GB2581829A

GB2581829A - Apparatus for holding food and drink in one hand

Info

Publication number: GB2581829A
Application number: GB1902737.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Studdert-Kennedy Nigel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-02-28
Filing date: 2019-02-28
Publication date: 2020-09-02
Anticipated expiration: 2039-02-28
Also published as: GB201902737D0; GB2581829B; WO2020174247A1

Abstract

An apparatus and associated kit for holding food and drink in one hand, useful for socials or parties. The apparatus 10 includes an elongate handle 18, a base 12 at a lower end of the handle for standing the apparatus 10 upright on a table, a food receiving area 14 atop the base 12, a drinks container 22, and a holder or support 20 for the receptacle 22 provided at the upper end of the handle 18, into which the cup 22 can be removably placed. The base may be rotatably engageable or separable from the handle by a flexible push-fit connector. The base 12 may include a bowl or plate that is level or slopes toward the handle 18 and may have a rim around the edge. The glass 22 may include a bowl and a stem portion that could be hollow and engageable with the handle 18.

Description

APPARATUS FOR HOLDING FOOD AND DRINK IN ONE HAND

The present invention relates to an apparatus for enabling a person to hold food and drink in or with one hand.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Food and drink are often provided at parties, business events and other gatherings. Drinks are served in glasses, cans or bottles, for example, and food or nibbles provided on plates (or available from platters for each person to then put on a plate). Most people will therefore end up with a drink in one hand and a plate of 'finger food' in the other.

In this situation, whilst drinking is easy, it is hard to eat properly. Trying to pick up food from a plate in one hand by using the other hand, which is holding the glass, risks spilling the drink in the glass. Having both hands occupied also prevents shaking hands with others when saying hello or goodbye.

There is the option is to put the glass down, or alternatively to put the plate down, on a table for example. However, tables are often not available at networking events, or if they are then they tend to be filled with other items, or already in use by others.

Balancing a plate or glass or a narrow ledge instead is not ideal. In any case, during an event it is preferable to mingle with other people rather than standing or sitting in one place, to maximise the number of people you meet.

It is an object of the present invention to reduce or substantially obviate the aforementioned problems.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for holding food and drink in or with one hand, comprising an elongate handle, a base at a lower end of the handle for supporting the apparatus in a stable upright position on a table, a food receiving area on top of the base, a drinks receptacle or vessel, and a holder for the drinks receptacle, the holder being provided at an upper end of the handle, and the drinks receptacle being removable from the holder.

Optional features are presented in the dependent claims.

This provides one device capable of holding food and drink at the same time, which can be held in one hand. That is, the apparatus is a food and drink holder. The handle is located (or extends) between the food receiving area and the drinks receptacle, which is convenient to hold and frees up the other hand. Having a free hand makes it possible to eat or drink without difficulty whilst standing up, without having to find somewhere to set down the apparatus. This is useful at a networking event or party, for example.

When held, the hand holding the handle is disposed above the food receiving area. This effectively leads to a 'pulling' force being exerted upwards relative to the food, and a 'pushing' force being exerted upwards relative to the drinks receptacle.

Being able to remove the drinks receptacle from the holder means that the apparatus can be held in one hand whilst the drinks receptacle is removed with the other hand for drinking. By having a removable drinks receptacle (or a receptacle that is discrete from the rest of the apparatus), it can be removed and tilted for drinking without also tilting the food receiving area. In other words, the receptacle can be tilted independently of the rest of the apparatus.

Connection means may be provided to connect the base and lower end of the handle together. Preferably the connection means is releasable. This allows the apparatus to be disassembled for storage, or provided in a disassembled state for transport. The apparatus can instead be assembled for use at an event. Being able to detach the base from the handle is also useful for cleaning the base. For example, if the base is a plate or a bowl, it can be conveniently washed in a dishwasher.

The connection means may be formed as part of, or moulded into or onto, the base. In other words, the base may be adapted or shaped to receive the lower end of the handle, for connecting the handle to the base.

The connection means may be attached to the base by fixing means, such as adhesive or riveting.

