Patent Grant
8579145
The present invention relates to a bowl that is arranged for use in the feeding of infants and toddlers.
Bowls for use in feeding infants and toddlers (‘infants’) with foodstuffs (‘infant feeding bowls’) are well-known in the art. In a typical usage operation, the bowl container of the infant feeding bowl is charged with a foodstuff. The parent or carer then feeds the infant by abstracting portions of the foodstuff from the bowl container using an item of cutlery and directs those foodstuff portions to the mouth of the infant. As the infant gets older they may be allowed to hold and use the cutlery independently of the parent or carer.
In a common mode of usage the parent or carer (the ‘user’) will hold the bowl with one hand and use their other hand to transfer portions of foodstuff from the bowl to the mouth of an infant using a spoon or similar. This can be a messy operation as often the infant will resist feeding and may even make a grab for the bowl, which can thus potentially lead to spilling of the foodstuff contents thereof. Potential problems are exacerbated by the fact that the parent or carer may be holding the bowl with their less dominant hand or may switch hands during the feeding operation to better gain access to the infant with their hand that holds the spoon. It is therefore desirable that the bowl enables the user to securely hold it using one hand only. It is further desirable that such holding of the bowl is enabled regardless of whether the holding is in the parent or carer's dominant or less dominant hand. In other words, that ‘ambidextrous’ holding of the bowl is enabled. To address the above desiderata, Applicant has now devised an infant feeding bowl provided with a handle that specifically enables secure one-handed holding thereof by the user regardless of which hand is employed.
It is also common for infant feeding bowls to be provided with a sealing lid that is arranged for secure attachment to the rim of the bowl. The purpose of the sealing lid is to allow for a usage mode whereby the bowl is charged with a foodstuff and the lid secured thereto such that the now sealed-off contents may be carried around in the lidded bowl. Thus, commonly a foodstuff is prepared at home and stowed in the lidded bowl, which is carried round in a bag or pocket of the parent or carer for use in feeding the infant when away from the home. Conventionally, the sealing lid is arranged for snap-fit or push fit interaction with the rim of the bowl. Thus typically, the rim of the bowl is provided all around with a projecting snap-fit feature (e.g. an upstanding wall) or a recessing snap-fit feature (e.g. a groove). Applicant has realized that such snap-fit features present a food trap at the rim of the bowl, which can give rise to foodstuff wastage and makes for more difficult cleaning of the rim of the bowl. In solution to this problem, Applicant has now devised an infant feeding bowl that projects a rounded and smooth rim surface that is arranged for sealing interaction with an oppositely-rounded rim surface provided to the sealing lid.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an infant feeding bowl that is arranged for ease of holding by a user.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an infant feeding bowl with a sealing lid that minimizes any food traps.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an infant feeding bowl comprising
a bowl container defining an inner bowl surface, an outer bowl surface and a bowl rim; and
projecting away from said bowl rim, a bowl handle defining an arc form handle rim;
wherein said bowl handle includes a lamellar portion that extends from said handle rim to the bowl rim and provided to said lamellar portion, a thumbhole arranged for receipt of the user's thumb in use, and wherein said thumbhole is arranged symmetrically about a chord axis extending from the arc form handle rim to the bowl rim.
There is provided an infant feeding bowl. The bowl comprises a bowl container that defines an inner bowl surface, an outer bowl surface and a bowl rim. In embodiments, the bowl container defines a circular bowl container base, a circumferential bowl wall extending from the base, and a circular mouth defined by the uppermost (i.e. most distant from the base) extent of that circumferential bowl wall. The circumferential wall may in embodiments, extend perpendicular from the circular base or at an angle to that perpendicular (e.g. tapering outwards). The circumferential bowl wall thus, in these embodiments defines the general form of the inner and outer bowl surface. The circular mouth is in these embodiments, provided with the bowl rim. Non-circular form bowl shapes such as ovular forms are also envisaged.
The infant feeding bowl includes a bowl handle that projects away from the bowl rim such as to define an arc form handle rim (i.e. a handle rim in the form of an arc). Thus, in essence the handle of the bowl projects in (rounded) arch-like fashion away from the bowl rim.
It will be appreciated that the bowl rim defines a plane, which generally corresponds to the plane of the entry mouth of the bowl container. In embodiments, the arc form handle rim extends within or parallel to that plane defined by the bowl rim.
In other preferred embodiments, the arc form handle rim extends outwith and above or below that plane defined by the bowl rim. That is to say the arc form handle rim preferably projects away and upwards or downwards from (i.e. away from/towards the bowl container base) the bowl rim. Such configuration of the arc form handle rim has been round to assist with the user's holding of the bowl handle in one hand.
