US20170013980A1

US20170013980A1 - Disposable Divided Bowls

Info

Publication number: US20170013980A1
Application number: US14/800,442
Authority: US
Inventors: Rebecca Susanne Pickett
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-07-15
Filing date: 2015-07-15
Publication date: 2017-01-19

Abstract

Social awareness about health, to include eating habits is rising in understanding and importance. Despite awareness about portion size and emphasizing, deemphasizing, or balancing calories, fats, salt, sugars, and other food components; there is still interest in food choice. One approach to variety with health consideration is to sample favorite foods or foods of interest rather than limiting one's selection and feeling obligated to consume fuller portion sizes. Sampling of solid foods is more easily done with a typical or even divided disposable plate. However, sampling liquid based foods is more difficult. One can do so by using multiple bowls, cups, or even reverting to sharing but these options are hard to carry and sharing with others than a close loved one is not advised. The MultiBowl of this disclosure provides a solution by forming one or more partitions into a typical individual use food bowl to divide the single serving well into two or more serving wells. Although possible, the MultiBowl is not intended to replace a formal table setting, but is ideal for banquets, picnics, get-togethers, parties, snacking, and other such events where stackability at a point of service and easy clean up with disposability are useful. It also becomes immediately useful for crafts, hobbies, sorting, repairs at home or work, and other times when multiple containers can be substituted with the MultiBowl. The MultiBowl provides solution for simplicity with multiple service wells, expected affordability, multiple availability from stackability, and temporary durability with disposability.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING

Not applicable.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction by anyone of a complete patent, patent application, or invention disclosure as published by the copyright owner, government, or found in a government record. Otherwise all other copyright provisions whatsoever are reserved.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the fields of kitchenware, more specifically to personal use disposable and stackable bowls divided to create two or more food serving wells or other multi-compartmental container uses.
State of the Art Assessment
Bowls used for group and individual serving are generally known. Group serving bowls have advanced in their design and configuration beyond that of the individual serving bowl. One area of serving ware evolution most applicable to group service is in multiple serving wells. Recounted below are the classes of evolution in the area of multiple serving well plates, platters, and bowls for group and individual service. This disclosure addresses the need for individual use, disposable, stackable, and multiple serving wells and is referred to as a MultiBowl.
U.S. 2012/0292332 A1 to David Maas, IL, USA et. al. (citation 1) represents its own specific design and functionality as well as the class of multiple service bowls and vessels that combine multiple bowls and a attachment or holding structure. The David Mass patent sought to address the need for a multiple serving bowl by creating a frame holding three interlocking bowls with a center raised column. Each bowl may be removed from the frame or reaffixed with proper orientation of attachment interfaces. An additional feature of this frame with three serving bowls is that frames may be stacked and held above the first frame and bowls by the raised center column. As such, frames and the three bowls may be stacked one on top of another to create multiple serving bowls on the same serving area. More will not be said about this multiple service design as it is outside the scope of interest, but records that class of multiple servers comprising the serving well and an associated device. The current disclosure is focused on the need and desire for a disposable, stackable, divided MultiBowl for food and nonfood applications.
U.S. Pat. No. D496,829 S to Adolfo Guzzini, Italy (citation 2) shows a design for a multiple serving well hors d'oeuvres dish. This design is included as representative of the class of group service dishes and their various designs, materials, durability, and other factors both seen in patent or patent application publications or available on the market that include partitioning or separating food, and even non-food items, before service to individual settings. In the Adolfo Guzzini patent, the three serving wells show in this design patent represent one serving area equating to one half of the dish and the other two serving wells being equally divided among the other half of the dish. A displayed feature of the dish, for reasons unstated, is a hollow structure under the dividers or partition that create the separate serving wells. Such a design may be purely aesthetic, to economize on materials, for dish stacking, or other unknown reasons. The proportions of the dish are unstated, but the title and claim state “hors d'oeuvres dish.” Merriam-Webster defines a dish as “a more or less concave vessel from which food is served (citation 3).” Using common language interpretation the word “dish” implies a group service vessel and not an individual use vessel. No further attention is given to group service dishes as they serve a different utility, are not closely nesting for tight stacking, are not disposable, oddly proportioned, and other factors group related and not conducive to individual use.
U.S. Pat. No. D386,358 to Robert Pfeilsticker, PA, USA, reveals an individual use bowl titled “Partitioned Bowl.” U.S. Pat. No. D434,276 to Bart Obra, CO, USA, shows a variation of a divided individual use bowl titled “Cereal Bowl.” These patents have been chosen as patented designs representative of individual use divided or partitioned bowls. These multiple serving well bowls, usually two, have made some presence in the market place. The Zak! Moso divided Serving Bowl looks reminiscent of the Robert Pfeilsticker patent and is made available by Wayfair online retailer. The marketed two serving well bowl shows an arc partition to create the two serving wells and also shows the bowls to be finely stackable. The “Anti-Soggy Divided Bowl” made available as a promotion by Honey Bunches of Oats by Post showed in multiple colors and for uses where crunchy foods could be preserved while also enjoying a companion liquid, such as cereal and milk, cookies and milk, chips and salsa, and other applications. This bowl structure has a wide partition similar to the Bart Obra patent, is sold in various colors and is represented as crudely stackable. A third example of the individual use divided serving well bowl is the “Reusable Divided Bowl with Spoon” (inset holder) by Babies R Us. The use features of this bowl are its simplicity, the spoon holder with spoon, and snap on cover over the two wells and the inset spoon. These are three of other available examples of predominantly two serving well bowls of various materials and designs. Missing with each and every patented or patent application represented multiple serving well bowl, as well as any market offering is an informal or disposable, stackable, and divided MultiBowl.
U.S. Pat. No. D693,179 S to Matthew Vujea, WI, USA, called the “Round Tray” is a multiple serving well bowl for pet use. This design patent is representative of various pet related multiple serving well bowls. The Matthew Vujea patent is a more circular design use for water and food. Other patents in this group take upon various other designs. No further attention has been given to these class of multiple serving well bowls as their design is usually too stout for human acceptance, are often larger than human single service use, and these designs are not welcoming to humans, among other considerations. Importantly, these multiple serving well bowls, usually with two serving wells, are not disposable and do not promote stacking.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,006,369 B2 to Jerry Shew, NC, USA, reveals a multiple serving well, transporter, disposal, and disposable structure. Here is represented the class of disposable containers used for the transporting food of personal serving sizes and then usually functioning as the tray from which food is consumed. The Jerry Shew “. . . Tray Assembly having Disposal Opening With Deep Serving Wells” is well known throughout society as a fast-food tray within which food is originally served or later used for take-home of restaurant leftovers. This patent is representative of a plastic, foam, or aluminum four well container, with a plastic locking lid. The wells separate foods, important during transportation, where vibration and movement can cause food item mixing, making the foods less appetizing for many. The locking lid provides security against spillage in whole or part. A noteworthy addition to this patent is a hole in the base tray such that, when the tray is nested on top of the lid there is a holed into which food waste can be placed to remove it from the eating area. This class of trays show the utility of multiple wells, disposability, and stackability for group or individual use vessels. However, these trays are just that. Jerry Shaw refers to his invention as “serving tray . . . with deep wells.” Merrian-Webster Online Dictionary defines a tray as a thin, flat, and often rectangular piece . . . that has a low rim and that is used for carrying things. With the addition of deeper wells, this class of vessel is a tray, outside what is usually defined as a bowl or other typical individually accepted use vessel. Needed is not a transport vessel, but a bowl with the benefit of multiple serving wells for use within the vicinity of available food sources and in the immediate traditional place setting of a meal. Needed is a bowl. Needed and wanted is a disposable, stackable, and divided multiple serving well bowl or that which is disclosed herein as the MultiBowl.
U.S. Pat. No. D415,421 to Raymond McCann, AZ, USA, represents the class of vessels that are a combination of individual use vessels, disposable, stackable, and divided but in this specific patent is called a “Disposable Food Tray” or a picnic plate. Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines a plate as “a flat and usually round dish this is used for eating or serving food.” The Raymond McCann patent represents a picnic plate much like others well known. It is a plate with limited dividers, remaining substantially flat with usually two, three, or four service wells with adequate utility for solid foods. For a disposable bowl companion to the disposable plate, there are only single well disposable and stackable bowls. The utility of a divided multiple well, disposable, and stackable MultiBowl remains unavailable, while its utility is evident by the presence and use of the multiple well disposable and stackable plate.
The above review of patent publications, patent application publications, and observed market publications simply expand upon what has been publically known. There is no admittance to prior art in any of the foregoing or any discussion within this disclosure. Found in the review is that there is no prior art, thus leaving a void in a needed and desired area of food service utility at the individual use level.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

