Abstract:
The present invention is an article of manufacture comprising a dish and a marker moveably affixed upon or within the dish, wherein the marker can be moved with a utensil. In a preferred embodiment, a dish is constructed that has an inner section and an outer section, and a space between the two sections. The space is filled with a fluid in which markers that appeal to children, such as brightly colored fish. The markers contain a magnet which can be activated using flatware. The child uses his or her spoon to move the fish marker up the side of the dish. This teaches the child how to use a utensil and provides entertainment during mealtimes.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to the field of dishware, in particular to dishware for children. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to dishware for children, and particularly for children who are learning to eat from dishware. 
         [0003]    Parents and child caregivers frequently note that the capacity of children, especially toddlers, to concentrate on a given task is very limited. One often finds it very difficult to feed a toddler, and even more difficult to teach a toddler to feed himself or herself. Parents have therefore tried many ways to teach a toddler to learn to use utensils, and many ways to urge a toddler to finish a meal, e.g. some by promising sweets or candies after the meal, and some by scolding or threat of punishment, neither of which is very satisfactory. 
         [0004]    An interactive set of eating utensils and dishware may encourage a child to learn to use utensils and to eat his or her food, particularly if the interaction can be made into a game or a contest. A child whose interest in food is weak will be encouraged to eat if the eating process itself is made an enjoyable activity rather than a chore imposed on him by his parents. 
         [0005]    The present invention is a tool that teaches and encourages children to eat, particularly children who are beginning to learn mastery of flatware and the motions of moving food from a dish onto a utensil and subsequently out of the dish into their mouths. 
         [0006]    The invention involves a dish that contains magnetic markers which can be moved around with a utensil. The markers can be any shape or color, for instance, the markers may comprise a school of brightly colored fish. The fish can be moved with a utensil such as a spoon as a child scoops food into the spoon and moves the spoon up the side of the dish. 
         [0007]    The child is encouraged and taught to eat by being encouraged to move the fish up the side of the dish, and the food with it. Also, as the child eats more food, more fish become visible in the bottom of the dish and the child can see them more easily to play with them. Additionally, multiple children may play games that encourage them to eat, for instance, they may race to see who can get the fish to the top of the bowl first. In the case of a group, having a teaching tool aids positive interaction, as others in a group may come to the aid of and teach one in the group who is slow to master the technique. 
         [0008]    Another group that may benefit from the present invention is that of mentally handicapped older children, teens and adults who may need encouragement to eat. 
         [0009]    While many attempts have been made in the prior art to modify eating dishes or utensils for varying reasons, none of the art discussed below teaches the present invention. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,202,423 teaches a toy simulated feeding dish that simulates the appearance of an observable liquid being consumed as a spoon is passed immediately adjacent thereto. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,254,409 teaches a toy spoon, and particularly a spoon so constructed that it appears to be empty when held in one position and appears to be partly filled with something when held in another position. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,321 teaches a utensil which has a feeding end and a hollow handle. A holding element is displaceable within the hollow element relative to the feeding end between a revealing position, where an end of the holding element that is decorated with imitation food projects over the feeding end, and a hidden position, where the decorated end of the holding element is withdrawn and concealed within the hollow handle. A spring biases the holding element into the hidden position and a latch retains the holding element in the revealing position. The holding element enters the revealing position during withdrawal of the utensil from a toy container and enters the hidden position during insertion of the feeding end into a doll&#39;s mouth. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 1,595,801 teaches a magnetized figure arranged to float in a bowl, or other receptacle filled with water, and made to balance with the specific gravity of the water so that the least attraction will cause it to move up or down in the water; a magnetized stick or wand being employed to attract or repel the figure from without the bowl, the magnetic influence of the want being transmitted through the interposing substance of the bowl. 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,377 teaches a high chair that has a tray that has a steel (ferromagnetic) core or insert layer sandwiched between durable plastic layers, to be used with children&#39;s dishware that has permanent magnets in their bases or bottoms. The insert can be a sheet of seven-gauge steel, with perforations to relieve some of the weight of the metal. The bottoms may incorporate two or more coin-shaped permanent magnets. 
