Reversible plate holder

Abstract

A reversible plate holder to hold and support selectively first and second plates of different first and second diameters respectively, each plate having a base, tapered side walls and a rim extending radially outward from the side walls, the reversible plate holder including an annulus having axially spaced top and bottom parts with top and bottom edges of diameters D1 and D2 respectively and a neck part of diameter D3 axially between the top and bottom parts, where D1>D2 and D2>D3, the top part having inner wall surfaces that define a truncated top cone, the bottom part having inner wall surfaces that define an inverted truncated bottom cone generally coaxial with the top cone, whereby the annulus in upright position has the cone at the top for supporting the first plate and the annulus in inverted position has the bottom cone at the top for supporting the second plate and the side walls of the plates overlie the conical wall surfaces respectively.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] This invention is in the field of holders for plates and more particularly holders for inexpensive readily bendable disposable paper plates or plate liners which can easily tip or deform in use causing spills of the food, such plate holders being applicable for plates and liners used by both persons and pets. [0003] 2. Prior Art [0004] Plate holders are known, particularly for pets and infants who are likely to tip or overturn plates from which they are eating. Such plate holders are typically bowl-like articles with an open top to hold a plate and a wide base to provide stability against tipping. It is common to use removable or disposable plate liners that contain the food and sit in a top recess of the plate holder. Plate liners usually have side walls inclined upwardly and outwardly for reasons of functionality, strength, aesthetics and because such is most suitable for efficient manufacture. Plate holders for s...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] It is an object of the present invention to provide a plate holder that will not only hold, support and stabilize a paper plate, but will be reversible by a simple inversion, so that it can hold plates of different sizes. Whether for pets, at home or picnics outside or for restaurant establishments, it is believed quite practical and useful to be able to provide plate holders selectively for large and small portions. Also, the new plate holder will help retain the hot or cold temperature of the food in the plate or liner being supported. The plate holders must, of course, be quite stable from tipping or collapsing. Also, these new plate holders need to be most simple in construction to achieve minimum cost of manufacture. Typical manufacturing is by high speed injection molding if plastic, and by other molding or pressing technologies if the plate holder is made of other material.

[0020] This invention of a plate holder is also useful as a holder for frozen foods or microwavable dishes to help stabilize them whether they are being used during eating, storage, freezing, heating or cooking.

Problems solved by technology

There is no teaching of reversibility, and furthermore the liner would not work in the reversible orientation due to the extension of the skirt which would be likely to interfere with use in the reversed configuration.

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