GB2379597A

GB2379597A - A removable barrier for retaining food on a plate

Info

Publication number: GB2379597A
Application number: GB0122213A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anita Harley
Original assignee: RANSLEY ROBERT
Current assignee: RANSLEY ROBERT
Priority date: 2001-09-14
Filing date: 2001-09-14
Publication date: 2003-03-19
Also published as: GB0122213D0

Abstract

A barrier 11 for attachment to a plate 21 or the like comprises an arcuate longitudinal member 12 having a plan form similar to that of an edge of a plate or the like with which it is to be used, and a longitudinal groove 17 running near to or at the lower longitudinal edge of the barrier 11. The cross section of the groove 17 complements an edge of the plate 21 or the like, so that the barrier 11 can be removably secured to the plate 21 by inserting the rim of the plate 20 into the groove 17 of the barrier 11 . The barrier 11 is preferably made of plastics material and acts as to stop food from falling or being knocked off the plate. It is particularly useful for the handicapped or young children.

Description

REMOVABLE DEVICE This invention relates to a removable device and is particularly concerned with such a device for use with a plate or other article on which food is dispensed to facilitate the consumption of the food.

Given a conventional plate bearing food located on a stable and level surface the food is readily eaten by a consumer of average manipulative skill feeding themselves by using cutlery, chop-stocks or fingers. For a handicapped consumer limited to the use of a single hand and particularly if the use of the hand is itself subject to limitation the consumption of food can be difficult if not frustrating.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a removable device in the form of in the form of a flexible barrier for demountable attachment to a plate, or other means providing a surface on which food can be placed for consumption; the device comprising an arctuate longitudinal member having a plan form approximating to a plan form of an edge of a plate or other means with which the device is to be used; the device having at or near a lower longitudinal edge of either at least either end of the arms of the device a longitudinal groove having a cross section whose form complements an edge of a plate or other means as aforesaid; the device being adapted in whole or in part for flexing or deformation about an axis perpendicular to the plan form of the device; the device being adapted for movement between a rest configuration, in which the device is not subject to flexing or deformation, and a working configuration, in which the device is subject to flexing or deformation; the device when in its first configuration on being presented to, and thereafter engaged by means of the groove with an edge of a plate or other means as aforesaid, and so subject to flexing or deformation such that the device is caused to

enter the second configuration and thereby retain itself on a plate or other means wli. h Pnfpr fhi-r p a-e or c)'ei7 rfteayls w'il- -LaLLt. I L 11 Lit which it is engaged. Typically the device is an integral structure of plastics material

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a plate or other means providing a surface on which food can be placed for consumption equipped with a device according to the first aspect.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of a removable device of which: Figure 1 is a plan view; Figure 2 is a section on section II-II of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view, from above, of a the device of Figures 1 and 2 juxtaposed with a dinner plate; and Figure 4 is sectional detail following on from the disposition shown in Figure 3 following engagement of the device with part of the plate rim- Figure show device 11 made up of a crescent shaped longitudinal member 12 of injection moulded polypropylene plastic. In use the device 11 only needs to extend partway around the plate to which it is attached so as to leave the remainder of the periphery of the plate free to allow free access to material on the plate.

Figure 2 shows a cross section of the member 12 with a top flange 13, side flange 15 and bottom flange 16 incorporating channel 17 by means of which the device 11 engages a major part of rim 20 of a plate in this cases a dinner plate 21.

Figures 1,2 and 3 show the device 11 in a rest configuration prior to engagement with plate 21. In a rest configuration the device 11 is undistorted and not subject to flexing.

In this configuration integral outer extremities 22,23 of member 12 are, in plan view, turned inwardly so as to be of slightly tighter curvature than the remainder of the plan section. The plan form of the device 11 is governed by the size of plate with which it is to be used.

Figure 3 shows the device 11 prior to engagement with an extended part of rim 20 of plate 21.

Figure 4 shows a section of the device 11 once engagement with rim 20 is complete. In this second, working, configuration the device 11 is subject to slight distortion so that its outer extremities 22,23 tend to grip the plate 21.

In use the combined device 11 and plate 21 is prepared by placing food on the plate 21 in a conventional way and presented to a user so that the section of rim 20 on which the device 11 is located is furthest from the user. The user can then eat the food using a single utensil, such as a fork or spoon. In the event food on the plate when acted on by the utensil tends to slide away it can only slide as far as the inner side of the device 11 where it will be trapped against further movement and is then readily loaded onto the utensil and transferred to the mouth of the user. Once the use of the plate is completed the device 11 is readily detached from the plate 21 and device and plate are washed for subsequent use. The device is readily cleaned, and if necessary sterilised, and stored.

The device 11 is intended particularly for use by people suffering from an infirmity affecting their ability to grasp or manipulate an eating utensil or those who while being able to grasp and manipulate a utensil have problems with co-ordinating actions of loading and then retaining food on the utensil prior to moving the loaded utensil to the mouth. It is also envisaged that the device could be useful where the user is not able to adopt a conventional position say seated with the plate on a table. Typically this could be when a user has to stand or lie so that the plate has to be maintained level to a greater or lesser extent by one hand of the user while the other hand used for a utensil. In this context the device would be particularly useful for those lacking manipulative or co-ordination skills The exemplary embodiment shows a device 11 of relative simple form. If necessary the device 11 can incorporate another support means such as a support means for eating or drinking utensils; an identifying means such as a surface on which identity or feeding instructions can be left; or a storage device for condiments or medication needing to be consumed at some stage of eating.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 A removable device in the form of a flexible barrier for demountable attachment to a plate, or other means providing a surface on which food can be placed for consumption; the device comprising an arctuate longitudinal member having a plan form approximating to a plan form of an edge of a plate or other means with which the device is to be used; the device having at or near a lower longitudinal edge of either at least either end of the arms of the device a longitudinal groove having a cross section whose form complements an edge of a plate or other means as aforesaid; the device being adapted in whole or in part for flexing or deformation about an axis perpendicular to the plan form of the device, the device being adapted for movement between a rest configuration,, in which the device is not subject to flexing or deformation, and a working configuration, in which the device is subject to flexing or deformation; the device when in its first configuration on being presented to, and thereafter engaged by means of the groove with an edge of a plate or other means as aforesaid, and so subject to flexing or deformation such that the device is caused to enter the second configuration and thereby retain itself on a plate or other means with which it is engaged.
2 A device as claimed in Claim 1 comprising an integral structure of plastics material
3 A device as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
4 A plate or other means providing a surface on which food can be placed for consumption equipped with a device as claimed in any preceding claim.