Abstract: A bowl includes a main bowl portion and an ancillary portion or trough integral with the side of the bowl that is shaped to receive cereal or other food as a staging location before the food is maneuvered into the main bowl portion.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for partitioning food containers, such as cereal bowls. Some embodiments may include a system with a food container, which may be a cereal bowl. The system may also include a flexible membrane having a top surface and a bottom surface. The membrane may partition the food container into a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion may be for holding liquid content. The upper bowl portion may be adapted for holding edible solid content. The membrane may have multiple passageways extending from the membrane bottom surface through the membrane top surface. The multiple passageways may be normally closed and then expand to an open configuration allowing fluid transmission from below the membrane to above the membrane when the membrane is flexed in a first direction normal to a resting plane parallel to the top surface and the bottom surface.

Abstract: A system of place-setting components used to facilitate serving and eating healthy food portions. The place-setting system comprising: a plate and a nestable set of two or more serving spoons. The plate includes one or more serving areas corresponding to a portion size for one or more food components of a meal. Each of the serving spoons in the nestable set includes a bowl-shaped cup and a handle. The handle of the serving spoons comprising: a first segment, extending distally from the proximal end of the handle, with a portion of a distal-most section of the first segment extending upward; a second segment connected to the first segment, with the second segment extending downward; a third segment connected to the second segment, with the third segment extending generally upward; and a fourth segment connected to the third segment, with the fourth segment extending generally distally.

Abstract: A plate with integrated design for sauces includes a plate well, a lip, an outer base, a plurality of central bases, at least one design indentation, and a design indentation border. The lip is positioned around the plate well, and the outer base and the plurality of central bases are positioned with the plate well opposite from the lip. The at least one design indentation is positioned on the plate well and provides a separate area for the sauces. The design indentation border that provides a barrier between a food surface of the plate well and a top surface of the at least one design indentation is positioned around the at least one design indentation. The plate with integrated design for sauces allows food items to be served on the food surface while keeping the sauces within the at least one design indentation.

Abstract: A beverage container holder is provided, consisting of an elongated body having a planar upper support surface having alternative engagement mechanisms on opposing ends and at a mid-point thereof. At one end an aperture is formed, having a support suspended therein to receive and retain a beverage container—cup, glass or can. At an opposing end and at a midpoint of the planar upper support surface, a pair of apertures cooperates with the thumb and fingers of a user's hand, to position and secure a food plate against an upper surface of the beverage container holder. The thumb and fingers extend through the apertures from a position below the holder, and in gripping the food plate, the user is also grasping the holder—which in turn may be carrying a beverage container held within the beverage-receiving aperture.

Abstract: The invention described herein is generally directed to a snack or dip or food holder assembly that can attach to bowls, dishes, plates, trays and the like. Specifically, a snack or dip holder is provided that can be removeably attached to a bowl or plate edge.

Abstract: A safety dish forms a secure food container and has a dish for holding food, a cover for enclosing the dish and food, and a lock mechanism for securing the cover to the dish to prevent unauthorized access to the food and/or tampering with the food. A key or correct input of a combination is required to access the food contents of the container. The safety dish and locking mechanism is preferably formed from dishwasher-safe and microwave-safe materials.

Abstract: A reversible food plate comprising a first surface, a second surface, and an edge, wherein each of the first surface and the second surface has a slope, which optionally comprises at least one depression at the bottom of the slope and adjacent to the edge, wherein (i) at least each portion of the edge that is adjacent to the bottom of the slope forms a rim or (ii) substantially all or all of the edge forms a rim and at least each portion of the rim that is adjacent to the bottom of the slope is pronounced or more pronounced than a portion of the rim that is not adjacent to the bottom of the slope, and wherein the bottom of the slope of the first surface is on the opposite end of the plate from the bottom of the slope of the second surface; and a method of making a reversible food plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for steaming a product to be cooked, in particular food which is contained in an enclosed receptacle (18, 31) of a packaging unit (20), comprising a sealable cooking compartment (2), whereby the packaging unit (20) can be introduced into the cooking compartment (2) and be heated and wherein the device (1) comprises a perforation facility (10) for perforating at least, at least in sections, an outer covering (17) of the receptacle (18, 31) of a packaging unit (20) located in the cooking compartment (2). The invention further comprises a packaging unit (20) for such a device (1) as well as a system comprising such a device (1) and such a packaging unit (20).