It is seen by a review of the classes or groups of food serving ware and their evolution of features into individual use vessels that a void in utility exists and remains unmet. The significance of this unmet need is readily understood when considering that food, individual food management, food safety, food service speed, and many other food and food handling considerations and consumption must be faced by individuals multiple times a day.
The utility of disposable plates, bowls, utensils, cups, napkins, and other food service and food consumption aids and tools is unquestioned. Society is recognizing that disposability is an important feature for many informal, fun, outdoor gatherings, and other times and events when permanent food service ware is not sufficiently available, clean up and safety are factors, simplicity is needed, among other considerations, and their combinations. Because of these many features, it would not be surprising that disposable food service ware finds it way into even more daily use in with many people. Rather than a secondary feature of food service ware, disposability is becoming a primary consideration.
The need to use multiple food service ware items is recognized again by daily experience. It is a plate of this, a bowl for that, another bowl, another item, and on. Where there is accessibility to a cabinet of dishes and facilities for washing, drying, and simple return to the cabinet then the use of multiple food service ware items is not an issue. In the many and even potentially increasing cases where food is served in less than ideal circumstances, where the use of multiple food service ware items are less numerous or unavailable, among other considerations; then the ability to have one food service ware item to accommodate more than one food item is important. Not only is this important from a health and safety, convenience and user experience, and other considerations and their combinations, but the persistence of currently available and market successful divided plate products shows an accepted, needed, and desired utility. What is missing is a divided bowl with two or more service wells that is stackable and disposable. As such, the MultiBowl disclosed herein will impart a utility waiting to be fulfilled in circumstances of need and preference.
Existing Bowl design is evolving to include multiple service wells, but what is available remains as permanent or reusable bowl design, material choice, construction, and other considerations. As mentioned, plates have evolved to include disposability, stackability, and divided areas, but are not suitable for liquid containment as they are substantially flat vessels. The food service tray begins to approach a vessel with deeper wells and consideration for stackability and disposability, but it is not a bowl. Trays are large, space consuming, inelegant, too voluminous for most food portions, difficult to manage, usually come with attached or detachable lids that must be managed, are incompatible with standard formal or even informal accepted table place settings, and other characteristics that retain their utility in the specialized area of vessels for food transport followed by serving or cumbersome individual use.
Lacking in the current state of the art is just a bowl, but with two or more serving wells specifically designed for liquid foods use, but capable of use with solid foods and even non-food items. Needed is a bowl divided into multiple serving wells with the added features of stackability and disposability. The MultiBowl disclosed herein brings the solution to this vacant food and non-food service space and utility need.
The following disclosure of the MultiBowl overcomes all of the foregoing problems reviewed and which have been known for some time. Additionally, the presently disclosed MultiBowl offers features and solutions that are not known and have never been suggested by prior art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As a caterer who served many different varieties of food, it was consistently observed that participants wanted to enjoy a sampling of food. As solid food items will retain some shape, a plate has proven adequate and is a common experience at any meal. Foods with more liquid character creates more of a sampling challenge. Often the use of multiple bowls was employed in order to enjoy the various soups, salads, and desserts. Tables would become cluttered with these multiple single well bowls.
The MultiBowl disclosed herein overcomes the necessity for multiple bowls for event participants to enjoy food sampling. The Multiple Bowl or MultiBowl is an individual use bowl with one or more integral partitions or dividers that creates two or more bowl wells. Discussed above is the presence of multiple well bowls of more permanent construction, not available in the number needed to cater an even, not easily transported to a catered event, and for informal settings not conducive to the lack of immediate cleansing and sanitizing, too delicate for transport, and so many other incompatible factors and their combinations for many catering service business events, as well as family and personal use situations.
Needed is a stackable and disposable multiple serving well bowl, or the MultiBowl. When catering an outside event, and where informal food service ware is acceptable, the ability to bring all needed plates, bowls, utensils, napkins, and other such items nested within themselves is an important catering aid. Stackability is beneficial not only to the caterer, but all along the logistics chain from the manufacturer, the wholesaler or retailer, to the end user whether that is a business, group, family, or individual. The ability to access a supply of nested bowls, and especially multiple food service well bowls is helpful.
The disposability of the MultiBowl is an important feature in its use. The inclusion of more than one food service well in a bowl inherently suggests an informal table setting or meal situation. A stackable and then disposable MultiBowl is ideal for just such a situation. For a caterer, cleaning up an even is also an important consideration of the full service. Where informal food service ware is acceptable, disposability becomes a key feature and utility. Disposability provides for convenience and simplicity in clean up, but also provides for improved and rapid health and safety accommodation. The simplicity and safety of the disposable MultiBowl reaches from a business service near necessity to a home and individual use convenience, and in many cases improves health and safety considerations.
Disclosed here in are preferred embodiments of the MultiBowl. Expressly shown are two, three, and four well MultiBowls, as examples, but not considered an exhaustive list of the number of available wells. Discussed is the general structure of the MultiBowls and considerations in well depth and partition height on user experience, considerations of MultiBowl design on the rigidity and control of the MultiBowl, best practices to nest and easily remove a nested MultiBowl, and anticipation of MultiBowl structure to consider disposability and degradation while also ensuring an acceptable and inviting internal use surface. Also disclosed are features to assist in utensil control, use stability, easy of carrying, and other considerations common for less than ideal use conditions at events, the outdoors, quick personal use, and other informal conditions. In this disclosure, many other design, aesthetic, function, materials, use experience, and configuration considerations, and their combinations relating to the MultiBowl are presented and discussed.
As an example, the fact that springs and gears exist does not imply the presence of a precision watch. In like manner, the presence of stackable bowls and existence of disposable single use bowls does not imply, and has not evidenced, a stackable and disposable divided bowl, or MultiBowl for food and nonfood use. A divided bowl with multiple service wells and features of stackability and disposability does not exist, and creates a void in food service ware. Many reasons can be suggested for the absence of the MultiBowl, suggesting an innovation and advancement disclosed herein going well beyond the obvious. Among these reasons are consideration of manufacturing and mold release with a more complex structure and substantially increased surface area, decision making around partition positioning and height for adequate use experience, anticipation of the number and nature of each partition and bowl service wells, solving use stability with the presence of destabilizing bowl partition nesting cavities, increased surface area and related increased surface adhesion to impede useful nesting and release, contemplation of materials for strength and rigidity in the presence of weakening void structural design, methods of imparting rigidity and control for appropriate use conditions, disposability and decomposition mechanisms, and other considerations, and their combinations. The MutliBowl fills the void in food service ware utility with novel and nonobvious advances through the configuration of a bowl with needed associated considerations for functionality with divided service area, stackability, and disposability.
These and other aspects, objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and appended claims, and by reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The invention may be more fully understood by reference to the following drawings.

FIG. 1—Two serving well disposable bowl from which most discussion will follow.

FIG. 2—Side view of two serving well disposable bowl showing hollow concave cavity designed for nesting of like bowls.

FIG. 3—Two serving well disposable bowl, but could be a two, three, four, or other configuration allowing for the stacking.

FIG. 4—Three serving well disposable bowl, but could be a two, three, four, or other configuration of partitions to divide the bowl into two or more wells.

FIG. 5—Four serving well disposable bowl, but could be a two, three, four, or other configuration showing wells of the bowl of any well configuration for purposes of interest by the user, such as for a dressing, dip, condiment, or other use.

FIG. 6—Three serving well disposable bowl, but could be a two, three, four, or other configuration but containing a feature such as a slot for spoon or fork, a thumb hole, or other feature.

FIG. 7—Three serving well disposable bowl, but could be a two, three, four, or other configuration with the partition raised equivalent to the edge of the bowl and showing an outside edge imparting planar structural integrity.

FIG. 8—Three serving well disposable bowl, but could be a two, three, four, or other configuration with a full external shroud providing stability, altered appearance, holes for ease of carrying and yet still stackable and disposable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art that the present disclosure has broad application and utility. Any disclosure discussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be part of a best mode of the present invention or improvement. Additional disclosures may be provided for illustrative purposes of scope and in providing a full and enabling disclosure. Adaptations, variations, modifications, equivalent, and similar arrangements are implicitly included in the explicit disclosures described herein and fall within the scope of the present invention and improvements. Other general interpretation guidelines are listed below under the heading General Interpretation.