         [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,946 teaches an apparatus and method for simulating the feeding of a variety of food types to a child&#39;s baby doll. The apparatus includes a spoon and a food container. The food container is segmented into three compartments, each of which contains a different simulated food type. Within each compartment is a cam assembly for interaction with a cam follower that is disposed within a spindle that is rotatably mounted within the bowl of the spoon. The outer surface of the spindle is configured to also represent food, where the types of food represented on the spindle in the bowl of the spoon are the same food types that are simulated in the food container. When a child inserts the spoon into the food container, if the food displayed in the bowl of the spoon is not the same food type as that into which the spoon is inserted, the cam follower in the spindle interacts with the cam in the food container to rotate the spindle such that upon extraction of the spoon from the food container, the bowl of the spoon now appears to contain within it the same type of food as that into which it was inserted. 
         [0016]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,329 teaches an infant&#39;s food dish which includes a sound unit which is enabled by a switch, the state of which can be changed merely by bringing an object into proximity with the switch. Suitably the switch is magnetically operable and the object is the magnetized tip of a feeding utensil such as a spoon. 
         [0017]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,885,681 teaches a feeding device for use by persons with limited or no use of their arms, wherein a spoon is mounted on supporting and counterbalancing levers and is associated with a mouth-piece in such a manner that the user can manipulate the spoon to lift food from a dish, can then place the spoon on a fixed support and then adjust the spoon to a position for convenient eating of the food. The spoon mounting includes an adjustable support for a counterbalancing spring. All the parts are mounted on a flat base which is adapted also to support the food dish. 
         [0018]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,743,071 teaches a device and a method for the use thereof are disclosed for encouraging a child who is a poor eater to eat its food. The device includes a rim member having a contiguous periphery, which defines a central opening, with the underside of the rim member defining a securing portion adapted for securely mating with a peripheral edge portion of a container. A head member is mounted onto the rim member with at least part of the head member being located in a plane above the central opening defined by the rim member. The head member has at least one passageway defined therein, the passageway being adapted to allow access therethrough into and beyond the central opening defined by the rim member. 
         [0019]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,968,591 teaches a combined spoon and toy for providing an incentive to small children to enjoy eating their food. The toy is integrally interposed between the ladle and handle portions of the spoon. 
         [0020]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,898,060 teaches a musical adapter for use with a nursing bottle comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, which two portions being detachably joined together to form a single body. An electronic musical device of integrated circuits is disposed in the interior space of the lower portion and is capable of producing a melodious tune upon the bottle being lifted or tipped up. 
         [0021]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,626 teaches a stadium simulating bowl which comprises a base shell, a transparent cover shell and an illustrated flat cut in a shape so that it will substantially entirely cover the base shell. The base shell, with the illustrated flat appropriately creased on top of it nests into the cover shell, which is welded peripherally around the base of the two shells. The flat includes a rectangular central area and four arms, each having two trapezoidal and one generally rectangular areas. 
         [0022]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,211 teaches a decorative container for displaying items in internal cavities and includes an inner container and an outer container, defining a hollow region there-between. The decorative container further includes a plurality of dividers within the hollow region separating the region into a plurality of internal cavities. The outer container further includes a removable plate, configured to provide access to each of the internal cavities, so that decorative objects within the internal cavities can be easily changed or rearranged. A method for decorating a container includes placing objects within the hollow region through an access opening and closing the access opening with a removable plate. 
