Patent Application
20250127316
This disclosure relates generally to an insert for bowls and plates.
The task of eating certain food items, such as a salad, generally involves the frustrating process of unsuccessfully attempting to spear a food item with a utensil against a hard surface such as a plate. A lettuce leaf and similar leafy vegetables have a thickness of between 0.04 inches and 0.20 inches. Having such a small thickness makes it difficult for the time of the fork to pierce and hold on to the leaf of lettuce. It is well known that it sometimes takes multiple attempts to spear the food item with the utensil and in some cases, it is a nearly impossible task. Usually, the user ends up crushing and/or destroying the lettuce leaf. In such situations, the user must resort to scooping or using their fingers or other utensils to get the food item onto the utensil.
These situations are due to the interaction between the hard surface of the plate or bowl and the utensil. The utensil crushes the food item against the hard surface instead of spearing the food item. These situations can occur more frequently for certain uses, such as children or those who have limited motor skills. Therefore, there is a need in the art for a device that allows the user to easily spear the food item with the utensil.
To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which:
For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.
The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.
The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.
The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements or signals, electrically, mechanically and/or otherwise.
The term “tensile strength,” as described herein, is defined as the maximum strength under a tensile, or pulling load that a material can absorb without failure. Here, failure is experienced when fracture, snapping, or breakage occurs.
The term “hardness” as described herein, is defined as a materials resistance to indentation.
The term “compressibility” as described herein, is defined as a how much a solid changes in volume when subject to a change in pressure.
The term “maximum elongation” as described herein, is defined as a percentage of the original material length that the material can stretch without failure. Here, failure is experienced when fracture, snapping, or breakage occurs.
Described herein are various embodiments of a panel for facilitating the insertion of a utensil through a food item, specifically leafy vegetables, such as lettuce and spinach. The elastic panel material combined with the panel structure, described below enable the utensil to pass completely through the food item, ensuring the food item remains connected to the utensil as it is lifted back up and away from the serveware or dinnerware. More specifically, the panel comprises one or more additional structural features selected from a group consisting of a rim, a plurality of ribs, a plurality of recesses, and a plurality of protrusions. These additional structural features provide support for a portion of the panel while also creating vacuum space under the remainder of the panel. The mechanical properties of the elastic panel material allow the panel to easily compress and return to its original shape while maintaining durability. The combination of the resilient elastic panel material and the additional structural features enable the panel to both compress and yield under the impact of the utensil, allowing the utensil to pass through the entirety of the leafy vegetable. This allows the fork to easily hold on to the leafy vegetable as the user lifts the fork away from the panel.
The panel 100 can comprise a first surface 120 and a second surface 130 opposite the first surface 120. The panel can further comprise a panel perimeter 110 wherein the panel perimeter 110 defines an overall panel shape. The first surface 120 can be substantially planar. The panel 100 can comprise one or more additional structural features. The additional structural features create vacuum spaces between the panel and the hard surface on which it is placed, some form of serveware, dinnerware, or other substrate. These vacuum spaces, formed by the additional structure, along with the elastic material of the panel, aid in the yielding of panel when impacted by the fork allowing the tines of the fork to pass clearly through the leafy vegetable. The aforementioned additional structural features are selected from a group consisting of a rim 132, a plurality of ribs 134, a plurality of recesses 122, and a plurality of protrusions 136.
In some embodiments, the panel 100 can be formed individually and placed on any standard serveware or dinnerware, such as a bowl, plate, or tupperware container. Each of these items share in being a hard surface where the panel provides the elasticity for a utensil, such as a fork, to penetrate and pass through the 1-5 mm thickness of the leafy vegetable. This allows the fork to easily hold on to the leafy vegetable as the user lifts the fork away from the plate. In other embodiments, as shown in
The panel 100 can comprise a variety of shapes to be compatible with a variety of serveware or dinnerware. The panel shape can refer to the general shape of the panel 100 when viewed from the top. As previously mentioned, the panel shape can be defined by the panel perimeter 110. The panel shape can be selected from the group consisting of a circle, semi-circle, diamond, square, oval, rectangle, triangle, or any other acceptable shape.
