Dual-Function Plate Device

Abstract

A dual-function plate device is provided. The device is comprised of a food storage and transport device comprised of a body made from materials such as paper, bamboo fiber, or plastic, shaped like various types of plates or bowls. The body includes a flat bottom wall and a raised edge designed to prevent spills. The raised edge features two reciprocating fasteners, such as male and female or tongue and groove types, allowing two of the devices to be removably attached to create a sealed food container. The device also includes pull tabs to facilitate the separation of attached units. The invention further comprises a method for using the device, where two devices can be joined to store leftover food securely within.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dual-function plate device comprising:
 a body comprised of a bottom wall and a raised edge extending above the bottom wall; and   wherein a top surface of the raised edge is comprised of a first fastener and a second fastener.   
     
     
         2 . The dual-function plate device of  claim 1 , wherein the body is comprised of a pulped paper, a recycled paper, a bagasse, a bamboo fiber, a palm leaf, a starch-based material, or a clay-coated paperboard. 
     
     
         3 . The dual-function plate device of  claim 1 , wherein the body is comprised of a plastic material. 
     
     
         4 . The dual-function plate device of  claim 1 , wherein the body is shaped as a salad plate, soup bowl, dinner plate, dessert plate, side plate, pasta bowl, cereal bowl, platter, saucer, charger plate, shallow bowl, serving bowl, appetizer plate, soup plate, ramekin, tureen, fruit bowl, or a compote dish. 
     
     
         5 . The dual-function plate device of  claim 1 , wherein the first fastener is comprised of a debossed edge and the second fastener is comprised of an embossed edge. 
     
     
         6 . The dual-function plate device of  claim 1 , wherein the first fastener and the second fastener are comprised of a male fastener or a female fastener, a tongue fastener and a groove fastener, or a snap fastener. 
     
     
         7 . The dual-function plate device of  claim 1 , wherein the body is comprised of a pull tab. 
     
     
         8 . The dual-function plate device of  claim 7 , wherein the pull tab is comprised of a fixed pull tab, a foldable pull tab, or a perforated pull tab. 
     
     
         9 . A dual-function plate device comprising:
 a body comprised of a bottom wall and a raised edge extending above the bottom wall, wherein a top surface of the raised edge is comprised of a first fastener and a second fastener, the first fastener positioned outside of the second fastener on the top surface.   
     
     
         10 . The dual-function plate device of  claim 9 , wherein the body is comprised of a pulped paper, a recycled paper, a bagasse, a bamboo fiber, a palm leaf, a starch-based material, or a clay-coated paperboard. 
     
     
         11 . The dual-function plate device of  claim 9 , wherein the body is comprised of a plastic material. 
     
     
         12 . The dual-function plate device of  claim 9 , wherein the body is shaped as a salad plate, soup bowl, dinner plate, dessert plate, side plate, pasta bowl, cereal bowl, platter, saucer, charger plate, shallow bowl, serving bowl, appetizer plate, soup plate, ramekin, tureen, fruit bowl, or a compote dish. 
     
     
         13 . The dual-function plate device of  claim 9 , wherein the first fastener is comprised of a debossed edge and the second fastener is comprised of an embossed edge. 
     
     
         14 . The dual-function plate device of  claim 9 , wherein the first fastener and the second fastener are comprised of a male fastener or a female fastener, a tongue fastener and a groove fastener, or a snap fastener. 
     
     
         15 . The dual-function plate device of  claim 9 , wherein the body is comprised of a pull tab. 
     
     
         16 . The dual-function plate device of  claim 15 , wherein the pull tab is comprised of a fixed pull tab, a foldable pull tab, or a perforated pull tab. 
     
     
         17 . A method of using a dual-function plate device, the method comprising the following steps:
 providing a first dual-function plate device comprising a first body comprised of a first bottom wall and a first raised edge, the first raised edge having a first fastener and a second fastener;   placing a food item into the first body of the first dual-function plate device; and   attaching a second dual-function plate device in an upside-down position to the first dual-function plate device by engaging the first fastener and the second fastener of the first dual-function plate device with a third fastener and a fourth fastener of the second dual-function plate device to create a sealed container for storing the food item within the first dual-function plate device and the second dual-function plate device.   
     
     
         18 . The method of using a dual-function plate device of  claim 17 , wherein the first body is comprised of a pulped paper, a recycled paper, a bagasse, a bamboo fiber, a palm leaf, a starch-based material, or a clay-coated paperboard. 
     
     
         19 . The method of using a dual-function plate device of  claim 17 , wherein the first fastener and the second fastener are comprised of an embossed edge and a debossed edge. 
     
     
         20 . The method of using a dual-function plate device of  claim 17 , wherein the third fastener and the fourth fastener are comprised of an embossed edge and a debossed edge.