Tableware with suction cup structure and non-slip base

Abstract

A tableware item 10, such as a bowl 20, includes a dish-like body 12 and a base 16, and further includes a suction cup structure 30 that can be attached to the base 16. The base 16 may include a non-slip feature. In this manner, the tableware item 10 can be used with a relatively strong suction cup action for attachment to a table surface, making it suitable for younger children, or can be used without the suction cup structure 30 while still providing the non-slip feature. This provides a greater variety of tableware items 10, such as bowls, plates, and cups, that can be used in different configurations for different occasions.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to tableware, particularly intended for the training and weaning of small children, but also applicable in care and rehabilitation settings, and suitable for outdoor use in general. More particularly, the present invention relates to bowls or plates with a non-slip base. [Background technology]

[0002] Children's tableware is generally designed with ease of handling and cleaning in mind and may be made of lightweight, sturdy materials such as plastic. Young children may struggle to keep their plates or bowls in place while learning to use cutlery. Applicant has developed toddler plates with non-slip features to reduce the risk of the tableware falling to the ground.

[0003] However, the anti-slip features may not prevent the plate from lifting.

[0004] The present invention seeks to ameliorate at least some of the problems outlined above. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tableware item as set forth in claim 1. The item comprises a dish-shaped body, a base and a suction cup structure attachable to the base.

[0006] The tableware item may be a bowl or plate, and has a generally dish-like cup shape suitable for holding food and / or liquid, with the underside of the item forming a base.

[0007] The item may be in the form of a plastic material such as those traditionally used in small children's tableware, but may also be other suitable materials such as melamine, silicone, etc., as well as bioplastics (plastic materials made from renewable resources, such as corn-based resources), and materials commonly used in children's tableware items. Typically, the material selected will be easily cleanable using household dish soaps and appliances, and may even be dishwasher safe. However, such properties are not necessarily a requirement of the present invention.

[0008] In some embodiments, the suction cup structure is in the form of a ring or hoop.

[0009] Being in the form of a ring or hoop, the structure is released and once attached to a bowl forms a suction cup with the base. In this way, the suction cup structure can be attached near the base of a tableware item.

[0010] It will be appreciated that the tableware item may have a generally circular, oval, or rounded outer perimeter. In that case, the suction cup structure may have a similar circular, oval, or rounded shape corresponding to the outer perimeter of the tableware item. However, this is not necessarily the case in all embodiments. The suction cup structure may be generally circular in shape with an engagement structure that attaches to a tableware item of a different shape, for example, a triangular bowl.

[0011] In some embodiments, the suction cup structure and the dish-like body are configured with corresponding engagement structures for securing the suction cup structure to the dish-like body.

[0012] It will be understood that the suction cup structure comprises a suction side comprising a flexible lip and a fixed side comprising or providing an engagement structure for attachment to the dish-like body, for example the suction cup structure may face downwards in use while the fixed side faces inwards to engage the periphery of the bowl.

[0013] In some embodiments, the engagement structure is disposed on a sidewall of the dished body.

[0014] In some embodiments, the engagement structure is disposed around the periphery of the dished body.

[0015] As will be appreciated, the peripheral edge of the dished body may be a lower peripheral edge near the base of the dished body, for example along the outer wall surface of the bowl.

[0016] The corresponding engagement structure may be a lip or protruding structure extending along the periphery of the base and the suction cup structure. For example, the engagement structure may be a lip extending along the inner periphery of the suction cup structure. The corresponding engagement structure on the tableware item may be a groove extending along its outer periphery.

[0017] In some embodiments, the suction cup structure is unitary.

[0018] In some embodiments, the base of the dished body is provided with an anti-slip arrangement.

[0019] The tableware item may be provided with an anti-slip coating and / or structure underneath, and as will be appreciated, the anti-slip arrangement may be left exposed when the hoop-shaped suction cup structure is attached to the body.

[0020] In some embodiments, the non-slip arrangement comprises protrusions and / or depressions.

[0021] In some embodiments, the anti-slip arrangement comprises ridges and / or grooves and / or domes and / or depressions.

[0022] In some embodiments, the non-slip arrangement is made of a different material than the dished body.

[0023] The non-slip arrangement may be a material that has a higher friction than the rest of the base and / or dished body, for example the non-slip arrangement may be provided by an insert for providing the feet.

[0024] In some embodiments, the anti-slip arrangement is offset from the corresponding engaging structure of the suction cup structure.

[0025] In this way, it is avoided that the features of the anti-slip arrangement interfere with the fit of the suction cup structure to the body.

[0026] In some embodiments, the anti-slip features are exposed in an area of ​​the base when the suction cup structure is attached to the body.

[0027] This makes it easier to see from below that the tableware item has anti-slip features.

