Feeding dishes for children

Abstract

Improved feeding dishes for children. The dishes are microwaveable containers such as plates or bowls having one or more lids thereon. The containers include pressure release opening such as vents for releasing pressure from the container while the dish is heated in a microwave. Automatic vents, which release pressure once the pressure releases a given level, and manual vents, which are opened and closed by the parent, are provided. Preferably, the containers are composites of soft and hard components.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 09 / 963,135 filed Sep. 25, 2001 (pending), which claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 235,072 filed Sep. 25, 2000, both of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention is directed to improved feeding dishes for children, such as feeding plates and bowls. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Frequently, parents wish to heat up food for small children. One convenient way to do so is to place the food in a feeding dish and to heat the food in a microwave. However, if the food is heated without a top, the food (and / or any liquid in the dish) can splatter, making a mess on the inside of the microwave. [0004] An alternative is to heat the food with the lid only partially covering the dish, so as to prevent the problem of splattering. Yet, this is not an entirely satisfactory method either. Heating ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] It is a further object to provide improved feeding dishes for children which can be efficiently microwaved without splattering.

[0009] It is a further object to provide improved feeding dishes for children which reduce the risk of releasing steam or heat into the child's face when the top is removed.

[0012] In the preferred embodiment, the container includes a pressure release opening such as a vent, and is constructed of components which are suitable for being microwaved (and / or for being heated in an oven). In one embodiment, the vent automatically releases pressure from the container, once the pressure reaches a given level. In a further embodiment, the pressure vent can be opened and closed by a parent. This selective opening and closing allows the parent to control pressure release as desired. For example, the parent can leave the vent open while microwaving the food to allow pressure and steam to be released from the dish during the heating process. After cooking the food, the vent can be closed to maintain the warmth of the food within the container.

Problems solved by technology

However, if the food is heated without a top, the food (and / or any liquid in the dish) can splatter, making a mess on the inside of the microwave.

Yet, this is not an entirely satisfactory method either.

Heating is somewhat inefficient using this method and some splattering may still occur due to the gap between the lid and the dish.

Furthermore, securely attaching the top to the dish is also relatively undesirable.

If the parent is not careful or if the child is nearby, the child can be exposed to this quick release of heat and steam when the top is removed.

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