GB2482143A

GB2482143A - Tableware for releasable fixing to a surface using a suction cup

Info

Publication number: GB2482143A
Application number: GB201012201A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Karen Shere
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-07-21
Filing date: 2010-07-21
Publication date: 2012-01-25
Anticipated expiration: 2030-07-21
Also published as: GB2482143B; GB201012201D0

Abstract

An item of suction-fixed tableware comprises a receptacle 101 for food having an inset internal thread on its underside, a screw 301 with a complementary external thread to connect to the receptacle for food, a suction cup 103 with an aperture in its centre to receive the screw, a rigid housing 102 for the screw and suction cup upon which rests the receptacle for food and having an aperture in its centre. The receptacle may further comprise one or more recesses 105 for cutlery items. In use, once the tableware is assembled, the user places it onto the desired surface, sticking the suction cup to the surface. Twisting the receptacle for food tightens the screw drawing it upwards further towards the receptacle for food. This in turn lifts the suction cup, creating a vacuum and therefore a stronger hold than in comparison to known devices.

Description

Suction-fixed tableware

Background of the Invention

[1] The present invention relates to tableware that may be fixed in place using suction cups.

[21 In many instances, particularly when feeding an infant, it is desirable for tableware to be fixed firmly to a tabletop or other surface. Many parents find that infants will tip over or throw their tableware containing food, such as bowls and plates, and spill the food. Not only does this create stains that must be cleaned, but it represents a waste of food and therefore money.

[3] Means of preventing infants tipping over or throwing their tableware are known in the art. US5082220 to Nealy and Pollock, and US4416438 to King disclose flexible restraints that tie an infant's bottle to a high chair or other surface, preventing the infant from throwing it. However, the restraints cannot prevent the infant from tipping their tableware over, and as such, spills are still very likely.

[4] As an alternative, many parents use tableware with suction cups on their underside, to fix the tableware in place on a surface. Whilst the ability to affix tableware to the required surface would solve this problem, the suction provided by these suction cups is simply not strong enough to prevent infants removing the tableware and throwing it or tipping it over.

Brief Summary of the Invention

[5] It can be seen by the forgoing that a need has arisen for tableware that can be fixed to high chairs, table tops or other surfaces strongly enough that infants cannot remove the tableware. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide such tableware.

[6] To this end, disclosed is suction-fixed tableware, comprising: a receptacle for food having an inset internal thread on its underside; a screw with a complementary external thread to connect to the receptacle for food; a suction cup with an aperture in its centre, to receive the screw; a rigid housing for the screw and suction cup upon which rests the receptacle for food having an aperture in its centre.

[7] The screw is pushed upwards through the aperture in the centre of the suction cup, as far as the screw head. The housing is pushed downwards onto the screw. The receptacle for food is then screwed onto the screw. Once the tableware is assembled, the user places it onto the desired surface, sticking the suction cup to the surface. Twisting the receptacle for food tightens the screw. As the receptacle for food is rested upon the rigid housing, it cannot be moved downwards onto the screw, and so the screw is drawn upwards further towards the receptacle for food. This in turn lifts the suction cup, creating a vacuum and therefore a stronger hold.

[8] An advantage of the present invention is that the vacuum created by lifting the suction cup fixes the item of tableware to the desired surface much more strongly than the suction cup would alone, preventing infants from removing the tableware and throwing or spilling their food.

[9] A further advantage is that it may also be used in care facilities, hospitals and even aboard ships, wherever it is necessary to keep tableware fixed to a surface.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawing [10] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings, in which: [11] Figure one shows a front view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[12] Figure two shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[13] Figure three shows an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of an Embodiment

[14] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in figures 1, 2 and 3 in which like numerals refer to like components, suction-fixed tableware is disclosed, comprising: a receptacle for food 101 having an inset internal thread on its underside; a screw 301 with a complementary external thread to connect to the receptacle for food 101; a suction cup 103 with an aperture in its centre, to receive the screw 301; a rigid housing 102 for the screw 301 and suction cup 103 upon which rests the receptacle for food 101.

[15] The receptacle for food 101 may be a bowl, a plate or any other item of tableware known in the art. The receptacle 101 is preferably formed of melamine, which is commonly used for infant tableware due to its strength, scratch-resistance and non-toxicity. Alternatively, any other suitable material known in the art may be used.

[161 The receptacle 101 is shown in the drawings as having two handles 104, one on each side of the receptacle 101. The receptacle 101 may have any number of handles, positioned as required, or alternatively, no handles.

[17] The receptacle 101 may comprise recesses 105 to hold cutlery, such as a knife and fork. The recesses 105 may be magnetic to ensure the cutlery stays in place.

[18] The inset internal thread on the underside of the receptacle 101 should be complementary to the external thread on the screw 301, allowing them to mate.

[19] The screw 301 itself may be formed of a rigid plastic or any other suitable material known in the art. The drawings show a flat screw head, but any style of screw head known in the art may be used.

[20] The suction cup 103 is substantially a standard suction cup, of a circular shape. It should comprise an aperture in its centre, to receive the screw 301. It is preferably formed of silicone rubber, though any other suitable material known in the art may be used. The suction cup 103 should be moulded flat, to prevent the creation of gaps through which air may escape.

[21] The housing 102 should surround both the suction cup 103 and the screw 301. It is shown in the drawings as being circular in shape to achieve this, though any other suitable shape or design may be used. It comprises an aperture in its centre to receive the screw 301. The housing 102 should be formed of a rigid, strong material, ideally a plastic, so that it may bear the weight of the receptacle 101 that rests on top of it.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[22] To assemble the tableware, the suction cup 103 is pushed downwards onto the screw 301, with the screw 301 passing through the aperture as far as the screw head. The housing 102 is then pushed downwards onto the screw 301, with the screw 301 passing through its aperture. The receptacle for food 101 is then tightened onto the screw 301.

[23] Once the tableware is assembled, the user places it onto the desired surface, sticking the suction cup 103 to the surface. Twisting the receptacle for food 101 in a clockwise direction tightens the connected between the receptacle 101 and the screw 301. As the receptacle for food 101 is rested upon the housing 102, it cannot be moved downwards onto the screw 301 and so the screw 301 is drawn upwards, further towards the receptacle for food 101. This, in turn, lifts the suction cup 103, creating a vacuum and therefore a stronger hold between the tableware and the surface.

Claims

Claims 1. Suction-fixed tableware comprising: a receptacle for food having an inset internal thread on its underside; a screw with a complementary external thread to connect to said receptacle for food; a suction cup with an aperture in its centre, to receive said screw; a rigid housing for said screw and said suction cup upon which rests said receptacle for food and having an aperture in its centre.
2. The suction-fixed tableware of the preceding claim where said receptacle for food is a bowl or plate.
3. The suction-fixed tableware of any preceding claim where said receptacle for food comprises at least one recess for cutlery items.
4. The suction-fixed tableware of any preceding claim where said recesses for cutlery items are magnetic.