Spill-resistant measuring, mixing, and pouring bowl

Abstract

An improved measuring, mixing, and pouring bowl. The bowl has a gully and wings for tidy pouring. The bowl also has protruding measuring notches coupled to the inner surface of the bowl for easy measuring, and has a groove for stabilizing the bowl upon the rim of another container during pouring.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to a corresponding provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60/636,730, filed Dec. 16, 2004 in the name of the applicant of this application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to bakeware and cookware and, more specifically, to a bowl that provides for mixing, easier measuring, stability during pouring, and tidiness.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When cooking or baking, certain ingredients are often mixed in bowls. After the ingredients are thoroughly mixed in the mixing bowl, the ingredients are usually poured into another container for serving, cooking, baking, or further mixing.

It is important that a mixing bowl is large enough and wide enough to allow for broad strokes when stirring the ingredients within it. Many times, however, the other container is smaller in dimension than the mixing bowl. Therefore, the resulting wide mouth of the mixing bowl often makes it difficult for a user to pour the ingredients out of the mixing bowl into the smaller container. Usually the ingredients stream too widely over the edge of the mixing bowl and drip outside of the rim of the smaller container. Furthermore, when returning the mixing bowl to an upright position after pouring, ingredients tend to continue to “spill” over the rim of the mixing bowl, thereby causing a person to use his/her finger or a rag to wipe the spilled ingredients from the rim of the mixing bowl.

When pouring the ingredients into the other container, a user will often hold the mixing bowl adjacent to the rim of the other container for stability. However, the curvature of the mixing bowl may cause the mixing bowl to slip from the other container's rim and result in a spill.

Many mixing bowls also have several measuring lines printed or etched upon their inner surfaces. But, because of the thickness and opaqueness of most ingredients, it is difficult to view the measuring lines.

Therefore, a need existed for a bowl having a spout with a substantially flat tip as well as a gully and wings for tidy pouring, having protruding measuring notches, having a groove for catching the bowl upon the rim of another container, and for serving as a pivot point while pouring ingredients from the bowl into another container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved mixing, measuring and/or pouring bowl.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bowl having a gully to smoothly channel its contents during pouring.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bowl with a spout having a substantially flat tip for more tidy pouring.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a bowl having wings coupled to and extending inwardly from its rim for tidy pouring.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a bowl with protruding measuring notches for easier detection when measuring.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a bowl with a groove for catching the bowl upon the rim of another container and for serving as a pivot point while pouring ingredients from the bowl into another container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an improved bowl is disclosed. The bowl preferably comprises a bowl having an inner surface and a base opposite an open end, the open end having a rim, a grip coupled to and extending substantially outwardly from the rim, a spout formed from a portion of the open end for pouring ingredients from the bowl, and a gully defined by the inner surface, the gully extending from the base to the spout of the bowl.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an improved bowl is disclosed. The bowl preferably comprises a bowl having an inner surface and a base opposite an open end, the open end having a rim, a spout formed from a portion of the open end for pouring ingredients from the bowl, the spout having a substantially flat tip and the substantially flat tip defining an edge proximate the gully, the edge breaking surface tension of ingredients that are poured out of the bowl and the edge causing a reverse flow of the ingredients back down the gully toward the inner surface of the bowl when the bowl is returned to an upright position after pouring a desired amount of the ingredients from the bowl, a substantially J-shaped grip coupled to and extending substantially outwardly from the rim and positioned substantially opposite from the spout, a gully defined by the inner surface and extending from the base to the spout of the bowl, a first wing coupled to the rim and extending substantially inwardly from the rim, the first wing coupled to the rim proximate a first side of the spout, and a second wing coupled to the rim and extending substantially inwardly from the rim, the second wing coupled to the rim proximate a second side of the spout.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method to reduce dripping while pouring is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing an improved bowl comprising a bowl having an inner surface and a base opposite an open end, the open end having a rim, a spout formed from a portion of the open end for pouring ingredients from the bowl, the spout having a substantially flat tip, the substantially flat tip defining an edge proximate the gully, the edge breaking surface tension of ingredients that are being poured out of the bowl and the edge causing a reverse flow of the ingredients back down the gully toward the inner surface of the bowl when the bowl is returned to an upright position after pouring a desired amount of the ingredients from the bowl, a substantially J-shaped grip coupled to and extending substantially outwardly from the rim and positioned substantially opposite from the spout, a gully defined by the inner surface, the gully extending from the base to the spout of the bowl, a first wing coupled to the rim and extending substantially inwardly from the rim, the first wing coupled to the rim proximate a first side of the spout, a second wing coupled to the rim and extending substantially inwardly from the rim, the second wing coupled to the rim proximate a second side of the spout, and at least one protrusion coupled to and extending from an outer surface of the bowl proximate the spout, the at least one protrusion defining a groove dimensioned to receive a portion of a rim of another container during pouring; aligning the groove of the at least one protrusion with a portion of the rim of another container; tilting the bowl toward the another container so that contents of the bowl being poured into the another container; and returning the bowl to an upright position after pouring a desired amount of the ingredients from the bowl.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bowl of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the bowl of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an elevated perspective view of the bowl of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a left side cross-sectional view of the bowl of FIG. 5 taken along line A-A.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the bowl of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a left side view of the bowl of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the mixing bowl of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the protruding measuring notches.

