US1881416A - Meal serving mat - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 4, 1932. UHALT 1,881,416

MEAL SERVING MAT Filed Sept. 22, 1930 11 u, a I /I I l fi INVENTOR WITNESSES 23 MLeWZ7df ATTORNEY Patented Get. 4, 1932 UNITED STATES MARY ANN LEVY 11mm", or CLEVELANDQ'OHIO MEAL SERVING MAT Application filed September 22, 1980. Serial No. 483,626.

This invention relates to dishes, and more particularly to what are known as mat dishes.

The primary object of the invention is to provide table chinaware for serving meals which are fixedly mounted on rigid sectional mats adapted for use on dining tables and in other places by means of which a table may be set and the meals served with a minimum expenditure of labor and time.

Another object is to so construct such mats that they may be used for serving a smaller or larger number of persons at will, which may be quickly removed and washed, and which may be used in various places.

In carrying out these objects, the invention 'is susceptible of a wide range of modification without departing fro-m the spirt or sacrificing any of the advantages of the claimed invention; there being shown in the drawing for illustrative purposes a preferred and practical form, in which:

Figure 1 represents a plan view of a mat constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is aside elevation of a table equipped with this improvement;

Fig. 3 is a detail longitudinal section of one of the mats; and

Fig. 4 is a similar view, showing a slightly modified form.

In the embodiment illustrated a table 1 is shown which may be of any configuration, preferably rectangular, and on which is designed to be mounted the mat dishes constituting this invention.

In Figures 1 and 2 is shown a mat composed of three sections, two end sections 11 and 12 with an intermediate section 13 arranged between them.

Each end section has fixedly secured there- 1 to suit-able dishes for serving a meal to three persons and each end section being exactly alike one only will be described in detail. This section has mounted thereon three serving plates 14., 15 and 16, which are positioned one at the side of the mat which when in use is arranged at the end of the table. The plates 14 and 16', which are mounted on the ends of the mat section 12, will be located, when the mat is in use, at the sides of the table when the-structure as herein shown is employed. Fixedly secured to the mat along the side opposite to that on whichthe plate 15 is mount ed are a plurality of bowls 17 three being herein shown and which are designed as containers for the food. Bread and butter plates 18 are fixed to the mat 12, at each plate, while a saucer 19 is also located at the right of each serving plate. I

A platter is fixed to the center of the section 12 and is designed for holding meat or other viands to be served. I

The three sections shown in Figurel are preferably made about %-inch in thickness of any suitable material which is light yet durable and they are so constructed or shaped as to fit the dining room table in connection with which they are tobe used. The ordinary table is provided with leaves, shown at 21 in Figure 2, for lengthening the table and the intermediate mat section 12 is designed to conform to the shape of a table leaf so that it may be inserted in connection with such leaves to provide for greater seating capacity. Each of these intermediate leaf sections 13 is designed to accommodate two persons, one at each end, and is equipped with two serving plates 14 arranged one at one end of the leaf or section and one at the otherand in connection with which is provided abread and butter plate 18Fand a saucer 19*.

In Figure 3 the dishes are shown secured to the mat 12 by a connector 22 which fixedly secures the dish to the mat as shown clearly in Figure 3. These dishes may be removably secured on the mat if desired but are preferably permanently secured thereto, and as shown in Figure 4 they are made integral therewith, as shown at 23. I V

By attaching permanently the chinaware or dishes to the mat sections and by so arranging such dishes all the foods on the table are located within the reach of each diner and thus eliminates-the passing of plates or food containers. These dishes as will be seen are so mounted on the mat sections that their entire body portions extend above the surface of the mat to present the appearance of a table set with ordinary movable dishes. .100

The only movable pieces on the table are the silverware, glasses and cups, and these removable elements should be picked up after the meal and carried to a suitable place for cleansing. The rigid mats having the china- Ware or dishes fixed to them are, after the meal is over, racked up Withall left overs on the dishes and are subjected preferabl to a spraying washing operation. 7

When the table is to be set for three persons or less, only one section such as that shown at 11 or 12 is used and the other lea-li 1 sections 13 may be added when necessary. It is to be understoodthat the sections with the dishes fixed thereto before being placed on the tableare supplied with food in the kitchen and then the entire mat section is taken in and placed on the dining room table and by; the addition of the silver, water glasses and cups the table is readily set for the diners. .7

It will thus be seen that all food is placed on thetable and the table set in one operation and the food is distributed Within easy reach of the diners, thereby eliminating the passing of dishes.

It is also to be understood that the dishes may be fixed to the mats either permanently or temporarily. Either mounting provides for the dishes being held in their relative positions regardless of the position of the surface on which they are mounted.

Without further description it'is thought 1 that the features and advantages of the in vention Will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and it will, of course, be

understood that changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or its scope as claimed.

I claim: Y I

1.- A serving mat for dining tables and the like comprising a rigid base having a plurality of serving plates and food containers permanently secured thereto with their entire body portions extending above the surface of the mat and held in their relative positions regardless of the position of the base presenting the appearance of a table set with ordinary dishes.

2. A serving mat for dining tables comprising a plurality of sections to be arranged in sequence, and each having fixedly and permanently attached at its upper face a plurality of dishes for containing and'serving food.

3. A serving mat for dining tables and the like, comprising a-base having a' continuous flat surface and integral portions of said base projecting upwardly from said flat surface to constitute dishes permanently set in place on a table. Q

MARY ANN LEVY UHALT.

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