tableware
The tableware design addresses the challenge of liquid retention and head tilting by using a curved surface with a decreasing radius for easy drinking and incorporates handles or straw attachments, ensuring liquid is consumed without residue and preventing aspiration.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- 小島(森下) まゆり
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-24
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-12
AI Technical Summary
Existing tableware designs are unsuitable for individuals with reduced physical motor function, weak grip strength, or those who cannot pick up the tableware, as they require head tilting to drink and often leave liquid behind, and are not designed for use with straws.
Tableware with a rising portion from the bottom surface to the inner circumferential surface, featuring a gradually decreasing radius of curvature, allowing for easy drinking without head tilting and preventing liquid accumulation, and incorporating handles or straw attachments for different user grips and abilities.
Enables users to drink without leaving liquid behind, prevents aspiration, and facilitates drinking with or without picking up the tableware, accommodating various grip strengths and drinking methods.
Smart Images
Figure 2026076776000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to tableware that allows a person with reduced physical motor function to easily eat and drink.
Background Art
[0002] In recent years, inclusive design has been carried out to create designs targeting specific people with restrictions such as age, gender, physical characteristics, and disabilities.
[0003] In the following patent documents, tableware having a shape with a bending point that folds inward near the upper edge that becomes the eating and drinking part in a cross-sectional view has been proposed for the purpose of suppressing repeated head movements without requiring specific training or the like.
[0004] However, the above tableware is intended to prevent the food and drink inside the tableware from flowing out vigorously from the upper edge of the opening for the purpose of preventing aspiration or the like, and has a bending point that folds inward near the upper edge that becomes the eating and drinking part in a cross-sectional view, so there is a problem that food and drink remain near the bending point.
[0005] Furthermore, since it is premised on picking up the tableware to eat and drink, it is not suitable for people with weak grip strength who cannot pick up the tableware to eat and drink.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0006]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0007] The present invention was made to solve the aforementioned problems, and its objective is to provide tableware that allows the user to drink from the open portion of the tableware without raising their head, thus preventing any liquid beverage from being left behind.
[0008] Furthermore, the aim is to provide tableware that, when the dish is picked up and used for drinking, allows the fluid beverage inside to flow slowly from the bottom to the edges into the mouth, thereby preventing aspiration.
[0009] Furthermore, the objective is to provide tableware that allows users to drink from a liquid beverage without leaving any behind, even when using a straw without picking up the tableware. [Means for solving the problem]
[0010] To achieve the above objective, the tableware according to claim 1 of the present invention is a tableware for drinking a fluid beverage from an opening at the top, characterized in that the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the rising portion extending from the bottom surface facing the opening to the inner circumferential surface gradually decreases toward the opposite point rotated 180 degrees in the circumferential direction from an arbitrary reference point.
[0011] Furthermore, the tableware according to claims 2 and 3 of the present invention is a tableware for drinking a fluid beverage from an opening at the top, having a handle on its outer surface for picking up the tableware to drink from the opening, and having a rising portion extending from the bottom surface facing the opening to the inner surface, with a reference point at a position rotated 90 degrees circumferentially clockwise or counterclockwise from the handle, such that the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the rising portion gradually decreases toward the opposite point rotated 180 degrees circumferentially from the reference point, and the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the rising portion at the position of the reference point is in the range of 44 mm to 54 mm.
[0012] Furthermore, the tableware according to claims 4 and 5 of the present invention is a tableware for drinking a fluid beverage from an opening at the top, and has a handle on its outer surface for the thumb to pass through when the tableware is grasped and picked up in order to drink from the opening, and has a rising portion extending from the bottom surface facing the opening to the inner surface, wherein the position of the handle for the thumb is taken as a reference point, and the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the rising portion gradually decreases toward the opposite point rotated 180 degrees in the circumferential direction from the reference point, and the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the rising portion at the position of the reference point is in the range of 25 mm to 35 mm.