The arc form handle rim preferably defines a complete arc, although variations in which a ‘broken arc’ form (e.g. gap at the ‘top of the arc’) is employed are also envisaged.
In embodiments, the bowl rim and handle rim are formed as an integral part (e.g. as a single moulding). In other embodiments, the bowl rim and handle rim are formed as separate parts.
The bowl handle includes a lamellar portion that extends from the handle rim to the bowl rim. Thus, a lamellar or sheet-like portion extends from the arc for handle rim to the bowl rim to thereby occupy at least some of the space defined therebetween. It will be appreciated that where the arc form handle rim extends within or parallel to that plane defined by the bowl rim the lamellar portion also extends within or parallel to that plane and is thus, of planar form. It will further be appreciated that where the arc form handle rim extends outwith (e.g. above or below) that plane defined by the bowl rim the lamellar portion also extends outwith (e.g. above or below) that plane and is thus, of curved lamellar form.
A thumbhole arranged for receipt of the user's thumb in use, is provided to the lamellar portion. The hole may define any suitable form but is preferably, generally circular or ovular in form. The thumbhole is arranged symmetrically about a chord axis extending from the arc form handle rim to the bowl rim. Preferably, a chord is defined between the most distant (i.e. furthest away, extreme or ‘top of the arc’) position of the arc form handle rim relative to the bowl rim, and the thumbhole is arranged to lie generally symmetrically about that chord axis. It will be appreciated that in this description the chord axis is used as a geometric construct to indicate positioning of the thumbhole and which is not necessarily physically drawn or labelled on any part of the bowl handle itself. Such positioning of the thumbhole, symmetric about the chord axis, has been found to assist with ambidextrous use of the bowl handle since receipt of a user's right or left thumb is equally enabled. Applicant has also realized that where the thumbhole is offset from the chord axis receipt of one user's thumb over another is made preferential which negates any such ambidextrous utility.
Preferably, the bowl container is provided with a hand support feature (e.g. ‘bulge’ or ‘protuberance’) that protrudes (or ‘extends’) out from the outer bowl surface to define a hand support surface. In embodiments, that hand support feature is provided at a position on that outer bowl surface that matches up with the arc form handle rim. The purpose of the hand support surface is to provide a surface that may support the palm and/or one or more fingers of the user's hand when the bowl is held in one hand thereof with the user's thumb received by the thumbhole. Thus, in embodiments, the hand support feature defines a palm support surface and/or finger support surface. It will be appreciated that the hand support feature will thus, typically locate on the outer bowl surface at a position which lies below and between the points at which the arc form handle rim extends out from the bowl rim.
In embodiments, the hand support feature lies on or about a vertical plane extending through (i.e. containing) the chord axis that extends from the arc form handle rim to the bowl rim. In embodiments, the hand support feature lies symmetrically on or about a vertical plane extending through chord axis that extends from the arc form handle rim to the bowl rim.
The hand support feature may define any suitable form, but preferably defines a smooth hand support surface. In embodiments, the hand support feature defines a convex, such as dome form (e.g. hemispherical or ovular) hand support surface profile. The hand support feature extends (or ‘protrudes’) from the outer bowl surface to define a hand support surface (e.g. convex). In embodiments, the hand support feature defines a generally corresponding reverse surface (e.g. concave) that extends into the inner bowl surface. Thus, for example where a convex hand support surface is defined by an ovular bulge that protrudes from the outer bowl surface a corresponding concave reverse surface is defined at the inner bowl surface.
In embodiments, the reverse surface is arranged to provide a spoon wipe surface at the inner bowl surface. Thus, in use a loaded up spoon would be wiped against this spoon wipe surface to remove any excess foodstuff therefrom. Thus, it may be appreciated that in preferred embodiments the outer shape and form of the hand support feature is matched to define a suitable inner shape and form to the inner spoon wipe surface. Convex outer/concave inner forms have been found to be most suitable to meet this dual function, although alternative shape and forms may also be envisaged.
In embodiments, the bowl container is provided with a bowl insert that defines plural open compartments each arranged for holding a distinct portion of a foodstuff. In embodiments, the bowl insert is both receivable by and movable within the bowl container. The outer profile of the bowl insert is generally arranged to facilitate its receipt by the inner bowl surface, and thus the outer profile of the insert is generally bowl-like.
