U.S. patent application number 16/813722 was filed with the patent office on 2021-09-09 for plate having separator walls and suction base.
The applicant listed for this patent is Olababy Incorporated. Invention is credited to Qiao LIN, Paul WANG.
Application Number | 20210274954 16/813722 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004749211 |
Filed Date | 2021-09-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210274954 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LIN; Qiao ; et al. |
September 9, 2021 |
PLATE HAVING SEPARATOR WALLS AND SUCTION BASE
Abstract
A plate includes an upper body having a circumferential wall and
an upper side bottom surface. The plate also includes a base
integrally formed with the upper body. The base includes a flexible
base body configured to create a suction force when deformed.
Inventors: |
LIN; Qiao; (Bellevue,
WA) ; WANG; Paul; (Portland, OR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Olababy Incorporated |
Hillsboro |
OR |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004749211 |
Appl. No.: |
16/813722 |
Filed: |
March 9, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 1/36 20130101; A47G
19/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/02 20060101
A47G019/02; B65D 1/36 20060101 B65D001/36 |
Claims
1. A plate, comprising: an upper body having a circumferential wall
and an upper side bottom surface; and a base integrally formed with
the upper body, wherein the base includes a flexible base body
configured to create a suction force when deformed.
2. The plate of claim 1, wherein the plate is made of a
silicone.
3. The plate of claim 1, further comprising a tab on the base body
for releasing the suction force.
4. The plate of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of
separator walls integrally formed on the upper side bottom
surface.
5. The plate of claim 4, wherein the plurality of separator walls
include a first separator wall and a second separator wall, the
first separator wall extending along a diameter, and the second
separator wall extending along a half diameter perpendicular to the
first separator wall.
6. The plate of claim 5, wherein gaps are formed between two ends
of the first separator wall and the circumferential wall.
7. The plate of claim 5, wherein gaps are formed between an end of
the second separator wall and the first separator wall, and another
end of the second separator wall and the circumferential wall.
8. The plate of claim 4, wherein the first separator wall includes
a curved shape.
9. The plate of claim 8, wherein a height of the first separator
wall gradually decreases from a center portion to both end
portions.
10. The plate of claim 9, wherein a highest height of the first
separator wall is at a same level as a top surface of the
circumferential wall.
11. The plate of claim 4, wherein the second separator wall
includes a curved shape.
12. The plate of claim 11, wherein a height of the second separator
wall gradually decreases from a center portion to both end
portions.
13. The plate of claim 12, wherein a highest height of the second
separator wall is lower than a top surface of the circumferential
wall.
14. The plate of claim 1, wherein the upper side bottom surface is
slanted.
15. The plate of claim 4, wherein a first depth of the plate at a
portion adjacent an end of the second separator wall that is close
to the circumferential wall is smaller than a second depth of the
plate at an opposite portion.
16. The plate of claim 3, wherein a portion of the base body
includes a thin wall, a first portion of the thin wall adjacent the
tab forms a first angle with respect to a horizontal plane formed
by circumferential tip portions of the base body, a second portion
of the thin wall opposite to the first portion forms a second angle
with respect to the horizontal plane, the second angle being
smaller than the first angle.
17. The plate of claim 3, wherein a lower side bottom surface of
the plate is slanted with respect to a horizontal plane formed by
circumferential tip portions of the base body.
18. A tableware container, comprising: a circumferential wall
enclosing a space; a bottom surface; and a separator wall disposed
in the space enclosed by the circumferential wall, the separator
wall protruding from the bottom surface and both ends of the
separator wall being separated from an inner surface of the
circumferential wall by gaps.
19. The plate of claim 18, further comprising a base including a
flexible base body configured to create a suction force when
deformed.
20. The plate of claim 19, wherein the base body includes a tab
configured for releasing the suction force when pushed or pulled.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technology field of
tableware containers and, more particularly, to a plate having
separator walls and a suction base.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Tableware containers, such as plates, are typical tableware
people use in their daily life for containing foods. Sometimes
plates are used for training young children, such as those who are
in the age of learning to eat foods by themselves. Multiple types
of food (e.g., fruits, vegetables, meats) may be fed to the young
children. Therefore, it is desirable that different kinds of foods
be separated in a plate. In addition, young children tend to move a
lot on dinner table. Therefore, plates are easy to be knocked off
from the table, causing food spill mess and sometimes break of the
plate if the plate is made of a fragile material, such as
ceramics.
