Tableware Kit for Babies

Abstract

The present invention discloses an easy open and close, multifunctional tableware kit for babies, which includes an upper cover, a middle layer board and a lower cover which are mechanically coupled to a transverse axis such that each of them can be turned around the axis. The middle layer, fittingly placed between the upper and the lower covers, is a single piece of uneven board wherein the upper side facing to the upper cover has a continuous concaved space fittingly for a baby fork and a baby spoon being snapped-in, and wherein the middle layer's lower side facing to the lower cover has a continuous concaved space fittingly for a pair of baby scissors being snapped-in.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to the provisional Appl. Ser. No. 61/825,199 filed on May 20, 2013, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to toolboxes. More particularly, this invention is related to a multifunctional tableware kit for babies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many kinds of tableware for babies and various different tableware kits in the market. However, there is no one that provides the user with convenience and various capacities for the purpose of taking care of babies' needs.

The present invention discloses a novel, easy to open and close, and multifunctional tableware kit for babies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The kit according to the first preferred embodiment of this invention includes an upper cover, a middle layer and a lower cover which are mechanically coupled to a transverse axis such that each of them can be turned around the axis.

The upper cover and the lower cover can be identical or slightly different. The shape of covers constitutes the shape of the kit's body, which can be elliptical, half-circle, etc. Each cover has a transparent area such that the items snapped in the middle layer can be seen without opening the cover.

The middle layer is fittingly placed between the upper and the lower covers. The middle layer is a single piece of uneven board wherein the first side facing to the upper cover provides a continuous concaved space fittingly for a baby fork and a baby spoon to be snapped-in, and wherein the second side facing to the lower cover provides a continuous concaved space fittingly for a pair of baby scissors to be snapped-in. In addition, the middle layer board has a cut-out gap constituting a hollow space on the edge opposite to the axis, such that the user may turn the middle layer board using a finger or thumb.

The upper and lower covers are occluded by magnetic pieces. There are various arrangements of the magnetic pieces. For example, the magnet is embedded in the edge, opposite to the axis, of the middle layer board, and each of the upper and the lower covers has a piece of metal embedded in a place which is vertically close to, or overlaps the housing of the magnet. For another example, the magnet is embedded in one of the covers, a piece of metal or another piece of magnet is embedded on another cover, and the middle layer board has no magnet or metal piece, such that the middle layer board is squeezed by the two covers.

In the second embodiment, the tableware kit is functionally similar to the first preferred embodiment except that the kit is in a semi-circle shape or D shape. The lower cover provides an uneven inner space facing to the upper cover and provides a continuous concaved inner space fittingly for a baby fork and a baby spoon to be snapped-in. The inner space is divided by a wall into two sections which can be used for placing food. On the wall there are two grooves for holding the fork and spoon. The lower part's back side is flat and smooth. The upper and lower covers are occluded by magnetic pieces. In use, when the tableware kit is fully open, the upper cover and the lower cover constitutes a beautiful full tray.

In the third preferred embodiment, the tableware kit is functionally similar to the second preferred embodiment except that the lower cover also includes a space for holding a pair of scissors on its backside and an additional cover to cover the scissors. The upper and lower covers are occluded by magnetic pieces. In use, when the tableware kit is fully open, the upper cover and the lower cover constitutes a beautiful full tray.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of the tableware kit with its upper cover open.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view of the tableware kit with its upper cover open.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a bottom view of the tableware kit with its lower cover open.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view of the tableware kit of FIG. 1 with the covers closed.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a bottom view of the tableware kit of FIG. 1 with the covers closed.

FIG. 6 is schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is schematic diagram illustrating a separate perspective view of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is schematic diagram illustrating the two covers being coupled together via two pairs of magnets.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an optional feature according to the third preferred embodiment.

FIG. 10 is schematic diagram illustrating a bendable spoon which is placed in the tableware kit according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the present invention may be embodied in many different forms, designs or configurations, for the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, references will be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation or restriction of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further implementations of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. All examples given are for clarification only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, which illustrates a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tableware kit includes an upper cover 11, a middle layer 13 fittingly placed on a lower cover 15. The upper cover 11, the middle layer 13, and the lower cover 15 which are mechanically coupled to a transverse axis 12 such that each of them can be turned flexibly around the axis 12. The middle layer 13 provides a continuous concaved inner space 14 for holding a spoon 16 and a fork 17. The middle layer 13 may also optionally include a semi-circle gap 18 inserting a finger to turn or open the middle layer 13. There is a magnet 19 in the upper cover 11 which may be coupled to the magnet 20 in the middle layer 13.

The upper cover 11 and the lower cover 15 can be identical or slightly different. The shape of covers constitutes the shape of the tableware kit's body, which can be oval as illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, half-circle, etc. Each cover may have a transparent area such that the items that are snapped in the middle layer 13 can be seen without opening the cover.

Referring to FIG. 2 which illustrates a top view of the tableware kit with its upper cover 11 open, the middle layer 13 is fittingly placed in the lower cover 15. The middle layer 13 is a single piece of uneven board wherein the first side facing to the upper cover 11 provides a continuous concaved space 14 fittingly for a baby fork 17 and a baby spoon 16 to be snapped-in. The area 19 between the fork and spoon is preferably at the same plane of the middle layer 13's upper surface. As described above, the magnet 10 on the upper cover 11 can be coupled to the magnet 20 in the middle layer 13.