DRAWING DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to overcome one or more of the problems set forth above. In the following description of the various embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may still be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The use and the utility of the present invention is believed to be apparent from the drawings, but a few descriptive words of the apparatus called a MultiBowl and its methods of use will be added for emphasis.
The following guidance is acknowledged and used with prudence. 608.01(a)(c)6.02(i) “Where elements or groups of elements, compounds, and processes, which are conventional and generally widely known in the field of the invention described, and their exact nature or type is not necessary for an understanding and use of the invention by a person skilled in the art, they should not be described in detail.”
FIG. 1 provides for a discussion of the use and considerations of a two Bowl Well 120A and 120 B MultiBowl 100, often most preferred configuration. As disclosed previously the desire to use two, three, or more bowls for sampling food, or for a meal, serving, snacking, and other non-food applications for the arts, hobbies, repairs, containers, and so many other uses is common. A MultiBowl provides a solution to these many occasions. Illustrated is a two Bowl Well 120A and 120 B MultiBowl 100 which provides the greatest accessibility to the contents of the serving well. Bowl well accessibility can be evaluated by the ease of use of a utensil in food use applications or approachability of fingers in some food and non-food applications. Accessibility is varied by depth and narrowness of the Bowl Well 120A and 120B. A determiner of bowl serving well depth is the position of the Bowl Partition 110 to the Bowl Rim 102. Illustrated is the Bowl Partition 110 at some distance below the Bowl Rim 102. The working volume of the MultiBowl is determined by the height of the Bowl Partition Ridge (also) 110. The position of the Bowl Partition 110 ranges from design and artistic preference, structural, to use functionality, and among other considerations and their combinations. Accessibility can be seen as the ease of getting past the Bowl Rim 102 to the Bowl Bottom 106. Illustrated is a configuration of Bowl Partition 110 placement providing two symmetric Bowl Wells 120A and 120B that provide for maximum entrance into the Bowl Well 120A and 120B in a direction parallel with the Bowl Partition 110. It can be seen that adding Bowl Partitions 110 to the Multibowl 100 that reduce this maximum access parallel with the maximum width of the bowl increases sampling or containment variety with food or non-food items, but each added Bowl Partition 100 will tend to reduce accessibility to the furthest reaches of the Bowl Bottom 106. A limitation to the furthest reaches of the Bowl Bottom 106 may not be a concern based upon the type of food or non-food item, the interest of the user, variety being more important than access, and many other consideration, and their combinations. The placement of the Bowl Partition 110 and its relationship to the general bowl structure can range from design and artistic, structure, use and function, and other considerations and their combinations. This two Bowl Well 120A and 120B configuration is one consideration in serving well accessibility. Another consideration of serving well accessibility is raising the Bowl Partition 110 to the Bowl Rim 102. By this configuration the effective volume of the Bowl Well 120A and 120B is from the Bowl Rim 102 and Bowl Partition Ridge 110 to the Bowl Bottom 106. Effectively this brings the food and non-food items closer to the the top of the MultiBowl 100 for easier clearance of the Bowl Rim 102 and Bowl Partition Ridge 110 for utensil, finger, or other extractor access. Maximizing the Bowl Well 120A and 120B volume may allow for the choice to reduce the height of the bowl or the distance between the Bowl Rim 102 and Bowl Bottom 106 as the configuration of the MultiBowl 100 may be less concerned with maximum volume and more concerned with accessibility by lowering the Bowl Rim 102 and Bowl Partition Ridge 110 towards the Bowl Bottom 106. Although not limited to the following concept, but by way of noting a principle, the MultiBowl 100 is not intended as a maximum volume vessel, but as a sampler. Choosing accessibility over volume may be one configuration of the MultiBowl 100.
FIG. 1 details the generalized bowl structure of used in this disclosure by use of a perspective view of the preferred disclosure of a disposable divided bowl or MultiBowl 100. The present invention is directed to overcome one or more of the problems set forth above. Briefly summarized, according to one aspect of the present invention a MultiBowl 100 illustrates two equivalent serving Bowl Wells 120 and 122 created by a single dividing Bowl Partition 110. The general bowl structure of the MultiBowl 100 is a continuous and integrated form defined by six elements of Bowl Rim 102 formed from Bowl Upper Transition Sidewall 104U, Bowl Sidewall 104, Bowl Lower Transition Sidewall 104L upwardly extending from the Bowl Bottom 106, and potentially stabilizing Bowl Shroud (108, not shown in this disclosure). The MultiBowl 100 has a Bowl Rim 102 extending from the top of the Partition 110 to the crown of the structure and defines the Bowl Top Opening and shape, is central to the use experience, and provides key structural integrity to the bowl so that it retains it shape and content control during use. What defines the bowl is the Bowl Sidewalls that create an other than “flat” structure. The Bowl Sidewall structure is granulized to include the Bowl Upper Sidewall Transition 104U, the Bowl Sidewall 104, and the Bowl Lower Sidewall Transition 104L. Through these identified elements of the bowl, much of the bowl shape and use characteristics are defined. It is not the intent of this disclosure to define a specific shape of the bowl, but to capture all possible shapes made available by sidewall elements under bowl component definitions and claims. Central to the structure and use experience of the MultiBowl 100 is the Bowl Bottom 106 which can define bowl stability, use experience, and shape. In this preferred disclosure there is no inclusion of the Bowl Shroud 108. In totality a bowl is formed with all elements integrated and continuous as a single entity whether transitions and lines are abrupt and straight or contoured and curved.
FIG. 1 also details the generalized partition structure used in this disclosure. The MultiBowl 100 is created by the integration of Bowl Partitions within the generalized bowl structure. Five primary parameters define the Bowl Partition 110, those being Bowl Partition Ridge 110, Bowl Partition Upper Sidewall Transition 112U, Bowl Partition Sidewall 112, and Bowl Partition Lower Sidewall Integration 112L, and Bowl Partition Sidewall Integration 114. Retaining the definition of a bowl but more particular to this disclosure is the insertion and integration of a Bowl Partition 110 originating from one portion of the continuous Bowl Sidewall 104 and terminating at another continuous but opposing Bowl Sidewall 104 and forming in this preferred disclosure two equivalent Bowl Wells 120 and 122. Relevant Artisans would readily recognize that the Bowl Partition 110 may be integrated more to one side of the bowl than the other, creating two dissimilar or asymmetrical wells, these being Bowl Wells 120 and 122. The MultiBowl 100 has a Bowl Partition Ridge 110 shown to be integrated at some distance below the Bowl Rim extending from a center point of the Bowl Sidewall 104 to the opposing Bowl Sidewall 104. The Bowl Partition 110 is an integral and uniform flowing structure of the MultiBowl 100 by seamless integration at the Bowl Partition Sidewall Integration 114 and Bowl Partition Lower Sidewall Integration 112L. In this illustration a more angular Bowl Sidewall 104 and Bowl Bottom 106 integration is shown. The Bowl Partition 110 is illustrated in this preferred disclosure with a narrower Bowl Ridge with more sharply contoured Bowl Partition Upper Sidewall Transitions 112U. The Bowl Partition Sidewalls have a more linear design coming from the more sharp or angular transitions from the Bowl Sidewall 104 and Bowl Bottom 106. The inverted “V” channel structure created by the Bowl Partition 100 also imparts significant strength, rigidity, and control to the MultiBowl 100 parallel with the Bowl Partition 110. The hollow Bowl Partition Nesting Cavity 130 formed to follow the contour of the inside surface of the Bowl Partition 110 introduces a weakness in bowl structure in the direction perpendicular to the Bowl Partition 110. This weakness in perpendicular MultiBowl rigidity is overcome and strengthened by the lower positioning of the Bowl Partition 110 below the Bowl Rim 102. The Bowl Rim 102 includes the crown of the bowl as well as the structure in the immediate vicinity of the Bowl Rim 102 of that space between the Bowl Rim 102 crown and the top of the Bowl Partition 110. Created in this space is a ribbon of Bowl Sidewall 104 structure with a flange thickness equivalent to the thickness of the bowl structure, such structure imparting ribbon depth associated as Bowl Rim 102 structure. This structural depth provides for needed rigidity in the perpendicular direction across the Bowl Partition 110. The result is a MultiBowl with that has uniform strength and structural integrity in parallel, perpendicular, and at any angular direction relative to the Bowl Partition 110. The integration of the Bowl Partition 110 successfully divides the bowl into a MultiBowl 100 structure with two Bowl Wells capable of containing liquids, semiliquids, and solids. The volume of Bowl Wells 120 and 122 is no greater than that defined by the top of the Bowl Partition 110.
FIG. 2 details nesting disclosures of the MultiBowl. Generalized nesting structure of the MultiBowl 200 is most directly defined by the nature of the Bowl Partition Nesting Cavity 230, the angle of the Bowl Partition, the shape of the MultiBowl 200, the thickness of the bowl structure, surface properties of the inside and outside of the bowl, and other considerations, and their combinations. The preferred mode of this disclosure is the feature of MultiBowl nesting or stacking. The stacking of bowls is know in the art and is nearly a natural result of the structure of the bowl. As with these structures, there are some considerations to support more idealized nesting, such as those just previously mentioned. An important consideration in nesting is the minimization of surface to surface contact resulting in transient surface adhesion, formed by residual water or other residual substances, residual electric or static charge, the smoothness or other character of the surface, and other reasons and their combinations. These surface adhesions show up as the forces experienced that resist separation of nested articles, such as cups that may have high surface contact areas. Ideal nesting considerations suggest that an inserted article nested within a receiving article minimizes its area of contact. In an example of cups, one solution is to have a more sharply angled cup structure such that the outside surface of the inserted nesting cup contacts only a small ring or surface of the upper edge of the lower receiving cup with the remaining nesting cup outer surface separated from the lower cup due to its sufficiently angled form. Ideal nesting design usually seeks the inside and outside contours and dimensions of a MultiBowl 200 to follow near identically with the difference between them only being the thickness of the MultiBowl 200 structure. As such, one MultiBowl's 200 outside surface contours and dimensions will tightly fit another MultiBowl's 200 inside surface contours and dimensions. This tight fit will create a high surface to surface contact as previously described, and as previously stated as non-ideal, but creates a starting point for general MultiBowl 200 into MultiBowl 200 fit. To interrupt this tight outside surface to inside surface adhesion, there is a need to introduce a small gap between the MultipBowls 200 by air, paper, or other non-tacky, and non-conductive substance. The easiest and very effective solution is to introduce an air gap by creating an aberration in the design. One method of introducing sufficient air gap is to create a rough or irregular surface inside, outside, or both. As the MultiBowl 200 is intended for a positive food and other article use experience, that would usually be associated with a smoother inside surface. As such, a sufficiently rough Bowl Outer Surface 240 or irregular outside surface or underneath surface to the MultiBowl 200 would introduce enough pockets or regions of surface interruption and air or space to break up and disconnect retaining surface to surface contact and adhesion. This textured outside surface of the MultiBowl 200 could provide for improved separation of one MultiBowl 200 from another MultiBowl 200, as well as provide for decor, and other aesthetic considerations as well as grip and other functional considerations, and their combinations. Another form of introducing an air gap between MultiBowls 200 is creating an irregularity in design that lifts the nesting bowl a small distance to separate the surfaces and introduce an air gap. That irregularity need only occur in one location, but could be introduced in a plurality of locations. For the MultiBowls 200 this irregularity could manifest itself in various locations on the outside surface or underneath surface of the MultiBowl 200. By way of example and not intended to be limiting, these could include the following. The outside or underside of the MultiBowl 200 as Stackable Rim Buildup 242. The outside or underneath apex of the concave bowl partition as Stackable Partition Concave Buildup 244 that would hold the nesting bowl up by the thickness of the additional structure mass. Another location may be the Stackable Base Bead Buildup 246 or Stackable Base Tab Buildup 248 of a bead or spot mass at the Bowl Bottom. Another means for securing ideal stacking release is to change the contour, dimension, or angle of an outside surface or structure, such as at the Bowl Outer Surface 240. Another example may be changing the inside angle of the Bowl Partition Concave Cavity 230, and again any surface of the bowl, or their combinations. This disclosure fully leverages the waiting need and convenience of a MultiBowl 200 for food, hobby, or other item use and becomes especially useful when it is conveniently stackable, provides multiple use wells by one or more dividing partitions, and then when soiled or otherwise used and not fit for reuse can be easily disposed.