In embodiments, the bowl container and/or bowl insert are provided with any number of guides, tracks or grooves that guide movement of the bowl insert within the bowl container. In embodiments, the bowl insert is provided with an alignment feature (e.g. a protruding bulge) that is arranged to align with (e.g. be received at least partly by) the reverse surface of the hand support feature provided to the inner bowl surface. Thus, the bowl insert may be readily lined up at a defined position relative to the bowl container. More generally, the bowl insert may be rotatably movable within the bowl container about a rotational axis that centres at the centre point of the circular base of the bowl container.
The bowl insert is in embodiments, provided with plural (e.g. from two to six) open compartments each for holding a distinct portion of a foodstuff. In embodiments, the insert defines a generally bowl-like interior and the compartments are arranged in radially spaced fashion about that interior. Thus, each compartment suitably defines a segment of the bowl-like interior with each compartment being separated by compartment walls that extend from the central point of the bowl-like interior of the bowl insert (e.g. in propeller fashion).
In embodiments, the walls defining the periphery and separate compartments of the bowl insert are provided with an over-moulded edge (e.g. adhesively mounted or weld mounted thereto). In embodiments, gradated markings are provided along the inner surface of the compartment walls of the insert to allow the user to see how much foodstuff is present in the interior of each compartment of the insert.
In embodiments, a sealing lid is provided to the bowl container to close off the mouth thereof. That sealing lid interacts in suitable sealing fashion (e.g. snap-fit, screw-fit or push-fit) with the bowl rim. In embodiments, the sealing lid is provided with a retainer feature arranged to interact with the bowl insert to thereby prevent movement (e.g. rotation) of that insert when the sealing lid is in place. In embodiments, that retainer feature comprises a cavity shaped to receive part of the upper edge of the compartment walls of the insert. That cavity may for example be propeller-shaped and arranged to receive a propeller-like portion of the upper edge of the compartment walls. In embodiments, the sealing lid is provided with a lid cavity therein arranged for the receipt of one or more items of cutlery. In embodiments, one or more holding features are provided to that lid cavity for held receipt of the one or more items of cutlery. In embodiments a lid cavity cover is provided to that lid cavity. In embodiments, that lid cavity cover interacts in suitable fashion (e.g. snap-fit, screw-fit or push-fit) with a rim of the lid cavity. In embodiments, the lid cavity cover is provided with a spoon rest area (e.g. as an indent or protrusion provided thereto) that is arranged for rested receipt of a spoon during an infant feeding operation. In embodiments, the lid cavity cover hingedly mounts to the sealing lid.
In embodiments, the underside of the spoon rest area (i.e. the reverse surface thereof) is arranged to interact with an uppermost part (e.g. top of one or more compartments walls of) the bowl insert. In embodiments, when interacting in that manner the underside of the spoon rest areas acts such as to seal off one compartment of the bowl insert from another.
In embodiments, the sealing lid is provided with one or more pressure-release valve features such as one or more slit valves. The purpose of these valve features is to allow the infant feeding bowl to be placed in a microwave with the sealing lid on by enabling release of any built up steam pressure within the bowl container during microwave cooking or warming up of foodstuff contents thereof.
In embodiments, the outer bowl surface is provided at its lower end (e.g. at a base thereof) with one or more grip features for gripping to a surface (e.g. a table top or other planar surface) upon which the infant feeding bowl is placed. In embodiments, each of the one or more grip features comprises a mat or a sucker. In embodiments, a spaced arrangement (e.g. circular arrangement) of suckers is provided. In embodiments, the one or more grip features (e.g. suckers) are tucked away underneath the base of the container bowl such that no potential ‘snagging’ surfaces are presented when the infant feeding bowl is carried in the bag or pocket of a user.
Applicant has realized that conventional snap-fit or push-fit sealing lids for bowl containers of infant feeding bowls herein may present a food trap at the rim of the bowl. Applicant has therefore devised an infant feeding bowl that only presents a rounded and smooth rim surface that is arranged for sealing interaction with an oppositely-rounded rim surface provided to the bowl lid.
Thus, according to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an infant feeding bowl comprising
a bowl container defining an inner bowl surface, an outer bowl surface and a bowl rim; and
a bowl lid for said bowl container;
wherein said bowl rim defines only a convex rim surface and said bowl lid defines a lid rim defining a concave rim surface arranged for mating contact with said convex rim surface of the bowl rim.
In this aspect, the bowl rim of the bowl container defines only a convex rim surface, and thus includes none of the snap-fit projections and/or grooves of conventional sealing lids. Similarly, the bowl lid defines a lid rim defining a concave rim surface, and thus also includes none of the snap-fit projections and/or grooves of conventional sealing lids.