Now referring to FIG. 3 which illustrates a bottom view of the tableware kit with its lower cover 15 open, the middle layer 13 is fittingly placed in the lower cover 11. The second side of the middle layer 13, which faces to the lower cover 15, provides a continuous concaved space 33 fittingly for a pair of baby scissors 35 to be snapped-in. The magnet 30 on the lower cover 15 can be coupled to the magnet 20 on the middle layer 13. As described above, the middle layer board 13 may optionally has a cut-out gap 18 constituting a hollow space on the edge opposite to the axis 12, such that the user may turn the middle layer board 13 by inserting a finger or a thumb in the hollow space.

The upper and lower covers 11/15 are occluded by magnetic pieces. There are various arrangements of the magnetic pieces for snap-coupling purpose.

In a typical arrangement, the magnet 20 is embedded in the edge, opposite to the axis 12, of the middle layer board 13, and each of the upper and the lower covers 11/15 has a piece of metal embedded in a place which is vertically close to, or overlays, the housing of the magnet 13. When the covers are closed, the metal piece 10 embedded in the upper cover 11 and the metal piece 30 embedded in the lower cover 15 are attracted to the magnet 20 embedded in the middle layer board 13.

In another arrangement, the magnet is embedded in one of the covers, a piece of metal or another piece of magnet is embedded in another cover, and the middle layer board has no magnet or metal piece. In this case, the middle payer board is nipped or squeezed by the upper and lower covers due to the magnetic force from the covers.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view of the tableware kit of FIG. 1 with the covers closed. The magnets 10, 20 and 30 are coupled together. Because the top cover is transparent, the fold 17, spoon 16, and the small gap 18 are visible.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a bottom view of the tableware kit of FIG. 1 with the covers closed. The magnets 30, 20 and 10 are coupled together. Because the lower cover is transparent, the scissors 35 and the small gap 18 are visible.

FIG. 6 is schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The tableware kit according to this embodiment is functionally similar to the designs as illustrated above except that the tableware kit is in a semi-circle shape or semi-elliptical shape or “D” shape when the two covers are closed. In use, when the tableware kit is fully open, the upper cover and the lower cover are in a same plane and constitute a beautify full-circle tray.

The upper cover 40 and lower cover 41 of the tableware kit may be identical or slightly different. The upper cover 40 and the lower 41 can be coupled together via a first pair of magnets 51 and 52, and a second pair of magnets 53 and 54 and constitute a tray as shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 7 is schematic diagram illustrating a separate perspective view of FIG. 6. The inner space of the lower cover 41 is divided into two sections 48 and 49 by a wall 45.

The wall 45 includes a first snap-in groove 47 and a second snap-in groove 46, which can fittingly hold a fork 77 and a spoon 76.

FIG. 8 is schematic diagram illustrating the two covers being coupled together via two pairs of magnets. In use, the spoon and the fork are removed from the snap-in grooves 46/47. The inner space 60 of the upper cover 40 can be used for containing baby food. Similarly, the first inner space 49 and the second inner space 48 can also be used holding baby food.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an optional feature according to the third preferred embodiment. This third embodiment is similar to the second embodiment except that the backside of the lower cover 41 includes a concaved space 67 for holding a pair scissors 75. The scissors is covered by a cover 65 which can be operably attached to the lower cover 41.

FIG. 10 is schematic diagram illustrating a bendable spoon which is placed in the tableware kit according to the present invention. The spoon can be bent or adjusted by the neck 70.

While one or more embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in detail, the skilled artisan will appreciate that modifications and adoptions to those embodiments may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A tableware kit for babies, comprising an upper cover, a middle layer and a lower cover which are mechanically coupled to a transverse axis such that each of them can be turned around said axis, wherein said middle layer is a single piece of uneven member being fittingly placed between said upper cover and said lower cover, wherein said middle layer's upper side upper side, facing to said upper cover, has a continuous concaved space fittingly for a baby fork and a baby spoon being snapped-in, and wherein said middle layer's lower side, facing to said lower cover, has a continuous concaved space fittingly for a pair of baby scissors being snapped-in.

2. The tableware kit of claim 1, wherein said upper cover, said middle layer board and said lower cover are elliptical.

3. The tableware kit of claim 1, wherein each of said upper cover, said middle layer board and said lower cover has an embedded magnet, said magnets being located on said axis' opposite and being aligned vertically such that when said kit is closed, said upper cover, said middle layer board and said lower cover are kept together by said magnets.

4. The tableware kit of claim 1, wherein said middle layer has a semi-circle gap for opening convenience.

5. A tableware kit for babies, comprising an upper cover and a body mechanically coupled together, wherein said body comprises a single piece of uneven member and a bottom cover, said uneven member's upper side facing said upper cover and its lower side facing said bottom cover, wherein said uneven member's upper side has a continuous concaved space fittingly for a baby fork and a baby spoon being snapped-in, wherein said uneven member's lower side has a continuous concaved space fittingly for a pair of baby scissors being snapped-in, and wherein said upper cover and said body can be horizontally coupled side by side to constitute a plate.

6. The tableware kit of claim 1, wherein said upper cover, said upper cover and said body are semi elliptical or semi circle or in a “D” shape.

7. The tableware kit of claim 1, wherein each of said upper cover and body cover has a pair of embedded magnets on its straight side, wherein when said upper cover and said body are horizontally coupled, said magnets being aligned horizontally such that said upper cover and said body are kept together by said magnets.