Nesting Bowl

Abstract

A nesting bowl is described and which, when used in combination with other nesting bowls of a similar design, permits a user to remove a smaller nesting bowl from the internal cavity of a larger nesting bowl by exerting a downwardly directed force on the circumscribing flange of the innermost nesting bowl so as to cause the innermost nesting bowl to assume an elevated, and angulated orientation which allows the innermost nesting bowl to be easily removed, by hand, without contaminating the internal cavity of the smaller nesting bowl.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a nesting bowl utilized in a set of nesting bowls, and which provides novel advantages by permitting the removal of individual nesting bowls from a nested, stacked configuration in a manner not possible, heretofore.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various designs of nesting bowls have been fabricated and sold through the years. Sets of nesting bowls provide many advantages for chefs, and every day cooks because these sets of nesting bowls, in their stacked and stored configuration, provide a range of bowl sizes which can facilitate the preparation of a meal, and which further minimizes the amount of space for storing such a range of bowl sizes in a kitchen or other cooking environment.

Typically, when a set of nesting bowls are stored, it is often difficult to remove smaller-sized nesting bowls from the stored, and nested configuration without placing one's hand within the smaller-sized nesting bowl in order to facilitate its removal. The prior art nesting bowls, and the typical means for removing a smaller-sized nesting bowls, are seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. One of the chief disadvantages of the aforementioned nesting bowl sets is what is illustrated in FIG. 2, and where, to remove a smaller-sized nesting bowl, an individual, by necessity, must place their finger or entire hand within the inside cavity of the smaller nesting bowl in order to remove same. This is undesirable for a number of different reasons. Chief among the problems associated with this action is that germs and other food particles may inadvertently be placed inside the internal cavity of the removed, smaller-sized nesting bowl thus requiring that the chef, or cook, wash the internal cavity of the nesting bowl, again, in order to remove any food debris or contamination that may have been inadvertently introduced into the internal cavity thereof.

While most chefs, and other cooks recognize that this contamination sometimes occurs. Oftentimes, in the rush to complete the preparation of a meal, or a given course during a meal, this second washing or cleaning of the internal cavity of a removed nesting bowl often is overlooked, or ignored. This is undesirable, inasmuch as contamination in the form of germs; and other food debris, and which might possibly cause an adverse allergic reaction for an individual consuming the meal, Obviously these problems should be avoided if at all possible.

A nesting bowl, and nesting bowl combination which avoids the problems associated with the prior art, and the practices associated with the prior art nesting bowls that have been utilized, heretofore, is the subject matter of the present patent application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention relates to a nesting bowl having a main body which has a top peripheral edge, and an interior facing surface which defines an internal cavity, and which further has a given shape and size, The main body has a circumscribing flange which is made integral with the top, peripheral edge, and which further extends laterally outwardly therefrom. An annular channel having variable dimensions is defined by the interior facing surface, and which is located near the top, peripheral edge thereof, and wherein the main body of the nesting bowl matingly cooperates with a second nesting bowl which has similar features, and which is either of a greater or lesser size than the first mentioned nesting bowl. The first mentioned nesting bowl, and the second nesting bowl, when disposed in a nested relationship, are located so that the circumscribing flange of each are oriented in a coplanar orientation, one relative to the other. An application of a downwardly directed force to the circumscribing flange of a smaller, innermost oriented nesting bowl is effective in moving the circumscribing flange of the innermost oriented, and smaller-sized nesting bowl, into an elevated, angular orientation relative to an outermost oriented, and larger-sized nesting bowl so as to assist in the removal of the innermost oriented, and smaller-sized nesting bowl from the outermost oriented, and larger-sized nesting bowl.