FIG. 3 details the nesting of bowls to create MultiBowl 300 stackability. It is expected that kitchenware be useful towards its purpose, but also stack neatly away until used. Especially where disposability of the bowls is a key feature, stackability as becomes especially important. Primarily because disposability can imply a supply need in front of MultiBowl 300 use and disposal. Stacking provides for convenient consolidation of multiple MultiBowls 300 for storage, transportation, supply, and accessibility. Stackability for a typical single Bowl Well configuration is natural and expected. The presence of the MultiBowl 300 Bowl Partition 310 available at any configuration within the MultiBowl 300 impedes simple stackability unless the Bowl Partition 310 also accounts for Bowl Nesting 340 with the presence of a Bowl Partition Nesting Cavity 330.
FIG. 3 discloses a general bowl structure of the MultiBowl 300 as a continuous and integrated form defined by a Bowl Rim 302 composed of only a crown, Bowl Sidewall 304 with integrated uniform Bowl Upper Transition Sidewall and Bowl Lower Transition Sidewall configuration, Bowl Bottom 306, and without a Bowl Shroud. Further the Multibowl 300 is distinctly defined by an asymmetric Bowl Partition 310 at the height of the Bowl Rim 302, Bowl Partition Upper Sidewall Transition 332U that is substantially uniform on the upper concave and convex sides of the Bowl Partition 310, asymmetric Bowl Partition Sidewall 312 with a less angular and more sloping surface on the concave and smaller well side of the Bowl Partition Lower Sidewall Integration 312L, and Bowl Partition Sidewall Integration 314. Created by the MultiBowl 300 with the asymmetric Bowl Partition 310 are two dissimilar Bowl Wells 320 and the smaller 322. Most defined about this bowl configuration is the lack of a Bowl Rim 302 or other structure to account for weakened structural integrity and control perpendicular to the Bowl Partition 310. The needed structure is accounted for by a more rigid material and by the arch of the Bowl Partition 310 which imparts in the design both a parallel and a perpendicular support to the bowl configuration. The most particular to the disclosure of FIG. 3 is the Bowl Nesting 340 of the MultiBowls 300. Illustrated is a deep Bowl Nesting 340 of one MultiBowl 300 well within another MultiBowl 300 facilitated by the sloping Bowl Sidewall 304 that eliminate nesting from being impeded by bowl structure and eliminating MultiBowl 300 removal due to adhesion. Additionally, MultiBowl 300 stacking and nesting must accommodate the Bowl Partition 310. The upward convex Bowl Partition 310 structure within the MultiBowl 300 is accounted for by the Bowl Partition Nesting Cavity 330 closely following the internal Bowl Partition 310 structure with only the difference of the thickness of the bowl structure. Again the nature of the bowl design, surface properties, and specific nesting accommodations allow for the MultiBowl 300 to be stackable, divided into serving wells, and disposable.
FIG. 4 provides for a means to discuss the use and function of a symmetric three Bowl Well disclosure. The MultiBowl 400 originates from the food services industry as a type of sampler bowl. The three Bowl Well MultiBowl 400 is a useful configuration well suited for liquid to solid food sampling portions, without having to use or carry multiple bowls. MultiBowls 400 or any configuration, but again the three Bowl Well configuration provides well sized Bowl Wells for sampling volume and accessibility by a spoon, fork, finger, or other utensil. MultiBowls 400 of any bowl size and any Bowl Well configuration can also be especially useful food or for crafts, sorting, and other non-food related uses. The three Bowl Well MultiBowl 400 configuration, as with any MultiBowl 400 configuration may position the Bowl Partitions 410 at any symmetric or asymmetric positions to create.
FIG. 4 illustrates a general bowl structure of the MultiBowl 400 as a continuous and integrated form defined by a Bowl Rim 402 composed of the crown and a stiffening ribbon, Bowl Sidewall 404 with integrated uniform Bowl Upper Transition Sidewall and Bowl Lower Transition Sidewall configuration upwardly extending from the Bowl Bottom 406, and without a Bowl Shroud. Further the MultiBowl 400 is distinctly defined by three equal and symmetric Bowl Wells 420A, 420B, and 420C by three symmetric Bowl Partition Ridges 410A, 410B, and 410C at some equal distance below the height of the Bowl Rim 402. Bowl Partition Ridge identifiers 410A, 410B, and 410C will also be used to identify individual or general Bowl Partitions (collectively). The Bowl Partitions Sidewall 412 of the various Bowl Partitions 410A, 410B, and 410C are uniform in Bowl Partition Upper Sidewall Transition, Bowl Partition Sidewalls, and Bowl Partition Lower Sidewall Integration and are not otherwise separately distinguished given their substantially uniform equivalence in all characteristics. In like manner the Bowl Partition Sidewall Integration 414 is not individually distinguished as each is substantially equal with tight radius, if not angular, transitions to the Bowl Sidewall 404. Similarly Bowl Partition Sidewall Integration 414 between Partition Sidewalls 412 are substantially equivalent in this disclosure and show substantially equivalent tight radius, if not angular, transition with other Bowl Partitions 414. This disclosure shows a substantially uniform bowl thickness between the Bowl Inner Surface 440 and the Bowl Outer Surface 442, consideration for bowl stacking nesting and bowl stacking release as both discusses herein. Considered more specifically is this uniform thickness carried through the convex inner Bowl Partition 410 structure and then through uniform thickness of the concave Bowl Partition Nesting Cavity 430 (or considered a cavity throughout, but not shown 430A, 430B, and 430C) of the three Bowl Partitions 410A, 410B, and 410C. The substantially uniform thickness of the bowl structure carried through all structures of the MultiBowl 400 to include the Bowl Partition Nesting Cavity 430 specifically allows for the three well MultiBowl 400 to nest and release for serviceable stackability. Illustrated with this specific disclosure is a uniform and symmetric distribution of Bowl Partitions 430. A Relevant Artisan would readily appreciate the following, but not a comprehensive list, that any symmetry or asymmetry, height or shallowness, narrowness or broadness, linear or curved, or other configurations, and any of their combinations of Bowl Partition 410 characteristics do not detract from the stackability, disposability, and divided serving well function of the MultiBowl 400.
FIG. 5 details an asymmetric four Bowl Well for discussion of solutions for food and non-food sampling and separation. As illustrated and previously discussed the Bowl Partitions 510 need not be positioned in any particular location and may create any Bowl Partition 510 and any Bowl Well 520 symmetric to asymmetric configuration. In this illustration, there are four Bowl Wells of 520A and 520B being similar and equating to half the bowl structure. Bowl Well 520C is much smaller than the other Bowl Wells 520. This is an illustration of one of many types of configurations available through the location of a Bowl Partition 510. Adjustments to the configuration of Bowl Well 520C are shown in this case to have a depth equivalent to the height of the full structure. That is the Bowl Partitions 510C and 510D each engage the Bowl Rim 502 near the crown of the bowl for nearly maximum Bowl Well 520C volume. Such a full depth or near full depth serving well could be used for holding a dip, a garnish, a sauce, a dessert, or even a cracker, food stick, or other food item. An alternative structure could include the bowl bottom of the Bowl Well 520C being raised to create a small shallow serving well. In such a case the illustration would be modified such that the bottom of Bowl Well 520C would be raised above the bottom of the other wells, or the well could simply be filled in with material, or other methods devised for making the serving well shallower, and their combinations. Such a serving well could be a dip, a garnish, a sauce, a rich dessert, or some other delicacy, topping, condiment, or other food item, and their combinations. The flexibility and variability available for MultiBowl 500 configurations also makes them useful beyond so many food preparation, food serving, individual food sampling, snacking, display, and other food related uses and their combinations, but also for hobby, artistic, craftsman, mechanical, electronic, repair, industrial, healthcare, and other non-food related uses and their combinations.
FIG. 5 details a general bowl structure of the MultiBowl 500 as a continuous and integrated form defined by a Bowl Rim 502 composed of the crown and a minimal stiffening ribbon, Bowl Sidewall 504 with integrated uniform Bowl Upper Transition Sidewall and Bowl Lower Transition Sidewall configuration upwardly extending from the Bowl Bottom 506, and without a Bowl Shroud. Further the MultiBowl 500 is distinctly defined by having four Bowl Wells 520A and substantially equal 520B, a smaller 520C, and a larger 520D. These Bowl Wells are formed by four Bowl Partition Ridges 510A, 510B, 510C, and 510D which could be considered as extensions of Bowl Partition 510B. Bowl Partition Ridge identifiers 510A, 510B, 510C, and 510D will also be used to generate Bowl Partitions and represented as 510. The Bowl Partition Sidewalls 512 of the various Bowl Partitions 510 are uniform in Bowl Partition Upper Sidewall Transition, Bowl Partition Sidewalls, and Bowl Partition Lower Sidewall Integration and are not otherwise separately distinguished given their substantially uniform equivalence in all characteristics. In like manner the Bowl Partition Sidewall Integration 514 is not individually distinguished as each is substantially equal with built up radius, where shown or implied, transitioning to the Bowl Sidewall 504. Similarly Bowl Partition Sidewall Integration 514 between Partition Sidewalls 510 is substantially equivalent in this disclosure and shows substantially equivalent built up radius, where shown or implied, transitioning with other Bowl Partitions 514. The Bowl Partitions 510 are integrated into the Bowl Sidewall 504 at a height just below the Bowl Rim 502. A feature of the built up radius at Bowl Partition Sidewall Integration 514 is a means of building strength into the structure of the bowl. Bowl Partitions 510B and 510D show a type of singular structure from one Bowl Sidewall 504 to another. In parallel to this structure the MultiBowl 500 would display strength and stability under all foreseen use conditions due to the structural channel effect of the Bowl Partition 510 configuration. Alternatively, the strength and stability of the MultiBowl 500 perpendicular to the Bowl Partition 510B and 510E there is a Bowl Partition Nesting Cavity 530A that runs the length of the MultiBowl 500 and introduces a structural weakness. To mitigate this structural weakness is the added material or mass for increased structural strength in the direction perpendicular to the Bowl Partition 510B and 510D. The built up region around the Bowl Partition Sidewall Integration 514 provides another method of imparting structural strength parallel, perpendicular or at any direction around the MultiBowl 500. Adding to this strength from built up mass is the Bowl Rim 502 which incorporates the crown of the MultiBowl as well as the flange thickness and ribbon of sidewall structure defined as in the immediate vicinity of the crown and considered as the Bowl Rim 502. The depth of this ribbon with its flanged Bowl Thickness between the Bowl Inner Surface 540 and the Bowl Outer Surface 542 in conjunction with the depth of the Bowl Rim 502 will also add strength, control, and stability to the MultiBowl use in all direction use forces. This disclosure shows a substantially uniform bowl thickness between the Bowl Inner Surface 540 and the Bowl Outer Surface 542, consideration for bowl stacking nesting and bowl stacking release as both discussed herein. Considered more specifically is this uniform thickness carried through the convex inner Bowl Partition 510 structure and then through uniform thickness of the concave Bowl Partition Nesting Cavity 530A and 530B (or consider a cavity throughout, but not shown 530A, 530B, 530C, and 530D) of the three Bowl Partitions 510A, 510B, 510C, and 510D. The uniform thickness of the bowl structure carried through all structures of the MultiBowl 500 to include all Bowl Partition Nesting Cavities 530 specifically allows for the four well MultiBowl 500 to nest and release for serviceable stackability. Illustrated with this specific disclosure is a uniform and symmetric distribution of Bowl Partitions 530. A Relevant Artisan would readily appreciate the following, but not a comprehensive list, that any symmetry or asymmetry, height or shallowness, narrowness or broadness, linear or curved, or other configurations, and any of their combinations of Bowl Partition 510 characteristics do not detract from the stackability, disposability, and divided serving well function of the MultiBowl.
FIG. 6 illustrates added features of the disposable divided MultiBowl 600. The environment of use of the MultiBowl is expected to be less formal settings. The disposability does not suggest the MultiBowl 600 will be used in a place setting of a set table awaiting its participants. Although not exclusive to this use, the disposability of the MultiBowl 600 suggests more of a picnic, buffet, self-serve, or other such environment where utensils, plates, bowls, cups, napkins, and other food service items are stacked in the vicinity of the food items. As such, the MultiBowl 600 will often be taken from a stack of MultiBowls 600, filled with one or more soups, stews, solid foods, fruits, vegetables, desserts, or any other food items in one or more of the Bowl Wells 620 and then carried from the food station to a place of seating and eating. The advantage of the MultiBowl is the ability to gauge food intake while enjoying a sampling of foods. The alternative, especially for foods of a more liquid character is to use multiple bowls. As previously mentioned multiple bowls are difficult to carry and move, take up too much table space, are difficult to manage, often cause individuals to take more than they plan to eat, and among many other reasons uses more material resources that ultimately simply find their way into the waste disposal stream. Given the informal expected use of the MultiBowl 600, the illustrated feature of this disclosure is a Bowl Utensil Holder 650 positioned on the Bowl Partition Ridge 610A, 610B, and 610C. In this disclosure, Bowl Partition Ridge 610B contains a Bowl Utensil Holder 650 in the form of a spoon, fork, or knife accepting slot. Not shown, but more than one slot, in this case, could be provided on the same Bowl Partition Ridge 610 for this three Bowl Well 620 MultiBowl 600 or any divided bowl with one or more partitions. The Bowl Utensil Holder definition indicates the spoon slot can take many forms of utensil holder. Not shown, not limited by any list, but inclusive of tabs that lock a utensil in place, are a flat Bowl Partition Ridge in a two Bowl Well configuration capable of laying a spoon or fork on the space, an indentation within a Bowl Partition Ridge to accept a spoon or fork, or a Bowl Rim extension for loosely holding a napkin,