[0028] In some embodiments, the non-slip features are disposed along the periphery of the base.

[0029] In this way, the area of ​​the base in the center surrounded by the anti-slip features can be kept free of anti-slip features.

[0030] In some embodiments, the suction cup structure is resiliently deformable from a rest condition to an engagement condition for adhering to an underlying surface, and comprises a flexible suction lip extending below the base in the rest condition.

[0031] In this way, the features of the non-slip arrangement can be prevented from interfering with the suction action when the tableware item is attached to the surface below.

[0032] In some embodiments, the flexible suction lip, when attached to the dished body, can be flipped into a disengaged position to allow the bowl to rest against the base of the dished body.

[0033] The disengaged position is understood to be the upper position during use, in which the suction cup exposes the base of the dish-like surface, allowing a tableware item to be placed on the base with the base in contact with the surface below, rather than on the suction cup structure. In this way, a bowl with a non-slip feature can be supported on the non-slip feature.

[0034] In some embodiments, the tableware item comprises a bowl.

[0035] In some embodiments, the tableware item comprises a plate.

[0036] In some embodiments, the tableware item comprises a cup.

[0037] The tableware item may be provided with one or more handles which, if provided, will be understood to extend laterally outward (in use) from one or more sides of the body.

[0038] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the first aspect of the present invention is provided as a kit of parts comprising one or more tableware items according to any one of the embodiments of the first aspect and one or more suction cup structures according to any one of the embodiments of the first aspect.

[0039] In such a kit of parts, two or more of the suction cup structures may be different colors.

[0040] Features described in connection with one or more embodiments may be combined with the features of any one or more other embodiments of the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0041] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0042] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the bowl in assembled form.

[0043] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the separated components of the bowl of FIG.

[0044] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the arrangement of FIG.

[0045] FIG. 4 is a side view of the bowl.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the arrangement of FIG.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the bowl of FIG.

[0048] Referring to the drawings, a bowl assembly 10 constituting a tableware item includes a bowl 20 with a suction ring 30. When viewed from above, the bowl 20 has a generally oval footprint and includes a dish-like body 12 with sidewalls and an upper rim 14. In this embodiment, the upper rim 14 has a sloped shape, with one side (typically the front) lower than the other side (typically the rear), creating a sloping appearance so that the opening of the bowl faces the user. The bowl 20 includes a base 16. The bowl 20 may be made of any suitable material, such as plastic, ADP, melamine, bioplastic, etc. In the base region 16, the bowl 20 includes a recess 18 extending around the periphery of the outer sidewall to provide an engagement structure.

[0049] The suction ring 30 has a generally oblong shape that corresponds to the oval footprint of the bowl 20. The suction ring has a flexible lip 32 extending around its periphery. The lip 32 is angled downward (in use) so that it flexes when recessed against a surface. At its distal edge, the suction ring 30 has a tab 34. The inner periphery of the suction ring 30 is provided with a lip structure 38 that includes an inwardly extending ledge. The inwardly extending ledge extends along the inner periphery of the suction ring 30.

[0050] Suction ring 30 may be removably attached to bowl 20 by engaging lip structure 38 with recess 18, with corresponding engagement structure on both lip structure 38 and recess 18. In this manner, the inwardly extending ledge engages recess 18. Suction ring 30 may be made of a material with inherent resilience and flexibility so that it can be temporarily stretched against its inherent resilience when pulled around recess 18. Thus, suction ring 30 is substantially airtightly connected to bowl 20, such that base 16 of bowl 20 and suction ring 30 form a bonded structure that is airtight enough to function as a suction cup when assembled, and can be temporarily attached by suction to an underlying surface, such as a tabletop.

[0051] The tension on the inwardly extending ledges includes a component transverse to the axis of the suction ring 30, thereby providing a relatively strong fixation of the suction ring 30 to the bowl 20. This arrangement allows occasional pulling on the bowl 20 without opening an air path through the fixation arrangement and reducing the adhesive strength of the suction ring 30. Applying a strong pulling force may result in the bowl 20 being detached from the suction ring 30, while the suction ring 30 remains attached to the underlying surface. However, this fixation provides a stable connection for the intended use, including feeding of small children.

[0052] The non-slip feature 50 has a higher frictional force than the base 16. For example, the material of the non-slip feature 50 may have a higher friction than the material of the dished body 12, specifically the recess 18. The recess may have a relatively smooth surface, such as the surface of a plastic material. In this manner, the recess 18 provides lower resistance to engaging the suction ring 30, which is believed to promote a tight engagement. In this manner, the recess 18 and the non-slip feature 50 may have different material properties, with the recess 18 designed for a tight fit of the suction ring 30 and the non-slip feature 50 providing a good grip.