         [0023]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,859,137 teaches flatware and tableware having signaling means for aiding a visually impaired user in locating and retrieving food from the tableware using the flatware. A signaling means assembly is housed within the flatware handle, the assembly having a magnet and a spring. The tableware has a central food-receiving surface and a metal upper rim. Upon bringing the signaling means assembly of the flatware into close proximity with the tableware metal rim, a magnetic force is exchanged that pulls the magnet towards the tableware, compresses the spring, and serves as a guide to the user. After the flatware moves past the rim, the magnet oscillates upon the spring and causes the flatware to vibrate. The vibrations generate a humming sound that signals to the user that contact has been established. 
         [0024]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,163,311 teaches active foodware which comprises at least a plate unit that provides visual stimuli by having a power source and a visual sensory stimulating component to provide light emanating from the plate. Other devices can provide auditory and haptic stimuli. The plate unit can be a single component where the device and circuitry are all contained in the unit and protected from water or can be two components an upper translucent plate and an underplate comprising the devices and circuitry for directing light through the upper plate. 
         [0025]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,717 teaches novelty dishware for serving food to children and implements associated with the dishware which function not only as eating utensils but also as play pieces, so that the eating process becomes a play activity which encourages eating. The dishware, which may be in bowl, plate or any other receptacle form adapted to accommodate food, includes a rim constituted by an annular, transparent duct filled with liquid having glitter particles dispersed therein, as well as a permanent-magnet piston. The piston is slidable in the duct to force the liquid to circulate and thereby animate the particles to create a dynamic display. Each implement is provided with a transparent handle that is filled with liquid having glitter particles dispersed therein, the free end of the handle having a permanent magnet actuator attached thereto. The actuator is magnetically linked to the piston when the free end of the handle is placed on the surface of the duct at a position adjacent the piston, whereby sliding movement of the actuator along the surface of the duct is accompanied by sliding movement of the piston within the duct to cause the liquid therein to circulate. 
         [0026]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,354,331 and US publication 20030233753 teach a set of interactive eating utensils which includes a first eating utensil, such as a spoon or other piece of cutlery, and a container for containing food. The spoon or other cutlery piece has an embedded magnet that produces a magnetic field. The container is electrically operable and includes an induction coil that is electrically operatively connected to a speaker for producing sound upon the interaction of the magnetic field of the magnet and an electromagnetic field of the induction coil generated upon passing of an electric current through the coil. The container has a moveable portion that moves in response to a predetermined set of conditions, such as failure of the induction coil magnetic field to interact with first eating utensil magnetic field for a predetermined period of time. 
         [0027]    While the prior art encompasses varying aspects of the present invention, none of the art cited above describes the present invention. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    The present invention is a dish and a marker moveably affixed upon or within the dish, wherein the marker can be moved with a utensil. The purpose of the invention is to teach and encourage users to eat from a dish using a utensil. In a preferred embodiment, the marker is a shape, color and design that is appealing to toddlers and/or mentally handicapped persons. The marker contains a magnet, which allows a user to move the marker using a piece of flatware such as a spoon. The marker resides in a liquid substance such as mineral oil between two walls of a plastic dish ensemble, the top wall of which is clear. 
         [0029]    In a preferred embodiment, the dish is a bowl and the utensil is a spoon. The bowl is filled with food and given to a user, along with a spoon. The user fills the spoon with food, for instance, applesauce, from the bowl containing the marker, then lifts the spoon up the side of the bowl, thereby guiding the marker up the side and at the same time removing food from the bowl. Removal of all or most of the applesauce from the bowl will reveal other markers in the bowl&#39;s bottom or sides. Alternately, the bowl may be used without food. 
         [0030]    It is an object of the invention to teach children to eat using utensils. 
         [0031]    It is an object of the invention to provide an entertaining means to encourage children to eat. 
         [0032]    It is an object of the invention to provide an incentive for children to eat. 
         [0033]    It is an object of the invention to provide a meal time game for one child or a group of children. 
         [0034]    It is an object of the invention to provide a dish with a moveable marker. 
         [0035]    It is an object of the invention to provide a dish with a magnetic marker. 