FIG. 6 illustrates a general bowl structure of the MultiBowl 600 as a continuous and integrated form defined by a Bowl Rim 602 composed of the crown and a stiffening ribbon, Bowl Sidewall 604 with integrated uniform Bowl Upper Transition Sidewall and Bowl Lower Transition Sidewall configuration upwardly extending from the Bowl Bottom 606, and without a Bowl Shroud. Further the MultiBowl 600 is distinctly defined by three equal and symmetric Bowl Wells 620A, 620B, and 620C by three symmetric Bowl Partition Ridges 610A, 610B, and 610C at some equal distance below the height of the Bowl Rim 602. Bowl Partition Ridge identifiers 610A, 610B, and 610C will also be used to identify individual or general Bowl Partitions (collectively). The Bowl Partitions Sidewall 612 of the various Bowl Partitions 610A, 610B, and 610C are uniform in Bowl Partition Upper Sidewall Transition, Bowl Partition Sidewalls, and Bowl Partition Lower Sidewall Integration and are not otherwise separately distinguished given their substantially uniform equivalence in all characteristics. In like manner the Bowl Partition Sidewall Integration 614 is not individually distinguished as each is substantially equal with tight radius, if not angular, transitions to the Bowl Sidewall 604. Similarly Bowl Partition Sidewall Integration 614 between Partition Sidewalls 612 are substantially equivalent in this disclosure and show substantially equivalent tight radius, if not angular, transitions with other Bowl Partitions 614. This disclosure shows a substantially uniform bowl thickness between the Bowl Inner Surface 640 and the Bowl Outer Surface 642, consideration for bowl stacking nesting and bowl stacking release as both discussed herein. Considered more specifically is this uniform thickness carried through the convex inner Bowl Partition 610 structure and then through uniform thickness of the concave Bowl Partition Nesting Cavity 630 (or consider a cavity throughout, but not shown 630A, 630B, and 630C) of the three Bowl Partitions 610A, 610B, and 610C. The substantially uniform thickness of the bowl structure carried through all structures of the MultiBowl 600 to include the Bowl Partition Nesting Cavity 630 specifically allows for the three well MultiBowl 600 to nest and release for serviceable stackability. Illustrated with this specific disclosure is a uniform and symmetric distribution of Bowl Partitions 630. A Relevant Artisan would readily appreciate the following, but not a comprehensive list, that any symmetry or asymmetry, height or shallowness, narrowness or broadness, linear or curved, or other configurations, and any of their combinations of Bowl Partition 610 characteristics do not detract from the stackability, disposability, and divided serving well function of the MultiBowl 600.
FIG. 7 illustrates the MultiBowl 700 with the added feature of a widened Bowl Rim 702. The Bowl Rim 702 includes the crown of the bowl and bowl structure in the immediate vicinity of the crown such as segments of the Bowl Upper Sidewall Sidewall Transition (as previously shown elsewhere) above the Bowl Partition Interface 714A and the upper Bowl Shroud (not included). In this illustration there is no inner Bowl Rim 702 as Bowl Partitions 710A, 710B, and 710C are placed equivalent to the crown of the bowl. As such the Bowl Partition Interfaces 714 meet the Bowl Rim 702 at the top near the crown. In this disclosure, as a three Bowl Partition 710 MultiBowl 700 configuration, then also the Bowl Partitions must also be joined by a Bowl Partition Interface 714B. The Bowl Partitions What is present in this preferred disclosure is the presence of an extension of the Bowl Rim 702 to the exterior. The presence of this extended Bowl Rim 702 to the exterior may be a configuration applied to any MultiBowl configuration, even to those previously discussed herein. The purpose of the Bowl Rim 702 to the exterior may be included for any number of reasons, such as, but not limited to: design and artistic preference, market acceptance, manufacturing facilitation, function and food control, use experience, structure stiffness and rigidity, and other reasons, and any of their combinations. A discussion of at least one reason for the presence of the Bowl Rim 702 extending to the exterior of the MultiBowl 700 is to affect use experience and then an accommodating structural consideration. A design configuration affecting use experience occurs by raising the Bowl Partitions 710 to their highest effective placements or at a height equivalent to the Bowl Rim 702. By doing so, a user may bring the contents of each serving well closer to the Bowl Rim 702. Contents closer to the level of the Bowl Rim 702 make them more accessible by utensils or fingers and make for a more natural and easy use experience. Not limited to this purpose, but one of many reasons for the MultiBowl 700 is to sample foods in the divided serving wells. A result of this is that one serving well of food may not satisfy an appetite, but a sampling of two or more foods from the MultiBowl 700 may. When the MultiBowl is used for other purposes, such as for crafts, repair, sorting, and so many other reasons, access to Bowl Well (not identified by number in this disclosure, but done so elsewhere) contents is an important use consideration. Easier access to food or non-food items can occur in one way by making the MultiBowl 700 less deep. The effectiveness or the useful volume of the MultiBowl 700 is retained by raising the Bowl Partitions 710 to the crown of the Bowl Rim 702.
FIG. 7 illustrates a structural consideration of the MultiBowl 700 that uses the Bowl Rim 702 to impart strength, stiffness, and control during the use experience. Raising the Bowl Partitions 710 to the crown of the Bowl Rim 702, and maintaining a uniformly thin structure throughout the MultiBowl 700, creates a Bowl Partition Nesting Cavity 730. As the Bowl Partition Ridge 710 is at the crown of the Bowl Rim 702 then this uniform thickness of the structure would also carry the top of the Bowl Partition Nesting Cavity 730 to near the top of the Bowl Rim 702. The result is a MultiBowl 700 structure that has a lack of structural material in the perpendicular to the Bowl Partition 710, thus reducing structural stability around the combination of Bowl Partitions 710 and Bowl Partition Nesting Cavities 730. Depending upon the structural, inner surface, and outer surface materials, which may be the same or any combination of materials, it is not expected that the MultiBowl 700 will separate into separate serving wells, but the use experience of a floppy, unstable, unpredictable, and less controllable MultiBowl 700 is more at issue. Under the definition of Bowl Nesting there are strategies suggested that use build up of material on top or below the crown Bowl Rim 702 crown or at the top of the convex structure of the Bowl Partition Nesting Cavity 730 to impart increased structural strength. This method is one of several which can impart uniform stiffness and control of the MultiBowl 700. One such configuration consideration to impart some structural stability when the Bowl Partition Nesting Cavity 730 reaches to the uppermost crown of the Bowl Partition 710 and Bowl Rim 702 is the angle of the Bowl Partitions. In this illustration, there is a symmetrical angle between the Bowl Partitions 710 around the shape of the Bowl Bottom (not numbered in the image, but shown in other figures) and the bowl top or Bowl Rim 702. In this disclosure the placement, shape, and structure of the Bowl Partitions 710 will impart some stiffness and control to the MultiBowl 700, but the result is not expected to be substantial or sufficient. Among the various methods of imparting rigidity perpendicular to the Bowl Partition 710 and Bowl Partition Nesting Cavity 730 void is an external Bowl Rim 702 ribbon structure. The external protrusion of the Bowl Rim 701 with uniform thickness, although it need not be equivalent to the thickness of the MultiBowl 700 or uniform in any way, will impart structural strength based upon its flange dimension or thickness, depth or distance from the Bowl Rim 702 crown and the end of the ribbon, and the curvature of the Bowl Rim 702 ribbon due to the shape of the MultiBowl 700. This disclosure illustrates the presence of a simple structural addition or a small extension of the Bowl Rim 702 which provides potentially desired design element as well as greater stiffness, rigidity, control, and improved user experience in all directions of use in relationship to any combination of the Bowl Partitions 710 and Bowl Partition Nesting Cavities 730. A result of this disclosure is the potential for a shallower bowl without loss of effective volume for improved content accessibility as well as the control, confidence, and use experience that welcomes the MultiBowl 700 as a common food service or non-food service container.
FIG. 8 reveals an individual, use disposable, divided, and stackable MultiBowl 800 with a Bowl Shroud 808. The Bowl Shroud 808 provides an extreme state of MultiBowl design and artistic consideration, use experience, functionality, stability, strength, rigidity, and other considerations and their combinations. Beyond design and artistic considerations the Bowl Shroud provides the following specific purposes, a list of examples, not intended to be limiting. A casual user to a Relevant Artisan would immediate recognize the Bowl Shroud 808 would provide increased stability of the MultiBowl 800. The design and structure of a bowl has been available for centuries as a shape of naturally occurring or easily formed structures. Though this fact is usually not an issue, the structure of a bowl is inherently unstable. Whether empty or full, the narrower bowl base and the wider bowl top create an unstable structure. This instability continues with the MultiBowl 800 as it takes on the typical structure of a bowl, but as stated is usually not an issue with bowls or the MultiBowl 800. The MultiBowl 800 does have additional consideration in that the Bowl Partition Nesting Cavity (not numbered and not shown, but displayed in other figures) can add less base area and thereby voids in base support. Again, this phenomenon is not found to be an issue in MultiBowl 800 stability, but is a consideration in less than ideal use environments of the MultiBowl 800. Those environments can be, but are not limited to a tilted picnic table, a wobbly picnic table, a banquet table with dozens or more people ready to bump the table, beat up banquet tables that also tip and wobble, uneven workbenches, card tables with sagging table tops and flimsy legs, craft tables filled with other items and lots of hands ready to hit a container over, and other conditions, and their combinations. The presence of a Bowl Shroud 808 provides increased stability to overcome most bowl and bowl use condition instability. Another purpose of the Bowl Shroud 808 is the ability to elevate the Bowl Bottom (not numbered or shown, but displayed in other figures). Elevating the Bowl Bottom may be considerations of this limited list, not intended to be comprehensive, to include; design and artistic sensibilities, use experience, perception of bowl size to volume, stability with only the outer base of the shroud touching the surface instead of needed registry among the bowl base and the shroud base, manufacturing considerations, and other visual or functional reasons, and any of their combinations. Lifting the Bowl Bottom with the Bowl Shroud 808 is another approach to increasing accessibility to the contents of the MultiBowl 800. An additional purpose of the Bowl Shroud 808 is the strength that it imparts to the MultiBowl 800. The illustrated MultiBowl 800 shows a Bowl Partition 810B and 810C that flows uninterrupted from one side of the MultiBowl 800 to the other with little internal Bowl Rim 802. With the accompanying Bowl Partition Nesting Cavity (not numbered and not shown, but displayed in other figures) closely mirroring the inner surface of the Bowl Partition 810 by the thickness of the MultiBowl 800 structure, there is an inevitable weakness in the perpendicular direction as has been previously detailed. Use control and experience of this MultiBowl 800 would be much different than with the full Bowl Shroud 808 as illustrated. It is noticed that it is not important that the Bowl Shroud be a homogenous structure, but the structure may include openings within the full shroud, at the edges of the shroud (not shown), or their combinations. The shroud structure, therefore may be homogenous or non-homogeneous, symmetric or asymmetric, and other such design or functional considerations, and any of their combinations. As a result, an additional utility of the Bowl Shroud 808 is the potential for openings and structural considerations for more positions from which users could grasp the bowl. Such openings potentially create an ability to carry more items from a food serving area to a food eating area or around a craft location, or to use the structure for utensil holding features, among other reasons, and any of their combinations. Further consideration of the Bowl Shroud 808 incorporates all the added feature considerations of FIG. 7 or otherwise included herein, but likely imparting increased favorable properties with the increased depth of the Bowl Shroud 808 with the same flange dimension or thickness.
FIG. 8 structural details of the MultiBowl 800 are again similar to those outlined in FIG. 7 structural consideration or otherwise included herein. Setting aside design, artistic, use experience, market, and manufacturing opinion and preferences; the greater depth of the Bowl Shroud increases the structural stiffness, strength, control, and rigidity in any direction relevant to perpendicular with a Bowl Partition 810.
While the invention has been described with particular reference to the preferred disclosure, it will be understood by Relevant Artisans that there are numerous variations, permutations, and equivalents that may be substituted or supplemented for elements of the preferred embodiments without departing from the basic elements of the invention. Further, it is understood that any disclosures and lists are illustrative and exemplary, are not comprehensive, and made merely for the purposes of providing a full preferred mode and enabling description. It is accordingly intended that the claims shall cover all such modifications and applications as do not depart from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Common Elements, Terminology, and Definitions

