U.S. patent application number 15/487984 was filed with the patent office on 2017-10-19 for temperature regulating dinnerware set.
The applicant listed for this patent is Benjamin Edwards. Invention is credited to Benjamin Edwards.
Application Number | 20170295970 15/487984 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60040203 |
Filed Date | 2017-10-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170295970 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Edwards; Benjamin |
October 19, 2017 |
TEMPERATURE REGULATING DINNERWARE SET
Abstract
An improved temperature regulating dinnerware set is a
dinnerware set with each dinnerware piece having a heating element
and a control member for controlling the temperature of the top
surface of the piece. Each piece is adapted to connect to a power
source to control the embedded heating element. An attachable cover
is provided for each piece of the dinnerware set to help maintain
the temperature.
Inventors: |
Edwards; Benjamin;
(Washington, DC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Edwards; Benjamin |
Washington |
DC |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
60040203 |
Appl. No.: |
15/487984 |
Filed: |
April 14, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62322733 |
Apr 14, 2016 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 19/025 20130101;
A47G 19/2227 20130101; A47G 19/027 20130101; A47G 21/007 20130101;
A47G 2019/225 20130101; A47G 2021/008 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 21/00 20060101
A47G021/00 |
Claims
1. An improved temperature regulating dinnerware set, comprising:
at least one plate; at least one bowl; at least one mug; and at
least one saucer plate; wherein each of said at least one plate, at
least one bowl, said at least one mug, and said at least one saucer
plate comprises: a top layer; wherein said top layer is made from a
material adapted to transfer heat to items placed thereon; a bottom
layer; wherein said bottom layer is made from a heat resistant
material; a heating element; wherein said heating element is
attached to and located in between said top layer and said bottom
layer, and is adapted to heat said top layer to thereby transfer
heat to items placed upon said top layer; a control member; wherein
said control member is located on an edge portion of said top layer
and is electrically connected to said heating element and is
adapted to allow a user to control the amount of heat generated
from said heating element; and a power source; wherein said power
source is adapted to connect with and provide electric power to
said heating element.
2. The temperature regulating dinnerware set of claim 1, wherein
said power source includes a USB connector located on said edge
portion of said top layer and is adapted to be releasably connected
to a USB cord adapted to transfer electrical power to said USB
connector.
3. The temperature regulating dinnerware set of claim 1, wherein
said power source includes a transmitter adapted to send electrical
energy remotely to said heating element; and wherein said heating
element includes a receiver adapted to receive electrical energy
remotely from said transmitter of said power source.
4. The temperature regulating dinnerware set of claim 1, wherein
said control member includes a digital thermometer and display
thereon, such that a user can visually monitor and manually control
the temperature of said top layer.
5. The temperature regulating dinnerware set of claim 1, wherein
said control member includes an increase button adapted to increase
power to said heating element and thereby increase the temperature
of said top layer, and a decrease button adapted to decrease power
to said heating element and thereby decrease the temperature of
said top layer.
6. The temperature regulating dinnerware set of claim 1, wherein
said power source includes a energy display member located on said
edge portion of said top layer and is adapted to provide a visual
display showing the amount of energy within said power source.
7. The temperature regulating dinnerware set of claim 6, wherein
said energy display member is further adapted to display a
percentage of power left within said power source.
8. The temperature regulating dinnerware set of claim 5, wherein
said control member further includes a computer circuit with
computer software thereon adapted to allow a person to program
temperature and timing settings for each of said at least one
plate, at least one bowl, said at least one mug, and said at least
one saucer plate.
9. The temperature regulating dinnerware set of claim 8, wherein
said control member further includes an audio alarm member adapted
to sound when said power source is full and when said power source
is at less than 5% full.
10. The temperature regulating dinnerware set of claim 8, further
comprising a sensor member embedded within said top layer and is
adapted to detect the amount of an item located upon said top
surface and send an electronic signal to said computer circuit to
be used by said computer software.
11. The temperature regulating dinnerware set of claim 8, wherein
said computer software of said control member further includes
instructions to automatically turn off said power source after a
predetermined amount of time of inactivity.
12. The temperature regulating dinnerware set of claim 1, wherein
said top layer is formed from a material chosen from a group of
materials consisting of ceramic, iron, cast iron, stainless steel,
copper, aluminum, polytetrafluoroethylene.
13. The temperature regulating dinnerware set of claim 1, wherein
said bottom layer is formed from a material chosen from a group of
materials consisting of ceramic, fiberglass, asbestos, rubber,
tungsten, molybdenum, boron nitride, alumina, and silicon
carbide.
14. The temperature regulating dinnerware set of claim 1, wherein
there are a plurality of each of said at least one plate, at least
one bowl, said at least one mug, and said at least one saucer plate
forming said temperature regulating dinnerware set.
15. The temperature regulating dinnerware set of claim 1, further
comprising a plurality of removable lids adapted to releasably
attach to each respective one of said at least one plate, at least
one bowl, said at least one mug, and said at least one saucer
plate, and adapted to cover and protect items placed upon each
respective said top surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is related to and claims priority
from prior provisional application Ser. No. 62/322,733, filed Apr.
