Patent Application
20220322849
The present invention relates generally to the field of personal protection devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a flexible shield or guard designed to be positioned around the rim of a plate, bowl or other eating or working surface to help reduce the spread of germs, viruses, particulate and bacteria on the meal, eating or working surface. The invention has an angular adjustable shield and a flat base. The adjustable shield is pivotally-attached to a base allowing the shield to move in between a first or open position and a second or closed position. The base sits flat on the table to balance the shield and prevent it from tilting or tipping over. Users can adjust the angle of the shield to maximize coverage over the top of the plate, eating or working surface. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, contamination describes a situation of the presence of unwanted elements or contaminants that are not appropriate for use. Usually, food contamination happens when foreign particles such as pathogens, dirt, chemicals, particulates and other harmful substances are present. Especially, food contamination in public places is a challenge and can lead to food-borne diseases, illness, and sickness.
In restaurants and other public eating areas, food served on plates, bowls and other eating surfaces may be left out in the open, unprotected and uncovered. Further, when the food is being consumed by a user, accidental spills from beverage and other containers placed on the table can contaminate the food. In cases where multiple users are eating food on a table, germs, viruses, particulates, and bacteria can be sprayed onto food if someone coughs or sneezes without fully covering his or her mouth and germs can spread even through casual conversation. In the times of pandemic, protection of food while serving and consuming from airborne pathogens is also desired.
Presently, people either protect their food using their hands or by moving their food away from the source of contamination. These methods are not only ineffective but can lead to contamination and waste of food.
Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a meal-protecting device that protects the meal and food served on a plate or other eating surfaces from pathogens, bacteria, germs, particulates and other undesirable elements. There is also a long felt need in the art for a meal shield that can be used for protecting the meal and food from accidental spills of beverage and condiments containers. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a meal or impurity barrier that provides an effective barrier from contamination while allowing the consumer to enjoy the food without concern about germs. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a meal shield that eliminates the food to remain open in the air and easily accessible to the consumer. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a meal shield or guard that is lightweight and is easy to carry. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a meal protection device that helps reduce the spread of germs, viruses, particulates and bacteria, especially useful in public eating spaces like restaurants, bars and other gathering areas.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a flexible meal shield or guard. The flexible meal shield or guard is designed to be placed or positioned around the rim of a plate, bowl or other eating surface for preventing airborne particulates, particulates and debris from contaminating a meal placed in the plate or eating surface. The shield or guard of the present invention has an angular shield with an inner concave curvature and an outer convex curvature and a semi-circular base designed to conform to a portion of the plate, bowl or other eating utensil. The angular shield is configured to pivotally move, relative to the flat base between an open position and a closed position to protect food and beverages while allowing the consumer to enjoy the meal or beverage.
In this manner, the novel flexible meal shield or guard of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives, and provides a relatively effective, portable and convenient solution to protect or guard food and meals served and consumed on a plate, bowl or other eating surface. The device protects the food or beverage from contamination while allowing a consumer to eat food and enjoy their beverages. The device is designed to prevent unsanitary particles, germs, bacteria and other impurities from reaching food and beverages and causing illness to the consumer.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key or critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a flexible meal shield or guard. The flexible meal shield or guard is designed to place around the rim of a plate or bowl or for protecting an eating surface by preventing airborne particulates and debris from contaminating food or beverage placed in the plate or in another eating area. The shield or guard further comprises an angular shield having an inner concave curvature and an outer convex curvature. The angular shield having a curved bottom edge and a hole at each end of a circumferential edge, a semi-circular flat base designed to conform to a portion of the plate, bowl, eating utensil or surface, a first pair of hinged slots positioned at a first curved end of the flat base and a second pair of hinged slots positioned at a second curved end of the base. The hinged slots of each pair have an aligned hole for receiving a cam-based pin, each pair of the hinged slots has a gap between the hinged slots for receiving a hole positioned at circumferential edge(s) of the angular shield, such that the angular shield is pivotally-fixed to the base, thereby enabling the angular shield to pivotally move relative to the flat base.