[0013] Furthermore, the tableware according to claims 6 and 7 of the present invention is a tableware in which a liquid beverage is consumed with a straw, and the upper end of the tableware is an opening, the tableware having a straw attachment portion on the periphery of the opening, and a rising portion extending from the bottom surface facing the opening to the inner circumferential surface, wherein the position of the straw attachment portion is a reference point, and the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the rising portion gradually decreases toward the opposite point rotated 180 degrees circumferentially from the reference point, and the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the rising portion at the position of the reference point is in the range of 20 mm to 30 mm. [Effects of the Invention]
[0014] The present invention provides the following effects.
[0015] In other words, the tableware according to claim 1 of the present invention, having the above configuration, has a rising portion extending from the bottom surface facing the opening to the inner circumferential surface, such that the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the rising portion gradually decreases toward the opposite point rotated 180 degrees circumferentially from an arbitrary reference point. Therefore, when the tableware is picked up and the mouth is placed on the periphery of the opening at the reference point to drink the fluid beverage inside the tableware, the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the rising portion is largest at the reference point where the mouth is placed. Therefore, less liquid remains at the bottom, allowing the user to drink the liquid without leaving any behind without having to tilt their head backward. Furthermore, the liquid flows slowly from the bottom to the periphery 21 and into the mouth, thus preventing aspiration.
[0016] Furthermore, in the tableware according to claims 2 and 3 of the present invention, which has the above configuration, if the tableware has a handle for right-handed users on its outer circumferential surface, the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the rising portion extending from the bottom surface facing the opening to the inner circumferential surface is set such that a reference point is taken at a position rotated 90 degrees clockwise in the circumferential direction from the handle, and the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the rising portion gradually decreases toward the opposite point rotated 180 degrees circumferentially from the reference point. Therefore, when the tableware is picked up with the right hand and the mouth naturally touches the periphery of the opening at the reference point, the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the rising portion at the reference point where the mouth touches is at its maximum. Therefore, less liquid remains at the bottom, allowing the user to drink the liquid without leaving any behind without having to tilt their head backward. Furthermore, the liquid flows slowly from the bottom to the periphery 21 and into the mouth, thus preventing aspiration. Conversely, in tableware with a left-handed handle on the outer surface, the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the rising portion, which extends from the bottom surface opposite the opening to the inner surface, is gradually reduced from the point rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise circumferentially from the handle to the opposite point rotated 180 degrees circumferentially. Therefore, when the tableware is picked up with the left hand and the mouth naturally touches the periphery of the opening at the reference point, the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the rising portion is at its maximum at the reference point where the mouth touches. Therefore, less liquid remains at the bottom, allowing the user to drink the liquid without leaving any behind without having to tilt their head backward. Furthermore, the liquid flows slowly from the bottom to the periphery 21 and into the mouth, thus preventing aspiration. In particular, for both right-handed and left-handed users, the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the rising portion at the position of the reference point is preferably in the range of 44 mm to 54 mm.
[0017] Furthermore, in the tableware according to claims 4 and 5 of the present invention, which has the above configuration, the rising portion extending from the bottom surface facing the opening to the inner circumferential surface is such that, with the position of the handle through which the thumb is inserted as a reference point, the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the rising portion gradually decreases toward the opposite point rotated 180 degrees circumferentially from the reference point. Therefore, when the user puts their thumb through the handle, grasps the constricted shape formed on the outer circumferential surface of the tableware, picks up the tableware, and drinks the fluid beverage inside the tableware from the periphery of the opening at the reference point where the mouth naturally touches, the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the rising portion is at its maximum at the reference point where the mouth touches. Therefore, less liquid remains at the bottom, allowing the user to drink the liquid without leaving any behind without having to tilt their head backward. Furthermore, the liquid flows slowly from the bottom to the periphery 21 and into the mouth, thus preventing aspiration. In particular, it is preferable that the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the rising portion at the position of the reference point is in the range of 25 mm to 35 mm.
