Plate and decorative array for displaying articles and related method

Abstract

A plate and decorative array ( 10 ) for displaying articles ( 11 ) comprises a plate member ( 12 ) having a base ( 14 ), the base having a continuous sidewall ( 15 ); a generally horizontal shelf ( 25 ) engaging the outer surface of the continuous sidewall; a skirt member ( 26 ) carried at the external edge of the shelf; and a disk ( 20 ) adapted to engage with the upper end of the base. A plate and decorative array ( 50 ) for displaying articles ( 11 ) comprises at least first and second devices, each device ( 10, 51 ) providing a plate member ( 12, 52 ), one of the devices having a first diameter and the other of the devices ( 51 ) having a second diameter, less than the first diameter, wherein the second device is adapted to rest upon the first device. A plate and decorative array ( 80 ), for displaying articles ( 11 ) comprises at least two devices, each device ( 10, 81 ) providing a plate member ( 12, 82 ), one of the devices having a first diameter and the other of the devices having a second diameter, less than the first diameter; and means for elevating ( 101 ) the second device over the first device, the first and second devices being joined together in a tiered fashion by the means for elevating. A method for holding and displaying articles utilizing a plate and decorative array ( 10 ), and placing an article ( 11 ) on the disk ( 20 ); and separately decorating the shelf ( 25 ) of the device with at least one material selected to enhance the appearance of the displayed article. A method is also provided for holding and displaying articles utilizing first ( 10 ) and second plate and decorative arrays ( 51, 81 ).

1 . A plate and decorative array for displaying articles comprising: 
 a plate member having 
 a base, having a continuous sidewall;  
 a generally horizontal shelf engaging the outer surface of said continuous sidewall;  
 a skirt member carried at the external edge of said shelf; and  
 a disk adapted to engage with the upper end of said base.  
   
   
   
       2 . A plate and decorative array, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said disk is provided with a plurality of projections from the underside and said device further includes a plurality of struts, each said strut being engageable with a projection.  
   
   
       3 . A plate and decorative array, as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said struts are coplanar with said bottom of said base.  
   
   
       4 . A plate and decorative array, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said disk is provided with a plurality of projections from the upperside, engageable with the article placed on said disk.  
   
   
       5 . A plate and decorative array, as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising 
 a foam member configured to rest on said shelf, said foam member having sufficient integrity to hold at least one material selected to enhance the appearance of the displayed article.    
   
   
       6 . A plate and decorative array, as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein said at least one material comprises cut flowers.  
   
   
       7 . A plate and decorative array, as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein said foam member comprises an open cell polymeric foam.  
   
   
       8 . A plate and decorative array for displaying articles comprising: 
 at least first and second devices, each said device providing a plate member, one of said devices having a first diameter and the other of said devices having a second diameter, less than said first diameter, wherein said second device is adapted to rest upon said first device.    
   
   
       9 . A plate and decorative array, as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein each said first and second devices comprise 
 a plate member having 
 a base, having a continuous sidewall;  
 a generally horizontal shelf engaging the outer surface of said continuous sidewall;  
 a skirt member carried at the external edge of said shelf; and  
 a disk adapted to engage with the upper end of said base.  
   
   
   
       10 . A plate and decorative array, as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said each disk is provided with a plurality of projections from the underside and said each device further includes a plurality of struts, each said strut of said first device being engageable with a projection from said disk of said first device and each said strut of said second device being engageable with a projection from said disk of said second device.  
   
   
       11 . A plate and decorative array, as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said second disk is provided with a plurality of projections from the upperside, engageable with the article placed on said disk.  
   
   
       12 . A plate and decorative array, as set forth in  claim 9 , further comprising a foam member configured to rest on each said shelf, said foam member having sufficient integrity to hold at least one material selected to enhance the appearance of the displayed article.  
   
   
       13 . A plate and decorative array, as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said at least one material comprises cut flowers.  
   
   
       14 . A plate and decorative array, as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said foam member comprises an open cell polymeric foam.  
   
   
       15 . A plate and decorative array for displaying articles comprising: 
 at least two devices, each said device providing a plate member, one of said devices having a first diameter and the other of said devices having a second diameter, less than said first diameter; and    means for elevating said second device over said first device, said first and second devices being joined together in a tiered fashion by said means for elevating.    
   
   
       16 . A plate and decorative array, as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein said first device comprises 
 a plate member having 
 a base, having a continuous sidewall;  
 a generally horizontal shelf engaging the outer surface of said continuous sidewall;  
 a skirt member carried at the external edge of said shelf; and  
 a disk adapted to engage with the upper end of said base.  
   
   
   
       17 . A plate and decorative array, as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein said disk is provided with a plurality of apertures.  
   
   
       18 . A plate and decorative array, as set forth in  claim 16 , further comprising a foam member configured to rest on said shelf, said foam member having sufficient integrity to hold at least one material selected to enhance the appearance of the displayed article.  
   
   
       19 . A plate and decorative array, as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein said at least one material comprises cut flowers.  
   
   
       20 . A plate and decorative array, as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein said foam member comprises an open cell polymeric foam.  
   
   
       21 . A plate and decorative array, as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein said second device comprises 
 a plate member having 
 a base having a continuous sidewall;  
 a generally horizontal shelf engaging the outer surface of said continuous sidewall;  
 a skirt member carried at the external edge of said shelf; and  
 a disk adapted to engage with the upper end of said base.  
   
   
   
       22 . A plate and decorative array, as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the upper end of said base provides an annular channel and said means for elevating device includes a plurality of columns, each said column providing vertical support for said annular channel.  
   
   
       23 . A plate and decorative array, as set forth in  claim 22 , wherein said columns pass through said apertures and are essentially coplanar with the bottom of said base.  
   
   
       24 . A plate and decorative array, as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein said second disk is provided with a plurality of projections from the upperside, engageable with the article placed on said disk.  
   
   
       25 . A plate and decorative array, as set forth in  claim 21 , further comprising a foam member configured to rest on said shelf, said foam member having sufficient integrity to hold at least one material selected to enhance the appearance of the displayed article.  
   
   
       26 . A plate and decorative array, as set forth in  claim 25 , wherein said at least one material comprises cut flowers.  
   
   
       27 . A plate and decorative array, as set forth in  claim 25 , wherein said foam member comprises an open cell polymeric foam.  
   
   
       28 . A method for holding and displaying articles utilizing a plate and decorative array, having 
 a plate member having 
 a base, having a continuous sidewall;  
 a generally horizontal shelf engaging the outer surface of said continuous sidewall;  
 a skirt member carried at the external edge of said shelf; and  
 a disk adapted to engage with the upper end of said base; said method comprising:  
   placing an article on said disk; and    separately decorating said shelf with at least one material selected to enhance the appearance of said displayed article.