GB2276807A - Table dish - Google Patents

Abstract

A table dish comprises a plastic base portion (1, Fig. 1) moulded to provide a number of receptacles (2, 3, 4) suitable for holding different types of food. A recess (8, Fig. 1) is located in the base portion (1, Fig. 1), to support an upstanding member (9) in the form of a rod. Rod (9) is pushed into and held in recess (8, Fig. 1), as the diameter of recess (8) is slightly less than the diameter of rod (9). Rod (9) may be used to support one or a series of receptacles. Alternatively, certain types of foodstuffs eg. onion rings, may be stacked directly on rod (9). <IMAGE>

Description

Adaptable table dish This invention relates to table dishes and in particular it relates to table dishes that can be adapted for different configurations In restaurants generally and quite often in the home, space on the table top during a meal is at a premium . This is especially so when the food being served is of the type that requires many different dishes and is accompanied by sauces, dips or relishes.

Decorative and colourful table settings can enhance the enjoyment of a meal. It would be of considerable advantage, therefore, to provide a dish which utilises the space on a table top more effectively while presenting a colourful and attractive display.

An object of the present invention is to provide such a dish with the additional benefits of being easy to clean, simple to store and capable of repeated use.

According to the invention there is supplied a table dish comprising a single plastic base shaped to provide a number of separate receptacles for food and said base portion having a recess or aperture formed therein for the purpose of locating and supporting an upstanding member, the cross sectional area of said recess or aperture being less than the cross sectional area of the said upstanding member in the region of support.

When an upstanding member is supported by the base the invention may be extended to include a second plastic dish located and supported on said upstanding member by means of an aperture in said second dish, said aperture being of smaller cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of said upstanding member in the region of support for the second dish.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the figures in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a table dish Figure 2 is a side view on a section through A-A of fig 1 Figure 3 is a pictorial view of a dish.

With reference to figure 1 which gives a view from above the dish the base part 1 is formed as a single plastic moulded piece. The base part 1 is symmetric about the centre line AA.

Three receptacles for food are provided at 2, 3 and 4, these receptacles are separated by the integrally formed wall sections 5 and 6. In between the two parts of the wall sections 5 the plastic is formed into a boss 7 and in the middle of the boss 7 a recess 8 is provided. As can be seen from the figures 1 and 2 the recess 8 is cylindrical in shape and closed at the bottom by the continuous plastic skin of the dish. An upstanding member 9 in the form of a plastic rod is pushed into the recess 8. The diameter of the cylindrically shaped recess 8 is slightly less than the diameter of the rod 9 which is made from an hygienic material e.g. plastic, of less resilience than the material of the base of the dish.

In normal use the grip of the rod by the walls of the recess is sufficient to maintain its position. When the rods need to be removed for washing and storage they are simply pulled out of the recesses by hand.

The recess 8 may be replaced by an aperture such that the rod can be pushed through the aperture to rest on the table top. Once the rods are in position they may be used to support one or a series of upper receptacles in the form of secondary dishes. The upper receptacles are made from a plastic material, conveniently the same material as the base portion and are supported on the rods by the gripping action of the sides of the aperture 9. Two such upper receptacles are shown in cross section in figure 2 and a further one pictorially in figure 3. Alternatively the rods may be used to support a number of ring shaped foodstuffs such as onion rings.In use the receptacles in the base of the dish can be filled with various dips, relishes or sauces and at the same time a selection of crudités such as carrots, celery and cauliflowers can be placed in the upper receptacles. Many other combinations of food are possible.

Preferably the bottom of each receptacle in the base portion is flattened so as to give the necessary stability to the dish. At the edge of the base portion the material may be turned to form a slight rim. This is useful for handling the dish. The area of the upper receptacles should be small enough to avoid imparting instability to the dish. In this embodiment the dish can be seen to take the appearance of a sailing ship with the upstanding members taking the place of masts. A large range of shapes and colours may be supplied to accommodate the preferences of particular groups. The base or upper receptacles may be moulded in the form of logos or devices to reinforce the image of particular restaurant chains, clubs or societies.

An upper receptacle may be supported by more than one upstanding member by the provision of suitable apertures in the secondary dish.

Claims (5)

Claims

1. A table dish comprising a single plastic base portion shaped to provide a number of separate receptacles for food and said base portion having a recess or aperture formed therein for the purpose of locating and supporting an upstanding member, the cross sectional area of said recess or aperture being less than the cross sectional area of the said upstanding member in the region of support.

2. A table dish as in claim 1 where the said upstanding member is located and supported in said recess or aperture.

3. A table dish as in claim 2 including a second plastic dish located and supported on said upstanding member by means of an aperture in said second dish, said aperture of smaller crosssectional area than the cross-sectional area of said upstanding member in the region of support for the second dish.

4. A table dish as in claims 2 or 3 where pieces of food are stacked directly on the upstanding member.

5. A table dish as shown and described herein with reference to the accompanying figures.