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for partitioning food containers, such as cereal bowls. Some embodiments may include a system with a food container, which may be a cereal bowl. The system may also include a flexible membrane having a top surface and a bottom surface. The membrane may partition the food container into a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion may be for holding liquid content. The upper bowl portion may be adapted for holding edible solid content. The membrane may have multiple passageways extending from the membrane bottom surface through the membrane top surface. The multiple passageways may be normally closed and then expand to an open configuration allowing fluid transmission from below the membrane to above the membrane when the membrane is flexed in a first direction normal to a resting plane parallel to the top surface and the bottom surface.

Abstract: A particular continuous downward spiraling cereal bowl is disclosed which allows for exceptional control over a mixing process by keeping dry substances separated from liquids until mixed in user defined portions and timeframes. The disclosure comprises a slightly asymmetrically round bowl consisting of two contiguous areas with an inner surface that continually slopes downward between the two areas and an S-shaped guide rail between these two areas. The shape of the guide rail is curved in order to hold cereal in the upper part of the spiral at a level above the fill line of liquid held in the lower portion of the spiral. In the preferred embodiment, the bowl further comprises a thumb groove underneath the inner surface of the dry area which may serve as an embedded handle.

Abstract: A bowl includes a main bowl portion and an ancillary portion or trough integral with the side of the bowl that is shaped to receive cereal or other food as a staging location before the food is maneuvered into the main bowl portion.

Abstract: A plate that provides a handle area, a food-contact area, a transition area between the handle and food-contact areas, a cup hole, and first and second thumb holes adjacent to the cup hole. The cup hole of the plate, as well as the first and second thumb holes, are located within the handle area at different elevations from an elevation of the food-contact area of the plate.

Abstract: A food plate assembly includes a base and a swivel member is pivotably connected to the base. The swivel member has a first recess defined therein. A plate is located on the base and has a first surface with multiple engaging portions, and a second surface having multiple second recesses. A support portion extends from the second surface and has a third recess. A cover is removably and optionally mounted on the plate and has a handle. The cover has a fourth recess. The food plate assembly is used for serving salad, cakes, beverages, and bottled drinks.

Abstract: A travel bowl assembly for traveling in a vehicle including a bowl divided into a snack section and a cup holder section. A container extends downward from a bottom of the bowl member, secondarily used as a cup holder insert and assembly support. The cup holder insert can be integrated or removably attached to the bowl. A pliant adapter can be integrated or removably attached to the cup holder insert. The pliant adapter utilizes flexible winglets for compensating between dimensional differences between the cup holder insert and a receiving cup holder. The pliant adapter is formed having a tapered sleeve for sliding the adapter onto a tapered sidewall of the cup holder insert. A cover can be provided, sealing the snack section of the bowl. A lid can be provided, sealing the container. The lid can be fastened to a storage interface disposed on the lower surface of the bowl.

Abstract: A food tray assembly comprises a serving platter and a receptacle platter. The serving platter has a central aperture disposed there through and a serving area defined between the central aperture and a perimeter thereof. The receptacle platter has a bottom and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom at a perimeter thereof. The serving platter and the receptacle platter are releasably coupled to one another.

Abstract: An aid is provided for dining in situations where a food holding receptacle (such as a plate) and a beverage container must be simultaneously supported by a single hand. The food holding receptacle is stably mountable on an upright beverage container. The user holds a lower portion of the beverage container in one hand and uses the other hand to take food items from the receptacle that is supported on the beverage container. In order to drink from the beverage container the user removes the receptacle from the beverage container and drinks from the beverage container. The food holding receptacle is stably mounted on the beverage container in loose-fitting relationship so the receptacle can be repeatedly mounted on and demounted from the beverage container in a facile manner. The food holding receptacle may also be used to stably support a beverage container following inversion of the receptacle.