SUMMARY
[0003] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure,
there is provided a plate. The plate includes an upper body having
a circumferential wall and an upper side bottom surface. The plate
also includes a base integrally formed with the upper body. The
base includes a flexible base body configured to create a suction
force when deformed.
[0004] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure,
there is provided a tableware container. The tableware container
includes a circumferential wall enclosing a space. The tableware
container also includes a bottom surface. The tableware container
also includes a separator wall disposed in the space enclosed by
the circumferential wall, the separator wall protruding from the
bottom surface and both ends of the separator wall being separated
from an inner surface of the circumferential wall by gaps.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] To better describe the technical solutions of the present
disclosure, the accompanying drawings showing the various
embodiments will be briefly described. As a person of ordinary
skill in the art would appreciate, the drawings show only some
embodiments of the present disclosure. Without departing from the
scope of the present disclosure, those having ordinary skills in
the art could derive other embodiments and drawings based on the
disclosed drawings without inventive efforts.
[0006] FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of a front-left side,
top perspective view of a plate, according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0007] FIG. 1B is a schematic illustration of a front, top
perspective view of a plate, according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0008] FIG. 1C is a schematic illustration of a back, top
perspective view of a plate, according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 1D is a schematic illustration of a left side, top
perspective view of a plate, according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 1E is a schematic illustration of a right side, top
perspective view of a plate, according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 1F is a schematic illustration of a left-back side, top
perspective view of the of a plate, according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a top view of a plate,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view
of a plate along the A-A line shown in FIG. 2, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view
of a plate along the B-B line shown in FIG. 2, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a back view of a
plate, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a front view of a
plate, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a left side view of a
plate, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a right side view of a
plate, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a bottom view of a
plate, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 10 is schematic illustration of a bottom perspective
view of a plate, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of a top view of a
configuration of separator walls that may be implemented in a
plate, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of a top view of another
configuration of separator walls that may be implemented in a
plate, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of a top view of another
configuration of separator walls that may be implemented in a
plate, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 14 is a schematic illustration of a shape of a
separator wall that may be implemented in a plate, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of a shape of a
separator wall that may be implemented in a plate, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] Technical solutions of the present disclosure will be
described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which the
same numbers refer to the same or similar elements unless otherwise
specified. A person having ordinary skills in the art would
appreciate that the described embodiments represent some, rather
than all, of the embodiments of the present disclosure. A person
having ordinary skills in the art can conceive or derive other
embodiments or variations based on the described embodiments. Such
embodiments also fall within the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0027] Further, in the present disclosure, the disclosed
embodiments and the features of the disclosed embodiments may be
combined. The described embodiments are some but not all of the
embodiments of the present disclosure. Based on the disclosed
embodiments, persons of ordinary skill in the art may derive other
embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. For example,
modifications, adaptations, substitutions, additions, or other
variations may be made based on the disclosed embodiments. Such
variations of the disclosed embodiments are still within the scope
of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is
not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Instead, the scope of the
present disclosure is defined by the appended claims.
[0028] As used herein, when a first component (or unit, element,
member, part, piece) is referred to as "coupled" to or with a
second component, it is intended that the first component may be
directly or indirectly, permanently or removably, coupled, mounted,
fixed, connected, or secured to or with the second component.
[0029] When a first component is referred to as "disposed,"
"located," or "provided" at a second component, the first component
may be partially or entirely, directly or indirectly, disposed,
located, or provided in, inside, within, on, below, or above the
second component. The first component may be disposed, located, or
provided at any suitable orientation (back, front, to the left, to
the right, above, or below) relative to the second component.
[0030] The singular forms of "a," "an," and "the" are intended to
include the plural forms as well, unless the context indicates
otherwise. The terms "comprise," "comprising," "include," and the
like specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations,
elements, and/or components, and do not preclude the presence or
addition of one or more other features, steps, operations,
elements, components, and/or groups.
[0031] The phrase "at least one of A or B" may encompass all
combinations of A and B, such as A only, B only, or A and B.
Likewise, the phrase "at least one of A, B, or C" may encompass all
combinations of A, B, and C, such as A only, B only, C only, A and
B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C. The phrase "A and/or B" may
be interpreted in a manner similar to that of the phrase "at least
one of A or B." For example, the phrase "A and/or B" may encompass
all combinations of A and B, such as A only, B only, or A and B.
