PARTIAL COVER FOR DINNERWARE

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a partial cover device for dinnerware for protecting food disposed thereon or therein from foreign particles. The partial cover device includes a partial dome structure defining an open bottom and an open side and adapted to be disposed over only a portion of the dinnerware, thereby providing access to a portion of the food disposed on or in the dinnerware.

Claims

1. A partial cover device for dinnerware for protecting food disposed thereon or therein from foreign particles, the partial cover device comprising: a partial dome structure defining an open bottom and an open side and adapted to be disposed over only a portion of the dinnerware, thereby providing access to a portion of the food disposed on or in the dinnerware.

2. The partial cover device of claim 1, wherein the partial dome structure includes at least one of a partial prismatic structure, a partial conical structure, or a partial frustoconical structure.

3. The partial cover device of claim 1, wherein the partial dome structure comprises at least one peripheral outer wall, and wherein a void or gap in the at least one peripheral outer wall around a perimeter of the partial dome structure defines the open side.

4. The partial cover device of claim 3, wherein a first peripheral outer wall of the at least one peripheral outer wall is configured to define a first angle relative to a surface supporting the partial cover device when the partial cover device is in use, and a second peripheral outer wall of the at least one peripheral outer wall is configured to define a second angle relative to the surface supporting the partial cover device, the second angle different than the first angle.

5. The partial cover device of claim 3, wherein the partial dome structure further comprises: a top surface extending between at least two walls of the at least one peripheral outer wall or between different portions of a same peripheral outer wall of the at least one peripheral outer wall, the top surface defining a portion of a circle.

6. The partial cover device of claim 5, wherein the portion of the circle defined by the top surface is a half-circle relative to a full circle associated with the portion of the circle.

7. The partial cover device of claim 5, wherein the portion of the circle defined by the top surface includes 55%-75% of an area of a full circle associated with the portion of the circle.

8. The partial cover device of claim 5, wherein the partial dome structure further comprises: a fillet coupled between the top surface and the at least one peripheral outer wall.

9. The partial cover device of claim 8, wherein the fillet defines a fillet radius of curvature, and the portion of the circle of the top surface defines a top radius, and wherein a ratio of the top radius over the fillet radius of curvature is at least 10 and less than 32.

10. The partial cover device of claim 8, wherein the fillet defines a fillet radius of curvature, and the portion of the circle of the top surface defines a top radius, and wherein a ratio of the top radius over the fillet radius of curvature is at least 20 and less than 22.

11. The partial cover device of claim 1, further comprising: a lip structure extending from a bottom edge of the open bottom of the partial dome and configured to contact a surface supporting the partial cover device when the partial cover device is in use.

12. The partial cover device of claim 11, wherein the lip structure includes a lip protrusion extending from an outer end of the lip structure opposite an inner end of the lip structure extending from the bottom edge of the partial dome.

13. The partial cover device of claim 12, wherein the lip protrusion includes at least one of a square shape or a rectangular shape.

14. The partial cover device of claim 12, wherein the lip protrusion includes at least one of a rounded shape or half circle shape.

15. The partial cover device of claim 14, wherein the partial dome structure comprises: at least one peripheral outer wall, and wherein a void or gap in the at least one peripheral outer wall around a perimeter of the partial dome structure defines the open side; a top surface extending between at least two walls of the at least one peripheral outer wall or between different portions of a same peripheral outer wall of the at least one peripheral outer wall, the top surface defining a portion of a circle; and a fillet coupled between the top surface and the at least one peripheral outer wall.

16. The partial cover device of claim 15, wherein the lip protrusion defines a lip radius of curvature, and the fillet defines a fillet radius of curvature, and wherein a ratio of the fillet radius of curvature over the lip radius of curvature is at least 3.5 and less than 9.

17. The partial cover device of claim 15, wherein the lip protrusion defines a lip radius of curvature, and the fillet defines a fillet radius of curvature, and wherein a ratio of the fillet radius of curvature over the lip radius of curvature is at least 5.5 and less than 6.5.

18. The partial cover device of claim 1, further comprising: an additional cover rotatably coupled to the partial dome structure, wherein the additional cover, when in a deployed position, and the partial dome structure together are configured to be disposed over the entire dinnerware when the partial cover device is in use.