         [0036]    It is an object of the invention to provide a marker equipped with a rare earth magnet that will operate with commonly used flatware. 
         [0037]    It is an object of the invention to provide a marker equipped with a ferrite magnet and to provide corresponding utensils equipped with ferrite magnets. 
         [0038]    It is an object of the invention to provide a marker that appeals to children. 
         [0039]    It is an object of the invention to provide a number of markers in one dish. 
         [0040]    It is an object of the invention to provide markers that vary in size, color, and design in one dish. 
         [0041]    It is an object of the invention to provide a dish ensemble that may be disassembled to allow for cleaning and/or for markers to be replaced. 
         [0042]    It is an object of the invention to provide a dish that has a resealable opening. 
         [0043]    It is an object of the invention to provide a reward means which activates when the dish rim detects the presence of the marker. 
         [0044]    It is an object of the invention to provide a dish which has an interlocking base that contains components suitable for playing music or lighting lights. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0045]      FIG. 1  is a bottom perspective view of the invention showing a bowl ensemble with embedded moveable markers. 
           [0046]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the invention. 
           [0047]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the invention demonstrating its use. 
           [0048]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the invention showing different latching means for the ensemble. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0049]    The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-4  of the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals. 
         [0050]      FIG. 1  is a bottom perspective view of the invention, showing a preferred embodiment. The dish ensemble  100  with moveable marker  105  is shown with a bear-shaped moveable marker  110 , a star-shaped moveable marker  120 , a mouse head-shaped moveable marker  130 , and a tractor-shaped moveable marker  140 . The dish ensemble  100  with moveable marker  105  has a bottom  150 , an outside  160 , an inside  170 , and a rim  180 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the dish ensemble  100  with moveable marker  105 .  FIG. 2  shows the outer dish  200 , which has an outer dish bottom  210 , an outer dish outside  220 , an outer dish inner cavity  230 , and outer dish opening  240 , and an outer dish rim  250 . Fish-shaped moveable markers  145  are shown in the bottom of the outer dish  200 . The inner dish  300  is shown above the outer dish  200 . Inner dish  300  has an inner dish bottom  310 , inner dish outside  320 , inner dish inside  330 , inner dish opening  340 , and inner dish rim  350 . 
         [0052]    As can be seen from  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the dish ensemble  100  may be comprised of two dishes nested together with a space between them. In a preferred embodiment, the space is filled with a fluid matrix in which the moveable markers  105  reside. The matrix and moveable markers are disposed between the outer dish inner cavity  230  and the inner dish outside  320 . The moveable markers  105  contain a magnet which allow them to be manipulated within the matrix by application of a utensil that can interact with the magnetic field produced by the magnet. In the preferred embodiment, the material of the inner dish inside  330  is translucent, so that the user may see the moveable markers  105 . All four walls of the dish ensemble  100  may be translucent, or two or three of the walls may be translucent. The moveable marker  105  may be disposed anywhere in or on the dish ensemble  100 . 
         [0053]    The dish ensemble  100  with moveable marker  105  components may be manufactured from any suitable material. In a preferred embodiment, the outer dish  200  and inner dish  300  are made from high-impact plastic, but any material may be used, including but not limited to, plastics, thermoplastics, rubbers, elastomers, glass, fiberglass, ceramics, fabric, animal or plant components, food, metals, wood or wood products, or any combination of these materials or any suitable materials devised in the future. 
         [0054]    The moveable marker  105  is preferably made from plastic, but may be made from any material, including but not limited to, plastics, thermoplastics, rubbers, elastomers, glass, fiberglass, ceramics, fabric, animal or plant components, food, metals, wood or wood products, or any combination of these materials or any suitable materials devised in the future. 