Abstract: A tray system, comprising one or more retaining portions for a food container, the one or more retaining portions receiving and securely holding fitted non-slip inserts. The tray system includes one or more feet which are of a depth at least equal to deepest recessed retaining portion of the tray. The feet may allow the tray to sit stably on a flat surface. The tray may have a non-slip removable insert inserted into the retaining portion which may be fitted to the bottom of the retaining portion and may maintain grip on serving tray and food container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to articles of manufacture for the packaging of brittle, elongated, and/or asymmetrically-shaped retail items for retail display to consumers. In some embodiments, the article of manufacture serves to protect the retail items from breakage during display or transit while allowing ready visual inspection by the consumer. In a preferred embodiment, the retail items are candy canes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for increasing portion control in a diet. In one illustrative embodiment, the portion control device includes a cover member sized to cover at least a portion of an eating surface of a plate. The cover member may include a first surface having one or more openings therein defined by an opening perimeter. One or more compartment walls may be attached to the first surface adjacent to the perimeter of the one or more openings and may extend a distance therefrom. The openings and the compartment walls may define a portion compartment that may help to manage, and in some cases, measure, portions of food. Additionally, in some embodiments, the compartments may have labels indicating the food group to be placed therein to help achieve a balanced diet.

Abstract: A container for mounting on the neck of a bottle or other vessel having an annular abutment surface thereon, the container including a wall formed of two or more wall sections and an opening formed in the wall for receiving the neck of the vessel. The two wall sections are joined together by a frangible seal which allows the customer to open the container in a controlled manner, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the contents of the container.

Abstract: An elongated container tapered inward and rounded on both ends. The recessed interior is segmented by five recessed slots, spaced at three inch intervals. The anti-shifting bar and lock notches creates' the locking system when the buffet server is place in support stand, there by stopping the buffet server from shifting front to back or sliding side to side while cradle in the support stand. The insertable-removable dividers, containers and sectional lids provides for a variety of set up weather mixing or matching keeping your liquid and solids separated if need be. The tabs and sockets, along with push button mechanism allows the buffet server to be taken apart and easily put together again for usage, storage or ease of shipping and handling.

Abstract: A food plate comprising a first surface, a second surface, and an edge, wherein at least the first surface or each of the first surface and the second surface has a slope, which optionally comprises at least one depression at the bottom of the slope and adjacent to the edge, wherein (i) at least each portion of the edge that is adjacent to the bottom of the slope forms a rim or (ii) substantially all or all of the edge forms a rim and at least each portion of the rim that is adjacent to the bottom of the slope is pronounced or more pronounced than a portion of the rim that is not adjacent to the bottom of the slope; an adapter for a conventional food plate comprising a graduated, optionally flexible, rim, which, upon attachment to the food plate, causes the food-bearing side of the food plate to have a slope; a method of making a food plate; and a method of making an adapter for a conventional food plate.

Abstract: A toddler food tray assembly includes a panel that has a top side, a bottom side and a perimeter edge. The panel has a plurality of apertures therein extending through the top and bottom sides. The perimeter edge has a front edge. A plurality of sleeves is provided. Each of the sleeves has a closed lower end and an upper edge defining an access opening. Each of the apertures has a peripheral edge that is attached to and coextensive with one of the upper edges of the sleeves. The sleeves each extend downwardly from the panel. A plurality of food supporting members is provided. Each of the food holding supporting members has a bottom wall and a peripheral wall that is attached to and extends upwardly from the bottom wall. Each of the bottom walls includes a mount that is extendable into one of the sleeves.

Abstract: A container assembly for storing and transporting consumable products. The container assembly includes two or more containers, each having a container coupling portion configured to facilitate the coupling of one container to another container. The container assembly also includes one or more adaptor lids operative to seal a cavity of a container by threaded engagement therewith, and to selectively couple two containers together. In some embodiments, two containers may be coupled to each other by placing a first container on top of a second container and rotating the two containers relative to each other. The container assembly may be operative to permit multiple quantities and sizes of containers to be selectively coupled together to provide flexibility for a user to store and transport a variety of consumable products. The container assembly may also include a lid having a handle to allow a user to easily transport the container assembly.

Abstract: A party place setting that facilitates the manipulation of food and drink with a single hand. Such place settings are of sturdy manufacture to allow for the support of food and drink with one hand via the place setting. The place setting may be manufactured from materials that lend to environmentally friendly practices.

