US20160122046A1

US20160122046A1 - Method for providing a platter of foodstuffs for sale to a consumer

Info

Publication number: US20160122046A1
Application number: US14/526,623
Authority: US
Inventors: Terry Awalt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-10-29
Filing date: 2014-10-29
Publication date: 2016-05-05

Abstract

A method for providing a compartmentalized platter of foodstuffs for sale to a consumer, whereby the foodstuffs are first placed into individual containers which fit into the compartments of the platter, such that the consumer has great flexibility in selecting and arranging the foodstuffs to be included with the platter.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to the retail sale of foodstuffs. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for providing a platter of foodstuffs for sale to a consumer, whereby the consumer has great flexibility in selecting the foodstuffs to be included with the platter.
2. Description of Prior Art
So-called “party platters” are well known in the food retail industry. These platters are typically segmented into compartments, with each compartment filled with a type of foodstuff, such as a vegetable or fruit or meat or cheese. Then the contents are enclosed by some type of covering device to retain the foodstuffs in the platter. The selection of foodstuffs and arrangement thereof on the platter is done by the retailer (or perhaps a wholesale distributor), with the completed platters displayed for consumers to purchase.
While this concept allows busy consumers to quickly purchase a variety of foodstuffs, it has several disadvantages. First, consumers may not like the particular selection of foodstuffs placed onto a platter, or more likely, will like some but not all of the particular selection of foodstuffs placed onto a platter. This leads to the consumer either foregoing the purchase of the platter, or purchasing a platter that is less desirable to the consumer than it could be. Second, different types of foodstuffs have different shelf lives; the platter is only viable for sale for the period of the shelf life of the foodstuff quickest to spoil. At that time, even if other foodstuffs in the platter are still saleable, the platter as a whole must be withdrawn from sale. Both of these disadvantages lead to increased “shrink”, or waste, in pre-filled platters.
It is thus demonstrated the need for a new method of providing a platter of foodstuffs for sale to a consumer.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to present a method of providing a platter of foodstuffs for sale to a consumer.
It is a further object of the present invention to present a method of providing a platter of foodstuffs for sale to a consumer that allows the consumer to select the foodstuffs to be included in the platter.
It is a further object of the present invention to present a method of providing a platter of foodstuffs for sale to a consumer that allows the consumer to select the type of foodstuffs to be included in the platter.
It is a further object of the present invention to present a method of providing a platter of foodstuffs for sale to a consumer that allows the consumer to select the quality of foodstuffs to be included in the platter.
It is a further object of the present invention to present a method of providing a platter of foodstuffs for sale to a consumer that allows the consumer to select the quantity of foodstuffs to be included in the platter.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to present a method of providing a platter of foodstuffs for sale to a consumer that allows foodstuffs with shorter shelf lives to be swapped out when they reach their expiration without affecting other foodstuffs.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to present a method of providing a platter of foodstuffs for sale to a consumer that reduces shrink.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to present a method of providing a platter of foodstuffs for sale to a consumer that a consumer is more likely to purchase.
Other objects of the present invention will be readily apparent from the description that follows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a method of providing a platter of foodstuffs for sale to a consumer whereby the consumer both selects the foodstuffs to be included in the platter and arranges it thereon in a manner pleasing to the consumer. This method is performed by providing a platter and a plurality of containers, whereby each of the containers is pre-filled with a single type of foodstuff and is covered with a covering, preferably transparent though an opaque covering with a representation of the foodstuffs contained therein would also be permitted. The platter is configured to receive the individual containers by means of a plurality of partitions within the platter, with the compartments formed by the partitions configured to receive the individual containers. The containers may all be dimensioned the same, or may have different dimensions, with the compartments of the platter being similarly dimensioned.
The method involves providing a plurality of containers pre-filled with foodstuffs of different types, and a plurality of empty compartmentalized platters. A plurality of preferably transparent covers that fit the platters may also be provided. Consumers select an empty platter, then select from the plurality of containers, placing the selected containers into the compartments of the platter. When done, they may place a cover over the platter. The choice of foodstuffs to select, and the arrangement of the containers within the platter, is solely the consumer's. This allows a consumer to select those types of foodstuffs that are desired, and to reject those that are not desired. The retailer is able to restock the containers pre-filled with foodstuffs that are selected by the consumers, thus keeping the popular foodstuffs readily available for sale. Likewise, the retailer is able to remove expired foodstuffs in order to replace them with saleable foodstuffs.
The pre-filled containers may be displayed on simple shelving, or in refrigerated display cases. They may be set out on end caps or on stand-alone central displays, providing another destination point of purchase, or they may be set out in existing wall display cases. Consumers may alternately choose to purchase only one or more containers without the platter, because they only have need for a small amount of foodstuffs or they may wish to reuse a platter previously purchased. In any event, the foodstuffs will be more readily available to consumers and more attractive for purchase because of the increased choice provided the consumer. Moreover, because the foodstuffs can be rotated as needed, there will be less shrink involved.
It is to be understood that the foregoing and following description of the method of the present invention are intended to be illustrative and exemplary rather than restrictive of the invention as claimed. These and other aspects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after review of the entire specification, accompanying figures, and claims incorporated herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan top view of one embodiment of a platter, together with a pair of containers with lids, shown in perspective view.

