Dual purpose plate with removable beverage container

Abstract

A dual purpose plate for use in a wide variety of social and dining environments. The dual purpose plate is provided with an aperture located in the center of the plate. The aperture is adapted to removably receive a beverage container therein, thereby allowing a user to simultaneously hold both the plate and a beverage that is placed within the beverage container, with only using one hand. The plate is constructed with a raised exterior perimeter wall, a raised interior retaining wall, and a plurality of raised interior segmenting walls that connect between the interior and exterior walls and separate articles of food, condiments, or other items located on the surface of the plate. The raised interior and exterior walls retain food or other articles placed on the plate and prevent liquids from spilling into the beverage container.

1 . A dual purpose plate comprising:
 a generally flat plate member having a top and a bottom surface and a centrally disposed and substantially circular aperture formed therein, said top surface of said plate having a raised interior wall that surrounds said aperture, a raised exterior wall surrounding a perimeter of said plate, and a plurality of raised segmenting walls extending between said raised interior and exterior walls, each of said raised walls and segmenting walls integrally molded into a one piece unit, said raised interior wall defining a channel formed on the bottom of said plate member that peripherally surrounds said aperture;   a beverage container adapted for removable attachment to said plate, said container having a generally cylindrical shape with one end closed and one end open, said open end aligned with said aperture of said plate when attached thereto, said open end having a layer of material folded over onto itself to define a winged outer rim portion, wherein said winged outer rim portion is adapted for insertion and retention within said channel on said plate member, whereby when said container and plate are attached together, said container presents a grippable surface for simultaneously holding said container and plate member.   
     
     
         2 - 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The dual purpose plate of  claim 1 , wherein said winged, outer rim portion of said beverage container removably attaches to said plate member through a tongue-in-groove connection. 
     
     
         6 . The dual purpose plate of  claim 5 , wherein said winged, outer portion of said beverage container has an interior and an exterior surface and said interior surface is provided with at least one attachment member and wherein said channel of said plate is defined by an interior wall provided with a female groove, whereby said at least one attachment member connects within said female groove to form said tongue-in-groove connection. 
     
     
         7 . The dual purpose plate of  claim 1 , wherein said winged, outer rim portion of said beverage container removably attaches to said serving plate through a frictional fit. 
     
     
         8 . The dual purpose plate of  claim 7 , wherein said winged, outer portion of said beverage container has an interior surface and an exterior surface and said channel of said plate member is defined by an interior wall and an exterior wall, said winged outer portion adapted for insertion within said channel, portion circumferentially, whereby when said winged outer portion is inserted within said channel, said winged outer portion circumferentially compresses such that said exterior and interior surfaces frictionally engage respective said exterior and said interior walls of said channel. 
     
     
         9 . The dual purpose plate of  claim 6 , wherein said at least one attachment member of said container is comprised of a single and continuous protuberant male attachment ring. 
     
     
         10 . The dual purpose plate of  claim 6 , wherein said at least one attachment member is comprised of one of the group consisting of two, four, six and eight, protuberant male attachment members that are spaced from each other. 
     
     
         11 . The dual purpose plate of  claim 9 , further including a removable dipping container for holding a variety of condiments and sauces, said dipping container adapted to rest upon said raised interior wall and enclose said aperture of said plate. 
     
     
         12 . The dual purpose plate of  claim 10 , further including a removable dipping container for holding a variety of condiments and sauces, said dipping container adapted to rest upon said raised interior wall and enclose said aperture of said plate. 
     
     
         13 . The dual purpose plate of  claim 8 , further including a removable dipping container for holding a variety of condiments and sauces, said dipping container adapted to rest upon said raised interior wall and enclose said aperture of said plate. 
     
     
         14 . A serving plate comprising:
 a generally flat plate member having a top and a bottom surface and a centrally disposed and substantially circular aperture formed therein, said top surface of said plate having a raised interior wall that surrounds said aperture, a raised exterior wall surrounding a perimeter of said plate member, and a plurality of raised segmenting walls extending between said raised interior and exterior walls, each of said raised walls and segmenting walls integrally molded into a one piece unit;   a removable dipping container for holding a variety of condiments and sauces, said dipping container adapted to attach to and enclose said aperture of said plate member.   
     
     
         15 . The serving plate of  claim 14 , wherein said removable dipping container further includes at least one tab for assisting a user to readily remove said dipping container from said plate member. 
     
     
         16 . The serving plate of  claim 15 , further including a lip formed as part of said raised interior wall of said plate member, said support lip for supporting said removable dipping container.