Still another aspect of the present invention relates to a nesting bowl which includes a main body defined by an exterior facing surface, and an opposite, interior facing surface, and wherein the exterior facing surface of the main body defines a base portion which is operable to support the main body of the nesting bowl in a predetermined orientation on an underlying supporting surface, and which further has a top, peripheral edge, and wherein the main body further has a circumscribing flange which is disposed in spaced relation relative to the base portion, and which is further disposed in a substantially coplanar orientation relative to the top, peripheral edge, and wherein the interior facing surface of the main body defines an internal cavity having a given volume, and shape, and wherein an annular channel is formed in the interior facing surface of the main body, and is further located in juxtaposed relation relative to the circumscribing flange, and the top peripheral edge, and wherein the annular channel is dimensioned to matingly, and operably cooperate with a circumscribing flange of a second, and smaller nesting bowl, and which is matingly nested within the internal cavity of the main body.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective, exploded view of a typical, prior art nesting bowl combination which has been utilized, heretofore.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a prior art nesting bowl combination, and showing a user's hand inserted, at least in part, within the internal cavity of a smaller-sized nesting bowl in order to remove it from a stacked, nesting bowl combination.

FIG. 3 is a perspective, exploded, side elevation view of a nesting bowl, and nesting bowl combination of the present invention,

FIG. 4 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view of a nesting bowl of the present invention and which is taken from a position along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective, side elevation view of the nesting bowl of the present invention, and which shows a user removing a nested, smaller dimensioned nesting bowl from a stacked configuration in a manner not possible heretofore.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science in useful arts” [Article 1, §8].

The nesting bowl and nesting bowl combination of the present invention is generally indicated by the numeral 10 in FIGS. 3 and 5, respectively. It should be understood that nesting bowls of various designs have been sold and utilized for many years. A prior art nesting bowl arrangement is seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. In this regard, the prior art nesting bowl combination 11 is formed of a smaller-sized nesting bowl 12; a pair of intermediate-sized nesting bowls 13; and a large-sized nesting bowl 14. The respective prior art nesting bowls each have a main body 15 which is generally semi-hemispherical in shape. Still further, each of the prior art nesting bowls 11 have a circumscribing flange 16, and further defines an internal cavity 17 which is conformably shaped so as to allow the nesting of a smaller-sized nesting bowl within the internal cavity 17 thereof. Referring now to FIG. 2, and when the prior art nesting bowl combination 11 is properly stored, the respective individual nesting bowls 11 are arranged, as illustrated, for easy storage. However, and as noted earlier in this patent application, to remove a smaller-sized nesting bowl from a stored, and nested configuration, a user 18 must insert their hand into the internal cavity 17 of one of the nesting bowls 11 so as to effect its removal. By doing this, the user 18, contaminates the internal cavity 17 with either germs, food debris, or both. This of course necessitates the cleaning of the removed nesting bowl 11 in order to remove the germs and food debris before further cooking can continue. Otherwise the prepared meal could be adversely contaminated.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the nesting bowls of the present invention are generally indicated by the numeral 10, and include a larger-sized nesting bowl 20, and a corresponding smaller-sized nesting bowl 21 which is operable to nest within same, While only two bowls are shown, it will be understood that both larger and smaller sized nesting bowls can also be provided. In this regard, the nesting bowl 10 of the present invention will be described, hereinafter, by referring to the same structures by utilizing an alpha-numeric designator. It should be understood that each of the respective nesting bowls 20 and 21 as seen in FIG. 3 have a main body 22A, and which relates to the larger-sized nesting bowl 20, and a corresponding main body 22B which refers to the smaller-sized nesting bowl 21. Further, each of the nesting bowls 20 and 21 each have an exterior facing surface 23A and 23B, respectively, and further have an opposite interior facing surface 24A and 24B, respectively. In this regard, the main body 22A and 223 of the respective large-sized nesting bowl 20, and small-size nesting bowl 21, has a base portion 25 which is dimensioned to support the respective nesting bowls 20 and 21, respectively, on an underlying supporting surface when in use (FIG. 4). Still further, the main body 22A and 22B, respectively, each include a top peripheral edge 26A and 8, and an internal cavity 27A and 273, respectively, and which is defined by the interior facing surface 24A and 24B, respectively. It should be understood that the main body 22A and 228, respectively, are both semi-hemispherical in shape. However, the overall size of the main body 22B is dimensioned so that it may be received in a nested or stored configuration within the internal cavity 27A, of the larger-size nesting bowl 20.

