Method for providing a platter of foodstuffs for sale to a consumer

Abstract

A method for providing a compartmentalized platter of foodstuffs for sale to a consumer, whereby the foodstuffs are first placed into individual containers which fit into the compartments of the platter, such that the consumer has great flexibility in selecting and arranging the foodstuffs to be included with the platter.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method for providing a platter of foodstuffs for sale to a consumer, said method comprising the following steps:
 Step A: obtain a platter, said platter having
 a substantially planar base having a perimeter edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface, 
 a continuous circumferential side wall, said side wall located adjacent to the perimeter edge of the base of the platter on the top surface of the base of the platter and oriented substantially perpendicular to the base of the platter, said side wall having a top edge and a substantially uniform height, 
 a plurality of partitions, each said partition located adjacent to the base of the platter on the top surface of the base of the platter and extending upward from the base of the platter, with each partition spaced substantially apart from each other partition, and 
 a plurality of compartments, each compartment comprising a volume located between a pair of adjacent partitions and above a portion of the base of the platter located between said pair of adjacent partitions; 
   Step B: obtain a plurality of containers, with each container having   a substantially planar base having a perimeter edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface,   a continuous circumferential side wall, said circumferential side wall of said container located adjacent to the perimeter edge of the base of said container on the top surface of the base of said container and oriented substantially perpendicular to the base of said container, said   circumferential side wall of said container having a top edge and a substantially uniform height, and
 a removable covering, said covering suitably configured to be placed onto the top edge of the side wall of said container and secured thereto, 
 with each container dimensioned to fit within at least one of the plurality of compartments of the platter; 
   Step C: fill the plurality of containers with foodstuffs;   Step D: onto each of the containers having been filled with foodstuffs, place one of the coverings;   Step E: make the platter available to a consumer for purchase;   Step F: make the plurality of containers filled with foodstuffs available to the consumer for purchase;   Step G: have the consumer select the platter;   Step H: have the consumer select a plurality of containers filled with foodstuffs;   Step I: have the consumer place each selected container into one of the compartments of the platter; and   Step J: have the consumer purchase the platter of foodstuffs.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the following additional steps:
 Step A 1 : obtain a cover, said cover suitably configured to be placed onto the top edge of the side wall of the platter and secured thereto, 
 Step E 1 : make the cover available to the consumer for purchase; and 
 Step I 1 : have the consumer place the cover onto the top edge of the side wall of the platter. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein
 the platter obtained in Step A is substantially round and has a circular central portion, the partitions of the platter are arranged in a regular radial pattern around the central portion of the platter, 
 the partitions do not extend into the central portion of the platter, 
 each of the plurality of compartments of the platter is substantially wedge-shaped, 
 each of the plurality of containers obtained in Step B is substantially wedge-shaped with a forward portion being truncated, such that when said container is placed into a compartment of the platter in Step I the container does not extend into the central portion of the platter; 
 said method further comprising the following additional steps: 
 Step B 1 : obtain a plurality of cylindrical containers, with each cylindrical container having a substantially planar base having a perimeter edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface, a continuous circumferential side wall, said circumferential side wall located adjacent to the edge of the base of said cylindrical container on the top surface of the base of said cylindrical container and oriented substantially perpendicular to the base of said cylindrical container, said circumferential side wall having a top edge and a substantially uniform height, and 
 a removable circular covering, said circular covering suitably configured to be placed onto the top edge of the side wall of said cylindrical container and secured thereto, 
 with each of the plurality of cylindrical containers dimensioned to fit within the circular central portion of the platter; 
 Step C 1 : fill the plurality of cylindrical containers with foodstuffs; 
 Step D 1 : onto each of the cylindrical containers having been filled with foodstuffs, place one of the circular coverings; 
 Step F 1 : make the plurality of cylindrical containers filled with foodstuffs available to the consumer for purchase; 
 Step H 1 : have the consumer select one of the plurality of cylindrical containers filled with foodstuffs; and 
 Step H 2 : have the consumer place the selected cylindrical container into the central portion of the platter. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising the following additional steps:
 Step A 1 : obtain a cover, said cover suitably configured to be placed onto the top edge of the side wall of the platter and secured thereto, 
 Step E 1 : make the cover available to the consumer for purchase; and 
 Step I 1 : have the consumer places the cover onto the top edge of the side wall of the platter. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein
 the platter obtained in Step A is substantially round, 
 the partitions of the platter are arranged in a regular radial pattern, and 
 each of the plurality of compartments of the platter is substantially wedge-shaped. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein
 the platter obtained in Step A is substantially rectangular, 
 the partitions of the platter are arranged in a rectangular grid pattern, and 