[0018] Furthermore, the tableware according to claims 6 and 7 of the present invention, which has the above configuration, has a rising portion extending from the bottom surface facing the opening to the inner circumferential surface, with the position of the straw attachment part at the periphery of the opening as the reference point, and the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the rising portion gradually decreasing toward the opposite point rotated 180 degrees circumferentially from the reference point. Therefore, when drinking a fluid beverage inside the tableware with a straw while the tableware is placed on a desk or table, the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the rising portion is maximum at the reference point, which is the straw attachment position, and minimum at the opposite point, which is where the tip of the straw touches. Therefore, when drinking or sipping through a straw, the drink with fluidity near the reference point is less likely to remain at the bottom, and it is possible to drink without leaving the drink with internal fluidity. That is, even when a person who cannot hold a dishware uses a straw, they can drink without leaving the drink with internal fluidity. In particular, it is preferable that the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the rising portion at the position of the reference point is in the range of 20 mm to 30 mm.
Brief Explanation of Drawings
[0019] [Figure 1] It is a perspective explanatory view of the dishware according to the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a front explanatory view of the dishware in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a right side explanatory view of the dishware in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a perspective explanatory view of another dishware according to the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a front explanatory view of the dishware in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] It is a right side explanatory view of the dishware in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] It is a perspective explanatory view of yet another dishware according to the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a front explanatory view of the dishware in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] It is a left side explanatory view of the dishware in FIG. 7.
Modes for Carrying Out the Invention
[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of this invention will be illustrated and described with reference to the drawings.
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective explanatory view of a glass dishware according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front explanatory view of the dishware in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a right side explanatory view of the dishware in FIG. 1.
[0022] Embodiment 1 As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the tableware 1A of Embodiment 1 of the present invention is made of transparent glass, has a frustoconical shape, and its upper end is an opening 20. There is a tableware 1AR which has a handle 12R for right-handed users to pick up the tableware on the outer peripheral surface 10 shown in the figure, and a tableware 1AL which has a handle 12L for left-handed users to pick up the tableware on the outer peripheral surface 10 which is not shown. The outer shape of the tableware 1 may be any shape other than a frustoconical shape, such as a cylinder or cube. The material used to form the tableware may be any material other than glass, such as ceramics, metal, or plastic.
[0023] The dish 1AR, which has a handle 12R for right-handed users to pick up the dish on its outer surface 10, has a rising portion 31 formed by a curved surface 32 extending from the bottom surface 30 facing the opening 20 to the inner surface 11, and this rise is formed all around the dish.
[0024] As shown in Figure 3, the radius of curvature rM of the curved surface 32M of the rising portion 31 is maximum at the reference point 13, which is rotated 90 degrees clockwise in the circumferential direction from the handle 12R. The radius of curvature r of the curved surface 32 of the rising portion 31 gradually decreases toward the opposing point 14, which is rotated 180 degrees in the circumferential direction from the reference point 13, and the radius of curvature rN of the curved surface 32N of the rising portion 31N at the opposing point 14 is minimum.
[0025] When drinking a fluid beverage from the tableware 1AR through the periphery 21 of the opening 20, if you pick up the tableware 1AR by gripping the handle 12R with your right hand, your mouth will naturally come into contact with the periphery 21 of the opening 20 at the reference point 13 where the radius of curvature r of the curved surface 32 of the rising portion 31 is at its maximum.
[0026] At reference point 13, the radius of curvature rM of the curved surface 32M of the rising section 31M is at its maximum, making it less likely for fluid beverages to remain at the bottom when drinking, and allowing the user to drink all of the fluid beverage inside without having to tilt their head backward. Furthermore, at reference point 13, the radius of curvature rM of the curved surface 32M of the rising section 31M is at its maximum, allowing fluid beverages to flow gently from the bottom to the periphery 21 and into the mouth, thus preventing aspiration. Furthermore, "liquid beverages" include not only regular water and tea, but also soups, porridges, liquid foods, jellies, and any other liquid beverage that is edible.
[0027] Furthermore, the radius of curvature rM of the curved surface 32M of the rising portion 31M at the reference point 13 is preferably in the range of 44 mm to 54 mm. If the radius of curvature rM is 44 mm or less, the liquid beverage at the reference point 13 tends to accumulate at the bottom, making it impossible to drink it all without tilting your head backward. If the radius of curvature rM is 54 mm or more, the internal volume becomes too small, and the liquid beverage inside, especially a highly viscous beverage, becomes difficult to flow, making it impossible to drink it all without tilting your head backward.