The concave rim surface of the lid rim is arranged for mating, such as flush mating, preferably sealing contact with the convex rim surface of the bowl rim. In preferred embodiments, that mating contact is partly or wholly at an inner-facing (i.e. towards the inner part of the bowl container) part of the convex rim surface.
In embodiments, the bowl rim defining the convex rim surface is provided to the bowl container as a separate moulded part thereto. That separate moulded part is thus, for example adhesively mounted or weld mounted to the bowl container. The use of a separate moulding for the bowl rim is in part driven by appreciation that forming of the required convex rim surface would be difficult using an integral moulding since the tool would not be able to release cleanly from the mould.
In embodiments, the bowl rim defines an essentially circular or ovular cross-sectional profile such that the convex rim surface thereof is defined as part of the circumference thereof. In embodiments, the concave rim surface of the bowl lid interacts with from 100 to 250°, preferably from 120 to 200° radial segment of that circumference. In embodiments, the lid rim defines an inner circumferential skirt, which projects downwards therefrom. In embodiments, a circumferential groove is defined in combination between the inner circumferential skirt, part of the convex rim surface and a circumferential bowl wall which defines (the upper part of) the inner bowl surface. In embodiments, that circumferential groove is arranged for receipt of the uppermost part (e.g. top of a circumferential wall of) a bowl insert that is receivable by the bowl container, thereby securing that bowl insert within the lidded bowl container.
To provide both one-handed holding and ambidextrous utility, the infant feeding bowl herein suitably provides a thumbhole that is arranged symmetrically about the chord axis extending from the arc form handle rim to the bowl rim. Applicant has however, also realized that an alternative form of infant feeding bowl having one-handed holding utility may also be provided.
Thus, according to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an infant feeding bowl comprising
a bowl container defining an inner bowl surface, an outer bowl surface and a bowl rim; and
projecting away from said bowl rim, a bowl handle defining a partial arc form handle rim;
wherein said bowl handle includes a lamellar portion that extends from said partial arc form handle rim to the bowl rim and wherein a thumbhole arranged for receipt of the user's thumb in use, is defined in combination by the partial arc form handle, said lamellar portion and the bowl rim.
In this aspect, the infant feeding bowl includes a bowl handle that projects away from the bowl rim such as to define a partial arc form handle rim (i.e. a handle rim in the form of a partial arc). Thus, in essence the handle of the bowl projects in (rounded) part arch-like fashion away from a single point the bowl rim. In embodiments, the end of the partial arc form handle is rounded. In embodiments, the partial arc form handle thickens out towards its end. As before, the bowl rim defines a plane, which generally corresponds to the plane of the entry mouth of the bowl container. In embodiments, the partial arc form handle rim extends within or parallel to that plane defined by the bowl rim.
In other preferred embodiments, the partial arc form handle rim extends outwith and above or below that plane defined by the bowl rim. That is to say the partial arc form handle rim preferably projects away and upwards or downwards from (i.e. away from/towards the bowl container base) the bowl rim. Such configuration of the partial arc form handle rim has been round to assist with the user's holding of the bowl handle in one hand.
In embodiments, the bowl rim and partial arc form handle rim are formed as an integral part (e.g. as a single moulding). In other embodiments, the bowl rim and handle rim are formed as separate parts.
The bowl handle includes a lamellar portion that extends from the handle rim to the bowl rim. Thus, a lamellar or sheet-like portion extends from the arc for handle rim to the bowl rim to thereby occupy at least some of the space defined therebetween. It will be appreciated that where the partial arc form handle rim extends within or parallel to that plane defined by the bowl rim the lamellar portion also extends within or parallel to that plane and is thus, of planar form. It will further be appreciated that where the partial arc form handle rim extends outwith (e.g. above or below) that plane defined by the bowl rim the lamellar portion also extends outwith (e.g. above or below) that plane and is thus, of curved lamellar form. A thumbhole arranged for receipt of the user's thumb in use, is defined in combination by the partial arc form handle, said lamellar portion and the bowl rim. The hole may define any suitable form but is preferably, generally circular or ovular in form.
In embodiments, the bowl container is provided with a hand support feature (e.g. ‘bulge’ or ‘protuberance’) that protrudes (or ‘extends’) out from the outer bowl surface to define a hand support surface. In embodiments, that hand support feature is provided at a position on that outer bowl surface that matches up with the partial arc form handle rim. As before, the purpose of the hand support surface is to provide a surface that may support the palm and/or one or more fingers of the user's hand when the bowl is held in one hand thereof with the user's thumb received by the thumbhole. Thus, in embodiments, the hand support feature defines a palm support surface and/or finger support surface. It will be appreciated that the hand support feature will thus, typically locate on the outer bowl surface at a position which lies below the point at which the partial arc form handle rim extends out from the bowl rim.