FIG. 9 is a left side cross-sectional view of the protrusion and groove of the bowl of FIG. 4.

FIG. 10 is a left side cross-sectional view of the ridge of the bowl of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-10 refer to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Together, they show a bowl 10 (shown in FIGS. 1-7) having an inner surface 24 (shown in FIGS. 1-4 and FIGS. 7-8) and a base 15 (shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 7) opposite a rim 12 (see FIGS. 1-4 and FIGS. 6, 7, and 10) of an open end of the bowl 10. The bowl 10 also comprises a spout 26 (shown in FIGS. 1-7) formed from a portion of the open end of the bowl 10 for pouring ingredients (not shown) from the bowl 10. The bowl 10 also comprises a gully 14 (shown in FIGS. 1-7) defined by the inner surface 24 of the bowl 10 and extending from the base 15 to the spout 26. The bowl 10 further comprises a grip 18 (shown in FIGS. 1-4 and FIGS. 6, 7, and 10) coupled to and extending substantially outwardly from the rim 12. While, in the preferred embodiment, the bowl 10 is a mixing, measuring, and pouring bowl, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative configuration of the present invention, in which the bowl 10 is a gravy boat, a soup bowl, a pitcher, a child's cereal bowl, a measuring spoon, a beaker, or some other container used in food preparation. Furthermore, it should be understood that the bowl 10 could be shaped round, teardrop, oblong, or other configurations.

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, the gully 14 and two wings 16 that aid in tidy pouring. The gully 14 is a channel defined by an inner surface 24 of the bowl 10, and is disposed between the base 15 and the spout 26, thereby helping to direct the ingredients (not shown) out of the bowl 10 and into another container (not shown) without spilling. The wings 16 are preferably coupled to and extending substantially inwardly from the rim 12 of the bowl 10. Because of these wings 16, the ingredients pour out of the bowl 10 from the spout 26, instead of dripping over other portions of the rim 12.

The spout 26 preferably has a substantially flat tip 28 (see FIGS. 2-4 and FIGS. 6-7) and the substantially flat tip 28 preferably defines an edge 30 (see FIGS. 2, 3, and 7) proximate the gully 14. The edge 30 helps to break the surface tension of ingredients that are poured out of the bowl 10 and helps to cause a reverse flow of the ingredients back down the gully 14 toward the inner surface 24 of the bowl 10 when the bowl 10 is returned to an upright position after pouring a desired amount of the ingredients from the bowl 10. While such a flat tip 28 and edge 30 are preferred, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may still be derived from a bowl 10 having an alternatively shaped spout 26 so long as the spout 26 helps prevent the ingredients from continuing to “spill” over the rim 12 of the bowl 10 when returning the bowl 10 to an upright position after pouring.

