WO2022269619A1

WO2022269619A1 - Aided plates and bowl set

Info

Publication number: WO2022269619A1
Application number: PCT/IN2021/050812
Authority: WO
Inventors: Satish Madhukar Gokhale; Falguni Satish GOKHALE
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-06-23
Filing date: 2021-08-24
Publication date: 2022-12-29
Anticipated expiration: 2023-12-23

Abstract

An aided plates and bowl set (100) is described. The aided plates and bowl set 100, hereinafter refereed as ("set 100") includes a first plate (104), a second plate (108) and a bowl (112). The bowl (112) is positionable in the second plate (108) that is further positionable in the first plate (104). Each of the plate includes a groove (116) and (116') along the circumference of the respective plate (104) and (108). The grooves (116) and (116') preferably receives handle (120) of a spoon. The first plate (104) also includes a lip (204) that extends from a base (208) in upward direction in an arcuate profile (212).

Description

“AIDED PLATES AND BOWL SET”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a plates and bowl set and more particularly to an aided plates and bowl set.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Tableware is an essential element of any table, both for everyday use and special occasions. Tableware as considered to be a set of important elements for serving on the table they serve a practical function for serving food. The tableware can also add the element of decorative addition to show off the attractive and eye-catchy design. There are a wide variety of materials available in the market. Everyday dishes are made of ceramic or earthenware, while tableware made of porcelain are usually reserved for more special occasions. Generally, the tableware set has three types of pieces: a dinner plate, a soup bowl and a dessert plate. These pieces are used as per the course of the meals from the beginning till the end. Porcelain tableware is preferred to be used seldom by many as the porcelain tableware weighs a little heavy as compared to the ceramic or stainless-steel tableware, generally used on everyday basis in India.

There are recent developments in the designs of the tableware to provide assistance to people with physical limitations. Eating independently is often impossible or difficult without the assistance of care taker. The requirement of another person to provide or assistance in this basic everyday life activity is extremely frustrating to a person with physical limitations. The person with such physical limitations faces many issues and no longer is able to eat food as per their own schedule or at their desired locations. Such people also do not have control over the amount of food they eat while served if they are at different locations and not have control over their pace of consumption of food. In order to solve this problem, there are devices for assisting people being developed.

U.S Patent US8292118B2 discloses a balanced individual dining plate. The patent discloses an apparatus of a plate that balances food with a beverage container support. The drawback of this type of invention is that the invention is difficult to use for people with physical and/or mental disabilities as they are unable to properly hold the plates and utensils like spoons.

U.S. Patent Application US2015297007A1 by Spera Kristin Et.Al discloses a system and method for providing eating assistance to those with physical limitations. The patent application discloses a switch-based system that uses a lifting plate and food with a chin rest actuated by a user to facilitate self feeding for those with physical limitations. The drawback of these types of invention is that the invention is limited to liquid or semi-solid foods. Another drawback of this type of invention is that spillage of food occurs due to limited movement of the user. It is well known that people with physical and/or mental disabilities are unable to use the various tableware (spoons and plates) present in the prior art as they have challenges in gripping the flatware (Spoons, forks, knives, etc.) for lifting food off the silverware (plates, bowls, etc.). Another drawback of the tableware present in the prior art is the lack of means for positioning the flatware during a meal.

There is a need of an aided plate and bowl set for assisting people with disabilities to have a meal self-sufficiently. There is further a need of an aided plate and bowl set with means for positioning of flatware during the meal. There is further a need of an aided plate and bowl set that facilitates easy lifting of food off silverware.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION An aided plates and bowl set for assisted food eating with a spoon includes a first plate, a second plate and a bowl such that the bowl being positionable in the second plate being further positionable in the first plate. The first plate and the second plate each including a pair of groove respectively along circumference of the respective plates for receiving handle of the spoon. The first plate includes a lip being extending from a base in upward direction defining a profile having arcuate shape. The second plate is approximately identical to the first plate including a lip that extends from a base in upward direction defining a profile having arcuate shape. The bowl includes a lip that extends from a base in upward direction defining a profile having arcuate in shape.

The lip includes a wall such that a bottom end of the wall is connected to a base curve and top end being connected to a crown. A hill is defined by a top end portion of the crown and a top end portion of the profile. A locus of the hill along circumference of the lip defines a border that is a top end portion of the lip that is approximately curved in shape. The profile of the first plate advantageously includes an arcuate portion starting from the base in an upward direction defining a part of the profile and further merging with a flattened portion merging with the hill.

