US20210274954A1

US20210274954A1 - Plate having separator walls and suction base

Info

Publication number: US20210274954A1
Application number: US16/813,722
Authority: US
Inventors: Qiao Lin; Paul Wang
Original assignee: Olababy Inc
Current assignee: Olababy Inc
Priority date: 2020-03-09
Filing date: 2020-03-09
Publication date: 2021-09-09

Abstract

A plate includes an upper body having a circumferential wall and an upper side bottom surface. The plate also includes a base integrally formed with the upper body. The base includes a flexible base body configured to create a suction force when deformed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the technology field of tableware containers and, more particularly, to a plate having separator walls and a suction base.

BACKGROUND

Tableware containers, such as plates, are typical tableware people use in their daily life for containing foods. Sometimes plates are used for training young children, such as those who are in the age of learning to eat foods by themselves. Multiple types of food (e.g., fruits, vegetables, meats) may be fed to the young children. Therefore, it is desirable that different kinds of foods be separated in a plate. In addition, young children tend to move a lot on dinner table. Therefore, plates are easy to be knocked off from the table, causing food spill mess and sometimes break of the plate if the plate is made of a fragile material, such as ceramics.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a plate. The plate includes an upper body having a circumferential wall and an upper side bottom surface. The plate also includes a base integrally formed with the upper body. The base includes a flexible base body configured to create a suction force when deformed.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a tableware container. The tableware container includes a circumferential wall enclosing a space. The tableware container also includes a bottom surface. The tableware container also includes a separator wall disposed in the space enclosed by the circumferential wall, the separator wall protruding from the bottom surface and both ends of the separator wall being separated from an inner surface of the circumferential wall by gaps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To better describe the technical solutions of the present disclosure, the accompanying drawings showing the various embodiments will be briefly described. As a person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, the drawings show only some embodiments of the present disclosure. Without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, those having ordinary skills in the art could derive other embodiments and drawings based on the disclosed drawings without inventive efforts.

FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of a front-left side, top perspective view of a plate, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B is a schematic illustration of a front, top perspective view of a plate, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1C is a schematic illustration of a back, top perspective view of a plate, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1D is a schematic illustration of a left side, top perspective view of a plate, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1E is a schematic illustration of a right side, top perspective view of a plate, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1F is a schematic illustration of a left-back side, top perspective view of the of a plate, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a top view of a plate, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view of a plate along the A-A line shown in FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view of a plate along the B-B line shown in FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a back view of a plate, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a front view of a plate, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a left side view of a plate, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a right side view of a plate, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a bottom view of a plate, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is schematic illustration of a bottom perspective view of a plate, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of a top view of a configuration of separator walls that may be implemented in a plate, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of a top view of another configuration of separator walls that may be implemented in a plate, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of a top view of another configuration of separator walls that may be implemented in a plate, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a schematic illustration of a shape of a separator wall that may be implemented in a plate, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of a shape of a separator wall that may be implemented in a plate, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Technical solutions of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which the same numbers refer to the same or similar elements unless otherwise specified. A person having ordinary skills in the art would appreciate that the described embodiments represent some, rather than all, of the embodiments of the present disclosure. A person having ordinary skills in the art can conceive or derive other embodiments or variations based on the described embodiments. Such embodiments also fall within the scope of the present disclosure.
Further, in the present disclosure, the disclosed embodiments and the features of the disclosed embodiments may be combined. The described embodiments are some but not all of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Based on the disclosed embodiments, persons of ordinary skill in the art may derive other embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. For example, modifications, adaptations, substitutions, additions, or other variations may be made based on the disclosed embodiments. Such variations of the disclosed embodiments are still within the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Instead, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims.
As used herein, when a first component (or unit, element, member, part, piece) is referred to as “coupled” to or with a second component, it is intended that the first component may be directly or indirectly, permanently or removably, coupled, mounted, fixed, connected, or secured to or with the second component.
When a first component is referred to as “disposed,” “located,” or “provided” at a second component, the first component may be partially or entirely, directly or indirectly, disposed, located, or provided in, inside, within, on, below, or above the second component. The first component may be disposed, located, or provided at any suitable orientation (back, front, to the left, to the right, above, or below) relative to the second component.
The singular forms of “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context indicates otherwise. The terms “comprise,” “comprising,” “include,” and the like specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, and do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups.
The phrase “at least one of A or B” may encompass all combinations of A and B, such as A only, B only, or A and B. Likewise, the phrase “at least one of A, B, or C” may encompass all combinations of A, B, and C, such as A only, B only, C only, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C. The phrase “A and/or B” may be interpreted in a manner similar to that of the phrase “at least one of A or B.” For example, the phrase “A and/or B” may encompass all combinations of A and B, such as A only, B only, or A and B. Likewise, the phrase “A, B, and/or C” has a meaning similar to that of the phrase “at least one of A, B, or C.” For example, the phrase “A, B, and/or C” may encompass all combinations of A, B, and C, such as A only, B only, C only, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C.
Further, when an embodiment illustrated in a drawing shows a single element, it is understood that the embodiment may include a plurality of such elements. Likewise, when an embodiment illustrated in a drawing shows a plurality of such elements, it is understood that the embodiment may include one such element. The number of elements illustrated in the drawing is for illustration purposes only, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiment. Moreover, the embodiments and/or features included in various embodiments shown in the drawings are not mutually exclusive, and they may be combined in any suitable manner. For example, elements shown in only one embodiment (or figure) may nevertheless be included in the other embodiments (or figures).
FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of a front-left side, top perspective view of a tableware container 100 for containing food. A tableware plate is used as an example of the tableware container 100. For discussion purposes, the tableware container 100 may also be referred to as a tableware plate 100 (or referred to as a plate 100). The plate 100 may be used for containing various kinds of foods, such as snacks, rice, fruits, vegetables, etc. The plate 100 may include or be made of a soft material, such as a silicon material (or a material including silicone), which may be flexible, and non-toxic and safe for humans. In addition, using a soft material, such as silicone, may increase the durability of the plate 100. When the plate 100 falls from a table, the plate 100 will not break into pieces, thereby avoiding potential harm to young children that may be caused by broken pieces of a conventional ceramic plate. In addition, when young children have food, they may bite the tableware plate. Using a soft material for the plate 100 may avoid hurting the gum or teeth of young children.
In some embodiments, the entire plate 100 is made of silicone. In some embodiments, the silicone may be food-grade silicone, which may be suitable for containing food, liquid (e.g., water, juice, milk, baby formula, etc.). In some embodiments, the entire plate 100 may not include any paint, metal, or other harmful chemical components that may be unsafe for humans, such as for young children.
The plate 100 may include an upper body 110 and a suction base 120 (or referred to as a base 120 for simplicity of discussion) attached to a bottom of the upper body 110. In some embodiments, the upper body 110 and the base 120 may be formed as an integral piece. That is, the entire plate 100 may be formed as a single piece. For example, the plate 100 may be formed through injection molding, 3D printing, or any other suitable manufacturing processes as a single piece.
The upper body 110 may include a circumferential wall 105 (also referred to as a wall 105 for simplicity). The wall 105 may enclose or define a space for the plate 100 for containing food. The wall 105 may include a top surface 105 t, an inner surface 105 a, and an outer surface 105 b. The wall 105 may have a round shape, or any other suitable shapes, such as oval shape, rectangular shape, triangular shape, etc. That is, the upper body 110 may include a round shape or any other suitable shape. The upper body 110 may include an upper side bottom surface 125.
The plate 100 may include one or more separator walls to separate the inner space of the plate 100 into a plurality of portions. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, the plate 100 includes a first separator wall 111 extending along a diameter of the plate 100. The first separator wall 111 may have a length slightly shorter than a full length of a diameter of the plate 100. The first separator wall 111 may be integrally formed on the upper side bottom surface 125, and may protrude upwardly from the upper side bottom surface 125. The first separator wall 111 may divide the inner space of the plate 100 into two substantially equal portions.
In some embodiments, the first separator wall 111 may extend along a diameter, and may not be connected (or in contact) with the two opposite portions of the wall 105. Instead, the first separator wall 111 may have a gap from the wall 105 (e.g., the inner surface 105 a). In other words, both ends of the first separator wall 111 may be separated from the inner surface 105 a of the wall 105 by gaps. The first separator wall 111 may have a curved shape, with a center portion 111 c having the highest height and two end portions 111 a and 111 b having heights lower than the height of the center portion 111 c. In some embodiments, the highest height of the first separator wall 111 may be lower than the top surface 105 t of the wall 105. In some embodiments, the highest height of the first separator wall 111 may be at the same level as the top surface 105 t of the wall 105. The height of the first separator wall 111 may smoothly or gradually decrease from the center portion 111 c to the end portions 111 a and 111 b. In some embodiments, the first separator wall 111 may have a half-oval shape. With the structure of the plate 100, where the end portions 111 a and 111 b are lower, and do not touch or connect with the wall 105 (e.g., inner surface 105 a), it is easier to clean as compared with a configuration in which the separator wall 111 is connected (or in contact) with the inner surface 105 a of the wall 105. In other embodiments, it is possible to make at least one of the end portion 111 a or the end portion 111 b connected (or in contact) with the inner wall 105 a.
The plate 100 may include a second separator wall 112 disposed in one half of the inner space divided by the first separator wall 111. The second separator wall 112 may be disposed between the first separator wall 111 and the wall 105, and may extend along a half diameter in a direction perpendicular to the first separator wall 111. The second separator wall 112 may have a length slightly shorter than a half length of a diameter. In other words, the length of the second separator wall may be about half of the length of the first separator wall 111. The second separator wall 112 may be integrally formed on the upper side bottom surface 125, and may protrude upwardly from the upper side bottom surface 125. In other words, the first separator wall 111, the second separator wall 112, the wall 105, the upper side bottom surface 125, and the base 120 of the plate 100 may be integrally formed as a single piece. For example, the various components of the plate 100 may be integrally formed during a molding process.
