US20140326630A1 - Stackable serving vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

The stackable food vessel of the present disclosure provides a user with added convenience in storage and uses. The vessel comprises a lid, bowl, main body or shaft, and suction cup. The bowl can be removably connected to the shaft. The suction cup is connected to the shaft in such a way that rotation of the shaft draws the suction cup upward, creating a suction connection with a flat surface.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/819,975, filed on May 6, 2013, which is herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
• 1. Field of the Disclosure
• The present disclosure relates to serving vessels. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to serving vessels and bowls comprising multiple serving components stacked in axial (e.g., vertical) alignment for easy storage, and with a suction for attachment to a surface.
• 2. Description of the Related Art
• There is a continuing need for serving vessels and bowls that provide a user with a variety of serving options and ease of use.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
• The serving vessel of the present disclosure provides a very easy to use and convenient stackable alignment. Multiple components are stacked in axial arrangement for easy storage. When in use, in one example, the components can be stacked in vertical axial alignment. In addition, the serving vessel of the present disclosure includes a bottom component with a suction cup that can be attached to a surface such as a counter top or a plate.
• Thus, in one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a stackable food vessel, comprising a shaft having a first, top end and a second, bottom end, wherein the second, bottom end of the shaft has a channel therein. The vessel further comprises a suction cup connected to the bottom end of the shaft. The suction cup comprises a flat member and a projection connected to and projecting upward from an upper surface of the flat member. The projection mates with the channel in the bottom end of the shaft. Axial movement of the projection within the channel pulls on the flat member, to create suction on a second side of the flat member.
• In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a stackable food vessel, comprising a bowl, a shaft, and a suction cup in axial alignment. The bowl is removably connected to a receptacle in an upper end of the shaft. A suction cup is removably and rotatably connected to the shaft. The suction cup comprises a flat member and a screw projecting from an upper surface of the flat member. The shaft comprises a threaded channel in an interior portion thereof, so that the screw mates with the threaded channel. Rotation of the shaft draws the screw upward into the threaded channel.
• For ease of description, the term “vessel” is used to describe the serving device of the present disclosure. As can be seen in the Figures, the “vessel” of the present disclosure includes bowls, flat plates or lids, a suction cup, and/or a main body or shaft.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the serving vessel of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the serving vessel ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 3 shows a diagram of the serving vessel ofFIG. 1 attached to a plate.
• FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the serving vessel ofFIG. 3.
• FIG. 5 shows a side view of the serving vessel ofFIG. 4.
• FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the serving vessel of the present disclosure attached to two plates.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
• Referring toFIGS. 1-6, servingvessel1 of the present disclosure is shown. Servingvessel1 has body orshaft10, floatingring20, suction cup andscrew30,lid40, and servingbowl50. As shown, each of these components ofserving vessel1 stacks axially, for example vertically, providing convenience of use and storage.Suction cup30 can be connected to a flat surface in the manner described below, to allowvessel1 to stand securely on the surface. Vessel1 may also be configured so that the user can utilize a single- or dual-level serving platter, as shown inFIGS. 4-6.Bowl50 is removably connected toshaft10 as shown, so that it can be stored separately, and with or withoutlid40 if desired. Thus, servingvessel1 provides functionality and convenience not found in currently available serving devices.
• Referring specifically toFIGS. 1 and 2,suction cup30 has a projection or threadedscrew32 projecting from the top surface of aflat member34, which mates with achannel12 inshaft10.Member34 can be overmolded ontoscrew32. When a user turns or rotatesshaft10,channel12 pulls up onscrew32, drawingflat member34 upward and creating a suction with the surface on which it is placed. In this manner,vessel1 can be affixed to the flat surface. To removevessel1 from the surface, the user can rotateshaft10 in the reverse direction.Flat member34 can have apull tab35 formed as a part thereof, which provides the user with another way to disengage the connection betweenmember34 and the plate. Other methods are contemplated for drawingscrew32 up towardshaft10, thus creating suction onflat member34. For example,projection32 could be an unthreaded cylinder, and/or be drawn upward into and out ofchannel12 with a pumping or pneumatic motion using suction, or through the use of levers withinshaft10 or connected toscrew32.
• The term “shaft” is used for convenience and ease of description with respect to the component that connects tosuction cup30 in the manner described, and receivesbowl50. Shaft10 can be hollow throughout.Shaft10 can also be partially hollow, at the bottom or top ends, as described herein. “Shaft” should be understood to imply any component or connector that provides the features and functions ofshaft10 as described herein.
• Floatingring20 can be connected tocup30 in such a way that it engagesshaft10 in the manner shown inFIG. 2. When the user rotatesshaft10, ahook15 at abottom edge14 ofshaft10 engages with acorresponding hook22 ofring20. This allowsshaft10 to spin withoutbottom edge14 scuffing or damagingflat member34, and allows the user to secure a tight suction withmember34.
• Bowl50 can sit inreceptacle16 ofshaft10, to provide a place to store food products whenvessel1 is upright.Receptacle16 can have an open interior space, which can also be used to store food or other products if desired.Bowl50 can be removably connected toshaft10, such as with a snap- or friction-fit. This allows a user to removebowl50 and store it separately fromshaft10, with or withoutlid40.Bowl50 can also have alip52 that can overhang or connectably engage anupper edge17 ofreceptacle16.Lid40 can connect tobowl50 with different methods, such as a snap- or friction-fit.
• As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4,vessel1 can connect easily to one or two different surfaces. As shown inFIG. 3, whensuction cup30 is connected to a plate through the suction described above, the user can place food products on the plate as well as inbowl50. As shown inFIGS. 4-6, when a suction connection is created betweenvessel1 and aplate90,vessel1 can be inverted, creating a cake stand. In addition,upper edge17 ofshaft10 can rest on asecond plate92, creating a two-tiered stand for the user. Again,vessel1 of the present disclosure provides several convenient and varied storage and serving options not found in currently available items.
• The materials used in the various components should be those suitable for contact with food.Suction cup30 can be made from an elastomeric material, such as silicone. The materials forlid40,bowl50,shaft10, and20 can be food-safe plastics or stainless steel.
• While the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more particular embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope thereof. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure.