FIG. 2 is a plan top view of an alternative embodiment of a platter, having a central portion, and a cover, together with a plurality of containers and a cylindrical container with lid, shown in perspective view.

FIG. 3 is a plan top view of yet another embodiment of a platter, together with a pair of containers and a cylindrical container, shown in perspective view.

FIG. 4 is a perspective top view of a rectangular embodiment of a platter, together with a container with lid.

FIG. 5 is a plan side view of a platter having an angled side wall and angled partitions, with appropriately configured containers filled with foodstuffs placed thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The method of the present invention for providing a platter 100 of foodstuffs 10 for sale to a consumer requires a platter 100, a plurality of containers 200, and foodstuffs 10.
The platter 100 must have a substantially planar base 110 having a perimeter edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface. It has a continuous circumferential side wall 120, with the side wall 120 located adjacent to the perimeter edge of the base 110 of the platter 100 on its top surface. The side wall 120 is oriented substantially perpendicular to the base 110 of the platter 100 and has a substantially uniform height and a top edge. The platter 100 may be substantially round or rectangular or any other suitable shape. This basic configuration is typical of platters known in the art. The platter 100 may be formed of any suitable material, such as plastic. The platter 100 may be made of an opaque material, a translucent material, or a substantially transparent material. For nontransparent platters, the platter 100 may come in any color desired. In one embodiment the platter 100 may be manufactured using a vacuum forming process.
The platter 100 must also have a plurality of partitions 130. Each of the partitions 130 is located adjacent to the base 110 of the platter 100 on its top surface, and extends upward from the base 110 of the platter 100. Each of the partitions 130 has a height substantially the same as the height of each other partition 130. Each of the partitions 130 is spaced substantially apart from each other partition 130 and has at most one point of contact with any other partition 130. The partitions 130 may be separate members inserted into slots formed into the base 110 of the platter 100. As such, they may be removable from the platter 100 or permanently affixed thereto. Alternatively, the partitions 130 may be integral with the platter 100, formed at the same time the platter 100 is formed. Each of the plurality of partitions 130 may be substantially planar. Each of the plurality of partitions 130 may be oriented substantially perpendicular to the base 110 of the platter 100. In the preferred embodiments the height of each partition 130 of the platter 100 is not greater than the height of the side wall 120 of the platter 100. Where the platter 100 is substantially round, the plurality of partitions 130 may be arranged in a regular radial pattern. See FIG. 1. Alternatively, the partitions 130 may be irregularly spaced. Where the platter 100 is substantially rectangular, the plurality of partitions 130 may be arranged in a regular rectangular grid pattern. See FIG. 4. Alternatively, the partitions 130 may be arranged in an irregular rectangular grid pattern.
The plurality of partitions 130 and the side wall 120 of the platter 100 define a plurality of compartments 140. Each compartment 140 comprises a volume located between at least one pair of adjacent partitions 130 and above a portion of the base 110 of the platter 100 located between that pair of adjacent partitions 130. The upper portion of the compartment 140 is opened. Where the platter 100 is substantially round, each of the plurality of compartments 140 of the platter 100 is substantially wedge-shaped. Where the platter 100 is substantially rectangular, each of the plurality of compartments 140 of the platter 100 is substantially rectangular as well. Depending on the placement of the plurality of partitions 130, each of the compartments 140 may be substantially of the same size and configuration as each other of the compartments 140, or different compartments 140 may be sized and configured differently.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the circumferential side wall 120 of the platter 100 angles slightly outward as it extends away from the base 110 of the platter 100, such that the top edge of the circumferential side wall 120 of the platter 100 has a slightly greater circumference than the perimeter edge of the base 110 of the platter 100. See FIG. 5. In such embodiments, each of the plurality of partitions 130 may have a thickness, with the thickness of each partition 130 proximate to the base 110 of the platter 100 slightly greater than the thickness of that partition 130 distal from the base 110 of the platter 100. This configuration of the partitions 130, together with the described configuration of the side wall 120 of the platter 100, together define compartments 140 which are somewhat larger at their top openings than at their bottoms along the base 110 of the platter 100.