Abstract: A food tray assembly includes a serving platter and a receptacle platter. The serving platter has a central aperture extending there through and a serving area defined between the central aperture and a perimeter thereof. The receptacle platter has a bottom and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom at a perimeter thereof. The serving platter and the receptacle platter are releasably coupled to one another.

Abstract: A food bowl assembly includes a bowl (12) and a food platform (14) that lies in a lower portion of the bowl. The platform supports solid food and allows grease and other fluids to flow to a lower compartment (34) that lies under the platform. The platform has support surfaces (40) on which food lies, has recesses (42) that lie slightly below the level of the support surfaces and into which fluid drains, and has drain holes (50) in the recess though which fluids flow to the lower compartment. All of the holes lie closer to the vertical axis (16) of the bowl assembly than to the rim (24) of the platform, which avoids fluids spilling out of the holes when the bowl assembly is tipped. The bottom of the bowl or the platform, forms a deflector (64) around a region below the holes, with gaps in the barrier that allow fluid to flow to the periphery of the lower compartment.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compounds having the formula (I) wherein a dashed line represents the presence or absence of a bond; Y is an organic acid functional group, or an amide or ester thereof; or Y is hydroxymethyl or an ether thereof; or Y is a tetrazolyl functional group; A is —(CH2)6—, cis —CH2CH?CH—(CH2)3—, or —CH2C?C—(CH2)3—, wherein 1 or 2 carbon atoms may be replaced by S or O; or A is —(CH2)m—Ar—(CH2)o— wherein Ar is interarylene or heterointerarylene, the sum of m and o is 1, 2, 3, or 4, and wherein 1 —CH2— may be replaced by S or O, and 1 —CH2—CH2— may be replaced by —CH?CH— or —C?C—; U1 and U2 are independently selected from —H, ?O, —OH, —F, —Cl, and —CN; and B is aryl or heteroaryl, for use as acular hypotensive agent.

Abstract: The nutrition system provides a customized nutritional and dietary plan for a user, based upon a calculated nutritional and metabolic profile of the user. The nutrition system includes a nutritional website and an online nutrition questionnaire. A nutritional and metabolic profile of the user is calculated based upon responses to the questionnaire. The user is further provided with a plurality of plate designs to select from. Once the user's plate design has been selected and the user's nutritional and metabolic profile has been calculated, a kit including the plate is formed and provided to the user. The plate has indicia formed thereon including a selected one of the plurality of plate designs and, further, including a plurality of demarcated regions. Each region represents a distinct nutritional food group, where dimensions of each region are dependent upon the calculated nutritional and metabolic profile of the user.

Abstract: A combination dip and cake holder and punch bowl is readily configurable between any of three configurations. A platter member has a base with a female receiver, while a first type of receptacle has an extension that is receivable within the receiver so that when the first receptacle faces upwardly, a dip holder is formed. A second receptacle also has an extension that is receivable within the first extension of the first receptacle in order to form a punch bowl. When the first receptacle rests on its rim and the platter member receives the receptacle's extension, the device acts as a cake holder with the second receptacle being used as a cover that sits on the platter member.

Abstract: A wellness method, system and kit for preventing and delaying chronic diseases. In an embodiment, the wellness kit comprises stepped portions reduction and control plates, a water bottle, an elastic stretching band, a pedometer, a food and exercise log, wellness cards, a tape measure, and multimedia health information and instruction. The sequentially administered portion reduction and control plates are designed to control and reduce portion size consumption to a targeted portion size by using stepped portion reductions to normalize the reduced size. The water bottle provides visual indication of the number of bottles consumed while the stretching band increases flexibility and circulation by providing a variable resistance to a wide range of motion. To encourage physical activity and good nutrition a pedometer and a food and exercise log is used to record the use of the other tools in the method and kit.

Abstract: A thermoformed dispensing container comprises a plastic tray with a dispensing cavity having side walls that include a circular radial side wall portion with a gap, and a disc-shaped thermoformed plastic lid positioned for rotation within the circular radial side wall portion of the tray, the lid having side walls that include a door. The dispensing container can be placed in an open condition by rotating the lid to align the door of the lid with the gap of the tray, or in a closed position by moving the door of the lid away from the gap of the tray.

