Handle device for plate

Abstract

Described herein is a handle device for holding a plate and a drinking vessel in one hand. A preferred version includes a plate, a hinge connected to the plate, and a handle connected to the hinge. The plate has an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the upper surface is dimensioned and configured to hold food. The handle is movable between a folded position with at least a portion of the handle substantially flush with the lower surface of the plate and an extended position with the portion substantially perpendicular to the lower surface of the plate. Some versions of the invention additionally or alternatively include a support between the hinge and the plate.

1 . A handle device comprising:
 a support having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface including a fastener dimensioned and configured to secure the support to a solid object;   a hinge connected to the support; and   a handle connected to the hinge and movable between a folded position with at least a portion of the handle substantially flush with the lower surface of the support and an extended position.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the fastener is selected from the group consisting of adhesive, a magnet, double-sided tape, and hook-and-loop fastener. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the support, hinge, or handle is fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of paper products, plastic, metal, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the handle is substantially flat and wherein the entire handle is substantially flush with the lower surface of the support when in the folded position. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the handle comprises a curvature dimensioned and configured to wrap at least partially around a vessel. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the handle extends from the support at a position offset from a center portion of the lower surface of the support. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the hinge is a living hinge. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the hinge is configured to limit extension of the handle no more than about 90 degrees from the lower surface of the support. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a plate attached to the support via the fastener and having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the upper surface is dimensioned and configured to hold food. 
     
     
         10 . A handle device comprising:
 a plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface dimensioned and configured to hold food;   a hinge connected to the plate; and   a handle connected to the hinge and movable between a folded position with at least a portion of the handle substantially flush with the lower surface of the plate and an extended position.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the plate, hinge, or handle is fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of paper products, plastic, metal, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the handle is substantially flat and wherein the entire handle is substantially flush with the lower surface of the support when in the folded position. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the handle comprises a curvature dimensioned and configured to wrap at least partially around a cylindrical vessel. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the handle extends from the support at a position offset from a center portion of the lower surface of the support. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the hinge is a living hinge. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the hinge is configured to limit extension of the handle no more than about 90 degrees from the lower surface of the support. 
     
     
         17 . A handle device comprising:
 a plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface dimensioned and configured to hold food; and   a handle connected to the lower surface of the plate and configured to rigidly extend substantially perpendicularly therefrom.   
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17  wherein the handle comprises a partial hollow cylinder dimensioned and configured to wrap at least partially around a cylindrical vessel. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 17  wherein the handle extends from the plate at a position offset from a center portion of the lower surface of the plate. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 17  wherein the handle comprises a hollow, open-ended cylinder dimensioned and configured to fit around a top portion of a cylindrical vessel. 
     
     
         21 . A handle device comprising:
 a support having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface including a fastener dimensioned and configured to secure the support to a solid object; and   a handle connected to the lower surface of the support and configured to rigidly extend substantially perpendicularly therefrom.   
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21  wherein the handle extends from the support at a position offset from a center portion of the lower surface of the support.