The releasable connection means may include a flexible or push-fit connector on the handle or base for receiving a corresponding part of the base or lower end of the handle.

The releasable connection means may include mutually engageable connections on the base and handle.

A push-fit connection makes it quick and easy to fit the handle and base together. The connector may be flexible so that a peripheral edge of the connector flexes outwards on connection between the base and handle. This places the peripheral edge in tension, which helps to keep the two parts connected.

The connection should be strong enough to retain the base on the handle during use.

That is, when the food receiving area is loaded with food, the connection should be strong enough that the base does not fall off Similarly, the connection should be strong enough that smalls jolts or knocks do not cause it to detach.

The connection means may include locking means to prevent the base being detached 20 inadvertently.

The connector may be attached to the base. The connector may be located in the middle or centre of the base. The connector may be shaped to complement the end of the handle. The connector may be substantially circular, for example, for receiving a circular end of the handle.

The connector may be attached to the lower end of the handle. The base may include a complementary portion or connector in the middle or centre of the base. The connector may fit over or engage that portion or connector on the base. For example, the connector may clip onto the base.

The food receiving area is provided on or adjacent to the base. That is, the food receiving area should be disposed below or near a lower end of the handle.

The base may include a plate or a bowl. The plate or bowl may provide or include the food receiving area. The plate or bowl may be made of plastic. The plate or bowl may be ceramic. The plate or bowl should be thick enough or rigid enough that it does not collapse when loaded with food.

The base, plate or bowl may be circular in shape. However, the base, plate or bowl may have a perimeter or peripheral edge of any shape, including but not limited to: triangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, or shapes with higher numbers of edges. The perimeter or peripheral edge may also be irregularly shaped, including any number of edges which may be straight and/or curved.

An internal region of the holder may be shaped to complement an external region of the drinks receptacle. The holder may include a cupped support. The cupped support may be provided on the upper end of the handle. The cupped support may be shaped to complement a lower portion of the exterior of the bowl. This holds the drinks receptacle more securely when walking around with the apparatus and drink possibly sloshing around in the receptacle.

The holder may be part of, or integrally formed with, the handle. The holder may include an opening in the upper end of the handle. Part of the drinks receptacle may be receivable in the opening. The receptacle may be supported in an upright or substantially upright position by the upper end of the handle when so received.

The holder may comprise a truncated receptacle for receiving the drinks receptacle. The term "truncated receptacle" may mean that the receptacle is similar in shape to the drinks receptacle.

The truncated receptacle may be formed by taking a second drinks receptacle, of similar or identical shape to the first drinks receptacle, and removing part of the bowl of that second receptacle. That is, cutting or otherwise removing an upper end of the second drinks receptacle. Of course, the truncated receptacle may instead be deliberately formed in truncated form, when evaluated against the size of first drinks receptacle. Put another way, the bowl or cup of the holder may be truncated relative to the bowl of the drinks receptacle.

Using a second but adapted drinks receptacle is preferable to minimise production costs. It also contributes to providing a holder which is contoured to fit the receptacle, and vice versa. The drinks receptacle effectively stacks in the holder, which is also space efficient for transport purposes.

The releasable connection means may include a first portion on the handle or base that is rotatably engageable with a second portion on the base or handle. This allows the base to be releasably engaged, whilst also securely engaged so that it does not detach by accident if loaded with a lot of food. For example, rotation may allow one or more protrusions to lock into one or more corresponding lateral slots, preventing disengagement along a vertical axis.

Some or all of the food receiving area may be substantially horizontal. Some or all of the food receiving area may slope towards the handle. The base may include a raised lip or rim for retaining food on top of the base.

The food receiving area may extend at least 180 degrees around the handle. The food receiving area may extend at least 240 degrees around the handle. The food receiving area may extend at least 270 degrees around the handle. The food receiving area may extend by substantially 360 degrees around the handle. The area may be provided as a single contiguous area. The area may be provided in non-contiguous segments of equal or dissimilar size.