The panel 100 can further comprise a panel thickness. The panel thickness can be defined as the shortest distance from the first surface 120 to the second surface 130. In some embodiments, the panel thickness can be constant. In other embodiments the panel thickness can be variable. The panel thickness can be between 0.050 inches and 0.500 inches. The panel thickness can be between 0.050 inches and 0.075 inches, 0.075 inches and 0.100 inches, 0.100 inches and 0.125 inches, 0.125 inches and 0.150 inches, 0.150 inches and 0.175 inches, 0.175 inches and 0.200 inches, 0.200 inches and 0.225 inches, 0.225 inches and 0.250 inches, 0.250 inches and 0.275 inches, 0.275 inches and 0.300 inches, 0.300 inches and 0.325 inches, 0.325 inches and 0.350 inches, 0.350 inches and 0.375 inches, 0.375 inches and 0.400 inches, 0.400 inches and 0.425 inches, 0.425 inches and 0.450 inches, 0.450 inches and 0.475 inches, or 0.475 inches and 0.500 inches. In some embodiments the panel thickness can be less than 0.500 inches, less than 0.400 inches, less than 0.300 inches, or less than 0.200 inches.
As previously mentioned, the elastic material panel can comprise one or more additional structural features, for helping the utensil penetrate the food item. These structures can comprise the same or different elastic material as the panel. The additional structural features help facilitate the yielding of the panel 100 creating a vacuum space between the panel second surface 130 and the rigid material placed under the panel 100. The additional structural features provide support for a portion of the panel while also creating vacuum space under the remainder of the panel 100 for the prongs of the fork to penetrate through the leafy vegetable. This combined with the elastic panel material allow the panel to both compress and yield under the impact of the utensil, allowing the utensil to pass through the entirety of the leafy vegetable. This allows the prongs of the fork to easily hold on and bind to the leafy vegetable as the user lifts the fork away from the panel 100. The additional structural features are selected from a group consisting of a rim 132, a plurality of ribs 134, a plurality of recesses 122, and a plurality of protrusions 136.
a. Rim
As discussed above, and shown in
The rim 132 can comprise a rim width. As previously mentioned, the rim width can be defined as the distance from the portion of the rim positioned on the panel perimeter 110 to the inward most point of the rim. The rim width can be measured in a direction parallel to the first surface. The rim width can be between 0.075 inches and 0.500 inches. The rim width can be between 0.075 inches and 0.100 inches, 0.100 inches and 0.125 inches, 0.125 inches and 0.150 inches, 0.150 inches and 0.175 inches, 0.175 inches and 0.200 inches, 0.200 inches and 0.225 inches, 0.225 inches and 0.250 inches, 0.250 inches and 0.275 inches, 0.275 inches and 0.300 inches, 0.300 inches and 0.325 inches, 0.325 inches and 0.350 inches, 0.350 inches and 0.375 inches, 0.375 inches and 0.400 inches, 0.400 inches and 0.425 inches, 0.425 inches and 0.450 inches, 0.450 inches and 0.475 inches, or 0.475 inches and 0.500 inches. In some embodiments, the rim width can be less than 0.500 inches, less than 0.400 inches, less than 0.300 inches, or less than 0.200 inches. In some embodiments, as shown in
The rim 132 can further comprise a rim height, wherein the rim height is the distance from the second surface 130 to the rim top surface 138. The rim height can be between 0.075 inches and 0.500 inches. The rim height can be between 0.075 inches and 0.100 inches, 0.100 inches and 0.125 inches, 0.125 inches and 0.150 inches, 0.150 inches and 0.175 inches, 0.175 inches and 0.200 inches, 0.200 inches and 0.225 inches, 0.225 inches and 0.250 inches, 0.250 inches and 0.275 inches, 0.275 inches and 0.300 inches, 0.300 inches and 0.325 inches, 0.325 inches and 0.350 inches, 0.350 inches and 0.375 inches, 0.375 inches and 0.400 inches, 0.400 inches and 0.425 inches, 0.425 inches and 0.450 inches, 0.450 inches and 0.475 inches, or 0.475 inches and 0.500 inches. In some embodiments, the rim height can be less than 0.500 inches, less than 0.400 inches, less than 0.300 inches, or less than 0.200 inches. In some embodiments, the rim height is constant. In some embodiments, the rim height is equal to the rim width. In some embodiments, the rim height is less than the rim width. In some embodiments, the rim height is greater than the rim width.
