# US 12,178,337 B2 · Mating dishware having an improved drain system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,178,337 B2 - Document ID: US12178337B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/613,854 - Filed: 2024-03-22 - Published: 2024-08-15 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2020-01-30 - Applicants: Gilberto E. Sanchez - Inventors: Gilberto E. Sanchez - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12178337B2 ## CPC - A47G 19/2255: {Details related to the connection between the liquid containing part and the supporting part} - A47G 19/06: Plates with integral holders for spoons, glasses, or the like - A47G 23/0225: {attachable to a plate, table, or the like} - A47G: HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT (book-ends A47B5/00; knives B26B) ## Abstract A mating food and beverage retaining assembly comprising a serving plate having a collar that has one or more tabs protruding inwardly from the collar and a sloped apron disposed at least partially inside a perimeter defined by the collar. The sloped apron comprises one or more apertures. The serving plate mates with a beverage receptacle having a beverage retaining portion, a stem, and a base having one or more recesses for mating with the one or more tabs. The beverage receptacle is releasably joined to the serving plate by mating the one or more tabs with the one or more recesses. The apertures promote drainage of fluids collecting inside the collar. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A mating food and beverage retaining assembly comprising: a serving plate having a collar that has one or more tabs protruding inwardly from the collar; a sloped apron disposed at least partially inside a perimeter defined by the collar, the sloped apron comprising one or more apertures configured for draining fluid that accumulates inside the collar; and a beverage receptacle having a beverage retaining portion, a stem, and a base having one or more recesses for mating with the one or more tabs; wherein the beverage receptacle is releasably joined to the serving plate by mating the one or more tabs with the one or more recesses. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The mating food and beverage retaining assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more recesses is flanked by a stop. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The mating food and beverage retaining assembly of claim 1, wherein an unlocked position of the beverage receptacle in relation to the serving plate is defined by the one or more recesses disposed in alignment with the one or more tabs. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The mating food and beverage retaining assembly of claim 1, wherein the base further comprises a stop, and a locked position of the beverage receptacle in relation to the serving plate comprises the stop being disposed in abutting contact with the one or more tabs. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The mating food and beverage retaining assembly of claim 3, wherein the base further comprises a stop, and a locked position of the beverage receptacle in relation to the serving plate comprises the stop being disposed in abutting contact with the one or more tabs. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The mating food and beverage retaining assembly of claim 1, the beverage receptacle having an unlocked position and a locked position in relation to the serving plate, the locked position defined by at least a portion of a top surface of the base being disposed under at least one of the one or more inwardly protruding tabs, and at least a portion of the top surface of the base being disposed below a top edge of the collar. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The mating food and beverage retaining assembly of claim 6, wherein at least one of the one or more recesses is flanked by a stop. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The mating food and beverage retaining assembly of claim 6, wherein the unlocked position is defined by the one or more recesses disposed in alignment with the one or more tabs. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The mating food and beverage retaining assembly of claim 6, wherein the base further comprises a stop, and a locked position further comprises the stop being disposed in abutting contact with the one or more tabs. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The mating food and beverage retaining assembly of claim 1, wherein the serving plate further comprises a post disposed inside the collar and the base has a post socket, wherein the beverage receptacle is releasably joined to the serving plate by mating the post to the post socket. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The mating food and beverage retaining assembly of claim 10, wherein the unlocked position is further defined by mating the post with the post socket when the tabs are aligned with the recesses. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The mating food and beverage retaining assembly of claim 11, wherein at least one of the one or more recesses is flanked by a stop. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The mating food and beverage retaining assembly of claim 11, wherein an unlocked position of the beverage receptacle in relation to the serving plate is defined by the one or more recesses disposed in alignment with the one or more tabs. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The mating food and beverage retaining assembly of claim 11, wherein the base further comprises a stop, and a locked position of the beverage receptacle in relation to the serving plate comprises the stop being disposed in abutting contact with the one or more tabs. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The mating food and beverage retaining assembly of claim 13, wherein the base further comprises a stop, and a locked position of the beverage receptacle in relation to the serving plate comprises the stop being disposed in abutting contact with the one or more tabs. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The mating food and beverage retaining assembly of claim 11, the beverage receptacle having an unlocked position and a locked position in relation to the serving plate, the locked position defined by at least a portion of a top surface of the base being disposed under at least one of the one or more inwardly protruding tabs, and at least a portion of the top surface of the base being disposed below a top edge of the collar. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The mating food and beverage retaining assembly of claim 16, wherein at least one of the one or more recesses is flanked by a stop. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The mating food and beverage retaining assembly of claim 16, wherein the unlocked position is defined by the one or more recesses disposed in alignment with the one or more tabs. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The mating food and beverage retaining assembly of claim 16, wherein the base further comprises a stop, and a locked position further comprises the stop being disposed in abutting contact with the one or more tabs.