Thumb protectors for serving plated food

Abstract

Disclosed are various embodiments for thumb protectors for serving plated food. A thumb sleeve slides over a wearer's thumb to prevent contact with food to be served.

The following is claimed: 
     
         1 . A thumb protector for serving food, the thumb protector comprising:
 a thumb portion comprising a thumb sleeve, the thumb sleeve comprising a wall that defines, at least in part, an open-ended cavity adapted for receiving a human thumb, the thumb sleeve further comprising at least one opening to facilitate pressure equalization during insertion and removal of the human thumb; and   a hook portion extending from the thumb portion, the hook portion comprising a hook that defines, at least in part, a recess between the thumb portion and the hook portion, the recess between the thumb portion and the hook portion being structurally configured to receive a section of a dish therein.   
     
     
         2 . The thumb protector of  claim 1 , wherein the thumb protector is made of a material suitable for washing in a dishwashing machine. 
     
     
         3 . The thumb protector of  claim 1 , wherein the thumb protector comprises a heat-insulating material. 
     
     
         4 . The thumb protector of  claim 1 , wherein the thumb sleeve is 50 millimeters or less in length. 
     
     
         5 . The thumb protector of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture is 30 millimeters or less in diameter. 
     
     
         6 . The thumb protector of  claim 1 , wherein the hook is longer than the thumb sleeve. 
     
     
         7 . The thumb protector of  claim 1 , wherein the hook is shorter than the thumb sleeve. 
     
     
         8 . The thumb protector of  claim 1 , wherein the hook has a substantially flat upper surface. 
     
     
         9 . The thumb protector of  claim 1 , wherein the hook extends toward a distal end of the thumb portion. 
     
     
         10 . The thumb protector of  claim 1 , wherein the hook extends toward a proximal end of the thumb portion. 
     
     
         11 . A thumb protector for serving food, the thumb protector comprising:
 a thumb portion comprising a thumb sleeve, the thumb sleeve defining, at least in part, an open-ended cavity adapted for receiving a human thumb; and   a hook portion extending from the thumb portion, the hook portion comprising a hook that defines, at least in part, a recess between the thumb portion and the hook portion, the recess between the thumb portion and the hook portion being structurally configured to receive a section of a dish therein.   
     
     
         12 . The thumb protector of  claim 11 , wherein the thumb protector is made of a material suitable for washing in a dishwashing machine. 
     
     
         13 . The thumb protector of  claim 11 , wherein the thumb protector comprises a heat-insulating material. 
     
     
         14 . The thumb protector of  claim 11 , wherein the thumb sleeve is 50 millimeters or less in length. 
     
     
         15 . The thumb protector of  claim 11 , wherein the aperture is 30 millimeters or less in diameter. 
     
     
         16 . The thumb protector of  claim 11 , wherein the hook is longer than the thumb sleeve. 
     
     
         17 . The thumb protector of  claim 11 , wherein the hook is shorter than the thumb sleeve. 
     
     
         18 . The thumb protector of  claim 11 , wherein the hook extends toward a distal end of the thumb portion. 
     
     
         19 . The thumb protector of  claim 11 , wherein the hook extends toward a proximal end of the thumb portion. 
     
     
         20 . A method for serving food, comprising:
 inserting a thumb into a thumb protector that comprises a hook and a thumb sleeve configured to receive a human thumb;   placing the thumb protector, with the thumb inserted in the thumb protector, on a dish; and   inserting a portion of the dish in a recess of the thumb protector defined, at least in part, by the closed-end thumb sleeve and the hook.