[0028] Furthermore, in the case of tableware 1AL, which is provided with a handle 12L on the outer surface 10 for left-handed users to pick up the tableware, the reference point 13 is located at a position rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise from the handle 12L, which is different from the right-handed tableware 1AR where the reference point 13 is located at a position rotated 90 degrees clockwise from the handle 12R. The radius of curvature rM of the curved surface 32M of the rising portion 31M at the reference point 13 is at its maximum, and the radius of curvature r of the curved surface 32 of the rising portion 31 gradually decreases toward the opposing point 14, which is rotated 180 degrees circumferentially from the reference point 13, and the radius of curvature rN of the curved surface 32N of the rising portion 31N at the opposing point 14 is at its minimum, which is the same as the right-handed tableware 1AR.
[0029] Embodiment 2 Figure 4 is a perspective view of a glass tableware according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, Figure 5 is a front view of the tableware in Figure 4, and Figure 6 is a right side view of the tableware in Figure 4.
[0030] The differences between the tableware 1B of Embodiment 2 of the present invention and the tableware 1A of Embodiment 1 will be mainly described.
[0031] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, tableware 1B is designed so that even people with weak grip strength can pick it up. The weight is supported by passing the thumb through the handle 12, allowing the user to grip the outer surface 10. Therefore, the size and shape of the handle 12, as well as the constricted shape 15 near the handle 12 to facilitate gripping the outer surface 0, differ from tableware 1A. Furthermore, the position of the handle 12 is the reference point 13, which is another difference from tableware 1A.
[0032] Except as described above, as shown in Figure 6, the radius of curvature rM of the curved surface 32M of the rising portion 31M at the reference point 13 is at its maximum, the radius of curvature r of the curved surface 32 of the rising portion 31 gradually decreases toward the opposing point 14, which is rotated 180 degrees circumferentially from the reference point 13, and the radius of curvature rN of the curved surface 32N of the rising portion 31N at the opposing point 14 is at its minimum, which is the same as with tableware 1A.
[0033] When drinking a fluid beverage from the tableware 1B through the periphery 21 of the opening 20, the user places their thumb through the handle 12 and grasps the constricted shape 15 to pick up the tableware 1B. This makes it easy for even those with weak grip strength to pick up the tableware, and when picked up, the mouth naturally comes into contact with the periphery 21 of the opening 20 at the reference point 13 where the radius of curvature r of the curved surface 32 of the rising portion 31 is at its maximum.
[0034] At reference point 13, the radius of curvature rM of the curved surface 32M of the rising section 31M is at its maximum, making it less likely for fluid beverages to remain at the bottom when drinking, and allowing the user to drink all of the fluid beverage inside without having to tilt their head backward. Furthermore, at reference point 13, the radius of curvature rM of the curved surface 32M of the rising section 31M is at its maximum, allowing fluid beverages to flow gently from the bottom to the periphery 21 and into the mouth, thus preventing aspiration.
[0035] Furthermore, the radius of curvature rM of the curved surface 32M of the rising portion 31M at the reference point 13 is preferably in the range of 25 mm to 35 mm. If the radius of curvature rM is 25 mm or less, the liquid beverage at the reference point 13 tends to accumulate at the bottom, making it impossible to drink it all without tilting your head backward. If the radius of curvature rM is 35 mm or more, the internal volume becomes too small, and the liquid beverage inside, especially a highly viscous beverage, becomes difficult to flow, making it impossible to drink it all without tilting your head backward.
[0036] Embodiment 3 Figure 7 is a perspective view of a glass tableware according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, Figure 8 is a front view of the tableware in Figure 7, and Figure 9 is a left side view of the tableware in Figure 7.
[0037] The differences between the tableware 1C of Embodiment 3 of the present invention and the tableware 1A of Embodiment 1 will be mainly described.
[0038] As shown in Figures 7 to 9, tableware 1C is tableware that allows a person who lacks the strength to grip or pick up a liquid beverage to be consumed with a straw while it remains on a desk or table. It differs from tableware 1A in its external shape, including having a straw attachment part 22 on the periphery 21 of the opening 20 and lacking a handle. Furthermore, it differs from tableware 1A in that the position of the straw attachment part 22 is the reference point 13.