Likewise, the phrase "A, B, and/or C" has a meaning similar to that
of the phrase "at least one of A, B, or C." For example, the phrase
"A, B, and/or C" may encompass all combinations of A, B, and C,
such as A only, B only, C only, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and
B and C.
[0032] Further, when an embodiment illustrated in a drawing shows a
single element, it is understood that the embodiment may include a
plurality of such elements. Likewise, when an embodiment
illustrated in a drawing shows a plurality of such elements, it is
understood that the embodiment may include one such element. The
number of elements illustrated in the drawing is for illustration
purposes only, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of
the embodiment. Moreover, the embodiments and/or features included
in various embodiments shown in the drawings are not mutually
exclusive, and they may be combined in any suitable manner. For
example, elements shown in only one embodiment (or figure) may
nevertheless be included in the other embodiments (or figures).
[0033] FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of a front-left side,
top perspective view of a tableware container 100 for containing
food. A tableware plate is used as an example of the tableware
container 100. For discussion purposes, the tableware container 100
may also be referred to as a tableware plate 100 (or referred to as
a plate 100). The plate 100 may be used for containing various
kinds of foods, such as snacks, rice, fruits, vegetables, etc. The
plate 100 may include or be made of a soft material, such as a
silicon material (or a material including silicone), which may be
flexible, and non-toxic and safe for humans. In addition, using a
soft material, such as silicone, may increase the durability of the
plate 100. When the plate 100 falls from a table, the plate 100
will not break into pieces, thereby avoiding potential harm to
young children that may be caused by broken pieces of a
conventional ceramic plate. In addition, when young children have
food, they may bite the tableware plate. Using a soft material for
the plate 100 may avoid hurting the gum or teeth of young
children.
[0034] In some embodiments, the entire plate 100 is made of
silicone. In some embodiments, the silicone may be food-grade
silicone, which may be suitable for containing food, liquid (e.g.,
water, juice, milk, baby formula, etc.). In some embodiments, the
entire plate 100 may not include any paint, metal, or other harmful
chemical components that may be unsafe for humans, such as for
young children.
[0035] The plate 100 may include an upper body 110 and a suction
base 120 (or referred to as a base 120 for simplicity of
discussion) attached to a bottom of the upper body 110. In some
embodiments, the upper body 110 and the base 120 may be formed as
an integral piece. That is, the entire plate 100 may be formed as a
single piece. For example, the plate 100 may be formed through
injection molding, 3D printing, or any other suitable manufacturing
processes as a single piece.
[0036] The upper body 110 may include a circumferential wall 105
(also referred to as a wall 105 for simplicity). The wall 105 may
enclose or define a space for the plate 100 for containing food.
The wall 105 may include a top surface 105t, an inner surface 105a,
and an outer surface 105b. The wall 105 may have a round shape, or
any other suitable shapes, such as oval shape, rectangular shape,
triangular shape, etc. That is, the upper body 110 may include a
round shape or any other suitable shape. The upper body 110 may
include an upper side bottom surface 125.
[0037] The plate 100 may include one or more separator walls to
separate the inner space of the plate 100 into a plurality of
portions. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, the
plate 100 includes a first separator wall 111 extending along a
diameter of the plate 100. The first separator wall 111 may have a
length slightly shorter than a full length of a diameter of the
plate 100. The first separator wall 111 may be integrally formed on
the upper side bottom surface 125, and may protrude upwardly from
the upper side bottom surface 125. The first separator wall 111 may
divide the inner space of the plate 100 into two substantially
equal portions.
[0038] In some embodiments, the first separator wall 111 may extend
along a diameter, and may not be connected (or in contact) with the
two opposite portions of the wall 105. Instead, the first separator
wall 111 may have a gap from the wall 105 (e.g., the inner surface
105a). In other words, both ends of the first separator wall 111
may be separated from the inner surface 105a of the wall 105 by
gaps. The first separator wall 111 may have a curved shape, with a
center portion 111c having the highest height and two end portions
111a and 111b having heights lower than the height of the center
portion 111c. In some embodiments, the highest height of the first
separator wall 111 may be lower than the top surface 105t of the
wall 105. In some embodiments, the highest height of the first
separator wall 111 may be at the same level as the top surface 105t
of the wall 105. The height of the first separator wall 111 may
smoothly or gradually decrease from the center portion 111c to the
end portions 111a and 111b. In some embodiments, the first
separator wall 111 may have a half-oval shape. With the structure
of the plate 100, where the end portions 111a and 111b are lower,
and do not touch or connect with the wall 105 (e.g., inner surface
105a), it is easier to clean as compared with a configuration in
which the separator wall 111 is connected (or in contact) with the
inner surface 105a of the wall 105. In other embodiments, it is
possible to make at least one of the end portion 111a or the end
portion 111b connected (or in contact) with the inner wall
105a.
