Abstract:
Tableware capable of facilitating conversation between guests and a method of using the same is provided that includes: a) providing a set of open-ended questions or commands each being separately printed on a surface of a dining-piece; b) distributing one or more of the dining-pieces to each dining partner; c) having each dining partner read aloud the open-ended question or comment printed on their dining-piece; d) having one of the dining partners answer the open-ended question; and e) engaging all of the dining partners in open discussion of alternate answers to the question.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to tableware and, more particularly, to tableware pieces each having a question or command printed thereon for generating discussion among dining partners.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Tableware, such as glasses, dishes, napkin rings, napkins, placemats, eating utensils, table decorations, party favors, and the like, are commonly used as service pieces for entertaining guests, such as at dinner parties and other social gatherings. Traditionally, each table setting includes multiple tableware pieces sufficient to serve multiple courses of a meal, such as an appetizer, a salad, soup, an entree, and a desert. However, such tableware may also be used in less formal situations for entertaining smaller groups of people.  
           [0003]    While entertaining, it is common for hosts to attempt to facilitate conversation among their guests. However, this frequently develops into semi-private conversations among small sub-groups of individuals. These conversations often become superficial in nature. It is sometimes preferable to attempt to engage all guests in a group discussion to facilitate conversation among new acquaintances and/or promote the developments of new relationships. By way of non-limiting example, it is preferable to facilitate group discussion among guests during social picnics, dinner parties, brunches, or on retreats or cruises.  
           [0004]    Accordingly, there exists a need in the relevant art to provide a method of facilitating, generating, or promoting conversation and discussion among dining partners. Furthermore, there exists a need in the relevant art to provide tableware that is capable of facilitating such conversation among dining partners.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    In accordance with the broad teachings of this invention, tableware capable of facilitating conversation or discussion among guests and a method of using the same is provided. The method includes: a) providing a set of open-ended questions or commands each being separately printed on a surface of a dining-piece; b) distributing one or more of the dining-pieces to each dining partner; c) having each dining partner read aloud the open-ended question or comment printed on their dining-piece; d) having one of the dining partners answer the open-ended question; and e) engaging all of the dining partners in open discussion of alternate answers to the question.  
           [0006]    Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a table place setting for entertaining according to the principles of the present invention;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of a conversation generating apparatus having an open-ended question printed on an unexposed surface thereof according to the principles of the present invention; and  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 3 is a perspective view, with hidden sections, of another conversation generating apparatus having the open-ended question printed on an exposed surface thereof. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0011]    The following description of the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. For example, the present invention may be used during any meal, such as breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, supper, a picnic, or at any time a conversation or a discussion between dining partners is encouraged. Moreover, the present invention may find utility in various applications such as residential, commercial, corporate, cruise, and the like.  
         [0012]    For purposes of this description, the term “tableware,” “tableware piece,” or “dining-piece” shall each include any plate, saucer, charger, bowl, cup, glass, goblet, napkin holder, napkin, placemat, table utensil, table decoration, party favor, and/or any other piece or item used in setting a table for a meal, such as breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, supper, a picnic, and the like. The terms “tableware,” “tableware piece,” or “dining-piece” may be used interchangeably. This tableware shall be made of conventional materials, such as china, earthenware, stoneware, porcelain, plastic, glass, silver, gold, steel, paper, expanded rigid polystyrene plastic such as STYROFOAM™, or any other material or composition commonly used in manufacturing formal, everyday, or disposable tableware products.  
         [0013]    Referring to FIGS.  1 - 3 , a conversation-generating apparatus  10  includes at least one tableware piece  12  defining a top or exposed surface  14  and a bottom or unexposed surface  16 . Exposed surface  14  is generally exposed to the view of the user when tableware piece  12  is placed on a table and, in terms of a plate, would be the side in which food or other tableware is placed. On the other hand, unexposed surface  16  is generally concealed from the view of the user when tableware piece  12  is placed on a table and, again in terms of a plate, would be the non-food side that is placed downwardly. It is anticipated that conversation-generating apparatus  10  may include any number of tableware or dining pieces.  
         [0014]    Each tableware piece  12  includes an open-ended question or command  18  printed on a surface thereof or otherwise affixed thereto. In the interest of brevity, open-ended question or command  18  will be referred to as open-ended question  18  unless otherwise noted. However, it should be appreciated that a command that instructs a guest to describe an experience, situation, opinion, or the like is within the scope of this invention.  
         [0015]    Preferably, open-ended question  18  is printed on unexposed surface  16  of tableware piece  12  to prevent a user from reading the question or command prior to a discussion or conversation. However, open-ended question  18  may also be printed on exposed surface  14  of tableware piece  12  to be preferably covered by food or other tableware. It is anticipated that open-ended question  18  is printed on or affixed to tableware piece  12  in a known manner, such as by forming the lettering under a coating applied to the tableware piece either during or after the manufacturing process. This printing method would allow for a smooth, unobstructed, durable-finish on the surface thereof. Such printing of open-ended question  18  in this manner also prevents the lettering from contaminating any food items placed on or in tableware piece  12 . However, it should be appreciated that any printing or affixing method known to one skilled in the art may be used.  
