GB2136271A

GB2136271A - A hygienic bowl

Info

Publication number: GB2136271A
Application number: GB08306638A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Huang Ch E Lai
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-03-10
Filing date: 1983-03-10
Publication date: 1984-09-19
Also published as: GB8306638D0

Abstract

An eating bowl (1) for hygienic use comprises a generally upwardly divergent body portion with an open mouth at its upper portion. The bowl has an indicator means (2) in the vicinity of the edge of the open mouth to receive one's thumb. In an alternative embodiment the indicator means (22 Fig. 5) designates an area from which one should take food. Such bowls allows one to partake of food in an hygienic manner. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A hygienic bowl The present invention relates to a hygienic bowl, and more particularly to a bowl having an indicator means in the vicinity of the edge of its open mouth.

There is a saying that "Hand is the bridge of the transmission of the bacteria and the disease". As is known, bacteria is usually present on one's hands if an eater has just washed his hands before he takes food. Moreover, during taking food with a bowl, it is inevitable that one will change the gripping area unconsciousiy, such as when having another helping of rice or if one stops to do something and recommences eating after a while, and so on. Thus, it is advantageous to the health of the body, if an indicator means on a bowl can perform the function of preventing the bacteria on one's fingers from contaminating the food-taking area of the bowl.

Accordingly, the present invention comprises a bowl which has an indicator means in the vicinity of the edge of its open mouth. Such indicator means can be a shaped inwardly concave portion to receive one's thumb: alternatively, it may be a shaped outwardly convex portion to allow a thumb of an eater to be hooked over it, or to receive one's mouth.

It is therefore an object of the present invention, to provide a bowl for hygienic foodtaking.

This and other advantages of the present invention may best be understood with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of this invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of this invention; Figure 4 is a sectional view of Figure 3; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of a further preferred embodiment of this invention.

Referring now to the first preferred embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

A bowl 1 is generally upwardly divergent and comprises an open mouth at the upper portion.

An indicator means, in the present example a shaped, inwardly concave portion 2, is provided in the vicinity of the edge of the open mouth to receive one's thumb. With such an indicator means, a bowl serves as a food utensil and naturally guides one to eat on a specific area of a bowl. Therefore, even if one's hands are not washed cleanly enough, one's scruples about the bowl being contaminated by bacteria is diminished.

There is another preferred embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, which.the bowl 11 has an indicator means comprising a shaped, outwardly convex portion 1 2 to allow one's thumb to hook over to perform the same function.

Another preferred embodiment is shown in Figure 5. A bowl 21 has an indicator means comprising a shaped outwardly convex portion 22 to designate the area where one's mouth contacts the bowl and therefore the portion 22 performs the same function as disclosed above.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A bowl for hygienic use having a generally upwardly diverging body portion and comprising: an open mouth; and an indicator means in the vicinity of the edge of said open mouth for designating an area.

2. A bowl according to claim 1, wherein said means is a shaped, inwardly concave portion to receive one's thumb.

3. A bowl according to claim 1, wherein said means is a shaped, outwardly convex portion to allow a thumb of an eater to be hooked over it.

4. A bowl according to claim 1, wherein said means is a shaped, outwardly convex portion to contact one's mouth.

5. A hygienic bowl substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A hygienic bowl The present invention relates to a hygienic bowl, and more particularly to a bowl having an indicator means in the vicinity of the edge of its open mouth. There is a saying that "Hand is the bridge of the transmission of the bacteria and the disease". As is known, bacteria is usually present on one's hands if an eater has just washed his hands before he takes food. Moreover, during taking food with a bowl, it is inevitable that one will change the gripping area unconsciousiy, such as when having another helping of rice or if one stops to do something and recommences eating after a while, and so on. Thus, it is advantageous to the health of the body, if an indicator means on a bowl can perform the function of preventing the bacteria on one's fingers from contaminating the food-taking area of the bowl. Accordingly, the present invention comprises a bowl which has an indicator means in the vicinity of the edge of its open mouth. Such indicator means can be a shaped inwardly concave portion to receive one's thumb: alternatively, it may be a shaped outwardly convex portion to allow a thumb of an eater to be hooked over it, or to receive one's mouth. It is therefore an object of the present invention, to provide a bowl for hygienic foodtaking. This and other advantages of the present invention may best be understood with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of this invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of this invention; Figure 4 is a sectional view of Figure 3; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of a further preferred embodiment of this invention. Referring now to the first preferred embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. A bowl 1 is generally upwardly divergent and comprises an open mouth at the upper portion. An indicator means, in the present example a shaped, inwardly concave portion 2, is provided in the vicinity of the edge of the open mouth to receive one's thumb. With such an indicator means, a bowl serves as a food utensil and naturally guides one to eat on a specific area of a bowl. Therefore, even if one's hands are not washed cleanly enough, one's scruples about the bowl being contaminated by bacteria is diminished. There is another preferred embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, which.the bowl 11 has an indicator means comprising a shaped, outwardly convex portion 1 2 to allow one's thumb to hook over to perform the same function. Another preferred embodiment is shown in Figure 5. A bowl 21 has an indicator means comprising a shaped outwardly convex portion 22 to designate the area where one's mouth contacts the bowl and therefore the portion 22 performs the same function as disclosed above. While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims. CLAIMS