The following paragraphs are a grouping of common Elements of this disclosure, common terminology, and useful definitions to facilitate an organized and clear understanding of the invention herein described.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the specification and relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Where the contextual meaning as understood by Relevant Artisan differs from any particular dictionary definition, it is intended that the meaning of the term as ascribed by Relevant Artisans prevail.
Known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity, as accounted for by 608.01(a)(c)6.02(i). “Where elements or groups of elements, compounds, and processes, which are conventional and generally widely known in the field of the invention described, and their exact nature or type is not necessary for an understanding and use of the invention by a person skilled in the art, they should not be described in detail.”
Bowl—This term or concept, a variation or an equivalent, and their plural forms represent any bowl as generally departing from the Marriam-Webster Dictionary definition. A bowl is a noun referring to “a concave usually nearly hemispherical (half a sphere) vessel; specifically: a drinking vessel.” A bowl is further generalized as any form of a concave configuration from a shallow saucer to a high sided cup and refers to an item other than a plate which is defined elsewhere and generally known in the art as substantially flat. The definition of a bowl used herein is consistent with what is known commonly as a bowl, but here is defined in terms of six features. Those features are discussed and defined elsewhere, but include the bottom, transitional area from the bottom to the sidewall, the sidewall, the transitional area from the sidewall to the rim, the rim, and then a shroud. These areas are not intended to be so distinct as to eliminate their flow from one definitional area to the next and at times may be indistinguishable and have common features such as material, design considerations, and more. Further the bowl as disclosed is inclusive of other structures which further define the invention as being disposable, divided into two or more Bowl Wells, and stackable. The structure that creates these features is included in the definition of the bowl and includes one or more partitions, among other disclosed elements.
Bowl Base—This term or concept, a variation or an equivalent, and their plural forms represents what the bowl is resting on. The Bowl Base could be equivalent to the Bowl Bottom if the bowl uses the Bowl Bottom as the base or that structure on which the bowl is resting. The Bowl Base could also include the Bowl Shroud that extends past the Bowl Bottom to form the Bowl Base leaving the Bowl Bottom elevated. The Bowl Base may also be a combination of the bowl resting on the Bowl Bottom and the Bowl Shroud, or another structure or any of their combinations.
Bowl Bottom—This term or concept, a variation or an equivalent, and their plural forms represent the structure from an elliptical form to a gentler hemispherical “half-sphere” of which each would be independently unstable to a flat base for maximum stability, and any of their combinations. The Bowl Bottom extends into the transitional areas to the sidewalls. In this disclosure the Bowl Bottom will include areas of discontinuity resulting from the formation of partitions that form a hollow base concave cavity relative to the underside of the bowl bottom for nesting the Bowl Bottom, partition, and other structure to achieve a stacking result. Another aspect of the Bowl Bottom is the nature of the shape of the Bowl Bottom to include, but not limited to being circular, oval, rectangular, square, or any other geometry, and any of their combinations. It is also recognized that the closed base of the bowl and the open top of the bowl may also be of the same or different structures
Bowl Inner Surface—This term or concept, a variation or an equivalent, and their plural forms define specific considerations to the food service or content service side of the bowl. That is to give specific considerations of its appearance, interaction with food liquids and solids and their range of hydrophilic and hydrophobic as well as acidic and basic properties, texture, and other considerations and their combinations. Bowl Inner Surface incorporates the any materials and processes of the bowl and its partitions which may be used to create a surface compatible to hydrophilic, hydrophobic, range of hydrophobicity, and any of their combinations. The bowl surface refers to any interior, exterior, or other surface. The bowl surface may be composed of the same bowl material as the bowl structure material or may be treated, layered, or otherwise covered with another material or any combination of materials. Such materials may include, but are not intended to be limited to oils, paints, water soluble deposits, oil soluble deposits, foams, thermoplastics, thermosets, cellulose, paper, pulp, glasses, ceramics, aggregates, metals, alloys, and any of their homogenous or heterogeneous combinations and any of their combinations with natural fibers, synthetic fibers, and any of their combinations. These materials may be added as if a second structural addition to a thin film, even a molecular level film, or any of their combinations. The bowl surface may be composed of the same material as the bowl structure of the same form or altered form, or may be a single other material or any of their combinations. The utility and purpose of the film range for providing a surface that will resist the water, oils, acids, bases, and specific chemistries of bowl contents so that the bowls will maintain their structure and integrity throughout use. For food items, it may be necessary to protect food from contamination from bowl structure materials or processing additives and releasing agents. Bowl structure and bowl surface may also be designed for consideration of temperature of contents, ambient temperature, and use in some situations for heating such as in a microwave cavity, hot water, hot plate, as examples, but not intending to be limited to the stated examples. Bowl surface and bowl structure may also provide for tailored thermal properties to with stand a range of use temperatures or to provide retention of content temperature during use. Further a bowl surface finish may be elected based upon bowl structure conditions to provide more aesthetic delight than underlying structural material would suggest in contact with bowl contents. One such consideration is an underlying bowl structure engineered to show accelerated decomposition, and benefits from a inner use surface film or coating. The bowl surface finish may also impart a structural strengthening or integrity retaining function. Such added structure may be core to the creation of a bowl with a more temporary bowl structure when exposed to outside element making the bowl more rapidly decomposable, yet to avoid premature degradation during use a surface covering is provided. Bowl surface finishing may be applied to the internal surface, external surface, and other surfaces or to any one or more combinations of these surfaces. In general consider the bowl surface to be a coating or layer adjacent to the bowl structural material to impart a more liquid durable surface, a smoother surface, or a more aesthetic surface.
Bowl Lower Sidewall Transition—This term or concept, a variation or an equivalent, and their plural forms represent the structure of the bowl that evolves from the Bowl Bottom to the Bowl Sidewall. Consider the Bowl Bottom, Bowl Lower Sidewall Transition, and the Bowl Sidewall as a single integral structure, only distinguished for discussion and definitional purposes. The Bowl Lower Sidewall Transition will be upwardly moving and may range from a form of an elliptical, circular, hemispherical shape to any sharper angular and even square departure from the Bowl Bottom and moving directly to what would be the Bowl Sidewall and any of their combinations.
Bowl Material—This term or concept, a variation or an equivalent, and their plural forms represent any structure, materials, outer surface which form the structural integrity of the bowl and its partitions. The choice of materials from which to form the disposable divided and stackable bowls range across currently used materials. By way of example, and not intended to be a limited list, includes: foams, thermoplastics, thermosets, cellulose, other carbons, paper, pulp, other natural fibers, other natural slurries and injectables to solids, glasses, ceramics, composites, aggregates, metals, alloys, and any of their homogenous or heterogeneous combinations and any of their combinations with natural fibers, synthetic fibers, and any of their combinations. Material choice may include, but is not limited to as in all cases of examples given, directed by availability, cost, acceptability, rigidity, strength, toughness, temperature and ranges, hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, surface properties, color, thinness while retaining structure, compactness or increase openness and surface area, decomposition, rate and mechanisms of decomposition, binder choice, solvent choices, end products of decomposition, stackability, and other of many considerations, and their combinations. Bowl Material may be used for build up under the bowl rim, bowl partition nesting cavity, bowl bottom, bowl base, or other location to improve function and use.
Bowl Nesting—This term or concept, a variation or an equivalent, and their plural forms represent MultiBowls with a configuration sufficient that they stack one within another. The stacking function is essentially a natural result of a bowl structure if the exterior does not include any structure other than following the contour of the inner surface. The stackability of a MultiBowl is not so naturally occurring as the Bowl Partition impedes the internal structure, even if the external structure follows the general configuration of the bowl. The stackability and nesting of the MultiBowls are important secondary features of space management that are immediately demanded at the time of manufacture, inventory, shipment, and retail considerations, as well as end user storage and use.
Bowl Outer Surface—This term or concept, a variation or an equivalent, and their plural forms with specific consideration to the food service or content service side of the bowl. That is to give specific consideration of its appearance, general serviceability, stackability, and basic properties, texture, and other considerations and their combinations. Bowl Outer Surface incorporates the any materials and processes of the bowl and its partitions which may be used to create a surface compatible to hydrophilic, hydrophobic, range of hydrophobicity, and any of their combinations. The bowl surface refers to any interior, exterior, or other surface. The bowl surface may be composed of the same bowl material as the bowl structure material or may be treated, layered, or otherwise covered with another material or any combination of materials. Such materials may include, but are not intended to be limited to oils, paints, water soluble deposits, oil soluble deposits, foams, thermoplastics, thermosets, cellulose, paper, pulp, glasses, ceramics, aggregates, metals, alloys, and any of their homogenous or heterogeneous combinations and any of their combinations with natural fibers, synthetic fibers, and any of their combinations. These materials may be added as if a second structural addition to a thin film, even a molecular level film, or any of their combinations. The bowl surface may be composed of the same material as the bowl structure of the same form or altered form, or may be a single other material or any of their combinations. The utility and purpose of the film range for providing a surface that will resist the water, oils, acids, bases, and specific chemistries of bowl contents so that the bowls will maintain their structure and integrity throughout use. For food items it may be necessary to protect food from contamination from bowl structure materials or processing additives and releasing agents. Bowl structure and bowl surface may also be designed for consideration of temperature of contents, ambient temperature, and use in some situations for heating such as in a microwave cavity, hot water, hot plate, as examples, but not intending to be limited to the stated examples. Bowl surface and bowl structure may also provide for tailored thermal properties to with stand a range of use temperatures or to provide retention of content temperature during use. Further a bowl surface finish may be elected based upon bowl structure conditions to provide more aesthetic delight than underlying structural material would suggest in contact with bowl contents. The bowl surface finish may also impart a structural strengthening or integrity retaining function. Such added structure may be core to the creation of a bowl with a more temporary bowl structure when exposed to outside element making the bowl more rapidly decomposable, yet to avoid premature degradation during use a surface covering is provided. Bowl surface finishing may be applied to the internal surface, external surface, and other surfaces or to any one or more combinations of these surfaces. In general consider the bowl surface to be a coating or layer adjacent to the bowl structural material to impart a more liquid durable surface, a smoother surface, or a more aesthetic surface.
Bowl Partition Lower Sidewall Integration—This term or concept, a variation or an equivalent, and their plural forms represent key structural elements of the Bowl Partition that evolves from the Bowl Bottom to the Bowl Partition Sidewall. Consider the Bowl Bottom, Bowl Partition Lower Sidewall Integration, and the Bowl Partition Sidewall as a single integral structure, only distinguished for discussion and definitional purposes. The Bowl Lower Sidewall Transition will be upwardly moving and may be a form of a concave elliptical, circular, hemispherical shape to any sharper angular and even square departure from the Bowl Bottom and moving directly to what would be the Bowl Partition Sidewall and any of their combinations. It is not a limitation that one side of the Bowl Partition Lower Sidewall Integration is the same as its opposing Bowl Partition Upper Sidewall Integration, but each may be defined individually and separately, with only the requirement to transition with the Bowl Bottom to form an integral component of the MultiBowl.
Bowl Partition Nesting Cavity—This term or concept, a variation or an equivalent, and their plural forms represent any structure beneath the bowl which will likely follow closely the contours of the bowl serving area surfaces, partitions, and wells. Bowl nesting requires the structure beneath the bowl to be minimized and substantially hollow. Beyond minimized bowl structure, nesting is strongly dependent upon functional design that allows one bowl to nest deeply over the next bowl, as such deeply nesting functionality is desired. The combination of reduced material and design are integral to successful nesting.
Bowl Partition Ridge.—This term or concept, a variation or an equivalent, and their plural forms represent the crown of the Bowl Partition and is central to the configuration, use experience, structural considerations, decor and aesthetics, and other contributions or distractions from the MultiBowl. The Bowl Partition Ridge has two primary contributions. Like the Bowl Rim, the Bowl Partition Ridge includes the crown of the partition and the immediate vicinity of the ridge on either side. The first is the distance from the top of the bowl. The placement of the Bowl Partition Ridge relative to the Bowl Rim determines the useful volume and accessibility of the Bowl Well. A Bowl Partition Ridge placed level with or in the near proximity of the Bowl Rim allows for filling of the Bowl Well to the top of the Bowl Rim and increasing the Bowl Well volume and accessibility. These considerations are important as the presence of the Bowl Partition substantially reduces each individual Bowl Well volume and also the ease of accessibility of the food or item contents as the Bowl Well will be more restricted by Bowl Sidewalls and Bowl Partitions. To essentially bring the food and item contents closer to the top of the bowl increases the ease of utility of the MultiBowl. Not all MultiBowl designs need, desire, or find advantageous that the Bowl Partition be level to or in near proximity to the Bowl Rim. For purposes of design and artistic preference, nesting, structural strength and stability, among other considerations, and their combinations may suggest the Bowl Partition be positioned lower in the bowl relative to the Bowl Rim. A second primary consideration of the Bowl Partition Ridge is the width of the ridge. A narrower ridge usually results in less seating or integrated nesting of MultiBowl onto MultiBowl. Although not the only consideration for nesting, ridge structure is a consideration for nesting properties. Another consideration of the ridge is its sharpness, roundedness, decor, look, feel, and utility or use experience for the user. From a configuration consideration, the Bowl Partition is not restricted to any one form, but may follow a single or multiple arches, curve, contour, or any shape of a sharp or gradual change. The Bowl Partition also need not be restricted to a single elevation, but for purposes of preference to function, and other considerations, and their combinations may change in its elevation relative to the Bowl Rim. A further consideration of the Bowl Partition Ridge is its utility for other bowl function, such as a structure that may accommodate a utensil lying on it, or lock or latch one or more of such utensils to the structure, having an opening to vertically hold one or more utensils, a finger or thumb hole for ease in carrying the MultiBowl, a napkin holder, integration with other foodware, among other considerations, and their combinations. Another attribute ascribed to the Bowl Partition Ridge is the added structural strength, rigidity, stiffening, and integrity along or parallel to the ridge that is imparted to the bowl. The configuration of the Bowl Partition Ridge to have a form other than a straight ridge line can impart even additional structural benefits.
