Serving Platter with Interchangeable Decorative Insert

Abstract

A serving platter with interchangeable decorative insert provides a transparent plate and an inner disc that detachably join through a tab and slot mechanism. The disc is configured with a decorative image, text, or pattern, which conveys a holiday themed or special event. The transparent plate is substantially transparent. The disc rests in a recess in the inner perimeter of the transparent plate. The inner perimeter has a flange. The flange has at least one slot. The tab from the disc rotates in a first direction into the slot to affixes the disc to the transparent plate. Conversely, rotating the tab in a second direction out of the slot detaches the disc from the transparent plate. The L-shape of the slot helps retain the tab in the slot. The tab protrudes from the slot to provide a gripping surface for manipulating the tab.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A platter with interchangeable decorative insert, the platter comprising:
 a transparent plate, the transparent plate defined by a substantially transparent material, the transparent plate comprising an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter, the inner perimeter having a flange, the flange comprising at least one slot; and   at least one disc, the at least one disc comprising a first face and a second face, the first face and/or the second face defined by an image, the at least one disc further comprising an outer edge having at least one tab, the outer edge configured to detachably engage the inner perimeter of the transparent plate, the at least one tab configured to rotate in and out of the at least one slot,   whereby rotating the at least one tab in a first direction into the at least one slot affixes the at least one disc to the transparent plate,   whereby rotating the at least one tab in a second direction out of the at least one slot detaches the at least one disc from the transparent plate.   
     
     
         2 . The platter of  claim 1 , wherein the platter is a plate for serving food. 
     
     
         3 . The platter of  claim 1 , wherein the transparent plate is about 10 inches diameter. 
     
     
         4 . The platter of  claim 1 , wherein the material of the transparent plate includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of: a polymer, an acrylic glass, fiberglass, and glass. 
     
     
         5 . The platter of  claim 1 , wherein the flange is oriented perpendicularly form the inner perimeter of the transparent plate. 
     
     
         6 . The platter of  claim 1 , wherein the flange is about ¼ inch long. 
     
     
         7 . The platter of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one slot comprises two, evenly-spaced slots. 
     
     
         8 . The platter of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one slot is generally L-shaped. 
     
     
         9 . The platter of  claim 1 , wherein the inner perimeter comprises a recess. 
     
     
         10 . The platter of  claim 9 , wherein the outer edge of the disc engages the recess. 
     
     
         11 . The platter of  claim 1 , wherein the material of the disc includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of: a polymer, glass, a ceramic, clay, and metal, an acrylic glass, fiberglass, and glass. 
     
     
         12 . The platter of  claim 1 , wherein the image comprises a theme for a holiday or special event. 
     
     
         13 . The platter of  claim 12 , wherein the holiday or special event includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of: Christmas, New Year's Eve, Independence Day, Valentine's Day, Thanksgiving, Martin Luther King Day, St. Patrick's Day, Yom Kippur, Hanukah, birthdays, graduations, and wedding receptions. 
     
     
         14 . The platter of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tab comprises two, evenly-spaced tabs. 
     
     
         15 . The platter of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tab is configured to protrude from the at least one slot when engaged in the at least one slot. 
     
     
         16 . A platter with interchangeable decorative insert, the platter comprising:
 a transparent plate, the transparent plate defined by a substantially transparent material, the transparent plate comprising an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter, the inner perimeter having a recess and a flange, the flange comprising at least one L-shaped slot; and   at least one disc, the at least one disc comprising a first face and a second face, the first face and/or the second face defined by an image, the at least one disc further comprising an outer edge having at least one tab, the outer edge configured to detachably engage the recess of the transparent plate, the at least one tab configured to rotate in and out of the at least one L-shaped slot,   whereby rotating the at least one tab in a first direction into the at least one L-shaped slot affixes the at least one disc to the transparent plate,   whereby rotating the at least one tab in a second direction out of the at least one L-shaped slot detaches the at least one disc from the transparent plate.   
     
     
         17 . The platter of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one slot comprises two, evenly-spaced slots. 
     
     
         18 . The platter of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one tab comprises two, evenly-spaced tabs. 
     
     
         19 . The platter of  claim 16 , wherein the image comprises a theme for a holiday or special event. 
     
     
         20 . The platter of  claim 19 , wherein the holiday or special event includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of: Christmas, New Year's Eve, Independence Day, Valentine's Day, Thanksgiving, Martin Luther King Day, St. Patrick's Day, Yom Kippur, Hanukah, birthdays, graduations, and wedding receptions.