The larger-sized nesting bowl 20, and smaller-sized nesting bowl 21 each have a circumscribing flange which is generally indicated by the numerals 40A and 40B, respectively. The circumscribing flange 40A, as illustrated in FIG. 4, is made integral with the top, peripheral edge 26A and B, of the respective nesting bowls 20 and 21, respectively. The circumscribing flange 40A and 40B, respectively, extend substantially radially outwardly relative to the top peripheral edge 26A and 26B, respectively. Still further, the circumscribing flanges 40A and 40B, each have a top surface of 41A and B, respectively, and an opposite, bottom surface 42A and B, respectively. As seen in FIG. 3, and following, an indicia, here indicated by the numbers 43A and 43B, respectively, are formed in, or otherwise attached to, the top surface 41A and 41B, respectively, of the circumscribing flanges 40A and B. The respective indicia of 43A and 43B are individually positioned adjacent to a location along or near to the annular channel 60A and 60B, respectively, and which has the maximum width dimension. This will be discussed, below.

As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4 the main body 22A and B, and more specifically the interior facing surface thereof, 24A and B, respectively, has formed into the interior facing surface an annular channel 60A and 60B respectively, The respective annular channels which are formed in the interior facing surface are located near the top peripheral edge 26A and 26B, respectively. The annular channel 60A and B extend substantially continuously about the interior facing surface, and further has a substantially similar depth dimension along its length, but further has a variable width dimension, In this regard, the annular channel 60A and 60B, respectively, each has a depth dimension indicated by the line labeled 61A, as seen in FIG. 4, and further has a width dimension that is generally indicated by the numeral 62A and B as seen in FIG. 3. It should be understood that the annular channel 60A and 60B each has a location or region 63A or B and which has a maximum width dimension ; and a second location 64A or B and which has a minimum width dimension. It should be appreciated, from a study of FIGS. 3 and 4, that the location of the maximum width dimension 63 of the annular channel 60A and 60B, respectively, is located adjacent to the indicia 43A and 43B, respectively. The location of the maximum width dimension 63A or B is located on opposite sides of the main body 22A and 22B, respectively. Still further the location of the minimum width dimension 64A and B, of the annular channels 60A and B, is located at a position which is about 90° offset from the location where the maximum width dimension 63A or B is located on the main body 22A and 22B, respectively.

As best seen by a study of FIGS. 3 and 4, it will be appreciated that when the smaller-sized nesting bowl 21 is received within the internal cavity 27A of the larger-sized nesting bowl 20, that the corresponding circumscribing flanges 40A and 40B are substantially oriented in a coplanar position one relative to the other, However, when a downwardly directed force 70, as seen in FIG. 5, is applied to the top surface 418, in the region of the indicia 43A, and which is on the circumscribing flange 40A, this downwardly directed force 70, and which is typically applied by the hand of the user 18, causes the smaller-sized nesting bowl 21, and more specifically the circumscribing flange 40B, to be moved into an angulated, elevated orientation relative to the outermost oriented, and larger-sized nesting bowl 20, so as to assist in the removal of the innermost oriented and smaller-sized nesting bowl 21 from the outermost oriented and larger-sized nesting bowl 20 (FIG. 5). In this regard, it should be appreciated that the bottom surface 42B of the smaller-sized nesting bowl 21, rests on the interior facing surface 24A, and which, at least in part, forms the location of the minimum width region 64A of the larger-sized nesting bowl 20. Consequently, when force is applied to the circumscribing flange 40B, of the smaller-sized nesting bowl 21, and in the area of the maximum width dimension 63A of the larger-sized nesting bowl 20, the smaller-size nesting bowl 21 is operable to rock into an angulated elevated position 71 as seen in FIG. 5, so as to provide an easy removal of the smaller-sized nesting bowl 21 without the insertion of a person's fingers or hand 18 within the internal cavity 27B. It should be understood that the inside diametral dimension of the larger-sized nesting bowl 20, and which is measured in the region of the annular channel 60A, is slightly greater than the outside diametral dimension of the circumscribing flange 40B of the smaller-sized nesting bowl 21. Consequently, the smaller-sized nesting bowl 21, when received in a nesting relationship within the internal cavity 27A of the larger-sized nesting bowl 20, allows the circumscribing flanges of the respective nesting bowls 40A and B to be oriented in a coplanar position one relative to the other. In this coplanar position or orientation, the base portion 25B of the smaller-sized nesting bowl 21 is disposed in spaced relation relative to the interior facing surface 24A, of the large sized nesting bowl 20. This spatial orientation allows the rocking of the smaller nesting bowl 21 relative to the larger nesting bowl 20 as seen in FIG. 5.