The lip of the second plate includes a wall such that a bottom end of the wall is connected to a base curve and top end is connected to a crown. A hill of the second plate is defined by a top end portion of the crown and a top end portion of the profile. A locus of the hill of the second plate along circumference of the lip defines a border being a top end portion of the lip that is approximately curved in shape. The profile of the second plate advantageously includes an arcuate portion starting from the base in an upward direction defining a part of the profile and further merges with a flattened portion that merges with the hill. The lip of the bowl includes a wall such that a bottom end of the wall is connected to a base curve and top end is connected to a crown. A hill of the bowl is defined by a top end portion of the crown and a top end portion of the profile. A locus of the hill of the bowl along circumference of the lip defines a border being a top end portion of the lip that is approximately curved in shape. The profile of the bowl advantageously includes an arcuate portion starting from the base in an upward direction defining a part of the profile and further merging with a flattened portion that merges with the hill. The aided plates and bowl set advantageously collects food particles on the spoon without spillage. The aided plates and bowl set advantageously allows a person with physical and/or mental disability to eat self-sufficiently. The aided plates and bowl set advantageously provides grooves for positioning the spoon. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in accordance with the accompanying drawings wherein

FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of an aided plates and bowl set 100 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 A shows a top perspective view of a first plate 104 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B shows a side view of the first plate 104 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2C shows a side view of a lip 204 of the first plate 104 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 A shows a top perspective view of a second plate 108 of FIG. 1; FIG. 3B shows a side view of the second plate 108 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3C shows a side view of a lip 304 of the second plate 108 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 A shows a top perspective view of a bowl 112 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4B shows a side view of the bowl 112 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4C shows a side view of a lip 404 of the bowl 112 of FIG. 1; and FIG. 5 shows a user eating food from the first plate 104 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention described herein is explained using specific exemplary details for better understanding. However, the invention disclosed can be worked on by a person skilled in the art without the use of these specific details.

References in the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

References in the specification to “preferred embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in detail thereby omitting known constructions and functions for clear description of the present invention. The foregoing description of specific embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. In general aspect, the present invention is an aided plates and bowl set

100 Referring to FIG. 1, an aided plates and bowl set 100 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is described. The aided plates and bowl set 100, hereinafter refereed as “set 100” includes a first plate 104, a second plate 108 and a bowl 112. The bowl 112 is positionable in the second plate 108 that is further positionable in the first plate 104. Each of the plate includes a groove 116 and 116’ along the circumference of the respective plate 104 and 108. The grooves 116 and 116’ preferably receives handle 120 of a spoon.

Referring to FIG. 2 A to 2C, the first plate 104 includes a lip 204 that extends from a base 208 in upward direction in an profile 212 that is having arcuate shape. The lip 204 defines approximately one-third portion of the circular wall 216 of the first plate 104. The lip 204 includes a wall 222 such that a bottom end of the wall 222 is connected to a base curve 220 and top end is connected to a crown 224. A hill 228 defined by a top end portion of the crown 224 and a top end portion of the profile 212. The top end portion of the crown 224 and the top end portion of the profile 212 meet at the hill 228. It is to be noted that a locus of the hill 228 along circumference of the lip 204 defines a border 232 that is a top end portion of the lip 204. In accordance with the present invention, the border 232 is approximately curved in shape. Bottom portion 236 of the lip 204 and the border 232 are arcuate in shape. In accordance with the present invention, outer diameter ‘D’ of the first plate 104 is in the range of 5 to 6 times that of the height Ή’ that is the distance between the hill 228 and the base 208 along a central axis of the first plate 104. The lip 204 is in the range of 1/7¹¹¹ to 1/8*¹¹ times that of the outer diameter ‘D’ of the first plate 104.

The profile 212 includes an arcuate portion 240 and a flattened portion 244. The arcuate portion starts from the base 208 in an upward direction defining a part of the profile 212 and further merges with the flattened portion 244 that merges with the hill 228.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer diameter ‘D’ of the first plate 104 is approximately 230 mm. The inner diameter of plate 104 is approximately 200 mm, the height Ή’ is approximately 40 mm, width of the lip 204 is approximately 160 mm, height of the base curve 220 is approximately 20 mm and the groove 116 is approximately 10 mm wide and 5 mm deep.

Referring to FIG. 3 A to 3C, the second plate 108 is described. The second plate 108 includes a lip 304 that extends from a base 308 in upward direction in a profile 312. The lip 304 defines approximately one-third portion of the circular wall 316 of the second plate 108. The lip 304 includes a wall 322 such that a bottom end of the wall 322 is connected to a base curve 320 and top end is connected to a crown 324. A hill 328 defined by a top end portion of the crown 324 and a top end portion of the profile 312. The top end portion of the crown 324 and the top end portion of the profile 312 meet at the hill 328. It is to be noted that a locus of the hill 328 along circumference of the lip 304 defines a border 332 that is a top end portion of the lip 304. The second plate 108 is approximately identical to the first plate 104. However, the outer diameter of the second plate 108 is approximately 30% smaller than that of the first plate 104. Also, outer diameter of the second plate 108 is in the range of 3 to 4 times that of the height of the second plate 108.

Referring to FIG. 4A to 4C, the bowl 112 is described. The bowl 112 includes a lip 404 that extends from a base 408 in upward direction in a profile 412. The lip 404 defines approximately one-third portion of the circular wall 416 of the bowl 112. The lip 404 includes a wall 422 such that a bottom end of the wall 422 is connected to a base curve 420 and top end is connected to a crown 424. A hill 428 defined by a top end portion of the crown 424 and a top end portion of the profile 412. The top end portion of the crown 424 and the top end portion of the profile 412 meet at the hill 428. It is to be noted that a locus of the hill 428 along circumference of the lip 404 defines a border 432 that is a top end portion of the lip 404. However, the outer diameter of the bowl 112 is approximately 40% smaller than that of the second plate 108. Also, the outer diameter of the bowl 112 is in the range of 1.5 to 2 times that of the height of the bowl 112.

