Resilient Sleeve for a Dish

This application for a utility patent claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/568,249, filed Mar. 21, 2024.

This invention relates generally to dishes, and more particularly to a resilient sleeve that slides over a dish.

In the prior art, the field of dishware includes a variety of soft silicone bowls and plates that include integral suction cups for holding the bowl or plate on a surface such as a table. The soft silicone construction of the bowl or plate, and the suction cups, are an advantage for feeding infants, children, those with disabilities, and the elderly.

In the present invention, however, a rigid sleeve is provided to cover and frictionally engage a rigid dish. The dish (e.g., bowl or plate) may be constructed, for example, of stainless steel, ceramic, plastic, or other suitable rigid and durable material. The rigid bowl slides into and frictionally engages the resilient sleeve, made of silicone or similar soft material, and which may include at least one suction cup for fastening the sleeve to a support surface such as a table top. Consumers appreciate the unique combination of a rigid dish which also includes a soft (e.g., silicone) covering and which may include suction cup(s).

The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below.

The present invention provides a resilient sleeve that is used in combination with a rigid dish (e.g., bowl or plate). The resilient sleeve may include a securing element for securing the sleeve onto a surface. In this embodiment, the resilient sleeve includes a resilient body adapted to closely fit around, contour, and frictionally engage the exterior of the dish. The resilient body has a sidewall that extends upwardly from a bottom portion to a perimeter that defines an opening into the resilient body. A securing element may be provided on the bottom portion for removably securing the bottom portion to a support surface.

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a resilient sleeve having advantages not taught by the prior art.

Another objective is to provide a resilient sleeve that covers a rigid dish such as a bowl or a plate, providing a resilient cover for the dish.

Another objective is to provide a resilient sleeve that may include a securing element for removably securing the combination to a support surface.

A further objective is to provide a resilient sleeve that is constructed of resilient materials suitable for softening and protecting a rigid dish.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

The above-described drawing figures illustrate the invention, a dish sleeve that is constructed to be slipped over and frictionally engaged with a rigid dish (e.g., bowl or plate). The dish sleeve may further include a securing element such as one or more suction cups for securing the disk sleeve (and thus the rigid dish) to a surface such as a table top.

is a perspective view of a resilient sleeveaccording to one embodiment of the present invention and shown mounted on a rigid dish.is an exploded perspective view thereof. As shown in, the resilient sleevecomprises a resilient bodyadapted to closely fit around, contour, and frictionally engage the exterior of the dish, in this embodiment a bowl(shown in), so that it remains firmly attached to the bowlduring use. In this embodiment, the resilient bodycomprises a bottom portionthat in this embodiment is generally disk-shaped, and includes a sidewallthat extends upwardly to a perimeterthat defines an opening into the resilient body. The sidewallof this embodiment is generally tubular in construction, having a round cross-sectional shape that allows the close frictional engagement described above.

The sidewallof the resilient bodyis large enough (tall enough relative to the dish) to substantially cover an upwardly extending sidewallof the dish. For purposes of this application, the term “substantially cover” is defined to include more than 60% of the surface area, at least 80% covered in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the sidewallof the bodyextends over the lip of the dish. The resilient bodymay be constructed of silicone, or other suitable material, which has a malleability and coefficient of friction suitable for a close engagement with the bowl.

As illustrated in, in this embodiment, the bowlcomprises a base, and an upwardly extending sidewallextending upwardly from the baseto a lip. In other embodiments, the dishis in the form of a plate or similar type of dish, some examples being shown in the following figures and discussed below.

is a bottom plan view of the combination. As illustrated in, the bottom portionincludes at least one securing elementfor removably securing the bottom portionto a support surface (not shown). In this embodiment, the securing elementis in the form of a plurality of suction cups, in this case three suction cups arranged in a triangular configuration around the bottom of the resilient body. In this embodiment, the suction cupsare preferably disposed in an equilateral triangle, but alternate configurations are possible. The plurality of suction cupsmay be in the form of three suction cups, as illustrated, but any number of cups may be disposed, in any configuration. In alternative embodiments, the securing elementmay be in the form of a single suction cup, or any other suitable mechanical or non-mechanical fastener affixed, formed, or embedded on the bottom portion, preferably that is washable or detachable for washing the resilient body. For example, the securing elementmay be in the form of at least one magnet, hooks/sliders for attaching to a compatible surface, a single or multi-use adhesive element (e.g., silicone, rubber, etc.), or any other feasible securing element known in the art.