The second separator wall 112 may divide the one half of the plate 100 into two substantially equal portions (e.g., each portion being a quarter of the inner space of the plate 100). An end of the second separator wall 112 may not touch or connect with the first separator wall 111. That is, an end of the second separator wall 112 may be separated from the first separator wall 111 by a gap. In some embodiments, the second separator wall 112 may not touch or connect with the inner surface 105 a of the wall 105. That is, another end of the second separator wall 112 may be separated from the inner surface 105 a of the wall 105 by a gap. With the gap between the second separator wall 112 and the first separator wall 111, and the gap between the second separator wall 112 and the inner wall 105 a of the wall 105, cleaning of the plate 100 may be made easier than the configuration in which the second separator wall 112 is connected (or in contact) with the inner wall 105 a and the first separator wall 111.
The second separator wall 112 may include a curved shape. A center portion 112 c may have a highest height, and end portions 112 a and 112 b may have lower heights. In some embodiments, the highest height of the second separator wall 112 may be lower than the top surface 105 t of the wall 105. In some embodiments, the highest height of the second separator wall 112 may be at the same level as the top surface 105 t of the wall 105. In some embodiments, the height of the second separator wall 112 may smoothly or gradually decrease from the center portion 112 c to the end portions 112 a and 112 b.
Although one first separator wall 111 and one second separator wall 112 are shown for illustrative purposes, the number of the separator walls is not limited. In some embodiments, there may be three separator walls, four separator walls, etc. In addition, the lengths of the separator walls are not limited to the substantially full diameter length (as with the first separator wall 111) or the substantially half diameter length (as with the second separator wall 112). The plurality of separator walls may include any suitable lengths.
For example, in some embodiments, the plate 100 may include three separator walls of equal lengths (all being substantially half diameter length) evenly divide the space of the plate 100 into three equal portions. That is, the three separator walls may be disposed at 120 degrees apart. The three separator walls may not be connected (or in contact). In other words, gaps may exist between first ends of the three separator walls at the center of the plate 100. In addition, the three separator walls may not be connected (or in contact) with the inner surface 105 a of the wall 105 (e.g., gaps may exist between second ends of the three separator walls and the inner surface 105 a).
In some embodiments, there may be four separator walls evenly divide the space of the plate 100 into four equal portions. The four separator walls may be disposed at 90 degrees apart, each having a length of substantially half of the diameter of the plate. The four separator walls may not be connected (or in contact) with each other (e.g., gaps may exist between first ends of the four separator walls at the center of the plate 100). In addition, the four separator walls may not be connected (or in contact) with the inner surface 105 a of the wall 105 (e.g., gaps may exist between second ends of the four separator walls and the inner surface 105 a of the wall 105).
Regardless of the number of separator walls in the plate, the gaps between the separator walls and the gaps between the separator walls and the inner surface 105 of the wall 105 may increase the convenience of cleaning the plate 100, as food residues may be easily wiped off of the plate 100 due to the presence of the gaps.
The base 120 may include a base body 130. The base body 130 may be made of the same flexible material used to make the upper body 110, such as silicone. The silicone base body 130 may include a thin wall enclosing a hollow space therein. Thus, the base body 130 may provide a suction function (via creating a partial vacuum in the hollow space) when deformed. That is, due to the flexibility of the base body 130, when the plate 100 is placed on a flat surface, such as a table top, the base body 130 may deform to expel air out of the hollow space enclosed by the base body 130, thereby generating an at least partial vacuum to provide a suction force. The base body 130 may deform due to the weight of the plate 100 and/or the weight of the food contained therein, and/or due to any external force applied onto the plate 100 (e.g., by the user of the plate 100).
The base 120 may include a tab 135 at a suitable location on the base body 130. The tab 135 may be an integral piece of the base body 130. The tab 135 may include any suitable shape, such as half-circle, half-oval, rectangle, square, circle, oval, etc. The tab 135 may be slightly pulled, pushed, or lifted by a finger of the user to release the suction force of the base body 130. That is, when the tab 135 is slightly pulled or lifted, air may enter the space enclosed by the base body 130, thereby releasing the suction force. For discussion purposes, the side where the tab 135 is located is regarded as a front side of the plate 100. Although one tab 135 is shown in FIG. 1A for illustrative purposes, in some embodiments, more than one tab 135 may be provided at the base body 130 for releasing the vacuum or suction force formed by the base body 130.
FIG. 1B is a schematic illustration of a front, top perspective view of the plate 100. As shown in FIG. 1B, both ends of the first separator wall 111 may be separated from the inner surface 105 a of the wall 105 by a gap (e.g., a gap 161 and a gap 162, respectively). In some embodiments, one end of the first separator wall 111 may be separated from the inner surface 105 a by a gap, and the other end of the first separator wall 111 may be connected (or in contact) with the inner surface 105 a.
