Disposable plates and bowls with attached utensils

Abstract

A food-holding plate or bowl may include a central area and a rim surrounding the central area. At least one utensil-holding strap is formed integrally with the rim. The rim may be provided with cuts and rim material between the cuts may be displaced from a plane of the rim thereby resulting in formation of the strap. The rim may be provided with a cut-out into which a tine portion of the fork or a bowl portion of the spoon may be positioned, so that one of the assemblies may be stacked onto another one of the assemblies in a nested relationship.

1 . A food-holding plate or bowl comprising:
 a central area;   a rim surrounding the central area; and   at least one utensil-holding strap formed integrally with the rim.   
     
     
         2 . The plate or bowl of  claim 1  wherein the strap is formed with material of the rim. 
     
     
         3 . The plate or bowl of  claim 2  wherein the rim is provided with cuts and rim material between the cuts is displaced from a plane of the rim thereby resulting in formation of the strap. 
     
     
         4 . A food-holding assembly comprising:
 a plate or bowl with a rim having at least one utensil holding strap;   and at least one eating utensil supported by the strap.   
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 4  wherein the strap is integral with the rim. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 4  wherein the eating utensil is supported under the rim and can be removed and replaced as needed. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 4  wherein the utensil is a fork or spoon and wherein the rim is provided with a cut-out into which a tine portion of the fork or a bowl portion of the spoon is positioned. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 4  wherein the utensil is supported by two of the straps. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 4  wherein the plate or bowl is paper or plastic and the utensil is plastic. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 4  being configured so that one of the assemblies can be stacked onto another one of the assemblies in a nested relationship.