GB2057250A

GB2057250A - Removable crockery lining

Info

Publication number: GB2057250A
Application number: GB8019559A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1979-06-15
Filing date: 1980-06-16
Publication date: 1981-04-01
Also published as: ES246724U; ES246724Y

Abstract

A removable crockery lining (2), which is moulded from a thin sheet of transparent, heat-resistant plastics, has a central portion (4) so shaped as to conform to the internal surface of a plate (1), or other crockery to be lined, and a peripheral beaded portion (3) which resiliently grips the rim of the plate (1) to secure the lining in use while permitting its removal after use. The lining (2) keeps the internal surface of the plate clean and reduces or eliminates the need for washing and scouring after use. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Removable crockery lining The present invention relates to a removable lining for crockery such as plates, serving dishes, cups, saucers, bowls and the like tableware.

The washing and scouring of crockery after use is a laborious task which in catering establishments, such as canteens, hotels, restaurants, and bars, represents an important item of expenditure, in terms of labour, time, breakages and the consumption of cleaning products such as detergents. The use of dishwashing machines has not completely remedied this problem, since the crockery still has to be cleared of scraps before it can be washed in the machine. Furthermore, such machines are expensive to purchase and have high operating costs in terms of time and materials such as detergents, salt and polishing agents.

The object of the present invention is to remedy the aforesaid drawbacks by eliminating the need to wash and scour the crockery after use.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a removable crockery lining, comprising a thin sheet of heat-resistant, flexible plastics which has a central portion so shaped as to conform substantially to the internal surface of the piece of crockery to be lined, and a peripheral portion which resiliently grips the rim of the piece of crockery to secure the lining in use, while permitting its removal after use.

In one embodiment, for use with shallow pieces of crockery such as plates, serving dishes and saucers, the lining is provided with peripheral beading which, in use, is resiliently engaged over the rim of the piece of crockery to renderthe lining taut and conformable with the internal surface of the piece of crockery. In another embodiment, for use with deep pieces of crockery such as cups, bowls and glasses, the lining has a peripheral skirt which, in use, resiliently grips the external surface of the piece of crockery adjacent its rim to secure the lining within the piece of crockery.

The peripheral skirt of a lining for use with cups and bowls having a handle may be provided with a slot or opening to accommodate the handle. Preferably, the skirt has peripheral thickening at its free edge to provide a purchase, facilitating removal of the lining after use.

In preferred embodiments, the plastics material of the lining is transparent so as to allow the colour and design of the crockery to be visible, and to render the lining practically unnoticeable.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa side elevational view of a removable crockery lining, according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the lining of Figure 1 fitted to a plate; Figure 3 is a section taken along the line A-B of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a removable crockery lining according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a section taken along the line C-D of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the lining of Figure 4 fitted to a cup, and Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 6.

Referring now to Figures 1,2 and 3 of the drawings, there is shown a removable lining 2 for a shallow piece of crockery, such as a plate 1. The lining 2, which is moulded from a transparent sheet of heatresistant, flexible plastics, such as polyethylene, has a central portion 4 so shaped as to conform substantially to the internal surface of the plate 1 to be lined, and peripheral beading which in use, is resiliently snap-engaged over the rim of the plate 1, gripping the latter (Figure 3). The diameter of the lining 2 is such that the beading 3 has to be stretched slightly to fit over the rim ofthe plate 1, thus rendering the lining 2 taut and conformable with the internal surface of the plate 1.

The lining 2 may be removed easily from the plate 1 after use by gripping the beading 3 and bending back the lining which is then discarded, for reasons of hygiene. Beneath the lining 2, the internal surface of the plate 1 has not been in contact with the food and therefore does not require scouring or scraping before washing. In some instances washing may be unnecessary.

Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7 show, in a second embodiment, a removable lining 11 suitable for a deep piece of crockery such as a cup 5. The transparent, moulded polyethylene lining 11 has a deep central portion 14 which conforms substantially with the internal surface of the cup 5, and an outwardlyturned peripheral skirt 12 which in use, is stretchfitted over the rim of the cup 5 to grip resiliently the external surface of the latter (Figures 6 and 7).

The skirt 12 has peripheral thickening 13 at its free edge which facilitates removal of the lining 11 from the cup 5, and a slot 15 which accommodates the handle 6 of the cup 5. As will be appreciated, the slot 15 would be absent from linings for use in bowls or glasses without handles.

Although, as described, the linings 2, 11 are made from transparent plastics sheeting so as to be unobstrusive, the linings may translucent or opaque and made in a variety of colours. Preferably, the linings 2, 11 are made in a range of different shapes and sizes as determined by the crockery to be lined.

1. A removable crockery lining, comprising a thin sheet of heat-resistant, flexible plastics which has a central portion so shaped as to conform substantially to the internal surface of the piece of crockery to be lined, and a peripheral portion which resiliently grips the rim of the piece of crockery to secure the lining in use, while permitting its removal after use.

2. A crockery lining as claimed in Claim 1, in which the peripheral portion comprises beading which, in use, is resiliently engaged overthe rim of a shallow piece of crockery, such as a plate.