Abstract: A container is system is disclosed that includes multiple containers and a lid adapted to permit an interior container to hang from a master container. The interior container contains a fluid food substance and the master container includes a solid food substance.

Abstract: A flip tray is provided that includes a transparent, compartmentalized container body and a flexible sealing sheet sealed to partition walls and to the peripheral rim of the compartmentalized container body. A raised rib is formed around the periphery of the container body outside the peripheral rim. Apertures, or reduced height portions, may be formed in the raised rib at selected locations around the periphery of the container body. In addition, the bottom surfaces of some of the compartments may be sloped.

Abstract: A pet food feeding dish includes a bowl having a generally concave portion, a rim extending along the periphery of said bowl, and a surrounding wall extending downwardly from the rim. The concave portion has a top surface and a bottom surface. A container or housing extends under the bowl downwardly from the bottom surface of the concave portion. Cat nip may be stored within the housing in order to attract a pet to the food contained bowl. The housing includes a main body portion and a cap that may be removably mounted to the main body portion. The cap includes a plurality of apertures therein for releasing the odor of the cat nip and the wall includes a plurality of openings around the periphery thereof so that the scent of the cat nip flows to the exterior of the bowl.

Abstract: The present invention is a set of tableware for portion control, which includes: a meal plate, a cup, a soup/cereal bowl, a pizza/cake plate, and a snack/ice-cream bowl. Such tableware features architectural barriers for pre-determined portion sizes, representative colors and keywords that correspond to food groups and/or food items, and portholes that serve as an additional guard against overfilling through siphoning off and/or as a visual reminder to consciously put food in the designated sections.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for holding food item(s) and a beverage container(s) with one hand. Stable handling of an integral somewhat planar support (1) with one hand may be enabled by an elliptical negative space (26) where the operator inserts either thumb to comfortably rest the device with equal weight perhaps on the first metacarpal bone, the phalanges, and radius of the same hand. An integral somewhat planar support may include a containment structure (4) having a noncircular yawning void (5) which may allow for retention of a variety of beverage containers and perhaps even a pedestal mounted object. Regions (14) may be provided for the retention of food items on an integral somewhat planar support.

Abstract: A food serving tray assembly includes a serving platter and a receptacle platter. The serving platter includes a disposal opening and serving wells for receiving food items. The receptacle platter and serving platter releasable couple to one another in a serving configuration and a transport configuration. An improvement includes the serving platter having an outer peripheral wall having a first height and dividing walls defining and separating the serving wells, each of the dividing walls being approximately equal to the first height. The peripheral wall of the receptacle platter has a third height and a bottom of the receptacle platter defines a plurality of dividers having a fourth height substantially less than the third height. When the serving platter is received within the receptacle platter, each of the dividers aligns with and engages a respective dividing wall such that two wells are isolated and seated off from one another.

Abstract: Systems and methods for serving food, which employ stackable containers. The system includes a first container, a second container, and a support structure having top and bottom tiers for receiving the first and second containers, respectively. The first container features two or more compartments into which food may be placed. The second container also features two or more compartments, and both the second container and its compartments can be complementary in size and shape to the first container and its compartments. The second container further includes a means for heating and a means for cooling so that both hot and cold food items may be simultaneously served during a meal. The distance between the first container and the second container when seated on the support structure is such that food items in the first container can be effectively cooled or heated as desired by the second container.

Abstract: There is provided an infant feeding bowl comprising a bowl container defining an inner bowl surface, an outer bowl surface and a bowl rim; and projecting away from said bowl rim, a bowl handle defining an arc form handle rim. The bowl handle includes a lamellar portion that extends from said handle rim to the bowl rim and provided to the lamellar portion, a thumbhole arranged for receipt of the user's thumb in use. The thumbhole is arranged symmetrically about a chord axis extending from the arc form handle rim to the bowl rim.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for partitioning food containers, such as cereal bowls. Some embodiments may include a system with a food container, which may be a cereal bowl. The system may also include a flexible membrane having a top surface and a bottom surface. The membrane may partition the food container into a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion may be for holding liquid content. The upper bowl portion may be adapted for holding edible solid content. The membrane may have multiple passageways extending from the membrane bottom surface through the membrane top surface. The multiple passageways may be normally closed and then expand to an open configuration allowing fluid transmission from below the membrane to above the membrane when the membrane is flexed in a first direction normal to a resting plane parallel to the top surface and the bottom surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a container and to a method of storing and heating matter. A container (1) is described as comprising at least one compartment unit comprising a compartment (9, 11) for receiving matter to be steam heated; a reservoir for receiving water; an induction element associated with said reservoir, said element being of a type which, during use the container (1), is heated when placed in an induction field of an induction heating device; and ducting means (25, 33, 37, 23) allowing steam generated in said reservoir to flow into said compartment (9, 11).

