GB2110074A

GB2110074A - Serving dish set

Info

Publication number: GB2110074A
Application number: GB08233518A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert H C M Daenen; Rita Goyens Daenen
Original assignee: Dart Industries Inc
Current assignee: Dart Industries Inc
Priority date: 1981-11-27
Filing date: 1982-11-24
Publication date: 1983-06-15
Also published as: ES268801U; SE8206732D0; PT75906B; IE53624B1; BR8206826A; HK95785A; BE895142A; FI76251C; SE8206732L; FR2517192B1; PL239243A1; NO162892C; IE822670L; NL8204341A; DK157475C; MA19653A1; MY8600305A; GR77743B; GB2110074B; AT382072B

Abstract

A serving dish set (10) comprises at least one receptacle that is adapted to be releasably connected to a base (80) so that the receptacle may be removably attached to the base. In a preferred embodiment two such receptacles (12 and 40) are provided so that one may form a lid member for the other or so that a double level serving set can be formed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Serving dish set THIS INVENTION relates to a multi-use serving dish set.

The prior art discloses serving sets which include pieces which may be utilized in various ways. For example, the prior art includes container, display and serving sets in which a single piece functions as both a base and a cover and as a serving and storage piece. The prior art also includes various means for fastening the pieces together.

It is an object of the present invention to provide improved serving dish sets. It is a further object to provide a serving dish set in which the various components can be utilized individually or in combination to serve, store and transport foodstuffs.

In one aspect, the invention provides a serving set comprising a receptacle having a wall member and a peripheral side wall, and a base; the base and said receptacle being adapted to be releasably connected so that the receptacle may be removably attached to the base.

Preferably said base has at least one mating flange, and receiving means are positioned on said wall member to accept said mating flange so that the receptacle may be removably attached to the base.

The receptacle may have oppositely facing first and second receiving means on said wall member positioned to accept said mating flange so that the receptacle may be removably attached to the base in more than one position.

Preferably said first and second receiving means comprise a common flange separated by a partition. In which case the common flange may include a section adjacent said partition which is adapted to abuttingly engage said mating flange.

Desirably, at least two receptacles are provided, at least one of the receptacles having oppositely facing first and secnd receiving means. A first and a second of said receptacles may be adapted to fit together so that one receptacle forms the cover of the other receptacle. Said base may include a central wall defining a container, said central wall having two end portions each terminating in a mating flange. In a serving set including two receptacles, one receptacle is preferably removably attachable to one of said mating flanges by way of its said receiving means, the other receptacle being removably attachable to the other of said mating flanges by means of its said receiving means thereby to form a double level serving set.

In another aspect, the invention provides a serving set comprising a receptacle having a wall member and peripheral sidewalls; at least one receiving means on said wall member; a base having a central wall and a transverse divider which define a container, said central wall having two end portions at least one of which has a mating flange connected thereto; said receiving means being so positioned to accept said mating flange that the receptacle may be removably attached to the base, and in the assembled position said wall member and said base form a closed container.

Each of said central wall end portions preferably has a mating flange and said transverse divider separates the base into two compartments. Said transverse divider may be positioned such that the compartments are of different capacities.

Thus it will be appreciated that the serving dish set may include a pedestal-like base and two receptacles which can be utilized individually or in combination to serve, store and transport foodstuffs. The receptacles may be of a similar size and shape and each may have one or more receiving means which enable the base to be attached thereto. Preferably one of the receptacles includes oppositely facing receiving means which enable it to function as a dish or a wide diameter base.

Either receptacle can be used as a cover for the other receptacle. Further, the pedestal-like base can function as a container for serving, storage and transportation of various foodstuffs. In combination with one of the receptacles the base forms a closured container which may be filled for heating, cooling or stability purposes.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, by way of example only, of an embodiment of the invention when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a top perspective view of one form of a serving dish set in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the serving dish set shown in Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the serving dish set shown in Fig. 1; Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the serving dish set taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 3; Figure 5 is a top perspective view of another arrangment of the serving dish set; Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the serving dish ser shown in Fig. 5; Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the serving dish set taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 6;; Figure 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken of the circled segment 8 of Fig. 4; Figure 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the circled segment 9 of Fig.4; Figure 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the circled segment 10 of Fig. 4; Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of the pedestal-like base shown with a cover; and Figure 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the base with a cover on each end.

The serving dish set of this invention, generally shown in Figs 1, 2 and 5 and indicated by reference numeral 10, includes a first dish or receptacle 12, a second dish or receptacle 40 and a pedestal-like base 80 which can be assembled in various ways to provide a multi-use serving dish, storage and transportation container.