Claims (10)

1. A stackable food vessel, comprising:

a shaft having a top end and a bottom end, wherein said bottom end of said shaft has a channel therein; and

a suction cup connected to said bottom end of said shaft, wherein said suction cup comprises a flat member with an upper surface and a bottom surface, and a projection connected to and projecting upward from said upper surface of said flat member,

wherein said projection mates with said channel in said bottom end of said shaft, and axial movement of said projection within said channel pulls on said flat member, to create suction on said bottom surface of said flat member.

2. The vessel ofclaim 1, wherein said projection is a threaded screw, and said channel is threaded, so that said connection between said projection and said channel is threaded.

3. The vessel ofclaim 2, wherein rotation of said shaft causes said projection to be drawn into said channel.

4. The vessel ofclaim 3, further comprising a ring attached to said upper surface of said flat member, so that a bottom edge of said bottom end of said rotatably engages said ring.

5. The vessel ofclaim 1, wherein said top end of said shaft has an open receptacle therein, wherein said receptacle has an open interior space.

6. The vessel ofclaim 1, further comprising a bowl within said receptacle.

7. The vessel ofclaim 1, wherein said projection is overmolded on to said upper surface of said flat member.

8. A stackable food vessel, comprising a bowl, a shaft, and a suction cup in axial alignment,

wherein said bowl is removably connected to a receptacle in an upper end of said shaft, and said suction cup is removably and rotatably connected to said shaft,

wherein said suction cup comprises a flat member and a screw projecting from an upper surface of said flat member, and

wherein said shaft comprises a threaded channel in an interior portion thereof, so that said screw mates with said threaded channel, so that rotation of said shaft draws said screw upward into said threaded channel.

9. The food vessel ofclaim 8, further comprising a lid removably connected to an upper edge of said bowl.

10. The food vessel ofclaim 8, further comprising a floating ring connected to said upper surface of said flat member, so that a bottom edge of said shaft rotatably engages said floating ring.

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