FIG. 1C is a schematic illustration of a back, top perspective view of the plate 100. FIG. 1D is a schematic illustration of a left side, top perspective view of the plate 100. FIG. 1E is a schematic illustration of a right side, top perspective view of the plate 100. As shown in FIG. 1D and FIG. 1E, both ends of the second separator wall 112 may be separated from the first separator wall 111 and the inner surface 105 a of the wall 105 by a gap 151 and a gap 152, respectively. In some embodiments, the end portion 112 b may be connected (or in contact) with the first separator wall 111, and the end portion 112 a may be separated from the inner surface 105 a of the wall 105 by the gap 152. In some embodiments, the end portion 112 b may be separated from the first separator wall 111 by the gap 151, and the end portion 112 a may be connected (or in contact) with the inner surface 105 a of the wall 105.
FIG. 1F is a schematic illustration of a left-back side, top perspective view of the of the plate 100. As shown in FIG. 1F, the end portion 111 a of the first separator wall 111 is separated from the inner surface 105 a of the wall 105 by a gap. The end portion 112 a of the second separator wall 112 is separated from the inner surface 105 a of the wall 105 by a gap.
FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a top view of the plate 100. It will be apparent from other figures and the following descriptions, the plate 100 may be structurally symmetric around an axis 201. The axis 201 is an axis that extends in the front-back direction (i.e., the direction in which the second separator wall 112 extends. The plate 100 may be structurally asymmetric around an axis 202. The axis 202 is an axis that extends in the left-right direction (i.e., the direction in which the first separator wall 111 extends).
As shown in FIG. 2, the first separator wall 111 and the second separator wall 112 may each include an elongated shape. Each end of the first separator wall 111 may not be connected (or in contact) with the inner surface 105 a of the wall 105. That is, there is a gap between each end of the first separator wall 111 and the inner surface 105 a. The gaps between the ends of the first separator wall 111 and the inner surface 105 a can avoid built-up of food residues. In addition, the gaps allow for a cleaning cloth or sponge to wipe through, making the cleaning more convenient. An end of the second separator wall 112 may not be connected (or in contact) with the inner surface 105 a of the wall 105, and another end of the second separator wall 112 may not be connected (or in contact) with the first separator wall 111. In other words, there may be a gap between the second separator wall 112 and the inner surface 105 a, and a gap between the second separator wall 112 and the first separator wall 111. The gaps at both ends of the second separator wall 112 also make cleaning more convenient. Without connecting the separator walls 111 and 112, and without connecting the separator walls 111, 112, and the wall 105 (i.e., with gaps), accumulation of food residues at connection corners may be avoided. Cleaning of the plate 100 can be made more convenient. A user may easily wipe food residues off the inner surface of the plate 100 using a sponge or a cleaning cloth.
As shown in FIG. 2, the first separator wall 111 may have a thicker base at a center portion (the portion corresponding to center portion 111 c), and a thinner base at both ends (corresponding to end portions 111 a and 111 b). Likewise, the second separator wall 112 may have a thicker base at a center portion (corresponding to center portion 112 c) and a thinner base at both ends (corresponding to end portions 112 a and 112 b).
FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view of the plate 100 along the A-A line shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the two end portions of the first separator wall 111 are separated from the inner surface 105 a of the wall 105 by gaps. FIG. 3 also shows that both ends of the first separator wall 111 may be connected (or in contact) with the upper side bottom surface 125. In other words, in some embodiments, the first separator wall 111 may be substantially entirely provided on the upper side bottom surface 125 without being connected (or in contact) with the inner surface 105 a of the wall 105. As shown in FIG. 3, the plate 100 may be structurally symmetric around the axis 201 that extends in the direction in which the second separator wall 112 extends.
FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional view of the plate 100, along the B-B line shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the highest height of the first separator wall 111 may be at the same level as the top surface 105 t of the wall 105, or may be slightly lower than the top surface 105 t of the wall 105. The highest height of the second separator wall 112 may be lower than the top surface 105 t of the wall 105. In some embodiments, the highest height of the second separator wall 112 may be at the same level as the top surface 105 t of the wall 105. FIG. 4 shows that the highest height of the second separator wall 112 is lower than the highest height of the first separator wall 111. In some embodiments, the highest height of the second separator wall 112 may be higher than the highest height of the first separator wall 111. The first separator wall 111 and the second separator wall 112 may be separated by the gap 151. The second separator wall 112 and the inner surface 105 a of the wall 105 may be separated by the gap 152. Both ends of the second separator wall 112 may be connected (or in contact) with the upper side bottom surface 125 of the plate 100. In other words, in some embodiments, the first separator wall 111 may be substantially entirely provided on the upper side bottom surface 125 without being connected (or in contact) with the inner surface 105 a of the wall 105. As shown in FIG. 4, the plate 100 may be structurally asymmetric around the axis 202 that extends in the direction in which the first separator wall 111 extends.