Each of the plurality of containers 200 is configured as follows: each container 200 has a substantially planar base 210 having a perimeter edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface. A continuous circumferential side wall 220 is located adjacent to the perimeter edge of the base 210 of the container 200 on the top surface of the base 210 of the container 200 and oriented substantially perpendicular to the base 210 of the container 200. The circumferential side wall 220 of has a substantially uniform height and a top edge. In some embodiments the height of the side wall 220 of each container 200 is not greater than the height of the side wall 120 of the platter 100. Each of the plurality of containers 200 may be made of an opaque material, a translucent material, or a substantially transparent material. For nontransparent containers 200, the containers 200 may come in any color desired. Each of the plurality of containers 200 also has a removable covering 250. Each covering 250 is suitably configured to be placed onto the top edge of the side wall 220 of its corresponding container 200 and secured thereto. In some embodiments the covering 250 may be a reusable lid. In other embodiments it may be a single use sheet of disposable plastic wrap. In the preferred embodiments the covering 250 is transparent. Each of the plurality of containers 200 is dimensioned to fit within at least one of the plurality of compartments 140 of the platter 100. In the preferred embodiments of the present invention each of the plurality of containers 200 is dimensioned to snugly fit within at least one of the plurality of compartments 140 of the platter 100.
In the embodiments where the side wall 120 of the platter 100 is angled slightly outward as it extends away from the base 110 of the platter 100, the circumferential side wall 220 of each of the plurality of containers 200 may also angle slightly outward as it extends away from the base 210 of the container 200. This configuration results in the top edge of the circumferential side wall 220 of each container 200 having a slightly greater circumference than the perimeter edge of the base 210 of the container 200. In the most preferred embodiments the angle of the circumferential side wall 220 of each of the containers 200 is substantially the same as the angle of the circumferential side wall 120 of the platter 100. See FIG. 5.
In embodiments of the present invention where the platter 100 is substantially round, the platter 100 may have a circular central portion 118. See FIG. 2. The partitions 130 of the platter 100 are arranged in a regular radial pattern around the central portion of the platter 100, but the partitions 130 do not extend into the central portion of the platter 100. Each of the plurality of compartments 140 of the platter 100 is substantially wedge-shaped, except for the compartment 140 formed in the central portion of the platter 100, which is substantially round. So configured, each of the plurality of containers 200 is also substantially wedge-shaped with a forward portion being truncated, such that when each container 200 is placed into a compartment 140 of the platter 100 the container 200 also does not extend into the central portion of the platter 100. See FIG. 2. There may also be a plurality of cylindrical containers 300, with each cylindrical container 300 having a substantially planar base 310 having a perimeter edge, a top surface, a bottom surface, and a continuous circumferential side wall 320, with the circumferential side wall 320 located adjacent to the edge of the base 310 of that cylindrical container 300 on the top surface of the base 310 of that cylindrical container 300 and oriented substantially perpendicular to the base 310 of that cylindrical container 300. The circumferential side wall 320 of the cylindrical container 300 has a substantially uniform height and a top edge. In the