U.S. patent application number 09/963135 was filed with the patent office on 2002-04-11 for feeding dishes for children.
Invention is credited to Hakim, Nouri E..
Application Number | 20020040906 09/963135 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22883988 |
Filed Date | 2002-04-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020040906 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hakim, Nouri E. |
April 11, 2002 |
Feeding dishes for children
Abstract
Improved feeding dishes for children. The dishes are
microwaveable containers such as plates or bowls having one or more
lids thereon. The containers include pressure release opening such
as vents for releasing pressure from the container while the dish
is heated in a microwave. Automatic vents, which release pressure
once the pressure releases a given level, and manual vents, which
are opened and closed by the parent, are provided. Preferably, the
containers are composites of soft and hard components.
Inventors: |
Hakim, Nouri E.; (Monroe,
LA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Morris E. Cohen
Suite 217
1122 Coney Island Avenue
Brooklyn
NY
11230-2345
US
|
Family ID: |
22883988 |
Appl. No.: |
09/963135 |
Filed: |
September 25, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60235072 |
Sep 25, 2000 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/574.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 36/06 20130101;
A47J 36/027 20130101; B65D 81/3453 20130101; B65D 43/0222 20130101;
A47J 45/063 20130101; B65D 51/165 20130101; B65D 51/1683 20130101;
A47J 27/09 20130101; A47J 45/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/574.2 |
International
Class: |
A47G 019/00; A47G
021/00; A47G 023/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A feeding dish for children, comprising: a container, said
container comprising a pressure release opening therein.
2. A feeding dish as claimed in claim 1, wherein said dish is
constructed of microwaveable components.
3. A feeding dish as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pressure
release opening is an automatic vent.
4. A feeding dish as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pressure
release opening is a manual vent.
5. A feeding dish as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pressure
release opening comprises a flexible material, said flexible
material comprising a slit.
6. A feeding dish as claimed in claim 1, wherein dish comprises a
handle, and said pressure release opening is located in said
handle.
7. A feeding dish as claimed in claim 1, wherein said dish further
comprises a lid and a handle.
8. A feeding dish as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pressure
release opening comprises at least two channels, said pressure
release opening having an open position wherein said channels
overlap and a closed position wherein said channels do not
overlap.
9. A feeding dish as claimed in claim 8, wherein said dish
comprises a lid and a handle, and wherein said two channels
comprise a channel in said lid and a channel in said handle.
10. A feeding dish as claimed in claim 3, wherein said automatic
vent opens at a predetermined pressure level, and closes below said
predetermined pressure level.
11. A feeding dish as claimed in claim 1, wherein said dish is a
plate.
12. A feeding dish as claimed in claim 1, wherein said dish is a
bowl.
13. A feeding dish as claimed in claim 1, wherein said dish
comprises a lid.
14. A feeding dish as claimed in claim 12, wherein said bowl has a
domed lid.
15. A feeding dish as claimed in claim 13, wherein said lid is a
snap-on lid.
16. A feeding dish as claimed in claim 1, wherein said feeding dish
comprises a lid, and wherein said pressure release opening is a
vent in said lid.
17. A feeding dish as claimed in claim 1, wherein said dish
comprises compartments.
18. A feeding dish as claimed in claim 17, wherein each of said
compartments has a lid.
19. A feeding dish as claimed in claim 17, wherein each of said
compartments comprises at least one of said pressure release
openings.
20. A feeding dish as claimed in claim 17, wherein each of said
compartments has a lid.
21. A feeding dish as claimed in claim 17, wherein said dish
comprises a lid for each of said compartments, and wherein each of
said lids comprises at least one of said pressure release
openings.
22. A feeding dish as claimed in claim 1, wherein said dish is
constructed of soft and hard components.
23. A feeding dish as claimed in claim 1, wherein said dish
includes a soft grip handle.
24. A feeding dish as claimed in claim 1, wherein said dish
includes a soft, slide-resistant base.
25. A feeding dish as claimed in claim 22, wherein said soft
components are selected from the group consisting of: Kraton,
silicone, and TPE.
26. A feeding dish as claimed in claim 22, wherein hard components
comprise a rigid plastic.
27. A feeding dish as claimed in claim 1, wherein said dish
comprises a handle comprising said pressure release opening, and
wherein said handle has a locking mechanism.