OPERATION

The operation of the described embodiment of the present invention 10 is believed to be readily apparent, and is briefly summarized at this point.

In its broadest aspect the present invention 10 relates to a nesting bowl 20 and which includes a main body 22A which has a top peripheral edge 26A, and an interior facing surface 24A. The interior facing surface defines an internal cavity 27A, The internal cavity 27A further has a given shape and size. The main body 22A further has a circumscribing flange 40A which is made integral with the top, peripheral edge 26A, and which further extends laterally outwardly therefrom. It should be understood that an annular channel 60A, having variable dimensions, is defined by the interior facing surface 24A, and is further located near the top, peripheral edge 26A thereof. The main body 22A of the nesting bowl 20 matingly cooperates with a second nesting bowl 21, and which has similar features, and which further is either of a greater or lesser size than the first mentioned nesting bowl 20. The first mentioned nesting bowl 20, and the second nesting bowl 21, when disposed in a nested relationship are oriented so that the circumscribing flanges 40A and B, respectively, of each, are located in a coplanar orientation, one relative to the other. As seen in FIG. 5, an application of a downwardly directed force 70, to the circumscribing flange 40B of a smaller, innermost oriented nesting bowl 21, is effective in moving the circumscribing flange 40B of the innermost oriented, and smaller-sized nesting bowl 21, into an elevated, angular orientation 71, relative to the outermost oriented, and larger-sized nesting bowl 20 so as to assist in the removal of the innermost oriented, and smaller-sized nesting bowl 21, from the outermost oriented, and larger-sized nesting bowl 20 (FIG. 5). This of course allows a user to easily grasp the smaller nesting bowl without inserting the user's hands into the internal cavity 27B.

In the arrangement as seen in the drawings, the main body 22 of the present invention 10 is generally semi-hemispherical in shape, and the circumscribing flange 40 extends substantially radially, outwardly with respect to the top peripheral edge 26 thereof. The circumscribing flange 40 has a predetermined diametral dimension which allows the nesting bowl 21 to be received in a nesting or stored relationship within the internal cavity 27A of another, larger-sized nesting bowl 20. It should be appreciated that the annular channel 60A or B of the larger-sized nesting bowl 20 is dimensioned to matingly and operably cooperate with the circumscribing flange 40B of the second smaller-sized nesting bowl 21, and which further is inwardly oriented relative thereto, and matingly received within the internal cavity 27A of the larger-sized nesting bowl 20. It should also be understood from the drawings, that the annular channel 60 has a substantially uniform depth dimension 61A and B, and a variable width dimension 62A and B when measured along a length dimension of the annular channel 60A and B. It will be appreciated from the drawings that the top peripheral edge 26A and B is circular in shape, and the main body 22A and B has opposite sides. In the arrangement as seen in the drawings, the annular channel 60A and B has a maximum width dimension which is oriented in predetermined locations which are on the opposite sides of the main body 22A and B. In this arrangement, the annular channel 60A and B has a minimum width dimension 64A and B, and which is oriented in predetermined locations which are on opposite sides of the main body, and which are further oriented at locations which are about 90° offset from the locations which have the maximum width dimension 63A and B.