         [0016]    Open-ended question or command  18  is generally defined as a question or command that allows for a spontaneous, unstructured response that typically has no right or wrong answer. Open-ended questions or commands commonly allow a respondent to elaborate on their own personal thoughts, opinions, feelings, or experience relating to a specific topic. Preferably, open-ended question or command  18  is chosen from topics relating to politics, history, movies, theatre, sports, children, marriage, dating, religion, famous people, television, education, alma maters, space, general matters, personal experiences, festive occasions, and the like. It should be noted that open-ended question  18  may be any question which allows for a spontaneous, unstructured response. By way of non-limiting example, the following open-ended questions represent a varied cross-section of possible alternatives that are believed to elicit a spontaneous, unstructured response:  
                                                                                                                                                             General Category            1.)   If you could invite a person in history to have dinner with you,           who would it be and what would you discuss?       2.)   Which relative or acquaintance makes you want to “run for            cover,” when they announce they are coming for a visit           and why?            Politics and History            1.)   Which U.S. political figure has made the most important           contribution to our society and what was that contribution?       2.)   Which top five inventions have made the most impact on           our culture?            Movies and Theater            1.)   If you could spend a weekend “on location” during           the filming of a movie with your favorite actor, who would it be?       2.)   What movie should be a requirement for all children to see?            The Sporting Life            1.)   Choose a sport and describe how certain aspects of the sport           mimic life and its uncertainties.       2.)   Which American athlete presents the best qualities of a role           model for youth and why?            Children            1.)   What did you do to receive the most memorable punishment           of your life       2.)   You are getting ready to leave for school, what do you hear           your Mom or Dad saying?            Dating Fun            1.)   What was your worst date?       2.)   What physical characteristics do you appreciate most in a           potential date?            Married Life            1.)   You are talking to a young person about to marry, what three           pieces of advice do you give?       2.)   What was the funniest event that occurred during your wedding           and/or on your honeymoon?            Spiritual            1.)   Which verse provides you with the most inspiration for dealing           with life&#39;s difficulties?       2.)   You and God are dining, what do you say to Him and what does           He say to you?                  
 
         [0017]    Preferably, each guest receives at least one tableware piece  12 . This tableware piece would include a unique open-ended question  18  that is unlike any of the remaining open-ended questions.  
         [0018]    The use of conversation-generating apparatus  10  will now be described in further detail. As set forth above, the present invention may be used for a variety of entertaining situations. However, in the interest of brevity, the use of conversation generating apparatus  10  will be described with reference to a dinner party environment or other formal occasion. Place settings for formal dinner parties typically include the largest number of individual tableware pieces, such as plates, saucers, chargers, bowls, cups, glasses, goblets, napkin holders, napkins, placemats, table utensils, table decorations, party favors, and the like and, thus, provide the opportunity for the most complete description of the preferred embodiment. However, this detailed description shall not be interpreted to limit this application in that this invention may be used with a single tableware piece with a single open-ended question or command printed thereon.  
         [0019]    To use conversation-generating apparatus  10 , each guest or dining partner randomly receives a complete set of tableware defining a single place setting. Preferably, each piece of tableware  12  may include open-ended question or command  18  printed on unexposed surface  16 . The printing of open-ended question or command  18  on unexposed surface  16  prevents each guest from knowing his/her questions. This prevents each guest from knowing and preparing a response to the open-ended question beforehand. Consequently, the intent of eliciting spontaneous, unstructured answers and opinions is maintained. However, it is anticipated that in the alternative, open-ended question or command.  18  may be printed on exposed surface  14  of tableware  12 . When these questions or commands are printed on exposed surface  14 , they may be obscured from view by food or beverage or may be revealed to the guest upon sitting at the table. The specific time at which the open-ended questions or commands are revealed to the guest may be determined by the host and may be tailored to suite the desired atmosphere of the social gathering.  
         [0020]    At a time to be determined by the host, each guest or dining partner is asked to uncover, if necessary, the open-ended question or command that is printed on a specific piece of tableware and read it aloud to the remaining dining partners. This is preferably done prior to the serving of the next course. The guest then answers the open-ended question or command aloud, thereby sharing with the remaining dining partners their own thoughts, opinions, feelings, and/or experiences relating to the topic. The remaining dining partners are then engaged in a group discussion relating to the open-ended question or command and/or the answer(s) provided by their fellow dining partner(s). Once the group discussion is substantially exhausted or at a time determined by the host, another guest is asked to read aloud and answer aloud the open-ended question or command printed on one of their specific pieces of tableware and the process is repeated for each guest.  
         [0021]    Alternatively, one guest may read the open-ended question or command, while another guest responds to the question or command. It is important to note that there may be variations to this method that are within the scope of this application which still provide for eliciting a spontaneous, unstructured response to facilitate conversation among guests.  
         [0022]    By providing each guest with multiple tableware pieces having a different open-ended question or command printed thereon, each guest may have multiple turns of reading aloud and answering aloud their specific questions or command. It is also anticipated that the present invention may be used by two or more dining partners. For example, the present invention may be particularly useful in quickly getting to know the personal opinions and/or experiences of someone that one is dating or seeking to employ.  
         [0023]    The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways, such as with some editions centered on a certain theme and/or limits on production volumes. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention. Such variations or modifications, as would be obvious to one skilled in the art, are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.