The hand support feature may define any suitable form, but preferably defines a smooth hand support surface. In embodiments, the hand support feature defines a convex, such as dome form (e.g. hemispherical or ovular) hand support surface profile. The hand support feature extends (or ‘protrudes’) from the outer bowl surface to define a hand support surface (e.g. convex). In embodiments, the hand support feature defines a generally corresponding reverse surface (e.g. concave) that extends into the inner bowl surface. Thus, for example where a convex hand support surface is defined by an ovular bulge that protrudes from the outer bowl surface a corresponding concave reverse surface is defined at the inner bowl surface.
In embodiments, the reverse surface is arranged to provide a spoon wipe surface at the inner bowl surface. Thus, in use a loaded up spoon would be wiped against this spoon wipe surface to remove any excess foodstuff therefrom. Thus, it may be appreciated that in preferred embodiments the outer shape and form of the hand support feature is matched to define a suitable inner shape and form to the inner spoon wipe surface. Convex outer/concave inner forms have been found to be most suitable to meet this dual function, although alternative shape and forms may also be envisaged.
Generally, the infant feeding bowl herein is formed of a plastic polymer material. In embodiments, the sealing lid is clear in form (e.g. colourless) to allow the user to see how many portions of foodstuff remain (i.e. how many compartments are still to be dispensed from) without removing that lid.
It will be appreciated that any of the elements of the infant feeding bowl herein may be manufactured and supplied separately and/or supplied as a pre-assembly or a kit of parts. The present invention encompasses all of these separate component parts and any assemblies thereof.
The invention will now be described further with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:—
Referring now to the drawings,
Referring also to
Referring now also to
Referring now to
Details of the mating arrangement between the sealing lid 50 and bowl rim 12 are now described in particular relation to
In greater detail, the bowl rim 12 may be seen to define a circular cross-sectional profile such that the convex rim surface 16 thereof is defined as part of the circumference thereof. The sealing lid 50 may is provided with an inner circumferential skirt 55, which projects downwards therefrom, and to which there is provided concave rim surface 56. When in sealing contact, the concave rim surface 56 of the sealing lid 50 interacts with a radial segment (e.g. from 100 to 250°) of that circumference, which defines the convex rim surface 16 of the bowl rim.
It will also be seen that a circumferential groove 80 is defined in combination between the inner circumferential skirt 55 of the sealing lid 50, part of the convex rim surface 16 and the circumferential bowl wall which defines the upper part of the inner bowl surface 11. That circumferential groove 80 is arranged for receipt of the uppermost part 48 of bowl insert 40 when received by the bowl container 10. That uppermost part 48 of bowl insert 40 may be seen to be provided as a separate moulded part thereof, wherein on assembly of the separate parts circumferential plug 47 of the insert wall 41 is received and adhesively mounted or weld mounted within slot 49 provided to the top of the bowl insert 40. Additionally, the central part 45 of the upper part 48 of the bowl insert 40 interacts with the underside of the sealing lid cavity 52. Thus, the bowl insert 40 is securely held within the bowl container 10.
In use, when all foodstuff portions have been dispensed from the bowl container 10 or the compartments 42, 43 of the bowl insert 40 all components of the infant feeding bowl may be separated for washing thereof in a dishwasher or kitchen sink. The component parts may then be re-assembled after washing for commencement of another foodstuff loading and infant feeding operation.
Chord axis P2-R2 extends from the broken peak ‘P2’ of the ‘broken arc’ form handle rim 122 to the rim 112 of the bowl container 110. It will be seen that the thumbhole 124 is of generally circular form and is arranged symmetrically about that chord axis. Bowl container 110 is also provided with a hand support feature 170 in the form of a bulge that protrudes from the outer bowl surface to define a convex outer hand support surface 172. That hand support feature 170 lies symmetrically about a vertical plane containing the chord axis P2-R2. Once again, such symmetric arrangement has been found to enable ambidextrous use (i.e. holding in either the user's left or right hand) of the bowl container 110.
The application of which this description and claims form part may be used as a basis for priority in respect of any subsequent application. The claims of such subsequent application may be directed to any feature or combination of features described therein. They may take the form of product, method or use claims and may include, by way of example and without limitation, one or more of the following claims:
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