Bowl Divider Device

The present invention relates generally to the field of dining utensils. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bowl divider device. The device is comprised of a body further comprised of at least one handle assembly that has at least one handle, at least one vertical stem and a plurality of panels that are removably or fixedly attached to the vertical stem. Once the panels are attached to the stem, the device can be placed within a bowl such that spaces between each panel are formed. Within each space, a user can add differing ingredients to make a salad or other food. In this manner, the bowl divider device prevents a salad or other food from looking boring and uninspiring.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of dining utensils. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bowl divider device. The device is comprised of a body further comprised of at least one handle assembly that has at least one handle, at least one vertical stem, and a plurality of panels that are removably or fixedly attached to the vertical stem. Once the panels are attached to the stem, the device can be placed within a bowl such that spaces between each panel are formed. Within each space, a user can add differing ingredients to make a salad or other food. In this manner, the bowl divider device prevents a salad or other food from looking boring and uninspiring. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

Salads are an incredibly healthy food that may contain a plurality of ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, cheeses, meats, dressings, etc. As a result, some individuals may desire to eat healthier and consume salads to do so. However, some individuals may find salads to be boring looking and therefore uninspiring. Further, salads are typically mixed together in a bowl before being consumed. This mixed appearance may be visually unappealing to some individuals.

Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a device that prevents a salad or other food from looking boring and uninspiring. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a bowl divider device that can be placed within a bowl that allows a salad or other food to be presented using the device in a more visually appealing manner. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a bowl divider device that can be placed within a bowl that allows a salad or other food to be presented using the device in a more visually appealing manner, wherein the device does not allow the various ingredients of the salad or other food to become mixed.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a bowl divider device. The device is comprised of a body further comprised of at least one handle assembly that has at least one handle, at least one vertical stem and a plurality of panels that are removably or fixedly attached to the vertical stem. Once the panels are attached to the stem, the device can be placed within a bowl such that spaces between each panel are formed. Within each space, a user can add differing ingredients to make a salad or other food.

In this manner, the bowl divider device of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides a device that prevents a salad or other food from looking boring and uninspiring. The device also allows a salad to be presented using the device in a more visually appealing manner, wherein the device does not allow the various ingredients of the salad or food to become mixed. Therefore, the device allows users to create salads or foods in a more visually appealing manner than possible without the device.

SUMMARY

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a bowl divider device. The device is comprised of a body further comprised of at least one handle assembly that has at least one handle, at least one vertical stem and a plurality of panels that are removably or fixedly attached to the vertical stem. In the one embodiment the body is manufactured from a silicone-type rubber material or a flexible, semi-rigid or rigid plastic. Further, any surface of the body may have a plurality of indicia such as, but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc. The body may also be any color known in the art and may be transparent, semi-transparent or opaque.

The handle assembly is comprised of at least one handle. The handle preferably has a contoured and textured grip that may be made of the same rubber or plastic material described above. The handle further has a continuous opening such that it can be easily gripped by a user. In differing embodiments, the handle may be removably or fixedly (e.g. inseparably) attached to the vertical stem. In one embodiment, the handle and vertical stem may each have at least one fastener that allows for the stem and handle to removably or fixedly attach to one another. In the preferred embodiment, the stem is further comprised of at least two vertical female grooves.

The device is also comprised of at least two panels that are preferably shaped like one-fourth (e.g. a quadrant) of a circle and have a curved outside edge, a vertical inside edge that is parallel with the stem and a flat top edge. The inside edge of each panel is further comprised of a male tongue that can be slid into each groove of the stem to allow the panels to be removably attached to the stem. Although, in one embodiment, the panels may be fixedly (e.g. inseparably) attached to the stem. In another embodiment, the panels may attach to the stem via at least one fastener that allows the panels to removably attach to the stem.

To use the device, the device can be placed within a bowl such that the outside edge of each panel contacts the interior surface of the bowl. In doing so, the panels form spaces within the bowl that can be filled with various differing ingredients. After being filled, the device can be lifted vertically out of the bowl via the handle such that the ingredients remain separated in the manner they were when the device remained in place within the bowl.

Accordingly, the bowl divider device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a device that prevents a salad or other food from looking boring and uninspiring. The device also allows a salad or food to be presented using the device in a more visually appealing manner, wherein the device does not allow the various ingredients of the salad to become mixed. In this manner, the bowl divider device allows users to create salads or foods in a more visually appealing manner than possible without the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that prevents a salad or other food from looking boring and uninspiring. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a bowl divider device that can be placed within a bowl that allows a salad or other food to be presented using the device in a more visually appealing manner. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a bowl divider device that can be placed within a bowl that allows a salad or other food to be presented using the device in a more visually appealing manner, wherein the device does not allow the various ingredients of the salad or other food to become mixed.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a bowl divider device comprised of a body that is further comprised of at least one handle assembly. The at least one handle assembly has at least one handle, at least one vertical stem, and a plurality of panels that are removably or fixedly attached to the vertical stem. In the one embodiment the body is manufactured from a silicone-type rubber material or a flexible, semi-rigid or rigid plastic. Further, any surface of the body may have a plurality of indicia such as, but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc. The body may also be any color known in the art and may be transparent, semi-transparent or opaque.