28. A feeding dish as claimed in claim 1, wherein said dish
comprises a lid comprising a handle, wherein said handle comprises
a protuberance and said lid comprises an indentation, such that
said protuberance extends into said indentation as a locking
mechanism.
Description
Related Applications
[0001] The present application claims the priority of U.S.
Provisional Application Serial No. 60/235,072 filed Sep. 25, 2000,
which is fully incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is directed to improved feeding dishes
for children, such as feeding plates and bowls.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Frequently, parents wish to heat up food for small children.
One convenient way to do so is to place the food in a feeding dish
and to heat the food in a microwave. However, if the food is heated
without a top, the food (and/or any liquid in the dish) can
splatter, making a mess on the inside of the microwave.
[0004] An alternative is to heat the food with the lid only
partially covering the dish, so as to prevent the problem of
splattering. Yet, this is not an entirely satisfactory method
either. Heating is somewhat inefficient using this method and some
splattering may still occur due to the gap between the lid and the
dish.
[0005] Furthermore, securely attaching the top to the dish is also
relatively undesirable. Steam and heat can build up within the dish
while heating. When the parent removes the top, that steam and heat
may be quickly released. If the parent is not careful or if the
child is nearby, the child can be exposed to this quick release of
heat and steam when the top is removed.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for improved feeding
dishes which allow quick and relatively efficient heating in the
microwave while preventing splattering, and which reduce or
eliminate the risk of scalding the child when the top is
removed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide improved
feeding dishes and containers for children.
[0008] It is a further object to provide improved feeding dishes
for children which can be efficiently microwaved without
splattering.
[0009] It is a further object to provide improved feeding dishes
for children which reduce the risk of releasing steam or heat into
the child's face when the top is removed.
[0010] Further objects of the invention will become apparent in
conjunction with the disclosure provided herein.
[0011] The present invention is directed to improved feeding dishes
for children in the form of containers such as plates or bowls. The
containers have components which allow pressure such as steam or
other heat to be released from the container during heating.
[0012] In the preferred embodiment, the container includes a
pressure release opening such as a vent, and is constructed of
components which are suitable for being microwaved (and/or for
being heated in an oven). In one embodiment, the vent automatically
releases pressure from the container, once the pressure reaches a
given level. In a further embodiment, the pressure vent can be
opened and closed by a parent. This selective opening and closing
allows the parent to control pressure release as desired. For
example, the parent can leave the vent open while microwaving the
food to allow pressure and steam to be released from the dish
during the heating process. After cooking the food, the vent can be
closed to maintain the warmth of the food within the container.
[0013] In further preferred embodiments, the plates and bowls are
composites of soft and hard components. For example, Kraton,
silicone, TPE, or other flexible materials can be used for the soft
components, and polypropylene or other rigid materials or rigid
plastics can be used for the hard components.
[0014] The containers are also preferably suited for eating
directly therefrom. They can be directly inserted into a microwave
for heating their contents, and can also be used for storage of
food in a refrigerator, or for travel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a series of views of a feeding container in
accordance with the present invention, with FIG. 1(a) being a top
view thereof; FIG. 1(b) being a perspective view thereof; and FIG.
1(c) being a side view.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a further series of views of a feeding container
showing a vent mechanism, in accordance with the present invention,
with FIG. 2(a) being a top view of the feeding container; FIG. 2b)
being a cross-sectional view of section 48 of FIG. 2(c) showing a
pressure vent in the feeding container; and FIG. 2(c) is a side
view of the feeding container. FIG. 2(d) is a top view of the vent
in FIGS. 2(a)-2(c), with the slit in the closed position. FIG. 2(e)
is a top view of the vent in FIGS. 2(a)-2(c), with the slit in the
open position.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a series of views of an additional or alternative
embodiment of a feeding container, in accordance with the present
invention, showing a vent mechanism in a lid handle. FIG. 3(a) is a
top view of the feeding container; FIG. 3(b) is a cross-sectional
view of the feeding container showing a pressure vent in the
handle; and FIG. 3(c) is a further cross-sectional view.
[0018] FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are perspective views of the feeding
container of FIG. 3.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a series of views of an embodiment of the
invention in which the lid handle has an integrated pressure vent,
as follows:
[0020] FIG. 5(a) is a front view of a lid handle having an
integrated pressure vent.