The base may include one or more dividers or gaps. This is intended to create a non-food receiving area or region so that, when held, the sleeve or cuff of the hand holding the apparatus does not drag in the food.

The handle may be offset from a centre of the base. This may allow the handle to be disposed towards an edge of the base so that it can be held without the risk of dragging a sleeve in the food on the base.

The handle may be around 5 to 15 cm in length. The handle may be shorter for a child's apparatus, or for someone with smaller hands. The handle may be longer for an adult version of the apparatus, or for someone with larger hands.

The handle may be long enough that the hand can grip the handle above the level of any food on the apparatus, to avoid getting food stains on clothing for example. However, to keep the centre of gravity low and avoid making the apparatus unwieldy, the handle length should not be too long.

The handle may be hollow. This reduces the weight of the apparatus, making it easier to hold when filled with food and drink.

The handle may be substantially cylindrical in shape. The handle may be shaped ergonomically. The handle may taper and widen in the manner of a stem, such as a wine glass stem.

The handle and drinks receptacle may share a common longitudinal axis, when the receptacle is upright in the holder. That is, the drinks receptacle may be located centrally on top of the handle.

The handle may be substantially perpendicular to a plane of the base.

The drinks receptacle may be open-ended at the top. The open end may be at least half as wide as the receptacle. The open end may be about as wide as the receptacle. The width of the receptacle may be taken as the maximum diameter from one side of the receptacle body to the other. This allows for easily pouring a drink into the receptacle and for drinking out of the receptacle.

The drinks receptacle may include a chamber or bowl. For example, the drinks receptacle may be shaped like a beer glass. In that case, the bowl may be substantially cylindrical in shape. The holder may be adapted to receive a similar-shaped drinks receptacle, that is in the shape of a pint glass for example.

The drinks receptacle may include a bowl and a stem extending from the bowl. For example, the drinks receptacle may be shaped like a wine glass.

The stem may be integrally formed with the bowl. The drinks receptacle may consist only of a bowl and a stem extending from the bowl. That is, the drinks receptacle may not include a base, in which case it cannot stand on a table independently of its holder.

The holder may include an aperture or recess for receiving the stem of the drinks receptacle. The stem may extend into the handle when the receptacle is in the holder.

This assists stacking of the pieces for transport.

The stem may be hollow or include a chamber. The end of the stem may be a closed end. The hollow portion or chamber may be connected to the bowl. This allows drink to be held in the stem. This lowers the centre of gravity of the drinks receptacle, so that it is more stable in the holder. This is further assisted by having a hollow handle or portion of the holder into which the stem can extend.

A stop or spacer may be provided on the bowl or stem for assisting removal of the drinks receptacle from the holder. A stop or spacer may be provided in the handle or holder where the stem is received, for assisting removal of the drinks receptacle from the holder.

The stop or spacer reduces the extent to which the stem fits into the holder, so that the peak force required to withdraw the receptacle is lower, reducing the likelihood of spilling the drink when picking up the receptacle. This is particularly helpful where the holder is a truncated version of the drinks receptacle, and includes a holder stem into which the drinks receptacle stem fits.

Another releasable connection means may be provided to releasably connect the handle and upper end of the handle together. This allows further disassembly for cleaning and/or efficient transport. It also means that broken or damaged parts can be replaced more easily and/or at lower cost.

An internal curvature of the holder or cupped support may be lower than or about equal to an external curvature of the bowl of the drinks receptacle.

The drinks receptacle may be made of plastic or glass. The holder may be made of plastic. The handle may be made of plastic. This minimises the overall weight of the apparatus, so it is easier to hold for extended periods of time. Using a glass drinks receptacle may be preferable for mouthfeel, compared to plastic.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts of an apparatus for holding food and drink in or with one hand, the kit comprising an elongate handle, a base for supporting the apparatus in a stable upright position on a table, a food receiving area on top of the base, a drinks receptacle, and a holder for releasably holding the drinks receptacle, the base being on or connectable to a lower end of the handle, and the holder being on or connectable to an upper end of the handle.