b. Plurality of Ribs
As discussed above, and shown in
The ribs 134 can comprise a rib width. The rib width can be measured in a direction perpendicular to the rib length at the point where the rib touches the second surface 130. The rib width can further be measured in a direction parallel to the first surface 120. The rib width can be between 0.075 inches and 0.500 inches. The rib width can be between 0.075 inches and 0.100 inches, 0.100 inches and 0.125 inches, 0.125 inches and 0.150 inches, 0.150 inches and 0.175 inches, 0.175 inches and 0.200 inches, 0.200 inches and 0.225 inches, 0.225 inches and 0.250 inches, 0.250 inches and 0.275 inches, 0.275 inches and 0.300 inches, 0.300 inches and 0.325 inches, 0.325 inches and 0.350 inches, 0.350 inches and 0.375 inches, 0.375 inches and 0.400 inches, 0.400 inches and 0.425 inches, 0.425 inches and 0.450 inches, 0.450 inches and 0.475 inches, or 0.475 inches and 0.500 inches. In some embodiments, the rib width can be less than 0.500 inches, less than 0.400 inches, less than 0.300 inches, or less than 0.200 inches. In some embodiments, as shown in
The ribs 134 can further comprise a rib height, wherein the rib height is the largest distance the rib extends from the second surface 130, in a direction perpendicular to the first surface 120. The rib height can be between 0.075 inches and 0.500 inches. The rib height can be between 0.075 inches and 0.100 inches, 0.100 inches and 0.125 inches, 0.125 inches and 0.150 inches, 0.150 inches and 0.175 inches, 0.175 inches and 0.200 inches, 0.200 inches and 0.225 inches, 0.225 inches and 0.250 inches, 0.250 inches and 0.275 inches, 0.275 inches and 0.300 inches, 0.300 inches and 0.325 inches, 0.325 inches and 0.350 inches, 0.350 inches and 0.375 inches, 0.375 inches and 0.400 inches, 0.400 inches and 0.425 inches, 0.425 inches and 0.450 inches, 0.450 inches and 0.475 inches, or 0.475 inches and 0.500 inches. In some embodiments, the rib height can be less than 0.500 inches, less than 0.400 inches, less than 0.300 inches, or less than 0.200 inches. In some embodiments, the rib height is constant. In some embodiments, as shown in
The plurality of ribs 134 can comprise one or more individual ribs. In some embodiments, the plurality of ribs 134 can comprise between 1 and 15 ribs. The plurality of ribs 134 can comprise between 1 rib and 3 ribs, 3 ribs and 5 ribs, 5 ribs and 7 ribs, 7 ribs and 9 ribs, 9 ribs and 11 ribs, 11 ribs and 13 ribs, or 13 ribs and 15 ribs. The plurality of ribs 134 can comprise less than 15 ribs, less than 10 ribs, or less than 5 ribs. The number of ribs within the plurality can be inversely related to the width of the ribs. For example, as the width of the ribs increased, the number of ribs within the plurality of ribs decreases.
The ribs 134 can be arranged in a pattern. In some embodiments, as shown in
c. Plurality of Protrusions
As discussed above, and shown in
The protrusions 136 can comprise a protrusion size defined as the surface area of the protrusion that touches the rigid material when in an uncompressed state. The protrusion size can be between 0.10 in2 and 1.00 in2. The protrusion size can be between 0.10 in2 and 0.20 in2, 0.20 in2 and 0.30 in2, 0.30 in2 and 0.40 in2, 0.40 in2 and 0.50 in2, 0.50 in2 and 0.60 in2, 0.60 in2 and 0.70 in2, 0.70 in2 and 0.80 in2, 0.80 in2 and 0.90 in2, or 0.90 in2 and 1.00 in2. In some embodiments, the protrusion size can be less than 1.00 in2, less than 0.80 in2, less than 0.60 in2, or less than 0.40 in2. In some embodiments, as shown in
The protrusions 136 can be arranged in a pattern including a concentric pattern, a grid pattern, or a random pattern. The protrusions 136 can further comprise a protrusion shape, wherein the protrusions shape is defined as the shape of a cross-section of the protrusion taken in a direction parallel to the first surface 120. The protrusion shape can be selected from the group consisting of a circle, semi-circle, square, semi-oval, oval, rectangle, triangle, diamond, or any other acceptable shape.
The plurality of protrusions 136 can comprise one or more individual protrusions. In some embodiments, the plurality of protrusions 136 can comprise between 15 protrusions and 125 protrusions. The plurality of protrusions 136 can comprise between 15 protrusions and 25 protrusions, 25 protrusions and 35 protrusions, 35 protrusions and 45 protrusions, 45 protrusions and 55 protrusions, 55 protrusions and 65 protrusions, 65 protrusions and 75 protrusions, 75 protrusions and 85 protrusions, 85 protrusions and 95 protrusions, 95 protrusions and 105 protrusions, 105 protrusions and 115 protrusions, or 115 protrusions and 125 protrusions. The plurality of protrusions 136 can comprise less than 125 protrusions, less than 105 protrusions, less than 90 protrusions, less than 75 protrusions, less than 60 protrusions, less than 45 protrusions, or less than 30 protrusions. The number of protrusions within the plurality can be inversely related to the size of the protrusions. For example, as the size of the protrusions increases the number of protrusions within the plurality of protrusions decreases. The protrusion size along with the number of protrusions can determine how easily the first surface yields under the impact of the utensil. As previously mentioned, the amount the panel yields must be large enough to allow the utensil to pass completely through the food item. Therefore, there must be balance in the shape and size of the protrusions and the vacuum space created by the absence of protrusions.