[0021] FIG. 5(b) is a front view of an insert or extension off of
the container lid which serves as a holder for the lid handle.
[0022] FIG. 5(c) is a front view of the handle of FIG. 5(a) located
within the insert of FIG. 5(b), with the configuration of handle
and insert being in the open vent position.
[0023] FIG. 5(d) is a front view of the handle of FIG. 5(a) located
within the insert of FIG. 5(b), with the configuration of handle
and insert being in the closed vent position.
[0024] FIG. 5(e) is a bottom view of the lid handle of FIG.
5(a).
[0025] FIG. 5(f) is a top view of the insert of FIG. 5(b).
[0026] FIG. 5(g) is a cross sectional view of the handle of FIG.
5(a) located within the insert of FIG. 5(b), with the configuration
of handle and insert being in the open vent position, viewed from
the bottom of the assembly.
[0027] FIG. 5(h) is a cross sectional view of the handle of FIG.
5(a) located within the insert of FIG. 5(b), with the configuration
of handle and insert being in the closed vent position, viewed from
the top of the assembly.
[0028] FIG. 5(i) is a back view of the configuration shown in FIG.
5(d), with the handle and insert being in the closed vent
position.
[0029] FIG. 5(j) is a side view of the handle and insert showing a
locking mechanism to lock the handle into a given configuration
(whether an open or closed vent position).
[0030] FIG. 6 are views of a further embodiment of the invention, a
travel bowl with a flat lid. FIG. 6(a) is a top view of the travel
bowl; FIG. 6(b) is a cross sectional view of the bowl of FIG. 6(a);
and FIG. 6(c) is a enlargement of the vent of FIG. 6(a) and
6(b).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND THE PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS
[0031] In accordance with the present invention, a feeding
container is provided for feeding young children as shown in FIG.
1. The bottom portion of feeding tray 10 is a plate 20. Plate 20
can be a regular plate or a sectional plate, i.e. a plate with
multiple compartments. In one embodiment, as shown in the figures,
plate 20 includes three compartments. Any number of compartments of
any desired sizes, however, can be provided consistent with the
invention.
[0032] Plate 20 is covered by one or more lids. In a preferred
embodiment, as shown in the figures, a separate lid is provided for
each compartment. As shown in FIG. 1(a), a large snap on lid 22 and
small snap on lids 24 and 26 are used to cover individual
compartments of the plate. Any configuration of sizes can be
provided. Preferably, one lid is provided for each compartment,
although a lid can be provided for more than one compartment if
desired. For example, a single lid can be used to cover all of the
plate's compartments at once, or two lids can be provided (one for
a large compartment, and then a second lid provided for two smaller
compartments), or so forth.
[0033] The use of multiple lids allows a parent to feed a child
from each individual compartment by removing the lid from that one
compartment, while the other lids remain attached. Thus, while the
child is being fed from that one compartment, the lids attached to
the other compartments keep the food in those other compartments
warm. In addition, should the child knock the plate over, the waste
of food is minimized to spillage from a single compartment only,
since the other lids remain attached to the plate. Preferably, the
lids are snap-on lids, with a tab 28 provided to each lid to pull
the lid off of the plate.
[0034] In accordance with the invention, the container also has one
or more pressure release vents therein. In the preferred
embodiment, each of the lids of the plate (or each of the
compartments) has a pressure vent. One such pressure vent 50 is
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, although any other desired vent can be used
as well.
[0035] The pressure vent 50 is provided so that the plate can be
warmed safely in a microwave while the lid is attached to the tray.
This vent prevents the container from exploding in the microwave,
and prevents excessive pressure from being released into the child
(or parent's) face when the lid is removed. An automatic vent can
be used (which releases pressure when it rises to a given level),
or a manual vent can be used (which is opened and closed by the
parent). An example of an automatic vent is vent 50 as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2; an example of a manual vent is vent 90 in lid handle
100, as shown in FIGS. 3-5. The vent can be located anywhere on the
container. Preferably, it is located on the lid, whether in a
corner, on an edge, or in any other desired location.
[0036] In one preferred embodiment of an automatic vent, vent 50
consists of a ring 44 which is snapped onto each of the lids 22, 24
and 26, as shown in FIGS. 2(a)-2(e). For example, as shown in FIG.