Referring to FIG. 5, shows a preferred use of the first plate 104 of the aided plates and bowl set 100. A user preferably holds a spoon 500 in his hand that is preferably in the opposite direction of the lip 204. The lip 204 guides and provides support to the spoon 500 while collecting the food. The border 232 of the lip 204 directs the food onto the spoon 500 reducing spillage. The spoon 500 is preferably placed inside the groove 116. The user lifts the spoon 500 and collects the food in the plate by pushing the food against the lip 204. The user drags the spoon 500 in upwards direction along the curvature of the lip 204. The lip 204 directs the food onto the spoon 500 allowing the user to eat.

Now referring to FIGS. 1-5, during operation the spoon 500 is positioned inside the groove 116 of the respective plate 104, 108 and/or the bowl 112 such that the top end portion of the spoon 500 is raised. The user lifts the spoon 500 and collects the food present in the plate by pushing the food against the lip 204. The lip 204 guides and supports the spoon 500 while collecting the food in the plate. The profile 212 of the lip 204 guides the food on the spoon 500 and the crown 224 and the hill 228 reduce spilling of the food outside the plate 104, 108 and the bowl 112. The user drags the spoon 500 in upwards direction along the curvature of the lip 204. The lip 204 directs the food onto the spoon 500 allowing the user to eat.

It is noted, however, that the aided plates and bowl set 100 of the present invention is made of metals, ceramic, porcelain and/or plastic glass also. It is understood however that inner profile of the aided plates and bowl set 100 remains constant even though thickness varies externally.

The aided plates and bowl set 100 advantageously collects food particles on the spoon 500 without spillage. The aided plates and bowl set 100 advantageously allows a person with physical and/or mental disability to eat self- sufficiently. The aided plates and bowl set 100 advantageously provides a groove 116 for positioning the spoon 500.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others, skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

An aided plates and bowl set 100 for assisted food eating with a spoon 500 comprising: a first plate 104, a second plate 108 and a bowl 112 such that the bowl 112 being positionable in the second plate 108 being further positionable in the first plate 104; the first plate 104 and the second plate 108 each including a groove 116 and 116’ respectively along circumference of the respective plates 104 and 108 for receiving handle 120 of the spoon 500; the first plate 104 including a lip 204 being extending from a base 208 in upward direction defining a profile 212 having arcuate shape; the second plate 108 being approximately identical to the first plate 104 including a lip 304 that extends from a base 308 in upward direction defining a profile 312 having arcuate shape; and the bowl 112 including a lip 404 that extends from a base 408 in upward direction defining a profile 412 having arcuate in shape.

2. The aided plates and bowl set 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lip 204 including a wall 222 such that a bottom end of the wall 222 being connected to a base curve 220 and top end being connected to a crown 224.

3. The aided plates and bowl set 100 as claimed in claim 2, wherein a hill

228 defined by a top end portion of the crown 224 and a top end portion of the profile 212.

4. The aided plates and bowl set 100 as claimed in claim 3, wherein a locus of the hill 228 along circumference of the lip 204 defines a border 232 that is a top end portion of the lip 204 that is approximately curved in shape.

5. The aided plates and bowl set 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the profile 212 including an arcuate portion 244 starting from the base 208 in an upward direction defining a part of the profile 212 and further merging with a flattened portion 244 merging with the hill 228.

6. The aided plates and bowl set 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lip 304 including a wall 322 such that a bottom end of the wall 322 being connected to a base curve 320 and top end being connected to a crown 324.

7. The aided plates and bowl set 100 as claimed in claim 6, wherein a hill 328 defined by a top end portion of the crown 324 and a top end portion of the profile 312.

8. The aided plates and bowl set 100 as claimed in claim 7, wherein a locus of the hill 328 along circumference of the lip 304 defines a border 332 being a top end portion of the lip 204 that is approximately curved in shape.

9. The aided plates and bowl set 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the profile 312 including an arcuate portion 344 starting from the base 308 in an upward direction defining a part of the profile 312 and further merging with a flattened portion 344 that merges with the hill 328.

10. The aided plates and bowl set 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lip 404 including a wall 422 such that a bottom end of the wall 422 being connected to a base curve 420 and top end being connected to a crown 424.

11. The aided plates and bowl set 100 as claimed in claim 10, wherein a hill 428 defined by a top end portion of the crown 424 and a top end portion of the profile 412.

12. The aided plates and bowl set 100 as claimed in claim 11, wherein a locus of the hill 428 along circumference of the lip 404 defines a border 432 being a top end portion of the lip 404 that is approximately curved in shape.

13. The aided plates and bowl set 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the profile 412 including an arcuate portion 444 starting from the base 408 in an upward direction defining a part of the profile 412 and further merging with a flattened portion 444 that merges with the hill 428.