[0039] The plate 100 may include a second separator wall 112
disposed in one half of the inner space divided by the first
separator wall 111. The second separator wall 112 may be disposed
between the first separator wall 111 and the wall 105, and may
extend along a half diameter in a direction perpendicular to the
first separator wall 111. The second separator wall 112 may have a
length slightly shorter than a half length of a diameter. In other
words, the length of the second separator wall may be about half of
the length of the first separator wall 111. The second separator
wall 112 may be integrally formed on the upper side bottom surface
125, and may protrude upwardly from the upper side bottom surface
125. In other words, the first separator wall 111, the second
separator wall 112, the wall 105, the upper side bottom surface
125, and the base 120 of the plate 100 may be integrally formed as
a single piece. For example, the various components of the plate
100 may be integrally formed during a molding process.
[0040] The second separator wall 112 may divide the one half of the
plate 100 into two substantially equal portions (e.g., each portion
being a quarter of the inner space of the plate 100). An end of the
second separator wall 112 may not touch or connect with the first
separator wall 111. That is, an end of the second separator wall
112 may be separated from the first separator wall 111 by a gap. In
some embodiments, the second separator wall 112 may not touch or
connect with the inner surface 105a of the wall 105. That is,
another end of the second separator wall 112 may be separated from
the inner surface 105a of the wall 105 by a gap. With the gap
between the second separator wall 112 and the first separator wall
111, and the gap between the second separator wall 112 and the
inner wall 105a of the wall 105, cleaning of the plate 100 may be
made easier than the configuration in which the second separator
wall 112 is connected (or in contact) with the inner wall 105a and
the first separator wall 111.
[0041] The second separator wall 112 may include a curved shape. A
center portion 112c may have a highest height, and end portions
112a and 112b may have lower heights. In some embodiments, the
highest height of the second separator wall 112 may be lower than
the top surface 105t of the wall 105. In some embodiments, the
highest height of the second separator wall 112 may be at the same
level as the top surface 105t of the wall 105. In some embodiments,
the height of the second separator wall 112 may smoothly or
gradually decrease from the center portion 112c to the end portions
112a and 112b.
[0042] Although one first separator wall 111 and one second
separator wall 112 are shown for illustrative purposes, the number
of the separator walls is not limited. In some embodiments, there
may be three separator walls, four separator walls, etc. In
addition, the lengths of the separator walls are not limited to the
substantially full diameter length (as with the first separator
wall 111) or the substantially half diameter length (as with the
second separator wall 112). The plurality of separator walls may
include any suitable lengths.
[0043] For example, in some embodiments, the plate 100 may include
three separator walls of equal lengths (all being substantially
half diameter length) evenly divide the space of the plate 100 into
three equal portions. That is, the three separator walls may be
disposed at 120 degrees apart. The three separator walls may not be
connected (or in contact). In other words, gaps may exist between
first ends of the three separator walls at the center of the plate
100. In addition, the three separator walls may not be connected
(or in contact) with the inner surface 105a of the wall 105 (e.g.,
gaps may exist between second ends of the three separator walls and
the inner surface 105a).
[0044] In some embodiments, there may be four separator walls
evenly divide the space of the plate 100 into four equal portions.
The four separator walls may be disposed at 90 degrees apart, each
having a length of substantially half of the diameter of the plate.
The four separator walls may not be connected (or in contact) with
each other (e.g., gaps may exist between first ends of the four
separator walls at the center of the plate 100). In addition, the
four separator walls may not be connected (or in contact) with the
inner surface 105a of the wall 105 (e.g., gaps may exist between
second ends of the four separator walls and the inner surface 105a
of the wall 105).
[0045] Regardless of the number of separator walls in the plate,
the gaps between the separator walls and the gaps between the
separator walls and the inner surface 105 of the wall 105 may
increase the convenience of cleaning the plate 100, as food
residues may be easily wiped off of the plate 100 due to the
presence of the gaps.