2b), a first component, such as a lower gasket or soft seal 54
(e.g. TPE) is inserted into a hole in the lid, or molded as part of
the lid. An elastic membrane 40 is placed onto the gasket or seal
54. The ring 44 is then snapped onto or otherwise adhered to the
gasket 54 and membrane 40, sandwiching the membrane 40 between the
ring 44 and the gasket 54.
[0037] With particular reference to the top views shown in FIGS.
2(d)-2(e), the elastic membrane 40 consists of a circular sheet of
flexible material. This flexible material or membrane 40 has a slit
42 through it. Normally, the slit 42 is closed, i.e. the edges of
the slit are pressed against each other so that the vent is in the
closed position, as shown in FIG. 2(d). When pressure builds up
within the container, i.e. below the membranes shown in FIGS.
2(d)-2(e), it pushes or flexes the membrane outward (away from the
container). The edges of the membrane are fixed by the ring, so the
center flexes upward, forcing the slit 42 open, as shown in FIG.
2(e). When slit 42 opens, pressure is released from the
container.
[0038] Once pressure is released from the container, the membrane
returns to its original closed position, as shown in FIG. 2(d).
(Since the pressure has been released, it is no longer high enough
to press the membrane outward enough to open the vent). Thus, vent
50 automatically opens to release pressure when the pressure rises
sufficiently, and also automatically closes itself when the
pressure sufficiently drops.
[0039] In summary, when a plate of food is heated in the microwave,
pressure can build up in each of the compartments of the container
of the invention. When the pressure in the container or a section
thereof builds to a predetermined level, the pressure is released
through the vent in the lid. As pressure builds, the membrane
flexes upward, stretching the slit to open it. This opening of the
slit releases any of the pressure built up underneath. Thus, the
plate will not explode, as can happen when a tightly sealed food
tray is microwaved for too long.
[0040] Various shaped membranes can be used consistent with the
invention. For example, in one embodiment the membrane is concave,
pressing the edges of the slit against each other and closing the
slit as shown by configuration 46 in FIG. 2b). This membrane sits
inside the ring, as discussed above. However, non-concave membranes
can be used as well, and the interior ring 44 can be in a shape
other than cylindrical, with the ring non-circular, if desired.
[0041] Likewise, any other automatic vent configuration can also be
used consistent with the invention, the configuration of FIG. 2
being shown as merely one preferred embodiment. Some other examples
of vents which respond to changes in pressure are shown in PCT
Application Serial No. PCT/US98/17379 filed Aug. 21, 1998
(International Publication No. WO 99/08578), and PCT Application
Serial No. PCT/US99/19238 filed Aug. 20, 1999 (International
Publication No. WO 00/10434), both of which are incorporated herein
by reference.
[0042] Moreover, manual vent configurations can also be used. For
example, a hole can be provided in the lid of a container with a
small snap on cover covering that hole (the cover being attached to
the lid, or separate from it). The parent removes the small cover
from the hole to release pressure (before or after microwaving the
food) and replaces the small cover once the compartment has been
vented. The cover can be attached via a strap to the lid so that it
is not lost when removed. Alternately, a turning manual vent can be
provided as shown in FIGS. 3-5.
[0043] Similarly, many other automatic and manual vents are known
in the art and can be used with the current containers.
[0044] In accordance with the preferred embodiments of the
invention (as with the vent of FIGS. 2 and 5), the lid remains
attached to the plate while excess pressure is vented. Thus,
explosions are eliminated, but the lid is always affixed to the
tray while heating and thereafter. This speeds up the heating
process and assists in preserving the food warm until the parent
removes the lid from the tray. Additionally, since the lid is
affixed to the compartment, food or liquid will not splatter out of
the container and make a mess within the microwave. Moreover, once
the excess pressure has been released, the elastic membrane reverts
to the closed position, preventing loss of heat from the
container.
[0045] Further in accordance with preferred embodiments of the
invention, the feeding dishes include both relatively soft and
relatively hard components, as shown in the figures. For example,
soft grip handles 30 are provided on the top of the plate on the
hard handles, as shown in FIGS. 1-4. These soft handles present a
better gripping surface than a hard plastic, and preferably also
have raised (or indented) bumps or ridges 32 which further assist
in gripping the handles. A strip of soft material can be affixed to
the handle, by any desired means. For example, it can be adhered
with adhesive, or, the soft material can be molded onto the top of
the handle and protrude into the handle (or through the cross
section of the hard handle), or so forth.