As shown in FIG. 4, the base body 130 may include a thin wall. The thin wall of the base body 130 may form different angles with respect to a horizontal plane 160 formed by the circumferential tip portions of the base body 130. The horizontal plane 160 may also represent a flat surface on which the plate 100 is placed. For discussion purposes, the portion of the thin wall of the base body 130 adjacent the tab 135 is labeled as 130 b, and the portion of the thin wall of the base body 130 adjacent the end opposite to tab 135 in FIG. 4 is labeled as 130 a. In some embodiments, a uniform thickness dl of the base body 130 may be smaller than a uniform thickness d2 of the wall 105.
As shown in the cross-sectional view illustrated in FIG. 4, a first portion 130 a of the thin wall of the base body 130 adjacent the tab 135 may form a first angle with respect to the horizontal plane 160 formed by the circumferential tip portions of the base body 130. A second portion 130 b of the thin wall opposite to the first portion 130 a may form a second angle θ2 with respect to the horizontal plane 160. The angle θ2 may be smaller than the angle θ1. In some embodiments, the angles formed by different portions of the thin wall of the base body 130 with respect to the horizontal plane 160 may gradually decrease from 01 at the first portion 130 a where the tab 135 is located to θ1 at the opposite portion 130 b as shown in FIG. 4. In other words, in some embodiments, a lower side bottom surface 140 of the plate 100 is slanted or tilted with respect to the horizontal plane 160, i.e., not parallel to the horizontal plane 160, or not parallel to a horizontal plane 165 formed by the circumferential top surface 105 t of the wall 105, or not parallel to the flat surface on which the plate 100 is placed. The uneven configuration of the base body 130 renders it easier to release suction force created by the base body 130 through applying a force on the tab 135. In addition, when the plate 100 is used on a table for a young child, the plate 100 may be positioned, e.g., by a parent, such that the one half of the space of the plate 100 (as divided by the first separator wall 111, as shown in FIG. 1C) may face the young child. Since the upper side bottom surface 125 is tilted toward the young child, this slanted configuration makes it easier for the young child to see and reach the food.
In some embodiments, the upper side bottom surface 125 of the plate 100 may be parallel to the horizontal plane 160, or parallel to the horizontal plane 165 formed by the circumferential top surface 105 t of the wall 105, or parallel to the flat surface on which the plate 100 is placed. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper side bottom surface 125 may also be slanted or tilted, i.e., not parallel to the horizontal plane 160, or not parallel to a horizontal plane 165 formed by the circumferential top surface 105 t of the wall 105, or not parallel to the flat surface on which the plate 100 is placed. In some embodiments, the upper side bottom surface 125 may be slightly tilted. In other words, the upper side bottom surface 125 is slanted, with the height of the upper side bottom surface 125 with respect to the horizontal plane 160 gradually decreasing from the end portion adjacent the tab 135 to the opposite end portion adjacent 130 b. In other words, a depth h1 of the plate 100 (measured from the horizontal plane 165 to the upper side bottom surface 125) at the portion corresponding to the tab 135 (or corresponding to an end of the second separator wall 112 adjacent the wall 105) may be smaller than a depth h2 (measured from the horizontal plane 165 to the upper side bottom surface 125) at the opposite portion of the plate 100, as shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the horizontal plane 165 formed by the circumferential top surface 105 t of the wall 105 may be parallel to the horizontal plane 160 formed by the circumference of the base body 130. The bottom (represented by the portion between the upper side bottom surface 125 and the lower side bottom surface 140) of the plate 100 may be tilted or slanted. That is, the portion of the plate 100 corresponding to the location of the tab 135 may be made thinner or shallower, and the opposite portion of the plate 100 may be made thicker or deeper.
As shown in FIG. 4, a space 180 enclosed by the lower side bottom surface 140 and the base body 130 (including the portions 130 a and 130 b shown in FIG. 4) is a hollow space. A vacuum or a partial vacuum may be formed in the hollow space 180 when the plate 100 is placed on a flat surface. Due to the weight of the plate 100 itself and/or due to an external force pressing down the plate 100 against the flat surface, the base body 130 may deform, expelling air out of the space 180 to form the vacuum or the partial vacuum within the hollow space 180. The vacuum or partial vacuum may create a suction force, through which the plate 100 may be strongly or firmly attached to the flat surface, thereby avoiding sudden movement of the plate 100 on the flat surface or falling of the plate 100 from the flat surface due to accidental movement of the user, e.g., a young child.
FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a back view of the plate 100. FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a front view of the plate 100. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the plate 100 may be structurally symmetric around the axis 201 that extends in a direction in which the second separator wall 112 extends.
FIG. 7 is a schematic left side view of the plate 100. FIG. 8 is a schematic right side view of the plate 100. FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a bottom view of the plate 100. As shown in FIG. 9, the upper body 110 may have an outer diameter of D2, and the base body 130 may have an outer diameter D1 at the lowest portion. Diameter D1 may be smaller than diameter D2. FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a bottom perspective view of the plate 100.
