Salad Aid

Abstract

A panel for facilitating insertion of a utensil through a food item, the panel comprising: a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a panel perimeter defining a panel shape; wherein the first surface is substantially planar; a panel thickness extending between the first surface and the second surface; at least one of a rim, a plurality of ribs, a plurality of recesses, and a plurality of protrusions; wherein the panel is formed of an elastic panel material that is flexible, resilient, and food-grade.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A panel for facilitating insertion of a utensil through a food item, the panel comprising:
 a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a panel perimeter defining a panel shape;
 wherein the first surface is substantially planar; 
   a panel thickness extending between the first surface and the second surface;   at least one of rim, a plurality of ribs, a plurality of recesses, and a plurality of protrusions;   wherein the panel is formed of an elastic panel material that is flexible, resilient, and food-grade.   
     
     
         2 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic panel material comprises food-grade silicone. 
     
     
         3 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the second surface comprises a rim extending around the panel perimeter. 
     
     
         4 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the first surface comprises a plurality of recesses. 
     
     
         5 . The panel of  claim 4 , wherein each recess of the plurality of recesses comprises a multi-lobed shape. 
     
     
         6 . The panel of  claim 1 , further comprising a substrate coupled to the second surface of the panel, wherein the substrate is formed of a rigid material. 
     
     
         7 . The panel of  claim 6 , wherein the panel and the substrate together are formed in the shape of a plate. 
     
     
         8 . The panel of  claim 6 , wherein the panel and the substrate together are formed in the shape of a bowl. 
     
     
         9 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the panel is configured for placement on top of a plate. 
     
     
         10 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the panel is configured for placement on top of a bowl. 
     
     
         11 . A panel for facilitating insertion of a utensil through a food item, the panel comprising:
 a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a panel perimeter defining a panel shape;
 wherein the first surface is substantially planar; 
   a panel thickness extending between the first surface and the second surface;
 wherein the second surface comprises a plurality of ribs formed in a crossed pattern. 
   wherein the panel is formed of an elastic panel material that is flexible, resilient, and food-grade.   
     
     
         12 . The panel of  claim 11 , wherein the thickness is between 0.050 inches and 0.125 inches. 
     
     
         13 . The panel of  claim 11 , wherein the panel shape comprises a circular shape. 
     
     
         14 . The panel of  claim 11 , wherein the second surface comprises a rim extending around the panel perimeter and formed integrally with the plurality of ribs. 
     
     
         15 . The panel of  claim 14 , wherein the rim comprises a rim height, wherein the rim height is between 0.050 inches and 0.125 inches and equal to a rib height. 
     
     
         16 . The panel of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of ribs comprises a rib width, wherein the rib width is between 0.050 inches and 0.125 inches. 
     
     
         17 . The panel of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of ribs comprises a rib height and the rib height is between 0.050 inches and 0.125 inches. 
     
     
         18 . The panel of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of ribs comprises between 5 and 10 individual ribs. 
     
     
         19 . The panel of  claim 17 , wherein the number of ribs within the plurality of ribs is inversely related to a rib width. 
     
     
         20 . The panel of  claim 11 , wherein the elastic panel material comprises food-grade silicone.