19. The partial cover device of claim 18, wherein the partial dome structure comprises: at least one peripheral outer wall, wherein a void or gap in the at least one peripheral outer wall around a perimeter of the partial dome structure defines the open side, the partial dome structure; and a top surface extending between at least two walls of the at least one peripheral outer wall or between different portions of a same peripheral outer wall of the at least one peripheral outer wall, the top surface defining a portion of a circle, wherein the additional cover defines a remaining portion of a full circle associated with the portion of the circle.

20. A partial cover device for dinnerware for protecting food disposed thereon or therein from foreign particles, the partial cover device comprising: a partial dome structure defining an open bottom and an open side and adapted to be disposed over only a portion of the dinnerware, thereby providing access to a portion of the food disposed on or in the dinnerware, the partial dome structure including: at least one of a partial prismatic structure, a partial conical structure, or a partial frustoconical structure; at least one peripheral outer wall, wherein a void or gap in the at least one peripheral outer wall around a perimeter of the partial dome structure defines the open side; a top surface extending between at least two walls of the at least one peripheral outer wall or between different portions of a same peripheral outer wall of the at least one peripheral outer wall, the top surface defining a portion of a circle; and a fillet coupled between the top surface and the at least one peripheral outer wall, wherein the fillet defines a fillet radius of curvature, and the portion of the circle of the top surface defines a top radius, and wherein a ratio of the top radius over the fillet radius of curvature is at least 20 and less than 22; and a lip structure extending from a bottom edge of the open bottom of the partial dome and configured to contact a surface supporting the partial cover device when the partial cover device is in use, the lip structure including a lip protrusion extending from an outer end of the lip structure opposite an inner end of the lip structure extending from the bottom edge of the partial dome, wherein the lip protrusion includes at least one of a rounded shape or half circle shape and defines a lip radius of curvature, and wherein a ratio of the fillet radius of curvature over the lip radius of curvature is at least 5.5 and less than 6.5.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the companying drawings, in which:

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a partial food cover device in use with dinnerware, in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter;

[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a partial food cover device, in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter;

[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a partial food cover device in use with dinnerware, in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter;

[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a partial food cover device, in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter;

[0021] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a partial food cover having a top surface defining a half-circle, in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter;

[0022] FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a partial food cover having a top surface defining a majority of a circle, in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter;

[0023] FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a partial food cover having an additional cover in a stored position, in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter; and

[0024] FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a partial food cover having an additional cover in a deployed position, in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter.

[0025] It will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that aspects of illustrated embodiments may be used in any desired combinations, without limitation. Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. However, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the representative embodiments set forth herein. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. It is envisioned that other embodiments may perform similar functions and/or achieve similar results. Any and all such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the scope of the present invention and are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

[0027] The exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be both thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention and enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make, use, and practice the invention. The word exemplary is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any implementation described herein as exemplary is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations.

[0028] The terms coupled, fixed, attached to, communicatively coupled to, operatively coupled to, and the like refer to both direct coupling, fixing, attaching, communicatively coupling, and operatively coupling as well as indirect coupling, fixing, attaching, communicatively coupling, and operatively coupling through one or more intermediate components or features, unless otherwise specified herein. Communicatively coupled to and operatively coupled to can refer to physically and/or electrically related components.

[0029] As used herein, the terms first, second, and third may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The singular forms a, an, and the include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0030] Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, is applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as about, approximately, and substantially, are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value, or the precision of the methods or machines for constructing or manufacturing the components and/or systems. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a 1, 2, 4, 10, 15, or 20 percent margin.

[0031] Here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations are combined and interchanged, such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise. For example, all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other.

[0032] Again, the present disclosure is directed to a partial food cover allowing for at least partial protection of underlying food items. For example, embodiments of a partial food cover, as disclosed herein, may reduce the amount of foreign particles that contaminate the underlying food items and/or may reduce the likelihood of food contamination from such foreign particles (e.g., germs, exhaled particles, dirt, and the like). Such food covers may also provide at least a degree of insulation for the underlying food items and thus keep hot food hot and cold food cold, at least in comparison to fully uncovered/exposed food items.

