REFRESH COLLECTION DINNERWARE

Abstract

The Refresh Collection Dinnerware is a line of functional dinnerware that is preprinted with the nutritional benefits of vitamins and other ingredients found in a wide variety of foods. The Refresh Collection provides health conscious consumers with plates, saucers, bowls and glassware that are instructive as well as motivational. Also provided is dinnerware with inspirational messages and images.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/970,253 filed Mar. 25, 2014, of common inventorship herewith entitled, “Refresh Collection,” which is incorporated herein by reference as though the same were set forth in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of health, and more specifically to the field of instructional information about healthy eating.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art has put forth several designs for instructional information about healthy eating. Among these are:

U.S. Pat. No. 7,416,094 to Leonard R. Sokola, Sr. describes a dinnerware article, such as a dish or plate, bearing a raised likeness of a creature connoting obesity. The article also bears a graphical diet reminder, instructing the user regarding healthful amounts or types of foods for his or her consumption.

U.S. Pat. D660,087 to Christian Ewen and Natalia Stasenko describes a dinner plate constructed with definitive portion indicators for an amount of whole grains, proteins and vegetables served on a plate and eaten from same plate. The proportionate amount is approximately one part protein and one part whole grains to two parts vegetables.

U.S. Pat. D443,176 to Gun Ch. Strandberg describes a nutritionally themed dinner plate imprinted with cartoon type character images on a food chart that is a proportionally divided triangle with the top apex and smallest portion displaying humorous protein characters portraying beef, chicken and fish. The larger middle portion displays humorous vegetable characters including carrots, onions, cabbage and broccoli. The largest base portion displays humorous nutritional characters-including cheese, milk and whole grains.

None of these prior art references describe the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a line of functional and attractive dinnerware imprinted with nutritional benefits of vitamins and other healthy ingredients found in a wide variety of foods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a prototypical top down view showing a dinner plate imprinted with descriptive information about Vitamin A, food sources for Vitamin A, and pictures of the Vitamin A food sources.

FIG. 2 is a prototypical top down view showing a bowl and plate imprinted with descriptive information about Vitamin C, food sources for Vitamin C, and pictures of the Vitamin C food sources.

FIG. 3 is a prototypical top down front view showing a drinking glass imprinted with descriptive information about potassium, food sources for potassium, and pictures of the potassium food sources.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Obesity in humans is considered to be a leading cause of major health problems. In the last three decades, the growth rate of obesity has accelerated markedly and is increasingly becoming a public health concern. While scientific and cultural definitions of obesity are subject to change, it is accepted that excessive body weight predisposes to various forms of disease, particularly cardiovascular disease. To help fight problems inherent with obesity, it is essential for consumers to educate themselves on the foods they eat, thus increasing their awareness of food ingredients that are detrimental to their weight loss goals and their overall health. Learning about the best foods for consumption is one of the best defenses against health and obesity problems. With knowledge in one's arsenal, quality of life is sure to improve, allowing consumers to always look and feel their best.

The present invention, hereinafter referred to as the Refresh Collection Dinnerware, or simply Refresh Collection, is a line of functional dinnerware that is preprinted with the nutritional benefits of vitamins and other ingredients found in a wide variety of foods. The Refresh Collection provides health conscious consumers with plates, saucers, bowls and glassware that are instructive as well as motivational. The present invention provides food education directly on the dishes upon which one enjoys a meal or snack. The Refresh Collection contains an assortment of dinner plates, a matching bowl and saucer, and a set-of drinking glasses. The dinner plates 20, an example of which is shown in FIG. 1, are manufactured in stone earthenware and measure approximately eight to nine inches in diameter. Similarly constructed, the bowls 22 and saucers 24, examples of which are shown in FIG. 2, are standard sizes of these dishes. Completing the Refresh Collection, the glassware 26 is comprised of approximately eight beverage receptacles, an example of which is shown in FIG. 3, capable of holding up to approximately eight ounces.

The printed information found on the Refresh Collection is what differentiates the present invention from common dinnerware. Each piece in the Refresh Collection displays printed information 12 pertaining to a particular vitamin or mineral, helpfully disclosing its benefits as well as providing a list of foods 14 that feature the ingredient. Examples of vitamins and minerals included in the Refresh Collection are Vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K, as well as potassium and calcium. A dish prominently displays Vitamin A as its caption. Below this caption, a summary lists benefits of Vitamin A such as how it protects against cancer, prevents eye problems, promotes skin repair, helps teeth, aids in bone formation and builds up immunity. Foods rich in Vitamin A are listed under a heading named Sources, such as carrots, spinach, mangos, cantaloupes or peaches. Around the perimeter of the plate are attractive illustrations of these foods. A disclaimer 16 advising consumers to always seek professional advice for recommended dosage is printed at the bottom of the plate's front surface.

In an embodiment, the dinnerware can be augmented with religious themed, inspirational images and messages. Included is an appropriate Bible verse along with a rendering of praying hands which reminds each user how thankful they are for their blessings of healthier meals. As with most dinnerware, the Refresh Collection is easily cleaned in a sink or dishwasher as necessary.

The Refresh Collection provides health conscious consumers with an effectively instructive means of better controlling their diets. A line of plates, bowls, saucers and drinking glasses convey the benefits of healthy foods. The Refresh Collection eliminates guesswork commonly associated with trying to determine which foods are best for one's well being and weight loss goals. Consumers avoid overindulging in food choices that pack on pounds or increase cholesterol levels. Dishwasher safe and made of durable, high quality materials, this product will withstand years of continued use.

Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

Claims

1. A line of functional and attractive dinnerware imprinted with information regarding nutritional benefits of vitamins and other healthy ingredients found in a wide variety of foods, comprising: plates, saucers; bowls and glassware.

2. The dinnerware of claim 1 comprising a plate manufactured in stone earthenware and measures approximately eight to nine inches in diameter.

3. The dinnerware of claim 1 comprising a bowl and saucer manufactured in stone earthenware.

4. The dinnerware of claim 1 comprising a glass capable of holding up to approximately eight ounces.

5. The dinnerware of claim 1, wherein the imprinted information pertains to a particular vitamin or mineral, disclosing benefits of the vitamin or mineral and a list of foods that feature the ingredient.

6. The dinnerware of claim 5, wherein the imprinted information pertaining to a particular vitamin or mineral include information pertaining to Vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K, and potassium and calcium.

7. The dinnerware of claim 5, further comprising: illustrations of foods containing the vitamin or mineral.

8. The dinnerware of claim 6, wherein the imprinted information pertains to Vitamin A, wherein the information comprises a summary lists benefits of Vitamin A including protection against cancer, prevention of eye problems, promotion of skin repair, helping teeth, aiding in bone formation and building up immunity; additionally, the information includes foods rich in Vitamin A listed under a heading named Sources, comprising carrots, spinach, mangos, cantaloupes or peaches.

9. The dinnerware of claim 5, further including a disclaimer advising consumers to always seek professional advice for recommended dosage.

10. The dinnerware of claim 5, further comprising a religious themed, inspirational image and message.

11. The dinnerware of claim 10, wherein the religious themed, inspirational message is an appropriate Bible verse, and the image is a rendering of praying hands which reminds each user how thankful they are for their blessings of healthier meals.

12. The dinnerware of claim 5, wherein the dinnerware is easily cleaned in a sink or dishwasher as necessary.