Dual-function food plate

Abstract

The present invention allows a user to hold a plate of food and a drink with one hand, leaving the other free. The present invention has recesses or removable portions defined by weakening lines at the rim of the food plate. A user can create recesses at the edge of the food plate by tearing off the removable portions. The present invention can be used as a traditional food plate to hold a plate of food. A user also can use it to hold both a plate of food and a drink with one hand by detaching the removable sections and inserting his/her fingers into the recesses to hold the drink container and the food plate.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A food plate for a person to simultaneously hold both a plate of food and a drink with one hand, comprising:
 a substantially flat surface for holding food;   a raised lip around the perimeter of said substantially flat surface for preventing food from falling off said substantially flat surface;   at least one removable portion on said food plate;   weakening lines that define the shapes, sizes, and locations of said removable portion(s),   wherein at least one cavity is created when said removable portion(s) defined by said weakening lines are completely detached from said food plate;   wherein a handle is created when said removable portions defined by said weakening lines are completely detached from said food plate;   wherein said cavity or cavities are sized capable of accommodating an index finger and a thumb of a hand of a user such that the user is capable of inserting the index finger and the thumb into said cavities.   
     
     
         2 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein said weakening lines that define said removable portions are perforated lines or incomplete cuts. 
     
     
         3 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein the shapes of said removable portions are regular or irregular shaped. 
     
     
         4 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein the height of said raised lip increases first and then decreases near the edge of said food plate. 
     
     
         5 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein said removable portions are surrounded by at least one raised ridge on said substantially flat surface. 
     
     
         6 . A food plate for a person to simultaneously hold both a plate of food and a drink with one hand, comprising:
 a substantially flat surface for holding food;   a raised lip around the perimeter of said substantially flat surface for preventing food from falling off said substantially flat surface;   at least two cavities at or near the perimeter of said food plate;   wherein said cavities are sized capable of accommodating an index finger and a thumb of a hand of a user such that the user is capable of inserting the index finger and the thumb into said cavities.   
     
     
         7 . The invention of  claim 6 , wherein the shapes of said cavity is regular or irregular shaped. 
     
     
         8 . The invention of  claim 6 , wherein the height of said raised lip increases first and then decreases near the edge of said food plate. 
     
     
         9 . A food plate for a person to simultaneously hold both a plate of food and a drink with one hand, comprising:
 a substantially flat surface for holding food;   a raised lip around the perimeter of said substantially flat surface for preventing food from falling off said substantially flat surface;   a removable portion at or near the perimeter of said food plate;   weakening lines that define the shape, size, and location of said removable portion,   
     
     
         10 . The invention of  claim 9 , wherein the shape of said removable portion is regular or irregular shaped. 
     
     
         11 . The invention of  claim 9 , wherein said weakening lines that define said removable portions are perforated lines or incomplete cuts. 
     
     
         12 . The invention of  claim 9 , wherein the height of said raised lip increases first and then decreases near the edge of said food plate.