The advantages are similar to those presented for the first aspect of the invention. In addition, by providing the apparatus in kit form, it is easier and more convenient to transport the apparatus in bulk. This is because the volume of the disassembled kit is less than that of the assembled kit, and so it is more economical to transport. The kit can be assembled at the point of use (or shortly before use), such as when setting up for a networking event offering food and drink.

The second aspect of the invention may include any feature or combination of features presented for the first aspect of the invention.

The base may be connected to the handle. The handle may be connected to the holder.

The connection may be achieved by using an adhesive or fixing means such as a screw. There may be connection means in the kit for achieving the base-handle and/or handle-holder connection. Either or both connection means may be releasable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 A shows a side-perspective view of a first embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention; Figure 1B shows a side perspective view of a drinks receptacle of the apparatus in Figure 1A; Figure 2A shows a side-perspective view of a second embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2B shows a side perspective view of a receptacle of the apparatus in Figure 2A; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a receptacle of the apparatus in Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a base, handle and receptacle holder of the apparatus in Figure 3; and Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a base and handle connector of the apparatus in Figure 3.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring firstly to Figures 1A and 1B, an apparatus for holding food drink with one hand is indicated generally at 10. All parts of the apparatus 10 are made of plastic in this embodiment.

20 25 30 The apparatus 10 includes a base 12. The base 12 is a plate or plate-like body in this embodiment. It has a horizontal surface on top as a receiving area 14 for food. A handle connector 16 is provided on top of the base 12.

A handle 18 is connected at its lower end to the connector 16. The connection is a releasable rotation connection in this embodiment, allowing the handle to be detached from the base 12 by twisting. The handle 18 is substantially cylindrical in this embodiment. The handle 18 is hollow for receiving a stem of a drinks receptacle (see below).

A receptacle holder or support 20 is provided at an upper end of the handle 18. The holder 20 is wider than the handle 18. The holder 20 includes a substantially flat upper surface in this embodiment. The holder 20 is shaped like a disc in this embodiment. An aperture is provided through the holder 20 above the handle 18.

A drinks receptacle is indicated generally at 22. The receptacle 22 is engaged in the apparatus 10 in Figure 1A. The drinks receptacle 22 includes a bowl 22a and a stem 22b in this embodiment. A stop or spacer 24 is provided on a distal end of the stem 22b. The stem 22b is narrower than the bowl 22a.

The bowl 22a defines a liquid receiving region. The stem 22b includes a chamber as an extension of the liquid receiving region of the bowl 22a. As seen in Figure 1B, a liquid L in the receptacle is received in both the bowl 22a and the stem 22b.

The bowl 22a includes a flat lower surface or underside to complement the flat upper surface of the holder 20. The stem 22b extends through the aperture in the holder 20, and into the hollow handle 18 when the receptacle 22 is held in the holder 20. This helps to keep the receptacle 22 in a stable upright position in the holder 20.

The spacer 24 can be shaped so that it does not have a complementary shape to the internal lower end of the handle 18. In other embodiments, the spacer 24 can be adapted to have a low coefficient of friction with the inside of the handle 18, for example, to make it easier to take the receptacle out of the holder 20.

Referring now to Figures 2A and 2B, a second embodiment of an apparatus for holding food drink with one hand is indicated generally at 10'. Like parts are labelled with like reference numerals. The difference here is that the spacer 24' is located inside the hollow handle 18'. This again reduces the degree to which the stem 22b' sticks in the holder 20.

Referring now to Figures 3 to 6, a third embodiment of an apparatus for holding food drink with one hand is indicated generally at 110. This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, except as described below. Again, like parts are labelled with like reference numerals.

The apparatus 110 has a plate 112 as its base. The plate 112 includes a substantially horizontal region 114a as a food receiving area, and an angled rim 114b circumscribing the horizontal region 114a. The plate 112 is ceramic in this embodiment.

With reference to Figure 6, a connector 116 is glued to the plate. The connector 116 is provided in the middle of the plate 112 in this embodiment. The connector 116 includes a flexible rim 116a for providing a push-fit connection to a handle 118. A plurality of protrusions 116b are arranged approximately in a circle towards the centre of the connector 116.