         [0055]    The moveable marker  105  may be any shape, size, design, or color, and the magnet may be disposed anywhere on or in the marker, and may comprise a small section of the marker or the entire marker, or any proportion of the marker. The moveable marker may remain one color, or may change color based on physical changes, such as the addition or removal of heat. For instance, when a child consumes the hot food in his dish, the movable marker may change from blue to pink. Or, if the dish has been heated in the microwave, the child may be encouraged to consume his food before the moveable marker turns color as the food cools. The moveable marker may also glow in the dark, or use any other chemical or chemi-luminescent reaction that would produce a visible change. 
         [0056]    The magnet of the moveable marker  105  may be anywhere in, on, or attached to the moveable marker  105 , and is preferably a rare earth magnet, but may be any magnetic material, including but not limited to, ceramic or ferrite magnets, alnico, ticonal, or injection molded magnets, electromagnets, and rare earth or lanthanoid magnets, including but not limited to samarium-cobalt and neodymium-iron-boron magnets, and any substance which may be magnetized to achieve the desired result. Alternatively, if a magnet is employed in a utensil for use with the moveable marker, the moveable marker may contain a substance that is attracted to the utensil magnet, such as but not limited to, iron. 
         [0057]    The material of the matrix that the movable marker  105  moves in is preferably a fluid such as mineral oil, but it may be any material which allows movement, including but not limited to, mineral oil or other oils, food, animal or plant components, glycerin, water, water with oil, (either emulsified or layered), sand or other glass product such as but not limited to borosilicate beads, plastics or rubbers, wood or wood products, thermoplastics or elastomers, or any material which flows, even at elevated temperatures, due either to its chemical composition and physical properties or to its shape, or any combinations of these or other materials listed above or materials which may become available in the future. Alternately, the matrix may be devoid of added material and the marker may move through air. The matrix material may any color or combination of colors and may contain any type of decoration, including but not limited to glitter, confetti, glow-in-the-dark additives, or small plastic decorations such as stars or animal shapes. The moveable marker  105  may be moveably attached to the dish or may be free-floating the fluid matrix. 
         [0058]      FIG. 3  is a side view illustrating the dish ensemble  100  with moveable marker  105  in use.  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  both show the outer dish  200 , which has an outer dish bottom  210 , an outer dish outside  220 , an outer dish inner cavity  230 , and outer dish opening  240 , and an outer dish rim  250 . Fish-shaped moveable markers  145  are shown in the bottom of the outer dish  200 . The inner dish  300  is shown latched to the outer dish  200  using an interlocking rim mechanism  360 . Inner dish  300  has an inner dish bottom  310 , inner dish outside  320 , inner dish inside  330 , inner dish opening  340 , and inner dish rim  350 , and the dish ensemble rim  180 .  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  show food particles  380  in the outer dish inner cavity  230 , and on the utensil  370 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 3  illustrates the invention in use. A user scoops food onto a utensil  370 , such as a spoon, and slides the utensil  370  up the side of the dish ensemble  100 . Moveable marker  105  is guided up the side of the dish ensemble  100  and may hit the ensemble rim  180 . In one embodiment, when the moveable marker  105  contacts the ensemble rim  180 , the rim detects the movable marker  105  and activates a reward means. This reward means could be, but is not limited to, sound or lights, for example, a song may play and/or lights flash when the moveable marker  105  contacts the ensemble rim  180 . Alternatively, the same reward may apply, but instead of the moveable marker triggering the reward, the utensil  370  may trigger the reward, either through means in the ensemble rim  180 , through means in the utensil  370 , or through a combination of the ensemble rim  180  and the utensil  370 . The activating means may be mechanical, electrical, magnetic, or electromagnetic. The reward may be anywhere on the dish ensemble  100 , the moveable marker  105 , or the utensil  370 . Alternately, the dish ensemble  100  may have an interlocking base, and the base may contain components suitable for playing music or lights. 
