US2034478A - Oyster plate - Google Patents

Description

March 17, 1936.

c. A. LEVY OYSTER PLATE Filed NOV. 8, 1935 Patented Mar. 17, 1936 UNHE STATES PATENT OFFICE 14 Claims.

My invention relates to a serving dish, and more particularly to a dish for serving oysters and similar bi-valves, displayed on the half-shell.

It has hitherto been the practice in the better restaurants, clubs, hotels, etc. to serve the half-shells of the bi-valves seated directly in a bed of ice, with the attendant disadvantage that the guest often-times has difficulty in preventing the oysters and the like from slipping about on the dish, and that he is subjected to the danger from wetting from the cracked ice which is pushed around as a consequence of the movement of the half-shells. The further disadvantages are present that the juices of the oyster, which slop over from the shells during the movement thereof, discolor the ice and render it unattractive in appearance, while a dish or container separate from the oyster plate must be used to serve the sauce or other condiment.

My invention removes these disadvantages simply by providing a well for the cracked ice, which latter is concealed from the guest; while overlying the well is removably provided a cover plate of any suitable material such as Monel or other stainless metal, wood, pottery or the like, which cover plate has a pluralty of openings, preferably of approximately egg-shape, having approximately the contours of the half-shell of an oyster or'other bi-valve to be served, the said openings receiving the half-shells so as to immobilize them in large measure against lateral movement, and to seat them in the ice. The well portion and the cover plate may be of rectangular or other desired shape, but preferably is circular, similar to the conventional dish. An opening is provided in the cover plate for the reception of a condiment container, and while this may have any desired location in the cover plate, I prefer to locate it in the center thereof. In one instance I prolong the walls of this last-mentioned opening and close them at the bottom, thereby forming a well which brings the condiment container in indirect contact with the ice.

In a preferred embodiment I provide an additional set of openings, of small diameter, preferably one for each of the openings for the reception of the half-shells, in order to drain 01f any juices from the oysters and the like into the well, so that the plate is always kept sightly. Thus it will be seen that these small openings may be disposed in any desired positions on the cover plate, but in my two preferred embodiments, circular and rectangular respectively, I form the small openings concentrically about the central well in the first case, and along the longitudinal axis in the second. Preferably, but not necessarily, I impart a convenient dish or taper to the cover plate, to facilitate drainage into the small openings.

I have found it advisable in some instances, especially when the cover plates are stamped from metal sheeting, to form strengthening ribs thereon of desired shape and direction.

From the foregoing it will be seen that one object of my invention is to produce a new form of oyster plate or the like, for serving bi-valves.

Another object is to produce a new form of oyster plate in which the half-shells of the oysters or other bi-valves are displayed attractively and are substantially immobilized against sidewlse movement, while being seated in ice which is concealed from View.

Another object is to produce a two-part oyster plate, the lower half of which is adapted for the reception of cracked ice, and the top part 20 of which is adapted to receive the half shells of oysters or other bi-valves and to seat them in approximately immobile manner in the ice, provision being made to drain any juices from the oysters into the lower half.

5 Still another object is to produce a two-part 2 oyster plate, the lower half of which is adapted for the reception of cracked ice, and the top part of which is adapted to receive the half-shells of oysters or the like and to seat them in approximately immobile manner in the ice, provision being made to drain any juices from the oysters into the lower ice, and provision also being made to suspend a condiment container directly in the cover plate and to seat it in the ice.

35 Yet another object is to produce an oyster plate such as defined in the paragraph immediately preceding, in which the cover plate is strengthened in suitable manner.

Other objects and advantages will more fully 40 appear in the following description, taken in the light of the accompanying drawing, wherein are shown, merely by way of example, two at-presentpreferred forms of my invention.

In the drawing:

45 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one form of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a second form of my invention; while Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 thereof.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a Well portion I for the reception of cracked ice, having a lip 2. A cover plate 3, preferably slightly dished towards the center, overlies the well portion l, and rests in removable manner on the lip 2. The cover plate 3 is shown as having a downturned, peripheral flange 3 by means of which the cover plate is caused to seat snugly over the lip 2, and to be immobilized substantially against lateral movement.