As shown in, in some embodiments, the bottom portionincludes an aperture, which allows to air to enter or exit the resilient bodywhen the bowlis inserted or removed. The aperturemay be positioned between the three suction cups, equidistant from the connections of the three suction cups. In this embodiment, the apertureis at the orthocenter of the triangular formation of the suction cups. The aperturemay make it easier to put the resilient bodyon the bowl, so that there is a snug fit without unwanted air pockets. In this embodiment, the apertureis approximately 6 mm in diameter.

In the embodiment of, the resilient sleevemay have height measurement that is between 30-70 mm, preferably approximately 56 mm, including the suction cups. A width measurement may be between 80-120 mm, preferably approximately 108 mm. The resilient sleevemay further have a thickness (of the material) of approximately 1.5 mm. The suction cupsmay have a diameter that is approximately 40 mm. Obviously, other measurements may vary in alternative embodiments.

is a side elevation view of the combination, showing a hand pulling up a portion of the sidewall, while the suction cupsremain fixed to the support surface. As shown in, in this embodiment, a ridgeextends downwardly from a bottom surfaceof the bottom portion, wherein the bottom portionis recessed within the ridge. In this manner, the suction cupsdo not substantially protrude while in use, creating a more stable and discreet profile. It may also assist with removing the suction cupsfrom the support surface, wherein a human hand can push the bottom surfacedownwardly will pulling the sidewallupwardly, to release suction. However, in other embodiments, there is no ridge or recess. In some embodiments, the surface of the resilient sleevemay be structured to be smooth and resilient, without prestructured ridges, pockets, or angles, so that it simply contours to whatever dish it covers. However, as illustrated, some embodiments of the sleevemay include prestructured ridges, angles, etc., or may be customized to a specific dish, which may be provided alongside the sleevein some uses. Customization may include a planar bottom surface to be supported by the support surface, or for better aligning the securing element, etc. Customization may also include additional material, structured or otherwise, at specific locations for allowing for protrusions of the dish, or for if the dish tapers or “juts” outwardly, etc.

In some embodiments (not shown), the perimeter openingfurther includes an outer tab or annular ledge, which may assist with removing the resilient bodyfrom the dish, but in other embodiments, this area is generally smooth. In other embodiments, the perimeter opening may include an engagement structure (not shown) such as an annular ledge, annular groove, or similar structure, which is adapted to engage a lid (not shown). The lid may be similarly formed of a resilient material, or any suitable material for engaging a lid with the engagement structure. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the outside of the resilient bodyincludes a pattern (not shown), which may be printed/painted, engraved, etc., and which may display any imagery/symbols/indicia, limited only by the imagination of the manufacturer.

In this embodiment, the resilient bodyand securing elementare each formed of silicone, but any suitable resilient materials may be used (e.g., various rubbers, plastic polymers, etc.). In use, the silicone sleevemay be used with a stainless steel bowl(shown in), but the sleevemay be adapted to fit over any dish having a generally annular exterior, e.g., a plate, a cup, pitcher, various different bowls, etc., which may or may not have attachments/ornamental elements such as handles, spouts, etc. For the purposes of this application, the term “annular exterior” is defined to include any closed shape, which may be rounded, generally rectangular, or any other shape that is typical for a dish. If the dishhas an opening/cutout/aperture and/or protrusion, the sleevemay similarly include an aligning opening/cutout/aperture or extra material for snugly surrounding a protrusion.

is an exploded perspective view of a second embodimentof the resilient sleeve and showing a plate.is a side elevation view thereof.is a bottom perspective view thereof. As shown in, in some embodiments, the resilient sleeveincludes and/or is adapted to be mounted on a plate. As discussed, the claimed invention may be adapted for use with any form of a rigid dish having a base, and an upwardly extending sidewallextending upwardly from the baseto a lip. In this embodiment, a bottom portionof the resilient sleeveincludes a central opening. In various embodiments, the central openingmay have a diameter between 60-90 mm. In this embodiment, the central openingis approximately 79 mm. Different measurements of the central openingmay be included, or the central openingmay be excluded from the resilient sleeve.