preferred embodiment the height of the side wall 320 of each cylindrical container 300 is not greater than the height of the side wall 120 of the platter 100. Each of the plurality of cylindrical containers 300 may be made of an opaque material, a translucent material, or a substantially transparent material. For nontransparent cylindrical containers 300, the cylindrical containers 300 may come in any color desired. A removable circular covering 350 is suitably configured to be placed onto the top edge of the side wall 320 of each of the cylindrical containers 300 and secured thereto. In some embodiments the circular covering 350 may be a reusable circular lid. In other embodiments it may be a single use sheet of disposable plastic wrap. In the preferred embodiments the circular coverings 350 are transparent. Each of the plurality of cylindrical containers 300 is dimensioned to fit within the circular central portion 118 of the platter 100.
In the embodiments where the side wall 120 of the platter 100 is angled slightly outward as it extends away from the base 110 of the platter 100, the circumferential side wall 320 of each of the plurality of cylindrical containers 300 may also angle slightly outward as it extends away from the base 310 of that cylindrical container 300. See FIG. 5. This configuration results in the top edge of the circumferential side wall 320 of each cylindrical container 300 having a slightly greater circumference than the perimeter edge of the base 310 of that cylindrical container 300. In the most preferred embodiments the angle of the circumferential side wall 320 of each of the cylindrical containers 300 is substantially the same as the angle of the circumferential side wall 120 of the platter 100.
In some embodiments there is an optional cover 400. See FIG. 2. The cover 400 is suitably configured to be placed onto the top edge of the side wall 120 of the platter 100 and be removably secured thereto. The cover 400 may be flat, or it may be domed. It may be made of any suitable material, such as plastic. In the preferred embodiments the cover 400 is transparent.
The foodstuffs 10 used in the method of the present invention may be comprised of one or more of the following: vegetables, fruits, meat products, cheese, vegetable dip, and sauce. There must be at least two different types of foodstuffs 10. Each container 200 of the plurality of containers 200 will contain only a single type of foodstuff 10. Each cylindrical container 300 of the plurality of cylindrical containers 300 will contain only a single type of foodstuff 10. Alternatively, each of the containers 200 and cylindrical containers 300 may contain a mix of different types of foodstuffs 10. At least two of the plurality of containers 200 must be filled with foodstuffs 10 whereby one of those containers 200 is filled with foodstuffs 10 of a type differing from that of the other container 200. Where cylindrical containers 300 are used, at least two of the plurality of cylindrical containers 300 must be filled with foodstuffs 10 whereby one of those cylindrical containers 300 is filled with foodstuffs 10 of a type differing from that of the other cylindrical container 300. The availability of at least some containers 200 and cylindrical containers 300 having different foodstuffs 10 gives the consumer a choice of what foodstuffs 10 to include with the platter 100.
As described above, the platter 100 may be configured in many different ways. Where the platter 100 is substantially round, the containers 200 are arranged in a radial pattern. There may or may not be a central portion accommodating a cylindrical container 300. The containers 200 may be regularly shaped or irregularly shaped. See FIG. 3. Where the platter 100 is rectangular, the containers 200 may be arranged in a grid pattern. This may be a two-by two grid, or a two-by three grid, or a three-by three grid, or a grid having different numbers of containers 200 in each row, such as two containers 200 in the top row, three containers 200 in the middle row, and two containers 200 in the bottom row. See FIG. 4. Any one of these containers 200 may serve the function of the cylindrical container 300; that is, containing a specialized foodstuff 10 such as a dip or a sauce. Preferably that container 200 will be located somewhere in the middle of the platter 100.
The method for providing a platter 100 of foodstuffs 10 for sale to a consumer comprises the following steps:
Step A: obtain a platter 100 configured as described above;
Step B: obtain a plurality of containers 200 configured as described above;