The nesting bowl 10 of the present invention, and more specifically the main body 22A of the larger-sized nesting bowl 20, when measured in the region of the annular channel 60A, thereof, is greater than the outside diametral dimension of the circumscribing flange 40B, of the smaller-sized nesting bowl 21, and which is oriented inwardly relative thereto, and which is further matingly received within the internal cavity 27A of the outermost oriented and larger-sized nesting bowl 20. In the arrangement as seen in the drawings, the visibly discernable indicia 43A and B, respectively, are oriented on each of the circumscribing flanges 40A and 40B, of the respective nesting bowls 20 and 21, and is further oriented adjacent to the location of the annular channel 60A and B, respectively, of the nesting bowls 20 and 21, and which has the maximum width dimension 63A and B, As will be appreciated from a study of FIG. 5, the downwardly directed force 70 which is applied to the circumscribing flange 40B of the smaller-sized, innermost located nesting bowl 21, at a location which is adjacent to the visibly discernable indicia 43A, of the immediately outermost and larger-sized nesting bowl 20, is effective in rocking this smaller-sized nesting bowl 21 into an elevated, angular orientation 71, so as to facilitate the easy removal of the smaller-sized nesting bowl 21 from the internal cavity 27A of the immediately outermost and larger-sized nesting bowl 20 without resort to contaminating the internal cavity 27B thereof.

As earlier discussed, the circumscribing flanges 40A and B of the respective nesting bowls 20 and 21, respectively, each have a top, and an opposite bottom surface 41 and 42, A and B, respectively. It should be understood that the bottom surface 42B of the circumscribing flange 40B, of the smaller-sized, and innermost located nesting bowl 21, rests in contact with a location of the annular channel 60A of the outermost located, and larger-sized nesting bowl 20, and which has the minimum width dimension 64A. In this arrangement the downwardly directed force 70 rocks the innermost, and smaller-sized nesting bowl 21 about the minimum width location 64A, of the annular channel 60A of the outermost oriented and larger-sized nesting bowl 21. As should be appreciated from the drawings, the innermost and smaller-sized nesting bowl 21 is spaced from the interior facing surface 24A of the outermost and larger-sized nesting bowl 20 when the respective nesting bowls 20 and 21 are nested together, and the respective circumscribing flanges 40A and 40B, are disposed in a coplanar orientation, one relative to the other. It should be appreciated, that the width dimension 62, of the annular channel 60A and B, respectively, gradually diminishes when the annular channel is measured in a direction extending from the location having the greatest width dimension 63A or B, to the location which has the minimum width dimension 64A or B.

Therefore, it will be appreciated that the present invention provides many advantages over nesting bowl configurations which have been utilized, heretofore. In particular, the present invention provides a convenient means for allowing a user to remove a smaller nesting bowl from the internal cavity of a larger nesting bowl without the need for inserting the fingers or hand of the user into the internal cavity thereof, and thereby contaminating the internal cavity with germs, food debris and the like.

In compliance with the statute the present invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodological features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the Doctrine of Equivalence.

Claims

1. A nesting bowl, comprising:

main body which has a top peripheral edge, and an interior facing surface which defines an internal cavity and which further has a given shape and size, and wherein the main body has a circumscribing flange which is made integral with the top, peripheral edge, and which extends laterally outwardly therefrom, and wherein an annular channel having variable dimensions is defined by the interior facing surface, and which is located near the top, peripheral edge thereof, and wherein the main body of the nesting bowl matingly cooperates with a second nesting bowl which has similar features, and which is either of a greater or lesser size than the first mentioned nesting bowl, and wherein the first mentioned nesting bowl, and the second nesting bowl, when disposed in a nested relationship are oriented so that the circumscribing flange of each are oriented in a coplanar orientation, one relative to the other, and wherein an application of a downwardly directed force to the circumscribing flange of a smaller, innermost oriented nesting bowl is effective in moving the circumscribing flange of the innermost oriented and smaller-sized nesting bowl into an elevated, angular orientation relative to an outermost oriented, and larger-sized nesting bowl so as to assist in the removal of the innermost oriented, and smaller-sized nesting bowl from the outermost oriented, and larger-sized nesting bowl.