As shown in, in this embodiment, the resilient sleevefurther includes an inner surface, wherein the inner surfaceis polished, which assists with securely gripping the platewithout unwanted gathering or sliding. For the purposes of this application, the term “polished” is defined to mean a surface that has undergone a polishing process so that the surface has a frictional coefficient that is adapted to substantially grip a generally smooth dish exterior, while still being easily peeled off of the dish. The dish may be ceramic, metal, or similar materials which are compatible with the polished surface. However, in other embodiments, the inner surfacemay have a different means of gripping, e.g., having cross-hatched grooves, a grain, or other means of gripping.

As shown in, in this embodiment, the bottom portionof the resilient sleeveincludes the suction cupsas in the first embodiment, but other securing mechanisms may be applied, or excluded, some examples of which are shown in the following figures and discussed below.

The resilient sleeveofmay have height measurement that is between 15-40 mm, in this embodiment approximately 33 mm, including the suction cups. A width measurement (diameter) may be between 150-250 mm, in this embodiment approximately 198 mm. The bowl therefore has a height that is less than 20% of the diameter, as opposed to the bowl, wherein the height is more than 20% of the diameter.

The suction cupsof the resilient sleevemay be slightly greater in diameter than the suction cupsof embodiment, specifically approximately 43 mm. Furthermore, in this embodiment, there are four suction cupsrather than the three of the first embodiment. Obviously, other numbers of suction cups, and other various measurements, may be implemented, as deemed by the manufacturer.

As shown inin this embodiment, the resilient sleeveof the embodiment includes prestructured angles adapted to contour around a specific plate. Specifically, a sidewallof the sleeveincludes an upper portionthat is greater in diameter than a lower portionof the sidewall, which allows a better fit over the plateof the current embodiment.

is a bottom plan view of a third embodimentof the resilient sleeve and showing a bottom opening. As shown in, in this embodiment, the securing elementis excluded, and the bottom openingis larger than the apertureof.is a bottom plan view of a fourth embodimentof the resilient sleeve and showing an alternative bottom opening. As shown in, in this embodiment, the bottom openingis similar to the apertureof, except a bottom portionof this embodimentexcludes the securing element.

is a perspective view of a fifth embodimentof the resilient sleeve,is a side elevation view thereof, andis a bottom perspective view thereof. As shown in, in this embodiment, the resilient sleeveis adapted to be mounted on a plate, as with the embodiment of. However, in this embodiment, the securing elementis excluded.illustrate potential variations of the invention, impressing that any embodiment of the resilient sleeve may include or exclude the securing element, which may be in different forms other than the suction cups, and any embodiment of the resilient sleeve may include different central openings/apertures in the bottom portion, a polished inner surface or a textured inner surface, or any combination of these elements, as well as additional elements. The illustrated examples are thereby intended only for the purpose of enabling the invention as-claimed, and should not be construed to be limiting.

The title of the present application, and the claims presented, do not limit what may be claimed in the future, based upon and supported by the present application. Furthermore, any features shown in any of the drawings may be combined with any features from any other drawings to form an invention which may be claimed.

As used in this application, the words “a,” “an,” and “one” are defined to include one or more of the referenced item unless specifically stated otherwise. The terms “approximately” and “about” are defined to mean +/−10%, unless otherwise stated. Also, the terms “have,” “include,” “contain,” and similar terms are defined to mean “comprising” unless specifically stated otherwise. Furthermore, the terminology used in the specification provided above is hereby defined to include similar and/or equivalent terms, and/or alternative embodiments that would be considered obvious to one skilled in the art given the teachings of the present patent application. While the invention has been described with reference to at least one particular embodiment, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments, but rather the scope of the invention is defined by claims made to the invention.