[0046] The base 120 may include a base body 130. The base body 130
may be made of the same flexible material used to make the upper
body 110, such as silicone. The silicone base body 130 may include
a thin wall enclosing a hollow space therein. Thus, the base body
130 may provide a suction function (via creating a partial vacuum
in the hollow space) when deformed. That is, due to the flexibility
of the base body 130, when the plate 100 is placed on a flat
surface, such as a table top, the base body 130 may deform to expel
air out of the hollow space enclosed by the base body 130, thereby
generating an at least partial vacuum to provide a suction force.
The base body 130 may deform due to the weight of the plate 100
and/or the weight of the food contained therein, and/or due to any
external force applied onto the plate 100 (e.g., by the user of the
plate 100).
[0047] The base 120 may include a tab 135 at a suitable location on
the base body 130. The tab 135 may be an integral piece of the base
body 130. The tab 135 may include any suitable shape, such as
half-circle, half-oval, rectangle, square, circle, oval, etc. The
tab 135 may be slightly pulled, pushed, or lifted by a finger of
the user to release the suction force of the base body 130. That
is, when the tab 135 is slightly pulled or lifted, air may enter
the space enclosed by the base body 130, thereby releasing the
suction force. For discussion purposes, the side where the tab 135
is located is regarded as a front side of the plate 100. Although
one tab 135 is shown in FIG. 1A for illustrative purposes, in some
embodiments, more than one tab 135 may be provided at the base body
130 for releasing the vacuum or suction force formed by the base
body 130.
[0048] FIG. 1B is a schematic illustration of a front, top
perspective view of the plate 100. As shown in FIG. 1B, both ends
of the first separator wall 111 may be separated from the inner
surface 105a of the wall 105 by a gap (e.g., a gap 161 and a gap
162, respectively). In some embodiments, one end of the first
separator wall 111 may be separated from the inner surface 105a by
a gap, and the other end of the first separator wall 111 may be
connected (or in contact) with the inner surface 105a.
[0049] FIG. 1C is a schematic illustration of a back, top
perspective view of the plate 100. FIG. 1D is a schematic
illustration of a left side, top perspective view of the plate 100.
FIG. 1E is a schematic illustration of a right side, top
perspective view of the plate 100. As shown in FIG. 1D and FIG. 1E,
both ends of the second separator wall 112 may be separated from
the first separator wall 111 and the inner surface 105a of the wall
105 by a gap 151 and a gap 152, respectively. In some embodiments,
the end portion 112b may be connected (or in contact) with the
first separator wall 111, and the end portion 112a may be separated
from the inner surface 105a of the wall 105 by the gap 152. In some
embodiments, the end portion 112b may be separated from the first
separator wall 111 by the gap 151, and the end portion 112a may be
connected (or in contact) with the inner surface 105a of the wall
105.
[0050] FIG. 1F is a schematic illustration of a left-back side, top
perspective view of the of the plate 100. As shown in FIG. 1F, the
end portion 111a of the first separator wall 111 is separated from
the inner surface 105a of the wall 105 by a gap. The end portion
112a of the second separator wall 112 is separated from the inner
surface 105a of the wall 105 by a gap.
[0051] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a top view of the
plate 100. It will be apparent from other figures and the following
descriptions, the plate 100 may be structurally symmetric around an
axis 201. The axis 201 is an axis that extends in the front-back
direction (i.e., the direction in which the second separator wall
112 extends. The plate 100 may be structurally asymmetric around an
axis 202. The axis 202 is an axis that extends in the left-right
direction (i.e., the direction in which the first separator wall
111 extends).
[0052] As shown in FIG. 2, the first separator wall 111 and the
second separator wall 112 may each include an elongated shape. Each
end of the first separator wall 111 may not be connected (or in
contact) with the inner surface 105a of the wall 105. That is,
there is a gap between each end of the first separator wall 111 and
the inner surface 105a. The gaps between the ends of the first
separator wall 111 and the inner surface 105a can avoid built-up of
food residues. In addition, the gaps allow for a cleaning cloth or
sponge to wipe through, making the cleaning more convenient. An end
of the second separator wall 112 may not be connected (or in
contact) with the inner surface 105a of the wall 105, and another
end of the second separator wall 112 may not be connected (or in
contact) with the first separator wall 111. In other words, there
may be a gap between the second separator wall 112 and the inner
surface 105a, and a gap between the second separator wall 112 and
the first separator wall 111. The gaps at both ends of the second
separator wall 112 also make cleaning more convenient. Without
connecting the separator walls 111 and 112, and without connecting
the separator walls 111, 112, and the wall 105 (i.e., with gaps),
accumulation of food residues at connection corners may be avoided.