14, 2016 which application is incorporated herein by reference.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of
the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the
Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise
reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The following includes information that may be useful in
understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that
any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material,
to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any
publication or document that is specifically or implicitly
referenced is prior art.
1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates generally to the field of
temperature controlled dinnerware and more specifically relates to
improved temperature regulating dinnerware set.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Tableware is the dishes or dishware used for setting a
table, serving food and dining. It includes cutlery, glassware,
serving dishes and other useful items for practical as well as
decorative purposes. The quality, nature, variety, and number of
objects vary according to culture, religion, number of diners,
cuisine and occasion. For example, Middle Eastern, Indian or
Polynesian food culture and cuisine sometimes limits tableware to
serving dishes, using bread or leaves as individual plates. Special
occasions are usually reflected in higher quality tableware. For
centuries, the table was a place where the family could join
together in a common, necessary activity. Meals have always been
the centerpiece for socializing and entertainment, and the
dinnerware has always provided an opportunity for a family to
present its nicest dinnerware for friends and guests.
[0006] In some of the more industrialized countries, dinner has
taken a lesser role in the family activities. People are generally
much busier and often work different schedules preventing the whole
family from sitting and eating together. Often, the best that can
be hoped for is that only one or two members will be late to dinner
and have to warm up the leftovers. It is now very common for an
individual to eat alone, either at work or when getting home
because of differing schedules. The types of food an individual
must choose for meals must much more closely resemble fast food
that can be eaten cold or warmed on the fly because of the
perishable nature of most foods. Nutritional values tend to be
sacrificed to accommodate schedules because of time constraints and
the inconvenience of carrying the needed appliances for food
preparation. A solution to this problem is needed.
[0007] Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned
problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,984 to Amil J.
Ablah; U.S. Publication No. 2014/0165607 to Clayton Alexander; and
U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,076 to Bruno Nadolph. This art is
representative of temperature-controlled dinnerware. None of the
above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in
combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed.
[0008] Ideally, temperature-controlled dinnerware should provide
convenience and portability while being able to adjust dinnerware
surfaces to desired temperatures, and yet, would operate reliably
and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a
reliable improved temperature regulating dinnerware set to avoid
the above-mentioned problems.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known
temperature controlled dinnerware art, the present invention
provides a novel improved temperature regulating dinnerware set.
The general purpose of the present invention, which will be
described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide convenience
and portability while being able to adjust dinnerware surfaces to
desired temperatures.
[0010] The improved temperature regulating dinnerware set
preferably comprises at least one plate, at least one bowl, at
least one mug, and at least one saucer plate. Each of the plates,
bowls, mugs, and saucer plates comprises a top layer made from a
material adapted to transfer heat to items placed thereon, a bottom
layer made from a heat resistant material, a heating element
attached to and located in between the top layer and the bottom
layer, and is adapted to heat the top layer to thereby transfer
heat to items placed upon the top layer, a control member located
on an edge portion of the top layer and is electrically connected
to the heating element and is adapted to allow a user to control
the amount of heat generated from the heating element, and a power
source adapted to connect with and provide electric power to the
heating element.
[0011] The power source includes a USB connector located on the
edge portion of the top layer and is adapted to be releasably
connected to a USB cord to transfer electrical power to the USB
connector. The power source includes a transmitter adapted to send
electrical energy remotely to the heating element, and the heating
element includes a receiver adapted to receive electrical energy
remotely from the transmitter of the power source. The power source
includes an energy display member located on the edge portion of
the top layer and is adapted to provide a visual display showing
the amount of energy within the power source and the energy display
member is further adapted to display a percentage of power left
within the power source.
[0012] The control member includes a digital thermometer and
display such that a user can visually monitor and manually control
the temperature of the top layer. The control member includes an
increase button adapted to increase power to the heating element
and thereby increase the temperature of the top layer, and a
decrease button adapted to decrease power to the heating element
and thereby decrease the temperature of the top layer. The control
member further includes a computer circuit with computer software
thereon adapted to allow a person to program temperature and timing
settings for each of the plates, the bowls, the mugs, and the
saucer plates. The control member further may include an audio
alarm member adapted to sound when the power source is full and
also when the power source drops to less than 5% full. A sensor
member embedded within the top layer is adapted to detect the
amount of an item located upon the top surface and send an
electronic signal to the computer circuit to be used by the
computer software.
[0013] The computer software of the control member further includes
instructions to automatically turn off the power source after a
predetermined amount of time of inactivity. The top layer is formed
from a material chosen from a group of materials consisting of
ceramic, iron, cast iron, stainless steel, copper, aluminum, and
polytetrafluoroethylene. The bottom layer is formed from a material
chosen from a group of materials consisting of ceramic, fiberglass,
asbestos, rubber, tungsten, molybdenum, boron nitride, alumina, and
silicon carbide. There are a plurality of plates, bowls, mugs, and
saucer plates forming the temperature regulating dinnerware set. A
plurality of removable lids is adapted to releasably attach to each
respective plate, bowl, mug, and saucer plate, and adapted to cover
and protect items placed upon each respective top surface.