[0046] In an additional or alternate embodiment, a soft no-slide or
slide resistant base 36 is provided on the hard bottom of the
container to prevent skidding of the plate across a table surface,
as shown in FIG. 4. All of the feeding containers of the present
invention preferably include such a two component base. The bottoms
of the containers are constructed of a hard material (e.g.
polypropylene), but preferably have no-slide components inserted
onto the base (preferably soft materials, such as Kraton, or so
forth). For example, one or more soft rings 34 can be provided to
the hard base, as shown in FIGS. 1(c), 2(c) and 3(c). These rings
prevent the feeding containers from sliding over the surface of a
table or other surface such as the baby's high chair. The rings can
be uniform, have a scalloped edge, etc. These soft rings 34 can
also be affixed by adhesive, by molding, or by any other desired
means, as discussed with the soft handle above.
[0047] While the top of the handle and the bottom of the base are
preferably soft, other components of the invention (e.g. the plate)
are preferably made of harder materials to facilitate cleaning food
particles therefrom. In one preferred embodiment, the softer
components are made of Kraton while the harder components are made
of polypropylene. In other embodiments, other soft components such
as silicone, TPE, or so forth can also be used, and other hard
components such as other rigid plastics can be used, all consistent
with the invention.
[0048] In a further embodiment of the invention, a feeding bowl is
provided as shown in FIGS. 3 through 5. Feeding bowl 80 includes a
bowl 82 and a domed lid 84. The construction of the feeding bowl is
similar to that of the feeding plate described above, and likewise
includes a pressure valve therein.
[0049] In a preferred embodiment of the feeding bowl, however, the
pressure valve is incorporated in a lid handle, as also shown in
FIGS. 3 through 5. When the tray is inserted into a microwave, the
handle is turned to open a vent in the lid of the bowl, allowing
pressure to escape from the bowl during heating. Once the bowl is
removed from the microwave, the handle is turned to close the vent
and preserve the heat in the container. Although an automatic
pressure valve with a slit is preferred for the plate, and a manual
vent in a handle is preferred for the domed lid bowl, it will be
understood, of course, that either vent could be utilized with
either embodiment.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 5, in the preferred embodiment of the
feeding bowl, manual vent is located in a lid handle 100. Lid
handle 100 includes a knob 102 attached to a cylinder 106. Cylinder
106 includes a recessed channel 108 therein.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 3, the feeding bowl's lid includes an
insert piece or handle holder 118 at the top of the lid. Insert
piece or handle holder 118 (preferably cylindrical) is an extension
off of the lid of the container, which is provided for the lid
handle to be inserted therein. Preferably, this extension off the
lid or insert piece 118 is integrally molded with the lid as a
single piece. In other words, the top of the lid has an indentation
116, and rising out of this indentation 116 is the handle holder,
extension or insert 118. The indentation 116 provides a space
around the lid handle 100, between the handle and the lid 84, for a
parent's fingers to turn the handle. However, instead of rising off
of an indentation 116, insert 118 can also rise up off of a flat
top of the lid 84, or off of a flat lid for a bowl.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 5(a)-5(d), cylinder 106 of lid handle 100
inserts into the cylindrical insert piece 118 of lid 84.
Cylindrical insert 118 includes a lid channel or cut-out 120. Lid
channel or cut-out 120, shown in FIGS. 5(b) and 5(f), is the shape
which results after a rectangular (or trapezoidal) section of the
cylindrical insert piece 118 has been cut lengthwise down part of
the height of the cylinder, through the circumference, and has been
removed from the insert 118. In other words, a strip of material is
removed from one side of the cylinder to form the lid channel or
cut-out 120 shown in FIGS. 5(b) and 5(f). The removal of this strip
forms a space in the cylindrical insert 118, such as that between
two prongs of a fork. Of course, this description is merely
provided for illustration purposes; a section of the insert 118
does not need to be actually cut to provide the cut out or channel
120, since the insert 118 can be merely molded into this shape to
begin with. Likewise, any other shaped channel can also be provided
consistent with the invention.