Bowl Partition Sidewall—This term or concept, a variation or an equivalent, and their plural forms may mimic or include the characteristics of the Bowl Sidewalls. As with the Bowl Sidewall, the Bowl Partition Sidewall is considered to incorporate the Bowl Partition Upper Sidewall Transition, the Bowl Partition Sidewall, the Bowl Partition Lower Sidewall Transition, and any Bowl Partition Sidewall Integration structure with these Bowl Partition elements being distinguished for discussion and definitional purposes. These individually defined, but integral structural components work in unison and may include multiple combinations of design, shape, and structure to achieve a desired decor, strength, integrity, utility, among other considerations and their combinations. Unless otherwise specifically discussed the use of the term Bowl Partition is inclusive of the Bowl Partition Upper Sidewall Transition area, Bowl Partition Lower Sidewall Transition, Bowl Partition Ridge, and Bowl Partition Sidewall Integration areas. It is not a limitation that one side of the Bowl Partition Sidewall is the same as its opposing Bowl Partition Sidewall, but each may be defined individually and separately. From a configuration consideration, the Bowl Partition is not restricted to any one form, but may follow a single or multiple arches, curve, contour, or any shape of a sharp or gradual change. The Bowl Partition also need not be restricted to a single elevation, but for purposes of preference to function, and other considerations, and their combinations may change in its elevation relative to the Bowl Rim. In like manner the Bowl Partition Sidewall need not have a uniform distance from the Bowl Partition Ridge such that the Bowl Well created by the Bowl Partition and other cooperating elements forms a Bow Well that may be not as deep, more shallow, possibly with no Bowl Well depth at all, but an open cavity framed by sidewalls and partitions, among other designs, and their combinations. As stated above the Bowl Partition Sidewall may or may not adopt the design, structure, or other configurations of the MultiBowl or Bowl Sidewalls.
Bowl Partition Sidewall Integration—This term or concept, a variation or an equivalent, and their plural forms represent the interface between the Bowl Sidewall and the Bowl Partition Sidewall as well as one partition to another partition. Largely the distinction of this area of the bowl construction is simply to acknowledge it and realize there are some design, form, and structure considerations. These consideration will largely follow from the more prominent other features and elements of the MultiBowl. Key considerations unique to the Bowl Partition Sidewall Integration are the structural integrity with the bowl structure to form a bowl with one or more partitions to appear and act in unison as an integral MultiBowl.
Bowl Partition Upper Sidewall Transition—This term or concept, a variation or an equivalent, and their plural forms represent the structure of the bowl that evolves from the Bowl Sidewall to the Bowl Rim. Consider the Bowl Partition Sidewall, Bowl Upper Partition Sidewall Transition, and the Bowl Partition Ridge as a single integral structure, only distinguished for discussion and definitional purposes. The Bowl Partition Upper Sidewall Transition may follow any contour or angle to form a bowl divider, the contours and angles of the Bowl Partition Upper Sidewall Transition may be a form of a convex elliptical, circular, hemispherical shape to any flat, sharper angular, and even square departure, and their combinations that meets the other side of the Bowl Partition Upper Sidewall Transition to form the Bowl Partition Ridge. It is not a limitation that one side of the Bowl Partition Upper Sidewall Transition is the same as its opposing Bowl Partition Upper Sidewall Transition, but each may be defined individually and separately, with only the requirement to join to form a narrow to broad and purely aesthetic to purely functional Bowl Partition Ridge.
Bowl Partitions—This term or concept, a variation or an equivalent, and their plural forms represent any structure that divides the bowl serving cavity into two or more wells. The Bowl Partition extends upward from the Bowl Bottom to a partial or full height relevant to the Bowl Rim. The decision as to the height of the Bowl Partition includes, but is not limited to purposes of nesting and stacking, Bowl Well volume, Bowl Well access, bowl structural integrity, use experience, decor and aesthetics considerations, manufacturing, material use, developer preference, and many other considerations, and any of their combinations. The Bowl Partition extends upward from the Bowl Bottom and also extends from one side of the continuous Bowl Sidewall to the opposite Bowl Sidewall creating a divided bowl structure. The partition is known to take various forms from a thin linear divider to a wider more rounded structure. Partitions are found to be linear, single curved arch, to a wave or multiple curve configurations. One or more Bowl Partitions may be integrated in parallel and non-intersecting to any angle of intersection to being perpendicular. Bowl Partitions may also be a full partition that originates from one Bowl Sidewall and terminates at another Bowl Sidewall or originates from a Bowl Partition and terminates at a Bowl Sidewall, or originates from a Bowl Partition and terminates at a Bowl Partition, or any of their combinations. The Bowl Partition fulfills its defined purpose when it simply divides a Bowl Well into an additional Bowl Well. Adding partitions divides the general serving cavity of the bowl into two or more serving wells or feature areas of the bowl. The specific design and structure of the partition is left as a matter of design aesthetics or situational structural considerations, with all partition configurations being inclusive with the claims of a disposable, divided, bowl. Unless otherwise specifically discussed the use of the term Bowl Partition is inclusive of the Bowl Partition Upper Sidewall Transition area, Bowl Partition Sidewall, Bowl Partition Lower Sidewall Transition, Bowl Partition Ridge, and Bowl Partition Sidewall Integration areas
Bowl Rim—This term or concept, a variation or an equivalent, and their plural forms represent any structural imparting elements above the internal partition and in the immediate internal and external bowl vicinity of the continuous top edge. A Bowl Rim that includes the crown of the blow and some extension of the Bowl Rim down the internal bowl surface, to the exterior of the bowl with or without a bowl shroud, or their combination may be referred to as a Bowl Rim Ribbon. That is there is a thin dimension of the thickness of the bowl and then a width of the interior or exterior extension from the Bowl Rim, or a ribbonlike structure. A consideration of any configuration of the disposable divided and stackable bowl is the loss of structural integrity with the formation of partitions with hollow nesting under structure. This lack of structure is not of the order of a separation of bowl wells or other catastrophic failure, but simply a matter of use convenience, bowl contents control, and sense of bowl product quality. The bowl rim is an entity of the bowl that retains integrity across the entirety of the bowl to provide a stiffening of the bowl. The structure imparting nature of the rim occurs by a continuous internal bowl sidewall ribbon-like structure around the internal surface of the bowl serving area if the partitions are lower than the top of the bowl. If the internal bowl partitions reach to the top of the bowl rim, then the stiffening properties of the structure are either imparted by immediate crown of the bowl, the addition of a continuous extension of the bowl rim externally in the immediate vicinity of the bowl crown, and the combination of these. By example only, and not intended as a complete or limiting list, the thicker bowl rim structure can be a type of parallel or perpendicular structures with the continuous Bowl Rim made of a bead, build up, mass of material, beam, ribs, honeycomb, crosshatch, other formation, and any of their combinations.
Bowl Shroud—This term or concept, a variation or an equivalent, and their plural forms represent a structure extending externally from the immediate vicinity of the top Bowl Rim. The shroud provides for decor, strength, stability, and other use considerations. The shroud extends externally past the immediate vicinity of the Bowl Rim to partially down the distance of the bowl, to equivalent to the bottom of the bowl as a type of wider stabilizing base, to past the bottom of the bowl to form an elevated bowl bottom. The Bowl Shroud may be made as an integral component of the bowl or made as a separate addition. The Bowl Shroud may be a uniform and continuous structure, a structure with cutouts or spatial voids, and range from a structure with thinner to thicker materials, to a discontinuous structure at the lowest edge. Other utility of the shroud includes ease of holding the bowl, features for affixing utensils, and extending the rim until level with base of the bowl to impart a wider stance and stability to the bowl, elevating the bowl, and any of their combinations.
Bowl Sidewall—This term or concept, a variation or an equivalent, and their plural forms include a vessel with any other than “flat” construction as a departure from a plate and not indifferent to retaining liquids, but with sidewalls specific to liquid retention whether vertical or just beyond “flat.” The bowl side characteristic also includes definition of the height of the side of the bowl. Other than “flat” construction includes any vertical height beyond what is considered as a flat plate associated with typical disposable and non-disposable food serving flatware to a deep cup-like well structure. The Bowl Sidewalls also form the transition between the horizontal or lateral shape of the Bowl Base to that of the Bowl Top or Rim. Consider the Bowl Bottom, Bowl Lower Transition, Bowl Sidewall, Bowl Upper Transition, and Bowl Rim as a single integral structure, only distinguished for discussion and definitional purposes. These individually defined, but integral structural components work in unison and may include multiple combinations of design, shape, and structure to achieve a desired decor, strength, integrity, utility, among other considerations and their combinations. For example the formation of a saucer with a sharper initial wall angle and a lower and longer finish angle and rim, is among other known designs in the art. Unless otherwise specifically discussed the use of the term Bowl Sidewall is inclusive of the Bowl Upper Sidewall Transition area and the Bowl Lower Sidewall Transition area.
Bowl Thickness—This term or concept, a variation or an equivalent, and their plural forms and include the thickness and uniformity of the bowl structure. The thickness of the bowl structure will depend upon considerations from material choice, surface structure, stacking with nesting and release structure, use environments, to design preferences. The uniformity of bowl thickness will also depend upon the material of choice for the bowl and design preferences.
Bowl Top Opening—This term or concept, a variation or an equivalent, and their plural forms represent the opening devoid of structure. It is the general description of the utility and access side of the bowl. It is geometrically defined by the Bowl Rim, but the Bowl Rim is referred to primarily to define needed structural issues for the stability and integrity of the bowl. Another aspect of the Bowl Top Opening is inclusive of the shape of the Bowl Top Opening to include, but not limited to being circular, oval, rectangular, square, or any other geometric shape, and any of their combinations. It is also recognized that the closed base of the bowl and the open top of the bowl may also be of the same or different structures
Bowl Upper Sidewall Transition—This term or concept, a variation or an equivalent, and their plural forms represent the structure of the bowl that evolves from the Bowl Sidewall to the Bowl Rim. Consider the Bowl Sidewall, Bowl Upper Sidewall Transition, and the Bowl Rim as a single integral structure, but only distinguished for discussion and definitional purposes. The Bowl Upper Transition may follow any contour or angle to form a bowl much like a bread bowl or kettle with a narrower Bowl Opening to a vertical Bowl Sidewall to form a type of cup or pitcher structure, to an outward contour and angle with the Bowl Rim overhanging the Bowl Bottom as is common in the art of bowl design. The contours and angles of the Bowl Upper Sidewall Transition may be a form ranging from a convex elliptical, circular, hemispherical shape to any flat, sharper angular, and even square departure from the Bowl Sidewall to the Bowl Rim and any of their combinations.
Bowl Utensil Holder—This term or concept, a variation or an equivalent, and their plural forms represent a hole made in the MultiBowl at any location in the structure that allows for the insertion of a utensil as a temporary or transport holder. The location of this hole can be on the Bowl Rim, the Bowl Partition Ridge, the Bowl Shroud, or other location, and their combinations. The form and shape of the hole is likely, but not required, to be in the form of a slot that creates a minimal hole in the bowl to accommodate the thin and wide nature of a utensil handle. A Utensil will encompass not only the typical definition of a fork, spoon, and knife, but also any eating or eating assistance tool. Those tools may also include sticks, toothpicks, chopsticks, skewers, pokers, specialty spoons, specialty forks, specialty knives, tongs, shell openers, straws, and other rigid aids, and their combinations. Utensils also include aids such as napkins, handkerchiefs, bibs, wet wipes, and other cleansing tools, and their combinations. The definition of utensil is not limited to these lists, which are examples of the types of eating aids referred to in this disclosure as utensils. The form of the Bowl Utensil Holder will vary based upon the tool or multiple tools that it is designed to accommodate and manage. The presence of one type of Bowl Utensil Holder does not preclude the presence of a plurality of Bowl Utensil Holders of the same or different design. The location of the Bowl Utensil Holder need not be confined to the internal space or dimensions of the MultiBowl but may be located on the exterior as a part of the Bowl Rim, extended Bowl Rim, Bowl Shroud, or other accommodations.
Bowl Wells—This term or concept, a variation or an equivalent, and their plural forms represent the bowl cavity into which food, liquids, articles, or other content will be placed as divided and created by Bowl Sidewalls, Bowl Partitions, or any of their combinations. Bowl Wells or serving wells may be used interchangeably. Bowl Wells represent any concave area of the bowl created by the presence of one or more partitions, sidewall structures, other Bowl Wells forming structures or their combinations. A Bowl Well would naturally be considered to be a containment area, but the definition is extended to include any region delineated by partitions and sidewalls as described, and may include a Bowl Well at the depth of the Bowl Bottom, a shallower Bowl Well of partial depth or distance relevant to the Bowl Bottom, a flat area or substantially flat area where a Bowl Well could be, a cut away area where the Bowl Well may usually be considered to be, a tool area such as a utensil holder or other aid, or among other use assisting formations, and any of their combinations. It is not necessarily recommended, but the Bowl Well creates a type of independent serving well or container. It is possible to design the MultiBowl such that the Bowl Wells may be separated by a type structural weakness, perforation, displayed cut line, or other mechanism.
Disclosure—This term or concept, a variation or an equivalent, and their plural forms represent the invention, improvement, or a variation thereof as denoted by an embodiment of the invention or improvement.
DisposeBowls—(rather than disposables)—This term or concept, a variation or an equivalent, and their plural forms represent any form of a disposable divided and stackable bowl. DisposeBowl is also a trade name and abbreviation combining “disposa”-ble+“bowl” structure +multiple bowl-“s” for multiple bowls within a single structure as well as stackable.
MultiBowls—(rather than multiple bowls)—This term or concept, a variation or an equivalent, and their plural forms represents any bowl structure that contains two or more or multiple bowls or serving wells in one structure and multiple MultiBowls as in a stacking capability.
Plate—This term or concept, a variation or an equivalent, and their plural forms represent any bowl as generally departing from the Marriam-Webster Dictionary definition. A plate is “a noun referring to a flat and usually round dish that is used for eating or serving food.” Applying this definition to the structure of typically known food service flatware further limits the definition to a substantially flat item with a structure indifferent to liquid retention. Indifferent to liquid retention acknowledges that plates can come with some edge structure that would naturally contain small amounts of liquid, but that such edge structure is not configured to specifically retain useful volumes of liquid or a partial or full serving of a liquid. This substantially flat and liquid indifferent structure is recognized as a plate.
Relevant Artisans—This term or concept, a variation or an equivalent, and their plural forms represents any person having ordinary skill in the relevant useful arts. It is expressly referring to as relevant artisan to denote ordinary skill in the relevant useful arts. Further the term artisan is used to represent an individual of applied skill or ordinary skill in the useful arts. The term “artisan” is explicitly not referring to any expert skill level in the relevant or general useful arts.
Service Ware—This term or concept, a variation or an equivalent, and their plural forms refers to any vessel for containing, serving, or manipulating food. Contained in this term are plates, bowls, trays, dishes, platters, cups, vessels, utensils, napkins, or other items used to contain, hold, manage, serve from, intended for individual, or other food tools, and their combinations.
Serving Wells—This term or concept, a variation or an equivalent, and their plural forms represent a definition equivalence to the term described herein as Bowl Well.
StackaBowls—(rather than stackables)—This term or concept, a variation or an equivalent, and their plural forms represents any bowl structure that contains two or more or multiple bowls or serving wells in one structure and multiple MultiBowls as in a stacking capability or descriptive by stackabowls.

