US 6,149,011 A · Multi-level eating surface apparatus and method

Abstract

An apparatus with multiple-level eating surfaces, which can be made as separable modular units, molded units having a one-piece construction, and as folded units comprising materials such as paper, plastic, styrofoam. Although it is generally intended for the molded and modular units to be reusable and the folded units to be disposable, the reverse is also contemplated. Modular and molded units typically have a base structure, several pillars of uniform or differing heights, and several elevated eating surfaces supported by least one of the pillars. Alternatively, some folded embodiments have elevated eating surfaces are supported by one or more pillars configured as a rear platform into which several liquid and grease resistant inserts can be secured. Since the present invention provides a dining plate or tray having an enlarged surface area for eating which at the same time maintains a compact footprint, applications may include, but are not limited to, use where table space is limited and does not allow the use of separate salad and dessert plates, use for transporting more food items during each trip to a buffet table without enlarging the size of the base plate people would have to carry, and use in providing a dining plate or tray that maintains separate compartments for foods without undue base plate enlargement; and use as a reward system for children to teach them to eat new foods by offering them a fun way to work their way up to the dessert.

Claims20

Dependent claims

Compartmented apparatus having multiple level eating surfaces for serving food to an individual with enhanced vertical food holding capacity while maintaining a compact footprint, said apparatus comprising:

a substantially planar base member having a forward portion with a horizontally oriented eating surface adapted for receipt of food items, said base member also having a rearward edge;
a large back member vertically extending from said rearward edge;
a food placement platform having a substantially horizontal upper surface contiguous with a downward diagonally extending front surface, said platform also defined rearwardly by said back member and having a perimeter dimension smaller than said base member, said upper surface being positioned higher than and rearward from said eating surface;
a plurality of compartments within said platform adapted for holding food, each of said compartments having an upper opening;
a front wall positioned in front of each of said compartments and upwardly depending from said diagonally extending front surface of said platform, said front walls each configured and dimensioned to separate food items placed on said base member from food items placed into the one of said compartments closet thereto, each of said front walls having a top edge, and a bottom edge;
and
attachment means adapted for connecting said platform to said base member.

4 more elements

A method for multiple level food serving and consumption for individuals without unpleasant mixing of food while maintaining a compact food serving footprint, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a food holding device having a substantially planar base member with an eating surface adapted for receipt of food, a food placement platform having an upper surface, a downward diagonally extending front surface contiguous with said upper surface, and at least one compartment, said platform having a lower perimeter dimension smaller than said base member,
also providing a large back member contiguous with said base member and said platform;
further providing a plurality of food items;
orienting said base member so that said eating surface is in an upward position;
orienting said back member in a substantially vertical position rearward from said eating surface;
connecting said platform to said base member rearward from said eating surface so that said upper surface and said diagonally extending front surface of said platform are higher than said eating surface of said base member;
forming a front wall from said platform in front of each of said compartments so that said front walls are each upwardly extending in a substantially vertical orientation from said upper surface of said platform and so that said back member extends vertically higher than said platform and said front walls;
and
placing said food items onto said eating surface and into said compartments within said platform so that the number of said food items served to an individual can be amplified and said food items can be distributed over said base member and said platform to provide the individual with a better organized presentation of said food items.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Multi-level eating surface apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Multi-level eating surface apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20