FIG. 11 is a schematic top view of a configuration of separator walls that may be implemented in the plate 100. FIG. 11 shows three substantially identical separator walls 190 a, 190 b, and 190 c. The separator walls 190 a and 190 b may be arranged along a same diameter (e.g., a first diameter), and the separator wall 190 c may be arranged along a second diameter that is perpendicular to the first diameter. The length of each of the separator walls 190 a, 190 b, and 190 c may be smaller than half of the inner diameter of the plate 100. The separator walls 190 a, 190 b, and 190 c may not be connected (or in contact) with one another at the center location of the plate 100. In other words, gaps may exist between the ends of the separator walls 190 a, 190 b, and 190 c at the center point location of the plate 100. In addition, the separator walls 190 a, 190 b, and 190 c may not be connected (or in contact) with the inner surface 105 a of the wall 105. In other words, the other ends of the separator walls 190 a, 190 b, and 190 c that are close to the inner wall 105 a may be separated from the inner wall 105 a by gaps.
FIG. 12 is a schematic top view of a configuration of separator walls that may be implemented in the plate 100. FIG. 12 shows that three substantially identical separator walls 190 a, 190 b, and 190 c are arranged about 120 degrees apart around a center point of the plate 100. The three separator walls 190 a, 190 b, and 190 c may not be connected with one another at the center point location of the plate 100. In other words, gaps may exist between the ends of the separator walls 190 a, 190 b, and 190 c at the center point location of the plate 100. In addition, the separator walls 190 a, 190 b, and 190 c may not be connected (or in contact) with the inner surface 105 a of the wall 105. In other words, the other ends of the separator walls 190 a, 190 b, and 190 c that are close to the inner wall 105 a may be separated from the inner wall 105 a by gaps.
FIG. 13 is a schematic top view of a configuration of separator walls that may be implemented in the plate 100. FIG. 13 shows that four separator walls 190 a, 190 b, 190 c, and 190 d are arranged around a center point of the plate 100 at about 90 degrees apart. That is, two separator walls 190 a and 190 b may be disposed along a same diameter (e.g., a first diameter), and two separator walls 190 b and 190 d may be disposed along a second diameter that is perpendicular to the first diameter. At the center point location of the plate 100, the four separator walls 190 a, 190 b, 190 c, and 190 d may not be connected (or in contact). In other words, gaps may exist between the ends of the separator walls 190 a, 190 b, 190 c, and 190 d at the center point location of the plate 100. In addition, the separator walls 190 a, 190 b, 190 c, and 190 d may not be connected (or in contact) with the inner surface 105 a of the wall 105. In other words, the other ends of the separator walls 190 a, 190 b, 190 c, and 190 d that are close to the inner wall 105 a may be separated from the inner wall 105 a by gaps.
The separator walls 190 a, 190 b, 190 c, and 190 d shown in the different configurations of FIG. 11-FIG. 13 may include any suitable shapes, such as that of the first separator wall 111 or that of the second separator wall 112 shown in other figures, as well as the shapes shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15.
FIG. 14 is a schematic illustration of a shape of a separator wall 195 that may be implemented in the plate 100. The shape shown in FIG. 14 may be a shape visible in a cross-sectional view of the separator wall 195. The cross-section may be taken alone the longitudinal axis of the separator wall 195. The shape of the separator wall 195 may include a wavy profile. This shape may be used in any of the disclosed separator wall, such as the first separator wall 111, the second separator wall 112, or any of the separator walls 190 a, 190 b, 190 c, and 190 d.
FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of a shape of a separator wall 200 that may be implemented in the plate 100. The shape shown in FIG. 15 may be a shape visible in a cross-sectional view of the separator wall 200. The cross-section may be taken alone the longitudinal axis of the separator wall 200. The shape of the separator wall 200 may include a wavy profile. This shape may be used in any of the disclosed separator wall, such as the first separator wall 111, the second separator wall 112, or any of the separator walls 190 a, 190 b, 190 c, and 190 d.
The disclosed plate may be made of a soft, flexible material, such as silicone. Silicone is non-toxic, and safe for humans. The silicone plate (which may be food-grade silicone) is safe for a young child to use. The silicone plate is not fragile, and is not easy to break. The plate includes a suction base, which can firmly attach the plate to a flat surface, such as a table surface. Therefore, when the silicone plate is used by a young child, it is not easy for the plate to be accidentally moved on the table surface or knocked over by the young child. Despite the strong suction force provided by the flexible suction base, the tab provided at the base body makes it easy to release the suction force. A user can apply a small force onto the tab while grabbing the corresponding portion of the plate to release the suction force, and to remove the plate from the table surface. With the slanted plate body (one side being thicker than the other opposite side), the uneven configuration also makes it easier for a user to grab the plate and remove the plate from the table surface.
Other embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the embodiments disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as example only and not to limit the scope of the present disclosure, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims. Variations or equivalents derived from the disclosed embodiments also fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A plate, comprising:

an upper body having a circumferential wall and an upper side bottom surface; and

a base integrally formed with the upper body,

wherein the base includes a flexible base body configured to create a suction force when deformed.

2. The plate of claim 1, wherein the plate is made of a silicone.

3. The plate of claim 1, further comprising a tab on the base body for releasing the suction force.

4. The plate of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of separator walls integrally formed on the upper side bottom surface.

5. The plate of claim 4, wherein the plurality of separator walls include a first separator wall and a second separator wall, the first separator wall extending along a diameter, and the second separator wall extending along a half diameter perpendicular to the first separator wall.

6. The plate of claim 5, wherein gaps are formed between two ends of the first separator wall and the circumferential wall.

7. The plate of claim 5, wherein gaps are formed between an end of the second separator wall and the first separator wall, and another end of the second separator wall and the circumferential wall.

8. The plate of claim 4, wherein the first separator wall includes a curved shape.

9. The plate of claim 8, wherein a height of the first separator wall gradually decreases from a center portion to both end portions.

10. The plate of claim 9, wherein a highest height of the first separator wall is at a same level as a top surface of the circumferential wall.

11. The plate of claim 4, wherein the second separator wall includes a curved shape.

12. The plate of claim 11, wherein a height of the second separator wall gradually decreases from a center portion to both end portions.

13. The plate of claim 12, wherein a highest height of the second separator wall is lower than a top surface of the circumferential wall.

14. The plate of claim 1, wherein the upper side bottom surface is slanted.

15. The plate of claim 4, wherein a first depth of the plate at a portion adjacent an end of the second separator wall that is close to the circumferential wall is smaller than a second depth of the plate at an opposite portion.

16. The plate of claim 3, wherein a portion of the base body includes a thin wall, a first portion of the thin wall adjacent the tab forms a first angle with respect to a horizontal plane formed by circumferential tip portions of the base body, a second portion of the thin wall opposite to the first portion forms a second angle with respect to the horizontal plane, the second angle being smaller than the first angle.

17. The plate of claim 3, wherein a lower side bottom surface of the plate is slanted with respect to a horizontal plane formed by circumferential tip portions of the base body.

18. A tableware container, comprising:

a circumferential wall enclosing a space;

a bottom surface; and

a separator wall disposed in the space enclosed by the circumferential wall, the separator wall protruding from the bottom surface and both ends of the separator wall being separated from an inner surface of the circumferential wall by gaps.

19. The plate of claim 18, further comprising a base including a flexible base body configured to create a suction force when deformed.

20. The plate of claim 19, wherein the base body includes a tab configured for releasing the suction force when pushed or pulled.