[0033] Referring now generally to FIG. 1-8, schematic views of exemplary embodiments of a partial food cover device are illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. As shown, a partial food cover device (partial cover 10) generally has a partial dome 12, such as a partial circle, such as a half-circle, as shown in the illustrated embodiments. However, other embodiments of the partial cover 10 may include a partial-square or partial-rectangle defining the partial dome 12, such as a half-square or half-rectangle. It should be appreciated that the partial dome 12 may include or be defined by segments or portions of suitable 3D structures corresponding to polygons or shapes having 4 or more sides/faces/or surfaces (planar and/or curved sides) and/or defining various side lengths, aspect ratios, and the like. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the partial dome 12 may be defined, at least in part, by one or more partial frustoconical structures. In further or alternative embodiments and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the partial dome 12 may be defined, at least in part, by one or more partial conical structures. Still, in further or additional embodiments, the partial dome 12 may be defined by one or more partial prismatic structures and/or any combination of partial frustoconical structures, partial conical structures, partial prismatic structures, partial spheres, partial elliptical 3D structures, and the like.

[0034] It will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other suitable shapes may be utilized equally, provided that a portion of a cover/dome structure is present and a portion of the cover/dome structure is cut away or missing (e.g., embodiments of the partial cover 10 including a partial dome 12 disclosed herein), thereby providing the user access adjacent to or underneath the partial cover 10. The partial cover 10 may be sized such that it may be disposed over a plate, bowl, or the like (see, e.g., dinnerware 14 of FIGS. 1 and 3) and any food disposed thereon or therein.

[0035] In the exemplary embodiments illustrated, the partial cover 10 is disposed over half of the dinnerware 14, providing the user with access to the open half of the dinnerware 14 and protecting food disposed on the covered half of the plate from foreign particles. Thus and a shown, embodiments of the partial cover 10 may include a bottom (e.g., bottom edge 16 of FIGS. 2-4) defining an open bottom 18 (see FIGS. 2-4). As shown, the bottom edge 16 may be arranged around the dinnerware 14 and placed on the same support surface (e.g., table, counter, and the like) supporting the dinnerware 14. It should be appreciated that the dinnerware 14 is thus received within the open bottom 18 in use such that the partial dome 12 and/or partial cover 10 partially encloses the dinnerware 14 and/or food items thereon or therein. The bottom edge 16 of various embodiments of the partial cover 10 may be defined as the radially innermost edge or surface of the partial cover 10 that is configured to contact the supporting surface when the partial cover 10 is placed on the support surface and/or when the partial cover 10 is in use (e.g., when partially enclosing one or more dinnerware items 14 and supported by the same support surface supporting the dinnerware item(s) 14).

[0036] As shown particularly in FIGS. 1 and 3-5, the partial cover 10 and/or partial dome 12 generally defines an open side 20 allowing the user to access the dinnerware 14 and included food items when the partial cover 10 is in use (e.g., when partially enclosing one or more dinnerware items 14 and supported by the same support surface supporting the dinnerware item(s) 14). As shown particularly in FIGS. 1 and 3, the partial cover 10 may be arranged in use such that the open side 20 faces the user (e.g., a dining individual seated or otherwise.). Thus, the open side 20 oriented towards the user allows the user to access the dinnerware 14, while the remaining portions of the partial cover 10 and/or partial dome 12 prevent or reduce contamination from foreign particles entering from other directions (e.g., across from the user of the partial cover).

[0037] Referring generally to FIGS. 1-4, the partial dome 12 may include one or more peripheral outer walls 22 defining at least a portion of a perimeter of the partial dome 12. It should be appreciated that a void or gap defined between peripheral outer walls 22 and/or portions of the peripheral outer wall(s) 22 may define the open side 20. Furthermore, the peripheral outer wall(s) 22 generally define the at least one partial frustoconical structure(s), partial conical structure(s), and/or partial prismatic structure(s). For example and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a single peripheral outer wall 22 may define a partial conical structure of the partial dome 12. In other or further embodiments, a single peripheral outer wall 22 may define a partial conical structure, a partial frustoconical structure, or a partial prismatic structure of the partial dome 12. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and for some embodiments, the partial dome 12 may include multiple peripheral outer walls 20 (e.g., circumferentially extending segments vertically stacked) each defining a portion of a conical structure, a portion of a frustoconical structure, or portion of a prismatic structure. For example and as shown, peripheral outer walls 22 may be vertically stacked, each peripheral outer wall 22 defining a partial conical structure, a partial frustoconical structure, or a partial prismatic structure of the partial dome 12. Thus, it should be appreciated that some embodiments of the partial dome 12 may define two or more of the partial conical structure, a partial frustoconical structure, or a partial prismatic structure via respective peripheral outer walls 22 of the partial dome 12 (e.g., two or more vertically stacked portions defining differently shaped structures).

