SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING DISHWARE HAVING A UTENSIL RETAINER
A dish and utensil retainer corresponding to the dish, wherein the utensil retainer is sized and shaped to selectively receive and retain a utensil on the dish.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/331,773, filed May 5, 2010, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING DISHWARE HAVING A UTENSIL RETAINER,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to dishware having a utensil retainer. In particular, the present invention relates to a dishware having a utensil retainer that selectively retains a utensil in a substantially fixed position on the dishware when the utensil is not in use.
2. Background
Dishware is commonly used in meal preparation and service, and can be accompanied with serving utensils. During the transportation and placement of the dishware, the accompanying utensils can have the tendency to fall from the dishware. As a result, the accompanying utensil can get dirty or messy, may break, or may need to be cleaned or replaced.
Thus, while techniques currently exist that are used to prepare and serve food, challenges still exist. Accordingly, it would be an improvement in the art to augment or even replace current techniques and apparatuses with other techniques and apparatuses.
SUMMARYThe present invention relates to dishware having a utensil retainer. In particular, the present invention relates to a dishware having a utensil retainer that selectively retains a utensil in a substantially fixed position on the dishware when the utensil is not in use.
Implementation of the present invention takes place in association with dishware, such as a plate, bowl, or other vessel for holding food or an edible product, and a utensil retainer that is either integral with the dish or retrofitted to the dishware. In some implementations the utensil retainer includes a magnet embedded within the dishware. In some implementations the utensil retainer includes a protruding retainer that extends from the dish. In some implementations a utensil is included, and the utensil includes a retaining element that corresponds with the utensil retainer.
Implementation of the present invention includes a manner to keep a utensil on or with a particular piece of dishware while the two articles are being passed, transported, moved and/or at rest. For example, in some implementations of the invention, a butter/serving knife handle is kept clean by securing it away from the food trough on the serving dish as well as keeping the knife from falling off the butter/serving dish when passing the dish/knife set. In some implementations, a piece of dishware includes a mechanical or magnet retainer on the edge of the dish. In some implementations, an especially designed knife includes raised rings that fit on either side of the retainer to keep the knife in place, and to minimize forward/backward movement when transported or passed. The retainer also keeps the knife handle away from the food and clean for use. The secured knife also affords safety in its use.
In some implementations, a securing device includes a raised embedded magnet on one area of the edge of the dish in place of the mechanical receiver described above. The correspondingly (custom) designed knife includes a magnetized handle that fastens securely (but easily) to a magnetized area on the serving dish. The knife includes, for example, raised rings to guide or place the knife in an optimal position. The mechanical or magnetized retainers and especially designed knife can adapt in style to the varied designs of the dishes. Some implementations include a mechanical retainer that receives most dinner knives. This retainer sufficiently secures most any commonly weighted table knife. Some implementations include an o-ring retainer that slips onto any knife to avoid the slippage.
While the methods and processes of the present invention have proven to be particularly useful in the area of dishware, those skilled in the art can appreciate that these methods, processes, and structures can be used in a variety of different applications and in a variety of different areas of manufacture to yield equally advantageous results.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth or will become more fully apparent in the description that follows and in the appended claims. The features and advantages may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the invention may be learned by the practice of the invention or will be obvious from the description, as set forth hereinafter.
In order that the manner in which the above recited and other features and advantages of the present invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that the drawings depict only typical embodiments of the present invention and are not, therefore, to be considered as limiting the scope of the invention, the present invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
The present invention relates to dishware having a utensil retainer. In particular, the present invention relates to a dishware having a utensil retainer that selectively retains a utensil in a substantially fixed position on the dishware when the utensil is not in use.
In the disclosure and in the claims the term “dish” refers to a single piece of dishware, such as a plate, a bowl, a saucer, a platter, a tray, or another vessel for holding food or an edible product.
In the disclosure and in the claims the term “utensil” refers to an instrument or device that is used in association with food or an edible product, such as a knife, a spoon, a fork, a ladle, tongs, a nut cracker, a basting brush, chop sticks, a crab cracker, or another instrument or device.
In the disclosure and in the claims the term “embedded magnet” refers to any component that produces a magnetic field and that is substantially embedded within a structure so that the element is substantially contained within the structure. Additionally, in metal structures, an embedded magnet includes any portion of the structure that produces a magnetic field even when that portion forms one or more outer surface(s) of the structure.
In the disclosure and in the claims the term “protruding utensil retainer” refers to a protruding structure or set of structures that mechanically retains a utensil in a fixed position on a surface when the surface is held in a substantially upright position. Non-limiting examples of protruding utensil retainers include a protruding ring, loop, channel, saddle, hook, sleeve, and/or sets or combinations thereof.
In the disclosure and in the claims the term “utensil retainer” refers to any structure or set of structures that functions to retain a utensil in a substantially fixed position. Non-limiting examples of a utensil retainer include a magnet, including an embedded magnet, of sufficient strength that retains a utensil on a flatware dish; and a protruding retainer.