d. Plurality of Recesses
As discussed above, and shown in
The plurality of recesses 122 can be positioned on the first surface 120 and can extend inward from the first surface 120 towards the second surface 130. The recesses 122 can extend inward a percentage of the panel thickness. The recesses can extend inward between 25% and 100% of the panel thickness. The recesses can extend inward between 25% and 35%, 35% and 45%, 45% and 55%, 55% and 65%, 65% and 75%, 75% and 85%, 85% and 95%, or 95% and 100% of the panel thickness. In some embodiments, as shown in
The recesses 122 can comprise a recess size defined as the largest distance from one side of the recess to the other side of the recess. The protrusion size can be measured in a direction parallel to the first surface 120 where the protrusion touches the second surface 130. The recess size can be between 0.075 inches and 0.500 inches. The recess size can be between 0.075 inches and 0.100 inches, 0.100 inches and 0.125 inches, 0.125 inches and 0.150 inches, 0.150 inches and 0.175 inches, 0.175 inches and 0.200 inches, 0.200 inches and 0.225 inches, 0.225 inches and 0.250 inches, 0.250 inches and 0.275 inches, 0.275 inches and 0.300 inches, 0.300 inches and 0.325 inches, 0.325 inches and 0.350 inches, 0.350 inches and 0.375 inches, 0.375 inches and 0.400 inches, 0.400 inches and 0.425 inches, 0.425 inches and 0.450 inches, 0.450 inches and 0.475 inches, or 0.475 inches and 0.500 inches. In some embodiments, the recess size can be less than 0.500 inches, less than 0.400 inches, less than 0.300 inches, or less than 0.200 inches. In some embodiments, the recess size can be constant across the plurality of recesses 122. In other embodiments, the recess size can vary across the plurality of recesses 122.
The recesses 122 can be arranged in a pattern including a concentric pattern, a grid pattern, or a random pattern. The recesses 122 can further comprise a recess shape. The recess shape is defined as the shape of a cross-section of the recess taken in a direction parallel to the first surface 120. The recess shape can be selected from the group consisting of a circle, a semi-circle, a square, a semi-oval, an oval, a rectangle, a triangle, a cloverleaf (a multi-lobed shape as shown in
The plurality of recesses 122 can comprise one or more individual recesses. In some embodiments, the plurality of recesses 122 can comprise between 25 recesses and 205 recesses. The plurality of recesses 122 can comprise between 25 recesses and 35 recesses, 35 recesses and 45 recesses, 45 recesses and 55 recesses, 55 recesses and 65 recesses, 65 recesses and 75 recesses, 75 recesses and 85 recesses, 85 recesses and 95 recesses, 95 recesses and 105 recesses, 105 recesses and 115 recesses, 115 recesses and 125 recesses, 125 recesses and 135 recesses, 135 recesses and 145 recesses, 155 recesses and 165 recesses, 165 recesses and 175 recesses, 175 recesses and 185 recesses, 185 recesses and 195 recesses, or 195 recesses and 205 recesses. The plurality of recesses 122 can comprise less than 125 recesses, less than 105 recesses, less than 90 recesses, less than 75 recesses, less than 60 recesses, less than 45 recesses, or less than 30 recesses.
As previously mentioned, the elastic panel material as well as the one or more additional structural features enables the utensil to pass completely through the food item, ensuring the food item remains connected to the utensil as it is lifted back up and away from the plate. The panel 100 as described herein can be formed from an elastic panel material that deflects when impacted and then reforms to its original shape. The elastic panel material can be flexible, resilient, and a food-grade material. In some embodiments, the elastic panel material can be EPDM, Silicone, Nitrile, Viton, or any other elastic food safe material. In some embodiments, the elastic panel material is BPA free.
As discussed above, the elastic panel material can compress when impacted by the utensil to allow the utensil to pass completely through the food item. The elastic panel material can comprise mechanical properties to allow for this compression and then expansion back to its original shape without impacting durability. Such mechanical properties can include the hardness, the elongation, and the tensile strength.