3. A crockery lining as claimed in Claim 1, in which the peripheral portion comprises a skirt which, in use, resiliently grips the external surface of

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Removable crockery lining The present invention relates to a removable lining for crockery such as plates, serving dishes, cups, saucers, bowls and the like tableware. The washing and scouring of crockery after use is a laborious task which in catering establishments, such as canteens, hotels, restaurants, and bars, represents an important item of expenditure, in terms of labour, time, breakages and the consumption of cleaning products such as detergents. The use of dishwashing machines has not completely remedied this problem, since the crockery still has to be cleared of scraps before it can be washed in the machine. Furthermore, such machines are expensive to purchase and have high operating costs in terms of time and materials such as detergents, salt and polishing agents. The object of the present invention is to remedy the aforesaid drawbacks by eliminating the need to wash and scour the crockery after use. Accordingly, the present invention provides a removable crockery lining, comprising a thin sheet of heat-resistant, flexible plastics which has a central portion so shaped as to conform substantially to the internal surface of the piece of crockery to be lined, and a peripheral portion which resiliently grips the rim of the piece of crockery to secure the lining in use, while permitting its removal after use. In one embodiment, for use with shallow pieces of crockery such as plates, serving dishes and saucers, the lining is provided with peripheral beading which, in use, is resiliently engaged over the rim of the piece of crockery to renderthe lining taut and conformable with the internal surface of the piece of crockery. In another embodiment, for use with deep pieces of crockery such as cups, bowls and glasses, the lining has a peripheral skirt which, in use, resiliently grips the external surface of the piece of crockery adjacent its rim to secure the lining within the piece of crockery. The peripheral skirt of a lining for use with cups and bowls having a handle may be provided with a slot or opening to accommodate the handle. Preferably, the skirt has peripheral thickening at its free edge to provide a purchase, facilitating removal of the lining after use. In preferred embodiments, the plastics material of the lining is transparent so as to allow the colour and design of the crockery to be visible, and to render the lining practically unnoticeable. The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa side elevational view of a removable crockery lining, according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the lining of Figure 1 fitted to a plate; Figure 3 is a section taken along the line A-B of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a removable crockery lining according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a section taken along the line C-D of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the lining of Figure 4 fitted to a cup, and Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 6. Referring now to Figures 1,2 and 3 of the drawings, there is shown a removable lining 2 for a shallow piece of crockery, such as a plate 1. The lining 2, which is moulded from a transparent sheet of heatresistant, flexible plastics, such as polyethylene, has a central portion 4 so shaped as to conform substantially to the internal surface of the plate 1 to be lined, and peripheral beading which in use, is resiliently snap-engaged over the rim of the plate 1, gripping the latter (Figure 3). The diameter of the lining 2 is such that the beading 3 has to be stretched slightly to fit over the rim ofthe plate 1, thus rendering the lining 2 taut and conformable with the internal surface of the plate 1. The lining 2 may be removed easily from the plate 1 after use by gripping the beading 3 and bending back the lining which is then discarded, for reasons of hygiene. Beneath the lining 2, the internal surface of the plate 1 has not been in contact with the food and therefore does not require scouring or scraping before washing. In some instances washing may be unnecessary. Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7 show, in a second embodiment, a removable lining 11 suitable for a deep piece of crockery such as a cup 5. The transparent, moulded polyethylene lining 11 has a deep central portion 14 which conforms substantially with the internal surface of the cup 5, and an outwardlyturned peripheral skirt 12 which in use, is stretchfitted over the rim of the cup 5 to grip resiliently the external surface of the latter (Figures 6 and 7). The skirt 12 has peripheral thickening 13 at its free edge which facilitates removal of the lining 11 from the cup 5, and a slot 15 which accommodates the handle 6 of the cup 5. As will be appreciated, the slot 15 would be absent from linings for use in bowls or glasses without handles. Although, as described, the linings 2, 11 are made from transparent plastics sheeting so as to be unobstrusive, the linings may translucent or opaque and made in a variety of colours. Preferably, the linings 2, 11 are made in a range of different shapes and sizes as determined by the crockery to be lined. CLAIMS

3. A crockery lining as claimed in Claim 1, in which the peripheral portion comprises a skirt which, in use, resiliently grips the external surface of a deep piece of crockery, such as a cup, adjacent the rim of the latter.

4. A crockery lining as claimed in Claim 3, in which the free edge of the skirt is thickened to provide a purchase facilitating removal of the lining after use.

5. A crockery lining as claimed in Claim 3, in which the skirt has an opening or slot to accommodate a handle of the piece of crockery.

6. A crockery lining as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the lining is made from transparent plastics film.

7. A crockery lining as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the lining is made from polyethylene film.

8. A removable crockery lining, comprising a thin sheet of heat-resistant flexible plastics which is moulded to the shape of the internal surface of a piece of crockery to be lined, and has means which permit removal of the lining after use.

9. A removable crockery lining substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, Figures 1 to 3 or Figures 4 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.

10. A method of protecting crockery, comprising the steps of lining the internal surface of a piece of crockery with a thin sheet of heat-resistant flexible plastics which conforms substantially to said surface, and resiliently-engaging a peripheral portion of the lining over the rim of the piece of crockery to secure the lining in use, while permitting its removal after use.