The handle 118 is substantially cylindrical. The lower end connects to the connector 116. A cupped support 120 is provided at the upper end of the handle 118. The cupped support 120 includes a bowl 120a. An aperture 120b is provided through the base of the cupped support 120. In this embodiment, the cupped support 120 includes a stem (not visible) which extends into the handle 118. The cupped support 120 is securely connected to the handle 118. In some embodiments, the cupped support may be formed integrally with the handle.

A drinks receptacle is indicated generally at 122. The drinks receptacle 122 includes a bowl 122a and a stem 122b. A stop or spacer 124 is provided on a distal end of the stem 122b. The external curvature of the lower half of the bowl 122a complements the internal curvature of the cupped support 120. The stem 122b is shaped to fit into the stem of the cupped support 120. It will be appreciated from the visible portion of the cupped support in Figure 3 that the cupped support 120 is a truncated version of a drinks receptacle in this embodiment.

Where any of the apparatuses are provided in kit form, the base, handle, holder and drinks receptacle can be assembled to arrive at a useable apparatus. The handle is connected at each end to the base and holder, and when upright the holder can receive the drinks receptacle. Food and drink can then be added to the apparatus.

After use, the apparatus can be disassembled for cleaning. This is useful where large numbers of the apparatus need to be cleaned for re-use, since they can be put in a dishwasher more easily as individual components. At a minimum, the drinks holder is a discrete part. It is useful to have the base detachable for cleaning. The handle and holder may be made from a single part, or two constituent pieces releasably connected together.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An apparatus for holding food and drink in one hand, comprising an elongate handle, a base at a lower end of the handle for supporting the apparatus in a stable upright position on a table, a food receiving area on top of the base, a drinks receptacle, and a holder for the drinks receptacle, the holder being provided at an upper end of the handle, and the drinks receptacle being removable from the holder.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which releasable connection means is provided to releasably connect the base and lower end of the handle together.
3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which the releasable connection means includes a flexible or push-fit connector on the handle or base for receiving a corresponding part of the base or lower end of the handle.
4. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the base includes a plate or bowl which provides the food receiving area.
5. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the holder includes a cupped support on the upper end of the handle.
6. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which an internal region of the holder is shaped to complement an external region of the drinks receptacle.
7. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, when dependent on claim 5, in which the cupped support is shaped to complement a lower portion of the exterior of the drinks receptacle.
8. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the holder comprises a truncated receptacle for receiving the drinks receptacle.
9. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, when dependent on claim 2, in which the releasable connection means includes a first portion on the handle or base that is rotatably engageable with a second portion on the base or handle.
10. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the food receiving area is substantially horizontal and/or slopes towards the handle.
11. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the base includes a raised lip or rim for retaining food on top of the base.
12. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the handle is hollow.
13. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the drinks receptacle includes a bowl and a stem extending from the bowl.
14. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, when dependent on claim 13, in which the holder includes an aperture or recess for receiving the stem of the drinks receptacle.
15. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, when dependent on claim 13, in which the stem extends into the handle when the receptacle is in the holder.
16. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, when dependent on claim 13, in which the stem is hollow or includes a chamber, the hollow region or chamber being connected to the bowl.
17. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, when dependent on claim 13, in which a stop or spacer is provided on the bowl or stem for assisting removal of the drinks receptacle from the holder.
18. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, when dependent on claim 13, a stop or spacer may be provided in the handle or holder where the stem is received, for assisting removal of the drinks receptacle from the holder.
19. A kit of parts of an apparatus for holding food and drink in one hand, the kit comprising an elongate handle, a base for supporting the apparatus in a stable upright position on a table, a food receiving area on top of the base, a drinks receptacle, and a holder for releasably holding the drinks receptacle, the base being on or connectable to a lower end of the handle, and the holder being on or connectable to an upper end of the handle.
20. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 19, comprising any feature or combination of features presented in any of claims 1 to 18.