Cleaning of the plate 100 can be made more convenient. A user may
easily wipe food residues off the inner surface of the plate 100
using a sponge or a cleaning cloth.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 2, the first separator wall 111 may have a
thicker base at a center portion (the portion corresponding to
center portion 111c), and a thinner base at both ends
(corresponding to end portions 111a and 111b). Likewise, the second
separator wall 112 may have a thicker base at a center portion
(corresponding to center portion 112c) and a thinner base at both
ends (corresponding to end portions 112a and 112b).
[0054] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view
of the plate 100 along the A-A line shown in FIG. 2. As shown in
FIG. 3, the two end portions of the first separator wall 111 are
separated from the inner surface 105a of the wall 105 by gaps. FIG.
3 also shows that both ends of the first separator wall 111 may be
connected (or in contact) with the upper side bottom surface 125.
In other words, in some embodiments, the first separator wall 111
may be substantially entirely provided on the upper side bottom
surface 125 without being connected (or in contact) with the inner
surface 105a of the wall 105. As shown in FIG. 3, the plate 100 may
be structurally symmetric around the axis 201 that extends in the
direction in which the second separator wall 112 extends.
[0055] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view
of the plate 100, along the B-B line shown in FIG. 2. As shown in
FIG. 4, the highest height of the first separator wall 111 may be
at the same level as the top surface 105t of the wall 105, or may
be slightly lower than the top surface 105t of the wall 105. The
highest height of the second separator wall 112 may be lower than
the top surface 105t of the wall 105. In some embodiments, the
highest height of the second separator wall 112 may be at the same
level as the top surface 105t of the wall 105. FIG. 4 shows that
the highest height of the second separator wall 112 is lower than
the highest height of the first separator wall 111. In some
embodiments, the highest height of the second separator wall 112
may be higher than the highest height of the first separator wall
111. The first separator wall 111 and the second separator wall 112
may be separated by the gap 151. The second separator wall 112 and
the inner surface 105a of the wall 105 may be separated by the gap
152. Both ends of the second separator wall 112 may be connected
(or in contact) with the upper side bottom surface 125 of the plate
100. In other words, in some embodiments, the first separator wall
111 may be substantially entirely provided on the upper side bottom
surface 125 without being connected (or in contact) with the inner
surface 105a of the wall 105. As shown in FIG. 4, the plate 100 may
be structurally asymmetric around the axis 202 that extends in the
direction in which the first separator wall 111 extends.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 4, the base body 130 may include a thin
wall. The thin wall of the base body 130 may form different angles
with respect to a horizontal plane 160 formed by the
circumferential tip portions of the base body 130. The horizontal
plane 160 may also represent a flat surface on which the plate 100
is placed. For discussion purposes, the portion of the thin wall of
the base body 130 adjacent the tab 135 is labeled as 130b, and the
portion of the thin wall of the base body 130 adjacent the end
opposite to tab 135 in FIG. 4 is labeled as 130a. In some
embodiments, a uniform thickness dl of the base body 130 may be
smaller than a uniform thickness d2 of the wall 105.
[0057] As shown in the cross-sectional view illustrated in FIG. 4,
a first portion 130a of the thin wall of the base body 130 adjacent
the tab 135 may form a first angle with respect to the horizontal
plane 160 formed by the circumferential tip portions of the base
body 130. A second portion 130b of the thin wall opposite to the
first portion 130a may form a second angle .theta.2 with respect to
the horizontal plane 160. The angle .theta.2 may be smaller than
the angle .theta.1. In some embodiments, the angles formed by
different portions of the thin wall of the base body 130 with
respect to the horizontal plane 160 may gradually decrease from 01
at the first portion 130a where the tab 135 is located to .theta.1
at the opposite portion 130b as shown in FIG. 4. In other words, in
some embodiments, a lower side bottom surface 140 of the plate 100
is slanted or tilted with respect to the horizontal plane 160,
i.e., not parallel to the horizontal plane 160, or not parallel to
a horizontal plane 165 formed by the circumferential top surface
105t of the wall 105, or not parallel to the flat surface on which
the plate 100 is placed. The uneven configuration of the base body
130 renders it easier to release suction force created by the base
body 130 through applying a force on the tab 135. In addition, when
the plate 100 is used on a table for a young child, the plate 100
may be positioned, e.g., by a parent, such that the one half of the
space of the plate 100 (as divided by the first separator wall 111,
as shown in FIG. 1C) may face the young child. Since the upper side
bottom surface 125 is tilted toward the young child, this slanted
configuration makes it easier for the young child to see and reach
the food.
