Food server

Abstract

A server apparatus for food items which provides a deposit location for unwanted, discardable, or inedible portions of the food, or ancillary utensils such as tooth picks, and is convenient, sanitary and appealing for serving food.

1 . A server apparatus for displaying and serving food that provides a location for shells and refuse separate from food, comprising a food server member, at least one chute extending upwardly above an upper surface of said food server member; and a base member attached to said food server member. 
   
   
       2 . A server apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein said chute is removably attached to said server member. 
   
   
       3 . A server apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein said base member is removably attached to said server member. 
   
   
       4 . A server apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein said chute and said base member are each removably attached to said server member. 
   
   
       5 . A server apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said server member has at least one aperture which passes through upper and lower surfaces of said server member. 
   
   
       6 . A server apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said upper surface of said server member is segmented. 
   
   
       7 . A server apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said server member includes raised edges on said upper surface. 
   
   
       8 . A server apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said server member is multi-tiered. 
   
   
       9 . A server apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said server member has ridges on its lower surface. 
   
   
       10 . A server apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said chute is positioned on said aperture of said server member. 
   
   
       11 . A server apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said chute receives food refuse. 
   
   
       12 . A server apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said chute is snapped into said aperture of said server member. 
   
   
       13 . A server apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said chute is screwed into said aperture of said server member. 
   
   
       14 . A server apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said chute interlocks into said aperture of said server member. 
   
   
       15 . A server apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said server member is positioned on upper edges of said base member. 
   
   
       16 . A server apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said base member is of a sufficient depth to contain a quantity of food refuse. 
   
   
       17 . A server apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said base member includes a disposable lining. 
   
   
       18 . A server apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said base member has a non-skid surface on an exterior surface. 
   
   
       19 . A server apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said base member has at least one handle. 
   
   
       20 . A server apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said base member includes at least one gripping surface on an exterior surface. 
   
   
       21 . A server apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said server member is interlocking with said upper edges of said base member. 
   
   
       22 . A server apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said base member includes a conical portion within said base member, said conical member located below said aperture of said chute of the base member, said conical member deflecting shells and refuse to settle in an outer portion of said base member, thereby preventing clogging of said base member at a region thereof located below said chute. 
   
   
       23 . A server apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein said conical portion includes a plurality of vertical slants. 
   
   
       24 . A server apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a heating means. 
   
   
       25 . A server apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a cooling means. 
   
   
       26 . A server apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising an illumination means. 
   
   
       27 . A server apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising at least one cover for said server member. 
   
   
       28 . A server apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising removably attached utensil pockets. 
   
   
       29 . A server apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising at least one viewing window. 
   
   
       30 . A server apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein said viewing window is opaque, translucent, or transparent. 
   
   
       31 . A server apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said server apparatus is formed of a food compatible material. 
   
   
       32 . A server apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein said server apparatus is opaque, translucent, or transparent. 
   
   
       33 . A server apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein said server apparatus is decorated for a theme. 
   
   
       34 . A server apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein said server apparatus is formed in any convenient shape. 
   
   
       35 . A food serving assembly comprising:
 at least one server member to hold food items thereon comprising:   a server member with at least one side wall of a height sufficient to keep the food items from falling off, at least one aperture on a bottom surface of said server member, with at least one wall adjacent the aperture extending upwardly from said bottom surface of said server, said at least one wall rigidly affixed to said server forming a bottomless chute together with said aperture, said food server member having at least one upwardly extending chute attached to said server member; said chute extending upwardly above an upper surface of said server member;   said server member positioned above a base member, said base member having at least one side wall of a sufficient depth to contain discarded portions of the food items therein,   said food serving apparatus functioning to allow a user to take a food item from said server member and discard a portion of the food item through said chute into said base member.   
   
   
       36 . The food serving assembly as described in  claim 35 , wherein said means for emptying the discarded portions of the food items is an aperture located at a previously-determined area of said base portion, said base portion further comprising a removable cover for said aperture. 
   
   
       37 . The food server apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein said chute member extends beyond a lower surface of said server member to guide the shells and refuse into said base member. 
   
   
       38 . The food server assembly as in  claim 35  wherein said chute member extends beyond a lower surface of said server member to guide the shells and refuse into said base member. 
   
   
       39 . A portable carry food server comprising a top cover having a connected removable cap with a handle attached to an outer transparent food item viewing portion enclosing a food server member and an upwardly extending chute extending upwardly above an upper surface of said food server member; said upwardly extending chute having a cover cap; and, a lower base member removably attached to said transparent food item viewing portion. 
   
   
       40 . A server apparatus for displaying and serving food that provides a location for shells and refuse separate from food, comprising a food server member, at least one chute extending upwardly above an upper surface of said food server member; a base member attached to said food server member; and,
 at least one condiment containing compartment extending upward from said food server member.