Tableware Organizer for Large Group Gatherings

Abstract

A tableware organizer for large group gatherings with holders for commonly used items for food service such as eating utensils, cups, plates, paper towels, and toothpicks. The organizer has a lid is attached to the base during transport or storage to prevent items from falling out of the organizer. The lid has a carrying handle at the top and finger inserts on the sides which allow it to be carried from the sides or the top. The holders are positioned on the base and shaped such that the items inside may be easily reached by children.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tableware organizer comprising;
 a base;   a plurality of holders for items used during meal service or dining, wherein the holders extend from or are removably attached to the base, wherein the plurality of holders comprise;
 a holder for flateware 
 a holder for plates; and 
 a holder for cups; and 
   a lid which covers the base of the tableware organizer and.   
     
     
         2 . A tableware organizer as described in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of holders further comprise;
 a holder for paper towels.   
     
     
         3 . A tableware organizer as described in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of holders further comprise;
 a toothpick holder.   
     
     
         4 . A tableware organizer as described in  claim 1 , wherein the holder for cups is an extension of the base which is widest at the point where it extends out of the base and tapers toward the top of the extension. 
     
     
         5 . A tableware organizer as described in  claim 1 , wherein there are a pair of flatware holders having an inner wall positioned towards the center of the base and an outer wall positioned towards the edges of the base, wherein the outer wails of the flatware holders are lower than the inner walls of the flatware holders such that flatware is removable from the flatware holder without lifting the flatware to the height of the inner walls of the flatware holders. 
     
     
         6 . A tableware organizer as described in  claim 1 , wherein there are a pair of flatware holders having an inner wall positioned towards the center of the base and an outer wall positioned towards the edges of the base, wherein the flatware holders are positioned on the base such that their inner wall forms a receptacle for plates. 
     
     
         7 . A tableware organizer as described in  claim 6 , wherein the inner walls of the pair flatware holders which form a receptacle for plates do not touch one another, wherein the space between the inner walls of the pair of flatware holders serves as a plate receptacle access slot allowing removal of plates from the plate receptacle without reaching over the inner walls of the flatware holders. 
     
     
         8 . A tableware organizer as described in  claim 6 , wherein the outer walls of the flatware holders are lower than the inner walls of the flatware holders such that flatware is removable from the flatware holder without lifting the flatware to the height of the inner walls of the flatware holders. 
     
     
         9 . A tableware organizer as described in  claim 1 , wherein the lid has a top surface with an attached carrying handle. 
     
     
         10 . A tableware organizer as described in  claim 9 , wherein the carrying handle is rotatable, and wherein the handle can be rotated into a carrying handle receptacle such that it rests entirely within the carrying handle receptacle and does not protrude above the top surface of the lid. 
     
     
         11 . A tableware organizer as described in  claim 1 , wherein the lid has two side latches which close over the base to retain the lid in place, and wherein the side latches have finger inserts allowing the tableware organizer to be lifted and carried. 
     
     
         12 . A tableware organizer comprising;
 a base;   a plurality of holders for items used during meal service or dining, wherein the holders extend from or are removably attached to the base, wherein the holders comprise;
 a holder for flatware; 
 a holder for plates; and 
 a holder for cups; 
 a holder for toothpicks 
   a lid, wherein the lid has a top surface with an attached carrying handle; and   a paper towel holder.