As can be seen in Figs 4, 8 and 10 the first dish or receptacle 1 2 includes a wall member 14 and a sidewall member 1 6 terminating in an edge 1 8. The sidewall member 1 6 further includes an outwardly extending rim 20 having a first surface 22 and a second surface 24. The wall member 14 has an inner surface 26 and an outer surface 28. A flange 30 extends outwardly from the outer surface 28 and terminates in an edge 31. The flange 30 is circular shaped in plan view but it should be understood that other shapes may be suitable for certain uses. The flange 30 includes an outer surface 32 and an inner surface 34.

As best shown in Figs. 4 and 10, the inner surface 34 forms receiving means including a first section 36 and a second section 38.

Relative to the longitudinal axis of the flange 30 the first and second sections 36 and 38, slope inwardly towards the centre of the dish.

As shown in Fig. 10, the first section 36, may slope inwardly at an angle of 8" with respect to the longitudinal axis of the flange 30, whilst the second section 38 slopes inwardly at an angle of 7" with respect to the longitudinal axis of the flange 30.

The second dish or receptacle 40 includes a wall member 42 and a sidewall 44 terminating in an edge 47. The side wall 44 includes an outwardly extending rim 46 having a first surface 48 and a second surface 50. The outside diameter of the first dish sidewall 1 6 is less than the inside diameter of the second dish sidewall 44. As best shown in Fig. 4 the dishes fit together so that one dish or the other can be used as a cover to protect the foodstuffs contained therein. In this regard it should be noted that the edge 47 of the second receptacle 40 fits snugly against the first surface 22 of receptacle rim 20.

As best shown in Figs. 4 and 9, the wall member 42 of the second receptacle 40 has an inner surface 48 and an outer surface 50.

Extending outwardly from the outer surface 50 is a flange 52. Flange 52 has a first portion 54 and a second portion 56 separated by partition 58. The partition 58 is integrally connected at one end to the wall member 42 and at the other end to the flange 52. Thus the partition 58 and the first portion 54 of flange 52 form a groove which opens toward the inner surface 48 of plate 40. The second portion 56 of the flange 52 extends outwardly from the junction between the first flange portion 54 and the partition 58, terminating at an edge 60.

In a manner similar to the first dish flange 30 the first portion 54 of flange 52 has an inner surface 62. As best shown in Figs 7 and 9 the inner surface 62 forms receiving means including a first section 64 and a second section 66. Relative to the flange 52 both the first and second sections 64 and 66, slope inwardly towards the centre of the dish. The second portion 56 of flange 52 has an inner surface 68 which forms receiving means having a third section 70 and a fourth section 72. Again relative to the flange 52, both the third and fourth sections, 70 and 72, slope inwardly towards the centre of the dish.As shown in Fig. 9, the first flange section 64 and the fourth section may slope inwardly at an angle of 8" with respect to the longitudinal axis of the flange 52, and the second flange setion 66 and third section 72 may slope inwardly at an angle of 7" with respect to the longitudinal axis of the flange 52. Thus the second dish 40 has oppositely facing receiving means on wall member 42.

The pedestal-like base 80 includes a central wall 82 having two end portions 83, 85. A transversely extending divider 84 separates the base 80 into two compartments of differing sizes. The outer periphery of each of the end portions 83, 85 respecitvely includes a mating flange 86, 94, having an exterior surface 88, 96, and terminates in an edge 90, 98. The two compartments of the base 80 can be utilized to store and transport foodstuffs particularly when covered with a closure means 99 as shown in Figs. 11 and 12.

Preferably the dishes or receptacles 12, 40 and the base 80 are formed from a rigid plastics materials such as high density polyethylene or polypropylene. It should be noted that a cover (not shown) of low density polyethylene or polypropylene can also be used as a closure means.

Turning now to Figs. 1 to 4, one arrangement of the dish set is shown wherein the base 80 is positioned below the first receptacle 1 2. As best shown in Fig. 4 (and also Fig.

10), the mating flange 86 can be snap fitted into the flange 30. The slope of first section 35 allows the mating flange 86 to initially easily fit into flange 30. The slope of the second section 38 is matched to the mating flange 86 such that a snap fit is produced.

Thus in the assembled position (shown in Fig.

4) the exterior surface of the mating flange 86 abuttingly engages the second section 38 and the mating flange 90 abuttingly engages the outer surface 28 of receptacle 1 2. The second receptacle 40 may be used as a cover to protect foodstuffs placed in the receptacle 1 2 prior to serving.