As shown, the cover plate 3 has therein a plurality of openings 4, which may be of any desired number, but which are shown as six, so that this oyster plate can serve a half-dozen oysters. The openings 4 are preferably of approximately eggshape (a modified-ellipse) and are contoured to approximately the shape of the half-shell of an oyster or other bi-valve. The openings are so dimensioned that they will receive the half-shells in such manner as to immobilize them against lateral movement, at the same time allowing the shells to sink through to such an extent that they seat directly on the ice.

A well 5 is provided in any desired part of the cover plate 3, and is shown at the center thereof. This well is intended for the reception of a condiment or the like, and although in the form illustrated the sauce or condiment may be placed directly in the well 5, it is intended that the sauce be placed in a container which removably seats in the said well 5. This well 5 is shown as having a wall 6 depending downwardly from the cover plate 3, as well as a bottom 1. In this case it will be seen that the sauce container comes only indirectly into contact with the ice, though it is perfectly feasible to form the well 5 simply as an opening, in which case the condiment container directly contacts the ice.

Preferably a plurality of small openings 8 are provided in the cover plate in such manner as to drain off into the well portion I any juices which may slop over from the oysters and the like, to maintain the surface of the cover plate clean and attractive, and this action is facilitated to a considerable extent in those cases where the cover plate is dished. While the opening 8 may be located conveniently where desired, I prefer to provide one for each opening 4, and to dispose them between the openings 4 and the well 5.

The well portion l and the cover plate 2 may be formed of the same or different convenient materials, such as metals, stainless '(such as Monel metal) or otherwise, wood, porcelain, pottery and the like; and in the case of metals they may be cast, forged, machined, stamped or otherwise produced. If stamped from sheet metal it is preferable to provide strengthening ribs of desired shape, size and direction. In Fig. 1 I show radial ribs 9 on the cover plate 3, extending from the well 5, one between each pair of openings 4, to an outer annular rib l0.

Figs. 3 and 4 differs from the foregoing in that the well portion l l is made rectangular in shape, and has a lip I3 on the walls l2 thereof. The rectangular cover plate M has edges l5 removably overlying the lip l3, and is shown as provided with any desired number, say a dozen openings 18 corresponding individually to openings 4 of Figs. 1 and 2. While the openings l6 may be disposed in any desired manner, they are shown as being arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the cover plate.

Between each pair of openings I6 is preferably disposed a smaller drainage opening ll fulfilling the same function as the openings 8 in the first embodiment. The cover plate is preferably, but not necessarily, dished towards the longitudinal axis to facilitate this drainage. Although the openings I! are shown on the longitudinal axis, they of course may be disposed as desired, in any desired number, or may, if the attendant inconvenience is to be tolerated, be omitted entirely.

An opening I8, shown as having an upstanding lip l9, preferably is disposed centrally of the cover plate l4, although of course this opening may be located in any desired position on the cover plate as for example at one end thereof. This opening, which is analogous to the well 5 in Figs. 1 and 2, is adapted to receive a condiment container, and to seat the latter directly on the No strengthening ribs are shown in Figs. 3 and 4, although it is obvious that they may be employed, if their use is found desirable or necessary.

It will be seen that by the use of my device the oysters or other bi-valves are displayed in pleasing and attractive manner, while being seated in ice and at the same time being restrained against lateral movement, any juices which are slopped over therefrom being quickly drained off to keep the surface of the cover plate clean and attractive. A condiment, served in a container or otherwise, is served directly in the plate, and is chilled by suspension in the ice-well portion of the plate.

It is obvious that many adaptations and modifications are feasible, all falling within the spirit of my invention. Accordingly, I intend that my invention be limited. only by the scope of the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. A serving dish, comprising a bottom, wellshaped portion adapted to receive cracked ice, and an approximately flat cover plate removably overlying the ice-containing region of said bottom portion, the said cover plate having a plurality of openings therein conforming substantially to the shape of bi-valves, for receiving the half-shells of said bi-valves and for suspending them, restrained against sidewise movement, in the ice in the well.

