice system of claim 3, wherein the at least one plate is positioned upside-down relative to the at least one bowl.
5. The foodservice system of claim 3, wherein the at least one plate is positioned right-side-up relative to the at least one bowl.
6. The foodservice system of claim 1, wherein the second engaging member of the at least one bowl is engageable with the second engaging member of the at least one plate in the stacked configuration.
7. The foodservice system of claim 6, wherein the second engaging member of the at least one bowl is positioned closer to a center of the base of the at least one bowl compared to a distance between the second engaging member of the at least one plate and the center of the base of the at least one bowl.
8. The foodservice system of claim 1, wherein a center of the at least one bowl and a center of the at least one plate are aligned along an axis in the stacked configuration.
9. The foodservice system of claim 1, wherein the first engaging member of the at least one bowl comprises a rounded edge, wherein the rounded edge is thicker than the side.
10. The foodservice system of claim 1, wherein the first engaging member of the at least one plate comprises a joined lateral protruding portion and a vertical protruding portion.
11. The foodservice system of claim 1, wherein the second engaging member of the at least one bowl and the second engaging member of the at least one plate each comprise a rounded protruding shape.
12. The foodservice system of claim 1, wherein the at least one bowl and the at least one plate are closely-fitted in the stacked configuration where the at least one plate is positioned as a lid for the at least one bowl.
13. A foodservice system comprising:
- (a) a tray comprising a first surface and a second surface extending around the circumference of the first surface, wherein the first surface is recessed relative to the second surface;
- (b) at least one bowl; and
- (c) at least one plate;
- wherein the at least one bowl and the at least one plate are arrangeable on the tray;
- wherein the at least one bowl and the at least one plate are stackable such that the at least one bowl is operable as a lid for the at least one plate, and the at least one plate is operable as lid for the at least one bowl.
14. The foodservice system of claim 13, wherein the tray comprises a pair of rails extending along a select one of the width and the length of the tray.
15. The foodservice system of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of trays, wherein the plurality of trays are stackable in a close-fitting stacked configuration.
16. A method of arranging a foodservice system comprising at least one bowl and at least one plate, wherein the at least one bowl and the at least one plate each comprise a base, a side extending upward from the base, a first engaging member positioned along a top of the side, and a second engaging member connected with the base, the method comprising stacking the at least one plate with the at least one the bowl such that the first engaging member of the at least one bowl engages the first engaging member of the at least one plate, and wherein the at least one plate is positioned as a lid for the at least one bowl when stacked.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one plate is positioned right-side-up relative to the at least one bowl, and wherein the at least one plate is configured to receive one or more items of food on a top surface of the at least one plate when the at least one plate is positioned as a lid for the at least one bowl.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one plate is positioned upside-down relative to the at least one bowl.
19. The method of claim 16, further comprising stacking the at least one plate with the at least one bowl such that the second engaging member of the at least one bowl engages the second engaging member of the at least one plate.
20. The method of claim 16, further comprising arranging the at least one bowl and the at least one plate on a tray.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 31, 2017
Publication Date: Oct 5, 2017
Inventors: Paul E. Gebhardt (Oneida, NY), Garet R. Miller (Chillicothe, OH)
Application Number: 15/475,600