2. A nesting bowl as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the main body is generally semi-hemispherical in shape, and the circumscribing flange extends substantially radially, outwardly, with respect to the top peripheral edge thereof, and wherein the circumscribing flange has a predetermined diametral dimension which allows the nesting bowl to be received in a nesting relationship within the internal cavity of another, larger-sized nesting bowl.

3. A nesting bowl as claimed in claim 2, and wherein the annular channel of the larger-sized nesting bowl is dimensioned to matingly, and operably cooperate with the circumscribing flange of the second, smaller-sized, nesting bowl, and which is inwardly oriented relative thereto, and matingly received within the internal cavity of the larger-sized nesting bowl.

4. A nesting bowl as claimed in claim 3, and wherein the annular channel has a substantially uniform depth dimension, and a variable width dimension when measured along a length dimension of the annular channel.

5. A nesting bowl as claimed in claim 4, and wherein the top peripheral edge is circular in shape, and the main body has opposite sides, and wherein the annular channel has a maximum width dimension which is oriented in predetermined locations which are on the opposite sides of the main body, and wherein the annular channel has a minimum width dimension which is oriented in predetermined locations which are on opposite sides of the main body, and which are further oriented at locations which are about 90 degrees offset from the locations which have the maximum width dimension.

6. A nesting bowl as claimed in claim 5, and wherein an inside diametral dimension of the main body of the larger-sized nesting bowl, when measured in the region of the annular channel thereof, is greater than an outside diametral dimension of the circumscribing flange of the smaller-sized nesting bowl, and which is oriented inwardly relative thereto, and which is further matingly received within the internal cavity of the outermost oriented, and larger-sized nesting bowl.

7. A nesting bowl as claimed in claim 6, and wherein, a visibly discernible indicia is oriented on the circumscribing flange of the respective nesting bowls, and is oriented adjacent to the location of the annular channel of the respective nesting bowl, and which has the maximum width dimension, and wherein the downwardly directed force is applied on the circumscribing flange of the smaller-sized, innermost located nesting bowl at a location which is adjacent to the visibly discernible indicia of the immediately outermost and larger-sized nesting bowl, and is effective in rocking the smaller-sized nesting bowl into the angular orientation so as to facilitate the easy removal of the smaller-sized nesting bowl from the internal cavity of the immediately outermost, and larger-sized nesting bowl.

8. A nesting bowl as claimed in claim 7, and wherein the circumscribing flange of the respective nesting bowls have a top, and an opposite, bottom surface, and wherein the bottom surface of the circumscribing flange of the smaller-sized, innermost located nesting bowl, rests in contact with the location of the annular channel of the outermost located and larger-sized nesting bowl, and which has the minimum width dimension, and wherein the downwardly directed force rocks the innermost and smaller-sized nesting bowl about the minimum width location of the annular channel of the outermost oriented and larger-sized nesting bowl.

9. A nesting bowl as claimed in claim 8, and wherein each of the innermost and outermost oriented nesting bowls have an exterior facing surface which defines a bottom surface, and which further supports the respective nesting bowls on an adjacent, supporting surface, and wherein the bottom surface of the innermost and smaller-sized nesting bowl is spaced from the interior facing surface of the outermost, and larger-sized nesting bowl when the respective nesting bowls are nested together, and the respective circumscribing flanges are disposed in a coplanar orientation, one relative to the other.

10. A nesting bowl as claimed in claim 9, and wherein the width dimension of the annular channel gradually diminishes when measured in a direction extending from the location having the greatest width dimension, to the location which has the minimum width dimension.