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a meal shield or guarding device for protecting food or beverages that has been placed on a plate from pathogens and accidental spills of a drink or other items is disclosed. The meal shield and guarding device includes a dome-shaped angular shield pivotally coupled to a semi-circular base. The base may be weighted, flat or have feet, depending on the base or platform for positioning the guard or shield on a surface. The angular shield or guard is configured to be in a closed position, where the closed position corresponds to the angular shield, making roughly a 10-20 degree angle relative to the base. The angular shield is also configured to be in an open position where the open position corresponds to the angular shield making roughly a 70-90 degree angle relative to the base. The angular shield can be secured to any position between the open position and the closed position or first and second positions.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the angular shield substantially covers the plate, bowl or eating surface and the meal when in the closed or second position, and enables a consumer to consume the meal in the first or open position.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the dome-shaped angular shield or guard is pivotally-coupled to the base using a cam-based pin. The pin provides a frictional force to stop the angular shield in any desired position between the fully open position and the fully closed position.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the base is non-slipping and conforms to the shape of the plate, bowl or other eating utensil. The base may have a rubberized surface to grip onto a table or other platform on which the base is placed or may have a reusable adhesive which is covered by a liner material which when removed exposes the adhesive, thereby allowing the shield to be positioned on the table or other surface. The base may also include a plurality of layers of adhesive and release liners so that a new adhesive layer can be exposed with each use, thereby improving the sanitary conditions of the guard or shield.
In yet another embodiment, the angular shield protects the meal, food or beverages from pathogens, germs and any accidental spill from a direction opposite to the consumer who is consuming the meal from the plate or other surface or utensil.
In yet another embodiment, the meal shield device is made from thin, lightweight and durable plastic or Plexiglass. The shield may be transparent, translucent or opaque. The shield may also be provided with various indicia, graphics, or the like to further personalize the shield. In addition, the shield may be provided with an LED light, a movable indicator such as a sign, allowing the user to signal wait staff that they require attention, such as to order additional food or beverages as the shield may prevent the wait staff from seeing that the meal has been completed.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, a method for preventing a meal, food or beverages placed in a serving area is disclosed. The method includes providing a serving area shield or guarding device having a generally dome-shaped angular shield and a semi-circular base, and then placing the flat base along a portion of the rim of the plate or outer edge of the serving area. Next, the angular shield or guard is positioned in a closed position and the angular shield or guard covers the plate or serving area and the meal, and finally pivotally moving the angular shield relative to the flat base for consuming the meal.
The advantage of the meal shield or guarding device of the present invention is that it allows users to help reduce the spread of germs, viruses, particulates and bacteria, especially useful in public eating spaces. The device is flexible, lightweight, and protects the meal, food, beverages and food surfaces from pathogens, while allowing the consumer to consume the meal. The device comes in a variety of sizes, colors, and designs to fit various plates and bowls. The shield or guard may also be used to protect a work space such as when someone is working on laptop, reading a book, magazine or newspaper, texting, reading or watching things on a smartphone or the like.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there exists a long felt need in the art for a personal protecting device that protects food and beverages served on a plate or personal workspaces from pathogens, and other airborne contaminants. There is also a long felt need in the art for a shield or guarding device that can be used for protecting food, beverages and personal work areas from accidental spills of beverage containers by others. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a personal barrier device that provides an effective barrier from contamination and other airborne particulates while allowing the consumer to consume the food as well as to have a safe and sanitary work area. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a personal shield or guarding device that eliminates the risk to food and the personal workspace being open to the surrounding environment. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a shield or guard that is lightweight and is easy to carry and use. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a personal protection device that helps reduce the spread of germs, viruses, airborne material and bacteria, especially useful in public spaces like a restaurant, bar, offices and other areas where people may gather.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel personal shield or guarding device. The invention is designed for protecting a meal placed on a plate or other eating space as well as personal work spaces from pathogens and the accidental spill of a drink by others sitting across or nearby the user. The shield or protection device has a dome-shaped angular shield pivotally-coupled to a semi-circular base which is generally flat or forms a planar surface with the surface on which it is positioned. The angular shield is configured to be in a closed position which corresponds to the angular shield making a 10-20 degree angle relative to the base or surface on which it is positioned. The angular shield is also configured to be in an open position which corresponds to the angular shield making a 70-90 degree angle relative to the base or surface on which it is positioned. The angular shield can be secured at any position between the open position of 70 to 90 degrees and the closed position of 10 to 20 degrees.