[0053] It will be appreciated that for a sufficiently smooth table surface, the suction action of the suction cups will help hold bowl assembly 10 to the surface. Tabs 34 extend from the edge of suction ring 30 and can be pulled to disengage suction ring 30 from the surface.

[0054] The underside of the base 16 of the bowl 20 is provided with anti-slip features 50 in the form of a rib arrangement distributed around the perimeter of the base 16. A central region 52 of the base is either free of anti-slip features 50 or is surrounded by anti-slip features 50. Distributed in this manner, the anti-slip features 50 provide good stability. Comparing Figures 5 and 6, it can be seen that the anti-slip features 50 are visible from below when the suction ring 30 is attached (see Figure 5) and when the bowl 20 is not provided with a suction ring (see Figure 6). Depending on the size and flexibility of the lip structure 38, the lip structure 38 may be flexible enough to be flipped upward. In that case, the anti-slip features 50 may be exposed as the base of the bowl 20, allowing the bowl 20 to be supported by the base 16 and the anti-slip features 50.

[0055] 4, the recess 18 is oriented such that, in use, the anti-slip feature 50 is exposed downwardly and extends laterally above the base 16 so that the recess 18 or other lip or protruding structure can engage and stand firmly against a surface without interfering with the stable position. Furthermore, the anti-slip feature is offset from the securement of the inwardly extending protrusion and recess 18 arrangement, thereby reducing the risk of interference that could affect the airtight secure connection.

[0056] As disclosed herein, bowl 20 can be configured to be used with suction ring 30 provided with bowl assembly 10, or as bowl 20 without suction ring 30. Without suction ring 30, bowl 20 can rest relatively securely on a table surface due to integrated non-slip features 50.

[0057] Thus, bowl assembly 10 can be configured for use in different situations, specifically for different stages of a child's development. Similarly, bowl assemblies can be configured for different types of food. For example, a suction ring configuration may be useful for liquid foods, such as soup, where accidental spills can be extremely inconvenient. A non-suction configuration may be useful for solid foods, where accidental drops are less of a concern. Furthermore, reconfiguration has been found to be particularly useful for use with tablecloth materials or rough textures, such as untreated wooden tabletops. While a suction cup configuration may be less effective on rougher surfaces, the non-slip feature provides better grip. This design is believed to allow the same item to be used for longer periods of time as a child grows, extending the product's useful life and reducing waste.

[0058] While the principles of the present invention have been illustrated using exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments and that the invention may be embodied in other variations as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A tableware item comprising a dish-like body and a base, the item comprising a suction cup structure attachable to the base.

2. 10. The tableware item of claim 1, wherein the suction cup structure is in the form of a ring or hoop.

3. 3. The tableware item of claim 1 or 2, wherein the suction cup structure and the dish-shaped body are configured with corresponding engagement structures for securing the suction cup structure to the dish-shaped body.

4. The tableware item of claim 3 , wherein the engagement structure is disposed on a side wall of the dish-shaped body.

5. 5. A tableware item according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the engagement structure is arranged around the periphery of the dish-shaped body.

6. A tableware item according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the suction cup structure is a single piece.

7. A tableware item according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the base of the dish-shaped body is provided with an anti-slip arrangement.

8. 8. A tableware item according to claim 7, wherein the non-slip arrangement comprises protrusions and / or indentations.

9. 9. A tableware item according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the anti-slip arrangement comprises ridges and / or grooves and / or domes and / or depressions.

10. A tableware item according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the non-slip arrangement is made of a different material than the dish-shaped body.

11. A tableware item according to any one of claims 7 to 10 when dependent on claim 3, wherein the anti-slip arrangement is offset from the corresponding engagement structure of the suction cup structure.

12. A tableware item according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the anti-slip features are exposed in an area of ​​the base when the suction cup structure is attached to the main body.

13. A tableware item according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the anti-slip features are arranged around the periphery of the base.

14. 14. A tableware item as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the suction cup structure is resiliently deformable from a rest condition to an engaging condition for adhering to an underlying surface, and in the rest condition comprises a flexible suction lip extending below the base.

15. 15. The tableware item of claim 14, wherein the flexible suction lip, when attached to the dish-shaped body, can be flipped to a disengaged position, allowing the bowl to be supported by the base of the dish-shaped body.

16. A tableware item according to any one of claims 1 to 15, comprising a bowl.

17. A tableware item according to any one of claims 1 to 16, comprising a plate.

18. A tableware item according to any one of claims 1 to 17, comprising a cup.

19. A kit of parts comprising one or more tableware items according to any one of claims 1 to 18 and one or more suction cup structures according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

20. 20. The kit of parts of claim 19, comprising two or more suction cup structures of different colors.

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