The bowl 10 also has a grip 18 coupled to and extending substantially outwardly from the rim 12. Preferably, the grip 18 is dimensioned to fold over and rest on the back of a user's hand (not shown) while the user palms the bowl 10 during pouring. The user may choose to palm the bowl 10 during pouring with the user's thumb resting on a top surface of the grip 18. Gripping the bowl 10 in this manner during pouring allows for greater control. Although it is preferred that the grip 18 be dimensioned to fold over a user's hand while the user palms the bowl 10 during pouring, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from a grip 18 that is dimensioned to be gripped entirely within the user's hand. It is also preferred that the grip 18 and the spout 26 be positioned at opposite ends of the bowl 10, however, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from the grip 18 being proximate either side of the spout 26.

Often when pouring the contents of the bowl 10 into another container, the user will hold the bowl 10 adjacent to the rim of the other container for stability. Because of a regular mixing bowl's curvature, a mixing bowl may suddenly slip from the rim of the other container during pouring. Such a sudden slip usually leads to spilling of the ingredients. The bowl 10 of the present invention, however, comprises at least one protrusion 20 (see FIGS. 3-6 and FIG. 9) coupled to and extending from an outer surface 25 (see FIGS. 1, 3, 5, and 6) of the bowl 10, preferably proximate the spout 26. The protrusion 20 defines a groove 21 (see FIGS. 3, 6, and 9) dimensioned to receive a portion of the rim of the other container. While tilting the bowl 10, the user may align the groove 20 with the rim of the other container to prevent the bowl 10 from slipping. Therefore the groove 21 catches the bowl 10 upon the rim of another container and serves as the pivot point thereby stabilizing the bowl 10 while pouring ingredients from the bowl 10 into the other container. While, in the preferred embodiment, the bowl 10 comprises a groove 21, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative configuration of the present invention, in which there is more than one groove 21, in which the groove 21 is longer, wider or thicker, or in which there is no groove 21 at all. And while it is preferred that the groove 21 is defined by a protrusion 20, it should be clearly understood that further substantial benefit may be derived from a groove 21 that is integral and recessed within the outer surface 25 of the bowl 10.

Some mixing bowls also have measuring lines printed or etched upon their inner surfaces. However when mixing thick or opaque ingredients, such as batter, the measuring lines become difficult to detect. In the preferred embodiment, the bowl 10 of the present invention has a protruding bead with protruding measuring notches 22 (see FIGS. 2, 3, 7, and 8) along its inner surface 24 from the base 15 to an area proximate the rim 12. These protruding measuring notches 22 are easier to see and feel through thick and opaque ingredients present in the bowl 10. Although it is preferred that these protruding measuring notches 22 appear on the inner surface 24 of the bowl 10, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from the bowl 10 being clear and having other measuring indicia on its outside surface.

Some people prefer to crack eggs on the rim of their mixing bowls. In doing so, some of the egg contents tend to spill and run down along the outside surface of the mixing bowl. FIGS. 1-4 and FIGS. 6, 7, and 10 show the bowl 10 as having a ridge coupled to and protruding from the rim 12 proximate the grip 18. Preferably, the ridge 32 is angled to direct the contents of an egg (not shown) toward the inner surface 24 of the bowl 10 when the egg is cracked upon the ridge 32. While it is preferred that the bowl 10 have such a ridge 32, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from the ridge 32 being placed at an alternate location on the bowl 10, from the bowl 10 having more than one ridge 32, or from the bowl 10 having no such ridges 32.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, while the bowl 10 has been shown and described as having a spout 26, a gully 14, two wings 16, a grip 18, a ridge 32, and protruding measuring notches 22, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from a bowl 10 having as few as one of these features, or as many as all of them in combination.

Claims

1. An improved bowl comprising:

a bowl having an inner surface and a base opposite an open end, said open end having a rim;

a grip coupled to and extending substantially outwardly from said rim;

a spout formed from a portion of said open end for pouring ingredients from said bowl; and

a gully defined by said inner surface, said gully extending from said base to said spout of said bowl.

2. The bowl of claim 1 wherein said grip being substantially J-shaped.

3. The grip of claim 1 wherein said grip having a length and a width sufficient to fold over and rest on the back of a hand of a user while said user palms said bowl.

