Plate With Collapsible and Non-Collapsible Beverage Holder

Abstract

A composite plate for use at social gatherings and the like wherein the composite plate serves as a plate for food as well as a holder for an eating utensil, a napkin, and a beverage container, thereby enabling the user to hold all with one hand while leaving the other hand free to shake hands with other guests, and to use the eating utensil or napkin, or to drink a beverage. The composite plate has an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer rim, and the composite plate includes an aperture passing between the upper surface and the lower surface. A collapsible beverage holder having a top and a bottom, wherein the top of the beverage holder is connected to a perimeter of the aperture in the plate, and wherein the collapsible beverage holder includes folds enabling the collapsible beverage holder to be collapsed such the bottom of the collapsible beverage holder becomes flush with the lower surface of the plate, thus enabling the lower surface of the plate to rest upon a flat surface.

1 . A composite plate, comprising:
 a plate for having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer rim, said plate having an aperture passing between the upper surface and the lower surface;   a collapsible beverage holder having a top and a bottom, the top of the beverage holder being connected to a perimeter of the aperture in the plate; and   wherein the collapsible beverage holder includes folds enabling the collapsible beverage holder to be collapsed such the bottom of the collapsible beverage holder becomes flush with the lower surface of the plate, thus enabling the lower surface of the plate to rest upon a flat surface.   
     
     
         2 . The composite plate of  claim 1 , wherein the plate is constructed of rigid material, and the collapsible beverage holder is constructed of flexible material. 
     
     
         3 . The composite plate of  claim 1 , wherein the plate and the collapsible beverage holder are constructed as a unitary item. 
     
     
         4 . The composite plate of  claim 1 , wherein the plate and the collapsible beverage holder are molded from a polymer. 
     
     
         5 . The composite plate of  claim 1 , wherein the folds in the collapsible beverage holder are accordion-like folds. 
     
     
         6 . The composite plate of  claim 1 , wherein the upper surface of the plate includes a circular raised ridge surrounding the perimeter of the aperture in the plate to prevent food from falling into an opening at the top of the collapsible beverage holder. 
     
     
         7 . The composite plate of  claim 6 , wherein the upper surface of the plate includes a raised ridge between the circular raised ridge and an outer rim of the plate. 
     
     
         8 . The composite plate of  claim 1 , wherein the plate and the collapsible beverage holder are molded as a unitary item. 
     
     
         9 . The composite plate of  claim 1 , wherein the outer rim of the plate is oval shaped. 
     
     
         10 . A composite plate, comprising:
 a plate for having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer rim, said plate having an aperture passing between the upper surface and the lower surface;   a rigid beverage holder having a top and a bottom, the top of the beverage holder being connected to a perimeter of the aperture in the plate, and opening in the top of the beverage holder; and   wherein the rigid beverage holder includes vertical ridges for added strength.   
     
     
         11 . The composite plate of  claim 10 , wherein the plate and the rigid beverage holder are constructed as a unitary item. 
     
     
         12 . The composite plate of  claim 10 , wherein the upper surface of the plate includes a circular raised ridge surrounding the perimeter of the aperture in the plate to prevent food from falling into an opening at the top of the rigid beverage holder. 
     
     
         13 . The composite plate of  claim 12 , wherein the upper surface of the plate includes a raised ridge between the circular raised ridge and an outer rim of the plate. 
     
     
         14 . The composite plate of  claim 10 , wherein the outer rim of the plate is oval shaped.