As previously mentioned, the elastic panel material can have a tensile strength. As the elastic panel material experiences both compression and tension forces, the tensile strength can be selected to ensure the panel can withstand the impact of the utensil. The tensile strength can be between 750 psi and 1250 psi. The tensile strength can be between 750 psi and 850 psi, 850 psi and 950 psi, 950 psi and 1050 psi, 1050 psi and 1150 psi, or 1150 psi and 1250 psi. In one exemplary embodiment, the tensile strength is 1000 psi.
As previously mentioned, the elastic panel material can have a hardness. The hardness can be between 10 shore A hardness to 90 shore A hardness. In some embodiments, the hardness can be between 10 shore A hardness and 20 shore A hardness, between 20 shore A hardness and 30 shore A hardness, between 30 shore A hardness and 40 shore A hardness, between 40 shore A hardness and 50 shore A hardness, between 50 shore A hardness and 60 shore A hardness, between 60 shore A hardness and 70 shore A hardness, between 70 shore A hardness and 80 shore A hardness, or between 80 shore A hardness and 90 shore A hardness.
As tensile strength and hardness go hand in hand, the harness and tensile strength can be high enough to ensure the desired durability but low enough to ensure the panel can easily compress when impacted by the utensil. The panel can comprise a compressibility between 25% and 55% when impacted by the utensil. In some embodiment, the panel compressibility can be between 25% and 30%, 30% and 35%, 35% and 40%, 40% and 45%, 45% and 50%, or 50% and 55% when impacted by the utensil. The maximum elongation as well as the hardness of the elastic panel material can affect the percentage the panel is compressed at impact.
The maximum elongation of the elastic panel material can be between 350% and 550%. The maximum elongation can be between 350% and 375%, 375% and 400%, 400% and 425%, 425% and 450%, 450% and 475%, 475% and 500%, 500% and 525%, or 525% and 550%. The maximum elongation can be large enough to ensure the elastic panel material can easily deform or compress when impacted by the utensil and return to its original shape once the utensil is removed.
In addition to the mechanical properties mentioned above, the temperature the elastic panel material can withstand is vital. The elastic panel material can be rated to withstand a temperature up to 500° F. In some embodiments the elastic panel material can be rated to withstand a temperature up to 300° F., up to 325° F., up to 350° F., up to 375° F., up to 400° F., up to 425° F., up to 450° F., up to 475° F., or up to 500° F. The temperature at which the elastic panel material is rated to withstand can be high enough to ensure the panel is dishwasher safe. As the average temperature of a dishwasher reaches is between 120° F. to 155° F. The temperature ranges listed above ensure the panel can be easily and conveniently cleaned after use.
The mechanical properties of the elastic panel material, in combination with the one or more additional structural feature, facilitates the yielding of the panel under the impact of the fork. This allows the fork tines to pass completely through the leafy vegetable and hold on to said vegetable as the fork is retracted from the rigid material. More specifically, the additional structural features provide support for a portion of the panel while also creating vacuum space under the remainder of the panel 100. While the mechanical properties of the elastic panel material allow the panel to easily compress and return to its original shape while maintaining durability. The combination of the elastic panel material and the additional structural features allow the panel to both compress and yield under the impact of the utensil, allowing the utensil to pass through the entirety of the leafy vegetable. This allows the fork to easily hold on to the leafy vegetable as the user lifts the fork away from the panel 100.
A series of tests were conducted to demonstrate the significant improvements the panel has on a user's ability to pick up food, in particular leafy greens. A normal dinner plate (hereafter alternatively referred to as “the control plate”) was compared to an exemplary panel placed onto an identical dinner plate (hereafter alternatively referred to as “the exemplary plate”). The exemplary panel was similar to the panel shown in
Twenty individual pieces of baby spinach were placed on both the control plate and the exemplary plate. A novice user was given a fork. The novice user performed 20 trials with both the control plate and the exemplary plate. A trial consisted of the user lowering the fork to impact the plate with a force they would traditionally use when attempting to skewer a piece of food to a fork and then removing the fork from the plate. The novice user was told to repeat this process 19 more times while attempting to use the same amount of force during each trial. The results of each trial can be shown below in Table 1. A trial was considered successful if one or more pieces of baby spinach were removed from the plate with the fork as the novice user removed the fork from the plate.
As shown above in Table 1, there was a drastic improvement in the effectiveness of the exemplary plate compared to the control plate. The exemplary plate was successful 95% of the time while the control plate was successful 10% of the time. The use of the panel, as discussed in depth above, allows the fork to pass completely through the baby spinach, providing a larger surface area of the tines of the fork for the baby spinach to grab onto. This allowed the novice user to skewer the baby spinach with the fork and easily remove the baby spinach from the plate with the fork.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63591541 | Oct 2023 | US |
