Dinnerware including a transparent portion for displaying changeable decorations

Abstract

A piece of dinnerware can be readily adapted for use at a particular holiday or other occasion by providing a transparent window in the dinnerware and then placing an insert bearing a decoration specific to the relevant holiday or occasion behind the dinnerware so that the decoration on the insert is visible through the transparent window in the dinnerware. A holder on the underside of the dinnerware may be formed to hold the insert in place behind the dinnerware.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A piece of dinnerware that can be used with an insert for providing decoration with said piece of dinnerware that can be changed and made specific to a particular holiday or other occasion or otherwise adapted to desires of a user; said piece of dinnerware comprising: 
 a transparent window through which said decorated insert can be viewed; and    a holder behind said transparent window for holding said decorated insert to said transparent window.    
     
     
         2 . The piece of dinnerware of  claim 1 , wherein said piece of dinnerware is a dinner plate.  
     
     
         3 . The piece of dinnerware of  claim 1 , wherein said piece of dinnerware is a bread or dessert plate.  
     
     
         4 . The piece of dinnerware of  claim 1 , wherein said piece of dinnerware is a bowl.  
     
     
         5 . A dinnerware system comprising: 
 a piece of dinnerware having a transparent window therein; and    at least one decorated insert disposed with said piece of dinnerware such that a decoration on said decorated insert is visible through said transparent window.    
     
     
         6 . The dinnerware system of  claim 5 , further comprising a holder on said piece of dinnerware for holding said decorated insert in position with respect to said transparent window.  
     
     
         7 . The dinnerware system of  claim 5 , wherein said at least one decorated insert comprises a plurality of decorated inserts each bearing different decorations for use with said piece of dinnerware.  
     
     
         8 . The dinnerware system of  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 one or more other pieces of dinnerware each having a transparent window therein; and    one or more additional decorated inserts which are correspondingly viewed through said transparent window of said one or more other pieces of dinnerware.    
     
     
         9 . The dinnerware system of  claim 8 , wherein all of said decorated inserts bear decorations that are different, but related by a common theme.  
     
     
         10 . The dinnerware system of  claim 5 , further comprising a coaster bearing a decoration that corresponds to said decoration on said at least one insert.  
     
     
         11 . The piece of dinnerware of  claim 5 , wherein said piece of dinnerware is a dinner plate.  
     
     
         12 . The piece of dinnerware of  claim 5 , wherein said piece of dinnerware is a bread or dessert plate.  
     
     
         13 . The piece of dinnerware of  claim 5 , wherein said piece of dinnerware is a bowl.  
     
     
         14 . A method of adapting a dinnerware system for use at a particular holiday or occasion, said method comprising placing a decorated insert with a piece of dinnerware having a transparent window therein, such that a decoration on said decorated insert is visible through said transparent window.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising holding said decorated insert in position with respect to said transparent window with a holder on said piece of dinnerware.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising providing a plurality of decorated inserts each bearing different decorations for use with said piece of dinnerware.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising making a place setting with piece of dinnerware and said insert, as well as with one or more other pieces of dinnerware having a transparent window therein; and one or more additional decorated inserts which are correspondingly viewed through said transparent window of said one or more other pieces of dinnerware.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein all of said decorated inserts bear decorations that are different, but related by a common theme.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising disposing a coaster with said piece of dinnerware, said coaster bearing a decoration that corresponds to said decoration on said at least one insert.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said piece of dinnerware is a dinner plate.