2. A serving dish, comprising a bottom, wellshaped portion of dish-like contour adapted to receive cracked ice, and a dished cover plate removably overlying the ice-containing region of said well portion and resting on the rim of the latter, the cover plate having a plurality of openings therein disposed substantially in the form of a circle, the said openings conforming approximately to the shape of bi-valves, for receiving the half-shells of said bi-valves and for suspending them, restrained against sidewise movement, in the ice in the well.

3. A serving dish, comprising a bottom, wellshaped portion adapted to receive cracked ice, and an approximately flat cover plate removably overlying the entire said bottom portion, the said cover plate having a plurality of openings therein conforming approximately to the shape of bi-valves, for receiving the half-shells of said bivalves and for suspending them, restrained against sidewise movement, in the ice in the well, said cover plate having an additional opening therein shaped to receive and to seat a condiment container in the ice contained in said wellshaped. portion beneath said cover plate.

4. A serving dish, comprising a bottom, wellshaped portion of dish-like contour adapted to receive cracked ice, and a dished cover plate removably overlying the ice-containing region of said well portion and resting on the peripheral edge of the latter, the cover plate having a plurality of openings therein disposed substantially in the form of a circle, the said openings conforming approximately to the shape ofbi-valves and for suspending them, restrained against sidewise movement, in the ice in the well, said cover plate having an additional opening therein shaped to receive and to seat a condiment container in the ice.

5. A serving dish, comprising a bottom, wellshaped portion of dish-like contour adapted to receive cracked ice, and a dish-shaped cover plate removably overlying the ice-containing region of said well portion and resting on the peripheral edge of the latter, the cover plate-having a plurality of openings therein disposed substantially in the form of a circle, the said openings conforming approximately to the shape of bivalves, for receiving the half-shells of said bivalves and for suspending them, restrained against sidewise movement, in the ice in the Well, and a closed-bottom well seated in and forming part of said cover plate and shaped to receive a condiment container and to seat the latter in the ice.

6. A serving dish, comprising a bottom, well shaped portion adapted to receive cracked ice, and an approximately flat cover plate removably overlying the ice-containing region of said bottom portion, the said cover plate having a plurality of openings therein conforming approximately to the shape of bi-valves, for receiving the half-shells of said bi-valves and for suspending them, restrained against sidewise movement, in the ice in the well, said cover plate having an additional, centrally-disposed opening therein shaped to receive and to seat a condiment container in the ice.

7. A serving dish, comprising a bottom, wellshaped portion of dish-like contour adapted to receive cracked ice, and a dish-shaped cover plate removably overlying the ice-containing region of said well portion and resting on the peripheral edge of the latter, the cover plate having a plurality of openings therein disposed substantially in the form of a circle, the said openings conforming approximately to the shape of bi-valves, for receiving the half-shells of said bi-valves and for suspending them, restrained against sidewise movement, in the ice in the well, and a centrally-disposed, closed-bottom well seated in and forming part of said cover plate and. shaped to receive a condiment container and to seat the latter in the ice.

8. A serving dish, comprising a bottom, wellshaped portion adapted to receive cracked ice, and an approximately flat, slightly dished, cover plate removably overlying said bottom portion, the said cover plate having a plurality of openings therein conforming approximately to the shape of bi-valves, for receiving the half-shells of said bi-valves and for suspending them, restrained against sidewise movement, in the ice in the well, the said cover plate having a further opening therein shaped to receive and seat a condiment container in the ice, and also having drainage means disposed therein in such manner as to drain the juices from the bi-valves into the Well portion.