Abstract: A two part container adapted to separately hold consumable foodstuffs. The two part container provides a convenient device for transporting different foodstuffs in a separated fashion using a single container.

Abstract: A handle assembly facilitates the removal of a sterile inner tray containing sterile medical instruments from a medical kit during an OR procedure. The handle assembly may have a handle coupled with an elongated member having a male end and a female end. The inner tray may be wrapped in medical packaging. Subsequently, the elongated member may be wrapped around the inner tray and the male and female ends interconnected. The inner tray may be positioned inside of an outer tray. A bacterial barrier may be formed over a portion of the outer tray to enclose the inner tray. The inner tray, including the medical instruments, may then be sterilized by a sterilization process. During an OR procedure, the handle assemble allows a sterile nurse to remove the sterile inner tray from the non-sterile outer tray without making contact with the non-sterile outer tray and/or contaminating the sterile medical instruments.

Abstract: A food serving tray assembly includes a serving platter and a receptacle platter. The serving platter includes a disposal opening and serving wells for receiving food items. The receptacle platter and serving platter releasably couple to one another in a serving configuration and a transport configuration. An improvement includes the serving platter having an outer peripheral wall and a plurality of dividing walls defining and separating adjacent serving wells; and the serving platter being generally received within the outer peripheral wall of the receptacle platter with the bottom of the receptacle platter and the dividing walls of the serving platter collectively isolating the wells from one another when the food serving tray assembly is in the transport configuration.

Abstract: The invention generally pertains to a pillow convertible between an open position as a food and beverage holder and a closed position as a pillow. By way of example, the pillow has a first and second pillow portion that may be coupled and uncoupled to switch between a closed position and an open position. The pillow also has a food surface member with one or more beverage holders that is sized to fit within the interior of the pillow in the closed position. In another example, the food surface member is a two-piece construction with a slidable tray lock that moves between a first position when the pillow is closed and a second position that secures the two pieces together as a substantially coplanar surface when the pillow is open. In yet another example, the beverage holder is tapered so as to fit a variety of sizes of beverage containers.

Abstract: A plate has a periphery. The plate has an upper surface and a lower surface. A thickness is provided between the upper and lower surfaces. The plate has a plate center. The upper surface has at least one raised divider. The divider has a thumb hole. The plate also has a thumb flap.

Abstract: A method of making a serving platter includes molding a hand portable main body and molding a shallow lid. The main body portion includes a top portion defining a serving area comprising a plurality of primary serving wells, and a bottom portion defining a substantially enclosed interior space. The top portion also defines a disposal opening configured to receive there through food waste for deposit into the substantially enclosed interior space. The top portion also includes a plurality of dividing walls that define and separate the primary serving wells. The shallow lid is configured to be removably coupled to the main body such that the lid is positioned above and extends over and seats off the serving area. Each dividing wall is engaged by the lid such that two serving wells are isolated from one another by a dividing wall engaged with the lid.

Abstract: A food retaining apparatus and associated methods are described. In one embodiment, the food retaining apparatus includes a food receptacle formed in a first side of a plate. The food retaining apparatus further includes a beverage container receptacle comprising an indented hollow having a receptacle opening, where a beverage container is insertable into the receptacle opening and the opening is located on a second side of the plate, the second side being opposite the first side. Also, in one embodiment, a plurality of ribs extend from an inner wall of the indented hollow, the ribs being positioned to engage a lip on an opening of the beverage container. Alternatively, at least one projection maybe disposed on the inner wall of the indented hollow to grip the beverage container when inserted into the beverage container receptacle.