Disposable utensil rest

Abstract

The disposable utensil rest includes a base plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, and a raised peripheral rim formed on the upper surface of the base plate. In use, the head of a cooking utensil may be positioned against the upper surface of the base plate with a handle portion of the cooking utensil being supported on the raised peripheral rim to protect a surface upon which the disposable utensil rest is mounted. The base plate and the raised peripheral rim are formed from a disposable material, allowing the disposable utensil rest to be disposed of after use. A dispenser dispensing a utensil rest from a stack of disposable utensil rests may be provided.

1 . A disposable utensil rest, comprising:
 a base plate having a periphery; and   a raised rim extending around the periphery of the base plate, the base plate and rim being formed from a disposable material.   
   
   
       2 . The disposable utensil rest as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said base plate has a substantially rectangular contour. 
   
   
       3 . The disposable utensil rest as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said disposable utensil rest is formed from plastic. 
   
   
       4 . The disposable utensil rest as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said base plate has opposed upper and lower surfaces, the raised rim being formed on the upper surface thereof and projecting upwardly therefrom. 
   
   
       5 . The disposable utensil rest as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the upper surface defines a central region therein, the central region having a plurality of grooves formed therein. 
   
   
       6 . The disposable utensil rest as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a dispenser having a housing dimensioned and configured for containing a plurality of said base plates in a stack, an opening for dispensing a single one of said base plates at a time being formed through said housing, said dispenser further comprising means for biasing the plurality of stacked base plates against the opening. 
   
   
       7 . The disposable utensil rest as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said disposable utensil rest is formed from a flexible material. 
   
   
       8 . A dispenser for the disposable utensil rest of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a housing having a plurality of sidewalls, a lower wall and an open upper end, the housing defining an open interior region therein, the open interior region being dimensioned and configured to receive a plurality of the disposable utensil rests;   a plate slidably mounted within the housing, the plate being adapted for supporting the plurality of disposable utensil rests;   at least one spring positioned between the plate and the lower wall of the housing; and   at least one flange extending from one of the plurality of sidewalls into the open upper end, the at least one spring biasing the plurality of disposable utensil rests against the at least one flange, whereby the user may selectively remove a single one of the plurality of disposable utensil rests at a time from the housing.   
   
   
       9 . A disposable utensil rest assembly, comprising:
 a plurality of disposable utensil rests, each of the disposable utensil rests having a base plate and an upright peripheral rim extending around the base plate, the disposable utensil rests being formed from a disposable material and being adapted for supporting a freshly-soiled food utensil above a countertop to protect the countertop from being soiled, the disposable utensil rests being adapted for disposal after use; and   a dispenser having a housing defining a chamber for storing the plurality of disposable utensil rests and defining a dispenser opening configured to dispense a single one of the disposable utensil rests at a time, the dispenser further having means for biasing the plurality of disposable utensil rests towards the dispenser opening.   
   
   
       10 . The disposable utensil rest assembly as recited in  claim 9 , wherein each said base plate has a substantially rectangular contour. 
   
   
       11 . The disposable utensil rest assembly as recited in  claim 9 , wherein each said disposable utensil rest is formed from plastic. 
   
   
       12 . The disposable utensil rest assembly as recited in  claim 9 , wherein each said base plate has opposed upper and lower surfaces, the upright peripheral rim associated therewith being formed on the upper surface thereof and projecting upwardly therefrom. 
   
   
       13 . The disposable utensil rest assembly as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the upper surface defines a central region therein, the central region having a plurality of grooves formed therein. 
   
   
       14 . The disposable utensil rest assembly as recited in  claim 9 , wherein each said disposable utensil rest is formed from a flexible material.