[0053] Lid channel or cut out 120 extends from the top of the
cylindrical insert piece 118, down part of the length of that
insert piece. A corresponding cut out or channel is provided in lid
handle 100. This corresponding cut out is handle channel 108 shown
in FIG. 5(a). In contrast to the lid channel 120 which extends top
to bottom, handle channel 108 extends bottom to top. In other
words, handle channel 108 extends from the bottom of the lid handle
up part of the length of cylinder 106 of the handle 100.
(Alternately, these configurations of the channel 108 and the
channel 120 could be reversed).
[0054] After inserting lid handle 100 into insert 118, lid handle
100 can be rotated within the cylindrical insert 118 by rotating
knob 102.
[0055] When rotated to the open position, channel 108 of lid handle
100 overlaps with channel 120 of cylindrical insert 118 of the lid.
As a result, air can flow from the container, into the bottom of
cylinder 106, into the channel 108, and out through channel 120 to
exit the bowl, as shown in the front view of FIG. 5(c) and the
cross sectional view of FIG. 5(g).
[0056] When rotated to the closed position, channel 108 of lid
handle 100 overlaps with the solid portion of the cylindrical
insert 118, i.e. solid section 130 of the circumference shown in
FIG. 5(h). As a result, air flowing through the channel 108 is
blocked by section 130 of the circumference of the insert piece
118. Section 130 is any solid section along the circumference, i.e.
any section other than cut out 120. Since section 130 covers the
channel 108 along much of its length and seals off the top portion
of channel 108, it closes off the channel 108 such that air cannot
flow out of the bowl. This closed vent configuration is shown in
the front view of FIG. 5(d), the cross sectional view of FIG. 5(h),
and the backview of FIG. 5(i). While these views show the channel
108 offset 180 degrees from the channel 120, it will be understood
that the channel 108 can be offset, of course, by a lesser rotation
as well, the channel 108 being closed so long as it does not
overlap with the channel 120 or so long as the top of the channel
108 is covered.
[0057] In summary, the lid includes a channel (cut out 120), and
the lid handle includes a corresponding channel 108. The handle can
be rotated such that the two channels overlap, to release pressure
from inside the container. Or, the handle can be rotated such that
they do not overlap, to retain pressure and heat within the
container.
[0058] In an additional embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5(j), it is
further preferred that a "locking" mechanism be provided to the
handle, i.e. a mechanism for holding the handle somewhat securely
in a given configuration, whether in the open vent or closed vent
position. As shown in the figure, a bump or protuberance 140 is
preferably provided off of lid handle 100 (e.g. off of knob 102).
This bump 140 can be rotated into an indentation 150 or 154 in the
top of the insert 118. The top surface 152 between indentations 150
and 154 is lower than the top surface 156 of solid section 130 of
insert 118. As a result, the bump can be rotated between
indentations 150 and 154, but not farther in either direction.
[0059] When the bump 140 is rotated into indentation 150, the lid
handle is in the open vent position; when the bump 140 is rotated
into indentation 154, the lid handle is in the closed vent
position. For illustration purposes, a spacing between indentations
150 and 154 is shown wherein the open and closed vent positions are
offset by an arc of less than 180 degrees, although a greater or
lesser spacing and arc can be used, as desired.
[0060] A further embodiment, showing a travel bowl with a flat lid,
is shown in FIG. 6. This embodiment is similar to the embodiments
of the invention described above. Bowl 160 includes a flat lid 168
having a manual vent 170. Manual vent 170 is similar to vent 50 of
FIG. 2, and includes a membrane 180. Membrane 180 is a slightly
modified shape from membrane 40. This membrane can be used for the
other containers discussed above, and reflects a further preferred
embodiment. Like vent 50, vent 170 includes a slit in membrane 180.
Pressure within the container causes expansion of the membrane 180,
stretching open the slit to release the built up pressure from the
container.
[0061] Although the present invention has been described with
respect to the preferred embodiments of feeding dishes and bowls,
they can be used with other food containers as well. Having
described this invention with regard to specific embodiments, it is
to be understood that the description is not meant as a limitation
since further embodiments, modifications and variations may be
apparent or may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. It
is intended that the present application cover all such
embodiments, modifications and variations.
* * * * *