Step C: fill the plurality of containers 200 with foodstuffs 10 as described above;
Step D: place a covering 250 onto each container 200 having been filled with foodstuffs 10;
Step E: make the platter 100 available to a consumer for purchase;
Step F: make the plurality of containers 200 filled with foodstuffs 10 available to the consumer for purchase;
Step G: have the consumer select the platter 100;
Step H: have the consumer select a plurality of containers 200 filled with foodstuffs 10;
Step I: have the consumer place each selected container 200 into one of the compartments 140 of the platter 100; and
Step J: have the consumer purchase the platter 100 of foodstuffs 10.
In the foregoing method, Step A and Step B may be performed in any order or simultaneously; Step B and Step C may be performed in any order or simultaneously, as long as each container that is filled with foodstuffs in Step C is first obtained in Step B; Step C and Step D may be performed in any order or simultaneously, as long as each container that has a covering placed on it in Step D has first been filled with foodstuffs in Step C; Step A and Step D must be performed before Step E and Step F; Step E and Step F may be performed in any order; Step E and Step F must be performed before Step G and Step H; Step G and Step H may be performed in any order or simultaneously; Step G must be performed before Step I; Step H and Step I may be performed in any order or simultaneously, as long as each container that is placed into one of the compartments of the platter in Step I is first selected by the consumer in Step H; and Step H and Step I must be performed before Step J.
This basic method may be modified by the performance of the following additional steps:
Step A1: obtain a cover 400 as described above;
Step E1: make the cover 400 available to the consumer for purchase; and
Step I1: have the consumer place the cover 400 onto the top edge of the side wall 120 of the platter 100.
In this modified method, Step A, Step A1, and Step B may be performed in any order or simultaneously; Step E, Step E1, and Step F may be performed in any order; Step A, Step A1, and Step D must be performed before Step E1; Step E1 must be performed before Step G and Step H; Step H and Step I must be performed before Step I1; and Step I1 must be performed before Step J.
Where the platter 100 is substantially round and has a circular central portion 118, as described above, the basic method may be modified by the performance of the following additional steps:
Step B1: obtain a plurality of cylindrical containers 300 as described above;
Step C1: fill the plurality of cylindrical containers 300 with foodstuffs 10;
Step D1: place a circular covering 350 onto each cylindrical container 300 having been filled with foodstuffs 10;
Step F1: make the plurality of cylindrical containers 300 filled with foodstuffs 10 available to the consumer for purchase;
Step H1: have the consumer select one of the plurality of cylindrical containers 300 filled with foodstuffs 10; and
Step H2: have the consumer place the selected cylindrical container 300 into the central portion of the platter 100.
In this modified method, Step A, Step B, and Step B1 may be performed in any order or simultaneously; Step B1 and Step C1 may be performed in any order or simultaneously, as long as each cylindrical container that is filled with foodstuffs in Step C1 is first obtained in Step B1; Step C and Step C1 may be performed in any order or simultaneously; Step C1 and Step D1 may be performed in any order or simultaneously, as long as each cylindrical container that has a circular covering placed on it in Step D1 has first been filled with foodstuffs in Step C1; Step D and Step D1 may be performed in any order or simultaneously; Step A and Step D1 must be performed before Step E, Step F, and Step F1; Step E, Step F, and Step F1 may be performed in any order; Step E, Step F, and Step F1 must be performed before Step G, Step H, and Step H1; Step G, Step H, and Step H1 may be performed in any order or simultaneously; Step H1 must be performed before Step H2; Step H2 and Step I may be performed in any order or simultaneously; and Step H2 and Step I must be performed before Step J.
Modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed embodiments of the present invention without departing from the subject or spirit of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. A method for providing a platter of foodstuffs for sale to a consumer, said method comprising the following steps:

Step A: obtain a platter, said platter having

a substantially planar base having a perimeter edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface,

a continuous circumferential side wall, said side wall located adjacent to the perimeter edge of the base of the platter on the top surface of the base of the platter and oriented substantially perpendicular to the base of the platter, said side wall having a top edge and a substantially uniform height,

a plurality of partitions, each said partition located adjacent to the base of the platter on the top surface of the base of the platter and extending upward from the base of the platter, with each partition spaced substantially apart from each other partition, and

a plurality of compartments, each compartment comprising a volume located between a pair of adjacent partitions and above a portion of the base of the platter located between said pair of adjacent partitions;

Step B: obtain a plurality of containers, with each container having

a continuous circumferential side wall, said circumferential side wall of said container located adjacent to the perimeter edge of the base of said container on the top surface of the base of said container and oriented substantially perpendicular to the base of said container, said

circumferential side wall of said container having a top edge and a substantially uniform height, and

a removable covering, said covering suitably configured to be placed onto the top edge of the side wall of said container and secured thereto,

with each container dimensioned to fit within at least one of the plurality of compartments of the platter;

Step C: fill the plurality of containers with foodstuffs;

Step D: onto each of the containers having been filled with foodstuffs, place one of the coverings;

Step E: make the platter available to a consumer for purchase;

Step F: make the plurality of containers filled with foodstuffs available to the consumer for purchase;

Step G: have the consumer select the platter;

Step H: have the consumer select a plurality of containers filled with foodstuffs;

Step I: have the consumer place each selected container into one of the compartments of the platter; and

Step J: have the consumer purchase the platter of foodstuffs.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the following additional steps:

Step A1: obtain a cover, said cover suitably configured to be placed onto the top edge of the side wall of the platter and secured thereto,

Step E1: make the cover available to the consumer for purchase; and

Step I1: have the consumer place the cover onto the top edge of the side wall of the platter.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein

the platter obtained in Step A is substantially round and has a circular central portion, the partitions of the platter are arranged in a regular radial pattern around the central portion of the platter,

the partitions do not extend into the central portion of the platter,

each of the plurality of compartments of the platter is substantially wedge-shaped,

each of the plurality of containers obtained in Step B is substantially wedge-shaped with a forward portion being truncated, such that when said container is placed into a compartment of the platter in Step I the container does not extend into the central portion of the platter;

said method further comprising the following additional steps:

Step B1: obtain a plurality of cylindrical containers, with each cylindrical container having a substantially planar base having a perimeter edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface, a continuous circumferential side wall, said circumferential side wall located adjacent to the edge of the base of said cylindrical container on the top surface of the base of said cylindrical container and oriented substantially perpendicular to the base of said cylindrical container, said circumferential side wall having a top edge and a substantially uniform height, and

a removable circular covering, said circular covering suitably configured to be placed onto the top edge of the side wall of said cylindrical container and secured thereto,

with each of the plurality of cylindrical containers dimensioned to fit within the circular central portion of the platter;

Step C1: fill the plurality of cylindrical containers with foodstuffs;

Step D1: onto each of the cylindrical containers having been filled with foodstuffs, place one of the circular coverings;

Step F1: make the plurality of cylindrical containers filled with foodstuffs available to the consumer for purchase;

Step H1: have the consumer select one of the plurality of cylindrical containers filled with foodstuffs; and

Step H2: have the consumer place the selected cylindrical container into the central portion of the platter.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising the following additional steps:

Step E1: make the cover available to the consumer for purchase; and

Step I1: have the consumer places the cover onto the top edge of the side wall of the platter.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein

the platter obtained in Step A is substantially round,

the partitions of the platter are arranged in a regular radial pattern, and

each of the plurality of compartments of the platter is substantially wedge-shaped.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein

the platter obtained in Step A is substantially rectangular,

the partitions of the platter are arranged in a rectangular grid pattern, and

each of the plurality of compartments of the platter is substantially rectangular.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of containers filled with foodstuffs in Step C is filled with foodstuffs of a single type, and with at least two of the plurality of containers are each filled with foodstuffs of a type differing from that of each other of said at least two of the plurality of containers.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of containers filled with foodstuffs in Step C is filled with two or more types of foodstuffs, and with at least a first container of the plurality of containers being filled with two or more types of foodstuffs and at least a second container of the plurality of containers being filled with two or more types of foodstuffs which differ from the two or more types of foodstuffs of the first container.