 each of the plurality of compartments of the platter is substantially rectangular. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of containers filled with foodstuffs in Step C is filled with foodstuffs of a single type, and with at least two of the plurality of containers are each filled with foodstuffs of a type differing from that of each other of said at least two of the plurality of containers. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of containers filled with foodstuffs in Step C is filled with two or more types of foodstuffs, and with at least a first container of the plurality of containers being filled with two or more types of foodstuffs and at least a second container of the plurality of containers being filled with two or more types of foodstuffs which differ from the two or more types of foodstuffs of the first container. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 3  wherein each of the plurality of cylindrical containers filled with foodstuffs in Step C 1  is filled with foodstuffs of a single type, and with at least two of the plurality of cylindrical containers are each filled with foodstuffs of a type differing from that of each other of said at least two of the plurality of cylindrical containers. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 3  wherein each of the plurality of cylindrical containers filled with foodstuffs in Step C is filled with two or more types of foodstuffs, and with at least a first cylindrical container of the plurality of cylindrical containers being filled with two or more types of foodstuffs and at least a second cylindrical container of the plurality of cylindrical containers being filled with two or more types of foodstuffs which differ from the two or more types of foodstuffs of the first cylindrical container. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the foodstuffs placed into the plurality of containers is comprised of one of the following group: vegetables, fruits, meat products, cheese, vegetable dip, and sauce. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the foodstuffs placed into the plurality of cylindrical containers is comprised of one of the following group: vegetables, fruits, meat products, cheese, vegetable dip, and sauce. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the platter is substantially transparent. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of containers is substantially transparent. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 3  wherein each of the plurality of cylindrical containers is substantially transparent. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of removable coverings is substantially transparent. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 3  wherein each of the plurality of circular removable coverings is substantially transparent. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the removable cover is substantially transparent. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the removable cover is substantially transparent. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1  wherein each partition has a height substantially the same as the height of each other partition. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1  wherein
 the height of each partition of the platter is not greater than the height of the side wall of the platter, and 
 the height of the side wall of each container is not greater than the height of the side wall of the platter. 
 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 3  wherein
 the height of each partition of the platter is not greater than the height of the side wall of the platter, 
 the height of the side wall of each container is not greater than the height of the side wall of the platter, and 
 the height of the side wall of each cylindrical container is not greater than the height of the side wall of the platter. 
 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the cover is domed. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the circumferential side wall of the platter angles slightly outward as it extends away from the base of the platter, such that the top edge of the circumferential side wall of the platter has a slightly greater circumference than the perimeter edge of the base of the platter. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the circumferential side wall of each of the plurality of containers angles slightly outward as it extends away from the base of said container, such that the top edge of the circumferential side wall of said container has a slightly greater circumference than the perimeter edge of the base of said container. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein each of the plurality of partitions has a thickness, with the thickness of said partition proximate to the base of the platter slightly greater than the thickness of said partition distal from the base of the platter. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the circumferential side wall of each of the plurality of cylindrical containers angles slightly outward as it extends away from the base of said cylindrical container, such that the top edge of the circumferential side wall of said cylindrical container has a slightly greater circumference than the perimeter edge of the base of said cylindrical container. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein each of the plurality of partitions has a thickness, with the thickness of said partition proximate to the base of the platter slightly greater than the thickness of said partition distal from the base of the platter. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of partitions is substantially planar. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of partitions is oriented substantially perpendicular to the base of the platter. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of compartments is dimensioned substantially the same as each other compartment. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of containers is dimensioned to snugly fit within at least one of the plurality of compartments of the platter. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 1  wherein
 the platter obtained in Step A is substantially round and has a circular central portion, the partitions of the platter are arranged in a regular radial pattern around the central portion of the platter, 
 the partitions do not extend into the central portion of the platter, 
 each of the plurality of containers obtained in Step B is suitably shaped such that when said container is placed into a compartment of the platter in Step I the container does not extend into the central portion of the platter; 
 said method further comprising the following additional steps: 
 Step B 1 : obtain a plurality of cylindrical containers, with each cylindrical container having 
 a substantially planar base having a perimeter edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface, 
 a continuous circumferential side wall, said circumferential side wall located adjacent to the edge of the base of said cylindrical container on the top surface of the base of said cylindrical container and oriented substantially perpendicular to the base of said cylindrical container, said circumferential side wall having a top edge and a substantially uniform height, and 
 a removable circular covering, said circular covering suitably configured to be placed onto the top edge of the side wall of said cylindrical container and secured thereto, with each of the plurality of cylindrical containers dimensioned to fit within the circular central portion of the platter; 
 Step C 1 : fill the plurality of cylindrical containers with foodstuffs; 
 Step D 1 : onto each of the cylindrical containers having been filled with foodstuffs, place one of the circular coverings; 
 Step F 1 : make the plurality of cylindrical containers filled with foodstuffs available to the consumer for purchase; 
 Step H 1 : have the consumer select one of the plurality of cylindrical containers filled with foodstuffs; and 
 Step H 2 : have the consumer place the selected cylindrical container into the central portion of the platter. 
