Tableware for Specialized Persons

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a set of tableware for use by persons with neuro-cognitive impairment, compromised or under developed motor skills, or any persons with difficulties eating foods and imbibing drinks. As described herein, the tableware set includes at least one container and at least one spoon. The container has a smooth sidewall portion, a vertically slanted basin portion to define an asymmetrical cavity enclosed by the container. A flat base is provided on the underside of the container. A spoon is provided to match the curvature of the container along or more axes. To assist disabled persons with using the spoon, the side edges of the spoon matches the vertical curvature of the sidewall container, and the tip of the spoon matches the horizontal curvature. The handle of the spoon is designed along an arc to match the alignment of a closed hand when holding a spoon.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14 / 516,585, filed Oct. 17, 2014, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 984,847 filed Apr. 27, 2014 to Yao. Each of these applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT[0002]A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to any reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the United States Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTIONField of Invention[0003]This disclosure relates generally to tableware for impaired persons. More particularly, the present invention relates to a tableware set for patients with neuro-cognitive disorders, such as patients with Alz...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]To overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, what is needed, and has not heretofore been developed, is a set of tableware for disabled persons that provides assistance to caregivers by minimizing difficulties in eating and increasing food intake for disabled persons. According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the foregoing and other objects and advantages are attained by a tableware set for a disabled person, comprising: a foodstuff container, a spoon, and a drinking container.

[0012]According to one or more aspects of the claimed subject matter, a process for manufacturing the tableware set described herein is provided. In one or more embodiments, the process for manufacturing the tableware set includes forming one or more containers with vertically slanted basin portions, forming one or more spoons with curvatures matching the curvatures of one or more interior surfaces of the one or more containers, and forming a food service tray for carrying the one or more containers and the one or more spoons, the food service tray including fastening mechanisms for fastening a sheet or structure of fabric or other suitable material to the food service tray during the service of meals, to provide a netting and / or receptacle of sorts to prevent spilled or dropped foods.

Problems solved by technology

For neuro-cognitively disabled persons or persons with neuro-degenerative disorders—such as those with Alzheimer's disease—cognitive abilities can be impaired, sometimes substantially, which may cause issues with performing even basic physiological needs, such as during food consumption or performing the manual act of eating.

Unfortunately, conventional tableware sets (e.g., dishware and utensils) and even traditional solutions directed to assisting impaired persons are typically insufficient to substantially reduce the time necessary for a caretaker to care for a disabled person.

However, while potentially effective in mitigating slippage and reducing spills, these solutions do little to promote independent eating, or to solve various other inconveniences that often require caregivers to devote significant time and attention during feeding of a disabled person.

However, the effectiveness of this prior art technique can be significantly attenuated when used with foods that are naturally red, even common foods such as tomatoes, strawberries, watermelon, and red peppers.

Moreover, a person with Alzheimer's disease may have additional problems using conventional kitchen utensils.

For example, certain foods may be difficult for some patients with Alzheimer's disease to eat with a spoon, or a pattern or decoration on the plate may resemble food particles and confuse the user.

Unsuitable kitchen utensils may cause disabled users to injure themselves or others on accident.

In particular, the design of conventional spoons can present difficulties in scooping foodstuffs from a bowl, and can result in accidentally spilled food.

Likewise, conventionally designed cups (or other drinking containers) can be easily knocked over by a user, causing spills; and present choking hazards to impaired or disabled persons.

However, straws are not secured in place in conventional cup designs, which can present further difficulties for users.

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