9. The method of claim 3 wherein each of the plurality of cylindrical containers filled with foodstuffs in Step C1 is filled with foodstuffs of a single type, and with at least two of the plurality of cylindrical containers are each filled with foodstuffs of a type differing from that of each other of said at least two of the plurality of cylindrical containers.

10. The method of claim 3 wherein each of the plurality of cylindrical containers filled with foodstuffs in Step C is filled with two or more types of foodstuffs, and with at least a first cylindrical container of the plurality of cylindrical containers being filled with two or more types of foodstuffs and at least a second cylindrical container of the plurality of cylindrical containers being filled with two or more types of foodstuffs which differ from the two or more types of foodstuffs of the first cylindrical container.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the foodstuffs placed into the plurality of containers is comprised of one of the following group: vegetables, fruits, meat products, cheese, vegetable dip, and sauce.

12. The method of claim 3 wherein the foodstuffs placed into the plurality of cylindrical containers is comprised of one of the following group: vegetables, fruits, meat products, cheese, vegetable dip, and sauce.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the platter is substantially transparent.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of containers is substantially transparent.

15. The method of claim 3 wherein each of the plurality of cylindrical containers is substantially transparent.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of removable coverings is substantially transparent.

17. The method of claim 3 wherein each of the plurality of circular removable coverings is substantially transparent.

18. The method of claim 2 wherein the removable cover is substantially transparent.

19. The method of claim 4 wherein the removable cover is substantially transparent.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein each partition has a height substantially the same as the height of each other partition.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein

the height of each partition of the platter is not greater than the height of the side wall of the platter, and

the height of the side wall of each container is not greater than the height of the side wall of the platter.

22. The method of claim 3 wherein

the height of each partition of the platter is not greater than the height of the side wall of the platter,

the height of the side wall of each container is not greater than the height of the side wall of the platter, and

the height of the side wall of each cylindrical container is not greater than the height of the side wall of the platter.

23. The method of claim 4 wherein the cover is domed.

24. The method of claim 1 wherein the circumferential side wall of the platter angles slightly outward as it extends away from the base of the platter, such that the top edge of the circumferential side wall of the platter has a slightly greater circumference than the perimeter edge of the base of the platter.

25. The method of claim 1 wherein the circumferential side wall of each of the plurality of containers angles slightly outward as it extends away from the base of said container, such that the top edge of the circumferential side wall of said container has a slightly greater circumference than the perimeter edge of the base of said container.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein each of the plurality of partitions has a thickness, with the thickness of said partition proximate to the base of the platter slightly greater than the thickness of said partition distal from the base of the platter.

27. The method of claim 3 wherein the circumferential side wall of each of the plurality of cylindrical containers angles slightly outward as it extends away from the base of said cylindrical container, such that the top edge of the circumferential side wall of said cylindrical container has a slightly greater circumference than the perimeter edge of the base of said cylindrical container.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein each of the plurality of partitions has a thickness, with the thickness of said partition proximate to the base of the platter slightly greater than the thickness of said partition distal from the base of the platter.

29. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of partitions is substantially planar.

30. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of partitions is oriented substantially perpendicular to the base of the platter.

31. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of compartments is dimensioned substantially the same as each other compartment.

32. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of containers is dimensioned to snugly fit within at least one of the plurality of compartments of the platter.