General Interpretation

It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” intend to denote “at least one,” include plurality forms as well, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a particle” includes reference to one or more of such materials and reference to “subjecting” refers to one or more such steps.
As used herein to join a list of items, “or” indicates “at least one of the items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items from the list. Further, as used herein, to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list.” The term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
As used herein, phrases such as “between X and Y” and “between about X and Y” should be interpreted to include X and Y. As used herein, phrases such as “between about X and Y” mean “between about X and about Y” As used herein, phrases such as “from about X to Y” mean “from about X to about Y”
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on”, “attached” to, “connected” to, “coupled” with, “contacting”, etc., another element, it can be directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled with or contacting the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being, for example, “directly on”, “directly attached” to, “directly connected” to, “directly coupled” with or “directly contacting” another element, there are no intervening elements present.
As used herein, “adjacent” refers to the proximity of two structures or elements. Particularly, elements that are identified as being “adjacent” may be either abutting or connected. Such elements may also be near or close to each other without necessarily contacting each other. The exact degree of proximity may in some cases depend on the specific context. References to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.
Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper”, “lateral”, “left”, “right” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the descriptors of relative spatial relationships used herein interpreted accordingly.
As used herein with respect to an identified property or circumstance, “substantially” refers to a degree of deviation that is sufficiently small so as to not measurably detract from the identified property or circumstance. The exact degree of deviation allowable may in some cases depend on the specific context. The principle of “substantially” persists in the absence of the presence of the word itself or an equivalent. A further interpretation of the principle is that similar items need not be considered to be exact. This principle accounts for the fact that in the natural world there is not perfection, but that two or more properties can be considered the same in a closeness away from deviation and be considered the same with some deviation present. Whether the word “substantially” or another equivalent word is present or not these two or more properties, items, or other elements are considered the same, unless specifically noted as different.
A plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary.
Concentrations, amounts, and other numerical data may be presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. For example, a numerical range of about 1 to about 4.5 should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited limits of 1 to about 4.5, but also to include individual numerals such as 2, 3, 4, and sub-ranges such as 1 to 3, 2 to 4, etc. The same principle applies to ranges reciting only one numerical value, such as “less than about 4.5,” which should be interpreted to include all of the above-recited values and ranges. Further, such an interpretation should apply regardless of the breadth of the range or the characteristic being described.
Any steps, sequence, or temporary order recited in any method or process claims are illustrative and not restrictive. Further, it is understood that steps, sequences, or temporary order of various processes or methods which may be shown and described may be executed in any order and are not limited to the order presented.
Means-plus-function or step-plus-function limitations will only be employed where for a specific claim limitation all of the following conditions are present in that limitation: a) “means for” or “step for” is expressly recited; and b) a corresponding function is expressly recited. The structure, material or acts that support the means-plus function are expressly recited in the description herein.
In the figures, proportions, thickness of certain lines, layers, components, elements or features may be exaggerated for clarity.

Claim Description

This section includes the claims in paragraph form. The claims clearly set out what is owned and claimed. Through an abundance of caution and stratagem the claims are reproduced as written or nearly as written to provide a record in the description.
A MultiBowl apparatus comprising: a divided bowl, and a disposable bowl. The MultiBowl apparatus comprising said divided bowl forming two serving wells. The MultiBowl apparatus comprising said divided bowl forming three serving wells. The MultiBowl apparatus comprising said divided bowl forming four serving wells. The MultiBowl apparatus comprising said divided bowl forming five or more serving wells. The MultiBowl of any of the proceeding claims further comprising stacking of said divided bowls of the same number of serving wells. The Multibowl apparatus comprising the method of using the said divided bowl for containing one or more food items in each one or more serving wells. The Multibowl apparatus comprising the method of using the said divided bowl for containing one or more non-food items in each one or more serving wells.
A MultiBowl apparatus comprising: a divided bowl, and a disposable bowl, and a feature. The MultiBowl apparatus comprising said divided bowl forming two or more serving wells. The MultiBowl apparatus comprising stacking of said divided bowls of the same number of serving wells. The MultiBowl apparatus comprising said feature being one or more utensil holders. The MultiBowl apparatus comprising the method of using the said divided and disposable bowl with one or more said features for containing one or more food or non-food items in each one or more serving wells.
A MultiBowl apparatus comprising: a divided bowl, and a disposable bowl, and a structural enhancement. The MultiBowl apparatus comprising said divided bowl forming two or more serving wells. The MultiBowl apparatus comprising stacking of said divided bowls of the same number of serving wells. The MultiBowl apparatus comprising said structural enhancement being an material build up. The MultiBowl apparatus comprising said structural enhancement being a bowl rim ribbon. The MultiBowl apparatus comprising said structural enhancement being an external bowl shroud. The Multibowl apparatus comprising the method of using the said divided bowl with structural enhancement for containing one or more food or non-food items in each one or more serving wells.

Claims

It is claimed:

1. A MultiBowl apparatus comprising:

a divided bowl, and

a disposable bowl.

2. The MultiBowl apparatus of claim 1 comprising said divided bowl forming two serving wells.

3. The MultiBowl apparatus of claim 1 comprising said divided bowl forming three serving wells.

4. The MultiBowl apparatus of claim 1 comprising said divided bowl forming four serving wells.

5. The MultiBowl apparatus of claim 1 comprising said divided bowl forming five or more serving wells.

6. The MultiBowl of any of the proceeding claims further comprising stacking of said divided bowls of the same number of serving wells.

7. The Multibowl apparatus of claim 1 comprising the method of using the said divided bowl for containing one or more food items in each one or more serving wells.

8. The Multibowl apparatus of claim 1 comprising the method of using the said divided bowl for containing one or more non-food items in each one or more serving wells.

9. A MultiBowl apparatus comprising:

a divided bowl, and

a disposable bowl, and

a feature.

10. The MultiBowl apparatus of claim 9 comprising said divided bowl forming two or more serving wells.

11. The MultiBowl apparatus of claim 10 comprising stacking of said divided bowls of the same number of serving wells.

12. The MultiBowl apparatus of claim 11 comprising said feature being one or more utensil holders.

13. The MultiBowl apparatus of claim 11 comprising the method of using the said divided and disposable bowl with one or more said features for containing one or more food or non-food items in each one or more serving wells.

14. A MultiBowl apparatus comprising:

a divided bowl, and

a disposable bowl, and

a structural enhancement.

15. The MultiBowl apparatus of claim 14 comprising said divided bowl forming two or more serving wells.

16. The MultiBowl apparatus of claim 15 comprising stacking of said divided bowls of the same number of serving wells.

17. The MultiBowl apparatus of claim 16 comprising said structural enhancement being an material build up.

18. The MultiBowl apparatus of claim 16 comprising said structural enhancement being a bowl rim ribbon.

19. The MultiBowl apparatus of claim 16 comprising said structural enhancement being an external bowl shroud.

20. The Multibowl apparatus of claim 14 comprising the method of using the said divided bowl with structural enhancement for containing one or more food or non-food items in each one or more serving wells.