Referring initially to the drawings,
A semi-circular base 108 is configured to position on a surface such as a table in a secured manner using tabs 110a, 110b on the bottom surface 108. One or more adhesive strips may be used, as will be explained in connection with
The base 108 sits flat on any surface and balances the angular shield 102. The shield device 100 is positioned such that the angular barrier 102 covers around the edge of the bowl or plate from front to prevent unsanitary particles from reaching food while allowing a consumer to have the meal easily and without any obstruction as best shown in
For securing the angular barrier 102 to the flat base 108, the first hole 204 is positioned between the first pair of hinge slots 112a, 112b and aligns with the hole 208 of the first pair of hinge slots 112a, 112b. Similarly, the second hole 206 is positioned between the second pair of hinge slots 114a, 114b and aligns with the hole 210 of the second pair of hinge slots 114a, 114b. Then, for securing the angular shield 102 to the hinges, a cam-based pin 212 is used with both the pair of hinges. The cam-based pin 212 is used for securing the angular shield 102 to the base 108 and is inserted through the aligned holes 204, 208 and a similar pin is inserted through the aligned holes 206, 210.
In the present invention, the hinged mechanism formed by the cam-based pins used for securing the flat base 108 and the angular shield 102 is configured to hold the angular shield 102 in a desired position (e.g., any position between the closed and open position). A frictional force is exerted on the angular shield 102 so as to maintain the position of the shield 102 when the shield 102 is moved to the desired position. The cam-based pin 212 generates a frictional force that prevents slipping out of position of the angular shield 102. The base 108 may have a slot or other receptacle 141 for receiving eating utensils 137 or items required for work 139. The personal shield may also be used for protecting a personal workspace such as a laptop 135 which fits behind the curvature of the shield or guard.
The shield 100 is placed on the flat base 108 and the rim 304 of the front of the plate 302 lies above the flat base 108 so that shield device 100 can be easily removed as per the preferences and need of the users. The size of the angular barrier 102 is preferably large enough to cover the plate or bowl 302 so that the meal 306 does not remain open when the shield device 100 is in the closed position. The closed position is intended for the cases where a consumer may want to leave the meal in-between for going to a restroom or while attending a call, for example.
To configure the angular shield 102 from the closed state to the open state one must by pivotally lift the angular shield 102 as shown by the direction 308 and secure the angular shield 102 at the desired angular position. The flat base 108 remains static and does not slip while the angular barrier 102 is pivotally-moved relative to the flat base 108.
A second consumer 404 can similarly consume the meal 306 while protecting the meal 306 from pathogens and accidental spill from the beverage containers 410. It should be appreciated that the shield protects the meal from any sneezing, coughing or other airborne contaminants of the consumer or other individual sitting in front of the other consumer who is consuming the food. This is especially useful in cases where the users may have communicable diseases and in the times of pandemic such as Covid-19.
The shield device 100 of various embodiments can come in various sizes, designs, colors and configurations and a thickness to fit conventional plates and bowls of all sizes. The material of the flat base 108 can be BPA and phthalate-free plastic or cardboard. The angular shield 102 can be made from BPA and phthalate-free plastic or plexiglass. The shield device may be transparent, translucent or opaque.
The flexible shield device 100 of the present invention has the advantages that its structural design is compact, has simple manufacturing and is convenient to use. The design does not hinder having a meal or working in an area while providing adequate protection from pathogens.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “shield device”, “flexible shield device”, “flexible shield barrier device”, “meal barrier device”, and “device”, are interchangeable and refer to the meal shield device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the meal shield device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the meal shield device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the meal shield device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the meal shield device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the meal shield device 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/174,198, which was filed on Apr. 13, 2021, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63174198 | Apr 2021 | US |
