Ergonomic plate

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an ergonomic plate, and more particularly, to an ergonomic plate adapted for carrying in one hand of the user. The invention offers improved balance and stability in the hand. In one embodiment, the invention comprises features intended to help stabilize the plate on supporting surfaces which may not be substantially level. Among these features is an adjustable cup holder designed for holding cups, cans, glasses, and other beverage containers and vessels. The position of the cup holder relative to the plate adjusts vertically when the plate is placed upon and removed from the supporting surface. The invention further comprises a relatively deep hand-receiving indent. This feature allows the plate to be comfortably and securely held in one hand with respective food and beverage placement areas strategically located for ready access by the other, free hand of the user.

Prior art plates designed for carrying in one hand are generally cumbersome and unstable, and often require support from an area above the wrist and forearm in order to maintain balance. Such plates with beverage holding areas are further prone to instability and spillage. Generally, in order to place these plates onto a table or other surface, the beverage cup must first be removed from the plate with the free hand. This process is awkward and increases the likelihood of accidents.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide an ergonomic plate which is especially designed for carrying in one hand.

It is another object of the invention to provide an ergonomic plate which has improved balance when carried in the hand of the user.

It is another object of the invention to provide an ergonomic plate which has improved stability when carried in the hand of the user.

It is another object of the invention to provide an ergonomic plate which incorporates strategically located food and beverage placement areas.

It is another object of the invention to provide an ergonomic plate which remains substantially stable when placed on an uneven surface.

It is another object of the invention to provide an ergonomic plate which is dishwasher and microwave safe.

It is another object of the invention to provide an ergonomic plate which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in the preferred embodiments disclosed below by providing an ergonomic plate adapted for being held in one hand of a user. The plate comprises a molded plate form having a topside defining a food placement area, and an opposing underside. An inwardly curved hand indent is formed along a peripheral edge of the plate form. A reinforcing fold is formed along the hand indent. The reinforcing fold is adapted for strengthening and stabilizing the molded plate form when the ergonomic plate is carried in the hand of the user.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the plate form has a generally circular cutout adapted for receiving a beverage container.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the plate form further defines a plurality of indexing slots formed adjacent an inner peripheral edge of the cutout.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, an adjustable cup holder is adapted for receiving and supporting a beverage container within the cutout. The cup holder has a plurality of longitudinal tracks designed to align and mate with respective indexing slots, such that the cup holder is vertically slidable relative to the plate form.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the cup holder further comprises a top annular flange adapted for engaging the plate form to limit downward sliding movement of the cup holder.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the hand indent defines a curvature greater than 1 inch. The curvature is calculated by fitting a circle into the inwardly-curved periphery of the plate form, and then taking the reciprocal of the circle's radius. The circle radius in this case is less than 1 inch. In a more preferred embodiment, the curvature is greater than 2 inches.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the hand indent extends inwardly to a point less than 2 inches from a longitudinal center line of the plate form.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the food placement area includes first and second divided food compartments.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the first food compartment is deeper than the second food compartment.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, an arcuate grip ridges is formed with the underside of the plate form opposite the second food compartment.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the grip ridge extends outwardly from the underside of the plate form to a notional plane adjacent an outside bottom surface of the first food compartment.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the plate form is asymmetric about a medial axis.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the plate form defines a stem slot adapted for receiving a stem of a beverage glass.

In another embodiment, the invention is an ergonomic plate adapted for being held in one hand of a user. The plate includes a molded plate form having a topside defining a food placement area, and an opposing underside. The plate form defines a generally circular cutout adapted for receiving a beverage container. The plate form further defines a plurality of indexing slots formed adjacent an inner peripheral edge of the cutout. An adjustable cup holder is adapted for receiving and supporting a beverage container within the cutout. The cup holder has a plurality of longitudinal tracks designed to align and mate with respective indexing slots, such that the cup holder is vertically slidable relative to the plate form.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth above. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ergonomic plate according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the plate;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the plate;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the plate with the cup holder removed;

FIG. 5A is a side view of the plate when lifted above a supporting surface and showing the cup holder in its lowered condition;

FIG. 5B is a side view of the plate slightly above the supporting surface and showing the cup holder in an intermediate-level condition; and

FIG. 5C is a side view of the plate resting upon the supporting surface and showing the cup holder in a fully adjusted, raised condition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE

Referring now specifically to the drawings, an ergonomic plate according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1, and shown generally at reference numeral 10. The ergonomic plate 10 is especially designed for carrying in one hand, and has designated food and beverage holding areas 11 and 12 strategically located to optimize balance and handleability of the plate 10. According to one embodiment, the ergonomic plate 10 comprises a molded plastic or paper plate form 14 which is uniquely asymmetric about a medial axis 15. The term “molded” is used broadly herein to mean integrally-formed to a particular shape using any suitable manufacturing means or process.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the plate form 14 has a shaped peripheral edge 16 with an inwardly-curved portion 17 defining a deep medial indent 18 designed to accommodate the hand. Preferably, the indent 18 substantially divides the food and beverage areas 11, 12 of the plate 10, and is less than 2 inches from a longitudinal centerline 19 of the plate form 14; and more preferably, less than one inch from the longitudinal centerline 19. The plate 10 is supported in the hand by placing the web (space between the thumb and index finger) within the indent 18 adjacent the inwardly-curved portion 17 of the plate form 14. The thumb engages a topside of the plate form 14 along a contoured thumb ridge 21, while the splayed fingers of the hand engage an underside of the plate form 14 along an arcuate grip ridge 22. A reinforcing fold 23 extends adjacent the curved portion 17, and serves to strengthen and stabilize the molded plate form 14 when loaded with food and beverage items. The reinforcing fold 23 enables use of a thinner plate form 14, and allows a deeper hand indent 18. The curvature “C” indicated in FIG. 2 is preferably greater than 2 inches. The depth “D” of the hand indent 18 is calculated by measuring the linear distance from a center point 24 of the curved portion 17 to each of two parallel tangent lines 26 and 27. The depth “D” is equal to the lesser of these two measurements.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the plate form 14 comprises adjacent recessed food compartments 31, 32 formed with the topside, and a number of cutouts 33, 34, and 35 adapted for supporting a wine glass “G”, beverage cup “B”, and eating utensils “U”, respectively. The first food compartment 31 occupies a relatively large surface area, and is relatively shallow. The smaller food compartment 32 is relatively deep, and particularly suited for holding loose or runny foods, sauces, condiments, and the like. For added stability, the grip ridge 22 formed with the underside of the plate form 14 preferably extends outwardly to a point located on a notional plane “P” (See FIG. 5C) extending from an outside bottom surface of the deeper food compartment 32. The cutout 33 communicates with the peripheral edge 16 of the plate form 14, and is designed to receive a stem of the wine glass “G”. The utensil cutout 34 is designed to receive and hold at least one fork, spoon, and/or knife “U”.

The beverage cutout 35, best shown in FIG. 4, comprises a generally circular opening designed to receive and support a removable cup holder 40, shown in FIGS. 1-3, adapted for carrying the beverage cup “B”. The cup holder 40 has three equally-spaced vertical legs 42A, 42B, and 42C depending from an annular top flange 43 and connecting at a vessel-supporting bottom. The bottom comprises three intersecting horizontal legs 44A, 44B, and 44C formed with respective vertical legs 42A, 42B, and 42C. The vertical legs 42A-42C have integrally-formed longitudinal tracks 45A, 45B, 45C adapted for inserting into respective indexing slots 46A, 46B, and 46C (FIG. 4) formed adjacent an inner peripheral edge of the cutout 35. The leading end of each track 45A-45C is preferably vertically spaced from the bottom to facilitate insertion of the cup holder 40 into the cutout 35.

Referring to FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C, once inserted into the beverage cutout 35, the cup holder 40 is vertically slidable relative to the plate form 14 to adjust its position as the plate 10 is placed onto and lifted from a supporting surface “S”. This adjustability is an especially useful stabilizing feature when the plate 10 rests on uneven surfaces. The top annular flange 43 is designed to engage the plate form 14 and limit downward sliding movement of the cup holder 40 when positioned as shown in FIG. 5A. As the plate 10 is set upon the supporting surface “S”, the position of the cup holder 40 gradually adjusts as shown in FIG. 5B. In this position, the user can grasp an edge of the plate 10 with his free hand and easily remove the plate-supporting hand from within the hand indent 18. When the plate 10 is finally placed on the supporting surface, as shown in FIG. 5C, the cup holder 40 extends substantially above the plate form 14 with the plate 10 in a substantially level and stable condition.

An ergonomic plate is described above. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from its scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation—the invention being defined by the claims.