Patent Publication Number: US-11026526-B2

Title: Adjustable bowl receptacle

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/699,463 filed on Jul. 17, 2018. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an adjustable bowl receptacle. More specifically the present invention provides an adjustable bowl receptacle that enables a user to freely adjust the angle at which a bowl rests when placed into the adjustable bowl receptacle. 
     Bowls are commonly utilized vessels of foods and liquids for consumption. Typically, an individual will utilize a spoon to gather the ingredients of the bowl and transport them to his or her mouth for ingestion. As the level of the contents of the bowl is lowered, it will become more difficult for the individual to gather the contents of the bowl into a spoon. This is primarily a result of the shape of a common bowl as most bowls define a flattened base to allow for the bowl to rest on a flat surface, such as a table. Due to this flattened base, the individual may have to hold the bowl with one hand and tilt the bowl so that the contents will rest between the flattened base and the side walls of the bowl. 
     Many individuals may become frustrated or struggle when trying to tilt a bowl however. Particularly, individuals with physical limitations or limited hand dexterity may be unable to both hold a bowl in a tilted position and orient a spoon to gather the contents. Additionally, due to the typical fluidity of bowl contents, spills can result from this method. These problems may be exacerbated even more where the contents of the bowl are hot, such as soup. Therefore, there is a need for a device that will assist individuals in gathering the remaining contents of a bowl. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of adjustable bowl receptacles now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an adjustable bowl receptacle wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when gathering the final contents of a bowl with a spoon. 
     The present system comprises a planar base. A plurality of annular segments forms an adjustable sidewall that extends upward from the planar base. A top segment is in operable connection with the plurality of annular segments and defines an open upper end and an interface. The interface comprises a plurality of flanges configured to secure a bowl therein. 
     In a further embodiment, it is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable side wall that is telescopic in configuration or is in an accordion style configuration such that the top segment is freely movable by the user. 
     In another embodiment, it is an object of the present invention to provide a plurality of annular segments where each annular segment is curved such that the open upper end is oriented to be freely movable. 
     In a further embodiment, it is an object of the present invention to provide a planar base that is of a greater diameter than the open upper end such that increased stability is provided to the adjustable bowl receptacle. 
     In yet another embodiment, it is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable bowl with a locking mechanism, such as a ball detent, so that the positioning of the adjustable bowl receptacle can be maintained. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the adjustable bowl receptacle. 
         FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the adjustable bowl receptacle. 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the adjustable bowl receptacle in an extended position. 
         FIG. 4  shows a close up view of an adjustable sidewall of an embodiment of the adjustable bowl receptacle. 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the adjustable bowl receptacle in use. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the adjustable bowl receptacle. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the adjustable bowl receptacle. An adjustable bowl receptacle  10  comprises a planar base  11 . The planar base  11  is configured to rest on a flat surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the planar base  11  is round, but in alternate embodiments, the planar base  11  may be of any desired shape. The planar base  11  is made of any suitable material. Ideally, the planar base  11  will be non-porous, durable and light in weight such that the adjustable bowl receptacle will be easy to use and easy to clean. 
     A plurality of annular segments  12  extend upward from the planar base  11 , such that an adjustable sidewall is defined. The adjustable sidewall allows for free movement of the plurality of annular segments  12  such as to orient the adjustable bowl receptacle  10  between a closed position and an extended position. The plurality of annular segments  12  is made of any suitable material. Ideally, the plurality of annular segments  12  will be non-porous, durable and light in weight such that the adjustable bowl receptacle  10  will be easy to use and easy to clean. In the illustrated embodiment the plurality of annular segments  12  consists of two segments. 
     A top segment  13  is disposed on top of the plurality of annular segments  12  oppositely the planar base  11 . The top segment  13  defines an open upper end. The open upper end is sized to receive a bowl therein, such that the bowl will rest in the top segment  13 . In one embodiment, a perimeter of the planar base  11  is greater than a perimeter of the open upper end. When the perimeter of the planar base  11  is greater than the perimeter of the open upper end, greater stability is provided to the adjustable bowl receptacle  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the adjustable bowl receptacle. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of annular segments  12  are telescopically oriented. As such, the plurality of annular segments  12  can be freely movable by the user, such as to adjust the position of the open upper end  15  to adjust the angle at which a bowl sits in the top segment  13 . In use, a user must be able to change the position of the top segment  13  while a bowl is placed in the top segment  13 . 
     Additionally, the top segment  13  defines an interface configured to receive a bowl therein. The interface is configured to receive and frictionally secure a bowl therein. In the shown embodiment, the interface comprises a plurality of flanges  14 . In one embodiment, the plurality of flanges  14  are made of a material providing an increased frictional coefficient. In another embodiment, the plurality of flanges  14  is integral to the top segment  13 . The plurality of segments, in the illustrated embodiment are defined by a base that tapers upward toward a rounded top. As such, greater stability is provided to a bottom portion of a bowl than a top portion of the bowl. Such support is desirable as a bowl is heavier at the bottom portion, particularly when the bowl has contents, such as food therein. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the adjustable bowl receptacle in an extended position. The adjustable bowl receptacle  10  is freely movable between a closed position (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and an extended position. In the extended position, the adjustable sidewall is selectively retractable to a desired angle. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a close up view of an adjustable sidewall of an embodiment of the adjustable bowl receptacle. In the illustrated embodiment, each annular segment of the plurality of annular segments  12  comprises a ball detent  17 . The top segment  13  additionally comprises a ball detent  17 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the adjustable bowl receptacle in use. In use, a bowl  16  is placed upon the interface at the open upper end of the top segment  13 . As such, the bowl  16  can be manipulated by the user in order to achieve a desired position, wherein the contents of the bowl are easily accessible by the user via a utensil, such as a spoon or a fork. 
     It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.