         [0060]      FIGS. 4   a,    4   b,  and  4   c  are all a side view illustration various types of latching mechanisms that may be used with the dish ensemble  100 .  FIGS. 4   a,    4   b,  and  4   c  all show the outer dish  200 , the outer dish bottom  210 , the outer dish outside  220 , the outer dish inner cavity  230 , and the outer dish rim  240 . The inner dish  300  is shown with inner dish bottom  310 , inner dish bottom  310 , inner dish outside  320 , inner dish inside  330 , inner dish opening  340 , and inner dish rim  350 , and the dish ensemble rim  180 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 4   a  shows a sawtooth interlocking rim mechanism  362 .  FIG. 4   b  shows a snap interlocking rim mechanism  364 .  FIG. 4   c  shows a tongue and groove interlocking rim mechanism  366 . The interlocking mechanisms may allow for temporary or permanent closure of the dish ensemble  100 . Other closure methods for the dish ensemble may be used, including but not limited to, other interlocking mechanisms, manufacturing or molding the dish ensemble  100  as one piece, using mechanisms that interlock with a lid or cover, using clasps or flexible seals such as 0-rings or gaskets, or any combination of these methods. 
         [0062]    An advantage to disassembling the dish ensemble  100  is that it may be easier to clean; the inner dish  300  could be put in the dishwasher separately. Additionally, multiple interchangeable inner dishes  300  could be used with the outer dish  200  so that the dish ensemble  100  could be used without washing each time between meals. The inner dish  300  could be disposable or re-useable. The unit could be made microwave safe, or, if the user doesn&#39;t want to place magnets in the microwave, the inner dish  300  could be microwaved separately and then fastened to the outer dish  200 . If the fluid in between the inner dish  300  and outer dish  200  is heated in the microwave, it could be used to keep food warm. Alternately, if it is cooled by placing the unit in the freezer, it could keep food cold. 
         [0063]    Although all four figures illustrate a round bowl as the dish ensemble  100 , and  FIG. 3  illustrates the utensil  370  as a spoon, the dish ensemble  100  may be any eating dish, such as but not limited to a plate or bowl, and may be any color, shape or size, such as but not limited to, round, square, triangular, deep, shallow, doll-sized, child-sized, adult-sized, giant-sized, etc. The utensil  370  may be any utensil, such as but not limited to, a fork, spoon, knife, or chop sticks, and may be any color, shape, or size, including but not limited to, doll-sized, child-sized, adult-sized, giant-sized, etc. The utensil  370  may be made from any material, including but not limited to, metal, plastics, rubbers, thermoplastics, elastomers, glass, fiberglass, ceramics, fabric, animal or plant components, food, metals, wood or wood products, or any combination of these materials or any suitable materials devised in the future. In the case where the utensil material is not attracted to the magnetic marker, a magnet or other material that is attracted to a magnet may be embedded in the utensil, and it may be any size that fits in the utensil and may be placed anywhere in, on, or attached to the utensil. 
         [0064]    The dish ensemble that employs rare earth magnets in the moveable markers is designed to be sold without utensils, as commonly used flatware will interact with the rare earth magnets. In the case where ferrite or other magnets are used, such that both the moveable markers and utensil contain magnets and material that interacts with magnets, the dish ensemble with moveable markers and the utensil or utensils may be sold separately or in sets. The utensils may be sold separately from the dish ensemble, and the moveable markers may be sold separately as a stand-alone purchase. 
         [0065]    The dish ensemble with moveable markers may be sold assembled or as a kit that is put together after purchase. Alternately, the kit may have a partial set of parts for assembling the whole unit, for instance, the dish and moveable markers may be in the kit with instructions to buy mineral oil separately to add. 
         [0066]    An embodiment not shown in the figures would be to have multiple compartments for the moveable markers  105  to ‘swim’ through. The child could play with the markers by moving them through the maze of compartments. The compartments could be physical barriers or pictures printed inside the fluid matrix between the inner dish  300  and outer dish  200 , or they could be in the inner dish inside  330 . 
         [0067]    Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.