[0038] The peripheral outer wall(s) 22 generally defines a height of the partial dome 12 and/or partial cover 10. Thus, in various embodiments, the peripheral outer wall(s) 22 may define a non-zero angle relative to the support surface when the partial cover 10 is in use. In other words, the peripheral outer wall(s) 22 may be at least partially vertically oriented during use. In at least one embodiment and as shown particularly in FIG. 2, at least two peripheral outer walls 22 (e.g., 22a and 22b) may define different angles relative to the support surface and/or a top surface 24 (described in more detail below) when the partial cover 10 is in use.

[0039] Embodiments of the partial dome 12 may include a top planar surface (top surface 24) extending between peripheral outer walls 22 or between portion of a peripheral outer wall 22 and defining a top of the partial dome 12 when the partial cover 10 is in use. The top planar surface 24 is configured to actually cover the food disposed on or in the dinnerware 14 when the partial cover 10 is in use. The top surface 24 may generally define the same partial shape (e.g., a projected shape for non-planar top surfaces 24) as the bottom edge 16 and/or peripheral outer wall 22. In some embodiments and as shown in FIGS. 3-4, the partial shape defined by the bottom edge 16 and the partial shape defined by the top surface 24 may be the same size and/or configured to have the same scale of the same partial shape. In other embodiments and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the partial shape defined by the top surface 24 may be a different size than the partial shape defined by the bottom edge 16 (e.g., the top surface defining a smaller size of the same partial shape defined by the bottom edge 16) and/or configured to have different scales of the same partial shape.

[0040] As shown generally in FIGS. 1-6, the partial shape defined by the top surface 24 may be defined by and/or consist of a portion of a circle. As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the partial shape may be a half-circle or approximately a half-circle (e.g., 40%-60% of the area of a corresponding/associated full circle, such as 45%-55% of the area of the full circle). However and as shown in FIG. 6, the partial shape defined by the top surface 24 may define more than half of the area of the corresponding/associated full circle. For example, the partial shape may define a portion of a circle having between 55%-75% of the area of the corresponding/associated full circle, such as between 60% and 70% of the area the corresponding/associated full circle. Regardless of the portion of the full shape (e.g., a full circle) defined by the top surface 24, the void in the top surface 24 (e.g., the remaining area of a full shape and/or full surface not included in or defined by the top surface 24) is configured to face the user during use of the partial cover 10. In various embodiments, the top surface 24 and the peripheral outer wall(s) 22 may define the same portion of the same shape, though the scale of the same portion and/or same shape may be different. In additional or alternative embodiments, the top surface 26 may be partially or wholly concave outwards or convex inwards. In such embodiments, the partial shape defined by the top surface 26 may be a partial shape defined by a projection of the top surface 26, such as a vertically projected shape, partial shape, area, partial area, and the like.

[0041] Referring now particularly to FIG. 4 and in some embodiments, the partial dome 12 may include a rounded joint, a fillet, a round, or the like (fillet 30). Generally, the interior surface and/or exterior surface of the fillet 30 may define one or more radii of curvature. In various embodiments, the radii of curvature of the interior surface or the exterior surface may be the same or approximately the same and/or may share a common center. In other embodiments, the interior surface and exterior surface may have different radii of curvature and/or only one of such surfaces may be curved.

[0042] In some embodiments and as illustrated in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1-4, the partial cover 10 may include a lip structure 26 extending from the bottom edge 16 of the bottom of the partial dome 12. More particularly, the lip structure 26 may extend from the bottom edge 16 of the partial dome 12 from an outer surface of the partial dome 12 opposite an inner surface facing the dinnerware 14. The lip structure 26 is generally configured to contact the support surface when the partial cover 12 is in use. For instance, a bottom surface (e.g., a planar surface) of the lip structure 26 may fully contact the support surface when the partial cover 12 is in use. Thus, in some embodiments the lip structure 26 may be coupled to the peripheral outer wall(s) 22 at the bottom edge 16, allowing both the bottom edge 16 and the bottom surface of the lip structure 26 to contact the support surface when the partial cover 12 is in use.

[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 and in some embodiments, the lip structure 26 may include a lip protrusion 28 extending from an outer end of the lip structure 26 opposite an inner end of the lip structure 26 extending from the bottom edge 16 of the partial dome 12. The lip structure 26 may extend vertically from the lip structure 26, when the partial cover 10 is in use, and/or perpendicular to an upper surface of the lip structure 26. As shown particularly in FIG. 3, some embodiments of the lip protrusion 28 may include a square or rectangular shape. As shown particularly in FIG. 4, some embodiments of the lip protrusion 28 may include a rounded shape, a half-circle shape, or the like.