The handle assembly is comprised of at least one handle that preferably has a contoured and textured grip that may be made of the same rubber or plastic material described above. The handle further has a continuous opening such that it can be easily gripped by a user. In differing embodiments, the handle may be removably or fixedly (e.g. inseparably) attached to the vertical stem. In one embodiment, the handle and vertical stem may each have at least one fastener that allows for the stem and handle to removably or fixedly attach to one another. In the preferred embodiment, the stem is further comprised of at least two vertical female grooves.

The device is also comprised of at least two panels that are preferably shaped like one-fourth (e.g. a quadrant) of a circle and have a curved outside edge, a vertical inside edge that is parallel with the stem and a flat top edge. Accordingly, the inside edge of each panel is further comprised of a male tongue that can be slid into each groove of the stem to allow the panels to be removably attached to the stem. Although, in one embodiment, the panels may be fixedly (e.g. inseparably) attached to the stem. In another embodiment, the panels may attach to the stem via at least one fastener that allows the panels to removably attach to the stem.

During use, the device can be placed within a bowl such that the outside edge of each panel contacts the interior surface of the bowl. In doing so, the panels form spaces within the bowl that can be filled with various differing ingredients. After being filled, the device can be lifted vertically out of the bowl via the handle such that the ingredients remain separated in the manner they were when the device remained in place within the bowl.

Accordingly, the bowl divider device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a device that prevents a salad or other food from looking boring and uninspiring. The device also allows a salad or food to be presented using the device in a more visually appealing manner, wherein the device does not allow the various ingredients of the salad to become mixed. In this manner, the bowl divider device allows users to create salads or foods in a more visually appealing manner than possible without the device.

Referring initially to the drawings,FIG. 1illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a bowl divider device100of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device100is comprised of a body110further comprised of at least one handle assembly120that has at least one handle122, at least one vertical stem128having a longitudinal axis or centerline and a plurality of panels130that are removably or fixedly attached to the vertical stem128. In the one embodiment the body110is manufactured from a silicone-type rubber material that may be flexible, semi-rigid or rigid in differing embodiments. Said rubber material may also include materials such as, but not limited to, neoprene, nitrile, EPDM, Styrene-Butadiene, Butyl, natural, fluorosilicone, etc. In another embodiment, the body110is manufactured from a flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid plastic such as, but not limited to, an acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, thermoplastic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, low density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polylactic acid, acetal, nylon, fiberglass, recycled plastic, biodegradable plastic, etc. Further, any surface of the body110may have a plurality of indicia150such as, but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc. The body110may also be any color known in the art and may be transparent, semi-transparent or opaque.

The handle assembly120is comprised of at least one handle122that may be further comprised of a contoured and textured grip124that may be made of the same rubber or plastic material described above. The handle122further has a continuous opening126such that it can be easily gripped by a user. The handle122is further removably or fixedly (e.g. inseparably) attached to the vertical stem128. In one embodiment, the handle122and vertical stem128may each have at least one fastener140such as, but not limited to, hook and loop, magnet, adhesive, screws, threading, etc., that allows for the stem128and handle122to removably or fixedly attach to one another, as seen inFIG. 2A. Similarly, the stem128may be comprised of at least two fasteners140that allow at least two panels130to removably connect to the vertical stem128via at least one fastener140on each panel130(such that the entire stem128has at least three fasteners). In the preferred embodiment, the stem128is further comprised of at least two vertical female grooves1280. The stem128may also have a curved bottom surface1282.

FIG. 2Billustrates an exploded side view of one potential embodiment of a bowl divider device100of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device100is also comprised of at least two panels130. The panels130are preferably shaped like one-fourth (e.g. a quadrant) of a circle and have a curved outside edge132, a vertical inside edge134that is parallel with the stem128and a flat top edge136. The inside edge134of each panel130is further comprised of a male tongue1340. The tongue1340can then be slid into each groove1280of the stem128to allow the panels130to be removably attached to the stem128. In one embodiment, the panels130may be fixedly (e.g. inseparably) attached to the stem128. In another embodiment, the panels130may attached to the stem128via an at least one fastener140such as, but not limited to, a hook and loop fastener, magnet, adhesive, screws, threading, etc., that allows the panels130to removably attach to the stem128.

FIG. 3illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a bowl divider device100of the present invention within a bowl10(shown as prior art) in accordance with the disclosed architecture. To use the device100, the device100can be placed within a bowl10such that the outside edge132of each panel130contacts the interior surface12of the bowl10. As a result, the panels130form spaces within the bowl10that can be filled with various differing ingredients. After being filled, the device100can be lifted vertically out of the bowl10via the handle122, such that the ingredients remain separated in the manner they were when the device100remained in place within the bowl10. In should be noted that in differing embodiments, the device100can be used to separate any ingredients of any food in this manner to create a more visually appealing food/dish, and is not limited only to salads or other similar foods of the like.

It should also be noted that in any embodiment, the stem128can have a number of differing grooves1280and panels130, but preferably has at least two grooves1280and at least two panels130. However, the panels130and grooves1280may be located at any angle in relation to one another and as a result may create equal or unequal spaces within a bowl10. In this manner, the number of panels130and spaces created by the panels130within a bowl10can be customized per the needs of each individual user in differing embodiments of the device100.

Notwithstanding the forgoing, the bowl divider device100of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the bowl divider device100as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the bowl divider device100are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the bowl divider device100are important design parameters for user convenience, the bowl divider device100may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.