 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33  further comprising the following additional steps:
 Step A 1 : obtain a cover, said cover suitably configured to be placed onto the top edge of the side wall of the platter and secured thereto, 
 Step E 1 : make the cover available to the consumer for purchase; and 
 Step I 1 : have the consumer places the cover onto the top edge of the side wall of the platter. 
 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 1  whereby
 Step A and Step B may be performed in any order or simultaneously; 
 Step B and Step C may be performed in any order or simultaneously, as long as each container that is filled with foodstuffs in Step C is first obtained in Step B; 
 Step C and Step D may be performed in any order or simultaneously, as long as each container that has a covering placed on it in Step D has first been filled with foodstuffs in Step C; 
 Step A and Step D are performed before Step E and Step F; 
 Step E and Step F may be performed in any order; 
 Step E and Step F are performed before Step G and Step H; 
 Step G and Step H may be performed in any order or simultaneously; 
 Step G is performed before Step I; 
 Step H and Step I may be performed in any order or simultaneously, as long as each container that is placed into one of the compartments of the platter in Step I is first selected by the consumer in Step H; and 
 Step H and Step I are performed before Step J. 
 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 2  whereby
 Step A, Step A 1 , and Step B may be performed in any order or simultaneously; 
 Step E, Step E 1 , and Step F may be performed in any order; 
 Step A, Step A 1 , and Step D are performed before Step E 1 ; 
 Step E 1  is performed before Step G and Step H; 
 Step H and Step I are performed before Step I 1 ; and 
 Step I 1  is performed before Step J. 
 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 3  whereby
 Step A, Step B, and Step B 1  may be performed in any order or simultaneously; 
 Step B 1  and Step C 1  may be performed in any order or simultaneously, as long as each cylindrical container that is filled with foodstuffs in Step C 1  is first obtained in Step B 1 ; 
 Step C and Step C 1  may be performed in any order or simultaneously; 
 Step C 1  and Step D 1  may be performed in any order or simultaneously, as long as each cylindrical container that has a circular covering placed on it in Step D 1  has first been filled with foodstuffs in Step C 1 ; 
 Step D and Step D 1  may be performed in any order or simultaneously; 
 Step A and Step D 1  are performed before Step E, Step F, and Step F 1 ; 
 Step E, Step F, and Step F 1  may be performed in any order; 
 Step E, Step F, and Step F 1  are performed before Step G, Step H, and Step H 1 ; 
 Step G, Step H, and Step H 1  may be performed in any order or simultaneously; 
 Step H 1  is performed before Step H 2 ; 
 Step H 2  and Step I may be performed in any order or simultaneously; and 
 Step H 2  and Step I are performed before Step J. 
 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 4  whereby
 Step A, Step A 1 , Step B, and Step B 1  may be performed in any order or simultaneously; 
 Step A 1  is performed before Step C and Step C 1 ; 
 Step E, Step E 1 , Step F, and Step F 1  may be performed in any order; 
 Step D and Step D 1  are performed before Step E 1 ; 
 Step E 1  is performed before Step G, Step H, and Step H 1 ; 
 Step H 2  and Step I are performed before Step I 1 ; and 
 Step I 1  is performed before Step J. 
 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 33  whereby
 Step A, Step B, and Step B 1  may be performed in any order or simultaneously; 
 Step B 1  and Step C 1  may be performed in any order or simultaneously, as long as each cylindrical container that is filled with foodstuffs in Step C 1  is first obtained in Step B 1 ; 
 Step C and Step C 1  may be performed in any order or simultaneously; 
 Step C 1  and Step D 1  may be performed in any order or simultaneously, as long as each cylindrical container that has a circular covering placed on it in Step D 1  has first been filled with foodstuffs in Step C 1 ; 
 Step D and Step D 1  may be performed in any order or simultaneously; 
 Step A and Step D 1  are performed before Step E, Step F, and Step F 1 ; 
 Step E, Step F, and Step F 1  may be performed in any order; 
 Step E, Step F, and Step F 1  are performed before Step G, Step H, and Step H 1 ; 
 Step G, Step H, and Step H 1  may be performed in any order or simultaneously; 
 Step H 1  is performed before Step H 2 ; 
 Step G and Step H 1  are performed before Step I; 
 Step H 2  and Step I may be performed in any order or simultaneously; and 
 Step H 2  and Step I are performed before Step J. 
 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 34  whereby
 Step A, Step A 1 , Step B, and Step B 1  may be performed in any order or simultaneously; 
 Step A 1  is performed before Step C and Step C 1 ; 
 Step E, Step E 1 , Step F, and Step F 1  may be performed in any order; 
 Step D and Step D 1  are performed before Step E 1 ; 
 Step E 1  is performed before Step G, Step H, and Step H 1 ; 
 Step H 2  and Step I are performed before Step I 1 ; and 
 Step I 1  is performed before Step J.