[0058] In some embodiments, the upper side bottom surface 125 of
the plate 100 may be parallel to the horizontal plane 160, or
parallel to the horizontal plane 165 formed by the circumferential
top surface 105t of the wall 105, or parallel to the flat surface
on which the plate 100 is placed. In some embodiments, as shown in
FIG. 4, the upper side bottom surface 125 may also be slanted or
tilted, i.e., not parallel to the horizontal plane 160, or not
parallel to a horizontal plane 165 formed by the circumferential
top surface 105t of the wall 105, or not parallel to the flat
surface on which the plate 100 is placed. In some embodiments, the
upper side bottom surface 125 may be slightly tilted. In other
words, the upper side bottom surface 125 is slanted, with the
height of the upper side bottom surface 125 with respect to the
horizontal plane 160 gradually decreasing from the end portion
adjacent the tab 135 to the opposite end portion adjacent 130b. In
other words, a depth h1 of the plate 100 (measured from the
horizontal plane 165 to the upper side bottom surface 125) at the
portion corresponding to the tab 135 (or corresponding to an end of
the second separator wall 112 adjacent the wall 105) may be smaller
than a depth h2 (measured from the horizontal plane 165 to the
upper side bottom surface 125) at the opposite portion of the plate
100, as shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, in some embodiments,
the horizontal plane 165 formed by the circumferential top surface
105t of the wall 105 may be parallel to the horizontal plane 160
formed by the circumference of the base body 130. The bottom
(represented by the portion between the upper side bottom surface
125 and the lower side bottom surface 140) of the plate 100 may be
tilted or slanted. That is, the portion of the plate 100
corresponding to the location of the tab 135 may be made thinner or
shallower, and the opposite portion of the plate 100 may be made
thicker or deeper.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 4, a space 180 enclosed by the lower side
bottom surface 140 and the base body 130 (including the portions
130a and 130b shown in FIG. 4) is a hollow space. A vacuum or a
partial vacuum may be formed in the hollow space 180 when the plate
100 is placed on a flat surface. Due to the weight of the plate 100
itself and/or due to an external force pressing down the plate 100
against the flat surface, the base body 130 may deform, expelling
air out of the space 180 to form the vacuum or the partial vacuum
within the hollow space 180. The vacuum or partial vacuum may
create a suction force, through which the plate 100 may be strongly
or firmly attached to the flat surface, thereby avoiding sudden
movement of the plate 100 on the flat surface or falling of the
plate 100 from the flat surface due to accidental movement of the
user, e.g., a young child.
[0060] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a back view of the
plate 100. FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a front view of
the plate 100. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the plate 100 may be
structurally symmetric around the axis 201 that extends in a
direction in which the second separator wall 112 extends.
[0061] FIG. 7 is a schematic left side view of the plate 100. FIG.
8 is a schematic right side view of the plate 100. FIG. 9 is a
schematic illustration of a bottom view of the plate 100. As shown
in FIG. 9, the upper body 110 may have an outer diameter of D2, and
the base body 130 may have an outer diameter D1 at the lowest
portion. Diameter D1 may be smaller than diameter D2. FIG. 10 is a
schematic illustration of a bottom perspective view of the plate
100.
[0062] FIG. 11 is a schematic top view of a configuration of
separator walls that may be implemented in the plate 100. FIG. 11
shows three substantially identical separator walls 190a, 190b, and
190c. The separator walls 190a and 190b may be arranged along a
same diameter (e.g., a first diameter), and the separator wall 190c
may be arranged along a second diameter that is perpendicular to
the first diameter. The length of each of the separator walls 190a,
190b, and 190c may be smaller than half of the inner diameter of
the plate 100. The separator walls 190a, 190b, and 190c may not be
connected (or in contact) with one another at the center location
of the plate 100. In other words, gaps may exist between the ends
of the separator walls 190a, 190b, and 190c at the center point
location of the plate 100. In addition, the separator walls 190a,
190b, and 190c may not be connected (or in contact) with the inner
surface 105a of the wall 105. In other words, the other ends of the
separator walls 190a, 190b, and 190c that are close to the inner
wall 105a may be separated from the inner wall 105a by gaps.
