Disposable plate having stretch skirt

Abstract

A disposable plastic or paper plate having a skirt around an outer periphery thereof, the skirt either having an elastic element integrally formed therein, or having an elastic band around a bottom portion. The disposable plate may be placed onto a hard plate for support, and the elastic skirt is placed over the sides of the hard plate so that the skirt contracts beneath the hard plate and holds the disposable plate onto the hard plate without sliding off the hard plate. The disposable plate serves as a liner, so that after the disposable plate is placed on the hard plate and the skirt is holding the disposable plate in place on the hard plate, food may be placed onto the disposable plate for consumption. After the meal is finished, the disposable plate may be removed from the hard plate and disposed of, which eliminates the need for washing the hard plate.

1 . A disposable plate comprising:
 a plate member having a flexible skirt around an outer periphery thereof, wherein said skirt member includes an elastic element allowing said skirt to be stretched about the outer periphery of a hard surface such as a hard plate when said disposable plate is placed on top of said hard plate, whereby said flexible skirt may be used to temporarily secure said disposable plate to a hard plate.   
   
   
       2 . The disposable plate set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said disposable plate is manufactured from a material selected from a group consisting of paper, plastic, foam or cardboard. 
   
   
       3 . The disposable plate set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said elastic element of said flexible skirt is integrally formed within said flexible skirt. 
   
   
       4 . The disposable plate set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said elastic element of said flexible skirt is an elastic band or strip positioned at a bottom portion of said skirt. 
   
   
       5 . A method of using dishware comprising the steps of:
 Providing a disposable plate having securing means for securing said disposable plate to a hard underlying plate, wherein said securing means include a stretchable outer periphery adapted to stretch over the edges of an underlying plate;   placing said disposable plate on top of a hard underlying plate;   stretching said securing means about the periphery of said hard underlying plate;   placing food on said disposable plate; and   removing said disposable plate from said hard underlying plate.