[0039] Except as described above, as shown in Figure 9, the radius of curvature rM of the curved surface 32M of the rising portion 31M at the reference point 13 is at its maximum, and the radius of curvature r of the curved surface 32 of the rising portion 31 gradually decreases toward the opposing point 14, which is rotated 180 degrees circumferentially from the reference point 13, and the radius of curvature rN of the curved surface 32N of the rising portion 31N at the opposing point 14 is at its minimum, which is the same as with tableware 1A.
[0040] When a person who does not have the strength to pick up the dish 1C drinks a fluid beverage from the dish 1C through a straw attached to the straw attachment portion 22 on the periphery 21 of the opening 20, the straw attachment portion 22 becomes the position of the reference point 13. As a result, the radius of curvature rM of the curved surface 32M of the rising portion 31M is maximized at the position of the straw attachment portion 22, and the radius of curvature rN of the curved surface 32N of the rising portion 31N at the opposite point 14, which is rotated 180 degrees circumferentially from the straw attachment portion 22, is minimized.
[0041] The tip of the straw attached to the straw attachment part 22 naturally reaches the point where the radius of curvature rN of the curved surface 32N of the rising part 31N of the opposing point 14, which has been rotated 180 degrees in the circumferential direction, is minimized, making it possible to drink the fluid beverage inside without leaving any behind.
[0042] Furthermore, the radius of curvature rM of the curved surface 32M of the rising portion 31M at the reference point 13 is preferably in the range of 20 mm to 30 mm. If the radius of curvature rM is 20 or less, the liquid that is fluid at the reference point 13 tends to accumulate at the bottom when drinking, making it impossible to drink it all with a straw without leaving any behind. If the radius of curvature rM is 30 or more, the internal volume becomes too small. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0043] 1,1A,1AR,1AL,1B,1C Tableware 10 Outer surface 11 Inner surface 12, 12R, 12L Handles 13 Reference points 14 Opposing Point 15. Waist shape 20 openings 21 Periphery 22 Straw attachment part 30 Bottom 31, 31M, 31N rising section 32,32M,32N curved surface r,rM,rN radius of curvature
Claims
1. A dish for drinking a fluid beverage from an opening at the top, characterized in that a rising portion extending from the bottom surface opposite the opening to the inner circumferential surface has a radius of curvature of the curved surface of the rising portion that gradually decreases toward an opposing point rotated 180 degrees circumferentially from an arbitrary reference point.
2. A dish for drinking a liquid beverage from an opening at the top, the dish having a handle on its outer surface for picking up the dish to drink from the opening, and a rising portion extending from the bottom surface facing the opening to the inner surface, wherein the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the rising portion gradually decreases toward the opposite point, which is rotated 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise from the handle, toward the opposite point, which is rotated 180 degrees circumferentially from the reference point.
3. The tableware according to claim 2, characterized in that the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the rising portion at the position of the reference point is in the range of 44 mm to 54 mm.
4. A dish for drinking a liquid beverage from an opening at the top, characterized in that it has a handle on its outer surface for the thumb to pass through when the dish is picked up by gripping the outer surface for drinking from the opening, and a rising portion extending from the bottom surface facing the opening to the inner surface, wherein the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the rising portion gradually decreases toward the opposite point, which is rotated 180 degrees in the circumferential direction from the position of the thumb handle, with the position of the thumb handle being the reference point.
5. The tableware according to claim 4, characterized in that the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the rising portion at the position of the reference point is in the range of 25 mm to 35 mm.
6. A dish in which a liquid beverage is consumed with a straw has an opening at the top, wherein the opening has a straw attachment portion on its periphery, and the rising portion extends from the bottom surface facing the opening to the inner circumferential surface, wherein the position of the straw attachment portion is used as a reference point, and the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the rising portion gradually decreases toward the opposite point rotated 180 degrees circumferentially from the reference point.
7. The tableware according to claim 6, characterized in that the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the rising portion at the position of the reference point is in the range of 20 mm to 30 mm.