[0014] The present invention holds significant improvements and
serves as an improved temperature regulating dinnerware set. For
purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages,
and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It
is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be
achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the
invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a
manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of
advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other
advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of
the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly
pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the
specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of
the present invention will become better understood with reference
to the following drawings and detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The figures which accompany the written portion of this
specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the
present invention, improved temperature regulating dinnerware set,
constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating an improved
temperature regulating dinnerware set according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating an improved temperature
regulating dinnerware set according to an embodiment of the present
invention of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating improved temperature
regulating dinnerware set according to an embodiment of the present
invention of FIG. 1.
[0019] The various embodiments of the present invention will
hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings,
wherein like designations denote like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention
relate to a temperature controlled dinnerware and more particularly
to a improved temperature regulating dinnerware set as used to
improve the convenience and portability while being able to adjust
dinnerware surfaces to desired temperatures.
[0021] Generally speaking, an improved temperature regulating
dinnerware set is a dinnerware set with each dinnerware piece
having a heating element and a control member for controlling the
temperature of the top surface of the piece. Each piece is adapted
to connect to a power source to control the embedded heating
element. An attachable cover is provided for each piece of the
dinnerware set to help maintain the temperature.
[0022] In greater detail now, referring to the drawings by numerals
of reference there is shown in FIG. 1, a perspective view
illustrating improved temperature regulating dinnerware set 100
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] Improved temperature regulating dinnerware set 100
preferably comprises at least one plate 105, at least one bowl 106,
at least one mug 107, and at least one saucer plate 108. Each of
the plate(s) 105, bowl(s) 106, mug(s) 107, and saucer plate(s) 108
comprises top layer 110 made from a material adapted to transfer
heat to items placed thereon, bottom layer 111 made from a heat
resistant material, heating element 112 attached to and located in
between top layer 110 and bottom layer 111, and is adapted to heat
top layer 110 to thereby transfer heat to items placed upon top
layer 110, control member 120 located on edge portion 113 of top
layer 110 and is electrically connected to heating element 112 and
is adapted to allow a user to control the amount of heat generated
from heating element 112, and power source 115 adapted to connect
with and provide electric power to heating element 112.
[0024] The computer software of control member 120 further includes
instructions to automatically turn off power source 115 after a
predetermined amount of time of inactivity. Top layer 110 is formed
from a material chosen from a group of materials consisting of
ceramic, iron, cast iron, stainless steel, copper, aluminum, and
polytetrafluoroethylene. The bottom layer is formed from a material
chosen from a group of materials consisting of ceramic, fiberglass,
asbestos, rubber, tungsten, molybdenum, boron nitride, alumina, and
silicon carbide. There are a plurality of plate(s) 105, bowl(s)
106, mug(s) 107, and saucer plate(s) 108 forming the improved
temperature regulating dinnerware set 100. A plurality of removable
lid 170 is adapted to releasably attach to each respective plate(s)
105, bowl(s) 106, mug(s) 107, and saucer plate(s) 108, and adapted
to cover and protect items placed upon each respective top surface
114.
[0025] Referring now to FIG. 2, a top view illustrating improved
temperature regulating dinnerware set 100 according to an
embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.
[0026] Power source 115 includes USB connector 125 located on edge
portion 113 of top layer 110 and is adapted to be releasably
connected to USB cord 176 to transfer electrical power to USB
connector 125. Power source 115 includes transmitter 130 adapted to
send electrical energy remotely to heating element 112, and heating
element 112 includes receiver 135 adapted to receive electrical
energy remotely from transmitter 130 of power source 115. Power
source 115 includes energy display member 155 located on edge
portion 113 of top layer 110 and is adapted to provide a visual
display showing the amount of energy within power source 115 and
energy display member 155 is further adapted to display a
percentage of power left within power source 115.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 3, is a side view illustrating
improved temperature regulating dinnerware set 100 according to an
embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.
[0028] Control member 120 includes digital thermometer 140 and
display such that a user can visually monitor and manually control
the temperature of top layer 110. Control member 120 includes
increase button 150 adapted to increase power to heating element
112 and thereby increase the temperature of top layer 110, and
decrease button 151 adapted to decrease power to heating element
112 and thereby decrease the temperature of top layer 110. Control
member 120 further includes computer circuit 190 with computer
software 191 thereon adapted to allow a person to program
temperature and timing settings for each of the plate(s) 105,
bowl(s) 106, mug(s) 107, and saucer plate(s) 108. Control member
120 further may include audio alarm member 160 adapted to sound
when power source 115 is full and also when power source 115 drops
to less than 5% full. Sensor member 165 embedded within top layer
110 is adapted to detect the amount of an item located upon top
surface 114 and send an electronic signal to computer circuit 190
to be used by computer software 191.
[0029] Improved temperature regulating dinnerware set 100 may be
manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and
shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this
specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate
circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user
preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements,
available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit
contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or
less components, customized parts, different color combinations,
parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient.
[0030] Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated
that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as
design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost,
structural requirements, available materials, technological
advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for
example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination
or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain
maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient.
[0031] The embodiments of the invention described herein are
exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements
can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent
results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit
and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing
abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the
public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and
practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal
terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory
inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of
the application.
* * * * *