Plate with built-in hole for cup

Abstract

A plate with a built-in cup holder, designed to be picked up, held, and set down with one hand. It has a hole that is off-center, near the edge designed to receive drinking vessels of various sizes. Surrounding the hole is a slight lip in the shape of an overturned “V,” which helps support a drinking vessel, and prevents food from pushing up against the drinking vessel. This lip is lined on its interior with bumps, ridges, or some similar raised elements, which help hold a drinking vessel in place and also prevent it from getting stuck. There are also mini-ridges along the outer surface of the cup holder lip to help prevent food from sliding into the hole, or up against a beverage vessel. Small canals are present on the flat surface of the plate which are able to help collect excess liquid from food. A person can hold the plate, with a drinking vessel, by the edge of the plate. When the plate is set down, the cup rises through the hole as the plate is set on the flat surface. The plate can be used with or without a drinking vessel. The plate can be stacked upon a duplicate plate.

1 . A plate, capable of being held with one hand, comprising in combination:
 (a) a flat food-bearing surface with small inset canals for collecting excess liquids; and   (b) an off-centered hole, close to the edge, in which a drinking vessel of various sizes can be placed.   
   
   
       2 . Wherein hole in  claim 1 :
 (a) has a slight lip, in the shape of an overturned “V,” around its perimeter to protect said drinking vessel from food or other items on said plate; said overturned “V” shape rises above the surface level of said plate;   (b) has bumps, bubbles, ridges, or some similar raised elements along the inside of the lip to prevent said drinking vessel from sticking;   (c) has mini-ridges on the outer surface of the overturned “V” shape to prevent food from sliding against a beverage or down into the hole.   
   
   
       3 . Wherein plate in  claim 1 :
 a) has a graduated lip or curvature around the perimeter to keep food or other items on the surface;   b) can be stacked on top of a duplicate of said plate;   c) can be made of various sizes and made of various materials, so long as the material is of sufficient strength to hold food and a drinking vessel.   
   
   
       4 . Wherein plate in  claim 1 :
 a) may include two very narrow partitions for segregating contents of said plate;   b) is designed to be light enough for the bearer to pick up, carry, and set down with one hand.   c) can be used as a normal plate without a drinking vessel in place.