[0044] In various embodiments, surfaces of the partial cover 10 may be curved in order to provide easy clean up (e.g., limiting the number and/or severity of crevasses and the like requiring more effort to properly clean). However, embodiments of the partial cover 10 with square corners may generally have improved packing efficiency, which improves storability and reduces shipping volumes. Thus, embodiments may define bounds on ratios of defined curvatures/radii to balance such considerations.

[0045] In one example, the lip protrusion 28 may define a lip radius of curvature, and the fillet 30 may define a fillet radius of curvature. In some such embodiments, a ratio of the fillet radius of curvature over the lip radius of curvature may be at least 3.5 and/or less than 9. In additional or alternative embodiments, the ratio of the fillet radius of curvature over the lip radius of curvature may be at least 4 and/or less than 8.5. In additional or alternative embodiments, the ratio of the fillet radius of curvature over the lip radius of curvature may be at least 4.5 and/or less than 8. In additional or alternative embodiments, the ratio of the fillet radius of curvature over the lip radius of curvature may be at least 5 and/or less than 7.5. In additional or alternative embodiments, the ratio of the fillet radius of curvature over the lip radius of curvature may be at least 5.5 and/or less than 6.5. In additional or alternative embodiments, the ratio of the fillet radius of curvature over the lip radius of curvature may be 6 or approximately 6.

[0046] In an additional or alternative example, a ratio of a radius of the partial circle (e.g., the radius of the half-circle) of the top surface 24 (top radius) over the fillet radius of curvature may be at least 8 and/or less than 34. Additionally or alternatively, the ratio of the top radius over the fillet radius may be at least 10 and/or less than 32. Additionally or alternatively, the ratio of the top radius over the fillet radius may be at least 12 and/or less than 30. Additionally or alternatively, the ratio of the top radius over the fillet radius may be at least 14 and/or less than 28. Additionally or alternatively, the ratio of the top radius over the fillet radius may be at least 16 and/or less than 26. Additionally or alternatively, the ratio of the top radius over the fillet radius may be at least 18 and/or less than 24. Additionally or alternatively, the ratio of the top radius over the fillet radius may be at least 20 and/or less than 22. Additionally or alternatively, the ratio of the top radius over the fillet radius may be 21 or approximately 21.

[0047] Referring now to FIGS. 7-8, top views of embodiments of a partial cover including an additional cover are illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. Particularly, FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the partial cover 10 with an additional cover 32 (see patterned wedge) in a fully stored position, and FIG. 8 illustrates the same embodiment, an additional embodiment, or an alternative embodiment of the partial cover 10 with the additional cover 32 in a fully deployed position. As shown, the additional cover 32 may be rotatably coupled to the partial dome 12, such as at a center of the partial shape defined by the top surface 12, such as at a center of the partial circle defined by the top surface 12, such as at the center of the half-circle defined by the top surface 12. The additional cover 32 may be rotatably coupled to an exterior surface of the partial dome 12 (e.g., the top surface 12) and/or an interior surface of the partial dome 12 (e.g., the surface opposite the top surface 12 and configured to face the dinnerware 14). As shown in FIG. 8, the additional cover 32, when in the deployed position, and the partial dome 12 together may be disposed over the entire dinnerware 14 when the partial cover 10 is in use. As shown and in some embodiments, the additional cover 32 may define a remaining portion of the full shape relative to the partial shape defined by the top surface 12. Additionally or alternatively, the additional cover 32 may define a remaining portion of the full circle relative to the partial circle defined by the top surface 12. Additionally or alternatively, the additional cover 32 may define a remaining half-circle relative to the half-circle defined by the top surface 12. For example, a summation of an area of the partial circle defined by the top surface 24 and an area of the remaining portion of the full circle defined by the additional cover may be equal to at least the area of the full circle.

[0048] The components of the cover structure may all be rigid or semi-rigid and manufactured from a plastic material, a metallic material, a disposable foam material, or the like. Furthermore, the partial cover 10 may be a monolithic structure or an assembly of the segments thereof.

[0049] Although the present disclosure is illustrated and described with reference to embodiments and examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following non-limiting claims for all purposes.