11. A nesting bowl, comprising:

a main body defined by an exterior facing surface, and an opposite, interior facing surface, and wherein the exterior facing surface of the main body defines a base portion which is operable to support the main body of the nesting bowl in a predetermined orientation on an underlying supporting surface, and which further has top, peripheral edge, and wherein the main body further has a circumscribing flange which is disposed in spaced relation relative to the base portion, and which is further disposed in a substantially coplanar orientation relative to the top, peripheral edge, and wherein the interior facing surface of the main body defines an internal cavity having a given volume, and shape, and wherein an annular channel is formed in the interior facing surface of the main body, and is further located in juxtaposed relation relative to the circumscribing flange, and the top peripheral edge, and wherein the annular channel is dimensioned to matingly, and operably cooperate with a circumscribing flange of a second, and smaller nesting bowl, and which is matingly nested within the internal cavity of the main body.

12. A nesting bowl as claimed in claim 11, and wherein the main body of the first mentioned nesting bowl has a substantially circular cross-section, and the exterior facing surface has a generally semi-hemispherical shape, and wherein the circumscribing flange extends substantially radially, outwardly, relative to the main body of the first mentioned nesting bowl, and the top, peripheral edge thereof, and wherein the annular channel has a substantially uniform depth dimension, and a variable width dimension when measured along a length dimension of the annular channel.

13. A nesting bowl as claimed in claim 12, and wherein the top peripheral edge is circular, and the main body has opposite sides, and wherein the annular channel has a maximum width dimension which is oriented in predetermined locations which are on opposite sides of the main body, and wherein the annular channel has a minimum width dimension which is oriented in predetermined locations which are on opposite sides of the main body and which are further oriented at locations which are about 90 degrees offset from the locations having the maximum width dimension.

14. A nesting bowl as claimed in claim 13, and wherein an inside diametral dimension of the main body of the first mentioned nesting bowl, when measured in the region of the annular channel, is greater than an outside diametral dimension of a circumscribing flange of the smaller nesting bowl, and wherein the smaller nesting bowl when received in the internal cavity of the nesting bowl is located in an orientation where the flange of the smaller nesting bowl is located in a coplanar orientation relative to the flange of the first mentioned nesting bowl.

15. A nesting bowl as claimed in claim 14, and wherein a visibly discernible indicia is oriented on the circumscribing flange of the first mentioned nesting bowl, and is oriented adjacent to the location of the annular channel of the first mentioned nesting bowl, and which has the maximum width dimension, and wherein a downwardly directed force applied on the circumscribing flange of the smaller nesting bowl, in a location which is adjacent to the visibly discernible indicia, is effective in rocking the smaller nesting bowl into an orientation where the circumscribing flange of the smaller nesting bowl moves from a coplanar orientation relative to the circumscribing flange of the first mentioned and outwardly oriented nesting bowl, to an elevated, angular orientation, and which permits the easy removal of the smaller nesting bowl from the internal cavity of the first mentioned and outwardly oriented nesting bowl.

16. A nesting bowl as claimed in claim 15, and wherein the smaller nesting bowl has an interior facing surface, and a top peripheral edge, and wherein the circumscribing flange of the smaller nesting bowl extends radially, outwardly relative to the top peripheral edge thereof, and wherein the smaller nesting bowl has an annular channel formed in the interior facing surface, and which is located near the top, peripheral edge, and which further has a substantially uniform depth dimension, and a variable width dimension when measured along a length dimension of the annular channel, and wherein a visibly discernible indicia is oriented on the circumscribing flange of the smaller nesting bowl, and is further located adjacent to the location of the annular channel of the smaller nesting bowl and which has the greatest width dimension.

17. A nesting bowl as claimed in claim 16, and wherein the width dimension of the annular channel gradually diminishes when measured in a direction extending from the location having the greatest width dimension, to the location which has the minimum width dimension.