[0063] FIG. 12 is a schematic top view of a configuration of
separator walls that may be implemented in the plate 100. FIG. 12
shows that three substantially identical separator walls 190a,
190b, and 190c are arranged about 120 degrees apart around a center
point of the plate 100. The three separator walls 190a, 190b, and
190c may not be connected with one another at the center point
location of the plate 100. In other words, gaps may exist between
the ends of the separator walls 190a, 190b, and 190c at the center
point location of the plate 100. In addition, the separator walls
190a, 190b, and 190c may not be connected (or in contact) with the
inner surface 105a of the wall 105. In other words, the other ends
of the separator walls 190a, 190b, and 190c that are close to the
inner wall 105a may be separated from the inner wall 105a by
gaps.
[0064] FIG. 13 is a schematic top view of a configuration of
separator walls that may be implemented in the plate 100. FIG. 13
shows that four separator walls 190a, 190b, 190c, and 190d are
arranged around a center point of the plate 100 at about 90 degrees
apart. That is, two separator walls 190a and 190b may be disposed
along a same diameter (e.g., a first diameter), and two separator
walls 190b and 190d may be disposed along a second diameter that is
perpendicular to the first diameter. At the center point location
of the plate 100, the four separator walls 190a, 190b, 190c, and
190d may not be connected (or in contact). In other words, gaps may
exist between the ends of the separator walls 190a, 190b, 190c, and
190d at the center point location of the plate 100. In addition,
the separator walls 190a, 190b, 190c, and 190d may not be connected
(or in contact) with the inner surface 105a of the wall 105. In
other words, the other ends of the separator walls 190a, 190b,
190c, and 190d that are close to the inner wall 105a may be
separated from the inner wall 105a by gaps.
[0065] The separator walls 190a, 190b, 190c, and 190d shown in the
different configurations of FIG. 11-FIG. 13 may include any
suitable shapes, such as that of the first separator wall 111 or
that of the second separator wall 112 shown in other figures, as
well as the shapes shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15.
[0066] FIG. 14 is a schematic illustration of a shape of a
separator wall 195 that may be implemented in the plate 100. The
shape shown in FIG. 14 may be a shape visible in a cross-sectional
view of the separator wall 195. The cross-section may be taken
alone the longitudinal axis of the separator wall 195. The shape of
the separator wall 195 may include a wavy profile. This shape may
be used in any of the disclosed separator wall, such as the first
separator wall 111, the second separator wall 112, or any of the
separator walls 190a, 190b, 190c, and 190d.
[0067] FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of a shape of a
separator wall 200 that may be implemented in the plate 100. The
shape shown in FIG. 15 may be a shape visible in a cross-sectional
view of the separator wall 200. The cross-section may be taken
alone the longitudinal axis of the separator wall 200. The shape of
the separator wall 200 may include a wavy profile. This shape may
be used in any of the disclosed separator wall, such as the first
separator wall 111, the second separator wall 112, or any of the
separator walls 190a, 190b, 190c, and 190d.
[0068] The disclosed plate may be made of a soft, flexible
material, such as silicone. Silicone is non-toxic, and safe for
humans. The silicone plate (which may be food-grade silicone) is
safe for a young child to use. The silicone plate is not fragile,
and is not easy to break. The plate includes a suction base, which
can firmly attach the plate to a flat surface, such as a table
surface. Therefore, when the silicone plate is used by a young
child, it is not easy for the plate to be accidentally moved on the
table surface or knocked over by the young child. Despite the
strong suction force provided by the flexible suction base, the tab
provided at the base body makes it easy to release the suction
force. A user can apply a small force onto the tab while grabbing
the corresponding portion of the plate to release the suction
force, and to remove the plate from the table surface. With the
slanted plate body (one side being thicker than the other opposite
side), the uneven configuration also makes it easier for a user to
grab the plate and remove the plate from the table surface.
[0069] Other embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent
to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification
and practice of the embodiments disclosed herein. It is intended
that the specification and examples be considered as example only
and not to limit the scope of the present disclosure, with a true
scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following
claims. Variations or equivalents derived from the disclosed
embodiments also fall within the scope of the present
disclosure.
* * * * *