4. The bowl of claim 1 wherein said grip being positioned substantially opposite from said spout.

5. The bowl of claim 1 wherein said spout having a substantially flat tip, said substantially flat tip defining an edge proximate said gully.

6. The bowl of claim 1 further comprising at least one wing coupled to said rim and extending substantially inwardly from said rim, said wing coupled to said rim proximate a side of said spout.

7. The bowl of claim 6 wherein said at least one wing being:

a first wing coupled proximate a first side of said spout; and

a second wing coupled proximate a second side of said spout.

8. The bowl of claim 1 further comprising at least one protrusion coupled to and extending from an outer surface of said bowl proximate said spout, said at least one protrusion defining a groove dimensioned to receive a portion of a rim of another container during pouring.

9. The bowl of claim 1 further comprising a bead coupled to and protruding substantially inwardly from said inner surface of said bowl, said bead extending from said base to an area proximate said rim, said bead having a plurality of measuring notches thereon.

10. The bowl of claim 1 further comprising at least one ridge coupled to and protruding from said rim proximate said grip.

11. The ridge of claim 10 wherein said ridge being angled to direct contents of an egg toward said inner surface of said bowl when said egg being cracked upon said ridge.

12. An improved bowl comprising:

a bowl having an inner surface and a base opposite an open end, said open end having a rim;

a spout formed from a portion of said open end, said spout having a substantially flat tip, said substantially flat tip defining an edge proximate said gully, said edge breaking surface tension of ingredients being poured out of said bowl and said edge causing a reverse flow of said ingredients back down said gully toward said inner surface of said bowl when said bowl being returned to an upright position after pouring a desired amount of said ingredients from said bowl;

a substantially J-shaped grip coupled to and extending substantially outwardly from said rim, said grip being positioned substantially opposite from said spout;

a gully defined by said inner surface, said gully extending from said base to said spout of said bowl;

a first wing coupled to said rim and extending substantially inwardly from said rim, said first wing coupled to said rim proximate a first side of said spout; and

a second wing coupled to said rim and extending substantially inwardly from said rim, said second wing coupled to said rim proximate a second side of said spout.

13. The bowl of claim 12 further comprising at least one protrusion coupled to and extending from an outer surface of said bowl proximate said spout, said at least one protrusion defining a groove dimensioned to receive a portion of a rim of another container during pouring.

14. The bowl of claim 12 further comprising a bead coupled to and protruding substantially inwardly from said inner surface of said bowl, said bead extending from said base to an area proximate said rim, said bead having a plurality of measuring notches thereon.

15. The bowl of claim 12 further comprising a ridge coupled to and protruding from said rim proximate said grip, said ridge being angled to direct contents of an egg toward said inner surface of said bowl when said egg being cracked upon said ridge.

16. A method to reduce dripping while pouring comprising the steps of:

providing an improved bowl, said bowl comprising: a bowl having an inner surface and a base opposite an open end, said open end having a rim; a spout formed from a portion of said open end for pouring ingredients from said bowl, said spout having a substantially flat tip, said substantially flat tip defining an edge proximate said gully, said edge breaking surface tension of ingredients being poured out of said bowl and said edge causing a reverse flow of said ingredients back down said gully toward said inner surface of said bowl when said bowl being returned to an upright position after pouring a desired amount of said ingredients from said bowl; a substantially J-shaped grip coupled to and extending substantially outwardly from said rim, said grip being positioned substantially opposite from said spout; a gully defined by said inner surface, said gully extending from said base to said spout of said bowl; a first wing coupled to said rim and extending substantially inwardly from said rim, said first wing coupled to said rim proximate a first side of said spout; a second wing coupled to said rim and extending substantially inwardly from said rim, said second wing coupled to said rim proximate a second side of said spout; and at least one protrusion coupled to and extending from an outer surface of said bowl proximate said spout, said at least one protrusion defining a groove dimensioned to receive a portion of a rim of another container during pouring;

aligning said groove of said at least one protrusion with a rim of another container;

tilting said bowl toward said another container so that contents of said bowl being poured into said another container; and

returning said bowl to an upright position after pouring a desired amount of said ingredients from said bowl.