33. The method of claim 1 wherein

the partitions do not extend into the central portion of the platter,

each of the plurality of containers obtained in Step B is suitably shaped such that when said container is placed into a compartment of the platter in Step I the container does not extend into the central portion of the platter;

said method further comprising the following additional steps:

Step B1: obtain a plurality of cylindrical containers, with each cylindrical container having

a continuous circumferential side wall, said circumferential side wall located adjacent to the edge of the base of said cylindrical container on the top surface of the base of said cylindrical container and oriented substantially perpendicular to the base of said cylindrical container, said circumferential side wall having a top edge and a substantially uniform height, and

a removable circular covering, said circular covering suitably configured to be placed onto the top edge of the side wall of said cylindrical container and secured thereto, with each of the plurality of cylindrical containers dimensioned to fit within the circular central portion of the platter;

Step C1: fill the plurality of cylindrical containers with foodstuffs;

34. The method of claim 33 further comprising the following additional steps:

Step E1: make the cover available to the consumer for purchase; and

35. The method of claim 1 whereby

Step A and Step B may be performed in any order or simultaneously;

Step B and Step C may be performed in any order or simultaneously, as long as each container that is filled with foodstuffs in Step C is first obtained in Step B;

Step C and Step D may be performed in any order or simultaneously, as long as each container that has a covering placed on it in Step D has first been filled with foodstuffs in Step C;

Step A and Step D are performed before Step E and Step F;

Step E and Step F may be performed in any order;

Step E and Step F are performed before Step G and Step H;

Step G and Step H may be performed in any order or simultaneously;

Step G is performed before Step I;

Step H and Step I may be performed in any order or simultaneously, as long as each container that is placed into one of the compartments of the platter in Step I is first selected by the consumer in Step H; and

Step H and Step I are performed before Step J.

36. The method of claim 2 whereby

Step A, Step A1, and Step B may be performed in any order or simultaneously;

Step E, Step E1, and Step F may be performed in any order;

Step A, Step A1, and Step D are performed before Step E1;

Step E1 is performed before Step G and Step H;

Step H and Step I are performed before Step I1; and

Step I1 is performed before Step J.

37. The method of claim 3 whereby

Step A, Step B, and Step B1 may be performed in any order or simultaneously;

Step B1 and Step C1 may be performed in any order or simultaneously, as long as each cylindrical container that is filled with foodstuffs in Step C1 is first obtained in Step B1;

Step C and Step C1 may be performed in any order or simultaneously;

Step C1 and Step D1 may be performed in any order or simultaneously, as long as each cylindrical container that has a circular covering placed on it in Step D1 has first been filled with foodstuffs in Step C1;

Step D and Step D1 may be performed in any order or simultaneously;

Step A and Step D1 are performed before Step E, Step F, and Step F1;

Step E, Step F, and Step F1 may be performed in any order;

Step E, Step F, and Step F1 are performed before Step G, Step H, and Step H1;

Step G, Step H, and Step H1 may be performed in any order or simultaneously;

Step H1 is performed before Step H2;

Step H2 and Step I may be performed in any order or simultaneously; and

Step H2 and Step I are performed before Step J.

38. The method of claim 4 whereby

Step A, Step A1, Step B, and Step B1 may be performed in any order or simultaneously;

Step A1 is performed before Step C and Step C1;

Step E, Step E1, Step F, and Step F1 may be performed in any order;

Step D and Step D1 are performed before Step E1;

Step E1 is performed before Step G, Step H, and Step H1;

Step H2 and Step I are performed before Step I1; and

Step I1 is performed before Step J.

39. The method of claim 33 whereby

Step A, Step B, and Step B1 may be performed in any order or simultaneously;

Step C and Step C1 may be performed in any order or simultaneously;

Step D and Step D1 may be performed in any order or simultaneously;

Step A and Step D1 are performed before Step E, Step F, and Step F1;

Step E, Step F, and Step F1 may be performed in any order;

Step E, Step F, and Step F1 are performed before Step G, Step H, and Step H1;

Step G, Step H, and Step H1 may be performed in any order or simultaneously;

Step H1 is performed before Step H2;

Step G and Step H1 are performed before Step I;

Step H2 and Step I may be performed in any order or simultaneously; and

Step H2 and Step I are performed before Step J.

40. The method of claim 34 whereby

Step A1 is performed before Step C and Step C1;

Step E, Step E1, Step F, and Step F1 may be performed in any order;

Step D and Step D1 are performed before Step E1;

Step E1 is performed before Step G, Step H, and Step H1;

Step H2 and Step I are performed before Step I1; and

Step I1 is performed before Step J.