In the disclosure and in the claims the term “retaining element” refers to “any structure or component of an article that assists that article in being retained within, on, or near another article.” Non-limiting examples of a retaining element on a utensil include rings, ridges, detents, or indents in a utensil that assist the utensil in being retained by a utensil retainer. Other non-limiting examples include a magnet or magnetic portion integrated into a utensil that assists the utensil to be retained by a magnetic utensil retainer.
In the disclosure and in the claims the term “substantially upright position” refers to a position between horizontal and about forty five degrees off horizontal.
Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for keeping a utensil on or in communication with a dish while the dish and utensil are passed, transported, moved, and/or at rest. For example, some embodiments serve to keep a butter/serving knife handle clean by securing it away from the food trough on the serving dish as well as keeping the knife from falling off the butter/serving dish when passing the dish/knife set. Some embodiments include both a dish and a knife. In some embodiments, a serving/butter dish includes a mechanical or magnet retainer on the edge of the dish. In some embodiments, an especially designed knife includes raised rings that fit on either side of the retainer to keep the knife in place, and to minimize forward/backward movement when transported or passed. The retainer keeps the knife handle away from the food and this clean for use. The secured knife also affords safety in its use.
In some embodiments, a securing device includes a raised embedded magnet on one area of the edge of the dish in place of the mechanical receiver described above. The correspondingly (custom) designed knife includes a magnetized handle that fastens securely (but easily) to a magnetized area on the serving dish. The knife includes knobs or raised rings to guide or place the knife in an optimal position. The mechanical or magnetized retainers and especially designed knife can adapt in style to the varied designs of the dishes. Some embodiments include a mechanical retainer that receives most dinner knives. This retainer sufficiently secures most any commonly weighted table knife. Some embodiments include a retainer that slips onto a knife to avoid slippage of the knife.
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In some embodiments, the utensil retainer is integral with the dish. In other words, in these embodiments the utensil retainer is integrated as part of the whole dish. Thus, the utensil retainer is molded, cast, shaped or formed as part of the dish to form a unitized, integrated structure. In other embodiments, the utensil retainer is sized and shaped to be retrofitly coupled to a dish surface.
In some embodiments, the dish and/or utensil retainer is made of a polymer material, glass, a ceramic material, china, or another material. In some embodiments, the dish and the utensil retainer are dishwasher and microwave safe.
In some embodiments, a plurality of utensil retainers are included on a dish. Multiple utensil retainers are included, for example, to retain multiple utensils and/or to increase the placement options of the utensil(s) for a user.
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In some embodiments, the utensil retainer includes one or more magnets 170. In some embodiments multiple magnets can be included along the length of a dish to accommodate placement of a utensil at multiple locations along a dish. In other embodiments, a single magnet or cluster of magnets is included within a single location on a dish. The magnet or magnets retain a utensil on the dish. In some embodiments, the magnet is an embedded magnet, embedded within the dish. In other embodiments, the magnet is partially embedded, but includes a portion of the magnet that is exposed. In some embodiments, the magnet is embedded within the dish, but is indistinguishable to a viewer of the dish. In other embodiments, the magnet is embedded within the dish, but the dish includes a bump, dent, protrusion, ornamental design, or other design at the location of the magnet.
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Thus, as discussed herein, embodiments of the present invention embrace dishware having a utensil retainer. In particular, embodiments of the present invention relates to dishware having a utensil retainer that selectively retains a utensil in a substantially fixed position when the utensil is not in use. In some embodiments, the utensil retainer includes a magnet embedded within the dish. In some embodiments, the utensil retainer includes a protruding retainer that extends from the dish. In some embodiments, a utensil is included having a retaining element that corresponds with the utensil retainer.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a dish having a utensil retainer that is sized and shaped to receive and selectively retain a utensil on the dish.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the utensil retainer is an embedded magnet within the dish.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the utensil retainer is a protruding utensil retainer extending from the dish.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising the utensil having a retaining element that corresponds with the utensil retainer.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the retaining element includes a magnet.
6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the retaining element of the utensil mates with the utensil retainer.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the utensil retainer is integral with a top surface of the dish.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the utensil retainer is integral with a side surface of the dish.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dish defines a concave top surface having a flat surface within the concave top surface and an outer, curved surface surrounding the flat surface.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the utensil retainer is located on the outer, curved surface of the concave top surface.
11. An apparatus comprising:
- a dish; and
- a utensil retainer coupled to the dish, the utensil retainer protruding from a surface of the dish.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the utensil retainer includes an embedded magnet.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the utensil retainer includes a concave top surface.
14. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a utensil, the utensil having a retaining element that mates with the utensil retainer.
15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the utensil retainer is integral with a top surface of the dish.
16. An apparatus comprising:
- a dish; and
- a magnet embedded within the dish, the magnet being of sufficient strength to retain a metal utensil on the dish.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising the metal utensil, which includes a magnetic portion.
18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the magnet is disposed within a protruding element of the dish.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the protruding element includes a concave top surface.
20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein magnet is located on a side of the protruding element.
Type: Application
Filed: May 4, 2011
Publication Date: May 10, 2012
Inventor: Robyn Gabriel (Centerville, UT)
Application Number: 13/101,114
International Classification: A47G 19/06 (20060101);