Plate with holder for a beverage container

Abstract

A plate with a holder for a beverage container includes an upper plate member having an upper food surface, and a lower plate member attached to the upper plate member. The lower plate member has a notch formed therein for receiving and engaging a beverage container. The beverage container is held in a position below the upper plate member, and an upper lip of the beverage container can support the upper plate member. The notch in the lower plate member can include a substantially circular section having a diameter slightly less than the upper lip of the beverage container such that the upper lip of the beverage container rests on an upper surface of the lower plate member when positioned within the substantially circular section of the notch.

1 . A plate with a holder for a beverage container, comprising:
 (a) an upper plate member having an upper food surface and an under surface opposite the upper surface; and   (b) attachment means positioned on the under surface of the upper plate member for holding the beverage container, wherein the beverage container is held in a position below the upper plate.   
   
   
       2 . A plate according to  claim 1 , wherein the attachment means comprises a lower plate member attached to the upper plate member and defining a space therebetween, the lower plate member having a notch formed therein for receiving and engaging a beverage container, wherein the beverage container does not occupy space on the upper food surface of the upper plate and a rim of the beverage container supports the under surface of the upper plate member. 
   
   
       3 . A plate according to  claim 2 , wherein the upper and lower plate members are substantially circular and have substantially equal circumferences. 
   
   
       4 . A plate according to  claim 2 , wherein the lower plate member includes a raised outer edge attached to raised outer edge of the upper plate member. 
   
   
       5 . A plate according to  claim 2 , wherein the rim of the beverage container comprises an upper lip extending outwardly from a top edge of the container, and further wherein the notch in the lower plate member comprises a substantially circular section having a diameter slightly less than the upper lip of the beverage container whereby the upper lip of the beverage container rests on an upper surface of the lower plate member when positioned within the substantially circular section of the notch. 
   
   
       6 . A plate according to  claim 5 , wherein the notch further comprises a substantially straight section in communication with the substantially circular section for receiving the beverage container. 
   
   
       7 . A plate according to  claim 2 , wherein the upper and lower plate members are selected from one or more of the group consisting of paper, plastic and cardboard. 
   
   
       8 . A plate according to  claim 2 , wherein the notch is shaped and sized to receive and engage a conventional plastic cup. 
   
   
       9 . A plate according to  claim 2 , wherein the notch of the lower plate member holds the beverage container at an approximate center of the upper plate member. 
   
   
       10 . A plate according to  claim 2 , wherein the rim of the beverage container comprises an upper lip extending outwardly from a top edge of the container, and further wherein the notch in the lower plate member comprises a substantially circular section having a diameter about equal to the top edge of the beverage container and slightly less than the upper lip of the beverage container, whereby the upper lip of the beverage container rests on an upper surface of the lower plate member when positioned within the substantially circular section of the notch. 
   
   
       11 . A plate according to  claim 10 , wherein the substantially circular section of the notch has a diameter approximately ninety-three percent of the diameter of an outermost extent of the upper lip of the beverage container. 
   
   
       12 . A plate according to  claim 10 , wherein the substantially circular section of the notch and the top edge of the beverage container has a diameter of about 3.50 inches, and the upper lip of the beverage container has a diameter of about 3.75 inches. 
   
   
       13 . A plate according to  claim 12 , wherein the notch further comprises a substantially straight section in communication with the substantially circular section, and having a width of about 3.25 inches at the point of communication with the substantially circular section. 
   
   
       14 . A plate and beverage container assembly comprising:
 (a) a beverage container comprising a plastic disposable cup; and   (b) a plate with a holder for the cup comprising:
 (i) an upper plate member having an upper surface for supporting food thereon, and 
 (ii) a lower plate member attached to the upper plate member with the upper plate member and defining a space therebetween, the lower plate member having a notch formed therein for receiving and engaging the plastic cup, wherein the cup is held in a position below the upper plate member. 
   
   
   
       15 . A plate according to  claim 14 , wherein the upper and lower plate members are substantially circular and have substantially equal circumferences. 
   
   
       16 . A plate according to  claim 15 , wherein the lower plate member includes a raised outer edge attached to a raised outer edge of the upper plate member. 
   
   
       17 . A plate according to  claim 14 , wherein the cup includes an upper lip extending outwardly from a top edge of the cup, and further wherein the notch in the lower plate member comprises a substantially circular section having a diameter slightly less than the upper lip of the cup whereby the upper lip of the cup rests on an upper surface of the lower plate member when positioned within the substantially circular section of the notch. 
   
   
       18 . A plate according to  claim 17 , wherein the notch further comprises a substantially straight section in communication with the substantially circular section for receiving the cup. 
   
   
       19 . A plate according to  claim 13 , wherein the upper and lower plate members comprise one or more selected from the group consisting of paper, plastic and cardboard, and are attached by one or more selected from the group consisting of staples, nails and adhesive. 
   
   
       20 . A plate according to  claim 13 , wherein the notch in the lower plate member comprises a substantially circular section having a diameter about equal to a top edge of the beverage container and slightly less than an upper lip extending outwardly from the top edge of the beverage container, whereby the upper lip of the beverage container rests on an upper surface of the lower plate member when positioned within the substantially circular section of the notch.