The present disclosure relates to kitchenware. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to mixing bowls.
Mixing bowls are very convenient and are often used on a daily basis, whether it be for cooking, paint mixing, or some other use. Typically, the mixing bowl will have a rounded bottom surface, which may be slightly-flattened for remaining upright. In an effort to keep the bowl from moving or sliding unnecessarily, some manufactures have used rubbers or plastics as a coating on the bottom surface of the bowl. However, there is still a tendency for the bowl to move undesirably. Further, a mixing bowl having a flat bottom (e.g., square) wouldn't be ideal, as it would prevent proper mixing of the contents, especially when using mixers or beater systems that depend on the inner portion of the mixing bowl to be round/hemispherical. One of the drawbacks of traditional mixing bowls is that they lack a handle. Accordingly, the bowl can be difficult to hold when mixing and/or pouring out the contents. Efforts have been made in the art to solve several issues. One such effort was to add handles to mixing bowls or other containers. The handles are typically mounted around the upper circumference of the bowl or are mounted vertically on the exterior of the bowl. However, this still requires that a user grip the handle(s) to pour the contents from the bowl. While this may be easy for many users, there are categories of users that cannot grip handles. For example, individuals with arthritis may not be able to grip a handle sufficiently to lift it—or if they can, it may be painful or otherwise uncomfortable. Likewise, individuals that lack opposing digits, either as a result of an abnormality at birth or the result of an accident, cannot grip a handle. Accordingly, there is a need for a mixing bowl that can be stabilized, lifted, tilted, and inverted, without the need for grip strength. The present disclosure seeks to solve these and other problems.
A mixing bowl comprises a base with sidewalls extending upwardly and convexly therefrom and terminating in an upper peripheral rim, the rim defining an open mouth with the inner surface of the sidewalls defining the interior of the mixing bowl and the outer surface of the sidewalls defining the exterior of the mixing bowl, the interior of the mixing bowl being generally concave; and a plate and two support legs coupling the plate to the base, the support legs defining an aperture between the plate and the base, the aperture being sized so as to receive at least three fingers of a user.
The following descriptions depict only example embodiments and are not to be considered limiting in scope. Any reference herein to “the invention” is not intended to restrict or limit the invention to exact features or steps of any one or more of the exemplary embodiments disclosed in the present specification. References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “various embodiments,” and the like, may indicate that the embodiment(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an embodiment,” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.
Reference to the drawings is done throughout the disclosure using various numbers. The numbers used are for the convenience of the drafter only and the absence of numbers in an apparent sequence should not be considered limiting and does not imply that additional parts of that particular embodiment exist. Numbering patterns from one embodiment to the other need not imply that each embodiment has similar parts, although it may.
Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention, which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Unless otherwise expressly defined herein, such terms are intended to be given their broad, ordinary, and customary meaning not inconsistent with that applicable in the relevant industry and without restriction to any specific embodiment hereinafter described. As used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. When used herein to join a list of items, the term “or” denotes at least one of the items, but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. For exemplary methods or processes, the sequence and/or arrangement of steps described herein are illustrative and not restrictive.
It should be understood that the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence, arrangement, or with any particular graphics or interface. Indeed, the steps of the disclosed processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and arrangements while still falling within the scope of the present invention.
The term “coupled” may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical contact. However, “coupled” may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact with each other.
The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments, are synonymous, and are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including, but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes, but is not limited to,” etc.).
It will be appreciated that the mixing bowl disclosed herein solves the need for a mixing bowl that can be stabilized, lifted, and poured that doesn't require gripping. Accordingly, in one embodiment, as shown in
Therefore, in one non-limiting example of use, a user would place the mixing bowl 100 on a counter, where the plate 114 keeps the bowl upright and stabilized. The user may then place contents in the mixing bowl 100 via the open mouth 108. The user may then mix the contents in the mixing bowl 100. In the event the user desires to use aggressive agitation, the user may place their fingers through the aperture 120 so that their hand conforms to the bottom of the bowl. The support legs 116, 118 preferably abut the user's hand creating stability for the mixing bowl 100 without the need for a user to grip anything. When a user is ready to lift and/or pour contents from the mixing bowl 100, the user may easily lift and support the mixing bowl 100 without gripping. Because at least one support leg 116, 118 abuts the user's hand, the user may easily pour the contents with the mixing bowl 100 being supported on the user's hand via the plate 114 and support leg 116, 118. Accordingly, a user may completely invert the mixing bowl 100 without needing to grip, as the mixing bowl 100 is then supported on the back side of the user's hand via plate 114. Therefore, a user is able to mix, lift, and pour the contents of the mixing bowl 100 without needing to grip any portion of the mixing bowl 100, overcoming the issues in the prior art.
While the plate 114 is shown in a circular configuration throughout the figures, that shape should not be considered limiting in scope. In other words, the plate 114 may be circular, oval, polygonal, or any other shape that would support the bowl/kitchenware to which it is connected.
As shown in
As shown generally in
Another method of having a removably attachable stand would comprise posts with spring-loaded locking pins. In other words, a short post with a spring-loaded locking pin may descend from near the base of the bowl. The support legs may have a receiving aperture for receiving the post with a side aperture for receiving the locking pin. Accordingly, a user desiring to remove the plate and support legs may depress the locking pin and lift the bowl (or other kitchenware) from the support leg(s).
In one embodiment, as shown in
In one embodiment, as shown in
While the illustrations show a mixing bowl, other kitchenware may be used, such as a casserole dish, where it may be desirable to remove the stand portion for use in ovens or microwaves.
Therefore, it is appreciated that the mixing bowl disclosed herein allows a user, without grip strength, to be able to tilt, pour, invert, or otherwise easily extract the contents of the mixing bowl.
Exemplary embodiments are described above. No element, act, or instruction used in this description should be construed as important, necessary, critical, or essential unless explicitly described as such. Although only a few of the exemplary embodiments have been described in detail herein, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in these exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages herein. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims. Additionally, it is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/423,194 filed on Nov. 16, 2016, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/444,481 filed on Jan. 10, 2017, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62423194 | Nov 2016 | US | |
62444481 | Jan 2017 | US |