9. A serving dish, comprising a bottom, wellshaped portion of dish-like contour adapted to receive cracked ice, and a dish-shaped, slightly dished, cover plate removably overlying said well portion and resting on the rim of the latter, the cover plate having a plurality of openings therein disposed substantially in the form of. a circle, the

said openings conforming: approximately to the shape of bievalves, for receiving the half-shells of saidbi-valves and for suspending them, restrained against sidewise movement, in the ice in the well, the said cover plate having a further, centrally-disposed opening therein shaped to receive and seat a condiment container in the ice, and also having drainage means group-ed about the center thereof to drain the juices from the bivalves into the well portion.

10,-. A serving dish, comprising a bottom, wellshaped portion adapted to receive cracked ice, and an approximately fiat cover plate, dished towards thelongitudinal axis, removably overlying said bottom portion, the said cover plate having a plurality of openings therein conforming approximately to the shape of bi-valves, for receiving the half-shells of said bi-valves and for suspending them, restrained against sidewise movement, in the ice in the well, the said cover plate having a further opening therein shaped to receive and seat a condiment container in the ice, and also having drainage means disposed therein in such manner as to drain the juices from the bi-valves into the well portion.

11. A serving dish, comprising a bottom, wellshaped portion of dish-like contour adapted to receive cracked ice, and a dish-shaped cover plate, dished towards the center, removably overlying said well portion and resting on the rim of. the latter, the cover plate having a plurality of openings therein disposed substantially in the form of a circle, the said openings conforming approximately to the shape of bi-valves, for receiving the half-shells of said bi-valves and for suspending them, restrained against sidewise movement, in the ice in the well, the said cover plate having a further, centrally-disposed opening therein shaped to receive and seat a condiment container in the ice, and also having drainage means grouped about the center thereof to drain the juices from the bi-valves into the well portion.

12. A serving dish, comprising a bottom, wellshaped portion of dish-like contour adapted to receive cracked ice, and a dish-shaped cover plate removably overlying said well portion and resting on the rim of the latter, the cover plate having a plurality of openings therein disposed substantially in the form of a circle, the said openings conforming approximately to the shape of bi-valves and for suspending them, restrained against sidewise movement, in the ice in the well, strengthening ribs extending radially out from the center of said cover plate along the top thereof, one between each pair of said plurality of openings, and an annular strengthening rib disposed near the periphery of said plate, and to which said radial ribs join.

13. A serving dish comprising a circular bottom, well-shaped portion adapted for the reception of cracked ice, and an approximately flat, centrally-dished cover plate overlying said wellshaped portion and resting on the rim of the latter, the said cover plate having a plurality of openings therein, of approximately egg-shape, disposed in the form of a circle concentric with the cover plate, the said openings conforming approximately to the shape of bi-valves, for receiving the half-shells of said bi-valves and suspending them, restrained against sidewise movement in the cover plate, in the ice in the well, a closed bottom well disposed in the center of said cover plate and shaped to receive a condiment container and to seat the latter in the ice, the said cover plate also having a plurality of drainage openings grouped about the said closed-bottom well, between the latter and the first-mentioned openings, there being one such opening for each of the first-mentioned openings, for draining the juices from the bi-valves into the well portion, radially extending strengthening ribs in said cover plate, one between each pair of said first-mentioned openings, and a downturned annular flange on the rim of said cover plate and adapted to overlie snugly the lip of the well portion thereby immobilizing the cover plate on the well portion.

14. A serving dish, comprising a bottom, rectangular-shaped, well portion adapted for the reception of cracked ice, a lip extending about the periphery of said well portion, and a rectangular-shaped cover plate removably overlying said well portion and resting on the lip thereof,

the said cover plate having a plurality of approximately egg-shaped openings therein, conforming approximately to the shape of bi-valves, for receiving the half-shells of said bi-valves and suspending them, restrained against sidewise movement in the cover plate, in the ice in the well, the said. openings being disposed in pairs along opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the cover plate, the said cover plate also having a central opening for the suspension of a condiment container in the ice in the well, and also having a plurality of small openings disposed approximately on the longitudinal axis thereof, one for each pair of said first-mentioned openings,

for draining the juices from said bi-valves into the well. CORNELIUS A. LEVY.

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