Whilst it is not shown by a separate drawing it should be clear that the second recepta cle 40 may be substituted for the first receptacle 1 2 since the inner surface of first portion of flange 52 is identical to the inner surface of flange 30. It should be noted that the sidewall 1 6 is lower than sidewall 44 so that the first and second receptacles are of differing capacities. Thus for some uses it may be more convenient to attach the higher sidewall, larger capacity, receptacle 40 to the base 80 and to utilize the first receptacle 1 2 as a cover. It should also be noted that when the base 80 is attached to either receptacle 12, 40, as illustrated in Fig. 4, a closured compartment is formed in the base.This compartment can be used to house heating or cooling media to heat or cool the foodstuffs being served. Other substances could be placed in the compartment to add weight in order to make the base more stable.

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 disclose an arrangement of the dish set 10 in which the secod receptacle 40 is positioned below the base 80 such that a double-level serving set is formed, The first receptacle 1 2 is positioned on the base 80 as previously discussed. The mating flange 94 is press or snap fitted into the groove formed between the partition 58 and the first portion 54 of the flange 52. In the assembled position the exterior surface 96 of flange 94 abuttingly engages the second section 66 of flange 52 and flange edge 98 abuttingly engages the partition 58. In some cases it may be desirable to have a wide diameter base in order to insure that the set does not tip while in use. In such a situation it is possible to position the second receptacle 40 with the edge 47 facing downwardly.In this case, the mating flange 94 engages the third section of flange 52 in snap-fit relationship as previously discussed in detail.

In yet another arrangment of the serving dish set, the base 80 may be positioned in the groove formed on the inner surface 48 of the receptacle 40, as shown in Fig. 7. However, instead of attaching the first receptacle 12, the base 80 is left uncovered. The base 80 thus forms a convenient serving dish for dip or the like. As the divider 84 separates the base into two compartments of different sizes, either of these compartments can be used since the mating flanges 86 and 94 are identicai, the choice depending upon the volme of dip or the like to be served.

It will be appreciated that whilst a number of different arrangments of the dish set have been illustrated and described, other combinations and arrangements of the described eiements may be preferred.

Claims

1. A serving set comprising a receptacle having a wall member and a peripheral side wall, and a base; the base and said receptacle being adapted to be releasably connected so that the receptacle may be removably attached to the base.

2. A serving set according to claim 1, wherein said base has at least one mating flange, and receiving means are positioned on said wall member to accept said mating flange so that the receptacle may be removably attached to the base.

3. A serving set according to claim 2, wherein said receptacle has oppositely facing first and second receiving means on said wall member positioned to accept said mating flange so that the receptacle may be removably attached to the base in more than one position.

4. A serving set comprising a receptacle having a wall member and peripheral sidewalls, a base having at least one mating flange; and oppositely facing first and second receiving means on said wall member being positioned to accept said mating flange so that the receptacle may be removably attached to the base in a plurality of postions.

5. A serving set according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein said wall member has an inner surface and an outer surface, and said first and second receiving means are positioned on said outer surface.

6. A serving set according to any one of claims 3, 4 or 5, wherein said first and second receiving means comprise a common flange separated by a partition.

7. A serving set according to claim 6.

wherein said common flange includes a section adjacent said partition which is adapted to abuttingly engage said mating flange.

8. A serving set according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising at least two of said receptacles.

9. A serving set according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the receptacles has oppositely facing first and second receiving means.

10. A serving set according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein a first and a second of said receptacles are adapted to fit together so that one receptacle may form the cover of the other receptacle.

11. A serving set according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said base includes a central wall defining a container, said central wall having two end portions each terminating in a mating flange.

1 2. A serving set according to any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein said serving set includes two said receptacles, one receptacle being removably attachable to one of said mating flanges by way of its receiving means and the other receptacle being removably attachable to the other of said mating flanges by means of said receiving means thereby to form a double level serving set.

1 3. A serving set according to claim 12, wherein the said receptacle that forms the lower level has oppositely facing first and second receiving means so that it can act either as a tray or can be inverted to give stability to the base.

14. A serving set according to any one of claims 1 to 13. wherein said base is divided into two compartments by a transverse divider.

1 5. A serving set according to claim 14, wherein the transverse divider is so positioned that the two compartments are of different capacities.

1 6. A serving set according to any one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising an optional closure member that is adapted to closely fit over the mating flange of the base to form a sealed container.

1 7. A serving set comprising a receptacle having a wall member and peripheral sidewalls; at least one receiving means on said wall member; a base having a central wall and a transverse divider which define a container, said central wall having two end portions at least one of which has a mating flange connected thereto; said receiving means being so positioned to accept said mating flange that the receptacle may be removably attached to the base, and in the assembled positions said wall member and said base forming a closed contained

1 8. A serving set according to claim 17, wherein each of said central wall end portions preferably has a mating flange and said transverse divider separates the base into two compartments.

1 9. A serving set accoding to claim 18, wherein said transverse divider may be positioned such that the compartments are of different capacities.

20. A serving set substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

21. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.